Prime Minister Modi’s First 100 Days: New Diplomatic Missions, Maritime Initiatives, and Global Digital Payments
In the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second term, India has made significant progress in various sectors, according to an official report by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
New Diplomatic Missions
India has opened five new diplomatic missions in Albania, Gabon, Georgia, Latvia, and Timor-Leste. Additionally, new Indian Consulates have been inaugurated in Auckland, New Zealand, and Barcelona, Spain.
Maritime Initiatives
Under the vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), India has established a Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Sri Lanka and relaunched a ferry service between India and Sri Lanka. India also handed over the refitted PS Zoroaster vessel to Seychelles and held maritime security dialogues with Australia and Vietnam.
Renewable Energy and Global Health
India signed the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Framework Agreement with Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica to promote solar energy. MOUs were signed with Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, and Suriname to enhance cooperation in drug regulation and healthcare.
Digital Payments Infrastructure
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) signed India Stack MOUs with Colombia, Cuba, Antigua & Barbuda, Trinidad & Tobago, and Suriname. A licensing agreement was signed with the Central Bank of Peru, and NDAs were signed with the Central Bank of Nicaragua and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Trinidad & Tobago. Discussions are ongoing with the Dominican Republic and Suriname.
Healthcare Initiatives
As part of the ‘One World; One Health’ initiative, India is working on launching Jan Aushadhi Kendras in targeted countries, with Mauritius set to be the first.
Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
India is actively pursuing the international adoption of UPI, aiming to make its digital payment systems accessible globally.
These efforts highlight India’s growing influence and proactive approach to fostering international partnerships.
Doubts Revealed
Prime Minister Modi -: Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of India, which means he is the head of the government and makes important decisions for the country.
Diplomatic missions -: Diplomatic missions are offices or embassies that represent a country in another country. They help with things like visas, trade, and keeping good relations.
Maritime initiatives -: Maritime initiatives are projects related to the sea, like building rescue centers or starting ferry services to help people and goods move across water.
Global digital payments -: Global digital payments are ways to send and receive money using the internet, which makes it easier to buy things or send money to people in other countries.
Albania, Gabon, Georgia, Latvia, Timor-Leste -: These are names of different countries around the world where India has opened new diplomatic missions. They are in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Rescue center in Sri Lanka -: A rescue center is a place where people can get help if they are in trouble at sea. Sri Lanka is an island country near India.
Ferry service -: A ferry service is a boat or ship that carries people and goods across water, like a bus on the sea.
Renewable energy -: Renewable energy comes from natural sources that can be used again and again, like sunlight, wind, and water. It is better for the environment.
Global health -: Global health means working to keep people healthy all around the world, by preventing diseases and making sure everyone has access to medical care.
Digital payments infrastructure -: Digital payments infrastructure is the technology and systems that allow people to pay for things using their phones or computers instead of cash.