I/IV. http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/posco-fails-to-figure-in-indo-korean-joint-statement-115051801424_1.html
Indo-Korean talks give Posco a skip This is the first instance in the recent past when a project of Posco's stature (it is India's biggest foreign direct investment, or FDI) went missing from bilateral talks BS Reporter | Bhubaneswar May 19, 2015 Last Updated at 00:39 IST Contrary to expectations, India and South Korea gave the Posco issue a skip, with the project missing in the joint statement issued in Seoul on Monday during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. The mega-steel project, proposed by Posco, did not figure in the diplomatic discourse between Modi and South Korean President Park Geun-hye, fuelling speculation on its possible exit. This is the first instance in the recent past when a project of Posco's stature (it is India's biggest foreign direct investment, or FDI) went missing from bilateral talks. Last year, the South Korean President had blamed the uncertainty in securing iron ore mines as the key reason for the delay in the proposed project. The enactment of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 2015, by the government has only nailed Posco's hopes of winning a mining lease, clouding the fate of the project. For a project that has often topped talks at such levels in the last five years, Posco's exclusion in the India-South Korea bilateral forum could further muddle the fate of the beleaguered project. Picture this. In March 2012, the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak reaffirmed the importance of implementing the Posco project in Odisha through a joint statement. In November 2014, Prime Minister Modi pledged full support for establishment of the mega-steel plant proposed by Posco to the South Korean president on the sidelines of East Asia summit in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. The importance of Posco project in the Indo-Korean bilateral ties could be gauged from the fact that in 2010, when then South Korean president Lee Myung-bak visited India as the chief guest in the Republic Day parade, Odisha chief minister was specially summoned to the dinner party in Rashtrapati Bhavan to secure an assurance on the smooth progress of the project in the state. Modi on Monday announced formation of a channel under the name Korea Plus to facilitate South Korean investment in the country. He also agreed with the South Korean President for better cooperation in the steel sector by encouraging the industries of both the countries to develop mutually-beneficial projects. But Posco was not named in any of these statements. It may be noted that Posco India had entered into an agreement with the Odisha government in June 2005 for putting up a 12 million tonne per annum (mtpa) steel mill near Paradeep at a cost of $12 billion. The project required 4,004 acres in all. The company later redesigned the project, planning to set up 8 mtpa plant in the first phase which needed 2,700 acres. The state government has so far handed over 1,700 acres to the proponent, holding back further allotment since Posco had not paid off land dues amounting to Rs 54 crore and NPV (net present value) arrears worth Rs 19 crore. TURN OF EVENTS Jan 2010: Odisha CM summoned to meet ex-South Korean president Lee Myung-bak at Rashtrapati Bhavan for assurance on the smooth progress of the project March 2012: ex-PM Manmohan Singh and South Korean president Lee Myung-bak reaffirm the importance of implementing the Posco project Nov 2014: PM Modi pledges full support for establishment of the mega-steel plant proposed by Posco on sidelines of East Asia summit in Naypyidaw, Myanmar II/IV. http://in.reuters.com/article/2015/05/18/southkorea-india-modi-visit-idINKBN0O30VO20150518 Business | Mon May 18, 2015 3:43pm IST Related: TOP NEWS, BUSINESS South Korea and India to boost defence ties, infrastructure finance SEOUL Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye hold a joint news conference at the presidential Blue House on May 18, 2015 in Seoul, South Korea. REUTERS/CHUNG SUNG-JUN/POOL South Korea and India agreed on Monday to step up defence cooperation while South Korea pledged $10 billion in finance for infrastructure projects as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived for a visit. South Korea's Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Export-Import Bank of Korea will create a $1 billion Economic Development Cooperation Fund and provide $9 billion in export credits to India, the two countries said in a statement. Modi signed the deal with South Korean President Park Geun-hye at the beginning of a two-day visit to Seoul. Seven out of 10 points in the joint statement were focused on defence cooperation including exchanges between South Korean and Indian shipyards, and their navies. "I have requested President Park to support the participation of Korean companies in the defence sector in India. Her response has been positive," Modi said in remarks at a joint news briefing with the South Korean president. Modi arrived from Mongolia and earlier visited China on a three-country Asian tour aimed at building economic ties. Modi has been active diplomatically since taking office a year ago, and has made a point of forging closer relations with countries on China's periphery - a move seen by some observers as a response to China's own strategic relations with India's neighbours. (Reporting by James Pearson; Editing by Robert Birsel) III/IV. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Joint-statement-by-PM-Modi-during-his-visit-to-Seoul/articleshow/47327987.cms Joint [?] statement by PM Modi during his visit to Seoul* May 18, 2015, 02.59PM IST PM Modi with President of South Korea Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of South Korea Park Geun-hye meet in Seoul on May 18, 2015. It is a great pleasure to visit Republic of Korea. I sincerely thank President Park for the warm welcome and hospitality. I had excellent discussions with President Park today. Her own visit to India in January 2014 had a big impact on our relations. I am pleased to visit Republic of Korea in the first year of my Government. I have visited here before as Chief Minister. Korea's economic rise had left me deeply impressed. In the short time since then, Korea's global leadership in manufacturing and technology has become more visible. Korea is also a strong pillar of democracy in Asia. Korea's rapid progress has made the vision of an Asian century stronger. It will be based not only on the strength of Korea's economy, but also its contribution to peace and stability in the region. We consider Korea a crucial partner in India's economic modernization. I am here at a time of renewed momentum in the Indian economy. We are pursuing a comprehensive programme of economic modernization that covers all sectors of our economy and all aspects of policies and procedures. We have a special focus on infrastructure and developing a world class manufacturing sector. Korea can be a leading partner in this enterprise. Our relationship started with a strong economic emphasis. But, it has also now become strategic in content. The need for closer engagement between countries with shared values and vision has never been stronger. For all these reasons, this is a very important visit for me. I am pleased that we have agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to 'Special Strategic Partnership'. The decisions today reflect how seriously we take the new framework of our relationship. Republic of Korea is the second country with which India will have a diplomatic and security dialogue in 2+2 format. I welcome the decision to have regular cooperation between our national security councils. We have also agreed to expand cooperation between our armed forces. We intend to deepen our cooperation in defence technology and manufacture of defence equipment in India. This sector offers huge opportunities in India. I have requested President Park to support the participation of Korean companies in the defence sector in India. Her response has been positive. We had extensive discussions on our economic relations. Many Korean brands are household names in India. President Park and I see vast opportunities for Korean companies to participate in our 'Make in India' Mission. I will meet Korea's business leaders tomorrow. Korean companies have the edge to succeed in India. We will also establish a channel - Korea Plus - to facilitate their investment and operations in India. I sought President Park's support for participation of Korean companies in new areas. Besides defence equipment, I invited Korean investments in areas like ship building, including LNG tankers. Our decision to establish a Joint Working Group on shipbuilding reflects our seriousness to cooperate in this area. Korean companies will be participating in India's plans to acquire and manufacture LNG tankers. Tomorrow, I will visit a shipyard in Ulsan. President Park and I shared the view that our modest trade is well below its potential. We agreed to review the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and other market access related issues. I conveyed our desire to see a balanced and broad-based growth in bilateral trade. We also had productive discussions on international issues. I welcomed Korea's diplomatic efforts to maintain peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. I also shared her concerns that proliferation of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction will not be in the interest of countries of the region. I offered India's support to Korean people for peaceful re-unification of Korean Peninsula. We discussed our engagement in the East Asia Summit and with ASEAN. We have a shared interest in an open, balanced and inclusive regional architecture. We have common views on maritime security in this region. We agreed to work together and with other countries in the region to ensure the freedom of navigation and safety and security of sea lanes of communication. Challenges of cyber security and terrorism are also areas of interest to both of us. The visit to Korea has just begun, but it is already very productive. We have laid the foundation for a relationship that two major Asian countries with shared values should have. Thank you. (Source: Ministry of external affairs, government of India) * This is not a joint statement; this is a statement by the Indian PM alone. IV. http://netindian.in/news/2015/05/18/00033772/india-south-korea-joint-statement-special-strategic-partnership Home: India-South Korea Joint Statement For Special Strategic Partnership NetIndian News Network New Delhi, May 18, 2015 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Park Geun-hye, at their delegation level talks in Seoul, on May 18, 2015. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Park Geun-hye, at their delegation level talks in Seoul, on May 18, 2015. Following is the text of the Joint Statement For Special Strategic Partnership issued by India and South Korea after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Park Geun-Hye in Seoul today: 1. H.E. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a State Visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK) at the invitation of H.E. Mme. Park Geun-hye, President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) on May 18-19, 2015. During the visit, Prime Minister Modi held a summit meeting with President Park. 2. Prime Minister Modi and President Park held substantive discussions in areas of mutual interest. They welcomed the rapid expansion and diversification of bilateral ties in recent years. Both sides shared the view that President Park's State Visit to India in January 2014 provided impetus to development of bilateral relations in a comprehensive manner. The two leaders agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a 'Special Strategic Partnership'. 