CURRENT AFFAIRS JANUARY TO JUNE
FOREIGN RELATIONS
JANUARY
India, Rwanda to enter solar alliance
India and Rwanda have agreed to raise the level of bilateral cooperation to a strategic
partnership and India extended a $120 million credit to bring over 41,190 hectares of cultivable
land under irrigation in the African country.
India's Line of Credit to Rwanda and the development of export targeted Irrigated Agriculture
Project and its expansion would bring irrigation facilities to more than 41,190 hectares of
cultivable land.
India and Israel committed to strengthen bilateral relations in the field of
Agriculture
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh met Israeli
delegation led by the Agriculture and Rural Development Minister of Israel, Shri Uri Ariel to
discuss issues relating to bilateral cooperation in agriculture between India and Israel. Both
sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made in cooperation in the agriculture and allied
sectors between the two countries.
Under this program, as many as 27 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in the cultivation of various
fruits and vegetables, in 21 states, are being set up, out of which 15 CoEs are complete.
Sino-India relations deepened, military ties healthy: China
China has presented an upbeat picture of its ties with India in a policy document on Asia-Pacific
security, saying their partnership has deepened, but skirted references to contentious issues
like Indias NSG bid and efforts to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the UN.
India extends $683 crore line of credit to Kenya
India has announced a USD 100 million Line of Credit to Kenya for agricultural mechanisation
after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta
during which they also decided to deepen economic cooperation, identifying expansion of
bilateral trade as a priority.
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India, Kenya sign MoU in area of agriculture
India and Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the
agriculture sector and allied sector and Line of Credit for USD100 million for agricultural
mechanisation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta held
delegation level talks and praised the strength of the re-invigorated partnership between the two
countries, which serves to increase stability, prosperity, and security in the Indian Ocean region
and in the Asia-Pacific.
Pakistan to renovate Katas Raj Hindu temple
The Katas Raj temple is revered by Hindus across the globe as legend has it that the foundation
of the sacred site was laid by Lord Shiva. Mr. Sharif said the temple was over 5,000 years old
and had been the focal point of four civilisations. Al-Biruni, Persian scholar and polymath, had
computed the earths circumference.
India, UAE to hold 1st strategic dialogue in New Delhi
India and the UAE have held their first strategic dialogue during which they finalised the
Strategic Cooperation Agreement aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation to new key areas
including energy, defence and security that will be signed during the visit of Crown Prince of
Abu Dhabi next week.
India, UAE hold first strategic dialogue
INDIA and the UAE held the first meeting of their strategic dialogue in an attempt to finalise the
cooperation agreement. Pursuant to the decision to elevate their relations to a Comprehensive
Strategic Partnership during the exchange of visits at the highest level between India and United
Arab Emirates in August 2015 and February 2016, the two sides held the first meeting of
Strategic Dialogue between the two Foreign Offices on January 20 in New Delhi.
FEBRUARY
India & Austria Signs Protocol to Amend Bilateral Taxation Treaty
India and Austria signed a Protocol amending the existing Convention between the two
countries for Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to
Taxes on Income. The Protocol was signed by Shri Sushil Chandra, Chairman CBDT on behalf
of India and Mr. Georg Zehetner, Charge d Affaires, Embassy of Austria on behalf of Austria.
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India & US agree to sustain momentum on defence efforts
India and the US agreed to sustain the momentum in their defence collaboration while
committing to build on the tremendous progress made in the sector as Defence Secretary
James Mattis held his first telephonic conversation with Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar.
UN Seeks Indias Nominee For Anti-Terror Panel
India has been asked to send the name of its nominee for inclusion in a global team to assist a
United Nations committee which decides on banning terror outfits and their leaders. Following
the request from the global body, both the Home and Finance ministries have been asked to
recommend names of suitable individuals who can be part of the key team.
India Joins UN Network to Prevent Maternal, Newborn and Child Deaths by 2030.
India is among nine countries that will be part of a global health network focused on improving
the quality of care for new mothers and babies and strengthen national efforts to end
preventable deaths of pregnant women and newborns by 2030. The nine countries are India,
Bangladesh, A Cote dIvoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.
India and Japan ink pact on rail safety
India signed an agreement with Japan on enhancing railway safety in the Indian Railways with
focus on railway track and rolling stock safety. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed
between Railway Board Chairman A.K.Mittal and Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism of Japan Vice-Minister Hiroshi Tabata.
