IREDA & European Investment Bank sign Euro 150 million Loan Agreement for Renewable Energy Financing in India
European Investment Bank (EIB) and Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) Ltd. have signed a loan agreement for a second line of credit (LoC) of Euro 150 million on non-sovereign basis here, today. The line of credit is for tenure of 15 years including a grace period of 3 years, and it will be used for financing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects in India. More than 1.1 million households are expected to benefit from clean energy produced with these funds.
The loan agreement was signed by Shri K S Popli, Chairman and Managing Director, IREDA and Mr. W. Hoyer, President, EIB in the presence of Shri R K Singh, Union Minister of State (IC) Power and New & Renewable Energy and Shri Anand Kumar, Secretary, MNRE.
Curtain Raiser for Multilateral air Exercise (MAE) from 12-16 Mar 18 at HQ SAC
A Multilateral Air Force exercise, ‘Ex Samvedna’, is being spearheaded by Indian Air Force and conducted by Southern Air Command (SAC) from 12-17 Mar 18. ‘Samvedna’ means ‘Empathy’ and will ensure better understanding and sharing of response procedures between a number of friendly neighbouring nations.
It is the first composite HADR Air exercise in the South Asian region and would be focused on practicing Air Force centric HADR solutions in a Multi-national cooperative Disaster Management environment. Air Forces of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE and Myanmar have already committed resources and personnel for the exercise. Few other Air Forces from the region are also expected to join in.
List of MoUs/Agreements signed during the State Visit of President of France to India
| S. No. | MoU/Agreement | Indian side | French side | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Agreement between India and France on the Prevention of Illicit Consumption and Reduction of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors and Related Offences | Shri Rajnath Singh, Home Minister | Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
The Agreement shall facilitate the two countries in combating illicit traffic and consumption of drugs and will also impact on financing of terrorism. |
| 2. | India-France Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement | Smt. Sushma Swaraj, External Affairs Minister | Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
This agreement will facilitate temporary circular migration based on mobility and the encouragement for a return of skills to the home country. |
| 3. | Agreement between India and France to facilitate Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications | Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Human Resource Development | Mrs. Frederique Vidal, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation |
The purpose of this Arrangement is to facilitate the mutual recognition of educational qualifications. |
| 4. | Memorandum of Understanding between Ministry of Railways and SNCF Motilities, France on technical cooperation in the field of Railways. | Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister for Railways | Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
The purpose of this MoU is to build upon and deepen the mutual cooperation and focus on priority areas of high speed and semi-high speed rail; station renovation modernisation of current operations and infrastructure; and suburban trains. |
| 5. | Letter of Intent between India and France for creation of a permanent Indo-French Railways Forum. | Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister for Railways | Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
The purpose of this Letter of Intent is to enhance the already existing cooperation by creating an Indo-French Permanent Railway Forum. |
| 6. | Agreement between India and France regarding the provision of reciprocal logistics support between their Armed Forces | Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Defence Minister | Mrs. Florence Parly, Minister for the Armed Forces | This Agreement shall facilitate the reciprocal provision of Logistic Support, Supplies and Services between the Armed Forces of the two countries during authorised port visits, joint exercises, joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts etc. |
| 7. | Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and France on cooperation in the field of Environment | Dr. Mahesh Sharma Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change |
Mrs. Brune Poirson, Minister of State, attached to the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition |
The MoU aims to establish a basis for exchange of information between the Governments and technical experts of the two countries in the field of environment and climate change. |
| 8. | Agreement between India and France on cooperation in the field of Sustainable Urban Development | Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of State (IC) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs |
Mrs. Brune Poirson, Minister of State, attached to the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition |
The Agreement will allow exchange of information on smart city development, development of urban mass transportation systems, urban settlements and utilities etc |
