🔆Row over hate speech in US universities
The week University of
Pennsylvania President Liz
Magill resigned following
criticism of her testimony a few
days prior, on December 5, at a
hearing of the U.S. House of
Representatives Committee on
Educatio
On December 5, Ms. Magill
along with Claudine Gay and
Sally Kornbluth, respectively
the Presidents of Harvard and
MIT, attended a hearing
conducted by the House
Committee on Education,
where they were questioned
about whether their respective
universities’ codes of conduct
did not ban their students from
calling for the killing of Jewish
people.
A part of the problem appears
to be the fact that while there
are vociferous campaigns to
end antisemitism, Palestinian
students at these universities
allege that Islamophobia has
been given considerably less
public attention.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
The week University of
Pennsylvania President Liz
Magill resigned following
criticism of her testimony a few
days prior, on December 5, at a
hearing of the U.S. House of
Representatives Committee on
Educatio
On December 5, Ms. Magill
along with Claudine Gay and
Sally Kornbluth, respectively
the Presidents of Harvard and
MIT, attended a hearing
conducted by the House
Committee on Education,
where they were questioned
about whether their respective
universities’ codes of conduct
did not ban their students from
calling for the killing of Jewish
people.
A part of the problem appears
to be the fact that while there
are vociferous campaigns to
end antisemitism, Palestinian
students at these universities
allege that Islamophobia has
been given considerably less
public attention.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
The mounting death toll in Gaza from Israeli bombardment and the relentless media coverage of the destruction of neighbourhoods, hospitals and places of worship, however, began to erode the one-sidedness of India's stand
India on Tuesday (December 13) voted in favour of a resolution in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) that demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the unconditional release of all hostages. This was the first time India supported such a resolution since the war broke out more than two months ago.
The 193-member UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted the resolution at an emergency special session, with 153 nations voting in its favour, 10 voting against and 23 abstentions.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
India on Tuesday (December 13) voted in favour of a resolution in the UN General Assembly (UNGA) that demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and the unconditional release of all hostages. This was the first time India supported such a resolution since the war broke out more than two months ago.
The 193-member UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted the resolution at an emergency special session, with 153 nations voting in its favour, 10 voting against and 23 abstentions.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆India votes in favour of immediately ceasefire in Gaza
#gs2
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@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
#gs2
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@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆RACE TO RESILIENCE
India has joined the United Nations ‘Race to Resilience‘, a global campaign to mainstream the idea of climate resilience in cities across India during the recently concluded COP28 event in Dubai.
The Climate Centre for Cities (C-Cube) at the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), an autonomous institution under the ministry of housing and urban affairs, will spearhead this initiative.
Race to Resilience’ is a global platform to bring together non-state actors, investors, businesses, cities, regions, and civil society to increase the resilience of the most vulnerable to the climate crisis by 2030.
In existence since 2020, the C-Cube has developed and implemented the ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF), a first-of-its-kind city assessment framework on climate-relevant parameters for Indian cities. Currently, the third round of the assessment is in progress for 220 cities across India.
#gs3
#environment
@studytoday1
India has joined the United Nations ‘Race to Resilience‘, a global campaign to mainstream the idea of climate resilience in cities across India during the recently concluded COP28 event in Dubai.
The Climate Centre for Cities (C-Cube) at the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), an autonomous institution under the ministry of housing and urban affairs, will spearhead this initiative.
Race to Resilience’ is a global platform to bring together non-state actors, investors, businesses, cities, regions, and civil society to increase the resilience of the most vulnerable to the climate crisis by 2030.
In existence since 2020, the C-Cube has developed and implemented the ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF), a first-of-its-kind city assessment framework on climate-relevant parameters for Indian cities. Currently, the third round of the assessment is in progress for 220 cities across India.
#gs3
#environment
@studytoday1
🔆Israel Lists Lashkar-E-Taiba As A Terror Organisation
✅Israel has listed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a terror organisation to symbolise the marking of 15th year of
commemoration of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
✅Israel’s move comes at a time when it has asked India to proscribe Hamas as a terrorist outfit.
✅Experts view this step as a part of Israel’s global diplomatic campaign to isolate Hamas.
✅The listing has been done by Israel on its own, without any request from India.
✅ Designation is done based on specific criteria and can attract a range of curbs, including the freezing of assets and the takeover of the properties of the designated organisation.
📍India’s Stand On Hamas
✅Background - India’s policy towards terrorism
✅India designates a group as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
✅The UAPA was amended in 2019 to include the provision of designating an individual as a terrorist.
