UPSC 2017-18: PIB Summary and Analysis Sept 07

UPSC 2017-18: PIB Summary and Analysis Sept 07 for IAS Exam Preparation

GENERAL STUDIES PAPER 2

Category: International Relations
Topic: India-Myanmar Joint Statement issued on the occasion of the State Visit of Prime Minister of India to Myanmar (September 5-7, 2017)

Key Points

• Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s first bilateral State visit to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar from 5th to 7th September 2017.
• The visit is part of the continuing high level interaction between the leaders of the two countries.
• Burmese State Counsellor and the Indian Prime Minister countersigned and exchanged various documents between Myanmar and India in the areas of health, culture, capacity building, maritime security and collaboration between key institutions and held a Joint Press Conference.
• Prime Minister Modi also have plans to visit places of historical and cultural importance at Bagan (Ananda Temple) and Yangon.
• In Bagan, restoration work is being carried out by Indian and Myanmar archaeologists under the expert guidance of the Archaeological Survey of India.
• Prime Minister to interact with the Indian origin and expatriate Indian community of Myanmar during his stay in Yangon.
• Both sides reviewed ongoing official exchanges, economic, trade and cultural ties, as well as people-to-people exchanges that reflect the harmony between Myanmar’s independent, active and non-aligned foreign policy and India’s pragmatic Act East and Neighbourhood First policies.
• They pledged to pursue new opportunities to further deepen and broaden bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of the people of both countries.
• They reaffirmed their common aspirations for peace, collective prosperity and development of the region and beyond.
• The Prime Minister of India appreciated the measures taken and noted that peace and stability in Myanmar are of the highest priority to India.
• Modi ji also restated India’s continued support to the Government of Myanmar in consolidating democratic institutions in Myanmar and for the emergence of a democratic Federal Republic.
• Recognising that maintenance of security and stability along the common border is essential for the socio-economic development of the peoples of the border areas.
• Security situation prevailing along their borders and expressed concern at various incidents of terrorism and extremist-inspired violence that have taken place in their respective territories.
• Myanmar condemned the recent barbaric terror attacks during the Amarnath Yatra in India as also various acts of terror perpetrated by terrorists from across the borders.
• India condemned the recent terrorist attacks in northern Rakhine State, wherein several members of the Myanmar security forces lost their lives.
• Both sides agreed to call on the international community to end selective and partial approaches to combating terrorism and, in this regard, jointly called for the expeditious finalization and adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the United Nations General Assembly.
• Both sides emphasised the need to resolve outstanding boundary demarcation issues as fast as possible through existing bilateral mechanisms and consultations.
• Reviewing the security situation in their immediate neighbourhood, both sides agreed upon the special need for enhancing closer bilateral cooperation in maritime security.
• Besides institutionalized cooperation through regular coordinated patrolling initiatives, they agreed to focus on bilateral maritime cooperation in non-traditional security domains, such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, which are critical for safeguarding the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean as global commons.
• India and Myanmar respected the fixed holding of sector specific institutional mechanisms in the areas of security and defence, trade and commerce, power and energy, border management and connectivity etc. for effective follow-up of decisions taken at the highest political levels.
• India’s assistance to Myanmar in support of its endeavour for socio-economic development was appreciated.
• With two Industrial Training Centres set up under the Indian assistance in Pakokku and Myingyan, the Myanmar side thanked India for the support being extended to develop two more Centres at Monywa and Thaton.
• India offered its support to upgrade the Myanmar-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre and the Centre for English Language Training at Yangon.
• The situation in Rakhine State had a developmental as well as a security dimension.
• In this context, they agreed to bring about overall socio-economic development in the State by undertaking both infrastructure and socio-economic projects, particularly in the spheres of education, health, agriculture and allied activities, agro-processing, community development, construction of small bridges, upgradation of roads, small power projects, livelihood activity, setting up of training centres, promotion of household crafts, conservation of environment and cultural heritage.
• India came up with a offer of assistance under the Rakhine State Development Programme.
• The two sides noted with satisfaction the cooperation in the field of agricultural research and education, especially through the rapid progress in operationalizing the Advanced Centre for Agricultural Research and Education set up at the Yezin Agricultural University and the Rice Bio Park set up at the Department of Agricultural Research.
• The capacity building programmes for Myanmar judicial officers, military personnel and police are under progress.
• Myanmar welcomed India’s offer to help set up a training centre for police officers in Yangon.
