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EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences

Why in News Recently, a resolution was adopted by the European Parliament, urging the European Union (EU) Commission to consider the temporary...

15 Jun 2021 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
China-ASEAN Meeting

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G-7 & India

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Joint Statement on Multilateralism: BRICS

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The Big Picture: Global Corporate Tax and India

Why in News Recently, the Finance Ministers of the G7 advanced economies secured a landmark deal on taxing multinational companies by fixing a...

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The Big Picture: Israel-Palestine Conflict

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The Big Picture: India-UK Trade

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		'title' => 'EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a resolution was adopted by the European Parliament, urging the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union </strong></a>(EU) Commission to <strong>consider the temporary withdrawal of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status given to Sri Lanka.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sri Lanka regained the GSP +, or the EU&rsquo;s Generalised Scheme of Preferences in 2017.</li>
<li>The EU is <strong>Sri Lanka&rsquo;s second-largest trading partner after China and its second main export destination.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) is <strong>a set of EU rules allowing exporters from developing countries to pay less or no duties on their exports</strong> to the European Union. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>helps developing countries to alleviate poverty and create jobs</strong> based on international values and principles, including labour and human rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The EU&rsquo;s GSP is <strong>widely recognised as the most progressive in terms of coverage and benefits. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Standard GSP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For <strong>low and lower-middle income countries.</strong> This means a <strong>partial or full removal of customs duties on two thirds of tariff lines.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Developing countries</strong> are automatically granted GSP if they are <strong>classified as having an income level below "upper middle income" by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a></strong> and do not benefit from another arrangement (like a <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/a-note-on-free-trade-agreements-and-their-costs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Free Trade Agreement</strong></a>) granting them preferential access to the EU market.</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong> Bangladesh, Cambodia and Myanmar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>GSP+:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>slashes these same tariffs (that under standard GSP) to 0% for vulnerable low and lower-middle income countries</strong> that implement international conventions related to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/human-rights-day-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> human rights</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-labour-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>labour rights</strong></a>, protection of the environment and good governance.</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong> Armenia, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, The Philippines and Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>EBA (Everything But Arms):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The special arrangement <strong>for least developed countries, providing them with duty-free, quota-free access for all products except arms and ammunition.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monitoring Beneficiaries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU <strong>continuously monitors and reviews GSP+ beneficiary countries&rsquo;</strong> effective implementation of the <strong>international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, and good governance.</strong></li>
<li>This monitoring includes exchanges of information, dialogue and visits and involves various stakeholders, including civil society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Generalised System of Preferences</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/generalized-system-of-preference" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Generalized System of Preferences</strong></a> is an umbrella that comprises the bulk of <strong>preferential schemes granted by industrialized nations to developing countries.</strong></li>
<li>It involves reduced <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-revokes-mfn-status-to-pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Most Favored Nations (MFN)</strong></a> Tariffs or duty-free entry of eligible products exported by beneficiary countries to the markets of donor countries.</li>
<li>The idea of granting developing countries preferential tariff rates in the markets of industrialized countries was originally presented at the first <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-investment-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)</strong></a> conference in<strong> 1964.</strong></li>
<li>The GSP was adopted at<strong> UNCTAD</strong> in New Delhi in 1968 and was instituted in 1971.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There are currently <strong>13 national GSP schemes notified to the UNCTAD secretariat.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Countries which Grant Generalized System of Preferences:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Australia, Belarus, Canada, EU, Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Norway, Russian Federation, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States of America.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>2019, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-withdraws-gsp-for-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US terminated India&rsquo;s designation</a> as a beneficiary developing nation under its GSP trade programme.</strong> This was done after determining that India has not assured the US that it will provide &ldquo;equitable and reasonable access&rdquo; to its markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Improves Growth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Improves Economic growth and development</strong> in the developing world by helping beneficiary countries to increase and diversify their trade with the developed nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provides Employment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Moving GSP imports from the docks to consumers, farmers, and manufacturers supports tens of thousands of jobs in the developed nation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Boosts Company Competitiveness:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is boosted by the GSP as it reduces costs of imported inputs used by companies to manufacture goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promotes Global Values:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It<strong> promotes Global values by supporting beneficiary countries</strong> in affording worker rights to their people, enforcing intellectual property rights, and supporting the rule of law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UNCTAD</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> permanent intergovernmental body</strong> established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. It is headquartered at<strong> Geneva in Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy</strong> more fairly and effectively.</li>
<li>It has 194 member nations. <strong>India is a member.</strong></li>
<li>Some of the reports published by it are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/trade-and-development-report-2018-power-platforms-and-the-free-trade-delusion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade and Development Report</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/investment-trends-monitor-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Investment Trends Monitor Report</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-investment-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Investment Report</strong></a></li>
<li>The Least Developed Countries Report</li>
<li>Information and Economy Report</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/technology-and-innovation-report-2021-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Technology and Innovation Report</strong></a></li>
<li>Commodities and Development Report</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Most Favored Nations (MFN)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation&rsquo;s (WTO)</strong></a> General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade MFN principle, each of the WTO member countries should &ldquo;treat all the other members equally as &lsquo;most-favoured&rsquo; trading partners.&rdquo;</li>
<li>According to the WTO, though the term &lsquo;MFN&rsquo; &ldquo;suggests special treatment, it actually means nondiscrimination.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/eu-parliament-resolution-puts-spotlight-on-sri-lankas-rights-situation/article34815656.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8569,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'China-ASEAN Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China hosted a meeting of foreign ministers from the 10 <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</strong></a> countries.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The meeting marks the <strong>30<sup>th</sup> anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue.</strong></li>
<li>With this meeting China looks to <strong>deepen its economic ties with the region</strong> as well as <strong>push back the renewed effort at regional engagement</strong> from the US, as well as from the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">QUAD (Quadrilateral Framework) grouping</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>QUAD earlier this year came out with a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-leaders-summit-quad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">regional vaccine initiative</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points.</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Cultural Diplomacy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Reiterated that <strong>China and ASEAN should jointly carry forward Asian values</strong> in a subtle dig at the West. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China in 2014 had put forward the idea that it was for <strong>&ldquo;Asian people to uphold Asia&rsquo;s security&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-Vaccines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China offered ASEAN countries its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccination" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>vaccines</strong></a> as well as closer cooperation on joint vaccine development and production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maritime Security &amp; Disputes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China called for considering the <strong>lifting of China-ASEAN ties to comprehensive strategic partnership</strong> and strive for an early agreement on a <strong>code of conduct in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South China Sea</a>.</strong></li>
<li>China is <strong>banking on deep economic links to both offset maritime disputes</strong> and the push among some ASEAN countries for closer defence ties with the US amid their concerns about China&rsquo;s growing military footprint in the South China Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China pushed for the early implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rcep-comes-into-existence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)</strong></a>, which was signed by China, ASEAN countries, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand in November 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India withdrew from the RCEP</strong> largely because of concerns it would open it up to Chinese goods amid an already wide trade imbalance with China, and the failure of the agreement to adequately open up to services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN&rsquo;s Importance for China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN plays a <strong>key role in Chinese economic and strategic interests.</strong></li>
<li>The region straddles vital sea lanes of communication that <strong>represent China&rsquo;s access to the global market</strong>, including vital imports of Middle Eastern oil.</li>
<li>Economically entwined with China, the relatively small nations of the region also <strong>offer ample opportunities for China to advance its influence</strong> and weaken what Chinese strategists perceive as a US (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chinese-incursions-in-taiwan#:~:text=The%20Chinese%20government%20passed%20an,coerced%20or%20attacked%20by%20China." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Presence of US</strong></a>) engineered chain of encirclement around the Chinese mainland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN and India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Traditionally the basis of India-ASEAN ties has been trade and people-to-people ties</strong> due to shared historical and cultural roots, a more recent and urgent area of convergence has been <strong>balancing China&rsquo;s rise.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2020, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/17th-asean-india-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>17<sup>th</sup> ASEAN-India Virtual Summit</strong></a> was held.</li>
<li>The 8<sup>th</sup> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>East Asia Summit</strong></a> <strong>Economic Ministers&rsquo; Meeting</strong> (EAS-EMM) was also held<strong> in 2020. It comprises the ten member states of the ASEAN, along with 8 other countries</strong> namely Australia, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both India and ASEAN aim to establish a<strong> rules-based security architecture for peaceful development in the region</strong>, in contrast to China&rsquo;s aggressive policies.</li>
<li>Like India, <strong>several ASEAN members such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei have territorial disputes with China, the China</strong> factor does form an important component of the relationship.</li>
<li>India in 2014 reinvigorated the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-act-east-policy-1#:~:text=About%3A,Pacific%20region%20at%20different%20levels." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Look East policy into Act East</strong></a>, with a more strategic outlook than its previous incarnation, <strong>focusing on engagement not just with Southeast Asian countries but also those in the Pacific.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The main focus of the Act East policy is on <strong>enhancing connectivity between India and South East Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>a regional grouping</strong> that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation.</li>
<li>It was established in <strong>August 1967 in Bangkok</strong>, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.</li>
<li>Its <strong>chairmanship rotates annually</strong>, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.</li>
