India Assessment October 2002

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

India Assessment October 2002 INDIA COUNTRY REPORT April 2004 Country Information & Policy Unit IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY DIRECTORATE HOME OFFICE, UNITED KINGDOM India April 2004 CONTENTS 1. Scope of Document 1.1 - 1.7 2. Geography 2.1 - 2.4 3. Economy 3.1 - 3.4 4. History 4.1 - 4.18 1996 - 1998 4.1 - 4.5 1998 - the present 4.6 - 4.18 5. State Structures 5.1 - 5.49 The Constitution 5.1 - Citizenship and Nationality 5.2 - 5.6 Political System 5.7. - 5.11 Judiciary 5.12 Legal Rights/Detention 5.13 - 5.18 - Death penalty 5.19 – 5.20 Internal Security 5.21- 5.28 Prisons and Prison Conditions 5.29 - 5.35 Military Service 5.36 Medical Services 5.37 - 5.49 Educational System 5.41 - 5.43 6. Human Rights 6.1 - 6.325 6.A Human Rights Issues 6.1 - 6.165 Overview 6.1 - 6.18 Freedom of Speech and the Media 6.19 - 6.24 - Treatment of journalists 6.25 – 6.26 Freedom of Religion 6.27 - 6.140 - Introduction 6.27 - 6.37 - Muslims 6.38 - 6.56 - Christians 6.57 - 6.74 - Sikhs and the Punjab 6.75 - 6.139 - Buddhists and Zoroastrians 6.140 Freedom of Assembly & Association 6.141 - 6.143 - Political Activists 6.144 - 6.154 Employment Rights 6.155 - 6.160 People Trafficking 6.161 Freedom of Movement 6.162 - 6.165 6.B Human Rights - Specific Groups 6.166 - 6.319 Ethnic Groups 6.166 - Kashmir and the Kashmiris 6.167 - 6.235 Women 6.236 - 6.290 Children 6.291- 6.303 - Child Care Arrangements 6.304 - 6.305 Homosexuals 6.306 - 6.311 Scheduled castes and tribes 6.312 - 6.319 6.C Human Rights - Other Issues 6.320 – 6.325 Treatment of returned failed asylum seekers 6.320- 6.322 Treatment of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) 6.323 – 6.325 India April 2004 Annexes Chronology of Events Annex A Political Organisations Annex B Prominent People Annex C References to Source Material Annex D India April 2004 1. SCOPE OF DOCUMENT 1.1 This India Country report has been produced by the Country Information and Policy Unit, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, for use by Home Office officials involved in the asylum/human rights determination process. The Report provides general background information about the issues most commonly raised in asylum/human rights claims made in the United Kingdom. It is not a detailed or comprehensive survey. 1.2 The Report is compiled from a wide range of recognised sources and does not contain any Home Office opinion or policy. All information in the Report is attributed, throughout the text, to original source material, which has been made available to those working in the asylum/human rights determination process. The Report aims to provide only a brief summary of the source material quoted. For a more detailed account, the relevant source documents should be examined directly. 1.3 The information contained in this Country Report is, by its nature, limited to information that we have been able to identify from various well-recognised sources. The contents of this Report are not exhaustive and the absence of information under any particular heading does not imply that any analysis or judgement has been exercised to exclude that information, but simply that relevant information on the subject has not been identified from the sources that have been consulted. Equally, the information included in the Reports should not be taken to imply anything beyond what is actually stated. 1.4 The great majority of the source material is readily available in the public domain. Copies of other source documents, such as those provided by government offices, may be provided upon request. 1.5 All sources have been checked for currency, and as far as can be ascertained, contain information, which remained relevant at the time, this Report was issued. Some source documents have been included because they contain relevant information not available in more recent documents. 1.6 This country Report and the accompanying source material are publicly disclosable. Where sources identified in this Report are available in electronic form the relevant link has been included. The date that the relevant link was accessed in preparing the report is also included. Paper copies of the source documents have been distributed to nominated officers within IND. 1.7 It is intended to revise the Report on a six-monthly basis while the country remains within the top 35 asylum producing countries in the United Kingdom. Information contained in Country Reports is inevitably overtaken by events that occur between the 6 monthly publications. Caseworkers are informed of such changes in country Information Bulletins. Return to Contents India April 2004 GEOGRAPHY 2.1 The Europa World Year book 1998 states that the Republic of India forms a natural sub-continent with the Himalayas to the north. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, which are sections of the Indian Ocean, lie to the west and east respectively. India's neighbours are China (Tibet), Bhutan and Nepal to the north, Pakistan to the north- west, and Burma to the north-east. To the east, almost surrounded by India, is Bangladesh. Near India's southern tip, across the Palk Strait, is Sri Lanka. India covers an area of 3,287,623 square kilometres (1,269,219 square miles). [1a] As noted in the CIA World Factbook, the capital is New Delhi. [35] 2.2 In July 2002 the population was estimated to be 1,045,845,226. [35] According to a BBC news article dated 11 May 2000, Officially the one-billionth baby was born on 11 May 2000, according to the country's census commission. [32i] 2.3 The Europa World Year book 1998 describes India as a mosaic of different cultures, ethnic groups, languages and religions. [1a] 2.4 The official language of India is Hindi written in the Devanagari script and spoken by some 30% of the population as a first language. Since 1965 English has been recognised as an "associated language". In addition there are 18 main and regional languages recognised for adoption as official state languages. There are another 24 languages, 720 dialects and 23 tribal languages. Among the main languages are Bengali (spoken by 8.2% of the population), Marathi (7.7%), Urdu (5.2%), Gujarati (4.7%), Bihari (3.8%), Oriya (3.6%), Telugu (3.5%), Tamil (3.2%) and Punjabi (3.0%). Other languages include Assamese, Kannada, Rajasthani and Kashmiri. Bihari and Rajasthani are variants of Hindi. [1a] More than 180 million people in India regard Hindi as their mother tongue, and another 300 million use it as a second language. There is controversy about the status of Punjabi, which can be considered as a dialect of Hindi, or as an independent language. A 1997 survey found that 66% of all Indians can speak Hindi, and 77% of Indians regard Hindi as "one language across the nation". [31] 2.5 For further information on geography, refer to Europa Yearbook, source [1a] Return to Contents 3. ECONOMY 3.1 Since the early 1990s, India has been undergoing a transition from a government- controlled economy to one that is largely market oriented. The private sector is predominant in agriculture, most non-financial services, consumer goods, manufacturing and some heavy industry, although the State dominates the economy through public ownership in sectors such as finance, energy, capital goods and heavy industry, and infrastructure. The State also employs nearly 70% of the 28 million workers in organised employment. [6e] 3.2 India is the world's fifth largest economy in terms of gross national product (GNP), but its per capita GNP brings it to 90th place. Agriculture, together with fishing and industry, contribute approximately one third of GNP. About 70% of the population are involved in cultivation activities. Nearly 33% of cultivated land is under assured irrigation India April 2004 while the rest depends on the annual monsoon. The main crops are food grains for domestic consumption such as rice, wheat and sorghum. Large-scale poverty means that out of the 1.13 billion people living below the poverty line throughout the world, 40% are found in India. [6e] 3.3 India is also regarded as a giant in technological achievements and industrial output: it has significant expertise in nuclear energy, communication satellites, vehicles, software design, combat aeroplanes and helicopters, oceanography and deep sea oil drilling, as well as machinery and manufactured goods. [6e] 3.4 According to XE.com, the approximate rate of exchange on 19 March 2004 was £1 = 79 Indian rupees. [36] Return to Contents 4. HISTORY For history prior to 1996, refer to Europa Year Book Source [1a] 1996 - 1998 4.1 The Congress (I) Government entered the May 1996 general elections with its morale at a low ebb and many of its senior leaders at odds with the Prime Minister, Narasimha Rao. Breakaway parties had been formed in the north, in Madhya Pradesh and in Tamil Nadu - the last in response to Narasimha Rao's decision to have an electoral alliance with the Tamil regional party, the AIADMK, then ruling the State. Congress won only 139 seats, its poorest ever performance. The BJP emerged as the largest party, improving on its previous performance to win 160 seats but still well short of a majority, even with allies. [7e] 4.2 On 15 May 1996 the Indian President called on the BJP's parliamentary leader, Atal Behari Vajpayee, to form a Government, which he did with the support of Shiv Sena and other smaller allies. Given the antagonism felt towards the BJP by the majority of other political parties, Vajpayee resigned on 28 May 1996 in anticipation of his Government's inevitable defeat in a parliamentary vote of confidence.
