BILATERAL ISSUES

a. IRAQ
1. George Raju appointed as the next Ambassador of lndia to the Republic of lraq, New Delhi, 24 September 2015
George Raju, presently Consul General in Consulate General of India, Saint Denis, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to the Republic of Iraq. He is expected to take up his assignment shortly.
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi

b. KUWAIT
2. Kuwait Airways flies direct to Ahmadabad and Bangalore, Kuwait, 7 September 2015
With effect from 1 September 2015, Kuwait Airways has started three direct flights a week from Kuwait to Ahmadabad and to Bangalore. Kuwait Airways flights to Ahmadabad are on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays while its flights to Bangalore are on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. In addition to the above, Kuwait Airways has already been operating flights to Chennai, Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. Kuwait Airways flights to various destinations in India are as under:
Ahmadabad    :    3 flights a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday)
Bangalore    :    3 flights a week (Tuesday, Friday, Sunday)
Chennai    :    4 flights a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday)
Delhi        :    Daily flight
Kochi        :    Two flights daily
Mumbai    :    One flight daily + Two flights on Thursday
Thiruvananthapuram: 4 flights a week (Saturday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday)
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait

3. Indian Industry to showcase its mettle at “BIG 5 Kuwait”, Kuwait, 10 September 2015
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), New Delhi with the support of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, New Delhi is organizing an “INDIA PAVILION” at ‘THE BIG 5 Kuwait’, an International Construction Technology & Building Materials Trade Exhibition, being held at the Kuwait International Fair Ground (Hall 6), Mishref, Kuwait from 14-16 September 2015.

Kuwait’s Development Plan (2015-2020) envisages diversifying its economy away from oil and increasing investment in sectors such as real estate, construction of new cities, hospitals, housing units, infrastructure, roads, airports, metro and railway projects, power and transmission, petrochemicals, gas processing and pipelines among others. This represents a major opportunity for Indian companies to step up its bilateral economic relations with Kuwait. Total bilateral trade between India and Kuwait during the Financial Year 2014-15 was US$ 14.58 billion. Out of this, India’s import of POL from Kuwait amounted to US$ 12.22 billion, while non-oil bilateral trade was a little over US$ 2 billion. As there is a need to deepen and widen the trade basket between our two countries, “India Pavilion” at “The BIG 5 Kuwait will provide an excellent platform for networking and one-to-one business meetings with potential customers.

Fifty leading companies from India are expected to participate in the India Pavilion. These companies will showcase a wide range of products including building material & construction equipment; bathrooms, kitchens & sanitary ware; marble, ceramic & stone; metal, steel & aluminium; concrete & related products; construction tools; conveying systems; decorative products; electrical systems; facilities management services; finishes (coating, painting, gypsum, tiling); fire suppression & protection; glass & glazing; HVAC; landscaping products & services; building services; communications; pipelines; plumbing & water technology; PMV & related products; safety & security equipment; scaffolding; software & IT; special construction (swimming pools, fountain); thermal moisture, protection & insulation; windows, doors & cladding; wood, plastic & composite, etc.
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait, http://www.indembkwt.org/DispNews.aspx?ID=840

3. Visit of Indian Naval Ships (INS), INS Deepak and INS Tabar to Al-Shuwaikh Port, Kuwait, 14 September 2015
As part of a goodwill visit to strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Kuwait, two Indian Naval Warships INS DEEPAK and INS TABAR have entered Al-Shuwaikh Port on 13 September 2015.

While INS Deepak is a modern fleet tanker designed to be utilized as a fleet support ship, INS Tabar is the latest of the three Talwar class Stealth Frigates. INS Deepak has adequate facility for providing frontline support to fleet ships and has an advanced Integrated Platform Management System which seamlessly integrates auxiliaries and battle damage management of the ship using microprocessor based digital control systems. INS Tabar is one of the frontline combatants of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy. Her versatility, stealth and enhances sensor / weapon capability makes Tabar an indispensible asset, always ready on call to protect the maritime assets and sovereignty of the Nation.

