Evolving Indo-Mauritian Relations

Indo-Mauritian relations are not shaped by geo-polity but by a deep-rooted and rich tradition of shared religious, social, cultural, linguistic, educational and historical heritage. Diplomatic relations between India and Mauritius were established in 1948 as Mauritius maintained contacts with India throughout the periods of successive Dutch, French and British occupation. These can be traced back to the 1820s, when Indian workers began working at the sugar plantations in Mauritius.
 
Slavery was abolished by the British in 1834 and on November 2nd, the first batch of Indian workers were brought to Mauritius on the “Atlas” ship, as indentured labourers. Today, November 2nd is observed as “Aapravasi Day” in Mauritius. Between 1834 and early 20th century, approximately half a million Indians came to Mauritius and roughly 2/3rd of them settled there permanently. Today, 68% of the Mauritian population is of Indian descent.
 
Gandhi briefly visited Mauritius in 1901 and in 1907, sent Barrister Manillal Doctor visited to help the Mauritian Indian community organise themselves and lay the foundation for their struggle to obtain political and social rights. March 12, the day the Dandi March started, has been declared the National Day of Mauritius as a tribute to Gandhi. On the same day, in 1968, Mauritius also gained independence.
 
The first Prime Minister and Father of the Nation, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam accorded centrality to India in the Mauritian foreign policy and successive Mauritian leaders ensured that India continued to occupy a significant position in Mauritian foreign policy and activities. High-level official visits have constituted a critical part of Indo-Mauritian bilateral relations. A wide range of MoUs and agreements have been signed between both countries across sectors like taxation, science and technology, environment, tourism, air services, medicine etc.
 
In the last forty years or so, India has extended multiple credit lines to Mauritius for assistance in developing infrastructure, skills, human resources as well as capacity building. During PM Modi’s visit to Mauritius in March 2015, a Line of Credit of $500 million was announced for the development of civilian infrastructure projects.Currently, eight Indian PSEs (public sector enterprises)are operating in Mauritius.
 
India has been the largest trading partner since 2007, the largest exporter of goods and services to Mauritius. India exports petroleum products, electrical machinery, textiles, cereals and pharmaceuticals to Mauritius and imports precious/semi-precious stones, pearls, steel, iron and optical, photographic and precision instruments.
 
India and Mauritius have been major investments and trading partners. Indian exports reach $1 billion annually while imports from Mauritius are usually valued at $10 million. The FDI (foreign direct investment) from India to Mauritius has been close 2 billion in Mauritian rupees in the last five years. Until recently, Mauritius was India’s top source of FDI, given a 1982 tax treaty that exempted Mauritian residents from paying capital gains tax on transfer of Indian shares. This treaty was amended in 2016 to check misuse of funds, due to round-tripping by Indians via Mauritius.
 
In order to woo investors, the Mauritian government has taken multiple steps, including the lowering of corporate tax to 3%, on income from exports, air/sea freight rebates on exports and a 8-year tax holiday will be offered to specific companies, for hi-tech manufacturing (medical devices, pharmaceuticals). A national e-licensing system has been introduced to ensure seamless processing of permits and single-point entry for the application, payment and determination of business licenses.
 
The Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, visited India, leading 400 high-level Mauritian delegates. He was the chief guest at the 15th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas and a guest of honour at the Republic Day celebrations. During a business interaction organised by FICCI, Confederation of Indian Industry and Assocham in Mumbai, the Mauritian PM announced that both countries are expected to sign a comprehensive economic cooperation and partnership agreement or CECPA soon, bolstered by strong will on both ends.
 
Since the revival of negotiations after two years, discussions have centered around the potential for growth of the Mauritian economy. Other areas of discussion included cooperation over bilateral development projects and new proposals for partnerships across critical sectors like health, disaster management and energy. The ways to expand collaboration in aspects of
“blue economy” were also discussed.
 
In terms of possibilities of collaboration in Africa, vis-à-vis the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor, the Mauritian PM said that the country is crafting a strategy to position itself as a fulcrum for investors and tap into opportunities in Africa. “We have engaged actively in recalibrating our economy to position Mauritius as an international financial centre for foreign investments into entire Africa. Mauritius will offer companies the anchorage to manage their African operations in a safe jurisdiction.”
 
Thus, both countries are seeking to leverage their long-standing and time-tested relationship, grounded in strong emotional and cultural bonds, as well as strategic considerations, to evolve and strengthen avenues of collaborations for mutual economic and sustainable development.
 
India Outbound
January 31, 2019
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/evolving-indo-mauritian-relations/

India and Argentina: bilateral relations

India and Argentina share cordial relations, spanning across political, economic, technological, scientific and cultural cooperation. The Indian Trade Commission was opened in 1943 in Buenos Aires, which was converted in 1949, into one of the first Indian embassies in South America. An Argentinian Consulate was established in the 1920s in Calcutta and was transferred to Delhi as an Embassy in 1950. In recent times, bilateral ties have been characterised by multiple high-level political visits and signing of agreements and treaties.
 

At the international level, both countries have supported each other on multiple multilateral issues and endorsed candidatures to the UN and other international bodies. Importantly, India has always supported Argentina over the sovereignty issue of the Malvinas Islands. The following table provides a glimpse of the commercial relations, vis-à-vis bilateral trade, between both countries.

Indian exports to Argentina was valued at approximately $700 million in 2017-18. Exports mainly consisted of ceramic, vehicles and auto parts, machinery, lubricants, sound/image devices, organic chemicals and garments. India imported petroleum, ferroalloys, leather, soybean oil, sunflower oil and wool from Argentina, valued cumulatively at $2.2. billion.
 
Ahead of Argentinian President Mauricio Macri’s visit to India in February 2019, along with a high-level ministerial and business delegation, India is keen to expand trade relations by seeking market access for textiles, apparel, home furnishing products and folding bicycles to triple exports to the country, with additional shipments valued at $1.5 billion. India is also interested in the promotion of ethnic products like Khadi and Alphonso mangoes.
 
Bicycle components and sophisticated high-end bicycles alone offer a potentially $1 billion worth export opportunity for India. Another $300-350 million can come from the textiles and apparel industry. The exporters of handicrafts, office stationery and home furnishing products are already pushing for the removal of non-tariff barriers (custom clearances etc.) to help boost current exports from $10 million to $100 million. Indian exporters are also demanding a 25% reduction in the import duty on sports equipment.
 
“Our trade deficit with Argentina is because of import of agricultural products. We can export low value-added products and construction material like PVC pipes and roof tiles. Our ceramic exports were doing well there but Argentina has applied anti-dumping duty on Indian ceramic and vitrified tiles,” said Mohit Singla, chairman of the Trade Promotion Council of India, an organisation under the Department of Commerce.
 
While the Argentinian President’s visit will be a celebration of 70 years of bilateral relationship, it will also present an opportunity to deepen and expand cooperation across multiple sectors – renewable energy, nuclear energy, space and agriculture, aviation, mining (lithium, gold and copper), pharmaceuticals and automobiles. Technology will be a crucial component, especially in the form of radar, nuclear and defence components.
 
Several agreements are expected to be signed to facilitate partnerships, especially in two areas of critical importance to both countries i.e. food and energy security. Under food security, opportunities for exploring technological cooperation in the agricultural sector will be explored. Argentina has developed cutting-edge technologies that can help India improve its agricultural productivity and reduce losses in post-harvest farm produce. Importantly, Argentina is seeking to diversify its trade basket as almost 90% of Argentinian exports to India currently consists of only soybean oil. Discussions are ongoing between both countries across various projects. Argentina has introduced new products like apples and pears in India.
 
Both countries are in talks to develop shale gas. Currently, the government players hold exclusive rights over the exploitation of unconventional resources. In 2014, ONGC Videsh Ltd. signed an MoU with a major Argentinian oil producing company i.e. YPF S.A. Both companies are exploring avenues of collaboration in the upstream sector in India, Argentina and other countries.
 
Argentina is a member of the International Solar Alliance, which is an initiative by PM Modi to foster South-South cooperation. Thus, solar energy has emerged as a new area of focus between both countries. Rooftop solar plants, electric cars etc. require batteries and most advanced storage systems are lithium-ion based. In this context, mining of lithium becomes crucial for energy security.
 
