International

Positive: Energy security: Saudi Arabia today is our 4th largest trade partner (after China, USA and Japan) and is a major source of energy as we import around 17 % of our crude oil requirement from the Kingdom. Investment:According to Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA), there are 322 Indian companies as joint ventures/100% owned … Read more

OPERATION NISTAR:   It is a operation carried out by Indian Naval Ship Sunayna. The Indians were stranded in Scotra island after a cyclone hit the area and INS Sunayna had evacuated them in the operation.  The cyclone mekunu had badly hit various parts OPERATION RAHAT: ‘Operation Rahat’ was launched by Indian Armed Forces to evacuate … Read more

Australia PM has announced recently a three pillar strategy in INDIA -AUS relations. The focus of this report is on building a sustainable long-term India economic strategy. The report identifies 10 sectors and 10 states in an evolving Indian market where Australia has competitive advantages, and where it should focus its efforts. These are divided … Read more

The Malabar exercises were first established in 1992 between India and the United States, but due to tensions arising from India’s nuclearization in 1998, it became an annual feature only in 2002.The bilateral exercises evolved from basic naval drills to include aircraft carriers in 2005 and added anti-piracy drills and search and rescue with a … Read more

Its aim is “to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information” It was established in 1946 and is based in Paris. It has 195 member states and ten associate members. Its five major programs are:  Education,  Natural sciences,  Social/human … Read more

As per the ‘World Migration Report (2018)’, published by the International Organisation for Migration, the Indian diaspora constitutes 6% of the total number of international migrants . The population of overseas Indian increased from 6.7 million in 1990 to 16 million in 2015. However, if computed as a percentage of the world’s population, the growth of … Read more

  Adverse balance to trade:  To enable more Bangladeshi exports to flow into India, duty free entry was granted in 2011 under SAFTA. An SEZ in BG for Indian manufacturing companies has been mooted and notified. To offset economic asymmetry, India has granted BG generous line of credit (LOCs) and grants, with commitments reaching $ … Read more

:  Areas of cooperation:     Trade and investment: $ 9 bn annual trade along with $8-9 bn informal trade. Indian investment in Bangladesh has reached $3 bn. Connectivity: The Padma Multipurpose Bridge and the Akhaura-Agartala Rail link. Waterways: to reduce the cost of trade Cyberspace: Bangladesh has provided cyber connectivity b/w the Int’l gateway at … Read more

India has adopted an adhoc administrative policy to accord protection to refugees ever since independence. This poses following problems: India itself a developing country with huge population so problem related to lack of basic amenities. No law to regulate statues,entry,rights and rehabilitation of refugees. No distinction between foreigner and refugee in the country, who are … Read more

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), also called the Law of the Sea Convention or the Law of the Sea treaty, defines the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world’s oceans, establishing guidelines for businesses, the environment, and the management of marine natural resources. It replaced … Read more

UNCITRAL was established by the UN General Assembly in 1966 to promote the progressive harmonisation and unification of international trade law. It is the core legal body of the United Nations system in the field of international trade law. It also aims to modernize and harmonize rules on international business. The Commission comprises 60 member … Read more

The Mission of WIPO is to promote innovation and creativity for the economic, social and cultural development of all countries. It is headquartered at Geneva, Switzerland.  WIPO’s predecessor was The United International Bureaux for the Protection of Intellectual Property (BIPRI).  It administered two conventions such as Paris convention and Berne convention for the protection of … Read more

It was established in 1945 with the objective of eliminating hunger and improving nutrition and standards of living by increasing agricultural productivity.  Its secretariat is located in Rome, Italy. Some of the important key programmes of FAO are Food Security Programmes, Codex Alimentarius, and International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) etc.  The Codex Alimentarius Commission, established … Read more

The Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline (TAPI), also known as Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline, is a natural gas pipeline being developed by the Galkynysh – TAPI Pipeline Company Limited with participation of the Asian Development Bank The pipeline will transport natural gas from the Galkynysh Gas Field in Turkmenistan through Afghanistan into Pakistan and then to India Construction on the … Read more

CTBT is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 September 1996 but has not entered into force as eight specific states have not ratified the treaty. 166 states have ratified the CTBT and another … Read more

