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[Virtual Presenter] Countering the Financing of Terrorism system. ii.The countries on the grey list are examined by and work with a group of experts to fix the loopholes in their system by using a tailored action plan. Note: Currently, countries which are on the grey list: Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Croatia, Kenya, Congo, Haiti, Mali, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Venezuela, Vietnam and Yemen. About Financial Action Task Force (F-A-T-F-): It is an intergovernmental organisation which acts as an international watchdog to combat Money Laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats. President Elisa de Anda Madrazo (Mexico) Headquarters Paris, France Member nations 39 (including India) Established 1989 Egypt Declared ‘Malaria Free’ by WHO; 2nd Country in 2024 Egypt was officially declared malaria free by the World Health Organization (W-H-O--) on October 20, 2024, a significant public health milestone for a country with more than 100 million inhabitants. Egypt became the 2nd country globally to receive this status in 2024, following Cabo Verde. Egypt is the 3rd country to be awarded a malaria free certification in the W-H-O Eastern Mediterranean Region following the United Arab Emirates(U-A-E--) and Morocco, and the first since 2010. Note: Globally, a total of 44 countries and 1 territory have reached this milestone. Key Points: i.The WHO’s certification signifies that Egypt has interrupted the indigenous transmission of malaria by Anopheles mosquitoes. ii.To qualify, Egypt demonstrated robust surveillance and preventive measures to ensure the disease does not re establish itself. iii.Malaria diagnosis and treatment are provided free of charge to all residents in Egypt, regardless of their legal status. About W-H-O malaria free certification: Malaria elimination certification is the WHO’s official recognition that a country is malaria free. It is granted when a country proves that local transmission by Anopheles mosquitoes has been interrupted for at least three years and shows the ability to prevent its return.The final decision on certification rests with the W-H-O Director General, based on recommendations from an independent Technical Advisory Group on Malaria Elimination and Certification (TAG-MEC). About World Health Organization (W-H-O--): Director General– Tedros Adhanom Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland Establishment– 1948 Report Errors in the P-D-F ebooks@affairscloud.com Copyright 2014-2024 @ AffairsCloud.com 94.

[Audio] VISITS INDIAN VISITS Highlights of Jamaican PM Andrew Holness's 4 Day Visit to India Andrew Holness, Prime Minister(PM) of Jamaica, paid a 4-day visit to India from 30th September 2024 to 3rd October 2024 to strengthen bilateral ties in key areas including trade and investment. This marks the first-ever bilateral visit by a Jamaican PM to India as well as the first visit of Andrew Holness to India. Narendra Modi, PM of India, highlighted that the India-Jamaica relationship is defined by 4Cs- culture, cricket, Commonwealth and Caribbean. India & Jamaica Exchange 4 MoUs: India and Jamaica exchanged 4 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in the fields of Digital Public Infrastructure, Cultural Exchange and Sports. India will share its knowledge with Jamaica in various areas including Digital Public Infrastructure, small-scale industries, biofuel, innovation, health, education and agriculture. India has also committed to provide training and capacity building for the Jamaican Army in the field of defence. Digital Public Infrastructure: The Government of India (GoI) through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MeitY) and the Government of Jamaica through the Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica signed a MoU on cooperation in digital public infrastructure. Signatories: The MoU was signed by Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica's Minister in the Office of the PM, and Minister of State, Pankaj Chaudhary, Ministry of Finance(MoF), GoI. This MoU aims to boost financial inclusion and social and economic transformation in Jamaica. Jamaica seeks to adopt India's way of using digital solutions for governance and public service delivery particularly to strengthen its economy and improve access to services. Digital Payments: NPCI International Payments Limited (India), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India(NPCI) signed an MoU with Egov Jamaica Limited to support Jamaica in adopting India's UPI (Unified Payments Interface) technology for better digital payment solutions. Signatories: The MoU was signed by Dana Morris Dixon, Jamaica's Minister in the Office of the PM, and Pankaj Chaudhary, India. Cultural Exchange Programme: GoI and the Government of Jamaica signed a MoU on cultural exchange program for the years 2024-2029. This will facilitate the exchange of cultural practices, knowledge, and activities between India and Jamaica. It will also strengthen cooperation between cultural institutions and bilateral relations through art, heritage, and education. Signatories: The MoU was signed by Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Pankaj Chaudhary, India. Sports Cooperation: i.India's Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYAS) and Jamaica's Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport signed a MoU on cooperation in sports. ii.This partnership involves the exchange of knowledge and expertise in sports development and management, leading to development in Jamaica's sporting infrastructure and talent development. Signatories: The MoU was signed by Kamina Johnson Smith, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Pankaj Chaudhary,.

