General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2016

Mar 2016

Aug 22, 2020

Turkey's Erdogan Hails Huge Natural Gas Find

A Turkish drilling ship has discovered a big natural gas reserve in the Black Sea.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the drilling ship Fatih, which has been operating in the area since July, found 320bn cu m (11.3 tr cu ft) of gas.
He said that it was Turkey's biggest natural gas find to date.
If Turkey can extract the gas commercially, it will be able to reduce its reliance on imported energy.
He added: "This reserve is actually part of a much bigger source. God willing, much more will come.
But energy experts say it could take up to a decade and billions of dollars of investment to get the gas into commercial use.
Turkey has also sent a ship to carry out a drilling survey in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Myanmar Govt. and Armed Groups Sign Framework Accord for Ceasefire Implementation

The government of Myanmar and ten armed ethnic groups signed a framework agreement for the implementation of the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) at the end of the 4th session of the Union Peace Conference - 21st Century Panglong. The agreement also includes the framework for implementation of various processes beyond 2020, and basic principles to establish a democratic federal union.
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi said that the accord opens a door to solving misunderstanding regarding the NCA and difficulties faced in its implementation. The spokesperson of the President Office termed the agreement as a great success as it contains a step by step peace process for implementation beyond 2020 in working for peace, democratic reform, federalism and national reconciliation.
The peace accord called Union Peace Accord III contains 15 provisions to implement the NCA. These include troop deployment, protocol to deal with skirmishes between government troops and the armed groups among others.
The peace process in Myanmar was started In 2011 by President Thein Sein to end the long standing conflict with ethnic armed groups active in the country. A National Ceasefire Accord (NCA) was signed in October 2015 with armed ethnic groups. Subsequently the dialogue to initiate a political peace process was started in 2016 which is continuing.

Myanmar's Pushback against China-funded Economic Corridor Inspired by Debt Trap in S. Asian States

Myanmar's pushback against China, which is trying to widen its influence through China Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), among other issues has been influenced by Pakistan's experience in China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port that have pushed these countries to debt trap.
Myanmar's all-powerful generals have drawn lessons from experiences of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Maldives where China funded projects have pushed these countries debt trap and increased Beijing's influence. The Ministers in the current civilian government have equal reservations against the Chinese inroads.
In terms of geography, the Chinese have proposed that the CMEC (part of BRI) would start from China's pivotal Yunnan province, which shares borders with Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam. From Ruili city on the China-Myanmar border, the corridor would head towards Mandalay, Myanmar's former royal capital on the banks of the Irrawaddy River in the northern part of the country. From there, it could extend towards the east and west to Yangon New City and the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone, in the western Rakhine province.

Mali Coup: Military Junta Seeks Transitional President

Coup leaders in Mali are talking to opposition parties about appointing a transitional president, who could be civilian or military.
They arrested Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and forced him to resign, sparking global condemnation.
West African leaders have called for him to be reinstated and the UN says all those detained should be freed.
Mali has several jihadi groups in its northern deserts and there are fears they could take advantage of the coup.
They did so following the previous military takeover in 2012.
The coup leaders have promised to respect international agreements on fighting jihadists. Thousands of French, African and UN troops are based in the country to tackle the militants.

Aug 21, 2020

India Ranks 57th in Digital Quality of Life 2020, Denmark Tops

In accordance with the 2nd edition of global research "Digital Quality of Life (DQL) Index 2020" released by online privacy solutions provider SurfShark, India ranked 57th out of 85 countries in terms of overall category "Digital Quality of Life 2020" with 0.5 index points which has been topped by Denmark with 0.79 points.
The DQL Index 2020 analyzes 85 countries around the world covering 6.3 billion people or 81% of the global population in terms of five core pillars: internet affordability, internet quality, e-infrastructure, e-security, and e-government, and results are premised on 12 different factors.

