15th Indio-Russian Bilateral Annual Summit held in New Delhi

15th Indio-Russian Bilateral Annual Summit was held in Delhi 11 December 2014. President Vladimir Putin of Russia visited India to hold the summit on the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin released a joint statement in which both the countries agreed on a vision for strengthening the India-Russia partnership over the next decade.

Highlights of the summit
• During the summit, both the countries signed 20 agreements in the fields such as nuclear energy, oil and gas, health, investment, mining, media and wind power. 
• Both the countries agreed on the construction of at least 12 new nuclear power units within the next 20 years, including two new units at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. Both also countries agreed to find a new site to construct a new nuclear plant.
• Both the countries agreed to promote bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, including the idea of exploring the use of national currencies in settlements. 
• Both the countries agreed to consult and coordinate in multilateral forums such as G20, East Asia Summit (EAS), BRICS and RIC.  The bilateral program on enhanced cooperation in oil and gas sphere underlines the serious commitments of the two counties to develop cooperation in energy area of great promise.
• Both the countries envisage broader collaboration between hydrocarbon companies of the two countries in oil and gas exploration and production as well as in LNG projects and supplies.
• India reassured Russia that Russia will remain primary defence partner of India, though both the countries did not reach a concrete agreement on the fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA) and a multirole transport aircraft (MTA) projects.
• Russia expressed that it would look at participating in the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor project and will speed up the negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the Eurasian Union.
• Russia looks forward to India to become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
• India and Russia supports the evolution of open, balanced and inclusive security architecture in the Asia Pacific region based on collective efforts, considering legitimate interests of all states of the region and guided by respect for norms and principles of international law.

About Indo-Russian Annual Summit 
• President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Vajpayee launched the annual Summit process in 2000. The first summit Prime Minister Vajpayee visited Moscow and held the summit.
• This is President Vladimir Putin's eleventh Annual Summit and first summit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

New York Declaration on Forests released at UN Climate Summit

New York Declaration on Forests was released at the UN Climate Summit in New York, US on 23 September 2014. The Declaration called all the Governments, multinational companies and campaigners to take pledge to eliminate deforestation by 2030.

The New York Declaration on Forests calls for the restoration of more than 350 million hectares of forests and croplands. New York Declaration on Forests is a non-legally binding political agreement.

The New York Declaration aims to reduce more climate pollution each year than the United States emits annually.

Pledge of other stakeholders 

In support of the Declaration, 20 global food companies announced their pledges to deforestation-free sourcing policies of palm oil.

The world’s largest palm oil companies – Wilmar, Golden Agri-Resources and Cargill – also committed to work together to implement and join the Indonesian Business Council in asking incoming Indonesian President Joko Widodo to support their efforts through legislation and policies.

Taken together, the share of palm oil under zero deforestation commitments has grown from 0 to about 60 per cent in 2013, with the potential to reduce up to 450 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually by 2020. That is the equivalent of 2 billion tonnes in the period through 2020.

Among other announcements, 26 governors from Peru and Liberia presented new forest policies and pledged to cut deforestation by 80 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Guatemala, Uganda and several other countries are set to make national pledges to restore more than 30 million hectares of degraded lands.

Also, the Consumer Goods Forum, a coalition of 400 companies, called on Governments to pass a legally binding climate deal in Paris in 2015 that includes REDD+, including large-scale payments to countries that reduces deforestation.

More than 120 Heads of States and Government, business, finance and civil society representatives announced commitments to reduce emissions enhance resistance to climate change and mobilize financing for climate action.

International Buddhist Conclave 2014 to be Inaugurated in Bodhgaya on 27th September 2014

India, the birthplace of Buddhism, has a very rich Buddhist Heritage, with several important sites associated with the life of Lord Buddha which are essential pilgrimages for followers of Buddhism the world over. 

With a view to showcasing and projecting the Buddhist heritage and pilgrim sites of India, the Ministry of Tourism is organizing the 4th International Buddhist Conclave in Bodhgaya and Sarnath, in collaboration with the State Governments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh from the 26th to 28th September 2014. The event will give the participants an opportunity to interact, promote, package and sell pilgrimage itineraries to the Buddhist sites in the country, for overseas visitors. International Buddhist Conclaves have earlier been organized in New Delhi and Bodhgaya (February 2004); Nalanda and Bodhgaya (February 2010) and Varanasi and Bodhgaya (September 2012). 

The International Buddhist Conclave is one of the initiatives being taken by India as its commitment as the land of origin of Buddhism and to improve the experience of pilgrims as well as tourists wishing to savour the essence of Buddhist heritage, at the Buddhist sites of the country. 

