GS PAPER: II

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961

Why in the news?

Recently, Canada recalled its diplomats from India after India threatened to revoke their diplomatic immunity.

What is Diplomatic Immunity?

• Diplomatic immunity is a privilege that exempts diplomats from certain laws and taxes in the country where they are posted.
• It is granted to ensure that diplomats can function without fear of interference from the host country.

India threatened to revoke diplomatic immunity after Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist in Canada. India denied any involvement in the killing, and said that Canada’s accusations were “absurd.”

What has India said?

• India has said that its actions to revoke diplomatic immunity are fully consistent with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
• India has also said that it is seeking parity with Canada in terms of diplomatic representation. India has about 20 diplomats in Canada, while Canada has about 60 diplomats in India.

What is the Vienna Convention?

• The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is a United Nations treaty that was adopted in 1961. The convention sets out the rights and obligations of diplomats and diplomatic missions.
• One of the key principles of the Vienna Convention is diplomatic immunity. Diplomatic immunity exempts diplomats from certain laws and taxes in the country where they are posted.

GS PAPER: II

South Korea, US, Japan hold first-ever trilateral air drill

Why in the news?

Recently, the South Korean, US and Japanese militaries conducted their first-ever trilateral air drill in response to evolving North Korean nuclear threats.

• The training involved a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber from the United States and fighter jets from South Korea and Japan.

Why is this significant?

• The drill is significant because it is the first time that the three countries have conducted a trilateral air exercise.
• It is also a sign of the increasing security cooperation between the three countries in the face of North Korea’s growing nuclear threat.

What is the reaction from North Korea?

• North Korea has long bristled at US training exercises with South Korea, calling them an invasion rehearsal and responding with missile tests.
• North Korea has also slammed the Camp David agreement between the US, South Korea, and Japan, calling it a plot for nuclear war provocations.

GS PAPER: II

Operation Chakra – II

Why in the news?

In recent raids conducted by the CBI under Operation Chakra-II have been successful in uncovering and disrupting several illegal call centres that were impersonating Microsoft and Amazon customer support.

What is Operation Chakra-II?

Operation Chakra-II is a collaborative effort between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of India, Microsoft, Amazon, and other national and international agencies to combat transnational organized cyber-enabled financial crimes. The operation was launched in October 2023, following the success of Operation Chakra, which was conducted in 2022.

Why are Microsoft and Amazon involved?

Microsoft and Amazon are two of the largest technology companies in the world, and their products and services are often targeted by cybercriminals. In particular, cybercriminals often impersonate Microsoft and Amazon customer support representatives in order to scam people.

How does Operation Chakra-II work?

Operation Chakra-II works by sharing intelligence between the CBI and the other participating agencies. This intelligence is used to identify and track down cybercriminals, as well as to disrupt their operations. The CBI also works with the other agencies to develop and implement new strategies for combating cybercrime.

What are the benefits of Operation Chakra-II?

• It helps to protect consumers from cybercrime.
• It disrupts the operations of cyber criminals, making it more difficult for them to commit crimes.
• It helps to build relationships between law enforcement agencies in different countries, which can lead to more effective cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.

Operation Chakra-II is a positive development in the fight against cybercrime, and it is important to raise awareness of this operation so that people can learn how to protect themselves from tech support scams.