Monthly Archives: February 2017

ADB Gives $375 Mln Loan for Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed in New Delhi $375 million in loans and grants to develop 800-kilometer Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, which is the First Phase of a planned 2,500–kilometer long East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC).

The Corridor is expected to spur development on India’s eastern coast in line with the Government of India’s Make in India policy to stimulate manufacturing, and Act East policy to integrate the Indian economy with Asia’s dynamic global production networks.

ADB approved $631 million in loans and grants in September 2016 to develop the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor and approved loans comprise a $500 million multi-tranche facility to build key infrastructure in the four main centers along the corridor – Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Amaravati, and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti in the State of Andhra Pradesh.

The First Tranche of $245 million was signed on Tuesday, February 28, 2017 that will finance sub-projects to develop high-quality internal infrastructure in 2 of the 4 nodes of the corridor–Visakhapatnam and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti.

Another component of the approved ADB funds signed on 23.02.2017 was a $125 million policy-based loan that will be used for capacity development of institutions engaged in corridor management, provide support to enhance ease of doing business and for supporting industrial and sector policies to stimulate industrial development.

“ADB is supporting an industrial corridor development approach that involves creation of efficient transport, and reliable water and power supplies in the industrial clusters along with a skilled workforce, to be backed by industry-friendly policies that improve ease of doing business for integration of local economy with global production networks,” said L. B. Sondjaja, Deputy Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission.

“We estimate that by 2025, annual industrial output along the corridor will increase fourfold to $64 billion from about $16 billion in 2015 if investment opportunities are maximized over the next few years,” he added.

The project is an important milestone in the process of developing the corridor and realizing the objectives of Make in India. We sincerely hope that the project will complement the ongoing efforts of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to enhance industrial growth and create high-quality jobs,” said Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary (Multilateral Institutions), in the Ministry of Finance, who signed the loan agreement for Government of India.

The project agreement was also signed by Hema Munivenkatappa, Special Secretary to Government (Finance) on behalf of the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Along with the ADB loans, agreement was also signed for a $5 million grant from the multi-donor Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund that is managed by ADB to build climate change resilient infrastructure. The Government of India will provide extra funding of $215 million to the $846 million project.

Among the outputs envisaged under the $245 million tranche 1 loan include strengthening and widening of a 29.6-kilometer section of state highway to four lanes to improve connectivity from Kakinada Port to National Highway 16, investments in smart water management in Visakhapatnam to reduce nonrevenue water and provide continuous water supply, upgrading 7 power substations to supply high-quality and reliable power supply to Visakhapatnam, Naidupeta, and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti industrial clusters, and effluent treatment facility in Atchutapuram and Naidupeta clusters.

The tranche 1 loan will have a 25-year term, including a grace period of 5 years, a 20-year straight line repayment method at an annual interest rate determined in accordance with ADB’s LIBOR-based lending facility.

World Bank Provides $63 Mln for Tejaswini Program for Girls in Jharkhand

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A Financing Agreement for IDA credit of US$ 63 million for the “Tejaswini” Socio-Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Project” was signed in New Delhi last week with the World Bank.

The Financing Agreement was signed by Mr. Raj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of India and Mr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank (India) on behalf of the World Bank.

A Project Agreement was also signed by Mr. Mukhmeet Singh Bhatia, Principal Secretary, Department of Women, Child Development, Government of Jharkhand and Mr. Junaid Kamal Ahmad, Country Director, World Bank.

The project seeks to empower the adolescent girls with basic life skills and thereafter provide further opportunities to acquire market driven skill training or completion of secondary education, depending on the inclination of the beneficiary.

The project will be delivered in 17 Districts of Jharkhand. The project has three main components, (i) Expanding social, educational and economic opportunities (ii) Intensive service delivery (iii) State capacity-building and implementation support. About 680,000 adolescent girls and young women in the project Districts are expected to benefit from the program. The closing date for the project is 30th June, 2021.

Trump Effect: Married Spouses Rush for US Visa Paper Work

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Many immigrants in the US are rushing to attorneys to file papers of their marriage to U.S. citizens that entails them green card and citizenship eventually but not without paperwork, warn US attorneys. Non-filing of papers leads to denial of citizenship.