Recommended publications
  • India Assessment October 2002
    INDIA COUNTRY ASSESSMENT April 2003 Country Information & Policy Unit IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY DIRECTORATE HOME OFFICE, UNITED KINGDOM India April 2003 CONTENTS 1. Scope of Document 1.1 - 1.4 2. Geography 2.1 - 2.4 3. Economy 3.1 - 3.4 4. History 4.1 - 4.16 1996 - 1998 4.1 - 4.5 1998 - the present 4.6 - 4.16 5. State Structures 5.1 - 5.39 The Constitution 5.1 - Citizenship and Nationality 5.2 - 5.6 Political System 5.7. - 5.11 Judiciary 5.12 Legal Rights/Detention 5.13 - 5.18 - Death penalty 5.19 Internal Security 5.20 - 5.26 Prisons and Prison Conditions 5.27 - 5.31 Military Service 5.32 Medical Services 5.33 - 5.37 Educational System 5.38 - 5.39 6. Human Rights 6.1 - 6.234 6.A Human Rights Issues 6.1 - 6.139 Overview 6.1 - 6.20 Freedom of Speech and the Media 6.21 - 6.23 - Treatment of journalists 6.24 Freedom of Religion 6.25 - 6.121 - Introduction 6.25 - 6.32 - Muslims 6.33 - 6.48 - Christians 6.49 - 6.65 - Sikhs and the Punjab 6.66 - 6.120 - Buddhists and Zoroastrians 6.121 Freedom of Assembly & Association 6.122 - 6.123 - Political Activists 6.124 - 6.129 Employment Rights 6.130 - 6.134 People Trafficking 6.135 Freedom of Movement 6.136 - 6.139 6.B Human Rights - Specific Groups 6.140 - 6.230 Ethnic Groups 6.140 - Kashmir and the Kashmiris 6.141 - 6.195 Women 6.196 - 6.213 Children 6.214 - 6.219 - Child Care Arrangements 6.220 - 6.221 Homosexuals 6.222 - 6.224 Scheduled castes and tribes 6.225 - 6.230 6.C Human Rights - Other Issues 6.231 - 6.234 Treatment of returned failed asylum seekers 6.231 - 6.233 Treatment of Non-Governmental 6.234 Organisations (NGOs) Annexes Chronology of Events Annex A Political Organisations Annex B Prominent People Annex C References to Source Material Annex D India April 2003 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Country of Origin Information Report India August 2008
    COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT INDIA 12 AUGUST 2008 UK Border Agency COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION SERVICE INDIA 12 AUGUST 2008 Contents Preface Latest News EVENTS IN INDIA FROM 15 JULY – 12 AUGUST 2008 REPORTS ON INDIA PUBLISHED OR ACCESSED BETWEEN 15 JULY AND 12 AUGUST 2008 Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY .............................................................................................1.01 Map...............................................................................................1.07 2. ECONOMY ................................................................................................2.01 3. HISTORY ..................................................................................................3.01 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ............................................................................. 4. 01 5. CONSTITUTION ...........................................................................................5.01 6. POLITICAL SYSTEM .....................................................................................6.01 Human Rights 7. INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................7.01 UN Conventions ........................................................................... 7.05 8. SECURITY SITUATION ..................................................................................8.01 9. SECURITY FORCES .....................................................................................9.01 Police............................................................................................9.01
    [Show full text]
  • A Political Introduction to India
    RESEARCH PAPER 07/41 A political introduction 2 MAY 2007 to India 2007 marks the 60th anniversary of Indian independence. India's rise and what it means for the world is now a central preoccupation of analysts and policy-makers, who have realised that China is not the only 'Asian giant' now awakening. This Research Paper is intended to act as a resource that Members of Parliament and their staff can draw upon when engaging with India's ongoing transformation. Part I provides key facts and figures about India. Part II offers a broad analytical overview of key issues affecting India's past, present and future trajectory. Part III looks at domestic developments and some of the major challenges facing India at home. Part IV discusses India's evolving foreign and security policy. Part V surveys political and military relations between India, the UK and the European Union. The Paper ends with a select bibliography of key sources. There is also an Appendix in which past UK parliamentary proceedings on India before independence are briefly reviewed. This Research Paper is a platform for a series of Library Standard Notes that will address in more depth specific issues about India. The Paper is a companion paper to RP 07/40, An economic introduction to India. Tom Harrison, Sam Jones, Jon Lunn, Ben Smith, Claire Taylor, Tim Youngs INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND DEFENCE SECTION HOUSE OF COMMONS LIBRARY Recent Library Research Papers include: List of 15 most recent RPs 07/26 Unemployment by Constituency, February 2007 14.03.07 07/27 EU Enlargement: the
    [Show full text]
  • Country of Origin Information Report India January 2007
    COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT INDIA 31 JANUARY 2007 RDS-IND COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION SERVICE INDIA 31 JANUARY 2007 Contents PREFACE Latest News EVENTS IN INDIA FROM 1 JANUARY – 31 JANUARY 2007 REPORTS ON INDIA PUBLISHED OR ACCESSED SINCE 1 JANUARY 2007 Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY.................................................................................... 1.01 Map............................................................................................ 1.06 2. ECONOMY........................................................................................ 2.01 3. HISTORY.......................................................................................... 3.01 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ................................................................. 4.01 5. CONSTITUTION................................................................................. 5.01 6. POLITICAL SYSTEM .......................................................................... 6.01 Human Rights 7. INTRODUCTION................................................................................. 7.01 8. SECURITY FORCES........................................................................... 8.01 Police ........................................................................................ 8.01 Arbitrary Arrest and Detention ................................................... 8.04 Torture ....................................................................................... 8.06 Extra-Judicial Killings................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • India April 2002
    India, Country Information http://194.203.40.90/ppage.asp?section=177&title=India%2C%20Country%20Information INDIA ASSESSMENT April 2002 Country Information and Policy Unit I SCOPE OF DOCUMENT II GEOGRAPHY III HISTORY IV STATE STRUCTURES V HUMAN RIGHTS 5.1 HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES 5.2 HUMAN RIGHTS - SPECIFIC GROUPS WOMEN CHILDREN PUNJAB AND THE SIKHS KASHMIR FREEDOM OF RELIGION SCHEDULED CASTES AND TRIBES HOMOSEXUALS TREATMENT OF RETURNED ASYLUM SEEKERS ANNEX A: CHRONOLOGY ANNEX B: POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS ANNEX C: PROMINENT PEOPLE - PAST AND PRESENT ANNEX D: REFERENCES TO SOURCE MATERIAL 1. SCOPE OF DOCUMENT<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 1 of 67 07/11/2002 5:06 PM India, Country Information http://194.203.40.90/ppage.asp?section=177&title=India%2C%20Country%20Information 1.1 This assessment has been produced by the Country Information and Policy Unit, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, from information obtained from a variety of sources. 1.2 The assessment has been prepared for background purposes for those involved in the asylum determination process. The information it contains is not exhaustive, nor is it intended to catalogue all human rights violations. It concentrates on the issues most commonly raised in asylum claims made in the United Kingdom. 1.3 The assessment is sourced throughout. It is intended to be used by caseworkers as a signpost to the source material, which has been made available to them. The vast majority of the source material is readily available in the public domain. 1.4 It is intended to revise the assessment on a 6-monthly basis while the country remains within the top 35 asylum producing countries in the United Kingdom.
    [Show full text]
  • Mahendra Publication Pvt. Ltd. News Diary 20-81 Pandora Box (Part - C) 100-114 103, Pragatideep Building, Plot No
    Mahendra Publication VOL - 12 Pvt. Ltd. ISSUE - 03 Editor Contents N.K. Jain Associate Editor Neeraj Gaur Interview 5 Climate Change Impact Farm Advisors Competition Booster 6-11 Sector Growth 88-89 Neeraj Chabra K.C. Gupta In Focus 12 Pandora Box (Part - A) 91-95 Registered Office News Makers 13-18 Pandora Box (Part - B) 96-99 Mahendra Publication Pvt. Ltd. News Diary 20-81 Pandora Box (Part - C) 100-114 103, Pragatideep Building, Plot No. Drought Management in India : 08, Laxminagar, District Centre, New National 100-104 Delhi - 110092 A Perusal 83-84 TIN-07136921593 Technology Vision 2035 - Putting International 105-106 w.e.f. 10-04-2014 Science to Use 85-86 Economy 107-112 Branch Office Soil Health Card – A tool for Agri Miscellaneous 113-114 Mahendra Publication Pvt. Ltd. revolution 87 E-42,43,44, Sector-7, Noida (U.P.) For Queries regarding Promotion, Distribution Technology Vision 2035 - & Advertisement contact: Drought Management in India : A Perusal Putting Science to Use mahendrapublication.org Ph.: 0522-3247030 Owned Printed & Published by N.K. Jain 103, Pragatideep Building, Plot No. 08, Laxminagar, District Centre, New Delhi - 110092 Copyright Reserved Soil Health Card – A tool for Climate Change Impact Farm @ No part of this issue can be printed Agri revolution Sector Growth in whole or in part without the written permission of the publishers. @ All Disputes are subject to Delhi Jurisdiction only. Please send your suggestions and grievances to:- Mahendra Publication Pvt. Ltd. CP-9, Vijayant Khand, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow - 226010 MARCH/2016/MASTERmahendrapublication.org IN CURRENT AFFAIRS 3 @Mahendra’s EDITORIAL You have to dream before your dreams can come true.
