INDIA-SAUDI

RIYADH DECLARATION BETWN INDIA---SAUDI WAS SIGNED ON  1ST MARCH 2010

India-- Austria

India and Austria signed an MoU to strengthen bilateral cooperation on Rail and Road

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on 1 October 2012 between Indian and Austria to strengthen the long-term bilateral cooperation and relationship on rail and road infrastructure. The MoU was signed in between C.P. Joshi- the Minister of Railways and Road Transport of India and Highways and the Doris Burse-the Federal Minister of Transport, Innovation and Technology of Austria during her visit to India.

The identified areas of cooperation as declared by C.P. Joshi are tunnelling technology enhancement, training and skill up gradation like locomotive drivers’ psychological qualification test, track monitoring as well as maintenance. The memorandum also includes provisions of mechanised track laying, traction and rolling stock and telecom and signalling. As per the provisions of the MoU, there has been an agreement on establishing and encouraging relationship for communication and cooperation that is effective and continue for a long term. The understanding also includes exchange of information related to infrastructural development for roads, their management, administration, road safety and different areas of mutual interests that includes intelligent Transport Systems related to road transport technologies.

C.P. Joshi also declared that the Indian Railways foresee safety enhancement plans, modernization and massive capacity augmentation in the coming decade.

There are Austrian companies involved in road and rail development projects across India and few of them are Starbag has been involved in major projects in Delhi and have in hand a Delhi Metro Rail Project that worth Euro 83 million. The company also have a contract of Euro with its Indian counterpart Afcons for making of the Rohtang Pass Tunnel. In making of the bridge in between Jammu and Kashmir also an Austrian company is engaged.

Ministry of Railways, India and Federal Ministry for Transport Innovation & Technology of Republic of Austria signed a MoU in relation to Technologies Specific Cooperation in Railways related projects in October 2011.

India and Austria on 2 October 2012 tied up to develop smart cities that would include fine planning of the city including the transport system and services of internet. The decision came up after the meeting of Union Minister for Urban Development Kamal Nath with Austrian Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation & Technology Doris Bures.

The plans of developing the new cities will be implemented under the second phase of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM II). As per the plans initially two model smart cities will be developed in every state of the country that will include the mid-sized cities with a minimum population of half a million to one million.

Every State to have two smart-cities

Austrian Institute of Technology will assist the country in planning and development of the smart cities that will include things that it needs to cover, broadband facilities to its maintenance to carbon levels. As per the plans of the Central Government under JNNURM II every state will have two model towns initially.

70 cities with over a million population graph are in plan

Plans are on the paper to convert at least 70 cities with million plus population in India into smart cities. Austria that has been into different types of trade-relations for a long time with India will be offering the potential technical support.

Organizations involved in project implementation

Austrian Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Urban Affairs that is a research, information and training wing under the Urban Development Ministry, would be the partners in the project.

india---uae

India and UAE ink a bilateral agreement on Mutual Assistance in
Customs Matters
India and UAE inked a bilateral agreement on Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters. The agreement to
raise trade co-operation b/w the two countries and curb customs violations. The Agreement provides for
sharing of best customs practices and giving a boost to economic cooperation by expanding bilateral
trade.
Current Affairs Published on www.gktoday.in from January 1, 2012 to
September 10, 2012
Objective: To curb the violation of customs laws and protect against illicit commercial practices by exchanging
information on mutual customs shipments.







India, UAE ink agreement to amend double taxation avoidance
India and UAE inked an agreement in Abu Dhabi to amend the double taxation avoidance treaty and
also agreed to set up a joint committee to look after consular issues.
Objective: To pave way for better sharing of tax related information b/w the India and UAE. The India-
UAE agreement on avoidance of double taxation has been updated to bring it at same level with the internationally
established standards. Now the banking information as well as any information without any domestic tax interest can
be shared between the two nations.

Oman Banned Import of Eggs and Chicken from India

The Sultanate of Oman on 10 November 2012 issued an official decree banning the import of eggs and chicken from India. Oman that is the biggest egg export market of India issued the ban following the recommendations of the World Organisation for Animal Health about the outbreak of bird-flu was confirmed by the Government run Turkey Farm at Hesaraghatta, Karnataka in the month of October.

The Sultanate of Oman banned import of eggs and chicken from India for second time in 2012 and this ban is going to affect the economic conditions of the poultry farmers of India as this ban would have an impact on a third of poultry export from India. Oman resumed the import of Poultry Products from India after a ban that lasted for five months in the last week of September. The previous ban was made in effect of reports of bird flu witnessed in Bihar.

India aims to double LNG supply from Qatar
India intends to double its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports from Qatar to 15 million tonnes a year. India, the
world’s 8th largest importer of LNG, annually buy 7.5 million tonnes from Qatar under a long-term deal. In addition,
India has asked Qatar to meet "to supply instant requirement" of 3 million tonnes of LNG, which could assist to make
up for falling local gas output and soaring demand for the cleaner fuel.







India, UAE ink agreement to ease entry of Indian workers in Emirates
India and UAE inked an agreement to streamline the entry of Indian contract workers in the Emirates.This is the first
such agreement signed by UAE with any country in the world.
What is the significance of this agreement?
The significance of the Agreement:
 It will provide for an electronic contract registration and validation system to safeguard and protect the interest
of migrant Indian workers.
 It will facilitate a legal and transparent migration of Indian Workers.
 It will also protect the interest of workers as well as the employers and check any violation.
 It will ensure the transparency of the job contract so that the wages, employment conditions and benefits due to
the workers are known to them before they leave India for job in UAE.





India, Kuwait ink MoU to strengthen medical co-operation
India and Kuwait inked MoU.
Objective: To strengthen medical co-operation and promote medical tourism b/w the two nations.
As per the MoU:
Current Affairs Published on www.gktoday.in from January 1, 2012 to
September 10, 2012
 Degrees and other qualifications issued by institutions in medicine, including traditional medicine, nursing,
medical technicians and paramedical recognized by government bodies will be treated at par for suitable job
placements and gains by Kuwait’s Ministry of Health.
 Suitable training will be rendered to Kuwaiti doctors in centres of excellence in the field of traditional and
modern medicine and allied health specialties in India.
 There are provisions for treatment of Kuwaiti patients in the sanctioned speciated Indian hospitals.






The Indian Embassy in UAE decided to organize Open Days on a regular basis on
the first Sunday of each month. The move aims to attend to the grievances of the
local Indian community regarding consular, community and other matters.