Poor land route connectivity deters India-ASEAN bonhomie
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ASHOK B SHARMA
In a situation where economies are seeking integration with neighbours in the form of institutional grouping, India has made attempts for engagement with the ASEAN bloc primarily for trade and integration of the economy, more particularly to derive benefit for its remote north-eastern region. But this has not been realised in full potential due to poor land route connectivity despite inking of free trade agreements in goods and services with ASEAN.
Myanmar is north-east India’s gateway to ASEAN. India and Myanmar have a 1643 km long border between them and also share a long maritime boundary.
The axis of economic activity has shifted to the India-Pacific region, described by US as “pivot” and hence it intends to play a rebalancing role in the region. The ASEAN nations have decided to form an economic community in 2015. Myanmar, which is in a transition phase to democracy, is set to have a new democratic order after polls in 2015. Keeping in view the possible developments in the region India had earlier formulated North East Vision Document 2020 that includes plans for land route connectivity with Myanmar and beyond. It has set up its mission to ASEAN in Jakarta with a separate ambassador to take forward its multi-faceted relations with this grouping.
However, in matters of land route connectivity between India and ASEAN the progress has been slow as compared to the connectivity drive by China. Indian Prime Minister Narendrabhai Damodardass Modi needs to take up this issue at the India-ASEAN Summit slated in Nay Pyi Taw in the second week of this month.
Myanmar is well connected with Yunnan province in China. There is a flourishing trade at Muse-Jiagao border trading point. In 2012-13 Myanmar’s exports to China was $1584 million while China’s export to Myanmar was $1153 million. Compared to this officially recorded trade between India and Myanmar through border trade points at Moreh and Zokhawthar was only $6.5 million in 2012-13. Much of the trade is through unofficial channels and some through allowed barter trade arrangement where about 23 farm commodities are allowed. Main items of India’s imports are betel nuts, dried ginger and pulses while main items of India’s exports are cumin seeds, turmeric and soybean meal.
Myanmar exports primary farm products like rice, maize, pulses, vegetables, fruits, fishery items apart from jade and other gemstones to China, while China exports fertilisers, machinery, motorcycles, steel products, apple, pear, organs, hybrid seeds, cotton yarns, garments, milk powder, electrical and electronic items.
The trading point has three gates for entry and exit of vehicles for different purposes. Gate no 1 is for passenger vehicles, small goods vehicles and for people crossing either sides. Gate no 2 allows passage of people with baggage or headloads but not with vehicles. Gate no 3 is for heavy trucks carrying goods.
Myanmar citizens are allowed to go into China within 90 km radius from the border with a temporary passport and stay for six to seven days. Chinese citizens are allowed to come into Myanmar up to 105 mile zone which is seven miles from Muse.
Muse Border Trade Inspection Zone is a vast 48-acre site set up in 2006. Customs, immigration, police and revenue authorities all have their offices under one roof. However, there is no food testing facility. There are facilities for warehouses and cold storages. There is a border rice market and a fishery market. An yearly China-Myanmar Border Trade Fair is held alternately on either side of the border since 2001.Most of Myanmar traders have opened Yuan accounts in Chinese banks across the border. Muse branch of Myanmar Economic Bank issues draft payable in Yuan. There are number of money exchangers at the border. Hence business transaction is not a problem. Few factories have been set up for processing bulk imports of many items from China.
Muse on the Myanmar side is located about 112 miles from Lashio, the main town in northern Shan state. Lashio in turn is 165 miles north of Mandalay. Much of the road from Mandalay goes over hilly terrain with winding lanes and the average time taken to cover the whole distance is over 12 hours by truck. The road is doubled land. Though landslides are regular features in Lashio-Muse segment, efforts are made to clear the debris.
Another example of cross country connectivity are pipelines from Kyaukphyu to Yunan province in China for supply of gas and crude petroleum products. China has made its presence in Kyaukphyu Economic and Technological Development Zone, deep sea port and railway project. It intends to take lease of Great Coco Island close to India’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands as part of its Maritime Silk Route plan and presence in India-Pacific.
India has not yet been able to develop Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Manipur at Moreh-Tamu trading point at India-Myanmar border over 45 acre land since the setting up of Land Ports Authority in 2012. Tamu-Kalay-Kalewa road has been built with Indian assistance, India has agreed to rebuild 71 bridges and upgrade 120 km Kalewa-Yagi segment while Myanmar would upgrade the 65-km Yagi-Monywa segment by 2015 which would ultimately ensure connectivity from Imphal in India to Mandalay in Myanmar. This will help to realize the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral connectivity with remaining gaps near Mae Sot in Thailand, with other roads leading to Laos. It is expected that the Trilateral Highway will be operationalised by 2016.
