🔆Ties across the sea
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the UAE underscores the deepening bilateral ties, marked by his seventh trip to the country since 2014. This visit emphasizes the importance India places on its relationship with the UAE within the Gulf region.
A total of 10 bilateral agreements were signed during the visit, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), showcasing the advanced economic and investment relations between India and the UAE.
The UAE is now India's third-largest trading partner, second-largest export destination, and fourth-largest source of FDI. Initiatives like the inauguration of Bharat Mart for Indian MSMEs further strengthen these trade ties
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the UAE underscores the deepening bilateral ties, marked by his seventh trip to the country since 2014. This visit emphasizes the importance India places on its relationship with the UAE within the Gulf region.
A total of 10 bilateral agreements were signed during the visit, including the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), showcasing the advanced economic and investment relations between India and the UAE.
The UAE is now India's third-largest trading partner, second-largest export destination, and fourth-largest source of FDI. Initiatives like the inauguration of Bharat Mart for Indian MSMEs further strengthen these trade ties
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆Greece's gateway to Asia, India's gateway to Europe
✅The recent state visit by Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis to New Delhi and the prior visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi to Greece signify a deepening strategic relationship between India and Greece, focusing on bilateral ties and cooperation in various fields.
✅India and Greece, seen as 'prisoners' of geography, share strategic interests in ensuring the security, stability, and prosperity of their respective regions, which are vitally connected to global stability.
✅Bilateral cooperation has been growing through strategic, military, and business engagements, including joint military exercises, business investments, and collaborations in sectors like construction, food, shipping, and finance.
✅Efforts are underway to enhance economic ties, with discussions on constructing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and concluding the EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).
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✅The recent state visit by Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis to New Delhi and the prior visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi to Greece signify a deepening strategic relationship between India and Greece, focusing on bilateral ties and cooperation in various fields.
✅India and Greece, seen as 'prisoners' of geography, share strategic interests in ensuring the security, stability, and prosperity of their respective regions, which are vitally connected to global stability.
✅Bilateral cooperation has been growing through strategic, military, and business engagements, including joint military exercises, business investments, and collaborations in sectors like construction, food, shipping, and finance.
✅Efforts are underway to enhance economic ties, with discussions on constructing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and concluding the EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA).
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆US Stymies UN Ceasefire Call for Israel-Gaza Fighting
✅At the United Nations Security Council on February 21st 2024, the United States exercised its veto power to override a resolution put forward by Arab nations led by Algeria that sought an urgent ceasefire and end to major Israeli military offensives in Gaza Strip amidst renewed heavy combat engagements.
✅The draft UNSC text called for “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” invoking last month’s International Court of Justice interim order asking Israel to prevent acts amounting to genocide in Gaza territories under its control.
✅US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield clarified Washington vetoed the resolution as it risked undermining ongoing backchannel negotiations led by Egypt and Qatar for temporary Gaza truce and hostage exchange between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.
✅While 14 out of 15 UNSC member states voted to call for an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza that has killed more than 29,000 people, closest US ally UK abstained.
✅For a UN Security Council resolution to be adopted, it requires at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by any of the five permanent members namely the US, UK, France, Russia or China.
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✅At the United Nations Security Council on February 21st 2024, the United States exercised its veto power to override a resolution put forward by Arab nations led by Algeria that sought an urgent ceasefire and end to major Israeli military offensives in Gaza Strip amidst renewed heavy combat engagements.
✅The draft UNSC text called for “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” invoking last month’s International Court of Justice interim order asking Israel to prevent acts amounting to genocide in Gaza territories under its control.
✅US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield clarified Washington vetoed the resolution as it risked undermining ongoing backchannel negotiations led by Egypt and Qatar for temporary Gaza truce and hostage exchange between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.
✅While 14 out of 15 UNSC member states voted to call for an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza that has killed more than 29,000 people, closest US ally UK abstained.
✅For a UN Security Council resolution to be adopted, it requires at least nine votes in favour and no vetoes by any of the five permanent members namely the US, UK, France, Russia or China.
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The NB8's visit to India, comprising Nordic-Baltic countries, emphasizes the importance of collaboration and trust, particularly in light of geopolitical shifts and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
These countries aim to strengthen cooperation with India across multiple sectors including innovation, maritime, health, and more.
The focus of the visit aligns with India's increasing role in global politics, highlighting the significance of upholding international law and addressing security challenges collaboratively.
This visit marks the first joint high-level NB8 delegation outside Europe, signifying India's pivotal role in enhancing global cooperation and addressing shared challenges.
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These countries aim to strengthen cooperation with India across multiple sectors including innovation, maritime, health, and more.
The focus of the visit aligns with India's increasing role in global politics, highlighting the significance of upholding international law and addressing security challenges collaboratively.
This visit marks the first joint high-level NB8 delegation outside Europe, signifying India's pivotal role in enhancing global cooperation and addressing shared challenges.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Russia's war in Ukraine, now in its third year, represents the largest land war in Europe since WWII, pushing Russia towards Asia and the Global South while the West continues to support Ukraine.
Consensus among defence experts and leaked western intelligence assessments suggest President Putin made a strategic miscalculation with the invasion, underestimating the response and strength of Ukrainian resistance and Western support.
Western strategy towards Ukraine involves providing economic and military assistance and weakening Russia through sanctions. Despite initial setbacks, Russia has found ways to circumvent sanctions, maintaining its energy exports and defense production.
The war has led to significant transformations within Russia, including tightening state control and increasing reliance on China, while the Western attempt to empower Ukraine and weaken Russia through sanctions faces challenges.
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Consensus among defence experts and leaked western intelligence assessments suggest President Putin made a strategic miscalculation with the invasion, underestimating the response and strength of Ukrainian resistance and Western support.
Western strategy towards Ukraine involves providing economic and military assistance and weakening Russia through sanctions. Despite initial setbacks, Russia has found ways to circumvent sanctions, maintaining its energy exports and defense production.
The war has led to significant transformations within Russia, including tightening state control and increasing reliance on China, while the Western attempt to empower Ukraine and weaken Russia through sanctions faces challenges.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆Rediscovering Palestinian Statehood
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly opposed the two-state solution, aiming for Israeli control west of Jordan, mirroring controversial Hamas claims.
The UK and France show willingness to recognize a Palestinian state before a deal with Israel, with the US possibly following. This stance is opposed by Netanyahu.
The global response includes a mix of forgotten support for Palestinian statehood and recent shifts, such as the US's conditional rediscovery of the two-state solution amidst continuing support for Israel.
Discussion on the feasibility of a single state solution, which could lead to an apartheid state if equal rights are not granted to Palestinians.
The potential for a different leadership to emerge that supports a two-state solution, drawing an analogy with the global acceptance of the Taliban in Afghanistan
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@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly opposed the two-state solution, aiming for Israeli control west of Jordan, mirroring controversial Hamas claims.
The UK and France show willingness to recognize a Palestinian state before a deal with Israel, with the US possibly following. This stance is opposed by Netanyahu.
The global response includes a mix of forgotten support for Palestinian statehood and recent shifts, such as the US's conditional rediscovery of the two-state solution amidst continuing support for Israel.
Discussion on the feasibility of a single state solution, which could lead to an apartheid state if equal rights are not granted to Palestinians.
The potential for a different leadership to emerge that supports a two-state solution, drawing an analogy with the global acceptance of the Taliban in Afghanistan
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial