13-14 August
13August
Survey started to erect memorial for Dr. Kalam at Rameswaram
Preliminary survey of the place (1.84 acres of land) where the mortal remains of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam had been laid to rest at Rameswaram was started by a team of officials from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and Tamil Nadu government on 12 August 2015.
This decision to set up a memorial for Dr. Kalam follows the demand from many quarters to erect a memorial at the site. The memorial to highlight what Kalam had exemplified in his lifetime would comprise a library, museum and a meditation centre.
Dr Kalam expired on 27 July 2015 at Shillong and was laid to rest at Peikarumbu in Rameswaram on 30 July 2015.
Sudhakar Shetty elected as President of Gymnastics Federation of India
Sudhakar Shetty of Maharashtra was elected as the president of the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) on 12 August 2015. He succeeds Jaspal Singh Kandhari.
Elections for the four year term were attended by 35 members from 18 States and Units.
Kandhari, the outgoing president who was in the fray for a third term, could not contest the elections after his nomination was rejected. According to GFI release, his nomination was rejected on the ground that he did not file his address in the nomination form, which is mandatory as per the rules.
The elections were held with Justice P K Bhasin (Retired Judge of Delhi High Court) acting as the Returning Officer in the presence of HS Bhadu, IOA Observer and R K Saxena, Government Observer.
Elected office-bearers are
• Sudhakar Shetty as president
• Shantikumar Singh as general secretary
• Gian Singh as treasurer
• Riyaz Bhati as vice president
• Ranjeet Vasava and Anil Mishra as joint secretaries
• Makarand Joshi as executive member
Union Cabinet nod for India, US MoU on cooperation to establish the Pace Setter Fund
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 August 2015 gave its ex-post-facto approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation to establish the Pace Setter Fund (PSF).
The PSF seeks to support the Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE) track of theUS-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE)between India and United States of America.
This MoU signed on 30 June 2015 is expected to accelerate commercialisation of innovative off-grid clean energy solutions by providing early-stage grant funding. This would also allow businesses to develop and test innovative products, systems and business models.
It will also help cooperation through technical and commercial innovation and advancement of clean energy in off-grid space. The India-US corpus of about 500 million rupees (8 million US Dollars) has been drawn on a 50:50 sharing basis.
Background
The Union Government and the United States of America have announced the launch of a new initiative Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE). This ambitious cooperation is a new tract under the U.S.-India Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE), a flagship initiative on Clean Energy that combines resources of several US agencies and Union Government. This has also been listed in the Joint Statement during the visit of the President of the USA to India in January 2015.
Union Cabinet approved MoU between India, Nepal for construction of petroleum pipeline
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 August 2015 gave its approval for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the India and Nepal for the construction of a petroleum products pipeline from Raxaul (India) to Amlekhgunj (Nepal).
The MoU also includes re-engineering of Amlekhgunj Depot of Nepal and allied facilities. The MoU will promote bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector and secure long term supply of petroleum products to Nepal.
It will also help preserve the environment along the route and decongest the international border at Raxaul.
Highlights of the Project
• On behalf of Union Government, the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has been entrusted with the job of construction of the pipeline and re-engineering of the Amlekhgunj Depot and allied facilities.
• The project will be completed in two phases. In the first phase, a petroleum products pipeline from Raxaul in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal would be constructed.
• The Indian Oil Corporation will bear a cost of 200 crore rupees for the first phase of the project.
• There will be a long term contract of 15 years (initial contract for five years extendable for two terms of five years each) between the Indian Oil Corporation and the Nepal Oil Corporation.
Background
Earlier in August 2014 during the visit of PM Narendra Modi to Nepal, the Government of Nepal had requested him for the construction of this petroleum products pipeline. Resultantly, this was agreed by the Union Government.
Union Government approved 300 crore package to save standing kharif crops from weak monsoon
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) meet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 August 2015 approved the 300-crore rupees package to save standing kharif agriculture and horticulture crops from weak monsoon.
The package will help farmers to be better equipped to deal with challenges posed by delayed and aberrant monsoon, as the state governments will be able to initiate immediate remedial measures to save standing agricultural crops and perennial orchards in rainfall deficient districts.