✅As of February 2023, there were a total of 44 designated terrorist organisations under the 1st Schedule of the Act.
📌The last major international organisation banned by India was ISIS in 2015.
✅ India’s stand on Hamas
🔰So far, India has not declared Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
📍Why Has India Not Declared Hamas As A Terrorist
Organisation?
✅Balancing act in West Asia
🔰 While it has traditionally supported Palestine and has an old friendship with the Arab world, its ties with
Israel are growing.
✅Significant Muslim population in India
🔰 Support for Palestinians is consistent across Muslim populations, including in India, home to the thirdlargest Muslim population in the world.
✅Very localised requirements to ban an organisation
🔰UAPA has very localised requirements for groups to be added to its terrorism listing.
🔰This includes having activities such as operations, finances, and recruitment within Indian territories where Indian laws are applicable.
🔰Hamas has had no such known history in the country.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
✅Israel has listed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a terror organisation to symbolise the marking of 15th year of
commemoration of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
✅Israel’s move comes at a time when it has asked India to proscribe Hamas as a terrorist outfit.
✅Experts view this step as a part of Israel’s global diplomatic campaign to isolate Hamas.
✅The listing has been done by Israel on its own, without any request from India.
✅ Designation is done based on specific criteria and can attract a range of curbs, including the freezing of assets and the takeover of the properties of the designated organisation.
📍India’s Stand On Hamas
✅Background - India’s policy towards terrorism
✅India designates a group as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
✅The UAPA was amended in 2019 to include the provision of designating an individual as a terrorist.
✅As of February 2023, there were a total of 44 designated terrorist organisations under the 1st Schedule of the Act.
📌The last major international organisation banned by India was ISIS in 2015.
✅ India’s stand on Hamas
🔰So far, India has not declared Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
📍Why Has India Not Declared Hamas As A Terrorist
Organisation?
✅Balancing act in West Asia
🔰 While it has traditionally supported Palestine and has an old friendship with the Arab world, its ties with
Israel are growing.
✅Significant Muslim population in India
🔰 Support for Palestinians is consistent across Muslim populations, including in India, home to the thirdlargest Muslim population in the world.
✅Very localised requirements to ban an organisation
🔰UAPA has very localised requirements for groups to be added to its terrorism listing.
🔰This includes having activities such as operations, finances, and recruitment within Indian territories where Indian laws are applicable.
🔰Hamas has had no such known history in the country.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆Maldives to not renew 2019 water survey pact with India: why did the Maldives pull out of it?
✅The Maldives government has decided to not renew an agreement with India that allowed India to conduct hydrographic surveys in Maldivian waters.
✅The agreement was signed in 2019 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the islands, when President Ibrahim Solih was in power. The new government of President Mohamed Muizzu had earlier this year requested that India should pull out its military personnel deployed in the country
📍What was the hydrographic survey pact?
✅Hydrographic surveys are carried out by ships, which use methods such as sonar to understand the various features of a water body.
✅According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these surveys help “map out water depth, the shape of the seafloor and coastline, the location of possible obstructions, and physical features of water bodies”, to ensure the efficiency and safety of maritime transportation.
@upsc_4_ir
✅The Maldives government has decided to not renew an agreement with India that allowed India to conduct hydrographic surveys in Maldivian waters.
✅The agreement was signed in 2019 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the islands, when President Ibrahim Solih was in power. The new government of President Mohamed Muizzu had earlier this year requested that India should pull out its military personnel deployed in the country
📍What was the hydrographic survey pact?
✅Hydrographic surveys are carried out by ships, which use methods such as sonar to understand the various features of a water body.
✅According to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), these surveys help “map out water depth, the shape of the seafloor and coastline, the location of possible obstructions, and physical features of water bodies”, to ensure the efficiency and safety of maritime transportation.
@upsc_4_ir
🔆Operation Storm Makers II
✅Interpol’s “Operation Storm Makers II” has exposed a growing trend where human trafficking victims are forced to commit cyber fraud.
✅The operation, involving Indian enforcement agencies, led to the arrest of 281 individuals across different countries on charges including human trafficking, passport forgery, corruption, telecommunications fraud, and sexual exploitation.
✅The trend of trafficking victims being coerced into cyber fraud was first highlighted by Interpol in June, revealing a global issue with billions of dollars in annual revenue generated by scam syndicates.
#prelims
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
✅Interpol’s “Operation Storm Makers II” has exposed a growing trend where human trafficking victims are forced to commit cyber fraud.
