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Israel and Bahrain Diplomatic Ties

Why in News Bahrain and Israel are signing a joint communique on the establishment of diplomatic, peaceful and friendly relations, as well as a...

19 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Road to Zero Hunger

This article is based on “The road to zero hunger by 2030” which was published in The Hindu on 16/10/2020. It talks about the...

16 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Geneva Conventions

Why in News After the Galwan (India-China) clash in Ladakh in June 2020, the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) urged both the Indian...

16 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
65th Anniversary of Bandung Conference: NAM

Why in News The year 2020 marks the 65th anniversary of the landmark Bandung Conference that resulted in the adoption of the founding principles of...

16 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Third Assembly of ISA

Why in News Recently, India and France have been re-elected as the President and Co-President of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) for a term...

15 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India-Mexico

Why in News Recently, the 5th meeting of the India-Mexico Bilateral High-Level Group (BHLG) on Trade, Investment and Cooperation has been held...

14 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India in BRICS Ministers’ Meeting

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13 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Ratification of 7 Persistent Organic Pollutants

Why in News The Union Cabinet has approved the ratification of seven chemicals listed under Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants...

08 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
USA Aircraft Refuelling at A&N Islands

Why in News Recently, a USA Navy P-8A long range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) landed at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands...

07 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
THSTI: Part of Vaccine Assessment Project

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06 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
17th Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum

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05 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Referendum in New Caledonia

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

This article is based on “On the Quad, define the idea, chart a path” which was published in The Hindu on 1/10/2020. It talks about the...

01 Oct 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Gavi COVAX Facility

Why in News Recently, Serum Institute of India (SII) has received funds from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,...

30 Sep 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark

Why in News India and the Kingdom of Denmark have launched the Green Strategic Partnership for delivering sustainable solutions to India. The...

30 Sep 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
SAARC and CICA Meetings

Why in News Recently, the Foreign Ministers’ meetings of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Conference on...

25 Sep 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
G4 Foreign Ministers Meeting

Why in News Recently, Foreign Ministers from the Group of 4 (G4), consisting of India, Brazil, Japan and Germany, participated in a virtual...

24 Sep 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
UN Reforms & India

This article is based on “UN and the new multilateralism” which was published in The Indian Express on 22/09/2020. It talks about the...

22 Sep 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Intra-Afghan Talks & Role of India

This editorial is based on “Another Afghan peace push and a role for India” which was published in The Hindu on 19/09//2020. It talks...

19 Sep 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
BRICS National Security Advisers Meet

Why in News Recently, Russia hosted virtual National Security Advisers (NSAs) meet of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS)...