Besides, the CCEA also gave its nod to a soft loan scheme to the extent of 6000 crore rupees for the current sugar season. The decision was taken to make sure that the farmers are paid their dues expeditiously. It also mandated that banks pass on the financial assistance directly to the cane growers after obtaining the list from the mills.
In order to incentivize mills to clear their dues expeditiously, the government had earlier mandated that soft loans will be provided to only those units which have cleared at least 50 percent of their outstanding arrears by 30 June 2015.
The Government has provided one-year moratorium on this loan, and will bear the interest subvention cost to the extent of 600 crore rupees for the same period.
Jayant Patel appointed as acting Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court
Justice Jayant Patel was on 12 August 2015 appointed as acting Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court. Justice Patel has replaced Justice VM Sahai who retired as acting chief justice on superannuation.
Justice Patel (59), who hails from Veraval town in Junagadh district, graduated in commerce and law from MS University. He started practicing law in 1979.
During his three-decade career as advocate, he had appeared for Union government, Railways and Income Tax department. He was elevated as an Additional Judge of the High Court in 2001 and confirmed as a permanent judge in 2004.
Forbes released list of 100 Richest People In Technology
Forbes on 5 August 2015 released the first-ever list of 100 Richest People In Technology. The list is dominated by American billionaires as just over half of the tech billionaires are from the United States.
The tech barons from Asia made a strong showing as well with 33 people hailing from that region. Eight people from Europe made the cut with a minimum net worth of 2 billion US dollars. While only two barons from the Middle East and one from Latin America made into the list.
Forty out of the 100 richest people are from California alone. The list spotted only seven women among them Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple’s late chief Steve Jobs was the wealthiest, with an estimated net worth of 19.5 billion dollars.
Top Billionaires in the list
• Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates ranked number one among tech tycoons with a net worth of 79.6 billion US dollars.
• Oracle CEO Ellison ceded second spot with a net worth estimated at 50 billion US dollars.
• Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos ranked at third place with net worth of 47.8 billion US dollars.
• Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg came at fourth with net worth of 41.2 billion US dollars.
• Google co-founder Larry Page was ranked at fifth place.
• Another Google co-founder Sergey Brin ranked sixth.
• Alibaba chief Jack Ma was spotted at seventh place.
• Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer stood at eighth position with value of 22.7 billion US dollars.
• Laurene Powell Jobs & family, Founder and Chair of Emerson Collective, stood at ninth spot with net worth of 19.5 billion US dollars.
• Dell CEO and Chairman Michael Dell got the tenth spot with worth of 19.4 billion US dollars.
Indians in the list of 100 Richest People In Technology
Two Indian technology tycoons Azim Premji, Chairman of Wipro and Shiv Nadar, Founder of HCL, bagged place in Top 20 on the Forbes list. As per the list, Azim Premji with net worth of 17.4 billion US dollars ranked at 13th position followed by Shiv Nadar on the 14th spot with net worth 14.4 billion US dollars.
Two Indian-origin technology czars Romesh Wadhwani and Bharat Desai are also in the list, they were ranked 73rd and 82nd respectively.
Acharya Dev Vrat sworn-in as Governor of Himachal Pradesh
Acharya Dev Vrat was sworn-in as the Governor of the Himachal Pradesh on 12 August 2015 at the Raj Bhawan in Shimla. He is 27th Governor of this hill state.
Chief Justice of state High Court, Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir administered him the oath of office and secrecy.
He replaced Kalyan Singh, who was given the additional charge of Himachal Pradesh Governor on 28 January 2015 after Urmila Singh completed her term as Governor in the state on 25 January 2015.
Acharya Dev Vrat (55), a noted educationist, took his oath in Sanskrit language. Before being made the governor, he was the Principal of Gurukul University Kurukshetra, Haryana.
Libyan PM Abdullah al-Thani resigned hours after peace talks restarted
Prime Minister of Libya Abdullah al-Thani on 12 August 2015 announced his resignation during a live telecast. He announced his resignation hours after fraught peace talks between the country's rival factions restarted.
