Sri Lanka ‘banking on’ $1 bn India swap deal
Context: Sri Lanka is “banking on” a $1 billion currency swap from India to meet its debt repayment obligations in 2021 and tide over the current economic crisis, a senior official of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka said. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policies and Developments affecting India’s Interests), GS-III: Indian Economy […]
China turns on second-biggest dam in world
Context: The first two generating units of the world’s second-biggest hydroelectric dam were officially turned on in southwestern China. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography, GS-II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: About China and its large hydropower dams Important Rivers of China About China and its large hydropower dams China is the world’s leader in hydropower […]
DMCA & protection of intellectual property online
Context: Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology and for Law and Justice was locked out of his Twitter account allegedly over a notice received for violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important International Institutions, Groupings & Agreements Affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: What is WIPO? What […]
India, Greece call for respect of territorial integrity
Context: India and Greece have held discussions over the situation in Cyprus during the visit of External Affairs Minister to Athens. The Ministry of External Affairs said both sides emphasised upon respect of sovereignty and territorial integrity by all members of the international community. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important Foreign Policies and Developments affecting India’s […]
Bhutan’s Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB)
Context: Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), launched its programme in Bhutan. India was chosen as the Partner Jurisdiction and has provided the Tax Expert for this programme. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s Neighbors, Foreign Policies and […]
Tibet gets first bullet train from Lhasa to border
Context: China started operating the first bullet train line in Tibet, linking Lhasa to Nyingchi near the border with Arunachal Pradesh. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India’s neighbors, Foreign Policies and developments affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: About China’s Railway Near Arunachal Border China’s push in Border Infrastructure and reasons Steps Taken by India […]
Pakistan to stay on FATF ‘greylist’
Context: Pakistan was retained on the greylist, or list of countries under “increased monitoring”, at the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) once again, as the Paris-based UN watchdog judged it deficient in prosecuting the top leadership of UN Security Council-designated terror groups; the list includes Lashkar-e Taiba, Jaish-e Mohammad, Al Qaeda and the Taliban. Relevance: […]
Re-energising India’s Africa policy
Context: The Narendra Modi government designed a forward-looking strategy to deepen relations with African countries. Even as the COVID-19 era began in March 2020, New Delhi took new initiatives to assist Africa through prompt despatch of medicines and later vaccines. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests) Mains Questions: Critically examine the implementation […]
Russia, U.K. spar over Black Sea incident
Context: Russia accused Britain of spreading lies over a warship confrontation in the Black Sea and warned Britain that it would respond resolutely to any further provocative actions by the British Navy off the coast of Russia-annexed Crimea. Relevance: Prelims, GS-II: International Relations, GS-I: Geography (Maps) Dimensions of the Article: About the current issue between […]
The Antarctic Treaty is turning 60
Context: The 1959 Antarctic Treaty celebrates its 60th anniversary on June 23rd 2021. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important International Treaties, Important International Groupings and Agreements) Dimensions of the Article: Antarctic Treaty System About the Antarctic Treaty About the claims on Antarctica and the principle of the treaty India’s programmes in Antarctica Antarctic Treaty System The […]