1. 38th Ministerial Meeting of India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission
Tags: International Relations Important Days
The 38th Ministerial Meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission was held in New Delhi on August 25, 2022.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The Indian delegation was chaired by Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and the Bangladesh delegation was led by Minister of State for Water Resources Zaheed Farooq.
The two countries discussed a wide range of issues related to Ganga, Teesta and several smaller rivers during the meeting.
The two sides also discussed the exchange of data and information related to floods, river-bank conservation works, general basin management and India's river interlinking project.
Bangladesh requested for the early completion of the long pending Teesta water sharing treaty.
Both sides also finalised a draft Memorandum of Understanding to share the waters of the Kushiyara River on an interim basis.
Both sides welcomed the finalization of the design of the Feni River Water Drawing Site and its technical infrastructure to meet the drinking water requirements of Sabroom Town in Tripura.
It is noteworthy that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two countries in this regard in October 2019.
This meeting was held after a gap of 12 years
Rivers between India and Bangladesh :
India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers.
All are part of the drainage system of the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basin.
The Padma (Ganga), Jamuna (Brahmaputra) and Meghna (Barak) and their tributaries play an important role in maintaining food and water security in Bangladesh.
The dispute between India and Bangladesh regarding water resource allocation dates back to the time when Bangladesh was East Pakistan.
In 1961, India began construction of the Farakka Barrage which was to be operational by April 1975.
When India began its preliminary planning for the project, Pakistan expressed concerns over the potential effect of the project on East Pakistan.
Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) :
It was constituted in 1972 between India and Bngladesh.
It is a bilateral mechanism to address issues of mutual interest on common / border / transboundary rivers.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
About Kushiyara River :
It is a distributary river in Bangladesh and Assam.
The water of Kushiyara drains into tributaries from Manipur, Mizoram and Assam.
2. India handed over 21,000 tonnes of urea to crisis-hit Sri Lanka
Tags: International Relations International News
India on 22 August handed over 21,000 tonnes of chemical fertiliser to the crisis-ridden neighbour Sri Lanka.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- This has been done under a special assistance program that will help farmers in Sri Lanka and help strengthen bilateral cooperation for food security,
This is India's second such aid to the beleaguered island nation in recent months.
In May 2022, India had assured to supply 65,000 metric tonnes of urea to Sri Lanka immediately to avoid any disruption in the current Yala farming season in Sri Lanka.
Yala is the paddy cultivation season in Sri Lanka which lasts between May and August.
Ban of Fertiliser in Sri Lanka :
To move towards a green economy, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa last year decided to ban imports of chemical fertilizers, causing a food shortage that has reduced crop yields by 50%.
This decision of the government badly affected the food production.
As a result, the President of Sri Lanka declared an economic emergency to curb rising food prices.
India's support to Srilanka :
India has pledged about $4 billion in loans, lines of credit and credit swaps to the debt-ridden Sri Lanka from January this year.
Sri Lanka's annual fertilizer imports cost is USD 400 million.
India has provided financial assistance of about USD 3.5 billion to help safeguard Sri Lanka's food, health and energy security by supplying food, medicines, fuel, kerosene and other essential commodities.
In addition, India has recently supplied around 40,000 tonnes of rice under the extended USD 1 billion line of credit.
3. S Jaishankar unveils Gandhi's bust in Paraguay
Tags: International Relations International News
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on his first ever official visit to South America, unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Paraguay on 21 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- He appreciated the decision of Asuncion Municipality to establish it on the main waterfront of the city.
The External Affairs Minister also visited the historic Casa de la Independencia from where Paraguay's independence movement began more than two centuries ago.
External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar is on an official visit to Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina from 22-27 August.
In Paraguay, S Jaishankar will also inaugurate the new Indian Embassy complex, which started functioning in January 2022.
EAM's visit is aimed at exploring new areas of cooperation in the post-pandemic era.
About Paraguay :
It is a land-locked country in south-central South America.
It is one of the world’s largest exporters of hydropower.
The rivers provide access to the Atlantic Ocean and serve as sites for hydroelectric power plants.
Paraguay is a member of MERCOSUR.
The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) is a regional integration process, initially established by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and later joined by Venezuela and Bolivia.
India has a preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR.
Diplomatic relations between India and Paraguay were established in year 1961.
