International relation

Question 1

GENEVA CONVENTION 1949

Answer 1

The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols form the basis of modern international humanitarian law, setting out how soldiers and civilians should be treated during the war.
 Although they were adopted in 1949, to take account of the experiences of the Second World War, the four Geneva Conventions continue to apply to armed conflicts today.
 Three additional protocols were also adopted later on which expanded the rules.
 The Conventions have been ratified by all States and are universally applicable.
 Any nation that has ratified the Geneva Conventions but not the protocols is still bound by all provisions of the conventions.
 The provisions of the conventions apply in peacetime situations, in declared wars, and in conflicts that are not recognised as war by one or more of the parties.
 They contain stringent rules to deal with what are known as “grave breaches”.
 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been mandated under the Geneva Conventions to ensure the application of international humanitarian law.

Question 2

International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Answer 2

It is the principle judicial organ of the UN established in 1945 succeeding the Permanent Court of Justice (established under League of Nations).
 The Court may entertain two types of cases:
o Contentious cases - Legal disputes between States submitted to it by them. Only States (States Members of the United Nations and other States which have become parties to the Statute of the Court or which have accepted its jurisdiction under certain conditions) may be parties to contentious cases.
o Advisory proceedings - Requests for advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by United Nations organs and specialized agencies. Contrary to judgments, the Court’s advisory opinions are not binding.
 It has no jurisdiction to deal with applications from individuals, NGOs or private groups and it rules only on the rights and obligations of States.
 It comprises 15 Judges, elected by United Nations General Assembly and Security Council for 9 year term. Five Judges are elected every 3 years to ensure continuity.
 It is headquartered in Peace Palace, Hague, Netherlands and India is a founding member of the ICJ.

Question 3

INTERMEDIATE-RANGE NUCLEAR FORCES TREATY

Answer 3

Recently, U.S.A (and then Russia) suspended its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.
The erstwhile President of USSR Mikhail Gorbachev and American President Ronald Reagan signed a Comprehensive intermediate-range missile elimination agreement which culminated in the INF treaty in 1987.
 Since 2013, however, both Russia and America have accused each other of violating terms of the treaty.
It is an arms control treaty between the United States and Russia under which both agreed not to develop, produce, possess or deploy any ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles that have a range between 500 and 5,500 km. It however exempted the air-launched and sea-based missile systems in the same range.
 It mandated agreeing parties to destroy all such existing weapons within three years of the signing of the treaty and also clarified that each of the parties could withdraw from the treaty with a six-month notice.
 It laid out a comprehensive inspection protocol, whereby each of the parties could inspect and monitor each other’s’ elimination process.
 In 1991 the treaty was expanded to include Russia and the successor states of the former USSR.
 However, it was a bilateral agreement between US and USSR which left the other nuclear weapon powers free to develop ground based intermediate range forces. Among various countries that have expanded their weapon power, since then, is China which is a major concern for the US.

Question 4

1st India-Central Asia Dialogue was held in

Answer 4

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Question 5

Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)

Answer 5

• It was established by the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, concluded at The Hague in 1899 during the first Hague Peace Conference.
• It facilitates arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between states.
• The PCA is not a court in the traditional sense, but a permanent framework for arbitral tribunals constituted to resolve specific disputes.
• The PCA was the first permanent intergovernmental organization to provide a forum for the resolution of international disputes through arbitration and other peaceful means.
• It has a three-part organizational structure consisting of an Administrative Council that oversees its policies and budgets, a panel of independent potential arbitrators known as the Members of the Court, and its Secretariat, known as the International Bureau, headed by the Secretary-General

Question 6

Exceptions to MFN Principle

Answer 6

o Right to enter Free Trade Agreements
o Special Access to developing Countries to their markets.
o Raise barriers against unfair trade practices
o General exceptions – The nation has right to take measures which may restrict trade in goods but are necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health.
o Security exceptions – A nation has right to take measures to protect essential national security interests, which may restrict trade in goods. India could
consider making use of this clause to deny the MFN status to Pakistan or bring in certain trade restrictions.
o Balance-of-payments (BOP) – A nation has right to take measures to safeguard its external financial position and its BOPs.
o Exception in Services: Countries are allowed to discriminate in limited circumstances.

