1) Israel keen to partner with India irrigation, Clean Ganga projects

• Current Affirs Israel has expressed keen interest in joining hands with India for irrigation and other water-related projects as well as for Clean Ganga project. Israel has been named as country partner for India Water Week 2016 which is being organised by the Ministry of Water Resources, starting from April 4.
• Israel`s Ambassador to India Daniel Carmon said the participation will include a number of dedicated seminars and lectures by leading Israeli experts in the field of water and agriculture among others. He said that Israel has knowledge and experience as a former water scarce country and is keen to provide the right water solutions needed.

2) India has very important role in stewardship of nuclear weapons: US

• The US has said that India has a "very important" role to play in responsible stewardship of nuclear weapons and materials. In his meeting with India`s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Washington, ahead of Nuclear Security Summit, US Secretary of State John Kerry said India has a long record of being a leader, of being responsible, and it is particularly important right now at a time when we see some choices being made in the region that may accelerate possible arms construction, which we have serious questions about.
• He said that the US has raised these issues with various partners in the Asian region. He expressed the hope this Nuclear Security Summit will contribute to everybody`s understanding about our global responsibilities and choices. Ajit Doval said India was "deeply interested" in ensuring safety and security of radioactive materials.
• Hoping for increased cooperation with the US, Doval said India and the US would look to work together on their shared concerns, including terrorism and cyber space. The Secretary of State said that the US-India civil nuclear partnership should bolster India`s energy security and the strong economic relationship between the two countries.

• The 13th India-EU Summit concluded in Brussels without a consensus on a bilateral free trade deal known as the BTIA (Broadbased Trade and Investment Agreement) even as progress was made in bilateral cooperation in other fields -- from foreign policy to outer space.
• The talks, which ended on 30th March, were a culmination of efforts to kick-start a relationship that has been flagging for at least four years. The very fact that they occurred made them significant.
• While both the parties failed to set a date for the next round of trade talks, Tomasz Kozlowski, EU Ambassador to India. The discussions on trade involved an expression of ambitions and degrees of flexibility from both sides.
• India has been pushing for opening European markets for its services sector and the movement of people to deliver those services while the EU has been keen on reducing or abolishing tariffs in several sectors, including in the automobile and wine and spirits sectors. The Brussels meetings evidently did not see the closing of gaps between the two sides.
• The fields of cooperation are many, and defined by the EU-India Agenda for Action-2020, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the presidents of the European Council and European Commission endorsed. The sectors of partnership range from foreign policy, counter terrorism and disarmament to transport and space. While at least six agenda documents and declarations were issued by the EU on their website, the extent to which they will be acted upon and not share the current fate of the BTIA, remains to be seen.
• There was some promise of action that would be taken in areas such as water, climate and energy, with the adoption of joint declarations on the India-EU Water Partnership and a Clean Energy and Climate Partnership.

4) Germany’s Development Bank KfW to provide loan assistance to metro system for Nagpur

• Germany’s Development Bank KfW will provide loan assistance of three thousand and 750 crore rupees for the modern and sustainable metro system for Nagpur city being executed by Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation Limited.
• An agreement in this regard was signed in New Delhi by Joint Secretary in Department of Economic Affairs S Selvaraj and Director General of KfW Roland Siller. The loan period is 20 years with a moratorium of five years and disbursal will be based on the progress of the project over three years.
• Costing 8,680 crore rupees, Nagpur Metro is the first metro to be financed under the Indo-German partnership for clean, socially inclusive and climate friendly mobility for people in cities.

• A day after the five-member Pakistan Joint Investigation Team reached Islamabad after conducting investigations in Pathankot attack, reports in Pakistani media, quoting JIT sources, claimed that India had "failed to provide any evidence" to prove that Pakistani militants stormed the strategic air base.
• The News International` website reported that the JIT could not collect evidence from the attack site as it got very limited time (only 55 minutes) to visit the air base. Quoting sources, the report also stated that the NIA could only inform them about the "negligence" of the Border Security Force.
• The report of JIT dismissing NIA`s evidence is "complete opposite" of what Indian officials claimed. NIA had claimed that all the evidence including the statements; ballistic and forensic reports; call records; and names and addresses of suspects, including those of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar, his brother Abdul Rauf and others based in Pakistan, had been shared with JIT. NIA had also said that "the Pakistani officials were convinced with its investigations and had even admitted that the four fidayeen attackers were their nationals. 

