Embassy of India in Oslo Monthly Newsletter, Vol. #6 June 2017 PM’s Half-yearly Press Conference (20 June): Oslo Forum (13-14 June): In her speech at the PM's Half-yearly Press Conference on 20 June, PM highlighted that Norway's economy was recovering following the global oil price fall and that the government coalition consisting of the Conservative Party and had implemented their election campaign promises made prior to the parliamentary elections in 2013 such as tax reforms as well as reforms of Norway's local government structure, the police and other public services.

FM Brende with high-level participants at the Oslo Forum 2017 Photo: Norwegian Government

The annual Oslo Forum, which is one of the most important international meeting places for peace mediators, facilitators and other actors in peace processes, took place in Oslo from 13 – 14 June. The forum gathered about 100 scientists, Prime Minister Solberg at the Half-yearly Press peacemakers and politicians with Conference experience from various peace processes, Photo: Norwegian Government including prominent participants such as Ms. Federica Mogherini, EU High Agreement to reduce food waste (28 Representative for Foreign Affairs and June): Security Policy, Mr. Javad Sharif, A press release by the Norwegian Foreign Minister of Iran, Ms. Maria Ministry of Climate and Environment, Holguín, Foreign Minister of Colombia on 28 June stated that the Norwegian and Mr. John Kerry, former US Government and the representatives of Secretary of State. This year's theme was the Norwegian food industries signed an "Peace Making in a New Era of agreement to reduce food waste in Geopolitics”. Conflicts such as Syria, Norway by 50 percent by 2030. The Somalia, Sudan, Libya, South Eastern Parties agreed to support the United Europe, the Philippines, Yemen and Nations Sustainable Development target Nigeria were discussed. A public to halve food waste at the retail and meeting about the situation in Colombia consumer level, and reduce food losses was also held between FM Brende, along production and supply chains by Colombia’s Foreign Minister Ms. Maria 2030. Mr. Vidar Helgesen, Minister for Holguín and FARC leader Rodrigo Climate and Environment, stated that, Londoño. under the agreement, the Norwegian

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Embassy of India in Oslo Monthly Newsletter, Vol. #6 June 2017 authorities and food industries together Amendment Act 2017. GST marks the will carry out measures resulting in beginning of a new journey for India. reduced food waste by consumers. Now through Taxation Law Amendment Act 2017, 13 cesses are abolished and India the date of implementation of these cesses is coinciding with the date of the st Launch of Polar Satellite (23 June): GST roll-out i.e. 1 July, 2017. Under GST, goods and services is taxed at 0%, 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. The job market is looking forward to a big boost from the new GST regime and expects over one lakh immediate new employment

opportunities. Speaking at the event, President Pranab Mukherjee called it a historic moment stating that it is a unified tax system in the country which is a tribute to India’s democracy. He added that this was the culmination of a Launch of Polar Satellite by ISRO 14-year journey that began in 2002. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his On 23 June, the Indian Space Research speech stated that “one nation, one tax” Organisation (ISRO) successfully dream became a reality adding that GST launched the Cartosat-2 Series Satellite is not just tax reform but it is India’s along with 30 co-passenger satellites biggest economic and social reform. into orbit for earth observation with its GST is a way forward in the ease of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV- doing business. He also called GST as a C38) from Sriharikota. At the occasion, “Good and Simple Tax”. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi stated: “Congratulations to ISRO on its Norway-India 40th successful Polar satellite launch carrying 31 satellites from 15 countries. Celebrations of the 3rd International Day You make us proud!”. of Yoga in Norway:

Goods and Services Tax: India’s biggest tax reform Goods and Services Tax (GST) was officially launched by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi together on the midnight of 30th June st (early morning of 1 July) 2017 at the Indian Parliament's historic Central Hall. GST is an indirect tax applicable throughout India which replaced multiple cascading taxes levied by the central and state governments. It was Chief Guest H.E. Mr. Himanshu Gulati’s speech at 3rd introduced as The Constitution 101st International Day of Yoga

