CURRENT AFFAIRS 2015INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

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CONTENTS

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India, Thailand signed multiple agreements, including DTAA ......................................................................... 5 50 nations, including India, signed agreement on China-led AIIB ................................................................... 5 India-US MoUs to strengthen cooperation in health sector ............................................................................... 5 International Conference on Nepal's Reconstruction, 2015: Towards a Resilient Nepal ................................ 6 India to be the Partner Country for Russian Industrial Trade Fair “Innoprom 2016” .................................. 6 India, Nepal amended bilateral transit treaty ...................................................................................................... 7 EU launched Operation EU NAVFOR Med against migrant-traffickers .......................................................... 7 Pitcairn Island passed law to allow same-sex marriage .................................................................................... 7 India, Tanzania signed six MoUs to Enhance Mutual Cooperation ................................................................ 7 Agreement with Spain on Abolishing Visa Requirements for Diplomatic Passports ..................................... 9 Confronting the Crisis of Global Governance : GSJG Report ............................................................................. 9 Trade Target of 5 Billion US $ by 2018 Set Between India and Poland ....................................................... 10 Australia Put Hold on Imports of Maggi Noodles from India ....................................................................... 10 Free Trade Agreement Signed Between China and Australia .......................................................................... 10 Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement ...................................................... 11 First Ever Trilateral Dialogue Between India, Japan and Australia ................................................................ 11 Nepal Political Parties Arrived at an Agreement on Constitution Framework .............................................. 11 Land Boundary Agreement of 1974 Signed by India and Bangladesh ........................................................... 12 India and Bangladesh Signed 22 Bilateral Documents ..................................................................................... 12 India Lost Case in WTO’s Dispute Settlement Board Against USA ............................................................... 13 Agreements Between India and Netherland to Enhance Bilateral Cooperation ............................................ 13 2015 Framework for the India-US Defence Relationship .................................................................................. 14 Agreements and MoUs between India and Belarus .......................................................................................... 14 India Became Member of Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement on AEOI ...................................... 14 Indian President’s two-nation visit to Sweden and Belarus ............................................................................ 15 USA Freedom Act 2015 Came into Force ........................................................................................................... 16 Free Trade Agreement Between South Korea and China ................................................................................. 16 Trial Run of Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala Bus ServiceBegan .................................................................................. 17 Union Cabinet Nod to Agreement with Bangladesh on Coastal and Maritime Shipping ......................................... 17 Resolution on Protection of journalists in Conflict Zones Adopted in UNSC ............................................... 18 NATO Launched Arctic Challenge Exercise ...................................................................................................... 18 Joint Vision Statement on Defence Cooperation 2015-2020 Between India and

Vietnam .................................................................................................................................................................. 18 9th Session of the India-South Africa Joint Ministerial Commission .............................................................. 18 India- South Korea Agreements to upgrade Relations to Special Strategic

Partnership Level .................................................................................................................................................. 19 Bilateral Agreements Between India and Mongolia to Enhance Relations .................................................... 19 India Announced e-Visa Facility for Chinese Tourists ..................................................................................... 21 India and China Signed Agreements To Enhance Bilateral Co-operation .................................................... 21 Memorandum of Intent Between India and Russia for Higher Academic Cooperation .............................. 22 British PM David Cameron led Conservative Party Wins 2015 General Election ........................................ 23 Inter-Governmental MoU Between India AndIran for Development of Chabahar Port ............................... 23 Rubella Eradicated from North and South America Region ............................................................................ 23 China’s New Action Plan - One Belt, One Road Initiative ............................................................................. 24 India-Afghanistan Joint Statement ....................................................................................................................... 24 Seychelles Became 161st Member of WTO ......................................................................................................... 25 India-Japan Action Agenda for Investment and Trade Promotion ................................................................. 25 19th Amendment to the Constitution Passed by Sri Lankan Parliament ........................................................ 26 Japan Proposed New Joint Working Group on Nuclear Deal .......................................................................... 26 Japan and the USA Revised Defence Deal ......................................................................................................... 26

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China- Pakistan Agreement on Economic Corridor Plan ................................................................................. 27 India-South Korea High Level Defence Talks .................................................................................................... 27 India-Canada Joint Statement: New Vigour, New Steps .................................................................................. 27 Pakistan and Russia Agreed to Hold First-Ever Joint Military Exercise ......................................................... 29 India-Canada Nuclear Agreement on Supply of Uranium .............................................................................. 29 India, Belarus agreed to Enhance Bilateral Ties ................................................................................................ 30 Joint Statement to Strengthen Strategic Partnership ......................................................................................... 30 Delhi Declaration on Public Health Challenges ................................................................................................ 31 China Rejected Bid of Taiwan to Become Full Member of AIIB ..................................................................... 32 MoUs and Agreements Between India and France to Enhance Bilateral Co-Operation ............................... 32 EFA Global Monitoring Report: UNESCO .......................................................................................................... 34 India Elected to Four United Nations Agencies ................................................................................................ 35 Social Progress Imperative Released Social Progress Index 2015 .................................................................... 36 India - USA Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Transportation ........................................................... 37 Iran and P5+1 Nod for Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action ......................................................................... 37 Cease-fire Agreement Between Myanmar and Ethnic Rebel Groups ............................................................. 38 China and Sri Lanka Inked Five Agreements ................................................................................................... 39 ADB and India Signed Loan Agreement to Improve Connectivity in NE Region ........................................ 39 Military Operation Led By Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Rebels ................................................................... 40 India and Qatar inked Economic and Commercial Agreements .................................................................... 40 Talks Between India and China on the Border dispute ................................................................................... 41 US Agreed to Keep Troops in Afghanistan ........................................................................................................ 41 Trends in International Arms Transfers 2014 : SIPRI Report .......................................................................... 41 British Irish Visa Scheme Came into Force in India ........................................................................................ 42 MoUs Between India and Mauritius to Enhance Bilateral Relations ............................................................ 42 India and Seychelles: Agreements to Boost Security Cooperation ................................................................... 43 Sri Lanka Temporarily Suspended Colombo Port City Project of China ........................................................ 43 Agreement between India and Spain on Mutual Protection of Classified Information ................................ 43 Kathmandu-Varanasi-Kathmandu Bus Service ................................................................................................. 44 Silk Road Infrastructure Project of China in Gansu ......................................................................................... 44 USA Approved Net Neutrality Rules to Protect Internet .................................................................................. 44 UNSC Resolution 2201 Against Houthis .......................................................................................................... 45 First-Ever Bilateral Dialogue India-US held on United Nations ...................................................................... 45 India - Bangladesh to step up Joint Border Patrolling ...................................................................................... 46 5th India-Myanmar Joint Trade Committee Meet Held in Nay Pyi Taw ........................................................ 46 India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Agreement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation .............................................................. 46 PM Narendra Modi initiated SAARC Cricket Diplomacy ............................................................................... 47 China Launched First Maritime Silk Road Cruise Liner from Beihai Port .................................................... 47 ICJ Ruled Neither Croatia Nor Serbia Committed Genocide ........................................................................... 48 Joint Communiqué of India-Russia-China ......................................................................................................... 48 Pakistan successfully test-fired Cruise Missile Ra’ad ....................................................................................... 50 India-US Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region ............................................ 50 Shared Effort; Progress for All: India - US Joint Statement ........................................................................... 51 EU to lift ban on import of mangoes from India .............................................................................................. 53 India-South Africa MoU For Developing Youth Enterprises ............................................................................ 53 European Resolution on Two Italian Marines ................................................................................................... 54 Japan Committed ODA Loan to India ............................................................................................................... 54 Varanasi-Kyoto Partnership ................................................................................................................................. 55 Japan's Largest Ever Defence Budget for 2015 ................................................................................................... 55 India to provide LoC to Guyana ......................................................................................................................... 56 Terrorists Attack on French Satirical Weekly Charlie Hebdo’s office .............................................................. 56 China Began Exploration in Indian Ocean ........................................................................................................ 57

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India, Thailand signed multipleagreements, including DTAA

India and Thailand on 29 June signed a number ofimportant agreements, including the double taxationavoidance treaty, and exchanged instruments of ratificationon the extradition treaty inked in 2013, which provides forthe legal framework for seeking extradition of fugitiveoffenders. “

List of Agreements/MOUs signed :

� The tax treaty provides for the framework to avoiddouble taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion withrespect to taxes so as to promote bilateral economiccooperation. 

� The extradition treaty signed between the twocountries in 2013 provides for the legal frameworkfor seeking extradition of fugitive offenders,including those involved in terrorism, transnationalcrimes, economic offences etc. 

� Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on theEstablishment of Nalanda University. By signingthis agreement, Thailand joins other East AsianSummit countries in the establishment of NalandaUniversity in Bihar. 

� MoU on the establishment of an Ayurveda Chair inone of the Thai Universities.

50 nations, including India, signedagreement on China-led AIIB

India was among the 50 founding countries that signedan agreement today providing the legal framework for theChina-led USD 100 billion multilateral Asian InfrastructureInvestment Bank (AIIB) which is being seen as a rival to theUS and Europe-dominated banking institutions.

Australia was first to sign the agreement at the GreatHall of the People in the Chinese capital Beijing.

Out of the 57 founder-member countries, the remainingseven - Denmark, Kuwait, Malaysia, Philippines, Hollandand South Africa and Thailand could not sign the agreementas it was not ratified by their respective domestic authorities.

While a number of Western and European countries,including Australia, Germany and France have joined theBank, the US and Japan have stayed away citing reservationsabout its openness. The AIIB is seen as a rival to the WorldBank and Asian Development Bank.

Salient features of AIIB:

� It will have authorized capital of 100 billion USdollars and the initial subscribed capital is expectedto be around 50 billion US Dollar. The paid-in ratiowill be 20 per cent.

� Asian countries will contribute up to 75 percent ofthe total capital and be allocated a share of the quotabased on their economic size.

� China will contribute 29.78 billion US dollars of thebank's 100 billion US dollars capital base, becomingits largest shareholder with a 30.34 percent stake.

� India will be the second-biggest shareholder at 8.4percent, followed by Russia, which will have a 6.5percent stake.

� China, India and Russia will have a voting share of26.06 percent, 7.5 percent and 5.92 percent,respectively.

� It will start operations by the end of 2015 under twopreconditions: At least 10 prospective members signthe agreement, and the initial subscribed capital isno less than 50 percent of the authorized capital.

Asian Infrastructure INVESTMENT Bank (AIIB)

Representatives from 21 Asian countries signed theMemorandum of Understanding on Establishing AsianInfrastructure INVESTMENT Bank (AIIB) on 24 October2014 in Beijing.

It is designed to FINANCE infrastructure building inAsia and is headquartered in Beijing.

It is expected to bridge the infrastructure deficit byplaying a complimentary role along with other Financialinstitutions like Asian Development Bank (ADB) andthe International Monetary Fund (IMF).

India-US MoUs to strengthencooperation in health sector

India and the United States of America (USA)signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) onCooperation on Cancer Research, Prevention, Control andManagement and Collaboration in Environmental andOccupational Health and Injury Prevention and Control, anda Letter of Intent (LoI) on Antimicrobial Resistance Research.

List of MoUs signed :

MoU on cancer research, control, prevention and

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management: Both the countries signed a MoU oncollaboration in the areas for conducting research andtraining on development of low-cost technologies,diagnostics of existing medications against common cancersand development of existing therapies related to oncology.

This MoU was signed among the NCRI (AIIMS), ICMR(DHS), the Department of Biotechnology, (MoST), NCI (NIH)and the US' Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS).

MoU on collaboration in Environmental, occupationalHealth and Injury Prevention and Control: They also signedan agreement to further the cooperation in education andtraining, infrastructure development, and capacity-buildingfor their reciprocal and mutual benefit.

The main areas of cooperation under MoU are:

� Prevention of illness related to toxic chemicals andhazardous substances

� Development and use of improved tools, technologiesand methods for enhancing environmental andoccupational public health, and injury preventionefforts, including surveillance

� Focus on public health effects of indoor air pollutionincluding a focus on exposures associated withburning of solid fuels for cooking, prevention ofillness and injury related to hazards at the workplace.

Letter of Intent (LoI) on Anti-microbial ResistanceResearch: A Letter of Intent (LoI) on anti-microbial resistanceresearch was signed between the ICMR, Department ofBiotechnology (MoST) and US's National Institute of Allergyand Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health andDHHS.

This includes setting up of mechanism of antimicrobialresistance, application of systems biology, comparativetesting and assisting the validation of new diagnostics andexplore possible patterns of AMR in neonatal intensive careunits as observed in India and the US.

International Conference on Nepal'sReconstruction, 2015: Towards a

Resilient NepalWith the pledge worth of Rs. 400 billion from development

partners for Nepal’s reconstruction, the InternationalConference on Nepal’s Reconstruction Concluded.

The conference was organised to seek support from thedevelopment partners to rebuild the country devastated by

the April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks.

The multilateral and bilateral donor agencies haveannounced a total assistance worth Rs 400 billion (USD 4billion) for Nepal’s reconstruction in the InternationalConference on Nepal’s Reconstruction,

During the session, Nepal presented a Post Disaster NeedAssessment (PDNA) report. India was represented by ExternalAffairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who pledged 1 billion USdollars in assistance to Nepal for its reconstructionprogramme. The assistance is over and above India’s existingbilateral developmental assistance of another 1 billion USdollars over the next five years which takes the total assistanceto 2 billion US dollars.

India to be the Partner Country forRussian Industrial Trade Fair

“Innoprom 2016”India accepted the invitation extended by the Russian

Government to participate as the Partner Country in the majorIndustrial Fair “INNOPROM 2016” to be heldatYekaterinburg, Russia in July 2016.

This acceptance of invitation was conveyed to Ministerof Industry and Trade of Russian Federation Denis Manturovby Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Commerce& Industry Nirmala Sitharaman during a bilateral meetingheld at St. Petersburg on 19 June 2015.

Nirmala Sitharaman was on a three day visit to Russiato participate in annual St. Petersburg International andEconomic Forum (SPIEF) held from 18-20 June 2015 at StPetersburg, Russia. She led a strong delegation of 30-memberfrom Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

During the visit, the minister held bilateral discussionswith Viktor Khristenko, Chairman of the Eurasian EconomicUnion; Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade andMandrey Slepnev, Member (Trade), Eurasian EconomicUnion.

Both Countries discussed on following issues:

� Issue of renewal of Bilateral INVESTMENTPromotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA)between India and Russia

� It was agreed to take all necessary steps to ensurethat the target of bilateral INVESTMENT of 15 billionUS dollars each way by the year 2025 signed duringthe last Annual Summit is achieved.

� Both sides agreed that the present level of

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INVESTMENT and trade between the two countrieswhich is presently in the range of 11 billion USdollars and 13 billion US dollar is very low.

India, Nepal amended bilateral transittreaty

Nepal-India Treaty of Transit of 1999 was amended on22 June 2015 to allow the movement of vehicles importedfrom a third country into Nepal through four border points.

The four border points are Raxaul-Birgunj, Jogbani-Biratnagar, Sunauli-Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj Road-Nepalgunj border points.

There was no provision under Nepal-India Treaty ofTransit that allowed import of third country motor vehiclestransiting India to be moved on their own power. Before thisagreement such vehicles were allowed only by railwaywagons and trucks or trailers after proper sealing by IndianCustoms.

The amendment was done after Nepal requested Indiato allow movement of vehicles on their own citing therequirements of additional handling facilities, special carriersand equipment needed, which added to the cost and time ofclearance of vehicles from Kolkata port into Nepal.

To this effect, a Letter of Exchange was finalised betweenIndia and Nepal though the two governments had discussedthe matter during the third meet of Nepal-India JointCommission held on 25 July and 26 July 2014.

EU launched Operation EU NAVFORMed against migrant-traffickersTo stop human traffickers from bringing migrants across

the Mediterranean to Europe, the European Union (EU) on22 June 2015 launched a three-phase naval operation namedEU NAVFOR Med (European Union Naval ForceMediterranean Sea).

The first phase of the naval operation was officiallylaunched by EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg.

Phase – 1 involves Information gathering onwhereabouts of traffickers, patrolling of high seas andmonitoring of smuggle networks. It will see participation ofabout 10 countries which include among others Italy, France,Germany, the UK, Spain, Lithuania and probably alsoFinland.

The two follow-up phases of the operation which requiresUnited Nations Security Council (UNSC) and Libya’sapproval would see

� Phase – 2: Active intervention to board and disablesmuggler vessels and arrest the traffickers

� Phase – 3: Extend the actions into Libyan territorialwaters and possibly inside the country itself

The operation will not target the migrants but it willtarget those who are MAKING MONEY ON their lives andtoo often on their deaths. It also wants to dismantle thebusiness model of the traffickers by destroying their boats.

The operation was launched in backdrop of death of 800migrants in April 2015 when their rickety boat sank in theMediterranean Sea. In 2015, about one lakh migrants haveentered Europe most of them landing in Italy, Greece andMalta.

Pitcairn Island passed law to allowsame-sex marriage

Pitcairn Island, the world’s smallest country bypopulation, legalised same-sex marriage. The law changewas unanimously approved by the local council.

Although the news was made public on 22 June 2015but it had come into effect on 15 May 2015. The new lawwasn’t published online by the Island, as its websiteencountered some technical issues.

Pitcairn Island, a tiny speck in the Pacific with a smallpopulation of 48 people, passed the law on suggestion ofBritish authorities. The law was passed after England, Walesand Scotland legalised the same-sex marriage in 2014.

Pitcairn Islands

The Pitcairn Islands, officially named the Pitcairn Groupof Islands, are a group of four volcanic islands in the southernPacific Ocean that form the last British Overseas Territory inthe Pacific. It was settled by mutineers of the British navyvessel Bounty and their Tahitian companions in 1790.

The four islands – Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno– are spread over several hundred miles of ocean and have atotal land area of about 47 square kilometres (18 sq mi). OnlyPitcairn, the second largest island measuring about 3.6kilometres (2.2 mi) from east to west, is inhabited.

The United Nations Committee on Decolonizationincludes the Pitcairn Islands on the United Nations list ofNon-Self-Governing Territories.

India, Tanzania signed six MoUs toEnhance Mutual Cooperation

During the recent official visit to India of the President of

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Tanzania H.E. Jakya Kikwete, 6 Memorandum OfUnderstanding (MOU) where signed between the twocountries to strengthen cooperation in a number of fieldsincluding hydrocarbons, tourism and agriculture..

The 6 signed MOUs are:

1. MOU between the East Africa Statistical TrainingCenter (EASTC) in Tanzania and the NationalStatistical System Training Academy (NSSTA) inIndia on establishing a collaborative program inofficial statistics and capacity building for staff ofEASTC and other African countries in officialstatistics.

2. MOU between EASTC and Indian Council ofAgricultural Research (ICAR)- Indian AgriculturalStatistics Research Institute (IASRI) for capacitybuilding for staff of EASTC and other Africancountries in agricultural statistics, computerapplications and bio-informatics.

3. MOU on cooperation in the field of tourism to

enhance bilateral cooperation in tourism andhospitality sectors.

4. Loan agreement between Exim Bank andGovernment of Tanzania of USD 268.35 million forextension of Lake Victoria pipeline project.

5. Agreement between Water and Power ConsultancyServices (WAPCOS) of India and the Government ofTanzania for preparation of Detailed Project Report(DPR) for Lake Victoria pipeline project.

6. MOU for Cooperation in the field of hydrographybetween Tanzania and India on exchange ofhydrographic data to promote development andcooperation in the field of hydrography throughconducting surveys, exchange of data, capacitybuilding and infrastructure strengthening.

Besides, both countries agreed to set up a joint workinggroup to combat terrorism. Kikwete also sought Indianinvestment for his country and assured Indian investors ofinvestment friendly environment in his country.

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Agreement with Spain on AbolishingVisa Requirements for Diplomatic

PassportsUnion Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modion 17 June 2015 approved the agreement between India andSpain on abolishing visa requirements for the holders ofdiplomatic passports.

The Agreement will facilitate visa-free travel for holders ofdiplomatic passport of one country while entering into,transiting through, exiting from or staying for up to 90 daysin the territory of the other country with additionalsafeguards.

In order to prevent the misuse of this facility certainsafeguards have also been proposed.

Similar agreements on abolishing visa requirements fordiplomatic passports holders have been signed by India with40 countries.

Confronting the Crisis of GlobalGovernance : GSJG Report

The Commission on Global Security, Justice &Governance (GSJG) on 16 June 2015 released the Confrontingthe Crisis of Global Governance report at the Peace Palace inThe Hague. The report put forwards a series of proposalsaimed at reforming the United Nations (UN).

The report says that the United Nations and other globalinstitutions aren’t equipped to tackle today’s globalchallenges ranging from massive violence in fragile states torunaway climate change and global economic shocks. Muchmore is needed from the UN and other global institutions.

The UN requires more capable tools of global governance,with different kinds of public, private, and mixed institutionsdesigned for twenty-first-century challenges. To addressthese challenges, the report provides reforms to transcendnational borders.

Key Recommendations:

� Create next-generation conflict mediation and peaceoperations capacity: The commission calls forbuilding responsive capacity to provide experiencedmediators, including a greater proportion of womenfor crisis and conflict prevention and peace-building;building capacity to deploy civilian, police, andmilitary personnel to meet urgent peacekeepingrequirements.

� Strengthen the responsibility to prevent, protect, andrebuild: It suggests investing in capabilities andresponsibility to protect action plans for an approachto atrocities prevention that involves all UN agenciesand programs.

� Innovate climate governance: There should befacilitation of new kinds of engagement between theUN and other international regimes, sub-nationalauthorities, and civil society and business groups;establishing an international carbon monitoringentity, a global climate action clearinghouse; anddefine a global goal for climate adaption.

� Develop a green technology licensing facility withinthe green climate fund: The commission suggestsharnessing of private-sector innovation for climatemitigation and adaptation, especially in support ofvulnerable populations in developing countries.

� Create a G20+ for economic stability and sustainabledevelopment: Enhance G20-UN-Bretton Woodsinstitutional coordination to prevent the spread ofcross-border financial shocks, promote inclusiveeconomic reform, and foster the equitable growth.

� Promote safe Internet access for everyone,everywhere: Bolster global capacity to fend off cyberattacks involves developing a global network ofcybercrime centers through INTERPOL and nationalComputer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs).

� Build an inclusive UN Global Partnership: Give agreater voice to under-represented policy issues suchas women’s rights, migration, and training a modernworkforce through new social compacts and a newhub whereby the entire UN system can tap into theexpertise of civil and business community.

