India's External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar meets with his British counterpart Liz Truss on the sidelines of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Rwanda's Kigali.
The decision was taken after the meeting held between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, in Rwanda’s Kigali on the sidelines of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
India and the United Kingdom have announced the establishment of a joint India-UK Commonwealth Diplomatic Academy programme hosted in New Delhi which will equip young diplomats from all Commonwealth Member States with expertise and training on global challenges.
The decision was taken after the meeting held between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, in Rwanda’s Kigali on the sidelines of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
“Great to catch up with my British counterpart Foreign Secretary @trussliz. Always useful to exchange notes on the state of the world,” Jaishankar tweeted after the meeting on Friday.
Both ministers underlined the value they place on a strong and revitalised Commonwealth family, fit for the 21st century and delivering clear value and tangible benefits for all members.
India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar addressing CHOGM Leaders plenary session on post-Covid recovery.
“In an increasingly geopolitical world, we must champion the Commonwealth values of democracy and sovereignty. The UK and India are helping to build a modern Commonwealth fit for the 21st century and delivering tangible benefits for its members,” said Truss.
The two ministers also affirmed India and UK’s commitment to delivering a truly connected, innovative and transformative future for the Commonwealth family which supports the needs and expectations of all Member States.
Building on the enduring relationship and cultural connections between the UK and India, it is the first time that Gandhi has been commemorated on an official UK coin…reports Asian Lite News
A new 5 pound coin to commemorate the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak to mark the Hindu festival of Diwali.
Available in a range of standards, including gold and silver, the special collectors’ coin was designed by Heena Glover and features an image of a lotus, India’s national flower, alongside one of Gandhi’s most famous quotes — “My life is my message”.
Building on the enduring relationship and cultural connections between the UK and India, it is the first time that Gandhi has been commemorated on an official UK coin with the final design chosen by Sunak, who is the Master of the Mint.
“This coin is a fitting tribute to an influential leader who inspired millions of people around the world,” he said.
“As a practicing Hindu, I am proud to unveil this coin during Diwali. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the movement for Indian independence and it is fantastic to have a UK coin commemorating his remarkable life for the first time.”
The coin, which goes on sale, is part of the Royal Mint’s wider Diwali collection, which includes 1g and 5g gold bars in henna-style packaging, and the UK’s first gold bar depicting Lakshmi — the Hindu Goddess of wealth.
The 20g gold Lakshmi bar was designed in partnership with the Hindu community in South Wales, where the Royal Mint is based.
The Mint will join the celebrations at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Cardiff, where worshippers will offer prayers to goddess Lakshmi and lord Ganesha for the coming year.
Chief Customer Officer for The Royal Mint, Nicola Howell, said: “As we approach Diwali celebrations, we are delighted to unveil the first official UK coin commemorating the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi. The beautiful design builds on the enduring relationship and cultural connections between the UK and India.”
The announcement comes as India is celebrating its 75th year of Independence this year. Last year, the Chancellor commissioned the new “Diversity Built Britain” 50p coin following discussion with the ‘We Too Built Britain’ campaign, which works for fair representation of minority communities’ contributions across all walks of life.
Around 10 million of the coins, which recognise and celebrate Britain’s diverse history, went into circulation in October 2020.
Britain believes that the visit of HMS Queen Elizabeth – the largest and most powerful vessel ever constructed for the British Navy – and some of her CSG escorts to Mumbai is a clear sign of the growing defence and maritime cooperation with India, reports Ateet Sharma
The United Kingdom has said that the visit of its Carrier Strike Group (CSG) underlines the UK’s increasing defence, security and maritime cooperation with India and the wider region.
UK Navy chief Admiral Tony Radakin, its Chief of Defence Staff Nick Carter and country’s Foreign Secretary Liz Truss were in New Delhi on Friday forging closer diplomatic, defence and security partnership with India as the first-ever joint Tri-Service Exercise between the two countries kicked off near the Mumbai coast.
Britain believes that the visit of HMS Queen Elizabeth – the largest and most powerful vessel ever constructed for the British Navy – and some of her CSG escorts to Mumbai is a clear sign of the growing defence and maritime cooperation with India.
The UK also sees developing the security and defence relationship with India, the world’s largest democracy, as a key part of its Indo-Pacific tilt.
“The arrival of the Carrier Strike Group in India this weekend represents the UK’s Indo-Pacific tilt in action. This is a true symbol of Global Britain, working closely with like-minded partners like India,” said Truss who will be visiting the CSG spearhead ship in Mumbai today.
During her meeting with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday, the UK Foreign Secretary discussed measures to ramp up UK-India defence and security ties and boost strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
It takes forward the joint work agreed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson in the landmark 2030 Roadmap on maritime security, cyber security and counter terrorism signed earlier this year.
“Closer defence and security partnerships between the UK and India underpin deeper economic ties and make both countries, as well as the wider region, safer,” said Truss.
“We need to protect our sea and trade routes and, operating from a position of strength, be hard-headed in defending our interests and challenging unfair practices,” she added.