President - Mario Abdo Benitez
Capital - Asuncion
Currency - The guarani
4. Thai Public Broadcasting Service signs MoU with Prasar Bharati
Tags: International Relations International News
The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) on 18 August signed a Memorandum of Understanding with India's public broadcaster Prasar Bharati for comprehensive cooperation between Thailand and India to strengthen their bilateral ties.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Thai PBS and Prasar Bharati share the same values as public broadcasters.
The MoU will contribute to better understanding between the peoples of the two countries and is the first step in cooperation in exchange of news and programmes.
Indian Ambassador to Thailand Suchitra Durai represented Prasar Bharati in signing the MoU.
Both countries also signed MoU on Health and Medical Research Cooperation between Indian Council of Medical Research and Department of Medical Sciences, Thailand.
India -Thailand relations :
The year 2022 is the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Both countries share a maritime boundary in the Andaman Sea.
Thailand was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with India in 1947.
In 2021, Thailand became India's fourth largest trading partner in ASEAN.
In 2021-22, Thailand was India's 22nd top trading partner, with a total trade of US$6.6 billion.
The MoU on Defence Cooperation between India and Thailand was signed on 25 January 2012.
Since 2015, India has participated in the largest Asia Pacific military exercise Ex-Cobra Gold as an 'Observer Plus' category.
5. India gift Dornier Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka
Tags: International Relations Defence
India on August 15 gifted Sri Lanka a Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft that will enable the island nation to tackle a range of challenges such as human and drug trafficking and other organized crimes in its waters.
Important facts
It was gifted at a special event at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake.
Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force personnel who have undergone training in India for nearly four months will operate the aircraft.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay were also present on the occasion.
The celebrations took place as India celebrates its 76th Independence Day and a day later China's high-tech missile and satellite surveillance vessel will anchor at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port.
The aircraft has been delivered to Sri Lanka by the Indian Navy to help meet the immediate security needs of Sri Lanka.
The Indian Navy has also given intensive training in maritime reconnaissance aircraft to a team of the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force.
During the 2018 Defence Dialogue between India and Sri Lanka in New Delhi, Sri Lanka had discussed the possibility of acquiring two Dornier reconnaissance aircraft from India to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities.
Dornier Aircrafts
In March 2022, India and the Government of Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide two Dornier 228 aircraft to the Sri Lankan Navy.
Dornier 228 Aircraft
It is a 17-seater non-pressurised aircraft that has a turboprop engine.
It is capable of day and night operations, short take-off and landing, and can take off from semi-prepared runways.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) started manufacturing Dornier-228 in India.
The Dornier-228 aircraft have been used by the armed forces so far.
Alliance Air had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HAL to operate Dornier aircraft.
6. Foreign Office consultations between India and Ghana held in New Delhi
Tags: International Relations
The third round of Foreign Office consultations between India and Ghana was held in New Delhi on 22 July.
Important facts
Both sides discussed the bilateral relations related to political, economic, defence, cultural and capacity building.
The two sides also discussed further strengthening of bilateral ties between India and Ghana.
The two countries exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest and agreed to enhance cooperation in multi-level fora.
Both sides agreed to hold the next round of talks in Accra, Ghana on a date as per mutual convenience.
The second edition of the India-Ghana Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was held on 2 July, where both sides agreed to take steps for mutual benefit.
Bilateral trade between India and Ghana
Bilateral trade and Indian investments in Ghana have been steadily increasing.
Bilateral trade between India and Ghana stood at US$ 2.60 billion during 2021-22.
India is one of the largest investors in Ghana.
Indian companies have invested more than USD 1.7 billion in Ghana in over 730 projects in various sectors like construction, manufacturing, manufacturing, trade, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, tourism, etc.
About Ghana
President - Nana Akufo-Addo
Capital - Accra
Official Language - English
Official Name - Republic of Ghana
Currency - Ghana Cedi
7. India and Britain to launch joint Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy program
Tags: International Relations Latest
Recently a joint India-UK Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy program was announced by the Foreign Ministers of UK and India.
It aims to equip diplomats from all Commonwealth member states with the expertise and skills required to deal with emerging challenges that have a global impact.
This Academy event will be held in New Delhi.
This was announced during the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Rwanda, East Africa from 24 to 25 June.
