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-> The �Asia Pacific� relates to that part of Asia which lies in the Pacific Ocean.

It is an idea proposed and supported by Asia�s Pacific powers who sought a term to
describe their common region. The Asia Pacific, therefore, has three major
constituents: north-east Asia, south-east Asia and Oceania (South Western Pacific).
Despite the nomenclature suggesting to the contrary, India is not a part of the
region. The Asia-Pacific is more of an economic conception, rather than a security
related notion. Since the late 1980s, it has been popular as a zone of emerging
markets that have been experiencing rapid economic growth. The only multilateral
institution that effectively represents the Asia Pacific, therefore, is the Asia-
Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC), which does not include India.

The Indo-Pacific, on the other hand, is an integrated theatre that combines the
Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, and the land masses that surround them. Even
though it is still an evolving concept, most analysts see it as an idea that
captures the shift in power and influence from the West to the East. Its
geographical expanse is still undefined but it is said to range from the coast of
East Africa, across the Indian Ocean, to the Western Pacific, including countries
like Japan and Australia. It is both a strategic as well as an economic domain
comprising important sea-lines of communication that connect the littorals of the
two oceans. Since it is primarily a maritime space, the Indo-Pacific is associated
with maritime security and cooperation.

-> Location of israel


The geography of Israel is very diverse, with desert conditions in the south,
and snow-capped mountains in the north. Israel is located at the eastern end of
the Mediterranean Sea in western Asia.[1] It is bounded to the north by Lebanon,
the northeast by Syria, the east by Jordan and the West Bank, and to the
southwest by Egypt.[1] To the west of Israel is the Mediterranean Sea, which makes
up the majority of Israel's 273 km (170 mi) coastline[3] and the Gaza Strip.
Israel has a small coastline on the Red Sea in the south.

The Israeli-occupied territories include the West Bank, 5,879 km2 (2,270 sq mi),
East Jerusalem, 70 km2 (27 sq mi) and the Golan Heights, 1,150 km2 (444 sq mi).[2]
Geographical features in these territories will be noted as such. Of these areas,
Israel has annexed East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, an act not recognised by
the international community.

Southern Israel is dominated by the Negev desert, covering some 16,000 square
kilometres (6,178 sq mi), more than half of the country's total land area. The
north of the Negev contains the Judean Desert, which, at its border with Jordan,
contains the Dead Sea which, at -417 m (-1,368 ft) is the lowest point on Earth.
The inland area of central Israel is dominated by the Judean Hills of the West
Bank, whilst the central and northern coastline consists of the flat and fertile
Israeli coastal plain. Inland, the northern region contains the Mount Carmel
mountain range, which is followed inland by the fertile Jezreel Valley, and then
the hilly Galilee region. The Sea of Galilee is located beyond this, and is
bordered to the east by the Golan Heights, a plateau bordered to the north by the
Israeli-occupied part of the Mount Hermon massif, which includes the highest point
under Israel's control, a peak of 2,224 meters (7,297 ft). The highest point in
territory internationally recognized as Israeli is Mount Meron at 1,208 meters
(3,963 ft)

-> Commonwealth summit Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting

cleaning up the oceans, cybersecurity, and pledges to raise intra-Commonwealth


trade to $2 trillion by 2030
-> Windrush generation

the summit came at a time of growing youth-led decolonisation movements globally,


not least in Britain where students and sections of civil society have questioned
the legacy of the empire and emphasised Britain�s need to demonstrate it had truly
moved on. Britain had quickly sought to distance itself from �Empire 2.0�, the
title disparagingly given by civil servants to the aspirations of some Conservative
party politicians for a post-Brexit Commonwealth trade bonanza with Africa
-----------------------------
# MEA report

-> Multilateral groupings


1. India became member of SCO, Wassenar(42) and Australian group(43)
2. ISA come into force -> climate change treaty based international
organisation
3. SCO summit, BRICS, EAS, WEF
4. Hosted -> global confernce on cyber space
5. Hosted -> Global entrepreneurship summit
6. Hosted -> Raisina dialogue
7. Hosted -> Asean-India Commemorative Summit
8. 14th India EU summit -> European council and European commission -> counter
terrorism
9. 15th Asean-India summit and 12th EAS Manila -> 25th ceremony of India Asean
relationship -> ASEAN-India Commemorative summit
10. SCO summit -> Kazakhstan and Uzebegistan -> Counter terrorism -> ITES(Indian
technical and economic cooperation)
11. TAPI
12. Eurasian Economic Union and India -> FTA
13. 11 point action plan -> G20

-> Bilateral neigbhour relationship


1. India-Aghansitan -> Dedicated Air Cargo Corridor -> Kabul-Delhi and Kandahar
Delhi -> cargo > 1000 tonnes transported
2. India-Bangladesh -> LoC -> Civil nuclear energy project(Rooppur), defence
and space
3. India -SL ->
4. India -Bhutan -> India Bhutan Trade and Transit agreement
5. India-Nepal -> "oversight mechanism" to expedite process cross border
connectivity project + ITEC

-> S & T initiatives


1. South Asian Satellite

-> Connecitivty
1. Chabhar port and INSTC -> improved connectivity with Central Asia
2. BIMSTEC and BBIN to improve logistics and trade transport multi-modal in S
Asia and SE Asia for economic development
3. Asia-Africa Growth corridor -> India and japan -> multimodal trade corridor
(non governmental)
4. Nation TIR -> Transport Internationax Routiers

-> Geo politics


1. Indo-Pacific -> freedom of navigation, overflight and commerce
2. Kundakulum nuclear power plant / Deep sea exploration / Knowledge based
economy-> Russia
3. HSR Indo-Japan -> Mumbai and Ahmedabad
4. India-Israel -> Industrial Research and development and technical Innovation
fund and icreate I4F
5. ABu Dhabi -India ->Comprehensive strategic partnership -> 75$ billion
infrastructure fund
6. IORA -> declaration on preventing violent extremism and countering terrorism
and action plan of IORA
Maritime Domain Awareness
7. HADR -> Cyclone Mora (SL/Bangladesh;Thailand named it) and Operation
Insaniyat -> Bangladesh
8. CCIT -> adoption pushed by India

-> Economic ties


1. African Development bank
2.

-> Multilateral
1. BRICS ->

-> Cultural and people to people ties


1. Yoga day celebration
2. Indian council for cultural relations
3. Virat kavi sammelan
4. PBD -> Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
5. E-tourist visa
6. MADAD -> counslar help

-> India and neighbours (Neighbourhood first policy -> countries )


1. India bhutan -> Namami Brahmaputra, SASEC
2. India Nepal -> oversight mechanism to expedite project implementation of
infrastructure project in country
3. Indian Ocean -> SAGAR( Security and growth for all in the region) -> blue
economy development/ maritime security and safety

-> DPRK (N. Korea)


1. 1973 formed

-> S.Korea
1. CEPA -> Comprehensive economic partership agreement
2. Korea economic development cooperation fund

-> Russia
1. 70 years of relationship with india + St. peterburg Declaration( cooperation
in nuclear energy, SnT)
2. INDRA 2017 -> 1st ever all the 3 defence service exercise with Russia at
Vladivostok
3. Russia + India +China forum
4. ITEC + ICCR (culture)+ Track II diplomacy

-> WANA. -> "West Asia and North Africa" region.


This includes countries in North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya,
Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan)
West Asia (Turkey, Cyprus, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria), all the middle
eastern countries in the Arabian peninsula and Iran.
1. 1st PM visit to Israel + Palestine
2. Maghreb region -> rock phosphate -> food security
3. Horn of africa -> Somalia + Eritieria + Djoubti -> Red sea - gulf of aden
region -> maritime security

-> Asia Africa connectivity


1. AAGC -> India + Japan + liked minded African countries (Germany + France +
Russia)
2. IORA + BRICS + IBSA
3. AYUSH Inforamtion cell in Tanzania
4. ISA + GES( global exhibition on service) + GCCS

-> Nigeria -> crude oil reserve -> 18% india oil import basket
Ghana -> 2 billion$ gold import

-> USA
1. Global entry programme
2. LEMOEA + DTTI + Major defence partner (2016)
3. Malabar exercise -> US + JAPAN + INDIA
4. Crude oil import from US
5. GES -> Hyderabad

-> Canada
1. CEPA -> Comprehensive economic partnership agreement
2. BIPPA -> Bilateral Investment promotion and protection scheme
3. PIO

-> UN
1. CCIT / UNSC reforms
2. Universal periodic review under UNHCR
3. UN ocean conference
4. High level political forum for on Sustainable development for ECOSOC ->
Voluntary national review (VNR)-> SDG submittion by India
5. India accepted Doha agreement under UNFCCC
6. Ahmedabad -> World Heritage city of UNESCO / Kumbha Mela -> Intangible
cultural heritage
7. ICJ
8. ITLOS/IMO
9. UN Habitat Governing council

-> Disarmament and international security affairs


1. Wassenar -> 42nd member
2. BTWC (Biological and toxin weapon convention)/ LAWS (Lethal autonomous
weapon system)
3. International conference on certain conventional weapons
4. Founding conference of ISA

-> BIMSTEC -> Bodhi Parva

-> cyber diplomacy ( other imp -> economic diplomacy division in MEA)
1. engaged with Asean Regional Forum + SCO + BRICS + UNGGE + WGEC + UNODC +
ICANN(Internet cooperation for assigned names and numbers)
2. International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (different organisation)
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# India china

-> Doklam disputes


1. Location -> Dongland plateau (in proximity with nathu la /jelep la passes /
Kaliash Mansarover Yatra)
Chumbi valley of tibet in north -> Ha valley of Bhutan in east -> sikkim in
west
proximity to siliguri corridor
2. Unsettled Dispute between China and Bhutan from 1960 (China claims its
territorial right)
Doklam is recognised as a Bhutanese territory by India and Bhutan
3. Current dispute
china extend road construction; raising apprehension of its intention in
New delhi
4. India act on behalf of Bhutan due to friendship treaty of 2007
Under the agreement, neither Government shall allow the use of its
territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of
the other
5. 1890-> China and Britain treaty -> boundary of Sikkim and Tibet shall be the
crest of the mountain range separating the waters flowing into the
Sikkim Teesta and its affluents, from the waters flowing into the Tibetan Mochu and
northwards into other rivers of Tibet. The line commences at
Mount Gipmochi, on the Bhutan frontier, and follows the above-mentioned water-
parting to the point where it meets Nepal territory
7. tibet refutes this convention -> signed treaty with Great Britain

8. The Order provided, inter alia, that the rights and obligations under all
international agreements to which India is a party immediately before the
appointed day will devolve upon the Dominion of India. Therefore, in terms of Order
of 1947, the government of India is bound by the said Convention of 1890.
However, India�s affirmation of the Convention of 1890 was limited to the alignment
of the India-China border in Sikkim, based on watershed, and not with
respect to any other aspects.
9. Passes
Important passes along India-China border (from west to east)
J & K - Aghil Pass, Chang La
Himachal Pradesh - Shipki La
Uttarakhand � Thaga La, Niti Pass, Lipu Lekh
Sikkim � Nathu La, Jelep La
Arunachal Pradesh � Bum La, Diphu Pass ( other passes bomdila)

-> India-China clash -> Pangong lake (Ladakh) -> salty lake -> part of theyts sea
1. Location -> Pangon lake or Pangong Tso, a 135-km long lake, located ->
Himalayas at height of 4,350 m, stretches out from India to China.
2. 1990s -> Indian side laid claims over the area -> Chinese army built a
metal-top road contending that it was part of the Aksai Chin, which is
another disputed border area between the two.
3. Aksai Chin area falls under Chinese control and is governed as part of Hotan
County.
However, India also claims it to be a part of the Ladakh region of J & K.

