Current Affairs – February, 2019

India invited as Guest of Honour for OIC Foreign Ministers Meet

For the first time, India would be attending the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers Meet. India will attend 46th Session of the OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers to be held in Abu Dhabi from March 1 to 2.

UAE’s Invitation for India

• The host UAE has stated that the friendly country of India has been named as the guest of honour in view of its great global political stature as well as its time-honoured and deeply rooted cultural and historical legacy and its important Islamic component.
• UAE’s invitation to India highlights the desire of the UAE to go beyond rapidly growing close bilateral ties and forge a true multifaceted partnership at the multilateral and international level.
• The Invitation is seen as a milestone in the comprehensive strategic partnership with the UAE.
• The invitation is also recognition of the presence of 185 million Muslims in India and of their contribution to its pluralistic ethos, and of India’s contribution to the Islamic world.

Why the Invitation is a significant one?

The invitation has gained immense significance because of the timing. At a time when India is cornering Pakistan on all international forums due to its alleged role in Pulwama terror attack, the invitation by the OIC which was the biggest supporter of the Pakistan and Pakistan had blocked all efforts of India to engage with OIC. This invitation is seen as a signal of changing geopolitical dynamics.

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) established in 1969 aims to provide a collective voice to the Muslim world and safeguard and protect interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony. Headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, It has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European Union.

India has about 12% of the world’s Muslim population. But India’s entry into the organisation has been blocked by Pakistan. The policies of OIC are largely pro-Pakistan and sees Kashmir as occupied by India.

Bangladesh has proposed to make India an observer in the forum. It could not be materialised due to resistance from Pakistan. The invitation to India signals a possible change in stance towards India.

Deloitte launches WorldClass Initiative in India

Deloitte has announced the launch of its global initiative ‘WorldClass’ in India for the empowerment of women. The initiative was launched by Deloitte’s Global CEO, Punit Renjen in the presence of Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

WorldClass Initiative

• In India, the initiative aims to support 10 million girls and women by 2030 through education and skills development.
• To attain the objectives of WorldClass Initiative, Deloitte will align with organisations such as Katha and Pratham in India.
• WorldClass programme in India will focus on improving girls retention rate in school, higher educational outcomes, and skills development for women to access employment.
• The initiative aims to give a boost to women education since almost 40 per cent of girls aged 15-18 years drop out of school and college, and only 26 per cent of women are employed.

Through the WorldClass Initiative in India Deloitte aims to fuel India’s growth story by aiding India to encash its demographic dividend. Globally, the WorldClass initiative seeks to prepare 50 million people by 2030,  to be better equipped for the future of work, in-line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).