Question 7

Track-II diplomacy

Answer 7

Track II Diplomacy is also known as Backchannel Diplomacy, in which private individuals (such as former diplomats, military veterans, academicians etc.), meeting unofficially, can find their way to common ground that official negotiators can’t and the talks under it are not codified as official statements.

Question 8

Track-I diplomacy

Answer 8

• Track I Diplomacy is official government diplomacy whereby communication and interaction is between governments.

Question 9

India-Nepal friendship Treaty

Answer 9

1. Allows Nepali citizens to work in india, and apply for civil services
2. Nepali can open bank account and buy property in india
3. nepali can import arms and ammunitions via territory of india

India has waived its rights under reciprocity as a sign of goodwill.

Question 10

Pancheshwar Dam project

Answer 10

India-Nepal
on river Mahakali, called Shardha in India
Shardha forms international boundary between Nepal and Uttarakhand
A Treaty known as “Mahakali Treaty” concerning the integrated development of the Mahakali River, which included Sharda barrage, Tanakpur barrage and Pancheshwar Dam Project, was signed between the Nepal and India in 1996.

Question 11

Other Important Projects between India and Nepal

Answer 11

• Kamla and Bagmati Multipurpose Projects
• Sapta-Kosi High Dam Project and SUN Kosi storage
cum diversion scheme
• Karnali Multipurpose Project

Question 12

2+1 DIALOGUE MECHANISM

Answer 12

• Two Plus One format for dialogue as proposed is different from a trilateral mechanism. Under the Chinese proposal, China and India can jointly conduct a dialogue with a third regional country i.e. it is not
Nepal specific and can be applied to any other country in South Asia.
• This was announced after the Wuhan Summit, which was an informal summit between India and China.

Question 13

India-Bangladesh Friendship

Pipeline

Answer 13

Project for transportation of oil,
connecting Siliguri in India and Parbatipur in
Bangladesh.

Question 14

Rooppur project

Answer 14

first initiative under
Indo-Russian deal to undertake atomic energy
projects in Bangladesh. India will provide
personnel training, consultation support and
participate in the construction and erection
activity and non-critical materials supply to
the site in Bangladesh.

Question 15

Protocol on Inland Water Transit
and Trade (PIWTT

Answer 15

India is assisting
Bangladesh to capture the potential of waterways for both inter and intra border
connectivity of Bangladesh.

Question 16

Integrated Check Posts

Answer 16

• It helps put in place a system to secure the
country’s borders against hostile elements. It also
facilitates trade and commerce and boosts revenue.
• ICPs which are already functional include: Attari in
Punjab (Pakistan border), Petrapole in West Bengal
(Bangladesh border), Akhaura in Tripura
(Bangladesh), Dawki in Meghalaya (Bangladesh),
Raxaul in Bihar (Nepal) and Jogbani in Bihar (Nepal).

Question 17

Land Border Crossing

Answer 17

Between india and Myanmar.
• The agreement facilitates regulation and
harmonization of already existing free
movement rights for people ordinarily
residing in the border areas of both countries.
• It also facilitates movement of people on the
basis of valid passports and visas
• Recently, two crossing points at Moreh in
Manipur and Zokhawthar in Mizoram were
opened.
• It marked the abolishing of special land entry
permission which was previously required for
visitors entering the country via land routes

Question 18

IMT Trilateral Highway:

Answer 18

It will
connect Moreh in India with Mae Sot, Thailand via
Myanmar. The highway is expected to boost trade
and commerce in ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, as
well as with rest of Southeast Asia.

India, Myanmar and
Thailand has been negotiating for finalising and
implementing a Motor Vehicle Agreement

Question 19

Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project

Answer 19

project that will connect the eastern Indian
seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport in Rakhine
State, Myanmar by sea. In Myanmar, it will then
link Sittwe seaport to Paletwa, Chin State via the
Kaladan river boat route, and then from Paletwa
by road to Mizoram state in Northeast India.

Question 20

Operation Insaniyat

Answer 20

• In response to the humanitarian crisis being
faced on account of the large influx of Rohingya
refugees into Bangladesh, Government of
India has decided to extend assistance to
Bangladesh under Operation Insaniyat.

Question 21

Operation Cactus

Answer 21

Indian Army’s ‘Operation Cactus’ foiled a coup in
Maldives that was attempted by a pro-Eelam group
in 1988.

