PT 365 SUMMARY: 2024-25

BY: TRULY STUBBORN

➢ This document contains summary of International Relations PT 365 from April 2024
– January 2025 i.e., it includes Updated Part 1 as well.

➢ This document is not a substitute of the original document. However, It can be

referred for a quick revision before the exam.

➢ Most of the things have been copied verbatim from the original document.
However, I have added or substituted a few things here and there.

➢ Vision IAS holds the copyright for the original content.

This document is prepared for the benefit of CSE community. It is not intended to be used
for any commercial purpose.

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Process for Admission of New Members to the UN

• Application Submission: State submits an application to the Secretary-General, accepting
the UN Charter commitments.
• Recommendation from the Security Council requires:
o 9 out of 15 affirmative votes of the Security Council members
o With none of the five permanent Council members (“P-5”: China, France, Russia, the
United Kingdom, the United States) voting against recommendation.
• General Assembly Approval: Two-thirds majority vote needed if recommended by the
Security Council.

UNGA
• Genesis: Founded in 1945 as one of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
• Members: Comprises all 193 UN member states.
• Voting: Each member state has one vote; decisions on important issues require a two-
thirds majority.
• Sessions: Meets annually in regular sessions starting in September, with special sessions
as needed.
• Presidency: Rotates annually among member states, elected from five geographic
groups.
• It elects non-permanent members of UNSC for two-year terms.

• UNSC has the power to make binding decisions that member states must implement
under the UN Charter.
• India has been elected to the non-permanent seat of the UNSC eight times, with the most
recent term being 2021-2022.
➢ Common Pledge Initiative is designed to bring together mediators, governments, and
civil society to ensure the full, equal and meaningful engagement of women in peace and
mediation processes.
➢ United Nations Trade and Development was formerly known as the United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
• Key Reports: Trade & Development Report, World Investment Report, Least
Developed Countries Report.

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➢ G4 nations, comprising Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan, are four countries which
support each other's bids for permanent seats on the United Nations
• Uniting for Consensus (UfC) also known as the Coffee Club, is a group of
countries that oppose the G4 nations' request for permanent seats on the
United Nations Security Council.
• Consist of Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Italy, Malta, Mexico,
Pakistan, Republic of Korea, San Marino, Spain, Türkiye

International Criminal Court (ICC)

• The first permanent international court to prosecute serious international crimes.
• Rome Statute: Adopted in 1998 and enforced in 2002.
• Types of Crime: Deals with Genocide, Crimes against humanity, War crimes, and Crimes
of aggression.
• Membership: Has 124 States Parties (e.g., Palestine became the 123rd member in 2015,
and Malaysia the 124th in 2019).
o Note that India, Israel, US, Russia, and China are not members.
• Enforcement: ICC decisions are binding.

Comparison between ICC and International Court of Justice

Parameters ICC ICJ
Genesis Rome Statute Established in 1945 by UN Charter.
HQ Hague (Netherlands) Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).
18 judges, with 9-year, non- 15 judges elected to 9-year terms by UN General Assembly
Composition
renewable term and the Security Council.
Can rule on two types of cases:
* "Contentious cases": Legal disputes between States who
Holds only individuals
are parties to ICJ and explicitly given consent.
Cases criminally responsible for
* "Advisory proceedings": Requests for advisory opinions on
offences.
legal questions referred to it by United Nations' organs and
certain specialized agencies.

➢ ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is a regional grouping of 10 countries:

Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand, and Vietnam.
• It was established in 1967 in Bangkok with the signing of the ASEAN Decalation
(Bangkok Declaration) by five members (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore
and Thailand)
• East Asia Summit: ASEAN (10) + India, USA, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea,
Australia, New Zealand (18 member).

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➢ Currency Swap Agreement (CSA) is a contract under which two counterparties agree to
exchange two currencies at a set rate and then to re-exchange those currencies at an
agreed upon rate at a fixed date in future. India has CSA with Japan, UAE, Sri Lanka, BRICS
(Contingent Reserve Arrangement), SAARC etc.

➢ SAARC- South Asian Association For Regional Cooperation was established in 1985
through SAARC Charter in Dhaka. (Secretariat: Kathmandu, Nepal)
• Membership: India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka.
• Decisions at all levels in SAARC are taken on the basis of unanimity. Bilateral and
contentious issues are excluded from its deliberations.

