Lok Sabha Question No. 2985 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Research and Information System
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Bhartruhari Mahtab

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2985 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## RESEARCH AND INFORMATION SYSTEM

## 2985 . SHRI. BHARATRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of State be pleased to state:

- (a) the extent to which the Government of India has taken advantages of Research and Information System (RIS) meant for effective policy dialogue and capacity-building among Developing Countries on global and regional economic issues;
- (b) the number of discussions held between RIS and think-tanks in other countries along with their outcome thereof;
- (c) the role played by the RIS in promotion of regional trade and investment and strengthening India's socio-economic relations with various countries;
- (d) the details of the inputs provided by the RIS to solve issues at International Level along with number of such issues solved during each of the last three years and the current year; and
- (e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government in this direction?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) The Research and Information Systems (RIS) works as an autonomous institution under the administrative control of the Ministry of External Affairs. Government makes extensive use of RIS in pursuing its foreign policy goals. Apart from working very closely with the Ministry of External Affairs, RIS also carries out projects and studies for other Ministries/Departments of  Government like  the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of Environment,   Forest   and   Climate   Change,   Department   of   Science   and Technology, Department of Biotechnology and NITI Aayog.

Some of the other mechanisms by which the government is making use of RIS are as follows:

-  Promoting India's interests at Track 1.5 and Track 2 platforms on areas of India's interests with partner countries and partner institutions from other countries and international bodies like WTO, United Nations, World Bank, ADB, AIIB, etc.
-  Facilitating international development cooperation for countries of the Global South through its annual international Conference called 'Delhi Process'.
-  Providing empirical evidence-based research inputs on issues pertaining to bilateral and regional trade, commerce, finance, connectivity, health, science technology and innovation.
-  Strengthening linkages with ASEAN countries through the   ASEAN-India Centre (AIC) at RIS

-  Conducting numerous academic/training/fellowship programmes such as   ITEC   Capacity   building   programmes,   RIS-EXIM   Bank   Summer   School   on 'International Trade Theory and Practices' IBSA Fellowship Programme and BRICS Fellowship Programmes.

(b) to (d) The list of discussions held between RIS and think-tanks in other countries, including a note on the role played by RIS in promoting trade have been provided in the annexure. Further details about outcomes etc are available in   RIS   annual   reports,   which   have   been   tabled   in   Parliament,   and   are   also available on the RIS website for ready reference.

(e) Government values RIS's role. RIS is a unique research institution. It was created at the request of the Nonaligned Movement. It has been mandated to assist the Global South in its efforts to protect and promote core trade and economic interests under India's leadership. RIS research  will continue to focus on the global   public   good     with   particular   reference   to   access,   equity   and inclusiveness.  Since  countries of the Global South,  particularly those belonging to Africa, South and   South-East Asia and Latin America,   look up to India's leadership role in defending their trade and economic interests,   Government would continue to extend its full     support to RIS and provide all required assistance   in   expanding   its   engagements   as   a   credible   global   research institution.

