1.

Bhutan__1617 June

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Highlights
Modi made his first foreign visit to Bhutan following an invitation by
* King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Tobgay.
*The visit was called by the media as a charm offensive

India and Bhutan reiterated their commitment to achieving the 10,000 MW target
in hydropower cooperation

Modi inaugurated one of Indias assistance projects the building of the Supreme
Court of Bhutan and laid foundation stone of the 600MW Kholongchu Hydroelectric .

India also announced exemption of Bhutan from any ban on export of milk
powder, wheat, edible oil, pulses and non-basmati rice.

The two sides recalled the free trade arrangement between them and the
expanding bilateral trade and its importance in further cementing their friendship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mooted the idea of an annual hill sports
festival with Indias northeastern states along with Bhutan and Nepal.

Modi announced doubling of scholarships being provided to Bhutanese students

in India which will now be worth Rs 2 crore.

India will also assist Bhutan set up a digital library which will provide access to
Bhutanese youth to two million books and periodicals.

Both India-Bhutan reaffirmed their commitment to extensive development

cooperation and discussed ways to further enhance economic ties.

*key persons Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval & Foreign Secretary
Sujatha Singh.

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INDIA BHUTAN
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi visited Bhutan in his first official visit after being elected to
the office of prime minister of India. He declared to expand bilateral ties he termed as "Bharat
to Bhutan" (B2B) relations.
It is seen as an attempt to cement India's "unique and special relationship" with the
neighbouring country.
During the visit, the two sides explored ways to boost their ties, particularly in trade and hydroelectricity.
The PM also addressed the joint session of the Parliament of Bhutan. He also inaugurated one
of India's assistance projects -- the building of the Supreme Court of Bhutan. The fact that
the Prime Minister chose Bhutan as his first foreign destination assumed significance since
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China has lately intensified efforts to woo it and establish full-fledged diplomatic ties with
Thimphu.
He also lauded Bhutan for the smooth transition from monarchy to democracy in a span of
seven years
which showed maturity in governance in that country. Describing the Himalayas as a shared
legacy of the two countries, he stressed on the need to develop the region and said India is
planning to open a university for Himalayan studies.
The bilateral talks are expected to focus on strengthening ties over Bhutan's hydropower plants,
which
supply much-needed clean energy to India. Bilateral trade was worth $1.1 billion in 2012, and
Tobgay said Bhutan's hydropower industry was "the centrepiece of our bilateral
cooperation".
India, a power-deficit nation with severe outages, has helped Bhutan develop three hydropower
plants with another three under construction.
AN OPINION ON MODIS VISIT TO BHUTAN
Prime Minister Modis decision to make Bhutan as his first foreign destination after becoming
Prime Minister signals a significant shift in Indias neighbourhood policy. Often, neighbourhood
escapes high profile visit as Indias attention remains diverted to broader foreign policy issues
involving other major powers.
This shift has two important dimensions which need to be kept in mind while analysing broader
parameter of Indias engagement with its neighbours. First, it signals that the neighbourhood is
going to be extremely important as a part of initiative to chart economic development and bolster
internal security. Second, choosing Bhutan as his first destination underlines that India
acknowledges its solid friendship with Bhutan which has significantly cooperated in the counter
insurgency initiative by denying space to the Indian insurgent groups in the past.
Bhutans relationship with India in this context is truly all weather. It is not characterized by the
usual anti- Indianism which the elites in neighbouring countries use to make political business
nor has Bhutan ever adopted a balance-India policy by engaging China.
The India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty, which was redrafted and signed in 2007, set the bilateral
relations on a new course signifying the two countries mutual trust. It has laid the basis for a
relationship that is
responsive to each others national interests, a relationship that is consultative, and a relationship
that
ensures mutually beneficial cooperation. This treaty does not have the imperial trapping like the
previous 1949 treaty. Indias relations with Bhutan represent a synergy that takes an entire gamut
of relations, i.e. foreign policy, security and economic cooperation.
Modis visit to Bhutan is politically significant. After inviting SAARC leaders to his swearing
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in ceremony; his choice of Bhutan as the first country came as no surprise. Bhutan is also the
only country where the bilateral relationship is free from tension. Expectations from each other
are also easy to attain. Modi, after assuming power has emphasized internal security would be a
major concern. Considering Bhutans help in the past to flush out militants from the North East,
it remains a significant partner in attaining internal stability.
India needs to earnestly complete some of the projects that have already been delayed due to
lack of
sufficient fund. Bhutan is the only neighbor that can help India in augmenting internal stability
and external security. The short-sighted policy of cutting fuel subsidy, just before the elections in
Bhutan, did much harm to Indias old age relations with Bhutan. India needs to pursue its
relations with Bhutan without strong arms tactics and should remain committed to a relationship
of partnership which will help the Bharat and Bhutan are made for each other paradigm to
consolidate and fructify for the benefit of the two countries.

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2.Brazil__1316 July

Highlights
In July 2014, he visited Brazil for his first multilateral visit, the 6th BRICS summit was held at
the north-eastern beach city of Fortaleza.

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In the Fortaleza summit the group have agreed to establish a financial institution
rivaling the western dominated World Bank and IMF.

The bank would be named the New Development Bank as suggested by the
Page 6

Indian side but Modi govt failed to bag the banks headquarter for New Delhi,
which would be located in Shanghai, China.

Later the BRICS leader also attended an event in Brasilia where they met the
UNASUR heads of government.

At the same time, the Ministry of External Affairs added Spanish to its list of
available languages.

*key persons BRICS countries prime ministers

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Brazil - BRICS SUMMIT

BRICS SUMMIT 2014

The 6th annual BRICS summit was held from July 14 July 16, 2014 in Fortaleza,
Brazil.

The meeting was attended by the head of the state of the five members Brazil, Russia,
India, China and
South Africa. Leaders from 11 countries were invited as guests for the event.

Global political issues such as the unrest in Iraq and Ukraine and the surveillance of
world leaders by the U.S. National Security Agency found their way into the discussions
at the BRICS summit along with major
economic issues, in the Fortaleza Declaration released by the leaders of the five nations
on July 15, 2014.

To that end, the sixth BRICS summit is likely to pose a bigger challenge to the West than
previous summits. In particular, BRICS countries announced the BRICS bank and
contingency reserve fund as a counterpoint to the U.S.-led World Bank and International
Monetary Fund. But that is not all. Brazil also wants to set up a
challenge to currently calculated statistical indices.

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The BRICS grouping accounts for more than a quarter of the worlds land mass, 40 per
cent of the worlds
population, and a combined GDP of $24 trillion at PPP.

BRICS FOR A NEW BANK

What might have been dismissed as impossibility just five years ago is now a reality.
Defying skeptics and critics, five countries that between them account for 40 per cent of the
worlds population and 20 per cent of its GDP have signed an agreement to create a
development bank to provide financial assistance to developing countries and emerging
market economies, mainly for infrastructure projects.

As its name implies, the agreement for the New Development Bank, signed by Brazil,
Russia, India, China and South Africa at their sixth BRICS summit in Brazil, signals the
start of a new global financial order that aims to be more inclusive than the Westernfocused International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The $100 billion bank will have an initial subscribed capital of $50 billion. The five
members managed to iron out their differences to agree on an equal share for each in the
bank, so no one member dominates the institution. India and South Africa both wanted to
host the headquarters. The eventual decision to locate it in Shanghai was an
acknowledgement that Chinas is the biggest economy in the grouping.

The Bank will also have an African Regional Centre in South Africa and India will assume
the first presidency of the bank. First mooted at the fourth BRICS summit in New Delhi in
2012, the Bank will certainly have an impact on the existing arrangements put in place by
the Breton Woods institutions, and will give more say to smaller countries. But BRICS also
appears to recognise that the NDB cannot replace the IMF, the World Bank or the regional
development banks. Thus, the Fortaleza Declaration describes the NDB as a supplement
to the efforts of multilateral and regional financial institutions for global development.

A second financial instrument, the Contingency Reserve Arrangement of $100 billion, has
been set up to help developing economies tide over short-term liquidity pressures,
promote further BRICS cooperation, strengthen the global financial safety net and
complement existing international arrangements.

In its sixth year, BRICS has a new confidence, and it was more than apparent at the
summit. The only world grouping that is not region, security or trade-based, its members
have come together with the determination to create a more multilateral global order. China
and Russia have backed the other three BRICS members on the issue of UN reform and
Security Council expansion.

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3 .Nepal__34 August

*key persons Nepal Prime Minister GP Koirala

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*Highlights
Modi arrived for a two-day visit to Nepal on 3 August. The last visit of an Indian prime minister
to Nepal was 17 years ago in 1997 by I. K. Gujral,

India-funded hydroelectricity projects in Nepal and other infrastructure projects in

Nepal

Modi became the first foreign leader to address the Parliament of Nepal

He did puja at the fifth century Pashupatinath temple

Modi announced a credit assistance programme of US$1 billion to Nepal

HIT policy

which stands for Highways, Information Technology and Transmission.

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Note1__*The last visit of an Indian prime minister to Nepal was 17 years ago in
1997 by I. K. Gujral.

Note2 _18th SAARC summit-katmandu-His first ever SAARC summit.

Page 11

PM's Nepal Visit - Some Highlights

Focus on 4Cs: Cooperation. Connectivity. Culture. Constitution

India will give Nepal a one billion dollar line of credit. This will be in addition to any
existing lines of credit.

Pancheswor Development Authority will be set up and DPR finalized in one year

India and Nepal have agreed to conclude Power Trading Agreement in 45 days.

India will provide assistance for construction of a motorable bridge over the Mahakali
River.

India will expedite construction of postal roads and feeder roads to the Terai.

Prime Minister announced a gift of 2500 kg of sandalwood to the Pashupatinath Temple.

Work on a Dharamshala to be set up by Pashupatinath Development Authority will
commence soon with Indian assistance.

Renovation and restoration of the Complex will be done using expertise of

Archaeological Survey of India. India will provide Rs. 25 crore for the same.

India will offer assistance for development of Janakpur-Lumbini, including Lumbini as

part of Buddhist circuit.

Scholarships for Nepali students increased from 180 to 250.

Joint Working Group on Agriculture will meet quickly. India will offer assistance in soil
testing.

Nepal gave an assurance that Nepali soil will not be used for anything inimicable to
Indian interests.

During his meeting with Nepali leaders from across the political spectrum, Prime
Minister Shri Narendra Modi urged them - dal ke hit me mat socho, desh ke hit mein
socho - Think in terms of the nation's benefit, not the party's benefit.

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List of Events/Agreements/MoUs signed during Prime Minister's visit to Nepal

S.No

MoU/Agreement

MoU on Nepal Police Academy

Signatory

Signatory

from

from

Govt of Nepal
Mr. Suman Prasad
Sharma,

Govt. of India
Ms. Sneh lata Kumar

(NPA)

2
3

Secretary (BM)
Secretary, Ministry
of Finance
Ministry of Home Affairs
Unveiling of Plaque for Nepal Police Academy
MoU on Tourism
Mr. Suresh Man
Shri Ranjit Rae,
Shrestha, Secretary,
Ambassador
Ministry of Culture,
Tourism & Civil
Aviation
MoU Traditional Medicines
Mr. Sant Bahadur
Shri Ranjit Rae, Ambassador
Shrestha,
Secretary,

MoU on Youth Exchange

Ministry of Health
Mr. Dipendra Nath
Sharma,

Shri Ranjit Rae,

Ambassador

Secretary, Ministry
of Youth & Sports
Handing over of keys for Mobile Soil Testing Vanby Shri Saroj Kumar Poddar,
Chairman, paradeep Phospates Ltd to Mr. Jaya Mukunda Khanal, Secretary, Ministry of
Agricultural Development , GoN
LoC US$ 1 billion Agreement
Mr. Madhu Kumar Mr. David Rasquinha
Marasini,
Deputy Managing Director,
Joint Secretary (Min. Exim Bank
of Finance)
Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA)
Bishnu Om Bade,
Mr. Niraj Verma,
Joint Secretary,
Joint Secretary
Ministry of Physical
Infrastructure &
Ministry of Road Transport
Trnasport
& Highways

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10

MoU on PDA for ARUN III

Twin City Agreement between

Ayodhya-Janakpur

Shri Radhesh Pant

Shri R.P. Singh, CMD

CEO

Satlaj Jal vidyut Nigam

Investment Board
Nepal
Mr. Purna Chandra
Bhattarai

Ambassador

Officiating
Secretary,
Ministry of Federal
Affairs and

11

Twin City Agreement between

Local Development
Mr. Dhan Bahadur Ambassador
Shrestha

Kathmandu-Varanasi
Executive Officer

12

Twin City Agreement between

Kathmandu
Metropolitan City
Mr. Durga Nath
Gautam

Ambassador

Lumbini-Bodh Gaya
Executive Officer
Lumbini Sanskritik
Municipality

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-new-beginning-with-nepal/article6238665.ece

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4.Japan__30 August 3 September.

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Highlights

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First bilateral state visit outside the subcontinent.

Pledging financial support for building infrastructure in India.

Sticking to his Make in India slogan

Modi gave an open invitation to Japanese companies to consider India as a

competitive low-cost manufacturing hub

PM Modis 3D mantraDemocracy, Demography and Demand.

Bullet trains: With Japan committing to fund bullet trains, the dream of running
high-speed trains on Indian tracks is now a step closer.

Special Strategic Global Partnership': Japan and India have upgraded their
partnership to the level of Special Strategic and Global Partnership with the
signing of a defence pact for regional stability and Tokyos decision to double
FDI in India.

Civil nuclear deal remains elusive Despite last-minute negotiations, the two
sides could not narrow down differences over Tokyos insistence for a tougher
safe-guard regime and no nuclear test clause in the bilateral agreement.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden five-day visit to Japan saw the latter nation pledging
financial support for building infrastructure in India. Sticking to his 'Make in India' slogan, Modi
gave an open invitation to Japanese companies to consider India as a 'competitive low-cost
manufacturing hub'.
The meet also saw India-Japan relations being upgraded to the level of 'Special Strategic Global
Partnership'. We take a look at the ten takeaways from PM Modi's visit:

PM Narendra Modi's Japan visit: 10 key takeaways

1).PM Modi's 3D mantra:

Inviting Japanese investors to 'Make in India', PM Modi said, "There is no better place than
India for Japanese investors. India is one of the most competitive markets in the world.

Addressing Japan's Nikkei Exchange, Modi said that India offers the three essential 'Ds' for
businessmen to thrive namely; Democracy, Demography and Demand. "It is important for
Japan to move to low cost hubs of manufacturing."

Promising a conducive environment for investors, Modi said, "Foreign investors need a
proper environment to grow in India. We are working towards improving ease of doing
business in India." "There is no red tape but red carpet in India. We have eased off a lot of
regulations," Modi sought to assure.

2) Bullet trains:

With Japan committing to fund bullet trains, the dream of running high-speed trains on
Indian tracks is now a step closer.

Modi's dream project got a big push after Japan expressed readiness to provide financial,
technical and operational support to introduce bullet trains in India in a joint statement.

The first high-speed train is expected to run between Ahmedabad and Mumbai at an
estimated cost of around Rs 60,000-70,000 crores.

As Japan is a pioneer in running superfast trains, the agreement is expected to help Modi
achieve his dream of a bullet train for India running at a maximum of 300 km per hour.

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3) Two nominees of Japan in PMO's special team:

PM Modi announced that a special management team would be set up directly under the
Prime Minister's Office to facilitate investment proposals from Japan.

The decision to include two nominees of Japan in the special management team is
unprecedented and such a system of having nominees of the foreign government will
happen for the first time. Modi said that the two nominees selected by Japan would also be
part of the decision-making team which evaluates business proposal.

4) 'Special Strategic Global Partnership':

Japan and India have upgraded their partnership to the level of 'Special Strategic and
Global Partnership' with the signing of a defence pact for regional stability and Tokyo's
decision to double FDI in India.

India and Japan also decided to "upgrade" and "strengthen" their defence cooperation as
they asked officials to launch consultations to promote military equipment collaboration
and accelerate discussions on modalities for the sale of Japanese US-2 amphibian aircraft.

The two sides signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and Exchanges in the Field of
Defence during Modi's five-day visit. "We intend to give a new thrust and direction to our
defence cooperation, including collaboration in defence technology and equipment, given
our shared interest in peace and stability and maritime security. We have also decided to
expand our cooperation in advanced technology, science and technology, people-to-people
exchanges, educational exchanges, etc," Modi said at the joint press briefing with Abe.

The two sides stressed on the importance of the regularisation of bilateral maritime
exercises as well as on Japan's continued participation in India-US Malabar series of
exercises.

5) Civil nuclear deal remains elusive:

Despite last-minute negotiations, the two sides could not narrow down differences over
Tokyo's insistence for a tougher safe-guard regime and "no nuclear test" clause in the
bilateral agreement.

Japan wants India to guarantee not to conduct nuclear tests and more stringent inspections
of its nuclear facilities to ensure that spent fuel is not diverted to make bombs.

India has been insisting on self-imposed moratorium on its tests and does not agree to
Tokyo's insistence on the clause in the text of the agreement that provides for automatic
termination of nuclear ties if India conducts test in future.

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Addressing a joint press briefing with Abe, Modi said, "In recent months, we have made
significant progress in our negotiations on civil nuclear cooperation. Today, we have
discussed this issue at length. We have reached better understanding of each other's
positions through this discussion.

We have agreed to instruct our negotiators to work expeditiously to conclude the

negotiations at an early date so that we can further strengthen our strategic partnership."
Abe commended India's efforts in the field of non-proliferation, including the affirmation
that goods and technologies transferred from Japan would not be used for delivery systems
for weapon of mass destruction.

6) Japan to invest over $33.58 billion in India:

Japan announced doubling of its private and public investment in India to about $34 billion
over the next five years. The 3.5 trillion yen ($34 billion) of investment from Japan to India
including Official Development Assistance(ODA) during a 5-year period will be under the
aegis of India-Japan Investment Promotion Partnership for development of projects
including infrastructure and building of smart cities.

The five-year period will also see the doubling of the presence of Japanese firms in India,
Abe said.

7) Japan lifts ban on 6 Indian entities:

Japan lifted ban on HAL and five other Indian entities, which had been imposed in the
aftermath of the 1998 nuclear tests, amid Modi's assertion that cooperation between the two
countries in defence and security will get a "new direction".

"Japan has decided to remove ban on some entities," Modi said. Sources later said the ban
had been lifted on six entities, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. However, four
entities still remain in the banned list.

The removal of the ban will enable these companies to have cooperation with Japanese
firms, including transfer of technology.

8) Japanese companies to speedy clearance:

Holding that the environment of "disappointment" was over, Modi invited Japanese
businesses to join India's developmental efforts with a promise of non-discriminatory and
speedy clearances.

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Page 19

Inviting Japanese businesses, particularly to infrastructure and clean energy sectors, the
Prime Minister asked them to keep in mind the Gujarat experience.

He promised single-window clearances, speedy decision- making which is nondiscriminatory in nature.

9) New TCS training initiative:

PM Modi inaugurated TCS Japan Technology and Culture Academy, which will work
towards enhancing technology and cultural knowledge between IT professionals of the two
nations.

Modi also flagged off the first batch of 48 TCS Japan trainees, who will proceed to India to
undergo training for 6-8 weeks at various TCS locations.

"The 21st century is the century of knowledge and technology and all of you will gain
knowledge from travelling in India... You are going as employees of TCS but I want you to
come back to Japan as ambassadors of India," Modi said.

Known for his communicating skills, Modi joined the ceremonial Japanese drummers to
perform a jugalbandi with them as he drummed up support for Indian business in Japan.

Modi tried his hands at drums while inaugurating the TCS Cultural Centre. The Prime
Minister was inspired after watching the drummers and joined them, much to the
amusement of the gathering.

10) Modi deplores 'expansionist' tendency of some countries:

Modi deplored the "expansionist" tendency among some countries which "encroach" upon
seas of others, in oblique comments against China which is having a maritime dispute with
Japan.