➢ BIMSTEC - Bay Of Bengal Initiative For Multi-Sectoral Technical And Economic

Cooperation (Secretariat: Dhaka, Bangladesh)
• Established in 1997 with the signing of Bangkok Declaration.
• Members: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal and
Bhutan.
• BIMSTEC charter was signed and adopted during the 5th summit in Sri Lanka (2022)
and it came into force on May 20, 2024 after all members signed it.

➢ Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD): A plurilateral framework comprising India,

Australia, Japan and the USA.
• It does not have a permanent secretariat or any formal structure like NATO.
➢ SQUAD is a new four-way security arrangement involving the US, Australia, the
Philippines, and Japan aimed at deepening integration in the Indo-Pacific to counter
China's militarization in the South China Sea.

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➢ AUKUS comprises of Australia, UK and USA. Its not a formal military alliance like NATO.
➢ Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) for Prosperity It focuses on four pillars: (1)
Trade; (2) Supply Chains; (3) Clean Energy, Decarbonization, and Infrastructure; and (4)
Tax and Anti-Corruption.
• India has not joined Trade Pillar (Only observer status)
• Members: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of
Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

INDIA-MIDDLE EAST-EUROPE ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (IMEC)

SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (SCO)

• Belarus becomes 10th Member to join SCO.

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➢ G7 Members: USA, Canada, Germany, Italy, UK, France and Japan.

• Russia joined the group in 1998 forming the G8, but was excluded in 2014 for its
annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
• EU is not a G7 member but participate in the annual summit.

➢ Non-Aligned Movement (NAM): Traces roots to the Bandung Conference (1955), which
laid non-alignment principles. (120 Countries)
• Formally established at the first NAM Summit in Belgrade, Serbia (1961).

➢ Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): (HQ; Riyadh)- Comprises of 6 member states- Saudi
Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain.
• GCC is currently India’s largest trading partner bloc. India has a trade deficit with
GCC Countries.
• Over 2/3rd of the NRI population resides in GCC countries.

ORGANIZATION OF THE PETROLEUM EXPORTING COUNTRIES (OPEC) +

➢ North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO): HQ: Brussels (Belgium)

• Sweden has joined NATO as its 32nd member. Ukraine is not a member yet.
• NATO plus five: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan and Israel.

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Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

UN has 15 Specialized Agencies

1. FAO – Food and Agriculture 8. UNESCO – United Nations Educational,

Organization Scientific and Cultural Organization
2. ICAO – International Civil Aviation 9. UNIDO – United Nations Industrial
Organization Development Organization
3. IFAD – International Fund for 10. UPU – Universal Postal Union
Agricultural Development 11. WBG – World Bank Group
4. ILO – International Labour 12. WHO – World Health Organization
Organization 13. WIPO – World Intellectual Property
5. IMO – International Maritime Organization
Organization 14. WMO – World Meteorological
6. IMF – International Monetary Fund Organization
7. ITU – International 15. UNWTO – World Tourism Organization
Telecommunication Union

➢ India represents nearly 60% of the Commonwealth’s total population.

PLACES IN NEWS
➢ Nagorno-Karabakh region, known as Artsakh by Armenians is a disputed territory
between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is officially recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
➢ Nord Stream is a network of offshore pipelines passing through Baltic Sea, supplying
natural gas from Russia to northern Germany.
➢ Kursk Region is situated in Russia, bordering Ukraine. It Includes the basins of the Dnieper
and Don rivers.
➢ Lebanon (Capital: Beirut) borders Syria (north and northeast) and Israel (south) and also
Mediterranean sea. Hezbollah, a terrorist organization lives in Lebanon.

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➢ Baltic Sea is an arm of the North Atlantic Ocean, connected to it through the Danish
Straits.
• The world’s largest inland brackish sea, with low salinity due to an influx of river
waters.
• Bordering Countries: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia,
Russia, Finland, and Sweden.

➢ Turkiye (Capital: Ankara) shares itself between South-eastern Europe (the Balkan
Peninsula) and Western Asia.
• Bounded by Black Sea (north), Mediterranean Sea (southwest), and Aegean Sea (west)

➢ Gulf of Aden is a deep-water basin that forms a natural sea link between the Red Sea and
the Arabian Sea.
➢ Somalia (Capital: Mogadishu), situated on the Horn of Africa, it is the easternmost
country in continental Africa. It borders Djibouti , Ethiopia (west), and Kenya (southwest).
➢ Abu Musa Island, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb are disputed islands in Persian Gulf
claimed by both Iran and the UAE but has been held by Iran since 1971
➢ Senkaku Islands in East China Sea also known as Diaoyu, are disputed between Japan and
China and between Japan and Taiwan.