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

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		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Israel and Bahrain Diplomatic Ties',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Bahrain and Israel are signing a <strong>joint communique</strong> on the establishment<strong> of diplomatic, peaceful and friendly relations,</strong> as well as a number of <strong>memorandums of understanding</strong> in areas of mutual benefit.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603101908_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1603101908_image5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bahrain has a history of open politics and civil society movements, although rights have been curtailed in the past decade.</li>
<li>The decision to normalise ties comes from the belief in the values of tolerance in a region whose people have suffered from wars and conflicts.</li>
<li>The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became only the third and fourth Arab states to agree to normalise ties with Israel, following Israel&rsquo;s <strong>1979</strong> peace deal with Egypt and a <strong>1994</strong> pact with Jordan.</li>
<li>Under the deal, <strong>Israel would suspend its plans to annex large parts of the occupied <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/west-bank-settlements" target="_blank" rel="noopener">West Bank</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The West Bank is<strong> sandwiched between Israel and Jordan.</strong> One of its major cities is <strong>Ramallah,</strong> the <strong>de facto administrative capital of Palestine.</strong></li>
<li>Israel took control of it in the<strong> Six-day Arab-Israeli war, 1967</strong> and has over the years established settlements there.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on the USA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is the second deal in 2020 after the Israel-UAE Peace Deal brokered by the USA. The recognition<strong> grants a diplomatic win</strong> to the USA President Donald Trump ahead of the Presidential election.</li>
<li>The deal buys UAE a lot of <strong>goodwill in the US,</strong> where its image has been tarnished by its involvement in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ceasefire-in-yemen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Yemen war</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Saudi Arabia</strong> made clear that it will not normalise ties without a resolution to the Palestinian issue despite signs of rapprochement.</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>For Palestine:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Palestinians have not embraced the USA&rsquo;s vision. 86% of Palestinians believed the normalization agreements with the UAE and Bahrain served only Israel&rsquo;s interests and not their own.</li>
<li>For Palestinians, who long have relied on Arab backing in their struggle for independence, the announcement <strong>marked both a win and setback</strong> for the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Israel-Palestine relations.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>While the deal <strong>halts Israeli annexation plans of the west Bank,</strong> the Palestinians have repeatedly <strong>urged Arab governments not to normalize relations with Israel until a peace agreement</strong> establishing an independent Palestinian state is reached.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Shia-Sunni rifts</strong> in the region may get wide and violent.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Saudi Arabia (Sunni) and Iran (representing Shia) have a long history of enmity. For decades, one of the main sources of instability in West Asia has been the cold war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.</li>
<li>The Sunni-Shiite schism may also provoke violence between Muslims in such places as Pakistan, Nigeria and Indonesia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Interest in West Asia:</strong> A peaceful and prosperous West Asia is necessary for India. Such deals between Arab Countries and Israel are having a positive impact for Indian interests in the region. Also, difficulty in balancing Arab countries and Israel will become easy. Indian interests include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Geopolitical:</strong> West Asia occupies an important position in international relations due to its geographical location and proximity to continents and countries South Asia, China, Central Asia, Europe, and Africa.</li>
<li><strong>Energy:</strong> The region is strategically significant due to its enormous energy resources, trade route links to different parts of the world.</li>
<li>It is the world's largest oil-producing region accounting for 34% of world production, 45% of crude oil exports and 48% of oil proven reserves.</li>
<li><strong>Diaspora:</strong> Indian expatriates have constituted a substantial share of the regional labour market.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Remittances from the region constitute a major chunk of total remittances to India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A balance between <strong>Shia and Sunni,</strong> between Iran and Arab, is key to any sustainable peace.</li>
<li>The US may be a pre-eminent power in the Middle East, but Russia has made a space for itself, spending a lot less money. In recent years, China has indicated its willingness to play a larger role in this region.</li>
<li>India should make its moves before this market and this extended neighbourhood come under the Chinese sphere of influence.</li>
<li>A deal that could, if played right, open the doors for a changed geopolitical arrangement in the Middle East should have a stronger Indian footprint.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/israel-and-bahrain-to-formalise-diplomatic-ties/article32887549.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6762,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Road to Zero Hunger',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-road-to-zero-hunger-by-2030/article32865528.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The road to zero hunger by 2030&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 16/10/2020. It talks about the significance of Nobel Peace Prize 2020 to the World Food Programme and some measures to achieve the zero hunger target.</p>
</div>
<p>Several poor countries have suffered a severe setback to their developmental aspirations due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>. But, the pandemic, more strikingly, poses a threat to food security and agricultural livelihoods. It compounds the threats already faced by 690 million people around the world.</p>
<p>In India, the Covid-19 containment measures have brought out the multi-dimensionality of India&rsquo;s food challenges.</p>
<p>Therefore, As countries begin to develop and implement Covid-19 recovery plans, it is also an opportunity to adopt innovative solutions based on scientific evidence so they can build back better and make food systems more resilient and sustainable.</p>
<p>In this context, countries can draw inspiration from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-peace-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Food Programme (WFP)</strong> </a>which has been awarded with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-peace-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nobel peace prize, 2020.</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602847617_image0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602847617_image0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Significance of Nobel Peace Prize to WFP</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This year&rsquo;s Nobel Peace Prize to the World Food Programme (WFP) is a recognition of its role in combating hunger and malnutrition across the developing world.</li>
<li>According to the WFP, 132 million more people could become malnourished as a consequence of the pandemic.</li>
<li>This counts for a major world-wide catastrophe and unless the conscience of the world is aroused, we will be condemning vast pools of humanity to living in wretchedness and deprivation.</li>
<li>It is also a warning that the novel coronavirus pandemic is reversing the substantial gains made in the fight against poverty.</li>
<li>Thus, the Nobel Prize to the WFP will hopefully nudge collective conscience across the globe to come together and relieve this looming humanitarian crisis.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges In Combating Global Hunger</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Retreat of Multiculturalism:</strong> Challenges like Global Hunger are cross-domain but also cross-national in character, and hence demand greater multilateral cooperation in order to succeed.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, paradoxically as the salience of cross-national and global challenges has significantly increased, nation states are less willing to cooperate and collaborate in tackling them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threat of Climate Change:</strong> Climate change continues to be a real and potent threat to agrobiodiversity, which may impact everything from productivity to livelihoods across food and farm systems.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Intensified food production systems with excessive use of chemicals and unsustainable farming practices cause soil degradation, fast depletion of groundwater table and rapid loss of agro-biodiversity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inter-Linked Challenges:</strong> Food, energy and water security are inter-linked with strong feedback loops.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Enhancing food security may lead to diminished water and energy security.</li>
<li>It will also have collateral impact on health security.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Case of India</h3>
<p><strong>Positive Side &mdash;Tackling of Food Crisis During Pandemic</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has gone from being a net importer to a net exporter of food grains. This strength has been evident through the pandemic.</li>
<li>Central and State governments were able to distribute around 23 million tonnes from India&rsquo;s large domestic food grain reserves, during lockdown, through the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/public-distribution-system-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Distribution System (PDS).</strong></a></li>
<li>Thereby, providing much-needed emergency assistance to families around the country.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Flip Side &mdash; Prevalence of Malnutrition &amp; Threat to Food Security</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Prevalent Malnutrition:</strong> Even as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>malnutrition in India</strong></a> has notably declined over the past decade, the <strong>Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey 2016-18</strong> revealed that over 40 million children are chronically malnourished, and more than half of Indian women aged 15-49 years are anaemic.</li>
<li><strong>Threat to Food Security:</strong> India is dealing innovatively with climate change through programs like the development of drought and flood tolerant seed varieties, weather-based agricultural advisories, promotion of millets, and small-scale irrigation etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this year, India witnessed how climate-related shocks made it difficult for farmers to deal with pest and locust attacks, as well as floods and cyclones.</li>
<li>Further, these challenges multiply with an increase in fragmentation of landholdings.</li>
<li>In India, more than 86% farmers have less than two hectares of land contributing around 60% of the total food grain production and over half the country&rsquo;s fruits and vegetables.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Improving Agricultural Productivity:</strong> Agricultural productivity has improved significantly in recent decades, yet more than two billion people globally still lack access to sufficient, nutritious and safe food.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, to achieve <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>zero hunger by 2030 (SDG 2)</strong></a>, there is a need for collaboration among global players.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need For Global Cooperation:</strong> Global solidarity is needed to help all populations, and especially the most vulnerable, to recover from the crisis, and to make food systems more resilient and robust.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Clearly, without stronger commitment from the big powers, the challenge to feed the millions who suffer acute hunger due to conflict and failed agriculture would be very difficult.</li>
<li>Thus, there is a need to mobilise a global fund on the lines of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/climate-finance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Green Climate Fund of UNFCCC.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Adoption of Food System Approach:</strong> Food System Approach is a framework that includes every aspect of feeding and nourishing people from growing, harvesting and processing to packaging, transporting, marketing and consuming food.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To be sustainable, a food system must provide enough nutritious food for all without compromising feeding future generations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Every section of society, whether the governments, the private sector, civil society and local communities &mdash; has a role to play in transforming our food systems. So that humanity can withstand increasing volatility and climate shocks, deliver affordable and sustainable healthy diets for all, and provide decent livelihoods for food chain workers.</p>
<p>Therefore, countries need to act in concert to make sure that our food systems nourish a growing population and sustain the planet, together.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #edeffc;">
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Achieving zero hunger by 2030, requires determination to mitigate carbon emissions early and avert effects on agriculture from disastrous climate events. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rg0yGKkK7cI" 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.business-standard.com/article/opinion/falling-behind-120101500078_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Falling behind&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Business Standard on October 15<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6754,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Geneva Conventions',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>After the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan (India-China) clash</strong> </a>in Ladakh in June 2020, the<strong> International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC)</strong> urged both the Indian and Chinese governments that they <strong>observe the Geneva Conventions to which both countries are signatories.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Geneva Conventions (1949)</strong> and<strong> their Additional Protocols</strong> are <strong>international treaties</strong> that contain the most important rules <strong>limiting the barbarity of war.</strong></li>
<li>They <strong>protect people who do not take part in the fighting</strong> (civilians, medics, aid workers) and those <strong>who can no longer fight</strong> (wounded, sick and shipwrecked troops, prisoners of war).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> first Geneva Convention</strong> protects wounded and sick soldiers on land during war.</li>
<li>The <strong>second Geneva Convention</strong> protects wounded, sick and shipwrecked military personnel at sea during war.</li>
<li>The<strong> third Geneva Convention</strong> applies to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/geneva-convention-for-prisoner-of-wars" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>prisoners of war.</strong></a></li>
<li>The<strong> fourth Geneva Convention</strong> affords protection to civilians, including in occupied territory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Article 3,</strong> common to the four Geneva Conventions, covers <strong>situations of non-international armed conflicts.</strong> They include traditional civil wars, internal armed conflicts that spill over into other States or internal conflicts in which a third State or a multinational force intervenes alongside the government.</li>
<li><strong>Two Protocols of 1977:</strong> Additional to the four 1949 Geneva Conventions were adopted in<strong> 1977.</strong> They strengthen the protection of victims of international (Protocol I) and non-international (Protocol II) armed conflicts and place limits on the way wars are fought.</li>
<li>In <strong>2005,</strong> a <strong>third Additional Protocol</strong> was adopted creating an additional emblem, the Red Crystal, which has the same international status as the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems.</li>
<li>The<strong> International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC),</strong> an international humanitarian organisation, has the mandate to monitor that signatories follow the rules in situations of conflict.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Established in <strong>1863,</strong> the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting the laws that protect victims of war.</li>
<li>An <strong>independent and neutral organization,</strong> based in <strong>Geneva, Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>The ICRC is <strong>funded</strong> mainly by voluntary donations from governments and from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/after-galwan-clash-icrc-approaches-india-and-china-6727037/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6752,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => '65th Anniversary of Bandung Conference: NAM',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The year <strong>2020</strong> marks the<strong> 65<sup>th</sup> anniversary</strong> of the landmark<strong> Bandung Conference</strong> that resulted in the adoption of the founding principles of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Aligned Movement</strong> </a>(NAM).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The basic concept for NAM originated in <strong>1955</strong> during discussions that took place at the <strong>Asia-Africa Bandung Conference</strong> held in<strong> Indonesia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The milestone of the 65<sup>th</sup> anniversary is a <strong>good time to reflect upon the philosophy</strong> behind the movement.</li>
