India and 26 bilateral pacts to fight drug trafficking
Context: According to a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) reply in the Lok Sabha – India has signed 26 bilateral pacts, 15 memoranda of understanding and two agreements on security cooperation with different countries for combating the drug trafficking problem. Relevance: GS-III: Internal Security Challenges (Organized Crime and Terrorism), GS-II: International Relations (Important International Agreements […]
Leaving the past behind: India-Afghanistan
Context: Two events in Central Asia last week, which India attended, saw Afghanistan’s neighbours seeking solutions to the conflict there. The first was a meeting in Dushanbe, of the Contact group on Afghanistan of SCO Foreign Ministers, and The second, a Central and South Asia connectivity conference in Tashkent. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India and […]
G7’s Build Back Better World Initiative
Context: G-7 leaders finally came around with the proposed Build Back Better World (B3W) to counter China’s rising influence across 100-plus countries through Belt Road Initiative (BRI) projects. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India and its Neighborhood, Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India’s Interests, Important International Groupings affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the […]
U.S., Afghanistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan: Quad
Context: The US, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan have agreed in principle to establish a new quadrilateral diplomatic platform focused on enhancing regional connectivity, Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important International Groupings, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: About the new US, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan Quad Significance of the new quad grouping How […]
Attacks on Indians in South Africa Violence
Context: Protests in South Africa began after the jailing of former President Jacob Zuma and amid escalating civil unrest in the country the Indian government raised concerns about attacks on people of Indian origin in South Africa. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Politics and Political Developments affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: About recent […]
Showing the way out: On K.P. Oli’s ouster in Nepal
Context: Nepal has a new Prime Minister after the Supreme Court overrules Mr. Oli again. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policies and Developments affecting India’s Interests) Mains Question: Nepal-India relations are deep, wide-ranging, and unique, but also fraught with complexities. Much of the complexity stems from the fact that the political leadership handles […]
India: Future of Afghanistan cannot be its past
Context: Amidst rapid advances made by the militant group Taliban on towns and border check-posts in various parts of Afghanistan – Indian External Affairs Minister said that the world won’t legitimise a Taliban regime that comes to power in Kabul by force. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of […]
India’s trade with China soared 62% in H1
Context: India’s trade with China in the first half of 2021 rose by a record 62.7%. Relevance: GS-III: Indian Economy (International trade), GS-II: International Relations (India and its Neighbors) Dimensions of the Article: Highlights of the latest data on India-China trade Understanding what we import and what we export to China India’s Dependence on Chinese […]
Shaping a trilateral as Rome looks to the Indo-Pacific
Context: Recently, Italy has begun to signal its intention to enter the Indo-Pacific geography by seeking to join India and Japan in a trilateral partnership. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbours, Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Mains Questions: In the pushback against China a strategic cooperation between India, Italy and Japan can ensure a free […]
India-Nepal Rail Services Agreement (RSA)
Context: Rail Transportation between India & Nepal got a major boost as authorization to all cargo train operators to utilize the Indian railway network to carry all containers bound for Nepal came into force with the signing of a Letter of Exchange (LoE) to the India-Nepal Rail Services Agreement (RSA) 2004. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations […]