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Daily Current Capsules - 21st October 2019
Defence
Naval Commanders' Conference
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Naval Commanders' Conference ) + Mains ( GS III security challenges their management in border areas)

What's the NEWS
  • The Naval Commanders' Conference of 2019 is the apex level biannual event for interaction between the Naval Commanders for deliberation and formulation of important policy decisions.
Know! more about the conference
  • During the course of three days, the Chief of the Naval Staff, with the Commanders-in-Chief, will review major operational, materiel, logistics, HR, training and administrative activities undertaken during the previous six months and deliberate upon the course to be steered in the ensuing months.
  • The conference also provides an opportunity for institutionalised interaction of Naval Commanders with senior Government officials to take ahead a number of inter-Ministerial initiatives towards development of a safe and secure maritime environment essential for holistic economic growth of the country.
  • The theme of discussions will focus on the 'Functional Reorganisation of Indian Navy towards improving Operational Efficiency' and 'Optimal Manning' wherein contemporary issues pertaining to 'operations', maintenance', 'op-logistics', 'data management' and 'improvement of organisational practices' are listed for deliberations.
Some Maritime Organisations

SAGAR Programme (Security and Growth for All in the Region)
  • Focus - enhancing blue economy
  • Security and Growth for All in the Region is a maritime initiative which gives priority to Indian Ocean region for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity of India in Indian Ocean region.
  • The goal is to seek a climate of trust and transparency; respect for international maritime rules and norms by all countries; sensitivity to each other`s interests; peaceful resolution of maritime issues; and increase in maritime cooperation.
  • It is in line with the principles of Indian Ocean Rim Association.
IORA (Indian Ocean Rim Association)
  • The Indian Ocean Rim Association, formerly known as the Indian Ocean Rim Initiative and Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation, is an international organisation consisting of 22 coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean
  • Established in 1997 in Ebene Cyber City, Mauritius
  • First established as Indian Ocean Rim Initiative in Mauritius on March 1995 and formally launched in 1997 by the conclusion of a multilateral treaty known as the Charter of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation.
  • It is based on the principles of Open Regionalism for strengthening Economic Cooperation particularly on Trade Facilitation and Investment, Promotion as well as Social Development of the region.
Energy Security
11TH Nuclear Energy Conclave 2019
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Nuclear energy conclave ) + Mains ( GS III infrastructure development - energy)
Organised by -India Energy Forum
  • Objective and theme - focused on economical importance of Nuclear Energy and its theme was - Economics of Nuclear Power- Innovation towards Safer & Cost-Effective Technologies.
Facts related to Nuclear energy
  • A hall of nuclear energy was recently opened in New Delhi to create awareness about the application of nuclear energy.
  • Light Water Reactors and Fast Breeder Reactors were also deployed in the country.
  • Light water reactors are those power reactors that are moderated and cooled with ordinary water.
  • There are two basic types of reactors - Boiling water reactor and pressurised water reactor.
  • India can access to the imported uranium that will help us to increase nuclear program size.
Know! about India Energy Forum(IEF)
  • It was established in 2001 with an objective to understand India's Nuclear Energy Program.
  • Several public and private nuclear organizations, oil and gas organizations, Renewable energy organizations are members of India Energy Forum. Some of them are - NHPC, NTPC, Power Grid Corporation, ONGC, Power Finance Corporation among others.
  • IEF is the spokesman of India's total energy sector
Bilateral Relations
India, Philippines sign four agreements in Manila
Relevance IN - Prelims ( India - Philippines takeaways) + GS II ( bilateral relations)

What's the NEWS
  • India-Philippines signed four bilateral agreements during President Ram Nath Kovind's Manila visit. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind is on an official tour to the Philippines and Japan.
  • Kovind's visit will make an impact in the region as China claims most of the sea area.
  • China had claimed its possession on the South China Sea many times despite UN-backed international tribunal ruled that China's claim was without any legal basis.

