At UN, PM took firm climate stand
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given country’s views on the necessary actions to be taken to face the challenges of climate change during his UN general assembly speech on 27th of September.
In a remark which may disappoint rich nations, specifically the US, Canada and the European Union (EU) countries, Modi insisted on the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" (CBDR) and made it clear that this should "form the basis of continued action" in future.
It's a clear signal that India will not dilute its well-stated position when the country representatives would assemble in Lima, Peru in December for climate change negotiations in the run up to the global deal in Paris next year.
India's apprehension of the rich nations' likely stand during future climate negotiation in the run up to the 2015 Paris deal is not based on mere assumption. The developing countries have been hearing the rich nations' demand for flexibility in the key CBDR principle for the last couple of years.
It was become quite obvious recently when EU commissioner for climate action, Connie Hedegaard, met India's environment minister Prakash Javadekar and raised this point once again. She appealed him and others to prepare themselves for adjusting to new realities as far as CBDR were concerned.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given country’s views on the necessary actions to be taken to face the challenges of climate change during his UN general assembly speech on 27th of September.
In a remark which may disappoint rich nations, specifically the US, Canada and the European Union (EU) countries, Modi insisted on the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities" (CBDR) and made it clear that this should "form the basis of continued action" in future.
It's a clear signal that India will not dilute its well-stated position when the country representatives would assemble in Lima, Peru in December for climate change negotiations in the run up to the global deal in Paris next year.
India's apprehension of the rich nations' likely stand during future climate negotiation in the run up to the 2015 Paris deal is not based on mere assumption. The developing countries have been hearing the rich nations' demand for flexibility in the key CBDR principle for the last couple of years.
It was become quite obvious recently when EU commissioner for climate action, Connie Hedegaard, met India's environment minister Prakash Javadekar and raised this point once again. She appealed him and others to prepare themselves for adjusting to new realities as far as CBDR were concerned.
Modi speech at Maidson Square
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a packed Madison Square, New York on 28th September. The important points that he discussed are….
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses a packed Madison Square, New York on 28th September. The important points that he discussed are….
India, it took only Rs 7 per km to reach Mars
India has given importance to skill development. For that he
said that a separate Ministry for skill development was created
He also talked on cleanliness of river Ganga
He assured that lifelong visas for PIO card holders
Modi discussions with investor in US
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29th September discussed with CEOs of large American companies to invest in India in key sectors including infrastructure. 11 CEO’s were present, including PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt and Citigroup chief Michael Corbat, Modi said India was open minded and wanted the change, which is “not one-sided”. Listening to concerns raised by the business leaders, Modi assured them that his Government will address their issues and try to make the environment in India more business-friendly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 29th September discussed with CEOs of large American companies to invest in India in key sectors including infrastructure. 11 CEO’s were present, including PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt and Citigroup chief Michael Corbat, Modi said India was open minded and wanted the change, which is “not one-sided”. Listening to concerns raised by the business leaders, Modi assured them that his Government will address their issues and try to make the environment in India more business-friendly.
India-US 10 years defence pact
India and US have in principle agreed to extend their defence agreement for another 10 years which will take forward the cooperation between the two countries in the crucial area.
The framework agreement, which will expire next year, was signed in 2005 by then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld. Earlier, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed issues relating to defence cooperation and combating terrorism.
The pact had laid strong foundations leading to mutually beneficial defence cooperation between the two countries through security dialogue, service-level exchanges, defence exercises and defence trade and technology collaboration.
In the meeting, both sides had decided to take steps for extension of the pact besides agreeing to enhance cooperation in joint production and development of defence equipment.
The US has been pushing defence deals with India worth over Rs. 20,000 crore, including the sale of Apache attack choppers, Chinook heavylift helicopters and the Javelin anti—tank guided missiles.
It has already sold equipment worth Rs. 60,000 crore in the last 10 years to India but none of these weapon sales programme is about joint production or co—development and does not include transfer of technology.
India has raised the FDI cap in defence sector recently from 26 per cent to 49 per cent with an aim of boosting indigenous defence production. India imports almost 70 per cent of its defence needs from foreign sources.
Other important points
India and US have in principle agreed to extend their defence agreement for another 10 years which will take forward the cooperation between the two countries in the crucial area.
The framework agreement, which will expire next year, was signed in 2005 by then Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his US counterpart Donald Rumsfeld. Earlier, US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed issues relating to defence cooperation and combating terrorism.
