U.S. BLACKLISTS CHINESE FIRMS AMID SCS DISPUTE
Focus: GS-III International Relations Why in news? The United States blacklisted 24 Chinese companies and targeted a number of individuals it said were part of construction and military actions related to disputed islands in the South China Sea. Details The U.S. Commerce Department said the two dozen companies played a “role in helping the Chinese […]
WHAT IS VACCINE NATIONALISM?
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction Countries are engaging in agreements for purchase of COVID-19 vaccines at an average of more than 1 per person:The United States has entered into multi-billion-dollar agreements with at least six big pharmaceutical companies for assured supplies of vaccines (in development) amounting to more than two doses for every American citizen. […]
INDIA, BANGLADESH RIVER TRADE ROUTE
Focus: GS-III International Relations Why in news? India and Bangladesh are set to operationalise a new riverine trade route connecting Sonamura in Tripura to Daudkandi in Bangladesh. Details The route is being operationalised under an agreement signed by the two sides to boost riverine trade by adding two new routes and five more ports in […]
INDIA, VIETNAM TALK ON CHINA
Focus: GS-III International Relations Why in news? China’s destabilising actions in the region figured at a meeting of the India-Vietnam joint commission on trade, economic, scientific and technological cooperation, during which the two countries agreed to work more closely together in the Indo-Pacific. Details During the virtual meeting, co-chaired by the Indian external affairs minister […]
CHINA FLOATS BRICS 5G BASE AS INDIA MULLS BAN
Focus: GS-III International Relations Why in news? China has proposed the creation of what it calls a ‘BRICS innovation base’ to take forward 5G and Artificial Intelligence (AI) cooperation among the five countries. Details China’s Minister of Industry and Information Technology urged fellow nations, including India, to boost cooperation in areas including 5G and AI. […]
CHINESE ADVANCED WARSHIP FOR PAKISTAN NAVY
Focus: GS-III International Relations Why in news? China has launched first of the four advanced naval warships it is building for Pakistan, amid deepening defence ties between the two all-weather allies. Details Pakistan-China defence ties turn a new chapter with the launch of the first ship of Type-054 class frigate. The Type-054 class, equipped with […]
TIME FOR INDIA AND NEPAL TO MAKE UP
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction When the Nepal-India dispute over the Himalayan territory of Limpiyadhura (Kalapani row) flared up, a series of events involving: Indian media coverage of Nepal, Accusation of Nepal acting under Chinese influence, Nepalese questioning of India’s commitment to ‘satyameva jayate’, Nepal’s claim that the true birthplace of Lord Ram was situated […]
INDIA, NEPAL: BILATERAL PROJECTS
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Indian and Nepalese diplomats met in Kathmandu and reviewed the status of a number of ongoing bilateral projects. Details and Highlights This is the first diplomat-level meeting between the two sides in 2020 that saw the Kalapani territorial dispute. The talks marked the Eighth Meeting of Nepal-India Oversight […]
INDO-U.S. VIRTUAL NETWORKS AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Eight binational teams consisting of researchers from India and the US have received awards to pursue cutting-edge research in pathogenesis and disease management of COVID-19 through Indo-US virtual networks. The Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) announced the awards. The areas of research they will pursue include antiviral […]
INDIA, AUSTRALIA SHARE VIEWS ON 5G
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India and Australia are sharing experiences on protecting critical infrastructure, including 5G networks, said a senior Australian High Commission official while talking of the huge increase in cybersecurity cooperation between the two countries, however, clarifying that Australia has no intention of banning Chinese apps like India has done. […]