Hasina for quick signing of Teesta Treaty
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged India to sign the Teesta water sharing treaty and implement the Land Boundary Agreement “as soon as possible.” She told an Indian delegation on 23rd August that the Teesta deal should be inked at the earliest as Bangladesh needed more water in the lean period.
Back ground
India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers between them. Despite setting up a Joint River Commission for water management as early as 1972, tensions between the countries on how to share resources recently came to a head in a dispute over the Teesta River. At stake are the lives of countless people from West Bengal and Bangladesh who depend upon the river for survival.
To date, only one comprehensive river pact has been signed by India and Bangladesh – a 1996 bilateral treaty that established a 30-year water-sharing arrangement between the two countries. This was set to change in September 2011 when the then India’s Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, was due to sign a pact with his Bangladeshi counterpart regarding access and use of the Teesta River. But that not happened.
The Teesta – which has its source in Sikkim – flows through the northern part of West Bengal in India before entering Bangladesh, where after coursing through about 45km of irrigable land, merges with the Brahmaputra River (or Jamuna when it enters Bangladesh). In 1983, an ad-hoc water sharing agreement was reached between India and Bangladesh, whereby both countries were allocated 39% and 36% of the water flow respectively. The new bilateral treaty expands upon this agreement by proposing an equal allocation of the Teesta River.
However, the deal fell through when Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, refused to approve the treaty, fearing that the loss of higher volume of water to the lower riparian would cause problems in the northern region of state, especially during drier months.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged India to sign the Teesta water sharing treaty and implement the Land Boundary Agreement “as soon as possible.” She told an Indian delegation on 23rd August that the Teesta deal should be inked at the earliest as Bangladesh needed more water in the lean period.
Back ground
India and Bangladesh share 54 rivers between them. Despite setting up a Joint River Commission for water management as early as 1972, tensions between the countries on how to share resources recently came to a head in a dispute over the Teesta River. At stake are the lives of countless people from West Bengal and Bangladesh who depend upon the river for survival.
To date, only one comprehensive river pact has been signed by India and Bangladesh – a 1996 bilateral treaty that established a 30-year water-sharing arrangement between the two countries. This was set to change in September 2011 when the then India’s Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, was due to sign a pact with his Bangladeshi counterpart regarding access and use of the Teesta River. But that not happened.
The Teesta – which has its source in Sikkim – flows through the northern part of West Bengal in India before entering Bangladesh, where after coursing through about 45km of irrigable land, merges with the Brahmaputra River (or Jamuna when it enters Bangladesh). In 1983, an ad-hoc water sharing agreement was reached between India and Bangladesh, whereby both countries were allocated 39% and 36% of the water flow respectively. The new bilateral treaty expands upon this agreement by proposing an equal allocation of the Teesta River.
However, the deal fell through when Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms. Mamata Banerjee, refused to approve the treaty, fearing that the loss of higher volume of water to the lower riparian would cause problems in the northern region of state, especially during drier months.
Border forces agreement
The Border Security Force (BSF) and its Bangladeshi counterpart on 24th August, agreed to conduct vulnerability mapping every six months as part of the decision to effectively implement the coordinated border management plan, with an aim to curb trans-border crimes such as drug and human trafficking. A 20-member delegation led by Board Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director-General Aziz Ahmed is in New Delhi for the 39th Border Co-ordination Conference between the two forces. The Indian delegation is headed by the BSF chief D.K. Pathak.
Bangladesh does not allow its soil to be used by any entity or element hostile to any country, the BGB chief said. The BSF chief assured his counterpart of expeditious and fair trial in the Felani Khatun case. The 15-year-old Bangladeshi girl was found shot dead on the board purportedly by a BSF constable in January 2011.
The Border Security Force (BSF) and its Bangladeshi counterpart on 24th August, agreed to conduct vulnerability mapping every six months as part of the decision to effectively implement the coordinated border management plan, with an aim to curb trans-border crimes such as drug and human trafficking. A 20-member delegation led by Board Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director-General Aziz Ahmed is in New Delhi for the 39th Border Co-ordination Conference between the two forces. The Indian delegation is headed by the BSF chief D.K. Pathak.
