PM Modi invites Egyptian president for India-Africa Forum Summit

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Finance
25-May, 2017 18:25 IST
African development Bank’s President thanks India for success of the annual meetings of the bank held in Gandhinagar; Expects that all these meetings would substantially contribute to the AFDB’S new transformation agenda encapsulated in the High 5s – related to the fields of power, Agriculture(food security), connectivity (Transportation), industrialization(Skill Development) and Health.

The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Shri Akinwumi Adesina expresses happiness at the outcome of the Annual Meetings of the bank held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Addressing a Press Conference at Mahatma Mandir International Convention cum Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat today, the Bank’s President thanked India and the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in particular for the success of its Annual Meetings. Shri Adesina said that he had fruitful meetings with Shri Modi, the Union Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely, the Power Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and other Indian Ministers during the five day Annual Meetings of the bank. He said all these meetings are expected to substantially contribute to the bank’s New Transformation Agenda encapsulated in the High 5s – related to the fields of power, agriculture(food security), connectivity (transportation), industrialization(skill development) and health. Shri Adesina also said that he is happy that the Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi had mentioned of India and Japan considering the Asia Africa Growth Corridor and he is now more confident that all this should contribute to greater development in Africa. He said the AfDB is looking forward to scaling-up of technologies and for investments in future technologies for skilling African youth. He said that he also expects youth in Africa to more actively participate in agricultural activities to fight poverty in Africa. The President of the AfDB said that he even sees possibilities of bollywood films contributing to encourage African youth towards Agriculture.

Shri Adesina thanked the Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijay Roopani and all others who helped in making the meetings of the bank a great success

The Presidents of Benin and Senegal, the Vice President of Cote D’Ivoire, the Secretary-General of the African Union, the Commissioner of the African Union Commission and the Chief Minister of Gujarat and State Government Ministers were among other dignitaries who graced the AfDB Annual Meetings being held from 22nd May, 2017 onwards at Mahatma Mandir International Convention cum Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat..

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Ministry of Finance
25-May, 2017 17:02 IST
African Development Bank’s President Thanks India for success of the Annual Meeting of the Bank held in Gandhinagar

The President of the African Development Bank Shri Akinwumi Adesina expresses happiness at the outcome of the annual meeting of the bank held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Addressing a press conference at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar today the Bank’s President thanked India and the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for the success of its annual meeting. Shri Adesina said that he had fruitful meetings with Shri Modi, the Finance Minister Shri Arun Jaitely, the Power Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and other Indian Ministers during the meeting. He said all these meetings are expeceds to substantially contribute to the bank’s new transformation agenda encapsulated in the high 5s – related to the fields of power, agriculture(food security), connectivity (transportation), industrialization(skill development) and health. Shri Adesina also said that he is happy that the Prime Minster Shri Modi had mentioned of India and Japan considering the Asia Africa Growth Corridor and he is now more confident that all this should contribute to greater development in Africa. He said the bank is looking forward to scaling up of technologies and for investments in future technologies for skilling African youth. He said that he also expects youth in Africa to more actively participate in agricultural activities to fight poverty in Africa. The President of the bank said that he even sees possibilities of films- bollywood contributing to encouraging African youth towards Agriculture.

Shri Adesina thanked the Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijay Roopani and all others who helped in making the meetings of the bank a great success

The Presidents of Benin and Senegal, the Vice President of Cote D’Ivoire, the Secretary-General of the African Union, the Commissioner of the African Union Commission and the Chief Minister of Gujarat, State Government ministers were among other dignitaries who graced the bank meetings.

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The President of African Development Bank Group, Mr. Akinwumi A. Adesina meeting the Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines (Independent Charge), Shri Piyush Goyal, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on May 24, 2017.

The President of African Development Bank Group, Mr. Akinwumi A. Adesina meeting the Minister of State for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines (Independent Charge), Shri Piyush Goyal, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on May 24, 2017.

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar addressing the session on the ‘Africa-India cooperation on Skill Development & Education - Focus on people-to-people Exchange’, at the Annual Meeting of African Development Bank, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on May 25, 2017.

The Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar addressing the session on the ‘Africa-India cooperation on Skill Development & Education - Focus on people-to-people Exchange’, at the Annual Meeting of African Development Bank, in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on May 25, 2017. The Minister of State for Finance, Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar and other dignitaries are also seen.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
27-May, 2017 15:34 IST
President of India’s message on the eve of National Day of Ethiopia

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia on the eve of their National Day (May 28, 2017).

