CONTINUE FROM 21.06.2013
INDIA AND WORLD
INDIA & WORLD
Nitish Kumar, Hazare, Malala Among “The Top 100 Global Thinkers” List : On 2 December According to the United Statesbased
Foreign Policy magazine has released its list of the “100 Top Global Thinkers” from 2012. The magazine has placed the
Indians in the list include Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who features way below at the 77th place, Anna Hazare who has been
placed at the 37th position for his anti-corruption crusade in the country. 15-year-old Pakistani child rights activist Malala Yousafzai
at 6th position, Aung San Suu Kyi is ranked first in list.
Bangladesh Agreed on Zero Line Fencing along Tripura Border : On 2 December Bangladesh had agreed to set up barbed
wire fencing along zero line in nine stretches on the Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura. According to the MHA communique, fencing
along zero line was to be allowed in 9 areas.
India & Japan Signed Currency Swap Agreement : India signed a bilateral swap arrangement (BSA) with the Bank of Japan to
swap their local currencies for an amount of $15 billion for a three year period on 4 December 2012.The BSA will effect from 5
December 2012.
India is Among Top Five Terror-Hit Nations : The Australian think tank released The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) on 4
December 2012, according to this GTI, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan were among the nations most impacted by terrorism in
2011. In 2011, the Middle East, India, Pakistan and Russia were the areas most impacted by terrorism. India’s GTI rank was 4 out
of the 159 countries surveyed. While Iraq stood at number1, Pakistan at number 2, Afghanistan at number 3 and Yemen was
number 5.
Bangalore Best Indian City To Live : Bangalore ranks better than New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata amongst Indian
cities in overall global quality of living index, according to a Mercer 2012 Quality of Living Survey.Bangalore’s overall quality of
living rank went up from 141 in 2011 to 139 in 2012 and is highest amongst other Indian cities.
India Ranked 94th Position in Corruption : Denmark, Finland and New Zealand tied for the first place in watchdog
Transparency International’s 2012 index of the least corrupt countries. India is on 94th position in the Corruption Perceptions
Index. Most corrupted nations are Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia in 174th positions
US Extends Exemptions For India to Iran Oil Sanctions : On 8 December the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has
extended exemptions to India, China ,South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Taiwan from Iranian
Sanctions Act mainly because of their significant reduction in oil import from Iran.The 9 countries have again qualified for an
exception to sanctions outlined in Section 1245 of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012, based on
additional reductions in the volume of their crude oil purchases from Iran.This is for the second time that countries including India
has received waiver from US under the Iranian sanctions act.
3 Indian Projects among Strategic- Global Infrastructure Projects List : Three Indian projects have placed in the new
york’s Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum “Top 100 Strategic Global Infrastructure Projects “ list. GIFT city (Gujarat
International Financial Tech city), Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project (Maharashtra) and the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR)
project (Andhra Pradesh).
India, Ukraine Signed on Five Agreements : India and Ukraine on 10 December 2012 signed on five agreements in New Delhi
to enhance cooperation including in areas of defence, Nuclear, Science and Technology and also to remove barriers in trade and
commerce.
Indians ‘Largest Ethnic Minority Group in UK : On 11 December According to the 2011 Britain population census record
Indians are the largest ethnic minority group in the UK.With 1.5 percent of the Hindu religion became a third-largest religion in the
nation’s. The Christian population in the country is also a drop in the statistics.. The Muslim community population in the
country’s fastest growing increased by 3 percent to 4.8.
India& Pak Signed on New Visa Agreement : The new Visa Agreement between India and Pakistan on 14th December, 2012
at New Delhi. However, the Visa-on-Arrival will come into effect from 15th January, 2013. Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Home Minister
of India and Mr. A. Rehman Malik, Pakistan Interior Minister singed on the agreement.
Cell Phone Connections to exceed the World Population by 2014 : The International Telecommunications Communication
Union (ITU) to be designed and released Information Society 2012 – Observe report on 11 December. According to the report
number of cell phone connections exceeding the world’s population by 2014. Now 6 billion (hundreds of millions) cell phone
connections they will reach 730 Millions by 2014 .Then the world’s population is 700 crore.Already in Russia 1.8 times cell phone
accounts more than 25 million people.
Indians now Live Longer but in Poor Health in Old Age : According to the the prestigious British medical journal, ‘The Lancet
‘ report the life expectancy (LE) at birth of an average Indian male has gone up by 15 years between 1970 and 2010. An average
Chinese male is living 10 years longer than an Indian male, while a Chinese woman is living 11.5 years longer than her Indian
counterpart. An average American lives nearly 13 years longer than an Indian.
World Malaria Report 2012 : According to the WHO “ World Malaria Report 2012” India, the country most affected by malaria in
the South East Asian Region, is projected to see a decrease of 50-75 per cent in malaria case incidence by 2015.In South East Asia
Region, Bhutan, Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand have registered decreases of 75 per cent or more in the incidence of
microscopically confirmed malaria incidence rates between 2000 and 2011.
Hinduism Third Largest Religion of World : According to the ‘ Pew research ‘ survey report Hinduism is the third largest
religion of the world after Christianity , Islam and 97 per cent of all Hindus live in the world’s three Hindu-majority countries
(India, Mauritius and Nepal), and nearly nine-in-ten Christians (87 per cent) are found in the world’s 157 Christian majority
countries.In the total world population 2.2 billion Christians (32 per cent of the world’s population), 1.6 billion Muslims (23 per
cent) around the world as of 2010.
India & Russia signed Rs 22,000 crore Defence Deals : India and Russia signed defence deals worth around Rs. 22,000 crore
($4 billion) on 24 December. According to this pact Russia will sell India 71 military helicopters for $1.3 billion and technological kits
to assemble 42 Sukhoi jet fighters for $1.6 billion.
India – Pakistan Exchanged Nuclear Unit’s Lists : On 1 January India and Pakistan exchanged their nuclear units’ lists , as it is
customary since 20 years. The list which contains the names of nuclear units of two countries, are exchanged between India and
Pakistan as a custom and part of an agreement which prevents them from aiming the nuclear installations of each others’ nations.
Thousands of illegal Indian Migrants in UK : According to a 2012 UK Home Office report, India has been named along with
Pakistan, China, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Brazil and Iran as the main sources of illegal immigration
to Britain.What the report does not mention is how many of the 863,000 illegal migrants that it says are living in the UK are
students. This is a contentious area because critics of the coalition government claim it is counting students among overall
immigrants.
