The recent visit of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Russia and the significance of the India-Russia relationship. It highlights the efforts made by both countries to strengthen bilateral ties and addresses concerns over the decline in certain aspects of the relationship.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Russia for a five-day visit, which is considered unusually long.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Mr. Jaishankar, which is unusual for him to meet lower-ranking foreign officials.
The visit aimed to smooth over differences and strengthen the India-Russia relationship.
Agreements were made regarding collaboration in future Kudankulam nuclear power projects, connectivity, trade, and resuming talks for the Eurasian Economic Union-India free trade agreement.
Joint military production and multilateral cooperation, such as coordinating positions at the UN and SCO, indicate that bilateral relations are on track.
Imports of Russian hydrocarbons will continue to rise despite Western sanctions on Russia.
Mr. Jaishankar affirms that the annual leadership summit between India and Russia will be resumed in 2024.
The statement highlights that the India-Russia relationship has been the 'only constant in world politics' over the last six decades.
This affirmation may have implications for India's relations with the US and China, given the friction in India-US relations and the impasse in India-China relations.
It is uncertain whether the visit will lead to progress on the rupee-rouble payment mechanism or the delivery of S-400 air system units.
The larger significance of the visit lies in the "geopolitical and strategic convergence" between India and Russia in a rebalancing multipolar world.
The issue of Indians attempting to enter the U.S. through illegal means, highlighting the risks and challenges they face. It also raises concerns about the trafficking racket and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
Around 1,00,000 Indians attempted to enter the U.S. between October 2022 and September this year, which is five times the number in the previous year.
More than half of these attempts were made through the heavily guarded Mexican border, while the rest were through the sparsely manned Canadian border.
The rise in Indians attempting to enter the U.S. through Mexico was highlighted when a six-year-old girl from Punjab was found dead in the Arizona desert in June 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the Trump Administration invoking Title 42 of the U.S. Code, allowing border agencies to turn away asylum seekers without a hearing.
Since the Biden Administration came to power, migration attempts by Indians have been steadily rising again.
The fact that Indians are willing to take risks and face difficulties to become illegal immigrants in the U.S. suggests desperation or being misled.
Majority of the air passengers involved in the incident were men from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat
About a dozen unaccompanied minors were also part of the incident
Reasons for migration include alleged religious persecution and distress in farming
Indian government needs to address the widespread trafficking racket in rural Punjab and Haryana
Farming crisis with plummeting incomes and overexploited farmlands has worsened the situation
Crackdown on exploitative middlemen in the labor market is necessary as a starting point.
The impact of an oil spill during a cyclone in Chennai and the efforts being made to clean and treat affected wildlife, specifically spot-billed pelicans. It provides insights into the environmental pollution and degradation caused by such incidents and highlights the importance of environmental impact assessment.
Spot-billed pelicans in Chennai have been affected by an oil spill during Cyclone Michaung.
Experts from the Guindy National Park are cleaning and treating the affected pelicans.
A wildlife team is currently counting the number of pelicans settled near water bodies in Chennai.