� Expand UN Security Council engagement: Createmore opportunities for countries, regionalorganizations, local authorities to contribute topeacemaking and peace-building, while increasingthe council’s representative legitimacy.

� Establish UN peace-building council: Transform thepeace-building commission into a council with newcoordination authorities, new financial andknowledge resources and a new focus on prevention,including through peace-building audits.

� Make full use of the International Court of Justice:Expand acceptance of the International Court ofJustice’s jurisdiction and more active use of itsauthoritative advisory opinions in innovative ways.

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� Create a UN Parliamentary Network: TheCommission recommends establishing aparliamentary advisory body for the UN GeneralAssembly to raise greater awareness bystrengthening voices in global institutions.

Trade Target of 5 Billion US $ by2018 Set Between India and Poland

India and Poland set trade target of 5 billion US dollarsby 2018. The decision was taken on 15 June 2015 at the fourthsession of the bilateral Joint Commission on EconomicCooperation, held in Warsaw, capital city of Poland.

The commission also identified a series of actions to raisetrade from the 2014 level of 2.3 billion US dollars to 5 billionUS dollars by the year 2018.

In the coal and steel sector, both sides have drawn aroadmap to strengthen cooperation in areas such as thickseam underground coal mining, exploitation of highly gassyseams, developing clean coal technologies and transfer oftechnologies in deep coal mining from Poland to India.

In the IT sector, both the countries have identified areasto strengthen cooperation in entrepreneurship developmentand support; research and development and innovation incloud computing; big data analysis; cyber-security, dataprotection, smart cities projects and accreditation of eachother’s courses.

In the food processing sector, experts discussed marketaccess, food processing technologies and research anddevelopment between scientific institutions. Poland showedinterest in exporting the latest food processing machineryand technology to India.

Australia Put Hold on Imports ofMaggi Noodles from India

The Department of Agriculture of Australia on 11 June2015 applied a holding order to Maggi brand noodlesimported from India.

Under the holding order, each consignment will be heldin a place to be approved by an authorised officer until it hasbeen inspected, or inspected and analysed, in accordancewith the applicable requirements of the Imported FoodInspection Scheme.

The department took this measure in response to reportsof levels of lead that are potentially noncompliant with thepermissible levels in the Australia New Zealand FoodStandards Code.

Recently, Maggi has also come on the radar of US Foodand Drug Administration (USFDA) which has taken samplesof the instant noodles brand for testing.

Before the ban order, Nestle India used to export Magginoodles to the US, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore andKenya.

Maggi Noodles Row

Earlier, on 5 June 2015, the Food Safety and StandardsAuthority of India (FSSAI) banned Maggi as it was foundunsafe and hazardous for human consumption due tohigh levels of Monosodium glutamate and lead. Further,FSSAI has also ordered Nestle to stop its furtherproduction, processing, import, distribution and sale.

Free Trade Agreement SignedBetween China and Australia

China and Australia on 17 June 2015 signed the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA) at Canberra inAustralia.

The ChAFTA will ensure 85 percent of all exports ofAustralia to China tariff-free that will rise to 93 percent by2019.

Salient Features :

� It gives Australian dairy farmers, wine-makers andother sectors tariff-free access to the huge market ofChina within a few years.

� It will put eventual removal of tariffs on dairyproducts, live animal exports, resources and energyproducts.

� Tariffs on all resources and energy products will beremoved by 2017.

� Beef and sheep farmers will benefit from the abolitionof tariffs ranging from 12-25 percent.

� Lock in zero tariffs on major exports like iron ore,gold, crude petroleum oil and Liquefied Natural Gas(LNG).

� All tariffs on horticulture and live animal exportswill be eliminated, while tariff on wine will be cut .

� Wool producers will be able to export another 30000tonnes of clean wool on top of existing quotas.

� Cotton, wheat, sugar, rice and oilseeds industrieswere kept out of the agreement.

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The chAFTA will open up markets worth billions ofdollars and create jobs for both the countries. With thisagreement Australian farmers will enjoy the same benefitspossessed by New Zealand, Chile and ASEAN competitorswho have similar free trade agreements with China.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal(BBIN) Motor Vehicle AgreementIndia, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal on 15 June 2015

signed the BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal)Motor Vehicle Agreement in the Bhutanese capital Thimphu.

Characteristics Features :

� The regional motor vehicle pact is aimed atregulation of passenger, personal and cargovehicular traffic amongst four SAARC membercountries.

� It would promote safe, economical, efficient andenvironmentally sound road transport in theregion.

� It would help each country in creating aninstitutional mechanism for regional integration.

� Each party will bear its own costs arising fromimplementation of this agreement.

� It is similar to the SAARC Motor VehicleAgreement (MVA) draft with minor changes.

The Union Cabinet had approved a proposal to sign theSouth Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)MVA during the SAARC Summit in Kathmandu in November2014. However, it could not be signed due to reservations ofPakistan.

The SAARC declaration at the Kathmandu Summit inNovember 2014 also encouraged Member States to initiateregional and sub-regional measures to enhance connectivity.Accordingly, it was considered appropriate that a sub-regional Motor Vehicle Agreement among Bangladesh,Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) may be pursued.

First Ever Trilateral DialogueBetween India, Japan and Australia

India, Japan and Australia on 9 June 2015 held their firstever high-level trilateral dialogue in New Delhi.

The representatives of three countries discussedprospects of cooperation in the fields of economy and securitywith special emphasis on maritime security.

The three countries agreed to hold their next round oftalks in Tokyo, Japan.

The first ever trilateral dialogue among the three majorcountries in the Asia-Pacific region assumes significanceagainst the backdrop of growing assertiveness of China inthe South China sea of Pacific Ocean.

India accords greater importance to Japan and Australiathat is evident from the fact that Prime Minister NarendraModi paid a visit to both the countries within six months ofcoming to the office in order to operationalise his Act EastPolicy.

Indian naval officials recently were in Perth for talks ontheir first ever bilateral maritime exercises with Australiascheduled for September 2015 off the east coast of India.

Separately, India is also considering including Japan for2015 Malabar Exercises in October 2015, which has usuallybeen an U.S.-India bilateral engagement. Japan participatedin the Malabar exercises in 2014 as well. This is in additionto the Japan India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) held annuallybetween the two countries.

In 2007, India’s involvement in the informalQuadrilateral Security Dialogue with Japan, Australia andthe United States – with all four participating the 2007Malabar Exercises along with Singapore provoked a strongbacklash from China due to fears of encirclement.

Nepal Political Parties Arrived at anAgreement on Constitution

FrameworkMajor political parties of Nepal on 9 June 2015 reached

an agreement on the proposed framework of nationalConstitution providing for federal structure, form ofgovernance, electoral and judicial systems.

The agreement was signed in the capital Kathmandu bythe leaders of the ruling Nepali Congress (NC), the mainopposition Unified Communist Party of Nepal (UCPN) –Maoist and two other major political parties in the ConstituentAssembly.

Key Terms :

� Nepal will be divided into eight federal states whosenames and boundaries will be decided by separatebodies.

� A new federal commission will be tasked withdrawing up internal borders and submit a proposalfor approval in the Parliament.

� Nepal will continue with its current system ofnational governance which includes executive PrimeMinister and ceremonial President.

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� The parties agreed to conduct elections to localbodies which were held for the last time in 1997.

The final draft of the constitution, which must beapproved by a two-thirds parliamentary majority, is expectedto be ready by July 2015.

BACKGROUND

Nepal started the work on a new national Constitutionin 2008 following a decade-long Maoist insurgency thatleft an estimated 16000 people dead and brought downthe monarchy.

The end of deadlock since 2008 on a new Constitutionalframework, however, leaves the crucial issue of theprovincial borders unresolved. This could give rise toproblem in future as for long time UCPN (Maoist) hadbeen pushing for new provinces to be created along linesthat could favour historically marginalised communities,and other parties like NC argues that the move wouldbe divisive and a threat to national unity.

The political parties were compelled to show unity andexpedite the process of writing a new constitution afterthe April 25 earthquake as the lack of legitimate politicaland administrative structures at the National and Locallevel has been hampering the relief operations. April 25earthquake killed an estimated 8500 people and affectedsome 10 million people (about half of the population).

Land Boundary Agreement of 1974Signed by India and BangladeshIndia and Bangladesh on 6 June 2015 signed the

historical 1974 Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) whichwould settle the 4096-kilometre-long border (India’s longestborder with neighbour country) dispute between the twocountries.

According to the agreement, Bangladesh took over 111enclaves (17160 acres of land) from India’s possession andIndia received 51 enclaves (7110 acres of land) fromBangladesh. Enclaves are tiny landlocked territories that eachcountry has within the borders of the other nation. Theenclaves in Assam, West Bengal, Tripura and Meghalayacome under the bill’s ambit.

Earlier on 28 May 2015, the Land Boundary Agreement(LBA) Bill, 2013 between India and Bangladesh received theassent of President Pranab Mukherjee. The bill also knownas the 119th Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2013 was passedby both houses of Parliament in May 2015.After President’sassent the bill entered in to the statue book as Constitution100th Amendment Act 2015.

A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR BOTH NATIONS

The Land Boundary Agreement will-

• allow over 50000 stateless people living in theseenclaves to gain a national identity after four decadesof stateless limbo, as now they will be allowed tolive in India or Bangladesh with the option of beinggranted citizenship in the newly designatedterritories

• The enclaves would cease to exist

• help India to fence its borders with Bangladesh

• change the physical map of India and Bangladesh

This LBA between India and Bangladesh will be helpfulin improving India’s border disputes with neighbouringcountries like Pakistan and China.

It may also help in solving the dispute of water sharingfrom Teesta and Feni Rivers which flow through bothnations, which was not resolved during this visit of Modito Bangladesh.

India and Bangladesh Signed 22Bilateral Documents

India and Bangladesh on 6 June 2015 inked signed,exchanged, adopted and handed 22 bilateral documents inDhaka.

These documents were inked during the two-day visit ofPrime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh from 6 June to7 June 2015.

22 Bilateral Documents are :

� Exchange of Instruments of Ratification of 1974 LandBoundary Agreement and its 2011 Protocol

� Exchange of letters on Modalities for implementationof 1974 Land Boundary Agreement and its 2011Protocol

� Renewal of Bilateral Trade Agreement

� Agreement on Coastal Shipping betweenBangladesh and India

� Renewal of Protocol on Inland Water Transit andTrade

� Bilateral Cooperation Agreement on Cooperation inthe field of Standardization was inked betweenBangladesh Standards & Testing Institution (BSTI)and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).

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� Agreement on Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati BusService and its Protocol

� Agreement on Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala Bus Serviceand its Protocol

� Memorandum of Understanding between CoastGuards

� Memorandum of Understanding on Prevention ofHuman Trafficking

� Memorandum of Understanding on Prevention ofSmuggling and Circulation Fake Currency Notes

� Memorandum of Understanding betweenBangladesh and India and for Extending a New Lineof Credit (LoC) of 2 billion US dollars by Governmentof India to Government of Bangladesh

� Memorandum of Understanding on Blue Economyand Maritime Cooperation in the Bay of Bengal andthe Indian Ocean

� Memorandum of Understanding on Use ofChittagong and Mongla Ports

� Memorandum of Understanding for a Project underIECC (India Endowment for Climate Change) ofSAARC

� Memorandum of Understanding on Indian EconomicZone

� Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2015-17

� Statement of Intent on Bangladesh-India EducationCooperation (adoption)

� Agreement between Bangladesh Submarine CableCompany Limited (BSCCL) and Bharat SancharNigam Limited (BSNL) for leasing of internationalbandwidth for internet at Akhaura

� Memorandum of Understanding between Universityof Dhaka, Bangladesh and Council of Scientific andIndustrial Research, India for Joint Research onOceanography of the Bay of Bengal

� Memorandum of Understanding between Universityof Rajshahi, Bangladesh and University of JamiaMilia Islamia, India

� Handing over of Consent Letter by InsuranceDevelopment and Regulatory Authority (IDRA),Bangladesh to Life Insurance Corporation (LIC),India to start operations in Bangladesh

Besides, during this visit of Prime Minister Modi toBangladesh, its government conferred Award of LiberationWa Honour on former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.Vajpayee was awarded for his outstanding support for thecountry’s independence from Pakistan in 1971 when he wasa Lok Sabha member.

India Lost Case in WTO’s DisputeSettlement Board Against USA

The Dispute Settlement Board of World TradeOrganisation (WTO) on 4 June 2015 ruled against the India’sban on import of meats from the United States (US). The banon imports of meat covered poultry meat, eggs and live pigs.

The appellate body upheld the October 2014 ruling ofthree-member dispute settlement panel of WTO, which ruledthat India’s avian influenza-related measures wereinconsistent with the international norms.

It further ruled that India’s measures were arbitrary andunjustifiably discriminated between members whereidentical or similar conditions prevailed. In essence, thesemeasures constituted trade-restrictive measures.

Further, India’s measures violated Article 3.1, 6.1 and6.2 of the Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Agreement of WTO asthey were not based on international standards.

Now, India will have 12 to 18 months time to implementthe ruling after which US will be able to export its product toIndia.

Sanitary and Phytosanitary measures

Such measures concerns with the food safety andhygiene and animal and plant health measures. Theagreement recognizes that government have the right totake sanitary and phytosanitary measures in order toprotect human, animal and plant life or health.

Agreements Between India andNetherland to Enhance Bilateral

CooperationIndia and the Netherlands on 5 June 2015 signed several

agreements to deepen bilateral cooperation.

List of Agreements :

� Agreement on setting up Joint Working Group onCounter Terrorism , which will hold its first meetingon 19 June 2015.

� Agreement on manufacturing of dredgers at theCochin Shipyard.

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� Agreement on manufacturing of Measles, andRubella Vaccine in India, with transfer of technologyfrom Netherlands.

� Agreement on developing coastal roads and metrolines in India.

� Agreement on setting up a Joint Working Group onSkill Development.

� Agreement on developing joint pilot projects for anelectric vehicle ecosystem in India.

� Agreement on setting up centres of excellence inareas like horticulture and animal husbandry inIndia.

INDIA- NETHERLAND ECONOMIC RELATION

The Netherlands is a key partner in India’s economicdevelopment as it hosts the second largest Indiancommunity in Europe and several Dutch companieshave a long presence in India.

Today, the Netherlands is the fifth largest source ofinvestments in India and in turn India is also the fifthlargest source of investments in the Netherlands.

2015 Framework for the India-USDefence Relationship

India and the United States (US) on 3 June 2015 signedthe 2015 Framework for the India-US Defence Relationship.The framework was signed by the Manohar Parrikar, India’sDefence Minister and Ashton Carter, US Secretary of Defence.

Salient Features:

� It builds upon the previous framework and successesto guide the bilateral defence and strategicpartnership for the next ten years.

� It provides avenues for high level strategicdiscussions, continued exchanges between armedforces of both countries, and strengthening ofdefence capabilities.

� It also recognises the transformative nature of theDefence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

� Apart from this, both India and the United Statesalso finalized two project agreements for jointdevelopment of Mobile Electric Hybrid PowerSources and the Next Generation ProtectiveEnsembles.

� Further, both the leaders also agreed to expedite

discussions to take forward cooperation on jetengines, aircraft carrier design and construction, andother areas.

� The two also agreed to pursue co-development andco-production projects that will offer tangibleopportunities for American defence industries tobuild defence partnership with the Indian industriesincluding in manufacturing under ‘Make in India’.

Agreements and MoUs betweenIndia and Belarus

India and Belarus on 3 June 2015 inked six agreementsto boost ties and relationship based on friendship and mutualbenefit. The agreements were inked in presence of PresidentPranab Mukherjee, who is on a two-day state visit to Belarus.

List of agreements and MoUs:

� Agreement on roadmap for India-BelarusCooperation

� Agreement on Protocol amending the agreementbetween the India and Belarus for the Avoidance ofDouble Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasionwith respect to Taxes on Income and on Property(Capital) of the 27 September 1997

� MoU on Cooperation in the field of Standardizationand Information Support signed between Bureau ofIndian Standards (BIS) and the State Committee forStandardization, Belarus

� MoU for cooperation on Broadcasting betweenPrasar Bharati (PB) and the National State Televisionand Radio Company, Belarus (Belteleradio-company)

� MoU on Bilateral Cooperation between the Securitiesand Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and the Ministryof Finance, Belarus

� MoU for Manufacturing and Marketing of LightIndustry Goods (concern “Bellegprom”) between theMinistry of Textiles of India and the Belarusian Stateconcern.

India Became Member of MultilateralCompetent Authority Agreement

on AEOIIndia on 3 June 2015 joined the Multilateral Competent

Authority Agreement (MCAA) on Automatic Exchange ofFinancial Account Information (AEOI).

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The declaration to comply with the and PM Modi

MCAA was signed in Paris by Mohan Kumar, the Indianambassador to France.

The participation in the agreement will help India incurbing financial crimes especially instances of tax evasion.

Under the agreement, all the signatory countries,including India, are bound to collect and automaticallyexchange tax information as prescribed by the Organisationfor Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD)Common Reporting Standard (CRS).

To be able to comply with the agreement, amendmentshave been made to section 285BA of the Income Tax Act,1961 as incorporated in the Finance Act, 2014.

MULTILATERAL COMPETENT AUTHORITYAGREEMENT (MCAA)

It is based on Article 6 of the OECD’s MultilateralConvention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in TaxMatters (Multilateral Convention) which states that twoor more parties can mutually agree to exchangeinformation automatically. It implements the OECD’sStandard for Automatic Exchange of FinancialInformation (AEOI).It requires the CompetentAuthorities of participating jurisdictions to collect andautomatically exchange tax information as prescribedby the OECD’s Common Reporting Standard (CRS).Under the agreement, bulk taxpayer information willperiodically be sent by the source country of income tothe country of residence of the taxpayer.It is very widein scope and obliges the treaty partners to exchange awide range of financial information, including that aboutthe ultimate controlling persons and beneficial ownersof entities. Previously, information was exchangedbetween countries on the basis of specific requestsonly.Even though it is signed on a multilateral basis, theactual exchange of information will occur in a bilateralmanner.It has been developed by the OECD incooperation with G20 and the European Union (EU).Sofar, 60 countries, including India, joined the agreementand it is set to become operational in 2017, by whichabout 94 countries are expected to sign it.

Indian President’s two-nation visit toSweden and Belarus

The President of India Pranab Mukherjee concluded histwo-nation visit to Sweden and Belarus. These visits werefirst ever by an Indian President to either country.

During the visit, the President held discussions with hiscounterparts of both the countries, admistrators and businessleaders and concluded many agreements.

Takeaways from visit:

� The focus of the visit was to strengthen bilateraleconomic ties and to provide impetus to cooperationin specific areas of priority.

� Six intergovernmental agreements were concluded,covering cooperation in the fields of urbandevelopment, medium and small-scale enterprises,polar research, civil nuclear research and medicine.

� Seventeen Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs)were signed between educational institutions, thinktanks and the Chambers of Commerce of the twocountries.

� Sweden expressed its support for India’s claim forpermanent membership of the UN Security Council(UNSC).

� Sweden expressed its support to India’s membershipof the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

� India formally conveyed its decision to grantSwedish nationals e-tourist visa. This, along withsignature of an Agreement on Diplomatic visa waivertook place.

� Sweden expressed its support to India’s membershipof the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

� Both the countries agreed to enhance bilateral tradeto 5 billion US dollars by 2018.

� The President delivered a public lecture on thecontemporary relevance to global peace of Tagoreand Mahatma Gandhi at Uppsala University, one ofthe oldest universities of Europe founded in 1477.

List of agreements/MoUs signed :

� MoU on Cooperation in the field of SustainableUrban Development: It aims to develop close andlong term cooperation in the field of sustainabledevelopment and protection of the environmentthrough dialogue and interaction on globalsustainable urban development issues, exchange ofknowledge, institutional cooperation andcommercial relations.

� MoU on cooperation in the field of Micro, Small andMedium Enterprises: It aims at promoting

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partnership projects, institution to institution andenterprise to enterprise cooperation relatedto MSMEs.

� Agreement on Visa Exemption for diplomaticpassports: It will facilitate entry of citizens of Indiaand Sweden who are holders of diplomatic passportsinto their respective countries with the aim tostrengthen the friendly relations

� Letter of Intent on Collaboration in Polar and OceanResearch: It was signed to encourage collaborationin the areas of Polar (Antarctic and Arctic) and OceanResearch by enhancing scientific capabilities,conducting joint research and survey activities,exchange of informational material on education,training and research matters, etc.

� Memorandum of Intent (MoI) on cooperation inageing research and health: It was signed betweenthe Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) andthe Swedish Research Council for Health WorkingLife and Welfare (FORTE).

� MoI between the Central Drugs Standard ControlOrganization (CDSCO), India and the SwedishMedical Products Agency (MPA): It iscomplimentary to the ongoing cooperation betweenIndia and Sweden covering the area of health and isfor increasing bilateral cooperation in the fields ofpharmacovigilance, electronic submissions inrelated matter and clinical trials among others.

USA Freedom Act 2015 Cameinto Force

US President Barack Obama on 2 June 2015 signed theUSA FREEDOM Act 2015 in law. The USA FREEDOM standsfor Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rightsand Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of2015.

With this, the National Security Agency (NSA) lost itsauthority to collect the phone records of millions of Americans.

The Act was approved by the Senate on 1 June 2015 by67-32 votes and was passed by the House of Representativeson 13 May 2015. The Act will remain in effect until 15December 2019.

It is the first piece of legislation to reform post 9/11surveillance measure known by the name USA PATRIOTAct which was adopted in October 2001, six weeks after the9/11 terrorist attack. The USA PATRIOT stands for Unitingand Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools

Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism.

The Act is the culmination of efforts to reform the NSAthat blossomed out of NSA leaker Edward Snowden’s 2013revelations. Snowden is the former NSA contractor whoreleased secret information about U.S. spying in June of 2013

Key Features:

� It reauthorizes USA PATRIOT Act 2001 that expiredon 1 June 2015.

� It require the government obtain a targeted warrantto collect phone metadata from telecommunicationscompanies

� It amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance(FISA) Act of 1978 to establish a new process so as tomake the process of submitting of warrant by theFederal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to a FISA courtmore transparent. FISA Court reviews the warrantrequests submitted by the FBI for an order requiringthe production of business records or other tangiblethings for an investigation.

