BILATERAL ISSUES

EGYPT

Phone call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and His Excellency Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, President of Egypt, New Delhi, 26 May 2020.

In a telephone conversation today, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi conveyed greetings for Eid-ul-Fitr to H.E. Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, President of Egypt, as well as to the people of Egypt.

Reciprocating the greetings, the Egyptian President referred to Egypt and India as being among the oldest civilizations in the world, and expressed happiness about the fast expanding bilateral relationship.

Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the support extended by Egyptian authorities for the safety and welfare of Indian nationals in Egypt during the COVID-19 crisis.

Referring to his earlier planned visit to Egypt this year, which had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister conveyed his desire to meet President Sisi as soon as circumstances permit. Source: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

IRAN

HIL (INDIA) geared to provide locust control Pesticide to Iran, New Delhi, 24 May 2020.

Despite logistics and other challenges posed by Covid 19 lockdown HIL (India) Limited a PSU under Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers   ensured timely production and supply of pesticides for farming community.

HIL is now in process of production and supply of 25 MT Malathion Technical for supply to locust control programme to Iran under Government to Government arrangement.   Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has approached HIL for manufacturing and supply of said commodity to Iran.

Credit rating of Central PSU upgraded to BBB- from BB which is a stable investment grade.

The Company has exported 10 MT of fungicide - Mancozeb to Latin American country, Peru and another 12 MT will be exported in next one week.

HIL has also signed an agreement with Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare for the supply of Malathion Technical to Rajasthan and Gujarat for Locust Control Programme. HIL had manufactured and supplied 67 MT of Malathion Technical till last week

HIL supplied to malathion Technical to municipal corporations for dengue and chikungunya control programme.

Supply of 314 MT of DDT 50% wdp to various states like Rajasthan, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh etc. was executed as per the supply order placed by ministry of family welfares, NVBDCP programmes .the Company is in process of supplying balance quantity of 252 MT to other state.

During the lockdown period till 15th May 2020, HIL produced 120 MT of Malathion Technical, 120.40 MT of DDT Technical , 288 MT of DDT 50%, , 21 MT of HILGOLD (Water Soluble Fertilizer), 12 MT of Mancozeb Fungicide for Exports and 35 MT of different agrochemical formulations so that farming community and health department may not feel the heat of lockdown. Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB).

Relaxation of the Travel Restrictions in Respect of Certain Categories of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholders, Tehran, 26 May 2020.

It is hereby informed that the following categories of OCI cardholders, who are stranded abroad, are permitted to come to India subject to their meeting all the protocols and undertakings issued by Government of India to contain the spread of COVID-19:

(i) Minor children born to Indian nationals abroad and holding OCI cards.

(ii) OCI cardholders who wish to come to India on account of family emergencies like death in family.

(iii) Couples where one spouse is an OCI cardholder and the other is an Indian national and they have a permanent residence in India.

(iv) University students who are OCI cardholders (not legally minors) but whose parents are Indian citizens living in India. Source: Embassy of India, Tehran.

IRAQ

Latest Update on COVID-19 Registration Form, Baghdad, 06 May 2020

In continuation of earlier information regarding collection of data to facilitate return of stranded Indian nationals from Iraq, it is requested to specify “compelling reasons” as one of the following:

1. Those facing deportations by foreign governments.
2. Migrant Workers/Labourers who have been laid off.
3.  Non-permanent residents/Short-term visa holders facing with expiry of visas.
4. Those facing with medical emergency/seeking treatment for terminal illness.
5. Pregnant women/elderly.
6. Those required to return to India due to death of a family member.
7. Tourists/visas stranded abroad.
8. Students- if their educational institutes/hostels are closed.

It is required that this information should be sent by evening of May 08, 2020 at visa.baghdad@mea.gov.in.

If any person has undergone COVID test (RT-PCR; or Rapid Antibody 0, the report may also be attached. Source: Embassy of India, Baghdad.

QATAR

Phone call between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, New Delhi, 26 May 2020.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke on phone today with His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, to convey Eid-ul-Fitr greetings to the friendly people of Qatar.

Prime Minister warmly appreciated the personal care taken by H.H. the Amir for ensuring the welfare of the Indian citizens in Qatar during the COVID-19 pandemic. In turn, H.H. the Amir appreciated the contributions of the Indian community in Qatar, especially the role being played by Indian health workers.

Prime Minister highlighted the attention being paid by Indian authorities to avoid any disruption in the supply of essential goods from India to Qatar during the present situation.

Prime Minister conveyed his warm greetings for the forthcoming 40th birthday of H.H. the Amir, and expressed best wishes for his continued good health and success. Source: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

UAE

Telephone conversation between Prime Minister and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, New Delhi, 25 May 2020.

In a telephonic conversation today with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister Modi conveyed greetings on Eid-ul-Fitr to the Government and people of the UAE.

The leaders expressed satisfaction about the effective cooperation between the two countries during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Prime Minister Modi thanked the Crown Prince for the support extended to Indian citizens in UAE.

PM conveyed his best wishes for the good health and well-being of the Crown Prince, the Royal Family and the people of the UAE. Source: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

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