INDIA, NEPAL: BILATERAL PROJECTS
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Indian and Nepalese diplomats met in Kathmandu and reviewed the status of a number of ongoing bilateral projects. Details and Highlights This is the first diplomat-level meeting between the two sides in 2020 that saw the Kalapani territorial dispute. The talks marked the Eighth Meeting of Nepal-India Oversight […]
INDO-U.S. VIRTUAL NETWORKS AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Eight binational teams consisting of researchers from India and the US have received awards to pursue cutting-edge research in pathogenesis and disease management of COVID-19 through Indo-US virtual networks. The Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) announced the awards. The areas of research they will pursue include antiviral […]
INDIA, AUSTRALIA SHARE VIEWS ON 5G
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India and Australia are sharing experiences on protecting critical infrastructure, including 5G networks, said a senior Australian High Commission official while talking of the huge increase in cybersecurity cooperation between the two countries, however, clarifying that Australia has no intention of banning Chinese apps like India has done. […]
INDIA ANNOUNCES $500 MN PACKAGE FOR MALDIVES
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India announced a slew of new connectivity measures for the Maldives, including air, sea, intra-island and telecommunications in an effort to help the Indian Ocean Islands deal with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Details Among the initiatives announced at a meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister […]
4TH MEETING OF THE BRICS ANTI-DRUG WORKING GROUP
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? The 4th Session of the BRICS Anti-Drug Working Group comprising of Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa and India was held, with the Indian delegation led by the Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau. Details Fruitful exchange of opinions concerning the drug situation in the BRICS states, the international and […]
TRUMP MULLS SUSPENDING H-1B VISAS
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Indians students and white-collar professionals are ditching the “American dream” to pursue a Canadian one because of the increasingly restrictive visa and immigration policies of the Trump administration. Details There are growing rumors and expectations that the U.S. President is going to scrap or freeze the H-1B visa […]
A SELF-RELIANT FOREIGN POLICY
Focus: GS-II International Relations Introduction Self-reliance is the theme of India’s 74th Independence Day. This concept is commonly associated with the economy and production of key goods and services within the country in light of the global ‘supply shock’ caused by the pandemic, but it also has a parallel dimension in the domain of foreign […]
INDIAN, AFGHAN OFFICIALS DISCUSS LOYA JIRGA
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? Indian and Afghan officials in Delhi and Kabul discussed the outcome of the Loya Jirga, or grand assembly, in Afghanistan that advised the release of 400 Taliban militants convicted of serious crimes. The two sides discussed the likelihood of intra-Afghan negotiations in Doha, Qatar, as well as the […]
INDIA, PAKISTAN SPAR OVER INDUS WATER TALKS
Focus: GS-II International relations, GS-I Geography Why in news? India has refused a request by Pakistan to hold a meeting on issues around the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) as India had suggested a virtual conference but Pakistan had insisted on a physical meeting. Details The practice at the IWT meetings is that they are led […]
INDIA, CHINA HOLD CORPS COMMANDER-LEVEL TALKS
Focus: GS-II International Relations Why in news? India and China held the fifth round of Corps Commanders-level talks at Moldo on the Chinese side to take forward the stalled process of disengagement on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Details As with earlier rounds, the talks were led by Leh-based 14 Corps commander Lt. Gen. […]