<li>India reiterated that NAM <strong>never was and can never be a platform for pursuits that undermine the territorial integrity</strong> of a State by another State.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will deploy her rich developmental experience for the peace and welfare of humanity, treating the world as one family.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also <strong>emphasized</strong> that in order to make NAM a relevant entity in the global decision making process, its <strong>members must avoid raising issues that divide the forum.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> is a reminder of the interconnectedness and dependence of NAM members on each other.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Members must work to reduce the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable sections of society. NAM's unique tradition of promoting <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-africa-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South-South cooperation</strong> </a>can provide a way out as societies look to rebuild and regenerate in the wake of this crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Apart from the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>terrorism</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/challenges-in-climate-change-negotiations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a>, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cybersecurity threats</strong></a> and the uneven <strong>impact of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/frontier-technologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">frontier technologies</a> (<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Artificial Intelligence</a></strong>, robotics, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-must-get-on-the-iot-highway-fast" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Internet of Things</strong></a>, etc.)<strong> and development concerns</strong> are few other challenges which can only be tackled if all the members work together.</li>
<li>The strength of the NAM lies in its<strong> diversity,</strong> its <strong>shared developmental experience,</strong> and its <strong>youthful populations.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Non-Aligned Movement</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was formed during the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> as an organisation of<strong> States that did not seek to formally align</strong> themselves with either the <strong>USA (<a href="/mains/model-essays/can-capitalism-bring-inclusive-growth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Capitalism</a>)</strong> or the <strong>Soviet Union (<a href="/be-mains-ready-daily-answer-writing-practice-question/papers/be-mains-ready-idea-of-socialism-india-adopted-after-its-independence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Socialism</a>)</strong> but sought to<strong> remain independent or neutral.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foundation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Six years after the Bandung Conference, the <strong>Movement of Non-Aligned Countries was founded</strong> on a wider geographical basis at the <strong>First Summit Conference of Belgrade,</strong> which was held in <strong>September 1961.</strong></li>
<li>It was held under the leadership of <strong>Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Jawaharlal Nehru of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, </strong>and <strong>Sukarno of Indonesia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Purpose:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The purpose of the organisation was enumerated in the <strong>Havana Declaration of 1979</strong> to ensure <strong>"the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of non-aligned countries"</strong> in their struggle against <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-135#:~:text=Imperialism%2C%20on%20the%20other%20hand,a%20territory%20without%20significant%20settlement.&amp;text=Imperialism%20is%20just%20exercising%20power,or%20indirect%20mechanisms%20of%20control." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>imperialism</strong></a>, <a href="/gs-special/gs-special-world-history/colonialism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>colonialism</strong></a>, <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-352" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>neo-colonialism</strong></a>, racism, and all forms of foreign subjugation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members and Observers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has <strong>120 members as of April 2018</strong> comprising 53 countries from Africa, 39 from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean and 2 from Europe.</li>
<li>There are <strong>17 countries and 10 international organisations</strong> that are <strong>Observers</strong> at NAM.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NAM <strong>does not have a formal constitution or permanent secretariat,</strong> and its <strong>administration is non-hierarchical and rotational.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Decisions</strong> are made by<strong> consensus,</strong> which requires substantial agreement, but not unanimity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Even if members call for effective and reformed multilateralism, they need to introspect, reform and revitalise the current arrangements of their own movement, which will enable them to pursue a focused, positive and transformative agenda going forward.</li>
<li>The NAM has a glorious past but the future will depend on how the member nations perform in addressing the defining challenges of the current era, which could be solved easily with the help of the principles of solidarity and cooperation.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/nam-can-t-be-platform-to-undermine-territorial-integrity-says-india-120100901322_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: BS</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6748,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Third Assembly of ISA',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> India and France</strong> have been re-elected as the President and Co-President of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-solar-technology-summit-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a> (ISA) for a term of two years at the virtual third Assembly of ISA.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The first two assemblies were held in<strong> India in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-assembly-of-international-solar-alliance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2018</a></strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2019</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Assembly approved institutionalising ISA&rsquo;s engagement with the private and public corporate sector through the <strong>Coalition for Sustainable Climate Action</strong> (CSCA).</li>
<li><strong>Various solar awards</strong> were conferred on countries as well as institutions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/birth-anniversary-of-m-visvesvaraya" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visvesvaraya</a> award</strong> recognises the countries with a maximum floating solar capacity in each of the four regions of ISA, which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Asia Pacific Region.</li>
<li>Africa Region.</li>
<li>Europe and others Region.</li>
<li>Latin America and Caribbean Region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Kalpana Chawla award</strong> for outstanding contribution of scientists and engineers working in the field of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>solar energy</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The <strong>Diwakar award</strong> recognises organisations and institutions that have been working for the benefit of differently-abled people and have maximised the use of solar energy in the host country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Assembly was <strong>presented the report prepared by</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-forest-watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Resources Institute</strong></a> (WRI) which <strong>identifies the sources of funds, opportunities and constraints, in scaling up solar investments and the contribution</strong> of ISA in assisting Member countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ISA will work with WRI to develop a roadmap for <strong>mobilisation of USD 1 trillion by 2030</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the wake of the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, ISA responded by setting up <strong>ISA CARES</strong> (like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pm-cares-fund" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PM-CARES</strong></a> in India), an initiative dedicated to the deployment of solar energy in the healthcare sector.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative <strong>aims to solarize one primary health sector</strong> in each district of the target member countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The ISA Secretariat has launched a <strong>Seventh Programme on Solarising Heating and Cooling systems</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Demand for cooling alone outpaced solar deployment in 2017.</li>
<li>Heating and cooling systems have scope to directly convert solar radiation and at higher efficiency levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAARC</a> Development Fund&rsquo;s</strong> technical assistance along with the <strong>ISA Technical Assistance</strong> is proposed to be implemented jointly with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asian-development-outlook-2019-strengthening-disaster-resilience-adb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asian Development Bank</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The ISA has recently signed a tripartite agreement with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and the Government of India and is now actively involved in preparing a vision and <strong>implementation plan for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/one-sun-one-world-one-grid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;One Sun, One World, One Grid&rdquo;</a> Initiative</strong> to harness the power of interconnected grids for enabling energy transition to a low-carbon world.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Perspective and Highlights:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The President of the ISA Assembly, <strong>India&rsquo;s Power and New and Renewable Energy Minister</strong> appreciated the Alliance Members coming together to work for combating climate change.</li>
<li>He also<strong> highlighted various activities and programmes</strong> initiated by ISA since the 2<sup>nd</sup> Assembly like the <strong>development of a pipeline</strong> of more than USD 5 billion,<strong> aggregated demand</strong> for more than 270,000 solar pumps across 22 countries, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>France&rsquo;s Role:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>France has <strong>committed 1.5 billion Euros</strong> for financing solar projects in ISA member states up until 2022.</li>
<li>The <strong>first project under the Solar Risk Mitigation Initiative</strong> (SRMI) <strong>is being</strong> launched in<strong> Mozambique</strong> with the support of <strong>France and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SRMI will help mobilise billions in private investment to finance more than 10 GWs of solar projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the frame of the <strong>ISA&rsquo;s Solar Technology Application Resource Centre</strong> (Star-C) <strong>programme</strong>, the <strong>French National Institute for Solar Energy</strong> (INES) will launch a specific program for the small island states of the Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>Indian initiative</strong> that was launched by the <strong>Prime Minister of India and the President of France</strong> on <strong>30<sup>th</sup> November 2015 in Paris</strong>, France on the side-lines of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Conference of the Parties</strong></a> (COP-21), with <strong>121 solar resource-rich countries</strong> lying <strong>fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn</strong> as prospective members.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> Till now, <strong>87 countries have signed the Framework Agreement</strong> of the ISA and of these <strong>67 have deposited their instruments of ratification</strong>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nicaragua, a Central American country</strong> is the <strong>87<sup>th</sup> and the latest</strong> country to sign the agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government of India has <strong>allotted 5 acres of land</strong> to the ISA in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/solar-thermal-energy-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Institute of Solar Energy</strong></a> (NISE) campus, Gurugram and has released a <strong>sum of Rs. 160 crore</strong> for creating a corpus fund, building infrastructure and meeting day to day recurring expenditure of the ISA up to the year 2021-22.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1664423" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6735,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Mexico',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>5<sup>th</sup></strong> meeting of the<strong> India-Mexico Bilateral High-Level Group</strong> (BHLG) <strong>on Trade, Investment and Cooperation</strong> has been held through video conference.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>4<sup>th</sup> meeting</strong> of BHLG on Trade, Investment and Cooperation at the level of Commerce Secretary was held<strong> in Mexico City in July 2016.</strong></li>
<li>On <strong>1<sup>st</sup> August 2020,</strong> India and Mexico celebrated the <strong>70<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations</strong> between them.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both sides discussed a number of bilateral ongoing and outstanding issues, ranging from <strong>Audio-visual Co-production, Bilateral Investment Treaty, market access for agricultural products, a cooperation framework on Sanitary and Phytosanitary</strong> (SPS) and <strong>Technical Barriers to Trade</strong> (TBT) measures, <strong>cooperation in the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Intellectual Property Rights</a></strong> (IPR), and exploring ways to <strong>promote <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/tourism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tourism</a> and people-to-people contact.</strong></li>
<li>They also <strong>agreed to expand and diversify</strong> the bilateral trade relationship through enhanced cooperation in pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, healthcare, agro-products, fisheries, food processing and aerospace industry, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Two Memorandum of Understandings</strong> (MoUs) have been signed, to foster the cooperation in the domains of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Electronics, Computer Software and Telecommunications and Information Technologies.</li>
<li>Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Mexico Relations</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602672435_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1602672435_image4.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="350" height="247" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Being <strong>colonies in the past,</strong> India and Mexico have <strong>European connections of the <a href="/gs-special/gs-special-world-history/colonialism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">colonial</a> era.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mexico</strong> was the<strong> first Latin American country to recognise India</strong> after Independence and establish diplomatic relations with India in 1950.</li>
<li><strong>Mexican wheat varieties</strong> used in Indo-Mexican hybrids were the <strong>backbone of India&rsquo;s<a href="/mains-practice-question/question-97" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Green Revolution</a></strong> in the 1960s.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong> </a>years, Mexico and India had worked together closely as members 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), both actively championing the interests of developing countries such as in the <strong>Uruguay Round of Trade Negotiations</strong> (under the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation</strong></a>).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both countries are the <strong>members of <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></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political and Bilateral Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries <strong>established a &lsquo;Privileged Partnership&rsquo; in 2007.</strong></li>
<li>In 2015, both countries <strong>agreed to work</strong> for achieving a<strong> &lsquo;Strategic Partnership&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The two countries have <strong>several bilateral agreements and MoUs,</strong> including for Investment Promotion and Protection, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extradition-treaty-between-india-and-belgium" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Extradition</strong></a>, Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters, Space Cooperation, etc.</li>
<li>India gives<strong> 20 scholarships</strong> to Mexico under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-s-visit-to-comoros-and-sierra-leone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme</strong> </a>and Mexican diplomats are also given training at <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/india-state-of-forest-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Forest Survey of India</strong></a> (FSI).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic and Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mexico is<strong> currently India&rsquo;s largest trading partner in Latin America.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2018-19, it accounted for almost a quarter of India&rsquo;s trade with the region. <strong>India is currently Mexico&rsquo;s ninth-most important</strong> global trading partner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> last decade has seen a spurt in trade</strong> between the two countries, which has grown from around USD 5 billion in 2015-16 to<strong> USD 9.4 billion in 2018-19.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Exports:</strong> Vehicles and auto parts, organic chemicals, electrical machinery and electronic equipment, aluminium products, readymade garments, iron and steel products and gems and jewellery.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Imports:</strong> Crude oil, electrical goods and machinery, organic chemicals, vehicles and auto parts and iron and steel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Security:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries share a<strong> common concern over growing traditional and non-traditional security challenges,</strong> particularly the <strong>rise of<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> global terrorism</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Gurudev Tagore Indian Cultural Centre</strong> has been functioning in Mexico since October 2010, teaching Yoga, classical dances, music, etc.</li>
