Current Affairs

General Studies Prelims

General Studies (Mains)

39th GCC Summit Held Amid Regional Tensions

The 39th Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of intense regional complications. The summit unfolded amid inter-member disputes due to Saudi Arabia’s embargo on Qatar since June 2017, the ongoing conflict in Yemen, and the diplomatic crisis that erupted following the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

GCC Summit: A Stage for Negotiation Amidst Tensions

The GCC summit serves as an important platform for discussions among member countries regarding shared economic, political, and security matters. However, the 39th meeting faced significant hurdles due to existing regional issues, particularly the blockade imposed on Qatar by fellow GCC members – Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This economic and diplomatic embargo has strained relations within the council since its implementation in June 2017.

Moreover, the war in Yemen and the international crisis sparked by the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi also served as crucial points of discussions at the summit. These matters not only caused divisions among GCC members but also drew global scrutiny to the meeting.

The Gulf Cooperation Council: An Overview

The Gulf Cooperation Council is a political and economic alliance made up of countries from the Arabian Peninsula. Established in 1981, the GCC aims to promote socioeconomic, security, and cultural cooperation among its members. The six member states include the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.

Member States of Gulf Cooperation Council
S. No. Country
1. United Arab Emirates
2. Bahrain
3. Saudi Arabia
4. Oman
5. Qatar
6. Kuwait

Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant: Setting Records

Located amidst the Western Ghats at Kaiga in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka, India, lies an impressive feat of nuclear power – the Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant. This facility achieved a world record for the longest uninterrupted operation of 941 days, recently. By doing so, it surpassed the previous record of 940 days held by a nuclear power plant in the United Kingdom.

The Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant comprises four Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors, each with a capacity of 220 MW. These were indigenously developed by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL). The plant’s accomplishment is a testament to the growing prowess of the Indian nuclear energy sector.

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