India and Israel Sign Cultural Agreement to Further Boost People-to-People Ties

India and Israel signed a cultural agreement that outlines a three-year programme of cooperation to further strengthen their strategic bilateral relations. It aims to promote greater people-to-people exchanges.
The agreement was signed by Israel's Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi and India's Ambassador to Israel, Sanjeev Singla, at the foreign ministry in Jerusalem.
The agreement states that it shall contribute to the development of their relations and to raising awareness, particularly among youth, of the history and culture of the people of both countries.
The programme of cooperation between the two countries for the years 2020-23 is based on the cultural agreement signed between them on May 18, 1993, a little more than a year after they established full-fledged diplomatic relations.
The major areas of cooperation identified to promote cultural ties include the exchange of culture and art experts, encouraging cooperation in the protection of cultural heritage and archaeology with the help of Israel Antiquities Authority (IIA) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and organising literary fests and book fairs while promoting the translation of famous works in each other's languages.
It also includes student exchanges through scholarships, encouraging the participation of films and film-makers in each other's international film festivals, devising youth exchange programmes and encouraging sports-related interaction among youth.

Keith Rowley Becomes Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago for a 2nd Consecutive Term

Keith Rowley (Full name- Keith Christopher Rowley) sworn in as Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for a 2nd consecutive 5 year term at the President's House, following victory in general elections held on August 10, 2020. In addition to him, his new cabinet ministers were also sworn in. He is from the ruling People's National Movement (PNM).
The new cabinet sworn in was delayed due to requests for recounts of ballots.
As per the preliminary result PNM won 22 of the 41 electoral seats, while the opposition United National Congress (UNC) led by former prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar won 19 seats.
Keith Rowley's cabinet consisted of young and experienced politicians like Colm Imbert, Finance minister; Franklin Khan, Minister of Energy and Energy Industries; Camille Robinson-Regis, Minister of Planning and Development and Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi.

Aug 20, 2020

Luis Abinader Sworn in as President of Dominican Republic

Luis Rodolfo Abinader Corona was sworn in as the 54th President of Dominican Republic. He succeeded Danilo Medina of Liberation Party. Abinader's Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) won the elections with 53% vote, while Gonzalo Castillo who was the candidate of the ruling PLD got 37.7%.

India, Japan and Australia Joining Hands to Counter China's Supply Chain Dominance

India, Japan and Australia have begun discussions on launching a trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) to reduce dependency on China, necessitated by Beijing's aggressive political and military behaviour.
The initiative, first proposed by Japan, is now taking shape. Dates are being worked out to hold the first meeting of the commerce and trade ministers of the three countries by next week.
Japan through its Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry approached India and pressed on the urgency to take the initiative forward. Tokyo is in favour of launching SCRI by November.
The government is moving on the proposal quite seriously, especially in the light of China's aggressive moves on the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh. Usually New Delhi would consider any such proposal cautiously as it would be seen as an alliance against China.
This time, the government appears to have taken the call at the highest levels to become part of the global supply chain, thus emerging as an alternative to China.
The two-fold objective of the Japanese proposal is to attract foreign direct investment to turn the Indo-Pacific into an "economic powerhouse" and to build a mutually complementary relationship among partner countries.
The idea was to also throw open the initiative to the Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) after India-Japan-Australia understanding on the matter.

LS Speaker Om Birla attends Inaugural Ceremony of 5th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla attended the inaugural ceremony of the Fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (5WCSP).
The two day Conference was organised jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Geneva and the Parliament of Austria with the support of the United Nations (UN).
This is the first time that an international Parliamentary Conference of such a magnitude is being organised in Virtual mode.
Members of Parliament Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Meenakashi Lekhi, both will also be attending the Conference.
The theme of the Conference is Parliamentary leadership for more effective multilateralism that delivers peace and sustainable development for the people and planet.
The Conference is being held in the backdrop of the current crisis of COVID-19 pandemic is expected to strengthen multilateralism and international cooperation in order to rebuild a better world.