<li>ASEAN countries have a<strong> total population of 650 million people</strong> and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 2.8 trillion. It is <strong>India&rsquo;s 4<sup>th</sup> largest trading partner with about USD 86.9 billion in trade.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam..</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623312702_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623312702_image1.png" width="450" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With China frequently displaying the intention as well as capability to challenge India, as seen in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doklam standoff</strong></a>, it is pertinent that <strong>India finds more like-minded nations interested in working together to protect regional peace and stability.</strong></li>
<li>In this context, ASEAN fits the bill perfectly. <strong>ASEAN can also spur rapid growth of India&rsquo;s underdeveloped northeastern region</strong> if linkages that enable movement of people and goods could be established quickly.</li>
<li>But in order to do that, <strong>India must focus on speeding up connectivity projects and addressing its uneven balance of trade with ASEAN nations.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-offers-asean-support-on-vaccines-medical-supplies/article34762311.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8568,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'G-7 & India ',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/g-7-virtual-meet-united-kingdom-india-and-the-west-relations-7348541/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The G-7 opportunity&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 08/06/2021. It talks about the significance of the upcoming G-7 Summit for India.</p>
</div>
<p></p>
<p>In the coming days, the summit of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g7-foreign-ministers-meet#:~:text=Seven%20(G7)%3A-,About%3A,constitution%20or%20a%20fixed%20headquarters." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Group of Seven (G-7)</strong></a> industrial countries is going to take place in the United Kingdom. In the context of Post-Covid-19 era, the summit promises to be a definitive moment in the political evolution of the Western countries as a group of nations.</p>
<p>Apart from this, the summit will also see the digital participation of Indian Prime Minister. For India, the G-7 summit is an opportunity to expand the global dimension of India&rsquo;s growing partnerships with the US and Europe.</p>
<p>Thus, the summit can emerge as an important step towards a new global compact between India and the West.</p>
<h3>G-7: Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The G7 was created as a consultation of industrialized economies, all of which have been democracies since the grouping&rsquo;s origins in 1975.</li>
<li>The original G6 included the United States, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, with Canada joining to make the G7 by 1976.</li>
<li>Russia participated in the G8 from 1998 to 2014 until its invasion of Ukraine&rsquo;s Crimea caused the group to eject it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of G-7 Summit For India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>America First To America is Back:</strong> Former US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;America First&rdquo; policies weakened the US hegemony. Now US President Joe Biden is determined to strengthen US alliances and draw India into a new global architecture.</li>
<li><strong>Need for a Strong G-7 Coalition:</strong> The need for reinvigoration of G-7 emanates from the challenges put forward by increasingly aggressive China, the urgency of mitigating climate change, and the construction of a post-pandemic international order.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These challenges are generating an unprecedented convergence between the interests of India and the West.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>G-7 to G-11:</strong> Not a long time ago, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the G-7 of the world&rsquo;s most developed nations was &ldquo;outdated&rdquo; and proposed to expand it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Now, the move to invite India, Australia, South Africa and South Korea to this can be seen as a possible step onwards upgradation of G-7 to G-11.</li>
<li>The idea of a G-11 also can emerge as a global democratic coalition and India is at the very heart of this narrative.</li>
<li>Further, the proposed G-11 grouping would recognise India&rsquo;s place amongst the world&rsquo;s richest nations, and acknowledge its global voice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Countering China:</strong> India now can&rsquo;t escape the conclusion that China is the greatest obstacle to India&rsquo;s global aspirations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, forming a western pivot which includes strong bilateral strategic cooperation with the US, France, UK, EU as well as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong></a> can help India counter China.</li>
<li>India is also eager to emerge as a critical node in future supply chains oriented to the democratic world, including in the area of vaccine production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Easing Navigation Among Great Powers:</strong> With Russia also invited at the G-7 summit, India now hopes that a renewed dialogue between US and Russia can lead to a relaxation of tensions between them and will ease India&rsquo;s navigation among the great powers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges With G-7 &amp; India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Clash of Interests:</strong> The growing convergence of interests between India and the West does not mean the two sides will agree on everything. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After all, there are many areas of continuing divergence within the West &mdash; from the economic role of the state to the democratic regulation of social media and the technology giants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Internal Tussle Within G-7:</strong> An evaluation of the G-7&rsquo;s effectiveness as a multilateral forum thus far is needed, given deep member differences on issues including climate change, security contributions, Iran, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Emerging New Cold War:</strong> Despite its border tensions with China, India must also consider its objectives in attending a grouping that appears aimed at fuelling a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>new Cold War</strong></a> between the U.S. and China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>While India continues to strengthen its partnerships in Asia and the global south, a more productive partnership with the West helps secure a growing array of India&rsquo;s national interests and adds a new depth to India&rsquo;s international relations.</p>
<p>However, this would require sustained negotiations on converting shared interests &mdash; on reforming the global economic order, mitigating climate change, promoting greener growth, making the world immune to future pandemics, and constructing trusted supply chains &mdash; into concrete outcomes.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfcf0;">
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India now can&rsquo;t escape the conclusion that China is the greatest obstacle to India&rsquo;s global aspirations. In light of this statement, discuss the prospects of India joining the G-7.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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		'article_id' => (int) 8567,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Joint Statement on Multilateralism: BRICS',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/brics-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> BRICS</strong></a> Foreign Ministers, in a recent meet, put out a joint statement on <strong>multilateralism.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>BRICS</strong> is an acronym for the <strong>grouping of</strong> the world&rsquo;s leading emerging economies, namely <strong>Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Multilateralism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the <strong>process of organizing relations</strong> between <strong>groups of three or more states.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>generally comprises certain qualitative elements or principles that shape the character of the arrangement</strong> or institution. These principles are:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Indivisibility of interests</strong> among participants.</li>
<li>Commitment to <strong>diffuse reciprocity,</strong> i.e. mutual exchange.</li>
<li>System of <strong>dispute settlement</strong> intended to enforce a particular mode of behaviour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Multilateral institutions have played a significant role in <strong>post-war global governance</strong> and are arguably<strong> more stable</strong> than other forms of organization because the <strong>principles</strong> underlying them appear to be more <strong>durable and more able to adapt</strong> to external changes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Increasing Incidences of Lawfare:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It means the misuse of<strong> existing International and national laws</strong> by several countries (via forced technology requirements, intellectual property rights violations, and subsidies), to gain an unfair advantage over other countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The imposition of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bigger-picture-of-usas-action-against-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extraterritorial sanction (under CAATSA) by the US</strong></a> has affected development in developing economies like India and China.</li>
<li>Paralysis of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization (WTO)</strong></a>, due to the tussle between the developed and developing world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dual Use of Global Supply Chain:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the developed countries have <strong>jurisdiction and control over global supply chains.</strong> Due to growing convergence between commercial interests and strategic goals, these supply chains enable them to have <strong>vast extraterritorial influence </strong>and have created <strong>new power asymmetries.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China through BRI</strong></a> (Belt and Road Initiative) is enhancing its role in global economic governance.</li>
<li>There are fears pertaining to dual-use (commercial viability and military application) of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Revolution 4.0.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Global Framework:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The global community has not been able to come on a single platform or frame a <strong>Global Agenda</strong> on issues related to <strong>terrorism, Climate Change, cybersecurity etc.</strong></li>
<li>Also, due to the lack of any global public health framework, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>has spread into a pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Six Principles laid out by BRICS for the task of Strengthening and and Reforming the Multilateral System:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, it should make <strong>global governance</strong> more inclusive, representative and participatory to facilitate greater and more meaningful participation of developing and least developed countries.</li>
<li>Second, it should be <strong>based on inclusive consultation</strong> and <strong>collaboration</strong> for the benefit of all.</li>
<li>Third, it should make<strong> multilateral organisations more responsive, action-oriented </strong>and <strong>solution-oriented</strong> based on the norms and principles of international law and the spirit of mutual respect, justice, equality, and mutually beneficial cooperation.</li>
<li>Fourth, it should use<strong> innovative and inclusive solutions,</strong> including digital and technological tools.</li>
<li>Fifth, it should <strong>strengthen the capacities of individual States and international organizations.</strong></li>
<li>Sixth, it should promote <strong>people-centered international cooperation</strong> at the core. .</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>BRICS</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world&rsquo;s leading emerging economies, namely<strong> Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2001,</strong> the <strong>British Economist Jim O&rsquo;Neill</strong> coined the term BRIC to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.</li>
<li>The grouping was <strong>formalised</strong> during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers&rsquo; in <strong>2006.</strong></li>
<li><strong>South Africa</strong> was invited to<strong> join BRIC in December 2010,</strong> after which the group adopted the acronym <strong>BRICS.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> has assumed the <strong>BRICS Presidency from January 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Structure</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BRICS <strong>does not exist in the form of organization,</strong> but it is an<strong> annual summit</strong> between the<strong> supreme leaders of five nations.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Chairmanship</strong> of the forum is <strong>rotated annually</strong> among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/brics-opposes-exceptionalism-china/article34764232.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8566,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Global Corporate Tax and India',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7GTUM5PpeYM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Finance Ministers of the<strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/47th-g7-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G7</a> </strong>advanced economies secured a landmark deal on taxing multinational companies by fixing a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-minimum-corporate-tax" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate (GMCTR)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The decision would be placed before the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong> </a>countries, a group of developing and developed nations, in July 2021.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> The deal is aimed at modernizing the century-old international tax code and reducing the transatlantic tensions that threatened to spill into a trade war.</li>
<li><strong>Paving Way for Taxes:</strong> The agreement paves way for levies on Multinational Companies (MNCs) in countries where they operate, instead of just where they are headquartered.</li>
<li><strong>Countries&rsquo; Right to Tax:</strong> Under the new agreement, countries where big firms operate would get the right to tax at least 20% of profits exceeding a 10% margin which would apply to the largest and most profitable multinational enterprises.</li>
<li><strong>Efforts by OECD:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)</strong></a> has also been coordinating tax negotiations among 140 countries for years on rules for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/digital-services-tax-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> taxing cross-border digital services</strong> </a>and curbing tax <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-223" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>base erosion</strong></a>, including a global corporate minimum tax.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate (GMCTR)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corporation tax:</strong> It is a direct tax imposed on the net income or profit that enterprises make from their businesses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The G7 Finance Ministers have called for a global minimum corporation tax rate of<strong> at least 15%. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need of GMCTR: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Low Tax Jurisdictions:</strong> MNCs follow the system of locating the headquarters wherever the tax is the lowest so that the company ends up paying the tax at a much lower rate. Therefore the smaller countries such as Ireland were at advantage but the bigger countries lost out on tax revenues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>G7 countries have announced a minimum 15% tax rate on all MNCs irrespective of whichever place they are so that the advantage of country shifting does not remain.</li>
<li>There GMCTR must be fixed to avoid countries undercutting each other.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>To Bring Uniformity:</strong> GMCTR will end a decades-long race to the bottom in which countries have competed to attract corporate giants with ultra-low tax rates and exemptions. And it will bring uniformity in corporate taxation worldwide.</li>
<li><strong>Multilayering by MNCs for Profits:</strong> Digital giants such as Apple, Alphabet and Facebook, as well as many other major corporations typically rely on complex webs of subsidiaries to hoover profits out of major markets into low-tax countries such as Ireland or Caribbean nations such as the British Virgin Islands or the Bahamas, or to central American nations such as Panama.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>GMCTR and India: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bringing Equality:</strong> In the Indian context, the GMCTR will bring equality to those people maybe operating in India but not located in India and therefore not paying any taxes.</li>
<li><strong>Attract Investments:</strong> India is likely to benefit from the global minimum 15% corporate tax rate pact as the effective domestic tax rate (other than in Special Economic Zones) is above the threshold.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In all probability the concessional Indian tax regime would still work, and India would continue to attract investments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India at Advantage:</strong> Due to India&rsquo;s tax rates too, it will be in an advantageous position because Indian tax rates have come at a position where India can afford to give concessions to big companies and yet not fall down at the international tax rates.</li>
<li><strong>Challenge:</strong> Although the 15% GMCTR will not affect the current investments in India, setting up more SEZs or giving incentives to companies to invest in India will be a challenge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bringing Global Consensus:</strong> Bringing all the major nations on the same page, especially since the pact impinges on the right of the sovereign to decide a nation&rsquo;s tax policy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A global minimum rate would essentially take away a tool that countries use to push policies that suit them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues to Smaller Countries:</strong> Countries like Ireland, which has a tax rate of 12.5%, has come out against the global minimum tax, arguing that it would be disruptive to its economic model.</li>
<li><strong>Issues to Developing Countries:</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IMF</strong></a> and<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> World Bank</strong> </a>data suggest that developing countries with less ability to offer mega stimulus packages may experience a longer economic hangover than developed nations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Considering the countries like Bangladesh which do not have too many advantages to offer besides a Special Economic Zone, this decision of G7 countries might not be very conducive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tackling Tax Evasion:</strong> A lower tax rate is a tool the countries can use to alternatively push economic activity. Also, a global minimum tax rate will do little to tackle tax evasion.</li>
<li><strong>Rigidity in Rules:</strong> Once an international commitment has been made for 15%, it will be very difficult for the national governments to say who stays on 15% and who doesn&rsquo;t. It will introduce a rigidity in the rules which might not be as favourable for countries&rsquo; economies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Effective Implementation:</strong> The idea of fixing a GMCTR is good but it needs to be ensured that the way it is implemented is transparent so it doesn&rsquo;t involve people looking for leverage for different loopholes.</li>
<li><strong>Proper Coordination:</strong> There should be appropriate coordination between the application of the new international tax rules including the Digital Services Taxes. Any final agreement could have major repercussions for low-tax countries and tax havens.</li>
<li><strong>Way Ahead for India:</strong> Once this deal comes through, India shall be at an advantageous position at the G20 summit to negotiate its double taxation avoidance agreements. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India shall take the opportunity that will be provided by this agreement as India&rsquo;s double tax avoidance agreements have not been signed by many countries in the west with which India has been negotiating for years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This initiative of the G7 countries is a welcome move to address the different challenges that many countries are facing.</li>
<li>Putting in place a global corporate tax at the minimum slab fixed by the G7 will majorly impact the developing economies.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8518,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India Abstains from Latest Resolution Against Israel',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Palestine blamed India for suppressing its human rights of all people</strong> as India abstained from the latest resolution on the Palestinian issue.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India abstained from voting on a resolution</strong> at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-human-rights-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Human Rights Council</strong> </a>(UNHRC) that came up in the backdrop of the latest round of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ai-aqsa-mosque-sheikh-jarrah-israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>conflict between Israel and Gaza strip</strong></a>, the coastal part of the Palestinian territories.</li>
<li>UNHRC is<strong> an inter-governmental body</strong> within the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> (UN) system responsible for <strong>strengthening the promotion and protection of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> human rights</a> around the world.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622722160_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622722160_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="500" height="629" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Resolution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It called on the UNHRC <strong>to set up a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/call-for-permanent-commission-for-israel-and-palestinian-areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">permanent commission</a> to probe human rights violations in Gaza,</strong> West Bank and Palestine.</li>
<li>It was <strong>adopted with the vote of 24 members.</strong> Nine voted against, and 14, including India, abstained. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Among the<strong> countries that abstained</strong> on the vote, along with India, were France, Italy, Japan, Nepal, the Netherlands, Poland, and South Korea.</li>
<li>China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Russia were<strong> among those who voted in favour;</strong> Germany, the UK, and Austria<strong> voted against the resolution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As it was passed, an <strong>independent commission of inquiry</strong> was formed to investigate <strong>violations of international law by Israel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Palestine's Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> resolution</strong> is not an aberration to the Human Rights Council. It is the <strong>by-product of extensive multilateral consultations.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>consolidation of years and thorough investigations into and reporting on Israel&rsquo;s grave violations</strong> by States, UN&rsquo;s experts, Human Rights Treaty bodies, and international organisations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Palestinian people were <strong>deprived of applicability of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">international human rights law.</a></strong></li>
<li>The<strong> root causes of the injustice</strong> against the Palestinian people was <strong>dispossession, displacement, <a href="/gs-special/gs-special-world-history/colonialism#:~:text=Colonialism%20implies%20domination%20of%20people%27s,is%20more%20formal%20and%20aggressive." target="_blank" rel="noopener">colonisation</a> by Israel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore,<strong> India&rsquo;s abstention stifles the important work of Human Rights Council</strong> at advancing human rights for all peoples, including those of the Palestinian people.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India <strong>missed an opportunity to join the international community</strong> at this turning point, both crucial and long overdue, on the path to accountability, justice and peace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Till Date India&rsquo;s Position on Israel-Palestine Issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India<strong> recognised Israel in 1950</strong> but it is also the<strong> first non-Arab country to recognise Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)</strong> as the sole representative of the Palestinian.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is also <strong>one of the first countries to recognise the statehood of Palestine in 1988.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> 2014,</strong> India<strong> favored UNHRC&rsquo;s resolution to probe Israel&rsquo;s human rights violations in Gaza.</strong> Despite supporting the probe, <strong>India abstained from voting against Israel in UNHRC in 2015.</strong></li>
<li>As a part of Link West Policy, <strong>India has de-hyphenated its relationship with Israel and Palestine in 2018</strong> to treat both the countries mutually independent and exclusive.</li>
<li>In June 2019, India <strong>voted in favor of a decision introduced by Israel</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-ecosoc-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)</strong> </a>that objected to granting consultative status to a Palestinian non-governmental organization.</li>
<li>In March 2021, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-criminal-court-icc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Criminal Court (ICC)</strong></a> launched investigatations into the war crimes in <strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Palestinian territories occupied by Israel (West Bank and the Gaza Strip).</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Israel wanted India to take a stand against it,</strong> however it did not happen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>So far, India has<strong> tried to maintain the image of its historical moral supporter for Palestinian self-determination,</strong> and at the same time to <strong>engage in the military, economic, and other strategic relations with Israel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s policy on the longest running conflict in the world has <strong>gone from being unequivocally pro-Palestine</strong> for the first four decades, to a<strong> tense balancing act with its three-decade-old friendly ties with Israel.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In today's multipolar world, <strong>India needs to have a balanced approach.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>world at large needs to come together for a peaceful solution</strong> but the reluctance of the Israeli government and other involved parties have aggravated the issue more. Thus a <strong>balanced approach would help to maintain favorable relations with Arab countries as well as Israel.</strong></li>
<li>The recent <strong>normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, known as the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/israel-uae-and-bahrain-abraham-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Abraham Accords</a>,</strong> are the steps in the right direction. All regional powers should envisage peace between the two countries on line of Abraham Accords.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/palestine-flays-indias-abstention-from-un-human-rights-council-vote/article34708618.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8516,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SCO Agreement on Mass Media Cooperation',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Government approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement on <strong>&lsquo;Cooperation in the field of Mass Media&rsquo;</strong> between all the Member States of <strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Agreement was <strong>signed in June 2019.</strong> It will provide an opportunity for the Member States<strong> to share new innovations and best practices</strong> in the field of Mass Media.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Main Areas of Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Creation of <strong>a favorable system for mutual and wide distribution of information via Mass Media</strong> in a bid<strong> to deepen the knowledge about the lives of the people of their States.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cooperation</strong> among the<strong> Editorial Offices of the Mass Media</strong> of their States as well as between the<strong> relevant Ministries, Agencies,</strong> and Organizations in the field of Mass Media.</li>
<li>Promoting equal and mutually beneficial<strong> cooperation between professional associations of journalists</strong> of the States.</li>
<li><strong>Aiding broadcast of television and radio programs</strong> and those distributed legally within the territory of the State.</li>
<li>Encouraging the exchange of specialists and experience in the field of Mass Media, offer<strong> mutual assistance in training media professionals,</strong> and promote cooperation between <strong>scientific research</strong> and educational institutions in the field of Mass Media.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SCO</strong></a> is a<strong> permanent intergovernmental international organisation.</strong></li>
<li>It&rsquo;s a<strong> Eurasian</strong> political, economic and military organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was<strong> created in 2001.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>SCO Charter</strong> was signed<strong> in 2002,</strong> and entered <strong>into force in 2003.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Official Language:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The SCO's official languages are<strong> Russian and Chinese.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Eight countries</strong> are part of SCO, <strong>which are:</strong> Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>SCO has <strong>two Permanent Bodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SCO <strong>Secretariat in Beijing (China),</strong> and</li>
<li>Executive Committee of the<strong> Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)</strong> in <strong>Tashkent (Uzbekistan).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Chairmanship of SCO</strong> is<strong> by rotation for a year by Member States.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Republic of Tajikistan</strong> has assumed <strong>chairmanship of SCO for 2021-22.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sco-summit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20<sup>th</sup> Summit</a> of the SCO</strong> took place <strong>in 2020.</strong></li>
