General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2017

Mar 2017

Feb 27, 2023

G7 Leaders to Establish Enforcement Coordination Mechanism against Russia

On the occasion of one year of the raging war in Ukraine, leaders of G7 countries will announce the establishment of the Enforcement Coordination Mechanism headed by the US against Russia.
US President Joe Biden will host a virtual meeting with G7 leaders for a discussion on Russia's war against Ukraine and their collective effort to hold Russia accountable for it.
To ensure Russia pays for Ukraine's long-term reconstruction, G7 countries will continue to keep Russia's sovereign assets immobilised until there is a resolution to the conflict that addresses Russia's violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and integrity.

Financial Crime Watchdog FATF Suspends Russia's Membership over Ukraine War

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) suspended Russia's membership for its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. Russia's actions were unacceptably run" counter to FATF's core principles that aims to promote security, safety, and integrity of the global financial system.
The global watchdog on terror financing said it is also deeply concerned by the reports of arms trade between Russia and United Nations sanctioned jurisdictions, and malicious cyber-activities emanating from Russia. The Russian Federation remains accountable for its obligation to implement the FATF standards.

Bhutanese Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck Becomes Country's First Digital Citizen

Bhutan's Royal Highness the Gyalsey (Prince) Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, became the country's first digital citizen by onboarding with the Bhutan National Digital Identity (NDI) mobile wallet.
Bhutan NDI uses cutting-edge technology to provide citizens with secure and verifiable identity credentials, ensuring the privacy and protection of their personal information. The system uses the "self-sovereign identity" model based on Decentralised Identity (DID) technology, which gives people more control over their personal information and who can access it.
The launch of Bhutan's National Digital Identity based on the Self-Sovereign Identity model, is a major step forward in transforming the way services are delivered in both the public and private sectors. This flagship initiative of GovTech will provide secure and verifiable digital identities to citizens, laying a strong foundation for our digital future.

Rashtriya Prajatantra Party to Exit Nepal Coalition Govt

The Rashtriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has decided to withdraw its support to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda-led government, citing changes in the political equation.
Four ministers from the RPP, including the party's Chairman and Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Rajendra Lingden who was part of the coalition government, reportedly submitted their resignations to Prachanda.

India Ranks 42nd in US Intellectual Property Rights Index

India slipped to the 42nd spot in the US Chamber of Commerce's latest International Intellectual Property Rights index.
India was ranked 42nd out of 55 countries for 2022. It was ranked 40th in the index in 2021.
The index was launched by the US Chamber of Commerce's Global Innovation Policy Centre and is closely monitored by the Indian government.
The annual international IP index evaluates the protection of IP rights in 55 of the world's leading economies, together representing approximately 90 per cent of global GDP.

Feb 26, 2023

CAG Girish Chandra Murmu Selected as External Auditor of ILO in Geneva

Comptroller and Auditor General, Girish Chandra Murmu was selected as External Auditor of the International Labour Organization in Geneva for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027. The decision was taken after a rigorous selection process. CAG will take over from the incumbent External Auditor of ILO, Supreme Audit Institution of Philippines. CAG's appointment is a recognition of its standing among the international community as well as its professionalism, high standards, global audit experience and strong national credentials.
ILO had formed a Selection Panel for appointment of External Auditor and invited bids from the Supreme Audit Institutions. Based on the technical experience and other criteria, ILO shortlisted three Supreme Audit Institutions - India, Canada and United Kingdom - for technical presentations. In Geneva, a three-member team from CAG of India presented the strengths, approach and skill set and the vast experience of auditing International Organizations to the tripartite selection panel of ILO.

UN Approves Resolution Calling for Russia to Leave Ukraine

The UN General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and demands the withdrawal of its forces, sending a strong message on the eve of the first anniversary of the invasion that Moscow's aggression must end.
The 141-7 vote with 32 abstentions was slightly below the highest vote for the five previous resolutions approved by the 193-member world body since Russia sent troops and tanks across the border into its smaller neighbour on Feb. 24, 2022.
The General Assembly has become the most important UN body dealing with Ukraine because the Security Council, which is charged with maintaining international peace and security, is paralyzed by Russia's veto power. Its resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but serve as a barometer of world opinion.

