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India and the World
Devyani Case
10/ 01/ 14 Bi l at er al r el at i ons bet ween I ndi a and USA ar e gr owi ng col d over
t he cas e of t he f ormer I ndi an Deput y Coms ul General Devyani
Khorbragade. US has ar r es t ed Devyani on char ges of Vi s a raud
r el at i ng t o under payment of her domes t i c empl oyee Sangeet a
Ri char d. I ndi an gover nment has i n r eact i on wi t hdr awn t he s peci al
pr i vi l eges t o t he !" #mbas s y i n I ndi a.
11/ 01/ 14 !or mer Deput y "ons ul #ener al Devyani $hobr agade r eached Del hi
af t er US gave her f ul l di pl omat i c i mmuni t y. %er r et ur n has ended
t he t hr eat t o t he bi l at er al r el at i ons bet ween t he t wo count r i es .
%owever s he has been i ndi ct ed by t he US cour t . I ndi a r et al i at ed by
e&pel l i ng t he US of f i ci al i n I ndi a.
1$/ 01/ 14 I ndi a has t ur ned down an of f er of a r educed cr i mi nal char ge agai ns t
t he I ndi an di pl omat . US s po'es per s on ment i oned t hat (s .
Devyani ) s char ges woul d s t and and s he and i s not per mi t t ed t o
r et ur n t o t he US e&cept t o s ubmi t t o t he * ur i s di ct i on of t he cour t .
(eanwhi l e +&t er nal Af f ai r s (i ni s t er Sal man $hur s hi d r ul ed out
t he r es t or at i on of e&t r a pr i vi l eges t o Amer i can di pl omat s and
i ndi cat ed t hat I ndi a wi l l cont i nue per s uadi ng t he US t o dr op al l
char ges agai ns t I ndi an di pl omat Devyani . %e des cr i bed t he i s s ue as
a ) mi ni cr i s i s ) . I ndi a has as 'ed t he US embas s y t o s t op al l
commer ci al act i vi t i es on i t s pr emi s es .
0$/ 0$/ 14 US at t or ney has al l eged t hat t he Vi enna "onvent i on on "ons ul l ar
Rel at i ons , V""R- pr ovi des i mmuni t y f r om pr os ecut i on f or of f i ci al
and not pr i vat e act s and t her ef or e i t di d not appl y i n Devyani ) s
cas e.
.
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%owever t he l at es t memor andum f i l ed by t he US al l eges t hat t he
as s er t i on t hat Devyani had f ul l U/ di pl omat i c i mmuni t y at t he t i me
of her ar r es t i s i ncor r ect and t hus r e* ect ed. US at t or ney ar gued
t hat 0 (s . Devyani was not e&er ci s i ng any f unct i on r el at ed t o U/
r epr es ent at i on at t he t i me of her ar r es t 1 Secondl y Seci on .. of
"onvent i on on t he 2r i vi l eges and I mmuni t i es of t he U/ appl i es t o
t he hi gh0 l evel non0 r es i dent di pl omat s and not a cons ul ar of f i cer.
$1/ 0%/ $01
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3he cas e of Devyani $hobr agade has f eat ur ed i n t he US St at e
Depar t ment ) s Annual 3r af f i c'i ng i n 2er ons , 3I 2- Repor t .
3he r epor t has cl as s i f i ed I ndi a as a 3i er 0 4 count r y whi ch i mpl i es
t hat t he US cons i der s I ndi a t o be one t hat i s not meet i ng t he
mi ni mum s t andar ds of f i ght i ng human t r af f i c'i ng but i s s t r i vi ng t o
do s o and has r es ul t s t hat can be poi nt ed at .
3he r epor t al s o pr es ent ed I ndi a as a s our ce des t i nat i on and t r ans i t
count r y f or men women and chi l dr en s ub* ect ed t o f or ced l abor and
s e& t r af f i c'i ng.
Indo&'epal (el ati ons
$%/ 01/ $014 "hi na has over t a'en I ndi a t o become t he l ar ges t cont r i but or of
!DI t o /epal under l i ni ng t he r i s i ng "hi nes e economi c pr es ence
and t he s t r at egi c i nf l uence. "hi nes e i nves t ment r eached 5.67
mi l l i on bet ween 8 ul y and December 49.: mar 'i ng a t hr ee0 f ol d
i ncr eas e f r om t he ear l i er year.
0)/ 0$/ 14 /epal pol i ce ar r es t ed t hr ee member s of t he $amt apur ;i ber at i on
<r gani =at i on , $;<- i n a bor der ar ea of /epal . 3he $;< has
been wagi ng an ar med s t r uggl e f or a s epar at e s t at e made up of
di s t r i ct s i n >es t Bengal and As s am.
3he t hr ee ar r es t ed mi l i t ant s wer e want ed i n t he 8 al pai gur i bomb
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bl as t cas e of December 4? 49.:. I t has been not i ced t hat t he
member s of under gr ound I ndi an or gani =at i ons t a'e cover i n t he
ad* oi ni ng ar eas of /epal . I ndi an pol i ce under t a'e s ecr et mi s s i ons
t o ar r es t s uch cr i mi nal s . %owever s uch oper at i ons ar e of t en not
communi cat ed t o t he /epal pol i ce due t o whi ch di pl omat i c
conf l i ct s emer ge.
1*/ 04/ $014 I n t he bac'gr ound of t he s econd phas e of pol l i ng i n Ut t ar 2r ades h
, U2- t he s ecur i t y f or ces of I ndi a s eal ed t he i nt er nat i onal bor der s
wi t h /epal t empor ar i l y.
3he of f i ci al s i nf or med t hat s eal i ng of t he r out e wi l l hel p cont r ol
s muggl i ng of ar ms and ammuni t i ons . "i vi l i ans wi l l be al l owed t o
move acr os s bor der s onl y wi t h due r eas on of i l l nes s or f or
mar r i age pur pos es .
Indo&+a, (el ati ons
1*/ 01/ $01
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I ndi a i s not r eady t o agr ee wi t h t he t er m ) /on0 Di s cr i mi nat or y
Acces s , /DA- ) s ugges t ed by 2a'i s t an i n pl ace of t he (os t 0 !avor ed
/at i on , (!/- s t at us . I ns t ead I ndi a has pr opos ed t he ) /on0
Di s cr i mi nat or y (ar 'et Acces s , /D(A- ) . Al s o I ndi an of f i ci al s
want t o r es ol ve t hr ee pr i or i s s ues @ of 2er mi s s i on f or us e of
cont ai ner s 1 <per at i onal i =at i on of 47&6 t r ade acr os s >agah bor der 1
and Di s mant l i ng of t he t wo negat i ve l i s t s s t i l l i n us e by 2a'i s t an
agai ns t I ndi a. I ndi a has al r eady oper at i onal i =ed t he (!/ s t at us f or
2a'i s t an. 2a'i s t an does not al l ow t he i mpor t f r om I ndi a of i t ems
under t he Sens i t i ve ;i s t of t he Sout h As i an !r ee 3r ade Ar ea
, SA!3A- .
