India News
Modi-Abe kick off bullet train project, sign new 15 MoUs between India and Japan
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Japan to give India a loan of Rs 88,000 crore at 0.1 per cent interest for Rs 1.10 lakh crore bullet train project which is to be completed by August 15, 2022
India and Japan, on Thursday, inked 15 agreements to further broad-base their strategic partnership and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region where China is increasing its assertiveness.
The developments, being touted by the Indian establishment as a major leap in bilateral relations with Japan, came on a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe also launched the ambitious Rs 1.10 lakh crore Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project at a massive function organised at Ahmedabad’s Athletics Stadium.
The project – India’s first effort at operating the high-speed bullet train – is expected to bring in employment, revenue and international trade to Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Once operational, the train is expected to reduce the travel time between the two cities to less than three hours. Japan has agreed to give India a loan of Rs 88,000 crore at 0.1 per cent interest for the project which is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2022 – India’s 75th Independence Day – as a joint venture between Indian Railways and Japan’s Shinkansen Technology.
“The bullet train is in a way a big gift from Japan to India. It is in a way a project being constructed for free,” Modi said.
With an average speed of 320 kmph, the bullet train is proposed to stop at 12 railway stations between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, but only for 165 seconds each. The train will cover 21-kms through a newly dug tunnel between Boisar and Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai, of which seven-km is expected to be under water.
With 92 percent of its route planned to be elevated, and six percent through tunnels, the bullet train will only cover 825 hectares on the ground. The Indian Railways are planning to run at least 35 bullet trains, with 70 trips a day, when the project becomes operational. With 10 coaches proposed for each train, the bullet train is tipped to have an average capacity of ferrying 750 passengers per ride.
The launch of the bullet train project aside, Modi and Abe also held wide-ranging talks on key bilateral, regional and international issues and discussed ways to deepen ties in trade, security and civil nuclear energy.
Addressing a joint press event with Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister Modi said Indo-Japan ties were not limited to bilateral or regional spheres. The two sides also closely cooperated on key global issues.
“The range of special strategic and global partnership is not just limited to bilateral and regional sphere. We have close cooperation on global issues as well,” Prime Minister Modi said.
During the talks between the two leaders, India and Japan inked 15 pacts to give a boost to cooperation in various key sectors, including civil aviation, trade, and science and technology.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1505397529480{border-bottom-width: 20px !important;padding-top: 20px !important;background-color: #a1b2bf !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1505397199059{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 5px !important;padding-left: 5px !important;background-color: #a2b1bf !important;border-radius: 5px !important;}”]Below is the full list of agreements signed on Thursday between India and Japan:
Disaster Risk Management
MOC between India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and the Cabinet Office of Japan to cooperate and collaborate in the field of disaster risk reduction and to share the experiences, knowledge and policies on disaster prevention
Skills Development
MoC in the field of Japanese language education in India between MEA and MOFA, Japan, to strengthen bilateral relations and cooperation in the field of Japanese language education in India
Connectivity
The India Japan Act East Forum to enhance connectivity and promote developmental projects in the northeastern region of India in an efficient and effective manner.
Economic & Commercial
Arrangement between India Post and Japan Post on administrative instruction for the implementation of cool EMS service aims at implementing the commercial arrangement of ‘Cool EMS’, through which fresh food can be sent from Japan to India in cool boxes
Investment
The India-Japan Investment Promotion Road map between DIPP and METI to facilitate and accelerate Japanese investments in India
MoC between METI and the state of Gujarat on ‘Japan-India special programme for Make In India’ in Mandal Bechraj-Khoraj, to cooperate in infrastructure development programmes in the Mandal Bechraj-Khorajregion.
Civil Aviation
Exchange of RoD on Civil Aviation Cooperation, which opens skies between India and Japan i.e. Indian and Japanese carriers can mount unlimited flights to select cities
Science and technology
Agreement for international joint exchange programme between inter-disciplinary theoretical and mathematical sciences program (iTHEMS), RIKEN and National Centres for Biological Sciences (Simons-NCBS) to establish a ‘Joint Exchange Programme’ to identify and foster talented young scientists from both countries
Joint research contract between National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Japan, and Department of Biotechnology (DBT) to conduct joint research and to establish an international centre named ‘DBT-AIST International CENter for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER)’ at AIST, Japan, in order to promote science and technology in both.