� It amends the USA PATRIOT Improvement andReauthorization Act of 2005 to require the InspectorGeneral of the Department of Justice to audit theeffectiveness and use of FISA authority to obtainproduction of tangible things from 2012 to 2014, sothat the constitutional rights of U.S. persons isadequately protected.

Free Trade Agreement BetweenSouth Korea and China

South Korea and China on 1 June 2015 signed the Korea-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Seoul, South Korea.

Highlights:

� It aims to gradually remove tariffs on more than 90percent of traded goods between both the countrieswithin 20 years.

� Many of South Korea’s major farming and fisheriesgoods like rice, beef, pork, pepper and squid areexcluded from the agreement. This decision takenwas taken in the backdrop of protests against theinclusion of these products by the agriculturalcommunity of South Korea.

� China excluded or delayed the opening of itsrelatively less-developed manufacturing segmentssuch as the auto sector and display panelproduction.

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would recognize products made in Kaesong IndustrialRegion (KIR) of North Korea as South Korean products forthe purpose of trade between the two countries. However,final modalities for operationalisation of this provision arestill underway.

Korea-China FTA

� The FTA is expected to augment trade between Chinaand South Korea, Asia’s largest and fourth-largesteconomies respectively.

� It will allow small and medium-sized South Koreanfirms, especially in consumer goods in fashion,cosmetics, home appliances and high-end foodproducts, greater access to China’s vast consumermarket and help create more than 50000 jobs in SouthKorea.

� It would provide momentum not only to efforts toexpand trade and investment between the twonations but also to help enhance bilateralcooperation in a wide range of areas, includingindustries, culture and energy.

� The FTA is expected to create a large-scale regionaleconomic community worth 12 trillion US dollarsby removing trade barriers, going beyond a simpleincrease in trade.

� The pact will also greatly contribute to the economicintegration of East Asia, the Asia-Pacific region andthe development of the world economy. For this,negotiations for a trilateral Free Trade Agreement(FTA) among China, South Korea and Japan werelaunched in November 2012.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992,the trade volume of both countries increased over the past 23years .China is already Korea’s largest trade partner and itslargest destination for investment which stood at 1.6 billionUS dollars between January-March 2015. South Korea isChina‘s third largest trade partner and is the fifth largestinvestment destination.

Trial Run of Kolkata-Dhaka-AgartalaBus ServiceBegan

The trial run of Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala direct busservice began on 1 June 2015. The bus started its journeyfrom Kolkata with senior officials of West Bengal TransportDepartment (WBTD).

During the travel, the bus will cross over to Bangladeshand enter Tripura through the Akhaura check post and reach

Agartala International Bus Terminus of Tripura RoadTransport Corporation (TRTC) on 2 June 2015. During itsjourney, the bus will cross two international checkpoints-Petrapole between West Bengal and Bangladesh and secondis Akhuara on Tripura-Bangladesh border.

With the launch of the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala directbus service, the time taken to reach Agartala from Kolkatawill be reduced to 17 hours. Earlier, the distance was coveredin three days.

The service will be regularized once an agreement willbe inked between the two nations during Prime MinisterNarendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh on 6 and 7 June 2015.Besides, India and Bangladesh will also announce Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati service during Prime Minister NarendraModi’s visit to Bangladesh.

Prior to this, the two Indian states were directly connectedwith Bangladesh through two different bus services, that is,Dhaka-Kolkata Direct Bus Service that started in 1999 andDhaka-Agartala Direct Bus Service that started in 2001.

Union Cabinet Nod to Agreementwith Bangladesh on Coastal and

Maritime ShippingThe Union Cabinet on 30 May 2015 gave its approval to

the Agreement on Coastal and Maritime Shipping betweenIndia and Bangladesh that paves the way for thecommencement of coastal shipping between the twocountries.

Features of the Agreement :

� India and Bangladesh shall render the sametreatment to the other country’s vessels as it wouldhave done to its national vessels used ininternational sea transportation.

� The River Sea Vessel (RSV) category of vessel isprescribed for coastal shipping to lower constructionand operation cost without compromising on thesafety of the vessel.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS:

EXIM (Export Import) trade between India andBangladesh (India’s largest trading partner in SouthAsia) would be benefited by way of reduction in freightcharges. It will improve the utilization of port capacitiesof Indian ports and open up new opportunity for Indiancoastal vessels. It will help in decongestion of roadsespecially at the Land custom stations or integrated check

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posts at the Indo-Bangladesh boarder. The Indian portsserving as transshipment ports for Bangladesh cargo willderive benefits by way of enhanced throughput as aresult of Indo-Bangladesh coastal trade.It will increasebilateral trade between the two countries and lowerdown the cost of transportation of EXIM cargo.

Resolution on Protection ofjournalists in Conflict Zones

Adopted in UNSCThe United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 27 May

2015 unanimously adopted a resolution 2222 (2015) on theprotection of journalists in conflict zones. The resolution wasadopted following number of deaths and kidnappings ofmedia professionals which has continued to climb.

The resolution was adopted during a meet that washeard by nearly 70 speakers under the agenda item Protectionof civilians in armed conflict.

The Security Council resolution also condemned suchattacks on journalists and warned parties to conflicts,including governments and armed groups, that they shouldtake all reasonable steps to protect journalists. The resolutionurged Member States to take active steps to ensureaccountability.

Besides, Christophe Deloire, Director-General ofReporters Without Borders called on to appoint a specialrepresentative on the protection of journalists to ensure thatMember States abided by their commitments under the textand under previous resolution 1738 (2006).

According to a concept note prepared by the Lithuanianpresidency for the meeting, 61 journalists were killed in 2014and 221 were imprisoned. 25 have died since January 2015.In last decade, 700 media workers were killed in the field orbecause of their profession.

NATO Launched Arctic ChallengeExercise

NATO on 26 May 2015 launched the Arctic ChallengeExercise based in the north of Norway, Sweden and Finland.The exercise involves 115 fighter planes and 3600 troops fromnine countries. This exercise is the second of its kind, firstsimilar tests was conducted in 2013.

The participant countries include all NATO memberslike the US, Britain, Germany, France and the Netherlands aswell as neutral Switzerland.

Russian military exercise Vs. Arctic trainingexercise:

Apart from this, Russia also on 26 May 2015 begun afour-day-long massive military exercise and described it as amassive surprise inspection, to check combat readiness. Theexercise involves 12000 soldiers and around 250 aircraft,including long-range bombers carrying cruise missiles.

This Russian military exercise has coincided with anArctic training exercise by NATO and has raised debate.

Russian military exercise on the same day when NATOmilitary alliance launched their training exercise may raisetensions with West over Russia’s role in conflict in Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in fourth weekof May 2015 said that the large number of snap exercisesconducted by Russia decreases transparency andpracticability. But Russia has defended the exercise byterming that these drills are part of preparation for a largerexercise known as Center-2015, which will be held later in2015.

Joint Vision Statement on DefenceCooperation 2015-2020 Between

India and VietnamIndia and Vietnam on 25 May 2015 signed a Joint Vision

Statement on Defence Cooperation for the period 2015-2020in New Delhi.

The statement is an outcome of delegation level talks heldin New Delhi to discuss cooperation on maritime security.

Besides the Joint statement, a Memorandum ofUnderstanding (MoU) on cooperation between the CoastGuards of the two countries was also signed in the presenceof the two Defence Ministers.

Earlier, in October 2014, India announced 100 millionUS dollar line of credit to Vietnam during the VietnamesePrime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung visit to the country toenable Vietnam acquire new naval vessels from India.

The above initiatives of the Union Government are partof its Act East policy, aimed at deepening its strategic andeconomic relations with Asian countries and curtailinggrowing China’s influence in the region.

9th Session of the India-South AfricaJoint Ministerial Commission

9th Session of the India-South Africa Joint MinisterialCommission (JMC) was held in Durban on 19 May 2015.

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Highlights of the Session:

� To make it more result-oriented, the two ministersagreed to work under the framework of a five yearstrategic programme of cooperation and decided toestablish a new Joint Working Group on Trade &Economic matters on it.

� They also identified priority areas of cooperation andthey are defence, deep-mining, science andtechnology, agriculture & food processing andinsurance.

� Both sides also agreed to set up a Sub-Committee onScience & Technology and promote cooperation inMicro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

� Swaraj and Mashabane also discussed regional andmultilateral issues including BRICS, IBSA, IORA,counter-terrorism, cyber security, reforms ofmultilateral institutions, especially the UnitedNations Security Council.

Besides, prior to the JMC meet, Swaraj also met PresidentJacob Zuma and extended the invitation of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi to him to attend the third India-Africa ForumSummit (IAFS-III) in October 2015 in New Delhi.

The two ministers, Swaraj and Mashabane decided tohold the next Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission inIndia at mutually convenient dates in 2017.

India- South Korea Agreements toupgrade Relations to SpecialStrategic Partnership Level

India and South Korea on 18 May 2015 signed sevenagreements to upgrade relations to special strategicpartnership level.The agreements were inked during thePrime Minister Narendra Modi visit to South Korea.

List of Agreements/MoUs:

� Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation andthe Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect toTaxes on Income: India-South Korea DoubleTaxation Avoidance Convention (signed 1985) hasbeen revised with a view to avoiding the burden ofdouble taxation on taxpayers in the two countries.

� India-Korea Agreement on Cooperation in Audio-Visual Co-Production: The Agreement is being signedunder the provisions of India-South KoreaComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement(CEPA); it would enable co-production of films,

animation and broadcasting programmes. TheAgreement would enable opportunities forcollaboration between Indian and Korean filmindustries, and facilitate collaboration and exchange.

� MoU for Cooperation between the National SecurityCouncil of India and South Korea: The MoU wouldformalize consultations between National SecurityCouncil structures of the two countries in a numberof areas.

� MoU for Cooperation in the field of Electric PowerDevelopment and New Energy Industries: The MoUenvisages cooperation in areas of electric powerdevelopment and new energy industries such asrenewable energy, smart grids and powerinformation and technology, transmission anddistribution of electric power, energy efficiency andstorage system.

� MoU on Cooperation in Youth Matters: The MoUwill strengthen and encourage cooperation onyouth matters through participation in events andactivities through exchanges, internationalconferences, seminars, youth camps, festivals etc.

� Framework of Cooperation in the Field of RoadTransport: To be signed under the provisions ofIndia-South Korea CEPA, the FOC envisagescooperation in areas including road policies, designand construction, road operation, road managementand safety, intelligent transport systems andelectronic toll collection systems.

� MoU on Cooperation in the Fields of MaritimeTransport and Logistics: The MoU envisagescooperation between the two countries in the fieldsof maritime transport and logistics includingthrough sharing of technologies, information andexperiences, the training of seafarers, exchange ofexperts and port operations etc.

Bilateral Agreements Between Indiaand Mongolia to Enhance Relations

India and Mongolia on 17 May 2015 signed 13agreements to further enhance bilateral ties and co-operationbetween the two countries. India also announced to provideone billion US dollar credit to Mongolia.

The agreements were inked during the Prime MinisterNarendra Modi visit to Mongolia which is the first ever visitof Indian Prime Minister to the country.

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During this visit of Modi, the two nations issued jointstatement on strategic partnership. Modi also addressed tothe Mongolian Parliament and gifted a rare historymanuscript to Mongolian president.

List of Agreements :

� Revised Air Services Agreement: This Agreementupdates from previous arrangements of internationalair services between India and Mongolia, both beingparties to the Convention on International CivilAviation.

� Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons: Underthe treaty, Indian prisoners convicted in Mongoliacan be brought to India to serve the remaining partof their sentence. Similarly Mongolian citizensconvicted in India can be sent to their home countryto serve their sentence.

� Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of AnimalHealth and Dairy: This Agreement envisages jointcooperation activities in the areas of dairy, qualitycontrol, modern technical application and marketingin dairy, animal disease control measures, etc.

� MoU on Cooperation in the Field of TraditionalSystems of Medicine and Homeopathy: This MoUintends to establish broad based cooperation in formssuch as exchanging of experts for training ofpractitioners, mutual recognition of pharmacopoeiasand formularies, educational qualifications andtraditional preparations, setting up of AcademicChairs, providing scholarships, and others.

� MoU on Establishment of Cyber Security TrainingCentre in the Ministry of Defence of Mongolia: Underthis, India will establish a Cyber Security TrainingCentre and will also undertake the training ofpersonnel in cyber security.

� MoU on Establishment of India-Mongolia JointFriendship School in Mongolia: This MoU is for theestablishment of a school jointly by India andMongolia which would follow an open, inclusiveand flexible curriculum to harness the potential ofeach child enabling them to grow both personallyand professionally.

� Programme on Cooperation in the field of Culturefor the Years 2015-2018: This Agreement aims toenhance cooperation in the field of culture throughorganization of exhibitions, film festivals and alsoexchange of experts, students, journalists, etc.

� MoU for Cooperation between the National SecurityCouncil of India and Mongolia: This MoU wasentered to hold regular consultations alternativelyin New Delhi and Ulaanbaatar. It would cover bothtraditional and non-traditional security issues,counter-terrorism, intelligence cooperation andexchange, and others.

� MoU on Cooperation between the Ministry ofExternal Affairs of India and Mongolia: The MoUwill focus on all aspects of the bilateral relationship,especially in the areas of political, economic,commercial, scientific, technical and culturalcooperation. The MoU supersedes the existingProtocol on Cooperation between the Ministry ofExternal Affairs of India and Mongolia signed on 17September 1996.

� MoU for cooperation on development of new andrenewable energy technologies: This will covercooperation on Solar Energy and Wind Energythrough the modalities of exchange of informationand personnel, transfer of equipment and know-how, development of joint research or technicalprojects, determination of renewable energyresources, etc.

� MoU on enhancing cooperation between the borderguarding forces: This MoU envisages the setting upof a Joint Steering Committee between Ministry ofHome Affairs of India and General Authority forBorder Protection of Mongolia for cooperation in theareas of capacity building, exchange of best practices,conduct of joint exercises, technologies for borderguarding, surveillance and policing, etc.

� MoU between the Tata Memorial Centre of India andthe National Cancer Center of Mongolia for GiftingBhabhatron-II Tele-therapy Unit along with aRadiotherapy Simulator: Guided by the MoU signedbetween the two countries on the 14 September 2009for mutual cooperation, the present MoU sets theterms and conditions for the presentation by theGovernment of India, through TMC of one unit eachof the Bhabhatron-II Telecobalt Unit and theRadiotherapy Simulator designed, developed andmanufactured in India.

� MoU to enhance their skills and improve the trainingprogramme in both the countries: This MoU wouldhelp in exchange of trainees, students, facultymembers and experts between India and Mongolia.

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India Announced e-Visa Facility forChinese Tourists

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 May 2015announced electronic tourist visa (e-Visa) facility for Chinesenationals . The decision was announced in Beijing, Chinaduring his three day visit .

It is in tune with the Joint Statement issued by Modi andChinese Premier Li Keqiang after conclusion of bilateral talksduring the visit which called for development of tourismsector and increasing people-to-people exchanges betweenthe two countries.

Incidentally, India designated 2015 as Visit India Yearin China to augment Chinese tourist arrivals and touristrevenues.

The above steps by the Indian Government are aimed atattracting a bigger chunk of about 100 million Chinese touristswho visited abroad in 2014.

India, despite having huge tourist potential for Chineseby virtue of having many Buddhist holy places, it attractsless travelers (2 lakh during 2014) when compared with thatof our smaller neighbours like Maldives (4 lakh), Nepal (1.4lakh) and Sri Lanka (1.3 lakh).

India and China Signed AgreementsTo Enhance Bilateral Co-operation

India and China on 15 May 2015 signed 24 agreementsto augment bilateral co-operation between the two countries.

The agreements were signed in the presence of IndianPrime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese Premier LiKeqiang in Beijing, China.

The details of agreements covering the fields ofEducation, Railways, People-to-People exchanges, skilldevelopment, Security among others were outlined in the JointStatement issued by the two leaders after the conclusion ofbilateral talks.

Key agreements are:

Both the countries agreed to establish State/ProvincialLeaders’ Forum to enhance relations among the provinces(China) and states (India). The first meeting of the Forumwas held in Beijing on 15 May 2015, with the participation ofPrime Minister Modi and Premier Li.

An additional Consulate General shall be established ineach other’s country. India shall open a new ConsulateGeneral in Chengdu, while China shall open a new Consulate

General in Chennai. These new consulates will facilitate andpromote greater cultural, tourism, economic and people-to-people engagement between the two countries.

The fifth joint counter-terrorism training between the twoarmies will be held in China in 2015. The two sides willexchange visits of naval ships and hold PASSEX and SARexercises.

Both the countries agreed to abide by the three-stageprocess for the settlement of the boundary question, andcontinuously push forward negotiation on the frameworkfor a boundary settlement based on the outcomes andcommon understanding achieved so far, in an effort to seek afair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution as early aspossible.

Both sides agreed to optimally exploit the present andpotential complementarities in identified sectors in the FiveYear Trade and Economic Development Plan signed inSeptember 2014, including Indian pharmaceuticals, IndianIT services, tourism, textiles and agro-products.

It was agreed to conduct the next meeting of the StrategicEconomic Dialogue, co-chaired by Vice Chairman of NITIAayog of India and Chairman of NDRC of China in Indiaduring the second half of 2015.

Both the countries agreed on an Action Plan outliningthe next steps to enhance the partnership in the RailwaySector. It is in continuation of the ongoing initiativesincluding the projects on speed raising on the existingChennai-Bengaluru-Mysore line, the proposed feasibilitystudies for the Delhi-Nagpur section of high speed rail link,the station redevelopment planning for Bhubaneswar &Baiyappanahalli, heavy haul transportation training andsetting up of a railway university.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed toinstitute a dialogue mechanism between the NITI Aayog ofIndia and the Development Research Centre of the StateCouncil of China.

Both the countries agreed to enhance cooperationbetween the financial regulators and enterprises of the twocountries in support of the building of the CloserDevelopmental Partnership.

The International Yoga Day will be organised jointly on21 June 2015 in collaboration between the Indian Council forCultural Relations (ICCR) and Yunnan National University.

Agreement on expanded Educational ExchangeProgramme to promote student exchanges in highereducation.

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The two sides will have the annual exchange of 200youths from each side in the second half of 2015 as part of theIndia-China Cultural Exchange Initiative.

Agreements related to establishing provincialpartnership between Karnataka and Sichuan and sister-cityrelationships between Aurangabad – Dunhuang, Chennai –Chongqing and Hyderabad – Qingdao were signed.

India-China Think Tanks Forum will be established tofoster closer dialogue and mutual understanding betweenthe two countries. The forum will meet annually, alternatelyin India and China.

It was agreed to institutionalize the High Level MediaForum and tasked the Ministry of External Affairs of Indiaand the State Council Information Office of China to conveneit on an annual basis, alternately in India and China.

Action Plan on the establishment of Mahatma GandhiNational Institute for Skill Development andEntrepreneurship at Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad in Gujaratwas signed.

It was agreed to initiate cooperation in development ofsmart cities with identification of GIFT City in India andShenzhen in China as pilot smart cities for jointdemonstration projects.

The 2015-2020 Space Cooperation Outline was signedbetween the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) ofthe Republic of India and China National SpaceAdministration of the People’s Republic of China to reinforcethe cooperation in the field of Satellite Remote Sensing, Space-Based meteorology, Space Science, Lunar and Deep SpaceExploration, Satellite Navigation, Space Components, Piggy-back Launching Services, and Education and Training.

It was agreed to further strengthen cooperation throughthe Expert-Level Mechanism on the provision of flood-seasonhydrological data and emergency management.

The two sides agreed to hold negotiation on augmentingthe list of traded commodities and expand border trade atNathu La, Qiangla/Lipu-Lekh Pass and Shipki La passes totransform the border into a bridge of cooperation andexchanges.

China agreed to allow Indian pilgrims to use the NathuLa Pass (Sikkim) route for Kailash Manasarover Yatra (GangRenpoche and Mapam Yun Tso Pilgrimage) in 2015.

They agreed to further strengthen coordination andcooperation in multilateral forums including RIC (Russia,India and China), BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and

India) and G20 to promote the interests of developingcountries and the building of a better world. India agreed tosupport China in hosting the G20 summit in 2016.

A bilateral consultative mechanism on WTO (WorldTrade Organisation) related issues will be launched forenhancing coordination in the context of global trade talks.

The two sides agreed to work together with relevantparties to accelerate the preparation for establishment of theAsian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to promoteregional infrastructure and economic development.

A Joint Statement on Climate Change was issued whichunderscored the importance of working together and withother countries to conclude an ambitious, comprehensive,universal, balanced and equitable climate agreement at theforthcoming CoP (Conference of Parties) 21 to UNFCCC to beheld in Paris in late 2015.

Memorandum of Intent BetweenIndia and Russia for Higher

Academic CooperationIndian and Russian institutions of higher learning on 8

May 2015 inked 11 Memorandum of Intent (MoI) to establishthe Network of Institutions of Higher Education.

Among those that signed the memorandum were IITBombay, Madras and Delhi and also University of Delhi,Indian Statistical Institute and Institution of Engineers.

The MoIs were inked in Moscow in presence of PresidentPranab Mukherjee, who is on a four day visit to Russia towitness the Victory Day parade on 9 May 2015, which ismarking the 70th anniversary of Allied forces victory in theSecond World War. During this visit, Mukherjee wasconferred with honorary Doctorate by the RussianDiplomatic Academy.

The leading Academic Institutes of Russia and India willcombine efforts to train highly qualified staff for innovativeeconomy and expand scientific, technical and technologicalcooperation.

Cooperation agreement signed between the Departmentof Science & Technology in India and Russian ScienceFoundation will offer another platform for supporting jointresearch projects.

Establishment of a network of Indian and RussianUniversities would facilitate establishment of moreinstitutional linkages, including exchanges of faculty,researchers and students, joint research activities andscientific conferences and symposia.

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British PM David Cameronled Conservative Party Wins 2015

General ElectionPrime Minister David Cameron and his Conservatives

won a resounding victory in the British general election, withcomplete results on Friday showing that the party hadsecured an overall majority in Parliament.

The vote was a stunning disappointment for theopposition Labour Party and its leader, Ed Miliband, whohad shifted the party away from the more centrist strategy itpursued in the late 1990s and early 2000s under Tony Blair.Mr. Miliband stepped down on Friday, opening up a newdebate over the party’s direction.