World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report : According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) report , India ranks lowest
among the world’s major economies for its preparedness to tackle global environmental risks and second-lowest for economic
risks.Switzerland is best placed among the world’s 10 major economies for adapting to or recovering from global economic and
environmental risks.While India is ranked 9th in terms of its ability to tackle global economic risks, it comes last at 10th position
for environmental risks.However, India fared relatively better at 6th position in terms of the government’s risk management
effectiveness.The US and China were ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
Indians Top the List of Working in Dream Jobs : According to survey conducted by networking website LinkedIn,Indians have
emerged at the top of the list of people working in their dream job.The dream job league table:1. India – 44 percent 2. Indonesia –
42 percent 3. United Arab Emirates – 35.7 percent 4. Germany – 33 percent 5. Brazil – 32 percent 6. Austria – 31 percent 7.
Switzerland – 30 percent 8. USA – 29 percent 9. France, Canada, Sweden, South Africa – 28 percent 13. Singapore, Hong Kong –
27 percent 15. Australia – 26 percent 16. New Zealand – 25 percent 17. UK – 21 percent
India – Vietnam Signed on Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises : On 15 January India and Vietnam signed an MoU aimed at
building capacity for developing institutional framework and identifying thrust areas and opportunities for micro, small and medium
enterprises in this country.The MoU was signed here between the Ministry of Planning and Investments of Vietnam and Ministry of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of India .
India and Sri Lanka signed Anti-terror, Tax evasion Agreements : On 22nd January India and Sri Lanka signed two
separate agreements on combating international terrorism and avoidance of double taxation, eyeing elevation of “robust” bilateral
ties to building of a special economic partnership.The two key accords were signed after the 8th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission
meeting held at New Delhi , both countries discussed enhanced cooperation in a range of areas including civil nuclear energy.At the
meeting, the Indian side was led by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid while the Lankans were led by his counterpart G.L.
Peiris.During the meet, both the parties also decided setting up of the Special Economic Zone at Trincomali and a textile and
pharmaceutical cluster in Sri Lanka.
International Tea Producers Forum formed : On 22 January India, along with five other tea producing countries, has formed
the International Tea Producers Forum (ITPF) at Colombo.Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D Purandesari signed
the joint communique on behalf of India along with representatives of Kenya, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Rwanda and Malawi in
Colombo.The ITPF will initially be an independent body but in future may get affiliated to Food & Agriculture Organisation of United
Nations.
India , Bangladesh Signed Extradition and Visa Agreements: On 28 January Bangladesh and India signed an extradition
treaty and struck a deal to relax business visa restrictions between the neighbouring countries. However, refusal provisions were
incorporated into the extradition treaty.Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde signed the agreement with his Bangladeshi counterpart
Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir at the end of their bilateral talks.
India Dropped to 140th Rank in Press Freedom : According to the report Reporters Without Borders India has dropped nine
places to the 140th rank in the list of 179 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index.China (173rd, +1) shows no sign of
improving. Its prisons still hold many journalists and netizens, while increasingly unpopular Internet censorship continues to be a
major obstacle to access information.As last year, the list is topped by three European countries – Finland, Netherlands and
Norway.Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea continue to be at the bottom of the list as has been in the last three years.
India-Malaysia Double Taxation Agreement in Force : On 2 February India and Malaysia signed on double-taxation avoidance
agreement (DTAA). Dividends paid by Indian companies to Malaysian investors or entities will attract a lower withholding tax of 5
percent against 10 per cent earlier. The new agreement has also, in line with international practice, introduced a new article for
taxing capital gains from alienation of property.
India Failed To Curb Sexual Violence Against Women: According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) ‘ World Report 2013 ‘
India has been accused of failure to curb incidents of sexual violence against women and for restrictions on right to free speech,
India “has a thriving civil society, free media, and an independent judiciary”, the city-based rights group said in its assessment of
rights abuses in India.
Six Indian Institutes in Global 150 Top Think-Tanks : On 3 February Six Indian research institutes, including Centre for Civil
Society (CCS), are among top 150 global think – tanks in the annual list released by the University of Pennsylvania for the year
2012.The list was topped by Brookings Institution (United States) followed by Chatham House (United Kingdom) and Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace (United States).Other Indian think-tanks featured in the list are:- Institute for Defence Studies
and Analysis , Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations , The Energy and Resources Institute , Observer
Research Foundation and Development Alternatives.
India and Austria Signed a Social Security Agreement : On 5 February India and Austria signed a social security agreement at
Vienna, under which the Indian professionals working in Austria would be exempted from paying the social security contribution of
the country, if such payments are already made in India. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Austrian Minister for
Labour and Social Security, Rudoulf Hundstorfer signed on the agreement.
India Pledges $100m For Mali Reconstruction : On 5 February India pledges $100m for Mali reconstruction .India has
committed to giving $1 million for the upgrade of the Malian army with a pledge to ramp up contributions for reconstruction to $100
million after the situation stabilizes.
India and China Tourists Triple Australian Visits : According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics report , Chinese and Indian
visitors, with tourist numbers from those countries tripled in the past decade.630,000 visits from Chinese tourists in 2012 compared
with 190,000 in 2002. Indian visits went from 45,000 to 160,000 in the same period.Despite a high Australian dollar, Australia’sshort-term visitor numbers were up by nearly five percent since 2011 with 6.1 million short trips made to Australia 270,000 more
than in 2011.
Special Purpose Vehicle Formed for TAPI Pipeline Project: On 7 February The Union Cabinet gave its approval for formation
of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Project and to permit GAIL
India Ltd. to join the SPV. The four countries involved in the TAPI Gas pipeline project, signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement
along with a Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA).Turkmenistan and Pakistan agreed to the formation of TAPl Ltd. The 1,680
km pipeline will carry 90 million metric standard cubic metres a day (mmscmd) of gas, and is scheduled to become operational in
2018.
India and Japan to Strengthen Cooperation in Tourism Sector : India and Japan have resolved to strengthen cooperation in
tourism sector. This was decided at a meeting between the visiting Japanese Senior Vice-Minister of Tourism, Mr. Hiroshi Kajiyama
and Union Tourism Minister Shri K Chiranjeevi in New Delhi on 12 February 2013.