The academy will be meant to jointly promote the values of the Commonwealth.
About the United Kingdom or Britain -
The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy and unitary state consisting of four countries: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
It is governed by a parliamentary system whose government sits in the capital, London.
It was the first industrialised country in the world.
The United Kingdom is one of three countries in the world that do not have a well-organised constitution.
The United Kingdom is today the sixth largest economy in the world based on market exchange rates and the third in Europe after Germany and France.
Queen Elizabeth II
Prime Minister - Boris Johnson
Currency - Pound Sterling
8. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hold bilateral talks with Australian Deputy PM in New Delhi
Tags: International Relations
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles in New Delhi on 22 June.
During the bilateral talks, the two ministers reviewed the defence cooperation between the two countries and discussed new initiatives to further strengthen bilateral ties.
They also exchanged their views on regional and global issues of shared interest.
India and Australia have been sharing a comprehensive strategic partnership since June 2020 and are a key pillar of this defence partnership.
This partnership is based on a shared vision of a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Australia and India, along with America and Japan, are part of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), which promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The four countries are also participants in the Malabar naval exercise.
About Australia
It is the smallest continent by area on Earth after Asia, Africa, North America , South America, Antarctica, Europe and Australia.
It is the 6th largest country in the world after Russia, Canada, China, United States, and Brazil.
Australia has been called “the Oldest Continent,” “the Last of Lands,” and “the Last Frontier.”
Its unique flora and fauna include the only egg-laying mammals on Earth, the Platypus and Echidna. It is also famous for its Kangaroos,Koala bears.
It is the second driest continent after Antarctica.
Its highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko, rises to only 7,310 feet (2,228 meters).
Capital : Canberra
Currency : Australian Dollar
Prime Minister : Scott Morrison
The United Kingdom Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the State of Australia.
9. Israel, Haryana Government Sign Joint Declaration On Water Cooperation
Tags: International Relations
Recently, the Government of Israel and Haryana signed a Joint Declaration on Capacity Building and Integrated Water Resource Management.
Under this agreement, Israel will share its most advanced and state-of-the-art water technologies, expertise and know-how with the Government of Haryana.
Through this joint declaration, the Government of Israel and Haryana will endeavour to strengthen existing ties in the water management sector, improve public health in the region and conserve water resources in public water areas in Haryana.
India-Israel Diplomatic Relations
India officially recognized Israel in 1950, but the two countries established full diplomatic relations on January 29, 1992.
India was one of the 164 members of the United Nations that had diplomatic relations with Israel.
Economic relations
During April 2020-February 2021, the bilateral trade between the two stood at $4.14 billion, with the balance of trade in favour of India.
India is Israel's third largest trading partner in Asia, while the 7th largest worldwide partner.
Defence relations
India is the largest buyer of military equipment from Israel. Israel is India's second largest defence supplier, Russia's largest defence supplier.
Agriculture relations
India and Israel signed a three-year work program agreement for agricultural cooperation in May 2021.
The program seeks to develop existing Centres of Excellence, bring Centres of Excellence into self-sustaining mode and encourage private sector companies and collaborations.
About israel
Israel is a country located in Southwest Asia.
Capital - Jerusalem,
Israel's Tel Aviv city is the most expensive city in the world
President- Isaac Herzog
Prime Minister- Naftali Bennett
Currency- Israeli shekel
10. India-Bangladesh holds 7th Round of Joint Consultative Commission in New Delhi
Tags: International Relations
The seventh round of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission was held in New Delhi on 19 June.
It was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and his Bangladesh counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen.
The previous edition was held virtually in 2020.
The Ministers welcomed the further strengthening of bilateral ties with the unprecedented visits of the President and Prime Minister of India last year.
These visits were made in memory of three epoch-making events -
The birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
The 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh
The golden anniversary of India-Bangladesh diplomatic ties.
The Ministers appreciated that the trust and mutual respect shared between the two countries has strengthened over the past decade.
The latest proof of this was the launch of the trailer of 'Mujib-Making of a Nation' at the Cannes Film Festival in May this year.
It was a jointly produced biopic on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The two ministers agreed to work together to further strengthen cooperation in the areas of shared rivers and water resources management, IT and cyber security, renewable energy, agriculture and food security, sustainable trade, climate change and disaster management.