"The whole world accepts that the 21st century will belong to Asia. But I have a question.
How should the 21st century be? We have to give an answer to this. It will depend on how
deep and progressive our relationship (between India and Japan).

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Modi-in-Tokyo-Japan-to-invest-34-billion-inIndia-no-nuke-deal/articleshow/41443426.cms

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Tokyo Declaration for India - Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership
Tokyo Declaration for India - Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership

Meeting in Tokyo on 1 September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe pledged to realize the full potential of India - Japan Strategic and
Global Partnership for continuing progress and prosperity for their people and for
advancing peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world. Elevating the relationship
to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership, they called their meeting the dawn of a new
era in India - Japan relations.

Prime Minister Abe expressed his deep appreciation for Prime Minister Modi's choice of
Japan as his first destination for a bilateral visit outside India's immediate neighbourhood.
Prime Minister Modi described this decision as a reflection of Japan's importance in India's
foreign policy and economic development and her place at the heart of India's Look East
Policy. Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Abe for his deep personal
commitment to strengthening India - Japan strategic partnership, the extraordinary warmth
of his hospitality, and the bold vision that characterized their discussions in Tokyo .

The two Prime Ministers noted that India and Japan are Asia's two largest and oldest
democracies, with ancient cultural links and enduring goodwill between their people. The
two countries are joined together by convergent global interests, critical maritime interconnection and growing international responsibilities. They share an abiding commitment
to peace and stability, international rule of law and open global trade regime. Their
economies have vast complementarities that create boundless opportunities for mutually
beneficial economic partnership.

The two Prime Ministers observed that the relationship between the two countries draw
strength and vitality from the exceptional consensus on the importance and potential of this
relationship across the political spectrum, the business community and people in all walks
of life in the two countries.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the progress of individual cooperation programmes and
projects enumerated in the Factsheet and directed the respective relevant authorities to
further advance cooperation in a mutually satisfactory manner.

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Political, Defence and Security Partnership

The two Prime Ministers decided to continue the practice of annual summits and to meet as
often as possible on the margins of regional and multilateral meetings.

Recognizing the special quality of bilateral engagement between India and Japan imparted
by multi-sectoral ministerial and Cabinet-level dialogues, in particular, those between their
Foreign Ministers, Defence Ministers and Ministers dealing with finance, economy, trade
and energy, the two Prime Ministers decided to intensify and invigorate such exchanges. In
this regard, they welcomed that the next rounds of Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue
and Defence Ministers dialogue would be held in 2014. They attached importance to the
dialogue between their National Security Advisors, launched earlier this year soon after the
creation of the National Security Secretariat in Japan, as a key instrument of building
deeper mutual understanding and cooperation across the full range of security issues. They
underlined the importance of the 2 plus 2 dialogue, involving Foreign and Defence
Secretaries, for their growing strategic partnership, and decided to seek ways to intensify
this dialogue.

The two Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of defence relations between India and
Japan in their strategic partnership and decided to upgrade and strengthen them. They
welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation and Exchanges in the Field of
Defence during the visit. In this context, they attached importance to the regularization of
bilateral maritime exercises as well as to Japans continued participation in India - US
Malabar series of exercises. They also welcomed the existing dialogue mechanism and
joint exercises between Indian and Japanese Coast Guards.

Prime Minister Modi welcomed the recent developments in Japan's policy on transfer of
defence equipment and technology. The two Prime Ministers expressed the hope that this
would usher in a new era of cooperation in defence equipment and technology. They
recognized the enormous future potential for transfer and collaborative projects in defence
equipment and technology between the two countries. They welcomed progress made in
discussions in the Joint Working Group on cooperation in US-2 amphibian aircraft and its
technology, and directed their officials to accelerate their discussions. They also directed
their officials to launch working-level consultations between the two countries with a view
to promoting defence equipment and technology cooperation.

The two Prime Ministers recognized their wide-ranging shared interests in security of
maritime and cyber domains, and decided to work with each other and with like-minded
partners to preserve the integrity and inviolability of these global commons. They affirmed
their shared commitment to maritime security, freedom of navigation and overflight, civil
aviation safety, unimpeded lawful commerce, and peaceful settlement of disputes in
accordance with international law.

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Global Partnership for Peace and Security in the Region and the World

The two Prime Ministers affirmed their shared belief that at a time of growing turmoil,
tensions and transitions in the world, a closer and stronger strategic partnership between
India and Japan is indispensable for a prosperous future for their two countries and for
advancing peace, stability and prosperity in the world, in particular, in the inter-connected
Asia, Pacific and Indian Ocean Regions. Prime Minister Abe briefed Prime Minister Modi
on Japans policy of "Proactive Contribution to Peace and Japans Cabinet Decision on
development of seamless security legislation. Prime Minister Modi supported Japans
initiative to contribute to peace and stability of the region and the world.

The two Prime Ministers decided, in particular, to draw on the strength of their two
countries' shared values, convergent interests, and complementary skills and resources to
build a strong partnership to promote economic and social development, capacity-building
and infrastructure development in other interested countries and regions.

The two Prime Ministers affirmed their intention to engage with other countries in the
region and beyond to address the region's challenges, deepen regional cooperation and
integration, strengthen regional economic and security forums and promote peaceful
resolution of disputes. They underscored the importance of closer consultation and
coordination between India and Japan in regional forums, including the East Asia Summit
processes and forums. They expressed satisfaction with progress in official level trilateral
dialogue among India, Japan and the United States and expressed the hope that this would
lead to concrete and demonstrable projects to advance their shared interests and that of
other partners. They decided to explore holding this dialogue among their Foreign
Ministers. They will also explore the possibility of expanding, at an appropriate time, their
consultations to other countries in the region.

The two Prime Ministers condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,
irrespective of their perpetrators, origin and motivations. They emphasised that the
evolving character of terrorism called for stronger international partnership in combating
terrorism, including through increased sharing of information and intelligence. They shared
concern over deteriorating security situation in various countries, and affirmed, in this
regard, the importance of elimination of terrorist safe havens and infrastructure. They also
called for reinvigorating multilateral action on terrorism, including through the finalisation
and adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United
Nations at the earliest.

The two Prime Ministers expressed concern over North Koreas continued development of
its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, including its uranium enrichment
activities. They urged North Korea to take concrete actions towards denuclearization and
other goals as well as to fully comply with its international obligations, including under all
relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and its commitments under the 2005

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Six-Party Talks Joint Statement. They also urged North Korea to address, at the earliest, the
humanitarian concerns of the international community, including the abductions issue.

The two Prime Ministers stressed their shared interests, including with respect to energy
security, in a stable and peaceful Middle East, West Asia and the Gulf regions. They
expressed their deep concern over continuing turmoil and instability in the region, from
diverse sources of conflict, which has had tragic and devastating impact on countries and
people in the region. Ending the region's conflicts, combating terrorism and resolving
outstanding issues, they shared, was of paramount importance, not just for the people of the
region, but also to the world. They welcomed negotiations between P5+1 and Iran over the
Iranian nuclear issue and urged all parties to show political will and seek common ground
while accommodating differences.

The two Prime Ministers affirmed their shared determination, and called for sustained
international commitment to promote Afghan-led economic development, political
pluralism and capacity-building in security in Afghanistan beyond 2014 to help it become a
united, independent, sovereign, stable and democratic nation free from terrorism,
extremism and external interference.

The two Prime Ministers affirmed the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the UN
Security Council, especially its expansion in both permanent and non-permanent
categories, to make it more representative, legitimate, effective and responsive to the
realities of the 21st century. They called for concrete outcome in this direction by the 70th
anniversary of the UN in 2015 and decided to enhance efforts bilaterally and under the G-4
to realize this. In this regard, they decided to strengthen their bilateral cooperation and
outreach with other member states. They also highlighted the outcome of the third round of
India-Japan consultations on UN issues held in Tokyo in July 2014.

Civil Nuclear Energy, Non-proliferation and Export Control

The two Prime Ministers affirmed the importance of civil nuclear cooperation between the
two countries and welcomed the significant progress in negotiations on the Agreement for
Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy. They directed their officials to further
accelerate the negotiations with a view to concluding the Agreement at an early date, and
strengthen the two countries partnership in non-proliferation and nuclear safety.

Prime Minister Abe commended Indias efforts in the field of non-proliferation including
the affirmation that goods and technologies transferred from Japan would not be used for
delivery systems for WMD. Prime Minister Modi appreciated the decision of the
Government of Japan to remove six of Indias space and defence-related entities from

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Japan's Foreign End User List. They looked forward to enhanced trade and collaboration in
high technology.

The two Prime Ministers affirmed their commitment to work together for India to become a
full member in the four international export control regimes: Nuclear Suppliers Group,
Missile Technology Control Regime, Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group, with
the aim of strengthening the international non-proliferation efforts.

Partnership for Prosperity

Prime Minister Abe affirmed a broader and stronger Japanese partnership for Prime
Minister Modi's bold and ambitious vision for accelerating inclusive development in India,
particularly by transforming the infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. Prime Minister
Modi expressed his deep appreciation for Japans continuous support for Indias economic
development and stated that no country has done more for modernizing India's
infrastructure than Japan.
The two Prime Ministers announced the IndiaJapan Investment Promotion Partnership
under which:
a) The two Prime Ministers decided to set a target of doubling Japans foreign direct
investment and the number of Japanese companies in India within five years as an
objective to be jointly achieved. They also decided to work closely towards further
expanding bilateral trade relationship to the next stage.
b) Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to realize 3.5 trillion yen of public and
private investment and financing from Japan, including Overseas Development Assistance
(ODA), to India in five years, to finance appropriate public and private projects of mutual
interest including in the areas of next generation infrastructure, connectivity, transport
systems, Smart Cities, rejuvenation of Ganga and other rivers, manufacturing, clean
energy, skill development, water security, food processing and agro industry, agricultural
cold chain, and rural development. In this connection, Prime Minister Abe pledged ODA
loan of 50 billion yen to India Infrastructure Finance Company Limited (IIFCL) for a
public-private partnership infrastructure project in India.
c) The two Prime Ministers welcomed the public-private initiatives between the two
countries to set up Electronics Industrial Parks in India. They also shared the intention to
develop "Japan Industrial Townships and other industrial townships with investment
incentives for companies would not be lower than under the prevailing policy framework
such as Special Economic Zone (SEZ), National Investment and Manufacturing Zone
(NIMZ).

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d) The two Prime Ministers directed their officials to work out an appropriate mix of
financing mechanisms, including public-private partnership, and terms for utilization of
public funds, taking into account the nature of the projects, developmental priorities,
procurement policies, level of industrial and technological capacities and skills available
locally. They decided to explore ways to enhance Japanese and Indian participation in
appropriate infrastructure projects in India.
e) Prime Minister Modi underlined his determination to further improve the business
environment in India, including through tax, administrative and financial regulations, in
order to boost investment. The two Prime Ministers decided to further deepen bilateral
economic and financial cooperation. Prime Minister Abe welcomed the approval to
establish Mizuho Bank's Ahmedabad branch.

The two Prime Ministers placed special emphasis on Japan's cooperation for enhanced
connectivity and development in Northeast India and linking the region to other economic
corridors in India and to Southeast Asia, which would catalyse economic development and
increase prosperity in the region.

Prime Minister Modi briefed Prime Minister Abe on his initiative for Smart Cities and
renewal of heritage cities, including the city of Varanasi. Prime Minister Abe expressed
Japans willingness to support this objective. The two Prime Ministers welcomed the
signing of the document to promote partnership city arrangement between the ancient cities
of Varanasi and Kyoto.

Lauding Prime Minister Modi's vision for development of world class infrastructure in
India, including High Speed Railway system, Prime Minister Abe expressed his hope that
India could introduce Shinkansen system for the Ahmedabad Mumbai route. Prime
Minister Abe expressed his readiness to provide financial, technical and operational
support to introduce Shinkansen system, for which Prime Minister Modi expressed his
appreciation. The two Prime Ministers look forward to the completion of the Joint
Feasibility Study on High Speed Railway system on Ahmedabad Mumbai route.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the progress in the ongoing flagship projects of IndiaJapan economic partnership, such as the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), DelhiMumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and
committed to accelerate their implementation. Prime Minister Modi invited Japanese
investments in the development of new smart cities and industrial parks along these
corridors. Appreciating Japans contribution to the development of urban mass rapid
transport system in India, Prime Minister Modi sought Japans association with
Ahmedabad Metro Project. Prime Minister Abe expressed Japans willingness to support
the project in a mutually beneficial manner.

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Recognising the critical dependence of their economies on imported energy sources and
their vulnerability to supply shocks, the two Prime Ministers affirmed their intention to
further strengthen energy cooperation through the IndiaJapan Energy Dialogue. They
shared the intention that India and Japan would explore a higher level of strategic
collaboration in the global oil and natural gas market, including through joint procurement
of LNG, upstream development of oil and gas, and joint efforts to promote flexible LNG
markets, including through relaxation of destination clauses. The two Prime Ministers also
welcomed enhanced cooperation on utilizing highly efficient and environmentally-friendly
coal-fired power generation technology and progress on cooperation in Clean Coal
Technology (CCT).

The two Prime Ministers welcomed substantial agreement on a commercial contract for
manufacturing and supply of rare earth chlorides from India to Japan and affirmed their
strong resolution for the finalization of commercial contract as well as the commencement
of commercial production at the earliest.

The two Prime Ministers affirmed the commitment of both counties to actively engage in
the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations and to make
RCEP a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial economic
partnership agreement. They decided to cooperate further towards conclusion of RCEP
negotiations.

Exploring Science, Inspiring Innovation, Developing Technology, Connecting People

The two Prime Ministers noted with satisfaction the recent productive Ministerial
discussions in the fields of education, culture, sports, and science & technology, and
recognized that the two Governments can truly harness the full potential of their
relationship by seizing the vast opportunities for collaborating in science & technology,
innovation, education, skill development, health, and information and communications
technology to create new opportunities for their talented people, transform lives and
address global challenges.

The two Prime Ministers decided to spur cooperation, in particular, in the cutting-edge
fields such as life sciences including stem cell research, material science, cognitive science,
applied mathematics, computing and information science, ocean technology and ocean
observations, clean and renewable energy, water technology, climate change science and
outer space. They recognized the importance to launch joint laboratories in India and Japan.
They welcomed the growing collaboration between their research agencies and
laboratories, and attached priority to expanding research exchanges, in particular, between
their young scientists and students.

The two Prime Ministers acknowledged that the richness of the relationship between the
two countries came from the long-standing wealth of goodwill and warmth between their
people, and expressed their determination to further enhance people to people contacts and

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promote mutual understanding. In this connection, they welcomed growing cooperation in

tourism, youth exchanges, educational collaboration, and cultural exchanges including the
cultural activities which will be held under the Festival of India in Japan.

Prime Minister Abe expressed his appreciation for Prime Minister Modis Digital India
initiative. The two Prime Ministers affirmed the importance of collaboration in the field of
information and communications technology (ICT) through ICT Comprehensive
Cooperation Framework.

Prime Minister Abe invited India to participate in the Sport for Tomorrow programme.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed this proposal. The two Prime Ministers expressed
satisfaction at the growing educational and research partnership, including in humanities
and social sciences - from the revival of Nalanda University, the ancient seat of learning, to
addressing tomorrow's challenges through the establishment of Indian Institute of
Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H), and the Indian Institute of Informational Technology,
Design and Manufacturing in Jabalpur (IIITDM-J), cutting-edge institutions of the 21st
century. They decided to make efforts to substantially increase the number of exchange
students between India and Japan as well as to enhance Japanese language education in
India.

The two Prime Ministers welcomed the launch of cooperation in the field of healthcare.
They appreciated the growing cooperation in the field of women empowerment. Prime
Minister Abe briefed Prime Minister Modi on his efforts to create a society in which all
women shine. Sharing the view of Prime Minister Abe, Prime Minister Modi stressed the
need to recognise the power of women and their important role in nation-building and the
development journey of a country.

Leading for the future

Conscious that from time immemorial whenever Indians and Japanese have come together,
they have struck a deep chord in each other; recognizing the importance of their countries'
success; grateful to previous leaders for their invaluable contribution in building this
relationship; aware of their enormous responsibility to lead at a moment of great
opportunities and challenges, the two Prime Ministers decided to create a relationship that
will shape the course of their countries and the character of this region and the world in this
century.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and gracious
hospitality of Prime Minister Abe and the Government and people of Japan.

Prime Minister Abe accepted Prime Minister Modi's invitation to visit India for the next
Annual Summit in 2015.

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5.United States_2630 September

*key persons obama , ban-ki-moon

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*Highlights

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Indias long standing demand of a permanent membership in Security Council

Modi delivered his maiden speech in the sixty-ninth session of the United Nations
General Assembly on 27 September 2014,

He had also argued why UN should serve as G-All for global governance instead
of several parallel sub-groupings like G7, G20 etc.

Modi-Obama joint statement-cooperation in various fields including defence,

intelligence, counter-terrorism, Afghanistan, space exploration and science

Madison Square Garden pitch-3D Mantra, skill development, talent pool and
Indias bright economic prospects.

Comprehensive on International Terrorism by the UN and offered Indias proactive role in it citing India as a victim of terrorism for decades.

Demand Sharif has made in his address at the UNGA on 26 September, on

Page 30

Kashmir related mater he stated that his govt is ready for bilateral talk

Modi commented briefly on climate change and use of clean energy, in this
regards he also asked world leaders and UN officials for observing Yoga Day

Modi fasted during a White House dinner in his honor.

10.Smart city assistance AJMER, ALLAHABAD, VISIKAPATNAMCISCO

Joint Statement during the visit of Prime Minister to USA

The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the President of the United States of
America Barack Obama met . Marking their first bilateral summit, the President recognized
the Prime Ministers historic election victory in the largest democratic election ever held.

The two leaders extolled the broad strategic and globalpartnership between the United
States and India, which will continue to generategreater prosperity and security for their
citizens and the world. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the priority India accords to its
partnership with the United States, a principal partner in the realization of Indias rise as a
responsible, influential world power. Given the shared values, people-to-people ties, and
pluralistic traditions, President Obama recognized that Indias rise as a friend and partner is
in the United States interest. Theyendorsed the first "Vision Statement for the Strategic
Partnership as a guide to strengthen and deepen cooperation in every sector for the benefit
of global stability and peoples livelihoods over the next ten years. They committed to a
new mantra for the relationship, "ChaleinSaathSaath: Forward Together We Go.

The two leadersrecognized that the bilateral relationshipenjoys strong support in both
countries, which has allowed the strategic partnership to flourish even as the governments
change.Welcoming the wide range of collaborative activities undertaken to improve their
citizens lives, both leaders agreed to revitalize the existing partnership and find new areas
for collaboration and mutual benefit.

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Economic Growth

Noting that two-way trade has increased fivefold since 2001 to nearly$100 billion,
President Obama and Prime Minister Modicommitted to facilitate the actions necessary to
increase tradeanother fivefold.President Obama and Prime Minister Modi recognizedthat
U.S. and Indian businesses have a critical role to play in sustainable, inclusive, and job-led
growth and development.

In order to raise investment by institutional investors and corporate entities, the leaders
pledged to establish an Indo-U.S. Investment Initiative led by the Ministry of Finance and
the Department of Treasury, with special focus on capital market development and
financing of infrastructure. They pledged to establish an Infrastructure Collaboration
Platform convened by the Ministry of Finance and the Department of Commerce to
enhance participation of U.S. companies in infrastructure projects in India.

In this context, the U.S.government welcomes India's offer for U.S. industry to be the lead
partner in developing smart cities in Ajmer (Rajasthan), Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
and Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh).The Prime Minister will welcome two trade missions in
2015 focused on meeting Indias infrastructure needs with U.S. technology and services.

