Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 26 January 2018

::NATIONAL::

Ensure smooth passage in the oceans : PM Modi at INDIA-ASEAN Summit

• Security and freedom of navigation will be in the heart of India-ASEAN cooperation in the twenty-first century, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the leaders of the ASEAN countries at the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit.
• The leaders also agreed on establishing a joint mechanism to ensure safety and freedom of navigation in the maritime domain.
• Humanitarian and disaster relief efforts, security cooperation and freedom of navigation will be key focus areas for maritime cooperation.
• Ensure smooth passage in the oceans.
• The visiting leaders agreed on setting up a special mechanism on maintaining freedom of navigation.
• Focus is on addressing both traditional and non-traditional challenges that all of us face collectively in the maritime domain sector.

Joint fight against Terror : Delhi Declaration

• Counter-terrorism, identity security, military cooperation, and bilateral financial support were discussed in official level talks with leaders from ASEAN countries.
• The ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the establishment of sectoral dialogue between two sides.
• It also came out with a comprehensive statement targeting terrorism and agreed to uphold freedom in the maritime domain.
• It focused on the presence of the Islamic State and other forms of radicalism in the region.
• A joint statement, titled Delhi Declaration, a “comprehensive approach to combat terrorism through close cooperation by disrupting and countering terrorists, terrorist groups and networks, including by countering cross border movement of terrorists and foreign terrorist fighters and misuse of Internet including social media by terror entities.”
• Philippines had the most serious threat from the Islamic State in the last few years and the bilateral discussion focused on this aspect.
• A Joint Working Group meeting is likely to be held between the two countries to finalise details of counter-terror cooperation between Delhi and Manila.
• Mr. Modi also held a discussion with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
• Defence and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region was discussed explaining that both sides are likely to operationalise $100 million line of credit for the same.
• The official also said that direct flights would soon connect India with Vietnam.
• The issue of security identity cards for the citizens, on the line of the Aadhaar card of India also came up during the bilateral discussion with Philippines.
• A team from Philippines was here last week to study the Aadhar card of India.
• The security scenario in the Rakhine province was also discussed between Prime Minister Modi and Aung San Suu Kyi, the State Counsellor of Myanmar.
• Both sides discussed the housing project that India would build to rehabilitate the Rohingya.

10 ASEAN leaders as Chief guests for 69th Republic Day

• India has pulled off a diplomatic coup of sorts by having as many as 10 leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), for January 26 this year.
• The presence of the entire ASEAN leadership for Republic Day is a sign that the decades-old bond between India and the regional grouping has reached a new strategic level.
• This event is unique as it comes in the context of major changes in the regional order.
• Interestingly, an India-ASEAN tableau will also form part of the Republic Day parade, which will have several firsts on display this time.
• Other than the all-woman BSF contingent on motorcycles.
• India’s long-range sub-sonic cruise missile Nirbhay will be showcased for the first time.
• The weaponised Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH), Rudra, will also be part of the fly-past for the first time.
• Nirbhay, with a range of over 1,000 km, is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and was successfully test-fired last November after some initial failures.
• An important aspect of the R-Day parade this year is the focus on showcasing indigenously developed military platforms for the visiting heads of state.
• This is significant as India is now trying to significantly beef up its military sales as part of its defence diplomacy and wants to showcase these platforms to ASEAN countries.
• In line with this, BrahMos supersonic missiles, Akash Surface to Air Missile (SAM), and Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C) are part of the military component of the parade.
• The 90-minute parade has 16 marching contingents, 23 tableaux from 14 States and four ministries.
• For the first time, there is tableau from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and from All India Radio.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

No Zero-Sum approach : China on INDIA-ASEAN Ties

• China cautiously welcomed India’s invitation extended to the heads of ASEAN.
• Offered Beijing’s “constructive” participation for promoting the overall development of the region.
• Rejecting a zero-sum approach, China is open to all countries developing friendly relations.
• Happy with India developing friendly and cooperative relations with ASEAN countries.
• China hoping that all countries can work together for peace, stability and development of the region and play a constructive role.

::OTHERS::

Awards

• President Ram Nath Kovind approved the award of 85 Padma awards.
• Music composer-director Ilaiyaraaja conferred with a Padma Vibhushan
• Sports icons M.S. Dhoni and Pankaj Advani honoured with Padma Bhushan.
• The 73 Padma Shri awards include Malaysian dancer-choreographer Ramli Bin Ibrahim, doctor couple Abhay Bang and Rani Bang and Gond artist Bhajju Shyam.
• India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashok Chakra, was conferred on Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala of the Indian Air Force (IAF) who died fighting militants in Kashmir valley.
• This is the third Ashok Chakra for the IAF and its first for ground combat.