STUDENT VISA BAN: HURDLE, OPPORTUNITY
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has decided that international students whose courses have gone completely online will have to return to their home countries. At the same time, the directive reiterates that international students cannot take more than one class or three credits online. Significance and what […]
U.S. POSITION ON CAATSA UNCHANGED
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Despite a change in the ground realities following the deadly clash between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) last month, the U.S’s message to countries, including India, on sanctions for the purchase of Russian arms has not changed. This message was reiterated in the […]
U.S. FOREIGN STUDENTS REVENUE AND F-1 VISA ORDER
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Foreign students in the U.S., including thousands of Indians, are left facing the possibility of falling out of valid immigration status following a Department of Homeland Security rule on attending online classes. Details The rule says those F-1 and M-1 (non-academic and vocational students) visa holders planning to […]
IN STAND-OFF, KEEPING AN EYE ON THE NUCLEAR BALL
Focus: GS-II International Relations, GS-III Security Challenges Why in news? Despite domestic and external challenges, there is now growing evidence that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to expand its nuclear arsenal. Details China is pursuing a planned modernisation of its nuclear arsenal because it fears the multi-layered missile defence capabilities of the United […]
CHINESE MUSCULARITY IN SOUTH CHINA SEA: GROWING PROTEST
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction Chinese muscularity in the South China Sea is leading to a growing chorus of protest. The South China Sea (SCS) is important not just to its littoral countries. It has been a transit point for trade since early medieval times, contains abundantly rich fisheries, and is a repository of mineral […]
PLA pulls back from Galwan clash site
Focus: GS 2: International Relations Why in news? Three weeks after the worst military clashes in decades, India and China have begun the process of disengagement at contentious locations along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) More about news In the Galwan Valley, Chinese troops have shifted 2 kilometres from the site of the […]
What about WHO
Focus: GS2: Multilateral Bodies, International Relations World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations’ specialized agency for Health was founded in 1948. WHO is accused of not being transparent in transferring information regarding COVID 19 pandemic. USA has accused of WHO and Chinese nexus. COVID 19 timeline. 31 Dec 2019 WHO’s Country Office in the People’s […]
India’s Indo-Pacific vision
Focus: GS2: International Relations This vision is based on our historical associations with this region. This vision also acknowledges the importance of the Indian Ocean in building prosperity in this century. So, the key points of this vision are thus- 1) Inclusiveness, openness and ASEAN centrality and unity. 2) India does not see the Indo-Pacific Region as a strategy or as […]
KUWAIT’S BILL ON WORKERS
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? A draft bill to reduce the number of foreign workers in Kuwait has been deemed constitutional by the legal and legislative committee of the Gulf state’s national assembly. Details Kuwait is planning out a more comprehensive plan to cut down on foreign workers, and this has led to […]
INDIA, AFGHANISTAN INK 5 AGREEMENTS
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India and Afghanistan signed five agreements for developing educational infrastructure in four Afghan provinces, with the move seen as a reiteration of New Delhi’s support to Kabul at a time when the war-torn country’s peace process is confronting challenges. Details The five memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed […]