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India as Counterbalance to China: USA

Why in News Recently, the Trump administration declassified a document which asserted that a strong India, in cooperation with like-minded...

15 Jan 2021 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
USA Redesignates Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism

Why in News Recently, the USA State Department has designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism for repeatedly providing support for acts of...

14 Jan 2021 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Changing World Order, India & UNSC

This article is based on “India’s UNSC opportunity” which was published in The Indian Express on 05/01/2021. It talks about the...

06 Jan 2021 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Arctic: Concerns & Opportunities

Why in News As per the WWF-Arctic Programme, the Arctic region is warming up twice as fast as the global average. The ice cap has been shrinking...

02 Jan 2021 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India in GAVI Board

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has been nominated by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI)...

01 Jan 2021 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India’s Two-Front Challenge

This article is based on “Dealing with India’s two-front challenge” which was published in The Hindu on 29/12/2020. It talks...

29 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Post-Brexit Trade Deal

Why in News Recently, the UK and the European Union (EU) have published the full text of the post-Brexit trade agreement aimed at governing their...

28 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Europe In Indo-Pacific

This article is based on “India’s new Europolitik” which was published in The Indian Express on 22/12/2020. It talks about the...

23 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
The Big Picture: India's Vision for Indo- Pacific

Why in News? The Russian Foreign Minister has described New Delhi as an "object" of the West's "persistent, aggressive, and devious" policy...

22 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
India-Vietnam Virtual Summit

Why in News Recently, India and Vietnam signed seven pacts during their virtual summit, in areas such as defence, petrochemicals, and nuclear...

22 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
International River Governance

This article is based on “China’s Brahmaputra dam: Trans-boundary water governance in South Asia needs a rethink” which was...

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

Why in News In a recent virtual summit, India and Uzbekistan have deliberated on expanding bilateral ties aiming to expand cooperation in a range of...

12 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus

Why in News Recently, India’s defence minister attended the 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus organized online at Hanoi,...

11 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Partners in Population and Development Initiative

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has digitally addressed the Inter-Ministerial Conference by Partners in...

10 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
Global Energy Transition

This article is based on “India’s evolving energy diplomacy” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 07/12/2020. It talks...

