Mexico seeks ISROs help to build and launch satellite (GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Why in news?
- The Mexican Space Agency (AEM) has sought the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) help to build and launch a remote sensing satellite for Mexico.
- The request seeking ISRO’s support was made at a recent meeting between heads of both agencies.
Key Highlights:
- In June 2022, ISRO and AEM signed a Scientific Cooperation Agreement on Crop Monitoring and Capacity Building and in 2014 the two space agencies had signed a Memorandum of Understanding for peaceful purposes.
- As per the agreement, the two space agencies would explore the development of remote sensing techniques for crop monitoring using Earth Observation data for the United Mexican States and generate user friendly operational tools, techniques, procedures for agricultural drought monitoring over agricultural regions of United Mexican States using open access earth observation data products, drought indices and products at suitable spatial and temporal resolutions for monitoring at aggregate level.
Way Forward:
- India’s interest in expanding space cooperation in the Latin American and Caribbean region through ALCE was also discussed.
- ISRO will work on this proposal with the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) support.
India and Austria to sign migration and mobility agreement shore up ties
(GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- India and Austria will sign five agreements on Monday and two of them are in the interest of the Indian community staying in the latter country, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.
- Close on the heels of similar mobility agreements with France, the United Kingdom, Germany and Finland, India will sign a “Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement” (MMPA) with Austria.
Significance:
- While India has been keen to finalise these agreements with European countries as a stepping stone to resolving issues over the long-pending India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement and facilitating Indian professionals working in these countries, the European countries also see them as a way to curb illegal immigration from India.
- This is a much-needed agreement, especially in view of the sharp increase in illegal migration Austria was confronted with in 2022, including over 15,000 illegal migrants from India with practically no chance of asylum. The agreement is now a useful tool to combat illegal migration together, as it enables the swift return of illegal migrants.
- In addition, the agreement will regulate multiple entry visas for professionals and student exchange programmes, and will be reviewed regularly by a Joint Working Group.
Background:
- Indian External Affairs Minister is on an official visit to Austria.
- This will be the first EAM-level visit from India to Austria in the last 27 years, and takes place against the backdrop of 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2023.
