China’s ‘grey-zone’ warfare tactics and its impact

Syllabus: Internal Security/ International Relations  Source: TH  Context: China is using ‘grey-zone’ tactics against Taiwan involving sophisticated methods to frustrate the island’s leadership. This includes simulated audiovisuals depicting invasion scenarios and sustained pressure through military sorties and cognitive warfare tactics.   What is Grey-zone warfare? Grey-zone warfare refers to a strategic approach where aggressors employ …

Non-Permanent Members of the UNSC

Context: Pakistan, Panama, Somalia, Denmark, and Greece have been elected as non-permanent members of the UNSC for a two-year term starting in 2025. This marks Pakistan’s 8th term as a non-permanent member India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council 8 times, the last being 2021-2022.   Source: TOI

AUKUS alliance and its pivot to France

Syllabus: International Relations  Source: BS  Context: The article discusses the AUKUS alliance among the US, UK, and Australia to bolster military capabilities against China, including sharing nuclear submarine technology.   What is AUKUS? AUKUS, a trilateral partnership formed in 2021, aims to bolster security and defence interests, primarily countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. …

Biopharmaceutical Alliance

Syllabus: International Relations  Source: TH  Context: India, South Korea, the United States, Japan, and the European Union (EU) have formed a Biopharmaceutical Alliance to address drug supply shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Aim of the Biopharmaceutical Alliance: The Biopharmaceutical alliance aims to coordinate bio policies, regulations, and research and development support measures among participating …

Arab League Summit

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: UN  Context: UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking at the Arab League Summit in Bahrain, called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages, and unimpeded aid access.    About the Arab League: The Arab League, formally known as the League of Arab States, is a regional …

Chabahar port

Facts for Prelims (FFP)  Source: IE   Context: The US has warned of potential sanctions following India’s signing of a 10-year contract with Iran to operate the Chabahar port.   About Chabahar Port: Chabahar port, strategically located in Iran’s Sistan-Baluchistan province, facilitates India’s trade access and has been a key element in the trilateral agreement …

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TH  Context: The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has deferred the accreditation of India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for the second consecutive year, which could impact India’s voting rights at the Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies. The deferral was based on issues highlighted …

UNCTAD rebranded as ‘UN Trade and Development’

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: UNCTAD   Context: UNCTAD, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, has undergone a significant rebranding as “UN Trade and Development” to mark its 60th anniversary. This strategic move reflects its commitment to enhancing its impact and amplifying its voice on behalf of developing countries. The rebranding initiative …

ASEAN Future Forum

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: MEA    Context: India’s External Affairs Minister, delivered remarks at the 1st ASEAN Future Forum. India supports ASEAN unity and centrality, emphasizing the importance of a strong and unified ASEAN in the Indo-Pacific region.   About ASEAN Future Forum: It was proposed by Vietnam at the 43rd ASEAN Summit …

Top-tier security partner

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: TH   Context: Australia’s new National Defence Strategy (NDS) highlights India as a top-tier security partner, emphasizing the importance of its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in contributing to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The strategy aims to deepen defence cooperation with India through practical initiatives and information sharing. Australia plans …

The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: DTE  Context: The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) Asia Pacific, along with other environmental groups, has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take strong action against plastic pollution ahead of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) session. Over 100 civil society organizations (CSOs) emphasized the urgent …

India-Mauritius Tax Treaty

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: LM   Context: India and Mauritius amended their double taxation avoidance agreement (DTAA) to include a principal purpose test (PPT) aimed at curbing tax avoidance. However, the amended protocol has not been ratified or notified by the Income Tax Department. There were concerns that investments through Mauritius might face …

Palestinian Membership Application Referred to UN Committee

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: Reuters  Context: The United Nations Security Council president has referred the Palestinian Authority’s application for full UN membership to the committee on new member admissions. The committee will assess the application’s compliance with U.N. membership requirements before potentially advancing it for a formal Security Council vote  

BIMSTEC Charter

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: AIR    Context: Nepal’s Lower House of Parliament endorsed the BIMSTEC Charter recently. The BIMSTEC Charter aims to enhance collaboration among member countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, in areas such as economic prosperity, social progress, and connectivity. BIMSTEC, established in 1997, seeks to …

Group of Friends (GOF)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: DD NEWS  Context: India, leading the Group of Friends (GOF) comprising 40 member states, convened a meeting to discuss strategies for strengthening legal frameworks against crimes targeting peacekeepers. India launched a new database hosted on the Unite Aware platform to record crimes against peacekeepers and monitor accountability efforts. The …

COP Presidentcies’ Troika

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: Hindustan Times  Context: The hosts of upcoming United Nations climate conferences, including the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, and Brazil also known as COP Presidentcies’ Troika, have called for nations to align their nationally-determined contributions (NDCs) with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.   They aim …