The result defied pre-election opinion polls that suggesteda tight race between the Conservatives and Labour. It returnsMr. Cameron to 10 Downing Street for a second term, withenough seats in the House of Commons to act on his agendawithout having to rely on support from smaller parties.

The Conservatives won 331 of 650 seats in the House ofCommons, a gain of 24 seats from the last election, in 2010.

The campaign had centered primarily on domesticissues, including the budget austerity imposed by theConservatives and funding for the National Health Service,but Mr. Cameron had also played up fears that a Labourgovernment, reliant on support from the Scottish nationalists,would drive the country leftward and risk the nation beingsplintered.

Even if he is able to govern without a coalition partner,Mr. Cameron will start his second term facing immensechallenges, not least in holding off calls from Scotland forindependence and in managing pressure from inside his ownparty for Britain to leave the European Union. Mr. Cameronhas promised to try to renegotiate terms of Britain’smembership in the 28-nation European Union and to hold areferendum by the end of 2017 on whether Britain shouldremain in the bloc.

The results are also likely to fuel calls for a change toBritain’s electoral system, to better represent national votingpatterns.

A record number of 10 Indian-origin Members ofParliament (MPs) were elected in recently concluded generalelection that elected 56th Parliament of the UK. It has brokenthe previous 2010 general election record in which eightIndian-origin were elected.

Inter-Governmental MoU BetweenIndia AndIran for Development of

Chabahar PortIndia reached a deal on May 7, 2015 to develop a strategic

port in southeast Iran despite U.S. pressure not to rush intoany such trade agreements before world powers clinch a finalnuclear accord with Tehran.

Indian firms will lease two existing berths at the portand operationalise them as container and multi-purposecargo terminals, the Indian government said in a statement,adding that a commercial accord would be needed toimplement the pact. India and Iran agreed in 2003 to developthe port, but the venture has made little progress because ofWestern sanctions tied to Tehran’s disputed atomicprogramme.

Now, spurred on by Chinese President Xi Jinping’ssigning of energy and infrastructure agreements withneighbouring Pakistan worth $46 billion, Indian PrimeMinister Narendra Modi wants swiftly to sign trade dealswith Iran and other Gulf countries. Encouraged by aprovisional, April 2 deal over Tehran’s nuclear programme,India recently sent a delegation to Iran to scout for trade,energy and infrastructure deals.

However, the United States has expressed concern thatIndia is moving too fast and could undermine a sanctionsregime imposed on Iran to try to bring it to the negotiatingtable. Washington has stated that there is no guarantee thata final deal will be secured with Tehran by a June 30 deadline.

Advantage to India

For India, one advantage of a container and cargoterminal at Chabahar is that it would provide landlockedAfghanistan with access to the sea, reducing its reliance onPakistan. Iran has also proposed a free-trade agreement withIndia. Rupee-denominated trade with Iran, started in 2012because of complications arising from sanctions, has almostdoubled Indian exports to Tehran in the past two years to $4billion.

Now, Indian exporters want to build on that, using afree-trade zone being developed near Chabahar to export moreto the Commonwealth of Independent States, made up offormer Soviet Republics.

Rubella Eradicated from North andSouth America Region

North and South America on 27 April 2015 became thefirst regions of the world to eradicate rubella, also known as

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German measles. These regions were declared free of endemictransmission of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome(CRS) after no home grown cases were reported in five years.

The last endemic cases registered in the region were inArgentina and Brazil in 2009.

The declaration of elimination was made by aninternational expert committee during a meeting at the PanAmerican Health Organization/World Health Organization(PAHO/WHO).

With the eradication of rubella and CRS from Americasregion, the total number of vaccine-preventable disease thathas been eliminated from this region has gone up to four.Earlier in 1971, the region became the first in the world toeradicate Smallpox and in 1994 it became the first to eradicatePolio.

RUBELLA

Rubella is an infection caused by the rubella virus. Thevirus, spread by sneezes or coughs, can lead to seriousbirth defects if contracted by pregnant women. It usuallystarts on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.The disease is threat mainly for pregnant women, as ifthey get contracted of the disease during the first threemonths of pregnancy, then the rubella virus can causecongenital rubella syndrome. This can lead to a multitudeof problems like miscarriage and birth defects such asblindness, deafness, or heart defects.

HOW IT WAS ERADICATED FROM THE REGION?

These regions were able to eradicate rubella through itsmass vaccination campaign which started 15-year agoin 2000. They used vaccination against Measles, Mumpsand Rubella (MMR) throughout the WesternHemisphere.

As a result, some 250 million adolescents and adults in32 countries and territories were vaccinated againstrubella between 1998 and 2008 and the last endemic(local origin) cases of rubella and CRS were reported inthe Americas in 2009.

China’s New Action Plan - One Belt,One Road Initiative

China’s top economic planning agency, the NationalDevelopment and Reform Commission (NDRC), on 28 March2015 released a new action plan One Belt, One Road initiative.The initiative will establish new routes linking Asia, Europeand Africa.

It has two parts, a new Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB)linking China to Europe that cuts through mountainousregions in Central Asia; and the Maritime Silk Road (MSR)that links China’s port facilities with the African coast andthen pushes up through the Suez Canal into theMediterranean Sea.

The word Belt is referred as a planned network ofoverland road and rail routes, oil and natural gas pipelines,and other infrastructure projects that will stretch from Xi’anin Central China, through Central Asia, and ultimately reachas far as Moscow, Rotterdam, and Venice.

While Road is its maritime equivalent, that is, a networkof planned port and other coastal infrastructure projects thatdot the map from South and Southeast Asia to East Africaand the northern Mediterranean Sea.

New regional institutions, such as the AsianInfrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and New Silk RoadFund (NSRF) are also designed in part to complement andsupport the Belt and Road’s development.

Potential Gains for China:

� The infrastructure projects proposed as part of theBelt and Road—many of which would run throughsome of China’s poorest and least developedregions—could provide stimulus to help cushion theeffects of the deepening slowdown of China.

� The Belt and Road will improve China’s internaleconomic integration and competitiveness and spurmore regionally balanced growth.

� The construction is intended to help make use ofChina’s enormous industrial overcapacity and easethe entry of Chinese goods into regional markets.

� The plan would strengthen China’s importance asan economic partner for its neighbors and,potentially, enhance Beijing’s diplomatic leveragein the region.

� Increased investment in energy and mineralresources, particularly in Central Asia, could alsohelp reduce China’s reliance on commoditiesimported from overseas, including oil transiting theStrait of Malacca.

India- Afghanistan Joint StatementIndia and Afghanistan on 28 April 2015 released a Joint

Statement to take bilateral relations to a higher level. TheJoint statement was released after meeting of MohammadAshraf Ghani, the President of Afghanistan with PrimeMinister Narendra Modi.

Mohammad Ghani was on a visit to India. This was the

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thanked President Ghani for Afghanistan for supporting andco-sponsoring the G-4 resolution on UN reforms, includingthe expansion of the UN Security Council in the 70th year ofthe UN.

Both the leaders also agreed to sign the followingdocuments within three months of the visit. Thedocuments include:

a) Extradition Treaty between India and Afghanistan

b) Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Personsbetween India and Afghanistan

c) Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in CriminalMatters

d) Bilateral Treaty for Mutual Legal Assistance in Civiland Commercial Matters between India andAfghanistan

e) Motor Vehicles Agreement for the Regulation ofPassenger, Personal and Cargo Vehicular Trafficbetween India and Afghanistan

f) MOU on Visa free entry for holders of diplomaticpassports

Seychelles Became 161st Memberof WTO

Seychelles on 26 April 2015 became the 161st member ofthe World Trade Organization (WTO). With this, Seychellesarchipelago of 90000 inhabitants became one of its smallestmembers.

Besides, Seychelles is also the 33rd government to accedeto the rules-based multilateral trading system through ArticleXII negotiations since the WTO was established in 1995.

This approval by WTO ended the 20-year long wait ofthe country for becoming a member of WTO, as the countrywas negotiating its accession terms since 31 May 1995.

Seychelles had applied for WTO membership on 31 May1995 and its accession was approved by the WTO memberson 10 December 2014. The Protocol of Accession was signedby Pierre Laporte, former Minister of Trade, Finance andInvestment of Seychelles and WTO Director General RobertoAzevedo.

India- Japan Action Agenda forInvestment and Trade PromotionIndia and Japan on 30 April 2015 signed an action

agenda for India-Japan investment and trade promotion andAsia-Pacific economic integration in New Delhi.

first visit of Ghani to India after assuming the Presidency inSeptember 2014 at the invitation of President PranabMukherjee.

Salient Features:

� The two nations agreed to patiently andsystematically work towards strengthening of theIndia Afghanistan Strategic Partnership, with a clearfocus on the long term relationship between the twocountries.

� Both the countries reviewed the progress made inthe implementation of all areas of cooperationenvisaged under the strategic partnership agreement

� The Prime Minister assured the President ofAfghanistan of India’s abiding support forAfghanistan’s ongoing crucial transitions-political,economic and security, for the decade of 2015-24 andbeyond.

� The two nations agreed that they will not allow theirterritories to used against any other country

� The two nations expressed determination to worktogether, along with the international community,to combat and defeat the scourge of terrorism in allits forms and manifestations.

� President Ghani expressed satisfaction on the stepstaken by India to promote business links and tradebetween the two countries and India’s decision as afourth party to join the recent PATTTA (Pakistan,Afghanistan, Tajikistan Trade and TransitAgreement) negotiations that would allow thearrangement to contribute in a meaningful mannerto the vision of wider regional economic integration.

� Afghanistan also welcomed the Indian stewardshipof the Trade, Commerce and Investment ConfidenceBuilding Measures (TCI-CBM) under the Afghan-ledHeart of Asia process whose activities remainfocused on showcasing Afghanistan’s potential andits unique location at the Heart of Asia.

� The two leaders agreed to work towards a moreliberalized business visa regime for all businesses,including large, medium and small-size enterprises.

� The two leaders agreed to work closely with theGovernment of Iran to make Chahbahar port a reality,and a viable gateway to Afghanistan and CentralAsia.

� The two leaders agreed to work together for theirshared goal of bringing reforms to the UN system

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The action agenda contains five items, which can helpin furthering the trade relations between India and Japan.The five agenda points in the action agenda are:

� Development of selected townships in India asJapanese industrial townships.

� Promotion of investment and infrastructuredevelopment.

� Further development and cooperation in informationtechnology.

� Enhancing cooperation in strategic sectors.

� Asia-Pacific economic integration.

Besides, the Japanese Minister also said that theinvestments by Japan into Indian companies will double innext 5 years.

19th Amendment to the ConstitutionPassed by Sri Lankan ParliamentThe Parliament of Sri Lanka on 28 April 2015 adopted

the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. With this, the powerof the Executive President will be reduced and will put intoplace a Constitutional Council for making key governmentappoints.

The 19th amendment to the Constitution, were seen ascritical after Sirisena’s predecessor President MahindaRajapaksa was accused of spearheading creepingauthoritarianism during his decade in power. Further, withthe passage of this amendment, Sirisena passed the litmustest of keeping his promise of bringing in reforms inpresidential powers within 100 days.

Features :

� The reforms ensure an independent judiciary .

� President can’t dissolve the parliament by using hispower .

� It brought a two-term limit for a president andreduces the term from 6 to 5 years.

� It put into place several independent commissions,which will function outside the influence of theExecutive and handle key areas of governance likeelections, public service, police, judiciary and others

Japan Proposed New Joint WorkingGroup on Nuclear Deal

To discuss civil nuclear co-operation with India, Japanon 29 April 2015 proposed a new Joint Working Group (JWG).The aim of the JWG will be to explore avenues to break the

impasse that is going on between India and Japan on civilnuclear deal.

The JWG on civil nuclear energy cooperation will beformed between the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministryof Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan.

Earlier in 2014 during the visit of PM Modi to Japan,Shinzo Abe, Japan’s Prime Minister, had committed tofacilitate financing and investments of up to 3.5 trillion Yen(2 trillion rupees) in the next five years in India.

The proposal was drawn by Japanese Minister ofEconomy, Trade and Industry Yoichi Miyazawa during hismeet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

Besides, the Japanese Minister Miyazawa alsoannounced that Japanese firms have plans to invest 3 billionUS dollars in India in the near future. This will support PrimeMinister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative.

Further, he reiterated that Japan is committed forproviding and facilitating long-term funding to support thedevelopment of India’s manufacturing and infrastructure.

Japan and the USA RevisedDefence Deal

Japan and the United States (US) signed a new set ofdefence agreements on 27 April 2015 that allow for greaterco-operation between their militaries. Both the countries haverevised their defence deal after 18 years to deal with growingglobal security concern.

The agreement was signed by the US Secretary of State,John Kerry, and Defense Secretary, Ashton Carter, and theJapanese Foreign Minister, Fumio Kishida, and DefenseMinister, Gen Nakatani.

The agreement in the form of new guidelines wasreleased at the start of an official visit to the US by JapanesePrime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The guidelines allow for global cooperation militarily,ranging from defence against ballistic missile, cyber and spaceattacks as well as maritime security.

It also allows the exercise of the right to collective self-defence, that is, Japan could shoot down missiles headingtoward the United States and come to the aid of third countriesunder attack.

The new guidelines would also allow the US andJapanese militaries to work more closely together in the eventof a conflict in the East China Sea or in North Korea.

Further, it removed the constraints of geography, as aresult, the US-Japan cooperation had moved from focus onlocal issues to global issues.

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revised guidelines need the reinterpretation of the constitutionof Japan. The new defense guidelines are part of Abe’s bid tosoften Japan’s constitutional commitment to pacifism.

The US and Japan established defence guidelines in 1978,at the height of the Cold War, and in 1997, when China’smilitary build-up was still in its infancy. The new guidelinesare the first to reflect China’s greater military heft and pushfor influence in the region.

China- Pakistan Agreement onEconomic Corridor Plan

China and Pakistan on 21 April 2015 signed anagreement on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)plan worth 46 billion US dollars.

As part of the agreement, China will provide up to 37billion US dollar in investment for energy projects to generate16400 MW of power. Concessional loans will cover nearly10 billion US dollar of infrastructure projects.

China’s government and banks, including ChinaDevelopment Bank and the Industrial and Commercial Bankof China Ltd, will lend to Chinese companies, which willinvest in projects as commercial ventures.

The planned Chinese spending exceeds that of the UnitedStates, which has given 31 billion US dollars to Pakistansince 2002.

Besides, during the visit of Chinese President Xi toPakistan, the two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperationin civil nuclear energy, space and maritime technology,counter-terrorism and defense.

CHINA PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR

The CPEC is a network of roads, railways and pipelinesaimed to build energy and infrastructure projects inPakistan by establishing an economic corridor betweenPakistan’s southern Gwadar port on the Arabian Seaand China’s western Xinjiang region.

The corridor would transform Pakistan into a regionalhub and give China a shorter and cheaper route for tradewith much of Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Also, theinvestment will strengthen the struggling economy ofPakistan and help end chronic power shortages.

While on the Chinese part, the plan is part of China’saim to forge Silk Road land and sea ties to markets inthe Middle East and Europe. The projects will give Chinadirect access to the Indian Ocean and beyond.

India-South Korea High LevelDefence Talks

India and South Korea on 18 April 2015 held high leveldefence talks in Seoul. The talks were held on the sidelines offour day visit of Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikarto South Korea.

The meeting was held with South Korean DefenceMinister Han Min-koo at the Ministry of Defence of Korea inSeoul.

Parrikar also met Admiral Choi, Chairman of the JointChiefs of Staff; Minister Chang of the Defence AcquisitionProgram Administration (DAPA); National Security AdvisorKim Kwan-jin.

In all his meetings, the Defence Minister offered sincerecondolences on the first anniversary of the Sewol ferrydisaster that happened in April 2014, in which over 300 liveswere lost.

During the meeting with Admiral Choi, the two sidesdiscussed existing bilateral defence relations.

Both sides recognized that the relationship was one inwhich there are no obstacles to realizing the significantpotential for military to military ties.

Also, the two sides recognized that their sharedperspectives on regional and international issues created afirm foundation for cooperation in defence production,research and development.

Parrikar and Defence Minister Han focussed inparticular on ways of expanding contact between the defenceestablishments on both sides, and ways of building deeppartnerships between Indian and Korean defence industries.

India-Canada Joint Statement: NewVigour, New Steps

India and Canada issued Joint Statement title NewVigour, New Steps to elevate their bilateral relationsto a strategic partnership. The joint statement wasissued on 15 April 2015 during the visit of PrimeMinister Narendra Modi to Canada from 14 April to16 April 2015. Modi’s visit to Canada is the first byan Indian Prime Minister in 42 years.

Salient Features of the Joint Statement:

Bilateral Relations

The two nations signed agreements covering the fieldsof uranium, visas, terrorism, foreign investment promotion

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and protection, Canada-India comprehensive economicpartnership agreement (CEPA) free-trade deal, culture andpeople-to-people ties, regional and global issues and others.

Economy, Trade and Investment

MoU was signed on Cooperation in Rail Transportationbetween India’s Ministry of Railways and Transport Canada,dealing with technical cooperation.

MoU was signed on Civil Aviation between TransportCanada and India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, which willestablish a Joint Working Group to bring together keyindustry and Government stakeholders to advanceopportunities for cooperation in civil aviation.

The two sides agreed to establish a Finance MinistersDialogue for the purpose of deepening the India-Canadaeconomic and financial relationship.

Civil-Nuclear Cooperation

Agreement signed between the Department of AtomicEnergy of the Government of India and Cameco of Canadafor long-term supply of uranium to India to meet its energyneeds. The agreement would impart a new significance toIndia-Canada Civil Nuclear Cooperation.

They agreed to encourage a collaborative programme toleverage their industries’ respective strengths in the field ofPressurised Heavy Water Reactor technology for mutualbenefit, as well as for the benefit of global nuclear energyneeds.

They agreed to explore mutually beneficial partnershipsin the application of radio-isotopes for societal benefits.

They welcomed the setting up of the India NuclearInsurance Pool with potential participation of foreigncompanies as a positive step towards facilitating suchcooperation.

They agreed to exchange experiences and developmentson safety and regulatory issues. To take this forward, theAtomic Energy Regulatory Board of India and the CanadianNuclear Safety Commission have finalised an arrangementfor regulatory cooperation in the field of nuclear and radiationsafety regulation.

Energy

They agreed to further collaboration in areas such asenergy efficiency and innovation, oil and gas development,exchange of regulatory best practices, renewable energy, andnuclear energy.

To advance cooperation in this important sector, the twocountries welcomed the convening of the next Ministerialmeeting of the India-Canada Energy Dialogue by the end of2015.

Prime Ministers of both the countries also welcomed thedecision by Indian Oil Corporation to invest in a proposednew liquefied natural gas project in British Columbia.

Education and Skills Development

Both the countries welcomed the Canada’s partnershipin the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) of Indiato enable Canadian researchers to cooperate in learning,research and teaching in select Indian educationalinstitutions.

First co-funded student exchange programme throughthe Ministry of Human Resource Development’s TechnicalEducation Quality Improvement Programme and Canada’sMitacs Globalink Program set up

13 MoUs between the National Skill DevelopmentCouncil of India and 13 Canadian colleges, institutes, andSector Skills Councils signed

They leaders agreed to renew the Canada-India MoU onHigher Education on a rolling basis

AgricultureMoU on agriculture cooperation to promote trade inplants, plant products and other regulated articlesby facilitating science-based discussions related tosanitary and phyto-sanitary issues.

Defence and Security

They agreed to deepen their continuing cooperation incountering terrorism, radicalisation and violent extremismthrough joint efforts, and greater cooperation between theirrelevant government departments

Signing of the MoU between the Indian Ministry ofCommunications and Information Technology and theDepartment of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness ofCanada on Cooperation in the Area of Cyber Security

They agreed to explore cooperative possibilities in diversefields including cold climate warfare, peacekeeping, andparticipation in respective Defence Staff College training.

They also agreed to explore further cooperation inenhancing naval linkages, and staff exchanges.

Statement of Intent between Defence Research andDevelopment Organisation of India and Defence Research

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and Development Canada, aimed at exploring potentialcooperative initiatives in defence and security science andtechnology was inked.

Science, Technology, Innovation, and Space

Agreed to convene biennial meeting of the 5th Canada-India Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committeein June 2015

Committed to joint industrial research and developmentprojects through the International Science and TechnologyPartnership Program, and endorsed the annual contributionof 1 million dollar by both countries.

Agreed to include Canadian and Indian startups in theCanadian Technology Accelerator initiative

Canada welcomed India’s offer to be a Partner Countryin the 2017 Technology Summit to be hosted by India.

Welcomed an investment of 2.5 million dollar in fivehealth innovations in India by Grand Challenges Canadaand its Indian partner - the Department of Biotechnology,Ministry of Science and Technology

They agreed to support further joint projects on Safe andSustainable Infrastructure and Integrated Water Managementand public health.

The two countries agreed to accelerate ongoing effortstowards the elimination of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Indiaby jointly supporting an existing Grand Challenges Canadaproject.

MoU on Space Cooperation between the Indian SpaceResearch Organisation and the Canadian Space Agency wasrenewed.

Proposed collaboration between the Institute for StemCell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem) of India,and the Stem Cell Network of Canada in stem cell research,including possible research student exchanges

Agreed to establish a dialogue between relevant federaldepartments of the two countries in order to facilitatecooperation in therapeutic products

Culture and People-to-People Ties

MoU on Cultural Cooperation between Canada andIndia was renewed and Canada’s proposal to hold the Yearof Canada in India in 2017.

They looked forward to the entry into force of the Canada-India Social Security Agreement on 1 August 2015. Theyagreed to encourage further reciprocal visits by parliamentarydelegations.

Pakistan and Russia Agreed to HoldFirst-Ever Joint Military ExercisePakistan and Russia on 16 April 2015 agreed to hold

first-ever joint military exercises as a part of their enhanceddefence cooperation.

Pakistan and Russia in November 2014 during the first-ever visit of a Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoig in 45years signed a military cooperation agreement to strengthentheir defence ties and vowed to translate their relationship intangible terms.

Key Features:

� The two nations agreed to enhance cooperation inboth defence industry and military training

� They agreed to promote joint participation in militaryexercises

� They agreed to resolve conflicts through diplomaticmeans and that use of force must be discouragedand abandoned

� They reached a consensus that a multi-polar worldwould ensure peace and balance in internationalrelations

India-Canada Nuclear Agreement onSupply of Uranium

India and Canada on 15 April 2015 signed a nuclearagreement on supply of uranium to India. The agreementwas signed between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modiand Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

PM Modi is on a three-day official visit to Canada, whichis the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 42years.

