1. Joint Declaration on the Establishment of India-Thailand Strategic Partnership
2. MoU between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the field of Digital Technologies
3. MoU between Sagarmala Division, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of the Republic of India and Fine Arts Department, Ministry of Culture, Kingdom of Thailand for development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat
4. MoU between National Small Industries Corporation Ltd. (NSIC), the Republic of India and Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), the Kingdom of Thailand on cooperation in the field of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
5. MoU between the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand
6. MoU between North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (NEHHDC) of the Republic of India and Creative Economy Agency (CEA) of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand
Raksha Mantri exhorts AMC to continue adopting latest technologies to provide quality health services to soldiers “Need to develop tech for both defence & civilian sectors, Civil-military convergence is crucial for overall development”
INHS Asvini, Mumbai bags RM Trophy for best hospital in AFMS for 2024
Posted On: 03 APR 2025 5:58PM by PIB Delhi
“The medical sector is going through a phase of technological transformation across the globe, and the Army Medical Corps (AMC) must continue adopting latest advancements to provide quality health services to our soldiers,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while addressing the 261stRaising Day celebrations of AMC at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi Cantt. on April 03, 2025.
While Raksha Mantri acknowledged AMC’s efforts of adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and carrying out research in cutting-edge tech, he stressed on the need to stay abreast with evolving practices to achieve new breakthroughs in the field. He pitched for encouraging simulator-based training, wherein expertise in medical procedure is achieved through machine-based learning. He batted for additional research and training centres for the personnel to achieve this proficiency.
Shri Rajnath Singh highlighted the need to develop dual-use technologies, which can prove to be beneficial to both defence and civilian sectors. Civil-military convergence in the field of defence technology is crucial for the overall development, he said, while commending AMC for working with academia such as ICMR, IITs & AIIMS and medical organisations of other countries. He also urged AMC to explore the possibility of training medical professionals of other developing and under-developed countries to increase India’s stature in the field of military diplomacy.
Raksha Mantri appreciated the remarkable contribution of AMC in reforming the health sector – from infrastructure to services and policy making to implementation. He stated that AMC has strengthened the combat medical readiness of the Armed Forces by introducing Advanced Mobile Surgical Units and Rapid Response Medical teams. Indigenous Trauma Management System and AI-powered medical triage systems have improved emergency response time & patient care, he added.
Shri Rajnath Singh pointed out that the services of AMC are not limited to the serving soldiers, and they continuously strive for the well-being of the ex-servicemen and their families.
Raksha Mantri made special mention of Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, the incumbent and first female Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), describing her as a shining example of the growing Nari Shakti in the military. “Under her leadership, not only are our doctors carrying out exceptional work, the participation of women has also increased,” he said.
On the occasion, Shri Rajnath Singh presented the Raksha Mantri Trophy in recognition of the outstanding performance in delivery of healthcare to Armed Forces personnel. The trophy for the best hospital in AFMS for 2024 was awarded to INHS Asvini, Mumbai, while the second-best hospital trophy was given to Command Hospital, Western Command, Chandimandir, Haryana. These awards stand as testimony to the AMC’s unwavering pursuit of excellence and patient care.
The event was attended by senior dignitaries, including Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, DGAFMS Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin and other civil and military officials.
The Union Cabinet approved the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on 6th September 2023, to support the development of BESS. As per the Scheme, VGF support will be provided for BESS approved during 2023-26. The fund disbursement will occur in 5 tranches: 10% upon financial closure of the project, 45% upon achieving the Commercial Operation Date (COD), and 15% per year over the next 3 years from COD.With the decline in battery prices, the scheme capacity has been increased from 4000 MWh to 13,200 MWh while staying within the approved budgetary allocationof Rs 3,760 Cr.
A budgetary provision of ₹96 Crore was made for 1000 MWh BESS in 2024-25, assuming 10% disbursement upon financial closure. However, with falling BESS costs, the VGF amount reduced from ₹96 lakh per MWh (estimated in 2023-24) to ₹46 lakh per MWh or 30% of capital cost, whichever is lower. As a result, the budgetary allocation was revised from ₹96 Crore to ₹46 Crore. As per scheme guidelines, 10% of VGF is to be disbursed after financial closure. Since, none of the projects could achieve financial closure, no expenditure was incurred under the scheme during 2024-25.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is responsible for monitoring the scheme, while the Ministry of Power oversees the scheme, to ensure timely completion and efficient fund utilisation.
