Recent 6 months news in Agreements

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has signed an MoU with InD Events Dubai, the organizer of Gulfood, to enhance global market opportunities for Indian agricultural and processed food exporters.

The agreement facilitates the participation of India as the Official Partner Country at Gulfood 2027 for the second consecutive year.

The DRDO has signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme with the startup Zero mK India Private Limited.

The collaboration aims for the indigenous development of a 20 millikelvin (mK) dilution refrigerator designed for quantum applications.

The Technology Development Board (TDB) has signed an agreement with Bengaluru-based GalaxEye Space Solutions Pvt Ltd to provide financial support of ₹63.84 crore under the Research Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund. The financial assistance will be extended through Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCD).

The project, with a total approved cost of ₹247.69 crore, aims to develop a multisensor satellite capable of high-resolution (less than 0.5 m) OptoSAR imaging. The initiative seeks to transition the imaging technology from Technology Readiness Level (TRL)-6 to TRL-9.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has signed two MoUs with the IIT Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Under the first MoU, the IHUB NTIHAC Foundation (C3iHub) will conduct a 6-week residential Cybersecurity Training Programme for 40 personnel of the CISF per batch under a 3-year non-commercial framework.

The second MoU involves the establishment of a CoE focused on drone and anti-drone technologies at the Multi-Purpose Recruitment and Training Centre (MPRTC) in Behror, Rajasthan. The CoE will operate under a 5-year framework.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has signed an MoU with Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) to establish a simplified and time-bound framework for granting approvals to facilitate the crossing of National Highways, canals, and pipelines across Gujarat.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has partnered with Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL), a railway rolling stock manufacturer, to establish a 50:50 Joint Venture Company (JVC). The JVC will be responsible for the maintenance of Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets for a period of 35 years.

The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has extended its MoU with the ‘Art of Living’ under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA). The organization will utilize its grassroots network to promote value-based living and family resilience, and to reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorders.

It is to be noted that the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has partnered with 12 spiritual organizations under the NMBA framework to expand the outreach of the initiative.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has partnered with the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) to modernize and upgrade the market infrastructure system of the latter.

India and the MERCOSUR bloc have signed the First Additional Protocol to their Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to formally accept electronic Certificates of Origin (CoOs), promoting paperless trade. The protocol modifies Article 16 of Annex III (Rules of Origin) within the existing PTA.

It is to be noted that the foundational India-MERCOSUR PTA was signed in 2004 and entered into force in 2009. Under this agreement, India extends tariff concessions on 450 tariff lines, while the MERCOSUR countries (comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia) offer concessions on 452 lines.

The Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda (ITRA) under the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH) has signed a 5-year MoU with the Heartfulness Institute (HFI) to promote preventive and holistic healthcare through an integrated approach involving Ayurveda, yoga, meditation, and ecological practices.

It is to be noted that ITRA, located in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is an Institute of National Importance. HFI is situated in Hyderabad.

Adani Defence & Aerospace has signed a 5-year agreement with Indo-Russian Rifles Pvt Ltd (IRRPL) for the supply of indigenously manufactured 7.62x39 mm small-calibre ammunition. The ammunition is specifically intended to support the AK-203 assault rifle programme of India.

The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) under the Ministry of Mines (MoM) has signed a technology licensing agreement with the UAE-based Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) to expand the NALCO aluminium smelter in Angul, Odisha.

Under the agreement, the DX+ Ultra technology of the EGA will be implemented for the expansion of the smelter.

NPCI International Payments Ltd (NIPL), the international subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has partnered with Singapore-headquartered FOMO Pay to enable the acceptance of UPI Quick Response (QR) codes for merchants across Singapore.

Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has signed a 50:50 joint venture (JV) agreement with Drydocks World, a subsidiary of DP World, to operate and expand the “International Ship Repair Facility” (ISRF) in Cochin, Kerala.

Munitions India Ltd (MIL) has signed an MoU with Drogo Aerospace Pvt Ltd to collaborate on the design, development, and integration of indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munition systems.

Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has signed an agreement with the Jharkhand government , Jharkhand Digital Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (JDICL), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), and Jharkhand Communication Network Ltd (JCNL) for the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in Jharkhand.

Bisleri International Pvt Ltd has signed a Letter of Association (LoA) with the State Bank of India (SBI) to collaborate on the ‘Bottles for Change’ initiative, which focuses on responsible plastic waste management.

The partnership supports the transition of India toward a circular economy and aligns with the national objective of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. It is to be noted that SBI has established a target to achieve Net Zero status (encompassing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions) by 2055.

The Bharat Tex Trade Federation (BTTF) has signed an MoU with Premiere Vision SA at the Premiere Vision exhibition in Paris to strengthen India’s engagement with the global fashion and textile ecosystem.

The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has signed an MoU with the Textiles Committee (TC) under the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) to promote recycled and upcycled textile products through government procurement.

The IIT Madras has partnered with the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (UNESCO MGIEP) to develop AI-based immersive learning technologies.

The collaboration aims to transform global education systems through the integration of advanced technological solutions.