The Daily Brief – 4th November 2019

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released its Southeast Asia, China and India 2020 report at the ASEAN summit, 2019. As per it, India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to grow at 6.6% in 2020-24, lower than its 2013-17 average of 7.4%. The organisation has predicted a regional GDP growth of 5.7% over 2020-24, down from 6.7% in 2013-17. Among the ASEAN countries, Vietnam and Philippines will remain as growth leaders.

The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has announced the setting up of anti-human trafficking units in all districts of the country with the help of the Nirbhaya Fund. In addition to this, women help desks will also be set up in all police stations across the country. The Nirbhaya Fund was announced by the Centre in 2013 to support the initiatives of government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) working towards the safety of women.

India and Germany signed eight agreements in the sectors of flexibilisation in thermal power plants, demand-side energy, renewable energies, low carbon growth strategies and green energy corridors, during the 8^th Indo-German Energy Forum, conducted in New Delhi. Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, Secretary (Power) and Christian Hirte, Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy co-chaired the forum. The Forum was established in 2006 to enhance and deepen the strategic political dialogue on the ongoing energy transition in both the countries.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Joint Exercise on Urban Earthquake Search and Rescue – ‘SCOJtEx-2019’ that will be held from 4^th November to 7^th November, 2019 in New Delhi and will be hosted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). It aims to rehearse the disaster response mechanism, share knowledge, experience and technology for mutual coordination.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented as a Special Envoy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at Tashkent in Uzbekistan. The decision to conduct the Council of Heads of Government in 2020 in India was taken at the meet. India called upon the member countries to strengthen and implement existing international laws and mechanisms to combat terrorism. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Charter, that formally established the organisation, was signed in June 2002 and entered into force on 19^th September, 2003.

PM Narendra Modi launching the Thai version of the Tirukkural

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit to Thailand to attend the ASEAN, RCEP and East Asia Summits, released a commemorative coin marking the 550^th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. He also released the Thai translation of the Tamil classic “Tirukkural”.

Finance Minister Nirmala Seetharaman and US Secretary Steven T Minuchin co-chaired the 7^th India-US Economic and Financial partnership meeting in New Delhi. The leaders took efforts to improve mutual cooperation on wide range of multilateral subjects like combating financing of terrorism and anti-money laundering. The United States also extended its support to India in hosting the 2022 G20 Presidency.

India and Germany signed seventeen agreements in the fields of agriculture, maritime technology, Ayurveda and yoga among others. Five joint declarations of intent were also exchanged between the two countries for the cooperation on strategic projects, partnership for green urban mobility, research and development on artificial intelligence and cooperation in the field of prevention of marine litter. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is on a two-day visit to India for the 5^th biennial Indo-German Inter Governmental consultations (IGC).