India, Bangladesh ink MoU for development of Sylhet city
India and Bangladesh have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the sustainable
development of Sylhet city with financial aid from India. Indian High Commissioner Harsh
Vardhan Shringla, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division Shah Md. Aminul
Haque and Sylhet City Corporation CEO Enamul Habib signed the tripartite agreement in
Sylhet, a metropolitan city in northeastern Bangladesh.
India, Germany ratify Social Security Agreement
India and Germany have ratified the Social Security Agreement (SSA), which will come into
force from May 1 this year, to help promote more investment flows between the two countries.
The SSA will also integrate the provisions of the 2008 social insurance pact that exempts
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detached workers of the two countries from making social security contributions in either
country so long as they were making such contributions in their respective countries.
India clears Rs 17,000-crore mega missile deal with Israel
A Rs 17,000 crore deal has been cleared by the government for jointly developing with Israel a
medium-range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) for the army, reflecting Indias fast-growing
defence ties with the Jewish nation. The project will be implemented by the DRDO (Defence
Research and Development Organisation) and Israeli Aircraft Industry (IAI).
MARCH
India and Belgium sign Protocol to amend DTAA
India and Belgium have signed a Protocol to amend the existing Double Taxation Avoidance
Agreement (DTAA) between the two countries. This Protocol was signed by Sushil Chandra,
Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on behalf of India and Jan Luykx, Ambassador
of Belgium to India, on behalf of Belgium. The Protocol seeks to broaden the scope of the
existing framework of exchange of tax related information.
India, Russia sign long-term support pact on Sukhoi Su-30MKI
India and Russia have signed two long-term support agreements for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI
combat aircraft fleet, which is the mainstay of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Pacts were also signed
for maintenance and life-cycle support for other Russian-origin platforms, such as Mi-17
helicopters, MiG-29K aircraft, INS Vikramaditya and T-90 tanks. The agreements were signed
by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) with United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine
Corporation.
Indian-American ranked fourth among overpaid CEOs in US
Indian-American CEO of a Chicago-based property firm has been ranked fourth on a list of top
25 overpaid CEOs in the United States of America. Sandeep Mathrani, CEO of General Growth
Properties, has been listed fourth on the list of top 25 overpaid CEOs in America, according to
the report from the nonprofit As You Sow. The non-profit organisation promotes
environmental and social corporate responsibility and takes a close look at CEO pay.
India and Vietnam to strengthen bilateral relations through medium of Cinema
Minister for Information & Broadcasting has said that collaboration in the field of Films,
Broadcasting and Information Dissemination would strengthen the ties between India and
Vietnam. Cooperation in the field of institutional capacity building in social media, student
exchange programs between premier institutes of both the countries in the field of journalism
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and films would bring the two countries close. He mentioned this while meeting the Vietnamese
delegation led by Minister of Information and Communications, Government of Vietnam Mr.
Truong Minh Tuan.
APRIL
India, Malaysia sign 7 agreements
India and Malaysia have signed seven agreements, including in the areas of civil aviation and
human resources development, following delegation-level bilateral talks headed by Prime
Ministers Narendra Modi and Najib Razak. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was
signed on cooperation in the proposed development of an urea and ammonia manufacturing
plant in Malaysia and offtake of existing surplus urea from Malaysia to India.
India, Malaysia tie up for skilling, entrepreneurship development
The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), has said it has tied up with
Human Resource Development Fund under Ministry of HRD, Malaysia, for skill development,
and assist the South-East Asian country in its target of ensuring 35 per cent skilled Malaysian
workforce by 2020.
Malaysia agrees to set up technology park in Andhra Pradesh
A Malaysian company has agreed to help set up a technology park in Andhra Pradesh thats
expected to attract private sector investment of $100 million in the first phase. The Andhra
Pradesh Economic Development Board and MIGHT Technology Nurturing Sdn. Bhd (MTN)
have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on building the park, which will
cover 250 acres and focus on new technologies.
