International Relations - Current Affairs for November, 2017

Russia has agreed to assist India to set up National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) in the country to handle disaster and other emergency situations. This was agreed during a meeting between Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Russian Minister for Emergency Situations Vladimir Puchkov in Moscow. Both sides agreed that EMERCOM of Russia would cooperate with India in the establishment of the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) in India. India also reviewed the progress made on the agreement on disaster management signed in 2010. The countries also agreed on a programme of training of specialists and sharing of each other's experiences as well as best practices in the field of Disaster Management. The two leaders later signed a joint implementation plan for 2018-19 for cooperation in disaster management. They also reviewed the implementation of the agreement on information security signed in October 2016. Both sides also welcomed the ongoing cooperation and the regular exchange of visits between the two National Security Councils.

India and Russia have signed comprehensive anti-terror pact agreement for enhancing bilateral cooperation in tackling all forms of terrorism and countering threat posed by narcotics. The agreement was signed by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Russia's Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev in Moscow after they held wide-ranging talks. The ministers underlined that cooperation in the field of security is an important aspect of this bilateral relationship further strengthen cooperation to combat terrorism, extremism and radicalism. The new agreement between India's MHA and Russia's interior ministry will replace the October 1993 agreement between both the countries. This agreement will help in expanding and deepening cooperation on issues related to internal security. The Indian embassy statement said the two leaders agreed to cooperate in combating new challenges, enhance exchange of information, cooperate in building a data base and in training of police and investigative agencies. Indian and Russian representatives also signed the joint action plan for countering the threat posed by narcotics and the agreement will provide legal framework for bilateral cooperation in this field. The agreement on internal security is an updated and more comprehensive agreement on cooperation on security between the MHA and the Russian ministry of interior. This pact provides a comprehensive approach for help in security related issues, including information technology crimes, counterfeiting currency, illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, trafficking in human beings, economic crimes, crimes related to intellectual property, cultural property.

Djibouti, where China has opened its first overseas military base, on 23rd Nov agreed to establish strategic partnership to strengthen all-round cooperation with Beijing. The announcement came as Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing. Mr. Guelleh is the first head of state of an African country to visit the country since the ruling Communist Party of China's (CPC's) Congress in October endorsed a second five-year term for Mr. Xi. China is willing to work with Djibouti to speed up the implementation of the results of the Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), jointly forge ahead with Belt and Road construction and fully strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields. China welcomes Djibouti to participate in the Belt and Road construction and is ready to advance cooperation on infrastructure projects including railways, ports, water supply, liquefied natural gas pipeline, as well as building of a free trade area and cooperation in agriculture.

The Union Cabinet has approved signing an Agreement on Cooperation between India and Russia in field of combating all forms of terrorism and organized crime. The agreement is proposed to be signed during upcoming visit of Indian Delegation led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Russia in November, 2017. The proposed Agreement, which will replace previous agreement, signed in October 1993. It is considered as step towards consolidating benefits accrued in field of security and seeks to jointly fight new and evolving risks and threats. The Agreement will reinforce relationship between India and Russia through exchange and sharing of information, expertise, best practices and will help in curbing terrorism and enhancing, security in region.

The government on 22nd Nov 2017 approved signing of an agreement between India and the Philippines on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters. The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The agreement will help in the availability of relevant information for prevention and investigation of customs offences. Philippines

• The Philippines is a Southeast Asian country in the Western Pacific, comprising more than 7,000 islands.
• Its capital, Manila, is famous for its waterfront promenade and centuries-old Chinatown, Binondo. Intramuros, a walled city in colonial times, is the heart of Old Manila.
• Currency: Philippine peso

The first India-Myanmar Bilateral Military Exercise 2017 (IMBAX 2017) was held at Joint Warfare Centre at the Umroi Joint Training Node in Meghalaya. It is first of its kind military training exercise between India and Myanmar on United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO). It was conducted by Army’s RED HORNS DIVISION under aegis of GAJRAJ CORPS. The Indo-Myanmar joint Army Exercise is a positive step in the bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations, the statement said. The conduct of such exercises in future will not only enable mutual capacity enhancement, but will assist in building strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Myanmar, it added. Meghalaya: Know More

• Meghalaya is a state in Northeast India. The name means "the abode of clouds" in Sanskrit.
• The population of Meghalaya as of 2016 is estimated to be 3,211,474.
• Meghalaya covers an area of approximately 22,430 square kilometers, with a length to breadth ratio of about 3:1.
• The state is bounded to the south by the Bangladeshi divisions of Mymensingh and Sylhet, to the west by the Bangladeshi division of Rangpur, and to the north and east by India's State of Assam. The capital of Meghalaya is Shillong.
• During the British rule of India, the British imperial authorities nicknamed it the "Scotland of the East".
• Meghalaya was previously part of Assam, but on 21 January 1972, the districts of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia hills became the new state of Meghalaya.
• English is the official language of Meghalaya. The other principal languages spoken include Khasi, Pnar, Hajong, Tiwa (lalung), Rabha, Garo and Biate.

