News In Shorts

UK has recently become the first European country to join the Indo-Pacific trade bloc Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

• Previously, in 2023, CPTPP parties and the UK signed the accession protocol to enable the UK to join the CPTPP.

Significance of such multilateral groupings for India

Recently, NITI Aayog CEO advocated for India to join trade blocks like CPTPP and RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) due to following benefits:

• Economic Opportunities: Would allow India to tap into new markets and benefit from "China plus one" strategy.
• Export market: Reduced tariffs and access to expansive markets in the Asia-Pacific region can boost exports, particularly from the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector that accounts for 40% of India's exports.

Framework is expected to pave the way implementing Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Nepal, which joined BRI in 2017. 

• Also, both countries have committed to developing the Trans-Himalayan Connectivity Network (THMDCN) and improving infrastructure in roads, railways, aviation, and power grids.
• Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also part of the BRI. 

Key Concerns for India

• Security Threats: Nepal shares a long land border (about 1700 km) with India and act as a buffer zone between both countries. China’s Infrastructure project will make border areas more vulnerable in case of conflict. 
  • E.g. Chinese-funded airport in Pokhara (located close proximity to border)
• Regional Influence: China’s economic influence in Nepal may push the country to align politically with China, weakening India’s regional influence. 
  • This is considered a part of China’s "string of pearls" strategy to encircle India with Chinese-friendly nations.
  • Also, influence over Nepal may be exercised by using Debt Trap Diplomacy.
• Other: 
  • Impacting Trade Relations, India is currently Nepal's largest trade partner, with investments in cross-border energy trade.

Recently, Nepal and China launched the “Phewa Dialogue” series. 

About Phewa Dialogue

• It derives its name from the famous Phewa Lake situated in Pokhara Valley of Nepal. 
• This will be Nepal’s first official think tank forum dedicated to South Asia Regional Economic Integration.

The 2024 OPCW The Hague award conferred upon Indian Chemical Council (ICC).

• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Hague award acknowledges ICC contributions to chemical safety, compliance with Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC).
• This is the first time that the Award recognises the efforts of a chemical industry body.
• Hague Award was established in 2014 to honor OPCW’s contributions to Chemical Weapons Conventions (CWC) goals.
• Implementation in India: National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) is responsible for implementing the Convention in India.
  • NACWC was established under the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000.

Recently, UN Secretary General paid tribute to Brigadier Amitabh Jha, who was serving with United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) at Golan Heights.

About UNDOF

• Headquarters: Camp Faouar (Syrian side of the Golan Heights).
• Genesis: Established by UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution 350 (1974), following the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria.
• Mandate: Maintain the ceasefire and supervise the area of separation — a demilitarized buffer zone — as well as the area of limitation — where Israeli and Syrian troops are restricted — in the Golan.
  • Mandate is renewed every 6 months by UNSC and has been renewed till June 2025.
• India is third largest military contributor to UNDOF.

During a recent trilateral consultation between India-Iran-Armenia, the Armenian side briefed on its connectivity initiative, "Crossroads of Peace."

About Crossroad of Peace Initiative

• It is an ambitious regional transport proposal aimed at connecting Armenia with its neighboring countries—Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Georgia.
• Objectives: Seeks to revitalize and develop crucial infrastructure—roads, railways, pipelines, cables, and electricity lines—to facilitate the flow of goods, energy, and people across these nations.
• 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.

Recently, Russian tanker splits in storm spilling oil in Kerch Strait waterway.

• A strait is a narrow waterway between two pieces of land that connects two large bodies of water.

About Kerch Strait

• Location: It is located in the eastern part of the Crimean Peninsula connecting Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
• Significance: Key route for exports of Russian grain and for exports of crude oil, fuel oil, LNG, etc.

India has been re-elected to U.N. Peacebuilding Commission for 2025–2026.

About U.N. Peacebuilding Commission

• Genesis: Established in 2005, it is an intergovernmental advisory body that supports peace efforts in conflict-affected countries.
• Composition: 31 Member States, elected from General Assembly, Security Council, & Economic and Social Council. 
  • Top financial contributing countries & troop-contributing countries to United Nations system are also members.
• Mandate: To bring together all relevant actors to marshal resources, advise on strategies for post-conflict peacebuilding & ensure recovery from conflict. 
• India is among largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN Peacekeeping, with more than 6,000 personnel currently deployed in missions worldwide.