International Relations : News and Updates

What is the News? U.S. Trade Representative(USTR) has released a report titled “2021 President’s Trade Agenda and 2020 Annual Report”. What are the Key Highlights of the USTR report? The USTR report highlighted a few important updates on trade between India and the US in 2020. They are, USTR report on Trade Relations: The US ...

Synopsis: India and US relations under the Biden administration may strengthen in certain areas. But there will be some challenges too. Areas where India and the US are willing to cooperate? India and the US are already engaging each other on a majority of issues, including  COVID-19, climate, health care, immigration and ...

Synopsis: The key to China’s immense growth is that it focuses on itself instead of trying to live up to the expectations of the Western countries. India could learn a few lessons from China as it struggles to match up.  Introduction  China and India are the two oldest civilizations but are also ...

Synopsis – Australian government proposed a bargaining code. This code has provisions to compensate media companies for using their content. Background Australia’s recently proposed News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code Bill 2020. The law would make technology platforms like Google and Facebook pay media publishers. The payment will be made for using ...

Synopsis: Covid-19 Pandemic provided India with an opportunity to mainstream science and technology (S&T) in its foreign Policies. It became possible due to the past achievements by the country in the domain of S&T. Background: The roots of India’s scientific programs can be traced to the 1959 speech delivered at the Indian ...

Synopsis: Recently, a clash erupted between the Australian government and Facebook. The big Techs in Australia are opposing the Fee to media companies for using their content. Background Recently, the Australian government has proposed the ‘News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code Bill 2020’. The bill aims to make Google and Facebook ...

What is the News? The United States(US) administration has introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 in Congress. If passed, this act will benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals in America. Key Provisions of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 It proposes to eliminate the per-country cap for employment-based green cards. It proposes a ...

Synopsis:  The MEA’s response to celebrity activism is fair. But its global reach has to go beyond majoritarian representation. Introduction  The tweets by international pop singer Rihanna and climate activist Greta Thunberg on farmers’ protest created a huge stir.    In response, The Minister for External Affairs tweeted about motivated campaigns targeting India. ...

Synopsis: India-China disengagement process on the border is ongoing. There is a need for the cost-benefit analysis of this disengagement process. Background: Recently, both India and China have announced the start of disengagement between the two armies in Ladakh. The current disengagement is limited to two places on the Line of Actual Control ...

Synopsis: Sri Lanka’s revoked the East Container Terminal (ECT) agreement without any valid reason. However, Indian investors can’t oppose this decision under International Law, due to India’s withdrawal from Bilateral Investment treaties (BIT). This calls for adopting a balanced approach towards BITs.  Background:  An agreement to jointly develop ECT at Colombo port was signed between Sri Lanka, Japan and India in ...