14-Dec-2022: Union Minister Dr Jitendra says, India is not reliant on China for accessing rare earth minerals
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that India is not reliant on China for accessing rare earth minerals.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in India, capacity and capabilities in terms of mining, processing, extraction, refining and production of high pure RE oxides is adequately available.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the production of Monazite the primary source of rare earth mineral in India is around 4000 MT per annum. Though IREL(India) Limited, formerly India Rare Earths Limited has installed capacity to process about 10,000 MT of rare earth bearing mineral, the production is capped on account of non-grant of mining leases, environment clearance, CRZ clearance from MoEF & CC, Consent to Operate, restrictions on account of Forest and uncontrolled inhabitation etc.
As on September, 2022, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) has established
- 13.07 million tonnes in-situ monazite (containing ~55-60% total Rare Earth Elements oxide) resource occurring in the coastal beach placer sands in parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat and in the inland placers in parts of Jharkhand, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
- 7,37,283 tonne Rare Earth Elements Oxide (REO) in Ambadungar area, Chhota Udepur district, Gujarat
- 36,945 tonnes REO in Bhatikhera area, Barmer district, Rajasthan
- 2,000 tonne of heavy mineral concentrate containing ~2% xenotime (a phosphate mineral of yttrium and rare earth elements) in the riverine placer deposits of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Presently, AMD is carrying out collection of xenotime bearing heavy mineral concentrate in the unit established in Chhattisgarh and has a stockpile of 97.688 tonnes xenotime bearing heavy mineral concentrate.
Further, Geological Survey of India (GSI) carries out mapping and exploration activities for various mineral commodities including Rare Earth Element (REE) and Rare Metal (RM) in different parts of the country with an aim to find out potential mineralized locales as well as to augment mineral resource.
As regards production, capacity and capabilities in terms of mining, processing, extraction, refining and production of high pure RE oxides is adequately available in India.
RE in the form of oxides/ compounds, duly liberated from radioactivity is available for all including the private sector since 1950. As regards developing rare earth value chain, a Rare Earth Theme Park is being setup which will upscale the scientific principles proven at laboratory to pilot scale and demonstrate the same to aspiring Industries willing to set up commercial operations. Besides, the Theme Park will also undertake skill development activities to develop the workforce of future.
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of DAE is carrying out exploration to augment resources of Rare Earth Elements (REE) along the coastal / inland / riverine placer sands of the country for augmentation of Heavy Minerals resource, which includes monazite (a mineral of REE and thorium) and xenotime (a mineral of REE and yttrium) as well as in several potential geological domains (hard rocks) of the country. well as in several potential geological domains (hard rocks) of the country.
15-Dec-2021: Ban on Chinese Goods
There have been some representations/suggestions from public and industry to boycott the import of Chinese goods citing strained relations with China. In June 2020, a representation was also received from a Member of Parliament calling for banning/boycotting of all Chinese goods in light of developments at Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh.
The Government of India, from time to time, takes appropriate measures to regulate import of goods including those related to national interest. India and China are both members of the WTO and any trade restriction imposed must be WTO compliant. Government has from time to time reviewed and taken WTO compliant measures (both policy and trade remedies) to address the concerns raised by various stakeholders to have a holistic global trade strategy. To support and expand domestic capacities, Government has implemented policies to promote domestic manufacturing like the production linked incentive (PLI) schemes in line with Atmanirbhar Bharat policy.
12-Nov-2020: China begins work on railway up to Arunachal border
China has begun work on a strategically significant railway line - its second major rail link to Tibet - that will link Sichuan province with Nyingchi, which lies near the border with India’s Arunachal Pradesh.
Underlining the special importance that the Chinese government has placed on the project, President Xi Jinping officially “gave the instruction” to begin work on the project and called it “a major step in safeguarding national unity and a significant move in promoting economic and social development of the western region.”
The importance of the project is two-fold. Like the Qinghai-Tibet railway line, which in 2006 connected Lhasa to the hinterland, this will be the second such route linking the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) to the hinterland.
Secondly, it will run right up to Nyingchi near the border with India, which it will link to both Lhasa and Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan. The entire line will run from Chengdu to Lhasa, connecting the two capitals of TAR and Sichuan and cutting the journey from 48 hours to 13 hours.
The railway will help transport advanced equipment and technologies from the rest of China to Tibet and bring local products out. If a scenario of a crisis happens at the border, the railway can act as a 'fast track' for the delivery of strategic materials.
The railway is also of great significance in safeguarding national unity and consolidating border stability. As the railway runs near China's southwest border areas, it will largely improve the efficiency and convenience of military personnel and material transportation and logical supplies.
The first segment of the line within Sichuan province, from Chengdu to Yaan, was completed in December 2018. Work on the 1,011 km-section from Yaan to Nyingchi, which was formally launched this week, and will be finished in 2030. The difficulty involved in the construction is rarely seen elsewhere, due to the complex geological and climatic conditions and fragile ecological environment along the railway.
The 435 km section from Nyingchi-Lhasa segment has been under construction since 2015, and will be finished by the end of next year. State media reported as much as 75 per cent of this section consists of 120 bridges and 47 tunnels, with a designated speed of 160 km/h. This includes a 525 metre-long bridge across the Yarlung Zangpo river, as the Brahmaputra is called in Tibet, which has been built at a height of 3,350 metres. This makes it the world's highest concrete-filled steel tube arch railway bridge.
27-Jul-2020: State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Chairs Quadrilateral Video Conference on COVID-19
On 27 July, Foreign Ministers of China, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal held a video conference on COVID-19. The meeting was chaired by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi of China, and attended by Acting Foreign Minister Mohammad Haneef Atmar of Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar of Pakistan, and Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali of Nepal.
Wang Yi noted that the four countries, connected by mountains and rivers, share a common future with closely entwined interests. Since the start of COVID-19, the four countries made all-out efforts to fight the virus and protect people's life and health at home. At the same time, they have lent each other material and moral support in the spirit of solidarity and partnership. Such collective efforts speak volumes about the deep friendship between friendly neighbors.
Wang stressed that China, as a neighbor and partner, will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with all three countries in these trying times, work together to protect people's health, reopen the economy and secure people's livelihood in a joint effort to prevail over the disease.
