Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Modi for transforming Bay of Bengal into a bridge of connectivity
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called upon fellow leaders to strive to transform the Bay of Bengal into a bridge of connectivity, prosperity and security among the BIMSTEC-member countries.
In his intervention, the Indian Prime Minister underscored the importance of enhanced BIMSTEC regional connectivity, cooperation and security, and made several suggestions in this regard.
Read: BIMSTEC leaders pledge to intensify regional cooperation to offset economic losses
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her Indian counterpart Modi along with other leaders also witnessed the signing of three BIMSTEC agreements which represent progress being achieved in ongoing cooperation activities.
These are BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; BIMSTEC Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in the field of Diplomatic Training and Memorandum of Association on Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility.
The main outcome of the Summit was the adoption and signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, which formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of member states that are littoral to, and dependent upon, the Bay of Bengal.
Prime Minister Modi virtually participated in the 5th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit hosted by Sri Lanka.
Prior to the 5th BIMSTEC Summit, preparatory meetings at the Senior Official and Foreign Minister levels were held in Colombo on March 28 and 29 in the hybrid mode.
Read: BIMSTEC Charter signed in Colombo to push forward cooperation
The Summit’s theme “Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People” captured the main current priorities of member states, and the efforts by BIMSTEC to develop cooperation activities that support member state’s programmes to deal with the economic and development consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Summit also saw considerable progress being achieved in the BIMSTEC connectivity agenda with the adoption of the ‘Master Plan for Transport Connectivity’ by Leaders which lays out a guidance framework for connectivity related activities in the region in the future.
‘Will continue working with Hasina’, reassures Modi
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he will work with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina to further expand and deepen ties between the two countries.
"I look forward to continuing working with PM Sheikh Hasina to further expand and deepen our ties," he tweeted on Monday as the two countries celebrate ‘Maitri Diwas’ (Friendship Day).
Read: Maitree Week highlighting Indo-Bangla friendship observed in Dhaka
Just 10 days before the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971, India had recognised Bangladesh on December 6, 1971.
India was one of the first countries to establish bilateral diplomatic ties with independent Bangladesh.
“Today India and Bangladesh commemorate Maitri Diwas. We jointly recall and celebrate the foundations of our 50 years of friendship," Modi said.
During the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Bangladesh in March this year, it was decided to commemorate the 6th December as "Maitri Diwas".
Maitri Diwas has been commemorated in 18 countries around the world apart from Bangladesh and India.
Read: Bangladesh, India to celebrate ‘Maitree Diwas’ in 18 countries Dec 6
The countries are Belgium, Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Russia, Qatar, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Japan, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.
The Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) is organising a special event in New Delhi this afternoon. It will see participation from both countries.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will send a video message for the event.
President Putin to visit New Delhi on Dec 6
Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to New Delhi on December 6 for the 21st India-Russia annual Summit with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The last India-Russia annual Summit was held in September 2019 during the visit of Modi to Vladivostok (Russia).
Read: ‘Practical work’ summit for Biden, Putin: No punches or hugs
The annual summit could not take place in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation, according to Indian ministry of external affairs on Friday.
This will be the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders after their meeting on the side-lines of the BRICS Summit in Brasilia in November, 2019.
There have been 6 telephonic conversations between the two leaders since November, 2019 till date apart from virtual meetings for multilateral Summits.
The leaders will review the state and prospects of bilateral relations and discuss ways to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Read:Face to face: Biden, Putin ready for long-anticipated summit
The Summit will also afford an opportunity to exchange views on regional, multilateral and international issues of mutual interest.
The visit is in continuation of the tradition of annual summits alternately in India and Russia.
The visit will provide further impetus to the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
Modi leaves for US to attend first in-person Quad Summit
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left for the US to attend the first in-person Quad Summit and hold face-to-face talks with President Joe Biden in Washington DC.
The Quad, acronym for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is an informal strategic group of four nations -- the US, Australia, Japan and India. The Quad was formed in 2007 as a counterbalance to China in Asia.
In his departure statement, the Indian PM said that his meeting with President Biden, Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia and PM Yoshihide Suga of Japan would provide an opportunity to take stock of the outcomes of a virtual summit in March.
Read: Modi to attend first in-person Quad Summit in US next week
"My visit to the US would be an occasion to strengthen the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with USA, consolidate relations with our strategic partners - Japan and Australia - and to take forward our collaboration on important global issues."
