Tag Archives: india

Welcoming India, Pakistan Aboard, China Says No Bilateral Issues at Shanghai Group

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Welcoming India and Pakistan into the SCO, China categorically ruled out any bilateral issues cropping up at Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a stand that India avowedly upheld in all multilateral forums.

“As a founding member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), we are very happy about the membership of India and Pakistan,” China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Kong Xuanyou said at a ceremony at the SCO headquarters held to formally admit the two nations as new members of the grouping.

China is a dominant member and host of the 8-member organisation, which includes China, Russia and Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan besides India and Pakistan. Currently, Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia are the observers and may soon join as members.

Kong, who attended the ceremony, tried to ally apprehensions aired by media reports on the possibility of bilateral rivalry weakening the organisation the way it has done to saarc. “In the charter of the SCO there is a clause that the hostility between the bilateral relations should not be brought to the organisation. I believe both the countries will abide by the charter of the organisation,” he said.

“Between our member states our interests far outweigh our differences. So, we should not exaggerate the differences between the countries as it is not good for the organisation and cooperation between member states. After becoming members, we all become members of the big family,” he said.

First Airbus Training Centre in Asia to be Set up in India

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European aviation firm Airbus is setting up a greenfield training facility at Aerocity, New Delhi, to support India’s growing need for Airbus aircraft pilots and maintenance engineers and the ground-breaking for it was performed by Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Tom Enders, CEO, Airbus said the training centre will be the first such facility fully owned by us in Asia. India is the fastest growing domestic aviation market in the world and is expected to continue to grow at an annualised 9.3% over the next 20 years, outpacing the world average of 4.6%.

The number of trips per capita in India is expected to quadruple by 2035 due to a combination of economic and demographic factors, and Airbus forecasts a requirement for at least 1,600 new passenger and freighter aircraft by 2035. The consequent increase in Indian in-service aircraft fleet will lead to an accompanying need for over 24,000 new pilots and maintenance engineers.

The almost 7000 m2 Airbus India Training Centre will be built in a modular concept in order to become operational by end-2018 with two A320 full flight simulators, increasing to four and potentially to six simulators in due course, he informed.

It will start with an initial capacity to train over 800 pilots and 200 maintenance engineers annually. The centre will cater primarily to Airbus operators in India and the region. Airbus has more than 250 aircraft in service in India and over 570 are on order by Indian airlines.

Indian Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that India’s rapidly growing passenger aircraft fleet must be matched by adequate availability of skilled pilots and maintenance engineers.

Airbus’ pilot and maintenance engineering training center is the type of facility which will help augment the talent pool of such personnel and thus be a force multiplier for the Indian aviation sector, he said. He has asked Airbus to think of creating MRO facility in India to.

China, India Behind 50% of Global Deaths Due to Air Pollution: Study

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China and India together contributed for more than half of the total global deaths due to air pollution in 2015, said a study by the U.S.-based Health Effects Institute (HEI).

The report showed that air pollution caused more than 4.2 million deaths in 2015, making it the fifth highest cause of death. But just two countries – India and China alone reported 2.2 million deaths, or half of the global deaths.

The institute on its website – www.stateofglobalair.org – said 92% of the world’s population lives in areas which are filled with polluted or unhealthy air. In turn, air pollution causes cancer, stroke and heart disease, as well as chronic respiratory problems such as asthma.

However, China is trying to bring down the deaths but India has a long time to go, it said. In January, a ministry spokesman told domestic media, “It is currently too early to draw conclusions about the extent of the impact of smog on health, especially its long-term impact on the body.”

The report said most of the world’s population lives in areas where air quality is unhealthy and an estimated 92% of people live in areas where fine particulate matter concentrations (small dust or soot in the air) exceed the World Health Organization’s Air Quality Guideline of 10 µg/m3.

Air pollution is a complex mixture of particles and gases and the composition varies from place to place, depending on what sources are present, including power plants, heavy industry, traffic, weather conditions, and how they mix in the atmosphere, said the organisation in it study.

Challakere in Karnataka: No Secret City But Hub of Nuclear Power, Says Report

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Challakere in Karnataka is not only a hub for buses travelling to and fro Bangalaore and Bellary but also a hub for the Defence ministry, purported to be the nuclear city of future to generate the country’s nuclear power for submarines and weapons.

Last year, the US magazine Foreign Policy, quoting a former PMO official, said it may trigger competition from neighbouring nuclear powers China and Pakistan. Not China but Pakistan has recently complained that the hub is a “secret nuclear city.”

India has denied the allegations and stood to its ground it is a safer bet to hold on to its nuclear weapons unlike Pakistan, which was involved in smuggling nuclear secrets to North Korea and other threshold countries, violating all the norms of being a nuclear power.

The not-so-secret nuclear underground factory was set up in 2012 when the Congress government was in power at the Centre and the BJP was in power in the state of Karnataka, 203-km northeast of Bangalore on 4,290 acres of land in Challakere for scientific and nuclear use, said reports.

In its 14-page report. Foreign Policy claimed that the Challakere project will be the “subcontinent’s largest military-run complex of nuclear centrifuges, atomic-research laboratories, weapons and aircraft-testing facilities” when it is scheduled to be completed this year. It was expected to produce fuel for nuclear reactors and the navy’s fleet of new submarines, said the article.

“But another, more controversial ambition, according to retired Indian government officials and independent experts in London and Washington, is to give India an extra stockpile of enriched uranium fuel that could be used in new hydrogen bombs,” the report said.

As of 2015, India had 110 nuclear war heads compared to 120 in Pakistan and 260 in China, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). It quoted former White House official Gary Samore who said, “I believe that India intends to build thermonuclear weapons as part of its strategic deterrent against China.”

Other reports said the test center in the cordoned area may have a 3-mile long runway for a new generation of drones and long distance unmanned vehicles. The report also said Mysore district nearby is known for plutonium resources. The Center for Public Integrity has undertaken a field report on environmental fall out of the so-called secret city recently.

Nepal SAARC Meeting on Feb 1 to Decide on Next Summit Schedule

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The nations of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) will meet in Kathmandu on February 1-2 to attend the Programming Committee meeting over the next SAARC summit schedule.

This is the first meeting of the SAARC members after the controversial postponement of the 19th SAARC summit scheduled in Islamabad last year in November due to India’s objections over the escalation of border tensions.

The meeting in Nepal will witness all the SAARC member states to discuss the budget of the SAARC Secretariat and five regional centers of SAARC, besides the rescheduling of the next SAARC summit. The meeting will be attended by joint secretaries of the SAARC countries.

The decisions at the programming committee will be sent to the Standing Committee. SAARC, set up in 1985, consists of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Last November, the SAARC Summit was postponed after four nations — Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India — requested the summit in Islamabad to be postponed over the border tensions between India and Pakistan. The four countries had blamed Pakistan for not creating a conducive environment and not cooperating on combating cross-border terrorism in the region for holding the SAARC Summit. Pakistan rejected the charges.

Trumpeting ‘America First’ Theory Far-Fetched But Feasible

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US President Donald Trump in his first Presidential address has put “America First”, setting the tone for an inward-looking diplomacy that might radically change the course of world events since the Pearl Harbor attack seven decades ago.

“We assembled here today are issuing a new decree to be heard in every city, in every foreign capital, and in every hall of power. From this day forward, a new vision will govern our land. From this day forward, it’s going to be only America first, America first,” he said in his first Presidential speech.

In domestic politics, what President Trump proclaimed was feasible but in international politics, diplomacy varies from capital to capital and region to region. Depending on where he stands, it changes.

To begin with, going westward, America of Trump may seek more from Japan where it has stationed its war fleet round the clock for a sum. Now this has to be a ransom to sustain what Trump wanted. Will Tokyo, stuck in a stagnated economy, tax its citizens more to pay Uncle Sam?

Australia and New Zealand, who fall in line every time an emergency struck the US in the past, may not benefit from America First policy directly but certainly they can look inward for a domestically centred economic push, instead of looking at Washington DC for succour.

Asia is as divided as ever. China may tremble under the pressure of a constant panic button by an erstwhile businessman who may want more concessions or threaten to replete the markets for ever. China may retaliate in many ways including selling its US dollar reserves which are in plenty. This may be an uphill task but once mooted, even the US economy will shake.

India, being a late entrant into the US-dominated international politics after the Cold War, will have to safeguard its Information Technology companies and contracts whether H1B visa is there or not. The time is for Indian honchos to give room to their US counterparts in office space to thwart any direct attack from Trump. It is going to be a roller-coaster ride for Indian IT companies for the next four years.

Pakistan, whose Prime Minister woke up to a sudden phone call from President-elect Trump, may cosy up to the fact that they have to rein in on Islamic leaders either willingly or unwillingly for the next four years. US troops in Afghan border will remain a direct answer to every word that Trump speaks from now onwards. How Taliban in Kabul outskirts reacts to Trump will shape the drone war in the vicinity of Hindukush mountains.

Middle East will remain the major beneficiary from the Trump Administration as long as the Arabs keep their oil wells in tact and hand over the IS agents in return for business considerations. One pointer is that oil prices will be given a push to touch $100 if diplomacy by business is what Trump means.

More of Israel than Iran in Middle East policy will gain currency again. To achieve this, United Kingdom will have to be roped in and NATO alliance has to remain in its place to keep Russia’s Putin in place. US future with Europe is so intertwined that no President can just distance the siblings here.

