BILATERAL ISSUES

BAHRAIN

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bahrain on cooperation in the field of Healthcare, New Delhi, 27 June 2018.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Bahrain on cooperation in the field of Healthcare.

The MoU covers the following areas of cooperation:-

Exchange of information including publications and research outcomes;

Exchanging visits by governmental officials, academic staff, scholars, teachers, experts and students;

Participating in workshops and training courses;

Encouraging health and medical research activities at both the private-sector and the academic level; and

Any other forms of cooperation as may be mutually decided upon.

 A Working Group will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of this MoU. Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)

IRAN

Shri Nitin Gadkari Says India Trying to Make Chabahar Port in Iran Operational by 2019 Inaugurates Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre at Dushanbe, Dushanbe, 22 June 2018.

Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Union   Minister for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Road Transport & Highways and Shipping said in Dushanbe yesterday, that India is trying to make Chabahar Port in Iran operational by 2019. Shri Gadkari was addressing the Indian Community at the inauguration of the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre at the Indian Embassy in Dushanbe. He said the opening up of the Chabahar Port would make the CIS countries more accessible.

Shri Gadkari also spoke at length about the efforts and initiatives taken by the NDA Government in the last four years to bring qualitative change in the lives of people. He talked about the massive work being done in the infrastructure sector, with National Highways being built at an unprecedented pace of 28km/day. He said the country is growing at a very fast pace under a corruption free, transparent and committed government led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. India's image and respect has grown across the world in the last four years and our rankings have improved globally on various parameters like ease of doing business, cleanliness etc., he added.

Shri Nitin Gadkari was on a two day official visit   to Tajikistan to represent India at the high level global conference on “International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development”. He held wide-ranging talks with Shri Sirodjidin Muhridin, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan during this visit, in which the two leaders underlined the need to give further impetus to the on-going bilateral cooperation in various fields and agreed to enhance mutual cooperation in the area of sustainable water development. Shri Gadkari had also conveyed to the Tajikistan leader, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's commitment towards expanding economic cooperation between the two countries and said that New Delhi would be willing to share with Tajikistan, Indian expertise in building quality infrastructure.

Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre at Dushanbe will offer classes in Hindi, Sanskrit, Yoga and various performing arts like music and dance to the Indian diaspora as well as Tajik people. The Centre has generated a lot of interest and excitement amongst the Tajik people. Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)

OMAN

Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Oman on Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, New Delhi, 6 June 2018.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India represented by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Oman represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications on Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, in February, 2018 at Muscat.

Details:

•   This MoU shall enable the following areas of cooperation such as, space science, technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth; satellite based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology.

• The MoU would lead to set up a Joint Working Group, drawing members from DOS/ISRO, and the Ministry of Transport and Communication (MTC), which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.

•     It will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space.

Implementation Strategy and Targets:

The signed MoU would lead to setting up of a Joint Working Group, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing the provisions of this MoU.

Benefits:

MoU would lead to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity. Thus all sections and regions of the country will get benefited.

Impact:

•   Cooperation with the Sultanate of Oman through this MoU would lead to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity.

Background:

•     The Sultanate of Oman expressed interest to cooperate with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for building its space programme. A 4-member delegation from the Oman's Department of Communication visited ISRO in March 2011 and interacted with ISRO officials and also visited ISRO's technical facilities. The Sultanate of Oman conveyed interest to pursue cooperation on Space Applications with ISRO to the Ambassador of India to Oman in May 2016.

•     Accordingly, both sides arrived at mutually agreed version of MoU for in the peaceful uses of outer space and the same was signed between the Government of the Republic of India represented by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Government of the Sultanate of Oman represented by the Ministry of Transport and Communications on February 11, 2018 at Muscat. Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)

UAE

Visit of Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates to India (June 24-30, 2018), New Delhi, 22 June 2018.

Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is paying a visit to India from 24-30 June, 2018. He will be accompanied by a senior-level delegation. Apart from the official programme in New Delhi, the visit also includes engagements in other States of India.

During the visit, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah will call on Prime Minister and hold official talks with External Affairs Minister. He would also be meeting other Union Ministers and Governors/Chief Ministers of the States being visited by him.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had visited the UAE in August 2015 when the two countries decided to elevate their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister had another successful visit to UAE in February, 2018. Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had visited India in February, 2016 and later in January, 2017 as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

India and the UAE enjoy warm, close and multi-faceted relations underpinned by historic, cultural, religious and economic linkages which stand elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and sixth-largest supplier of our energy needs. Several significant developments have taken place in the recent past including awarding of a 10% stake to Indian consortium in Lower Zakum offshore field, participation of UAE in India's strategic petroleum reserves, investments by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in infrastructure and increasing engagements in energy, food security, logistics, space etc. A 3.3 million-strong Indian community, largest in the Gulf region, has made the UAE its second home and is contributing to its development.

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had visited India earlier in September, 2015 and had also accompanied the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi during his visits. The present visit would provide the two sides with opportunity to further strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 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