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India, Sri Lanka to discuss detention of Indian fishermen on Dec 30

India, Pakistan exchange list of prisoners

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of External Affairs today said that it has taken note of reports about detention of 36 Indian fishermen by Sri Lankan Navy and both the countries have mutually decided to discuss the matter in a virtual meeting on December 30.

While addressing media here today, MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said that the Ministry will discuss the issue with the Sri Lankan government and press for the early release of the detained fishermen, apart from ensuring consular access to them.

On December 14 and 15, the Sri Lankan Navy “apprehended” 36 Indian fishermen and 5 of their fishing vessels.

“Similar information has also been received from the Government of Tamil Nadu,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said while responding to a query on the issue.

He said that the Government attaches high priority to this issue and the Ministry is in close touch with the Government of Sri Lanka through its High Commission in Colombo and the Consulate in Jaffna to verify the information and to ensure consular access and facilitate the early release of the fishermen and their boats.

The fishermen issue and the matter of fishing boats have been on the agenda of bilateral discussion between India and Sri Lanka for many years, MEA said.

“The two Governments have been seized of this essentially humanitarian matter at high levels. There exists a common understanding to handle the matter in a humanitarian manner.

There are well established bilateral mechanisms between India and Sri Lanka for discussions and cooperation on the issue of fishermen,” the MEA spokesman said.

He further said that since the established bilateral mechanisms between the two nations could not be convened due to ongoing Covid-19 related restrictions, it has now been mutually agreed to hold a meeting of the bilateral Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries through the virtual format on December 30, 2020.

“The JWG, which is led on our side by Secretary, Department of Fisheries, is expected to address all the issues relating to the subject of fisheries between India and Sri Lanka including release of apprehended fishermen and fishing boats, modalities of communication between relevant authorities on the two sides, cooperation in dealing with issues related to livelihood of the fishing communities on both sides and such other matters as are mutually agreed upon,” he said.

-ARK

Bangla PM raises Teesta river issue with Modi

Bangla PM raises Teesta river issue with Modi

New Delhi (NVI): Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today raised the issue of long-pending agreement on Teesta river water-sharing during her talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reiterated India’s “sincere commitment and continued efforts” in this regard.

A proposal to sign the agreement has been pending since 2011 because of stiff opposition by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who contends that the pact would hurt the interests of her state.

The stalemate on this issue has led to certain negative vibes in the India-Bangladesh relations and  Hasina reflected the impatience of her country during the talks today.

“Prime Minister Hasina highlighted the need for early signing of interim agreement for sharing of the Teesta waters, as agreed upon by both the governments in 2011. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s sincere commitment and continued efforts of the Government of India in that regard,” said a Joint Statement issued after the talks.

The two countries were set to sign the water-sharing agreement in September 2011 during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka but it was scuttled at the last moment because of objection expressed by Mamata Banerjee.

After Modi assumed power in 2014 and paid his first visit to Bangladesh in June 2015, he took Mamata Banerjee along and told Sheikh Hasina that he was confident a “fair solution” could be reached on Teesta through cooperation between central and state governments.

However, five years later, the issue remains struck and agreement pending.

Meanwhile, China stepped in and recently offered Bangladesh a loan of 1 billion dollars for maintenance and restoration of the Teesta river.

The Joint Statement issued today said the two leaders underscored the need for early conclusion of Framework of Interim Agreement on sharing of waters of six joint rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.

“Bangladesh side requested the Indian side to inform its concerned border authorities to allow excavation work of the remaining portion of the Rahimpur Khal for utilization of Kushiyara River waters for irrigation purposes,” it said.

The Indian side was also requested to provide early concurrence on the proposed MoU to be signed between the two countries for monitoring the withdrawal of water from the Kushiyara River by both the sides, pending signing of the Treaty/Agreement regarding sharing of water of the Kushiyara River.

The two leaders recalled the positive contribution of the Joint Rivers Commission and looked forward to the next round of Secretarial level JRC meeting at the earliest.