1) Cabinet nod for MoU with UAE to prevent human trafficking

• The Union Cabinet on 13th April discussed the five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bangladesh on fisheries. The MoU, signed in September 2011 is due to expire this year and can be extended if mutually agreed upon.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised about how the MoU on bilateral cooperation in fisheries and aquaculture and allied activities had strengthened friendly relations through mutually agreed activities and procedures.
• The MoU will remain in force for a period of five years unless either of the parties give prior written notice of at least six months in advance to the other party of its intention to terminate the MoU. This MoU could be extended for further period as may be mutually agreed upon,” an official release said.

2) MoU with UAE

• The Cabinet also gave its nod for signing of MoU with United Arab Emirates on cooperation in preventing and combating human trafficking.
• The MoU will strengthen cooperation to prevent all forms of human trafficking, especially of women and children, and ensure speedy investigation and prosecution of traffickers and organised crime syndicates in either country
• Anti-trafficking cells and task forces will work on both sides to prevent human trafficking, it said, adding that repatriation of victims would be done as expeditiously as possible.

3) Wildlife network

• The Cabinet also approved of India adopting the Statute of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) and becoming its formal member to strengthen ties with member countries in controlling trans-boundary wildlife crime through communication, coordination, collaboration, capacity building and cooperation in the region.
• SAWEN, a regional network, comprises eight countries in South Asia – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

• India and the United States have agreed to enhance collaboration on tackling offshore tax evasion and increase co-operation in sharing of cross-border tax information. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew co-chaired the 6th US-India Economic and Financial Partnership on the sidelines of the annual Spring Meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in Washington on 13th April.
• A joint statement issued after the meeting said that the two leaders look forward to the Competent Authorities of the two countries engaging in bilateral dialogue to move forward cooperation in these areas. It said, the two nations resolved a significant portion of bilateral tax disputes. Mr Jaitley and Mr Lew were joined by other senior officials from both sides including Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen and Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan.
• Both leaders noted the progress in sharing of financial information between the two countries under the Inter-Governmental Agreement pursuant to Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA). The statement said, India and US will continue to engage in discussions on full reciprocal arrangement on the FATCA.
• Acknowledging enhanced co-operation in tackling money laundering and combating financing of terrorism through increased information sharing and cooperation, the two leaders agreed on the importance of fighting illicit finance in all forms as an important means of tackling global terrorism.
• The joint statement also said, US will support India`s endeavour to find ways to fund its massive drive for building modern infrastructure and to create more jobs. Mr Jaitley said, both the countries are working together to support India`s National Investment and Infrastructure Fund in order to increase financing options for India`s infrastructure growth.

5) India and Saudi Arabia reject any attempt to link terrorism with any race or religion

• Current Affirs India and Saudi Arabia have totally rejected any attempt to link terrorism with any race, religion or culture. In a joint statement issued during Prime Minister, Narendra Modi`s visit to Saudi Arabia on 3rd April, the two sides called on all nations to reject the use of terrorism against other countries.
• Mr. Modi and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud agreed to further strengthen cooperation in combating terrorism, both at the bilateral level and within the multi-lateral system of the UN. Two leaders also agreed to work together towards the adoption of India`s proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations.
• The two leaders strongly condemned the phenomenon of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations irrespective of who the perpetrators are and their motivations.
• The two leaders also agreed to promote cooperation in cyber security including prevention of use of cyber space for terrorism, radicalization and for disturbing social harmony.
• Five agreements: India and Saudi Arabia have signed five agreements and MoUs in Riyadh on 3rd April. These include an agreement on Labour Co-operation for recruitment of general category workers and technical cooperation program between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).
• An MEA release said, other agreements include executive program for cooperation in the field of handicrafts between the Export Promotion Council for Handicraft (EPCH) and Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.
• An framework agreement on Investment Promotion Cooperation between Invest India and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) has also been signed. Financial Intelligence Unit of India and Saudi Arabia have signed an MoU for exchange of Intelligence related to Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Related Crimes.
• PM Modi gifts Saudi King: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud a gold-plated replica of the Cheraman Juma Masjid of Kerala. Situated in Thrissur district, the mosque is believed to be the first mosque built in India by Arab traders around 629 AD. The mosque has an ancient oil lamp that is always kept burning and believed to be over a thousand years old. People from all religions bring oil for the lamp as an offering.

