🔆India has surpassed China as the largest source of international students in Germany
#gs2
#prelims
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
#gs2
#prelims
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
🔆India protests Chinese road construction at Shaksgam Valley in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
The Shaksgam Valley is a part of the territory of India. We have never accepted the so-called China Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963 through which Pakistan unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China, and have consistently conveyed our rejection of the same
📍Mapping aspect
✅Location of Saksham valley
✅Siachen glacier
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
#mapping
@upsc_4_ir
The Shaksgam Valley is a part of the territory of India. We have never accepted the so-called China Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963 through which Pakistan unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China, and have consistently conveyed our rejection of the same
📍Mapping aspect
✅Location of Saksham valley
✅Siachen glacier
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
#mapping
@upsc_4_ir
🔆India protests Chinese road construction at Shaksgam Valley in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
The Shaksgam Valley is a part of the territory of India. We have never accepted the so-called China Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963 through which Pakistan unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China, and have consistently conveyed our rejection of the same
📍Mapping aspect
✅Location of Saksham valley
✅Siachen glacier
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
#mapping
@upsc_4_ir
The Shaksgam Valley is a part of the territory of India. We have never accepted the so-called China Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963 through which Pakistan unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China, and have consistently conveyed our rejection of the same
📍Mapping aspect
✅Location of Saksham valley
✅Siachen glacier
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
#mapping
@upsc_4_ir
🔆India protests Chinese road construction at Shaksgam Valley in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir
The Shaksgam Valley is a part of the territory of India. We have never accepted the so-called China Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963 through which Pakistan unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China, and have consistently conveyed our rejection of the same
📍Mapping aspect
✅Location of Saksham valley
✅Siachen glacier
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
#mapping
@upsc_4_ir
The Shaksgam Valley is a part of the territory of India. We have never accepted the so-called China Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963 through which Pakistan unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China, and have consistently conveyed our rejection of the same
📍Mapping aspect
✅Location of Saksham valley
✅Siachen glacier
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
#mapping
@upsc_4_ir
🔆Exercise Tarkash:
✅It is the seventh edition of the Indo-U.S. joint counter terrorism exercise. It is held between the elite National Security Guard (NSG) and the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) commenced on April 22, 2024.
✅Objective: The primary objective of the bilateral exercise is to build functional relation and enhance interoperability between the two special forces in conducting coordinated counter terror operations in urban counter terrorism contingencies.
✅It is also aimed at improving bilateral cooperation between India and the U.S. in matters relating to combating terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations,” a statement said.
✅It also involved sharing of best practices, tactics, techniques and procedures, over a wide spectrum of counter terror operations, in urban environment including close quarter battle, building intervention drills and hostage rescue operations etc.
#gs2
#ir
#Security
@upsc_4_ir
✅It is the seventh edition of the Indo-U.S. joint counter terrorism exercise. It is held between the elite National Security Guard (NSG) and the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) commenced on April 22, 2024.
✅Objective: The primary objective of the bilateral exercise is to build functional relation and enhance interoperability between the two special forces in conducting coordinated counter terror operations in urban counter terrorism contingencies.
✅It is also aimed at improving bilateral cooperation between India and the U.S. in matters relating to combating terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations,” a statement said.
✅It also involved sharing of best practices, tactics, techniques and procedures, over a wide spectrum of counter terror operations, in urban environment including close quarter battle, building intervention drills and hostage rescue operations etc.
#gs2
#ir
#Security
@upsc_4_ir
🔆Igla-S air defence system
✅Russia recently signed a contract to supply Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to India and has allowed the production of the Igla under license.
✅It is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) developed by Russia.
✅It is known in the West as SA-24 Grinch.
✅It entered service with the Russian Army in 2004.
✅It can be fired by an individual or crew to bring down an enemy aircraft.
✅It has the capability of bringing down low-flying aircraft. It can also identify and neutralise air targets, such as cruise missiles and drones.
✅It has an effective range upto 6 km.
✅The limiting altitude of effective target destruction for the "Igla-S" complex is 3.5 km.
#gs2
#ir
#Security
@upsc_4_ir
✅Russia recently signed a contract to supply Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to India and has allowed the production of the Igla under license.
✅It is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) developed by Russia.
✅It is known in the West as SA-24 Grinch.