Question 22

Tala Hydropower, Chukha hydropower, Kuricchu Hydropower with which country?

Answer 22

India-Bhutan

Question 23

coastal surveillance radar systems

Answer 23

India plans to renew its offer to extend the coastal surveillance radar systems (CSRS) project (to Maldives). The CSRS project was initially established in 2015 with the coastal nations of Mauritius, Seychelles, and Sri Lanka.

Question 24

Commonwealth

Answer 24

It is a unique political association of 53-member states (31 are island nations), nearly all of them former territories of the British Empire.
• The chief institutions of the organisation are the Commonwealth Secretariat, which focuses on intergovernmental aspects, and the Commonwealth Foundation, which focuses on non-governmental relations between member states.
• It was originally created as the British Commonwealth through the Balfour Declaration at the 1926 Imperial Conference, and formalised by the United Kingdom through the Statute of Westminster in 1931.
• The current Commonwealth of Nations was formally constituted by the London Declaration in 1949, which modernised the community, and established the member states as “free and equal”.
• Member states have no legal obligations to one another. Instead, they are united by English language, history, culture and their shared values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Question 25

Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

Answer 25

• It is an inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 22 Member States and 9 Dialogue Partners. • The major priorities & focus areas include: Fisheries Management, Blue Economy, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Maritime Safety & Security etc. • The members include Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Maldives and Yemen

Question 26

Indian Ocean Commission (COI):

Answer 26

The COI is an intergovernmental organisation created in 1984. It consists of five African Indian Ocean nations: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion and Seychelles.

Question 27

Hajigak mines

Answer 27

Central Afghanistan- iron ore

Question 28

ASIA REASSURANCE INITIATIVE ACT (ARIA)

Answer 28

US President has signed ARIA act to counter the threat from China and to reinvigorate US leadership in the Indo-Pacific region. It aims to establish a multifaceted U.S. strategy to increase U.S. security, economic interests, and values in the Indo-Pacific region. • The new law mandates actions countering China’s illegal construction and militarization of artificial features in the South China Sea and coercive economic practices. • ARIA recognizes the vital role of the strategic partnership between the U.S. and India in promoting peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and it calls for strengthening diplomatic, economic, and security ties between both the countries. • It allocates a budget of $1.5 billion over a fiveyear period to enhance cooperation with America’s strategic regional allies in the region.

Question 29

Rim Of Pacific Multinational Naval Exercise

Answer 29

* The 26th edition of RIMPAC, hosted by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), RIMPAC is the world’s largest set of international maritime war games. * Theme of RIMPAC 2018 was "Capable, Adaptive, Partners." * This is the first time Brazil, Israel, Sri Lanka and Vietnam are participating in RIMPAC. * Indigenously built stealth frigate, INS Sahyadri, participated in RIMPAC. * China was absent this year as it was dis-invited from participating by the U.S., citing China’s military actions in the South China Sea. * The Indian Navy was an observer for the 2006, 2010 and 2012 editions of the exercise