Unless the case for permanent residence or Green Card has not been submitted to the immigration department, the person does not have status in the US absent another underlying visa. In most cases, it takes about a year for a foreign spouse to be able to immigrate to the United States. Among the requirements include a valid marriage, a sponsor’s petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, besides a medical clearance. But above all, a security clearance is the most important as those with criminal records may find that the adjudication of waivers is not possible under the current administration.

Immigration lawyers often face the biggest challenge as a number of people have criminal records and under the Presidential Order 13768, visa and Green card holders with criminal records should be packed off from the United States. In fact, many youngsters have made errors in judgment though as adults they may have lived exemplary lives. Unless they seek absent an allowable waiver or presidential pardon, says Steven Riznyk, CEO of myImmigrationAttorney.com who provides consultancy on immigration matters in the United States.

Although there is more leeway for nonimmigrants, potential immigrants face a tougher standard and the major among them is drugs. As youths, some people have experimented with one drug or another, and waivers are not available for persons with drug offences that involve more than 30 grams of marijuana, states Riznyk.

"We often receive calls from persons who were removed from the United States for possession of a single dose of ecstacy or mushrooms, and they are not eligible for Permanent Residence status. Even with a waiver for 30 grams or less of marijuana for personal use, the waiver still requires the person to establish to the government’s satisfaction that extreme hardship would result to the person’s U.S. citizen/Permanent Resident spouse, children, or parents. Extreme Hardship is a very high standard to meet and exceeds most monetary, separation, and other issues which in and of themselves are extremely difficult," he said.

The only solutions for many such persons, he said, would be to either obtain a nonimmigrant visa (such as that for an investor) and an INA§ 212(d)(3) waiver, or, in the case of a felony conviction, a Governor’s Pardon. Expungements are not recognized for immigration purposes and Governor’s Pardons and their equivalents must be based from the United States, not from the foreigner’s country or another country.

An INA § 212(d)(3) wavier is purely discretionary though it does not require a showing of extreme hardship. "In my opinion, it is the legal equivalent of neurosurgery, and requires a lot of artful drafting and research. After all of that, there are still risks of it not prevailing," he noted.

Strategically speaking, one could hypothetically apply for the INA § 212(d)(3) waiver and a student or work visa, but realistically, a contribution to society, such as job creation with an L1 or E2 would yield a better chance in my opinion, he stated. "We have been able to use the E2 visa (renewable longer than any other visa) to bring people into the US" for those with no alternatives, he added.

Gopal Baglay Succeeds Vikas Swarup as MEA Spokesperson

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Diplomat Gopal Baglay, a 1992 batch IFS officer, will Succeed Vikas Swarup as Spokesperson in the External Affairs Ministry. Mr Swarup will move on to be India’s new High Commissioner to Canada.

Gopal Baglay (MEA Twitter)

Mr Baglay was earlier heading the PAI (Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran) division in the ministry and in his place, Mr Deepak Mittal will assume the new charge of the PAI division.

In a twitter message, baglay said: “Delighted to take over as Official Spokesperson. Hope to have your cooperation in continuing the high traditions set by my predecessors.”

Mr Baglay currently holds the Joint Secretary rank in the External Publicity (XP) division of Ministry of External Affairs.

Mr Swarup hoped that his successor would take the MEA communications to the next level. “I wish my successor Gopal Baglay all the best for the new assignment. He will take MEA communications to the next level, online & offline! Today I bid farewell as the Official Spokesperson, an extraordinary privilege and honour! You can follow me in my new role on @VikasSwarup.”

Baglay was ealier Director of External Publicity, Director PAI and Indian Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan.

Indian Navy Concludes Tropex 2017 Exercise

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The Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX 17) concluded on the Western Seaboard on 23rd February, 2017.

The month long exercise witnessed over 45 ships from both the Western and Eastern Naval Commands of the Indian Navy, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, 05 submarines including the nuclear powered Chakra, 50 Naval aircraft, 11 ships from the Coast Guard, troops from the Army and 20 aircraft from the Air Force including Su 30s, Jaguars and AWACS, said a statement.

The exercise in coordination with the Army and Air Force, was conducted in phases to test the various facets of war-fighting and joint combat capabilities of the armed forces to respond to given threat situations.

The Joint Work Up Phase used weapon firings by ships, submarines and aircraft from both the Indian Navy and Air Force. The 2017 edition of TROPEX also conducted large scale ‘Out of Area Contingency’ in island territory, with all three services taking part.

