INDIA & THE WORLD BILATERAL AFFAIRS OCTOBER 2015

INDIA & THE WORLD BILATERAL AFFAIRS OCTOBER 2015

• India-Africa Forum Summit begins in New Delhi
   The 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit kicked off in New Delhi on 26th October with a meeting among the senior officials of the host nation and 54 countries from the African continent.
  
  The 4 day summit starting 26th of October will end on 29 of October. In a major diplomatic coup Delhi has managed to get all African countries on board for the summit.
  
  Issues like tackling piracy, joint action plan on terrorism, enhancing cooperation on WTO and a major push for reforms at the UNSC are high on the agenda. The two previous India-Africa summits were held in 2008 and 2011, in New Delhi and Addis Ababa but with only representative participation from African countries.
  
• PM holds bilateral talks with Heads of African nations
  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 28th October held bilateral talks with heads of several African nations during which UN reforms, combating challenge of terrorism and boosting trade and investment, particularly in oil and gas sector, figured prominently. The African leaders appreciated India's development projects in the continent and sought deepening of ties in diverse sectors including health care, education and capacity building.
  
  The heads of state and government of African countries are in India to participate in the India Africa Forum Summit tomorrow. There was a detailed discussion between South African President Zuma and Indian Prime Minister on ways to tackle threat of terrorism, with both stressing that there was a need for concrete strategy to fight the menace in a united way.
  
  The South African leader said coming together of African countries with India showed to the world that they no longer are dependent on former colonial powers. The Prime Minister also met President of Zimbabwe, and Chairman of African Union Robert Mugabe. Both the leaders discussed issues of common interest, including UN reforms and the threat of terrorism.
  
  Mr Mugabe is the co-chair for the India Africa Forum Summit, and the two leaders reviewed the preparations for the Summit. The Prime Minister also met President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana during which both sides reviewed the warm bilateral ties.
  
  Growing bilateral trade came up for discussion and both leaders stressed on the need to step up engagement in sectors like agriculture, IT, skill development, cyber security and maritime security
  
  Other important points
  • The India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is set to bring smiles to the families of Indian citizens held as prisoners in African nations of Togo and Nigeria.
  • A day ahead of the formal summit meeting, both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a record 31 structured bilateral meetings with visiting African leaders separately, discussing issues of extending more line of credit (LoC), boosting trade and investment and also combating challenges of terrorism and working together to push reforms at the United Nations.
  • During his meeting with the Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, Modi specifically raised the issue of 11 Indian prisoners, arrested last year for sailing into that country's waters. Their ship had left Ghana for Cameroon and due to technical snag, was forced to anchor in the Port of Brass.
  • On July 25 last year, the Nigerian navy arrested the workers of the ship and handed them over to the Economic Financial Crime Commission of Nigeria.
  • Earlier Swaraj raised the issue of five Indian prisoners held in Togo with its foreign minister Robert Dussey. Togo foreign minister told Swaraj that his country would look into chances of presidential pardon as well, to expedite release of Indian prisoners.
  • A common theme running across all the meetings was African leaders asking India to ensure to setup a monitoring mechanism and regular follow ups so that aid and Line of Credit is disbursed quickly to accentuate completion of projects.
  • They highlighted that due to complexity of procedures and lack of communication and absence of regular monitoring, commitments are getting derailed, even though they appreciated India's development projects in the continent and sought deepening of ties in diverse sectors including healthcare, education and capacity building.
  • There was also an agreement to work together to ensure reforms at the United Nations. Foreign Minister of Mauritius Usha Dwarka Canabady added a new dimension demanding Indian support to the small island developing states for a dedicated seat at the UN Security Council.
  • In his meeting, South African President Jacob Zuma said it was important that all like minded countries come together to ensure reform of the UN, observing that many conflicts in the world including the Syrian crisis could not be resolved because of veto powers of the UNSC member countries.
  • The South African leader also said coming together of African countries with India showed to the world that they no longer are dependent on former colonial powers.
  • The Prime Minister also met Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe, and Chairman of African Union. Mugabe is the co-chair for the India Africa Forum Summit, and the two leaders reviewed the preparations for the Summit.
  
  
• India, Africa must work together to strengthen international regime against terrorism
  Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has said that India and Africa have to work together to strengthen the international regime against terrorism. Speaking at the 3rd India Africa Forum Summit, Mr Mukherjee said, terrorism knows no boundaries and has no ideology except that of wanton destruction.
  
  The President said the Summit is a demonstration of the importance India attaches to its relations with Africa. The active participation of all countries of Africa at this Forum reflects the desire of member countries to build an enduring partnership between both side and there peoples.
  
• Commitment for comprehensive Reforms of UNSC
  The 4-day India-Africa Forum Summit came to a close on 29th October, with both sides adopting Delhi Declaration 2015 and India-Africa Framework for Strategic Co-operation. The Delhi Declaration calls for continued collaboration in peace and security, and strengthening the UN counter terrorism mechanism.
  