Africa in the backyard, as usual, with focus on warlords and military mafia who will resurrect terror and attract Trump’s attention eventually tasting his iron-handed approach. Unlike the previous Bush administration, Trump may be forced to involve more in African affairs, for a change now.

Back to borders with other American nations like Mexico, he may build a wall but how much of the cost will be footed by the Mexican drug mafia, if not the Mexican government, will be the major question. Other Latin Americans may wait in the wings for the next administration to take over in 2021.

All said and done, Trump’s slogan remains the same – “Yes, together, we will make America great again.”

India, Mauritius Sign MoU on Fisheries, Cooperatives

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India signed an MoU with Mauritius on Monday to cooperate in fisheries and cooperatives in agro industry, fisheries and dairy sector.

India’s Union Minister of Agriculture Radha Mohan Singh and Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Govt. of Mauritius, Mr. Soomilduth Bholah signed on MoU for Cooperation in the field of Cooperatives, in New Delhi on Monday.

The MoU will enable the two countries to collaborate in this vital sector and can significantly benefit thousands in Mauritius. India has also offered to exchange its expertise and technology with Mauritius in agro industry, fisheries and dairy sector.

The two ministers expressed satisfaction at the historic, time-tested relationship between India and Mauritius which is anchored in linkages of culture and ancestry has grown from strength to strength over the years, adding that frequent high level visits have added significant momentum to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

India is enhancing ties with Mauritius and alst year, INS Tabar, a stealth frigate visited Port Louis, Mauritius from 10-13 March. The primary aim of the visit was to participate in the Mauritius National Day celebrations and strengthen the existing bonds of friendship.

In May-June 2016, Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Mhadei (INSVMhadei) with an all-women crew undertook two voyages to Port Louis, Mauritius as part of the first two open-ocean voyages of the Navy’s all-women crew of Mhadei, who are currently training to undertake a circumnavigation of the globe in 2017.

India, Kenya to Renew Ties as President Kenyatta Visits New Delhi

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Welcoming Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta’s visit to India, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had visited Kenya 6 months ago, said common belief in democratic values, shared developmental priorities and the warm currents of the Indian Ocean bind both the countries.

“In our discussions today, President and I reviewed the full range of our relationship. During my visit to Kenya last year, we had identified deepening of economic cooperation as one of the key focus areas of our efforts. In this context, expansion of bilateral trade, greater flow of capital between two economies, and stronger developmental partnership are a priority,” said Mr. Modi welcoming the Kenyan President’s delegation to New Delhi on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, President Kenyatta led a strong and high level delegation to the eighth Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, where he was able to connect with the Indian businesses over investment opportunities in Kenya. “We want, and will encourage, industry and business in both countries to take lead in exploiting opportunities in healthcare, tourism, information technology, agriculture, blue economy and energy,” said Mr Modi.

Later on Wednesday, the Kenyan President met Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

The Joint Business Council meeting today (Thursday) is likely to work out further commercial engagement through specific projects, cooperation on trade facilitation measures, including standardization and related areas. A Line of Credit Agreement of $100 million signed for agricultural mechanisation was signed on Wednesday, besides exploring a long term arrangement with Kenya for production and import of pulses.

“In the health sector, Bhabhatron machine has been delivered to the Kenyatta National Hospital for cancer treatment. Related capacity building of the Kenyan doctors is being undertaken under our India Africa Forum Summit initiative. Partnership in Education is creating new connections between our people. We have a strong relationship with the University of Nairobi, where a Chair for Indian Studies has been established by ICCR, and renovation of its library is also being undertaken with Indian assistance. On energy, we value Kenya’s support to the International Solar Alliance, and our joint efforts to harness the energy of the sun to power our economic growth,” said Mr Modi.

Indian Cabinet Approves International Solar Alliance

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The Indian Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the proposal of Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) for ratification of ISA’s Framework Agreement by India.

ISA was launched jointly by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30th November, 2015 at Paris on the side-lines of the 21st CoP meeting of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The ISA will strive to bring together more than 121 solar resource rich nations for coordinated research, low cost financing and rapid deployment.

The foundation stone of the ISA Headquarters was laid at Gwal Pahari, Guragaon in Haryana. India has already committed the required support of operationalization of ISA. ISA will put India globally in a leadership role in climate and renewable energy issues. It will also give a platform to showcase its solar programmes.

The Agreement was opened for signature on the sidelines of 22nd CoP meeting at Marrakesh, Morocco. The Agreement invokes the Paris Declaration on ISA and encapsulates the vision of the prospective member nations. UNDP and World Bank have already announced their partnership with the ISA. Till now, 25 nations have signed the Framework Agreement.