During their short stay in Kuwait, the ships are scheduled to undertake various professional interactions with their counterparts in the Kuwait Navy, including exercise at Sea. The visit would also include training and sports events between the two navies. The members of the Indian community as well as schoolchildren from Indian schools in Kuwait are visiting the ships in large number. This deployment would add to another chapter to the cordial relations between India and Kuwait while enhancing bilateral defence cooperation. The last Goodwill call by Indian Navy was made in 2013, when INS Mysore and INS Tarkash had berthed in Shuwaikh port. Subsequently, INS Mysore revisited Kuwait on three occasions in June/July 2014, to facilitate the possible evacuation of Indian citizens from Iraq. Defence ties between both countries would further strengthen by increased service-to-service exchanges.
INS Deepak and INS Tabar will leave the Al-Shuwaikh Port on 16 September 2015.
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait

4. Indian Industry to showcase its mettle at “BIG 5 Kuwait”, Kuwait, 14 September 2015
1. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), New Delhi with the support of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, New Delhi is organizing an “INDIA PAVILION” at ‘THE BIG 5 Kuwait’, an International Construction Technology & Building Materials Trade Exhibition, being held at the Kuwait International Fair Ground (Hall 6), Mishref, Kuwait from 14-16 September 2015. Sunil Jain, Ambassador of India to Kuwait inaugurated the India Pavilion on 14 September 2015.

2. The “India Pavilion” at “The BIG 5 Kuwait would provide an excellent platform for networking and one-to-one business meetings with potential customers. Fifty leading companies from India are participating in the “India Pavilion”. These companies are showcasing a wide range of products including building material & construction equipment; bathrooms, kitchens & sanitary ware; marble, ceramic & stone; metal, steel & aluminium; concrete & related products; construction tools; conveying systems; decorative products; electrical systems; facilities management services; finishes (coating, painting, gypsum, tiling); fire suppression & protection; glass & glazing; HVAC; landscaping products & services; building services; communications; pipelines; plumbing & water technology; PMV & related products; safety & security equipment; scaffolding; software & IT; special construction (swimming pools, fountain); thermal moisture, protection & insulation; windows, doors & cladding; wood, plastic & composite, etc.
Source: Embassy of India, Kuwait

c. LIBYA
5. Travel Advisory against travel to Libya, New Delhi, 4 September 2015
In view of the deteriorating security situation in Libya, Government of India has issued several advisories for Indian nationals to avoid travel to Libya. The Advisory is once again reiterated advising all Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Libya and NOT to take any employment in Libya.
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi

d. OMAN
6. Celebrating United Nations International Day of Non-Violence, Doha, 29 September 2015
The United Nations International Day of Non Violence will be celebrated on 2 October 2015. The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi falling on 2nd October was declared the UN International Day of Non Violence through a resolution by the United Nations on 15 June 2007. The resolution supported by over 140 countries is a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy of non-violence. The resolution reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.

The Embassy of India together with the Rajyoga Centre for Self Development is organizing an event on the occasion on 2 October 2015 from 7 PM to 9 PM at the Indian Embassy Chancery Auditorium. Several dignitaries from Oman including diplomats of various countries, UN agencies, government officials, businesspeople and schoolchildren are expected to attend this high profile event. The speakers will include Dr. Ali Saud Al Bemani, Vice Chancellor of the Sultan Qaboos University and the keynote speaker will be B.K. Arti from Brahma Kumaris Inner Space, London. The Omani youth forum “Y-Peer” will present a creative art form on the theme of non-violence and the students of Indian School Muscat will stage a dance-drama, underlying the importance of peace and nonviolence. The event will conclude with a message by young students.
Source: Embassy of India, Muscat

e. QATAR
7. Open House on 23 September 2015, Doha, 23 September 2015
The monthly Open House to address urgent consular and labour issues/cases of Indian nationals in the State of Qatar was held at the Embassy on 23 September 2015. Ambassador Sanjiv Arora, Deputy Chief of Mission R.K. Singh and other officials met all the complainants, discussed their problems and assured them that the Embassy would actively follow up their cases with the authorities concerned in Government of Qatar. Arvind Patil, President of Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), a community association working under the aegis of the Embassy for the welfare of Indian workers, also attended the Open House.