1)/ 01/ $01 I ndi a0 2a'i s t an agr eed t o es t abl i s h r eci pr ocal /on0 Di s cr i mi nat or y
:
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4 (ar 'et Acces s , /D(A- . 3hi s i ncl udes i s s ui ng ban' l i cens es t o
al l ow ban's t o f unct i on i n each ot her ) s count r y. I t was al s o agr eed
t o open t he >agah0 At t ar i bor der f or t r ade 47&6. 3hey al s o agr eed
t o al l ow cont ai ner s . "ur r ent l y t he bi l at er al t r ade bet ween t he t wo
count r i es i s ar ound 5 : bi l l i on a year.
$)/ 01/ $01
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I ndi a i ns i s t ed 2a'i s t an t o br ea' t he t r ade deadl oc' and t he
movement of peopl e. I ndi a has pr opos ed a meet i ng of t he of f i ci al 0
l evel 8 oi nt >or 'i ng #r oup on 3r ans 0 ;o" "B(s , "onf i dence
Bui l di ng (eas ur es - t o hel p r emove t he ambi gui t i es i n t he
i nt er pr et at i on of t he St andar d <per at i ng 2r ocedur es , S<2s - .
01/ 0)/ 14 I ndi a cal l ed of f t he !or ei gn Secr et ar y t al 's wi t h 2a'i s t an and
conveyed a bl unt mes s age t hat 2a'i s t an was i nt er f er i ng i n I ndi a) s
i nt er nal af f ai r s by hol di ng t al 's wi t h $as hmi r i s epar at i s t s whi ch
was unaccept abl e t o I ndi a.
Indo&-apan (el ati ons
1%/ 01/ $01
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I ndi a and 8 apanes e "oas t #uar d conduct ed a * oi nt e&er ci s e0
"ahayog& Kai . i n $014 of f $ochi . 8 apan "oas t #uar d s ee' t o
es t abl i s h a col l abor at i on wi t h I ndi a. 3he i nt er es t was s hown i n t he
bac'gr ound of t hr eat f r om "hi na who have enf or ced a ) no0 f l y =one)
over t he di s put ed ar ea of Sen'a'u whi ch i s cl ai med by 8 apanes e as
wel l .
3her e has been an i ncr eas e i n pi r ac y i n t he Ar abi an s ea and t he
St r ai t of %or mu=.
$%/ 01/ $01 I ndi an and 8 apanes e 2( met i n Del hi t o f ur t her t he pr oces s of
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4 ma'i ng cl os er s ecur i t y pol i t i cal and def ens e t i es . %owever t he
t al 's poi nt ed at t he gaps i n t he nucl ear i s s ue.
3he 8 apanes e 2( ment i oned t he i mpor t ance of t he "3B3 whi ch has
not been put i n f or ce due t o I ndi aAs r es i s t ance. %owever I ndi a
as s ur ed t hat no nucl ear weapon t es t i ng i s conduct ed by I ndi a.
Bot h count r i es s i gned B pact s wi t h mos t of t hem r el at ed t o
8 apanes e ai d t hr ough s of t l oans and out r i ght gr ant s . 8 apanes e 2(
(r. Abe pr omi s ed mor e ai d whi ch woul d be us ed t o f i nance t he
2has e I I I of Del hi (et r o 2r o* ect .
I n def ens e bot h s t at es deci ded t o ma'e t he * oi nt naval e&er ci s e a
per manent f eat ur e. I ndi a al s o i nvi t ed 8 apan t o t he I ndo0 US (al abar
s er i es . 6 Cear s ago t her e was mas s i ve pr ot es t i n I ndi a and "hi na
over t he par t i ci pat i on of 8 apan and Aus t r al i a i n t he (al abar s er i es
whi ch l ed t o t hei r r emoval f r om i t .
8 apan has al s o of f er ed t o s el l t he hi 0 t ech US0 4 amphi bi ous ai r cr af t
t o I ndi a whi ch has mi l i t ar y appl i cat i ons as wel l .
3he t wo 2( al s o concl uded t o 'eep t he moment um on t hr ee
i mpor t ant ar eas 0 di al ogue bet ween I ndi a 8 apan and US1 Def ens e
pol i cy di al ogue1 and 3wo0 pl us 0 3wo t al 's , whi ch i s a f r amewor ' of
def ence and f or ei gn s ecr et ar i es of bot h count r i es - .
8 apan has al s o l ower ed t he non0 t ar i f f bar r i er s t o i mpor t of s hr i mps
t hat wi l l hel p t he I ndi an f i s her men.
$*/ 01/ $01
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I ndi a) s r el at i ons wi t h 8 apan have been t r ans f or med dur i ng t he pas t
decades acr os s s t r at egi c and economi c s pher e. I ndi a hol ds annual
s ummi t wi t h 8 apan. 8 apan I nt er nat i onal "ooper at i on Agenc y , 8 I "A-
cont r i but es economi c gr owt h pover t y r educt i on and envi r onment al
cons er vat i on and i s one of t he bi gges t devel opment par t ner s i n
I ndi a. Some of t he not abl e devel opment pr o* ect s ar e0 Del hi (et r o
2r o* ect 1 Dedi cat ed !r ei ght "or r i dor 1 "hennai Bangal ur u I ndus t r i al
"or r i dor. Bes i des t hes e 8 I "A al s o s uppor t s pr o* ect s i n t he f i el d of
D
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educat i on envi r onment heal t h s ani t at i on t echni cal cooper at i on
et c.
8 I "A i s a 8 apanes e #over nment f i nanci al i ns t i t ut i on i s e&ecut i ng
agency r es pons i bl e f or pr ovi di ng conces s i onal l ong t er m l ow
i nt er es t <f f i ci al Devel opment As s i s t ance , <DA- l oans t echni cal
cooper at i on and gr ant as s i s t ance f or economi c and s oci al
i nf r as t r uct ur e devel opment . 8 I "A) s as s oci at i on wi t h s t ar t ed i n .EDB
when I ndi a became t he f i r s t r eci pi ent of 8 I "A) s <DA l oans i n t he
wor l d.
$)/ 01/ $01
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Shi n=o Abe was t he "hi ef #ues t on t hi s r epubl i c day and l at er
s i gned a f ew agr eement s addi ng t o t he mut ual r el at i ons . 3he
pos i t i ve r el at i ons ar e gr owi ng s t eadi l y s i nce 499D. 8 apan i s at t he
hear t of I ndi a) s ) l oo' eas t pol i cy) .
2r es ent l y t he t wo count r i es ar e engaged i n annual s ummi t an
i ns t i t ut i onal i =ed mul t i 0 l ayer ed s t r at egi c di al ogue at s ever al l evel s
a ) 3wo0 pl us 0 3wo) among t he f or ei gn Secr et ar i es and Def ens e
Secr et ar i es one one mar i t i me s ecur i t y and a t r i l at er al bet ween
I ndi a US and 8 apan.