India and France Signed 22 Agreements : On 14 February France and India have signed on 22 agreements after French
President Francois Hollande’s meetings with the Indian president and the prime minister in New Delhi.Both nations exchanged views
on a number of bi-lateral, regional and multilateral issues and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to facilitate
technical cooperation in Railways to each other.Chairman, Railway Board, India and Chairman and CEO SNCF from the French side
signed this MoU.Both the nations also concluded negotiations on the short range surface to Air missile to be co-produced in India.
They also agreed on the need to reinvigorate economic engagement between the two countries.
India and Bangladesh Signed Land Boundary Agreement : On 16 February India and Bangladesh held the second Joint
Consultative Commission meeting in Dhaka .After the meeting , both countries exchanged one strip map as part of the process of
the implementation of the agreement signed to resolve land boundary issues between them.In addition, two MOUs were also signed
for the construction of a rail link to connect Akhaura in Bangladesh to Agartala in India and for setting up a thinktank to be called
Bangladesh-India Foundation.The India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission is an interministerial body of the two countries
headed by the Minister of External Affairs of India and Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
CBI probe Ordered into Rs 3700 crore Italian Chopper Deal Scam : In February 2010, India had inked the deal with Italain
Finmeccanica to acquire the 12 three-engine AW-101 helicopters from AgustaWestland for IAF’s elite Communication Squadron
,which ferries around the President, PM and other VVIPs.The deal came under the scanner of Italian agencies after allegations of
kickback given in India surfaced.The agencies arrested Giuseppe Orsi, the head of Italian defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica
as part of their probe related to international corruption.Around 50 million euros , about 10 per cent of the deal, were alleged to
have been given as bribes to ensure that the company won the contract.On February The Defence Ministry has ordered CBI probe
into alleged scam in a Rs 3600 crore defence helicopter deal after arrest of head of Italian firm Finmeccanica on charges of bribery.
India and Britain Discussed on Nuclear Cooperation : “On 19 February Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Britain
Prime Minister David Cameron discussed on regional and global issues ,which included key issues of nuclear energy cooperation,
security, terrorism and trade .The two sides have also decided to commence negotiations on a bilateral Civil Nuclear
Agreement.Britain has assured that it will extend all cooperation to any Indian probe into the multi-million-dollar helicopter scam
which involves Italian defense giant Finmeccanica’s UK-based subsidiary AgustaWestland.David Cameron announced that his
country is going to introduce sameday visa service for Indian businessmen in a bid to accelerate the bilateral trade between the two
sides.”
India won Kishanganga Case Against Pakistan : On 18 February the Court of Arbitration at the Hague allowed India to go
ahead with the Construction of the Kishanganga hydroelectric project in Gurez valley near Bandipura in North Kashmir, the court
rejected the plea of Pakistan that the construction was a violation of 1960 Indus Water Treaty.The Court of Arbitration, chaired by
Stephen M. Schwebel in its orders stated that India can move ahead with the diversion of water plans of Kishanganga that is a
tributary of Jhelum, for generation of hydro-electric power. But it restrained India from adoption of the drawdown technique of
flushing for clearing the sedimentation of the run-of-the river project that had been designed and asked it to adopt a different
technique for generation of 330 MW power facilities.
India, South Korea Hold Security Talks : On 1 March 2013 India and South Korea hold discussions over emerging dynamics of
global and regional security, cooperation in cyber security, defense and space sectors and reviewing bilateral ties. Arvind
Gupta,Director General of IDSA, led the Indian side while Lt.G (retd.) Bang, Hyo-Bok president of KIDA and former vice army
chief,represented the Korean side in the talks.
India,UK Signed MOU To Strenghen Cooperation In Earth Sciences : On March 1, India and UK signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their cooperation in Earth Sciences and environmental research by sharing information on
meteorology,hydrology and climate variability.The MoU between the Earth System Science Organisation of the Ministry of Earth
Sciences and UK’s Natural Environment Research Council was inked in New Delhi in the presence of Science and Technology
Minister S Jaipal Reddy .
India and Bhutan signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement : On 4 March India and Bhutan signed the double taxation
avoidance agreement (DTAA), a move that will facilitate exchange of information on banking between the two nations and help
check tax evasion.This is the first ever DTAA for Bhutan with any country. The treaty was signed by Finance Minister P
Chidambaram and his Bhutanese counterpart Lyonpo Wangdi Norbum, on behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan
India and Republic of Portugal Signed a Social Security Agreement : On 4 March A Social Security Agreement (SSA) was
signed between India and Republic of Portugal ,after the both countries meeting end at NewDelhi.The agreement was signed by
Vayalar Ravi, the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Paulo Sacadura Cabral Portas, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of
Portugal.
India World’s Third Largest ‘Spam Spewing Nation’ : On 6 March According to statistics from SophosLabs ,India has been
placed third on the list of the countries distributing spam across the world.US is still firmly on the top, distributing more spam than
any other country in the world.China took the second spot and India the third, with 8.2 percent and 4.2 percent of the world’s
spam.
India’s Tourism Industry Competitiveness 65th in World : According to the fifth Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report
by the WEF, India has moved up by three notches to 65th out of 140 countries in terms of the competitiveness of the travel and
tourism industry.India has been ranked in the 11th place in the region and 65th overall, gaining three positions since the last
edition.
India and Romania Signed Two Agreements : On 8 March India and Romania signed on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the
Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.The agreement was signed after External Affairs Minister Salman
Khurshid held talks with his Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, regional and
international issues of mutual interest.
India and Bhutan Signed $100m Currency Swap Agreement : On 8 March India and Bhutan signed a currency swap
agreement for up to $100 million to further economic co-operation between the two countries.The currency swap arrangement was
signed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMAB).
Iran and Pakistan Launched Gas Pipeline Project : On 11 March Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani
counterpart Asif Ali Zardari was officially inaugurated the final construction phase of the multi-billiondollar Iran-Pakistan gas
pipeline project.The 1,244-mile pipeline would each day transport more than 750 million cubic feet of natural gas to Pakistan from
Iran’s South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf.This Project was started from Chabahar city in Iran to Karachi in Pakistan with $7.5
Billion. Initially they have an idea to extend this project to New Delhi in India but India was dropped from this project in 2009.
