Economic performance of China during the COVID-19 pandemic: In 2020 during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when most economies were struggling, China was able to sustain its impressive economic performance. China’s gross domestic product grew by 2.2% in 2020 from the previous year. China’s manufacturing output registered an increase from the previous year and …
Key outputs of India-Australia virtual summit: Strengthening Cultural Ties: Australia recognises the depth and diversity of India’s magnificent culture. Australia returned 29 ancient Indian artefacts consisting of sculptures and paintings executed in a variety of materials. Energy: India-Australia is working on a new and renewable energy partnership, to support the development of technologies such as green hydrogen …
India and Japan Trade Relations: In recent years, the economic relationship between Japan and India has steadily expanded and deepened. The volume of trade between the two countries has increased. India was the 18th largest trading partner for Japan, and Japan was the 12th largest trading partner for India in 2020. Also, direct investment from …
History of India-Russia Defence Ties: India was reliant, almost solely on the British, and other Western nations for its arms imports immediately after Independence. However, this dependence weaned, and by the 1970s India was importing several weapons systems from the USSR (now Russia), making it the country’s largest defence importer for decades. Russia has provided some of the most …
Context: World Bank has approved a plan to use USD 1 billion in a frozen Afghanistan trust fund for education, agriculture, health and family programs to ease the country’s worsening humanitarian and economic crises. Current situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule: Taliban has taken control of Afghanistan after US forces withdrawal in 2021. Current situation in Afghanistan is …
Context: US administration has announced its Indo-Pacific strategy. Key Points of USA’s Indo-Pacific strategy: Vision of Indo-Pacific: The US will seek an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient. Free: One of the strategic actions outlined is investing in civil society, a free press and democratic institutions. Connections: Within and beyond the region. US …
USA’s Indo-Pacific Policy and its impact on India – UPSC GS2 Read More »
India-UAE Trade Pact: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The trade deal is set to benefit almost 90 per cent of trade, both exports and imports, between the two countries. The India-UAE CEPA would have strong anti-dumping measures. The trade deal has also provided a permanent safeguard …
Background of the Pakistan-China Relationship: Cold War Era: Initially, Pakistan was a member of two United States-led anti-communist military pacts, SEATO and CENTO. Pakistan was seen as part of the non-Soviet bloc and China, under Mao Zedong, was on the other side of the aisle. On the other hand, India had a working relationship with China. The two countries had the same anti-colonial, …
Pakistan-China Closeness and its implication for India – UPSC GS2 Read More »
Context: India has decided to do a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics in Beijing. What is a diplomatic boycott? In normal circumstances, high-ranking officials from a country’s government travel to the Olympics. These officials are labelled as the ‘VIP visitors’. Diplomatic boycott means countries will not send ‘VIP visitors’ delegations to Beijing during the …
Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Winter Olympics – UPSC GS2 Read More »
Crisis in Myanmar: Mass protests have been taking place across Myanmar since the military seized control in 2021. Elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party are among those detained. After the coup, a parallel government named the National Unity Government (NUG) was formed which soon lost …