India and South Africa have agreed to expand co-operation in the fields of power including renewable energy, health, Information Technology, Science and Technology, tourism, hospitality, infrastructure development and culture. Addressing a joint press conference with South African President Jacob Zuma in Pretoia today following the delegation level talks, the visiting President Mrs.
Pratibha Devisingh Patil said that the focus of their discussions was on issues covering the vast canvass of Indo-South African relations. She said, both the countries will closely monitor the implementation of various agreements that exist.
Mrs. Patil said that discussions with President Zuma were wide ranging and covered bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. While expressing satisfaction over the current state of relations, Both the leaders felt that considerable opportunities existed which are needed to be fully explored, particularly in the area of trade and economic cooperation. Indian companies are investing in capacity building by systematic training of South Africans, creating jobs and playing an important role in the development and economic growth of South Africa. Mrs. Patil informed that the business delegation accompanying her would explore business opportunities in South Africa.
AIR correspondent reports, President Zuma and Mrs. Patil will be participating in the Business Forum tomorrow to listen to views of captains of industry from both sides, and encourage them to contribute to the bilateral economic exchanges.
President Patil reminded that the piracy in the Indian Ocean region adversely impacts both the countries. She reiterated that India is deeply committed to work with South Africa to ensure that the trade routes are not affected and a sense of safety and security in the maritime waters is brought.
Mrs. Patil said, India is interested in working closely with the Government of South Africa to develop Gandhi heritage sites in South Africa. She thanked South Africa for its meaningful contribution, as one of its closest partners, on important issues like reform of the United Nations, reform of the international financial system, including the Bretton Woods Institutions, climate change and global trade talks. India and South Africa are members of IBSA, BRICS, G-20, IOR-ARC, NAM, the Commonwealth and other plurilateral as well as multilateral bodies, where they work together.
Mrs.Patil also recognised the South African hand in the form of Coach Gary Kirsten in ensuring victory for India in the Cricket World Cup in 2011.
South African President Jacob Zuma sought India’s cooperation in enhancing skills in the areas of engineering, information and communication technology, computer science, finance, economics and accounting to boost the South African infrastructure programme.
Showing posts with label piracy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label piracy. Show all posts
The second counter piracy conference in Dubai has once again brought into focus the plight of seafarers held hostage by the Somali pirates in the Gulf of Eden and off the coast of Oman. In all 190 hostages are still held by the Somali pirates; 43 of them are Indian seafarers from six hijacked ships.
These include 36 Indians on board on four ships hijacked by the Somali pirates. Among the ships is MV Iceberg, the longest held vessel which was hijacked off the port of Aden on its way to Jabel Ali port in UAE on 29th March 2010. It has six Indian sailors on board. Seven more Indian hostages are from the hijacked ship, Asphalt Venturer.
This ship has been released but the seven Indian seafarers are still held hostage ashore. Meanwhile, the UAE has contributed 1 million US dollars to help build the capabilities of the Somali naval forces to fight rampant piracy off their coasts. The Arab country has also called for greater international support to upgrade Somalia's national response capabilities.
UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, told a conference on counter-piracy that the threat of pirates emanating from the Somali coasts had escalated, as more seafarers were held captive for long time, facing violence and increasing inhuman conditions.
Labels: piracy
India and the United Arab Emirates have decided to set up a high-level joint task force on investment which will also look into securing more oil supplies from UAE.
Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Sheikh Hamad bin Zayed al Nahyan and India’s Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma will lead the respective sides of the high-level task force. The decision was taken following wide ranging discussions between External Affairs minister SM Krishna and his counterpart from UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi on Friday.
Noting that the United Arab Emirates’ leadership is now keen to address the issue of investments to bring it on par with the multi-faceted relations the two countries enjoy in all other sectors, he said the high-level joint task force would explore further opportunities in investments.
Sheikh Hamad bin Zayed al Nahyan said besides oil, UAE was also looking at investment opportunities in sectors like petrochemicals.
Both the leaders held discussions on ways to boost trade ties and maritime security cooperation to tackle piracy. Other issues that figured in talks, included situation in West Asia, Iran's nuclear programme, Afghanistan and Indo-Pak relations.
The two sides also discussed the 3rd India-Arab Economic Conclave to be held in Abu Dhabi from Monday.
The European Union, EU, is keen to enhance ties with India in fields like counter-terrorism, cyber security and anti-piracy operations. interacting with a group of Indian journalists in Brussels, EU External Action Service Chief Operating Officer David 'O' Sulllivan said that both the sides are working to chart out common agendas.
On the issue of counter-terrorism, he said agencies concerned of the two sides are engaging each other to enhance their cooperation.Asked about India's complaint over problems in extraditing criminals from Europe, the EU officials said it was a sensitive issue for EU member countries who have strict legal procedures in this regard.On counter-piracy operations, they said the Indian Navy and EU Naval Forces are already cooperating in the piracy infested Gulf of Aden.
On the issue of counter-terrorism, he said agencies concerned of the two sides are engaging each other to enhance their cooperation.Asked about India's complaint over problems in extraditing criminals from Europe, the EU officials said it was a sensitive issue for EU member countries who have strict legal procedures in this regard.On counter-piracy operations, they said the Indian Navy and EU Naval Forces are already cooperating in the piracy infested Gulf of Aden.
Labels: cyber crime, EU, piracy, terrorism
he Sri Lankan Coast Guard is participating in a joint sea exercise with the Indian and Maldivian Coast Guards in the seas off Male.
According to the Sri Lankan Navy website, offshore Patrol Vessel, SLNS Sagara today sailed for the Maldives to take part in the five day exercise ‘Dosti - XI’.
The aim of the exercise is to strengthen bonds of friendship and enhancing mutual operational capability and cooperation.
The exercise will focus on Maritime Search and Rescue, Marine Pollution Response and Boarding Operations.
Due to its geo-strategic significance, it is important for the Coast Guards of the three countries to ensure the safety and security of the Indian Ocean for all sea-farers.
Indian Coast Guard Ships “Sankalp” and “Subhadra” will take part in the exercise, while Maldivian Coast Guard Ships “Huravee”, “Ghazee” and “Shaheed Ali” of the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) will represent the Maldivian Coast Guard.
According to the Sri Lankan Navy website, offshore Patrol Vessel, SLNS Sagara today sailed for the Maldives to take part in the five day exercise ‘Dosti - XI’.
The aim of the exercise is to strengthen bonds of friendship and enhancing mutual operational capability and cooperation.
The exercise will focus on Maritime Search and Rescue, Marine Pollution Response and Boarding Operations.
Due to its geo-strategic significance, it is important for the Coast Guards of the three countries to ensure the safety and security of the Indian Ocean for all sea-farers.
Indian Coast Guard Ships “Sankalp” and “Subhadra” will take part in the exercise, while Maldivian Coast Guard Ships “Huravee”, “Ghazee” and “Shaheed Ali” of the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) will represent the Maldivian Coast Guard.
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