Author: ForumIAS

Being neighbourly  Context To fulfill ambitions in Indo-Pacific and beyond, India must work for a cohesive South Asia SCAARCE? The 32-year-old SAARC scarcely registers in our foreign policy debate, which is preoccupied with the exciting prospect of India’s role in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The South Asian agenda has been reduced, at least in public… Continue reading Being neighbourly 

In Donald Trump’s world  Context National Security Strategy of US Author’s contention For India, continuity in US policy towards the Subcontinent under Trump is welcome but Delhi must watch out for the implications of Trump’s determination to pare down America’s expansive internationalism that has been there since the end of the Second World War Serious about… Continue reading In Donald Trump’s world 

SSB enhances security next to Doklam area  Context Political changes in Nepal and the growing Chinese influence in the neighbouring country are some of the major challenges for the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the Central armed force deployed along the Nepal-Bhutan border.  Plans to set up new border posts The SSB said it was “more… Continue reading SSB enhances security next to Doklam area 

Sri Lanka is keen to introduce an Aadhaar-like initiative Context Sri Lanka will explore launching an application similar to the Unified Mobile Application for New age Governance (UMANG) in India, and it is in talks with New Delhi at the highest levels, said Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure Harin Fernando. Colombo also wishes to… Continue reading Sri Lanka is keen to introduce an Aadhaar-like initiative

Platform created to connect Chinese hardware with Indian software  Context A new wave of Indian software  developers will soon be able to plug into China’s next wave of industrialisation, based on Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things (IOT). NASSCOM, in association with the Dalian government, has set up the initiative Indian software developers face an existential threat… Continue reading Platform created to connect Chinese hardware with Indian software 

Lobbying intensifies for India’s UNGA vote on Jerusalem  Context The draft resolution on the status of Jerusalem to be presented on Thursday expresses deep “regret” on the US’ stated position on Jerusalem and calls for “the final status of Jerusalem to be resolved through negotiations.” Backdrop International lobbying has intensified to get India on board… Continue reading Lobbying intensifies for India’s UNGA vote on Jerusalem 

Pak issues visas to Jadhav’s kin Context The  Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday issued visas to the wife and mother of alleged Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav to allow them to meet him on December 25, Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal tweeted. They will be allowed to meet him, accompanied by an… Continue reading Pak issues visas to Jadhav’s kin

Wait and watch: on U.S. security strategy  Context India has unequivocally welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of the National Security Strategy (NSS) for his country during his tenure. India should be wary of being drawn too tightly into the U.S. security embrace India has unequivocally welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of the National Security Strategy… Continue reading Wait and watch: on U.S. security strategy 

India, Myanmar seal deal  Context Rohingya crisis What has happened? India and Myanmar on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at developing Myanmar’s Rakhine state Backdrop The MoU comes in the backdrop of massive migration of Rohingya refugees from violence-wracked Rakhine to Bangladesh MoU The MoU is a government-to-government (G2G) agreement on long-term… Continue reading India, Myanmar seal deal 

Now, private banks face bad loans heat Context Rise of NPAs in private sector banks What has happened? Private sector banks registered a 40.8% year-on-year increase in gross non-performing assets as of September 30, 2017, according to latest data released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) In comparison, gross NPAs at public sector banks… Continue reading Now, private banks face bad loans heat