Modi added: "I will also meet Prime Minister Morrison of Australia and Prime Minister Suga of Japan to take stock of the strong bilateral relations with their respective countries and continue our useful exchanges on regional and global issues."
The meeting of the Quad leaders is slated for September 24 in Washington DC amid the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban.
During his three-day US visit, Modi is also scheduled to meet President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and also address the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 25 in New York.
"At the invitation of @POTUS @JoeBiden, I am visiting USA to continue our dialogue, and exchange views on areas of mutual interest. Also looking forward to meet @VP @KamalaHarris to discuss global issues and explore ideas for cooperation...," the Indian PM said in a separate tweet.
Read: Afghanistan, terrorism, Indo-Pacific, climate change on Modi's US trip agenda
About his UN General Assembly address, Modi said he would focus on "pressing global challenges", such as the pandemic, and the need to tackle terrorism and climate change.
The Indian PM's visit to the US comes over a month after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. In fact, India was among several countries that evacuated their diplomatic staff from Kabul when the Taliban took over Kabul on August 15.
However, two weeks later, India began direct communication with the Taliban, with the country's envoy in Qatar Deepak Mittal holding talks with Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Taliban's Political Office in the Gulf state.
At the meeting, Ambassador Mittal had raised India's concern that Afghanistan's soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner, to which Stanekzai assured him that these issues would be positively addressed, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Read: Mamata slams Modi govt as nephew summoned over coal scam
"Discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit India also came up."
The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan on August 15, with the US troops ending their 20-year military presence in the South Asian country.
India is particularly worried about the implications of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, given it has already infused over three billion USD worth development aid into that country and the horrific memories of the Taliban's role in the hijacking of an Indian airliner in 1999.
Modi to attend first in-person Quad Summit in US next week
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the first in-person Quad Summit to be hosted by President Joe Biden in the US on September 24 amid the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan after the return of the Taliban.
The Quad, acronym for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is an informal strategic group of four nations -- the US, Australia, Japan and India. The Quad was formed in 2007 as a counterbalance to China in Asia.
In a statement, the Indian External Affairs Ministry Tuesday said that the Quad leaders will review the progress made since their first virtual Summit held on March 12 and "discuss regional issues of shared interest".
"They will also exchange views on contemporary global issues such as critical and emerging technologies, connectivity and infrastructure, cyber security, maritime security, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, climate change and education."
Read: It's very regrettable, says FM on China's Quad remarks
The leaders of Australia, India, Japan and the United States will also review the Quad Vaccine initiative which was announced in March this year, the Ministry said.
"The Summit would provide a valuable opportunity for dialogue and interactions among the Leaders, anchored in their shared vision of ensuring a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region," it added.
The Indian Prime Minister is also scheduled to address the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 25 in New York, according to the Foreign Ministry.
The Indian Foreign Ministry's statement comes after White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the date of the Quad Leaders Summit late on Monday night.
"US President Joseph R Biden, Jr will host the first-ever Quad Leaders Summit at the White House on September 24. President Biden is looking forward to welcoming to the White House Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, and Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan," Psaki said.
"Hosting the leaders of the Quad demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration's priority of engaging in the Indo-Pacific, including through new multilateral configurations to meet the challenges of the 21st century."
India was among several countries that evacuated their diplomatic staff from Kabul when the Taliban took over the Afghan capital on August 15.
Read: Beijing wants Dhaka not to join Quad
However, two weeks later, India began direct communication with the Taliban, with the country's envoy in Qatar Deepak Mittal holding talks with Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, the head of the Taliban's Political Office in the Gulf state.
At the meeting, Ambassador Mittal had raised India's concern that Afghanistan's soil should not be used for anti-Indian activities and terrorism in any manner, to which Stanekzai assured him that these issues would be positively addressed, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
"Discussions focused on safety, security and early return of Indian nationals stranded in Afghanistan. The travel of Afghan nationals, especially minorities, who wish to visit India also came up."
The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan on August 15, with the US troops ending their 20-year military presence in the South Asian country.
India is particularly worried about the implications of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, given it has already infused over three billion USD worth development aid into that country and the horrific memories of the Taliban's role in the hijacking of an Indian airliner in 1999.
India ferry tragedy: One dead, two missing, 87 rescued
Indian authorities on Thursday stepped up rescue operations to look for survivors in Wednesday's ferry tragedy in the Brahmaputra river in the northeastern state of Assam.
The Indian Army has been called out to help in the rescue operations. So far, 87 people have been rescued, but one person has died and two others are still missing, officials said.
