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Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence

Why in News India has joined the 'Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)' as a founding member to support the responsible and...

16 Jun 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Indian Naval LOs at Madagascar and Abu Dhabi

Why in News India is planning to post Naval Liaison Officers (LOs) at the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar and the...

15 Jun 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Phases of Indian Foreign Policy

The very structure of the international order is undergoing a profound transformation. This can be attributed by various geopolitical...

12 Jun 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
New Cold War

This article is based on “Multilateralism in the new cold war” which was published in The Hindu on 03/06/2020. It talks about the new...

10 Jun 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Development In India-Africa Ties

This article is based on “Drawing closer in crisis” which was published in The Indian Express on 29/05/2020. It talks about leveraging...

05 Jun 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India-Australia Virtual Summit

Why in News Recently, Prime Ministers of India and Australia held their first virtual bilateral summit and both concluded nine agreements including...

05 Jun 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Australia to be Included in Malabar Exercise

Why in News India is prepared to expand the Malabar exercise to also include Australia. India and Australia are soon to be holding a virtual...

04 Jun 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
MoU between India and Bhutan

Why in News The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhutan for cooperation in the field of...

04 Jun 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Violation of Armistice Agreement: UNC

Why in News Recently, the United Nations Command (UNC) has found both North and South Korea guilty of violating the Korean Armistice Agreement 1953...

01 Jun 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Year End Review 2019: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

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30 May 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
One Sun One World One Grid

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WHO Foundation

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Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade

Why in News Recently, the second Addendum to the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade was signed between India and Bangladesh. The Protocol...

21 May 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India’s Afghan Policy and Taliban

This article is based on “Getting India back to the Afghan high table” which was published in The Hindu on 18/05/2020. It talks about...

20 May 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
United Nations Relief and Works Agency

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Afghanistan’s Power Sharing Deal

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18 May 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Push for Probe into Covid-19 Origin

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18 May 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Revival of Non-Alignment Movement

This article is based on “What’s in a NAM?” which was published in The Indian Express on 11/05/2020. It talks about the relevance...

13 May 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Big Picture: India’s COVID Diplomacy

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Financial Help by AIIB to India

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09 May 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests

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		'article_id' => (int) 5635,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has joined the <strong>'Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)'</strong> as a founding member to support the<strong> responsible and human-centric development</strong> and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> GPAI is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of AI, based on human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An example would be looking at how AI could help societies respond to and recover from the Covid-19 crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bring together leading experts from industry, civil society, governments, and academia to conduct research and pilot projects on AI.</li>
<li>It will initially <strong>comprise four working groups</strong> focused on responsible AI, data governance, the future of work, and innovation and commercialisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Founding Members:</strong> Australia, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States.</li>
<li><strong>Organisation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, to be hosted by <strong>Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)</strong> in Paris, as well as by two Centers of Expertise- one each in Montreal (Canada) and Paris (France).</li>
<li>GPAI will be able to take advantage of the OECD&rsquo;s expertise on AI policy and its leadership in setting out the first international standard for trustworthy AI &ndash; the OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence.</li>
<li>The OECD will also be a Permanent Observer to the GPAI&rsquo;s governing bodies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong> Born out of the Canadian and French G7 Presidencies in 2018 and 2019, GPAI was officially proposed by France and Canada at the Biarritz Summit in August 2019.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Artificial Intelligence</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It describes the action of machines accomplishing tasks that have historically required human intelligence.</li>
<li>It includes technologies like machine learning, pattern recognition, big data, neural networks, self algorithms etc.</li>
<li><strong>Example:</strong> Facebook&rsquo;s list of suggested friends for its users, self-driving cars, etc.</li>
<li>AI automates processes and reduces human error but the principal limitation of AI is that it learns from the data. This means any inaccuracies in the data will be reflected in the results.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was formed in<strong> 1961.</strong> It has<strong> 37 member countries. India is not a member but one of the key partners</strong> of the organisation.</li>
<li>It is an international organisation, having a goal to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all.</li>
<li><strong>PISA</strong> is the OECD&rsquo;s programme for international student assessment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will participate in the PISA test 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is<strong> headquartered at Paris, France.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Financial Action Task Force (FATF)</strong> Secretariat is located at OECD headquarters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>G7</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a bloc of<strong> industrialised democracies -</strong> Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Recent Initiatives by India in the Field of AI</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has recently launched National AI Strategy and National AI Portal and have also started leveraging AI across various sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, e-commerce, finance, telecommunications, etc.</li>
<li>The <strong>National AI strategy</strong> was released in 2018 by NITI Aayog. It is termed<strong> &lsquo;AIForAll&rsquo;</strong> as it is focused on leveraging AI for inclusive growth in line with the Government policy of Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Role of the Government has been clearly delineated to develop the research ecosystem, promote adoption and address skilling challenges.</li>
<li>The strategy also flags important issues like ethics, bias and privacy issues relating to AI and envisions Government promoting research in technology to address these concerns.</li>
<li>The focus is on sectors like agriculture, health and education where public investment and lead would be necessary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National AI Portal:</strong> It has been developed jointly by the National e-Governance Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom). The portal is meant to work as a <strong>&ldquo;one stop digital platform"</strong> for all AI related developments in India.</li>
<li><strong>Responsible AI for Youth Programme:</strong> It is aimed at imparting education and skills in AI to students in government schools.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>By joining GPAI as a founding member, India will actively participate in the global development of Artificial Intelligence, leveraging its experience around use of digital technologies for inclusive growth.</li>
<li>AI is rapidly penetrating into all the sectors of economy, if used empathetically and reasonably, it has the potential to change global social and economic interactions for the better.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1631676" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5629,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Indian Naval LOs at Madagascar and Abu Dhabi',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India is planning to post <strong>Naval Liaison Officers</strong> (LOs) at the <strong>Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre</strong> (RMIFC) in <strong>Madagascar</strong> and the <strong>European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz</strong> (EMASOH) in <strong>Abu Dhabi</strong> for improved <strong>Maritime Domain Awareness</strong> (MDA).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This move comes after <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-an-observer-at-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India joined the Indian Ocean Commission</strong></a> (IOC) as Observer in <strong>March 2020</strong> along with <strong>Japan and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move <strong>aims</strong> to <strong>improve linkages</strong> of the Navy&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/information-fusion-centre-of-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region</strong> </a>(IFC-IOR) in <strong>Gurugram with other IFCs</strong> and become the <strong>repository for all maritime data</strong> in the IOR.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france-joint-patrolling" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India is working closely with France</strong></a>, who is a pre-eminent member of IOC, to post a Naval LO at the RMIFC in Madagascar.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> RMFIC functions under the aegis of the IOC</strong> and is designed to deepen maritime domain awareness by monitoring maritime activities and promoting information sharing and exchange.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Navy LO is expected to be posted at <strong>EMASOH by July</strong> and at the <strong>RMIFC by September or October 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has a LO at the IFC in Singapore for over four years now.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Ocean Commission</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> intergovernmental body and regional forum</strong> created in <strong>1984</strong> to protect the interests of the <strong>western Indian Ocean islands.</strong></li>
<li>It consists of <strong>Madagascar, Comoros, La R&eacute;union</strong> (French overseas territory), <strong>Mauritius</strong> and <strong>Seychelles.</strong></li>
<li>IOC has<strong> five observers</strong> which are <strong>China, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU), <strong>Malta</strong> and <strong>International Organisation of La Francophonie</strong> (OIF),<strong> India, Japan</strong> and <strong>the UN.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>OIF is a 54 french speaking nations collective.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>France started EMASOH with the aim to monitor maritime activity and guarantee freedom of navigation in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/persian-gulf-region" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Persian Gulf</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/strait-of-hormuz-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Strait of Hormuz</strong></a>.</li>
<li>It is <strong>based at the French naval base in Abu Dhabi</strong> (UAE).</li>
<li>It was declared operational by the French Ministry of Armed Forces in February 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Other Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To strengthen the naval forces and surveillance, India has signed a series of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-france" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>white shipping agreements</strong></a>, <strong>Logistics Support Agreements</strong> (LSA) and <strong>maritime cooperation agreements</strong> with several countries, recently.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-australia-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Australia Virtual Summit</strong></a> announced a joint declaration on a shared vision for maritime cooperation in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific</strong> </a>in which they agreed to deepen navy-to-navy cooperation and strengthen MDA in the Indo-Pacific region through enhanced exchange of information.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> 2015,</strong> India unveiled it's strategic vision for the Indian Ocean i.e. <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region</strong></a> (SAGAR). It is an increasing recognition of the increasing importance of maritime security, maritime commons and cooperation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through SAGAR, India seeks to <strong>deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours </strong>and <strong>assist in building their maritime security capabilities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Information Fusion Centre for Indian Ocean Region</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Indian Navy</strong> set up the IFC-IOR in <strong>December 2018</strong> within the premises of the <strong>Information Management and Analysis Centre</strong> (IMAC) in Gurugram to track maritime movements in the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>IMAC is located in <strong>Gurugram</strong> and is the main centre of the Indian Navy for <strong>coastal surveillance and monitoring.</strong></li>
<li>IMAC is a <strong>joint initiative of Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Bharat Electronics Ltd</strong> and functions under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unified-commanders-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Security Adviser</strong></a> (NSA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>IFC is the<strong> single point centre linking all the coastal radar chains</strong> to generate a seamless real-time picture of the nearly 7,500 km coastline.</li>
<li><strong>France</strong> became the <strong>first country to deploy</strong> a LO at the IFC-IOR <strong>followed by the USA</strong> and several other countries including Australia, Japan and the UK have announced their intention to post LOs.</li>
<li>It <strong>coordinates with similar centres</strong> across the globe which include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Virtual Regional Maritime Traffic Centre (VRMTC)</li>
<li>Maritime Security Centre-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nobel-prize-for-peace-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Horn of Africa</strong></a> (MSCHOA)</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/recaap-isc-capacity-building-workshop" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery</strong> </a>(ReCAAP)</li>
<li>Information Fusion Centre-Singapore (IFC-SG)</li>
<li>International Maritime Bureau-Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB-PRC)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s engagement with the Western Indian Ocean will facilitate collective engagement with the islands there, which are becoming strategically significant.</li>
<li>Given China&rsquo;s growing presence in the region, India will be able to increase its naval presence and gain support for its maritime projects across the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s consultative, democratic and equitable leadership can help achieve the security and sustainable growth to all in the region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-looks-to-deploy-naval-liaisons-at-madagascar-abu-dhabi-for-information-exchange/article31828272.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5614,
		'category_id' => (int) 24,
		'title' => 'Phases of Indian Foreign Policy',
		'description' => '<h3></h3>
<p>The very structure of the international order is undergoing a profound transformation. This can be attributed by various geopolitical events.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>USA's unilateralism under America First policy.</li>
<li>Re-balancing of the global economy: The rise of China, India etc.</li>
<li>Return of old empires: Resurgence of Russia, Iran or Turkey.</li>
<li>Geopolitical Flux in the Middle East: Crisis in Syria &amp; Afghanistan, Reign of terrorism by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).</li>
<li>Africa which was earlier called the lost continent is now being called as the continent of hope.</li>
<li>Technology, connectivity and trade are now the new notions of power.</li>
<li>Climate change is a factor, contributing to geopolitics amongst others by the opening of an Arctic passage (a sea route from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic ocean, through the Arctic Ocean).</li>
</ul>
<p>In order to contemplate a challenging road ahead in this phase of geopolitical transformation, India can learn from its foreign policy since Independence.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575268958_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575268958_image2.jpg" width="537" height="302" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Indian foreign policy can be understood by dividing it into six broad phases:</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The first phase (1947-62): Optimistic Non-Alignment</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This period is marked with a setting of a bipolar world, with camps led by the United States and the USSR.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s objectives in this phase were to resist dilution of its sovereignty, rebuild its economy and consolidate its integrity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India was one of the first countries to be decolonized. Thus, it was natural for India to lead Asia and Africa in a quest for a more equitable world order.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In pursuit of this, India played a critical role in the establishment of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) (1961), which marked the peak of Third World solidarity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, the 1962 conflict with China not only brought this period to an end but in a manner that significantly damaged India&rsquo;s standing on NAM.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The second phase (1962-71): Decade of Realism and Recovery</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After the 1962 war, India made pragmatic choices on security and political challenges.</li>
<li>It looked beyond non-alignment in the interest of national security, concluding a now largely forgotten defence agreement with the US in 1964.</li>
<li>However, India faced external pressures on Kashmir (Tashkent agreement 1965) from the US and UK.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through Tashkent agreement both India and Pakistan agreed to withdraw all armed forces to pre-war positions, to restore diplomatic relations; and to discuss economic, refugee, and other questions.</li>
<li>However, the agreement did not contain a no-war pact or any renunciation of Pakistan's aggression in Kashmir (as Pakistan was an ally of the US).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore, India now started tilting towards USSR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The third phase (1971-91): Greater Indian Regional Assertion</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India showed remarkable use of hard power when it liberated Bangladesh in the India-Pakistan war in 1971.</li>
<li>However, it was a particularly complex phase as the US-China-Pakistan axis that came into being at this time seriously threatened India&rsquo;s prospects,as a regional power.</li>
<li>India also faced sanctions from US and it allies after conducting a Peaceful nuclear explosion test in 1974 (Pokhran I).</li>
<li>Further, the collapse of the USSR, India&rsquo;s close ally, and the economic crisis in 1991 compelled India to look again at the first principles of both domestic and foreign policy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The combination of events as diverse as the Gulf War (1991-1992), the break-up of USSR (1991), long standing economic stagnation and domestic turbulence came together in 1991, creating a balance of payment crisis in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The fourth phase (1991-98): Safeguarding Strategic Autonomy</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The emergence of a unipolar world (led by the USA), encouraged India to change its approach to world affairs.</li>
<li>This quest for strategic autonomy was particularly focused on securing its nuclear weapon option (Pokhran II 1998).</li>
<li>This is a period where India reached out to engage the US, Israel and ASEAN countries more intensively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>This fifth phase (1998-2013): India, a Balancing Power</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this period, India gradually acquired the attributes of a balancing power (against the rise of China).</li>
<li>It is reflected in the India-US nuclear deal (123 Agreement).</li>
