27, March 2019 27/03/2019 – Posted in: Press Information Bureau – Tags: , , ,

Mission Shakti

(Prime Minister’s Office)

 

WHAT

Mission Shakti is India’s anti-satellite (A-SAT) weapon programme.

  • Mission Shakti has made India the fourth nation in the world with the capabilities to successfully target satellites through an Anti-Satellite Missile.
  • The US, Russia, and China already have the A-SAT technology.
  • It is a joint programme of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

 

INDIA’s SPACE ASSETS

  • Mission Shakti is to defend India’s space assets and not to start any arms race.
  • Since there are no treaties governing the use of ASAT, India is not in violation of any international conventions.

 

USES

  • Helps in security challenges.
  • A-SAT weapon is likely to be the most potent military tool for the armed forces.
  • A-SAT technology is also expected to have spinoffs that India can exploit for domestic and international commercial use.

Source: PIB

 

 

 

MoU between India and Morocco

(Cabinet)

WHAT

MoU signed between India and Morocco on youth matters through participation in events and activities, information and knowledge sharing and youth exchanges.

 

THE AREAS OF COOPERATION ON YOUTH MATTERS INCLUDE

  • Organisation of youth programmes.
  • Exchange of invitations to international conferences and seminars.
  • Exchange of printed materials, films, experiences, research and other information.
  • Participation in youth camps, youth festivals and other cooperative youth events.

 

BILATERAL RELATIONS

Relations between India and Morocco go back to the 14thcentury when the famous traveler and writer from Tangier, Ibn Batuta travelled to India. In modern history, India was active in the UN supporting the Moroccan freedom movement and recognized Morocco on June 20, 1956 when it became independent of the protectoratearrangements with France. Diplomatic Missions were established in 1957.

  • India’s MSME sector provides strong opportunities to Morocco’s manufacturing sectors.
  • Morocco mainly relies on its export of minerals and ores.
  • Other main items of export to India includes inorganic chemicals, metallic ore and metal scrap.
  • India export to Morocco : Pharmaceuticals, agricultural & transport equipment and manufactured metals.
  • India is one of the major markets for Moroccan phosphate and its derivatives

 

Earlier MoUs

  • Cooperation in the area of Cyber Security.
  • Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
  • Joint venture in fertilizer sector

 

Source: PIB

 

 

MoU : India and Argentine

(Cabinet)

 

WHAT

The Union Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was notified around a MoU marked in February, 2019 among India and Argentine on Antarctic participation.

 

BENEFITS

  • The MoU will help scientific cooperation on projects in the fields of Earth sciences.
  • The MoU will also help in the protection and conservation of the natural environment of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans.

 

SALIENT FEATURES

  • Scientific co-operation on projects in the fields of -inter alia- Earth sciences and life sciences, as well as those related to the protection and conservation of the natural environment of Antarctica and the Southern Oceans.
  • The exchange of scientific and bibliographical information related to the study of Antarctica, its environment and dependent and associated ecosystems.
  • Exploring opportunities for exchanges of scientists.
  • Participation of scientists and technical experts of the national Antarctic programme of one country in the national Antarctic programme of the other, if so required.
  • Joint scientific conferences and workshops; hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of major polar forum meetings, where feasible.
  • Joint scientific publications.
  • Training of scientific personnel.

 

OTHER RECENT MoUs and AGREEMENTS

  • MoU on defence cooperation.
  • MoU on Tourism.
  • MoU on Broadcasting content.
  • MoU in pharmaceuticals.
  • MoU on Antartica Co-operation.

 

Source: PIB

 

 

 

MoU : India and Indonesia

(Cabinet)

WHAT

MoU between India and Indonesia on combating illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and its precursors.

The MoU will help in mutual cooperation in regulation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and in combating drug trafficking. 

 

SALIENT FEATURES

  • The MoU shall facilitate and enhance the cooperation between the two countries in combating illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and its precursors as defined by the United Nations International Drug Control Conventions.
  • The cooperation under this MoU includes the exchange of information on existing legal instruments of national legislation of both countries in combating the illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs psychotropic substances and its precursors, allowing and assisting each other in the use of controlled delivery operation with a view to identifying persons involved in illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and its precursors and essential chemicals, prevention of money laundering.
  • Under the MoU, there is a provision of maintaining the secrecy of information and documents obtained in accordance with this MoU.

 

Source: PIB