International

The Golan Heights, a rocky plateau in south-western Syria, has a political and strategic significance which belies its size. Israel unilaterally annexed the Golan Heights in 1981. The move was not recognised internationally, although the US Trump Administration did so unilaterally in March 2019.There are more than 30 Jewish settlements on the heights, with an … Read more DMPQ- Significance of Golan heights. (IR/Disputes)

120 UN members including India have recently signed the Astana Declaration, which vows to strengthen primary healthcare and achieve universal health coverage by 2030.  The declaration marked 40 years of the historic Alma Ata Declaration, which declared health a human right for all. Though Alma-Ata was signed to ensure health for all, its progress was … Read more DMPQ:Astana Declaration.

It seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons and materials by the early detection of the misuse.  It was established as an autonomous organization which is not under direct control of the UN, but reports to both the UNGA and Security … Read more DMPQ:Write short note on International atomic energy agency.

It is an organisation of 53 member states that are mostly former territories of the British Empire. It operates by intergovernmental consensus of the member states, organised through the Commonwealth Secretariat and non-governmental organisations, organised through the Commonwealth Foundation. Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the Commonwealth and the monarch of 16 members of … Read more Common wealth of Nations.

It aims to create multi modal international transport transit corridor. It has Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as founding members. Kazakhstan has also joined this arrangement subsequently. Pakistan joined Ashgabat agreement in 2016. India has also become member of the agreement, which would enable India to utilize this existing transport and transit corridor to facilitate … Read more DMPQ:Write short note on Ashagabat Agreement.

It was set up after the fall of the Berlin wall to promote private and entrepreneurial initiative in emerging Europe.   HQ – London.    EBRD is owned by 66 countries and two EU institutions i.e EU & EIB.   US is the biggest shareholder.   Besides Europe, member countries of the EBRD are also from other continents – … Read more DMPQ- European Bank for Reconstruction and development.

It was set up with the objective of strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean Region. The association comprises 22 Member States and 7 Dialogue Partners.  India, Australia, Iran, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Singapore, Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, UAE, Yemen, Seychelles, Somalia, Comoros and Oman are … Read more DMPQ:Write short note on Indian Ocean Rim association.

It is a multilateral financial institution which brings countries together to address the daunting infrastructure needs across Asia. It is headquartered at Beijing.    The membership in AIIB is open to members of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development or the Asian Development Bank.  It has authorized capital of US 100 billion dollars and subscribed … Read more DMPQ:Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank.

The Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) was signed in 1975 as an initiative of UN- Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).  It is previously named the Bangkok Agreement.  There are 6-member states to APTA – Bangladesh, China, India, South Korea, Laos and Sri Lanka.  Mongolia is soon to become the 7th member … Read more DMPQ- Short Note on Asia Pacific Trade Agreement?

Assumption Island, a single coral island, belongs to the Outer Islands District of Seychelles.With only a small village on the sheltered western side and a 1,210-m concrete airfield running from there to the southeastern coast, the island’s few inhabitants, mostly farmers and fishermen, have to go to Victoria (the capital) for government services. The island’s … Read more DMPQ- Assumption island and its importance.