International Relation

Answer : On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait and annexed it, accusing it of grabbing Iraq’s money and land. The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Jabar al Sabah fled the country. The crisis began when Baghdad accused Kuwait and U.A.E. of sabotaging its economy by overproducing oil and thus depressing oil prices, reducing Iraqi earnings. Iraq further wanted $10 billion as aid, $10 billion Kuwaiti loan to fight war with Iran, renuciation of Kuwait’s claim to Rumalia ....

Answer : To give effect to the Paris peace settlements, the UN took the charge to conduct peaceful and fair elections in Cambodia. Before the elections, there was widespread pessimism in many countries about the elections. But to be fair enough, the United Nations Transitional Authority for Cambodia (UNTAC) performed a commendable job in conducting the elections with 90 per cent of the registered voter turn-out.

Main objects of the UN were as follows:

1. To fulfill the ....

Answer : The basic provisions of NPT are:

1. Article I prohibits the transfer of nuclear weapons or other explosive devices to any state, whether a party to the treaty or not, whether a nuclear weapon state or not, directly or indirectly through an alliance.
2. Art II prohibits non-nuclear weapon nations from manufacturing or otherwise acquiring nuclear weapon or devices excluding peaceful nuclear devices.
3. Art III obligates the non-nuclear weapons parties to accept international safe guards specified in a special ....

Answer : For a solution to the South African problem, political talks were started under CODESA-the Convention for a Democrate South Africa between President de Klerk and the ANC Nelson Mandela. On democratisation of South Africa, the proposals of President de Klerk in phase I include the appointment of a multi-party transitioinal executive council and sub-council to be responsible for creating the climate for free political activity and election of a constitution making body. Phase II is ....

Answer : The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization that regulates international trade.

WTO is facing existential crisis during a time when developed economies have adopted protectionist attitude. Several countries, mainly led by USA and China, have recently resorted to precedent high tariffs on their imports leading to a situation called trade wars. China might well be the new WTO leader and China’s growing assertiveness may be the reason for the U.S.’s hard posturing. China is ....

Answer : Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was meant to stall Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, which was finalized in 2015. The deal was concluded between Iran and the P5 (United States, Russia, France, China, and United Kingdom) plus Germany and the European Union.

New Challenges for India

Even though India was not party to the deal, India supported it. India had watched the growing tensions between Iran and the United States before the deal was reached ....

Answer : Although India publicly kept a distance from Israel until the late 1980’s, there was in fact a great deal of bilateral activities between the two countries in the preceding years.

Since the upgrade of relations in 1992, defence and agriculture have been the main pillars of bilateral engagement. The two countries recently completed 25 years of diplomatic ties and an Israeli prime minister visited India after a gap of 15 years since Ariel Sharon in 2003.

India-Israel ....

Answer : India and the region of Central Asia have very long historical, cultural and economic connections. The famous Silk Route not only connected the people and businesses, but also let the thoughts, culture and beliefs flow freely from one region to the other.

• Traditionally, Central Asia has been an arena of ‘’great game’’. The modern version is being played out even today. Russia, China, US, Turkey, Iran, Europe, EU, Japan, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan have substantial security ....

Answer : Indian official foreign policy to China is engaging with China at all levels but remaining alert to Chinese aggression. This shows the impact of aggressive policy of China on India. But, China is showing aggression to many countries especially in South China Sea. Even with India, Doklam was similar development. In this background, the Chinese effort to develop potential military power status on the basis of economic relation generates caution.

India is a very peaceful country. ....

Answer : UNECOSOC is one of the 6 principal organs of United Nations responsible for coordinating the economic social and related work of 15 UN specialised agencies, their functional commissions and five regional commissions.

Main Functions

Basically its function is to coordinate among various organs of UN, governments and NGOs to achieve the objectives of UN. Their functions can be summarised as:

• Promoting sustainable development
• Advancing policy integration
• Development cooperation forum to enhance coherence
• Financing for sustainable development
• Coordinating humanitarian action
• Guiding operational activities ....

Answer : India is highly energy deficient country while West Asia has many countries with surplus oil and gas. India’s energy policy cooperation is evolving from mere buyer towards becoming partner in production and refining. Indian energy policy cooperation with West Asian countries should be analysed in light of the above.

India’s policy of Look West is relevant in this context. Yes, it is true that India needs energy, but at the same, it also true that West ....

Answer : Indian connection to South-East Asia was from ancient period of Srivijaya Empire. Indians also went there as labourers during the British period. This connection became vibrant with the diaspora contributing in literature, culture, trade and politics.

Indian origin people form the significant part of South-East Asian countries. About 8% of Malaysia, 7.4% of Singapore, 4% of Myanmar, 0.5% of Indonesian are of Indian origin. They are contributing immensely to the development of languages and literature in ....

Answer : World Trade Organization (WTO), an international organization established to supervise and liberalize world trade.

Doha Development Round is the trade-negotiation round of the WTO, which commenced in November 2001. Its objective was to lower trade barriers around the world, and thus facilitates increased global trade.

Conflicts in Doha Round:

• Allegations were hurled on developed countries for ignoring developmental challenges of developing and least developed countries.
• Major Issues:
• Agriculture & subsidy issues are of vital importance for both developed and developing ....

Answer : India’s Look East policy is an effort to cultivate extensive economic and strategic relations with the nations of Southeast Asia in order to bolster its standing as a regional power and a counterweight to the strategic influence of China.

Significance (post-cold war):

• Initiated in the early 1990s against the backdrop of a struggling economy and the sudden disappearance of the Cold War framework.
• The Look East policy was a multifaceted and multi-pronged approach to establish strategic links with ....

Answer : South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of nations in South Asia. India not willing to attend 19th SAARC summit along with Afghanistan, Bhutan and Bangladesh have brought question mark on future of SAARC.

