Author: ForumIAS

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

GST, a work in progress Context We need to immediately move towards three tax slabs, and eventually two Concerns The introduction of the Goodsand  Services  Tax  (GST)raised  much  hope  that  itwould herald the emergence of a‘good and simple tax’ with ‘one nation, one market, one tax’ However, there  has  been  considerableconcern with the new tax,… Continue reading GST, a work in progress

Black money: India-Swiss data sharing from Jan. 1 Context India signed an agreement with Switzerland on Thursday that would allow automatic sharing of tax-related information from January 1 next year, the CBDT said Backdrop The policy-making body for the Income Tax Departmentsaid  the  agreement was signed by CBDT chairman SushilChandra  andSwiss Ambassador to IndiaAndreas Baum… Continue reading Black money: India-Swiss data sharing from Jan. 1