MoU signed between DBT and National Institute of Advanced Science & Technology (AIST), to promote research collaboration between DBT research institutes and AIST in the fields of life sciences and biotechnology.
Sports
MoU signed on international academic and sports exchange between Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) and Nippon Sports Science University, Japan (NSSU).
MoU signed on international academic and sports exchange between the Sports Authority of India and Nippon Sports Science University, Japan (NSSU)
Letter of intent signed between Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) and the University of Tsukuba, Japan to strengthen strategic collaboration, joint research programmes and exchanges
Letter of intent signed between Sports Authority of India and University of Tsukuba, Japan to strengthen strategic collaboration, joint research programme and exchanges
Academics/Think Tank
MoU signed between RIS and IDE-JETRO for promotion of cooperation in research-related activities to promote institutional cooperation between RIS and IDE-JETRO to strengthen the capacity of research and effectiveness of dissemination of research findings.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]“We have just signed a joint statement which will serve as a milestone to open a new era for Japan-India relationship… based on that we will strongly promote Japan-India special strategic and global partnership to drive peace and prosperity for Indo-Pacific region and the whole world,” Prime Minister Abe said.
The visiting leader also referred to the recent Malabar Japan-India-US naval exercise and said cooperation would be further strengthened.
Abe said the two sides had agreed upon a Japan-India investment support road map.
Referring to the Indo-Japan civil nuclear pact, PM Modi said it would open a new chapter in cooperation in the clean energy sector between the two countries.
“We had signed a historical pact for peaceful use of nuclear energy during my visit to Japan last year. I am whole-heartedly thanking Japan’s parliament, its people and particularly Prime Minister Abe for its ratification,” PM Modi said.
The nuclear cooperation agreement was signed last November during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Tokyo. The deal allows Japan to export nuclear technology to India, making it the first non-NPT signatory to have such a deal with Tokyo.
On the bullet train project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, PM Modi said, “It is a major step. It is not just the beginning of high-speed rail. I consider this railway philosophy a lifeline (jeevan rekha), considering our future requirements.”
PM Modi said India Post and Japan Post would start a ‘cool box service’ for Japanese people living in India so they could order their favorite food from Japan. He also talked about various reform initiatives, including in the areas of taxation, to promote economic growth and asked Japanese companies to take advantage of ease of doing business in India.
Modi said Japan invested $4.7 billion in India in 2016-17 which is 80 per cent higher than last year.
The two nations have also agreed to fight against terrorist outfits like al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Read the full text of the Indo-Japan joint statement here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
India News
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh arrested in connection with money laundering case linked to Delhi liquor policy
The Enforcement Directorate has mentioned Sanjay Singh’s name in its charge sheet. According to the investigating agency Dinesh Arora a middle man said he had met Singh during a party in his restaurant. The name of the restaurant is Unplugged Courtyard.
The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday arrested Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh after searches were conducted at his residence in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. The central investigating agency questioned Sanjay Singh for 10 hours before arresting him.
Houses of several people close to the AAP MP were also searched. The Enforcement Directorate had named Sanjay Singh in its charge-sheet. According to the investigating agency, Dinesh Arora, a middle-man, said he had met Singh during a party in his restaurant, Unplugged Courtyard.
Before leaving his home with the ED officers, Sanjay Singh touched his mother’s feet to take her blessings. Sanjay Singh’s father said they would cooperate fully with ED officials. He added he told his son Sanjay not to worry. He said the future was positive for them as the government will change soon.
AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said the move showed BJP’s desperate measures as it stares at defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Delhi Education Minister Atishi tweeted the BJP’s fear of losing to the INDIA alliance is clearly visible. She said Sanjay Singh worked for the people of Delhi and wondered why they don’t open an ED office in the AAP headquarters itself. Atishi added the BJP is surviving by making false allegations against AAP.