Britain & India Signed Agreement To Support R&D Projects : On 13 March Britain and India have signed an agreement to
launch a joint programme to encourage industry and business in the two countries to work together towards commercialisation of
research leads in a range of key areas, including energy and health care.As part of the deal, Global Innovation and Technology
Alliance (GITA) sponsored by the Indian government’s Department of Science and Technology and UK’s Technology Strategy Board
(TSB) will support UK and Indian businesses and academics in joint R&D and innovation projects over a three-year period.
India Ranks 136 in Human Development Index : On 14 March According to the Human Development Report 2013 released by
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ,India has been ranked 136 among 187 countries evaluated for human
development index (HDI).Norway (1st rank), Australia (2nd rank) and the Netherlands (3rd rank) lead the Human Development
Index (HDI).The other countries ranks are:- Netherlands (4th rank) , Japan (10th rank), Denmark (15th rank) , South Korea (12th
rank).
China Unveils 5-Point Formula To Improve Ties With India : On 18 March China’s new President Xi Jinping has unveiled a
five-point formula to improve relations with India, and that the resolution of the boundary dispute between the two nations won’t
be easy and pending its final settlement ‘peace and tranquility’ should be maintained on the border without affecting the overall
ties. The Xi Jinping 5 Points are :- 1. “First,to maintain strategic communication and keep bilateral relations on the right track. 2.
Second, we should harness each other’s comparative strength and expand win winwin cooperation in infrastructure, mutual
investment and other areas. 3. Third, we should strengthen cultural ties and constantly increase mutual understanding and
friendship between our peoples. 4. Fourth, we should expand coordination and collaboration in multilateral affairs to jointly
safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and tackle global challenges. 5. Fifth, we should accommodate
each other’s core concerns and properly handle problems and differences existing between the two countries.
India – Egypt Signed Seven Agreements : On 19 March In a bid to deepen ties and strengthen economic bonds, India and
Egypt signed 7 agreements after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy held bilateral talks in
New Delhi.The seven agreements included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of cyber security, cooperation in the
field of protection of intellectual property rights and prevention of illicit traffic of antiquities besides others.The two leaders also
agreed to enhance cooperation in Defence and in international forums like UN.
India Signed Social Security Agreements With 18 Countries : On 20 March India has signed Social Security Agreements
(SSAs) with Belgium,France, Germany (social insurance for posted workers only), Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Hungary, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Norway, Germany, Finland, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Austria and
Portugal.Bilateral labour Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have also been signed with United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan,
Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia and Bahrain for ensuring protection and welfare of overseas Indian workers.
India Votes Against Sri Lanka at UNHRC : On 21 March India has voted for the resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human
Rights Council session in Geneva.The UN Human Rights Council adopted a US-sponsored resolution on human rights violation in Sri
Lanka.The 47-member Geneva forum adopted the resolution with 25 countries in favour, including India.13countries opposed it,
including Pakistan. 8 abstained and one delegation was absent.The US-backed resolution that addresses alleged war crimes byLankan forces during the country’s civil war with the Tamil Tigers.The 26-year civil war that ensued, which ended with the LTTE’s
military defeat in 2009.
Japan Grants India $2.32 Billion Aid For Infrastructure Building : On 27 March India and Japan have agreed to promote
their bilateral strategic and global partnership especially in economic and security areas, with Tokyo granting a $2.32 billion aid for
infrastructure building. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida ,External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid discussed about both
countries bilateral issues the meeting held at Tokyo .During the meeting Kishida unveiled a 220 billion yen (USD 2.32 billion) aid to
India for infrastructure building and a 71-billion-yen loan ($753.17 million) for the subway project in India’s financial capital
Mumbai.
India and Singapore Signed MoU on Air Services : On 2 April India and Singapore signed a new Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on bilateral air services arrangement in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Ajit Singh and Minister of
Transport of Singapore, Mr Lui Tuck Yew in Singapore.
India, Azerbaijan ink 3 key pacts : Aimed at creating the necessary legal framework in areas of extradition, India and
Azerbaijan on 04 April 2013 inked three key pacts which also included treaties for mutual legal assistance in criminal and civil
matters.Visiting Justice Minister of Azerbaijan Fikrat Mammadov held a meeting with Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde where the
extradition treaty was signed.
India and Tanzania Signed Agreement To Explore Mineral Wealth : On 6 April India and Tanzania have signed an agreement
for forging an alliance to explore mineral wealth in the African nation.The agreement was signed by the Union Minister of Steel,
Beni Prasad Verma and Sospeter Muhongo, the Minister of Energy and Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania at Der es Salaam.
India and Russia signed Regulation of Co-operation Agreement : On 10 April India and Russia signed a Regulation defining
the structure, functions and procedure of the Joint Commission at Moscow.The agreement was signed by Vladimir Puchkov, Minister
of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters and Sushil kumar
Shinde, the Union Minister of Home Affairs.
Two Day India-China Counter-Terrorism Dialogue on Afghanistan ended : The two-day India-China counter-terrorism
dialogue ended on 12 April 2013 in Beijing China. The two nations discussed upon the ways to step up cooperation to counter terror
in Afghanistan as a follow up plan after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2014.
India – Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation : On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by
Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool
Rahman.
India – Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation : On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by
Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool
Rahman.
Bangladesh Inks $1.6 Billion Power Deal with India : On 20 April India and Bangladesh signed its biggest-ever joint venture
agreement with India involving investment of $1.6 billion for 1,320 MW coal-fired power plant which is expected to be operational
in the next five years.The two country’s signed three deals under a pact to run the plant at Rampal of Bagerhat while the two
others were Power Purchase Agreement and Implementation Agreement.A supplementary joint venture agreement floating the
company was signed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman Abdual Wahab Khan and NTPC Chairman and
Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury while the two others agreements were signed by officials concerned of the two countries.
Indian origin boy won spelling championship : 12 years old Indian origin boy won the very popular spelling competition
beating another 30 competitors, held at Singapore. The name of the competition was R.B.H- The Straight Times National Spelling
Championship. The name of the boy is Ashwin Shiv Kumar, who won the top place in this championship on 27 April 2013 . He is the
student of 6th grade at Anglo-Chinese school. He was awarded by 5000 Singapore Dollars, as a prize he got. He passed through
INDIA AND WORLD
INDIA & WORLD
Nitish Kumar, Hazare, Malala Among “The Top 100 Global Thinkers” List : On 2 December According to the United Statesbased
Foreign Policy magazine has released its list of the “100 Top Global Thinkers” from 2012. The magazine has placed the
Indians in the list include Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who features way below at the 77th place, Anna Hazare who has been
placed at the 37th position for his anti-corruption crusade in the country. 15-year-old Pakistani child rights activist Malala Yousafzai
at 6th position, Aung San Suu Kyi is ranked first in list.