But India needs to gear up its internal connectivity of Manipur with the rest of north-eastern states and lay Jiribam-Imphal railway track and establish rail connectivity between Imphal and Kalay.
Another identified border trade point at India-Myanmar border is Zokhawthar-Rhi. India has agreed to build the 80 km Rhi-Tiddim road in Myanmar. It would be important to get Myanmar to upgrade the Tiddim-Kalay road so that this could then provide a seamless link to Mandalay from Mizoram in India.
Kaladan Multi-modal Transit Transport Project is one of the highest significance. Its implementation began in 2010. The road segment of the project has not kept to schedule, but is expected to progress alongwith the water component of the project. India has decided to set its consulate in Sittwe. There are plans for setting up a Land Customs Station at Zorinpuri on the Kaladan project route to handle goods from Indian ports through Sittwe and facilitate trade between north-eastern states like Mizoram, Tripura and lower Assam with Chin and Rakhine states of Myanmar.
Starting with Pangsau pass in Arunachal Pradesh, India has plans to set up 10 border haats along the Myanmar border. There is also a need to revive the old connectivity of Arunachal Pradesh with Myanmar – the Stilwell Road.
India is working with Myanmar to operationalise an Imphal-Mandalay bus service. A project for a road from the Mizoram border at Rhi to Tiddim is slated to be taken up by India.
Air connectivity is also important Air India has bi-weekly services from Kolkata to Yangon with frequency rising to three flights a week during Buddhist pilgrim season (October-March) when these flights gets extended to Bodh Gaya. Air flights should connect Imphal and Mandalay. Flights from Aizawal to Kalemyo and Mandalay would further ensure connectivity.
Myanmar is a key member of the CLMV group – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. The CLMV group are partners in the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation through which India undertakes development projects in the Mekong’s lower reaches. More stress should be given to activate the BIMSTEC group – Bangladesh, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand – for ensuring connectivity with ASEAN. The Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had proposed all round connectivity among north-eastern India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. India must echo the same instead of pursuing the BCIM—Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar corridor – as proposed by Beijing. Sooner the better.
(Ashok B Sharma is a senior Columnist writing on Strategy and policy Issues in several national and international newspapers and magazines. He can be reached atashokbsharma@gmail.com His mobile phone no 09810902204)
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Categories : Business
AAP Submission to SIT on Black Money!
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To
The Chairperson,
SIT on Black Money,
Ashoka Hotel,
New Delhi.
The Chairperson,
SIT on Black Money,
Ashoka Hotel,
New Delhi.
Dear Sir,
The present NDA government has made the following three U-turns on the issue of black money after forming the government at centre. Therefore, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court led SIT remain the only hope for the people of India to get black money back to India and to get the guilty punished.
1. Prime Minister himself said in his speeches during elections that lakhs of crores of black money was stashed abroad. He promised the people that he would bring this money back to India and Rs 3 lakhs would be given gratis to each citizen from this amount. However, now the Prime Minister said in his “Mann ki baat” recently that he was not sure of how much money was lying abroad and it could even be just a few crores.
2. BJP had repeatedly demanded disclosure of the names on the list during UPA government. BJP even went to the extent of stalling Parliament proceedings when UPA refused to disclose those names. BJP promised to disclose these names when voted to power. However, after forming government at the centre, now NDA refuses to disclose those names citing exactly the same reasons which were being cited by previous UPA government.
3. BJP promised to bring back black money within 100 days. Now they say they are not sure when would it come. In fact, they are not even sure whether it would come at all. Why did BJP make sudden U-turns just within a few months of forming the government? It seems this is because some of the names on the list are believed to be close to BJP. Some people even believe that some of these names could even have funded BJP.
The present NDA government has made the following three U-turns on the issue of black money after forming the government at centre. Therefore, the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court led SIT remain the only hope for the people of India to get black money back to India and to get the guilty punished.
1. Prime Minister himself said in his speeches during elections that lakhs of crores of black money was stashed abroad. He promised the people that he would bring this money back to India and Rs 3 lakhs would be given gratis to each citizen from this amount. However, now the Prime Minister said in his “Mann ki baat” recently that he was not sure of how much money was lying abroad and it could even be just a few crores.
