Sri Lanka to ink new agreements on oil tank farm with India
Context: Sri Lanka (on 31st December 2021) announced its decision to sign three lease agreements on developing the strategic Trincomalee oil tank farm with India. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s neighbors, Economic relations and Landmark agreements) Dimensions of the Article: About Trincomalee Oil Tank Farms About India and Sri Lanka agreements to work on the […]
Nord Stream pipeline and the Russia-Ukraine issue
Context: German Economic Affairs Minister warned in an interview of “severe consequences’ for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany if Moscow attacked Ukraine. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: About the Nord Stream 2 Pipeline (NS2P) project About the Strains in Nord Stream 2 completion Energy security dilemma in […]
Vying for influence over Kabul: OIC and Central Asian states
Context: December 2021, Pakistan hosted a special session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the crisis in Afghanistan. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: Why is there so much interest on Afghanistan? About the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Developments between Islamic nations on Afghanistan 2015 Strains in the Saudi […]
Five Central Asian leaders invited for Republic Day
Context: India is awaiting responses from leaders of five Central Asian nations. To an invitation to attend as chief guests of Republic Day 2022. If they accept, this will be the first time all five countries would attend the Republic Day parade together. The invite for Republic Day celebrations has diplomatic undertones and the invitation […]
U.S. imposes sanctions against China over abuse of Uighurs
Context: The Biden administration said it is imposing new sanctions on several Chinese biotech and surveillance companies and government entities for actions in Xinjiang province, the latest step against Beijing over human rights abuses of Uighur Muslims. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: Who are Uyghurs? […]
U.S. President’s Summit for Democracy: India will be scrutinised
Context: U.S. President Joe Biden kicked off Day One of his Summit for Democracy, calling on countries to make “concrete commitments” to reaffirm their democratic values. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important Foreign Policies and Agreements affecting India’s Interests), GS-II: Polity and Constitution (Constitutional Provisions) Dimensions of the Article: About the U.S. President’s “Summit for Democracy” […]
China’s export growth slows, imports quicken on demand
Context: Export growth decelerated from 2021 October’s 27.1% and Imports surged 31.7% faster than the previous month’s 20.6% rate in China. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations, GS-III: Indian Economy Dimensions of the Article: About China’s Slowing exports and rising imports Why is China’s Growth slowing down? Impact of this Chinese Economy slowdown About China’s Slowing exports […]
U.S. warns Russia against Ukraine invasion
Context: The United States will impose “severe economic harm” on Russia and boost its military presence in Eastern Europe should Moscow invade Ukraine, the White House warned Relevance: GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: About the Russia – Ukraine crisis Recent Developments Russia’s moves What are Russia’s and the West’s interests in Ukraine? What […]
India-Russia partnership and pact for military cooperation
Context: 21st annual India-Russia summit meeting between the Indian Prime Minister and Russian President is a strong step towards expanding India’s engagement envelope with Russia. Russian and Indian Foreign and Defence Ministers also took part in the first “2+2” ministerial meeting between India and Russia held ahead of the annual summit. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations […]
Sri Lanka’s Malaiyaha Tamils in inhumane conditions
Context: Sri Lanka’s Malaiyaha Tamil workers, whose labour in tea plantations fetches precious foreign exchange to the country, are living in “inhumane and degrading” conditions, a U.N. expert has said. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: U.N. expert on Malaiyaha Tamils in Sri Lanka History of […]