General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2019

May 2019

Sep 06, 2019

Sudan New Premier Unveils First Post-Bashir Cabinet

In Sudan, country's new premier has unveiled the first cabinet since veteran leader Omar al-Bashir's overthrow, a major step in the country's hard-won transition to civilian rule after decades of authoritarianism.
The announcement had been delayed for days as Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok mulled over the nominees proposed by the movement that led the months-long protests against Bashir and also the generals who ousted him in April 2019.
The 18-member cabinet includes four women, including foreign affairs minister Asma Mohamed Abdalla.

India Announces $1 Billion Line Of Credit To Resource-Rich Russian Far East

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $1 billion line of credit for the less developed but resource rich Russian Far East.
Modi backed Russian President Vladimir Putin's blueprint for developing the sparsely populated region bordering China, which involves construction of housing facilities, improving connectivity, and the potential of enhancing eco-friendly tourism.
Indian companies had signed 50 agreements worth "billions of dollars" in investments during a visit to the region in areas such as energy, health, education, skill development, mining, and timber, the Prime Minister said at the plenary session of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

India's South Africa Envoy Concurrently Accredited As High Commissioner To Lesotho

India's High Commissioner to South Africa, Jaideep Sarkar, has been concurrently accredited as the country's next High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Lesotho, with residence in Pretoria, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
A 1987 IFS-batch officer, Sarkar was appointed India's High Commissioner to South Africa earlier in 2019.The diplomat has earlier served as envoy to Israel and Bhutan.
Sarkar has also served in Indian missions in Tokyo, Seoul and Bangladesh.
The diplomat worked in the Ministry of Finance from 1992-1996 dealing with economic relations with EU member states.
He also served as a Director in the MEA where his work involved managing India's relations with some of its neighbours including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Jaishankar Holds Talks With Indonesian Counterpart Marsudi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.
The EAM's ongoing visit is his first to an ASEAN member state after assuming charge.
The two sides talked about the common challenges faced by their countries, as well as their mutual support for principles of territorial integrity.
This is the first visit of a Union Minister to Indonesia after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government came into power for a second term.
The three-day visit -- from September 4 to 6, 2019 -- reflects the high priority India attaches to its bilateral relationship with Indonesia, which is a Comprehensive Strategic Partner.
New Delhi and Jakarta also share vision on maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Addresses 8th Seoul Defense Defence Dialogue 2019

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a keynote address at 'Seoul Defence Dialogue 2019' during his visit to South Korea.
The theme of Defence Dialogue was- 'Building Peace Together: Challenges and Vision'. Defence Minister is on a 3-day visit to Seoul.
During the address, Defence Minister highlighted that among the numerous security challenges that world is facing, gravest is that of terrorism as no country in world is safe from terrorism.
As India's foreign policy has always prioritized on good relations with its neighbours, therefore India also supports for peace and stability in Korean Peninsula and its denuclearisation through dialogue and diplomacy.
India has also strengthened co-operative engagements in Indo-Pacific region on basis of principle of SAGAR– Security and Growth for All in the Region, a principle that remains cornerstone of India's outlook for Indo-Pacific region.

Sep 05, 2019

PM Modi To Address Plenary Session Of 5th EEF

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the plenary session of 5th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) at Vladivostok in Russia. Mr Modi is attending the EEF as the chief guest at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The EEF provides a platform for discussing issues aimed at expanding international cooperation in Asia-Pacific region and developing the economy of Russia's Far East. There are several sessions involving India at the EEF.
Among them are harnessing the power of Youth, Logistics - a digital pathway, Human Capital in Eurasia, and the Russia- India business dialogue.
India and Japan have called for a free and open Indo-Pacific region to make it secured and prosperous.
The Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Mr Shinzo Abe on the margins of Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. During the meeting, both leaders shared similar views on Indo-pacific region.
Both leaders decided to hold the first 2 + 2 ministerial meeting of Foreign and Defence minsters of both countries ahead of the annual bilateral summit in New Delhi in December 2019.
Both leaders discussed the importance of trilateral relations with African countries. They also discussed to continue the trilateral meeting of India, Japan and the US for enhancing regional cooperation.

