Finance Minister attends FATF meeting
Finance Minister Smt.
Nirmala Sitharaman attends FATF Ministerial Meeting in Washington D.C.
Union
Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman attended
the FATF Ministerial Meeting in Washington D.C. on 21st April
2022, conducted along-side the 2022 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and
the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Highlights
· This meeting focussed on
Ministers’ providing strategic direction, by endorsing the FATF’s strategic
priorities for the years 2022-24 and reinforcing Ministers’ commitment to
ensure suitable funding for the delivery of the strategic priorities which are
Strengthening the FATF Global Network, FATF systems of Mutual Evaluations,
Enhancing International Beneficial Ownership Transparency, Increasing
Capabilities to more effectively recover Criminal assets, Leveraging Digital
Transformation, Ensuring Sustainable Funding for FATF Strategic priorities.
· During the Meeting, the
Finance Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to fighting Money Laundering,
Terrorist Financing and Proliferation Financing and acknowledged and
appreciated FATF on their work on Beneficial Ownership Transparency, Asset
Recovery, and the role of FATF Global network in safeguarding the global
financial system.
· Smt. Sitharaman extended
support to the strategic priorities and said that India is committed to provide
the necessary resources and support to FATF in its endeavour as
a global alliance against money laundering, terrorist financing and
financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Nitin Gadkari calls for a recall of all defective batches of Electric Vehicles
Shri Nitin Gadkari calls
for advance action by companies to recall all defective batches of Electric
Vehicles, constitutes Expert committee to enquire into incidents and for
quality-centric guidelines
Why is it
in news?
Union
Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has said several
mishaps involving Electric Two Wheelers have come to light in last two months.
Highlights
·
It is
most unfortunate that some people have lost their lives and several have been
injured in these incidents.
·
In a
series of tweets on Thursday Shri Gadkari said companies may take advance
action to recall all defective batches of vehicles immediately.
·
He
said under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, our government is
committed to ensure safety of each and every commuter.
·
The
Minister informed that an Expert Committee has been constituted to enquire into
these incidents and make recommendations on remedial steps.
·
He
said based on the reports necessary orders on the defaulting companies will be
issued and quality-centric guidelines for Electric Vehicles will also be issued
soon.
·
Shri
Gadkari said if any company is found negligent in their processes, a heavy
penalty will be imposed and a recall of all defective vehicles will also be
ordered.
India, UK sign new defence agreement, free trade deal
India, UK sign new defence agreement, free trade deal
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson
shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during a joint press
briefing at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi today
The
United Kingdom and India signed a new defence cooperation agreement on Friday
and will look to complete a free trade deal by the end of the year, their
leaders said after a meeting in New Delhi, according to Reuters report.
Why is it in news?
Prime
Minister Narendra Modi has
said, “we expressed our commitment to fulfilling promises made during the last
COP 26. We invite the UK to join India's National Hydrogen Mission...We
stressed on a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region."
While UK
PM Borris Johnson said,
“shared interests in keeping the Indo-Pacific region free, open and rule-based.
Agree to combat threats on air, space & maritime. Taking steps for
sustainable homegrown energy. This visit has deepened our relationship."
Highlights
· The UK is creating an India
specific open general export license reducing bureaucracy and reducing delivery
times for Defence procurement, the British PM Boris Johnson further
highlighted.
· Additionally, last year India-UK launched a comprehensive
strategic partnership. Work on FTA is underway. Talks held on defense sector,
trade, climate and energy. Talks also hold on free, open & rule-based
Indo-pacific region.
· Since last year, the
threats of autocratic coercion have grown even further, therefore it is vital
we deepen our cooperation including our shared interest in keeping the
Indo-Pacific open and free. We have had wonderful talks today & have
strengthened our relationship in every way. The partnership between India and
Britain is one of the defining friendships of our times, the British Prime
Minister said today.