Bangladesh does not allow its soil to be used by any entity or element hostile to any country, the BGB chief said. The BSF chief assured his counterpart of expeditious and fair trial in the Felani Khatun case. The 15-year-old Bangladeshi girl was found shot dead on the board purportedly by a BSF constable in January 2011.
India not to levy anti-dumping duties on solar
cells, panels
The Government will not impose anti-dumping duties on solar cells and solar panels imported from the US, China, Malaysia and Taiwan. This is contrary to what the Commerce Ministry had recommended earlier this year.
The Finance Ministry has decided against notifying the duties that the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping (DGAD), a statutory body under the Commerce Ministry, had recommended to protect domestic manufacturers from cheap imports.
The DGAD had recommended steep anti-dumping duties ranging from $0.11 to $0.81 per watt of power produced. In its report it had said this would negate the unfair advantages gained by dumping, prevent the decline of the domestic industry and help maintain availability of a wider choice to the consumers of these goods.
The Government will not impose anti-dumping duties on solar cells and solar panels imported from the US, China, Malaysia and Taiwan. This is contrary to what the Commerce Ministry had recommended earlier this year.
The Finance Ministry has decided against notifying the duties that the Directorate General of Anti-Dumping (DGAD), a statutory body under the Commerce Ministry, had recommended to protect domestic manufacturers from cheap imports.
The DGAD had recommended steep anti-dumping duties ranging from $0.11 to $0.81 per watt of power produced. In its report it had said this would negate the unfair advantages gained by dumping, prevent the decline of the domestic industry and help maintain availability of a wider choice to the consumers of these goods.
India, Vietnam discuss bilateral ties
India and Vietnam on 25th August agreed to deepen cooperation in the defense and oil sectors among others as external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties with the strategically important country.
Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said this was Sushma’s third visit to an Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) country this month. She had earlier visited Myanmar and Singapore.
India and Vietnam on 25th August agreed to deepen cooperation in the defense and oil sectors among others as external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties with the strategically important country.
Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said this was Sushma’s third visit to an Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) country this month. She had earlier visited Myanmar and Singapore.
UN appeals to India to ratify Nuclear Test Ban
Treaty
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has appealed to India, China and the US along with five other nations to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), saying the international community should complete the "unfinished business" of achieving a world free of atomic weapons.
In his message for the International Day against Nuclear Tests, to be observed on August 29, Ban said that ending all nuclear tests will lead to a safer and more prosperous future.
The eight countries are the other nations in a core group of 44 nuclear countries which have not ratified the treaty, which is a legally binding global ban on nuclear explosions of any kind. The 44 nations which must ratify the CTBT to bring it into force all have nuclear weapons or atomic programmes.
The Soviet Union conducted its first nuclear test on August 29 in 1949, followed by another 455 nuclear tests over succeeding decades, with a "terrible effect" on the local population and environment. So far, 183 nations have signed the Treaty, and 162 have ratified it. CTBT will enter into force when the last remaining Annex 2 states sign and ratify the Treaty. While China, Egypt, Iran, Israel, and the United States have signed the Treaty but not ratified it, North Korea, India, and Pakistan have not signed the treaty.
What is CTBT?
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is the Treaty banning all nuclear explosions - everywhere, by everyone. The Treaty was negotiated at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It opened for signature on 24 September 1996. Since then, the Treaty has reached near-universality. 182 countries have signed the Treaty – the last country to do so was Trinidad and Tobago on 8 October 2009 which also ratified the Treaty on 26 May 2010. 154 countries have ratified the Treaty – most recently Ghana on 14 June 2011.
Why is the CTBT so important?
The CTBT is the last barrier on the way to develop nuclear weapons. It curbs the development of new nuclear weapons and the improvement of existing nuclear weapon designs. When the Treaty enters into force it provides a legally binding norm against nuclear testing. The Treaty also helps prevent human suffering and environmental damages caused by nuclear testing.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon has appealed to India, China and the US along with five other nations to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), saying the international community should complete the "unfinished business" of achieving a world free of atomic weapons.
In his message for the International Day against Nuclear Tests, to be observed on August 29, Ban said that ending all nuclear tests will lead to a safer and more prosperous future.