Recent l y I ndi an /avy and t he 8 apanes e /avy , cal l ed0 8 apan
(ar i t i me Sel f 0 Def ens e !or ce , 8 (SD!- - par t i ci pat ed i n a * oi nt
mar i t i me e&er ci s e of f "hennai i n December 49.:. I ndi a i s al s o i n
negot i at i ons wi t h 8 apan t o buy i t s amphi bi ous ai r cr af t F Ut i l i t y
Seapl ane0 4.
I ndo0 8 apan bi l at er al t r ade i s s t i l l onl y .G of t he 8 apan) s t ot al
f or ei gn t r ade. >hi l e i t i s about 4. DG of I ndi a) s t ot al f or ei gn t r ade
des pi t e a compr ehens i ve f r ee t r ade agr eement i mpl ement ed i n 49...
8 apan has gener ous l y hel ped I ndi a) s i nf r as t r uct ur e devel opment .
$4/ 04/ $01
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8 apan has ur ged t he new /DA gover nment t hat i t hopes t hat t he new
gover nment woul d ma'e mor e s t eps t o bui l d cl os er r el at i ons
bet ween t he t wo count r i es .
?
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8 apan al s o e&pr es s ed i t ) s des i r e t o * oi n t he (al abar s ea e&er ci s e
bet ween I ndi a and US. 8 apan was l as t i nvi t ed t o t he e&er ci s e i n
4996. Si nce t hen i t has been e&cl uded mai nl y becaus e of t he
ob* ect i ons of "hi na.
/1/ 00/ $01
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2( (odi and 8 apanes e 2( Abe s i gned a +art ner Ci t y 1f f i l i at i on
agreement bet ween Var anas i , $as i - and $yot o. 3he par t ner s hi p wi l l
i ncl ude a cooper at i on i n t he f i el ds of her i t age cons er vat i on ci t y
moder ni s at i on and cul t ur e.
Indo&!" (el ati ons
14/ 01/ $01
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I ndo& !" I nt el l i gen2e 3eet 0 I ndi an and US I nt el l i gence s er vi ces
began a t hr ee0 da y meet f or a s er i es of di s cus s i ons on r egi onal
s ecur i t y and s t r at egi c i s s ues . I t par t i cul ar l y di s cus s ed t he s i t uat i on
i n Af ghani s t an as t he US i s concer ned wi t h t he s i gni ng of t he
s ecur i t y agr eement wi t h Af ghani s t an.
1$/ 0$/ 14 Di s put e over 'at i onal "ol ar 3i s s i on 0 a cont r over s y has emer ged
over I ndi a) s /at i onal Sol ar (i s s i on , /S(- as US 3r ade
Repr es ent at i ves have ob* ect ed t o t he di s cr i mi nat or y r ul es of t he
I ndi an aut hor i t i es r egar di ng t he domes t i c cont ent r eHui r ement , i n
2has e I I - i ns t ead of US component s . US has as s er t ed t hat t hi s i s
agai ns t t he >3< and Agr eement on 3r ade Rel at ed I nves t ment
(eas ur es , 3RI (- .
I ndi an s ol ar ener gy mar 'et i s es t i mat ed t o gr ow 490 f ol ds i n t he
comi ng decades . I ndi a i s al s o t he s econd l ar ges t mar 'et f or US
s ol ar e&por t er s .
$%/ 0$/ $01 !" 4rade (epresentative 5!"4(60 India has decided to bloc' investigation into its
6
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4 trade policies and patent laws by the US 3rade Representative ,US3R-. US3R has
ob*ected to the Indian policy of preferring the domestic products. 3he US /ational
Association of (anufacturers ,/A(- in 49.7 report as'ed the US3R to designate
India a 2riority !oreign "ountry. Such a status is usually given to the worst violators of
intellectual property rights. It might also attract some trade sanctions.
3here are already .7 past or current >3< cases between India and US. India has also
hardened its stance against the US.
India has also as'ed US not to fall prey to special interest groups and consider trade
issues in the conte&t of the wider economic and strategic relationship between the two
countries.
$%/ 0$/ $01
4
2roblems are also occurring in the Indo0US relations in the field of pharmaceutical
sector over India)s granting domestic companies compulsory licenses and refusing
)evergreening) of patents by (/"s under section :,d- of the Indian 2atent Act .E69.
In 49.: Bayer and /ovartis patent applications were re*ected for their respective cancer
drugs0 /e&avar and #livec.
+ven US has sta'es in the Indian pharmaceutical industry as India e&ports :9G of its
pharmaceutical products to US.
07/ 0// 14 India accused US of 3rade 2rotectionism and obstructing the wor' visas for s'illed
Indian professionals.
Indian "ommerce and Industry (inister0 Anand Sharma mentioned that India)s patent
law was fully compliant in letter and spirit with the >3<)s 3he Agreement on 3rade
Related Aspects of Intellectual 2roperty Rights ,3RI2S-.
US has been ob*ecting to the Indian provision of issuance of "ompulsory ;icense ,";-
for pharmaceutical firms. US3R has received demands for putting India under the
2riority !oreign "ountry list for intellectual property rights which implies some trade
sanctions.
Under the Indian 2atent ;aw a "; can be issued for a drug if the medicine is deemed
unaffordable by the government. 3he "; grants permission to Hualified generic drug
ma'ers to manufacture the drug. As per the >3< norms the "; allows a company to
produce a patented product without the consent of the patent owner.
B
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10/ 0// 14 Indo&!" #nergy 4al,s0 India see' to gain some investment access to the oil and gas
sector in US. During the bilateral dialogue an obstacle is the Indian investment in
Sudan which was sanctioned by the US. 3he tal's will also include discussions on
;iHuified /atural #as ,;/#- and Shale <il.
Indian companies have signed an off0ta'e agreement with a US company for the supply
of :.D million metric tonnes of ;/# per annum.
According to US policy a special waiver is reHuired for countries interested in
purchasing US oil and gas. India is the first country with non0!ree 3rade Agreement
,!3A- authorisation to have such arrangement with the US.
11/ 0// 14 India pleased the US to ease the restrictions with which it does not have a free trade
agreement ,!3A-. India is 'een to import gas from the US to meet its domestic needs.
As of now US has allowed only conditional e&port of ;/# from nations without !3A.
India does not have an !3A with US. 3he Indo0US +nergy 3al's were earlier postponed
due to Devyani issue.
$%/ 0%/ $01
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US put India on the )International 2iracy >atch ;ist) as a country that is doing little to
address high rates of digital piracy. 3his might adversely affect the )out0of0cycle)
intellectual property review by the US3R.
3he list also highlights concern in "hina Russia and Swit=erland points that India
continue to present a seriously flawed environment for the promotion of copyright and
intellectual property.
Despite a large creative industry in music films and other copyright intensive
industries India continues to lag badly in both the legal framewor' for I2 protection.
