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SAARC Charter Day

Why in News In a message to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) on its 36th Charter Day anniversary, the Prime Minister...

09 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India Switzerland Relations

Why in News A virtual meeting took place recently between an Indian Minister and his Swiss Counterpart. Key Points Trade: Both the Ministers...

09 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation & India

This article is based on “Regional priorities: On the SCO summit” which was published in The Hindu on 02/12/2020. It talks about the...

02 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
SCO Online International Exhibition

Why in News Recently, the Vice President of India has launched the first ever SCO Online Exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage. The launch...

01 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
China-Nepal Bilateral Cooperation

Why in News Recently, China and Nepal have discussed various issues of bilateral interest, including bolstering military cooperation between the...

30 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India & Gulf Countries

This article is based on “Time to bridge the Gulf” which was published in The Indian Express on 24/11/2020. It talks about the ongoing...

26 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
New Chinese Village in Bhutan

Why in News Recently, Chinese media has claimed that a new border village built by China near Bhutan was on Chinese territory. However, the...

24 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
G20 Summit

Why in News Recently, at the G20 (Group of Twenty) summit held virtually India called for a “New Global Index” for the post-Corona world...

23 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Japan Signs Pact with Maldives

Why in News Japan, India’s strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region, has recently signed a pact to strengthen Maldives security...

23 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
RCEP & Sri Lanka’s Dilemma

Why in News Various economists have speculated chances of Sri Lanka joining Regional Cooperation Economic Partnership (RCEP) and its impact on the...

21 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India-Luxembourg Virtual Summit

Why in News Recently, the Prime Ministers of India and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg have held the first-ever India-Luxembourg Virtual...

20 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Global Coalition Against HIV

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare digitally addressed the Ministerial meeting of the Global Prevention...

19 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
12th BRICS Summit

Why in News The Prime minister of India while addressing the 12th BRICS summit held online touched upon issues like terrorism, Covid-19 pandemic and...

18 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
RCEP & India

This article is based on “Threat or treat: on RCEP trade deal” which was published in The Hindu on 17/11/2020. It talks about the...

17 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
RCEP Comes into Existence

Why in News Recently, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has come into existence on the sidelines of the 37th ASEAN...

16 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
17th ASEAN-India Summit

Why in News Recently, India has participated in the 17th ASEAN-India Virtual Summit on the invitation of Vietnam, the current Chair of Association...

13 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
SCO Summit

Why in news The 20th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State was held recently via Video...

11 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India-Italy Bilateral Summit

Why in News Recently, a virtual Bilateral Summit between India and Italy has been held to comprehensively review the broad framework of the...

07 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Promoting South Asian Tourism

This article is based on “How India can take the lead in reviving tourism in South Asia” which was published in The Hindustan Times on...

05 Nov 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Second Meeting of India-Central Asia Dialogue

Why in News Recently, India virtually hosted the second meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue. The first meeting of the dialogue was held in...