<li>Recently, the Vice President of India has launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sco-online-international-exhibition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>first ever SCO Online Exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cabinet-gives-ex-post-facto-nod-for-signing-ratifying-sco-agreement-on-mass-media-cooperation/article34707959.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8477,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Non Aligned Movement: Health Ministers’ Meet',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare</strong> virtually participated in a meeting with <strong>Ministers of Health</strong> of the <strong>NAM (Non-Aligned Movement)</strong> Countries.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India's Stand at the Meeting:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-vaccine-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vaccine Maitri Initiative</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Despite its own needs, during the Covid-19 pandemic, India ensured supply of medicines to 123 partner countries including 59 NAM nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Efforts to 'Universal Health Coverage&rsquo;:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Universal health coverage</strong> is defined as ensuring that all people have access to needed health services (including prevention, promotion, treatment, rehabilitation and palliation) of sufficient quality to be effective while also ensuring that the use of these services does not expose the user to financial hardship.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat</strong></a> aims at providing free health assurance to over 500 million underprivileged people, making it the world&rsquo;s largest health assurance scheme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It adopts a <strong>two-pronged approach:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Firstly</strong>, the creation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>health and wellness centres</strong></a> to bring health care closer to homes.</li>
<li><strong>Secondly</strong>, the formulation of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)</strong></a> to protect poor and vulnerable families against financial risk arising out of catastrophic health episodes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Full <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/immunisation-agenda-2030" target="_blank" rel="noopener">immunization</a> coverage is increasing at a rapid pace</strong> with a <strong>greater emphasis on village-based micro-plans</strong> that is aimed at <strong>enhancing coverage to 90% in a year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Non-Aligned Movement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was formed during the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> (1945-1991) as an organisation of States that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the <strong>USA (<a href="/mains/model-essays/can-capitalism-bring-inclusive-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Capitalism</a>)</strong> or the <strong>Soviet Union</strong> (<a href="/be-mains-ready-daily-answer-writing-practice-question/papers/2019/be-mains-ready-idea-of-socialism-india-adopted-after-its-independence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Socialism</strong></a>) but sought to remain independent or neutral.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foundation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Six years</strong> after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/65th-anniversary-of-bandung-conference-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bandung Conference</strong></a> in <strong>1955</strong>, the Movement of <strong>Non-Aligned Countries</strong> was founded on a wider geographical basis at the First Summit Conference of Belgrade, which was held in <strong>September 1961.</strong></li>
<li>It was held under the leadership of <strong>Josip Broz Tito</strong> of Yugoslavia, <strong>Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana</strong>, and <strong>Sukarno of Indonesia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Purpose:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The purpose of the organisation was enumerated in the <strong>Havana Declaration of 1979</strong> to ensure <strong>"the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries"</strong> in their struggle against <strong><a href="/mains-practice-question/question-135#:~:text=Imperialism%2C%20on%20the%20other%20hand,a%20territory%20without%20significant%20settlement.&amp;text=Imperialism%20is%20just%20exercising%20power,or%20indirect%20mechanisms%20of%20control." target="_blank" rel="noopener">imperialism</a>, <a href="/gs-special/gs-special-world-history/colonialism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">colonialism</a></strong>, <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-352" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>neo-colonialism</strong></a>, racism, and all forms of foreign subjugation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members and Observers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It had <strong>120 members</strong> as of <strong>April 2018</strong> comprising <strong>53 countries</strong> from Africa, <strong>39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America</strong> and the <strong>Caribbean</strong> and <strong>2 from Europe.</strong></li>
<li>There are <strong>17 countries</strong> and <strong>10 international organisations</strong> that are <strong>Observers at NAM.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>NAM</strong> does not have a <strong>formal constitution or permanent secretariat</strong>, and its administration is non-hierarchical and rotational.</li>
<li>Decisions are made by consensus, which requires substantial agreement, but not unanimity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Last Summit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-nam-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>In 2020, the meeting</strong></a> was convened at the initiative of <strong>President Ilham Aliyev (present chairman until 2022) of Azerbaijan</strong>, in his capacity as chair of the Non Aligned Movement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1722235" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8458,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'EU Imposes Sanctions Against Belarus',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> European Union (EU)</strong></a> imposed<strong> sanctions against Belarus,</strong> including banning its airlines from using the airspace and airports of the<strong> 27-nation bloc EU.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622025848_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622025848_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background of Belarus&rsquo; Polity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Europe's <strong>longest-serving ruler, President of Belarus Lukashenko took office in 1994</strong> amid the chaos caused by the <strong>collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.</strong></li>
<li>Often described as <strong>Europe's "last dictator"</strong>, he has tried to preserve elements of <strong>Soviet communism.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He has been in power for<strong> 26 years,</strong> keeping much of the <strong>economy in state hands,</strong> and using censorship and police crackdowns against opponents.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2020, after Lukashenko was announced as the winner in elections, protests broke out in the capital, Minsk which was met with a <strong>violent security crackdown.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There has been widespread anger against the government over a stagnant economy and doubts about the fairness of the election.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Sanctions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In response to the violent crackdown, the<strong> EU and the United States (US) imposed several rounds of financial sanctions</strong> against Belarus in 2020.</li>
<li>The US also imposed travel restrictions and targeted financial sanctions on nine state-owned entities and 16 individuals, including President Lukashenko.<strong> First imposed in 2006,</strong> these were<strong> tightened in 2008.</strong></li>
<li>The EU first introduced <strong>restrictive measures against Belarus in 2004,</strong> following the disappearance of two opposition politicians, a journalist and a businessman several years earlier.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Recent Sanctions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Belarus <strong>forcely diverted a passenger jet and scrambled a warplane to arrest an opposition journalist</strong> in an act denounced by Western powers as<strong> &ldquo;state piracy&rdquo;</strong> (an act of piracy where the state is involved).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken by EU:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Restrictions on Airspace:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Called for<strong> Belarusian airlines to be banned</strong> from the 27-nation bloc&rsquo;s airspace and <strong>urged EU-based carriers to avoid flying over the former Soviet republic.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investigation into Forced Plane Diversion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Agreed to widen the list of Belarusian individuals they already sanction and called on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-civil-aviation-organisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)</strong></a> to urgently investigate Belarus forcing a Ryanair plane to land in Minsk on a Greece-Lithuania flight.</li>
<li>It also called for the release of the journalist who was detained.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanctions on Individuals and Businesses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since October 2020, the EU has progressively been restricting more and more key political figures with measures like travel bans and asset freezes.</li>
<li>With the recent incident, the bloc decided to add even <strong>more targets to its sanction list of 88 individuals and seven entities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Billion-Euro Economic Package:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The EU had a 3 billion Euro investment package ready for Belarus that it will now freeze until the country turns democratic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Belarus lies on the <strong>flight path of routes within Europe and between Europe and Asia.</strong> Skirting Belarus would slow flights down and <strong>cost airlines money.</strong></li>
<li>Belarus receives income from airlines that enter its airspace of up to 70,000 Euro each day, losing this amount of money would be<strong> an inconvenience</strong> but<strong> not have a significant impact on the economy of Belarus.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Civil Aviation Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations (UN)</strong></a> <strong>specialized agency,</strong> established in 1944, which laid the foundation for the <strong>standards and procedures for peaceful global air navigation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Convention on International Civil Aviation</strong> was signed in December 1944 in Chicago.</li>
<li>It <strong>established the core principles</strong> permitting international transport by air, and also led to the creation of the ICAO.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To foster the <strong>planning and development of international air transport</strong> so as to ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation throughout the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is among its <strong>193 members.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Montreal, Canada.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The President of Belarus should ensure the <strong>formation of a legitimate government that could address the country&rsquo;s vital problems.</strong></li>
<li>He has to <strong>reach out to the Opposition and offer talks to find a peaceful settlement to the crisis.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/belarus-faces-sanctions-backlash-over-jetliner-state-piracy/article34638338.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8448,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India - Israel Agreement on Agriculture Cooperation',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India and Israel have signed<strong> &ldquo;a three-year work program agreement&rdquo;</strong> for development in <strong>agriculture cooperation.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621944094_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621944094_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Three-year Work Program:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The programme<strong> aims</strong> to grow existing <strong>Centres of Excellence, establish new centers, increase CoE&rsquo;s value chain,</strong> bring the<strong> Centres of Excellence</strong> into the <strong>self-sufficient mode,</strong> and encourage <strong>private sector companies and collaboration.</strong></li>
<li>Both countries are implementing the<strong> &ldquo;INDO-ISRAEL Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence&rdquo; </strong>and<strong> &ldquo;INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indo-Israeli Agriculture Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indo-Israeli Agricultural Cooperation Project <strong>started in 2008</strong> following the signing of a three-year Action Plan based on a Government to Government Agreement.</li>
<li>Both started an agricultural fund <strong>worth $50 million</strong> that focused on <strong>dairy, farming technology and micro-irrigation.</strong></li>
<li><strong>By March 2014, 10 centres of excellence operated</strong> throughout India offering free training sessions for farmers on efficient agricultural techniques using Israeli technological expertise. Vertical farming, drip irrigation and soil solarization are taught at the centres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence (IIVOE):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is a new concept aimed at <strong>creating a model ecosystem in agriculture across eight states,</strong> alongside 13 Centers of Excellence within 75 villages.</li>
<li>The program <strong>will promote the increase of net income and better the livelihood of the individual farmer,</strong> transforming traditional farms into modern-intensive farms based on <strong>Indo-Israel Agriculture Action Plan (IIAP)</strong> standards.</li>
<li>Large-scale and complete value chain approach with economic sustainability, embedded with Israeli novel technologies and methodologies will be <strong>tailored to local conditions.</strong></li>
<li>The IIVOE program<strong> will focus on:</strong> (1) Modern Agriculture infrastructure, (2) Capacity Building, (3) Market linkage.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indo-Israel Bilateral Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Ties:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/collaboration-with-israel-in-defence-sector-under-fdi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>strategic cooperation</strong></a> between the two countries began during the <strong>Sino-India War of 1962.</strong></li>
<li>In 1965, Israel <strong>supplied M-58 160-mm mortar ammunition to India</strong> in the war <strong>against Pakistan.</strong></li>