The pact had laid strong foundations leading to mutually beneficial defence cooperation between the two countries through security dialogue, service-level exchanges, defence exercises and defence trade and technology collaboration.
In the meeting, both sides had decided to take steps for extension of the pact besides agreeing to enhance cooperation in joint production and development of defence equipment.
The US has been pushing defence deals with India worth over Rs. 20,000 crore, including the sale of Apache attack choppers, Chinook heavylift helicopters and the Javelin anti—tank guided missiles.
It has already sold equipment worth Rs. 60,000 crore in the last 10 years to India but none of these weapon sales programme is about joint production or co—development and does not include transfer of technology.
India has raised the FDI cap in defence sector recently from 26 per cent to 49 per cent with an aim of boosting indigenous defence production. India imports almost 70 per cent of its defence needs from foreign sources.
Other important points
The Prime Minister of India invited American companies to
participate in Indian defence manufacturing sector.
The Indo-US nuclear deal concluded between the previous
Manmohan Singh government and the Bush Administration has been stalled because
of issues relating to libality laws. India and US decided to take this
agreement to next level.
Sharing concerns over the threat of terrorism in South Asia
and emerging challenges in West Asia, where Islamist group ISIS has been on the
rampage, Modi said the two countries agreed to intensify cooperation in counter
terrorism and intelligence sharing. Obama said India was emerging as a major
power for peace and security in the region.
Back ground:
123 Agreement: Section 123 of the United States Atomic Energy Act of 1954, titled "Cooperation With Other Nations", establishes an agreement for cooperation as a prerequisite for nuclear deals between the US and any other nation. Such an agreement is called a 123 Agreement. To date, the U.S. has entered into roughly twenty-five 123 Agreements with various countries.
The 123 Agreement signed between the United States of America and the Republic of India is known as the U.S.–India Civil Nuclear Agreement or Indo-US nuclear deal. The framework for this agreement was a July 18, 2005, joint statement by then Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and then U.S. President George W. Bush, under which India agreed to separate its civil and military nuclear facilities and to place all its civil nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and, in exchange, the United States agreed to work toward full civil nuclear cooperation with India. This U.S.-India deal took more than three years to come to fruition as it had to go through several complex stages, including amendment of U.S. domestic law, especially the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, a civil-military nuclear Separation Plan in India, an India-IAEA safeguards (inspections) agreement and the grant of an exemption for India by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an export-control cartel that had been formed mainly in response to India's first nuclear test in 1974. In its final shape, the deal places under permanent safeguards those nuclear facilities that India has identified as "civil" and permits broad civil nuclear cooperation, while excluding the transfer of "sensitive" equipment and technologies, including civil enrichment and reprocessing items even under IAEA safeguards. On August 18, 2008 the IAEA Board of Governors approved, and on February 2, 2009, India signed an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA. Once India brings this agreement into force, inspections began in a phased manner on the 35 civilian nuclear installations India has identified in its Separation Plan. The deal is seen as a watershed in U.S.-India relations and introduces a new aspect to international nonproliferation efforts. On August 1, 2008, the IAEA approved the safeguards agreement with India, after which the United States approached the Nuclear Suppliers Group] (NSG) to grant a waiver to India to commence civilian nuclear trade. The 48-nation NSG granted the waiver to India on September 6, 2008 allowing it to access, civilian nuclear technology and fuel from other countries. The implementation of this waiver made India the only known country with nuclear weapons which is not a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) but is still allowed to carry out nuclear commerce with the rest of the world.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill to approve the deal on September 28, 2008. Two days later, India and France inked a similar nuclear pact making France the first country to have such an agreement with India. On October 1, 2008 the U.S. Senate also approved the civilian nuclear agreement allowing India to purchase nuclear fuel and technology from -- and sell them to -- the United States. U.S. President, George W. Bush, signed the legislation on the Indo-US nuclear deal, approved by the U.S. Congress, into law, now called the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act, on October 8, 2008. The agreement was signed by then Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his counterpart then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on October 10
123 Agreement: Section 123 of the United States Atomic Energy Act of 1954, titled "Cooperation With Other Nations", establishes an agreement for cooperation as a prerequisite for nuclear deals between the US and any other nation. Such an agreement is called a 123 Agreement. To date, the U.S. has entered into roughly twenty-five 123 Agreements with various countries.