  The India-Africa Framework for Strategic Cooperation reaffirms strong commitment to work together for comprehensive Reforms of the United Nations system, including its Security Council, to make it more regionally representative, democratic, accountable and effective.
  
  Ahead of the crucial climate change summit in Paris, both sides urged developed nations to undertake mitigation measures to reduce carbon emissions. India and Africa also pledged to continue promoting investment and trade through opening of new markets and raising the level of economic partnership.
  
• India promises $10-bn line of credit to Africa
  To strengthen ties with African countries and counter the growing influence of China in that region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a concessional credit grant of $10 billion to Africa through the next five years.
  
  India will also offer a grant assistance of $600 million. This will include an India-Africa development fund of $100 million and an India-Africa health fund of $10 million. It will also include 50,000 scholarships in India through the next five years. And, it will support the expansion of the pan-Africa e-network and institutions of skilling, training and learning across Africa.
  
• New waterways to link India, Bangladesh on cards
  India has kicked off the process to open new waterways with Bangladesh, a move that would facilitate the movement of people, goods and machinery between them and hugely help land-locked northeastern India.
  
  According to union Minister for DoNER (Development of North Eastern Region) Jitendra Singh, India is prioritising multi-modal connectivity in the northeastern region, including water connectivity, and already 16 waterway projects, mostly involving Bangladesh, have been approved for this region.
  
  India is now implementing the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit-Transport Project through Sittwe port in Myanmar to resolve the connectivity problem in the mountainous northeast region.
  
• Nepal's Dy PM Kamal Thapa calls on PM Modi
  Nepal's Deputy PM Kamal Thapa discusses bilateral issues with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PM conveys to Thapa that India supports a stable and united Nepal, assures every possible help to Nepal in that endeavour.
  
  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19th October made it clear to Nepal that India's only desire is to see the neighbouring country united, inclusive.
  
  Kamal Thapa had an extensive meeting with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj on sunday during which he understood to have urged New Delhi to ensure the supply of essential goods to crisis hit Nepal, where life has come to grinding halt due to ongoing agitation by various groups in wake of promulgation of new Constitution.
  
  Sushma Swaraj asked Nepal Deputy PM Kamal Thapa about what will be the roadmap of resolving political deadlock in Nepal and said peace and reconciliation with all groups is the way out to resolve political impasse.
  
  Nepal's Deputy PM Kamal Thapa sought India's help in sending more than 300 fuel laden trucks from alternative routes.
  
  The Nepalese leader said to have briefed the external affairs minister about the recent political changes in his country, the Constitution amendment process and the efforts being made for political stability.
  
  This was Thapa's first visit to India, and also abroad, after the new Government headed by K P Sharma Oli took charge in the Himalayan nation following promulgation of the new Constitution about a month back.
  
  Nepal has been facing a number of issues ever since it promulgated its consitution last month. Madhesi and other groups in the south of the country have been agitating and asking for a say in the constitution. Agitation of the Madhesi people has led to the 2,500 trucks being stranded at various entry points at Indo-Nepal border.
  
• Swaraj holds talks with Turkmen counterpart on TAPI
  External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on 19th October held talks with her Turkmen counterpart Rashid Meredov on key issues, including TAPI gas pipeline and Ashgabat Agreement on trade and transit.
  
  Swaraj, who had a stopover in Ashgabat on her way to Moscow where she will co-chair the annual India-Russia Inter- Governmental Commission meeting with her Russian counterpart, met Meredov who said that they will be sending the Ashgabat Agreement copy to India for further discussion.
  
  The discussions came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Turkmenistan in July expressed gratitude for Turkmenistan's support to India in joining the Ashgabat Agreement on trade and transit.
  
  The Ashgabat Agreement is a transit agreement established in year 2011 between the countries of Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkmenistan and Oman. Kazakhstan has also joined the bloc.
  
  The USD 10 billion TAPI -- Turkmenistan-Afghanistan- Pakistan-India -- project is expected to bring Turkmen natural gas from its giant Dauletabad and Galkynysh gas fields to Pakistan and India. The project is likely to take off in December.
  
• BRICS University Forum meet kicks off in Beijing
  The BRICS University President Forum 2015 started its three-day meeting in Beijing on 17th October. Top officials from 12 Indian universities, including Jawaharlal Nehru University and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, are participating in the forum.
  
  The University Forum, jointly organised by Beijing Normal University and Beijing Municipal Commission of Education, aims at building an exchange platform among academia, political sphere and business community, leading to in-depth research on major challenges confronted by the BRICS countries.
  
• India, US and Japan hold naval exercises
  Naval warships, aircraft carriers and submarines from the U.S., India and Japan steamed into the Bay of Bengal on 17th October as they took part in joint military exercises off India's east coast, signalling the growing strategic ties between the three countries.
  