The eight countries are the other nations in a core group of 44 nuclear countries which have not ratified the treaty, which is a legally binding global ban on nuclear explosions of any kind. The 44 nations which must ratify the CTBT to bring it into force all have nuclear weapons or atomic programmes.
The Soviet Union conducted its first nuclear test on August 29 in 1949, followed by another 455 nuclear tests over succeeding decades, with a "terrible effect" on the local population and environment. So far, 183 nations have signed the Treaty, and 162 have ratified it. CTBT will enter into force when the last remaining Annex 2 states sign and ratify the Treaty. While China, Egypt, Iran, Israel, and the United States have signed the Treaty but not ratified it, North Korea, India, and Pakistan have not signed the treaty.
What is CTBT?
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) is the Treaty banning all nuclear explosions - everywhere, by everyone. The Treaty was negotiated at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It opened for signature on 24 September 1996. Since then, the Treaty has reached near-universality. 182 countries have signed the Treaty – the last country to do so was Trinidad and Tobago on 8 October 2009 which also ratified the Treaty on 26 May 2010. 154 countries have ratified the Treaty – most recently Ghana on 14 June 2011.
Why is the CTBT so important?
The CTBT is the last barrier on the way to develop nuclear weapons. It curbs the development of new nuclear weapons and the improvement of existing nuclear weapon designs. When the Treaty enters into force it provides a legally binding norm against nuclear testing. The Treaty also helps prevent human suffering and environmental damages caused by nuclear testing.
India offers alternative process for signing
ASEAN trade pact
India has proposed the draft free trade agreement (FTA) on services and investment will be circulated to all ASEAN members, which will sign it individually. However, a consensus hasn’t been reached on this proposal.
The move was proposed by India during consultations with Asean member countries on 26th August. India had been negotiating the FTA in goods, services and investment with the 10-member Asean block since 2005. Though the goods deal was implemented in January 2010, it is yet to be ratified by all member states. The final text of the FTA in services was negotiated and agreed to in December 2012.
One of the primary hurdles to the services FTA was India’s growing power in the services segment, due to which countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia are learnt to apprehensive. India’s primary interest is to gain greater market access for its professionals in some developed Asean member countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, coupled with a relaxed visa regime. It has been planned if an FTA in services and investment is signed, it should be operationalised by July 2015.
ASEAN-INDIA:
The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) is a free trade area among the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India. The initial framework agreement was signed on 8 October 2003 in Bali Indonesia. And the final agreement was on 13 August 2009. The free trade area came into effect on 1 January 2010. India hosted the latest ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi on December 20–21, 2012. As of 2011-12, two-way trade between India & ASEAN stood at US$ 79 billion.
The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area emerged from a mutual interest of both parties to expand their economic ties in the Asia-Pacific region. India's Look East policy was reciprocated by similar interests of many ASEAN countries to expand their interactions westward.
After India became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992, India saw its trade with ASEAN increase relative to its trade with the rest of the world. Between 1993 and 2003, ASEAN-India bilateral trade grew at an annual rate of 11.2%, from US$ 2.9 billion in 1993 to US$ 12.1 billion in 2003. Much of India's trade with ASEAN is directed towards Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, with whom India holds strong economic relations.
In 2008, the total volume of ASEAN-India trade was US$ 47.5 billion. ASEAN’s export to India was US$ 30.1 billion – a growth of 21.1 per cent in comparison with that of 2007. ASEAN’s imports from India were US$ 17.4 billion – a growth of 40.2 per cent in comparison to that of 2006. As for foreign direct investment (FDI), the inflow from India to ASEAN Member States was US$476.8 million in 2008, accounting for 0.8 per cent of total FDI in the region. Total Indian FDI into ASEAN from 2000 to 2008 was US$ 1.3 billion.
Acknowledging this trend and recognizing the economic potential of closer linkages, both sides recognised the opportunities for deepening trade and investment ties, and agreed to negotiate a framework agreement to pave the way for the establishment of an ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (FTA)
India has proposed the draft free trade agreement (FTA) on services and investment will be circulated to all ASEAN members, which will sign it individually. However, a consensus hasn’t been reached on this proposal.