• India supports various projects in Myanmar that enhance bilateral as well as regional connectivity like the Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project and other road and bridge construction projects as fully funded grant-in-aid projects.
• This would enable the Port and IWT infrastructure to be used commercially and promote development of the surrounding areas even as the final component of the project, the road from Paletwa to Zorinpui, is under construction.
• Further steps on construction of the Putao-Myitkyina and Alethankyaw-Ahungmaw roads under available LOC would be taken after DPRs are made available by Myanmar.
• India agreed to undertake preparation of DPRs for the Rihkhawdar-Zowkhathar bridge and the Bwaynu bridge.
• Reviewing the projects in the field of health bot the governments agreed to work on the upgradation of Yangon Childrens’ Hospital and Sittwe General Hospital and on construction of Monywa General Hospital had been completed.
• Both sides expressed that, in order to derive full value from these infrastructure projects, the institutional arrangements related to connectivity needed to be put in place on priority. In this regard, they noted the importance of concluding a bilateral agreement that would enable motor vehicle traffic, both passenger and cargo, to cross the border.
• Present need is to bring about greater integration of power and energy supply networks between India and Myanmar.
• Myanmar welcomed India’s participation in its energy sector both in exploration and production and invited Indian companies to participate in tenders for petrochemicals and petroleum products, marketing infrastructure and setting up of LPG terminals.
• The first consignment of the high speed diesel reached Myanmar on 4th September 2017.
• In addition to India’s earlier offer to conduct a feasibility study for development of solar parks in Myanmar, India offered to conduct a solar radiation resource assessment in Myanmar.
• India to introduce LED-based energy efficient lighting in key townships and buildings identified by Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw, Bago region and Rakhine State.
• India welcomed Myanmar’s desire to seek cooperation with it to develop Myanmar’s textile sector covering standardization, inspection and quality recommendations, research & development, human resource development and capacity building .
• The the importance of pulses in the bilateral trade basket, and the implications this trade has for the Myanmar farmers and Indian consumers were also discussed.
• The State Counsellor requested Prime Minister of India to lift all restrictions on imports from Myanmar in view of the bonds of friendship and long term interests of the two peoples and nations.
• Leaders of both countries agreed to negotiate and swiftly conclude an agreement on commencing a coordinated bus service between the two countries from Imphal in India to Mandalay in Myanmar.
• As enhanced air connectivity between the two countries will boost people-to-people contacts as well as promote greater tourism, trade and investment flows.
• Burmese government welcomed Government of India’s offer of customized training and capacity building programmes for Air Traffic Controllers of Myanmar in India.
• The leaders directed their respective officials to also explore the feasibility of construction of a rail link between Tamu and Mandalay in Myanmar.
• Both sides recognized the importance of establishing mutually agreed procedures for the rescue and rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking.
• The finalization of the MoU on Cooperation for Prevention of Human Trafficking and conveyed their intent to conclude it at the earliest.
• Archaeological Survey of India to preserve and conserve stone inscriptions and temples of King Mindon and King Bagyidaw of Myanmar in Bodh Gaya is at an advanced stage and would be completed by December 2017.
• Myanmar expressed its appreciation to India for the decision taken by the Government of India to give Myanmar nationals gratis visa in all categories, except e-visa.
• India’s decision to grant special pardon to 40 Myanmar nationals who are currently undergoing imprisonment in India for various crimes was appreciated by Myanmar.
• Recognising the importance of the role played by the media in fostering and supporting democracy, a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Press Council of India and the Myanmar Press Council was countersigned.
• Activities under this framework will encourage exchanges between journalists and promote better understanding of political and economic developments in India and Myanmar.
• India and Myanmar reaffirmed their commitment to work closely in the UN and other multilateral organizations.
• Both sides reiterated the importance of a strong United Nations and emphasized the need for an early reform of the Security Council. They reaffirmed their commitment to support the Inter-Governmental Negotiations for comprehensive reforms of the Security Council.
• Myanmar reiterated its support for India’s efforts to become permanent member of an expanded and reformed UN Security Council.
• Both the countries to work together particularly in the international arena to strengthen the means of implementation as enshrined in the SDGs 2030.
• Theneed for strengthening and reform of multilateral financial institutions and enhancing the voice and participation of developing countries in international economic decision-making was also focussed.
• Prime Minister Modi also invited State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to visit India at a mutually convenient time. The State Counsellor of Myanmar expressed her deep appreciation for the invitation.