TROPEX 2017 culminated with Tactical Phase during the last 10 days, and saw intense action by both the opposing forces. The interaction of the forces helped validate operational war fighting concepts and provided valuable lessons to sharpen combat skills, said the Indian Navy in its statement.

TROPEX 2017 assumes great significance as it provides an apt-opportunity to test the combat readiness of the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard, and strengthened inter-operability and joint operations in complex conflict situation.

Fear Grips Indian Immigrants as America Returns to Cowboy Days

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The widow of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, shot to death amid war cry to “Get Out of My Country” by a white extremist candidly asked herself whether they belonged to America and rued that despite her pleadings to return to India, her late husband refused saying “good things happen to good people.”

Not so when we recall the days of cowboy violence and shooting spree reigned the largely immigrant nation in the 17th and 18th centuries. This is not the first time an Indian was killed as many Sikhs mistaken to be Muslims were also killed after the 9/11 attacks and outraged the American common man with little knowledge of the world.

“We’ve read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening,” said a teary Sunayana Dumala, wife of Kuchibotla addressing her husband’s colleagues at Garmin International gathering after the gory incident.

“I have a question in my mind: Do we belong here?” she said making it stop the beating of all Indian immigrants to the US for a second. Yes, Indians hardly raised their voice in the US and many wives of Indian Americans wished that they could return to their home country one day or the other.

The attacks on Indian are undoubtedly on the rise in US and no consolation can wipe out the tears of those who had lost their dear ones in their search for “An American Dream”. When US had business tangles with Japan, several Japanese nationals were targets of the American ire and lost their lives for their looks. And now that Indians are the target for similar miconception about Indians robbing the natives of their jobs.

While the reality is that minus Indians, other nationals will fill the gap and not necessarily Americans would get these jobs. Further, leaving the US may further strengthen the revival of cowboy mindset of white extremists a-la Ku Klux Klan in the 18th century of America. Unless this mindset is addressed, there is no end in sight to American wrath against foreign workers and engineers in the US.

Indian Navy Chief Sunil Lanba to Visit UAE, Oman

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Admiral Sunil Lanba

Indian Navy’s Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff will visit United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman from 26 February to 02 March 2017, to consolidate bilateral naval relations and to explore new avenues for naval cooperation.

Admiral Lanba will begin his visit from UAE on 26 February 2017, where he will hold bilateral discussions with Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence of UAE, Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces and Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salim Mohammed Al Musharrakh, Commander of UAE Naval Forces.

The Admiral will be visiting the Ghantoot Naval Base, where he will be briefed on the latest Baynunah Class Corvette. He will also visit the National Defence College of UAE, where he will interact with the Student Officers, and also tour the training facilities at the Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College of UAE. The Admiral will also lay a wreath at the Wahat Al Karama Memorial.

On completion of his visit to UAE, the CNS will visit Oman from 01 March 2017, where he will hold bilateral discussions with Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs of Oman, as also the three Service Chiefs. The Admiral will visit the Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy, the Said Bin Naval Base, where he will also visit the Fleet Maintenance Facility and the latest Khareef Class corvette, RNOV Al Shamikh.

The Indian Navy cooperates with both the navies of UAE and Oman on many fronts, which include Training, Operational interactions and exchange of ‘White Shipping Information’, through the medium of Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks with both countries, as also through Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) with UAE and Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) with Oman.

The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ since 1993. Ten editions have been held so far, the last being held off Goa in January 16, 2017.

64 Indian Food Exporters to Participate in Gulf Food 2017 in Dubai

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With 64 Indian exporters of Agriculture and Processed Food products are participating under APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) will particiapte in the Gulf Food 2017 in Dubai to be held from 26th February to 2nd March, 2017.

APEDA pavilion will be inaugurated by Ms. Rita Teaotia, Commerce Secretary. APEDA is an apex organization under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry created for Promotion and Development of agricultural and food exports.

APEDA’s exports include fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, pickles, chutneys, guar gum, poultry, meat and dairy products, confectionery, cut flowers, food grains, aromatic plants, Basmati Rice and Indian Long Grain Rice and other Indian delicacies. India exports agricultural products to more than 80 countries world over, amounting to US$16,195.61 million in 2015-16.

UAE is a potential market for Indian food products such as Basmati Rice, Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Non-Basmati Rice, Buffalo Meat, alcoholic Beverages, Sheep and Goat Meat, Processed Fruits and Juices, Cereal Preparation, Misc Processed items, Dairy Products, Milled Products, Wheat, Cocoa Products, Pulses, Other Cereals, Groundnut, Processed Vegetables, Floriculture, Guargum, etc. The export of APEDA scheduled products to UAE market for the year 2015-16 was US $ 1,371 Million.