Wang made a four-point proposal to strengthen cooperation among the four countries:
First, strengthen the consensus on collective response to the virus. The four countries need to step up communication and coordination and build synergy. They will continue to wish each other well and cherish amicable relations. While maintaining stability in bilateral ties and tranquility in the wider region, the four countries need to focus more energy on saving lives and sustaining livelihood, a pressing task facing all of them.
Some countries have resorted to politicization and stigmatization of the virus, and gone to great lengths to distort facts and upend cooperation in pursuit of selfish political gains. It's a moral stain that will go down in history. Countries need to uphold a rational and science-based attitude, jointly oppose all discriminatory comments and actions, safeguard and carry forward fundamental international principles. They need to firmly support WHO's mandate, and work together for a global community of health for all.
Second, carry out regional cooperation on joint response. The practice of China-Pakistan joint response mechanism may be extended to all four countries and proper arrangements made on containment, economic reopening and personnel exchange. With strict protocols in place, fast-track lanes and green lanes should be opened as soon as possible for flows of people and goods. On land ports, joint response must be strengthened, widely-accepted standard operating procedures formulated and quadrilateral cooperation enhanced on situation updates, outbreak control and emergency response.
Third, step up cooperation on COVID-19 containment and vaccines. China will continue to support all three countries in fighting COVID-19, provide needed supplies, and host a quadrilateral experts' webinar in the near future to share containment experience, diagnostics and therapeutics that are proven effective. Vaccine development and deployment in China, once available, will be made a global public good. This will make the vaccine more accessible in the three countries, and help strengthen their public health systems.
Fourth, promote post-COVID economic recovery and development. The four countries should firmly advance Belt and Road cooperation, work for the early resumption of key cooperation projects, keep the industrial and supply chains stable, and create new growth areas in the digital domain. China calls for advancing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Trans-Himalayan Connectivity Network, and supports the extension of CPEC to Afghanistan so as to further unleash the dividends of regional connectivity. The four countries should utilize their geographical advantages to strengthen interactions and connectivity with Central Asian countries, and to safeguard regional peace and stability.
Ministers of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nepal supported Wang Yi's four-point cooperation initiative, and thanked China for providing medical and food assistance, and for sharing experience on COVID-19 containment. In particularly, the ministers highly commended President Xi Jinping's initiative to make the vaccine a global public good.
The three countries will work with China in solidarity to deepen cooperation against COVID-19, strengthen joint response mechanisms, ensure unimpeded trade and transportation routes, facilitate personnel and trade flows, advance the "Silk Road of health", and build a community with a shared future for mankind.
The three countries will work with China to deepen Belt and Road cooperation, accelerate recovery in socio-economic and livelihood development, and promote post-COVID economic growth.
All parties expressed support for upholding multilateralism and strengthening the role of WHO, for realizing a humanitarian ceasefire in Afghanistan during the epidemic, and for the peace and reconciliation process in the country.
17-Jul-2020: China And Iran Approach Massive $400 Billion Deal
China is said to be in the final stages of approving a $400 billion economic and security deal with Tehran. In addition to massive infrastructure investments, the agreement envisions closer cooperation on defense and intelligence sharing, and is rumored to include discounts for Iranian oil. If finalized, the PRC would gain massive influence in this geopolitically critical region, and simultaneously throw a lifeline to the embattled Mullah Regime.
The United States is likely to push back against this partnership, which threatens US security and energy interests in the Middle East and Eurasia.
In the 20th century the main political rival of the US was the Soviet Union, whose collapse in 1991 ushered in the unipolar world of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. In the 21st century that there is no question of America’s new ‘near’ peer competitor: the People’s Republic of China, a country with a much bigger economic base than the USSR ever had. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the flagship of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s global ambitions, is a powerful policy tool that puts US foreign policy influence to the test.
The China-Iran deal is the latest step in Beijing’s attempt to expand from a regional hegemony to a world power via BRI. China is often criticized by Western policy analysts for its so-called “Debt Diplomacy” – the policy of indebting an economically weak nation with predatory investment packages. Often times, this manifests itself as leverage for key infrastructure grabs, one of the most famous examples being Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port, which the government was forced to lease to China for 99 years after it failed to repay Chinese loans. Similarly, Pakistan owes China at least $10 billion in debt for the construction of Gwadar Port, and the territory is leased to the Chinese government through 2059. Another country in the region, The Maldives, owes China roughly $1.5 billion in debt which is about 30% of its GDP.
The giant deal with Iran would increase Chinese investments in Iranian banking, telecommunications, and transportation infrastructure including airports, railways and free trade zones (FTZs). China is also eyeing a central role in Iran’s cyber space with the country offering "greater control over what circulates." The prospective agreement also extends a number of potential defense cooperation projects and underscores increased intelligence sharing.
While the arrangement could offer new life to Iran’s sanction-choked economy, there is also the distinct possibility that it could leave the Islamic Republic inescapably beholden to Beijing. Many in the Iranian geopolitically savvy elite understand that.
Beijing is exploiting Tehran’s growing desperation exacerbated by the COVID health and economic crises. Recent cyber-attacks on its nuclear and naval infrastructure are also pushing to government into the arms of China. After all, the rising superpower offers an insatiable oil market, military and civilian technology, massive investment, and a potential political cover on the global stage, including a veto power in the UN Security Council – all things that Iran is in dire need of.
Both countries see the deal as mutually beneficial, but also as a potential mechanism for confronting US dominance in the Middle East.
16-Jul-2020: India and China Military Level meeting on 14 Jul 2020
India and China have been engaged in discussions through established military and diplomatic channels to address the prevailing situation along the LAC.
Commanders from PLA & Indian Army held a meeting at Chushul, on Indian side, for the fourth round of talks, on 14 July 2020.
The engagement was consistent with the consensus reached between the Special Representatives of India and China earlier, on 05 July, to discuss complete disengagement.
The Senior Commanders reviewed the progress on implementation of the first phase of disengagement and discussed further steps to ensure complete disengagement.
The two sides remain committed to the objective of complete disengagement. This process is intricate and requires constant verification. They are taking it forward through regular meetings at diplomatic and military level.
