Sittwe port (Myanmar) |
Why in News: India has obtained authorization to oversee operations at the Sittwe port in Myanmar, marking its second venture into overseas port management following the Chabahar port project.
- The Ministry of External Affairs has greenlit a proposal for India Ports Global (IPGL), a wholly owned entity of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, to administer the port situated on the Kaladan River.
About Sittwe port
- Location:Positioned at the estuary of the Kaladan River in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the Sittwe Port serves as a deepwater facility.
- Part of KMTTP:Integral to the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP), which receives funding support from the Government of India.
- Strategic Importance:Holds considerable significance as it will facilitate the emergence of new trade and transit avenues for India’s Northeast region, while also bolstering trade and commerce between India and Myanmar.
Cuba |
Why in News: The National Assembly of Cuba has reconfirmed President Miguel Diaz-Canel to serve another term spanning five years.
About Cuba
- Geographical Composition:Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, along with Isla de la Juventud and several smaller archipelagos.
- Location:Situated in the northern Caribbean, Cuba occupies a strategic position where the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic Ocean converge.
- Capital:Havana, the largest city, serves as the capital of Cuba.
Uzbekistan |
Why in News: The majority of Uzbekistan’s populace supported President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s proposal to revise the nation’s Constitution.
About Uzbekistan
- Geographical Location:Uzbekistan is a landlocked nation situated in Central Asia.
- Bordering Countries:It shares borders with Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
- Population and Languages: The country has a population exceeding 34 million people, predominantly speaking Uzbek as their official language, alongside Russian and various regional languages.
- Landlocked Status:
- Uzbekistan is one of the two doubly landlocked countries globally, meaning it is entirely surrounded by other landlocked countries.
- The other doubly landlocked nation is Liechtenstein in Europe.
- Silk Production:Uzbekistan is renowned for its silk manufacturing industry.
Sittwe Port |
Why in News: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has recently greenlit a plan for India Ports Global Ltd (IPGL) to assume control of operations at the entirety of Sittwe port, situated along the Kaladan River in Myanmar. This development marks India’s second overseas port endeavor following the Chabahar Port.
About Sittwe Port
- Location and Significance:The Sittwe Port, situated in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, plays a pivotal role in the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport project.
- Connectivity Advantage:This deep-water port provides a crucial connectivity advantage, facilitating cargo movement from ports like Vizag and Kolkata to the Northeastern states, circumventing the need to traverse through Bangladesh.
- Reduced Dependency:By offering an alternative route, the Sittwe Port helps diminish reliance on the Siliguri Corridor, commonly referred to as the “chicken’s neck,” which is squeezed between Bhutan and Bangladesh.
- India’s Overseas Port Operations:With operational control over both Chabahar and Sittwe ports, India bolsters its maritime influence, countering China’s String of Pearls strategy, which includes ports such as Hambantota in Sri Lanka and Djibouti in Africa.
Coco Islands |
Why in News: In light of recent accounts detailing questionable infrastructure developments on Myanmar’s Coco Islands, an MQ-9 drone leased by the Indian Navy was observed conducting reconnaissance missions in the vicinity of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
About Coco Islands
- Geographical Location:Coco Islands are a cluster of small islands situated in the Bay of Bengal.
- Proximity to Andaman and Nicobar Islands:The largest island in the group, Great Coco Island, is only 55 km away from India’s strategic Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Administrative Affiliation:These islands fall under the jurisdiction of the Yangon Region in Myanmar.
- Geological Connection:
- Geologically, Coco Islands are an extension of the Arakan Mountains, also known as the Rakhine Mountains.
- They emerge as a chain of islands in the Bay of Bengal before resurfacing as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, maintaining the same topographical features.
- Relationship with Andaman & Nicobar Islands:Coco Islands share a similar geological composition and topography with India’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
