International

START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) was a bilateral treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the United States of America on the limitation and reduction of strategic offensive arms. The treaty was signed on 31 July 1991 and entered into force on 5 December 1994. The treaty barred its signatories from deploying … Read more DMPQ- Comment on the START treaty.

  India has a very wide array of interests in Central Asia covering security, energy, economic opportunities etc. Central Asia serves as a land bridge between Asia and Europe, making it geopolitically axial for India. Security, stability and prosperity of Central Asia is imperative for peace and economic development of India. The region is rich … Read more DMPQ- Why Central Asia region is important for India?

Axis of evil: Axis of evil, expression used to describe the bellicose tendencies of Iran, North Korea, and Iraq in the early 21st century. The phrase was coined by Canadian-born U.S. presidential speechwriter David Frum and presidential aide Michael Gerson for use by U.S. President George W. Bush in his 2002 State of the Union address. Golden crescent: The Golden Crescent is a mountainous area of Iran, Afghanistan … Read more DMPQ- What do you understand by the following term: a) Axis of Evil b) Golden crescent c) Golden triangle

Most of the countries are sovereign in nature, but their internal dynamics define the external relations with other country. And in this globalised word it is next to impossible to remain all aloof. The major reasons are: We are the part of the global world order and our commitment to global act and implementation on … Read more DMPQ: There is a linkage between Internal dynamics of the country and the external relations. Absolute sovereignty is a myth. Comment

Issues are as follows: Border dispute between India and China: Issue of River sharing, Construction of dams on brahamputra river Growing China-Pak Nexus, Pakistan offering disputed area with India to CHINA for creation of OBOR, China Pakistan Economic Corridor China not supporting India at international level like not supporting India forNSG membership. Development of Strategic … Read more DMPQ:What are the Major issues between India and China?

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 by the Ministers of its Member jurisdictions.  The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international … Read more DMPQ: Composition and functions of FATF.

The Gujral doctrine was a five-point roadmap which sought to build trust between India and neighbours, of solution to bilateral issues through bilateral talks and to remove immediate quid pro quos in diplomatic relationship between India and her neighbours. The ‘Doctrine’ emphasized on the importance of unilateral accommodation for friendly and warm relations with India’s … Read more DMPQ-What do you understand by the term Gujral Doctrine.

Pakistan has been accused by India, Afghanistan, the United States, the United Kingdom and many other countries of involvement in terrorism in Kashmir and Afghanistan. In July 2009, current President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari admitted that the Pakistani government had “created and nurtured” terrorist groups to achieve its short-term foreign policy goals. According to … Read more DMPQ- Terrorism has been used as a Tool of National Policy Of Pakistan. Comment

The One China policy is a key cornerstone of Sino-US relations. It is the diplomatic acknowledgement of China’s position that there is only one Chinese government. Under the policy, the US recognises and has formal ties with China rather than the island of Taiwan, which China sees as a breakaway province. China insists Taiwan is an … Read more DMPQ- Write a short note on one China policy.

Know India Program – To help familiarize Indian Diaspora youth, in the age group of 18-26 years, with developments and achievements made by the country and bringing them closer to the land of their ancestors. KIP provides a unique  forum for students and young professionals of Indian Origin to visit India, share their views, expectations … Read more DMPQ- What are the major thrust of India’s cultural diplomacy ?

The International Development Association (IDA) is an international financial institution which offers concessional loans and grants to the world’s poorest developing countries. The IDA is a member of the World Bank Group and is headquartered in Washington, D.C., United States. It was established in 1960 to complement the existing International Bank for Reconstruction and Development … Read more DMPQ- International Development Association

NSG means Nuclear supplier group. It was brought in 1974 in response to the Indian nuclear test. It is a multilateral export control regime.  It is a Group of nuclear supplier countries that seek to prevent nuclear proliferation by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that can be used to manufacture nuclear weapons. Benefits of … Read more DMPQ- NSG membership is important for India. Comment

Agenda 21 is a non-binding and voluntary implementation plan of United Nations with regard to sustainable development. Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment. Agenda 21, … Read more DMPQ-Write a short note on Agenda 21.

The International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage (BUNKER) is an International treaty listed and administered by the International Maritime Organization, signed in London on 23 March 2001 and in force generally on 21 November 2008. The purpose is to adopt uniform international rules and procedures for determining questions of liability and … Read more DMPQ-Write a short note on Bunker convention.

India shares her 15,200 long land frontier with Pakistan, in the west and north-west.   Afghanistan in the north-west, China, Nepal and Bhutan in the north, and Bangladesh and Myanmar in the east. India’s longest border is with Bangladesh while the shortest border is with Afghanistan.       Some of the important international border point … Read more DMPQ- Write an essay on the Land frontiers of India.

Kim Jong Un is consolidating his grip on power through a combination of patronage and dread and is doubling down on his nuclear and missile programs, developing long-range missiles that may soon endanger the continental USA. Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington have a shared incentive to handle security risks in Northeast Asia, but a history … Read more DMPQ- . In Northeast Asia, growing tensions around the Korean Peninsula are likely, with the possibility of a confrontation in the coming years. Justify

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was established in 1989 as an informal Ministerial-level dialogue group with twelve members. Today APEC has 21 member economies spread out over four continents. APEC Member Economies work together to sustain economic growth through a commitment to open trade, investment and economic reform. This is accomplished by progressively reducing … Read more DMPQ- The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

West Asia is an important region in terms of energy security, investment, maintenance of law order and overall economic development of sub continent. The complimentary value can be quantified as: West Asia absorb much of India`s cheap labor. Around 7 million Indian works in WestAsia. It provide with huge amount of remittance. India has highest … Read more DMPQ- West Asia holds a complimentary value for India . Comment

UNSC is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations formed in 1945. In these 75 years world underwent drastic change in the geopolitics and international relation. Hence the membership  and structure does not represent the true nature of the contemporary reality.  So there is the need of the reforms and the demand … Read more DMPQ:Why do you understand by the term UNSC reforms and discuss the basis of reforms.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is variously referred to as a think tank or monitoring group. Its stated goals include fostering economic development and cooperation; fighting poverty; and ensuring the environmental impact of growth and social development is always considered. Over the years, it has dealt with a range of issues, including … Read more DMPQ- Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

The Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean littoral nations that retain primary significance for India are Myanmar, Indonesia and Vietnam, all of which are of increasing strategic importance to India.As Myanmar is the only ASEAN country which India directly borders, the country is of critical importance to India’s security, especially given the serious insurgency-related problems that … Read more DMPQ- Look East to Act East. Analyse

Kim Jong Un is consolidating his grip on power through a combination of patronage and dread and is doubling down on his nuclear and missile programs, developing long-range missiles that may soon endanger the continental USA. Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington have a shared incentive to handle security risks in Northeast Asia, but a history … Read more DMPQ-In Northeast Asia, growing tensions around the Korean Peninsula are likely, with the possibility of a confrontation in the coming years. Justify with current developements.

One of the core elements of India’s foreign policy is its unflinching faith in the political solution and peaceful settlement of international disputes. This principle has been included in the Constitution of India, under the Directive Principles of State Policy as well as in the Charter of the UN. India has played leading role in … Read more DMPQ- Explain the Indian policy of Peaceful Settlement of International Disputes

What are Patents? Patents are a set of exclusive rights granted by a sovereign state to an inventor. These rights are granted for a limited period of time, usually about twenty years. The granting of these rights is in return for public disclosure of the invention. Criteria for Patentability Patents protect inventions. These inventions could … Read more DMPQ- What are Patents? Explain the Criteria for Patentability.