29 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests

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		'article_id' => (int) 7170,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SAARC Charter Day',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a message to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</strong> </a>on its<strong> 36<sup>th</sup> Charter Day</strong> anniversary, the Prime Minister said that SAARC can only be fully effective in the absence of &ldquo;terror and violence&rdquo;.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAARC Charter Day is <strong>observed annually on 8<sup>th</sup> December.</strong> This day marks the <strong>signing of the SAARC Charter in 1985</strong> by the leaders of SAARC Countries at the <strong>First SAARC Summit</strong> held in <strong>Dhaka (Bangladesh).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The full potential of SAARC can only be realised in an atmosphere free of terror and violence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This indicates that <strong>India&rsquo;s concerns over cross-border terrorism from Pakistan remain a primary obstacle</strong> in India&rsquo;s participation in the summit.</li>
<li>In their messages, both Pakistan and Nepal called for the SAARC summit to be held soon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also called for SAARC countries to<strong> &ldquo;recommit to defeating the forces that support and nurture terrorism.&rdquo;</strong></li>
<li>India is also <strong>committed to</strong> an &ldquo;integrated, connected, secure and prosperous South Asia&rdquo;, and will support the economic, technological, cultural and social development of the region.</li>
<li>Highlighting the importance of <strong>greater collaboration,</strong> India referred to the <strong>example of the early coordination between SAARC countries for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>emergency Covid-19 fund</strong> was created with an initial contribution of USD 10 million from India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stalled SAARC Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SAARC&rsquo;s functioning and activities have virtually stalled<strong> because of the strained relations between India and Pakistan.</strong></li>
<li>Besides <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/video-conference-of-saarc-leaders-on-covid-19#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20Emergency%20Fund%3A,a%20contribution%20to%20the%20fund." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>a virtual meeting in March</strong></a> on the Covid-19 situation, SAARC <strong>hasn&rsquo;t had any significant engagements since India pulled out of the summit</strong> that was to be held in Pakistan in 2016 in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eight Member States:</strong> Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.</li>
<li><strong>Secretariat:</strong> Kathmandu (Nepal).</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life, and to accelerate economic growth, among other things.</li>
<li><strong>SAARC Summits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>usually held biennially</strong> and <strong>hosted by</strong> member states in <strong>alphabetical order.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> last SAARC Summit in 2014</strong> was held in Kathmandu (Nepal), which was attended by India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607505847_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607505847_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAARC Charter reflects the region&rsquo;s &ldquo;shared vision, collective resolve and mutual pursuit to promote peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia through eradication of poverty, accelerated economic growth and advancement in socio-cultural development&rdquo;.</li>
<li>There is a need for greater regional cooperation today than ever before. To collectively emerge from the pandemic, the situation underlines the importance of more concerted efforts, collaboration and cooperation among the member states of SAARC.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/saarc-potential-cant-be-realised-until-terror-ends-pm-modi/article33281688.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7169,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India Switzerland Relations',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A<strong> virtual meeting took place</strong> recently between an Indian Minister and his Swiss Counterpart.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the Ministers reiterated the desire to move forward on the <strong>India-EFTA Trade &amp; Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) negotiations.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>European Free Trade Association</strong> (EFTA) is the intergovernmental organisation of <strong>Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>These countries are <strong>not part of the European Union</strong> (EU) with which India is negotiating a separate trade agreement called the<strong> India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The proposed agreement covers trade in <strong>goods and services, investments, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, protection of intellectual property and public procurement.</strong></li>
<li>India-Switzerland <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/model-bilateral-investment-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bilateral Investment Treaty</strong></a> (BIT)which is under negotiation was also discussed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>BITs are treaties between two countries aimed at protecting investments made by investors of both countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Forums:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Minister sought support of Switzerland for the <strong>joint proposal of India and South Africa in <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Trade Organization</a> (WTO) for TRIPS waiver.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>South Africa and India</strong> have called for the (WTO) to <strong>suspend intellectual property (IP) rights</strong> related to Covid-19 to ensure equitable sharing of vaccines and new technology to control the pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A temporary ban would allow multiple actors to start production, instead of having manufacturing concentrated in the hands of a <strong>small number of patent holders.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Switzerland Relations</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607505430_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607505430_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Switzerland have had cordial and friendly relations since India&rsquo;s Independence, based on <strong>shared values of democracy and rule of law.</strong> A Treaty of Friendship between India and Switzerland was signed at New Delhi in 1948.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Relation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per EXIM Bank, Switzerland was the<strong> 11<sup>th</sup> largest trading partner</strong> for India in 2018-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Switzerland invested FDI equity worth approximately USD 4.781 billion in India from April 2000 to September 2019 thus becoming the <strong>12<sup>th</sup> largest investor and accounting for about 1.07% of total FDI</strong> in India during this period</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science and Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the visit of Swiss President to India in 2003, an<strong> inter-Governmental framework Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation</strong> was signed under which an <strong>Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme</strong> (ISJRP) was launched in 2005.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Skill Training:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Several Institutes from both the countries have <strong>collaborated</strong> to impart the highest standards of skill training in India. <strong>E.g.:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bharatiya Skill Development Campus and University.</li>
<li>Indo-Swiss Centre of Excellence, Pune.</li>
<li>Vocational Training Center, Andhra Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1679195" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7117,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Shanghai Cooperation Organisation & India',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/regional-priorities-on-the-sco-summit/article33224842.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Regional priorities: On the SCO summit&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 02/12/2020. It talks about the opportunities posted in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a grouping for India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India for the first time hosted the heads of governments (HoG) meeting of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-balancing-with-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong></a>, three years after joining the eight-nation group. The focus of this virtual conference was in developing a plan to overcome the socio-economic consequences of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> in the region.</p>
<p>In less than two decades, SCO has emerged as a key regional organisation in the Eurasian space. It accounts for over 60% of Eurasia's territory, more than 40% of the world's population, and almost a quarter of the world's GDP.</p>
<p>Given the increasing role and significance of the SCO in the Eurasian region and beyond, India is likely to benefit more in the long-term by joining the organisation. Therefore, SCO provides the opportunity for India to fulfil its national interest while cautiously navigating through challenges.</p>
<h3>Opportunities For India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regional Security:</strong> SCO will enable India, as an integral part of the Eurasian security grouping, to neutralise centrifugal forces arising from religious extremism and terrorism in the region.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The drawdown of Western forces from Afghanistan and the rise of Islamic State (IS) with its stated intention to create &lsquo;Khorasan&rsquo; have added a new explosive dimension to the region's security landscape.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Embracing Regionalism:</strong> The SCO is one of the few regional structures India is a part of now, given a decline in its engagement with <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAARC</strong></a>, BBIN and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rcep-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RCEP</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More importantly, cooperation in three critical areas&mdash; energy, building trade and transportation links, and dealing with traditional and non-traditional security threats&mdash; can be facilitated through the SCO mechanism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connect With Central Asia:</strong> SCO is also a potential platform to advance India&rsquo;s <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/connect-central-asia-policy#:~:text=It%20was%20in%20this%20context,%2C%20economic%2C%20and%20cultural%20connections." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Connect Central Asia policy.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s ongoing engagement with SCO can be seen through the prism of reconnecting and re-energising ties with a region with which India has shared civilizational linkages, and is considered the country&rsquo;s extended neighbourhood.</li>
<li>The SCO provides India with a convenient channel for its outreach &mdash; trade and strategic ties &mdash; to Central Asian countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Note:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The foundation of India&rsquo;s economic outreach to Central Asia is based on its 2012 Connect Central Asia Policy with its focus on the 4 C&rsquo;s - Commerce, Connectivity, Consular and Community.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dealing With Pakistan &amp; China:</strong> SCO provides India with a forum where it can constructively engage both China and Pakistan in a regional context and project India&rsquo;s security interests.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While the government has eschewed meetings with Pakistan for the last five years, it has used the SCO for talks with China, including this year amidst the LAC stand-off.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bringing Stability in Afganistan:</strong> SCO also an alternative regional platform to delve into the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan and the centrifugal forces arising from religious extremism and terrorism in the region which threaten India&rsquo;s security and development.</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Balancing:</strong> Above all, the SCO has been seen as a grouping worth pursuing as it retains India&rsquo;s geopolitical balance, a useful counterpoint to New Delhi&rsquo;s otherwise much more robust relations with the western world.</li>
<li><strong>Foundational Dimensions of SECURE:</strong> Acknowledging the strategic importance emanating from the region and SCO, the Indian Prime Minister had articulated the foundational dimension of Eurasia being<strong> 'SECURE&rsquo;.</strong> The letters in the word SECURE are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>S for Security of our citizens,</li>
<li>E for Economic development for all,</li>
<li>C for Connecting the region,</li>
<li>U for Unite our people,</li>
<li>R for Respect for Sovereignty and Integrity, and</li>
<li>E for Environment protection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges That India Needs to Navigate</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Denial Of Direct Land Connectivity:</strong> A major impediment in India&rsquo;s expanded engagement with Eurasia remains the strategic denial of direct land connectivity between India and Afghanistan and beyond by Pakistan.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is due to this, India&rsquo;s bilateral trade with Central Asia stands at about $2 billion and with Russia about $10 billion in 2017.</li>
<li>In contrast, China&rsquo;s trade with Russia has crossed $100 billion in 2018 while the bilateral figures for Central Asia stand at over $50 billion.</li>
<li>The lack of connectivity has also hampered the development of energy ties between the hydrocarbon-rich region and India</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growing Russia-China Convergence:</strong> One of the major factors for Russia pushing India&rsquo;s inclusion into the SCO was to balance China&rsquo;s power.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, today the challenge India faces is the growing closeness of Russia and China, even as India has promoted better relations with the US.</li>
<li>Further, the new equation of growing Russia &mdash; China &mdash; Pakistan triangular convergence of interests is a challenge that needs to be navigated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Difference Over BRI:</strong> While India has made its opposition to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRI</strong></a> clear, all other SCO members have embraced the Chinese project.</li>
<li><strong>India-Pakistan Rivalry:</strong> SCO members have, in the past, expressed fears of the organisation being held hostage to India&rsquo;s and Pakistan&rsquo;s adversarial relationship, and their fears would likely have worsened in recent times.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Improving Connectivity With Central Asia:</strong> India can seek to capitalise on Russian concerns about China exercising disproportionate influence in Central Asia. Moreover, Central Asian states are also keen for India to play a bigger role in the region.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in order to succeed, India would first have to improve its own standing in the region.</li>
<li>In this context, the opening of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chabahar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chabahar port</strong></a> and entry into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-central-asia-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ashgabat agreement</strong> </a>should be utilized for a stronger presence in Eurasia besides a clear focus on operationalising <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-firm-takes-over-chabahar-port-operations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improving Relations With China:</strong> It is imperative that India and China set up a modus vivendi (agreement allowing conflicting parties to coexist peacefully) for the 21<sup>st</sup> century to be viewed through the lens of an Asia century.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This sentiment was aptly reflected in Prime Minister Modi&rsquo;s statement at the 2018 Shangri La Dialogue wherein he stated: <strong>"Asia of rivalry will hold us all back. Asia of cooperation will shape this century."</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improving Relation With Pakistan:</strong> SCO&rsquo;s emphasis on promoting economic cooperation, trade, energy and regional connectivity should be leveraged to improve relations with Pakistan and persuade it to unblock India&rsquo;s access to Eurasia and provide a fillip to projects like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ6dDPQK1Zg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>TAPI.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Military Corporation:</strong> In the context of increasing terrorism in the region, it is imperative for SCO countries to develop a &lsquo;cooperative and sustainable security&rsquo; framework and make the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure more effective.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>An evolving objective of SCO now appears to increase not just its regional but also its global strategic and economic profile. In this scenario, India, as a new member of SCO, will need to formulate an appropriate Eurasian strategy.</p>
<p>This strategy should serve India&rsquo;s regional interests to ensuring sustainable nation-building through development partnerships, maintaining sovereignty, preventing the region from being a hub of terrorism and extremism. At the same time, it is also in India&rsquo;s interest that this region does not evolve into a geopolitical chessboard of new great game rivalries.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606910428_image0.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606910428_image0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) provides the opportunity for India to fulfil its national interest while cautiously navigating through challenges. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e2nhRDrd4W4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/donald-trump-s-last-push-in-west-asia-ht-editorial/story-JjeyZwYA5TH837OHn7NEbL.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Donald Trump&rsquo;s last push in West Asia&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on November 30<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7110,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SCO Online International Exhibition',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Vice President of India</strong> has launched the first ever<strong> SCO Online Exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The launch happened during the <strong>19<sup>th</sup> Meeting of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</a> Council of Heads of Government</strong> (SCO CHG), held in<strong> New Delhi.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India highlighted that the <strong>crossborder terrorism</strong> is the <strong>biggest challenge</strong> for the SCO countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>SCO Online International Exhibition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Developed by: First ever of its kind</strong> the exhibition was developed and curated by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-museum-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Museum</strong></a>, <strong>New Delhi,</strong> in active collaboration with SCO member countries.</li>