<li>It was one of the few countries that chose <strong>not to condemn <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-technology-day-1#:~:text=The%20day%2C%20which%20was%20first,Prime%20Minister%20Atal%20Bihari%20Vajpayee." target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s Pokhran nuclear tests </a></strong>in 1998.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From US$ 200 million in 1992 (comprising primarily trade in diamonds), bilateral merchandise trade stood at US$ 5.65 billion (excluding defence) in 2018-19, with the balance of trade being in India&rsquo;s favour by US$ 1.8 billion. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Trade in diamonds constitutes close to 40% of bilateral trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India is <strong>Israel's third largest trade partner in Asia.</strong></li>
<li>Israeli companies have<strong> invested in India in energy, renewable energy, telecom, real estate, water technologies,</strong> and are focusing on <strong>setting up R&amp;D centers</strong> or <strong>production units</strong> in India.</li>
<li>The first recipients of grants from the <strong>Israel-India Industrial R&amp;D and Technological Innovation Fund (I4F)</strong> were announced in <strong>July 2018,</strong> including companies working to better the lives of Indians and Israelis through efficient water use, improving communications infrastructure, solar energy use, and life-changing surgeries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The fund aims to help Israeli entrepreneurs enter the Indian market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Israel has been <strong>among the top four arms suppliers to India for almost two decades now,</strong> notching military sales worth around USD 1 billion every year.</li>
<li>The Indian armed forces have<strong> inducted a wide array of Israeli weapon systems</strong> over the years, which range from <strong>Phalcon AWACS</strong> (airborne warning and control systems) and<strong> Heron, Searcher-II</strong> and <strong>Harop drones</strong> to <strong>Barak</strong> anti-missile defence systems and <strong>Spyder</strong> quick-reaction anti-aircraft missile systems.</li>
<li>The acquisitions also include a host of Israeli missiles and precision-guided munitions, from <strong>Python and Derby air-to-air missiles</strong> to<strong> Crystal Maze and Spice-2000 bombs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19 Response:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2020, an Israeli team arrived in India with a multi-pronged mission, codenamed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/operation-breathing-space-india-israel" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Operation Breathing Space</strong></a> to work with Indian authorities on the Covid-19 response.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-israel-sign-agreement-on-agriculture-cooperation-7328840/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8427,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'BRICS Astronomy Working Group (BAWG) Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India virtually hosted the <strong>7<sup>th</sup> meeting</strong> of the <strong>BRICS Astronomy Working Group</strong> (BAWG) under the<strong> Science, Technology, and Innovation track of the BRICS 2021.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune, and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dst-ibm-collaboration-for-stem" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology (DST)</strong></a> coordinated the meeting.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>BRICS:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/brics-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS</strong></a> is an acronym for the grouping of the world&rsquo;s leading emerging economies, namely <strong>Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.</strong></li>
<li>In<strong> 2001,</strong> the<strong> British Economist Jim O&rsquo;Neill</strong> coined the term BRIC to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The grouping was <strong>formalised</strong> during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers&rsquo; in <strong>2006.</strong></li>
<li><strong>South Africa</strong> was invited to join<strong> BRIC in December 2010,</strong> after which the group adopted the acronym <strong>BRICS.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> has assumed the <strong>BRICS Presidency</strong> from<strong> January 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Structure:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BRICS <strong>does not exist in the form of organization,</strong> but it is an<strong> annual summit</strong> between the <strong>supreme leaders of five nations.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Chairmanship</strong> of the forum is<strong> rotated annually</strong> among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation Mechanism:</strong> Cooperation among members is achieved through:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Track I:</strong> Formal diplomatic engagement between the national governments.</li>
<li><strong>Track II:</strong> Engagement through government-affiliated institutions, e.g. state-owned enterprises and business councils.</li>
<li><strong>Track III:</strong> Civil society and People-to-People engagement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Areas of Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Agreements have been concluded in the areas of Economic and Trade Cooperation; Innovation Cooperation, Customs Cooperation; strategic cooperation between the BRICS Business Council, Contingent Reserve Agreement and the <strong>New Development Bank.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>People-to-People Exchange:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This seeks to forge new friendships; deepen relations and mutual understanding between BRICS peoples in the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, diversity and mutual learning.</li>
<li>Such People to people exchanges include the <strong>Young Diplomats Forum, Parliamentarian Forum, Trade Union Forum, Civil BRICS</strong> as well as the <strong>Media Forum.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political and Security Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is aimed at achieving peace, security, development and cooperation for a more equitable and fair world.</li>
<li>BRICS is utilised as a driver for South Africa&rsquo;s foreign policy priorities including the pursuit of the African Agenda and South-South Cooperation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About BRICS Astronomy Working Group:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides a platform for BRICS member countries to collaborate in the field of <strong>astronomy,</strong> recommending that the focal points in each country <strong>should present the scientific results of the work being carried out in each country.</strong></li>
<li>This will <strong>help seek funding support</strong> to realize the flagship project whenever funding opportunities are announced by BRICS funding agencies.</li>
<li>At the <strong>meeting,</strong> the members indicated future directions of research in this area such as building network of intelligent telescope and data network, study of transient astronomical phenomena in universe, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/big-data-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>big data</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>artificial intelligence</strong></a>, machine learning application to process the voluminous data generated now a days due to enhance multi-wavelength telescope observatory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BRICS did well in its first decade to identify issues of common interests and to create platforms to address these issues.</li>
<li>For BRICS to remain relevant over the next decade, each of its members must make a realistic assessment of the initiative's opportunities and inherent limitations.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1720614" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8402,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'US Global Entry Programme',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Indian security agencies in the past two years checked the antecedents of <strong>more than 9,000 Indians</strong> who wanted to <strong>enrol for</strong> the <strong>US&rsquo; Global Entry Program.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS)</strong> is being used for antecedent verification.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Global Entry</strong> is <strong>a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows speedy clearance for low-risk travellers</strong> upon their arrival in the US.</li>
<li>Though the pilot project started in 2008, <strong>India became a member of Global Entry in 2017.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>travellers are pre-approved for the programme after a rigorous background check.</strong></li>
<li>After receiving a request, the US authorities send them to the<strong> Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).</strong> The MEA forwards it to the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs,</strong> which taps other ministries, State police and other databases to run a background check.</li>
<li>The <strong>CBP does not process the application</strong> if a person has been &ldquo;convicted of any criminal offence or have pending criminal charges, including outstanding warrants, have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>CCTNS</strong> is a <strong>centrally funded scheme, developed by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cctns-hackathon-cyber-challenge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a Mission Mode Project under the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1#:~:text=National%20e%2DGovernance%20Plan%20(NeGP,integrated%20into%20Digital%20India%20Program." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National e-Governance Plan</strong> </a>(NeGP) of the <strong>Ministry of Home Affairs.</strong></li>
<li>It was <strong>approved in 2009.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is a secure application that<strong> links over 97% of police stations</strong> in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Make the Police functioning citizen friendly</strong> and more transparent by automating the functioning of Police Stations.</li>
<li><strong>Improve delivery of citizen-centric services</strong> through effective usage of ICT.</li>
<li>Provide the Investigating Officers of the Civil Police with tools, technology and information <strong>to facilitate investigation of crime and detection of criminals.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-global-entry-program-over-9000-indians-past-checked-in-last-2-years/article34588322.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8395,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Israel-Palestine Conflict',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uyFPmpf-N2A" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India, the United States and several other countries have called for calm and restraint amid escalating tensions and violence between<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Israel and Palestinian</strong> </a>militants.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Dozens of people have been killed in clashes and airstrikes since the violence broke out, including a 30-year-old Indian woman in Israel who was killed in a rocket attack by Palestinian militants from Gaza.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> At the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Security Council</strong></a> meeting, India expressed deep concern at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ai-aqsa-mosque-sheikh-jarrah-israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>clashes and violence in Jerusalem</strong></a> and called on both sides to avoid changing the status-quo on the ground.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed the need to<strong> immediately resume direct peace talks</strong> and commitment to a two-state solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>US Stand:</strong> The US President has also called for de-escalation of the deadly violence that has claimed dozens of lives.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the US added that Israel has a right to defend itself if it is attacked by thousands of rockets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Response by the Arab World:</strong> Iran, Qatar and Turkey completely support the Palestinian cause and are backing Hamas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>UAE and Saudi Arabia are almost <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/israel-uae-peace-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>de facto allies of Israel.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Israel - Palestine</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Conflict:</strong> It is linked to the age-old <strong>tussle over identity and land</strong> starting with Jerusalem.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the <strong>first Arab Israel war of 1948,</strong> the Israelis captured the western half of the city, and Jordan took the eastern part which Israel later captured and annexed.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since then, Israel has expanded settlements in East Jerusalem.</li>
<li>The Palestinians want to make East Jerusalem the capital of their yet to be formed state.</li>
<li>Israel sees the whole city as its &ldquo;unified, eternal capital&rdquo;, whereas the Palestinian leadership denies for any compromise unless East Jerusalem is recognised as the capital of future Palestinian state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Palestinians</strong> are facing the<strong> threat of eviction from Sheikh Jarrah,</strong> a neighbourhood in east Jerusalem. Their land is to be given to the Jewish settlers.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Moreover, the Israeli armed forces have recently attacked the Al-Aqsa Mosque ahead of a march by Zionist nationalists.</li>
<li>The Al Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest shrine for Islam after Mecca and Medina.</li>
<li>It created a fear for the followers, all over the region and the radicals began to call for defending the Al Aqsa Mosque.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, earlier this year (2021), the Central Court in East Jerusalem upheld a decision to <strong>evict four Palestinian families from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah</strong> in favor of Jewish settlers.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The issue remains unresolved and potentially inflammable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>current outbreak of violence is the most severe one since 2014</strong> involving the rocket-firing by the Palestinians and the air-strikes conducted by Israelis in retaliation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621339894_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1621339894_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Factors Triggering the Conflict</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hamas in Rule in Palestine:</strong> Hamas, found in 1987, is a violent offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood seeking "to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine" through violent jihad.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Palestinian President is quite old age and hence, senile and unable to fight for the cause.</li>
<li>So, <strong>Hamas is the more radical faction of the Palestinians which has now started retaliating.</strong></li>
<li>The so-called president authority of Palestine is neither conducting elections, nor functioning properly, the dictatorship of the Hamas and Israeli seizure of territories and limitations is aggravating the Palestinians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Instability in Both the States:</strong> There is <strong>incapability and stagnation in the leadership structures</strong> on the both sides thus leading to too many groups getting out of control, who are resorting to maximum violence.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, <strong>Israel has had 4 elections in the last two years</strong> and all of them were inconclusive. The Prime Minister of Israel has retained his post but only in a caretaker form.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Divided Israel:</strong> The Israelis are all highly divided.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Arabian Israelis</strong> who are just 20% of the population,<strong> identify with the Palestinians</strong> due to the same ethnicity.</li>
