Protocol Amending the DTAA between India, UK and the Northern Ireland Signed

India and UK signed a Protocol amending the Convention between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect of Taxes on Income and Capital Gains (DTAC). This Protocol amends the earlier Convention that was assigned in New Delhi on 25th January, 1993. 

Australia releases the Asian Century White Paper

Announcing that Asia’s rise is“unstoppable”, Australia brought out a challenging plan aimed at fortifying its links with India and other booming economies of the Asian region. The Australian plan includes teaching languages like Hindi and Mandarin in its schools. All Australian schools will engage with at least one school in Asia to support the teaching of a priority Asian language — Mandarin, Hindi, Indonesian or Japanese. Australia also released ‘Asian Century White Paper’ with an aim to extend and strengthen it links with Asia.

India-US-Japan Trilateral meet

India, US and Japan together shared their strategic overview of Asia Pacific which included Washington's 'pivot-to-Asia' policy, Iran, China-Japan maritime dispute and the issue of South China Sea.

The talks were chaired by US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake, Indian Joint Secretary in charge of East Asia for the External Affairs Ministry Gautam  Bambawale, and Japan's Deputy Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kenji Hiramatsu.

India and Spain meet

India and Spain has signed the following agreements during the meet in India:

a) Memorandum of Understanding Road Transport Sector 

This was signed by the Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Minister of Railways, Dr. C.P.Joshi and visiting Spain Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ms. Ana Pastor Julián.

India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue

India and Japan decided to enhance cooperation key bilateral areas, including maritime, cyber, outer space security and also deliberated on regional and international security situation.
It was second India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue held in Tokyo which involved discussions on foreign policy issues and security. Both the nations reviewed bilateral security and defence cooperation and discussed ways to expand these ties further.

India and Switzerland Discuss Bilateral Cooperation in Transport Sector

The visiting Head of the Department (Federal Councillor) for Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications, Ms. Doris Leuthard of Switzerland (Swiss Confederation) called on the Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Railways, Government of India, Dr. C. P. Joshi, here today. The two sides were accompanied by their respective delegations. Welcoming the Swiss Federal Councillor and her delegation, Dr. C.P.Joshi said that given the prevailing tough global economic environment, it’s heartening that the economic and commercial relations between the two nations have acquired momentum. Our bilateral trade has been heading upwards for the last five years and stands at over US $ 4.5 billion. Still, there are potentials and effort should be made to optimise them, he added.

Joint Press Statement -- Home Secretary Level talks between India and Bangladesh

The 13th meeting of the Home Secretaries of India and Bangladesh was held on 16-17 October 2012 at Dhaka. The Indian delegation was led by Mr. R.K. Singh, Union Home Secretary, Government of India. The Bangladesh delegation was led by Mr. C. Q. K. Mustaq Ahmed, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Bangladesh.