The Enforcement Directorate had arrested then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister and AAP leader Manish Sisodia in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. Large number of comments from different political leaders of different parties started coming immediately. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said the way the AAP leaders used to write letters it seemed there was no one as honest as them. Tiwari added the AAP leader’s co-accused have turned approvers. He said the flame will not end with Sanjay Singh, Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain but will reach Arvind Kejriwal as well.
India News
Government hikes subsidy for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries from Rs 200 to Rs 300 per LPG cylinder
Ujjwala beneficiaries are paying Rs 703 per 14.2 cylinder as against the market price of Rs 903. After this announcement they will pay Rs 603.
Union Minster Anurag Thakur announced the Central government has hiked the subsidy amount for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries from Rs 200 to Rs 300 per LPG cylinder on Wednesday. Anurag Thakur said the subsidy will bring an additional financial implication of Rs 7680 crore for the financial year 2023-24.
Ujjwala beneficiaries are paying Rs 703 per 14.2 cylinder as against the market price of Rs 903. After this announcement they will pay Rs 603. The decision has been made one month after the central government reduced the price of the price of cylinders for domestic cooking gas by Rs 200 for all customers.
The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) was launched by PM Modi on May 1, 2016 in UP’s Ballia. The scheme aims to provide cooking gas like LPG to the people of rural India. The scheme focuses on offering LPG connections to women from disadvantaged groups, forest dwellers, Antyoday Anna Yojana (AAY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), SC/ST communities and BPL households.
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of PMUY for release of 75 lakh LPG connections over three years from the financial year 2023-24 to 2025-26. The 75 lakh additional Ujjwala connections take total number of PMUY beneficiaries to Rs 10.35 crore.
The decision to give additional subsidies for Ujjawala beneficiaries has come ahead upcoming elections in Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. Congress has repeatedly attacked the BJP government at the centre as it is an important issue. It was also a part of BJP’s election campaign in 2014 when Congress was in power at the centre. The decision has been taken by the Union government at a time when domestic LPG cylinders are available at a retail price of Rs 1103 per LPG cylinder.
India News
Rasabali: Famous sweet dish of Odisha’s Kendrapara district gets GI tag
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took to X (formerly twitter) and said it is a matter of pride for Odisha to get the GI tag for Kendrapara Rasabali. Patnaik added Rasabali has special importance to tradition and food culture of Odisha.
The Geographical Indications Registry, Chennai under the ministry of Commerce and industry gave the GI tag to the sweet dish, which is known as Kendrapara Rasabali. Kendrapara Rasabali Mistanna Nirmata Sangha and the rural infrastructure development and employment department had applied for GI tag for Rasabali. They had submitted the supporting documents to the registry.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik took to X (formerly twitter) and said it is a matter of pride for Odisha to get the GI tag for Kendrapara Rasabali. Patnaik added Rasabali has special importance to tradition and food culture of Odisha. The origin of the sweet dish is from the 262 year old Sree Baladevjew temple. The presiding diety of the shrine is offered Rasabali as bhog. Rasabali finds its place among the chappan bhog at Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The tag is a matter of pride for the sweetmakers. The recognition gives the product its own identity and image. Baishnab Panda, president of Kendrapara Rasabali Makers association was delighted and said the sweet will get better exposure now. Kendrapara’s Rasabali is one of the most delicious sweets in India. But it is not getting marketed properly due to poor export facilities and poor promotion.
Kendrapara Rasabali Mistanna Nirmata Sangh had prepared a dossier in the year 2021 in order to claim geographical identification tag for the sweetdish. Basudev Das a researcher of Kendrapara said the request had been submitted to the state government. The government further forwarded the request to the office of Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai.
The GI tag will help Kendrapara Rasabali to get more prominence in the market. This will in turn help the makers to fetch a better price for the sweetdish. According to NandaKishore Parida This GI certification will help in stopping the adulteration of Kendrapara Rasabali. As a result the sweet dish will fetch better prices in the market.