<li>An <strong>agreement on cultural cooperation</strong> has been in existence <strong>since 1975</strong> and cooperation activities are carried out through four-yearly<strong> &lsquo;Programmes of Cultural Cooperation&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian community in Mexico is estimated to be more than 7,000, comprising mostly software engineers of Indian IT companies, academics/professors, and private businessmen.</li>
<li><strong>Tourism</strong> between the two countries is <strong>steadily increasing</strong> and Mexicans have been extended the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-july-7th-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>online e-Tourist Visa facility.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Indian nationals holding ordinary passports but having a valid visa for</strong> the USA, the UK, Canada, Schengen area or Japan, and holders of permanent residence in the same countries or Member States of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-future-of-free-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pacific Alliance</strong></a> viz. Colombia, Chile and Peru<strong> do not need a visa for short tourism or business visits</strong> to Mexico.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Differences:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mexico and India have had <strong>different viewpoints on the issue of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/50-years-of-nuclear-non-proliferation-treaty-npt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nuclear non-proliferation</a></strong>. However, during Indian Prime Minister&rsquo;s 2016 visit, Mexico pledged support for India's bid to be part of 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>Both countries have differences on the issue of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/un-reforms-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reforms.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mexico has been a member of the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-security-council-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United for Consensus (UfC) group/Coffee Club</strong> </a>that, unlike India and the other <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet#:~:text=The%20foreign%20ministers%20of%20the,on%2027th%20September%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Group of Four</strong></a> (G-4) members (Japan, Germany and Brazil), opposes the expansion of permanent membership in the UNSC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India and Mexico have striking similarities in geo-climatic conditions, biodiversity, physiognomy and people, cultural and family values. Both are heirs to a great civilizational heritage and contacts between them indicatively go back centuries.</li>
<li>Both India and Mexico are non-permanent members of the Security Council for the period 2021-2022, which is a good opportunity to set aside their differences on global governance issues and work closely on areas of mutual interest.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1663960" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6715,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India in BRICS Ministers’ Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-brics-culture-ministers-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS</strong></a> <strong>Labour and Employment Ministers&rsquo; Virtual Meeting</strong> was held under the <strong>Russian Presidency.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It aimed to discuss various <strong>issues including approaches to creating a safe work culture in BRICS countries.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Emphasis on Health of Workers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was highlighted that<strong> health, welfare and improved working conditions</strong> are essential for the well-being of the workers. A healthy workforce in the country would be more productive and contribute to economic growth.</li>
<li>The <strong>aspects of occupational safety and health measures</strong> to mitigate the impact of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> have also acquired significance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>called for suitable global action</strong> especially by BRICS towards effecting a <strong>balance between labour and employer</strong> which will generate growth and create more jobs and greater labour welfare.</li>
<li>India also<strong> highlighted the importance of digitisation and technological advancements</strong> like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>artificial intelligence</strong> </a>(AI) and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-robotics-and-automation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>robotics</strong></a> in reshaping lives and work, with a direct or indirect effect on the labour market.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Digitisation also <strong>offers the opportunity</strong> for governments, individuals and businesses<strong> to cope with the changing scenarios after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-whohttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India underscored that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/how-to-regulate-the-digital-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital economy</strong></a> is changing the world of work, hence <strong>regular studies by the BRICS Network Research Institutes</strong> will facilitate a <strong>better understanding</strong> of the aspects of future of work and supplement policymaking.</li>
<li>India is committed to <strong>eradicate <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/poverty-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poverty</a></strong> and <strong>promote prosperity</strong> in a changing world and hence adopted a multi-dimensional strategy to eliminate poverty by covering most of the basic services and fulfil the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a> of <strong>No Poverty</strong> (SDG-1).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Initiatives Highlighted by India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/right-code-for-labour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code Bill, 2020:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Provides a dynamic and effective framework of occupational safety and health at the workplace and covers legal provisions of all sectors.</li>
<li>Envisages safety standards for different sectors, focusing on the health and working condition of workers, hours of work, leaves, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-the-labour-code-bills" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Social Security Code Bill, 2020:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Universalises social security coverage</strong> to those working in the unorganised sector, such as migrant workers, gig workers and platform workers.</li>
<li><strong>Recognises emerging forms of work</strong> by defining terms like an aggregator, gig worker and platform worker, and extends social protection to such workers through a <strong>separate Social Security Fund</strong> wherein the contribution from aggregators would be deposited.</li>
<li>Provisions of social security will also be<strong> extended to agricultural workers.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/labour-reforms-1#:~:text=Social%20Security%20Code%20Bill%2C%202020,gig%20workers%20and%20platform%20workers." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Relations Code Bill, 2020:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sets up <strong>Grievance Redressal Committees</strong> for resolution of disputes arising out of employees&rsquo; grievances.</li>
<li>Also sets up a reskilling fund to help skill retrenched workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/pm-kisan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Provides direct income support to farmers for easing their liquidity needs to facilitate timely access to inputs.</li>
<li>Aiding modernisation and makes farmers competitive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan:</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Protects the economy from the<strong> adverse impact of the Covid-19 crisis.</strong></li>
<li>Measures include opening a credit line for micro, small and medium enterprises to meet their operational expenses, subsidising the social security contributions of workers, extending unemployment benefit to workers, financial assistance to construction workers, collateral-free working capital loan to approximately 5 million street vendors, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related Schemes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/mgnrega-and-migrant-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-rural-economic-transformation-project-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Livelihood Mission.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>All countries need to work together in finding feasible and sustainable solutions to the issues and challenges faced by the future of the labour force in the digital economy so that everyone can get the flexible employment opportunities without compromising the fundamental rights.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1663547" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6678,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Ratification of 7 Persistent Organic Pollutants',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> Union Cabinet</strong> has approved the <strong>ratification of seven chemicals</strong> listed <strong>under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brs-conventions-cop-meet-in-geneva" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Cabinet further delegated its powers</strong> to ratify chemicals under the Stockholm Convention to Union Ministries of External Affairs <strong>(MEA)</strong> and Environment, Forest and Climate Change <strong>(MEFCC)</strong> in respect of POPs for streamlining the procedure.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Persistent Organic Pollutants: POPs</strong> are identified chemical substances that are characterised by:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Persistence in the environment.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Bio-accumulation</strong> in the fatty acids in living organisms.</li>
<li><strong>Less soluble in water.</strong></li>
<li>Adverse <strong>effect on human health/ environment.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Exposure to POPs can lead to cancer, damage to central &amp; peripheral nervous systems, diseases of the immune system, reproductive disorders and interference with normal infant and child development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The property of<strong> long-range environmental transport (LRET)</strong> makes them spread widely in the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Stockholm Convention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> global treaty</strong> to protect <strong>human health and the environment</strong> from POPs.</li>
<li>It was opened for signature in 2001 in Stockholm (Sweden) and became effective in <strong>2004.</strong></li>
<li>POPs are listed in various Annexes to the Stockholm Convention after thorough scientific research, deliberations and negotiations among member countries.</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Support the transition to safer alternatives.</li>
<li>Target additional POPs for action.</li>
<li>Cleanup old stockpiles and equipment containing POPs.</li>
<li>Work together for a POPs-free future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India ratified the Stockholm Convention in 2006</strong> as per<strong> Article 25(4),</strong> which enabled it to keep itself in a default "opt-out" position such that amendments in various Annexes of the convention cannot be enforced on it unless an instrument of ratification/ acceptance/ approval or accession is explicitly deposited with UN depositary.</li>
<li>The convention calls to <strong>ban nine of the dirty dozen chemicals</strong> (key POPs), limit the use of DDT to malaria control, and curtail inadvertent production of dioxins and furans. The convention <strong>listed twelve distinct chemicals</strong> in three categories:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Eight pesticides</strong> (aldrin, chlordane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex and toxaphene)</li>
<li><strong>Two industrial chemicals</strong> (poly chlorinated biphenyls and hexachlorobenzene)</li>
<li><strong>Two unintended by-products of many industrial processes involving chlorine</strong> such as waste incineration, chemical and pesticide manufacturing and pulp and paper bleaching (poly chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, commonly referred to as dioxins and furans).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Cabinet Decision:</strong> The Union Cabinet has approved the ratification of seven chemicals listed <strong>under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brs-conventions-cop-meet-in-geneva" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stockholm Convention</a>.</strong> These chemicals are regulated under the following domestic provision for POPs:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Rules:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Considering its commitment towards providing a safe environment and addressing human health risks, the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)</strong> had notified the 'Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Rules, in 2018 <strong>under</strong> the provisions of <strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.</strong></li>
<li>The regulation inter alia prohibits the manufacture, trade, use, import and export of seven chemicals, namely:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chlordecone,</li>
<li>Hexabromobiphenyl,</li>
<li>Hexabromodiphenyl ether and Hepta Bromodiphenyl Ether (Commercial octa-BDE),</li>
<li>Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and Pentabromodiphenyl ether (Commercial penta-BDE),</li>
<li>Pentachlorobenzene,</li>
<li>Hexabromocyclododecane, and</li>
<li>Hexachlorobutadiene.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of Decision:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Cabinet's approval for ratification of POPs demonstrates <strong>India's commitment to meet its international obligations</strong> with regard to protection of environment and human health.</li>
<li>It also indicates the<strong> resolve of the Government to take action on POPs</strong> by implementing control measures, develop and implement action plans for unintentionally produced chemicals, develop inventories of the chemicals' stockpiles and review.</li>
<li>The ratification process would enable India to access the<strong> Global<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/climate-finance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Environment Facility</a> (GEF)</strong> financial resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li style="list-style-type: none;"></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Global Environment Facility</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GEF was established with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rio Earth Summit</strong> </a>of 1992.</li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong> Washington, D.C., USA.</li>
<li>The GEF is jointly managed by the <strong>United Nations Development Programme</strong> (UNDP), the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a></strong>, and the <strong>United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).</strong></li>
<li>The financial mechanism was established to help tackle our planet&rsquo;s most pressing environmental problems.</li>
<li>It provides <strong>funds to the developing countries and transition economies</strong> for projects related to climate change, biodiversity, the ozone layer, etc.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> financial mechanism for 5 major international environmental conventions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change</strong></a> (UNFCCC),</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-for-biological-diversity" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity</strong></a> (UNCBD),</li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brs-conventions-cop-meet-in-geneva" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants</strong></a> (POPs),</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-convention-to-combat-desertification-cop-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification</strong></a> (UNCCD), and</li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mercury-emission-versus-its-concentration-in-fishes#:~:text=The%20Minamata%20Convention%20on%20Mercury,of%20mercury%20and%20its%20compounds.&amp;text=Controlling%20the%20anthropogenic%20releases%20of,key%20obligations%20under%20the%20Convention." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Minamata Convention on Mercury.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1662335" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6675,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'USA Aircraft Refuelling at A&N Islands',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a<strong> USA Navy P-8A long range Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA)</strong> landed at <strong>Port Blair</strong> in the Andaman and Nicobar (A&amp;N) Islands for refuelling <strong>under the bilateral logistics support agreement.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This is the first time the USA got access to A&amp;N under the <strong>Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement</strong> (LEMOA).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>LEMOA:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It allows both countries to <strong>have access to each other&rsquo;s designated military facilities</strong> for refueling and replenishment.</li>
<li>Signed by India in <strong>2016.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other foundational military communication agreements with the USA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>General Security of Military Information Agreement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>GSOMIA allows <strong>militaries to share the intelligence</strong> gathered by them.</li>
<li>Signed by India in <strong>2002.</strong></li>
<li>An extension to the GSOMIA, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-us-2-2-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Security Annex</strong> </a>(ISA), was signed at the 2+2 dialogue in <strong>2019.</strong></li>
<li>ISA provides a framework for exchange and protection of classified military information<strong> between the USA and Indian defence industries.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Communications and Information Security Memorandum of Agreement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Valid for 10 years, COMCASA aims to provide a legal framework for the <strong>transfer of highly sensitive communication security equipment from the USA to India</strong> that will streamline and facilitate interoperability between their armed forces.</li>
