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		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/shanghai-cooperation-organisation-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong> </a>Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting took place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Defence Minister of India addressed the grouping and said <strong>India is committed to working within the SCO framework</strong> for helping create &amp; maintain a secure &amp; peaceful region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627549053_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627549053_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="645" height="469" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major Highlights of Defence Minister's Address:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/printpdf/at-unga-india-call-for-early-adoption-of-ccit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Terrorism</a> is the most serious threat</strong> to international peace and security and support to any acts of terror is a crime against humanity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India reaffirms its resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The geo-strategic location of India makes it both a<strong> &ldquo;Eurasian land power&rdquo;</strong> as well as a stakeholder in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-vision-for-indo-pacific" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific.</strong></a></li>
<li>Highlighted non-traditional security challenges like <strong>pandemics, climate change, food security, water security and associated societal disruptions</strong> can impact national and international landscape.</li>
<li>In dealing with Covid-19 pandemic, India has been at the forefront to provide support and assistance to countries through its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-vaccine-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vaccine diplomacy.</strong></a></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s initiative on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure (CDRI)</strong></a> was also an example of how countries were coming together to create and share capabilities to deal with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>SCO</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SCO was founded at a summit in <strong>Shanghai in 2001</strong> by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.</li>
<li>Presently, the SCO comprises <strong>eight member states</strong> namely <strong>India, Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.</strong></li>
<li>SCO nations together encompass nearly <strong>half the human population</strong> and it covers approximately <strong>three-fifths of the Eurasian continent</strong> in terms of geographical expanse.</li>
<li>The SCO, seen as a <strong>counterweight to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-as-a-security-risk-nato" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NATO</a>,</strong> is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.</li>
<li>India was made an <strong>observer at the SCO in 2005.</strong></li>
<li>India and Pakistan became its <strong>permanent members in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627548690_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627548690_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Opportunities and SCO:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Regional Security:</strong> SCO will enable India, as an integral part of the Eurasian security grouping, to neutralise threats like religious extremism and terrorism in the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is due to this, India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its <a href="/pdf/india-and-the-shanghai-cooperation-organisation.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS)</strong></a>, which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connect With Central Asia:</strong> SCO is also a potential platform to advance India&rsquo;s <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/connect-central-asia-policy#:~:text=It%20was%20in%20this%20context,%2C%20economic%2C%20and%20cultural%20connections." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Connect Central Asia policy.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s ongoing engagement with SCO can be seen through the<strong> prism of reconnecting and re-energising ties with a region</strong> with which India has shared civilizational linkages, and is considered the country&rsquo;s extended neighbourhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dealing With Pakistan &amp; China:</strong> SCO provides India with a forum where it can constructively engage both China and Pakistan in a regional context and project India&rsquo;s security interests.</li>
<li><strong>Bringing Stability in Afghanistan:</strong> SCO, also an alternative regional platform to delve into the rapidly changing<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-withdrawal-and-regional-dynamics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> situation in Afghanistan.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>So far India completed 500 projects in Afghanistan and is continuing with some more, with a total development aid of $3 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Importance:</strong> Acknowledging the strategic importance emanating from the region and SCO, the Indian Prime Minister had articulated the foundational dimension of Eurasia being <strong>'SECURE&rsquo;.</strong> The letters in the word SECURE are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>S for <strong>Security of our citizens,</strong></li>
<li>E for <strong>Economic development</strong> for all,</li>
<li>C for <strong>Connecting the region,</strong></li>
<li>U for<strong> Unite our people,</strong></li>
<li>R for<strong> Respect for Sovereignty and Integrity,</strong> and</li>
<li>E for <strong>Environment protection.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to provide<strong> high priority to the &ldquo;consolidation of trust&rdquo;</strong> in the security domain within the SCO as well as strengthening ties with partners of the grouping bilaterally on the<strong> basis of equality, mutual respect and understanding.</strong></li>
<li>The SCO member countries should<strong> develop joint institutional capacities</strong> that respect individual national sensitivities and yet<strong> generate a spirit of cooperation</strong> to create contact and connectivity between people, societies and nations.</li>
<li>Member countries should realise that they have collective stakes to create a safe, secure and stable region that can contribute towards<strong> progress and improvement of human development indices.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/peace-prosperity-cant-coexist-with-terrorism-rajnath-singh-at-sco-meet-7427511/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Carbon Border Tax',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/STK_c05bRbg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-meeting-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G-20 ministerial meeting on environment and climate change in Italy</strong></a>, developing countries, including India, are expected to raise their concerns over the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union&rsquo;s (EU&rsquo;s)</strong></a> recent proposal on the<strong> first of its kind &ldquo;Carbon Border Tax&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Yet to be legally formalised, the tax plan could come into force from 2026.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Imposing Carbon Levies:</strong> The measure is designed to <strong>protect European industries from competitors abroad</strong> who are not subjected to the same<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/carbon-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> carbon</strong></a> levies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A transitional phase from 2023-25 will see importers monitoring and reporting their emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Similar Proposals from USA:</strong> In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-usa-bilateral-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United States</strong></a>, the Democrats have proposed their own version of a tax on imports from countries that lack substantial climate policies as part of a $3.5 trillion budget plan. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this proposal is far less detailed than the EU&rsquo;s plan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Policy of EU:</strong> A decade ago, European officials wanted to charge foreign airlines taking off and landing in Europe for the carbon pollution they produce. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But the EU scrapped the idea after heavy pressure from the United States and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Emissions Trading System of EU:</strong> The 27 EU member states have much stricter laws to control <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-global-carbon-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions</strong></a> in the form of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fit-for-55-package-eu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 'Emissions Trading System'</strong> </a>that caps how much GHG individual industrial units can emit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The industries that fail to cap their emissions can buy 'allowances' from those who have made deeper cuts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Carbon Pricing Instruments:</strong> As per the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a>, about 64 carbon pricing instruments such as emissions trading schemes or taxes are in use around the world. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, they cover only 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>European Union and Carbon Border Tax</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Disincentivize Carbon Extensive Goods:</strong> The idea behind the tax is to disincentivize companies outside the European Union that are exporting to the EU four carbon extensive goods: <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/steel-industry-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">steel</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cement-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cement</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-subsidy-on-dap#:~:text=Recently%2C%20the%20government%20has%20increased,by%2060%25%20to%2070%25." target="_blank" rel="noopener">fertilizers</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aluminium-as-ninth-core-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aluminium. </a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Digital Certificates:</strong> Under the proposal, importers will be<strong> required to buy digital certificates representing the tonnage of carbon dioxide emissions</strong> embedded in their imported goods.</li>
<li><strong>Causes Behind Imposing Carbon Tax:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>EU and Climate Change Mitigation:</strong> The EU has declared to cut its carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Till date, these levels have fallen by 24%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, emissions from imports contributing to 20% of the EU's CO2 emissions are increasing.</li>
<li>Such a carbon tax would incentivise other countries to reduce GHG emissions and further shrink the EU's carbon footprint.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Carbon Leakage:</strong> The Emissions Trading System of the EU makes operating within the region expensive for certain businesses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The EU authorities fear that these businesses might prefer to relocate to countries that have more relaxed or no emission limits. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is known as <strong>'carbon leakage'</strong> and it increases the total emissions in the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit for Certain Countries:</strong> Countries that have already introduced carbon trading systems in their own countries will be benefitted by this initiative. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These industries of these exporting countries can claim a rebate equal to the amount of tax that they have already paid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Worst Affected Countries:</strong> The countries to be worst affected will be <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-india-russia-ties" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russia</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-uk-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Britain</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-ukraine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ukraine</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/turkey-greece-stand-off" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Turkey</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/turkey-greece-stand-off" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a></strong> which collectively export large amounts of fertilizer, iron, steel and aluminum to the European Union. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United States sells significantly less steel and aluminum to Europe, but could also see an impact.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues with the New Tax</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Response of the BASIC Countries:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-meeting-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) countries'</strong></a> grouping had opposed the EU's proposal in a joint-statement terming it <strong>"discriminatory"</strong> and against the principles of equity and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g20-energy-and-climate-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 'Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities' (CBDR-RC).</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These principles acknowledge that richer countries have a responsibility of providing financial and technological assistance to developing and vulnerable countries to fight climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on India:</strong> The EU is India's third largest trading partner. By increasing the prices of Indian-made goods in the EU, this tax would <strong>make Indian goods less attractive for buyers and could shrink demand.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The tax would create<strong> serious near-term challenges for companies</strong> with larger greenhouse gas footprint.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-Consensual with Rio Declaration:</strong> The EU&rsquo;s notion of having a uniform standard all over the world for the environment is <strong>not borne out by the global consensus contained in the Article 12 of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rio Declaration</a></strong> which says that the standards applicable to developed countries cannot be applied to developing countries.</li>
<li><strong>Change in the Climate-Change Regime:</strong> The greenhouse content of these imports would also have to be adjusted in the greenhouse gas inventories of the importing countries which essentially implies that GHG inventories would have to be reckoned not on the production basis but at the point of consumption basis. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would turn the entire climate change regime upside down.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protectionist Policy:</strong> The policy can also be regarded as a disguised form of protectionism. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Protectionism refers to government policies that restrict international trade to help domestic industries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such policies are usually implemented with the goal of improving economic activity within a domestic economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maintaining India-EU Relations:</strong> India must also not forget that the EU is its second largest buyer and currently, India has surplus in both trade and services with the EU. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU is a market that India needs to nurture and protect.</li>
<li>India should talk to the EU bilaterally to ensure that its exports with the latter are protected either through an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-eu-leader-s-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Free Trade Agreement</strong></a> or by other means and if there are adjustments and standards that India needs to meet then it should look forward to fulfilling it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Playing Wise:</strong> India is not an exporter of cement or fertilizers to the EU and on steel and aluminium too, it is relatively smaller than other countries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is not the target of this policy of the EU, the target is Russia, China and Turkey which are large emitters of carbon and major exporters of steel and aluminium to the EU.</li>