Question 30

``` Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) ```

Answer 30

Indian Navy recently inaugurated the Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR). • The Information Fusion Centre (IFC) is a 24/7 regional information sharing centre. • The IFC has been established at the Navy’s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) in Gurugram. • The IFC-IOR is established with the vision of strengthening maritime security in the region. • Through this Centre, information on “white shipping”, or commercial non-military shipping, will be exchanged with countries in the region to improve maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean. India has bilateral white shipping agreements with 36 countries.

Question 31

Trans Regional Maritime Network

Answer 31

* India has recently signed the ascension agreement to the Trans Regional Maritime Network (T-RMN). * It facilitates information exchange on the movement of commercial traffic on the high seas. * The multilateral construct comprises of 30 countries and is steered by Italy. * It will give the country access to information about ships passing through the Indian Ocean Region, thereby helping to check suspicious and criminal activities and illegal trade across the ocean.

Question 32

Indian Ocean Conference

Answer 32

The third edition of Indian Ocean Conference was held at Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The Indian Ocean Conference is initiated by India Foundation along with its partners from Singapore, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh • It is an annual effort to bring together Heads of States/Governments, Ministers, thought Leaders, scholars, diplomats, bureaucrats and practitioners from across the region. • Two successful editions of the Conference have been hosted so far in 2016 and 2017 in Singapore and Sri Lanka respectively

Question 33

DELHI DIALOGUE X

Answer 33

Recently, India hosted the 10th edition of the Delhi Dialogue with a theme “Strengthening India-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation”. • It is a premier annual track 1.5 event to discuss politico-security, economic and sociocultural engagement between India & ASEAN. • It has been held annually since 2009 in partnership with Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS).

Question 34

New Southern Policy

Answer 34

The new S. Korean government is seeking to elevate strategic ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on par with Korea’s four traditional, major diplomatic partners of the United States, China, Japan and Russia. • It is a new policy orientation being pursued under the government’s broader strategy of promoting a “Northeast Asia Plus Community for Responsibility sharing (NEAPC)”. • New Southern Policy is one of the 3 parts of NEAPC which would involve deepening relations with India as well as the countries of Southeast Asia, including in the economic realm.

Question 35

India-Korea

Answer 35

3P Plus- Moon coined a new acronym ‘3P Plus’ for boosting bilateral ties through cooperation for people, prosperity and peace. South Korea would be the second country after China with whom India would undertake a joint project in Afghanistan. • Also, India and South Korea launched an initiative ‘Korea Plus’, as proposed by Indian Prime Minister in June 2016 to promote and facilitate Korean Investments in India

Question 36

Acquisition and Cross-servicing Agreement

Answer 36

between india and japan. This agreement, as and when it comes into effect, would enable Japanese ships to get fuel and servicing at Indian naval bases

Question 37

India- Indonesia

Answer 37

1. comprehensive strategic partnership agreement 2. • A link will be established between Andaman Nicobar and Aceh to tap the economic potentials of both areas 3. Recently Indonesia agreed to give access to the strategic island of Sabang, close to the Malacca Strait for Indian investment.

Question 38

India and Singapore

Answer 38

India and Singapore recently signed a bilateral agreement that will allow logistical support to Indian Navy ships at Singapore’s Changi Naval Base located near disputed South China Sea

Question 39

An India Economic Strategy | to 2035

Answer 39

Australia’s Prime Minister has announced implementation of “An India Economic Strategy to 2035”, a vision document that will shape India-Australia bilateral ties * It is based on three-pillar strategy- Economic ties, Geostrategic Engagement and Rethinking Culture-thrust on soft power diplomacy. * The focus of this report is on building a sustainable long-term India economic strategy. * The report identifies 10 sectors and 10 states in an evolving Indian market where Australia has competitive advantages, and where it should focus its efforts.

Question 40

Ashgabat Agreement:

Answer 40

India has acceded to the Ashgabat Agreement, an international transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf

Question 41

E-VIDYABHARTI AND EAAROGYABHARATI NETWORK | PROJECT

Answer 41

• It is primarily a technological upgrade (digital bridge) and extension of the Pan-African e-Network Project. o Under the Pan African e-Network Project, India had set up a fibre-optic network to provide satellite connectivity, telemedicine and tele-education to countries of Africa. o TCIL, a Government of India undertaking, is implementing the project on behalf of Government of India. • It will be completely funded by the Government of India. • There will be two separate platforms for e- VidyaBharati (tele-education) and e-AarogyaBharati (tele-medicine) which will link, through a web-based technology, various educational institutions and hospitals in India and the participating African countries.

Question 42

2+2 dialogue

Answer 42

India and the USA held the first edition of their 2+2 dialogue involving Indian External Affairs and Defence Ministers and their American counterparts in New Delhi, where they also signed long-pending Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA

Question 43

Industrial Security Annex | (ISA):

Answer 43

Industrial Security Annex (ISA) that would support closer defence industry cooperation and collaboration. An ISA is required to enable private Indian participation in defence production.

Question 44

Strategic Trade Authorization (STA-1)

Answer 44

US has granted Strategic Trade Authorization (STA-1) status to India, giving India same access as NATO allies to latest technology.

Question 45

Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS)

Answer 45

It is the secure communication | system network of the US. Navy ships

Question 46

Generalized System of Preferences?

Answer 46

Recently U.S. has decided to withdraw Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) benefits on 94 products for all countries * It is a non-reciprocal preferential tariff system which provides for exemption from the Most Favored Nation principle of World Trade Organization. * It involves reduced MFN tariffs or duty free entry of eligible products exported by beneficiary countries (developing countries) to markets of donor countries (developed countries). * It was adopted at UNCTAD Conference in 1968 and later enacted by General Agreement on Trade and Tariff (now WTO) in 1971.

Question 47

UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination | Compact

Answer 47

It is an agreement between the UN chief, 36 organizational entities, the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) and the World Customs Organisation, to better serve the needs of Member States when it comes to tackling international terrorism. The UN Global Counter-Terrorism Compact Coordination Committee will oversee and monitor the implementation of the Compact which will be chaired by UN Under-Secretary-General for counterterrorism. o It will replace the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force, which was established in 2005.