The Conclave will include presentations, panel discussion, business to business meetings between the international and domestic tour operators, an exhibition highlighting the Buddhist attractions in India, as well as visits to important Buddhist sites in and around Bodhgaya and Sarnath. State Governments will set up booths at the conference venue for interacting with the international delegates and for showcasing India’s Buddhist Heritage. 

Participants in the Buddhist Conclave will include international Buddhist opinion makers, tour operators and media, as well as State Governments and domestic tour operators promoting pilgrimages to the Buddhist sites in the country. Approximately 120 international delegates comprising tour operators, media representatives and opinion makers from 32 countries are participating in the Conclave. 

In addition to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the State Governments participating in the Conclave include Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Telangana and West Bengal. 

The Conclave will be inaugurated on 27th September 2014 at the Kagyupa International Monlam Trust, near Terger Monastery, Bodhgaya, by the Chief Minister of Bihar and the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture Shri Shripad Naik, in the presence of the Minister for Tourism, Government of Bihar and the Minister for Technical Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh. 

Twentieth edition of Annual Delhi Book Fair began in New Delhi

The twentieth edition of annual Delhi Book Fair began on 23 August 2014 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. This time the theme of fair is Literature in Cinema. The nine-day event has been organised jointly by India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP). 

Apart from this, to guide the people about the stalls, pavilions and essential amenities, a mobile app was launched. Over 500 stalls have been set up and around 300 publishers have participated in this nine-day event.

Moreover, an online booking option had been made available to avoid queues and 10 air-conditioned buses are arranged to ferry visitors from entry gates of Pragati Maidan to the exhibition halls.

Annual Delhi Book Fair
• The Delhi Book Fair is India's oldest book fair that centres at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi 
• First Delhi Book Fair Was held in March 1972 with 200 participants and was inaugurated by VV Giri, the then President of India
• The Delhi Book Fair 2013 was scheduled from 4 February-10 February at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

DGR Corporate Conclave-2014

A Corporate Conclave is being organized by Directorate General Resettlement, Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence on 19th August, 2014 at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt, New Delhi. Hon’ble Defence Minister will be the Chief Guest of the event. More than 300 CEOs, Vice-Presidents and Sr. level Human Resource Executives from different PSUs, both private and public enterprises are expected to participate in the Conclave. A large number of Senior Armed Forces officers, Secretaries from various departments of the Government of India and other Senior Government officials will be attending the Conclave. 

Since officers and men from the Armed Forces have to compulsorily retire at an early age, their resettlement is a national obligation and thus in national interest. The Private and Public Sectors should absorb such ex-servicemen for mutual benefit. 

As repository of the largest reserve of trained, experienced and most disciplined manpower, Directorate General Resettlement can meet the requirements of private and public enterprises and Government Sectors in almost all fields. While service officers at higher ranks are most suited as Independent Directors, other officers and men can help corporates grow in every field including taking on their Corporate Social Responsibility Challenge. 

The objective of Directorate General Resettlement Corporate Conclave-2014 is to present the competencies of Ex-Servicemen which belong to an untapped human resource pool. Further, the Conclave expects to change the perception regarding retired armed forces personnel being suitable only for security duties to a major tool for nation building and corporate growth in every sphere. 

P5+1 and Iran nuclear talks

Foreign ministers of United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China met in Vienna to reach to a concrete solution for Iran’s nuclear program.

The United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China want Iran to reduce its nuclear fuel-making capacity to deny it any means of quickly producing atom bombs. In exchange, international sanctions that have crippled the large OPEC member's oil-dependent economy would gradually be lifted. 

Iran says it is enriching uranium for peaceful energy purposes only and wants the sanctions removed swiftly. But a history of hiding sensitive nuclear work from U.N. inspectors raised international suspicions and the risk of a new Middle East war if diplomacy fails to yield a long-term settlement. 

IRAN and P5+1The P5+1 is a group of six world powers which in 2006 joined the diplomatic efforts with Iran with regard to its nuclear program. The term refers to the P5 or five permanent members of the UN Security Council, namely United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France, plus Germany. P5+1 is often referred to as the E3+3 (or E3/EU+3) by European countries. 

Joint Plan of Action
On November 24, 2014, Iran Foreign Minister Zarif and Catherine Ashton, head of the P5+1 negotiating team, signed the proposal, known as the Joint Plan of Action. 