In a message to His Excellency Mr. Mulatu Teshome, the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the President has said, “On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to convey to you and to the people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, warm greetings and felicitations on the occasion of your National Day.

India and Ethiopia share age-old bilateral ties based on mutual respect and understanding, strengthened by our engagement in areas of common interest-particularly bilateral trade and commerce. I am confident that the friendship and co-operation between our two countries will continue to deepen and diversify in the coming years, to the mutual benefit of our two peoples.

I take this opportunity to extend to Your Excellency, my best wishes for your personal well being and for the continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Ethiopia”.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Commerce & Industry
29-May, 2017 12:28 IST
5th India Morocco Joint Commission Meeting (JCM)

The 5th India Morocco Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held in Rabat on 25 and 26 May 2017. The JCM was anchored by Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister.

On 25 May 2017, the Minister was the keynote speaker at the Industry Day of Morocco in Casablanca, organised by the Ministry of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco. She visited the Centre for Excellence in Information Technology in Casablanca, a collaboration of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), India and Institut National des Postes et Télécommunications (INPT), Morocco. She called on Dr Saad Eddine El Othmani, Head of Government of the Kingdom of Morocco and had bilateral discussions with Mr. Abdelkader Amara, Minister of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water, and Mr. Mohamed Boussaid, Minister of Economy and Finance. On 26 May 2017, she met with Mr. Moulay Hafid El Alamy, Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy. In all the interactions, the key element of excellent political relations that underpinned the economic context of the bilateral relations, was highlighted.

On 26 May 2017, the 5th India Morocco JCM was convened in Rabat during which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed for Cooperation on Broadcasting between Prasar Bharati, India and Société Nationale de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision (SNRT), Morocco. The MoU was signed by Dr Kheya Bhattacharya, Ambassador of India on behalf of Prasar Bharati and Mr Fayçal Laraichi, Chief Executive Officer of SNRT.

The visit of Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Industry, Government of India to Morocco and the proceedings of the 5th India Morocco JCM have intensified the strong bilateral relations between India and Morocco, and provided an impetus for closer cooperation between the two countries in the political, commercial, cultural, and trade sectors.

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[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
07-June, 2017 14:20 IST
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Mali for standardization and conformity assessment

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India and Direction Nationale De Industries (MLINDI), Republic of Mali on Standardization and Conformity Assessment.

The MoU aims to facilitate closer cooperation and provide a mechanism by which India and Mali can work together towards the common aim of strengthening standardization and conformity assessment activities in order to facilitate sharing of expertise and mutual trade.

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Cabinet
07-June, 2017 14:06 IST
Cabinet approves Agreement between India and Somalia on transfer of sentenced persons

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing and subsequent ratification of the Agreement on Transfer of sentenced persons between Indi and Somalia.

Signing the Agreement with Somalia shall facilitate the Indian prisoners imprisoned in Somalia or vice-versa to be near to their families, for serving remaining part of their sentence and shall facilitate their social rehabilitation.

The Government of India has signed bilateral Agreements on Transfer of Sentenced Persons with United Kingdom, Mauritius, Bulgaria, France, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Bangladesh, Brazil, Israel, Bosnia & Herzegovina, UAE, Italy, Turkey, Maldives, Thailand, Russian Federation, Kuwait, Vietnam, Australia, Hong Kong, Qatar, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Bahrain and Estonia.

Background:

Prior to 2004, there was no domestic legislation under which foreign prisoners could be transferred to the country of their origin to serve the remaining part of their sentence, nor was there a provision for the transfer of prisoners of Indian origin convicted by a foreign court to serve their sentence in India. The transfer of such prisoners to their own native countries shall facilitate their social rehabilitation.

Hence the Repatriation of Prisoners Act, 2003 was enacted for achieving the above purpose. For achieving the objectives of the Act, a treaty/agreement is required to be signed with countries having mutual interest with us on this matter. The said treaty/agreement is required to be notified in the Official Gazette.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Science & Technology
12-June, 2017 14:28 IST
Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) signs Agreement with the Metal Industries Development Institute (MIDI), Ethiopia

Keeping in line with Prime Minister Modi’s stress on stronger and long-term cooperation between African countries and India for mutual benefits in the areas of agriculture, women empowerment, rural development, infrastructure etc., while addressing the annual meeting of African Development Bank at Gujarat recently, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has entered into an agreement with the Metal Industries Development Institute (MIDI), Ethiopia to implement a twinning programme. The same is aimed at R&D capacity building of MIDI. CSIR has clinched this multi-million US dollar assignment through a process where many international organisations were considered. The twinning is one of the largest programs (in terms of contractual amount) between a CSIR institute and a foreign entity. It should also facilitate CSIR’s future collaborations with African Organizations.