UN-sponsored round of peace talks between Libya's warring factions that started on 12 August 2015 in Switzerland's Geneva aimed at creating a unity government, with representatives of the powerful Tripoli parliament joining the negotiations, ended without any resolution.
Since fall of Moamer Kadhafi, Libya has plunged into chaos as two rival parliaments vying for power. On the other hand, several militia groups are also battling for control of the country's vast resource wealth.
At present, the elected government led by Al-Thani is working from a small eastern city near the border with Egypt. Rest part of the country including the capital Tripoli is being controlled by an Islamist militia alliance.
Sania Mirza became second Tennis player to be recommended for Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
Sania Mirza, currently ranked world number one in women's doubles, on 11 August 2015 became only the second tennis player to be recommended for the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.
The first tennis player to be named for the top award was Leander Paes. He was bestowed the honour way back in 1996 after his bronze medal in the Atlanta Olympics.
Sports Minister Sarbanada Sonowal on 1 August 2015 recommended Sania's name for the highest honour that is given for achievement in sports. But, her name for the award was finally approved by the Sports Ministry-constituted awards committee headed by Justice VK Bali, the retired Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court.
The committee included eminent athletes such as Dola Banerjee, MM Somayya and Bhogeshwar Baruah and sports journalists apart from top officials of the Sports Ministry.
Sania won her career's first ever women's doubles Grand Slam title with Swiss partner Martina Hingis in June 2015. Earlier, Mirza has been conferred with other coveted awardslike
• The Arjuna award in 2004
• The Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civillian honour, in 2006
Besides, the committee has recommended 17 other names for the Arjuna Award. The list of sportspersons recommended for Arjuna awards are Rohit Sharma (cricket), K Srikanth (badminton), Swarn Singh Virk (rowing), PR Sreejesh (hockey), Dipa Karmakar (gymnastics), Jitu Rai (shooting), Santhoi Devi (wushu), Sandeep Kumar (archery), Mandeep Jangra (boxing), Babita (wrestling), Bajrang (wrestling), Satish Sivalingam (weightlifting), Sharath Gaekwad (para-sailing), M R Poovamma (athletics), Manjeet Chhillar (kabaddi), Abhilasha Mhatre (kabaddi), Anup Kumar Yama (rollerskating).
The awards are to be given away by the President Pranab Mukherjee on 29 August 2015, the National Sports Day.
Indian Railways signed 4 MoUs with Union Ministries of Power and New & Renewable Energy
The Indian Railways on 12 August 2015 signed four Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) with Union Ministry of Power and Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy for Cooperation in areas of electricity transmission, energy conservation and promotion of renewable Energy in a time bound manner.
Highlights of the MoUs
MoU for co-operation in the area of Electricity and Energy Conservation between Union Ministry of Power and Indian Railways
• Implementation of Electricity & Energy Efficiency projects for Indian Railways including feasibility, study, construction, operation and maintenance of Electricity & Energy Efficiency projects in a phased manner by optimum utilization of resources of both Parties.
• Co-operation for construction, operation and maintenance of transmission lines for connection with Railway substation through the PSUs.
• Facilitating sharing of information, experiences, knowledge and training of staff and officers of Railways at their own cost on identified subjects or through organization of joint workshops, conferences.
• Exchange of Scientific and Technological information and data, training of scientific and technical personnel’s, implementation of joint research for achieving energy conservation on Indian Railways.
MoU between Indian Railways and Union Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
• Conceptualization, structuring, implementation, Operation and Maintenance of Renewable Energy Projects in phased manner by optimum utilization of resources of both Parties.
• Implementation of Renewable Energy projects at different Indian Railways premises (Railway stations, yards, offices, workshops and residential complexes & other installations) .
• Both parties may also recognize the importance of available Renewable Energy resource for industrial and thermal applications.
MoU between Indian Railways and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
• Co-operation in implementation of energy conservation projects for targeted achievement of energy savings over Indian Railways and development of long term road map.
• Replacement with energy efficient equipments and technology innovation on non-commercial basis for encouragement to Zonal Railways on energy conservation measures.
• Finalization of concept of papers on present technologies and their usages in Railways.