2. BJP had repeatedly demanded disclosure of the names on the list during UPA government. BJP even went to the extent of stalling Parliament proceedings when UPA refused to disclose those names. BJP promised to disclose these names when voted to power. However, after forming government at the centre, now NDA refuses to disclose those names citing exactly the same reasons which were being cited by previous UPA government.
3. BJP promised to bring back black money within 100 days. Now they say they are not sure when would it come. In fact, they are not even sure whether it would come at all. Why did BJP make sudden U-turns just within a few months of forming the government? It seems this is because some of the names on the list are believed to be close to BJP. Some people even believe that some of these names could even have funded BJP.
The proximity of two prominent persons to the Prime Minister, whose names are on the list, has become well known recently. These two names are – Sh Mukesh Ambani and Sh Anil Ambani. The Prime Minister recently announced 9 people as his brand ambassadors for swachh bharat abhiyan. Mr Anil Ambani was named one of them. Subsequently, the Prime Minister went for the inauguration of Mr Mukesh Ambani’s hospital. The speech of Ms Nita Ambani, wife of Sh Mukesh Ambani, was tweeted by PMO’s handle live during the ceremony. A photograph of Mr Mukesh Ambani putting his hand around Mr Modi is doing the rounds, which shows how close Mr Mukesh Ambani is to the Prime Minister. The photograph is attached herewith.
We are writing all this to prove that a message has gone to the entire bureaucracy that some of the names on the list are very close to the new Prime Minister (incidentally, they were close to the previous Prime Minister too) and that no action should be taken against them. We are told that now, no one in the bureaucracy has the courage to take any strict action against the high and mighty on the list.
Information received from reliable whistleblowers tells us that selective action is being taken against those on the list depending upon how powerful one is. This selective action falls in following categories:
1. Some people have been raided, interrogated and made to pay taxes, penalty and are now being prosecuted. Why similar action has not been taken against others?
2. Around 200 people on the list were made to sign “consent” that they did not have objection if HSBC Bank provided their complete bank statements to Indian government. We understand that HSBC has provided complete bank statements of around 100 such people. The bank statements provided by HSBC match with the balance written in the government’s list. This establishes the credibility of this list. If some people have been made to sign “consent” statements and their complete statements obtained, then why this action has not been take against others? Also, we are told that those who have signed consent statements are being “unofficially” granted immunity from prosecution. Why?
3. The most powerful people on this list including some people from the Ambani family have been let off by making them revise their earlier returns in back date. They have been let off without any investigations. No penalty or prosecution has been launched against them. Why have they been selectively let off and not subjected to investigations, penalty and prosecution as in other cases?
This clearly shows that action is being taken against those on the list selectively. Income Tax Department raided the premises of a few entities. These people confessed having illegal moneys in bank accounts abroad. They also told the entire modus operandi of how these accounts are opened and operated.
We are writing all this to prove that a message has gone to the entire bureaucracy that some of the names on the list are very close to the new Prime Minister (incidentally, they were close to the previous Prime Minister too) and that no action should be taken against them. We are told that now, no one in the bureaucracy has the courage to take any strict action against the high and mighty on the list.
Information received from reliable whistleblowers tells us that selective action is being taken against those on the list depending upon how powerful one is. This selective action falls in following categories:
1. Some people have been raided, interrogated and made to pay taxes, penalty and are now being prosecuted. Why similar action has not been taken against others?
2. Around 200 people on the list were made to sign “consent” that they did not have objection if HSBC Bank provided their complete bank statements to Indian government. We understand that HSBC has provided complete bank statements of around 100 such people. The bank statements provided by HSBC match with the balance written in the government’s list. This establishes the credibility of this list. If some people have been made to sign “consent” statements and their complete statements obtained, then why this action has not been take against others? Also, we are told that those who have signed consent statements are being “unofficially” granted immunity from prosecution. Why?
3. The most powerful people on this list including some people from the Ambani family have been let off by making them revise their earlier returns in back date. They have been let off without any investigations. No penalty or prosecution has been launched against them. Why have they been selectively let off and not subjected to investigations, penalty and prosecution as in other cases?
This clearly shows that action is being taken against those on the list selectively. Income Tax Department raided the premises of a few entities. These people confessed having illegal moneys in bank accounts abroad. They also told the entire modus operandi of how these accounts are opened and operated.