The agreement was signed on 7th June, 2017 at Addis Ababa in the gracious presence of H.E. Dr. Alemu Sime, State Minister of Industry, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr. Teshome Lemma, State Minister of Education, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Dr. Girish Sahni, Director General, CSIR and H.E. Mr. Anurag Srivastava, Ambassador of India to Ethiopia, Djibouti and African Union. Dr. Girish Sahni on the occasion said that the knowledgebase of CSIR in the identified areas could be of immense importance for leveraging the technology capacity of African countries. He invited the industry to join hands with CSIR and its counterparts in respective African countries to deploy the technology for benefitting the masses in the region.


The agreement was signed by the Director of National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur (CSIR-NML) on behalf of the participating CSIR Laboratories, and the Director General of Metals Industry Development Institute (MIDI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. CSIR will enhance the capacity and capability of MIDI under the twinning arrangement and thereby enable it to contribute more efficiently towards the development of Metals and Engineering sectors in Ethiopia and thus enhance their competitiveness. The MIDI will be positioned to emerge as a globally competitive center of excellence in the field of Metals and Engineering, through the twinning programme.

This agreement signing is the follow-up action of the execution of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between Metal Industry Development Institute (MIDI), Ethiopia and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India. The assessment of the requirements of MIDI and GAP analysis of MIDI were major initial activities which a CSIR team carried out as a prelude to Twinning with MIDI. The constituent laboratories of CSIR, namely CSIR-NML, Jamshedpur, CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur, CSIR-CEERI, Pilani, CSIR-CSIO, Chandigarh and CSIR-CLRI, Chennai, through a common collaboration platform, will execute the twinning arrangement. These laboratories have demonstrated expertise in minerals and metals extraction, casting, forming and shaping of metals, manufacturing processes and process controls, electronics and instrumentations, soft skills and quality management systems.


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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Communications & Information Technology
15-June, 2017 19:01 IST
Highlights of India’s bilateral meetings with foreign countries

On the sidelines of WSIS Forum 2017, Shri Sinha met Dr. Debretsion Measho, Ethiopian Minister of Communications and IT. Both sides agreed to draw up a list of priority areas for cooperation in ICT infrastructure development, technological up-gradation, development of Common Service Centers for G2C and learning of best practices followed by India. Shri Sinha invited the Ethiopian delegation to visit India at mutually convenient time, which was accepted.

The Minister of State for Communications (Independent Charge) and Railways, Shri Manoj Sinha in a bilateral meeting with the Ethiopian Minister of Communications and IT, Dr. Debretsion Measho, on the sidelines of the WSIS Forum-2017, at Geneva, Switzerland on June 14, 2017.

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Ministry of Communications & Information Technology
15-June, 2017 19:01 IST
Highlights of India’s bilateral meetings with foreign countries

Mr. Win Mlambo, Zimbabwean Deputy Minister for ICT, Postal and Courier Services expressed interest in furthering cooperation in ICT sector for connecting its rural areas with ICT infrastructure on the lines of Bharatnet. Zimbabwe sought technical, financial and regulatory expertise of India for using utilities like transmission lines for laying optic fibre cables. The Indian side was headed by Shri G.K. Upadhyay, Member (Technical) DoT for this meeting. India agreed to seriously consider the request made by Zimbabwe side.

 

[Hindustani78]

President's Secretariat
29-June, 2017 13:53 IST
President of India’s message on the eve of National Day of Congo

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has extended his greetings and felicitations to the Government and people of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the eve of their National Day (June 30, 2017).

In a message to His Excellency Mr. Joseph Kabila Kabange, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the President has said, “On behalf of the Government, the people of India and on my own behalf, I extend my hearty congratulations to you and to the people of Democratic Republic of Congo on the occasion of your National Day.

We highly value the achievements attained over the last couple of years in consolidating bilateral co-operation and deepening common understanding between our two countries.

I am sure that India and Democratic Republic of Congo will further build this relationship as our nations and citizens discover new avenues of co-operation.

