CSE PRELIMS 2020:

VALUE ADDITION SERIES PART-III

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
 LEARN, UNLEARN
& RE-LEARN

S. No. Chapter Name Page No.

01. India and Its Neighbourhood 2-3
02. India and US Relations 4-4
03. International Issues 5-7
International Organizations and
04. Summits in News
8-10

05. Miscellaneous 11-11

1 | VALUE ADDITION MATERIAL PART III: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

 INDIA AND ITS
NEIGHBOURHOOD 01
1. India and Afghan Peace Process 3. Sakteng Sanctuary and China
2. India and Nepal Relationship

1. India and Afghan Peace Process

Context:
The United Nations Secretariat conducted a meeting of what it calls the “6+2+1”.

Details:
 The group includes six neighbouring countries of Afghanistan namely China, Iran, Pakistan,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
 The '2' indicates the two global players - the U. S. and Russia, and '1', Afghanistan itself.
 India is not a member of 6+2+1 and the reason given for keeping India out of the discussions
was that it holds no boundary with Afghanistan.
 India’s stake in Afghanistan - India owns the mining rights of the Hajigak iron ore deposits and
funded the construction of Zaranj–Delaram road in Afghanistan, which gives landlocked
Afghanistan access to the sea via Iran through Chabahar port.

2. India and Nepal Relationship

Context:
There is renewed tension between India and Nepal over the Kalapani territorial issue.

Details:
 Kalapani lies on the easternmost corner of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, between Nepal
and India.
 The Kalapani region derives its name from the river Kali. Nepal’s claims to the region are based
on this river.
 The River became the marker of the boundary of the kingdom of Nepal following the Treaty of
Sugauli which was signed between the Gurkha rulers of Kathmandu and the East India
Company after the Gurkha War/Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16).
 The Nepali cabinet decided to adopt a new political map. It claims not only Lipulekh pass but
also other areas that are in Indian Territory that has been claimed by Nepal.
 Nepal claims this by invoking the 1816 Sugauli treaty with the British.

2 | VALUE ADDITION MATERIAL PART III: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

 Figure: Kalapani Region
Source: The Wire. In

3. Sakteng Sanctuary and China

Context:
Bhutan has issued a demarche to China over its attempt to declare a Bhutanese wildlife sanctuary as a
disputed territory. The demarche was a follow-up to protests earlier against China’s attempt to make
a non-dispute into a quarrel.

Details:

Figure: Sakteng Sanctuary and China dispute

Source: The Hindu

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 INDIA AND US
RELATIONS 02
Context:
The Indo-U. S. Fellowship for Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and
Medicine (WISTEMM) program of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in association
with the Indo-U. S. Science & Technology Forum (IUSSTF) have provided international exposure to
several women scientists.

Details:
 WISTEMM aims to provide opportunities to Indian Women Scientists, Engineers &
Technologists to undertake international collaborative research in premier institutions in the U.
S. A, to enhance their research capacities and capabilities
 The fellowship is for bright Indian women Citizens within the age bracket of 21 to 45 years.
 The funding support extended under the program includes stipend, airfare, health insurance,
contingency and conference allowances.

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 INTERNATIONAL
ISSUES 03
1. Israel and the United Arab Emirates 4. Open Skies Treaty (OST)
Diplomatic Agreement 5. U. S Sanctions on ICC Officials
2. Korean Peninsula’s Denuclearization 6. Impact of VISA ban by the US on Indian
3. Zero yield IT Companies

1. Israel and the United Arab Emirates Diplomatic Agreement

Context:
Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed a major diplomatic agreement (Abraham Accord)
agreeing for full normalization of relations in exchange for Israel suspending annexation of occupied
West Bank territory.

Details:
 Israel pledged to suspend its ambitions to annex parts of the West Bank.
 In the 1967 Middle East War Israel occupied the West Bank. But, in 2019, the Israeli Prime
Minister stated that he had plans to annex the Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
 With this agreement, UAE became the first Gulf country to establish diplomatic and economic
relations with Israel.

2. Korean Peninsula’s Denuclearisation

Context:
There is an international demand for the Korean Peninsula‘s denuclearisation.

Details:
 The formal declaration of an end to the Korean War took place in the 1950s.
 There is a sense of mistrust prevailing between North Korea on one side and the US and South
Korea on the other. Leaders of these countries have met but not feel fruitful yet.
 Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) - Recently, North Korea threatened to send troops to DMZ.
 DMZ is a region on the Korean peninsula that demarcates North Korea from South Korea.
 It is a 2 km-wide buffer, stretching coast to coast across the peninsula.
 It roughly follows latitude 38° N (the 38th parallel), the original demarcation line between North
Korea and South Korea at the end of World War II.