3. Recalling the historical and cultural bonds that connect the two peoples, the two sides noted that their shared commitment to values of democracy, open society and liberal international economic order has further strengthened the foundation of the ROK-India Special Strategic Partnership. The two leaders resolved to add new substance, speed and content in the partnership in a wide range of areas including foreign affairs, defense, trade and investment, science and technology, culture and people-to-people exchanges and regional cooperation to take the bilateral relations to a qualitatively higher level. Political and Security Relations 4. India sees the ROK as an indispensable partner in its "Act East" strategy, and the ROK and India recognize the value of the bilateral partnership and its contribution to bringing peace, stability and security in the Asia Pacific Region. President Park informed Prime Minister Modi about ROK's Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative (NAPCI). Prime Minister welcomed ROK's desire to enhance cooperation and security among countries in the Asia-Pacific region. The two leaders agreed that the two sides should work together to find complementarities between NAPCI and Act East Policy to achieve shared goals. 5. The two sides agreed to further intensify bilateral high-level exchanges. They shared the view that bilateral defence and security cooperation has large potential to grow. 6. Welcoming the visit of the Speaker of the Korean National Assembly to India in May 2015, the two sides hoped for increased exchange of India-Korea parliamentary delegations. They shared the view that the exchange of India-Korea parliamentary delegations will contribute towards greater interaction and understanding between the two Parliaments. 7. To substantiate the Special Strategic Partnership the two sides agreed to the following: a. Establish annual Summit meetings, in either country, or on the margins of plurilateral events; b. Hold Joint Commissions led by the two Foreign Ministers annually; c. Facilitate greater parliamentary exchanges to strengthen democratic institutions in their respective regions; d. Strengthen the partnerships between Indian and Korean institutions of defense education, including the National Defence College of India and the National Defense University of Korea, by activating the dispatch of military officers for education; e. Further strengthen regular consultations between the National Security Council structures of the two countries on security, defence and cyber related issues; f. Establish a joint Vice Ministerial level defence and foreign affairs dialogue in the "2+2" Format; g. Encourage greater cooperation between their shipyards for defence needs; h. Pursue further deepening of defence cooperation through commencement of staff level talks between the two navies and regular exchanges of visits between the two armed forces; i. Seek the means of the cyber security cooperation to prepare against transnational cyber threats; j. Cooperate appropriately in the area of UN Peacekeeping; and k. Hold a track 1.5 dialogue annually between Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security of ROK (IFANS) - Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA). Trade and Investment 8. President Park welcomed India's 'Make in India' initiative as it provides new avenues to enrich and add substance to the bilateral relations. Prime Minister Modi invited the ROK to become a privileged partner in 'Make in India' to which President Park conveyed her appreciation. Both leaders acknowledged that trade and investment between both countries have enormous potential for further development. They directed their respective officials to undertake in-depth consultations to leverage fully the potential of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the Republic of Korea and the Republic of India and to make full use of the current discussion mechanisms under the CEPA, such as the Joint Committee, for that purpose. 9. Recognizing the salience of trade and investment to the bilateral partnership, the leaders called upon the business community from India and Korea to leverage the enormous synergies between their economies for mutual prosperity. The leaders welcomed: a. Signing of the revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement; b. The Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the Export-Import Bank of Korea expressed their intention to provide US $10 billion for mutual cooperation in infrastructure, comprising Economic Development Cooperation Fund (US $ 1 billion) and export credits (US $ 9 billion) for priority sectors, including smart cities, railways, power generation and transmission, and other sectors to be agreed. The two governments and the EXIM Banks of the two countries will hold consultations to chalk out a roadmap in order to materialize the envisioned financial support for priority sectors; c. Commencement of negotiations to amend the India-Korea CEPA by June 2016 with a view to achieving qualitative and quantitative increase of trade through an agreed roadmap; d. Mutual cooperation to be explored for enabling cities with updated technologies including smart grids for building of smart cities, in view of their crucial influence on improving the quality of residential environments and achieving sustainable economic development; e. Cooperation in the steel sector by encouraging the steel industry