Conflict Areas

1. Mindanao (Philippines) 2. Southern Thailand (Patani Conflict)

3. Kachin State (Myanmar) 8. Transnistria (Moldova)
4. Sahel Region (Mali, Burkina Faso, 9. Basque Country (Spain)
Niger) 10. Catalonia (Spain)
5. Tigray (Ethiopia) 11. Chechnya (Russia)
6. Mozambique (Cabo Delgado) 12. South Ossetia and Abkhazia (Georgia)
7. Sudan (Darfur and Post-Coup Unrest)

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➢ Houthi rebels, a Shia militant group primarily based in Yemen, are in conflict with Saudi
Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, etc in Red Sea region.
• Indian Navy has launched 'Operation Sankalp' as a measure to assure the security of
the Indian vessels in Red Sea.

➢ Israel borders Lebanon (north), Syria (northeast), Jordan (east), and Egypt (southwest).
• It includes East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, both areas of territorial dispute.
• Water Bodies: The Sea of Galilee; the Red Sea (Gulf of Aqaba); the Dead Sea, and the
Mediterranean Sea
• Erez Crossing is a border crossing between Israel and the northern Gaza Strip.

➢ Blue line is a border line between Israel and Lebanon set by the United Nations in 2000.
• It is made of blue barrels and runs from the Mediterranean to the Golan Heights.

➢ Jordan (Capital: Amman) has been declared by the WHO as the first country in the world
to eliminate leprosy.
• Borders: Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Palestine (West Bank).
• Water Bodies: Jordan River, Dead Sea, and Gulf of Aqaba.

➢ Armenia has officially recognized Palestine as a state.

➢ Iraq (Capital: Baghdad) opens into the Persian Gulf.
• Territorial Boundaries: Türkiye (north), Iran, Syria and Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and
Kuwait.
➢ Iran (Capital: Tehrān) opens into Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
• Land Boundaries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan
(east); Iraq, Turkey.
➢ Uzbekistan (Capital: Tashkent) is a double landlocked country. It borders Aral Sea.
➢ United Arab Emirates (Capital: Abu Dhabi) opens into Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf. It
borders Saudi Arabia and Oman
• It successfully completed the Arab world's first nuclear power plant.
➢ Chagos islands is an Island group in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), south of Maldives.
• U.K. is going to restore sovereignty of Chagos islands to Mauritius
➢ Lake Kivu is situated between Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rawanda.
➢ Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (Capital: Kinshasa) opening into the Atlantic Ocean
is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, second largest in Africa (after Algeria).
➢ Sahel region covers 10 countries (Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, Mali, Burkina
Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria).
➢ Mexico became the first country to approve the popular election of judges.
• Claudia Sheinbaum elected as the first woman president of Mexico.
➢ Bolivia is experiencing economic turmoil due to dependence on the U.S. dollar, depleting
reserves, and rising debts.
• Borders: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Paraguay (ABCP2)

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➢ Panama, located on the Isthmus of Panama, becomes the first nation to evacuate the
island community of Gardi Sugdub Island due to climate change impact.
• Isthmus of Panama: A narrow bridge of land connecting North and South America.
• Borders: Costa Rica (west) and Colombia (east).
• Maritime Boundaries: Caribbean Sea (north) and Pacific Ocean (south).

➢ Trinidad & Tobago, an Island country in the Atlantic Ocean, has become the first country
in the Caribbean region to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platform.
➢ Greece (Capital: Athens), the southernmost country of the Balkan Peninsula, is facing an
alarming population decline.
• Surrounding Water Bodies: Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Ionian Sea.
➢ Sittwe Port: A deep-water port located at the estuary of the Kaladan River in Rakhine
State, Myanmar.
• It will enhance trade and transit opportunities for India’s Northeast and improve
commerce between India and Myanmar.
➢ Saint Martin’s Island is a small coral island in the north-eastern part of the Bay of Bengal.
• In 1974, Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed that the island would belong to
Bangladesh.
➢ Guam is an island territory of the United States, situated in the North Pacific Ocean.
➢ Lake Turkana, situated in north-western Kenya and South-western Ethiopia is Africa’s 4th
largest lake and the largest permanent desert and alkaline lake in the world. It is fed by
Omo River, located in Ethiopia.
➢ Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is the highest peak of Africa.
➢ Lipulekh pass located close to the tri-junction of India, China (Tibet) and Nepal and is
situated in Uttarakhand (Pithorgarh district).
• It significantly reduces travel time for Kailash Mansarovar Pilgrimage
➢ Suez Canal, located in Egypt, connects Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea. It is the shortest
maritime route between Asia and Europe.

