CONTENTS

1. India Africa Postal Leaders Meet
2. Exercise HOPEX

India Africa Postal Leaders Meet

Context:

Recently, with the aim of strengthening ties among the administrations of African countries and India in the postal sector, the ‘India Africa Postal Leaders Meet’ was organised in India.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

India Africa Postal Leaders Meet

• Objective:
  • Aimed at enhancing cooperation and strengthening ties between the postal administrations of African countries and India.
• Initiative:
  • Part of the “South-South and Triangular Cooperation” program of the Universal Postal Union.
  • Organized with the support of India Post and the United States Postal Service.
• Key Theme:
  • Focus on capacity building through study visits.
• Activities:
  • India Post showcased its services including:
    • E-commerce parcel delivery.
    • Dak Niryat Kendras.
    • Financial services by India Post Payments Bank.
    • Aadhaar enabled services.
    • Passport services.
    • Digital Life Certificate.
• Significance:
  • The meet aligns with India’s farsighted initiatives such as:
    • Voice of Global South Summit.
    • India-Africa Forum.
    • Inclusion of the African Union in the G20 during India’s Presidency in 2023.
• Participation:
  • Attended by 42 heads of postal administrations and senior management personnel from the postal organizations of 22 African countries in the Global South.

Exercise HOPEX

Context:

Exercise HOPEX is the fourth joint exercise of IAF (Indian Air Force) and EAF (Egyptian Air Force) which was held in Egypt from 21 to 26 June.

Relevance:

GS III: Security Challenges

About Exercise HOPEX

• Nature of Exercise:
  • The fourth joint exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Egyptian Air Force (EAF).
  • Held in Egypt from 21 to 26 June.
• Objectives:
  • Aimed at enhancing bilateral and regional cooperation.
  • Symbolizes the long-standing relations between India and Egypt.
• Participants:
  • Indian Air Force’s Rafale fighter jets.
  • C-17 Globemaster and IL-78 tankers.

India and Egypt Relationship

• Historical Background:
  • Diplomatic relations established on 18 August 1947 at the ambassadorial level.
  • Both nations are founding members of the Non-Aligned Movement and have cooperated closely in multilateral forums.
• Milestone:
  • Celebrated the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022, highlighting the depth and strength of their bilateral ties.