6-Jun-2020: India-China border situation
Indian and Chinese officials continue to remain engaged through the established military and diplomatic channels to address the current situation in the India-China border areas. At this stage, therefore, any speculative and unsubstantiated reporting about these engagements would not be helpful and the media is advised to refrain from such reporting.
10-May-2020: Indian, Chinese troops face off in Ladakh, Sikkim
Two incidents of face-off have been reported between Indian and Chinese troops at the border.
The first incident occurred in eastern Ladakh near Pangong Tso lake, a major part of which China holds. The reported face off has resulted in injuries to several soldiers of both armies. Pangong Tso has witnessed such incidents in the past, including in 2017 and 2019.
The second incident occurred at Naku La, Sikkim, at an altitude of over 16,000 feet. As a result of aggressive behaviour, minor injuries were caused to both sides.
After the Wuhan summit between the Indian Prime Minister and the Chinese President in April 2018, differences over the border were being settled at the lowest level. The Wuhan summit took place in the backdrop of the Doklam standoff between India and China. Any issue is resolved through the established protocols and mechanisms put in place to maintain peace and tranquility on the border. The issues were resolved locally. Troops disengaged after dialogue and interaction at the local level.
Though such an incident occurred after a long time, border skirmishes have been common at the India – China border. Temporary and brief face-offs occur between the two armies because the boundary is not demarcated. Both countries have differing perceptions owing to the non-demarcated boundary, which lead to transgressions and face-offs, as each side patrols up to the areas they claim along the 3,448-km Line of Actual Control (LAC).
At Muguthang in the Naku la sector, the road on the Chinese side is motorable and on the Indian side, it is a remote area. Due to this the Chinese can mobilize a large number of troops in a short time if needed as compared to India. This puts the Indian forces at a disadvantage.
5-May-2020: China launches new rocket into space as it steps up Moon landing plans
China has successfully launched a new rocket and prototype spacecraft, in a major test of its ambitions to operate a permanent space station and send astronauts to the Moon.
A Long March 5B rocket took off from the Wenchang launch site on the southern island of Hainan and eight minutes later an unmanned prototype spacecraft successfully separated and entered its planned orbit. A test version of a cargo return capsule also successfully separated from the rocket.
China hopes that the craft will one day transport astronauts to a space station that it plans to complete by 2022 – and eventually to the Moon. It will have capacity for a crew of six.
The spacecraft and capsule were slated to return to a landing site by Friday after completing their test flights.
The United States is so far the only country to have sent humans to the Moon. But in its effort to catch up China has sent astronauts into space, satellites into orbit and a rover to the far side of the Moon in 2019.
The successful maiden flight of the 54-metre Long March 5B – which has a takeoff mass of about 849 tonnes – should reassure China, following failures of the 7A model in March and 3B model in April. Beijing has launched several spacecraft since 1999 and its previous vessel, the Shenzhou, was modelled after Russia’s Soyuz.
Assembly of the Tiangong space station, whose name means Heavenly Palace, is expected to begin this year and finish in 2022. It will have three modules, with living and working quarters and two annexes for scientific experiments.
China plans to send an astronaut to the Moon in about a decade and then build a base there. Its lunar rover on the far side has driven about 450 metres so far.
The next big mission for Beijing is to land a probe on Mars, with liftoff expected this year.
1-Apr-2020: 70th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and China
Messages of felicitations have been exchanged between the Presidents, Prime Ministers and External Affairs Ministers of the Republic of India and the People's Republic of China on the occasion the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between India and the People’s Republic of China on April 1, 2020.
President Shri Ram Nath Kovind, in his letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, conveyed ‘warm greetings, felicitations and good wishes’ to the Government and the people of China, and observed that the two sides have ‘made considerable progress especially in the last few years in enhancing our bilateral engagement in a number of areas, including political, economic and people-to-people ties.’
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in his message to Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, stated that ‘India and China are two ancient civilizations, with a long history of mutually beneficial exchanges over centuries. Today, we are two large developing countries and emerging economies who are increasingly playing an important role on the global landscape. As such, good relations between India and China are conducive not only for our respective countries, but are also important from the perspective of peace, stability and prosperity of our region and the world’. PM also noted that ‘the COVID-19 pandemic was a reminder to us of the interconnected nature of our world today and the need therefore to adopt a truly global response to it” and that he looked forward to working with the Chinese Premier to ‘further deepen and strengthen our Closer Developmental Partnership and take it to even greater heights in the years to come’.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, in his letter to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, remarked that in the last seven decades, ‘India-China relations have expanded substantially and become increasingly diverse and multifaceted’. He added that due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the two sides ‘have been unable to carry out the various activities that had been planned to celebrate this historic anniversary. Nonetheless, we should continue to work cooperatively in the coming months and, once we and the world are able to control the COVID-19 outbreak, celebrate this milestone in a manner duly reflective of its significance and the common aspirations of our two peoples.’
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, India and China have so far not been able to prepare and carry out the various activities that had been planned to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Nevertheless, even as both countries continue to address the challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, they remain engaged in discussions on commemorating this historic anniversary in a manner truly reflective of its significance and the common aspirations of their two peoples. The two sides are currently working together to jointly design a logo to mark these celebrations.
8-Mar-2019: India launches 3rd IT corridor in China
India has launched its third IT corridor in China. The corridor will facilitate partnerships between Indian and Chinese companies.
The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) entered into a partnership with China’s Xuzhou city from Jiangsu Province in China to help develop the IT corridor. The primary aim of this IT corridor will be to facilitate partnerships between Indian and Chinese companies.
The IT industry body has already launched such corridors at Dalian and Guiyang cities to cash in on the burgeoning Chinese IT industry market. Through its previous similar initiatives in China, NASSCOM has brought to the fore opportunities with over 300 companies where more than 10 Indian SME companies have signed deals worth 31 Million RMB (USD 4.5 million).
Through this partnership, the platform will be launched that will facilitate match-making between Indian companies wanting to collaborate with companies in Huai Hai economic zone looking to adopt digital transformation from verticals such as manufacturing, retail, automotive, healthcare and utilities and help them create innovative product and solutions in the co-create mode.
26-Nov-2018: Protocol amending India-China DTAA
The Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the People’s Republic of China have amended the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) for the avoidance of double taxation and for the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, by signing a Protocol on 26/11/2018.
