20 Latest International News For SSB Interview (Jan to Dec 2024)

14-January 2025...........

Relevant International News for SSB Interview from January 2024 to December 2024

In many defence exams, questions related to international affairs are asked. In the SSB and AFSB interviews also, interviewing officers might ask questions from international affairs. Considering the importance of this topic, we have provided a list of the Top 20 news articles regarding international affairs of 2024. We have provided detailed information about these topics also in the article.

TOPIC 01- G20 AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN TODAY'S WORLD.

The G20 is an intergovernmental forum for international economic cooperation that shapes and strengthens global economic architecture and related governance.
origin lies in the financial crisis in 1997-98 of the Asian Tigers [countries of east and southeast Asia], which caused for its establishment in 1999.
Members of the G20 forum

Structure And Functioning of the Organization

Troika- G20 does not have a secretariat. The presidency is supported by the troika which is the previous, current, and upcoming presidency. It is a non-binding forum – its decisions are not legally binding.

Significance Of the G20 Summit

To address food security issues; Promoting gender equality; Equitable distribution of power among the developed and developing nations; Addressing climate change; Global economic cooperation.

India's G20 Presidency

India is hosting the G20 leaders' summit for the first time the history. Amitabh Kant is the sherpa of G20.

Theme- “vasudhaiva kutumbakam” or “one earth –one family –one future”.

Significance Of India's G20 Presidency

It will provide platform for India to engage with other countries and focus on inclusive growth such as infrastructure, job creation, and women empowerment.

Playing the role of leader in healthcare helping the other fellow nations with vaccines, financing and other resources.

Topic-02- OPERATION GANGA

Operation ganga was conducted to evacuate the Indian citizens from war inflicted Ukraine region during Russia Ukraine war conflict.

There were around 20000 Indians students in Ukraine.

Indians were evacuated through the neighboring country of Romania, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

Topic-03 –ROLE OF UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL IN TODAYS TIME.

The United nation's role in today's day and age has come under scrutiny due to lack of unity amongst UNSC members.

UNO was formed in 1945 to prevent situations like WW-2.

Its responsibility is to maintain global peace amongst nations, achieve international cooperation and be a center for harmonizing actions of nations.

The UNO has played a pivotal role in maintaining global order and peace. However, the changing dynamics of world order are also forcing the organization to change its way of operating in the new world order.

TOPIC-04- BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE AND ITS CURRENT STATUS

BRI [BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE] also known as ONE BELT AND ONE ROAD INITIATIVE.

strategy launched by the Chinese government to connect Asia with Africa and Europe via land and sea networks. It started in 2013. For The Chinese government, it's a critical initiative to revitalize the economy of the country.

It has 5 major initiatives-

Coordination of policies
Connectivity of infrastructure
Unhindered trade
Financial integration
Connecting people

India particularly has 2 major concerns: -

The BRI policy passes through Xinjiang in China and Gwadar in Baluchistan via Pok and Gilgit Baltistan region. India sees this as an attack on its sovereignty. India favors regional cooperation but condemns hegemony.
Another concern is that Gwadar will become a Chinese naval station therefore creating an area of tension for the Indian government and armed forces as well.

Currently, the BRI INITIATIVE is facing backlash because of various reasons as follows- debt dependency; environmental impact; labor issues; transparency and governance; political instability; and regional tensions.

TOPIC-05-INDIAN SPACE POLICY

This policy is being welcomed as a progression towards India's entry in a new space age. The first satellite communication policy was brought in 1997 under guidelines by the foreign direct investment [FDI]. Then remote sensing data policy was brought in 2001 amended in 2011 then in 2016; replaced by the national geospatial policy in 2022.

NEED FOR THE POLICY-

Harnessing the full potential of India's space sector.
The private sector revolutionized the space sector.
Enhancing security in our country.
Bringing atmanirbharta in the space sector.
Promoting entrepreneurship in the space sector.
Making the space industry at par with the global space sector.

In short, the entire gamut of space activities is now open to the private sector. And it's high time that the Indian government prepares policies for the future thereafter.

TOPIC-06-WHAT IS HYBRID WARFARE?

HYBRID WARFARE Is a blend of traditional and unorthodox war tactics used against a far more powerful opponent to achieve the Political goals that would be impossible to attain through traditional warfare.
This warfare includes various methods like-
Multi-Domaine; maximum damage minimum effort; deploying non-state actors.
Recently used - in Israel-Lebanon war [2006]; Russia Crimea war [2014]
It includes various threats like cyber-attacks; undermining democracy; misinformation and fake news.
Ways to tackle- training armed forces in a multi-faceted way; strengthening democratic institutions; investing in journalism to raise media literacy.
Institutionalizing a process regarding threat and vulnerability information will enhance hybrid warfare early warning efforts, assist resiliency efforts, and may even have a deterrent effect.

TOPIC-07-THE GSAT 7B SATELLITE AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR THE INDIAN ARMY.