<li>At the same time, India could also make common cause with China on climate change and trade, and consolidate further ties with Russia while helping to fashion BRICS into a major global forum.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The sixth phase (2013-until now): Energetic Engagement</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this phase of transitional geopolitics, India's policy of Non-Alignment has turned into Multi Alignment.</li>
<li>Moreover, India is now more aware of its own capabilities and the expectations that the world has of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>That India is among the major economies of the world is one factor.</li>
<li>The relevance of India&rsquo;s talent in creating and sustaining global technology is also likely to grow in time.</li>
<li>India's willingness to shape key global negotiations (such as conference in Paris on climate change) is equally significant.</li>
<li>India has been able to assert itself beyond South Asia, through its approach towards the Indian Ocean Region (SAGAR initiative) and the extended neighbourhood (Act East policy and Think West policy).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575269136_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1575269136_image1.jpg" width="535" height="301" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>The following lessons that can be learnt from this historical study of Indian foreign policy:</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Need for greater realism in policy: India needs to change the image of a reluctant power.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the phase of optimistic non-alignment (or even later), India's focus on diplomatic visibility sometimes led to an overlooking the harsher realities of hard security. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Discomfort with hard power can be reflected in the lack of adequate consultation with the military.</li>
<li>This led to an early misreading of Pakistan&rsquo;s and China's intentions (Indo-Pak war 1948 &amp; Sino-India war 1962), led to Gilgit-Baltistan &amp; part of Kashmir and Aksai Chin region now being under the effective control of Pakistan and China respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India realized that soft power diplomacy is not sufficient for protecting the country.</li>
<li>Therefore, the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff shows a step in the right direction.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Strong economy: An expansionary foreign policy cannot be built on the margins of the global economy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China's assertiveness today in international politics (reflected in the Belt and Road initiative) is derived from its economic power. Similar is the case for the rise of Asian &lsquo;tiger economies' (ASEAN countries) and Japan.</li>
<li>There is a need for India to build a strong economic foundation to fulfil the aspiration of global power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Multi alignment: Any quest to maximize options and expand space naturally requires engaging multiple players.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Today's world is characterized by complex interdependence (where countries are competing on geostrategic issues and cooperating on geo economic issues). Therefore, Indian foreign policy requires strategic hedging.</li>
<li>However, it is difficult to reconcile between Howdy Modi &amp; Mamallapuram (informal meeting of Indian Prime minister with US and Chinese counterparts respectively), RIC (Russia-India-China) &amp; JAI (Japan-America-India), Quad &amp; SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization), Iran &amp; Saudis and Israel &amp; Palestine.</li>
<li>Therefore, &ldquo;Hedging&rdquo; is going to be a delicate exercise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for Greater Risk: Low-risk foreign policy is only likely to produce limited rewards.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s emphasis on sovereignty has not prevented India from responding to human rights situations in its neighbourhood. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations undertaken in Yemen, Nepal, Iraq, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Fiji and Mozambique are statements of India&rsquo;s capability as much it is of India&rsquo;s responsibility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, India&rsquo;s enthusiasm for shaping global conversations on climate change, terrorism, connectivity and maritime security is already having an impact.</li>
<li>However, India needs to have more assertive participation in events of geopolitical significance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As Rabindranath Tagore declared, you can't cross the sea merely by standing and staring at the water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need for reading into things right: Foreign policy is all about dealing with global contradictions.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Foreign policy of all nations reflects an assessment of opportunities and compulsions, and of risks and rewards. Even a slight misreading of the larger landscape can prove costly. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, India going to the United Nations on Jammu &amp; Kashmir clearly misread the intent of the Anglo-American alliance then and of the seriousness of the Cold War. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India went to the United Nations, with a view that the international community will take notice of Pakistan&rsquo;s aggression on Kashmir.</li>
<li>However, the United Nations Security Council announced a ceasefire which created the PoK problem which we are still struggling to solve.</li>
<li>At the same time the occupation of Kashmir by Pakistan (PoK) also geographically separated India from the energy-rich Central Asian countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the 1960s, 1980s and again after 2001 (9/11 attack on the US), India grossly underestimated the relevance of Pakistan to American and Chinese global strategy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In present times, an appreciation of world politics must include a proper understanding of Sino-US contradictions, of growing multi-polarity, of weaker multilateralism, of larger economic and political rebalancing, of greater space for regional powers, and of a world of convergence.</li>
<li>A clearer definition of interests is, therefore, the next step.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>To conclude, in this phase of geopolitical transformation, India needs to follow an approach of working with multiple partners on different agendas. Therefore, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas is relevant in foreign policy.</p>',
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	(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5597,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'New Cold War',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/multilateralism-in-the-new-cold-war/article31734107.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Multilateralism in the new cold war&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 03/06/2020. It talks about the new cold war taking shape between the US and China.</p>
</div>
<p>China is soon to become the largest economy in the world. It&rsquo;s growth is based on technology, innovation and trade, which sought to balance U.S. military superiority, and has fueled the strategic rivalry between the two countries.</p>
<p>The rising tensions between the US and China have prompted many experts to warn of a new Cold War akin to the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War between the US and USSR</strong></a>.</p>
<p>In 2017, the US National Security Strategy called China as &ldquo;a revisionist power&rdquo; seeking &ldquo;to erode American security and prosperity&rdquo; and &ldquo;shape a world antithetical to U.S. values and interests&rdquo;. Also, China has been proactive in undermining the US hegemony on multiple fronts.</p>
<p>COVID-19 pandemic has further aggravated the deterioration of ties between the two countries. Thus, this new Cold War between China and the United States is a major geopolitical risk of the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</p>
<h3>Events Signaling a New Cold War</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>China has come out with alternative governance mechanisms to the U.S.-dominated International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization with its all-encompassing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative</strong> </a>and institutions like <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asia infrastructure investment bank</strong></a>, contingency reserve agreement (CRA) of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-annual-meeting-of-ndb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Development Bank</strong></a>.</li>
<li>For several decades, China&rsquo;s breakneck development under the relatively enlightened authoritarianism of Deng Xiaoping and his successors was seen positively in the United States. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, under Xi Jinping, China has evolved from a soft to a hard authoritarianism. There is now a president-for-life with a budding personality cult.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In order to contain rising China&rsquo;s assertiveness, the US under its &lsquo;pivot to Asia policy&rsquo; has launched a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3#:~:text=Quadrilateral%20Security%20Dialogue%20(Quad)%20is,prosperous%E2%80%9D%20Indo%2DPacific%20region.&amp;text=However%2C%20the%20idea%20couldn't,apparently%20due%20to%20Chinese%20pressure." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>quad initiative</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo pacific narrative</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most recently, the US proposed to expand G7 to G-11 without including China in it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s incremental &ldquo;salami slicing&rdquo; tactics in the South China Sea, first by land reclamation and then constructing artificial islands for extending extra-territorial claim, has seen sharp criticism from the US and its allies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is similar to the way dominance over the Caribbean enabled the United States to strategically control the Atlantic Ocean and thus, affect the balance of forces in the two world wars and a cold war.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>From Trade war to tensions over 5G telecommunications to currency wars, US-China confrontation is on multiple economic fronts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, the donor-recipient relationship between US and developing countries has weakened with China&rsquo;s pledge of $2-billion amid COVID-19 pandemic, thereby starting a new phase of donation diplomacy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Moreover, China perceives US support for Taiwan as an interference in its internal matters.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Differences Over Previous Cold War</h3>
<p>There are several key differences between the previous Cold War between the US &amp; Soviet Union and the Cold War between the US and China.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>No Ideological conflict:</strong> Cold War between the US and Soviet Union was a battle between two opposing ideologies viz. capitalism vs communism, whereas there is no such ideological conflict between US and China.</li>
<li><strong>No proxy conflicts:</strong> Previous Cold War was full of proxy conflicts between the US and Soviet Union like in Cuban missile crisis 1962, Soviet afghan war 1979-89, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, till now there are no proxy wars between the U.S. and China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multi-polar world:</strong> Today, the world is also not bipolar anymore. There are countries like Russia, India and Japan, which act as swing states,as they have a choice whether or not to align with the US or China.</li>
<li><strong>Economic interdependence:</strong> Unlike the US and Soviet Union, the economies of US and China are closely integrated through investments and markets in a hyper globalized world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Role of India</h3>
<p>India is a rising global power and citing its importance both the US and China sought to attract India in its camp. Foreign policy experts in the US argue India Is a Natural US Ally in the New Cold War. On the other hand Chinese&rsquo;s Ambassador in India has suggested writing &ldquo;together a new chapter&rdquo; with &ldquo;a shared future for mankind&rdquo;. In this context:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India can promote new multilateralism under the aegis of <strong>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-</strong> which relies on restructuring both the economic order and societal behaviour for equitable sustainable development.</li>
<li>India must take up intensified diplomacy with global powers so that Asian Century can be defined in terms of peaceful co-existence and global interest.</li>
<li>Apart from it, India Should acknowledge that national security now relies on technological superiority in artificial intelligence (AI), cyber and space, and not expensive capital equipment.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, India should become self sufficient in the domain of critical technologies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>As India joins the UN Security Council (non-permanent seat) and chairs the BRICS Summit and hosts the G-20 in 2022, the development will bring opportunity for India to assume leadership role and propose a new globalisation model based on humanity, fairness and equality has wide support in a more equal world rather than a world divided by Cold War.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1591791678_pasted%20image 0 (1).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1591791678_pasted image 0 (1).png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" 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: #edf3fc;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The rising tensions between the US and China is akin to the Cold War tensions between the US and USSR&rdquo;. Discuss the causes of the new cold war and role of India in the turbulent times.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MpTTDRHtaIA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/eca-amendment-apmc-mandis-farm-sector-6449257/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Unlocking The Fram&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on June 9<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5551,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Development In India-Africa Ties',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/africa-day-india-coronavirus-covid-19-6432071/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Drawing closer in crisis&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 29/05/2020. It talks about leveraging opportunities to develop India-Africa ties.</p>
</div>
<p>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-globalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic</a></strong> has been one of the worst humanitarian and economic crisis faced by the world, but its effects stand to be much more devastating, particularly for Africa, where economic and public health conditions are extremely vulnerable.</p>
<p>In the 21<sup>st</sup> century, Africa has transformed from a lost continent to a continent of hope. Subsequently, in recent years, Africa occupies a central place in the Indian government&rsquo;s foreign and economic policy.</p>
<p>In the context of the current crisis, India has demonstrated its willingness and capacity to shoulder more responsibility in cooperating with Africa to recover from the current crisis and lend support in its overall growth.</p>
<p>This may act as a testament to India&rsquo;s status as a responsible and reliable global stakeholder.</p>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Developmental Efforts in Africa</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Support in Fight Against Covid-19:</strong> Under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-s-visit-to-comoros-and-sierra-leone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>e-ITEC initiative</strong></a>, India has shared Covid-19 management strategies, training webinars exclusively aimed at training health-care professionals from Africa by Indian health experts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is also sending consignments of essential medicines, including <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-revokes-ban-on-export-of-hydroxychloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)</strong></a> and paracetamol, to many African countries in addition to doctors and paramedics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Political and Economic Engagement:</strong> In the last few years, Africa has been the focus of India&rsquo;s development assistance and also diplomatic outreach, as evident in plans to open 18 new embassies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, India-Africa trade reached $62 billion in 2018 compared to $39 billion during 2009-10.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s<strong> duty-free tariff preferential scheme</strong> for Least Developed Nation (LDCs) launched in 2008 has benefited 33 African states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Grants in Aid:</strong> After South Asia, Africa is the second-largest recipient of Indian overseas assistance with Lines of Credit (LOC) worth nearly $10 billion (nearly 40% of the total LOC globally) spread over 100 projects in 41 countries.</li>
<li><strong>Capacity Building via E-governance Initiative:</strong> India is investing in the capacity building providing more than $1 billion in technical assistance and training to personnel under the <strong>Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)</strong> program.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>40% of all training and capacity building slots under the ITEC programme has traditionally been reserved for Africa.</li>