MOU between Railway Energy Management Company Limited (REMCL) and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)
• EESL will undertake Energy Audits of Railway Building, assess potential of energy savings through techno-commercially viable energy efficiency measures as may be mutually agreeable.
• Finalisation of Technical Specifications of various energy efficient equipments such as LED Lights, Air Conditioners, Ceiling fans, Water pumps, Automatic Power Factor Correction panels, Compressors etc. to be deployed in the relevant projects.
• EESL will assist in procurement on competitive bidding basis as per public procurement norms ensuring the technical performance of newly installed equipments as per design specifications.
Sanjay Jalona appointed as MD and CEO of L&T Infotech
Former Infosys executive Sanjay Jalona was on 11 August 2015 appointed as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of L&T Infotech, subsidiary of Larsen and Toubro (L&T).
Jalona will run L&T Infotech from its New Jersey office in order to add thrust to its profitable growth as the company aims to boost growth and strengthen its presence in the United States, Europe, Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the East countries.
Prior to this appointment, he was working as an Executive Vice-President and Global Head of High-Tech Manufacturing and Engineering Services for Infosys. He was with Infosys for fifteen years and had held senior leadership positions across the Europe, India and US.
About L&T Infotech
• L&T Infotech is global IT arm of L&T group based in Mumbai and was incorporated in 1997.
• It is sixth largest IT Company in India which provides solutions, service and consultation. It primarily focuses on providing service to financial services, banking, insurance, media& entertainment, travel & logistics, and health care.
Researchers discovered evidence of an ancient lake on Mars
A team of researchers from University of Colorado have discovered an evidence of presence of an ancient lake on Mars. The findings of the research titled Late-stage formation of Martian chloride salts through ponding and evaporationwere published in journal Geology on 5 August 2015.
As per the research, small deposits of chloride salts have been documented at hundreds of locations on Mars through the use of multispectral orbital data. Given the small spatial extent of these deposits, their formation mechanisms, timing and relation to other aqueous processes in Mars' history are presently not clearly known.
Findings of the research
• One such chloride deposits was witnessed near Meridiani Planum,the location of the Opportunity rover.
•This chloride deposit is likely formed from fluviolacustrine processes, implying an active hydrologic cycle.
• Late-stage activity led to valley incision in the surrounding highlands and ponding of water to form a lake in a local basin. The lake level eventually rose and breached the drainage divide, leading to significant outflow. The remaining water evaporated and eventually precipitated the chlorides at the lowest levels.
• Through digital terrain models, the lak e and salt flat volumes were used to calculate the salinity of the lake, which at full lake extent was around 8 percent of the salinity of Earth's oceans.
• This hydrological episode occurred aft r regional widespread fluvial incision and also post-dates formation of the sulfate bedrock being investigated by Opportunity.
China, Pakistan signed deals worth 1.6 billion US dollars to implement CPEC
China and Pakistan on 12 August 2015 signed 20 agreements worth 1.6 billion US dollars to implement the ambitious China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. These agreements were signed during the CPEC Forum that was held at Karamay city in Xinjiang province of China bordering.
Both the countries together also issued the Karamay Manifesto on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major project under China's Belt and Road Initiative.
About China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
• CPEC project is brainchild of China and was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Pakistan in April 2015. Around 51 agreements were signed of which 30 were linked to this strategic corridor.
• It is part of its ambitious six economic corridors conceived under Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road.
• It connects Xinjiang Province of China with Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar Port and passes through Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
• CPEC project seeks to boost economic cooperation, political trust and cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan. It is regarded as the biggest connectivity project between the two countries with total investments around 46 billion US dollars.
14 August
OP Rawat appointed as Election Commissioner of India
Om Prakash Rawat, a 1977 batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, on 13 August 2015 was appointed as the Election Commissioner of India. His appointment will come into effect from the day he assumes office.
With Rawat’s appointment, the sole vacancy in the three-member poll body has been filled.
Born on 2 December 1953, Rawat will have tenure of more than three years which will end in December 2018. He had retired from government service in December 2014. During his career, he served as Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises in the Ministry of Heavy Industries. Earlier he had served with two chief ministers as their principal secretary.