09 Dec 2020 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India's Interests
SAARC Charter Day

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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		'article_id' => (int) 7463,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India as Counterbalance to China: USA',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Trump administration declassified a document</strong> which asserted that a <strong>strong India,</strong> in cooperation with like-minded countries, would <strong>act as a counterbalance to China</strong> in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/new-indo-pacific-strategy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>strategic Indo-Pacific region.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The document on the<strong> USA strategic framework for the Indo-Pacific</strong> from 2018 outlines objectives, challenges and strategies with regard to China, North Korea, India and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Challenges for USA:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Maintaining <strong>USA's strategic primacy in the Indo-pacific</strong> and <strong>stopping China</strong> from establishing illiberal spheres of influence.</li>
<li>Ensuring that <strong>North Korea does not threaten the USA.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Advancing the USA economic leadership globally</strong> while pushing fair and reciprocal trade.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aspects Related to India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is a<strong> preferred partner on security issues</strong> and to cooperate to preserve maritime security and <strong>counter Chinese influence</strong> in South Asia and Southeast Asia. To achieve this,<strong> USA aims to:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Support India&rsquo;s aspiration to be a leading global power,</strong> highlighting its compatibility with the USA, Japanese and Australian vision of the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>Work with India<strong> &ldquo;toward domestic economic reform&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Enhance defence cooperation</strong> and interoperability.</li>
<li><strong>Provide greater leadership roles for India</strong> in the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/east-asia-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> East Asia Summit</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-defence-ministers-meeting-plus#:~:text=The%20ADMM%2DPlus%20is%20a,and%20development%20in%20the%20region." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting Plus.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Support <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s Act East policy</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India vis-a-vis China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Help India addressing disputes with China:</strong> USA aims to support India via military, diplomatic and intelligence channels to<strong> help address continental challenges</strong> such as the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> border dispute with China</strong></a> and resolution of disputes over rivers, including the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-on-brahmaputra" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brahmaputra</strong></a> and other rivers facing diversion by China.</li>
<li><strong>Supporting India's reservations against Belt Road Initiative:</strong> USA seeks the transparent infrastructure-debt practices in the countries facing debt due to Chinese financing under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt Road Initiative.</strong> </a></li>
<li><strong>Working with India and Japan:</strong> To help finance projects that enhance regional connectivity between India and countries of the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-USA Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Shared democratic values</strong> and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues.</li>
<li><strong>Broad-based and multi-sectoral relationship</strong> covering trade and investment, defence and security, education, science and technology and <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cyber security</strong></a> etc.</li>
<li><strong>People to people connection:</strong> Vibrant people-to-people interaction and support across the political spectrum in both countries nurture bilateral relationships between the two countries.</li>
<li>USA has signed <strong>defence agreements</strong> with India to provide <strong>military information and mutual logistics support.</strong> These are: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).</li>
<li>The Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).</li>
<li>The Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).</li>
<li>The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA): It was the result of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-usa-2-2-dialogue-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-United States (US) 2+2 talks.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent USA-China Rivalries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Competition for dominating world finances:</strong> To counter the USA-dominated International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization, China has come out with alternative financial institutions like <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank</strong></a>, and<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-annual-meeting-of-ndb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> New Development Bank</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Contending influence over international groupings:</strong> In order to contain rising China&rsquo;s assertiveness, the USA under its &lsquo;pivot to Asia policy&rsquo; has launched a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3#:~:text=Quadrilateral%20Security%20Dialogue%20(Quad)%20is,prosperous%E2%80%9D%20Indo%2DPacific%20region.&amp;text=However%2C%20the%20idea%20couldn't,apparently%20due%20to%20Chinese%20pressure." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad initiative</strong></a>, <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo pacific narrative</strong></a>. Most recently, the USA proposed to expand G7 to G-11 without including China in it.</li>
<li><strong>New Cold War:</strong> USA-China confrontation is on multiple fronts including ideological and cultural hegemonic rivalry, trade wars which has often been called the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Cold War</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maintain interest oriented balancing:</strong> India should realise its rising global power and rather than getting enmeshed in USA-China rivalry, <strong>it should prioritize its own interests and growth by maintaining peaceful mutual relationships.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Promote Multilateralism:</strong> India can promote new multilateralism under the aegis of <strong>Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-</strong> which relies on restructuring both the economic order and societal behaviour for equitable sustainable development.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/a-strong-india-would-act-as-counterbalance-to-china-says-declassified-white-house-document/article33565659.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7454,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'USA Redesignates Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the USA State Department has designated Cuba as a <strong>State Sponsor of Terrorism</strong> for repeatedly providing <strong>support for acts of international terrorism</strong> in granting safe harbour to terrorists.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610620875_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610620875_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Provisions for sanctions on countries:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The State Department of the USA can place <strong>four categories</strong> to enlist any country as sanctioned:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Restrictions on foreign assistance by the USA.</li>
<li>A ban on defence exports and sales.</li>
<li>Certain controls over exports of dual use items.</li>
<li>Sanctions can also be placed on countries and persons that engage in certain trade with designated countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Four countries remain on the list: <strong>Syria, Iran, North Korea and Cuba.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cuba was delisted in 2015 and has been blacklisted again.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cuba Designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism:</strong> The USA government had been accusing the Castro regime for: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Illegitimate interference in internal politics Venezuela.</li>