Indi a& "outh #ast 1si a
14/ 01/ $01
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I ndones i a ban 8re e9port 0 I ndones i a has banned t he e&por t of
unpr oces s ed mi ner al or es . 2r es ent l y I ndones i a i s t he l ar ges t
e&por t er of /i c'l e or e r ef i ned t i n and t her mal coal and home t o
E
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t he f i f t h0 l ar ges t copper mi ne and t he t op gol d mi ne. 3he r eas on
behi nd t hi s i s an at t empt t o boos t t he domes t i c pr oces s i ng
i ndus t r i es by mandat i ng t hat or es ar e pr oces s ed l ocal l y bef or e
e&por t i ng. I ndones i a i s l ar gel y a commodi t y0 dr i ven economy.
%owever t he l aw has been oppos ed by l ocal as wel l as gl obal
mi ner s .
%owever t he good news f or I ndi a i s t hat coal and t i n s hi pment s
woul d not be af f ect ed. I ndones i a s uppl i es about 6DG of I ndi an
i mpor t s of t her mal coal . But "hi na woul d be wor s t hi t as s he get s
a ma* or par t of i t s bau&i t e f r om I ndones i a.
Indo&"outh Korea (el ati ons
1// 01/ $01
4
2r es i dent 2ar ' #eun %ye vi s i t ed I ndi a. "i vi l /ucl ear agr eement
bet ween S. $or ea and I ndi a t oo' l i t t l e t i me t o negot i at e. %owever
I ndi a has s i gnal ed t hat i t woul d f i r s t f avor a t echnol ogy
demons t r at i on uni t . 3her e i s al s o a concer n f or t he 2<S"< pr o* ect
of whi ch t he s t eel pr o* ect has been gi ven a cl ear ance f r om t he
+nvi r onment (i ni s t r y but ot her i nf r as t r uct ur e pr o* ect s s t i l l do not
have t he cl ear ance.
%owever Secur i t y and Def ens e t i es has been devel opi ng s t eadi l y.
I ndi a al s o l oo's f or war d t o pur chas e def ens e eHui pment s f r om
Sout h $or ea. 3he Bal ance of 3r ade bet ween I ndi a and S. $or ea i s
i n t he l at t er ) s f avor. 3hus I ndi a s ee' f as t er ent r y of i t s
phar maceut i cal and I 3 compani es i n $or ea.
1*/ 01/ $01
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I ndi a and Sout h $or ea s i gned E pact s boos t i ng t hei r bi l at er al t i es
t hat has been gr own wel l i n pas t f ew year s . I ndi a as s ur ed t hat t he
wor ' on 2<S"< s t eel pl ant i n <di s ha woul d begi n s oon. <ne of t he
.9
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agr eement was t he Agr eement on t he 2r ot ect i on of "l as s i f i ed
(i l i t ar y I nf or mat i on. Anot her agr eement r el at es t o s et t i ng up of a
$or ean I ndus t r i al 2ar ' i n I ndi a.
3he t wo s i des al s o announced t he concl us i on of negot i at i ons f or
r evi s i on of t he e&i s t i ng Doubl e 3a&at i on Avoi dance "onvent i on.
%owever agr eement coul d not be made on S. $or ean i nt er es t i n
bui l di ng a nucl ear power pl ant i n I ndi a. I ndi a al s o e&t ended t he
) t our i s t vi s a on ar r i val f aci l i t y) t o Sout h $or ean nat i onal s .
Indo&"ri :an,a i shermen Issue
1$/ 01/ 14 Sr i ;an'a has deci ded t o r el eas e 46D 3ami l f i s her men. I ndi a i n
r et ur n woul d al s o r el eas e ;an'an f i s her men.
1// 01/ $014 t he f i s her i es conf l i ct s has i n r ecent mont hs f i gur ed hi gh on t he
agenda of bi l at er al t i es . /ear l y ?99 I ndi an f i s her men wer e ar r es t ed
by Sr i ;an'an /avy on char ges of i l l egal f i s hi ng act i vi t y i n 49.:.
I ndi a has commi t t ed t o hos t t he 8 oi nt >or 'i ng #r oup meet i ng on
!i s her i es whi ch s ee' t o evol ve a s ol ut i on t o t he 2al ' Bay conf l i ct .
/0/ 01/ $014 !or ei gn (i ni s t er s of bot h t he count r i es di s cus s ed t he pr opos al s t o
el i mi nat e t he mal t r eat ment of f i s her men oper at i onal i =e a t r i l at er al
mar i t i me s ecur i t y pact bet ween I ndi a Sr i ;an's and (al di ves and
r evi ew t he pr ogr es s of I ndi an0 as s i s t ed r es et t l ement wor ' i n 3ami l 0
domi nat ed /or t her n 2r ovi nce. %owever no di r ect ment i on was
made of t he U/ %uman Ri ght s "ounci l , U/%R"- meet i ng on Sr i
;an'an human r i ght s i s s ue.
3he pr obe i nt o t he al l egat i ons of human r i ght s vi ol at i on woul d al s o
..
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chec' t he r ol e of t he I ndi an 2eace $eepi ng !or ce , I 2$!- . I 2$!
ent er ed Sr i ;an'a as par t of <per at i on 2awan i n .EB6 t o di s ar m
3ami l mi l i t ant gr oups .
04/ 07/ 14 Repr es ent at i ves of t he f i s her men as s oci at i ons of I ndi a and Sr i
;an'a wi l l meet i n "ol ombo over t he 2al ' Bay conf l i ct and t o
wor ' out a s us t ai nabl e s ol ut i on.
0*/ 07/ 14 Kudan,ul am +ro. e2t 0 I ndi a and Sr i ;an'a di s cus s ed t he
"ompr ehens i ve "i vi l /ucl ear "ooper at i on and i s s ues r el at ed t o
nucl ear s af et y of t he $udan'ul am nucl ear pr o* ect .
I ndi a has r ecent l y s i gned t he agr eement f or bui l di ng uni t s : and 7
of t he $udan'ul am /ucl ear 2ower 2l ant , $/22- .
3he t wo s i des al s o di s cus s ed t he s cope of nucl ear medi ci nes . Al s o
I ndi a r ul ed out any pos s i bi l i t y of s el l i ng nucl ear r eact or s t o i t s
nei ghbour.
1// 07/ $014 3he t al 's bet ween t he f i s her men of I ndi a and Sr i ;an'a met wi t h a
deadl oc'. 3he /or t her n Sr i ;an'an f i s her men as 'ed t he I ndi an
count er par t s t o s t op us i ng bot t om t r awl er s but I ndi an par t y
pr opos ed t o phas e i t out i n t hr ee year s . 3her e r emai ned a deadl oc'
over t he i s s ue.
Sr i ;an'an f i s her men as s ur ed t hat t he y woul d s t op us i ng t he banned
pai r 0 t r awl i ng and pur s e s ei ne net s pr ovi ded t he I ndi an f i s her men
s t op bot t om t r awl i ng whi ch i s of t en r es pons i bl e f or t he damage t o
;an'an net s .