3. India and Pakistan -> Kulbhushan Jadhav


1. Vienna convention

# India US

-> Major defence partner


1. Major defence partner defence related trade and technology transfer the
country would now be treated at par with America�s closest allies
2. Unique statue to india
3. National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA), 2017 of US to authorize it to
develop defence ties with India
4. US-India Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTII)
5. Global entry programme -> expedite clearance programme for preapproved low
risk travellers
6. US- India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF)
non-profit corporation -> bilateral trade -> economic growth, job creation,
innovation, inclusion and entrepreneurship
7. India-US Strategic and Commercial Dialogue -> replace by -> new 2-by-2
ministerial dialogue to enhance strategic coordination between them and
maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region
Composition: The new dialogue format will involve the EAMinister and
Defence Minister from India and their American counterparts
Secretary of State and Defence Secretary.
priorities -> job creation, improving the business and investment climate
and sustaining a rules-based global order.
8. The US has strategic consultations in this format with key partners and
allies including Australia, Japan and the Philippines.
India has had a dialogue in the 2+2 format with Japan with secretaries or
senior-most bureaucrats from the foreign and defence
ministries engaging each other.
9. RAISE (Reforming American Immigration for Strong Employment) ACT -> shift
from lottery system to merit system for obtaining green card
benefit highly-educated and technology professionals from countries like
India

# India Myanmmar

-> Kaladan Project ( initiated -> 2003 and framework for implementation -> 2008)
1. Haora( WB) -> sea route -> Kaladan port -> kaladon river ->Paletwa ->
Highway -> Kaletwa
2. Award for construction-> Paletwa river terminal to Zorinpui in Mizoram borde
3. Kaladan multimodal transport projects was the 1st major project taken up by
India in Myanmar.
4. Kaladan project connects Sittwe Port-> India-Myanmar border.
5. project was jointly initiated by India and Myanmar -> a multi-modal platform
for cargo shipments from the eastern ports to Myanmar and to the NE parts
of India through Myanmar.
6. It is expected to open up sea routes and promote economic development in the
NE states.
7. This project will reduce distance from Kolkata to Sittwe by approximately
1328 km and will reduce the need to transport good through the narrow
Siliguri corridor, also known as Chicken�s Neck.

-> Pagodas:
1. tiered tower with multiple diminishing roofs rise above the other, built in
traditions originating as stupa in S. Asia and further developed
in E. Asia.
2. It is commonly found into Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia.
3. They became prominent as Buddhist monuments and are used for enshrining
sacred relics.
4. In India, it is mostly found in Mandi, Kullu, Shimla hills and Kinnaur
regions of Himachal Pradesh.

-> Bagan:
1. Bagan in central Burma is one of the world�s greatest archaeological sites.
2. The Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy) River drifts past its northern and western sides.
3. 9-13th centuries, city -> capital of the Pagan Kingdom, 1st kingdom that
unified the regions that would later constitute modern Myanmar.
4. During the kingdom�s height between the 11th and 13th centuries, over 10,000
Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries were constructed in the Bagan
plains alone.

# India � Afghanistan

-> India - Afghanistan dedicated air freight corridor


1. inaugurated a dedicated air freight corridor service in june 2017.
2. The corridor passes through the airspace of Pakistan.
3. The connectivity will provide Afghanistan, a landlocked country, greater
access to markets in India, and will allow Afghan businessmen to leverage
India�s economic growth and trade networks for its benefit.
4. It would enable Afghan farmers quick and direct access to the Indian
markets for their perishable produce.

# India � Bangladesh

-> Interpretative notes between India and Bangladesh


1. Joint Interpretative Notes (JIN) on the agreement between India and
Bangladesh
2. The objective is for the promotion and protection of investments between the
two countries.
3. The JIN includes interpretative notes to be jointly adopted for many
clauses, including,
exclusion of taxation measures, Fair and Equitable Treatment (FET),
National Treatment (NT) and Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment,
expropriation, essential security interests and Settlement of disputes
between an investor and a contracting party.
4. Joint Interpretative Statements play an important supplementary role in
strengthening the investment treaty regime.
5. With increasing Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) disputes, issuance of such
statements is likely to have strong persuasive value before
tribunals.
6. The JIN would impart clarity to the interpretation of the existing agreement
between India and Bangladesh for the Promotion and Protection of BIPA
(Bilateral Promotion and Protection of Investments).

-> Operation Insaaniyat


1. GoI to assist Bangladesh in managing crisis caused due to heavy influx of
refugees from neighbouring Myanmar.
2. As part of this programme, the Indian government sent relief material
through airlift
3. This aircraft will be loaded with relief material consisting of critical
daily necessities viz., rice, pulses, sugar, salt, cooking oil, ready to eat
meals, mosquito nets etc.

# India-Japan

-> India - Japan civil nuclear deal (2017)


1. India-Japan Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy
entered into force on July 20, 2017.
2. India is the first non-member of the NPT to have signed such a deal with
Japan.
3. The deal will help India access Japan�s nuclear market.
4. The deal includes the option that Japan can give a year�s notice before
terminating it in case India breaks the nuclear testing moratorium that it
had extended to the Nuclear Suppliers Group in 2008.
5. The deal is significant as it will help guarantee Japan�s continued support
to India�s civil nuclear programme.
6. The deal will bring Japan into the Indian nuclear market where France and
Russia have already have a strong presence.

-> Asia Africa Growth Corridor (India+Japan+AfDB+ African countries )


1. AAGC is an economic cooperation agreement between the governments of India
and Japan with the active support of the AfDB and several African
countries including South Africa who wish to reduce their dependence on Beijing.
2. The idea is to create a �free and open Indo-Pacific region� by rediscovering
ancient sea-routes and creating new sea corridors by integrating the
economies of South, Southeast, and East Asia with Oceania and Africa.
3. It primarily focuses on
1. Development Cooperation Projects,
2. Quality Infrastructure and Institutional Connectivity,
3. Enhancing Skills
4. People-to-People Partnership.
4. It was launched in May 2017. Its detailed roadmap has been prepared by three
agencies viz.
1. Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) New Delhi,
2. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) Jakarta,
and
3. Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO) of Tokyo.

-> India-Japan sign open sky agreement


1. India-Japan have agreed to an open sky arrangement under which the airlines
of both countries can operate an unlimited number of flights.
2. The agreement will not only encourage connectivity and passenger travel
between the two countries, but will also result in reduction in
airfares on these routes.

-> Open sky agreement:


1. The agreement was signed in accordance with the National Civil Aviation
Policy (NCAP), 2016.
2. The NCAP permits the government to enter into an �open sky� air services
agreement on a reciprocal basis with SAARC nations as well as
countries with territory located entirely beyond a 5,000 kilometre radius
from New Delhi.
3. 2003 -> ASEAN; 2005 -> US; 2016 -> Greece, Jamaica, Guyana, Czech Republic,
Finland, Spain and Sri Lanka.

-> India Japan Act East Forum (12th Indo-Japan annual summit)
1. MoU to set up India Japan Act East Forum -> Act East Policy (India) +Free
and Open Asia- Pacific strategy(Abe' policy)
2. The forum will enhance connectivity and promote developmental projects in
India�s NE region in an efficient and effective manner.
3. Japan�s investments in the NE:
Japan has cooperated with a variety of development projects in the NE,
ranging from connectivity infrastructure such as roads and
electricity, water supply and sewage, to forest resource management and
biodiversity.
4. Recently, India and Japan signed a document on Japanese loan and aid for
highway development in the Northeast.
5. Japan will extend a loan of Rs 2,239 crore to India for �North East Road
Network Connectivity Improvement Project� to improve the National
Highway 40 (NH-40) and construct a bypass on NH-54 in the Northeast.
6. Japan has a historic connection to the Northeast and is among the few
countries that India has allowed a presence in the region.

# India-Pakistan

-> Indus Waters Treaty ( IJC to pakistan and hence issue about JC only; while RBS
to India)
1. WB -> India is allowed to construct hydroelectric power plants on the Jhelum
and Chenab Rivers after secretary-level discussions between India and
Pakistan on the technical issues over IWT
2. India and Pakistan disagree about the construction of the Kishenganga (330
megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric power
plants being built by India (the World Bank is not financing either
project).
3. The two countries disagree over whether the technical design features of the
two hydroelectric plants contravene the Treaty.
4. The plants are on respectively a tributary of the Jhelum and the Chenab
Rivers.
5. The Treaty designates these two rivers as well as the Indus as the �Western
Rivers� to which Pakistan has unrestricted use.
India is permitted to construct hydroelectric power facilities on these
rivers subject to constraints specified in Annexures to the Treaty.

# India � Iran

-> Chabahar Port (gulf of oman and only oceanic port of Iran-> ocated on the Makran
coast, Chabahar in southeastern Iran)
1. India Ports Global, a port project investment arm of the shipping ministry
and a joint venture between the JNPT and the Kandla port,
will invest $85 million in developing 2 container berths and 3 multi-cargo
berths.
2. Chabahar port(strategic importance):
India can bypass Pakistan in transporting goods to Afghanistan.
It is located 76 nautical miles (less than 150km) west of the Pakistani
port of Gwadar, being developed by China. This makes it ideal for
keeping track of Chinese or Pakistani military activity based out of
Gwadar.
3. Chabahar port acts as link with (INSTC) to which India is one of the initial
signatories.
4. The port will cut transport costs/time for Indian goods by a third.
5. The Zaranj-Delaram road constructed by India in 2009 can give access to
Afghanistan�s Garland Highway, setting up road access to four
major cities in Afghanistan � Herat, Kandahar, Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif.

# India � Nepal

-> New Bridge over Mechi River at Indo-Nepal border


1. funded by Government of India through Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan.
2. The new bridge is part of up-gradation of the Kakarvitta (Nepal) to
Panitanki Bypass (India) on NH 327B.
3. Mechi Bridge is the ending point of Asian Highway in India leading to Nepal
and provides critical connectivity to Nepal.
4. National Highway and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) under
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has been designated as thei
mplementing agency for this project.
About Mechi river:
1. The Mechi River is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India.
2. It is a tributary of the Mahananda River. The Mechi originates in the
Mahabharat Range in Nepal.

# India � Brazil
1. MoU between India and Brazil for cooperation in the fields of Zebu Cattle
Genomics and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (2016)
2. MoU would promote and facilitate scientific cooperation and setting up of
genomic selection programme in Zebu Cattle through:
Application of genomic in Zebu Cattle and their crosses and buffaloes
Application of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) in cattle and
buffaloes
3. Capacity building in genomic and assisted reproductive technology.
4. Related R & D in Genomics and ART in accordance with the respective laws and
regulations of the two countries and is covered.
5. Zebu cattle:
1. Zebu -> indicine cattle or humped cattle, is a species or subspecies of
domestic cattle originating in the Indian subcontinent.
Zebu are characterised by a fatty hump on their shoulders, a large
dewlap, and sometimes drooping ears.
2. They are well adapted to withstanding high temperatures, and are farmed
throughout the tropical countries.
3. Zebu are used as draught oxen, dairy cattle, and beef cattle, as well as
for byproducts such as hides and dung for fuel and manure.

# India � Israel

-> India-Israel Industrial R&D and Technological Innovation Fund


1. (MoU) between India and Israel on �India-Israel Industrial R&D and
Technological Innovation Fund (I4F)�
2. affordable technological innovations in focus areas of mutual interest such
as water, agriculture, energy and digital technologies.
3. Institutional support in building up consortia including private industry,
enterprises and R&D institutions from India and Israel will be enabled
through these collaborative projects.
India and Israel will make contribution of 4 million US Dollars each for
the Fund, both equivalent amount, annually for 5 years.
The Innovation Fund will be governed by a joint Board which will consist of
four members from each country.
The activities supported by the Joint Fund would increase the
technoeconomic collaboration between the two countries.