Besides other changes, the Protocol updates the existing provisions for exchange of information to the latest international standards. Further, the Protocol incorporates changes required to implement treaty related minimum standards under the Action reports of Base Erosion & Profit shifting (BEPS) Project, in which India had participated on an equal footing. Besides minimum standards, the Protocol brings in changes as per BEPS Action reports as agreed upon by the two sides.
27-May-2018: India launches 2nd IT corridor in China
India launched its second IT corridor in China to cash in on the burgeoning Chinese software market which remained elusive despite the presence of top Indian technology firms.
The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has established one more Digital Collaborative Opportunities Plaza (SIDCOP) platform in China in an effort to provide market access to Indian IT firms in the huge Chinese market, the NASSCOM said.
Agreements worth RMB 36 million (about USD six million) were signed between Indian service providers and Chinese customers at the launch of the corridor by China’s Guiyang Municipal government and the NASSCOM.
The pilot projects launched on the SIDCOP platform would be executed over the next year. Last December, the NASSCOM established its first SIDCOP platform in the Chinese port city of Dalian, which is India’s first IT hub in China.
India’s top IT firms have a big presence in China, specially multi-nationals and IT Corridor at Dalian which are expected to provide a gateway for the Indian IT-small and medium-sized enterprises. The Dalian IT corridor was formally launched few days ago.
While Dalian corridor’s focus was on IOT (Internet of Things), the Guiyang corridor will focus on Big Data. The platform in Guiyang intends to create online and offline presence to promote a “co-create culture” between two large neighbours in the Big Data space.
As a result of the successful talks between President Xi and Prime Minister Modi at Wuhan, we now have a political environment in which India-China business and commercial ties can expand rapidly. For India, getting access to China’s IT market, valued at over USD 493 billion in 2013 by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, is important to address the massive trade deficit which has now spiralled to over USD 51 billion. The Chinese IT market grew exponentially since then. India has been demanding China to provide market access to Indian IT and pharmaceutical firms for several years to reduce bilateral trade deficit.
The two corridors, which were started in collaboration with China’s provincial governments, are expected to provide the much-needed big opening for Indian IT firms.
India is a world leader in the area of Information Technology and IT enabled services with annual revenue of over USD 164 billion and exports of over USD 120 billion.
In addition to the Dalian and Guiyang, the NASSCOM is in touch with four other provinces including Wuhan to work out new IT corridors based on local needs.
23-Nov-2017: China forges strategic ties with Djibouti after opening base
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Djibouti's visiting leader Omar Ismail Guelleh, whose African nation is hosting China's first overseas military base, agreed to elevate their nations' diplomatic relations.
The two countries agreed to form a "strategic partnership" as Guelleh held talks with Xi at the imposing Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
China has described the base on the Horn of Africa, which opened in August, as "defensive in nature", saying it will provide support for naval escorts, UN peacekeeping, anti-piracy and evacuating Chinese nationals from the region in emergencies.
The geostrategic place of Djibouti has its importance as an islet of stability and a crossroads of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The Chinese base is just a few miles from Camp Lemonnier, the United States' only permanent base in Africa.
Home to only around 800,000 people, Djibouti also hosts troops from France and Japan. Beijing has made extensive infrastructure investments throughout the African continent as it seeks to gain access to natural resources and new markets.
10-Nov-2017: Cabinet approves Agreement between India and the HKSAR of China for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion in income taxes
The Union Cabinet has given its approval for entering into an Agreement between India and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income.
The Agreement will stimulate flow of investment, technology and personnel from India to HKSAR & vice versa, prevent double taxation and provide for exchange of information between the two Contracting Parties. It will improve transparency in tax matters and will help curb tax evasion and tax avoidance.
Background: In so far as India is concerned, the Central Government is authorized under Section 90 of the Income Tax Act, 1961 to enter into an Agreement with a foreign country or specified territory for avoidance of double taxation of income, for exchange of information for the prevention of evasion or avoidance of income-tax chargeable under the Income-tax Act, 1961. This Agreement is on similar lines as entered into by India with other countries.
22-Jan-2017: China commissions 31st stealth warship
China has commissioned its 31st stealth warship. The CNS Ezhou with a hull number of 513 was delivered to the East Sea Fleet in a naval base in East China’s Fujian province.
With a maximum speed of 52 km/h, the ship features good manoeuvrability, a high-level of automation and stealth capability, and is capable of hitting aircraft, ships and submarines. The ship will perform coastal patrol, fishery escort, anti-submarine and anti-ship operations.
It is the second ship that has been commissioned to the PLA Navy since the start of 2017, following the CNS Kaiyangxing, a Type—815A class electronic reconnaissance ship, which now belongs to the North Sea Fleet.
12-Jan-2017: China commissions sophisticated, round-the-clock naval reconnaissance ship
China’s Navy has commissioned a sophisticated electronic reconnaissance ship, capable of conducting all-weather, round-the-clock observation on multiple targets. The ship is named CNS Kaiyangxing, or Mizar.
The Kaiyangxing is capable of conducting all-weather, round-the-clock reconnaissance on multiple and different targets.
3-Nov-2022: Defence Secretary & Chief Operations Officer, Royal Bhutan Army meet in New Delhi to enhance bilateral defence cooperation
Chief Operations Officer, Royal Bhutan Army (COO, RBA) Lt Gen Batoo Tshering called on Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi on November 01, 2022 during his visit to India. During their interaction, they discussed ongoing defence cooperation between the two country’s Armies and reviewed areas of mutual interest to increase cooperation.
The Defence Secretary congratulated Lt Gen Batoo Tshering on completion of 17 years as the COO, RBA. Lt Gen Batoo Tshering was enthusiastic about the positive connect with Indian Military Training Team and acknowledged their contribution to the well-being of Bhutan since 1962.
Shri Giridhar Aramane acknowledged the National Service Program (Gyalsung) launched by His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. He discussed possible avenues of cooperation between India and Bhutan in the area of skill development of youth.
Lt Gen Batoo Tshering was appreciative of the review he carried out of the Passing Out Parade at Officers Training Academy, Chennai. The Defence Secretary and COO, RBA acknowledged the strong bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan and reinforced the commitment of both sides to continue the bonhomie and friendship.
1-Nov-2022: Visit of Lt Gen Batoo Tshering, Chief Operations Officer, Royal Bhutan Army to India
Lt Gen Batoo Tshering, DYG, DRT, DW, DT, DK, Chief Operations Officer, Royal Bhutan Army is currently on a visit to India from 28 October to 02 November 2022.
The Chief of the Royal Bhutan Army reviewed the Passing Out Parade at Officers Training Academy, Chennai on 29 October 2022. On 01 November 2022, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block, New Delhi. Lt Gen Batoo Tshering called on Gen Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff and exchanged views on the current global situation, security perspectives in addition to discussing measures for enhancing defence cooperation between both armies.
The visiting General also called on the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, the Vice Chief of Army Staff, Defence Secretary and other senior military officers. The visit will further enhance and strengthen the already existing friendship and cooperation between the Indian Armed Forces and the Royal Bhutan Army.
14-Sep-2022: PM meets with His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has met with His Majesty the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck in New Delhi today.
Both the dignitaries have discussed the various ideas to further strengthen the close and unique India-Bhutan friendship. Shri Modi has also conveyed his appreciation for the guiding vision provided by successive Druk Gyalpos in shaping relations between India and Bhutan."
20-Jul-2022: Bhutan's Economic Affairs Minister Shri Loknath Sharma calls on Union Agriculture Minister Shri Tomar
Bhutan's Minister of Economic Affairs, Shri Loknath Sharma called on the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in New Delhi today. During this meeting, Shri Tomar said India has extended all-out cooperation to Bhutan in the Agriculture sector and will continue to help in every possible way.
Welcoming the Bhutanese delegation, Shri Tomar expressed happiness over the longstanding friendly relations between the two countries, and said that Bhutan was the first country Shri Narendra Modi visited after becoming the Prime Minister, which underlines our strong relationship.
“India has been generously cooperating to enhance this friendship. The trade partnership between the two countries has also strengthened and India is in favour our ties should deepen further. The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and other Ministries have been taking decisions constructively towards Bhutan. We are also working on opening up Indian markets for various agricultural products from Bhutan. On the request of Bhutan, it has been allowed to export ginger to India and potato export for one more year,” said Shri Tomar.
He assured that both the countries will continue to work together in the Agriculture sector and keeping in view the internal and external situation, we will take a positive approach to Bhutan's request as and when required.
The Bhutan Minister Shri Sharma thanked India for its cooperation in various matters including the supply of sugar to Bhutan. He said that the issues of Agriculture are important for us and that he has come to India to enhance the friendship between the two countries. Shri Sharma expressed his thanks for India's support to Bhutan's request regarding ginger and potato exports. He urged that Bhutan’s request for export of arecanut (Supari) to India should be considered at the earliest and trade in fruits and vegetables should continue in the present form and bilateral ties should grow through the free trade.
3-Nov-2021: India-Bhutan to have seven additional entry/exit points for trade
The Commerce Secretary Level meeting was held between India and Bhutan on trade and transit issues, here today.
The Indian delegation was led by Shri B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and the Bhutanese delegation was led by H.E. Dasho Karma Tshering, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.
The two sides held extensive discussions on the current trade and transit issues including measures to further strengthen bilateral trade relations and issues of mutual interest, on ways to increase trade connectivity between the two countries. Through Letters of Exchange (LOE), the following seven additional entry/exit points for trade between India and Bhutan were formalized:-
- Nagarkata Land Customs Station without commodity restriction.
- Agartala Land Customs Station as an entry /exit point.
- Pandu port (Guwahati Steamerghat) as an entry /exit point, subject to cross border control at Dhubri.
- Jogighopa port as an entry/exit point, subject to cross border control at Dhubri.
- Asian Highway 48 connecting Torsha Tea Garden in India and Ahllay in Bhutan as an additional route corresponding to the Land Custom Station at Jaigaon.
- Kamardwisa as an entry/exit point.
- Birpara as an entry/exit point.
This will form an addendum to the Protocol of 2016 India-Bhutan Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit. This will facilitate India-Bhutan bilateral trade to our mutual advantage.
Since 2014, trade between India and Bhutan has more than doubled from USD 484 million in 2014-15 to USD 1083 million in 2020-21.
18-Jun-2021: India and Bhutan sign MOU for developing cooperation in the areas of Environment
India and Bhutan today inked an MoU for developing cooperation between two countries in the area of environment. The MoU was signed virtually by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar from the Indian side and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the National Environment Commission Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji from the Bhutanese side.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Javadekar said, the MoU will open new vistas of bilateral co-operation in the area of climate change, waste management etc. Describing the relationship between the two countries as symbolic, he said, India wants to engage with Bhutan on environmental related issues including climate change.
The MoU is a platform to further enhance Indian and Bhutanese partnership and support, exchange best practices in areas like prevention of Air Pollution, Waste Management, Chemical Management, Climate Change, etc. It also provides the possibility to have joint projects in areas of mutual interest. The MoU will also strengthen technological, scientific and management capabilities and expand the areas of cooperation in the field of environment to promote a mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.
26-Apr-2021: Project DANTAK completes 60 years in Bhutan
Project DANTAK is commemorating its Diamond Jubilee in Bhutan. Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Smt Ruchira Kamboj laid a floral wreath at the DANTAK Memorial in Simtokha on April 24, 2021. Commandant, Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) Maj Gen Sanjeev Chauhan and Chief Engineer DANTAK Brig Kabir Kashyap also paid their respects at the memorial. It was a fitting tribute to the sacrifices made by personnel of DANTAK in strengthening the bonds of friendship between India and Bhutan. It may be recalled that over 1,200 DANTAK personnel laid down their lives while constructing important infrastructure in Bhutan.
Project DANTAK was established on April 24, 1961 as a result of the visionary leadership of His Majesty the Third King and then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru. Identifying the utmost importance of connectivity in spurring the socio-economic development and growth of Bhutan, DANTAK was tasked to construct the pioneering motorable roads in the Kingdom. DANTAK completed the road connecting Samdrup Jongkhar to Trashigang in 1968. In the same year, Thimphu was connected to Phuentsholing by DANTAK. Many Bhutanese had also volunteered to work with DANTAK.