Excellency, let me, on this occasion, wish you good health and well-being and progress and prosperity to the friendly people of Democratic Republic of Congo”.

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
17-July, 2017 17:37 IST
United Nations Peacekeeping Course for African Partners (UNPCAP-02) Commences at Manekshaw Centre

The Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) is conducting jointly with the US, the second edition of United Nations Peacekeeping Course for African Partners (UNPCAP-02) in New Delhi from 17 July to 04 Aug 2017.

The opening session for this course was conducted on 17 July at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. Mrs Ruchi Ghanashyam, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs chaired the inaugural session and welcomed the officers while briefing the audience on the commitment of India towards the UN. Other eminent speakers to speak on the occasion included Lt Gen JS Cheema, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (IS&T), Lt Gen Vijay Singh, Director General Staff Duties and Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. MaryKay L Carlson of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

The course is aimed to build and enhance the capacity of the African Troop Contributing Countries to the UN and to further train the trainers from these countries. The course, which revolves around the concept of training the trainers, as stated by the UN, is one of the many steps that India has initiated towards active contribution to peace support activities. Course is being attended by officers from 19 countries including India. The students include officers who are currently employed in their respective peacekeeping training centres in African peacekeeping training institutions.

The training incorporates topics on operational and logistical matters, humanitarian issues, thematic topics, Blackboard and table Top exercises and mission briefs. The course is also targeted to assist the student officers to further train officers in their respective countries on the nuances of peacekeeping. Internationally the course is already being seen as a milestone in many ways.

Col Aman Anand
PRO (Army)
8902729342

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Agriculture
02-August, 2017 17:29 IST
ISARC to play a major role in harnessing and sustaining rice production in eastern India & similar ecologies in other South Asian and African countries: Shri Radha Mohan Singh

DAC&FW and IRRI sign Memorandum of Association (MOA) to establish the ISARC

In order to establish the ISARC, a Memorandum of Association (MOA) has been signed today between the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare (DAC & FW) represented by Secretary, DAC&FW and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines represented by Director General, IRRI. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh graced the occasion.

Shri Singh said that the Center will be the first international Center in the eastern India and it will play a major role in harnessing and sustaining rice production in the region. It is expected to be a boon for food production and skill development in the eastern India and similar ecologies in other South Asian and African countries.

Agriculture Minister said this would be a Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) and will include a modern and sophisticated laboratory with the capacity to determine quality and status of heavy metals in grain and straw. The Centre will also undertake capacity-building exercises for stakeholders across the rice value chain.

ISARC will operate under the governance of the IRRI Board of Trustees who will appoint an appropriate IRRI staff member as Director. A Coordination Committee will be headed by Director General, IRRI as Chair and Secretary, Government of India, DACFW as Co-Chair. The other members of Coordination Committee are Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences), ICAR; Director, NSRTC; IRRI representative in India, representative of Government of UP and representatives of Governments of Nepal & Bangladesh and Private Sector.

Shri Singh said that the rich biodiversity of India can be utilised to develop special rice varieties. This will help India to achieve higher per hectare yields and improved nutritional contents. India’s food and nutritional security issues will also be addressed. The Centre will support in adopting value chain based production system in the country. This will reduce wastage, add value and generate higher income for the farmers. The farmers in Eastern India will benefit in particular, besides those in South Asian and African countries.



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Ministry of Commerce & Industry
02-August, 2017 15:02 IST
Boosting Trade ties with Africa

Various steps have been taken by Government to enhance trade and commercial relations with African countries. Bilateral trade between India and African countries are reviewed regularly, including through bilateral mechanisms like of Joint Trade Committee Meetings and Joint Commission Meetings. The 4th India-Africa Trade Ministers’ Meeting was organized in New Delhi on 23rd October, 2015. Negotiations to enter into Free Trade Agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), a Regional Economic Community in Africa, Preferential Trade Agreement with the South African Customs Union (SACU) and a Comprehensive Economic Co-operation Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with Mauritius are in progress. Promotional events like Trade fairs/Conclave/Buyer Seller Meet are also organized regularly in African countries and India under the Market Access Initiative (MAI) Scheme with a view to diversify and boost exports to Africa. Sessions on Africa - India cooperation was organised as part of the annual meeting of the Africa Development Bank at Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 22-25 May, 2017. The objective of sessions was to promote south-south cooperation and boosting trade and investments between India and Africa across key sectors such as Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Education & Skill Development, Healthcare, Information Technology, IT enabled Services and so on.