[Audio] Prime Minister Modi Names Road 'Jamaica Marg' to Celebrate India-Jamaica Friendship PM Modi named the road in front of the Jamaica High Commission in New Delhi as the 'Jamaica Marg', emphasizing upon strong India-Jamaica ties. This will be symbol of India- Jamaica relations as the road would provide the path for IndiaJamaica deep friendship and cooperation for future generations. About Jamaica Prime Minister – Andrew Holness Capital – Kingston Currency – Jamaican Dollar Continent – North America Overview of PM Modi's visit to Maharashtra on 5th October, 2024 Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi was on one-day visit to Washim and Thane districts in Maharashtra on 5th October, 2024. Highlights of PM Modi's visit to Washim: Launch of Initiatives Related to Agriculture & Animal Husbandry Sectors worth Rs 23,300 crore On 5th October 2024, PM Modi launched several initiatives related to the agricultural and animal husbandry sector worth around Rs 23,300 crore in Washim, Maharashtra. He inaugurated over 7,500 projects under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF), worth more than Rs 1920 crore . These projects will cover various fields: custom hiring centres, primary processing units, warehouses, sorting and grading units, cold storage projects, and post-harvest management projects among others. Key Dignitaries: Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister (CM) of Maharashtra, CP Radhakrishnan, Governor of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Deputy CMs of Maharashtra; Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan , (MoA&FW); Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying (MoFAH&D)were also present at the event. Launch of Unified Genomic Chip for Cattle and Indigenous Sex-sorted Semen Technology PM launched two programmes of the animal husbandry department namely, Unified Genomic Chip for cattle and indigenous sex-sorted semen technology for the benefit of livestock. About Unified Genomic Chip: i.The Unified Genomic Chip is designed to help the farmers to make informed decisions on animal selection by identifying high-quality cattle at an early age, which will improve dairy farming efficiency in India. ii.The chip has two versions: the GAUCHIP for cattle and the MAHISHCHIP for buffalo. iii.It is developed by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under MoFAH&D. About Indigenous Sex-Sorted Semen Technology: i.The initiative is in alignment with PM Modi's vision of 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. It aimed to increase availability of sex-sorted semen at affordable price to farmers and reduce the cost by around Rs 200 per dose. ii.It is developed by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) under the DAHD. Disbursement of the 18th Installment of PM-KISAN Scheme During his visit to Washim, PM Modi disbursed 18th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) worth Rs 20,000 crore to around 9.4 crore farmers..