<li>Oppressing the people of Cuba.</li>
<li>Supporting international terrorism.</li>
<li>Subversion of the USA justice.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USA-Cuba Relationship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United States and Cuba have had a strained relationship for more than sixty years, rooted in Fidel Castro&rsquo;s overthrow of a USA-backed government in 1959.</li>
<li>Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro took several steps to normalize bilateral relations, including restoring diplomatic ties and expanding travel and trade.</li>
<li>The Trump administration has reversed aspects of the past agreements by reimposing restrictions on tourism and other commerce.</li>
<li><strong>Havana Syndrome:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In late 2016, USA diplomats and other employees stationed in Havana (capital of Cuba) reported feeling ill after hearing strange sounds and experiencing odd physical sensations.</li>
<li>The symptoms included nausea, severe headaches, fatigue, dizziness, sleep problems, and hearing loss, which have since come to be known as the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/havana-syndrome#:~:text=The%20symptoms%20included%20nausea%2C%20severe,well%20as%20insomnia%20and%20headache." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Havana Syndrome.</a> </strong>The USA had accused Cuba of carrying out &ldquo;attacks&rdquo;, but Cuba denied any knowledge of the illnesses.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Historical Reasons for Strained Relationship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cuban Revolution:</strong> The tumultuous USA-Cuba relationship has its roots in the Cold War. In 1959, Fidel Castro and a group of revolutionaries seized power in Havana (city capital of Cuba). They overthrew the USA-backed government of Fulgencio Batista.</li>
<li><strong>Cuban Missile Crisis:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The United States <strong>severed diplomatic ties with</strong> Cuba and began pursuing covert operations to overthrow the Fidel Castro regime in 1961.</li>
<li>The missile crisis arose after<strong> Cuba allowed the Soviet Union to secretly install nuclear missiles</strong> on the island following an attempt by the USA agencies to topple Cuban Government, known as the<strong> Bay of Pigs invasion.</strong></li>
<li>In the end, Soviet Union head Khrushchev agreed to withdraw the missiles in exchange for a pledge from Kennedy (USA) not to invade Cuba and to remove the USA nuclear missiles from Turkey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade with Soviet Union:</strong> After the Cuban Revolution, the United States recognized Fidel Castro&rsquo;s government but began imposing economic penalties as the new regime increased its trade with the Soviet Union, nationalized American-owned properties, and hiked taxes on the USA imports.</li>
<li><strong>Embargo by Kennedy Government (1962):</strong> After slashing Cuban sugar imports, the USA instituted a ban on nearly all its exports to Cuba, which President John F. Kennedy expanded into a full economic embargo that included stringent travel restrictions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Supports Lifting Economic Blockade of Cuba:</strong> Recently when the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-opposes-cuba-in-unhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA opposed Cuba&rsquo;s membership in UNHRC</strong></a> in 2019, India joined the majority of countries from all continents that raised their voices in the UN General Assembly to demand an end to the unjust and long economic blockade of the United States against Cuba.</li>
<li><strong>Criticised the USA Embargo:</strong> In the UN General Assembly, India stressed that the continued existence of this siege by the USA against Cuba contravenes world opinion, undermines multilateralism and the credibility of the United Nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UN General Assembly&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since 1992, the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> UN General Assembly</strong></a> has approved every year a resolution acknowledging the necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reinitiating Bilateral Talks:</strong> Resuming Washington&rsquo;s blockade against Cuba appears to be the most unjust, prolonged system of unilateral sanctions applied against any country. There is an urgent need to improve the relationship between the two countries through bilateral talks.</li>
<li><strong>Respecting the Spirit of Democracy:</strong> As a large population of Cuban immigrants and people with Cuban roots reside in the USA, it is for the sake of democracy and spirit of internationalism that the two countries make efforts towards reconciliation.</li>
<li><strong>For India:</strong> India has good ties with both the countries. If the tension between the two - USA and Cuba escalates, it is important for India to rationally balance the relationships.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-puts-cuba-back-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-list-7143094/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7395,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Changing World Order, India & UNSC',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-elected-united-nations-security-council-7132965/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;India&rsquo;s UNSC opportunity&rdquo;</a> which was published in The Indian Express on 05/01/2021. It talks about the changing world order and new challenges and how India should leverage its <strong>two-year tenure of Non-Permanent Membership at UNSC.</strong></p>
</div>
<p>Since the end of the Cold War, India has entered the<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/22-09-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</strong></a> for the third time. However, the current world order is very different from India&rsquo;s earlier stints in UNSC viz. 1991-92 and 2011-12.</p>
<p>The challenge emanating from the current world order is whether a peaceful consensus can bring about the redistribution of power between various superpowers.</p>
<p>In this context, India should leverage this two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of UNSC, to promote national interests and global peace.</p>
<h3>Changing World Order in the Recent Times</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>New Cold-War:</strong> With the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991</strong></a>, the world order turned from being bi-polar to unipolar. However, the current world order is without a systemic equilibrium, which is essential to the maintenance of international stability.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is due to the emergence of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Cold War</strong></a> between US &amp; China, which amounts to a struggle for a new distribution of power&mdash;political, economic and military.</li>
<li>Moreover, the differences between the US, China and Russia have become intractable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Retrenchment of US:</strong> The prominent feature of the current world order is the US&rsquo;s retrenchment from global affairs. This can be reflected by the withdrawal of the US the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement#:~:text=Paris%20Agreement%20(also%20known%20as,to%20deal%20with%20climate%20change." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Climate deal</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>JCPOA</strong></a>, etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This retrenchment has led to a severe blow to multilateralism and globalisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indo-Pacific as a New Sub-System:</strong> The rise of China has been redrawing the balance of power in the South-China Sea. This has led to countries like US, India, Japan, etc., colluding in framing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/europe-in-indo-pacific" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific as a new sub-system in international affairs.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indo-Pacific refers to the Indian and the Pacific Oceans between the east coast of Africa and the American west coast and their several littoral countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Declining Role of UN:</strong> The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is the UN&rsquo;s main executive body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the veto powers possessed by the UNSC&rsquo;s five permanent members are used as an instrument to shore up their geopolitical interests, regardless of the disastrous consequences for the victims of armed conflict as can be seen in Syria, Iraq, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Current Challenges For Indian Foreign Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Aggressive China:</strong> At the end of the Cold War, India ought to strengthen cooperation with China on the multilateral front with a view that it would also help generate the conditions for resolving the boundary dispute and expand the areas of bilateral cooperation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this strategy has been proved counter-effective as China now has assumed an aggressive posture towards India. It can be seen in recent Galwan Valley Clashes.</li>
