Today's GK(10-9-13)

Bach replaces Jacques Rogge as IOC president

BUENOS AIRES (Argentina): Thomas Bach achieved a long-held dream on Tuesday as he was elected to the most powerful position in sport, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in Buenos Aires. The 59-year-old German -- the first Olympic gold medallist to become president -- won in the second round of voting by his fellow IOC members to beat his five male rivals bidding to succeed Jacques Rogge, who stepped down after 12 years in charge.

Bach, gold medallist with the West German team in the team foil event in the 1976 Olympics, had been the frontrunner throughout the campaign and had for years been seen as the man most likely to replace Rogge.

Prime Minister of Bhutan Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay visited India

The Prime Minister of Bhutan, His Excellency Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay visited India Since August 30 August 2013 to 4 September 2013. This was the first overseas visit by Prime Minister Tobgay after being elected Prime Minister, following the second democratic elections in Bhutan in July 2013. The visit is in conformity with the tradition of regular exchange of visits at the highest levels between India and Bhutan, and adds momentum to our time-tested and enduring relations.

During this visit, all areas of mutual interest and cooperation were discussed.

The visit of the Prime Minister of Bhutan to India will further strengthen the close bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries. During this visit, India announced 5000 Crore Aid for Bhutan's Development Work.

First Meeting of India-Germany High Technology Partnership Group held in Berlin

The first meeting of India-Germany High Technology Partnership Group was held in Berlin on 10 September 2013. The meeting was chaired by foreign secretary Sujatha Singh and State Secretary in German Foreign Office Herald Barun. The group will further deepen the bilateral relationship in high technology cooperation.

During the meeting, India and Germany exchanged views on strengthening trade in high technology and on issues related to export control and non-proliferation and preparations for the expanded second round, including line ministries and a high level business segment, which is to take place in New Delhi during the first semester of 2014.

The creation of this group goes back to the decision made by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the Second Indo-German governmental consultations in April 2013 in Berlin, where both Governments agreed to expand trade and cooperation in high technology.

7th India-Laos Joint Commission Meeting on Bilateral Cooperation

The 7th India-Lao Joint Commission Meeting on bilateral cooperation was held in Vientiane on 9 September 2013. The JMC was held during External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid's ongoing visit to Lao PDR (Laos) to participate in the 7th India-Lao Joint Commission Meeting (JMC) on Bilateral Cooperation.

An Agreement under Line of Credit for four Irrigation Projects in three provinces in the Lao PDR for 30.94 million US dollars was signed and conversion of another Line of Credit to substitute the Nam Boun-2 hydro power plant by the extension of transmission lines to Thasala-Laksao amounting to 35.25 million US dollars was approved. The projects will contribute to socio-economic development in Lao PDR.

During the JCM, (Joint Commission Meeting) both Ministers expressed satisfaction with the development in bilateral relations and noted that close cooperation and partnership between the two countries have expanded rapidly for mutual benefit, in recent years. India reiterated its preparedness to continue to provide assistance to the areas of water management and irrigation, energy generation and transmission and capacity building. It was recognized that our soft credit and grant projects have improved the visibility of India and Indian products in Lao.

The two nations identified agriculture, defence, ICT, culture, education, health, trade and investment promotion, mining as priority areas of cooperation between the two countries that would give further impetus to bilateral relations. A number of new initiatives were taken to promote people-to-people contacts, training and scholarship opportunities and expansion of private sector participation in trade and investment, as well as in health and education.

India and Lao PDR also exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. They agreed to strengthen coordination on ASEAN and multilateral issues. Lao has extended financial support to the Nalanda University, which is being developed as a centre of international excellence. Lao reiterated its support to India on UN and other multilateral issues.

The 2nd Roundtable of the ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks was inaugurated on 10 September 2013 during the meeting.