The accident occurred on Wednesday evening when a single-motor passenger boat, carrying 90 people, collided with a government ferry in the Brahmaputra near Nimati Ghat in Jorhat district, 350km from Assam's capital Guwahati, and capsized.
Read: 60 'missing' in India ferry accident
"Over 200 people were on board both the boats. While those on the government ferry had a narrow escape, the single-motor boat with 90 people on board capsized after the collision," a disaster management official told the media.
"Some 87 people have been rescued so far. One woman has died while two others are still missing. The Indian Army is looking for survivors," he added.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to say that "all possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers".
"Saddened by the boat accident in Assam. All possible efforts are being made to rescue the passengers. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being," the PM tweeted.
Read: Another Indian Oxygen Express arrives with 200 MT of medical oxygen
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, meanwhile, directed officials to act against all single-motor boats that often carry passengers beyond their seating capacity. "I am pained at the tragic boat accident near Nimati Ghat, Jorhat."
A probe has been ordered into the accident, the disaster management official said.
India Wants to Grow Tiger Population by 35% to Protect Forests, Boost Economy
Among Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s myriad options to help revive his economy from a rare contraction brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, “Project Tiger” is definitely among the most unlikely.
According to Bloomberg, the country intends to grow the wild tiger population by 35% to as many as 4,000 in the next decade, which would protect forests while also boosting economic gains from conservation, according to a top official overseeing the nation’s tiger program.
“Tiger reserves are bringing benefits for society, environment and the economy,” S.P. Yadav, additional director general of Project Tiger, a government-run program for conservation of the species, said in an interview at his New Delhi office. “Economic benefits will increase going forward.”
Read:Tiger population growing in the Sundarbans: PM
Modi, who in 2019 joined British adventurer Bear Grylls on a television show to create awareness about environmental conservation and climate change, has doubled funding for the tiger conservation, which started in 1973. In addition to the economic boost, it’s a tiny part of a broader commitment to care for the country’s environment.
Every tiger successfully protected helps conserve around 25,000 acres (10,117 hectares) of forest, according to estimates from the World Wildlife Fund. For India, which is now home to about 2,967 wild tigers, that means expanding its forest cover by more than 10 million hectares to over 81 million hectares, and adding more tiger reserves to its current total of 51.
As well, one rupee invested in tiger reserves provides 243- to 7,488-times worth of benefits to the country in a year, said Madhu Verma, New Delhi-based chief economist at the World Resources Institute. A study authored by her in 2019 showed monetary value of direct and indirect benefits from 10 tiger reserves ranged from 51 billion rupees ($687 million) to 162 billion rupees in a year.
As the endangered big cats are at the top of the food chain, their conservation is possible only when their entire ecosystem is protected. As well, benefits flow to the population around the reserves as tourism increases and local communities get jobs.
Read:Poacher 'Tiger Habib' held after 20 yrs on the run
“If conservation efforts increase economic benefits would go up,” said Verma. “Investment in reserves will have a whopping impact.”
India now spends about 2.5 billion rupees on tiger conservation efforts every year. Although it’s a fraction of the 35 trillion rupee federal budget, the amount is substantial considering the nation only spent about 11 billion rupees on tigers in total during the four decades prior to 2012.
That spending has so far helped double the country’s wild tiger population from 1,411 in 2006.
India has been using smart technology, including artificial intelligence and drones for patrolling and recording the status of tigers. These tools have helped it reduce poaching, but challenges remain.
Read: Two ‘poachers’ killed in tiger attack in Sundarbans
More than 300 tiger deaths have been reported in last three years, and about a third of these are due to poaching, seizure or accidents. India’s tiger reserves on just about a quarter of the world tiger habitat are also threatened by conflicts with humans, including rise in killing of livestock and people, inadequacy of trained forest staff, as well as development of infrastructure such as roads and hydropower projects.
Tiger-human conflicts need attention and the government is studying how many tigers can be accommodated so that there are substantial benefits to communities, Yadav said, pointing out the significance of wild cats for human health and green infrastructure.
“For water security you need to preserve tigers,” said Yadav. “Several sweet water streams originate in tiger reserves. These are the factories of producing clean water and air for the country.”
30 ambulances arrive in Bangladesh from India
The first fleet of 30 ambulances out of a total of 109 -- a gift from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- arrived in Bangladesh through the Benapole land port on Saturday morning.
