News Crux Appointment & Resignation

India’s New Envoy in Beijing

• The Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, has said that Pradeep Kumar Rawat, a career diplomat, will take over as the new envoy in Beijing, China.
• Mr. Rawat, currently serving as Ambassador to the Netherlands, will replace Vikram Misri, who completed a close to three-year term earlier this month.

PIB News National

NITI Aayog and WFP Sign Statement of Intent

On 20th December, 2021, NITI Aayog signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) with United Nations World Food Program (WFP).

The Statement of Intent

• It focuses on strategic and technical collaboration between NITI Aayog and WFP to strengthen climate resilient agriculture for enhanced food and nutrition security in India.
• It has the objective of mainstreaming of millets and supporting India to take lead globally in knowledge exchange using the opportunity of 2023 as an International Year of Millets.
• It aims at building resilient livelihoods for small-holder farmers and adaptation capacities to climate change and transforming food systems.

Key Activities

• Joint development of a compendium of good practices around millets mainstreaming in priority states and development of a scaling up strategy;
• Provide technical support for scaling up of millets mainstreaming through intense engagement in select states with support from state governments, Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) and other associated institutions;
• Jointly organize a national consultation for line ministries of the Government of India, concerned departments of State governments, select academic institutions and organizations working in the field of millets mainstreaming; and
• Support leveraging of India’s expertise to benefit other developing countries for millets mainstreaming by creation of knowledge management platforms and facilitation of knowledge exchange.

Expected Outcomes

The outcomes of the partnership are expected to be realized in the following four phases:

• Phase I: Development of a best practice compendium around millet mainstreaming and a scale-up strategy;
• Phase II: Support scale-up of millet mainstreaming through knowledge sharing and intense engagement with select states;
• Phase III: Leverage India’s expertise to support developing countries for millet mainstreaming; and
• Phase IV: Working on building capacities for climate resilient and adaptive livelihood practices.

Current News International India And Its Bilateral Relations

Third Meeting of India-Central Asia Dialogue

The 3rd meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 19^th December 2021 under the chairmanship of the External Affairs Minister of India.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan took part in the meeting.

Major Highlights

Peace and Trust Policy

• The Ministers importance of the outcome of the International Conference "Peace and Trust Policy - Basis of International Security, Stability and Development", held on December 11, 2021 in Ashgabat.
• The initiative of the President of Turkmenistan "Dialogue - guarantee of peace" and other proposals expressed during this Forum are needed to be practically implemented within the framework of international organizations.

International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)

• Emphasised on optimum usage of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as well as Ashgabat Agreement on International Transport and Transit Corridor to enhance connectivity between India and the Central Asian countries.

Chabahar Port

• Stressed on to include Chabahar Port within the framework of INSTC and strengthening of regional connectivity in Central and South Asia.

Afghanistan

• Discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the region, following the Taliban's occupancy.
• The Ministers reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while emphasizing the respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.

International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• India highlighted the role of "International Solar Alliance (ISA)” initiative in collective, rapid and massive deployment of solar energy for effective implementation of the Paris Agreement.
• India also underlined the role of "Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)” in promoting disaster resilient infrastructure for reducing economic losses and improving the well-being of communities in the face of calamities.
• India looked forward to Central Asian countries joining the ISA and CDRI.

Terrorism

• Condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
• Called for early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

Permanent Membership of India at UNSC

• Central Asian countries reiterated support of their countries for permanent membership of India in an expanded and reformed UN Security Council.

Significance

• The holding of annual meetings of the India-Central Asia Dialogue is symbolic of the interest on the part of all member countries for greater engagement between them in a spirit of friendship, trust and mutual understanding.