[Audio] Note: Till date, about Rs 32,000 crore have been transferred to around 1.2 crore farmers of Maharashtra in 17 installments of the scheme which is the 2nd highest among all states in India. About PM-KISAN: i.It is a Central Sector Scheme (CSS)launched in 2019 and is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW), Government of India (GoI). The scheme aims to augment the income of farmers by providing income support to all farmer families in India irrespective of their landholdings. ii.Under this scheme, GoI will provide financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per annum to eligible farmer families in 3 equal installments. iii.GoI has allocated Rs 60,000 crore for FY25 (2024-25) in Interim Budget (2024-25). PM inaugurated 5 Solar Parks across Maharashtra with total capacity of 19MW On 5th October 2024, PM Modi inaugurated 5 solar parks with a total capacity of 19 MegaWatt (MW) across Maharashtra under "Mukhyamantri Saur Krushi Vahini Yojana 2.0(MSKVY 2.0)" in Washim District, Maharashtra. He also led the e-distribution of Letters of Award (LoA) for around 3,000 MW under MSKVY 2.0 and the e- Distribution of Social Development Grants worth Rs 20.55 crore to 411 gram panchayats. Key Points: i.These 5 solar parks are part of the world's largest decentralized 16,000 MW solar power generation project aimed to provide daytime power supply to farmers for irrigation. The project is estimated to complete by March 2026. ii.These 5 solar parks are located at: Dhondalgaon (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Bamni Budruk (Nanded), Kondgiri (Kolhapur), Jalalabad (Akola), and Palshi Budruk (Buldhana). About MSKVY 2.0: i.This scheme was launched by the Government of Maharashtra (GoM) in April 2023. ii.The state energy department and Maharshtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) had inked power purchase agreements and increased the capacity of power substations, and letter of Award were given to developers for solar power generation of 9,200MW capacity in 11 months. iii.Under this scheme, a total investment of Rs 65,000 crore will be made by private investors, and will generate 50,000 job opportunities in rural areas. Other key Points: i.He launched 9,200 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) with combined turnover of about Rs 1,300 crore. ii.He also launched the 5th installment of NaMo Shetkari Mahasamman Nidhi Yojana around Rs 2,000 crore to the eligible farmers of Maharashtra. iii.PM Modi inaugurated the Banjara Virasat Museum in Poharadevi at Washim district in Maharashtra, which is dedicated to Banjara community. The 4-storey museum features 13 galleries, showcasing legacy of Banjara community through the portraits of their leaders, historical movements, and artifacts that depict their way of life. Key Highlights of PM Modi's visit to Thane: PM Inaugurated and Laid Foundation Stone for Various Projects Worth over Rs 32,800 Crore in Thane, Maharashtra On 5th October, PM Narendra Modi.

[Audio] Some of the major projects launched are: the Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project and Elevated Eastern Freeway Extension. Key Projects: i.He inaugurated the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) to Aarey Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) section of Mumbai Metro Line-3 (MML-3) worth around Rs 14,120 crore. The 12.5 km long stretch between Aarey and BKC comprises 10 stations, of which 9 will be underground. MML-3 is an important public transport project that will enhance commuting between Mumbai city and Suburbs. Fully operational MML-3 is estimated to cater around 12 lakh passengers daily. ii.He laid the foundation stone of Thane Integral Ring Metro Rail Project, which will be constructed at an estimated cost of around Rs 12,200 crore. The project is 29 kilometer (km) long with 20 elevated and 2 underground stations. The project aims to cater the growing transportation needs of Thane, a major industrial and commercial hub in Maharashtra. iii.He also laid the foundation stone of Elevated Eastern Freeway Extension from Chheda Nagar to Anand Nagar, Thane. It will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 3,310 crore. The project will facilitate seamless connectivity from South Mumbai to Thane. iv.He laid the foundation stone of Phase-I of Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA) project worth around Rs 2,550 crore. It includes the construction of major arterial roads, bridges, flyovers, underpasses and integrated utility infrastructure. v.Further, he laid the foundation of stone for Thane Municipal Corporation, which will be constructed at a cost of around Rs 700 crore. The project will centralize municipal operations, providing citizens of Thane improved access to various services under one roof in a central location. PM Modi Participated in Abhijat Marathi Language Program in Maharashtra On 5th October 2024, PM Modi participated in Abhijat Marathi language program held in Mumbai, Maharashtra. While addressing the event, he informed that the Marathi language has officially been granted the status of a classical language by the Government of India (GoI). Apart from Marathi, other languages which have been granted the status of classical language are: Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Revised Criteria for Classical Languages: The LEC had revised the criteria for classical language status in July, 2024, the new criteria include: High antiquity of early texts, and recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years. A body of ancient literature or texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of speakers; Epigraphic and inscriptional evidence; Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry; Classical languages and literature could be distinct from its current form or could be discontinuous with its later forms of or its offshoots. About Maharashtra: Chief Minister (CM) – Eknath Shinde Governor- CP Radhakrishnan, National Parks –Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Chandoli National Park.