<li>The Arabian Israelis and the far-right community of Israel are engaging in civil war like activities inside the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with the Palestinian People:</strong> The ground sentiments of the Palestinians are also changing, the <strong>majority of them saying they do not want a two state solution.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is also not decided if Hamas will rule over the Palestinian state or the Fatah or neither of these.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Palestinians have been a divide lot between between the Hamas and the Fatah</strong> and the two are moving on the different tracks which is the main reason for the defeat of the ultimate Palestinian cause.</li>
<li>United Palestine with the help from the Arab world and the other countries could have achieved much more than it is achieving now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are <strong>geographically separated by Israeli territory</strong> so it is not a viable state anymore, plus, the<strong> land going into the Jewish hands is further aggravating the Palestinians.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The US Losing its Significance in the Region:</strong> The US is preventing the meeting from taking place at the UNSC for Palestinian cause and <strong>completely recognises the rights of Israelis</strong> to defend themselves.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The US President recognising Jerusalem as Israel&rsquo;s de facto capital also became a major problem.</li>
<li>The US, under President Joe Biden, <strong>does not have much leverage on Israel,</strong> unlike the US under Donald Trump who clearly supported Israel. <strong>They are trying to be more even handed.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Although the current administration in the US has talked about being neutral, it <strong>hasn&rsquo;t invested much diplomatic energy in this conflict.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Change in Leadership:</strong> The leadership and generational change in politics of the two States is really very crucial.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the Isreali and Palestinian Prime Ministers have been in power for quite long. Ideally, they shall step aside, the domestic survival politics for power and the desire of holding on to their chairs is overriding the broader interest of the region and its people.</li>
<li>There is hope for the newer generation to come and rethink for a two state solution.</li>
<li>Also, bringing Hamas into moderation is much required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preventing Disproportionate Retaliation:</strong> There has to be a certain extent for both the states upto which they can retaliate, disproportionate use of force is not a solution, it will only create more terrorism and extremism.</li>
<li><strong>Role of the Regional Players:</strong> The regional players like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE possibly have a better pathway for peace talk than the US. The US does not have as much hold over the region as it used to have.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Qatar and Egypt are already working closely to bring peace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s role:</strong> India believes that peace talks are the only way ahead for stability to come in the region and ending this decades old conflict.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has close relationships with both the states and it supports Palestine but choosing one over the other is not wise.</li>
<li>However, Palestine wants, to some extent, India to act as interlocutor as their faith does not lie much within the US, China or Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The situation on the ground is really bad, the tensions are escalating and looking at the complex issues involved, the issue does not seem to be getting solved in the near future.</li>
<li>Peace talks have been taking place for at least 2 decades but in vain. However, India&rsquo;s stand still remains for peace talks.</li>
<li>Both sides have to come for a possible solution which is in mutual interest but that can happen only through talks and not bloodshed.</li>
</ul>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8371,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'India-EU Relations',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/can-india-and-the-eu-operationalise-their-natural-partnership-101620816581821.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Can India and the EU operationalise their natural partnership?&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 12/05/2021. It talks about the areas of cooperation between India and the EU.</p>
</div>
<p></p>
<p>Recently, a virtual India-EU leaders meeting was held between Indian Prime Minister and 27 EU leaders. Due to changing geo-political circumstances Europe is changing its perception of India, which can be reflected in this virtual meet also.</p>
<p>Further, in 2018, the EU released a new strategy for cooperation with India, calling it a geopolitical pillar in a multipolar Asia, crucial for maintaining the balance of power in the region.</p>
<p>From Indian perspective, collaboration with the EU can promote peace, create jobs, boost economic growth and enhance sustainable development. Therefore, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/significance-of-15th-india-european-union-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>EU and India appear to be natural partners</strong></a> and they need to leverage existing opportunities.</p>
<h3>Highlights of the Virtual Summit</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Resumption of FTA Talks:</strong> The most significant outcome of the summit was that after eight years, India and the EU have decided to resume negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These talks were suspended in 2013 after the two sides failed to bridge their differences on some key issues such as tariff reductions, patent protection, data security and the right of Indian professionals to work in Europe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Resumption of BIT Talks:</strong> The two sides have also agreed to commence talks for a standalone investment protection pact and an accord on geographical indications.</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity Partnership:</strong> The virtual summit saw India and the EU launching an ambitious &ldquo;connectivity partnership&rdquo; in digital, energy, transport, and people-to-people sectors, enabling the two to pursue sustainable joint projects in regions spanning from Africa, Central Asia to the wider Indo-Pacific.</li>
</ul>
<h3>EU and India: Natural Partners</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>EU&rsquo;s Need to Pivot Away from China:</strong> EU recently signed a Comprehensive Agreement on Investment with China, which has drawn a lot of criticism and its ratification has now been suspended because of diplomatic tensions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The European Parliament remains overwhelmingly opposed to this deal after China imposed sanctions on some of its members, in response to the EU imposing sanctions against China for its treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority in the Xinjiang region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Logic:</strong> With the EU being India&rsquo;s largest trading partner and the second-largest export destination, the economic logic of strong India-EU economic relations is self-evident.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, India wants to showcase its commitment to open trade at a time of renewed focus on developing a domestic manufacturing base.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in Global Health:</strong> Given the current situation, health cooperation assumed a new salience. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>EU member-states have rallied to support India by sending critical medical supplies in the last few weeks in recognition for the role India had played in helping others over the last year.</li>
<li>As the two sides commit themselves to working together on global health, the need to focus on resilient medical supply chains is all the more evident.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Convergence in Indo-Pacific Theatre:</strong> The EU is being forced to reckon with the geopolitical implications of its foreign policy imperatives and India is looking for substantive partnerships with like-minded nations to bring stability to the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/europe-in-indo-pacific" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indo-Pacific theatre</a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, India is looking beyond the bipolar geopolitical competition between the US and China and works towards the establishment of a Multi-polar world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Combating Climate Change:</strong> India can learn from a new industrial strategy called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eu-green-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Green Deal of EU</strong></a> to render its carbon-emission neutral by 2050.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU and India could endeavour transforming into carbon-neutral economies by 2050 by investing in clean energies.</li>
<li>In India&rsquo;s efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in India, the investment and technology of Europe is of paramount importance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geo-Economic Cooperation:</strong> India can pursue EU countries to engage in Indo-pacific narrative, geo-economically if not from security prism.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can mobilise massive economic resources for sustainable development of regional infrastructure, wield political influence and leverage its significant soft power to shape the Indo-Pacific discourse.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finalisation of Indo-EU BIT Treaty:</strong> India and the European Union have been negotiating a free trade deal, but it is pending since 2007.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, for closer convergence between India and the EU, both should engage in finalisation of the trade deal as soon as possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collaborating With Important Players:</strong> French President Emmanuel Macron&rsquo;s visit to India in early 2018 unveiled an expansive framework for revitalising the strategic partnership.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s partnership with France now has a strong regional anchor in the Indo-Pacific narrative.</li>
<li>Further, India should supplement its partnership with the US with a network of multilateral groups with other middle powers, such as the India-Australia-Japan forum and the trilateral dialogue with France and Australia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>As strategic realities evolve rapidly in an era defined by Covid-19 and its aftermath, India and the EU have a new opening to re-evaluate the fundamentals of their engagement.</p>
<p>Whether the two &ldquo;natural partners&rdquo; can make the most of this unique synergy remains to be seen.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfcf0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In the present geo-political scenario, the EU and India appear to be natural partners and they need to leverage existing opportunities. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8360,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => '4th India-Swiss Financial Dialogue',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The 4<sup>th</sup> <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-switzerland-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India-Swiss</a> Financial Dialogue</strong> was held virtually through video conferencing.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1620814199_image%201.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1620814199_image 1.jpg" width="450" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Highlights from the Dialogue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Talks for collaboration on various aspects including <strong>investments</strong>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-financial-services-centres-authority-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA)</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-approves-capital-infusion-into-niif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/fintech-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FinTech</strong></a>, <strong>sustainable finance and cross border financial services.</strong></li>
<li>The matters relating to <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong></a>,<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Monetary Fund (IMF)</strong></a> and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/digital-services-tax-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <strong>tax challenges arising from the digitalisation of the economy</strong></a> were discussed along with <strong>infrastructure financing.</strong></li>
<li>Emphasised the importance of <strong>coordinated bilateral action on a clean and resilient post-Covid world.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-Switzerland Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>Treaty of Friendship</strong> between India and Switzerland was signed at New Delhi in 1948.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>policy of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-alignment</a></strong> and Switzerland&rsquo;s traditional <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/switzerland-s-policy-of-neutrality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>policy of neutrality</strong></a> has led to a close understanding between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India-Switzerland <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/model-bilateral-investment-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)</strong></a> is under negotiation.</li>
<li>Negotiations are also taking place on <strong>India-EFTA Trade &amp; Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>European Free Trade Association (EFTA)</strong> is the intergovernmental organisation of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.</li>
<li>These countries are not part of the European Union (EU) with which India is negotiating a separate trade agreement called the India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in Other Areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme (ISJRP)</strong> was launched in 2005.</li>
<li><strong>Skill Training:</strong> Several Institutes from both the countries have collaborated to impart the highest standards of skill training in India. E.g.:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bharatiya Skill Development Campus and University, Jaipur.</li>
<li>Indo-Swiss Centre of Excellence, Pune.</li>
<li>Vocational Training Center, Andhra Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity Building for Low Carbon and Climate Resilient City Development (CapaCITIES):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)</strong> is supporting the implementation of the CapaCITIES project in Indian cities.</li>
<li>The CapaCITIES project aims to strengthen the capacities of Indian cities, to identify, plan and implement measures for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and for enhancing resilience to climate change in an integrated manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1717793" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8353,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: India-UK Trade',
