The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 19th February, 2019, gave approvals to several Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)s and Agreements between India and Morocco, Vietnam, South Africa and South Korea in the various fields. The following MoUs and Agreements have been approved by the Union Cabinet:
MoU between India and Morocco on Reciprocal Facilitation of procedures for issue of Business Visa
The Union Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and Morocco on the Reciprocal facilitation of procedures for issue of Business Visa.
Benefits of the MoU
- Its objective is to facilitate issuance of Multiple Entry Business Visa to the nationals of both the countries wishing to travel to the other country for business or industrial purposes, to make investments or to set up their businesses in the other country.
- Usually such visas are needed to be issued for a period of up to 12 months within 7 days, which is the specified time limit in regular cases. When cases require further scrutiny, both sides may inform the applicant accordingly.
MoU between India and Morocco to Facilitate Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications
The Union Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and Morocco to facilitate Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications. The MoU was signed on 22nd January 2019.
Benefits of the MoU
- The cooperation between the 2 countries in fields of Education and Human Resource Development will be strengthened.
- Collaboration in the field of Education will facilitate Experience Sharing, improving the platform to cater to the needs of various target groups.
- Increase in the inflow of Moroccan students to India under the Study in India Programme is also expected.
About Morocco
♦ Capital – Rabat
♦ Currency – Moroccan Dirham
♦ King – Mohammed VI
♦ Prime Minister – Saadeddine Othmani
MoU between India and Vietnam for Cooperation in the field of Communications
The Union Cabinet gave ex-post facto approval to the MoU between India and Vietnam for cooperation in the field of Communications.
Benefits of the MoU
Bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding between the 2 countries, in the field of communications, will be strengthened.
About Vietnam
♦ Capital – Hanoi
♦ Currency – Dong
♦ President – Nguyễn Phú Trọng
♦ Prime Minister – Nguyễn Xuân Phúc
Agreement between India and South Africa on simplification of visa requirements
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of Agreement between India and South Africa on simplification of visa requirements for travels of certain categories of citizens.
Benefits of the Agreement
- It will facilitate issuance of Multiple Entry Visa to nationals of the 2 countries who wish to travel to the other country for tourism, medical, business and official purpose.
- Such visas are normally required to be issue for a period of up to 5 years within a specified time limit of 5 days. Cases where further scrutiny is required both sides may inform the application accordingly.
About South Africa
♦ Capital – Cape Town
♦ Currency – South African Rand
♦ President – Cyril Ramaphosa
MoU between South Korea and India on combating Transnational Crime and developing Police Cooperation
The Union Cabinet has approved the signing of MoU between the South Korean National Police Agency, Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Ministry of Home Affairs, India on combating transnational crime and developing police cooperation.
Benefits of the proposed MoU
Its objective is improving the effectiveness of both countries in the prevention and suppression of crimes, including crime relating to terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime, and to establish a framework for enhancing cooperation between the officials of intelligence and law-enforcement agencies of the 2 countries.
About South Korea
♦ Capital – Seoul
♦ Currency – South Korean Won
♦ President – Moon Jae-in
♦ Prime Minister – Lee Nak-yon