Over the years, DANTAK has met the myriad infrastructure requirements in Bhutan in accordance with the vision of Their Majesties and the aspirations of the people in a symbiotic manner. Some other notable projects executed by the project include the construction of Paro Airport, Yonphula Airfield, Thimphu – Trashigang Highway, Telecommunication & Hydro Power Infrastructure, Sherubtse College, Kanglung and India House Estate.
The medical and education facilities established by DANTAK in far flung areas were often the first in those locations. The food outlets along the road introduced the Bhutanese to Indian delicacies and developed a sweet tooth in them. The famous Takthi Canteen midway between Phuentsholing and Thimphu has been a compulsory stop for travelers.
As DANTAK celebrates six decades in Bhutan, the project reaffirms its commitment to support the march of Bhutan towards realising the dreams of His Majesty Druk Gyalpo, the plans of the Royal Government of Bhutan and aspirations of the people of the kingdom.
30-Dec-2020: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Republic of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful users of outer space signed on November 19, 2020 by both sides at Bangalore/Thimphu and exchanged.
Point-wise details: This MoU shall enable India and Bhutan to pursue cooperation in potential interest areas, such as remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology.
This MoU would lead to set up a Joint Working Group, drawing members from DOS/ISRO and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) of Bhutan, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementation.
Implementation Strategy and targets: The signed MoU would lead to concluding specific Implementing Arrangement on specific areas of cooperation and setting up of Joint Working Group, to work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.
Major Impacts: The signed MoU will provide Impetus to explore cooperation possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space.
No. of beneficiaries: Cooperation with the Royal Government of Bhutan through this MoU would lead to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity. Thus, all sections and regions of the country will get benefitted.
Background: India and Bhutan have been discussing on establishing formal space cooperation. A template for Inter-Governmental MoU for Space cooperation was shared with MEA in November 2017 for further taking up with Bhutan. This draft was further discussed along with other cooperative proposals during the bilateral meeting in February 2020.
After a few iterations through diplomatic channels, both sides have arrived at a workable draft of the MoU and the same was processed for internal approvals. After obtaining necessary approvals the MoU was signed on November 19, 2020 by both sides and exchanged.
12-Dec-2020: Israel and Bhutan establish diplomatic relations
Israel established diplomatic relations with Bhutan, a majority-Buddhist nation neighbouring India, as it looks to continue to expand its diplomatic links internationally.
Israel’s accord with the Himalayan country did not appear to be related to its budding ties under U.S.-sponsored accords with Arab and Muslim countries, though Israeli officials sought to portray it as evidence of its growing acceptance abroad.
The agreement follows several years of secret contacts between Israel and Bhutan with the aim of establishing relations.
Israel’s circle of recognition is growing and expanding. The establishment of relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Bhutan will serve as another milestone in deepening Israel’s ties in Asia.
Bhutan relied on India for guidance on its foreign and defence policy until a friendship treaty was revised in 2007. It maintains diplomatic relations with around 53 countries.
A signing ceremony was held between the Israeli and Bhutanese ambassadors to India at the Israeli embassy in New Delhi.
The establishment of diplomatic relations will create new avenues for cooperation between the two countries in water management, technology, human resource development, agricultural sciences and other areas of mutual benefit.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the agreement, adding there had been contacts with other countries which wanted to establish relations.
Israel and Morocco agreed to normalise ties in a deal brokered with U.S. help, making it the fourth Arab country after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan to set aside hostilities with Israel in the past four months.
25-Nov-2020: Bhutan and Germany establish diplomatic ties
Bhutan and the Federal Republic of Germany have established diplomatic relations.
The Exchange of Verbale Notes on the establishment of diplomatic relations took place between Ambassador of Bhutan to India Maj. Gen. V. Namgyel, and Ambassador of Germany to India Walter J. Lindner at the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi, India.
At the Exchange of Verbale Notes ceremony, the two ambassadors exchanged views on areas of mutual cooperation and expressed the desire of their governments to cooperate closely in areas of mutual benefit. With the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two Ambassadors expressed the desire to further deepen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Even in absence of diplomatic relations, Germany had been supporting Bhutan’s socio-economic development since the 1970s.
More significantly, Bhutan continues to receive support from the European Union of which Germany is the largest contributor to the Union’s budget. People-to-people contacts between Bhutan and Germany have also increased over the years.
With the establishment of diplomatic relations with Germany, Bhutan now has diplomatic relations with 53 countries and the European Union.
3-Jun-2020: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan on Cooperation in the areas of Environment.
Details: The Memorandum of Understanding will enable establishment and promotion of closer and long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of environment protection and management of natural resources on the basis of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits, taking into account the applicable laws and legal provisions in each country.
Keeping in view the bilateral interest of both sides and mutually agreed priorities, a Memorandum of Understanding covering the following areas of environment has been considered:
- Air;
- Waste;
- Chemical Management;
- Climate Change;
- Any other areas jointly decided upon.
This Memorandum of Understanding shall enter into force on the date of signature and shall continue to remain in force for a period of ten years. The Participants intend to encourage organizations, private companies, government institutions at all levels and research institutions on both sides to establish cooperation activities aimed at fulfilling the objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding. The Participants also intend to hold Joint Working Group / bilateral meetings to review and analyze the progress of activities and shall keep their respective Ministries/Agencies, duly informed of progress and achievements.
Major Impact including Employment Generation Potential: The Memorandum of Understanding shall facilitate exchange of experiences, best practices and technical knowhow through both public and private sectors and shall contribute to sustainable development. The Memorandum of Understanding provides the possibility for joint projects in areas of mutual interest. However, no significant employment generation is envisaged.
Expenditure: The financial implications of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding are limited to holding of the bilateral meetings / Joint Working Group meetings which shall meet alternatively in India and Bhutan. The sending side shall bear the travel cost of their delegation while the receiving side is to meet the cost of organizing the meetings and other logistic arrangements. These are the limited financial implications of the proposed Memorandum of Understanding.
Background: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of the Government of the Republic of India and the National Environment Commission (NEC) of the Royal Government of Bhutan on 11th March, 2013. This MoU expired on 10th March, 2016. Noting the benefits of the earlier MoU, both sides have decided to continue cooperation and collaboration in the field of Environment.