Key Developments:

• India didn’t want to attend because of Pakistan’s role in cross-border terrorist attacks and growing interference in internal affairs of member states.
• Afganistan has pointed that terrorist activities have increased.
• Bhutan is willing to join ....

Answer : Many Voices One World, also known as the MacBride report, was a 1981 UNESCO publication written by the International Commission for the Study of Communication Problems.

Aim:

To analyze communication problems in modern societies, particularly relating to mass media and news, consider the emergence of new technologies, and to suggest a kind of communication order (New World Information and Communication Order) to diminish these problems to further peace and human development.

Problems the report identified are:

• Concentration of the ....

Answer : The accelerated rate of growth witnessed by India during last two decades, have raised certain challenges. These challenges includes: resources security, in particular energy security, has become a prime concern of national interest. Secondly, economic and financial reforms have increased the global competitiveness of both the public and private sector, and a number of Indian firms have established themselves globally; thirdly, a renewed engagement with the Indian diaspora through the expansion of Indian political, economic, ....

Answer : India has been actively pursuing its quest for permanent membership of the UN Security Council (UNSC). It has pushed for text based negotiations in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) as a step to move forward the agenda of UNSC reform and expansion stuck fruitlessly in the Open-Ended Working Group all these years. Many would rightly say that the start of text based negotiations does not mean that India is anywhere near obtaining permanent membership.

Impediments that ....

Answer : The unique idea of this project to showcase a Transnational Mixed Route (including Natural and Cultural Heritage) on the World Heritage List.

Focusing on monsoon patterns, cultural routes and maritime landscapes, Project ‘Mausam’ is examining key processes and phenomena that link different parts of the Indian Ocean littoral as well as those that connect the coastal centres to their hinterlands. Broadly, Project ‘Mausam’ aims to understand how the knowledge and manipulation of the monsoon winds has ....

Answer : It is well acknowledged fact that both the nations have wasted too many years in animosity fuelled by terrorist activities and mutual distrust due to historical developments. But, despite all the political differences, the citizens of both the nations remains strongly interconnected and interrelated through same culture, language, sartorial way, geographic conditions, socio-cultural traditions etc. these are some of the threads that are still bonding the people of these not so friendly nations. In addition ....

Answer : India China relations face numerous problems ranging from border disputes on Line of Control in Leh- Ladakh and Tibetan region dispute over Arunachal Pradesh to China’s influence on Indian Ocean on “string of pearls” strategy on encircling Indian nation by constructing naval bases and ports in neighbouring countries. Above all, the 21st century’s most serious problem that affects India China relation is over maritime security and maritime territorial disputes like South China Sea.

China’s Dominance in ....

Answer : The ITA is an agreement that provides for duty-free treatment of certain “information technology” (IT) products. The original agreement was negotiated by 29 participants and concluded in December 1996. The number of participants has now grown to 52, representing 80 World Trade Organization (WTO) members, accounting for approximately 97 percent of world trade in IT products.

In joining the ITA, participants commit to eliminating tariffs on all products covered under the agreement, including computers and peripheral ....

Answer : Developing nations like India often lack economic wealth for promoting regional growth and developing infrastructure facilities in the country. For monetary aid it needs some international funding from agencies like World Bank, IMF, Asian Development Bank etc. to infuse fund in economy for nation’s development, while accepting such aid it imposes certain conditions for providing those aids to country. Those who accept those conditions it grants fund only to them, which has both positive and ....

• New Development Bank: The NDB has given $50 billion in initial capital. The BRICS bank appears to work on an equal-share voting basis, with each of the five signatories contributing $10 billion. The capital base is to be used to finance infrastructure and “sustainable development” projects in the BRICS countries initially, but other low- and middle-income countries will be able to buy in and apply for funding.
• Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), which is backed by at ....

Answer : The WTO’s main functions are to do with trade negotiations and the enforcement of negotiated multilateral trade rules (including dispute settlement). Special focus is given to four particular policies supporting these functions:

Assisting developing and transition economies: Developing countries make up about three quarters of the total WTO membership. Together with countries currently in the process of “transition” to market-based economies, they play an increasingly important role in the WTO.

Specialized help for exporting: The International Trade ....

Answer : An Afghanistan without ISAF will be prey to the machinations of Pakistan’s notorious Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which created, trained, financed, and directed the Afghan Taliban in the 1990s. This would be a proven security threat to India: the Taliban regime of the day, functioning as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ISI, was complicit in the hijacking of an Indian airliner in 1999. As a result, America’s interest in reconciliation with the Taliban is viewed with ....

Answer : China has established a number of port relationships in the Indian Ocean that make it possible for them to support increased navy operations. All these ports are commercial operations, where Chinese firms have upgraded or built commercial ports and run them. This makes it easy for the Chinese Navy to visit (for repairs, supplies, or shore leave for the crews). So far this “string of pearls” includes Bangladesh (Chittagong), Burma (Sittwe and Coco Island), Sri ....

Answer : Japan is currently India’s third largest source of foreign direct investment; Japanese companies have made cumulative investments of around $2.6 billion in India since 1991. The 2007 annual survey conducted by the Japan Bank for International Co-operation ranked India as the most promising overseas investment destination for Japanese companies over the long term. In recent years, Japan has assisted India in infrastructure development projects such as the Delhi Metro Rail Project. Both sides are discussing ....

Answer : The 2013 Shahbag protests, associated with a central neighbourhood of Dhaka, Bangladesh, began on February 5, 2013 and later spread to other parts of Bangladesh, as people demanded capital punishment for Abdul Quader Mollah, who had been sentenced to life imprisonment, and for others convicted of war crimes by the International Crimes Tribunal.

If Islamic fundamental forces become stronger then it will impact India- Bangladesh relationship. Islamic forces do not support secular character. Fundamentalist will target ....