[Audio] Overview of State Visit of Mohamed Muizzu, President of Maldives, to India: 6-10 October 2024 Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, President of the Republic of Maldives, visited India from 6th to 10th October 2024, marking a significant milestone in the relationship between India and Maldives. This marks his first official visit as President. The President was accompanied by First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed and a high-level delegation from the Maldivian government. Droupadi Murmu, President of India, welcomed Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady, Sajidha Mohamed with a reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, Delhi. Significance: i.The visit highlighted the close ties between India and the Maldives, focusing on boosting economic cooperation, enhancing security, and strengthening cultural connections. ii.It aimed to solidify India-Maldives relations, aligning with India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision. iii.The state visit encompassed several high-profile meetings, the signing of key Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), and a range of strategic and economic initiatives aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. iv.President Dr. Muizzu also visited Mumbai, Maharashtra and Bengaluru, Karnataka, and attended business events. Announcements: i.Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, and Dr. Mohamed Muizzu met on 7th October 2024 and comprehensively reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties. They issued a vision document – India and Maldives: A Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership – which outlines the shared interest and mutual aid in areas from defence infrastructure to surveillance capabilities. India and Maldives have decided to constitute a new High-Level Core Group to oversee the progress in the implementation of this vision document. ii.The Indian government announced that India will undertake the repairs and refit of the Maldives Coast Guard ship (MCGS) Huravee, a patrol vessel which was gifted by India to Maldives in 2006. iii.India agreed to provide financial support of more than Rs 6,300 crore to the Maldives to tide over a foreign exchange crisis. Launch/Inauguration/Handing-over: i.The Indian government has introduced the Rupay card to the Maldives as a part of the development of financial collaboration between India and the Maldives. This will facilitate digital payments and enhance financial inclusion. ii.PM Modi and Mohamed Muizzu jointly virtually inaugurated the new runway at Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HIA) in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives to improve connectivity for the Maldives. iii.700 social housing units were officially handed over to the Maldives. The units were constructed under the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) Buyers' Credit Facilities, contributing to housing development in the Maldives. Agreements and MoUs: During the state visit, delegates from both India and the Maldives exchanged several MoUs and agreements emphasising their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. Details of the agreements & MoUs. i.The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has entered into a Currency Swap Agreement with the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) under the South.

[Audio] This will provide financing support to the Maldives, enabling access to up to USD 400 million under the US Dollar/Euro Swap Window and Rs 30 billion under the Indian Rupee (INR) Swap Window. It allows the Maldives to access a specified amount of Indian currency when needed, which can strengthen economic resilience and promote financial stability. the agreement was signed between Ahmed Munawar, the Governor of the Maldives Monetary Authority and Ajay Seth, the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) in the Ministry of Finance(MoF). ii.Rashtriya Raksha University in Lavad, Gujarat signed a MoU with the National College of Policing and Law Enforcement in Addu City, Maldives, to enable the exchange of best practices and expertise to enhance security cooperation, particularly in combating regional threats such as terrorism and organized crime. The MoU was signed between Ibrahim Shaheeb, the High Commissioner of Maldives to India and Rajendra Kumar, the Secretary of Border Management in the Ministry of Home Affairs(MoAH) iii.Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of the Maldives signed a MoU to strengthen institutional transparency and integrity, fostering collaboration between Indian and Maldivian anti-corruption agencies. The MoU was signed by Ibrahim Shaheeb and Rajendra Kumar. iv.MoU between National Judicial Academy of India (NJAI) and the Judicial ServiceCommission (JSC) of the Maldives was renewed to focuses on training and capacity-building programs for Maldivian judicial officers, aiming to enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of the judiciary in the Maldives. This was signed between Ibrahim Shaheeb and Munu Mahawar, the High Commissioner of India to Maldives. v.The MoU on Cooperation in Sports and Youth Affairs was also renewed to strengthen ties in sports development and youth engagement, promoting cultural and sporting exchanges between the two nations. It aims to provide opportunities for young athletes and foster collaboration in various sports programs, contributing to people-to-people ties. This was signed between Ibrahim Shaheeb and Munu Mahawar. Other highlights: i.With its expertise in solar power, India will partner with the Maldives on various renewable energy projects aimed at driving down energy costs and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. This collaboration also includes exploring Maldives' participation in India's ambitious "One Sun, One World, One Grid" initiative, aimed at interconnecting global solar energy grids. ii.India has committed to providing defense platforms and advanced surveillance systems to bolster the operational capabilities of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). This includes the timely completion of the MNDF 'Ekatha' harbour project at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF), a vital initiative supported by India to enhance Maldives' maritime security infrastructure. About Maldives: President– Mohamed Muizzu Capital– Malé Currency– Maldivian Rufiyaa Report.