  The sea drills, part of the six-day-long Malabar exercises, will cover the full spectrum of naval manoeuvres, including military-to-military coordination and anti-submarine warfare, according to a joint statement.
  
  After Japan, US has also said that the trilateral Navy Exercise Malabar-2015, also involving India, was not aimed at China or any other country, but was an initiative to ensure freedom of navigation in the region and enhance communication among the three navies.
  
• India sought info about mystery surrounding Netaji
  India on 20th October asked Russia to share any information it has on the seven-decade-old mystery surrounding Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The development came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that India will declassify files on Bose beginning January 23 next year.
  
  The issue was raised by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Successive governments have refused to make public these documents, arguing that India's relations with foreign countries would be jeopardized.
  
  The demands for declassification of secret files have been growing lately, especially after the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal last month declassified 64 files which were in its possession.
  
• Sushma to BRICS Nations: Make in India
  External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who is on a three-day official visit to Russia, asked BRICS partners to invest in India's flagship programmes including 'Make in India' and 'Skill India'.
  
  The External Affairs Minister, while speaking at a meeting of BRICS Ministers of Industries, also made a strong pitch for removal of structural impediments for increasing trade engagement amongst members of the group. Sushma Swaraj said the government has laid down a clear roadmap for lowering corporate taxes and that there is huge opportunities in India for trade and investment.
  
• TG MoU with French city
  Telangana Government Chief Secretary Dr. Rajiv Sharma on 20th October signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bordeaux Metropolis (France), represented by its Vice President Michel Vernejoul. The MoU aims at strengthening economic links between Telangana State and Bordeaux Metropolis in aeronautical engineering, biotechnology and information technology sectors and in areas of urban renewal.
  
  The Chief Secretary also met representatives of other institutions including, Aero Campus Quitaine and Sabena Techniques, in Bordeaux to explore possible areas of cooperation and investment. The signing of MoU was followed by meeting with number of companies in Stockholm, including Electrolux and Ericsson, and a visit to Almhult, Ikea's headquarters in Sweden.
  
• India and Russia discuss ways to boost their economic ties
  India and Russia have discussed ways to boost their economic ties to achieve the target of 30 billion dollar in bilateral trade in the next 10 years. India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin chaired the 21st India-Russia Inter-Governmental Consultations in Moscow on 21st October.
  
  They also looked at ways to enhance mutual direct investment to 15 billion dollar by 2025. Both the sides identified various sectors to achieve the commercial targets, agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra.
  
• Japan offers India $15-bn for bullet train project
  Japan has offered to finance India’s first bullet train, estimated to cost $15 billion, at an interest rate of less than a per cent, stealing a march on China, bidding for other projects on the world’s fourth-largest network. Tokyo was picked to assess the feasibility of building the 505-kilometre corridor linking Mumbai with Ahmedabad and concluded it would be technically and financially viable.
  
  The project to build and supply the route will be put out to tender, but offering finance makes Japan the clear frontrunner.
  
  Last month, China won the contract to assess the feasibility of a high-speed train between Delhi and Mumbai, a 1,200-km route estimated to cost twice as much. No loan has yet been offered.
  
  Japan’s decision to give virtually free finance for Modi’s pet programme is part of its broader push back against China’s involvement in infrastructure development in South Asia over the past several years.
  
  The two projects are part of a ‘Diamond Qaudrilateral’ of high-speed trains over 10,000 km of track that India wants to set up connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Japan has offered to meet 80 per cent of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad project cost, on condition that India buys 30 per cent of equipment, including the coaches and locomotives from Japanese firms.
  
  Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which led the feasibility survey, said the journey time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad would be cut to two hours from seven. The route will require 11 new tunnels, including one undersea near Mumbai.
  
  Beijing offered $5 billion in loans without asking for guarantees, an Indonesian official said, ending a months-long battle to build the line linking Jakarta with the textile hub of Bandung.
  
  The average speed of trains is 54km/hour, and rail experts have argued that the priority ought to be to improve the speed and safety on existing trains and routes.
  
• India, Africa align on WTO issues
  Ahead of the World Trade Organization (WTO)'s ministerial conference, India and Africa on 23rd October discussed their respective positions, especially those pertaining to a permanent solution for food stockholding programme. The WTO ministerial conference will take place in Nairobi, Kenya during December 15-18.
  
• AP, Japan sign MoC to develop industries, new capital
  Andhra Pradesh and Japan have entered into a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) for industrial development and construction of the new capital Amaravati. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Japanese State Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Yosuke Takagi, signed the MoC on 22nd October
  
  A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the AP Finance department and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to invite foreign investments and to develop proposed capital city and region. JBIC intends to promote investments and exports to the State by Japanese companies.
  
