By: D.K Choudhary
Russia, Turkey and Iran to Jointly Monitor Syria Truce
i. Russia, Turkey and Iran have agreed to jointly monitor the fragile cease-fire between the Syrian regime and rebels to find a political solution of ending the six-year conflict.
ii. The accord was signed by Moscow and Ankara and Tehran on January 24, 2017 in Kazakhstan on behalf of the Syrian government and armed rebel groups.
iii. A trilateral mechanism would be established by the group to observe and ensure full compliance with the ceasefire and prevent any provocations.
iv. However the arrangements for monitoring the cease-fire and enforcing it would be decided at next meeting in February 2017 in Geneva.
India and France Signs Pact on Maritime Information Sharing in Indian Ocean Region
i. India and France signed White Shipping Agreement on January 19, 2017 in New Delhi to enable information sharing on maritime traffic and maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
ii. The agreement was signed at the second dialogue on maritime cooperation for the Indian Ocean Region between India and France. The agreement aims to enhance the Indo-French maritime security cooperation in the region.
iii. The Indo-French dialogue also emphasized on freedom of navigation in IOR and Pacific.
France:
Capital: Paris
President: François Hollande
Prime minister: Bernard Cazeneuve
Currencies: Euro, CFP franc