Know! about the Agreements signed
  • India and Philippines had four agreements including Science and Technology, Maritime, Tourism and Culture.
  • These agreements include exchanging of white shipping data that includes identification and information about the movement of commercial and non-military vessels.
  • Kovind's visit coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
  • Philippines is one of the strong countries in the region. The Philippines is located on the east of the Philippines Ocean and near South China Sea.
  • Agreements between both countries will not only strengthen the bilateral relations but also put an impact on China and its dominating image in the region.
Defence
IAF and Royal Air Force of Oman begins Joint Exercise 'Ex-Eastern Bridge-V'
Relevance IN - Prelims (about the Ex-Eastern Bridge-V)

What's the NEWS
  • Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) started participating in a bilateral joint exercise named Ex-Eastern Bridge-V. The joint exercise will be held at Air Force Base Masirah in Oman. Earlier in 2017, the exercise Ex-Eastern Bridge-IV was held at Jamnagar, India.
  • Indian Air Force and Royal Air Force of Oman will also promote the exchange of experience, operational knowledge and professional interaction during the participation in a joint exercise. The Ex-Eastern Bridge-V joint exercise will conclude on October 26, 2019.
Know! more about the exercise
  • It is for the first time when MiG-29 fighter aircrafts are participating in an international military exercise outside India.
  • The Indian Air Force's contingent comprises of C-17 aircraft, MiG-29 fighter jets, and other fighting art latest equipment.
  • On the other hand, Royal Air Force of Oman contingent comprises of F-16 next-generation fighter jet, Hawk fighter aircraft and Oman's Eurofighter Typhoon.
  • As per the reports, this joint exercise can improve inter-operability during mutual operations between both Air Forces and it will provide an opportunity to learn from each other's best practices.
India-Oman bilateral relations
  • India-Oman established diplomatic relations in 1955 with share shared interests, respect of each other and mutual understanding.
  • India and Oman cover cooperation in the several areas like defence, outer space, tourism, education, criminal matters, cultural cooperation, visa exemption, joint investment front among other fields.
  • Both the countries organise Joint Military Cooperation Committee Meeting every year to understand challenges and improvements in the relations and requirements.
  • India exports some items to Oman like mineral oils, mineral fuels, boilers, heavy machinery, coffee, spices and meat products among several other items.
  • However, India imports from Oman include organic chemicals, stones, lime and cement, sulphur, aluminium and fertilizers.
Bilateral Relations
Nepal PM Oli and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to attend 18th NAM Summit at Baku in Azerbaijan
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about NAM) + Mains ( GS II international relations + international organisations)
What's the NEWS
Nepal
  • Nepal's Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli will attend 18th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan from 25-26 October 2019.
  • Oli will address the general debate of Summit on October 26. The theme of general debate is "Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response to the challenges of contemporary world".
  • The 18th NAM Summit will be preceded by the Preparatory Ministerial Meeting on 23-24 October and Senior Officials Meeting on 21-22 October 2019.
  • The Summit will consider report of Preparatory Ministerial Meeting, review the progress achieved in implementation of outcomes of 17th Summit held in 2016 and conclude with the adoption of the Baku Declaration.
  • Nepal is one of the founding members of Non-Aligned Movement and has been actively participating in all NAM Summits since its inception.
  • Principles of non-alignment constitute one of the basic tenets of Nepal's foreign policy.
Bangladesh
  • Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the 18th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to be held on October 25-26 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
  • Host Azerbaijan will formally take over the chairmanship of NAM for the next three years at the Baku Summit, said an official.
Know! about NAM
  • NAM was founded during the collapse of the colonial system and the independence struggles of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world and at the height of the Cold War.
  • Its actions were a key factor in the decolonisation process, which later led to the attainment of freedom and independence by many countries and people and to the founding of tens of new sovereign states.
  • Throughout its history, the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries has played a fundamental role in the preservation of world peace and security.
  • The chairmanship of NAM will be built on three main priorities, among others increasing the effectiveness of the Movement to further enhance the reputation of the organisation on the global stage.
  • Other priorities are the promotion of the Bandung principles and the strengthening of the unity within the Movement.
  • NAM has 120 member-countries, 17 observer countries and 10 observer organisations.
  • NAM had its first summit in Belgrade, Yugoslavia in 1961.
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