The Director Generals of Military Operations of India and Pakistan held discussions over the established mechanism of hotline contact. The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Control and all other sectors in a free, frank and cordial atmosphere, a joint statement issued by both the sides informed.

In the interest of achieving mutually beneficial and sustainable peace along the borders, the two DGsMO agreed to address each other's core issues and concerns which have the propensity to disturb the peace and lead to violence. Both sides agreed for strict observance of all agreements, understandings and cease firing along the Line of Control and all other sectors with effect from midnight 24/25 Feb 2021, the statement said.

Both sides reiterated that existing mechanisms of hotline contact and border flag meetings will be utilised to resolve any unforeseen situation or misunderstanding, the statement added.

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• India and China held bilateral consultations on UNSC issues today using the VTC platform.
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• The Chinese delegation was led by Mr Yang Tao, Director General of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.
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• Mr Prakash Gupta, Joint Secretary (UNP & Summits) led the Indian delegation along with officials from East Asia (EA) and UN Economic and Social (UNES) Divisions of MEA and from the Permanent Mission of India New York and Embassy of India in Beijing.
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• Both sides discussed a wide range of issues on the UNSC agenda. The Indian delegation briefed the Chinese side on India's priorities during its UNSC tenure. Both sides agreed to continue their engagement on key issues on the UNSC agenda.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) members and the Government of India signed a Framework for Strategic Partnership today in a bid to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation and enhance global energy security, stability and sustainability.

This partnership is aimed to conduct an extensive exchange of knowledge and would be a stepping stone towards India becoming a full member of the IEA.

The MoU was signed by Mr Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, Secretary (Power) from the Indian side and Dr Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director from the IEA side.

The contents of the Strategic partnership will be jointly decided by the IEA Members and India, including a phased increase in benefits and responsibilities for India as an IEA Strategic partner, and building on existing areas of work within Association and the Clean Energy Transitions Programme (CETP), such as Energy Security, Clean and Sustainable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Enhancing petroleum storage capacity in India, Expansion of gas-based economy in India etc.

The IEA Secretariat will be responsible for the implementation of the cooperative activities in India and for facilitating discussion between the IEA Members and India to further develop the Strategic Partnership.

The Government of India endeavours to take necessary steps to encourage and promote strategic and technical co-operation in the energy sector in the identified areas noted above, through the Framework Agreement.

US President Joe Biden looks forward to a continuation of the long, bipartisan and successful relationship between leaders in India and the United States, which he respects and values, stated Jen Psaki, Press Secretary to the US President.

Ms Psaki made the above statement when asked about Mr Biden's vision on the relationship between India and US - the world's largest and the world's oldest democracy, during a press briefing.

Ms Psaki said that Mr Biden, who has visited India many times, "selected the first Indian American to serve as President or Vice President, which is certainly a historic moment for all of us in this country, but a further cementing of the importance of our relationship."

The Foreign Minister of Nepal Mr Pradeep Kumar Gyawali called on Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi today. 

Highlights of the meeting:

1. The Foreign Minister has come to India for the 6th India-Nepal Joint Commission Meeting. 
2. During his interaction with the Raksha Mantri, the Foreign Minister conveyed his greetings from the leadership of Nepal, and expressed his desire to deepen the bilateral relations. 
3. He also expressed gratitude for all the assistance provided by India. Mr Singh reciprocated the sentiment and emphasised that India-Nepal relations are underpinned by unique people-to-people linkages.
4. The Defence Minister conveyed his personal connect, long association with leadership and special regard for the people of Nepal. 
5. Both the dignitaries expressed their satisfaction at the excellent military-to-military cooperation. 
6. Mr Singh stated that India is ready to provide Humanitarian assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) training & capacity building of Nepal.
7. Nepal Foreign Minister congratulated India on success in developing the COVID-19 vaccine and expressed confidence that the pandemic will be soon overcome.
8. Mr Singh stated that India is looking forward for further deepening and strengthening the special relationship between India and Nepal.

India is becoming the non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 8th time today for a period 2021-2022. Let's take a look at the historical journey
of India at the Security Council

Past tenures of India at Security Council 

1. 1950-51 - India as a president of UNSC, presided over the adoption of resolutions calling for the cessation of hostilities during the Korean war and for assistance to the Republic of Korea.
2. 1967-68 - India co-sponsored resolution 238 extending mandate of UN Mission in Cyprus. First-ever security council resolution drafted by India
3. 1972-73 - India pushed strongly for admission of Bangladesh into the UN. Resolution not adopted because of veto by a Permanent Member
4. 1977-78 - India was a strong voice for African Countries in UNSC and spoke against Apartheid. India also spoke about Namibia's independence.
5. 1984-85 - India raised voice for resolution of conflicts in the Middle East especially the Palestine, Lebanon etc.
6. 1991-92 - India participated in the first-ever summit talks and spoke about India's role in the maintenance of peace and security
7. 2011-12 - India raised strong voice for the developing countries and against counter-terrorism.

The 20th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 18 December 2020, the Ministry of External Affairs has informed.

The MEA informed that the two sides agreed that based on guidance provided by senior leaders and agreements reached between two Foreign Ministers and Special Representatives, they would continue to work towards ensuring complete disengagement in all friction points along LAC in Western Sector at earliest.

Both sides agreed to maintain close consultations at the diplomatic and military level.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for Central Electricity Regulatory Commission's proposal for entering into a Memorandum of Understanding between Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), India and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), United States of America (USA) for exchange of information and experiences in areas of mutual interest to both in the electricity sectors.

The MoU will help in improving the regulatory and policy framework for developing efficient wholesale power market and enhancing grid reliability.

The activities to be carried out under the MoU include the following:         

1. Identify energy-related issues and develop topics and possible agendas for the exchange of information and regulatory practices in areas of mutual interest;
2. Organize visits by Commissioners and/or staff to participate in activities at each other's facilities;
3. Participate in seminars, visit, and exchanges;
4. Develop programs of mutual interests and where appropriate hold these programs locally to enhance participation;
5. When practical and of mutual interest, provide speakers on energy issues and other personnel (management or technical).

The Government of India has selected best-performing Police Stations across the country for this year.

This is done every year to incentivize more effective functioning of police stations and bring healthy competition among them. 

Rank - 1 
State Manipur 
District Thoubal
Police Station - NongpokSekmai

Rank - 2
State - Tamil Nadu
District - Salem City
Police Station - AWPS-Suramangalam

Rank - 3
State - Arunachal Pradesh
District - Changlang
Police Station - Kharsang

Rank - 4
State - Chhattisgarh
District - Surajpur
Police Station - Jhilmili (Bhaiya Thana)

Rank - 5
State - Goa
District - South Goa
Police Station - Sanguem

Rank - 6
UT - Andaman & Nicobar Islands
District - North & Middle Andaman
Police Station - Kalighat

Rank - 7
State - Sikkim
District - East District
Police Station - Pakyong

Rank - 8
State -Uttar Pradesh
District - Moradabad
Police Station - Kanth

Rank - 9
UT - Dadra & Nagar Haveli
District - Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Police Station - Khanvel

Rank - 10
State - Telangana
District - Karimnagar
Police Station - Jammikunta Town PS

The top 10 Police Stations out of 16,671 Police Stations in the country was selected through data analysis, direct observation and public feedback. 

The ranking process commenced with shortlisting of the best performing Police Stations, in each State on the basis of addressing: -

•  - Property offence
•  - Crime against women
•  - Crime against weaker sections
•  - Missing persons, unidentified found person and unidentified dead bodies
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