Both sides expressed satisfaction at the robust cooperation in the power and energy sector, including between the private sectors.

It was agreed to expedite implementation of projects including India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, Maitree Super Thermal Power Project as well as other projects.

Both sides welcomed the signing of the Framework of Understanding on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon Sector which would further augment energy linkages by streamlining investments, technology transfer, joint studies, training and promoting hydrocarbon connectivity.

It was also agreed to enhance cooperation in energy efficiency and clean energy, including in biofuels.In line with commitment of both countries to move towards green, clean, renewable sources of energy, it was agreed to strengthen subregional cooperation including with Nepal and Bhutan.

Both sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of power and energy connectivity.

In touch with China for 39 Indians on board 2 ships stranded in Chinese waters: MEA

MEA

New Delhi (NVI): India today said that it is in touch with China for the safe rescue of 39 Indian nationals on board two stranded ships in Chinese waters to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the crew are taken care of.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the bulk cargo vessel MV Jag Anand is on anchorage near Jingtang port in Hebei province of China since June 13, 2020 with 23 Indian nationals as crew on board.

“Another vessel, MV Anastasia, which has 16 Indian nationals as its crew, is on anchorage near Caofeidian port in China since September 20, 2020, waiting for discharge of its cargo,” MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said while addressing a press briefing here.

“Our Embassy is in touch with the Chinese authorities,” he said, adding that the Chinese authorities have conveyed that on account of various COVID-19 related restrictions imposed by the local authorities, crew change is not being permitted from these ports.

“The owners of these shipping companies, as well as the receivers of the cargo, have been made aware of the reasons for delay in unloading of the cargo,” he said.

“The Government continues to be in regular touch with the Chinese authorities to seek a resolution of these issues at the earliest and also to ensure that the humanitarian needs of the crew are taken care of,” Srivastava said.

Pertinent to mention here that both the countries are locked in a bitter dispute over border sharing issue in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) for around past eight months.

When asked about the present situation on the stalemate, the MEA spokesperson said that the two sides continue to maintain communication through diplomatic and military channels. These discussions have helped both sides to enhance understanding of each other’s positions, he added.

“It is our expectation that the further discussions will help both sides to achieve an agreement on a mutually acceptable solution for ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along the LAC in the Western sector and full restoration of peace and tranquility as early as possible,” Srivastava said.

-ARK

Dominic Raab visits Karnataka; India, UK sign agreements on climate change

Dominic Raab visits Karnataka; India, UK sign agreements on climate change

New Delhi (NVI): Concluding his three-day visit to India, United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab today visited Karnataka where a series of agreements were signed in Bengaluru between the two countries to boost partnership on climate change.

According to an official statement issued by the British High Commission (BHC), the UK Foreign Secretary met Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to discuss strengthening UK-Karnataka relations in key areas, including higher education, trade and investment.

During the meeting, Raab oversaw the signing of a British Council-Karnataka Government MoU which will accelerate cooperation in Higher Education partnerships, as well as increase student exchanges between Karnataka and the UK, the BHC said.

Speaking at a sustainability showcase held at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, Dominic Raab said: “The UK-India partnership is helping to create a cleaner, greener planet and our joint investment in the Neev fund will help give entrepreneurs and their ideas the opportunity to grow.

“I saw this collaboration in action when I met entrepreneurs who are already at the cutting edge of India’s clean growth transition and heard about projects like Blue Planet, which is finding environmentally friendly solutions to waste management and Chakr, which is working to reduce emissions from diesel generators,” he added.

Last evening, the Foreign Secretary had met key members of the Indian business community to discuss trade opportunities, the BHC said.

UK’s CDC Group, India’s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) and the Green Growth Equity Fund have announced £290m ($386m) investment to boost green energy transition, as per an official statement. The UK and India will co-invest £1.5m in the Neev fund to support green recovery, it added.