✅It entered service with the Russian Army in 2004.
✅It can be fired by an individual or crew to bring down an enemy aircraft.
✅It has the capability of bringing down low-flying aircraft. It can also identify and neutralise air targets, such as cruise missiles and drones.
✅It has an effective range upto 6 km.
✅The limiting altitude of effective target destruction for the "Igla-S" complex is 3.5 km.
#gs2
#ir
#Security
@upsc_4_ir
🔆What is India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC)?
✅An Indian delegation recently paid a visit to the UAE for the first time to hold discussions with the key entities there on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
📍 India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC):
✅It was announced on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in New Delhi when a memorandum of understanding was signed between the European Union and seven countries, namely India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, and Italy.
✅The corridor will provide a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement existing maritime routes.
✅It intends to increase efficiency, reduce costs, secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility, enhance economic cooperation, generate jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
✅The IMEEC will comprise two separate corridors, the east corridor connecting India to the Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Gulf to Europe.
✅The corridor will include a shipping route connecting Mumbai and Mundra (Gujarat) with the UAE, and a rail network connecting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan with the Israeli port of Haifa to reach the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
✅Haifa will then be connected by sea to the port of Piraeus in Greece to eventually be connected to Europe.
✅Beyond the transport infrastructure, undersea cables would facilitate the exchange of data, while long-distance hydrogen pipelines would boost the participants’ climate and decarbonisation goals.
#gs2
#ir
#gs3
#economy
@upsc_4_ir
✅An Indian delegation recently paid a visit to the UAE for the first time to hold discussions with the key entities there on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
📍 India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC):
✅It was announced on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in New Delhi when a memorandum of understanding was signed between the European Union and seven countries, namely India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), France, Germany, and Italy.
✅The corridor will provide a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement existing maritime routes.
✅It intends to increase efficiency, reduce costs, secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility, enhance economic cooperation, generate jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
✅The IMEEC will comprise two separate corridors, the east corridor connecting India to the Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Gulf to Europe.
✅The corridor will include a shipping route connecting Mumbai and Mundra (Gujarat) with the UAE, and a rail network connecting the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan with the Israeli port of Haifa to reach the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
✅Haifa will then be connected by sea to the port of Piraeus in Greece to eventually be connected to Europe.
✅Beyond the transport infrastructure, undersea cables would facilitate the exchange of data, while long-distance hydrogen pipelines would boost the participants’ climate and decarbonisation goals.
#gs2
#ir
#gs3
#economy
@upsc_4_ir
🔆Unrest in New caledonia
📍New Caledonia:
✅It is a French overseas collectivity with significant autonomy under the terms of the 1998 Nouméa Accord.
✅It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, about 1,500 km east of Australia.
✅New Caledonia is an ancient fragment of the Gondwana supercontinent.
✅It comprises the main island of Grande Terre, the four Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga, and Maré), the Belep archipelago, the Isle of Pines, and some remote islands.
✅Capital: Nouméa
✅New Caledonians are French and European citizens with the right to live anywhere inFrance. ✅They are entitled to vote in territorial and French national elections.
✅The President of the French Republic is New Caledonia's Head of State and is represented in New Caledonia by a High Commissioner.
✅It is one of the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), but is not part of the EU, the Euro, or Schengen zones.
#Mapping - Click here
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_prep_squad
📍New Caledonia:
✅It is a French overseas collectivity with significant autonomy under the terms of the 1998 Nouméa Accord.
✅It is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, about 1,500 km east of Australia.
✅New Caledonia is an ancient fragment of the Gondwana supercontinent.
✅It comprises the main island of Grande Terre, the four Loyalty Islands (Ouvéa, Lifou, Tiga, and Maré), the Belep archipelago, the Isle of Pines, and some remote islands.
✅Capital: Nouméa
✅New Caledonians are French and European citizens with the right to live anywhere inFrance. ✅They are entitled to vote in territorial and French national elections.
✅The President of the French Republic is New Caledonia's Head of State and is represented in New Caledonia by a High Commissioner.
✅It is one of the European Union’s Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), but is not part of the EU, the Euro, or Schengen zones.
#Mapping - Click here
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_prep_squad
🔆India - Bhutan relation
Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay spoke of ‘deep’ economic challenges, the potential of the new carbon-negative smart city project, and ruled out re-joining the BBIN vehicle agreement
📍Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) of BBIN
✅In 2015,India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh signed this
🔰Terms of the Agreement :
✅Cargo vehicles will be able to enter any of the 4 nations no need to shift goods from one country’s truck to another’s at the border.
✅Free movement in other’s territory for transportation of cargo and passengers, including third-country transport and personal vehicles.
✅As per the agreement each vehicle would require an electronic permit to enter another country’s territory, and border security arrangements between nations’ borders will also remain.
✅Vehicles are fitted with an electronic seal that alerts regulators every time the container door is opened.
📍Gelephu smart city project
Click here
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Bhutanese PM Tshering Tobgay spoke of ‘deep’ economic challenges, the potential of the new carbon-negative smart city project, and ruled out re-joining the BBIN vehicle agreement
📍Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) of BBIN
✅In 2015,India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh signed this
🔰Terms of the Agreement :
✅Cargo vehicles will be able to enter any of the 4 nations no need to shift goods from one country’s truck to another’s at the border.
✅Free movement in other’s territory for transportation of cargo and passengers, including third-country transport and personal vehicles.
✅As per the agreement each vehicle would require an electronic permit to enter another country’s territory, and border security arrangements between nations’ borders will also remain.
✅Vehicles are fitted with an electronic seal that alerts regulators every time the container door is opened.
📍Gelephu smart city project
Click here
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Taiwan's legislature passes bills curtailing the powers of president
#gs2
#prelims
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_prep_squad
#gs2
#prelims
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_prep_squad
🔆Why India Has Been Questioned at the WTO For Its Rice Export Policy
📍Why in the News?
✅Recently, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and the UK have asked India regarding its rice export policy. The countries are seeking clarification at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) whether India had stopped its rice exporters from participating in the UN World Food Program (WFP) tenders earlier this year.
✅These tenders were for broken rice supplies to countries including Cameroon, Togo, and Algeria.
✅The countries also want to know whether India’s decision was contradictory to its commitment to exempt such supplies from export restrictions.
📍India’s Rise Exports:
✅India is the largest rice exporter globally with a 45% share in the world rice market.
India imposed a 20% export duty on white rice in September 2022, followed by a similar duty on parboiled rice in August 2023. The measure was taken to control domestic rice prices.
Domestically, the ban helps control rice prices and highlights the necessity to reduce paddy cultivation due to declining water tables.
✅A balanced approach is crucial to protect consumer and farmer interests while conserving water resources.
Notably, basmati rice, accounting for nearly half of India's exports, remains unaffected by the ban, .minimizing the global impact of the rice export ban.
Since the export ban, India has supplied rice to needy nations and its key strategic partners, but on a case-by-case basis.
📍World Food Programme’s Tenders for Rice:
✅Several African nations are heavily dependent on rice imports from India.
🔰Togo imported a substantial 88% of its rice from India last year.
🔰Benin, the largest global importer of Indian broken rice, procured 61%, while almost half of Senegal's imports of the grain originated from India.
✅In August 2024, the WFP had sought 200,000 tonnes of rice for its humanitarian operations from India.
✅However, in February 2024, the Government barred the domestic rice exporters to participate in United Nations World Food Program tenders.
✅The countries pointed out that if India had actually stopped participation in WFP exports, it would be in violation of its commitment to exempt such supplies from export restrictions.
✅At the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva in 2022, WTO members had approved a decision to exempt the WFP’s humanitarian food purchases from export restrictions.
✅India had initially not been in favour of the decision as it was concerned about retaining the flexibility of imposing export restrictions to ensure its domestic food security, but had finally given its consent.
#gs2
#ir
#gs3
#economy
@upsc_4_economy
📍Why in the News?
✅Recently, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and the UK have asked India regarding its rice export policy. The countries are seeking clarification at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) whether India had stopped its rice exporters from participating in the UN World Food Program (WFP) tenders earlier this year.
✅These tenders were for broken rice supplies to countries including Cameroon, Togo, and Algeria.
✅The countries also want to know whether India’s decision was contradictory to its commitment to exempt such supplies from export restrictions.
📍India’s Rise Exports:
✅India is the largest rice exporter globally with a 45% share in the world rice market.