They also committed to a new partnership to advance the Prime Minister's goal of
improved access to clean water and sanitation for all. USAID, through the Urban India
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Alliance, will serve as knowledge partner to help
leverage private and civil society innovation, expertise, and technology, such as with the
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to support the Prime Minister's 500 Cities National
Urban Development Mission and Clean India Campaign.

The President welcomed the Prime Ministers ambitious plan to extend

basicfinancialservices to all its citizens, giving them powerful tools to manage their
finances and more fully participate in India's growing economy.The President and Prime
Minister underlinedthe important contribution that U.S. locomotive technology, equipment
to monitor rail system assets, and U.S. best practices can play in modernizing Indias vast
railway network, including accessing programs of U.S. Trade and Development Agency in
this work.

The leaders discussed their concerns about the current impasse in the World Trade
Organization and its effect on the multilateral trading system, and directed their officials to
consult urgentlyalong with other WTO members on the next steps. Theleaders committed
to work through the Trade Policy Forum to promote a business environment attractive for
companies to invest and manufacture in India and in the United States. Agreeing on the
need to foster innovation in a manner that promotes economic growth and job creation, the
leaders committed to establish an annual high-level Intellectual Property (IP) Working
Group with appropriate decision-making and technical-level meetings as part of the Trade
Policy Forum. They recognized in particular the contribution of the Indian and U.S.

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Information Technology (IT) industry and the IT-enabled service industry in strengthening
India-U.S. trade and investment relations.

The two leaders committed to hold public-private discussions in early 2015 under the
Commercial Dialogue on new areas of cooperation, including innovation in advanced
manufacturing. In order to share best practices in manufacturingand work toward greater
harmonization of standards, the National Institute of Standards and Technologys
Manufacturing Extension Partnership program will start a dialogue with Indian
counterparts. The two countriesplan to work expeditiously through several joint initiatives
to facilitate greater confidence in cross-border trade and investment.

The President also offered to support the Prime Minister to achieve his goal of preparing
young Indians for 21st century jobs through new partnerships to share expertise and global
standards for skills development in India, including by reinvigorating the Higher Education
Dialogue.

The leaders look forward to the annual U.S.-India Economic and Financial Partnership in
early 2015.They also welcomed the expansion of the partnership in oversight of financial
institutions, including between Reserve Bank of India and the U.S. Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the
Office of the Comptroller of Currency.They also agreed to reinvigorate the India-U.S. CEO
Forum, and welcomed India's offer to host the Forum for the second time in early 2015.

Energy and Climate Change

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to implement fully the U.S.-India civil
nuclear cooperation agreement. They established a Contact Group on advancing the
implementation of civil nuclear energy cooperation in order to realize early their shared
goal of delivering electricity from U.S.-built nuclear power plants in India. They looked
forward to advancing the dialogue to discuss all implementation issues, including but not
limited to administrative issues, liability,technical issues, and licensing to facilitate the
establishment of nuclear parks, including power plants with Westinghouse and GE-Hitachi
technology.

Recognizing the critical importance of increasing energy access, reducing greenhouse gas
emissions, and improving resilience in the face of climate change, President Obama and
Prime Minister Modi agreed to a new and enhanced strategic partnership on energy
security, clean energy, and climate change. They agreed to strengthen and expand the
highly successful U.S.-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE) through a series
of priority initiatives, including anew Energy Smart Cities Partnership to promote efficient
urban energy infrastructure; a new program to scale-up renewable energy integration into
Indias power grid; cooperation to support Indias efforts to upgrade its alternative energy
institutes and to develop new innovation centers; an expansion of the Promoting Energy
Access through Clean Energy (PEACE) program to unlock additional private sector
investment and accelerate the deployment of cost-effective, super-efficient appliances; and

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the formation ofa new Clean Energy Finance Forum to promoteinvestment and trade in
clean energy projects.

Both leadersare committed to working towards a successful outcome in Paris in 2015 of the
conference of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including
the creation of a new global agreement on climate change.

The leaders recalled previous bilateral and multilateral statementson the phase-down of
hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). They recognized the need to use the institutions and expertise
of the Montreal Protocol to reduce consumption and production of HFCs, while continuing
to report and account for the quantities reduced under the UNFCCC. They pledged to
urgently arrange a meeting of their bilateral task force on HFCs prior to the next meeting of
the Montreal Protocol to discuss issues such as safety, cost, and commercial access to new
or alternative technologies to replace HFCs. The two sides would thereafter cooperate on
next steps to tackle the challenge posed by HFCs to global warming.

They launched a new U.S.-India Partnership for Climate Resilience to advance capacity for
climate adaptation planning, and a new program of work on air quality aimed at delivering
benefits for climate change and human health.

They also launched a new U.S.-India Climate Fellowship Program to build long-term
capacity to address climate change-related issues in both countries. The President and
Prime Minister instructed their senior officials to work through the U.S.-India Energy
Dialogue, U.S.-India Joint Working Group on Combating Climate Change, and other
relevant fora to advance these and other initiatives.

The leaders welcomed the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the

Export-Import Bank and the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency, which would
make up to $1 billion in financing available to bolster Indias efforts to transition to a lowcarbon and climate-resilient energy economy, while boosting U.S. renewableenergy
exports to India. The two leaders reiterated the importance of conserving India's precious
biodiversity and agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration on national parks and
wildlife conservation.

Defense and Homeland Security Cooperation

The Prime Minister and the President stated their intention to expand defense cooperation
to bolster national, regional, and global security. The two leaders reaffirmed that India and
the United States would build an enduring partnership in which both sides treat each other
at the same level as their closest partners, including defense technology transfers, trade,
research, co-production, and co-development.

To facilitate deeper defense cooperation, they welcomed the decision to renew for ten more
years the 2005 Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationshipand directed their
defense teams to develop plans for more ambitious programs and activities. The two

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leaders also agreed to reinvigorate the Political-Military Dialogue and expand its role to
serve as a wider dialogue on export licensing, defense cooperation and strategic
cooperation.

The leaders welcomed the first meeting under the framework of the Defense Trade and
Technology Initiative in September 2014 and endorsed its decision to establish a Task
Force to expeditiously evaluate and decide on unique projects and technologies which
would have a transformative impact on bilateral defense relations and enhance India's
defense industry and military capabilities.

The President and Prime Minister welcomed cooperation in the area of military education
and training, and endorsed plans for the United States to cooperate with India's planned
National Defence University. They also decided to expand military-to-military partnerships
including expert exchanges, dialogues, and joint training and exercises. They also
committed to enhancing exchanges of civilian and military intelligence and consultation.

The leaders agreed to intensify cooperation in maritime security to ensure freedom of

navigation and unimpeded movement of lawful shipping and commercial activity, in
accordance with accepted principles of international law. To achieve this objective, the two
sides considered enhancing technology partnerships for India's Navy including assessing
possible areas of technology cooperation. They also agreed to upgrade their existing
bilateral exercise MALABAR.

The leaders reaffirmed their deep concern over the continued threat posed by terrorism,
most recently highlighted by the dangers presented by the ISIL, and underlined the need for
continued comprehensive global efforts to combat and defeat terrorism.The leaders stressed
the need for joint and concerted efforts, including the dismantling of safe havens for
terrorist and criminal networks, to disrupt all financial and tactical support for networks
such as Al Qaeda,Lashkar-e Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, the D-Company, and the
Haqqanis. They reiterated their call for Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the November
2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai to justice.

They pledged to enhance criminal law enforcement, security, and military information
exchanges, and strengthen cooperation on extradition and mutual legal assistance. Through
operational cooperation through their law enforcementagencies, they aimed to prevent the
spread of counterfeit currency and inhibit the use of cyberspace by terrorists, criminals, and
those who use the internet for unlawful purposes, and to facilitate investigation of criminal
and terrorist activities. The leaders also committed to identify modalities to exchange
terrorist watch lists. President Obama pledgedto help India counter the threat of improvised
explosive devices with information and technology. The leaders committed to pursue
provision of U.S.-made mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles to India.

The President and Prime Minister looked forward to easing travel between their two
countries, as India introduces visa-on-arrival for U.S. citizens in 2015 and works toward

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meeting the requirements to make the United States Global Entry Program available to
Indian citizens.

High Technology, Space and Health Cooperation

Fundamental science and high technology cooperation has been a critical pillar of the
strategic partnership, the two leaders confirmed, and they looked forward to renewing the
Science and Technology Agreement in order to expand joint activities in innovative
technology. The Prime Minister welcomed the United States as a partner country, for the
first time, at Indias annual Technology Summit in November 2014.In addition, they
committed to convene the ninth High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). They
planto launch new partnerships to source and scale innovation for the benefit of citizens in
both countries and to harness innovation to solve global development challenges.

The President welcomed Indias contribution and cooperation on high-energy physics and
accelerator research and development with the U.S. Department of Energy. The President
thanked the Prime Minister for his offer to have U.S. institutionspartner with a newIndian
Institute of Technology.

The leaders committed to partner on the Digital India initiative, with the goal of enhancing
digital infrastructure, deploying e-governance and e-services, promoting industry
collaboration, and digitally empowering Indias citizens.The President welcomed India's
proposal to establish the Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN, or Knowledge)
under which India would invite and host upto 1,000 American academics each year to teach
in centrally-recognized Indian Universities, at their convenience.

The two leaders exchanged congratulations onthe successful entry into orbit of their
respective Mars missions, which occurred two days apart. They welcomed the
establishment and planned first meetingof the NASA-ISROMars Joint Working Group
under the U.S.-India Civil Space Joint Working Group. The leaders also look forward to
the successful conclusion of a new agreement to support the NASA-ISRO Synthetic
Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, to be launched in 2021.

The United and India also intend to start a new dialogue on maintaining long-term security
and sustainability of the outer space environment, including space situational awareness
and collision avoidance in outer space.

The President and Prime Minister recognized the extensive ongoing cooperation in the
health sector which they will put to use in preventing the spread of the Ebola virus. The
President welcomed Indiascontribution to the UN Fund and donation of protective gear to
the effort against Ebola, and thanked the Prime Minister for encouraging Indian-owned
businesses in West Africa to contribute to the fight against Ebola. The Prime Minister also
offered to deploy Indian expertise in the fight against Ebola, including by investing its
resources in producing modelling of the spread of the disease, jointly producing rapid

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deployable diagnostics, and considering joint training of response personnel.The United

States stands ready to amplify India's efforts to achieve a further reduction in preventable
child and maternal deaths, including replicating India's successful approaches in other
countries.

The leaders agreed to launch a new phase of the India-U.S. Vaccine Action Program to
develop affordable vaccines for dengue, malaria, and tuberculosis, and the establishment of
an adjuvant development center. They also agreed in principle to initiate cooperative
activities to increase capacity in cancer research and patient care delivery, including by
developing collaborative programs for and with India's upcoming AIIMS-National Cancer
Institute. The President welcomed Indias offer to take a leading role in the Global Health
Security Agenda.

Global Issues and Regional Consultations

Highlighting their shared democratic values, the President and Prime Minister recognized
the critical role that women play in India and the United States, as shown by Indias
"BetiBachao, BetiPadhao ("Save Daughters, CelebrateDaughters, Educate
Daughters)initiative. They looked forward to holding a Women Empowerment Dialogue
in order to exchange best practices to enhance the role of women in their countries, and
they asserted zero tolerance for violence against women.

As a critical step in strengthening global nonproliferation and export control regimes, the
President and Prime Minister committed to continue work towards Indias phased entry
into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the Missile Technology Control Regime
(MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and the Australia Group. The President affirmed that
India meets MTCR requirements and is ready for membership in the NSG. He supported
Indias early application and eventual membership in all four regimes.

As active participants in the Nuclear Security Summit process, the United States and India
welcomed progress toward reducing the risk of terrorists acquiring nuclear weapons or
related materials, and noted their shared commitment to improving nuclear security
nationally and globally. They reviewed their bilateral dialogue on nuclear security and
endorsed working through Indias Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership to
reinforce safe and secure use of nuclear energy worldwide. They also pledged to strengthen
their efforts to forge a partnership to lead global efforts for non-proliferation of WMDs, to
reduce the salience of nuclear weapons in international affairs, and to promote universal,
verifiable, and non-discriminatory global nuclear disarmament.

Noting Indias "ActEast policy and the United States rebalance to Asia, the leaders
committed to work more closely with other Asia Pacific countries through consultations,
dialogues, and joint exercises. They underlined the importance of their trilateral dialogue
with Japan and decided to explore holding this dialogue among their Foreign Ministers.

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The President and Prime Minister emphasized the need to accelerate infrastructure
connectivity and economic development corridors for regional economic integration
linking South, Southeast, and Central Asia. The President reiterated that the United States,
through its New Silk Road and India-Pacific Economic Corridor, is promoting the linkage
of India to its neighbors and the wider region to enable a freer flow of commerce and
energy.

The President and Prime Minister noted the success of their countries collaboration on
agricultural innovation in three African countries.They announced a new agreement to
expand joint development initiatives in third countries in a range of sectors, including
agricultural productivity, clean energy, health, womens empowerment, and disaster
preparedness. They also look forward to continuing the productive cooperation in
Afghanistan on promoting womens economic empowerment.

The Prime Minister and the President reaffirmed their shared interest in preserving regional
peace and stability, which are critical to the Asia Pacific region's continued prosperity. The
leaders expressed concern about rising tensions over maritime territorial disputes, and
affirmed the importance of safeguarding maritime security and ensuring freedom of
navigation and over flight throughout the region, especially in the South China Sea. The
Prime Minister and President called on all parties to avoid the use, or threat of use, of force
in advancing their claims. The two leaders urged the concerned parties to pursue resolution
of their territorial and maritime disputes through all peaceful means,in accordance with
universally recognized principles of international law, including the United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea.

India and the United States pledged to consult closely on global crises, especially unfolding
events in Syria and Iraq. The two leaders committed to exchange information about
nationals returning from these conflict zones, and to seek cooperation in protecting and
responding to the needs of civilians stranded in the middle of these conflicts.

Recognizing the importance of their respective strategic partnerships with Afghanistan, the
leaders asserted the importance of a sustainable, inclusive, sovereign, and
democraticpolitical order in Afghanistan, and committed to continue close consultations
and cooperation in support of Afghanistans future.

They stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve the serious concerns of the international
community regarding Irans nuclear program, and called on Iran to comply with its UN
Security Council-imposed obligations and to cooperate fully with the International Atomic
Energy Agency.

The two leaders expressed concerns over the continued development by the Democratic
Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) of its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs,
including its uranium enrichment activities. They urged DPRK to take concrete actions
toward denuclearization and other goals, as well as to comply fully with all its international

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obligations, including all relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and to fulfill its
commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks.

The President expressed appreciation for the contributions of Indian peacekeepers to global
peace and stability for the past 60 years, and welcomed the partnership with India to train
third country peacekeepers at Indias training center in New Delhi. The President
reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent
member, and both leaderscommitted to ensuring that the Security Council continues to play
an effective role in maintaining international peace and security as envisioned in the United
Nations Charter.

The President also affirmed his commitment to enhancing India's voice and vote in
international financial institutions, and ensuring that resources are made available and are
used creatively through multilateral development banks for infrastructure financing.

The President thanked the Prime Minister for the gracious invitation to return to the great
nation of India. In conclusion, the two leaders affirmed their long-term vision for a resilient
and ambitious partnership through the first "Vision Statement for the Strategic
Partnership, which they will hold up as the guiding framework for their governments and
people.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a3ec901a-4571-11e4-ab86-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3l2gBtuCR
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/us-india-relations.html
http://www.cfr.org/india/timeline-us-india-relations/p32994
Question
Q). Evaluate the Strategic importance of Prime ministers visit to USA in 2014.

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6.Myanmar_1113 November

*key persons ASEAN COUNTRIES PM

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*Highlights

Modi attended East Asia Summit9th summit -Naypyidaw

Importance All the countries supported the East Asia summit declaration on
Islamic state (terror group).

And also asserted that an international partenership is required for a

comprehensive response against terrorism.

The summit also rejected any linkage between religion and terrorism.

They have also said that it should be ensured that cyberspace and space remain a
source of connectivity and prosperity and not new threats of conflicts.

The importance of Modi's visit to Myanmar

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is beginning his three-country tour on Tuesday. His
first stop is Myanmar, where he will be participating in the ASEAN and East Asia Summits
(EAS) in Nay Pyi Taw. Modi will meet Burmese President Thein Sein as well as
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Modi's visit to Myanmar is significance for two reasons. First, this is his first visit to the
country as Prime Minister and second, he debuts in the multilateral EAS. The visit gives
Prime Minister Modi an opportunity to spell out his vision on India-Myanmar bilateral
relations as also India's wider interests when he meets other regional leaders at the EAS.

Myanmar is at a critical stage in its reforms process that began in 2011 and the country is
gearing up for a general election next year. Impressive progress has been made in bringing
about change in political and economic sectors. There are, however, several daunting
challenges that confront the country. The Modi government had earlier expressed its
support to Myanmar's democratisation process during External Affairs Minister Sushma
Swaraj's visit to the country in June and Prime Minister Modi will reiterate the same
position.

Even so, whether in dealing with religious radicalism or military offensives in the ethnic
minority areas of Myanmar, the role of the government has come under both domestic and
international scrutiny. If the Myanmar government under President Thein Sein has won
international support on several reform initiatives including release of political prisoners,

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ethnic peace process, judicial reforms, opening up of the economy, and so on; scepticism
remains, both inside and outside the country.

It is at this crucial time that Prime Minister Modi needs to reassure Myanmar of all possible
help from India in its move towards democratisation at its own pace, at the same time, reemphasise the importance of inclusiveness in diverse societies for the success of
democracy. Encouragement from the international community at this juncture is crucial as
still there are forces, both political and social, whose actions could adversely impact on the
reform process.

The growing cordiality in India-Myanmar bilateral relations in the recent years has been
reflected in the frequent exchanges of high-level visits. Modi's current visit will be the third
by an Indian Prime Minister to visit Myanmar in three years. Former Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh visited the country in earlier in March this year to attend the BIMSTEC
Summit. Earlier in May 2012, Manmohan Singh undertook a bilateral visit to Myanmar. In
the same year, Myanmar President Thein Sein visited India in December. The two
countries reached several agreements during these visits and Prime Minister Modi will use
his visit to review the progress of the various bilateral projects that was underway.

As part of his emphasis on re-connecting with the neighbourhood, bringing connectivity as

the top priority during his meetings with Myanmar leaders is of urgent need. In India, we
often say Myanmar is our "gateway" to the East. Against the rhetoric, the existing
connectivity between the two neighbours remains much to be desired. Today, there is only
one direct flight between Kolkata and Yangon that operates just thrice a week; there is no
direct shipping links; and although road connectivity exists, we are yet to have cross-border
passenger or goods transport services. With long land and maritime boundaries, surely, the
neighbours are yet to take full advantage of geography.

This is not to say that there are no efforts to increase and improve connectivity between the
two neighbours. A recent positive development was the agreement to launch a weekly busservice between Mandalay in central Myanmar and Imphal in Manipur in June, soon after
the Modi government came to power. There is need to push for operationalisation of the
service at the earliest possible.

India had earlier agreed to undertake the task of repair and upgradation of 71 bridges on the
Tamu-Kalewa friendship road, the Kalewa-Yargyi road segment and the Yargyi-Monywa
stretch. Progress in these segments is important as they form part of the India-MyanmarThailand Trilateral Highway that is expected to be completed by 2016.

In maritime connectivity, the joint study group on shipping was set up to examine the
commercial feasibility of direct shipping links. India's interest to strengthen maritime
connectivity with Southeast Asia in the recent years is a good opportunity for India to
involve itself the Dawei port in southern Myanmar, a port that might emerge as main sea
link between India and Southeast Asia and the main point of proposed India-Mekong
Economic Corridor.

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Although reports on regular chartered flight services between Mandalay and Imphal and
direct flights between New Delhi and Yangon have been emerging since the bilateral air
service agreement was signed between the two countries in 2012, no new flight services
has yet started. A joint working group was set up to explore the feasibility of rail
connectivity between the two neighbours. However, apart from the other challenges, India
needs to firm up rail project in its border states if these railheads were to link with
Myanmar.

An important sea and inland-waterways project of India and Myanmar is the Kaladan Multi
Model Transit and Transport project facility that will link India's Northeast to the Bay of
Bengal. There is need for ensuring that a strategic project such as this gets completed
without any further delay. Besides, important regional trans-national connectivity projects
that will link India with the rest of Asia passes through Myanmar, including the
Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor and the India-ASEAN
connectivity.

As the Modi government brings in a renewed push to India's Look East policy with an "Act
East" policy, Myanmar's geostrategic position becomes all the more important for India to
put the necessary connectivity links with the country and the wider region. Needless to say,
greater trade and commerce, tourism, people-to-people contacts depend on improved and
easy connectivity.

http://www.orfonline.org/cms/sites/orfonline/modules/analysis/AnalysisDetail.html?cmaid=
74630&mmacmaid=74631

http://www.firstpost.com/world/modi-in-myanmar-pms-foreign-visits-score-still-less-thanother-world-leaders-1798237.html

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7.Australia__1418 November

*key persons TONY ABOTT PM

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First time,Australian and Indian Prime Ministers have made reciprocal visits in
the same year.

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, paid an official visit to Australia
from 16-18 November 2014, following the G-20 Summit.

priority areas such as resources, education, skills, agriculture, infrastructure,

investments, financial services and health

CECA_Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement be brought to an early

conclusion to realise the potential of commercial relations.

Australian investment in cold chain storage, energy, infrastructure and other

sectors can do for the Indian economy.

India will hold a Make in India event in Australia in 2015 and organise shows in
gems and jewellery, engineering and pharmaceuticals to showcase Indias
manufacturing capabilities.

KEY*

a. Civil Nuclear Agreement signed in September.Australian supply of uranium in

coming years will enhance Indias energy security.

b. cooperate on clean coal technologies

c. defence, counter-terrorism, cyber policy

They announced collaboration on rejuvenatingthe Ganga River- two-way exchanges and

cooperation in river basin planning .
MoU on Arts and Culture, which will create a framework for deeper cultural
exchanges,world-class Sports University.

Overview of PM Modis Visit to Australia

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Indias PM Narendra Modi is currently on a three nation visit which includes Australia. Both
India and Australia have deepened their ties following the visit. Here are some of the highlights
of the trip.
New Era of Security Cooperation Through Agreements
Australia and India have entered a fresh era of security and military cooperation associated with
shared values and aims for defending the international order. Indian and Australian governments
have confirmed the signing of a transformative new framework agreement between the two
nations. The 2 leaders have decided to establish the Framework for Security Cooperation to
reflect the deepening and expanding security and defence engagement between India and
Australia, and to intensify co-operation and consultation between Australia and India in areas of
mutual interest," said India's Ministry of External Affairs, as per its website.
New Framework Cum Action Plan
This new framework lays out a comprehensive action plan which includes annual prime
ministerial summits as well as maritime military exercises, as per the government of Indias
website.
Areas for action will include:
counter-terrorism
border control
consultations on regional as well as global institutions
Australias "support for India's bid to be a permanent member of the United Nations Security
Council is also mentioned in the framework.
The framework was noted in a joint statement from both the PMs of Australia and India. The
joint statement indicated the new framework would guide closer bilateral collaboration across
"defence, counter-terrorism, cyber policy, disarmament and non-proliferation and maritime
security".
"They agreed to hold regular meetings at the level of the Defence Minister, conduct regular
maritime exercises and convene regular navy to navy, air force to air force and army to army
staff talks," revealed the joint statement.
"I welcome the new framework of security co-operation," said the Indian PM. "Security and
defence are important and growing areas of the new India-Australia partnership for advancing
regional peace and stability and combating terrorism and transnational crimes," he also said.
Historic Address to the Joint Sitting of the Parliament

Modis visit to Australia marks the first one by an Indian PM in 28 years. He is also the
first to address a historic joint sitting of the Australian parliament during the visit to this
nation. Modi's impassioned and powerful speech placed Australia at the centre of India's

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vision of a prosperous and regional order at a time when security is important. The PM
spoke of how the two nations could work together to promote maritime security and fight
terrorism.

"India and Australia can play their part in it by expanding security co-operation," Modi told
the joint sitting

"What we do need is to work together, and with others, to create an environment and
culture that promotes the currency of coexistence and co-operation in which all nations
small and big abide by international law and norms ... even when they have bitter disputes,"
he also said.

"There's an enthusiasm on both our parts for more bilateral and trilateral military exercises
and we hope to see much more of that in the years ahead," said Abbott.
Modi indicated his visit with Abbot to the Australian War Memorial had "reminded us of
the need to strive together for a better world.

Security Diamond
The new Indo-Aussie framework fits in with the tightening of ties with Japan and the US. This
could be the resurrection of the security quad or security diamond of democratic powers,
according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Statue of Gandhi
Indias PM Narendra Modi also unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Brisbane in the
presence of an 80,000 strong crowd and the Brisbane Lord Mayor Grahan Quirk.

5 Pacts Signed
India and Australia also signed 5 pacts on social security, transfer of sentenced prisoners,
fighting narcotic trade, promoting tourism, arts and culture on 18th November.
1. Social Security Agreement:
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This agreement provides social security and superannuation benefits of those who have been
residents of other nations on basis of considerations such as equality of benefits and export of
benefits as well as avoidance of double coverage.
2. MoU on Anti Narcotic Moves:
the MoU on Combating Narcotics Trafficking and Developing Police Cooperation gives priority
to tracking and stopping illicit trade and drug money laundering among other activities.

3. Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Prisoners:

rules have been laid down for transfer of sentenced persons and their rehab in
society.
4. MoU on Cooperation in Art and Culture:
Promotion of cooperation will be through exchange of information as well as
professional expertise as well as training and exhibition in sectors such as art and
culture.
5. MoU on tourism:
This will encourage cooperation in tourism policy and information between
stakeholders as well as training in the hospitality industry.
Early Closure of the Nuclear Agreement
Both India and Australia also agreed to early closure of the civilian nuclear agreement which will
give Australia the opportunity to participate in one of the most safest and secure nuclear energy
programmes across the globe.
Other Developments
The Free Trade deal between the two countries will be resolved by the end of 2015. India will
organise a Make in India show in Australia in the year 2015 and the negotiations for the
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will also be speeded up. A new cultural
exchange programme has also been established wherein India will set up a Cultural Centre in
Sydney soon by 2015. India will also hold a Festival of India in Australia in the year 2015 and
tourism weeks in Australia. PIO and OCI card holders will no longer need to appear before the
police station while visiting India. Persons with PIO card will now get lifetime visa to the nation.
Conclusion

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A lot of excitement was generated among Indian Australians due to the Indian PMs visit. It was
also a time for the renewal of bilateral ties between the 2 nations.

8.Fiji__19 November

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*key personsFrank BainimaramaPM

*Highlights

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In more than 33 years Modi became the first Indian head of government to visit
Fiji after Indira Gandhis visit in 1981.
Page 52

There he also attended a Forum for India-Pacific Island cooperation along with
leaders from all 14 Pacific islands nations

India Builds Relations with Fiji: 3 MoUs Signed, 15 More on the Anvil

India has just signed 3 MoUs with Fiji. This includes one for allocation of land in diplomatic
mission building in the capitals of the two nations. The MoUs were inked during Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modis day long visit. This is the first visit to Fiji by an Indian PM
in 33 years.
The first MoU was for training programmes for diplomats signed between the Foreign
Service Institute of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Fiji.
Closer relations and bilateral exchanges between India and Fiji as well as the Pacific
nations will be fostered through this MoU, an official statement said.
A second MoU was on earmarking of land in Suva, the capital of Fiji and New Delhi
for the construction of diplomatic missions. The official statement issued by the
government said, This will provide a permanent location for the conduct of our
relations and will be an iconic presence in Suva.
The third MoU signed was for extension of a USD 70 million line of credit for the
establishment of a co-generation plant in Rarawai Sugar Mills in Fiji.
More bilateral cooperation in the sugar sector of the two nations will result. This
move will also allay climate change concerns. India has also provided assistance for
up gradation and product development in three major Fiji sugar mills.
The MoUs were signed in a ceremony where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
Fijian Prime Minister Josiah V Bainimarama were present, in Suva.

Other Developments
Apart from the signing of the 3 MOUs, the two nations also laid ground for around 15 more
agreements. Apart from this, both New Delhi and Suva will work for the expansion of trade and
investment between the two nations and create a concrete roadmap for the same.
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The aim of work between the two nations will also be to expand the defence and security
cooperation. This includes assistance in defence training and capacity building. The two nations
have also agreed to consult each other more closely on international issues which encompass
climate change, UN reforms, United Nations Peacekeeping changes and international trade.
Extension of visa on arrival facility for people of the Pacific nation is also being pursued by the
two nations. A 5 million US dollar fund is also in the pipeline to promote small business and
village enterprises. There will also be double scholarships and training slots in the nation for
Fijian students.
PMs Address to the Fiji Parliament
Following the signing of the agreements, PM Modi also addressed the Parliament of this nation.
He spoke of how India aims to make Fiji a digital country. He also appreciated the Fijian
Constitution that guarantees basic rights and freedom to its citizens.
iTaukei
On his arrival to Fiji, the Indian PM was accorded a traditional welcome called iTaukei by the
Fijian tribe at Albert Park. The last Indian PM to be given this traditional welcome was Indira
Gandhi who visited Fiji in 1981.
Beginning and Deepening of Bilateral Relations
"This is only the beginning. We have some 15 more agreements in the works, and we expect to
sign them soon-on agriculture, trade, health, water, sports and other areas of development,
Bainimarama said following the signing of the MoUs, according to Zee News.
We are pleased that our relationship with India is growing and we are proud to have India as a
partner in Fijis future, added the Fiji PM Bainimarama.
"Fiji also needs assistance, and I am pleased that we were able to discuss Indias assistance to
Fiji, which is both generous and respectful of our needs, he also said.

9.Seychelles_1011 March

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*key personPresident James Alix Michel

*Highlights
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India Signs 4 Agreements with Seychelles to Boost Security Cooperation

1.AGGREMENTS __ Total 4

Hydrography
Renewable energy
Infrastructure
Development and sale of navigation charts and electronic navigational charts
Trick HRD-I

2.Mapping its hydrology reserves

3.launched a coastal surveillance radar project to boost security cooperation with the island
nation
4.Provide free of cost visas for three months for its citizens and making it available to them on
arrival.
Note__*Modi, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Seychelles in 34 years.
*Indira Gandhi was the last prime minister to visit Seychelles in 1981.

Key Features of Maritime Security Cooperation

During the current three nation tour in the Indian Ocean region, PM Narendra Modi has
engaged in greater cooperation for anti-piracy and maritime security with his counterpart from
Seychelles, President James Michel. Blue Economy was a key focus of the talks.
India and Seychelles are also working towards promotion of renewable energy.
PM Modi also unveiled a radar system to enable Seychelles to have better security; radar
system will enable the island nation to access movements of unsavoury elements within the
region as part of the Coastal Surveillance Radar project
Relations between India and Seychelles now focus on close cooperation and understanding
India will also lease Assumption Island, one of 115 islands belonging to this nation as a
listening and surveillance post
Dornier aircraft will be added to the island nation courtesy India
Seychelles also inked an agreement on hydrographic survey with India for adding a fresh
dimension to maritime cooperation
Seychelles is soon to be a partner in maritime security cooperation encompassing India, Sri
Lanka and Maldives
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Advantages of Blue Economy

Blue Economy outdoes the Green Economy; it is the right business model for the future
It generates revenue and creates jobs while making market competitive
Promotes set of businesses that create multiple benefits for the industry and the society
Cluster activities and cascades will enhance higher levels of efficiency leading to the
emergence of the new business model
Transformation of a one revenue model into a three revenue model
Blue economy injects cash back on a local scale for any economy
Offers high quality products at most affordable prices
Blue Economy also promotes healthy consumerism
Facts and Stats
History of Bilateral Relations with Seychelles:
1986: Operation Flowers are Blooming INS Vindhyagiri launched to prevent a coup in
Seychelles
INS Tarasa was gifted to Seychelles as well in 2014; several Indian ships made port calls to
Victoria
In 2009, India dispatched naval ships on the request of Seychelles to patrol the exclusive
economic zone and protect it from piracy
India has also worked with the armed forces in Seychelles to engage in capacity building
In 2012, India made the announcement of USD 50 million as Line of Credit and USD 25
million as grant to the government of Seychelles
Indian assistance has also been provided since the 1980s as per the ITEC program in civilian
defence
In January 2015, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award was conferred on India origin
Seychelles resident Justice D. Karunakaran, the second such award conferred on a resident of
this island nation
About Assumption Island
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 Assumption Island is one of 115 islands spread over 1.5 million square kilometre of sea admit
the western part of the Indian Ocean
Islands fall into 2 groups:
Inner Islands within the shallow Seychelles Plateau
Outer Islands beyond the Plateau up 10 degrees south of the equator
Assumption Island is 11.74 square kilometres in size; part of Aldabra Group
About Blue Economy
Blue Economy is a concept coined by Prof. Gunter Pauli in 1994.
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-signs-4-agreements-with-seychelles-to-boost-securitycooperation-745742

10.Mauritius 1113 March

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*key personsPM of mauritiusaniruthJugnauth

Highilights
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AGGREMENTS _Total 5
1.India Offers $500 Million Credit to Mauritius During PM Modis Visit, 5 Pacts Signed
# Indian line of credit of $ 200 million initially meant for the light railway transit system to
projects in the water and energy sector
*Ocean Economy
*Cultural Cooperation
*Homeopathy
*Agriculture and Cooperation importation of fresh mango from India
*Sea and Air Transportation Facilities at Agalega Island of Mauritius
List of Agreements/MoUs signed between India and Mauritius during the visit of the Prime
Minister to Mauritius
S.No. Agreement/MoU Details/Scope

Signatory
from India

Mr. Navtej
Sarna,
Secretary
(West),
Ministry of
External
Affairs

Memorandum of
Understanding
between India
and Republic of
Mauritius in the
field of Ocean
Economy

Programme for
Cultural
Cooperation
between the
Republic of India
and the Republic
of Mauritius for
the year 2015-18

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This MoU will provide an

extensive framework for
cooperation in the field of Ocean
Economy, a novel and critical area
of sustainable development in the
Indian Ocean Region.
It provides for mutually beneficial
cooperation for exploration and
capacity development in the field
of marine resources, fisheries,
green tourism, research and
development of ocean technology,
exchange of experts and other
related activities
India and Mauritius share unique
bonds based on our shared cultural
heritage and traditions.
This programme will provide for
enhanced bilateral cooperation in
this field for the term 2015-2018.
The programme, inter alia,
envisages exchange of cultural
troupes, training in fine arts,
organization of cultural exhibitions,
preservation of cultural heritage,
promotion of Indian languages,

Mr. Navtej
Sarna,
Secretary
(West),
Ministry of
External
Affairs

Signatory
from
Mauritius
Mr.
Sateeaved
Seebaluck,
Secretary to
the Cabinet

Mr.
Sateeaved
Seebaluck,
Secretary to
the Cabinet

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exchange of students, etc.

Protocol between
the Department
of Agriculture
and Cooperation,
Ministry of
Agriculture of
Republic of India
and the Ministry
of Agro-Industry
and Food
Security of
Republic of
Mauritius for the
importation of
fresh mango from
India
Memorandum of
Understanding
for the
Improvement in
Sea and Air
Transportation
Facilities at
Agalega Island of
Mauritius

MoU on
Cooperation in
the field of
Traditional
System of
Medicine and
Homeopathy

This programme will also enhance

greater people-to-people
participation between the two
countries
The aim of this Protocol is to
facilitate importation of fresh
mango fruits from India by
Mauritius so that our Mauritian
brethren can also relish the flavor
of the world-renowned Indian
mangoes.

Mr. Navtej
Sarna,
Secretary
(West),
Ministry of
External
Affairs

Mr.
Sateeaved
Seebaluck,
Secretary to
the Cabinet

This MoU provides for setting up

and upgradation of infrastructure
for improving sea and air
connectivity at the Outer Island of
Mauritius which will go a long way
in ameliorating the condition of the
inhabitants of this remote Island.

Mr. Navtej
Sarna,
Secretary
(West),
Ministry of
External
Affairs

Mr.
Sateeaved
Seebaluck,
Secretary to
the Cabinet

These facilities will enhance the

capabilities of the Mauritian
Defence Forces in safeguarding
their interests in the Outer Island.
This MoU will promote
cooperation in the field of
traditional system of health and
medicine between the two
countries which already share these
traditions due to our unique
historical and cultural ties.

Mr. Navtej
Sarna,
Secretary
(West),
Ministry of
External
Affairs

Mr.
Sateeaved
Seebaluck,
Secretary to
the Cabinet

It envisages exchange of experts,

supply of traditional medicinal
substances, joint research and
development and recognition of the
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traditional systems of health and

medicine in both countries. It also
aims at promotion and
popularization of the various Indian
traditional systems which fall under
AYUSH.

2.Modi was the Chief guest at the Mauritian National Day on 12 March
3.India-Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) is being revised amid
concerns that Mauritius.
4.Mauritius has been one of the biggest sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India.

***********************************************************************
Recently the PM of India visited Mauritius. Political relations between India and Mauritius are
close, cordial, seen as unique and referred to as of an extraordinary nature given the historical
dimension of the relationship and the close and frequent high-level political exchanges between
the two countries. India and Mauritius collaborate closely in multilateral fora. Mauritius strongly
supports of Indias stand on terrorism.Mauritius has also consistently extended its support for
India's candidature for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council. It has stated this in public
fora including the United Nations General Assembly.
India-Mauritius relation in brief

Diplomatic relations between India and Mauritius were established in 1948. Mauritius
maintained contacts with India through successive Dutch, French and British occupation.
The French colony of Pondicherry played an important role in the development of
Mauritius during the French occupation by providing skilled workforce for various projects
in Mauritius. From the 1820s, Indian workers started coming into Mauritius to work on
sugar plantations. From 1834 when slavery was abolished by the British Parliament, large
numbers of Indian workers began to be brought into Mauritius as indentured labourers. The
ship 'Atlas', which carried the first batch of Indian indentured labourers, reached Mauritius
on November 2, 1834. This day is now observed in Mauritius as 'Aapravasi Day', a national
holiday. Over the following decades, the number of Indian immigrants grew to a level
where they came to constitute a majority of the population. In all, about half a million
Indian indentured labourers are estimated to have been brought into Mauritius between
1834 and the early decades of the 20th century, out of whom about two-thirds settled
permanently in Mauritius.

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Mauritius forms the lynchpin of Indias vision of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace and
security. India has forged extensive defence relations with Mauritius to safeguard sea lanes
of communication, which trawls over 70 per cent of Indias energy imports, from
depredations of terrorists and pirates. The Indian Navy has been proactively cooperating
with the National Coast Guard of Mauritius to protect common national interests. Indian
naval ships regularly conduct surveillance and joint patrolling of the vast Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mauritius. India has gifted Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv
(financed by US$ 10.42 million grant from India), a Coastal Radar Surveillance System
(CSRS) and an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) to the government of Mauritius to bolster its
counter-piracy capabilities. Personnel from the Mauritian Police Force are trained annually
in Indian Defence Training institutes. India has also been sending Diving and a Marine
Commando (MARCOS) training team to Mauritius for training.

With its multifarious relations with Africa, India also sees Mauritius as a gateway to a
vibrant and resurgent continent. Mauritius, with membership of regional economic
communities (RECs) such as SADC and COMESA, is a key plank for accelerating Indias
economic and strategic engagement with Africa.

