1) Cabinet approves deal between India, Mauritius on cooperation in cooperatives
- Current Affirs The Cabinet has given its approval for signing of an Inter-Governmental Agreement between India and Mauritius on cooperation in cooperatives and related fields. The Agreement between the two countries will be for duration of five years after which it will be automatically extended for another five years.
- The Agreement provides for promoting cooperation through short and medium term programmes within the framework of the joint activities mentioned in the Agreement. A work plan will also be drawn up by mutual Agreement between the two parties to give effect to the objectives of this Agreement.
- The Cabinet also gave its nod to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), Abu Dhabi for mutual co-operation and technical assistance.
- The MoU will promote will help create conditions for development of securities markets in the two countries. It will also contribute towards strengthening the information sharing framework between the two regulators.
- The Union Cabinet was apprised of a General Framework Agreement, GFA on Renewable Energy Cooperation between India and United Arab Emirates, UAE. The GFA was signed, in New Delhi on 11th February this year during the state visit of Crown Prince of UAE.
- The objective of this GFA is to establish the basis for a framework through which extensive projects, investments, cooperation in research and development in renewable and clean energy, and knowledge sharing platforms could be enacted on the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity between the Parties.
2) India, WHO sign treaty for Global promotion of Traditional Systems of Medicine
- Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India and the World Health Organization have signed an historic Project Collaboration Agreement (PCA) for cooperation on promoting the quality, safety and effectiveness of service provision in traditional and complementary medicine.
- The PCA aims to support WHO in the development and implementation of the `WHO Traditional and Complementary Medicine Strategy: 2014-2023` and will contribute to the global promotion of traditional Indian Systems of Medicine.
- The PCA for the period 2016-2020 will deliver for the first time WHO benchmark document for training in Yoga, and WHO benchmarks for practice in Ayurveda, Unani and Panchakarma.
- These will contribute significantly to the strengthening of national capacities in ensuring the quality, safety and effectiveness of traditional medicine including in establishing regulatory frameworks for traditional medicine products and practice and promote their integration in national healthcare systems.
- Minister of State (Independent Charge) of AYUSH Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik recalled the history and rich heritage of Indian traditional medicines and its growing relevance in providing comprehensive health care.
- He also mentioned that the initiatives and activities undertaken by India within the country align with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023. He added that India, sets a unique example for adopting a pluralistic health care delivery system that allows every recognized medical system to develop and be practiced with a view to provide integrated and holistic healthcare services.
3) India, New Zealand sign landmark Air Services Agreement
- Current Affirs India and New Zealand today signed a landmark Air Services Agreement paving the way for introduction of direct flights between the two countries. The agreement was signed by Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmer Welfare, Dr Sanjeev Baliyan on behalf of India and Transport Minister of New Zealand Simon Bridges in the presence of the President Mr Pranab Mukherjee and the New Zealand Prime Minister Mr John Key.
- Business, Education and Tourism have grown exponentially between India and New Zealand in the recent years. There are nearly 1,75,000 persons of Indian origin in New Zealand of which about 15,000 are Indian students. The two-way trade between the two countries has doubled in the last few years. The two-way tourist traffic has also witnessed sharp rise, partly due to the exotic and pristine locales of New Zealand shown in Indian movies.
- President Mukherjee said the agreement will lead to easier connectivity that has inhibited both business travel and people- to- people contact in the past. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key also held talks with Mr Mukherjee. According to Secretary East in the Ministry of External Affairs Preeti Saran, both sides agreed to expedite negotiations for an early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement.
- President Mukherjee also addressed a large gathering of Business Leaders today. He said despite sluggishness in World Economy, India is progressing at a healthy 7.2% rate of growth and it will certainly be better in coming years.
4) PM Modi launches 11 solar-powered ‘e-boats’ in Varanasi
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 1st May launched 11 solar-powered "e-boats" at the Assi Ghat in Varanasi. He said this step is in line with his government`s focus on making long-term interventions to empower the poor in their fight against poverty.
- The Prime Minister said his government has made schemes, which empower the poor to fight and defeat the poverty themselves. Reaching out to the backward fishermen and boatmen communities and addressing them as brothers, the Prime Minister said his government is for the poor.
- Earlier, the Prime Minister held a `chaupal` with the rickshaw pullers in his Parliamentary constituency and expressed his feelings before handing over e-rickshaws to them. He interacted with 16 select rickshaw pullers of the total 1000, who were giving e-rickshaws, replacing their old paddle rickshaws with e-rickshaws.