India-China issue: Jaishankar
- Complete disengagement is being achieved through a gradual process in eastern Ladakh. This is culminating in Depsang and Demchok.
- India is clear that the three principles of strict respect for the Line of Control by both sides, no arbitrary change of the status quo by either side, and full adherence to past agreements and treaties should be adhered to.
- An armed conflict between China and India took place in 1962.
- This is a military escalation of the Sino-Indian border dispute.
- This border has several disputed areas.
- At its western end is the Aksai Chin region, which is located between the Chinese autonomous region of Xinjiang and Tibet.
- It was declared an autonomous region by China in 1965, and its eastern border is between Burma and Bhutan.
- A major agreement has been reached between India and China regarding the Line of Actual Control (LoA) between India and China in Eastern Ladakh.
Boilers Bill 2024:
- The Boilers Bill 2024 was passed in the Rajya Sabha to replace the century-old Boilers Act.
- The Union Cabinet approved the Boilers Bill 2024 in August.
- The bill will repeal the Boilers Act of 1923.
- The new bill includes provisions such as regulation of boilers, protection of life and property from the risk of explosion of steam boilers, and ensuring the safety of workers working inside boilers.
UNGA Resolution against Israel: India supports
- India has voted in favour of the UNGA resolution demanding Israel withdraw from the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem.
- The draft resolution proposed by Senegal on ‘Peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue’ was introduced in the 193-member UN.
- 157 countries, including India, voted in favour of this.
- 8 countries, including the US and Israel, voted against it.
- 7 countries abstained from the vote.
- India also voted in favour of the resolution calling for Israel to withdraw from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.
- 97 countries, including India, voted in favour of this resolution and 8 countries voted against it.
Belt and Road Initiative: China-Nepal Agreement
- A Preparatory Work Agreement for Cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was signed between China and Nepal.
- ‘BRI’ is a road transport project that connects China with Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Russia and European countries.
- India has been opposing this project since the beginning.
- However, more than 100 countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, and Afghanistan, have expressed their support.
- Nepal Prime Minister KP. Sharma Oli.
- China President Xi Jinping.
December 5: International Volunteer Day
- International Volunteer Day is celebrated every year on December 5.
- The day provides an opportunity for volunteers and organizations to celebrate their efforts.
December 5: World Soil Day
- World Soil Day is observed on December 5 to raise awareness about the importance of soil, healthy ecosystems and human well-being.
Important Facts:
- Devendra Fadnavis was elected as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, which has 288 members, and Fadnavis will take oath as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra for the third time.
- December 3 was observed as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a ban on the sale, serving and consumption of beef in restaurants and public places.
- A contract was signed to launch the twin satellite Propaganda-3, designed by the European Space Agency to study the outer space of the Sun, into space using India’s PSLV rocket. Due to a technical glitch, the launch of the PSLV C-59 rocket was postponed.
- Tamil Nadu was awarded the best state for promoting sports at the 14th International Sports Conference on behalf of the Confederation of Indian Commerce and Industry in Delhi.
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced the “Ungal Thogudhiyil Muthalamaichar” scheme.