The National Electricity Plan 2023 estimates that 236 GWh BESS would be required by 2031-32. This scheme will support integration of renewable energy and help minimize costs during peak demand periods in non-solar hours.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Power, Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, today (April 3) met with the Director-General of the Customs Administration of the Netherlands, Mrs Nanette van Schelven, in the presence of the Consul-General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Hong Kong, Mr Maurits ter Kuile, in the Customs Headquarters Building. The meeting aimed to forge closer ties and strengthen collaboration in customs affairs between the two sides.
During the meeting, both sides reviewed the economic and trade relations between the Netherlands and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as the on-going collaborative efforts between the two Customs administrations on customs administrative assistance and enforcement co-operation. They also discussed and exchanged views on trade facilitation and other issues of mutual concern.
Mr Chan welcomed the visit by Mrs van Schelven and Mr ter Kuile, noting that both Hong Kong and the Netherlands are key players in international trade. He emphasised that maintaining close collaboration between the two sides on customs affairs is crucial for fostering the robust development of international trade and creating more business opportunities for both economies.
​The Dutch Customs delegation will also visit the customs facilities at the Hong Kong International Airport tomorrow (April 4) to better understand the clearance operation of Hong Kong Customs for air cargoes and air passengers.
The Government has prepared plans across key sectors namely Industry, Buildings (including appliances), Transport and Others/Miscellaneous. By implementing these plans, it is aimed to reduce the energy consumption by 89 Million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2030 as compared to the scenario in which these interventions are not carried out.
Sustainable cooling acts as a tool to address the growing cooling demand. To balance the growing cooling demand while ensuring the sustainable and energy efficient cooling solutions, two new building codes: the Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) for commercial buildings and the Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) for residential buildings have been published by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) for adoption by States. The Air-conditioners, Ceiling Fans and Refrigerators have been brought under mandatory compliance of Standard and Labelling programme to ensure that energy efficient devices are deployed for cooling purposes.
Additionally, with the overarching goal to address the rising cooling demand, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP).
Bureau of Energy Efficiency, under the aegis of Ministry of Power has taken several initiatives to promote the energy efficiency in industry, transport and domestic sectors which includes;
Perform, Achieve and Trade scheme to improve energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries. It sets sector-specific energy reduction targets, allowing industries to earn Energy Saving Certificates for exceeding targets, which can be traded on power exchanges. This incentivizes cost-effective energy savings while providing flexibility in compliance.
Under the Standards and Labelling programme, the major energy consuming appliances are given star rating from 1 to 5 with 5 star as most efficient appliance. Based on star label, the consumer is encouraged for making informed choice regarding purchase of energy efficient appliances thereby saving electricity consumption.
The Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) for commercial buildings and the Eco Niwas Samhita (ENS) for residential buildings have been published for energy savings in building sector. These codes are to be adopted and implemented by the States / local bodies.
Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency norms for passenger cars for energy savings in transport sector.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Power, Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) convened a meeting with Gorkha representatives in New Delhi to address issues concerning the Gorkha community today. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai. During the meeting, the Gorkha delegation led by Darjeeling MP Shri Raju Bista highlighted various issues related to Gorkhas and the region and urged for early resolution of the problems.
The Minister of State for Home Affairs listened to the representatives attentively and assured them that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the all-round development and security of the region are among the priorities of the Government of India. He further assured that the Central Government would resolve the issues of Gorkhas, within the constitutional framework, in coordination with the Government of West Bengal.
During the meeting, various matters were discussed in detail and it was made clear by the government that the Central Government is working with utmost sensitivity to resolve the issues related to Darjeeling, Terai and Dooars.
The meeting was attended by Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan, Registrar General of India Shri Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs Shri Roumuan Paite and other senior officers of the Ministry of Home Affairs. From the Gorkha side, the delegation included Darjeeling MLA Shri Neeraj Zimba, Kalchini MLA Shri Bishal Lama, GNLF Chief Shri Man Ghising, GJM Chief Bimal Gurung, CPRM President Shri J.B. Rai, GoRaNiMo Chief Shri Dawa Pakhrin, SuMuMo Chief Shri Vikas Rai, Dr. Kalyan Dewan, GJM General Secretary Shri Roshan Giri and GNLF General Secretary Shri Nar Bahadur Chhetri.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi thanked the Prime Minister of Thailand H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra for giving a copy of the Tipitaka in Pali, hailing it as a beautiful language, carrying within it the essence of Lord Buddha’s teachings.
