India makes a strong pitch for protecting the interests of the developing and under-developed countries at the WTO

Shri Piyush Goyal does some plain speaking at the 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Geneva

Raises concerns about the “skewed” WTO reforms proposal, need to retain the S&DT provisions for the developing world, global inequities in Covid vaccination and Public Stockholding of food grains

“Current proposals for WTO Reform could fundamentally change its institutional architecture, skewing the system against the interests of developing countries”: Shri Goyal

COVID Pandemic has exposed the inability of the world to promptly respond to any crisis, whether on food security or health, economic well being or open supply chains, says Shri Goyal

Shri Goyal proposes adopting environmentally-conscious lifestyles, more sustainable lifestyles, based on 3Ps of “Pro Planet People” to tackle climate change

India has made a strong pitch for protecting the interests of the developing and under-developed countries at the WTO. Plain speaking, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal, representing India at the 12^th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Geneva, raised concerns about the “skewed” WTO reforms proposal, imperative need to retain the Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) provisions for the developing world, global inequities in Covid vaccination and Public Stockholding of foodgrains.

Why is it in news?

Speaking on the ‘Challenges confronting the Ministerial Session’ yesterday, Shri Goyal said the current proposals for WTO Reform could fundamentally change its institutional architecture, skewing the system against the interests of developing countries. “We need to move ahead preserving the core principles of consensus and ensuring S&DT, with people and development being at the core of WTO’s future agenda,” said Shri Goyal.

“Friends, those who question the need for S&DT provisions are aware that the per capita GDP of the developed countries is 20 to 50 times that of the developing countries. Even India is at the lower end of the per capita GDP supporting 1.4 billion people. I believe, the developing world aspires to work for a better future. Is it humane, fair or even equitable that the developing world takes the same obligations as the developed nations?,” he added.

Shri Goyal said the COVID pandemic has exposed the inability of the world to promptly respond to any crisis, whether on food security or health, economic well-being or open supply chains.

“When the world was desperately looking for relief, the WTO was found wanting. As an example, vaccine inequity persists even two years after COVID. When people in LDCs and several developing countries are yet to be vaccinated, there are some countries who have already administered the 3^rd or 4^th dose,” he said, adding, “This is a collective failure of global governance & we need to introspect. Those responsible need to seriously reflect deep within their hearts, it will help us craft a more equitable, fair and prosperous future for every citizen of the world and finally achieve the Sustainable Development Goals we had all collectively agreed upon.”

To rebuild trust and credibility, Shri Goyal said, we must first address mandated issues, like the Permanent Solution to Public Stockholding agreed nearly a decade ago.

“The current global food crisis is a reminder to us thatwe act now! Can we risk the lives of millions of people dependent on food stocks maintained for the poor and vulnerable?,” Shri Goyal asked.

“During the pandemic, India alone distributed 100 million tonnes of food grains free of charge to 800 million Indians at a cost of nearly US$50 billion. This was over and above the foodgrains distributed as a part of our National Food Security Programme thus ensuring that nobody ever slept hungry,” he said.

Shri Goyal argued that while negotiating the Fisheries Subsidies, the livelihood of traditional fishermen cannot be compromised.

“We cannot institutionalize the privileges of a few countries and take away the right to progress for those who are working for the vulnerable marginalized sections of society. Particularly for those countries, who are not engaged in harmful deep seafishing, we need to have different views. Otherwise, we may have a similar situation like the Agreement on Agriculture, where inequities & asymmetries persist, causing several countries to still depend on food aid,” he said.

On climate issues, Shri Goyal proposed we need to adopt environmentally-conscious lifestyles, more sustainable lifestyles, based on 3Ps of “Pro Planet People”.

“The WTO needs to rebuild trust. It is time to demonstrate goodness, concern for people, more sensitivity to the poor & vulnerable sections of society in the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, which we believe in India as “The World is one Family”,” he said.

38th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol begins in Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca

The 38th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy Units of Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC) and Indonesian Navy is being conducted from June 13 to 24 2022 in the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.  

Why is it in news?

The 38^th CORPAT is the first post pandemic Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) between the two countries. It includes a visit by the Indonesian Navy units to ANC at Port Blair from June 13 to 15, 2022 followed by a Sea Phase in the Andaman Sea and visit by IN Units to Sabang (Indonesia) from June 23 to 24, 2022.

Highlights

·       As part of Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), Naval Component under the aegis of HQ ANC undertakes coordinated patrols with other littoral countries of the Andaman Sea along respective Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) towards enhancing regional maritime security.

·       India and Indonesia have enjoyed especially close relations, covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions which have strengthened over the years. The two Navies have been carrying out CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) since 2002. This has helped build understanding and interoperability between both the Navies and has facilitated measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy, etc.

·       The IND-INDO CORPAT contributes towards forging strong bonds of friendship across the Andaman Sea and Straits of Malacca.

PM shares transformative initiatives for all-round development of the Northeast – ‘8 Years of Purvottar Kalyan’

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has shared articles and tweet thread from his website, Namo App and MyGov about transformative initiatives for all-round development of the Northeast during the last 8 hears.

The Prime Minister tweeted:

“The last 8 years have seen unprecedented development in the Northeast. The focus is on infrastructure creation, ensuring better healthcare, education and popularising the rich cultures from the different states of the region. #8YearsOfPurvottarKalyan”

“Transformative initiatives for all-round development of the Northeast. #8YearsOfPurvottarKalyan”

Project for Construction of New Link NH-133B in Jharkhand including Ganga Bridge , Construction of Manihari Bypass and Widening of NH-131A in Bihar targeted to be completed by October 2024

The project for the construction of New Link NH-133B From 0.200 km in Jharkhand to 15.885 km including Ganga Bridge , Construction of Manihari Bypass From 0.000 km To 5.500 km and Widening of NH-131A from 5.500 km to 6.000 km in  Bihar to 4-Lane standards is in full swing. This information was shared by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a series of tweets today

.The Minister said the new link of NH-133B project spanning 21.68 km, is a one of its kind project involving the construction of a 6 km long Ganga Bridge (world’s third longest extra-dosed bridge), Manihari bypass and widening of NH-131A.

Shri Gadkari said the highway once constructed shall connect Sahibganj (Jharkhand) to Manihari (Bihar) and aims to reduce travel distance by 1/10th. This will serve as a strategic connecting point to North East also.Currently under construction, 2750 construction workers have been engaged to deliver this project costing Rs 1900 Crore, he added.

The Minister said it will further reduce the traffic congestion at Vikram Shila Setu bridge in Bhagalpur and provide impetus to creation of job opportunities for the local population .He said the project is targeted to be completed by October 2024. New India is being forged with the vision of incredible infrastructure everywhere, he added.