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## ANNEXURE

| LIST OF SEMINARS/DISCUSSIONS                                                                                                                                              |      |          |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------|----------|
| 2017                                                                                                                                                                      |      |          |
| Delhi Conference on South-South and Triangular Cooperation                                                                                                                |      |          |
| Commonwealth Summit 2018: Evolving Development Strategies                                                                                                                 |      |          |
| ASEAN-India Connectivity Summit: Powering Digital and Physical Linkages for Asia in the 21st Century                                                                      |      |          |
| Development of North- East India and India's Act East Policy                                                                                                              |      |          |
| Workshop on 'Development Finance in South and Development Experiences.'                                                                                                   | Asia | Emerging |
| Strengthening ASEAN-India Partnership                                                                                                                                     |      |          |
| Tenth South Asia Economic Summit                                                                                                                                          |      |          |
| Kolkata Roundtable 'ASEAN@50 and ASEAN-India@25'                                                                                                                          |      |          |
| SDGs and Integral Humanism                                                                                                                                                |      |          |
| National Consultation on Reducing Inequalities                                                                                                                            |      |          |
| Asia Africa Growth Corridor: The Way Forward                                                                                                                              |      |          |
| Industry Consultation on AAGC                                                                                                                                             |      |          |
| Delhi Dialogue 9 on 'ASEAN-India Relations'                                                                                                                               |      |          |
| 25th anniversary of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations                                                                                                                        |      |          |
| India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Relations                                                                                                                               |      |          |
| Implementing Agenda 2030: The Role of Global Partnership                                                                                                                  |      |          |
| South-South Global Thinkers Initiative                                                                                                                                    |      |          |
| Mid-Term Review of the Foreign Trade Policy (2015-2020)                                                                                                                   |      |          |
| Roundtable on Deepening India-Russia Partnership: Exploring New Vistas                                                                                                    |      |          |
| Policy Dialogue on Mekong-Ganga Cooperation 'Stronger Connectivity and Enhancing Ties' Director General, WTO Azevêdo meeting at RIS                                       |      |          |
| Consultation on SDGs: Focus on Affordable and Clean Energy                                                                                                                |      |          |
| Emerging Perspectives on Blue Economy: Blue Economy Forum                                                                                                                 |      |          |
| 2nd International Conference on Cultural and Civilizational Links between India and Southeast Asia International Conference on Indo-Bangladesh Multi Sectoral Cooperation |      |          |
| India-Africa Economic Partnership                                                                                                                                         |      |          |
| 2018                                                                                                                                                                      |      |          |
| South Asia Comes Together for Implementing SDGs                                                                                                                           |      |          |
| Policy Dialogue on Unlocking the Potential of Regional Cooperation in South Asia                                                                                          |      |          |
| NeST Invited at Paris Peace Forum                                                                                                                                         |      |          |
| Policy Dialogue on Act East and North East                                                                                                                                |      |          |
| India, Afghanistan and Iran Partnership: Understanding the Emerging Contours                                                                                              |      |          |

| Protecting the Global Trading System and the Role for Multilateralism                                                    |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| De-briefing Session on G-20                                                                                              |
| South-South Civil Society Conclave                                                                                       |
| Delhi Dialogue X: Strengthening India-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation                                                         |
| Consultation Meeting on Delhi Dialgoue X with ASEAN HoMs                                                                 |
| The Road to BAPA+40 through Delhi Process IV                                                                             |
| Interactive Session with H.E. Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President-elect of the United Nations General Assembly |
| Second ASEAN-India Workshop on Blue Economy                                                                              |
| Role of India in Global Order                                                                                            |
| Pre-BIMSTEC Summit High Level Consultative Meeting                                                                       |
| RIS Participation at HLPF, 2018                                                                                          |
| Infrastructure at the Centrestage of India's Priorities - Shri Arun Jaitley                                              |
| AIIB Lead-up Events and Host Country Seminars                                                                            |
| Third EAS Conference on Maritime Security and Cooperation                                                                |
| Seminar on ASEAN-India Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs)                                                                        |
| Launching Science Diplomacy Programme                                                                                    |
| Panel Discussion on South African Presidency of IORA and BRICS: Issues before Summits                                    |
| Launching of 'Development Cooperation Review'                                                                            |
| National Consultation on 'SDG 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere'                                                |
| Panel Discussion on 'South African Presidency of IORA'                                                                   |
| 5th Roundtable of the ASEAN-India Network of Think-Tanks (AINTT)                                                         |
| International Conference on 'ASEAN-India @25: Retrospection and the Way Ahead'                                           |
| Discussion Meeting on 'Research Priorities for the IOR Region'                                                           |
| 2019-20                                                                                                                  |
| Round table discussion on Uzbekistan-India: New horizons of strategic partnership                                        |
| India's Strategic Identity                                                                                               |
| SDG Conclave 2020 - Partnerships, Cooperation and Development of North Eastern States                                    |
| Seminar on Traditional Medicine in India and China                                                                       |
| Special Talk on 'Role of Energy Efficiency in Effective Energy Transition'                                               |
| Panel Discussion on 'Capturing Economic Value in India'                                                                  |
| Panel Discussions organised during IEA 102nd Annual Conference, Surat                                                    |
| and Trade' Delhi Dialogue: Advancing Partnership in Indo-Pacific                                                         |
| 11th                                                                                                                     |
| Third Annual Developing Country Forum 'South-South Cooperation in International Tax Matters'                             |
| Plenary Session on 'ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific, Opportunities and Challenges for Future                                   |