US Imposes Sanctions On Shipping Network Run By Iran's Revolutionary Guards

The United States has imposed sanctions on a shipping network; it said was run by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The US blamed that shipping network sold millions of barrels of oil to benefit Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The sanctions on 16 entities, 10 people and 11 vessels by the US were announced just as Iran was threatening to cut further its commitments under a nuclear deal unless the United States eases its pressure.

India, Russia Agree To Step Up Trade To $30 Bn By 2025

India and Russia decided to step up industrial cooperation and create new technological and investment partnership, especially in advanced high-tech areas, with an aim to increase bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2025.
According to a joint statement issued by the Russian government after 20th India—Russia Annual Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin also agreed that the work on promoting mutual settlements of payments in national currencies will be continued.
Modi is visiting Russia on the invitation of President Putin. The 20th India—Russia Annual Summit was held in Vladivostok. Modi also participated in the 5th Eastern Economic Forum as the Chief Guest.
To bring it to $30 billion by 2025, they agreed to more actively engage the impressive resource and human resources potential of India and Russia, enhance industrial cooperation, create new technological and investment partnership, especially in advanced high-tech areas and find new avenues and forms of cooperation.
India-Russia bilateral merchandise trade was about $8.2 billion during 2018-19

Indian High Commission in London Targeted By Pakistan Incited Elements

New Delhi has expressed deep concern over the reports of unruly demonstration by Pakistan incited elements and consequent organized vandalism of the property of the High Commission of India in London.
This is the second time in a less than a month that such an incident has taken place affecting the security and the normal functioning of the Indian Mission.
India considers these incidents to be unacceptable and has strongly urged the Government of UK to take action against those involved and take necessary steps to ensure the normal functioning of Mission and the safety and security of its personnel.

Jaishankar in Maldives for Indian Ocean Conference

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is in Male for the Fourth Indian Ocean Conference 2019, being organised by India Foundation, in association with the Government of Maldives and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore.
Jaishankar is one of the speakers at the event.
The theme of the conference is "Securing the Indian Ocean Region: Traditional and Non-Traditional Challenges".
Solih underlined the key issues for the region as being climate change, proper implementation of maritime laws under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and combating illicit trafficking of humans and narcotics.

Chief Executive Of Hong Kong Announces To Withdraw Extradition Bill

Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam will withdraw the controversial extradition bill which triggered three months of unprecedented pro-democracy rallies in the country.
The proposal, introduced in April 2019, would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
The bill was suspended in June 2019 when Ms Lam called it dead, but she stopped short of withdrawing it. Full withdrawal is one of the five key demands of protesters, who are also calling for full democratic rights.
Ms Lam also announced that two senior officials would join an existing inquiry into police conduct during the protests.
An independent investigation into alleged police brutality against protesters is another of the activists' demands.

Bangladesh bans Two International NGOs over Rohingya Repatriation Issue

Toughening its stance further, Bangladesh banned two more international NGOs for allegedly instigating Rohingya refugees to oppose repatriation to Myanmar.
The NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh issued a circular banning the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and Al Markaz-ul-Islami for their role in organising a rally of Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar area on 25 August, 2019 on the second anniversary of fleeing from Myanmar.

Sep 04, 2019

India, Pakistan To Hold 3rd Round Of Talks On Kartarpur Corridor

India and Pakistan will hold third round of talks on Kartarpur corridor to discuss and finalize the draft agreement for operationalization of the corridor for Sikh pilgrims.
The Joint Secretary-level meeting will be held at Attari in Amritsar. This will be the second such meeting after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
In the last Joint Secretary-level meeting held in July, 2019 at Wagah in Pakistan, it was agreed that five thousand pilgrims per day will be allowed to visit Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan.
The corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian pilgrims.
The corridor will be the first visa-free corridor between the two neighbours since Independence.

Iran Rules Out Bilateral Talks With US

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ruled out holding any bilateral talks with the United States. He also threatened to further cut Iran's commitments to a nuclear deal within days.
In an address to Parliament, Rouhani said any dialogue with the US would have to fall within the framework of the group of major powers that agreed to a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2015.
Iran was ready to further reduce its commitments to the accord in the coming days if current negotiations with European nations yield no results.
Tehran and Washington have been at loggerheads since May, 2018 when President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and began reimposing crippling sanctions.
The arch-foes were on the cusp of confrontation in June 2019 when Iran downed a US drone and Trump ordered retaliatory strikes before cancelling them at the last minute.
The 2015 deal was agreed between Iran and permanent members of UN Security Council Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany.

Rajnath Singh Co Chaired The Japan India Defence Ministerial Meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on a two-day visit to Japan, met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo and said India was committed to enhance defence engagements between the two countries, besides strengthening bilateral arrangements.
Mr. Singh also met Japane Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya on the first day of his visit. He is accompanied by a high-level defence ministry delegation.

Jaishankar Meets Speaker Of Maldives Parliament Mohamed Nasheed In Male

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met speaker of the Maldives Parliament Mohamed Nasheed in Male.
The two leaders discussed with him ways to work together on shared goals. Dr Jaishankar said, they will work closely to realise the shared goals of the two countries.
Dr Jaishankar is in the Maldives to attend the 4th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference. Mr Nasheed also served as the fourth President of the Maldives from 2008 to 2012.
He was the first democratically elected president of the Maldives and one of the founders of the Maldivian Democratic Party.

Sep 03, 2019

PM Modi To Embark On 3-Day Visit To Russia To Attend EEF summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Vladivostok in Russia to take part in the 5th Eastern Economic Forum - EEF summit. The Prime Minister will also attend the 20th annual summit between Russia and India during the three-day visit.
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said strengthening bilateral relationship in field of oil and gas exploration will be high on the agenda during the visit. The Foreign Secretary said, both India and Russia want to move beyond the conventional cooperation in defence and nuclear civil cooperation to the new areas of economy.
The Foreign Secretary said India attaches lot of importance to Eastern Economic Summit as the government wants to focus on having business engagement with Russia and other Far Eastern countries.
On the sidelines of Eastern Economic Summit, the Prime Minister is expected to hold bilateral talks with the Government Heads of Japan, Malaysia and Mongolia.

Bangladesh Asks Telecom Operators To Stop Mobile Service For Rohingyas

Bangladesh Telecom Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has directed mobile phone operators to halt sale of SIM cards to Rohingyas and ensure that mobile phone use by them is stopped.
The directive was issued after Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar asked Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to take immediate steps to stop mobile phone services at Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar.
The ban on the sale of mobile SIM cards to Rohingya refugees was first imposed in September 2017.
Following the directive, the mobile operators are reported to have weakened their networks in the border areas including Cox Bazar and Bandarban.
The notice was issued following allegations that the telecom operators were providing SIM cards to Rohingyas defying government ban.

Nepal: School Built With India's Assistance Inaugurated

Nepal's Attorney General Agni Prasad Kharel and Ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri jointly inaugurated a school building constructed with India's assistance in Jhapa District.
The new building of Shree Schoolchaun Higher Secondary School has been built with Government of India's grant of 35.70 million Nepali Rupees.
The newly built infrastructure is expected to boost the learning environment of the students. Government of India is happy to be associated with the project which compliments the effort of the Government of Nepal in augmenting infrastructure in the field of education.
Minister of Internal Affairs and Law of Province No. 1 of Nepal, Hikmat Kumar Karki, political leaders, Govt officials and a large number of friends of India-Nepal partnership were also present on the occasion

Pakistan Government Launches Its Own Mineral Water Brand 'Safe Drinking Water'

Pakistan has launched its own mineral water to cut costs as part of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government's austerity drive.
The Pakistan Council of Research and Water Resources (PCRWR) has prepared a 500 ml water bottle named "Safe Drinking Water."
In the first phase, mineral water bottles will first be used at the Prime Minister's Office, President House and Parliament House after which it will be made available to the general public.

