International

  India has a very wide array of interests in Central Asia covering security, energy, economic opportunities etc. Central Asia serves as a land bridge between Asia and Europe, making it geopolitically axial for India. Security, stability and prosperity of Central Asia is imperative for peace and economic development of India. The region is rich … Read more

Australia PM has announced recently a three pillar strategy in INDIA -AUS relations. 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. These are divided … Read more

SCO is Eurasian political, economic, and security organization formed in 2001 and headquartered in Beijing. It owes its origin to its predecessor Shanghai Five (China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan).  Its driving philosophy is known as the “ Shanghai Spirit” which emphasise harmony, working by consensus, respect for other cultures, non interference in the internal affairs … Read more

120 UN members including India have recently signed the Astana Declaration, which vows to strengthen primary healthcare and achieve universal health coverage by 2030.  The declaration marked 40 years of the historic Alma Ata Declaration, which declared health a human right for all. Though Alma-Ata was signed to ensure health for all, its progress was … Read more

The Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India Pipeline (TAPI), also known as Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline, is a natural gas pipeline being developed by the Galkynysh – TAPI Pipeline Company Limited with participation of the Asian Development Bank The pipeline will transport natural gas from the Galkynysh Gas Field in Turkmenistan through Afghanistan into Pakistan and then to India Construction on the … Read more

Axis of evil: Axis of evil, expression used to describe the bellicose tendencies of Iran, North Korea, and Iraq in the early 21st century. The phrase was coined by Canadian-born U.S. presidential speechwriter David Frum and presidential aide Michael Gerson for use by U.S. President George W. Bush in his 2002 State of the Union address. Golden crescent: The Golden Crescent is a mountainous area of Iran, Afghanistan … Read more

The Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) is a “Track One” inter-governmental security forum held annually by an independent think tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) which is attended by defense ministers, permanent heads of ministries and military chiefs of 28 Asia-Pacific states. The forum gets its name from the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore where it … Read more

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 by the Ministers of its Member jurisdictions.  The objectives of the FATF are to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international … Read more

Trade war is a situation where countries restrict each other’s trade by imposing tariff or quota on imports.  US has started imposing tariffs on as much as 25 percent on $34 billion in Chinese imports.  China responded with retaliatory tariffs of 25% on US goods worth an equivalent $34 billion, including soybean, automobiles, and marine … Read more

  Basis of diff ICJ ICC Year of estb. 1946 2002 Relationship with UN Official court of UN, Commonly known as world court Independent, not governed by UN. Prior sanction of UN is not mandatory for launching of prosecution. HQ Peace place, Hague Hague Jurisdiction UN member states, Can give advisory opinions to UN bodies … Read more