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LAC is divided into three sectors:

I. Western Sector (Ladakh): India considers the Johnson Line (of 1865) as the border
whereas China claims the McDonald Line (of 1899) Chinese claims are based on
Macartney–MacDonald Line.
II. Middle sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand): Largely undisputed area.
III. Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim): China claims the state of Arunachal
Pradesh as part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
✓ LAC in this region is along the McMahon line drawn during the Simla Convention of
1914 (between British India, China, and Tibet).
• Military Engagements: Joint military exercises: Hand-in-Hand, suspended post-2020
tensions.

➢ Pangong Tso is an endorheic lake situated in Leh district of Ladakh.

• It is world’s highest saltwater lake but neither a part of the Indus River basin, nor a
Ramsar Site.
• One-third of the lake lies in India and the other two-thirds in China.

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India-Nepal
Kalapani is the largest territorial dispute between Nepal and India and is a tri-junction
between India, Nepal and Tibet (China).
• Treaty of Sagauli (1816) between British East India Company and the then Nepali
Gurkha rulers demarcated Uttarakhand’s Kumaon with River Kali as a boundary
between India and Nepal
• Surya Kiran is bilateral military exercise between India and Nepal.
Nepal has open border with 5 Indian states: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal,
and Sikkim.
• Mountain Peaks: Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Mount Everest (Sagarmatha).
• River basins: Koshi River Basin & Gandaki River Basin.

➢ Bhutan (Capital: Thimpu) shares border with four Indian states: Assam, Arunachal
Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
• Key rivers: Amo Chu (Flows into West Bengal and is called Torsa); Manas River (Flows
into Assam).
• Bhutan is the world's first carbon-negative country.
• Bhutan was the first to adopt the Gross National Happiness (GNH) Index.
• India constructed four major hydroelectric projects in Bhutan which are supplying
electricity to India- Kurichhu, Tala, Chukha and Mangdechhu.

➢ Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia and India is the second biggest
trade partner of Bangladesh in Asia.
• It borders Myanmar and 5 Indian states: West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura
and Mizoram.
• Defence Cooperation with India: Military exercises like SAMPRITI and MILAN.
• India-Bangladesh has operationalized the Agreement for the usage of Chittagong and
Mongla Ports.
• River: The Jamuna - part of the Brahmaputra - is the longest

➢ India has launched RuPay card in Maldives.

• Both sides signed Currency Swap Agreement (CSA) to help Maldives in managing
their foreign exchange reserves.

Channels in Indian Ocean

• 8 Degree Channel: Separates the island of Minicoy from the Maldives
• 9 Degree Channel: Separates Minicoy from the main Lakshadweep archipelago
• 10 Degree Channel: Separates the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands in the Bay
of Bengal

➢ Russia has approved the sale of Brahmos missiles to Philippines.

• Russia also approved the draft Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) with
India. It would enable access logistics and support facilities at each other’s bases and
ports.

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INDIA-UNITED STATES (US)

• India and the US have signed a Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA)
o Objective: It enables governments to secure the mutual timely provision of
defence-related goods and services during peacetime, emergency, and armed
conflict.
o India is the 18th SOSA partner of the US. It is legally non-binding.
• Other Defence agreements include: Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
(LEMOA) in 2016, Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) in
2018, Industrial Security Agreement in 2019 and Basic Exchange and Cooperation
Agreement (BECA) in 2020.
• Military partnership. E.g., The Malabar exercises (India hosted Australia, Japan and U.S.
forces in 2024), Cope India (Air Force), Tiger Triumph (Army, Navy, Air Force), Yudh
Abhyas (Army).
• CAATSA is a US federal law, enacted in 2017, which aims to punish countries having deep
engagements with Russia, North Korea, and Iran using economic sanction.
o In 2018, US House of Representatives passed an amendment to exempt India from
economic sanctions under CAATSA for purchasing S-400 missile defence system
from Russia.

