1. Ministry of External Affairs announced that the first IIT campus outside India will be set up in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Tags: International News
An MoU for setting up a campus of IIT Madras in Zanzibar was signed in the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwini.
An Overview of the News
The decision to set up the IIT campus in Zanzibar reflects the long-standing friendship between India and Tanzania and emphasizes India's focus on building people-to-people ties across Africa and the Global South.
India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 recommends encouraging high-performing Indian universities to set up campuses in other countries, and this initiative is in line with that recommendation.
During his four-day official visit to Tanzania, Dr. Jaishankar will participate in high-level talks, co-chair the 10th Joint Commission Meeting, visit an India-funded water supply project, and inaugurate the India-Tanzania Business Meeting.
During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar will participate in high-level talks, co-chair the 10th Joint Commission Meeting, visit an India-funded water supply project, meet top leadership and inaugurate the India-Tanzania Business Meeting .
Dr Jaishankar will also meet members of India's Parliamentary Friendship Group, address the Indian diaspora and inaugurate a statue of Swami Vivekananda in Dar es Salaam.
About Tanzania
It is an East African country.
Serengeti National Park is a popular safari destination in Tanzania.
Kilimanjaro National Park is located in Tanzania.
Zanzibar is a tropical island off the coast of Tanzania.
Mafia is another tropical island in Tanzania.
Capital - Dodoma
Currency - Tanzanian Shilling
Official languages - Swahili, English
President - Samia Suluhu Hasan
Vice President - Philip Mpango
Prime Minister - Kassim Majaliwa
Speaker - Tulia Axon
Chief Justice - Ibrahim Hamis Zuma
2. DGCA Signs MoU with European Union Aviation Safety Agency for Unmanned Aircraft Systems & Innovative Air Mobility
Tags: International News
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have signed an MoU for collaboration in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Innovative Air Mobility.
An Overview of the News
Focus of the MoU:
The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between DGCA and EASA in the field of unmanned aircraft systems and innovative air mobility.
Areas of Collaboration:
Development of certification standards and environmental standards for UAS and innovative air mobility operations.
Licensing of personnel, training, air traffic management, and infrastructure.
Establishment of Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) standards and services.
Harmonized Standards and Accelerated Growth:
The collaboration between DGCA and EASA is expected to result in harmonized standards for UAS and contribute to the accelerated growth of the Indian unmanned aviation sector.
Previous Letter of Intent:
Prior to the MoU, DGCA had signed a letter of intent (LoI) with EASA during the EU-India Aviation Summit in April 2023, expressing their intention to collaborate on UAS and innovative air mobility.
3. Member countries of the SCO should collaborate to fully capitalize on the potential of the Chabahar Port: PM Modi
Tags: International Relations Defence International News
The Prime Minister has suggested that the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) should collaborate to fully capitalise on the potential of the Chabahar Port, especially with Iran's recent accession to this major regional organisation.
An Overview of the News
During a virtual summit hosted by India, Iran was formally inducted as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The induction took place within the influential SCO, with the virtual summit serving as the forum for this announcement.
Chabahar Port:
Location and Access: The Chabahar Port is located in Iran's Sistan-Balochistan province, at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.
It provides direct access to the Indian Ocean and is situated outside the Hormuz Strait.
Importance and Potential: As Iran's only seaport, the Chabahar Port has the potential to become a significant commercial hub in the region.
Its strategic proximity to countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, along with its role in the International North-South Transport Corridor, contributes to its importance.
Chabahar Project:
Tripartite Agreement: In May 2016, India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a tripartite agreement to develop the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar.
This marked India's first foreign port project.
Objectives: The agreement aimed to establish an International Transport and Transit Corridor at Chabahar.
Key highlights of the project include the construction of the Chabahar Port and a rail line connecting it to Zahedan.
Bypassing Pakistan: The Chabahar Port provides India with an alternative route to access Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
This offers increased trade and connectivity opportunities.
International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC):
Description: The INSTC is a multimodal transportation route that connects the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea.
It further extends to northern Europe through St. Petersburg, Russia.
Components: The corridor encompasses seaports in the Persian Gulf and the Caspian region, as well as road and rail networks.
Objective: The primary aim of the INSTC is to reduce transportation costs and transit time between India and Russia.
Once fully functional, it is expected to significantly decrease transit time by nearly half.