5 | VALUE ADDITION MATERIAL PART III: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

 Source: USA today.com

3. Zero Yield

Context:
 The U. S. suspects that China may have secretly set off low-level underground nuclear test
explosions despite claiming to observe an international pact banning such blasts.

Details:
 The term “Zero Yield” refers to a nuclear test in which there is no explosive chain reaction of
the type ignited by the detonation of a nuclear warhead.
 U. S. concerns about Beijing‘s possible breaches of a zero yield standard for test blasts have been
prompted by activities at China‘s Lop Nur nuclear test site throughout 2019.
 China‘s possible preparation to operate its Lop Nur test site year-round and a lack of
transparency on its nuclear testing activities raise concerns regarding its adherence to the zero
yield standard.

4. Open Skies Treaty (OST)

Context:
The US has decided to withdraw from the treaty claiming Russia’s non-compliance with OST
protocols.

Details:
 The treaty was signed in 1992 between NATO members and former Warsaw Pact countries
following the demise of the Soviet Union.
 It came into effect in 2002 and currently has 35 signatories along with one non-ratifying
member (Kyrgyzstan). India is not a member of this treaty.
 Under the treaty, a member state can spy on any part of the host nation, with the latter’s consent.
 The aim of the treaty was to build confidence among members through mutual openness, thus
reducing the chances of accidental war.
 Now, experts are contemplating the fate of the US-Russia New START nuclear arms control
agreement, which will expire in February 2021.

5. U. S Sanctions on ICC Officials

Context:
 The U. S. has authorized sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) officials
involved in investigations into possible war crimes by US troops or those of its all- considering
the international law forum, the ICC, a threat to US sovereignty.

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Details:
 The ICC is a permanent judicial body based at The Hague, Netherlands.
 It was created by the 1998 Rome Statute (ICC's founding and governing document).
 The ICC began functioning on 1 July 2002 when the Statute came into force.
 India is not a member of the ICC.

6. Impact of VISA ban by the US on Indian IT Companies

Context:
 The US administration extended the 60-day ban on immigration and non-immigrant worker
visas until the end of 2020.
 Since the ban is effective immediately, the processing of all new H-1B, H-2B, J, and L visa
categories stand suspended.
 So, those who do not have a valid non-immigrant visa as of 23 June 2020 and are outside of the
US, will not be allowed to enter the country until 31 December 2020.

Details: Different Categories of Visas

 Immigrant Visas: It is valid for foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the US.
 Non-immigrant Visas: These are for foreign nationals willing to enter the US on a temporary
basis, for purposes like tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, etc.
 H-1B Visas: These are issued for people to work in a specialty occupation. It requires a higher
education degree of its equivalent.
 L1 Visas: This allows companies to transfer highly skilled workers to the US for a period of up to
7 years.
 H-2B Visas: It allows food and agricultural workers to seek employment in the US.

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 INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATIONS
AND SUMMITS IN 04
NEWS
1. UNSC Elections 5. International Platform on Sustainable
2. COVID Action Platform-WEF Finance (IPSF)
3. International Finance Facility for 6. Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)
Immunization (IFFIm) 7. Global Partnership on Artificial
4. Global Education Coalition-UNESCO Intelligence (GPAI)
8. Loya Jirga

1. UNSC Elections

Context:
 India’s election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) elections as a non-permanent
member is a significant diplomatic victory for the country.

Details:
 Other non-permanent members included Germany, Indonesia, South Africa, Mexico, etc
 UNSC - It has 15 members and each Member has one vote. Out of the 15 members, 5 are
permanent and 10 are non-permanent members with 2-year tenure.
 Function - It dispatches military operations, imposes sanctions, mandates arms inspections,
deploys election monitors, etc.

Figure: About UNSC

Image Source: UN website

2. COVID Action Platform-WEF

Context:
 The World Economic Forum recently launched the COVID Action Platform.

8 | VALUE ADDITION MATERIAL PART III: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Details:
 The platform was launched by WEF in response to this COVID emergency, in partnership with
the World Health Organization (WHO).
 The aim of this platform is to catalyse private-sector support for the global public health response
to COVID-19.

3. International Finance Facility for Immunization (IFFIm)

Context:
 The International Finance Facility for Immunization was in the news because of COVID-19.
 It was also in the news because the rating agency FITCH downgraded IFFIm.