Answer : In a surprising turn of events, even for many of Maldivians, Mohamad Nasheed, the first democratically-elected head of the state of Maldives, resigned on 07 February 2012 in the wake of anti-government protests and police mutiny.

Given the strategic location of the Maldives, its peace and stability is crucial not only for India, but also for the entire region. India needs to ensure that Maldives does not become a haven either for Islamic militant groups or ....

Answer : The competitive populism in Tamil Nadu over the situation of Tamils in Sri Lanka has generated a great deal of alarm in New Delhi over the manner in which political issues relating to a State have begun impinging on India’s foreign and security policies. Though somewhat over the top, the Dravidian parties have a point, but a general one rather than the specific case they are advocating.

The general point is that in any country, the ....

Answer : The Gujral doctrine was a five-point roadmap which sought to build trust between India and neighbours, of solution to bilateral issues through bilateral talks and to remove immediate quid pro quos in diplomatic relationship between India and her neighbours. The ‘Doctrine’ emphasized on the importance of unilateral accommodation for friendly and warm relations with India’s neighbours.

The five principles are:

1. With neighbours like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, India does not ask for reciprocity, but ....

Answer : Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are products of the Bretton Woods Agreement of 1945. The Bretton Woods Agreement’s primary purpose was to raise and distribute funds for the objective of reconstructing war-torn Europe, and both organizations, the World Bank and the International Monetary fund were created for that purpose.

World Bank’s objective was to provide both financial and technical assistance to developing nations to build infrastructure such as bridges, roads, and social ....

Answer : Border disputes between India and China have taken violent turns several times after India's Independence leading to wars in 1962, 1967 and 1987. In contemporary times even though no serious wars have occurred, but border disputes still are a straining factor on diplomatic relations. Despite these issues the two countries have made conscious efforts to strengthen economic ties and isolate them from border issues.

However, India is placed unfavourably in the economic balance of trade with ....

Answer : The monarchial rule in Nepal was overthrown in 2007 by a Maoist uprising. Simultaneously an interim constitution of Nepal was drafted and adopted in 2007. The Interim Constitution was drafted to facilitate and manage, writing Nepal's permanent constitution.

Under the terms of the Interim Constitution, the new constitution was to be promulgated by May 28, 2010 but due to disagreements among political parties the Constituent Assembly kept on extending the Interim Constitution by a few months ....

Answer : Backwardness is a subjective term. Backwardness is usually seen mostly in economic terms. With the development of the concept of Human Development Index, it can also be referred to as inability of a society to ensure a good quality of life for its people. Despite being rich in natural resources, Africa and South Asia have remained backward. There are many factors which have led to persistence of backwardness in these countries.

Historically, almost all African and ....

Answer : The return of Russian strongman Putin may usher in a frostier relationship with the west.Putin has been openly critical of foreign policies of the U.S. He has also been critical of the U.S's continued hyper use of force in international relations

During the Iraq crisis of 2003, Putin opposed Washington's move to invade Iraq. During recent times as well, the relations between the two countries have been strained due to opposition of view points over Syria. ....

Answer : The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), agreed on by world leaders at a UN summit in 2000, set specific targets on poverty alleviation, education, gender equality, child and maternal health, environmental stability, HIV/AIDS reduction, and a 'Global Partnership for Development.

There have been concerns that the MDG may not be achieved by 2015 because of squeeze of world spending to achieve MDGs due to economic recession and some countries lagging behind in achieving their individual goals.

However, ....

Answer : BRICS the acronym coined by Goldman Sachs formed in 2009 in Yekaterinburg with brazil, Russia, India,china and later joined by south Africa accounts for 26% of the worlds area, 40 % of its population and 22% of the global GDP.

• IBSA is a grouping of democracies, all from the south (South Asia, South America and South Africa) formed in 2003 through Brasilia declaration. IBSA focuses on tackling the socio economic development issues social aspects of globalization ....

Answer : The U.S. oil sanctions are designed to crimp Tehran's oil revenues by stopping financial institutions from conducting oil transactions with Iran's central bank, which handles most of the Iran's oil payments. India presently imports 12% of its consumed oil from Iran. US sanctions are affecting the payment of money for imported the Iranian crude oil and India has to resort to partial payment through Indian rupees and barter system to finance its oil import from ....

• G8+5 are a group, consisting of Heads of Government of G8 countries (Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, and the EU) and five leading emerging economies i.e. Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa.
• The group was formed in 2005 at 31st G8 Summit held in Gleneagles, Scotland and was institutionalized in 2007 at 33rd G8 Summit at ....

Answer : The South China Sea is south of mainland China and a part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area of around 35,00,000 sq km. It's bordered by some of the world's most rapidly developing countries and one third of the world's shipping transits through its waters, more than half the tonnage of oil transported by sea passes through it. The region has reserves of 7.7 trillion barrels of oil and 266 trillion cubic feet gas. ....

Answer : Central Asian Republics, comprising Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, has geopolitical significance for the post-cold war international system due to its geographical location, with Russia to the north; China and Mongolia to the east; India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan to the south; Turkey and Georgia to the west abundance of oil and natural reserves and vast mineral and natural resources, multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual population, but predominantly Muslims population.Its nation/state-building and modernization process, which ....

Answer : Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1993, India and South Africa relations have travelled a long distance. Now it covers diverse area ranging from economic and commercial cooperation, defense, culture, health, human settlements, public administration, science and technology and education. India and South Africa have a common approach on many global issues, including UNSC reforms, the future of multilateralism, climate change, South-South Cooperation and multilateral trade negotiations.

• On the trade front, value of bilateral trade ....

Answer : A newly formed economic cooperation region between Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal, is gathering attention. Better known as the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multisectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), the initiative for this economic cooperation, was undertaken during 1997. BIMSTEC was formed with the idea of imparting greater socio-economic cooperation among the member nations in the areas of technology, transport and communication, energy, tourism, agriculture, fisheries and human resources development. ....