New Year’s Eve Celebrated Around the World

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Come New Year’s Eve, display of fireworks to revelers displaying the joyous mood mark the night of December 31 every year. Throughout the world the celebration begin with New Zealand and Australia reporting it first and New York or California joining the party much later in the day.

New Zealand:

A giant digital clock on Auckland’s landmark Sky Tower will show the countdown to New Year with people joining the spree shouting the seconds down to midnight. This is the first New Year Celebration every year to report with horns blared and crowds cheered as the tower goes up in lights varying from green to red to white in colour accompanied by fireworks.

Australia:

In Australia, Sydney’s famed harbour hosts pyrotechnics followed by waterfall of multicoloured fireworks in the sky, witnessed more than a million people off the Harbour Bridge.

Japan:

It’s holiday mood in Japan with most of the offices empty and cities virtually deserted. The New Year’s eve is celebrated by Tokyoites with children by releasing balloons from the top of the Tokyo Tower. Otherwise, millions of people leave cities for hometowns in trains. Temple ceremonies come to life on the New Year’s eve with the bronze bells ringing in the new year.

South Korea:

South Koreans too mark New Year’s Eve with traditional bell ringing ceremonies in Buddhist temples, with fireworks and music accompanied by pubic shows and performances in cities. On this day, several North Korean refugees, usually gather near the border to wish for a united Korea one day.

Malaysia

It is the fireworks time and celebrations on top of Kuala Lumpur’s landmark, Petronas Twin Towers, make the New Year’s Eve celebration in Malaysia comparable with the ‘Ball Drop’ at Times Square in New York.

China

China celebrates New Year’s Eve hosting performances and fireworks near Beijing’s Forbidden City in the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Beijing. Those at home are usually glued to TV broadcast of a gala from the National Stadium, known to most as the iconic Bird’s Nest.

Philippines

Fireworks mark both the revelry and tragedy of Filipinos on New Year Eve over the years. Traditionally Filipinos eat “media noche” on the midnight as others try thier hands at fireworks to make the loudest noise possible in Manila. After 2015 New Year Eve tragedy that injured about 850, shopping malls are holding the fireworks display to discourage individuals firing crackers in the city. Even the annual procession called the Black Nazarene, or carrying a black wooden statue of Jesus Christ, is being held a day earlier now to avoid injuries due to left over crackers on the streets.

Thailand

Following the demise of King Bhumbol, the New Year Eve will not be held in Thailand, which is observing one year mourning. Some of the canceled events include the Central World’s New Year Countdown Party & Beer Garden, the annual Patong Carnival, no fireworks at Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) this year, and the New Year celebrations in Pattaya.

India:

Delhi, known for its showcase culture, will see many youngsters celebrating the New Year’s Eve on the streets dancing in an inebriated status while the police try to keep an eye on motorcyclists and drunk vehicle drivers. Usually Rashtrapati Bhavan is illuminated on the New Year’s Eve and 5-star hotels hold special events with live bands, dancing and plenty of drinks.

United Arab Emirates

In Dubai, the world’s second tallest building Burj Khalifa will be fitted with 400,000 LED lights and 1.6 tons of fireworks planned on every New Year’s Eve.

Gaza Strip

Palestinia hardly celebrates the New Year as Gaza’s Islamist Hamas rulers have banned New Year celebrations in the Palestinian territory and hotels and restaurants were not allowed to hold parties for three days, a day before the New Year and a day after the New Year.

France

The Champs Elysee in Paris is usually the centre of New Year’s Eve celebrations every year though last year it was not held due to November terrorist attacks in the city. It is likely that the Elysee may bring back the revelry of the New Year this time.

Belgium

Brussels, the capital of Belgium, canceled last year’s New Year’s Eve fireworks due to fear of terrorist attack but this year, it may be resumed though at a scaled down level.

United Kingdom

Fireworks in London are the most watched scenes around the world over the New Year’ Eve until the New York Ball drop takes place. Spectacular fireworks in London, Edinburgh and other big cities mark the event but police keep a tab on those without tickets.

Brazil

Remember the Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? It’s here the giant Christ statue will be lighted to say goodbye to 2016 and welcome 2017. Last year’s New Year’s Eve show was illuminated by 24 tons of fireworks spanning over 16 minutes. Music shows, samba dances and revelers mark the day with their performance.

US – New York

Come to New York on New Year’s Eve and watch the historic Ball Drop at Times Square at the midnight. Nearly one million people watch the event every year and big music bands including Luke Bryan, Charlie Puth, Demi Lovato and Carrie Underwood would perform. The descent of a glittering crystal ball from a rooftop flagpole marks the fireworks.