The

Ministry of defence accepted of necessity for the GSAT-7B satellite; this satellite is dedicated especially for the Indian army. Made under the aegis of isro .
Gsat 7 [Rukmini] provides military communication needs like- low bit voice rate to high-rate data facilities, including multi-band communications.
This India's first military satellite.
Gsat-7b is a step in the right direction, but India has a long way to go before it can have near real-time imagery or electronic intelligence. This satellite was need of the hour considering the situations near our Himalayan borders of Pakistan and China, while maintaining the tempo of modern warfare.
Also, we should not forget that China is already heavily investing in the space sector.

TOPIC-08-THE FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE

FATF is a terror financing watchdog; it's an intergovernmental policy-making and standard- setting body dedicated to combating money-laundering and terrorist financing.
Established in 1989 during the g7 summit Paris, in 2001 its mandate expanded including terrorism.
HQ- Paris; members –39 members countries including EU
FATF has TWO LIST namely –BLACKLIST- Countries which fail to comply as non-cooperative countries or territories [NCCT]; These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. [North Korea, Iran, Myanmar are in blacklist]
And GREY LIST- these countries are considered a safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering; inclusion in this list serves as a warning.
FATF regularly issues news and reports regarding the latest money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation financing techniques so that countries and the private sector can take the necessary steps to mitigate these risks.

TOPIC-09-QUADRILATERAL SECURITY DIALOGUE [QUAD]

QUAD is a diplomatic partnership among Australia, Japan, India, USA. Focusing on the stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region promoting an open and safe environment.
Objectives- address the pressing regional challenges, including health security, climate change, infrastructure, technology, cybersecurity, humanitarian assistance, maritime security, etc.
Origin- QUAD originated in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, where the 4 nations provided humanitarian assistance.
QUAD is dedicated to enhancing health security against pandemics confronting the climate change threat, and bolstering cybersecurity. QUAD aims to ensure a resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific contributing to global stability and sustainable development.

TOPIC-10-WHY ARE INFLATION RATES SURGING AROUND THE WORLD?

INFLATION is the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period. It reflects the decrease in purchasing power, meaning each currency unit buys fewer goods and services. As inflation rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services, effectively decreasing the purchasing power of money.
Primary causes for the increase in inflation- demand-pull inflation; cost-push inflation; supply chain disruptions;
Inflation is on the increase around the world, with food and energy prices hitting record highs.
The rise has been driven in large part by pent-up consumer demand after the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

TOPIC-11-S-400 MISSILE SYSTEM AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE FOR INDIAN ARMED FORCES.

S-400 Triumpf also known as the S-300 PMU-3 mobile surface-to-air missile system developed by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering in the 1990s as an upgrade to the S-300 family.
The S-400 missile defence system is a game-changer for Indian armed forces because it has diversified capabilities, to defend the nation from any outer aggression [for e.g.- from Pakistan or China].
It has a range of 120-400km; it can target hostile targets; jets; drones and missiles. It has the speed of 17000kph;
It has deep penetrating radar to detect aerial threats and fighter lanes coming towards India. Since India is indulged in a two-front war situation, the deployment of the S-400 missile defence system will help India in performing the best in even the worst-case scenarios. It empowers the Indian defence system because it is the most advanced, versatile and highly functional missile defence system.

TOPIC-12-WHAT IS CSTO?

CSTO- is a COLLECTIVE SECURITY TREATY ORGANISATION. It's an intergovernmental military organization in Eurasia established in 2002.
Members- Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan.
HQ- Moscow, Russia.
Objectives – the provision for national and collective security, intensive political-military cooperation, foreign policy coordination on international and regional security issues the establishment of multilateral cooperation mechanisms. The development of cooperation in the counteraction to modern challenges and security threats.

TOPIC-13-ABOUT SAARC: SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION

MEMBERS OF SAARC-
SAARC is a regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in south Asia. The SAARC Secretariat is in Kathmandu, which was established on 16 January 1987. As of 2019, SAARC comprises 3% of the world’s area, 21% of the world’s population and 4.21% of the global economy. It launched the South Asian Free Trade Area in 2006.

· Finally, in 1983, the Declaration on the South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was adopted by the international conference held in Dhaka.

· They also formally launched the Integrated Programme of Action (IPA) initially in five agreed areas of cooperation namely, Agriculture; Rural Development; Telecommunications; Meteorology; and Health and Population Activities.

· To enhance the effectiveness of SAARC, it has AIMED to do the following: -

Accelerate the region’s economic, social, and cultural development by ensuring that all people have the opportunity to live in dignity and reach their full potential.
Contribute to mutual trust, understanding, and respect for one another’s issues.
Encourage active collaboration and mutual help in the disciplines of economics, social science, culture, technology, and science.
Strengthen international cooperation on topics of shared interest among themselves; and
Work with worldwide and regional organizations that have comparable goals and objectives.

TOPIC-14-WHAT IS INDIAN RED CORRIDOR?

