2 September 2013 Current Affairs
3rd India – Republic of Korea Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue Held In Seoul
The 3rd India – Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) was held in Seoul on 2 September .The Indian side was led by Mr. Ashok K. Kantha, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) side was led by First Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Kim Kyou-hyun.Both nations discussed ways to further expand and deepen their Strategic Partnership. They undertook a comprehensive review of bilateral ties, including in the fields of economic collaboration, defense and security cooperation, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. In this context they discussed the potential for space and nuclear cooperation, upgrading of the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and collaboration in defense production. They agreed to step up cooperation in the spheres of maritime and cyber security.It was agreed that the 4th India-ROK Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue will be held at New Delhi at a mutually convenient time in 2014.
‘ National Food Security Bill ‘ Passed By Rajya Sabha
The National Food Security Bill, which seeks to provide heavily-subsidized food to two-thirds of India’s 1.23 billion people, was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 2 September.The Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on 19 March 2013 approved the National Food Security Bill. Lok Sabha on 26 August 2013 passed the National Food Security Bill 2013.
Indian Air Force inducts its Biggest Transport Aircraft ‘ C-17 Globemaster III ‘
On 2 September Union Defence Minister AK Antony formally inducted IAF’s biggest 70-tonne heavy-lift transport aircraft ‘ C-17 Globemaster III ‘ into service at the Hindon Air Base near Delhi.The C-17 Globemaster III aircraft has been procured from the US under a deal expected to be over Rs.20,000 crore.The C-17, with a capability to carry around 70 tonnes of load and around 150 fully geared troops, will replace the Russian Il-76 as the biggest aircraft in the IAF inventory till now.The IL-76 has the capability to carry loads upto around 40 tonnes.The IAF has placed orders with the US for ten C-17 aircraft under the deal signed in 2011 and three of them have already been delivered.The US Air Force is scheduled to complete the delivery of all the 10 planes by the end of 2014.