JANUARY

INDIA AND WORLD:

Ø  India becomes third largest producer of crude steel

Ø  According to recent report published by World Steel Association (WSA), India has overtaken US to become the world’s third largest steel producer in 2017. India’s crude steel production has grown by 6.2% to 101.4 million tonnes (MT) in 2017 compared to 95.5 MT in the previous year.

Ø  India ranks sixth in the list of wealthiest countries

Ø  India has been ranked sixth in the list of wealthiest countries with total wealth of 8,230 billion US dollars, while the United States topped the chart. According to a report by New World Wealth, India was the best performing wealth market globally in 2017 as its total wealth swelled from 6,584 billion dollars in 2016 to 8,230 billion dollars in 2017, registering a 25 per cent growth.

Ø  India cheapest country to live in after South Africa: Survey

Ø  According to a survey by GoBankingRates ranked nations, India is ranked second only to South Africa as the cheapest country to live or retire. These rankings are based four key affordability metrics: Local purchasing power index, rent index, Groceries index, and Consumer price index.

Ø  VINBAX: Indian, Vietnam hold first military exercise in Jabalpur

Ø  The India-Vietnam Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX-2018) was conducted at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. It is the first military exercise between the two countries. The six day-long military exercise (from January 29 to February 3, 2018) was conducted as part of joint training undertaken with friendly foreign countries by Indian Army.

Ø  India, Vietnam release first-ever Commemorative Stamps

Ø  India and Vietnam released first ever set of commemorative postage stamps to mark the long-term friendly bilateral relationships between the two countries. The stamp was released by AN Nanda, Secretary, Department of Posts. The two set of stamps released carry picture of Sanchi Stupa and Thien Mu Pagoda.

                                     

Ø  India ranks 177 In Environmental Performance Index

Ø  India ranks 177 among 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2018, according to a biennial report by Yale and Columbia Universities along with the World Economic Forum. India ranked 141 in 2016 report. The report was released on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Switzerland leads the list, followed by France, Denmark, and Malta.  

Ø  India, Vietnam sign MoU for cooperation in I & B Sector and space

India and Vietnam on 24th January 2018 exchanged Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) for cooperation in the field of Information and Broadcasting and space. The agreement were exchanged in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Vietnam counterpart, Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Ø  PM Modi holds Bilateral Talks with 3 ASEAN Leaders

On the eve of the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit to celebrate 25 years of India-ASEAN partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had separate bilateral meetings with leaders of three ASEAN nations – Myanmar, Vietnam and Philippines in New Delhi. The PM first met his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc and held talks with on issues of mutual interest. Next, he met the Philipino President Rodrigo Duterte and covered a wide range of subjects. Myanmar’s State Councillor Aung San Suu Kyi also met the PM later in the evening.

Ø  India ranked 81st on Global Index of Talent Competitiveness

Ø  India was ranked 81st among 118 countries in 2017 Global index of talent competitiveness (GTI) list. India has improved its position from 92nd last year. The index measures ability of countries to compete for talent i.e. how countries grow, attract and retain talent. It is produced by global business school INSEAD in partnership with Adecco Group and Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI) of Singapore.

Ø  Sri Lanka bans import of non-airbag equipped vehicles from July 1

Ø  Sri Lanka restricted the import of the vehicles which do not carry airbags for driver and front seat passenger, Anti-Locking Braking System standards (ABS) and three-point seat belts for driver and passengers traveling front and rear seats. This decision after considering the representations made by motor vehicle importers and manufacturers for a lead time to make required adjustments to comply with the proposed emission standards and safety measures.

Ø  17 Indian fishermen arrested in Pakistan

Ø  Seventeen Indian fishermen have been arrested for allegedly fishing in Pakistani waters and a court here remanded them into custody. Most of the fishermen belonged to Gujarat. The 17 Indian fishermen were arrested for fishing in Pakistan’s territorial waters, according to the Maritime Security Force. The arrests come after the release of 145 Indian fishermen on December 28.

Ø  India ranks 62nd on WEF’s Inclusive Development Index

Ø  India was ranked at the 62nd place among emerging economies on an Inclusive Development Index of World Economic Forum (WEF). In the report, China is on 26th position and Pakistan is on 47th. Norway remains the world’s most inclusive advanced economy, while Lithuania again tops the list of emerging economies, according to the report. India was ranked 60th among 79 developing economies in 2017. Among advanced economies, Norway is followed by Ireland, Luxembourg, and Switzerland in top three.

