The EU’s role in the Indo-Pacific
Context: The Indo-Pacific region has acquired striking salience with the U.S.-China strategic contestation becoming sharper than before. Europe’s Asia connect is old, strong and multi-layered and hence it becomes relevant to understand the European stand in relation to Indo-Pacific region and the emergence of AUKUS and Quad. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: […]
Pakistan retained on FATF’s ‘greylist’ again
Context: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on October 2021 retained Pakistan in the ‘greylist’ yet again, observing that it needed to further demonstrate that investigations and prosecutions were being pursued against the senior leadership of U.N.-designated terror groups, which include Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (International Groupings or Agreements […]
Rising trade, and rising tensions: India China
Context: India’s trade with China is rising to record levels in 2021 and set to cross the $100-billion mark for the first time. Hence, New Delhi faces a new challenge as it looks to recalibrate relations amid a more than year-long border crisis while remaining locked in a deep commercial embrace. On the investment front, […]
India – China Border disputes
The Sino-Indian border is generally divided into three sectors namely: The Western sector, The Middle sector, and The Eastern sector. The western sector: it is around 2152 km long. It is between Jammu and Kashmir and Xinjian province of China. Aksai chin: The Johnson’s line shows Aksai chin under India control while McDonald’s line shows […]
China’s new land border law explained
Context: For the first time, China has enacted a national law on “protection and exploitation” of country’s land border areas. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign policies and Agreements affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: About China’s new law on Border How will the law impact India? India – China Border disputes About […]
China offers support to Taliban
Context: China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has pledged support and assistance to the Taliban in a meeting in Doha. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign policies and Agreements affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: About China’s recent promise of support? What is China’s economic interest in Afghanistan? China’s Security Interest in Afghanistan Impact […]
Saudi Arabia to provide $3 billion to Pakistan
Context: Saudi Arabia has agreed to provide $3 billion to cash-strapped Pakistan in safe deposits and $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion worth of oil supplies on deferred payments. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: Economic and Strategic Aspects of Saudi-Pakistan Relationship Saudi-Pakistan ties affecting India in […]
Sweden to launch ‘Time for India’ campaign
Context: Sweden’s ambassador in India said that Sweden will soon launch a trade promotion event — Time for India — to boost bilateral trade and hinted that the Swedish Government may take a more liberal post-COVID visa policy for India soon. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Policies and Treaties affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the […]
India-EU trade talks to resume by December 2021
Context: After an eight year hiatus, India and the European Union (EU) are set to resume negotiations for a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) by December 2021. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: India – EU BTIA What does EU Want? What does India want? India – EU BTIA India and EU […]
Indian military ineffective sans Russian equipment
Context: A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report has said that the Indian military cannot operate effectively without Russian supplied equipment. The report is crucial in the pretext of the US administration’s review of Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges, GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: More about the […]