Question 48

UNHRC

Answer 48

The United States has withdrawn from the UNHRC accusing it of chronic bias against Israel. * It is a specialized agency of United Nations to protect and promote human rights across the world set up in 2006. * The Council consists of 47 members, elected yearly by the General Assembly through direct and secret ballot for three-year terms. * Recently India was elected with highest number of votes by General Assembly to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). * Members are selected via the basis of equitable geographic rotation using the United Nations regional grouping system. * Members are barred from occupying a seat for more than two consecutive three-year terms.

Question 49

BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution | PartNIR

Answer 49

Brics recommended its establishment

Question 50

‘BRICS Plus’ formats

Answer 50

BRICS plus format initiated at Xiamen Summit in 2017 by inviting a few countries from different regions was emulated in Johannesburg Summit also.

Question 51

Brics in Fortaleza (2014)

Answer 51

During the sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza (2014), the following were agreed - o Agreement for setting up the New Development Bank (NDB) with $100 billion corpus. o Pact for the setting up of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) with an initial size of $100 billion to tackle short-term liquidity demands.

Question 52

Exercise SCO Peace Mission 2018.

Answer 52

• It is conducted biennially for SCO member states. • This is the first time India is participating in this peace mission post joining SCO. • The exercise provided an opportunity for the armies of India and Pakistan to operate together outside the United Nations umbrella.

Question 53

OPEC

Answer 53

headquartered in Vienna, Austria | established by Baghdad Conference of 1960

Question 54

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY

Answer 54

* It is the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. * It is an autonomous international organization within the United Nations system set up in July 1957 through its own international treaty, the IAEA Statute. * The IAEA reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council. * It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. India is a member of IAEA.

Question 55

Asian Infrastructure Forum

Answer 55

Recently, third annual meeting of AIIB was held in Mumbai where Asian Infrastructure Forum was launched for creating connections & business development opportunities for participants drawn from project sponsors, financiers, governments, etc.

Question 56

Strategy 2030.

Answer 56

Recently, Asian Development Bank (ADB) released its long-term corporate strategy i.e. Strategy 2030 • It is policy framework for ADB that sets out its broad vision and strategic response to the evolving needs of Asia and the Pacific. In contrast to earlier Strategy 2020- the Strategy 2030 document emphasis on human and social factors, in addition to the usual infrastructure and the private sector

Question 57

EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (EBRD)

Answer 57

India recently became the 69th shareholder of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). It is a multilateral development bank set up in 1991 after the fall of the Berlin Wall to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative in emerging Europe. • It is headquartered in London. It invests in 38 emerging economies across three continents It has members from all over the world with the biggest shareholder being the United States, but only lends regionally in its countries of operations The EBRD is unique among development banks in that it will not finance coal power plants due to their environmental impact. It has pledged to dedicate above 40 percent of its financing to green investment by2020. • India takes a shareholding in the EBRD but it will not be a recipient of EBRD financing • To be eligible for EBRD funding, "a project must be located in an EBRD country of operations (not in India), have strong commercial prospects, involve significant equity contributions in-cash or in-kind from the project sponsor, benefit the local economy and help develop the private sector and satisfy banking and environmental standards."

Question 58

European Investment Bank (EIB)

Answer 58

Owned by EU member states and is used to support EU policy

Question 59

South south cooperation

Answer 59

• South South Cooperation (SSC) is defined as the exchange and sharing of developmental solutions among countries in the global south. • The formation of SSC can be traced to the 1955 Bandung Conference.

Question 60

IBSA

Answer 60

Recently, at a Ministerial meeting of IBSA in Pretoria, South Africa. * It is an international tripartite grouping for promoting international cooperation of India, Brazil and South Africa. * It was formally established by the Brasilia Declaration of 6 June 2003 by external affairs ministers of India, Brazil and South Africa. * It represents three important poles for galvanizing South-South cooperation and greater understanding between three important continents of the developing world. IBSA Mechanism for Development Cooperation - IBSA Fund for the Alleviation of Poverty and Hunger • It was set up with the objective of facilitating the execution of human development projects to advance the fight against poverty and hunger in developing countries. • Each member country contributes $1 Million annually to this fund. • The IBSA Fund is managed by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).

Question 61

SAARC DEVELOPMENT | FUND (SDF)

Answer 61

• It was established by heads of all eight SAARC member states during 16th SAARC summit at Thimphu, Bhutan in 2010. • Its Secretariat is located at Thimphu, capital of Bhutan. Its Governing Council comprises finance ministers of these eight countries. • It was created as umbrella financial mechanism for all SAARC developmental projects and programmes. • It funds projects in South Asia region via three windows viz. Social Window, Economic Window and Infrastructure Window.

Question 62

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

Answer 62

• Established in 1989 APEC is an intergovernmental forum for 21 Pacific Rim member economies. • APEC aims for regional economic integration by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable growth. • India was allowed in APEC summit in 2011 as an observer state.

Question 63

Asia Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA)

Answer 63

• The Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA), previously named as the Bangkok Agreement, was signed in 1975 as an initiative of UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific). It is the oldest preferential trade agreement (PTA) among developing countries in Asia-Pacific. Currently, the following six Participating States are parties to APTA: 1. Bangladesh 2. China 3. India (founding member) 4. Laos 5. South Korea 6. Sri Lanka (Mongolia is set to become the 7th member) • It is open to all developing member countries. Notably, it is the only operational trade agreement linking China and India

Question 64

UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific).

Answer 64

• It is the regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. • It was established in 1947 with its headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. • It seeks to promote cooperation among member States to achieve inclusive and sustainable development in Asia and Pacific.

Question 65

``` Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), ```

Answer 65

Members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), have finalized an early-harvest “package” with the aim of concluding trade negotiations by the year-end. ``` Early harvest scheme is a precursor to a free trade agreement (FTA) between two trading partners. This is to help them to identify certain products for tariff liberalisation pending the conclusion of FTA negotiation. ``` The RCEP, forged during the 2012 ASEAN summit in Cambodia

Question 66

African | Continental Free Trade Area

Answer 66

African countries are set to launch the African Continental Free Trade Area or AfCFTA, the biggest free trade agreement in the world since the World Trade Organization. • It is a continent-wide free-trade agreement brokered by the African Union (AU) and initially signed on by 44 of its 55 member states in Kigali, Rwanda on March 2018. • The proposal will come into force after ratification by 22 of the signatory states.

Question 67

Gender Equality Advisory Council

Answer 67

For the first time in the last 44 years, the G7 had a Gender Equality Advisory Council. The aim of the council is to convince private sector companies to set up such council and eradicate the problem of gender inequality from the root.

Question 68

Group of Twenty (G 20)

Answer 68

• It is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union. • The G20 started in 1999 as a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors in the aftermath of the Asian financial crisis • For the first time, India will host the annual G- 20 Summit in 2022

Question 69

ORGANISATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS (OPCW)

Answer 69

OPCW has been granted new powers to assign blame for attacks using banned toxic materials. * Until now OPCW had limited power to only send teams to places to collect samples and draw conclusions whether the chemical weapons attack had happened or not. * It did not have powers to identify the perpetrator (country or non-state actors) of the chemical weapons’ attacks. * The British-led motion was supported by the United States and European Union, but opposed by Russia, Iran, Syria, and their allies. * India also voted against the decision because it was critical of the decision to grant “unchecked powers” to the head of the group which could be used for “partisan” purposes. Established in 1997. HQ- The Hague It is the implementing body for the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons. • It has membership of 193 countries. o India is a member. o Israel has signed but not ratified the Convention. Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan have neither signed nor acceded. • The Conference of the States Parties is the plenary organ consisting of all members of the OPCW having equal voting rights. Received Nobel peace prize in 2013

Question 70

ASIA-EUROPE MEETING

Answer 70

held in brussels, belgium • It is an intergovernmental process established in 1996 to foster dialogue and cooperation between 51 Asian and European countries plus two institutional partners (the EU and the Association of South East Asian Nations - ASEAN • India joined the forum in 2008. • The first summit was held in Bangkok, Thailand.