-ARK

Sweden, India to jointly address challenges hindering growth of healthcare startups

Sweden, India to jointly address challenges hindering growth of healthcare startups

New Delhi (NVI): The 13th edition of the high-level multi-activity annual event, Sweden India Nobel Memorial Week 2020 (SINMW’20), concluded today with Health talks on ‘Transformation of a Startup to a successful enterprise – Challenges that hinder the growth of Startups in India’.

The “Health Talks” were organized in partnership with Team Sweden – Ministry of Health & Social Welfare of Sweden, Embassy of Sweden and Consulate General of Sweden in Mumbai, Swecare and Business Sweden.

Last year, AIIMs Delhi and AIIMS Jodhpur, together with Business Sweden, launched the India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre, to create a cross country ecosystem of open innovation and to provide the opportunity for startups and health workers to resolve current and future challenges in healthcare.

At the final session of the ‘India-Sweden Health Talks’, Anna Lekvall, Consul General of Sweden in Mumbai said, “As we conclude the ‘Sweden-India Nobel Week’ digital programme this year, we are glad to connect and commit yet again on common interests and synergies. The ‘India-Sweden Health Talks’ in its second year was a unique series focusing on innovations, infection control, oncology and health ecosystems.

“Through these dialogues, we are reinstating Sweden’s longstanding partnership with India for innovative health solutions employing the triple-helix model engaging the Governments, academia and private enterprises.

 “The Covid-19 situation this year has only strengthened this engagement. We look forward to many more opportunities to collaborate, co-create and strategize on key values of innovations, sustainability, and gender equality to derive solutions to global challenges.”

 During the event, R. Ramanan, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission said, “These uncertain times have paralyzed nations across the world and have created many other healthcare challenges. The global crisis has raised the urgency for innovation, entrepreneurship and creative thinking to address challenges that we are facing now and likely to face post-Covid-19. The solution to all such health-related issues is driven by technology which is becoming affordable, accessible and available.

He further added that the development of Indo-Swedish healthcare Center in Jodhpur has brought together multiple stakeholders like the private sector, academia, global institutions and incubators & startups in a vibrant eco-system that is very fast developing in India.

“We are striving to create an innovative eco-system that not only helps startups to ideate, develop and deploy test solutions but also help them in scaling up the entire mechanism in India, Sweden and across the globe. Startups must be given an environment and mechanism where their product or solution gets scaled up because that would truly be a parameter to measure the success of that startup and also how innovative a particular eco-system and a country is,” said Shubhang Vikas, Senior Project Manager, Business Sweden.

With the focus on best practices between the countries and within the Indian eco-system, the last session also witnessed discussions on a broad set of challenges, best business practices and different stages of the business cycle of healthcare startups.

-ARK

India, Bangladesh restoring rail links destroyed in 1965 war

India, Bangladesh restoring rail links destroyed in 1965 war

New Delhi (NVI): India and Bangladesh today inaugurated a rail link as part of endeavour to restore all the six railway linkages that existed between them prior to the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

The linkages were damaged or destroyed in the 1965 war when Bangladesh was part of Pakistan and was known as East Pakistan, six years before its birth.

The restored railway link which was inaugurated today jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina is between Haldibari in West Bengal and Chilahati in Bangladesh.  The train operation will be operationalised as and when the COVID situation improves.

Prior to the 1965 war, there were at least six rail links between India and East Pakistan. Among the trains which ferried goods and passengers were East Bengal Express, East Bengal Mail and Barisal Express.

After inaugurating the Haldibari-Chilahati link, Modi and Hasina “noted with satisfaction the continued progress made towards the restoration of pre-1965 railway linkages between both nations.”They noted that this rail link will further strengthen trade and people-to-people ties between the two sides.

“The two leaders took stock of the ongoing bilateral connectivity measures and welcomed the recent initiatives including the signing of the second addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT), trial run of trans-shipment of Indian goods from Kolkata to Agartala via Chattogram and operationalization of Sonamura-Daudkandi Protocol route under the PIWTT,” said a Joint Statement issued after the talks.