Ø  India becomes 43rd Member of Australia Group

Ø  India has joined the Australia Group export control regime and has become the 43rd Member of that Group. It is an informal forum which seeks to ensure that exports do not contribute to the development of chemical or biological weapons. The inclusion will raise India’s stature in the field of non-proliferation and help in acquiring critical technologies. India has managed entry into Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), the Wassenaar Arrangement and Australia Group despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Ø  Indian peacekeepers rebuild Akoka bridge

Ø  Indian peacekeepers in UN Mission in South Sudan have re-built a key bridge in record time in strife-torn South Sudan’s Akoka village. In June 2017, heavy rains washed away a 300-metre-long road segment across a river in Akoka village. This bridge will enable people to cross the river and reach a town to access basic services.

Ø  Coast Guards of India, Japan undertake joint naval exercise

Ø  The biennial search and rescue exercise between Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Japan Coast Guard (JCG) was held near Chennai, Tamil Nadu in Bay of Bengal. This was eighth such in series of ‘National Maritime Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise’. Ships and aircraft of Coast Guards from India and Japan, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) and National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) took part in it.

Ø  India, Israel sign 9 agreements in space, defence, cybersecurity

Ø  India and Israel have signed nine agreements to boost cooperation in the areas of space, cyber security and oil and gas between both countries. The agreements were signed following delegation-level talks headed by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in New Delhi. Netanyahu is first Israeli Prime Minister to visit India in span of last 15 years and second one overall. Ariel Sharon was first and only Israeli Prime Minister to visit India in 2003.

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Ø  Teen Murti Chowk renamed after Israeli city Haifa

Ø  The iconic Teen Murti Chowk in central New Delhi was renamed as Teen Murti-Haifa after Israeli City Haifa in solemn ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu. The idea of renaming Teen Murti road and chowk after Haifa was proposed in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) council meeting during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in July 2017. This year marks the centenary year of Battle for Haifa. The renaming of the iconic war memorial is aimed at being symbolic gesture of India’s friendship with Israel.

Ø  WEF ranks India 30th on global manufacturing index

Ø  The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked India at 30th position on a global manufacturing index. In its first “Readiness for the future of production” report, Japan has been found to have the best structure of production and is followed by South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, China, Czech Republic, the US, Sweden, Austria and Ireland.

Ø  Pakistan frees 147 Indian fishermen on humanitarian grounds

Ø  Pakistan released 147 Indian fishermen from Malir Jail in Karachi as a goodwill gesture. As per the list was given to the Indian High Commission by the Pakistani government, 457 Indian prisoners including 399 fishermen and 58 civil prisoners are in Pakistani jails. The fishermen were arrested for fishing illegally within the marine border limits of Pakistan and have completed their prison term. The Edhi Foundation provided them with clothes and Rs 5,000 each. Fishermen from India and Pakistan are frequently detained for illegally fishing in each other’s territorial waters since the Arabian Sea does not have a clearly defined marine border and the wooden boats lack the technology to avoid being drifting away.

Ø  World Book Fair 2018 starts in New Delhi

Ø  The 26th edition of the World Book Fair has begun on January 6, 2018 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. It will come to an end on January 14. The main theme of the World Book Fair is ‘Environment and Climate Change’. It is being organised by National Book Trust, in association with ITPO. The 2018 World Book Fair hosts European union as the Guest of Honour country. The EU member States will exhibit publications in English and other European languages.

Ø  India excludes Pakistan from a SAARC Initiative

Ø  India has excluded Pakistan from the list of SAARC member countries with which it will be connecting its state-of-the-art National Knowledge Network (NKN) for sharing scientific databases and remote access to advanced research facilities. The government has kicked off the process of appointing a telecom company that will connect and extend the NKN to research and education networks in six South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation member states – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Ø  India and Pakistan exchange list of nuclear sites for 27th consecutive year

Ø  India and Pakistan have exchanged list of their nuclear installations and facilities with each other under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations. This is the 27th consecutive exchange of such list between two countries after first list was exchanged on 1 January 1992. This is an annual exchange of conducted in 1st January between them to prevent them from attacking each other’s nuclear facilities. The exchange is part of an agreement between the two nuclear-armed neighbours meant to prevent attacks on nuclear facilities by each other.