<li>There is little reason for India to be at the forefront of the opposition. It should rather talk directly to the EU and bilaterally settle the issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preparing While Protesting:</strong> China has always followed the policy of &lsquo;Keep Preparing While Protesting&rsquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is talking about protesting against the carbon border tax. But side by side, it has already started its own carbon trading system also claiming it to be the largest.</li>
<li>If the EU in future imposes this tax, India will be badly affected by it if it doesn&rsquo;t set up its own carbon trading system. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India shall not be caught off guard in 2026 if the tax is imposed, it shall prepare for the best as well as the worst.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reshaping the Climate Mitigation Policies of India:</strong> India may not have a carbon trading system but its energy taxes if converted into carbon equivalents would rank as very high. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India already has measures of climate change mitigation in the country, it just needs to convert them, devise them in ways which are compatible with important markets of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collective Persuasion:</strong> The BASIC countries and other significant developing countries shall follow the policy of collective persuasion at the global meetings for finding alternatives for climate change mitigation rather than implementing such a policy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A mechanism like Carbon Border Tax for charging imported goods at borders may spur adoption of cleaner technologies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But if it happens without adequate assistance for newer technologies and finance, it would rather become disadvantageous for the developing countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As far as India is concerned, it must assess the advantages and disadvantages that it is likely to face with the imposition of this tax and talk to the EU with a bilateral approach.</li>
</ul>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8957,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Reshaping India’s Foreign Approach',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This Article is based upon<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/expanding-india-s-foreign-policy-canvas-101626948705147.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Expanding India&rsquo;s Foreign Policy Canvas&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Hindustan Times on 22/07/2021. It talks about the changes occurring in the global economic domain and how India can shift from just an aspirational player to a global one by expanding its foreign agenda.</p>
</div>
<p>After living for more than a year and a half with the covid 19 pandemic, the world is recovering and bringing changes in the global economic domain.</p>
<p>On one hand, a new global tax is being worked upon to establish a minimum corporate tax regime. On the other, carbon border levies are being unveiled to aid net zero emission goals.</p>
<p>Binding dispute resolution provisions are also being sought to be embedded into international agreements. Technological decoupling is also taking place, leading to new value chains being set up.</p>
<p>Climate, health, digital technology and geo-economics will define the global conversation. India must remain proactive and focus on understanding and shaping these domains rather than just remaining at the receiving end.</p>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Foreign Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Focus on Geo-Politics:</strong> Indian foreign policy, like that of most other States, has generally given primacy to the frictions and friendships relating to geopolitics such as: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-s-prospects-as-a-nuclear-power#:~:text=India%20has%20always%20stood%20by,India%20to%20join%20the%20treaty.&amp;text=In%201954%2C%20Indian%20Prime%20Minister,for%20a%20%22standstill%22%20agreement." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>demand for nuclear disarmament</strong></a></li>
<li>The<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Non-Aligned Movement</strong></a> as a response to the Cold War</li>
<li>Support for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/un-reforms-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations (UN) peacekeeping</strong></a></li>
<li>Call for adoption of <a href="/printpdf/at-unga-india-call-for-early-adoption-of-ccit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comprehensive convention on international terrorism</strong></a></li>
<li>However, lesser importance has been given to geo-economics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environment Related Initiatives:</strong> The Prime Minister of India has espoused climate action as an issue where what India does within its borders to benefit its citizens also matters well beyond our borders. This has both economic and political benefits.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, India is among the select few countries to have hosted the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop-28" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COP</strong></a> of all three Rio conventions on climate change (<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNFCCC</strong></a>), biodiversity (<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cms-cop-13-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on Biological Diversity</a></strong>) and land <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-convention-to-combat-desertification-cop-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Policy amid the Pandemic:</strong> During the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, India&rsquo;s foreign policy apparatus was key in securing essential global supplies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues regarding Human Resource:</strong> Migration and human mobility are emerging issues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Africa will be the largest repositories of young populations while most other societies age. Lack of opportunities in India create an obvious situation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-brain-drain-in-health-sector#:~:text=Brain%20drain%20is%20a%20term,a%20higher%20standard%20of%20living." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brain Drain.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues related to Science &amp; Technology: <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-antimicrobial-resistance-amr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)</a></strong> is a growing global problem to which the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may further contribute. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Global concerns regarding <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cybersecurity</a> </strong>are also rising.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>A Stronger China:</strong> Militarily, China has further strengthened itself and now seeks to dominate the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific Ocean</strong></a> with its announcement of its third aircraft carrier&rsquo;s launch in 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Deteriorating India-Russia Ties:</strong> Though India and Russia share a long history of strategic and economic cooperation, the post-Cold war Russia and China strategic convergence remains a foreign policy issue for India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the sanctions imposed on Russia after Crimea's annexation in 2014 has pushed Russia towards a tighter embrace of China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This seems to signal reduced interest in countries such as India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s closeness to the U.S. has also weakened its links with traditional friends such as Russia and Iran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Thinking Beyond Geo-Political:</strong> Subjects such as regulation of trans-boundary digital behemoths, big data management, trade issues and disaster &amp; humanitarian relief can prove to be beneficial by being addressed through the prism of a broader approach taking into account the global dimensions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a need to expand India&rsquo;s foreign policy agenda beyond the traditional thinking of what is geopolitical.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Realising the Significance of Geo-Economics:</strong> Geo-economics inevitably impacts geopolitics. China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative is an example. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Climate, health security and digital technologies are becoming aspects of geopolitical contestation of different kinds.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s willingness to encompass these areas, which it previously considered beyond the pale of its foreign policy posture, will be key to its ability to navigate the coming wave of global changes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>G20 in 2023:</strong> India&rsquo;s presidency of <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G20</a></strong> in 2023 will provide it the opportunities to weave geo-economic themes with geopolitical interests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Till now, India has played the role of an emerging power with ambitions to play the role of a global power.</li>
<li>The G20 summit of 2023 will provide the opportunities to articulate and be vocal on issues that matter to the world, and be proactive to further its interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Hedging:</strong> The way forward for the Indian foreign policy should be <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-embrace-of-strategic-hedging" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>strategic hedging</strong></a>; a combination of bolstering domestic as well as external strategic capabilities and creating economic dependencies abroad through enhanced manufacturing and exports. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Furthermore, a balance between capabilities and reach is what India needs to master strategic hedging with other countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The primary goal of India&rsquo;s foreign policy is to preserve, promote and protect national interests in the broadest sense of the term, and not to limit the canvas.</p>
<p>If India wants to ride the next wave of global change, it will need a broader global agenda and a carefully crafted game plan in place soon.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f9fff5;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;It has been long since India has remained as an aspirational/emerging power. The time is now to bring a change in the paradigm and become one of the countries shaping the global economic domains&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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	(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8940,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'China-led South Asian Initiative',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Bangladesh has invited India to join the China-led South Asian initiative</strong> for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>vaccines and poverty alleviation.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It includes the creation of the China-South Asian Countries Emergency Supplies Reserve, and a Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Centre set up in China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About China-South Asian Initiative: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Members:</strong> China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India, Bhutan and the Maldives are the other <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAARC countries</strong></a> that are not part of this initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Intended Vision:</strong> China has different kinds of strategic, maritime, political and ideological interests with different South Asian nations so it is increasing its engagements with each country on equal footing to counterbalance India.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> Given continuing tensions over Chinese PLA aggression at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, India&rsquo;s stand is that other bilateral relations <strong>cannot move ahead without a resolution of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boundary stand-off.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Associated Issues:</strong> This initiative seems to be China 's strategy to contain and undermine India's role in South Asia. This can be reflected in the following arguments:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Minus-India Initiative:</strong> Combinations of all SAARC member countries (other than India, Bhutan and Maldives) led some experts to suggest this was meant to be a <strong>&ldquo;Minus India&rdquo; initiative. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Diluting India&rsquo;s Role in South Asia:</strong> This initiative is one of China's attempts to make inroads into South Asia. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Chinese push to this regional grouping comes also at a time when India has been reluctant to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/saarc-revival" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>revive SAARC</strong></a>, turning its focus more on yet <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-bimstec-1#:~:text=This%20article%20is%20based%20on,on%2014%2F04%2F2021.&amp;text=BIMSTEC%20as%20a%20regional%20organization,cybersecurity%2C%20and%20coastal%20security%20cooperation." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>another regional bloc&ndash;BIMSTEC.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Countering Quad:</strong> The China-led bloc could be its plan to create what some call a northern Himalayan Quad aimed at countering the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-led Quad</strong></a> of which India is an active member.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Initiatives for South Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In early 2021, India - driven by its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy</strong></a> and in its understanding of its<strong> role as the &lsquo;net security provider&rsquo; of the region</strong> began providing Covid-19 vaccines on a priority basis to its immediate neighbours <strong>(<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-vaccine-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vaccine Diplomacy</a>).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is also <strong>helping with the training of health workers</strong> in some of these countries and the setting up of the infrastructure to administer the shots.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, India, Japan and Australia have formally launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/launch-of-supply-chain-resilience-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to reduce dependence on China amid a likelihood of rechurning of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However,<strong> India for years has struggled to match the pace of Chinese investment in countries</strong> such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives, where China is building ports, roads and power stations as part of its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g7-s-build-back-better-world-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rcep-comes-into-existence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)</strong></a>, a mega trade bloc comprising 15 countries led by China has come into existence. It has kept the doors for India open.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Establishing a Border Commission:</strong> Demarcation of Indian external boundaries is yet to be completed. Resolution of border disputes will pave way for stable regional integration. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, India must strive for resolution of borders by establishing a border commission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Broader Lens of Foregin Policy Goals:</strong> Integrating India&rsquo;s regional economic and foreign policy remains a major challenge. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, India should resist compromising bilateral relationships with neighbours for short economic interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improving Regional Connectivity:</strong> Regional connectivity must be pursued with greater vigour while security concerns being addressed through cost-effective, efficient and reliable technological measures which are in use in other parts of the world.</li>
<li><strong>Implementing Gujral&rsquo;s Doctrine:</strong> India&rsquo; neighbourhood policy should be based on the principles of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/gujral-doctrine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gujral Doctrine.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would ensure India&rsquo;s stature and strength cannot be isolated from the quality of its relations with its neighbours and there can be regional growth as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-is-welcome-to-join-china-south-asia-grouping/article35433572.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8896,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'G7’s Build Back Better World Initiative',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> G7 (Group of Seven)</strong> Countries proposed a <strong>&lsquo;Build Back Better World (B3W)</strong> initiative&rsquo; at the recent<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/47th-g7-summit-1#:~:text=Group%20of%20Seven%20(G7),international%20security%20and%20energy%20policy." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 47<sup>th</sup> G7 summit</strong> </a>to <strong>counter China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Group of Seven</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> intergovernmental organisation</strong> that was formed <strong>in 1975.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>bloc meets annually</strong> to discuss<strong> issues of common interest</strong> like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.</li>
<li>The G7 countries are <strong>the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All the <strong>G7 countries and India</strong> are a part of <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G20</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The G7 does <strong>not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters.</strong> The decisions taken by leaders during annual summits are non-binding.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>aims to address the infrastructure investment deficit in developing and lower income countries -</strong> the<strong> space which has been increasingly captured by China</strong> through 2,600 BRI projects with trillions of dollars of investment. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>BRI projects are perceived as corrosive tactics or debt traps</strong> laid by China for its strategic dominance in trade, foreign policy and geopolitics in the world.</li>
<li>The<strong> overall focus is on developing transportation, logistics and communications, which would reduce trade and transaction cost for China&rsquo;s trade,</strong> give more market access to Chinese markets and ensure stable supply of energy and other resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This infrastructure plan is <strong>being led by the United States.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>B3W initiative will <strong>provide a transparent infrastructure partnership to help narrow about $40 trillion</strong> needed by developing nations by 2035.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It calls for spending<strong> hundreds of billions of dollars</strong> in collaboration with<strong> the private sector</strong> while<strong> adhering to climate standards and labour practices.</strong></li>
<li>However, the <strong>announcement is yet to be made about how exactly the plan would work or how much capital it would ultimately allocate.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s BRI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was <strong>launched in 2013.</strong> It involves <strong>development and investment initiatives</strong> that would<strong> stretch from Asia to Europe and beyond.</strong></li>
<li>More than 100 countries<strong> have signed agreements with China</strong> to cooperate in BRI projects like <strong>railways, ports, highways and other infrastructure.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Investment through BRI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since its inception, <strong>outward investment has been aggressive</strong> as China&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow-touches-82-bn-in-fy21" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)</strong></a> outflow to inflow ratio increased to 1 from around 0.34 during 2001-10.</li>
<li>In volume terms, the <strong>FDI outflow increased to an average of $140 billion in 2016-19 from an annual average $25 billion</strong> during 2001-10.</li>
<li>China is<strong> investing in Africa</strong> to lay a comprehensive transportation network. China has <strong>also signed various contacts with the East Asian region,</strong> mostly focusing on transportation, railways, roadways and waterways, for better integration between China and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN countries.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Important Projects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Bangladesh-China, the Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM) and the Colombo Port City Project in Sri Lanka, amongst others, are important BRI projects.</li>
<li>China has a plan to complete 4,000 km of railways and 10,000 km of highways within the Central Asian region as part of BRI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has expressed concerns about the <strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong> (CPEC), as it traverses through <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pakistan-s-provincial-status-to-gilgit-baltistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)</a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The massive infrastructure project <strong>connects China&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uighur-muslims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Xinjiang province</a> with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gwadar port</a></strong> in Pakistan&rsquo;s Balochistan province.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India <strong>refused to join the Chinese initiative in the past</strong> and raised its voice against the BRI.</li>
<li>India <strong>also sees an adverse trade impact on its products&rsquo; competitiveness,</strong> market access, resource extraction etc. due to Chinese competition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of B3W:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>re-emergence of China as a leading global power</strong> is considered to be one of the most significant geo-political events of recent times, alongside the <strong>1991 fall of the Soviet Union</strong> that ended the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War.</strong></a></li>
<li>China in 1979 had an<strong> economy that was smaller than Italy's,</strong> but after opening to foreign investment and introducing market reforms, it has <strong>become the world's second-largest economy</strong> and is a global leader in a range of new technologies.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>West had failed to offer a positive alternative</strong> to the "lack of transparency, poor environmental and labour standards, and coercive approach" of the Chinese government that had left many countries worse off.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The counter proposal of B3W is certainly a welcome step to contain the adverse implications of a Chinese mega plan. However, B3W lacks coherent thoughts and proper planning at this stage. Nevertheless, it is better late than never.</li>
<li>Moreover, it remains to be seen what role India will play in B3W since it has been a strong opponent of China&rsquo;s BRI.</li>
<li>The counter-strategy is necessary to bring down Chinese leverage. A macro view of BRI projects across geography &mdash; quantum and pattern of investment &mdash; clearly reflects the motive of China-centric international economic integration, production networks, hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region and, eventually, the global economy.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/chinas-influence-g-7-leaders-belt-road-initiative-7408524/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1626515384834000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2s2EDId818ims7iqcLx-yU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8747,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Italy</strong> hosted the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g20-meeting-in-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G-20</strong></a> foreign ministers&rsquo; meeting to discuss the<strong> fight against <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong> and how to<strong> speed up</strong> the<strong> recovery of the global economy </strong>and<strong> boost sustainable development in Africa.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Currently, <strong>Italy holds the presidency of G-20.</strong> The<strong> G-20 summit</strong> is scheduled to be held in Italy in October, 2021.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is expected to hold the<strong> presidency of the G-20 in 2023.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>G-20</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The G20 is an <strong>informal group of 19 countries</strong> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a>, with representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.</li>
<li>The G20 membership comprises <strong>a mix of the world&rsquo;s largest advanced and emerging economies,</strong> representing about<strong> two-thirds of the world&rsquo;s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment</strong> and over <strong>75% of global trade.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>members of the G20</strong> are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.</li>
<li>It does <strong>not have any permanent secretariat or headquarters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Meeting:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>On Covid-19:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Criticized China and Russia</strong> for engaging in <strong>vaccine diplomacy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Vaccine diplomacy</strong> is the <strong>branch of global health diplomacy</strong> in which a nation uses the development or delivery of vaccines to strengthen ties with other nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Promoting a science-based holistic <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-health-concept" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>One Health approach.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>'One Health'</strong> is an approach to designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Increased climate variability and extreme weather events<strong> impact agriculture output</strong> and are<strong> among the forces driving the rise in global hunger.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Africa:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Covid-19 pandemic, conflict, drought, economic woes, and extreme weather</strong> are reversing years of progress.</li>
<li>In the whole of Africa, <strong>250 million people</strong> were experiencing hunger, which is nearly <strong>20% of the population (as of 2019). </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Flagged the issue of <strong>&ldquo;vaccine equity&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This came in the wake of the <strong>European Union&rsquo;s (EU) opposition</strong> to India&rsquo;s and South Africa&rsquo;s proposal to increase large-scale manufacturing of vaccines by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/waiving-intellectual-property-protection-for-covid-19-vaccines" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>waiving some parts of the intellectual property rules</strong></a> under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement).</li>
<li>These rules prevent<strong> international firms with the capacity</strong> to produce approved vaccinations owing to issues with licencing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economy</strong> needs <strong>decentralised globalisation,</strong> including in manufacturing, food and health. <strong>Resilient supply chains</strong> must develop in parallel.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Today, the <strong>world is much more interlinked and interdependent.</strong> But it <strong>should not be that globalisation should apply only to resources and markets while production centres remain concentrated in the hands of a few.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Many countries, including India, faced difficulties getting medical equipment during the pandemic</strong> and faced disruption in a number of areas - such as a computer chip shortage and stalling automobile production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vaccine Equity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It entails <strong>both affordability of vaccines and access opportunities for populations</strong> across the world,<strong> irrespective of geography and geopolitics.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Inequitable vaccine distribution</strong> is not only <strong>leaving untold millions of people vulnerable to the virus</strong> but also allowing deadly variants to emerge and bounce back across the world.</li>
<li>As variants continue to spread, even <strong>countries with advanced vaccination programs</strong> have been <strong>forced to reimpose stricter public health measures,</strong> and some have <strong>implemented travel restrictions. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiative to Ensure Vaccine Equity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gavi-covax-facility" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COVAX</strong></a>: It is a<strong> global initiative</strong> aimed at <strong>equitable access to Covid-19 vaccines</strong> led by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNICEF</strong></a>, Gavi (The Vaccine Alliance), the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organization</strong></a>, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness and others.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> also began its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-vaccine-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Vaccine Maitri&rsquo;</strong></a> to supply Covid vaccine to different nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/international-cooperation-answer-to-covid-challenge-says-jaishankar-at-g20-7381682/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8737,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Zen Garden - Kaizen Academy',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Indian Prime MInister virtually inaugurated<strong> a Japanese &lsquo;Zen Garden - Kaizen Academy&rsquo;</strong> at the<strong> Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA) in Gujarat.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>a joint endeavour</strong> of the Japan Information and Study Centre at the AMA and the Indo-Japan Friendship Association (IJFA), Gujarat. It is supported by the Hyogo International Association (HIA) Japan.</li>
<li>It <strong>has traditional Japanese elements</strong> such as Red Bridge Guzei, Shoji Interior, Glory of Tori, a 3D art mural, fusion Chabutaro, Taki waterfall, Tsukubai basin and Kimono scroll.</li>
<li>It will <strong>propagate Japan&rsquo;s work culture in India</strong> and increase business interactions between Japan and India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Zen</strong> is a Japanese school of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/buddhism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahayana Buddhism</strong></a> emphasizing the value of meditation and intuition rather than ritual worship or study of scriptures. Zen in Japan is <strong>meditation in India.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Kaizen</strong> translates to 'change for the better' or 'continuous improvement'. Kaizen is a Japanese business philosophy that focuses on gradually improving productivity by involving all employees and by making the work environment more efficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-Japan Friendship:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1625040140_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1625040140_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Highlights of Recent Telephonic Conversation between the Prime Ministers of India and and Japan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To <strong>overcome challenges posed by the pandemic,</strong> there is a need to work together<strong> to create resilient, diversified and trustworthy supply chains,</strong> ensure reliable <strong>supply of critical materials</strong> and technologies, and develop new <strong>partnerships in manufacturing and skill development.</strong></li>
