1. First China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation held in China, India not invited
Tags: Summits International News
According to the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) a meeting of the China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation took place on 21 November 2022, in which 19 countries took part. India was not invited by the Chinese.
The meeting was held in a hybrid manner under the theme of “Shared Development: Theory and Practice from the Perspective of the Blue Economy” in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China.
According to CIDCA at the November 21 meeting, China has proposed to establish a marine disaster prevention and mitigation cooperation mechanism between China and countries in the Indian Ocean region.
Countries which participated in the Chinese forum
The following 19 countries participated in the meeting; Indonesia, Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Nepal, Afghanistan, Iran, Oman, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mauritius, Djibouti, Australia and representatives of 3 international organisations.
Maldives denies participating in the meeting
The Maldives Foreign ministry in a statement issued on 27 November 2022 has denied participating in the meeting .It said that it had officially communicated to the Chinese government its inability to participate in the forum.
Chinese attempt to counter Indian influence in the region
According to experts, the Chinese forum is apparently aimed at countering India’s strong influence in the Indian Ocean region where India-backed organisations like the 23 members Indian Ocean Rim Association, (IORA) have taken strong roots. China is a dialogue partner in the IORA formed in 1997.
The Indian Navy-backed Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), established in 2007, is a premier forum for cooperation and collaboration among navies of littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Chinese effort to increase its influence in the Indian Ocean region
China is trying its influence in the strategic Indian Ocean region with substantial investments in ports and infrastructure investments in several countries, including Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
China has established a full-fledged naval base in Djibouti, its first outside the country. Beijing has acquired the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka on a 99-year lease besides building the port at Pakistan’s Gwadar in the Arabian Sea opposite India’s western coast.
2. India is hosting the 59th ABU General Assembly 2022 from 25th to 30th November’ 2022
Tags: place in news Summits
The government of India owned public broadcaster Prasar Bharti which owns the All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan (DD) is hosting the 59th Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) General Assembly 2022 from 25th to 30th November 2022 in New Delhi. Prasar Bharti was set up in 1997 by an act of Parliament.
Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi said that around 300 international delegates from 40 countries representing 50 organizations are participating in the event.
Theme of the 59th ABU General Assembly is: Serving the People: Media’s Role in Times of Crisis.
The ABU (Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union) was set up in 1964 is a non-profit, professional association of the broadcasting organizations of Asia and pacific region.
The ABU has over 250 members in over 70 countries on four continents.
The headquarters of ABU: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
3. Udaipur to host first G20 Sherpa Meeting in India from 4 to 7 December
Tags: place in news Summits
Udaipur city in Rajasthan will host the first G-20 Sherpa Meeting in India from 4 to 7 December 2022. The Sherpa’s are the personal emissaries of the leaders of the members of the G-20 group. The G-20 Sherpa meeting will be presided by the Indian Sherpa Amitabh Kant.
India will formally assume the presidency of the G-20 on 1 December 2022. India as a host nation will set the agenda of the G-20 summit meeting to be held in September 2023 in New Delhi.
Before the summit meeting of the top leaders of the G-20 countries a number of meetings are held to prepare the agenda for the leaders.
The Sherpa’s oversee negotiations over the course of the year, discussing agenda items for the Summit and coordinating the substantive work of the G20.
Group of 20 or G-20 is a multilateral organisation of 19 countries and the European Union was set up in 1999.India has been a member of the G20 since its inception in 1999. India will be holding the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2022 and will convene the G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2023 for the first time.
Udaipur
It was founded in 1559 by Udai Singh II of the Sisodia clan of Rajput’s.
It is popularly known as the "City of Lakes". It has seven lakes surrounding the city. The 7 lakes of Udaipur are; Fateh Sagar Lake. Lake Pichola.Udaisagar Lake. Jaisamand Lake (Dhebar Lake), Rajsamand Lake.Badi Lake (Jiyan Sagar), Doodh Talai (Milk Pond), Swaroop Sagar Lake (Khumaria Talab).
4. India's proposal for enhance protection to Leith's softshell turtle adopted at wildlife summit in Panama
Tags: Environment Summits
India's proposal for enhancing protection status to Leith's softshell turtle has been adopted at the ongoing world wildlife conference in Panama, the Union Environment Ministry said on 24 November.
Important facts
India has strengthened protection to Leith’s Soft-shelled Turtle under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Leith's soft-shelled turtle is a large freshwater soft-shelled turtle that is endemic to peninsular India and is found in rivers and reservoirs.
It has been illegally hunted and consumed within India.
It has also been illegally traded abroad for the meat and its calypso.
The population of this turtle species has been estimated to have declined by 90% over the past 30 years, making the species difficult to find.
It is classified as 'critically endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The species is listed in Schedule IV of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, which protects it from hunting as well as its trade.
Placing the listing of this turtle species on CITES Appendix I will ensure that legal international trade in these species does not occur for commercial purposes.
The 19th meeting of the COP for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) is being held in Panama from 14 to 25 November 2022.
5. India expresses commitment to peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region
Tags: Summits International News
India participated in the 22nd Council of Ministers's meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) held at Dhaka in Bangladesh on 23 November, 2022.
Important facts
India voiced its strong commitment to the strengthening of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to promote peace, security and prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region and in the Indo-Pacific.
The Indian delegation was led by Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh.
He also highlighted India's contribution as coordinator of IORA priority areas of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and science, technology and innovation for capacity building and strengthening of IORA Secretariat.
On the challenges posed by climate change, the Minister highlighted the initiatives of LiFE - Lifestyle for Environment and International Year of Millet in 2023.
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
It is an international organisation consisting of coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean.
It has been formed with the aim of increasing cooperation among the countries of the Indian Ocean Region and making joint efforts for sustainable development.
