INDIA-PAKISTAN: FORWARD THROUGH A BACKCHANNEL
Context: More than a month after India-Pakistan border commanders agreed to strictly observe all agreements between the two countries, the absence of official acceptance of a backchannel seems far outweighed by indicators that there is, in fact, such a channel in place, approved by the Prime Ministers of both countries. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India […]
INDIA PROTESTS AGAINST U.S. NAVAL EXERCISE SANS CONSENT
Context: India said that it has protested the U.S. decision to conduct a patrol in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the western Indian Ocean, rejecting the U.S.’s claim that its domestic maritime law was in violation of international law. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Effect of Foreign Policies on India’s Interests) Dimensions of the […]
BIDEN GOVT. RESTORES AID TO PALESTINIANS
Context: The United States, in a significant reversal to the earlier policy, has announced the restoration of at least USD 235 million in financial assistance to the Palestinians. The financial aid includes USD 75 million economic help for the West Bank & Gaza, USD 10 million for ‘peacebuilding’ programmes of the US Agency for International […]
CM WILL REPRESENT DELHI AT WORLD CITIES CULTURAL FORUM
Context: The Chief Minister of Delhi will represent the Capital and India at the World Cities Cultural Forum. Relevance: Prelims, GS-II: International Relations (Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests), GS-I: Art and Culture Dimensions of the Article: About the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF) World Cities Culture Summit The World Cities Culture […]
MINISTERIAL MEET OF THE BIMSTEC 2021
Context: India’s External Affairs Minister expressed commitment about taking the Bay of Bengal community to “new heights” at the 17th ministerial meet of the BIMSTEC. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Important International Groupings, Foreign Policies and conferences affecting India’s Interests) Dimensions of the Article: About BIMSTEC Highlights of India’s views at 17th ministerial meet of BIMSTEC […]
BIDEN ALLOWS H1-B VISA BAN TO EXPIRE
Context: The White House has allowed a 2020 ban on H1-B skilled worker and certain other temporary visas to expire on March 31. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (Foreign Policies affecting India’s Interests, Indian diaspora) Dimensions of the Article: What is H-1B Visa? What is a Green Card? Why was the ban on certain H1-B visas […]
INDIA’S EAM TO ATTEND ‘HEART OF ASIA’ CONFERENCE
Context: Indian External Affairs Minister shared India’s perspectives on the peace process in the war-torn country in the 9th Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) ministerial conference held at Tajikistan. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India and its neighborhood, Foreign Policies and conferences affecting India’s interests) Dimensions of the Article: About the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) […]
PAKISTAN ALLOWS IMPORT OF COTTON, SUGAR FROM INDIA
Context: Partially reversing a 2018 decision to suspend all trade with India, Pakistan announced that it would allow the import of cotton and sugar from across the border. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (India and its neighborhood, Foreign Policies and conferences affecting India’s interests) Dimensions of the Article: Background to Pakistan’s Trade Ban India-Pakistan Trade Before […]
U.S. RIGHTS REPORT CURBS ON INDIAN MEDIA CURBS
Context: In its 2020 Human Rights Report, the U.S. State Department said the harassment and detention of journalists critical of the (Indian) government in their reporting and on social media, has continued, although the government generally respected the freedom of expression. Relevance: GS-II: International Relations (International reports and policies affecting India’s interests) Dimensions of the […]
WHAT’S NEXT FOR AFGHANISTAN U.S. WITHDRAWING TROOPS?
Context: Recently, the USA President has envisaged a New Peace Initiative (Plan) to decide on the roadmap for peace in Afghanistan under which the possibility that the USA troops, currently deployed in Afghanistan, to remain in deployment there has been kept open. The U.S. could abide by the promise made in the U.S.-Taliban agreement signed […]