Indias relations with Mauritius have diversified to include just about every area, with
business bonding becoming stronger by the day. India is Mauritius largest trading partner,
and has been the largest exporter of goods and services to Mauritius since the last eight
years. Mauritius has been the single largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into
India. During 2012-13, FDI equity inflows from Mauritius into India amounted to US$
9.497 billion. The next financial year (2013-14) saw India attracting $4.85 billion in FDI
from Mauritius. Petroleum forms single largest export item by India to the island nation. A
three-year pact between the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) and the
State Trading Corporation of Mauritius for supply of all petroleum requirements of
Mauritius was renewed in July 2013. Indian PSUs have made a mark for themselves in the
island country. The Bank of Baroda (BoB), Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), State Bank
of India (Mauritius) Limited and and New India Assurance Corporation (NIAC) are active
in the financial sector. Other PSUs with a substantive presence include India Handloom
House, Telecommunications Consultant India Ltd (TCIL), Indian Oil (Mauritius) Limited
(IOML) and Mahanagar Telephone (Mauritius) Ltd. Indian investments in Mauritius span
diverse sectors such as health, hospitality, pharmaceuticals, education, financial services,
IT and BPO. Mauritian companies have also invested in India in sectors such as textile,
logistics and banking.

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India Mauritius Trade Relations policy adopted by India

Removing government controls and creating an atmosphere of trust and transparency to

promote industrialization and trades.

Simplification of commercial and legal procedures and bringing down transaction costs.

Simplification of levies and duties on inputs used in export products.

Facilitating technological and infrastructural modification of all the sectors of the Indian
economy, especially through imports and thereby increasing value addition and
productivity, while attaining global standards of quality.

Neutralizing inverted duty structures and ensuring that India's domestic sectors are not
disadvantaged in the Free Trade Agreements/Regional Trade Agreements/Preferential
Trade Agreements that India enters into in order to enhance exports.

Modernization of infrastructural network, both physical and virtual, related to the entire
Foreign Trade chain, to global standards.

Revitalizing the Board of Trade by redefining its role.

Involving Indian Embassies as an important member of export strategy and linking all
commercial houses at international locations through an electronic platform for real time
trade, intelligence, inquiry and information dissemination.

Agreements signed during the visit

List of Agreements/MoUs signed between India and Mauritius during the visit of the Prime
Minister to Mauritius are as follows:
1. Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Ocean Economy:

This MoU will provide an extensive framework for cooperation in the field of
Ocean Economy, a novel and critical area of sustainable development in the Indian
Ocean Region.

It provides for mutually beneficial cooperation for exploration and capacity

development in the field of marine resources, fisheries, green tourism, research and
development of ocean technology, exchange of experts and other related activities.

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2. Programme for Cultural Cooperation for the year 2015-18:

India and Mauritius share unique bonds based on our shared cultural heritage and
traditions. This programme will provide for enhanced bilateral cooperation in this field
for the term 2015-2018. The programme, inter alia, envisages exchange of cultural
troupes, training in fine arts, organization of cultural exhibitions, preservation of
cultural heritage, promotion of Indian languages, exchange of students, etc. This
programme will also enhance greater people-to-people participation between the two
countries
3. Memorandum of Understanding for the Improvement in Sea and Air
Transportation Facilities at Agalega Island of Mauritius:
This MoU provides for setting up and upgradation of infrastructure for improving sea
and air connectivity at the Outer Island of Mauritius which will go a long way in
ameliorating the condition of the inhabitants of this remote Island. These facilities will
enhance the capabilities of the Mauritian Defence Forces in safeguarding their interests
in the Outer Island.
4. MoU on Cooperation in the field of Traditional System of Medicine and
Homeopathy:
This MoU will promote cooperation in the field of traditional system of health and
medicine between the two countries which already share these traditions due to our
unique historical and cultural ties. It envisages exchange of experts, supply of
traditional medicinal substances, joint research and development and recognition of the
traditional systems of health and medicine in both countries. It also aims at promotion
and popularization of the various Indian traditional systems which fall under AYUSH.
INDIA-MAURITIUS BILATERAL RELATIONS
History of Bilateral Relations :

Mauritius maintained contacts with India through successive Dutch, French and British
occupation. The French colony of Pondicherry played an important role in the
development of Mauritius during the French occupation by providing skilled workforce
for various projects in Mauritius. From the 1820s, Indian workers started coming into
Mauritius to work on sugar plantations. From 1834 when slavery was abolished by the
British Parliament, large numbers of Indian workers began to be brought into Mauritius
as indentured labourers. The ship 'Atlas', which carried the first batch of Indian
indentured labourers, reached Mauritius on November 2, 1834. This day is now observed
in Mauritius as 'Aapravasi Day', a national holiday. Over the following decades, the
number of Indian immigrants grew to a level where they came to constitute a majority of
the population. In all, about half a million Indian indentured labourers are estimated to

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have been brought into Mauritius between 1834 and the early decades of the 20th
century, out of whom about two-thirds settled permanently in Mauritius.

Diplomatic relations between India and Mauritius were established in 1948.

11.Sri Lanka__1314 March

key personspresident -Maithripala SirisenaRanil

prime minster Wickremesinghe

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*Highlights
4 agreements with Sri Lanka__
*Customs pact to balance trade,
*Credit line of more than $300 million,
*Currency swap agreement
*Visa on arrival for Sri Lankan nationals in India.
1. Educational exchanges with banaras university
2. Announcing a new line of credit of $318 million for Sri Lankan railways.
3. Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka have agreed to enter
into a currency swap agreement of $1.5 billion
4. Energy cooperation, Indian Oil Corp. Ltds Sri Lankan subsidiary, Lanka IOC
Plc. and Ceylon Petroleum Corp.
5. Stands ready to help Trincomalee become a regional petroleum hub.
6. Joint venture project between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and NTPC
Ltd of India.
7. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two
countries.

NOTE__*Modi said adding that tourism circuits would be developed along the Ramayana Trail
in Sri Lanka and a Buddhist pilgrimage circuit in India.

Smita Siri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today flagged off a train service at

the north-western Sri Lankan town of .The newly-constructed 63km railway track between Madhu Road and Talaimannar Pier is
the last segment of the 265-km long

During this trip Modi also visited to Jafna in the Northern Province
27,000 new homes to Tamils in jafna district

Modi is the first Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka on a bilateral

visit since Rajiv Gandhi in 1987.

Page 67

Pacts signed by India and Srilanka during PM's visit

India and Sri Lanka have signed 4 bilateral pacts during the first tour of the Indian PM to this
Indian Ocean island nation namely:
1. Agreement on visa
2. Agreement on customs: cooperation between customs authorities is a step in this direction
for simplifying trade and reduction of non tariff barriers for both the nations
3. Pact for youth development
4. Construction of Rabindranath Tagore memorial
PM Narendra Modis visit is the first bilateral tour by an Indian PM since 1987
Regarding the fishermens issues, India and Sri Lanka need to consider livelihood as well as
humanitarian dimensions, according to the Indian side
Progress by the nations reflects shared commitment to strengthened economic cooperation
India will also assist Trincomalee to become a petrol hub
New Delhi will offer a new Line of Credit of close to USD 318 million for Sri Lankas railway
sector. This will ensure procurement of rolling stock and assist in restoring and upgradation of
the existing rail track.
Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka have also formed a Currency Swap
Agreement for ensuring the stability of the Sri Lankan rupee; it amounts to USD 1.5 billion
Shared vision for a future that accommodates aspirations of all including Sri Lankan Tamil
stressed
Early and complete implementation of the 13th Amendment was also stressed by the Indian PM
Indian Oil Corp has arrived at a joint development pact with Ceylon Petroleum Corporation tot
develop the Upper Tank Farm of Trincomalees China Bay Installation as a regional petrol hub
Agreement alongside task force for its implementation were announced
Early commencement of work on the Sampur Coal Power Project was also reiterated; major
project to meet Sri Lankan energy needs
Joint Task Force on Ocean Economy is another step forward for Indo-Lankan relations
Facts and Stats

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About Lanka IOC

Lanka IOC is Indian Oils subsidiary in Sri Lanka which is a private oil firm other than state
owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation/CPC that is responsible for retail petrol and diesel stations
in Sri Lanka
Around 150 petrol and diesel stations in Sri Lanka are maintained by Lanka IOC; its major
facilities include oil terminal at Trincomalee
Trincomalee is the biggest petroleum storage facilit; there is an 18,000 tonnes per annum
capacity lubricants blending plant and state-of-the-art fuels and lubricants testing lab at
Trincomalee
It holds a market share of 43.5 per cent currently

Issues between India and Sri Lanka relations

Despite geographic proximity, strong past cultural and civilizational linkages, some contentious
issues have prevented the realization of full potential of India-Srilanka ties.
(a) Issues of Tamils in Srilankas northern province- even five year after the end of bloody civil
war, srilankan government has bee dragging its feet o n13th amendment based on 4 Dsdevelopment, democracy, devolution of power and demilitarization.
(b) Fishing right issue- indian fishermen fishing in srilankan water with hazardous equipment
claiming traditional rights over the Palk Bay area.
(c) Growing Chinese influence- Chinese help in infrastructure building and allowing Chinese
submarines to duck in Colombo has raised security concern in India.
(d) Dispute over Katchathivu island
(e) Trade issues- the signed FTA is complained to be heavily in favor of india.

MANNER of solving the issue:

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 Tamil issues are being addressed bases on 13th amendment. India is pushing for power
devolution with financial assistance for reconstruction to make condition suitable for refugees to
return.
Fishermen issue has been recognized as a livelihood and humanitarian issues avoiding any rigid
stand spurring out of jingoism. Fishermen bodies on both sides have resumed negotiation.
Some gesture of new dispensation in Colombo ahs relieved New Delhi of insecurity due to
Chinese.
Bonhomie, dialogue and building stake are the way forward to resolve issues and strengthen ties
benefitting both sides. In this light indias position of abstain from voting during UNHRC
resolution is welcome one.
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/striking-a-jarringnote/article6979885.ece

http://www.livemint.com/Politics/BXAww21DgfW7uCQLaBTouN/Narendra-Modiarrives-in-Sri-Lanka-as-final-stop-of-his-3na.html

12.Singapore___29 March
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*Highlights
1.Prime Minister Modi attended the state-funeral of Lee Kuan Yew,
*The first Prime Minister of Singapore.
*There, at the sidelines, he met several world leaders including Israeli President. *It was his first
visit to Singapore and he is expected to visit again during the later part of the year for golden
jubilee celebration of India-Singapore diplomatic relation.

Few would dispute that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a greater runaway
success in his foreign policy outreach than what he has been in domestic politics thus far.

His decision to visit Singapore for attend the funeral of Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime
Minister of Singapore, should be seen in this light. Modis ongoing Singapore trip has
been triggered by the death of Lee Kuan Yew who made Singapore what it is today a
fully developed nation which is a role model for the entire world how a nation can be
governed flawlessly with virtually zero-corruption and zero-crime.

It is understood that PM Modi will be traveling to Singapore again on an official visit

later this year, a watershed year in the history of Singapore as the small nation state
celebrates its 50th anniversary of becoming a Republic on 24 August.

When this writer had visited Singapore in August last year, Singaporean diplomats had
said that they were keenly looking forward to PM Modis visit within the year 2014.
Somehow Singapore could not feature on his foreign visits agenda last year.

But the death of the legendary Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew, 91, made it possible,
though it is not an official visit by Modi to the city state. Modi was among the select
foreign leaders who got an invitation from Singapore to attend Lees funeral service . It

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was a restricted invite sent only to nations of ASEAN, East Asia and world powers like
the United States, China and Japan.

Modi immediately grabbed the opportunity as he has been a staunch admirer of Lee
since he was the chief minister of Gujarat and had often engaged with him then.

Modis visit to Singapore is largely symbolic. It is a reassuring gesture to Singaporeans

that their nation figures high on the Indian governments radar screens. It also conveys
that India stands by Singaporeans at the time of their national mourning. Incidentally,
Sunday is being observed by India as a national mourning day in honour of the late Lee
Kuan Yew.

Since it is not an official visit and Modi is in Singapore for a somber occasion, naturally
he would not be talking shop with his Singaporean counterparts. Obviously, no
agreements will be on the table.

However, two senior leaders from Singapore will be meeting Modi: Emeritus Senior
Minister Goh Chok Tong and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Not
many world leaders attending Lees funeral service are being extended this privilege.

The post of Emeritus Senior Minister is an interesting Singaporean innovation and a

political experiment worth emulating by other nations. Only a former prime minister can
be given this post which incidentally has executive powers. The purpose is that Emeritus
Senior Minister will groom the incumbent prime minister in the art of governance and
nation building

Goh Chok Tong was Singapore's second prime minister who took over on 28 November
1990, succeeding Lee Kuan Yew, and served in the role until 12 August 2004 when he
stepped down and was succeeded by Lee Hsien Loong, son of Lee Kuan Yew. Goh
subsequently served as Senior Minister until May 2011 and as Chairman of the Monetary
Authority Of Singapore (MAS). He continues to serve as a Member of Parliament.

Singapores importance for India has been growing over the years. Not only the Indian
government but more and more Indian states and their chief ministers are increasingly
looking to Singapore for its assistance and guidance in such diverse fields as smart cities,
urban development, water conservation, infrastructure planning and law and order, to
name just a few.

Singapore is all set to play a major role in transforming the Indian urban landscape,
particularly in PM Modis pet project of smart cities. Singapore is going to closely
collaborate with India in developing several smart cities in India. Though India was keen
on Singapore taking up as many smart cities projects as possible, the government has
conveyed to India that it would be able to deliver on just one or at the most two smart
cities in India

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Singapore is the second largest source of FDI in India having invested almost $30 billion
between 2000 and 2014. Apart from business and economy, Singapore has pro-active
engagement in areas like defence, maritime security and counter-terrorism.

PM Modis thoughtful gesture of attending Lee Kuan Yews funeral service will further
cement India-Singapore bilateral ties and bolster Indias Look East policy.

INDIA SINGAPORE RELATIONS

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Introduction
1. Indias connection with Singapore dates back to the Cholas who are credited with naming the
island and establishing a permanent settlement. The more modern relationship is attributed to Sir
Stamford Raffles who, in 1819, established a trading station on the Straits of Malacca to protect,
particularly from the Dutch, the East India Company ships carrying cargo between India and the
region, especially China. Singapores location was increasingly recognised as strategic to the
security of the British Empire in India, and it became a colony under British India governed from
Calcutta during the period 1830 to 1867. The colonial connection is reflected in a similarity of
institutions and practices, usage of English and the presence of a large Indian community.

2. India was among the first countries to set up diplomatic relations after the independence of
Singapore on 24 August 1965. The close relationship shared by India and Singapore is based on
convergence of economic and political interests. The process of economic reforms in India since
the early 1990s created a strong basis for cooperation with Singapore, opening up possibilities
for significant presence in each others economies. Singapore has played an important role in
reconnecting us to the countries of South East Asia since the inception of our Look East Policy
in the early 1990s.

Political Relations
3. Singapore, led by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, took a major interest in Indias economic
reforms in the 1990s. He visited India in 1994 as the Chief Guest at our Republic Day
celebrations. A reciprocal visit by PM Narasimha Rao took place in September 1994. Continued
high level interactions, including the visit of PM Vajpayee in 2002, culminated with the signing
of the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in June 2005 during the visit
of PM Lee Hsien Loong to India. Former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong was
awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 2004.

4. Presidential visits include those undertaken by President K R Narayanan in November 2000

and by President A P J Abdul Kalam in February 2006 and the first ever visit by any Singapore
President (S R Nathan) in January 2003. PM Dr Manmohan Singh paid an official visit to
Singapore in November 2011 and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong undertook a State
Visit to India in July 2012 and attended the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit in Delhi in
December of the same year.

5. Singapores Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi
on Twitter and FaceBook immediately after his election victory in May 2014 and sent a letter
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inviting Prime Minister to visit Singapore at the earliest opportunity. Singapores Foreign and
Law Minister K Shanmugam was the first Minister from any ASEAN nation to meet the new
Government in Delhi during his visit to India on 30 June 5 July 2014. An active calendar of
visits from both sides added momentum to bilateral relations - from India by EAM to inaugurate
the 50 year celebrations; Chief Ministers of West Bengal, Rajasthan, Telangana and Andhra
Pradesh; Urban Development Minister; and visits to India by Singapores Defence Minister,
Emeritus Senior Minister, Minister PMO & Second Minister for Trade & Industry S Iswaran and
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister. The two Prime Ministers met on the sidelines of
the East Asia Summit at Nay Pyi Taw on 12 November 2014.

6. To mark the milestone 50 years of the establishment of India-Singapore diplomatic relations,

Singapores President Tony Tan Keng Yam undertook a State Visit to India on 8-11 February
2015.

7. PM Shri Narendra Modi visited Singapore on 29 March 2015 to attend the State Funeral of
Singapores first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who passed away on 23 March 2015. PMs visit
was appreciated by Singapore, as was the observance of a day of mourning in India on 29 March
with flag flying half-mast throughout the country.

Framework of the Relationship

8. Agreements concluded between India and Singapore reflect the growing breadth of our
cooperation and provide a larger framework for activities between the two Governments, the
business community, and people-to-people exchanges. Key agreements include the
Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (2005), Double Taxation Avoidance
Agreement (1994, Protocols signed in 2011), Bilateral Air Services Agreement (1968, revised in
April 2013), the Defence Cooperation Agreement (2003), MoU on Foreign Office Consultations
(1994) Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (2005) and MoU on Cooperation in the field of
Vocational Education and Skills Development. The visit of the then External Affairs Minister
Pranab Mukherjee to Singapore in June 2007 witnessed the creation of a Joint Ministerial
Committee (JMC) headed by the Foreign Ministers, the launch of a bilateral CEOs Forum and
the announcement of a Strategic Dialogue.

Economic & Commercial Relations

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9. Bilateral trade: Economic cooperation is a major pillar of our relationship. Singapore is our
10th largest trade partner globally and 2nd largest in ASEAN accounting for 25.9% of our
overall trade with ASEAN (2013-14). India was Singapores 12th largest trade partner globally
(2014). Bilateral trade expanded after the conclusion of CECA from US$ 6.65 billion in 2004-05
to US$ 25.2 billion in 2011-12 but declined to US$ 19.27 billion in 2013-14. Bilateral trade
stood at US$ 17.1 billion in 2014-15. Our imports from Singapore were US$ 7.1 billion and
exports from India totaled US$ 10 billion. [Source: DGCIS]

10.Bilateral Investments: Since the early 1990s, Singaporean companies have been active in
Indias equity market as FIIs, and the trend has gathered momentum in recent years. Singapore
has emerged as the 2nd largest source of FDI amounting to US$ 32.2 billion (April 2000 March 2015), which is 13% of total FDI inflow. Singapore was the largest source of FDI into
India for the year 2013-14 overtaking Mauritius, with US$ 5.98 billion, accounting for about
25% of FDI inflows in the year [Source: DIPP]. Banking, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications
and information technology are the focus of such portfolio investments, besides investments in
ports, airports and infrastructure projects.

11.Outward Indian FDI to Singapore increased from US $351 million in 2004-05 to US

$37.4 billion (April 2015), making Singapore one of the top destinations for Indian
investments. Combined with an enabling environment, strong air connectivity and the presence
of a large Indian community, Singapore has emerged as an offshore logistics and financial hub
for Indian corporate houses. About 6,000 Indian companies are estimated to be registered in
Singapore.

12.Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA): Concluded in June 2005, the

CECA with Singapore was the first such agreement to be signed by India with any country. It
integrates agreements on trade in goods and services, investment protection, and economic
cooperation in fields like education, intellectual property and science & technology. It also
provides Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) that eliminates duplicative testing and
certification of products in sectors where there are mandatory technical requirements. The
implementation of CECA is to be periodically reviewed by the two Governments and the closure
of the 1st Review was announced on 1 October 2007. The 2nd Review launched in May 2010 is
underway.