India, UK to set up 240 mn pound fund for green energy
India and the United Kingdom decided to set up a 240 million pound fund to finance clean
energy projects here, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. The Green Growth Equity Fund will be
a sub-fund of NIIF. India had in 2015 set up the Rs 40,000 crore National Infrastructure and
Investment Fund (NIIF) to finance greenfield as well as brownfield projects. The fund will focus
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initial investments in Indias rapidly growing energy and renewables market and a fund
manager would be selected by autumn.
India, Australia ink 6 pacts at bilateral talks; to boost counter-terrorism
India and Australia have inked six pacts including one aimed at boosting counter-terrorism
cooperation after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart
Malcolm Turnbull in New Delhi. The two leaders held comprehensive discussions on bilateral,
regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern. The two sides inked a pact to
boost counter-terrorism cooperation which was signed between the Ministry of Home Affairs
and its counterpart Australian ministry.
Indo-Canadian Science Programme on Clean Water Technology
The Department of Biotechnology and Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of
Science and Technology are collaborating with The India-Canada Centre for Innovation
Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability (IC-
IMPACTS), to promote multidisciplinary research partnerships. Five projects addressing the
issue of Clean Water Technologies are being implemented by the Departments at the total cost
of Rs. 572 lakhs with matched funding from Canada.
India-Australia launches Sports Partnership in Mumbai
India and Australia have launched Sports partnership in Mumbai aimed at increasing
cooperation in sports. The Partnership, which was launched by the Union Minister for Youth
Affairs & Sports Mr. Vijay Goel and the visiting Australian Prime Minister Mr. Malcolm
Turnbull, in the presence of cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, will advance India Australia
cooperation in four areas athlete and coach training and development, sport science, sport
governance and integrity, and grassroots participation.
France, India ink pact to upgrade Railways
The French Minister of State for Transport, Marine Affairs and Fisheries Alain Vidalies signed
an agreement with Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu for collaboration in areas such as high-
speed and semi-high speed rail, modernisation of current operations and infrastructure, station
renovation and operations, suburban trains and safety systems, operations and security. On
semi-high-speed, the parties had decided in 2015 to carry out a technical and execution study for
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upgrading the speed of passengers trains on the current rail corridor between Delhi and
Chandigarh (244 km) up to 200 kmph.
India wins elections to two subsidiary bodies of UN
India has won elections to two subsidiary bodies of a UN organ focussed on social and economic
issues. India along with 12 other members was elected to the Committee for Programme and
Coordination (CPC), a subsidiary body of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The
country garnered the most number of votes in the Asian group, with 49 out of 50 members of
ECOSOC voting in its favour.
India, South Korea sign pact for defence shipbuilding
India and South Korea signed an agreement to firm up bilateral cooperation in defence
shipbuilding. Under the MoU, conceived under the umbrella of the special strategic partnership,
the two sides will nominate one shipyard each for this purpose. India has already picked
Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) while Korea will make the nomination soon, Secretary
(Defence Production).
India-South Korea sign MoU on shipbuilding
India and South Korea has signed an MoU for defence industry cooperation in shipbuilding. The
MoU, signed by Indias Defence Production Secretary Ashok Kumar Gupta and South Korean
Defence Acquisition and Programme Administration Minister Chang Myoung-Jin, focuses on
developing and strengthening defence industry co-operation between the two countries, which
will recommend the organisations for collaborating in the implementation of specific projects.
India and Sri Lanka sign MoU on economic co-operation
India and Sri Lanka signed an MoU on economic co-operation. The agreement was exchanged in
the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil
Wickremesinghe in New Delhi. The MoU proposes Indian investment in development of port
and oil tank farms in Trincomalee, setting up of a LNG power plant and terminal, piped gas
supply in capital Colombo, highway and railway projects in north and east of the country.
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Belgium opens honorary consulate in GIFT City
Belgium has become the first country to open an honorary consulate office in Gujarat
International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The consulate was inaugurated by Belgian Secretary
of State for Foreign Trade, Pieter De Crem, at an event where Ajay Pandey, Managing Director
and Group CEO, GIFT City, and members of a high-level delegation from Belgium were also
present.
India signs 4 bilateral agreements with Cyprus
India and Cyprus signed four agreements, including on air services and merchant shipping,
following delegation-level talks headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cypriot President
Nicos Anastasiades in New Delhi. The two sides signed an executive programme on culture,
education and scientific cooperation for the years 2017 to 2020. Both sides signed a work plan
under a programme of cooperation in agriculture for the period 2017-2018. Another agreement
was signed on cooperation in the area of merchant shipping. A fourth agreement was signed to
boost air services between the two countries.