6) India takes up Masood Azhar veto case with China

• India has taken up with Beijing at a high level the issue of China vetoing a UN bid to declare Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad`s leader Masood Azhar a terrorist.
• Foreign secretary S Jaishankar said in New Delhi that it is an issue that has to be pursued in the UN context. However, Mr Jaishankar indicated that the Azhar issue will not affect India`s relationship with China in other areas.
• India had approached the UN in February to include Masood Azhar in the UN Security Council`s 1267 sanctions list, in the aftermath of the terror attack on the Pathankot airbase by JeM terrorists.
• But it was last week put on hold for the second time by China, a close friend of Pakistan. China requested the UN sanctions committee to keep on hold the move to ban Masood Azhar.

1) India, China move closer to set up military hotline

• According to the Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parikar, India and China have moved closer to establishing a telephone hotline between the Armies of the two nations.
• Parikar informed the top Naval Commanders at their Biannual conference in Delhi was his first since he returned from his 5 day visit of China and his talks with the Chinese political leadership.
• Parrikar also said that the Chinese and Indian sides have agreed to increase the frequency and points of Border Personnel meeting between India and China at the disputed Line of Actual Control. He said that India`s concern including the Veto by China on the UN resolution against Jaishe e Mohammeed Chief Maulana Masood Azhar were conveyed with clarity and firmness.

2) India, China agree to establish army hot-line

• India and China have agreed to establish hot-line between their armed forces. Replying to a media query on the recently concluded Special Representatives level talks in Beijing between the two countries, According to the External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup, modalities to set up the hot-line will be worked out. He said, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval participated in the 19th round of talks.
• He said, the discussion focused on efforts to find out a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution to the boundary issue and maintenance of peace and tranquility on the borders.
• He said, it was noted in the meeting that no major incidents have taken place during the recent pasts. Mr Swarup said, the NSA also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interests.

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 11th April said security agencies of India and Maldives need to work together to tackle the menace of terrorism and rising radicalisation of youth.
• After holding talks with visiting Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in New Delhi, Mr Modi said, India is conscious of security needs of Maldives and it hopes that the island nation will be sensitive to New Delhi`s strategic and security interests.
• Mr Modi said, India understands its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean and is ready to protect its strategic interests in the region. Mr Modi said, stable and secure Maldive is in India’s strategic interest. He said, progress, security and economic development is at the core of India-Maldives relations.
• He said, India`s economic development is incomplete without progress of its neighbours.
• In his statement, Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said, his country pursues an India first foreign policy and India is the most important friend of Maldives. He said, ties between the two nations are based in civilizational roots. The Maldivian President said, efforts are being made to improve country`s economy.
• Earlier, the two countries signed six agreements in different sectors including avoidance of double taxation, defence, tourism and conservation and restoration of ancient mosque.
• In the talks it was agreed that India will set up a police academy, build the Defence Ministry building of Maldives besides speeding up infrastructure projects relating to security. India will also extend all possible assistance to the island nation, including in maritime sphere and capacity building of armed forces.

