India’s trade with BIMSTEC
✅India’s total trade with BIMSTEC countries amounted to $44.32 billion in 2023-24.
✅Thailand was India’s largest trading partner within the bloc, with exports worth $5.04 billion and imports at $9.91 billion, resulting in a trade gap of $4.87 billion.
✅Bangladesh followed, with exports of $11.06 billion and imports of $1.84 billion, creating a trade balance of $9.22 billion in India’s favor.
✅India’s total trade with BIMSTEC countries amounted to $44.32 billion in 2023-24.
✅Thailand was India’s largest trading partner within the bloc, with exports worth $5.04 billion and imports at $9.91 billion, resulting in a trade gap of $4.87 billion.
✅Bangladesh followed, with exports of $11.06 billion and imports of $1.84 billion, creating a trade balance of $9.22 billion in India’s favor.
🔆What led to fall of sheikh Hasina
✅Sheikh Hasina, the leader of Bangladesh's Awami League, brought economic progress to Bangladesh, lifting millions out of poverty, but ultimately had to resign and leave the country due to internal challenges
✅The reinstatement of a controversial quota system for government jobs by the Bangladesh high court triggered widespread student protests, exacerbated by Ms. Hasina's lack of political legitimacy.
✅Economic challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, contributed to high inflation and youth unemployment, which fueled public discontent.
✅Ms. Hasina's failure to gauge the anger of the students and her reliance on excessive force to quell protests led to her downfall.
✅In the wake of Ms. Hasina's resignation, an interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been announced, but concerns about the future stability of Bangladesh remain.
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✅Sheikh Hasina, the leader of Bangladesh's Awami League, brought economic progress to Bangladesh, lifting millions out of poverty, but ultimately had to resign and leave the country due to internal challenges
✅The reinstatement of a controversial quota system for government jobs by the Bangladesh high court triggered widespread student protests, exacerbated by Ms. Hasina's lack of political legitimacy.
✅Economic challenges, including the impact of COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war, contributed to high inflation and youth unemployment, which fueled public discontent.
✅Ms. Hasina's failure to gauge the anger of the students and her reliance on excessive force to quell protests led to her downfall.
✅In the wake of Ms. Hasina's resignation, an interim government headed by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been announced, but concerns about the future stability of Bangladesh remain.
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🔆Gendered nature of displacement
✅Armed conflict, violence, and human rights abuses force millions globally to flee their homes, with women and girls disproportionately impacted.
✅India is historically a 'refugee-receiving' nation, hosting over 2,00,000 refugees since independence. As of January 31, 2022, 46,000 refugees were registered with UNHCR India, with 46% comprising women and girls.
✅The United Nations Population Fund recognizes that “the face of displacement is female,” with displacement impacting women’s physical and mental health.
✅Displaced women are at higher risk of psychological conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
✅India ratified the UNCRPD and enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWDA), guaranteeing rights to persons with disabilities, including free and barrier-free healthcare access.
✅However, refugee women with psychosocial disabilities are excluded from these guarantees
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✅Armed conflict, violence, and human rights abuses force millions globally to flee their homes, with women and girls disproportionately impacted.
✅India is historically a 'refugee-receiving' nation, hosting over 2,00,000 refugees since independence. As of January 31, 2022, 46,000 refugees were registered with UNHCR India, with 46% comprising women and girls.
✅The United Nations Population Fund recognizes that “the face of displacement is female,” with displacement impacting women’s physical and mental health.
✅Displaced women are at higher risk of psychological conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
✅India ratified the UNCRPD and enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPWDA), guaranteeing rights to persons with disabilities, including free and barrier-free healthcare access.
✅However, refugee women with psychosocial disabilities are excluded from these guarantees
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Has an arrest warrant been issued against Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu? Does the International Criminal Court have jurisdiction over Palestine?
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🔆Where is Kursk?
✅A state of emergency has been declared in Kursk following a Ukrainian incursion into the Russian border region.
✅Kursk is a city and administrative centre of Kursk oblast (region) located on the south-western border of Russia.
✅It is situated in the centre of the European part of Russia.
✅It lies along the upper Seym River, south of Moscow.
✅It is located in the area known as the Black Earth territory due to its fertile soil.
📍Industries:
✅Kursk’s industries include machine building, food processing, and the manufacture of electronic equipment and synthetic fibers.
✅A large nuclear power station was completed in 1979.
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✅A state of emergency has been declared in Kursk following a Ukrainian incursion into the Russian border region.
✅Kursk is a city and administrative centre of Kursk oblast (region) located on the south-western border of Russia.
✅It is situated in the centre of the European part of Russia.
✅It lies along the upper Seym River, south of Moscow.
✅It is located in the area known as the Black Earth territory due to its fertile soil.
📍Industries:
✅Kursk’s industries include machine building, food processing, and the manufacture of electronic equipment and synthetic fibers.
✅A large nuclear power station was completed in 1979.
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🔆How will sheik Hasina's exit impact India
✅Sheikh Hasina's removal from power in Bangladesh marks a significant setback for India, given the strong bilateral ties forged over the past 15 years.
✅Hasina's government, despite becoming increasingly authoritarian, maintained strong relations with India.
✅She stood with India on every issue, from boycotting SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) over terrorism from Pakistan, to the Citizenship Amendment Act that set off protests in Bangladesh.
✅Bangladesh has become crucial to India's regional connectivity plans and energy exports.