Hyderabad Techie Shot Dead; Trump Regime Wakes up to First Racial Crime Against Indian?

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In a bizarre incident of perpetuating racial crime in America against Indians, an IT engineer from Hyderabad was shot at in a bar after the white man identified as Adam Purinton, 51, a US Navy veteran, shouted at him “Get out of my country”.

Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was shot dead and his Indian colleague Alok Madasani from Warangal was wounded in the incident, first in Donald Trump administration that may have serious repercussions on Indian immigrants in the US.

So far, the ire against beaded and turbaned Sikh immigrants beginnging with mistaken killing of Balbir Singh Sandhu, after the 9/11 terror attacks has taken a new form with Indian IT engineers too becoming innocent victims to psychic killers in outrage and racial hatred in a country that was founded by immigrants.

Responding to the incident, Indian external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted: “I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family.”

Ironic but the US media is silent on the shooting incident at Olathe city. Kuchobotla’s employer GPS-maker Garmin International, in an internal e-mail to the staff said:

“Unfortunately, two associates on our aviation systems engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital. We’re saddened that two Garmin associates were involved in last night’s incident, and we express our condolences to the family and friends of our co-workers involved. Garmin will have grievance counselors on-site and available for its associates today and tomorrow.”

Kuchibotla was in the helicopter OEM division of GI and he had studied in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2005-07. He graduated from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad in 2005.

Ansari Praises Indian Community’s Contribution to Uganda Business

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The Vice President of India, Mr. M. Hamid Ansari said India’s commercial and business ties with Uganda are dynamic and form a key pillar of bilateral relations, while addressing the India-Uganda Business Meeting in Kampala, Uganda, on Wednesday, February 22, 2017.

The Vice President said that Uganda’s expanding economy offers opportunities in a variety of sectors. He has underscored the service of Indian education institutions to provide opportunities for quality education at a fraction of the cost of western institutions to an ever increasing number of students from Africa, including from Uganda. India has been a source of affordable pharmaceuticals and specialized healthcare for people of Africa, he added.

The Vice President said that the Indian community in Uganda is vibrant and holds an important position in Ugandan economy in manufacturing, trade and service sectors. Indian businesses employ thousands of Ugandans and are among the largest contributors to tax revenue in Uganda, he added.

“Our commercial and business ties with Uganda are dynamic and form a key pillar of our bilateral relations. I am told that every month, more than 70 Ugandan businessmen travel to India to explore business opportunities with India. It is a matter of satisfaction that India is one of the largest trade partners of Uganda but at US$ 615 million, our bilateral trade is yet to reach its true potential,” he noted.

The Indian community in Uganda is vibrant in Uganda and holds an important position in Ugandan economy in manufacturing, trade and service sectors. Indian businesses employ thousands of Ugandans and are among the largest contributors to tax revenue in Uganda.

“I thank the Government of Uganda for welcoming Indian entrepreneurs who have sought business opportunities in Uganda and I request that the Ugandan government continues with such support and encouragement for our companies seeking business in Uganda,” he said.

The Vice President said that India has emerged as one of the largest investors and trading partners of Uganda. The Vice President thanked the Government of Uganda for welcoming Indian entrepreneurs who have sought business opportunities in Uganda.

3 EU Delegations on Whirwind Tour of India

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A delegation of the Committee for Internal Market and Consumer Protection, European Union led by Ms. Vicky Ford met the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, in New Delhi on February 23, 2017.

The European Parliament Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection is on a visit to Mumbai and New Delhi from 21-23 February 2017 to meet ministries, parliamentarians, standardisations authorities and consumer organisations. The Delegation comprises of Ms. Vicky Ford (IMCO Chair), Mr. Andreas Schwab, Ms. Evelyne Gebhardt, Ms. Olga Sehnalova, Ms. Marlene Mizzi and Mr. Ivan Stefanec.

The Delegation intends to push for a revived EU-India strategic partnership and also cover regulatory issues in areas such as services, standardisation, customs and consumer protection.

MEPs are keen on knowing the Indian customs priorities, including the management of port controls and relevant customs IT systems. They will visit start-up incubators and Info-tech park which offer key opportunities for unlocking the potential of the digital market and of services.