Feb 25, 2023

India Joins Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate

India joined the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM4C). It was started by UAE and USA in November 2021. The main objective of the initiative is to address hunger and climate change.
AIM4C seeks to increase investment in and support innovation in climate-smart agriculture and food systems. The AIM4C initiative has successfully increased these investments to more than 8 billion US dollars globally.

Ex-Mastercard CEO Ajay Banga Nominated by US President to Lead World Bank

US President Joe Biden nominated former Mastercard Chief Executive Ajay Banga to lead the World Bank, after its current chief David Malpass announced plans to step down early.
The development lender has just started accepting candidate nominations in a process set to run until March 29, with the bank saying that women candidates would be strongly encouraged.
The president of the World Bank is typically American, while the leader of the International Monetary Fund is customarily European.
Banga's nomination came amid a push for development lenders to revamp and address global problems like environmental issues more effectively.
The United States is the World Bank's largest shareholder.

Feb 24, 2023

India, Seychelles Sign Pact on Information Sharing in Maritime Security

Expanding the network of information sharing to further the existing cooperation in maritime safety and security, the Indian Navy-affiliated IFC-IOR signed an MoU with the Seychelles-based Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC).
The IFC-IOR (Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region) is a regional maritime centre hosted by the Navy. As per the Indian Navy, the MoU signed by Capt Rohit Bajpai, Director, IFC-IOR and Capt Sam Gontier, Director, RCOC aims to promote collaboration between the two Centres towards enhancing maritime domain awareness, information sharing and expertise development.

Amid South China Sea Conflict, Indian Submarine Docks in Indonesia for First Time

An Indian submarine has, for the first time ever, docked in Indonesia, which is among the countries locked in a maritime dispute with China in the contentious South China Sea, as part of the continuing overall diplomatic-military outreach to ASEAN countries.
The 3,000-tonne diesel-electric submarine, INS Sindhukesari, reached Jakarta for its first 'operation turnaround' after transiting through the Sunda Strait.
INS Sindhukesari was rolled out in 2018 after it underwent upgrades and repairs in Russia at the Zvyozdochka Shipyard workshop in Severodvinsk. The upgrade gave INS Sindhukesari an extended service life of 10-35 years.

Feb 23, 2023

Indo-American Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy Announces 2024 Presidential Bid

Indian-American tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy launched his 2024 presidential bid with a promise to put merit back and end dependence on China, becoming the second community member to enter the Republican Party's presidential primary after Nikki Haley.
A second-generation Indian American, Ramaswamy founded Roivant Sciences in 2014 and led the largest biotech IPOs of 2015 and 2016, eventually culminating in successful clinical trials in multiple disease areas that led to FDA-approved products.
He founded other successful healthcare and technology companies, and in 2022, he launched Strive Asset Management, a new firm focused on restoring the voices of everyday citizens in the American economy by leading companies to focus on excellence over politics.

UAE to Host First I2U2 Vice-ministerial Meeting

The United Arab Emirates hosted the first vice-ministerial meeting of the I2U2 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It was attended by senior officials from the four countries India, Israel, the United States and the UAE.
Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W. Fernandez led the US delegation at the meeting in Abu Dhabi.
It was the first vice-ministerial meeting since the grouping was jointly announced by President Joe Biden, Israeli Prime Minister Lapid, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
During the forum, partner countries discussed opportunities to advance regional cooperation and investment opportunities to build partnerships that address some of the region's most pressing issues, including management of the energy crisis and food insecurity.

UN Appoints Indo-Canadian Coordinator for Scaling Up Nutrition Movement

United Nations Secretary-General Antnio Guterres announced the appointment of Indo-Canadian Afshan Khan as the coordinator of the 'Scaling Up Nutrition Movement'.
The Scaling Up Nutrition or SUN Movement is a country-driven initiative led by 65 nations and four Indian states united in their mission to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030.
Afshan Khan succeeded Gerda Verburg of the Netherlands.
Khan started her work for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Mozambique in 1989 and is currently serving as the regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
She also has extensive knowledge of international civil society organisations, having served as the CEO of Women for Women International.

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