Saudi Arabia: Indian Delegation Reviews Arrangements For Hajj-2019

A Government of India delegation led by Ministry of Minority Affairs Secretary Sailesh to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reviewed the arrangements for Hajj-2019 for Indian pilgrims and discussed ways of improving arrangements for Hajj-2020.
Minority Affairs Secretary, who is on a four-day visit to Saudi Arabia, discussed about Makkah Route Initiative, ways of reducing waiting time for pilgrims at airport during arrival & departure, SIM cards for the pilgrims, Hajj-visa process, pilgrims' accommodation norms, arrangements in Mashaer region and flight operations.
The Secretary thanked the Government of the Kingdom for enhancing India's Hajj quota to 200,000 as well as extending full cooperation to Indian Officials involved in Hajj operations.
The Officials of Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the South Asian Moassassa also expressed their appreciation for the various arrangements made by the Indian Hajj Management for Indian pilgrims, specially pre-tagging of baggages which drastically reduced waiting time for pilgrims at airport. They also appreciated the medical facilities and accommodation arrangements made available for Indian pilgrims.
The delegation also visited Indian Hajj Pilgrims' Office-cum-Dispensary at Jeddah Haj Terminal and interacted with Indian pilgrims at the Terminal who were returning to India after a successful Haj.

Bangladesh TV Starts Telecast In India

The state-owned TV channel Bangladesh Television (BTV) started telecast for viewers in India on DD free dish.
Information Minister of Bangladesh Dr. Hasan Mahmud inaugurated the broadcast program at BTV Auditorium in Dhaka.
State Minister for Information Md. Murad Hasan and India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das were the special guests at the event.
Speaking on the occasion India's High Commissioner to Bangladesh Riva Ganguly Das said that it was a historic occasion brought to fruition through constant efforts of both the governments.
Reminding audiences of the shared history of both the countries she said that this would create platforms for learning from each other's experiences and fostering better understanding between the two countries. She lauded the role of All India Radio's Akashwani Maitree in this context.
India and Bangladesh signed an agreement in May 2019 to make BTV and DD available in both the countries.

Hong Kong Protests: 10,000 Students Boycott Classes

In Hong Kong, ten thousand pupils from 200 secondary schools boycotted classes on the first day for the new school year in the latest pro-democracy protests.
Thousands of secondary school and university students did not turn up for the classes. The student action comes on the same day as a call for a broad two-day strike and large rally.
Protests over the weekend saw some of the worst violence in weeks between protesters and police.
Protesters threw petrol bombs, lit fires and attacked the city's parliament building while police used tear gas, rubber bullets, water cannons and fired live warning shots. Hong Kong is now entering its 14th successive week of demonstrations.
The protests were sparked by changes to a law that would allow extradition to mainland China, but have since widened to include calls for an independent inquiry into police brutality and universal suffrage.

ECI To Host The 4th General Assembly of Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) at Bengaluru

India will take over as A-WEB Chair for 2019-21. The Election Commission of India is scheduled to host the 4th General Assembly of Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) at Bengaluru on 3rd September, 2019.
Over 50 countries across the globe will join the meeting at Bengaluru from 02nd to 04th September, 2019.
An International Conference on "Initiatives and Challenges of Social Media and Information Technology in Elections" will also be held on 04th September, 2019.
The Association of World Election Bodies (A-WEB) is largest association of Election Management Bodies (EMBs) worldwide.
A-WEB was established on October 14, 2013 in Song-do, South Korea. The permanent secretariat of A-WEB is located at Seoul.
A-WEB's vision is to foster efficiency and effectiveness in conducting free, fair, transparent and participative elections worldwide.
Its activities are guided by its mission to identify latest trends, challenges and developments in democratic electoral management and electoral processes and to facilitate appropriate exchange of experience and expertise among members with the objective of strengthening electoral democracy worldwide.

