Narendra Modi - Visits in 2016, Highlights and Pacts Signed

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has Visited 17 countries( as PMs official visit) in 2016 to strengthen India's relations and to facilitate mutual development of India and other nations. Highlights are as follows:

Belgium:

Date of Visit: March 30, 2016
Capital: Brussels
Currency: Euro
Prime Minister: Charles Michel

Highlights:

1. PM Narendra Modi attended 13th India-EU summit in Brussels.
2. India and Belgium agreed tackle the growing menace of terrorism and its root causes and manifestations through united efforts by the international community.
3. India and Belgium agreed to work together for India to become a member of the four multilateral export control regimes, namely, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group and Wassenaar Arrangement.
4. Both the countries agreed for early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and strict compliance with all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions designating terrorists and terrorist groups.
5. The two Leaders also resolved to work together to drive forward international efforts in forums like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
6. As Belgium being India’s second largest trade partner in goods in the EU and India being Belgium’s second largest export destination outside the EU countries agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial partnerships.
7. Both thr Prime Ministers welcomed the conclusion of the amending protocol that makes the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) more comprehensive and contemporary.
8. Both the leaders encouraged businesses on both sides to take advantage of the growing trade and investment opportunities, especially in sectors with mutual complementarities like ports, railways, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, information technology, health, research and innovation.
9. Both the leaders welcomed the technical activation of an optical infrared telescope in Devasthal in India, jointly developed by ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences) of India and the Belgian company AMOS (Advanced Mechanical and Optical Systems) as a concrete demonstration of successful collaboration.
10. The two leaders also welcomed the upcoming finalized Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Biotechnology of India and the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) for cooperation in the field of Biotechnology.

United States of America

Date of Visit: March 31 & April 1, 2016
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Currency: United States Dollar
President: Barack Obama

Highlights:

1. PM Narendra Modi attended the 4th Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC.
2. India and US inked a MoU for Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) observatory in India.
3. PM Narendra Modi announced a contribution of 1 million US dollars to Nuclear Security Fund of International Atomic Energy Agency.

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Date of Visit: April 2 & 3, 2016
Capital: Riyadh
Currency: Saudi rSaud
King: Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Highlights:

India and Saudi Arabia signed five agreements and MoUs.
List of Agreements/MOUs signed during the visit of Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia (April 03, 2016)

1. Agreement on Labour Co-operation between the Ministry of Labour of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India for Recruitment of General Category Workers.
2. Technical Cooperation Program between the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO).
3. Executive Program for Cooperation in the Field of Handicrafts between the Export Promotion Council for Handicraft (EPCH) in the Republic of India and Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.
4. MoU between Financial Intelligence Unit - India and the Financial Intelligence Unit-Saudi Arabia concerning Cooperation in the Exchange of Intelligence related to Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Related Crimes
5. Framework for Investment Promotion Cooperation between Invest India and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA).

PM Narendra Modi met with Mr. Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud 'The king of KSA' and presented a gold-plated replica of the Cheraman Juma Masjid of Kerala.

Iran( Islamic Republic of Iran)

Date of Visit: May 22 and 23, 2016
Capital: Tehran
Currency: Iranian Toman
President: Hassan Rouhani

List of Agreements/MOUs signed during the visit of Prime Minister to Iran (May 23. 2016)

1. India-Iran Cultural Exchange Programme- The objective is to extend the CEP for the period 2016-2019 covering the areas of culture and art; radio, TV, mass media and cinema; and relevant general and financial terms.
2. MoU between the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of Iran on Policy Dialogue between Governments and Interaction between Think Tanks.
3. MoU between Foreign Service Institute, MEA and the School of International Relations, Iran’s MoFA.
4. Implementation Protocol between Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of S&T and Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research and Technology on Cooperation in the Fields of Science and Technology.
5. MoU between Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Islamic Culture and Relations Organizations of the IR Iran.
6. Bilateral contract on Chabahar Port for port development and operations between IPGPL [India Ports Global Private Limited] and Arya Banader of Iran(This MoU is intended for the purpose of credit of USD 150 million for Chabahar port).
7. MoU between EXIM Bank and Iran’s Ports and Maritime Organization [PMO] on current specific terms for the Chabahar Port project.
8. MoU between ECGC [Export Credit Guarantee Corporation] Limited of India and the Export Guarantee Fund of Iran (EGFI) to establish a framework of cooperation between ECGC and EGFI in supporting and encouraging foreign trade and foreign investment between India and Iran and, where appropriate, the supply of goods and services from their respective countries as part of a project to a third country.
9. MoU between National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) - the two parties to jointly explore the possibility of manufacturing aluminium metal by setting up of a smelter on joint venture basis in Iran and/or entering into tolling arrangements with smelters in Iran or any other form of business collaboration including sale of alumina etc.
10. MoU between IRCON and Construction, Development of Transport and Infrastructure Company (CDTIC) of Iran -will enable IRCON to provide requisite services for the construction of Chabahar-Zahedan railway line which forms part of transit and transportation corridor in trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan. Services to be provided by IRCON include all superstructure work and financing the project (around USD 1.6 billion).
11. MoU for cooperation between the National Archives of India and the National Library and Archives Organisation of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Date: June 4, 2016
Capital: Kabul
Currency: Afghani
President: Ashraf Ghani

Highlights of the trip:

1. India dedicates a Dam, at a cost of Rs. 1,700 crore on the Harirud river in Chist-e-Sharif in western Herat neighbouring Iran. The Dam will irrigate 75,000 hectares of land and generate 42 MW power.
2. Prime Minister Modi was awarded with Afghanistan's highest civilian honour, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award.