Answer : The concept of the balance of power is one of the oldest known theories in the study of international relations. For many analysts it comes closer to any other single idea in explaining the patterns of war and peace that have prevailed among nation-states for many millennia. As a practical phrase it has been used more than any other as a guiding principle in both explaining and predicting the workings of the international system since ....

Answer : Cam Ranh Bay is an important port of Vietnam. It was recently opened for foreign navies for upgradation of the port. The new ship repair facility is being set up by the Russian navy and it will be commissioned to repair war ships and submarines. This will help Vietnam to counter growing Chinese influence in South China Sea. If the port would have developed as commercial port then it would have provided better commercial benefits ....

Answer : Somalia has had no effective government since 1991. Years of fighting between rival warlords, disease and famine have left over a million dead and arguably Africa's worst humanitarian crisis and also a third of the population is dependent on food aid.

• The Somali insurgents, al Shabaab, who have been fighting to topple the transitional federal government of President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, have announced they are withdrawing from Mogadishu. Key strategic positions like Bakara Market and the ....

Answer : Japan’s “Hikaku San Gensoku” or Three Non-Nuclear principles are parliamentary resolutions which have guided Japanese nuclear policy since their inception in the late 1960s. The basic tenets of these principles are that Japan shall neither possess nor manufacture nuclear weapons, nor shall it permit their introduction into Japanese territory. These principles were outlined by Prime Minister Eisaku Sato in 1967 and became the cornerstone of Japan’s national policy after the World War II.

• In recent years ....

Answer : Indian Diaspora in Caribbean countries are mostly descendants of the original indentured workers brought by the British, the Dutch and the French during colonial times. At present there is more than 2 millions of Indian Diaspora living in various Caribbean countries. In due course of time they have left their imprint in several sphere in Caribbean nations be it politics, art, culture or business.

• Indian origin writers in Caribbean such as Sir V. S. Naipaul and ....

Answer : The Israeli daily Ha’aretz recently characterized the relationship between India and Israel as “strong but low key,” and for once, it seems fairly accurate. Cursory observation shows that the countries share two crucial features — both are democracies and both are surrounded by Muslim enemies. In addition, Islamic terrorism has been visited upon both Israel and India, and should nuclear Pakistan crumble and be taken over by jihadi Islamists, the consequences would be dire for ....

Answer : The United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) is a United Nations peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of the Congo which was established by the United Nations Security Council in resolutions 1279 (1999) and 1291 (2000) of the United Nations Security Council to monitor the peace process of the Second Congo War, though much of its focus subsequently turned to the Ituri conflict, the Kivu conflict and the Dongo conflict.

• The initial ....

Answer : The ‘Riyadh Declaration’ - A New Era of Strategic Partnership’ was signed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz on March 1, 2010 in Riyadh. Both leaders reviewed the status of implementation of the historic Delhi Declaration signed in 2006, and expressed their satisfaction at the steady expansion of Saudi-India relations since the signing of the Delhi Declaration.

• According to the new declaration, keeping in view the development of relations ....

Answer : The continuous war between the Government of Sudan backed Janjaweeds and the four rebel tribal groups-The Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM), the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the National Movement for Reform and Development, the National Redemption Front (NRF) and the Popular Forces Army (PFA)-has led the country into a total turmoil.

• After many delays and missed deadlines, the slow negotiations between the Government of Sudan and the largest rebel movement active in Sudan’s Darfur region, the ....

Answer : Significance of the Kampala declaration of the International Criminal Court (ICC): The Kampala declaration was issued by the high level representatives of states parties to the Rome statute of the ICC in Kampala Uganda on 1st June 2010. The Rome statute of ICC refers to the crime of aggression as one of the “most serious crimes of concern to the international community” and provides that the crime falls within the jurisdiction of the ICC and ....

Answer : Bangladesh and Myanmar maritime boundary dispute started in 2008 when Bangladesh protested Myanmar’s move for lifting mineral resources from a disputed block in Bay of Bengal. Relations between the two countries reached a low with forces of both countries faces each other in Bay of Bengal. However, the tension was defused through diplomatic efforts initiated by Dhaka as both sides agreed that neither of the sides would pursue oil and gas exploration in the disputed ....

Answer : West Asia peace process got a major boost when leaders from both Israel and Palestine started direct peace talks hosted by the United States in Washington in September 2010. This breakthrough came after more than 20 months of stalled dialogue between the two parties. The talks were intended to resolve all final status issues between the two parties with the goal of a settlement negotiated between the parties that would end the occupation which began ....

Answer : India is a nation that is increasingly becoming more sensitive to the needs and duties of its regional realm that is South Asia. There are strategic Sea-routes, mineral reserves and natural resources that the growing appetite of India needs. If India needs road links through Bangladesh for their 'look east policy', Bhutan and Nepal for Hydro-electricity and minerals, Sri Lanka for developing fishing lines and Pakistan for terrorism control then it is also true that ....

Answer : The most oft-quoted statement that is prevailing in the international arena is that "the dragon is rising but this time it is not exhaling fire". This is basically to denote the 'peaceful rise' of China in the international canvass. Now China has realized that the only currency that speaks in the world geopolitics is the forex reserve. If it "tweaks" Yuan so that whole of the international market gets flooded with Chinese goods, then at ....

Answer : India and Russia had been friends for ages but now with the ground root realities changing this friendship has realistically evolved as the friends between two equals. Earlier due to cold war realities it was like two nation sharing common threats making them come together. In this context the defense ties that has developed in the recent times between the two nations already buttresses the notion that India and Russia are friends for ages. If ....

Answer : All the international diplomacy can either be 'soft' or 'hard' but with newer realities of pragmatism that has overshadowed whole of the international diplomacy has also made India to shun-off its ideological bent of mind in its foreign policy. If 'soft' version of this approach makes “India to go for economic diplomacy, natural “resource nationalization, cultural diplomacy to tell what She wants to convey to the concerned “nation in a peaceful manner. At the same ....

