Current Affairs - International

On September 1, 2020 India, Japan and Australia agreed to launch a trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) in the Indo-Pacific region. The initiative will help in building a resilient supply chain with focus on free, transparent trade & investment environment in the region.

The Acquisition Wing of Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed contracts with Bharat Earth Movers Ltd. (BEML), Tata Power Company Ltd. (TPCL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for supply of Six Pinaka Regiments to the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army at an approximate cost of Rs. 2580 Crores.

Japan extended an Emergency Support Loan of up to 50 Billion Japanese Yen (Approximately Rs 3, 500 Crore) to help India's response to the COVID-19 crisis. The financial support will support India's implementation of health, medical policies and development of hospitals equipped with ICUs.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will invest 650 million euro(€) in the construction of Kanpur's(Uttar Pradesh) 1st city metro line. The 32.4 km urban rail line, with 18 elevated and 12 underground stations is EIB's 2nd biggest operation outside the European Union(EU) till date. It is the 2nd metro rail project supported by the EIB in Uttar Pradesh(UP), following the €450 million investment in Lucknow metro rail system. Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (UPMRC) is the promoter-Financial intermediary for this project.

Amidst border tensions between India and China, China has reportedly built a missile launch site in Kailash-Mansarovar. Highlights The Kailash-Mansarovar is revered by four religions and is linked to high spiritual scriptures in India. The Hindus in India call the Mountain as the abode of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati.