Context: China’s hard-power advantage over India — economic power plus military power — is well known. There is lsse knowledge about its soft power advantage. We in India may think we are more attractive than China. The numbers show otherwise. Soft power The term ‘soft power’ was coined in 1990 by Professor J... .Read more
Updated on 23 June, 2021 GS2 International Relations
Context: India has abstained from a U.N. General Assembly resolution on Myanmar. Background: Recently the General Assembly adopted the draft resolution “The situation in Myanmar” 119 Member States voted in favour, including Myanmar while 36 nations abstained, including Myanmar’s neighbours India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Laos, ... .Read more
Updated on 21 June, 2021 GS2 International Relations
Context: Russian President has recently asserted that both the Indian Prime Minister, and the Chinese President are “responsible” enough to solve issues between their countries, while underlining the need to debar any “extra-regional power” to interfere in the process. The implications of Mr. Putin’s advice for India... .Read more
Updated on 21 June, 2021 GS2 International Relations
Context: Recently the maiden Indian Navy and European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) exercise began. Key Points: Exercise is taking place in the Gulf of Aden. Five warships from four navies are participating in the two-day exercise. INS Trikand is participating in the exercise, along with Italy’s ITS Carabiniere, the Spanish Navy’s ESP... .Read more
Updated on 19 June, 2021 GS2 International Relations
Context: According to the Ministry of External Affairs, a new Pakistani law that will allow Indian death row prisoner Kulbhushan Jadhav’s right to appeal is flawed. Background: Jadhav, a 51-year-old retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of espionage and terrorism in April 2017. India app... .Read more
Updated on 18 June, 2021 GS2 International Relations
Context: Nine years after two Italian marines shot dead two fishermen off Kerala under the belief that they were pirates, the criminal proceedings against them are set to be formally closed. The Supreme Court of India has ordered that the criminal trial against them be stopped, after Italy deposited compensation of ₹10 crore. The two ma... .Read more
Updated on 17 June, 2021 GS2 International Relations