<li><strong>Participants:</strong> Museums from India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Budhhist Connection:</strong> Buddhist philosophy and art of Central Asia connects <strong>SCO</strong> countries to each other and presents an excellent<strong> opportunity for visitors</strong> to access, appreciate and compare <strong>Buddhist art antiquities from SCO</strong> countries on a <strong>single platform.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Knowledge about Different Schools of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/buddhism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buddhism</a>:</strong> The visitors can explore the Indian Buddhist treasures from the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/mauryan-architecture-part-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gandhara and Mathura Schools</strong></a>, <strong>Nalanda, Amaravati, Sarnath, etc. in a 3D virtual format.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Artistic Wealth and Excellence:</strong> The international exhibition gives a glimpse of the artistic wealth displayed in various museums across Asia and also represents the artistic excellence embedded within an eclectic historical timeline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Highlights:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Pakistan Hall</strong> depicts the life of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/buddhism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gautama Buddha</strong></a> <strong>and buddhist art through a collection of impressive Gandhara art objects</strong> including fasting Siddhartha and footprint of Buddha from Sikri, meditating Buddha from Sahri Bahlol, miracle of Sravasti from Gandhara, etc.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Oriental Art Museum, Moscow</strong> contributed objects which depict the <strong>Buddhist Buriyat Art of Russia</strong> through icons, ritual objects, monastery traditions etc.</li>
<li><strong>The Dunhuang Academy of China</strong> contributed a rich <strong>digital collection on buddhist art</strong> which include<strong> ingenious architecture, resplendent murals, decorative designs, costumes etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India on Terrorism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India raised the issue of terrorism at the meeting and highlighted it as the enemy of humanity. It expressed its concerns on the <strong>state sponsored terrorism and in particular crossborder terrorism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India supports the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/12th-brics-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy.</strong></a></li>
<li>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-annual-resolution-on-counter-terror" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s annual resolution on the issue of counter-terrorism</strong> </a>was adopted by consensus in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-annual-resolution-on-counter-terror" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First Committee</strong> </a>of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-annual-resolution-on-counter-terror" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations General Assembly</strong></a> (UNGA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also criticised Pakistan for using terrorism as a<strong> instrument of state policy</strong> and called upon the members of<strong> SCO</strong> to fight it <strong>collectively.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>permanent intergovernmental international organisation</strong> and a <strong>Eurasian political, economic and military organisation</strong> aiming to maintain <strong>peace, security and stability in the region</strong> created in <strong>2001.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>SCO</strong> is widely regarded as the<strong> "Alliance of the East",</strong> due to its growing centrality in Asia-Pacific, and has been the primary security pillar of the region.</li>
<li>It is the<strong> largest regional organisation in the world</strong> in terms of geographical coverage and population, covering <strong>three-fifths of the Eurasian continent and nearly half of the human population.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.</li>
<li><strong>Observer states:</strong> Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia.</li>
<li><strong>Dialogue Partners:</strong> Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1677157#:~:text=Shri%20M.%20Venkaiah%20Naidu%2C%20Vice,New%20Delhi%2C%20in%20videoconference%20format." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7099,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'China-Nepal Bilateral Cooperation',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China and Nepal have discussed<strong> various issues of bilateral interest,</strong> including bolstering <strong>military cooperation</strong> between the countries, issues pertaining to resumption of training and <strong>student exchange programs</strong> and follow up on <strong>defence assistance</strong> that have been impacted due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-s-preparedness" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>1955,</strong> Nepal established diplomatic relations with China.</li>
<li>It <strong>recognised Tibet as part of China in 1956</strong> and signed the <strong>Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1960.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In the 1970s,</strong> when <strong>King Birendra of Nepal proposed Nepal as a &ldquo;zone of peace&rdquo; between India and China,</strong> India did not show keen interest, while China was quite supportive. These and many such issues created a <strong>rift in Nepal-India ties;</strong> while at the same time China has been proactive to<strong> support and aid Nepal.</strong></li>
<li>Indo-Nepalese relations took a turn in <strong>2015,</strong> when<strong> India imposed an informal yet effective blockade on Nepal,</strong> thus <strong>causing acute fuel and medicine shortages in Nepal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Nepal imports<strong> almost all of its oil through India,</strong> as road links to China through the Himalayas had been blocked since the earthquakes of April and May 2015.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As tensions with India mounted, <strong>China reopened its border with Nepal,</strong> in Tibet.</li>
<li>After the recent visit of Chinese President, Nepal has reiterated its commitment to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/why-china-insists-on-chinese-taipei-rather-than-taiwan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;One-China policy&rsquo;</strong></a>, promising<strong> not to allow</strong> any forces to<strong> use its territory against China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Although Nepal and India have an <strong>open border and free mobility</strong> of people across borders; it is China that is increasingly working to take over India&rsquo;s position of the <strong>largest trading partner of Nepal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is the <strong>largest economy of south Asia and has been emerging as a leader of south Asian countries.</strong></li>
<li>China wants to <strong>contain India's growing power and status</strong> which may become a threat to Chinese dream of becoming the superpower.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>growing influence of India in Tibet</strong> had grave security considerations for China.</li>
<li>Thus,<strong> preserving the balance of power in southern Asia in its favour</strong> and <strong>securing Nepal&rsquo;s active cooperation to prevent its rivals</strong> use of the country for <strong>anti-Chinese activities became principal strategic objectives of Beijing&rsquo;s Nepal policy.</strong></li>
<li>Nepal&rsquo;s northern border with China lies entirely with Tibet and China sees security cooperation with Nepal as critical in controlling the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/60-years-of-1959-tibetan-uprising" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tibetan matters.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In this pursuit, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-nepal-india-triangulation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China is following security diplomacy vis-&agrave;-vis Nepal.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nepal&rsquo;s Benefit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For Nepal, China serves as a <strong>potential supplier of goods and assistance</strong> that it needs in order to recover its economy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Almost half the population of Nepal is unemployed and more than half is illiterate. At the same time, more than <strong>30 per cent of the people in Nepal live in poverty.</strong></li>
<li>To<strong> deal with its internal problems,</strong> Nepal needs to engage with China to overcome its<strong> poverty &amp; unemployment.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Nepal with China will gain the mileage in negotiations and <strong>counter India&rsquo;s Big Brother approach.</strong></li>
<li>Through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-nepal-india-triangulation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China Nepal Economic Corridor</strong></a>, Nepal seeks to end Indian dominance over its trade routes by increasing connectivity with China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Given the difference in the strategic weight of China and Nepal, <strong>security diplomacy</strong> can be used as a tool by China to <strong>interfere in the internal affairs of Nepal.</strong></li>
<li>Since Nepal acts as a buffer state for India, seeing it slip into China's sphere of influence, will <strong>not be in India's strategic interest.</strong></li>
<li>Also, China&rsquo;s interest in<strong> &ldquo;security diplomacy&rdquo;</strong> is not limited to Nepal.</li>
<li><strong>China's deep pockets</strong> make it difficult for India to control the expansion of China's influence in India's neighbourhood.</li>
<li><strong>China Nepal Economic Corridor</strong> can lead to China dumping consumer goods through Nepal which will worsen India&rsquo;s trade balance with China further.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India must<strong> not deny</strong> every Chinese investment in infrastructure because of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong> </a>(CPEC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The corridor provides a likelihood of <strong>greater tourism and people to people contact</strong> which is important for bridging the trust deficit that exists today between India and China.</li>
<li>It will also lead to the <strong>rapid development</strong> of one of<strong> the poorest regions in the world</strong> which lie in Nepal and parts of northern and northeastern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Nepal has sought to<strong> increase connectivity</strong> with China since a blockade along its border with India resulted in several months of acute shortage of fuel and medicine in 2015 and 2016.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Though India has all the rights of such blockades, however, <strong>India must refrain from such blockades</strong> as it affects India's credibility in the eyes of Nepali citizens.</li>
<li>India should <strong>act as a bridge</strong> rather than<strong> a blockade</strong> in realizing Nepal's dream of becoming a land-linked country from a land-locked one.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Given the importance of ties with Nepal, often romanticised as one of <strong>&ldquo;roti-beti&rdquo; (food and marriage),</strong> India must not delay dealing with the matter, and at a time when it already has a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>faceoff with China in Ladakh and Sikkim.</strong></a></li>
<li>Since the free movement of people is permitted across the border, Nepal enjoys immense <strong>strategic relevance from India&rsquo;s national security point of view,</strong> India should work towards <strong>ensuring stable and friendly relations with Nepal.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/chinese-defence-minister-in-nepal-to-bolster-military-cooperation/article33205715.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7080,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'India & Gulf Countries',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-gulf-nations-relations-trade-crude-oil-jaishankar-visit-7062948/lite/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Time to bridge the Gulf&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 24/11/2020. It talks about the ongoing transformation in the gulf region and the opportunity for India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India&rsquo;s External Affairs Minister visited Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The visit reflects the growing importance of gulf countries in India&rsquo;s foreign policy.</p>
<p>For decades, India&rsquo;s saw the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gulf-cooperation-council-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf countries</strong></a> largely from the economic prism, as a source of oil and a destination for labour exports. However, over the last few years, this economic prism has morphed into a strategic embrace.</p>
<p>Present Prime Minister&rsquo;s personal outreach to the Gulf rulers has helped crack open immense possibilities for political and strategic cooperation. This elevation of India&rsquo;s strategic priorities vis-a-vis the Gulf countries reflects on the structural changes taking place in the Gulf and the region&rsquo;s growing influence in the Indian Ocean.</p>
<h3>Transformation of Gulf Region</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>No Longer Exclusive Petro-States:</strong> The Gulf states are no longer seen as a collection of petro-states, now they have established a strong structure of finance capital built on the massive accumulation of oil revenues over the last few decades.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This has given rise to what is today called &ldquo;Khaleeji&rdquo; or Gulf capitalism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Khaleeji Capitalism:</strong> It is a concept developed by Adam Hanieh, a scholar based in London&rsquo;s School of Oriental and African Studies Capitalism, which tracks the rise of large conglomerates and sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is due to this capitalism model the gulf countries dominate several regional sectors &mdash; from banking and finance to infrastructure and logistics, from agribusiness and real estate to retail to telecom.</li>
<li>Further, the growing financial clout of the Gulf countries has also begun to translate into expansive geopolitical influence in the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Moving Towards Modernisation:</strong> Gulf countries, in the present times, seek to reduce the heavy hand of religion on social life, expand the rights of women, widen religious freedoms, promote tolerance, and develop a national identity that is not tied exclusively to religion.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UAE has been the leader in this regard. It has initiated reforms including the decriminalisation of alcohol use, permission for cohabitation among unmarried couples, criminalisation of honour crimes against women, and the institution of long-term visas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>De-hyphenation of India-Pakistan:</strong> Today, the Gulf countries are eager to build strong and independent political ties with India, without getting affected by the India-Pakistan relations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Relations with the Gulf Countries</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political:</strong> The governments of the Gulf countries are India-friendly and Indian-friendly.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, the Prime Minister of India has received the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uae-awards-highest-civilian-honour-to-the-prime-minister#:~:text=guest%20of%20honor.-,Zayed%20Medal,bearing%20the%20name%20%27Zayed%27.&amp;text=UK%27s%20Queen%20Elizabeth%20II." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Order of Zayed&rsquo;,</strong></a> the highest civilian order of the UAE and the &lsquo;King Hamad Order of the Renaissance&rsquo;, the third-highest civilian order of Bahrain.</li>
<li>In the recent past, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not adopted hostile posture to India&rsquo;s domestic developments such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>removing the special status for Jammu &amp; Kashmir under Article 370.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong> The Gulf countries are among India&rsquo;s key suppliers of energy and annual remittances from Indians.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are India&rsquo;s third and fourth-largest trading partners respectively and the total bilateral trade of the Gulf countries with India for the year 2018-19 stood at USD 121.34 billion.</li>
<li>UAE also features in the top 10 sources of FDI inflows into India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Shielding India&rsquo;s Economic Interest:</strong> First and foremost, Indian foreign policy should shield India&rsquo;s interests in the post-pandemic turbulence.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Due to economic instability caused by the pandemic, the Gulf countries are considering cutting back on foreign labour.</li>
<li>India should ensure that the Indian expatriates will not be affected by this.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Focusing Beyond Oil:</strong> There is a need to focus on the new and long-term possibilities for economic cooperation with the Gulf countries, which is looking at a future beyond oil.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Gulf states have embarked on massive economic diversification and are investing in a variety of new projects including renewable energy, higher education, technological innovation, smart cities, and space commerce.</li>
<li>India must get its businesses to focus on the range of new opportunities in the Gulf.</li>
<li>India also needs to tap into the full possibilities of Gulf capital for its own economic development. The big gap between the investments that the Gulf is ready to offer and India&rsquo;s ability to absorb needs to be reduced.</li>
<li>In 2015, the UAE committed to investing $75 billion in India. However, there is still a long distance away from facilitating that scale of investments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leveraging Gulf-Israel Normalisation:</strong> Earlier this year, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/uae-israel-peace-treaty-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UAE and Bahrain have normalised relations with Israel</strong></a>. This provides an opportunity for India to increase economic and technological engagement with Israel.</li>
<li><strong>Getting Along With Khaleeji Capitalism:</strong> With the rise of Khaleeji capitalism, the Gulf countries today deliver economic and security assistance to friendly states, build ports and infrastructure, acquire military bases and broker peace between warring parties and states.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UAE currently chairs the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong></a> (IORA) and has been eager to work with India in developing joint infrastructure projects.</li>