India attains 4th position in global wind power

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A capacity addition of 14.30 GW of renewable energy has been reported during the last two and half years under Grid Connected Renewable Power, which include 5.8 GW from Solar Power, 7.04 GW from Wind Power, 0.53 from Small Hydro Power and 0.93 from Bio-power.  As of 31st October, 2016, Solar Energy Projects with an aggregate capacity of over 8727.62 MW has been installed in the country.

Confident by the growth rate in clean energy sector, the Government of India in its submission to the United Nations Frame Work Convention on Climate Change on Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) has stated that India will achieve 40% cumulative Electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030 with the help of transfer of technology and low cost International Finance including from Green Climate Fund.

The increased use of indigenous renewable resources is expected to reduce India’s dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels. India has an estimated renewable energy potential of about 900 GW from commercially exploitable sources viz. Wind – 102 GW (at 80 meter mast height); Small Hydro – 20 GW; Bio-energy – 25 GW; and 750 GW solar power, assuming 3% wasteland

The Government of India has set a target of 175 GW renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022. This includes 60 GW from wind power, 100 GW from solar power, 10 GW from biomass power and 5 GW from small hydro power.

A target of 16660 MW grid renewable power (wind 4000 MW, solar 12000 MW, small hydro power 250 MW, bio-power 400 MW and waste to power 10 MW),  has been set for 2016-17. Besides, under off-grid renewable system, targets of 15 MW eq. waste to energy, 60 MW eq. biomass non-bagasse cogeneration, 10 MW eq. biomass gasifiers, 1.0 MW eq. small wind/hybrid systems, 100 MW eq. solar photovoltaic systems, 1.0 MW eq. micro hydel and 100,000 nos. family size biogas plants have been set for 2016-17.

The target set for the various renewable energy sources for the next three years are:

            Source 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Solar Power 12,000 15,000 16,000
Wind 4000 4600 5200
Biomass 500 750 850
SHP 225 100 100
Grand Total 16725* 20450* 22150*

*(Capacities in MW)

 

India, US Launch New Clean Energy Joint Initiative

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Union power minister Piyush Goyal and US Ambassador Richard Verma launched on Friday a new joint venture of US-India Clean Energy Finance (USICEF) Initiative which would help in unlocking OPIC financing and mobilize public and private capital to expand access to distributed clean energy projects.

Letter of Intents were signed and exchanged between MNRE and OPIC in presence of Piyush Goyal for the creation of a $20 million for US-India Clean Energy Finance (USICEF) Initiative, equally supported by the United States and India would support projects which, upon long-term financing and deployment, and would qualify for the support of long-term debt financing from OPIC.

The U.S.-India Clean Energy Finance facility (USICEF) would support project preparation activities for distributed solar projects in order to unlock OPIC financing and mobilize public and private capital to expand access to distributed clean energy solutions that will benefit disadvantaged communities in India and contribute to India’s ambitious renewable energy and energy access goals.

USICEF builds on the success of other project preparation facilities to support renewable energy in emerging markets. Through this initiative, project developers pursuing mini-grid, distributed rooftop and off-grid solar projects, as well as smaller-scale grid connected solar projects would be benefitted.

Rajeev Kapoor, Secretary, MNRE, White House Senior director John Morton and William Pegues, Managing Director, OPIC and representatives of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and Good Energies Foundation were also present.
During the event, Udai Khemka presented Clean Energy Finance Forum (CEFF) Report to Goyal. The report has been prepared after an extensive domestic and international consultation with all categories of financial Institutions (including pension funds, sovereign investors, insurance companies, other financial investors/funds, banks, investment banks etc.), multilateral institutions, as well as strategic investors and developers.

CEFF has made recommendations which will help solicit greater investment into the renewable energy sector. Some of the key cross cutting recommendations includes to boost and Accelerate “Open Access” Markets; Improve PPA Bankability; Improve Ease of Access to Domestic Banking and Capital Markets; Encourage International Debt and Equity Investments and Mitigate Currency Risk.

Goyal assured that suggestions emerged out would be examined and corrective actions would be taken up soon. He also stated that the new initiative of USICEF launched would help the early-stage project capital gap for distributed solar by supporting project preparation activities necessary to access long-term debt financing and unlocking OPIC and private finance.

India, Cyprus Enter Pact to Avoid Double taxation

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A revised Agreement between India and Cyprus for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal evasion (DTAA) with respect to taxes on income, along with its Protocol, was signed last month on 18th November, 2016 in Nicosia, which will replace the existing DTAA that was signed by two countries on 13th June 1994.

The Protocol was signed by Mr. Ravi Bangar, High Commissioner of India to Cyprus on behalf of India and Mr. Harris Georgiades, the Minister of Finance on behalf of Cyprus.