An awardee of state government's 'recognition of forest rights' in 2009, Rawat did his MSc in Social Development Planning in 1989 in the United Kingdom.
An EC or a CEC has tenure of six years in office or till he or she attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier. Naseem Zaidi is the Chief Election Commissioner and Achal Kumar Joti is the other Election Commissioner.
Maharashtra's Dahi Handi granted with the Adventure Sport status
Maharashtra's famous Dahi Handi (Govinda) was on 11 August 2015 accorded with the status of Adventure Sport through a Government Resolution (GR) 201508131458581621.
From now on, Dahihandi will be played as per the rules and regulations which will be framed by a State-level association. It will not be limited to Janmashtami only.
Anyone can participate in the sport now, except those below 12 years. Minors will have to provide letters of approval from their parents. Groups playing this sport would be trained and registered.
The decision came following the Bombay High Court order putting restrictions on the festival to curb noise pollution and avoid public nuisance. Going by the injuries and the deaths in the past, the court limited the height of the handi to 20 feet and banned minors from the event.
About Dahi Handi
• Dahi Handi is a sport in which a human pyramid is formed to break an earthen pot filled with curd hanging mid-air to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
• The festival has become one of the most glamorous festivals in Maharashtra, with prizes in lakhs are distributed in the presence of Bollywood stars. A special team of Spain where a similar festival is held too had visited Thane last year to participate in it.
Assam passed Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015
State Assembly of Assam on 13 August 2015 passed Assam Witch Hunting (Prohibition, Prevention and Protection) Bill, 2015. The bill seeks to eliminate rising cases of superstition leading to murder of so-called "witches".
Hundreds of cases of torture and killing have been reported in the state in the name of witch.
Highlights of the Bill
• The bill recognises all cases of witch-hunting as non-bailable, cognizable and non-compoundable within the meaning of the Code.
• The Bill has clause to prohibit any person from identifying, calling or defaming any other person as witch by words, conducts, signs or indications.
• The Bill has provision of imposing up to seven years of jail and fine up to 5 lakh rupees if anybody violates it.
• The bill said that sentence of 3 years imprisonment will be given if anybody blames a person for natural disasters in a particular locality such as droughts, floods, illness or any death.
• The bill has also proposed to set up special courts in consultation with the high court for trial of offences.
• Assam government will also provide free medical assistance to the victims of witch hunting.
The Bill was tabled in the Assam Assembly on 10 August 2015, the first day of the ongoing monsoon session. The bill was tabled by Parliamentary affairs minister Rakibul Hussain on behalf of chief minister Tarun Gogoi.
Pahal Scheme acknowledged by Guinness Book of World Records as largest cash transfer program
Union Government’s ambitious Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (PAHAL) scheme was on 13 August 2015 acknowledged as the world’s largest cash transfer program (households) by the Guinness Book of World Records.
The scheme was formally launched as Direct Benefit Transfer Scheme for LPG subsidy in 2013 in 291 districts under the aegis of Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The scheme was modified and named as Pahal in November 2014 and was then again launched in 54 districts. Later it was extended nationwide on 1 January 2015.
About Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh (PAHAL) scheme
• The scheme aims at reducing eliminating duplication or bogus LPG connections and its diversion. It also seeks to meet substantive savings in LPG subsidy.
• Under the scheme, subsidized liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders are sold at market rates and consumers are entitled to receive LPG subsidy directly into their bank accounts.
• It is done either through bank account or Aadhaar linkage.
• Currently it covers more than 9.75 crore LPG consumers across the country.
RBI notified Interest Subvention Scheme 2015-16 of Union Government for banks
Reserve Bank of India on 13 August 2015 notified the Union Budget-2015-16 Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS) and asked all banks to provide interest concession of 2 percent on short term crop loans of up to 3 lakh rupees.
The central bank in its notification said that interest subvention of 2 percent per annum will be made available to public and private sector banks provided they lend short term credit at the ground level at 7 percent per annum to farmers.
