INDIA AND UK MOU ON MORE FLIGHTS AND FREQUENCIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
The Governments of India and United Kingdom have today signed a MoU to enhance the number of flights and frequencies between the two countries. According to the Memorandum signed, for India, there can be 56 flights from Delhi and Mumbai to London-Heathrow, and unlimited flights from India to UK on all other routes. For UK, there is a staggered increase of flights from London-Heathrow to Delhi and Mumbai – 42 in winters 2005, 49 in summers 2006 and 56 in winters 2006. In addition, there can be 14 flights a week from UK to Bangalore and Chennai and 7 flights a week from UK to any other city in India.
Recognising the need for further expanding and strengthening bilateral ties and keeping in view the traffic potential and passenger demand for more international air services, the Government of India and the British Government had on 22nd July 2004 agreed in principle to enhance the number of flights and increase the frequencies, between the two countries. This was agreed to during the talks held between the Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Praful Patel and his British counterpart Mr. Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Transport, at London.Two-day official level bilateral talks between the two countries were concluded here today. The Indian side was led by Shri Ajay Prasad, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.At present, British Airways is operating 19 flights to India weekly, while Air India operates 12 flights to UK in a week. The India-UK sector is one of the most important markets for both the countries and there is ample scope for introducing more flights.
“MARITIME TRANSPORT S & T” COOPERATION WITH USA
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and USA in the field of Maritime Transport Science & Technology. USA has extensive experience in growth and development of maritime resources. Their experience can be utilized by India in research and development, safety, security, maintenance and entry into the specialized area of shipping. The cooperation and collaboration is envisaged in the following fields :
a) Shipping and inter-modal operations
b) Maritime Safety and Security
c) Port Management
d) Dredging and Dredger construction
e) Ship Recycling
f) Maritime Training and Education
g) Technological developments related to maritime sector
h) Inland Water Transport
i) Other Fields of Mutual Interest
MoC will be signed on April 14, 2005 between India and USA during the visit of H.E. Mr. Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Secretary of Transportation to India.
AIR TRANSPORT AGREEMENT BETWEEN INDIA AND USA
21:52 ISTThe Union Cabinet today gave its approval for the signing and ratification of Air Transport Agreement (ATA) between India and USA. The Agreement is to be signed during the visit of US Secretary of Transportation to India during April 13-15, 2005.
The proposed ATA would replace the existing ATA signed with USA in 1956. Some of the important changes in the proposed ATA, as compared to the ATA of 1956 are as follows :
(i) While the existing ATA provides for unlimited access to the airlines of both parties the number of points of call in either country is restricted to four destinations. This restriction on points of call has been removed in the revised ATA.
(ii) The existing ATA provides for code-share rights to any five points in the respective territories of both countries. This restriction on the number of points has been removed in the revised ATA.
(iii) The proposed ATA removes all existing restrictions on Fifth Freedom traffic through intermediate points and provides for greater operational flexibility.
(iv) An Article on “Safety” has been added in the revised ATA.
The removal of restrictions on points of call, code share rights and Fifth Freedom rights would provide greater commercial opportunities to Indian carriers and would enable them to wean away traffic on the India-USA route from third country carriers.
The revised agreement retains the basic spirit of the existing agreement on most other issues include:
(i) Multiple designations of airlines
(ii) Reasonable and non-discriminatory user charges
(iii) Non-discriminatory treatment in respect of Customs duties and charges.
(iv) Unlimited access to the airlines of both sides.
(v) Arbitration provision for dispute settlement.
(vi) Acceptance of multilateral air transport conventions.
“MARITIME TRANSPORT S & T” COOPERATION WITH USA
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between India and USA in the field of Maritime Transport Science & Technology. USA has extensive experience in growth and development of maritime resources. Their experience can be utilized by India in research and development, safety, security, maintenance and entry into the specialized area of shipping. The cooperation and collaboration is envisaged in the following fields : a) Shipping and inter-modal operations b) Maritime Safety and Security c) Port Management d) Dredging and Dredger construction e) Ship Recycling f) Maritime Training and Education g) Technological developments related to maritime sector h) Inland Water Transport i) Other Fields of Mutual Interest MoC will be signed on April 14, 2005 between India and USA during the visit of H.E. Mr. Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Secretary of Transportation to India.INDO-US COOPERATION POISED TO REACH NEW HIGH – ELANGOVAN
Shri EVKS Elangovan, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry said that the scope for trade investment and technology cooperation between India and the United States is immense and the cooperation would reach a new high with the ongoing economic initiatives in the country. The minister was delivering the keynote address at the ‘India Connect Show’ at Washington yesterday. Shri Elangovan cited the introduction of VAT, the passage of patents bill and the Foreign Trade Policy as examples of India’s resolve to carry forward the reform process. The trade facilitation measures announced as part of the Annual supplement to the Foreign Trade Policy will lead to electronic filing and authentication of documents, he said.Recalling India’s relationship with the US spanning over 50 years, the minister emphasized the need for more cooperation in trade and investment sectors. The bilateral trade between both the countries is US $ 21.65 billion with an annual growth rate of 20 percent. However in terms of US’s overall trade, the bilateral trade with India is less than 1 percent. He said that India would soon sign an ‘open-skies’ Agreement with the US.Shri Elangovan also had a meeting with the US Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Mr. Kassinger.
FRANCE TO COLLABORATE WITH INDIA IN FOOD PROCESSING
France has agreed to collaborate with India in developing its food processing sector. It has evinced interest in setting up a mega food park. This emerged during a meeting between the French Minister of Agriculture, Food Processing and Fisheries, Mr. Nicolas Forissier and his Indian counterpart, Shri Subodh Kant Sahay, here today.Shri Sahay sought French expertise in setting up food parks and cold storage facilities in India. He said France has a long experience in setting up food processing factories. He said India and France can jointly set up enterprises in this sector in the third world countries. Shri Sahay said the matter will be firmed up in the Indo-French Joint Committee Meeting on Agriculture in New Delhi tomorrow. The Minister invited French industrialists to lend their expertise to India in producing world-class wine as a plenty of raw material is available here