• India and Jordan sign Six MoUs in Amman
  India and Jordan have signed six memoranda of understanding (MoU) in Amman today. The MoUs were signed as part of the President Pranab Mukherjee's state visit to Jordan.
  
  Agreements on Maritime Transport, Communication and Information Technology and Cultural exchange featured in the MoUs which were signed. Indian President Mukherjee inaugurated a street named after Mahatma Gandhi and planted an Olive tree in peace park.
  
  The Indian President held a meeting with the Jordan Prime Minister Dr Abdulla Ensour. Both leaders agreed that terrorism must be fought on multiple fronts and it is not enough to talk only in terms of some actors. Speaking to media, Secretary East, MEA, said that both countries realised the need for long term solutions and a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism is to be finalised. The President also met the Speaker and Members of the Senate.
  
  On the second day of his visit President Pranab Mukherjee held a meeting with Prime Minister of Jordan Dr Abdullah Ensour. Both leaders agreed that Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism is necessary for peace and tranquillity across the globe. The two leaders discussed various regional and international issues including Syria and Palestine. Earlier in the day President visited Jordaian Senate and met the speaker.
  
• Mahatma Gandhi statue unveiled: On the second day of his West Asia visit, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated Mahatma Gandhi Street in Jordanian capital Amman on 11th October. The Mayor of Amman presented the President with the golden key of Amman commemorating his historic visit.
  
• India, Maldives ink two MoUs
  The 5th India-Maldives Joint Commission meet led by Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Maldives Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon began in Maldives on 11th October.
  
  The two countries discussed cooperation in defence and security, trade and development partnership, connectivity, health, energy, HRD, culture and tourism. Maldives also extended support for India's bid for permanent membership in a reformed & expanded UN Security Council.
  
  The Joint Commission has proposed establishment of a Joint Business Forum and that an investment oriented forum be part of agenda for 2016. India and Maldives also signed two MoUs on cooperation between Foreign Service Institutes and on Cooperation in Sports & Youth Affairs.
  
• Australian art gallery to return 2000 year old Buddha idol to India
   An Australian art gallery has agreed to give a 2,000-year-old Buddha sculpture back to India. According to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials, the Sitting Buddha sculpture, whose roots could be traced to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, is currently with a national art gallery in Canberra, Australia.
  
  ASI sources said, the Australian art gallery intimated the Union Culture Ministry that they intend to return it. The sculpture made of sandstone is an image, which is very unique to the Mathura region.
  
  With the art gallery giving its consent, the ASI has requested the Ministry of Culture to send an official team to examine the antique idol dating to the first century. Earlier, Germany has returned an ancient Durga idol during the visit of Chancellor Angela Merkel to India.
  
• President in Palestine
  After successfully concluding visit to Jordan, President Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Ramallah in Palestine. Indian President Mukherjee held meetings with Palestinian President Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, and leaders of major political parties in Palestine.
  
  President Mukherjee visited the Al-Quds University in Abu-Dis where he was conferred an honourary doctorate.. MoUs concluded during the India-Palestine Higher Education Round Table were exchanged. President also inaugurated the Jawaharlal Nehru Secondary School at Abu Dees.
  
  India and Palestine share close and warm ties, with India steadfastly supporting the Palestinian cause. India has supported a negotiated solution resulting in a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, side by side at peace with Israel. This is in keeping with Quartet Roadmap and relevant UNSC Resolutions.
  
  India supported Palestine's bid for full equal membership of United Nations in 2011 and co-sponsored the UNGA Resolution in November 2012 upgrading Palestine to a non-member observer state.
  
  India also supported the resolution in UNGA of raising flags of non-member observer states which resulted in the Palestinian flag being raised this year at UN.
  
  Besides India has always extended bilateral and multilateral support to Palestine, as well as developmental and budgetary support.
  
  Mr Mukherjee and Palestine President Mahmood Abbas inaugurated a roundabout, Maidan-Al-Hind or India Roundabout and named a hitherto unnamed road as Sharey-Al-hind or India Street.
  
  Mr Mukherjee's historic visit to Palestine is the first ever state visit by an Indian president.
  
• India gives $ 5 million grant to Palestine
  India has announced projects worth 17.79 million US dollars in Palestine. President Pranab Mukherjee, who is on a maiden visit to Palestine, committed five projects including a technology park at Ramallah. In addition, a grant of five million US Dollars has also been given to Palestine as Budgetary assistance.
  
  India and Palestine called for a negotiated and peaceful settlement of the Israel-Palestine issue based on internationally agreed upon principles, which would lead to a united and viable state of Palestine.
  
• Pranab Mukherjee visits Israel as first Indian head of state
  Indian President Pranab Mukherjee reached Jerusalem on a 3-day state visit to Israel, where he laid wreath at tomb of Theodor Herzl. Mr. Mukherjee and Isralei President Reuven Rivlin rekindled the flame at hall of Remembrance in Yadvashen, in memory of the holocaust victims.
  