Nuclear agreement:

As part of the agreement, Canadian Cameco Corporationwill supply 7.1 million pounds of uranium concentrate toIndia till 2020. The deal is worth 350 million US dollars. Theuranium will be sourced from Cameco’s operations innorthern Saskatchewan.

Cameco Corporation, the World’s largest uraniumproducer, will make first deliveries in late 2015 and thepricing will be based on the market price for uranium, whichis published price at the time of delivery.

Its Importance to India:

The uranium agreement is part of deal that took effect in2013 and it is of great importance to India strategically andeconomically.

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At present, India is the fourth largest consumer of energyin the world and it uses nuclear power for three percent of itselectricity. However, under the planned Energy Revolution,India hopes to increase that number to 25 percent by 2050.

Besides, the uranium agreement signifies a new era ofbilateral co-operation between India and Canada whichturned frosty after India first conducted the test of nuclearbomb in 1970s leading to Canada banning exports of uraniumand nuclear hardware to India.

Further, it reflects a new level of mutual trust andconfidence between the two countries.

India, Belarus agreed to EnhanceBilateral Ties

India and Belarus on 15 April 2015 agreed to enhancetheir bilateral ties especially in the field of trade and economy.

The agreement was reached during the meeting of ForeignAffairs of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei withExternal Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in New Delhi.Makei was on a three-day official visit to India from 14 Aprilto 16 April 2015 on the invitation of Swaraj.

Highlights of the meeting:

� The two nations discussed regional andinternational issues of mutual interests

� Discussion on bilateral issues including high levelpolitical engagement, trade and investment, scienceand technology, defence, energy and culture wereheld

� The two Ministers agreed to work together to furtherenhance these relations

� Swaraj also thanked the visiting Foreign Ministerfor his Government’s support at the United Nations(UN) to adopt 21 June as the International Yoga Dayand for the celebration of the first International YogaDay this year in Minsk.

During the visit Makei was accompanied by a 3-memberbusiness delegation representing prominent Belarusian stateenterprises dealing in potash, fertilizers, dumper trucks andtractors. He and the delegation also met representatives ofIndian business and industry.

Joint Statement to StrengthenStrategic Partnership

India-Germany Joint Statement was released on 14 April2015 with an aim to upgrade and further strengthen the

Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

The Joint Statement was released after the meetingbetween Prime Minister Narendra Modi and GermanChancellor Angela Merkel in Hannover and Berlin. PMNarendra Modi is on a three-day visit to Germany.

As part of the statement, the two nations agreed to takeproactive steps to advance collaboration in the areas ofmanufacturing, skill development, urban development,environment, railways, cleaning of rivers, language andscience & technology.

Features of Joint Statement :

Skill Development

Expansion of existing Indo-German cooperation throughnew initiatives, including a road-map for enhancingemployability of trainees and apprentices by strengtheningindustry involvement in Skills Development, as in theGerman dual system.

Science and Technology (S&T)

Both sides declared their intent to promote closer R&Dcooperation in science, technology and innovation, inparticular through extending the tenure of the bi-nationalIndo-German Science & Technology Center in India.

Manufacturing

Utilize the momentum generated by India’s participationin the Hannover Messe 2015 to foster stronger ties betweenbusiness and industry on both sides in order to supportIndia’s Make in India initiative.

Railways

Support for the modernization of the railwayinfrastructure including setting up of semi high-speed andhigh-speed railways and training and skill development ofpersonnel in the rail sector starting with signalling andtelecommunications and a high-speed rail system.

Education

To promote closer educational exchanges, includingthrough setting up of an International Center for AdvancedStudies in the Humanities and Social Sciences, strengthening

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collaboration between universities in India and Germanythrough the Indo German Strategic Partnerships in HigherEducation program, and enhancing the exchange of scientistsbetween both countries within the framework of India’sGIAN initiative.

Urban Development

Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through theestablishment of a working group on urban development.Support development of urban planning and infrastructurein India, including

a) Cooperation in the development of new areas ofcollaboration and mutual benefit in the developmentof smart cities in India

b) Setting up peer-to-peer network of Municipalities fordirect collaboration

c) Assistance in the area of affordable housing

Language

To support the respective programs and efforts in Indiaand Germany to broaden knowledge of each other’slanguages among the youth in accordance with the nationalpolicy of each country.

Environment

Strengthen the bilateral cooperation through theestablishment of two working groups in the areas of waterand waste management.

Cleaning of Rivers

Following the completion of the Ganga Scoping Missionin October 2014 by Germany, develop cooperation on GangaRiver rejuvenation strategies, capacity support for urbansanitation, setting up of standards, approaches to industrialpollution and innovative financial models.

Renewable Energy

Support India’s proposed objective of 175GW ofrenewable energy by 2022 through technical and financialsupport for developing comprehensive solar rooftop andgreen energy corridor projects in India.

Besides, the two nations also agreed to strengthen theirefforts towards carrying on negotiations for an ambitious EUIndia Free Trade Agreement with a view to its earlyconclusion. Both sides also explored ways of expandingdialogue on security issues and foreign policy.

Delhi Declaration on Public HealthChallenges

The 5th meeting of SAARC Health Ministers was heldon 8 April 2015 in New Delhi. The meet ended with theadoption of Delhi Declaration on Public Health Challenges.

The declaration focuses on issues common to membernations of South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC). These issues include universal health coverage,improving health regulatory systems, preparedness foremerging and re-emerging diseases and the challenges posedby antimicrobial resistance and non-communicable diseases.

Salient Features of the Declaration:

Agreed to strengthen cooperation on mutually agreedagreements for prevention and control of infectious diseasesand for sharing of information in accordance withinternational health regulations

Agreed to strengthen capacities for surveillance andmonitoring of disease, rapid response and expandingdiagnostic facilities

Resolved to strengthen cooperation to promoteavailability and effective coverage of affordable vaccinesincluding pentavalent vaccine and to also strengthen ourresponse to make SAARC region polio free

Agreed to take appropriate coordinated action whichmay be required to be adopted by the Member States forprevention and control of Hepatitis which is a major publichealth issue in the region;

Called upon the Member States to maintain themomentum of actions under the Regional Strategy on HIV/AIDS, to achieve the 90-90-90 HIV treatment target 2020 andto rapidly reduce new HIV infection and AIDS related deathsincluding from tuberculosis, with a view to ending AIDS by2030

Welcomed the proposed SAARC Supra-nationalReference laboratory for TB and HIV/AIDs, being establishedin Kathmandu

Agreed to cooperate for combating mental disorders,including autism and neuro-development disorders, througha multi-pronged approach encompassing a Mental HealthPolicy and a life cycle approach

Agreed to extend cooperation amongst the Member Statesfor capacity development of human resources in public healthand clinical medicine

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Agreed to attach high priority to combat anti-microbialresistance and impact of antibiotic use in agricultural andanimal husbandry sectors

Decided to enhance regional collaboration andpartnership in health research among SAARC countries

Agreed to cooperate in improving the standards,certification and regulatory mechanisms for drugs andpharmaceuticals with a view to promoting availability ofquality, safe, efficacious and affordable medicines in allSAARC Member States

Agreed to cooperate in the field of traditional systems ofmedicines

Agreed to holding of annual meetings of the TechnicalCommittee on Health and Population Activities to facilitateintra-regional cooperation and implementation of decisionstaken in the earlier meetings of SAARC Health Ministers

Earlier SAARC Health Ministers were held in Maldivesin 2012, Dhaka in April 2006, Islamabad in 2005 and NewDelhi in 2003.

China Rejected Bid of Taiwan toBecome Full Member of AIIB

The Chinese Government on 13 April 2015 quashed thebid of Taiwan to become a full member of the AsianInfrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for lack of appropriatename.

The Chinese Government said that it would welcomeTaiwan in the future but under a different name.

Taiwan made a last-minute application to join the AIIBas a founding member on the deadline day of 31 March 2015under the name of Chinese-Taipei. The name was used bythe International Olympic Committee and the AsianDevelopment Bank.

Taiwan hoped that joining AIIB as a full member wouldhelp its push for regional economic integration andparticipation in international trade organisations.

Taiwan will now seek to join the bank as an ordinarymember, instead of a founding member.

The AIIB was proposed by China for the rapidly growingAsian region. China is putting up nearly 50 billion US dollarsto help capitalize the bank, which is meant to fundinfrastructure projects in rapidly growing Asia. At least 21countries signed the memorandum of understanding inOctober2014, establishing the bank. Besides China, the listincludes India, Thailand and Singapore amid others.

MoUs and Agreements BetweenIndia and France to Enhance

Bilateral Co-OperationIndia and France signed 20 Memorandum of

Understandings (MoUs) and Agreements on 10 April 2015to give new impetus to bilateral co-operation between thetwo nations.

The two nations signed agreements covering the fieldsof Defence and Nuclear Energy, Space, Economic relations,Railways, Energy, Tourism, Science and Technology, SkillDevelopment and Ayurveda.

The MoUs and Agreements were signed during visit ofPrime Minister Narendra Modi to France between 9 Apriland 12 April 2015.

Defence and Nuclear Energy

� MoU between L&T and AREVA: The MoU aims atcost reduction by increasing localization, to improvethe financial viability of Jaitapur project. It will alsoenable transfer of technology and development ofindigenous nuclear energy industry in India.

� Pre-engineering agreements (PEA) between NPCILand Areva: It was signed with an aim to bring clarityon all technical aspects of the plant so that all parties(AREVA, Alstom and NPCIL) can firm up their priceand optimize all provisions for risks still includedat this stage in the costs of the project.

Economic Relations

� MoU on cooperation in the field of renewable energy:It seeks to encourage and promote technical bilateralcooperation on new and renewable energy issues. Itwould cover solar, wind, bio-energy, tidal and waveenergy sectors.

Railways

� Railway protocol between Indian Ministry ofRailways and French National Railways (SNCF):The Protocol seeks to establish cooperation betweenIndian and French Railways for semi-high speed railand station renovation.

Energy

� Guarantee Agreement with AFD Financing of EnergyEfficiency Services Limited (EESL): The Agreementseeks to finance Energy Efficiency Services Limited(EESL)

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The Space

� MoU between on Megha Tropiques: The MoU seeksto extend the sharing and use of data from the MeghaTropiques satellite by 2 more years. The satellite, ajoint project between ISRO and CNES, was launchedaboard Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) on 12October 2011

� MOU for Ka-band propagation experiment overIndian tropical region: It envisages cooperationbetween ISRO, CNES and ONERA forimplementation of the project concerning Ka-bandpropagation experiment over Indian tropical region.

� Programme between ISRO and French NationalCentre for Space Studies (CNES): It proposescooperation in the areas of Remote sensing, satellitecommunications and satellite meteorology; spacesciences and planetary exploration amongst others.

Science and Technology

� MoU on cooperation in the field of Science &Technology: For cooperation between the twocountries in the areas of applied mathematics,physics, Information & communication technology,water resources and environment, life sciencesamongst others and establishment of Virtual JointLaboratories, and establishment of Joint ResearchCentres.

� MoU on Collaboration for establishment of aNational Institute of Marine Biology andBiotechnology in India: The proposed MoU seeks toestablish a National Institute of Marine Biology andBiotechnology in India, with a Hub and Spokenetwork of laboratories spanning India’s marineregions from the Andaman to Lakshadweep.

Sports

� MoU on Cooperation in Sports: The MoU envisagescooperation and exchange of experiences in the fieldsof sports medicine, management and coordinationof sports federations and establishment of NationalInstitute of Sports in India based on French model ofINSEP.

Culture, Heritage Conservation, Tourism,People-To-People Contacts

� Administrative Arrangement in the field of CulturalHeritage: The Administrative Arrangement between

the Indian Ministry of Culture and French Ministryof Culture and Communication envisagescooperation in the field of cultural heritage, throughtraining of Indian heritage conservationprofessionals at the Institute National du Patrimoine(INP).

� Letter of Intent (LoI)on Tourism: Seeks to increasecooperation in tourism sector between India andFrance and promote sustainable bilateral tourismbetween the two countries The LoI also seeks tofacilitate twinning of sites having historical, naturaland cultural significance in India and France forpromoting them as tourist destinations.

� Letter of Intent (LoI) between the ArchaeologicalSurvey of India (ASI) and National Institute ofPreventive Archaeological Research (INRAP): TheLoI envisages collaboration on preventivearchaeology projects, initiatives to disseminateculture and promote archaeology, trainingprogrammes for specialists of ASI and deploymentof expertise, in particular, in the field of underwaterarchaeology.

� MoU between School of Planning and Architecture,Delhi and National Architecture Institute in Paris,France: It envisages cooperation to undertake jointplanning and geographical studies in India andFrance and training of local counterparts in modernurban and regional planning.

� MoU between Indian Heritage Cities NetworkFoundation (IHCN) and Association Nationale desVilles et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire et villes a secteurssauvegardés et protégés (ANVPAH): It envisagescooperation in the fields of sustainable development,urban planning, heritage conservation and up-gradation of basic services.

� Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) scheme:The scheme offers Indian Visa for 12 monthsrenewable once for a period of 12 months for 250French students and a ‘second residence permit’ of12 months for the Indian students in Francefollowing the 12 months already granted.

� Letter of Intent on Ayurveda between Ministry ofAyush and University of Strasbourg: It allows boththe parties to strengthen their relationships andcooperation in the area of Ayurveda education andresearch and conducting joint workshops/conferences on Ayurveda as complimentarymedicine in France

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Skill Development

� MoU between National Skill Development Agency(NSDA), India and the National Commission forVocational Qualifications (Commission Nationalede la Certification Professionnelle – CNCD): Theagreement will facilitate exchange of informationand knowledge about maintenance of qualificationregisters through information exchanges, visits andother suitable meetings.

Apart from this, India also agreed to buy 36 multi-roleCombat Aircraft Rafale fighter jets in a flyway condition. PrimeMinister Modi during his visit to France also gifted a paintingtitled Tree of Life, reflecting traditional societal respect fornature in India to the French President Francois Hollande.

EFA Global Monitoring Report:UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and CulturalOrganization (UNESCO) in the first week of April 2015released the 2015 EFA Global Monitoring Report titledEducation for All 2000-2015: Achievements and Challenges.

The report presents the achievements and challengeswith respect to six EFA goals and eight MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs), the two most importantframeworks in the field of education.

It also explains possible determinants of the pace ofprogress and identifies key lessons for shaping a post-2015global education agenda.

Report Highlights:

Goal 1 – Early childhood care and education

Expanding and improving comprehensive earlychildhood care and education, especially for the mostvulnerable and disadvantaged children

Despite a drop in child mortality rates of nearly 50%, 6.3million children under the age of 5 died in 2013 from causesthat are mostly preventable.

Progress in improving child nutrition has beenconsiderable. Yet globally, one in four children is still shortfor their age – a sign of chronic deficiency in essentialnutrients.

In 2012, 184 million children were enrolled in pre-primary education worldwide, an increase of nearly two-thirds since 1999.

Goal 2 – Universal Primary Education

Ensuring that by 2015 all children, particularly girls,children in difficult circumstances and those belonging toethnic minorities, have access to and complete free andcompulsory primary education of good quality

The primary school net enrolment ratio was 84% in 1999and is estimated to reach 93% in 2015.

Net enrolment ratios improved significantly, rising atleast 20 percentage points from 1999 to 2012 in 17 countries,11 of which were in sub-Saharan Africa.

While some increases in enrolment ratios are evident,nearly 58 million children were out of school in 2012, andprogress in reducing this number has stalled.

By the 2015 deadline, one in six children in low andmiddle income countries – or almost 100 million – will nothave completed primary school

Goal 3 – Youth and Adult Skills

Ensuring that the learning needs of all young peopleand adults are met through equitable access to appropriatelearning and life skills programmes

Reflecting improved transition rates and higher retentionrates, the lower secondary gross enrolment ratio increasedfrom 71% in 1999 to 85% in 2012.

Participation in lower secondary education hasincreased quickly since 1999.

Inequality persists in the transition from primary tosecondary school.

A majority of the 94 low and middle income countrieswith information have legislated free lower secondaryeducation since 1999. Of these, 66 have constitutionalguarantees and 28 enacted other legal measures.

Goal 4 – Adult literacy

Achieving a 50 per cent improvement in levels of adultliteracy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable accessto basic and continuing education for all adults

There are about 781 million illiterate adults. The rate ofilliteracy dropped slightly, from 18% in 2000 to an estimated14% in 2015, which means the Dakar target of halvingilliteracy was not achieved.

Only 17 out of the 73 countries with a literacy rate below95% in 2000 had halved their illiteracy rate by 2015.Progress has been made towards gender parity inliteracy but is not sufficient. All 43 countries where

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fewer than 90 women for every 100 men were literate in 2000have moved towards parity, but none of them will havereached it by 2015.

Goal 5 – Gender equality

Eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondaryeducation by 2005, and achieving gender equality ineducation by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls’ full andequal access to and achievement in basic education of goodquality

At the primary level, 69% of the countries with data areexpected to have reached gender parity by 2015. Progress isslower in secondary education, with 48% projected to be atgender parity in 2015.

Progress in tackling severe gender disparity has beenmade. Between 1999 and 2012, the number of countries withfewer than 90 girls enrolled in primary school for every 100boys fell from 33 to 16

Amongst out-of-school children, girls are more likely thanboys never to enrol in school (48% compared with 37%), whileboys are more likely to leave school (26% compared with20%). Once enrolled, girls are more likely to reach the uppergrades.

Goal 6 – Quality of Education

Improving all aspects of the quality of education andensuring excellence of all so that recognized and measurablelearning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy,numeracy and essential life skills

Pupil/teacher ratios declined in 83% of the 146 countrieswith data at the primary education level. In one-third of thecountries with data, however, less than 75% of primaryschool teachers are trained up to national standards.

At the lower secondary education level, 87 of the 105countries with data have a pupil/teacher ratio below 30:1.

In 1990, 12 learning assessments were conductedaccording to national standards, but by 2013 the numberhad increased to 101.

EFA and India

India increased its net enrolment ratio as GNP per capitaimproved, suggesting a more equitable distribution ofeconomic gains

In India, monitoring of financing allocations andfunding delivery to implement the Right to Education (RTE)found that funds were not allocated on time because of

banking delays, and did not always reach schools. Therewere significant regional disparities in funding delivery:

Low-fee private schools have proliferated in urbanslums in India, Kenya and Nigeria

In India, the RTE and the main EFA programme, SarvaShiksha Abhiyan, created opportunities for people withdisabilities to be included in mainstream schools.

Two out of three countries where lower secondaryeducation was not compulsory in 2000 had changed theirlegislation by 2012, including India, Indonesia, Nigeria andPakistan.

In India, the Pratham Open School of Education aims toreach young girls and women who have been marginalizedfrom the education system.

India and Turkey have closed gender gaps in primaryand lower secondary education.

In India, girls’ enrolment increased after a school latrineconstruction effort in the early 2000s.

DAKAR GOALS

Dakar Goals or Education for All goals was establishedin 2000 at the World Education Forum in Dakar, Senegal.The UN Decade of Education for SustainableDevelopment (DESD), launched in 2005, urges countriesto rethink education, curricula and teaching practice inways that complement the drive to achieve EFA.

India Elected to Four United NationsAgencies

India was elected to four important United Nations (UN)agencies on 8 April 2015. These agencies are United NationsChildren’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Program (WFP),Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice(CCPCJ) and the Governing Council of UN-Habitat.

India was elected to these bodies at the Coordinationand Management Meeting (CMM) of UNECOSOC (the UnitedNations Economic and Social Council) held at the UNheadquarters in New York, USA.

India was elected by acclamation, which is a form ofelection that doesn’t use a ballot.

Results of Elections

� India, along with thirteen other nations, was electedto the Executive Board of the United Nations

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Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for a three year periodstarting from January 2016.

� India was re-elected to the Executive Board of theWorld Food Programme (WFP) along with five othernations for a two year period starting from January2016.

� India was elected to the Commission on CrimePrevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) along withnineteen other nations for a three year period startingfrom January 2016. Some of the nations that wereelected to CCPCJ included Iran, Pakistan, SaudiArabia Austria, France, Sweden and the UnitedStates.

� India was re-elected to the Governing Council of theUnited Nations Human Settlements Programme(UN-Habitat) along with thirteen other nations for athree year period starting from January 2016.

Significance

� India has a 100 percent record of winning theUNECOSOC elections. For instance, in the first weekof April 2015, India was re-elected to the 47-nationUN Human Rights Council for the period of 2015-17. In October 2014, India was re-elected to ECOSOCby garnering the maximum number of votes in theAsia-Pacific group.

� These continuous wins at various UN bodieshighlights the fact that India’s role as an importantand influential global power is now recognised by avast majority of the UN membership.

Social Progress ImperativeReleased Social Progress

Index 2015Social Progress Index (SPI) 2015 was released by the US-

based non-profit organisation Social Progress Imperative on8 April 2015. On population-weighted basis, the SPI scorefor the whole world stands at 61 and at 64.39 when SPI scoresare based on simple average of countries.

The SPI 2015 ranks 133 countries in terms of socialprogress from highest to lowest which are classified into sixtiers from Very High Social Progress to Very Low SocialProgress. These 133 countries cover 94 percent of the world’spopulation.

Along with these 133 countries, the SPI 2015 alsoprovides data for 28 countries with partial data. This bringscoverage to a total of 99 percent of the world’s population.

India with a score of 53.06 is ranked 101st and is placedin the Low Social Progress Group. In 2014, India with a scoreof 50.24 was ranked 102 out of 132 countries.

Major Findings of the Index:

On a population-weighted basis, the world scores 68.33in Basic Human Needs, 66.45 on the Foundations ofWellbeing dimension and 48.23 on the Opportunitydimension. Creating opportunity remains a goal that manynations fail to achieve.

On a simple average basis, the world scores 70.82 in BasicHuman Needs, 67.68 on the Foundations of Wellbeingdimension and 52.03 on the Opportunity dimension. Onceagain creating opportunity sees a drop in score despite thefact that developing countries have a smaller weight underthis approach.

Ten countries in the world have been ranked as VeryHigh Social Progress Countries as these countries generallyhave strong performance across all three dimensions. Theaverage dimension scores for this tier are: Basic Human Needsis 94.77, Foundations of Wellbeing is 83.85, and Opportunityis 83.07.

