1) Iran and China agreed to expand economic and political ties
- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and visiting Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping revealed that their countries had agreed to expand economic and political ties, calling it a “new season” in bilateral relations.
- Mr. Rouhani revealed that “We are happy that President Xi visited Iran after the lifting of sanctions ... Iran and China have agreed to increase trade to $600 billion in the next 10 years,” .
- China was one of six world powers to negotiate a landmark deal with Iran last July under which Tehran has curbed its disputed nuclear programme and won a removal of isolating international sanctions in return.
About Iran:
- Capital: Tehran
- Currency: Iranian rial
- President: Hassan Rouhani
About China:
- Capital: Beijing
- Currency: Renminbi
- President: Xi Jinping
2) India and France inked 16 agreements at the India-France Business Summit in Chandigarh.
- India and France inked 16 agreements at the India-France Business Summit in Chandigarh. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) covered a wide range of sectors like urban development, urban transport, water and waste treatment and solar energy.
- The agreements were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande, who began his three-day visit to India.
- Hollande is the Chief Guest at the 67th India’s Republic Day (26 January 2016) celebrations. He is the fifth French leader to be a chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations, maximum number from any country so far.
The 16 agreements include:
- MoU between AFD and Maharashtra on technical cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development for development of smart city in Nagpur.
- MoU between AFD and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on technical cooperation in the field of sustainable urban development for development of smart city in Chandigarh.
- MoU between AFD and the Union Territory of Puducherry on technical cooperation in the field of sustainable development for development of smart city in Puducherry.
- Wind Power Development Agreement between EDF JV with SITAC RE India to jointly explore opportunities for development of wind based power project in India.
- MOU between EPI ltd – Dassault Systems in urban sector development.
- MOU between EPI-Egis - urban sector development.
- MOU between EPI- Schneider Electric - urban sector development.
- MOU between EPI-Thales - urban sector development.
- MOU between EPI-EDF - urban sector development.
- MOU between EPI-Alstom - urban sector development.
- MOU between EPI-SA CAN - urban sector development.
- MOU between EPI-Lumiplan ITS India Pvt Ltd - urban sector development.
- MOU between EPI-POMA - urban sector development.
- Agreement between CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and Green Ventures – Solar photo voltaic projects in the Indian rural areas (Varanasi, U.P.).
- Agreement between CEA (the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission) and Crompton Greaves - To explore opportunities in Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) System with storage function for Indian Airports.
- Mahindra-Airbus cooperation to create the new private strategic partner for helicopters within the Make in India initiative.
About France:
- Capital: Paris
- Prime minister: Manuel Valls
- President: Francois Hollande
- Currencies: Euro, CFP franc
3) India and the Arab League vowed to combat terrorism.
- India and the Arab League have vowed to combat terrorism and called for developing a strategy to “eliminate” its sources and extremism, including its funding, as External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj made a strong pitch for delinking religion from terrorism.
- While addressing the 1st Ministerial Meeting of Arab-India Cooperation Forum here in the Bahraini capital, she also warned that those who “silently sponsor” terror groups could end up being used by them, in an apparent jibe at Pakistan.
- The two sides condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and rejected associating terrorism with any religion, culture or ethnic group.
- In the ‘Manama Declaration’, the countries affirmed the need to achieve a “comprehensive and permanent solution” to the Palestine issue and called for implementation of the two-state principle on the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestine State with East Jerusalem as its capital, living peace side by side with Israel.
About Arab League:
- Founded: March 22, 1945
- Member Countries: 22
- Headquarters: Cairo, Egypt
- Founders: Emirate of Transjordan, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Republic, Lebanon, Kingdom of Egypt, Kingdom of Iraq.
4) India and Russia sign agreement on scientific research.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised about signing of an agreement between India and Russia in May 2015.
- The Agreement provides for competitive research grants to Indian and Russian researchers for joint implementation of research projects in areas of Basic and Exploratory Sciences.
- The Agreement is valid for a period of six years and could be extended through mutual consent between Department of Science & Technology (DST) and Russian Science Federation (RSF).
- This competition would be conducted in the areas of Mathematics, Computer & System Science; Physics & Space Science; Chemistry & Material Science; Biology and Life Science; Basic research for Medicine, Agricultural Science, Earth Science and Engineering Science.
About Russia:
Capital: Moscow
President: Vladimir Putin
Prime minister : Dmitry Medvedev
Currency: Russian ruble
6) Danish Parliament voted on a proposal to confiscate asylum seekers’ personal possessions in order to pay their upkeep.
- Danish Parliament, Folketing, voted on a proposal to confiscate asylum seekers’ personal possessions in order to pay their upkeep.
- The minority Liberal Party government`s bill was adopted by 81 votes to 27, with the support of the opposition Social Democrats and the anti-immigration Danish People`s Party (DPP). One politician abstained and 70 others were absent.
- The policy tells that the police will be able to seize valuables worth more than 1340 euros (10000 kroner or 1000 Pound) from refugees to cover housing and food costs.
Reactions on the decision:
- A spokesman for UN chief Ban Ki-moon criticised the decision, saying refugees deserved compassion.
- The bill has been widely criticised by human rights groups.
- The proposed policy was condemned by liberal and left-wing EU parliamentarians by saying that the policy aims at delaying the family reunification of the migrants for up to three year.
About Denmark:
Capital: Copenhagen
Currency: Danish krone
Prime Minister: Helle Thorning-Schmidt