India imports almost 100% of these batteries and the Argentinian government has allowed FDI in the mining sector. A consortium of three PSU companies (National Aluminum Company-NALCO, Hindustan Copper-HCL and Mineral Exploration Corp Ltd.-MECL), named Khanji Bidesh India Ltd. will visit Argentina to explore lithium mining opportunities. This consortium has been formed by the Indian government to identify, explore, acquire, develop and process strategic minerals outside India.
 
A bilateral agreement for Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy had been inked in 2009 and implementation will take place soon. Under this, Argentina has offered to establish small nuclear plants in India to increase the share of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix. Technical, scientific and commercial collaborations will take place. Both countries are keen to leverage their nuclear expertise for mutual benefit. Currently, a radioisotope production plant is being built at the Bhabha Atomic Centre in Mumbai, using low enrichment uranium (LEU), through a process developed by the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) of Argentina.
 
Thus, there is massive scope for cooperation between Argentina and India that could result in mutual economic, technological and development benefits.
 
India Outbound
January 30, 2019
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/india-and-argentina-bilateral-relations/

Boom in Indian thermal coal imports

India is one of the world’s largest consumers of coal and coal is among the top five commodities imported by India. 2018 recorded the fastest growth in thermal coal imports since 2014, as it rose by 19% to around 170 million tonnes, based on rising demands from the cement and small and medium-scale industries in India. As of December 2018, the value of all coal imports was 1.72 trillion Indian rupees or $24.25 billion i.e. 28.7% higher than 2017.
 
The increased demand was also fueled by restrictions imposed upon the use of petroleum coke (a dirtier alternative to coal) in some parts of the country. The consumption of petroleum coke fell by about 15% in 2018, according to government data from the coal and trade ministries. The import of coking coal, mainly used for the manufacture of steel, has risen the most since 2015, with a 14% increase since 2017, at around 52 million tonnes in 2018.
 
37.5% of all thermal coal imports were handled by the ports of Kandla, Mundra and Krishnapatnam. The increase in coal imports has come after two consecutive years of decline and efforts by PM Narendra Modi’s government to cut imports in order to reduce the country’s trade deficits. India’s trade gap has been negatively impacting the valuation of the Indian Rupee. In 2018, it was the worst performing Asian currency.
 
Country-wise share of Indian thermal coal imports

While the Indian trade deficit might have increased as a result of the rising coal imports, this boom has benefitted international miners like the Australian Whitehaven Coal, Indonesian Adaro Energy and American Peabody Energy Corp. American thermal coal burns better in comparison to Indonesian coal and in 2018, the imports of the former almost doubled to 12.46 million tonnes.
 
If the prices of coal reach the peak levels of 2018, American coal might become popular in India again. However, Indian buyers prefer cheaper varieties of coal (due to lower freight costs), from countries like Indonesia, and this trend is likely to continue in 2019. According to the Adani Group, which handles about 33% of India’s imported coal had predicted in 2017, a reasonable rise in imports until the fiscal year 2021. This would be a result of the challenges vis-à-vis rail transportation, affecting the Indian domestic coal industry.
 
For international miners, India will become a key market in 2019, given lowered Chinese demand due to the country’s “war on pollution.” However, increase in the consumption of coal is bound to neutralize the progress made by India in terms of being one of the economies that is dominating the global landscape of renewable energy, especially solar energy. The 2018 Climatescope Report did highlight the challenges that India would face in energy transition, especially in terms of existing coal-fired plants and expansion of coal capacity.
 
India Outbound
January 29, 2019
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/boom-in-indian-thermal-coal-imports/

Assessing Child Malnutrition at the Parliamentary Constituency level

A new study, supported by the Harvard Centre for Population and Development Studies and Tata Trusts, has used data from the National Family Health Survey 2016 to develop and apply two geographic information systems methodologies to provide estimates of four child malnutrition indicators i.e. stunting, wasting, underweight and anemia across the 543 parliamentary constituencies in the country.
 
The monitoring and surveillance of health and well-being indicators in India usually focus on states and districts. Prominent sources of data like the National Family Health Survey 2016 (NFHS-4),the NITI Aayog Aspirational Districts Programme etc. Report district-level outcomes, thereby making the district a unit of interest and evidence-based intervention in policy discourse. The increased policy focus on districts is cyclical as it necessitates the collection of more data at the district level.
 
The parliamentary constituency (PC) is a decentralized geographical unit that holds substantial political influence in India because these are represented by the Members of the Parliament of the Lok Sabha, directly elected by the people. This study emphasises upon the need to focus on PC-level data, as unlike districts, there is direct governmental accountability in case of PCs, since MPs are directly responsible for the policy vision and implementation as well as well-being of their constituents.
 
Other than the direct representation of people, PCs hold relevance because of the resource allocations by the national government. Under the 1993 Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), each MP may receive up to ₹ 5 crores annually for undertaking development projects in their respective PCs (MoSPI 2017a). In order to determine appropriate interventions, the MP will require current and accurate economic, infrastructural and demographic data/estimates specific to the PC.
 
However, the lack of PC-level data shifts the policy discourse away from PCs, thereby discouraging data collection at that level. The proposed novel methodologies aim to address this data gap, by generating child malnutrition estimates at the PC-level, using data from three main sources i.e. the NFHS-4, the global demographic and health surveys (DHS) conducted across a wide range of low- and middle-income countries every five years and the boundary shapefiles for PCs and districts i.e.the “India–Map of Parliamentary Constituencies (2014).”
 
These can perform three functions. (1) Presenting a state-of-the-art geographic information system-based methodology to use district-level estimates and create a “crosswalk” to generate PC-level estimates (2) Presenting a method of generating PC-level estimates by directly aggregating individual data for instances wherein individual data can be linked to their PCs (3) Applying these methodologies to rank PCs based on child malnutrition indicators and assessing patterns of PC variability across them.
 
Three salient findings can be attributed to this study.
 

• Prevalence of the four indicators of interest is highly variable across PCs and state-level analysis suggests that the relative importance of PC-level data varies across states

• Moderate/high correlations between malnutrition indicators at the PC-level indicate that several PCs experience a multiple burden of child malnutrition that must be addressed concurrently

• Several PCs in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand with high prevalence represent the highest priority for health interventions while other PCs show low prevalence for all indicators. These represent positive deviant PCs that should be investigated to elucidate the best practices for child nutrition in a particular state

 
Karnataka, Maharashtra and Odisha have PCs in the top and bottom two quintiles across many indicators. The substantial PC-level and intra-state variations across child malnutrition indicators can be attributed to the underlying distribution of risk factors (for example, household poverty – PCs with large proportions of poor households show high prevalence of child malnutrition). The proposed methodology can be extended to estimate outcomes at other geopolitical levels like assembly constituencies (ACs) as well. MLAs represent smaller geographical units than MPs so better-informed local interventions can increase accountability for both, MLAs and MPs.
 
The financial resources (MPLADS) also impact the occurrence of child malnutrition at the PC-level. The MPLADS can potentially exert significant influence over the PC-level health outcomes, since “preference is given to works relating to national priorities, such as … public health” (MoSPI 2016).The distinct nutritional profiles for each PC entail the need for interventions to cater to local contexts. Programmes like the SPARC, Parliamentary Research Service (PRS), and Legislative Assistants to Members of Parliament (LAMP)can support MPs in making informed policy and financial decisions.
 
Within the context of political business cycles, defined as the “increased spending by governments just before elections in the hope of staying power”, the role of MPs is particularly significant vis-v-is MPLADS spending. MPs vying for re-election in 2014 strategically spent the bulk of their allotted MPLADS funds towards the end of their term (Blair 2017). The large PC-specific variations can help understand the magnitude of differences across health and development indicators and the extent to which these differences are a consequence of PC-specific processes, as opposed to reflecting endogenous characteristics.
 
This study can complement policy discourse with data and timely evidence at the local level, thereby empowering MPs to target their goals (of the POSHAN Abhiyan programme and other nutrition interventions) effectively and the constituents to ask the right questions. The level of awareness and demands of the constituents can significantly ensure more proactive and consistent implementation of MPLADS funds, governed by development needs rather than political motives.
 
India Outbound
January 28, 2019
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/assessing-child-malnutrition-at-the-parliamentary-constituency-level/

Policy challenges underlying sustainable economic growth

The report titled, World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019, presents an uncertain and potentially unstable outlook for global economic growth and sustainability in 2019, given the trends, tendencies and risks of the past years. In such a scenario, the prospects for global macro-economic development need to be strengthened, alongside fundamental transformations to sustainably boost global production and consumption systems.
 
