The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs(CCEA) chaired by the Prime Minister(PM) Shri Narendra Modi approved the following pacts/agreements with the foreign countries on December 24, 2019. The approval in detail are as follows,
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India and Brazil on Bioenergy Cooperation.
Key Points:
i.The agreement in this regard agreed in 2016 during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi & President of Brazil to cooperate on research and development (R&D) of renewable energies & in the field of second-generation biofuels.
ii.Since both the nations of India & Brazil are major consumers of energy in the world and Brazil is one of the most important trading partners of India in the entire LAC (Latin America and Caribbean) region.
iii.Brazil is the world’s 2nd largest producer & consumer of biofuels. India also looking in the area of bio-fuels and has set a aim to achieve 20% blending of ethanol in petrol and 5% blending of biodiesel in diesel by 2030 with the announcement of 2018 policy on Biofuels.
Approval for Security Cooperation between India & Saudi Arabia
The Union Cabinet has given ex-post facto approval on an Agreement between India and Saudi Arabia for Security Cooperation.
It was signed during the visit of Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia on 29th October, 2019.
Key Points:
i.The cooperation with India aims to counter terror and its financing, including blocking access to terror networks and sharing information.
Approval for MoU between India & Bangladesh on cooperation in Youth matters
The Union Cabinet gave its nod for signing the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) between India & Bangladesh on cooperation in Youth matters, which was signed on 5th October, 2019 at New Delhi.
Key Points:
i.The exchange of programs in the field of youth affairs between India and Bangladesh will help in promoting the exchange of ideas, values and culture among the youth and strengthen the friendly relations.
Approval for agreement b/w India & Uzbekistan on cooperation in combating transnational organized crime and International terrorism
The Union Cabinet has gave its ex-post facto approval on an agreement between the Ministry of Home Affairs of India & the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Uzbekistan on Cooperation in the field of Combating Transnational Organized Crime and International Terrorism, which was signed 20th November, 2019 at New Delhi on during the visit of Pulat Bobojonov.(Minister of Internal Affairs of Republic of Uzbekistan) to India.
Approval for Signing of Protocol to amend the Air Services Agreement between India & Switzerland
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of the protocol to amend the agreement between the Swiss Federal Council and Indian Government on air services and to exchange Diplomatic Notes with Switzerland for bring in to force the amendments in the Air Services Agreement.
Key Points:
i.The amendment in the Air Services Agreement between the 2 nations will lead to development in the civil aviation sector and will create a suitable environment for better and uninterrupted connectivity. This will ensure the safety and security of the aircrafts of both countries and they will get commercial opportunities.
About Brazil:
Capital– Brasilia
Currency– Brazilian real
President– Jair Bolsonaro
About Saudi Arabia:
Capital– Riyadh
Currency– Saudi riyal
King– Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
About Bangladesh:
Capital- Dhaka
Currency- Bangladeshi taka
Prime minister- Sheikh Hasina
About Switzerland:
Capital– Bern
Currency– Swiss franc