[Audio] FOREIGN VISITS PM Modi visited the USA from 21st-23rd September 2024: Attended Quad Summit & Addressed UNGA Session Narendra Modi, Prime Minister (PM) of India, made a 3-day visit to the United States of America (USA) from 21st to 23rd September 2024. On 21st September 2024, PM Modi attended the 4th Quad(Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) Leaders' Summit held in Wilmington, Delaware and hosted by Joseph R. Biden, Jr., the President of the USA. On 22nd September 2024, He also addressed the "Summit of the Future" at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Session held in New York, USA. 6th Quad Leaders' Summit, Delaware, USA: On 21st September 2024, President Biden hosted Narendra Modi, PM of India; Anthony Albanese, PM of Australia; Kishida Fumio, PM of Japan; and in Wilmington, Delaware, for the 4th Quad Leaders' Summit. The Leaders welcomed India as the host of the 2025 Quad Leaders Summit and the USA as the host of the 2025 Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting. About Quad: i.The Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States to support an open, stable and growing Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient. ii.The inaugural virtual Quad Leaders' Summit was held on 12 March 2021. iii.The Quad aims to address the challenges related to health security, climate change, infrastructure, critical and emerging technology, cyber security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, space, maritime security, countering disinformation, and counter-terrorism in the Indo-Pacific region. Quad Cancer Moonshot: PM Modi participated in the Quad Cancer Moonshot event hosted by President Biden on the sidelines of the Summit. The Cancer Moonshot initiative aims to address gaps in the cervical cancer care and treatment ecosystem in the Indo-Pacific countries. Key Points: i.India contributed a grant of USD 7.5 million to cancer testing, screening, and diagnostics in the IndoPacific region in accordance with this vision of One World One Health. ii.India will also provide support for radiotherapy treatment and capacity building for cancer prevention in the Indo-Pacific. The supply of 40 million doses of vaccine from India under GAVI and QUAD programs will benefit the Indo-Pacific countries. iii.India will also offer technical assistance to interested countries in the Indo-Pacific region on Digital Pathology Imaging (DPI) for cancer screening and care by contributing USD 10 million to World Health Organization's (WHO)-Global Initiative on Digital Health. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): The Quad emphasised the critical role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in building a secure, reliable, and interoperable digital ecosystem to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals(SDG). Principles for development and deployment are Inclusivity; Interoperability; Modularity and Extensibility; Scalability; Security and Privacy; Collaboration; Governance for Public Benefit, Trust, and Transparency; Grievance redress; Sustainability; Human rights; Intellectual Property Protection; and Sustainable Development. Report Errors in the PDF - ebooks@affairscloud.com.