<li>Confirmed the importance of Japan-India bilateral and multilateral cooperation, including Japan-Australia-India-US <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-meeting-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>quadrilateral cooperation</strong></a>, towards realising a <strong>free and open Indo-Pacific.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Possible Cooperation in areas</strong> like 5G, submarine cables, strengthening of industrial competitiveness and development projects in the northeastern state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Recent Developments Between India and Japan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Recently, India, Japan and Australia have formally launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/proposal-of-supply-chain-resilience-initiative#:~:text=Supply%20Chain%20Resilience%20Initiative%20(SCRI)%3A,lead%20to%20the%20supply%20chain." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI)</strong></a> in a move to counter China&rsquo;s dominance of the supply chain in the Indo-Pacific region.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/japan-to-fund-projects-in-india#:~:text=Japan%20has%20finalised%20loans%20and,the%20Andaman%20and%20Nicobar%20islands." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Japan has finalised loans</strong></a> and a grant totalling around 233 billion yen for several key infrastructure projects in India, including for a project in the Andaman and Nicobar islands.</li>
<li>In 2020, India and Japan signed a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-japan-logistics-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> logistics agreement</strong></a> that will allow armed forces of both sides to coordinate closely in services and supplies. The agreement is known as the <strong>Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA).</strong></li>
<li>In 2014, India and Japan upgraded their relationship to <strong>'Special Strategic and Global Partnership'.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> India-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)</strong> that came into force in August 2011 covers trade in goods, services, movement of natural persons, investments, Intellectual Property Rights, custom procedures and other trade related issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Exercises:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India and Japan defence forces organize a series of bilateral exercises namely, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-08th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>JIMEX</strong></a> (naval), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-4th-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SHINYUU Maitri</strong></a> (Air Force), and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-dharma-guardian-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dharma Guardian</strong> </a>(Army). Both countries also participate in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-malabar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Malabar exercise</strong></a> (Naval Exercise) with the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Apart from taking assistance from Japan, India should also think about how Indian components could reach Japan, and how they can be rewarded dividends in Japan: the notion of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aatmanirbhar Bharat</strong></a> also needs to be promoted.</li>
<li>India needs to look into the matter of post covid ties too, ensure good relations with the other parts of the world so as to emerge from the losses and also in order to restrain Chinese influence in the areas of maritime.</li>
<li>With the help of Japan, India can pave its way to the permanent membership of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Security Council.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/indo-japanese-partnership-during-covid-19-more-relevant-for-global-stability-modi-7378227/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8711,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'FATF Retains Pakistan on Grey List',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Financial Action Task Force (FATF)</strong> decided to retain Pakistan on<strong> &ldquo;increased monitoring list&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>&ldquo;Increased monitoring list&rdquo; is another name for the <strong>Grey List.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>FATF had issued the 27-point action plan after placing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fatf-s-grey-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan on the &lsquo;Grey List&rsquo; in June 2018</a>.</strong> The action plan pertains to <strong>curbing <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/money-laundering-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">money laundering</a> and terror financing.</strong></li>
<li>During the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pakistan-on-fatf-grey-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> October-2020 Plenary</strong></a>, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistan was given an extension for full compliance with the 27-point action plan till February 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It had then not fully complied with 6 of the 27 directives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fatf-retains-pakistan-in-grey-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>In February 2021</strong></a>, FATF acknowledged Pakistan&rsquo;s significant progress in combating terrorism, however it was still to fully comply with<strong> three of the 27-point action plan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The three points pertained to effective steps in terms of financial sanctions and penalties against the terror funding infrastructure and the entities involved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FATF said <strong>Pakistan had failed to take appropriate action against UN-designated terrorists</strong> such as 26/11 accused Hafiz Saeed and JeM chief Masood Azhar. However, <strong>Pakistan has completed 26 of the 27 action items.</strong></li>
<li>The FATF <strong>encourages Pakistan to continue to make progress to address as soon as possible the one remaining Countering Finance of Terrorism (CFT)-related item</strong> by demonstrating that Terror Financing investigations and prosecutions target senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terrorist groups.</li>
<li>In addition, the<strong> FATF has handed down another 6-point list of tasks mainly on money laundering</strong> actions to be completed as well.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pakistan is expected to amend its Money-Laundering Act, crackdown on Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) like real estate agencies and gemstone traders, confiscate and freeze assets of money laundering entities and monitor businesses for proliferation financing, with sanctions for non-compliance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In Pakistan's case, the <strong>FATF has taken cognisance of the inaction against several banned organisations</strong> involved in raising funds for terror activities and those linked to global terrorists like Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and Lashkar-e-Taiba&rsquo;s Hafiz Saeed and its operations chief Zaki-Ur Rahman Lakhvi.</li>
<li>On several occasions, India has also raised the involvement of elements within Pakistan in a number of terror cases,<strong> including the 26/11 Mumbai and Pulwama attacks.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Perpetual containment of Pakistan on the grey list</strong> of FATF<strong> would further pressurise Pakistan to take adequate measures</strong> to prevent such terrorist attacks on India from its soil.</li>
<li>Unlike the next level &ldquo;blacklist&rdquo;, <strong>greylisting carries no legal sanctions, but it attracts economic strictures and restricts a country&rsquo;s access to international loans.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pakistan&rsquo;s Foreign Minister had estimated <strong>a loss of $10 billion annually to the Pakistani economy</strong> for every year Pakistan has been on the greylist.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Financial Action Task Force</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 during the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/g-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G7 Summit</strong> </a>in Paris.</li>
<li>The FATF assesses the strength of a country&rsquo;s anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing frameworks, however it does not go by individual cases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its Secretariat is located at the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development</a> (OECD)</strong> headquarters in Paris.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Member Countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FATF currently has 39 members including two regional organisations &mdash; the European Commission and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gcc-backs-un-arms-embargo-on-iran#:~:text=set%20to%20expire.-,Gulf%20Cooperation%20Council,United%20Arab%20Emirates%20(UAE)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council.</strong> </a>India is a member of the FATF.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lists under FATF:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Grey List:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list.</li>
<li>This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Black List:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist.</li>
<li>These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities.</li>
<li>The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sessions:</strong> The <strong>FATF Plenary is the decision making body of the FATF.</strong> It meets three times per year.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/pakistan/fatf-pakistan-grey-list-terror-financing-7375835/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8669,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Maritime Security Challenges',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OeaLH6eOdbY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Defence Minister of India addressed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/8th-admm-plus-meetinghttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/8th-admm-plus-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>8<sup>th</sup> ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-defence-ministers-meeting-plus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ADMM-Plus</strong></a> is a platform for <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN</strong></a> and its eight Dialogue Partners.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has <strong>raised concerns over maritime security</strong> and has called for rule-based order in <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has also raised the issue of freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s regressive behaviour</strong> in the critical sea lanes in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/south-china-sea-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South China Sea</strong></a> is the centre of the entire maritime security challenge.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sea lanes of communication are critical for peace, stability, prosperity and development of the Indo-Pacific region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Terrorism has been referred to as the<strong> gravest threat to global peace.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>ASEAN, India and China</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Call for Free and Open Indo-Pacific:</strong> India has called for a<strong> free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific,</strong> based upon<strong> respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity</strong> of nations, peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and adherence to international rules and laws.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India supports <strong>freedom of navigation, over flight, and unimpeded commerce</strong> in the international waterways.</li>
<li>India also<strong> supports utilisation of ASEAN-led mechanisms</strong> as important platforms for implementation of our shared vision for the Indo-Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China and ASEAN:</strong> China has lost this case in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNCLOS</strong></a>, it has filed another case and there are code of conduct negotiations going on between the five other countries and China.</li>
<li><strong>China and India:</strong> China is not very concerned about India&rsquo;s opinion on the South China Sea issue due to its ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>conflict with India</strong></a> at the Ladakh border, it is expected for India to put pressure on China on the maritime issues.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, <strong>India has not yet expanded its trade in the South China Sea,</strong> hence, it is<strong> not as greater a threat</strong> as the USA, Japan or Australia.</li>
<li>However, China is interested in India and its coordination with the other powers such as the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> QUAD nations</strong></a> as there are talks among these countries regarding introducing inclusive policies for the Indo Pacific region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Nuclear Policies:</strong> China&rsquo;s nuclear policy laid out by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-among-top-military-spenders-sipri" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SIPRI</strong></a> says that China will have around 8-10 nuclear submarines which can fire missiles that can go 10,000 km long.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China is also developing a system called &ldquo;Fire on Warning&rdquo; for striking back in case of an attack.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of South China Sea:</strong> The sea holds tremendous strategic importance for its location as it is the connecting link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-investment-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNCTAD</strong></a>, one-third of the global shipping passes through it, carrying trillions of trade which makes it a significant geopolitical water body.</li>
<li>The sea is also<strong> rich in minerals, hydrocarbons, oil and gas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Chinese Strategies:</strong> China <strong>does not recognise <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/new-indo-pacific-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indo-Pacific</a> as one</strong> but it does consider both the Oceans as key areas of its interests. China has two different strategies for the Indian and Pacific Ocean.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the western Pacific, the core interest of China, it has a full spectrum dominance strategy.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the region where China prefers to force grayzone operations using terms like incremental takeover of territory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, for the Indian Ocean, China uses the term stakeholdership for the same purposes; for gradually increasing their presence and leverage in the region.</li>
<li>China is increasing its influence not just with military force but through the<a href="/printpdf/italy-joins-belt-road-initiative#:~:text=Belt%20%26%20Road%20Initiative%20(BRI)%20is%20an%20ambitious%20project%20that,150%20countries%20(China's%20Claim)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> belt and road initiative</strong> </a>too.</li>
<li>China is, however, keeping itself out of those regions sensitive to India, as it does not want to give any chance to India to raise any objections and even if it happens, China wants the onus of aggression to be on India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Global Response towards China</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>NATO:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nato-ally-status-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NATO</strong></a> countries are not happy with China breaching the international code of conduct established for the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/global-commons-at-threat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Global Commons.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The recently held NATO summit for the first time has <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-as-a-security-risk-nato" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>explicitly described China as a security risk.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>QUAD:</strong> China is a big trading partner of Australia and Japan. A number of Japanese industries have their manufacturing bases in China. A lot of US industries are also linked to Chinese raw materials and also supply chains.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Notwithstanding, the QUAD members Australia and Japan issued a joint statement saying China is a threat to them; it has threatened Australia with the missile strike.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Australia is now trying to remove China from the Darwin base in the country&rsquo;s northern part.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The EU and UK:</strong> The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European nations</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-uk-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Kingdom</strong></a>, despite having friendly relations with the country in the immediate past, have considered China as a threat to global peace and security.</li>