4-Feb-2020: Bhutan ends free entry for Indian tourists
Ending decades of free entry to Indian tourists visiting Bhutan, the government in Thimphu has decided to levy a daily Rs.1,200 ($17) fee for “regional tourists” from India, the Maldives and Bangladesh, beginning July 2020.
The fee, called a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), is meant to help the government deal with burgeoning numbers in tourist traffic, which it is seeking to regulate through a new tourism policy.
18-Aug-2019: PM Modi and Bhutanese PM jointly inaugurated Mangdechu hydroelectric plant
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Dr. Lotay Tshering jointly inaugurated the 720 Megawatt Mangdechu hydroelectric plant in Thimphu. This is the fourth plant built by India in Bhutan.
They also inaugurated the Ground Earth Station of South Asian Satellite, developed by Indian Space Research Organization. The first phase of Rupay card was also launched. E-plaque of the interconnection between India's National Knowledge Network E and Druk REN of Bhutan was also unveiled on this occasion.
India and Bhutan also signed 10 Memorandum of Understanding in science, technology, engineering and maths and judicial sectors. Three MoUs were inked between Royal University of Bhutan and IITs of Mumbai, Kanpur, Delhi and NIT, Silchar.
In the judicial sector, the MoUs were signed between National Law University, Bengaluru and Jigney Singhey School of Law and another between National Judicial Academy of Bhopal and National Legal Institute of Bhutan.
An MoU was also signed on aircraft accident and incident investigation between the two countries. For the cooperation in the space sector, ISRO signed an MoU with the Department of IT and Telecommunications of Bhutan.
Prime Minister Modi also released a commemorative stamp to mark the 50 years of hydropower cooperation.
15-Oct-2018: Lhotshampa people being evicted in Bhutan
Bhutan, is holding elections this week. But the Lhotshampa people, brutally driven out of the small kingdom in the 1990s, won't be voting.
The Nepali-speaking Lhotshampa were branded as immigrants and stripped of citizenship rights when the then-king introduced a "One Nation, One People" policy in 1985.
The edict made following the customs of the Buddhist majority mandatory, including wearing their traditional dress, and speaking Nepali was banned. Those who resisted where labelled "anti-nationals", arrested and subjected to brutal treatment including rape and torture, according to Amnesty International.
The security forces made detainees sign declarations saying they would leave Bhutan voluntarily as a condition of their release. Some 100,000 - one sixth of Bhutan's population - fled, ending up in refugee camps in eastern Nepal.
Bhutan has long resisted outside influences, with televisions only allowed in 1999. Its fight against Westernisation is often seen as a source of its mystic draw, along with its pursuit of "gross national happiness" - made official policy in 1998 - over economic gains.
It only swapped absolute monarchy for constitutional monarchy in 2008 and the current elections are the country's third. Bhutan still describes the Lhotshampa as immigrants, justifying its nationalistic laws as essential for cultural identity and political stability.
Relationship between India and Bhutan: India- Bhutan friendship treaty 2007 has been guiding the bilateral relations between the two countries. Under the 2007 India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty, the two sides have agreed to “cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests. Neither Government shall allow the use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other.”
Under the previous treaty, India was to “guide” Bhutan on foreign and defence policies. The language of the 2007 treaty is meant to respect the sensitivities of Bhutan regarding its sovereignty. But the reality is that the Indian military is virtually responsible for protecting Bhutan from the kind of external threat that the Chinese military poses.
The Eastern Army Command and the Eastern Air Command both have integrated protection of Bhutan into their role. The Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT), headed by a Major General, plays a critical role in training Bhutanese security personnel.
29-Jul-2019: Shawala Teja Singh temple in Pakistan reopens after 72 Years
A 1,000-year-old Hindu temple in Pakistan Punjab’s Sialkot city, which was sealed for the last 72 years, has been re-opened for people.
Shawala Teja Singh Temple in Dhaarowal was built by Sardar Teja Singh and closed during partition. The Hindus of Sialkot stopped visiting the temple after a mob damaged it in 1992 while protesting the demolition of the Babri Masjid in India.
The step was taken on the direction of Prime Minister Imran Khan. The government said that the work to preserve and restore the temple will start soon.
22-Apr-2019: Iran, Pakistan Agree To Set Up Joint Border 'Reaction Force'
Iranian President Hassan Rohani and visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan have agreed to set up a joint border "reaction force" to counter terrorism.
The announcement comes following tensions between the two countries who have in recent months accused each other of not doing enough to stamp out militants allegedly sheltering across the border.
Khan arrived in Iran on April 21 on his first official visit to the Islamic republic for talks set to focus on strengthening bilateral ties, “fighting terrorism, and safeguarding borders”.
The visit comes a day after Pakistan asked Iran to take action against terrorist groups believed to be behind the killing of 14 Pakistani soldiers earlier this month.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on April 20 that 15 gunmen wearing military uniforms ambushed a bus in southwestern Baluchistan Province on April 18, killing 14 Pakistani Army personnel.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a letter to the Iranian government that the assailants came from an alliance of three Baluch terrorist organizations based in Iran.
Earlier this year, Iran called on Pakistan to take action against a militant group behind a deadly attack on the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Twenty-seven IRGC members were killed in the February suicide car bombing near the border with Pakistan. The Sunni Muslim extremist group Jaish al-Adl claimed responsibility for the attack in southeastern Iran.
18-Apr-2019: Suspension of LoC Trade between J&K and PoJK
MHA has issued orders to suspend the LoC trade in Jammu & Kashmir w.e.f 19-04-2019. This action has been taken as the Government of India has been receiving reports that the Cross LoC trade routes are being misused by the Pakistan based elements for funnelling illegal weapons, narcotics and fake currency etc.
It may be recalled that the LoC trade is meant to facilitate exchange of goods of common use between local populations across the LoC in Jammu & Kashmir. The trade is allowed through two Trade Facilitation Centres located at Salamabad, Uri, District Baramulla and Chakkan-da-Bagh, District Poonch. The trade takes place four days a week. The Trade is based on Barter system and zero duty basis.
