In a move seen as countering China’s growing clout in the Asia-Pacific region, the United States has launched a new multilateral security forum called SQUAD, comprising the U.S., Japan, the Philippines, and Australia. The formation of the group comes amid heightened tensions over maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The SQUAD forum, an acronym for the four participating nations, aims to bolster cooperation on regional security matters and uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific. U.S. officials have stated that the alliance is focused on maintaining freedom of navigation, overflight, and other internationally recognized principles. “The establishment…
Author: Shristi.Mishra
Shristi.Mishra
Hey, I am Shristi Mishra, a political science student at the University of Delhi with a strong academic focus on international relations and geopolitics. Throughout my studies, I have developed a keen interest in the interplay between legal frameworks and global affairs in shaping international dynamics. Beyond the classroom, I have honed my skills as a critical thinker and effective communicator and an accomplished debater and public speaker. Additionally, my passion for writing has led me to explore various creative avenues, from authoring an article for UNESCO to creating a compendium of guidelines and practices by MeitY. An avid reader with a penchant for writing am looking forward to exploring both the road taken and the one that's not. Voicing my perspective on the affairs of the world.
Devastating Floods in Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul The southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul has been grappling with the devastating consequences of unrelenting heavy rains, which have triggered widespread flooding across the region. As of Sunday, local authorities reported a staggering death toll of at least 78 individuals, with the situation continuing to unfold as rescue efforts persist. Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis The catastrophic flooding has displaced a staggering 115,000 people from their homes, forcing them to seek refuge in temporary shelters or with friends and relatives. This mass displacement has created a humanitarian crisis, with thousands…
Labour’s Victories Embolden Opposition The British political scene has been sent into a tailspin following the recent local council and mayoral elections across England. While the opposition Labour Party savored significant victories, adding to the pressure on embattled Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the results have laid bare the deep fissures within the Conservative ranks.As the dust settles on the hard-fought electoral contests, Labour supporters are riding high on a wave of optimism. Their success in capturing several key mayoral positions, including the prestigious West Midlands post previously held by the Conservatives, has infused new energy into the party’s ambitions. Keir…
The already strained relations between India and Canada have hit another low point over allegations surrounding Khalistani militancy and organized crime originating from India’s Punjab region. At the center of this diplomatic fracas is the murder case of Ripudaman Singh Nijjar and pointed accusations made by Canadian officials towards India. The Nijjar Murder and Trudeau’s Allegations In June 2022, Ripudaman Singh Nijjar, a former Khalistani militant acquitted in the 1985 Air India bombings case, was gunned down outside a Sikh temple in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey. Months later, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised eyebrows by alleging Indian government…
In the rapidly evolving landscape of emerging technologies, two economic powerhouses, India and China, find themselves navigating distinct paths towards technological prowess. While China’s deep tech push has garnered global attention, India’s approach to harnessing the potential of these transformative technologies presents its own opportunities and challenges, with the next government in Delhi poised to play a pivotal role. China’s Ambitious Deep Tech Agenda The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) emphasis on mastering the “new productive forces” underscores China’s determination to excel in the realms of artificial intelligence (AI), space industrialization, and the bioeconomy. This strategic focus highlights China’s recognition of…
The summer season, long anticipated by wanderers seeking to traverse the charming landscapes of Europe, has been overshadowed by a series of visa-related obstacles for Indian globe-trotters. From interminable waiting periods to perplexing visa denials, the journey has become an arduous endeavor, leaving many disheartened and disillusioned. The Schengen zone, a vast expanse encompassing 26 European nations, has traditionally been a sought-after haven for Indian explorers. However, the deluge of visa applications, compounded by the limited capacity of processing centers, has culminated in a perfect storm of delays and uncertainties. Industry insiders reveal that coveted destinations like France, Germany, Italy,…
In a seminal judgment delivered on April 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of India has provided authoritative guidance on the essential requirements for a valid Hindu marriage under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The apex court’s ruling, which came in response to a joint application filed by a couple seeking a declaration that their purported marriage was not valid in the eyes of the law, has far-reaching implications for upholding the sanctity of Hindu marriages across the nation. The case before the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Augustine George Masih, involved a couple, Dolly Rani and Manish…
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has summoned the Canadian deputy high commissioner to lodge a strong protest after separatist pro-Khalistan slogans and banners were displayed at an event in Toronto addressed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions and reignited concerns over the growing Khalistan separatist movement among the Sikh diaspora in Canada.The controversial event was held on Sunday to mark “Khalsa Day”, a celebration of the Sikh faith. Videos circulating online showed attendees raising the Khalistani flag and holding banners with slogans like “Modi Wanted” – an apparent reference to Indian PM Narendra Modi…
Global Leaders Convene in Riyadh for World Economic Forum Amid Gaza Crisis.Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (April 28, 2024) – The opening day of a special two-day meeting of the World Economic Forum drew a constellation of economic and political luminaries to the Saudi capital on Sunday. Amid heightened tensions stemming from the ongoing violence in Gaza, the gathering aimed to tackle pressing regional and global issues through dialogue and collective problem-solving. The imposing halls of the forum’s venue witnessed a parade of dignitaries, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and a host of prime ministers, officials…
New Delhi and Muscat to craft a trade deal in the coming months. New Delhi seeks to expand its ties in the Middle East amidst the rising tensions that are putting major shipping routes at risk. “It will help India with a strategic partner and access to key trade routes in a volatile region, the Indian government officials said. The two countries have an annual trade of less than $13 billion, but with rising tensions in the Middle East, the Gulf nation can serve as a gateway to the strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran, which serves as a…
