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World Trade Organization (WTO)

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

World Bank Group

G20

G4 (Brazil, Germany, India, Japan)

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)

Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)

Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)

Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT)

European Union (EU)

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

African Union (AU)

Key Challenges and Criticisms

Conclusion

What is Wolf Warrior Diplomacy of China?

• Confrontational and combative.
• Proponents loudly denounce any criticism of China on social media and in interviews.
• Considered a ‘great diplomatic philosophy’ of Xi Jinping.

How China is using this Diplomacy against India?

• For example, in 2017, China established its first offshore military base in Djibouti, which provides it with considerable capacity to monitor the Indian Navy’s movements in the Indian Ocean.

• Recently, the Sri Lankan parliament passed a controversial Bill on the China-backed Colombo Port City. Hambantota Port is already under China’s control.

About Taliban

What is India’s stand on the Taliban?

• Road to Central Asia: India's strategic interests in the region include access to Central Asia and ensuring that Pakistan does not relocate India-focused terror groups to Afghanistan.
• Geographic Significance: Afghanistan's strategic location in South Asia is particularly relevant to India as a geographical neighbor. The country is bordered by the Central Asian Republics to the north, Pakistan to the east, and has access to the Indian Ocean through Iran and Pakistan to the south.
• Trade Partnerships: Afghanistan has been an important trading and craft center for over 2000 years, connecting the civilizations of Persia and Central Asia with India.

Background

• India allowed Rohingya refugees to enter the country in 2012, considering the eruption of violent conflicts between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State as an “internal affair”.
• Myanmar classified them as “resident foreigners” or “associate citizens”. They were forced to leave Myanmar in large numbers after several waves of violence, which first began in 2012.
• Officially, about 1,200 Rohingya have been identified as among the first batch to have arrived in Delhi in 2012.

Who are Rohingya?

• The Rohingya people are a stateless Indo-Aryan ethnic group who predominantly follow Islam and reside in Rakhine State, Myanmar (previously known as Burma).
• They are prescribed by the United Nations as the most persecuted minority in the world.
• They fled their homes in 2017 to escape an alleged crackdown by Myanmar’s military.
• To escape discrimination and violence in Myanmar, minority Rohingya Muslims have fled to neighboring Bangladesh and other countries, including India.

What is the issue?

• In June 2021, a fire ravaged one of the Rohingya camps, and after the incident, displaced Rohingya were moved to an empty plot nearby that belonged to the Zakat Foundation of India, an NGO.
• The Delhi government later decided to shift all Rohingya families to EWS flats and put them under constant police watch.

Nature of assistance provided to Rohingyas in the detention camps:

• Relief assistance provided by the Centre includes monthly cash dole, subsidized ration, clothing materials, utensils, cremation and shradh (last rites) grants, and infrastructure facilities in camps.

What is India’s stand on refugees?

• According to the government, infiltration from the Rakhine State of Myanmar into Indian territory, besides being a burden on the limited resources of the country, also aggravates the security challenges posed to the country.
• In addition, the rise in terrorism in the last few decades is a cause for concern in most nations, and illegal migrants are more vulnerable to getting recruited by terrorist organizations.
• India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol.

Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)

• The FRRO is responsible for tracking foreigners and their visas. The FRRO is under the administrative control of the MHA.
• Since Delhi is a Union Territory, law and order are under the Central government, leading to issues of managing refugee matters between the Delhi Government and the Central Government.

Governance of foreign undocumented nationals:

• All foreign undocumented nationals are governed as per the provisions of:
  • The Foreigners Act, 1946
  • The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
  • The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
  • The Citizenship Act, 1955
• Foreign nationals who enter the country without valid travel documents are treated as illegal immigrants.
• There is no national law on refugees at present. Only Standard Operating Procedures are issued by the MHA to deal with foreign nationals in India who claim to be refugees.

