On July 31, 2019, Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the provisions of MoUs(Memorandum of Understanding) and pacts for collaboration with Foreign countries.
Cabinet approves MoU between ISRO and the Bolivian Space Agency on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space
On July 31,2019, Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval about an MoU, which was signed on March 29,2019 between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Bolivian Space Agency on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for peaceful purposes during the visit of President of India to Bolivia.
Benefits of the MoU:
i. The MoU will help develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity.
ii. It enables the following potential interest areas of cooperation such as remote sensing of the earth, satellite communication, satellite based navigation, use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system.
iii. The MoU would lead to set up a Joint Working Group, drawing members from ISRO and the Bolivian Space Agency (ABE), which will further work out the action plan including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.
Background:
In December 2016, Bolivian Space Agency (ABE) in a letter to Indian Ambassador to Bolivia, expressed interest to establish space cooperation with ISRO. Thereafter ISRO hosted 2-member delegation on June 05-06, 2017 and discussed on potential cooperation in Earth Observation and Satellite Communication.
About Bolivia:
♦ Capital: Sucre
♦ Currency: Bolivian boliviano
♦ President: Evo Morales
Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bahrain on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space
On July 31, 2019, The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given ex-post facto approval to the Memorandum of Understanding between India and Bahrain on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes.
The MoU was signed on March 11, 2019, at Bengaluru by India and on March 28, 2019, at Manama by Bahrain.
Benefits of the MoU:
i. The MoU will help to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity.
ii. The motive behind this pact is to enhance the ties between India and Bahrain to work out the future agenda. It also enables the following potential interest areas of cooperation such as remote sensing of the earth, satellite communication &satellite based navigation, Space science and planetary exploration, use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system.
iii. This also helps to constitute Joint Working Group, drawing members from ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation )and the Bahrain National Space Science Agency (NSSA) of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.
Background:
Chief of the Bahrain National Space Science Agency (NSSA) and the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunication of Bahrain have expressed interest to have space cooperation with ISRO to Indian Ambassador in April 2018. As a follow-up, on the request of MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) in July 2018, an MoU for India-Bahrain Space Cooperation was drafted and shared with MEA.
About Bahrain:
♦ Capital: Manama
♦ Currency: Bahraini dinar
♦ Prime Minister :Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
Cabinet approves the signing of UN Convention on International settlement agreements
On July 31, 2019, Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its approval for the signing of the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements (UNISA) resulting from mediation by India scheduled to be held at Singapore on August 7, 2019 will be known as the “Singapore Convention on Mediation” (the Convention)..
Benefits:
The Convention will boost the confidence of the investors and will provide a positive signal to foreign investors about India’s commitment to adhere to international practice on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
Background:
On 20th December 2018The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the United Nations Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (“the Convention”). It provides a uniform and efficient framework for the enforcement of agreements resulting from mediation and for allowing parties to invoke such agreements, akin to the framework that the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
About UNGA:
♦ President: Tijjani Muhammad-Bande
♦ Headquarters: New York, United States
♦ Founded: 1945.
Cabinet approves setting up ISRO Technical Liaison Unit at Moscow
On July 31, 2019, Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given nod to the setting up of ISRO(Indian Space Research Organisation) Technical Liaison Unit (ITLU) at Moscow in Russia.
Benefits:
With this MoU, ISRO will be able to collaborate with Space agencies/industries in Russia and neighboring countries. ISRO’s Gaganyaan program requires the development of some of the key technologies and establishment of specialized facilities, which are essential to support life in space. Russia, being one of the space-faring nations, it is envisaged to collaborate with Russia extensively in various fields of relevance.
Background:
Department of Space has instituted technical Liaison Units, namely ISRO Technical Liaison Units (ITLU) at Washington, USA, and Paris, France with the aim to liaise with various Government and space agencies in USA and Europe, respectively.
Space cooperation has been one of the major links between the two countries in diversified areas of the space program. Apart from this, India has expanded its space cooperation with countries near Russia. This calls for extensive uninterrupted coordination & interface support for an increased level of international technical collaboration.
About Russia:
♦ Capital: Moscow
♦ Currency: Russian ruble
♦ President: Vladimir Putin