GS PAPER III: Security challenges and their management in border areas - linkages of organized crime with terrorism.

Context: India was the third largest military spender in the world in 2020, behind only the US and China according to the latest military expenditure database published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Key Findings:

• It tracks military expenditure and arms trade globally.
• The US accounted for 39 per cent of the money spent on military globally, China accounted for 13 per cent, and India accounted for 3.7 per cent of the globe’s share.
• The US spent a total of $778 billion in 2020, China spent $252 billion and India’s military expenditure was $72.9 billion.
• All three countries saw their military spending go up compared to 2019, even during a pandemic year.
• From 2011 to 2020, American military expenditure dropped by 10 per cent, but China saw a 76 per cent growth while India’s military spending grew by 34 per cent.
• The other top spenders included Russia with $61.7 billion, the UK at $59.2 billion, Saudi Arabia at $57.5 billion, followed by Germany and France at just under $53 billion each.

About Stockholm International Peace Research Institute:

• SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
• Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.

https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-third-highest-military-spender-in-2020-7290118/

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