<li>Moreover, China protects Pakistan from the international pressures that India has sought to mobilise at various fora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Compromising Non-Alignment:</strong> To counter China, India has colluded with like-minded countries, forming Quad grouping (US, India, Japan, Australia).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this convergence with the US has tarnished India&rsquo;s image of non-alignment and deteriorated relations with traditional partners like Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward: Leveraging Non-Permanent Membership</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Becoming Part of the Great Game</strong>: The UNSC offers room for sustained diplomatic interaction between the major powers, minimising tensions and creating new opportunities for cooperation.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Much like the US and USSR that cooperated on nuclear proliferation issues at the height of the Cold War, the US and China could explore potential common ground even amidst their broad-based confrontation.</li>
<li>In this context, India can carve out a larger role for itself amid renewed great power rivalry.</li>
<li>Further, as India now joins the UNSC amid a continuing military standoff, India can now expose the Chinese aggression in the Ladakh region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>UNSC Reforms:</strong> Making the UNSC more &ldquo;representative&rdquo; has been one of India&rsquo;s demands since the end of the Cold War.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, India should continue its partnership with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G4 (Brazil, Germany and Japan)</strong> </a>countries to expand the UNSC and become a permanent member.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Deepening International Collaboration:</strong> The engagement with peace and security issues at the UNSC will allow India to strengthen its new coalitions such as the Quad.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, India could also use the UNSC tenure to deepen collaboration with its European partners like France and Germany in the security arena.</li>
<li>India must also sustain an intensive dialogue with Russia on all international issues, notwithstanding Russia&rsquo;s worsening problems with the West and closer ties to China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging With Global South:</strong> India needs to revitalise its engagement with its traditional partners in the &ldquo;global south&rdquo; by articulating their peace and security concerns in the UNSC. In this context, two sub-groups of the global south should be of particular interest.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Small Island States:</strong> The numerous small island states worldwide face existential challenges from global warming and rising sea levels.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They also struggle to exercise control over their large maritime estates.</li>
<li>Supporting the sovereignty and survivability of the island states is a crucial political task for India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Africa:</strong> Nearly half of UNSC meetings, 60% of its documents, and 70% of its resolutions are about peace and security in Africa.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The continent has three seats in the UNSC (Kenya, Niger and Tunisia) and there is regular consultation between the UNSC and the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU).</li>
<li>The UNSC tenure is a good moment for India to intensify India&rsquo;s engagement on peace and security issues in Africa at bilateral, regional and global levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s foreign policy approach has also shifted from the reactive to the proactive. That, in turn, should make India&rsquo;s new stint at the UNSC more purposeful and pragmatic.</p>
<p>Purposefulness is about tightly integrating its UNSC engagement with India&rsquo;s broader national goals. Pragmatism demands adapting to the changed conditions at the UNSC and avoiding overly ambitious goals.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf2;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In the context of changing world order and new challenges, India&rsquo;s foreign policy should leverage India&rsquo;s new stint at the UNSC more purposefully and pragmatically. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9d7n87-WiNg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/black-and-grey-on-pakistans-actions-against-terrorists/article33496043.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Black and grey: On Pakistan's actions against terrorists&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on January 5<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7375,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Arctic: Concerns & Opportunities',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/living-planet-report-wwf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>WWF</strong></a>-<strong>Arctic Programme,</strong> the Arctic region is <strong>warming up twice as fast as the global average.</strong> The ice cap has been shrinking fast since 1980 and the <strong>volume of Arctic sea ice has declined by as much as 75%.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Since 1992, WWF's <strong>(World Wide Fund for Nature) Arctic Programme</strong> has been working with<strong> its partners across the Arctic</strong> to combat threats to the Arctic and to preserve<strong> its rich biodiversity in a sustainable way.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Arctic:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Arctic is a <strong>polar region</strong> located at the northernmost part of Earth.</li>
<li>The Arctic consists of the <strong>Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska</strong> (United States), <strong>Canada, Finland, Greenland</strong> (Denmark), <strong>Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.</strong></li>
<li>Land within the Arctic region has seasonally <strong>varying snow and ice cover.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609849166_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609849166_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="459" height="462" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ecological Impact of Warming on Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The loss of ice and the warming waters will affect<strong> sea levels, salinity levels,</strong> and <strong>current</strong> and<strong> precipitation patterns.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Tundra</strong> is returning to<strong> swamp,</strong> the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oil-spill-in-siberia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">permafrost</a> is thawing, sudden storms are ravaging coastlines</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wildfires-in-uttarakhand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>wildfires</strong></a> are devastating interior Canada and Russia.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Tundra:</strong> Found in regions <strong>north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle.</strong> These are<strong> treeless regions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The phenomenally<strong> rich biodiversity of the Arctic region is under serious threat.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The absence of year-long ice and higher temperatures are making the survival of Arctic marine life, plants and birds difficult while encouraging species from lower latitudes to move north.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Arctic is also home to about<strong> 40 different indigenous groups, whose culture, economy and way of life is in danger</strong> of being swept away. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Increasing human encroachment with its attendant stresses will only aggravate this impact and upset a fragile balance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Importance of Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The opening of the Arctic presents huge commercial and economic opportunities, particularly in <strong>shipping, energy, fisheries and mineral resources. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Commercial navigation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Northern Sea Route (NSR)</strong> which would connect the North Atlantic to the North Pacific through a short polar arc is the most tempting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Oil and natural gas deposits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Estimated to be 22% of the world&rsquo;s unexplored resources, mostly in the Arctic ocean, will be open to access along with mineral deposits including 25% of the global reserves of rare earths, buried in Greenland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Navigation conditions are dangerous and restricted to the summer.</li>
<li>Lack of deep-water ports, a need for ice-breakers, shortage of workers trained for polar conditions, and high insurance costs add to the difficulties.</li>
<li>Mining and deep-sea drilling carry <strong>massive costs</strong> and <strong>environmental risks.</strong></li>
<li>Unlike <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-in-antarctica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Antarctica</strong></a>, the Arctic is<strong> not a global common</strong> and there is no overarching treaty that governs it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conflict over Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark have put in <strong>overlapping claims for extended continental shelves,</strong> and the <strong>right to sea-bed resources.</strong></li>
<li>Russia is the dominant power, with the <strong>longest Arctic coastline,</strong> half the Arctic population, and a full-fledged strategic policy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Claiming that the NSR falls within its territorial waters, Russia anticipates <strong>huge dividends from commercial traffic including through the use of its ports, pilots and ice-breakers.</strong></li>
<li>Russia has also activated its northern military bases, refurbished its<strong> nuclear armed submarine fleet and demonstrated its capabilities,</strong> including through <strong>an exercise with China</strong> in the eastern Arctic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China,</strong> playing for economic advantage, has moved in fast, projecting the <strong>Polar Silk Road as an extension of the <a href="/printpdf/italy-joins-belt-road-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belt and Road Initiatives</a></strong>, and has invested heavily in ports, energy, undersea infrastructure and mining projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s interests in Arctic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Environmental Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s extensive coastline makes it vulnerable to the impact of Arctic warming on <strong>ocean currents, weather patterns, fisheries and most importantly, the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">monsoon. </a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scientific Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Scientific research in Arctic developments, in which India has a good record, will contribute to its<strong> understanding of climatic changes in the Third Pole, the Himalayas. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Interest:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The strategic implications of an<strong> active China in the Arctic</strong> and its growing economic and strategic relationship with Russia are self-evident and<strong> need close monitoring.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since 2013, India has had <strong>observer status</strong> in the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/arctic-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Arctic Council</strong></a>, which is the predominant inter-governmental forum for cooperation on the environmental and development aspects of the Arctic.</li>
<li>It is high time that its presence on the Arctic Council was underpinned by a strategic policy that encompassed <strong>economic, environmental, scientific and political aspects.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/global-warming-arctic-region-warms-climatic-changes-7129249/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7378,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India in GAVI Board',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare</strong> has been nominated by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gavi-covax-facility" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation</strong></a> (GAVI)<strong> as a member</strong> on <strong>GAVI board.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier in May 2020, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare was also elected as the <strong>Chair of the World Health Organization&rsquo;s Executive Board.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The minister will be representing the <strong>South East Area Regional Office (SEARO)/Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO)</strong> constituency on the GAVI Board.</li>
<li>The seat is<strong> currently held by Myanmar </strong>and <strong>India will be holding </strong>it from <strong>1<sup>st</sup> January 2021 to 31<sup>st</sup> December 2023.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Created in 2000,</strong> Gavi is an international organisation, a <strong>global vaccine alliance.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>brings together public and private sectors</strong> with the <strong>shared goal of creating equal access to new and underused <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/meeting-of-vaccine-panel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vaccines</a></strong> for children living in the world&rsquo;s poorest countries.</li>
<li>Its core partners include the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO),<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unicef-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund</strong> </a>(UNICEF), the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a> and the <strong>Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.</strong></li>
<li>As part of its <strong>mission to save lives, reduce <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/poverty-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">poverty</a> and protect the world against the threat of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-epidemic-diseases-act#:~:text=The%20Epidemic%20Diseases%20Act%20aims,the%20outbreak%20of%20a%20disease." target="_blank" rel="noopener">epidemics</a></strong>, GAVI has <strong>helped vaccinate more than 822 million children in the world&rsquo;s poorest countries,</strong> preventing more than 14 million future deaths.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>GAVI Board:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>responsible for strategic direction and policy-making,</strong> oversees the operations of the <strong>Vaccine Alliance and monitors programme implementation.</strong></li>
<li>With membership drawn from a range of partner organisations, as well as experts from the private sector, the Board<strong> provides a forum for balanced strategic decision making, innovation and partner collaboration.</strong></li>
<li>It normally<strong> meets twice a year</strong> in June and November/December and<strong> holds an annual retreat,</strong> normally in March or April.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684403" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7331,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'India’s Two-Front Challenge',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/dealing-with-indias-two-front-challenge/article33439804.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Dealing with India&rsquo;s two-front challenge&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 29/12/2020. It talks about the two-front war scenario for India.</p>
</div>
<p>In the last century, Indian strategic thinking was overwhelmingly focused on Pakistan and the security considerations emanating from there. However, in recent decades India&rsquo;s military intelligentsia is firm on the view that a collusive China-Pakistan military threat is a real possibility.</p>