Elements of the First Phase
Iranian actions:

• Convert half of its stockpile of uranium enriched to 20 percent to oxide form and downblend the remainder to an enrichment level of no more than five percent;
• suspend production of uranium enriched to above five percent;
• no further advances in nuclear activities at the Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant, the enrichment plant at Fordow and the Arak heavy water reactor;
• convert uranium enriched up to five percent produced during the six months to oxide form when the construction of the conversion facility is completed;
• no new enrichment facilities;
• research and development practices, including on enrichment, will continue under IAEA safeguards;
• no reprocessing of spent plutonium fuel or construction of any facility capable of reprocessing; and
• enhanced monitoring including, providing information to the IAEA on plans for nuclear sites and the Arak reactor, negotiating a safeguards approach for the Arak reactor, allow daily IAEA access to Natanz and Fordow, and allow managed access to centrifuge workshops and uranium mines and mills.

P5+1 Actions:

• No new nuclear-related sanctions from the UN Security Council, the EU, and the U.S.;
• pause efforts to further reduce Iran’s oil sales and partial repatriation of frozen Iranian assets from oil sales;
• suspension of U.S. and EU sanctions on petrochemical exports and gold and precious metals;
• suspension of U.S. sanctions on Iran’s auto industry;
• supply and installation of spare parts for Iranian civil airplanes, including repairs and safety inspections;
• establish a financial channel for humanitarian goods using Iran’s oil revenues that are frozen abroad, which can also be used for tuition payments for Iranian student abroad and payment of Iran’s UN dues; and
• increase of the EU thresholds for non-sanctioned trade with Iran.

Nepal to host 18th SAARC Summit

Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushil Koirala officially proposed to hold the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu on 14th November. The date is subject to approval by SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member states that include India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.

This is the third time the country is hosting the event since the establishment of eight-member regional grouping in 1985. Nepal had last hosted the 11th SAARC Summit in January 2002 and 3rd Summit in November 1987.

The 17th SAARC summit was held in Maldives in 2011.

India-US Energy Dialogue

India and the United States agreed to further work collaboratively on energy sector. At the India-US Energy dialogue in New Delhi today, both the countries agreed to promote scientific cooperation, research & development for greater technological innovation and for deployment of environmentally-friendly technologies and products. Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr.Montek Singh Alhuwalia and the United States Department of Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz after participating in the Dialogue, held a press interaction in New Delhi today. They hoped that the Dialogue will lead to business-to-business collaboration of both the countries. The expected expanding trade and sound regulatory frameworks would emerge to deliver energy solutions for sustainable growth of economies of both the countries for benefit of their people. 

Five of the six working groups affiliated with the Energy Dialogue (Coal, Oil & Gas, New Technologies and Renewable Energy, Power and Energy Efficiency, and Sustainable Growth) have held meetings over the last five days at the Co-chairs level including experts/officials. U.S.-India Joint Clean Energy Research and development Centre had also brought up issues relating to progress on solar energy, advanced bio-fuels and energy efficiency of buildings under PACE-R. 

Partnership to Advance Clean Energy PACE- Research & Development (PACE-R) has been working on research and development projects on solar energy, Building Energy Efficiency and Second generation bio-fuels. A number of consortia from Industry, R&D and Education Institutions have been formed to take up the projects in these areas. 

In 2009, the India and U.S. agreed to significantly increase collaboration on energy security and clean energy through launching the Partnership to Advance Clean Energy (PACE). 

India and USA have also signed two separate MOUs for partnership in clean energy access (PEACE) and demand for air-conditioning sector. The MOU on Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE) was launched in September 2013 for promoting increased energy access and is developing several priority activities. 

Dr. Ahluwalia said that the U S Energy Secretary Dr. Ernest Moniz will be in Mumbai tomorrow to witness the meeting of civil nuclear working group which could help to work towards cooperation in this sector. 

FNCCI & CII to organize Nepal-India Economic Summit

In Nepal, the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and industry (FNCCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have agreed to organize Nepal-India Economic Summit every year alternatively in the two countries. The Summit would be an effective platform to discuss the promotion of bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries. The two business organizations have also agreed to play a strategic role for developing hydropower projects that have been long pending in Nepal. The private sector has also principally agreed to make a joint study to find out various areas for improvement for new trade treaty between the two countries.

Third World Congress on Agro-Forestry was held in Delhi

Third World Congress on Agro-Forestry was held from 10 to 14 February 2014 in New Delhi, India for the first time. It was organized by the World Agro-forestry Centre, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Indian Society of Agro-forestry and Global Initiatives. The First Two were held in Orlando, USA (in 2004) and Nairobi, Kenya (in 2009).

The theme of the Congress is Trees for Life.