✅The operation, involving Indian enforcement agencies, led to the arrest of 281 individuals across different countries on charges including human trafficking, passport forgery, corruption, telecommunications fraud, and sexual exploitation.
✅The trend of trafficking victims being coerced into cyber fraud was first highlighted by Interpol in June, revealing a global issue with billions of dollars in annual revenue generated by scam syndicates.
#prelims
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
🔆India oman strategic partnership
✅The visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman to India marks a significant chapter in the enduring ties between the two nations.
✅Oman holds a crucial position in India's West Asia policy, with a strategic partnership dating back to 2008, signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit. Mutual trust and shared interests underpin this relationship, with Oman being invited to India's G-20 presidency as a guest nation in recent years.
✅Defense and security collaboration form a cornerstone of the partnership
✅MOU signed in 2005 paved the way for joint exercises between all three wings of India's defense forces and marked Oman as the first Gulf country for such engagements.
✅Operation Sankalp' during the 2019 Persian Gulf to ensure the safe passage of Indian-flagged ships, particularly in the waters near Oman.
✅The historic MoU on Duqm Port, signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit, is a landmark achievement
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
✅The visit of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman to India marks a significant chapter in the enduring ties between the two nations.
✅Oman holds a crucial position in India's West Asia policy, with a strategic partnership dating back to 2008, signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit. Mutual trust and shared interests underpin this relationship, with Oman being invited to India's G-20 presidency as a guest nation in recent years.
✅Defense and security collaboration form a cornerstone of the partnership
✅MOU signed in 2005 paved the way for joint exercises between all three wings of India's defense forces and marked Oman as the first Gulf country for such engagements.
✅Operation Sankalp' during the 2019 Persian Gulf to ensure the safe passage of Indian-flagged ships, particularly in the waters near Oman.
✅The historic MoU on Duqm Port, signed during Prime Minister Modi's visit, is a landmark achievement
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆India Maldives relation: why Maldives is trying to distance the country from new delhi?
#gs2
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@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
#gs2
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@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Mayanmar's military faces it's most formidable challenge in six decades as opposition fighters and ethnic rebels consolidate in the country's hinterlands but it still remain the most effective and best armed
fighting force in the country
The Tatmadaw’s recent history
can be traced to the formation
of the Burma Independence
Army (BIA) that was founded in
1941 by a group of activists
along with Japanese help to
take on the British
Led by Aung San, the BIA
initially fought in the Second
World War against the British
alongside the Japanese and
later renamed itself as the
Burma Defence Army and
joined the Allied forces against
Japanese occupation
The military led by General Ne
Win led a coup against the
civilian government in 1962 to
form a unitary state, and since
then it has retained its tight
grip on the state and society
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
fighting force in the country
The Tatmadaw’s recent history
can be traced to the formation
of the Burma Independence
Army (BIA) that was founded in
1941 by a group of activists
along with Japanese help to
take on the British
Led by Aung San, the BIA
initially fought in the Second
World War against the British
alongside the Japanese and
later renamed itself as the
Burma Defence Army and
joined the Allied forces against
Japanese occupation
The military led by General Ne
Win led a coup against the
civilian government in 1962 to
form a unitary state, and since
then it has retained its tight
grip on the state and society
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆India-US Bilateral Relations
Trade & Economic Relations
✅ The U.S. has emerged as India's biggest trading partner in 2022-23 on account of increasing economic ties between the two countries.
✅ In 2022-23, the bilateral trade between India and the USA stood at a record US$ 191 billion as against US$ 119.42 billion in 2021-22.o In 2022-23, India had a trade surplus of US$ ~30 billion with the US.
✅ In FY 2020-21, India received the highest ever FDI amounting to US$ 81.72 billion.
✅ USA became India’s second largest source of FDI during 2020-21 with inflows of US$ 13.82 billion.
✅ US is one of the top 5 investment destinations for Indian FDI.
Join @CSE_EXAM
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Trade & Economic Relations
✅ The U.S. has emerged as India's biggest trading partner in 2022-23 on account of increasing economic ties between the two countries.
✅ In 2022-23, the bilateral trade between India and the USA stood at a record US$ 191 billion as against US$ 119.42 billion in 2021-22.o In 2022-23, India had a trade surplus of US$ ~30 billion with the US.
✅ In FY 2020-21, India received the highest ever FDI amounting to US$ 81.72 billion.
✅ USA became India’s second largest source of FDI during 2020-21 with inflows of US$ 13.82 billion.
✅ US is one of the top 5 investment destinations for Indian FDI.
Join @CSE_EXAM
@upsc_4_ir
🔆Israel Lists Lashkar-E-Taiba As A Terror Organisation
✅Israel has listed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a terror organisation to symbolise the marking of 15th year of
commemoration of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
✅Israel’s move comes at a time when it has asked India to proscribe Hamas as a terrorist outfit.
✅Experts view this step as a part of Israel’s global diplomatic campaign to isolate Hamas.
✅The listing has been done by Israel on its own, without any request from India.
✅ Designation is done based on specific criteria and can attract a range of curbs, including the freezing of assets and the takeover of the properties of the designated organisation.
📍India’s Stand On Hamas
✅Background - India’s policy towards terrorism
✅India designates a group as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
✅The UAPA was amended in 2019 to include the provision of designating an individual as a terrorist.
✅As of February 2023, there were a total of 44 designated terrorist organisations under the 1st Schedule of the Act.
📌The last major international organisation banned by India was ISIS in 2015.
✅ India’s stand on Hamas
🔰So far, India has not declared Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
📍Why Has India Not Declared Hamas As A Terrorist
Organisation?
✅Balancing act in West Asia
🔰 While it has traditionally supported Palestine and has an old friendship with the Arab world, its ties with
Israel are growing.
✅Significant Muslim population in India
🔰 Support for Palestinians is consistent across Muslim populations, including in India, home to the thirdlargest Muslim population in the world.
✅Very localised requirements to ban an organisation
🔰UAPA has very localised requirements for groups to be added to its terrorism listing.
🔰This includes having activities such as operations, finances, and recruitment within Indian territories where Indian laws are applicable.
🔰Hamas has had no such known history in the country.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
✅Israel has listed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a terror organisation to symbolise the marking of 15th year of
commemoration of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
✅Israel’s move comes at a time when it has asked India to proscribe Hamas as a terrorist outfit.
✅Experts view this step as a part of Israel’s global diplomatic campaign to isolate Hamas.
✅The listing has been done by Israel on its own, without any request from India.
✅ Designation is done based on specific criteria and can attract a range of curbs, including the freezing of assets and the takeover of the properties of the designated organisation.
📍India’s Stand On Hamas
✅Background - India’s policy towards terrorism
✅India designates a group as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
✅The UAPA was amended in 2019 to include the provision of designating an individual as a terrorist.
✅As of February 2023, there were a total of 44 designated terrorist organisations under the 1st Schedule of the Act.
📌The last major international organisation banned by India was ISIS in 2015.
✅ India’s stand on Hamas
🔰So far, India has not declared Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
📍Why Has India Not Declared Hamas As A Terrorist
Organisation?
✅Balancing act in West Asia
🔰 While it has traditionally supported Palestine and has an old friendship with the Arab world, its ties with
Israel are growing.
✅Significant Muslim population in India
🔰 Support for Palestinians is consistent across Muslim populations, including in India, home to the thirdlargest Muslim population in the world.
✅Very localised requirements to ban an organisation
🔰UAPA has very localised requirements for groups to be added to its terrorism listing.
🔰This includes having activities such as operations, finances, and recruitment within Indian territories where Indian laws are applicable.
🔰Hamas has had no such known history in the country.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆 Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
✅ India recently rejected a statement issued by the OIC on a judgement of the Supreme Court upholding the abrogation of Article 370 that guaranteed special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
✅ It is the second-largest organisation in the world after the United Nations, with a collective population reaching over 1.8 billion.
✅ It was established in September 1969 upon a decision of the historical summit that took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on September 25, 1969, as a result of the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.
✅ The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world to ensure and safeguard their interests in economic, social, and political areas.
✅ Objective: It aims to preserve Islamic values, safeguard and defend the national sovereignty and independence of member states, and contribute to international peace and security.
✅ It has a membership of 57 states spread over four continents.
✅ Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
✅ Official languages: Arabic, English, and French.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
✅ India recently rejected a statement issued by the OIC on a judgement of the Supreme Court upholding the abrogation of Article 370 that guaranteed special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
✅ It is the second-largest organisation in the world after the United Nations, with a collective population reaching over 1.8 billion.
✅ It was established in September 1969 upon a decision of the historical summit that took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on September 25, 1969, as a result of the criminal arson of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied Jerusalem.
✅ The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world to ensure and safeguard their interests in economic, social, and political areas.
✅ Objective: It aims to preserve Islamic values, safeguard and defend the national sovereignty and independence of member states, and contribute to international peace and security.
✅ It has a membership of 57 states spread over four continents.
✅ Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
✅ Official languages: Arabic, English, and French.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir