India Denies Child Labour Allegations Amid CECA Negotiations
Context: The Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry has strongly rebutted accusations of child labor raised in a recent report by Australia’s Joint Standing Committee on Trade and Investment Growth. These allegations come amidst ongoing negotiations between India and Australia for the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), intended to expand upon the existing Economic Cooperation […]
China Surpasses US as India’s Largest Trading Partner
Context: According to data released by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), China has emerged as India’s largest trading partner in the fiscal year 2023-24, with two-way commerce totaling USD 118.4 billion. This marks a narrow overtaking of the United States, whose two-way trade with India amounted to $118.3 billion during the same period. The […]
Debt Owed by South Asian Nations to China Hits Record Levels
Context: The indebtedness of various nations, particularly in South Asia and Africa, to China has surged in recent years. China stands out as the primary or predominant creditor for most of these countries, meaning they owe a significant portion of their external debt to China alone. Relevance: GS2- Mains Question: China’s debt-trap policy raises significant concerns, not only for smaller […]
About World Press Freedom Index
Context: India’s rank in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), has improved slightly from 161 to 159 among 180 jurisdictions. However, this improvement contrasts with a decline in India’s score, which fell from 36.62 to 31.28. Scores dropped across most indicators except for security, with the ranking improvement attributed […]
Nepal’s Rs-100 Currency Note to Feature Map Controversy
Context: The Government of Nepal has announced plans to introduce a new Rs-100 currency note featuring the country’s map, including territories claimed by India. This move is likely to fuel tensions between the two neighboring countries, which have long-standing border disputes. Relevance: GS II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: Nepal’s Introduction of New Currency […]
Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance
Context: Recently, the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and the Global Leaders Group (GLG) on AMR jointly organised a high-level event, ‘Forging partnerships between science and policy’, in Barcelona, Spain. Relevance: GS II: International Relations About Global Leaders Group on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): Composition: Objectives: Background: Secretariat: What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)? […]
NHRC to Defend Human Rights Processes for Retaining
Context: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is gearing up to defend its human rights processes at an upcoming meeting in Geneva. Scheduled for May 1, the meeting of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) will determine whether India’s human rights body retains its “A status,” […]
India – Oman Bilateral Relationship
Context: India and Oman will sign a trade deal in the coming months, two Indian government officials said, as New Delhi seeks to expand its ties in the Middle East, where rising tensions are putting major shipping routes at risk. Relevance: GS II: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: India-Oman Trade Deal Highlights: India-Oman Bilateral […]
Naxalite Attacks Reported in Chhattisgarh and Assam
Context: Recently, two separate incidents of Naxalite attacks were reported: Relevance: GS III: Security Challenges Dimensions of the Article: Understanding Naxalism Origin and Name Spread and Characteristics Ideology and Objectives Activities and Strategies Status of LWE in India States Affected by LWE Causes of Naxalism Economic Factors Exploitation and Marginalization Weak Governance Perceived Failure of […]
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
Context: The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific, in collaboration with other environmental organisations, has called on the ASEAN to take decisive action in response to plastic pollution. Relevance: GS: International Relations Dimensions of the Article: About Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Overview: Mission: Vision: Approach: Primary Intervention Areas: What is Incineration? […]