4) India, US agree on logistics exchange agreement

• India and the US on 12th April agreed in principle to conclude a logistics exchange agreement to enable both militaries to use each other`s assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.
• After delegation-level talks in New Delhi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter made it clear that the agreement, which will be signed in coming months, does not entail deployment of American troops on Indian soil.
• Both sides also agreed to set up a new bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue between officials from their defence and foreign affairs ministries. They also decided to enhance on-going navy-to-navy discussions to cover submarine-related issues.
• During their meeting, the two leaders reviewed the important steps taken since the signing of the new Framework for the U.S.-India Defense Relationship last June to deepen bilateral defence ties. They also discussed the priorities for the coming year in defence ties, as well as specific steps both sides will take to pursue those priorities.
• These included expanding collaboration under the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative, Make in India efforts, the knowledge partnership in the field of defence and regional and international security matters of mutual interest.

• An Implementation Agreement for Ganga Rejuvenation under the Namami Gange Programme was signed in New Delhi on 13th April between the Ministry of Water Resources and German International Cooperation (GIZ) of Germany.
• The agreement was signed in the presence of the German Ambassador to India, Dr. Martin Ney and Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources Shashi Shekhar.
• The objective of the agreement is to enable responsible stakeholders at National and State level to apply integrated river basin management approach for the rejuvenation of the river Ganga.
• This will be based on Indo-German Knowledge exchange and practical experience on strategic river basin management issues, effective data management system and public engagement.
• The project will closely cooperate with other national and international initiatives including Indo-German bilateral projects like Support to National Urban Sanitation Policy (SNUSP) and ‘Sustainable Environment-friendly Industrial Production’ (SEIP).
• The project duration is three years from 2016 to 2018 and the German contribution in the project will be to the tune of 22.5 crore rupees. Initial actions will focus on Uttarakhand with scope of expansion to other upstream Ganga States. The ultimate goal is to adopt the successful river basin management strategies used for Rhine and Danube and replicate the same, wherever possible for attaining the pristine status of river Ganga.

1) In Sri Lanka, foundation stone laid for 4,000 houses under 3rd phase of Indian Housing project

• In Sri Lanka, foundation stone was laid for building 4 thousand houses under the third phase of the Indian Housing project in the Central province on 24th April. The foundation stone was jointly laid by Indian High Commissioner YK Sinha, and Sri Lanka’s Minister of Hill Country New Villages, P Thigambaram, at Dunsinane Estate in the hill district of Nuwara Eliya. 
• The houses will be constructed by India for the families of Indian-origin plantation workers of hill districts of Sri Lanka. The houses are part of the 50 thousand houses that India has committed to build in the country under the fully-funded Indian development cooperation project. 
• According to the Indian High Commission, the houses will be constructed through the Estate Workers Housing Cooperative Societies in consultation with the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries will be selected through a transparent and norm-based process on the basis of clearly defined and objective criteria. 

• India on 26th April stressed on the need for early progress on Pathankot terror attack investigation as well as 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case trial in Pakistan. 
• Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar also brought up the listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar in UN Sanctions Committee in his meeting with Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in New Delhi 
• Accordig to the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup the discussions between the two Foreign Secretaries were frank and constructive and both sides raised issues of concern to them. Mr Jaishankar clearly conveyed that Pakistan cannot be in denial on the impact of terrorism on the bilateral relationship. The Foreign Secretary said terrorist groups based in Pakistan targeting India must not be allowed to operate with impunity. 
• India also pressed for immediate consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, former Naval officer abducted and taken to Pakistan. It was the first such formal meeting between the top diplomats of India and Pakistan after talks was deferred in January following the strike by Pakistani terrorists at Pathankot Airbase. The Pakistan Foreign Secretary is in New Delhi on a day-long visit to attend the Senior Officials Meeting of the Heart of Asia - Istanbul Process. 
• Earlier, Mr. Jaishankar met Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai and discussed issues of mutual interests. They discussed the situation in Afghanistan in context of deadly terrorist attack in Kabul on 18th of this month and the response of the international community to the continuing violence in Afghanistan. 
• Developments regarding the Chahbahar and Salma dam were also discussed along with India`s other development assistance and support to Afghanistan. 