This information was given by the Commerce and Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today



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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Culture
21-August, 2017 17:41 IST
Festival of India being Organized in Cote D’ivoire, Liberia and Guinea from 15 August, 2017 – 28 January, 2018

A Festival of India is being organized in Cote d’Ivoire and concurrently accredited countries of Liberia and Guinea from 15 August, 2017 – 28 January, 2018. The Festival will showcase diverse Indian culture, i.e. classical and folk dances. The events will be held in four cities of Cote d’Ivoire, namely, Abidjan, Yamassoukro and Grand Bassam and Daloa and capital cities of Monrovia of Liberia and Conakry of Guinea. Following events will be showcased:-

1. Bharatnatyam Dance Group led by D. Bhavani Shankar (15-16 August, 2017).

2. Mohiniattam Dance Group led by Aswathy Nair (22-25 September, 2017) – The group will also perform in Morovia, Liberia.

3. Folk Dance of Arunachal Pradesh Rinchin Droma (27-30 October, 2017) – The group will also perform in Conakry, Guinea.

4. Manipuri Dance Group led by B. Sanjita Devi (26-28 January, 2018).

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[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
31-August, 2017 16:46 IST
Remembering a Retired Warhorse

01 September 2017 marks the 60 years of induction of the English Electric Canberra in the Indian Air Force. It was the first generation Jet Bomber manufactured in large number through the 1950s. The prototype of Canberra, first flew in May 1949 and in January 1957 the aircraft was selected by the Indian Air Force to equip its bomber and strategic reconnaissance fleet. The Canberra Jet bomber was first inducted in the IAF in No. 5 Squadron (Tuskers) at Agra on 01 September 1957. In the event that no air action was authorized during the conflict no combat sorties were flown by any Canberra units. The squadron's first sustained combat operations occurred during war against Pakistan in 1965. In 1971 it was part of the main strike force and took an active part in the pre emptive strikes.

When political turmoil broke out in Belgian Congo in 1961, UNO requested India for strike aircraft. Within five years of serving the IAF, on 09 October 1961, under the command of Wing Commander AIK Suares Vir Chakra, six Canberra aircraft of No 5 Squadron took off from Agra for Leopoldville, over 6000 km away to join the United Nations’ Multinational Force in the Congo. This was the first ever-Indian fighter-bomber contingent to take part in UN operations. The offensive operation in Congo earned the Squadron two Vir Chakras, one Vayu Sena Medal and five Vishisht Seva Medals.

The Canberras took part in all major operations including the liberation of Goa in 1961, the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, 1987 Op Pawan in Sri Lanka, 1988 Op Cactus in Maldives and 1999 Kargil war. On 18 December 1961, Canberras of No 16 and 35 Sqn bombed the Dabolim airport forcing Portuguese forces to surrender. The Canberra last saw action in the Kargil war in 1999 where it flew recce missions, during one of the missions one aircraft’s engine was hit by a missile. The sturdy Canberra could survive the enemy’s missile attack and landed safely with all vital information. During its service, Canberra provided invaluable photo reconnaissance inputs of enemy territory during wars and peace time operations, resulting in accurate and effective operations. After 50 years of glorious service to the Nation on 11 May 2007 at Air Force Station Agra, the IAF bid adieu to its legendry old war horse.

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The Canberras first went into action in 1961 when it got its first operational assignment during the liberation of Goa It's aircraft took part in the attack to disable Dabolim airfield in Portuguese held Goa. A few sorties were also mounted in support of operations against Diu. Canberras were moved north during the confrontation with China in 1962.

The English Electric Canberra bomber aircraft was first inducted into the Indian Air Force at POONA in 1956 when No.16 Squadron was formed as a conversion squadron, and subsequently Nos.5 Squadron and No. 35 Squadron were also formed and equipped with the Canberra B(I)Interdictor Bomber and later No101 PR Squadron. The Canberras took part in all operations, Goa, 1965 and 1971 as also UN Operations in CONGO in 1961. The Canberras last saw action in the Kargil war when one of its engines suffered a missile attack

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
12-September, 2017 16:58 IST
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Morocco on cooperation in the field of health

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and Morocco on cooperation in the field of health.

The MoU covers the following areas of cooperation:-

i) Non-communicable diseases, including child cardiovascular diseases and cancer;

ii) Drug Regulation and Pharmaceutical quality control;

iii) Communicable Diseases;

iv) Maternal, child and neonatal health;

v) Hospital twinning for exchange of good practices;

vi) Training in administration and management of health services and Hospitals;

vii) Any other area 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.