Both the leaders also agreed to expeditiously operationalise trans-shipment of Indian goods through Chattogram and Mongla Ports.

“To facilitate better connectivity and simplify movement of passengers and goods between both the countries, both leaders agreed to an early operationalization of the BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement through expeditious signing of the Enabling MoU for Bangladesh, India and Nepal to commence the movement of goods and passengers, with provision for Bhutan to join at a later date,” it said.

Bangladesh Prime Minister expressed keen interest in the ongoing India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project and sought support of India for enabling Bangladesh to connect with this project with a view to enhance connectivity between the regions of South and South East Asia.

“In the same spirit, the Indian side requested Bangladesh to allow connectivity from West Bengal (Hilli) to Meghalaya (Mahendraganj) via Bangladesh,” the Joint Statement said.

India reiterated its request to the Government of Bangladesh of having at least one Land Port with minimal negative list between each neighbouring states of India and Bangladesh, beginning with Agartala-Akhaura.

Bangladesh side proposed that Bangladeshi trucks avail of the Feni Bridge, once completed, for transportation of goods from Chattogram port to the North East of India.

Acknowledging the vibrant development partnership between the two countries, both sides stressed on active operationalization of the recently-constituted High Level Monitoring Committee headed by Secretary, Economic Relations Division from Bangladesh and the High Commissioner of India in Dhaka to regularly review the progress of the LOC Projects for their early completion.

Both sides noted with satisfaction the commencement of a temporary Air Travel Bubble between the two sides to facilitate the urgent requirements of travellers on both sides during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bangladesh side also requested the Indian side to resume regular travel through land ports at the earliest.

Covid-19 vaccinations in European Union to start from Dec 27

New Delhi (NVI): The European Union (EU) is to start Covid-19 inoculations on December 27, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today said.

“It’s Europe’s moment. On 27, 28 and 29 December vaccination will start across the EU,” she tweeted.

Von der Leyen confirmed the planned timetable for the start of inoculations for the European Union’s 450 million citizens.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is set to meet on Monday to authorise the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine even as the UK and US have already begun administering the vaccine amid a surge in coronavirus cases.

The EU is carrying out a coordinated vaccination programme across its 27 member states to ensure fair access to doses.

European Commission has sealed contracts with seven suppliers of potential vaccines to ensure all adult EU citizens will eventually be able to be inoculated.

However, member states will decide who gets priority for the injections, but the elderly and healthcare workers treating Covid-19 patients will be at the front of the queues.

The vaccine developed by US giant Pfizer and German firm BioNTech has proven to be 95% effective in global trials where two doses are injected three weeks apart.

In Europe, that vaccine is produced in a Pfizer facility in Belgium and sent out in trucks and planes. It must be stored at -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit) to keep it viable, but can be transported for short periods at 2-8 degrees Celsius.

Britain and the United States are already inoculating people with that vaccine under emergency national authorisations.

-CHK

Sports Ministry formally recognises yogasana as competitive sport

New Delhi (NVI): The Sports Ministry today formally recognised yogasana as a competitive sport, which will enable it to avail government funding.

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Minister of AYUSH Shripad Yesso Naik formally promoted yogasana as a competitive sport during a joint press conference held in New Delhi.

The move was made to encourage yoga, spread awareness about its benefits and to help improve physical and mental wellbeing of the people.

Kiren Rijiju said during the event, “Yogasana has been a competitive sport for a long time. But it has to be recognised by the Government of India so that it becomes an official and recognised competitive sport.”

The Sports Minister also said yogasana will be inducted in future Khelo India Games programme.

“It’s popularity will not doubt increase in India and we will include it in the Khelo India School and University Games,” Rijiju said.

