FIRST CALL
Sri Lanka’s new President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, visited India in November, and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, after a five-day tour, visited India. Joint India-Japan proposal for the East Container Terminal at Colombo. Mahinda Rajapaksa has also discussed extending the $400-million Line of Credit and India’s further assistance for nationwide housing.
REFORM WHO
Why in news? With the 73rd World Health Assembly – the decision-making body of WHO- – taking place through Videoconferencing, the Covid-19 pandemic is taking centre stage. Call for Action: Investigate COVID-19 WHA is taking up a motion backed by more than 120 countries, including India, that calls for a “stepwise process of impartial, independent […]
USAID TO FUND 200 VENTILATORS FOR INDIA
Why in news? India would take delivery of 200 ventilators donated by the United States within the June, government sources said on 18th May 2020. The ventilators would be paid for by United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Details In a statement on April 16, the U.S. government said the funds through USAID would help […]
INDIA BUILDING ILLEGAL DEF POSTS IN AKSAI: CHINA
Why in news? Amid heightened confrontation in east Ladakh, Chinese state media claimed that India has built illegal defence facilities at Galwan Valley in the Aksai China region quoting anonymous military sources. Recent Events: Pinpricks Indian and Chinese forces clashing along the northern bank of the Pangong Tso Lake earlier in May 2020. India has […]
CALL FOR WHO PROBE INTO VIRUS ORIGIN
Why in news? An India-backed draft resolution at the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly received a big boost on 18th May 2020 when the African group of nations extended support for the motion which seeks global investigation into the spread of the novel coronavirus. The World Health Assembly convened in Geneva where the head […]
THE TAIWAN QUESTION
Introduction As the World Health Assembly (WHA) convenes in the 4th week of May, virtually, there is a political battle over the question of inviting Taiwan to join the discussion as an observer. The Assembly brings together the ministers from all the member-states of the World Health Organisation. The Arguments for Taiwan Proponents point to Taiwan’s […]
THE NEW INDIAN ROAD TO LIPU LEKH, EXPLAINED
Why in news? India, on May 8th, inaugurated an 80 km road goes right up to the Lipu Lekh pass on the LAC, through which Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims exit India into China to reach the mountain and lake revered as the abode of Siva. Nepal protested and has also pointed out that it has brought up its […]
GETTING INDIA BACK TO THE AFGHAN HIGH TABLE
Introduction An Election result that was rejected by Mr. Ghani’s main rival, Abdullah Abdullah led to two simultaneous swearing-ins; both Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah taking oath as President. It is true that the international community ultimately supported Mr. Ghani but qualified it with an insistence that he enters into a real power-sharing agreement with […]
PAK. PRESIDENT ISSUES ORDER TO HOLD POLLS IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN
Why in news? The Pakistan President has promulgated an order to form a caretaker government as well as to conduct elections in Gilgit-Baltistan province, a move strongly opposed by India. Background The presidential promulgation came days after the Pakistan Supreme Court on April 30 allowed the federal government to amend a 2018 administrative order to […]
AFGHAN PRESIDENT AND RIVAL SIGN POWER SHARING DEAL
Why in news? The Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and political rival Abdullah Abdullah have signed a power-sharing agreement two months after both declared themselves the winner of last September’s presidential election. The deal calls for Abdullah to lead the country’s National Reconciliation High Council and some members of Abdullah’s team would be included in Ghani’s […]