IMPACT: DR HARSH VARDHAN: WHO EXECUTIVE BOARD CHAIRMAN
Introduction India would now be playing a more prominent role at the World Health Organisation (WHO), with Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan set to take charge as chairman of the WHO Executive Board at its 147th session. The WHO, a specialised agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health, is currently at […]
TRUMP SUGGESTS HOLDING IN-PERSON G7 SUMMIT
Why in news? The U.S. President Donald Trump said on 20th May 2020 he is considering hosting world leaders for the annual G7 summit at his Camp David retreat despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Group of Seven (G7) The Group of Seven (G7) is an international intergovernmental economic organization consisting of the seven largest developed economies (International Monetary […]
INDIA-CHINA CONFLICT IN LADAKH
Introduction The recent incidents at the Pangong Tso lake area between Indian and Chinese soldiers on the LAC can be considered to be a serious business between two nuclear armed trans-Himalayan neighbours that has implications beyond the region. Line of Actual Control The disputed boundary between India and China, also known as the Line of […]
ISRAEL’S HACK OF IRANIAN PORT
Why in news? Israel was behind a cyber-attack on 9 May that disrupted operations at a major port in Iran. The attack on the computer systems at the Shahid Rajaee port in the strategically important Strait of Hormuz was limited in scope, creating traffic jams of delivery trucks and some delays in shipments but causing […]
MILITARY, DIPLOMATIC TALKS ON WITH CHINA
Why in news? India is trying to resolve the ongoing troop confrontation with China in some stretches along the unresolved border in eastern Ladakh as well as Sikkim, which has become the most serious since the major Doklam face-off in 2017, through both military and diplomatic channels. Details “Flag meetings” and “military hotline talks” are being […]
U.S. SLAMS CHINA ON BORDER DISPUTES AND THREAT POSED
Why in news? In a sharp criticism of China over border tensions with India, the US on 20th May described Beijing’s actions as “disturbing behaviour”. The U.S.’s top diplomat for South and Central Asia, called the recent tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) a reminder of the “threat” posed by […]
NEPAL’S NEW POLITICAL MAP CLAIMS INDIA’S TERRITORIES
Why in news? Nepal’s new official map is “artificial” and unacceptable to India, the Ministry of External Affairs said on 20th May 2020 after Kathmandu unveiled a new political map that claimed Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as part of its sovereign territory. Nepal Releasing the new map escalates the row over territorial claims between […]
INLAND WATER TRANSIT AND TRADE BETWEEN INDIA AND BANGLADESH
Why in news? The Standing Committee on the Protocol and the Shipping Secretary level Talks are the institutional arrangements between the two friendly neighbors to discuss and make the Protocol more effective. During the discussions between India and Bangladesh at these meetings held in October, 2018 in New Delhi and in December, 2019 in Dhaka, […]
INDIA RESUMES IMPORT OF MALAYSIAN PALM OIL
Why in news? Indian buyers have resumed purchases of Malaysian palm oil after a four-month gap following a diplomatic row, with buying spurred by a fall in domestic inventories and discounted prices. The renewed purchases come amid improving trade relations between the two countries after the formation of a new government in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia […]
CHANGED DYNAMIC ALONG INDIA-CHINA BORDER
Why in news? Indian and Chinese troops have been involved in as many as four incidents in recent weeks along the undefined LAC. A greater capability by India to patrol up to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) coupled with an increasingly assertive Chinese posture is fuelling new tensions along the border, according to former […]