Vol 14

India and Canada in Pandemic 1st June 2021 Prime Minister ’s message on how Canada assisted in ’s battle against the Pandemic. Contents

Supplies from Canada reach India

News Round-up Ventilators and Medical Supplies from Canada to India High Commissioner’s Corner

Arts & Culture

Business

Community Vibes

Advisories

Page 1 of 8 NEWS ROUND-UP

Oxygen Vaccination Updates

#India Fights Corona

Qubec funding for the pandemic in India for Covid-19

The Government of Quebec announced financial support of $250,000 to Oxfam Quebec for Covid-19 pandemic related relief measures in India.

Page 2 of 8 Statement by Foreign Secretary

Foreign Secretary Hash V Shringla spoke at the UN Security Council High Level Ministerial Meeting, upholding Multilateralism and the UN-Centered International System, on 7th May 2021.

EU Stands with India during it’s battle with Covid-19

At the invitation of the President of the European Council Mr. Charles Michel, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi participated in the India-EU th Leader’s Meeting on May 8 ,2021. The meeting was held in a hybrid format with the participation of leaders of all the 27 EU Member States as well as the President of the European Council and the European Commission. This is the first time that the EU hosted a meeting with India in the EU+27 format. The meeting was the initiative of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The EU leaders expressed soliditary with India in the challenging time. After eight years, India and the European Union agreed to resume talks for a comprehensive trade agreement. The two sides also agreed to begin negotiations for a standalone investment protection pact.

Virtual Meeting of Dr. S. Jaishankar with Mr. Marc Garneau On 7th May External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar had a virtual meeting with Mr. Marc Garneau Foreign Minister Canada. They discussed Covid challenges and various other aspects of bilateral relationship. They also exchanged views on Myanmar. EAM was in the UK at the invitation of UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab for the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers Meeting.

High Commissioner receives MPs

On 10 May 202, High Commissioner Shri Ajay Bisaria received Members of Parliament Bob Saroya, Scot Davidson, Scot A Aitchson at the High Commission of India, Ottawa. High Commissioner Expressed deep appreciation for Canada’s soliditary with the people of India as India battled the Covid second wave. High Commissioner also briefed of India’s efforts to overcome the pandemic and ways in which people in Canada can assist.

Page 3 of 8 Anti-Covid drug 2-DG developed by DRDO

An anti-Covid-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose(2-DG) has been developed by INMAS, a lab of R&D wing of the Ministry of Defence (DRDO) in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Lab Hyderabad. The drug will help faster recovery of Covid-19 patients.

India Canada Healthcare Summit – 2021 (20th – 21st May)

High Commissioner Shri Ajay Bisaria participated in the India- Canada Healthcare Summit on May 21,2021. Other participants included Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India and Director of AIIMS Dr. Randeep Guleria and captains of industry.

HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CORNER India on fighting the second wave of Covid-19

High Commissioner participated in Canada’ s top billed TV programme, ‘Power & Politics” on CBC TV hosted by David Common and presented a correct perspective on the ongoing efforts of GOI against the pandemic. He provided details of ramped up oxygen supplies to needy hospitals across India, improved availability of ICU and oxygenated beds, medicine supplies and 163 million order to make vaccines available to all those needed across the globe- through the WTO process on IPR Waivers-despite Indian Companies holding patents for the vaccine. (6 May 2021)

Page 4 of 8 High Commissioner appeared on a popular TV channel, CTV with presenter Tod Vanderheyden and provided a correct picture of how Government of India is effectively managing the Covid-19 situation in India, emphasizing on the ramped- up oxygen supplies. (7 May 2021)

High Commissioner Shri Ajay Bisaria spoke to renowned radio host Kristy Cameron of CFRA 580 Radio on ‘Ottawa th Now’ programme on May 10 and explained the efforts of the Government of India in it’s fight to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic. He detailed the measures to ramp up oxygen and bed supplies that have started showing results in and . He also explained government’s plan of micro containment zones as opposed to blanket ‘lock down’ as being suggested and detailed the brave efforts of health care personnel and frontline workers.

ARTS & CULTURE

Satyajit Ray Birth Centenary was celebrated on 7th May 2021, with promotion of famous Ray Films by Films Division.

Page 5 of 8 High Commissioner Shri Ajay Bisaria inaugurated the Samanvaya Festival by The Great India Festival (TGIF Ottawa on 23rd May 2021. After traditional lighting of lamp, he spoke on India’s cultural linkages and influence in South East Asia. A famous troupe from Indonesia presented Ramayan dance drama High Commissioner Shri Ajay Bisaria launched on 25th May 2021, the Yoga Session Series hosted by the High Commission of India in the run up to International Day of Yoga 2021. The inaugural Yoga Session was presented by Brahma Kumaris Canada.

BUSINESS

Government of India notifies final rules for 74% FDI in insurance sector.

The Government of India on 20 may 2021 formally notified the amendment to the Indian Insurance Companies (Foreign Investment) Rules, 2015 and clarified on the final rules for increasing the foreign direct investment limit. “Total Foreign Investment” in an Indian Insurance Company, shall mean the sum total of direct and indirect foreign investment by Foreign Investors in such company, calculated in such manner is specified in regulations made by the authority with regard to registration of Indian Insurance Companies”, according to Gazette. This is to increase sector 74% from 49%.

Page 6 of 8 COMMUNITY VIBES

Gujarati Day - Brampton

On behalf of Brampton City Council Mayor Patrick Brown has proclaimed 1st of May as ‘Gujarat Day’ to promote the invaluable heritage of Gujarat.

ADVISORIES

 Guidelines for applicants for registering grievance Click here  Advisory for OCI Card holders Click here  Beware about Scam Telephone Calls. See our advisory here

Page 7 of 8 Follow us on Social Media

Compiled by the Press, Information and Culture Wing of the High Commission of India, Ottawa

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India Connect, 1 May 2021, Volume 13

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