The 101st Indian Science Congress begins at Jammu

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the 101st Indian Science Congress held at Jammu University from 3rd to 7th February with focal theme “Innovations in Science and Technology for Inclusive Development”. While inaugurating the five-day event Prime Minister pitches for more funds to promote science. Further he added that the country's annual expenditure on science and technology should be at least two per cent of the GDP.

In his inaugural address at the 101st Indian Science Congress in Jammu, the Prime Minister also said that India is joining the CERN, a premiere European Organisation for Nuclear Research, as an associate member.

The Prime Minister also announced a National Mission on High Performance Computing with an outlay of Rs 4500 crore. To ensure food security and to improve and water productivity, we have to launch a national drive for an ever-green revolution." Singh also announced institution of 25 Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowships, under which eminent scientists from abroad will be invited to work in India for 12 months over a period of three years.

Under this initiative, the government will give 1 lakh USD for three years to the fellows. The government has already selected five scientists, who are also the Fellows of the Royal Society, London, under this scheme.

The Prime Minister also urged scientists to learn from the past and connect with the present and focus on the future.

This is the first time that the Indian Science Congress is being held in Jammu. Delegates from more than 65 countries participated in it along with numerous scientific institutions from across the country.

ASSOCHAM organized Seventh Global Insurance Summit at Hyderabad

Seventh Global Insurance Summit was held at Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh on 8th January. The summit was organized by National Council on Insurance of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).

The focus of the summit was on the need for simplifying the insurance process and to provide financial security for the masses in India.

At the summit IRDA advocated for a single policy covering all basic need of insurance which would be more effective to increase insurance penetration in India.

Cost effective ways of distributing insurance covers would be key to success in increasing insurance coverage among low income groups. Issuance of e-policies through insurance repositories would reduce policy issuance costs significantly.

First Ministerial Level Talk held for BCIM Trade Corridor

India, China, Bangladesh and Myanmar in the third week of December 2013 held the first ever official-level discussions on the ambitious corridor to link India and China with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

The BCIM corridor faced a rapid boost for the first time after it was discussed with ministerial level talk. The four member countries namely, Bangladesh, India, China, and Myanmar proposed the establishment of the BCIM Forum for regional cooperation. 

Over the next six months, each country will come up with a joint study report proposing concrete projects and financing modalities, before the next meeting of the four nations in June 2014. 

The next meeting would be hosted by Bangladesh.

Presently, the four countries come up with an ambitious proposal that included developing multi-modal transport, such as road, rail, waterways and airways, joint power projects and telecommunication networks.

As a first step, the four countries will identify realistic and achievable infrastructure projects to boost physical connectivity.

The  linking of all four countries by road has further strengthen the notion that this corridor would subsequently open up the whole of the northeastern region of India to Southeast Asia and China and turn it into a significant channel of trade.

8th Asia Gas Partnership Summit

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated 8th Asia Gas Partnership summit organised by gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). While inaugurating the summit Singh dedicated 1000 kilometer long Dabhol-Bengaluru gas pipe line in order to meet the increasing gas demand of the country and said that due to environment concern gas requirement should be diversified.
The two-day conference with the theme 'Asian Gas Market: Challenges and Opportunities in the Changing Paradigm' will have six business sessions and a special session and feature some of the best speakers and experts in their areas".

India-Afghan Innovation Partnership Fair opened in Kabul

The first ever India-Afghanistan Innovation Partnership Fair opened in Kabul, Afghanistan on 3 December 2013.  India's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Amar Sinha, has inaugurated the India-Afghanistan Innovation Partnership Fair.
The two day fair has been jointly organized by the Indian Embassy in Kabul in collaboration with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the Kabul Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of commerce and Industries (FICCI). Nearly 20 Indian and 25 Afghan participants are showcasing their innovations in the fair.

22nd CHOGM Summit ended with adoption of three declarations

The 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 15-17 November 2013 on the theme Growth with Equity: Inclusive Development ended. The event concluded with the adoption of the independent declarations - on Youth, International Trade and Inclusive Development and the release of Summit Communiqué.  Before the end of the CHOGM, the leaders continued the discussions at the retreat, which was followed by an executive session, where the decisions taken at the meetings were formalized.
The participant leaders of the CHOGM unanimously agreed on the proposal to host the next CHOGM in 2015 in Malta. Before this, Malta hosted a Commonwealth Summit in 2005. Whereas, Mauritius had withdrawn its earlier offer to host the event.
The Indian delegation to CHOGM to Sri Lanka was led by the Foreign Minister of India, Salman Khurshid after Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India decided to skip the event. Apart from this, 27 heads of Government had attended the event from the 50 member Countries. The highlight of the Opening Ceremony was an addressed by his royal highness, the Prince of Wales, who represented the Head of the Commonwealth. 