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[Hindustani78]

President Ram Nath Kovind will make his first foreign trip as head of state to the strategically-significant African continent in the first week of October.
india Updated: Sep 23, 2017 23:50 IST

Moushumi Das Gupta and Jayanth Jacob
Hindustan Times, New Delhi

The Presidential visit to Ethiopia and Djibouti is seen as a reiteration of the importance Narendra Modi government gives to the continent where the Chinese have made considerable inroads.(AP File Photo)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...e-to-africa/story-xjjhrVW3v3IXmWBDbIYpVL.html

President Ram Nath Kovind will make his first foreign trip as head of state to the strategically-significant African continent in the first week of October.

The Presidential visit to Ethiopia and Djibouti is seen as a reiteration of the importance Narendra Modi government gives to the continent where the Chinese have made considerable inroads.

This visit happens soon after India and Japan declared their strategic intent to link Asia with Africa in their annual summit in Gandhinagar as part of their larger India-Pacific and Indian Ocean strategy.

Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia is the seat of African Union, had hosted the first India-Africa summit outside India in 2012. There are more than 540 Indian firms in Ethiopia.

China’s new military base in Djibouti — first in the region — has raised concerns in many world capitals as this showed China’s long-term strategic intent in the content.

“The vast Indian Ocean Region hosts over 40 states and nearly 40% of the world’s population. It touches Australia, South-East Asia, South Asia, West Asia and the eastern seaboard of Africa (and) the … island states. Think of the civilisational links, yet great diversity in this vast region,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in Mauritius in 2015.

Djibouti is China’s first overseas naval base, however, Beijing terms it as a logistics facility.

Senior officials said the details of President’s programmes during the three-day trip are still being worked out.

Apart from the bilateral meetings, President will also take part in events that stress the special relationship between India and these two countries.

Indian ambassador to Ethiopia and Djibouti Anurag Srivastava met the President in August.

 

[Hindustani78]

Cabinet
27-September, 2017 16:02 IST
Cabinet approves Agreement on “Cooperation in the field of Information, Communication and Media” between India and Ethiopia

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval to sign the Agreement between India and Ethiopia on “”Cooperation in the field of Information, Communication and Media”.

It aims to harness the growing power of Information, Communication and Media for information dissemination and enhancing outreach between the two countries for inclusive development. It will also enhance people to people contact through exchange programmes. It would also provide an opportunity for both the nations to share best practices and new innovations in the field of Information, Communication & Media.

The Agreement will encourage cooperation between mass media tools such as radio, print media, TV, social media etc. to provide more opportunities to the people of both the nations and create public accountability.

The Agreement, through an institutional framework will facilitate exchange of delegations, personnel between the two nations, providing them opportunities to learn from each other’s best practices, bringing in equity and inclusiveness.



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[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/csirs-biggest-global-deal-stalled/article19764152.ece


NEW DELHI, September 27, 2017 22:16 IST
Updated: September 27, 2017 22:18 IST

₹45-crore agreement on the rocks as Ethiopian agency fails to release funds
The biggest international deal signed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to transfer technology and training to a company in Ethiopia has stalled, said a person familiar with the development.

The CSIR had signed a $7 million (₹45 crore approximately) agreement with the Metal Industries Development Institute (MIDI) on June 13.

The three-year contract involved personnel from both the organisations and, according to a press statement issued in June, was expected to begin technical collaboration from the next month.

Strapped for funds

The CSIR — known to be strapped for research funds — had committed to securing 10% to 15% of its ₹4,000-crore budget through external projects and sources.

The agreement was signed by the Director of National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur, and the project was to be executed by the CSIR-NML, CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute, Pilani; CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, Chandigarh; and CSIR-CLRI, Chennai.

The Ethiopian agency, reportedly, had not released funds.

Red tape blamed

“There seems to be some red tape and has got to do with the conversion of foreign currency,” said a person familiar with framework of deal on condition of anonymity.

Girish Sahni, CSIR Director-General, however, told The Hindu that he was not familiar with the specifics of the project’s progress. “I don’t think it has derailed, but I will check up on this,” he said.

According to a CSIR press statement in June, the agreement was signed at Addis Ababa in the presence of Alemu Sime, State Minister of Industry, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Teshome Lemma and Mr. Sahni.