19 Oct 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. HTT - 40 (Indigenous Aircraft Trainer)
2. Indian Ocean Region Plus (IOR+) Defence Ministers’ Conclave
3. World Spice Congress

1. HTT – 40 (Indigenous Aircraft Trainer)

Syllabus – GS-3, Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Prelims – HTT-40

Context – Shri Narendra Modi unveiled HTT 40 during the 12th DefExpo, 2022.

Details –

• An indigenous trainer aircraft designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was unveiled by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the India Pavilion during the 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• It has over 60% in-house parts and collaboration with private industry; it represents yet another example of the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
• In addition to the basic flight training, instrument flying, aerobatics and close formation flights, it would also be used for navigation and night flying.
• The Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) issued a provisional clearance for the aircraft’s airworthiness after all system tests, PSQR performance, sea level, hot weather, cross-wind and user-assisted technical trials were completed.
• HTT-40 is equipped with the latest avionics, ejection seats and an air-conditioned cabin.
• Its features also include running changeover of pilots, short turnaround time and hot refuelling.

2. Indian Ocean Region Plus (IOR+) Defence Ministers’ Conclave

Syllabus – GS 2, Regional Groupings, Bilateral Relations.

Prelims – IOR+, SAGAR.

Context – Indian Defence Minister hosted the 2nd IOR+ Defence Ministers’ Conclave on the sidelines of the 12th DefExpo, 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat and also held bilateral meetings.

Details –

• Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh hosted IOR+ Defence Ministers’ Conclave. It was attended by 40 countries, and 22 ministers addressed the conference.
• The theme of the Conclave was “Challenges Opportunities and Collaborations” in the Indian Ocean. It is an initiative to foster a stable and peaceful Indian Ocean, with strategic and commercial partnerships with the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), in line with the PM’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).
• The conclave was aimed at promoting peace, security, prosperity and defence cooperation throughout the region and establishing new defence partnerships.
• The defence minister called for collective efforts towards addressing the present and emerging threats to security and stability in the Indian Ocean Region. The challenges include – the spread of terrorism through sea routes, Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, piracy, and regional and global food security. He said that sustainable exploitation of maritime resources is an important means for the growth and development of nations across the IOR in the 21st century.
• The minister reiterated that India’s startup ecosystem, especially in the defence sector is one of the world’s biggest and is playing an important part in making a self-reliant India. India is ready to work on bilateral, multilateral and regional fora for ensuring development and continued stability in the IOR. 
• The first IOR Defence Ministers’ Conclave was hosted by India in February 2021. The event took place in the backdrop of AeroIndia 2021 which is Asia’s largest Aero show. The theme was “Enhanced peace, security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean”. 

Bilateral Meetings –

Along with the IOR+ Conclave, Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral meetings with delegation leaders from Bangladesh, Angola, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Paraguay. The whole spectrum of defence cooperation was discussed during the meetings, with a focus on identifying avenues to expand mutually beneficial collaboration.

3. World Spice Congress

Prelims – World Spice Congress (14th Edition).

Context – 14th edition of the World Spice Congress (WSC) is to be held in February 2023 (Mumbai) on the sidelines of the G-20 Meet.

Details –

• The 14th World Spice Congress (WSC) would be the world’s largest exclusive business platform for the spice sector.
• Over 1000 delegates from over 50 countries are expected to participate in the event in February 2023.
• It is a biennial event and is the premier platform that brings the global spice industry together to deliberate on the challenges and prospects in the spice sector.
• Deliberations will be held on production, quality, safety, processing, value addition and supply chain management of spices in the new normal situation.
• The theme for the event is – Vision 2030 – SPICES (Sustainability, Productivity, Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Safety).
• Spices Board India is organising the World Spice Congress as a G-20 event on the sidelines of India’s G20 presidency (December 2022- November 2023).

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