The delegation will try to assess how India ensures safe products, combats counterfeiting, safeguards consumer rights, keeps consumers informed about products/services, cracks down on anti-competitive behaviour and reduces administrative burdens, while sharing experiences about the standardisation process in India and EU.

Two other EU delegations are also visiting India to strengthen the EU-India Strategic Partnership. The AFET Committee under the leadership of its new chair, MEP David McAllister, would be meeting various leaders and representatives of the Indian Government, industry, as well as think tanks.

The AFET delegation comprises of Mr. David McAllister (Chair), Mr. Cristian Dan Preda, Ms.. Željana Zovko, Ms. Neena Gill, Mr. Jo Leinen, Mr. Amjad Bashir, Mr. Urmas Paet.

The AFET delegation will focus on EU-India relations, including an enhanced foreign policy dialogue on issues of global and regional importance and of mutual interest or concern, such as peace, security, and multilateral cooperation.

The third, European Parliament’s Delegation comprising Mr Geoffrey Van Orden, (Chair), Ms. Neena Gill (1st Vice-Chair), Ms Cora Van Nieuwenhuizen (2nd Vice-Chair), Mr Alojz Peterle, Mr Jakob Von Weiszacker, and Mr Flavio Zanonato will be visiting Delhi and Bangalore from 20th – 23rd February, 2017.

In Bangalore the group will meet Karnataka Minister for Industry and representatives of leading Indian and European businesses. Software and aeronautics.

Arun Jaitley Undertakes 5-day UK Sojourn to Invite Investors

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The Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will leave tomorrow, Febrary 24, 2017, for London on a five-day official visit to hold business interaction with UK-India Business Council, meet his UK counterpart and the Chancellor of Exchequer, besides delivering a talk at London School of Economics on ‘Transforming India: Vision for the Next Decade”.

On Saturday, he will deliver a talk at London School of Economics and on Sunday, the Finance Minister will attend a reception being organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), British Council and Indian High Commission at UK.

On Monday, Jaitley will perform Market Opening Ceremony at London Stock Exchange followed by a Roundtable Meeting with prospective issuers and leading investors and fintech leaders.

Later in the day, the Finance Minister will have Business interaction with over 100 senior business leaders from the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC). In the evening, he will call on Boris Johnson, Foreign Secretary of UK before attending a reception being hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace.

On Tuesday, he will meet with his UK counterpart and the Chancellor of Exchequer and then attend a meeting with CEOs being organized by the Confederation of British Industry before leaving back for home in the evening.

Jaishankar Makes Half-Way to Convince China on NSG, Azhar Issues

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External Affairs Secretary Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to China at a crucial stage has come as no magic but certainly paved the way, at least by half, to make Beijing see the reason behind India’s demand.

The latest restructured strategic dialogue with Chinese counterpart Executive Vice Minister Mr. Zhang Yesui besides the State Counsellor Mr. Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Mr. Wang Yi, yielded response on several issues short of India’s demand on terrorism.

Other areas included Afghanistan, multilateral diplomacy including counter-terrorism and also bilateral relations as well as the nuclear issues.

Jaishankar summed up his visit as useful in conveying to the Chinese side “our priorities and concerns and also gaining from them an appreciation of their understanding of the world situation and in what manner we could work together,” which in non-diplomatic terms means some sort of status-quo will continue in India-China relations and that no one should expect any wonders to take place.

On Wednesday, it was a five-hour-long talks sharing views on international issues. China shared its insights and perspectives. What is the common point for both was international trade barriers which may pose equal threat to both Asian giants.

Both agreed that the international situation is in flux and both India and China probably could do one thing together which is a more stable, substantive, forward looking India-China relationship which would inject a greater amount of predictability into the international system, he said.

“On the NSG issue the Chinese side underlined that they were open to India’s application for membership but they had their view of procedures and processes and these were somewhat different from where we are at the moment and where we think most of the group is at the moment,” said Jaishankar summing up his talks.

On UN sanctions on Masood Azhar, India explained the rationale and sought support on its concerns about Masood Azhar’s activities.

Essentially the visit yielded no progress on thorny issues but on business front, there is a common sense of threat from trade barriers and unstable global system, unleashed by President Donald Trump in the US.

Sushma Swaraj Offers Help on Kuwait, Libya, South Sudan Victims Abroad

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In view of sporadic incidents of attacks on Indian nationals in the Gulf and Middle-East, Indian External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj on Tuesday said that the Indian Embassy has taken up the matter at the highest level in Kuwait and Libya to ensure safety and security of Indian nationals.