According to the report, policy imperatives will play a critical role within this scenario, given the challenges underlying multilateral approaches to global policy-making. There is a growing realisation that the benefits of increasing economic integration and trade liberalisation have not been equitably shared between and within countries, thereby causing exacerbations in income and wealth inequalities. In many instances, these have led to an undermining of national sovereignty and limiting of policy spaces.
 
Multilateralism is being threatened at a time when the need for international cooperation and governance is increasingly becoming more important. The institutions and agreements that glue together the global multilateral economic system have been under increased pressures, vis-à-vis international trade, development finance and climate change. The risks and uncertainties underlying the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are inherently global in nature and demand collective and cooperative action.
 
The report further states that a closely integrated world economy with internationally agreed rules and institutions is vital for ensuring well-functioning markets, resolving disagreements and ensuring stability.This entails the need to fortify an effective, inclusive, flexible and responsive multilateral system that can play a central role in advancing sustainable development globally, while responding adequately to legitimate concerns.
 
The world’s multilateral trading system must be in alignment with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, creating an inclusive, transparent and development-friendly framework for international trade. Some examples of this include – progress in international tax cooperation to enable all countries to receive fair share of taxes from international companies (especially critical for the poorer countries) and greater international cooperation vis-à-vis green technology to halt global warming via affordable technology transfer to support transition towards sustainable production in many developing countries, especially the least developed countries (LDCs).
 
The report calls for complementing effective national tax policies with international tax cooperation. The international community must work towards a fair, sustainable and modern international tax system that is supported by pro-growth tax policies. Related efforts must be universal and multilateral in approach and scope, while taking into consideration increasing global digitalization as well as the differing needs and capacities of countries.
 
Thus, countries must be able to adopt effective tax policies that enhance domestic public finance for sustainable development. Domestic policies must focus on effective budgeting, mobilization and utilization of public resources to provide essential public goods and services and strengthened infrastructure, while ensuring reductions in inequalities and supporting overall macro-economic stability.
 
In order to successfully deliver environmentally sustainable growth, fundamental shifts in policy and consumption are required. Economic decision-making must be grounded in the alleviation of negative risks of climate change by reducing emissions via tools like carbon pricing measures, energy efficiency regulations, minimum performance standards, building codes and reductions in socially inefficient fossil fuel subsidy regimes.
 
The government must promote policies that reduce the demand for carbon-intensive services and fossil fuel-based technology, especially in cases of high reliance, via economic diversification. The use of new energy-saving technologies must be encouraged via incentives like research and development subsidies. In order to effectively manage a country’s wealth of natural resources, the domestic government must develop and implement far-sighted policy strategies.
 
This demands a comprehensive approach to commodity management that is embedded in a broader sustainable development strategy. Returns from commodities can become a vital source of revenue for supporting broader access to healthcare and education, investment in critical infrastructure, provision of crucial social protection services and promotion of economic diversification. Diversification is necessary for strengthening economic and environmental resilience. Key elements include robust institutions, transparency, counter-cyclical policies and targeted investment in human capital.
 
A major barrier to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda is the prevalent levels of global inequality. Building access to robust education (quality) and employment policies (expanded social protection, higher minimum wages) as well as rural infrastructure (public investment in transport, agriculture and energy) must be central to efforts aimed at alleviating poverty, reducing inequalities, narrowing the rural-urban divide and raising overall living standards, of those at the lowest rungs of the income ladder.
 
All the countries have a shared policy priority to rapidly and collaboratively resolve any trade disagreements and the resulting policy uncertainties, rather than raise harmful trade barriers that would destabilize an already slowed-down global economy. All economies must adopt measures that boost the potential for output growth in order to enhance inclusivity and strengthen the fiscal and financial buffers, within an environment of high debt burdens and tighter financial conditions.
 
India Outbound
January 25, 2019

source https://indiaoutbound.org/policy-challenges-underlying-sustainable-economic-growth/

Economic and Sustainability Outlook for 2019

The United Nations has released the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019 report that primarily highlights the prospects for global macro-economic development as well as the uncertainties, risks and implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In this context, the build-up of short-term risks that can potentially disrupt economic activity and long-term development, will also make it harder to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
Vulnerable countries, with large macro-economic imbalances and high levels of external debt are particularly susceptible to such disruptions. The narrowing policy spaces across the world entails that external economic shocks can severely impact long-term global growth and have long-lasting implications for socio-economic conditions. Thus, increasing downside risks and vulnerabilities threaten the short-term sustainability of economic growth.
 
2018 saw a significant escalation in trade tensions across the world’s largest economies with increasing disputes being raised under WTO’s settlement mechanism. The momentum of global trade growth has softened, as direct subsidies and stimulus measures have offset the negative impacts on China and the US. However, heightened tensions and additional tariff impositions has put the global trade outlook and economy under considerable risk.
 
These could lead to investment slowdowns, higher consumer prices, decline in business confidence and severe disruptions to global value chains. This will specifically hold true for East Asian economies, wherein the exporters are deeply embedded in the trade supply chains between the US and China. The higher consumer prices could lead to reduced demand for commodities, thereby impacting commodity-exporters from Latin America and Africa.
 
Emerging economies and specific industries are vulnerable to aggravated financial uncertainties and debt distress, given the squeeze in profits, possibly caused by rising prices of imports, high debt-servicing costs etc. Subdued trade growth for a protracted time period will weigh down productivity growth and long-term prospects as trade channels are interlinked with investments. Productivity growth is supported by trade via economies of scale, access to inputs, acquisition of knowledge and technology etc. Trade in services contributes to inclusiveness, resilience and diversification.
 
Abrupt tightening of global financial conditions can spark localised financial turmoil. 2018 witnessed heightened bouts of market volatilities caused by rising policy uncertainties and deepening country-specific vulnerabilities. The escalating trade tensions, debts and geopolitical risks as well as oil market developments and shifting expectations over the American monetary policy impacted investor sentiments. Given this uncertainty, any sudden developments or shifts in sentiment could trigger sharp market corrections and disorderly capital reallocations. Rapidly rising interest rates and strengthening of the dollar could deepen domestic financial troubles for some countries, thus increasing risks of debt distress.
 
This market contagion could potentially become more widespread as investors become wary of vulnerable countries with high current account and fiscal deficits, large external financing needs, lack of transparency in debt obligations or limited policy buffers. Discrete shifts in investor confidence places emerging markets under great risks, regardless of underlying fundamentals. Financial stress can spread amongst countries through banking channels and other financial market linkages.
 
Monetary policy adjustments in developed economies like the US based on increased interest rates and import tariffs, or, policy easing in China, in response to inflationary pressures, could trigger sharp tightening of global liquidity conditions, with repercussions on real economic activity, global/regional spillovers and financial imbalances. If European policymakers fail to finalise legal and regulatory arrangements around BREXIT, global financial stability is at further risks, given the prominence of European banks in driving global cross-border financial flows.
 
Intensifying climate risks and potential shocks are threatening the economic prospects of developed and developing countries and severely damage crucial infrastructure, as large communities are susceptible to displacement. The human costs of disasters are borne overwhelmingly by low-income and lower-middle-income countries. The small developing island countries (SIDS) are particularly vulnerable to climate change risks, especially marine inundation of coastal infrastructure, if global warming reaches 1.5°C. Related damage to critical transport infrastructure (ports, airports) can impact international trade as well as sustainable development prospects.
 
The underlying long-term vulnerability of global economic growth endangers the financial, social and environmental sustainability of countries. Rising private and public debts and service obligations already constitute a heavy burden on government finances. In case of developing economies, this has not been matched by equivalent expansions of productive assets, given large infrastructure gaps, degradation of existing capital and hampered productivity.
 
Global social development is severely impeded in regions with high levels of poverty and inequality and weak per-capita income growth. To eradicate poverty by 2030, double-digit economic growth is required in Africa, alongside dramatic reductions in income inequality and poverty rates.
 
Importantly, fundamental and rapid shifts are imperative, in the way in which global economic growth is powered. This implies a decline in CO2 emissions well before 2030. The current reductions in the greenhouse gas intensity of production and the transition towards environmentally sustainable production/consumption is not sufficient, as carbon emissions continue to rise and accelerate climate change. Only an urgent focus on this can avert further damage to the ecosystems and livelihoods of the global population.
 