Question 71

ASIA-PACIFIC INSTITUTE FOR BROADCASTING DEVELOPMENT (AIBD)

Answer 71

Recently, India has been elected (first time) as the President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) for a period of two years. • It is a regional inter-governmental organisation servicing countries of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN-ESCAP) in the field of electronic media development. • It was established in 1977 under the auspices of UNESCO and the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) is a founding organisation of the Institute and is a non-voting member of the General Conference. • It is hosted by Malaysia and its secretariat is located in Kuala Lampur. • The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), are also founding organisations of the Institute.

Question 72

next country to join the | North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO

Answer 72

Colombia Colombia has become the only Latin American nation in the NATO alliance. • It will be given the status of “Partner across the globe” in the group. NATO cooperates with a range of countries which are not part of formal group. They are often referred to as "Partners across the globe" or simply “Global Partners”. • Being a global partner Colombia need not necessarily have to take part in military action and yet will be fully accredited as a member in NATO. • Other countries in the alliance with status of "partners across the globe” are Afghanistan, Australia, Iraq, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand and Pakistan.

Question 73

SINGAPORE SUMMIT

Answer 73

US-North Korea summit • US had committed to provide security guarantees to North Korea and end US-South Korea Joint war games. • Reaffirming the Panmunjom declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula (between North and South Korea), Chairman Kim committed to work towards complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. This can reduce the dangers of proliferation of nuclear weapons in future.

Question 74

Byungjin policy

Answer 74

North Korea has founded its regime’s stability on Byungjin policy, i.e. pursuing economic development and nuclear weapons programme simultaneously. • North Korea had also announced to destroy its Punggye-ri nuclear testing zone.

Question 75

CASPIAN SEA | BREAKTHROUGH TREATY

Answer 75

Recently, five Caspian Sea States – Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan - signed a breakthrough agreement on Caspian Sea’s legal status • The treaty declares 15 Nautical Miles from the coastline as Sovereign waters and an Exclusive Economic Zone, with a further 10 nautical miles to be used for fishing and beyond this would be common waters. • The treaty ends a conflict over whether the Caspian is a sea or a lake, granting it a special legal status and clarifying the maritime boundaries of each surrounding country. o The major concern is if it is a sea, it would become governed by United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and outside powers would have access to these waters. • It allows each member nation to lay pipelines with consent only from the neighbouring states affected, rather than from all Caspian Sea Nations. • The development of seabed reserves will be regulated by separate deals between Caspian Nations, in line with international laws. • It prevents the Caspian nations from opening their borders to third party aggressors such as the US and NATO or allowing any foreign military presence on Caspian waters.

Question 76

UNCLOS

Answer 76

It is an international treaty which was adopted and signed in 1982. • It replaced the four Geneva Conventions of April, 1958, which respectively concerned the territorial sea and the contiguous zone, the continental shelf, the high seas, fishing and conservation of living resources on the high seas. • The treaty provides a graduated system of sovereignty in which countries can assert complete ownership of water within 12 nautical miles of their coastline. • Each country can also claim an additional 200 nautical miles as an exclusive economic zone, which is an area where each coastal country can regulate scientific research and the exploitation of marine resources. • The Convention has created three new institutions on the international scene: o International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea o International Seabed Authority o Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf

Question 77

COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR | TEST BAN TREATY

Answer 77

UN chief Antonio Guterres appealed to eight nations, including India and the US, to ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). • It is a multilateral treaty banning all nuclear explosions for both military and civilian purposes. • It was negotiated at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It was opened for signature on 24 September 1996. one of the most widely supported arms-control treaties. • It can only enter into force after it is ratified by eight countries with nuclear technology capacity, namely China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and the United States. • The Treaty establishes a CTBT Organization (CTBTO), located in Vienna, to ensure the implementation of its provisions, including provisions for international verification measures.

Question 78

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear | Weapons (NPT) 1968

Answer 78

India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and South | Sudan are not parties to this treaty

Question 79

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons | 2017:

Answer 79

It is the first multilateral legally-binding instrument for nuclear disarmament to have been negotiated in 20 years. o India and other nuclear-armed nations —— the United States, Russia, Britain, China, France, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel had not participated in the negotiations.