Answer : Nuclear Supplier Group is a multinational body that controls the export and re-transfer of nuclear materials through safeguards and protection on existing materials. NSG has been one of the key players in Indo-US nuke deal regarding clearing the exemptions given to India under it. After many rounds of discussions, in September 2008, the NSG members finally agreed to grant India a "clean waiver" from its existing rules, which forbid nuclear trade with a country which ....

Answer : (a) India - USA as strategic partners: Moving towards third and transformative phase as strategic partners that will enhance global prosperity and stability in the 21st century, ongoing cooperation can be mentioned among others:

1. Common security interests: intelligence sharing and terrorism.
2. Defence co-operation: joint military exercises and hardware.
3. Disarmament: CTBT, NPT, and FMCT.
4. WTO, Bilateral Investment Treaty, CEO forum etc.
5. Global institutions: UNSC, G-8, G-20.
6. Space, science and technology: Science and Technology Endowment Agreement, Technology Safeguards Agreement, FutureGen Project Integrated ....

Answer : (a) Indo-Bhutan trade relations: India is the leading trade partner of Bhutan and a free trade regime exists between two countries. Broadly India-Bhutan trade relation is managed by the overall framework of India-Bhutan Trade and Commerce Agreement, which has been renewed in 2005 for next 10 years. In 2008, exports from India were Rs.1734 crores and constituted 73.8% of Bhutan's total imports. Bhutan's exports to India in 2008 amounted to Rs. 2148 crores and constituted ....

Answer : The KIA was formalised through a joint declaration in November 2005, which stated that its objective was to promote teaching, research, service and commercial linkages to address contemporary challenges. Thus, it envisioned, would be carried out through "public-private partnerships" that will "facilitate technology transfer, bolster agricultural research, education and extension and strengthen trade and regulatory capacity building."

1. Under education, learning resources, curriculum development and training, the proposals on building, human and institutional capacity are included. ....

Answer : China-India relations have been on a new upward track in the recent years. The relationship also developed a new model, which is characterised by expanding bilateral cooperation while properly handling differences. This model has become an example of relations among countries under new international situations.

• China has shown its significance of India and it is ready to join hands with India to deepen strategic trust, properly handle differences, promote cooperation in various fields and strengthen communication ....

Answer : China ranks second in terms of economy while India is at the tenth position. China has nearly US$ 4 trillion foreign exchange reserves, and is speeding up its implementation of the 'going out' strategy. India also has ambitious development schemes and huge demand for foreign investment. So both countries have mutual economic and trade cooperation is highly complementary with extensive potential and bright future.

Bilateral trade relation between India and China for a period there was ....

Answer : In conformity with India's Look east policy, India and ASEAN FTA has been finally signed in 2009, as per the commitment of two parties on 2003 which will come in to force on 1st jan 2010. Under the agreement important following commitments have been made:

As Many as 4185 items would be opened for FTA comprising of agricultural processing food items, garments and iron and steel, host of items. There would also be sensitive list of ....

Answer : World Bank with its multilateral funding agencies like IBRD, IDA, IFC providing development funds to developing and under developed countries for their social and economic reconstruction. India as a developing Country is one of the major fund receiver for its development programmes like health, education infrastructure projects.

India joined the World Bank in 1944 and is among its oldest members. It is the World Bank's largest single borrower, with cumulative lending of more than US$47 billion.

From ....

Answer : (a) Look-East Policy and North-East India: Look-East policy which was launched in 1992, helped to connect the land locked North-East-India with the outer world. This policy helped to improve the economic condition of the North-Eastern states.

(b) India’s role in Afghanistan Today: India has undertaken partnership with the Afghan government projects in a wide range of sector like, hydro-electricity, road, agriculture, industry, telecommunication etc. Biscuits are distributed to 1.4 million school children every day under the ....

1. Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas: Celebrated on January 9 of every year (to commemorate the arrival of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa). It is organized to renew the bondage between PIOS+NRIS towards the nation.
2. I.C.R.C: International Committee on Red-Cross (I.C.R.C) is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence. In recent years, the ICRC has been confronted with and has responded to a growing variety of crisis situation.
3. MERCOSUR: A Regional Trade Agreement ....

Answer : India and Russia have a long history of strategic and defence cooperation. During the cold war era also, when India adopted a policy of non-alignment, Russia (hitherto USSR) had supported India in strategic matters. The relationship in terms of defence cooperation improved further between the two countries when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister. Since then, India has been a major buyer of Russian defence equipments. Russia has also supported India in the transfer of defence ....

• Bangladesh has been facing a period of political crisis since the end of the tenure of former Prime Minister Khalida Jia in October 2006. In January 2007, emergency was declared in Bangladesh and elections were postponed. Violence and lawlessness have been rampant since the arrest of former prime ministers, Sheikh Hasina and Khalida Jia under corruption charges. Military has an indirect hold over political power and even the extremists have become active.
• India’s concern is natural under such circumstances. India ....

Answer : India had joined the nuclear weapons group (NWG) after the nuclear tests of 1974 and 1988. However, India has always been a responsible nuclear power. The nuclear policy or doctrine of India includes the following aspects:

• Formation and maintenance of a minimum deterrence.
• No first use of nuclear weapons and also no use of nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear weapons country.
• The option of use of nuclear weapons is open if India or Indian armed forces are attacked ....

Answer : South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation's (SAARC's) annual summit was held in the capital of India, New Delhi in April 2007. For the first time delegates from Japan, China and South Korea took part in SAARC summit.

In this summit, harsh words were used by the member countries to condemn terrorism, however, much was not achieved regarding India's interest for the treaty regarding international terrorism. In this summit, the main achievement was that adding new members ....

