A food-sufficient India needs to be hunger-free too

Ending hunger, food insecurity and any form of malnutrition is one of the Sustainable Development Goals set to be realised by 2030. 

Such a goal is far removed from its realisation given rising conflicts, climate vulnerability and extremes as well as economic slowdown in regions that remain vulnerable and food deficient.

Food access is about equitable agrifood systems

October 16, 2024, is World Food Day with the theme being 'right to foods for a better life and a better future'. 

The theme highlights the importance of access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all. The Rome-based agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are collaborating with the Government of India to uphold this human right, which is essential for healthy, productive lives free from hunger and malnutrition.

A Nobel for explaining why nations fail

According to the Nobel Committee, the richest 20% of countries in the world today are 30 times richer in terms of average income than the poorest 20%. 

Inclusive institutions are characterized by secure private property rights and democracy while extractive institutions are marked by insecure private property rights and the lack of political freedom. 

The Nobel laureates have shed light on why inclusive institutions, which are found to be extremely important for long-term economic growth, have not been adopted by more countries in the world. 

On the need to make more containers to boost trade

Containers can seamlessly be transported via rail, ship and road. It revolutionized world trade by rapidly cutting transportation time, port delays and so on. 

India manufactures around 10,000 to 30,000 container boxes a year and this production can support only a fraction of the projected doubling. China, in comparison, manufactures 2.5 to 3 million container boxes per year. 

Indian ports are at a strategic location on the East-West trade route but cannot aspire to be hub ports because of container shortages. As a result, Colombo, Dubai and Hong Kong draw mother ship traffic, not Indian ports.

Canada alleges extortion, violent acts and homicide by New Delhi

Before the expulsion of six Indian diplomats from Canada, the Canadian authorities had confronted these officials with information about their alleged role in violent acts in Canada, including extortion and homicide, to disrupt ongoing violence against Canadian citizens, according to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. 

The relations between India and Canada have been unravelling since Mr Trudeau told the Canadian parliament in September 2023 that Indian agents were behind the slaying of a Canadian citizen and pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. 

Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei, and Naga MLAS met, and resolved to call for peace: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that a group of legislators from Manipur, "representing the Kuki-Zo-Hmar, Meitei, and Naga communities" met in New Delhi and "unanimously resolved" to appeal to the people of all communities in the State to "shun the path of violence so that no more precious lives of innocent citizens are lost". 

However, shortly after the meeting, Kuki-Zo MLAs issued a statement clarifying that they had met only with Central government officials and BJP leaders in a separate room, and did not attend any meeting where Meitei MLAs were present along with their Naga counterparts. 

India, U.S. conclude $3.5-billion deal for procurement of 31 MQ-9B armed UAVs

India and the U.S. concluded a $3.5-billion deal for the procurement of 31 MQ-9B armed high-altitude long endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) manufactured by General Atomics through an inter-governmental agreement, via the Foreign Military Sales Programme of the U.S. 

One contract was signed with the U.S. government for Tri-Service procurement of 31 MQ-9B Sky/Sea Guardian HALE systems, the Defence Ministry said. 

"Another contract has been signed with General Atomics Global India Pvt Ltd for performance based-logistics for these RPAS through Depot Level Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul in India," the Ministry said on X. The contracts were inked in the presence of Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane. 

Jaishankar arrives in Islamabad, 'shakes hands' with Sharif

Attending a dinner hosted by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shortly after arriving in Islamabad, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar shook hands and exchanged greetings with Mr Sharif. 

Recently, Mr Jaishankar will address the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) meeting here and is expected to repeat concerns raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at past SCO summits over terrorism and extremism in the region, as well as connectivity and transit issues.

Centre sets up three Al research hubs on health, agri and cities

The Centre announced the setting up of three centres of excellence (COE) in artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, agriculture and sustainable cities. 

While the CoE in healthcare will be led by the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi, the IIT in Ropar, Punjab will lead the one on agriculture. 

The IIT-Kanpur has been given the charge of developing a CoE in sustainable cities. The CoEs will function with industries and start-ups.

UAE to review India's concerns over silver import surge: Centre

India has raised concerns over a jump in imports of silver products, platinum alloy and dry dates from the UAE and urged the country to ensure that the rules are not circumvented under the free trade agreement (FTA), according to an official statement. 

The UAE has agreed to examine the concerns raised by India, the Commerce Ministry said. 

Following a significant rise in imports, India sought review of certain provisions of the FTA with the UAE that came into force on May 1, 2022. 

The Indian delegation was led by Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce Ajay Bhadoo. Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs, Ministry of Economy of the UAE, Juma Al Kait co-chaired the meeting.