1. India, Netherlands hold first Ministerial-level meeting of Joint Working Group
Tags: International Relations International News
The 1st Ministerial-level meeting of the Joint Working Group between India and the Netherlands was held on 3 April in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The meeting was held in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, Government of the Netherlands, Mark Harbours.
The 'Strategic Water Partnership' was launched during a virtual meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and the Netherlands in April 2021.
The partnership provides the necessary impetus to expand bilateral water cooperation.
The Netherlands is associated with various states and municipalities, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, in various water resources projects.
River-city alliance between the two countries for river-sensitive cities and technologically driven nature-based solutions for river rejuvenation.
India-Netherlands Relations
India and the Netherlands enjoy long-standing warm and friendly relations based on shared values of democracy, rule of law, human rights and historical bonds of friendship.
Both countries share common ideals of democracy, pluralism and rule of law.
Bilateral relations have been marked by strong economic and commercial ties.
The Netherlands signed the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and became the 64th signatory member country.
There are over 200 Indian companies operating in the Netherlands.
The total bilateral trade stood at US$ 6.28 billion in the financial year 2018-2019.
The Netherlands was India's fourth largest trading partner in the European Union after Britain, Germany and Belgium.
About Netherlands
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country located in northwestern Europe.
Monarch: King Willem-Alexander
Prime Minister: Mark Rutte
Capital: Amsterdam
Currency: euro
2. India, Netherlands hold first Ministerial-level meeting of Joint Working Group
Tags: International Relations International News
The 1st Ministerial-level meeting of the Joint Working Group between India and the Netherlands was held on 3 April in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The meeting was held in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, Government of the Netherlands, Mark Harbours.
The 'Strategic Water Partnership' was launched during a virtual meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and the Netherlands in April 2021.
The partnership provides the necessary impetus to expand bilateral water cooperation.
The Netherlands is associated with various states and municipalities, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, in various water resources projects.
River-city alliance between the two countries for river-sensitive cities and technologically driven nature-based solutions for river rejuvenation.
India-Netherlands Relations
India and the Netherlands enjoy long-standing warm and friendly relations based on shared values of democracy, rule of law, human rights and historical bonds of friendship.
Both countries share common ideals of democracy, pluralism and rule of law.
Bilateral relations have been marked by strong economic and commercial ties.
The Netherlands signed the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and became the 64th signatory member country.
There are over 200 Indian companies operating in the Netherlands.
The total bilateral trade stood at US$ 6.28 billion in the financial year 2018-2019.
The Netherlands was India's fourth largest trading partner in the European Union after Britain, Germany and Belgium.
About Netherlands
The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country located in northwestern Europe.
Monarch: King Willem-Alexander
Prime Minister: Mark Rutte
Capital: Amsterdam
Currency: euro
3. 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
Tags: Summits National News
The Prime MInister, Narendra Modi on 4 April addressed the 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2023 via a video message.
An overview of the news
He called upon the world for an integrated approach to deal with the impact of disasters.
The PM pointed out that in a few years, more than 40 countries have become part of the CDRI.
The summit is becoming an important forum for both advanced economies and developing economies, large and small countries.
CDRI's theme for this year's conference is 'Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure'.
Last year, the Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced and this 50 million-dollar fund has generated immense interest among developing countries.
About Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
India officially launched the CDRI on 23 September 2019 at the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York.
It is an international coalition of countries, United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector and academic institutions.
Its aim is to promote disaster-resilient infrastructure.
Headquarters: New Delhi, India (Interim Secretariat)
Founder countries - India, Australia, Bhutan, Fiji, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. (13 countries).
4. Bandipur completes 50 years as a Project Tiger Reserve
Tags: Environment National News
Bandipur completed 50 years as a Project Tiger Reserve 1 April 2023.
About Bandipur Tiger Reserve
This reserve is located in the state of Karnataka and is spread over an area of 912.04 sq km.
It is located in two districts of Karnataka, Mysore and Chamarajanagar.
It is considered one of the world's premier tiger habitats and is an important component of the country's first biosphere reserve - the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
It was launched by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1973 with the aim of arresting the decline in the tiger population.
