Author: ForumIAS

Punjab to install micro ATMs in co-op institutions across the State Context: The Punjab government plans to install micro ATMs in all its 3,535 primary agricultural cooperative societies and district central cooperative banks under its rural financial inclusion plan. Introduction: NABARD has accepted a proposal sent by the cooperative department to extend the digital transaction… Continue reading Punjab to install micro ATMs in co-op institutions across the State

NIA expands Khalistan probe Context: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has expanded its investigation into the revival of the pro-Khalistan movement in Punjab to countries such as the U.K., Australia, the UAE, Italy and Pakistan. Background: On November 30th 2017, the Home Ministry handed over the probe into the murder of RSS member Ravinder Gosain… Continue reading NIA expands Khalistan probe

Plea seeks protection for ECs from removal Context: The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre and the Election Commission of India to file their responses on a plea pointing out the vagueness in the procedure for the removal of two Election Commissioners. Different views: According to the petition this affects the top poll body’s… Continue reading Plea seeks protection for ECs from removal

‘No info from Centre on Naga pact’ Context: The Assam government has said that it had not received any communication from the Centre on the Naga Framework Agreement Details: The Assam government has said that it had not received any official intimation from the Centre on the Naga pact.  The government has asserted that it… Continue reading ‘No info from Centre on Naga pact’

‘Intolerance in India affects Bangladesh’ Context: Bangladesh’s Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has said that religious intolerance in India affects Bangladesh Details: Mr. Inu has made this remark at a conference for media professionals According to him, Bangladesh and India are unique as the (largest) minority community of India is the majority community of Bangladesh.… Continue reading ‘Intolerance in India affects Bangladesh’

Maldives president seeks extension to state of emergency Context: The state of emergency in Maldives has been extended by 30 days. Details: The state of emergency in Maldives has been extended by 30 days after a key parliamentary committee approved President Abdulla Yameen’s request The approval was given to the Decree for State of Emergency… Continue reading Maldives president seeks extension to state of emergency

New Zealand seeks clarity on India’s military ambitions Context: As India expands its influence in southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Region, New Zealand’s Chief of Defence Force Lt. Gen. Tim Keating has sought clarity on a probable military component to New Delhi’s ‘Act East’ policy. New Zealand seeks clarity: New Zealand wants to understand… Continue reading New Zealand seeks clarity on India’s military ambitions

Khalistan casts shadow over Trudeau visit Context: The Khalistan issue, which kept India-Canada ties on ice through three decades from 1980, has re-emerged. “Khalsa day” parade: The seeds for the current tensions have been sown since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau came to power in 2015. A major breaking point came when Mr. Trudeau attended a… Continue reading Khalistan casts shadow over Trudeau visit

A Nepal-India win-win Context: With the Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli sworn as Prime Minster of Nepal, he is tasked today to reset the relationship with India at a new normal. Background: India became progressively interventionist as Nepal got engaged in internal crisis during and after the Maoist ‘people’s war’, and as the hill-plain… Continue reading A Nepal-India win-win

Old friends: on India-Iran bilateral ties Context: In bilateral terms, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to India was perfect in content. Major takeaways from Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s visit to India: The visit came amid uncertainty over the U.S.’s next move on Iran, given the Trump administration’s line on the Iran nuclear deal. After his… Continue reading Old friends: on India-Iran bilateral ties