Embassy officials regularly visit the Central Prison and Deportation Centre to enquire about the welfare of detainees from India. The total number of Indian nationals in the Central Prison and the Deportation Centre currently is 98 and 203, respectively.

During the current year, the Labour and Community Welfare Section of the Embassy have received a total of 3,117 complaints so far. The number of complaints received during 2014 was 3,943.

The number of deaths registered in the Embassy in September 2015 so far is 11. The number of deaths registered during 2015 so far is 209. The number of deaths registered during 2014 was 279.

On the basis of requests received from the Qatari authorities for travel documents for Indian nationals in the Deportation Centre, the Embassy has issued 22 Emergency Certificates (ECs) in September 2015. The Embassy also issued 23 air tickets to Indian nationals in distress for their return to India in September 2015.

Indian Community Benevolent Forum [ICBF] continues to help Indian workers through various welfare measures, including provision of air tickets, financial assistance and medical help. The assistance given by the ICBF to Indian nationals during September 2015 includes 5 air tickets for destitute workers.
Source: Embassy of India, Doha

8. Visit of Indian Navy’s Western Fleet Ships INS Delhi and INS Trishul to Qatar (14-17 September 2015), Doha, 14 September 2015
In the framework of the excellent relations and multi-faceted and growing cooperation between India and the State of Qatar, two warships of Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, INS Delhi and INS Trishul will be making  a  goodwill  visit  to Qatar from 14-17 September 2015.

Indian Naval Ships Deepak, Delhi, Tabar and Trishul are on a month-long deployment to the GCC region to enhance bilateral ties and engage in naval exercises with friendly regional navies. The visiting ships form part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet and are based at Mumbai. The Embassy deeply appreciates the support of the Government of Qatar and Qatar Emiri Navy in arranging the visit of Indian Naval ships.

India has an ancient maritime tradition and maritime interaction with the Gulf dating back to over 4000 years B.C. The Indian Navy has multi-dimensional capability comprising aircraft carriers, modern ships, submarines, aircraft and marine commandos. A notable feature of the Indian Navy’s force structure is the fact that the overwhelming majority of its ships are designed and constructed in India.

The Indian Navy has close and friendly ties with all navies in the Gulf and has been regularly exercising with many of them. The Indian Navy is also privileged to provide training and hydrographic support to several navies in the region. The involvement of Indian Naval ships in combating piracy off the coast of Somalia since October 2008 has further strengthened bilateral ties and interactions with navies in the region.

During the visit, the warships will have professional interactions for enhancing cooperation and sharing the nuances of naval operations including disaster management and combating maritime threats of terrorism and piracy. Apart from professional interactions, sports and social engagements are also planned, which are aimed at enhancing friendship and cooperation between the Navies.

Bilateral relations between India and Qatar have traditionally focused on economic and people-to-people linkages. The last decade has witnessed steady growth in the defence relations between the two countries, which was further strengthened by the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in November 2008. The setting up of the India-Qatar Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) has enhanced cooperation in the fields of training, strategic study, conduct of exercises and information sharing. JDCC has held four meetings so far; its last meeting was held in New Delhi on 6 January 2015.

The growing naval cooperation between India and Qatar is further demonstrated by the increased high-level visits in addition to training of naval officers and port visits by naval ships. India and Qatar are also members of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), a voluntary and cooperative initiative among 35 countries of the Indian Ocean Region, which has served as a highly useful forum for sharing of information and cooperation on maritime issues.

The visit of INS Delhi and INS Trishul would further strengthen the deep-rooted bonds of friendship between India and Qatar, and defence cooperation between the two countries.
Source: Embassy of India, Doha 

f. SAUDI ARABIA
8. PM greets the people of Saudi Arabia on Saudi National Day, New Delhi, 23 September 2015
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Saudi Arabia on Saudi National Day. "Greetings and best wishes to the people of Saudi Arabia on Saudi National Day", the Prime Minister said.
Source: Prime Minister Office of India, New Delhi

9. PM condoles the loss of lives due to stampede in Saudi Arabia, New Delhi, 24 September 2015
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives due to the stampede in Saudi Arabia. "...Distressing news from Mecca. Pained at loss of lives due to the stampede. Condolences to families of the deceased and prayers with the injured," the Prime Minister said.
Source: Press Information Bureau, New Delhi

g. UAE
10. Registration for recruitment of Indian workers on eMigrate System, Abu Dhabi, 02 September 2015
This is in continuation of Embassy’s Press Release dated 31 May 2015 on the registration for recruitment of Indian workers on eMigrate System.