Bandipur was one of the first nine sanctuaries to be brought under the flagship program of Project Tiger in 1973.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve is surrounded by-
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the North West (Kabini Reservoir separates the two).
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the South.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the South West.
Project Tiger
Project Tiger was started by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the year 1973.
Under this program, central assistance is provided to the states having tiger populations for conservation of tigers.
The initial reserves covered under Project Tiger were Jim Corbett, Manas, Ranthambore, Simlipal, Bandipur, Palamu, Sundarbans, Melghata and Kanha National Parks.
At the time of the launch of Project Tiger in the year 1973, there were only 9 Tiger Reserves in the country, at present the total number of Tiger Reserves in the country has increased to 54.
Other Tiger Reserves in Karnataka
Bhadra Tiger Reserve
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve
5. India and Romania sign agreement for 'Practical Cooperation between Armed Forces'
Tags: International News
India and Romania signed a defence agreement during a meeting between Romania's Deputy Defense Minister Simona Cojocaru and India's Defense Secretary Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi.
An Overview of the News
This agreement is the first defence cooperation agreement between the two countries and is a practical cooperation between the armed forces of India and Romania.
The defence pact represents the basis for the establishment and expansion of military relations between the two countries. It will provide more opportunities to work together in various fields such as military education, training, cyber defence, military medicine, military history and other areas that can benefit both the countries.
Representatives from the Romanian Institute for Political Studies of Defense and Military History are part of the delegation accompanying Cojocaru, and they are set to collaborate with the Indian Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses.
Romania and India have worked together in multinational environments such as UN missions, and both countries are making important contributions to enhancing stability and strengthening peace and security in regions marked by the horrors of war.
About Romania
It is located in southeastern Europe, bordering Hungary, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, and the Black Sea.
Its rich history includes influences from the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire and the Soviet Union. It gained independence in 1877 and became a republic in 1947 after World War II.
Most Romanians are Orthodox Christians, but there are also populations of Catholics, Protestants and Muslims.
The economy is mixed with manufacturing, agriculture and services as its main industries.
President - Klaus Iohannis
Capital - Bucharest
Official languages - Romanian, Romanian Sign Language
Government - republic, unitary state, parliamentary republic, semi-presidential system
Continent - Europe
Currency - Romanian leu
6. OPEC members announce cut in oil production exceeding one million barrels per day from next month
Tags: International News
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On April 2, Saudi Arabia and other OPEC Plus members announced that they would further reduce oil production amounting to around 1.16 million barrels per day.
An overview of the news
The move is aimed at bringing stability to the market.
The announcement was made at a virtual meeting of the OPEC Plus ministerial panel.
The unexpected cuts announced by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Algeria and Oman will begin in May and last until the end of the year.
This would be the biggest reduction since oil producers cut two million barrels per day in October 2022.
The move follows a drop in oil prices last month (down to $70 a barrel) and concerns that the global banking crisis could hit demand.
Production cuts announced by OPEC Plus members, as per their official statements-
Russia - 500,000 bpd
Saudi Arabia -500,000 bpd
UAE - 144,000 bpd
Kuwait - 128,000 bpd
Kazakhstan - 78,000 bpd
Algeria - 48,000 bpd
Oman - 40,000 bpd
About OPEC
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental organisation that was established in 1960 at the Baghdad Conference by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
The purpose of this organisation is to coordinate and integrate the petroleum policies of its member countries and to ensure the stabilisation of oil markets to ensure efficient, economic and regular supply of petroleum to the consumer.
Headquarters - Vienna (Austria).
Member Countries (15)- Algeria, Angola, Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, IR Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela.
OPEC plus
It is a coalition of OPEC members and the world's 10 major non-OPEC oil exporting countries.
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and Sudan.
7. India, Malaysia can now trade in Indian rupee
Tags: Economy/Finance International News
The Ministry of External Affairs announced on 1 April that India and Malaysia have agreed to settle trade in the Indian rupee.
An overview of the news
In July 2022, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed settlement of international trade in Indian currency.
This step has been taken only after this decision of the RBI.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs,trade between India and Malaysia can now be settled in Indian Rupee (INR) in addition to the existing methods of settlement in other currencies.