INDIAN RED CORRIDOR also known as the red corridor often referred as the red zone is a region in India spanning its eastern, central and southern parts [including 11 states like- Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar Odisha]. This area is notorious for the Naxalite Maoist insurgency. The region is characterized by underdevelopment and poverty and with inhabitants lacking even the basic necessities of life it ranks amongst the poorest regions of the country.
The region continues to grapple with economic, social and political challenges.
The risk associated with the region ranges from low-level civil unrest to violent insurgencies like the Maoist Insurgency.
Formation of the corridor results in heightened internal security risk as it makes transit easy.
The corridor poses undeniable threat to internal security; therefore, the Indian government is trying to utilize the region's resources in catering their needs of the local people and working towards providing them better facilities and amenities to live a better life.

TOPIC-15-CHINA AND TAIWAN ISSUE

China continues to assert its sovereignty over the Taiwan region viewing it as a part of its territory and insisting on eventual reunification by force if necessary.
Taiwan on the other hand maintains its separate identity and democratic system, with most of its population supporting the Status Quo of de factor independence.
Taiwan is situated in a strategically important location in the Western Pacific Ocean adjacent to China, Japan and Philippine's. Its location provides a natural gateway to southeast Asia and the south China sea which are critical for global trade.
Taiwan is a major economic player in the global market, particularly semiconductor and electronics industry.
China through its one-China policy wants that nations who want to have relations with Taiwan should break their ties with China and vice-versa.
India's expanding national interest present stronger reasons to maintain the status Quo regarding Taiwan. Any involvement in a conflict over Taiwan highly unlikely to happen since India would not want to affect its economic ties and security ties with Taiwan.

TOPIC-16-WHAT IS EARTH’S BLACK BOX?

The earth black box project has the objective of leaving proof of the decisions our species took to overcome the biggest threat it has faced since we first appeared on the planet.
Australian scientists and artists are going to make black box of the planet to hold the world accountable for their actions by creating a black box of the planet.
It will operate much like a plane’s flight recorder, which records an aircraft’s final moments before crashing
The storage drives inside Earth’s Black Box are designed to last for around 30 to 50 years.
It will collect climate-change-related data like land and sea temperature measurements, energy consumption, human population, species extinction, and atmospheric CO2 levels.
Tasmania was chosen for its relative geopolitical and environmental safety.
Black box will help in preventing a major climate change catastrophe.

TOPIC-17-USA AND PAKISTAN DEFENSE TIES

The FEDERAL cabinet of Pakistan has silently approved the new security pact with the USA.
The communication interoperability and security memorandum of agreement [CIS-MOA] will pave the way for enhanced defence ties between the two nations and many allow Pakistan to procure military hardware from Washington D.C.
Though Pakistan has signed the mou with USA, but the purchase military equipment would not be easy because America also has its interest aligned with India also, given the challenge posed by China which has affected the USA-Pak-India relationship.

TOPIC-18-WHAT IS INTERPOL POWER AND FUNCTIONS?

INTERPOL stands for international criminal police organization, a network of 195 member countries that includes India [since 1956]. Its role is to enable police throughout the world to collaborate to make this world a better place to live in.
HQ- Lyon, France.
It's the world's biggest international police organization.
Present president of Interpol- Ahmed Naser al- Raisi.
Interpol allows police forces all over the world to collaborate to prevent and combat crime. It provides police with world class infrastructure of technological and operational assistance to tackle the rising problems of combatting emerging sorts of crime.

TOPIC-19-IRAN AND ISREAL CONFLICT

Iran has launched significant attacks on Israel deploying over 300 projectile including drones, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles. The action was seen widely as retaliation for a deadly strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria.
Reasons for Iran Israel rivalry-

Withdrawal from Iran's nuclear deal: Israel praised USA decision when Iran withdrew from the JCPOA.
Assassination of Iran's army general [general Qassem Soleimani]
Hamas air strike attack [Iran's Hamas launched missile attack on Israel]
Houthis group red sea incident

Efforts taken to bring peace between Israel and its Neighbours.

Oslo accords
Abraham accord
Uno called for 2-state solutions
Arab peace initiative

Way forward- Israel should accept a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza asap, open borders for international humanitarian aid to Gaza and respect uno resolutions a two-state solution.
Iran and Israel should engage in direct talks facilitated by a neutral third party such as the European Union and United Nations.

TOPIC-20-INDIA AND RUSSIA DEFENSE DEAL

The prime minister officially visited Russia in 2024 for the 22nd India-Russia annual summit.
On the visit PM was awarded Russia's highest civilian honor-the ‘Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle’.
In the visit Mou worth USD 100 billion dollar were signed including the Make-in India programme.
Promoting bilateral settlement system national currencies.
Signed program of India-Russia cooperation in trade, economic and investment spheres in the Russian far east for the period from 2024-2029. And cooperation principles in the Arctic Zone of the Russian federation.
Also, Russia has approved the sale of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines which are meant to deter China in the south China sea.
The way forward- enhancing mutual trust