		'description' => '<h3 style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GvnOKzyUG6M" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></h3>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the UK Prime Minister has announced a new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-uk-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UK-India trade</strong></a> and investment worth 1 billion pounds, including an investment of 240 million pounds by the Serum Institute of India for its vaccine business in Britain.</li>
<li>The announcement came ahead of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-uk-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the India-UK virtual summit</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>UK&rsquo;s Trade Deal with India:</strong> The package contains new Indian investments of more than &pound;533 million that is expected to create more than 6,000 jobs in vital sectors such as health and technology.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also includes British exports to India worth more than 446 million pounds, while 200 million pounds of these deals will support low carbon growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhanced Trade Partnership:</strong> According to the British Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office, the investments form part of an <strong>Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP)</strong> which is expected to pave the way for a future <strong><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/a-note-on-free-trade-agreements-and-their-costs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Free Trade Agreement (FTA)</a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ETP will address several trade barriers, including the lifting of restrictions to enable fruit producers across the UK to export apples, pears and quince to India for the first time.</li>
<li>They will also work towards reciprocal opening up of legal services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Britain Emphasising India:</strong> Britain has emphasised itself as global Britain and India as a global India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Britain has also said that no major decisions around the world can be made by excluding India</li>
<li>It is proposing and projecting India as a global player which can bring symbolic and concrete gains for India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of India-UK Trade:</strong> The two have set an ambitious target of more than doubling the bilateral trade by 2030. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Besides the economic significance of the trade deal, it also marks the <strong>political intent</strong> of the two countries.</li>
<li>From India&rsquo;s perspective, it has a lot to do with China, amid the worsening conditions, the chances of China exerting its dominance increase exponentially. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The trade agreement indicates that India has its allies all over the world.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/launch-of-supply-chain-resilience-initiative#:~:text=The%20Trade%20Ministers%20of%20India,in%20the%20Indo%2DPacific%20region." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>supply chain resilient initiatives</strong></a> with Australia and Japan and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-leaders-summit-quad#:~:text=Quad%20Vaccine%20Partnership%3A,initiative%20that%20India%20has%20welcomed." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>QUAD initiatives on vaccines</strong></a> already exist, but in order to take the supply chains away from China's control, India must have more partnerships which makes the deal of great significance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Britain and India Trade</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Britain&rsquo;s Economy:</strong> About 80% of British economy is dependent on services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>50% of Britain&rsquo;s exports are services driven exports and the bulk of them are with the European Union (EU).</li>
<li>With the reorganisation of the new trade deal with the EU, Britain is clearly looking at other potential buyers of its services.</li>
<li>It has already signed FTAs with Japan, Canada, Turkey etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Britain&rsquo;s Importance for India:</strong> India has also articulated 5 areas where it is willing to fasten its progress which includes Life Sciences, Information Technology, Chemicals, Services and Food &amp; Drinks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Britain, earlier, was largely seen as just a gateway to the EU but has much more significance for India at present.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Britain has recently supplied 900+ oxygen cylinders to India. Besides, India wants to work together with Britain in terms of dealing with the pandemic, health care, climate change, defence cooperation etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Significance for Britain:</strong> The bilateral relationships between the two in trade and the investment sector have seen an <strong>upsurge in the past 4 years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a huge market with a population bigger than the UK and EU combined. Britain can see the potential of exporting its services to India.</li>
<li>India, today is the <strong>second largest investor in Britain after the USA</strong> and countries such as Germany and France come after India.</li>
<li>The UK has about 1.4 million people of Indian origin and 1000+ Indian companies are present in Britain providing employment to a large number of people such as Infosys.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Issues Associated</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China Aspect:</strong> This trade deal is not just about the trade but also about political and strategic elements of the relationship. Britain is not regarding China as a threat but talking about engagements with it. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India needs to be very realistic about Britain&rsquo;s interests with China which are quite different from India&rsquo;s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fruit Exports:</strong> Britain for the first time is going to export fruits in India which will require certification only from Britain and no accreditation from India, which is a possible issue to be raised.</li>
<li><strong>No Recognition of India&rsquo;s Priorities from Britain:</strong> The stress is being put upon the advantages that Britain will have with the signing of this deal and not upon India&rsquo;s advantages. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is talk about British exports to India and Indian investment in Britain but not vice-versa. Indian point of view is not being given much importance.</li>
<li>Britain is pushing its own agenda on India and it would like to ensure that several both tariff and non-tariff barriers are removed and several quotas are removed in terms of allowing British exports to India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Varying Interests of India and UK:</strong> The Indian and British interests are not coinciding completely in this FTA. Britain wants greater access to the Indian market. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is allowing Britain&rsquo;s legal services in India but there are no talks about access of Indian IT Professionals and skilled manpower to Britain.</li>
<li>The same was the cause of India&rsquo;s withdrawal from the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rcep-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Movement of Manpower to Britain:</strong> India needs access to Britain, an initiative is needed that allows Indian students to stay and work in Britain after studies and also allows working of IT professionals and skilled workforce in Britain.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A larger initiative is required that encompasses the movement of not just merchandise but also manpower.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Realising India&rsquo;s Potential:</strong> India must make the best of the opportunity that is provided to it. India has the leverage against other countries as the second largest investor in Britain and as the world&rsquo;s fifth largest economy which is still growing at the fastest rate in the world. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It should not end the same way as it did for India in the case of RCEP, as it is a bilateral partnership, India shall also push forward its own agenda on what it wants to achieve in Britain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Trade is one of the easiest ways to connect the bridges between any two countries. India and UK&rsquo;s Enhanced Trade Partnerships and the FTA are the elements which will further alleviate a strong and vibrant partnership between the two.</li>
<li>It is important for India to bring its own agenda and priorities into recognition and ensure that the trade deals, ongoing and upcoming, are as beneficial to both the countries.</li>
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8306,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-UK Virtual Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Ministers of <strong>India and the United Kingdom (UK)</strong> held a bilateral virtual summit.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India thanked the UK for the prompt medical assistance provided by it in the wake of the <strong>severe <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener">second wave of Covid-19</a></strong> in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1620220718_Untitled-1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1620220718_Untitled-1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Adopted &lsquo;Roadmap 2030&rsquo;:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>elevate bilateral ties to a &ldquo;Comprehensive Strategic Partnership&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It will provide a <strong>framework for UK-India relations</strong> across health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will expand the UK-India health partnership to <strong>enhance global health security and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/future-pandemics-and-reduction-measures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> resilience.</strong></li>
<li>This includes <strong>firming up international supply chains to ensure critical medicines, vaccines and other medical products</strong> reach those who need them most.</li>
<li>Agreed to <strong>expand the existing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UK-India vaccines partnership</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Launched Enhanced Trade Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>envisages facilitating market access in specific sectors.</strong> It will <strong>see Britain open up its fisheries sector</strong> to more Indian players, facilitate more <strong>opportunities for nurses, recognise Indian seafarers&rsquo; certificates</strong> and enter into a joint dialogue on a <strong>social security agreement.</strong></li>
<li>In return, <strong>India lifted restrictions to enable British fruit producers</strong> to export their produce to the country and improved access for medical devices.</li>
<li>They will also work towards reciprocal <strong>opening up of legal services.</strong></li>
<li>Announced their intent to negotiate a comprehensive <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/a-note-on-free-trade-agreements-and-their-costs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Free Trade Agreement (FTA)</strong></a>, including consideration of an interim trade agreement to deliver early gains.</li>
<li>Set an ambitious <strong>target of more than doubling bilateral trade by 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Announcement of a new India-UK &lsquo;Global Innovation Partnership&rsquo;:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>UK is India's second largest partner</strong> in research and innovation collaborations.</li>
<li>The new partnership <strong>aims</strong> <strong>to</strong> support the transfer of inclusive Indian innovations to select developing countries, starting with Africa.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Security &amp; Defence:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cooperation on Maritime Domain Awareness:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This includes new agreements on maritime information sharing, an <strong>invitation to the UK to join <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/information-fusion-centre-sharing-maritime-data" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s Information Fusion Centre</a> in Gurgaon</strong> and an ambitious exercise programme which includes joint trilateral exercises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UK&rsquo;s Carrier Strike Group:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>UK&rsquo;s Carrier Strike Group</strong> will <strong>visit India later this year to boost ties with Indian navies and air forces</strong>, undertaking joint training exercises to enable future cooperation on operations in the Western Indian Ocean (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uk-s-indo-pacific-tilt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UK's Indo-Pacific Tilt</strong></a>).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Light Combat Aircraft Mark 2:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To support India&rsquo;s indigenous development of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/three-new-fighter-jets" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Light Combat Aircraft Mark 2</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Potential Collaborations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Discussed the potential for further <strong>industrial collaboration in areas such as maritime propulsion, space and cyber</strong>, marking the start of a promising <strong>new era of UK-India research</strong>, capability and industrial collaboration on <strong>Indian combat air</strong> and beyond.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Migration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Enhance their migration relationship, to <strong>make it easier for British and Indian nationals to live and work in each other&rsquo;s countries.</strong></li>
<li>Welcomed the signing of the India-UK <strong>Migration and Mobility Partnership (MMP)</strong> that is <strong>aimed at reducing illegal immigration into the UK.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The issue of illegal immigration had been a sticking point between both sides for years. However it is understood that <strong>MMP will help genuine immigrants and students and will reduce immigration-related crimes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Agreed to work together to ensure an ambitious outcome at <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conference of the Parties (COP)</a> 26</strong> and expand the UK-India partnership on tackling <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a>, including by accelerating the <strong>development of clean energy and transport and new technology, protecting nature and biodiversity and helping developing countries adapt to the impact of climate change.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bilateral Military Exercises</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Air Force Exercise <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-indradhanush" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Indradhanush&rsquo;.</strong></a></li>
<li>Navy Exercise Konkan.</li>
<li>Army Exercise <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-ajeya-warrior-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Ajeya Warrior&rsquo;</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India will elevate to a 21<sup>st</sup> century superpower. It will soon be &lsquo;one of the biggest influences on the world&rsquo;. It is looking for new partners in the global race. This <strong>represents a great opportunity for the UK.</strong> The <strong>UK has much to offer India in education, research, civil society and the creative sector.</strong></li>