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Embassy of India in Oslo Monthly Newsletter, Vol. #6 June 2017 specially designed T-shirts with IDY Embassy of India in collaboration with logos to all attendees. Sponsors of the Yoga schools/studios organized the 3rd event were HCL, TCS and New Delhi International Day of Yoga on 24th June Restaurant. 2017 at Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. The event was attended by over 400 people including a large number of distinguished guests viz. heads of the various social and other organizations, a number of Ambassadors, yoga enthusiasts from several Yoga schools/studios, Indian Diaspora, Indian citizens and Norwegian citizens. The Chief Guest H.E. Mr. Himanshu Gulati, , Office of the Prime Minister of Norway spoke Yoga Session at 3rd International Day of Yoga at the event while lectures such as “Living Yoga, Living from the Heart” Seminar on Investment and Tourism: and “How Yoga and Breathing Affect Our Immune System” were delivered by yoga experts explaining health benefits through yoga.

Ambassador’s presentation at Seminar on Investment and Tourism

rd The Embassy of India in cooperation Yoga Session at 3 International Day of Yoga with Norway-India Chamber of The Embassy organized a 60-minute Commerce and Industry (NICCI) Yoga Session conducted by two organized a Seminar “Norway-India Investment and Tourism – a two-way Norwegian Yoga teachers followed by th Shanti Mantras/Paath as well as Yog street” on 15 June in Oslo. Speaking at Geet. An “Online Yoga Quiz” was also the event, Chief Guest Ms. Dilek Ayhan, successfully organized from 20th to 23rd State Secretary (Vice Minister), Ministry June as part of the celebration of IDY of Trade, Industry and Fisheries of 2017.The Embassy with the help of local Norway, highlighted that India has been sponsor (HCL) presented Yoga mats and important for Norway adding that Norway aims to increase cooperation

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Embassy of India in Oslo Monthly Newsletter, Vol. #6 June 2017 with India in a number of sectors Indian Community including trade & investment, digital & new technologies and tourism. She also Seminar on Vedanta and Sanskrit: underlined that Norway would look forward to conclude the India-EFTA and to establish Dialogue on Trade and Investment as early as possible. Ambassador Debraj Pradhan made a presentation on Investment and Tourism opportunities in India.

Chanting of Sanskrit shlokas The Embassy of India organized a ‘Seminar on Vedanta and Sanskrit’ on 16th June, 2017 at the Embassy premises as a curtain-raiser event for the celebrations of the 3rd International Day of Yoga. The event began with chanting of Sanskrit shlokas by a group of children. Several speakers delivered Seminar on Investment and Tourism lectures on varied themes such as ‘Relevance of Vedas in Modern Times; Agreement between IRMI and Cloud ‘Sanskrit Beyond Temples’, Ayurveda- Forensics: A Norwegian company Yoga; and Yoga-Dance-Meditation. An ‘IRMI’ signed an agreement with an Indian Sanskrit scholar Dr. Ram Vaidya, Indian company ‘Cloud Forensics’ in who was on a visit to Norway, delivered May 2017 in New Delhi in presence of a lecture providing valuable insight and the Norwegian Ambassador Mr. Nils thoughts on the relevance of Sanskrit in Ragnar Kamsvåg. IRMI does modern age while considering it a international background checks, scientific language. An Ayurveda integrity assessments and investigations Practitioner Ms. Archana Anand spoke to prevent cybercrime whereas the on Ayurveda-Yoga highlighting how to Indian company Cloud Forensics is one cure several diseases through yoga, right of India's leading suppliers of computer & healthy diet and Ayurveda. security systems. According to the agreement, Cloud Forensics will invest US$ 25 million (NOK 200 million) in IRMI. The collaboration will open the way for exciting Norwegian-Indian cooperation in an area of massive international importance, applying particularly to companies wishing to invest abroad.

Ambassador’s speech at the seminar

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