INDIA & THE WORLD BILATERAL AFFAIRS MAY 2017
- India, Mauritius sign 4 agreements including bilateral maritime security
India and Mauritius on 27th May signed four agreements after delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth in New Delhi.
The agreements include New Delhi extending a 500 million dollar line of credit to Mauritius. In his address, after signing of the agreements, Mr Modi said, the line of credit is an example of India’s strong and continuing commitment to the development of the island nation.
Mr Modi said both countries have agreed that effective management of conventional and non-conventional threats in Indian Ocean is essential to pursue economic opportunities. He also said, the conclusion of the bilateral Maritime Security Agreement, will further strengthen mutual cooperation and capacities between the two nations. - PM Narendra Modi calls for Asia-Africa growth corridor
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for creation of a Asia-Africa growth corridor for the development of Africa. Mr Modi said this while inaugurating the 52nd Annual Meeting of African Development Bank at Gandhinagar in Gujarat on 23rd May. He said, India is working with the United Nations and Japan to support development in Africa.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi showcased his development agenda and policies to African leaders. While India and Africa face the similar challenges of uplifting farmers, addressing poverty issues, women empowerment, rural development and infrastructure, India can help in some areas, he said.
On the skill development front, Modi said the training of ‘Solar Mamas’ in Africa has yielded dual outcomes. (A group of nearly 30 rural women solar engineers from six African countries were trained under India’s developmental support for harnessing solar energy).
Training the African women to work on solar panels and circuits helped them to electrify their communities back home. It also led to the empowerment of illiterate or semi-literate women through other skills, like basket making, bee keeping, and kitchen gardening during their stay here, Modi said. Modi further listed the macroeconomic achievements of his government over the past three years.
Africa, which has a population of about 650 million without electricity, can look up to India in achieving power for all. - Cabinet approves JDI between Germany and India on alternative medicine
Cabinet has approved the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between Germany and India regarding cooperation in the sector of alternative medicine. The signing of the joint declaration will enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the areas of traditional and alternative medicine.
An official release said, the initiation of collaborative research, training and scientific capacity building in the field of alternative medicine between the two countries will contribute, enhanced employment opportunities in the AYUSH sector. - India-Singapore joint naval exercise concludes
The Indian Navy and the Singapore Navy have concluded a week-long bilateral military exercise in the South China Sea, during which they conducted a series of advanced naval warfare drills, including air defence exercises and gunnery live-firings.
The Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise 2017 that concluded also displayed the maiden participation of Singapore's F-15SG fighter jets. Singapore's Ministry of Defence said in a statement that this year's exercise is the 24th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise held since 1994.
The statement said, both navies are also exploring new and enhanced areas of cooperation in the maritime domain. - India skips China's BRF summit ceremony
India on 14th May skipped the opening ceremony of China's Belt and Road Forum following sovereignty concerns over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). No Indian delegation was seen at the opening ceremony addressed by Chinese President, Xi Jinping.
The meeting called the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) is being attended by 29 heads of state and governments including Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickrmasinghe, besides official delegations from other South Asian countries.
Leaders and officials from various countries including Russia, US, Japan, UK, Germany and France are attending the meeting.
In a strongly-worded statement issued, India had said that the connectivity initiative must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity. - 5 MoUs signed between India and Palestine
Extending an "unwavering support" to the Palestinian cause, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has affirmed that India hopes to see a sovereign, independent, united and viable Palestine which will co-exist peacefully with Israel
India also called for an early resumption of talks between Israel & Palestine in order to move towards finding a comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue. India and Palestine also signed five agreements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at Hyderabad House. PM Modi earlier met President Abbas on the sidelines of UNGA in September 2015.
Palestian President is on a 4-day visit to India. After the restricted talks India and Palestine sign five agreements. These were MoU on visa exemption for diplomatic passport holder, agriculture cooperation, cooperation in field of IT & Electronics, health sector and cooperation in the field of youth affairs and sports.
India also called for early resumption of talks between Palestinian and Israeli sides to find a comprehensive resolution. India has been contributing to material & technical assistance to Palestine. India has been building a techno Park in Ramallah at the cost of $12 million. - China Proposes 4-Point Initiative To Improve Sino-India Ties
Amid increasing strain in Sino-India ties, China has proposed a four-point initiative to overcome differences and deepen relations which includes aligning its 'One Belt One Road' project with India's 'Act East Policy' and restarting negotiations on a free trade pact.
The proposal put forward by Chinese envoy Luo Zhaohui also includes starting negotiations on a 'China-India Treaty of Good Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation' and prioritising finding an early solution to the border dispute between the two countries.