  Crossing over from Palestine after an overnight visit there, the Indian leader arrived in Israel. The visit would serve to deepen bilateral friendship in economic, scientific, medical, agricultural and other fields. A number of MoUs will be signed with Israel, including in the areas of renewable energy, double taxation avoidance, culture exchange programme and educational field.
  
  Mukherjee's discussions with the Israeli leadership are expected to cover subjects like terrorism and cooperation in various areas. MoUs in the fields of culture, education, science and technology will be signed. India established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1992 and since then the relationship has evolved into a multi-dimensional partnership.
  
  India and Israel are engaged in a range of issues of bilateral interest including cooperation in agriculture, science and technology, education and the visit will further cement bonds of cooperation between the two sides and enhance mutual understanding.
  
• India, US talks on social security agreement hit by cross winds
  India’s negotiations on a totalisation pact with the US has had a shaky start with Washington rejecting New Delhi’s claim that schemes such as the Atal Pension Yojana and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana should be considered while determining the size of population covered under the social security net.
  
  The US says it does not have the legislation mandate to negotiate totalisation agreements, also called social security pacts, with countries that have less than half its population under social security cover.
  
  A totalisation agreement could help Indian IT companies operating in the US save up to $4 billion in annual deposits made into the US’s social security kitty that Indian workers could neither utilise or get refunded.
  
  The team gave a presentation to the US social security officials on schemes such as the RSBY, Atal Pension Yojana, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation and various old age and accident cover schemes. The Commerce Ministry will now step in again and rake up the matter with the US Department of Commerce, pressing for a relaxation in rules.
  
  India wants a social security pact with the US that will exempt Indian workers on H1B visa from contributing to social security as they are not eligible for refunds. According to US laws, social security refund can be claimed by foreign workers after ten years of service whereas the H1B visas are given for only six years.
  
• President conferred honorary doctorate at Hebrew University
  On the last leg of his three-nation tour of Jordan, Palestine and Israel, President Pranab Mukherjee on 15th October was conferred a honorary doctorate at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
  
  President also sought Israel's participation in Digital India, Smart Cities and Model Village initiatives. In his six day vis it, President discussed entire gamut of bilateral, regional and international issues with leaders of these countries.
  
• Telangana inks MoU on cyber security
  The Government of Telangana on 16th October signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The Hague Security Delta, a cluster in Netherlands, where businesses, government and knowledge institutions work together in the area of cyber security.
  
  As part of this initiative, the Government of Telangana would work closely with The Hague Security Delta to share knowledge in cyber security, implementation of best practices in cyber security and work together in combating the cyber threats and vulnerabilities.
  
• India, Germany Sign 18 MoUs in various sectors
   India and Germany on 5th October signed 18 MoUs in various sectors including renewable energy, skill development, higher education, civil aviation, railways, food safety and promotion of German language in India and modern Indian languages in Germany.
  
  The MoUs were signed at the end of third Indo-German Inter-governmental Consultations in New Delhi which was co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
  
  Germany has pledged about one billion Euros (7,300 crore rupees) assistance for India's solar projects as part of the bilateral cooperation in energy sector.
  
  The joint statement issued after the meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said both the countries will continue to intensify their cooperation in developing climate-friendly and sustainable solutions for India's expanding energy needs.
  
  Besides, both sides welcomed the MoU on an Indo-German solar energy partnership based on concessional loans in the range of one billion euros over the next 5 years. India and Germany recognise that renewable energy and the efficient use of energy are most effective approaches to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in both the countries.
  
• Reducing Greenhouse gas emissions: Indo-German Climate and Renewable Alliance
  Recognizing "renewable energy" and "efficient use of energy" as the most effective routes to mitigate climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions, India and Germany decided to move on this path more aggressively under the new 'Indo-German Climate and Renewable Alliance'.
  
  They identified seven focus areas to intensify their ongoing cooperation. Germany, on its part, will provide soft loans worth one billion euros to India for solar projects over the next five years in addition to 1.15 billion euros that Berlin had committed earlier under 'Green Energy Corridors Partnership'.
  
  The alliance will be a comprehensive partnership to harness "technology, innovation and finance" in order to make affordable, clean and renewable energy accessible to all and to foster climate change mitigation efforts in both countries.
  
  Interestingly, both the countries also underlined that "adaptation" must be a central part of a balanced Paris climate agreement - a point which has consistently been raised by India despite being resisted by many rich nations who want a mitigation-centric deal.
  
  The agreement on renewable energy, signed between India and Germany, is in tune with what New Delhi had promised in its climate action plan (called Intended Nationally Determined Contribution - INDC) in the first week of October, 2015
  
  India had told the UN body on climate change on October 1 that the country would increase its share of clean energy by nearly 40% of its total energy mix by the year 2030, provided it gets support of finance and technology from the developed countries. New Delhi also highlighted that the country would need $ 2.5 trillion for this purpose by 2030.
  
