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Cabinet Approvals with Foreign Countries on June 8, 2022

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Cabinet Approval with Foreign Countries

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the following proposals with foreign countries which were briefed by Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) during a media briefing on Cabinet decisions, at National Media Centre in New Delhi, Delhi.

  • MoU between India and UAE on Cooperation in the field of Industries and Advanced Technologies
  • MoU between NIES, Japan and ARIES, India for Joint Research on Air Quality and Climate Change
  • MoU signed between SNBNCBS, Kolkata, India and Leibniz-IFW Dresden e.V, Germany in the Novel Magnetic and Topological Quantum Materials
  • MoU between India and Australia for Technical Cooperation for AIWASI
  • MoU signed between India and US in Health Sector

Cabinet approves MoU between India and UAE on Cooperation in the field of Industries and Advanced Technologies

It has approved the proposal for signing a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Cooperation in the field of Industries and Advanced Technologies to strengthen and develop industries of both nations through investments, technology transfer and the deployment of key technologies in industries.

What is in the MoU?

i.The MoU envisages cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis in the following areas:

  • Strengthening the Supply Chain Resilience of Industries
  • Renewable & Energy Efficiency
  • Health and life sciences
  • Space Systems
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Industry 4.0 Enabling Technologies
  • Standardization, metrology, conformity assessment, accreditation, and Halal certification.

ii.The implementation of the MoU can increase research and innovation in above areas, resulting, growth of these sectors, increased domestic production, enhanced exports and reduction in imports.

iii.This MoU will also aid in fulfilling the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Key Points:

i.India-UAE bilateral trade has increased to $60 billion(Rs.4.57 lakh crore) for the year 2019-20, making the UAE India’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States (US).

ii.The UAE is the second largest export destination of India (after US) with an export value of US$ 29 billion (Rs.2.21 lakh crore) for the year 2019-2020.

iii.The UAE is the 8th largest investor in India with an estimated investment of $18 billion (Rs 1.37 lakh crore).

iv.Indian investments in the UAE are estimated at around $85 billion (Rs 6.48 lakh crore).

v.Both the countries have implemented a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in February 2022 to increase bilateral trade from $60 billion (Rs.4.57 lakh crore) to US$ 100 billion (Rs.7.63 lakh crore) in the next five years.

About United Arab Emirates (UAE):

Capital– Abu Dhabi

Currency– Dirham

Cabinet approves MoU between NIES, Japan and ARIES, India for Joint Research on Air Quality and Climate Change

The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of MoU to establish collaborative guidelines between the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), Japan and Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), India to carry out and implement joint research on air quality and climate change.

  • This is the first MoU signed by ARIES with foreign country in this area of research.
  • NIES is Japan’s only research institute that undertakes a broad range of environmental research in an interdisciplinary and comprehensive manner.

What is in the MoU?

i.Joint use and operation of scientific instruments

ii.Exchange of scientific and technical information on observing methods

iii.Joint analysis of observational data and making scientific reports

iv.Joint educational and research activities.

v.Exchange of visiting scholars, including PhD students for the purpose of conducting research.

vi.Joint scientific workshops and/or seminars

About Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES):

It is an Autonomous Research Institute established under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST). It is a centre of excellence for research in Astronomy & Astrophysics and Atmospheric Sciences. It carries out research on air pollution and climate change on earth, formation and evolution of sun, stars and galaxies.

Director– Prof. Dipankar Banerjee

Location– Nainital, Uttarakhand

Cabinet approves MoU signed between SNBNCBS, Kolkata, India and Leibniz-IFW Dresden e.V, Germany in the Novel Magnetic and Topological Quantum Materials

The Union Cabinet also approved the signing of MoU between S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS), Kolkata (West Bengal), India and Leibniz-Institut fur Festkorper- und Werkstoffforschung Dresden e.V. (IFW Dresden e.V.), Dresden, Germany for scientific cooperation in the field of Novel Magnetic and Topological Quantum Materials.

What does this MoU envisage?

i.To foster Indo-German collaboration, provide opportunities and facilitate the advancement of knowledge in the area of magnetic and topological quantum materials.

ii.To share experimental and computational resources, exchange of technical and professional support, and exchanging of faculty, researchers to carry out the collaborative research.

iii.To create the requisite knowledge base on the basis of reciprocity, best effort, mutual benefit, and frequent interactions.

About S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS):

It is an Autonomous Research Institute established under DST.

Director– Prof. Tanusri Saha-Dasgupta

Cabinet approves MoU between India and Australia for Technical Cooperation for AIWASI

The Union Cabinet approved the MoU between the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Government of Australia for Technical Cooperation for Australia-India Water Security Initiative (AIWASI) which was signed in December, 2021.

  • The MoU seeks bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the area of urban water security or management, and to promote exchange of learning, best practices and capacity building of institutions in this field.
  • It will also help towards realization of AatmaNirbhar Bharat.

Benefits of MoU:

Strengthen institutional capacities at all levels for urban water management; improve accessibility, affordability & quality of water and sanitation services; promote circular economy of water & water secure cities; encourage climate resilient water management practices; enhance community participation in water management and improve social inclusion through initiatives for accessible infrastructure.

About Australia:

Capital– Canberra

Currency– Australian Dollar

Cabinet approves MoU signed between India and US in Health Sector

The Union Cabinet also approved the signing of MoU among the India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), US for contribution towards the development of new, improved and innovative biomedical tools and technologies to prevent and treat HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), TB (Tuberculosis), Covid-19 and other emerging infectious and neglected diseases.

  • It will also further strengthen Indo-US relations within the framework of international scientific and technological cooperation.

Recent Related News:

i.The Union Cabinet also approved the MoU signed between ICMR, and the United States’ (US) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and National Institute of Health (NIH) of Department of Health and Human Services, Maryland in September 2021 and in accordance with Rule 7(d)(i) of Second Schedule of Government of India (Transaction of Business) rules 1961.

ii.The Union Cabinet approved the MoU signed between ICMR and the Oxford University, the UK in November 2021 and in accordance with Rule 7(d)(i) of the Second Schedule of the Government of India (Transaction of Business) rules 1961.