Author: ForumIAS

Cease fire Context: The 2003 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan is now alive only in the breach, with violations intensifying in number and much damage to life and livelihood along the border. 2003 ceasefire agreement: It is important to see the 2003 agreement in the immediate context of the time. It came just four… Continue reading Cease fire

A disquieting silence Context: In the case of Rohingya, other than inking an “agreement” with Naypyidaw that normalcy and development would be promoted in the restive Rakhine state, government’s only public position has been to announce that it intends to send the nearly 40,000 Rohingya in India back to Myanmar. India, Myanmar and China’s take… Continue reading A disquieting silence

‘Russian military relations with Pakistan very minimal’ Context:  Russia’s new Ambassador to India Nikolay Kudashev takes over at a tough time for bilateral ties. Nikolay Kudashev in an interview said that the priority for New Delhi and Moscow would be sealing several defence agreements this year. Bigger priority is young generation in contributing to our… Continue reading ‘Russian military relations with Pakistan very minimal’

In different courts Context: Nawaz Sharif, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, who has been debarred from public office by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, is not just fighting back, but has been strengthened by the huge public response that he has been receiving as he takes his case to the people with elections due… Continue reading In different courts

India rejects Maldives offer  Context: India has rejected an offer by Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen to send a special envoy to discuss the ongoing emergency in Maldives What has happened? Maldivian President Yameen has sent special envoys to China, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia to brief them about the deepening political crisis in the country.  Questions… Continue reading India rejects Maldives offer 

Murky mining The Supreme Court order to halt the murky course that mining has taken in Goa should help restore some balance to the exploitation of iron and manganese ore in the ecologically fragile State. Context: The Supreme Court has cancelled 88 mining leases given by Goa government for violating procedure What has happened? The… Continue reading Murky mining

Mars on earth: simulation tests held in remote desert of Oman Two scientists in spacesuits, stark white against the auburn terrain of desolate plains and dunes, test a geo-radar built to map Mars by dragging the flat box across the rocky sand. Context: The desolate desert in southern Oman, near the borders of Yemen and… Continue reading Mars on earth: simulation tests held in remote desert of Oman

Testing the diagnosis Traditional and scientific medical systems cannot be integrated. Context: Desiring the integration of all medical systems is naive and unrealistic. Traditional and scientific medical systems cannot be integrated. Doctrine of traditional way: All cultures wanted explanations on why some fell ill while others did not, and, what remedies cure different illnesses. All… Continue reading Testing the diagnosis

Are fiscal risks increasing? Context: Budget 2018-19 has proposed amending the FRBM Act again, which will shift the target of 3% fiscal deficit-GDP ratio to end-March 2021. New framework: The new statutory anchors relate to the general and Central government debt-GDP ratios that are to be reduced to 60% and 40% of GDP, respectively, by… Continue reading Are fiscal risks increasing?

Beijing calls for ‘home-grown’ solution Context: The political crisis in Maldives could lead to serious geopolitical consequences as the Yameen government is known to have friendly relations with China. Maldives is also a member of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiatives. In July 2015, Maldives had also pressed for an amendment in constitution allowing foreign… Continue reading Beijing calls for ‘home-grown’ solution