    [Show full text]
  • India, Country Information
    India, Country Information INDIA ASSESSMENT April 2003 Country Information and Policy Unit I SCOPE OF DOCUMENT II GEOGRAPHY III ECONOMY IV HISTORY V STATE STRUCTURES VI HUMAN RIGHTS VIA. HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES VIB. HUMAN RIGHTS - SPECIFIC GROUPS VIC. HUMAN RIGHTS - OTHER ISSUES ANNEX A: CHRONOLOGY ANNEX B: POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS ANNEX C: PROMINENT PEOPLE - PAST AND PRESENT ANNEX D: REFERENCES TO SOURCE MATERIAL 1. SCOPE OF DOCUMENT 1.1 This assessment has been produced by the Country Information and Policy Unit, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, from information obtained from a wide variety of recognised sources. The document does not contain any Home Office opinion or policy. 1.2 The assessment has been prepared for background purposes for those involved in the asylum/human rights determination process. The information it contains is not exhaustive. It concentrates on the issues most commonly raised in asylum/human rights claims made in the United Kingdom. 1.3 The assessment is sourced throughout. It is intended to be used by caseworkers as a signpost to the source material, which has been made available to them. The vast majority of the source material is readily available in the public domain. These sources have been checked for currency, and as far as can be ascertained, remained relevant and up to date at the time the document was issued. 1.4 It is intended to revise the assessment on a six-monthly basis while the country remains within the top 35 asylum-seeker producing countries in the United Kingdom. 2. GEOGRAPHY 2.1 The Republic of India forms a natural sub-continent with the Himalayas to the north.
    [Show full text]
  • Final-Magazine-MARCH-ISSUE-2016
    WWW.CAREERPOWER.IN & WWW.BANKERSADDA.COM From the Editor’s Desk Dear Readers, Bankers Adda in collaboration with Career Power brings to you Competition Power. The reason why this collaboration is so important and a landmark event as both BA and Career Power has had a long and extremely successful association with students appearing for competitive exams. This magazine includes various initiatives that cover various aspects of Banking and SSC exams in an exhaustive manner. Keeping in mind the upcoming exams, we have covered Current Affairs for not only the month of January but also for the month of December under the name “Current Affairs Zinger”. To make learning easy for the students we have also introduced another initiative by the name "NEWS MAKER OF THE MONTH" which covers all the important people, appointments, awards, etc that have made news. Having covered the GK and CA portion in an exhaustive manner, we have also given equal importance and focus to the other subjects of the exams, be it Reasoning, Quant, English, Banking, Computers, Advanced Maths, Interview Preparation or Guidance and boosting the confidence of students. We have also given Mock Papers on Syndicate Manipal PO, LIC AAO and SSC CGL for practice for our readers, so that they can increase their speed and accuracy. This edition of Magazine also includes a new series named “Twisted Ones” which will have questions with higher difficulty level. We believe that each and every student has the hidden potential to reach the unattainable heights, and it is our responsibility to provide them with a platform that hones their skills enabling them to overcome each and every challenge that comes their way while appearing for these exams.
