Unified Commanders’ Conference 2017

1. The Unified Commanders’ Conference for the year 2017 commenced on 10 July 2017 at New Delhi. The Conference provides a platform for discussions at the apex level on all ‘Joint’ issues amongst the three Services. 

2. The Conference was attended by the RM, RRM, NSA, the Service Chiefs and other senior military and civil officials of the Ministry of Defence and Tri-Service Organisations/Institutions. 

3. RM, in his address to the Conference stated that there is a deep sense of appreciation in every citizen of the country and the Govt for the exemplary manner in which the Services have been conducting themselves. He expressed his satisfaction in the way the Armed Forces have been handling the multiple challenges to security. He also appreciated the strong thread of ‘Synergy’ in the interactions during the Conference. He stated that there is a clear realisation in the Govt that issues relating to the Services cannot be kept pending for long and the Govt will be decisive in its approach. 

4. He also assured the Armed Forces that with resource availability increasing within the Indian economy, Capital expenditure will be a priority area. 

5. Chairman COSC & CNS, Admiral Sunil Lanba welcomed the gathering & addressed the audience. Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, Chief of Army Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat, Defence Secretary, Shri Sanjay Mitra & Chief of Integrated Staff, Lt Gen Satish Dua also addressed the conference.

Declaration of Historic City of Ahmadabad as a UNESCO’s World Heritage Property

It is under the dynamic and visionary leadership of the Prime Minister of India that India has been successful in securing the nomination of the “Historic City of Ahmadabad” on UNESCO’s World Heritage list on 8th July, 2017 during the 41st Session of World Heritage Committee. This makes the walled city of Ahmedabad the first city in India and the third in Asia to be inscribed to the World Heritage List. In the past 3 years alone, India has managed to put five built heritage sites on the world heritage list of UNESCO. 

India now has overall 36 World Heritage Inscriptions with 28 Cultural, 07 Natural and 01 Mixed site. While India stands second largest in number after China in terms of number of world heritage properties in ASPAC (Asia and Pacific) region, it is overall seventh in the world. 

Founded in 15th century, the walled city of Ahmadabad, on the eastern bank of the Sabarmati river, presents a rich architectural heritage. Within this complex are 28 ASI Centrally Protected Monuments. The urban structures of the historic city of Ahmedabad are distinctive due to their puras (neighbourhoods), pols (residential streets), and khadki (inner entrances to pols) largely made of timber. The historic architecture reflects symbols and myths connected with its inhabitants. The urban fabric is made up of densely-packed traditional houses (pols) in gated traditional streets (puras) with characteristic features such as bird feeders, public wells and religious institutions. It is a unique example of multi-religious and multicultural coexistence. 

The inscription has been done under Criteria (ii) and (v) as defined in the UNESCO's Operational Guidelines, 2016. Criterion (ii) refers to the important interchange of human values, over a span of time on development of architecture, monumental arts, town planning and landscape while Criterion (v) refers to being an outstanding example of human settlement and land use. Thus, the acceptance of the proposal highlights historic city of Ahmedabad's exemplary settlement architecture and town planning. This achievement is especially remarkable in the view of the fact that the proposal had earlier been deferred. The Culture Minister Dr. Mahesh Sharma has congratulated the residents of Ahmedabad and indeed the entire country on this landmark achievement. 

The international recognition to the city is a matter of pride. It will boost the local economy in a number of ways. It is expected to give a tremendous fillip to domestic and international tourism leading to increased employment generation, creation of world-class infrastructure and augmentation of sale of local handicrafts, handlooms and heritage memorabilia.

JICA ODA loan assistance proposal for ‘Dairying through Cooperatives-National Dairy Infrastructure Plan’’ Project

India ranks first among the world’s milk producing Nations since 1998 and has the largest bovine population in the World. Milk production in India during the period 1950-51 to 2014-15, has increased from 17 million tonnes to 146.31 million tonnes. The milk production during 2015-16 is 155.49 million tonnes. About 54% of the milk produced in the country is surplus for marketing in the domestic market, of which only 20.5% is procured/processed by the organised sector being equally, shared by Cooperatives and Private dairy organizations. 

To meet the growing demand which is estimated to be in the range of 200 - 210 million MT by 2021-22, the country needs to upgrade its infrastructure at the village level particularly for milk procurement and production of high valued milk products. Government is mandated to double milk producers’ income at farm level by providing rural milk producers with greater access to the organised milk processing sector. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries has formulated a Draft National Action Plan for Dairy Development which includes creation of milk chilling facilities including bulk milk cooling, processing infrastructure, Value added products (VAP), organisation of milk collection centres/dairy cooperative societies, milk transportation facility and marketing infrastructure to meet the requirement of increased milk handling. 

Government has therefore submitted a proposal for availing loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency for ‘Dairying through Cooperatives-National Dairy Infrastructure Plan’’ in line with the mandate of Government to double farmers income in next five years. The total outlay of the proposal is Rs 20,057 crores. The proposal primarily aims to cover additional 1.28 lakh villages, 121.83 lakh additional milk producers, setting up of 1.05 Lakh bulk milk coolers at village level creating 524.20 lakh Kg milk per day capacity of milk chilling and creation of milk & milk product processing infrastructure of 76.5 lakh Kg per day capacity. Besides, the programme will modify/expand old milk and milk product plants created 20-30 years ago under Operation Flood and also create milk & milk products plants for value added products which will benefit 160 lakh existing farmers. The fund will be routed through National Dairy Development Board for the development of dairy sector. The proposal has been forwarded by Department of Economic Affairs to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). 