India imposed a 20% export duty on white rice in September 2022, followed by a similar duty on parboiled rice in August 2023. The measure was taken to control domestic rice prices.
Domestically, the ban helps control rice prices and highlights the necessity to reduce paddy cultivation due to declining water tables.
✅A balanced approach is crucial to protect consumer and farmer interests while conserving water resources.
Notably, basmati rice, accounting for nearly half of India's exports, remains unaffected by the ban, .minimizing the global impact of the rice export ban.
Since the export ban, India has supplied rice to needy nations and its key strategic partners, but on a case-by-case basis.
📍World Food Programme’s Tenders for Rice:
✅Several African nations are heavily dependent on rice imports from India.
🔰Togo imported a substantial 88% of its rice from India last year.
🔰Benin, the largest global importer of Indian broken rice, procured 61%, while almost half of Senegal's imports of the grain originated from India.
✅In August 2024, the WFP had sought 200,000 tonnes of rice for its humanitarian operations from India.
✅However, in February 2024, the Government barred the domestic rice exporters to participate in United Nations World Food Program tenders.
✅The countries pointed out that if India had actually stopped participation in WFP exports, it would be in violation of its commitment to exempt such supplies from export restrictions.
✅At the WTO’s 12th Ministerial Conference in Geneva in 2022, WTO members had approved a decision to exempt the WFP’s humanitarian food purchases from export restrictions.
✅India had initially not been in favour of the decision as it was concerned about retaining the flexibility of imposing export restrictions to ensure its domestic food security, but had finally given its consent.
#gs2
#ir
#gs3
#economy
@upsc_4_economy
🔆India attends Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for
Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial meeting in Singapore
✅It was launched on 23 May 2022 at Tokyo, Japan
comprising of 14 countries – Australia, Brunei, Fiji,
India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam and USA.
✅The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic engagement and cooperation among partner
countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and prosperity in the region.
✅The framework is structured around four pillars relating to Trade (Pillar I); Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar
II); Clean Economy (Pillar III); and Fair Economy (Pillar IV). India had joined Pillars II to IV of IPEF while
it has maintained an observer status in Pillar-I.
#gs2
#ir
#pib
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_4_ir
Prosperity (IPEF) Ministerial meeting in Singapore
✅It was launched on 23 May 2022 at Tokyo, Japan
comprising of 14 countries – Australia, Brunei, Fiji,
India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam and USA.
✅The IPEF seeks to strengthen economic engagement and cooperation among partner
countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and prosperity in the region.
✅The framework is structured around four pillars relating to Trade (Pillar I); Supply Chain Resilience (Pillar
II); Clean Economy (Pillar III); and Fair Economy (Pillar IV). India had joined Pillars II to IV of IPEF while
it has maintained an observer status in Pillar-I.
#gs2
#ir
#pib
Join @PIB_UPSC
@upsc_4_ir
🔆NaturAfrica initiative
✅The European Commission (EC) has removed Tanzania from the list of countries eligible for its 18 million Euro conservation grant to be launched in East Africa as part of its NaturAfrica initiative.
📍NaturAfrica initiative
✅The NaturAfrica initiative is a European Union (EU) program aimed at supporting biodiversity conservation in Africa through a people-centred approach.
✅It identifies key landscapes for conservation and development, focusing on creating jobs, improving security, and sustainable livelihoods while preserving ecosystems and wildlife.
✅The initiative is structured around two pillars: short-term actions in key landscapes and medium-term support to address the root causes of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation by integrating these concerns into other sectors.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_prep_squad
✅The European Commission (EC) has removed Tanzania from the list of countries eligible for its 18 million Euro conservation grant to be launched in East Africa as part of its NaturAfrica initiative.
📍NaturAfrica initiative
✅The NaturAfrica initiative is a European Union (EU) program aimed at supporting biodiversity conservation in Africa through a people-centred approach.
✅It identifies key landscapes for conservation and development, focusing on creating jobs, improving security, and sustainable livelihoods while preserving ecosystems and wildlife.
✅The initiative is structured around two pillars: short-term actions in key landscapes and medium-term support to address the root causes of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation by integrating these concerns into other sectors.
#gs2
#ir
#prelims
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_prep_squad