The 123 Agreement signed between the United States of America and the Republic of India is known as the U.S.–India Civil Nuclear Agreement or Indo-US nuclear deal. The framework for this agreement was a July 18, 2005, joint statement by then Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and then U.S. President George W. Bush, under which India agreed to separate its civil and military nuclear facilities and to place all its civil nuclear facilities under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and, in exchange, the United States agreed to work toward full civil nuclear cooperation with India. This U.S.-India deal took more than three years to come to fruition as it had to go through several complex stages, including amendment of U.S. domestic law, especially the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, a civil-military nuclear Separation Plan in India, an India-IAEA safeguards (inspections) agreement and the grant of an exemption for India by the Nuclear Suppliers Group, an export-control cartel that had been formed mainly in response to India's first nuclear test in 1974. In its final shape, the deal places under permanent safeguards those nuclear facilities that India has identified as "civil" and permits broad civil nuclear cooperation, while excluding the transfer of "sensitive" equipment and technologies, including civil enrichment and reprocessing items even under IAEA safeguards. On August 18, 2008 the IAEA Board of Governors approved, and on February 2, 2009, India signed an India-specific safeguards agreement with the IAEA. Once India brings this agreement into force, inspections began in a phased manner on the 35 civilian nuclear installations India has identified in its Separation Plan. The deal is seen as a watershed in U.S.-India relations and introduces a new aspect to international nonproliferation efforts. On August 1, 2008, the IAEA approved the safeguards agreement with India, after which the United States approached the Nuclear Suppliers Group] (NSG) to grant a waiver to India to commence civilian nuclear trade. The 48-nation NSG granted the waiver to India on September 6, 2008 allowing it to access, civilian nuclear technology and fuel from other countries. The implementation of this waiver made India the only known country with nuclear weapons which is not a party to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) but is still allowed to carry out nuclear commerce with the rest of the world.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill to approve the deal on September 28, 2008. Two days later, India and France inked a similar nuclear pact making France the first country to have such an agreement with India. On October 1, 2008 the U.S. Senate also approved the civilian nuclear agreement allowing India to purchase nuclear fuel and technology from -- and sell them to -- the United States. U.S. President, George W. Bush, signed the legislation on the Indo-US nuclear deal, approved by the U.S. Congress, into law, now called the United States-India Nuclear Cooperation Approval and Non-proliferation Enhancement Act, on October 8, 2008. The agreement was signed by then Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and his counterpart then Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, on October 10
India-US to set up inter-agency
Furthering Indo-US cooperation on terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama on 30th September agreed to make "joint and concerted efforts" to dismantle safe havens for terror and criminal networks like LeT, JeM, D-company, al Qaeda and Haqqani network.
In their first Summit meeting spread over two hours at the White House, the two leaders also agreed that the two countries will take steps to disrupt financial and tactical support to these terror outfits.
They also said that the "joint and concerted efforts" on dismantling safe havens for terrorist groups and criminal networks do not mean that India and the US were not going to launch operations but carry out any UN-mandated task.
An inter-agency contact group will be set up to address the issues of liability, administrative and technical issues. From the Indian side, agencies like DAE, MEA and Finance Ministry will be involved.
The US will also cooperate as knowledge partner for India's planned National Defence University as well as technology partner in the Indian Navy. The US will also participate in expansion of India's infrastructure projects. The US will also be the lead partner in developing Allahabad, Ajmer and Vishakapatnam as 'Smart Cities'. The two countries will also cooperate in the Mars Mission.
They also agreed on cooperation between their central banks on regulation of their financial institutions and cross-border banking arrangements. The US will also participate in India's endeavour in the renewable energy sector with one billion dollars being pledged by the EXIM bank.
The two sides also agreed to set up Water and Sanitation Alliance (WASH).Modi and Obama pledged to push the bilateral relationship to "new levels".
All agreements between India and US
Furthering Indo-US cooperation on terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama on 30th September agreed to make "joint and concerted efforts" to dismantle safe havens for terror and criminal networks like LeT, JeM, D-company, al Qaeda and Haqqani network.
In their first Summit meeting spread over two hours at the White House, the two leaders also agreed that the two countries will take steps to disrupt financial and tactical support to these terror outfits.
They also said that the "joint and concerted efforts" on dismantling safe havens for terrorist groups and criminal networks do not mean that India and the US were not going to launch operations but carry out any UN-mandated task.
An inter-agency contact group will be set up to address the issues of liability, administrative and technical issues. From the Indian side, agencies like DAE, MEA and Finance Ministry will be involved.
