Category: International Relations
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Trump’s Trade Policies: Impact on India and Global Trade Dynamics
Context: A day after US President Donald Trump issued fresh tariff threats against India and other countries, the White House released a statement following his phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. More on News Trump reportedly emphasised the need for India to increase its procurement of American-made security equipment and move towards a…
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HIB Visas – Skilled Immigration as a Catalyst for Job Creation
Context: With the coming in power of Donald Trump there is a rising debate in the USA about the future of HIB Visas policy. About Skilled Immigrants Role of Skilled Immigrants: In hubs like Silicon Valley, Boston, and San Diego, skilled immigrants are not just filling existing roles; they are creating jobs, launching startups, filing…
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India In 2024: The Great Balancing
Context: India’s foreign policy landscape is marked by a delicate balancing act, navigating complex geopolitical dynamics to secure its strategic interests. Recent events highlight India’s ability to strengthen partnerships while addressing challenges in various regions, including West Asia, major global powers, and its immediate neighborhood. Additionally, India has amplified its voice as a champion of…
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Mineral Diplomacy
Context: As India strives to expand its manufacturing and technological capabilities, the demand for critical minerals has surged, making mineral security a national priority. More on News These essential resources, such as lithium and cobalt, are key to powering sectors like renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics. However, India remains heavily reliant on imports,…
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US-China Trade War
Context: Amid rising tensions with the US, China is showcasing its readiness for a potential trade war, leveraging a range of strategic tools in response to restrictions imposed by the Biden administration. More on News The latest US curbs, aimed at limiting China’s access to components essential for AI chips, prompted swift retaliation from Beijing,…
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Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC) 2024
Context: The Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC) 2024 opens in Harare, Zimbabwe, aiming to highlight the intersection of climate change and health in Africa. This inaugural event brings together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss the urgent health impacts of climate change on the continent. Key Highlights of CHAC 2024 Dates and Venue:…
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Israeli Laws Impacting UN Aid to Gaza
Context: Israeli lawmakers approved two new laws that could hinder the work of the main United Nations agency aiding people in Gaza. The legislation restricts the agency from operating on Israeli soil, cutting ties with it and labelling it a terror organisation. More on News: Though the laws don’t take immediate effect, they signal a…
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India-China LAC Agreement: Key Developments and Future Pathways
Context: The recent India-China disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) represents a crucial step in easing tensions that have persisted since the 2020 border standoff. This agreement, focused on Depsang and Demchok in eastern Ladakh, highlights broader geopolitical and geostrategic considerations as both nations aim to manage military, diplomatic, and economic challenges. Disengagement…
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Global Supply chain at Inflection point
Context: Global supply chains are at an inflection point. While the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the focus from efficiency (just in time) to resilience (just in case), two developments in September 2024 indicate that another shift is underway in how supply chains are envisioned and operationalised — this time towards security (just to be secure). Evolution…
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21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024
ASEAN-India Summit. The 21st ASEAN-India Summit 2024, held in Vientiane, Laos, focused on enhancing India-ASEAN relations amid global tensions and conflicts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised dialogue and cooperation, marking a decade of India’s Act East Policy. A 10-point plan was unveiled to further strengthen ties. Importance of ASEAN-India Summit. The 21st ASEAN-India Summit,…
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Global Nature Positive Summit
Context: Leaders from government, private sector, research, environment, and First Nations communities are gathering in Sydney this week for the world’s first Global Nature Positive Summit. More on News: The summit highlights the need not only to conserve remaining biodiversity but also to actively restore degraded ecosystems to benefit from their valuable services. Co-hosted…
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ASEAN Summit
Context: The Indian Prime Minister is set to attend the (ASEAN) Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ASEAN summit in Vientiane, the capital of Lao PDR, during a two-day visit. More on News: In a statement, the PM remarked, “This year marks a decade of our Act East Policy. I will join ASEAN leaders to…
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INDIA – USA Sign Nuclear attack Submarines & Drones Deal
Context: Recently the Cabinet Committee on Security approved two major deals: the purchase of 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones from General Atomics (U.S.) and the indigenous construction of two Nuclear Attack Submarines (SSNs). More in News: SSN Proposal:The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the indigenous construction of two…
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India-US Counterterrorism Partnership
Context: India’s foreign policy has realigned in recent years to place greater emphasis on strengthening ties with the United States (US), a relationship marked by shared concerns about terrorism. More on News Counterterrorism collaboration has emerged as a cornerstone of this partnership, cemented by key events such as 9/11 in the US and the…
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Drug trafficking (Trade) Across India and Myanmar
Context: Drug trafficking represents a non-traditional security threat with serious repercussions. The unfenced, porous Indo-Myanmar border facilitates the flow of narcotics into India, significantly impacting the region’s socio-economic fabric. More on News: Globally, the drug trade is valued at around $650 billion, accounting for 30 percent of the overall illicit economy. Since the 1970s,…
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India’s Shift on Palestine
Context: India’s stance on Palestine, once emblematic of its anti-colonial values, has softened since the Cold War’s end and undergone a marked transformation in the last decade. The growing alignment with Israel, the sidelining of Palestine, and a shift toward transactional diplomacy are interconnected, shaped by both domestic and global influences. Hindutva and…
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USCIRF Report
Context: Recently, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) issued a country update on India, highlighting a significant decline in religious freedom conditions and placed India under the category of ‘Country of Particular Concern’. More on News: The report emphasised that throughout 2024, individuals from minority communities have been targeted, with some…
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Quad Leaders Summit – A Re-Balancing of India’s Great Power Relations
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the sixth Quad Leaders Summit in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S., on September 21, 2024, has raised hopes for strengthening security cooperation among the “four leading maritime democracies in the Indo-Pacific.” More on News: India is currently engaged in a delicate balancing act—protecting its interests in negotiations with China…
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Maritime Exercise Malabar 2024
Context: The Maritime Exercise Malabar 2024 will take place from October 8 to 18, 2024, starting with a Harbour Phase in Visakhapatnam, followed by a Sea Phase. This year, India will host the exercise, which will see participation from Australia, Japan, and the United States. More on News: A Distinguished Visitors’ Day is scheduled…
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Sudanese Civil War
Context: Sudanese Civil War On September 26, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) launched a major offensive against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khartoum and Bahri, reigniting the conflict after a relatively quiet period. More on News: Eighteen months into the civil war, the United Nations has reported over 20,000 deaths, while the International…
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Switzerland and Italy to Redraw National Borders
Context: Switzerland and Italy have agreed to redraw a portion of their shared national border as melting Alpine glaciers, a direct consequence of anthropogenic climate change, shift the historically defined frontier. More on News: In 2023, Italy and Switzerland formed a commission to assess the effects of climate change on glaciers and its impact on…