<li>India needs to bring scale and depth to its regional initiatives on connectivity and security in the Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The Middle East has become more multipolar, with power diffused among a variety of regional and extra-regional actors. Within this mix, the rise of modern values and Khaleeji Capitalism in the gulf countries make the case for India to discard outdated perceptions of the Gulf and seize the new strategic possibilities with the region.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606391572_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606391572_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="596" height="518" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f5f7ff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The elevation of India&rsquo;s strategic priorities vis-a-vis the Gulf countries reflects on the structural changes taking place in the Middle East. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R6sNDnsLBLI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/clearing-the-air-with-president-elect-biden/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Clearing the air with President-elect Biden&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Economic Times on November 24<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7061,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'New Chinese Village in Bhutan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Chinese media has claimed that a <strong>new border village</strong> built by<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-70-years-of-diplomatic-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> China</strong></a> near <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indo-bhutan-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bhutan</strong></a> was on Chinese territory.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>However, the released images of the village show its<strong> location on territory disputed by the two countries.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606216693_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606216693_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The village of <strong>Pangda</strong> has been <strong>newly built</strong> and authorities in<strong> Yadong county</strong> (an administrative region) of <strong>Southwest China&rsquo;s Tibet Autonomous Region</strong> have confirmed that 27 households with 124 people voluntarily <strong>moved from Shangdui village to Pangda village</strong> in September 2020.</li>
<li>It is for the<strong> first time since 2017</strong> that a Chinese<strong> residential area has been noticed near the Doklam region,</strong> which is <strong>strategically important for India.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pangda is east of the<strong> India-Bhutan-China trijunction on the Doklam plateau,</strong> which was the site of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>72-day stand-off in 2017</strong></a> triggered by China&rsquo;s road-building up to where it sees its border.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bhutan&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> It <strong>has officially denied the presence</strong> of any Chinese village in its territory.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> India sees it as an <strong>attempt by China to unilaterally push the trijunction further.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China in the past too, has tried to reinforce its territorial claims in disputed areas with the neighbouring countries by building civilian settlements.</li>
<li>For example, on <strong>disputed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-in-south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South China Sea islands</a></strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-bhutanese-territory-claimed-by-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bhutan&rsquo;s Trashigang district.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> According to China&rsquo;s maps, the village is within China&rsquo;s territory.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also blames India for the <strong>unsettled China-Bhutan border</strong> and <strong>stalled negotiations</strong> by creating the illusion that China is encroaching on Bhutanese territory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indo-Bhutan Relationship</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606216736_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606216736_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1949:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The treaty provides for, among other things, <strong>perpetual peace and friendship, free trade and commerce</strong> and <strong>equal justice</strong> to each other&rsquo;s citizens.</li>
<li>In <strong>2007,</strong> the treaty was <strong>re-negotiated,</strong> and provisions were <strong>included to encourage Bhutan&rsquo;s sovereignty,</strong> abolishing the need to take India&rsquo;s guidance on foreign policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both of them share multilateral forums such as <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation</strong></a> (SAARC), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-bangladesh-relationship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal Initiative</strong> </a>(BBIN), <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation</strong></a> (BIMSTEC), etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydropower Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Agreement on Cooperation in Hydropower 2006:</strong> Under a protocol to this agreement, India has agreed to<strong> assist Bhutan in the development of a minimum of 10,000 MW of hydropower</strong> and<strong> import of surplus</strong> electricity from the same by 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The trade between the two countries is governed by the <strong>India Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement 1972</strong> which was last <strong>renewed in November 2016.</strong></li>
<li>The agreement establishes a<strong> free-trade regime</strong> between the two countries and also provides for <strong>duty-free transit of Bhutanese exports to third countries.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is Bhutan&rsquo;s leading development partner. Since the launch of the <strong>First Five Year Plan</strong> (FYP)<strong> of Bhutan in 1961,</strong> India has been<strong> extending financial support</strong> to Bhutan&rsquo;s FYPs.</li>
<li>India has allotted <strong>Rs. 4500 crore to Bhutan&rsquo;s 12<sup>th</sup> FYP</strong> (2018-23).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Educational and Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A large number of college-going Bhutanese students are studying in India. The Government of India provides a number of <strong>scholarships to Bhutanese students.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>June 2020,</strong> the Union Cabinet approved the signing of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mou-between-india-and-bhutan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhutan</strong></a> for cooperation in the field of<strong> environment protection and management of natural resources.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Support during Pandemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has maintained close coordination with Bhutan and has included it in plans for containment of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></li>
<li>It launched the <strong>second phase of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-digital-payment-system-outside-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RuPay card in Bhutan</a> to increase the domain of digital transactions</strong> in Bhutan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bhutan is the second country to accept the RuPay card<strong> after Singapore.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/chinas-media-show-new-bhutan-border-village-built-in-disputed-territory/article33162585.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7053,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'G20 Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, at the<strong><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"> G20</a> (Group of Twenty)</strong> summit<strong> held virtually India</strong> called for a<strong> &ldquo;New Global Index&rdquo;</strong> for the post-Corona world .</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>New Global Index</strong> will be based on <strong>4 pillars of</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Talent, </strong></li>
<li><strong>Technology, </strong></li>
<li><strong>Transparency and </strong></li>
<li><strong>Trusteeship towards the planet.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This year's summit was hosted by <strong>Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Talent:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>focus</strong> must shift to <strong>multi-skilling</strong> and<strong> reskilling</strong> from <strong>capital and finance</strong> to create a vast <strong>human talent pool.</strong></li>
<li>Indian initiatives such as the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-skill-development-and-entrepreneurship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Skill Development Mission (NSDM)</strong> </a>which aims to create convergence across sectors and States in terms of <strong>skill training activities</strong> is already in direction of creating a <strong>vast human talent pool.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Education policy</strong></a> and programmes such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-innovative-learning-programme-dhruv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Program (DHRUV)</strong></a> are well aligned with this element.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring that technology reaches all segments of the society and the value of new technologies should be measured by their <strong>benefit to humanity.</strong></li>
<li>India suggested that as <strong>follow-up action</strong> and creation of a G20 virtual secretariat as a <strong>repository of documentation.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digitial India</strong></a> and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>E-governance</strong></a> campaigns of India have increased people's access to technology and other government services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transparency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reforms such as<a href="/to-the-points/paper4/good-governance-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Right to Information</strong></a> <strong>and <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/good-governance-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ease of Doing Business</a></strong> promote transparency in governance in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trusteeship:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The world should deal with the environment and nature as <strong>trustees</strong> rather than <strong>owners</strong> which would inspire us towards a <strong>holistic and healthy lifestyle.</strong></li>
<li>Climate change must be fought not in silos but in an<strong> integrated, comprehensive and holistic way.</strong></li>
<li>A principle whose benchmark could be a <strong>per capita carbon footprint.</strong> A <strong>carbon footprint</strong> is the amount of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenhouse-gas-levels-reach-record-highs-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>greenhouse gases</strong></a> primarily carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by a particular human activity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Future meetings:</strong> Italy in 2021, Indonesia in 2022,<strong> India in 2023</strong> and Brazil in 2024.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India's Initiatives for Lowering Emissions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Infrastructure Push:</strong> India&rsquo;s <strong>next-generation infrastructure</strong> push will not only be <strong>convenient and efficient,</strong> but will also contribute to a <strong>cleaner <a href="/prelims/prelims-subject-wise-compilation-gs-paper-1/prelims-gspaperi-subject-wise-environment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">environment</a>. E.g.: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure</a></strong>, announced by the Prime Minister at the Hamburg G20 meet in 2017. This will act as a convening body that will pool best practices and resources from around the world for reshaping construction, transportation, energy, telecommunication and water, so that building in these core infrastructure sectors factors in natural catastrophes.</li>
<li><strong>Producing Clean Energy:</strong> The India-France joint initiative of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Solar Alliance (ISA).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>ISA</strong> will contribute to reducing <strong>carbon foot-print.</strong></li>
<li>India will meet its goal of<strong> 175 GigaWatts</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/curtailment-issue-in-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>renewable energy</strong></a> as a part of its climate commitments made under the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>paris climate deal</strong></a> well before the target of <strong>2022.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5-years-of-ujala-and-slnp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) and LED Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP)</strong></a> scheme has made LED lights popular, saving around <strong>38 million tons of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-energy-and-carbon-dioxide-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">carbon dioxide emissions </a></strong>per year.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ujjwala Scheme</strong></a>: <strong>Smoke-free kitchens</strong> have been provided to over <strong>80 million households</strong> making it among the <strong>largest clean energy drives</strong> globally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Combat Desertification: The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-convention-to-combat-desertification-cop-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)</a></strong> links development and environment to sustainable land management and aims to combat desertification and the ill-effects of drought.</li>
<li><strong>Clean Air &amp; Water:</strong> The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-environment-forest-and-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></a> aims to decrease air pollution and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/15-point-directive-to-clean-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Namami Gange program</strong> </a>seeks to rejuvenate river Ganga and show the <strong>spirit of trusteeship in governance.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>G20</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>informal group of 19 countries and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong>, with representatives of the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Monetary Fund</a> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a>.</strong></li>
<li>The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world&rsquo;s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about <strong>two-thirds of the world&rsquo;s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment </strong>and over<strong> 75% of global trade.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/g20-summit-pm-modi-suggests-global-index-7060637/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7051,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Japan Signs Pact with Maldives',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-japan-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Japan, India&rsquo;s strategic partner</strong></a> in the Indo-Pacific region, has recently signed a pact to strengthen Maldives security infrastructure that would contribute to stability in the Southern Indian Ocean.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Maldives and Japan recently signed an agreement under the<strong> Economic and Social Development Programme</strong> of the Government of Japan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under it, a<strong> grant aid of 800 million Japanese Yen</strong> is to be extended to the Maldives Coast Guard and the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Center.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The grant aid will be utilized to<strong> further strengthen the capabilities</strong> of the Maldives Coast Guard, the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Center, Sub-Regional Centers and Vessels.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes the provision of <strong>communications equipment, professional search and rescue dive equipment</strong> to be used by the Maldives Coast Guard during search and rescue operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Previously in October 2019, Japan donated 21 paramedic ambulances to the Maldives health sector.</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Combating <strong>Piracy,</strong></li>
<li>Countering <strong>violent extremism </strong>and<strong> narco-trafficking.</strong></li>
<li>Ensuring<strong> a free and open Indian Ocean</strong> that would bring about peace and prosperity to the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian Ocean archipelago, that is home to nearly<strong> 4 lakh people,</strong> assumes geopolitical significance, owing to its strategic location.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-maldives-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Maldives, a Toll Gate in Indian Ocean:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Located at the southern and northern parts of this island chain lies the two important <strong>sea lanes of communication</strong> (SLOCs).</li>
<li>These SLOCs are critical for maritime trade flow between the <strong>Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.</strong></li>
<li>The SLOCs are of vital importance for India since <strong>nearly 50% of India&rsquo;s external trade and 80% of her energy imports transit these westward SLOCs in the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pact with a Quad Member:</strong> The &ldquo;grant aid&rdquo; is the Maldives&rsquo;s <strong>second major pact</strong> with a member of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Quad&rsquo;,</strong></a> an informal strategic grouping of the USA, Japan, Australia and India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Previously, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-maldives-framework-on-defense-and-security-relationship#:~:text=USA%2DMaldives%20Framework%20on%20Defense%20and%20Security%20Relationship,-14%20Sep%202020&amp;text=Recently%2C%20a%20Framework%20on%20Defense,IOR)%20and%20Indo%2DPacific." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>a framework related to defence and security was signed with the USA.</strong></a></li>
<li>Quad member countries <strong>Foreign Ministers</strong> met in<strong> Tokyo</strong> last month and held discussions, including on ways to <strong>counter Chinese presence and influence in the region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606128823_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606128823_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/maldives-to-receive-japanese-grant-to-strengthen-coastguard/article33155784.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'posturl' => 'japan-signs-pact-with-maldives',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7038,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'RCEP & Sri Lanka’s Dilemma',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Various economists have speculated chances of Sri Lanka joining <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Cooperation Economic Partnership</strong> </a>(RCEP) and its impact on the island nation.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, the RCEP, a mega trade bloc comprising 15 countries, has come into existence.</li>
<li>Even as <strong>India opted to stay out</strong> after walking out of discussions last year, the new trading bloc has made it clear that the door will remain open for India to return to the negotiating table.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Advantages to Sri Lanka on joining RCEP: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade expansion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Diversify its trade basket in the asia pacific region and beyond.</li>
<li>Many leaders in the past have argued that Sri Lanka needs to turn more eastward in its economic and trade diplomacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sri Lanka is located along one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.</li>
<li>Recently, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka said that the country must develop the Hambantota and Colombo Ports together with the Airports to be at a centre in the international commercial processes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the current situation amid a<strong> global pandemic,</strong> <strong>no country can stick to an isolationist policy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges in joining:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Unclear Trade policy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government&rsquo;s position on <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/a-note-on-free-trade-agreements-and-their-costs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Free Trade Agreements</strong> </a>(FTA) has not been consistent.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, the proposed Economic and Technology Cooperation Agreement (ETCA) with India has not been finalised, while the country has expressed interest to revive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with China.</li>
<li>The government is also re-examining the FTA signed with Singapore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase in Competition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>RCEP would make it more difficult for Sri Lanka to compete with the <strong>markets</strong> of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, etc. in other countries unless a <strong>bilateral agreement</strong> is finalised.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pandemic</strong></a>, marked by the disruption to <strong>global supply chains,</strong> led to a critique of globalization making Sri Lanka suspicious of joining it.</li>
<li><strong>Sri Lanka's Dilemma:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India will be a powerful economy in the world in the next decade. China together with several other Asian countries (part of RCEP) will be amongst the five most powerful economies in the world.</li>
<li>India and China are also two biggest sources of imports for the country.</li>
<li>Thus it would be tough for Sri Lanka to decide whether to join China led RCEP or side with India by not joining it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sri Lanka joining RCEP will increase the <strong>influence of China</strong> in India&rsquo;s neighbourhood.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government of Sri Lanka has a focus on China-backed 1.4 billion USD Colombo Port City as a hub for international business and investment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Reduce Sri Lanka&rsquo;s dependency on India.</li>
<li>Sri Lanka has a list of highly strategic ports located among busiest sea lanes of communication. India may get limited access to them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/analysis-what-are-sri-lankas-prospects-with-rcep-sans-india/article33133056.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7032,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Luxembourg Virtual Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Prime Ministers of India</strong> and the <strong>Grand Duchy of Luxembourg</strong> have held the <strong>first-ever India-Luxembourg Virtual Summit.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both countries have cordial and friendly relations for over more than seven decades since the <strong>establishment of diplomatic relations in 1948.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605863409_image1.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605863409_image1.gif" 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>Focus Areas:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening <strong>India-Luxembourg relationship in the post-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> world,</strong> especially in the areas of financial technology, green financing, space applications, digital innovations and start-ups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promote Multilateralism:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthen cooperation on realising<strong> effective multilateralism and combating global challenges</strong> like the Covid-19 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, terrorism and climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Initiatives:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India welcomed <strong>Luxembourg&rsquo;s announcement to join the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/third-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Solar Alliance</a></strong> (ISA), and also invited it to join the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure</strong> </a>(CDRI).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agreements Signed at the Summit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between <strong>India International Exchange (India INX)</strong> and <strong>Luxembourg Stock Exchange.</strong></li>
<li>MoU between State Bank of India (SBI) and Luxembourg Stock Exchange.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both these provide for cooperation in financial services, industry maintenance of orderly markets in securities, ESG (environmental, social and governance) and green finance in the local market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MoU between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invest-india-business-immunity-platform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Invest India</strong> </a>and <strong>Luxinnovation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides for support and development of mutual business cooperation, including promotion and facilitation of inbound FDI, coming from or proposed by Indian and Luxembourgish investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Luxembourg Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic Relationship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries have a <strong>long-standing cooperation in the steel</strong> sector and the leaders called upon businesses, including SMEs and startups, to <strong>explore further opportunities</strong> for expanding the economic relationship.</li>
<li>Both nations look forward to the<strong> 17<sup>th</sup> Joint Economic Commission</strong> (JEC) between <strong>India and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-and-belgium-luxembourg-economic-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union</a></strong> to review the economic and trade relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> proposed agreement</strong> between the regulatory authorities <strong>Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier</strong> (CSSF) and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Securities and Exchange Board of India</strong> </a>(SEBI) would deepen bilateral cooperation in the financial sector.</li>
<li>Luxembourg, as a <strong>leading international financial centre in Europe,</strong> can <strong>act as an important bridge</strong> to help connect India&rsquo;s financial services industry with international markets and reach European and global investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Space and Digital Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries have an <strong>ongoing space cooperation,</strong> including in the domain of <strong>satellite broadcasting and communications.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Luxembourg based space companies</strong> have <strong>started utilising the services of India</strong> for launching their satellites into space.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In November 2020, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong> </a>(ISRO)<strong> launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/earth-observation-satellite-eos-01-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PSLV-C49 mission</a></strong>, which included 4 satellites from Luxembourg.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>cooperation instrument in the area of exploration and <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/29-03-2019#:~:text=Global%20Rules%20and%20demands%20related%20to%20Space&amp;text=There%20are%20international%20treaties%20governing,be%20exploited%20for%20peaceful%20purposes.&amp;text=India%20is%20a%20party%20to%20the%20Outer%20Space%20Treaty." target="_blank" rel="noopener">use of outer space</a> for peaceful purposes</strong> is currently under discussion between the two Governments.</li>
<li>In the wake of the<strong> pandemic,</strong> both India and Luxembourg are <strong>promoting digitalisation</strong> through the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> "Digital India&rdquo;</strong></a> programme and the <strong>"Digital Luxembourg&rdquo;</strong> initiative respectively and agree to explore convergences between the two initiatives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Higher Education and Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indian National Brain Research Centre</strong> and the <strong>Luxembourg Institute of Health</strong> and the<strong> Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine</strong> have an ongoing collaboration in the field of <strong>neurodegenerative diseases.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of <strong>disorders that are characterised by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system.</strong></li>
<li>Examples: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/preventive-methods-for-alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Alzheimer's disease</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/z-scan-method-for-parkinson-s-disease#:~:text=Parkinson's%20disease%20is%20a%20chronic,the%20brain%20to%20the%20body." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Parkinson's disease.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>IITs</strong> in Bombay, Kanpur and Madras and the <strong>National Law School of India</strong> have <strong>links</strong> with the <strong>University of Luxembourg</strong> which will be <strong>further expanded</strong> for higher education and research in both countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture and People-to-people Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019,<strong> Luxembourg</strong> issued a<strong> commemorative stamp to mark the 150<sup>th</sup> Birth Anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mahatma-gandhi-jayanti#:~:text=2nd%20October%202020%20was,of%20the%20Nation%20%2D%20Mahatma%20Gandhi." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mahatma Gandhi</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Both countries intend to <strong>conclude a Migration and Mobility agreement</strong> to further strengthen mobility as well as an <strong>agreement on an exemption of visas</strong> for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>EU-India Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>July 2020,</strong> a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-eu-virtual-summit#:~:text=Recently%2C%20India%20and%20the%20European,that%20define%20their%20bilateral%20ties." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>virtual summit between India and the European Union</strong></a> (EU) was held, where India expressed support for further intensification of the India-EU relationship, through strengthening cooperation in areas of common interest in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific region</strong></a>, and through comprehensive, sustainable and rules-based connectivity.</li>
<li><strong>Luxembourg,</strong> as <strong>one of the founding members of the EU,</strong> has<strong> played a constructive role</strong> in supporting stronger India-EU ties, which becomes even more important for the <strong>post-Covid-19 economic recovery.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Luxembourg <strong>welcomed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elections-for-non-permanent-members-of-the-unsc#:~:text=Key%20Points,129%20votes)%20to%20be%20confirmed.&amp;text=This%20would%20be%20India's%20eighth,will%20begin%20from%20January%202021." target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s election to a non-permanent seat</a></strong> in the <strong>UN Security Council</strong> for the term 2021-2022 and reiterated its <strong>support for the reforms in the UN Security Council,</strong> including its expansion in both categories of permanent and non-permanent membership. It <strong>supports <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s candidature for the permanent membership</a></strong> of the UN Security Council.</li>
<li>Luxembourg supported India&rsquo;s entry into the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/multilateral-export-control-regimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Missile Technology Control Regime</strong></a> (MTCR) and India&rsquo;s participation in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-nsg-bid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nuclear Suppliers Group</strong> </a>(NSG).</li>
<li>India supports <strong>Luxembourg&rsquo;s candidatures to the <a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Human Rights Council</a></strong> for the term 2022-2024.</li>
<li>Both <strong>condemn <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">terrorism</a> in all its forms and manifestations</strong> and agree on the need for continued cooperation to support international efforts at the UN and at forums like the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-action-task-force-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Financial Action Task Force</strong> </a>(FATF) to prevent and combat terrorism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>first stand-alone Summit between India and Luxembourg</strong> in the past two decades marks a new phase in the bilateral relations where both countries reaffirmed their commitment towards widening and deepening the spectrum of the bilateral relations and enhancing consultation and coordination in regional and multilateral fora on matters of mutual and global interest.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1674160" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7024,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Global Coalition Against HIV',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare digitally addressed the Ministerial meeting of the <strong>Global Prevention Coalition (GPC)</strong> for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-aids-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)</strong></a> Prevention.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was hosted by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/round-table-of-unaids" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS</strong> </a><strong>(UNAIDS)</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-world-population-2019-unfpa#:~:text=According%20to%20State%20of%20World,annual%20growth%20rate%20of%20China." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)</strong></a> on behalf of the <strong>Global HIV Prevention Coalition (GPC).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Notes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global HIV Prevention Coalition (GPC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>global coalition</strong> of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> Member States, donors, civil society organizations which was established in the year 2017 to support global efforts to accelerate <strong>HIV prevention. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Membership:</strong> It includes the 25 highest HIV burden countries, <strong>UNAIDS</strong> Cosponsors, donors, civil society and private sector organizations.</li>
<li><strong>Goal:</strong> To strengthen and sustain political commitment for primary prevention by setting a common agenda among key policy-makers, funders and programme implementers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of the Conference:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The conference this year holds significance in achieving the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)</strong> </a>commitment to <strong>end <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/hiv-new-hope" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome</a> (AIDS) by 2030.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Member States of the <strong>GPC</strong> had agreed to reduce new adult <strong>HIV</strong> infections by <strong>75%</strong> at the end of 2020 from 2010 levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India at the Conference:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Acknowledged that<strong> Global AIDS</strong> response has shown remarkable success in reducing new infections, improving access to prevention services for key population and treatment services for <strong>People Living with HIV (PLHIV),</strong> reducing <strong>AIDS</strong> related mortality, enabling reduction in mother to child transmission of<strong> HIV</strong> and creating an enabling environment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>GPC</strong> has shown to the world a model where multiple stakeholders can come together and work cohesively towards a common goal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Observed that the<strong> global AIDS response</strong> in general has been a fountainhead of innovative service delivery models with rich <strong>civil society involvement and cross learning.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India Against HIV:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s unique HIV prevention model:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> To provide outreach, service delivery, counselling &amp; testing and ensuring linkages to HIV care</li>
<li><strong>Centered around</strong> the concept of <strong>Social Contracting</strong> through which the <strong>Targeted Interventions (TI) programme</strong> is implemented.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protected the gains made in HIV during <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-indian-federalism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong> by taking swift and timely action to reach out to the last mile with a robust implementation plan for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hiv-aids-outreach" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Anti-Retroviral drugs (ARV)</strong></a> dispensation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Advisories and guidance notes were issued by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hiv-aids-outreach" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Aids Control Organization (NACO)</strong></a> from time to time aligned with global guidelines in the context.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Revamped its Targeted Intervention (TI) programme</strong> to focus on hard-to-reach populations to keep its commitments- People living in prisons and other closed settings were considered as priority populations and interventions launched were gradually scaled up since <strong>2016.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>HIV Counselling &amp; Testing Services (HCTS) and Community based Screening of HIV</strong> for improving early diagnosis were also ramped up.</li>
<li>The <strong>coverage of testing for HIV</strong> across the country was increased to achieve the <strong>Elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV. </strong></li>
<li><strong>The Test and Treat Policy:</strong> Approximately<strong> 50,000 PLHIV</strong> who were lost to follow-up were linked back to <strong>Antiretroviral Treatment services</strong> through <strong>Mission SAMPARK,</strong> while<strong> Viral Load Testing</strong> facilities have been scaled up from the existing ten public sector labs to 64 labs across the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Enacted<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hiv-aids-act-2017-implemented" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> The Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017</strong></a> which has provided a legal and enabling framework for safeguarding the human rights of the infected and affected populations.</li>
<li><strong>Project Sunrise</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A new initiative called<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-aids-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 'Project Sunrise'</strong></a> was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2016, to tackle the rising HIV prevalence in north-eastern states in India, especially among people injecting drugs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Helping the world:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s provision of <strong>generic (ARV)</strong> to the world has had a critical impact in controlling the HIV epidemic.</li>
<li>India is ready to extend its <strong>unique HIV prevention model</strong> to the rest of the world by tailoring the intervention as per local settings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other international initiatives against AIDS:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Founded in 2002, it is a partnership organization designed to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1673749#:~:text=Press%20Information%20Bureau,-Government%20of%20India&amp;text=Hosted%20by%20UNAIDS%20and%20UNFPA,of%202020%20from%202010%20levels." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7013,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => '12th BRICS Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Prime minister of India while addressing the <strong>12<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/11th-brics-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BRICS</a></strong> summit held online touched upon issues like <strong>terrorism, Covid-19</strong> pandemic and the need for <strong>reforms in global bodies.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Russia was the host and chair of<strong> BRICS</strong> this year.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Notes</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand at the Summit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Terrorism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Need to confront the countries</strong> that supported and sponsored terror and ensure that terrorists and those who support and sponsor terrorists <strong>should be held guilty</strong> and this problem is addressed in a collective manner.</li>
<li>India acknowledged the Russian support to the <strong>BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy</strong> and reiterated its support to the strategy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is well aligned with the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-brics-focus-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brasilia Declaration</strong></a> which condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestation.</li>
<li>Earlier this year India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-annual-resolution-on-counter-terror" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>annual resolution on the issue of counter-terrorism</strong></a> was adopted by consensus in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-annual-resolution-on-counter-terror" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First Committee</strong></a> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-annual-resolution-on-counter-terror" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)</strong></a> which also strengthened the war against terrorism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nation Security Council (UNSC)</a> Reforms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India raised the issue of <strong>credibility and effectiveness</strong> of the institutions that were necessary for global governance, and urged for support from<strong> BRICS</strong> partners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> pandemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India addressed the issue of cooperation among the <strong>BRICS</strong> countries on the production of vaccines for <strong>Covid-19.</strong></li>
<li>Referring to the post<strong> Covid-19</strong> economic hardships of the world, India highlighted the importance of <strong>BRICS</strong> in that scenario.</li>
<li><strong>BRICS</strong> countries will play a significant role in the recovery of the post <strong>Covid-19</strong> world as <strong>42%</strong> of the world&rsquo;s population resides in the <strong>BRICS</strong> countries and the economies are the major engines of the world.</li>
<li>India also highlighted the scope of <strong>increasing trade</strong> among the <strong>BRICS</strong> countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aatmanirbhar Bharat:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India introduced <strong>Aatmanirbhar Bharat</strong> (self-reliant India) to the <strong>BRICS.</strong></li>
<li>India said that the <strong>Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign</strong> is based on the subject that a self-reliant and resilient India can become a force multiplier for the post <strong>Covid-19</strong> world order.</li>
<li>A <strong>self-reliant India</strong> would make solid <strong>contributions</strong> to the global value chains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has offered to cooperate with India and other <strong>BRICS</strong> nations in the<strong> development of vaccines</strong> against the coronavirus</li>
<li>China said it will open the <strong>BRICS</strong> partnership on a new industrial revolution innovation centre in the Chinese city of<strong> Xiamen.</strong></li>
<li>China supported the <strong>BRICS counter-terrorism strategy</strong> that called upon on all countries to take steps to prevent the use of their territories for terrorist activities against other countries or their own citizens.</li>
<li>Also supported the <strong>declaration</strong> which talked about respect for territorial integrity of Syria, Libya, Iraq and in the context of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Russia&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Russia</strong> called for a joint effort by the <strong>BRICS</strong> countries on the development of the coronavirus vaccines.</li>
<li>It also highlighted the importance of establishing a <strong>Centre for Development and Research </strong>of <strong>BRICS</strong> vaccines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of BRICS Summit for India and China:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides the Chinese and the Indian leadership an opportunity to exchange their thoughts on key priorities in the backdrop of the continued tension along their borders.</li>
<li>Both the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></a> and <strong>BRICS</strong> have provided recent opportunities for exchange of ideas between the two sides.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>BRICS,</strong> being one of the pillars of the emerging fairer polycentric world order, plays an important stabilising role in global affairs.</li>
<li>In the storming ocean of world politics, <strong>BRICS</strong> can contribute significantly in maintaining<strong> international stability</strong> and ensuring <strong>global economic growth</strong> and becoming a <strong>united center</strong> of the multipolar world.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/terrorism-biggest-global-problem-countries-supporting-terrorists-need-to-be-held-guilty-pm-modi-at-brics/article33117750.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7010,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'RCEP & India',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/threat-or-treat/article33110441.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Threat or treat: on RCEP trade deal&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Hindu on 17/11/2020. It talks about the impact of India&rsquo;s stance to stay out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/16-11-2020#6999" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was signed into existence</a></strong> by 15 countries led by China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10-state ASEAN grouping, creating one of the world&rsquo;s largest trading blocs.</p>
<p>India had been a part of negotiations for almost nine years <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-and-rcep" target="_blank" rel="noopener">till it pulled out in November 2019</a>, stating that inadequate safeguards and lowering of customs duties will adversely impact its manufacturing, agriculture and dairy sectors.</p>
<p>However, by staying out, India has blocked itself from a trade bloc that represents 30% of the global economy and world population, touching over 2.2 billion people.</p>
<p>Further, as the summary of the final agreement shows that the pact does cover and attempt to address some issues that India had flagged, including rules of origin, trade in services, movement of persons. Therefore, this makes the case of India to review its decision and look RCEP through the lens of economic realism.</p>
<h3>Reasons for India's Withdrawal</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Unfavourable Balance of Trade:</strong> Though trade has increased the post-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/country-of-origin-rules-carotar-2020#:~:text=Free%20Trade%20Agreement,on%20substantial%20trade%20between%20them." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Free Trade Agreement</a> with South Korea, ASEAN countries and Japan, imports have risen faster than exports from India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to a paper published by NITI Aayog, India has a bilateral trade deficit with most of the member countries of RCEP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chinese Angle:</strong> India has already signed FTA with all the countries of RCEP except China. Trade data suggests that India&rsquo;s deficit with China, with which it does not have a trade pact, is higher than that of the remaining RCEP constituents put together.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This trade deficit is the primary concern for India, as after signing RCEP cheaper products from China would have flooded the Indian market.</li>
<li>Further, from a geopolitical perspective, RCEP is China-led or is intended to expand China's influence in Asia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-acceptance of Auto-trigger Mechanism:</strong> To deal with the imminent rise in imports, India had been seeking an auto-trigger mechanism.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Auto-trigger Mechanism would have allowed India to raise tariffs on products in instances where imports cross a certain threshold.</li>
<li>However, other countries in the RCEP were against this proposal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection of Domestic Industry:</strong> India had also reportedly expressed apprehensions on lowering and eliminating tariffs on several products like dairy, steel etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For instance, the dairy industry is expected to face stiff competition from Australia and New Zealand.</li>
<li>Currently, India&rsquo;s average bound tariff for dairy products is on average 35%.</li>
<li>The RCEP binds countries to reduce that current level of tariffs to zero within the next 15 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Consensus on Rules of Origin:</strong> India was concerned about a &ldquo;possible circumvention&rdquo; of rules of origin.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Rules of origin are the criteria used to determine the national source of a product.</li>
<li>Current provisions in the deal reportedly do not prevent countries from routing, through other countries, products on which India would maintain higher tariffs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Reasons For India to Review</h3>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605614956_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605614956_image1.png" style="float: right;" width="529" height="287" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global Economic Stagnation due to Covid-19:</strong> With global trade and the economy facing a steep decline due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, RCEP can serve as a bulwark in containing the free fall of the global economy and re-energising economic activity.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the RCEP presents a unique opportunity to support India&rsquo;s economic recovery, inclusive development and job creation even as it helps strengthen regional supply chains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Economic Realism:</strong> India should deter seeing RCEP only from the Chinese perspective.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India should acknowledge that the trade bloc represents 30% of the global economy and world population, touching over 2.2 billion people, and staying out of RCEP may result in suboptimal economic growth without leveraging Asia-Pacific demand.</li>
<li>In this regard, India can draw inspiration from Japan &amp; Australia, as they chose to bury their geopolitical differences with China to prioritise what they collectively see as a mutually beneficial trading compact.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Need:</strong> It is not just because gains from trade are significant, but the RCEP&rsquo;s membership is a prerequisite to having a say in shaping RCEP&rsquo;s rules.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is necessary to safeguard India&rsquo;s interests and the interests of several countries that are too small to stand up to the largest member, China.</li>
<li>Moreover, staying out of RCEP may also affect <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India's Act East policy</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Acknowledging India&rsquo;s economic heft and value as a market, the RCEP members have left the door open for India for inviting it to be an observer member and also waived a critical 18-month cooling period for interested applicants.</p>
<p>Given the global economic scenario in present times and the near future, it would be in India&rsquo;s interest to dispassionately review its position on RCEP and carry out structural reforms that will help India to mitigate some of the repercussions arising from the RCEP.</p>
<table border="1" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #cff6fa; border-color: #058f9e;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question<br /><br /></strong></em>Given the global economic scenario in near future, it would be in India&rsquo;s interest to dispassionately review its position on RCEP. Discuss.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vqKMrySdyQg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/farmers-fertiliser-subsidy-india-modi-7052724/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Fertile opportunity&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on November 16th, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6999,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'RCEP Comes into Existence',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)</strong></a> has come into existence on the sidelines of the 37th ASEAN Summit.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It has laid down the <strong>path for restarting discussion that had failed to admit India earlier</strong> and said &ldquo;new&rdquo; developments would be taken into consideration if India re-applies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605516927_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605516927_image3.png" style="float: right; margin: 5px;" width="466" height="306" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It consists of 10 <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Association of Southeast Asian Nations</a> (ASEAN) members, as well as South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It excludes the USA, which withdrew from the <strong>Trans-Pacific Partnership </strong>(TPP) in <strong>2017</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Negotiations over the RCEP deal began in 2012. India was also part</strong> of the negotiations but it <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-exits-rcep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pulled out in 2019</strong></a> over concerns that <strong>lower tariffs could hurt local producers</strong>.</li>
<li>Members of the RCEP make up nearly a <strong>third of the world's population</strong> and account for<strong> 29% of global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-decreases-to-11-year-low#:~:text=Growth%20in%20Fiscal%20Year%202019,6.1%25%20in%202018%2D19." target="_blank" rel="noopener">gross domestic product</a></strong> (GDP).</li>
<li>The <strong>China-backed</strong> group will emerge as the <strong>largest free trade agreement</strong> (FTA) in the world surpassing both the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-future-of-free-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-Mexico-Canada Agreement</strong></a> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> (EU).</li>
<li>It is <strong>expected to eliminate a range of tariffs on imports within 20 years</strong> and also includes provisions on <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>intellectual property</strong></a>, telecommunications, financial services, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/e-commerce-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-commerce</strong></a> and professional services.</li>
<li>Under RCEP, <strong>parts from any member nation would be treated equally,</strong> which might give companies in RCEP countries an <strong>incentive to look within the trade region for suppliers</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Businesses with global supply chains might face tariffs even within an FTA because their products contain components that are made elsewhere.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The deal could <strong>increase global national income by USD 186 billion annually by 2030</strong> and add 0.2% to the economy of its member states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, some analysts think the deal is <strong>likely to benefit China, Japan and South Korea more</strong> than other member states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, it could be <strong>some time before any country sees the benefits, because six Asean nations and three other nations have to ratify</strong> it before it takes effect.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ratification will likely be <strong>tricky</strong> in national parliaments, owing to both <strong>anti-trade and anti-China sentiments</strong> among the countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance for China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The beginning of RCEP is a major development that will <strong>help China and trade in the Asia-Pacific region</strong> in the <strong>post-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> scenario</strong>.</li>