As with most high-income countries, the top 10 countriesscore lowest on Ecosystem Sustainability and Health andWellness.

Nearly all of the top 10 are relatively small countries,with only Canada having a population greater than 25million.

The top three countries in the world on Social Progressare Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland with closely groupedscores between 88.36 and 87.97.

Canada is the only country among the G7 countries thathas been ranked in top ten on SPI 2015

Under the High Social Progress Countries tier, there are21 countries. This group includes a number of the world’sleading economies in terms of GDP and population, includingthe remaining six members of the G7: the United Kingdom,Germany, Japan, the United States, France, and Italy. Theaverage dimension scores for this tier are: Basic Human Needs

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is 90.86, Foundations of Wellbeing is 77.83, and Opportunityis 73.82

The third tier of Upper Middle Social Progress Countriescomprises of 25 countries. This group reveals that high GDPper capita does not guarantee social progress. Average scoresfor this tier are: Basic Human Needs is 80.66, Foundations ofWellbeing is 73.52, and Opportunity is 57.73.

The fourth tier Lower Middle Social Progress Countriescomprises of 42 countries. The average dimension scores forthis tier are: Basic Human Needs is 72.34, Foundations ofWellbeing is 66.90, and Opportunity is 47.14

Under the Low Social Progress Countries tier, there are27 countries which include many Sub-Saharan Africancountries. The average dimension scores for this tier are: BasicHuman Needs is 50.03, Foundations of Wellbeing is 58.01,and Opportunity is 38.35.

Under the Very Low Social Progress Countries tier, thereare 8 countries. The average dimension scores for this tierare: Basic Human Needs is 38.46, Foundations of Wellbeingis 48.55, and Opportunity is 26.05.

The lowest three countries in the world on SocialProgress are Afghanistan, Chad, Central African Republic.

SPI 2015 and BRICS countries

Among the BRICS countries, Brazil at 42nd rank leadsthe pack with a score of 70.89 and India with a score of 53.06is placed at 101 position and is the worst country in terms ofsocial progress. The other countries of BRICS and their ranksare: South Africa (63rd), Russia (71st) and China (92nd).

SPI 2015 and SAARC countries

Among the SAARC countries, Sri Lanka at 88th rankleads the pack with a score of 60.10 and Afghanistan with ascore of 35.40 is placed at 131 and is the worst country interms of social progress. The other countries of SAARC andtheir ranks are: Nepal (98) Bangladesh (100), India (101) andPakistan (122).

SPI 2015 and India

India falls into the Low Social Progress group with ascore of 53.06 was ranked 101st.

India has low scores common to lower-middle incomecountries, but shows particular weakness in Health andWellness and Tolerance and Inclusion.

India’s score 58.87 on Basic Human Need, 57.38 onFoundations of Well-being dimension and 42.93 onOpportunity dimension

SOCIAL PROGRESS INDEX?

This index is based on the writings of Amartya Sen,Douglass North, and Joseph Stiglitz and it is an aggregateindex of 54 social and environmental indicators thatcapture three dimensions of social progress: BasicHuman Needs, Foundations of Wellbeing, andOpportunity. The Index measures social progress strictlyusing outcomes of success, not how much effort a countrymakes.

India - USA Memorandum ofCooperation (MoC) on

TransportationUnion Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin

Gadkari and US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxxon 8 April 2015 signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC)in New Delhi for deepening partnership in the area oftransport between the two countries.

Significance of the MoC:

� It will enable India to make use of world’s latesttechnology available with the USA for projects likedevelopments of waterways and multi-modal hub.

� It aims to foster cooperative work on key issues ofmutual interest for all modes of transportation andcoordinating public and private sector resources andexpertise to advance safe, secure, efficient andintegrated transportation systems.

� It covers areas like highway transportation, urbantransportation, safety and environmentalprotections, vehicle and behavioral safety, fuelefficiency, rail transportation, maritime shipping andintermodal transportation.

Iran and P5+1 Nod for JointComprehensive Plan of Action

Iran, the P5+1 and the European Union (EU) on 2 April2015 conceded on a framework agreement called as JointComprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) intended to stop Iranfrom developing nuclear weapons.

The informal framework agreement will be used as thebasis for evolving the final draft of JCPOA by 30 June 2015.

P5+1 include all the permanent members of the UnitedNations Security Council (UNSC) viz., the US, the UK, France,

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China and Russia plus Germany.

The sanctions imposed by the US, the EU and the UNwill be lifted in phases depending upon the progressmade by Iran in implementing its commitments underthe agreement. In case of the US the nuclear relatedsanctions will be lifted once the IAEA verified thatIran has taken all the key nuclear-related stepsprovided by the agreement. However, sanctionsrelated to terrorism, rights abuses and ballisticmissiles will remain in place

Terms of the Agreement:

� Iran will use only the facility at Natanz to enrichuranium.

� Iran will reduce about two-thirds of its installedcentrifuges (equipment used to enrich uranium) from19000 to 6104, with only 5060 of these will be usedfor enriching uranium for 10 years.

� Iran will not use its advanced centrifuges, such asthe IR-2, IR-4, IR-5, IR-6, or IR-8 models, to produceenriched uranium for at least 10 years. Iran will onlyengage in limited research and development withthese advanced centrifuges.

� The centrifuges that are no longer in use will beplaced in IAEA-monitored storage and be used onlyas replacements.

� Iran will not enrich uranium over 3.67 percent for atleast 15 years.

� Iran would reduce its current stockpile of 10000 kgof Low-Enriched Uranium (LEU) to 300 kg of 3.67pecent LEU for 15 years.

� Iran will not use the nuclear facility at Fordow, nearthe city of Qom, for the purpose of uraniumenrichment for at least 15 years. It will be convertedas a research centre meant for peaceful purposes. Inaddition, no fissile material will be allowed at thefacility.

� Iran will redesign and rebuild a heavy water researchreactor in Arak, based on a design that is agreed toby the western powers, so that it will not be used toproduce weapons-grade plutonium and supportonly peaceful research.

� Iran will provide regular access to the International

Automic Energy Agency (IAEA) to its nuclearprogramme supply chain including uranium minesand mills and the enrichment facilities at Natanzand Fordow to prevent diversion to a secretprogramme.

� Iran will also implement the Additional Protocol ofthe IAEA, providing the IAEA greater access andinformation regarding its nuclear programme,including both declared and undeclared facilities.

� A dedicated procurement channel for Iran’s nuclearprogramme will be established to monitor andapprove, on a case by case basis, the supply, sale, ortransfer to Iran of nuclear-related and dual usematerials and technology.

Cease-fire Agreement BetweenMyanmar and Ethnic Rebel Groups

Myanmar Government and 16 ethnic rebel groups on 31

March 2015 signed a draft nationwide cease-fire agreement.

The draft is aimed at ending more than 65 years of civil unrest

and armed conflict in the country.

Myanmar has been witnessing an armed internal conflict

since 1948, few days after it attained independence from the

United Kingdom (UK).

The country’s internal conflict between the Central

government and a group of ethnic and political rebellions is

one of the world’s longest running civil war. The ethnic

groups are seeking greater autonomy since independence.

The agreement, reached after seven rounds of talks since

2013, agreed at resolving points of contention. They agreed

on:

� There will be a halt to recruitment by the armed

groups

� Armed rebel groups’ territory and status were

confirmed, and

� The nature and composition of the political dialogue

Now the negotiators from the armed rebel groups will

consult with their leaders before giving final approval to the

draft. The idea behind the draft ceasefire agreement is to bring

all the rebels into a process that will lead on to talks on greater

devolution of power and resources which is something that

has been resisted by the Myanmar government since 1948.

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The move is also a major victory for the Myanmar’s semi-civilian government which made ending hostilities with thearmed rebel groups a top priority since it took power in 2011after 49 years of military rule.

China and Sri Lanka Inked FiveAgreements

China and Sri Lanka signed five agreements on 26 March2015 to deepen development partnership between the twocountries.

Salient Features of the Visit:

� Both the countries reiterated the shared adherenceof the two countries to the Five Principles of PeacefulCo-existence or Pancha Sheela.

� The two nations signed five agreements related tocooperation for special aid in public health,development of water treatment methods andtechnologies in kidney disease affected areas,research and development of the coconut industryand refurbishment of the Superior Courts Complexin Sri Lanka.

� During the talks between the Sri Lankan presidentand his chinese counter part Xi Jinping it was alsoagreed to kick start third round of negotiations toconclude the proposed China-Sri Lanka Free TradeAgreement (FTA).

� Sri Lanka accepted the China’s invitation to becomea founding-member of the Chinese proposed AsianInfrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

� China agreed to provide for 2000 trainingopportunities for young scientists from Sri Lanka inthe next five years.

� China agreed to set up Chinese language trainingcentres in Sri Lanka to deepen cultural partnershipbetween both the countries.

CONCERN FOR INDIA

The relations between Sri Lanka and China are ofutmost importance for India in terms of national security.The recent Chinese initiatives like Maritime Silk Roadand involvement of Chinese firms in infrastructureprojects in Sri Lanka are seen as a part of China’s strategyto encircle India by deepening partnership with India’sneighbours.

ADB and India Signed LoanAgreement to Improve Connectivity

in NE Region

The Union Ministry of Finance and the AsianDevelopment Bank (ADB) on 26 March 2015 signed a loanagreement for 300 million US dollars to improve roadconnectivity along the North Bengal-North Eastern (NB-NE)Region.

The funds will be utilized to improve road connectivityand efficiency of the international trade corridors byexpanding roads in NB-NE region of the country.

Tarun Bajaj, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Institutions) inthe Department of Economic Affairs of Ministry of Financeand Teresa Kho, ADB’S country Director in India, signed theAgreement on behalf of the Government of India and ADBrespectively.

Terms of the Agrrement:

� The loan is the first tranche under 500 million US

dollar South Asian Sub-Regional Economic

Cooperation Road Connectivity Investment Program

(SRCIP). Under this multi-tranche program, about

500 km of roads will be constructed in the NB-NE

region.

� The funds will be utilized to construct two national

highways totaling about 150 km in West Bengal and

State roads totaling about 180 km in Manipur, which

will be extended till the Myanmar Border.

� The loan amount makes-up nearly 71 percent of the

total project cost of about 425 million US dollars with

the central and state governments providing

counterpart finance of about 125 million US dollars.

� The loan has a 25-year repayment term, including a

five-year grace period with an annual interest rate

determined in accordance with ADB’s LIBOR

(London Interbank Offered Rate)-based lending

facility.

� The project is expected to be completed by 31

December 2021.

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SRCIPSRCIP is a strategic initiative that aims to achieve

regional integration among the members of the SouthAsia Sub regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC)

group by improving road connectivity within the NB-NE Region in India. The members of this group are

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal.

Military Operation Led By SaudiArabia Against Houthi Rebels

Saudi Arabia on 25 March 2015 launched a militaryoperation including airstrikes in Yemen against the Houthirebels, who drove out the Yemeni President Abd-RabbuMansour Hadi. It launched the operation in coalition withnine other countries of the region.

The operation against the Houthi rebels was launchedto defend and support the legitimate government of Yemenand prevent the radical Houthi movement from taking overthe country.

The airstrikes have targeted the Presidential palace andthe police and Special Forces headquarters in the capital,Sanaa.

The operation led by Saudi Arabia is joined by Jordan,Sudan, Morocco, Egypt, Pakistan and countries of GulfCooperation Council (GCC), viz., Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar andthe United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Besides, the US President Barack Obama though hadauthorised logistical and intelligence support for theoperation but US forces will not participate directly in theoperation in Yemen.

Earlier, the President of Yemen Abd-Rabbu Mansour fledhis palace in Aden as Houthi rebels advanced towards thesouthern port city.

Iran backed Shiite rebels have been demanding economicand political reforms in Yemen and have made rapid gainsin recent months. In the third week of March 2015, Shiiterebels seized Yemen’s third largest city Taiz and in February2015 took command of the capital Sanaa leading to the USclosing its operation in Sanaa.

India and Qatar inked Economic andCommercial Agreements

India and Qatar on 25 March 2015 signed six agreementsto increase commercial and economic exchanges betweenIndia and Qatar. The deals have a special focus on the Makein India initiative.

Agreements are:

� Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons: Underthis agreement, Indian prisoners convicted in Qatarcan be brought to India to serve the remaining partof their sentence. Similarly Qatari Citizens convictedin India can be sent to his home country to servetheir sentence.

� MoU for Cooperation in the field of Information andCommunication Technology: This MoU wouldprovide enhanced business opportunities for IndianIT industry in Qatar. Qatar has embarked on anambitious programme for overall development aspart of their Qatar 2030 vision and has created adedicated Ministry of Information andCommunication Technology for capacity buildingin ICT.

� MoU between Ministry of Earth sciences and QatarMeteorological Department for Scientific andTechnical cooperation: The scientific collaborationbetween India and Qatar will be beneficial to improveatmospheric & Oceanic capacity in both thecountries.

� MoU between Diplomatic Institute of MOFA, Qatarand Foreign Service Institute, MEA: This MoU wouldhelp in exchange of trainees, students, facultymembers and experts between India and Qatar toenhance their skills and improve the trainingprogramme in both the countries.

� MoU for cooperation in the field of Radio andTelevision: This MoU intends to encourage regularexchange of radio and TV programmes and materialbetween Prasar Bharati of India and Qatar MediaCooperation.

� Agreement for Mutual Cooperation and Exchangeof News: The agreement between Qatari NewsAgency and United News of India is to enhance anddevelop bilateral cooperation in the field of exchangeof English-language news on daily basis and free ofcharge.

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Talks Between India and China onthe Border dispute

18th round of talks between the Special Representativesof India and China on the Boundary Question was held inNew Delhi on 24 March 2015.

Key highlights of theTalks:

� India and China agreed to maintain peace along theirHimalayan border till an amicable solution topending border disputes is found.

� The two sides also discussed the issue ofcounterterrorism, maritime security, climate change,reform of the United Nations and civil nuclear energycooperation.

� Also, the two Special Representatives emphasizedthe importance of high-level exchanges forstrengthening bilateral ties.

� The two sides also agreed to build on the momentumprovided by the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visitto India in September 2014 to further expand bilateralrelations in areas such as railways, smart cities,vocational education, skill development, clean andrenewable energy and manufacturing sector.

� Both sides also agreed that growing linkages betweenIndian States and Chinese Provinces through sister-city and sister-province mechanism plays animportant role in deepening bilateral ties.

The framework of talks between Special Representativesbetween India and China on Boundary Questions wasadopted in 2003.

INDIA-CHINA BORDER DISPUTE

The border dispute between India and China is relatedto disagreement over the 4056 kilometers Indo-Chinaborder which is also called Line of Actual Control (LoAC).

China claims more than 90000 sq km in the eastern sectorof the Himalayas which is disputed by India. Much ofthat forms the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, whichChina calls South Tibet.

India claims that China occupies 38000 square km of itsterritory on the Aksai Chin plateau in the west.

Also, under a China-Pakistan boundary agreementsigned in March 1963, Pakistan illegally ceded 5180 sq.km of Indian Territory in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir toChina, an area north of the Siachen glacier.

US Agreed to Keep Troops inAfghanistan

The United States (US) President Barack Obama on 24March 2015 agreed to slow the US military pullout from thewar-torn Afghanistan through the end of year 2015.

As per the agreement reached between Barack Obamaand Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani in Washington

� The US will maintain 9800 troops in Afghanistanthrough the end of the year 2015.

� Obama also promised to end America’s longest warby the end of his term. That is, the US will not departfrom its current plan of closing its bases inAfghanistan and consolidate the remaining US forcesin Kabul by the end of 2016.

� Both Obama and Ghani agreed that an end to thewar in Afghanistan could only come through apolitical deal with the Taliban.

Earlier, it was planned that the US will cut the presenceof its troop in Afghanistan to 5500 by the end of 2015.

Keeping the extra US troops through the end of the year2015 would ensure that the Afghan forces- continue to makeimprovements to guarantee that far-flung units have the food,ammunition and intelligence required to fight on their own.

Trends in International ArmsTransfers 2014 : SIPRI Report

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)on 16 March 2015 released Trends in International ArmsTransfers 2014 report.

According to it, India is the world’s largest importer ofweapons and military equipment, accounting for 15 percentof global imports, with Russia being its majority supplier.

Findings of the Report:

� The volume of transfers of major weapons in 2010–14 was 16 percent higher than in 2005– 2009.

� The five biggest exporters in 2010–14 were the USA,Russia, China, Germany and France. Together, theyaccounted for 74 percent of the volume of armsexports. Combined, the USA and Russia supplied58 percent of all exports.

� China replaced Germany as the third largest armsexporter in 2010–14, in 2005–2009 China wasranked ninth.

� Total exports from all EU member states in 2010–14were 16 percent lower than in 2005–2009; in 2005–

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2009 EU export volumes were higher than those forthe USA or Russia, while in 2010–14 they were belowUS and Russian export totals.

� The five biggest importers in 2010–14 were India,Saudi Arabia, China, the UAE and Pakistan.Together, they received 33 percent of all armsimports.

� The main recipient region in 2010–14 was Asia andOceania (accounting for 48 percent of imports),followed by the Middle East (22 percent), Europe (12percent), the Americas (10 percent) and Africa (9percent).

� Between 2005–2009 and 2010–14, arms imports bystates in Africa increased by 45 percent, Asia andOceania by 37 percent, the Middle East by 25 percentand the Americas by 7 percent. Imports by states inEurope decreased by 36 percent.

India: Arms Trade Scenario

� India was the largest importer of major arms in 2010–14, accounting for 15 percent of the global total.Between 2005–2009 and 2010–14 imports increasedby 140 percent.

� In 2010–14 India’s imports were three times largerthan those of its regional rivals China and Pakistan.

� This contrasts with 2005–2009 when India’s importswere 23 percent below China’s and just over doublethose of Pakistan.

� India has so far failed to produce competitiveindigenous-designed weapons and remainsdependent on imports.

� In 2010–14 Russia supplied 70 percent of India’sarms imports, the USA 12 percent and Israel 7percent. The acquisitions from the USA are a breakwith the recent past.

� Prior to 2005–2009 India barely received any majorweapons from the USA. However, there now appearsto be an upward trend in arms imports from the USA.Imports in 2010–14 were 15 times higher than in2005–2009 and included advanced weapons suchas anti-submarine warfare aircraft. In 2014additional deals with the USA were agreed,including for 22 combat helicopters.

SIPRI

SIPRI is an independent international institutededicated to research into conflict, armaments, armscontrol and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRIprovides data, analysis and recommendations, basedon open sources, to policymakers, researchers, mediaand the interested public.

British Irish Visa Scheme Came intoForce in India

The British Irish Visa Scheme came into force in India on10 February 2015. The information related to this was revealedby Minister of State for External Affairs, VK Singh whileanswering the unstarred questions in Rajya Sabha on 12March 2015.

The scheme allows Indian nationals to travel to the UnitedKingdom (UK) and Ireland on a single-visit visa from eithercountry, on the same trip.

Applicant can apply at one of the existing VisaApplication Centres in India of Ireland & the UK.

This scheme allows the holder of short-stay visa issuedby the country of first arrival to travel freely between Irelandand the UK including Northern Ireland, for the duration ofthat visa.

MoUs Between India and Mauritiusto Enhance Bilateral Relations

India and Mauritius inked 5 Memorandum ofUnderstandings (MoUs) on 11 March 2015 to give newimpetus to bilateral co-operation between the two nations.

This was the first visit to Mauritius by an Indian PrimeMinister in over three decades.

The five MoUs which were signed between the twonations include:

� MoU in the field of Ocean Economy: The agreementprovides for mutually beneficial cooperation forexploration and capacity development in the field ofmarine resources, fisheries, green tourism, researchand development of ocean technology, exchange ofexperts and other related activities

� MoU on Programme for Cultural Cooperation for theyear 2015-18: The programme will help to enhancebilateral cooperation and will also enhance greaterpeople-to-people participation between the twocountries.

� MoU on the Protocol for the importation of freshmango from India: The aim of this Protocol is tofacilitate importation of fresh mango fruits from Indiaby Mauritius to enable the Mauritian to relish theflavor of the world-renowned Indian mangoes.

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� MoU for the Improvement in Sea and AirTransportation Facilities at Agalega Island ofMauritius: This will help in betterment of thecondition of the inhabitants of this remote Island.These facilities will enhance the capabilities of theMauritian Defence Forces in safeguarding theirinterests in the Outer Island.

� MoU on Cooperation in the field of TraditionalSystem of Medicine and Homeopathy: This MoU willpromote cooperation in the field of traditional systemof health and medicine between the two countries. Itenvisages exchange of experts, supply of traditionalmedicinal substances, joint research anddevelopment and recognition of the traditionalsystems of health and medicine in both countries. Italso aims at promotion and popularization of thevarious Indian traditional systems which fall underAYUSH.

India also offered a concessional line of credit of 500million US dollars to Mauritius for key infrastructure projects.

Also, fee on the Electronic Travel Authorisation tovisiting Mauritian citizens was waived off. The fee waswaived off with an aim to enhance people-to-people contactbetween the two nations along with promotion of tourism.

The two Prime Ministers also discussed ways to combatclimate change.

The MoUs which were signed during the visit of PrimeMinister Modi’s visit can be seen as an approach to revivethe cultural ties between the two nations along with economicas well as maritime security options. These MoUs will alsobroaden the regional cooperation and enhance peace andprosperity in maritime region.

The MoU on the co-operation in the Ocean Economy laysahead a chance for the two nations to develop new areas ofocean economy and follow sustainable practices in use ofblue assets. It also provides a chance to boost scientific andeconomic partnership as well as understanding of marineecology.

India and Seychelles: Agreements toBoost Security Cooperation

India on 11 March 2015 signed agreements with theIndian Ocean island nation Seychelles to boost security andmaritime partnership.

The four agreements were signed includes::

• Cooperation in hydrography

• Cooperation in renewable energy

• Cooperation in Infrastructure development

• Cooperation in Sale of navigation charts andelectronic navigational charts

PM also launched the Coastal Surveillance RadarProject in Seychelles, describing it as another symbol of thecooperation between the two countries. He also announcedthat India will grant free visas to for three months to thecitizens of Seychelles.

Moreover, Seychelles will continue to make an enormouscontribution to the safety and security of the Indian OceanRegion. With this visit, Modi became the first Indian PrimeMinister to visit Seychelles in 34 years. Indira Gandhi hadvisited the country in 1981.