  This is where the new 'Indo-German Climate and Renewable Alliance' will come as a boost for India's efforts to move on a low carbon growth path. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too flagged this issue in his statement at a joint press briefing with visiting German chancellor Angela Merkel here on Monday while recognizing Germany's cooperation.
  
• Microsoft Ties up with Telangana to offer Smart City Solutions
  Microsoft India and the State government have joined hands to help transform Telangana into a technology-enabled state. Developing smart cities is important to drive the state’s growth. Telangana government released a concept note on “Accelerate India - Technology for Growth,” with solutions available for smart cities from 21 startups.
  
  Meanwhile, a slew of startups, government officials and Microsoft officials took part in a Smart City Startups Conclave to map smart solutions for cities in Telangana.
  
  The discussion focused on solutions and apps in the areas of transport, healthcare, public safety, water and energy by startups from the Microsoft Ventures’ Portfolio which included Mybustickets.in, Celstream, iBot and FlamencoTech.
  
• India, US to work on regulatory info exchange
  India and the US will work on establishing a channel of communication between the regulatory bodies of the two countries. The aim is to minimise instances of sudden restrictions imposed on exports of agricultural products and pharmaceuticals.
  
  At the recent India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue in Washington, it was decided that the working group on standards — one of the six groups established to strengthen bilateral ties — will work on a mechanism for regular exchanges between the regulators of both sides.
  
  Indian exports of farm products such as Basmati rice, shrimps, spices and fruits have, in the past, faced sudden curbs due to reports of higher-than-allowed levels of contaminants found in shipments.
  
  Pharmaceuticals is another area that has taken a hit due to sudden restrictions imposed by the USFDA on Indian companies, more often on procedural matters than quality issues. Domestic majors such as Sun Pharma and Emcure Pharmaceuticals have been at the receiving end of USFDA action for allegedly violating standard manufacturing practices.
  
  It was decided at the Strategic and Commercial Dialogue — co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman from the Indian side and Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker from the US side — that the working group on standards will start work immediately on the exchange.
  
• BRICS issues 'joint declaration' to ensure orderly & legal migration
  After the first ministerial discussion on migration in Sochi, Russia, BRICS countries, that is, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, issued a 'joint declaration' expressing commitment to ensure orderly and legal migration amongst member nations and respect human rights.
  
  The declaration says that it welcomed strengthening of the dialogue and cooperation in the context of migration, including migration policies, procedures and strategies as well as discussions of representatives of the migration authorities of the BRICS countries.
  
  The BRICS nations affirmed their interest in exchanging views and sharing experience on migration issues; accepted the inter-relationship between transnational migration and development and the need to address the opportunities and issues that migration presents.
  
  It says that it reaffirms the openness of the BRICS to strengthen collaboration with other countries, international and regional organisations, based on principle of equality and mutual respect for discussing and addressing the issue of international migration.
  
  BRICS nations acknowledged the effect of migration to the social and economic development in the member countries, expressed the interest of BRICS countries in sharing best practices in the development and implementation of national migration policies or procedures.
  
  Other important points
  • The BRICS nation will soon allow free movement of “skilled professionals” among member countries by setting up a liberalised visa regime
  • The liberalised visa regime would further improve ties with China. It was in May this year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, that Chinese tourists were extended the facility of electronic visa on arrival, against the concerns of intelligence agencies.
  
  
• Nepal forms team to ease diplomatic standoff with India
  Nepal on 9th October formed a three-member team including the Foreign Minister to ease a diplomatic standoff with India over the supply of essential goods, including petroleum products, affected because of the blockade of trade points with India by people protesting the new Constitution.
  The committee was constituted comprising of the Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey, Minister for Commerce and Supplies Sunil Bahadur Thapa and the secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies. The team will have talks with Indian officials to address the ongoing issue so as to ensure smooth supply of petroleum products and other essential goods to landlocked Nepal.
  
• President begins 6-day visit to West Asia
  In the first leg of his six day tour of Jordan, Israel and Palestine President Pranab Mukherjee reached Jordan on 10th October. President met King Abdullah and held one to one talks with him on bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. ater both the countries also held delegation level talks.
  
  • India and Jordan have agreed for greater co-operation in the field of Counter terrorism and defence sector.
  • There were many agreements in the field of trade and investment. India opened a plant of IFFCO in Jordan and agreed for increased import of phosphate from Jordan in future
  • From India's side, it has been decided to open a $100 million line of credit to promote bilateral trade between the two countries, besides doubling to 50 the number of scholarships for Jordanian students to pursue higher education in India.
  • The visit is the first ever by an Indian President to Jordan.
  
  
• Modi woos Silicon Valley giants
  Wooing Silicon Valley majors such as Google, Facebook and Tesla to invest in India’s digital infrastructure and tap into the vast market, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this digital age offered an opportunity to transform the lives of India’s poor in a way hard to imagine a couple of decades earlier.
  
