RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO.46
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2017
MOUs SIGNED DURING THE RECENT VISITS OF THE PRIME MINISTER
*46. DR. V. MAITREYAN:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with United States of America (USA), Germany and Israel for various deals and technological support from the respective countries during the recent visits of the Prime Minister during the
last and the current month; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken for development in the fields of medicine, science and technology, education, IT, Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) and Defence?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRIMATI SUSHMA SWARAJ)
(a) & (b) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.
*****
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 46 REGARDING "MOUs SIGNED DURING THE RECENT VISITS OF THE PRIME MINISTER” FOR ANSWER ON 20.07.2017
I - USA VISIT
(a) & (b) Prime Minister visited USA on 25-26 June, 2017. No formal MoUs or Agreements were signed during PM’s visit to USA. However, a Joint Statement was issued on 27 June 2017 summarizing the outcomes and understandings reached during the visit.
Key outcomes/understandings reached in the fields of "medicine, science and technology, education, IT and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) and Defence” were follows:
• The leaders agreed to deepen defence and maritime-security cooperation. The US has offered for India’s consideration the sale of Sea Guardian Unmanned Aerial Systems. Both sides will build on the implementation of "White Shipping” data sharing arrangement,
which enhances collaboration on maritime domain awareness. The two sides also agreed to explore new military exercises.
• The leaders agreed to intensify the mutually beneficial digital partnership to fully harness their innovation capabilities to solve global developmental challenges. There was a positive recognition by President Trump of the contributions of the entrepreneurship
and innovation of Indians and Indian-Americans that have benefited both nations. The leaders reaffirmed the decision for India and the US to co-host the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in India.
• The two countries resolved to further strengthen their collaboration in health, space, oceans, and other areas of science and technology.
• The leaders agreed to take steps to expand energy and innovation linkages across the energy sector and deepen cooperation, including on more efficient fossil fuel technologies, smart grids, and energy storage.
• India’s entry into the International Expedited Traveler Initiative (Global Entry program) was formalized ahead of the visit. It will facilitate closer business and educational ties between the citizens of India and the United States.
II - GERMANY VISIT
(a) Prime Minister visited Germany from May 29-30, 2017 for the 4th Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). During the visit, twelve (12) Joint Declarations of Intent (JDIs) were signed. Prime Minister also visited Germany from 6- 8 July, 2017 to attend the
G-20 Summit at Hamburg. No bilateral MoUs were signed during the visit.
(b) The Joint Declarations of Intent (JDIs) were signed on: Skill Development for Machine Tools Sector; Advance Training of Corporate Executives; Training of Vocational Education Training [VET] Cluster Managers; Support for Indo-German Centre for Sustainability;
Digitalization; Development Cooperation; Cyber Security; Health; Alternative Medicine; Railway Safety; Sustainable Urban Development and Cooperation between Diplomatic Training Institutes.Germany is a key economic and science and technology partner for India.
The steps taken for development in the fields of medicine, science and technology, education, IT, Information Technology Enabled Services (lTES) and defence are as follows-
(i) Medicine: The JDIs signed for Cooperation in the sectors of Health and in Alternative Medicine will promote cooperation in medical education, research and development, exchange of expertise and collaboration in the pharmaceutical sector.
(ii) Science & Technology: Germany is India’s leading science and technology partner. There are more than 150 joint S&T research projects presently underway and a large number of established direct partnerships between the Universities on both sides. The JDI
signed on Indo-German Centre for Sustainability will further contribute to enhanced research & development and innovation in the field of climate adaptive technologies.
(iii) Education: Education is an important pillar of Indo-German collaboration. There are strong tie-ups between universities on both sides. The three (3) JDIs signed in the fields of vocational education, skill development and training will help in further
leveraging German excellence in the field of skill development.
(iv) IT and ITES: The JDIs signed for Cooperation in the field of Digitalization and cyber security will promote development in the ICT sector, particularly digital payments by enhancing collaboration between businesses and research organizations and exchange
of best practices in e-governance and e-health sectors.
(v) Defence: During the IGC meeting, both sides agreed to cooperate in the field of defence manufacturing.
III - ISRAEL VISIT
(a) During the visit of Prime Minister to Israel from 4-6 July, 2017, India and Israel signed five MoUs, a 3-year work programme and a Plan of Cooperation covering the areas of water, agriculture, space and science & technology.
(b) Details of the MoUs/Work Programme/Plan of Cooperation signed with Israel are as follows:
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Sl.No.
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Name of MoUs
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Details
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1.
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MoU between the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Energy of the State of Israel on National Campaign for Water Conservation in India.
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The objectives of this MoU are:
- To put Water Conservation on the national agenda through a nationwide awareness Campaign.
- To promote re-use, recharge and recycling of water.
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2.
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MoU between the Government of Uttar Pradesh of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Energy of the State of Israel on State Water Utility Reform in India
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The objectives of this MoU are:
- To bring water utility reforms in UP through introduction of new technologies for monitoring and evaluation.
- To introduce integrated water resources management systems.
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3.
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India-Israel Development Cooperation Three Year Work Program in Agriculture 2018-2020 between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel – MASHAV and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of the Republic of India
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The work programme is aimed at
- Introducing of New Varieties of crops.
- Introducing of Water management Technologies for agriculture, including Water re-use.
- Improving Post-Harvest Management (fruit & vegetables)
- Developing Post Harvest Management systems (fruit & vegetables)
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4.
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MoU between the Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India and the National Technological Innovation Authority of the State of Israel on the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F)
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The MoU on S&T is aimed at
- The MoU is meant for setting R&D fund for the development of innovation technologies with a special focus on water, agriculture and energy.
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5.
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MoU between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Israel Space Agency regarding Cooperation in Electric Propulsion for Small Satellite.
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Aimed at collaboration for building Small Satellites.
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6.
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MoU between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Israel Space Agency regarding Cooperation in GEO-LEO Optical Link
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To develop Optical Communicaiton systems for space applications.
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7.
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Plan of Cooperation Between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Israel Space Agency regarding Cooperation in Atomic Clocks
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To build atomic clocks for space applications.
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Key outcomes/understandings reached in the fields of Medicine, Science and Technology, Education, IT and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) and Defence are as follows:
Science & Technology: Establishing the India-Israel Industrial R&D and Innovation Fund (I4F) with a contribution of US$ 20 million from each side will play a seminal role in enabling Indian and Israeli enterprises to undertake joint R&D projects leading to
development of innovative technologies and products that have potential for commercial application.
Education: Enhance collaboration in the field of Higher Education and Research and decided to promote this through relevant agreements and the Joint Research Grant Programme.
IT and IT Enabled Services (ITES): Upgrade the scientific and technological collaboration by supporting joint research and development projects in the cutting edge areas, including ‘Big Data Analytics in Health Care’.
Defence: Focus on joint development of defence products, including transfer of technology from Israel, with a special emphasis on the 'Make in India' initiative. Both the sides reaffirmed their commitment to intensify the cooperation in the areas of Cyber,
Homeland and Public Security.