Category: International Relations
Topic: Joint Press Statement on The India-Japan Annual Defence Ministerial Dialogue

Key Points

• The Defence Minister of India Shri Arun Jaitley wass on a bilateral visit to Japan at the invitation of the Defence Minister of Japan Mr Itsunori Onodera from 05 to 06 September 2017
• The Ministers shared their aim to further strengthen defence and security cooperation under the framework of the “Japan-lndia Special Strategic and Global Partnership” through continued deepening and diversification of bilateral defence cooperation since the signing of the bilateral Memorandum on Defence Co-operation and Exchanges in September 2014 and the two Defence Framework agreements signed in December 2015.
• Concerns over the current security situation in the Indo-Pacific region were also discussed.
• Both the sides condemned North Korea’s nuclear test of 03 September 2017, which  is in violation of its international obligations and commitments, including under relevant UNSC resolutions and called upon DPRK to cease such action which adversely impacts peace and stability of the region and beyond.
• The Ministers underlined their intention to explore opportunities for enhancing exchanges and decided to promote cooperation in the following areas:-
  1. Institutionalised Dialogue and Visits.
  2. Exchanges between Japan Ground Self Defence Force and Indian Army.
  3. Exchanges between Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and the Indian Navy.
  4. Exchanges between Japan Air Self Defence Force and Indian Air Force.
  5. Education and Research exchanges.
  6. Cooperation in Defence Equipment and Technology

Category: International Relations and Environment
Topic: UJALA scheme launched in Melaka, Malaysia

Key Points

• Energy Efficiency Services Limited ( EESL) , under Ministry of Power, Government of India has launched UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable Lighting for All) Scheme in the State of Melaka, Malaysia.
• Under this scheme, each household in Melaka will get 10 high quality 9-watt LED bulbs at a cost of only RM 10, which is a special price and is almost half of what in begin offered in the market.
• These Japerun(distribution center) are a unique community welfare and engagement centers, which are situated across the Melakan State.
• Under the extensive and ever-expanding idea of UJALA, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) plans to distribute about 1 million 9W LED bulbs, which will replace 18W CFLs.
• Each bulb that is being provided by EESL under the UJALA scheme in Melaka comes with a 3-year free replacement warranty against any technical defects.
• Ultimate aim will be to reduce the annual household electricity bills by approximately 10.22 million RM every year, households will be able to make significant monetary savings in their electricity bills.
• UJALA’s impact in Malaysia will bring about clean energy, contribute to climate change targets and save the already dwindling energy resources and also this scheme will help reduce the subsidy burdens of the State Government.
• Currently, over 25-crore LED bulbs have been distributed under the UJALA scheme in India, which are resulting in 33,828 mn kWh of energy savings per year.
• About 13,531 crores are being saved in energy bills of consumers per annum, about 2,74,00,887 tonnes of CO2 reduction is taking place per year.
• Social surveying in India had strongly indicated a public contentment with the scheme and people openly expressed their happiness after witnessing reduction in their electricity bills.