# India � South Korea

-> Korea Plus (2016)


1. strategic initiative between GoI and South Korea �to promote, facilitate and
retain Korean investments in India.�
2. The government is planning to facilitate greater investments from S. Korea
and would strengthen the �Korea Plus� cell in this regard.
3. The mandate of Korea Plus covers the entire investment spectrum including:
1. Supporting Korean enterprises entering the Indian market for the first
time,
2. Looking into issues faced by Korean companies doing business in India
3. Policy advocacy to the Indian government on their behalf.
4. Korea Plus will act as a mediator in arranging meetings, assisting in public
relations and research, evaluation and provide information and
counselling in regard to Korean companies� investing in India.

# India � Sri Lanka

-> Bottom Trawling


1. Bottom trawling is a destructive fishing practice which affects the marine
ecosystem.
2. The practice, which involves trawlers dragging weighted nets along the sea
floor, is known to cause great depletion of fishery resources, and
curbing it is in the interest of sustainable fishing.
3. Measures taken by India:
launch of a programme on diversification of bottom trawlers into deep-sea
fishing vessels for tuna long lining under the Blue Revolution
Scheme.
Construction of Mookaiyur and Poompuhar fishing harbours, and capacity-
building programmes for fishermen of the Palk Bay area in
deep sea tuna long lining.
Fresh registration for bottom trawlers in the Palk Bay area has been banned
by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
-> Hambantota
1. SL signed an agreement with India to build 1,200 houses in the southern port
city- Hambantota.
2. Hambantota is right in the middle of vital energy supply lines in the Indian
Ocean, connecting the Middle East and East Asia
3. signing of the MoU in Hambantota assumes significance not only in its
timing, but also in taking India�s housing project to the Sinhalamajority
Southern Province.
4. Earlier India had constructed as many as 46,000 homes in Tamil majority
north and east, and 4,000 houses are being built in hill country in
Central and Uva provinces.
5. India has been taking steps to protect itself in the Indian Ocean by allying
itself with the United States and Japan in a clear bid to counter
growing Chinese influence.

-> Hambantota:
1. Hambantota is the main town in Hambantota District, Southern Province, Sri
Lanka.
2. This underdeveloped area was hit hard by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and
is underwent a number of major development projects including the
construction of a new sea port and international airport
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# International Convention

-> India has ratified ILO conventions on child labour concerning the elimination of
child labour ( India member -> 1919)
1. Minimum Age Convention (15 years -> standard; 13-14 years -> if do not
jeopardise health and school; 18 years -> in dangerous occupations)
2. Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
country commits itself to taking immediate action to prohibit and eliminate
the worst forms of child labour

-> Social Security Agreement (reduce doubly contribution for social security in two
country)
1. amendment of the bilateral SSA between India and the Netherlands by
incorporating the �Country of Residence� Principle.
2. The circumstances where the �country of residence� principle will apply to a
few instances of Indian nationals include:
1. An Indian worker who dies in the Netherlands and has his/her spouse and
children living in India.
2. An Indian worker who gets disabled while working in the Netherlands and
returns to India

-> Antarctica Treaty


1. India is drafting a dedicated Antarctica policy.
2. The new policy is expected to come up with clear policy objectives regarding
infrastructure, research, tourism, etc. in Antarctica.
3. The government is rebuilding its station, Maitri, to make it bigger and last
for at least 30 years.
4. Dakshin Gangotri, the first Indian base established in 1984, has weakened
and become just a supply base.
Antarctic Treaty:
1. The treaty entered into force in 1961. As of now, the total number of
parties to the treaty stands at 53.
2. The treaty is framed to ensure �in the interests of all mankind that
Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful
purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord.
3. It prohibits military activity, except in support of science; prohibits
nuclear explosions and the disposal of nuclear waste; promotes
scientific research and the exchange of data; and holds all territorial
claims in abeyance.
4. Several related conventions, such as the Conservation of Antarctic Seals
(1972) and the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources (1980), are appended to this treaty for protection

-> Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (2017 -> UN; in effect on
ratification of 50 countries( imp after NPT 1968)) ->Japan avoided
1. The treaty was adopted by a vote of 122 in favour with one country � NATO
member
The Netherlands voting against �while Singapore abstained.
2. The treaty prohibits a full range of nuclear-weapon related activities, such
as undertaking to develop, test, produce, manufacture, acquire, possess
or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, as well as the use
or threat of use of these weapons.
3. None of the nine countries that possess nuclear weapons � the US, Russia,
Britain, China, France, India, Pakistan, N Korea and Israel
� took part in the negotiations or the vote.
4. Even Japan � the only country to have suffered atomic attacks, in 1945 �
boycotted the talks as did most NATO countries.
5. 50 nations ink UN nuclear ban treaty:
50 countries recently signed a treaty to ban nuclear weapons, a pact that
the world�s nuclear powers spurned but supporters hailed as a
historic agreement nonetheless.

-> Indian Community Welfare Fund (2009 -> to support OCI in distress and emergency
on deserving basis)
1. guidelines would cover three key areas namely Assisting Overseas Indian
nationals in distress situations, Community Welfare activities and
Improvement in Consular services.
2. They are expected to provide Indian Missions and Posts abroad greater
flexibility in swiftly addressing to requests for assistance by OCI
3. ICWF would be funded through budgetary support, funds raised by the Indian
Missions by levying a nominal service charge on consular services and
through Voluntary contributions from the Indian community.

-> Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1983->
appicable to under 16 age)
1. multilateral treaty developed by the Hague Conference on Private
International Law (HCCH) that provides an expeditious method to return a
child internationally abducted by a parent from one member country to another.
2. The primary intention of the Convention is to preserve whatever status quo
child custody arrangement existed immediately before an alleged wrongful
removal or retention thereby deterring a parent from crossing international
boundaries in search of a more sympathetic court.
3. In 2016, Philippines and Pakistan acceded to the convention.
4. Inter-country parental child abduction
Inter-country parental child abduction is a situation that is attained when
one parent takes a child or children to a foreign country to
prevent the other parent from seeking custody of the child.

-> Extradition Treaty


1. signing and ratification of the Extradition Treaty between India and
Lithuania.
2. Benefits of this treaty:
Treaty -> legal framework for seeking extradition of terrorists, economic
offenders and other criminals from and to Lithuania.
It will bring the criminals to justice, with a view to ensure peace and
tranquility to public at large.
What are the extradition laws of India?
In India the Extradition Act, 1962 regulates the surrender of a person to
another country or the request for arrest of a person in a foreign
land. ( only for law mentioned in treaty -> extradite and if different
offence in india -> no extradition; fear or political agenda -> no)

-> Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) -> 1970


1. 4 our UN member states have never joined the NPT: India, Israel, Pakistan
and South Sudan.
North Korea, which acceded to the NPT in 1985 but never came into
compliance, announced its withdrawal in 2003.
2. The treaty recognizes five states as nuclear-weapon states: the United
States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China.
3. 3-pillar system -> Non-proliferation -> Disarmament -> right to peacefully
use nuclear technology.
4. India has denounced a call to give up its nuclear weapons and sign the NPT
while it �remains committed to universal, non-discriminatory and verifiable
nuclear disarmament�.
5. This was in response to a call by a group calling itself the New Agenda
Coalition that India � along with Israel and Pakistan � sign the NPT as
NNWS (non-nuclear weapon states), which would effectively mean giving up its
nuclear arsenal.
6. However, India has reiterated its commitment �as a responsible nuclear power�
to �a policy of credible minimum deterrence based on
a No First Use posture and non-use of nuclear weapons against nonnuclear
weapon states�.

-> Wassenaar Arrangement (42nd member -> on Export Controls for Conventional Arms
and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies)
1. The participating nations make sure that the export of ammunition does not
contribute to the development or enhancement of military
capabilities undermining regional security.
2. In order to achieve the aim of stable defence deals, the participatory
nations apply export controls to all items listed in the List of Dual-Use
Goods and Technologies and the Munitions List.

-> Australia Group (43rd member->informal bloc of countries for tight control over
exports of substances used in the making of chemical weapons)
1. works to counter the spread of materials, equipment and technologies that
could contribute to the development or acquisition of
chemical and biological weapons (CBW) by states or terrorist groups.
2. It was established in 1985.
3. China, Pakistan, Iran, North Korea are not its members.

-> NSG -> 1974


AG -> 1985
MTCR -> 1987
Wassenar -> 1997

-> Strategic Framework for Education in Emergencies in the Arab Region -> UNESCO
2018-21
1. It aims to respond to the Education crisis in the region through supporting
Member States in meeting their educational needs, and helping them
meet the commitments set out in SDG4 which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable
quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all by 2030.
2. Why Arab region?
Education has been deeply affected by the scale of crisis in the Arab
Region, with over 13 million children and youth not going to school due to
conflict.
3. Goals:
The Strategic Framework consists of four strategic goals anchored in the
three pillars of education: Access, Quality and System Strengthening.

-> UN Convention against Torture ( Torture -> criminal offence ->1997 -> signed but
not ratified)
1. The Convention requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture
in any territory under their jurisdiction and forbids states to
transport people to any country where there is reason to believe they will be
tortured.

-> Budapest Convention ( India non member -> cybercrime related 1st international
treaty to address internet and computer crime)
-> Council of europe -> france
1. India rethinking about its membership because of the surge in cybercrime,
especially after a push for digital India.
2. MHA has flagged the need for international cooperation to check cyber crime,
radicalization and boost data security
3. The move is being opposed by the IB -> sharing data with foreign law
enforcement agencies infringes on national sovereignty and may
jeopardize the rights of individuals
4. Convention on Cybercrime, also known as the Budapest Convention, is the
first international treaty seeking to address Internet and computer crime
by harmonizing national laws, improving investigative techniques, and increasing
cooperation among nations.
5. It was drawn up by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France, with the
active participation of the Council of Europe�s observer states
Canada, Japan, South Africa and the United States.
6. The Convention has 56 members, including the US and the UK.
7. The Budapest Convention provides for the criminalisation of conduct, ranging
from illegal access, data and systems interference to computer related
fraud and child pornography, procedural law tools to make investigation of
cybercrime and securing of e-evidence in relation to any
crime more effective, and international police and judicial cooperation on
cybercrime and e-evidence.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-------------------------
# International Organisations / Groupings

-> BRICS 2017 -> China Xiamen (Joint summit with Emerging Markets and Developing
Countries Dialogue (EMDCD))

-> BRICS Media Forum


1. China�s state-run news agency Xinhua has announced a $1 million fund to
institutionalise media cooperation among the BRICS countries
including awards for journalists from the 5 member states.
2. BRICS media forum is a joint initiative of Xinhua News Agency, Brazils CMA
Group, Russia�s Sputnik News Agency and Radio, the Hindu Group of India and
South Africa�s Independent Media.
3. The plan will promote six objectives, including �balanced reporting�.
4. It aims to create an alternative media narrative distinct from the media of
western nations.
5. It would also focus on joint development of BRICS digital media, financial
information services and promoting people- to-people contacts.
-> BRICS �Beijing Declaration On Education�
1. BRICS ministers of education and assigned representatives have adopted
�Beijing Declaration on Education� in the 5th meeting of BRICS
Ministers of education at Beijing.
2. According to the declaration, members states are committed to the UN SDG
Education 2030 which aims to �Ensure inclusive and equitable quality
education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all�.
3. The declaration reiterated support for the BRICS Network University (NU) to
collaborate in the fields of education, research and innovation.
4. It also encouraged universities to participate in the BRICS University
League.
5. BRICS member states also decided to increase cultural cooperation through
language education and multilingualism.

-> BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers� Meet


1. China was the chair for the BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers� Meet for
the year 2017. The meeting was held in Chonqging, China.
2. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the BRICS Labour and Employment
Ministerial Declaration by the BRICS Labour and Employment
Ministers.
3. The Declaration covered a variety of areas that are of critical importance
to all BRICS countries including India and called upon strengthening
collaboration and cooperation on these through appropriate
institutionalisation. These areas consisted of:
1. �Governance in the Future of Work�,
2. �Skills for development in BRICS�,
3. �Universal and sustainable social security systems�,
4. �BRICS Network of Labour Research Institutions�,
5. �BRICS Social Security Cooperation Framework�
6. �BRICS entrepreneurship research�.

