India and Russia 2+2 Dialogue:
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to create a "2 + 2 Ministerial Dialogue." The Minister of Defense and the Minister of Foreign Affairs held a "2 + 2 ministerial" dialogue.
Highlights:
♦ India has similar conversations with the US, Australia, and Japan. India will hold its first dialogue with a non-quartet member, Russia.
♦ President Putin will visit India in 2021 and hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi. The meeting may also take place in India or Russia.
♦ Russia is now India`s largest defence supplier. In addition, Russia provided India with main protection systems (such as the S-400).
♦ Both countries are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization`s BRIC countries. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Russia backs India.
♦ The two countries previously set a trade target of 30 billion dollars in trade by 2025. The conversation will assist them in achieving this aim.
♦ Russian training has been given to all astronauts shortlisted for India`s "Human Space Flight Program." A nuclear power plant in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, was built with Russian assistance.
♦ India has given its approval to Russia`s V-type satellite. After COVAXIN and COVISHIELD, this is the country`s third approved vaccine.
###Net Zero Producers Forum Saudi Arabia:
Saudi Arabia will form a "Net Zero Producer Forum" with Norway, the United States, Canada, and Qatar to explore how oil and gas companies can help enforce the Paris Climate Agreement.
Highlights:
♦ Saudi Arabia is the world`s largest exporter of crude oil.
♦ The forum will explore how to reach the target of zero carbon net emissions in order to keep global warming to a minimum.
♦ Saudi Arabia has also announced that by 2030, it intends to produce 50% of the country`s electricity from renewable sources, reducing carbon emissions.
♦ The President of the United States recently unveiled a proposal to reduce 2005 emissions by 50% to 52%.
Medical Equipment by Taiwan to India:
Taiwan has sent medical equipment to India, including oxygen concentrators and cylinders, with more on the way.
Highlights:
♦ Taiwan is officially called as the Republic of China (ROC).
♦ It is an East Asian nation bordered by China on the west, Japan on the east, and the Philippines on the south.
♦ The East China Sea is to the north, the Philippine Sea is to the east, the Luzon Strait is to the south, and the South China Sea is to the southwest.
♦ The Taiwan Strait separates Taiwan from mainland China.
♦ Taipei is the country`s capital.
♦ Taiwan is no longer a United Nations member, having been replaced by China in 1971.
♦ China asserts its sovereignty over Taiwan and refuses to develop diplomatic relations with countries that recognise the Republic of China.
♦ Taiwan maintains official relations with 14 of the United Nations` 193 member states, as well as the Holy See.
♦ Despite the fact that India and Taiwan do not have formal diplomatic relations, the two countries` bilateral ties have grown stronger since the 1990s.
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