India - Partner In Growth
Welcome to the October 6, 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 Unveils Third National Wildlife Acton Plan for 2017 to 2031 
The Indian government and Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan released the country's third National Wildlife Action Plan to address conservation, climate change and wildlife management and planning issues. The action plan follows two previous plans, launched in 1983 and 2002. 



Power Ministry to Acquire 10,000 Electric Cars, Boost India's 'e-Mobility'
The Power Ministry's Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. will procure 10,000 electric vehicles from Tata Motors to promote technology, "e-mobility" and sustainability. The contract is the world's largest single electric vehicle procurement and Tata is scheduled to provide the first 500 vehicles in November. 


 
Government to Invest $3.8 Billion to Upgrade Security, Police Reforms 
India's Cabinet approved plans to invest nearly $4 billion in the "Modernization of Police Forces" program, said Home Minister Rajnath Singh. The funds will be spent over three years, with the central government providing approximately 80 percent of the investment and states providing the rest. 


 
Indian Railways Launches 100 New Train Routes to Improve Mumbai Travel
In a major boost to suburban rail services in the Mumbai area, Indian Railways recently introduced 100 new local train routes on its Mumbai suburban railway network. The new services will reduce travel time and commutes for roughly 7.7. million daily travelers.  


 
NITI Aayog Invites Indian Entrepreneurs to Apply for 'GES 2017' 
The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog is accepting applications from Indian entrepreneurs who wish to participate in the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES). This year's GES - which will be co-hosted with the US in Hyderabad in late November - is the first time the event will be held in South Asia. 


 
HIGH-IMPACT NEWS
India to Host 'World Food' Expo, Seek US Food Processing Partners  
India aims to adopt American food processing companies' best practices to upgrade the country's technology systems and reduce food waste, said Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The minister will meet with US companies ahead of the World Food India trade show to be held in New Delhi in November.

 
 
PM Modi Calls on Indians to Work Together on 'Swachh Bharat' Initiative
If Indian citizens collaborate on "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan," or the "Clean India Mission," the initiative can be successful, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Launched in 2014, the mission seeks to keep the country's roads, streets and infrastructure clean. 


India's Infant Mortality, Gender Disparity Rates Drop
The infant mortality rate in India declined by three percent, from 37 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2015 to 34 in 2016. In addition, the difference between the male and female infant mortality rates has fallen to less than 10 percent - thanks in part to the government's "Beti Bachao Beti Padhao" initiative, which aims to improve welfare services for young girls. 
     


Apple: New iPhones to Feature Hindi Dictation, 11 Local Languages
The newly launched iPhone 8 and 8 Plus will support Hindi dictation and 11 local Indian languages, said Apple CEO Tim Cook. His message was broadcast at a recent event at the offices of Reliance Jio, a mobile network provider.



President Kovind Inaugurates New Shirdi Airport
President Ram Nath Kovind this week launched the newly-built Shirdi airport in Ahmednagar, a district in the central Indian state of Maharashtra. The president dedicated the airport to the people, who will see a five-hour drive from Shirdi to Mumbai become a 40-minute flight.




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