Both sides have now exchanged notifications intimating the completion of their respective internal procedures for the entry into force of the DTAA, with which the revised DTAA shall come into effect in India in the fiscal year beginning on or after 1st April, 2017.

The revised DTAA will enable source based taxation of capital gains on shares, except in respect of investments made prior to 1st April, 2017. In addition, the DTAA will also bring into effect updated provisions as per international standards and in accordance with the consistent position of India.

In a separate development, the notification of Cyprus under Section 94A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, as a notified jurisdictional area for lack of effective exchange of information, has been rescinded with effect from 1.11.2013, said a statement. The bilateral economic ties between the two countries are expected to be further strengthened by these measures, added the statement.

India Pitches for Cashless, Digital Payments Campaign

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As the demonetisation laid bare the difficulties of rural India not matching the urban centres in banking and payment technology, the Indian government has decided to pitch for a campaign provide information, education and communication, holding camps for transiting to the digital mode of payment.

Among the series of measures undertaken include incentives to the district administration which will give a boost to cashless digital payment systems across the districts, talukas and panchayats.

NITI Aayog has prepared a blueprint of incentives for the campaign for the district authorities and administration which include include incentives for digital payments for day-to-day financial transactions like buying or selling of goods and services, transferring money etc.

NITI Aayog will provide logistic support for outreach activities at these three levels in the form of the seed money of Rs.5 lakh per district administration to enhance the seeding of Mobile and Aadhar numbers to the bank account, issue of Rupay cards wherever necessary, issue of PIN, downloading of app and finally achieving two successful transactions.

The top ten best performing districts will be awarded the Digital Payment Champions of India award.

The first 50 Panchayats which go cashless will be awarded Digital Payment Award of Honour

The five digital payment systems are –

1.Unified Payment Interface, UPI

2.USSD (*99#banking)

3.Adhar Enabled Systems

4.Wallets &

5.Rupay/Debit/Credit/Prepaid Cards

The Hindi/English version of the brochure is made available on the website- www.niti.gov.in/conetent/digital-payments and NITI Aayog has put up the entire sets of creative material – presentations/posters and FM radio spots/ films on its website – www.niti.gov.in/conetent/digital-payments.

In addition, Common Service Networks are being mobilized in going cashless and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has announced cash incentive of Rs.100 for every merchant enabled to transact digitally. Two resource persons have been provided in each district collectorate to co-ordinate the CSE in each district.

NITI Aayog has also solicited the feedback on the challenges being faced by them, the solutions thereof and the manner in which they can be supported.

Cabinet Approves MoU between India, EU on Water

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The Union Cabinet under PM Narendra Modi has given its approval for the signing of MoU between India and European Union in the field of water resources.

The MoU envisages strengthening the technological, scientific and management capabilities of India and the European Union in the field of water management on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit. It provides technical exchange on water issues, including on integrated water resource management plans within river basins and through study visits.

The MoU aims to identify key environmental issues and approaches to sustainable development where exchange of experiences and cooperation could be mutually beneficial to strengthen and further develop cooperation between India and the European Union in the field of water management.

The pact envisions a more sustainable management of water resources in India with an objective of tackling the challenges posed by water management in the context of growing population, competing water demands and a changing climate. A Joint Working Group shall be formed to monitor the activities to be carried out in fulfillment of the MoU.

The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has been envisaging bilateral cooperation with other countries in water resources development and management through sharing of policy and technical expertise, conducting of training courses, workshops, scientific and technical symposia, exchange of experts and study tours.

Keeping in view the success of the European Union in distribution of water resources, water pricing, water use efficiency by encouraging the changes in agricultural practices necessary to protect water resources and quality, such as switching to less water-demanding crops, etc., it has been decided to have an agreement with Israel to benefit from their experience and expertise.

The EU States have adopted water pricing policies to provide adequate incentives for users to use water resources efficiently thereby contributing to environmental objectives.

India’s Environment Activists Launch #NoMore50 Campaign

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The launch of the #NoMore50 campaign calling for stronger and higher penalties for animal cruelty kicked off on Thursday, May 12 with several parliamentarians and celebrities joining hands for the campaign.

The campaign includes a series of videos from Indian celebrities, including Usha Uthup, Sudesh Bhosle, Anup Jalota, Tara Sharma, Arman Mallik and others, urging the Ministry of Environment to increase punishment for animal cruelty in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. #NoMore50 is a campaign from Humane Society International/India and People for Animals.

View the videos here

The penalty in the PCA Act for killing, mutilating and maiming an animal has never been revised. Animal abusers have taken advantage of this feeble law and have continued to inflict unsurmountable amount of cruelty on animals. Currently, the maximum penalty even for the most heinous form of animal abuse is a petty Rs 50.

