General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - May 2017

May 2017

Sep 08, 2019

China Plans To Invest $1 Billion In Pakistan Development Projects

Yao Jing, the Ambassador of China to Pakistan, has announced that Beijing has planned to invest $1 billion in development projects in Islamabad.
He made the announcement while addressing the Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI).
Besides this, he also said the pace of development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was satisfactory and the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA) will be finalised in October, 2019 after which 90 per cent of Pakistani exports including agricultural products and seafood will attract a 0 per cent duty.

Sep 07, 2019

India To Host 6th India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue

India will host the 6th India-China Strategic Economic Dialogue that will focus on collaboration between two countries in areas of infrastructure, energy, high-tech, resource conservation, pharmaceuticals and policy coordination.
The three-day dialogue will be held from September 7-9, 2019 and will be chaired by NITI Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar and Chinese side will be led by the chairman, National Development and Reforms Commission (NDRC).
Senior representatives from policy making, industry and academia are expected to participate in the dialogue from both sides.
Set up between erstwhile Planning Commission and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China during the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to India in December 2010, the SED has since then served as an effective mechanism for enhancing bilateral practical cooperation.

Piyush Goyal To Attend RCEP Meet In Thailand

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will attend the seventh RCEP Ministerial meeting in Thailand.
India, however, would maintain a strict stance on the RCEP negotiations and consider signing an agreement only if its demands were met.
The RCEP is a proposed regional grouping of 16 countries, including the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) (ASEAN) countries and their six free-trade agreement (FTA) partners — India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

Sep 06, 2019

Sudan New Premier Unveils First Post-Bashir Cabinet

In Sudan, country's new premier has unveiled the first cabinet since veteran leader Omar al-Bashir's overthrow, a major step in the country's hard-won transition to civilian rule after decades of authoritarianism.
The announcement had been delayed for days as Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok mulled over the nominees proposed by the movement that led the months-long protests against Bashir and also the generals who ousted him in April 2019.
The 18-member cabinet includes four women, including foreign affairs minister Asma Mohamed Abdalla.

India Announces $1 Billion Line Of Credit To Resource-Rich Russian Far East

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a $1 billion line of credit for the less developed but resource rich Russian Far East.
Modi backed Russian President Vladimir Putin's blueprint for developing the sparsely populated region bordering China, which involves construction of housing facilities, improving connectivity, and the potential of enhancing eco-friendly tourism.
Indian companies had signed 50 agreements worth "billions of dollars" in investments during a visit to the region in areas such as energy, health, education, skill development, mining, and timber, the Prime Minister said at the plenary session of the 5th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok.

India's South Africa Envoy Concurrently Accredited As High Commissioner To Lesotho

India's High Commissioner to South Africa, Jaideep Sarkar, has been concurrently accredited as the country's next High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Lesotho, with residence in Pretoria, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
A 1987 IFS-batch officer, Sarkar was appointed India's High Commissioner to South Africa earlier in 2019.The diplomat has earlier served as envoy to Israel and Bhutan.
Sarkar has also served in Indian missions in Tokyo, Seoul and Bangladesh.
The diplomat worked in the Ministry of Finance from 1992-1996 dealing with economic relations with EU member states.
He also served as a Director in the MEA where his work involved managing India's relations with some of its neighbours including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Jaishankar Holds Talks With Indonesian Counterpart Marsudi

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi.
The EAM's ongoing visit is his first to an ASEAN member state after assuming charge.
The two sides talked about the common challenges faced by their countries, as well as their mutual support for principles of territorial integrity.
This is the first visit of a Union Minister to Indonesia after the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government came into power for a second term.
The three-day visit -- from September 4 to 6, 2019 -- reflects the high priority India attaches to its bilateral relationship with Indonesia, which is a Comprehensive Strategic Partner.
New Delhi and Jakarta also share vision on maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Addresses 8th Seoul Defense Defence Dialogue 2019

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivered a keynote address at 'Seoul Defence Dialogue 2019' during his visit to South Korea.
The theme of Defence Dialogue was- 'Building Peace Together: Challenges and Vision'. Defence Minister is on a 3-day visit to Seoul.
During the address, Defence Minister highlighted that among the numerous security challenges that world is facing, gravest is that of terrorism as no country in world is safe from terrorism.
As India's foreign policy has always prioritized on good relations with its neighbours, therefore India also supports for peace and stability in Korean Peninsula and its denuclearisation through dialogue and diplomacy.
India has also strengthened co-operative engagements in Indo-Pacific region on basis of principle of SAGAR– Security and Growth for All in the Region, a principle that remains cornerstone of India's outlook for Indo-Pacific region.

Sep 05, 2019

PM Modi To Address Plenary Session Of 5th EEF

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the plenary session of 5th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) at Vladivostok in Russia. Mr Modi is attending the EEF as the chief guest at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The EEF provides a platform for discussing issues aimed at expanding international cooperation in Asia-Pacific region and developing the economy of Russia's Far East. There are several sessions involving India at the EEF.
Among them are harnessing the power of Youth, Logistics - a digital pathway, Human Capital in Eurasia, and the Russia- India business dialogue.
India and Japan have called for a free and open Indo-Pacific region to make it secured and prosperous.
The Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Mr Shinzo Abe on the margins of Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok. During the meeting, both leaders shared similar views on Indo-pacific region.
Both leaders decided to hold the first 2 + 2 ministerial meeting of Foreign and Defence minsters of both countries ahead of the annual bilateral summit in New Delhi in December 2019.
Both leaders discussed the importance of trilateral relations with African countries. They also discussed to continue the trilateral meeting of India, Japan and the US for enhancing regional cooperation.