<li>India has also invested $100 million in the<strong> Pan-African E-Network</strong> to bridge the digital divide in Africa, leveraging its strengths in information technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Security Cooperation:</strong> Approximately 6,000 Indian soldiers are deployed in UN <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-peacekeepers-in-south-sudan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>peace-keeping missions</strong></a> in conflict zones in Africa.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation on Multiple Fronts:</strong> Bilateral cooperation includes solar energy (Cooperation in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a>) development, information technology, cybersecurity, maritime security, disaster relief, counter-terrorism and military training.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Opportunities In India-Africa Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Addressing Food security:</strong> Agriculture and food security can also be a fulcrum for deepening ties. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Africa has a major chunk of the world&rsquo;s arable land but produces a very small percentage of the global agri-output.</li>
<li>India has proven expertise in the agriculture sector, being the top producer of much agricultural produce.</li>
<li>Thereby, India and Africa both can cooperate in ensuring food and nutritional security for each other.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Becoming Voice of Developing World:</strong> Just as India and Africa fought colonialism together, both can now collaborate together for a just, representative and democratic global order that has a voice for around one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and India.</li>
<li><strong>Combating Neo-Colonialism:</strong> China has been actively pursuing Chequebook and donation diplomacy in Africa.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, Chinese investment is seen as neo-colonial in nature as it focuses on money, political influence, hard-infrastructure projects and resource extraction.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s approach, on the other hand, is one that focuses on building local capacities and an equal partnership with Africans and not merely with African elites concerned.</li>
<li>In this context, though Africa has been actively engaged with China, it wants India to act as a balancer and net security provider.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enabling Strategic Convergence:&nbsp;</strong>Under the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong> </a>Plus initiative whereby the countries (US, India, Japan and Australia have recently engaged other countries such as South Korea, Vietnam, New Zealand, Israel and Brazil) exchanged views and proposed cooperation with select African countries about the Indian Ocean. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both India and Japan share a common interest in forging a partnership for Africa&rsquo;s development through the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/07-01-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asia-Africa Growth corridor</strong></a>.</li>
<li>In this context, India can leverage its global status to establish Africa on the strategic map of global politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preventing Global Rivalries:</strong> In recent years, several global economic players have strengthened their engagement with African states, with an eye to rising economic opportunities, including in energy, mining, infrastructure and connectivity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As global engagement in Africa increases, India and Africa can ensure that Africa does not once again turn into a theatre of rival ambitions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India has an intrinsic interest in helping Africa achieve progress. The spirit of &ldquo;developing together as equals&rdquo; defines this bilateral partnership. A resurging Africa and a rising India can give a strong impetus to <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-africa-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South-South Cooperation</a></strong>, especially when it comes to addressing challenges in areas like clean technology, climate-resilient agriculture, maritime security, connectivity, and Blue economy.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1591358475_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1591358475_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="701" height="472" /></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: #fff1eb;">
<p><span style="color: #0000ff;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;The pandemic is a colossal challenge but it may create fresh opportunities to bring India and Africa closer together&rdquo; Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oCt55UfH1XY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/seven-to-eleven-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-and-g-7/article31742517.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Seven to eleven: On India and G-7&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on June 4<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5545,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Australia Virtual Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Prime Ministers of<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India and Australia</strong></a> held their <strong>first virtual bilateral summit</strong> and both <strong>concluded nine agreements</strong> including the <strong>Comprehensive Strategic Partnership</strong> (CSP) and the <strong>Mutual Logistics Support Agreement</strong> (MLSA).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The two leaders are expected to meet in person at the extended <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposed-expansion-of-g7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G-7 summit</strong></a> which will be held in the USA later in 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Agreements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Comprehensive Strategic Partnership:</strong> Upgradation of the existing<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-us-2-2-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 2+2 dialogue</strong></a> to the Ministerial level, elevating the <strong>2009 bilateral Strategic Partnership</strong> to a <strong>CSP.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India already has a<strong> 2+2 ministerial-level dialogues</strong> mechanism with the USA and Japan, the other members of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quadrilateral grouping</strong> </a>(QUAD).</li>
<li><strong>India has signed CSPs with</strong> the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) thus far, while<strong> Australia has CSPs with</strong> China, Indonesia and Singapore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mutual Logistics Support Agreement:</strong> Both sides agreed to continue to deepen and broaden <strong>defence cooperation</strong> by enhancing the scope and complexity of their military exercises and engagement activities to develop new ways to address shared security challenges.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will <strong>increase military interoperability</strong> through defence exercises and allow both militaries the reciprocal use of bases, humanitarian and disaster relief cooperation, port exercises and passage exercises.</li>
<li><strong>India has such agreements with</strong> the USA <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-us-2-plus-2-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement-LEMOA)</strong></a>, France, Singapore and South Korea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint declaration on &lsquo;Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific&rsquo;:</strong> The two sides announced a roadmap to harness opportunities and meet challenges together as <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>comprehensive strategic partners.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA):</strong> The two sides decided to recommence suspended talks over the <strong>India-Australia CECA</strong> which has been suspended since 2015.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This move comes in the wake of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-exits-rcep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India opting out</strong></a> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN</strong></a>-<strong>led <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/3rd-rcep-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership</a></strong> (RCEP).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Australia-India Strategic Research Fund</strong> to promote innovative solutions for responding to and treating <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> as well as other jointly determined priorities, to be preceded by a one-off <strong>Special Covid Collaboration Round in 2020.</strong></li>
<li>Both sides have decided to reflect on the recommendations of the ongoing evaluation of the international response over the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation&rsquo;s</strong></a> (WHO) role in dealing with the Covid-19 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both countries will work together to <strong>strengthen international institutions</strong> to ensure they are <strong>inclusive and rules-based.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Framework arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-enabled critical technology cooperation:</strong> Work together in the digital economy, cybersecurity and critical and emerging technologies.</li>
<li><strong>Agreement on agriculture and related activities:</strong> Agriculture was identified as an important pillar of both the economies with shared challenges and climatic conditions.</li>
<li><strong>Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on mining and processing critical and strategic minerals:</strong> Cooperate<strong> on new technologies for exploration and extraction of minerals</strong> including Australian rare earth metals used for electronics, governance, vocational training and water management.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Untouched Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tensions between India and China</strong> </a>over the <strong>standoff at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aksai-chin" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Line of Actual Control</a></strong> (LAC) and Australia-China tensions over trade issues and differences over the handling of the pandemic.</li>
<li>There were no discussions on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/australia-to-be-included-in-malabar-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>including Australia in Malabar exercise.</strong></a></li>
<li>Both leaders had no discussions on<strong> the RCEP,</strong> even though earlier Australia had expressed hope that India would reconsider joining the trade agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Shared values, shared interests, shared geography and shared objectives</strong> are the bedrock of deepening India-Australia ties and the cooperation and coordination between the two countries have picked up momentum in recent years.</li>
<li>Both India and Australia share a vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region and cooperative use of the seas by adherence to international law including the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones#:~:text=United%20Nations%20Convention%20on%20the,EEZ)%20and%20the%20High%20Seas." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea</strong> </a>(UNCLOS) and peaceful resolution of disputes rather than through unilateral or coercive actions.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/glad-to-be-joining-the-first-india-australia-virtual-summit-pm-modi/article31745133.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5538,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Australia to be Included in Malabar Exercise',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India is prepared to expand the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-malabar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Malabar exercise</strong></a> to also include Australia.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and Australia</strong> are soon to be holding a <strong>virtual summit</strong> for better cooperation and strengthening bilateral ties.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Malabar Exercise</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> annual trilateral naval exercise</strong> between the navies of<strong> India, Japan, and the USA</strong> which is held <strong>alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.</strong></li>
<li>It began as a bilateral <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-8th-september-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">naval exercise</a> between <strong>India and the USA in 1992</strong> and was expanded into a trilateral format with the<strong> inclusion of Japan in 2015.</strong></li>
<li>Other exercises between India and Australia are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pitch-black" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pitch Black</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-26th-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>AUSINDEX</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Despite regular requests from Australia, <strong>India resisted</strong> issuing the invitation due to its concerns that the move would give the<strong> appearance of a &lsquo;quadrilateral military alliance&rsquo; aimed at China.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-China tensions</strong></a> over the situation at the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aksai-chin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Line of Actual Control</strong></a> (LAC) may have brought more flexibility to the decision making process.</li>
<li>India is already a member of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong></a> and attended the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quadrilateral Security Dialogue</strong></a> held in November 2019.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Quad is the <strong>informal strategic dialogue between India, the USA, Japan and Australia</strong> with a shared objective to ensure and support a free, open and prosperous&rdquo; Indo-Pacific region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Focus of the Virtual Summit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both countries have a shared approach to a free, open, inclusive and prosperous <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific</strong></a> which leads to a convergence of mutual interest in many areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening of defence ties.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A broader <strong>maritime cooperation agreement</strong> with a focus on <strong>Maritime Domain Awareness</strong> (MDA) is also in the works.</li>
<li>Australia has agreed to post a <strong>Liaison Officer</strong> at the Indian Navy&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/information-fusion-centre-of-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region</strong></a> (IFC-IOR) at Gurugram.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Expected conclusion on <strong>Mutual Logistics Support Agreement</strong> (MLSA) to elevate the strategic partnership between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-australia-relations-april-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Australia.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>MLSA would allow reciprocal use of each other&rsquo;s military bases for exchange of fuel and provisions to simplify logistical support and improve operational turnaround.</li>
<li>India has <strong>similar logistics support agreement with the USA</strong> named <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-us-2-plus-2-talks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement</strong></a> (LEMOA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Australia was the first country to submit a draft MLSA after <strong>India signed the first such agreement with the USA in 2016.</strong></li>
<li>Initially, it was to be signed in 2019 and then in January 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The events got postponed due to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/australian-bushfire" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Australian forest fires</strong></a> and then <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>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The two nations are at <strong>very different levels of development</strong> so there can be converging and diverging interests. Therefore, the future must be woven around the three pillars, which are <strong>economic relationship, geostrategic congruence</strong> and <strong>people-to-people ties</strong> and the glue that can bind this is a sustained momentum.</li>
<li>India and Australia are wary of <strong>China&rsquo;s assault</strong> on maritime security and freedom of navigation<strong> in the Indo-Pacific region.</strong> Inclusion of Australia in Malabar exercise along with strengthening the idea of &lsquo;Quad&rsquo; can therefore promote rule-based, open, free and inclusive Indo-Pacific.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-open-to-including-australia-in-malabar-naval-exercise/article31740876.ece#:~:text=India%20is%20prepared%20to%20expand,defence%20officials%20told%20The%20Hindu." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5533,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'MoU between India and Bhutan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with <strong>Bhutan</strong> for<strong> cooperation in the field of environment protection and management of natural resources.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The MoU will enable<strong> establishment and promotion</strong> of closer and long-term cooperation in <strong>environment protection and management of natural resources</strong> on the basis of <strong>equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits,</strong> taking into account the laws and legal provisions in each country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)</strong></a> of India and the <strong>National Environment Commission (NEC)</strong> of the Government of Bhutan in 2013.</li>
<li>This MoU expired in 2016.</li>
<li>Noting the benefits of the earlier MoU, both sides have decided to continue cooperation and collaboration in the field of environment to strengthen the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/indo-bhutan-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Bhutan relationship</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Details of the New MoU:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Time Period:</strong> The MoU shall enter into force on the date of signature and shall continue to remain in force for a period of ten years.</li>
<li><strong>Areas of Cooperation: Air, Waste, Chemical Management, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Climate Change</a> and Any other areas jointly decided upon.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Exchange of Best Practices:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The MoU shall facilitate <strong>exchange of experiences, best practices and technical knowledge</strong> through both<strong> public and private sectors</strong> and <strong>research institutions</strong> for sustainable development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Working Group:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides for joint projects in areas of mutual interest.</li>
<li>It provides for<strong> holding of Joint Working Group / bilateral meetings</strong> to review and <strong>analyze the progress of activities</strong> and keeping their respective ministries/agencies, duly informed of progress and achievements.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indo-Bhutan Relationship<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1591266071_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1591266071_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1949</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Treaty provides for, among other things, perpetual peace and friendship, free trade and commerce and equal justice to each other&rsquo;s citizens.</li>
<li>In 2007 the treaty was re-negotiated, and provisions were included to encourage Bhutan&rsquo;s sovereignty, abolishing the need to take India&rsquo;s guidance on foreign policy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both of them share multilateral forums such as <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</strong></a>,<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-bangladesh-relationship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal)</strong></a>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation)</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hydropower Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This hydropower cooperation comes<strong> under the 2006 Agreement on Cooperation in Hydropower.</strong> Under a protocol to this agreement, India has agreed to assist Bhutan in the development of a minimum of 10,000 MW of hydropower and import of surplus electricity from the same by 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The trade between the two countries is governed by the<strong> India Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement 1972</strong> which was last renewed in November 2016.</li>
<li>The agreement <strong>establishes a free-trade regime between the two countries</strong> and also provides for duty-free transit of Bhutanese exports to third countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is Bhutan&rsquo;s leading development partner. Since the launch of the First Five Year Plan of Bhutan in 1961, India has been extending financial support to Bhutan&rsquo;s FYPs. India has allotted Rs 4500 crore to Bhutan&rsquo;s 12<sup>th</sup> FYP (2018-23).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Educational and Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A large number of college going Bhutanese students study in India. The Government of India provides a number of scholarships to Bhutanese students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Environment and natural resources are the vital areas to bring sustainable development for both the countries. Being neighbours, it is necessary that both nations continuously recognise the value of their rich resources and must work towards bringing environmental sustainability through mutual collaborations. This would further facilitate the Indo-Bhutan relationship towards peace and development.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1629035" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5501,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Violation of Armistice Agreement: UNC',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>United Nations Command</strong> (UNC) has found both North and South Korea guilty of violating the <strong>Korean Armistice Agreement 1953</strong> due to gunfire along the<strong> Korean Demilitarised Zone</strong> (DMZ) between the two countries.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Command</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>USA &shy;led</strong> UNC is a <strong>unified command</strong> for the multinational military forces.</li>
<li>It<strong> oversees affairs in the heavily fortified DMZ</strong> and ensures the terms of the armistice are being agreed upon by both North Korea and South Korea.</li>
<li>It was established on <strong>24<sup>th</sup> July 1950 in Tokyo, Japan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The UNC led a <strong>multinational special investigation</strong> regarding the recent shootings at DMZ whose findings have <strong>not been accepted by South Korea</strong> owing to <strong>non-cooperation by North Korea</strong> in the investigations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Investigations had been <strong>unable to determine</strong> whether the shootings that originated from North Korea had been intentional.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The shooting also violates the<strong> Pyongyang Joint Declaration of September 2018,</strong> an<strong> inter-Korean military agreement,</strong> which calls for reduced military tensions between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Korean Armistice Agreement 1953</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The armistice agreement <strong>halted the Korean War of 1950-53</strong> and established the <strong>Korean Demilitarized Zone</strong> (DMZ), the<strong> current border</strong> between the two nations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has played a major role in the cease-fire agreement, strengthening <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/prime-ministers-visit-to-south-korea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-South Korea relations.</strong></a></li>
<li>The DMZ runs close to the <strong>38<sup>th</sup> parallel line.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The armistice was signed on<strong> 27<sup>th</sup> July 1953</strong> and was designed to ensure a complete cessation of hostilities and of all acts of armed force in Korea until a final peaceful settlement is achieved.</li>
<li>It was signed by representatives of the UNC, Korean People&rsquo;s Army (KPA) and the Chinese People&rsquo;s Volunteer Army (PVA).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>South Korea did not sign</strong> the armistice as it refused to accept it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It was only a ceasefire and there was no official declaration of the end of the war so in the absence of an official peace treaty, as is the norm, <strong>the two countries officially remain at war.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in<strong> December 1991,</strong> North and South Korea <strong>signed a pact</strong> agreeing to refrain from aggression.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1591008237_image8.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1591008237_image8.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="465" height="768" /></a></p>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Both North and South Korea should work towards improving their relations and seek a potential resolution of the situation by bilateral talks and discussions possibly leading to a peace treaty which would end the Korean war formally. Denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and USA removing its nuclear-capable forces from South Korea is a prerequisite for ensuring balance, peace, mutual cooperation and growth.</span></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-un-command-found-north-and-south-korea-in-violation-of-armistice-agreement-at-border-6435634/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5490,
		'category_id' => (int) 27,
		'title' => 'Year End Review 2019: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy',
		'description' => '<h3>Important Schemes and Policies</h3>
<p><strong>Nationally Determined Contributions as per the Paris Accord</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As a part of Nationally Determined Contributions as per the Paris Accord on Climate Change, India has made a pledge that by 2030, 40% of our installed power generation capacity shall be from non-fossil fuel sources and also by 2030, reduce emission intensity of GDP by 33-35 % from 2005 level.</li>
<li>Economic growth, increasing prosperity, a growing rate of urbanisation and rising per capita energy consumption has increased the energy demand of the country.</li>
<li>In 2015, India decided that 175 GW of renewable energy capacity will be installed by the year 2022. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes 100 GW from solar, 60 GW from wind, 10 GW from biomass and 5 GW from small hydro power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The substantial higher capacity target will ensure greater energy security, improved energy access and enhanced employment opportunities.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-website-of-ministry-of-new-and-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The scheme covers grid-connected Renewable Energy power plants (0.5 &ndash; 2 MW)/ Solar water pumps/ grid connected agriculture pumps.</li>
<li>Components of the scheme-<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Installation of 10,000 MW of Decentralized Ground Mounted Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Plants by farmers of 500 kW to 2 MW capacity within 5 km distance from sub-station primarily on barren/uncultivable land.</li>
<li>Installation of standalone off-grid solar water pumps to fulfil irrigation needs of farmers not connected to grid.</li>
<li>Solarization of existing grid-connected agriculture pumps to make farmers independent of grid supply and also sell surplus solar power generated to Discom and get extra income.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Scheme for Development of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a scheme to develop Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Power Parks (UMREPPs) under the existing Solar Park Scheme.</li>
<li>The objective of the UMREPP is to provide land upfront to the project developer and facilitate transmission infrastructure for developing Renewable Energy (RE) based Power Parks with solar/wind/hybrid and also with storage systems.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-of-grid-connected-rooftop-solar-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar (RTS) Programme</strong></a></p>
<p>The union cabinet has approved Phase-II of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar Programme for achieving a cumulative capacity of <strong>40,000 MW from Rooftop Solar Projects by the year 2022.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In grid-connected rooftop or small Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) system, the DC power generated from the SPV panel is converted to AC power using the power conditioning unit and is fed to the grid.</li>
<li>The major objective of the programme includes: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To promote the grid-connected SPV rooftop and small SPV power generating plants among the residential, community, institutional, industrial and commercial establishments.</li>
<li>To mitigate the dependence on fossil fuel based electricity generation and encourage environment-friendly Solar electricity generation.</li>
<li>To create an enabling environment for investment in the solar energy sector by the private sector, state government and the individuals.</li>
<li>To create an enabling environment for the supply of solar power from rooftop and small plants to the grid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential#:~:text=A%20Solar%2DWind%20Hybrid%20policy,resources%2C%20transmission%20infrastructure%20and%20land." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The main objective of the National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy, 2018 is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected wind-solar PV hybrid system for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources, transmission infrastructure and land.</li>
<li>The wind - solar PV hybrid systems will help in reducing the variability in renewable power generation and achieving better grid stability.</li>
<li>The policy also aims to encourage new technologies, methods and way-outs involving combined operation of wind and solar PV plants.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Offshore Wind Energy Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Offshore wind energy policy was notified in October 2015 with an objective to develop the offshore wind energy in the Indian <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones#:~:text=Exclusive%20Economic%20Zone%20(EEZ)%3A,200%20nm%20from%20its%20baselines." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)</strong></a> along the Indian coastline of 7600 km.</li>
<li>Eight zones are identified each in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu having cumulative offshore wind energy potential of 70 GW.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Exclusive Economic Zone</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Each coastal State may claim an EEZ beyond and adjacent to its territorial sea that extends seaward up to 200 nm from its baselines.</li>
<li>Within its EEZ, a coastal state has:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, conserving and managing natural resources, whether living or nonliving, of the seabed and subsoil.</li>
<li>Rights to carry out activities like the production of energy from the water, currents and wind.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Unlike the territorial sea and the contiguous zone, the EEZ only allows for the above-mentioned resource rights. It does not give a coastal state the right to prohibit or limit freedom of navigation or overflight, subject to very limited exceptions.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Maritime Zones</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1590839734_1577089572_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1590839734_1577089572_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="670" height="378" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><strong>Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Phase II of Atal Jyoti Yojana (AJAY) was launched.</li>
<li>Phase I of AJAY scheme was launched in September 2016 for the installation of solar street lighting (SSL) systems in states with less than 50% households covered with grid power (as per Census 2011).</li>
<li><strong>The AJAY scheme provides solar street lighting (SSL) systems for public use.</strong> These public uses include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lighting roads and intersections in remote, rural and semi-urban areas that do not have adequate lighting and lighting at bus stops, public conveniences and market places.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>International Engagement</h3>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa#:~:text=The%20second%20assembly%20of%20the,financial%20and%20programme%20related%20issues." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Second Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA)</strong></a></p>
<p>The Ministry hosted the second assembly of International Solar Alliance (ISA) on 30th and 31<sup>st</sup> October 2019, New Delhi.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Assembly is the supreme decision making body of the ISA, and gives directions on various administrative, financial and programme related issues.</li>
<li>India (represented by the Minister for New and Renewable Energy and Power) is the President and France is the Co-President of the ISA Assembly.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ISA, is an Indian initiative that was launched by the Prime Minister of India and the President of France on 30<sup>th</sup> November 2015 in Paris, 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 (COP-21)</strong></a>, with 121 solar resource rich countries lying fully or partially between the tropic of Cancer and tropic of Capricorn as prospective members.</li>
<li>The overarching objective of the ISA is to collectively address key common challenges to the scaling up of solar energy in ISA member countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Read TTP on Solar Energy</strong></a></p>
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5488,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'One Sun One World One Grid',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Government of India has called for bids to roll-out the<strong> &lsquo;One Sun One World One Grid&rsquo;</strong> (OSOWOG) plan.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The plan focuses on a framework for <strong>facilitating global cooperation,</strong> building a <strong>global ecosystem of interconnected renewable energy resources</strong> (mainly <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>solar energy</strong></a>) that can be seamlessly shared.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> vision</strong> behind the OSOWOG is <strong>&lsquo;The Sun Never Sets&rsquo;</strong> and is a constant at some geographical location, globally, at any given point of time.</li>
<li>This is by far<strong> one of the most ambitious schemes undertaken by any country</strong> and is of global significance in terms of sharing economic benefits.</li>
<li>It has been taken up under the<strong> technical assistance program of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a>.</strong></li>
<li>OSOWOG plan may also<strong> leverage the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Solar Alliance</a></strong> (ISA), co-founded by India that has 67 countries as members.</li>
<li>With<strong> India in the middle,</strong> the solar spectrum can easily be divided into<strong> two broad zones,</strong> which are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Far East</strong> including countries like Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Lao, Cambodia etc.</li>