13.Nine Indian banks operate in Singapore Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank,
Indian Bank, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, ICICI, EXIM Bank and Bank of Baroda. SBI and
ICICI have been granted Qualifying Full Bank (QFB) status with retail operations.

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14.Air connectivity: Directly connected currently to 12 Indian cities - Ahmedabad, Bangalore,

Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Vishakhapatnam, Mumbai,
Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram, Singapore has the largest air connections to India with 6
airlines flying 232 weekly services (or 464 weekly flights) between Singapore and India.

Cultural Relations
15.To promote inter-governmental cooperation in culture, a Memorandum of Understanding for
Cooperation in Arts, Archives and Heritage was concluded in 1993, pursuant to which Executive
Programmes have been signed.

16.ICCR and National University of Singapore singed an MOU in March 2010 to establish a
short-term Chair on Indian Studies at the South Asian Studies Programme, National University
of Singapore, which has been renewed till 2017.

17.Commemorative events are being held in India and in Singapore to mark the 50th anniversary
of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2014-15. The commemorative events were jointly
inaugurated by External Affairs Minister Smt Sushma Swaraj and Singapores Foreign and Law
Minister K Shanmugam on 16 August 2014 in Singapore. An array of activities and events that
include cultural performances, exhibitions, film festivals, food festivals, commemorative stamp,
among others have been arranged to celebrate the historic milestone.

18.Given the large and diverse Indian community in Singapore, cultural activities receive
considerable support from community organizations. A number of cultural societies, namely
Temple of Fine Arts, Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society, Nrityalaya, Kalamandir, among others,
promote Indian classical dance and arts. Deepawali is regarded as the premier Indian cultural
celebration.

Visa & Consular

19.India introduced a visa requirement for Singapore citizens in 1984 while Singapore
introduced it in 1985. Tourists from Singapore are allowed eTourist Visa (eTV) in select
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airports in India since 2010 on unilateral basis. In 2014, the High Commission issued 41,947
passports and 77,879 visas.

Indian Community
20.Ethnic Indians constitute about 9.1 per cent or around 3.5 lakhs of the resident population of
3.9 million in Singapore. In addition, among the 1.5 million foreigners residing in Singapore,
about 3.5 lakhs are Indian expatriates holding Indian passports, mostly serving in financial
services, computer/software sectors, students, construction and marine sectors [Source:
Singapore Department of Statistics, 2014]. There are about 1.5 lakh Indian migrant workers in
Singapore.

21.Tamil is one of the four official languages of Singapore. Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Bengali and
Punjabi are also taught in schools. Approximately two-thirds of the Indian community in
Singapore are of Tamil origin. Punjabis, Malayalis and Sindhis are the other major Indian
communities.

22.Global Indian International School, Delhi Public School, National Public School, Yuvah
Bharati International School, DAV School, Amity Global Business School and S. P. Jain Centre
of Management have educational institutions in Singapore.

13.France__912 April

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*key person ___French President Francois Hollande

*Highlights
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hit the ground running in his visit to France, the first of the
three G7 countries he is visiting, the other two being Germany and Canada.
India and France signed 20 Memorandum of Understandings ( MoUs) and Agreements on
10 April 2015 to give new impetus to bilateral co-operation between the two nations.
The two nations signed Agreements covering the fields of

Defence and Nuclear Energy

Space
Sports
Economic Relations
Railways
Energy
Culture, heritage conservation, tourism, people-to-people contacts
Skill Development
Science and Technology

The MoUs and Agreements were signed during visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to
France between 9 April & 12 April 2015
These twenty agreements were as follows:
Defence and Nuclear Energy
1. MoU between L&T and AREVA
It is aimed at cost reduction by increasing localization, to improve the financial viability of
Jaitapur project. It will also enable transfer of technology and development of indigenous nuclear
energy industry in India.
2. Pre-engineering agreements between NPCIL and AREVA
The PEA studies intend to bring clarity on all technical aspects of the plant so that all parties
(AREVA, Alstom and NPCIL) can firm up their price and optimize all provisions for risks still
included at this stage in the costs of the project.

Space
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3. MoU between ISRO and CNES on Megha Tropiques

The Indo-French Megha Tropiques satellite was launched on board the Indian launch vehicle,
PSLV on 12 October, 2011. The MoU shall extend by 2 more years, the joint project for sharing
and use of data from the satellite.
4. 'MOU between ISRO, CNES and ONERA for Ka-band propagation experiment over
Indian tropical region'
The MoU envisages cooperation for implementation of the project concerning Ka-band
propagation experiment over Indian tropical region. The main objective is to collect Ka-Band
attenuation data using available Ka-Band transmission and perform analysis along with
corresponding radio meter and meteorological data.
5. Programme between ISRO and French National Centre for Space Studies (CNES)
The agreement proposes cooperation in the areas of Satellite Remote sensing, satellite
communications and satellite meteorology; space sciences and planetary exploration; data
collection and location; operations of satellite ground stations and spacecraft mission
management; space research and applications.
It covers the potential cooperation activities such as joint earth observation mission, hosted
payload opportunities and Mars exploration.
Sports
6. MoU on Cooperation between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India and
French Ministry of Sports, Youth Affairs, Public Education and Community Life
The MoU envisages cooperation and exchange of experiences in the fields of sports medicine,
institutional cooperation, development of practice of sports in the context of proximity sports,
support of participation of women and the disabled in sports, management and coordination of
sports federations, training of executives and establishment of National Institute of Sports in
India based on French model of INSEP.
Economic Relations
7. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of renewable energy
between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India and
the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy, Government of France
The understanding reached in this MoU will help establish the basis for cooperation and
relationship to encourage and promote technical bilateral cooperation on new and renewable
energy issues on the basis of mutual benefits and reciprocity through exchange and training of
technical personnel, exchange of information and data, joint research and transfer of know-how
and technology. It would cover solar, wind, bio-energy, tidal and wave energy sectors.
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Railways
8. Railway protocol between Indian Ministry of Railways and French National Railways
(SNCF)
The Protocol seeks to establish cooperation between Indian and French Railways for semi-high
speed rail and station renovation.
Energy
9. Guarantee Agreement with AFD Financing of Energy Efficiency Services Limited
(EESL)
The Agreement seeks to finance Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
Culture, heritage conservation, tourism, people-to-people contacts
10. Administrative Arrangement in the field of Cultural Heritage
The Administrative Arrangement between the Indian Ministry of Culture and French Ministry of
Culture and Communication envisages cooperation in the field of cultural heritage, through
training of Indian heritage conservation professionals at the Institute National du Patrimoine
(INP), a higher education establishment of training for curators and restorers in the field of
heritage in France, as well as Development of cultural and scientific cooperation in the fields of
conservation and restoration of the heritage, short duration training sessions in India by INP
trainers in Indian institutes and training of French training in India etc.
11. Letter of Intent on Tourism
LoI for increasing cooperation in tourism sector signed between India and France aims to
promote sustainable bilateral tourism between the two countries including through mutual
promotion of tourism, ensuring safety of tourists and encouraging sharing of expertise and best
practices. The LoI also seeks to facilitate twinning of sites having historical, natural and cultural
significance in India and France for promoting them as tourist destinations.
12. Letter of Intent (LoI) between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and National
Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP)
The LoI envisages collaboration on preventive archaeology projects, initiatives to disseminate
culture and promote archaeology, training programmes for specialists of ASI and deployment of
expertise, in particular, in the field of underwater archaeology.
13. MOU between School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi and National Architecture
Institute in Paris, France

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The MoU envisages cooperation to undertake joint planning and geographical studies in India
and France and training of local counterparts in modern urban and regional research as well as in
techniques of scientific methods in Urban and regional planning, geography, environment,
Building engineering and management.
14. MoU between Indian Heritage Cities Network Foundation (IHCN) and Association
Nationale des Villes et Pays dArt et dHistoire et villes a secteurs sauvegards et protgs
(ANVPAH)
This MoU envisages cooperation between to cooperate in the fields of sustainable development,
urban planning, heritage conservation and up-gradation of basic services.
15. Proposal for twinning of historical monuments
Twinning of historical monuments is covered under the LoI on Tourism Cooperation.
16. VIE scheme to allow Indian students in France and French students in India to stay for
a period of 24 months.
The Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE) scheme offers Indian Visa for 12 months
renewable once for a period of 12 months for 250 French students and a second residence
permit of 12 months for the Indian students in France following the 12 months already granted.
17. Letter of Intent on Ayurveda between Ministry of Ayush and University of Strasbourg
LoI allows both the parties to strengthen their relationships and cooperation in the area of
Ayurveda education and research by under-taking academic and research activities, exploring
feasibility of collaborative research, drawing up strategies for dissemination of results of
completed studies and conducting joint workshops/conferences on Ayurveda as complimentary
medicine in France.

Skill Development

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18. MoU between National Skill Development Agency (NSDA), India and the National
Commission for Vocational Qualifications (Commission Nationale de la Certification
Professionnelle CNCD)
For exchange of information regarding the maintenance of National Skills Qualification
Framework and the French National Register for Vocational Certifications (RNCP). The
agreement will facilitate exchange of information and knowledge about maintenance of
qualification registers through information exchanges, visits and other suitable meetings.
Science and Technology
19. MoU on cooperation in the field of Science & Technology between Department of
Science & Technology of India and the French National Centre for Scientific Research
(CNRS)
The MoU is for cooperation between the two countries in the areas of applied mathematics,
physics, Information & communication technology, water resources and environment, life
sciences, astronomy, climate and energy by exchange of information, organization of
meetings/workshops/seminars, exchange of research personnel; joint projects; establishment of
Virtual Joint Laboratories, and establishment of Joint Research Centres.
20. MoU between Department of Biotechnology of India and CNRS and UPMC on
Collaboration for establishment of a National Institute of Marine Biology and
Biotechnology in India
The proposed MoU seeks to establish a National Institute of Marine Biology and Biotechnology
in India, with a Hub and Spoke network of laboratories spanning Indias marine regions from the
Andaman to Lakshadweep.

14.Germany__1214 April
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*Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the Indian community during a reception hosted by
the Indian Ambassador in Berlin
*Germany chancellor angela merkel

*Highlights
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The PMs visit to Germany was widely covered by the media there especially his inauguration of
the famous Hannover industrial fair along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The objective of the PM's Germany visit was to work towards stronger business and
industry ties, skill development, urban development, environment, railways, cleaning of
rivers, renewable energy, education, language, science and technology, among other
things.

In Germany, Modi addressed the Indo-German Business Summit in Hannover. The PM

stressed on tapping the potential of improved economic collaboration between Germany
and India through greater investment, creating positive investment climate and
technology partnership. Modi promised to reduce complicated procedures, create one
platform - preferably online - and improve ease of doing business in India.

The PM reiterated the significance of developing India into a manufacturing hub. Both
the German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Modi were in favour of a free
trade agreement between the European Union and India.

With a view to enhance the employability of trainees and apprentices, India stressed on
increasing the involvement of industry in skill development.

India sought support for the development of urban planning and infrastructure including
(a) co-operation in development of new areas of collaboration, mutual benefit in
development of smart cities in India (b) setting up a peer- to -peer network of
Municipalities for direct collaboration (c) assistance in the area of affordable housing

The two countries agreed to promote closer educational exchange and collaboration
between universities in India and Germany through the Indo German Strategic
Partnership in Higher Education Program. Setting up of an International Centre for
Advanced Studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences and enhancing the exchange of
scientists between the two countries (within the framework of India's GIAN initiative)
was also proposed.

On the environment front, the two countries agreed to establish two working groups in
the areas of water and waste management. Germany completed the Ganga Scoping
Mission in October 2014. Up next on the agenda is co-operation on Ganga River
rejuvenation, capacity support for urban sanitation, setting up of standard approaches to
industrial pollution and setting up of innovative financial models.

Both the countries declared that they would promote Research and Development and cooperation in science, technology and innovation by extending the bi-national IndoGerman Science and Technology Centre in India with appropriate resources and through
a co-operation arrangement between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, India and the
Helmholtz Association, Germany.

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15. CANADA __1416 April

*key person Stephen Harper-PM

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*Highlights

The PM's visit to Canada was a historic milestone in India-Canada bilateral relations as
Narendra Modi became the first Prime Minister to visit Canada in 42 years.

The visit resulted in signing of bilateral agreements and commercial deals worth over
$1.6 billion dollars in a broad range of areas, which include energy, railways and
transportation, education and skill development, space co-operation and maternal, newborn and childbirth sectors.

A landmark agreement was signed with a Canadian company, Cameco, with the objective
of supplying over 3.175 million kg uranium to India over the next five years for Civil
Nuclear Energy purpose.

Modi also announced visa-on-arrival for Canadian citizens coming to India.

The two countries agreed to increase collaboration in the field of energy efficiency, oil
and gas development and renewable energy.

India and Canada look forward to an investment worth CAD $ 2.5 million in five health
innovations in India.

Air Canada has said that it plans to have direct flights from Toronto to New Delhi; it is
believed that this is an outcome of the PM's Canada visit.

The Canadian Prime Minster Harper and Modi agreed to deepen co-operation in fighting
against terrorism and violent extremism.

13 MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) were signed between the National Skill

Development Council of India and 13 Canadian colleges, institutes, sector skills councils
in fields such as agriculture, automotive, aviation, construction, healthcare, hydrocarbons
and IT.

*** Note__Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, and a Comprehensive

Economic Partnership Agreement,
* LAST VISITOR cannada is smt. INDIRA GANDHI

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16.China__1416 May

*key personsXi Jinping

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Highlights
Modi will undertake a three-nation tour of China, Mongolia and South Korea from May 14 to 19.
*According to officials, the visit is aimed at giving a boost to the East Asia policy aligning it
with Make in India initiatives and bringing momentum to the countrys foreign policy in the
strategically significant region.

During the Modis visit, India would seek greater market access, removal of nontariff barriers and investments in sectors such as defence.

China has already signed MoUs to set up industrial parks in India.

India wants greater market access for its products including textiles,
pharmaceuticals and bovine meat.

China, which is conducting a feasibility study into a $36 billion bullet train
project from the capital in the north to Chennai in the south

The country imports about 65 per cent of bulk drugs from China for its generic
medicine industry but strict regulatory procedures in the neighbouring country
rest

Both countries have an unsettled boundary of 3,488 km that often acts as an

irritant to the ties.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which is seen as a counter to the US, Japan
dominated Asian Development Bank, is likely to announce funding for
infrastructure projects in India during the visit of PM Modi, leading role in India
becoming a founding member of the bank.

*AGGREMENTS __ *For 3 day visit total 21+ 24 = 45 aggrements done

Must readfrom this link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0Acp_VJ8Jl3VXFkazlPWUMxOFU/view?usp=sharing

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* India and China on signed 24 deals worth over $10 billion during Modis visit to the
country.
1. Protocols between India and China on the establishment of consulates-general at
Chengdu and Chennai and the extension of the consular district of the consulate
general of India in Guanzhou to include Jiangxi province.
2. MoU between the ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship of India and
the ministry of human resources and social security of China on cooperation in
the field of vocational education and skill development.
3. Action plan on cooperation in setting up of the Mahatma Gandhi National
Institute for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar
in Gujarat.
4. MoU between India and China on consultative mechanism for cooperation in
trade negotiations.
5. MoU on cooperation between the ministry of external affairs of India and
international department of the central committee of the Communist Party of
China.
6. Action plan between the National Railway Administration of China and the
ministry of railways of India on enhancing cooperation in the railway sector.
(2015-16).
7. MoU on education exchange programme.
8. MoU between the ministry of mines of India and the ministry of land and
resources of China on the cooperation in the mining and minerals sector.
9. Space Cooperation Outline (2015-2020).
10. Protocol on health and safety regulations on importing Indian rapeseed meal
between the export inspection council, ministry of commerce and industry of
India and the general administration of quality supervision, inspection and
quarantine.
11. MoU between Doordarshan and China Central Television on cooperation in the
field of broadcasting.
12. Agreement between the ministry of tourism of India and the national tourism
administration of China on cooperation in the field of tourism.
13. MoU on establishing India-China think-tanks forum.
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14. MoU between Indias Niti Aayog and the Development Research Centre, State
Council of China.
15. Modi-Xi personal chemistry on display on Day 1
16. MoU between Indias ministry of earth sciences and the China Earthquake
Administration concerning cooperation in the field of earthquake science and
earthquake engineering.
17. MoU between Indias ministry of earth sciences and the State Oceanic
Administration of China on cooperation in the field of ocean science, ocean
technology, climate change, polar science and cryosphere.
18. MoU on scientific cooperation between Geological Survey of India, ministry of
mines of India and the China Geological Survey, ministry of land and resources of
China in geoscience.
19. MoU between the ministry of external affairs of India and ministry of foreign
affairs of China on establishment of states/provincial leaders forum.
20. Agreement on the establishment of sister-state/province relations between state
government of Karnataka and provincial government of Sichuan of China.
21. Agreement on establishment of sister-city relations between Chennai and
Chongqing of China.
22. Agreement on establishment of sister-city relations between Hyderabad and
Qingdao of China.
23. Agreement on establishment of sister-city relations between Aurangabad and
Dunhuang of China.
24. MoU between the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Fudan University on
the establishment of a centre for Gandhian and Indian studies.
25. MoU between Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Yunnan Minzu
University on the establishment of a yoga college.

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17.Mongolia ___1617 May

*Key person Chimed SaikhanbilegPM

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*Highlights
1. Mongolia and India are keen to move forward on the MoU for Uranium supply
that the two countries had entered in 2009.
2. 2.Mongolia is keen on Indian helping the country in cyber security.
3. 3.Help in border patrolling is another area where the two countries will be
stepping up the ties.

#Prime Minister to visit Mongolia and during his visit talks on Uranium supply to India likely to
get boost.

14 Agreements signed are :S.No. Agreement

1.
A joint statement for India-Mongolia strategic partnership
Air services agreement between the government of the Republic of
2.
India and the government of Mongolia.
Agreement between the government of the Republic of India and the
3.
government of Mongolia on cooperation in the field of animal health
and dairy
Treaty between the government of the Republic of India and the
4.
government of Mongolia on the transfer of sentenced persons
Memorandum of Understanding between the government of the
5.
Republic of India and the government of Mongolia on cooperation in
the field of traditional systems or medicine and homeopathy
Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Home
Affairs of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Justice of
6.
Mongolia for enhancing cooperation in border guarding. Policing and
surveillance.
Programme of cooperation between the government of the Republic
7.
of India and the government of Mongolia in the field of culture for the
Years 2015-2018.
Memorandum of Understanding between the government of the
Republic of India and the government of Mongolia on the
8.
establishmeni of cyber security training centre in the Ministry of
Defence of Mongolia.
Memorandum or Understanding between the foreign service institute
9.
of the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the
diplomatic academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.
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10.

11,

12.

13.

14.

Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Ministry

of External Affairs of the Republic of India and the Ministry of
foreign affairs of Mongolia
Memorandum of Understanding between the ministry of new and
renewable energy of the government of the Republic of India and the
Ministry of Energy of the government of Mongolia on cooperation in
the field of renewable energy.
Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperation between the National
Security Council of the Republic of India and the National Security
Council of Mongolia
Memorandum of Understanding between the government of the
Republic of India and the government of Mongolia on the
establishment of India-Mongolia Friendship Secondary School in
Mongolia
Memorandum of Understanding Between Tata Memorial Centre of
India and National Cancer Center of Mongolia for Gifting of
Bhabhatron-II Terecobalt Unit along with a radiotherapy simulator.

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18.South korea __1819 May

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*Highlights
1. Modis visit to South Korea was part of Indias East Asia policy and Modis attempt to
promote his Make in India concept to Korean investors
2. His visit to South Korea has a definite Make in India angle to it.
3. India is keen on getting investment and going for joint manufacturing in areas where
South Korea has a technological edge.
4. In the manufacturing sector, South Korean companies including Samsung, LG and
Hyundai that have strong presence in India.
5. Infrastrcuture developments.