<li>Signed by India in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>BECA:</strong> The USA is looking forward to India signing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-Spatial cooperation (BECA)</strong></a>, at the next India-USA 2+2 ministerial dialogue likely to be held in October, 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BECA will<strong> allow India to use the geospatial maps of the USA</strong> to get pinpoint military accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons such as cruise and ballistic missiles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Significance of A&amp;N Islands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>close to the Strait of Malacca</strong> and global sea lanes of communication.</li>
<li>A&amp;NI has become an important element of <strong>India&rsquo;s <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Act East Policy&rdquo;</a></strong> of engaging with countries in the region east of India.</li>
<li>The Andaman and Nicobar chain of islands could be used as a<strong> basis for Indian maritime power projection into the Indo-Pacific</strong> and even beyond into the south-west Pacific.</li>
<li>The A&amp;NI could be used for India&rsquo;s <strong>Third Fleet</strong> (other two are the Western and Eastern Fleets) <strong>and the trans-shipment hub</strong> at Car Nicobar, could potentially be a strategic game-changer, rivalling the ports of Singapore or Colombo.</li>
<li>Changing nature of warfare has led to the expansion of scope of a <strong>Tri-Command Service.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As Andaman and Nicobar is the first Tri-Command structure in India, development of military infrastructure at A&amp;NI is a key requirement in India&rsquo;s security strategy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Maritime Interactions with Quad Countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)</strong> is the <strong>informal strategic</strong> dialogue between <strong>India, USA, Japan and Australia</strong> with a shared objective to ensure and support a<strong> &ldquo;free, open and prosperous&rdquo; Indo-Pacific region.</strong></li>
<li>There has been a sharp increase in India&rsquo;s <strong>maritime interactions with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/four%20corners:%20on%20the%20quad%E2%80%99s%20agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quad countries</a></strong> on a bilateral basis centred around information sharing for improved <strong>Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA)</strong> in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indian-ocean-islands-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Region</strong></a> and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>MDA</strong> is defined by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/international-maritime-organization-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Maritime Organization</strong></a> as the effective understanding of anything associated with the maritime domain that could impact the security, safety, economy, or environment of a country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has <strong>logistics agreements</strong> with all three Quad countries &mdash; <strong>Australia, Japan and the USA.</strong> India has also signed <strong>maritime information sharing agreements</strong> with Australia and Japan and a similar agreement is in the works with the USA .</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The increase in India&rsquo;s maritime interactions with the Quad countries will <strong>strengthen India&rsquo;s position in the Indian Ocean Region and Indo-Pacific.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-embrace-of-strategic-hedging" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Strategic balancing</strong></a> is the key to move forward in relationships with powerful countries like the USA.</li>
<li>India and the USA must now strive to complete <strong>the unfinished agreements</strong> and set the course for a <strong>Comprehensive Strategic Global Partnership.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/us-navy-aircraft-refuels-at-port-blair/article32760946.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6659,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'THSTI: Part of Vaccine Assessment Project',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness for Innovation (CEPI),</strong> a global initiative, has named <strong>Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI),</strong> Faridabad as <strong>one of the six laboratories for assessing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> vaccine candidates</strong> that are under development.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Six Laboratories:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>CEPI network will initially involve six labs,</strong> one each in <strong>Canada, Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Bangladesh</strong> and<strong> India.</strong></li>
<li>All the labs would use the same reagents (cause a chemical reaction) and follow a common set of protocols to <strong>measure the immune response of multiple vaccine candidates</strong> under development and trial.</li>
<li>This will <strong>greatly harmonise the vaccine trial process</strong> and allow different vaccine candidates to be compared and speed up the selection of the most effective candidate.</li>
<li>The<strong> mandate of the THSTI</strong> is to provide validated assays (analysis) for vaccine development on a par with global standards.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bioassay is the determination of the relative strength of a substance (drug) by comparing its effect on a test organism with that of a standard preparation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness for Innovation (CEPI):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>CEPI is a<strong> global partnership launched in 2017</strong> to develop vaccines to stop future epidemics.</li>
<li>CEPI was <strong>founded in Davos (Switzerland)</strong> by the governments of <strong>Norway and India,</strong> the <strong>Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation,</strong> the Wellcome Trust, and the <strong>World Economic Forum.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Department of Biotechnology</strong>, Ministry of Science &amp; Technology, and Government of India has been implementing the <strong>IndCEPI mission</strong> &lsquo;India Centric Epidemic Preparedness through Rapid Vaccine Development: Supporting Indian Vaccine Development&rsquo;. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> objectives of this mission</strong> are aligned with that of CEPI and aims to strengthen the development of vaccines and associated competencies/technologies for the diseases of epidemic potential in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).</strong></li>
<li>It is located in <strong>Faridabad (Haryana).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1661807" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6654,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => '17th Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India participated at the Science &amp; Technology Ministerial Roundtable, organized in the <strong>17<sup>th</sup> annual Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum</strong>.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Science &amp; Technology Ministerial Roundtable:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Hosted by: Japan</strong></li>
<li>Science and Technology Ministers' Roundtable is held along with the STS forum every year.</li>
<li><strong>Major highlights:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Deliberated on the role of international R&amp;D collaboration,</li>
<li>Social sciences &amp; humanities,</li>
<li>Open science.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Participation: S&amp;T</strong> heads from <strong>about 50 countries</strong> around the world participated and explored the <strong>opportunities</strong> arising from <strong>international collaborations</strong> at the Roundtable to address the challenges posed by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid 19</strong></a>.</li>
<li>India highlighted initiatives by India regarding <strong>sharing of scientific data- National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy</strong> and an <strong>open government data portal</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Science and Technology in Society (STS) forum was inaugurated in 2004.</li>
<li>The STS forum <strong>aims</strong>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To provide a new mechanism for open discussions on an informal basis.</li>
<li>To build a human network that would timely resolve the new types of problems stemming from the application of science and technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It holds an annual meeting starting on the first Sunday of October every year, in Kyoto, Japan.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Role in Global S&amp;T Fraternity</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientific data sharing with partner nations is being considered for inclusion in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/science-technology-and-innovation-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Science Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP 2020)</strong></a> being framed.</li>
<li><strong>International Cooperation:</strong> India gives extraordinary importance to <strong>international cooperation</strong> in S&amp;T for development and for addressing challenges of health, water, energy, environment, climate change, communication, and natural disasters. <strong>Example:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s active S&amp;T participation in international mega-science projects such as <strong>International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-thermonuclear-experimental-reactor-iter-assembly" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ITER</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-to-change-location-of-tmt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thirty Metre Telescope (TMT)</a></strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Mission Innovation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mission Innovation (MI)</strong> was announced in <strong>2015</strong> due to <strong>pioneering efforts by India, France, and the USA</strong> to combat climate changes.</li>
<li>MI is a <strong>global initiative of 24 countries and the European Union</strong> to dramatically accelerate global clean energy innovation.</li>
<li>As part of the initiative, participating countries have committed to double their governments&rsquo; clean energy Research and Development (R&amp;D) investments over five years.</li>
<li>Encouraging private sector investment in transformative clean energy technologies.</li>
<li>The Innovation Challenges cover the entire spectrum of RD&amp;D; from early-stage research needs assessments to technology demonstration projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Global Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coalitions for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure</a> (CDRI) -</strong> An<strong> international knowledge platform</strong> where countries can collaborate to make their existing and new infrastructure strong enough to withstand natural disasters.</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Solar Alliance</a> -</strong> An <strong>Indian initiative</strong> that was launched in 2015 in Paris, France with the <strong>objective</strong> to collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>For Covid-19:</strong> Vaccines for coronavirus are in advanced phases of trial, and India has the capacity to supply the vaccine to a major part of humanity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is in addition to other medicine requirements that global pharmacy(India) has provided during the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Data Sharing and Accessibility Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NDSA was adopted in <strong>2012</strong>.</li>
<li>It was a step towards making <strong>non-sensitive government data accessible online</strong>.</li>
<li>The main thrust of the policy is to <strong>&ldquo;promote data sharing and enable access to Government of India owned data for national planning, development and awareness&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>The implementation guidelines for NDSAP included ideals such as &ldquo;openness, flexibility, transparency, quality&rdquo; of data.</li>
<li>It aims to facilitate <strong>&ldquo;access to Government of India shareable data in machine-readable form&rdquo;</strong>.</li>
<li>The guidelines prescribe open digital formats suitable for analysis and dissemination.</li>
<li><strong>Open Government Data Portal:</strong> As part of the Open Government Data (OGD) initiative, data.gov.in was launched in 2012.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1661597#:~:text=Secretary%20Department%20of%20Science%20and,the%20Science%20%26%20Technology%20Ministerial%20Roundtable" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6651,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Referendum in New Caledonia',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The French territory of New Caledonia <strong>voted against independence from France</strong> in a referendum held recently.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The referendum was a part of a decolonisation plan agreed in 1998, known as the <strong>Noumea Accord</strong>.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601886580_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601886580_image1.png" width="294" height="213" style="float: right;" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> New Caledonia is an archipelago and special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean.</li>
<li><strong>Population:</strong> The <strong>indigenous Kanaks</strong> represent around 39% of the population, while <strong>European settlers</strong> (known as <strong>Caldoches</strong>) make up about 27%. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most of the remainder are from other Pacific islands, which are of mixed heritage, called Caledonians.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>New Caledonia was <strong>discovered in 1774</strong> by the British navigator <strong>James Cook</strong>.</li>
<li>It was <strong>annexed by France in 1853</strong>.</li>
<li>In 1946, New Caledonia became an overseas territory.</li>
<li>By 1953, French citizenship had been granted to all New Caledonians, regardless of ethnicity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economy:</strong> Besides having one of the region's highest average incomes per capita, New Caledonia is rich in resources and accounts for around <strong>10% of the world's nickel reserve</strong>.</li>
<li><strong>Political Status:</strong> New Caledonia is a <strong>territory <em>sui generis</em></strong> i.e. territory of its own kind.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a <strong>French overseas collectivity</strong> i.e. they are first-order administrative divisions of France but have a semi-autonomous status.</li>
<li>It is one of the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a> 17 Non-Self-Governing territories</strong> - where the process of decolonisation has not been completed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Non-Self-Governing Territories are defined as "territories whose people have not yet attained a full measure of self-government&rdquo;. It includes the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Western Sahara, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They vote in French elections and have French nationality.</li>
<li>New Caledonia has a <strong>power-sharing executive</strong> elected by the territory's Congress, which ensures that all parties on it are represented in proportion to their number of seats in Congress.</li>
<li>It depends on France for matters like defence and education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conflict Over Independence:</strong> The country has had conflicts over the issue of autonomy and independence from France for a long time.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>New Caledonia has <strong>deep divisions between its indigenous Kanak population and Europeans,</strong> with indigenous Kanaks favouring independence and Europeans being against it.</li>
<li>In the 1980s, the country had violent conflicts between the opponents and supporters of independence which culminated into <strong>Matignon Accords</strong> in 1988. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Accords specified a 10-year transitory status, after which a self-determination referendum would be held.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Noumea Accord</strong>, which was concluded in 1998, provided for a practically sovereign status. Under this agreement, New Caledonia is allowed up to <strong>three referendums on independence</strong>, the latest one being the last of them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At a time where Chinese influence on the island, and in the whole <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Pacific region</strong></a> is growing, it is very significant for France to be able to retain control over the island. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A significant portion of New Caledonia's exports goes to China, much of which is nickel.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Though India has no official position of the referendum, the results of this referendum are particularly important for India in the double context of growing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-france-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-France relations</strong></a> and Indo-China conflicts. France is urging Australia and India to form a new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france-joint-patrolling" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;strategic axis&rdquo;</strong></a> in the Indo-Pacific with it and New Caledonia to counter China&rsquo;s rise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/french-pacific-outpost-decides-on-independence/article32762143.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6637,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Quad & India',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/on-the-quad-define-the-idea-chart-a-path/article32735780.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;On the Quad, define the idea, chart a path&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 1/10/2020. It talks about the opportunity and issues related to Quad (an informal group of India, the US, Australia and Japan) for India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, it has been reported that the second Ministerial meeting of Quad countries will be held in Japan. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/four%20corners:%20on%20the%20quad%E2%80%99s%20agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)</strong></a> is the informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia with a shared objective to support a &ldquo;free, open and prosperous&rdquo; Indo-Pacific region, that China seeks to threaten.</p>