Indian government believe in maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries. Bangladesh is one of its close neighbour. India had recognised Bangladesh as a separate and independent state, did so on 6 December 1971. India fought together with the Bangladeshis to liberate Bangladesh from West Pakistan in 1971. Bangladesh and India share a common tradition. They … Read more DMPQ- Trace out the historical bilateral relation between India and Bangladesh

At the 2015 BRICS summit in Russia, ministers from BRICS nations, initiated consultations for a payment system that would be an alternative to the SWIFT system. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated in an interview, “The finance ministers and executives of the BRICS central banks are negotiating … setting up payment systems and moving … Read more DMPQ- BRICS payment system

The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a framework for providing protection against global liquidity pressures. This includes currency issues where members’ national currencies are being adversely affected by global financial pressures. It is found that emerging economies that experienced rapid economic liberalization went through increased economic volatility, bringing uncertain macroeconomic environment. The CRA is … Read more DMPQ- The BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA)

Religious/Racial/Political Persecution The most common reason people become refugees is persecution — which can take on many forms: religious, national, social, racial, or political.  When it comes to religious refugees in the United States, the split between Christians and Muslims is quite even. According to Pew, 46% of refugees in 2016 who came to the … Read more DMPQ- What are the main Causes of refugee crisis?

The Lisbon Treaty updated regulations for the European Union, establishing a more centralized leadership and foreign policy, a proper process for countries that wish to leave the Union, and a streamlined process for enacting new policies. The treaty was signed on December 13, 2007, in Lisbon, Portugal, and amends the two previous treaties that established … Read more DMPQ- Lisbon treaty was recently in the news? What is Lisbon treaty?

It is a UN body It leads international efforts to defeat hunger It was Established in  1945. It is headquartered at Rome. In theory, acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries and … Read more DMPQ-Write a short note on FAO and explain the term ‘Codex Alimentarius.

As the third largest ocean woven together by trade routes, commands control of major sea-lanes carrying half of the world’s container ships, one third of the world’s bulk cargo traffic and two thirds of the world’s oil shipments, the Indian Ocean remains an important lifeline to international trade and transport. Home to nearly 2.7 billion … Read more DMPQ- Indian ocean region is the bright spot of 21st century. In this context discuss the mandate of IORA.

It is a regional grouping name Regional comprehensive  economic partnership. In August 2012, the 16 Economic Ministers endorsed the Guiding Principles and Objectives for Negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. The RCEP negotiations were launched by Leaders from 10 ASEAN Member States (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and … Read more DMPQ- RCEP

Sir Creek is a disputed water stream between the Sindh province of Pakistan and Gujarat state of India in the Ran of Kutch  Pakistan claims the whole water stream till India’s land borders whereas India contends that the issue should be solved as per international standards for riverine systems and hence claims half of the channel with division at the centre. The issue … Read more DMPQ- Sir creek dispute.

The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan signed on September 19, 1960. The treaty was signed by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan. It was brokered by the World Bank (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development). According to treaty, all the water of eastern rivers( Sutlej, Beas, Ravi) … Read more DMPQ- Write short note on Indus water treaty.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an ambitious effort to improve regional cooperation and connectivity on a trans-continental scale. The initiative aims to strengthen infrastructure, trade, and investment links between China and some 65 other countries that account collectively for over 30 percent of global GDP, 62 percent of population, and 75 percent of known … Read more DMPQ:What is Belt and road initiative? Why India declined for the second time to participate in the forum?

Trade war is a situation where countries restrict each other’s trade by imposing tariff or quota on imports.  US has started imposing tariffs on as much as 25 percent on $34 billion in Chinese imports.  China responded with retaliatory tariffs of 25% on US goods worth an equivalent $34 billion, including soybean, automobiles, and marine … Read more DMPQ- What is a Trade war? What are the implications on India of the US China Trade war?

There was the political crisis as two centre of power confronted to usurped the top most position. The leader of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Juan Guaido has declared himself as president of Venezuela on January 23, challenging the power of current President Nicolas Maduro, who was recently sworn in as president of Venezuela for a second … Read more DMPQ- Venezuela crisis and the reasons for the crisis.