Calling India an essential partner in ensuring a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific, the UK Foreign Secretary highlighted the need to strengthen such links with fast-growing economies and like-minded partners in the region and build “a network of liberty” around the globe.
During their bilateral talks, both Ministers also discussed in detail enhancing cooperation in the key priority areas of trade and investments, people-to-people relationship, health partnership, climate change, science and innovation and defence and security.
Jaishankar said that there was a “productive exchange of views on Indo-Pacific, Afghanistan, the Gulf and Africa” during his meeting with the British diplomat.
They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific, on countering terrorism and radical extremism, and addressing emerging challenges in the cyber and space domains.
“We have significant movement on a number of pillars, including one of the pillars you dealt with in your previous capacity, trade one. And, I think there have also been a number of geopolitical and political developments in our region, closer to your region, some concerning our activities, some dealing with you,” said the EAM before his meeting with Truss.
According to the External Affairs Ministry, both ministers also welcomed the progress in delivering the Enhanced Trade Partnership announced at the Virtual Summit and underlined the need for launching FTA negotiations at the earliest, with a focus on negotiating an interim agreement that can deliver quick gains to businesses in both India and the UK.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai today, the Foreign Secretary will join the Queen Elizabeth Carrier at sea to tour the vessel and observe live exercises.
Chief of Defence Staff Carter, who held talks with his Indian counterpart General Bipin Rawat in Delhi on Friday to discuss regional security, is also visiting Mumbai to see the CSG in action.
While in India, the CSG is taking part in the most demanding exercise ever undertaken between the UK and India, involving all three military services.
Exercise Konkan Shakti 2021 will also involve Dutch warship Evertsen which began its training voyage with the CSG in May.
“A strengthened partnership with India is a key pillar of the UK’s tilt to the Indo-Pacific. Our Carrier Strike group visit represents an important step towards our goal of establishing a maritime partnership with India in support of mutual security objectives in the Indian Ocean,” said UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.
During her Mumbai visit, the UK Foreign Secretary will also visit the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai to lay a wreath at the memorial for those killed in the 2008 terrorist attacks.
In the evening, she will also participate in business engagements, welcoming senior business leaders and guests from the world of education, film, sport and politics onto HMS Defender, a Type 45 Destroyer, where the UK will showcase its world-leading tech and innovation in defence, healthcare, science and climate change. (indianarrative.com)
The conference aims to share the findings of the three-year journey of mental health literacy in urban and rural Kerala and plans to engage with communities, NGOs, policy makers and other stakeholders…reports Asian Lite News
India, UK collaborative, MeHeLP India project is conducting a final dissemination conference from 20th to 27th October 2021 which will be inaugurated by Prof. Mohanan Kunnummel, Vice-Chancellor, Kerala University of Health Sciences on 20th October at 4.30 PM. The free online virtual interactive conference is divided into two sets -one for the Kerala context and the other for the Pan-India context. The virtual meet has been scheduled to be held from 3.45 PM to 7.50 PM each day. The first session of talks will be followed by workshops and panel discussion.
The conference aims to share the findings of the three-year journey of mental health literacy in urban and rural Kerala and plans to engage with communities, NGOs, policy makers and other stakeholders.
MeHeLP India was initiated in 2018, is an international partnership project. The team is led by Prof. Raghu Raghavan, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, De Montfort University, Leicester, UK. Over the past three years, the project worked towards developing culturally appropriate Mental Health Literacy (MHL) in the rural, urban and tribal communities in Kerala.
The study, first of its kind both in India and in Kerala, engaged with people accessing mental health support, their families and local communities. It provided community engagement activities including theatre, story-telling and film-based platforms. The research findings are available for the public to access in the online platforms of MeHeLP India (https://www.mehelp.in/ ).
In the past two years the team navigated through the COVID pandemic and switched to virtual platforms to spread the message of mental health literacy. The project is expected to set a new trend in enhancing Mental Health Literacy in Kerala and in India using creative methodologies. It emphasizes the need for fearless conversations on mental ill-health, mental ill-health, help seeking and overcoming stigma in a novel, creative way.
Apart from the team members, various Stakeholders-Dr. Shaji K S, Dr. Varghese Punnoose, Dr. Vinu Prasad and Dr. Narayanan will be joining the virtual event on the same day. Actor Archana Kavi, director Don Palathara, Dr. Indu P S, Dr. Krishnakumar, Dr. C J John, Dr. Akhil Manuel and Dr. Jayaprakashan will be speaking at the Kerala conference. Early registration is recommended. On the spot registration facility may be available for the participants. More details can be accessed at https://www.mdc2021.mehelp.in/
In its most substantial port visit to date, the Carrier Strike Group will provide a platform for a wide range of cultural demonstrations and trade and investment initiatives, reports Asian Lite News
The UK’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG), led by HMS Queen Elizabeth has sailed into the Bay of Bengal on Friday in a powerful demonstration of the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed by both Prime Ministers in May 2021.
