India on Ukraine Crisis
Context: At an emergency meeting called by the UNSC on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, India said the immediate priority was de-escalation. The meeting came after Russia’s President Vladimir Putin recognised the independence of two Russian-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: 6 takeaways from New Delhi’s statement at the […]
EU-India Partnership in the Indo-Pacific
Context: Europe and its key Indo-Pacific partners are joining forces to deliver a positive agenda for the region at the ministerial Forum to be held in Paris. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Policies and development affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: European Union (EU) What is the Indo-Pacific Region? Importance of Indo-Pacific for EU […]
Permanent Indus Commission
Context: A 10-member Indian delegation will visit Pakistan for the annual meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) from March 1-3. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India and its Neighborhood, International Treaties, Policies and Agreements affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: What is the Permanent Indus Commission? About the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) Indus River […]
Russia Says Some Troops Pulling Back From Areas Near Ukraine
Context: Russia said some of its military units were returning to their bases after exercises near Ukraine, following days of U.S. and British warnings that Moscow might invade its neighbour at any time. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: About the Russia – Ukraine crisis Recent Developments Russia’s moves What are Russia’s and […]
The Fate of the Afghan Reserves in the United States
Context: On February 11, U.S. President Joe Biden signed an executive order declaring that $7 billion of the frozen Afghan reserves will be used for the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people and for compensating the victims of terrorism in the U.S. The announcement has effectively blocked the Taliban administration in Kabul from accessing the funds. The […]
The Palk Bay Fisheries Conflict
Context: The Sri Lankan Navy arrested 12 Indian fishermen from Rameswaram district, Tamil Nadu, and seized two of their fishing boats on charges of engaging in illegal fishing activity. This is the third such arrest in a fortnight, prompting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to, yet again, write to Prime Minister, seeking the Centre’s immediate intervention […]
United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
Context: Recently, India signed an agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) for the distribution of 50,000 MT of wheat that it has committed to sending to Afghanistan as part of a humanitarian assistance. Relevance: GS II- Important International Institutions Dimensions of the Article: About United Nations World Food Programme Major Concern for the distribution of wheat About United Nations […]
India-Australia Interim Trade Agreement and FTA
Context: India and Australia have announced that they are set to conclude an interim trade agreement in March and a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) 12-18 months thereafter. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Polices and developments affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: What is the interim trade agreement likely to cover? How has the […]
Restoration of JCPOA
Context: Recently, the US has restored sanctions waivers to Iran to allow international nuclear cooperation projects, as indirect American-Iranian talks on reviving the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran enter the final stretch. The waiver allows other countries and companies to participate in Iran’s civilian nuclear programme without triggering US sanctions on them, in the name of promoting safety and non-proliferation. […]
The China-Russia Relationship
Context: President Vladimir Putin’s show of strength with President Xi Jinping in Beijing amid the standoff with NATO on Ukraine was intended to demonstrate that Russia and China were on the same page on the “core interests” of upholding “international equity and justice” in the face of US “unilateralism”, and supported each other against “external […]