What’s in Today’s article?

• Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill Latest News
• Need for the Overseas Mobility Bill 2024
• Key Features of the Proposed Bill
• Significance of the Bill in the Context of US Deportations
• Impact on Indian Migrants and the Economy
• Conclusion
• India's Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024 FAQs

Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill Latest News

• The Indian government is actively working on a new legislative framework to facilitate safe and legal overseas employment for its citizens. 
• With the proposed Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024, India aims to modernize migration policies by replacing the Emigration Act of 1983.
• The move comes at a crucial time, as the US administration under President Donald Trump 2.0 has begun deporting illegal Indian immigrants. 
• The proposed bill seeks to ensure the protection of Indian workers abroad while promoting legal migration channels.

Need for the Overseas Mobility Bill 2024

• Challenges with the Emigration Act of 1983
  • The current Emigration Act, 1983, is outdated and does not align with contemporary global migration trends.
  • The old law lacks provisions for structured overseas employment opportunities and the welfare of Indian emigrants.
  • Irregular migration routes expose Indian workers to exploitation and fraud.
• The Need for a New Framework
  • The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, highlighted the need for comprehensive migration reform.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is working on a legislative overhaul to ensure safe, orderly, and legal migration for employment abroad.
  • The bill will help combat fraudulent recruiting agencies, ensuring transparency in overseas job placements.

Key Features of the Proposed Bill

• The Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024 will introduce several reforms to safeguard Indian workers and enhance legal migration processes.
• Safe and Orderly Migration Framework
  • The bill aims to establish a structured system for facilitating overseas employment.
  • It will ensure that migration is transparent, legal, and free from exploitation.
• Public Consultation & Stakeholder Involvement
  • The Ministry of External Affairs is consulting various government ministries before finalizing the draft.
  • The public will have 15-30 days to provide feedback before the bill is finalized.
  • The bill will go through Inter-Ministerial Consultations before being presented to the Cabinet.
• Strengthening the Role of the Protector of Emigrants (PoE)
  • The Protector of Emigrants (PoE) will collaborate closely with Indian embassies and consulates.
  • PoE offices will ensure the welfare of Indian workers abroad, address grievances, and help resolve employment disputes.
• Awareness and Prevention Measures
  • Indian missions abroad will launch awareness campaigns to educate prospective migrants.
  • Advisory warnings will inform emigrants about safe migration practices and how to avoid fraudulent recruitment agencies.
• Grievance Redressal and Repatriation Support
  • The bill aims to strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms for Indian workers facing mistreatment abroad.
  • Legal assistance and repatriation support will be provided for migrants in distress.

Significance of the Bill in the Context of US Deportations

• The US government’s recent decision to deport illegal Indian immigrants has heightened the urgency of migration reforms.
• Key Facts on Indian Migrants in the US:
  • 20,000 undocumented Indians are currently facing deportation under the Trump 2.0 administration.
  • The total undocumented Indian population in the US is around 725,000, making it the largest group outside of Latin America.
  • The first batch of deportees has already been sent back to India.
• Timeline and Next Steps
  • The MEA has assured that the bill’s draft will be finalized within a year.
  • The Parliamentary Committee has demanded an update within three months on the bill’s progress.
  • Once finalized, the bill will replace the Emigration Act of 1983, modernizing India’s migration policies.

Impact on Indian Migrants and the Economy

• For Migrant Workers
  • Protection from exploitation by fraudulent recruiters.
  • Better support system through embassies and government agencies.
  • Legal pathways for overseas employment to ensure job security.
• For the Indian Economy
  • Legal migration will boost remittances, a significant contributor to India’s GDP.
  • India can strengthen its global labor force presence, especially in Gulf countries, the US, and Europe.
  • Reducing illegal migration will enhance India’s diplomatic relations with host countries.

Conclusion

• The Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024, marks a crucial step toward safe and legal migration for Indian workers.
• As the US tightens its immigration policies, India must ensure structured migration systems to prevent exploitation and enhance overseas employment opportunities.
• With public consultation and inter-ministerial reviews underway, the bill is expected to be enacted within a year, modernizing India’s migration policies and protecting Indian workers abroad.

India's Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024 FAQs

Q1. What is the purpose of the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024?
Ans. The bill aims to modernize India's migration policies, ensuring safe, legal, and structured overseas employment opportunities for Indian workers.

Q2. Why is the Emigration Act of 1983 being replaced?
Ans. The Emigration Act of 1983 is outdated and does not address current global migration trends, leaving Indian workers vulnerable to exploitation.