Malta to Host Next Commonwealth Summit in 2015

Malta, a Southern European country was on 17 November 2013 unanimously chosen as the host of the next Commonwealth summit in 2015. The decision was made at the retreat session of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Colombo, Sri Lanka after Mauritius withdrew as host of the 2015 Commonwealth summit as a result of its prime minister's boycott of the Colombo summit over Sri Lanka's human rights concerns. This is second time for Malta to host the Commonwealth summit. Before this, Malta hosted a Commonwealth Summit in 2005.

22nd Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting (CHOGM) began in Colombo, Sri Lanka

The 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, CHOGM began in Colombo, Sri Lanka on 15 November 2013. The Summit was inaugurated by Prince Charles of England, who is representing Queen Elizabeth at the Commonwealth Summit. The theme for CHOGM 2013 is Growth with Equity; Inclusive Development. 

The official symbol for CHOGM is Water lily flower. The logo symbolises the blue water lily (Nil Manel), the national flower of Sri Lanka. The multi coloured petals represent the diversity, liveliness and unity among different Commonwealth countries within a global perspective.

External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid is represented the India in the 22nd Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). This year, CHOGM in Sri Lanka, the first time an Asian country is hosting the summit in 24 years. The last CHOGM Summit (in 2011) was held at Perth, Australia.

About CHOGAM

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is held every two years to enable leaders of Commonwealth countries to come together to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to decide on collective policies and initiatives.

Every CHOGM is jointly organized by the host country and the Commonwealth Secretariat. These biennial meetings serve as the principal policy and decision-making forum to guide the strategic direction of the association.

Commonwealth leaders have been coming together for discussions since 1949, but the title Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting was adopted during a session in Singapore in 1971. This specific classification was used to depict the gathering of both presidents and prime ministers in the event.

One unique aspect of the meeting is that the formal opening ceremony and the formal Executive Session are followed by a where leaders meet privately for discussions. With an informal atmosphere, this session allows heads of state to freely and frankly exchange their views on important issues and come to a consensus.

Previous CHOGMs have focused on a range of global issues, including international peace and security, democracy, climate change, multilateral trade issues, good governance, sustainable development, small states, debt management, education, environment, gender equality, health, human rights, information and communication technology, and youth affairs.

The theme of the 2011 CHOGM in Perth, Australia, was Building National Resilience, Building Global Resilience.

About the Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations is a voluntary association of 53 countries, many of them former territories of the British Empire. It was established in 1949. The head of the Commonwealth is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Member countries

Fifty-three countries are members of the Commonwealth. These Countries are from Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific and are diverse – they are amongst the world’s largest, smallest, richest and poorest countries. Thirty-two of our members are classified as small states – countries with a population size of 1.5million people or less and larger member states that share similar characteristics with them.

Leaders of member countries shape Commonwealth policies and priorities. Every two years, they meet to discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth and the wider world at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

All members have an equal say regardless of size or economic stature. This ensures even the smallest member countries have a voice in shaping the Commonwealth.

The last two countries to join The Commonwealth - Rwanda and Mozambique - have no historical ties to the British Empire.Four countries - Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Fiji and Pakistan - have been suspended from the Commonwealth in the past.

The Gambian Government on 2 October 2013 announced that it is pulling out of the Commonwealth with immediate effect.  Gambian, a West African country joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1965.

18th International Children's Film Festival of India Inaugurated at Hyderabad

The 18th International Children Film Festival of India (ICFFI) was inaugurated on 14 November 2013 at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari was inaugurated the week-long (14 to 20 Nov 2013) event popularly known as Golden Elephant. 
The film festival was thrown open with the screening of Hindi Animation Film "Gopi Gawaiyya Bhaga Bajaiyya" Over 200 films from 48 countries scheduled to be screened at 11 theatres in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. About one lakh 50 thousand children are expected to take part in the biennial event. The film festival is jointly organized by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Children’s Film Society of India and the Andhra Pradesh state government.

7th India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting held in New Delhi

The 7th India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held here on 8 November 2013. The 7th India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) was held in New Delhi on 8 November 2013. The two nations conducted a comprehensive review of bilateral relations, which have been upgraded to a Strategic Partnership and have acquired range and depth over the past few years. Noting that high level political exchanges had imparted momentum to the relationship, they discussed the possibility of a visit to India by Korean President Madame Park Geun-hye in early 2014. The JCM deliberated on ways to add strategic and economic content to bilateral ties including in the political, security, trade, investment, consular, scientific and cultural spheres. Regional and international issues of mutual interest were also discussed.