| Economic Development'                                                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Delhi Process Fifth Conference on South-South and Triangular Cooperation                                   |
| High-Level Political Forum 2019                                                                            |
| Third ASEAN-India Workshop on Blue Economy                                                                 |
| RIS Co-hosts Sixth IBSA Academic Forum in Kochi                                                            |
| Seminar on Digital Economy, e-Commerce and the WTO                                                         |
| India-Africa Partnership in Agriculture                                                                    |
| Special Session on Artificial Intelligence                                                                 |
| Trilateral Highway and Its Implication on India's Northeast Region: Interaction with Tamu Border Authority |
| India-Central Asia: Traditional Ties and Development Partnership                                           |
| ASEAN Indo-Pacific Outlook and India                                                                       |
| Launch of Initiative on Global Development                                                                 |
| RIS at BAPA+40                                                                                             |
| Reform Multilateral Bodies to Reflect Present Global Reality: Ambassador Anil Sooklal                      |

## The   role   played   by   the   RIS   in   promotion   of   regional   trade   and investment:

In recent years, RIS has played an important role in steering the Asian economic integration, especially South Asian Economic Integration and towards strengthening India's Economic Cooperation in the East Asia Summit, India's relations with ASEAN, SAARC, IBSA, and BIMSTEC. The institute richly contributed to the deliberations on a wide range of key issues covering FTAs, RTAs and megaFTAs.  Currently, it is providing empirical contemporaneous policy research inputs on G20, SDGs, WTO issues, IORA, Indo-Pacific Cooperation, Blue Economy, BRICS, COMESA, partnership with EU, Climate Change and Intellectual Property Rights Regimes.

Over  the   years,   RIS   has   developed   an   extremely   rich   programme   of activities which includes the following key pillars:

(a) Global Economic Issues and South-South Cooperation covering WTO; Post2015   Global   Development   Agenda;   International   Financial   Institutions; International Aid Architecture and Development Cooperation, Global Ethics in Science and Technology; Human Genetics and Access; and SDGs.

(b) For the pillar on Socio-economic impact of trade and development policies RIS publishes its flagship reports such as World Trade and Development Report (WTDR), studies on Global Value Chains in the South, National Income accounting related to Blue Economy, Manufacturing Sector and Job Creation, South Asia Development and Cooperation Report (SADCR) as well as several other reports and publications on specific dimensions of SDGs and global partnerships.

(c) Trade, Investment and Economic Cooperation covering IOR-ARC in the New Millennium;   Regional   Cooperation   for   Infrastructure   Development;   Economic Aspects of Fisheries in the IOR-ARC region; Regional Value Chain in South Asia; IBSA; BRICS; India-China Trade Relationship; Strategic Economic Partnership with Africa; Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement and other mega FTAs; Chinese Trade Engagement with South Asia; South Asia Development and Cooperation Report; Asia-Pacific   T rade   Agreement;   Central   and   South   Asia   Economic   Integration; India-Japan   Economic   Partnership;   India-COMESA;   Export   Sophistication   in Developing Countries; Economic Integration between India and CLMV region;

Global   and   Regional   Value   Chains   through   Rules   of   Origin;   and   India's

(d) Connectivity and Regional Cooperation covering Development Corridors in Myanmar;   Global   Financial   Sector;   ASEAN-India   AIC   Maritime;   ASEAN-India Development and Cooperation Report(AIDCR); Impact of Economic Corridors;

Engagement with Latin America. Asia-Africa Growth Corridor; Indo-Pacific zone.

(e) New Technologies and Development Issues covering, Biotechnology and development; International Cooperation in Traditional Medicines; Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of Living Modified organisms; Impact of GM Crops; Global Responsible   Research;   T echnology   Transfer   under   the   Clean   Development Mechanism; Climate change; and IPR regimes, IA, etc.

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