The citizenship issue:

• The Indian Constitution defines the citizen of the country, and subsequent laws do not deal with refugees.
• In legal terms, a person living in India can be either a citizen or a foreigner defined under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
• India has also not been a signatory to the 1951 UN Convention or the 1967 Protocol, both relating to the Status of Refugees and included in the UNHCR statute.
• According to the UNHCR, a refugee is a person living in another country following persecution on the grounds of "race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion."

Background

• India and Tajikistan diplomatic relations were established on 28 August 1992, since then regular high level visits between the two countries cemented the bilateral ties.
• India was one of the first countries to recognize independence of Tajikistan and set up diplomatic relations. Indian embassy was opened in Dushanbe in
• Both the countries are celebrating 30 years of diplomatic ties.

Tajikistan

• Tajikistan, officially the Republic of Tajikistan, is a mountainous landlocked country in Central Asia.
• It borders Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east.
• Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan are separated from Tajikistan by the narrow Wakhan Corridor.

Key highlights of the recent meeting:

• Water resource & energy: The discussion revolved around water resources research, with special focus on Glaciers and their monitoring and understanding, Non-conventional Energy, etc.
• Tajikistan Minister requested India to support global water action and climate resistance on Water for sustainable Development.
• Agendas of the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission of Tajikistan and India on trade-economic, scientific and technical cooperation in 2020 were discussed that included industry, agriculture, education etc.
• The Eight MoUs/agreements that were signed in 2018 between the two nations were revisited.
• Those were in the areas of Peaceful Use of Space Technology, Disaster Management, Renewable Energy, and Agricultural Research and Education to name important ones.

Present Status of India-Thailand Relations

• Cooperation at international level: Both countries are important regional partners linking South and Southeast Asia and they cooperate closely on many international platforms:
  • ASEAN
  • East Asia Summit (EAS)
  • Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
  • Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC)
  • Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD)
  • Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
  • Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS)
• Trade relations: In 2021, Thailand became India’s fourth largest trading partner in ASEAN. In 2021-22, Thailand was India’s 22nd top trade partner, with a total trade of US$ 6.6 billion.
• Defence cooperation:
  • The MoU on Defence Cooperation between India and Thailand was signed on 25 Jan 2012.
  • Since 2015, India is participating in Ex-Cobra Gold, the largest Asia Pacific Military exercise in the ‘Observer Plus’ category.
• India-Thailand Counter-Terrorism Cooperation

Background

• Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen has been convicted by a Maldivian criminal court.
• As opposition leader, he has spearheaded the “India Out” campaign.
• Yameen has been alleged of having close links with China.

How are these developments relevant to India?

• Abdulla Yameen is trying to link his incarceration to pressure from India.
• India needs to tread carefully regarding the domestic politics of the Maldives.

How have India’s Relations with the Maldives been?

• Security Partnership: Recently, the National College for Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) was inaugurated by India’s External Affairs Minister.
• Economic Cooperation: Tourism is the mainstay of the Maldivian economy. The country is now a major tourist destination for some Indians and a job destination for others.
  • In August 2021, Afcons, an Indian company, signed a contract for the largest-ever infrastructure project in Maldives which is the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP).
  • India is Maldives’ 2nd largest trading partner – rising from its 4th position in 2018.
  • In 2021, bilateral trade registered a growth of 31% over the previous year – overcoming the pandemic-related challenges.
• Neighbourhood First Policy: It is a core component of India’s foreign policy, focuses on peaceful relations and collaborative synergetic co-development with its South Asian neighbors of the Indian subcontinent.

Recent Developments in India-Maldives Relations

• MoU on Judicial Services: The Government has approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of judicial cooperation between India and the Judicial Service Commission of Maldives.
• Male connectivity project: The Greater Male Connectivity Project launch, a USD 500 million project funded by New Delhi.
• Agreements: The countries have signed six agreements to expand cooperation in a range of areas in the Maldives, including:
  • Cyber security
  • Capacity Building
  • Housing
  • Disaster Management
  • Challenges in India-Maldives Relations

Background

• Year 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
• Prime Minister of both the countries concluded the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit during this visit.
• India and Japan have enhanced their ties in past several years and the recent visit by Japanese Prime Minister expanded the horizon of cooperation between the two countries.
• The visit was also important as two countries shared their views of the on-going Russia-Ukraine conflict.

