TRUMP SET TO SIGN IMMIGRATION ORDER
Why in news? President Donald Trump confirmed he would sign an order later on 22nd April 2020 partially blocking immigration to the U.S., in a move he argues would protect workers from the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The President said on 21st April 2020 that he would stop the issuing of green cards — permanent […]
G-20 EXTRAORDINARY AGRICULTURE MINISTERS MEETING
Why in news? Union Agriculture Minister participated in an Extraordinary virtual meeting of G-20 Agriculture Ministers on 21st April 2020 to address the issue of COVID-19 impacts on food security, safety and nutrition. The decision of Government of India to exempt all agriculture operations during lockdown period and ensuring continued availability of essential agriculture produce […]
UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW (UNCITRAL),1976
Why in news? An International Arbitration Tribunal has dismissed all claims brought against Republic of India in entirety. Details: The Tribunal constituted in accordance with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Arbitration Rules 1976, seated at the Hague, Netherlands, and proceedings administered by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the Hague, Netherlands, rendered […]
KARZAI WELCOMES INDIA’S INVOLVEMENT IN TALKS
Why in news? Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has welcomed the American gesture to bring in India into the ongoing negotiation for sustained peace in the war-torn country. The Afghanistan President said that he hopes India will join the peace process in support of a sovereign and united Afghanistan with a strong government, in keeping […]
ISLAMOPHOBIA IS RISING IN INDIA: OIC
Why in news? Calling on the Indian government to take steps to protect Muslim minorities who are being “negatively profiled,” facing “discrimination and violence” amidst the COVID-19 crisis, the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has criticised what it called “growing Islamophobia” in India. Recently the Ministry of External Affairs had reacted sharply to two […]
GRANT OF CONSULAR SERVICES, EXTENDED SUSPENSION OF EXISTING VISAS
Why in news? Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA), on 28.03.2020, had granted consular services on gratis basis to foreign nationals, presently residing in India due to travel restrictions in the context of COVID-19 outbreak, till 30th April, 2020. After considering the matter, it has been decided to extend the period of providing the following […]
A REVIVAL OF MULTILATERALISM, STEERED BY INDIA
Why in news? The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the nature of challenges we face today, and what we might face in the future. The nature of these challenges has 2 aspects: Cross national Character Cross-domain with strong feedback loop- disruption in one domain cascades into disruptions in others Example: The use of […]
A BIG, BAD DEAL
Why in news? The deal signed between the U.S. and the Taliban in Doha on 29th February 2020 sets the stage for America to wind down the longest war in its history. The Afghan war is estimated to have cost $2-trillion, with more than 3,500 American and coalition soldiers killed. Afghanistan lost hundreds of thousands of people, […]
EXPLAINED: A LOOK AT WTO’S RULES
How does WTO classify developed and developing countries? The WTO doesn’t define countries as ‘developing’ or ‘developed’. Member nations themselves are required to declare which category they fall under. However, these declarations can be challenged by other member nations. Over two-thirds of WTO’s 164 member countries are developing countries. Advantages of a ‘developing country’ status […]
ACCESSING JUSTICE ONLINE
Why in news? With Indian courts too under a lockdown for three weeks (and probably more), citizens have severely restricted access to justice for this period. However, the deeper malaise is the complete inability of the conventional court system to deliver timely justice. This shakes the very foundation of the polity on which we rest […]