The 1,000 km India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway will run from Moreh in Manipur to Mae Sot in Thailand via Myanmar. The highway will facilitate easy movement of goods and people among the three countries.This is NHAI’s first international project agreement. The project has been funded by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and would be … Read more

CITES stands for convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wild flora and fauna. It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Conference aims to control or prevent international commercial trade in endangered species or … Read more

S.JAISHANKAR has said that Despite having long historical links, the relationship had been defined by twin factors of energy imports and labour exports.” This term was coined by S. Jaishankar in the 1st Raisaina dialogue India is no longer contend to be the passive recipient of the outcomes. We need to become active recipient in … Read more

The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) is a “Track One” inter-governmental security forum held annually by an independent think tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) which is attended by defense ministers, permanent heads of ministries and military chiefs of 28 Asia-Pacific states. The forum gets its name from the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore where it … Read more

Soft power is pursuation, diplomacy, and trade relation, cultural relations, religiou relations . There is no use of power. It is beneficial in long term relationship like goodwill, trade ties, mutual benefits, trade blocks. It helps in gaining advantage in favour of a country, helps in solving trade disputes, boundary disputes, like recently between India … Read more

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), also called the North Atlantic Alliance, is an intergovernmental military alliance between 29 North American and European countries based on the North Atlantic Treaty that was signed on 4 April 1949.NATO constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. The combined military spending … Read more

Nuclear deal was between P5+1 and Iran to regulate the nuclear programme of Iran. Iran was undergoing economic sanctions due to its coveted and suspicious nuclear programme. The deal was strike off by Iran accepting to regulate its nuke programme and in reciprocity economic sanction will be lifted gradually. Recently US walk out of the … Read more

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) known commonly as the Iran deal or Iran nuclear deal, is an international agreement on the nuclear program of Iran reached in Vienna on 14 July 2015 between Iran, the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council—China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States—plus Germany), … Read more

Rohingyas are the muslim community living in the Rakhine state of Myanmar.  Their number stands at 1 million people out of the 53 million population. They are the world’s largest stateless population in a single country.  They are perceived to be the most persecuted community in the world. Since World War Two they have been … Read more

The G4 nations comprising Brazil, Germany, India and Japan are four countries which support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.   The United Kingdom and France have backed the G4’s bid for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council.   The G4 suggested that two African nations, in addition to … Read more

: IORA is an international organisation consisting of coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean.  The IORA is a regional forum, tripartite in nature, bringing together representatives of Government, Business and Academia, for promoting co-operation and closer interaction among them.  It is based on the principles of Open Regionalism for strengthening Economic Cooperation particularly on Trade … Read more

G20 is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies.  Members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Russia, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, India, South Africa, Turkey, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, China and Indonesia.   It was founded with the aim of studying, reviewing, and promoting high level … Read more

G7 is a group consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  The European Union is also represented within the G7. These countries are the seven major advanced economies as reported by the International Monetary Fund.  Formally called G8 with Russia in it, but due to Crimean crisis Russia … Read more

HCOC is a voluntary and legally non-binding regime to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles which are capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction (WMDs).   It was established on 25 November 2002. The HCoC does not ban ballistic missiles but works to restrict their production, testing, and export. It is only multilateral transparency and confidence … Read more

CTBT is a multilateral treaty that bans all nuclear explosions, for both civilian and military purposes, in all environments. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 September 1996 but has not entered into force as eight specific states have not ratified the treaty. 166 states have ratified the CTBT and another … Read more

The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic. IMPLICATION OF OBSERVER STATUS TO INDIA: Observers do not have a role in decision … Read more

It is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of nations in South Asia.  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are its members.   Its secretariat is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The organization promotes development of economic and regional integration.  SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the United Nations as an … Read more

BBIN stands for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal Motor Vehicle Act It is an Unprecedented step that aims at shared prosperity in South Asia. Meant to facilitate movement of commercial vehicles across the borders of B-B-I-N The main objective of the agreement is to provide seamless people-to-people contact and enhance economic interaction by facilitating cross … Read more

BCIM is a sub-regional organisation of Asian nations aimed at greater integration of trade and investment between the four countries. The multi-modal corridor will be the first expressway between India and China and will pass through Myanmar and Bangladesh. The advantages are envisaged to accrue from greater market access for goods, services and energy, elimination … Read more