-> BRICS Agriculture Research Platform


1. MoU signed among India and various BRICs countries for establishment of the
BRICS Agriculture Research Platform (BRICS-ARP).
2. 2016, a MoU for setting up agriculture research platform (ARP) signed by
foreign ministers of BRICS countries in the 8th BRICS Summit Goa
3. Centre will promote sustainable agricultural development and poverty
alleviation through strategic cooperation in agriculture to provide
food security in the BRICS member countries.
4. BRICS-ARP will be the natural global platform for science-led agriculture
based sustainable development for addressing the issues of world
hunger, under-nutrition, poverty and inequality, particularly between farmers� and
non-farmers� income, and enhancing agricultural trade, bio-security
and climate resilient agriculture.

-> BRICS Leaders� Xiamen Declaration (BRICS local currency bond markets -> Future
networks -> ARP in india)
1. BRICS countries will strive towards broad partnerships with emerging markets
and developing countries
2. To promote the development of BRICS local currency bond markets and to
jointly establish a BRICS local currency bond fund and also to
facilitate financial market integration.
3. Explorations toward the establishment of the BRICS Institute of Future
Networks.
4. To strengthen BRICS cooperation on energy and work to foster open, flexible
and transparent markets for energy commodities and
technologies.
5. BRICS Agriculture Research Platform is proposed to be established in India.
6. To establish a genuinely broad counterterrorism coalition and support the
UN�s central coordinating role in this regard.
7. Importance of people-to-people exchanges in promoting development and
enhancing mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation.
8. To work together to promote most effective use of fossil fuels and wider use
of gas, hydro and nuclear power.

-> BRICS Interbank Cooperation mechanism


1. i) Interbank Local Currency Credit Line Agreement
ii) Cooperation Memorandum Relating to Credit Ratings by Exim Bank with
participating member banks under BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism.
2. As both the Agreement and the MoU are umbrella pacts, and are non-binding in
nature, the Board of Directors of Exim Bank has been
authorized to negotiate and conclude any individual contracts and commitments
within their framework.
3. Impact:
1. The Agreements will promote multilateral interaction within the area of
mutual interest which will deepen political and economic relations
with BRICS nations.
2. Signing of the Agreement will position Exim Bank in the international
platform along with large development finance institutions, like CDS,
VEB and BNDES.
3. Exim Bank, leveraging this umbrella agreement, could enter into bilateral
agreement with any of these member institutions to raise
resources for its business.
4. As and when an opportunity arises for co-financing in commercial terms, by
any two member institutions (say India and South Africa),
lending in single currency by both the institutions would also be possible.
Background:
1. Exim Bank finances, facilitates and promotes India�s international trade.
2. It provides competitive finance at various stages of the business cycle
covering import of technology, export product development, export
production and export credit at pre-shipment and post-shipment stages and
investments overseas.

-> Interbank Local Currency Credit Line Agreement:


1. Initial Master Agreement on Extending Credit Facility in Local Currency
under the BRICS Interbank Cooperation Mechanism had a validity of 5 years,
which has expired in March 2017.
2. It is understood that some of the member banks (like CDB and VEB; CDB and
BNDES) have entered into bilateral agreements for local
currency financing under the Master Agreement signed in 2012.
3. Although the current conditions are not conducive to usage, it was useful to
keep the same alive as an enabling feature in case a suitable
opportunity materializes in future.
4. Exim Bank raises resources in the off-shore market in diverse currencies and
swaps to mitigate the risk.
5. The umbrella Agreement would serve as an enabler to enter into bilateral
agreements with member banks subject to national laws,
regulations and internal policies of the signatories.

-> Cooperation Memorandum Relating to Credit Ratings:


1. It would enable sharing of credit ratings amongst the BRICS member banks,
based on the request received from another bank.
2. This would be an ideal mechanism to mitigate the credit risks associated
with cross-border financing.
3. In future, such a mechanism could also serve as pre-cursor to the proposal
of having an alternate rating agency by BRICS nations.
-> Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) -> 48 countries in 1974 and works by consensus
1. multinational body concerned with reducing nuclear proliferation by
controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that may be applicable
to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and protection on
existing materials.
2. Once admitted, an NSG member state:
1. Gets timely information on nuclear matters.
2. Contributes by way of information.
3. Has confirmed credentials.
3. Can act as an instrument of harmonization and coordination.
4. Is part of a very transparent process.
5. India -> membership of the NSG in 2008 (denied -> not signed NPT)
The NSG works under the principle of unanimity and even one country�s vote
against India will scuttle its bid.
6. India, Pakistan, Israel and South Sudan are among the 4 UN member states
which have not signed the NPT

-> BIMSTEC (the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation-> BBINS-MT-> 1997 Bangkok declaration)
1. regional organization which comprises of 7 member states which lie near the
Bay of Bengal.
2. BIMSTEC headquarters are situated in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
3. BIMSTEC is technological and economical cooperation among S Asian and SE
Asiancountries along the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
4. BIMSTEC region is home to around 1.5 billion people which constitute around
22% of the global population.
5. The region has a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of $2.7 trillion.

-> BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise � 2017


1. 1st BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise-2017 (DMEx-2017) New Delhi.
2. It was conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the
nodal agency in Delhi and the National Capital Region.
3. The Exercise provided a platform to share the Best Practices on
comprehensive aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), strengthening
regional response and coordination for Disaster Management among the
BIMSTEC nations.
4. The exercise -> Table Top Exercise (TTX), Field Training Exercises (FTXs) on
Earthquake and Flood and an After Action Review (AAR).
5. The exercise also aimed to test region�s preparedness and resilience towards
effective activation of inter-Governmental interaction and
agreements for immediate deployment of regional resources for disaster response.
6. India has been at the forefront of DRR efforts by hosting the South Asian
Annual Disaster Management Exercise (SAADMEx) and the Asian
Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR).
7. India has also offered its expertise and capabilities in DRR such as the
South Asia satellite, GSAT-9, and the Tsunami Early Warning Centre to other
countries.

-> BIMSTEC meeting


1. MoU for the establishment of BIMSTEC grid interconnection and also agreed
to expedite the negotiations for BIMSTEC FTA agreement
2. The meeting of the BIMSTEC also pledged to deepen cooperation for shared
prosperity in the region.
3. The meeting decided to establish cells focused on areas, like energy,
environment and culture, among others, for effective cooperation and to
elevate BIMSTEC as a vibrant and visible regional cooperation.
4. The meeting also decided to form an eminent persons� group to prepare the
future roadmap of BIMSTEC.
-> BIMSTEC Task Force on Traditional Medicine
1. 1st-ever meeting of BITFM was held at Parvasi Bhartiya Kendra in New Delhi,
organized by Union Ministry of AYUSH.
2. India being a major stakeholder in the field of Traditional Medicine plays
an important role in influencing the policies and strategies related to the
Traditional Medicine in the BIMSTEC Forum.
Important Agenda:
1. Implementation of Strategies of BIMSTEC Task Force on Traditional Medicines
2. Identification of priority areas in traditional medicine for technical and
research collaboration among member states
3. Regional Strategy for protection of Genetic Resource associated with
Traditional Medicine Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights
4. Human Resource Development and Capacity Building among the BIMSTEC Member
States
5. New Initiative, proposals and programmes for cooperation on Traditional
Medicine among the BIMSTEC Task Force on Traditional
Medicine.

-> Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) -1996 and 2001 as SCO ( Uzbekistan
joined it) CRTKKU
1. SCO is a Eurasian economic, political and security organisation
headquartered in Beijing, China.
2. full members of the organization are China,Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,
Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, India and Pakistan.
3. Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia have observer status at present.
4. China had founded this grouping in 1996 and then it was called as Shanghai 5
comprising of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
5. In 2001, Uzbekistan was invited to join it and SCO was officially born.
6. objective is military cooperation between members.
It is primarily centred on Central Asian security-related concerns.
7. SCO has established relations with the UN, where it is an observer in the
UNGa, EU, ASEAN, CIS and OIC
8. 17th SCO summit concluded in Astana, capital of Kazakhstan in June 2017.
India and Pakistan were inducted as full members of the SCO at the summit.
The next summit of the organization would take place in 2018 in China.

-> SCO contact group meeting on Afghanistan


1. India for the 1st time ever was invited to join SCO contact group meeting on
Afghanistan to discuss prevailing security situation and economic
potential of the landlocked country.
2. The meeting was held in Moscow and comes as a feather in the cap for India�s
Afghan strategy after successful US backed Indo-Afghan trade and investment
show in Delhi.
3. The development is viewed as acknowledgement of India�s stake in the wartorn
country.
Background:
1. The SCO contact group on Afghanistan that became defunct in 2009 has been
revived following intervention by Vladimir Putin.
2. India was invited to join maiden SCO contact group meeting on Afghanistan
after it became a SCO member this June.

-> International Economic Association (IEA)


1. Finance Ministry�s former CEA Kaushik Basu has taken over as President of
the International Economic Association (IEA) for 3 years
2. The IEA was founded in 1950 as a NGO, at the instigation of the Social
Sciences Department of UNESCO.
3. its creation maintained information and consultative relations with UNESCO
and is since 1973 a federated member of the International Social Science
Council.
4. Its aim has been to promote personal contacts and mutual understanding among
economists in different parts of the world through the organization of
scientific meetings, through common research programs and by means of publications
of an international character on problems of current importance.
5. The IEA is governed by a Council, composed of representatives of all Member
Associations as well as a limited number of co-opted members.
6. The Council meets triennially when it reviews the general policy of the
Association and elects the President and other Officers and members of
the Executive Committee for a 3-year term of office.

-> South Asian Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC)


1. CCEA gave its approval for upgradation and widening of 65 kms of Imphal-
Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur.
2. project is being developed with ADB�s loan assistance under SASEC) Road
Connectivity Investment Program.
3. project corridor is also a part of the Asian Highway No. 01 (AH01) and acts
as India�s Gateway to the East.

-> SASEC (2001) -> BBINS- Myanmar Maldives ( BIMSTEC -> BBINS MT)
1. project-based partnership to promote regional prosperity by improving cross-
border connectivity, boosting trade among member countries and
strengthening regional economic cooperation.
2. ADB is the secretariat and lead financier of the SASEC program, which has
supported around 46 projects worth $9.17 billion in
transport, trade facilitation, energy and information and communications
technology (ICT).
3. The SASEC OP (Operational Plan), endorsed in June 2016 by the SASEC member
countries, is SASEC�s first comprehensive long-term plan to
promote greater economic cooperation among the member countries in the
areas of transport, trade facilitation, energy, and economic
corridor development.
4. Bringing regional cooperation to a higher level, the SASEC OP plans to
extend physical linkages not only within SASEC but also with East and
SE Asia by the next decade.

-> G20 Summit (Hamburg -> Germany)-> theme for 2017 G20 Summit: �Shaping an Inter-
connected World�.
1.The leaders of the G20 countries agreed for taking concrete steps to stop
funding of the terror activities.
2. The leaders proposed the Hamburg Action Plan to address major global
challenges, including climate change, harnessing digitalisation, and to
contribute to prosperity and well-being.
3. The �Group of Twenty� is made up of 19 countries and the European Union.
4. The countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France,
Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia,
South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK and the US.
5. It was started in 1999 as a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank
Governors in the aftermath of the South-east Asian financial crisis.
7. The G20, with its ministerial-level beginnings in 1999, first met for a
summit in 2008 in Washington to discuss ways to achieve balanced and
sustainable world economic growth

-> G20 Sherpa -> Shatikanta Das


1. A Sherpa is a personal representative of the leader of a member country at
an international Summit meeting such as the G8, G20 or
the Nuclear Security Summit.
2. The term is derived from the Nepalese Sherpa people, who serve as guides for
mountaineers in the Himalayas.
Appointment:
1. Sherpas are career diplomats or senior government officials appointed by the
leaders of their countries.
2. There is only one Sherpa per Summit for each member country; he/she is
assisted by several sous Sherpas.
3. The Sherpa engages in planning, negotiation and implementation tasks through
the Summit.
4. They coordinate the agenda, seek consensus at the highest political levels,
and participate in a series of pre-Summit consultations to help
negotiate their leaders� positions.

