THE TRENDS SHAPING THE POST COVID-19 WORLD
Asia ascending, U.S. waning The first trend which became clear in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis is the rise of Asia. The 2008 financial crisis showed the resilience of the Asian economies, and even today, economic forecasts indicate that out of the G-20 countries, only China and India are likely to register […]
INDIA NON-COMMITTAL ON TALKS WITH TALIBAN
Why in news? India will “continue to be guided” by its friendship with the Afghan people, said the government, remaining non-committal on renewed questions of whether it would open direct talks with the Taliban. India’s Current Position on Afghanistan India has asserted that it has its own perspectives on Afghanistan, and the traditional and neighbourly […]
DIAMER-BHASHA DAM: CLAIMS OVER GILGIT-BALTISTAN
Why in news? India on 14th May 2020 opposed a move by Pakistan and China to build a major hydropower plant in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, saying it has shared its concerns regarding such projects with both countries. The Pakistan government on, 13th May 2020, signed a Rs 442-billion contract with a joint venture formed by China Power […]
NEPAL CAN LET INDIA USE LINK ROAD
Why in news? Nepal’s Prime Minister, on 13th May 2020, proposed a solution to the ongoing border tension saying that Nepal can allow India to use the link road to the Lipulekh Pass as part of an agreement, but will not surrender the Kalapani territory on which India has been carrying out construction. Background Nepal expressed […]
INDIA CAUGHT IN U.S.-CHINA SPAT OVER TAIWAN’S STATUS
Why in news? As tensions between the U.S. and China rise over the novel coronavirus pandemic, India is faced with a major choice on whether to support a U.S. move to reinstate Taiwan’s observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA) or to China’s opposition to it. India is set to take over as the next Chairperson […]
KALAPANI ROW
Why in news? Nepal will increase the number of security outposts and deploy more armed personnel in the border with India. Kathmandu expects India to avoid any unilateral measures in the Kalapani region and remain committed to the ‘fixed border’ principle as agreed during the past official talks. This comes after India completed the road […]
NEW ROAD TO KAILASH MANSAROVAR
Why in news? Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday dedicated to the nation a new 80-km road in Uttarakhand which connects close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and opens a new route for Kailash Mansarovar yatra via Lipulekh Pass, significantly reducing the travel time for yatris. Read More about the new Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra […]
EUROPE, US MARK 75 YEARS SINCE END OF WWII
Why in news? Europe and the United States mark 75 years since the end of World War II on 8th May 2020. Second World War (1939-1945) It was the most destructive war observed by the world which started in earnest on September 1, 1939 with the attack of Poland by Nazi Germany, and concluded on September […]
CHINA, U.S. COMMIT TO IMPLEMENT TRADE DEAL
Why in news? Chinese and U.S. trade representatives agreed on 8th May to “create favourable conditions” for the phase one trade deal signed in January 2020, officials said, despite recent tensions over the coronavirus pandemic. Good progress Both sides said they should strengthen macroeconomic and public health cooperation, strive to create a favourable atmosphere and conditions […]
TRUMP: COVID CRISIS ‘WORSE THAN PEARL HARBOR’ OR 9/11
Why in news? Donald Trump has said the COVID-19 pandemic is a worse “attack” on the U.S. than either Pearl Harbor or 9/11. The Japanese assault on the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii drew the United States into Second World War. The September 11, 2001 jihadist attacks on that killed about 3,000 people and […]