They informed the income tax authorities that the Indian branches of these foreign banks provide home delivery services to High Networth Individuals (HNI) in India to open and operate bank accounts abroad. A person does not need to travel abroad even once to open or operate an account. The representatives from these banks approach HNIs in India, collect cash from them and open their bank accounts in their
foreign branch. If that person needs to operate the account, he/she merely makes a phone call to the Indian branch and services are provided at his door step. Copies of statements made by 3 people whose premises were raided by income tax authorities are annexed.
This clearly shows that these banks are directly involved in encouraging tax evasion and are transferring funds across borders through hawala. However, the government has not taken any action against these banks. If strong action were taken against these banks and their officials, these banks would provide complete list of all Indian accountholders in their foreign branches. This is exactly how US government was able to pressurize these banks into giving the list of all US citizens who had accounts in their foreign branches.
The source of these funds also needs to be established. In our opinion, tax evasion in these cases is a small issue. Source and destination of these funds could be some crime also. These funds could either be sourced from or their destination could be for extortion, murder, terrorism etc. Even if the money has been siphoned from the accounts of any company through under or overinvoicing, it still constitutes a
criminal activity. Therefore, this information should be passed onto other agencies and source and destination of these funds ought to be established.
In nutshell, we would urge SIT to take following action:
1. SIT should send a strongly worded message to all investigating agencies and its officials that howsoever mighty one be, same investigating procedures should be applied to all. No one should be let off. If any officer is found to be lenient against anyone on the list, the officer would be proceeded against.
2. Those on the list should not be selectively investigated. Similar action should be taken against all of them. The revised returns filed by the most powerful people on this list should be rejected and they should be subjected to same investigations as others.
3. Complete bank statements (from the time that the account was opened till date) of all names on the list should be obtained from HSBC.
4. Each transaction in each bank statement (both credit and debit) should be investigated. This would lead to newer accounts as each transaction would involve a new person who may also have an illicit account.
5. The foreign banks which indulged in hawala and who encouraged tax evasion should be proceeded against and compelled to give complete lists of all Indian accountholders in their branches abroad.
6. This information should be shared with other agencies to investigate the source and destination of these funds to find out if these funds had anything to do with any criminal activity.
We are confident that if the government shows political will and undertakes honest investigations, it is possible to get most of the black money back to India. However, it appears that first the UPA and now the NDA do not have the political will.
Aam Admi Party is fully committed to get black money back to India and to get the guilty punished. We would be more than willing to help you in any way whenever you need us. I have filed an affidavit in Supreme Court in this regard. The same is annexed hereto.
Warm regards
Yours sincerely
Arvind Kejriwal!
foreign branch. If that person needs to operate the account, he/she merely makes a phone call to the Indian branch and services are provided at his door step. Copies of statements made by 3 people whose premises were raided by income tax authorities are annexed.
This clearly shows that these banks are directly involved in encouraging tax evasion and are transferring funds across borders through hawala. However, the government has not taken any action against these banks. If strong action were taken against these banks and their officials, these banks would provide complete list of all Indian accountholders in their foreign branches. This is exactly how US government was able to pressurize these banks into giving the list of all US citizens who had accounts in their foreign branches.
The source of these funds also needs to be established. In our opinion, tax evasion in these cases is a small issue. Source and destination of these funds could be some crime also. These funds could either be sourced from or their destination could be for extortion, murder, terrorism etc. Even if the money has been siphoned from the accounts of any company through under or overinvoicing, it still constitutes a
criminal activity. Therefore, this information should be passed onto other agencies and source and destination of these funds ought to be established.
In nutshell, we would urge SIT to take following action:
1. SIT should send a strongly worded message to all investigating agencies and its officials that howsoever mighty one be, same investigating procedures should be applied to all. No one should be let off. If any officer is found to be lenient against anyone on the list, the officer would be proceeded against.
2. Those on the list should not be selectively investigated. Similar action should be taken against all of them. The revised returns filed by the most powerful people on this list should be rejected and they should be subjected to same investigations as others.
3. Complete bank statements (from the time that the account was opened till date) of all names on the list should be obtained from HSBC.
4. Each transaction in each bank statement (both credit and debit) should be investigated. This would lead to newer accounts as each transaction would involve a new person who may also have an illicit account.
5. The foreign banks which indulged in hawala and who encouraged tax evasion should be proceeded against and compelled to give complete lists of all Indian accountholders in their branches abroad.
6. This information should be shared with other agencies to investigate the source and destination of these funds to find out if these funds had anything to do with any criminal activity.
We are confident that if the government shows political will and undertakes honest investigations, it is possible to get most of the black money back to India. However, it appears that first the UPA and now the NDA do not have the political will.
