Topics to be covered:

Detailed Analysis:
1. Putin’s visit to the Gulf - Pg 9
2. Surge in Indian illegal migration to US - Pg 9
3. Reservation in Bihar - Pg 10
Topics to be covered:
Prelims Bytes:
4. Section 151A of RPA - Pg 4
5. Financial Stability Board - Pg 10
6. Understanding web browsers - Pg 11
1. Page 9 – GS II (IR)
Context
• Russian President Vladimir Putin has been largely confined
to the Kremlin due to western restrictions.

• But, on December 6 he dramatically set out on whirlwind

tours to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in one day.

• The next day, he received Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in

Moscow.

• And on December 8, Mr. Putin announced that he would be

standing for elections in 2024, affirming that he would be
leading Russia at least up to 2030 and possibly beyond.
Russia – Gulf Relations
• Affirmations of mutual goodwill and camaraderie was evident
from all sides.

• The agenda was self-evident: continued cooperation among

OPEC+ members on oil policy; exchange of views on the
Ukraine and Gaza conflicts; increasing humanitarian
assistance to the Palestinians trapped in Gaza; and enhancing
bilateral political and economic ties.

• Cooperation among “OPEC +” countries led by Saudi Arabia

and Russia, for instance, has ensured that the agreed
production cuts are adhered to and oil prices, much to the
U.S.’s chagrin, remain at levels that serve the producers’
interests.
Oil Geopolitics
Strategic Ties
• Despite their long-standing alliance with the U.S., both the UAE
and Saudi Arabia have in recent years been asserting “strategic
autonomy” and have prioritized expanding ties with China and
Russia.

• The UAE is now Russia’s most important trade partner in the

Gulf.

• Neither the UAE nor Saudi Arabia have supported the U.S.
sponsored sanctions on Russia or criticised the latter for the
Ukraine war.

• Russia-UAE: Investments, Technology

• Russia-Saudi: Civilian Nuclear Technology

Russian Ties with Iran & China
• US v/s Russia + Iran + China

• Substantial bilateral relations in the energy and military areas.

• In March 2023, the Russian, Chinese and Iranian navies carried

out joint exercises in the Gulf of Oman.

• In November, it was reported that Iran would get Sukhoi Su-35

aircraft from Russia, as also training aircraft and attack
helicopters.

• Iran has boosted Russia’s military prowess in Ukraine with

supplies of drones, ammunition and body armour.

• Iran v/s Israel

Putin’s Agenda
• Was there something more to Mr. Putin’s recent
engagements with the major Gulf states?

• The most obvious response is that the trip itself was a

message – Mr. Putin was signalling that Russia was not
isolated.

• Based on Russia’s ties with Iran, Putin might have reassured

UAE & Saudi Arabia about their concerns of a wider regional
conflict.

• That the Gaza war will not spread across the region,
conveying the assurance that Iran will restrain the Hezbollah
and the Houthis in Yemen in the interests of regional
stability.
Putin’s Agenda
• Mr. Putin would have sought a deeper strategic and political
alignment between the Gulf Cooperation Council states and
Iran, presenting Russia and China as guarantors of regional
peace.

• Projected Russia as complementing China’s diplomatic role in

the region.

• Gulf powers would act unitedly with Russia and China in

managing regional political and diplomatic challenges, while
excluding the U.S. from this arrangement.

• Putin would have assured continuity in Russian policy, by

giving UAE & Saudi advance notice that he will be seeking re-
election in March 2024.
Putin’s Agenda
• Mr. Putin’s recent interactions with Gulf leaders have
brought Russia into the mainstream of West Asian affairs and
affirmed that the Sino-Russian alliance will challenge U.S.
hegemony and seek to redefine the regional political order.
2. Page 9 – GS II (IR)
3. Page 10 – GS II (Polity)
Prelims Bytes
4. Page 4 – Polity
• Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951
mandates the Election Commission to fill the casual
vacancies in the Houses of Parliament and State Legislatures
through bye elections within six months from the date of
occurrence of the vacancy, provided that the remainder of
the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is one year or
more.
5. Page 10 – Economy
6. Page 11 – S&T
Mains Practice Questions

1. Russia has off late been reaffirming its ties with West Asian powers and is indicating a
stronger Sino-Russian alliance in the Gulf to counterbalance US hegemony. How does this
influence regional geopolitics? (250 words, 15 marks) (GS II – IR)

2. The recent surge seen in Indian illegal migration to USA & Europe is a concerning trend.
Discuss. (250 words, 15 marks) (GS II – IR)