<li>Further, India&rsquo;s skilled labour, technological assistance and the vibrant market will open a lot of avenues for Britain which has recently parted ways with the European Union.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-uk-unveil-10-year-roadmap-announce-enhanced-trade-partnership-7301989/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8261,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Launch of Supply Chain Resilience Initiative',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Trade Ministers of<strong> India, Japan </strong>and <strong>Australia</strong> have formally launched the <strong>Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> SCRI aims</strong> to create<strong> a virtuous cycle of enhancing supply chain resilience</strong> with a view to eventually attaining strong, sustainable, balanced and<strong> inclusive growth in the Indo-Pacific region.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The trio</strong> (India, Japan and Australia)<strong> along with the US</strong> makes <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-meeting-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad grouping.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Supply Chain Resilience (Concept):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong> In the context of international trade, supply chain resilience is an approach that <strong>helps a country to ensure that it has diversified its supply risk across a clutch of supplying nations</strong> instead of being dependent on just one or a few.</li>
<li><strong>Importance:</strong> In <strong>unanticipated events</strong> -whether natural, such as volcanic eruptions, <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tsunami-ready-programme-unesco-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tsunamis</a></strong>, <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/earthquake-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earthquakes</a> </strong>or even a pandemic; or manmade, such as an armed conflict in a region &mdash; that <strong>disrupt supplies from a particular country</strong> or even intentional halts to trade, <strong>could adversely impact economic activity in the destination country.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supply Chain Resilience Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Covid-19 pandemic was having an unprecedented impact in terms of lives lost, livelihoods and economies affected,</strong> and that the pandemic had <strong>revealed supply chain vulnerabilities globally</strong> and in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To <strong>attract foreign direct investment</strong> to turn the Indo-Pacific into an &ldquo;economic powerhouse&rdquo;.</li>
<li>To build a mutually<strong> complementary relationship among partner countries.</strong></li>
<li>To work out a plan to <strong>build on the existential supply chain network.</strong> Japan and India, for example, have an India-Japan competitiveness partnership dealing with locating the Japanese companies in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The SCRI, first <strong>proposed by Japan, aims to reduce dependence on China</strong> amid a likelihood of rechurning of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li><strong>Initially,</strong> SCRI will <strong>focus on sharing best practices on supply chain resilience and holding investment promotion events</strong> and buyer-seller matching events to provide opportunities for stakeholders to explore the possibility of diversification of their supply chains.</li>
<li>Joint measures may include <strong>supporting the enhanced utilisation of digital technology and trade and investment diversification.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Expansion of the SCRI may be considered based on consensus,</strong> if needed, in due course. The <strong>ministers have decided to convene at least once a year</strong> to provide guidance to the implementation and development of the SCRI.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This <strong>assumes significance in the wake of Japan's keenness to onboard the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN</a> in the initiative, </strong>something that <strong>India has opposed.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India wants to safeguard its interests from China&rsquo;s indirect influence through the bloc (ASEAN)</strong> as it builds on its self-reliance through reduced dependence on imports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance to India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Following the <strong>border tensions with China,</strong> partners such as Japan have sensed that India may be ready for dialogue on alternative supply chains.</li>
<li><strong>China still remains a large source of critical imports for India,</strong> from mobile phone components to pharmaceutical ingredients. An internal push to suddenly cut links with China would be impractical.</li>
<li>Over time,<strong> if India enhances self-reliance or works with exporting nations other than China, </strong>it<strong> could build resilience into the economy&rsquo;s supply networks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It will help boost India&rsquo;s manufacturing competitiveness and increase its share in world trade. In this pursuit, there is<strong> a need to create an infrastructure</strong> that raises the competitiveness of India&rsquo;s exports.</li>
<li>While India appears an attractive option for potential investors both as a market and as a manufacturing base, it <strong>needs to accelerate progress in ease of doing business and in skill building.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1714362" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8236,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Exercise VARUNA 2021',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>19<sup>th</sup> edition of the Indian and French Navy bilateral exercise &lsquo;VARUNA-2021&rsquo;</strong> is being conducted <strong>in the Arabian Sea.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier this year, the Indian Navy took part for the first time in the France-led naval exercise <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/multilateral-maritime-exercise-la-perouse" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;La P&eacute;rouse"</strong></a> with the navies of the US, Australia and Japan.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619429042_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619429042_image1.png" width="350" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Exercise:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian and French Navies have been conducting bilateral maritime <strong>exercises since 1993. Since 2001</strong>, these exercises have been called &lsquo;VARUNA&rsquo;.</li>
<li>These interactions further underscore the shared values as partner navies, in <strong>ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indo-Pacific</a> and a rules-based international order.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>2021 Exercise:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is the <strong>first time that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is participating</strong> in the Varuna maritime exercise.</li>
<li>The &lsquo;Varuna&rsquo; joint exercise is <strong>part of the French carrier strike group&rsquo;s &lsquo;CLEMENCEAU 21&rsquo; deployment</strong>, which the French Navy is conducting in the <strong>eastern Mediterranean, the Gulf and the Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea).</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Its goal is <strong>to contribute to the stabilization of these strategic zones</strong> and strengthening cooperation with the navies of partner countries, in particular India for the Indian Ocean component.</li>
<li>As part of this deployment, the <strong>Carrier Strike Group is also taking part in anti-ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) operations.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The exercise will see <strong>high tempo-naval operations at sea</strong>, including <strong>advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises</strong>, tactical manoeuvres, underway replenishment and other maritime security operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Indo-French Joint Exercises:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-french-joint-exercise-desert-knight-21" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Desert Knight-21</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/garuda-vi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Garuda</strong></a> (Air exercise)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-18th-april-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Varuna</strong></a> (Naval exercise)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-french-joint-exercise-shakti-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shakti</strong></a> (Army exercise)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 67.43%; text-align: center; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #05021f;" colspan="2"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Major Indian Bilateral Maritime Exercises</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #86adf0;"><strong>Name of the Exercise</strong></td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #86adf0;"><strong>&nbsp;Name of the Country</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;"><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/slinex-20-india-sri-lanka-naval-maritime-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SLINEX</a></strong></td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Sri Lanka</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 20px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-bongosagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bongosagar and IN-BN CORPAT</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 20px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Bangladesh</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;"><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jimex-20-maritime-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JIMEX</a></strong>&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Japan</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Naseem-Al-Bahr</td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Oman</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;"><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-indra-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indra</a></strong>&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Russia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;"><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bilateral-maritime-exercise-za-ir-al-bahr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Za&rsquo;ir-Al-Bahr</a></strong>&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Qatar</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;"><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-samudra-shakti" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Samudra Shakti</a></strong>&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Indonesia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;"><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-thailand-coordinated-patrol" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indo-Thai CORPAT</a></strong></td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Thailand</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">IMCOR&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Malaysia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;"><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-20th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SIMBEX</a></strong>&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Singapore</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 33.3333%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;"><strong>AUSINDEX</strong>&nbsp;</td>
<td style="width: 34.0967%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">Australia</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1713839" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8206,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Boao Forum',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The opening ceremony of the <strong>Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2021</strong> was recently held in Boao, south China's Hainan Province.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The BFA, this year, is celebrating its<strong> 20<sup>th</sup> Anniversary.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About BFA Annual Conference 2021:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The forum witnessed <strong>more than 2500 participants coming from more than 60 countries.</strong> This year's <strong>theme</strong> is &lsquo;A World in Change: Join Hands to Strengthen Global Governance and Advance Belt and Road Cooperation&rsquo;.</li>
<li>The <strong>main agenda</strong> is to strengthen mutual understanding in the post-pandemic era, create additional incentives for overall socio-economic growth and effective global governance.</li>
<li>An <strong>annual report on Asian Economy</strong> was released on the occasion which highlighted the importance of Asian economies which have fared well despite the ongoing pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In terms of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-purchasing-power-parities-icp-2017" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>purchasing power parity</strong></a>, Asia's share in the global economic aggregate in 2020 reached 47.3%, up 0.9 percentage points from 2019.</li>
<li>It showed that the economic integration of all Asian economies is accelerating.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Signing of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP)</strong></a> has been injecting strong momentum into regional and global economic growth. <strong>India is not a part of RCEP.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Boao Forum:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Boao Forum for Asia (BFA)</strong> is an <strong>international not for profit organization</strong> which was <strong>jointly initiated by 26 member states in 2001,</strong> the<strong> members have now increased to 29.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India</strong> is also<strong> a member of the BFA.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its <strong>annual conference</strong> is held in <strong>Boao, Hainan province of China</strong> on a regular basis.</li>
<li>The establishment of BFA is modelled on the lines of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-index-2020-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum</strong></a> which bases its annual meeting in <strong>Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.</strong> Thus earning the name of<strong> &lsquo;Davos of the East&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The founding purpose of BFA was to<strong> promote economic integration in Asia.</strong> Its mission now is to <strong>pool positive energy for the development of Asia and the world.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The forum has not only played a unique role in <strong>pooling consensus and putting forward valuable "Boao proposals,"</strong> but also engaged countries in <strong>addressing global issues</strong> and promoting world development and prosperity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its<strong> five focal areas</strong> include <strong>technology innovation, health, education, culture and media</strong> in response to the new economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/a-few-countries-cannot-set-global-rules-says-chinese-president-xi-jinping/article34368804.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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