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Indian Vice President Visits Myanmar
India’s Vice President Mr. Mohammad Hamid Ansari visited Myanmar between 5 – 8 February 2009. A delegation comprising parliamentarians and businessmen accompanied the VP. The Vice President inspected a guard of honour by the army.
Addressing a banquet hosted by his counterpart General Maung Aye, the Vice President said, “We have pledged to work together to strengthen our bilateral relations in the months and years to come. We share with you a vision of a partnership based on friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation”
The business delegation included officials of the Steel Authority of India, TATA Motors, Gas Authority of India Ltd. and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. TATA Motors is in the process of setting up a truck manufacturing plant in Myanmar. The delegation held talks with senior officials in the country in order to bolster ties that have been steadily improving. Indian Navy had extended commendable help during the cyclone ‘Nargis’ and was later joined by the Indian Air Force. India is also providing Technical know how to various infrastructure and development projects in that country. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) built the, 160 km-long Tamu-Kalewa-Kaylemyo road, on the Indo-Myanmar border.
Memorandum of Understandings were Signed by the V.P to set up an English Language Training Centre and Industrial Training Centre at Pakokku. He also inaugurated the Myanmar-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Yangon. The Vice Premier General of Myanmar, Maung Aye had visited India last year. During that visit, New Delhi committed US$120 million for power infrastructure upgrade in Myanmar.
First High Level Macedonian Visit
Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E Mr. Antonio Milososki visited India from 19-23 January 2009. This was the first high-level meeting from either side. The Minister met his Indian counterpart and the Speaker of Indian Parliament, Mr. Somnath Chaterjee. He also paid a commemorative visit to the home of Mother Teresa and expressed gratitude at the behest of Macedonian citizens.
H.E Mr. Milososki officially opened the Macedonian embassy in New Delhi. Besides, an agreement to abolish visas for diplomatic passport holders of both countries was signed.
Indian ties with Macedonia have progressed both culturally and economically over the past few years. Macedonians have utilized the ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation) scholarship network. In 2007-2008, Macedonian citizens utilized all the five allotted slots. The Foreign Services Institute, New Delhi has also received students from the country to attend its professional courses.
The two countries have agreements on Economic co-operation, Avoidance of double taxation, Cultural/ Sports co-operation and Custom matters and a MoU between the Foreign Service Institute, New Delhi and Macedonian Diplomatic Institute under various levels of discussion.
BIPA with Jordan and Serbia
The Indo–Jordanian Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement (BIPA) came into effect on 22 January 2009. This followed the exchange of Instruments of Ratification (IRs) between the two countries. Dr. Anup K. Pujari, the Joint Secretary (Foreign Trade), Department of Economic Affairs under the Ministry of Finance, and Mohamed Ali Daher, Ambassador of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan exchanged the Intruments. The Government of India has the BIPA in place for 75 countries. The BIPA with Serbia also came into effect the same day. Dr. Anup K. Pujari, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Mr. Vuk Zugic, Ambassador of Serbia signed the agreement and exchanged the RI’s. Republic of Serbia is the legal continuator of the erstwhile Republic of Yugoslavia.
The BIPA acts as a parent in each party country. It seeks to protect, nurture and grow investments from one country in the territory of the other country. BIPA seeks to increase the flow of investments without stepping on the rights of any country.
Investments are provided national importance and Most Favoured Nation treatment. National treatment implies a treatment which is as favourable as the one provided to own investors and investors from any other country.
The BIPA also includes a dispute resolution mechanism, which covers negotiations, conciliation and international arbitration. India’s current BIPA partners include Australia, the UK, France, Germany and Russia.
ASSOCHAM’s Indo-Arab Conference 2009 Calls for Higher Trade
The Indo-Arab Conference 2009 was held in New Delhi on 25 March. Organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), the conference focused on increasing trade ties between India and the Arab world, which is under the shadow of global economic meltdown.
Many Indian and Arab luminaries attended the conference. They talked about areas where the two civilizations could increase co-operation for mutual benefit. From the business and industry, a number of leading businessmen and top executives of big corporate houses was in attendance. They called for simplifying visa restrictions to facilitate the easy movement of people between India and the Arab world. They also suggested lowering of fees paid to acquire formal documents before beginning trade with Arab countries.