Based on the feedback received from various stakeholders necessary instructions and clarifications are given with regard to FE registration process and using eMigrate system for recruitment directly or through RAs:
FE Registration:
(i) FE registration shall be applicable for recruitment through RA or direct    recruitment as per the schedule prescribed in office order dated 21 May 2015.
(ii) Projected demand shall not be taken from the FE at the time of registration.
(iii) FE shall be notified by email to submit Hard copy of the documents mentioned in      the e-migrate at Indian mission within 10 calendar days of online registration. Reminder email to be sent to FE on 5th day if documents are not submitted at Indian Mission.
(iv) FE registration applications shall be processed further only after the hard copies are marked as received in the system. The documents shall be received at the embassy irrespective of their order/dates of application. After the documents have been marked as received, the Indian Mission shall process and on being satisfied, give approval for FE registration for five years.
(v) Those applications for which the hard copies of documents are not marked as   received by the Indian Mission within 10 calendar days, shall be deleted from the  system and if FE desires to register with eMigrate system, he shall be required to  apply again.

Direct Recruitment under Indian Mission Attestation:
(i) FE to register in eMigrate and obtains user id and password (for using eMigrate to recruit directly), as elaborated in para 2 above.
(ii) FE to obtain attestation of visa from Indian Mission as per the current process at Indian Mission. (Offline process outside eMigrate system)
(iii) FE to submit emigrants’ details online in eMigrate specifying Job Designation,   Salary etc. and upload the visa attested by Indian Mission. On completion of this   step an auto-generated email will be sent to employer by eMigrate system giving    Job Id and Job code.
(iv) Using the Job id and passport number of emigrant, employer can generate the  employment contract sign it and send to emigrant.
(v) Emigrant to apply online for emigration clearance by (validating the OTP and)   uploading required documents i.e. copy of passport, PBBY policy, signed     employment contract, photograph and also choose the desired PoE office.     Emigrant can also make online payment of fees Rs. 200/- for emigration      clearance. Offline payment through challan at designated SBI branch can also be       made and receipt can be deposited in PoE office by hand.
(vi) POE shall process the application for emigration clearance online, emigrant shall not be required to visit PoE office with hard copies of the document, as the passport details are validated with MEA database; PBBY policy is validated with Insurance Agency, and visa is attested by Indian Mission. At this stage, PoE shall  verify documents (uploaded by FE and emigrant, including the visa attestation   given by Indian Mission) online.
(vii) License copy/ Company Registration Certificate of FE is not required to be      attested by Indian Mission as FE is registered, these documents are uploaded by    FE at  the time of registration in eMigrate system and these are verified by Indian   Mission as part of FE registration process.
(viii) Employment contract is also not required to be attested by Indian Mission as it is to be generated from eMigrate system (after the job code is generated from the   system) in the format prescribed by Indian Mission. The Employment contract     shall be signed by FE and emigrant both and uploaded by emigrant at the time of  applying for emigration clearance.

The provision for direct recruitment under Indian Mission attestation as mentioned in para 2, shall be available till 31.12.2015.

The above revised procedure has also been explained online in the Resources tab of the website (www.emigrate.gov.in).
Source: Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi

11. 11th Session of India-United Arab Emirates Joint Commission Meeting, New Delhi, 03 September 2015
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of United Arab Emirates led a delegation of senior officials and chairpersons of leading UAE business houses to India for the 11th session of the India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting for Technical and Economical Cooperation, held on 2-3 September 2015, in New Delhi. His Highness was accompanied by Her Excellency Reem Ibrahim Al Hashimi, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During his visit, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan called on the Prime Minister of India and had meetings with External Affairs Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister for Railways, and National Security Adviser.