State of Qatar

Date of Visit: June 4 and 5, 2016
Capital: Doha
Currency: Qatari Riyal
Prime Minister: Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani

List of Agreements/MOUs inked during Shri Narendra Modi's Visit:

1. MoU between National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), Ministry of Finance, Government of India and Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)( The MoU aims at establishing framework for facilitating participation of Qatari institutional investors in Infrastructure projects in India under NIIF).
2. Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters between the Government of Republic of India and Government of the State of Qatar(This agreement promotes cooperation and mutual assistance between the two countries on matters pertaining to customs administration through exchange of information and intelligence).
3. MoU between Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) and the Qatar Financial Information Unit (QFIU) concerning cooperation in the exchange of intelligence related to money laundering, terrorism-financing and related crimes.
4. MoU between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Government of Republic of India and the National Qualifications Authority/Supreme Education Council, Government of the State of Qatar for Cooperation in Skill Development and Recognition of Qualifications.
5. MoU on cooperation in Tourism between the Government of the Republic of India and Government of the State of Qatar.
6. The First Executive Programme for MoU in the field of Youth and Sports between the Government of Republic of India and Government of the State of Qatar

Switzerland

Date: June 6, 2016
Capital: Bern
Currency: Swiss Franc
President: Johann Schneider-Ammann

Highlights:

1. Switzerland supported India’s bid to NSG (Nuclear Suppliers Group) in the bilateral meeting held with the President of Swiss Confederation Johann Schneider Ammann.
2. The two sides also supported each other on the non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council besides taking up the black money and tax evasion issue.
3. Other issues that came up during the bilateral talks were: vocational education, renewable energy and investment in India

United States of America

Date of Visit: June 6 to 8, 2016
Capital: Washington, D.C.
Currency: United States Dollar
President: Barack Obama

Highlights:

1. Shri Modi Addressed Congressional reception hosted in his honour by the Senate and House Foreign Affairs Committees in association with the India Caucus in the two Chambers.
2. India and US will work together in the areas of issue of climate change, terrorism, poverty ,health sector,etc.

Mexico

Date: June 8, 2016.
Capital: Mexico City
Currency: Peso
President: Enrique Peña Nieto

Highlights of the Visit:

1. The two countries will update the bases of cooperation according to a convergent and comprehensive plan, will evaluate the progress made in diverse fields and will set new objectives and themes to strengthen the agenda of bilateral relations.
2. Agreed that cooperation is key to promote the investment and the use of solar energy. The two sides agreed to explore ways and means to boost the objectives of the International Solar Alliance.
3. Collaborations in space science, earth observation, climate and environmental studies, and the efficient use of space-related resources available in India as well as in Mexico for remote sensing, advance warning for disaster prevention and launch of satellites between the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
4. Pledged to continue promoting the shared goals of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation as solutions with multilateral perspective, as well as to continue promoting cooperation on international security issues.
5. Had a detailed exchange of views on the regional issues of mutual interest, including the political and economic developments in Latin America, the CELAC and the Pacific Alliance, as well as the current situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Republic of Uzbekistan

Date: June 23, 24 2016
Capital: Tashkent
Currency: Uzbekistani som
Prime minister: Abdulla Oripov

Highlights of the Visit:

1. PM Modi attended Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit concluded on 24 June 2016 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
2. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation.
3. India and Pakistan signed the Memorandum of Obligations on 24 June 2016.
4. The signing of Memorandum of Obligations by India and Pakistan started the formal process of joining the SCO as a full member. They are expected to become full members by the next meeting at Astana in 2017.

Mozambique( Republic of Mozambique)

Date: July 7, 2016
Capital: Maputo
Currency: Mozambican Metical
President: Filipe Nyusi

List of MOUs/Agreements signed during the visit of Prime Minister to Mozambique (July 7, 2016)

1. MoU between India and Mozambique on drug demand reduction and prevention of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals and related matters
2. MoU between Government of India and Government of Mozambique in the field of Youth Affairs and Sports
3. Long-term agreement for purchase of pulses from Mozambiquets

Republic of South Africa

Dates: July 7 to 9 , 2016.
Capitals: Pretoria( administrative), Cape town( legislative) and Bloemfontein( judicial).
Currency: Rand
President: Jacob Zuma

Highlights:

During the PM's visit, the following Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding were signed by the two sides:

1. Memorandum of Understanding on ICT
2. Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Grassroots Innovation in the area of Science and Technology
3. Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism; and
4. Programme of Cultural Cooperation.