JICA mission visited India during 27th February to 3rd March, 2017. A meeting with the delegation lead by Mr. Tatumi Kunitake was held on 26th May, 2017 to deliberate on the observations of JICA mission. As per the observations of the mission; NDDB is working on modifying the proposal with a focus on poverty alleviation. The schedule of procedures involved in the programme was discussed with JICA delegation and activity-time chart has been finalized for JICA is to initiate the appraisal process at the earliest. 

PM condemns the attack on Amarnath Yatris in J&K; speaks to J&K Governor and Chief Minister and assures all possible assistance

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the attack on Amarnath Yatris in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister has also spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Shri NN Vohra and Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti and assured all possible assistance required. 

"India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate. 

My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the attack in J&K. My prayers with the injured. 

Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath Yatris in J&K. The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone. 

I have spoken to the Governor and Chief Minister of J&K and assured all possible assistance required", the Prime Minister said.

President of India inaugurates ‘Ashiana Annexe’ in Dehradun

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the ‘Ashiana Annexe’ in Dehradun, Uttarakhand today (July 10, 2017) which comprises of twelve low cost dwelling units constructed to accommodate officers and staff of Rashtrapati Bhavan during Presidential visits to the Retreat at ‘Ashiana’. 

These dwelling units have been constructed using the Habitech-NivaraTantra - Onsite Sanitation Integrated Community Housing Technology Innovations developed at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT). The Technology innovations comprise unique blocks known as "compacted intermeshing" blocks which are made from local soil. The production of these blocks is on site and is an entirely green process. These blocks have novel cavities for horizontal and vertical reinforcement using steel bars which results in eliminating use of the conventional beams, columns and concrete lintel. The cavities also enable natural air curtain against temperature, noise pollution and water penetration. Other salient features of these dwelling units are that they are disaster resilient, sustainable and cost effective. Scientific treatment of sanitation waste enables mitigation of disease risk and ensures health and wellbeing of residents and the community. 

On the occasion, an MoU between M/s Prashak Techno Enterprises and Central Building Research Institute was signed to collaborate for effective proliferation of Habitech-NivaraTantra Technology solutions with a focus on low cost, disaster resilient housing, more particularly in the rural areas to enable vision of "Housing for All" with a special emphasis on housing for the economically weaker sections and low income group communities. 

The 'Ashiana' situated on Rajpur Road of Dehradun comprises of the main building, Annexe, Upper Stables & Lines and Lower Stables & Lines with associated roads and pathways. Built originally as bungalow of the Commandant of the President's Bodyguard, it has been revived by the President after long years of disuse. Shri KR Narayanan was the last President who stayed here in March 1998. The main building of the renovated 'Rashtrapati Ashiana’ was inaugurated by the President on September 27, 2016. 

PM condemns the attack on Amarnath Yatris in J&K; speaks to J&K Governor and Chief Minister and assures all possible assistance

The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the attack on Amarnath Yatris in Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister has also spoken to Jammu and Kashmir Governor Shri NN Vohra and Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti and assured all possible assistance required. 

"India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate. 

My thoughts are with all those who lost their loved ones in the attack in J&K. My prayers with the injured. 

Pained beyond words on the dastardly attack on peaceful Amarnath Yatris in J&K. The attack deserves strongest condemnation from everyone. 

I have spoken to the Governor and Chief Minister of J&K and assured all possible assistance required", the Prime Minister said.

Missile diplomacy: U.S. must be inventive in responding to North Korea

In early January, Donald Trump, then the U.S. President-elect, tweeted that North Korea would never develop a “nuclear weapon capable of reaching parts of the U.S.”. But Pyongyang appears to have done exactly that, defying warnings issued by Washington. Tuesday’s test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, that appears to be capable of striking Alaska, poses perhaps the greatest foreign policy challenge so far before Mr. Trump. And he appears to be lost for an effective response. While senior officials of the Trump administration have consistently talked tough, they have banked heavily on China, North Korea’s most crucial political and economic ally, to rein in its missile programme.Mr. Trump had even offered Chinaa better trade deal for its help in addressing the crisis and appreciated President Xi Jinping’s efforts. But neither the tough posturing nor banking on China’s help seems to have worked, and Kim Jong-un, North Korea’s Supreme Leader, remains as defiant as ever. Washington’s response to the missile test was typical. The U.S. and South Korea immediately conducted missile exercises to counter “North Korea’s destabilising and unlawful actions”, and the State Department asked for more UN sanctions on the North.

But had sanctions and threats been effective as a strategy, Mr. Kim would not have carried out the ICBM test in the first place. Ever since he took power in 2012 he has steadily expanded North Korea’s missile programme; challenging the U.S. is central to his foreign policy doctrine. All these years the U.S. has stepped up sanctions and taken an incrementally harsher line towards the Kim regime. Mr. Trump has simply followed the Obama administration’s stick-and-sanctions policy towards the North, but with a China emphasis. But he is now back to square one, with very few options. Though the administration has said all options are on the table, even a limited military strike would be dangerously risky. Given the unpredictability of the Kim regime, any attack could be tantamount to a declaration of war on the Korean peninsula. Another option is to continue the tested-and-failed policy of sanctions and international isolation, which would mean more trouble for the North Korean people with an uncertain effect on the roguish regime. It is also unclear whether China will back such isolation. A third option, something that both the Obama and Trump administrations have seemingly overlooked so far, is to hold direct negotiations with Pyongyang. It may appear strange given the current hostility, but that remains the only realistic option before Washington. Mr. Trump has a counterpart in Seoul, Moon Jae-in, who is more inclined to addressing the issue through diplomacy. Besides, there is the history of the North freezing its nuclear programme for nearly a decade in 1994 after a deal with world powers. Mr. Trump should take a realistic view of the crisis rather than immediately opt for retaliatory and punitive measures.