[Audio] Contributions of Quad Countries: i.Quad countries intend to continue their strong commitments to Gavi including with HPV vaccines in the Indo-Pacific. The USA has pledged at least USD 1.58 billion over 5 years. ii.Quad countries will work with UN agencies on bulk purchasing of HPV diagnostics to bring down the cost of cervical cancer screening, and work with the International Atomic Energy Agency to improve access to and quality of medical imaging and radiation therapy. iii.Australia has announced the expansion of the Elimination Partnership in the Indo-Pacific for Cervical Cancer Program (EPICC) with the support of the Australian Government and the Minderoo Foundation to AUD 29.6 million, to cover up to eleven countries in the Indo-Pacific in helping advance the elimination of cervical cancer and support complementary initiatives focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. iv.Japan is providing medical equipment, including Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners, and other assistance worth approximately USD 27 million to Cambodia, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. v.The World Bank has committed USD 400 million in HPV-related investments globally over the next three years. Launch of MAITRI Maritime Initiative: India hosted the inaugural session of the new Regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), to train Quad partners in monitoring and securing their waters, enforcing their laws, and discourage unlawful behaviour. The first MAITRI workshop will be hosted by India in 2025. It is also based on the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), a previous initiative created to provide maritime domain awareness information to partners. Joint Coast Guard Exercises & Other Initiatives: The U.S. Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Australian Border Force, and Indian Coast Guard(ICG) have planned to launch the 1st-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission, a joint coast guard exercise, in 2025 in the Indo-Pacific. This aims to improve interoperability and maritime safety, enhancing cooperation among member countries. Other Initiatives i.The Quad introduced the Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project to enhance disaster response capabilities through shared airlift capacity and logistics resources. ii.A Quad maritime legal dialogue was also launched to support efforts to uphold the rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific. iii.Quad partners launched an initiative to deploy the first Open Radio Access Network (RAN) in the Pacific, in Palau, to support a secure, resilient, and interconnected telecommunications ecosystem. iv.Quad Ports of the Future Partnership was introduced to support sustainable and resilient port infrastructure development across the Indo-Pacific, in collaboration with regional partners. India Signed Agreements during Quad Summit: During PM Modi's visit to US, India signed and exchanged first-of-its-kind agreements focused on Clean Economy, Fair Economy, and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) overarching arrangement under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for prosperity. i.The IPEF Clean Economy Agreement aims to promote technical cooperation, workforce development, capacity building, and research collaborations..

[Audio] ii.It will involve investments, project financing including concessional financing, joint collaborative projects, workforce development and Technical Assistance and Capacity Building for industries, especially MSMEs, and facilitate further inclusion of Indian companies in the global value chains, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. IPEF Fair Economy Agreement i.The Agreement aims to create a more transparent and predictable trade and investment environment across the Indo-Pacific, prevent corruption, including bribery, improve tax transparency, the exchange of information, domestic resource mobilization, and tax administration. ii.It emphasizes on increasing information sharing among partners, facilitating asset recovery, and strengthening cross-border investigations and prosecutions. iii.The partners have committed to identify and implement technical assistance and capacity building (TACB) initiatives improving anti-corruption efforts and efficiency of tax administration. Overarching IPEF Agreement i.The Overarching Agreement is an administrative agreement establishing an oversight Ministerial-level mechanism. ii.This agreement would provide identity to the group and long lasting IPEF partnership, by creating a formal mechanism and building a forum for Ministerial discussions on emerging issues, etc. Roadmap For U.S.-India Initiative to Build Safe and Secure Global Clean Energy Supply Chains United States and India aim to enhance and expand bilateral technical, financial, and policy support to expand both U.S. and Indian manufacturing capacity for clean energy technologies and components and lay the base for enhanced cooperation in third countries, with a focus on partnerships in Africa. I.To launch this partnership, the United States and India are going to raise USD1 billion in new multilateral finance through the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for projects that include increasing India's domestic clean energy supply chain buildout. The funding could support supply-side manufacturing capacity expansion for key technology verticals, focusing on solar, wind, battery, energy grid systems, and high-efficiency air conditioner and ceiling fan supply chains. II.The U.S. and Indian governments are also planning to work with industry leaders on the following aspects to launch and eventually expand this new partnership: i.Identifying near-term investment opportunities to expand manufacturing capacity for specific clean energy supply chain segments, with initial focuses on the following clean energy components: Solar wafers and wafer manufacturing equipment & next generation solar cells Wind turbine nacelle components Power transmission line components including conductors, cabling, transformers, and next generation technologies Energy storage components including batteries Battery packs for 2- and 3-wheel electric vehicles (EVs) and zero-emission e-bus and truck components High-efficiency air conditioners and ceiling fan components ii.Collaborating with the private sector to look for suitable opportunities in the above supply chain segments and support some pilot projects, including one project focused on clean energy deployment to Africa. iii.Building trilateral relationships with African partners that have stated political commitments to clean energy deployment, focusing on solar and battery storage opportunities. iv.Collaborating with each other and industry to consult on policies that will encourage demand for locally manufactured clean technologies Report Errors in the PDF - ebooks@affairscloud.com.

[Audio] Prime Minister meets with President of USA in Wilmington, Delaware PM Modi met with the US President Biden on the sidelines of the Quad Summit in Delaware and discussed ways to improve bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest. They also exchanged views on global and regional issues including the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. US hands over 297 antiquities smuggled out of India The USA formally handed over 297 antiquities to India during PM Modi's visit to the USA. with this, the total number of artefacts returned to India by the USA becomes 578. This is the highest number of cultural artefacts returned to India by any country. The recovered collection includes artefacts of terracotta, stone, metal, wood and ivory from different parts of India. Note: i.The USA has previously returned a large number of antiquities in 2016 (10), 2021 (157) and 2023 (105). ii.India has also successfully recovered artefacts from other countries, including 16 from the United Kingdom (UK) and 40 from Australia. About the Antiquities i.Some of the notable antiquities handed over to India included an 'Apsara' in sandstone from central India; Jain Tirthankar (bronze); a Terracotta vase from eastern India; A stone sculpture from South India. ii.Other prominent items include Lord Ganesh in bronze from south India, standing Lord Buddha in sandstone from north India and Lord Vishnu in bronze from Eastern India India to get first national security semiconductor fabrication plant as part of collaboration with U.S. in collaboration with the USA, India will establish the 1st-ever national security semiconductor fabrication plant which will produce chips for use in military hardware in both India and USA and in critical telecommunication networks and electronics. This will also become one of the world's first Multi-material fab for national security. The Bharat Semi fab titled Shakti also becomes one of the first fabs of its kind in the Quad. About the Fabrication plant: i.The plant will manufacture infrared, gallium nitride and silicon carbide semiconductors. This will be enabled by the support from the India Semiconductor Mission and a strategic technology partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the U.S. Space Force. iii.The Fab will focus on three essential pillars for modern war fighting- advanced sensing, advanced communications and high voltage power electronics. India to open new consulates in Boston, Los Angeles PM Modi announced that India will be opening two new consulates in the USA, one in Boston (Massachusetts) and another in Los Angeles(California), to stay aligned with the population growth of the Indian-American community in those cities. Both the cities have growth in Indian-American population and thus, the demands for facilities. Boston is considered the US education capital, while Los Angeles is the country's entertainment capital. India currently has six consulates in New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and Seattle. The Embassy is in Washington DC. The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations is based in New York City. 79th UNGA Session: The 79th session of the UNGA was held from 10th to 28th September 2024 at the UN headquarters in New York, USA..