The bank said that additional interest subvention of 3 percent will be available to farmers for repaying the loan promptly from the date of disbursement of the crop loan. This implies that farmers paying promptly would get short term crop loans at 4 percent during the year 2015-16.
To provide relief to farmers affected by natural calamities, the Reserve Bank has said that interest subvention of 2 percent will continue to be available to banks for the first year on the restructured amount. However, such restructured loans may attract normal rate of interest from the second year onwards.
Background
The government in the Budget for 2015-16 proposed to implement interest subvention scheme in the 2015-16 fiscal for short-term crop loans up to 3 lakh rupees. After that, the Union Government on 21 July 2015 extended ISS to Public Sector Banks (PSBs), private sector commercial banks, rural regional banks (RRBs), cooperative banks and NABARD.
Om Prakash Munjal, founder of Hero Cycle Limited, passed away
The founder of Hero Cycle Om Prakash Munjal passed away on 13 August 2015 following a brief illness at the DMC Hero Heart Centre, Ludhiana. He was 87.
Om Prakash was born on 26 August 1928 in Kamalia, Punjab (then British India). Later, he shifted to Amritsar in 1944 to start a bicycle spare parts business with his three brothers and began the complete manufacturing of bicycle under brand name Hero.
Today the Hero Cycles Limited is the world’s largest integrated bicycle manufacturing company that manufactures 7.5 million cycles per year. Hero Group now has its foot print in sectors like bicycle components, automotive, automotive components, IT, services etc.
Om Prakash had also recieved various awards including Udyog Rattan Award from Punjab Government, Punjab Ratna award, The Samman Patra award towards for the contribution to exchequer of the Punjab state government and the Indira Gandhi National Unity award to recognize his social contribution.
Indian Men's Hockey team won European series against Spain 2-1
Indian Men's Hockey Team on 13 August 2015 won three match series of their European Tour 2-1 after registering second win in the third and final match of the series. Indian team defeated Spain 4-2 at Teresa in Spain.
For India, Rupinder Pal scored the first goal in 24th minute followed by Akashdeep Singh in 45th minute and the third and fourth goals by Ramandeep Singh.
The first match of the series was won by Spain 4-1. The second match was won by India 2-0.
India, Slovak Republic signed MoU for technical cooperation in Railway Sector
India and Slovak Republic on 13 August 2015 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation in railway sector. The MoU was signed in New Delhi by Ganga Ram Agarwal, Secretary of Railway Board of India and Zigmund Bertok, Ambassador of Slovak Republic to India.
The potential cooperation areas mentioned in the MoU are:
• Infrastructure building and management– station development and workshop modernisation
• Information & communication technologies especially for passenger amenities
• Modernisation of rolling stock
• Modernisation of Signaling & Telecom
• Any other area mutually agreed between the Parties, falling within the scope of this MoU
The MoU will be valid for a period of two years and after completion of valid term, it will be automatically renewed for further successive period of two years at a time.
2015 United States-India Cyber Dialogue held in Washington, DC
2015 US - India Cyber Dialogue was held on 11 and 12 August 2015 at the US Department of State in Washington, DC. The dialogue was held with an aim to increase global cyber security and promote the digital economy.
The whole-of-government Cyber Dialogue, fourth in the series, was led by the US Cyber security Coordinator and Special Assistant to the President Michael Daniel and by India's Deputy National Security Advisor Arvind Gupta.
Outcomes of the dialogue
• The United States and India have committed to robust cooperation on cyber issues
• The delegations discussed a range of cyber issues including cyber threats, enhanced cyber security information sharing, cyber incident management, cyber security cooperation in the context of 'Make in India', efforts to combat cyber crime, Internet governance issues, and norms of state behavior in cyberspace.
• The two delegations identified a variety of opportunities for increased collaboration on cyber security capacity-building, cyber security research and development, combatting cyber crime, international security, and Internet governance, and intend to pursue an array of follow-on activities to bolster their cyber security partnership and achieve concrete outcomes.
In addition to the formal Dialogue, the delegations met with representatives from the private sector to discuss issues related to cyber security and the digital economy. The Indian delegation also met with Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco.
The two countries decided to hold the next round of the Cyber Dialogue in Delhi in 2016.