of both countries to develop mutually beneficial projects; f. Interest of companies of the two countries in cooperation in the area of shipbuilding, including the construction of Indian vessels such as LNG carriers. The Indian government expressed its hope to discuss partnership with Korea with an aim to modernize the Indian shipbuilding industry. The governments of both countries decided to provide support for facilitating private sector discussion on ways to cooperate in this area. A Joint Working Group that includes the government and private sectors of the two countries will be established to facilitate cooperation in the shipbuilding sector; g. Cooperation for stable maritime transport, possible joint business projects in the area of shipping and logistics, and promotion of employment of both countries' seafarers; h. Cooperation to expedite the necessary procedures for mutual export of fresh fruits and horticultural products; i. Progress made in establishment of the Korean Industrial Park in the State of Rajasthan. They agreed that the Industrial Park will help Korean small and medium enterprises to benefit from 'Make in India' initiative. They shared the same view that it is desirable to establish more offices of both countries' respective trade agencies, including KOTRA, to facilitate trade, investment and industrial cooperation between the two countries; j. The first meeting of the Korea-India CEO Forum which will be held in Seoul on 19 May 2015. The CEO Forum will play a significant role to boost exchanges and dialogues between enterprises of the two countries, enhance mutual investment and further pragmatic bilateral business cooperation; and k. The decision to set up an India-Korea Joint Working Group in the field of Electronics Hardware manufacturing to enhance co-operation and facilitate business collaboration through joint ventures and technology transfer on a commercial basis between Indian and Korean electronics manufacturing companies, and the creation of a business friendly environment in this field. 10. Reaffirming the important role that friendly contact between the Indian and Korean people has played in building this partnership, the two leaders welcomed and encouraged the ongoing efforts, including through an aviation cooperation conference, by their respective civil aviation authorities to amend the bilateral Air Services Agreement with a view to enhancing flight connectivity and to covering more cities. Technology, Energy and Environment 11. President Park lauded Prime Minister's Swacch Bharat Abhiyan as an effort to transform India. Recognizing that Saemaul Undong (SMU), Korea's successful rural development initiative in the 1970s, can make a substantial contribution to accomplishing the vision of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, the two leaders agreed that both sides would promote cooperation to create synergies by combining development experiences of both sides. 12. Recognizing the integral link between economic growth, preservation of environment and clean energy, India and Korea agreed to enhance exchanges between their respective Ministries and agencies. 13. Lauding the Korean Green Economy initiative, India expressed willingness to work with Korea for mutually-beneficial partnerships in deploying innovative policies and technologies to improve urban water and air quality and to protect natural resources. 14. The two leaders expressed their appreciation on ongoing cooperation in science & technology and noted that joint R&D projects are being implemented in focused areas of Renewable Energy, Materials Science, Robotics & Engineering Sciences and Health Sciences. The leaders further emphasized that both sides should develop strong academia-industry connect programmes in areas such as Cleantech, Robotics & Automation and Electronics System Design & Manufacturing (ESDM), which can address economic and societal challenges of the two countries. 15. Two sides agreed that cooperation in space sector has many possibilities. They welcomed the agreement between Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) to pursue cooperation in the areas of lunar exploration, satellite navigation and space science and application as below: a. Deep space cross tracking and communication support for Korean and Indian deep space missions; b. Sharing of data of lunar surface and radiation data collected by Chandrayan-1; c. Collaboration in GAGAN-KASS interoperability and sharing experience in GAGAN (GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation system) and KASS (Korea Augmentation Satellite System); d. Technological cooperation in the field of space science and its application, satellite launch, and other areas they agree; and e. Holding working-level talks regularly between ISRO and KARI to strengthen the substantive way of cooperation in the areas mentioned above. Culture, Education and People-to-People Exchanges 16. In view of the long history of cultural contact between the Indian and Korean people, President Park welcomed Prime Minister Modi's decision to send a full Festival of India in Korea in autumn of 2015. India also welcomed an opportunity to host a Festival of Korea in India in 2016. In this context, the two leaders also welcomed efforts to strengthen their historic connection by enhancing linkages of Korean people with Ayodhya, and agreed to upgrade the monument for Queen Suriratna /Hur Hwang-ok in Ayodhya as a joint project between the two sides. President Park expressed deep appreciation of Korean people for the gift of holy Bodhi tree sapling. 17. The President and the Prime Minister called for an intensification of youth delegations to encourage greater understanding and interaction between the future leaders of the two countries. Indian side expressed interest in enhancing cooperation among educational institutes of the two sides, including among relevant technological institutes and in language teaching. 