    [Show full text]
  • India April 2006
    COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION REPORT INDIA APRIL 2006 RDS-IND COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION SERVICE INDIA APRIL 2006 Contents Paragraphs 1. SCOPE OF DOCUMENT .................................................................... 1.01 2. GEOGRAPHY .................................................................................. 2.01 3. ECONOMY ...................................................................................... 3.01 4. HISTORY ........................................................................................ 4.01 1991 to present ........................................................................... 4.01 Congress (I) and economic reform................................................ 4.01 Emergence of BJP........................................................................ 4.02 Tension with Pakistan................................................................... 4.04 Religious strife .............................................................................. 4.19 General elections 2004................................................................. 4.25 State assembly elections .............................................................. 4.29 Indian Ocean Tsunami – 26 December 2004................................ 4.37 Heavy snow and avalanches ........................................................ 4.43 Monsoon....................................................................................... 4.44 EARTHQUAKE - 2005…………………………………………………….4.47 Disaster management..................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • INDIA COUNTRY of ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service
    INDIA COUNTRY OF ORIGIN INFORMATION (COI) REPORT COI Service 26 August 2011 INDIA 26 AUGUST 2011 Contents Preface Latest News EVENTS IN INDIA FROM 13 AUGUST TO 26 AUGUST 2011 News sources for further information REPORTS ON INDIA PUBLISHED OR ACCESSED BETWEEN 13 AUGUST AND 26 AUGUST 2011 Paragraphs Background Information 1. GEOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................ 1.01 National holidays .................................................................................................. 1.10 Maps ...................................................................................................................... 1.12 2. ECONOMY ................................................................................................................ 2.01 3. HISTORY .................................................................................................................. 3.01 Mumbai terrorist attacks, November 2008 ......................................................... 3.03 General Election of April-May 2009 ..................................................................... 3.08 Naxalite (Maoist) counter-insurgency ................................................................. 3.15 4. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS ........................................................................................... 4.01 Overview of significant events, May 2010 to 12 August 2011 .......................... 4.01 5. CONSTITUTION .........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Country Fact Sheet
    COUNTRY FACT SHEET INDIA May 2007 Research Directorate Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Disclaimer This document was prepared by the Research Directorate of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada on the basis of publicly available information, analysis and comment. All sources are cited. This document is not, and does not purport to be, either exhaustive with regard to conditions in the country surveyed or conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. For further information on current developments, please contact the Research Directorate. Research Completed: 27 November 2006 Additional Research Completed: 16 May 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. GENERAL INFORMATION 2. POLITICAL BACKGROUND 3. POLITICAL PARTIES 4. ARMED GROUPS AND OTHER NON-STATE ACTORS 5. FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS ENDNOTES REFERENCES 2 1. GENERAL INFORMATION Official name The Republic of India. Geography India is located in Southern Asia, bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east. Its neighbouring countries are: Pakistan to the northwest, China, Bhutan and Nepal to the north and Myanmar (formerly Burma) to the northeast. Bangladesh is surrounded by Indian territory except for a short border with Myanmar in the east. Sri Lanka is located near India's southern border, across the Gulf of Mannar. The total area is 3,287,590 km2 (land: 2,973,190 km2, water: 314,400 km2). The climate ranges from temperate in the north to tropical monsoon in the south. India is subject to natural hazards such as droughts, floods, severe thunderstorms and earthquakes. Population and density Population: 1,095,351,995 (July 2006 estimate).
    [Show full text]
  • 1St January 2016 India, Pakistan Exchange Lists of Nuclear Facilities
    www.talentsprint.com 1st January 2016 India, Pakistan exchange lists of nuclear facilities India and Pakistan have exchanged the list of their nuclear installations and facilities under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear installations. This exchange is done on 1st of January every year between the two neighbouring countries that bars them from attacking each other‟s atomic facilities. This is the 25th consecutive exchange of such list between the two countries, the first one having taken place on 1 January 1992. Union inks Financing Agreement with World Bank to fund education of minorities The Union Government has signed a Financing Agreement of 50 million dollars with the World Bank for Nai Manzil Scheme- Education and Skills Training for Minorities. Under this agreement, the credit will be facilitated by the International Development Association (IDA), World Bank‟s concessionary lending arm. This credit will be in the form of loan which carries a maturity of 25 years, including a 5- year grace period. The loan funds will be used for interventions under this scheme improve the employability and performance of minority youth in the labour market. The total project size is 100 million dollars, out of which 50 million dollars will be available as IDA credit and the remaining balance funding from the Union Budget. Talentsprint©2015 www.talentsprint.com DAVA project bags 2015 eASIA award for trade facilitation The Drug Authentication and Verification Application (DAVA) project of The Department of Commerce has won the 2015 eASIA Award under Trade Facilitation category. The award was announced by Asia Pacific Council for Trade Facilitation (APCTF) and Tehran based (Iran) Electronic Business.
    [Show full text]