<li>It will give <strong>China access to Japanese and South Korean markets</strong> in a big way, as the three countries have not yet agreed on their FTA.</li>
<li>While China already has a number of bilateral trade agreements, this is the first time it has signed up to <strong>a regional multilateral trade pact</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While addressing the ASEAN Summit, India <strong>highlighted the necessity for peace and stability in the region but maintained silence regarding RCEP</strong> as it is <strong>not very welcoming</strong> of the China-backed grouping in the light of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ongoing military tension in eastern Ladakh</strong></a> <strong>along the Line of Actual Control </strong>(LAC).</li>
<li>In the meantime, India <strong>held <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/australia-to-be-included-in-malabar-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Malabar Exercise</a> with Japan and the USA for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quadrilateral Security Dialogue</a></strong> (QUAD) which was interpreted as an anti-China move.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, these moves <strong>did not influence Japanese and Australian plans</strong> regarding RCEP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India <strong>ended negotiation</strong> on RCEP over terms that were <strong>perceived to be against its interests</strong>.</li>
<li>One of the major concerns for India was <strong>inadequate protection against surges in imports</strong> as its industry had fears that signing RCEP would <strong>allow cheaper products from China to flood the market</strong> in India.</li>
<li>The <strong>extended power to China</strong> could lead to <strong>actions and incidents eroding trust in the maritime region</strong> disrespecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, the ongoing tensions at LAC and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chinese activities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>RCEP on India&rsquo;s Membership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India, as an original negotiating participant of the RCEP, has the <strong>option of joining the agreement without having to wait 18 months</strong> as stipulated for new members in the terms of the pact.</li>
<li>RCEP signatory states plan to commence negotiations with India once it <strong>submits a request of its intention to join the pact "in writing"</strong>, and it may participate in meetings as an observer prior to its accession.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The mega trade bloc is a landmark trade initiative which is expected to boost commerce among the member-countries spread across the Asia-Pacific region.</li>
<li>India needs to keep its interests on the table as the road to further expansion of its exports to RCEP member nations is very much still open, given that India already has trade and investment agreements with 12 of them.</li>
<li>Utilising existing agreements better while proactively exploring new opportunities in other geographies will diversify both Indian markets as well as an export basket.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/rcep-signatories-ready-for-negotiations-once-india-gives-written-request-to-join-pact/article33102130.ece#:~:text=Photo%20Credit%3A%20Reuters-,India%20will%20have%20to%20re%2Dapply%20for%20membership%20negotiation,to%20restart%20negotiation%20for%20membership." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6989,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => '17th ASEAN-India Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India has participated in the <strong>17<sup>th</sup> ASEAN-India Virtual Summit</strong> on the invitation of Vietnam, the current Chair of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations</strong> </a>(ASEAN).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The summit focused on <strong>measures to recover from the economic turmoil triggered by the</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> and ways to <strong>further broad-base strategic ties.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ASEAN&rsquo;s Centrality with respect to:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India's Act East Policy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Against the backdrop of aggressive moves by China, including the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ladakh standoff</strong></a>, India placed the ASEAN at the centre of India&rsquo;s <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East policy</strong></a> and held that a cohesive and responsive ASEAN is essential for security and growth for all in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Indo-Pacific Vision and Security And Growth for All in the Region Vision:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India underscored the importance of strengthening convergence between India's <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-vietnam-meeting#:~:text=Key%20Points,for%20all%20in%20the%20region." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative</strong></a> (IPOI) and the ASEAN Outlook on <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific</strong></a>, to ensure a free, open, inclusive and rules-based region.</li>
<li>It also highlighted the importance of cooperation by ASEAN in for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar#:~:text=Security%20and%20Growth%20for%20All%20in%20the%20Region%20(SAGAR)%20was,building%20their%20maritime%20security%20capabilities." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Security And Growth for All in the Region</strong></a> (SAGAR) Vision.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India would explore ways to <strong>increase trade despite</strong> its exit from the 15-nation <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RCEP agreement</strong></a> in 2019.</li>
<li>The RCEP free trade agreement is<strong> expected to be signed on 15<sup>th</sup> November 2020</strong> between <strong>China, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the ASEAN Members.</strong></li>
<li>However, experts have warned that <strong>once the RCEP is adopted, trade between RCEP nations will assume primacy,</strong> which <strong>could affect trade ties with other countries</strong> including India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>South China Sea:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Affirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, safety and security in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South China Sea</strong></a>, and <strong>ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight.</strong></li>
<li>Noted the importance of promoting a rules-based order in the region including through <strong>upholding adherence to international law,</strong> especially the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea</strong></a> (UNCLOS).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulating Covid-19 Pandemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India welcomed ASEAN&rsquo;s <strong>initiatives to fight the pandemic</strong> and announced a <strong>contribution of USD 1 million to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/36th-asean-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 ASEAN Response Fund.</a></strong></li>
<li>It also underlined the importance of cooperation and regular exchanges in the field of traditional medicines as a source of healthy and holistic living.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade and Investment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India underlined the <strong>importance of diversification and resilience of supply chains</strong> for post-Covid-19 economic recovery.</li>
<li>India called for an early review of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-india-economic-ministers-consultations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement</strong></a> (AITIGA), which is pending for a long time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Underscoring the importance of greater physical and digital connectivity, India reiterated its offer of <strong>USD 1 billion Line of Credit to support ASEAN</strong> connectivity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Significance Highlighted by ASEAN:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Towards <strong>promoting peace and stability in the region</strong> and India&rsquo;s support to ASEAN centrality.</li>
<li>Welcomed the adoption of the new <strong>ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2021-2025.</strong></li>
<li>Acknowledged <strong>India&rsquo;s capacity-building initiatives,</strong> including the<strong> PhD Fellowship Programme</strong> at IITs and<strong> setting up of Centres for Excellence</strong> in Software Development and Training.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>regional grouping</strong> that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation.</li>
<li>It was established on<strong> 8<sup>th</sup> August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand</strong> with the signing of the <strong>ASEAN Declaration</strong> (Bangkok Declaration) by the <strong>founding fathers</strong> of ASEAN, namely <strong>Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Ten Members:</strong> Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.</li>
<li><strong>Chairmanship:</strong> It rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.</li>
<li>ASEAN countries have a <strong>total population of 650 million</strong> people and a combined <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product</a> (GDP) of USD 2.8 trillion.</strong> It is<strong> India&rsquo;s 4<sup>th</sup> largest trading partner</strong> with about USD 86.9 billion in trade.</li>
<li>The group has <strong>played a central role in Asian economic integration,</strong> signing six free-trade agreements with other regional economies and helping spearhead negotiations for what could be the world&rsquo;s largest free trade pact.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605259785_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605259785_image5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A cohesive and responsive ASEAN is essential for security and growth for all in the region and cementing the connection between India and ASEAN on all fronts, including economic, social, digital, financial, maritime, is an important priority area.</li>
<li>ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership stands on a strong foundation of shared geographical, historical and civilisational ties. A fruitful exchange with ASEAN leaders and a successful Summit will further strengthen this relationship.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1672455" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6974,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SCO Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in news</h3>
<p><strong>The 20<sup>th</sup> Summit</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong> </a>Council of Heads of State was held <strong>recently</strong> via <strong>Video Conferencing.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Meeting was <strong>chaired</strong> by<strong> Russian President</strong> Mr. Vladimir Putin.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of SCO Meet:</strong> 20<sup>th</sup> Summit of SCO Heads of State is important as it <strong>brought President Xi Jinping of China and Mr. Modi together</strong> in the virtual format even as <strong>both sides are caught in the high tension confrontation in Eastern Ladakh</strong> along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This was the <strong>first SCO Summit</strong> held in <strong>Virtual Format</strong> and the <strong>third meeting</strong> that India participated after becoming a <strong>full member in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Republic of Tajikistan assumed chairmanship</strong> of SCO for 2021-22.</li>
<li>India has proposed to set up a<strong> Special Working Group </strong>on Innovation and Startups and a <strong>Sub Group on Traditional Medicine</strong> within SCO.</li>
<li>The Prime Minister of India indirectly referred chinese infrastructure projects in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistan Occupied Kashmir</strong></a> and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India China standoff at line of actual control</strong> </a>and urged members of the SCO to respect <strong>&ldquo;territorial integrity&rdquo;</strong> and<strong> &ldquo;sovereignty&rdquo;</strong> of each other.</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong> PM highlighted India's role in<strong> supporting infrastructure and connectivity development</strong> projects in the SCO region. <strong>Examples: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chabahar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chabahar port</a>,</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>International North&ndash;South Transport Corridor (INSTC)</strong> is a multi-modal connectivity project to establish transport networks <strong>(ship, rail, and road route)</strong> for moving freight between <strong>India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Responsible Global Governance:</strong> Bringing changes in <strong>global governance</strong> will be the focus of India as a non-permanent member of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nation (UN) Security Council.</strong></a> From 2021 India will take part in the UN Security Council as a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-non-permanent-seat-at-the-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>non-permanent member.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Reformed Multilateralism:</strong> In the context of the fallout of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong> </a>and the <strong>economic downturn,</strong> India sought support of the<strong> SCO members</strong> in attaining a reformed multilateralism.</li>
<li><strong>Organised Crime:</strong> India highlighted the challenges posed by the <strong>smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money laundering.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Cultural Heritage:</strong> The <strong>National Museum of India</strong> will hold an exhibition on <strong>the Buddhist heritage of the SCO countries</strong> and India will host a<strong> food festival</strong> reflecting the <strong>culinary traditions of the SCO region.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation.</li>
<li>It&rsquo;s a Eurasian<strong> political, economic and military</strong> organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.</li>
<li>It was <strong>created in 2001.</strong></li>
<li>The SCO Charter was signed in 2002, and entered into force in 2003.</li>
<li>The SCO's <strong>official languages are Russian and Chinese.</strong></li>
<li>SCO has <strong>two Permanent Bodies</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SCO Secretariat in Beijing,</strong> and</li>
<li>Executive Committee of the <strong>Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Chairmanship of SCO is by rotation for a year by Member States.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Genesis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Prior to the creation of SCO in 2001, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan were members of the<strong> Shanghai Five.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Shanghai Five (1996)</strong> emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarization talks which the four former Soviet republics held with China to ensure stability along the borders.</li>
<li>Following the accession of Uzbekistan to the organisation in 2001, the Shanghai Five was renamed the SCO.</li>
<li><strong>India and Pakistan became members in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SCO must be used as a platform to <strong>deepen solidarity</strong> and <strong>mutual trust</strong> and <strong>resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and consultations.</strong> It will help in <strong>de-escalating tensions</strong> between India and its neighbouring countries China and Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/prime-minister-narendra-modi-addresses-sco-summit-through-videoconference/article33066158.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6947,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Italy Bilateral Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a <strong>virtual Bilateral Summit between India and Italy</strong> has been held to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship and also strengthen cooperation against common global challenges, including the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic.</a></strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604741531_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604741531_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="400" height="283" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both nations decided to adopt the <strong>Action Plan for an enhanced Partnership between India and Italy (2020-2024)</strong> to set up priorities, strategic goals and mechanisms of a bilateral partnership.</li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604741531_image3.png">Economic Engagement:</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral fora especially <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">G-20</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Italy will assume the Presidency of G-20 in December 2021 followed by India in 2022.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/saudi-arabia-becomes-first-arab-nation-to-head-g20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Saudi Arabia is holding the current presidency</strong></a> of G20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Memorandum of Understanding</strong> (MoU) between <strong>Cassa Depositi Prestiti</strong> (CDP), an Italian investment bank and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-infrastructure-pipeline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Infrastructure Investment Fund</strong></a> (NIIF) to <strong>promote innovative financial schemes</strong> capable of supporting bilateral investments.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Italy is <strong>India&rsquo;s fifth-largest trading partner in the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a> (EU).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Underscored the need to<strong> further expand defence engagement</strong> through greater two-way collaboration and technology cooperation, co-development and co-production.</li>
<li>Recognised the opportunity to<strong> consolidate defence relations with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of peacekeeping activities</strong> within the framework of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> (UN).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation During Covid-19 Pandemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Italy thanked India for extending support during the pandemic</strong> by supplying medicines and personal protection equipment (PPE).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian community in Italy is the <strong>second-largest community of Indians in Europe after the UK.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Reiterated that the pandemic calls for an inclusive multilateral approach to health protection, especially in the framework of the UN and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO).</li>
<li>Welcomed the <strong>World Health Summit,</strong> which will be held in Italy in 2021, in cooperation with the <strong>European Union</strong> (EU) Commission.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The World Health Summit is <strong>one of the world&rsquo;s leading strategic forums for global health</strong> and is held in <strong>October every year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science, Technology and Research Collaboration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Welcomed the progress made under <strong>India-Italy Science and Technology Cooperation</strong> and the <strong>India-Italy Executive Programme of Cooperation.</strong></li>