Poonam Mahajan, MP from North Mumbai, has introduced a private members bill seeking an increase in the penalties for animal cruelty through an amendment of the PCA Act. Leaders from different political parties like Shashi Tharoor, Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda, Satyapal Singh, Varun Gandhi, Meenakshi Lekhi and several others already support the campaign.

Harish Iyer, director of strategic partnerships for HSI/India, said, “It gives us immense strength to see that people from all walks of life are making a strong statement against animal abuse in the country. The penalties in the PCA Act, in its current framework, serve no purpose to protect and benefit animals. We hope that with this massive support we are able to move the government to introduce the much needed amendment in the PCA Act.”

India vs China: Diplomatic Tit for Tat on Display?

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India has never been so upset with China as it is now over the issue of Beijing blocking Pakistan-based Islamist leader Maulana Masood Azhar designated a terrorist by the United Nations (UN). Azhar’s Jaish-e-Mohammed militant group is blamed for the 2 January attack on the Pathankot airbase in Punjab.

The diplomatic quid pro quo soon rolled out in the form of irking China where it makes more sense. India has issued visas to four Chinese Uyghur nationals, including one termed as terrorist by China in the past. They are given visa to visit India and meet the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, next week.

In fact, the provocation began last year with the Chinese plan to build a $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, including roads, railways and pipelines, in Kashgar, Chinese Xinjiang province and running through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir till Karachi.

Revealing the visa-issuance, Dolkun Isa, whom China branded a "Terrorist" and chairman of the executive committee of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), which is fighting for freedom on the lines of Tibet. Now Isa said that the delegation was travelling to India for a conference which was to be addressed by the Dalai Lama.

India and China had fought the 1962 war over border problems but the main trigger was allowing Dalai Lama in 1959 following a failed uprising in Tibet. Many analysts say the India-China war of 1962 was sparked by Chinese anger towards India following the grant of asylum to the Tibetan spiritual leader.

China has snubbed India at the UN using its veto over Azhar case. When India raised its voice, Beijing said India and Pakistan should resolve the issue bilaterally before asking China to intervene or not to intervene in the issue. Now that India has granted visa to Uyghur separatists in China, any protest from Beijing will be summarily rejected saying it’s an internal issue to be settled between Uyghurs and the Chinese government. Tit for Tat?

India to Join 100 Other Nations to Ratify Paris Climate Pact on April 22

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Reiterating India’s commitment to carbon emission reduction, Union Environment, Forests & Climate Change Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday said India, along with 100 other nations would ratify the COP 21 Global Climate Agreement on April 22.

The pact, COP 21, reached at Paris summit in December 2015 would be ratified at a high level signing ceremony to be convened at the UN Headquarters in New York. The agreement sets out a global action plan to put the world on track by limiting global warming below 2 degree Celsius.

Speaking at a Symposium “COP 21 – Building Synergies, Shaping Actions” organized in the University of Mumbai, Javadekar said, “All countries have decided to walk the green path as per their common but differentiated responsibilities… India was always perceived to be a naysayer and negative in its approach and took a corner seat in most of the international conferences. But in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the concept of climate justice driving home the message of sustainable development.”

The minister said climate change by 1 degree rise in temperature caused by 150 years of uncontrolled carbon emission by the developed world needs to be reversed. He said while 30% of cumulative contribution was that of the United States, 50% by Europe, Canada and other developed world and 10% by China, India was responsible for only 3% carbon emission but still “it wants to be part of the solution.”

Highllighting some pro-active measures to discourage use of fossil fuels in a bid to reduce carbon foot print by levying Rs 400 per tonne green cess on coal, he said: “If the developed world followed India’s example and levied higher taxes on coal, billions of dollars would accrue to pursue clean energy programmes.”

Further the proposed Compensatory Afforestation Funds Bill 2015 would unlock Rs 40,000 crores for the ‘Green India’ initiative and other plans to control vehicular pollution by moving to Bharat VI emission norms, policies on waste management, Swachch Bharat initiative, Ganga rejuvenation among others would contribute to contain climate change, said the minister.

Union Minister of State (IC) for Coal, Power, New & Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal said his portfolios put him in an awkward situation. “I am a polluter as well as a pollution container”, he said. On solutions undertaken to contain climate change, he said India has launched the world’s largest renewable energy programme by scaling up the target for solar energy. “The solar energy mission envisaged 20,000 Mw of solar electricity generation by 2022. But this target has been pushed ahead by the Prime Minister to 1,00,000 Mw (1Gw),” Goyal said. But all renewable energy programmes will be sustainable only if they become economically viable, he noted.