On the condition of Mrs. Gopika Shajikumar, who was stabbed in Kuwait, she said the victim has undergone a surgery and is recovering. “I was informed about the stabbing of Mrs. Gopika Shajikumar an Indian national from Kottayam. I asked for an immediate report and we have complete details of the unfortunate incident. Gopika has undergone surgery at the Farwaniya hospital. I wish her a speedy recovery,” Swaraj tweeted on Twitter.

On Libyan case where an Indian citizen was shot with a gun, she wrote on Twitter, “We have rescued Dr.Ramamurthy Kosanam in Libya. Dr.Kosanam has suffered a bullet injury. We are bringing him to India shortly. Later, she tweeted that the Mission had rescued all the six Indians abducted in Libya. “I appreciate the good work done by our mission there,” she added.

In another incident in South Sudan, where an Indian was shot dead, brother of one of the victim Syed Farooq Basha in Juba, South Sudan tweeted from Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh seeking help from the minister, who in turn asked the ambassador to rush to the scene and help the victim’s family in sending the body home.

 

MEA Secretary Jaishankar Meets Top Chinese Officials to Soothen Feelings

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Amid apprehensions and suspicions, Indian foreign secretary S. Jaishankar visited Beijing and held talks with top officials to bring a semblance of rapproachement in fast-deteriorating bilateral relations.

On Wednesday, Dr. Jaishankar held held parleys over Beijing’s reluctance to support India’s NSG bid as well as a UN ban on JeM chief Masood Azhar, the two top impediments in current bilateral relations. Even the proposed U$46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is another major issue now.

The China-India Dialogue with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held earlier gave out hints on the scope of further talks and Jaishankar’s visit is expected to cement the relations in view of common perceptions on global trade and the role as Asia’s two major developing countries and emerging markets.

Wang had said, “I am certain by raising the level of this strategic dialogue the two sides will be able to enhance their strategic communication, reduce misunderstanding and build more trust and deepen our strategic cooperation.”

In response, Jaishankar said, “This is the first time that the restructured strategic dialogue is taking place… This shows that our relationship today has gone well beyond bilateral manifestations,” he said.

Jaishankar, who was a former Ambassador to China, met China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi on Tuesday. On differences over NSG and Azhar issue, Jaishankar described these as natural issues which neighbours will always have and maintained that it is the responsibility of both the nations to address them.

 

WHO Applauds India on National Regulatory Authority 100% Compliance

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World Health Organization has applauded India’s National Regulatory Authority which was declared “functional’ with a maturity level of 4, the highest level as per currently evolved definitions in respect of 5 functions, and maturity level 3 in respect of 4 functions.

While, maturity level 4 indicates good results and sustained improvement trends, maturity level 3 reflects systematic process based approach, early stage of systematic improvements, data availability regarding conformance to objectives and existence of improvement trends, said health minister J.P. Nadda, who has appreciated the ministry for the effort.

“The successful outcome of the WHO conducted assessment of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of India is a big boost to the Government’s efforts towards quality healthcare, for which the Government is committed to,” he said.

The Minister informed that WHO has termed the 100% compliance in the WHO assessment (benchmarking) of the Indian vaccine regulatory system as another ‘landmark achievement’. The previous WHO assessment (benchmarking) of the Indian vaccine regulatory system was conducted in 2012 during which institutional development plan (IDP) and the road map for strengthening the NRA were developed.

Pointing out to the introduction of newer vaccines in the country’s full immunisation basket through the nationwide introduction of pentavalent vaccine, and the phased roll-out of Rotavirus vaccine and Measles Rubella vaccine, Mr. Nadda stated that the Ministry is confident that India shall meet all its global commitments in the healthcare sector as a result of these focussed endeavours.

In addition, Mission Indradhanush has strengthened the full immunisation drive of the Government, the Health Minister stated.