The Syrian civil war is an ongoing war between multiple parties taking place in Syria since the past eight years. The unrest started in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring protests that had originated in Tunisia. People in Syria protested against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad who suppressed all dissent with violent … Read more DMPQ: Write short note on Syrian crisis.

The Golan Heights, a rocky plateau in south-western Syria, has a political and strategic significance which belies its size. Israel unilaterally annexed the Golan Heights in 1981. The move was not recognised internationally, although the US Trump Administration did so unilaterally in March 2019.There are more than 30 Jewish settlements on the heights, with an … Read more DMPQ- Significance of Golan heights. (IR/Disputes)

It was set up after the fall of the Berlin wall to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative in emerging Europe.   HQ – London.    EBRD is owned by 66 countries and two EU institutions i.e EU & EIB.   US is the biggest shareholder.   Besides Europe, member countries of the EBRD are also from other continents – … Read more DMPQ- European Bank for Reconstruction and development.

It was set up with the objective of strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean Region. The association comprises 22 Member States and 7 Dialogue Partners.  India, Australia, Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Singapore, Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, UAE, Yemen, Seychelles, Somalia, Comoros and Oman are … Read more DMPQ:Write short note on Indian Ocean Rim association.

It is a multilateral financial institution which brings countries together to address the daunting infrastructure needs across Asia. It is headquartered at Beijing.    The membership in AIIB is open to members of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development or the Asian Development Bank.  It has authorized capital of US 100 billion dollars and subscribed … Read more DMPQ:Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank.

Assumption Island, a single coral island, belongs to the Outer Islands District of Seychelles.With only a small village on the sheltered western side and a 1,210-m concrete airfield running from there to the southeastern coast, the island’s few inhabitants, mostly farmers and fishermen, have to go to Victoria (the capital) for government services. The island’s … Read more DMPQ- Assumption island and its importance.

The Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) was signed in 1975 as an initiative of UN- Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).  It is previously named the Bangkok Agreement.  There are 6-member states to APTA – Bangladesh, China, India, South Korea, Laos and Sri Lanka.  Mongolia is soon to become the 7th member … Read more DMPQ- Short Note on Asia Pacific Trade Agreement?

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea is an independent judicial body established by the UNCLOS to adjudicate disputes arising out of the interpretation and application of the UNCLOS Convention. Its Base  is in Hamburg, Germany.  The Tribunal is composed of 21 independent members, elected from among persons enjoying the highest reputation for fairness … Read more DMPQ: Write short note on ITLOS. (International Relation)

UN Convention on the Law of Sea is the international agreement that resulted from the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. It provides a regulatory framework for the use of the world’s seas and oceans, to ensure the conservation and equitable usage of resources and the marine environment and to ensure … Read more DMPQ- Short note on UNCLOS.

The 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty required the United States and the Soviet Union to eliminate and permanently forswear all of their nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500 to 5,500 kilometers. The treaty marked the first time the superpowers had agreed to reduce their nuclear arsenals, eliminate an entire … Read more DMPQ- Intermediate Range Nuclear forces treaty.

Qatar crisis is the manifestation of the diplomatic breakdown between Qatar and Saudi Arabia and its allies in the west Asian region that threatens to upset the stability of the region.Four Arab countries out of which three are also the members of Gulf Cooperation Council – Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain along … Read more DMPQ: what was the Qatar crisis? Mention the trigger points that lead to Qatar crisis.

Geopolitics – The rise of China and doubts about USA‘s commitments in Asia has pushed both the countries towards this relationship. Economic Aspect – Japan is investing heavily in Indian projects. The two countries are also working on a joint infrastructure development and connectivity drive traversing the Indian Ocean. Their projects span from Myanmar to … Read more DMPQ: India and Japan currently have a special strategic and global partnership. Why did India confer such status.

UAE is a special partner in India’s look west policy. UAE with its surplus of oil and capital can fuel the demand of India. India diaspora is a huge source of human resource for UAE. The relation pillars can be summarised under the two heads:   Economically: Central to India’s pitch for improving foreign direct … Read more DMPQ: Why UAE is special for India’s Look west policy?