[CA] "Order of the Rising Sun" given to an Indian Doctor

Thangjam Dhabali Singh, Manipuri allopathic doctor, was conferred with “Order of Rising Sun- Gold and Silver Rays” by the Japan government for promoting a better understanding of Japan in India and deepening ties between 2 countries.

Thangjam Dhabali Singh is the founder and the former president of the Manipur Tourism Forum (MTF). Singh organised the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Imphal of the Second World War and several Japanese citizens, including officials from the Embassy of Japan in India had participated in the event.

The “Order of the Rising Sun” is conferred on persons with achievements in international relations, promotion of Japanese culture, environmental preservation, welfare or achievements in their fields. The Order of the Rising Sun is generally the highest conferred order following the Order of the Chrysanthemum which is reserved for Head of State and Royalty and the Order of the Paulownia Flowers mostly given to politicians.

[CA] Ex SHINYUU MAITRI-2018

The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) is in India for a bilateral air exercise SHINYUU Maitri-18 with Indian Air Force from 03-07 Dec 18 at A F Station Agra. The theme of the exercise is joint Mobility/Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) on Transport aircraft. The JASDF C2 aircraft along with aircrew/observers are part of this first air exercise between the two Air Forces. IAF is participating with An-32 and C-17 aircraft with aircrew & observers. The focus of the exercise is set for the IAF and JASDF crews to undertake Joint Mobility/ HADR operations. Display of heavy loading/ off loading are also planned to be practiced during this exercise.

[CA] Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN - 2018

Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN – 2018
Participated Countries	India and Japan
Forces	Military
Held at	Mizoram
Date	Nov 01, 2018 to Nov 14, 2018

The Japanese contingent is being represented by 32nd Infantry Battalion, while the Indian side is being represented by 6/1 Gorkha Rifles. Approximately one platoon strength each of both the battalions is participating in this exercise. The opening ceremony was given a patriotic start by contingents of both the countries singing their respective national anthems.

 Being first of its kind, the 14 days long joint exercise was conducted from Nov 01, 2018 – Nov 14, 2018. The exercise will consist of a balance of indoor classes and outdoor training activities. The objective of this exercise is to build and promote army to army relations in addition to exchanging skills and experiences between both the armies. Due emphasis will be laid on enhancing tactical skills to fight against global terrorism and on increasing interoperability between forces of both countries which is crucial for the success of any joint operation.

Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well developed tactical drills for neutralization of likely threats that may be encountered in urban warfare scenario. The exercise will contribute immensely in developing mutual understanding and respect for each other's military.

[CA] India - Japan

9th India – Japan strategic dialogue was held in Tokyo; India’s External Affairs Minister, Ms. Sushma swaraj and Japan Foreign Minister, Mr. Taro Kono participated in the meet

Both the leaders witnessed the exchange of documents for loans from Japan to India for projects

Ø Mumbai Metro line from Cuffe Parade

Ø Sea water desalinization plant in Chennai

Ø Intelligent transport system to reduce traffic congestion in Chennai

Ø Tree – planting schemes in Himachal Pradesh

Ø North East Connectivity project

[CA] MoUs between India - Japan

[CA] India - Japan

(01) Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project:

·        Construction of the 500-km long bullet train will begin soon and it would become operational by 2022-23.

·        Along with the High Speed Rail project, a training institute is also taking shape.

·        It will prepare the Makers of a New India – the highly skilled manpower required to build, operate and maintain the high speed railway.

(02)  Development of Japanese Industrial Townships:

·        Country-wide, four locations have been finalized. They are located in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.

(03) Auto – mobiles:

·        The Suzuki plant at Maandal is exporting cars world-wide, and foundation has been laid for production of Lithium-ion batteries to power the next generation hybrid and electric vehicles.

(04) Japan-India Institutes of Manufacturing:

·        They are being developed by Japanese companies.

·        Will be developed   in Gujarat, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

(05) Varanasi – Kyoto:

·        The project of Varanasi Convention Centre is a symbol of cultural co-operation between Kyoto city of Japan and Varanasi.