-> Sherpas at G20 summit:


1. There are two tracks in G 20- Finance Track and Development Track.
2. Finance Track is managed by the Secretary (Economic Affairs) as India�s
Deputy to G 20 and the Development Track is coordinated
3. The Department of Economic Affairs will provide necessary support to the
Sherpa.

-> Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)


1. RCEP is proposed between the ASEAN) (IMPTS CLMV Brunie) + FTAs (Australia,
China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand).
2. RCEP negotiations were formally launched in November 2012 at the ASEAN
Summit in Cambodia.
3. RCEP is viewed as an alternative to the TPP trade agreement, which includes
the US but excludes China and India.

-> Trans-Pacific Partnership (china and india -> not member)


1. 11 Pacific Rim countries have formally entered into Comprehensive and
Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership or CP TPP
2. It is revised version of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) proposed by US,
that was finalized after US withdrew from it.
3. TPP11 includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico,
New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
4. It will be world�s 3rd largest trade bloc after EU and NAFTA

-> World Petroleum Congress (22nd in Istanbul)


1. India also took part in the conference.
2. The tri-annual WPC Conference is widely recognized as the `Olympics` of the
oil and gas industry.
3. It attracts Ministers, CEOs of Oil and Gas MNCs, experts and academics from
the hydrocarbon sectors and provides an ideal forum to showcase potential
of countries� hydrocarbon sector.
4. It also provides a platform to interact with policy makers,
technologists,scientists, planners and management experts.

-> Arab League (prominently sunni population member)-> 1945


1. The Arab League is a regional organization of Arab countries in and around
North Africa, the Horn of Africa and Arabia.
2. It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members:
Kingdom of Egypt, Kingdom of Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and
Syria.
Currently, the League has 22 members, but Syria�s participation has been
suspended since November 2011, as a consequence of government repression
during the Syrian Civil War.
3. The League�s main goal is to �draw closer the relations between member
States and co-ordinate collaboration between them, to safeguard their
independence and sovereignty, and to consider in a general way the affairs and
interests of the Arab countries�.
4. The objective is to provide economic, political, cultural, scientific and
social programmes designed to promote the interests of the Arab
world.

-> Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) -> 1969 and India and ethiopia not
members
1. India had strongly rejected the resolutions of the OIC that had expressed
concern about the attacks on people by cow-vigilante groups.
2. India has termed the resolutions adopted at the OIC�s foreign ministers�
meeting as �factually incorrect�.
Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is an international organization
founded in 1969, consisting of 57 member states.
3. A few countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Russia and
Thailand, are Observer States, while others, such
as India and Ethiopia, are not members.
4. The organisation states that it is �the collective voice of the Muslim
world� and works to �safeguard and protect the interests of the
Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony�.
5. The OIC has permanent delegations to the UN and the EU
6. The official languages of the OIC are Arabic, English, and French.

-> Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) -> standards for species


1. adopted 3 Codex standards for black, white and green pepper, cumin and
thyme, paving the way for universal agreement on identifying
quality spices in various countries.
2. This would facilitate evolving a common standardization process for their
global trade and availability.
3. The Codex standards were adopted in the wake of India conducting three
sessions of Codex Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) at Kochi
(2014), Goa (2015) and Chennai (2017). The Chennai session succeeded in achieving
this consensus.
4. The adoption of the Codex standards would imply that there are now reference
points and benchmarks for the member-countries to align their
national standards for spices with Codex.
5. It will bring harmony to the global spice trade and ensure availability of
high quality, clean and safe spices to the world.

-> Codex Alimentarius Commission:


1. intergovernmental body with over 180 members, within the framework of the
Joint Food Standards Programme.
2. established UN FAO & (WHO), with the purpose of protecting the health of
consumers and ensuring fair practices in the food trade.
3. Commission also promotes coordination of all food standards work undertaken
by international governmental and NGOs.
4. Codex Alimentarius is recognized by the WTO as an international reference
point for the resolution of disputes concerning food safety and
consumer protection.

-> Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) ->1967 Bangkok declaration;
IMPTS-CLMV Brunie; Jarkata Secretariat)
1. It is a regional organisation that aims to promote intergovernmental
cooperation and facilitates economic integration amongst its members.
2. Its Motto is �One Vision, One Identity, One Community�.
3. Founder countries of ASEAN are Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines
and Thailand.
4. ASEAN is an official United Nations observer, as well as an active global
partner.

-> ASEAN-India Connectivity Summit (AICS)


1. India hosted the Asean-India Connectivity Summit (AICS) on the theme
�Powering Digital and Physical Linkages for Asia in the 21st Century�.
2. It was organized by MEA in collaboration with AIC (ASEAN-India Centre) and
CII
3. It was organised as part of the celebratory events being organised to
commemorate the silver jubilee of ASEAN-India dialogue partnership.
4. The AICS aims to accelerate existing connectivity prospects, identify issues
of concern, evolve suitable policy recommendations and develop strategies
to enhance economic, industrial and trade relations between ASEAN and India.
5. Its focus areas are infrastructure, roadways, shipping, digital, finance,
energy and aviation.
6. Participants: Policymakers, senior officials from the government, investors,
industry leaders, representatives of trade associations and entrepreneurs
on the same platform.

-> ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit


1. Delhi declaration was adopted at the recently concluded ASEAN-India
Commemorative Summit.
2. establishment of sectoral dialogue between two sides under the theme of
�Shared Values, Common Destiny�.
3. India and 10 ASEAN countries for 1st time mentioned cross-border movement of
terrorists and made commitment to counter the challenge
through close cooperation as part of the declaration.

-> Delhi Dialogue 9


1. 9th edition of the Delhi Dialogue was held in New Delhi.
2. Delhi Dialogue is an annual event to discuss politico-security, economic and
socio-cultural engagement between ASEAN and India. It has been held
annually since 2009.
3. The theme for Delhi Dialogue 9 is �ASEAN-India Relations: Charting the
Course for the Next 25 Years�.
4. Delhi Dialogue is a conference in which policymakers converge to discuss a
range of issues relating to India-Asean relations.
5. Delhi Dialogue is being organised by the MEA, ORF, FICCI

-> International Vaccine Institute (IVI)


1. ICMR has signed a MoU with the IVI for collaborating on vaccine research and
development.
2. India will commit $5,00,000 (?3.20 crore) annually for a stake in IVI.
3. IVI, Seoul, South Korea, is an international non-profit organization
established in 1997 on the initiatives of the UNDP, is devoted to developing
and introducing new and improved vaccines to protect the people, especially
children, against deadly infectious diseases.
4. Created initially as an initiative of the UN Development Programme (UNDP),
IVI began formal operations as an independent international
organization in 1997.
5. Currently, IVI has 40 countries and the WHO as signatories to its
Establishment Agreement.
6. The Institute has a unique mandate to work exclusively on vaccine
development and introduction specifically for people in developing
countries, with a focus on neglected diseases affecting these regions.
India and the IVI:
1. In the year 2007, with the approval of Cabinet, India joined IVI. India is a
long-term collaborator and stake-holder of IVI.
2. IVI has been partnering with Indian vaccine manufacturers, research
institutes, government, and public health agencies on vaccine
development, research, and training.
3. One of the most successful collaborations was with Shantha Biotech on the
development of Shanchol, the world�s first low-cost oral
cholera vaccine.
-> International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
1. world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-
operation in the nuclear field.
2. It was established as an autonomous organization in 1957 through its own
international treaty, the IAEA Statute.
3. It is not under direct control of the UN. Though established independently
of UN, the IAEA reports to both the UNGA and UNSC
4. It was set up as the world�s �Atoms for Peace� organization in 1957.
5. It also seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit
its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons.
6. The Agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to
promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.
7. Secretariat i-> Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.

-> European Free Trade Association (EFTA)


1. EFTA is a regional trade organization and FTA consisting of 4 European
states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
2. The organization operates in parallel with the EU and all 4 member states
participate in the European Single Market.
3. They are not party to the European Union Customs Union.
4. It was established in May 1960 thorough Stockholm Convention to serve as an
alternative trade bloc for those European states that were unable
or unwilling to join then European Economic Community (EEC) which subsequently
became European Union.
5. EFTA is not a customs union and member states have full rights to enter into
bilateral trade arrangements with third-country.
6. EFTA does not envisage political integration and does not issue legislation.
7. Its secretariat is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
8. India and EFTA is yet to conclude their long pending negotiations on FTA. So
far, around 16 rounds of negotiations have taken place which had started in
2008.

-> International Organization for Migration (IOM) 1951 -> 2016 (UN related) ->
geneva HQ -> India member
1. IOM as the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) to help
resettle people displaced by World War II.
2. IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration
and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and
nongovernmental partners.
3. With 169 member states, a further 8 states holding observer status and
offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and
orderly migration for the benefit of all.
4. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
5. IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to
promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in
the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide
humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and
internally displaced people.

-> World Migration Report 2018: (9th report)


1. India tops the world in the number of migrants sent abroad. About 16.59
million Indian live abroad.
2. Mexico sent out 13 million migrants, the second highest number.
3. Most of the international migration takes place among developing countries
with 60% of the migrants from Asia going to other Asian
countries.
International migrants:
The definition of international migrants used in the report is broad, taking
into account anyone living in a country other their own and includes refugees
and economic migrants, both those immigrating officially and those who do so
�irregularly�.
The numbers are not a count of people by national origin or ethnicity and,
therefore, do not include children of migrants born in the countries their
parents went to.

-> BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement (passenger protocol


1. Bangladesh, India and Nepal agreed on text of operating procedures for
passenger vehicle movement in sub-region under BBIN MVA.
2. The passenger protocol agreed upon is document detailing procedures for
cross-border movement of buses and private vehicles for transport
facilitation in sub region.
3. It will be signed by 3 countries after completing necessary internal
approval processes in their government.
4. Bangladesh, India, and Nepal have already ratified the MVA and have agreed
to start implementation of the MVA among the three signatory countries,
with Bhutan joining after it ratifies the Agreement.
5. 2015 sub regional BBIN MVA for the seamless transit of passenger and cargo
vehicles among them.
6. Bhutan could not get public and parliamentary support for it.

-> BBIN MVA:


1. 4 SAARC countries had in June 2015 signed MVA
2. pact aims at allowing motor vehicles of all categories registered in 3
countries to move freely in the region.
3. pact aims to realise the ultimate objective of free movement of people and
goods in the region and said that this would be supplemented through the
building and upgrading roads, railways and waterways infrastructure.
4. ADB has been providing technical, advisory, and financial support to the
BBIN MVA initiative as part of its assistance to SASEC programme
5. Earlier, trial runs for cargo vehicles under the MVA were conducted along
the Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala and Delhi-Kolkata- Dhaka routes.

-> IBSA Dialogue Forum (2003) -> Brasilia declaration


1. coordinating mechanism amongst 3 emerging countries, 3 multi ethnic and
multicultural democracies, which are determined to:
Contribute to the construction of a new international architecture.
2. It brings together 3 large democracies and major economies from 3 different
continents namely, Africa, Asia and South America that represents
three important poles for galvanizing South-South cooperation.
3. IBSA also opens itself to concrete projects of cooperation and partnership
with less developed countries.
4. Their status as middle powers, their common need to address social
inequalities within their borders and the existence of consolidated
industrial areas in the three countries are often mentioned as additional elements
that bring convergence among the members of the Forum.