Q3. How will the bill protect Indian migrant workers?
Ans. It will regulate recruiting agencies, strengthen grievance redressal mechanisms, and provide legal assistance and repatriation support for distressed workers abroad.

Q4. What role will Indian embassies and consulates play under the new bill?
Ans. Indian embassies will conduct awareness campaigns, issue advisories, address grievances, and ensure the welfare of Indian workers abroad.

Q5. When is the bill expected to be enacted?
Ans. The bill is currently under consultation and is expected to be enacted within a year, with periodic updates to the Parliamentary Committee.

Source: IE

What’s in Today’s article?

• Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) Latest News
• High Regulatory Risks in India Deter Foreign Investment
• Local Remedy Requirement in UAE BIT
• India Eyes Gains from US-China Trade War
• US Retaliation Could Boost Indian Exports
• Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) FAQs

Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) Latest News

• India is preparing to revamp its 2016 model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to offer better protection for foreign investors, responding to concerns from Western trade partners amid shifting global trade dynamics due to the US-China trade war. 
• The Union Budget highlighted the need for reform, as India negotiates investment treaties with the UK, EU, and EFTA, which has pledged $100 billion in investments over 15 years. 
• The govt has stated that groundwork has begun, citing the UAE BIT as a model for a more investor-friendly approach, including asset-based protection and coverage for Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPIs).

High Regulatory Risks in India Deter Foreign Investment

• Experts emphasized the need for stronger investor protections in India due to significant regulatory risks. The latest instance being the Nestlé case.
  • Switzerland suspended the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause in its 1994 Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with India in December 2024. 
  • This followed an Indian Supreme Court ruling stating that the DTAA is unenforceable unless notified under the Income Tax Act. 
  • Consequently, Swiss companies like Nestlé now face higher taxes on dividends.

Impact of Retroactive Tax Laws and License Cancellations

• Analysts have noted that India has faced numerous investor disputes arising from retroactive tax changes, such as in the Vodafone case, and arbitrary license cancellations, like in the Devas case. 
• These actions, coupled with prolonged judicial delays in arbitration, leave investors with limited recourse.

Shifting Away from Investor Rights in BITs

• India's decision to annul older Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) after unfavorable international court rulings led to the adoption of the 2016 model BIT, which prioritizes state rights over investor rights. 
• The inclusion of an "exhaustion of local remedies" clause is intended to reduce international litigation against India.

Local Remedy Requirement in UAE BIT

• The UAE-India Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) mandates that UAE investors must exhaust domestic legal remedies for at least three years before seeking international arbitration. 
  • The India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) came into effect on August 31, 2024.
• This is a reduced timeframe compared to India’s 2016 model BIT, which requires a five-year waiting period.

Western Opposition to Long Waiting Periods

• Many Western nations, including the UK and EU, are unwilling to accept even the three-year requirement, leading to prolonged negotiations. 
• While India’s talks with the UK have been ongoing for over two years, its negotiations with the EU remain stalled. 
• In contrast, the EU has signed investment agreements with competitors like Vietnam, giving them a competitive edge.

Proposal for a Fork-in-the-Road Clause

• Many experts suggest eliminating the waiting period entirely and instead introducing a "fork-in-the-road" clause. 
• This clause would allow investors to choose between domestic courts or international arbitration, with their decision being final and irrevocable. 
• This approach, he argues, would give investors flexibility while still encouraging them to use India’s legal system to avoid straining diplomatic and business relations.

India Eyes Gains from US-China Trade War

• India is positioning itself as a beneficiary of the ongoing US-China tariff war, with early signs indicating a potential rise in Indian exports to the US. 
• Exporters have reported positive feedback on increased orders, signaling optimism for trade growth.

US Retaliation Could Boost Indian Exports

• The US is expected to assess China's tariff measures, and potential countermeasures could further enhance demand for Indian goods. 
• Higher tariffs on Chinese products would make Indian alternatives more competitive in the American market.

India’s Past Trade Gains from US-China Tensions

• India previously benefited from trade conflicts between the two global powers, emerging as the fourth-largest gainer during the earlier US-China trade war. 
• Indian exports surged from $51.63 billion in FY21 to $76.71 billion in FY22. 
• With a similar opportunity now, India hopes to replicate this success, though the extent of its advantage remains uncertain.

Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) FAQs

Q1. What is the Indian model BIT 2016?

Ans. The Indian model BIT 2016 prioritizes state rights over investor rights, introducing clauses like local remedy exhaustion before arbitration.

Q2. What is the bilateral investment treaty (BIT)?

Ans. A BIT is an agreement between two countries to protect and promote foreign investments by offering legal protections to investors.

Q3. What is the BIT between India and UAE?