📍Interim government in bangaladesh
✅India continues to engage with Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, as demonstrated by the Indian High Commissioner's attendance at the swearing-in ceremony.
✅However, several challenges complicate India's relationship with the new regime.
✅Sheikh Hasina's presence in India is causing suspicion in Dhaka, and India may prefer her to leave until tensions ease.
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✅Sheikh Hasina's removal from power in Bangladesh marks a significant setback for India, given the strong bilateral ties forged over the past 15 years.
✅Hasina's government, despite becoming increasingly authoritarian, maintained strong relations with India.
✅She stood with India on every issue, from boycotting SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) over terrorism from Pakistan, to the Citizenship Amendment Act that set off protests in Bangladesh.
✅Bangladesh has become crucial to India's regional connectivity plans and energy exports.
📍Interim government in bangaladesh
✅India continues to engage with Bangladesh's interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, as demonstrated by the Indian High Commissioner's attendance at the swearing-in ceremony.
✅However, several challenges complicate India's relationship with the new regime.
✅Sheikh Hasina's presence in India is causing suspicion in Dhaka, and India may prefer her to leave until tensions ease.
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🔆Saudi will implement a new domestic workers law
✅Saudi Arabia will implement a new domestic workers law in September, addressing some gaps in protection but not sufficiently covering migrant workers& ; vulnerabilities under the Kafala system.
✅The Kafala system leaves lower-income migrant workers at the mercy of their sponsors, leading to exploitation and lack of legal protections.
✅The new law provides features such as a maximum of 10 working hours per day, a weekly off day, and a prohibition on the confiscation of identity documents.
✅Though the absconding regime has been reformed, it still can be weaponised by abusive employers, and workers face difficulties in accessing justice due to language barriers and limited communication channels.
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✅Saudi Arabia will implement a new domestic workers law in September, addressing some gaps in protection but not sufficiently covering migrant workers& ; vulnerabilities under the Kafala system.
✅The Kafala system leaves lower-income migrant workers at the mercy of their sponsors, leading to exploitation and lack of legal protections.
✅The new law provides features such as a maximum of 10 working hours per day, a weekly off day, and a prohibition on the confiscation of identity documents.
✅Though the absconding regime has been reformed, it still can be weaponised by abusive employers, and workers face difficulties in accessing justice due to language barriers and limited communication channels.
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✅External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar concluded a crucial visit to Maldives, underscoring the country's importance in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indian Ocean region.
✅This was the first high-level visit to the Maldives after President Mohamed Muizzu, noted for a pro-China stance, took office.
✅The visit emphasized Maldives as a key partner in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
✅Jaishankar and Zameer inaugurated an India-aided water and sewerage network project on 28 Maldivian islands, highlighting India's development assistance.
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✅This was the first high-level visit to the Maldives after President Mohamed Muizzu, noted for a pro-China stance, took office.
✅The visit emphasized Maldives as a key partner in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
✅Jaishankar and Zameer inaugurated an India-aided water and sewerage network project on 28 Maldivian islands, highlighting India's development assistance.
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🔆Muhammad Yunus led dispensation should mitigate atmosphere of fear among Bangladesh's minorities ensure their protection
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India has faced significant geopolitical challenges in its neighborhood since 2021, including coups, political upheavals, and changing alliances across South Asia. The recent shifts—such as the exit of friendly governments and the rise of less favorable ones—highlight the need for India to reassess its diplomatic strategies and regional engagement to mitigate the impact of such radical changes.
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🔆Global regulations on ballast water Management
✅The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, enforced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) since 2017, aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through ships' ballast water.
✅Ships must now manage their ballast water to remove or neutralize these organisms before discharge in new locations.
✅Newly built ships with ballast water management systems treat the water with chemicals to eliminate biological organisms.
✅Older ships without such systems are required to exchange ballast water taken in at ports with neutral ocean water during their journey.
✅Countries like Australia and New Zealand are particularly strict in enforcing these regulations to protect their marine ecosystems.
✅Australia, which frequently handles ballast water due to its role as a major raw material supplier, conducts rigorous checks on ships, especially near sensitive areas like the Great Barrier Reef, to prevent ecological damage.
📍Situation in India
✅As of July 2024, 97 countries have signed the BWM Convention of IMO, but India is not among them.
✅Consequently, ships docking at Indian ports are not obligated to follow the BWM Convention.
While Indian ports enforce other rules, such as those related to oil discharge, ballast water remains unchecked.
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✅The Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention, enforced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) since 2017, aims to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through ships' ballast water.
✅Ships must now manage their ballast water to remove or neutralize these organisms before discharge in new locations.
✅Newly built ships with ballast water management systems treat the water with chemicals to eliminate biological organisms.
✅Older ships without such systems are required to exchange ballast water taken in at ports with neutral ocean water during their journey.
✅Countries like Australia and New Zealand are particularly strict in enforcing these regulations to protect their marine ecosystems.
✅Australia, which frequently handles ballast water due to its role as a major raw material supplier, conducts rigorous checks on ships, especially near sensitive areas like the Great Barrier Reef, to prevent ecological damage.
📍Situation in India
✅As of July 2024, 97 countries have signed the BWM Convention of IMO, but India is not among them.
✅Consequently, ships docking at Indian ports are not obligated to follow the BWM Convention.
While Indian ports enforce other rules, such as those related to oil discharge, ballast water remains unchecked.
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