3) India, PNG sign MoUs on IT, health

• India is looking to explore and develop Papua New Guinea’s vast oil and gas resources through joint ventures and investments from both the Indian private and public sectors in ongoing and new projects. 
• The Pacific island country agreed that oil and gas exploration and development could be a new avenue of cooperation between the two countries, keeping in view India’s desire to achieve energy security, said a joint statement issued by the two countries at the end of a two-day visit by President Pranab Mukherjee. 

Natural gas discovery

1. Indian companies are looking at projects coming up in Papua New Guinea after natural gas was discovered in the country’ s Southern Highland Province. Gas discoveries elsewhere in the country have evoked interest among Indian companies that believe they could participate in associated projects as well as in some gas blocks. Papua New Guinea is estimated to have 35 trillion cubic feet of natural gas as recoverable reserves. 
2. India agreed to provide a line of credit of $100 million to Papua New Guinea for infrastructure projects and signed a pact to set up a ‘Centre of Excellence’ in information technology. 
3. The request for the line of credit had been made in August 2015 by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill during a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of a summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation. 
4. Four memorandums of understanding were signed on the second and final day of President Mukherjee’s visit, the first state visit by an Indian head of state to the island nation. 
5. Papua New Guinea reiterated its support for India’s claim for permanent membership in the UN Security Council and agreed to expedite a proposed Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) to facilitate investments. It announced visa-on-arrival facility for Indian tourists. 
6. Apart from MoUs on extending a line of credit and information technology, other agreements related to cooperation on agricultural research and health. 
7. Mr. Mukherjee announced that India would provide anti-retroviral drugs and equipment to benefit 20,000 HIV positive patients in Papua New Guinea, a figure that would help at least half the number of those suffering from the disease. 
8. UNAIDS estimates say that between 37,000 and 41,000 people were living with HIV in 2014 in the country, which has a population of about eight million. 
9. The President said India would assist capacity-building and human resource development, besides offering to share its advanced techniques and technologies in the agriculture sector. 

4) Iran can be a reliable partner for India`s energy needs: Sushma Swaraj

• Iranian President Hassan Rouhani assured External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj that his country can be a reliable partner for India`s energy needs. Two countries have decided to significantly expand engagements in their overall ties, particularly in oil and gas sectors. 
• Mrs Swaraj, who arrived in Tehran on 16th April, called on Rouhani 17th April. Enhancing energy cooperation and development of the Chabahar port were the centerpiece of talks which was mostly dominated by economic issues. India welcomed the Iranian decision to keep the Farzad - B field outside the auction basket. 
• Earlier, Mrs Swaraj held talks with her Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif. During talks two sides agreed that pending agreements such as Preferential Trade Agreement, Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and Bilateral Investment Treaty should be concluded on a priority basis. Besides that she met Supreme Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei`s Advisor Ali Akbar Velayati and deliberated on a range of issues. 
• India has been eying deeper energy ties with Iran following lifting of nuclear sanctions. India has already lined up 20 billion dollars as investment in oil and gas as well as in petrochemical and fertiliser sectors in Iran. 
• External Affairs Minister also visited an Indian Gurudwara and the Kendriya Vidyalaya. She met the members of the small but vibrant Indian community in Tehran and assured them that she would take up issues of concern to them with the Iranian leadership. 
• From Iran, Mrs Swaraj left for a two-day trip to Moscow to attend the annual Foreign Ministers` meeting of RIC (Russia, India and China).

5) Chabahar Agreement: 2nd meeting of experts from India, Afghanistan and Iran 

• Current Affirs The second meeting of experts from India, Afghanistan and Iran to finalise text of Chabahar Agreement on Transport and Transit Corridors was held in New Delhi on 11th of this month. The draft Agreement envisions trilateral cooperation for providing alternative access to seas to Afghanistan, inter alia for Afghanistan’s trade with India. It has been decided to sign the Agreement at a high level at an early opportunity after completing necessary internal procedures in the three countries. 
• When the Agreement comes into force it will significantly enhance utilization of Chabahar Port, contribute to economic growth of Afghanistan, and facilitate better regional connectivity.