Bangladesh Agreed on Zero Line Fencing along Tripura Border : On 2 December Bangladesh had agreed to set up barbed
wire fencing along zero line in nine stretches on the Indo-Bangladesh border in Tripura. According to the MHA communique, fencing
along zero line was to be allowed in 9 areas.
India & Japan Signed Currency Swap Agreement : India signed a bilateral swap arrangement (BSA) with the Bank of Japan to
swap their local currencies for an amount of $15 billion for a three year period on 4 December 2012.The BSA will effect from 5
December 2012.
India is Among Top Five Terror-Hit Nations : The Australian think tank released The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) on 4
December 2012, according to this GTI, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan were among the nations most impacted by terrorism in
2011. In 2011, the Middle East, India, Pakistan and Russia were the areas most impacted by terrorism. India’s GTI rank was 4 out
of the 159 countries surveyed. While Iraq stood at number1, Pakistan at number 2, Afghanistan at number 3 and Yemen was
number 5.
Bangalore Best Indian City To Live : Bangalore ranks better than New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata amongst Indian
cities in overall global quality of living index, according to a Mercer 2012 Quality of Living Survey.Bangalore’s overall quality of
living rank went up from 141 in 2011 to 139 in 2012 and is highest amongst other Indian cities.
India Ranked 94th Position in Corruption : Denmark, Finland and New Zealand tied for the first place in watchdog
Transparency International’s 2012 index of the least corrupt countries. India is on 94th position in the Corruption Perceptions
Index. Most corrupted nations are Afghanistan, North Korea and Somalia in 174th positions
US Extends Exemptions For India to Iran Oil Sanctions : On 8 December the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has
extended exemptions to India, China ,South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Taiwan from Iranian
Sanctions Act mainly because of their significant reduction in oil import from Iran.The 9 countries have again qualified for an
exception to sanctions outlined in Section 1245 of the National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2012, based on
additional reductions in the volume of their crude oil purchases from Iran.This is for the second time that countries including India
has received waiver from US under the Iranian sanctions act.
3 Indian Projects among Strategic- Global Infrastructure Projects List : Three Indian projects have placed in the new
york’s Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum “Top 100 Strategic Global Infrastructure Projects “ list. GIFT city (Gujarat
International Financial Tech city), Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project (Maharashtra) and the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR)
project (Andhra Pradesh).
India, Ukraine Signed on Five Agreements : India and Ukraine on 10 December 2012 signed on five agreements in New Delhi
to enhance cooperation including in areas of defence, Nuclear, Science and Technology and also to remove barriers in trade and
commerce.
Indians ‘Largest Ethnic Minority Group in UK : On 11 December According to the 2011 Britain population census record
Indians are the largest ethnic minority group in the UK.With 1.5 percent of the Hindu religion became a third-largest religion in the
nation’s. The Christian population in the country is also a drop in the statistics.. The Muslim community population in the
country’s fastest growing increased by 3 percent to 4.8.
India& Pak Signed on New Visa Agreement : The new Visa Agreement between India and Pakistan on 14th December, 2012
at New Delhi. However, the Visa-on-Arrival will come into effect from 15th January, 2013. Shri Sushilkumar Shinde, Home Minister
of India and Mr. A. Rehman Malik, Pakistan Interior Minister singed on the agreement.
Cell Phone Connections to exceed the World Population by 2014 : The International Telecommunications Communication
Union (ITU) to be designed and released Information Society 2012 – Observe report on 11 December. According to the report
number of cell phone connections exceeding the world’s population by 2014. Now 6 billion (hundreds of millions) cell phone
connections they will reach 730 Millions by 2014 .Then the world’s population is 700 crore.Already in Russia 1.8 times cell phone
accounts more than 25 million people.
Indians now Live Longer but in Poor Health in Old Age : According to the the prestigious British medical journal, ‘The Lancet
‘ report the life expectancy (LE) at birth of an average Indian male has gone up by 15 years between 1970 and 2010. An average
Chinese male is living 10 years longer than an Indian male, while a Chinese woman is living 11.5 years longer than her Indian
counterpart. An average American lives nearly 13 years longer than an Indian.
World Malaria Report 2012 : According to the WHO “ World Malaria Report 2012” India, the country most affected by malaria in
the South East Asian Region, is projected to see a decrease of 50-75 per cent in malaria case incidence by 2015.In South East Asia
Region, Bhutan, Korea, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand have registered decreases of 75 per cent or more in the incidence of
microscopically confirmed malaria incidence rates between 2000 and 2011.
Hinduism Third Largest Religion of World : According to the ‘ Pew research ‘ survey report Hinduism is the third largest
religion of the world after Christianity , Islam and 97 per cent of all Hindus live in the world’s three Hindu-majority countries
(India, Mauritius and Nepal), and nearly nine-in-ten Christians (87 per cent) are found in the world’s 157 Christian majority
countries.In the total world population 2.2 billion Christians (32 per cent of the world’s population), 1.6 billion Muslims (23 per
cent) around the world as of 2010.
India & Russia signed Rs 22,000 crore Defence Deals : India and Russia signed defence deals worth around Rs. 22,000 crore
($4 billion) on 24 December. According to this pact Russia will sell India 71 military helicopters for $1.3 billion and technological kits
to assemble 42 Sukhoi jet fighters for $1.6 billion.
India – Pakistan Exchanged Nuclear Unit’s Lists : On 1 January India and Pakistan exchanged their nuclear units’ lists , as it is
customary since 20 years. The list which contains the names of nuclear units of two countries, are exchanged between India and
Pakistan as a custom and part of an agreement which prevents them from aiming the nuclear installations of each others’ nations.
Thousands of illegal Indian Migrants in UK : According to a 2012 UK Home Office report, India has been named along with
Pakistan, China, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Brazil and Iran as the main sources of illegal immigration
to Britain.What the report does not mention is how many of the 863,000 illegal migrants that it says are living in the UK are
students. This is a contentious area because critics of the coalition government claim it is counting students among overall
immigrants.
World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report : According to the World Economic Forum (WEF) report , India ranks lowest
among the world’s major economies for its preparedness to tackle global environmental risks and second-lowest for economic
risks.Switzerland is best placed among the world’s 10 major economies for adapting to or recovering from global economic and
environmental risks.While India is ranked 9th in terms of its ability to tackle global economic risks, it comes last at 10th position
for environmental risks.However, India fared relatively better at 6th position in terms of the government’s risk management
effectiveness.The US and China were ranked fourth and fifth respectively.
Indians Top the List of Working in Dream Jobs : According to survey conducted by networking website LinkedIn,Indians have
emerged at the top of the list of people working in their dream job.The dream job league table:1. India – 44 percent 2. Indonesia –
42 percent 3. United Arab Emirates – 35.7 percent 4. Germany – 33 percent 5. Brazil – 32 percent 6. Austria – 31 percent 7.
Switzerland – 30 percent 8. USA – 29 percent 9. France, Canada, Sweden, South Africa – 28 percent 13. Singapore, Hong Kong –
27 percent 15. Australia – 26 percent 16. New Zealand – 25 percent 17. UK – 21 percent
India – Vietnam Signed on Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises : On 15 January India and Vietnam signed an MoU aimed at
building capacity for developing institutional framework and identifying thrust areas and opportunities for micro, small and medium
enterprises in this country.The MoU was signed here between the Ministry of Planning and Investments of Vietnam and Ministry of
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) of India .
India and Sri Lanka signed Anti-terror, Tax evasion Agreements : On 22nd January India and Sri Lanka signed two
separate agreements on combating international terrorism and avoidance of double taxation, eyeing elevation of “robust” bilateral
ties to building of a special economic partnership.The two key accords were signed after the 8th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission
meeting held at New Delhi , both countries discussed enhanced cooperation in a range of areas including civil nuclear energy.At the
meeting, the Indian side was led by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid while the Lankans were led by his counterpart G.L.
Peiris.During the meet, both the parties also decided setting up of the Special Economic Zone at Trincomali and a textile and
pharmaceutical cluster in Sri Lanka.
International Tea Producers Forum formed : On 22 January India, along with five other tea producing countries, has formed
the International Tea Producers Forum (ITPF) at Colombo.Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry D Purandesari signed
the joint communique on behalf of India along with representatives of Kenya, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Rwanda and Malawi in
Colombo.The ITPF will initially be an independent body but in future may get affiliated to Food & Agriculture Organisation of United
Nations.
India , Bangladesh Signed Extradition and Visa Agreements: On 28 January Bangladesh and India signed an extradition
treaty and struck a deal to relax business visa restrictions between the neighbouring countries. However, refusal provisions were
incorporated into the extradition treaty.Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde signed the agreement with his Bangladeshi counterpart
Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir at the end of their bilateral talks.
India Dropped to 140th Rank in Press Freedom : According to the report Reporters Without Borders India has dropped nine
places to the 140th rank in the list of 179 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index.China (173rd, +1) shows no sign of
improving. Its prisons still hold many journalists and netizens, while increasingly unpopular Internet censorship continues to be a
major obstacle to access information.As last year, the list is topped by three European countries – Finland, Netherlands and
Norway.Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea continue to be at the bottom of the list as has been in the last three years.
India-Malaysia Double Taxation Agreement in Force : On 2 February India and Malaysia signed on double-taxation avoidance
agreement (DTAA). Dividends paid by Indian companies to Malaysian investors or entities will attract a lower withholding tax of 5
percent against 10 per cent earlier. The new agreement has also, in line with international practice, introduced a new article for
taxing capital gains from alienation of property.
India Failed To Curb Sexual Violence Against Women: According to the Human Rights Watch (HRW) ‘ World Report 2013 ‘
India has been accused of failure to curb incidents of sexual violence against women and for restrictions on right to free speech,
India “has a thriving civil society, free media, and an independent judiciary”, the city-based rights group said in its assessment of
rights abuses in India.
Six Indian Institutes in Global 150 Top Think-Tanks : On 3 February Six Indian research institutes, including Centre for Civil
Society (CCS), are among top 150 global think – tanks in the annual list released by the University of Pennsylvania for the year
2012.The list was topped by Brookings Institution (United States) followed by Chatham House (United Kingdom) and Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace (United States).Other Indian think-tanks featured in the list are:- Institute for Defence Studies
and Analysis , Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations , The Energy and Resources Institute , Observer
Research Foundation and Development Alternatives.
India and Austria Signed a Social Security Agreement : On 5 February India and Austria signed a social security agreement at
Vienna, under which the Indian professionals working in Austria would be exempted from paying the social security contribution of
the country, if such payments are already made in India. Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi and Austrian Minister for
Labour and Social Security, Rudoulf Hundstorfer signed on the agreement.
India Pledges $100m For Mali Reconstruction : On 5 February India pledges $100m for Mali reconstruction .India has
committed to giving $1 million for the upgrade of the Malian army with a pledge to ramp up contributions for reconstruction to $100
million after the situation stabilizes.
India and China Tourists Triple Australian Visits : According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics report , Chinese and Indian
visitors, with tourist numbers from those countries tripled in the past decade.630,000 visits from Chinese tourists in 2012 compared
with 190,000 in 2002. Indian visits went from 45,000 to 160,000 in the same period.Despite a high Australian dollar, Australia’sshort-term visitor numbers were up by nearly five percent since 2011 with 6.1 million short trips made to Australia 270,000 more
than in 2011.
Special Purpose Vehicle Formed for TAPI Pipeline Project: On 7 February The Union Cabinet gave its approval for formation
of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline Project and to permit GAIL
India Ltd. to join the SPV. The four countries involved in the TAPI Gas pipeline project, signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement
along with a Gas Pipeline Framework Agreement (GPFA).Turkmenistan and Pakistan agreed to the formation of TAPl Ltd. The 1,680
km pipeline will carry 90 million metric standard cubic metres a day (mmscmd) of gas, and is scheduled to become operational in
2018.
India and Japan to Strengthen Cooperation in Tourism Sector : India and Japan have resolved to strengthen cooperation in
tourism sector. This was decided at a meeting between the visiting Japanese Senior Vice-Minister of Tourism, Mr. Hiroshi Kajiyama
and Union Tourism Minister Shri K Chiranjeevi in New Delhi on 12 February 2013.
India and France Signed 22 Agreements : On 14 February France and India have signed on 22 agreements after French
President Francois Hollande’s meetings with the Indian president and the prime minister in New Delhi.Both nations exchanged views
on a number of bi-lateral, regional and multilateral issues and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in order to facilitate
technical cooperation in Railways to each other.Chairman, Railway Board, India and Chairman and CEO SNCF from the French side
signed this MoU.Both the nations also concluded negotiations on the short range surface to Air missile to be co-produced in India.
They also agreed on the need to reinvigorate economic engagement between the two countries.
India and Bangladesh Signed Land Boundary Agreement : On 16 February India and Bangladesh held the second Joint
Consultative Commission meeting in Dhaka .After the meeting , both countries exchanged one strip map as part of the process of
the implementation of the agreement signed to resolve land boundary issues between them.In addition, two MOUs were also signed
for the construction of a rail link to connect Akhaura in Bangladesh to Agartala in India and for setting up a thinktank to be called
Bangladesh-India Foundation.The India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission is an interministerial body of the two countries
headed by the Minister of External Affairs of India and Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
CBI probe Ordered into Rs 3700 crore Italian Chopper Deal Scam : In February 2010, India had inked the deal with Italain
Finmeccanica to acquire the 12 three-engine AW-101 helicopters from AgustaWestland for IAF’s elite Communication Squadron
,which ferries around the President, PM and other VVIPs.The deal came under the scanner of Italian agencies after allegations of
kickback given in India surfaced.The agencies arrested Giuseppe Orsi, the head of Italian defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica
as part of their probe related to international corruption.Around 50 million euros , about 10 per cent of the deal, were alleged to
have been given as bribes to ensure that the company won the contract.On February The Defence Ministry has ordered CBI probe
into alleged scam in a Rs 3600 crore defence helicopter deal after arrest of head of Italian firm Finmeccanica on charges of bribery.
India and Britain Discussed on Nuclear Cooperation : “On 19 February Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Britain
Prime Minister David Cameron discussed on regional and global issues ,which included key issues of nuclear energy cooperation,
security, terrorism and trade .The two sides have also decided to commence negotiations on a bilateral Civil Nuclear
Agreement.Britain has assured that it will extend all cooperation to any Indian probe into the multi-million-dollar helicopter scam
which involves Italian defense giant Finmeccanica’s UK-based subsidiary AgustaWestland.David Cameron announced that his
country is going to introduce sameday visa service for Indian businessmen in a bid to accelerate the bilateral trade between the two
sides.”
India won Kishanganga Case Against Pakistan : On 18 February the Court of Arbitration at the Hague allowed India to go
ahead with the Construction of the Kishanganga hydroelectric project in Gurez valley near Bandipura in North Kashmir, the court
rejected the plea of Pakistan that the construction was a violation of 1960 Indus Water Treaty.The Court of Arbitration, chaired by
Stephen M. Schwebel in its orders stated that India can move ahead with the diversion of water plans of Kishanganga that is a
tributary of Jhelum, for generation of hydro-electric power. But it restrained India from adoption of the drawdown technique of
flushing for clearing the sedimentation of the run-of-the river project that had been designed and asked it to adopt a different
technique for generation of 330 MW power facilities.
India, South Korea Hold Security Talks : On 1 March 2013 India and South Korea hold discussions over emerging dynamics of
global and regional security, cooperation in cyber security, defense and space sectors and reviewing bilateral ties. Arvind
Gupta,Director General of IDSA, led the Indian side while Lt.G (retd.) Bang, Hyo-Bok president of KIDA and former vice army
chief,represented the Korean side in the talks.
India,UK Signed MOU To Strenghen Cooperation In Earth Sciences : On March 1, India and UK signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their cooperation in Earth Sciences and environmental research by sharing information on
meteorology,hydrology and climate variability.The MoU between the Earth System Science Organisation of the Ministry of Earth
Sciences and UK’s Natural Environment Research Council was inked in New Delhi in the presence of Science and Technology
Minister S Jaipal Reddy .
India and Bhutan signed Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement : On 4 March India and Bhutan signed the double taxation
avoidance agreement (DTAA), a move that will facilitate exchange of information on banking between the two nations and help
check tax evasion.This is the first ever DTAA for Bhutan with any country. The treaty was signed by Finance Minister P
Chidambaram and his Bhutanese counterpart Lyonpo Wangdi Norbum, on behalf of the Royal Government of Bhutan
India and Republic of Portugal Signed a Social Security Agreement : On 4 March A Social Security Agreement (SSA) was
signed between India and Republic of Portugal ,after the both countries meeting end at NewDelhi.The agreement was signed by
Vayalar Ravi, the Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs and Paulo Sacadura Cabral Portas, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs of
Portugal.
India World’s Third Largest ‘Spam Spewing Nation’ : On 6 March According to statistics from SophosLabs ,India has been
placed third on the list of the countries distributing spam across the world.US is still firmly on the top, distributing more spam than
any other country in the world.China took the second spot and India the third, with 8.2 percent and 4.2 percent of the world’s
spam.
India’s Tourism Industry Competitiveness 65th in World : According to the fifth Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report
by the WEF, India has moved up by three notches to 65th out of 140 countries in terms of the competitiveness of the travel and
tourism industry.India has been ranked in the 11th place in the region and 65th overall, gaining three positions since the last
edition.
India and Romania Signed Two Agreements : On 8 March India and Romania signed on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the
Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income.The agreement was signed after External Affairs Minister Salman
Khurshid held talks with his Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, regional and
international issues of mutual interest.
India and Bhutan Signed $100m Currency Swap Agreement : On 8 March India and Bhutan signed a currency swap
agreement for up to $100 million to further economic co-operation between the two countries.The currency swap arrangement was
signed between the Reserve Bank of India and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMAB).
Iran and Pakistan Launched Gas Pipeline Project : On 11 March Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani
counterpart Asif Ali Zardari was officially inaugurated the final construction phase of the multi-billiondollar Iran-Pakistan gas
pipeline project.The 1,244-mile pipeline would each day transport more than 750 million cubic feet of natural gas to Pakistan from
Iran’s South Pars gas field in the Persian Gulf.This Project was started from Chabahar city in Iran to Karachi in Pakistan with $7.5
Billion. Initially they have an idea to extend this project to New Delhi in India but India was dropped from this project in 2009.
