22 August 2013 Current Affairs
21st Round Bhutan-China Border Talks
The 21st round of the boundary talks between the government of Bhutan and People’s Republic of China was held in Bhutan’s capital Thimphu on 22 August.The Bhutanese delegation was led by Lyonpo Rinzin Dorje, Foreign Minister.The Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Liu Zhenrrin, Vice Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The meeting agreed to conduct Joint Technical Field Survey in the first week of September 2013 in Pasamlung area in Bumthang.The two sides expressed satisfaction with the talks and reaffirmed their commitment to resolve the boundary at the earliest through mutual consultation, understanding and accommodation on the basis of the Four Guiding Principles agreed to in 1988 and the 1998 Agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility in the Bhutan-China Border Areas.China shares a contiguous border of 470 kilometres with Bhutan and its territorial disputes with the country have been a source of potential conflict.
India and Israel Signed MoU for Crop Diversification
On 22 August India and Israel have signed an MoU for setting up Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for developing fruits and vegetables to encourage crop diversification pattern.Haryana and Maharashtra covered in phase I while states such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Gujarat and are being covered in Phase-II (2012-15).
Cabinet Approved Amendments To Negate SC ruling On Convicted MPs and MLAs
On 22 August the Union Cabinet approved amendments to the Representation of People Act to negate a Supreme Court order on immediate disqualification of convicted MPs and MLAs.The development came after all major political parties backed the government on the move to amend the Act to negate the impact of the apex court verdict directing immediate disqualification of MPs and MLAs on being sentenced for more than two years in a criminal case.The Cabinet also approved amending the Constitution for overturning the SC ruling, which barred people in police or judicial custody from contesting polls. The two proposals were approved in the form of amendments to the Representation of People Act .
Afghan Vice-President Mohammad Karim Khalili Visited India
The vice president of Afghanistan, Mohammad Karim Karim Khalili visited India from 20 – 22 August.During the visit Khalili met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New delhi .In the meet they discussed security issues and trade among other bilateral issues.Khalili also meet’s India’s president Pranab Mukherjee, vice-president Mohammad Hamid Ansari, and external affairs minister Salman Khurshid and discussed on both countries bilateral issues.