<li><strong>G7 Countries:</strong> There are two aspects to the problem that <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/g-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G7 nations</strong></a> are facing:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Chinese military aggression</strong> in the South China Sea and with regard to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chinese-incursions-in-taiwan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Taiwan</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There have been a number of aircraft and Chinese fighter jets incursions in Taiwanese air space. China is exerting pressure on its reunification or forcible capture of Taiwan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> issue of global recovery.</strong> There isn&rsquo;t much focus on the conflicts due to the global <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/technical-recession-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>recession</strong> </a>from which only China has rebounded.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The big nations are trying to compete with China. The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/47th-g7-summit-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Build Back Better</strong></a> initiative of the G7 was aimed squarely at competing with China&rsquo;s trillion-dollar <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road infrastructure initiative.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Russia</strong> is also concerned with China&rsquo;s rapidly increasing influence in Central Asia as it will impact Russia&rsquo;s strong influence in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Role of Developed Democratic Nations:</strong> Countries like the US or Russia have to outpace China from world order, which is Authoritarian country.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Issues in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uighur-muslims" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Xinjiang</strong></a>, Taiwan, Tibet, and the South China Sea are a great threat to the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India to Adopt Multi Pronged Approach:</strong> For India, only a robust military strategy to counter China is not enough, it will have to be a multipronged approach including infrastructure component, the technology related aspect.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In the Indian Ocean, India must maintain its preeminence and assertiveness, deter China from operating in regions that are significant to India.</li>
<li>India must cooperate and improve ties with its partners to gain an influence over the Pacific region because it is where China is highly unstable and sensitive.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s maritime policies have to be mated against China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Matching China&rsquo;s Levels of Infrastructure Projects:</strong> China is planning to build a port in Israel, antagonizing the USA.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has ports in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/djibouti-code-of-conduct" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Djibouti</strong></a> in Africa and also in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chabahar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gwadar</strong></a> in Pakistan near Iran and its Belt and Road Initiative has its reach in Europe.</li>
<li>Indian strategy will have to match the Chinese level of the effort which it is making in the African countries by building infrastructures.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collectively Countering Terrorism:</strong> The networking amongst terrorists is now reaching alarming proportions.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Only through collective cooperation could the terror organisations and their networks be fully disrupted, the perpetrators identified and held accountable.</li>
<li>Strong measures should be undertaken against those who encourage, support and finance terrorism and provide sanctuary to terrorists.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Updating the Technology:</strong> Issues of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyber threats</strong></a> like ransomware, <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/ransomware-wannacry" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wannacry</strong></a> attacks and cryptocurrency thefts call for a multi-stakeholder approach, guided by democratic values, with a governance structure that is open and inclusive that would drive the future of cyberspace.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The multitude of challenges of today&rsquo;s dynamic and interdependent world cannot be addressed with outdated systems that were designed to deal with trials of the past.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Maritime Security Challenges in Indo-Pacific and South China Sea are the key areas where India and Other like minded countries have to work in a Coordinated manner.</li>
<li>The South China Sea remains a critical aspect of the larger discussion. However, a lot of countries including India are still not so keen to confront China directly.</li>
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8642,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'IN-EUNAVFOR Joint Naval Exercise',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>maiden Indian Navy - European Union Naval Force (IN-EUNAVFOR) Exercise</strong> is being conducted in<strong> Gulf Of Aden.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624090807_pasted%20image 0 (2).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1624090807_pasted image 0 (2).png" width="450" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Participants</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Along with <strong>Indian Navy</strong>, other naval forces are from <strong>Italy, Spain and France.</strong></li>
<li>The naval exercise <strong>included</strong> advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, tactical manoeuvres, Search &amp; Rescue, and other maritime security operations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To enhance and hone their <strong>war-fighting skills</strong> and their ability as an<strong> integrated force to promote peace, security and stability</strong> in the maritime domain.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>EUNAVFOR and the Indian Navy converge on multiple issues including <strong>counter piracy operations</strong> and <strong>protection of vessels deployed</strong> under the charter of <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-food-programme-wfp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Food Programme (UN WFP)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The two navies also have regular interaction through <strong>SHADE (Shared Awareness and Deconfliction)</strong> meetings held annually at Bahrain.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>SHADE</strong> is an <strong>international operational counter piracy platform</strong>, convened in <strong>Bahrain.</strong></li>
<li>It aimed to encourage partners for sharing information, assessing the evolution of trends, best practices and to de-conflict operations amongst counter-piracy actors in the Gulf of Aden, the <strong>Gulf of Oman and the Western Indian Ocean.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It also underscores the shared values in ensuring <strong>freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive and a rules-based international order.</strong></li>
<li>Concurrently, a virtual <strong>&ldquo;Information sharing Exercise&rdquo;</strong> is also being conducted between the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/information-fusion-centre-of-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Navy Information Fusion Centre &ndash; Indian Ocean Region</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-naval-los-at-madagascar-and-abu-dhabi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa</strong></a>, an integral part of EUNAVFOR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #000000; text-align: center; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;" colspan="2"><span style="color: #ffffff;"><strong>Major Indian Maritime Exercises</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #b0acac; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><strong>Name of the Exercise</strong></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; background-color: #b0acac; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><strong>Name of the Country</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/slinex-20-india-sri-lanka-naval-maritime-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SLINEX</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Sri Lanka</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-bongosagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bongosagar and IN-BN CORPAT</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Bangladesh</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/jimex-20-maritime-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>JIMEX</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Japan</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Naseem-Al-Bahr</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Oman</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-indra-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indra</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Russia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bilateral-maritime-exercise-za-ir-al-bahr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Za&rsquo;ir-Al-Bahr</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Qatar</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-samudra-shakti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Samudra Shakti</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Indonesia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-thailand-coordinated-patrol" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Thai CORPAT</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Thailand</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">IMCOR</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Malaysia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-20th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SIMBEX</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Singapore</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">AUSINDEX</td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Australia</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;"><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/australia-to-join-malabar-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Malabar Exercise</strong></a></td>
<td style="width: 50%; height: 19px; border-style: solid; border-color: #000000;">Japan, and the USA</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1728276" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8630,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => '8th ADMM-Plus Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the defence minister addressed the<strong> 8<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-defence-ministers-meeting-plus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus.</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ADMM-Plus is a platform for <strong>ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Security &amp; Dispute Resolution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India called for an <strong>open and inclusive order in <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indo-Pacific</a></strong> based upon respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.</li>
<li>Supports <strong>freedom of navigation, overflight, and unimpeded commerce in the international waterways</strong> including the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/south-china-sea-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South China Sea</strong></a>, India hopes that the <strong>Code of Conduct negotiations</strong> (for South China Sea) will lead to outcomes that are in keeping with international law, including the the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Recently, ASEAN and China agreed to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-asean-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>expedite the resumption of negotiations on the code</strong></a>, which were halted by the pandemic.</li>
<li>China and ASEAN <strong>started negotiations in 2013</strong> on a supposedly binding code of conduct.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Stressed on<strong> peaceful resolutions of disputes</strong> through dialogue and adherence to international rules and laws.</li>
<li>Need <strong>new systems</strong> to address the emerging challenges to <strong>international peace and security.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Act East Policy:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The key elements of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-act-east-policy-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East Policy</strong> </a>aims to<strong> promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships</strong> with countries in the Indo-Pacific region through continuous engagement at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Terrorism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Called for <strong>collective cooperation to fully disrupt terror organisations</strong> and their networks.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable and ensure that <strong>strong measures are taken against those who support and finance terrorism</strong> and provide sanctuary to terrorists.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As a member of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-action-task-force-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Financial Action Task Force (FATF)</strong> </a>India remains committed to combat financing of terrorism. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>FATF</strong> is the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cybersecurity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Called for a<strong> multi-stakeholder approach, guided by democratic values,</strong> with a governance structure that is open and inclusive and a secure, open and stable internet with due respect to sovereignty of countries, that would drive the future of cyberspace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Globally available patent free <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccination" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>vaccines</strong></a>, unhindered supply chains and greater global medical capacities are some of the lines of effort that India has suggested for a combined effort.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>South Africa and India have called for the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization (WTO)</strong></a> to suspend intellectual property (IP) rights related to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a>to ensure equitable sharing of vaccines and new technology to control the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tiger-triumph#:~:text=The%20first%2Dever%20India%2DUS,Kakinada%20coasts%20in%20Andhra%20Pradesh." target="_blank" rel="noopener">HADR</a>) Operations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India remains one of the first to respond in times of distress in the immediate as well as extended neighbourhood.</li>
