India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement Review:
- The 3rd round of negotiations regarding the revision of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the ‘ASEAN’ countries has been completed.
- In 2009, India signed a free trade agreement between the 10 ASEAN countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
- Subsequently, negotiations to review the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement were initiated in 2022.
- The 3rd round of talks held in Jakarta, Indonesia ended on August 1.
- ASEAN countries account for 11 percent of India’s global trade.
- In the last year 2023-24, exports were worth 41.2 billion dollars and imports were worth 80 billion dollars.
Bullet Train Project:
- Maximum speed is 320 kmph. The world’s fastest bullet trains are in use in countries like China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
- The central government announced the introduction of the bullet train project in India and started the work in 2021.
- The central government has announced that the scheme will be completed by 2027 and will be available for public use.
- The first bullet train will run from Ahmedabad in Gujarat to Mumbai in Maharashtra.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):
- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organization of 10 Southeast Asian and Pacific Rim nations.
- ASEAN is an association of 10 countries namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
- Cooperate to promote socio-cultural, economic and political progress in its region.
- ASEAN was formed in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration.
- August 8 is observed as ASEAN Day.
- ASEAN Secretariat – located in Jakarta, Indonesia.
- Accelerating economic growth, social progress and cultural development for a prosperous and peaceful society in Southeast Asian countries.
- To promote active cooperation and mutual assistance in matters of common interest in economic, social, cultural, technological, scientific and administrative fields.
August 4 First Sunday of August: Friendship Day
- Friends Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August.
August 4: Assistance Dog Day
- Assistance Dogs Day celebrates the dedication of assistance dogs.
Important Facts:
- Daljit Singh Chaudhary has been appointed as the new Director General of Border Security Force.
- According to this year’s “World Development Report 2024: The Middle Income Trap”, the World Bank report states that India may take nearly 75 years to reach a quarter of the US’s per capita income.
- According to the 2001 census, 3 percent reservation has been given to Arunthathiyar caste.
- Chennai SRM student M in Toll Cup International Open Chess Grand Prix held in France. Pranesh won the title.