The US will also cooperate as knowledge partner for India's planned National Defence University as well as technology partner in the Indian Navy. The US will also participate in expansion of India's infrastructure projects. The US will also be the lead partner in developing Allahabad, Ajmer and Vishakapatnam as 'Smart Cities'. The two countries will also cooperate in the Mars Mission.
They also agreed on cooperation between their central banks on regulation of their financial institutions and cross-border banking arrangements. The US will also participate in India's endeavour in the renewable energy sector with one billion dollars being pledged by the EXIM bank.
The two sides also agreed to set up Water and Sanitation Alliance (WASH).Modi and Obama pledged to push the bilateral relationship to "new levels".
All agreements between India and US
To intensify cooperation in maritime security; important as
China's maritime ambitions expand
Both leaders express concern about rising tensions over
maritime territorial disputes
Obama promises to enhance India's voice and vote in
international financial institutions
USAID to support the national urban development mission and
Clean India campaign
Both sides discuss role US can play in modernising India's
railway network
Modi and Obama to hold public-private discussions in early
2015 on new areas of cooperation, including advanced manufacturing
To strengthen US-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy
To ease travel between the two countries, India to introduce
visa-on-arrival for US citizens in 2015
Obama to support Modi achieve his goal of preparing young
Indians for 21st century jobs
Leaders commit to partner on the Digital India initiative
To launch new phase of programme to develop affordable
vaccines for dengue, malaria and tuberculosis
New pact likely soon to support the Nasa-Isro Synthetic
Aperture Radar mission, to be launched in 2021
IISc signs pact with UK research centre
The UK’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on key challenges such as water security, impact of air pollution, soil health and sustainability.
The two organizations are expected to identify opportunities for development of collaborative research, exchange of research scientists, and joint staff and studentships
An initial project is for CEH scientists to work with an IISc team to monitor soil moisture at the IISc catchment near Mysore. The CEH will supply cosmic ray soil moisture measuring device Cosmos and train IISc staff and students on its use
The UK’s Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on key challenges such as water security, impact of air pollution, soil health and sustainability.
The two organizations are expected to identify opportunities for development of collaborative research, exchange of research scientists, and joint staff and studentships
An initial project is for CEH scientists to work with an IISc team to monitor soil moisture at the IISc catchment near Mysore. The CEH will supply cosmic ray soil moisture measuring device Cosmos and train IISc staff and students on its use
India-China stand-off ends: MEA
The 20-day “stand-off” between Indian and Chinese troops in Eastern Ladakh has ended. The External Affairs Ministry announced on 30th September that both sides “carried out disengagement and redeployment of border troops” on September 26 and 27. The statement said that status quo — as on September 1 — had been re-established. The border commanders met on 30th September at the Spanggur Gap to confirm that the stand-off had been terminated.
On September 10, China’s People’s Liberation Army reportedly moved around 500 soldiers to Chumar village on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control, 300 km south-east of Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. Chinese nomads called Rebos pitched tents 500 metres into India in Demchok.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to India in September.
The 20-day “stand-off” between Indian and Chinese troops in Eastern Ladakh has ended. The External Affairs Ministry announced on 30th September that both sides “carried out disengagement and redeployment of border troops” on September 26 and 27. The statement said that status quo — as on September 1 — had been re-established. The border commanders met on 30th September at the Spanggur Gap to confirm that the stand-off had been terminated.
On September 10, China’s People’s Liberation Army reportedly moved around 500 soldiers to Chumar village on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control, 300 km south-east of Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. Chinese nomads called Rebos pitched tents 500 metres into India in Demchok.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to India in September.
India Promises Nepal Grant
India on 29th September pledged to provide a grant assistance of Rs 41.83 million for the construction of a cooperative promotion centre in Nepal. A MoU was signed between officials of the Embassy of India and the District Cooperative Union of Lalitpur, bordering Kathmandu. The District Cooperative Union Lalitpur was established in 1972 with the aim to promote, support and coordinate its member cooperatives. It has been carrying out promotional activities to develop and strengthen cooperatives and its member farmers.
India on 29th September pledged to provide a grant assistance of Rs 41.83 million for the construction of a cooperative promotion centre in Nepal. A MoU was signed between officials of the Embassy of India and the District Cooperative Union of Lalitpur, bordering Kathmandu. The District Cooperative Union Lalitpur was established in 1972 with the aim to promote, support and coordinate its member cooperatives. It has been carrying out promotional activities to develop and strengthen cooperatives and its member farmers.
India, Bhutan ink power project pact
In a major boost to the 600-Mw Kholongchu hydroelectric project in Bhutan, being developed by Shimla-based power public sector unit (PSU) SJVN Ltd, a shareholders agreement was signed in Bhutan, officials said on 1st October. The pact was signed between R P Singh, chairman and managing director, SJVN, and Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, managing director of Druk Green Power Corporation.
This is the first hydroelectric project being developed by a joint venture between PSUs of both the countries, to be implemented in Bhutan, under the BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer) model. In April, the two parties signed an agreement to execute the project. Singh said it is a run-of- the-river scheme located on the Kholongchu River in Bhutan.
On completion, it will generate 2,568 million units of energy. The project is estimated to cost Rs 3,868.87 crore, to be shared equally by the two partners, he added. It will provide 12 per cent of the saleable energy to Bhutan free of cost as royalty energy during the first 12 years of commercial operations.
The project will be financed under a debt equity ratio of 70:30. For the 70 per cent saleable energy generated, long-term power purchase agreements will be entered into with the beneficiaries and the balance power will be sold through market mechanism.
In a major boost to the 600-Mw Kholongchu hydroelectric project in Bhutan, being developed by Shimla-based power public sector unit (PSU) SJVN Ltd, a shareholders agreement was signed in Bhutan, officials said on 1st October. The pact was signed between R P Singh, chairman and managing director, SJVN, and Dasho Chhewang Rinzin, managing director of Druk Green Power Corporation.
This is the first hydroelectric project being developed by a joint venture between PSUs of both the countries, to be implemented in Bhutan, under the BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer) model. In April, the two parties signed an agreement to execute the project. Singh said it is a run-of- the-river scheme located on the Kholongchu River in Bhutan.
On completion, it will generate 2,568 million units of energy. The project is estimated to cost Rs 3,868.87 crore, to be shared equally by the two partners, he added. It will provide 12 per cent of the saleable energy to Bhutan free of cost as royalty energy during the first 12 years of commercial operations.
The project will be financed under a debt equity ratio of 70:30. For the 70 per cent saleable energy generated, long-term power purchase agreements will be entered into with the beneficiaries and the balance power will be sold through market mechanism.
India-Myanmar container shipping service launched
The Look East Policy of the Central Government got a boost with the launch of India-Myanmar container shipping service at Chennai port. The service, run by the State-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), was launched by Shipping Secretary Vishwapati Trivedi.
The Government is looking at starting a similar service to countries such as Thailand and Vietnam as part of the Look East policy, he said at the launch function at the DP World Chennai container terminal. The dedicated service was started with a commercial consideration but also as a friendly consideration to strengthen bilateral relationship between the two countries. The service rotation will be Chennai, Krishnapatnam, Yangoon, Colombo and Chennai.
The Look East Policy of the Central Government got a boost with the launch of India-Myanmar container shipping service at Chennai port. The service, run by the State-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), was launched by Shipping Secretary Vishwapati Trivedi.
The Government is looking at starting a similar service to countries such as Thailand and Vietnam as part of the Look East policy, he said at the launch function at the DP World Chennai container terminal. The dedicated service was started with a commercial consideration but also as a friendly consideration to strengthen bilateral relationship between the two countries. The service rotation will be Chennai, Krishnapatnam, Yangoon, Colombo and Chennai.
Anti-dumping duty on phenol from US, Chinese Taipei
India has imposed anti-dumping duty on phenol imported from the US and Chinese Taipei to safeguard the interest of domestic manufacturers. The duty, ranging from $47.29-$196.24 a tonne, has been levied for five years, a circular of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said.
Giving reasons for imposing anti-dumping duty, the CBEC said Phenol has been exported to India from the United States and Taipei below their normal value, thus resulting in the dumping of the product. It further said that the domestic industry has suffered material injury because of dumping of imports. Phenol is a basic organic chemical used in manufacturing of antiseptics, industrial paints and cosmetics.
India has imposed anti-dumping duty on phenol imported from the US and Chinese Taipei to safeguard the interest of domestic manufacturers. The duty, ranging from $47.29-$196.24 a tonne, has been levied for five years, a circular of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said.
Giving reasons for imposing anti-dumping duty, the CBEC said Phenol has been exported to India from the United States and Taipei below their normal value, thus resulting in the dumping of the product. It further said that the domestic industry has suffered material injury because of dumping of imports. Phenol is a basic organic chemical used in manufacturing of antiseptics, industrial paints and cosmetics.
No comments:
Post a Comment