<li>As a founding member of the <strong>Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM),</strong> India seeks to enhance capacity building through collaboration in the areas of Maritime Search &amp; Rescue.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>HACGAM is an <strong>apex level forum facilitating the congregation of all the major Coast Guard Agencies of the Asian region,</strong> it was<strong> established in 2004. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN Centrality:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>shares a deep connection with ASEAN</strong> and has continued its active engagement in many areas <strong>contributing to regional peace and stability, particularly through ASEAN led mechanisms,</strong> such as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">East Asia Summit</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN Regional Forum</a>.</strong></li>
<li>ADMM-Plus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The India-ASEAN strategic partnership has been strengthened by virtue of flourishing cultural and civilisational links and enhanced people-to-people cooperation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>ADMM-Plus</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> 2<sup>nd</sup> ASEAN Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting (ADMM) in 2007</strong> at Singapore adopted a resolution to establish the ADMM-Plus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>first ADMM-Plus was convened at Hanoi, Vietnam in 2010.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Brunei</strong> is the Chair of the ADMM Plus forum for the year 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is an<strong> annual meeting of Defence Ministers</strong> of 10 ASEAN countries and eight dialogue partner countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</strong></a> is a regional organization which was established to promote political and social stability amid rising tensions among the Asia-Pacific&rsquo;s post-colonial states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Membership:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The ADMM-Plus countries include<strong> ten ASEAN Member States</strong> and <strong>eight Plus countries,</strong> namely <strong>Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, and the United States.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It aims to promote mutual trust and confidence between defence establishments through greater dialogue and transparency.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Areas of cooperation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations and military medicine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623933143_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623933143_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="576" height="450" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1727467" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8610,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a resolution was adopted by the European Parliament, urging the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union </strong></a>(EU) Commission to <strong>consider the temporary withdrawal of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status given to Sri Lanka.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Sri Lanka regained the GSP +, or the EU&rsquo;s Generalised Scheme of Preferences in 2017.</li>
<li>The EU is <strong>Sri Lanka&rsquo;s second-largest trading partner after China and its second main export destination.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) is <strong>a set of EU rules allowing exporters from developing countries to pay less or no duties on their exports</strong> to the European Union. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>helps developing countries to alleviate poverty and create jobs</strong> based on international values and principles, including labour and human rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The EU&rsquo;s GSP is <strong>widely recognised as the most progressive in terms of coverage and benefits. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Standard GSP:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For <strong>low and lower-middle income countries.</strong> This means a <strong>partial or full removal of customs duties on two thirds of tariff lines.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Developing countries</strong> are automatically granted GSP if they are <strong>classified as having an income level below "upper middle income" by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a></strong> and do not benefit from another arrangement (like a <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/a-note-on-free-trade-agreements-and-their-costs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Free Trade Agreement</strong></a>) granting them preferential access to the EU market.</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong> Bangladesh, Cambodia and Myanmar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>GSP+:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>special incentive arrangement for sustainable development and good governance.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>slashes these same tariffs (that under standard GSP) to 0% for vulnerable low and lower-middle income countries</strong> that implement international conventions related to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/human-rights-day-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> human rights</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-labour-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>labour rights</strong></a>, protection of the environment and good governance.</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong> Armenia, Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, The Philippines and Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>EBA (Everything But Arms):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The special arrangement <strong>for least developed countries, providing them with duty-free, quota-free access for all products except arms and ammunition.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monitoring Beneficiaries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU <strong>continuously monitors and reviews GSP+ beneficiary countries&rsquo;</strong> effective implementation of the <strong>international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection, and good governance.</strong></li>
<li>This monitoring includes exchanges of information, dialogue and visits and involves various stakeholders, including civil society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Generalised System of Preferences</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/generalized-system-of-preference" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Generalized System of Preferences</strong></a> is an umbrella that comprises the bulk of <strong>preferential schemes granted by industrialized nations to developing countries.</strong></li>
<li>It involves reduced <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-revokes-mfn-status-to-pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Most Favored Nations (MFN)</strong></a> Tariffs or duty-free entry of eligible products exported by beneficiary countries to the markets of donor countries.</li>
<li>The idea of granting developing countries preferential tariff rates in the markets of industrialized countries was originally presented at the first <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-investment-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)</strong></a> conference in<strong> 1964.</strong></li>
<li>The GSP was adopted at<strong> UNCTAD</strong> in New Delhi in 1968 and was instituted in 1971.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There are currently <strong>13 national GSP schemes notified to the UNCTAD secretariat.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Countries which Grant Generalized System of Preferences:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Australia, Belarus, Canada, EU, Iceland, Japan, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Norway, Russian Federation, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States of America.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>2019, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-withdraws-gsp-for-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US terminated India&rsquo;s designation</a> as a beneficiary developing nation under its GSP trade programme.</strong> This was done after determining that India has not assured the US that it will provide &ldquo;equitable and reasonable access&rdquo; to its markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Improves Growth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Improves Economic growth and development</strong> in the developing world by helping beneficiary countries to increase and diversify their trade with the developed nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provides Employment:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Moving GSP imports from the docks to consumers, farmers, and manufacturers supports tens of thousands of jobs in the developed nation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Boosts Company Competitiveness:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is boosted by the GSP as it reduces costs of imported inputs used by companies to manufacture goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promotes Global Values:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It<strong> promotes Global values by supporting beneficiary countries</strong> in affording worker rights to their people, enforcing intellectual property rights, and supporting the rule of law.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>UNCTAD</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a<strong> permanent intergovernmental body</strong> established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964. It is headquartered at<strong> Geneva in Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy</strong> more fairly and effectively.</li>
<li>It has 194 member nations. <strong>India is a member.</strong></li>
<li>Some of the reports published by it are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/trade-and-development-report-2018-power-platforms-and-the-free-trade-delusion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Trade and Development Report</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/investment-trends-monitor-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Investment Trends Monitor Report</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-investment-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Investment Report</strong></a></li>
<li>The Least Developed Countries Report</li>
<li>Information and Economy Report</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/technology-and-innovation-report-2021-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Technology and Innovation Report</strong></a></li>
<li>Commodities and Development Report</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Most Favored Nations (MFN)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As per the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organisation&rsquo;s (WTO)</strong></a> General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade MFN principle, each of the WTO member countries should &ldquo;treat all the other members equally as &lsquo;most-favoured&rsquo; trading partners.&rdquo;</li>
<li>According to the WTO, though the term &lsquo;MFN&rsquo; &ldquo;suggests special treatment, it actually means nondiscrimination.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/eu-parliament-resolution-puts-spotlight-on-sri-lankas-rights-situation/article34815656.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8569,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'China-ASEAN Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, China hosted a meeting of foreign ministers from the 10 <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)</strong></a> countries.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The meeting marks the <strong>30<sup>th</sup> anniversary of China-ASEAN dialogue.</strong></li>
<li>With this meeting China looks to <strong>deepen its economic ties with the region</strong> as well as <strong>push back the renewed effort at regional engagement</strong> from the US, as well as from the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">QUAD (Quadrilateral Framework) grouping</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>QUAD earlier this year came out with a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-leaders-summit-quad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">regional vaccine initiative</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points.</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Cultural Diplomacy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Reiterated that <strong>China and ASEAN should jointly carry forward Asian values</strong> in a subtle dig at the West. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China in 2014 had put forward the idea that it was for <strong>&ldquo;Asian people to uphold Asia&rsquo;s security&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-Vaccines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China offered ASEAN countries its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccination" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>vaccines</strong></a> as well as closer cooperation on joint vaccine development and production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Maritime Security &amp; Disputes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China called for considering the <strong>lifting of China-ASEAN ties to comprehensive strategic partnership</strong> and strive for an early agreement on a <strong>code of conduct in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South China Sea</a>.</strong></li>
<li>China is <strong>banking on deep economic links to both offset maritime disputes</strong> and the push among some ASEAN countries for closer defence ties with the US amid their concerns about China&rsquo;s growing military footprint in the South China Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China pushed for the early implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rcep-comes-into-existence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)</strong></a>, which was signed by China, ASEAN countries, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand in November 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India withdrew from the RCEP</strong> largely because of concerns it would open it up to Chinese goods amid an already wide trade imbalance with China, and the failure of the agreement to adequately open up to services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN&rsquo;s Importance for China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>ASEAN plays a <strong>key role in Chinese economic and strategic interests.</strong></li>
<li>The region straddles vital sea lanes of communication that <strong>represent China&rsquo;s access to the global market</strong>, including vital imports of Middle Eastern oil.</li>
<li>Economically entwined with China, the relatively small nations of the region also <strong>offer ample opportunities for China to advance its influence</strong> and weaken what Chinese strategists perceive as a US (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chinese-incursions-in-taiwan#:~:text=The%20Chinese%20government%20passed%20an,coerced%20or%20attacked%20by%20China." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Presence of US</strong></a>) engineered chain of encirclement around the Chinese mainland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN and India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Traditionally the basis of India-ASEAN ties has been trade and people-to-people ties</strong> due to shared historical and cultural roots, a more recent and urgent area of convergence has been <strong>balancing China&rsquo;s rise.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2020, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/17th-asean-india-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>17<sup>th</sup> ASEAN-India Virtual Summit</strong></a> was held.</li>
<li>The 8<sup>th</sup> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>East Asia Summit</strong></a> <strong>Economic Ministers&rsquo; Meeting</strong> (EAS-EMM) was also held<strong> in 2020. It comprises the ten member states of the ASEAN, along with 8 other countries</strong> namely Australia, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the USA.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both India and ASEAN aim to establish a<strong> rules-based security architecture for peaceful development in the region</strong>, in contrast to China&rsquo;s aggressive policies.</li>
<li>Like India, <strong>several ASEAN members such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei have territorial disputes with China, the China</strong> factor does form an important component of the relationship.</li>