History of Japan’s relations with India:

• During ancient times:
  • Exchange between Japan and India is said to have begun in the 6th century when Buddhism was introduced to Japan.
  • In 752 A.D. consecration or eye-opening of the towering statue of Lord Buddha in Todaji Temple (Nara) was performed by an Indian monk, Bodhisena.
  • Indian culture, filtered through Buddhism, has had a great impact on Japanese culture, and this is the source of the Japanese people’s sense of closeness to India.
  • It is important to note that since ancient time, India and Japan have never been adversaries.
• During Colonial times:
  • The Japan-India Association was set up in 1903, and is today the oldest international friendship body in Japan.
  • Japanese soil was used by Indian revolutionary Rash Bihari Bose to spread the idea of fighting against the British rule for liberating India.
  • Azad Hind Fauz was organized with the help of Japanese Army and both fought together against the British forces to free India during the Second World War.
• After India gained Independence:
  • In 1949, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru donated an Indian elephant to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.
  • Japan and India signed a peace treaty and established diplomatic relations on 28th April, 1952. This treaty was one of the first peace treaties Japan signed after World War II.
  • In 1958, India was the first country to receive loan for developed in Japanese currency.
• In the Post-Cold War Era:
  • The fall of Berlin Wall and collapse of USSR gave further impetus to India-Japan relations.
  • India’s East Asia Policy and its need to fill the void, left by the termination of Soviet Union, cemented the bond of between India and Japan even more.
  • Fostering of this relation though received a jolt when India tested it nuclear weapons at Pokaran in 1998 and Japan being a victim of two atomic bombs condemned the former.
  • The relationship between the two countries was soon revived as the then Prime Minister of Japan Yoshiro Mori visited India in the year 2000 and “Global Partnership for India and Japan for 21st Century” was signed.
  • Further upgrade of this relation took place when in 2006, the association between the two countries was elevated and termed as “Global and Strategic Partnership”.
  • In 2014, the relation was ameliorated further to “Special Strategic and Global Partnership”.

Shinzo Abe & his relations with India

• Context: The unfortunate demise of Japan former PM and India’s ally Shinzo Abe also affected India.
• Shinzo Abe:
  • Shinzo Abe (21 September 1954 – 8 July 2022), was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020.
• India Japan – Major Diplomatic Initiatives:
  • Social Security Agreement (SSA)
  • Bilateral Swap Agreement: A bilateral swap agreement between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Bank of Japan (BoJ).
  • Political and Security Cooperation as mandated by the Action Plan of 2009 witnessed steady progress in 2012.
  • A new Cyber Security Dialogue was held at Tokyo on 5 November 2012, while a newly established Maritime Dialogue.
  • The 60th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan was celebrated through various events both in India and Japan.
  • QUAD grouping initiated by Japan.

Background

• There is a long-persisting conflict in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka.
• Previously, there was no clear demarcation of maritime borders between Indian and Sri Lanka.
• Later, in the 1970s, India and Sri Lanka concluded the maritime boundary agreements of 1974 and 1976, delimiting international boundaries in the Palk Bay, the Gulf of Mannar, and the Bay of Bengal, respectively.
• Under the agreement, India ceded the island of Kachchatheevu in the Palk Bay by India to Sri Lanka which was protested by the state of Tamil Nadu.
• Indian fishermen have been fishing near the island for centuries and they continued fishing even after the bilateral agreement.
• Earlier, Sri Lanka did not take much action against this activity due to civil war in the country.
• However, after 2009, it has increased surveillance which has caused tensions between the two countries.

What is Kachchatheevu island?