MAY
India & Japan to Strengthen Defence Cooperation
Japan and India affirmed plans to strengthen their military cooperation amid rising tension in
the Asian region. Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley told his Japanese counterpart, Tomomi
Inada, in Tokyo that his country hopes to pursue a strategic partnership with Japan for regional
peace and stability. His visit comes at a time of rising tension in the region, including territorial
rows in the South China Sea and nuclear and missile threats from North Korea.
US launch web-portal to track policies of Indian states
A top US think-tank has launched a knowledge web-portal which tracks the policy and
regulatory environments of major Indian states. An initiative of the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies (CSIS), the online web portal the Engaging Indian States, was launched
by Griffin Thompson, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Transformation and
Richard Rossow, senior adviser and Wadhwani Chair in the US-India Policy Studies.
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India to buy anti-nuclear suits from US for 480 crore
The United States has approved the sale of anti-chemical and anti-nuclear suits to India for a
cost of $75 million approximately Rs 480 crore. The purchase is sure to boost Indias capacity
to handle, contain and even foil possible chemical, biological or nuclear-based attacks. The US
Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement to the US Congress that it has
made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to the government of India for
CBRN [chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence] support equipment.
India and UK signs MoU to increase efficiency of urban transport system
India & UK have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on bilateral
cooperation in urban transport policy planning, technology transfer and institutional
organization of transport. Under the proposed MOU, the Transport For London (TFL) will share
with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways its expertise on the mobility and efficiency of
transport system and methodologies to facilitate the planning and delivery of mobility solutions
including ticketing , passenger information, major project financing, infrastructure maintenance
strategies and behavioral change and public transport promotion.
JUNE
India, Russia ink pact for nuclear power units in Tamil Nadu
India and Russia have signed the pact for setting up the last two units of the Kundankulam
nuclear power plant with Moscows help in Tamil Nadu after overcoming initial hurdles to
finalise the strategic deal. The General Framework Agreement (GFA) and Credit protocol for
Units 5 and 6 of the Kudankulam nuclear plant are seen as a major outcome of the annual
summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Sikkim govt signs MoU with British Council
The Human Resource Development department of Sikkim government has signed an MoU with
the British Council to enhance quality of education in the state. The MoU will improve the
educational structure of the schools of Sikkim as planned by the Chief Minister and his vision to
revolutionise Sikkims education and help children achieves greater feats in life.
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India, Russia to develop independent credit rating industry
India and Russia have vowed to develop a credit rating industry that is independent from
political conjecture, a move that follows apprehensions about global agencies being biased
towards large economies like the US and China.
The move assumes significance in the wake of several commentators and policy makers in India
raising concerns that global rating agencies have not been upgrading Indias sovereign credit
rating despite its improving economic and political fundamentals, even as China was viewed
favourably by the same agencies.
India-Australia naval exercise AUSINDEX 17 begins
Navies of India and Australia will participate in bilateral maritime exercise AUSINDEX-17 this
week with an aim to enhancing interoperability and cooperation between the two forces. Indian
naval ships Jyoti, Shivalik and Kamorta are on a port visit to Freemantle, Australia from June 13
to 17 and will join the exercise. The exercise is aimed at increasing interoperability and is in
consonance with the growing cooperation between the two countries.
India to be co-partner in global food trade fair ANUGA
India to be a co-partner in a global food and beverages trade ANUGA held in Cologne Germany
from October 7-11 this year. The 34th edition of ANUGA is being organised by Koelnmesse
GmBH and 7,200 exhibitors from more than 100 countries are likely to participate in the event.
Lok Sabha Speaker inks MoU with Mauritius counterpart
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, who is leading a Parliamentary delegation to Mauritius,
met the Speaker of National Assembly of Mauritius, Santi Bai Hanoomanjee in Port Louis, and
inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to institutionalise cooperation between the two
Parliaments. The MoU on joint framework for parliamentary support and capacity building was
a visionary step forward.
India, Pakistan become full members of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
India and Pakistan have became full members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO),
a China-dominated security grouping that is increasingly seen as a counterweight to NATO.