Answer : (a) SAFTA

• South Asian Free Trade Agreement includes a unanimous free-trade among all South Asian countries improving the trade among SAARC countries.

(b) India and East Asia Summit (EAS)

• East Asia Summit (at Cebu, 2007) comprises of six countries including India except the ASEAN nations. India can improve its economic and trade relation through EAS.

(c) Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (S.C.O.)

• Established in 2001 it is an organisation of six nations – Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyztan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan ....
  
  

Answer : India and US signed an agreement inaugurating the implementation of the next steps in ‘strategic partnership’ (NSSP), announced by President Bush and Prime Minister Vajpayee. The NSSP provides a roadmap for increased US-Indian cooperation over time on a quarter of issues, civilian nuclear energy, Civilian space programmes, high technology trade, and missile defense. Under the first phase, the US agreed to loosen controls over space and dual use technologies while India tightens its regulations on ....

Answer : President Bush's speech to U.N. General Assembly showed how much that diplomatic calculation has changed in Bush's second term. With the United States ensnarled in an increasingly difficult campaign in Iraq, war is no longer a viable option. Instead, the administration is struggling with the difficult and messy business of diplomacy. That often means accommodating the interests and demands of other countries, even backtracking on what had been firm positions. Slowly but surely, the White ....

Answer : Nepal's king is losing its power gradually since the restoration of democracy. Nepal's parliament unanimously passed a landmark resolution calling for the monarchy's powers to be slashed, and reducing the king to a ceremonial figurehead. The move comes nearly a month after a massive pro-democracy campaign forced. King Gyanendra to give up the governmental powers he had seized, and reinstate parliament.

• The historic resolution approved by Nepal's parliament is a first step towards taking control of ....

Answer : The 32nd Summit of the G-8 group of industrialized countries took place from July 15 to July 17, 2006 of Saint Petersburg, Russia. The major summit theme was the three major pressing issues of the world today viz. Energy Security, Education and Health. Apart from these the leaders of the G-8 caused for an end to hostilities in West Asia and urged the UN Security Council to deploy peacekeeping forces in Lebron.

In the wake of ....

Answer : Amnesty International's vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. In pursuit of this vision, Amnesty International's mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work ....

Answer : European Parliament plays a role in the EU's legislative and budgeting processes, and exercises general supervision over the work of the two other main EU bodies, the Council of the European Union (Csouncil of Ministers) and the European Commission. However, the EP is not a legislative body in the traditional sense. The EP cannot initiate legislation; that right rests solely with the Commission, which functions as the EU's executive and guarantor of the EU treaties. ....

Answer : (a) Simla Agreement:

• The Simla Treaty, popularly known as the Simla Pact or the Simla Agreement, was signed between India and Pakistan on July 2, 1972. The treaty followed from the war between the two nations in the previous year that had led to the independence of East Pakistan as Bangladesh.

(b) Indo-Israel Cooperation in the field of agriculture:

• India-Israel cooperation in the field of agriculture has been extensive. Israeli side has completed a Demonstration ....

Answer : Pakistan's influence on Sri Lanka's counter-insurgency operations is growing. Pakistani air force personnel are deeply involved in directing Colombo's air strikes on Tamil areas. The Pakistan air force officers have reportedly been guiding the SLAF officers in effectively carrying out air-mounted operations against the ....

Answer : (a) ICJ: International Court of Justice: Its main functions are to settle disputes submitted to it by states and to give advisory opinions on legal questions submitted to it by the General Assembly or Security Council, or by such specialised agencies as may be authorized to do so by the General Assembly in accordance with the United Nations Charter.

(b) INTELSAT: International Telecomm-unications Satellite Organization: An intergovernmental consortium owning and managing a constellation of communications satellites ....

Answer : The UN needs to be restructured to present the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. India being the largest democracy, home to one sixth of mankind, fourth largest economy, one of the largest peace-keeping contributor to the UN and given its credentials world peace and interests of the developing countries, rightly deserves a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.

As a result, India has been campaigning for last few years at different world forums and ....

Answer : The recent Indo-Iran Gas Pipeline (proposed) agreement has already been showing its political and economic implication. The most important is India's move towards energy security which will be transformed into sustained economic growth. On the part of Iran, it will open its markets to a satisfying neighbourhood which will integrate its economy with India's one of the fastest growing world economy. As it passes through Pakistan, it will gain with charging transit and maintenance costs ....

Answer : Political instability, lack of democratic institutions and rise of military and dictatorial form of rule (not government) coupled with low level of economic and social development (primarily a legacy of colonial rule) can be enumerated as the major causes for hunger in Africa. Independence from colonial rule in the second half of 20th century saw the rise of individual dictators and consequent civil wars in most parts of Africa. The division of boundaries according to ....

Answer : Afghanistan is slowly moving towards a democratic form of governance in the post-Taliban period. After the fall of Taliban in 2001, the UN sponsored Bonn Conference led to a creation of a 30-member interim administration and an international security force was deployed under UN mandate. Hamid Karzai, a Pashtun tribal leader was chosen the head of this interim administration.

• In December 2003, Loya Jirga (grand assembly) of Afghanistan was held to discuss draft constitution and it ....

Answer : (a) India-US Nuclear Pact:

• Full civil nuclear energy cooperation has been worked out where the USA will supply fuel for Indian reactors while India will place its civilian nuclear facilities under the IAEA safeguards and inspections.

(b) Mckong-Ganga Cooperation:

• It is a grouping of six nations (India, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam) of the Rivers Ganga and Mckong region for economic cooperation, launched in 2000 in Vientiane, Laos.

(c) Structural Unemployment:

• Here demand for labour ....

Answer : As far as the role of United States of America in promoting or hindering the Indo-Pak relation is concerned, it can be reasonably concluded that it is playing the horse-rider’s role or what in Mahabharat called “Sarthi”. American pressures on both the sides especially on Kashmir issue one of paramount importance. After resisting any American involvement in its conflict with Islamabad with decade India is now deliberately drawing Washington in Islamabad, believes that the fear ....