The Union Cabinet has approved signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Poland for Promotion of Civil Aviation Cooperation. The objective of MoU is to recognize mutual benefit of Cooperation in field of Civil Aviation having particular significance in establishing and improving Regional Air Connectivity (RCA) in India. Besides, both sides will recognize mutual benefits of environmental testing and approvals, aircraft maintenance facilities approvals, flight simulators monitoring and approvals, maintenance personnel approvals and aircrew members approvals. The MoU will be for a term of five years.

India on 14th Nov, 2017 signed four agreements, including one to step up cooperation in the defence sector, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to boost bilateral ties. Modi, the first Indian prime minister to visit the Philippines in 36 years, had a very warm and cordial meeting with president Duterte, Secretary East, Ministry of External Affairs. The two countries signed an agreement to boost bilateral cooperation in defence and logistics. The two sides also signed an agreement on enhancing cooperation in agriculture, small and medium enterprises and Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and the Philippines Foreign Service Institute. Duterte expressed interest in acquiring fast offshore patrol vessels and welcomed Indian pharmaceutical companies to invest in his country to make good quality and cheaper drugs. Indian infrastructure companies could explore opportunities in his country. Prime Minister Modi expressed interest in expanding cooperation with the Philippines in the renewable energy sector and welcomed the country to join the Solar Alliance. He also invited its premier to visit India to take part in the 25th anniversary of India-ASEAN relations which will be celebrated next year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Philippines and inaugurated 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory' on 13^th Nov, 2017. He undertook a symbolic ground breaking for a new plot for submergence tolerant rice varieties and unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of the 'Shri Narendra Modi Resilient Rice Field Laboratory'. He also presented two Indian rice seed varieties to the IRRI gene bank. IRRI is a premier research organisation dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice growing environment for future generations. India's ICAR and IRRI have been cooperating for four decades. India is also involved in helping IRRI in strategic planning, helping decide key goals and working to overcome hunger as well as poverty. The PM also reviewed a photo exhibit showcasing flood tolerant rice varieties; drought tolerant rice varieties; salinity tolerant rice varieties; and Irri's work with women farming cooperatives.

APEC Vietnam 2017 is the year-long hosting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Vietnam, which will culminate with the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang to be hosted at InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort. It marks the second time Vietnam was playing host to the APEC, having hosted the event previously in 2006. A Round Table Meeting with the theme, "Stronger Joint Action for Apec's Shared Vision", was held in Hanoi in December 17, 2015 by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss preparation efforts for the 2017 APEC Summit. The People's Committee of Da Nang, the host city of the Economic Leader's Meeting, has approved a project to upgrade major roads in the city. The project will cover 34 streets in the city which is estimated to cost around around US $10.9 million. The Da Nang International Airport is also scheduled to be completed by March 2017.[9] During the 4th National Committee for APEC 2017 in April 13, 2016 in Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh directed ministries and agencies to coordinate with other APEC member states especially Peru and Papua New Guinea, the hosts of the 2016 and This was the first APEC meeting for United States President Donald Trump, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

Giving shape to their security cooperation under the proposed quadrilateral coalition, India, the US, Japan and Australia today held their first official- level talks to keep the Indo-Pacific region free, open and inclusive, a move that comes amid China's growing military presence in the strategic area. Soon after the meeting, all the four countries issued separate statements listing Indo-Pacific as the major area of the their discussions and resolved to work towards upholding a rules-based order and ensuring respect for international law in the region. The meeting comes ahead of the ASEAN summit which is also likely to discuss the security challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region and China's military expansion in the South China Sea. The formation of a quadrilateral security dialogue comprising India, the US, Australia and Japan was first mooted around 10 years back but it did not see light of the day. Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono last month had said that Tokyo favours the quadrilateral dialogue to further boost strategic partnership among the four countries. Reacting to the Japanese move, India had said that it was open to working with like-minded countries on issues that advance its interests. The US had said it was looking at a "working-level" quadrilateral meeting in the near term with India, Japan and Australia. The US and Japan have been pushing for deeper Indian role in the Indo-Pacific region. The use of the term "Indo-Pacific" by Trump has led to speculation that it may have something to do with Washington preparing the ground for a revival of the Quadrilateral alliance between the US, Japan, Australia and India to counter China's rise.