The move was proposed by India during consultations with Asean member countries on 26th August. India had been negotiating the FTA in goods, services and investment with the 10-member Asean block since 2005. Though the goods deal was implemented in January 2010, it is yet to be ratified by all member states. The final text of the FTA in services was negotiated and agreed to in December 2012.
One of the primary hurdles to the services FTA was India’s growing power in the services segment, due to which countries such as the Philippines and Indonesia are learnt to apprehensive. India’s primary interest is to gain greater market access for its professionals in some developed Asean member countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, coupled with a relaxed visa regime. It has been planned if an FTA in services and investment is signed, it should be operationalised by July 2015.
ASEAN-INDIA:
The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) is a free trade area among the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and India. The initial framework agreement was signed on 8 October 2003 in Bali Indonesia. And the final agreement was on 13 August 2009. The free trade area came into effect on 1 January 2010. India hosted the latest ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in New Delhi on December 20–21, 2012. As of 2011-12, two-way trade between India & ASEAN stood at US$ 79 billion.
The ASEAN–India Free Trade Area emerged from a mutual interest of both parties to expand their economic ties in the Asia-Pacific region. India's Look East policy was reciprocated by similar interests of many ASEAN countries to expand their interactions westward.
After India became a sectoral dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992, India saw its trade with ASEAN increase relative to its trade with the rest of the world. Between 1993 and 2003, ASEAN-India bilateral trade grew at an annual rate of 11.2%, from US$ 2.9 billion in 1993 to US$ 12.1 billion in 2003. Much of India's trade with ASEAN is directed towards Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, with whom India holds strong economic relations.
In 2008, the total volume of ASEAN-India trade was US$ 47.5 billion. ASEAN’s export to India was US$ 30.1 billion – a growth of 21.1 per cent in comparison with that of 2007. ASEAN’s imports from India were US$ 17.4 billion – a growth of 40.2 per cent in comparison to that of 2006. As for foreign direct investment (FDI), the inflow from India to ASEAN Member States was US$476.8 million in 2008, accounting for 0.8 per cent of total FDI in the region. Total Indian FDI into ASEAN from 2000 to 2008 was US$ 1.3 billion.
Acknowledging this trend and recognizing the economic potential of closer linkages, both sides recognised the opportunities for deepening trade and investment ties, and agreed to negotiate a framework agreement to pave the way for the establishment of an ASEAN–India Free Trade Area (FTA)
ADB to give $6-9 bn loan to India over three
years
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 27th August said it would lend up to $9 billion to India over the next three years to aid in infrastructure development, manufacturing, skill development and expanding trade. On its part, India asked for additional assistance for regional connectivity projects.
The multilateral funding agency will also provide around $30 million for technical assistance grants, especially for building institutions and capacity at the state as well as the local levels. India is ADB’s largest borrower.
Committing ADB’s support to reigniting growth in India and reducing poverty, Nakao projected the Indian economy to grow at 5.5 per cent in 2013-14 and expand further to 6.3 per cent in 2014-15. He added India had the potential to grow at 10 per cent by implementing investment-friendly reforms.
ADB told Indian lenders that infrastructure development would remain the main focus of its operations in India, including transport, energy, water supply and sanitation. It will also participate in developing smart cities. The institution will be a partner in the development of East Coast Economic Corridor that will run from Kolkata to Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on 27th August said it would lend up to $9 billion to India over the next three years to aid in infrastructure development, manufacturing, skill development and expanding trade. On its part, India asked for additional assistance for regional connectivity projects.
The multilateral funding agency will also provide around $30 million for technical assistance grants, especially for building institutions and capacity at the state as well as the local levels. India is ADB’s largest borrower.
Committing ADB’s support to reigniting growth in India and reducing poverty, Nakao projected the Indian economy to grow at 5.5 per cent in 2013-14 and expand further to 6.3 per cent in 2014-15. He added India had the potential to grow at 10 per cent by implementing investment-friendly reforms.
ADB told Indian lenders that infrastructure development would remain the main focus of its operations in India, including transport, energy, water supply and sanitation. It will also participate in developing smart cities. The institution will be a partner in the development of East Coast Economic Corridor that will run from Kolkata to Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu.