The US H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ graduate level workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for a certain period of time.  US congress has brought a bill which include the provision of recruiting more of Americans.  The bill seeks to increase the … Read more

  WMO was created in 1950 as an intergovernmental organization and became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1951. a) Its secretariat is located in Geneva, Switzerland. b) WMO is the UN system’s authoritative voice on weather, climate and water. c) Through its members, WMO provides forecasts and early warnings to nations which … Read more

The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of International peace and security. The council has 15 members: 5 Permanent – US, UK, Russia, France and China and 10 members elected by the General Assembly for 2-year terms. While other organs of the UN can only make ?recommendation to member states, the Security Council … Read more

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has been launched by the Chinese President XiJinping on 16 January, 2016The AIIB has a total of 57 members including 37 regional and 20 non-regional prospective foundingmembers.  China and India are among the largest shareholders with a 30.34 per cent, 8.52 per cent sharerespectively and their voting shares are … Read more

Iran’s Chabahar port is located on the Gulf of Oman and is the only oceanic port of the country. The port gives access to the energy-rich Persian Gulf nations’ southern coast. Iran formally handed over the port to India recently during a first meeting of the follow-up committee for the implementation of the Chabahar Agreement between Iran, … Read more

Changing geopolitics: UNSC still reflects the geopolitical architecture of the WW II despite the change in power relations in world. The developing nations, including India, now play a larger role in both the international economy and politics, yet are not represented in the forum.   Reforms Long Overdue: It was expanded only once in 1963 … Read more

2018 marked the 68th anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement. Created as an institution to counter the bipolar world order and give voice to much of the third world, the Non-Aligned Movement today remains as relevant as it was when it was founded. Today, 120 countries are are part of NAM and each of these countries … Read more

Major Issues: India’s integration with south east asia and east Asia is very low especially in terms of economics and trade. India’s lack of maturity in handling the issues of global governance. Changing dynamics of International affairs as China-Pakistan- Russia nexus is growing, US-Iran hostility is affecting India’s energy security and its strategic investment in … Read more

Main features: Panchsheel: Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty Non-aggression against each other. Non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. Equality and mutual benefit. Peaceful co-existence. Policy of Non alignment Policy of resisting colonialism, Imperialism and Racism Peaceful settlement of international disputes Support to UN, International law and just and equal world order … Read more

The founder of India’s foreign policy, Nehru gave utmost importance to world peace in his policy planning. India desired peaceful and friendly relations with all countries, particularly the big powers and the neighboring nations. While signing a peace agreement with China; he advocated adherence to five guiding principles known as Panchsheel. Panchsheel includes the following … Read more

Dokalam issue is an extension of border dispute. It is a border dispute between Bhutan and China. India being the party to the friendship treaty with Bhutan tried to stop China from infrastructure creation in the disputed area. Doklam plateau is situated in SW Bhutan. It is among those three regions which are disputed between … Read more

SCO is Eurasian political, economic, and security organization formed in 2001 and headquartered in Beijing. It owes its origin to its predecessor Shanghai Five (China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan).  Its driving philosophy is known as the “ Shanghai Spirit” which emphasise harmony, working by consensus, respect for other cultures, non interference in the internal affairs … Read more

Importance of West asia for India cannot be defined. Its importance for our energy and economic security is a well known fact. But there are some concerns in terms of realising the true potential of the relationship. Major concerns are briefed here as under:   1) Geopolitical Concerns: Arab-Israel conflict which is considered as mother … Read more

West Asia is a very important partner in our growth story. It has huge strategical and economical relevance for India. West asia absorb huge amount of labour( lower section).  Around 7 million Indian works in West Asia. It provide huge amount of remittance and hence it is of great importance. West Asia also ensure our … Read more

( prepare intro)   Convergence Economic: India is in the need of state of art technology and funding. Whole japan is a surplus country. Eg. Metro train, bullet train, funds from JICA Demography: Ageing population of japan and demography of India. Strategic policy of India- India’s act east policy find convergence with Japanese free and … Read more

a) Corruption perception index: Released by berlin based non- government organisation Transparency International. India’s ranking slid to 81 among a group of 180 countries. b) Press freedom index: The Press Freedom Index is an annual ranking of countries compiled and published byReporters without Borders based upon the organisation’s own assessment of thecountries’ press freedom records … Read more