Author: ForumIAS

Govt relaxes Atal pension plan norms Context The Centre would now allow small finance banks and payment banks to offer the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), which is expected to significantly increase the coverage of the scheme. Payment banks can offer the product To strengthen the existing channels of APY distribution, it is felt that these… Continue reading Govt relaxes Atal pension plan norms

Doklam blown out of proportion Context India’s Ambassador to China Gautam Bambawale has called for a new phase of dialogue between the countries to foster a stronger post-Doklam “partnership.” In an interview to the Global Times , ahead of the Republic Day, he said the stand-off last year should be viewed in a historical perspective. A Single… Continue reading Doklam blown out of proportion

The ASEAN embrace  Context Prime Minister Narendra Modi used India’s Republic Day to host heads of state/government of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As India’s ‘Look East Policy’, matures into an ‘Act East Policy’, a strong relationship with ASEAN is no longer a policy option; rather it is an… Continue reading The ASEAN embrace 

India ASEAN target swift deal on RCEP Context With an aim to further trade ties, India and ASEAN on Friday agreed to target a swift conclusion to the comprehensive and mutually beneficial Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2018. Commit to use India’s $1-billion line of credit to enhance connectivity as per master plan for… Continue reading India ASEAN target swift deal on RCEP

Trump must walk the talk: Karzai Context Former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai called upon U.S. President Donald Trump to “walk the talk” on curbing Pakistan’s support of extremist forces. Mr. Trump, in a tweet at the beginning of the year, had chastised Pakistan for giving “safe haven to terrorists we hunt in Afghanistan” Backdrop Jaipur… Continue reading Trump must walk the talk: Karzai

Natural partners in the Asian century Context There is a need for a fresh perspective in India’s China policy Continental shift Asia already accounts for almost half of the world’s population, half of the world’s container traffic, one-third of its bulk cargo and 40% of the world’s off-shore oil reserves. It is home to several… Continue reading Natural partners in the Asian century

ASEAN rising Context As leaders of the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathered in New Delhi this week, India’s ties with ASEAN got a dose of both symbolism and substance. The ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit, followed by their attendance at the Republic Day parade as joint chief guests, underlined the new consensus on the need… Continue reading ASEAN rising

India should be proactive: ASEAN Context All leaders at the just concluded ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit had urged India to play a proactive role in the Asia-Pacific region, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said here on Friday The bloc sees New Delhi as key to Indo-Pacific region’s peace and prosperity, says MEA The official statement… Continue reading India should be proactive: ASEAN

NASA keen on India-made technology for spacecraft Context A new thermal spray coating technology used for gas turbine engine in spacecraft developed by a Rajasthan-based researcher has caught the attention of a NASA scientist, an official said. Satish Tailor’s thermal spray coating useful for gas turbine engine Expressing his interest in the research, James L.… Continue reading NASA keen on India-made technology for spacecraft

What are we teaching the robots? Context Hearing ‘VR, AR, AI, Bitcoin’ in one sentence is like hearing ‘5GB, 512KB and Pentium’ in the late ’90s. It fires up your inner geek. But to the discerning, VR and AR are so 2017 that they are almost retro. And at the moment, Bitcoin is looking bubblier… Continue reading What are we teaching the robots?