PIB Summary-19th March, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Global Millets Conference

Context
The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry signed a MoU with the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations during the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference.

Details

• During the Global Millets Conference, as part of International Year of Millets 2023, a MoU between World Food Programme (WFP) and GoI for cooperation between 2023 – 2027 was signed in presence of agriculture minister, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar. The minister appreciated the work of WFP in promoting self sufficiency and supporting governmental and global efforts to ensure long term solutions to the challenges of hunger. 
• Shri Tomar also held bilateral meetings with agriculture ministers of various countries who were part of the Global Millets Conference- Guyana, Suriname, Zambia and Mauritius.
• India shares close ties with Mauritius for demographic, historical and cultural reasons. There is an exceptionally close relationship in maritime security, development partnership, capacity building and cooperation in international fora. The relationships between the two countries are nurtured by the Indian Cultural Centre in Mauritius (India’s largest in the world) and a World Hindi Secretariat – a bilateral organisation for promotion of Hindi language. People of Indian origin comprise about 70% of the island’s population.
• Under India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), India provides scholarships for various higher education courses and ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) training slots as well as special capacity building programs. Zambia owing to its rich natural resources has become an important destination for Indian investments.

About Global Millets Conference, 2023

• The Prime Minister inaugurated a two-day global conference on millets in the national capital (March 18). He also unveiled a customised postal stamp as well as a commemorative currency coin to mark the ‘International Year of Millets’ being celebrated in 2023. 
• In  2021, the United Nations General Assembly  UNGA declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM), accepting India’s proposal. Through this declaration, the United Nations General Assembly aims to elevate awareness of nutri-cereals (millets) for food security and nutrition, enhance investment in research and development, and inspire stakeholders towards improving production, productivity and quality of millets.

Sagar Parikrama Phase IV

Context
Launch of Sagar parikrama Phase Ⅳ from Mormugao Port.

Details

• The Sagar Parikrama Phase Ⅳ started from Mormugao Port, Goa on March 17, 2023 and ended on March 19, 2023 in Mangalore. It covered a total of 10 locations of three major coastal districts.
• Sagar Parikrama is an evolutionary journey envisaged in the sea across the coastal belt demonstrating solidarity with all fisherfolk, fish farmers and concerned stakeholders as a spirit of 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. 
  • It is an initiative by the GoI, aiming to resolve the issues of the fishers and other stakeholders and facilitate their economic upliftment through various fisheries schemes and programs being implemented by the Government of India such as PMMSY (Pradhan Mantri Matsya sampada Yojna), FIDF (Fisheries and aquaculture Development Fund) and KCC for fisheries etc.
• Sagar Parikrama Phase Ⅰ was held in Gujarat – from Mandvi to Porbandar in March, 2022. Phase Ⅱ covered the distance from the coastline of Arabian Sea in Gujarat and Diu & Daman in September, 2022. The third phase started from Hazari Port in Surat, Gujarat, covered the coastal belt of Maharashtra before concluding at Sasson Dock , Mumbai (February, 2023). 

Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and Maldives

Context
4th  Defence Cooperation Dialogue between India and Maldives held in Male.

Details

• India and Maldives conducted the 4th Defence Cooperation Dialogue in Male, Maldives. The event was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and his Maldivian counterpart.
• The Defence Cooperation Dialogue (DCD) is the highest institutionalised interactive mechanism between the two countries. During the dialogue the ongoing defence cooperation activities were reviewed and both sides expressed their satisfaction at increasing engagements. Both the countries also agreed to enhance the complexity of the bilateral exercise drills. The increased engagements are a positive sign for the future of bilateral relations.