US (Capital: Washington D.C.)

o Important River: Mississippi (longest).
o Important Lakes: Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario).
o Notable Mountain Ranges: Rocky Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, Sierra
Nevada.
o Notable Deserts: Mojave, Great Basin, etc.

➢ UK comprises four countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

• Military exercises between India and UK: Ajeya Warrior, Konkan, and Cobra Warrior.

Australia (Capital: Canberra)

• Great Barrier Reef: World’s largest coral reef system, located off the northeast coast
in the Coral Sea.
• Australia has the longest national coastline.
• Murray River is the longest river in Australia

Australian Government in its National Defense Strategy (NDS) 2024 identified India as ‘top-
tier security partner’ in the Indo-Pacific Region (IPR).
• India-Australia have Mutual Logistics Support Arrangement (MLSA) and Defense
Science and Technology Implementing Arrangement & Australia-India Indo-Pacific
Oceans Initiative Partnership (AIIPOIP).
• Military Exercises: AUSINDEX (maritime), PITCH BLACK (Air force), AUSTRAHIND
(annual training event), Malabar Exercise (Quadrilateral).
• Both countries signed Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement in 2022.

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Japan (Capital: Tokyo)

Japan is composed of four main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest), Shikoku, and
Kyushu.
• India and Japan have enhanced cooperation through the Acquisition and Cross-
Servicing Agreement (ACSA) and military exercises like Dharma Guardian,
Shinyuu Maitri, and JIMEX.
• Economic Relations: The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
(CEPA) was signed in 2011.

➢ Singapore is India’s largest trade partner in ASEAN and its 6th largest trade partner
globally (2023-24).
• Both signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). India
is a net importer.
• Singapore was the largest source of FDI into India in 2023-2024.
• Key bilateral exercises: Exercise Agni Warrior (Army); Exercise SIMBEX (Navy)
"Project Nexus" is a collaborative initiative between Singapore and India aimed at enabling
fast and efficient cross-border payments by connecting their domestic Fast Payment Systems
(FPSs)
o India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and FPSs of Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore and Thailand will be interlinked through Nexus which is a project of
Bank of International Settlements (BIS).

➢ India and Malaysia conduct a joint military exercise called Harimau Shakti (Tiger
Strength)
• Malaysia has 3rd largest Indian diaspora after the United States and the United Arab
Emirates.

➢ India signed a 10-year agreement with Iran for the development of the Shahid Beheshti
Port Terminal at Chabahar Port.
• Located on the Gulf of Oman, Chabahar Port offers a direct sea route to Afghanistan,
bypassing Pakistan.

INSTC (International North–South Transport Corridor)

INSTC is a 7,200 km-long multi-modal transportation network established in 2000 through
an agreement signed by India, Iran, and Russia.
• Aim: To connect India with Russia and Europe through Iran and Central Asia.
• Key Route: The corridor runs from Mumbai (India) to Moscow (Russia) via Chabahar
(Iran), Bandar Abbas (Iran), and Bandar Anzali (Iran) before entering Central Asia and
Russia.

➢ TAPI Pipeline is designed to transport natural gas from the Galkynysh gas field in
Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

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➢ India hosted the Third Voice of Global South

Summit in virtual format.
• India hosted the 1st Voice of Global
South Summit in January 2023 and the
2nd edition was held in November 2023,
both in virtual format.
• Participation: 123 countries (China &
Pakistan not invited)
Global South refers to technically and socially
less developed countries which are located in
Southern Hemisphere, primarily in Africa, Asia,
and Latin America.
• Brandt Report proposed a division between North and South countries based on
various parameters such as technological advancement, GDP etc.

➢ India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a Trade and Economic Partnership
Agreement (TEPA).
• EFTA members are Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
• Unlike the EU, EFTA is not a customs union, meaning member countries have their own
external tariffs for countries outside the association.
• Three EFTA members (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) participate in the European
Economic Area (EEA), which allows them to access the EU's single market.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)

CDS post was created in 2019 the rank of a four-star General equivalent to a Service Chief.
o A Group of Ministers in 2001 had recommended creation of the post based on Shri K
Subrahmanyam Committee Report.
Roles and Powers of CDS
• CDS head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), created within Ministry of
Defence and function as its secretary.
• CDS is the Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee, member of Defence
Acquisition Council chaired by Minister of Defence and Defence Planning Committee
chaired by National Security Advisor.
• CDS acts as Principal Military Adviser to Ministry of Defence on all tri-services (Army,
Navy and Air Force) matters of the military and Military Adviser to Nuclear Command
Authority.
• CDS do not exercise any military command, including over the three Service Chiefs.
• Tri-service agencies/organisations/commands related to Cyber and Space will be
under the command of the CDS.
➢ Andaman and Nicobar Command and the Strategic Forces Command (in charge of the
country's nuclear stockpile) function as tri-services commands.
➢ India ranked 159 among 180 countries in World Press Freedom Index 2024 released by
Paris based Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

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➢ MERCOSUR is Southern Common Market in Latin America.