Thus, fundamental transformations, supported by myriad policy actions and accelerated by technological innovations, alongside massive changes in behaviours and attitudes.
 
India Outbound
January 24, 2019

 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/economic-and-sustainability-outlook-for-2019/

"The Archaeological Survey of India has identified 100 monuments as “Adarsh Smarak” for upgradation of existing facilities – toilets, cafeteria, wi-fi, interpretation centre, braille signage – based on actual requirements and feasibility." https://t.co/RHqkGhQwaZ

"The Archaeological Survey of India has identified 100 monuments as “Adarsh Smarak” for upgradation of existing facilities – toilets, cafeteria, wi-fi, interpretation centre, braille signage – based on actual requirements and feasibility."https://t.co/RHqkGhQwaZ

— India Outbound (@india_outbound) January 24, 2019

from Twitter : https://twitter.com/india_outbound

The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019

The United Nations has released the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2019 report. It aims to offer timely warning about a range of macroeconomic challenges that policymakers face, in their efforts to deliver the ambitious targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Fundamentally, urgent and concrete policy action is crucial for reducing the risks to the global economy and securing the foundations for stable, sustainable, dynamic and inclusive economic growth.

The sustainability of global economic growth is a cause of concern given the rising financial, social and environmental challenges. Global levels of public and private debt continue to rise, economic growth is failing to reach those who need it the most and the essential transition towards environmentally sustainable production and consumption is not occurring fast enough, amidst severe and widespread climate change.

While the global economic indicators remain favourable, a build-up in short-term risks, in the form of financial vulnerabilities, escalating trade disputes, financial volatility and undercurrents of geopolitical tensions, are threatening global growth prospects. Progressing towards a more flexible and responsive multilateral system entails being cognizant of these leading indicators of softening economic momentum across many countries in 2019. Also, several developed countries are facing capacity constraints that can possibly weigh down short-term growth.

In 2017 and 2018, economic growth accelerated in more than half of the world’s economies. Many developed countries have reached their economic potential, with a steady pace of expansion at 2.2%. Unemployment rates have dropped to historical lows and developing economies in South and East Asia are on a relatively strong growth trajectory amidst robust domestic demand.

In 2019 and 2020, global growth is expected to remain at 3%. However, this figure reflects the expansion of the global economy only on the surface level, while masking the confluence of uneven progress, underlying risks and balances that could exacerbate developmental challenges. Multiple signs indicate that global economic growth may have peaked.

Since the start of 2018, global industrial production and merchandise trade have been tapering, especially across trade-intensive capital and intermediate goods sectors. There has also been a severe decline in per capita incomes across several large developing countries. The strong per capita income growth in some countries is driven by core industrial and urban regions, while leaving behind the peripheral and rural areas.

The gradually recovering economic activity amongst commodity-exporting countries, especially fuel exporters, remains susceptible to volatile commodity prices, as the sharp drop in 2014-15 continues to weigh down on fiscal balances, leaving a legacy of higher levels of debts.

In 2019, further decline or weak per capita income growth is anticipated across Central, South and West Africa, Western Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. These regions house nearly a quarter of the global population that is living in extreme poverty. More than half the world’s population lacks access to social protection. Such imbalances perpetuate high levels of subsistence activities, while pushing targets of eradicating poverty and jobs creation further from reach. Moreover, the inadequate income growth also poses risks to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as countries strive to alleviate infrastructure bottlenecks, improve health, upgrade human capital and broaden opportunities.

The resource-rich countries struggle to tap into their development potential. Many developing economies are falling behind due to their heavy dependence on commodities, in terms of export revenue and financing fiscal expenditure. The combination of high volatility of export and fiscal revenues often translates into large swings in economic activity and lower rates of long-term growth. Factors like weak governance, poor institutional quality and lack of diversification exacerbate these economic uncertainties and barricade socio-economic development. For many decades, many of the commodity-dependent growth laggards have also been embroiled in long-standing armed conflicts or civil unrest and instability.

In the report’s Foreword, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations highlights a critical overarching message. “While it is important to address the short-term challenges of today, policymakers must remain steadfast in advancing a long-term development strategy to meet the economic, social and environmental goals of tomorrow. Decisive policy action relies on multilateral, cooperative approaches in key areas such as pursuing climate action, mobilizing sustainable finance and redressing inequality.”

India Outbound
January 23, 2019

source https://indiaoutbound.org/the-world-economic-situation-and-prospects-2019/

"The health of the people and Plant Earth is heavily shaped by the ways in which food is produced, what is consumed, and how much is lost or wasted." https://t.co/HJSvg2avQb

"The health of the people and Plant Earth is heavily shaped by the ways in which food is produced, what is consumed, and how much is lost or wasted." https://t.co/HJSvg2avQb

— India Outbound (@india_outbound) January 23, 2019

from Twitter : https://twitter.com/india_outbound

Eating a truly healthy plate of food

EAT, a global non-profit foundation, aims to catalyse a food system transformation, while envisioning a fair and sustainable global food system for healthy people and a healthy planet. The foundation’s mission is to transform the global food system through sound science, impatient disruption and novel partnerships. Within this context, the EAT-Lancet Commission released a report titled Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems. Grounded in scientific evidence, the report highlights the interdependence of food systems, health and planetary sustainability.
 
This entails the achievement of two broad targets.
 
Target 1: Healthy diets
These consist of an optimal caloric intake from diversified plant-based and animal source foods, containing unsaturated rather than saturated fats as well as limited amounts of refined grains, highly processed foods and added sugars. The role of animal source proteins must be considered based on specific local and regional realities – dependence on livestock, burden of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency etc.
 
Target 2: Sustainable Food Production
The state of the planet is regulated by the processes and interactions of the Earth System, particularly between the biosphere and climate system. These systems and processes are increasingly being recognized as necessary parameters for a system-wide definition of sustainable food production. For each of these, the Commission proposes boundaries that global food production should stay within to decrease the risk of irreversible and potentially catastrophic shifts in the Earth system. These planetary boundaries for food production conceptually define the upper limit of environmental effects for food production at the global scale.
 
According to the report, current modes of food production are the largest contributors to environmental degradation. Sustainable food production entails adhering to the food-specific planetary boundaries vis-à-vis climate change, land and water use, biodiversity loss as well as nitrogen and phosphorous cycles. In addition to this, it must adequately and equitably meet the global population’s growing food demands.

 
In order for the systems of food production to stay within planetary boundaries, a combination of major dietary change, improved food production through enhanced agriculture and technology changes as well as reduced food waste during production and consumption is urgently required.
 

By volume, a planetary health plate should consist half a plate of vegetables and fruits. In terms of contribution to calories, the other half should primarily consist of whole grains, plant protein sources, unsaturated plant oils and modest portions of animal sources of protein (optional).

The prescribed planetary health diet does not imply eating exactly the same food regardless of geographical regions. Instead, it is consistent with traditional eating patterns and outlines empirical food groups and ranges of food intakes, which combined in a diet, would optimize human health. This universally-applicable planetary health diet must be locally interpreted and adapted to necessarily reflect the varied cultures, geography and demography of particular groups of individuals.
 
India Outbound
January 22, 2019

 
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/eating-a-truly-healthy-plate-of-food/

Strategies to achieve a Great Food Transformation

In a report titled Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems, the EAT-Lancet Commission has identified a set of actions to meet the scientific targets for healthy diets and sustainable food production, allowing for a transition of the global food system within the safe operating space.
 

 
The report outlines five strategies to achieve the proposed Great Food Transformation. These include:

1. Seeking international and national commitment to shift toward health diets
   

   The scientific targets provided by the Commission can enable the necessary shift towards increased consumption of plant-based foods and substantial reductions in animal source foods, in most geographical contexts.This concerted commitment can be achieved by making healthy foods more available, accessible and affordable in place of unhealthier alternatives, improving information and food marketing, investing in public health information and sustainability education, implementing food-based dietary guidelines, and using health care services to deliver dietary advice and interventions.