However, reports have been received that the LoC trade is being misused on very large scale. It has been revealed that the trade has changed its character to mostly third party trade and products from other regions, including foreign countries, are finding their way through this route. Unscrupulous and anti-national elements are using the route as a conduit for Hawala money, drugs and weapons, under the garb of this trade.
During the ongoing investigations of certain cases by NIA, it has been brought out that a significant number of trading concerns engaged in LoC trade are being operated by persons closely associated with banned terrorist organizations involved in fuelling terrorism/separatism. Investigations have further revealed that some individuals, who have crossed over to Pakistan, and joined militant organizations have opened trading firms in Pakistan. These trading firms are under the control of militant organizations and are engaged in LoC trade.
After the Pulwama incident, Government of India has withdrawn the MFN status to Pakistan. Inputs have also been received that in order to evade the consequent higher duty, LoC trade is likely to be misused to a much larger extent.
It has, therefore, been decided by the Government of India to suspend the LoC trade at Salamabad and Chakkan-da-Bagh in Jammu and Kashmir with immediate effect. Meanwhile, a stricter regulatory & enforcement mechanism is being worked out and will be put in place in consultation with various agencies. The issue of reopening of LoC trade will be revisited thereafter.
25-Mar-2019: Pakistan approves plan to open ancient Hindu temple corridor in PoK
The Pakistan government approved a proposal to establish a corridor that will allow Hindu pilgrims from India to visit Sharda Peeth, an ancient Hindu temple and cultural site in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Sharda Peeth corridor, when opened, will be the second religious tract after Kartarpur corridor in Pakistan-controlled territory that will connect the two neighbouring nations.
India had already sent a proposal to Pakistan to open the temple corridor.
Established in 237 B.C. during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, the 5,000-year-old Sharada Peeth is an abandoned temple and ancient centre of learning dedicated to the Hindu goddess of learning. Between the 6th and 12th centuries C.E, Sharada Peeth was one of the foremost temple universities of the Indian subcontinent. It is also one of the three famous holy sites for Kashmiri Pandits, the other two being the Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag and the Amarnath temple.
Kashmiri Pandit organisations have been demanding opening of the Sharda Peeth corridor for many years now. Work on the project will start from the current year after which Hindus in Pakistan will also be able to visit the site.
"I am going to visit the place in a couple of days. I will also send a report to Prime Minister Imran Khan," he added.
Kartarpur corridor is expected to be completed by 2019 and will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur -- the final resting place of Sikh faith's founder Guru Nanak Dev -- with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in India's Gurdaspur district and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian Sikh pilgrims, who will have to just obtain a permit to visit Kartarpur Sahib, which was established in 1522 by Guru Nanak Dev.
15-Feb-2019: India revokes Most Favoured Nation status granted to Pakistan
India announced that it had decided to withdraw the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status granted to Pakistan and would also take all possible steps to isolate the country at the international level after Thursday’s car bomb attack in which at least 37 CRPF men were killed in the Kashmir Valley.
The Ministry of External Affairs would announce the diplomatic steps to be taken against Pakistan. A notification would be issued by the Commerce Ministry withdrawing the MFN status. The government would call for an all-party meeting after Home Minister Rajnath Singh returned from a visit to the Kashmir Valley.
1-Jan-2019: India and Pakistan exchanged list of Nuclear Installations
India and Pakistan exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations between India and Pakistan.
The Agreement, which was signed on 31 December 1988 and entered into force on 27 January 1991 provides, inter alia, that the two countries inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the Agreement on the first of January of every calendar year. This is the twenty eighth consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the first one having taken place on 01 January 1992.
21-Mar-2017: India and Pakistan agreed to review Miyar project
India and Pakistan agreed on redesigning the Miyar Hydroelectric project, at the end of two-day talks of Indus Water Commissioners in Islamabad.
It was also agreed that the Lower Kalnai and the Pakal Dul projects would also be inspected again.
The talks between the two countries began after 22 months when Pakistan in 2015 skipped consultations following objections on the Kishenganga and the Ratle hydroelectric projects by India.
Kishenganga is in arbitration while officials of the two countries are meeting in Washington next month on the Ratle project on the invitation of the World Bank. Pakistan’s request for arbitration on Ratle is still pending with the World Bank, which is the guarantor of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty.
The Indus Waters Treaty, brokered by World Bank, was signed by the then-president Ayub Khan and Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 19 September 1960.
It administers how the Indus River and its tributaries would be utilised by the two countries. India governs the Beas, the Ravi, and the Sutlej while Pakistan governs the Indus, Chenab, and Jhelum rivers. However, India is allowed to use 20% of Indus water for irrigation, power-generation, and transportation.
The Permanent Indus Commission, a bilateral commission, implements, manages and solves the disputes arising over water sharing. It is mandatory for the commission to meet alternately in India and Pakistan at least once in a fiscal year.
10-Mar-2017: Pakistan National Assembly passes Hindu Marriage Bill.
Pakistan for the first time has passed a bill which formally recognises Hindu marriages by law.
The bill enshrines the conditions for a valid marriage, and provides for official documentation that can be used to verify marital status.
The Muslim-majority country has about 3.8 million Hindus, close to 2% of the population.
The bill, which applies only to certain regions, has now been sent to the president to be signed into law. As part of the formal regulation, the act sets the conditions for a valid Hindu marriage within the country. They include valid consent, both participants being over the age of 18 and a ban on polygamy. However, the ban on multiple wives will not apply where a living female spouse cannot conceive a child and is medically declared to be so. The bill also details the circumstances for separation or divorce, and gives formal legal validity to all existing Hindu marriages.
The law will only apply in three provinces - Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - as well as the capital territory around Islamabad. Local authorities in these areas have already passed resolutions to accept the regulations.
Sindh province - which has a particularly high concentration of Hindus - has introduced its own regulations. The new national bill retains a controversial clause from the Sindh regulation, which allows termination of the marriage if either person converts to another religion.
The bill was passed after a lengthy debate. It was first approved by the country's national assembly last year but later amended by the senate. The modified bill was then sent back to the assembly for re-approval. It is expected to receive presidential assent and become law within the week.
Pakistani Hindus have long complained of discrimination and religious persecution, and many have fled across the border to India to escape it. Since 2011, more than a thousand Pakistanis have been granted Indian citizenship, the majority of whom are Hindus.