4. Member countries of the SCO should collaborate to fully capitalize on the potential of the Chabahar Port: PM Modi
Tags: International Relations Defence International News
The Prime Minister has suggested that the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) should collaborate to fully capitalise on the potential of the Chabahar Port, especially with Iran's recent accession to this major regional organisation.
An Overview of the News
During a virtual summit hosted by India, Iran was formally inducted as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The induction took place within the influential SCO, with the virtual summit serving as the forum for this announcement.
Chabahar Port:
Location and Access: The Chabahar Port is located in Iran's Sistan-Balochistan province, at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.
It provides direct access to the Indian Ocean and is situated outside the Hormuz Strait.
Importance and Potential: As Iran's only seaport, the Chabahar Port has the potential to become a significant commercial hub in the region.
Its strategic proximity to countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, along with its role in the International North-South Transport Corridor, contributes to its importance.
Chabahar Project:
Tripartite Agreement: In May 2016, India, Iran, and Afghanistan signed a tripartite agreement to develop the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar.
This marked India's first foreign port project.
Objectives: The agreement aimed to establish an International Transport and Transit Corridor at Chabahar.
Key highlights of the project include the construction of the Chabahar Port and a rail line connecting it to Zahedan.
Bypassing Pakistan: The Chabahar Port provides India with an alternative route to access Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
This offers increased trade and connectivity opportunities.
International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC):
Description: The INSTC is a multimodal transportation route that connects the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea.
It further extends to northern Europe through St. Petersburg, Russia.
Components: The corridor encompasses seaports in the Persian Gulf and the Caspian region, as well as road and rail networks.
Objective: The primary aim of the INSTC is to reduce transportation costs and transit time between India and Russia.
Once fully functional, it is expected to significantly decrease transit time by nearly half.
5. India handed over torch of Startup 20 to Brazil
Tags: International News
The Startup 20 Gurugram Summit, organized by the Startup 20 Engagement Group under the India G20 chairmanship, concluded in Gurugram on 4 July 2023.
Important Points:-
- During the closing ceremony, Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, President of Startup20, officially handed over the torch to Brazil as Brazil is to chair the G20 next year.
- The two-day summit served as a platform to foster innovations, collaborations, knowledge sharing and strategic alliances within the global startup ecosystem.
- Underlining the importance of Startup20, Saudi Arabia's Prince Fahd bin Mansour announced an ambitious allocation of $1 trillion per year to the startup ecosystem by 2030.
- Saudi Arabia became the first country to provide support for global startups to reach $1 trillion.
- This initiative of Saudi Arabia will be helpful in strengthening startups for global welfare.
- The Startup20 Gurugram Summit serves as an important platform for the startup ecosystem, ecosystem builders, industry experts, government, policy makers and thought leaders to collaborate and shape the way for startups globally.
Brazil:
- Capital: Brasilia
- President: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
- Currency: Brazilian Real
6. Vietnam's Justice Minister Le Thanh Long's visit to India
Tags: International Relations
On July 2, 2023, a bilateral meeting between Union Minister of State for Law and Justice (Independent Charge) Arjun Ram Meghwal and Vietnam's Justice Minister Le Thanh Long was held in New Delhi.
An Overview of the news: -
- The meeting was also attended by a delegation from both sides, which included senior officials from the respective Ministries.
- Bilateral meeting between Minister of State for Law and Justice India and Vietnam
Opportunities for cooperation between the two countries:
- The Union Law Minister recalled the close friendly relations that the two countries have developed over the last more than 50 years.
- Appreciated Vietnam for being a key partner of India's 'Act East Policy'.
- Both sides used the occasion to discuss measures for cooperation in various fields of law and justice.
- This will take bilateral relations to new heights commensurate with the status of a Comprehensive Strategic Partner.
- The meeting proved fruitful in efforts towards the possibility of signing an MoU to promote cooperation between the two countries in the field of law and justice.
- The two sides have also agreed to hold consultations at the official level to take forward discussions on wide-ranging areas of cooperation in the field of law and justice, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.
Vietnam:
- It is located in the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula of Southeast Asia.
- It is bordered by the South China Sea to the east, China to the north, Laos to the northwest and Cambodia to the southwest.
- Capital: Hanoi
- Prime Minister: Pham Minh Chinh
- Currency: Vietnamese dong
7. India-UK 'Electric Propulsion Technology Workshop' held in New Delhi
Tags: International Relations
India-UK 'Electric Propulsion Technology Workshop' was organized in New Delhi on 03 July 2023.
