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- Why in News?
- The Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual high-level security summit, is currently underway in Singapore.
- Key Provisions:-
- Launched in 2002, the event was conceived in the context of post–Cold War multilateralism and the growing importance of defence diplomacy in the wake of 9/11. Named after the Shangri-La Hotel, where its first session was held, the Dialogue is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), London, with strong backing from the Singaporean government.
- This platform functions as a “Track 1.5” multilateral dialogue, blending official governmental engagement with informal interactions among policymakers, defence officials, and strategic thinkers. Its primary aim is to foster open discussion on regional and global security concerns. Participants include defence ministers, military chiefs, and experts from Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East, who gather to exchange perspectives, strengthen partnerships, and explore cooperative responses to shared security challenges in an increasingly complex international landscape.
- Why in News?
- A 25-member all-women Border Security Force (BSF) contingent has been deployed to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission. Their role will include maintaining peace, supporting local communities, and protecting civilians in conflict-affected regions.
- Key Provisions:-
- UN Peacekeeping, initiated in 1948 with the creation of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in the Middle East, is founded on three core principles: consent of the involved parties, impartiality, and the use of force only in self-defence or in defence of the mission's mandate.
- Peacekeeping missions assist in political transitions, civilian protection, and support during elections. India has played a major role in UN peacekeeping, having contributed more than 290,000 personnel to over 50 missions since the 1950s. This makes India the largest contributor globally. The deployment of the BSF women contingent continues this legacy, highlighting India’s commitment to global peace and gender inclusion in security roles.
- Why in News?
- Mount Etna, located on Sicily island in Italy, has recently erupted, drawing attention to one of the world’s most iconic and active volcanoes.
- Key Provisions:-
- Towering over the Mediterranean, it is the highest island mountain in the region and holds the distinction of being Europe’s largest and most active stratovolcano.
- Stratovolcanoes, or composite volcanoes, form from cooler, more viscous lava than basalt, often resulting in highly explosive eruptions. Mount Etna’s complex structure includes multiple summit craters, cinder cones, frequent lava flows, and the dramatic Valle del Bove, a vast volcanic depression on its eastern flank.
- Etna has one of the longest documented histories of volcanic activity, with records dating back around 2,700 years. Its continuous activity and geological significance earned it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite its volatility, Mount Etna remains a symbol of natural power and a key feature of Sicily’s cultural and physical landscape.