Mostafizur Rahman, deputy commissioner of the Benapole Customs House, said that the 30 ambulances entered Bangladesh in the morning from the Petrapole border on the Indian side.
"Necessary paperwork is underway to get the clearance done. Once complete, the ambulances will leave for Dhaka later in the day," he said.
Also read: Indian sends 30 ambulances to Bangladesh
The remaining ambulances are expected to arrive in batches by September-end, said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.
Read: Bangladesh shatters its own records; reports 264 single-day Covid deaths
According to the Indian High Commission, Prime Minister Modi announced the gift of 109 ambulances to Bangladesh, during his state visit on March 26-27, to help bolster healthcare, especially in the shared effort to contain the Covid pandemic.
Read: AL distributes ambulance, corona safety materials
All the ambulances have ventilation support, said sources at the commission. And these are intended to support the government’s extensive effort to combat the pandemic.
After 41 yrs, Hockey-India win bronze in Tokyo Olympics
Indian men's hockey team scripted history in the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, defeating Germany 5-4 to bag a bronze medal at the quadrennial sporting extravaganza after nearly 41 years.
The country's last success at the Olympics came in the 1980 Moscow games in Russia, where the men's hockey team got the gold. In the 1968 Mexico games and the 1972 Munich Games too, India bagged the bronze.
Read: Olympic families find solace, create bonds far from Tokyo
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up the winning men's hockey team members in Tokyo and congratulated them for finally breaking the Olympic medal jinx.
"Many, many congratulations to you and the entire team, you have made history. The entire country is filled with joy. Your hard work has paid off. The entire country is happy," Modi was heard saying in a video posted by Indian Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on Twitter.
Soon after the match, the PM tweeted, "Historic! A day that will be etched in the memory of every Indian. Congratulations to our Men’s Hockey Team for bringing home the Bronze. With this feat, they have captured the imagination of the entire nation, especially our youth."
Read: At an extraordinary Olympics, acts of kindness abound
Indian President Ramnath Kovind also took to Twitter to laud the Indian men's hockey team for its dominating performance and “exceptional skills, resilience & determination".
“Congratulations to our men’s hockey team for winning an Olympic Medal in hockey after 41 years. The team showed exceptional skills, resilience & determination to win. This historic victory will start a new era in hockey...," he wrote.
In fact, in the match, Germany had taken an early lead with Timur Oruz scoring a goal in the the first quarter. India's Simranjeet Singh soon equalled the scores of the two team.
Read:A pandemic Olympics, without all the crowds: What gets lost?
Germany, however, bounced back with two more goals in the second quarter to lead 3-1. However, the third quarter proved lucky for India. And subsequently, Simranjeet scored his second goal of the match to give India an edge over Germany.
“A billion cheers for India! Boys, you’ve done it ! We can’t keep calm ! #TeamIndia! Our Men’s Hockey Team dominated and defined their destiny in the Olympic history books today, yet again! We are extremely proud of you!" the Sports Minister tweeted.
Modi moved by Hasina’s thoughtful gift
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said he is touched by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s “thoughtful gesture” of sending mangoes for him from Bangladesh.
Read: Sheikh Hasina gifts 2,600kg mangoes to PM Modi, Mamata Banerjee
“It was a pleasant reminder of your generous hospitality in Dhaka extended to me during my recent visit to Bangladesh,” he said in a letter sent to her Bangladesh counterpart.
Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed his government's commitment to progressing mutually beneficial cooperation between Bangladesh and India.
Despite the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Modi said the cooperation between the two countries has continued to flourish in all areas of bilateral relations. “I’m glad that follow-up discussions and initiatives have taken place despite these disruptions.”
Read: Humanity will overcome pandemic soon: Modi writes to Hasina
Earlier, leading Indian media carried stories with much interest on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's gift of sweet Haribhanga mango that she sent for Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other political leaders in India.
Some of the media outlets in India described the gift as “mango diplomacy” while Dhaka says it is just sharing happiness with friends and neighbours in this historic year.
Prime Minister Hasina on Sunday sent 2,600kgs of mango as a gift for Indian President Ram Nath Kovind, her counterpart Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of Tripura Biplab Kumar Deb and other Indian political leaders in India.
Read:India: Modi govt inducts 43 new Ministers in major Cabinet rejig
The care packages reached Kolkata on Sunday via Benapole Petrapol land border and were later transported to Delhi via train.
Bangladesh and India decided to commemorate December 6 as Maitri Diwas, the day when India recognised Bangladesh in the year 1971.