Iran President Visits India; Talks Pipeline

Iran President Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visited India on 29 April 2008 and held discussions with the Indian leaders. In the short but fruitful visit, he accelerated the pace of US$7-billion gas pipeline project between the two countries. “We hope to finalise the Iran-India pipeline very soon”, announced Ahmadinejad in New Delhi. It may be recalled that India and Pakistan are reportedly close to striking a deal on how much New Delhi should pay Islamabad as transit fee for the fuel shipped through Pakistani territory.

After meeting his Indian counterpart Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Iran President told media agencies that Iran-India relation went beyond the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) vote, where India voted against Iran in 2005 and 2006. The Iran President had a long meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

When asked about the current nuclear programme in Iran, Mr. Ahmedinejad said the management of nuclear fuel was very much in the hands of the people of Iran.

Indian Foreign Secretary Mr. Shiv Shanker Menon, after meeting with Mr. Ahmedinejad, said the discussion with Iran President focused more on the gas pipeline and other economic issues. “India is keen to diversify the economic basket with Iran and increase trade and investment to US$30 billion”, the foreign secretary added.


New Envoys Present Credentials to President

Twelve new envoys have presented credentials to the President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil since our January edition. The First Batch of eight envoys presented credentials at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 16 February 2008. These included: H.E. Mr. Savenaca Kaunisela, High Commissioner for Fiji; H.E. Mr. Rupert Holborow, High Commissioner for New Zealand; H.E. Ms Nimisha Madhvani, High Commissioner for Uganda; H.E. Mr. Oscar Alfonso Silva, Ambassador of Chile; H.E. Dato Tan Seng Sung, High Commissioner for Malaysia; H.E. Mr. Brian Bowler, High Commissioner for Malawi; H.E. Mr. Stavros Lykidis, Ambassador of Greece; and H.E. Mr. Dick Esparon, High Commissioner for Seychelles.

The President during her interaction with the new Heads of Mission stated that India is committed to promoting peace and prosperity in the world and to have friendly relations with all countries. She wished the Ambassadors/High Commissioners success during their tenure in India. 

The Second Batch of four envoys presented credentials on 04 April 2008. These were: H.E. Mr. Marco Antonio Diniz Brandao, Ambassador of Brazil; H.E. Mr. Durgesh Man Singh, Ambassador of Nepal; H.E. Mr. Desire Koumba, Ambassador of Gabon; and H.E. Mr. Sedozan Jean-Claude Apithy, Ambassador of Benin.

The President during her interaction with the new Heads of Mission noted that all of the new Ambassadors were from developing countries. In this context, she emphasised greater cooperation between developing countries and stated that India was committed to enhancing South-South Cooperation. The President also stated that developing countries should work together collectively for a greater role in international bodies whether at the UN or the International Financial Institutions.

Both credential presentation ceremonies were attended by the senior members of the diplomatic missions, senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs and of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.


India's Economic Expansion Rides on Challenges: ESCAP

According to the latest survey of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (ESCAP), economic development in Asia and Pacific region, specified India’s economy entering into a new phase of high growth.

The formal launch of the survey entitled ‘Sustaining Growth and Sharing Prosperity’ was held in New Delhi. Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ESCAP launched the survey on 27 March 2008 in the presence of Kamal Nath, India’s Industry and Commerce Minister.

The sustained expansion of Indian economy would see growth between 8.5 and 9.5 percent over the medium term, following the growth of 8.7 percent in 2007, according to the survey. It also reported that ‘revolution’ through improved productivity in the Asia-Pacific agriculture sector could lift over 200 million people—a third of the region’s poor—out of poverty.

But the developing nations in Asia-Pacific will see growth moderating to 7.7 percent in 2008. Chronic neglect of the agricultural sector in Asia-Pacific is condemning 218 million people to continuing poverty and widening gap between the rich and poor. “Governments must show greater political will to address decades of policy neglect and failure in the agricultural sector,” stressed Noeleen Heyzer.

Showing both benefits and widening social costs—especially to families, marital stability, and children left behind—ESCAP pointed out the trend of ‘feminisation’ in shaping migration patterns, especially in temporary labour migration where restrictions rule out family members travelling to the county of employment. Climate change is one of the major concerns and the Asia-Pacific region needs to take the lead in mitigating and adapting to the threat, the survey said.

The high levels of public debts in South Asia continue to be a burden; drawing away much needed funds for development and basic services. The survey further said that lowering public debt ratios is essential to avoid adverse economic and social consequences.


13th EU Film Festival in India

The European Union (EU) organised its 13th EU Film Festival in India from 01-30 April 2008 at New Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai and Kozhikode. The festival showcased cultural eminence of rich European art and culture particularly in the light of the European Year of Intellectual Dialogue 2008.

The film festival was being organised with support from the Government of NCR of Delhi, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi; Nandan West Bengal Film Centre, Kolkata; Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, Kozhikode; National Film Archive of India, Pune; ICA Foundation in Association with South India Film Chamber of Commerce, Chennai. There is also support coming from Alliance Française de Delhi, Corporation of Kozhikode and Max Mueller Bhavan, Pune.

Depicting the inspiring diversity in the contemporary European film industry, each movie at the festival represented genres of gripping thrillers, finger-on-the-pulse comedies, and forceful modern-day dramas. The festival is conceived as a platform to witness diverse European cultures on one complete stage. Some of the notable movies in the list included Short Circuit(Slovenia), Long Weekend (Belgium), On the Other Side of the Bridge(Austria), Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of a Manic Depressive(UK) and Yella(Germany). The previous editions of the festival had highlighted the importance of cultural relations between the EU and India.


Kosovo Declares Independence

Thousands of jubilant civilians hoisted Albanian flags and fireworks lighted up the night sky in Pristina as parliament declared Kosovo’s independence on 16 February 2008. “From this day onward, Kosovo is proud, independent and free,” said Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, a former separatist guerrilla leader.

After a decade-long bloody conflicts that claimed thousands of lives in the region, the country’s lawmakers pronounced the territory the Republic of Kosovo and pledged to make it a democratic, multiethnic state. Kosovo province was under the UN administration and patrolled by NATO troops since 1999 bombing campaign against Serbs who suppressed the ethnic Albanian majority.

Amidst positive and negative viewpoints from various world leaders, New Delhi has reacted cautiously saying it was studying evolving situation, as there are several legal issues involved in declaration of Kosovo’s independence from Serbia. “It has been India’s consistent position that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be fully respected by all states” according to External Affairs Ministry, India.