<p>The Chinese intrusions in Ladakh in May 2020 and the deadlock in negotiations have now made the Chinese military threat more apparent and real. But some media reports had indicated that Pakistan had moved 20,000 troops into Gilgit-Baltistan, matching the Chinese deployments in Eastern Ladakh.</p>
<p>Given this, it would be prudent for India to be ready for a two-front threat.</p>
<h3>Growing China-Pakistan Military Links</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sino-Pakistan relationship is nothing new, but it has far serious implications today than perhaps ever before.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China has always looked at Pakistan as a counter to India&rsquo;s influence in South Asia.</li>
<li>China, through its chequebook diplomacy, wants to exercise this hegemony over the South-Asian neighbours. In this pursuit, China would want to drain India&rsquo;s economic resources on the border confrontation.</li>
<li>Thus, a two-front war scenario can be a strategy by China to undermine India&rsquo;s role in its neighbourhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Over the years, the ties between the China &amp; Pakistan countries have strengthened and there is a great deal of alignment in their strategic thinking.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be understood by the fact that China has made massive investments in Pakistan via the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec#:~:text=The%20CPEC%20is%20bilateral%20project,Gwadar%20Port%20in%20Balochistan%2C%20Pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.</strong></a></li>
<li>Apart from this, military cooperation is growing, with China accounting for 73% of the total arms imports of Pakistan between 2015-2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India &amp; Issues Related to Two-front War Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Threat to Regional Peace:</strong> A two-front war scenario that might lead to a full-blown war between three nuclear-armed states.</li>
<li><strong>Dilemmas For India:</strong> A two-front conflict presents the Indian military with two dilemmas &mdash; of resources and strategy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Resources:</strong> A major decision will be the quantum of resources to be allocated for the two-front attack scenario.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, according to some estimates that about 60 combat squadrons are needed to deal with a serious two-front threat. This is double the number of squadrons currently with the Indian Air Force (IAF).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategy:</strong> If a majority of the assets of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are sent towards the northern border, it will require the military to rethink its strategy for the western border.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, adopting a more offensive strategy against Pakistan could draw limited resources into a wider conflict.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Constraints:</strong> Capability building also requires a serious debate, particularly in view of the fact that the country&rsquo;s economic situation will not permit any significant increase in the Defence Budget for the foreseeable future.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Requirement of Security Doctrine:</strong> Developing a doctrine will require close interaction with the political leadership. Any doctrine that is prepared without a political aim and guidance will not stand the test when it is actually to be executed.</li>
<li><strong>Finding the Right Balance of Technologies:</strong> There is too much focus on major platforms such as aircraft, ships, and tanks, and not enough on future technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, cyber, electronic warfare, etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The right balance will have to be struck based on a detailed assessment of China and Pakistan&rsquo;s war-fighting strategies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Crucial Role of Diplomacy:</strong> Diplomacy has a crucial role to play in meeting the two-front challenge.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Improving Relations in South Asian Neighbourhood:</strong> To begin with, India would do well to improve relations with its neighbours so as not to be caught in an unfriendly neighbourhood given how China and Pakistan will attempt to contain and constrain India in the region.</li>
<li><strong>Improving Relations in Extended Neighborhood:</strong> The government&rsquo;s current engagement of the key powers in West Asia, including Iran, should be further strengthened in order to ensure energy security, increase maritime cooperation and enhance goodwill in the extended neighbourhood.</li>
<li><strong>Improving Relation With Russia:</strong> India must also ensure that its relationship with Russia is not sacrificed in favour of India-United States relations given that Russia could play a key role in defusing the severity of a regional gang up against India.</li>
<li><strong>Improving Condition in Kashmir:</strong> From a long-view perspective, a political outreach to Kashmir aimed at pacifying the aggrieved citizens there would go a long way towards that end.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>China, a rising and aggressive and a superpower next door is the bigger strategic threat for India and with Pakistan being a second-order accessory to <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-11-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China's Contain India strategy&rsquo;.</strong></a> In this context, it is certain that the threat of a two-front war cannot be ignored and therefore we need to develop both the doctrine and the capability to deal with this contingency.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffefa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The threat of a two-front war cannot be ignored and therefore India needs to develop both the doctrine and the capability to deal with this contingency. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cGAkmKLEePQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/european-union-britain-eu-trade-brexit-7122501/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;New Britain&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on December 28<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7316,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Post-Brexit Trade Deal',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>UK and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU) have published the full text of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/brexit-deal-what-lies-ahead" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>post-Brexit trade agreement</strong> </a>aimed at governing their relationship when the <strong>UK definitively leaves the bloc's single market on 31<sup>st</sup> December 2020.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The document lays out <strong>detail on trade, law enforcement, and dispute settlement among other arrangements.</strong> Despite the complexity of the document, which includes explanatory notes and side <strong>agreements on nuclear cooperation and the exchange of classified information,</strong> both sides have indicated they will rush through the adoption.</li>
<li>The deal ensures the two sides can <strong>continue to trade in goods without tariffs or quotas</strong> but despite the breakthrough,<strong> key aspects of the future relationship</strong> between the 27-nation bloc and its former member remain uncertain.</li>
<li>The two sides held extensive <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/negotiations-on-uk-s-brexit-deadline" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>negotiations</strong></a> on <strong>three key issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Level Playing Field:</strong> It essentially means that in order to trade with the EU&rsquo;s single market, the <strong>UK will have to follow the same rules and regulations</strong> to ensure that it <strong>does not have an unfair advantage</strong> over other EU businesses.</li>
<li><strong>Rules of Governance:</strong> These will<strong> dictate how any deal is enforced</strong> as well as the <strong>penalties</strong> that will be imposed if one party violates the terms of a mutually-approved agreement.</li>
