Category: International Relations

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India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement

Source:  The Print  Context: The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (Ind-Aus ECTA) has completed two years, marking a significant milestone in bilateral trade relations and fostering mutual growth. About India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement: Established in: Signed in 2022. Nations: India and Australia. Features of the Agreement: Trade Preferences: Provides preferential market access …

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Greenland

Source:  The Print  Context: US President has once again expressed interest in buying Greenland, and Greenland has again stated it is not for sale. About Greenland: Location: Greenland is the world’s largest island, situated between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Controlled by: An autonomous territory under the Kingdom of …

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African Union Stabilization and Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)

Source:  TH  Context: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has authorized the African Union Stabilization and Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), effective from January 1, 2025. About African Union Stabilization and Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM): Full form: African Union Stabilization and Support Mission in Somalia. Established by: United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in collaboration …

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Lesotho

Source:  ANI Context: India has sent a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Lesotho to assist in addressing the food security and nutritional needs of its people. About Lesotho: Capital: Maseru is the capital and largest city of Lesotho. Location: Lesotho is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Completely surrounded by South Africa, …

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Free Movement Regime

Source:  TH  Context: Months after suspending the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Myanmar border, the Union Home Ministry introduced new protocols to regulate movement within 10 km of the unfenced border. About Free Movement Regime (FMR): What it is: FMR allows residents within a specified radius on either side of the India-Myanmar border to …

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Panama Canal

Source:  DH Context: The Panama Canal, a crucial global shipping route, has recently been at the centre of geopolitical tension as former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to reclaim control over it. About Panama Canal: Location and Connection: Situated in Panama, Central America, the canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. History: Initial Efforts: Spanish …

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Kuwait

Source:  News on Air Context: Indian Prime Minister will visit Kuwait for a two-day trip, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 43 years. About Kuwait: Location: Situated in West Asia at the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Neighbours: Borders Iraq to the north, Saudi Arabia to the …

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Protected Area Pemit

Source:  NIE  Context: The Indian government has reinstated the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime in Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland due to security concerns stemming from the influx of people from neighbouring countries. About Protected Area Permit (PAP): What it is: An official document required for foreign nationals to visit certain “protected” areas in India under …

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Libya

Source:  TH  Context: Sixteen Indian workers employed at Libya Cement Company in Benghazi, Libya, have alleged being held in “prison-like conditions” since protesting against contractual violations. About Libya: Location: Situated in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north. Capital: Tripoli. Border Nations: Egypt (east), Sudan (southeast), Chad (south), Niger (southwest), Algeria (west), …

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Vanuatu

Source:  HT Context: A massive earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific, causing significant damage and potential casualties. About Vanuatu: Location: Vanuatu is located in the South Pacific Ocean. East of Australia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands. Capital: Port Vila, situated on the island of …

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Golan Heights

Source:  DD News Context: The Israeli government recently announced plans to double its population in the Golan Heights, a region it occupied during the 1967 Six-Day War. About Golan Heights: Location: The Golan Heights is a hilly region overlooking the upper Jordan River Valley in the west. Neighbours: It shares borders with Israel to the …

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Moldova

Source:  TH  Context: India extended gratitude to Moldova for its crucial support during Operation Ganga, which helped evacuate over 20,000 Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine in February 2022. About Moldova: Capital: Chișinău Neighbours: Romania (West) Ukraine (North, East, and South) European Union Status: Moldova is not part of the EU but has EU candidate status …

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Cyber Slavery

Source:  DH  Context: The Tamil Nadu Crime Branch CID and Protector of Emigrants (POE), Chennai, thwarted an attempt to send three Tamil Nadu youth to Cambodia for “cyber slavery,” where victims are coerced into participating in online scams. About Cyber Slavery: Definition: Cyber slavery refers to the coercion or trafficking of individuals into online scams …

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Most Favoured Nation

Source:  DH Context: Switzerland has recently revoked India’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) clause in Double taxation avoidance agreement status following a Supreme Court ruling in an adverse tax case involving Nestle. About Most Favoured Nation (MFN): What It Is: MFN is a principle under the World Trade Organization (WTO) that mandates non-discrimination among member countries …

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Cameroon

Source:  TH Context: A group of 47 migrant workers from Jharkhand stranded in Cameroon due to unpaid wages have received partial payment after intervention by Chief Minister of Jharkhand. About Cameroon: Location: Cameroon is situated at the junction of western and central Africa. Capital: Yaoundé, located in the south-central region. Bordering Nations: Nigeria, Chad, Central …

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Saydnaya Military Prison

Source:  IE Context: The infamous Saydnaya Military Prison near Damascus, often referred to as the “human slaughterhouse,” became a site of unimaginable atrocities under Bashar al-Assad’s regime. About Saydnaya Military Prison: Location: Near Damascus, Syria, infamous for severe human rights violations. Death Toll: Amnesty International estimates 13,000 deaths (2011–2015); Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates …

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Manama Dialogue

Source:   News 18 Context: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the 20th Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, highlighting India’s diplomatic efforts in addressing challenges across the Middle East, from Gaza to Syria. About Manama Dialogue: Origin: Initiated in 2004 in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Nations involved: Includes participants from Middle East, North America, Europe, Asia, and …

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De-dollarisation

Source:  TH  Context: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das clarified that India is not taking steps toward de-dollarisation despite discussions within BRICS about a common currency to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. About De-dollarisation: What is De-dollarisation? Definition: The process of reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar in international trade and reserves to mitigate risks associated …

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Bhutan

Source:  TH  Context: India and Bhutan recently held high-level discussions during the visit of Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to India. About Gelephu Mindfulness City Project: Location: Gelephu, a southern town in Bhutan near the Indian border. Funded by: Bhutan, with India’s support. What it is: A sustainable urban development project aimed at enhancing …

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Syrian Civil War

Source:  TH  Context: The Syrian civil war has reignited with a fresh offensive by Islamist militants led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), capturing key territories, including Aleppo, and threatening the stability of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. About Syrian Civil War: Places in news: Aleppo: Recaptured by the Assad regime in 2016, now lost to HTS …

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