“While one is aware of pollution caused by the thermal power plants, their importance cannot be overlooked. Therefore, our thrust is on adopting clean coal technologies” he added.

e-Tourist Visa Now Extended to 37 More Countries

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With the extension of e-Tourist Visa Facility for 37 more countries, India’s online eTV is available for nationals of following countries/territories:
Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Island, Chile, China, China- SAR Hongkong, China- SAR Macau, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d’lvoire, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kiribati, Laos, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Montserrat, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niue Island, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Saint Christopher and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos Island, Tuvalu, UAE, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA, Vanuatu, Vatican City-Holy See, Venezuela, Vietnam., Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Eligibility

  • International Travellers whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation , sight seeing , casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit.
  • Passport should have at least six months validity from the date of arrival in India. The passport should have at least two blank pages for stamping by the Immigration Officer.
  • International Travellers should have return ticket or onward journey ticket,with sufficient money to spend during his/her stay in India.
  • International Travellers having Pakistani Passport or Pakistani origin may please apply for regular Visa at Indian Mission.
  • Not available to Diplomatic/Official Passport Holders.
  • Not available to individuals endorsed on Parent’s/Spouse’s Passport i.e. each individual should have a separate passport.
  • Not available to International Travel Document Holders.

    E-TOURIST VISA APPLICATION: How it Works?

    Step 1

    Apply online

    Upload Photo and Passport Page

    Step 2

    Pay visa fee onlineUsing Credit / Debit card

    Step 3

    Receive eTV Online

    eTV Will be sent to your e-mail

    Step 4

    Fly To India

    Print eTV and carry at the time of travel.

IMF Conference: Modi Ponders India’s Future and Asia’s 21st Century

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Addressing the IMF conference in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Asian people save more traditionally compared to other parts of the world and the future of world economy belongs to them as they have surplus to invest in rejuvenating the global economy, though IMF quotas do not reflect the global economic realities.
Change in quotas is an issue of fairness and legitimacy and is essential for poor nations to respect the legitimacy of such institutions, he saaid welcoming IMF decision to finalize the next round of quota changes by October 2017.

Recalling India’s representative to the Bretton Woods Conference in 1944, which gave birth to the IMF, he said India’s delegate Mr. R.K. Shanmukham Chetty, who later became independent India’s first Finance Minister, paved the way for India’s contribution to world institutions and India has kept its contribution high by becoming a founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank.

The PM has also announced a new partnership with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India and the IMF to set up the South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Centre to provide training to government and public sector employees as a part of capacity building process in the region.

The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi addressing at MOF-IMF Conference on “Advancing Asia: Investing for the Future”, in New Delhi on March 12, 2016.(PIB Photo)

“Many knowledgeable people have said that the twenty first century is, and will be, the Asian Century,” he said citing figures that three out of every five people in the world live in Asia and its share in global output and trade is now close to one-third. Its share in global foreign direct investment is about 40%, he noted.

Stressing the theme of the conference which is ‘Investing for the Future’, he said, “Asians tend to save to buy a house, rather than borrow to buy a house.”

Pointing out another unique feature of Asia which is its large number of women leaders, he said India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Myanmar, and Philippines have had women as national leaders. “Today, four large states of India – West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan – are headed by democratically elected women. The Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament in India is also a woman,” he said.

Despite a second successive year of weak rainfall, India has increased its growth rate to 7.6 per cent, the highest among major economies in the world, he said.

He pondered on some positive policies of India:

 We undertook a highly successful financial inclusion programme, bringing over two hundred million unbanked people into the banking system within a span of a few months.

* Thanks to our financial inclusion programme, we now have the world’s largest and most successful programme of direct benefit transfers, in cooking gas. We plan to extend it to other sectors such as food, kerosene, and fertilizers. This has improved targeting and the quality of public expenditure.

* We have opened up nearly all sectors of our economy to FDI.

* India achieved the highest ever rank in the World Bank Doing Business indicators in 2015.

* India reached an all-time high in many physical indicators in 2015, including

* The production of coal, electricity, urea, fertilizer and motor vehicles;

* Cargo handled at major ports and the fastest turnaround time in ports;

* Award of new highway kilometers;

* Software export;

* Entrepreneurship is booming.

“India is now fourth in the world in the number of technical start-ups, after USA, Britain and Israel. The Economist magazine has called India the new frontier for E-Commerce… We aim to double farmer incomes by:

• increasing irrigation,

• better water management,

• creating rural assets

• boosting productivity,

• improving marketing,

• reducing margins of middlemen and

• avoiding income shocks.”

“My dream is of a Transformed India. I lay this dream alongside our common dream of an Advanced Asia – an Asia where more than half of the global population can live with happiness and fulfillment. Our joint heritage and mutual respect, our common goals and similar policies, can and must create sustainable growth and shared prosperity,” he said.