OMAN JOB CUTS NOT INDIA-SPECIFIC: CENTRE
Why in news? There are reports of continued job cuts in several Gulf countries, including Oman, which has instructed government-owned companies to replace expat workers “as quickly as possible” with Omanis. Amidst these reports, expat Indian citizens have played a significant role in creating prosperous economies in the Gulf region, the External Affairs Ministry said […]
BY ANY CALCULUS INDIA QUALIFIES FOR UNSC PERMANENT SEAT
Why in news? India is due for election to the temporary membership of the U.N. Security Council later in 2020. Priorities for India to work on India in many ways is a sui generis (unique)country, the only example in history of a billion-plus people working together in a democratic framework. Our USP (Unique selling proposition) is that […]
STUDY ON CHINA DAMS BRINGS THE BRAHMAPUTRA INTO FOCUS
Why in news? A new study highlighting the impact of China’s dams on the Mekong river has raised fresh questions on whether dams being built on other rivers that originate in China, such as the Brahmaputra, may similarly impact countries downstream. The Mekong flows from China to Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. What the […]
INDIA REMAINS ON U.S. PRIORITY WATCH LIST
Why in news? India continues to be on the ‘Priority Watch List’ of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for lack of adequate intellectual property (IP) rights protection and enforcement, the USTR said in its Annual Special 301 Report, released on 29th April 2020. Details India remained one of the most challenging economies for IP enforcement […]
BRICS SHOULD HELP ENTREPRENEURS: INDIA
Why in news? The Member countries of the BRICS group should assist private entrepreneurs to help them deal with the economic fallout of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, External Affairs Minister said on 27th April during a video conference of foreign ministers. What was emphasized by India in the conference? We need to provide support to businesses, […]
NITI AAYOG QUESTIONS IEP’S TERROR RANKING OF INDIA
Why in news? A report compiled by Niti Aayog has questioned the methodology adopted by an Australian based institute – Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)- to rank India as the seventh worst terrorism affected country. This IEP’s report has put India ahead of conflict-ridden countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, […]
USCIRF DOWNGRADES INDIA IN 2020 LIST
Why in news? The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has downgraded India to the lowest ranking, “countries of particular concern” (CPC) in its 2020 report. India was categorised as a “Tier 2 country” in last year’s listing. This is the first time since 2004 that India has been placed in this category. The […]
AFGHAN PEACE AND INDIA’S ELBOW ROOM
Why in news? Earlier in April, the United Nations Secretariat held a meeting of what it calls the “6+2+1” group on regional efforts to support peace in Afghanistan. This “6+2+1” group includes six neighbouring countries: China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; global players the United States and Russia, and Afghanistan itself. India was conspicuous […]
PAKISTAN REMOVES THOUSANDS OF NAMES FROM TERRORIST WATCH LIST
Why in news? Pakistan is reported to have removed around 1,800 terrorists from its watch list, including that of the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, ahead of a new round of assessments by the global anti-money-laundering watchdog FATF. The so-called proscribed persons list, which is maintained by Pakistan’s National Counter […]
BEIJING NAMES ISLANDS IN DISPUTED SOUTH CHINA SEA
Why in news? China on Tuesday (Apr 21) defended its naming of 80 islands and other geographical features in the South China Sea in a move likely to anger neighbours as the country asserts its territorial claims. Details A joint announcement of the names on Sunday from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry […]