INDIA MONITORING IMPACT OF U.S. – TALIBAN DEAL
Why in news? External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said on 2nd March 2020 that India was “watching the space” closely to ensure that gains of the past two decades were not lost after U.S. signed a deal with Taliban. India’s Concerns Not Addressed While India has raised concerns over the future of democracy, human rights, […]
EXPERTS RAISE CONCERNS FOR INDIA OVER U.S.-TALIBAN AGREEMENT
Why in news? After a closer look at the texts of the two agreements named the ‘Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan between the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan which is not recognised by the United States as a state and is known as the Taliban, and the United States of America’, and The ‘Joint Declaration […]
NO NSG WAIVER FOR INDIA, SAYS NEW ZEALAND DEPUTY PM
Why in news? The path ahead for the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) is yet “unknown”, said New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, who raised the issue with the government during his visit to Delhi in the last week of February 2020. Details of the visit This visit was regarding bilateral trade and multilateral cooperation […]
U.S. STRIKES A DEAL WITH TALIBAN TO END 18-YEAR-LONG AFGHAN WAR
Why in news? The U.S. signed a deal with the Taliban on 29th February 2020 that could pave way for a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months. This represents a step towards ending the 18-year-war in the nation. Taliban leader calls it ‘day of victory’; Pompeo says victory will […]
Extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit
Why in News Recently, an extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit has been convened to discuss the challenges posed by the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and to forge a global coordinated response. The video-conference of leaders of the world’s top twenty economies was hosted by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Key points: The G20 countries have voluntarily committed to inject more than $5 […]
WTO Ruling against India
Why in news? A Dispute Settlement Panel of WTO in its report issued to members on 31 October 2019 has ruled India’s export promotion schemes (e.g. Merchandise Exports from India Scheme, Export Oriented Units Scheme, Special Economic Zone Scheme, Export Promotion Capital Goods Scheme and Duty Free Imports for Exporters Scheme etc) to be export […]
READY TO FLY STRANDED INDIANS: UAE
Why in news? Responding to India’s concerns, the United Arab Emirates has offered to fly stranded Indian nationals who want to return home in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government of UAE has decided to help all countries fly their citizens home after the completion of the necessary medical tests. Details UAE has reached […]
G20 EXTRAORDINARY ENERGY MINISTERS MEETING
Why in news? Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Steel, participated in the G20 Extraordinary Energy Ministers’ virtual Meeting on 10th April 2020 called by Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as the G20 Presidency. The G20 Energy Ministers’ focused on ways and means to ensure stable energy markets, which are affected due to demand […]
IMPORTANCE OF SOFT POWER IS INCREASING GLOBALLY
Views of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) president When the ICCR was established- Majorly, it was about scholarships to foreign students, cultural exchanges involving artistes and youths as also establishing some Chairs in some universities etc. Now, we are in a world where every nation wants to influence and occupy the mind space of […]
Gender Violence Is A “Shadow Pandemic”: Un Women
Measuring the shadow pandemic: Violence against women Focus: GS-II Social Justice, International Relations Why in news? The UN Women has urged member-States to include prevention of violence against women in their action plans on COVID-19 and consider shelters and helplines essential services, calling the rise in gender-based violence a “shadow pandemic”. Details: According to UN […]