Ansari Addresses Joint Business Forum in Rwanda

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Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari has said that Rwanda has put behind it the unfortunate genocide of 1994 and the efficient and clean city of Kigali captures the great strides that this country is taking on its path of growth and prosperity.
Launching the India-Rwanda Innovation Growth Program in Kigali on Tuesday, Mr Ansari said the program will expand ties in Science, Technology and Innovation, besides creating an ecosystem wherein Indian innovations and technology enterprises will thrive and encourage business ventures from both sides.
The India-Rwanda Business Forum was organized jointly by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Rwanda Development Board and Prime Minister of Rwanda, Mr. Anastase Murekezi and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
The Vice President said that Rwanda today offers a range of prospects to investors, including in renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining, tourism, and Information and Communications Technology. Trade between India and Rwanda has been gradually increasing over the last few years, he added.
The Vice President said that several Rwandans have travelled to India for medical treatment and have come back satisfied. India is also increasingly becoming a preferred destination for quality and affordable education for Rwandan students, he added.
The Vice President said that the translation of ideas and innovations into practical applications will require the 3 Ds of Discovery, Development and Delivery. We are now ready to work with our partners in Rwanda and other partners of Africa in transferring our experience in building an innovation driven economy, he added.

US Congress Delegation Meets PM

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A delegation of 26 members of the United States Congress called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and exchangd views on recent developments in the US.

Welcoming the Congressional Representatives, he said it augurs a good start to bilateral exchanges following the new US Administration and Congress.

The Prime Minister recalled his positive conversation with US President Donald Trump and the shared commitment to further strengthen ties that have grown deeper in the last two and a half years. He appreciated US Congress’s strong bipartisan support for the India-US partnership.

The Prime Minister also shared his perspective on areas where both countries can work even more closely, including in facilitating greater people-to-people linkages that have over the years helped contribute to each other’s prosperity.

Later, he referred to the role of skilled Indian talent in enriching the American economy and society. He also sought to develop “a reflective, balanced and farsighted perspective” on movement of skilled professionals, related to IT sector in particular.

Modi had addressed the US Parliament members on June 8, 2016 during his visit to Washington DC.

Ansari on Visit to Rwanda, Uganda; Calls for Renewed Focus on Africa

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India’s Vice President M. Hamid Ansari has stressed the need for a renewed and more focused effort by India to give a dynamic impetus to relations with African nations.

Speaking to the media onboard Air India One Special Aircraft on the way to five-day visit to Rwanda & Uganda, along with Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Vijay Sampla and others, he said the President of India has visited three countries, the Prime Minister has visited four countries and he himself has visited five countries so far, and this visit will add another two.

All the visits form part of a conscious effort by the Government “to intensify our interaction with countries of Africa at the highest political level,” he said.

On Rwanda, he said despite their painful experience of early 1990s, the Rwandan economy has reported consistent high growth with an increased focus on business and a business delegation from India is also visiting Rwanda to coincide with the Vice President’s visit. He further said that Indian companies could look at making Rwanda an entry point for Africa. As part of the development cooperation, India has collaborated with Rwanda on several projects, he added.

The Vice President said that Uganda has a large number people of Indian origin and they continue to play an important role in bridging the gap. Uganda perceives an important role for itself in Africa and we have very good relations with them, he noted.

Responding to a question on safety of African nationals in India, he said they are rare and sporadic attacks by anti-social elements. These issues have been raised at diplomatic levels and “our response has been comprehensive and is satisfactory to African friends. It has not affected the flow of African students who come in large numbers to India,” he said.

Telecom Exports from India to be the focus of ASEAN-India Digital Partnership

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To commemorate the 25th year of the ASEAN India relations, India’s Telecom Equipment and Services Export Promotion Council is holding an inter-ministerial meeting between telecom ministers of ASEAN countries and India in New Delhi today, on 20th February, 2017 to explore the posibility of strategic and commercial tie ups.

Telecom Minister of State Manoj Sinha led the discussions from Indian side with telecom ministers, senior government officials and industry leaders from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos PDR, Indonesia and Bhutan.

India expressed its keen interest to partner with ASEAN countries in enabling Digital Connectivity between India and ASEAN region and also for enabling broadband within ASEAN countries.

“These digital connectivity projects are of strategic importance and can have a transformative impact on the economy and cooperation between ASEAN and India. India has committed to provide financial as well as technological support for projects that could include-high-speed fiber optic networks, digital villages, rural broadband, national knowledge network, secured communication networks and telecom training and skill development,” said a statement by the ministry.

TEPC is organizing its flagship event “India Telecom 2017: An Exclusive International Business Expo” on 21-22 February 2017 at New Delhi at Shangri-La’s Hotel Eros in New Delhi, with an estimated 100 foreign high profile ICT industry delegates from 30 countries.