0)/ 0%/ 14 Sr i ;an'a ar r es t ed mor e I ndi an f i s her men on char ges of poachi ng
as 3ami l /adu "hi ef (i ni s t er 8 a yal al i t ha as 'ed t he "ent er t o t a'e a
deci s i ve act i on. Sr i ;an'an /avy al s o capt ur ed .B 3ami l /adu
t r awl er s .
.4
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Indo&Canada (el ati ons
11/ 01/ 14 f i r s t ever ener gy car go f r om "anada headed t owar ds I ndi a. "anada
s ee' t o cons ol i dat e par t i ci pat i on i n t he nat ur al r es our ces . 3hi s has
happened af t er t he ci vi l nucl ear agr eement . I ndi a has s peci al
i nt er es t i n t he /or t h Amer i can count r i es ) r es our ces . Shal e gas i n
/or t h Amer i ca and "anadi an t ar s ands had emer ged as i mpor t ant
gl obal r es our ces I ndi a coul d t ar get . Bot h t he count r i es have an
i nt er es t i n di ver s i f yi ng t hei r s our ces . "anada s hows i t s el f as a
r el i abl e s ecur e and envi r onment al l y r es pons i bl e ener gy s uppl i er.
Indi a&3i ddl e #ast (el ati ons
$)/ 01/ $014 +&t er nal Af f ai r s (i ni s t er Sal man $hur s hi d deci ded t o vi s i t
3oro22o; 4uni s i a and "udan. I ndi a has s ubs t ant i al economi c
i nt er es t s i n t hes e count r i es r el at ed t o f ood and s ecur i t y.
3he vi s i t has been deci ded i n t he cont e&t of t he #eneva I I peace
t al 's on Syr i a wher e I ndi a i s a member. 3her e has been a l ong gap
t hat any hi gh l evel vi s i t s t oo' pl ace bet ween t hes e count r i es .
3oro22o i s i mpor t ant t o I ndi a as a s our ce of phos phat e i mpor t s
whi ch ar e i mpor t ant f or t he f er t i l i =er i ndus t r y of I ndi a.
3he vi s i t t o 4uni s i a wi l l be t he f i r s t Bi l at er al vi s i t ever by an
I ndi an !or ei gn (i ni s t er. 3uni s i a has al s o been s t r uggl i ng t o
achi eve a s t abl e democr acy. ;i 'e (or occo 3uni s i a has al s o been a
r el i abl e s our ce of phos phat es t o I ndi a f or over f i ve decades . I ndi a
i s t he l ar ges t buyer of di 0 ammoni um phos phat e , DA2- and
phos phor i c aci d.
I n "udan I ndi a i s t he s econd l ar ges t e&por t er t o Sudan wi t h
.:
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e&por t s wor t h over . Bi l l i on dol l ar s . Al s o t her e i s an act i ve
engagement i n t he ener gy s ect or bet ween t he t wo count r i es .
01/ 0// 14 Indo&"audi 1rabia0 Indo0Saudi Arabia after signing a (oU on defense cooperation
resolved to diversify their economic and political ties. 3he countries have signed (oUs
on Defense Science technology and transfer of technology.
Saudi prince also emphasi=ed the importance of the private sector investment.
Saudi Arabia is India biggest supplier of crude oil. Saudi reiterated its commitment to
implement the Delhi ,499?- and Riyadh ,49.9- declarations related to a deeper
partnership in the hydrocarbons.
3i s2el l aneous Issues
1%/ 01/ $01
4
I ndo& Ku<ai t (el at i ons 0 I ndi a has r eHues t ed $uwai t t o i nves t i n
t he upcomi ng ;/# t er mi nal s i n t he +as t er n and >es t er n coas t s .
0*/ 0// 14 Indian 82ean 3aritime "e2urity0 the trilateral group of India Sri ;an'a and (aldives
are in the process of its e&pansion by including Seychelles and (auritius. %owever
India has e&pressed concerns over the Bay of Bengal region as similar activism has not
been e&pressed in that area.
3he present 3rilateral #roup began in 49.. as respond to illegal activities such as
piracy.
$// 0%/ $01
4
'u2lear Issue0 India decided to enhance transparency of its nuclear infrastructure by
ratifying an Additional 2rotocol with the International Atomic +nergy Agency ,IA+A-.
3his would help raise the confidence in the world regarding Indian nuclear programme.
3his would also help in clearing the pro*ects for large imports of nuclear technology
boosting power generation and other civilian purposes.
3he Additional 2rotocol will cover only those facilities which are monitored by the
IA+A and will have no bearing on the non0safeguarded facilities which are used for
building weapons. 3he protocol will ensure the collection of data of IndiaAs e&ports to
.7
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guarantee that the material is not diverted for unauthorised use.
3he new arrangement would also facilitate regular entry and e&it of the IA+A personnel
byt providing them with multi0entry visas and guaranteeing free communication from
surveillance or measurement devices of the IA+A.
3he ratification of the protocol also fulfills India)s commitment of Indo0US *oint
Statement of 8uly 499D.
Ital i an 3ari ne Issue
0// 0$/ 14 I t al y has e&pr es s ed di s pl eas ur e over t he handl i ng of t he cas e of t he
mur der of 4 f i s her men i n !ebr uar y 49.4 by 4 I t al i an mar i nes .
3he cas e of t he I t al i an mar i nes i s wi t h t he /at i onal I nves t i gat i on
Agency , /I A- whi ch has got t he per mi s s i on t o pr os ecut e t he I t al i an
mar i nes under t he SUA Act . 3he SUA Act pr es cr i bes deat h
s ent ence as t he ma&i mum penal t y. .
%owever I t al y has s ai d t hat s he woul d wor ' t o r ai s e awar enes s
among i t s i nt er nat i onal par t ner s about t he s uf f er i ng of t he t wo
mar i nes . I t al i an 2r es i dent has e&pr es s ed di s s at i s f act i on wi t h t he
handl i ng of t he cas e and t er med i t as ) cont r adi ct or y and
di s concer t i ng) .
04/ 0$/ 14 3he del ay i n t he r es ol ut i on of t he I t al i an mar i nes cas e i s becomi ng
a di pl omat i c f ai l ur e f or I ndi a. Supr eme "our t has been ad* our ni ng
t he cas e i n t he hope t hat t he Uni on gover nment woul d f i nd s ome
pol i t i cal s ol ut i on.
3he mai n i s s ue i s t hat t he /I A has been i ns i s t i ng on i nvo'i ng t he
ant i 0 pi r acy l aw t hat i s t he Suppr es s i on of Unl awf ul Act , SUA-
agai ns t t he Saf et y of (ar i t i me /avi gat i on and !i &ed 2l ant f or ms on
"ont i nent al Shel f Act 4994. 3he SUA pr es cr i bes deat h penal t y as
.D
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t he ma&i mum puni s hment .
>hi l e t he /I A i s r eady wi t h i t s r epor t i t i s awai t i ng t he out come
of t he pr oceedi ngs of t he Supr eme "our t .