India was re-elected on Friday as a member of the executive board of the UN educational, scientific and cultural organization (UNESCO), an official said. The election was held at the 39th session of the general conference of UNESCO in Paris, he said. "The news is quite significant and indicates the position of India globally. The executive board is the top decision- making body, so it is an important achievement, The general conference consists of the representatives of the states members of the organisation. It meets every two years, and is attended by member states and associate members, together with observers for non-member states, intergovernmental organisations and non- governmental organisations (NGOs), according to the UNESCO. Each country has one vote, irrespective of its size or the extent of its contribution to the budget. The general conference determines the policies and the main lines of work of the organisation. Its duty is to set the programmes and the budget of the UNESCO. It also elects the members of the executive board and appoints, every four years, the director-general.

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh chaired the second meeting of Island Development Agency (IDA). The Island Development Agency reviewed the concept development plans and detailed master plans for holistic development of 09 islands (four in A&N Islands i.e. Smith, Ross, Long, Avis) and (five in Lakshadweep i.e. Minicoy, Bangaram, Thinnakara, Cheriyam, Suheli). The project being steered by NITI Aayog aims at promoting and implementing development based on sustainable approach to building a thriving maritime economy of the project islands. The Union Home Minister expressed satisfaction at the progress made since its last meeting held on July 24, 2017, when directions were given to identify and execute infrastructure and connectivity projects together with provisioning of water and electricity. It was noted that site development potential reports have clearly mapped and delineated environmentally sensitive zones in the project islands and considering the unique maritime and territorial bio-diversity of the islands, enhanced connectivity has been recommended as one of the key priorities. Accordingly, it was decided that the Naval air station at Shibpur near Diglipur in northern Andaman & Nicobar Islands would be co-used as Joint User Airport. During the meeting, it was also decided to develop a PPP package including a airport (Joint User Airport) at Minicoy Island, to unlock the tourism potential. It was agreed to promote tuna fishing industry for improving livelihoods in Lakshadweep. Union Home Minister directed all concerned to expedite implementation of ongoing key infrastructure projects in the islands and develop community based tourism in consultation with local stakeholders. NITI Aayog was also asked to drive the formulation of PPP projects and proposed detailed guidelines to boost private sector participation. The IDA was set up on June 01, 2017 following the Prime Minister's review meeting for the holistic development of islands.

The Syrian army and its allies have taken Albu Kamal, Islamic State's last major stronghold in Syria, representing the end of Islamic State's project in the region. The army said it is now fighting the last remaining IS pockets in the country's eastern desert, an army statement said. The liberation of Albu Kamal city is very important because it signals the general fall of the terrorist Daesh organisation's project in the region. Alongside Lebanon's Hezbollah and other Shia militias, and backed by Iran and Russia, the Syrian army has recently seized swathes of land from Islamic State. Albu Kamal, on the Euphrates River, is located in Syria's eastern Deir al-Zor province on the Iraqi border. On 8th Nov, during the battle, Hezbollah forces entered Iraq and the Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces crossed into Syria to help capture the town, a commander in the pro-Damascus alliance announced.

Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh & the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, in an historical event on Nov 9, 2017 flagged off Cross Border Train between India & Bangladesh, the Kolkata-Khulna Bandhan Express through video conference from Kolkata station. The leaders unveiled jointly an e-plaque to inaugurate the following: (i) Second Bharirab & Titas Railway Bridges in Bangladesh, (ii) International Rail Passenger Terminus with End-to-End Immigration and Customs Clearance Facilities (for the passengers of Maitree Express and Bandhan Express) at Kolkata station. The close connection and understanding between two countries requires connectivity between the people across the border and Maitree Express and Bandhan Express trains will further add to connectivity between India and Bangladesh and strengthen and strengthen bonding. The Bandhan Express train is the second train to be flagged off after the introduction of Maitree Express' between Kolkata and Dhaka Cantonment stations in April, 2008. It covers the distance between Kolkata and Khulna through Petrapole & Benapole route to cater to the demands of the people from both the countries to enhance the connectivity. The Bandhan Express will be a weekly service on every Thursday. In order to reduce the en-route journey time of the passengers of the existing Kolkata - Dhaka Cantt. Maitree Express and newly introduced Kolkata - Khulna Bandhan Express, Ministry of Railways, with the coordination of Department of Immigration & Customs has opened an International Rail Passenger Terminus at Kolkata station with proper infrastructure and facilities of end-to-end immigration. With this new facility at Kolkata Terminal, the passengers of Maitree Express and Bandhan Express will be immensely benefitted. The second Bhairab Bridge and Titas Bridge in Bangladesh built under the assistance of Government of India are two of the most important projects in Bangladesh for infrastructure and rolling stock development. The one kilometer long second Bhairab Railway Bridge was built over the mighty Meghna river at a cost of around USD 75 millions by Indian contractors and consultants. Similarly, the Titas bridge over river Titas in Eastern Bangladesh was built with a cost of around USD 25 million. Both these bridges are on the main Chittagong to Dhaka Trunk Rail Line which will help in faster movement of both passenger and freight trains of Bangladesh.