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Indias membership was strongly pushed by Russia while Pakistans entry into the grouping was
backed by China. With the expansion of the grouping, the SCO will now represent over 40 per
cent of humanity and nearly 20 per cent of the global GDP.
India, UNOSSC launch partnership fund to promote sustainable development
India and the UN Office for South-South Cooperation have launched a partnership fund that will
support sustainable development projects across the developing world.
The India-UN Development Partnership Fund will implement country-level projects that are
catalytic towards achieving the 17 sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda.
The initiative is aimed at reducing poverty and hunger, improving health, education and
equality, and expanding access to clean water, energy and livelihoods.
India signs OECD pact to check tax evasion by MNCs
India has signed the OECD multilateral convention that aims to check cross-border tax evasion
by multinational companies. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley signed the multilateral
convention in Paris to implement tax treaty-related measures to prevent base erosion and profit
shifting.
The Multilateral Convention is an outcome of the OECD/G20 Project to tackle Base Erosion and
Profit Shifting (BEPS) which is resorted to by MNCs through tax planning strategies by
exploiting gaps and mismatches in tax rules.
India ratifies two key ILO conventions on child labour
India has ratified two key ILO conventions on child labour, according to a statement issued by
the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva. Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya,
who is Geneva, said the ratification reaffirmed Indias commitment to a child labour free
society.
India-South Korea sign Agreements to Push Infrastructure Development and
Bilateral Trade
India and Korea have decided to stimulate investments to push infrastructure development and
bilateral trade as they sought to ward off threats of rising protectionism. Finance Minister Arun
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Jaitley co-chaired the fifth India-Korea Financial Dialogue in Seoul with South Korea Deputy
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon and reviewed the international economic
situation, and economic ties. The two countries also signed agreements to establish $9 billion in
concessional credit and $1 billion in Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding for
infrastructure development projects in India.
World Bank approves over $500 million for Afghanistan to boost economy
The World Bank has approved financing worth more than 500 million dollars for Afghanistan to
support a string of projects to boost the economy, help improve service delivery in five cities and
support Afghan refugees sent back from Pakistan.
The international troop withdrawal, which began in 2011, and political uncertainties have
impacted Afghanistans economy deeply. The largest chunk of the package, some 205.4 million
dollars, will go toward supporting communities affected by refugees returning from Pakistan.
India ratifies United Nations TIR Convention
India was became the 71st country to ratify the United Nations TIR (Transports International
Routiers) Convention, a move that will help boost trade through smoother movement of goods
across territories. The ratification is a part of Indias multi-modal transport strategy that aims to
integrate the economy with global and regional production networks through better
connectivity.
Narendra Modi holds talks with Portugal PM Antonio Costa, 11 pacts signed
India and Portugal have announced a 4 million joint fund to bolster research in science and
technology as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held in-depth talks with his Portuguese
counterpart Antonio Costa on cooperation in areas like counter-terrorism, space and climate
studies.
The agreements signed included cooperation in outer space, double taxation avoidance, nano
technology, improving cultural ties, youth and sports, higher education and scientific research,
and Portugal-India business hub and Indian Chamber of Commerce.
Modi launches India-Portugal Intl Startup Hub in Lisbon
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Portuguese counterpart Antonio Costa have launched
the India-Portugal International Startup Hub, a platform developed to strengthen and foster the
connection between the startup ecosystem of the two countries. Start-up sphere is an interesting
space for cooperation.
The India-Portugal International StartUp Hub (IPISH) is a platform for all stakeholders of the
startup ecosystem in India, including startups, investors, mentors, incubators, accelerators,
aspiring entrepreneurs, service providers and government bodies.
Aadhaar not valid for travel to Nepal, Bhutan: Home ministry
Aadhaar is not a valid identification document for Indians travelling to Nepal and Bhutan, the
Union home ministry has said. Indians can travel to Nepal and Bhutanboth countries for which
they dont need visasif they possess a valid national passport or election ID card issued by the
Election Commission.
India 1st to voluntarily contribute $100k to UN tax fund
India has contributed $100,000 to a UN fund to promote the participation of developing
countries in a panel dealing with international cooperation in tax matters. Ashish Sinha, a First
Secretary in Indias Mission to the UN, handed over the cheque for the UN Tax Fund to Shari
Spiegel, chief of the Policy Development and Analysis Branch of the UN Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (Desa).
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