Aug 19, 2020

Biden Official Democratic Nominee for US Election 2020

Joe Biden was officially appointed the Democratic presidential candidate at the party's convention, helped over the line with some glowing testimonials from elder statesmen.
Two Democratic former presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, a Republican, endorsed Mr. Biden.
Mr. Trump trails Mr. Biden in opinion polls ahead of November's election.
The convention is largely virtual, amid the coronavirus pandemic, and it is unclear whether a format of pre-recorded speeches and no live audience will generate the same levels of enthusiasm as the traditional party gatherings. Next week's Republican convention will also be mostly online.
Mr. Biden, the former vice-president under President Barack Obama, became his party's nominee in a pre-recorded roll call vote from delegates in all 50 states.
This is Mr. Biden's third White House bid, having formerly run in 1988 and 2008. The 77-year-old's campaign appeared to be in danger of collapse back in February this year.

Mali President Resigns

Mali President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita resigned and dissolved parliament hours after mutinying soldiers detained him at gunpoint, plunging a country already facing a jihadist insurgency and mass protests deeper into crisis.
Looking tired and wearing a surgical mask, Keita resigned in a brief address broadcast on state television after troops seized him along with Prime Minister Boubou Cisse and other top officials.
Mali has seen months of protests against alleged corruption and worsening security in the West African country where Islamist militants are active, and there have been calls for Keita to resign.
France and other international powers as well as the African Union denounced the mutiny, fearful that Keita`s fall could further destabilise the former French colony and West Africa`s entire Sahel region.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the immediate release of Keita and the other detainees.

PM K. P. Oli Remains Mum as China Illegally Grabs Land in Districts of Nepal

Nepal is fast becoming the victim of Chinese colonial design as Beijing is slowly and gradually encroaching upon Nepali land in several places. According to Nepali government agencies data, China has illegally occupied Nepal's land in at least seven bordering districts and is slowly moving forward, further pushing Nepali boundaries, and encroaching upon more and more landmass.
It is pertinent to note that the data is being under-reported and the actual scenario could be worse as the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) is trying to shield the expansionist agenda of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It is believed that China has made inroads into several other areas of Nepal and has occupied vast areas of land.
Diplomatic experts on China -Nepal relations said that Prime Minister KP Oli government has preferred to keep mum over the illegal occupation of the village by China under fears of displeasing the CCP. The Nepali districts which are victims of China's land grabbing plan include Dolakha, Gorkha, Darchula, Humla, Sindhupalchowk,Sankhuwasabha and Rasuwa
According to the Surveying and Mapping Department of Nepal, China has pushed the international boundary 1,500 meters towards Nepal in Dolakha. It has pushed the boundary pillar Number 57 in Korlang area in Dolakha, which was previously located at top of Korlang. The pillar has been an issue of confrontation between the two countries and China has pressurised the Nepali government not to sign the fourth protocol on resolving and managing border disputes between the two countries as China wanted to maintain status quo and further transgress the boundary arrangements.

Aug 18, 2020

With UAE deal, Israel Opens Tentative New Chapter with Gulf Arabs

A breakthrough"; "A game-changer"; "A betrayal": there is no shortage of epithets for this month's sudden announcement - by President Trump - that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to fully normalise its relations with Israel.
After Egypt's peace treaty with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan's in 1994, this makes the UAE only the third Arab country to normalise relations. It is the first of the six Arab Gulf states to do so. Oman. Bahrain and possibly Morocco are widely expected to follow.
Discreet contacts between the UAE and Israel had been under way for years but still, the details and timing of this normalisation deal were kept secret right up to the last minute.
There were no consultations between the UAE foreign ministry in Abu Dhabi and its Arab neighbours. Almost everyone was taken by surprise, most of all the Palestinians, who called it "a stab in the back" since they have yet to come close to getting a state of their own or ending Israeli occupation.
"For the Palestinians, there is zero upside here," comments Emile Hokayem from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.
For the UAE's de facto ruler Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed (known as MBZ), this deal is something of a gamble but one with the odds heavily in his favour.
The risk is it could make the UAE leadership highly unpopular in the wider Arab world where some social media postings have been calling it "a sell-out". Were the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to renege on his promise to temporarily shelve annexation of parts of the West Bank then that would be extremely embarrassing for the Emiratis and possibly see the whole deal unravel.

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