India and UAE enjoy strong bonds of friendship, which are founded on millennia-old cultural, religious and economic interaction between the two regions. The two countries are one of the largest trade partners for each other and have made robust investments with each other. UAE is the sixth largest source of our oil imports and hosts a 2.6 million-strong Indian Community.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan co-chaired the Meeting of the Joint Commission with External Affairs Minister of India. During the Joint Commission Meeting, the two sides discussed subjects like, Trade & Commerce; Investments; Finance & Banking; Energy, Hydro-carbons, Petrochemicals & Fertilizers; Defence and Space; Transport, Civil Aviation, Ports & Metrology; Health & Agriculture, Education, Culture & Tourism; Security and Combating Crime; Immigration, Consular and Indian Community related issues and arrived on agreements to enhance our cooperation in these areas. The recent historic visit of Prime Minister of India to the UAE has redefined India-UAE bilateral relationship and elevated it to a strategic partnership. The two sides agreed to increase the bilateral trade by 60 per cent over the next five years and also to encourage the investment institutions of the UAE to raise their investments in India, including through the establishment of UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund, with the aim of reaching a target of US$ 75 billion. The two sides agreed to work for early establishment of the planned India-UAE Joint Fund for investments in the infrastructure sector in India.

An India-UAE Joint Business Council was inaugurated by the two Foreign Ministers and the two sides signed MOUs on cooperation in the areas of Higher Education & Scientific Research; Tourism, Specifications and Measures, for cooperation between the respective Telecom Regulatory Authorities and also between the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Federation of UAE Chambers of Commerce & Industry.
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi 

MULTILATERAL
12. Hajj Pilgrimage 2015, New Delhi, 3 September 2015
The Ministry of External Affairs and Hajj Committee of India organizes the Hajj pilgrimage annually. Hajj 2015 commenced on 16 August 2015 and is proceeding smoothly. A total number of 1,36,020 pilgrims are expected to take part in Hajj 2015, of which 1,00,020 will be participating through Hajj Committee of India and remaining 36,000 through Private Tour Operators.

There have been some news reports about deaths of Hajj pilgrims. During Hajj 2015, there have been 21 deaths so far of which 20 have been due to natural causes and one due to road accident. Nineteen of the deaths have occurred due to cardiac arrest and one due to COPD with respiratory failure. The details of the pilgrims who have died, their personal particulars and the causes of death are enclosed. It should be noted that more than 40 percent of the pilgrims are above 60 years and of these, 13.5 percent are above 70 years.

The Ministry of External Affairs and Consulate General of India have taken several steps to provide good medical facilities free of cost for Hajj pilgrims. We have established a 40-bed hospital in Mecca, 40-bed hospital in Azizia and a 10-bed hospital in Medina. There are also 13 branch dispensaries in Mecca and 5 branch dispensaries in Medina which are all located close to the pilgrims’ accommodation and open round-the-clock. Ministry of External Affairs has also dispatched medicines and medical equipment worth Rs. 2 crores for use in these hospitals and dispensaries, which is provided free of cost to Hajj pilgrims. The Government has already deployed 134 doctors and 145 paramedics to provide specialized medical care. Steps are also taken to facilitate treatment in case of emergencies and also to arrange evacuation to India, if necessary.

Deaths due to natural causes are a normal occurrence during Hajj pilgrimage. Between Hajj pilgrimage in 2009-2012, there were 250-300 deaths annually, due to natural causes. The numbers have declined to 177 deaths in Hajj 2013 and 152 deaths in Hajj 2014, due to better treatment for pilgrims in High Risk Group and also a 20 percent reduction in overall quota for India. The fact that a very large number of pilgrims are above 60 and 70 years of age and are already facing several medical problems is the main reason for these deaths.

This is to reiterate that the Ministry of External Affairs remains committed to the welfare and well-being of Hajj pilgrims and is doing its utmost to ensure their well-being.
Source: Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi

Note: The Exact web links for the questions in the Indian Parliament are non-functional due to technical reasons. They can be searched through the question number or the name of the Member of Parliament concerned at the Websites http://rajyasabha.nic.in/ of Rajya Sabha and http://loksabha.nic.in/ of Lok Sabha.
1 Crore = 10 million. Lakh = 100,000

Compiled by Jatin Kumar

Jatin Kumar is a Doctoral candidate at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Email

As part of the policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spellings and date format to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND P R Kumaraswamy