SIPRI Year Book 2021 on expanding nuclear arsenal
Context: China is in the middle of a significant modernisation and expansion of its nuclear weapon inventory, and India and Pakistan also appear to be expanding their nuclear arsenals, according to Swedish think tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Year Book 2021. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Treaties and Policies affecting India’s Interests), GS-III: […]
Group of 7 (G7) and the recent developments
Context: Advanced economies making up the G7 grouping have reached a “historic” deal on taxing multinational companies. Finance ministers meeting in London agreed to counter tax avoidance through measures to make companies pay in the countries where they do business. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important International Institutions, Foreign Policies and Developments affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions […]
Ministry of External Affairs hints at talks with Taliban
Context: India is in contact with “various stakeholders” in Afghanistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, in response to specific questions about whether the government has opened direct talks with the Taliban. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: India and Views on communicating with Taliban […]
Nagorno-Karabakh region and Turkish visit
Context: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he will visit Azerbaijan to celebrate its victory over Armenia in a brief war in 2020, touring a region recaptured in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh. Relevance: Prelims, GS-II: International Relations (Important Foreign Policies and Developments), GS-I Geography (Maps), GS-I: History (World History) Dimensions of the Article: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict About the […]
Maldives in UNGA and Indian consulate in Addu Atoll
Context: Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, who has been elected President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly, with a striking majority shared his thoughts throwing light on what is expected out of the new leadership. The Maldives has made no decision on opening an Indian consulate in its southern Addu Atoll – said the […]
U.S. Senate passes bill to boost U.S. tech industry
Context: The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill that aims to boost U.S. semiconductor production and the development of artificial intelligence and other technology in the face of growing international competition, most notably from China. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Policies of Interest to India), GS-III: Industry and Infrastructure Dimensions of the Article: About the […]
OPCW on Syria & Chemical Weapons Convention
Context: The head of the international chemical weapons watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), told the U.N. Security Council that its experts have investigated 77 allegations against Syria, and concluded that in 17 cases chemical weapons were likely or definitely used. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important International Organizations, Policies and Agreements […]
China hosts ASEAN ministers, with message for Quad
Context: China is hosting foreign ministers from the 10 ASEAN countries with Beijing pushing for closer economic cooperation and aligning COVID-19 recovery efforts even as it looks to push back against the recent regional outreach of the Quad grouping. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important International Groupings, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: […]
A Chinese enclave in Sri Lanka?
Context: Recently, Sri Lanka passed the controversial Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill, which governs the China-backed Colombo Port City project worth $1.4 billion, amid wide opposition to the creation of a “Chinese enclave” in the island nation. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbours, Foreign Policies and Treaties affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: […]
G7 corporate tax deal
Context: Advanced economies making up the G7 grouping have reached a “historic” deal on taxing multinational companies. Finance ministers meeting in London agreed to counter tax avoidance through measures to make companies pay in the countries where they do business. They also agreed in principle to ratify a global minimum corporate tax rate to counter […]