[Audio] This first-of-its-kind summit brought together leaders, advocates, and activists of all ages to determine how our international system can better meet the needs of current and future generations. The Summit was organised under the theme "Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow". The Summit concluded with the adoption of an outcome document – "A Pact for the Future", and two annexes, Global Digital Compact and A Declaration on Future Generations. Highlights i.The PM talked about India's success in lifting 250 million people out of poverty. ii.He emphasized upon the formulation of rules and regulations for the safe and balanced use of technology and global digital governance that follows national sovereignty and integrity. iii.He highlighted the importance of Bharat's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and committed to sharing India's DPI with the world for the global good. HFCL partners with General Atomics to elevate India's defence technology i.HFCL has partnered with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated (GA-ASI), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to establish HFCL as a key supplier of critical sub-systems for GA-ASI's state-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). ii.An important radar sub-system is being developed by HFCL for UAVs. This key payload component is known for its compact and lightweight design and can withstand the highest environmental and Military Standard (MIL-STD) specifications. iii.It is also developing a state-of-the-art Drone Detection Radar, that will become a crucial element in modern drone detection systems. Note The HFCL's subsidiary namely Raddef, which develops advanced radar and radio frequency solutions, is crucial in driving innovation in the defence sector. About United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President– Philemon Yang Headquarters– New York, The United States of America (USA) Founded– 1945 Highlights of MoCI Minister Piyush Goyal visit to Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic The Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), visited Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos PDR) from 20th to 21st September 2024 to participate in the 21st ASEAN-India Economic Ministers (AEM-India Consultation) meeting and the 12th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers Meeting (EAS EMM). These annual meetings of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) with their dialogue partners are being hosted by Lao PDR, the ASEAN Chair for 2024. Union Minister Piyush Goyal held several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from participating countries. He also met ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. AEM-India Consultation Meeting: i.It was co-chaired by Malaithong Kommasith, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR, and Union Minister Piyush Goyal, India. ii.Filipus Nino Pereira, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste joined the Meeting as an observer. iii.The Ministers reviewed the progress in negotiations for review of ASEAN – India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA). iv.The meeting highlighted.

[Audio] eighth largest trade partner and source of FDI among ASEAN Dialogue Partners in 2023. EAS EMM: i.The Meeting was chaired by Malaithong Kommasith. It saw the participation by Economic Ministers of 10 ASEAN countries and 8 other EAS partners viz. India, United States of America (USA), Russia, China, Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand. ii.The Ministers deliberated on regional and global economic developments. iii.The combined nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of EAS participating countries was USD 62.3 trillion in 2023. iii.ASEAN merchandise trade with non-ASEAN EAS countries totaled USD 1.7 trillion in 2023. iv.FDI flows from non-ASEAN EAS countries to ASEAN reached USD 124.6 billion in 2023. Highlights of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Visit to Uzbekistan Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ministry of Finance (MoF) was on an official visit to Uzbekistan from 24th to 28th September 2024 and led the Indian delegations of officials from MoF. During her visit, She attended the 9th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) held in Samarkand from 25th to 26th September 2024. She also held important bilateral meetings with Jin Liqun, President of AIIB, and her counterparts from Uzbekistan, Qatar, and China. She also called on Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan. 9th Meeting of Board of Governors of AIIB: The 9th AIIB Board of Governors Meeting was held under the theme "Building Resilient Infrastructure for All". Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attended the meeting as the Indian Governor to the AIIB. Key Points: i.The agenda focused on identifying strategies, best practices, and opportunities to develop resilient infrastructure and drive global positive impact. ii.Notably, India is the second largest shareholder of the bank. iii.Delegations from around 80 countries and various international organizations participated. Signing of BIT between India and Uzbekistan A Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) between India and Uzbekistan was signed by Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Uzbekistan's Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Khodjayev Jamshid Abdukhakimovich in Tashkent to provides essential protections for investors from both nations. Key Points: i.It aims to enhance investor confidence by guaranteeing a minimum standard of treatment and nondiscrimination, along with establishing an independent arbitration forum for dispute resolution. ii.The BIT also safeguards investments against expropriation and promotes transparency, transfers, and compensation for losses. iii.The treaty is anticipated to facilitate increased bilateral investments, benefiting businesses and economies in both India and Uzbekistan. iv.Notably, Overseas Direct Investment (ODI) from India to Uzbekistan has reached USD 20 million from April 2000 to August 2024, with key investments in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, amusement parks, automobile components, and hospitality. Others: i.Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held discussions with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to discuss strengthening bilateral ties in fintech specially cross-border real-time payments system, renewable energy, and climate action. ii.She also co-chaired India-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent, with Uzbekistan's Deputy PM. Report Errors in.