BAHRAIN

Karnataka State Tourism and One District One Product (ODOP) walls inaugurated at Indian Embassy, 16 April 2024

Ambassador of India H.E. Shri Vinod K. Jacob inaugurated the Karnataka State Tourism and One District One Product (ODOP) walls at the Consular hall of the Embassy in presence of members of Karnataka Community living in Bahrain. These walls highlight touristic attractions as well as exquisite products identified under ODOP scheme, of the state of Karnataka.

Embassy of India, Bahrain has taken ‘focus state/union territory’ initiative under which touristic and OPOP products of a particular state are being promoted in Bahrain during a period of around one month.

Karnataka is the fourth focus state to be featured at the State/Union Territory Wall in the Consular hall, after Rajasthan, Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh.

With Karnataka, the Embassy has taken a step further by engaging diaspora of the focus state/ union territory here in Bahrain. Shri Sharath Kumar, a bike rider from Karnataka who is on a Gulf tour also visited the Embassy.

A short cultural presentation from the members of Kannada Sangha was organized on this occasion. Several ODOP products of Karnataka were exhibited at the Embassy. The ODOP items will be displayed for a month. It may be recalled that the ODOP initiative aims to select, brand, and promote at least one product from each district of the country for enabling holistic socio-economic growth across all regions. Under this initiative, all products have been selected by States/UTs by taking into consideration the existing ecosystem on the ground, products identified under Districts as Export Hubs and GI-tagged products.

On the occasion, Ambassador Jacob spoke in Kannada and also thanked Kannada Sangha for assisting the Embassy in sourcing the ODOP items.

The Embassy will be involving the relevant Indian community associations in the future in this 'focus state/union territory’ initiative. Source: Embassy of India, Manama.

OMAN

Embassy of India, Launches "Marhaban Yoga" in Run-Up to 10th International Day of Yoga, 20 April 2024

The Embassy of India in Muscat launched "Marhaban Yoga," a special initiative leading up to the 10th International Day of Yoga (IDY) on 21st June 2024. The inaugural event, which included an exclusive yoga session, saw the participation of over 150 yoga enthusiasts from various yoga organizations across Oman.

2. Celebrated annually on June 21st, the International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness about the many benefits of yoga for physical and mental well-being. It highlights yoga's universal appeal and its potential to contribute to a healthier and more harmonious world.

3. H.E. Amit Narang, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman, unveiled the essence of the 10th IDY celebration in Oman under the theme "Health, Healing & Harmony." This theme underscores the transformative impact of yoga in nurturing holistic well-being. Building on the successes of "Muscat Yog Mahotsav" in 2022 and the "Oman Yoga Yatra" in 2023, "Marhaban Yoga" aims to further promote the practice of yoga in Oman as a health discipline.

4. Ambassador Amit Narang emphasized the profound significance of yoga, describing it as a journey of self-discovery and inner peace. "Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self," he remarked, highlighting its significance in promoting overall health and harmony in daily life.

5. Embassy of India in Muscat is collaborating with esteemed yoga organizations in Oman, such as Art of Living, Yoga Shaala, Vyaniti Yoga, Aasana Yoga Studio, Yoga City, International Yoga Professionals, Natural Path Heartfulness, Sahaja Yoga, Rajayoga Centre for Self-Development, ISHA Foundation, Sanskriti Yog Group, Yog Parivar, and Adventure Oman for the success of “Marhaban Yoga”, aimed at promoting yoga as a discipline for health, harmony, and healing. Source: Embassy of India, Muscat.

MOROCCO

India organizes a Special Capacity Building Training Programme on “Cross Border Energy Trading” for Moroccan officials, 25 April 2024

A special training programme “Cross Border Energy Trading” is being organized by Government of India for 20 Moroccan officials from Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Development (MASEN), Office National d'Electricité (ONEE), Autorité Nationale de Régulation de l'Electricité (ANRE) and Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. The special course will be conducted by India’s premier institute NTPC Business School in New Delhi from 20 April, 2024 to 3 May, 2024.

2. The ITEC programme, fully funded by Government of India, is the flagship capacity building programme of India and is based on the belief of shared growth and prosperity through South-South Cooperation. Every year, 75 Moroccan nationals participate in various ITEC courses organized in India and till date, over 800 Moroccan nationals have benefited from these ITEC courses.

3. This special ITEC course for Morocco on “Cross Border Energy Trading” has been tailored to meet the evolving needs of the energy sector and underscores India's commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with countries across the globe through knowledge exchange and skill enhancement. The course is being organized at a crucial juncture when nations are exploring innovative solutions to address energy challenges and accelerate the transition towards sustainable energy systems. By facilitating dialogue and cooperation in the energy domain, India and Morocco reaffirm their shared commitment to driving socio-economic development and promoting environmental sustainability.

4. The programme is expected to cover a wide range of topics, including regulatory frameworks, market mechanisms, technological advancements, and best practices in energy trading. Participants will have the opportunity to engage with experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, gaining invaluable insights into the intricacies of energy markets and forging lasting professional connections.

5. Ambassador of India to Kingdom of Morocco H.E Rajesh Vaishnaw hosted a reception for the participants on 24 April, 2024 ahead of their visit to India. It was also attended by Madame Fatima Hamdouch, Executive Director of MASEN. Speaking at the reception H.E Rajesh Vaishnaw remarked, "This special ITEC programme on Cross Border Energy Trading for Moroccan officials exemplifies the spirit of South-South cooperation and underscores the strong bond of friendship between India and Morocco."

6. India-Morocco bilateral relations have further strengthened and diversified over time, particularly since the landmark visit by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to India in October 2015. Capacity Building partnership is a significant pillar of the bilateral relationship and the special ITEC programme on cross-border energy trading serves as a testament to this enduring partnership between the two nations and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead in the realm of sustainable development. Source: Embassy of India, Rabat.

IRAN-ISRAEL CONFLICT

Travel advisory for Iran and Israel, 12 April 2024

In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice.

All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves.

They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum. Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India.  

Statement on the situation in West Asia, 14 April 2024

We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region.

We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy.

We are closely monitoring the evolving situation. Our Embassies in the region are in close touch with Indian community.

It is vital that security and stability are maintained in the region. Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India.  

Indian woman cadet on vessel MSC Aries returns home, 18 April 2024

With the concerted efforts of Indian Mission in Tehran and the Iranian Government, Indian deck cadet Ms. Ann Tessa Joseph from Thrissur, Kerala, who was among the Indian crew members of container vessel MSC Aries, has landed safely at the Cochin International Airport today afternoon. At the airport, Ms. Joseph was received by the Regional Passport Officer, Cochin.

2. Indian Mission in Tehran remains seized of the matter and is in touch with the remaining 16 Indian crew members of the container vessel. The crew members are in good health and in contact with their family members in India.

3. Indian Mission is also in touch with the Iranian authorities in ensuring the well-being of the remaining crew members of MSC Aries. Earlier, External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar had spoken to his Iranian counterpart Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian on the matter. Source: Ministry of External Affairs, India.  

MISCELLANEOUS

Centre allows export of 99,150 MT onion to six countries Bangladesh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, 27 April 2024

The Government has allowed export of 99,150 MT of onion to six neighbouring countries of Bangladesh, UAE, Bhutan, Bahrain, Mauritius and Sri Lanka. Onion export prohibition has been imposed to ensure adequate domestic availability against the backdrop of estimated lower Kharif and Rabi crops in 2023-24 as compared to previous year and increase demand in international market.

The National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL), the agency for export of onion to these countries, sourced the domestic onions to be exported through e-platform at L1 prices and supplied to the agency or agencies nominated by the government of the destination country at the negotiated rate on 100% advance payment basis. The offer rate of NCEL to the buyers takes into account the prevailing prices in the destination market and also international and domestic markets. The quota allocated for export to the six countries are being supplied as per requisition made by the destination country. As the largest producer of onion in the country, Maharashtra is the major supplier of onions sourced by NCEL for export.

The Government had also allowed export of 2000 MT of white onion cultivated specially for export markets in Middle-East and some European countries. Being purely export oriented, production cost of the white onion is higher than other onions due to higher seed cost, adoption of good agricultural practice (GAP) and compliance to strict maximum residue limits (MRL) requirements.

The procurement target for onion buffer out of Rabi-2024 under the Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) of Department of Consumer Affairs has been fixed at 5 Lakh tons this year. The Central Agencies, viz., NCCF and NAFED are tying up local agencies such as FPOs/FPCs/PACs to support the procurement, storage and farmers registration to begin the procurement of any store-worthy onion. A high level team of DoCA, NCCF and NAFED had visited Nashik and Ahmednagar Districts of Maharashtra during 11-13 April, 2024 to create awareness among the farmers, FPOs/FPCs and PACs about the procurement of 5 LMT of onion for PSF buffer.

In order to reduce the storage loss of onions, the Department of Consumer Affairs decided to enhance the quantum of stocks to be irradiated and cold stored from 1200 MT last year to over 5000 MT this year, with technical support from BARC, Mumbai. The pilot of onion irradiation and cold storage taken up last year has been found to have resulted in the reduction of storage loss to less than 10 percent. Source: Press Information Bureau.  

As part of the policy, the MEI@ND standardizes spellings and date format to make the text uniformly accessible and stylistically consistent. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views/positions of the MEI@ND. Editor, MEI@ND P R Kumaraswamy.