10-Nov-2022: 11th Session of the India-Belarus Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation held
The 11th Session of the India-Belarus Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation was held on November 10, 2022 in New Delhi. Shri Som Prakash, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, led the Indian delegation and H. E. Mr. Vladimir Makei, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Belarus, led the Belarusian delegation.
The Intergovernmental Commission reviewed the results of bilateral cooperation that took place after the tenth session of the Commission in 2020. While expressing satisfaction at the progress made in regard to some projects, the Commission also directed concerned Ministries and Departments to focus on key sectors in the trade & investment spheres to finalise concrete outcomes.
On the economic front, there has been substantial progress with expanding cooperation across all sectors of focus. India and Belarus reiterated their strong desire to further broaden their cooperation with emphasis on key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, financial services, science and technology, heavy industries, culture, tourism, and education.
The two ministers directed their respective business communities to engage with each other in these sectors to further mutually beneficial cooperation.
The two sides agreed to promote cooperation among various states in India and regions in Belarus, especially in focus areas.
India and Belarus are strategic partners since 1991. The two countries cooperate on several areas. This visit was an opportunity to review the existing relationship and find out ways and means to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
11-Oct-2017: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Belarus for Cooperation in the field of Vocational Education and Training
The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Belarus for cooperation in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET). The MoU was signed on 12th September, 2017 during the State visit of H.E. Mr. Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus to India.
This is for the first time MoU for cooperation in area of vocational education, training and skill development has been signed with Eurasian country.
Belarus has a large concentration of industries, mainly into manufacturing and heavy industries, which draw their strength from available skilled manpower and a highly developed skill training system. The transfer of knowledge of their skilling methodology will immensely help in our initiatives like "Make in India" and "Skill India". This MoU would pave the way for systematic transfer of their expertise and knowhow in skilling the manpower specially in manufacturing sector.
Cooperation between two countries in identified areas would be implemented through establishing institutional partnerships between Republican Institute for Vocational Education" (RIPO) , an apex institution for development of Belarusian vocational education system and Directorate General of Training for transfer of technology in VET delivery & its sustainability. Cooperation with Sectoral VET/ Centres of Excellence of Belarus is proposed for Research and Development in the skilling ecosystem.
The areas of cooperation are: The Belarusian side shall provide comprehensive transfer of know-how of emerging technologies, training and evaluation methodologies, content development for regular / distance learning / e-learning/training of master trainers, competency building of the assessors in area of their competency and network building & industry linkage;
Vocational education services for Indian citizens for skill development in the field of construction, electric-power production and distribution, manufacturing industry, trade, auto service and household goods repair and maintenance, transport, communication, hotels and restaurants as well as other fields being in high demand in India;
Retraining, up-skilling, internship for Vocational Education and Training managers, teachers and trainers of India by the Belarusian Side;
Advisory services in order to enhance planning, management and delivery of Vocational Education and Training and Skill Development.
Major impact: The MoU would bring in Belarus experience and expertise for overall improvement in skill eco system of the country.
Implementation of proposal includes innovation and improvement in the existing vocational education and skill development through Research and Development in the field.
The financial arrangement for the co-operative activities undertaken within the framework of this MoU shall be mutually agreed upon by the Parties on a case-by-case basis, subject to the availability of funds.
4-Nov-2022: Commerce Minister calls for enhancing bilateral trade and deepening cultural relations between India and Kyrgyz Republic
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal today called for enhancing bilateral trade and deepening cultural relations between India and Kyrgyz Republic. He was addressing the 10th Session of the India-Kyrgyz Republic Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (IKIGC).
The 10th session of IKIGC was held in a virtual format. It was co-Chaired by Shri Piyush Goyal and Mr. Imanov Talantbek Oruskulovich, Minister of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic. The talks were held in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Shri Goyal noted that India and Kyrgyz Republic shared warm and friendly ties. He said that India was among the first Nations to establish diplomatic relationship with Kyrgyz Republic in March 1992 and observed that 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relationships between the two nations.