  Modi met the India-born chief executives of Google, Microsoft and Adobe Systems — Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella and Shantanu Narayen besides visiting Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple. The key visit by Modi was to Tesla, the electric car maker that is building the world’s largest factory for batteries to store power — he discussed bringing Tesla’s technology to help build India’s renewable energy sector.
  
  The PM talked of India’s plan to provide broadband services to all villages and mentioned that Google was helping to set up Wi-Fi internet access shortly in 500 railway stations in India.
  • Microsoft said it planned to replicate a technology it was piloting in Varanasi to offer broadband using the white space in television spectrum to Indian villages.
  • Qualcomm, which builds chipsets to power mobile phones, will create a $150 million fund for Indian start-ups.
  • John Chambers, chairman of Cisco Systems and chairman of the US India Business council, said digital manufacturing was set to create millions of jobs every month in India.
  • Google’s Pichai announced the search giant would allow users from next month to type in 10 Indian languages on its Android platform.
  
  
• India will be $20-trillion economy: PM at Facebook event
  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi set an ambitious target for India to become a $20-trillion economy with increased focus on agriculture, manufacturing and services. He said the government was focusing on deregulation, adding "the government has no business to run business".
  
  Modi reiterated the ambitious plan of providing optic-fibre connectivity to 600,000 villages in five years that could help the country witness growth. "Future cities will be built along network of optical fibre, similar to how civilisation was built around rivers and highways."
  
  He added that India is investing in physical and digital infrastructure with emphasis on technology to improve governance for the people.
  
  Modi said the government could not achieve its economic goal. He said the government wants more women to join the workforce."In education and health, you actually need to make reservation for men. There are more women in health and education; we need more participation of women in other sectors."
  
• Modi invites Apple CEO to set up manufacturing base in India
  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Apple to set up a manufacturing base in India and its CEO Tim Cook responded positively. Foxconn, which is Apple's largest manufactures, has decided to set up a manufacturing base in India, he noted.
  
  During the meeting, Cook said India has a very special place in the heart of every Apple employee for the simple reason that its co-founder Steve Jobs went to India when he was a young man for inspiration. It was what he saw in India that inspired him to launch Apple.
  
  Clash of the Titans
  • Around 350 programmers worked through the day trying to come out with the next big app for the 'Digital India' initiative
  • The app competition was being linked through a web link to an all-night 'Hackathon' at the Google Inc global headquarters at Santa Clara county, California
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Google chief executive Sundar Pichai were going to join through an interactive session with the Hackathon participants in India and the US later at night, via live simulcast
  • 75 teams were at it, hoping the app they developed would become part of the PM's 'Digital and Skill India' initiative
  • A little over 30 companies took part including Amazon, Adobe, Cisco, Edcast, GE, Google, Oracle and PayPal
  
  
• Google to give Wi-Fi access in 500 railway stations
  Global search giant Google will enable a little over 500 railway stations in India with Wi-Fi access, even as the country’s national open fibre network aims to provide broadband access to the 600,000 villages in the country.
  
  Modi explained the aim was to turn India’s villages into smart economic hubs and connect our farmers better to markets, making them less vulnerable to the whims of weather.
  
• PM Modi launches BHARAT Fund at 'India-US Startup Konnect
  PM Modi visited 'India-U.S. Startup Konnect' exhibition which showcased success stories of Indian entrepreneurs to highlight the rapidly rising global impact of technology innovation from India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his vision on 'Start-up India, Stand-up India' at the Start Up Seminar at Regency Hall at Hotel Fairmont.
  
  An idea can become a global product within a year, multiplying customers & employees. He also said that India & US have a natural partnership of innovation and technology that has shaped the knowledge economy. Explaining various policies to create an enabling environment for Startup India, the PM spoke about India's own startup revolution, an ecosystem that is growing rapidly.
  
  The PM added that he wants to see the idea and the spirit of Startups light up the economies and the fortunes of people in rural India. A catalyst for the future, the exhibition showcased products from 40 different companies.
  
  On the occasion, the Prime Minister released logo of Bharat Fund, which will provide seed funding to Indian entrepreneurs.
  
  On the occasion PM Modi said that he was honoured to launch the BHARAT Fund- which stands not just for India, but also for Better Health, Agri, Renewables & Tech. Besides, seven MoUs were also signed between Indian and US entities in the presence of PM at the function.
  
  The exhibition is being organized by innovative Indian startups - often working under the radar across areas as diverse as healthcare, agriculture, energy, technology and aerospace.
  
  These startups are representative of the changing India where apart from just creating solutions for the upper middle-class urban consumer of India, the innovators are leveraging technology and their experiences to create massive impact by solving some tougher problems.
  