The main speakers from the Arab world included Egypt’s ambassador to India, Dr. Mohamed Abdel Hamid Higazy, Morocco’s ambassador Mr. Larbi Moukhariq, Chief Representative of League of Arab States Mission Dr. Ahmed Salem Al-Wahishi.
Al-Wahishi in his address recalled the steps taken to bring the business communities of both sides closer. Hailing the contribution of ASSOCHAM in this regard, he said ASSOCHAM was the first apex chamber to have started the much-important Indo-Arab Forum. He also suggested ASSOCHAM to come out with a special book showcasing facts, figures, trends of business and commercial links between the two sides.
Praising India’s role in enhancing ties with the Arab world, the Egyptian ambassador noted India’s support to the Arab world in many areas including the Palestine issue.
“Indo-Arab relations go back to centuries, and both the civilizations continue to enjoy cordial relations even now. Today, around 5-6 million Indians live in the Arab world, thereby contributing to its development in various areas. Our relations are strategic,” he added.
Kazak President Chief Guest at the Republic Day Parade
Kazakhzstan President, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev was the chief guest at the 60th Republic Day celebrations of India. The visit heralded a new wave of cooperation between the two countries.
The two countries inked five agreements. They included an extradition treaty; three memorandums of association which were between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India and National Company KazAtomProm, Indian Space Research Organisation and the National Space Agency of Kazakhstan and ONGC Mittal Energy Limited (OMEL) and National Company KazmunaiG; and the supporting protocol for the accession of Kazakhstan into the WTO regime.
The visiting President met President Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice-President Mr. Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, Leader of Opposition Mr. L.K. Advani and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. He also caught up with industry captains when he attended the Indo-Kazakh business summit jointly organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), ASSOCHAM and FICCI.
The President took time to visit the Akshardham Temple and tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun. He also supported environmental causes and held discussions with Nobel Peace prize winner Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, who heads the Inter-Governmental Commission on Climate Change (IGCCC). The Kazakh President stated that both India and Kazakhstan possess large geographical lands and significant level of economic growth and should leverage these for economic and cultural growth.
Strengthening Indo-Afghan Ties
India’s External Affairs Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee visited Kabul close on the heels of the visit of Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Mr. Karzai had visited India on the invitation of Dr. Manmohan Singh.
Mr. Mukherjee met his counterpart Mr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta. Referring to 26/11, the Afghan Foreign Minister remarked, “Afghanistan is the victim of the same terrorists with the same sources. Now we discussed the issue, we discussed the problem how can we deal with this problem, and how we can increase understanding, the regional cooperation against terrorism”. Mukherjee also visited the Afghan president at his presidential palace.
During the presidents’ visit, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh conveyed that following the completion of the road from Zaranj to Delaram in South-western Afghanistan, a second major infrastructure project, the Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul transmission line and the sub-station at Chimtala in Northern Afghanistan would be handed over soon.
On the food front, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh promised 250,000 tonnes of wheat.
India-Bangladesh Friendship
Pranab Mukherjee on his visit to Bangladesh inked out various agreements to promote Indo-Bangla friendship. A BIPA (Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement) was signed with Bangladesh to bestow it MFN (most favoured nation) status. The countries also discussed border issues and the suitability of an anti-terror taskforce.
An old bilateral trade agreement was also renewed during the visit for a span of three years. Under the agreement both countries will now be able to use each other’s waterways, roadways, and railways for transportation of goods between two places in one country through the territory of the other. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee and his counterpart Dipu Moni signed the deal.
Ms. Moni assured “Bangladesh will not countenance any anti-Indian activity by elements inimical to the interests of India using Bangladesh territory” and asserted “We will not allow anyone to use our territory to harm anyone in the region. If we have concrete information we will definitely act on it.”
Benin President’s Visit
The President of Benin H.E. Dr. Boni Yayi was on a state visit from 3–7 March 2009.
Yayi was accorded a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Yayi extended his support to India in the fight against terrorism. He also favoured New Delhi’s inclusion in the reformed United Nations Security Council to have a democratic world order.
The President called on India’s President and the Prime Minister and the Vice President, External Affairs Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. L.K. Advani called on him.
The visit focussed on bilateral relations and strengthening of ties; the Benin President held discussions with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India and other business leaders.
India and the West African nation signed five agreements in the fields of small-scale industries, cultural and scientific cooperation and diplomatic exchange. India also offered Benin a liberalised line of credit for its developmental needs.
During his five-day visit to India, he also visited Agra, Mumbai and Bangalore. Benin, a flourishing democracy has a population of 9.3 million. India has always been on the forefront of assistance provided to Benin. India has gifted 100 trucks and various other agricultural requirements to Benin. The Country also utilizes the ITEC programme and is included in the Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) Scheme, started in April 2008.
The current India-Benin trade stands at US$350 million.
Anand Sharma in Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast
Minister of State for External Affairs and Information & Broadcasting, Mr. Anand Sharma visited Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast in January 2009. The visits provided a great opportunity for interaction at senior levels in both countries. The President of Ivory Coast, Mr. Laurent Gbagbo conferred the Commander of the National Order of Merit, to Mr. Sharma. This is the highest civilian award of the country.
The Minister met various dignitaries and discussed growing economic ties and Indian positions at the UN and particularly the permanent membership at the UNSC, recession and the Mumbai terror attacks.
The two countries were appreciative of India’s role as a growing economic powerhouse and welcomed the Indian initiative of sharing its expertise, technology and development strategies and experiences. India has been constantly assisting the two African countries in the development of agriculture, education, health, IT etc…
India signed a Joint Technical and Economic Co-operation Agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone during the visit. India also gifted 200 military barracks to the Government of Sierra Leone. The Ministry of External Affairs-funded Centre for Demonstration and Promotion of Technologies was inaugurated in Abidjan. The centrepiece of India – Ivory Coast co-operation would be the construction of the IT & BT Park, which will be named after Mahatma Gandhi.
India-Malaysia Labour Deal
India and Malaysia signed a labour deal, discussions for which were on for two years. The agreement would significantly improve the recruitment process of workers in both the countries.
“The agreement sets out the broad procedure for employment of workers and outlines the responsibilities of the employees, workers and recruitment agencies. India and Malaysia agreed to facilitate employment of workers between the two countries and promote orderly recruitment and deployment of workers,” said a statement.
Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and the Malaysian Human Resource Minister S. Subramaniam signed the MoU.
The Joined statement added, “The two governments will work together on pre-departure orientation and skill upgradation training. They have also agreed for protection and welfare of all categories of workers under the labour and other laws of the host country,”
A joint working group would be constituted for the execution of the MoU. The JWG will consist of at least 3 members each from India and Malaysia and it would meet twice a year. The JWG would also look at emerging trends in the labour market and review the skill set availability in both countries. One of the tasks would be to identify new areas for cooperation in the labour sector. The number of Indians employed in Malaysia exceeds one lakh and many of them are employed in the construction industry.
Pan-African e-Network Project Inaugurated
Heralding a new wave of Indo-African friendship and development, the Pan–African e-Network Project was inaugurated by Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, India’s External Affairs on 26th February 2009 at the TCIL Bhawan in New Delhi in the presence of a galaxy of High Commissioners and Ambassadors from African countries.
The network, which is a brainchild of former president Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam connects all 53 countries of the African Union with India, through a satellite and fibre optic network. This would help India to pass on its expertise, in areas like education and health care to Africa. The Minister described the project “a gift to Africa”.
The network is equipped to provide e-governance, e-commerce, infotainment, resource mapping, and meteorological support in addition to VVIP connectivity among African heads of state. The minister also had an instant online bilateral conversation with member countries. He expressed the desire that member countries use the facilities to the maximum.
The Pan-African e-Network Project was approved on 5th July 2007 at a cost of Rs 542.90 crores (US$105 million). The Ministry of External Affairs is in charge of the project while Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) is executing the project on a turnkey basis.
The precursor to the project was a pilot on tele-education and tele-medicine started in Ethiopia. Currently, 34 Ethiopian students are pursuing their MBA from IGNOU and would be completing their final semester in June 2009. They have not come to India, not even once, during their course of study.
India & Belgium Sign Social Treaty
A social treaty, which was signed between India and Belgium, would come into effect from June 2009. This is good news for Indian corporate houses and professionals as Belgium is in the heart of Europe and can be used as an expansion base.
The bill which was approved in November 2008 is historic because it is the first such agreement negotiated by the Government of India.
The treaty covers:
The agreement covers Indian and Belgium citizens who are covered under the social security umbrella of either country. An employer from one country would be able to assign employees to another country, while keeping them under the first countries legislation. This would only be possible if the expected duration of the work is less than 5 years. Exceptions can be granted after due consideration and agreements between the two sides.
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