• Members: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay in 1991 and subsequently joined
by Venezuela and Bolivia (latest).
• India has a Preferential Trade Agreement with MERCOSUR.
• Venezuela has been suspended since December 2016.

National Security Council (NSC)

Constituted in 1999 based on K.C. Pant-led task force recommendations.
• Apex advisory body headed by the PM, comprising Ministers of Finance, Defense,
Home, and External Affairs.
• National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS), headed by the National Security Adviser
(NSA) is apex advisory body for internal and external security matters.
o NSA holds the rank of Cabinet Minister.
o Can generate Cabinet notes and access relevant papers.

➢ Operation Vijay (1999) was launched by the Indian Army to evict Pakistani soldiers and
militants who infiltrated the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Operation Safed Sagar: Conducted by the Indian Air Force to target Pakistani troops
on high-altitude positions.
• Operation Talwar: Launched by the Indian Navy to blockade Pakistan’s navy in the
Arabian Sea
• Kargil Review Committee (KRC): Established in July 1999, chaired by K.
Subrahmanyam, to review the war and suggest improvements in India’s defence
architecture.
• Kargil Vijay Diwas: Observed annually on July 26 to commemorate the victory.

➢ Chloropicrin is a broad-spectrum fumigant chemical that can be used as an antimicrobial,

fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, nematicide and also as a warfare agent.
• Geneva Protocol 1925: Prohibits the use of chemical and biological weapons in
the field of conflict.

➢ Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) was adopted in 1992, and entered into force in
1997.
• The CWC currently has 193 member states, making it one of the most universally
ratified arms control treaties. (India also member)
• Only four countries are not parties to the CWC: Israel, Egypt, North Korea, and
South Sudan.

➢ International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI)

2024 which assesses country-level cyber security commitments.
• 46 countries (including India) are in Tier 1 i.e., “role modelling" countries
demonstrating a strong commitment to all five cybersecurity pillars (Total 5 Tiers)

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Financial Action Task Force (FATF)

FATF plenary in Singapore adopted the Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) of India, assessing
its measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
• MER assesses a country’s measures to combat, Money laundering, Terrorist financing &
Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

➢ World Drug Day Report has been released by United Nations Office On Drugs And Crime
(UNODC)
• Most Abused Drugs: Cannabis (most abused), followed by opioids, amphetamines,
cocaine, and ecstasy.
• Most Affected Regions:
o Triple Frontier Area: Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
o Golden Triangle (renamed as Death Triangle): Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand.
o Golden Crescent (renamed as Death Crescent): Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.

GLOBE (Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities)

Network.

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ARMED FORCES (SPECIAL POWERS) ACT (AFSPA)

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) has been extended to parts of Nagaland
and Arunachal Pradesh.
• AFSPA grants special powers to armed forces to bring back order in “disturbed
areas”. They can open fire against any person in contravention to law, arrest and
search premises without warrant, etc.
• AFSPA is in effect in parts of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh.
• AFSPA remains in force in Jammu and Kashmir through the Armed Forces (Jammu
and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990.
• A part or whole state/UT is declared disturbed area when use of armed forces in aid
of civil power is necessary to restore order.
o Declaration is made by Governor of state, administrator of UT or by Centre.
o Immunity to Armed forces personnel: Prohibits legal proceeding against them
except with the previous sanction of the Central Government.

➢ World Military Expenditure, 2023 Report published by Stockholm International Peace

Research Institute (SIPRI).
• India was fourth largest military spender in world in 2023 with an expenditure of
$83.6 billion after United States, China and Russia.

➢ Key International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA) Programmes:

• Atoms4Food: Uses nuclear techniques to improve global food security.
• Atoms4NetZero: Promotes nuclear energy to help achieve net-zero emissions.

