TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Agreement between India and Italy
2. Consulate General of India in Auckland
3. India - Malaysia MoU

1. Agreement between India and Italy

Syllabus: GS-2, IR

Prelims: Agreement between India and Italy

Mains: India – Italy relations

Context:

The Cabinet approved the Migration and Mobility Agreement between India and Italy.

Details:

• The agreement would enhance people-to-people contacts, foster mobility of students, skilled workers, business people and young professionals and strengthen cooperation on issues related to irregular migration between the two sides.
• The agreement locks in the current Italian visa regime including mechanisms for post-study opportunities, internships, and professional training assuring an advantage for India under the existing labour mobility pathways under the Flows Decree.
• As per the agreement, Indian students wishing to gain initial professional experience, after completing academic/vocational training in Italy may be granted temporary residence in Italy for up to 12 months.
• For workers, the Italian side has reserved a quota of 5000, 6000 and 7000 non-seasonal & 3000, 4000 and 5000 seasonal Indian workers for 2023, 2024 and 2025 under the current Flows Decree.
• Cooperation between the two parties in the fight against irregular migration has also been formalised through the Agreement.

2. Consulate General of India in Auckland

Syllabus: GS-2, IR

Prelims: Consulate General of India in Auckland

Mains: India – New Zealand relations

Context:

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to open a Consulate General of India in Auckland, New Zealand.

Details:

• The new consulate will be operationalised in 12 months.
• This move would help in increasing India’s diplomatic footprint and strengthen India’s diplomatic representation because of India’s increasing global engagement.  
• This will also help promote India’s strategic and commercial interests and better serve the welfare of the Indian community in Auckland.

3. India – Malaysia MoU

Syllabus: GS-2, IR

Prelims: India – Malaysia MoU 

Mains: India – Malaysia relations

Context:

Union Cabinet approved the MoU for cooperation in broadcasting signed between India and Malaysia in November 2023.

Details:

• The agreement was signed between India’s Prasar Bharati and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), Malaysia.
• The MoU is expected to strengthen cooperation in broadcasting, exchange of news, and audio-visual programmes and significantly augment India’s friendly relations with the country. 
• With this, the total number of MoUs signed by Prasar Bharati with different countries has increased to 46.
• The major benefit arising out of the signing of such MoUs are exchange of programmes in the areas of Culture, Education, Science, Technology, Sports, News and other fields on a gratis/non-gratis basis.

Read previous PIB articles here.