Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 29 April 2017
:: National ::
Supreme court offered to set the stage for J&K talks
Even as the Supreme Court offered to set the stage for peace talks between influential voices in Kashmir and the Centre to facilitate the return of normality to the Valley.
The government put its foot down, saying it will not break bread with secessionist forces and cannot brook the risk of withdrawing security forces from the sensitive border State.
Appearing before a Bench led by CJI J.S. Khehar, Attorney-General Mukul said the government cannot negotiate with separatists. The Centre said it would “absolutely” not entertain any talks of azadi with these leaders.
Mr. Rohatgi read portions of submissions filed in court by petitioners, suggesting the route to peace in Kashmir would be for talks between India and Pakistan. He pointed to how the petitioners felt that even the accession of Jammu and Kashmir was “controversial.”
The court asked the stakeholders in Kashmir to “take two steps back” as a resolution can be initiated only if there are no stones and pellets fired on the streets of Kashmir.
Maharastra govt to set up panel for welfare of transgenders
The Maharashtra government will soon set up an executive committee under the ministry of Women and Child Welfare to activate functioning of Transgender Welfare Board, conceptualised in 2014.
The government will implement Central schemes for welfare of the transgenders through this committee, Women and Child Welfare Minister said.
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:: India and World ::
NATO member looking for defence ties with India
Looking beyond traditional military ties with Pakistan and the NATO member countries, Turkey is eager to build a defence partnership with India.
Apart from defence, Ankara wants to explore nuclear and space opportunities with India and intends to join hands with it for a more just world order.
India is one of the biggest importers of defence material in the world and has an excellent defence industry. That is why Turkey is keen to build partnership with India’s defence industry.
Turkey and Pakistan have been traditional friends since the 1950s when both joined the Western Bloc. But Mr. Cevik maintained that Turkey has decided to create space for cooperation with India.