General Studies Paper -2 Context: Recently, India delivered the strategic BrahMos cruise missile and articulated its full support in upholding national sovereignty for the Philippines. About the South China Sea It is one of the most strategically and economically important waterways in the world, extending from the Strait of Malacca in the southwest, to the Strait of Taiwan in the northeast. It is a crucial maritime gateway and junction for shipping between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is surrounded by several nations, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The region is rich....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: Presenting the BIMSTEC Charter in Nepal’s Parliament signifies progress towards regional cooperation and economic prosperity for the member states. The Charter serves as the foundational document, setting out principles and structures for cooperation among member states. BIMSTEC About: The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a multilateral regional organisation. Aim: It was established with the aim of accelerating shared growth and cooperation between littoral and adjacent countries in the Bay of Bengal region. Origin and Membership: It was founded as BIST-EC, in June 1997, with the adoption of the....Read More

General Studies Paper-2  Context: Iran launched drones and cruise missiles against Israel under Operation True Promise (Also called “Operation Honest Promise”). About India issued a statement expressing India’s “serious concern” at the escalation of hostilities, and called for “immediate de-escalation”. The Iranian attack was in response to the suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian consular building in Syria’s Damascus that killed 12 people. Significance of the Region for India Threat to Indian Community: There are about 18,000 Indians in Israel and about 5,000-10,000 Indians in Iran, about 90 lakh people are living and working in the Gulf and West Asia....Read More

General Studies Paper-2  Context: Recently, the United Nations (UN) has recently released the ‘Financing for Sustainable Development Report 2024’ highlighting the urgent need for increased investment in sustainable development to achieve the SDGs. About Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): These are a set of 17 goals established by the UN as a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. These goals, adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. The Journey of SDGs: More than 178 countries adopted Agenda....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: The AUKUS security Pact is set to begin talks on bringing new members and plans to include Japan into the group. What is AUKUS? AUKUS is a trilateral defence and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was established in2021 to bolster their allied deterrence and defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific.  The trilateral partnership has two pillars. Pillar Irevolves around the acquisition and development of conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy; and Pillar 2focuses on cooperation in eight advanced military capability areas: artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, innovation, information sharing, and cyber, undersea, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: NATO has completed its 75 years of establishment in 2024. About NATO NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance of countries.  Establishment:It was founded in 1949 with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty, more popularly known as the Washington Treaty. Aim:To ensure the security and defense of its member countries through collective defense. Founding Members: The original members of NATO were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Collective Defense:The cornerstone of NATO is Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which states that an armed attack....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: Recently, a majority in the Lower House of Nepal supported the proposal seeking endorsement of the BIMSTEC Charter. About the BIMSTEC Charter It was signed and adopted during the Fifth BIMSTEC Summit held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2022. It provides a legal and institutional framework for BIMSTEC, aiming to create an enabling environment for rapid economic development through the identification and implementation of specific cooperation projects in the agreed areas of cooperation and other areas that may be agreed upon by the Member States. It reaffirms the commitment to the principles and purposes of BIMSTEC as enshrined in....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: India and Brazil concluded the first ‘2+2’ defence and foreign ministerial dialogue. About Discussions spanned defence, space, energy, critical minerals, tech, counter-terrorism and regional, multilateral & other issues of mutual interest. It was co-chaired by an additional secretary in the external affairs ministry and joint secretary in the defence ministry. What are 2+2 meetings? The 2+2 meetings signify the participation of two high-level representatives, Ministers holding Foreign and Defence portfolios, from each of the two countries who aim to enhance the scope of dialogue between them. Having such a mechanism enables the partners to better understand and appreciate each....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: The Union Cabinet recently gave its approval for the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan. About The MoU signed between the two countries is on General Supply of Petroleum, Oil, Lubricants (POL) and related products from India to Bhutan. It aims to benefit India and its citizens with improved economic and commercial linkages with Bhutan irrespective of any gender, class or income bias, particularly in the area of hydrocarbon sector. Expected Benefits of MoU The Memorandum of Understanding will promote bilateral trade in the hydrocarbon sector and will ensure secured....Read More

General Studies Paper -2 Context: India has presented a detailed model on behalf of the G4 nations for Security Council reform. About the G4 Model India presented the ‘G4 model’ on behalf of Brazil, Germany, Japan and Indiafor debate, dialogue and finally negotiations. The proposals elicited strong support from wider UN members. New Members:It proposes that the Security Council’s membership increase from the current 15 to 25-26, by adding six permanent and four or five non-permanent members. Regional Representation:Among the six new permanent members, two each are proposed to be from African states and Asia Pacific states, one from Latin American and Caribbean states; and one from Western European and Other states. Flexibility in Veto:The G4....Read More