INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

GS2 – International Relations Context Recent maritime incidents, such as the fire on MV Wan Hai 503 and the sinking of MSC ELSA 3 near Kerala, have spotlighted safety issues and environmental concerns linked to international shipping. International Governance of Maritime Transport Role of IMO: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) …

GS2 – IR Context: India and African nations are strengthening digital collaboration using open-source Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) aligned with Africa’s 2020–2030 digital roadmap. Africa Day, celebrated on May 25, commemorates the creation of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, symbolizing a unified vision for African progress. The African …

GS 2 – IR India and the Maldives are actively reviewing their Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors. This partnership, formalized in October 2024 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, underscores the commitment of …

GS II – International Relations Key Highlights U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his offer to mediate on Kashmir, claiming the U.S. had helped India and Pakistan arrive at a ceasefire. Trump posted on social media that he would work with both nations “even if after a thousand years” to resolve …

GS2 – INTERNATIONAL RELATION Context: India has increased its efforts to have Pakistan re-listed on the FATF grey list following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, aiming to combat cross-border terrorism financing. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Formation: Established in 1989 by the G7 to address anti-money laundering (AML), …

GS-2: International Relations Key Points: On April 30, Ukraine and the U.S. signed an agreement granting U.S. access to Ukraine’s untapped critical mineral reserves. The U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund will fund extraction, with Ukraine receiving 50% of revenues. The deal lacks explicit U.S. security commitments, increasing Ukraine’s vulnerability in its …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: International Relations (BRICS cooperation, global governance) GS-3: Economy (labour policies, climate change impacts) Key Points The 2025 BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting in Brasilia, under Brazil’s presidency, adopted a declaration on “AI and the Future of Work” and “Climate Change Impacts on Work and Just Transition.” …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: International Relations (India-Pakistan maritime boundary, UNCLOS) GS-3: Geography (continental shelf, maritime zones) Key Points India expanded its continental shelf claim in the Central Arabian Sea by nearly 10,000 sq km, modifying an earlier claim to avoid conflict with Pakistan over Sir Creek. Coastal nations have Exclusive Economic …

GS2 – International Relations Context: India has withdrawn the transhipment privilege it had extended to Bangladesh in 2020, which enabled the latter to send export consignments to third countries via the Petrapole Land Port. This move follows recent remarks by a Bangladeshi official suggesting that Northeast India’s landlocked geography makes …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: International Relations – West Asia geopolitics, China’s strategic priorities GS-3: Security – Global terrorism, Uyghur concerns Key Highlights Uyghur Presence in Syria Uyghur fighters from the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM) have assumed military roles in the new Syrian regime. One Uyghur is among Syria’s 50 top-ranking …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: Governance & International Relations – Extradition agreements, Interpol Red Notice, India-Belgium ties GS-3: Internal Security – Financial crimes, bank fraud GS-4: Ethics – Accountability, Fugitive Economic Offenders Key Highlights Arrest and Context Mehul Choksi, a fugitive businessman, was apprehended in Belgium on April 12, 2025, as India …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: International Relations – India-Africa Cooperation, Regional Diplomacy GS-3: Security – Maritime Security, Naval Collaboration, SAGAR Vision Key Highlights AI-KEYME Overview Name: Africa India Key Maritime Engagement Location: Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania First Edition: 2025 Goal: Foster collaborative maritime solutions for regional challenges. Indian Naval Involvement Ships: INS Chennai (destroyer), …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: International Relations – EU-China Relations, Multilateralism vs. Unilateralism GS-3: International Trade – Tariffs, Protectionism, Global Trade Wars Essay: Global Power Dynamics, Diplomacy, and Economic Cooperation Key Points Xi’s Critique of U.S. Tariffs Xi condemned U.S. President Trump’s “unilateral bullying” through steep tariffs on Chinese goods. He urged …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: International Relations – India-EU Relations, Trade Diplomacy GS-3: Economy – Bilateral Trade Agreements, Tariffs, and Protectionism Essay: Globalization, Geopolitics, and Trade Cooperation Key Points Position on U.S. Tariff Pause Tajani praised President Trump’s 90-day tariff suspension, advocating for similar EU-U.S. negotiations. He emphasized that zero tariffs would …

UPSC Relevance GS-2: International Relations – India-China Relations, China-U.S. Strategic Competition GS-3: Economy – Global Trade Conflicts, World Trade Organization (WTO), Tariff Disputes Key Points Intensifying Trade Conflict In retaliation to the Trump administration’s increase of tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, China has imposed a 125% tariff on U.S. …

UPSC Relevance GS-3: Internal Security – Terrorism, Extradition Processes, Role of National Investigation Agency (NIA) GS-2: International Relations – India-U.S. Ties, India-Pakistan Dynamics, Legal Collaboration Key Points: Extradition Tied to 26/11 Mumbai Attacks Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian-American of Pakistani descent, was extradited from the United States and detained by …

GS2 – International Relations Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act & Trump’s Modern-Day Trade Wars Former US President Donald Trump’s reintroduction of aggressive tariff measures in 2025 has drawn parallels with the infamous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of the Great Depression era. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act (1930) Overview: Enacted under President Herbert Hoover, the …

GS2 – International Relations – International Organisations During the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, the Indian Prime Minister unveiled a series of India-led initiatives aimed at deepening regional cooperation. Major Indian Initiatives Under BIMSTEC Human Resource Development – BODHI Initiative India launched the BIMSTEC for Organised Development of Human Resource Infrastructure (BODHI) …

GS2 – International Relations Poland, Finland, and the Baltic nations (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia) have announced intentions to exit the Ottawa Convention. About  Also known as the Mine Ban Treaty, it is an international disarmament agreement that prohibits the use, development, production, stockpiling, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. The treaty was …

GS2 – International Relations – Key Issues Following the attacks on October 7, it has been reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) activated the Hannibal Directive at multiple military locations infiltrated by Hamas. The directive is controversial due to its ethical implications and operational intent. What is the Hannibal …