In a post on X, he wrote:
“A very special gesture!
I am grateful to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for giving me a copy of the Tipitaka in Pali. Pali is indeed a beautiful language, carrying within it the essence of Lord Buddha’s teachings. As you are all aware, our Government had conferred the status of Classical Language on Pali last year. People from all over the world have appreciated this decision and it has also encouraged research as well as study on this language.
@ingshin”
A very special gesture!
I am grateful to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for giving me a copy of the Tipitaka in Pali. Pali is indeed a beautiful language, carrying within it the essence of Lord Buddha’s teachings. As you are all aware, our Government had conferred the… pic.twitter.com/FDTx4yfmDd
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met the Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E. Paetongtarn Shinawatra today in Bangkok on his Official Visit to Thailand. On arrival at the Government House, Prime Minister was received by Prime Minister Shinawatra and accorded a ceremonial welcome. This was their second meeting. Earlier, the two leaders had met on the sidelines of ASEAN related Summit in Vientiane in October 2024.
The two leaders reviewed the entire range of bilateral cooperation between India and Thailand. They discussed ways to further strengthen political exchanges, defence & security partnership, strategic engagement, trade & investment and people-to-people ties. While doing so, they underlined the need to enhance connectivity, health, science & technology, start-up, innovation, digital, education, culture and tourism collaborations. They also discussed ways to deepen cooperation for countering transnational organised crimes including human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and cyber scams. The two Prime Ministers exchanged views on global issues and discussed ways of forging closer cooperation in sub-regional, regional and multilateral fora, including BIMSTEC, ASEAN and Mekong Ganga Cooperation.
The two leaders witnessed exchange of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of India-Thailand Strategic Partnership. They also witnessed exchange of MoUs in the fields of : handlooms and handicraft; digital technologies; Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); and maritime heritage. Both leaders also welcomed the establishment of an India-Thailand Consular Dialogue, which will further facilitate people-to-people contacts between the two countries. The List of Outcomes may be seen here.
As a gesture of goodwill, the Thai government released a special postage stamp depicting 18th century Ramayana mural paintings to mark Prime Minister’s visit. Underlining the close cultural and religious connections between the two countries, Prime Minister was presented a special edition of Buddhist holy scriptures TI-PITAKA in Pali by Prime Minister Shinawatra. As a gesture to further deepen the close civilizational ties between India and Thailand, Prime Minister offered sending Lord Buddha’s Relics excavated from Gujarat to Thailand, for people to pay their respect. Last year, the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha and two of his disciples had travelled from India to Thailand, and over 4 million people had paid their respects.
India and Thailand are maritime neighbours with shared civilizational bonds underpinned by cultural, linguistic and religious ties, including those of Ramayana and Buddhism. India’s relations with Thailand are an integral pillar of our ‘Act East’ Policy, Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, Vision MAHASAGAR and our vision of the Indo-Pacific. Sustained interactions between the two countries have led to a robust and multifaceted relationship based on age-old ties and shared interests.
India calls on BRICS to Unite on ‘Baku to Belem Roadmap’ to Mobilize USD 1.3 Trillion for Achieving NDC Goals, at the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting in Brasilia India emphasizes on Collaborative Climate Action among BRICS Nations for Strengthening Global Sustainability and Just Transition for All
Posted On: 03 APR 2025 8:16PM by PIB Delhi
India has vociferously advocated the need for a Collective Leadership for advancing the 2030 Climate Agenda at the 11th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting, held in Brasilia, Brazil, today. The Indian delegation was led by Sh. Amandeep Garg, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Session I: Advancing Environmental Cooperation amongst BRICS towards Sustainable Development and a Just Transition for All
During the first session, India underscored BRICS’ pivotal role in shaping global sustainability and Climate action. Highlighting that BRICS nations collectively account for 47% of the world’s population and contribute 36% of global GDP (PPP), India emphasized the group’s responsibility in addressing climate change and sustainable development.
India reaffirmed the significance of the New Delhi Statement from the 7th BRICS Environment Ministers’ Meeting 2021, which advocates a holistic approach to climate action by integrating adaptation, mitigation, and means of implementation. Stressing the urgent need for equitable carbon budget utilization, India called for a balanced transition that prioritizes developing nations’ growth while ensuring sustainability.
A key focus was the Baku to Belem Roadmap, aimed at securing USD 1.3 trillion in climate finance to support Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). India urged BRICS partners to strengthen climate financing mechanisms to meet global sustainability commitments effectively.
On energy security, India reiterated commitments made in the BRICS New Delhi Declaration (2021), which promotes a diversified energy mix, including fossil fuels, hydrogen, nuclear, and renewables. India highlighted the Green Grids Initiative – One Sun, One World, One Grid, launched under the International Solar Alliance, as a transformative project for global renewable energy integration.
India also emphasized the role of resource efficiency and the circular economy in achieving sustainability goals. The Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition, launched under G20, was cited as a model for global corporate collaboration in sustainable resource management.
“A Just Transition must acknowledge the diverse economic realities of nations. Each country has a unique development pathway, and the provision of adequate means of implementation—in finance, technology, and capacity-building—is essential to ensuring that no nation or community is left behind in this transition. As BRICS nations, we must strengthen our engagements in multilateral forums, championing the interests of developing economies and advocating for a fair and equitable transition”, India’s statement read.
Session II: Collective Leadership for Climate and the 2030 Agenda
In the second session, India highlighted that the expansion of BRICS from five to eleven members strengthens its leadership in global climate governance. With BRICS nations facing common environmental challenges such as desertification, pollution and biodiversity loss, India stressed the importance of collective action and shared responsibility.
Emphasizing the need for fair and equitable climate transition, India stressed for continued collaboration amongst BRICS Nations at multilateral forums such as UNFCCC, UNCCD, CBD, and UNEA. The country reiterated the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC) as a fundamental guideline for climate negotiations.
India also acknowledged BRICS’ leadership in sustainability through flagship initiatives, including the Partnership for Urban Environmental Sustainability, the Clean Rivers Programme, and Sustainable Urban Management. The country called for enhanced cooperation in tackling marine plastic pollution, improving air quality, and printing resource efficiency.
On Climate Finance, India highlighted the urgent need for developed nations to fulfill their commitments, noting that the proposed USD 300 billion per year by 2035 under the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance is far below the required USD 1.3 trillion. India emphasized the importance of COP30, to be hosted in Brazil, as a critical milestone for advancing global adaptation and resilience efforts.
India also reiterated its leadership in conservation and sustainability, mentioning initiatives such as the International Big Cat Alliance, a global effort for wildlife conservation. Furthermore, India urged BRICS nations to join global sustainability initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, Leadership Group for Industry Transition, and Global Biofuel Alliance to accelerate collective climate action.
India reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with BRICS partners to drive transformative change in climate action, environmental cooperation, and sustainable development. The Indian delegation expressed gratitude to Brazil, the BRICS Chair, for hosting the meeting and emphasized the importance of continued engagement for a greener, more resilient future.
In a significant move to facilitate the Mutual Fund industry’s customer onboarding process, Department of Posts (DoP) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nippon India Mutual Fund to provide door-to-door KYC verification services for their investors. This partnership aims to streamline the KYC process, ensuring convenience, security, and compliance for investors across India.
The MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) was signed between Ms. Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager, Business Development Directorate, Department of Post, and Mr. Sundeep Sikka Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer Nippon Life India Asset Management Ltd.
Ms. Manisha Bansal Badal and Mr. Sundeep Sikka
India Post’s unparalleled reach, with a presence in even the remotest corners of the country, sets it apart as an ideal partner for mutual fund companies seeking to expand their investor base. After successfully handling more than 5 lakh KYC verifications for UTI and SUUTI in a short period, India Post has proven its capability to manage large-scale operations efficiently and securely.
The door-to-door KYC service will offer investors the convenience of completing the process from home, a crucial benefit for the investors especially the elderly. This partnership aligns with the Government of India’s emphasis on Jan Nivesh, the initiative aimed at promoting financial inclusion for the common masses.
By offering door-to-door KYC services, India Post is providing easy access to financial products for individuals who may otherwise face barriers due to mobility issues or lack of access to financial institutions. This initiative ensures that a broader segment of the population, including those in rural and underserved areas, can participate in the growing mutual fund market, thus empowering them to make informed investment decisions and secure their financial future.
This collaboration marks a key milestone in India Post’s commitment to financial inclusion and economic development. With its trusted network, India Post aims to continue forging new partnerships and expanding its presence in the financial services sector.