While addressing, Shripad Naik traced the origins of Yogasana competitions to the Indian Yoga tradition, where such competitions have been held for centuries

He said that they are still being conducted today at multiple levels, but a strong and sustainable structure to impart national visibility to the competitions is yet to emerge.

The minister also said that Yogasana is an integral and important component of Yoga, which is psycho-physical in nature and popular across the globe for its efficacy in fitness and general wellness.

He further said “Yogasana becoming a sport will also ensure new technologies and new strategies being inducted into the disciplines, to benefit our athletes and officials towards building fruitful and fulfilling careers in this field”.

An International Yogasana Sports Federation was formed under the presidentship of yoga guru Baba Ramdev with DR HR Nagendra as secretary general in November last year.

For competitions, 51 medals have been proposed in four events and seven categories in the sport.

Events proposed include traditional yogasana, artistic yogasana (single and pair) , rhythmic yogasana (pair, free flow/group yogasana), individual all round-championship and team championship.

-CHK

DAC approves acquisition of weapon systems worth Rs 28,000 cr

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

New Delhi (NVI): In the wake of India-China face-off, the Defence Ministry today cleared acquisition proposals worth Rs 28,000 crore of which procurement worth Rs 27,000 crore is to be sourced from domestic industry.

This is a big boost to the Centre’s ‘Make in India’ plan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the procurement proposals while heading a Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting here.

The DAC approved Capital Acquisition proposals of various Weapons/Platforms/Equipment/Systems required by the Indian Army, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force at an approximate overall cost of Rs. 28,000 Cr, PIB’s Defence Wing said in a statement.

Notably, this is the first meeting of the DAC under the new regime of Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 and these are the first set of Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) accorded with the majority AoNs being accorded in the highest categorization of Buy Indian (IDDM).

6 of the 7 proposals, that is, Rs 27,000 crore, out of Rs 28,000 crore for which AoNs were granted will be sourced from the Indian industry to give a boost to the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government, as per an official statement.

Acquisition proposals approved today include the DRDO designed and developed Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) Systems for the Indian Air Force, Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Indian Navy and Modular Bridges for the Indian Army.

-ARK

India pledges $1 million to WADA for scientific research

New Delhi (NVI): Taking a step further to ensure an atmosphere of Clean Sport globally, India has pledged a sum of USD 1 million to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) towards the global agency’s scientific research budget, highest among contributions made by other world governments.

This contribution will allow WADA to develop innovative anti-doping testing and detection methods. The money will also be used to further strengthen WADA’s independent Investigations and Intelligence Department, according to a statement by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

India’s contribution of USD 1 million is the highest among contributions made by other world governments, including China, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The total contribution of all member nations will be matched by an equal sum by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to create a corpus of USD 10 million, the statement added.

The decision to build this corpus was made at WADA’s Fifth World Conference on Doping in Sport held in Katowice, Poland in 2019. This contribution is over and above the annual contribution made to WADA’s core budget by India.

Writing to WADA President Witold Banka about the contribution, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “I am happy to share with you that the Government of India is pledging a ‘one-off’ financial support of USD 1 million to this WADA Fund for scientific R&D and (I&I) with the hope that this contribution from India will boost the efforts to achieve the target of USD 10 million for this Fund.”

In a previous meeting with the WADA President, held on September 8, 2020, through video conference, Rijiju had stressed on the need for Clean Sport and the Indian Government’s commitment to strengthen the anti-doping programme globally.

He had also assured India’s support to WADA in the form of scientific expertise and resources.

Lauding the co-operation of member countries, WADA President Witold Banka said in a press release, “This is a massive boost for WADA and for Clean Sport. The agency is grateful to the Government of China, Egypt, India and Saudi Arabia for supporting the protection of sport in this way.”

“These generous contributions can be seen as a strong commitment from these nations and will be put to good use enhancing scientific research, as well as the work of WADA’s independent (I&I) department. Both areas have delivered significant achievements in recent years and these additional resources will contribute greatly towards WADA’s mission for doping-free sport,” Banka added.

-CHK

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