• Katchatheevu island is the centre of a long-standing dispute between the fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
• Katchatheevu is an uninhabited islet in the Palk Strait that was formed due to volcanic eruption in the 14th century.
• The 285-acre land, strategically important for fishing activities, was owned by the Raja of Ramnad (Ramanathapuram) and later became part of the Madras Presidency after the delimitation of Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait during British rule between the then governments of Madras and Ceylon.

Why the island is the bone of contention?

• In 1921, both Sri Lanka and India claimed this piece of land for fishing and the dispute remained unsettled.
• Though the island is not strategically important for India, but for Indian fishermen it is a very important place associated with their livelihood since the surrounding seas of Kachachativu Island have an abundance of prawns.
• In 1974, Katchatheevu was ceded to Sri Lanka through the Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement to settle the maritime boundary in the Palk Strait.

The Church

About 4,000 devotees from Rameswaram visit the 110-year-old St Anthony’s Church on the island every year on average.

The another agreement

• During Emergency (1976), another agreement was finalized to determine the boundary in the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal.
• It restricted both the countries’ fishermen from fishing in the other’s waters.
• With the establishment of the Exclusive Economic Zones by the two countries, India and Sri Lanka will exercise sovereign rights over the living and non-living resources of their respective zones.
• The fishing vessels and fishermen of India shall not engage in fishing in the historic waters, the territorial sea and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Sri Lanka.
• The fishing vessels and fishermen of Sri Lanka will not engage in fishing in the historic waters, the territorial sea and the Exclusive Economic Zone of India, without the express permission of Sri Lanka or India.

About India-Sri Lanka relations

• India and Sri Lanka have a long history of cultural, religious, and trade ties dating back to ancient times.
• There are strong cultural ties between the two countries, with many Sri Lankans tracing their heritage to India. Buddhism, which originated in India, is also an important religion in Sri Lanka.
• Economic ties: India is Sri Lanka’s third largest export destination, after the US and UK. More than 60% of Sri Lanka’s exports enjoy the benefits of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. India is also a major investor in Sri Lanka.
• Defence: India and Sri Lanka conduct joint Military (Mitra Shakti) and Naval exercise (SLINEX)

The Strategy

• South Korea’s Indo-Pacific strategy has a broad geographical scope, covering the Americas, parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia.
• Given the centrality of Asia for the vision, two subregions that stand out are South Asia and Southeast Asia.
• Given India’s burgeoning profile among the Indo-Pacific states, New Delhi will in the coming years become a strategic priority for Seoul.

India – South Korea Relations

• Political: In May 2015, the bilateral relationship was upgraded to a ‘special strategic partnership’.
• Economic: The current bilateral trade between India and South Korea is at USD 21 billion with a target of USD 50 billion by 2030.
• India and South Korea have signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2010, facilitating the growth of trade relations.
• To facilitate investment from Korea, India has launched a “Korea Plus” facilitation cell under ‘Invest India’ to guide, assist, and handhold investors.
• Cultural: Korean Buddhist Monk Hyecho or Hong Jiao visited India from 723 to 729 AD and wrote the travelogue “Pilgrimage to the Five Kingdoms of India” which gives a vivid account of Indian culture, politics, and society.
• Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore composed a short but evocative poem – ‘Lamp of the East’ – in 1929 about Korea’s glorious past and its promising bright future.