Answer : The strategic partnership between India and Russia was signed during the visit of president Putin to India in October 2000. It lays down the broad contours of bilateral relations between India and Russian federation in the 21st century. The military and technical cooperation are the core areas of strategic dialogue. An agreement was signed during the visit of president Putin to India in October 2000 which consists of the establishment of Inter-Governmental Commission for Military ....

Answer : The entire south-east Asian region and its growing economy are of worth importance for India because this region is occupying a leading position in a number of sunrise industries. Viewing the emerging economy of south-east Asian region, Narsimha Rao Government adopted the “Look East Policy” to strength the bilateral or multilateral ties. India’s framework agreement with Asian is complemented by bilateral and sub-regional attempts towards economic cooperation. These include the bilateral free trade agreement with ....

Answer : The intelligence, vigilance, diplomatic and political knowledge are the core areas of consideration when the foreign policy of any country is formulated. The various intelligence sources such as Research and Analysis wing (RAW), foreign embassies, news agencies etc. provides crucial clues related to socio-economic and political spheres of life. Since foreign policy of a country is directly or indirectly related to the realization of its socio-economic and political goals, it formulation must requires the knowledge ....

Answer : Pandit Nehru is considered as the architect of India’s foreign policy. His doctrine of ‘Panchsheel’ especially in the context of China and ‘Non-aligned movement’ in the context of US-Russian leadership paved the way for the future foreign policy and ethos of India’s international relations. Nehru presented an ideal foreign policy which consisted of both the rigidity and flexibility. Inspired by Nehru’s vision, the Govt. of India remained normal during the US and Iraq war. Our ....

Answer : Over five decades, the relationship between the world’s two largest democracies has witnessed periods of ups and downs. However the event of September 11, has introduced new complexities into the Indo-US relations. India, which eagerly supported the American war on terrorism, found the U.S. moving towards a renewed partnership with Pakistan. The Bush Administration had, indeed worked hard to limit the fallout from the rediscovery of Pakistan on the relationship with India. And after the ....

Answer : Collapse of the Soviet Union severally affected India on a number of fronts such as supply of military spare parts, export of Indian goods and all the cultural contacts between India and Soviet Union broken off. At that time India was looking for a partner who would fulfill her needs. Russia, at the moment of crisis forwarded the hand of friendship which gave a new Phillip to the cooperation between India and Russia. Russia filled ....

Answer : India’s relation with China has recently been improving with the high level contact between two countries. On a number of contentious issues joint working group has been set up. Now, both the neighbouring countries want to utilise the full potential of each other in every field like trade, defence, information technology, science and technology and nuclear field. In 2003, after the visit of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to China has brought a sea ....

Answer : In the UN-System, the Security Council consists of 15 members, 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent members. The 5 permanent members of the Security Council have got the power of veto. So, veto of a proposal by one of the permanent members of the council amounts to total rejection of the proposal. So, there have been calls to abolish the veto power altogether or introduce a ‘double veto’ (at least two nations must veto for the ....

Answer : Soon after the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO had begun to be considered a redundant organisation which should have died with the end of the cold war. However, NATO has suddenly taken a new life under the leadership of it’s the then Secretary-General Mr. Javier Solana, it has been elevated to play a new role in European and North Atlantic affairs.

A historical decision was made when the US agreed to let European members of ....

Answer : After the Agra Summit, both the Nations came closer and Delhi to Lahore bus service was started between the ....

Answer : As part of track II diplomacy non-government representatives from India visited Islamabad. In response, Pakistani representatives visited ....

Answer : Under the non-resident bank account/deposit schemes, especially while opening the account, NRI are permitted to remit deposits in India in any currency of their ....

Answer : NRIs should be offered higher interest rates on such deposits as compared with the international market rates and the exchange risk provision to the banks ....

Answer : Moving away of intellectuals from a country to another one is termed as “Brain-drain”. Scientists, doctors and technology experts generally go to other prominent countries for better life and earn huge sums of money. This Brain-drain deprives a country of its genius and ....

Answer : Indonesian President Ms Megawati, visited India in April, 2002 on the last leg of a four nation tour. During her visit India and Indonesia, sharing common strategic perception, sought to define a durable partnership in the fields of energy, security and counter-terrorism.

• She expressed concern at the possibility of India extending support to the rebels in Indonesia Aceh province from nearby Nicobar Island. She reiterated her stand that terrorism cannot be justified on any basis including ....

Answer : India and China are the two largest developing countries who share one of the longest demarcated boundaries. The dispute with China mainly revolves around 1, 25,000 sq. of boundary in Western, Eastern and Central Sectors.

• In the Western sector China leased 34,000 km. Area in Aksai Chin, the central sector involves Nepal (the Kalapani area) and Barahoti area. In eastern sector China does not recognise McMahon line and contests the ownership of Sumdurong Chu in Mishmi ....

Answer : In a brutal attack on Army personnel’s and their families on May 14, 2002, thirty four people were killed. This could be seen as an extension of 11 Sep. and attack on Indian Parliament.

• The US has talked in tough words against this terrorist attack; asking Pakistan to deter itself from the terrorist activity and harshness its stance on the terrorist group in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
• Mr. Armitage visited India and paid his condolences to the ....

Answer : India’s objection to CTBT has been on five grounds. It does not link itself to the total nuclear disarmament in the time bound manner.

• CTBT is not comprehensive in the true sense of the term since it allows sub critical tests and computer simulations of tests.
• The treaty does not take into account India’s security consideration.
• CTBT’s verification system does not provide a genuinely impartial international mechanism but national verification system of the countries like the US will ....

Answer : According to this treaty, it will limit Russia and US within 10 years to between 1700 and 2200 deployed strategic nuclear warheads down from about 6000 a piece now-a two third cut in their nuclear assets.