Sri Lanka Temporarily SuspendedColombo Port City Project of China

Sri Lankan Government on 5 March 2015 temporarilysuspended construction work of China’s port city project inColombo with immediate effect.

The decision was taken in Cabinet meeting chaired bySri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe basedupon the Interim Report submitted by a cabinet sub-committee. The committee was appointed by the Sri LankanGovernment to review the project.

The Interim Report had alleged that this mega real estatedeal with China was signed without following the properprocedures and was implemented without relevantapprovals from the concerned institutions.

COLOMBO PORT CITY PROJECT

Colombo Port City project is the single-largest foreigndirect investment in Sri Lanka worth 1.5 billion USdollar. The project was inaugurated in September 2014by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The project was signedby the then Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksato reclaim 233 hectares of land from the sea to build aport city on a 99-year lease. As part of the project, Chinesecompany was to develop commercial and entertainmenthub which include shopping malls, water sports, golf,hotels, apartments and marinas.

Agreement between India and Spainon Mutual Protection of Classified

InformationIndia and Spain on 5 March 2015 signed an agreement

on Mutual Protection of Classified Information to providethe framework for enhanced bilateral cooperation in areasof defence research, development and technologycooperation.

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The agreement was signed to provide the framework foran enhanced cooperation in the defence sector. This is theprimary pact that India agreed before embarking on deepertalks on Defence cooperation.

Kathmandu-Varanasi-KathmanduBus Service

The Kathmandu-Varanasi-Kathmandu bus service wason 5 March 2015 flagged off jointly by India and Nepal.

The bus service was launched under the ambit of MotorVehicle Agreement signed between India and Nepal duringthe 18th SAARC Summit.

This is the second direct bus service between Nepal andIndia. Earlier in November 2014, during the 18th SAARCSummit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Nepal’sPrime Minister Sushil Koirala jointly launched the direct busservice between Kathmandu and the New Delhi.

Significanse of this initiative:

� The Varanasi to Kathmandu service is called theBharat-Nepal Maitri Bus Seva (India-NepalFriendship Bus Service).

� It seeks to promote religious tourism and people-to-people contact between both the countries byconnecting the two religious cities.

� This bus service will connect Kathmandu’sPashupatinath Temple with Varanasi’s KashiVishwanath Temple as both shrines are consideredimportant pilgrimage sites by Shiva worshippers allaround the world.

� The Varanasi to Kathmandu AC bus service will bea daily bus service which will reach Kathmandu viaAzamgarh, Gorakhpur and Sonauli (Maharajganjdistrict), covering about 600 km distance in 12 hours.

Silk Road Infrastructure Project ofChina in Gansu

China on 28 February 2015 launched a massive Silk RoadInfrastructure project worth 79.8 billion US dollars in thenorthwest province of Gansu. The project was launched as apart of China’s ambitious Silk Route plan.

This project will facilitate exchange of trade and tourismbetween China and central Asian Countries. Gansu provincedoes not share its borders with any central Asian countriesbut it will be an important part of the Silk RoadEconomic Belt.

On its completion, the project will add more than 60000

kilometres of road network including 4070 km expressways.It will be a six-year Silk Road development project.

This project will also build 12 civilian airports in thenext six years. Thus, expanding the air service reach to 82percent of the province’s population.

The project aims to revive China’s trade links, itsdeclining exports and will globally enhance its sphere ofinfluence.

The Silk Road Infrastructure projects are part of China’sambitious Silk Route plan, which involves maze of roadsand ports connecting Asia, Europe and Africa.

USA Approved Net Neutrality Rulesto Protect Internet

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of theUnited States (US) on 26 February 2015 voted to implementthe Net Neutrality Rules.

The rules seek to make sure that Internet ServiceProviders (ISPs) in the US treat all legal content equally so asto preserve the Internet as a platform for innovation, freeexpression and economic growth.

Salient Features:

� Broadband access has been classified as atelecommunication service which means that it willbe subject to much heavier regulation

� Broadband providers cannot block or speed upconnections for a fee

� The rules bars internet providers from any dealswith content firms, known as paid prioritisation, forsmoother delivery of traffic to consumers

� Interconnection deals have been regulated.Interconnection deals means a place where contentcompanies pay broadband providers to connect totheir networks

� Firms that feel that they are levied with unjust feescan complain to the FCC in which each case will bedealt with on a case by case basis

� These rules are also applied to mobile providers aswell as fixed line providers

These rules are guided by three principles, namelyAmerica’s broadband networks must be fast, fair and open.The principles were shared by a majority of nearly 4 millionpeople who participated in the FCC’s Open Internetproceeding.

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NET NEUTRALITY

The term was coined by Columbia University medialaw professor Tim Wu in 2003 as an extension of thelongstanding concept of a common carrier.Net neutralityalso known as Internet neutrality is the principle thatInternet service providers and governments should treatall data on the Internet equally, not discriminating orcharging differentially by user, content, site, platform,application, type of attached equipment, or mode ofcommunication.

UNSC Resolution 2201 AgainstHouthis

United Nation Security Council (UNSC) on 15 February2015 adopted the Resolution 2201 demanding immediate andunconditional withdrawal of Houthis from the governmentinstitutions of Yemen.

The resolution was brought after the 15-member UNSCthat Yemen was collapsing under the weight of a protractedpolitical crisis, widespread attacks by Al-Qaida, increasingsecessionist tendencies in the south and an acutehumanitarian crisis.

Main Highlights:

The resolution demanded Houthis to safely releasePresident Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and all others fromhouse arrest, and engage in good faith in UN-brokerednegotiations designed to keep the fracturing Middle Easterncountry on a steady path towards democratic transition.

The Council strongly deplored actions by the Houthis,who had gained control of the capital Sana’a in September2014, to dissolve parliament and take over Governmentinstitutions.

The resolution urged all parties to agree upon andpublicly announce dates for completing the constitutionalconsultation process, hold a referendum on the text andconduct elections under the new electoral law.

It strongly called on all parties, in particular the Houthis,to abide by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiativeand its Implementation Mechanism, as well as the outcomesof the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and thePeace and National Partnership Agreement, which providedfor a Yemeni-led democratic transition.

The Council also demanded that all parties cease armedhostilities against the people and legitimate authorities ofYemen, and relinquish arms seized from military and securityinstitutions.

Stressing the importance of the United Nations’cooperation with international partners, the Councilrequested the Secretary-General to propose options forstrengthening the office of the Special Adviser.

It also called on Secretary-General to propose options onUN assistance for finalizing and adopting the Constitutionin Yemen, carrying out electoral reform and holding generalelections.

YEMEN CRISIS

Yemen has been beset by unrest for months. The countryhas been marred by fights between Houthis militias andYemen government. The Houthis, who adhere to abranch of Shia Islam known as Zaidism, have stagedperiodic uprisings since 2004 in an effort to win greaterautonomy for their northern heartland of Saada province.They consolidated their control over Saada during the2011 uprising that forced long-time President AliAbdullah Saleh to step down. In September 2014, theygained control of Sana’a, the capital of Yemen. Houthisaccuse President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and otherleaders of putting their interests ahead of the Yemenipeople. However, the opponents allege that the rebelsultimately hope to reinstall the Zaidi imamate, whichruled North Yemen for almost 1000 years until 1962.

First-Ever Bilateral DialogueIndia-US held on United NationsIndia and the US on 19 February 2015 held their first-

ever bilateral dialogue on the United Nations (UN) and othermultilateral issues in Washington.

The dialogue was held in the spirit of the DelhiDeclaration of Friendship which was released during thevisit of US President Barack Obama to India in January 2015.

Besides discussing the UN issue, the dialogue betweenthe two countries also focused on international peace andsecurity, peacekeeping operations, counter-piracy, the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the UN Human Rights Council,and other matters of mutual interest.

Delhi Declaration of Friendship released on 25 January2015 during the visit of US President Barack Obama as achief guest on 2015 Republic Day. Within the framework ofthe Delhi Declaration of Friendship, India and the US vowedto hold regular consultations in multilateral forums andstrengthen and expand the relationship between the twocountries.

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India - Bangladesh to step up JointBorder Patrolling

India and Bangladesh on 17 February 2015 decided tostep up joint patrolling along the boundary to act againstcriminals and smugglers. The coordinated bordermanagement plan will also help in enhancing cooperationbetween the two nations.

Highlightes of the Meet:

� The two sides agreed to vigil on the border bydeployment of troops of Bangladesh in unguardedborder areas of Bangladesh, particularly along theborders facing Tripura and Mizoram.

� The two sides agreed to act against the criminalsengaged in human trafficking from Bangladesh toIndia and other countries.

� The two sides agreed to resolve the issues concerningfishermen drifting inadvertently across the maritimeboundaries

� The two sides discussed about the security andborder management-related issues between the twocountries

� The meetings of Deputy Commissioners or DistrictMagistrates of the districts bordering India andBangladesh were also resumed, after a long time

Apart from this, India also appreciated the steps takenby the Bangladesh authorities in acting against the carriersof fake Indian currency notes as well as the actions takenagainst the Indian Insurgent Groups taking shelter in thebordering areas of Bangladesh.

5th India-Myanmar Joint TradeCommittee Meet Held in Nay Pyi Taw

The 5th India-Myanmar Joint Trade Committee (JTC)meeting was held in Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar on 17 February2015.

During the meeting, the two nations committed towardsstrengthening mutually beneficial relationship especially infield of promoting two-ways investment, infrastructuredevelopment particularly to promote border trade,connectivity, agriculture, energy, skill and entrepreneurialdevelopment, pharmaceutical and people-to-people contacts.

Highlights of the Meet:

� Both the countries agreed to work together to removethe bottlenecks that hampers the bilateral trade andinvestment. The bottlenecks identified were lack of

good connectivity, lack of banking arrangement bothfor regular and border trade.

� In context of bottlenecks, India offered to supportMyanmar to develop infrastructure at the bordertrade points, upgrade trade training institutes inYangon and provide training to Myanmar officialson World Trade Organisation (WTO) andinternational trade related issues.

� To promote bilateral trade, India offered to supportsubsidised direct shipping links between the twocountries

� The two ministers also agreed to jointly inauguratethe land custom station in Zawkhatar, Mizoram at amutually convenient date.

� Both sides also agreed to meet more often to ensureenhancement of bilateral trade and mutualcooperation to impart further momentum to overallstrengthening of bilateral relations.

The next Joint Trade and Investment Forum will be heldin Chennai. During this forum, Myanmar would organise aroadshow showcasing investment opportunities in Myanmarespecially in the special economic zones.

India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Agreementon Civil Nuclear Cooperation

India and Sri Lanka on 16 February 2015 signed bilateralagreements on civil nuclear cooperation, cultural cooperationand cooperation in the field of Agriculture. Besides, anagreement was also signed for Sri Lanka’s participation inthe Nalanda University Project.

India and Sri Lanka also agreed to expand defence andstrategic cooperation, including a trilateral format with theMaldives.

Agreement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation

� This agreement will facilitate the transfer andexchange of knowledge, expertise and resources inpeaceful use of Nuclear energy between both nations.

� India will assist Sri Lanka in developing its civilnuclear energy infrastructure including training ofpersonnel in peaceful use of nuclear energy, use ofradioisotopes, nuclear safety, radiation safety andnuclear security.

� It will also facilitate cooperation in radioactive wastemanagement and nuclear and radiological disastermitigation and environmental protection.

� This is the first such agreement signed by Sri Lanka.

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Other Agreements

� The agreement on Cultural cooperation was signedbetween both the nations for the years 2015-18. Itseeks to enhance cooperation in different fields likearts, visuals arts, cultural documentation,archaeology, handicrafts, etc.

� A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) wassigned on establishment of Nalanda University. Itwill enable Sri Lanka to participate in India’sNalanda University project.

� Another MoU was signed between both the nationson cooperation in the field of Agriculture. It willfacilitate bilateral cooperation in Agro Processing,Agricultural extension, horticulture, agriculturalmachinery, training in farm mechanization, livestockdiseases, etc.

The agreement on civil nuclear cooperation betweenIndia and Sri Lanka may prove to be a game changer in theSouth Asia region and is a sign of a closer strategicpartnership between Sri Lanka’s government led by Srisenaand India.

Also, Srisena making his first official visit to India afterbecoming the President signifies the importance which thenew government in Sri Lanka attaches to India as a regionalally following years of uneasy relations with India.

Further, this is a good sign for stronger and healthy tiesbetween the two countries, especially given India’s growingfear of China’s proximity to Sri Lanka, which is perceived asa security threat for India

PM Narendra Modi initiated SAARCCricket Diplomacy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 13 February 2015called four SAARC leaders, namely Pakistan, Sri Lanka,Bangladesh and Afghanistan to wish for 2015 Cricket WorldCup. He called the leaders of the cricket playing nations andwished them luck.

Five SAARC Nations are playing in the ongoing CricketWorld Cup. Modi called and wished luck to Pakistani PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani,Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President ofSri Lanka Maithiripala Sirisena.

This courtesy call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi canbe termed as Cricket Diplomacy, which has been used inpast by other leaders of the world for connecting theircountries through the means of sports. In context of the

SAARC nations, cricket helps people of the region to connectwith each other and promote goodwill.

With this cricket diplomacy, Modi also announced thatthe soon the Foreign Secretary Dr S Jaishankar will be sent ona SAARC Yatra to further strengthen the ties

Cricket Diplomacy

Cricket diplomacy means use of cricket as a political toolto enhance or worsen the diplomatic relations between twocricket playing nations. Cricket, the second-most widelyplayed game in the world after football is used as a politicaltool to bridge the gap in diplomatic vacuum. It can be saidthat cricket diplomacy is better than gunboat diplomacy inwhich forces are deployed and coercion is used against theopponent.

Cricket Diplomacy between India and Pakistan

In context of India and Pakistan, the cricket diplomacyhas been playing a vital role in bridging the gap in diplomaticrelations. The cricket diplomacy between India and Pakistanbegan in 1987, the year when the then Pakistan’s president,General Zia ul-Haq, attended a test match between India andPakistan in Jaipur. His arrival to India helped to end thetensions that they faced against the Soviet invasion ofAfghanistan and Soviet pressure on India.

Further in 2005, the then President of Pakistan GeneralPervez Musharraf visited India to watch a cricket match andmet Man Mohan Singh to revive talks on Kashmir. After the2005, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani touredIndia during 2011 Cricekt World Cup to watchthe semifinalmatch between India and Pakistan. This helped the twonations to ease their relationship which was estranged afterthe 2008 Mumbai attacks.

China Launched First Maritime SilkRoad Cruise Liner from Beihai Port

China on 9 February 2015 launched its first cruise linerto sail via its ambitious transcontinental initiative MaritimeSilk Road (MSR). The sail was launched from the Beihai portlocated in southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang AutonomousRegion.

During its maiden tour the liner will visit three South-East Asian nations namely Vietnam, the Gulf of Thailandand Malaysia.

The cruise liner is a 135-meter-long and 20-meter-widethat can accommodate 400 people and is equipped withwireless internet access. 

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MARITIME SILK ROAD

The 21st century Maritime Silk Road project is aninitiative of President of China Xi Jingping who in 2013proposed the rejuvenation of the MSR and revival ofthe ancient Silk Road to establish close relation betweenthe China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast AsianNations) communities .The MSR seeks to string togetherpartnerships with countries in the Asia-Pacific andIndian Ocean, including IndiaThis maritime routeentails expanding ports and industrial parks in Asia,the Mideast, Africa and Europe.For development of theMSR, China had announced a 40 billion US dollar SilkRoad fund which became operational from February2015.

ICJ Ruled Neither Croatia Nor SerbiaCommitted Genocide

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 3 February 2015ruled that neither Croatia nor Serbia had committed genocideagainst each other’s populations during the 1990s BalkanWars sparked by the breakup of the former Yugoslavia.

The 17-judge panel headed by Judge Peter Tomka ruledthat a 1995 Croat offensive to win back the territory fromrebel Serbs featured serious crimes, but did not reach the levelof genocide.

The Court further said that Serb forces committedwidespread crimes in Croatia, but it also did not amount togenocide.

The crimes of Croatia and Serbia were not termed asgenocide by the court because the intention of destructionwas not present in the act of ethnic cleansing which thoughis an element of a genocidal plan.

The panel of judges rejected Croatia’s claim by fifteenvotes to two. Croatia was claiming reparations against Serbiafor backing a rebel Serb minority in carrying out ethniccleansing particularly in the eastern town of Vukovar.

Serbia’s counterclaim was also rejected unanimously.Serbia counterclaimed over the expulsion of more than 200000ethnic Serbs from Croatia in 1995 under Operation Storm inKrajina.

The court gave the ruling based on cases of theInternational Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia(ICTY) which proved that there was evidence to showoperations had the effect of making people flee, but could notestablish intent for genocide as per the 1948 GenocideConvention.

BALKAN WARS AND YUGOSLAVIA BREAKUP

The cases were part of the long legal fall-out from thebreak-up of Yugoslavia into seven states in Balkan Warsthat lasted for much of the 1990s and left more than130000 dead in Europe’s worst conflagration sinceWorld War-II.

Yugoslavia became a Socialist state after World War-II.It comprised of six republics Bosnia-Herzegovina,Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia.The federation began falling apart in the early 1990s.

Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Macedonia declaredindependence, sparking conflicts with the Serb-dominated Yugoslav army. In 2006, Montenegro alsoemerged as a sovereign state ending the former Unionof Serbia and Montenegro.

GENOCIDE CONVENTION, 1948

The convention entered into force in 1951 and definedgenocide as any of the following acts committed withintent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical,racial or religious group:

� Killing members of the group

� Causing serious bodily or mental harm to membersof the group

� Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions oflife calculated to bring about its physical destructionin whole or in part

� Imposing measures intended to prevent birthswithin the group

� Forcibly transferring children of the group to anothergroup

Joint Communiqué of India-Russia-China

13th meet of the Foreign Ministers of India, Russia andChina was held in Beijing, China on 2 February 2015.

The three foreign ministers namely Sushma Swaraj(India), Wang Yi (China) and Sergey Lavrov (Russia) afterthe meet released a Joint Communiqué.

The communiqué emphasised on cooperation betweentheir countries which is conducive to maintain internationaland regional peace and stability and promoting globaleconomic growth and prosperity.

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Main Highlights:

� They agreed to build a more just, fair and stableinternational political and economic order inaccordance with the purposes and principles of theUN Charter, the Five Principles of Peaceful Co-Existence (Panchsheel) and other basic norms ofinternational law.

� They agreed to further strengthen coordination onglobal issues and practical cooperation, in the spiritof openness, solidarity, mutual understanding andtrust.

� They agreed to enhance cooperation in think-tanks,business, agriculture, disaster mitigation and relief,medical services and public health.

� They explored potential for cooperation in oil andnatural gas production and transportation, as wellas in other fields of energy, high tech, environmentalprotection and connectivity

� They agreed to promote parliamentary, media,cultural and youth exchanges including visits ofyoung diplomats.

� China and Russia welcomed India’s application forfull membership of Shanghai CooperationOrganization (SCO) and supported India to join theSCO after completing all necessary negotiations andlegal processes.

� Russia and India welcomed and supported theefforts of China to host the 2016 G20 Summit andreiterated their readiness to contribute to itssuccessful results.

� They agreed to hold the next trilateral meeting inRussia in the second half of 2015.

Role of United Nations in International Relations

� They agreed to safeguard a fair and equitableinternational order based on the purposes andprinciples of the UN Charter, preventing war andconflict and promoting the progress anddevelopment of mankind.

� They welcomed the inclusion of the item of“Seventieth anniversary of the end of the SecondWorld War” in the agenda of the 69th session of theUN General Assembly, and supported the UnitedNations and member states to initiate and organizecommemorative events.

� They agreed that there is a need for all countries tojoin efforts in combating terrorism under the auspicesof the United Nations, in accordance with the UNCharter and principles and norms of internationallaw and for the robust implementation of relevantUN Security Council resolutions and the GlobalCounter-Terrorism Strategy.

Asia-Pacific Affairs

• On Asia-Pacific Region, they agreed to strengthencoordination and cooperation in a joint effort tomaintain lasting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. To this end, they agreed to establish atrilateral Russia-India-China consultationmechanism on Asia-Pacific affairs, with the firstmeeting to be held at an early date.

Israel-Palestine conflict

• On Israel-Palestine conflict, the leaders of threenations supported the resolution of the Israel-Palestine conflict based on the relevant UnitedNations resolutions, the principle of land for peace,the Arab Peace Initiative, with the purpose ofestablishing a sovereign, independent, viable andunited State of Palestine, with East Jerusalem as itscapital, living within secure and recognized borders,side by side, at peace with Israel.

Syria

• On Syria, they reiterated that there is no militarysolution to the Syrian crisis and urged all parties toabjure violence and resume peace negotiations basedon “Geneva Communiqué” of June 2012.

• Further, they called on all parties in Syria toimplement relevant resolutions of the UN SecurityCouncil, and fully cooperate with the United Nationsand relevant international organizations in theirhumanitarian efforts.

• They called on the international community to abideby the guiding principles of the United Nations onhumanitarian assistance.

Afghanistan

• They agreed to support broad and inclusive peaceand reconciliation in Afghanistan that is Afghan-led and Afghan-owned, as well as to helpAfghanistan’s integration into the region through

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its expanded trade and transport networks andregional connectivity.

• They also stressed their commitment to implementingthe Beijing Declaration for security and prosperityin Afghanistan and the region.

Ukraine Crisis

• They called on all parties in the inter-Ukraine conflictto exercise restraint and fully implement the MinskProtocol, engage in comprehensive dialogue andpursue a peaceful resolution of the crisis throughpolitical negotiations.

• They also called for an independent, objective, fairand transparent international investigation into thecrash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, and partiesconcerned should engage in cooperation within theframework of Resolution 2166 of the UN SecurityCouncil.

International Financial System

• They called for immediate reform of the internationalfinancial system to increase the voice andrepresentation of emerging markets and developingcountries, with a focus on the implementation of the2010 IMF Quota and Governance Reform by the endof 2015.

• They also reiterated their commitments to enhancingcooperation within the framework of G20, and calledon all G20 members to strengthen macroeconomicpolicy coordination, reject protectionism.

Climate Change

• They reiterated the importance attached by the threecountries to the issue of climate change, andexpressed their readiness to work together to furtherstrengthen international cooperation to addressclimate change and its adverse effect.

• The Ministers also welcomed the adoption of theLima Call for Climate Action by the 20th UnitedNations Framework Convention on Climate Change(UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP20).