Question 80

Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones (NWFZ):

Answer 80

It is a regional approach to strengthen global nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament norms and consolidate international efforts towards peace and security. Five such zones exist, with four of them spanning the entire southern hemisphere. o Latin America (Treaty of Tlatelolco, 1967) o South Pacific (Treaty of Rarotonga, 1985) o Southeast Asia (Treaty of Bangkok, 1995) o Africa (Treaty of Pelindaba, 1996) o Central Asia (Treaty of Semipalatinsk, 2006

Question 81

``` INTERMEDIATE-RANGE NUCLEAR FORCES (INF) TREATY ```

Answer 81

Recently, U.S.A (and then Russia) suspended its obligations under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. It is a cold war era arms control treaty between the United States and Russia under which both agreed not to develop, produce, possess or deploy any ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles that have a range between 500 and 5,500 km. It however exempted the air-launched and sea-based missile systems in the same range • It mandated agreeing parties to destroy all such existing weapons within three years of the signing of the treaty and also clarified that each of the parties could withdraw from the treaty with a six-month notice. • It laid out a comprehensive inspection protocol, whereby each of the parties could inspect and monitor each other’s’ elimination process.

Question 82

feminist foreign | policy manual.

Answer 82

• Sweden recently launched feminist foreign policy manual. • In December 2014, Sweden became the first country to adopt a feminist foreign policy. • Feminist Foreign Policy is a course of action towards those outside national boundaries that is guided by a commitment to gender equality.

Question 83

BEIRUT DECLARATION

Answer 83

At the conclusion of the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, countries taking part in the summit issued a joint statement called the Beirut Declaration. • It called for establishment of an Arab free trade zone and the international community to support countries hosting refugees and displaced people

Question 84

"Fair Value for Innovation"

Answer 84

At Raisina, The United States Chamber of Commerce's Global Innovation Policy Center (GIPC) launched a new innovation initiative titled "Fair Value for Innovation" at the Raisina Dialogue. It will examine economic underpinnings that would enable breakthrough innovation, and explore how policymakers can harness innovation capital in India and around the globe through research, advocacy, partnerships, and programs.

Question 85

‘Mission | Raksha Gyan Shakti’

Answer 85

The Department of Defence Production has instituted a new framework titled ‘Mission Raksha Gyan Shakti’ to inculcate Intellectual Property Right culture in Indian defence manufacturing ecosystem. • The Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) under Ministry of Defence is coordinating and implementing the programme.

Question 86

Emigration Bill, 2019

Answer 86

• The extant legislative framework for all matters related to emigration of Indian nationals is prescribed by the Emigration Act 1983. The bill will replace this act.

Question 87

GLOBAL COMPACT FOR | MIGRATION

Answer 87

UN member states (except the U.S. and Hungary) have agreed on a Global Compact for Migration. It is not legally binding. It does not dictate nor impose and it fully respects the sovereignty of States. • It is the first-ever UN global agreement on a common approach to international migration in all its dimensions. • The process of developing compact was started in early 2017 as implementation of decision by UN member states as adopted New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants in September 2016.

Question 88

International Organisation for Migration

Answer 88

Portugal's Antonio Vitorino was recently elected as head of International Organisation for Migration (IOM). • Established in 1951, IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. • It is headquartered at Le Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland. • It was founded in the wake of the World War II to resettle refugees from Europe. • In 2016 it became a related organization of the United Nations • IOM X is IOM’s campaign to encourage safe migration and public action to stop exploitation and human trafficking

Question 89

Terrorist Travel Initiative

Answer 89

Recently Terrorist Travel Initiative, under auspices of Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) was launched. • It will bring together national and local governments, law enforcement and border screening practitioners, and international organizations to share expertise on how to develop and implement effective counterterrorism watch listing and screening tools. • The initiative will develop a set of good practices which will reinforce countries and organizations to use border security tools prescribed in UNSC Resolution 2396 to stop terrorist travel

Question 90

Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF)

Answer 90

• It is an informal, apolitical, multilateral counterterrorism (CT) platform, launched in 2011. • It develops good practices and tools for policy-makers and practitioners to strengthen CT civilian capabilities, national strategies, action plans and training modules. • India is a founding member of GCTF.