<li>Welcomed the <strong>establishment of Thematic Working Groups</strong> as a method of work between the <strong>Italian Space Agency</strong> (ASI) and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Space Research Organisation</strong> </a>(ISRO) as well as the creation of the<strong> first joint ASI-ISRO working group in heliophysics.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Heliophysics</strong> is the study of the effects of the Sun on the Solar System.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation for Counter-Terrorism and Security:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pledged to strengthen cooperation in the<strong> fight against <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">terrorism</a> and transnational crime</strong> both at a bilateral level and in multilateral fora and also agreed to hold the next meeting of the<strong> &lsquo;India-Italy Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism&rsquo;</strong> to further advance cooperation, exchange of expertise and capacity building in 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional Cooperation and Connectivity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Italy acknowledged the potential of new international organisations such as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure#:~:text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%20has%20given,on%2023rd%20September%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coalition on Disaster Resilient Infrastructures</strong></a> (CDRI) and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/third-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a> (ISA).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India welcomed Italy joining ISA after it coming into force of the universalisation of ISA.</li>
<li>India also welcomed Italy&rsquo;s engagement in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong> </a>(IORA) and <strong>Italy&rsquo;s new status as Development Partner</strong> of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Cooperation on Environment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc#:~:text=It%20aims%3A,and%20switch%20to%20renewable%20energy." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change</strong></a> (UNFCCC) and its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement</strong> </a>and their respective <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/11-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>nationally determined contributions</strong></a> (NDCs).</li>
<li>Highlighted the <strong>significance of cooperation in the run-up to the 26<sup>th</sup> Conference of Parties</strong> (COP26) of the UNFCCC, which will be <strong>organised in 2021 by the UK</strong> in partnership with Italy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1670763" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6933,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Promoting South Asian Tourism',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <strong><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/how-india-can-take-the-lead-in-reviving-tourism-in-south-asia/story-IjP7eEjSjnwfDSlWzV3EIL.html#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20India%20liberalised%20the,arrivals%20from%20Bangladesh%20in%202014.&amp;text=India%20should%20also%20leverage%20the,revive%20intra%2Dregional%20tourism%20flows.https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/how-india-can-take-the-lead-in-reviving-tourism-in-south-asia/story-IjP7eEjSjnwfDSlWzV3EIL.html#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20India%20liberalised%20the,arrivals%20from%20Bangladesh%20in%202014.&amp;text=India%20should%20also%20leverage%20the,revive%20intra%2Dregional%20tourism%20flows.https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/how-india-can-take-the-lead-in-reviving-tourism-in-south-asia/story-IjP7eEjSjnwfDSlWzV3EIL.html#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20India%20liberalised%20the,arrivals%20from%20Bangladesh%20in%202014.&amp;text=India%20should%20also%20leverage%20the,revive%20intra%2Dregional%20tourism%20flows.https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/how-india-can-take-the-lead-in-reviving-tourism-in-south-asia/story-IjP7eEjSjnwfDSlWzV3EIL.html#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20India%20liberalised%20the,arrivals%20from%20Bangladesh%20in%202014.&amp;text=India%20should%20also%20leverage%20the,revive%20intra%2Dregional%20tourism%20flows." target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;How India can take the lead in reviving tourism in South Asia&rdquo;</a></strong> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 05/11/2020. It talks about the challenges and opportunities for developing South Asian regional tourism.</p>
</div>
<p>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/tourism-industry-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Travel &amp; Tourism Council (WTTC)</a>, the travel and tourism sector accounted for 10.3% of global GDP and 330 million jobs in 2019. The sector has seen high growth in the last decade, which can be largely attributed to factors such as rising disposable incomes, the emergence of low-cost carriers, etc.</p>
<p>While the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic</a> has affected all sectors of the economy, the travel and tourism (T&amp;T) sector is among those expected to suffer the most prolonged impact.</p>
<p>However, the pandemic provides an opportunity for India to take the lead in promoting regional tourism in South Asia. Further, there is immense potential in the travel and tourism sector, which can be harnessed to contribute to the region&rsquo;s economic recovery.</p>
<h3>Challenges for Regional Tourism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Disruption Caused by Covid-19:</strong> Tourism as an industry is built around mobility and the enabling mechanisms of consumption that are mostly intangible. The challenge posed to these factors by the Covid-19 pandemic is unparalleled in many ways.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the World Bank estimates, South Asia&rsquo;s T&amp;T sector has lost more than 10 million jobs and is further expected to incur losses of over $50 billion in GDP.</li>
<li>This makes the countries most economically dependent on tourism, such as Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, particularly vulnerable.</li>
<li>Further, post-pandemic, inter-regional mobility will remain limited due to reduced air connectivity, high costs, and a lack of willingness to travel long distances.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Informal Tourism Sector:</strong> Nearly three-fourths of the tourism sector in the South Asian region are in the informal sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is majorly dominated by bed &amp; breakfast facilities, guest houses and other small-scale units.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Geo-Political Tensions:</strong> Hostile political conditions in India&rsquo;s neighbourhood, especially between India &amp; Pakistan, discourages development of a South Asian regional circuit.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Opportunities For the Regional Tourism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>High Tourism Potential:</strong> Over the last two decades, South Asia has emerged as an attractive tourist destination due to its natural and cultural diversity, and price competitiveness.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The region is home to tourism-based economies such as Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka that attract high spending per traveller.</li>
<li>In 2019, the World Economic Forum&rsquo;s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) ranked South Asia as &ldquo;the most improved region since 2017.</li>
<li>In South Asia, tourism was one of the fastest-growing sectors in the last decade, with double-digit growth leading to a contribution of $234 billion or 6.6% of the region&rsquo;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Crisis Presents An Opportunity:</strong> Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unforeseen challenges to global tourism. With geography gaining significance and the importance of shorter distances becoming more pronounced, regional tourism is likely to grow.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Such a push would also contribute locally through employment and revenue generation from foreign exchange earnings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Niche Tourism:</strong> There is an opportunity that can be explored to bring back the international traveler to the niche segment of South Asian Countries, Adventure Tourism circuit with Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example: India&rsquo;s medical, spiritual and Ayurveda tourism, Adventure Tourism circuit with Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Opportunity for India:</strong> In the last decade, India has witnessed an increase in the share of South Asian tourist arrivals. Additionally, tourist spill-overs from India to the rest of the region contribute significantly to the regional tourism economy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India, in particular, should leverage geographic proximity and the wide range of cultural similarities with its neighbours such as the regional Buddhist trail and pilgrimage, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Several steps can be taken to ensure a seamless flow of tourists in India and its neighbourhood:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>E-visa Facility:</strong> Technical modernisation, upgradation and other improvements are needed in the Indian visa application and delivery system for South Asian nationals.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, only China and Sri Lanka are eligible for an Indian e-visa.</li>
<li>Considering the rising share of tourists from the neighbourhood in India, the e-visa facility should be extended to other countries in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investing in Digitisation in the Tourism Industry</strong>: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an increasing focus on digitisation of various services to revive the tourism sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Contact-less transfers, hotel check-ins, site-visits etc. will be crucial for revival of the industry.</li>
<li>This requires participation from both public and private sector stakeholders and significant investment in digitisation to enhance secure travel and ensure revenue from foreign exchange.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inter-Ministerial Coordination to Enhance Infrastructural Connectivity:</strong> The Ministry of Tourism should actively work with other ministries such as the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Home Affairs to undertake infrastructure-related connectivity initiatives.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example by further expanding the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/udan-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UDAN Scheme</a> to neighbouring countries and supporting digital immigration services at the Integrated Check Posts.</li>
<li>Apart from this, the government must play a role in facilitating tourism infrastructural development supported by multilaterals such as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Japan International Cooperation Agency, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tourism Promotion Through Regional Initiatives:</strong> India must take the lead in promoting intra-regional tourism through the <strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral, Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) or the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal initiative (BBIN)</strong>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Following the example of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</a>, India could host regional tourism summits and facilitate inter-regional cooperation among tour operators, for example with the Federation of ASEAN Travel Associations (FATA).</li>
<li>India should also work and cooperate bilaterally with other South Asian countries on joint tourism promotion and advertising campaigns, towards establishing the tourism industry as a regional value chain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promoting Religious Tourism Circuits:</strong> The historical and cultural linkages between South Asian nations offer the potential to develop religious tourism circuits within the region.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There has been an interest towards developing a Buddhist circuit between India and Nepal, and a Ramayana circuit between India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s regional governments will have to play a vital role in targeted outreach initiatives to promote their religious heritage to specific countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has been the preferred short-haul destination for tourists from its neighbourhood. Tourists visit India not only for leisure and medical reasons, but also use the country for transit to other regions.</li>
<li>However, there is an urgent need to address the significant challenges towards promoting free and open intra-regional tourism such as visa-openness, gaps in cross-border infrastructure, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604579774_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1604579774_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #d0edf5; border-color: #0d85a6;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Answer</strong></em><br /><br />Developing South Asian regional tourism will not only help in boosting the economy of the region but bring people closer. Comment</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ql07Qwf5se8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/what-is-at-stake-in-us-elections/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;What is at stake in US Elections&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Economic Times on November 03rd, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'title' => 'Second Meeting of India-Central Asia Dialogue',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India virtually hosted the second meeting of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-central-asia-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Central Asia Dialogue</strong></a>.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-central-asia-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>first meeting of the dialogue</strong></a> was held in Samarkand, the Republic of Uzbekistan in January 2019.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Combat Terrorism:</strong> All the nations strongly <strong>condemned terrorism and reaffirmed their determination to combat</strong> it by destroying terrorist safe-havens, networks, infrastructure and funding channels.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They also underlined the need for <strong>every country to ensure that their territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks</strong> against other countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Afghan Peace Process:</strong> All countries called for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-position-shift-on-taliban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>settlement of the Afghan conflict</strong> </a>on the basis of Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure:</strong> They appreciated <strong>India&rsquo;s efforts to modernise the infrastructure of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-firm-takes-over-chabahar-port-operations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chabahar port</a> in Iran</strong>, which could become an important link in trade and transport communications between the markets of Central and South Asia.</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives Announced by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An additional <strong>USD 1 billion Line of Credit by India</strong> for the Central Asian countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is expected that the money will be <strong>spent on major infrastructural and connectivity projects</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Grant financing for high impact community development projects</strong> in the countries.</li>
<li><strong>Establishment of working groups by India Central Asia Business Council</strong> comprising the key chambers of all participating countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The council was launched by the Government of India along with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-asean-expo-and-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry</strong></a> (FICCI) in February 2020.</li>
<li>It aims to promote business in the region and to collaborate and provide an industry view to the governments of the six countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Line of Credit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>credit facility</strong> extended by a bank or any other financial institution to a government, business or an individual customer, that <strong>enables the customer to draw the maximum loan amount</strong>.</li>
<li>The borrower <strong>can access funds from the line of credit at any time as long as they do not exceed the maximum amount</strong> (or credit limit) set in the agreement and meet any other requirements such as making timely minimum payments.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India-Central Asia Dialogue</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>ministerial-level dialogue</strong> between<strong> India</strong> and the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/connect-central-asia-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Asian</strong></a> countries namely <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-kazind-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kazakhstan</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-kyrgyzstan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyrgyzstan</a>, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uzbekistans-president-visit-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uzbekistan</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All five nations became independent states after the <strong>collapse of the USSR in 1991, post-<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cold war</a></strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>All the countries participating in the dialogue, <strong>except for Turkmenistan</strong>, are also members of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The dialogue focuses on a number of issues including ways to <strong>improve connectivity and stabilise war-ravaged Afghanistan</strong>.</li>
<li>In the first dialogue, <strong>India proposed</strong> setting up of <strong>&lsquo;India-Central Asia Development Group&rsquo;</strong> to take forward development partnership between India and Central Asian countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The group will enable India to <strong>expand its footprints in the resource-rich region</strong> amid an ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>standoff with China</strong></a> and to <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fight terror</strong></a> effectively, including in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969689_image2.webp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603969689_image2.webp" width="582" height="344" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-central-asian-republics-call-for-destruction-of-terror-safe-havens/article32966365.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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