AUSTRALIA ENDS HONG KONG EXTRADITION TREATY
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Australia suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extended visas for Hong Kong residents in response to China’s imposition of a tough national security law on the semi-autonomous territory. Details Australia announced a range of visas that will be extended from two to five years and offers […]
WHO SETS UP PANEL TO PROBE ITS VIRUS RESPONSE
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The World Health Organization, which faced fierce U.S. criticism over its handling of the coronavirus crisis, launched an independent panel to review its response to the pandemic. Details Through the Independent panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, the world will understand the truth of what happened and also […]
U.S., CHINA TRADE VISA CURBS OVER TIBET
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The U.S. and China imposed visa restrictions on each other over their disagreement on Tibet, adding fuel to the diplomatic fire between the superpowers. Details China announced its curbs on people from the U.S. who “behave badly” on Tibet-related issues. U.S. Moves U.S. Secretary of State had announced […]
UAE IN SUPPORT OF OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT WITH INDIA
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The UAE is keen to have an open sky agreement with India. Significance of the Open Sky Agreement between India and UAE There are more than 1,000 flights a week between India and the UAE operated by the airlines of the two countries under the bilateral Air Service […]
STUDENT VISA BAN: HURDLE, OPPORTUNITY
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has decided that international students whose courses have gone completely online will have to return to their home countries. At the same time, the directive reiterates that international students cannot take more than one class or three credits online. Significance and what […]
U.S. POSITION ON CAATSA UNCHANGED
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Despite a change in the ground realities following the deadly clash between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) last month, the U.S’s message to countries, including India, on sanctions for the purchase of Russian arms has not changed. This message was reiterated in the […]
U.S. FOREIGN STUDENTS REVENUE AND F-1 VISA ORDER
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Foreign students in the U.S., including thousands of Indians, are left facing the possibility of falling out of valid immigration status following a Department of Homeland Security rule on attending online classes. Details The rule says those F-1 and M-1 (non-academic and vocational students) visa holders planning to […]
IN STAND-OFF, KEEPING AN EYE ON THE NUCLEAR BALL
Focus: GS-II International Relations, GS-III Security Challenges Why in news? Despite domestic and external challenges, there is now growing evidence that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) continues to expand its nuclear arsenal. Details China is pursuing a planned modernisation of its nuclear arsenal because it fears the multi-layered missile defence capabilities of the United […]
CHINESE MUSCULARITY IN SOUTH CHINA SEA: GROWING PROTEST
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction Chinese muscularity in the South China Sea is leading to a growing chorus of protest. The South China Sea (SCS) is important not just to its littoral countries. It has been a transit point for trade since early medieval times, contains abundantly rich fisheries, and is a repository of mineral […]
PLA pulls back from Galwan clash site
Focus: GS 2: International Relations Why in news? Three weeks after the worst military clashes in decades, India and China have begun the process of disengagement at contentious locations along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) More about news In the Galwan Valley, Chinese troops have shifted 2 kilometres from the site of the […]