Background

• Year 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations.
• Prime Ministers of both countries concluded the 14th India-Japan Annual Summit during this visit.
• India and Japan have enhanced their ties in past several years and the recent visit by Japanese Prime Minister expanded the horizon of cooperation between the two countries.
• The visit was also important as the two countries shared their views on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

History of Japan’s relations with India:

• During ancient times:
  • Exchange between Japan and India is said to have begun in the 6th century when Buddhism was introduced to Japan.
  • In 752 A.D., the consecration or eye-opening of the towering statue of Lord Buddha in Todaji Temple (Nara) was performed by an Indian monk, Bodhisena.
  • Indian culture, filtered through Buddhism, has had a great impact on Japanese culture, and this is the source of the Japanese people’s sense of closeness to India.
  • It is important to note that since ancient times, India and Japan have never been adversaries.
• During Colonial times:
  • The Japan-India Association was set up in 1903 and is today the oldest international friendship body in Japan.
  • Japanese soil was used by Indian revolutionary Rash Bihari Bose to spread the idea of fighting against British rule for liberating India.
  • Azad Hind Fauz was organized with the help of the Japanese Army and both fought together against the British forces to free India during the Second World War.
• After India gained Independence:
  • In 1949, Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru donated an Indian elephant to the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo.
  • Japan and India signed a peace treaty and established diplomatic relations on 28th April, 1952. This treaty was one of the first peace treaties Japan signed after World War II.
  • In 1958, India was the first country to receive a loan for development in Japanese currency.
• In the Post-Cold War Era:
  • The fall of the Berlin Wall and collapse of the USSR gave further impetus to India-Japan relations.
  • India’s East Asia Policy and its need to fill the void left by the termination of the Soviet Union cemented the bond between India and Japan even more.
  • Fostering of this relationship though received a jolt when India tested its nuclear weapons at Pokaran in 1998 and Japan, being a victim of two atomic bombs, condemned the former.
  • The relationship between the two countries was soon revived as the then Prime Minister of Japan Yoshiro Mori visited India in the year 2000 and “Global Partnership for India and Japan for the 21st Century” was signed.
  • Further upgrade of this relationship took place when in 2006, the association between the two countries was elevated and termed as “Global and Strategic Partnership”.
  • In 2014, the relationship was ameliorated further to “Special Strategic and Global Partnership”.

Shinzo Abe & his relations with India

• Context: The unfortunate demise of Japan’s former PM and India’s ally Shinzo Abe also affected India.
• Shinzo Abe:
  • Shinzo Abe (21 September 1954 – 8 July 2022), was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020.
• India-Japan – Major Diplomatic Initiatives:
  • Social Security Agreement (SSA)
  • Bilateral Swap Agreement: A bilateral swap agreement between the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Bank of Japan (BoJ).
  • Political and Security Cooperation as mandated by the Action Plan of 2009 witnessed steady progress in 2012.
  • A new Cyber Security Dialogue was held in Tokyo on 5 November 2012, while a newly established Maritime Dialogue was also initiated.
  • The 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Japan was celebrated through various events both in India and Japan.
  • QUAD grouping initiated by Japan.

What is the EAGLE Act of 2022?

• It is known as The Immigration Bill, HR 3648.
• EAGLE stands for Equal Access to Green cards for Legal Employment (EAGLE) Act, 2022.
• Focuses on hiring immigrants based on merit, not their birthplace.
• Originally introduced in House on June 1st, 2021, and re-introduced in 2022.

The goal of the Act:

• To allow US employers to focus on hiring immigrants based on merit by eliminating the “per country” limitation on employment-based immigrant visas (green cards).

Exceptions:

• During the transition period, some visas would be put aside for:
  • Physical therapists and nurses
  • Employment-based immigrants and their family members who are not currently in the United States
• Individuals waiting in the immigrant visa backlog: Provisions to allow individuals who have been waiting in the immigrant visa backlog for two years to file their green card applications.

Impact on less-populated countries:

• To reduce the impact on less-populated countries, the legislation plans to phase out the per-country caps over nine years.

About UN Counter-Terrorism Committee:

• A dedicated Counter-Terrorism committee of the UNSC established in 2001, in the aftermath of the 11 September attack against the United States.
• Resolution: Formed after UNSC resolution of 1373 (2001).
• Members: Composed of 15 Member States including Albania, Brazil, China, France, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, Russian Federation, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States.
• Thematic Areas: Focuses on specific thematic areas including Counter-terrorism strategies, countering the financing of terrorism, Border security and arms trafficking, Law enforcement, Human Rights, etc.

Delhi Declaration:

• Aim: To cover the main concerns surrounding the abuse of drones, social media platforms, and crowd-funding, and create guidelines to tackle these issues.
• Non-binding Document: Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes is a non-binding document.
• Thematic Coordination: Members will draft recommendations on three themes:
  • Countering terrorist exploitation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
  • Countering terrorism financing
  • Threats posed by terrorist use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
• Good Practices: A compilation of good practices on the opportunities offered by the same set of technologies to tackle threats will also be issued.

5-point suggestion:

• Curb Terror Financing: Effective and sustained efforts at countering terror financing is crucial.
• Transparency: Ensure the effective and transparent functioning of the Security Council sanctions regime.
• International Cooperation: Concerted action against terrorists and their sponsors, including dismantlement of terrorist safe havens and support structures.
• Terror-crime Nexus: Address the nexus between terrorism and transnational organized crime, illicit drugs, and arms trafficking.
• Technology Misuse: Tackle the exploitation of new and emerging technologies such as virtual currencies for fundraising and finances by terrorist groups.

About:

• India was the only country not to join the declaration on trade.
• Members: India, USA, Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF):

• Launched by US President Biden in Tokyo in May 2022.
• Four Pillars:
  • Trade
  • Supply Chains
  • Clean Energy, Decarbonisation, and Infrastructure
  • Tax and Anti-Corruption
• Except Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, other Southeast Asian nations are part of the IPEF.
• Aims to advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for economies.
• Contributes to cooperation, stability, prosperity, development, and peace within the region.
• 14 IPEF partners represent 40% of global GDP and 28% of global goods and services trade.

Details:

• The United States House of Representatives passed by voice vote the legislative amendment that approves waiver to India against CAATSA sanctions.
• In the backdrop of India purchasing the S-400 missile defense system from Russia to help deter aggressors like China.
• The S-400 is known as Russia’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile defense system. The US has already imposed sanctions on Turkey under CAATSA for the purchase of a batch of S-400 missile defense systems from Russia.

About CAATSA sanctions:

• The Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) law was enacted in 2017, providing for punitive actions by the US government against any country engaged in transactions with the Russian defense and intelligence sectors.
• CAATSA is a tough US law that authorizes the US administration to impose sanctions on countries that purchase major defense hardware from Russia.
• Besides Russia, CAATSA enforces sanctions against Iran and North Korea.
• Enacted in response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and alleged meddling in the 2016 US presidential elections.

Sanctions on India:

• Types of Sanctions: The CAATSA contains 12 types of sanctions. Only two may impact either India-Russia relations or India-US relations:
  • Prohibition of Banking transactions: Making it difficult for India to make payments in US Dollars to Russia for the purchase of the S-400 systems.
  • Export Sanction: Denies the license for and export of any items controlled by the US, potentially derailing the India-US Strategic and Defence partnership.
• Waiver Criteria: The US President was given the authority in 2018 to waive CAATSA sanctions on a case-by-case basis.

What is the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Bill?

• Makes lynching a federal crime punishable by imprisonment of up to 30 years.
• Named after 14-year-old Emmett Till, who was brutally murdered in a racist attack in Mississippi in 1955.
• Terms lynching as a hate crime.
• Passed by the US lawmakers with only three Republican legislators opposing it.
• Prosecution as a lynching when a person conspires to commit a hate crime that results in death or serious injury.
• First anti-lynching Bill was introduced in 1900 by George Henry White, the only black man in Congress at that time.

Lynching in India:

• India has faced the problem of mob lynching in recent years.
• Common reason: Cow vigilantism and accusations of smuggling cattle for slaughtering.
• Rumors regarding crimes or wrongdoings by a person may also lead to lynching.
• Most cases caused by the spread of rumors through social media.
• People from minority communities are often the victims of lynching in India.