General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - August 2018

Aug 2018

Sep 10, 2020

India, France and Australia Hold First Trilateral Dialogue With Focus on Indo-Pacific

The foreign secretaries of India, Australia and France co-chaired the first senior officials' trilateral dialogue, with the focus on enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and strengthening multilateralism.
The three sides discussed economic and geostrategic challenges and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and domestic responses to Covid-19.
The virtual meeting was co-chaired by foreign secretary Harsh Shringla, François Delattre, the secretary-general of the French ministry for Europe and foreign affairs, and Frances Adamson, secretary of Australia's department of foreign affairs and trade.
People familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity that Australia and Japan, both members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue or Quad along with India and the US, have been driving efforts to forge greater cooperation among countries that have a stake in the Indian Ocean and with members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean).
China's aggressive actions, including the border standoff with India and its military build-up in the South China Sea, have spurred these efforts, the people said. India, Australia and Indonesia are also set to hold two virtual meetings of their foreign and defence ministers to bolster regional cooperation and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific in the coming weeks.

Netflix Appoints Indian American Bajaria as Head of Global TV

Netflix promoted Indian American media leader Bela Bajaria to head its international TV operations as vice president for Global Television.
As per Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, Bela has demonstrated her versatility and creativity - building out our unscripted team and helping to take our local language slate, which is increasingly important for our members, to the next level.
Earlier as the vice president in charge of Local Language Originals, Bajaria was behind the popular Netflix reality show "Indian Matchmaking," the drama series "Sacred Games" and the comedy serial "Never Have I Ever" about an Indian American teenager.
In her new position, she will be taking over all the Netflix TV programming, including in English, which had been overseen by another vice president, Cindy Holland.
Before her promotion, Bajaria oversaw Netflix's original content for India and elsewhere in Asia and across Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and Latin America.

Dombrovskis Named EU's New Trade Commissioner

The European Commission's Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis (New Unity) has been chosen to also become the European Union's new trade commissioner, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced.
Dombrovskis has already been holding the post temporarily since European Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan's resignation in August amid a scandal about his flouting of Ireland's coronavirus rules.
Von der Leyen also named European Parliament heavyweight Mairead McGuinness as the new financial services commissioner to fill Ireland's seat at the table.

Sep 09, 2020

Aung San Suu Kyi Vows Victory in Election as Campaign Starts

Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi launched her re-election bid ahead of polls set for November, vowing victory at a scaled-down ceremony in the capital after her original plans were scuppered by a surge in coronavirus cases.
The election is set to serve as a test of the country's first democratic government in half a century and is seen by analysts as an important test of Myanmar`s transition away from direct military rule as it grapples with crises on multiple fronts.
Suu Kyi, who rules as state counselor, had planned to launch her campaign in the commercial capital of Yangon but cancelled the trip.
The NLD, which won a landslide at 2015 polls that ended half-a-century of military and military-backed rule, is expected to win again though by a lesser margin.
The party remains overwhelmingly popular despite criticism over its failure to curb the power of the army or end escalating ethnic conflicts. It has also faced international condemnation over a 2017 military crackdown on the Rohingya Muslim minority.

Encourage India and China to Resolve Border Row but will not Directly Interfere: Russia

Russia said that it encourages India and China to resolve Line of Actual Control (LAC) row but will not directly "interfere". Border tensions have increased between the two neighbouring countries especially after the Galwan incident of June in which India lost 20 of its soldiers.
Roman Babushkin, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Russian embassy in Delhi said, "Directly we are not recommending or advising do so or not do something..it up to both countries to decide. What we are doing is not interference, it creating some sort of positive atmosphere."

Sep 08, 2020

Kazakhstan to Strive for Multi-party System

According to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, central Asia's biggest state and India's key partner in the region Kazakhstan is striving to create a multi-party state and preserve its inclusive character.
Kazakhstan must create a multiparty system to build a modern, effective state and the ruling Nur Otan party should collaborate more with other parties.
This is important for the stability of the political system in the long run," the President said, adding, the President also urged more public involvement in the formation of policy.
To keep the nation united, Tokayev directed the government to continue creating conditions for all ethnic groups to develop their languages and cultures. "Our position: 'The unity of the nation is in its diversity.
Tokayev further suggested judicial and law enforcement reforms to improve the protection of citizens' rights and security.

Boris Johnson Warns EU not to Expect Compromise Ahead of Trade Talks

The European Union told Boris Johnson not to tear up parts of the Brexit divorce accord he struck only a year ago, saying keeping his promises will be essential if the two sides are to reach a new deal on trade. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen spoke as the British PM ramped up his threats to complete the UK's separation from the EU at the end of the year without a new trade agreement place.
Johnson said that he is willing to walk away from talks rather than compromise on what he sees as the core principles of Brexit, and set an Oct. 15 deadline for an accord to be struck.

EU Demands Release of Belarus Political Prisoners and Warns of Sanctions

The EU has demanded the Belarus authorities release all detained on political grounds before and after the disputed presidential elections.
It is planning sanctions for those responsible for "violence, repression and falsification of election results".
Key opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova went missing after she was seen being bundled into a minibus.
She was one of three women who joined forces to challenge incumbent Alexander Lukashenko in August's election.
Mass protests followed his re-election amid allegations of vote-rigging.
More than 600 people were arrested on Sunday, following a fourth consecutive weekend of anti-government protests in the capital Minsk and other cities. At least four people have died and hundreds have been injured as authorities have tried to crush dissent
Mr. Lukashenko - who has been in power since 1994 - has accused Western nations of interference. He is expected to visit his ally Russia in the coming days.

Sep 07, 2020

Chinese Chipmaker Denies Military Ties as US Steps up Feud

China's leading maker of semiconductors has denied it has any links to the military following reports Washington is considering stepping up its feud with Beijing over technology and security by imposing export controls that could disrupt manufacturing for a national industrial champion.
The US regulators are considering adding Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation to a list of foreign buyers that need government permission to acquire technology or components.
Officials are looking at whether SMIC plays a role in Chinese military development.
SMIC products were solely for civilian and commercial end-users and end-uses.
The Trump administration is trying to block Chinese access to US technology it worries might be used to make weapons or develop competitors to American industry.
The United States and other governments complain Chinese development plans are based on stealing or pressuring foreign companies to hand over technology.

Sep 06, 2020

EU Demands Potential Veto on Britain's Post-Brexit Laws

As per reports, the European Union is demanding a potential veto on Britain's post-Brexit laws and regulations.
EU's chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, is said to be insisting that London must agree not to implement any change to UK legislation that could distort trade with the bloc without first consulting Brussels.
Barnier's UK counterpart, David Frost, has rejected the approach.
EU diplomats said earlier that Barnier went to London to tell Frost Britain must move on state aid, or there will not be a Brexit agreement.
The chances of Britain leaving the European Union without a trade deal have risen sharply as negotiations have been threatened by London's insistence that it have full autonomy over its state aid plans.

Taliban Return to Doha Setting Stage for Afghan Peace Talks

Taliban officials say a senior delegation returned to Qatar, paving the way for the start of peace talks with the Afghan government that are expected to take place in the tiny Gulf state.
The negotiations are the second, critical part to a peace deal the US signed with the Taliban in February in Doha.
Washington has ramped up pressure on Afghans on both sides of the conflict to get started with their negotiations to decide what a post-war Afghanistan might look like, how rights of women and minorities would be protected, and how the tens of thousands of armed Taliban and government-allied militias are disarmed and re-integrated.
Relentless delays over the exchange of prisoners —5,000 held by the Afghan government and 1,000 by the Taliban — have hindered efforts to get intra-Afghan talks started.

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