The Minister said that the visit of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the Kyrgyz Republic in June 2019 had raised the relationship between two nations to the level of strategic partnership. The Minister pointed out that there was immense potential for expansion of bilateral trade between India and Kyrgyzstan. He said that India was very enthusiastic about participating in trade shows and exhibitions in Kyrgyzstan and invited Kyrgyzstan to take part in trade expos in India.
Both sides discussed mutual cooperation and steps to further enhance them in the fields of Trade & Economy, Development Partnership, Investment, Digitalization, Intellectual Property, Agriculture, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Textiles, Education, Environment, Standardization & Metrology, Banking, Transport, Labour, Mining and Power sectors. Emphasis was given to increase the bilateral trade and investment opportunities. The sides agreed to take necessary measures to increase the interaction of exporters and importers of the two countries and expand the trading basket.
A Protocol of the 10th session of the IKIGC was signed between India and the Kyrgyz Republic. Both the sides agreed to hold the 11th session of the IKIGC on a mutually convenient date.
6-Apr-2022: India – Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise concludes at Bakloh (HP)
The 9th Edition of the India – Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise which commenced on 25 Mar 2022 at Special Forces Training School, Bakloh (HP) culminated on 06 April 2022.
Over the past two weeks, Special Forces contingents from India and Kyrgyzstan shared their expertise and best practices of tactics, techniques and procedures to counter existing and emergent threats across the entire spectrum of conflict. Combat shooting, sniping, survival in mountains, hostage rescue drills and unarmed combat were practiced extensively during the Exercise.
Besides sharing special skills and techniques between participating Special Forces contingents, the joint training further strengthened the existing bond between India and Kyrgyzstan that has fostered over years of mutual respect for strategic autonomy, democratic values and zero tolerance for terrorism.
4-Nov-2022: Ninth Round of India-ROK CEPA Up-Gradation Negotiation held in Seoul
The 9th round of India-Republic of Korea (ROK) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) up-gradation negotiation was held in Seoul from November 3-4, 2022.
The two sides underlined the need to have negotiations, which are based on win-win approach, are forward looking and outcome oriented. Both sides shared the hope that the CEPA upgradation negotiations would play an important role in strengthening and deepening economic cooperation between both countries. Sub Groups on Trade in Goods, Services, Rules of Origin, Investment, SPS/TBT issues held in-depth discussions.
India raised serious concerns on the growing trade deficit between the two countries and discussed market access issues. Both sides agreed to work closely to address tariff and non-tariff barriers and deepen the relationship in the services sector. They also shared a common view that both sides should make utmost efforts to expedite negotiations in order to reach a mutually beneficial and satisfactory outcome during 2023, while taking note of the importance of the upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Chief Negotiators also shared the view that both sides should promote conducive trade environment to enable both sides to fully utilize benefits under the CEPA. It was agreed that the 10th round of CEPA upgradation negotiations will be hosted by India in early 2023.
The Indian delegation was led by Chief Negotiator Mr. Anant Swarup, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce, Government of India, while the Korean side was led by their Chief Negotiator Mr. Yang Ghi-Wuk, Director General, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE), Government of the Republic of Korea.
11-Jan-2022: Joint Press Communique India - Korea Trade Talks
H.E. Mr. Yeo Han-Koo, the Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea paid an official visit to India at the invitation of Sri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles of the Republic of India. Trade Minister Mr. Yeo met with the Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal in New Delhi today.
Both the Ministers held wide ranging discussions covering the whole gamut of Bilateral Trade and Investment related aspects. The Ministers agreed to impart fresh momentum to the discussions on CEPA up-gradation negotiations and also promote extensive B2B interactions on trade and investment between the Industry leaders of the two countries.
The two Ministers agreed with the spirit of openness to address difficulties expressed by industry from both sides and instructed their respective negotiating teams to meet on a regular basis in order to conclude the CEPA up-gradation negotiations as soon as possible in a time bound manner building upon support from relevant stakeholders, so as to try to achieve the target of USD 50 Billion before 2030 which was agreed at the summit meeting in 2018.
This regular negotiations shall be a forum to discuss the difficulties of business community from both countries and emerging trade-related issues including supply chain resilience. The Ministers agreed to boost bilateral trade between India and Korea to achieve growth in a fair and balanced manner to the mutual advantage of both sides.