In its most substantial port visit to date, the CSG will provide a platform for a wide range of cultural demonstrations and trade and investment initiatives.
Subsequently, the CSG will take part in the most demanding exercise ever between the UK and India, incorporating elements from all three military services.
The deployment is a powerful demonstration of the UK’s commitment to deepening its diplomatic, economic and security-based ties in the Indo-Pacific region. India is essential in ensuring a free, open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“India is an essential partner for the UK in the Indo-Pacific region. The Carrier Strike Group’s visit demonstrates the deepening of the UK and India’s defence and security partnership,” said British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis.
“Prime Ministers Modi and Johnson agreed to work in lockstep for our shared security and prosperity. This visit will boost the cooperation of our armed forces and show the living bridge connecting our people,” he added.
Meanwhile, First Sea Lord Adm Tony Radakin said the CSG’s engagement with India showcases the deepening comprehensive strategic partnership.
“Both the Indian and the Royal navy are blue-water, multi-carrier navies, which places us in a very exclusive club. Our growing interactions are a testimony to the shared commitment to rules-based international system, a belief in the values of open trade, and in the importance of the freedom of the high seas – a right conveyed on all nations,” he said.
This global partnership will boost private finance to support India’s ambitious commitment to deploy 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030, a report by VISHAL GULATI
With the UK announcing a $1.2 billion package of public and private investment in green projects and renewable energy in India to tackle climate change, climate advocates on Friday said the partnership is a trendsetter for countries that how the public and private sectors can work together to speed the clean energy transition.
This global partnership will boost private finance to support India’s ambitious commitment to deploy 450 GW of renewable energy by 2030.
Responding to the announcement by UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday, Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and Chair of Climate Finance Leadership Initiative (CFLI), said: “This partnership is a great example of how the public and private sectors can work together to speed the transition to clean energy and make possible the deep emissions cuts we need to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement and beyond.
Finance Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman and UK Chancellor of Exchequer, Rishi Sunak held a virtual business engagement with Chairpersons of India-UK Financial Partnership (IUKFP) and Climate Finance Leadership Initiative India Chapter (CFLI India), at the sidelines of 11th India-U.K. Economic and Financial Dialogue.
“The Climate Finance Leadership Initiative is working to eliminate barriers to investment and create market conditions to drive more capital to green projects — and this collaboration between India and the UK, two of the world’s largest and most dynamic economies, can create a model for countries around the world to learn from.”
Climate Program WRI Director Ulka Kelkar said the massive scale of India’s low carbon transition will require upfront capital investments.
“Dedicated funding like this can be used to build new green energy, industry, and urban infrastructure and avoid lock-in to carbon-intensive projects. These new funding initiatives should also prioritise investments in decentralised rural energy and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which have great potential to reduce emissions and support livelihoods but have lower capacity to access finance.”
Adequate financial support has always been a vital concern for climate action, and more so as India moves ahead in its quest for a clean future, said Akhilesh Magal, Head (Research Advisory), Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI).
“Today’s announcement adds confidence towards constructive negotiations at COP26. It remains to see how funds will come, from what sources, and where they will be used. Even so, this development should contribute towards the flow of low cost finance for clean energy goals,” he said.
India is taking bold steps to decarbonize its economy and has seen rapid growth in clean energy and other low carbon sectors in the last decade.
Indian wind and solar capacities have quintupled to reach 76GW in 2020, making it a global success story for renewables deployment. Despite this success, BloombergNEF estimates deployment must accelerate and an additional $649 billion in financing may be needed across the power sector for India to reach its 450GW renewable energy target — a financing gap the private sector can help to fill.
CFLI India presents a new approach to mobilising climate finance at scale to deploy emerging clean technologies, develop sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and help achieve India’s renewable energy target.
Climate Trends Director Aarti Khosla told IANS financing climate action has been a persistent issue.
“Coming ahead of the COP26, this India-UK partnership should bring in more private capital for sustainable infrastructure, including wind and solar. This will create a multiplier effect towards reducing emissions from key sectors like power and transport. This is good news ahead of the important meetings to be held over the next few months. It makes the commitments to finance real and not a symbolic gesture alone.”
Thursday’s announcement brings to life the key factors for creating enabling environments in emerging markets outlined in the CFLI’s latest report: Unlocking Private Climate Finance in Emerging Markets: Private Sector Considerations for Policymakers.
CFLI India is the first in a series of country pilots stemming from the CFLI’s work, with the goal of replicating this model in other countries in the years ahead.
Since early 2019, the CFLI, under Michael Bloomberg’s leadership, has worked to identify barriers and solutions to mobilising climate finance at scale, particularly in high-emitting countries, industries, and sectors.
This includes an ambitious agenda for public and private-sector engagement to strengthen investment conditions for private finance. The group, responsible for $6.2 trillion in assets, has published thought leadership and research on this topic, as well as partnered with groups like the Association of European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI) to build project pipelines, manage risks, and broaden opportunities for private sector financing and investment in emerging and frontier markets.