2. Reorienting agricultural priorities from producing high quantities of food to producing healthy food
   Agriculture and fisheries must not only produce enough calories to feed a growing global population but must also produce a diversity of foods that nurture human health and support environmental sustainability. Alongside dietary shifts, agricultural and marine policies must be reoriented toward a variety of nutritious foods that enhance biodiversity rather than increase volumes of a few crops, mostly used for animal feed. Livestock production needs to be considered in specific contexts. Even miniscule increases in the consumption of red meat or dairy foods can render the achievement of a global sustainable food production system unachievable.
3. Sustainably intensifying food production to increase high-quality output
   The current global food system requires a new agricultural revolution that is based on sustainable intensification and driven by sustainability and system innovation.This would entail at least a 75% reduction of yield gaps on current cropland, radical improvements in fertilizer and water use efficiency, recycling of phosphorus, redistribution of global use of nitrogen and phosphorus, implementing climate mitigation options including changes in crop and feed management, and enhancing biodiversity within agricultural systems. In addition, to achieve negative emissions globally as per the Paris Agreement, the global food system must become a net carbon sink from 2040 and onward.
4. Strong and coordinated governance of land and oceans

   This implies feeding humanity on existing agricultural land i.e. by implementing a zero-expansion policy of new agricultural land into natural ecosystems and species-rich forests, aiming management policies at restoring and reforesting degraded land, establishing international land use governance mechanisms, and adopting a “Half Earth” strategy for biodiversity conservation (i.e. conserve at least 80% of preindustrial species richness by protecting the remaining 50% of Earth as intact ecosystems). Moreover, there is a need to improve the management of the world’s oceans to ensure that fisheries do not negatively impact ecosystems, fish stocks are utilized responsibly, and global aquaculture production is expanded sustainably.

5. At least halve food losses and waste, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals

   Substantially reducing food losses at the production side and food waste at the consumption side is essential for the global food system to stay within a safe operating space. Both technological solutions applied along the food supply chain and implementation of public policies are required in order to achieve an overall 50% reduction in global food loss and waste as per the targets of the SDGs. Actions include improving post-harvest infrastructure, food transport, processing and packing, increasing collaboration along the supply chain, training and equipping producers, and educating consumers.

   The health of the people and Plant Earth is heavily shaped by the ways in which food is produced, what is consumed, and how much is lost or wasted. The Commission shows that feeding 10 billion people a healthy diet within safe planetary boundaries for food production by 2050 is both possible and necessary. Thus, the global adoption of healthy diets, produced using sustainable food systems can safeguard our planet and improve the health of billions.

 
India Outbound
January 21, 2019
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/strategies-to-achieve-a-great-food-transformation/

Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems

In collaboration with Lancet, EAT, a global not-profit foundation, released a report titled Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems. This report highlights that there is substantial scientific evidence that inextricably links environmental sustainability and health. This report is a collaboration between 37 experts from 16 countries with expertise in health, nutrition, environmental sustainability, food systems, economics and political governance.
 
The crux of the report is that food is the single strongest lever that can optimize and nurture human health and environmental sustainability on Earth. The current global food production and consumption is risking people’s health as well as threatening climate stability and ecosystem resilience, thereby constituting the single largest driver of environmental degradation and transgression of planetary boundaries.
 
Food systems create environmental impacts along the entire supply chain, from production to processing and retail, reaching beyond human and environmental health, by also affecting society, culture, economy, and animal health and welfare. While the global food production of calories has generally kept pace with population growth, more than 820 million people still lack sufficient food and many more consume either low-quality diets or too much food.
 
The disproportionate impacts of the two “end points” of global food systems i.e. final consumption (healthy diets) and production (sustainable food production) calls for its urgent and radical transformation. Without such action, the world is severely at risk of failing to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement. This entails a severely degraded planet where a massive chunk of the population will increasingly suffer from malnutrition and preventable diseases.
 
A dietary shift by 2050, towards plant-based foods and fewer animal source foods will be necessary for the world to garner improved health and environmental outcomes. Thus, the global consumption of nuts, legumes, vegetables and fruits must be doubled and the consumption of sugar and red meat must be reduced by more than 50%. However, there is lack of global consensus about the constitution of healthy diets and sustainable food production.
 
Within this context, the EAT-Lancet Commission has for the first time, established clear, scientific and quantitative targets for healthy diets and sustainable food production. The adoption of an integrated global framework of a planetary healthy diet can help avoid severe environmental degradation as well as the deaths of 11 million human beings annually.
 
For this Great Food Transformation, widespread multi-sector collaborations are required to facilitate a substantial global shift towards major improvements in food production practices, healthy dietary patterns as well as massive reductions in food loss and waste. Food is the defining feature of the 21st century and there exists and unprecedented opportunity to unlock its potential, as a common thread between multiple international, domestic and business policy frameworks and strategies, to catalyze the achievement of both, the SDGs and the Paris Agreement.
 
India Outbound
January 18, 2019
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/healthy-diets-from-sustainable-food-systems/

Sustainability of heritage sites in India

The Indian Government’s project, “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, ApniPehchaan,” launched in September 2017, sparked significant public debate, over whether or not, private companies should become caretakers of heritage sites. This project is one example of flourishing public-private partnerships in the country and blends with the current government’s efforts to secure cooperation and investments from major private players, domestic and international.
 
The fear of privatization of sites of national and historical pride, especially emerged in light of history being created with Dalmia Bharat group, a major conglomerate in India, winning one of the most magnificent contracts in India. It became the first corporate house to adopt a historical monument, the Red Fort, with a contract valued at INR 25 crores.
 
The Adopt a Heritage program is an experimental project that delineates concrete responsibilities and conditionalities for the private companies that win the innovative vision-based bid. First, this project privatizes management for an initial period of five years. Second, the companies do not own the monuments and hence, cannot auction, sell or convert them into a revenue-generating, full-fledged commercial enterprise. Third, the private companies will not be allowed to administer the heritage sites on their own and will have to jointly work with government entities.
 
The company will be responsible for creating new infrastructure, new amenities and new levels of cleanliness, maintain existing operations, take better care of tourists as well as make the monument more popular. However, the company will be allowed to levy charges on visitors, for activities deemed “semi-commercial.” These entail inclusion of the brand name on banners and souvenirs sold within the monument. Thus, the responsibility to advertise the heritage site will be supported by opportunities to advertise the company too.
 
Yet, the concerns regarding this project cannot be fully alleviated. The heritage of a country is national and hence, must be accessible to everyone, devoid of any representations of private interests and agenda. If the heritage sites are being maintained using taxpayers’ money plus income from tickets etc., but the government is handing over that responsibility to the private sector, what happens to that money?
 
Also, most of the heritage sites that have been offered for adoption have religious significance. This puts the act of pushing them deeper into a consumption-driven private market in direct contrast to the moral values, in the form of adaptation to modest living, freedom from selfish human desires and relinquishment of wealth. However, keeping such contemplative arguments aside, this adoption project holds merit on multiple fronts.
 
The public maintenance of historical heritage sites in India is constantly met with severe criticism. From that viewpoint, the government’s management of a challenging task has not been satisfactory, and now the private sector is essentially being put to test. Some famous monuments in India, like the Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, have been substantially renovated, courtesy assistance and funds provided by UNESCO.
 
Moreover, the project aims at not only adopting the heritage sites, but also adapting them to be able to cater to a contemporary tourist experience (establishment of visitor centers, creation of virtual reality visualizations). The underlying idea is to focus on infrastructure that is at par with global standards, while using technology that is more up-to-date and consumer-focused. The private sector has historically been more adept at conceptualising and executing such activities in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
 
Importantly, the public-private divide is neither artificial, nor clear-cut. Over time, it has been blurred in multiple ways that may not be seemingly obvious at first glance. Religious codes of morality may reject pursuit of desire and luxury, but great temples, palaces, churches and mosques are invariably pieces of art, supported by immense amounts of money and other material resources, donated by rich kings and other personnel.
 
The tourism industry in India, comprising tour operators, restaurateurs and hoteliers, is also heavily privatized. The private companies are involved in catering to tourists, especially foreign tourists, conducting visits and thereby, providing the national sites with ticket-buyers. Tickets for foreign tourists are always priced staggeringly higher than domestic ones. Viewed from this perspective, the government has been dependent on private companies for funding in the form of tourist footfalls, for a long time anyway.
 
The counterpoint to this is that since heritage sites are a part of the public sphere, a level playing field must be provided for private entities. The competition amongst private players in the tourism market is intense. However, inside the heritage site, the experience of the tourists must not vary depending on which private company they chose. Thus, in case the company managing a particular heritage site, sets up a hotel nearby and offers perks to visitors staying there, other private players and tourists will face the brunt.
 