3her e i s a need t o r es ol ve t he mat t er s oon as t he I t al i an
gover nment i s becomi ng r es t l es s . 3he +ur opean Uni on whi ch i s
oppos ed t o deat h penal t y has as s er t ed t hat i t mi ght have an adver s e
i mpact on t he t r ade r el at i ons bet ween t he t wo.
3he Hues t i on i s whet her t he ant i 0 pi r ac y and ant i 0 t er r or i s m l aw can
be i nvo'ed agai ns t t he mar i nes af t er t he cour t has di r ect ed t hat t he
pr oceedi ngs be under t he (ar i t i me Iones Act .E6?1 t he I 2"1 t he
"r 2"1 and t he pr ovi s i ons of t he U/ "onvent i on on t he ;aw of t he
Sea .EB4.
!al l en i n t hi s di l emma I ndi a i s f aci ng a di pl omat i c0 l egal def eat .
10/ 0$/ 14 I t al y has waned t hat i t woul d r eact t o I ndi aAs unaccept abl e move t o
i nvo'e a s ever e ant i 0 pi r acy l aw agai ns t t wo of i t s mar i nes f aci ng
t r i al s i nce 49.4.
I ndi a has however r emoved t he pos s i bi l i t y of t he deat h penal t y
agai ns t t he mar i nes but has ar gued t hat t he mar i nes woul d s t i l l be
pr os ecut ed under t he ant i 0 pi r ac y l aw.
1// 0$/ $01
4
I t al y pet i t i oned t he U/ over t he t r i al of t wo of i t s mar i nes i n I ndi a
under t he SUA Act f or al l egedl y s hoot i ng t wo f i s her men of f t he
$er el a coas t .
1)/ 0$/ $01
4
I t al y r ecal l ed i t s Ambas s ador t o I ndi a t hus es cal at i ng t he
di pl omat i c di s put e bet ween t he t wo nat i ons over t he mar i nes
i s s ues . Soon t he I ndi an Ambas s ador t o I t al y was al s o r ecal l ed.
$7/ 0$/ $01
4
3he gover nment i nf or med t he Supr eme "our t t hat i t wi l l not i nvo'e
ant i 0 pi r acy l aw SUA whi ch at t r act s mandat or y deat h penal t y
agai ns t t he t wo I t al i an (ar i nes and t hat t hei r t r i al woul d be under
nor mal cr i mi nal l aws f or t he al l eged mur der of t wo f i s her men of f
t he $er el a coas t i n !ebr uar y 49.4.
.?
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t he Supr eme "our t had ear l i er whi l e t r ans f er r i ng t he cas e f r om
$er el a gover nment t o t he Uni on gover nment or der ed s et t i ng up of
a s peci al cour t t o t r y t he cas e under pr ovi s i ons of t he (ar i t i me
Iones Act .EB4.
Def ens e has pl eaded t hat t he /I A has no aut hor i t y and mandat e t o
i nves t i gat e t he cas e.
Indo&Chi na
00/ 0$/ 14 .6
t h
r ound of negot i at i ons t oo' pl ace bet ween "hi na and I ndi a on
t he boundar y di s put e. 3he t al 's have been f ol l owi ng a t hr ee s t age
pr oces s .
3he !i r s t s t age i nvol ved agr eei ng on t he pol i t i cal par amet er s and
gui di ng pr i nci pl es . I t t oo' pl ace i n 499D.
t he Second , "ur r ent - s t age i nvol ves t he boundar y t al 's and
agr eei ng on t he f r amewor ' t o s et t l e t he di s put e i n wes t er n
mi ddl e and eas t er n s ect i ons of t he di s put ed bor der. An ear l y
s et t l ement of t he di s put e woul d be benef i ci al f or bot h "hi na and
I ndi a.
+ar l i er i n /ovember 49.: 2( (anmohan Si ngh vi s i t ed "hi na
and s i gned t he Bor der Di s put e "ooper at i on Agr eement , BD"A-
ai mi ng at e&pandi ng t he on0 t he0 gr ound engagement and
f or mal i s i ng pat r ol l i ng r ul es t o pr event r ecur r ence of s t and0 of f s .
"hi na has been r ef or mi ng i t s f or ei gn pol i cy t o woo i t s
nei ghbour s and enhance i t s pr es s ur es on 8 apaa.
"hi nes e l eader s hi p i s al s o t r yi ng t o r evi ve t he l ong0 dor mant
.6
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Bangl ades h0 "hi na0 I ndi a0 (yanmar , BI "(- cor r i dor pl an.
10/ 0$/ 14 3he fifth (eeting of the >or'ing (echanism for "onsultation and "oordination on
India0"hina Border Affairs reviewed recent developments in the Indo0"hina border
areas particularly in the ;ada'h region. 3he (eeting discussed the implmentation of
Border Defense "ooperation Agreement ,BD"A- additional confidence building
measures and further steps for maintaining peace and tranHuility. 3he (echanism was
created by the /DA #overnment in 499: and continued by the U2A government.
3here was also the .6
th
Round of India0"hina Special Representatives ,SR- 3al's.
3he SR tal's aims to settle the entire boundary issue through consultation.
"hina recogni=e the boundary Huestion as one of the three sensitive issues
concerning Indo0"hina relations the other two being0 the trans0border rivers and
"hina02a'istan relations.
1$/ 0$/ 14 India and "hina discussed several confidence building measures at the meetings
between the Special Representatives as part of Border Defence "ooperation
Agreement ,BD"A- of the two nations. 3hey discussed the situation in the +ast and
>est Asia and the (iddle +ast.
3he BD"A was signed last year to enhance coordination and iron out possibilities of
misunderstanding.
1)/ 0// $014 Indo0"hina signed an (oU on I3 cooperation which has been hailed as the formal
recognition from the "hinese government to promote Indian software companies
which have largely struggled to obtain contracts from "hinese state0run companies.
3he (oU was signed during the third Strategic +conomic Dialogue ,S+D- in "hina.
$1/ 0// $014 "hinese 2resident Ji 8inping said that he saw improving relations with India as his
)historic mission). %e also emphasi=ed upon the increasing importance of Indo0"hina
relations beyond the bilateral conte&t and called for greater cooperation on regional
and global concerns.
India is also planning to have the )#limpses of India) celeberation in .4 "hinese cities
soon. India is also planning to liberali=e the visa norms to ensure that business and
tourist visas are issued easily.
10/ 04/ 14 India and "hina will hold the Si&th round of strategic dialogue at Bei*ing to discuss
.B
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matters of e&panding cooperation on common regional challenges li'e0 situation in
Afghanistan.
%owever due to the closing 2arliamentary election in India any substantial
agreements are unli'ely.
1$/ 04/ 14 India decided to send its /aval stealth frigate I/S Shivali' to participate in an
international fleet review and maritime e&ercise hosted by the "hinese /avy. 3he US
has declined to participate in the e&ercise after 8apan was e&cluded from it. >ith this
the e&ercise has acHuired a diplomatic dimension.
Apart from "hina and India many other nations li'e0 Australia South $orea /ew
Ieland Indonesia and 2a'istan have confirmed their participation in the e&ercise.