China Lodges WTO Trade Complaint Against US

China lodged a complaint against the United States with the World Trade Organization (WTO), a day after new tariffs imposed by Washington on billions of dollars of Chinese goods came into force.
The world's two biggest economies have been embroiled in a bruising year-long trade war which escalated further when both sides moved ahead with fresh tit-for-tat levy hikes.
Referring to trade discussions in the Japanese city in June, Beijing's commerce ministry said, these American tariffs seriously violate the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in Osaka.
In a statement published on its website, the Ministry said, in accordance with relevant WTO rules, China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. It has lodged complaint with the WTO body for dispute settlement.
Washington's latest levies on imports from China took effect from 1st of September as it stepped up a high-pressure campaign aimed at compelling Beijing to sign a new trade deal. The trade dispute has rattled markets and hit growth across the globe, and trade negotiations between the two countries have been at an impasse for months.

Sri Lanka Inks Four Agreements With Maldives

Sri Lanka and Maldives exchanged four agreements of cooperation including facilitation of visa arrangements allowing for free 90-day on-arrival visas for visitors between the two countries.
An MoU on Cooperation in the area of social protection, higher education, vocational training and youth development are other areas in which MoUs were signed during Sri Lankan Prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's visit to Male.
The visa agreement contains provisions for grant of multiple entry non-resident business visas, thereby facilitating commercial engagements and private sector collaboration.
Both countries also issued a joint statement highlighting the enduring friendship that defines the relationship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih expressed gratitude for Sri Lanka's numerous assistance to the Maldives over the years, which has proven a boon to the Maldives' socio-economic development.
Both leaders expressed their satisfaction at the substance and pace of cooperation on the international fora, bilaterally and multilaterally.

Italian President Gives Conte Mandate To Form New Government

The Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, has said now is the time to "turn a crisis into an opportunity" after accepting a fresh mandate to try to form a new government that could mark a turning point in Italy's fractured relations with the EU.
President Sergio Mattarella has tasked Conte with securing a pact between the anti-establishment Five Star Movement (M5S) and the centre-left Democratic party (PD) in a move that would oust the far-right League from government and stave off early elections.

Sri Lanka's SC Rules Provincial Council Elections Cannot Be Held Under Previous Law Or Amendment Act

Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has ruled that the Provincial Council elections cannot be held under the previous law or the amendment act. The decision was conveyed to President's office on a reference made by the latter to ascertain the possibility of holding the polls.
According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the President, the President had sought Supreme court opinion saying that the delay in holding the Provincial Council elections would cause the people to lose their voting rights.
The five-judge bench of court ruled that the election cannot be held under the Provincial Council (Amendment) Act since the President does not have the authority to declare the boundaries set out in the report of the Delimitation Committee.
Eight out of nine Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka are due for elections while the ninth one is completing its term next month. Sri Lankan Government had changed the electoral system for the Provincial elections in 2017 but failed to adopt report for delimitation of constituencies.

Japan To Launch Special Police Unit To Patrol Isles In East China Sea

Japan will launch a special police unit equipped with submachine guns and helicopters to patrol disputed isles in the East China Sea.
The National Police Agency said it had put in a budget request for an additional 159 officers to head off illegal landings on remote islands by armed groups. The deployment near the tiny islands could take place in 2020.
NHK said it was the first time police had stepped up patrols near the disputed islands.
The uninhabited islets are at the centre of a festering row between Tokyo and Beijing, which is also involved in a widening dispute with several Southeast Asian countries over islands in the South China Sea.
The Japanese Government has long complained about China's routine dispatch of coastguard ships to waters surrounding the islands.
Relations between Japan and China deteriorated in 2012 when Tokyo nationalized some of the islets.