7 agreements inked between India and South Korea

India and South Korea inked seven bilateral agreements and agreed to upgrade ties to "special
strategic partnership".The list of agreements signed is as follows
S.No. Agreement/MoU
Agreement between the
Government of the Republic
of India and the Government
of the Republic of Korea for
1.
the Avoidance of Double
Taxation and the Prevention
of Fiscal Evasion with
Respect to Taxes on Income

2.

3.

4.

Remarks
India-Republic of Korea Double
Taxation Avoidance Convention
(signed 1985) has been revised with
a view to avoiding the burden of
double taxation on taxpayers in the
two countries.

The Agreement is being signed under

the provisions of India-ROK CEPA; it
would enable co-production of films,
India-Republic of Korea
animation and broadcasting
Agreement on Cooperation in programmes. The Agreement would
Audio-Visual Co-Production enable opportunities for collaboration
between Indian and Korean film
industries, and facilitate collaboration
and exchange
MOU for Cooperation
between the National Security The MoU would formalize
Council Secretariat of the
consultations between National
Republic of India and the
Security Council structures of the two
Office of National Security of countries in a number of areas.
the Republic of Korea
The MoU envisages cooperation in
MOU between the Ministry areas of electric power development
of Power of the Republic of and new energy industries such as

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5.

6.

7.

India and the Ministry of

Trade, Industry and Energy of
the Republic of Korea
concerning Cooperation in
the field of Electric Power
Development and New
Energy Industries
MOU between the Ministry
of Youth Affairs and Sports
of the Republic of India and
the Ministry of Gender
Equality and Family of the
Republic of Korea on
Cooperation in Youth Matters
Framework of Cooperation
in the Field of Road
Transport and Highways
between the Ministry of Road
Transport and Highways of
the Republic of India and the
Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure and Transport
of the Republic of Korea
MOU between the Ministry
of Shipping of the Republic
of India and the Ministry of
Oceans and Fisheries of the
Republic of Korea on
Cooperation in the Fields of
Maritime Transport and
Logistics

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renewable energy, smart grids and

power information and technology,
transmission and distribution of
electric power, energy efficiency and
storage system.

The MoU will strengthen and

encourage cooperation on youth
matters through participation in events
and activities through exchanges,
international conferences, seminars,
youth camps, festivals etc.
To be signed under the provisions of
India-ROK CEPA, the FOC envisages
cooperation in areas including road
policies, design and construction, road
operation, road management and
safety, intelligent transport systems and
electronic toll collection systems
The MoU envisages cooperation
between the two countries in the fields
of maritime transport and logistics
including through sharing of
technologies, information and
experiences, the training of seafarers,
exchange of experts and port
operations etc

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19.BANGLADESH__June 6 7

*key personsThe Prime MinisterSheikh Hasina., President of Bangladesh_ H.E. Mr. Md.
Abdul Hamid

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This visit, the Prime Ministers first to Bangladesh, reflects the importance of the bilateral
relationship between India and Bangladesh.

During this visit, the Prime Minister discussed the ratification of te India-Bangladesh
Land Boundary Agreement 1974 & Protocol- 2011.
The visit is expected to further expand the cordial and cooperative relationship between
the two countries and strengthen the ties of friendship and trust between India and
Bangladesh.

Aggrements __ total -22 aggrements

1. Exchange of Instruments of Ratification of 1974 Land Boundary Agreement and its 2011
Protocol
2. Exchange of letters on Modalities for implementation of 1974 Land Boundary Agreement
and its 2011 Protocol
3. Bilateral Trade Agreement (renewal)
4. Agreement on Coastal Shipping between Bangladesh and India
5. Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (renewal)
6. Bilateral Cooperation Agreement between Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution
(BSTI) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on Cooperation in the field of
Standardization
7. Agreement on Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati bus service and its Protocol
8. Agreement on Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala Bus Service and its Protocol
9. Memorandum of Understanding between Coast Guards
10. Memorandum of Understanding on Prevention of Human Trafficking
11. Memorandum of Understanding on Prevention of Smuggling and Circulation Fake
Currency Notes
12. Memorandum of Understanding between Bangladesh and India and for Extending a New
Line of Credit of $2 billion by government of India to government of Bangladesh
13. Memorandum of Understanding on Blue Economy and Maritime Cooperation in the Bay
of Bengal and the Indian Ocean
14. Memorandum of Understanding on use of Chittagong and Mongla ports
15. Memorandum of Understanding for a Project under IECC (India Endowment for Climate
Change) of SAARC
16. Memorandum of Understanding on Indian Economic Zone
17. Cultural Exchange Programme for the years 2015-17
18. Statement of Intent on Bangladesh-India Education Cooperation (adoption)
19. Agreement between Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL) and
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for leasing of international bandwidth for
internet at Akhaura
20. Memorandum of Understanding between University of Dhaka, Bangladesh and Council
of Scientific and Industrial Research, India for Joint Research on Oceanography of the
Bay of Bengal

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21. Memorandum of Understanding between University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh and

University of Jamia Milia Islamia, India
22. Handing over of Consent Letter by Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority
(IDRA), Bangladesh to Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), India to start operations in
Bangladesh.

Issues between India and Bangladesh

India and Bangladesh share a unique bond and a special relationship rooted in a common
cultural heritage, shared principles and values and forged by common aspirations and
sacrifices of its peoples. India is committed to carry forward the mission of strengthening
the historic bonds and impart a vision for the future that is durable and sustainable and
conducive for the collective prosperity of the region.

Bangladesh's geopolitical importance for India is due to three factors. First, Bangladeshs
location is a strategic wedge between mainland India and Northeastern seven states of the
Indian Union. Each of these states is land-locked and has shorter route to the sea through
Bangladesh. Currently, Kolkata port is used by these states for both domestic and
imported cargo. Bangladesh is a natural pillar of Look East Policy. A friendly
Bangladesh that ensures no anti-India terror or insurgent activities can be carried out
from its soil unlike in the past will substantially assist India in handling security problems
in some of its restive north-east States. Importantly, a neutral Bangladesh also ensures
containment of an assertive China in this region, including along the strategic sea-lanes of
the Bay of Bengal.

Further the navigable rivers in India's Northeast that could connect West Bengal or Orissa
ports pass through Bangladesh. The only entry to and exit from the Northeastern region
of India is through the Shiliguri Corridor that is close to the Chinese border and within
striking distance of Bangladesh. The Shiliguri Corridor is the most sensitive 'choke point'
for the Indian Union.

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But unfortunately, there exist many contentious issues between the two countries. The
issues are discussed as below:
a) Water dispute

India and Bangladesh share 54 trans-boundary rivers, big and small. In 1996, the sharing
of the Ganga waters was successfully agreed upon between the two nations. However, the
major area of dispute has been Indias construction and operation of the Farakka Barrage.
The aim of construction of the Farakka Barrage was to increase the lean period flow of
the Bhagirathi-Hooghly branch of Ganga to increase the water depth at the Kolkota port
which was threatened by siltation. As irrigation withdrawals increased in Bangladesh,
dispute arose between India and Bangladesh over the sharing of the lean season flow at
Farakka. The inadequacy of water during the lean season to meet the assessed demands in
the two countries is the root cause of the conflict.

The Bangladesh government feels that the reduction in flow caused damage to
agriculture, industry and ecology in the basin in Bangladesh. Because of the inability of
the concerned governments to come to any lasting agreement over the last few decades
on sharing the river water, this problem has grown and now it is also viewed as a case of
upstream-downstream dispute.

The other reason for water dispute is Teesta River which has its source in Sikkim
flows through the northern part of West Bengal in India before entering Bangladesh,
where after crosssing 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 the then newly elected 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.

Construction of the Tipaimukh Dam is another contentious issue between India and
Bangladesh. Tipaimukh Dam is a hydel power project proposed on the river Barak in
Manipur. Bangladesh's objection is that it would have adverse ecological effects in its
eastern Sylhet district. In spite of India's reiteration that no dam would be constructed
overlooking Bangladesh's objections, the controversy is far from over.

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The popular arguments in Bangladesh against the Tipaimukh project are:

India should not decide what is good for people of Bangladesh without taking them into
confidence;
No study has been undertaken in Bangladesh to assess the impact of the ecosystems that
exist and depend on the natural flow of the water in Surma-Kusiyara-Meghna and their
tributaries.
India and Bangladesh have agreed on a joint study group to examine the points raised by
Bangladesh.
b) Boundary Dispute

Indias land border with Bangladesh as per the Ministry of Defence is 4351 km. running
through five states, viz., West Bengal (2217kms), Assam (262 kms), Meghalaya
(443kms), Tripura (856 kms) and Mizoram (318 kms), including nearly 781 kms of
riverine border. The border traverses through 25 districts.

The border is used as a route for smuggling livestock, food items, medicines and drugs
from India to Bangladesh. Moreover, illegal immigrants from Bangladesh cross the
border to India in search of improving their lives. Because of a large number of illegal
immigrants crossing from Bangladesh into India, a controversial shoot-on-sight policy
has been enforced by the Indian border patrols. This policy was initiated with reports of
violence between the illegal migrants and Indian soldiers. The border has also witnessed
occasional skirmishes between the Indian Border Security Force and the Border Guards
Bangladesh, most notably in 2001.

The killing of Bangladeshi nationals by Border Security Force (BSF) has become a major
irritant between the two countries in the recent past. It has evoked strong public
sentiments in Bangladesh. According to a report of Bangladesh Human Rights Watch
organization Odhikar, BSF has, from January 1, 2001 to March 31, 2012, killed 907
Bangladeshis. Bangladesh wants no time lost in stopping these killings.
Further the Agreement on the demarcation of Land Boundary between Bangladesh and
India and related matters had been signed in May 1974 between the two great statesmen,
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Smt. Indira Gandhi. This comprehensive
agreement was intended to resolve all lingering and vexing problems that history had
bequeathed on the two nations. But it has not full filled by both Governments.

During the State visit of the Prime Minister to Bangladesh in September 2011, a
"Protocol to the Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of
Bangladesh Concerning the Demarcation of the Land Boundary Between India and
Bangladesh and Related Matters (LBA) was signed. It settles the long outstanding land
boundary issues related to un-demarcated segment of 6.1 Kms; territories in adverse
possession; and exchange of enclaves. The Cabinet has, on 13 February 2013, approved
the draft of a Constitution (Amendment) Bill for implementing the India-Bangladesh

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Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) 1974 and the Protocol to LBA signed in 2011. The
Protocol envisages that 111 Indian Enclaves in Bangladesh and 51 Bangladesh Enclaves
in India, as per the jointly verified cadastral enclave maps, shall be exchanged. As per
Article 3 of the LBA 1974, when the Enclaves are transferred, people living in these
areas shall be given the right of staying on where they are as nationals of the State to
which the areas are transferred.

The delay in implementation of the land boundary agreement signed during the Indian
Prime Minister's visit has increased the differences. The Bangladesh Parliament has
ratified the agreement, but it awaits ratification by the Indian Parliament. Bangladesh is
urging India to take necessary steps at the earliest to make it functional. The reason for
the parliamentary delay is the reservation expressed by some sections, mainly people
living on the border, who complain that they had not been consulted before signing the
treaty. They also argue that implementation of the treaty would have adverse impact on
their lives.
Maritime border
While Bangladesh, having concave coastlines, delimits its sea border
southward from the edge of its land boundary, India stretches its claim
southeast wards, covering around thousands of miles in the Bay of Bengal.
Due to competing claims of the two countries, delimitation of the sea
boundary and determining Bangladeshs exclusive economic zones have remained
unresolved. Moreover, in terms of determining the continental shelf, the presence of the
Andamans and Nicobar Islands puts India, in a favourable position.
Territorial Waters
The issue of demarcating territorial waters led to serious differences between the two
countries. Questions of ownership over a new born island known as South Talpatty in
Bangladesh and New Moore/ Purbasha in India spotted by a satellite picture in 1975
in the estuary of Haribhanga River on the border of the
two countries has been a source of contention since its discovery. In order to settle the
above dispute Bangladesh proposed sending a joint IndoBangladesh team to determine
the flow of channels of the river on the basis of existing
International Law of the Sea. But the Indian counterpart sent forces to
establish claims by stationing naval troops on the island in 1981. After initial
resentment by Bangladesh, India agreed to resolve the issue through negotiations.
Till now the sovereignty over the island nation remains
undecided, and recent
reports of the press and media suggests that Bangladesh views India with suspicion
in its activities over the disputed piece of landmass on the breast of an international
water.

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c) Illegal Migration

Illegal migration is one of the bones of the contention of these two countries, Since
the 1971 war of independence that created the state of Bangladesh, millions of
Bangladeshi immigrants (the vast majority of them illegal) have poured into
neighbouring India. While the Indian government has tried to deport some of these
immigrants, the sheer number of them, as well as the porous border between the two
countries, has made such an enterprise impossible. It is difficult to assess how many
illegal immigrants are currently residing in India. Consider that in 1971, during the
civil war in neighboring East Pakistan (the former name of Bangladesh), at least 10million Bangladeshis poured into West Bengal in India

Illegal migration appears in the eastern and north-eastern parts of the country from
neighbouring Bangladesh, threat to Indias internal security, from Bangladesh is
impacted on communal, political, social and economic tensions and conflicts in
several areas of the northeast of India. The most affected states are West Bengal,
Assam, Megalaya, Nagaland, Bihar, and Tripura, although migrants have spread too
far off states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi. Although
the exact figure is not known, it is estimated that there are about 15-20 million
Bangladeshis staying illegally in India.

The National Investigation Agency has found links with Pakistan in rackets engaged
in printing and smuggling fake currency into India. NIA sources said fake currency
was now being smuggled into the border with Bangladesh has gaps at some points
and immigrants cross into India on foot through the breaks in the fence. Some also
swim across rivers on the border to reach India. The National Investigation Agency
has found links with Pakistan in rackets India through its porous border with
Bangladesh. Malda district in West Bengal is a key transit point for
counterfeiters. Once they reach India, immigrants obtain fake documents through
local agents. Political leaders in parts of West Bengal were also involved in
endorsing fake documents such as ration cards for illegal immigrants.

This unfettered illegal migration impacts on national security and socio-economic

stability. Intelligence inputs indicate that the Inter Service Intelligence Agency (ISI)
of Pakistan is utilizing these migrants as conduits to ferry in terrorists and arms into
India. Counterfeit Indian currency with its origins in Bangladesh has flooded border
areas, crippling in these parts.

Vote bank politics in Assam is the one of obstacle to control illegal migration from
Bangladesh, led to communal violence between indigenous Bodos and Muslims
(migrants from Bangladesh) in 2012.
The illegal Bangladeshi immigrants have not only changed the demography and
disturbed the ecology of the north-east but have also encouraged them to exercise
their political rights in India as citizens. It has been one of the key reasons for the rise
of insurgent groups in the north-east as some of the insurgent groups like Assam
Gana Sangram Parishad started, and got support of the masses, because of the issue of

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illegal immigration from Bangladesh. At the same time the immigration laws (Illegal
Migrants [Determined by Tribunal] (IMDT) Act 1983) followed in Assam has aided
illegal immigrants settling in the north-east easy.

d) Security concerns

Insurgency has been playing the role in straining relations of India with Bangladesh.
Northeast India has been facing insurgency since 1956 due to feelings of ethnic
separatism among its inhabitants. ISI is operating from Bangladesh, supporting the
insurgents in the North east India. National Liberation of Tripura (NLFT), Liberation
Front of Assam(ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFM) are major
insurgent groups in Northeast India. There are some rumours that ULFA has several
lucrative income generating Projects in Bangladesh to sustain its insurgency activities in
India.
Drug Trafficking

Bangladesh is increasingly being used as a transit point by drug dealers and the
drug mafia, which dispatches heroin and
opium from Burma, and other countries of the golden triangle, to different
destinations. As a result, Bangladeshs
Department of Narcotics Control has come under the scanner several times
and invited criticism. Bangladesh has become
the prime transit route for trafficking heroin to Europe from Southeast Asia,
according to a report from the

International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) 2007 annual report

INCB notes that the most common methods and routes for smuggling heroin
into Bangladesh are by courier fromPakistan, commercial vehicles and train
s from India, and via sea through the Bay of
Bengal or overland by truck or public transport from Burma.

e) Trade and Investment

Bangladesh is an important trading partner for India. The two-way trade in FY 2011-2012
was US$5.242 billion with India's exports to Bangladesh accounting for US$4.743 billion
and imports US$0.498 million.

The trade deficit with India is frequently highlighted by Bangladesh as a major

contentious issue. Trade deficit for Bangladesh is more than $4 billion. For long,
Bangladesh has been urging India to reduce this gap by lifting the tariff barriers as they
were a major impediment to the growth of Bangladesh's exports to India. Responding to
Bangladesh's concern, in November 2011, India granted duty free access to all products,

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except 10 tobacco and liquor items from Bangladesh which amounts 30% of Bangladesh
export. As much as 98 per cent of Bangladesh products now enjoy zero duty benefits in
the Indian market. Bangladesh's exports to India are expected to cross $1 billion in 2012.

However, Bangladesh is now urging India to remove all non-tariff barriers (NBTs) as it
views NTBs as the major obstacles to its export growth. Some of these barriers are:
laboratory test for every consignment of food products, cosmetics, and leather and textile
products; delay in getting test results; imposition of state tax; packaging requirement,
anti-dumping and countervailing duties; inadequate infrastructure facilities such as
warehousing, trans-shipment yard, parking yard and; connecting roads at land customs
stations of India. To encourage exports from Bangladesh, India must move proactively to
provide facilities of customs and testing at the border check posts.

Besides, removal of non-tariff barriers should be accompanied by tariff reforms since the
opportunity cost of non-tariff barriers is very high. A Consumer Unity & Trust Society
(CUTS) International report says: In 2010, value of unexplored market was more than
48 per cent of total value of India- Bangladesh trade and potential saving, which is a
proxy for cost of non-tariff barriers, is more than seven per cent of total value of IndoBangla trade.

India is also encouraging investments in Bangladesh. In this regard, a Bilateral

Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement have been signed between the two
countries. The agreement is expected to increase Indian investment in Bangladesh.

f) Transit

India has been urging Bangladesh to provide rail and road transit to connect with its
north-eastern states. Technically speaking, the issue of transit was resolved in 1972 when
both sides agreed on a mutually beneficial arrangement for the use of their waterways,
railways and roadways for commerce between two countries and for passage of goods to
places in one country through the territory of the other. Inland water transit has been
functional, but the rail and road transit is still waiting to be operational.

Bangladesh's initial reluctance to granting India rail and road transit was on the grounds
that transit facility once given was difficult to take back and such a facility may
encourage terrorism and insurgency.

Other concerns included damage to the roads and bridges in Bangladesh by the increased
traffic flow from the Indian side.
The reason for delay was that Bangladesh's infrastructure was not yet prepared to take the
load of the increased traffic that will follow with the granting of transit to India.

Addressing Bangladesh's concern, India provided a credit line of $1billion to Bangladesh

for development of infrastructure projects. But the credit line could not be used to its

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potential because of the strict conditions India imposed, to the effect that 85 per cent of
the raw materials for the road projects has to be procured from India, on the ground that it
produces all the materials necessary. Bangladesh has countered by claiming it too has the
necessary raw materials. It could earn $44 million per annum for first five years if it
grants transit to India. From the sixth year, earnings would be around $500 million,
which could rise to $1 billion. Transit would not only boost connectivity between the
two countries, but also offer opportunities for regional connectivity and help Bangladesh
develop Chittagong port into a regional hub.

The Chittagong port can become amodern busy port like Singapore and China ser
ving the SAARC countries. Huge foreign investment may be attracted by
Bangladesh and finally, a throbbing service sector like banks, insurance, hotels, rest
houses, petrol pumps etc. may develop around the Transcontinental roads and
railways. There is an estimate of direct economic gain from transit fees. It ranges
from 500 crore taka to 4,666 crore taka. The mutual transit will also give
Bangladesh a much shorter route to China and an initiative to link Chinese
province of Yunan with Seven Sisters of India, Myanmar, Thailand and Bangladesh.
Conclusion
India-Bangladesh relations have more than an academic strategic content. In the long run,
Indias national interests primarily lie towards and beyond its eastern flanks to South East
Asia and the new geographical and strategic construct namely Indo-Pacific Asia. India
thus needs to strengthen the various regional groupings in this region like the ASEAN
and the BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation). Importantly, they should work together to resolve all the issues.

