Cabinet gives nod ratifying SCO agreement
Context: The Cabinet on accorded an ex post facto approval for signing and ratifying an agreement on cooperation in the field of mass media between all member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests, Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on […]
India’s abstention on Palestine at UNHRC not new
Context: Palestine’s Foreign Minister said India’s abstention from the latest resolution on the Palestinian issue suppresses human rights of “all people”. India’s latest abstention on a Palestine-related resolution at the Human Rights Council (HRC) of the United Nations is not a “new” stand, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (International Institutions, […]
UNGA President election: India votes for Maldives
Context: India will vote in support of Maldives’ Foreign Minister at the election for the President of the General Assembly (PGA) in the United Nations next week, a decision which will disappoint another close neighbor. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important International Institutions, India’s neighbors and foreign policies/developments affecting India’s interests) Dimensions of the Article: United […]
US sets, then suspends tariffs over digital taxes
Context: The United States government announced further suspension of punitive tariffs for six months on India, Austria, Italy, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom while it continues to resolve the digital services taxes investigation amid the ongoing multilateral negotiations at the OECD and in the G20 process. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (Growth and Development of […]
BRICS will assist India to fight COVID-19, says China
Context: The Foreign Ministers of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) grouping expressed “grave concern” with regard to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the Chinese Foreign Minister expressed solidarity with India over the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Important International Groupings) Dimensions of the Article: What […]
As births decline, China allows having third child
Context: For the first time allowed couples to have a third child in a further relaxation of family planning rules five years after a “two-child policy” largely failed to boost birth rates. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice (Population related issues), GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: What is […]
Rohingya protest at Bhashan Char
Context: Several thousand Rohingya staged protests against living conditions on a cyclone-prone island off Bangladesh where they were moved from vast camps on the mainland. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policy) Dimensions of the Article: Who are the Rohingya? About Bhasan Char Concern regarding the Bhashan Char island relocation Who are the Rohingya? […]
As India watches, Sri Lanka seeks FDI and Currency Swap
Context: Sri Lanka invited international investment into the Colombo Port City that it described as a “fully Sri Lankan project”, while official sources in New Delhi said they were “keeping a close eye” on the project and its “security implications”. Recently, Bangladesh cleared a USD 200 million currency swap facility for Sri Lanka, to help […]
India in touch with Dominica on Choksi’s repatriation
Context: India is in contact with the government of Dominica regarding the possibility of repatriating diamantaire Mehul Choksi who is wanted for defrauding banks in India. However, Dominica announced that Mr. Choksi will be sent back to Antigua as the request for repatriation came from the Antiguan authorities. India has friendly ties with both Antigua […]
OHCHR: Israeli strikes in Gaza may be war crimes
Context: The UN rights chief said that Israeli forces may have committed war crimes in the latest, 11-day war with the militant group Hamas that rules the Gaza Strip, while also pointing that Hamas’ indiscriminate rocketing during the conflict was also a clear violation of the rules of war. The remarks by Michelle Bachelet, the […]