Editor's Note
The new edition of Diplomatist is packed with the latest Diplomatic initiatives across the world. The G8 Summit, held in Japan’s Hokkaido city, drew universal attention for its focus on Climate Change and the consequent decision to bring down carbonaceous emissions by fifty percent in another 12 years. India and China wanted the top industrialized countries to cut the emissions first and lead by example. The issue of Climate Change continues to resonate in world forums.   Read the Note.  
 

SAARC SUMMIT IN COLOMBO
Leaders Vow to Fight Terror and Scarcity
“We cannot afford to lose the battle against the ideologies of hatred, fanaticism and against all those who seek to destroy our social fabric. We can go a long way if we cooperate, with one country’s strength complementing the other’s weakness.” – Dr. Manmohan Singh, Indian Prime Minister   Read the Article.  
 

TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE
Japan Shows the Way
In this exclusive article H.E Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, Prime Minister of Japan outlines a roadmap to tackle Climate Change related problems. This abridged version of the article is a speech made by the Prime Minister at the Japan Press Club recently. Calling for concerted action, he articulates Japan’s viewpoint of faster transition to clean technologies and the need to adopt a new thinking.   Read the Article. 
   

G8 SUMMIT: Climate Agenda on Top  
The G8 Summit held on the Japanese island Hokkaido had ‘Cool Earth - Cool Summit’ as one of the mottoes. Held from July 7-9 at the Windsor Hotel in the town of Toyako on the shore of Lake Toya, the G8 Summit brought together 16 nations, including the Group of 8 industrialized nations: the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Canada, Italy, Britain and Russia; the Group of 5 emerging economics: China, India, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa; and three other important trading partners: Australia, South Korea and Indonesia. Read the Article.  
 

BRIC SUMMIT: Russia Makes a Point
Yekaterinburg gathering was the first independent and formal meeting of the club
The BRIC is in its infancy. The most pertinent question that needs to be asked is how far this nascent body succeeds in making the collective dream a practical reality.  Read the Article.      
     

Indo-Bhutan Ties
On a New High After PMs Visits
Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley, the first Prime Minister of the recently democ ratized Bhutan, visited India from July 14-17.  Read the Article.  
 

SYRIAN PRESIDENT INVITES: Indian Businessmen  
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad visited India in the second week of June. The five-day state visit was significant as it came after a gap of 30 years after his father visited India as Syrian president in 1978. The Syrian First Lady Asma al-Assad and four cabinet ministers accompanied the President. Syria is now chair of the Arab League. Read the Article.
 

Luxembourg Woos India
India recently signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Luxembourg for avoidance of double taxation, prevention of tax evasion and promotion of economic cooperation between the two countries.   Read the Article.
   

BILATERAL NOTES
EU-India to hold trade talks
Indo-German Consultation on Development Cooperation
Chile for FTA with India
India-Indonesia Economic Talks
India To Strengthen Defence Ties With Poland
New Zealand Proposes FTA with India
India-Bulgaria Security Cooperation
Berlin Air Show Attracts india
India, Finland Pact on Science
India-Bahrain Pact on Expatriate Indians
India-Egypt To Exchange Industrial Know-How
   Read the Notes.
   

Diplomatic News
Brazil To Explore Opportunities in Indian Healthcare
Ecuador Minister Explores Cooperation in Mining
IDSA Conference On Africa And Energy Security
New EU Tariff Plan Benefit Indian Jewellery
   Read the News.  
 

SICA for Deeper Economic Ties
Foreign affairs ministers from the Central American Integration System (SICA) visited New Delhi from 10-12 June 2008, giving a new impetus to trade, investment and cooperation in IT and other important sectors. The foreign minister’s delegation met Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee.  Read the Article.  
 

Brunei King Visits India
The King of Sultanate of Brunei, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah made a state visit to India from 20-23 May 2008 to strengthen bilateral relations.    Read the Article.  
 

India-Kenya Economic Ties Looking Up 
The Indo-African summit meeting in New Delhi in April 2008, also participated by the Kenyan representatives, provides the context for such an analysis. The bilateral relations also bear special significance as country-specific relations are emphasized in the globalised world. Though trade between India and Kenya has grown steadily it is yet to reach its full potential. In the changed international scenario there is a vast opportunity for India and Kenya to strengthen their economic ties. India’s good reputation in Africa, the large Indian diaspora, democratic values, assurance of equal partnership etc. is some of the factors that can play an important role in bilateral relations and in boosting trade.  Read the Article.