-> IBSA Trust Fund Agreement (8th triminsterial summit durban)


1. India, Brazil and South Africa have signed the IBSA Trust Fund Agreement
that seeks to fight poverty in developing countries.
2. Each country contributes USD 1 million annually to this fund which is
managed by the UNDP Special Unit for South-South Cooperation.

-> International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) -> Nobel Prize winner
1. Ican has been chosen for its �groundbreaking efforts to achieve a treaty
prohibition� on nuclear weapons.
2. Ican, a coalition of hundreds of NGOs is 10 years old and is based in
Geneva, Switzerland.
3. Ican set about an alternative approach � to raise popular awareness of the
issue and to pressure governments to open up a new treaty for
signature in 2017 that would seek an outright ban on nuclear weapons.
4. In July 2017, after pressure from Ican, 122 nations backed a UN treaty
designed to ban and eventually eliminate all nuclear weapons.
But none of the nine known nuclear powers in the world � including the UK
and the US � endorsed it.

-> International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse


Authorities (IALA)
1. IALA to change its status from NGO to Inter-Governmental Organization (IGO)
2. The move will facilitate �to foster the safe, economic and efficient
movement of vessels�.
3. It will bring IALA at par with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and
International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO).
Background:
1. In its 12th session held in La Coruna, Spain in May 2014, IALA General
Assembly had adopted resolution stating that status of IALA from NGO
to IGO will best facilitate lALA�s aims in 21st century.

-> IALA:
1. The IALA, having headquarters at St. Germainen Laye (France) was established
in 1957 under French law.
2. It is governed by a General Assembly having 83 National members, with its
Council as the executive body.
3. The IALA council consists of 24 National Members and India is one of the
council members represented through the Directorate General of
Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL), Ministry of Shipping.
4. DGLL establishes and maintains Aids to Navigation in general waters along
coast of India including A&N and Lakshadweep group of islands,
as per Lighthouse Act 1927.

-> South Asia Economic Summit (10th Kathmandu)-> 2008 similary like WEF Davos
1. The theme of the summit is �Deepening Economic Integration for Inclusive and
Sustainable Development in South Asia�.
2. It is a regional platform for discussing and analyzing economic and
development issues and challenges faced by South Asian countries and
advancing the cause of regional integration and cooperation.
3. It brings together stakeholders from the government, private sector,
research, academics and civil society to generate innovative and
actionable ideas for consideration by the region�s policymakers and SAARC.

-> Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (Apcert) -> 15th and 1st in S Asia
New delhi
1. It was organised by Indian CERT-In (MEITY).
2. theme of conference was �Building Trust in the Digital Economy�.
3. APCERT is a coalition of CSIRTs (Computer Security Incident Response Teams),
from 13 economies across the Asia Pacific region.
4. APCERT organizes an annual meeting called APSIRC conference, and the first
conference was held in March 2002, Tokyo, Japan.
Membership: Any CSIRT from Asia Pacific Region, who is interested to furthering
the objectives of APCERT, will be allowed to join as APCERT
members after meeting all member accreditation requirements.
APCERT membership model has 2 levels:
Full members: Full Members are CSIRTs/CERTs in the Asia Pacific region, who
have the right to vote on APCERT issues, as well as to stand for election
to the APCERT Steering Committee. All Founding Members are Full Members.
General Members:
Any CSIRTs/CERTs in the Asia Pacific region with an interest in incident
response and IT security, can join APCERT as a General Member.
General Members are not eligible to vote or to stand for election to the APCERT
Steering Committee.
General Membership is a pre-requisite to become a Full Member

-> 7th Asian Energy Ministers� Round Table organised by International Energy Forum
(IEF) -> current chair India
1. It was hosted by Thailand and co-Hosted by the UAE
2. Importance of a flexible, transparent and non-discriminatory global LNG
trading regime which would expedite ushering in the golden age
of gas.
3. Need to move to a gas based economy and the avenues for FDI in building
infrastructure for gas including LNG terminals, pipelines, CGD etc.

-> International Energy Forum (IEF):


1. IEF is the largest inter-governmental organisation in the field of oil and
gas comprising 72 member countries, accounting for 90% of global
supply and demand of oil and gas.
2. Members include developing, developed, OPEC, Non-OPEC and G20 countries.
3. 18 of the G20 countries are members of IEF.
4. The IEF is promoted by a permanent Secretariat based in the Diplomatic
Quarter of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

-> International Energy Agency (IEA) 1974 ->Paris


1. IEA was initially designed to help countries co-ordinate a collective
response to major disruptions in the supply of oil, such as the crisis
of 1973/4.
2. Members: Presently it has 30 member countries. India is the associate member
of IAE.
3. Publications: World Energy Outlook report.
4. The four main areas of IEA focus are:
Energy Security: Promoting diversity, efficiency, flexibility and
reliability for all fuels and energy sources;
5. Economic Development: Supporting free markets to foster economic growth and
eliminate energy poverty;
6. Environmental Awareness: Analysing policy options to offset the impact of
energy production and use on the environment, especially
for tackling climate change and air pollution; and
Engagement Worldwide: Working closely with partner countries, especially
major emerging economies, to find solutions to shared
energy and environmental concerns.
Functions:
1. The IEA examines the full spectrum of energy issues including oil, gas and
coal supply and demand, renewable energy technologies,
electricity markets, energy efficiency, access to energy, demand side
management and much more.
2. The IEA advocates policies that will enhance the reliability, affordability
and sustainability of energy in its member countries and
beyond.

-> South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC)
1. IMF South Asia Regional Training and Technical Assistance Center (SARTTAC)
was held recently in national capital to assess the Center�s
activities since its inauguration in February 2017 and to review the Fiscal
Year 2018 Work Plan.
2. Officials from all 6 Member countries attended the meeting, together with
the Development Partner representatives (the European Union, the United
Kingdom, Australia, and USAID), and IMF staff.
? SARTTAC, the newest addition to the IMF�s global network of fourteen
regional centres, is a new kind of capacity development institution, fully
integrating customized hands-on training with targeted technical advice in a
range of macroeconomic and financial areas, and generating synergies
between the two. It was inaugurated at Delhi in February 2017.
? SARTTAC is financed mainly by its six member countries � Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka � with additional support from
Australia, the Republic of Korea, the European Union and the United
Kingdom.
? SARTTAC�s strategic goal is to help its member countries strengthen their
institutional and human capacity to design and implement macroeconomic
and financial policies that promote growth and reduce poverty.
? SARTTAC will allow the IMF to meet more of the high demand for technical
assistance and training from the region. Through its team of international
resident experts, SARTTAC is expected to become the focal point for the
delivery of IMF capacity development services to South Asia.
43. International Committee of Military Medicine (ICMM)
? The 42nd World Congress of the International Committee of Military
Medicine (ICMM) was recently organised by the Armed Forces Medical
Services (AFMS) under the aegis of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
? The event was organised for the first time in India, and was the largest
medical conference ever organised by the AFMS.
? The theme of this 42nd World Congress is �Military Medicine in Transition:
Looking Ahead.�
? The ICMM is an international inter-governmental organisation created in
1921 with its secretariat at Brussels in Belgium and currently has 112 nations
as members.
? The ICMM was established after World War I had revealed the lack of care
provided to victims and the need to strengthen cooperation between the
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health services of the armed forces worldwide. NOTES
? The main objective of the ICMM is to ensure that our medical services
personnel have the means to work together, using similar practices, in
operations involving international cooperation.
? This is a long-term goal, and the ICMM can work towards achieving this in a
number of ways:
o by encouraging activities at which scientific and technical experience is
shared,
o by developing contacts with the scientific community,
o by promoting regional events.
? This will enable us to pool our resources and work experience of military
medicine, both in the theatre of operations and in a support role in the case of
crisis situations.

-> International Geological Congress


? A high level delegation of the International Union of Geological Sciences
(IUGS) recently visited India to discuss the preparatory aspects of the 36th
International Geological Congress (IGC) to be held in Delhi, India in the year
2020.
? Background:
o Described as the Olympics of Geosciences, the IGCs are held
quadrennially under the aegis of the IUGS through a process of global
bidding.
o India won the bid in 2012 at Brisbane, Australia to host the Congress in
2020.
o The event makes a come back to the Indian soil after nearly 6 decades.
o The event is being jointly funded by the Ministry of Mines and
Ministry of Earth Sciences with the active support of the Indian
National Science Academy (INSA), and the Science Academies of the
other neighbouring co-host countries, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan
and Sri Lanka.
? International Geological Congress (IGC) is the prestigious global platform for
advancement of Earth Science.
? The first session of IGC assembled in 1878 in France with an aim to provide the
global geological community with an opportunity to create an organizational
frame work for meeting at regular intervals.
? Management:
o Founded as a non-profit scientific and educational organization in
1878, IGC came under the aegis of International Union of Geological
Sciences (IUGS) in 1961.
o Since then the meetings of IGC are held in collaboration and under
scientific sponsorship of IUGS.
? Previous congresses:
o Since the inception of IGC, 33 Congresses have been hosted by 24
countries throughout the world at 3- to 5-year intervals.
o The 35th IGC was held at Capetown, South Africa in 2016.
? IUGS:
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o The IUGS was founded in 1961 and is a Scientific Union member of the NOTES
International Council for Science (ICSU), which it recognizes as the
coordinating body for the international organization of science.
o Currently geologists from 121 countries (and regions) are represented
in IUGS through 121 Adhering Organization.
o It is an international non-governmental organization devoted to
international cooperation in the field of geology.
o IUGS is a joint partner with UNESCO for the International Geoscience
Programme (IGCP) and they also participate in the Global Network of
National Geoparks (GGN).

-> Financial Action Task Force (FATF)


? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global anti- money laundering
watchdog has placed Pakistan back on its terrorist financing watchlist.
? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body
established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7.
? It is a �policy-making body� which works to generate the necessary political
will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in various areas.
? Objectives:
o 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 financial system.
? What it does?
o The FATF monitors the progress of its members in implementing
necessary measures, reviews money laundering and terrorist financing
techniques and counter-measures, and promotes the adoption and
implementation of appropriate measures globally.
o In collaboration with other international stakeholders, the FATF works
to identify national-level vulnerabilities with the aim of protecting the
international financial system from misuse.
? There are currently 37 members of the FATF; 35 jurisdictions including India
and 2 regional organisations (the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European
Commission).
? There are also 31 international and regional organisations which are Associate
Members or Observers of the FATF.

-> International North�South Transport Corridor (INSTC)


? India, Iran and Russia had in September 2000 signed the INSTC agreement to
build a corridor to provide the shortest multi-model transportation route
linking the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran and
St Petersburg.
? From St Petersburg, North Europe is within easy reach via the Russian
Federation. The estimated capacity of the corridor is 20-30 million tonnes of
goods per year.
? The route primarily involves moving freight from India, Iran, Azerbaijan and
Russia via ship, rail and road.
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? The objective of the corridor is to increase trade connectivity between major
NOTES
cities such as Mumbai, Moscow, Tehran, Baku, Bandar Abbas, Astrakhan,
Bandar Anzali and etc.
? INSTC will not only help cut down on costs and time taken for transfer of
goods from India to Russia and Europe via Iran but also provide an alternative
connectivity initiative to countries in the Eurasian region.
? It will be India�s second corridor after the Chabahar Port to access resource
rich Central Asia and its market.

-> Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)


1. political and economic alliance of six countries in the Arabian Peninsula:
Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE
2. Established in 1981, the GCC promotes economic, security, cultural and
social cooperation between the six states and
holds a summit every year to discuss cooperation and regional affairs.
? Due to their geographic proximity, similar
political systems and common sociocultural
stances, the immediate goal was
for these countries to protect themselves
from threats after the Iran-Iraq War.
? The GCC comprises six main branches that carry out various tasks, from the
preparation of meetings to the implementation of policies.
o They are- Supreme Council, Ministerial Council, Secretariat-General,
Consultative Commission, Commission for the Settlement of Disputes
and the Secretary-General.
? All current member states are monarchies, including
o Three constitutional monarchies (Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain),
o Two absolute monarchies (Saudi Arabia and Oman), and
o One federal monarchy (the United Arab Emirates, which is composed
of six member states, each of which is an absolute monarchy with its
own emir).

-> Raisina Dialogue 3rd edition of the geo-political conference � Raisina Dialogue
(New delhi)
1. inaugurated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
2. The event is jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and
Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
3. The theme of the conference- �Managing Disruptive Transitions: Ideas,
Institutions and Idioms�.
4. The name of conference comes from Raisina Hill which is the elevation in New
Delhi where Rashtrapati Bhavan is located.
5. It is organized on the lines of the Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore.
6. The first edition of the conference was held in March 2016 with the theme
�Asia: Regional and Global Connectivity�.
7. It is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectorial conclave, involving
policy and decision makers, including cabinet ministers from various
Governments, high-level Government officials and policy practitioners,
leading personalities from business and industry etc.
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# International relations

-> Border personnel meetings ( annual meetings at border as Confidence building


measures)
1. China unilaterally withdrew from it
2. five BPM points along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Bum La and Kibithu
in Arunachal Pradesh, Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in Ladakh, and Nathu La
in Sikkim

-> BBIN MVA


1. The four SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries
had in June 2015 signed the Motor Vehicle Agreement.
2. The pact aims at allowing motor vehicles of all categories registered in
three countries to move freely in the region.
3. The pact aims to realise the ultimate objective of free movement of people
and goods in the region and said that this would be supplemented through
the building and upgrading roads, railways and waterways infrastructure.

-> Integrated Check post (ICPs)


1. ICP not only provides various services under one roof but is also equipped
with cargo process building, cargo inspection sheds, warehouse, cold
storage, currency exchange counters, Internet hubs, clearing agents, banks, vehicle
scanners, isolation bay and parking.
2. Need for ICPs: The borders need to be secured against interests hostile to
the country. Putting in place systems that are able to interdict such
elements while facilitating legitimate trade and commerce are among the principal
objectives behind setting up the new ICPs. It is therefore necessary to
undertake integrated development of infrastructure at the entry points on our land
borders.

-> India the Extradition Act, 1962 regulates the surrender of a person to another
country or the request for arrest of a person in a foreign land.
1. The act specifies that any conduct of a person in India or in a foreign
state that is mentioned in the list of extradition offence and is
punishable with minimum one year of imprisonment qualifies for extradition request.
The process has to be initiated by the central government.

2. In the case of countries with which India does not have such a treaty, the
central government can by notified order treat any convention to which
India and the foreign country is a party as the extradition treaty providing for
extradition with respect to the offences specified in that convention.
3. If the extradition request has come from two or more countries then the
government has the rights to decide which of them is the fittest for the
request.

-> New agenda coaliation


1. an group asking India Israel Pak to give up their nuclear arsenal/
disarmanent and sign NPT

-> NPT:
1. It is an international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of
nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the
peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear
disarmament and general and complete disarmament. The Treaty entered
into force in 1970.
2. Four UN member states have never joined the NPT: India, Israel, Pakistan
and South Sudan. North Korea, which acceded to the NPT in 1985 but never
came into compliance, announced its withdrawal in 2003.
3. Recognized nuclear-weapon states: The treaty recognizes five states as
nuclear-weapon states: the United States, Russia, the United
Kingdom, France, and China.
4. The NPT is interpreted as a three-pillar system, with an implicit balance
among them:
the three pillars are: 1) Non-proliferation 2) Disarmament 3) The right to
peacefully use nuclear technology.

-> NSG/WA/Austrailan group/MTCR

-> 1951 Refugee Convention

The 1951 Refugee Convention is the key legal document that forms the basis of our
work. Ratified? by 145 State parties, it defines the term �refugee� and outlines
the rights of the displaced, as well as the legal obligations of States to protect
them.

The core principle is non-refoulement, which asserts that a refugee should not be
returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
This is now considered a rule of customary international law.

UNHCR serves as the �guardian� of the 1951 Convention and its 1967 Protocol.
According to the legislation, States are expected to cooperate with us in ensuring
that the rights of refugees are respected and protected.

# Investment in Indian /Economic relationships#

-> NIIF
1. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority investing in NIIF

-> IBSA trust fund agreement (IBSA dialogue forum 2003; formalizied by Brazilia
declaration 2003)
1. measure of south-south cooperation among democracies
2. contribution of 1million $ for poverty eradication in south developing
countries through UNDP

-> FATF

-> Asia�s Private Infrastructure Fund (LEAP):


1. Leading Asia�s Private Sector Infrastructure Fund (LEAP) was established in
March 2016.
2. The fund is an infrastructure co-financing fund, expected to leverage and
complement ADB�s existing nonsovereign platform to fill financing gaps and
increase access to finance for infrastructure projects in the region.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has made a contribution to the
fund.
3. This includes potential projects in India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the
Philippines, and Thailand

# Geographical dispute #

-> ASEAN
Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and the seeking
of an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea at the ASEAN
Summit in New Delhi
-> FMR (free movement regime -> with Myanmar 16 KM)

-> China mediation for Rohingya crisis

-> Important maritime operation and naval in QUAD

# UN #

-> Peacekeeping force


1. contribute for peacekeeping mission Troops and Police contributing countries

2. Despite contribution only UNSC has say in mandates


3. United Nations Peacekeeping was created in 1948.
4. Its first mission involved the establishment of the UN Truce Supervision
Organization (UNTSO), which served to observe and maintain
ceasefire during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
5. UN Peacekeeping maintains three basic principles: Consent of the parties,
impartiality and non-use of Force except in self-defence and
defence of the mandate.

-> UNESCO:
1. UNESCO is a United Nations organization that helps preserve historical and
cultural sites worldwide.
2. It is a special multi-country agency, formed in 1945 and based in France,
that promotes sex education and literacy as well as improving gender
equality in countries around the world.
3. It is also known for its work to preserve cultural and heritage sites such
as ancient villages, ruins and temples, and historic sites such as the
Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq, which at one point came under threat of being
destroyed by the Islamic State

-> ICJ election :

# Multilateral forums #

-> World economic forum


1. Inclusive development index

-> EBRD
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India and Bangladesh and china

1) Ashuganj inland port


2) Zangmu hydroelectricity dam, situated in the middle reaches of the Brahmaputra,
has raised concerns in India over downstream water supply. This damming, along with
that of the Ganga, could exacerbate Bangladesh�s downstream water scarcty.
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# Jan, 2018

->
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-------------------------
# Dec, 2017
-> International organisation for migration (1951, geneva/ related to UN in 2016)
It is an intergovernmental organization in the field of migration to promote
humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all.
India became a member state in 2008
International Conventions governing Migration
1. The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol
(Refugee Convention) establish a framework of surrogate protection
for refugees.
2. Palermo Protocol to the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
(UNCTOC) dealing with Trafficking and Smuggling.
3. Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members
of Their Families (ICRMW), 1990.

-> Wassenaar Agreement (1996, 42 members (except CHINA all UNSC members, Successor
of Cold war CoCom vinnea)
1. Multilateral export control regime in transfer of conventional arms and dual
use goods and technology
2. India declared list SCOMET Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials,
Equipment and Technologies
3. open doors for india for importing and exporting dual use technology ->
military and civilian

-> New US security Strategy


1. Indo pacific -> Western coast of India to western pacific coast of US

-> International Maritime Organisation


1. IMO is a specialised United Nations agency which is committed towards safe,
secure and efficient shipping on clean ocean and plays an
important role to create fair, effective and universally accepted
regulatory framework.
2. It is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the IMO has 172 Member States
and three Associate Members.
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974:
It aims to specify minimum standards for construction, equipment and operation
of ships, compatible with their safety

-> China-Maldives FTA

->UN�s Global Compact on Migration ( non-binding in charater, 2016 in NY came in


force, US withdrew)
1. It is the first, inter-governmentally negotiated agreement and is framed
consistent with target 10.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development in which member States committed to cooperate internationally to
facilitate safe, orderly and regular migration

-> Permanent Structured Cooperation on Defence (Britain, Denmark, Malta not member)
European Union adopted the decision to establish a European Union defence pact
About the Pact
1. Intergovernmental, binding, permanent framework and a structured process to
gradually deepen defence cooperation within EU framework
2. Aim is to jointly develop defence capabilities and make them available for EU
military operations
3. Member states can also make the military capabilities available under PESCO
for United Nations and NATO as well

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# Nov, 2017

-> Belt and road initiatives (OBOR)


referred as New great game ( 19th century -> Britain; 20th century -> Russia)
Rail route ( yiwu -> Xian -> Urumqi -> Moscow -> Rotterdam -> Barking ->
Madrid)
Road route "One belt" ( Xian(China) -> Urumqi -> Almaty -> BISHKEK -> Kara
Balta-> Tehran -> Istanbul -> Moscow -> Rotterdam-> Venice
Sea route "One road" (Zhangziang -> Kaula Lumpur -> Kolkata -> Hambantota ->
Nairobi-> Venice)
CPEC (Kashgar -> Gwadar)
CMEC ( Kumming -> Kyaukypu)

-> ASEAN ( 10 Countries -> IMPTS CLMV Brunie, 1967)


Important events -> 1) ASEAN meet 2) EAS meet 3) RCEP (ASEAN + 6) 4) ASEAN
business and investment summit 5) QUAD
ASEAN Regional Forum meeting are essential part of it
FTA in goods 2010; FTA in investment and service 2014
Comprehensive economic cooperation agreement CECA with ASEAN countries boosted
investment and trade ties

-> EAS ( 16 countries -> E/SE/S Asian, 2005 )

-> QUAD (informal strategic dialogue not like NATO)


free and open indo pacific; All member of EAS and APEC(except India)

-> SL-INDIA
Mattala Airport -> india developed airport in reaction to Chinese increasing
influence
Tricomalee Port -> Oil tank farm developed by india
Hambantota airport and colombo port project given to India in order to balance
Chinese influence and debt trap

-> International of Justice (1945, part of UN, 15 judges for 9 years, nominated for
PCA, no two judges from same nationality;UNSC and UNGA select)
1st time in the 70-year history of the United Nations that the U.K. no
representation among the panel of judges ICJ
1st time that one of the five permanent members of the UNSC lost out to an
ordinary member in a race
loss in ICJ is being read as confirmation of the U.K.�s diminishing role in
global affairs
1st time that one sitting member of the ICJ lost to another sitting member.
Bhandari is the fourth Indian judge to be elected to the ICJ after B.N. Rau,
Nagendra Singh and R.S. Pathak.

1) Established in 1945, at Hague as the primary judicial branch of UN.


2) It settles legal disputes submitted to it by states and provides advisory
opinions on legal questions submitted to it by duly authorized
international branches, agencies, and the UN General Assembly.
3) The ICJ is composed of 15 judges elected to 9 year terms from a list of
people nominated by the national groups in the Permanent Court of
Arbitration. No two judges can be of the same nationality.
4) Judges are elected by members of the UN General Assembly and the UNSC, where
polling takes place simultaneously but independent of each other. A
candidate needs absolute majority in both bodies to be elected.
5) All members of the UN are automatic parties to the statute, but it gets
jurisdiction only on the basis of consent of both parties.

-> India Singapore Bilateral agreement on naval cooperation (Changi for refueling)
Straits of Malacca -> Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia (India blocked
this choke point against China)

-> UN Development Partnership Fund (UNDPF)


India-UN Development Partnership Fund (UNDPF) is a dedicated facility within
the United Nations Fund for South-South Cooperation established in 2017.
It supports Southern-owned and led, demand-driven, and transformational
sustainable development projects across the developing world, with a focus on
least developed countries and small island developing states.
United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), hosted by UNDP
since 1974, was established by the UN General Assembly with a mandate to
advocate for and coordinate South-South and triangular cooperation (collaboration
and partnerships between South-South-North countries) on a global and
UN system-wide basis.