It includes 21 countries along the coast of the Indian Ocean including India and 7 dialogue partners.
These 21 countries include India, Australia, Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Singapore, Mauritius, Madagascar, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Seychelles, Somalia, Comoros and Oman.
It was formed in 1997 and its secretariat is in Mauritius.
6. 9th India-EU Foreign Policy Security Consultations held in New Delhi
Tags: Summits
The 9th India-EU Foreign Policy Security Consultations were held in New Delhi on 22 November, 2022.
Important facts
Both sides discussed the functioning of various institutional mechanisms between India and the EU including cyber security, counter terrorism and maritime security.
The consultations were co-chaired by Secretary (West), MEA, Sanjay Verma, and Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs, European External Action Service, Enrique Mora.
Both sides expressed satisfaction at the growing intensity and political momentum in India-EU relations.
They took stock of key bilateral developments including the India-EU Trade and Technology Council announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in April this year.
They also welcomed the progress in negotiations on the India-EU Trade and Investment Agreement in line with the decision taken during the Leaders' meeting in May last year.
They agreed on the need for greater ambition in the implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership.
The two sides also reviewed the functioning of various institutional mechanisms between India and the EU, including on cyber security, counter-terrorism and maritime security.
7. Fourth edition of Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue started in New Delhi
Tags: Summits
The fourth edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) was begun on November 23, 2022 in New Delhi. This dialogue will continue till 25 November.
Important facts
IPRD is an apex level international annual conference of the Indian Navy.
The National Maritime Foundation is the knowledge partner of the Navy and the main organiser of each edition of the event.
The theme of IPRD-2022 is the 'Operationalising the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative'.
The theme was articulated by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in Bangkok, at the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS) on 4 November 2019.
Six professional sessions will be organised in this three-day event.
As part of the event, globally renowned speakers and eminent panellists will explore how the areas of maritime cooperation can be operationalized optimally and inclusively.
In addition, there will be Margdarshan sessions which will include addresses by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav.
Subject of the Dialogue
Maritime Security, Maritime Ecology, Maritime Resources, Disaster Risk-reduction and Management, Trade-Connectivity and Maritime Transport, Capacity-building and Resource sharing, and Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation.
Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue
The first two editions of IPRD were held in New Delhi in 2018 and 2019 respectively, however, IPRD 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The third edition of IPRD was conducted in online mode in 2021.
Each edition of the IPRD aims to review the opportunities and challenges arising within the Indo-Pacific.
8. Change in rules for Shisham based items by CITES to benefit Indian exporters
Tags: Environment Summits
In a major relief to the handicraft exporter from India the 19th Conference of Parties (CoP 19) to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora (CITES) has agreed that any numbers of Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo, North Indian rosewood) timber-based items can be exported as a single consignment in a shipment without CITES permits if the weight of each individual item of this consignment is less than 10 kg.
The 19th meeting of the Conference of Parties to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and flora (CITES) is being held in Panama City, Panama from 14th to 25th of November 2022.
Earlier every consignment of furniture or handicrafts weighing above 10 Kg required CITES permission which badly affected Shisham exports from India. This change in rule is expected to boost export of furniture or handicrafts made of Shisham from India and will benefit 50,000 artisans who work on it.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was set up in 1973 to help protect wild flora and fauna from extinction by requiring government permits for international trade in threatened wildlife and wildlife products.
At present 184 countries are its members.
The first meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was held in Berne, Switzerland in 1976.
The 18th meeting was held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2019.
9. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh co chair the first India ASEAN defence ministers meeting in Cambodia
Tags: place in news Defence Summits
Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Cambodia on 21 November 2022 to participate in the to co-chair the first India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and attend the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus).This year, India and Cambodia are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties.
On 22 November he along with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia General TEA Banh co-chaired the first India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting to commemorate the 30 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations. Also the year 2022 is being celebrated as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year to commemorate the 30 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.
He will also attend the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) to be held on 23 November 2022.
Cambodia is the current chairman of the ASEAN (Association of South East Nation) and all ASEAN related summits and conferences are being hosted by it. Both the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) and India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting will be held at Siem Reap, Cambodia. Siam Reap is the second largest city of Cambodia after its capital Phnom Penh.
Angkor Wat
Siem Reap province of Cambodia is home to Angkor Wat. It is a world heritage site and is the world's largest religious structure, covering some 400 acres. It is dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is helping in the preservation of the Temple.
ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus)
The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States (collectively referred to as the "Plus Countries"), to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.
The first ADMM-Plus was convened in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, on 12 October 2010.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
It is an association of 10 countries of SouthEast Asia. They are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The headquarters of ASEAN: Jakarta, Indonesia.
10. Government to hold the 25th National e-Governance Conference in Jammu
Tags: place in news National Summits
The 25th National e-Governance conference will be held at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University at Kakryal in Katra town of Reasi district in Jammu region on 25 and 26 November 2022. The 24th National e-Governance conference 2021 was held on 7 &8th January 2021 at Hyderabad, Telangana.
The conference will be inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Minister of State of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Government of India.
26th November is celebrated as the Constitution Day in the country to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. As part of the celebrations Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh will administer reading of the Preamble to the Constitution with all participants on 26th November 2022.
Who is organising the Conference
The Department of Administrative Reforms· & Public Grievances (DARPG) and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), in association with the Union Territory Government of Jammu and Kashmir is organizing the conference.
Nearly 2000 officers from across the country are likely to attend the two-day long conference.
Theme of the Conference
The theme of the 25th National e-Governance conference is “Bringing Citizens, Industry and Government Closer”.
The application and use of Information technology and communication (ICT) in governance is known as e-governance. It is makes governance transparent and efficient. Some of the examples of e-governance are Digital India, Aadhaar, and National Portal of India etc.