Fourth South Asian Speakers' Summit on Achieving the SDGs

The 4th South Asian Speakers' Summit on Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), jointly organised by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the People's Majlis, will take place in Male' (Maldives), on 1 and 2 September 2019. It will be followed by a half-day field visit on 2 September.
This is the fourth event in a series of Speakers' Summits for the region on SDGs, the previous three having been hosted by the Jatiya Sangsad of Bangladesh (in 2016), the Sansad of India (in 2017) and the Parliament of Sri Lanka (2018).
This high-level Summit will build on the conclusions of the previous summits and will allow Speakers of Parliament to continue to develop dialogue and parliamentary cooperation on achieving the SDGs.
Given their legislative, oversight, representative and budgetary functions, parliaments play a key role in ensuring a sustainable future for current and future generations.
The Summit is intended for Speakers of the Parliaments of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Sep 02, 2019

India Raises The Issue Of Global Oil Price Volatility With Russia

India has raised the issue of global oil market's price volatility with Russia, that is hurting the interests of both consuming and producing nations. This was articulated by India's oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan in a meeting with Russia's energy minister Alexander Novak.
India has been urging its long time ally Russia to take into account the interest of energy consuming nations during its engagement with the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) at a time when the Opec plus arrangement including Russia has extended its compact for production cuts.
Minister Pradhan also conveyed expectation that Russia, a member of the Opec Plus, can play an important role in balancing global oil market both in terms of ensuring adequate supply as well as in having a responsible and reasonable price.

China To Start 27 New CPEC Projects In Pakistan

China plans to launch 27 new projects in Pakistan under the second phase of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The ambitious CPEC links China's Kashgar city in Xinjiang province with Pakistan's Gwadar port in Baluchistan through a network of roads, railways and highways.
There will be 27 new projects in the second phase of the CPEC. Following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between China and Pakistan for the second phase of CPEC earlier in 2019, work on these 27 new projects was expected to begin by the end of the year 2019.
Agriculture, education, vocational training, industry, increase in water supply, etc, are all part of our plans for the next phase.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan visits Russia to Strengthen Cooperation in Energy and Steel Sectors

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan led a business delegation from Oil and Gas as well as Steel sectors to Moscow, Russia. The visit is a part of active overreach to strengthen bilateral relationship between India and Russia in energy and steel sectors.
The visit started with meeting with Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to Far Eastern Federal Districts of Russia, HE Yury P Trutnev.
Discussions centered on expanding the scope of co-operation between India and Far Eastern Russia, in the energy and steel sectors.
The two sides discussed to further co-operation in sourcing of metallurgical coal and crude oil from Far East of Russia. They also talked about potential Indian investments in oil and gas and steel sectors in Far Eastern Russia and reviewed the progress in these sectors in the run up to the visit of Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the first week of September (2019) to Vladivostok for the Eastern Economic Forum and for the 20th Annual Bilateral Summit.

Tamil Nadu Signs Three Agreements For Healthcare Collaborations In UK

In the first leg of Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami's visit abroad, as far as the health sector is concerned, the team from Tamil Nadu seems to have marked up substantial gains for the State, going only by the merit of agreements signed. A swathe of health sector interventions have been envisaged to improve healthcare and parameters of the Human Development Index.
Among the key tie-ups are those with International Skills Development Corporation for skilling the health work force, primarily nurses and doctors. The team from ISDC had already visited training schools in Chennai and was satisfied with the infrastructure even before the Chief Minister's team left for London. There is also a proposal to recruit the trained nurses from the State, after they go through their specialised training courses, to work for the NHS in the U.K.
The tie up with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is another agreement that the team, led by Mr. Palaniswami, seems to be chuffed about. Tamil Nadu's health officials say they hope to harness the famous school's expertise in vector borne disease control, particularly in the area of malaria and dengue control.

India, Japan Defence Ministerial Meet Underway In Tokyo

Defence Ministerial meeting between India and Japan is presently underway in Japan's capital Tokyo. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is heading the Indian side while Japanese side is led by Japan's Minister of Defence Takeshi Iwaya. The Ministerial Dialogue will aim to further strengthen India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and include wide-ranging discussions to enhance the bilateral defence and security engagements between the two countries.
The two sides are also expected to deliberate on the long-pending issue of supply of the US-2 amphibious aircraft by Japan to India.
Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached Tokyo during the first leg of his five-day visit to Japan and South Korea to enhance strategic ties and explore possibilities of collaboration of major military platforms.

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