<li>India in 2014 reinvigorated the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-act-east-policy-1#:~:text=About%3A,Pacific%20region%20at%20different%20levels." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Look East policy into Act East</strong></a>, with a more strategic outlook than its previous incarnation, <strong>focusing on engagement not just with Southeast Asian countries but also those in the Pacific.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The main focus of the Act East policy is on <strong>enhancing connectivity between India and South East Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Association of Southeast Asian Nations</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>a regional grouping</strong> that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation.</li>
<li>It was established in <strong>August 1967 in Bangkok</strong>, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.</li>
<li>Its <strong>chairmanship rotates annually</strong>, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.</li>
<li>ASEAN countries have a<strong> total population of 650 million people</strong> and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 2.8 trillion. It is <strong>India&rsquo;s 4<sup>th</sup> largest trading partner with about USD 86.9 billion in trade.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam..</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623312702_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1623312702_image1.png" width="450" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With China frequently displaying the intention as well as capability to challenge India, as seen in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doklam standoff</strong></a>, it is pertinent that <strong>India finds more like-minded nations interested in working together to protect regional peace and stability.</strong></li>
<li>In this context, ASEAN fits the bill perfectly. <strong>ASEAN can also spur rapid growth of India&rsquo;s underdeveloped northeastern region</strong> if linkages that enable movement of people and goods could be established quickly.</li>
<li>But in order to do that, <strong>India must focus on speeding up connectivity projects and addressing its uneven balance of trade with ASEAN nations.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-offers-asean-support-on-vaccines-medical-supplies/article34762311.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8568,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'G-7 & India ',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/g-7-virtual-meet-united-kingdom-india-and-the-west-relations-7348541/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The G-7 opportunity&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 08/06/2021. It talks about the significance of the upcoming G-7 Summit for India.</p>
</div>
<p></p>
<p>In the coming days, the summit of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g7-foreign-ministers-meet#:~:text=Seven%20(G7)%3A-,About%3A,constitution%20or%20a%20fixed%20headquarters." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Group of Seven (G-7)</strong></a> industrial countries is going to take place in the United Kingdom. In the context of Post-Covid-19 era, the summit promises to be a definitive moment in the political evolution of the Western countries as a group of nations.</p>
<p>Apart from this, the summit will also see the digital participation of Indian Prime Minister. For India, the G-7 summit is an opportunity to expand the global dimension of India&rsquo;s growing partnerships with the US and Europe.</p>
<p>Thus, the summit can emerge as an important step towards a new global compact between India and the West.</p>
<h3>G-7: Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The G7 was created as a consultation of industrialized economies, all of which have been democracies since the grouping&rsquo;s origins in 1975.</li>
<li>The original G6 included the United States, Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy, with Canada joining to make the G7 by 1976.</li>
<li>Russia participated in the G8 from 1998 to 2014 until its invasion of Ukraine&rsquo;s Crimea caused the group to eject it.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of G-7 Summit For India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>America First To America is Back:</strong> Former US President Donald Trump&rsquo;s &ldquo;America First&rdquo; policies weakened the US hegemony. Now US President Joe Biden is determined to strengthen US alliances and draw India into a new global architecture.</li>
<li><strong>Need for a Strong G-7 Coalition:</strong> The need for reinvigoration of G-7 emanates from the challenges put forward by increasingly aggressive China, the urgency of mitigating climate change, and the construction of a post-pandemic international order.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These challenges are generating an unprecedented convergence between the interests of India and the West.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>G-7 to G-11:</strong> Not a long time ago, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the G-7 of the world&rsquo;s most developed nations was &ldquo;outdated&rdquo; and proposed to expand it.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Now, the move to invite India, Australia, South Africa and South Korea to this can be seen as a possible step onwards upgradation of G-7 to G-11.</li>
<li>The idea of a G-11 also can emerge as a global democratic coalition and India is at the very heart of this narrative.</li>
<li>Further, the proposed G-11 grouping would recognise India&rsquo;s place amongst the world&rsquo;s richest nations, and acknowledge its global voice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Countering China:</strong> India now can&rsquo;t escape the conclusion that China is the greatest obstacle to India&rsquo;s global aspirations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, forming a western pivot which includes strong bilateral strategic cooperation with the US, France, UK, EU as well as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong></a> can help India counter China.</li>
<li>India is also eager to emerge as a critical node in future supply chains oriented to the democratic world, including in the area of vaccine production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Easing Navigation Among Great Powers:</strong> With Russia also invited at the G-7 summit, India now hopes that a renewed dialogue between US and Russia can lead to a relaxation of tensions between them and will ease India&rsquo;s navigation among the great powers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges With G-7 &amp; India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Clash of Interests:</strong> The growing convergence of interests between India and the West does not mean the two sides will agree on everything. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After all, there are many areas of continuing divergence within the West &mdash; from the economic role of the state to the democratic regulation of social media and the technology giants.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Internal Tussle Within G-7:</strong> An evaluation of the G-7&rsquo;s effectiveness as a multilateral forum thus far is needed, given deep member differences on issues including climate change, security contributions, Iran, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Emerging New Cold War:</strong> Despite its border tensions with China, India must also consider its objectives in attending a grouping that appears aimed at fuelling a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>new Cold War</strong></a> between the U.S. and China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>While India continues to strengthen its partnerships in Asia and the global south, a more productive partnership with the West helps secure a growing array of India&rsquo;s national interests and adds a new depth to India&rsquo;s international relations.</p>
<p>However, this would require sustained negotiations on converting shared interests &mdash; on reforming the global economic order, mitigating climate change, promoting greener growth, making the world immune to future pandemics, and constructing trusted supply chains &mdash; into concrete outcomes.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfcf0;">
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>India now can&rsquo;t escape the conclusion that China is the greatest obstacle to India&rsquo;s global aspirations. In light of this statement, discuss the prospects of India joining the G-7.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8567,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Joint Statement on Multilateralism: BRICS',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/brics-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> BRICS</strong></a> Foreign Ministers, in a recent meet, put out a joint statement on <strong>multilateralism.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>BRICS</strong> is an acronym for the <strong>grouping of</strong> the world&rsquo;s leading emerging economies, namely <strong>Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Multilateralism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the <strong>process of organizing relations</strong> between <strong>groups of three or more states.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>generally comprises certain qualitative elements or principles that shape the character of the arrangement</strong> or institution. These principles are:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Indivisibility of interests</strong> among participants.</li>
<li>Commitment to <strong>diffuse reciprocity,</strong> i.e. mutual exchange.</li>
<li>System of <strong>dispute settlement</strong> intended to enforce a particular mode of behaviour.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Multilateral institutions have played a significant role in <strong>post-war global governance</strong> and are arguably<strong> more stable</strong> than other forms of organization because the <strong>principles</strong> underlying them appear to be more <strong>durable and more able to adapt</strong> to external changes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Increasing Incidences of Lawfare:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It means the misuse of<strong> existing International and national laws</strong> by several countries (via forced technology requirements, intellectual property rights violations, and subsidies), to gain an unfair advantage over other countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The imposition of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bigger-picture-of-usas-action-against-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>extraterritorial sanction (under CAATSA) by the US</strong></a> has affected development in developing economies like India and China.</li>
<li>Paralysis of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization (WTO)</strong></a>, due to the tussle between the developed and developing world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dual Use of Global Supply Chain:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the developed countries have <strong>jurisdiction and control over global supply chains.</strong> Due to growing convergence between commercial interests and strategic goals, these supply chains enable them to have <strong>vast extraterritorial influence </strong>and have created <strong>new power asymmetries.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China through BRI</strong></a> (Belt and Road Initiative) is enhancing its role in global economic governance.</li>
<li>There are fears pertaining to dual-use (commercial viability and military application) of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-industrial-revolution-4-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Revolution 4.0.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Global Framework:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The global community has not been able to come on a single platform or frame a <strong>Global Agenda</strong> on issues related to <strong>terrorism, Climate Change, cybersecurity etc.</strong></li>
<li>Also, due to the lack of any global public health framework, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>has spread into a pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Six Principles laid out by BRICS for the task of Strengthening and and Reforming the Multilateral System:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, it should make <strong>global governance</strong> more inclusive, representative and participatory to facilitate greater and more meaningful participation of developing and least developed countries.</li>
<li>Second, it should be <strong>based on inclusive consultation</strong> and <strong>collaboration</strong> for the benefit of all.</li>
<li>Third, it should make<strong> multilateral organisations more responsive, action-oriented </strong>and <strong>solution-oriented</strong> based on the norms and principles of international law and the spirit of mutual respect, justice, equality, and mutually beneficial cooperation.</li>
<li>Fourth, it should use<strong> innovative and inclusive solutions,</strong> including digital and technological tools.</li>
<li>Fifth, it should <strong>strengthen the capacities of individual States and international organizations.</strong></li>
<li>Sixth, it should promote <strong>people-centered international cooperation</strong> at the core. .</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>BRICS</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world&rsquo;s leading emerging economies, namely<strong> Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2001,</strong> the <strong>British Economist Jim O&rsquo;Neill</strong> coined the term BRIC to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.</li>
<li>The grouping was <strong>formalised</strong> during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers&rsquo; in <strong>2006.</strong></li>
<li><strong>South Africa</strong> was invited to<strong> join BRIC in December 2010,</strong> after which the group adopted the acronym <strong>BRICS.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> has assumed the <strong>BRICS Presidency from January 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Structure</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BRICS <strong>does not exist in the form of organization,</strong> but it is an<strong> annual summit</strong> between the<strong> supreme leaders of five nations.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Chairmanship</strong> of the forum is <strong>rotated annually</strong> among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/brics-opposes-exceptionalism-china/article34764232.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8566,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Global Corporate Tax and India',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7GTUM5PpeYM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Finance Ministers of the<strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/47th-g7-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G7</a> </strong>advanced economies secured a landmark deal on taxing multinational companies by fixing a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-minimum-corporate-tax" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate (GMCTR)</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The decision would be placed before the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong> </a>countries, a group of developing and developed nations, in July 2021.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> The deal is aimed at modernizing the century-old international tax code and reducing the transatlantic tensions that threatened to spill into a trade war.</li>
<li><strong>Paving Way for Taxes:</strong> The agreement paves way for levies on Multinational Companies (MNCs) in countries where they operate, instead of just where they are headquartered.</li>
<li><strong>Countries&rsquo; Right to Tax:</strong> Under the new agreement, countries where big firms operate would get the right to tax at least 20% of profits exceeding a 10% margin which would apply to the largest and most profitable multinational enterprises.</li>
<li><strong>Efforts by OECD:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)</strong></a> has also been coordinating tax negotiations among 140 countries for years on rules for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/digital-services-tax-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> taxing cross-border digital services</strong> </a>and curbing tax <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-223" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>base erosion</strong></a>, including a global corporate minimum tax.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Global Minimum Corporate Tax Rate (GMCTR)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Corporation tax:</strong> It is a direct tax imposed on the net income or profit that enterprises make from their businesses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The G7 Finance Ministers have called for a global minimum corporation tax rate of<strong> at least 15%. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need of GMCTR: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Low Tax Jurisdictions:</strong> MNCs follow the system of locating the headquarters wherever the tax is the lowest so that the company ends up paying the tax at a much lower rate. Therefore the smaller countries such as Ireland were at advantage but the bigger countries lost out on tax revenues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>G7 countries have announced a minimum 15% tax rate on all MNCs irrespective of whichever place they are so that the advantage of country shifting does not remain.</li>