Pakistan successfully test-firedCruise Missile Ra’ad

Pakistan on 2 February 2015 successfully test-fired �

indigenously developed Air Launched Cruise Missile(ALCM) Ra’ad. The missile, also called Thunder in Arabic,has been developed by Pakistan’s Air Weapons Complexand NESCOM.

The missile gave Pakistan Air Force a strategic standoffcapability on land and at sea indicating that Ra’ad can belaunched at sea-based targets such as ships as well as land-based targets.

Ra’ad was tested for the first time on 25 August 2007.

Ra’ad MISSILE

� The missile is designed to operate with PakistanAir Force (PAF) aircraft’s like Dassault Mirage IIIROSE and JF-17 combat aircraft.

� This low altitude missile is designed to attack fixedenemy installations such as radar posts, commandnodes, surface to air missile launchers, etc.

� High maneuverability capabilities of missile enableit to deliver nuclear and conventional warheads withpin-point accuracy.

� It has a range of 350 km and comprises stealthcapabilities due to its cruise technology.

� The missile can also be armed with a 10-35 kilotonne nuclear warhead.

India-US Joint Strategic Vision forthe Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean

RegionIndia-US on 25 January 2015 declared Joint Strategic

Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. Thejoint vision was signed during the visit of US PresidentBarack Obama.

Joint Strategic Vision aimed to promote peace, prosperityand stability in Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean region.

Joint Cooperation:

� Promote accelerated infrastructure connectivity andeconomic development in a manner that links South,Southeast and Central Asia.

� Enhanced energy transmission and encouraging freetrade and greater people-to-people linkages. 

� Affirm the importance of safeguarding maritimesecurity and ensuring freedom of navigation andover flight throughout the region, especially in theSouth China Sea as regional prosperity depends onsecurity.

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To promote the shared values that have made both thecountries countries great, recognizing their interests in peace,prosperity and stability are well served by their commoncommitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights(UDHR). 

� To strengthen the East Asia Summit on its tenthanniversary to promote regional dialogue on keypolitical and security issues, and to work together tostrengthen it. 

� The countries oppose terrorism, piracy, and theproliferation of weapons of mass destruction withinor from the region. 

� The countries call on all parties to avoid the threat oruse of force and pursue resolution of territorial andmaritime disputes through all peaceful means, inaccordance with universally recognized principlesof international law, including the United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea. 

� To achieve this regional vision, both sides willdevelop a roadmap that leverages their respectiveefforts to increase ties among Asian powers, it willenable both nations to better respond to diplomatic,economic and security challenges in the region. 

� Also, over the next five years, both sides havecommitted to strengthen regional dialogues, investin trilateral consultations with third countries in theregion more robust, deepen regional integration,strengthen regional forums, explore additionalmultilateral opportunities for engagement, andpursue areas where we can build capacity in theregion that bolster long-term peace and prosperityfor all.

Shared Effort; Progress for All:India - US Joint Statement

India and the United States on 25 January 2015 releasedthe Joint Statement titled Shared Effort; Progress for All. TheJoint Statement was released during the US President BarackObama’s three day visit to India as the Chief Guest at India‘s66th Republic Day celebrations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President BarackObama appreciated the significant efforts undertaken by bothsides in recent months to re-energize the strategic partnership,and affirmed expanding the substantive underpinnings ofour diversified bilateral strategic partnership includingthrough expanded strategic consultations, stronger defence,

security, and economic cooperation.

The two leaders pledged to translate their commitmentof Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go ofSeptember 2014 into action through Sanjha Prayaas; Sab KaVikaas: Shared Effort; Progress For All.

Economic Growth

In this regard, both the countries agreed to continue tostrengthen their broad-based partnership for developmentthrough stronger trade, technology, manufacturing, andinvestment linkages between the two countries and triangularcooperation with partner countries.

They also committed to continue efforts to maintainlabour standards as per domestic law and agreedinternational norms will make these linkages more durable.

The two sides also committed to continuing to cooperateon the finalization of the Post-Bali Work Programme in thespirit of the Doha mandate.

Both the leaders instructed their officials to assess theprospects for moving forward with high-standard bilateralinvestment treaty discussions given their respectiveapproaches.

The two sides agreed to hold a discussion on the elementsrequired in both countries to pursue an India-US TotalisationAgreement.

Both the leaders committed to explore areas ofcollaboration in skill development ranging from establishingquality assurance systems for skilling certification standards,setting up of skill development centres, nurturing andpromoting social entrepreneurship and strengthening theinnovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Both the countries agreed to collaborate in theimplementation of India‘s ambitious Digital Indiaprogramme and expand commercial cooperation byencouraging investment engagement in the Information andCommunication Technology (ICT) sector.

The two sides agreed to hold public-private discussionsin early 2015 under the aegis of the India-US CommercialDialogue for a period of two years, until March 2016, onmutually agreed areas of cooperation.

Both the Leaders looked forward to enhancingengagement on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in 2015under the High Level Working Group on Intellectual Property,to the mutual benefit of both the countries.

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Both the Leaders agreed to facilitate U.S. Trade andDevelopment Agency and Indian Railways technicalcooperation that will assist Indian Railways’ efforts to modifyits leasing and public-private partnership frameworks toattract private sector funding.

The two leaders also pledged to collaborate throughIndia‘s Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN), tofacilitate short-term teaching and research programs by upto 1000 visiting US academics in Indian universities.

High Technology, Space and Health Cooperation

To this end, both the countries agreed to continue todevelop cooperative efforts in many areas of science,technology, and innovation, including studying the impactsof water, air pollution, sanitation and hygiene on humanhealth and well-being.

They also agreed to continue India-US collaboration inhydrology and water studies and monsoon modelling andnoted the need to expeditiously work towards launching anIndo-U.S. Climate Fellowship to facilitate human capacitybuilding.

The two leaders also reaffirmed the importance ofongoing efforts to strengthen women‘s participation inscience, technology, engineering, and math throughnetworking and mentoring programs.

Both the leaders agreed to further promote cooperativeand commercial relations between India and the United Statesin the field of space.

Both the Leaders announced specific actions at homeand abroad to prevent the spread of infectious diseases,including a CDC-Ministry of Health Ebola and GHSApreparedness training, expansion of the India EpidemicIntelligence Service, and development of a roadmap to achievethe objectives of the GHSA within three years.

The two leaders also committed to multi-sectoral actionscountering the emergence and spread of antimicrobialresistance (AMR), and cooperation in training of healthworkers in preparedness for infectious disease threats.

The two leaders agreed to focus science and technologypartnerships on countering antibiotic resistant bacteria andpromoting the availability, efficacy and quality oftherapeutics.

Both the leaders also agreed to expand the India-U.S.Health Initiative into a Healthcare Dialogue with relevantstakeholders to further strengthen bilateral collaboration inhealth sectors

The two Leaders also agreed to accelerate joint leadership

of the global Call to Action to end preventable deaths amongmothers and children through a third meeting of the 24participating countries in India in June 2015.

Defence and Homeland Security Cooperation

Prime Minister Modi and President Obama welcomedthe efforts made by both sides to expand bilateral defencecooperation in areas of mutual interest and reaffirmed theircommitment to continue to work towards deepening thebilateral defence relationship.

To this end, they emphasized the ongoing importance ofthe Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) indeveloping new areas of technology cooperation in thedefence sector including through co-development and co-production.

The two leaders committed to undertake efforts to makethe U.S.-India partnership a defining counter-terrorismrelationship for the 21st Century by deepening collaborationto combat the full spectrum of terrorist threats and keep theirrespective homelands and citizens safe from attacks.

Both the leaders agreed to continue ongoing effortsthrough the Homeland Security Dialogue as well as the nextround of the U.S.-India Joint Working Group on CounterTerrorism in late 2015 to develop actionable elements ofbilateral engagement.

They also agreed to enter discussions to deepencollaboration on UN terrorist designations, and reiteratedtheir call for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of theNovember 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai to justice.

Clean Energy Goal and Cooperation

President Obama and Prime Minister Modi emphasizedthe critical importance of expanding clean energy research,development, manufacturing and deployment, whichincreases energy access and reduces greenhouse gasemissions.

To this end both the leaders announced actions toadvance India‘s transition to low carbon economy. Indiaintends to increase the share of use of renewable in electricitygeneration consistent with its intended goal to increase India‘ssolar target to 100 gigawatts by 2022.

The United States intends to support India‘s goal byenhancing cooperation on clean energy and climate change.These include

A renewed commitment to Partnership to Advance CleanEnergy Research (PACE-R), including extending funding forthree existing research tracks of solar energy, building energy

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efficiency, and biofuels for an additional five years andlaunching a new track on smart grid and grid storage.

Both the countries intended to expand our currentPartnership to Advance Clean Energy Deployment (PACE-D) through increased bilateral engagements and further jointinitiatives to expand cooperation in support of India’sambitious targets in renewable energy.

Accelerating Clean Energy Finance consistent with itspolicies, to support private sector involvement for thoseentities in contributing to India’s clean energy requirements

Implementing EPA’s AIR Now-International Programand megacities partnerships, focused on disseminatinginformation to help the urban dwellers to reduce theirexposure to harmful levels of air pollution, and enable urbanpolicy planners to implement corrective strategies forimproving Ambient Air Quality in the cities keeping in viewhealth and climate change co-benefits of these strategies.

Jointly Initiating Climate Resilience Tool Developmentthat will work to downscale international climate models forthe Indian sub-continent to much higher resolution thancurrently available.

Demonstrating Clean Energy and Climate Initiativesin the areas of space cooling, super-efficientappliances, renewable energy storage, and smartgrids

Both countries concluded negotiations on a five yearMoU on Energy Security, Clean Energy and ClimateChange.

Global Issues and Regional Consultations

Both the leaders agreed to expand their efforts to assistother developing countries and address global developmentchallenges for the benefit of the wider region and the world

and they lauded ongoing triangular assistance, which mayinvolve India-US collaboration to address developmentchallenges in third countries in areas including health,energy, food security, disaster management, and women’sempowerment.

In a further effort to strengthen global non-proliferationand export control regimes, both the leaders committed tocontinue to work towards India’s phased entry into theNuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile TechnologyControl Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement, andthe Australia Group.

EU to Lift Ban on Import of Mangoesfrom India

European Union (EU) on 20 January 2015 decided to lifta seven-month-long ban on the import of mangoes from India.The proposal to lift the ban was voted unanimously by theEuropean Commission’s standing committee on plant health.

India will be able to start the export again after a new EUlegislation is formally adopted and published by theEuropean Commission.

The decision to lift the ban was made after India, theworld’s biggest producer of Mangoes made significantimprovements in plant health controls and certificationsystem.

The Commission’s Food and Veterinary Office in Indiain September 2014 carried out an audit and showedsignificant improvements in the phytosanitary exportcertification system.

However, imports of four other products namelyaubergines, bitter gourds, snake gourds and patra leaves,remain suspended subject to sustained improvements in plantpest control.

BAN ON INDIAN MANGOES

European Union issued a temporary ban on import ofIndian mangoes on 1 May 2014 after fruit flies and otherquarantine pests were found in 207 consignments. Theconsignment infested with fruit flies were found byauthorities in Brussels. The ban was supposed to beeffective till December 2015.

The ban was imposed as they feared that the fruit fliescould damage European salad crops of tomato andcucumber.

The EU accounts for more than 50 percent of total exportsof fruits and vegetables from India. The UK is the maindestination, followed by the Netherlands, Germany andBelgium.

India-South Africa MoU ForDeveloping Youth Enterprises

A public sector enterprise under the Union Ministry ofMicro, Small & Medium Enterprises, National SmallIndustries Corporation Limited (NSIC) on 19 January 2015signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) ofCooperation with the Black Business Council (BBC) of SouthAfrica.

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The MoU was signed during the Conference onCooperation in MSME Sector organized by NSIC and the HighCommission of India in cooperation with Black BusinessCouncil.

Highlights of the Agreement

• The agreement was signed for developing youthowned enterprises in South Africa.

• The MoU, besides cooperation in MSME sector, alsofocuses on BBC’s efforts to economically empowerthe marginalized group in South Africa throughNSIC’s Rapid Incubation Programme.

• BBC plans to establish 5 Rapid Incubation Centresin South Africa in cooperation with NSIC.

INDIA-SOUTH AFRICA COOPERATION

India-South Africa cooperation is about sharingknowledge and expertise, exchange of best practices,supporting innovation and building capacity and skills.

The two nations have great prospects for synergizingtheir complementarities in areas of industry, services,trade and technology especially in the field of Micro,small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

South Africa as a member of Southern AfricanDevelopment Community can be a good partner forIndian businesses. Similarly, India offers South Africancompanies an excellent location for addressing the hugedomestic Indian market as well as the wider Asianmarket.

European Resolution on Two ItalianMarines

Parliament of Europe on 14 January 2015 adopted aresolution calling on India to allow the return of two Italianmarines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone. Theresolution was adopted by majority during the plenarysession of European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

Details of the Resolution

� Member of European Parliament (MEPs) expressedgreat sadness at the tragic death of the two Indianfishermen, but also grave concerns about thedetention without charge of the Italian marines

� They also stressed that restrictions on the marines’

freedom of movement represent a serious breach oftheir human rights and ask for their repatriation.

� They also backed the positions stated by Italy on the2012 incident and therefore hope that jurisdictionwill fall to the Italian authorities and/orinternational arbitration.

� They finally asked Federica Mogherini, HighRepresentative of the European Union for ForeignAffairs and Security Policy, to take all necessary stepsto protect the two Italian marines and state theirsupport for the efforts of all parties involved to worktowards a mutually acceptable solution.

INDIA’S RESPONSE

The resolution drew sharp reaction from India and ittermed the step as not well advised as the matter wassub judice.

Earlier, Supreme Court on 14 January 2015 granted threemonths extension to the Italian marine, MassimilianoLatorre, for his stay in Italy on health grounds. The othermarine, Salvatore Girone is living in the Italian Embassyin New Delhi.

FISHERMEN KILLING ISSUE

Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, werearrested on murder charges after in an anti-piracy theykilled two Indian fisherman off the coast of Kerala on15 February 2012. The two maintain that they fired atthe fishermen after mistaking them for pirates whileguarding the ship Enrica Lexie.

The shooting incident sparked a diplomatic row betweenIndia and Italy over conflicting opinions on jurisdictionand immunity.

Japan Committed ODA Loan to IndiaJapan committed to provide an Overseas Development

Assistance (ODA) loan of 2620 crore rupees (50 billion Yen)to India.

The loan amount will support infrastructure projects thatwill be implemented in public-private partnership mode.

The loan will be provided by Japan InternationalCommerce Agency to the India Infrastructure FinanceCompany (IIFC) to support infrastructure projects built onpublic-private partnership mode.

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The commitment to provide the ODA loan was part ofpledge made by Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe duringthe Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s five-day visit to Japan.Modi visited Japan in August – September 2014.

INDO-JAPAN ECONOMIC RELATIONS

Since the formation of Narendra Modi-led governmentat the Centre, the economic relations between India andJapan has catapulted to a new high.

According to Ministry of Commerce and Industry,Government of India, in October 2014, the number ofJapanese companies in India reached 1209, which is 13percent higher over the same period in 2013.

Further in last five years, that is, during 2010 - 2014, thenumbers of Japanese companies doing business in Indiahave shown a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 13.67percent.

During the period June 2014 to September 2014, FDIinflow from Japan rose to 618 million US dollars from273 million US dollars during the corresponding periodin 2013. The FDI inflow from Japan stood at 103.14million US dollars in October 2014.

In a recent survey made public by the Japan Bank forInternational Cooperation (JBIC), India has been rankedas the top destination for future investments from Japan.

Varanasi-Kyoto PartnershipUnion Government in the second week of January 2015

identified five areas for rejuvenating the holy city under theKyoto-Varanasi partnership deal signed between India andJapan in August 2014.

Japan will extend its expertise to help in rejuvenatingVaranasi under the Kyoto-Varanasi partnership deal.

The Identified Areas Include

• Solid-liquid waste management

• Transport management

• Developing the Buddhist tourist circuit in andaround Varanasi

• Industry-university interface

• Setting up of a convention centre on public-private partnership basis for giving a fillip to thecultural activities in the city

VARANASI-KYOTO PARTNERSHIP

The Varanasi-Kyoto partnership deal is a part of SisterCity Cooperation that was signed between India andJapan during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s five-dayvisit to Japan in August 2014. Prime Minister NarendraModi is a Member of Parliament from Lok Sabha seatof Varanasi.

Varanasi and Kyoto are one of the oldest continuouslyinhabited cities of the world.

Varanasi on the one hand is called the cultural capital ofIndia and is the oldest living city in the world. On theother hand, Kyoto is a place of ancient temples andshrines and practically called the cultural centre of Japan.It has been the Capital of Japan till the end of Nara Period(794 AD) after which the emperor moved to Tokyo.

Japan's Largest Ever DefenceBudget for 2015

The Cabinet of Japan headed by Prime Minister ShinzoAbe approved its largest ever defence budget for 2015 on 14January 2015. The defence budget includes plan to buysurveillance aircraft, drones and F-35 fighter jets to helpcounter rising assertiveness of China.

The main aim of increasing the defence spending is toboost capacity of Japan to defend uninhabited islands in theEast China Sea where Japan controls it and China also hasbeen claiming the island.

Features of the Budget :

� Japan endorsed a nearly 5 trillion yen (42 billion USdollars) defence budget for the year beginning inApril 2015 as part of a record 96.3 trillion yen (814billion US dollars) total budget.

� The defence budget is designed to achieve seamlessand mobile defence capability that can respond tovarious contingencies.

� The budget will provide effective deterrence andcontribute to stability in the Asia-Pacific region andimprovement of the global security environment.

� The increase of defence budget mainly includes newequipment, including P-1 surveillance aircraft, F-35fighter jets and amphibious vehicles for a new unitsimilar to the US Marine Corps.

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� The budget also covers the cost of purchasing parts

of Global Hawk drones, planned for deployment in

2019, two Aegis radar-equipped destroyers and

missile defence system development with the US.

RESURGENCE OF JAPAN

Chinese patrol boats often visit waters near the islands,

which are known as the Senkakus in Japan and as the

Diaoyu islands in China. To counter china, Japan revised

the defence guidelines in 2013 and increased the

defence budget.

Prime Minister favoured a stronger role of Japan military

despite a commitment to pacifism enshrined in the US-

inspired constitution drawn up after the Japan’s defeat

in World War II.

The increase in Japan’s defence budget comes at a time

when the economy of Japan is in recession. However,

the Shinzo Abe government has forecasted growth at

1.5 percent for the financial year 2015, after an estimated

0.5 percent contraction in 2014.

Further, the population of Japan also is ageing quickly

raising the welfare cost and social security spending.

Also, the debt of Japan is the highest, proportionately,

among industrialized countries.

Thus, Japan must tread a fine line between spending

enough to support economic growth and defence and

slowing the rise in debt of Japan.

India to provide LoC to GuyanaUnion Government will provide 60 million US dollars

Line of Credit (LoC) to Guyana for its road infrastructure

projects and passenger ferry service. The LoC will help the

country in tackling its transport problem.

The decision of granting the LoC was made by Prime

Minister Narendra Modi during the bilateral talks with

Guyana President Donald R. Ramotar on the sidelines of the

13th Pravasi Bhartiya Divas in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on 8

January 2015. Guyana President is the chief guest of Pravasi

Bhartiya Divas.

INDIA-GUYANA RELATION

India and Guyana, once a part of the British Empire

share historical relations as more than 3 lakh Guyanese

citizens are of Indian descent. The Indo-Guyanese make

up the largest ethnic group in Guyana.

In terms of economic cooperation, India has offered

credit facilities to Guyana for use in mutually accepted

designated fields, agriculture and information

technology, being two of these. Guyanese people are

also offered scholarships for educational purposes from

India, like forty scholarships through Indian Technical

& Economic Cooperation (ITEC).

The two nations also share some cultural connection.

India in 1972 established the Indian Cultural Centre in

Georgetown with the objective of strengthening cultural

relations and mutual understanding between India and

Guyana and their peoples.

The two nations share a cordial relation since

independence of Guyana in May 1966. Late Prime

Minister of India Indira Gandhi visited Guyana in 1968,

which was followed by visits of late Vice President of

India Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1988 and late Vice

President of India Bhairon Singh Shekhawat in 2006.

Terrorists Attack on French SatiricalWeekly Charlie Hebdo’s office

The French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo’sParis office was attacked by three masked gunmen on 7January 2015. At least 12 persons were killed in the attack.

This was the deadliest terror attack of France since 1961,when right-wingers bombed a train, killing 28 people.

REASON BEHIND THE ATTACK

The organization was attacked for its satire edition of2011 in which it listed the Prophet Mohammed as editor-in-chief and featured cartoons. In retaliation, the officewas burned in firebombing in November 2011 and itswebsite was hacked.

Charlie Hebdo was a target of Islamist extremists since2006, when they published cartoons of the ProphetMohammed, the holiest figure of Islam.

Previous Controversies

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Charlie Hebdo, a weekly French satirical newsmagazine that is being published since 1970 (had breakbetween 1981 and 1992) is mainly known for itscontroversial provocative cartoons and caricatures. Inpast, its articles have targeted the extreme right,Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, politics, culture and others.The magazine has also targeted former Pope BenedictXVI and Orthodox Jews.

In 2012, editor of the magazine, Stephane Charbonnierdescribed the newspaper as left-wing, secular andatheist and pushed free speech limits until his deathdue to his believe in freedom of expression in France.

China Began Exploration in IndianOcean

China’s deep sea manned submersible Jiaolong on 2January 2015 started exploration for the first time in thesouthwestern Indian Ocean. The submersible will search foractive hydrothermal vent.

The Chinese vessel Jiaolong, during its 120-dayexpedition will dive in the ocean with an aim to collect sampleof research polymetallic sulfides, biological diversity,hydrothermal microbes and genetic resources for researchpurposes.

Hydrothermal sulfide is a kind of sea-bed depositcontaining copper, zinc and precious metals such as goldand silver.

CHINA IN INDIAN OCEAN

China in 2012 gained approval to explore 10000 squarekilometer of Indian Ocean for polymetallic sulphide oredeposit in an international seabed region of thesouthwest Indian Ocean. It secured a 15-year longapproval from the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

Earlier in 2001, China obtained exclusive rights toprospect in a 75000-square-km polymetallic nodule oredeposit in the east Pacific Ocean.

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