GRANT OF CONSULAR SERVICES, EXTENDED SUSPENSION OF EXISTING VISAS
Why in news? Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA), on 28.03.2020, had granted consular services on gratis basis to foreign nationals, presently residing in India due to travel restrictions in the context of COVID-19 outbreak, till 30th April, 2020. After considering the matter, it has been decided to extend the period of providing the following […]
A REVIVAL OF MULTILATERALISM, STEERED BY INDIA
Why in news? The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the nature of challenges we face today, and what we might face in the future. The nature of these challenges has 2 aspects: Cross national Character Cross-domain with strong feedback loop- disruption in one domain cascades into disruptions in others Example: The use of […]
A BIG, BAD DEAL
Why in news? The deal signed between the U.S. and the Taliban in Doha on 29th February 2020 sets the stage for America to wind down the longest war in its history. The Afghan war is estimated to have cost $2-trillion, with more than 3,500 American and coalition soldiers killed. Afghanistan lost hundreds of thousands of people, […]
INDIA MUST DO ALL IT CAN TO HELP THE MIGRANT WORKERS STRANDED IN WEST ASIA
Why in news? Around eight million people in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries constitute a unique cohort among Indian diaspora communities around the world. Significance of Indian workers in West Asia Around 50% of them are unskilled and another 30% are semi-skilled. Only a small minority of 20% of them are skilled and lucratively […]
EXPLAINED: A LOOK AT WTO’S RULES
How does WTO classify developed and developing countries? The WTO doesn’t define countries as ‘developing’ or ‘developed’. Member nations themselves are required to declare which category they fall under. However, these declarations can be challenged by other member nations. Over two-thirds of WTO’s 164 member countries are developing countries. Advantages of a ‘developing country’ status […]
ACCESSING JUSTICE ONLINE
Why in news? With Indian courts too under a lockdown for three weeks (and probably more), citizens have severely restricted access to justice for this period. However, the deeper malaise is the complete inability of the conventional court system to deliver timely justice. This shakes the very foundation of the polity on which we rest […]
THE BATTLE TO SET OIL PRICES: RUSSIA’S MOVE TO REJECT PRODUCTION CUTS
Even as the world grapples with COVID-19 pandemic, the energy war has started to precipitate the global oil prices to lower levels. Why the prices are falling? Because the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its alliance partners failed to reach any consensus on cutting back production that would enable prices to remain […]
U.S. FREEZES WHO FUNDING OVER CORONAVIRUS CRISIS, INDIA STEERS CLEAR
Why in news? President Donald Trump said on 14th April 2020 he has instructed his administration to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic while his administration reviews its response to the global crisis. Trump said WHO had promoted China’s “disinformation” about the virus that likely led […]
VIRUS INFECTIONS HAVE ‘CERTAINLY’ NOT PEAKED YET, WARNS WHO
Why in news? WHO told, 90% of cases of the overall outbreak, are from Europe and the U.S.A. So, we are certainly not seeing the peak yet. World Health Organization (WHO) The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. […]
U.S. APPROVES 2 MISSILE DEALS WITH INDIA
Why in news? The U.S. State Department has approved two potential missile deals with India, for an estimated $92 million and $63 million, the State Department has said in a statement. The first deal, for which Boeing is the contractor, is for ten AGM-84L Harpoon Block II air launched missiles and related equipment. The second […]