Aam Admi Party is fully committed to get black money back to India and to get the guilty punished. We would be more than willing to help you in any way whenever you need us. I have filed an affidavit in Supreme Court in this regard. The same is annexed hereto.
Warm regards
Yours sincerely
Arvind Kejriwal!
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*INAUGURATION* OF A PAINTING EXHIBITION
11112014*INAUGURATION* OF A PAINTING EXHIBITION “*FROM YAMUNA TO BABBA* -
Invitation: From Yamuna To Babba | Painting Exhibition | Nov. 11, Tues, 6 pm | at HICC
From: Hicc Programmes <hicc.programmes@gmail.com> Mon, 10 Nov ’14 10:44p
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Show full Headers
Dear Friends,*Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre *invites you all to the
*Inauguration* of a painting exhibition “*From Yamuna to Babba* – *Myths
and Legends from India and Hungary*” by *Rozália Hummel *(Srimati Radhika),
being held on *Tuesday, 11th Nov, 6.00 pm* at the *Gallery *of the Centre.
The show will be opened by the *Chief-Guest*, *Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri*,
Chairman, Sanskrit Commission, Govt. of India.
*Inauguration* of a painting exhibition “*From Yamuna to Babba* – *Myths
and Legends from India and Hungary*” by *Rozália Hummel *(Srimati Radhika),
being held on *Tuesday, 11th Nov, 6.00 pm* at the *Gallery *of the Centre.
The show will be opened by the *Chief-Guest*, *Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri*,
Chairman, Sanskrit Commission, Govt. of India.
The artist began her artistic career in 1979, in France and moved to India
for the first time in 1981. Since then, she has been a consistent visitor
to the country, a keen spiritual learner and discovered Indian Art and
philosophy.
for the first time in 1981. Since then, she has been a consistent visitor
to the country, a keen spiritual learner and discovered Indian Art and
philosophy.
Kindly mark the dates in your calendar.
**
(*Please, do find the e-Invite below)*
**
(*Please, do find the e-Invite below)*
Looking forward to your gracious presence at the programme!
Thanks and Regards,
*Omita Sharma *
■ Project Officer
Balassi Institute – Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre
1A Janpath (near Hotel Claridges), New Delhi, 11 00 11, India
Tel: +91 11 2301 4497, 4992; Mobile: +91 75 0375 1722
E-mail: pr.hicc@gmail.com
■ www.delhi.balassiintezet.hu
*Omita Sharma *
■ Project Officer
Balassi Institute – Hungarian Information and Cultural Centre
1A Janpath (near Hotel Claridges), New Delhi, 11 00 11, India
Tel: +91 11 2301 4497, 4992; Mobile: +91 75 0375 1722
E-mail: pr.hicc@gmail.com
■ www.delhi.balassiintezet.hu
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Categories : Business, culture, Education
Obama and Putin at the Beijing APEC summit
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Presidents Vladimir Putin and Barack Obama are continuing their personal interaction at the APEC summit in Beijing, the Kremlin has confirmed. With relations between Moscow and Washington strained, the two have chosen to communicate out of public view.
The Russian and American presidents have finally talked to each other behind the scenes of the APEC summit, Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s press secretary, informed.
“Putin and Obama continue communicating on the sidelines of the forum,” Peskov told journalists on Tuesday.
The first encounter they had on Monday was hardly more than a brief greeting.
“There was no conversation,” Peskov said. “Actually, they greeted each other – there was a short contact on the sidelines of the event we were talking about.”
“Obama and Putin had a ‘brief encounter’ during APEC summit events on Monday night, but did not have time to cover issues,” an anonymous high-ranking US official told RIA Novosti.
Later the two presidents exchanged a couple of phrases at the ceremony when all the dignitaries at the summit take a group photo in national costumes of the country hosting the event – China.
On the eve of the summit, the White House has said there are no plans for personal meeting between Obama and Putin at the Beijing APEC summit, or at the ensuing G20 summit in Brisbane, Australia.
Tensions between the two countries became more apparent after the sanctions imposed on Russia by the West and the suspension of Russia from G8 in March over the crisis in Ukraine.
The US, a staunch supporter of the new regime in Kiev, has been accusing Russia of supporting rebels in the Ukraine’s east and thus fanning the conflict there. Russia has denied any involvement, apart from offering political advice and humanitarian aid. RT news
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Categories : world News
Red carpet awaits PM Modi in Australia
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ASHOK B SHARMA
Relations between India and Australia in the Asia-Pacific region seem to be warming up. After Tony Abbott’s recent visit to India, it is now the turn for Australia to lay the red carpet for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visits the country for G20 summit in Brisbane middle of November.
Abbott has extended invitation to Modi who will be the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Australia since Rajiv Gandhi came to see Bob Hawke in 1986. He will be one of the three world leaders to address the joint session of the federal parliament. The other two leaders to address the Australian parliament are the Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister David Cameron. Former Chinese President Hu Jintao addressed Australian parliament in 2003 and so did the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. But this will be the first occasion for an Indian Prime Minister to address the Australian Parliament. This shows the growing recognition and acceptance of India.
But Australia is equally conscious of keeping China in good humour. It declined to join the India-US-Japan Trilateral, which is being upgraded to the level of foreign ministers, at the instance of Beijing. But Abbott has agreed for a first bilateral naval exercise with India scheduled in 2015. Both the countries will join together in the commemoration of 100 years of the First World War in which soldiers of both the countries fought side by side.
Australia has supported India’s full membership of four international export control regimes – Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Wassenaar Agreement and Australia Group and also membership of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
Canberra has assured to be a long-term uranium supplier to India and cooperate in production of radio isotopes and nuclear safety. Abbott termed this nuke handshake as “a sign of the mutual trust and confidence that our two countries have in each other”
Abbott is appreciative of India’s Look East Policy and has recognised the importance of India as a “valuable partner” in Asia-Pacific region. He has also lauded Modi’s recent visit to Japan and termed the outcome as “successful”. He termed the geopolitical importance of Asia-Pacific saying “So as economic weight shifts to the Indo-Pacific region, the strategic balance moves too.”
Though Abbott is conscious of the importance of Asia-Pacific region, it is ready to confront Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit over Russia’s role in the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines MH17, in which 38 Australians lost their lives. Abbott has taken a strong personal interest in the MH17 disaster, in which 298 people were killed, when Russian-backed separatists shot down a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet over eastern Ukraine.
Along with the US, Russia is a key player in the region. The relationship between NATO powers and Russia has turned sour over the latter taking over Crimea. The shooting down of Malaysian Airlines MH17 has added to the problem. Putin’s assertive nature is not much appreciated by the West. Kiev and the West have accused Moscow-backed separatists of shooting down the plane with a surface-to-air BUK missile supplied by Russia. Moscow denies the charge and has pointed the finger back at Kiev. Australia has demanded that Russia cooperate with the criminal investigation and help in booking the culprits to justice.
Initially, Australia had been reluctant for Putin to attend the G20, but member nations indicated that he should, in order to address the geo-political tensions. At home Abbott faces the strong opposition to Putin’s visit from the Opposition Leader Bill Shorten who has reiterated his stance that he did not want Putin in the country. The issue needs to be resolved in the interests of Asia-Pacific region. The ball is now in Australia’s court.
There are obvious reasons why Australia needs India more. India is already Australia’s fifth-largest export market. Australia wants the bilateral trade to grow to its full potential which is now stagnating at only $15 billion. Further, Australia is eager to conclude the negotiations on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with India by 2016 which would boost bilateral trade and investment. At present Indian investment in Australia is about $11 billion whereas Australian investment in India is $600 million. In fact, Australia sees massive opportunity for investments in India with Modi’s call for “Make in India”.
India too is interested in investing in resource rich Australia. Leading Indian investors like Sterlite Industries and Aditya Birla group are in copper mines while Asian Paints and Reliance are in uranium exploration. Australia has massive reserves of uranium, gold, copper, zinc among other minerals and its coal feeds power plants in India. In fact, Australian coal, iron ore and gas has powered the economic transformations of Japan, Korea and China.
Australia had worked over three decades to boost its bilateral trade with China to the level of $150 billion. While consolidating its gains there, Australia now wants to tap the untapped potential in bilateral trade with India.
Both the countries are looking forward for finalisation of Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in the Indo-Pacific region. At present Australia is the chair of Indian Ocean Rim Association. The region is important and concerns for maritime security remain vital as trade grows. This apart, Australia has come to the rescue of Modi’s dream project of cleaning river Ganga by signing an agreement on water management.
Human resources development is an area of India’s interest. There is a 450,000-strong Indian community in Australia and 36,000 Indian students are pursuing their study there, particularly in vocation education. India and Australia have also agreed for cooperation in vocational education and training. Australia’s New Colombo Plan will now facilitate Australian students to pursue their studies in India.
