India - Partner In Growth
Welcome to the September 21, 2017  bulletin of key policy decisions and high-impact news, presented by the Embassy of India, Washington DC.
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KEY POLICY DECISIONS
India to Create 'Good Governance Index' 
The Indian government will rate states and Union Territories under its new "Good Governance Index" as it seeks to create a platform for states to share transparency and accountability reforms and policies. The index will encourage "healthy competition between states," said Administrative Reforms Secretary C. Viswanath.



Andhra Pradesh to Build 500,000 Affordable Homes
The state government of Andhra Pradesh recently announced it will build more than 500,000 affordable houses in urban areas during the next 15 months. P. Narayana, the state's Housing and Urban Development Minister, added that officials analyzed the need for disaster resilience and preparedness and identified the best technology to execute the task.


 
Government to Invest in Infrastructure to Achieve 'Urban India' 
Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India may mobilize market resources to obtain the funds needed to overcome the country's "severe infrastructure deficit." He noted that the government will "spare no effort to realize a new Urban India."


 
$50 Million Action Plan to Improve Delhi's Waste Management
India will procure new machinery, equipment and systems to better manage its waste collection, transport, storage and treatment in Delhi, said Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Puri. The city will collaborate with the central government's Urban Development Fund to improve garbage and waste programs.  


 
Inside India's 'Mission Mode' Efforts to Address Malnutrition 
India's  Ministry of Women and Child Development  identified 113 districts across states and Union Territories that need immediate action to counter the effects of malnutrition, a central theme of the recent "Mission Mode to Address Under-Nutrition" conference. The country is working toward a goal of a malnutrition-free country by 2022. 


 
HIGH-IMPACT NEWS
Minister Sushma Swaraj, Adviser Ivanka Trump Meet at UNGA  
Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Adviser to the US President Ivanka Trump met Sept. 18 at the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss workforce development and women's entrepreneurship issues. The two leaders had a "great discussion" and will meet again in late November, when the US and India cohost the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Hyderabad.

 
 
Minister Swaraj Holds Trilateral Talks with US, Japanese Counterparts
The top Indian, American and Japanese diplomats - Sushma Swaraj, Rex Tillerson and Taro Kono, respectively - met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to speak about the importance of international law and maritime security. The officials also emphasized the critical need for the peaceful resolution of disputes and respecting territorial integrity.


Tourists Visiting India Jump 11 Percent, Sector Continues to Grow
Overseas tourists arriving in India rose 11 percent over the past year, according to the country's Tourism Ministry. Foreign tourist arrivals to India have steadily grown, with 599,000 visiting in Aug. 2015; 652,000 in Aug. 2016; and 724,000 last month. 
     


India Decreases External Debt by $13 Billion
The Indian government reduced its external debt by 2.7 percent, or $13 billion, from $485 billion in March 2016 to $471.9 billion in March 2017. Highlighted in a new report from the Finance Ministry, the drop illustrates that the country is one of the less vulnerable developing nations in terms of external debt indicators. 



Badminton Star PV Sindhu Brings Home Gold for India
India's P.V. Sindhu recently made history by becoming the first Indian shuttler, or badminton player, to win the Korea Open tournament. Sindhu is currently ranked fourth in the world but, after defeating Japan's Nozomi Okuhara in the tournament, could rise to second. 




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