·        Have named it Rudraksh – the symbol of love, and a Prasad of Lord Shiva to Humanity. This Rudraksh will be a gar-land of love of Japan for Varanasi. It will also be a tribute to our shared Buddhist heritage present at Sarnath too.

·        Japan’s financial assistance to this project

[CA] India - Japan relations; Shinzo Abe visit to India

Shinzo Abe visit to India

India and Japan exchanged 16 bilateral documents including agreement on civil nuclear energy cooperation. The documents were exchanged in New Delhi during the state visit of Prime Minister of Japan to India. Besides, both the sides issued Joint Statement on India and Japan Vision 2025: Special Strategic and Global Partnership Working Together for Peace and Prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region and the World.

List of Documents exchanged b/w India & Japan
1	Agreement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation	Memorandum concerning the Agreement on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
2	Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on High Speed Railways	Between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with financial and technical assistance from Japan
3	Agreement concerning transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation	: It provides a framework to enhance defence and security cooperation by making available to each other, defence equipment and technology necessary to implement joint research, development and/or production projects or projects.
4	Agreement concerning security measures for the protection of classified military information	It ensures the reciprocal protection of classified military information transmitted to each other, provided that the terms of protection are consistent with the national laws and regulations of the Receiving Party.
5	Agreement on Amendment Protocol of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement	It amends the Convention between India and Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income, signed in 1989.
6	MoC between Ministry of Railways and MLIT on Technological Cooperation in Rail Sector	It establishes areas for comprehensive technological cooperation including sharing of information and best practices; exchanges of officials and technicians among others.
7	MoU on technological cooperation between Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO) and Japan Railway Technical Research Institute (JRTRI)	It proposes to cooperate in the areas of safety in train operation; advanced techniques of maintenance; use of environment friendly technologies, etc.
8	Letter of Intent on the Strategic International Cooperative Program between Department of Science and Technology of India and the Japan Science and Technology Agency	The Program seeks to promote and supports collaborative activities like Functional Applications of Physical Sciences in Information and Communication Technology (including Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analysis).
9	Letter of Intent toward establishing a young researcher’s exchange program between the DST, India and the Japan Society for the promotion of Science	This seeks to establish reciprocal Fellowship program for capacity building and human resource development in frontier areas of Science & Technology.
10	MoC on Medical Products Regulation Dialogue and Cooperation Framework	This was signed between Central Drugs Standard Control Organization and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan to facilitate a constructive dialogue in areas pertinent to raw materials for pharmaceutical use, biological products and and the relevant administrative and regulatory matters within the jurisdiction of the two Sides.
11	MoC in the field of Education	Seeks to encourage development of contacts and cooperation between the educational institutions of the two countries and possible support for exchange of aspiring students between India and Japan.
12	Statement of Intent between NITI Aayog and Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ)	It lays down the broad mission of promoting cooperation in issues related to energy sector so as to examine and understand various energy sector related issues.
13	MoU on cooperation between State Government of Andhra Pradesh and Toyama Prefecture	It facilitates mutual collaboration in the interest areas of economic exchange; pharmaceutical production industry; cultural exchange; tourism exchange; person-to-person and academic exchange
14	MoU between State Government of Kerala and Lake Nakaumi, Lake Shinji & Mt. Daisen area Mayors Association	Under this, both sides agreed to develop trade, investment and economic relations between the business circles of with particular focus on small and medium enterprises.
15	MoU between Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA) and National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)	It seeks to enrich the intellectual environment of both the institutions.
16	MoC in the field of forests and forestry	It endeavours to enhance cooperation in human resource development and institutional exchange between training institutes; sustainable forest management; enhancement of forest conservation and forest disaster prevention.

Other Highlights

·        India extended visa an arrival (VoA) facility for Japanese nationals, including businessmen from 1st March 2016.

·        India and Japan had signed a pact to develop Varanasi as a “Smart City”. The plan is to develop Varanasi on the lines of Japanese city of Kyoto.

        Mr. Shinzo Abe also attended the Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat in Varanasi.

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