3hus this will be a rare moment of India and 2a'istan ta'ing part in an international
naval e&ercise simultaneously.
8apan termed its e&clusion from the e&ercise as unfortunate on the part of "hina.
$// 04/ $014 Indian and "hinese Army officers met for confidence building measures. 3he two
parties discussed the prospects of establishing hotlines and increased interaction
between the two armies at various levels.
As a positive note the "hinese side also confirmed plans for a *oint army e&ercise at
a time. "hina has advised India not to include delegates from Arunachal 2radesh in
the youth delegation.
%owever "hina dropped this criterion for 8ammu and $ashmir after Indian officials
pointed out that the stapled visa policy should also be implemented for 2a'istan
<ccupied $ashmir ,2<$-.
$7/ 0%/ $014 Indian Vice02resident %amid Ansari is scheduled to visit "hina along with (yanmar
2resident 3hein Sein for the ?9
th
anniversary of the singing of the 2anchsheel
between /ehry and "hinese 2remier Ihou +nlai in .ED?.
"hina has shown a renewed interest in the five principles of co0e&istence recently
after "hinese 2resident Ji 8ingping outlined "hina)s vision of a new Asian Security
"oncept.
$)/ 0%/ $014 2resident Ji 8ingping reiterated the virtues of good relations between neighbours
peace and cooperation and amity in the region as envisaged in the 2anchsheel 3reay
.E
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between India "hina and (yanmar si& decades ago. %e stressed to revisit the five
principles of 2anchsheel which have endorsed by a number of international
organi=ations and instruments.
%e called for furthering South0South cooperation and bettering north0south dialogue.
Indian Vice02resident %amid Ansari also calledfor the need for greater interaction
between the people of India and "hina in all fields for stronger bilateral relations.
2resident of (yanmar 3hein Sein argued that the principles of 2anchsheel had stood
the test of time matured and become part of the inter0state relations. %e
ac'nowledged the significant role played by "hina and India in helping the economy
of (yanmar and cherished the friendly ties with all nations.
=I3"4#C
04/ 0// 14 3he Bay of Bengal I ni t i at i ve f or (ul t i 0 Sect or al 3echni cal and
+conomi c "ooper at i on , BI (S3+"- count r i es ar e an i ndi s pens abl e
par t f or t he gr owt h of As i a 2( (anmohan Si ngh s ai d whi l e
l eavi ng f or t he t hi r d s ummi t of BI (S3+".
BI (S3+" has al r eady es t abl i s hed l egal i ns t r ument s f or r egi onal
appr oach t o i nt er nat i onal t er r or i s m t r ans nat i onal cr i me dr ug0
t r af f i c'i ng and mut ual l egal as s i s t ance i n cr i mi nal mat t er s .
07/ 0// 14 2( (anmohan Si ngh at t ended t he :
r d
BI (S3+" Summi t i n /ay
2yi 3aw i n (yanmar. %e f ocus ed on i mpr ovi ng phys i cal
connect i vi t y t hr ough var i ous pr o* ect s l i 'e0 I ndi a0 (yanmar 0
3hai l and 3r i l at er al %i ghwa y t he $al adan (ul t i modal 3r ans i t
3r ans por t 2r o* ect t he As i an %i ghwa y /et wor ' t he AS+A/
(as t er 2l an f or "onnect i vi t y and ot her s .
49
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Indo&1ustral i a
14/ 0// $014 Aus t r al i an %i gh "ommi s s i oner t o I ndi a 2at r i c' Suc'l i ng have
i nf or med t hat t he negot i at i ons bet ween I ndi a0 Aus t r al i a on "i vi l
/ucl ear "ooper at i on have made ) good pr ogr es s ) . 3he f our t h r ound
of t al 's t oo' pl ace i n Aus t r al i a i n !ebr uar y 49.7.
I ndi a i s Aus t r al i a) s E
t h
l ar ges t t r adi ng par t ner wi t h t he t wo0 wa y
t r ade val ued at USD .?. ? bi l l i on i n 49.:. I ndi a i s Aus t r al i a) s
f our t h l ar ges t e&por t mar 'et .
I ndi a al s o had an i nves t ment of about USD E. E6 bi l l i on i n 49.: i n
Aus t r al i a.
%owever t he pr ogr es s on "ompr ehens i ve +conomi c "ooper at i on
Agr eement , "+"A- have been s l ow.
=(IC" 5=ra>i l ; (ussi a; Indi a; Chi na and "outh 1fri 2a6
1$/ 0%/ 14 (odi gover nment f aced i t s f i r s t i nt er nat i onal cr i s i s at t he >3<
t al 's at #eneva wher e t he US has not al l owed any pr ogr es s on
t al 's t o ens ur e per manent pr ot ect i on t o I ndi aAs f ood s ubs i di es
f r om >3< caps .
3o mend t he s i t uat i on I ndi an 2( (odi has deci ded t o s ee'
s uppor t f r om t he BRI "S on t he #eneva negot i at i ons . !or t hi s 2(
i s s chedul ed t o vi s i t Br a=i l f or t wo da ys .
1// 0%/ $014 "ommer ce Secr et ar y Ra* eev $her ar gued t hat I ndi a i s eager t o
f i nd a per manent pr ot ect i on f or i t s f ood s ubs i di es f r om t he >3<
caps . I ndi a e&pr es s ed ob* ect i ons at t he unbal anced pr ogr es s i n t he
e&ecut i on of t he Bal i Decl ar at i on at t he 3r ade (i ni s t er s (eet at
2ar i s and #eneva.
I n her pur s ui t I ndi a f ound s uppor t f r om Af r i ca) s ;eas t Devel oped
4.
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"ount r i es . Si mi l ar l y Br a=i l and "hi na has al s o s uppor t ed I ndi an
ef f or t s .
As per t he pr opos ed >3< nor ms I ndi a) s r ol l out of !ood Secur i t y
Act and (S2 r egi me wi l l cr os s t he l evel s of s ubs i di es al l owed.
As a devel opi ng count r ym t he de mi ni mi s pr ovi s i on ent i t l e I ndi a
t o pr ovi de .9G of t he t ot al val ue of pr oduct i on of a bas i c
agr i cul t ur al pr oduct as pr oduct 0 s peci f i c pr i ce s uppor t and .9G
as non0 pr oduct s peci f i c s uppor t .
Subs i di es and s uppor t i n e&ces s t o t he pr es cr i bed l i mi t ar e s een
as t r ade di s t or t i ons agai ns t whi ch t he >3< can i ni t i at e l egal
act i ons .
$$/ 0%/ $014 Rus s i a s i gnal ed t owar ds a pr opos al of a gi ant gas pi pel i ne t o
"hi na e&t ended t o I ndi a s et t i ng a t r i angul ar ener gy par t ner s hi p
among t he t hr ee cor e member s of BRI "S.
I f i mpl ement ed i t woul d hel p Rus s i a s hi f t i t s f ocus t owar ds t he
+as t whi ch woul d hel p her s t abi l i s e i n t he per i od of U'r ai ni an
cr i s i s .