18. Both leaders agreed to encourage establishment of twin city and twin province/state relationships to deepen and broaden people-to-people exchanges. 19. Korea invited India to participate in the exhibition titled "Masterpieces of Early Buddhist Sculpture, 100 BCE-700CE" which will commemorate National Museum of Korea's 10th anniversary of reconstruction and opening to the public. India welcomed the invitation and agreed to actively cooperate for the exhibition. The two leaders hoped to promote mutual understanding and appreciation between the two countries, and to broaden cultural relations of the two countries. In addition, they agreed to further explore cooperation on preservation, restoration, and joint research in the field of cultural heritage of both countries. 20. India invited Korea to participate in the two day seminar on "Shared Heritage as New Variable in the Indo-Korean Relations: Historicizing the Legend of Princess from Ayodhya and its Legacy" being organized by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with India International Center in New Delhi. Korea welcomed the invitation. Regional and Multilateral Cooperation 21. The two leaders underlined the paramount importance of peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. In this regard, they expressed concern over the development of DPRK's nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, which is in violation of its international obligations and commitments. They urged the DPRK to fully comply with all of its international obligations, including under the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and to fulfil its commitments under the 2005 Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks. Prime Minister Modi expressed support for President Park's efforts to build trust in the Korean peninsula and to lay the groundwork for peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula. 22. Recognizing the increasing and evolving threat posed to world peace and stability from international terrorism, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to the eradication of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and called on international community to work closely to address this challenge. They called for an early conclusion of negotiations on the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. They recognized the need to eliminate terrorist safe havens and infrastructure, disrupt terrorist networks and their financing, and stop cross-border movement of terrorists, including by implementing the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, as well as enhancing countering violent extremism efforts. They called on all States to work sincerely to achieve these objectives. 23. President Park highlighted her Eurasia Initiative and the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Initiative (NAPCI), and agreed to explore ways to work with India's Act East and Connect Central Asia policies for the common prosperity of the region. Prime Minister Modi also expressed his willingness to explore ways to work with the NAPCI and the Eurasia Initiative for the peace and stability of the region and beyond. 24. India and the ROK underlined their shared interest in strengthening global non-proliferation objectives. The ROK took note of India's wish to join the international export control regimes and agreed that India's entry will have a positive influence on strengthening the global non-proliferation regimes. The ROK expressed its support for India's early membership of the four multilateral export control regimes, namely, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, Missile Technology Control Regime, Australia Group and Wassenaar Arrangement, based upon consensus within each regime. 25. Recognizing the need for comprehensive UN reforms including Security Council expansion to make the body more representative, accountable and effective, both sides agreed to work towards UNSC reforms to reflect contemporary realities and include major developing countries. 26. Prime Minister Modi thanked President Park and the Government and People of the ROK for the warmth of their hospitality. The two leaders agreed that this Summit meeting had qualitatively raised the partnership to the next level. Prime Minister Modi invited President Park to visit India again soon to ensure that the high momentum of this partnership is sustained. President Park accepted the invitation with pleasure. 27. During the visit following Agreements and MOUs were signed in the presence of the two leaders: a. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Korea for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income; b. Agreement between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Republic of Korea on Cooperation in Audio-Visual Co-production; c. MOU for Cooperation between the National Security Council Secretariat of the Republic of India and the Office of National Security of the Republic of Korea ; d. MOU between the Ministry of Power of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea concerning Cooperation in the field of Electric Power Development and New Energy Industries; e. MOU between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of the Republic of Korea on Cooperation in Youth Matters; f. Framework of Cooperation in the Field of Road Transport and Highways between the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea; and g. MOU between the Ministry of Shipping of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea on Cooperation in the Fields of Maritime Transport and Logistics. NNN -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
