CHINA DOUBLES DOWN ON CLAIMS ON BHUTAN BOUNDARY
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Days after Bhutan sent China a demarche protesting Chinese claims to the Sakteng wildlife sanctuary in Eastern Bhutan, Beijing has included Bhutan’s “Eastern sectors” to the boundary dispute between the two countries for the first time. Background to the situation According to written records, there has been no […]
WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT OF CHINESE APPS BAN?
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction In the wake of the face-off with Chinese forces on the India-China border in Ladakh, and a violent clash on June 15 that left 20 Indian soldiers dead, the Indian government on June 29 banned 59 apps of Chinese origin, citing data security and national sovereignty concerns. These include popular […]
PALESTINE FACES AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The UN Secretary General told a virtual meeting of the United Nations Security Council that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at a “watershed moment” and that the Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank have alarmed the Palestinians, many Israelis and the international community. Such annexation would […]
INDIA DEMANDS RESTORATION OF PRE-STANDOFF STATUS ALONG LAC
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India has firmly conveyed its demand to China for restoring the status quo as existed in April 2020 (Before the Standoff) along the border during the senior military commander talks. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the talks were held in a “cordial and positive” atmosphere, and […]
IN PERSIAN GULF LITTORAL, COOPERATIVE SECURITY IS KEY
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction The Persian Gulf is a mediterranean sea in Western Asia and is surrounded by eight countries – Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. What is common to these 8 countries is that they are major producers of crude oil and natural gas, and […]
CHINA WARNS US, UK OF STRONG STEPS IF THEY MEDDLE IN HK
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? China warned of strong countersteps if the US, Australia and the UK continued taking actions in response to Beijing’s tough national security law in Hong Kong. Details U.S. Move China “deplores and firmly opposes” the US parliament’s unanimous passing of a bill that would impose sanctions on entities […]
UNCLOS TRIBUNAL: ITALIAN MARINES CASE
Focus: GS-II International Relations, Prelims Why in news? UNCLOS tribunal ruled that the Italian marines accused of killing two fishermen in the waters off Kerala on February 2021, held “immunity” and would face a trial in Italy, not India. However, UNCLOS Tribunal found merit in India’s counter-claim that the marines on board “Enrica Lexie” had […]
INDIA IN UNSC: IN AN UNCERTAIN WORLD
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction India will be back in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2021 at a critical time in the history of the UN. All about the contest The basic contest for the non-permanent seats takes place in the respective regional groups and their sub-groups. […]
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) formally designated Chinese telecom vendors Huawei Technologies Company and ZTE Corporation, all their parent and subsidiaries, as well as affiliate firms, as “national security threats” to the United States of America. The move is expected to put additional pressure on Huawei and […]
CHINA INVESTING, TRADING THROUGH A THIRD PARTY
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India suspects that China could be engaging in unfair trade practices by supplying goods and investments through a third party such as Hong Kong and Singapore. Details of Alleged Foul play by China Data suggests significant indirect inflow of Chinese goods and investments through locations with which India […]