Having said that, it cannot be denied that the governments have been partial on many occasions as well. Heritage sites like the Taj Mahal are often shut down to host foreign delegations. They often change narratives around historical sites to suit their political objectives and choose which monuments must be taken care of, over others.
 
Thus, the issue of private maintenance of heritage sites has advantages and disadvantages. Since the adoption project is only a little over a year old, it remains to be seen how effective it is in achieving the outlined aims. As long as the historical value and integrity of the monuments are not compromised and private entities do not take commercially unfair advantage of them, India’s heritage might actually be restored to their full glory, rather than remain reminiscent of past prosperity, lost over time. Sustainable and responsible tourism is the only solution to preserve the country’s rich heritage.
 
India Outbound
January 17, 2019
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/sustainability-of-heritage-sites-in-india/

Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, apni Pehchaan

The “Adopt a Heritage: Apni Dharohar, Apni Pehchaan” is a collaborative effort undertaken by the Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the Ministry of Tourism and the governments of states and union territories (UTs). It was launched in September 2017, by President Ram Nath Kovind, on World Tourism Day.
 
The underlying aim of this project is to promote responsible tourism by inviting the public sector companies, private sector companies and corporate citizens/individuals to take up the responsibility for making the heritage and tourism in India more sustainable, through development, operation and maintenance of world-class tourist infrastructure and amenities at ASI/State heritage sites and other important tourist sites.
 
The agency with the best vision will be selected to become “Monument Mitras”, based on the innovative concept of “Vision Building.” There is no financial bid involved as this is essentially meant to be a non-revenue generating project.This decision is made by the “Oversight and Vision” committee, co-chaired by Tourism and Cultural Secretaries. This committee has the power to terminate the MoU in case of non-performance or non-compliance.
 
They will adopt the monument for an initial period of 5 years. They are expected to utilise their CSR funds for upkeep, maintenance and providing basic amenities and services including cleanliness, drinking water, public conveniences, ease of access and mobility for differently-abled and senior citizens, standardized signage as well as illumination. Advanced amenities will include surveillance systems, night-viewing facilities, and a tourism facilitation centre.
 
The priority areas are:

• Developing basic tourism infrastructure;
• Promoting cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods in the identified regions;
• Enhancing the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world-class infrastructure at the heritage monument sites;
• Creating employment through active involvement of local communities;
• Harnessing tourism potential for its effects in employment generation and economic development;
• Developing sustainable tourism infrastructure and ensuring proper Operations and Maintenance therein.

 
The Archaeological Survey of India has identified 100 monuments as “Adarsh Smarak” for upgradation of existing facilities – toilets, cafeteria, wi-fi, interpretation centre, braille signage – based on actual requirements and feasibility. As of December 2018, 10 monuments have been successfully adopted, with the signing of MoUs, for the development and maintenance of heritage sites to enhance their tourism potential and cultural importance in a phased and planned manner.
 
The ten sites are:

• Red Fort (Delhi) by Dalmia Bharat Limited
• Gandikota Fort (Andhra Pradesh) by Dalmia Bharat Limited
• Area surrounding Gangotri Temple (Trail to Gaumukh, Uttarakhand) by Adventure Tour Operators Association of India
• Mount Stok Kangri Trek (Ladakh) by Adventure Tour Operators Association of India
• Qutub Minar (Delhi) by Yatra Online
• Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra) by Yatra Online
• Leh Palace (Leh, Jammu & Kashmir): Yatra Online
• Jantar Mantar (Delhi): Apeejay Park Hotels
• Surajkund (Haryana): Bliss Resorts

 
Thus, an enhanced tourism experience will result in increased tourist footfalls, both domestic and foreign, by promoting heritage sites in India and putting them on the tourism map. In return, the agencies will get limited visibility in the premises and the Incredible India website.
 
Image credit: http://www.adoptaheritage.in
 
India Outbound
January 16, 2019

 
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/adopt-a-heritage-apni-dharohar-apni-pehchaan/

India-Afghanistan relations within India-Central Asia Dialogue

At the sidelines of the first India-Central Asia Dialogue, held from January 12-13, 2019 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, External Affairs Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj, met with Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Salahuddin Rabbani. They exchanged views on the dynamics of the peace talks in Afghanistan, the country’s leadership and the ownership of the peace processes and regional cooperation.
 
This meeting took place against the backdrop of the visit of Hamdullah Mohib (Afghan National Security Advisory) and Zalmay Khalilzad (US Special Representative of Afghanistan) to New Delhi. The aspects of economic development and reconstruction of Afghanistan as well as enhancing connectivity have emerged as important components of engagement and partnership between both countries.
 
During the meeting, Swaraj reiterated India’s support of Afghanistan’s government and people, in their efforts to build a country that is democratic, sovereign, united, stable, peaceful, inclusive and prosperous. The gains of the past 18 years need to be preserved by ending the terror and violence imposed upon the people of Afghanistan. She also reiterated the critical need for all peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan to be “Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled,” based on strengthened territorial integrity.
 
In October 2011, the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) was signed between both countries to aid with the rebuilding of infrastructure and institutions in Afghanistan as well as indigenous capacity in education, technical areas etc. The Agreement also aimed to encourage investment in Afghanistan’s natural resources, provide duty-free access to Indian markets for Afghan exports and support an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation, thereby advocating the need for a sustained and long-term commitment to Afghanistan by the international community. Currently, over 3,500 Afghan nationals receive education and training in India annually.
 
Currently, India extends development assistance, valued over USD 3 billion, to Afghanistan. This is geared towards infrastructure development, reconstruction, connectivity, capacity-building and human resources development. The “New Development Partnership” was launched in September 2017, under which new projects are being implemented. This includes infrastructure development projects like the Shahtoot Dam drinking water project in Kabul, low-cost housing in Nangarhar etc.
 
India and Afghanistan have made attempts to boost bilateral trade, despite the restrictive Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA). This blocks the free movement of commodities even as India is the largest regional market for Afghan products. Th Dedicated Air Cargo Corridor that was inaugurated between Kandahar-Delhi and Kabul-Delhi in June 2017 provided fresh impetus to bilateral trade. The Zaranj-Delaram road was built in Afghanistan by India to boost economic relations by offering Afghanistan another outlet to a seaport. The Chabahar port in Iran is another attempt to capitalise on this road and offer a new transit route.
 
India, Afghanistan and Iran have made joint efforts to develp the Chabahar port in Iran as a viable route of connectivity to Afghanistan and potentially Central Asia. This port is a shining illustration of the achievement of strong partnerships. Already, a vast quantity of wheat has been sent from India to Afghanistan via the Chabahar port. In December 2018, an Indian company opened its office and took over operations at the Shaheed Beheshti port in Chabahar. India is also looking to develop the Chabahar-Zahedan railway link that could bring it closer to the Zaranj-Delaram road link in Afghanistan.
 
Thus, strengthened economic relations between India and Afghanistan, continued bilateral development cooperation as well as regular high-level political engagement have consolidated the historical and cultural links of both countries, especially in a period of security and governance transition. India has championed efforts to attract regional and trans-regional investment in Afghanistan for all major actors to have a stake in the country’s stability and prosperity, thereby providing economic opportunities an alternative to the dominant narrative of extremism. India is committed to promote sustainable development in Afghanistan via long-term investments by both the public and private sector.
 
 
India Outbound
January 15, 2019
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/india-afghanistan-relations-within-india-central-asia-dialogue/

What are the roadblocks slowing down progress in Indo-Canadian trade? The most exhaustive deep dive , a click away. #Indiacanadatrade #indiaexports #indiaimports #indiaeconomy https://t.co/Dtk3pvoJdD

What are the roadblocks slowing down progress in Indo-Canadian trade? The most exhaustive deep dive , a click away. #Indiacanadatrade #indiaexports #indiaimports #indiaeconomyhttps://t.co/Dtk3pvoJdD

— India Outbound (@india_outbound) January 15, 2019

from Twitter : https://twitter.com/india_outbound

The first India-Central Asia Dialogue

The first India-Central Asia Dialogue took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 12th and 13th January, 2019. It was co-chaired by Abdulaziz Kamilov, Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan and Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister of India. Other participants included the foreign ministers of Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan as well as the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan.
 