<li>There GMCTR must be fixed to avoid countries undercutting each other.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>To Bring Uniformity:</strong> GMCTR will end a decades-long race to the bottom in which countries have competed to attract corporate giants with ultra-low tax rates and exemptions. And it will bring uniformity in corporate taxation worldwide.</li>
<li><strong>Multilayering by MNCs for Profits:</strong> Digital giants such as Apple, Alphabet and Facebook, as well as many other major corporations typically rely on complex webs of subsidiaries to hoover profits out of major markets into low-tax countries such as Ireland or Caribbean nations such as the British Virgin Islands or the Bahamas, or to central American nations such as Panama.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>GMCTR and India: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bringing Equality:</strong> In the Indian context, the GMCTR will bring equality to those people maybe operating in India but not located in India and therefore not paying any taxes.</li>
<li><strong>Attract Investments:</strong> India is likely to benefit from the global minimum 15% corporate tax rate pact as the effective domestic tax rate (other than in Special Economic Zones) is above the threshold.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In all probability the concessional Indian tax regime would still work, and India would continue to attract investments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India at Advantage:</strong> Due to India&rsquo;s tax rates too, it will be in an advantageous position because Indian tax rates have come at a position where India can afford to give concessions to big companies and yet not fall down at the international tax rates.</li>
<li><strong>Challenge:</strong> Although the 15% GMCTR will not affect the current investments in India, setting up more SEZs or giving incentives to companies to invest in India will be a challenge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bringing Global Consensus:</strong> Bringing all the major nations on the same page, especially since the pact impinges on the right of the sovereign to decide a nation&rsquo;s tax policy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A global minimum rate would essentially take away a tool that countries use to push policies that suit them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues to Smaller Countries:</strong> Countries like Ireland, which has a tax rate of 12.5%, has come out against the global minimum tax, arguing that it would be disruptive to its economic model.</li>
<li><strong>Issues to Developing Countries:</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IMF</strong></a> and<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> World Bank</strong> </a>data suggest that developing countries with less ability to offer mega stimulus packages may experience a longer economic hangover than developed nations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Considering the countries like Bangladesh which do not have too many advantages to offer besides a Special Economic Zone, this decision of G7 countries might not be very conducive.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tackling Tax Evasion:</strong> A lower tax rate is a tool the countries can use to alternatively push economic activity. Also, a global minimum tax rate will do little to tackle tax evasion.</li>
<li><strong>Rigidity in Rules:</strong> Once an international commitment has been made for 15%, it will be very difficult for the national governments to say who stays on 15% and who doesn&rsquo;t. It will introduce a rigidity in the rules which might not be as favourable for countries&rsquo; economies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Effective Implementation:</strong> The idea of fixing a GMCTR is good but it needs to be ensured that the way it is implemented is transparent so it doesn&rsquo;t involve people looking for leverage for different loopholes.</li>
<li><strong>Proper Coordination:</strong> There should be appropriate coordination between the application of the new international tax rules including the Digital Services Taxes. Any final agreement could have major repercussions for low-tax countries and tax havens.</li>
<li><strong>Way Ahead for India:</strong> Once this deal comes through, India shall be at an advantageous position at the G20 summit to negotiate its double taxation avoidance agreements. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India shall take the opportunity that will be provided by this agreement as India&rsquo;s double tax avoidance agreements have not been signed by many countries in the west with which India has been negotiating for years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This initiative of the G7 countries is a welcome move to address the different challenges that many countries are facing.</li>
<li>Putting in place a global corporate tax at the minimum slab fixed by the G7 will majorly impact the developing economies.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8518,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India Abstains from Latest Resolution Against Israel',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Palestine blamed India for suppressing its human rights of all people</strong> as India abstained from the latest resolution on the Palestinian issue.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India abstained from voting on a resolution</strong> at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-human-rights-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Human Rights Council</strong> </a>(UNHRC) that came up in the backdrop of the latest round of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ai-aqsa-mosque-sheikh-jarrah-israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>conflict between Israel and Gaza strip</strong></a>, the coastal part of the Palestinian territories.</li>
<li>UNHRC is<strong> an inter-governmental body</strong> within the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> (UN) system responsible for <strong>strengthening the promotion and protection of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> human rights</a> around the world.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622722160_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1622722160_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="500" height="629" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Resolution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It called on the UNHRC <strong>to set up a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/call-for-permanent-commission-for-israel-and-palestinian-areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">permanent commission</a> to probe human rights violations in Gaza,</strong> West Bank and Palestine.</li>
<li>It was <strong>adopted with the vote of 24 members.</strong> Nine voted against, and 14, including India, abstained. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Among the<strong> countries that abstained</strong> on the vote, along with India, were France, Italy, Japan, Nepal, the Netherlands, Poland, and South Korea.</li>
<li>China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Russia were<strong> among those who voted in favour;</strong> Germany, the UK, and Austria<strong> voted against the resolution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As it was passed, an <strong>independent commission of inquiry</strong> was formed to investigate <strong>violations of international law by Israel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Palestine's Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> resolution</strong> is not an aberration to the Human Rights Council. It is the <strong>by-product of extensive multilateral consultations.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>consolidation of years and thorough investigations into and reporting on Israel&rsquo;s grave violations</strong> by States, UN&rsquo;s experts, Human Rights Treaty bodies, and international organisations.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Palestinian people were <strong>deprived of applicability of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-human-rights-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">international human rights law.</a></strong></li>
<li>The<strong> root causes of the injustice</strong> against the Palestinian people was <strong>dispossession, displacement, <a href="/gs-special/gs-special-world-history/colonialism#:~:text=Colonialism%20implies%20domination%20of%20people%27s,is%20more%20formal%20and%20aggressive." target="_blank" rel="noopener">colonisation</a> by Israel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Therefore,<strong> India&rsquo;s abstention stifles the important work of Human Rights Council</strong> at advancing human rights for all peoples, including those of the Palestinian people.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India <strong>missed an opportunity to join the international community</strong> at this turning point, both crucial and long overdue, on the path to accountability, justice and peace.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Till Date India&rsquo;s Position on Israel-Palestine Issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India<strong> recognised Israel in 1950</strong> but it is also the<strong> first non-Arab country to recognise Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO)</strong> as the sole representative of the Palestinian.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is also <strong>one of the first countries to recognise the statehood of Palestine in 1988.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> 2014,</strong> India<strong> favored UNHRC&rsquo;s resolution to probe Israel&rsquo;s human rights violations in Gaza.</strong> Despite supporting the probe, <strong>India abstained from voting against Israel in UNHRC in 2015.</strong></li>
<li>As a part of Link West Policy, <strong>India has de-hyphenated its relationship with Israel and Palestine in 2018</strong> to treat both the countries mutually independent and exclusive.</li>
<li>In June 2019, India <strong>voted in favor of a decision introduced by Israel</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-ecosoc-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)</strong> </a>that objected to granting consultative status to a Palestinian non-governmental organization.</li>
<li>In March 2021, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-criminal-court-icc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Criminal Court (ICC)</strong></a> launched investigatations into the war crimes in <strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/israel-palestine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Palestinian territories occupied by Israel (West Bank and the Gaza Strip).</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Israel wanted India to take a stand against it,</strong> however it did not happen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>So far, India has<strong> tried to maintain the image of its historical moral supporter for Palestinian self-determination,</strong> and at the same time to <strong>engage in the military, economic, and other strategic relations with Israel.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India&rsquo;s policy on the longest running conflict in the world has <strong>gone from being unequivocally pro-Palestine</strong> for the first four decades, to a<strong> tense balancing act with its three-decade-old friendly ties with Israel.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In today's multipolar world, <strong>India needs to have a balanced approach.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>world at large needs to come together for a peaceful solution</strong> but the reluctance of the Israeli government and other involved parties have aggravated the issue more. Thus a <strong>balanced approach would help to maintain favorable relations with Arab countries as well as Israel.</strong></li>
<li>The recent <strong>normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, known as the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/israel-uae-and-bahrain-abraham-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Abraham Accords</a>,</strong> are the steps in the right direction. All regional powers should envisage peace between the two countries on line of Abraham Accords.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/palestine-flays-indias-abstention-from-un-human-rights-council-vote/article34708618.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8516,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SCO Agreement on Mass Media Cooperation',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Government approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement on <strong>&lsquo;Cooperation in the field of Mass Media&rsquo;</strong> between all the Member States of <strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Agreement was <strong>signed in June 2019.</strong> It will provide an opportunity for the Member States<strong> to share new innovations and best practices</strong> in the field of Mass Media.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Main Areas of Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Creation of <strong>a favorable system for mutual and wide distribution of information via Mass Media</strong> in a bid<strong> to deepen the knowledge about the lives of the people of their States.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cooperation</strong> among the<strong> Editorial Offices of the Mass Media</strong> of their States as well as between the<strong> relevant Ministries, Agencies,</strong> and Organizations in the field of Mass Media.</li>
<li>Promoting equal and mutually beneficial<strong> cooperation between professional associations of journalists</strong> of the States.</li>
<li><strong>Aiding broadcast of television and radio programs</strong> and those distributed legally within the territory of the State.</li>
<li>Encouraging the exchange of specialists and experience in the field of Mass Media, offer<strong> mutual assistance in training media professionals,</strong> and promote cooperation between <strong>scientific research</strong> and educational institutions in the field of Mass Media.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SCO</strong></a> is a<strong> permanent intergovernmental international organisation.</strong></li>
<li>It&rsquo;s a<strong> Eurasian</strong> political, economic and military organisation aiming to maintain peace, security and stability in the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was<strong> created in 2001.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>SCO Charter</strong> was signed<strong> in 2002,</strong> and entered <strong>into force in 2003.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Official Language:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The SCO's official languages are<strong> Russian and Chinese.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Eight countries</strong> are part of SCO, <strong>which are:</strong> Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>SCO has <strong>two Permanent Bodies:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>SCO <strong>Secretariat in Beijing (China),</strong> and</li>
<li>Executive Committee of the<strong> Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS)</strong> in <strong>Tashkent (Uzbekistan).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Chairmanship of SCO</strong> is<strong> by rotation for a year by Member States.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Republic of Tajikistan</strong> has assumed <strong>chairmanship of SCO for 2021-22.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sco-summit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20<sup>th</sup> Summit</a> of the SCO</strong> took place <strong>in 2020.</strong></li>
<li>Recently, the Vice President of India has launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sco-online-international-exhibition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>first ever SCO Online Exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cabinet-gives-ex-post-facto-nod-for-signing-ratifying-sco-agreement-on-mass-media-cooperation/article34707959.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

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

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