DEEPENING INDIA-SOUTH KOREA TIES
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction India and South Korea have signed numerous bilateral agreements with the aim of taking their ties to the next level. However, the economic partnership is struck and their defence partnership appears to have receded from great all-round promise to the mere sale and purchase of weapon systems. Indians in South […]
TIES WITH U.S. SEVERELY HARMED: CHINA
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? China warned it will be forced to respond after the U.S. ordered the shutdown of its Houston consulate. Details Washington gave China 72 hours to close the consulate “to protect American intellectual property and Americans’ private information”, marking a dramatic escalation of tension between the world’s two biggest […]
INDIA APPRECIATES DHAKA’S KASHMIR POSITION
Focus: GS-II International Relations, GS-I History, Prelims Why in news? India spoke of its unique relation with Bangladesh, in response to Pakistan raising the Kashmir issue with the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) saying India appreciates Bangladesh’s position which regards Kashmir as an ‘internal’ matter of India. The MEA […]
U.S. ORDERS CHINA TO CLOSE TEXAS CONSULATE
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The United States has told China to close its consulate in Houston, further deteriorating bilateral ties. Details Washington “abruptly demanded” closure of the Houston consulate according to China. Beijing condemned the order and threatened retaliation, but did not say what measures it might take. The State Department confirmed […]
WHAT WAS SAID RECENTLY ABOUT INDIA – U.S.
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? External Affairs Minister has said that the U.S. needs to learn to work with a more multipolar world and “go beyond” alliances – at the U.S. India Business Council’s India Ideas Summit. At the same summit, the Prime Minister invited U.S. companies to invest in India’s healthcare, infrastructure, […]
ANOTHER FRONT: ON INDIA, BHUTAN AND CHINA
Focus: GS-II International relations Why in news? For the third time China repeated its claim that Bhutan’s eastern boundary was a “disputed” area with Bhutan. A look at the beginnings of the Claim Chinese representative tried to stop funding for the Sakteng forest reserve at a UNDP-led Global Environment Facility (GEF) conference. The Sakteng forest […]
CHINA REPEATS CLAIM ON BHUTAN’S EAST
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? China said that it has offered Bhutan a “package solution” to its boundary dispute, reviving a reference to its 1996 proposal for a territory swap to give Bhutan the disputed areas in its north in exchange for the disputed western areas, including Doklam. Forcing a Border Settlement? The […]
THE MAIN PLANKS IN A COUNTER-CHINA POLICY
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The situation along the China-India border in Ladakh region is still tense. The disengagement process is proving difficult, and the latest meeting of the Corps Commanders has not resulted in any demonstrable progress regarding troop disengagement/de-escalation. China’s objective It appears that China is intent on managing the ground […]
UK SUSPENDS HK EXTRADITION TREATY, BLOCKS SALE OF ARMS
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The UK escalated its ennui with China following Beijing’s recent enactment of a security law for Hong Kong by suspending the extradition treaty with it “immediately and indefinitely” and banned the export of items related to suppressing riots. This action follows: Recent ban on Chinese company Huawei, High-profile […]
US & INDIA CONDUCT JOINT NAVAL EXERCISE
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? A US carrier strike group led by aircraft carrier USS Nimitz conducted a “cooperative” exercise with Indian warships in the Indian Ocean. Details The USS Nimitz, along with guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton, missile destroyers USS Sterett and USS Ralph Johnson, participated in what the US described as a […]