EXERCISES IN NEWS

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➢ India launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
(HADR) to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
➢ Operation SADBHAVANA is an initiative of the Indian Army for civic actions in certain part
of the country like Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim.
➢ Tiger Triumph 2024 It is a Bilateral Tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Relief (HADR) Amphibious Exercise between India and the US.

New Development Bank (NDB)

HQ: Shanghai (China)
• Agreement signed in 2014 during the 6th BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil, by BRICS.
• Membership is open to members of the United Nations, however the share of the
original BRICS group can never be less than 55% of total voting power.
• Purpose is to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development
projects in emerging markets and developing countries (EMDCs).
• Initial authorized capital is $100 billion.
• NDB's Articles of Agreement specify that all members of the United Nations could be
members of the bank,
• In 2021, Bangladesh, UAE, Egypt and Uruguay were included as New NDB members.

1. UN-Habitat released the “World Cities Report 2024: Cities and Climate Action”,
highlighting the critical role of cities in addressing climate change.
• State of the World’s Cities report is also released by it

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GROUP OF TWENTY (G20) SUMMIT

The 18th G20 Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme Building a Just
World and a Sustainable Planet.
• It was the first time the African Union (AU) participated as a full member.
• The next G20 Summit will be held in South Africa.
• Brazil, India, and South Africa form the troika of G20.

➢ The African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) was signed in 2018
between 55 African nations, to create the largest free trade area in the world.
➢ Southern African Customs Union (SACU): It’s a customs union among five countries of
Southern Africa: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. (LESBaN)_
• Founded in 1910, SACU is the world's oldest customs union.

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2. Asian Development Bank (ADB) is headquartered in Manilla, Philippines.

• ADB’s top shareholders (As of 2023): Japan and the US (15.6% each), China (6.4%),
India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%). (JaUChIA)

COMPREHENSIVE AND PROGRESSIVE AGREEMENT FOR TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP

(CPTPP)
The UK has recently become the first European country to join this Indo-Pacific trade bloc.
• India is among the few countries not part of large trade agreements like Regional
Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and CPTPP.

UNITED NATION INTERNAL JUSTICE COUNCIL (IJC)

Retired Supreme Court judge Madan B. Lokur has been appointed as the chairperson of the
UN Internal
Justice Council (IJC).
• The General Assembly established the IJC to ensure independence and accountability
in the UN's internal justice system. (Consists of five members)
• Members are appointed by the Secretary-General.
• The Council is tasked with finding suitable candidates for vacant judge positions in
the UN Dispute Tribunal (UNDT) and the UN Appeals Tribunal (UNAT).
Note- Don’t confuse this organization with International Court of Justice (ICJ) -

PLACES IN NEWS
➢ Philadelphi Corridor is a narrow strip of land border between the southern Gaza Strip
and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, ~14 km long and 100 meters wide.
• Corridor was originally established under the 1979 Israel- Egypt Peace Treaty.

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➢ Syria (Capital: Damascus) is located on east coast of

Mediterranean Sea in southwestern Asia
• Boundaries: Turkey , Iraq , Jordan, Israel and Lebanon. -
LITIJ
• Important cities: Damascus (along River Barada), Homs,
Palmyra.
• Recently, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a rebel militia,
seized Aleppo, the 2nd largest city of Syria.
• Latakia Port is located on the East Mediterranean coast
of Syria.

➢ Dominica (Capital: Roseau) is island country of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern
Caribbean Sea.

➢ Liberia (Capital: Monrovia) is Africa’s oldest republic and never subjected to colonial rule.
• Maritime Boundary: Atlantic Ocean (South and West)

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➢ Lesotho (Capital: Maseru) is a landlocked country located entirely within South Africa.
It’s also known by the name The Mountain Kingdom.
➢ Triton Island located in the Paracels (South China Sea) is also known as Xisha Islands.
• It is effectively controlled by China but is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.

➢ Panama Canal is an 82-km (51-mile) artificial waterway that connects Pacific & Atlantic
Oceans through Panama.
• The canal transports ships through Gatun Lake.
• It is one of the two most strategic artificial waterways in the world, the other being
the Suez Canal.
• It shortens the journey of ships between east and west coasts of U.S. by 8,000 miles
(around 22 days).