| 9. | Agreement between India and France regarding the exchange and reciprocal protection of classified or protected information | Shri Ajit Doval, NSA |
Mr. Philippe Etienne, Diplomatic Adviser to the French President
|
This Agreement defines the common security regulations applicable to any exchange of classified and protected information |
| 10. | Implementing Arrangement between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Central National D’EtudesSpatiales (CNES) for pre-formulation studies of a Maritime Awareness Mission | Shri K. Sivan, Secretary, Department of Space & Chairman ISRO | Mr Jean-Yves Le Gall, President CNES | The Agreement would provide end-to-end solution for detection, identification and monitoring of vessels in the regions of interest for France and India. |
| 11. | Industrial Way Forward Agreement between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, and EDF, France | Shri Sekhar Basu, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy | Mr. Jean Bernard Levy, CEO, EDF | This agreement prescribes a way forward for the implementation of the Jaitapur nuclear power project. |
| 12. | Bilateral Arrangement between India and France on cooperation in the matter of Hydrography and Maritime Cartography | Mr.Vinay Kwatra, Ambassador of India |
Mr. Alexander Ziegler, Ambassador of France |
This Arrangement will encourage cooperation between the two countries in the field of hydrography, nautical documentation and maritime safety information. |
| 13. | Credit Facility Agreement between India and France of Euros 100 million for funding of the Smart City Projects through a Challenge Process | Mr.Vinay Kwatra, Ambassador of India |
Mr. Alexander Ziegler, Ambassador of France |
This agreement will help fill the funding gap under the Smart City Mission and the funds provided by the Central and State Governments for the purpose. |
| 14. | Memorandum of Understanding between National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), Ministry of New & Renewable Energy and the National Solar Energy Institute (INES), France | Mr.Vinay Kwatra, Ambassador of India |
Mr. Daniel Verwaerde, Administrator, The Commission for Atomic and Alternate Energy (CEA) |
With this agreement both countries shall work on projects in ISA member countries in the areas of solar energy (solar photovoltaic, storage technologies, etc.) through transfer of technology and collaborative activities.
|
Twitter appoints Parag Agrawal as CTO
Microblogging platform Twitter has appointed Parag Agrawal as its Chief Technology Officer, according to an update on the company’s website.
Agrawal, an alumnus of IIT-Bombay and a PhD in Computer Science from Stanford University, succeeds Adam Messinger.
French aerospace company in talks to set up facility in TN
A delegation from a French aerospace company on Thursday held discussions with the State government to explore the possibility of setting up a facility in Tamil Nadu at a cost of ₹2,500 crore, said Industry Minister MC Sampath.
KTR inaugurates ‘Wings India 2018’ in Hyderabad
Telangana IT and Industries Minister K T Rama Rao on Thursday inaugurated the biennial event on Civil Aviation and Aerospace titled ‘Wings India 2018’ at the Begumpet Airport.
Jointly organised by the Civil Aviation Ministry, Airports Authority of India and the Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the four-day event got underway at a colourful function.
India’s Biggest M&E Services Market, enTTech 2018 inaugurated in Mumbai
India’s biggest Media & Entertainment Services Market – enTTech 2018 was inaugurated today in Mumbai. The market, spread over two days will see fast matchmaking between 100 international delegates and their Indian counterparts.
Speaking at the inaugural function through video message, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry Shri Suresh Prabhu said that technology is driving all activities and that young minds are the incubators of new ideas. He further said that entertainment is a fast-growing business. He said that enTTech 2018 is a wonderful initiative which would enable youngsters to drive entertainment business through technology. He said it will also be a great job creator and very good for economic activity, and that he would give full support to this initiative in the future.
Prince Charles Appoints Indian-Origin Steel Tycoon As UK Skills Ambassador
Indian-origin steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta has been appointed by Britain’s Prince Charles as an official ambassador for the Industrial Cadets programme designed to nurture manufacturing skills.
Mr Gupta was appointed to the flagship programme to give children and young people direct structured experience of the industry while still at school or college.
Telangana launches India’s 1st state-led incubator for women
The government of Telangana on Thursday launched Women Entrepreneurship Hub (WE-Hub), India’s first state-led incubator for women entrepreneurs. The incubator will help women entrepreneurs establish their own enterprises by providing services including seed funding, mentoring, and business guidance. Deepthi Ravula is heading the incubator as its Chief Executive Officer