• They agreed to exchange information on missile defence programme and tests and have reciprocal visits to observe missile defence test. Also to explore opportunities for intensified practical cooperation on missile defence. They also agreed to institutionalise the dialogue on strategic ....

Answer : West Asia peace proposal was floated by Saudi Arabia’s crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz. He proposed that:

• lArab world would make peace with Israeli’s if it agreed to withdraw from lands captured in 1967 Mid East War which includes Arab East Jerusalem, the West bank and Golan heights.
• Grant of recognition to Israel
• Fully normalise relation with Israel.
• Offering security guarantees and permitting free trade.

This proposal holds great importance as it has shown some light of hope for the ....

Answer : With fall of USSR as superpower the world has become unipolar revolving around US. During the cold war era NAM had helped in easing the tension due to increase in its membership, giving moral check on superpower overwhelming strength in UN assembly.

• NAM is committed to the universal problem of peace and freedom, equality and fraternity. As long as it supports the cause of socio-economic uplift of the developing country it will remain relevant. As long ....

Answer : Gujral doctrine comprehensively meant improvement in relation with the small neighbours and countries of S.E. Asia both strategically and economically with preferences to ....

Answer : NRIs may face the infrastructural bottlenecks, cultural dilemma, bureaucratic hazards and work-culture difference in ....

Answer : A non-resident Indian is one who does not qualify for stay in India for a period of 182 days or more or for a period of sixty days or more and has also been in India within the preceding four years for a period of 365 days or more.

A person is called PIO if he at anytime held an Indian passport or he or either of his parents or any of his grandparents was an ....

Answer : It is a 17 membered non-aligned countries who seek mutual cooperation in economic field by investment technology transfer, trade and commerce for ....

Answer : Pinaka is a multibarrel rocket launcher. It is a mobile system with 12 solid propellent rockets capable of delivering saturation fire. Range of 39 ....

Answer : It is a kind of informal diplomacy of people to people level of contacts, Journalists, NGO’s access and efforts create Track II ....

Answer : When the mutually rising interest in various fields may lead countries, to form groups in the world, Non-alignment has been proved to be greater need to maintain the world free of block and ....

Answer : Deterrence is a policy of international politics. Fear of attack or economic ban is created over other nations to prevent those taking adverse decisions to the country’s national ....

Answer : Strategic defence initiative. When a country feels any threat or wants to raise its influence in defense, it takes some strategic ....

Answer : SALT: Strategic Arms Limit Talks conducted between USA and USSR.

START: Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty conducted between USA and ....

Answer : Under UNCTAD, G-77 was established in 1967 with its headquarters at Geneva. It had 77 members especially developing ....

Answer : America has always attempted to create tension in the South Asian Block by giving more importance to Taiwan. Taiwan is considered to be a part of China by Chinese Government.

Recently the Taiwan President announced on the German radio in his interview that Taiwan is a separate nation and it should be given recognition in that way. This turned the Chinese attitude quickly turned offensive.

American favour to Taiwan, as always is the case, created same confrontation ....

Answer : Disputes between Israel and Palestine in west Asia has been the issue of debate since decades and has continued to grow over one or another point of time.

Israel's occupation of West Bengal, Jerusalem, and Mountain areas has been in dispute from starting since 1967.

Israel government recently approved an Expansion plan in June 1998. This plan was opposed by Palestine as it envisagesto expand the territory of Jerusalem by merger of many Jews cities near it, ....

Answer : South Asian preferencial Agreements (SAPTA) was constituted for economic and trade cooperation among members states.

But it has not achieved the desired results due to various political, economical, geographical and strategic reasons.

Two main members of the SAPTA, India and Pakistan have bitter relations and its impact hurdles trade and commerce in SAPTA.

All countries produces almost same type of products to export and therefore less scope for trade increase exist.

Number of products for performance are also not ....

Answer : KOSOVO is the South-East Part of Serbia. It was given autonomy to be the constitution of Yugoslavia in 1975 but in 1989, that autonomy was taken away, and thus, Kosovo again became Subordinate to the Serbia. It made the majority of Albanians reduced to minority to serbs. Due to all the reasons, revolts and militant and activities have activities disturbed the Kosovo region. Thus, violent Struggle against Serbia's rule is gaining ....

Answer : The Association of south east Asian Nations with nine members nations of the region and its II dialogue partners from all over the world, is collectively called ASEAN PLUS.

This is an eco-political group to boost trade and commerce among them. It discusses the measures for cooperation in economical fields, like, trade, commerce, industry etc.

The main duty is to increase solidarity among member nations with mutual cooperation in economical and security ....

Answer : Taiwan is, as China claims, a part of Republic of China with Democratic type of government. But it is the issue of its possible defection from China that has caused always a non-democratic set up towering over Taiwan. Therefore, there was martial law in Taiwan for about 38 years which was lifted only in 1991 and 41 year old emergency was lifted only in May 1996 when the election was held in Taiwan.

The presidential election ....

Answer : Taliban, a militant force of Islamic student, backed and equipped by Pakistan changed the political scenario recently in Afghanistan. It has pledged to throw out the leadership and convert Afghanistan into an Islamic state. They even succeeded, by using force according to the nature of their group, to capture seven-provinces in Afghanistan. They were convinced to enter into an agreement with Afghan leadership, by the U.N. special envoy Mohamood Mestri. They were agreed to form ....

Answer : The Habitat II conference was held in Istanbul of Turkey. It was organised by the United Nations to discuss and find out solutions of the problems relating to shelter and other basic facilities for mankind.

This conference from 3 to 14th June 1996 adopted. Istanbul Declaration on Human settlements.

It was the second United Nations conference on Human Settlements (Habitat-II) which apart from Istanbul. Declaration, adopted the Habitat Agenda which gives a global call to action at ....