India and Bhutan ink Memorandum of Understanding for developing cooperation between two countries in area of environment - India and Bhutan have inked a Memorandum of Understanding for developing cooperation between two countries in the area of environment. The MoU was signed virtually by Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar from the Indian side and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairperson of the National Environment Commission Lyonpo Dr. Tandi Dorji from the Bhutanese side.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Javadekar said, the MoU will open new vistas of bilateral co-operation in the area of climate change and waste management. Describing the relationship between the two countries as symbolic, he said, India wants to engage with Bhutan on environmental related issues including climate change.
The MoU is a platform to further enhance Indian and Bhutanese partnership and support, exchange best practices in areas like prevention of Air Pollution, Waste Management, Chemical Management and Climate Change. It also provides the possibility to have joint projects in areas of mutual interest.
The MoU will also strengthen technological, scientific and management capabilities and expand the areas of cooperation in the field of environment to promote a mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.
Myanmar coup: UN calls for arms embargo against military - The United Nations has issued a rare call to halt arms sales to Myanmar in response to this year’s violent military coup. The General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning the military junta, which overthrew the country’s elected government in February.
The UN also called for the release of political detainees, such as elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and an end to violence against peaceful protesters.
While not legally binding, the resolution is politically significant. UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener told the General Assembly that the risk of a large-scale civil war is real, time is of the essence.
The opportunity to reverse the military takeover is narrowing. It was supported by 119 countries, with Belarus the only one to vote against it. Another 36 countries abstained, including Russia and China – Myanmar military’s two biggest arms suppliers.
Some of the abstainers said, the crisis was an internal issue for Myanmar, while others said, the resolution did not address a brutal military crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim population four years ago, which forced almost a million people to flee the country.
The EU’s UN Ambassador Olof Skoog said, the resolution delegitimises the military junta, condemns its abuse and violence against its own people and demonstrates its isolation in the eyes of the world.
But, Myanmar’s UN Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, who represents the country’s elected civilian government said, he was disappointed by how long it took for the General Assembly to pass what he called a watered down resolution.
Ms Suu Kyi, has been held under house arrest since the coup, and little has been seen or heard of her, with the exception of brief court appearances.
The military has justified seizing power in February, alleging voter fraud in General Elections held last November. But, independent election monitors say the election was largely free and fair and the charges against Suu Kyi have been widely criticised as politically motivated.