Saturday 26 April 2025
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Meetings

India and Slovakia have signed their first defence Memorandum of Understanding

India and Slovakia have signed their first defence Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with JCBL Group's defence unit Airbornics Defence & Space Pvt. Ltd. (ADSL) set to co-develop technologies for next-generation combat vehicles under India's indigenous manufacturing initiative. The partnership aims to facilitate technology transfer and co-development of combat platforms designed for complex terrains and high-altitude environments, with all manufacturing to be conducted in India. The collaboration may also open opportunities for future defence exports by combining Slovakia's technological expertise with India's manufacturing capabilities.

♦ ADSL specializes in aerospace systems, defence platforms, and armored vehicles. JCBL Group, founded in 1989, has expanded from mobility solutions to various sectors including defence, railway components, agriculture, and finance. The conglomerate, currently valued at $206.02 million, has previously partnered with global brands such as Daimler, Toyota, and Harley-Davidson.

Posted Date: April 19, 2025

Meetings

India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) meeting.

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held high-level bilateral talks in Jeddah on 22 April 2025.

♦ They co-chaired the second India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC) meeting.

♦ The engagement marked a major step forward in strengthening the multifaceted ties between the two nations, with new initiatives launched across key sectors such as Defence, energy, investment, and cultural cooperation.

♦ During the meeting, both sides agreed to establish two new Ministerial Committees one on Defence Cooperation and another on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation, under the framework of the SPC.

♦ This brings the total number of committees under the Council to four, the others being the Political, Consular and Security Cooperation Committee, and the Economy, Energy, Investment and Technology Committee.

Posted Date: April 22, 2025

Global Technology Summit (GTS)

♦ The 9th edition of the Global Technology Summit (GTS) started in New Delhi on 10 April 2025.

♦ This year’s theme is "Sambhavna”—meaning possibilities—and the summit will explore how emerging technologies can drive inclusive growth, strengthen digital governance, and deepen cross-border partnerships.

♦ The summit concludes on 12 April 2025. This was co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Carnegie India.

♦ GTS-2025 featured over 40 public sessions, including keynote addresses, ministerial conversations, expert panels, and strategic conversations.

♦ More than 150 speakers from over 40 countries- including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, UAE, Nigeria, the Philippines, and the European Union- joined discussions on the most pressing tech challenges and opportunities facing the world today.

Posted Date: April 11, 2025

Droupadi Murmu

♦ President Droupadi Murmu met Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini in Bratislava on 9 April 2025.

♦ Both leaders agreeing to strengthen bilateral cooperation across a range of sectors.

♦ The meeting marked the first visit by an Indian President to Slovakia in 29 years.

♦ The two Presidents held productive discussions, reviewing various aspects of the India–Slovakia relationship and expressing a shared commitment to expand the bilateral partnership. 

♦ As part of the visit, both leaders witnessed the exchange of two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs).

♦ One MoU was signed between the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) of India and the Slovak Business Agency for cooperation in the field of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

♦ The other MoU was signed between the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS) and the Slovak Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, focusing on bilateral cooperation in diplomatic training and exchanges.

Posted Date: April 9, 2025

India andUAE

♦ Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 8 April 2025.

♦ They discussed Strategic Partnership - especially in the areas of trade, investments, defence, energy, technology, education, sports and people-to-people ties - in the meeting. 

♦ India and the UAE share a longstanding relationship built on deep cultural, economic, and strategic ties.

♦ Dubai serves as a vital hub for Indian businesses and hosts a large Indian diaspora—around 4.3 million strong—many of whom reside in Dubai.

Posted Date: April 8, 2025

Narendra Modi met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on 5 April 2025.

♦ The two leaders discussed various bilateral issues, including regional stability, energy cooperation, and developmental partnerships.

♦ A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation between India and Sri Lanka was signed during Modi's visit, and it will remain in force for five years.

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, jointly inaugurated and flagged off key India-backed railway projects in Anuradhapura, marking a significant milestone in the growing bilateral infrastructure cooperation between the two nations.

♦ As a gesture of goodwill, President Dissanayake conferred upon him the Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushan, one of Sri Lanka’s highest civilian honours, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two countries. 

Posted Date: April 5, 2025

6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit in Bankok on 4 April 2025.

♦ He proposed linking India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the payment systems of BIMSTEC member nations to strengthen trade, industry, and tourism in the region. 

♦ Additionally, Modi recommended establishing a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India to facilitate cooperation in disaster preparedness, relief, and rehabilitation.

♦ The BIMSTEC Summit adopted the Bangkok Vision 2030, reaffirming the shared commitment to prosperity, security, and inclusivity in the Bay of Bengal region.  

♦ The BIMSTEC Summit, hosted by Thailand, is being attended by leaders from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.

Posted Date: April 4, 2025

6th BIMSTEC summit.

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra on 3 April 2025.
♦ 
On this occation, India and Thailand signed six agreements for cooperation in various fields including IT, maritime, MSME, handicraft and handloom sectors.

♦ Both sides reviewed the progress of the entire gamut of bilateral relations and discussed ways to add greater momentum to the India- Thailand bilateral partnership and exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues.

♦ Modi arrived Thailand on a two-day visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC summit.

Posted Date: April 3, 2025

Narendra Modi met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font

♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font at Hyderabad House on 1April 2025.

♦ The two leaders held discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral relations across various sectors, including economic, commercial, and societal domains.

♦ Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font arrived in New Delhi on April 1 for a five-day state visit to India.

♦ As part of the visit, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged, including agreements on Antarctica cooperation, cultural exchange programs, and disaster management.

♦ The leaders expressed confidence that the agreements signed would pave the way for deeper engagement between the two nations.

Posted Date: April 1, 2025

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