During Abbott’s visit a MoU signed between the two countries for cooperation in sports will promote exchange programmes, sharing of experiences, particularly so in cricket which is interests to both the countries.
Modi’s forthcoming visit to Australia is likely to be significant. Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh deliberately missed the bus to Australia by declining to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Perth hosted by Julia Gillard in 2011 which many analysts believed was because the Labour government reversed John Howard’s decision to allow uranium exports to India. Earlier former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee declined to attend the CHOGM meeting hosted by Howard in Coolum in 2002 which many viewed as a consequence of Canberra overreacting to India’s nuclear tests in 1998. All eyes would now be on Modi in Brisbane.
(Ashok B Sharma is a senior Columnist writing on Strategy and policy Issues in several national and international newspapers and magazines. He can be reached at ashokbsharma@gmail.com His mobile phone no 09810902204)
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Bhagat Singh College continue their slide
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Bhagat Singh College continue their slide
New Delhi, November 10, 2014: Bhagat Singh College continued their slide on Day 5 of Indian College Basketball League (ICBL) organized by Basketball Federation of India (BFI) in collaboration with IMG Reliance (IMG-R) at the Ramjas College on Monday.
Playing their third game in the league, they los to Sri Venky College 28-51. This was their third loss in as many games. In the first match of the day, Kirori Mal College beat Moti Lal College 45-30.
In a high scoring fixture, Hindu College got the better of SGTB Khalsa by 76-54 thanks to Aman’s 17 points. In the last match of the day, Hansraj College outclassed Zakir Hussain College 68-34.
At Ramjas College: Premier League Results
Men’s: Kirori Mal College beat Moti Lal 45-30; Sri Venky College beat Bhagat Singh College 51-28; Hindu College beat SGTB Khalsa 76-54; Hansraj College beat Zakir Hussain College 68-34
Tomorrow’s fixtures: 11:30 AM Onwards At SGTB Khalsa College: Men’s: Moti Lal College vs Arya Bhatt College, Kirori Mal College vs Venky College, SGTB Khalsa vs Ramjas College, Hindu College vs Zakir Hussain College
About the Basketball Federation of India
The Basketball Federation of India or BFI is the governing and controlling body of basketball in India, and is responsible for the development and promotion of the sport at all levels. BFI has been involved in conducting camps, clinics, events, and training sessions at its academies for the development of basketball. BFI came into being in 1935 and took complete control over Indian basketball in 1950. Prior to that time, the Indian Olympic Association handled the conduct of Indian basketball championships. Since 1950, the BFI has been conducting various such championships, from the grassroots to senior team participation in international tournaments. In addition, the BFI has been responsible for the establishment of strong sub-junior and junior level programs. The BFI has to its credit produced several international players of repute, among them 17 have been bestowed with the honor of Arjuna Award. More information at www.indiabasketball.org
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Indian Manufacturing In Deep Trench
11112014Indian Manufacturing In Deep Trench, Need Heavy Lift – Excl
November11, 2014 (C) Ravinder Singh ravinderinvent@gmail.com
When General Electric is not performing as per expectations Companies
look for new CEO but in India the blame for all failures is either
Un-employability, or Corruption or Inflation or Poverty but Company
owners never admit they are under qualified and incompetent.
look for new CEO but in India the blame for all failures is either
Un-employability, or Corruption or Inflation or Poverty but Company
owners never admit they are under qualified and incompetent.
But what is most shocking is that in 1981 wages to workers of
Industries were 133% of profits of the owners that gradually reached
even 150% but there was gradual decline in wages as proportion to
profits of the Industries to just 22% by 2012.
Industries were 133% of profits of the owners that gradually reached
even 150% but there was gradual decline in wages as proportion to
profits of the Industries to just 22% by 2012.
Employers who make Rs.4,51,629 crore profits compared to Rs.99,856
crores wages to Industry workers never admit to their INCOMPETENCE.
crores wages to Industry workers never admit to their INCOMPETENCE.