-> GCCS 2017 ( 1st -> London -> Budapest ->Seoul -> Hague ->Delhi) all are OECD
countries bienially -> growth/ digital inclusion/ security/ diplo)
It was launched with a view to establish internationally agreed �rules of the
road� for behavior in cyberspace, and create a more focused and inclusive
dialogue between all those with a stake in the internet (governments, civil society
and industry) on how to implement them.
It has set up an institutional mechanism � Global Forum on Cyber Expertise � to
enhance capacity building, share best practices and expertise on cyber
capacity
Theme of GCCS 2017 is �Cyber4All: A Secure and Inclusive Cyberspace for
Sustainable Development�. However it could further be divided into following
four sections:
1) Cyber4Growth � share ideas and insights to foster growth and development
with growing importance of the cyber space to individuals, small
businesses, large companies etc.
2) Cyber4DigitalInclusion �draw road map for inclusive society by sharing best
practices for digital identity, idea of open and free Internet for all,
digital technologies for enabling differently abled etc.
3) Cyber4Security �framework for comprehensive cyber security protocols for
organisations and nations.
4) Cyber4Diplomacy �explore various facets of cyber security such as interstate
cooperation for preventing Cyber Warfare and Cyber Diplomacy for Global
Order

-> GES Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2017 - Hyderabad


1) theme -> Women first prosperity for all
2) India is third largest start-up hub in the world specifically focussing on
technology start-ups
3) It will give Indian entrepreneurs an opportunity to interact and network
with the investors and entrepreneurs from across the globe
4) It will also highlight India�s enabling environment for innovation and
entrepreneurship

Government steps for women entrepreneurship


Trade related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD),
Mahila Vikas Nidhi, Training programs � National Small Industries Cooperations,
Small Industries Services Institutes (SISIs) etc.
Government has framed National Policy for Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship 2015 in which it is specifically promoting entrepreneurship
among women and also the skill training of women.

-> EBRD (european bank for reconstruction and development)


1) It is a multilateral developmental investment bank, established in 1991.
2) It initially focused to help former Communist states build their economies
after the Cold War and then expanded to support development in
more than 30 countries from central Europe to central Asia.
3) It works only in countries that are "committed to democratic principles",
using investment as a tool to build market economies.

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# Oct

-> India-EU (14th India-EU summit)


International solar alliance and European Investment Bank
Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)
1) The deadlocked is due to issues including India�s pitch for a �data secure�
status (important for India's IT sector to do more business with EU
firms) as well as to ease norms on temporary movement of skilled workers.
2) There are differences over the EU�s demands on elimination of India�s duties
on goods such as automobiles and wines and spirits.
3) EU is keen on finalization of an India-EU Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)
before the re-launch of the FTA talks while India wants to make
�investment protection� a part of the negotiations on the proposed comprehensive
FTA.

-> Chabahar Port


1) Kandla port of Gujarat connected to Chabahar ( Zahedan -> Zerang -> delaram
-> Kabul -> Central Asian countries access)
2) International North � South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
It is a multimodal transportation established in 2000 by India, Russia and
Iran.
It aims to link Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via Iran,
and onward to northern Europe via St. Petersburg in Russia.
Later INSTC was expanded to include 10 new members namely Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine,
Belarus, Oman and Syria.

-> India- Djibouti


1) vicinity of Gulf of Aden, red sea, Yemen, Eritieria, somalia, Ethiopio (Horn
-> strategically important) China established its military base

-> Iran Nuclear deal JCPOA


1) An agreement signed between Iran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of
the U.N.S.C and Germany) in 2015 that removed economic sanctions against
the country after it agreed to a Joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA).
2) This plan ensured that Iran will drastically reduce its uranium enriching
capacity and levels, enriched stockpiles and centrifuges, and will
allow for stringent inspection and monitoring by international agencies.
3) The IAEA certified in its latest quarterly report on August 31, 2017, that
Iran has complied with the JCPOA and that its stock of low-enriched
uranium and centrifuges for enrichment are in line with the nuclear pact.

-> International Atomic Energy Agency


1) It is an autonomous international organization that reports annually to the
UN General Assembly.
2) It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and
technology, contributing to international peace and security and the
United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

-> UNESCO
1) Its aim is "to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of
poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through
education, the sciences, culture, communication and information"
2) It was established in 1946 and is based in Paris.
3) It has 195 member states and ten associate members.
4) Its five major programs are:
1) Education 2) Natural sciences 3) Social/human sciences 4) Culture 5)
Communication/information

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# Sept 2017

-> BRICS 2017 Xiamen (china)


Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)
1) Proposed first by India in 1996.
2) It includes adoption of universal definition of terrorism, steps for cutting
off access of terrorist groups to funds and safe havens and also calls
for amending domestic laws to make crossborder terrorism an extraditable offence
India 10 point commitment
BRICS Energy Research Cooperation Platform was encouraged and relevant entities
were urged to continue to promote joint research on energy cooperation and
energy efficiency
BRICS leaders agreed to promote the development of BRICS Local Currency Bond
Markets and jointly establish a BRICS Local Currency Bond Fund, as a means of
contribution to the capital sustainability of financing in BRICS countries

-> BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) is a framework for the provision of
support through liquidity and precautionary instruments in response to
actual or potential short-term balance of payments pressures. It was established in
2015 by the BRICS countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

-> Asia Africa growth corridor

-> Japan HSR Mumbai Ahmedabad soft loan

-> Operation Insaniyat (COX BAZAR -> Bangladesh)


The Ministry of External Affairs has started Operation Insaniyat to provided
assistance to Bangladesh in response to humanitarian crisis being faced by
it due to large influx of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

-> BRICS Cooperation Memorandum Relating to Credit Ratings


1) It would enable sharing of credit ratings information amongst the BRICS
member banks and helps to mitigate the credit risks associated
with cross-border financing.
2) In future, such mechanism could also serve as precursor to the proposal of
having an alternate rating agency by BRICS nations.

-> BRICS Interbank Local Currency Credit Line Agreement


1) It is a non-binding umbrella agreement which would serve as an enabler to
enter into bilateral agreements with member banks subject to
national laws, regulations and internal policies of the signatories.
2) Local currencies usage will promote mutually beneficial economic
cooperation, mitigate currency risks, increase trade, and facilitate
companies in accessing the BRICS markets.

-> India China joint WTO proposal to squash total 'Aggregate Measurement of
Support' (AMS) or 'Amber Box' subsidy.
Read WTO peace clause; Nairobi and bali WTO

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# Aug 2017

-> TAPI gas pipeline (Asian developmnet bank)


1. The pipeline that is set to cross over 1,700 km, through Herat and
Balochistan before reaching the Indian Punjab border will draw from the
world�s second largest natural gas field of Galkynysh.
2. The TAPI pipeline will have a capacity to carry 90 million standard cubic
metres a day (mscmd) gas for a 30-year period. It will come into
operation in 2018.
3. India and Pakistan would get 38 mmscmd each, while the remaining 14 mscmd
will be supplied to Afghanistan.
The US is backing the TAPI pipeline as an alternative to the Iran-Pakistan-
India line in its efforts to restrict Tehran financially over its suspected
nuclear weapon programme.
4. The pipeline runs through Galkynysh field (Turkmenistan), Afghanistan�s
Herat and Kandahar province, Pakistan�s Multan via Quetta and ends at
Fazilka in Punjab (India).

-> RCEP
1) The RCEP is billed as an FTA between the 10-member ASEAN bloc and its six FTA
partners � India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New
Zealand
2) When inked, it would become the world�s biggest free trade pact. This is
because the 16 nations account for a total GDP (Purchasing Power
Parity, or PPP basis) of about $50 trillion (or about 40% of the global GDP) and
house close to 3.5 billion people (about half the world�s
population).
3) The RCEP �guiding principles and objectives� state that the �negotiations on
trade in goods, trade in services, investment and other areas will
be conducted in parallel to ensure a comprehensive and balanced outcome.�
4) The proposed FTA, aims to boost goods trade by eliminating most tariff and
non-tariff barriers � a move that is expected to provide the region�s
consumers greater choice of quality products at affordable rates. It also seeks to
liberalise investment norms and do away with services trade
restrictions.
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-------------------------
# March april

1. IWT 1960

2. Kabul peace process

3. CHOGM -> Commonwealth Head of govt meets -> prosperity + security + sustainblity
+ fairness
Blue charter of ocean governance + Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda for Trade
and Investment
Commonwealth Cyber Declaration, Commonwealth Innovation Fund and Commonwealth
Innovation Index were also announced
It is a group of 53 states, all of which (except for two i.e. Rwanda and
Mozambique) were formerly part of the British Empire. Further
Myanmar and Aden (now part of Yemen) are the only former British colonies who
elected not to join the Commonwealth

4. Cloud Act

5. India Nordic summit -> Stockholm

6. Asian premium -> OPEC -> India + China-> It is the extra charge being collected
by OPEC countries from Asian countries when selling oil.
The Asian premium has its roots in the establishment of market oriented crude
pricing in 1986.
There are 3 important benchmarks in global market, representing the cost of oil
produced in respective geographies.
Brent: Light sweet oil representative of European market
West Texas Intermediate(WTI): US market
Dubai/Oman

7. AARDO -> 1962 -> 33 Afro asian countries

8. ITLOS -> UNCLOS -> 1982 -> 1994 -> ISA -> judges for 9 years

9. UN road safety Trust fund -> by United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

10. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ->1947 by ECOSOC, (United Nation
Economic and Social Council) a regional commission
UNECE includes 56-member States in Europe, North America and Asia.
India is not a member country to it.
Its major aim is to promote pan-European economic integration.

11. SOUTH ASIA COOPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM (SACEP) -> 1992 -> BBINS MAP

12. South Asian Seas Programme


It is one of the 18 Regional Seas Programmes of UNEP.
The South Asian Seas Action Plan was adopted in March 1995 and today enjoys
the unqualified support of the region�s five countries (Bangladesh, India,
Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka

13. SOUTH ASIAN CLIMATE OUTLOOK FORUM (SASCOF)


It was established in 2010 by the South Asian members of the World
Meteorological Organization (specialised agency of UN for
Meteorology, operational hydrology and related geophysical science).

14. International energy forum

15. UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) is an Office of the United Nations
Secretariat established in January 1998 as the Department for Disarmament
Affairs
Its goal is to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation and the
strengthening of the disarmament regimes in respect to other
weapons of mass destruction, chemical and biological weapons.
It also promotes disarmament efforts in the area of conventional weapons,
especially landmines and small arms, which are often the weapons of
choice in contemporary conflicts.

16. UN Security Council Resolution 1540 -> 2004 under UN Charter and affirms that
the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons and their means
of delivery constitutes a threat to international peace and security.

17. IMF -> WEO -> project higher growth rates for india
18. UN BROADBAND COMMISSION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT -> 2010 -> UNESCO -> ITU

19. GSP is a preferential treatment that US government gives when products are
imported from one of 120 designated developing and developed countries. ->
Generalized System of Preferences -> India + Indonesia + Kazastan -> UNSTR

20. VIDESH AYA PRADESH KE DWAAR

21. Studya in india program -> MHRD -> foreign meritorious students to fee wavier
study in india

22. E-FOREIGNERS REGIONAL REGISTRATION OFFICE SCHEME (E-FRRO)


It is a web based application introduced by Indian Bureau of Immigration,
aimed at providing fast and efficient services to foreigners vising India

22. Milan + XML + Vajra prahar + Sagar Kavach +

23. Aqaba process -> jordan

24. Panmunjom Declaration

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