US Imposes Sanctions On Shipping Network Run By Iran's Revolutionary Guards

The United States has imposed sanctions on a shipping network; it said was run by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The US blamed that shipping network sold millions of barrels of oil to benefit Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The sanctions on 16 entities, 10 people and 11 vessels by the US were announced just as Iran was threatening to cut further its commitments under a nuclear deal unless the United States eases its pressure.

India, Russia Agree To Step Up Trade To $30 Bn By 2025

India and Russia decided to step up industrial cooperation and create new technological and investment partnership, especially in advanced high-tech areas, with an aim to increase bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2025.
According to a joint statement issued by the Russian government after 20th India—Russia Annual Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin also agreed that the work on promoting mutual settlements of payments in national currencies will be continued.
Modi is visiting Russia on the invitation of President Putin. The 20th India—Russia Annual Summit was held in Vladivostok. Modi also participated in the 5th Eastern Economic Forum as the Chief Guest.
To bring it to $30 billion by 2025, they agreed to more actively engage the impressive resource and human resources potential of India and Russia, enhance industrial cooperation, create new technological and investment partnership, especially in advanced high-tech areas and find new avenues and forms of cooperation.
India-Russia bilateral merchandise trade was about $8.2 billion during 2018-19

Indian High Commission in London Targeted By Pakistan Incited Elements

New Delhi has expressed deep concern over the reports of unruly demonstration by Pakistan incited elements and consequent organized vandalism of the property of the High Commission of India in London.
This is the second time in a less than a month that such an incident has taken place affecting the security and the normal functioning of the Indian Mission.
India considers these incidents to be unacceptable and has strongly urged the Government of UK to take action against those involved and take necessary steps to ensure the normal functioning of Mission and the safety and security of its personnel.

Jaishankar in Maldives for Indian Ocean Conference

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is in Male for the Fourth Indian Ocean Conference 2019, being organised by India Foundation, in association with the Government of Maldives and the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore.
Jaishankar is one of the speakers at the event.
The theme of the conference is "Securing the Indian Ocean Region: Traditional and Non-Traditional Challenges".
Solih underlined the key issues for the region as being climate change, proper implementation of maritime laws under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and combating illicit trafficking of humans and narcotics.

Chief Executive Of Hong Kong Announces To Withdraw Extradition Bill

Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam will withdraw the controversial extradition bill which triggered three months of unprecedented pro-democracy rallies in the country.
The proposal, introduced in April 2019, would have allowed criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China.
The bill was suspended in June 2019 when Ms Lam called it dead, but she stopped short of withdrawing it. Full withdrawal is one of the five key demands of protesters, who are also calling for full democratic rights.
Ms Lam also announced that two senior officials would join an existing inquiry into police conduct during the protests.
An independent investigation into alleged police brutality against protesters is another of the activists' demands.

Bangladesh bans Two International NGOs over Rohingya Repatriation Issue

Toughening its stance further, Bangladesh banned two more international NGOs for allegedly instigating Rohingya refugees to oppose repatriation to Myanmar.
The NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh issued a circular banning the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and Al Markaz-ul-Islami for their role in organising a rally of Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar area on 25 August, 2019 on the second anniversary of fleeing from Myanmar.

Sep 04, 2019

India, Pakistan To Hold 3rd Round Of Talks On Kartarpur Corridor

India and Pakistan will hold third round of talks on Kartarpur corridor to discuss and finalize the draft agreement for operationalization of the corridor for Sikh pilgrims.
The Joint Secretary-level meeting will be held at Attari in Amritsar. This will be the second such meeting after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status.
In the last Joint Secretary-level meeting held in July, 2019 at Wagah in Pakistan, it was agreed that five thousand pilgrims per day will be allowed to visit Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan.
The corridor will connect Darbar Sahib in Pakistan's Kartarpur with Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab and facilitate visa-free movement of Indian pilgrims.
The corridor will be the first visa-free corridor between the two neighbours since Independence.

Iran Rules Out Bilateral Talks With US

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani ruled out holding any bilateral talks with the United States. He also threatened to further cut Iran's commitments to a nuclear deal within days.
In an address to Parliament, Rouhani said any dialogue with the US would have to fall within the framework of the group of major powers that agreed to a landmark nuclear deal with Tehran in 2015.
Iran was ready to further reduce its commitments to the accord in the coming days if current negotiations with European nations yield no results.
Tehran and Washington have been at loggerheads since May, 2018 when President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and began reimposing crippling sanctions.
The arch-foes were on the cusp of confrontation in June 2019 when Iran downed a US drone and Trump ordered retaliatory strikes before cancelling them at the last minute.
The 2015 deal was agreed between Iran and permanent members of UN Security Council Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States plus Germany.

Rajnath Singh Co Chaired The Japan India Defence Ministerial Meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on a two-day visit to Japan, met Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo and said India was committed to enhance defence engagements between the two countries, besides strengthening bilateral arrangements.
Mr. Singh also met Japane Defence Minister Takeshi Iwaya on the first day of his visit. He is accompanied by a high-level defence ministry delegation.

Jaishankar Meets Speaker Of Maldives Parliament Mohamed Nasheed In Male

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met speaker of the Maldives Parliament Mohamed Nasheed in Male.
The two leaders discussed with him ways to work together on shared goals. Dr Jaishankar said, they will work closely to realise the shared goals of the two countries.
Dr Jaishankar is in the Maldives to attend the 4th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference. Mr Nasheed also served as the fourth President of the Maldives from 2008 to 2012.
He was the first democratically elected president of the Maldives and one of the founders of the Maldivian Democratic Party.

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