1. INDIA-QATAR ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP
- During the India-Qatar Business Forum in Doha, he told Qatari businesspeople that the two countries have a special relationship that has evolved over centuries, and he called for further enriching the strong partnership and diversifying the trade basket, which is currently dominated by energy products.
- He expressed his delight that India-Qatar trade will reach a new high of US$ 15 billion in 2021-22, and noted that the number of registered Indian businesses in Qatar has surpassed 15,000 for the first time.
- He unveiled the “India-Qatar Start-Up Bridge,” which aims to connect the two countries’ start-up ecosystems.
- Noting that the year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between India and Qatar, the Vice President suggested that the two Parliaments organise an event to commemorate the occasion.
- He also urged India and Qatar to work together more at multilateral forums such as the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, and others.
2. ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION (OIC)
- India has slammed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for condemning two BJP leaders’ derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammed and Islam.
- The OIC’s comments, according to the Ministry of External Affairs’ official spokesperson, are “misleading and mischievous.”
- With 57 member states spanning four continents, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental organisation after the United Nations.
- The OIC is the Muslim world’s collective voice, ensuring and safeguarding their interests in economic, socioeconomic, and political matters. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has institutions that carry out its programmes.
- Its headquarters are located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
3. BRICS
- Under the chairmanship of BRICS China, the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs participated in the second BRICS Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting via virtual mode.
- Discussions on the outcomes of the BRICS Financial Cooperation Agenda for 2022 were on the agenda for the meeting.
- The BRICS Joint Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Statement, Infrastructure Investments, the New Development Bank, and the BRICS Think Tank Network for Finance were among the topics discussed.
- The Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of South Africa make up an informal group of states.
- It is more of a discussion forum than a traditional organisation with strict membership and rules.
4. LEADERS IN CLIMATE CHANGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
- The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) India jointly announced ‘Leaders in Climate Change Management’ (LCCM), a practice-based learning programme, on June 5 in honour of World Environment Day.
- Its goal is to increase the capacity of urban professionals in India to lead climate action across sectors and geographies.
- The Administrative Training Institute (ATI), Mysuru, also signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NIUA and WRI India to facilitate this face-to-face learning programme, making it the first delivery partner of the LCCM programme.
- The LCCM plans to train 5,000 professionals, including mid-level government officials and frontline workers, to champion climate change adaptation and mitigation solutions as part of a coordinated effort to meet India’s climate commitments.
5. STATE ASSEMBLY
- Bills have been introduced in West Bengal to make the Chief Minister the Chancellor of State Universities.
- West Bengal’s government plans to introduce six bills in the Assembly to make the Chief Minister the Chancellor of all state-run universities.
- The Chief Minister has been named Chancellor of all State universities, according to a resolution passed by the Cabinet recently.
- In most cases, the Governor of the State holds the position of Chancellor.
- The governor has been accused by the state government of interfering with the operation of state universities.
- The Governor has also stated that he will not allow the legislation to be passed by the government.