Thirdly, strive for an early harvest on the border issue. Fourthly, actively explore the feasibility of aligning China's 'One Belt One Road Initiative' (OBOR) and India's 'Act East Policy'
The Chinese envoy made the remarks while speaking at defence think-tank United Service Institution but the text of his closed-door address was released by the Chinese Embassy.
Referring to Indo-Pak ties, Luo said China is willing to mediate to resolve differences between the two countries if both sides accept it. He said good ties between the two countries were conducive to regional stability and in China's interests.
The development of China, India, Pakistan and the stability of the whole region call for a stable and friendly environment
On the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Luo said China has no intention to get involved in the sovereignty and territorial disputes between India and Pakistan.
Referring to the views in India that China always puts Pakistan first when handling its relations with South Asian countries, he said the government always follows 'China first' policy and that "problems" are dealt with based on merit. - 29th CORPAT between India and Indonesia at Port Blair
The 29th series of India- Indonesia Co-Ordinated Patrol (CORPAT) scheduled from 09 – 25 May 17 with the opening ceremony conducted from 09 -12 May 17 at Port Blair under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command. The Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Sutedi Senoputra has arrived to take part in this series. Both countries have been carrying out CORPAT maritime exercise twice a year since 2002. The closing ceremony of the CORPAT is scheduled at Belawan, Indonesia from 22 – 25 May 17. - Buddhism imparts an ever present radiance to India-Sri Lanka relationship: PM Modi
Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi has said that the friendship between India and Sri Lanka is etched in time as Buddhism imparts an ever present radiance to their relationship.
Inaugurating the three-day conference of UN Vesak Day celebrations in Colombo, Mr. Modi said relations between the two neighbours is spread across many layers and lives in the hearts of people.
Prime minister said that the economic and social well being of the people of Sri Lanka is linked with that of 1.25 billion Indians and only aim of India’s development cooperation with Sri Lanka is to support it in realizing a peaceful, prosperous and secure future.
He said the menace of terrorism in region is a concrete manifestation of this destructive emotion and deplored that such forces are not open to dialogue. Prime minister expressed firm belief that Buddhism's message of peace is the answer to growing arc of violence all over the world.
Mr. Modi said the world also owes a debt of gratitude to Sri Lanka for preserving some of the most important elements of the Buddhist heritage. He announced a direct Air India flight between Colombo and Varanasi to deepen links of Buddhist heritage.
Prime Minister also visited the biggest Buddhist temple of tooth relic in Kandy.
He unveiled a plaque for construction of a cultural school to preserve Kandyan traditions and knowledge, a project funded by India.
He also inaugurated a multispecialty hospital at Dickoya which has been built with Indian assistance. Prime minister announced for setting up of 10 thousand additional houses in hill country region.
He also announced that the emergency ambulance service established with Indian funding in two of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka will be extended to the whole country. - India to give Rs 35 cr to Bangladesh freedom fighters children under 'Muktijodha scholarship' scheme
India will give 35 crore rupees to children of freedom fighters in Bangladesh during the next five years under the new 'Muktijodha scholarship' scheme. Indian High Commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla announced that students at higher secondary level will get an one time grant of 15,370 rupees and those at Under graduate level will get 38,430 rupees. India initiated the Muktijodha Scholarship Scheme in 2006 for descendants of the 1971 Freedom Fighters.
- India, Turkey condemn double-standards in combating terrorism
India and Turkey have strongly condemned the "use of double standards" in combating terrorism and agreed to strengthen cooperation in effectively dealing with the menace both bilaterally and at multilateral fora.
In a joint statement, both sides urged all countries and entities to work sincerely to disrupt terrorist networks and their financing and stop cross-border movement of terrorists.
The joint statement was issued after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in New Delhi. The two leaders also called for early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT). - India, UK agree to address challenges of illegal migrants
India and the UK on 4th May agreed to address the challenges of illegal migrants at the First Home Affairs Dialogue held in New Delhi. The two sides agreed to work together to ensure smooth return of Indians overstaying in UK subject to nationality verification.
Both sides expressed satisfaction in matters relating to extradition of wanted persons. The process involved in matters of extradition and the need to further improve them, were also discussed.
Both sides also agreed to enhance and strengthen further the bilateral cooperation and work towards formalising the arrangements.
Regarding criminal data sharing and strengthening cooperation in tackling serious and organized crimes, the two sides expressed their satisfaction in the existing level of cooperation.
India raised the issue of visa related difficulties faced by Indian students, skilled professional and dependents of Indian diplomats.
UK side assured to looked into it and mentioned that it has been its constant endeavour to improve the visa process to promote people to people exchanges between the two countries.
The UK side also briefed about the progress regarding the registered travelling services and great club announcements which were made during UK Prime Minister’s visit in 2016.
Both India and UK laid emphasis on cooperation on anti- terrorism echanism and to strengthen mutual support to check cyber crimes.
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