Details:
 The International Finance Facility for Immunization was set up in 2006.
 It is a multilateral development institution aimed to accelerate the availability of predictable,
long-term funds for health and immunization programs through the GAVI Alliance in 70 of the
poorest countries around the world.
 IFFIm was created as a development financing tool to help the international community achieve
the Millennium Development Goals.

4. Global Education Coalition-UNESCO

Context:
 In the wake of COVID-19, the Global Education Coalition was launched by UNESCO.

Details:
 It is a platform for collaboration and exchange to protect the right to education during COVID
crisis.
 It brings together more than 140 members from the UN family, civil society, academia and the
private sector to ensure that Learning Never Stops.
 #LearningNeverStops is a campaign under the Global Education Coalition.

5. International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF)

Context:
 On 18 October 2019, the European Union launched the International platform on sustainable
finance (IPSF) along with relevant authorities of Argentina, Canada, Chile, China, India, Kenya
and Morocco.

Details:
 Indonesia, New Zealand, Norway, Senegal, Singapore and Switzerland also joined the IPSF.
 The aim of the IPSF is to scale up the mobilisation of private capital towards environmentally
sustainable investments.
 Together, the 14 members of the IPSF represent 50% of greenhouse gas emissions, 50% of the
world population and 45% of global GDP.

Source: ec.europa.eu

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6 Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS)

Context:
 Alliance of Small Island States recently highlighted their plight due to climate change impacts
and neck-deep debt.

Details:
 It is a coalition of 44 Small Island and low-lying coastal developing states, including five
observers.
 Its mandate is to raise marginalised voices on the global stage, regarding climate change and their
other interests.
 Core focus areas of AOSIS are:
o Climate change
o Sustainable development
o Ocean conservation

7. Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)

Context:
 The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence was launched in June 2020.

Details:
 The Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) is an international initiative created by France and Canada
along with Australia, the European Union, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand,
the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States of
America.
 It seeks to guide responsible development and use of AI in a spirit of respect for human rights,
inclusion, diversity, innovation and economic growth.

8. Loya Jirga

Context:
 The assembly of thousands of prominent Afghans called ‘Loya Jirga’ has approved the release of
about 400 contentious Talibani prisoners in Afghanistan.

Details:
 Loya Jirga is a traditional Afghan meeting of tribal elders and other stakeholders, which is
sometimes held to decide on controversial issues.
 The Loya Jirga is also a constitutional forum in Afghanistan.

10 | VALUE ADDITION MATERIAL PART III: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

 MISCELLANEOUS 05
1. Medical Diplomacy 2. Haftar Forces

1. Medical Diplomacy

Context:
Countries suffering from Novel coronavirus have demanded drugs like Paracetamol and
Hydroxychloroquine from India.

Details:
 Earlier India had imposed a ban on the export of Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) but because of
demand, it had lifted the ban.
 India alone manufactures 70% of the World's Supply of HCQ and this HCQ is also used in
treating Malaria.
 Medical Diplomacy - adding health as a major determinant in foreign policy and diplomatic
relations and can help to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
 India’s prospects for Medical Diplomacy:
1. India has provided medical and pharmaceutical support to other countries.
2. India is the leading producer and exporter of generic medicines
3. Traditional Medicine such as Ayurveda and yoga
4. India is a founding member of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI)
which is an alliance to finance and coordinate the development of new vaccines to prevent
spread.

2. Haftar Forces

 Khalifa Belqasim Haftar is the Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA).
 In 2015, he was appointed commander of the armed forces loyal to the elected legislative body,
the Libyan House of Representatives.
 Under Haftar's leadership, LNA was engaged in the Second Libyan Civil War.
 Recently, LNA rained rockets on the Libyan capital city Tripoli, several homes were hit around
Mitiga air base, the capital's functioning airport.
 The UN-recognized Government of National Unity, which has been battling an offensive against
the capital for just over a year, accused Haftar's forces of taking revenge against Tripoli's civilian
population following their losses.
 The unity government recaptured the coastal cities of Sorman and Sabratha and several inland
towns.

11 | VALUE ADDITION MATERIAL PART III: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

 Congratulations to our toppers

04 Ranks in
Top 10 09 Ranks in
Top 20 13 Ranks in
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RANK 03 RANK 06 RANK 08 RANK 10

Pratibha Verma Vishakha Yadav Abhishek Saraf Sanjita Mohapatra

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