<p>The manner of China&rsquo;s dismissal of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Arbitral Award in the dispute with the Philippines</strong></a> on the South China Sea, militarisation of the islands in the region and individual conflicts with Quad countries have once again brought the four countries onto the same page and given a second chance to the Quad.</p>
<p>Engaging with Quad may serve two geo-strategic goals of India viz. countering China&rsquo;s aggressive on border with India&rsquo;s assertives in the maritime domain and emerge as a net security provider in the region.</p>
<h3>Backdrop of Quad</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China&rsquo;s unilateral claim on the Nine-Dash Line in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South China Sea</strong></a>; rapid warship building its first overseas base in Djibouti; and its surface and subsurface activities in Indian Ocean beyond the Malacca Straits have alarmed regional countries like India and Japan about increasing Chinese ambition.</li>
<li>In this context, the idea of Quad was first mooted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the idea couldn&rsquo;t move ahead with Australia pulling out of it, apparently due to Chinese pressure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In December 2012, Shinzo Abe again floated the concept of Asia&rsquo;s &ldquo;Democratic Security Diamond&rdquo; involving Australia, India, Japan and the US to safeguard the maritime commons from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific.</li>
<li>In November 2017, India, the US, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending "Quad" Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence (especially China).</li>
<li>Quad is criticised by China as asian version of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-minimises-its-share-in-nato-budget#:~:text=North%20Atlantic%20Treaty%20Organization,security%20against%20the%20Soviet%20Union." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601551677_image0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601551677_image0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="231" height="218" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Opportunities for India Under Quad Arrangement</h3>
<p><strong>Checkmating China</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The maritime space is a lot more important to China than engaging in opportunistic land grab attempts in the Himalayas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A huge chunk of Chinese trade happens via the Indian oceanic routes that pass through maritime chokepoints.</li>
<li>In the event of any chinese aggression on borders, India by cooperation with Quad countries can potentially disrupt chinese trade.</li>
<li>Hence, unlike in the continental sphere where India seems facing a &lsquo;nutcracker like situation&rsquo; due to China-Pakistan collusion, the maritime sphere is wide open to India to undertake coalition building, rule setting, and other forms of strategic exploration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Emerging as a Net Security Provider</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a growing great power interest in the maritime sphere, especially with the arrival of the concept of &lsquo;Indo-Pacific&rsquo;. For instance, many european countries have recently released their Indo-Pacific strategies.</li>
<li>With India, located right at the centre of the Indo-Pacific geopolitical imagination can realise the vision of a &lsquo;broader Asia&rsquo; that can extend its influence away from geographical boundaries.</li>
<li>Moreover, India can build around collective action in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, monitoring shipping for search and rescue or anti-piracy operations, infrastructure assistance to climatically vulnerable states, connectivity initiatives and similar activities.</li>
<li>Further, India with Quad countries can check imperialist policies of China in Indian ocean region and ensure Security and growth for all in the region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related to Quad</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Undefined Vision:</strong> Despite the potential for cooperation, the Quad remains a mechanism without a defined strategic mission.</li>
<li><strong>Maritime Dominated:</strong> The entire focus on the Indo-Pacific makes the Quad a maritime, rather than a land-based grouping, raising questions whether the cooperation extends to the Asia-Pacific and Eurasian regions.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Aversion of Alliance System:</strong> The fact that India is the only member that is averse to a treaty alliance system, has slowed down the progress of building a stronger Quadrilateral engagement.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need For Clear Vision:</strong> The Quad nations need to better explain the Indo-Pacific Vision in an overarching framework with the objective of advancing everyone&rsquo;s economic and security interests.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This will reassure the littoral States that the Quad will be a factor for regional benefit, and a far cry from Chinese allegations that it is some sort of a military alliance.</li>
<li>The forthcoming Ministerial meetings can be an opportunity to define the idea and chart a future path.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expanding Quad:</strong> India has many other partners in the Indo-Pacific, therefore India should pitch for countries like Indonesia, Singapore to be invited to join in the future.</li>
<li><strong>Need for a Maritime Doctrine:</strong> India should develop a comprehensive vision on the Indo-Pacific which would ideate on the current and future maritime challenges, consolidate its military and non-military tools, engage its strategic partners.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>In order to secure national and regional interests, India should now focus on the maritime sphere also. In this context establishing a new division under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to deal with the Indo-Pacific is a step in the right direction.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffde8;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;In order to secure national and regional interests, India should now focus more on the maritime domain&rdquo;. Discuss the statement in light of India&rsquo;s engagement with Quad countries.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2h_gBSPD6KA" 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://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/rbi-monetary-policy-committee-6636028/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A costly pause&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on September 30<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6626,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Gavi COVAX Facility',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pneumococcal-conjugate-vaccine-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Serum Institute of India (SII)</strong> </a>has received funds from <strong>Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance</strong> and the <strong>Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,</strong> that would allow it to double its supply of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> vaccines (200 million doses) to India and other poorer countries as part of the <strong>Gavi COVAX facility.</strong> The vaccines will be <strong>priced at a maximum of USD 3 per dose.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>SII (Pune),</strong> the <strong>world&rsquo;s largest vaccine manufacturer by volume,</strong> has agreements to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covidshield</strong></a> (currently under <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/drugs-and-clinical-trials-rules-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>clinical trials</strong></a>) developed by American vaccine maker <strong>Novavax,</strong> as well as Oxford University in collaboration with Swedish-British drugmaker <strong>AstraZeneca.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>COVAX is <strong>one of three pillars of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator,</strong> which was <strong>launched in April 2020 by the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> World Health Organization (WHO)</a></strong>, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Commission</strong></a> and <strong>France</strong> in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>ACT Accelerator</strong> is a <strong>framework for collaboration</strong> to accelerate the development, production, and equitable access to Covid-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines. It is built on <strong>three main pillars:</strong> Vaccines (COVAX), Therapeutics, Diagnostics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>COVAX is an effort to ensure that <strong>people in all corners of the world will get access to Covid-19 vaccines</strong> once they are available, regardless of their wealth.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>initial aim is to have 2 billion doses available by the end of 2021,</strong> which should be enough to protect high risk and vulnerable people, as well as frontline healthcare workers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is <strong>co-led</strong> by<strong> Gavi,</strong> the<strong> Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)</strong> and the <strong>World Health Organisation (WHO),</strong> working in partnership with developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers.</li>
<li>The <strong>COVAX facility</strong> continually monitors the Covid-19 vaccine landscape to identify the most suitable vaccine candidates, based on scientific merit and scalability, and works with manufacturers to incentivise them to expand their production capacity in advance of vaccines receiving regulatory approval.</li>
<li><strong>Gavi COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), a mechanism within the COVAX facility,</strong> is to ensure that the <strong>92 middle- and lower-income countries</strong> that cannot fully afford to pay for Covid-19 vaccines themselves get equal access to Covid-19 vaccines as higher-income self-financing countries and at the same time.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India is a Gavi beneficiary</strong> and will, therefore, receive a certain proportion of the vaccines from the COVAX facility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Created in 2000,</strong> Gavi is an<strong> international organisation - a global Vaccine Alliance,</strong> bringing together public and private sectors with the shared<strong> goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children</strong> living in the world&rsquo;s poorest countries.</li>
<li>Its<strong> core partners</strong> include the WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank and the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.</li>
<li>In <strong>June 2019,</strong> the Gavi Board approved a <strong>new five-year strategy (&lsquo;Gavi 5.0&rsquo;)</strong> with a vision to &lsquo;leave no-one behind with immunisation&rsquo; and a mission to save lives and protect people&rsquo;s health by increasing equitable and sustainable use of vaccines.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CEPI is a<strong> global partnership launched in 2017</strong> to develop vaccines to stop future epidemics.</li>
<li>CEPI was <strong>founded in Davos (Switzerland) by the governments of Norway and India,</strong> the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, the Wellcome Trust, and the World Economic Forum.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/part-of-gavi-covax-facility-sii-to-double-covid-vaccine-supply-to-200-mn-doses-6636041/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6625,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India and the Kingdom of Denmark have launched the <strong>Green Strategic Partnership</strong> for delivering sustainable solutions to India.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intellectual Property (IP)</strong></a> <strong>Cooperation</strong> with Denmark.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Green Strategic Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Partnership will focus on <strong>expanding economic ties, green growth, and cooperation on global challenges such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-climate-action-ministerial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate change.</a></strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Green growth</strong> is a term to describe a path of economic growth that uses natural resources in a sustainable manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Danish companies with niche technologies and expertise have offered to help India in meeting its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/tackling-the-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>air pollution</strong></a> control targets, including in the key area of tackling the problem of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/stubble-burning-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> burning crop stubble.</strong></a></li>
<li>Other key points under the partnership include dealing with the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a>pandemic and <strong>cooperation in water efficiency and water loss.</strong></li>
<li>The creation of<strong> India-Denmark energy parks</strong> in areas with large numbers of Danish firms and an <strong>India-Denmark skill institute</strong> to train Indian manpower has been proposed.</li>
<li>The Green Strategic Partnership will build on an existing <strong>Joint Commission for Cooperation</strong> and existing<strong> joint working groups.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Intellectual Property Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The MoU aims at increasing IP co-operation between the two countries by way of, exchange of information and best practices on processes for disposal of applications for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bangalore-blue-grapes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Geographical Indications</strong></a>, and cooperation in the field of protection of Traditional Knowledge.</li>
<li>It will be a landmark step forward in India&rsquo;s journey towards becoming a major player in global innovation and further the objectives of the <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/intellectual-property-rights" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Intellectual Property Rights Policy</a>, 2016.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India Denmark Relationship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Denmark had signed a <strong>Joint Commission for Cooperation in February 2009</strong> for cooperation in politics, economics and commerce, science and technology, energy, environment, and education.</li>
<li>They have <strong>joint working groups</strong> on Shipping; Food, Agriculture and Fisheries; Environment, Biotechnology; New and Renewable Energy; and Labour Mobility.</li>
<li>Currently, over 140 Danish companies are participating in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India</strong></a> initiative.</li>
<li>However, the relations got affected due to the <strong>non-extradition of the main accused of the Purulia arms drop case</strong> (Kim Davy) to India by Danish Officials. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Purulia arms drop case, 1995:</strong> Unauthorised arms were dropped from an aircraft in Purulia district in the state of West Bengal in India.</li>
<li>In the recent meeting for Green Strategic Partnership, both sides agreed that concerned officials will work for an early resolution of the matter.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has also invited Denmark to join the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-of-supply-chain-resilience-initiative#:~:text=Supply%20Chain%20Resilience%20Initiative%20(SCRI)%3A,lead%20to%20the%20supply%20chain." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> supply chain resilience initiative</strong></a>, which is proposed between Japan, Australia to diversify supply chains and reduce dependence on any one nation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Denmark<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601458157_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601458157_image5.png" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> It is an archipelago of more than 400 islands to the east of the<strong> Jutland peninsula</strong> in Europe.</li>
<li><strong>Flag:&nbsp;<img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601458248_image4.png" width="30" caption="false" /></strong></li>
<li><strong>Capital:</strong> Copenhagen</li>
<li><strong>Currency:</strong> Danish krone</li>
<li><strong>People:</strong> Mostly inhabited by ethnic Danes.</li>
<li><strong>Languages:</strong> Danish is official.</li>
<li><strong>Religions:</strong> Catholic Christians, Jews.</li>
<li><strong>Government:</strong> The Kingdom of Denmark is a unitary state.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In addition to Denmark proper, two autonomous territories in the North Atlantic Ocean: Greenland and the Faroe Islands.</li>
<li>It establishes a sovereign state in the form of a constitutional monarchy, with a representative parliamentary system.</li>
<li>The Danish parliament is unicameral and called the Folketing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Others:</strong> Denmark ranked 1<sup>st</sup> in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-quality-of-life-index-2020-surfshark" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital Quality of Life 2020</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/corruption-perceptions-index-2019-transparency-international" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corruption Perceptions Index 2019</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/environmental-performance-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environmental Performance Index 2020</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-social-mobility-index-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Social Mobility Index 2020</strong></a>. It also ranked in <strong>the top 10 in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/henley-passport-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most powerful passports</a></strong> in 2020 and was one of the <strong>most peaceful countries</strong> according to the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-peace-index-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Peace Index 2019</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India and Denmark have shared values of human rights, democracy, and rule of law and they must cooperate in multilateral fora like the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/arctic-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Arctic Council</strong></a> to advance democracy and human rights and promote a rule-based multilateral system.</li>