BPCL arm to build India’s first cross-country
pipeline
India's first cross-country pipeline will connect to Bangladesh. Assam-based Numaligarh Refineries Limited (NRL), a subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), will shortly begin work on laying a product pipeline from Siliguri in West Bengal to Parbatipur in Bangladesh.
The pipeline would allow BPCL to penetrate the Bangladeshi market and ensure sustained supply of petroleum products to Bangladesh. The length of the pipeline would be approximately 170 km and NRL would export high speed diesel (HSD), and motor spirit to Bangladesh.
BPCL also plans to lay a 1,338-km, 6-mtpa pipeline from Dhamra Port in Odisha to Numaligarh to feed the expanded refinery with imported crude oil. NRL has so far been dependent on crude from the oil fields in the north-eastern region.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is an Indian state-
controlled oil and gas company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
India's first cross-country pipeline will connect to Bangladesh. Assam-based Numaligarh Refineries Limited (NRL), a subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), will shortly begin work on laying a product pipeline from Siliguri in West Bengal to Parbatipur in Bangladesh.
The pipeline would allow BPCL to penetrate the Bangladeshi market and ensure sustained supply of petroleum products to Bangladesh. The length of the pipeline would be approximately 170 km and NRL would export high speed diesel (HSD), and motor spirit to Bangladesh.
BPCL also plans to lay a 1,338-km, 6-mtpa pipeline from Dhamra Port in Odisha to Numaligarh to feed the expanded refinery with imported crude oil. NRL has so far been dependent on crude from the oil fields in the north-eastern region.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is an Indian state-
controlled oil and gas company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
IDBI Bank, UNICEF for safe water
UNICEF and IDBI Bank have entered into a partnership to provide safe drinking water and sanitation to 80,000 children in 400 schools and Anganwadi centers in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The Rs 2.7 crore partnerships entered into by the bank is part of its corporate social responsibility programme. The partnership was signed by IDBI Bank Chief General Manager RV Iyer and UNICEF India Representative Louis-Georges Arsenault.
The programme will provide improved access to safe- drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for school-going children under the 'Model WASH in Schools' initiative in the two states," said a release issued by the bank and UNICEF.
UNICEF
UNICEF and IDBI Bank have entered into a partnership to provide safe drinking water and sanitation to 80,000 children in 400 schools and Anganwadi centers in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The Rs 2.7 crore partnerships entered into by the bank is part of its corporate social responsibility programme. The partnership was signed by IDBI Bank Chief General Manager RV Iyer and UNICEF India Representative Louis-Georges Arsenault.
The programme will provide improved access to safe- drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for school-going children under the 'Model WASH in Schools' initiative in the two states," said a release issued by the bank and UNICEF.
UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund is a United
Nations Program headquartered in New York City that provides long-term
humanitarian and developmental assistance to children and mothers in developing
countries.
UNICEF was created by the United Nations
General Assembly on December 11, 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare
to children in countries that had been devastated by World War II.
Its present head is Anthony Lake
Kashi, Kyoto in Heritage Pact
Indian and Japan Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of a partner city affiliation agreement between Varanasi (Kashi) and Kyoto, which will see cooperation in the fields of heritage conservation, city modernization and culture. They said the two countries had to seize the opportunities presented by their strong political mandates.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said who went to his first Non South Asian trip to Japan on 30th August said that the India-Japan relationship was below potential and the two sides would strive to achieve in five years the unrealized hopes of five decades.
Both leaders said the two countries had to seize the opportunities presented by their respective strong political mandates, a read-out from their meeting said.
The two leaders also had a candid exchange of views on the developments in the region and the world and saw in their remarkable convergence of views a great opportunity to work together for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world.
Indian and Japan Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of a partner city affiliation agreement between Varanasi (Kashi) and Kyoto, which will see cooperation in the fields of heritage conservation, city modernization and culture. They said the two countries had to seize the opportunities presented by their strong political mandates.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said who went to his first Non South Asian trip to Japan on 30th August said that the India-Japan relationship was below potential and the two sides would strive to achieve in five years the unrealized hopes of five decades.
Both leaders said the two countries had to seize the opportunities presented by their respective strong political mandates, a read-out from their meeting said.
The two leaders also had a candid exchange of views on the developments in the region and the world and saw in their remarkable convergence of views a great opportunity to work together for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world.
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