The following steps should be taken to improve relation between India and Bangladesh.
a) Agreement on water sharing should be given priority. Early resolution of the Teesta issue is
necessary.
b) India should give prominence to the ratification of land boundary agreement.
c) Security cooperation between the two countries has been good. But there is need for
institutionalizing this cooperation so that it does not remain restricted to the tenure of a particular
government in either country. In this regard, a beginning could be made by signing the bilateral
extradition treaty.
d) Connectivity should be given top most priority. Both the countries should work together to
operationalise it.
e) There is need for addressing the issue of illegal migration. In this regard innovative measures
should be taken to resolve the problem, being extra careful to ensure that illegal migrants do not
acquire voting rights and Indian nationality.
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f) People-to-people contact needs to be encouraged; hence liberal visa system should be put in
place.
g) Trade relationship has improved significantly between the two countries. India has provided
zero duty access of Bangladeshi products thereby addressing the tariff related issue to a great
extent. The two countries should now consider an agreement on non-tariff barriers.
h) Indian investment should be encouraged in Bangladesh through visits of trade delegations,
trade fairs, and bilateral assurances on protection of the interests of potential investors.
i) Progress can be made by cooperating on common challenges like disaster management, food
and energy security.
j) Greater involvement of people and wider public debate on foreign policy issues will
discourage conspiracy theories and distrust.
k) A greater level of people-to-people contact should be encouraged.
l) Implement the no-firing policy fully. Ensure accountability to ensure that the image of India as
an enemy ceases to exist.
m) Fencing needs to be completed speedily and monitored effectively.This would create
misgivings but also ensure that Bangladesh knows that India means business. The state
governments and the Indian border forces seem receptive to such an idea
n) India and Bangladesh need to strengthen their military ties. They are being revived after a
long gap but much more can be done in terms of increasing visits, contacts at various level as
well as by selling military hardware. Apart from initiating joint exercises, India should consider
the China model of gifting hardware in the initial instance, and offer technical expertise that
Bangladeshi military is in need of. They have to be weaned away from Pakistan and China.
There can be no overnight successes but sustained efforts are essential.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modis-twoday-bangladeshvisit/article7289488.ece

http://www.voanews.com/content/indian-prime-minister-seals-border-other-deals-withdhaka/2810892.html

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Uzbekistan - 6 July

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 6, 2015 begins Central Asia and Russia tour to boost
energy and trade ties. He departed for Uzbekistan, the first leg of his eight day tour to five central
Asian countries and Russia. During the visit, the Prime Minister will meet Uzbekistan President
Islam Karimov and sign key agreements to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
After Uzbekistan, Prime Minister Modi will visit Kazakhstan. Stressing on the importance of
India-Kazakhstan relations, the Prime Minister had stated that New Delhi and Astana share a
strategic partnership. Prime Minister Modi will then go to Russia to participate in BRICS and
SCO Summit at Ufa. After Russia, the Prime Minister will go ahead with his visit to
Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimated that trade with the five Central Asian countries
of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan can multiply manifold
from the small base of 1.4 billion US dollar currently.According to CII, the major areas of
opportunity for India in Central Asia include oil and gas, minerals and metals, agricultural
products, pharmaceuticals, textiles and chemicals.
The CII press release stated that the services sectors are an untapped potential between the two
sides, including sectors such as Information Technology, education and skill development and
tourism.The CII suggested that India and the Eurasian Economic Union should engage in Free
Trade Agreement negotiations on the fast track.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 7, 2015 released first Uzbek-Hindi dictionary in
Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He released the dictionary along with his Uzbek counterpart and Prime
Minster of Uzbekistan Indologist Rakhmatov in the event in presence of Hindi language students
and Indian community members. It was launched during his visit to central Asian Countries.

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In an address to indologists, PM referred the importance of Hindi. Hindi was set to increase with
India marching rapidly towards economic prosperity. He also referred to growing conflicts and
said he liked Uzbek President Islam Karimovs view that music could be the best means to stay
away from violence. There are over 3000 Indians in living in Uzbekistan.
Some facts of India-Uzbekistan relations

Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri visited Uzbekistan in January 1966 and died in
Tashkent. His name has been commemorated in Tashkent a street and school are named
after him and there is also a statue and a bust in his memory in the city. Consulate
General of India in Tashkent was formally inaugurated on April 7, 1987.
Prime Minister Narasimha Rao visited Uzbekistan in 1993 and Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh on April 25-26, 2006. President Karimov paid State visits to India in
1994, 2000, 2005, he paid his last to India in May 2011.
Uzbekistan supported Indias candidature for the non-permanent seat in the UN Security
Council (UNSC) for 2011-2012, and has been publicly supporting Indias inclusion as
permanent member of the UNSC.
Trade relations between India and Uzbekistan are governed by the Agreement on Trade
and Economic Cooperation signed in May 1993. Indias mainly exports drugs, other
pharmaceutical products, paper, wood products, machinery, garments & fabrics, tea,
plastic items, chemicals, surgical items and consumer goods to Uzbekistan.
Uzbek Radio has completed 50 years of Hindi broadcasting in 2012. Uzbek TV channels
have more than once telecast the Ramayan and Mahabharat serials.

In News
Modi visited five Central Asian countries and Russia recently. The ties with these nations were
strengthened and India was accepted as a full member of the SCO.

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About Central Asia

Central Asia stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China in the east and from
Afghanistan in the south to Russia in the north. It is also sometimes referred to as Middle
Asia.
Central Asia include these five republics of the former Soviet
.Union: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
Since the earliest of times, Central Asia has been a crossroads between different
civilizations. The Silk Road connected Muslim lands with the people of Europe, India,
and China.
Islam is the religion most common in the Central Asian Republics. Most Central Asian
Muslims are Sunni.

Agreements signed by Modi

Uzbekistan

Both nations agreed to intensity security cooperation & cyber security cooperation.
Both discussed steps to implement the contract signed earlier for supply of uranium from
Uzbekistan.
Discussed initiatives to enhance surface connectivity.
India invited Uzbekistan to become a member of International North South Transport
Corridor.
Also, both discussed about situation in Afghanistan.
Both agreed to expand cooperation in transport and communications. Particularly civil
aviation and surface connectivity.

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Uzbekistan reiterated its support to Indias candidature for permanent membership of the
UN security council.

International North South Transport Corridor:

It is a joint venture between Iran, India, Russia and Azerbaijan.

It will connect India to Central Asia through Iran via rail, road and ship network.
The objective of the corridor is to increase trade connectivity between major cities such
as Mumbai, Moscow, Tehran, Baku, Bandar Abbas, Astrakhan, Bandar Anzali
Goods from Russia, Azerbaijan, Kazakistan, Turkmenistan can be sent to India through
Irans Bandar Abbas port which is the fastest way to reach India.

Kazakhstan 7 July

India & Kazakhstan signed a deal for a renewed long-term supply of natural
uranium. Kazakhstan is a leading uranium producer globally. It will supply 5,000 tonnes
of uranium to India during 2015-19. This is the second such agreement between
Kazakhstan & India since 2009.
Both countries also signed defence cooperation pact.
Also a railway cooperation agreement was signed to boost connectivity.

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Turkmenistan 10-11 July

Seven pacts were signed. Key agreements include on:

1. Supply of Chemical Products between India & Turkmenistan.
2. Cooperation In The Field Of Sports
3. Cooperation In Science And Technology
4. Cooperation in Yoga and Traditional Medicine
5. Cooperation In The Field Of Tourism
6. Cooperation in the field of Defence
India pitched for early implementation of the $10-billion TAPI gas pipeline project
during talks with Turkmenistan terming TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-PakistanIndia) project as a significant initiative in relationship between the two countries.

TAPI project

The TAPI gas project is an over 1,800-km pipeline with design capacity to supply 3.2
billion cubic feet of

Red line shows TAPI pipeline

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natural gas per annum from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

The pipeline is expected to be operational by 2018 and will carry gas from
Turkmenistans Galkynysh field that holds gas reserves of 16 trillion cubic feet.
The project is being developed by the Asian Development Bank.

Kyrgyzstan 12 July

Inked four agreements, including defence cooperation a Memorandum of Mutual

Understanding and Cooperation in the field of elections.
Also an agreement was signed between the two countries election commissions.
Both countries also inked an MoU on cooperation in the fields of standards and culture.

Tajikistan 12-13 July

India has an operating Indian military Air Base at Farkhor, Tajikistan. It is operated by
the Indian Air Force in collaboration with the Tajikistan Air Force. Farkhor is Indias
first and only military base outside its territory.
Tajikistan is also the nearest to India among all Central Asian countries.
Modi inked agreements on culture and human resource development with Tajikistan.
Both have also agreed to strengthen defence cooperation.

Other Trips covered

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation: Modi attended Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
summit which took place at Ufa, Russia. India was granted a membership at this summit.

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About Shanghai Cooperation Organisation:

The SCO is a permanent regional association founded in Shanghai, China, on June 15,
2001.
Its activities include countering terrorism and extremism, cooperation in education as
well as in the energy, oil and gas, transport, communication and other spheres.
The SCO comprises Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan have observer status, while Belarus,
Turkey and Sri Lanka are partners for dialogue.
Russia has encouraged India to join the organisation as a full-time member, because they
see it as a crucial future strategic partner. China too welcomed Indias accession to the
SCO. India applied for membership in September 2014.

2015 India joins SCO:

On July 10 2015, the SCO decided to admit India and Pakistan as full members, and they
are expected to join SCO by 2016.

BRICS 7th Summit

The 7th BRICS summit was held on 8 July 2015.

Here the BRICS nations decided to lend in their own local currencies to the New
Development Bank starting April 2016.

What is New Development Bank:

The New Development Bank (NDB) is formerly called the BRICS Development Bank.
It is a multilateral development bank operated by the BRICS states (Brazil, Russia, India,
China and South Africa). It is seen as an alternative to the existing US-dominated World
Bank and International Monetary Fund.
The bank will be headquartered in Shanghai, China.
BRICS nations agreed to set up a bank in 2013. But the first agreement on the bank was
signed in 2014 during 6th BRICS summit.

Capital of the Bank:

The banks primary focus of lending will be infrastructure projects.

The bank will have starting capital of $50 billion, with capital increased to $100 billion
over time.
Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will initially contribute $10 billion each to
bring the total to $50 billion.
Each member cannot increase its share of capital without all other 4 members agreeing.
This was a primary requirement of India.
The bank will allow new members to join but the BRICS capital share cannot fall below
55%.

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Who will be the President & Chairman?:

The first president will be from India.

The first Chairman of the Board of directors will come from Brazil
The first chairman of the Board of Governors will be Russian.
In 2015, K. V. Kamath was appointed as President of the Bank.

Veto Power:

Unlike the World Bank, which assigns votes based on capital share, in the New
Development Bank each participant country will be assigned one vote, and none of the
countries will have veto power.

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Russia 810 July

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Delhi for the annual summit talks with
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday that is aimed at building on the already close
strategic ties, particularly in the fields of nuclear energy, hydrocarbons and defence.

.
MoU signed between TATA Power and Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF).

Here is the list of agreements signed during the official Visit of Putin to India.

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**********************************************************************
1. Protocol for consultations between the Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Foreign
Affairs of Russia for the period 2015-2016: Envisages close consultation between the two
Foreign Ministries on as many as 17 issues, ranging from Asia-Pacific to West Asia to West
Europe to Latin America as also at various multilateral for a like UN, G20, BRICS, SCO, RIC.
2. Agreement for Training of Indian Armed Forces Personnel in the Military Educational
Establishments of the Defence Ministry of the Russian Federation: Lays down provisions and
procedures for training courses in military educational and training establishments. It will
facilitate better understanding between the two defence forces.
3. Strategic Vision for Strengthening Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy between
the Republic of India and the Russian Federation: Envisages roadmap of bilateral cooperation in
the civil nuclear energy sector for the next two decades.
4. Provisions for the Technical Data and Information Nondisclosure in the framework of
cooperation in the field of Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy: Envisages provisions/terms of
information exchange between the nuclear agencies of both the countries. Will provide an
impetus to scientific and technological cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy.
5. Programme of Cooperation (POC) under Framework of Inter-governmental Agreement for
Enhancement of Cooperation in Oil and Gas in 2015-16: Sets out a concrete programme for
cooperation, envisaging projects including joint exploration and production of hydrocarbons,
long term LNG supplies and joint study of a hydrocarbon pipeline system connecting Russia
with India.
6. MoU between Quality Council of India (QCI) and Federal Accreditation Service of Russian
Federation on technical cooperation on accreditation: Aims at development of accreditation
systems, sharing of information, recognition of test reports, and creation of conditions for the
elimination of technical barriers in trade and economic cooperation.
7. Memorandum of Understanding between the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and
the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) on cooperation in Health Research:
Envisages programme of cooperation in specific areas of health research such as oncology,
bioinformatics and bioimaging, neurosciences, new generation vaccine research and research in
HIV/AIDS.
8. MoU between TATA Power and Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF): Describes
cooperation in exploring investment opportunities in the energy sector across the Russian
Federation.
9. MoU between ACRON of Russia and NMDC of India (consortium leader) to implement the
understanding reached to acquire stake in a potash mine in Russia: Envisages acquisition of
stakes by a consortium of Indian companies in a US dollar two billion project of ACRON, a
Russian fertilizer company.
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10. MoU between VTB (Vneshtorgbank) of Russia and ESSAR Group: Envisages finance
arrangement of US$ one billion to ESSAR by VTB for general corporate purpose.
11. MoU between IDFC (Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation Ltd) and RDIF
(Russian Direct Investment Fund) on a co-investment opportunity up to US $ one billion:
Describes terms and conditions on creation of a fund for investments in India and Russia.
12. MoU between 'Oil India Limited' and 'Zarubezhneft': Envisages cooperation in joint search
and evaluation of new hydrocarbons exploration, production, and transportation projects. Will
facilitate technological association on hydrocarbon projects in India.
13. MoU between FICCI and Delovaya Rossiya: It aims at broadening and strengthening
economic ties and identifying new areas of economic cooperation. It will facilitate exchange of
information and support to enterprises in both countries.
14. MoU between news agencies PTI and TASS: Envisages cooperation on exchange of news
and the right to use news items. Aims at exchange of expertise and technical assistance through
contacts between editorial staff, experts, journalists, press photographers and senior managers.
15. MoU between Electronics and Software Export promotion Council of India (ESEPCI) and
Skolkovo Foundation of Russia: Describes support to companies in the Information Technology
and 'innovation' sectors in their efforts to enter new markets by means of joint ventures, strategic
alliances and in joint research and development.
16. MoU between ESSAR and ROSNEFT for long-term supply of crude oil: Envisages ten year
supply and purchase by India of crude oil and feed stocks/products.
17. Supplement to the General Framework Agreement (GFA) for Units 3 and 4 of Kudankulam
Nuclear Power Project between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and
ATOMSTROYEXPORT (ASE): It will operationlise the General Framework Agreement (GFA)
and Technical Commercial Offer (TCO) signed in April 2014, for the implementation of
Kudankulam Nuclear Power project (KKNPP) Units 3 and 4.
18. Contract between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and
ATOMSTROYEXPORT (ASE) for unit 3 and 4 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant: It will
mark the commencing of the implementation of the Units 3 and 4 of Kudankulam Nuclear Power
with supply of some major equipment by ATOMSTROYEXPORT.
19. MoU between Gamesa Wind Turbine Pvt Ltd of India and ROTEK of Russia: It will
facilitate cooperation between the two companies in wind power equipment.
20. MoU between EIRENE SYSTEMS and GLONASS Union: Envisages a joint venture to
market GLONASS technologies and solutions in India. Will contribute to joint development and
implementation of projects like 'Navigation Platform' and 'Geographical Information System' in
India.

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United Arab Emirates 16-17 August

India, UAE released Joint Statement to take bilateral relations to a higher level

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Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, visited the United Arab Emirates from 16-17 August
2015 after 34 years marks the beginning of a new and comprehensive strategic partnership
between India and UAE in a world of multiple transitions and changing opportunities and
challenges. .

India and UAE, these two countries have the potential to build a transformative economic
partnership, not only for sustained prosperity of their two countries, but to also advance
progress in the region and help realize the vision of an Asian Century.
India and UAE share centuries-old ties of commerce, culture and kinship.
The two nations reject extremism and any link between religion and terrorism.
Proximity, history, cultural affinity, strong links between people, natural synergies,
shared aspirations and common challenges create boundless potential for a natural
strategic partnership between India and UAE.

Abu Dhabi, His Highness Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed AI Nahyan and Prime Minister
Narendra Modi agreed to seize this historic moment of opportunity and shared responsibility to
chart a new course in their partnership for the 21st century which includes:

Elevate the India-UAE relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Coordinate efforts to counter radicalization and misuse of religion by groups and
countries for inciting hatred, perpetrating and justifying terrorism or pursuing political
aims
Denounce and oppose terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
Enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing and capacity
building.
Work together for the adoption of Indias proposed Comprehensive convention on
International Terrorism in the United Nations.
Work together to control, regulate and share information on flow of funds.
Strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, anti-money laundering, drug trafficking,
other trans-national crimes, extradition arrangements, as well as police training.
Promote cooperation in cyber security, including prevention on use of cyber for
terrorism, radicalization and disturbing social harmony.
Establish a dialogue between their National Security Advisors and National Security
Councils.
Cooperate to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean region, which
is vital for the security and prosperity of both countries.
Promote collaboration and inter-operability for humanitarian assistance and evacuation in
natural disasters and conflict situations.
Strengthen defence relations.
Cooperate in manufacture of defence equipment in India.
Work together to promote peace, reconciliation, stability, inclusiveness and cooperation
in the wider South Asia, Gulf and West Asia region.
Support efforts for peaceful resolution of conflicts.
Call on all nations to fully respect and sincerely implement their commitments to resolve
disputes bilaterally and peacefully.
Establish a Strategic Security Dialogue between the two governments.

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Facilitate participation of Indian companies in infrastructure development in UAE.

Promote strategic partnership in the energy sector, including through UAEs participation
in India.
Further promote trade between the two countries.
Tap Indias expertise in Small and Medium Enterprises to create a vibrant industrial base
in UAE, which could also be of benefit to Indian enterprises.
Strengthen cooperation between UAEs increasingly sophisticated educational
institutions and Indias universities and higher research institutions
Promote cooperation in Space, including in joint development and launch of
satellites.UAEs plan to set up the West Asias first Space Research Centre at AI Ain and
plans to launch a Mars Mission in 2021.
Cooperate in peaceful uses of nuclear energy including in areas like safety, health,
agriculture and science and technology.
Prime Minister thanked UAE for its support for Indias candidature for permanent
membership of a reformed United Nations Security Council.
The finalization of the post-2015 Development Agenda with elimination of poverty by
2030 as its core objective was a welcome development.
The International Conference on Climate Change in Paris in December 2015 should
produce an effective agreement, which includes provision of means and technologies to
developing countries to transition to clean energy.

Future visits
Modi will undertake the following international trips throughout 2015.

Country

Areas to be visited

Date(s)

Purpose(s)

United States

New York, San

Francisco

24-30
September

United Nations General Assembly

Turkey

Antalya

1516
November

G-20

United
Kingdom

London

November

State visit

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Israel

Tel Aviv

November

State visit

Palestine

Ramallah

November

State visit

Malaysia

Kuala Lampur

21-22
November

ASEAN-India summit and East

Asia Summit

Singapore

Singapore

November

State visit

Russia

Moscow

TBA

State visit

Pakistan

Islamabad

2016

SAARC Summit

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