<li>The Green Strategic Partnership is a mutually beneficial arrangement to advance political cooperation, expand economic relations and green growth, create jobs, and strengthen cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities; with a focus on an ambitious implementation of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement</strong></a> and the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=Three%20core%20elements%20of%20sustainable,are%20important%20for%20sustainable%20development." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=Three%20core%20elements%20of%20sustainable,are%20important%20for%20sustainable%20development." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6581,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SAARC and CICA Meetings',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Foreign Ministers&rsquo; meetings of 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</strong> </a>(SAARC) and the <strong>Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA)</strong> took place in a virtual manner.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India-Pakistan Tussle:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India called the SAARC countries to collectively resolve to defeat the scourge of <strong>terrorism,</strong> including the forces that nurture, support and encourage an environment of terror and conflict.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This was a <strong>clear criticism of Pakistan</strong> who has been involved in crossborder terrorism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Pakistan also made a detailed statement on the resolution of &ldquo;long-standing disputes&rdquo;, a veiled reference to Jammu and Kashmir and India&rsquo;s move to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>withdraw Article 370.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Recently,<strong> India said</strong> that the degree of seriousness of each SAARC member-nation in collectively fighting the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> can be gauged by their behaviour. The statement was in clear reference to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-pak-tension-amidst-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Pakistan&rsquo;s opposition to India&rsquo;s leadership</strong></a> in dealing with the crisis in the region.</li>
<li>The National Security Advisor of India had walked off from a virtual meeting of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-sco-summit-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong></a> in September, 2020 after his Pakistani counterpart appeared with a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pakistan-s-new-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pakistani version of its map that included Indian territories.</strong> </a></li>
<li>In 2019, at the SAARC Foreign Ministers&rsquo; meeting, Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan had<strong> boycotted</strong> each other&rsquo;s speeches.</li>
<li>The Prime Minister of India had also refused to attend the 19<sup>th</sup> edition of the SAARC summit, due to be held in Islamabad in 2016, over the issue of Pakistan&rsquo;s continued support to terror groups in light of<strong> Uri attacks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19:</strong> All SAARC nations built a common stand on the need to cooperate in battling the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coronavirus pandemic.</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>SAARC initiatives to combat Covid-19:</strong> SAARC Covid-19 Information Exchange Platform (COINEX), SAARC Food Bank mechanism, SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Contribution:</strong> India has contributed 10 million USD to <strong>SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund</strong> and manufactured essential drugs, Covid protection and testing kits, for countries in the SAARC region <strong>(Eg. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/operation-sanjeevani" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Operation Sanjeevani</a></strong> for Maldives).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Relevance of SAARC:</strong> SAARC has not been very effective since 2016 as its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu (Nepal) in 2014.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet planned in 2016.</li>
<li><strong>The reasons for a dysfunctional SAARC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bilateral issues cannot be discussed in SAARC but since the organisation relies on the <strong>principle of unanimity</strong> for all major decisions, Pakistan has often vetoed the major initiatives proposed at SAARC. For example,<strong> SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement proposed at Kathmandu summit, 2014.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India-Pakistan</strong> conflict has undermined SAARC. For India, Pakistan&rsquo;s use of terror as an instrument of foreign policy has made normal business impossible.</li>
<li><strong>Dispute between Pakistan and Afghanistan</strong> over the Durand line, is also a reason.</li>
<li>Also, <strong>India&rsquo;s economic position</strong> vis-a vis other SAARC countries, creates an impression of India being a big brother rather than a strategic partner.</li>
<li>SAARC has become almost marginal to the regions' collective consciousness and other organisations such as the <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 (BIMSTEC)</strong></a> came into the forefront.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>CICA Meeting:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India underlined its commitment to a pluralistic cooperative security order in Asia through CICA. It also reaffirmed its support for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-afghan-policy-and-taliban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Afghan peace process.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About CICA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia</strong> (CICA) is a <strong>multi-national forum</strong> for enhancing cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in <strong>Asia.</strong></li>
<li>The idea of convening the CICA was first proposed by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 5<sup>th</sup> October 1992, at the 47<sup>th</sup> Session of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations General Assembly.</strong> </a></li>
<li>The First Ministerial Meeting of CICA took place in September, 1999.</li>
<li>It consists of <strong>27 member nations</strong> from Asia including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Egypt, India etc. Japan, Indonesia, USA etc. are some of its <strong>Observer Nations.</strong></li>
<li>Republic of Tajikistan is the CICA Chairman for the period 2018-2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601021774_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1601021774_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Keeping SAARC in deep-freeze because of Pakistan was not serving anybody&rsquo;s interest. Despite the recent ineffectiveness of SAARC, its revival will facilitate India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>neighbourhood first policy</strong></a> in meeting the challenge of regional strategic encroachment by China through its <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/saarc-must-deal-with-terrorism-obstruction-in-trade-and-connectivity-jaishankar-6509274/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 6570,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'G4 Foreign Ministers Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Foreign Ministers from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet#:~:text=The%20foreign%20ministers%20of%20the,on%2027th%20September%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Group of 4</strong></a> (G4), consisting of <strong>India, Brazil, Japan and Germany,</strong> participated in a virtual meeting.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>G4 is a group of countries that are seeking permanent membership of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1#:~:text=Its%20primary%20responsibility%20is%20to,China%20and%20the%20United%20Kingdom." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Security Council</strong></a> (UNSC).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>G4 will seek concrete and time-bound outcomes during the 75<sup>th</sup> session of the UN General Assembly.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UN will celebrate its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-75-declaration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>75<sup>th</sup> anniversary</strong></a> on 24<sup>th</sup> October 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ministers reaffirmed their common resolve to finally take decisive steps towards the <strong>early and comprehensive<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g-4-foreign-minister-meeting-on-sidelines-of-unga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> reform of the Security Council</a></strong> that was envisaged by Heads of State and Government in the<strong> 2005 World Summit.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2005 World Summit was held at United Nations Headquarters in New York.</li>
<li>All governments expressed strong and unambiguous commitment to achieve the <strong>Millennium Development Goals</strong> by 2015.</li>
<li>It set up<strong> two new bodies,</strong> a <strong>Peacebuilding Commission</strong> to help countries in transition from war to peace, and a strengthened<a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc#:~:text=The%20Mandate%20and%20Functioning,group%20basis%20from%205%20groups." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Human Rights Council.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>G4 on UNSC Reforms</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ensuring greater representation for Africa:</strong> Africa needs to be represented in <strong>both the permanent and non-permanent categories</strong> of UNSC <strong>to correct the historical injustice</strong> against this continent with regard to its under-representation in the Security Council.</li>
<li><strong>Enhanced role of developing countries and of major contributors to the UN:</strong> To make UNSC more<strong> legitimate, effective and representative,</strong> it is needed to increase the number of permanent (from 5 to 11) and non-permanent (from 10 to 14) seats. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The permanent seats shall be elected in the following manner: Two from African States; Two from Asian States; One from Latin American and Caribbean States ; One from Western European and Other States.</li>
<li>Non-permanent members shall be elected according to the following pattern : One from African States ; One from Asian States ; One from Eastern European States ; One from Latin American and Caribbean State</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The UNSC reforms proposed earlier had been opposed by the five permanent members (P5) of UNSC as they demanded veto power for new members as well <strong>(Rizali Plan).</strong> However, later the new countries decided to forego the veto power for new countries which was accepted by P5 countries <strong>(Rizali Reform Plan).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Text-Based Negotiations:</strong> The G4 will work with other reform-minded countries and groups to start<strong> text-based negotiations (TBN)</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a proponent of TBN at the UN. Countries opposed to UNSC reform, including China, are hesitant to have TBN for intergovernmental negotiations on the grounds that the matter is<strong> too sensitive</strong> for text.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns over IGN:</strong> Two sessions in February and March 2020 of Inter-Governmental Negotiations (IGN) on UNSC reform were adjourned due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a>, which could have taken place virtually.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The countries expressed concern that IGN<strong> lacks the necessary openness and transparency</strong> and is constrained by <strong>flawed working methods.</strong></li>
<li>IGN should also have included a reflection of the <strong>Common African Position</strong> as enshrined in the<strong> Ezulwini Consensus</strong> and the<strong> Sirte Declaration.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Ezulwini Consensus (2005)</strong> is a position on international relations and reform of the United Nations, agreed by the African Union. It calls for a more representative and democratic Security council, in which Africa, like all other world regions, is represented.</li>
<li>The <strong>Sirte Declaration (1999)</strong> was the resolution adopted to establish the African Union.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Groups Opposed to UNSC Reforms:</strong> An informal <strong>"coffee club"</strong> or <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-security-council-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uniting for Consensus Group</strong></a> has opposed UNSC reforms.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most members of the club are middle-sized states who oppose bigger regional powers grabbing permanent seats in the UN Security Council.</li>
<li>While <strong>Italy and Spain are opposed to Germany's</strong> bid for UNSC&rsquo;s permanent membership, <strong>Pakistan is opposed to India's bid.</strong> Similarly, <strong>Argentina is against Brazil's </strong>bid and <strong>Australia opposes Japan's.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Position:</strong> India, will commence a two-year non-permanent term on the UNSC in January, 2021<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has long sought a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permanent seat</strong></a> at the Council.</li>
<li>Four of the five permanent members of the Security Council &ndash; USA, UK, France and Russia support giving India a permanent seat at the Council. Only China is opposed to this.</li>
<li>India is also seeking reforms to democratize the UN, such as UNSC reforms and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-financial-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN peacekeeping reforms.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Intergovernmental Negotiations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>IGN is a group of nation-states working within the United Nations to further reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</li>
<li>The IGN is composed of several different international organizations, namely:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>African Union</strong></a></li>
<li>G4 nations</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-un-security-council-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uniting for Consensus Group (UfC)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/28-09-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>L.69 Group of Developing Countries</strong></a></li>
<li>Arab League</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-caricom" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Caribbean Community</strong></a> (CARICOM).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/g4-seeks-concrete-text-based-time-bound-reform-of-un-security-council/article32680212.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6554,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'UN Reforms & India',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-united-nations-security-council-unsc-tenure-6605320/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;UN and the new multilateralism&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 22/09/2020. It talks about the need for reforms in the United Nations (UN) system.</p>
</div>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations (UN)</strong></a> was set up, 75 years ago, with the principal aim of maintaining world peace and security. It has been successful in the decolonization process and preventing another World War. However, the 21<sup>st</sup> century world is very different from that 20<sup>th</sup> century and poses many new problems and realities.</p>
<p>The present humanitarian and economic losses associated with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> are comparable to that of major wars and unemployment is worse than at any time since the Great Depression 1929. This has highlighted the challenges pertaining to the multilateral UN system.</p>
<p>Furthermore, there has been a general trend of increasing the number of challenges that are Trans-national in character (for example, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, pandemics, climate crisis, cyber-security, and poverty). UN being the epitome of multilateral world order will be much needed in dealing with global issues.</p>
<p>Therefore, reforms in the UN are necessary in order to strengthen the UN&rsquo;s effectiveness as a multilateral organization, bring more transparency to the institution and enhance its credibility.</p>
<h3>Challenges Against Multilateralism in Present Times</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Rise of New Cold War:</strong> Conflict between the US on the one hand and China and Russia on the other has become a new reality in West-East Conflict.</li>
<li><strong>Divided West:</strong> Despite the enduring post-War alliances, there is a growing divergence between US and its European partners on many global issues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some of the differences between the US and the other powers is very visible in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Iran Nuclear Deal.</strong></a></li>
<li>Further, rejection of post-War multilateralism and post-Cold War globalism is at the heart of Trump&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-us-relations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;America First&rdquo; foreign policy.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ineffectiveness of UN:</strong> The UN has been unable to respond effectively to the once-in-a-century global crisis triggered by the coronavirus. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the UN Security Council, China blocked a serious discussion on the origin and sources of the crisis. While the US walked out of 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> on allegation of supporting China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Areas of UN Reform</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Defunct UNSC:</strong> The<strong> United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</strong> is the UN&rsquo;s main executive body with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the veto powers possessed by the UNSC&rsquo;s five permanent members are used as an instrument to shore up their geopolitical interests, regardless of the disastrous consequences for the victims of armed conflict. As it can be seen in Syria, Iraq, etc.</li>