• Seven MoUs signed at India-US startup me
  Aimed at giving a big boost to startups in India, as many as seven MoUs have been signed between various organisations of India and the US. The MoUs were signed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the India-US Start-up Konnect 2015.
  
  The first MoU between Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms and the California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences is to develop Indo-US Life Science Sister Innovation Hub so as to enhance science-based entrepreneurship, research, academia and businesses by leveraging each other's ecosystems.
  
  Department of Biotechnology and Prakash Lab, Stanford University signed another MoU on Foldscope -- a frugal science innovation that has emerged from a lab of an Indian with majority of Indians working in this laboratory. This lab will work with DBT to further develop and deploy the products from this lab.
  
  National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) and the Indus Entrepreneurs signed a MoU to collaborate in a mutually satisfactory form and manner in order to support the creation of a vibrant ecosystem to foster technology entrepreneurship in India and Silicon Valley.
  
  IIM Ahmedabad's Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE) and Lester Centre for Entrepreneurship of the Haas Business School of the University of California, signed a MoU to collaborate on mutual incubation, and support each other’s activities of mutual interest.
  
  CIIE also signed a MoU with Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator to extend NGIN Membership benefits to CIIE. The CIIE /LACI NGIN Landing Pad Programme is a reciprocal initiative that enables entrepreneurs and innovators in the cleantech space to gain access to the California and Indian markets. The programme will assist early and growth stage cleantech companies with market expansion through partnerships and funding opportunities in California and India.
  
  IIM Ahmedabad's CIIE signed a MoU with Tata Trust for founding partner for the Bharat Fund, which will provide seed funding to Indian entrepreneurs. CIIE also signed a MoU with Google to support technology and impact entrepreneurs through strategic support.
  
• U.S., India sign $3-bn defence deal
  On 28th September in New Delhi, US and Indian officials signed two contracts for the purchase by the Indian Air Force (IAF) of 22 AH-64E Apache attack helicopters, and 15 CH-47F Chinook multi-mission heavy lift helicopters.
  
  Two of the contracts, which were signed between teams from Boeing headquarters in the US and Indian defence ministry officials, were for the direct commercial sale (DCS) part of the contracts. This includes the entire Chinook helicopter, and the flying portion of the Apache (less engines), as well as logistic support, spares and services.
  
  The purchase of the Apache weaponry and radar was signed separately as a foreign military sale (FMS) purchase by the Indian defence ministry, which signed a letter of agreement to this effect with the Pentagon. The FMS portion of the sale includes munitions, training, aircraft certification, and components like engines, electrooptical sensors and the radar.
  
  The value of the deal for both helicopters, including DCS and FMS portions of the sale, is approximately $3 billion.
  
  According to the contract signed, Boeing will start delivering the Chinook and Apache helicopters 36 months from 28th September. The entire delivery is to be completed in 48 months from the signing of the contract.
  
  Both helicopters will be delivered in fly-away condition, i.e., fully-built and ready for operations. Since Boeing is committed to a 30 per cent offset liability, there may be some portions that are built in India. Already, Indian companies are involved in the building of the Chinook. Bengaluru-based Dynamatics Technologies builds the aft pylon and cargo ramps for the Chinook’s global supply chain.
  
  Boeing sources say that additional Indian vendors are being scouted for building more components. This contract will further consolidate the US position as India’s second-biggest arms supplier, behind only Russia.
  
  The Apache AH-64E is the world’s most fearsome attack helicopters. It is armed with anti-tank missiles, rockets and a chain gun that fires 625 rounds per minute that can rip apart and armoured vehicles. The Apache has flown close to a million mission hours in conflicts from the First Gulf War in 1991 to Afghanistan and Iraq. Similarly, the Chinook, which first flew in the Vietnam War, but has continuously evolved in design, is one of the world’s most well-reputed heavy lift helicopters. It is capable of underslinging and lifting a light 155 millimeter Howitzer to support troops in high altitudes of up to 15,000 feet.
  
• ADB to finance India-Bangladesh electricity link upgradation
  The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $120 million loan to upgrade the India-Bangladesh electricity network which will allow Bangladesh to meet its increasing power demand and support power exchanges across South Asia.
  
  The loan will be used to double the capacity of the existing inter-grid connectivity which links the power grid of western Bangladesh at Berhamara with the power grid of eastern India at Baharampur. The two electricity networks were first connected in December 2013 under a previous ADB project under which India exports 500 MW power to Bangladesh.
  
  In a statement the Manila-based lending agency's Director of Energy Division of the South Asia Department, Anthony Jude said the interconnectivity project is a step in the direction of a South Asia Regional Electricity Grid which will facilitate power exchanges between countries of the region.
  
  The project which is expected to be completed by June is part of efforts under the South Asia Subregional Economic Co-operation (SASEC) Programme aimed at improving economic opportunities through cross-border links in trade, power, road and rail networks.