- The PBD convention was held on January 8-10, 2023 on the theme ‘Diaspora: Reliable Partners for India’s Progress in Amrit Kaal’.
Signatories:
It was signed by the Union Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India; and Janaina Tewaney Mencomo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Panama.
Key Points:
i.During the convention both ministers discussed opportunities for greater economic, health, finance, and people-to-people linkage.
ii.On November 23, 2022, India Panama held the 2nd Foreign Office Consultations in Panama City, Panama where the Indian side was represented by Saurabh Kumar, Secretary (East) and the Panama side was led by Vladimir A Franco Sousa, Vice Minister of External Relations.
- There, both sides reviewed their bilateral relations in the areas including trade and investment, pharmaceuticals, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), capacity building, space cooperation, and consular issues.
India, UK sign and exchange letters for Young Professionals Scheme
India and the United Kingdom (UK) also signed and exchanged letters of ‘UK-India Young Professionals Scheme’ which will allow 3,000 young Indians and Britons aged 18 to 30 to live, study and work in each other’s countries without needing to have a job in hand.
- It was launched at the Indian high commission in London, UK on January 9, 2023.
- This launch coincided with 17th PBD 2023.
Signatories:
It was exchanged by Indian high commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and Matthew Rycroft, permanent secretary at the UK home office.
What is in the scheme?
The scheme is launched as part of an India-U.K. Migration and Mobility MoU signed in May 2021. It is also a key part of the delivery of the 2030 roadmap signed by the PMs of both countries.
i.Under this, graduates can look for work, study, do voluntary work, be self-employed or start a business with each other, set up start-ups, create innovation and new research and develop a longer lasting UK-India partnership.
ii.Indians who come to the UK on the scheme will not be allowed to avail of state benefits. The visa cannot be extended.
iii.The scheme allows for exchange visas for up to 3,000 individuals per year.
iv.Successful participants will be selected via a ballot.
Click here to know more about PBD Convention
Recent Related News:
i.Japan has signed a deal with the United Kingdom (UK) and Italy to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft together by 2035.
ii.Researchers from the Public Health Foundation of India and University of Leicester (England) have been awarded a prestigious grant of nearly EURO 10 million by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Global Health Research Centre, United Kingdom (UK).
About Panama:
Currency– Panamanian Balboa
President– Laurentino Cortizo