Within the context of cultural linkages and shared history between India, Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan), this dialogue focused on improving bilateral relations across a range of regional issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to all five Central Asian countries in 2015, to deepen India’s engagement in the hydrocarbon-rich region, laid emphasis upon Central Asia’s significance vis-à-vis India.
 
The objectives of the India-Central Asia Dialogue were:

• Enhancement of cooperation across wide-ranging areas, including the exploration of multiple ways to substantially strengthen India’s economic involvement in the sectors of business and development in Central Asia
• Development of viable options of connectivity between India, Central Asia and Afghanistan, to facilitate increased trade and economic activities in the region
• Boost India’s engagement with all the Central Asian countries, in the form of economic, cultural, political and development partnerships

 
During the dialogue, India proposed the establishment of the “India-Central Asia Development Group”, to carry forward development partnerships, between the Central Asian countries and India. All the countries will be represented in this G2G group and will be requested to suggest various concrete proposals. India put forth several proposals for the enhancement of cultural cooperation as well as capacity building/training programmes for specific candidates in Central Asia.
 
While addressing the first session, Swaraj said that “I would like to specifically point out that our region is facing serious challenges posed by terrorism. India, Central Asia and Afghanistan are societies which are tolerant and plural. The ideology of hate which the terrorists would like to spread has no place in our societies.We also need to ask that who these terrorists are, who funds them, how do they find sustenance, who protects and sponsors them.”
 
Swaraj further emphasized that the scourge of terrorism needs to be effectively fought collaboratively, in order to promote investments and businesses in the region, as terrorism erodes all possible avenues of development in a country. Swaraj offered that India would share expertise and extend partnerships, undertaken via lines of credit and buyers’ credit, based on concrete projects, to facilitate efficient connectivity (transit routes) by leveraging geographical proximity as well as realizing the full growth potential of the region by utilising existing opportunities and developing innovative solutions.
 
This meeting has set the tone for a new era of relations between Central Asia and India, while reaffirming old ties as natural partners. By allowing for extensive discussions that presented opportunities to review the overall gamut of Indian-Central Asian relations, it has laid the foundation for a modern and comprehensive partnership based on intensified engagements. The second India-Central Asia Dialogue will be hosted by India in 2020, with the participation of Afghanistan at the foreign ministers’ level.
 
India Outbound
January 14, 2019
 
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/the-first-india-central-asia-dialogue/

2019 General Elections: Transparency on Twitter

Twitter is introducing its Ads Transparency Centre to India ahead of the 2019 General Elections in the country. This will be in the form of a new advertising dashboard that provides a glimpse of expenditures incurred by political parties on the social media platform.
 
This attempt at infusing transparency so that the public knows which party spent how much on Twitter, was implemented in the US, on June 28, 2018, during the last elections, in response to the threat of regulation over lack of disclosure of spending activities of political candidates on federal campaign election ads. Twitter tested election labels on some candidates, wherein clicking on these would provide the users with additional information about the candidate, furnished by a third-party.
 
With the elections just around the corner, the Indian government has issued a stern warning to all social media platforms that strict action will be taken against them, if any attempt via undesirable means, is made to influence the electoral processes in the country.
 
A proposal has been made to amend the country’s IT rules, to legally mandate social media and messaging application to deploy tools of identification and diligence practices to curb unlawful content. Public feedback is being taken on the draft amendments by the IT ministry before a final decision is made. According to Twitter Global Vice President (Public Policy), Colin Crowell,
“acarefully crafted balance needs to be struck between ensuring safety and security of users and steps that could impact free expression.”
 
The Ads Transparency Centre will provide information around the advertiser, the content being promoted, the costs of the ads and details about whether the ad is being run country-wide or is focused on a particular geographical area. The underlying belief is that such data can contribute to the overall conversation around how the election is being played out and whether the information being organically disseminated or is being promoted.
 
According to Mahima Kaul, Director (Public Policy) for Twitter India, the company would procure information in the Indian market, on the candidates from political parties to ensure reliability of sources. Twitter is collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including the national election officials of the Election Commission of India (EC), some civil society organisations and NGOs, around voter education, to ensure transparent advertising by political parties on the platform.
 
The company has extended its support to the EC as they seek to establish a proactive voice in India’s digital space.Preparatory and training sessions will be conducted regarding the micro-blogging platform’s rules. The election and party official will be taught to use Twitter, verify candidates and report to Twitter, activities that may be abusive, suspicious and violative of the rules. The Ads Transparency Centre will be made available over the next several weeks, once the finer details of the features being offered in India are worked out.
 
In addition to the Ads policies, all political advertisers will be required to comply with laws applicable to content requirements, disclosures, eligibility restrictions and blackout dates for the locations of advertising. Twitter will ensure that all political parties and candidates have the Election Commission’s certification for advertising purposes. The company is also engaging with them for their verified accounts.
 
Twitter has also introduced new initiatives ahead of the 2019 General Elections. #ChaupalOnTwitter encourages increased civic discussion and participation between communities and leaders in India. #PowerOf18 aims to encourage the Indian youth to contribute to public debates and participate in civic engagements.
 
The problem of malicious automation must be countered by machine learning to monitor behaviours of accounts and rapidly identify and flag related issues. Time will show how successfully Twitter’s technological antidote cleanses the real-time menace of mis-information and manipulation that has in the past, influenced electoral results and hampered the democratic process.
 
India Outbound
January 11, 2019
 
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/2019-general-elections-transparency-on-twitter/

DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2018: Snapshot

The Lok Sabha has passed a Bill, The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018, to allow the regulated use of DNA technology for the establishment of the identity of certain defined categories of individuals, in specific matters related to criminal matters (suspects, offenders, undertrials) and civil disputes like immigration or emigration, parentage dispute, in-vitro-fertilisation, medical negligence and transplantation of human organs. The Bill provides for the creation of regional and national DNA data banks for the maintenance of certain indices: Crime Scene, Suspects, Offenders, Missing Persons and Unknown Deceased Persons.
 
To collect DNA samples from individuals arrested for an offence that is punishable for 7 years, their written consent is required. In case consent is not given, a Magistrate can be approached for an order, and convinced that the individual’s involvement in the alleged offence can be confirmed or disproved. If the punishment for the offence is over 7 years, then consent is not required. The Bill does not specify consent requirements for civil matters. If the individual concerned in a victim or relative of a missing person, the authorities still need to obtain written consent. In case of minor or disabled individuals, the parent or guardian’s consent is needed.
 
Currently, the identity of a person, charged with a criminal offence, is established through fingerprinting. But, the regulations pertaining to the use of fingerprinting and the provisions for DNA profiling differ under the Bill. Fingerprints can be obtained for offences that include punishment in the form of rigorous imprisonment for at least one year or more. However, for the collection of DNA samples, the Bill does not delineate the minimum threshold of the offences. Moreover, in the list of sources that can be used for collection of samples for DNA profiling, the Bill includes photographs and video recordings of body parts, in addition to biological substances such as blood sample, hair, and mouth swab. It remains unclear how a DNA sample can be collected from the former.
 
Laboratories that conduct DNA testing and analysis establishes the identity of individuals for investigative purposes, requires accreditation, valid for 2 years, from the DNA Regulatory Board. These must prepare DNA profiles to share with the data banks. Accreditation may be revoked based on failure to: (i) undertake DNA testing or (ii) comply with the provisions of the Act or conditions attached to the accreditation. They must follow standards of quality assurance in the collection, storage, testing and analysis of DNA samples. In case of criminal cases, the laboratory must return the biological samples to the investigating officer, after the DNA profile has been deposited with the DNA data banks. In all other instances, the sample must be destroyed and the concerned person must be informed.
 
Incase of criminal investigations, safeguards will be put in place for the use of DNA profiling, related to consent, storage and removal of DNA profiles. But in case of civil disputes, no such safeguards. While the Bill specifies the process of removal of DNA profiles from the Data Banks (written requests or court orders under different circumstances), it does not require the laboratories to do the same. Moreover, there is lack of clarity over whether DNA profiles that are a part of civil matters will be stored in the banks. In this case, storage may be a violation of the privacy of the individual, since this does not serve a public purpose. One of the conditions that allows for the infringement of privacy is that the law must serve a larger public purpose.
 