<li><strong>Far West</strong> covering the Middle East and the Africa Region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three Phases of the Plan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>First Phase:</strong> It deals with the <strong>Middle East, South Asia and South-East Asia</strong> (MESASEA) interconnection.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fostering cross-border energy trade is an important part of India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Neighbourhood-first policy</strong></a>.</li>
<li>India has been supplying power to Bangladesh and Nepal and has been championing a <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) electricity grid minus Pakistan to meet electricity demand in the region.</li>
<li>The initial plans also involve setting up an <strong>under-sea link</strong> to connect with <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/arab-world-s-longest-serving-ruler-passes-away" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oman</a> </strong>in the West.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Second Phase:</strong> It deals with the MESASEA grid getting<strong> interconnected with the African power pools.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Third Phase:</strong> It is about <strong>global interconnection.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The proposed integration would lead to<strong> reduced project costs, higher efficiencies and increased asset utilization</strong> for all the participating entities.</li>
<li>This plan will <strong>require only incremental investment</strong> because it will not require a parallel grid infrastructure due to working with existing grids.</li>
<li>It will help all the participating entities in <strong>attracting investments</strong> in renewable energy sources as well as utilizing skills, technology and finances.</li>
<li>Resulting economic benefits would <strong>positively impact</strong> poverty alleviation and support in mitigating water, sanitation, food and other socio-economic challenges.</li>
<li>It will allow <strong>national renewable energy management centres in India to grow</strong> as regional and global management centres.</li>
<li>This move, during the time of 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>, gives <strong>India</strong> the opportunity to be seen as <strong>taking a lead in evolving global strategies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Backdrops:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is already expediting ISA's plan to set up the<strong> World Solar Bank</strong> (WSB) with a capital of USD 10 billion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>WSB aims to compete with other newly created funding institutions like the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank</strong></a> (AIIB) and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-annual-meeting-of-ndb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Development Bank</strong></a> (NDB).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA&rsquo;s withdrawal</strong></a> from the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cop24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris climate deal</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>OSOWOG will help to <strong>mitigate its ill effects on climate</strong> by providing clean and renewable energy sources, enabling member countries to fulfill their <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/11-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nationally Determined Contributions</strong></a> (NDCs) towards reducing global warming.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s attempts to co-opt countries into its<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> One Belt One Road</strong></a> (OBOR) initiative, a programme to invest billions of dollars in infrastructure projects, including railways, ports and power grids, across Asia, Africa and Europe.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>OSOWOG will provide a <strong>strategic rebalance in favour of India</strong> and will <strong>control the increasing Chinese dominance</strong> in Asian subcontinent, providing a<strong> better alternative</strong> to developing countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move is the <strong>key to future renewable-based energy systems globally</strong> because regional and international interconnected green grids can enable sharing and balancing of renewable energy across international borders.</li>
<li>It allows<strong> grabbing opportunities to learn quickly from global developments</strong> and share renewable energy resources to <strong>reduce the global carbon footprint and insulate the societies from pandemics.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.livemint.com/industry/energy/india-answer-to-china-belt-and-road-initiative-one-sun-one-world-one-grid-11590634870755.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: Livemint</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5483,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'WHO Foundation',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong></a> has created a foundation that will enable it to tap new sources of funding, including the general public.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Status:</strong> Legally independent from the WHO. This will facilitate contributions from the general public (philanthropic contributions).</li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong> Geneva, Switzerland (WHO is also headquartered in Geneva).</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> Support global public health needs, from prevention, mental health, and non-communicable diseases to emergency preparedness, outbreak response and health system strengthening.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In view of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, the WHO Foundation will initially focus on <strong>emergencies and pandemic response.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Goal:</strong> Broaden WHO&rsquo;s donor base and work towards more sustainable and predictable funding.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will provide funds to WHO and trusted implementing partners in order to achieve WHO&rsquo;s<strong> &ldquo;triple billion&rdquo;</strong> goals. These goals aim to: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Protect:</strong> Protect 1 billion people from health emergencies.</li>
<li><strong>Universal Health Coverage:</strong> Extend universal health coverage to 1 billion people.</li>
<li><strong>Health and Wellbeing:</strong> Assure healthy lives and wellbeing to 1 billion people by 2023.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promising Initiative:</strong> The success of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-g20-leaders-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund</strong></a>, which has been able to raise around 214 million USD from more than 4,00,000 individuals and companies in just two and a half months highlights the <strong>potential this &ldquo;foundation&rdquo; can have in tapping financial resources.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>WHO has little discretion over the way it spends its funds. A <strong>robust and more reliable funding mechanism</strong> was needed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Less than 20% of WHO&rsquo;s budget comes in the form of flexible assessed contributions from Member States, while more than 80% is voluntary contributions, from Member States and other donors, which are <strong>usually tightly earmarked for specific programmes.</strong> In effect, that means WHO has little discretion over the way it spends its funds.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WHO&rsquo;s Funding:</strong> There are four kinds of contributions that make up funding for the WHO.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Assessed Contributions:</strong> These are the dues countries pay in order to be a member of the Organization. The amount each Member State must pay is calculated relative to the country&rsquo;s wealth and population.</li>
<li><strong>Specified Voluntary Contributions:</strong> They come from Member States (in addition to their assessed contribution) or from other partners.</li>
<li><strong>Core Voluntary Contributions:</strong> They allow less well-funded activities to benefit from a better flow of resources and ease implementation bottlenecks that arise when immediate financing is lacking.</li>
<li><strong>Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Contributions:</strong> They were started in 2011 to improve and strengthen the sharing of influenza viruses with human pandemic potential, and to increase the access of developing countries to vaccines and other pandemic related supplies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It can be noted that recently the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-halts-its-who-funding" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United States stopped its contributions to WHO</strong></a>, pending a review of its response to the initial Covid-19 outbreak.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Over the past few decades, the WHO has been the <strong>global leader</strong> in numerous pandemics and outbreaks, including HIV/AIDS, Zika and Ebola. <strong>Historical experiences and a strong understanding of cultural contexts</strong> puts WHO in a prime position of a global leader to tackle coronavirus pandemic.</li>
<li><strong>Additional funding</strong> can help the agency invest in some of its least funded areas such as diet, air quality, water and sanitation, investment in clean energy and promotion of healthy, sustainable food systems.</li>
<li>In this context, the establishment of this new funding mechanism offers a promise of building a better world after this pandemic. A world with focus on not just diseases but that on <strong>promoting good health.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/world/who-creates-foundation-to-tap-new-funding-sources-11590595831016.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: Livemint</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5409,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>second Addendum to the Protocol</strong> on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-connects-bangladesh-and-bhutan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inland Water Transit and Trade</strong></a> was signed between India and Bangladesh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Protocol will further facilitate the trade between two countries with<strong> improved reliability</strong> and<strong> cost effectiveness.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Protocol on Transit and Trade:</strong> Bangladesh and India have a long standing and time-tested Protocol on Transit and Trade through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/use-of-waterways-for-reducing-transportation-cost" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>inland waterways</strong></a>. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This Protocol was first signed in 1972.</li>
<li>It was last renewed in 2015 for five years with a provision for its automatic renewal for a further period of five years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Second Addendum to the Protocol:</strong> The second addendum includes new <strong>Indo Bangladesh Protocol (IBP)</strong> routes and declaration of new Ports of Call to facilitate trade between the two countries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Routes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per the Protocol on<strong> Inland Water Transit and Trade,</strong> inland vessels of one country can transit through the specified routes of the other country. Under the Protocol, 50:50 cargo sharing by Indian and Bangladeshi vessels is permitted both for transit and inter country trade.</li>
<li>The number of <strong>IBP</strong> routes has been<strong> increased from 8 to 10.</strong></li>
<li>Inclusion of <strong>Sonamura-Daudkandi stretch of Gumti river</strong> in the Protocol will improve the <strong>connectivity of Tripura</strong> and adjoining States with Indian and Bangladesh's economic centres.</li>
<li>The operationalization of <strong>Rajshahi-Dhulian-Rajshahi Route</strong> and its<strong> extension up to Aricha, Bangladesh</strong> will help the augmentation of infrastructure in Bangladesh. It will also decongest the Land Custom Stations on both sides.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Port of Call:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A port of call is an<strong> intermediate port</strong> where ships customarily stop for supplies, repairs, or transshipment of cargo.</li>
<li>There were six Ports of Call each in India and Bangladesh under the Protocol. These are Kolkata, Haldia, Pandu, Karimganj, Silghat and Dhubari in India and Narayanganj, Khulan, Mongla, Sirajganj, Ashuganj and Pangaon in Bangladesh.</li>
<li><strong>Five new ports of call:</strong> Dhulian, Maia, Kolaghat, Sonamura and Jogigopha are on the Indian side while Rajshahi, Sultanganj, Chilmari, Daudkandi and Bahadurabad are on the Bangladesh side.</li>
<li><strong>Two extended Ports of Call</strong> i.e. Tribeni (Bandel), West Bengal and Badarpur, Assam on Indian side and Ghorasal and Muktarpur on the Bangladesh side.</li>
<li>Inclusion of <strong>Jogighopa</strong> in India and<strong> Bahadurabad</strong> in Bangladesh will provide connectivity to Meghalaya, Assam and Bhutan.</li>
<li>Multimodal Logistics Park is proposed to be established in Jogighopa.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Movement on shallow draft mechanized vessels:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It would introduce trade between <strong>Chilmari (Bangladesh) and Dhubri (India)</strong> through the use of shallow draft mechanized vessels.</li>
<li>This would allow export of stone chips and other Bhutanese and North East cargo to Bangladesh.</li>
<li>It would give an easy access for the traders to the hinterland of Bangladesh, enhancing the local economy in Bangladesh and the lower Assam region of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New opportunities on cargo movement:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under this Protocol, Inland vessels of both the countries can work on the designated protocol route and dock, notified for loading/unloading of cargo.</li>
<li>The Indian transit cargo is mainly<strong> coal, fly-ash, Over Dimensional Cargo (ODC)</strong> for power projects in North East region.</li>
<li>The other potential cargo for movement is fertilizers, cement, food grains, agricultural products, containerized cargo etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1625342" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5400,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'India’s Afghan Policy and Taliban',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/getting-india-back-to-the-afghan-high-table/article31609810.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Getting India back to the Afghan high table&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 18/05/2020. It talks about the need to recalibrate India&rsquo;s Afghan policy, as the Taliban takes the central role in Afghanistan politics.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the United Nations Secretariat held a meeting of the <strong>&ldquo;6+2+1&rdquo; group on regional efforts to support peace in Afghanistan.</strong> This group includes six neighbouring countries: China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan; two global players the United States and Russia, and Afghanistan itself.</p>
<p>However, <strong>India has not been invited to this peace process.</strong> The reason given for keeping India out of this regional discussions is that India holds no &ldquo;boundary&rdquo; with Afghanistan. However, the &ldquo;6+2+1&rdquo; grouping ignored India&rsquo;s stand that its territory borders Afghanistan (along Wakhan Corridor) and is currently under Pakistan&rsquo;s illegal occupation.</p>
<p>Despite all the development work taken up by India in Afghanistan over the past 18 years since the Taliban were ousted from Kabul in 2001, it finds itself on the margins of international diplomacy in Afghanistan.</p>
<p>In this context, there is a need for India to recalibrate its Afghan policy, in order to secure its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-interest-in-iran-afganistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>strategic and economic interest</strong></a>.</p>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Voice in the Afghan&rsquo;s Reconciliation Process</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the past, due to terror activities of the Taliban, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India has been very critical of the Taliban</strong></a> coming into power and shown resistance to publicly dealing with the Taliban.</li>
<li>Under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-taliban-peace-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-Taliban peace deal</strong></a>, the Taliban will be in the centre of power in Afghanistan, as the US forces withdraw from Afghanistan.</li>
<li>In the present scenario, India has never announced its support for the U.S.-Taliban peace deal. Rather, India supports the Ashraf Ghani government and backs the idea of an <strong>Afghan-led, Afghan-owned, and Afghan-controlled process.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, in order to provide legitimacy to recently held Afgan president elections, Ashraf Ghani entered into a power-sharing agreement with former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah.</li>
<li>This agreement will inevitably further weaken Ashraf Ghani and subsequently undermines Indian interest in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Due to these factors, India&rsquo;s voice in the reconciliation process has been limited.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Interest in Afghanistan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic and Strategic Interest:</strong> Afghanistan is a gateway to the oil and mineral-rich Central Asian republics.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Afghanistan's main advantage is its geography, as anyone who is in power in Afghanistan controls the land routes connecting India with Central Asia (via Afghanistan).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Developmental Projects:</strong> The massive reconstruction plans for the country to offer a lot of opportunities for Indian companies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Three major projects: the Afghan Parliament, the Zaranj-Delaram Highway, and the Afghanistan-India Friendship Dam (Salma Dam), along with India&rsquo;s assistance of more than $3 billion in projects, hundreds of small development projects (of schools, hospitals and water projects) have cemented India&rsquo;s position in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Security Interest:</strong> India has been the victim of state-sponsored terrorism emanating from Pakistan supported terrorist group operating in the region (e,g. Haqqani network). Thus, India has two priorities in Afghanistan:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>to prevent Pakistan from setting up a friendly government in Afghanistan, and</li>
