CHINA’S NEGATIVE YIELD BONDS EXPLAINED
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Recently, China sold negative-yield debt for the first time, and this saw a high demand from investors across Europe. China sold negative-yield debt for the first time, and this saw a high demand from investors across Europe. What are negative-yield bonds? These are debt instruments that offer to […]
U.S. TROOPS WITHDRAWAL: WHAT’S NEXT FOR AFGHANISTAN?
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? With the U.S. prepared to reduce its troop presence in Afghanistan – Afghanistan is bracing for an uncertain future. The Taliban, who were ousted from power in 2001 after the U.S. invasion and have since been fighting both foreign troops and the Afghan government in Kabul, now control […]
GILGIT-BALTISTAN TO BE A FULL PROVINCE: PAKISTAN PM
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Prime Minister Imran Khan has angered India after declaring that part of the contested Kashmir region will provisionally become a full province of Pakistan. Any change in status would require a constitutional amendment. If finalised, it would make Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan’s fifth province. Pakistan has administered the area now […]
India hosts meeting of SCO Ministers handling economy and foreign trade.
Focus: GS 2 ; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Why in News? India hosted the 19th Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Ministers responsible for Foreign Economy and Foreign Trade Activities. The Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal said that the current crisis due to Covid-19 is a […]
India, Central Asian countries on terror safe havens
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The Central Asian republics joined India in demanding destruction of “safe havens” of terrorism. The second meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue jointly expressed support for the peace negotiations in Afghanistan which is expected to usher in a new age for the war-torn country. Details Among the key […]
U.K. to partner for developing GIFT City, funding infra pipeline
Focus: GSII International Relations Why in news? The United Kingdom has entered into a strategic partnership to develop India’s fledgling international financial services centre GIFT city, and agreed to set up a new Fund of Funds to be managed by state bank of India group in order to route U.K.’s future capital investments into India. […]
The challenges of walking the Indo Pacific talk
Context: The recently concluded third annual United States-India 2+2 ministerial dialogue has amplified the ongoing conversation in India on the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), the Indo-Pacific, the threat from China, and, the United States as a potential ‘alliance’ partner. Relevance: GS Paper 2: Important International institutions, agencies, for a (structure, mandate); Bilateral, Regional, Global groupings […]
India’s outreach to Myanmar
Context: The recent visit of Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Manoj Naravane to Myanmar reflected India’s multidimensional interests in the country and the deepening of ties between Delhi and Naypyidaw. Relevance: GS Paper 2: India and its Neighbourhood (relations) Mains Questions: Myanmar is key in linking South Asia […]
A LONG WAY FROM 1962
Context: Fifty-eight years later, India-China relationship has changed. Inequality has grown Relevance : GS Paper 2: India and its Neighbourhood (relations) Mains questions: ‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as […]
INDIA LOGISTICS PACTS: RUSSIA, U.K. AND VIETNAM
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? After concluding a logistics support agreement with Japan in recently, India is now working on three such agreements with Russia, the U.K. and Vietnam. Logistics agreements are administrative arrangements facilitating access to military facilities for exchange of fuel and provisions on mutual agreement simplifying logistical support and increasing […]