An Overview of the news:
- It aims to collaborate, exchange knowledge and explore exciting possibilities in the field of electric propulsion.
- The workshop was co-chaired by Rajiv Prakash, Joint Secretary (Naval Systems) from the Indian side and Commodore John Voyce, Naval Base Commander, Portsmouth, from the UK side.
- The workshop served as an important platform for experts, researchers and industry professionals from both the countries to come together, share their knowledge and engage in meaningful discussions on the development of electric propulsion in ships.
- The interactions and discussions that took place in this provided a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter and paved the way for collaboration and exchange of ideas.
- During the workshop, both the countries expressed their commitment to establish stronger defense ties, conduct joint research, transfer technology and explore avenues for strategic partnership.
About United Kingdom:
- It is an island nation located in northwestern Europe. It consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- Capital - London
- Prime Minister - Rishi Sunak
- Emperor - Charles III
8. New Zealand becomes the first country to ban plastic product bags
Tags: International News
New Zealand has become the first country to ban plastic produce bags in supermarkets.
An Overview of the News
New Zealand has banned the thin plastic bags commonly used in supermarkets for the collection of fruit and vegetables.
Plastic straws and silverware are also included in the ban as part of the government's campaign against single-use plastics.
The ban bans the manufacture, sale and distribution of single-use plastic product bags, plastic plates, bowls and cutlery.
Some establishments, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitality venues and health and disability services, are exempt and can still sell and provide plastic straws to people with disabilities.
Since the 2019 ban on take-home plastic bags, customers in New Zealand have been using reusable tote bags for their shopping.
About New Zealand
Capital - Wellington
Emperor - Charles III
Governor General - Cindy Kiro
Prime Minister - Chris Hipkins
Currency - New Zealand Dollar
9. Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated International Hostel - Madhumaas at IARI
Tags: National News
Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurated an International Hostel named “Madhumaas” at ICAR-IARI.
An Overview of the News
The inauguration ceremony was held on 3rd July on Guru Purnima and was attended by Union Minister of State Kailash Choudhary and Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General and Secretary, DARE.
The government is supporting the creation of student-centric hostels with high-quality facilities and international standards due to the Institute's international education and growing student enrollment.
About "Madhumaas" International Hostel
It can accommodate 504 students and offers facilities like single bedded rooms, rooms with attached bathroom and kitchen and family apartments.
The hostel complex has a food court, gymnasium, restaurant, solar power system, rain water harvesting system, generator-based power backup, Wi-Fi network and R.O facilities.
Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)
It is also known as Pusa Institute, is India's national institute for agricultural research, education and extension.
The institute was initially located in Pusa, Bihar as the Imperial Institute of Agricultural Research in 1911 and in 1936 the institute was shifted to Delhi.
The present institute in Delhi is funded and administered by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
IARI has been recognized for its excellence and has secured the first position among agricultural and allied universities in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) for 2023.
Formation - 1 April 1905
Director - Ashok Kumar Singh
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
It is an autonomous body responsible for the coordination of agricultural education and research in India.
ICAR reports to the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, which is part of the Ministry of Agriculture.
ICAR is headed by the Union Agriculture Minister.
ICAR is the largest network of agricultural research and education institutes globally.
Establishment - 16 July 1929
Director - Himanshu Pathak
10. NADA India signs MoU with SARADO in New Delhi
Tags: International News
National Anti-Doping Agency, India (NADA India) signed a MoU with South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SARADO) on 3rd July 2023 in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
Ritu Sain, Director General and CEO, NADA India and Mohammad Mahid Sharif, Director General, SARADO signed the MoU on behalf of their organisations.
It includes the anti-doping organisations of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
Objectives of MoU
It aimsto enhance regional cooperation in the field of anti-doping in sports.
It focuses on a variety of areas including anti-doping education and prevention programs.
To train and skill sample collection personnel and anti-doping education officers.
To organise courses, seminars, workshops, research and exchange tours on anti-doping education.
To facilitate exchange of experts and education officials in anti-doping education.
The MoU supports anti-doping education activities and the production of literature.
About NADA
It was established on 24 November 2005 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act 1860 in India.
Its headquarteris inNew Delhi, India.
Its main objective is to ensure dope-free sports in India by operating in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.
NADA enforces anti-doping rules and regulations in India by following the WADA Code, which sets international standards for anti-doping in sports.
NADA regulates and administers the dope control program in India. The program involves random and targeted drug testing of athletes to detect and prevent the use of banned substances in sports.
