International Relations - Current Affairs for December, 2015

India and Jordan will be promoting cooperation in information technology and electronics under a pact signed in October. MoU focuses on development and strengthening of industrial, technological and commercial cooperation between the two nations. A working group in IT&E will be formed to facilitate this.

Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved the renewal of an MoU between India and Canada for cooperation in Higher Education. MoU will intensify partnership between India and Canada in the field of higher education. MoU between India and Canada concerning cooperation in higher education was signed in June 2010.

Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has provided approval for signing of an MoU between Ministry of Urban Development and New York’s Bloomberg Philanthropies for supporting the development of smart cities. Proposal entails Bloomberg Philanthropies to work as a Knowledge Partner and support the carrying out of the Cities Challenge under the Smart Cities Mission. The Smart Cities Mission was launched on 25th June 2015. This mission seeks to facilitate creation of urban infrastructure and improving urban life quality.

Union Cabinet has approved the signing of an MoU between SINTEF Norway and CPWD for cooperation in developing human resource capacity building and scientific research in the field of construction and demolition waste in India. Construction industry generates close to 10-12 million tonnes of waste each year and while some items are currently recycled. 50% of C&D waste is not recycled in India currently.

Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the protocol to amend the convention between India and Slovenia for avoidance of DT and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income. CCEA also gave approval for the signing and ratification of an agreement for exchange of information with India and Maldives regarding taxes.

PM Narendra Modi on 25th December 2015 inaugurated the parliament building in Kabul built by India. Parliament building started in 2009 and reached completion deadline in ensuing years. PM Narendra Modi visited Lahore on a surprise trip to India’s neighbouring country as well.

Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has given ex post facto approval of MoU signed between India and BRICS for initiating energy savings and energy efficiency cooperation for mutual benefits. Approval for the same was given on 16th December 2015. MoU covers the following fields:

- Joint scientific and technological research,
- Conferencing and holding of lectures and seminars;
- Capacity building and technology transfer;
- Technology development, sharing policies and best practices;
- Encouragement of use of energy efficient and energy saving approaches

The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi has provided approval for an MoU between India and Spain on cooperation in port matters. Signing of this agreement will help in the development of ports and maritime traffic as well as faculty and students from maritime establishments apart from JVs in areas like green port initiative, maintenance dredging in riverine ports, port engineering and more.

Leaders from Afghanistan, India and Pakistan have joined Turkmenistan in breaking ground over the new TAPI pipeline which is 1080 miles long and intended to carry gas through Afghan cities of Herat and Kandahar and end up in India Pakistan border town Fazilka. Turkmenistan has the world’s 4th largest gas reserves yet exports mainly to China.

India and Japan signed a partnership agreement in the rail sector for improving research and design and safety in the Indian railways. India and Japan also announced numerous military and strategic agreements and understandings. Japan has now entered into the US India Malabar bilateral maritime exercises turning it to a trilateral initiative. India and Japan exchanged a total of 16 bilateral documents including a civil nuclear energy cooperation agreement. Both sides also issued Joint Statement on India and Japan Vision 2025: Special Strategic and Global Partnership Working Together for Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region and the World.

India and Pakistan on 9th December 2015 agreed to replace 8-pointer Composite Dialogue Process (CDP) with 10-point programme of Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue (CBD). Issues covered under CBD include Siachen, Sir Creek, J&K and peace and confidence building measures.

2016 is being celebrated as the year of education and research between India and the UK. The importance of mobility of students and faculty has been expressed under the GIAN program whereby more UK academics will be able to visit India. The mutual research areas to be picked could be one of the top 10 priority areas under IMPRINT (Impacting Research Innovation and Technology).

INDRA NAVY is a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian and Russian navies and epitomises the strategic relationship between the two and was Initiated in 2003. 8th edition of INDRA Navy will be launched from 7th to 12th December in the Bay of Nebgal. During INDRA NAVY-15, the Indian Navy will be represented by INS Sahyadri an indigenous frigate, INS Ranvijay, a guided missile destroyer and INS Shakti a Fleet Support Ship. In addition, a submarine, INS Sindhuvir, the P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Dornier Short Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer and other integral rotary wing helicopters are scheduled to participate in the bilateral exercise.The Russian Federation Navy (RFN) will be represented by VADM RYABUKHIN ANDREY Deputy Commander of the Pacific Fleet and ships from the Pacific Fleet, based at Vladivostok. RFN ships Varyag (cruiser), Bystry (destroyer), Alatau (rescue ocean going tug) and Boris Butoma (fleet tanker) will also take part. There will be two phases namely Harbour and Sea Phase.