Author: Aditi Saxena

The Indian External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, is on a three-day visit to Sweden, also addressing the EU-India Pacific Ministerial Forum and bolstering relations with the Nordic country. 1. What is the latest development? On Sunday, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar discussed a host of issues to strengthen the India-Sweden partnership with his Swedish counterpart, Tobias Billstrom. The discussions primarily revolved around the Indo-Pacific, the European strategic situation, and avenues to develop a robust economy post-pandemic. Marking the 75th year of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Jaishankar joined the EU-India Pacific Ministerial Forum (EIPMF) in Stockholm. He…

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s foreign ministers meeting culminated in the foreign minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, terming the trip to India a “success”. 1. What is the latest development? On Friday, India hosted the 2024 SCO foreign ministers meeting in Goa. In a historic move, Bhutto is the first foreign minister of Pakistan to visit India since 2011. As the meeting underwent in Goa, a plethora of issues were picked up for the event, including combating cross-border terrorism among other avenues of discussion. The Indian foreign minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, met with his Russian and Chinese counterparts for further…

Canada is ruminating about the expulsion of the Chinese diplomat after reports of China spying on a Canadian lawmaker’s family to fend off any “anti-China” stance. 1. What is the latest escalation? Recently, Toronto and Beijing have been at loggerheads over an “intelligence report” of China trying to get the contours of the family of a Canadian lawmaker dwelling in Hong Kong in order to intimidate and deter any activity that undermines Chinese interests. As per the intelligence reports, China has targeted the Conservative Canadian MP, Michael Chong. Chong is a staunch supporter of the Uighur Muslims and was also…

On Wednesday, the World Bank’s executive board approved Indian-origin Ajay Banga as the organisation’s 14th President for a term of 5 years. 1. What is the latest development? Ajay Banga the first Asian president is all set to take over as the successor of David Malpass, as averred by the 25-member executive board. Banga, who is the former Mastercard CEO, will start his term on June 2 of this year. The first Indian-American President leads the institution at a time when it is marred by convolution in handling the economic situation in developing countries. In the month of February, US…

China’s Foreign Minister Qin Gang, the highest-ranking official, met Myanmar’s top military general and reiterated the former’s stand to support the latter’s Junta government. 1. What is the latest development? China is currently on a mission to gain “diplomatic credibility”. Last month, it brokered a historic deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran on the reestablishment of ties. In an unprecedented move, Beijing’s highest official, Foreign Minister Qin Gang, visited the border of Myanmar and discussed relations with Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing, head of the military council. A military coup was staged against the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi…

The National Security Advisor of India, Ajit Doval’s meeting with Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), Ali Shamkhani, highlights the economic considerations in the partnership between the two countries. 1. What is the latest development? There has been a spree of diplomatic engagements in New Delhi, with diplomats and leaders from worldwide pitching their country’s relations with Delhi. The recently concluded bilateral meetings with Central Asian and South Asian nations followed the SCO defence ministers meeting. On Monday, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met with Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani, engaging on…

As per the newly released analysis by the Singapore-based International Air Transport Association (IATA), India has shown promising signs in the aviation industry. As per the reports of IATA, New Delhi is one of the fastest-emerging markets in the world for the aviation industry. India is currently just about 2.2% less in terms of passenger revenue kilometres (PRK) compared to the pre-pandemic level. 1. What are the findings of the report? When the pandemic struck in 2020, the worst-hit industry was the global aviation market. Due to partial or complete travel restrictions in various parts of the globe, both international…

As Yeol is all set to visit the USA following a summit with his American counterpart Joe Biden, Washington asserts its allegiance to protect South Korea from plausible nuclear attacks. The Korean Peninsula is marred by a deluge of nuclear missile tests carried out by Pyongyang. As per the officials from Washington, they have executed measures to maintain peace, stability, and security on the Korean Peninsula. Nuclear Deterrence As per the reports, Washington has averred providing “umbrella security” in the Indo-Pacific region, despite a barrage of unprecedented provocations from the North Korean side. This visit comes when North Korea has…

As per the latest report of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India is all set to outpace China’s population by mid of 2024 On Wednesday the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released its latest report “The State Of World Population Report,2023, which is titled 8 Billion Lives, infinite possibilities: The Case of Rights and Possibilities”. As per the report, India’s population is pegged at 1,428 million. Key Highlights Of the Report China with a population of 1,425 million. united states of America, on the other hand, is placed third on the list with a demography of about 340 million.…

United Nations on Wednesday announced its bid to exit Afghanistan, in the latest turn of events as the Taliban government impedes local women to work in a plethora of programs run by the global organization Afghanistan was pushed into a perpetual state of chaos and dysfunctionality after the United States pulled its forces, marking an end to the two-decade-long struggle against the Taliban. When the Taliban formed their government in the country, they promised a state that was not regressive in nature. However, subsequent retrogressive measures by the government do not bode well for the country. What is the stand…