Rus s i a has al r eady i dent i f i ed "hi na as a cor e par t ner.
1si an Ini ti ati ves
/0/ 0%/ $014 "hi na i nvi t ed I ndi a t o par t i ci pat e i n t he 1s i an I nf ras t ru2t ure
I nves t ment =an, , AI I B- whi ch has been pr opos ed by "hi na t o
s t eer devel opment al ong t he anci ent ) s i l ' r out e) and f r ee f r om t he
i nf l uence of wes t er n0 bac'ed l ender s l i 'e >or l d Ban' and As i an
Devel opment Ban'.
I ndi a has not i nf or med of her deci s i on. %owever engagement i n
44
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t he pr o* ect mi ght open acces s t o i nf r as t r uct ur al f undi ng.
An act i ve i nvol vement on I ndi a) s par t coul d al s o wi n her ent r y
i nt o t he Shanghai "ooper at i on <r gani =at i on , S"<- . 2r es ent l y
I ndi a 2a'i s t an and I r an have been accor ded t he <bs er ver s t at us
onl y.
Si nce t he cr i s i s s i t uat i on i n U'r ai ne and mi ddl e0 eas t Rus s i a and
"hi na have r ei nf or ced t hei r geopol i t i cal connect i ons . I ndi a coul d
al s o benef i t f r om t he s ame t hr ough act i ve i nvol vement .
2r es ent l y t her e i s a need of hi gh i nf r as t r uct ur al f undi ng i n As i a
t o become devel oped. 3hi s gi ves "hi na enough r oom t o e&er ci s e
i t s s of t power on nei ghbour i ng count r i es .
/0/ 0%/ $014 3he Uni on "ommer ce and I ndus t r y (i ni s t er /i r mal a Si t har aman
i nf or med t he gover nment ) s des i r e t o engage wi t h "hi na and ot her
nat i ons t o cr eat e a mor e open i nves t ment envi r onment . I ndi a and
"hi na al s o agr eed upon an agr eement t o s et up at l eas t f our
"hi nes e I ndus t r i al 2ar 's i n I ndi a.
01/ 0*/ 14 I ndi a cal l ed f or f or gi ng an al l i ance wi t h "hi na t o t ur n t he 4.
s t
cent ur y i nt o an ) As i an "ent ur y) . 3he wor l d economy i s s hi f t i ng
t owar ds As i a and I ndi a and "hi na wi l l have t o pl ay a deci s i ve
r ol e and cr eat e a wor l d bas ed on good0 nei ghbour hood and mut ual
pr os per i t y i ns t ead of bal ance of power cal cul at i ons and
ani mos i t y.
Indo&=hutan
14/ 0%/ $014 I ndo& =hut an 0 Bhut an 2( ;yonchen 3s her i ng 3obgay hi ghl i ght ed
t he enhanced cooper at i on i n t he hydr o0 power s ect or bet ween t he
t wo count r i es as a 'e y f ocus ar ea of t he bi l at er al r el at i ons hi p.
4:
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%e ar gued t hat t he t wo count r i es s houl d t ap t he f ul l pot ent i al of
t he hydr o0 power i ndus t r y i n Bhut an. Bhut an pr es ent l y has t hr ee
hydr o power pl ant s wi t h t hr ee mor e under cons t r uct i on. 3he
e&ces s el ect r i ci t y i n Bhut an wi l l be e&por t ed t o I ndi a.
I ndi an 2( (odi chos e Bhut an as t he f i r s t count r y of hi s vi s i t
s i gnal i ng t owar ds t he deep and abi di ng f r i ends hi p bet ween t he
t wo count r i es .
1%/ 0%/ $014 I ndi an 2( (odi vowed t o nur t ur e t he t i es bet ween t he t wo
count r i es and des cr i bed t he r el at i on as =$=0 Bhar at t o Bhut an.
(odi was on hi s f i r s t mai den t r i p as a 2(. %e s t r es s ed t he
i mpor t ance of Bhut an f or I ndi aAs f or ei gn pol i c y. %e s peci f i cal l y
ment i oned t he ar eas of peace s ecur i t y devel opment and t our i s m
t o pus h t he bi l at er al t i es .
(odi announced doubl i ng of s chol ar s hi ps bei ng pr ovi ded t o
Bhut anes e s t udent i n I ndi a t o Rs . 4 cr or e and pr omi s ed t o as s i s t
Bhut an i n s et t i ng up a di gi t al l i br ar y.
Indo&=angl adesh
$7/ 0%/ $01
4
Indo&=angladesh0 India is yet to ratify the :and =order 1greement 5:=1- with
Bangladesh that involves the e&change of about .6999 acres for about 6999 acres. 3his
would finish the decade long dispute between the two countries. Indian (inisters met
Bangladeshi officials to discuss the deals on ;BA and 3eesta Agreement.
$%/ 0%/ $01
4
Issues of ;and Border Agreement and 3eesta river water settlement remain the main
issues for +&ternal Affairs (initer Sushma Swara* in Dha'a. She is on her first solo
visit to a foreign nation. 3his is a three0day goodwill visit.
$*/ 0%/ $01
4
India decided to rela& visa restrictions for Bangladeshi nationals above the age of ?D
and below the age of .:. 3he decision was announced by +&ternal Affairs (inister
47
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Sushma Swara* during her visit to Bangladesh. 3he e&empted groups will be eligible
for five0year multiple entry visa. %owever there is no proposal for a visa free travel
from Bangladesh to India.
00/ 0*/ 14 Bangladesh e&pects the (odi government to move Huic'ly the ;and Border Agreement
,;BA- that has been hanging since 49... !oreign (inister Sushma Swara* assured
Bangladesh that India would stand by her commitments.
Bangladesh also termed the ;BA and 3eesta Agreement as the ;itmus test of IndiaAs
willingness to have good relations with neigbours.
0)/ 0*/ 14 3he verdict of the U/ 2ermanent "ourt of Arbitration ,2"A- on dispute regarding the
delimitation of the maritime boundary between India and Bangladesh came in the
latter)s favor. U/ 3ribunal awarded Bangladesh .E7?6 sH. 'm of the 4D?94 sH. 'm sea
area of the Bay of Bengal.
3he verdict came after D years of arguments and counter0arguments and spot visits by
the *udges. 3he verdict is binding on all members with no option for appeal.
Bangladesh had approached the U/ under the U/ /ations "onvention on ;aw of Sea
,U/";<S- on <ctober B 499E. 3he issues related to land boundary terminus
delimitation of the territorial sea e&clusive economic =one and continental shelf within
and beyond the 499 nautical miles.
Indi a&1"#1'
01/ 0)/ 14 I ndi a wi l l dr af t a f i ve0 year pl an of act i on f r om 49.? t o deepen
t i es wi t h AS+A/ count r i es . 3hi s was announced by (s . Sus hma
Swar a* +&t er nal (i ni s t er of I ndi a.
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