Annual Survey of Industries
Table 1 : Annual Series For Principal Characteristics
(Value Figures in Rs. Lakhs, Mandays in Thousand and Others in Number)
CHARACTERISTICS 1997-98 1998-99 99-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
5. OUTSTANDING
LOANS 32460512 22820981 25378161 25795392 26921926 26339233 28977564
6. NUMBER OF WORKERS 7652254 6364464 6280659 6135238 5957848 6161493 6086908
11.WAGES TO WORKERS 2978167 2482648 2630427 2767074 2743824 2968905 3047777
12.TOTAL EMOLUMENTS 5237112 4462585 4784351 5071873 5105957 5515801 5833675
21.NET VALUE ADDED 16644124 14546105 15497442 14362141 14430212 17234004 20295377
28. GROSS CAPITAL FORM 8203739 7217800 6466535 6141480 7387299 6397638 7418762
29. PROFITS 5445612 4730623 4733475 3569880 3488385 6185254 9236632
Table 1 : Annual Series For Principal Characteristics
(Value Figures in Rs. Lakhs, Mandays in Thousand and Others in Number)
CHARACTERISTICS 1997-98 1998-99 99-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04
5. OUTSTANDING
LOANS 32460512 22820981 25378161 25795392 26921926 26339233 28977564
6. NUMBER OF WORKERS 7652254 6364464 6280659 6135238 5957848 6161493 6086908
11.WAGES TO WORKERS 2978167 2482648 2630427 2767074 2743824 2968905 3047777
12.TOTAL EMOLUMENTS 5237112 4462585 4784351 5071873 5105957 5515801 5833675
21.NET VALUE ADDED 16644124 14546105 15497442 14362141 14430212 17234004 20295377
28. GROSS CAPITAL FORM 8203739 7217800 6466535 6141480 7387299 6397638 7418762
29. PROFITS 5445612 4730623 4733475 3569880 3488385 6185254 9236632
There are three Levels of Factories – First Producing High-Tech
Products for World Market – India is almost Zero in this. Second level
is Products for Indian Market in this also Indian companies are very
poor performers 50% to 90% of the products are imported or carry
Sticker of Indian Brand. Third level is cheap low tech products in
which Indian Companies have dominance.
Products for World Market – India is almost Zero in this. Second level
is Products for Indian Market in this also Indian companies are very
poor performers 50% to 90% of the products are imported or carry
Sticker of Indian Brand. Third level is cheap low tech products in
which Indian Companies have dominance.
EU Companies Foreign Trade is 91% and 87% IPR dependent – India almost none.
Fact is Indian Industries don’t have any R&D capability don’t ENGAGE
BEST INDIAN ENGINEERS. Their GLOBAL IPR footprint is ZERO. Even in
BRANDING there are just three in Brand Value – State Bank, Airtel, &
Reliance WHICH ARE LOCAL BRANDS UNRECOGNISED OUTSIDE INDIA.
BEST INDIAN ENGINEERS. Their GLOBAL IPR footprint is ZERO. Even in
BRANDING there are just three in Brand Value – State Bank, Airtel, &
Reliance WHICH ARE LOCAL BRANDS UNRECOGNISED OUTSIDE INDIA.
As per Global Wealth Report 2014 share of India in Global Wealth has
improved from 1.0% to 1.4% since 2000 but in this population growth
was 30% so per capita share growth was practically ZERO.
improved from 1.0% to 1.4% since 2000 but in this population growth
was 30% so per capita share growth was practically ZERO.
Median Wealth of Chinese adult is $7033 to India’s $1006 only so there
is WIDE gulf in poverty levels between two most populated countries.
is WIDE gulf in poverty levels between two most populated countries.
Here in the Clippings of Survey of Industries during BJP rule of 6
years 1998-2004 – Industry went through EXTREME HARDSHIPS. Number of
Workers were reduced by 1.6m when GoI then claimed to have created 10m
new jobs every year.
years 1998-2004 – Industry went through EXTREME HARDSHIPS. Number of
Workers were reduced by 1.6m when GoI then claimed to have created 10m
new jobs every year.
Inventors & Engineers should run Industries not Chartered Accountants
or Traders. Industry must invest 2% of Revenue On R&D, Introduce
Strict Quality Control, Pay adequate wages to workers, Develop
Products for World Market, Sell Direct to Consumers.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant,
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India. Ph; 091- 9718280435, 9650421857
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power,
Transportation,
Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects.
or Traders. Industry must invest 2% of Revenue On R&D, Introduce
Strict Quality Control, Pay adequate wages to workers, Develop
Products for World Market, Sell Direct to Consumers.
Ravinder Singh, Inventor & Consultant,
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PROJECTS
Y-77, Hauz Khas, New Delhi-110016, India. Ph; 091- 9718280435, 9650421857
Ravinder Singh* is a WIPO awarded inventor specializing in Power,
Transportation,
Water, Energy Saving, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Technologies and Projects.
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