News: The Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia is going to make a visit to Japan and India. India-Australia relations In general (1) Both have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which is full of practical, and tangible actions. (2) Both hold annual leaders’ summits and biennial 2+2 talks involving foreign and defence ministers. (3)… Continue reading India and Australia: Partners with shared interests and entwined
Author: abrar
A wish list for reform in India’s higher judiciary
News: There are rumours that the age of retirement of Supreme Court of India judges is to be increased to 67 years What should be the prioritized areas with respect to the reforms in the functioning of the Supreme Court of India? The disparity between the retirement ages of HC (62year) and SC judges(65year) should… Continue reading A wish list for reform in India’s higher judiciary
The duality of India
Context: In the history of Independent India, the South India States have reacted to the policy moves by the Centre quite differently from their counterparts in north India. Contents1 How was the response of south India to the Centre’s major policy initiatives different from the response of north India?2 Why is the response from south India… Continue reading The duality of India
Tackling the crisis of rising global food prices
News: Recently, the government of India has banned wheat exports and imposed restrictions on the export of other food commodities. History of Food Price Crises Since the adoption of Green Revolution technology in the early 1960s, the world has faced food price crises three times in terms of nominal as well as the real prices:… Continue reading Tackling the crisis of rising global food prices
With only 3 serious telecom operators, administrative allocation of spectrum space should take the place of auctions
News: In January, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) announced a rescue package for some telecom companies (telcos). What were the rescue packages? The government dispensed with the requirement of performance bank guarantees required earlier than security. It increased the tenure of spectrum holding from 20 to 30 years, allowed for the surrender of the unutilised… Continue reading With only 3 serious telecom operators, administrative allocation of spectrum space should take the place of auctions
Proposed WTO reform aims to bully developing nations: Civil society members
News: The ‘WTO Reform’ proposal has been pushed in the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). However, the proposed reforms are said to weaken the position of the developing countries. What are the issues in the proposed WTO reforms? As per some experts, the reforms may undermine the participation and say… Continue reading Proposed WTO reform aims to bully developing nations: Civil society members
Free trade can’t yet pass a basic food security test
News: At present, the 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference is being held in Geneva. Food security is one of the agenda on the discussion table on the ministerial conference. Importance of Free Trade Free trade ensures that agricultural products flow from zones of abundance to regions of scarcity, just as the free exchange… Continue reading Free trade can’t yet pass a basic food security test
From Rajendra Prasad to Our Next Rashtrapati
Context: The election date for the post of India’s President has been announced by the Elections Commission. Now, it is to be seen, whether political parties will choose candidates who will be rubber stamps or defenders of the constitutional values of the country. Except for President APJ Abdul Kalam, all other Presidents of India have… Continue reading From Rajendra Prasad to Our Next Rashtrapati
Explained: The RBI rate hike and its impact
News: Reserve Bank of India hiked the repo rate by another 50 basis points. RBI is moving on with the withdrawal of its accommodative policy, in the backdrop of increasing inflation in the country. The RBI had pumped huge liquidity into the system in 2020 to counter the impact of the pandemic. RBI has projected… Continue reading Explained: The RBI rate hike and its impact
WTO rules on foodgrains must be updated
News: About 60 countries, including India and China, have pushed for a joint proposal for consideration of several WTO rules. The proposal was pushed at the upcoming 12th ministerial summit of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The proposal has been moved to solve some of the contentious issues linked to, food stockholding, agricultural subsidies, international… Continue reading WTO rules on foodgrains must be updated
