Author: ForumIAS

After the tsunami: how the ‘Quad’ was born Context India’s full capabilities came as a surprise to the world the Indo-Pacific during Tsunami crisis as India had naval capabilities of scale to move in urgently further leading to the formation of QUAD. How did it start? The shocking death toll from the tsunami led to… Continue reading After the tsunami: how the ‘Quad’ was born

An itinerary in search of a strategy: on Trump’s East Asia tour Context Donald Trump’s statements and Twitter posts through his 12-day visit, five-nation tour of Asia, decodes a new American strategy towards the region that can be challenging. ‘Terrific’ China His main aim surrounds around resistance to China’s unrestrained ambitions in ‘freedom of navigation’… Continue reading An itinerary in search of a strategy: on Trump’s East Asia tour

France wants to work with India in Indo-Pacific Context France and India have a “special and specific” interest in the Indian Ocean, and would prefer to conduct their exchanges across the Indo-Pacific bilaterally. Growing cooperation The cooperation is growing in the Indian Ocean, where both India and France have focal positions. Both the countries are… Continue reading France wants to work with India in Indo-Pacific

A plan for Asia Context: Senior officials from the United States, Japan, India, and Australia met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and East Asia Summits to discuss regional and global cooperation. The meeting brought forward the fact that without a plan to advance economic integration with East Asia, the gap… Continue reading A plan for Asia

Mapping illness  Context: In 2013, a World Bank report, The Global Burden of Disease, Generating Evidence, Guiding Policy-South Asia, suggested that India was going through an epidemiological transition. Introduction: Major national surveys, such as the National Family Health Survey and the Annual Health Survey, have provided valuable data on key health indicators, and several states… Continue reading Mapping illness 

120 Indian signatories to scientists’ ecology warning Context: More than 120 Indian scientists are among the 15,364 scientists from 184 countries to endorse the second warning that the world’s scientists have issued to humanity. They say that if the current unsustainable ways of living is not mended, it could augur “widespread misery” and “catastrophic biodiversity… Continue reading 120 Indian signatories to scientists’ ecology warning

Centre doubles down on GST’s  gains for consumers Context: The Union Cabinet approved establishing the National Anti Profiteering Authority (NAA) under the Goods and Service Tax (GST) to ensure fair pricing. Introduction: The Centre notified the latest set of cuts in the rate of tax to be levied on a wide range of goods as… Continue reading Centre doubles down on GST’s  gains for consumers

Curb on exports of pulses lifted Context The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has abolished all restrictions on export of pulses to allow farmers to seek remunerative prices for their output. Why this step? India produced 23 million tonnes of pulses in 2016-17 and the government has set a target to produce 22.90 million tonnes… Continue reading Curb on exports of pulses lifted

How a split-second advantage can bring huge unfair gains at the NSE Context I-T has searched the premises of top former exchange officials as part of a multipronged investigation into how brokers got preferential access to the trading system. What is the controversy pertaining to the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and algorithmic trading? The NSE… Continue reading How a split-second advantage can bring huge unfair gains at the NSE

Indian Bank to seek bids for sale of NPAs worth Rs 1,100cr  Context The Chennai-based Indian Bank has decided to invite bids for sale of NPAs (non-performing assets) worth close to 1,100 crore. The sale NPA’s covering over 8,250 accounts will be sold and the sale is without any recourse to the bank. The bank… Continue reading Indian Bank to seek bids for sale of NPAs worth Rs 1,100cr