Finally, the DNA of an individual can reveal information that goes beyond the establishment of identity, related to medical or physical characteristics. This can impinge upon the individual’s privacy. Hence, in countries like the UK, US, Ireland and South Africa, the laws allow the use of only that specific portion of the DNA that reveals identity but does not contain any other information. While the Law Commission’s 2017 report on the draft bill clearly stated that only the portion of the DNA that provides information of identity will be used for profiling, the Bill in its present format makes no such specifications about what must be included and excluded in the DNA profile.
 
DNA Profiling is an accurate and well-established scientific technique used for disaster victim identification, investigation of crimes, identification of missing persons and human remains, and for medical research purposes. Thus, while the Bill is an attempt to leverage the utility of DNA profiling in criminal investigations and civil disputes, certain concerns over misuse and lack of clarity need to be addressed for its effective utilization, without hampering the fundamental right to privacy of individuals.
 
India Outbound
January 10, 2019

 
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/dna-technology-use-and-application-regulation-bill-2018-snapshot/

A deconstruction of the #digital #report everyone interested in the #IndianEconomy is talking about. https://t.co/9GKVuGgvUV

A deconstruction of the #digital #report everyone interested in the #IndianEconomy is talking about.https://t.co/9GKVuGgvUV

— India Outbound (@india_outbound) January 11, 2019

from Twitter : https://twitter.com/india_outbound

Invigorating Indian-Norwegian relations

Norway and India have historically shared cordial relations hinging upon mutual respect and interests vis-à-vis the resolution of global challenges. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind has called both countries “natural partners”, given their status as “two vibrant democracies, with deep respect for the rule of law, cultural diversity and human rights.”

Indo-Norwegian cooperation spans across climate change, environment, energy, clean technologies, biodiversity, health, culture, gender, local governance and business. Both countries have agreed to closely collaborate upon the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as India’s economy and size renders its role crucial for global success. During the 2017 G-20 Summit, Norwegian PM, Erna Solberg, presented PM Modi with a football as a symbolic gift for the same.

During PM Solberg’s first visit to India from January 6-8, 2019, discussions centered around strengthening partnerships, over bilateral, regional and multilateral issues, based on continued high-level exchanges and enhanced mechanisms of bilateral interaction. Indo-Norwegian cooperation was discussed in the areas of counter-terrorism, security, research and innovation, ICT, energy, climate, environment, higher education and importantly, fisheries, aquaculture and maritime.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed facilitate dialogue to boost bilateral trade, currently valued at $1.2 billion. In Norway’s bid to herald a new strategy of engagement, wherein India plays a significant role, the private sector will be a key component across research and technical cooperation. Business entities signed 15 MoUs across finance, ICT, health-care, energy and aquaculture, among others.
After multiple rounds of negotiations, both countries are gearing towards signing a Free Trade Agreement. The nuts and bolts of the pact are being worked out, officially known as the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), between India and EFTA countries i.e. Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland. This will increase trade and create a better environment for businesses.

India expressed appreciation for the Norwegian support towards India securing membership/accession to the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Australia Group, Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA). Solberg commended India for according respect to international law in the context of increased maritime aggression by some countries (an allusion to China). “When large countries respect international law, smaller countries take note. The principle ‘might is right’ cannot be used as a basis for governing our oceans, or anything else, for that matter.”

In addition to this, India has sought support in the form of partnerships from Norway, for its national programmes like Start-up India, Smart Cities, Make in India and Clean India. The Norway India Partnership Initiative (NIPI), established in 2006, has provided strategic support for the scaling up of the National Rural Health Mission in Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. In 2017, an MoU was signed to extend the duration of NIPI to 2021.
PM Modi highlighted that the Norway Government Pension Fund Global has a $12 billion portfolio investment in India. He said, “I am confident that in future, both in portfolio investment and foreign direct investment, Norwegian companies will make use of vast opportunities in India. Specifically, under India’s Sagarmala programme, Norwegian companies will get a lot of opportunities in ship building, ports and port-led development.”

Since both India and Norway are ocean states, an MoU was signed for facilitating India-Norway Ocean Dialogue. A Joint Task Force will be established to promote multi-sectoral cooperation within the Blue Economy. Blue Economy is an emerging concept that encourages improved stewardship of ocean or “blue” resources, going beyond the conception of the ocean economy as a vehicle for economic growth. It encapsulates the protection of traditional ways of living, costal resilience, carbon sequestration and mitigation of the devastating impacts of climate change.

PM Solberg said “Prime Minister Modi has presented a vision of sustainability and growth for all people in the region. One of the goals of my government’s ocean strategy is to promote sustainable value creation and employment in the ocean-based industries.” Norway is a leading maritime country with expertise in innovation and quality across fishing, defence, energy, shipping and port management.

“We cannot afford to let protectionism, discrimination and economic rivalries define our future.”
Both countries have recognised the mutual need for bilateral economic collaborations and the benefits of a stable global framework of free, rules-based international trade, governed by open markets, lower trade barriers and foreign direct investment.

India Outbound
January 9, 2019

source https://indiaoutbound.org/invigorating-indian-norwegian-relations/

Report: Digital Solutions to Skill Gaps in India

Accenture has started the new year, 2019, with the release of a report titled, Fueling India’s Skill Revolution, outlining an approach to bridge skill gaps in India. If these gaps remain unaddressed within the context of rapid technological transformations, it could cost India almost US$ 1.97 trillion in terms of growth in GDP (gross domestic product), as estimated to be delivered via investments in intelligent technologies over the next decade.
 
Intelligent technologies have already begun to transform the nature of work and hence, skills like social-emotional and sensory perception, creativity and complex reasoning are becoming more important across job roles. These cannot be taught and learnt through traditional methods of training or education.
 
In tandem with Accenture’s own “New Skilling” framework, the approach outlined in the report is a combination of innovative learning methods that are grounded in neuroscience research. The underlying rationale is to make the processes of skills development more effective by enabling organizations to reskill and upskill their people at a scale that provides individually-tailored learning experiences.
 
According to Rekha M Menon, chairman and senior managing director at Accenture in India, “Intelligent technologies increasingly require people to hone more exclusively human skills such as creativity, empathy and ethical judgment. “These skills cannot be acquired in the classroom. We must offer more experiential on-the-job training and help people adopt life-long learning as their jobs are transformed. Digital tools and applications — like artificial intelligence, analytics and blockchain — will be essential in delivering these new learning approaches.”
 
Thus, within this framework, there are four stages in the learning journey of an individual, which can be augmented by an amalgamation of different digital technologies and adaptive platforms/programs like artificial intelligence, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). (1) Awareness implies curating and disseminating content to ensure people are aware of the skills that are required. (2) Conversance requires building specific pathways to tailor to individual learning needs. (3) Job readiness entails enabling immersive training to make people job-ready. (4) Expertise demands supporting a path of life-long and deep learning for individuals, based on blockchain-based micro-credentials.
 
Finally, the report provides a set of four recommendations i.e. actions necessary for stakeholders in the Indian ecosystem to initiate the skills development of the country’s workforce as required in a burgeoning digital economy. These stakeholders range from corporates, industry bodies, government departments, non-profit organisations and academia. The four actions that must be undertaken using digital platforms include:
 

1. Unification of a fragmented ecosystem: connecting education providers, employers, public agencies and start-ups in such a manner that they can work together to address challenges of skill demand, job creation etc. as faced by those seeking jobs. Analytics can help identify areas of intervention and suggest appropriate actions, while blockchain could improve transparency and accountability in the processes of skill development
2. Use of blended learning models: an optimal mix of in-person interaction, on-the-job and online learning can help improve retention and “stickiness”
3. Starting at the source: The broader needs of digital economies can be met by creating comprehensive skills-based learning frameworks in schools and colleges and adapting curricula in institutions of higher learning
4. Customisation to local context: Building multi-lingual, device-agnostic and affordable digital solutions that are compatible with offline infrastructure and can be applied at scale, even while catering to local/individual needs

 
Menon further stated in the report that “it’s critical that companies collaborate with the broader ecosystem to bridge the skills gap that is keeping India from harnessing its demographic advantage. Organizations must recognize that they need to be innovative not just in developing products and services, but also in the way they offer learning opportunities that ensure their communities are ready for the future.”
 
 
India Outbound
January 8, 2019
 
 

source https://indiaoutbound.org/report-digital-solutions-to-skill-gaps-in-india/