<li>Further, It does not reflect today&rsquo;s distribution of military and economic power, nor a geographical balance. Thus, the structure of the 15-member Security Council ought to be more democratic and representative.</li>
<li>This has been long overdue on the demand, especially from the so-called Group of 4 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet#:~:text=The%20foreign%20ministers%20of%20the,on%2027th%20September%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(G4) countries</strong> </a>&mdash; Brazil, Germany, India and Japan &mdash; which advocate a permanent seat for all of them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>General Assembly Reforms:</strong> The UN General Assembly(UNGA) can only make non-binding recommendations, which is another reason for ineffectiveness of the UN and another important issue of UN reform.</li>
<li><strong>Undermining of Associated UN Bodies</strong> The Economic and Social Council has been criticized, as it has become overshadowed by institutions such as the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IMF</strong> </a>and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a>, which are lacking democratic processes, transparency, and accountability.</li>
<li><strong>UN&rsquo;s Financial Crisis:</strong> It can be said that the UN has a lot to do but it has too little money, as it is in a permanent financial crisis due to the unwillingness of many members to pay their contributions on time.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As long as the UN&rsquo;s budget remains tightly constrained, it cannot be effective.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Toothless UN Peacekeeping Operation:</strong> While the vast number of international law treaties affecting international trade, economics and human rights has proved very effective, laws prohibiting the use of force have been less so.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, there is a need to include more personnel and carry out structural reforms for the UN Peacekeeping Operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Role in Reforming UN System &amp; Way Forward</h3>
<p>While the UNSC was dysfunctional, India developed a multilateral agenda of its own &mdash; from decolonisation and disarmament to a new international economic order &mdash; and mobilised considerable political support for it. This underlines the possibilities for shaping the global discourse in the present.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reforming UNSC:</strong> As former UN secretary general noted that<strong> &ldquo;No reform of the UN would be complete without reform of the Security Council&rdquo;.</strong> Therefore, equitable representation as well as expansion of the UNSC is the desired reform that India envisages.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this would be the most challenging aspect of UN reforms, as the most permanent five are generally opposed to strengthening the institution and use their power to stop any significant change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging With Other Multilateral Forums For UN Reforms:</strong> Possible solutions to reform UN finances can be establishing a &lsquo;reserve fund&rsquo; or even a <strong>&lsquo;world tax&rsquo;.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, in order to make UNGA more effective, India can propose a bicameral parliamentary assembly framework for UNGA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Balancing National Interest and Multilateralism:</strong> The primary objective of India&rsquo;s present multilateralism should be to ensure its territorial integrity, especially at a time when China has adopted aggressive posture on the border.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Here, India can leverage multilateralism to serve India&rsquo;s interests. Like aligning with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet#:~:text=The%20foreign%20ministers%20of%20the,on%2027th%20September%202019." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad countries</strong></a> or working with mechanisms like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-action-task-force-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FATF</strong></a> to mount pressure on Pakistan to stop supporting cross-border terrorism in India.</li>
<li>Further, while reclaiming its role in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-non-alignment-movement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Aligned Movement</strong></a> (NAM), India must engage with other multilateral institutions as new rule-making as India is not at disadvantage if rule making takes place outside the UN.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>History teaches that the fact that crises catalyse states to rise above inertia, myopia, and narrow self-interest. This can be reflected in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, conferences at Bretton Woods and San Francisco in the 1940s. The present pandemic is similar to the crisis that can lead to tectonic shift in world affairs.</p>
<p>Further, given the global issues, today the world needs multilateralism more than ever. Thus, it is necessary to reform the UN. In this context, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elections-for-non-permanent-members-of-the-unsc#:~:text=Selection%20of%20Non%2Dpermanent%20Members,for%20African%20and%20Asian%20countries." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India must utilize the next two years of its non-permanent member of UNSC</strong></a> for bringing much needed reforms in the system.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1600773892_image%200.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1600773892_image 0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" 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: #e6e8ff;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Given the global issues, today the world needs multilateralism more than ever. Comment</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rnQYIfVVDBE" 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://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/bully-pulpit-farm-bills-parliament-monsoon-session-6603902/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Bully &amp; Pulpit&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on September 21<sup>st</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 6532,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Intra-Afghan Talks & Role of India',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/another-afghan-peace-push-and-a-role-for-india/article32644309.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Another Afghan peace push and a role for India&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 19/09//2020. It talks about Intra-AfghanTalks between the Taliban &amp; Afghan Government and the role India can play.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the much awaited <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-taliban-peace-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>intra-Afghan talks</strong> </a>between the Taliban and the Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation (representative of Afghan Government) opened in Doha, Qatar.</p>
<p>India's External Affairs Minister participated in this crucial intra-Afghan talks via a video link. This decision seemed to be aimed at regaining diplomatic momentum and re-asserting India&rsquo;s position on an <strong>&ldquo;Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled"</strong> peace process. However, instead it had become a <strong>U.S.-led and Taliban-controlled process with nobody claiming ownership or responsibility.</strong></p>
<p>Moreover, despite the start of intra-Afghan talks, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Afghan conflict</strong></a> is far from over, and a failure to reach a consensus in Qatar would only present a more complex array of challenges and threats than ever before.</p>
<p>Therefore, India must urgently mobilize a coalition for a major regional diplomatic push aimed at resolving the Afghan crisis and establishing regional peace.</p>
<h3>Intra-Afghan Talks</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The initiation of intra-Afghan talks is a key element in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-taliban-peace-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>U.S.-Taliban peace deal</strong></a> signed in Doha on February 29 between the U.S and the Taliban.</li>
<li>The US-Taliban peace deal was a three-way negotiation whereby the US negotiated with the Taliban who were brought to the negotiating table by Pakistan and this Doha outcome was to be accepted by the Afghan Government.</li>
<li>There were four objectives of the deal:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An end to violence by declaring a ceasefire.</li>
<li>An intra-Afghan dialogue for a lasting peace.</li>
<li>The Taliban cut ties with terrorist organisations such as al Qaeda.</li>
<li>U.S. troop withdrawal by April 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Though the deal was to be held in march-April 2020, it got delayed due to disagreement on mutual release of prisoners by both Taliban and Afghan Government.</li>
<li>Now as the Taliban have released 1,000 members of Afghan security forces and the Afghan authorities have freed over 5,000 talibani from their custody, it paved the way for Intra-Aghan talks and brought the prospect of peace in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges in Afghanistan Peace</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Speaking of Doha, Afghan Government held that more than 12,000 Afghans had been killed and another 15,000 injured since the end-February.</li>
<li>A report by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) issued in July 2020 assessed that:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Taliban is calibrating its use of violence to harass and undermine the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces and the Afghan government, but remain at a level it perceives is within the bounds of the agreement.</li>
<li>This move would probably have encouraged U.S. troop withdrawal and set favorable conditions for a post-withdrawal Afghanistan.</li>
<li>The report expressed scepticism about whether the Taliban had cut ties with Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A UN report concerning the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-brics-focus-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Islamic State and al Qaeda</strong> </a>concluded that Al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent continues to operate under the Taliban umbrella.</li>
<li>Further, there are many Taliban leaders who are under the most wanted list of the US.</li>
<li>Therefore, given these conditions it may be difficult to reconcile peace in Afghanistan. This would destabilize the region after the US. Troops withdrawal.</li>
<li>In this context, India needs to strategically frame a policy to secure it's security and economic interests emanating from Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Apart from Afghanistan, peace in the country is crucial for almost every other country in the region. For example, for Russia blocking the drug supply and keeping its southern periphery secure from extremist influences is key. Also, at a time when Iran&rsquo;s economy is in dire straits due to low oil prices and severe economic sanctions, its leadership cannot afford an Afghanistan at war with itself and its neighbours.</p>
<p>Therefore, India must give a diplomatic push to a coalition of regional powers for ensuring peace in Afghanistan after US exit. In this pursuit, India should engage with regional power like Iran and Russia.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Engagement With Iran:</strong> Although, India and Iran may have differing views on the US presence there, but both are aware of the challenges once the Taliban gain authority and the current regime in Afghanistan weakens as a result.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This dynamic is what makes Iran an indispensable partner for India as the US gradually winds down its troop presence in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-dropped-from-chabahar-rail-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chabahar port</strong> </a>is the most tangible symbol of India-Iran- Afghanistan trilateral cooperation. However, China's potential involvement in the Chabahar project has unmistakable strategic implications for India.</li>
<li>Here India must reengage with Iran to ensure that China cannot be allowed to chip away at India&rsquo;s vital interests in its extended neighbourhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engagement With Russia:</strong> Although Russia's interests in Afghanistan are in conflict with that of the US&rsquo;, it's role in the regional security matrix is not of a disrupter, but of a balancer.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, India should engage Russia to play a key role in Afghanistan. But, here also an alliance-like relationship between Russia and China may jeopardise India's interests in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>However, Russia does share with India a good relationship and can keep China in check.</li>
<li>Besides convergence on regional security, India, Iran and Russia can develop cooperative mechanisms for commercial and economic ties with Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The prospect for peace in Afghanistan depends on regional consensus to support the peace process as much as it depends on actual progress in the intra-Afghan talks. India&rsquo;s vision of a sovereign, united, stable, plural and democratic Afghanistan is one that is shared by Afghanistan, cutting across ethnic and provincial lines.</p>
<p>A more active engagement will enable India to work with like-minded forces in the region to ensure that the vacuum created by the U.S. withdrawal does not lead to an unravelling of the gains registered during the last two decades.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1600516308_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1600516308_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="440" height="487" /></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: #fffee0;">
<p><span style="color: #003300;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The prospect for peace in Afghanistan depends on regional consensus to support the peace process as much as it depends on actual progress in the intra-Afghan talks. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FrDedo8nxCI" 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.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/a-push-for-reform-the-hindu-editorial-on-un-reforms/article32633648.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A push for reform: On UN reforms&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on September 18<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'title' => 'BRICS National Security Advisers Meet',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Russia hosted virtual National Security Advisers (NSAs) meet of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/brics-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS)</strong> </a>grouping.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Draft Anti-terrorism Plan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The group discussed a <strong>draft anti-terrorism strategy</strong> that is expected to be approved at an upcoming summit.</li>
<li><strong>The anti-terrorism plan</strong> reflects fundamental aspects of the BRICS states, such as respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, adherence to international law and recognition of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nation</strong></a> (UN)&rsquo;s central role in security matters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Discussed Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Challenges and threats</strong> to global, regional and national security.</li>
<li>Called for <strong>biological security cooperation</strong> and<strong> information and communications technology security.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There was also a proposal to continue work on a system for<strong> countering security threats in the sphere of information.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Russian side criticised the <strong>deployment of weapons in space by the USA</strong> and the use of outer space for military operations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also expressed <strong>concern</strong> over the escalation of tensions with the USA in Iran, Venezuela and Syria.</li>
<li>It also proposed the creation of new mechanisms in the field of countering epidemiological threats and to conduct expert consultations on biosafety in the BRICS format.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The five countries are cooperating within the framework of building a <strong>multi-polar system</strong> based on justice and equality.</li>
<li>They have also agreed to work on <strong>deepening coordination</strong> at key international organisations and forums, especially the United Nations (UN).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>BRICS</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BRICS is an <strong>acronym</strong> for the grouping of the world&rsquo;s leading emerging economies, namely <strong>Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2001, the British Economist <strong>Jim O&rsquo;Neill coined the term BRIC</strong> to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.</li>
<li>The grouping was <strong>formalised</strong> during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers&rsquo; in <strong>2006.</strong></li>
<li><strong>South Africa</strong> was invited to join BRIC in December <strong>2010,</strong> after which the group adopted the acronym BRICS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members,</strong> in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.</li>
<li>During the <strong>Sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza</strong> (Brazil) in <strong>2014,</strong> the leaders signed the Agreement establishing the <strong>New Development Bank</strong> (NDB - Shanghai, China). They also signed the<strong> BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement</strong> to provide short-term liquidity support to the members.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1600422730_1599307403_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1600422730_1599307403_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Terrorism is a big threat to India. If the draft anti-terrorism strategy is adopted by the BRICS members, it will help India to counter the terrorism. It will also expose the terror sponsored countries.</li>
<li>Although the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-China standoff at Ladakh</strong></a> was not discussed at the NSAs meet, BRICS is an important platform where India can engage with China diplomatically.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/brics-nsas-discuss-anti-terror-plan/story-THxC3GWYX2BeZVzV0vgrXM.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: HT</strong></a></p>',
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