11 Sep 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. India - Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council
2. Acharya Vinoba Bhave
3. BIS and Gram Panchayats
4. India-UK hold 12th Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD)

1. India – Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council

Syllabus: GS-2, International relations

Prelims: India – Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council

Mains: India – Saudi Arabia relations

Context:

The first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council was held in New Delhi.

India – Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council:

• The India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) was set up in 2019, making India the fourth country with which Riyadh formed such a partnership, after the UK, France, and China.
• This first summit-level meeting of the SPC was co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
• Both sides discussed cooperation in areas such as energy security, trade and investment, defence and security, healthcare and food security.
• They reviewed the progress made under the two ministerial committees of the SPC, i.e. the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation; and the Committee on Economy and Investments Cooperation.
• Many MoUs were signed between India and Saudi companies in the fields of IT, petrochemicals, agriculture, human resources, pharmaceuticals, etc.
• PM Modi hailed Saud Arabia as one of India’s most important strategic partners.

India – Saudi Relations:

• India and Saudi Arabia have historically close relations with extensive people-to-people contacts since ancient times.
• Trade between both countries touched a record high of USD 52.75 billion in FY 2022-23.
• India is Saudi Arabia’s second-largest trading partner whereas Saudi Arabia is India’s fourth-largest trading partner.
• Both countries share extensive partnerships in energy.

Also read: Strategic Convergence Between US, UAE, Saudi Arabia and India

2. Acharya Vinoba Bhave

Syllabus: Important Personalities 

Prelims: Vinoba Bhave, Bhoodan Movement

Context:

Birth anniversary of Acharya Vinoba Bhave.

Details:

Acharya Vinoba Bhave (born Sep 11, 1895) is famous for initiating the Bhoodan Movement in 1951. Learn more about his contributions in the linked article.

3. BIS and Gram Panchayats

Syllabus: GS-2, Schemes

Prelims: Bureau of Indian Standards

Context:

BIS has initiated a mission to create awareness and promote compliance with Indian standards at the grassroots level.

Details:

• The initiative is aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of government programs and schemes in villages.
• The outreach program has been started recognising the critical importance of adhering to Indian standards for the well-being of citizens, the environment, and the overall quality of products and services.
• The primary objective of this initiative is to instil an understanding of the significance of adhering to Indian Standards among Gram Panchayats and ensuring compliance with these standards while implementing government programs and schemes at the village level. 
• It aims to promote the culture of standardization and benefits of using products conforming to Indian Standards among Gram Panchayats, who play a crucial role in the execution of various government initiatives at the grassroots level.
• Intended benefits of the scheme:
  • Enhanced quality and safety
  • Consumer protection
  • Environmental conservation
  • Capacity building
  • National progress
  • Awareness of the BIS Care App

4. India-UK hold 12th Economic and Financial Dialogue (EFD)

Syllabus: GS-2, International relations

Prelims: EFD between India and the UK

Context:

The 12th Round of Ministerial India-UK Economic and Financial Dialogue was held in New Delhi.

Details:

• India and the UK reiterated the commitment to deepen their collaboration on financial services, building on each other’s strengths and supporting mutual aspirations towards financial inclusion and sustainable development. 
• The focus of the dialogue was also towards enhancement of the knowledge exchange, cooperation and support between India and the UK to further the infrastructure development priorities, robust FinTech partnership and sustainable finance towards long-term growth objectives.
• Both sides also deliberated on enhancing mutual cooperation on macroeconomic and multilateral issues. 
• The two countries announced the India-UK Infrastructure Finance Bridge, a collaborative initiative to leverage expertise and investment in support of India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline.

Also read: India – UK relations

Read the previous PIB articles here.