<li>to avoid the return of jihadi groups, like al Qaeda, which could strike in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Ahead</h3>
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Dilemma</strong></p>
<p>Due to the Taliban&rsquo;s coming to power, India faces a dilemma, between:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Should India reconsider its current policy that a lasting political settlement in Afghanistan must come through an<strong> &ldquo;Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan controlled process''</strong> (considering that the elected Afghan Government is hardly in control of the peace process).</li>
<li>Should India, consider the option of entering into <strong>direct talks with the Taliban.</strong> But, If India does so, it would constitute a major departure from its consistent policy of dealing only with recognised governments.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dent in India&rsquo;s Goodwill</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The building blocks of India's goodwill are assistance in infrastructure projects, health care, education, trade and food security, and also in the easy access to Afghani citizens to study, train and work in India.</li>
<li>Above all, it is India&rsquo;s example as a pluralistic, inclusive democracy, inspires many in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>However, there has been a dent in India&rsquo;s goodwill, due to recent events in India, especially the controversy over the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/citizenship-amendment-act-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019</strong></a>.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Exclusion of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has been excluded from the Afghanistan peace process many times including the recent meeting (6+2+1 grouping).</li>
<li>This poses a challenge for India to secure its interest in deciding the fate of Afghanistan and its people.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps To Be Taken</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India must also pursue opportunities to fulfil its role in the peace efforts in Afghanistan, starting with efforts to bridge the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/afghanistan-s-power-sharing-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ghani-Abdullah divide</strong></a>, and bringing together other major leaders with whom India has built ties for decades.</li>
<li>India should take the diplomatic route to press for its inclusion in &ldquo;6+2+1&rdquo; dialogue, to claim its legitimate role in the Afghan peace process.</li>
<li>India should leverage the United Nations&rsquo;s call for a pause in conflicts during the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Covid-19+and+lockdown+drishti+ias&amp;oq=covid+&amp;aqs=chrome.1.69i57j69i59l3j0j69i60l3.4987j0j7&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> to restart dialogue with Pakistan, which in turn is necessary for lasting peace in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>Also, India can learn from US-Taliban talks where two opposing parties came to the negotiating table for talks on Afghanistan&rsquo;s future. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For India, given its abiding interest in Afghanistan&rsquo;s success and traditional warmth for its people, making that leap should be a bit easier. Thus, India can consider the appointment of a special envoy and start Track II diplomacy with the Taliban.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>In the current situation, it is essential for India to maintain its strong links with the Afghan government, build and support its traditional Afghan allies and open lines of communication with the Taliban.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589979416_IndiaAfghanistan.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589979416_IndiaAfghanistan.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" 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: #f7f4e9;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>How a recent power-sharing agreement in Afghanistan will impact Indian interests in Afghanistan. Critically analyse.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AasIzo2-04Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/central-governement-funds-states-aid-coronavirus-covid-19-6416283/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;A Lending Hand&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published on The Indian Express on May, 19<sup>th</sup> 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5395,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'United Nations Relief and Works Agency',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)</strong>, has applauded India&rsquo;s financial support to keep its basic services operating, under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> crisis.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government of India provided <strong>USD 2 million</strong> to the <strong>UNRWA</strong> in support of its core programmes and services, including education and health.</li>
<li>India had increased its annual contribution to the UNRWA from <strong>USD 1.25 million</strong> in 2016 to <strong>USD 5 million</strong> in 2019.</li>
<li>It pledged another USD 5 million for 2020 which opens its way to become a member of the agency&rsquo;s advisory commission.</li>
<li>It is also preparing medical supplies for the Palestinians.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Relief and Works Agency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a United Nations agency established by the <strong>General Assembly in 1949.</strong></li>
<li>It supports the <strong>relief</strong> and <strong>human development</strong> of <strong>Palestinian refugees</strong> across its five fields of operation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its services encompass <strong>education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in <strong>Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.</strong></li>
<li>It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support</li>
<li><strong>Palestine refugees</strong> are defined as persons whose normal place of residence was Palestine <strong>during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948,</strong> and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>17 agreements</strong> have been signed under an <strong>India-Palestine development partnership</strong> between the two sides in the fields of agriculture, health care, information technology, youth affairs, consular affairs, women empowerment and media.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India would provide an assistance of around<strong> USD 72 million</strong> through these agreements in <strong>projects</strong> like the<strong> post-2014 war reconstruction efforts in Gaza, construction of schools, setting up a centre of excellence for information and communication technologies at Al-Quds University</strong> and developing a<strong> satellite centre in Ramallah.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In March 2020, a delegation of<strong> United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP)</strong> visited india intended to engage India in the settling of the question of Palestine.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has reiterated its stand and supported the Two-State solution for the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Israel-Palestine issue</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In June 2019, India voted in favour of a decision introduced by Israel in the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)</strong></a> that objected to granting consultative status to a Palestinian non-governmental organization.</li>
<li>In June 2018, India had voted in favour of Palestine on the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN General Assembly</strong></a> (UNGA) resolution to investigate an indiscriminate force usage by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians.</li>
<li>As a part of Link West Policy, India has <strong>de-hyphenated its relationship</strong> with Israel and Palestine in 2018 to treat both the<strong> countries mutually independent and exclusive.</strong></li>
<li>In December 2017, India had criticised the United States vote for recognising Jerusalem as the Israeli capital at the UNGA vote.</li>
<li>In 2014, India favoured <a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNHRC&rsquo;s</strong></a> resolution to probe Israel&rsquo;s human rights violations in Gaza. Despite supporting the probe, India abstained from voting against Israel in UNHRC in 2015.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/un-agency-serving-palestine-refugees-hails-indias-contribution-6417331/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5367,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Afghanistan’s Power Sharing Deal',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Afghanistan&rsquo;s President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah have signed a power-sharing agreement.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Power-sharing deal</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the deal, Mr. Ghani will remain as president while both Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah will choose an equal number of ministers in the cabinet.</li>
<li>The deal calls for Abdullah to lead the country&rsquo;s <strong>National Reconciliation High Council.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Reconciliation Council</strong> has been given the authority to handle and approve all <strong>affairs related to Afghanistan&rsquo;s peace process including the peace talks with the Taliban.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The deal has been signed two months <strong>after the presidential election dispute</strong> that arose in September 2019 between Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah.</li>
<li>The Election Commission<strong> declared Mr. Ghani to be the winner</strong> of the presidential election, <strong>but Mr. Abdullah</strong> and the Elections Complaint Commission<strong> charged widespread voting irregularities</strong> in the election.</li>
<li>Following which, both declared themselves the winner of the presidential election and have been locked in a power struggle since then.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>U.S.- Taliban peace deal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>peace deal between the U.S. Government and the Taliban</strong> </a>was signed on 29 February, 2020. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The deal calls for<strong> U.S. and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-minimises-its-share-in-nato-budget" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)</a> troops to leave Afghanistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The U.S.-Taliban peace deal is seen as Afghanistan&rsquo;s<strong> best chance to come at peace in decades of war.</strong></li>
<li>Since then, the U.S. has been trying to get the <strong>Taliban and the Afghan government to begin intra-Afghan negotiations,</strong> but the political turmoil and personal hostility between Mr. Ghani and Mr. Abdullah has impeded talks.</li>
<li>This prompted the U.S. Government to announce that it would cut $1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan if the two weren&rsquo;t able to work out their differences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has welcomed the power-sharing deal between President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah.</li>
<li>It hope that the <strong>power-sharing deal</strong> will result in renewed efforts for <strong>establishing enduring peace and stability,</strong> and <strong>putting an end to externally-sponsored terrorism </strong>and <strong>violence in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Afghanistan for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Afghanistan's main advantage is its geography.</li>
<li>Anyone who controls Afghanistan controls the land routes between the Indian subcontinent, Iran, and resource-rich Central Asia.</li>
<li>Economically, it is a gateway to the oil and mineral-rich Central Asian republics.</li>
<li>Afghanistan has become the second-largest recipient of Indian foreign aid over the last five years.</li>
<li>India has become more and more popular in Afghanistan, not only because of its soft power, but also by setting up infrastructure, including hospitals, roads and dams, and contributing to the fabric of a democratic nation-state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794853_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589794853_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/afghan-president-and-rival-sign-power-sharing-deal/article31609012.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5366,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Push for Probe into Covid-19 Origin',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>India joined 61 countries</strong> that have moved a proposal at the<strong> World Health Assembly</strong> to<strong> identify the zoonotic source</strong> of the coronavirus.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The World Health Assembly is the <strong>decision making body of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Health Organisation (WHO)</a>.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Zoonotic</strong></a> refers to diseases that can be passed from animals to humans.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Proposal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a part of a <strong>seven-page draft resolution moved by 35 countries</strong> and the <strong>27-member <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a>.</strong></li>
<li>It asks the WHO chief to work with the <a href="/printpdf/african-swine-fever" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Organisation for Animal Health</strong></a> to conduct <strong>scientific and collaborative field missions</strong> and the <strong>route of introduction to the human population (novel coronavirus),</strong> including the <strong>possible role of intermediate hosts.</strong></li>
<li>The countries also demanded an <strong>&ldquo;impartial, independent and comprehensive evaluation&rdquo;</strong> of the World Health Organization's (WHO) response to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-and-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier, the WHO was slammed for accepting the findings given by China on face-value. The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-halts-its-who-funding" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US has even suspended funding to the body</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Signatories of the Proposal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The resolution is supported by <strong>three of the five permanent members of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Security Council</a> &mdash; UK, Russia and France &mdash;</strong> along with Japan, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey.</li>
<li>From the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</strong></a> nations, <strong>only India, Bangladesh and Bhutan</strong> have signed up.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is the first time <strong>India</strong> has taken a position in an international forum on the origin of the virus and the need for an independent evaluation of WHO&rsquo;s response to the crisis.</li>
<li>Earlier, India had maintained that it is engaged in the fight against Covid-19, and will revisit the issue after the crisis is over.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>But Prime Minister Modi did indicate India;s stand at the G20 summit in March where he backed WHO reform and referred to the need for transparency and accountability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The virus has cost loss of livelihoods, poverty increase and economic crisis in each sector of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of China and its Response:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The virus is widely believed to have originated from China&rsquo;s Wuhan, where the first case of Covid-19 was reported.</li>
<li>China is<strong> accused of concealing crucial information</strong> in relation to its spread and clinical diagnosis.</li>
<li>China had stated in its defence that it may support a review <strong>&ldquo;at an appropriate time&rdquo;,</strong> but criticised the <strong>politicisation of the virus&rsquo;s origin</strong> by the US and some other countries, and an inquiry <strong>&ldquo;based on the presumption of guilt&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It said that Wuhan city has first reported Covid-19 cases, but that does not mean the virus originated in Wuhan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/at-who-india-joins-61-nations-to-seek-source-of-coronavirus-6414969/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 5327,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Revival of Non-Alignment Movement',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/narendra-modi-video-address-nam-summit-6403546/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;What&rsquo;s in a NAM?&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 11/05/2020. It talks about the relevance of the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) in present times.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister of India hosted a video conference that addresses a summit of the Non-aligned nations. This is in concurrence of India&rsquo;s efforts of promoting global cooperation in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.</p>
<p>In the domain of foreign policy, this meeting assumes great significance, given the fact that Indian Prime Minister has skipped the last two NAM summits, at Venezuela in 2016 and Azerbaijan in 2019.</p>
<p>It is argued that the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)</strong> </a>was the product of certain circumstances which have undergone a sea change and thus, have become irrelevant.</p>