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➢ Kerch Strait is located in the eastern part of the Crimean Peninsula connecting Black Sea
and the Sea of Azov.
• A strait is a narrow waterway between two pieces of land that connects two large
bodies of water.
➢ Afghanistan (Capital: Kabul) shares borders with Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China.
➢ Kuwait borders Iraq to the north and west, Saudi Arabia to the south
➢ Kankesanthurai Port, is a port in the northern region of Sri Lanka, near Jaffna

➢ EU is India’s largest trading partner; India is EU’s 9th-largest partner with a trade surplus
(2023)
➢ Nordic Countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland & Denmark

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➢ Baltic Countries: Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania

DIGI FRAMEWORK
The U.S., Japan, and South Korea signed the Digital Infrastructure Growth Initiative for India
Framework (DiGi Framework) to advance cooperation in digital infrastructure development
in partnership with India.
• Objective: To enhance collaboration with the Indian private sector and support the
development of digital infrastructure in India.
• Implementation: The framework will support projects in the information and
communications technology (ICT) sector, including: 5G and Open RAN; Submarine
cables and optical fiber networks; Data centres and smart, etc.

➢ Crossroad of Peace Initiative is an ambitious regional transport proposal aimed at

connecting Armenia with its neighbouring countries—Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, and
Georgia.
• It aims to connect the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf to
the Black Sea through easier and more efficient transportation links.
➢ Phewa Dialogue derives its name from the famous Phewa Lake situated in Pokhara
Valley of Nepal.
• Recently, Nepal and China launched the “Phewa Dialogue” series.
➢ CARICOM is a regional organization to promote economic integration and cooperation in
the Caribbean Region.

➢ 193 UN Member States adopted the first legally binding UN Convention against
Cybercrime, aimed at strengthening international cooperation to combat digital threats.
• Mandates states to criminalize unauthorized breaches of information and
communication systems.
• Criminalizes the production, distribution, and broadcasting of child sexual
exploitation material.

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INTERPOL
Interpol introduced the Silver Notice as part of a pilot phase involving 52 countries, including
India, to combat transnational organized crime by targeting criminal assets.
• Silver Notice facilitates locating, identifying, and obtaining information about laundered
assets like properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses.
• Scope: Targets assets linked to crimes such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking,
and environmental crime.
• BHARATPOL portal, developed by the CBI, links all Indian law enforcement agencies to
INTERPOL’s NCB-New Delhi

➢ ED is authorized to investigate money laundering cases and attach properties involved in

such crimes under Prevention of Money Laundering Act
• Supreme Court ruled that prior sanction is mandatory to prosecute public servants
in money laundering cases.

NATIONAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY (NIA)

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➢ Digital arrest is a type of cybercrime where fraudsters pose as law enforcement and
threaten individuals with a fabricated legal case, demanding money or personal
information to avoid arrest. This scam often involves forcing victims into video calls and
creating a fake police station setup to appear legitimate

List of Violent Groups

1. M23 (March 23 movement) rebels: 9. Ansar al-Sharia: Libya, Tunisia
Democratic Republic of Congo 10. PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party):
2. Hezbollah: Lebanon Turkey, Iraq
3. Abu Sayyaf: Philippines 11. Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army
4. Al-Shabaab: Somalia (ARSA): Myanmar
5. Houthi: Yemen 12. Kachin Independence Army (KIA):
6. Boko Haram: Nigeria Myanmar
7. ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria): 13. Ansar Dine: Mali
Iraq, Syria 14. FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of
8. Jemaah Islamiyah: Indonesia, Colombia): Colombia
Philippines, Malaysia

EXERCISES IN NEWS
1. GARUD SHAKTI 24: India - Indonesia 6. Exercise Shakti: India - France
2. VINBAX 2024: Vietnam - India 7. Agni Warrior: India - Singapore
3. AUSTRAHIND: India - Australia 8. CINBAX: India - Cambodia
4. SLINEX: Sri Lanka - India 9. Exercise Surya Kiran: India - Nepal
5. Harimau Shakti: India - Malaysia

➢ India, France, and UAE concluded the “Desert Knight” exercise over the Arabian Sea.
➢ The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in coordination with the Indian Navy and Coast
Guard, seized 700 kg of Methamphetamine as part of Operation Sagar- Manthan.
➢ Operation Sankalp, launched by the Indian Navy to protect the maritime community from
non-traditional threats in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and off the Coast of Somalia.
➢ Exercise Antariksha Abhyas 2024 India’s first Space Defense Exercise, conducted by the
Defense Space Agency (DSA), aimed at securing national strategic objectives in space.

Happy Studies :-)

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