United Republic of Tanzania

Date: July 9 and 10, 2016
Capital: Dodoma
Currency: Tanzanian shilling
President : John Pombe Magufuli

List of MOUs/Agreements signed during the visit of Prime Minister to Tanzania (July 10, 2016)

1. MoU on Cooperation in the field of water resource management and development between the two countries
2. MoU on Visa waiver agreement for Diplomatic/Official passport holders between the two countries
3. Agreement on Joint Action Plan (JAP) between National Small Industries Corporation of India (NSIC) and Small Industries Development Organization Tanzania (SIDO)
4. MoU between the Government of Tanzania and the Government of India for Establishment of Vocational Training Centre at Zanzibar.
5. LOC of US $92 million for rehabilitation and improvement of water supply system in Zanzibar

Republic of Kenya

Date: July 10 and 11, 2016
Capital: Nairobi
Currency: Kenyan shilling
President: Uhuru Kenyatta

List of MOUs/Agreements signed during the visit of Prime Minister to Kenya (July 11, 2016):

1. Revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA)
2. Bilateral agreement on exemption of Visa for holders of Diplomatic passports
3. MoU on Defence Cooperation
4. MoU on Cooperation in the field of standardisation, expertise sharing and mutual trade between Bureau of Indian Standards and Bureau of Kenya Standards
5. MoU on Cooperation in the field of National Housing Policy Development and Management
6. Line of Credit Agreement for US $15 million (first tranche of US $30 million) to IDB Capital Limited, Kenya, for development of various small and medium enterprises [SMEs] in Kenya
7. Line of Credit Agreement for US $29.95 million to the Government of Kenya for upgrade of Rift Valley Textiles Factory [RIVATEX East Africa Limited], Kenya.

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Date: September 2 and 3, 2016
Capital: Hanoi
Currency: Vietnamese dong
Prime minister: Nguyễn Xuân Phúc

List of MOUs/Agreements signed during the visit of Prime Minister to Vietnam (Sept 3, 2016):

The following Agreements were signed in the presence of the two Prime Ministers:

1. Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes;
2. Protocol for Amending the Agreement on Avoiding Double Taxation;
3. Program of Cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Matters;
4. Protocol between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Ministry of External Affairs of India on Celebrating 2017 as the "Year of Friendship”;
5. MOU on Health Cooperation;
6. MOU on Cooperation in Information Technology;
7. MOU on Cooperation between the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and the Indian Council of World Affairs;
8. MOU on cooperation in Cyber Security;
9. MOU between the Bureau of Indian Standards and Directorate for Standard, Metrology and Quality for Cooperation in the Fields of Standardization and Conformity Assessment;
10. MOU on Establishment of the Centre of Excellence in Software Development and Training;
11. Technical Agreement on Sharing of White Shipping Information;
12. Contract for Offshore High-speed Patrol Boats;.

People's Republic of China

Date: September 3 to 5, 2016
Capital: Beijing
Currency: Renminbi
President: Xi Jinping

Highlights:

1. PM Modi addressed the world leaders at the ongoing G20 Summit in China.
2. The PM stated that G20 needed an action oriented agenda of collective, coordinated and targeted action.
3. He also remarked that challenges and opportunities were common for all G20 nations. "To benefit all, G20 would need to act decisively. This will also require strong network of partnerships", PM added further.

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Date: September 7 and 8, 2016.
Capital: Vientiane
Currency: Kip
President : Bounnhang Vorachith

Shri Modi in 14th ASEAN-India Summit and 11th East Asia Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR (September 08, 2016)

• The Meeting was chaired by H.E. Thongloun SISOULITH, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR. The Summit was attended by all Heads of State/Government of ASEAN Member States and Mr. Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India. The Secretary-General of ASEAN was also in attendance. 
• India commended ASEAN Member States on the establishment of the ASEAN Community and reiterated its support for ASEAN’s efforts in the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. 
• The ASEAN Leaders appreciated India’s continued support for the ASEAN Unity and Centrality in the evolving regional architecture, including India’s active participation and positive contribution to ASEAN-led mechanisms, namely the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting 
• Plus (ADMM Plus). 

Japan

Date:November 10 to 12, 2016
Capital: Tokyo
Currency: Yen
Prime minister: Shinzo Abe

Highlights of the Visit:

• The two Prime Ministers also decided to expand common space and their cooperation on global challenges such as climate change, countering terrorism and violent extremism, reform of the United Nations (UN) including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), as well as maintaining rules-based international order. 
• Both the Prime Ministers underlined the need to intensify cooperation in high technology, space, clean energy and energy sector development, infrastructure and smart cities, bio-technology, pharmaceuticals, ICT, as well as education and skills development to strengthen and deepen their Special Strategic and Global Partnership. 
• The two Prime Ministers decided to cooperate on the human resource development in the manufacturing sector in India through "Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme.” 
• The two Prime Ministers welcomed the steady progress to realise 3.5 trillion yen of public and private financing to India in five years under the "Japan-India Investment Promotion Partnership." 
• They also welcomed the progress in the projects at the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) and the Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC). The two Prime Ministers also confirmed the importance of securing appropriate implementation of ODA projects.

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