The RBI initiative is aimed at facilitating trade growth and supporting the interests of the global trading community in the Indian Rupee.
Kuala Lumpur-based India International Bank of Malaysia (IIBM) has introduced this system in India by opening a special Rupee Vostro account through Union Bank of India.
Vostro accounts are used to make payments in domestic currency.
What is a Vostro Account?
Vostro is a Latin word meaning "your", hence, Vostro Account means "your account".
Vostro account is defined as an account maintained by a correspondent bank on behalf of another bank.
For example HSBC's Vostro account is being handled by SBI in India.
A Vostro account is established to enable a foreign correspondent bank to act as an agent or provide services as an intermediary for a domestic bank.
About Malaysia
Prime Minister - Anwar Ibrahim
Capital - Kuala Lumpur
Currency - Malaysian ringgit
Official Language - Malay
Official Religion - Islam
8. PM Modi invited to France for Bastille Day parade
Tags: International News
France has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Paris as a guest at the annual Bastille Day parade in July.
About Bastille Day Parade
The National Day of France, also known as Bastille Day, is celebrated every year on 14 July.
Known in French as La Fête Nationale or Le 14 Juillet, the day is celebrated with fireworks and parades.
This day is considered as one of the most important days in the history of France.
It marks the fall of the Bastille, a military fortress and political prison, which was then considered a symbol of the monarchy and the Armory.
About Bastille Day Parade
The Bastille Day military parade is a French military parade held on the morning of 14 July each year in Paris since 1880.
It is one of the oldest regular military parades in the world.
The fall of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 is widely regarded as the beginning of the French Revolution.
The Bastille was a fortress prison located in the heart of Paris, which became a symbol of royal tyranny and oppression.
9. MOIL Limited records 2nd highest Production since inception in FY’23
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
MOIL Limited has registered its second highest production since inception with production of 13.02 lakh tonnes of manganese (Mn) ore in the financial year 2022-23, registering a growth of 6% over the previous year.
An overview of the news
The company has also achieved a capital expenditure of Rs 245 crore in FY23, which is 14% higher than FY2021-22.
MOIL has achieved the best ever exploratory core drilling of 41,762 meters in FY23, which is 2.7 times the average exploration achieved in the last 5 years.
The sales turnover of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) reached a new high, more than 2 times that of the previous year.
EMD is a 100% import substitution product, mostly used for manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and batteries.
About MOIL
MOIL is a Schedule “A” Miniratna Category-I Company under the Union Ministry of Steel.
It was originally incorporated as Manganese Ore (India) Limited in 1962 and its name was changed to MOIL Limited during 2010-11.
The company operates 11 manganese ore mines in India. It has 7 mines located in the Nagpur and Bhandara districts of Maharashtra and four in the Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh.
At present the Government of India owns 53.35% shares in the company, Government of Maharashtra (5.96%), Government of Madhya Pradesh (5.38%) and Public (35.31%).
Headquarter: Nagpur, Maharashtra
CMD MOIL Limited : Ajit Kumar Saxena
10. PM Modi inaugurated CBI’s diamond jubilee celebrations
Tags: National National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 3rd April at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
An overview of the news
A investiture ceremony was also held for the recipients of the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Gold Medal for Best Investigating Officers of the CBI.
During the ceremony, PM Modi presented medals to all the awardees.
The PM also inaugurated the newly constructed office complexes of the CBI in Shillong, Pune and Nagpur.
He released a postage stamp and a commemorative coin marking the diamond jubilee celebration year of the CBI.
He also launched the agency’s Twitter handle.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was set up in 1963 by a resolution of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It is the premier investigating police agency in India.
It is not a statutory body but it is empowered to investigate under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee (1962–1964).
Headquarter - New Delhi
It works under the Ministry of Personnel, Pension & Public Grievances, Government of India.
The Ministry comes under the direct purview of the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Motto of CBI is - Industry, Impartiality, Integrity.
The CBI is headed by a Director, who is responsible for the overall management and functioning of the agency.
Director General - Subodh Kumar Jaiswal