<p>However, the Covid-19 pandemic and India renewed interest in NAM, have earmarked the relevance of Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) to pursue effective work programmes at the international level.</p>
<h3>Why is NAM criticised?</h3>
<p>The Non-Aligned Movement was formed during the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> as an organization of States that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the superpowers: the United States or the Soviet Union but sought to remain independent or neutral. It also stands united for the decolonization of European colonies in Asia and Africa.</p>
<p>However, the world order has changed significantly in 21<sup>st</sup>-century, which has rendered the utility of the NAM doubtful:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cold war has ended with the disintegration of USSR in 1991 and subsequently:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bi-polar world is non-existent.</li>
<li>The collapse of communism and the communist bloc and thereby ending the ideological rivalry between capitalism vs communism.</li>
<li>Since the US emerged as the sole world power following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many non-aligned countries left the NAM.</li>
<li>Shifting of global politics narrative from the balance of power to economic interdependence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Decolonisation project has become redundant, as almost all major colonies have been decolonised.</li>
<li>It is argued that NAM today competes with groups like the Commonwealth. The other groups are more effective, as they deal with economic and trade issues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NAM does not do that, nor does it take up any diplomatic initiative.</li>
<li>It has no position even on issues like human rights, child exploitation and gender issues. Also, most of the members of NAM are developing.</li>
<li>As a result, its members have to follow the Western dictates in this regard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Relevance of NAM</h3>
<p>The 21<sup>st</sup>-century world order is significantly different from that of the 20<sup>th</sup>-century. Though the world has changed, the problems have remained almost the same. In this context, NAM can prove its worth by striving to work for the following contemporary issues:</p>
<p><strong>New Cold War</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Those who say the NAM is a relic of the Cold War must also acknowledge that a new Cold War is beginning to unfold, this time between the US and China.</li>
<li>This can be reflected in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/trade-war-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade War</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad initiative</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-pacific narrative</strong></a>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>emergence of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></a>, naval presence in the Indian ocean, etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The resurgence of colonialism: Neo-colonialism</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Neocolonialism is the practice of using capitalism, globalisation, cultural imperialism, and conditional aid to influence a developing country instead of the previous colonial methods of direct military control (imperialism) or indirect political control (hegemony).</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s investment in Africa and Asia through its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/italy-joins-belt-road-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road initiative</strong></a> is criticized for being neo-colonialism in nature whereas NAM can help in establishing the ethos of collective action.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Restructuring and democratization of the UN</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to undemocratic representation and veto power of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>permanent members in UNSC</strong></a>, the UNSC has been criticised as undemocratic. Thus, there has been a demand for reforms in the UN system for long.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Combating Global Issues</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NAM becomes relevant to mobilize international public opinion against terrorism, weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), nuclear proliferation, ecological imbalance, safeguarding interests of developing countries in <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WTO (World Trade Organization)</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Importance of NAM for India</h3>
<p><strong>Support for India&rsquo;s Candidature in UNSC</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NAM&rsquo;s total strength comprises 120 developing countries and most of them are members of the UN General Assembly.</li>
<li>Thus, NAM members act as an important group in support of India&rsquo;s candidature as a permanent member in UNSC.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global South Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is widely perceived as a leader of the developing world. Thus, India&rsquo;s engagement with NAM will further help in the rise of India&rsquo;s stature as the voice of the developing world or global south.</li>
<li>In times of increasing protectionism, NAM can provide a platform for South-South cooperation.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Strengthening of Multipolar World Order</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A multipolar world order is in concurrence with Indian forigen policy.</li>
<li>Thus, NAM can help in formation of a multipolar world with India becoming a major pole.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Given the relevance of NAM in present times, it remains a critical diplomatic forum for the pursuit of India&rsquo;s forign policy interests. Therefore India must refrain from treating NAM as a ritual to be performed every three years and start engaging with NAM constructively.</p>
<p>Thus, just like the start of cold war provided the ground for NAM in the 20<sup>th</sup> century, the Covid-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity for India to lay the foundation of NAM 2.0. In this context, the virtual NAM summit hosted by India is a step in the right direction.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589374531_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1589374531_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="700" 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: #fffeeb;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the relevance of Non-alignment movement in present times.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/97hx_xhb7eI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on &ldquo;Ease Land Markets&rdquo; which was published in The Times of India on May 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube Channel.</p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5301,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'Big Picture: India’s COVID Diplomacy',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-L5mPpE4l0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>India&rsquo;s COVID diplomacy at one of the worst global crisis of recent decades is enabling Delhi to emerge as a responsible and reliable international power at a time when many established international actors have floundered.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has begun sending dispatches of rescue medicines as gifts to neighboring countries to help them fight the coronavirus pandemic.</li>
<li>The government was sending drugs to Bhutan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Seychelles, Mauritius, and some African countries.</li>
<li>Supplies are being made to the Gulf in the backdrop of growing strategic partnerships.</li>
<li>The government has also cleared the export of Covid-19 drugs to countries such as the US, Spain, Brazil, Bahrain, Germany, and the UK in line with the commercial contracts signed with Indian pharmaceutical companies.</li>
<li>The government provided 15 tonnes of medical supplies comprising masks, gloves, and other emergency medical equipment to China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Opportunities and Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Leadership Opportunity:</strong> From the SAARC region to G-20 India has taken a lead in addressing the present crisis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s diplomacy has played a major role in managing the crisis, be it the evacuation of distressed people or following the pandemic minute by minute, or settling immediate and complicated issues including facilitating the evacuation of stranded foreign nationals in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Digital Governance and technology:</strong> The COVID-19 crisis has brought new needs for digital government services and more demand for existing services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Developers in governments are engaged in designing new apps and services to help in the fight against COVID-19.</li>
<li>Countries like India which were already making a concerted push towards Digitisation through its programs like<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Digital India</strong> </a>can stand to advantage from the changed circumstances.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Challenge:</strong> Lockdown due to COVID-19 is the third shock that the informal economy in India has faced, after demonetisation and GST.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The lockdown has hit millions of daily wage earners, the self-employed and small businesses, and the rural landless poor. These vulnerable segments of the workforce face the immediate problem of a lack of income as well as hunger.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of international leadership:</strong> There is at present a leadership crisis at the global level as no country is looking at the pandemic as a common fight of mankind against the virus. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The fact that China delayed reporting the virus to the WHO and perhaps, in the process, exacerbated the spread of the virus across the globe has hurt its global standing.</li>
<li>It has been reported that the Trump administration did not even inform the European Union before it shut off flights from Europe.</li>
<li>The initiative taken by Mr. Modi in the early days to convene a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">meeting of the South-Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</a></strong> countries stands out in contrast to the pusillanimous leadership around the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Boost Medical Diplomacy:</strong> When the world is questioning the role played by China &ndash; in exporting much needed protective gear and testing kits that some governments have reportedly found faulty, India has offered not just supportive medical staff but also an entire buffet of generic medicines, medical training, and medical tourism.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is also the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-pharma-sector" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>leading producer of generic medicines</strong> </a>around the world.</li>
<li>India should, therefore, focus on further building medical diplomacy as a facet of diplomatic relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promote Multilateralism:</strong> The Prime Minister has shown commendable initiative in convening leaders of the SAARC nations for a regional collaborative effort on COVID-19. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Taking a cue from India the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-g20-leaders-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders&rsquo; summit</strong></a> was held, chaired by Saudi Arabia.</li>
<li>The G20 leaders applauded India&rsquo;s role in urging nations to come together through video conferencing.</li>
<li>The COVID-19 pandemic presents India with an opportunity to revive multilateralism, become a strong and credible champion of internationalism, and assume a leadership role.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Shift towards digitisation:</strong> Since COVID-19 is showing no sign of leaving any time soon, it is only natural to expect societal level behavioral changes. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Global diplomacy should also move towards digitisation as it would help decrease the expense and would promote transparency in diplomatic matters.</li>
<li>India has shown the path by calling for virtual meetings of regional organisations, and it should continue to do so with more vigour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Convert goodwill to good diplomacy:</strong> The Indian generosity in the times of this pandemic has not gone unnoticed and has earned India well-deserved goodwill. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India also enjoys a world image of being a robust democracy and non-predatory as opposed to China.</li>
<li>But goodwill will not automatically lead to better relations and an increased global role unless it is supported by constant efforts from the Indian diplomatic mission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 5281,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Financial Help by AIIB to India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1622145" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)</strong></a> has approved <strong>US$ 500 million</strong> for <strong>&lsquo;Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Project&rsquo;</strong> initiated by India.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The project is expected to help India to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and strengthen its public health preparedness.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project intends to<strong> slow down and limit the spread</strong> of Covid-19 in India.</li>
<li>It includes an immediate support for enhancement of disease detection capacities, oxygen delivery systems and medicines among others.</li>
<li>The project also strives to strengthen India&rsquo;s<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/integrated-disease-surveillance-programme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP)</strong></a> and the capacity to effectively <strong>manage future disease outbreaks.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IDSP aims to strengthen/maintain decentralized laboratory based and IT enabled disease surveillance systems for epidemic prone diseases to monitor disease trends.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also aims to develop capacity and systems <strong>to detect existing and emerging <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/zoonotic-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">zoonoses</a> </strong>and upgrade viral research and diagnostic laboratories for testing and research.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As around <strong>75% of new infectious diseases</strong> begin with <strong>human-to-animal contacts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project will cover all States and Union Territories across India and address the needs of infected people, at-risk populations, medical and emergency personnel and service providers, medical and testing facilities, and national and animal health agencies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finances:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The project is being financed by the World Bank and AIIB in the amount of $1.5 billion, of which $1.0 billion will be provided by the World Bank and $500 million will be provided by AIIB.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implementation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will be implemented by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-health-mission-and-janani-suraksha-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Health Mission (NHM)</strong></a>, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-disease-control-ncdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)</a></strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NHM was launched by the government of India in 2013 subsuming the National Rural Health Mission and the National Urban Health Mission.</li>
<li>NCDC functions as the nodal agency in the country for disease surveillance facilitating prevention and control of communicable diseases under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
<li>ICMR is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a <strong>multilateral development bank</strong> with a mission to improve <strong>social and economic</strong> outcomes in<strong> Asia.</strong></li>
<li>It is established by the AIIB<strong> Articles of Agreement</strong> (entered into force Dec. 25, 2015) which is a multilateral treaty. The Parties (57 founding members) to agreement comprise the Membership of the Bank.</li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered</strong> in <strong>Beijing</strong> and began its operations in January 2016.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> joined AIIB in <strong>2016</strong> as a <strong>regional member</strong> of the Bank.</li>
<li>The members of the Bank have now grown to 102 approved members worldwide.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, fourteen of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/virtual-g20-leaders-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G-20 nations</strong></a> are AIIB members including France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia and beyond, it connects people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1622145" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'metatitle' => 'Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests',
		'metakeyword' => 'Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests',
		'metadescription' => 'Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests',
		'addedby' => (int) 9,
		'updatedby' => (int) 9,
		'added' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'modified' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'tags'
	
	}
]
$title = 'Article Tags'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Articles/tags.ctp, line 61
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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