Ans. The India-UAE BIT, effective since August 2024, mandates UAE investors to exhaust domestic legal remedies for three years before arbitration. 

Q4. What do you mean by trade war?

Ans. A trade war occurs when countries impose tariffs or trade barriers on each other in response to perceived unfair trade practices.

Q5. What is the meaning of MFN?

Ans. MFN (Most-Favoured-Nation) is a principle ensuring that a country treats all trading partners equally in terms of trade advantages.

Source: IE | CNBCTV18

What’s in Today’s article?

• NavIC system Latest News
• Failures in IRNSS Satellites
• Current Operational Status of NavIC Satellites
• Importance of the NavIC System for India
• Future Plans for Expansion
• NavIC system FAQs

NavIC system Latest News

• India’s NVS-02 navigation satellite partially failed on February 2 due to engine non-firing, marking another setback for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), or NavIC. 
• Conceived after the 1999 Kargil War, NavIC aimed to establish a seven-satellite constellation by 2016 for defence and civilian use. However, only five of the 11 satellites launched since 2013 remain fully operational. 
• Despite ISRO declaring the constellation complete in 2016, failures and replacements have plagued the ₹2,250 crore program.

Failures in IRNSS Satellites

• Atomic Clock Malfunctions (2016 Onward)
  • Failures reported in rubidium atomic clocks used in IRNSS and ESA’s Galileo GNSS.
    • Each IRNSS satellite has three atomic clocks.
    • In July 2016, ISRO confirmed all clocks on IRNSS-1A had stopped working.
  • Despite this, ISRO stated the navigation system’s overall performance remained unaffected.
  • Clocks in IRNSS-1C, 1D, 1E, and 1G also developed issues over time.
• Satellite Launch and Deployment Failures
  • IRNSS-1H, launched in 2017 to replace IRNSS-1A, failed as its heat shield did not detach.
  • The latest satellite, IRNSS-1K (NVS-02), suffered an engine failure in 2025, leaving it in a sub-optimal orbit.
• Overall Impact
  • Out of 11 IRNSS satellites launched, six have faced failures, affecting India’s indigenous navigation system.

Current Operational Status of NavIC Satellites

• ISRO’s 2023-24 annual report says that following the launch of NVS-01 on May 28, 2023, five NavIC satellites are operational – IRNSS-1B, 1C, 1F, and 1I, and NVS-01 (IRNSS-1J). 
• However, according to some estimates, 1C is only partially operational due to the presence of the old series of atomic clocks that were reported to be malfunctioning.
• Satellite Generations and Clock Issues
  • First-generation IRNSS satellites (1H and 1I) carried modified European clocks.
  • Next-generation satellites (NVS-01 and NVS-02) use a mix of indigenous and foreign clocks.
  • NVS-02 (IRNSS-1K) failed due to an engine malfunction.

Importance of the NavIC System for India

• Key Services Provided by NavIC
  • Standard Positioning Service (SPS): For general and commercial use.
  • Restricted Service (RS): For defense forces.
  • Offers positioning accuracy better than 20 meters across India and up to 1,500 km around it, with dual-frequency capabilities in L5 and S band.
• Strategic Importance for Defense
  • NavIC ensures reliable positioning data critical for defense applications, unlike global systems such as GPS, which have military-encrypted services primarily for US and allied forces.
  • Global navigation systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou, QZSS) are mainly developed for military use, and NavIC provides India with independent and secure navigation.
• Commercial and Consumer Adoption
  • For NavIC to become widespread, ISRO plans to partner with commercial service providers, including mobile phone and vehicle manufacturers.
  • Qualcomm, a mobile chipmaker, agreed to incorporate NavIC support in some chipsets in December 2023.

Future Plans for Expansion

• ISRO intends to launch three more second-generation satellites (NVS-03, 04, 05) to enhance the NavIC system and ensure continuity of services, despite setbacks like the NVS-02 engine failure.

NavIC system FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between NavIC and IRNSS?

Ans. NavIC is the operational name of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), providing regional positioning services.

Q2. How many satellites are there in IRNSS?

Ans. IRNSS, or NavIC, aims for seven satellites but currently operates only five fully functional satellites.

Q3. What is the purpose of IRNSS?

Ans. IRNSS provides accurate positioning data for both defense and civilian uses within India and surrounding regions.

Q4. Is NavIC available for public use?

Ans. Yes, NavIC's Standard Positioning Service (SPS) is available for public and commercial use, providing accurate positioning.

Q5. Is NavIC better than GPS?

Ans. NavIC is more reliable for India, offering regional coverage with higher accuracy, unlike GPS, which is US-centric.

Source: IE | The Week