Britain & India Signed Agreement To Support R&D Projects : On 13 March Britain and India have signed an agreement to
launch a joint programme to encourage industry and business in the two countries to work together towards commercialisation of
research leads in a range of key areas, including energy and health care.As part of the deal, Global Innovation and Technology
Alliance (GITA) sponsored by the Indian government’s Department of Science and Technology and UK’s Technology Strategy Board
(TSB) will support UK and Indian businesses and academics in joint R&D and innovation projects over a three-year period.
India Ranks 136 in Human Development Index : On 14 March According to the Human Development Report 2013 released by
the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ,India has been ranked 136 among 187 countries evaluated for human
development index (HDI).Norway (1st rank), Australia (2nd rank) and the Netherlands (3rd rank) lead the Human Development
Index (HDI).The other countries ranks are:- Netherlands (4th rank) , Japan (10th rank), Denmark (15th rank) , South Korea (12th
rank).
China Unveils 5-Point Formula To Improve Ties With India : On 18 March China’s new President Xi Jinping has unveiled a
five-point formula to improve relations with India, and that the resolution of the boundary dispute between the two nations won’t
be easy and pending its final settlement ‘peace and tranquility’ should be maintained on the border without affecting the overall
ties. The Xi Jinping 5 Points are :- 1. “First,to maintain strategic communication and keep bilateral relations on the right track. 2.
Second, we should harness each other’s comparative strength and expand win winwin cooperation in infrastructure, mutual
investment and other areas. 3. Third, we should strengthen cultural ties and constantly increase mutual understanding and
friendship between our peoples. 4. Fourth, we should expand coordination and collaboration in multilateral affairs to jointly
safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and tackle global challenges. 5. Fifth, we should accommodate
each other’s core concerns and properly handle problems and differences existing between the two countries.
India – Egypt Signed Seven Agreements : On 19 March In a bid to deepen ties and strengthen economic bonds, India and
Egypt signed 7 agreements after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy held bilateral talks in
New Delhi.The seven agreements included a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the field of cyber security, cooperation in the
field of protection of intellectual property rights and prevention of illicit traffic of antiquities besides others.The two leaders also
agreed to enhance cooperation in Defence and in international forums like UN.
India Signed Social Security Agreements With 18 Countries : On 20 March India has signed Social Security Agreements
(SSAs) with Belgium,France, Germany (social insurance for posted workers only), Switzerland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
Hungary, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Republic of Korea, Norway, Germany, Finland, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Austria and
Portugal.Bilateral labour Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) have also been signed with United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan,
Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Malaysia and Bahrain for ensuring protection and welfare of overseas Indian workers.
India Votes Against Sri Lanka at UNHRC : On 21 March India has voted for the resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human
Rights Council session in Geneva.The UN Human Rights Council adopted a US-sponsored resolution on human rights violation in Sri
Lanka.The 47-member Geneva forum adopted the resolution with 25 countries in favour, including India.13countries opposed it,
including Pakistan. 8 abstained and one delegation was absent.The US-backed resolution that addresses alleged war crimes byLankan forces during the country’s civil war with the Tamil Tigers.The 26-year civil war that ensued, which ended with the LTTE’s
military defeat in 2009.
Japan Grants India $2.32 Billion Aid For Infrastructure Building : On 27 March India and Japan have agreed to promote
their bilateral strategic and global partnership especially in economic and security areas, with Tokyo granting a $2.32 billion aid for
infrastructure building. Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida ,External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid discussed about both
countries bilateral issues the meeting held at Tokyo .During the meeting Kishida unveiled a 220 billion yen (USD 2.32 billion) aid to
India for infrastructure building and a 71-billion-yen loan ($753.17 million) for the subway project in India’s financial capital
Mumbai.
India and Singapore Signed MoU on Air Services : On 2 April India and Singapore signed a new Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on bilateral air services arrangement in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Ajit Singh and Minister of
Transport of Singapore, Mr Lui Tuck Yew in Singapore.
India, Azerbaijan ink 3 key pacts : Aimed at creating the necessary legal framework in areas of extradition, India and
Azerbaijan on 04 April 2013 inked three key pacts which also included treaties for mutual legal assistance in criminal and civil
matters.Visiting Justice Minister of Azerbaijan Fikrat Mammadov held a meeting with Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde where the
extradition treaty was signed.
India and Tanzania Signed Agreement To Explore Mineral Wealth : On 6 April India and Tanzania have signed an agreement
for forging an alliance to explore mineral wealth in the African nation.The agreement was signed by the Union Minister of Steel,
Beni Prasad Verma and Sospeter Muhongo, the Minister of Energy and Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania at Der es Salaam.
India and Russia signed Regulation of Co-operation Agreement : On 10 April India and Russia signed a Regulation defining
the structure, functions and procedure of the Joint Commission at Moscow.The agreement was signed by Vladimir Puchkov, Minister
of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters and Sushil kumar
Shinde, the Union Minister of Home Affairs.
Two Day India-China Counter-Terrorism Dialogue on Afghanistan ended : The two-day India-China counter-terrorism
dialogue ended on 12 April 2013 in Beijing China. The two nations discussed upon the ways to step up cooperation to counter terror
in Afghanistan as a follow up plan after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan in 2014.
India – Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation : On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by
Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool
Rahman.
India – Mauritius Signed MoU on Electoral Cooperation : On 12 April India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on cooperation in the field of Election Management and Administration. The MoU was signed by
Chief Election Commissioner of India, V.S. Sampath and the Electoral Commissioner of Mauritius, Mohammad Irfan Abdool
Rahman.
Bangladesh Inks $1.6 Billion Power Deal with India : On 20 April India and Bangladesh signed its biggest-ever joint venture
agreement with India involving investment of $1.6 billion for 1,320 MW coal-fired power plant which is expected to be operational
in the next five years.The two country’s signed three deals under a pact to run the plant at Rampal of Bagerhat while the two
others were Power Purchase Agreement and Implementation Agreement.A supplementary joint venture agreement floating the
company was signed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman Abdual Wahab Khan and NTPC Chairman and
Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury while the two others agreements were signed by officials concerned of the two countries.
Indian origin boy won spelling championship : 12 years old Indian origin boy won the very popular spelling competition
beating another 30 competitors, held at Singapore. The name of the competition was R.B.H- The Straight Times National Spelling
Championship. The name of the boy is Ashwin Shiv Kumar, who won the top place in this championship on 27 April 2013 . He is the
student of 6th grade at Anglo-Chinese school. He was awarded by 5000 Singapore Dollars, as a prize he got. He passed through
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