The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Communications of the Republic of India and the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) of United Kingdom Government on cooperation in the field of Telecommunications and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
The MoU will contribute in strengthening bilateral cooperation and mutual understanding in the field of Telecommunications/ICTs. Post-Brexit, the MoU is also aiming for enhanced scope of cooperation and opportunities for India.
The Parties have identified some areas of common interest for cooperation, which include:
- Telecommunications/ICT policy and regulation;
- Spectrum Management;
- Telecommunication connectivity including mobile roaming;
- Telecommunications/ICT technical standardizations and testing & certification;
- Wireless Communications;
- Technological development in Telecommunications/ICT including 5G, Internet of Things/Machine to Machine, Cloud Computing, Big Data etc,
- Security of Telecommunication Infrastructure, Security in the provision and use of telecommunication services;
- Building capacity in high technology areas and exchange of expertise wherever possible;
- Collaboration and Sharing of information on Research & Development on emerging technologies and innovation where appropriate;
- Exploring opportunities for joint work in signatory countries and third countries on Telecommunications/ICT;
- Facilitating Trade, investment and technology activities through Telecommunication/ICT industry delegations and visits, events, exhibitions etc. as mutually agreed; and
- Other forms of cooperation in Telecommunications/ICT as mutually agreed upon by the Parties, falling with the scope of MoU.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs also approved the investment of Rs 1,810.56 crore for 210 MW Luhri Stage-I Hydro Electric Project located on river Satluj which is situated in Shimla & Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh. This project will generate 758.20 million units of electricity annually.
This project is being implemented by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) on Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) basis with active support from Government of India and State Government. The MoU of this project was signed with the Govt. of Himachal Pradesh during Rising Himachal, Global Investor Meet, which was inaugurated by PM Modi on 7th November 2019.