<li><strong>Fishing Rights:</strong> The agreement gives <strong>free access to EU fleets to fish in UK waters,</strong> including up to six miles off the shoreline<strong> for a five-year transition period.</strong> At the end of the transition, everything will return to normal arrangements and the UK will have full control over its waters.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the <strong>UK's fishing industry has expressed disappointment</strong> on the agreement on fishing rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Despite the deal, there are still <strong>unanswered questions about huge areas,</strong> including <strong>security cooperation</strong> and <strong>access to the EU market for Britain&rsquo;s huge financial services sector.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>European Commission</strong> (EC) has proposed the <strong>agreement be applied on a provisional basis until 28<sup>th</sup> February 2021.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>EC is the <strong>executive branch of the EU,</strong> which brings together the executives of all 27 member states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>European Parliament</strong> will be asked for its <strong>consent to the deal in 2021</strong> and<strong> for the process to be concluded, the EC must adopt the decision.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Opportunities for India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should <strong>aggressively<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-uk-free-trade-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> pursue free trade agreements</a></strong> (FTAs) separately with both the EU and the UK.</li>
<li>Although it is<strong> premature to assess the gains for India</strong> from the agreement, India can <strong>explore opportunities in service sectors like IT, architecture, research and development and engineering</strong> in both the markets as the EU-UK pact does not cover the services sector.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian competitors like <strong>Vietnam have greater duty advantage</strong> in sectors like apparel and marine goods.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India had a lot of<strong> contentious issues while <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-eu-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negotiating FTA with the EU.</a></strong> However, after Brexit, the <strong>UK could have a different stand on those issues</strong> and so India should continue pursuing FTA talks.</li>
<li>The <strong>Apparel Export Promotion Council</strong> (AEPC) held that India-UK FTA would help in removing the customs duty disadvantages faced by domestic players in Britain.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/capping-of-meis-scheme-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Federation of Indian Export Organisations</strong></a> (FIEO) highlighted that there are no specific customs duty benefits for domestic goods from this agreement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>bilateral trade</strong> between India and the UK <strong>dipped to USD 15.5 billion in 2019-20</strong> from USD 16.9 billion in 2018-19.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/india-should-now-aggressively-pursue-ftas-with-eu-uk-trade-experts/2157502/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: FE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7290,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Europe In Indo-Pacific',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/delhi-now-sees-european-powers-as-natural-partners-in-constructing-a-durable-balance-of-power-in-indo-pacific-7114110/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;India&rsquo;s new Europolitik&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 22/12/2020. It talks about the need for strategic engagement between India and European countries in the Indo-pacific narrative.</p>
</div>
<p>The rise of China has been redrawing the balance of power in Asia. With the recent border clashes and China&rsquo;s aggressive posture in the Indian ocean, has created serious geostrategic challenges for India.</p>
<p>Therefore, in order to assertively counter China, strengthening international coalitions becomes an important priority for Indian foreign and security policies. In this context, the US becomes an even more important security partner for India.</p>
<p>However, to cope with the uncertain political trajectory of the US, India needs to strategically collaborate with European powers, especially in<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importancehttps://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indo-pacific theatre.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Recent Engagement With European Powers in Indo-Pacific</h3>
<p>Three recent developments underline India&rsquo;s changing strategic perceptions of Europe.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One is India&rsquo;s support for France&rsquo;s membership of the <a href="/printpdf/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).</strong> </a></li>
<li>Second, India&rsquo;s backing for a larger European role in the Indo-Pacific. India has welcomed the interest of Germany and Netherlands in building a new geopolitical architecture in the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>Third, security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is also emerging as an important theme in India-UK relations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Indo-European Cooperation in Indo-Pacific</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Multi-Polar World Order:</strong> India is looking beyond the bipolar geopolitical competition between the US and China and works towards the establishment of a Multi-polar world.</li>
<li><strong>Welcoming Role of Extra-Regional Players:</strong> India is breaking out of its past approaches to the Indo-Pacific defined by such binaries as<strong> &ldquo;regional vs extra-regional&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Departure From Post-Colonial Mindset:</strong> India has also begun to shed the postcolonial mental block against regional security cooperation with post-imperial Europe.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bipolar <a href="/printpdf/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> dynamic (the East-West dimension) and the North-South framework (developing world versus the developed) prevented India from taking a more nuanced view of Europe&rsquo;s political agency after <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-war-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War II.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Difficulty in Consolidation of Approaches:</strong> Despite the European Union(EU) being a major player in multilateral forums, there are many differences in uniting all aspects of foreign policy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, after Brexit, the UK wants to follow an independent foreign policy (not getting influenced by other EU countries) and define a new international role for itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Left-Over Conflicts:</strong> France and Britain still have lingering disputes leftover from the era of decolonisation in parts of the Western Indian Ocean.</li>
<li><strong>Direct Confrontation With China:</strong> Quad alliance, coming together of democratic countries, their joint naval exercises is seen by China as its encirclement.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similarly, the European Powers getting engaged in Indo-pacific may antagonise China.</li>
<li>Also, given the economic cooperation with China, it is unlikely that the EU would start expending energy on an Indo-Pacific strategy immediately.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geo-Economic Cooperation:</strong> India can pursue EU countries to engage in Indo-pacific narrative, geo-economically if not from security prism.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can mobilise massive economic resources for sustainable development of regional infrastructure, wield political influence and leverage its significant soft power to shape the Indo-Pacific discourse.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finalisation of Indo-EU BIT Treaty:</strong> India and the European Union have been negotiating a free trade deal, but it is pending since 2007. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, for closer convergence between India and the EU, both should engage in finalisation of the trade deal as soon as possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collaborating With Important Players:</strong> French President Emmanuel Macron&rsquo;s visit to India in early 2018 unveiled an expansive framework for revitalising the strategic partnership.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s partnership with France now has a strong regional anchor in the Indo-Pacific narrative.</li>
<li>Also, France with its territories in the Western Indian Ocean and the South Pacific as well as a historic naval presence can be quick to see the challenges arising from China&rsquo;s maritime expansion.</li>
<li>Further, India should supplement its partnership with the US with a network of multilateral groups with other middle powers, such as the<strong> India-Australia-Japan forum</strong> and the <strong>trilateral dialogue with France and Australia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>If the intensification of security cooperation with the United States has become an important milestone in India&rsquo;s foreign policy in this decade, integrating Europe into India&rsquo;s new strategic calculus ought to be a major objective in the upcoming decade.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f5f9ff;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Regional security cooperation with the European countries has now become a strategic necessity. Comment</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/20nNW3qgZPE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/nepal-in-turmoil-on-dissolution-of-parliament-by-kp-sharma-oli/article33387983.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Nepal in turmoil&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on December 18<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7277,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: India's Vision for Indo- Pacific',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1HILrVR42RU" 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>The Russian Foreign Minister has described New Delhi as an "object" of the West's "persistent, aggressive, and devious" policy against China in the Indo-Pacific. The Russian Minister has also criticised QUAD.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In response to Russia, India has clarified that it has always pursued an independent foreign policy based on its national interest
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its relationship with each country is independent of its relationship with the third country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Prime Minister during<strong> Shangri La dialogue</strong> marked, &ldquo;India does not see Indo- Pacific as a strategy or a club of limited members or as a grouping that seeks to dominate others&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The QUAD, still in its fledgling phase, has the potential to emerge as one of strongest unions.</li>
<li>China for a very long time has been concerned about expanding its power and asserting its control and has started exercising its power and dominance.</li>
<li>The ASEAN countries are dependent mainly on China as most of them share borders with the country.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Shangri-La Dialogue:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Shangri-La Dialogue is <strong>Asia's premier defence summit.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an inter-governmental security forum held annually by an London-based independent think tank, the<strong> International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this unique meeting, ministers debate the region&rsquo;s most pressing security challenges, engage in important bilateral talks and come up with fresh solutions together.</li>
<li>It was launched for the first time in <strong>2002</strong> at the Shangri-La Hotel in <strong>Singapore.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Relations with Russia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-russia-strategic-economic-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Russia</strong> </a>share a very close strategic relationship.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In terms of defence equipment, defence purchases and development of the defence platform, it is not just a buyer-seller relationship but India is also manufacturing these defence equipment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the Nuclear energy sector, Russia is the only country with whom India has a civil-nuclear technology cooperation.</li>
<li>Russia is the only country which has installed nuclear power plants in India, the first 3 units of these plants installed in <a href="/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-21st-july-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kudankulam town</strong></a> (Tamil Nadu) are already functioning.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Six more units are expected to come up in Andhra Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Although both the countries share good relations, the interests of Russia lie with China.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-pacific-wing-in-mea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister in the Shangri-La dialogue</strong></a> held that Indo-Pacific Region is neither a strategy, nor a club of limited members directed against any country but a pure geographical construct.</li>
<li>It is to ensure a free, open and inclusive region in which countries both inside and outside (countries who have stakes in this region) the Indo-Pacific region would participate.</li>
<li>India has been trying to explain to Russia the basic cause that is to ensure that in the global commons of this region, there should be freedom of navigation, resolution of disputes through dialogue and an international law to regulate all the activities.</li>
</ul>
<h3>China as a Threat to the World</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Chinese Expansion Instinct:</strong> Chinese are always trying to perceive a shift in balance of power.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China has always adopted policies for its unilateral expansion of power like in the South China Sea, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan Valley Clash</strong></a> or the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-hong-kong-national-security-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hong-Kong National Security Law.</strong></a></li>
<li>China has been flexing its muscles, with its<strong> nine dash line policy</strong> claiming 90% of the south china sea, exercising its control and domination, in terms of ships, overflights, east china sea and Taiwan straits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Weaponizing supply chains:</strong> China has also been weaponizing its supply chains.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China has refused to supply PPE kits, the ventilators or any kind of assistance to countries that even suggested that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/humidity-and-spread-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coronavirus</strong> </a>emerged in China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN countries and China:</strong> Most of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN</strong></a> countries share borders with China and it is obvious for China to exercise control over them.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is where the Quad comes into play.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The policies of Quad have to be made effective, otherwise other smaller countries will not see it really in their interest to go along with it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nine-dash Line</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;nine-dash line&rsquo;</strong> stretches hundreds of kilometers south and east of its southerly Hainan Island, covering the strategic <strong>Paracel and Spratly island</strong> chains. China buttresses its claims by citing 2,000 years of history when the two island chains were regarded as its integral parts.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608635890_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608635890_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="620" height="330" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Role of Quad</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/four%20corners:%20on%20the%20quad%E2%80%99s%20agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>QUAD</strong></a> is the grouping of four democracies &ndash;India, Australia, the US, and Japan.</li>
<li>Currently, it is still in a fledgling phase and a clearer image of what it will evolve to is yet to obtain. But a few improvements within the group are taking place in recent times.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2017, when the QUAD came into position, the level of performance in terms of meetings and defining agenda was not up to the mark.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There has been an increased participation from all the four countries, they have declared several issues as their agenda of the meeting such as the pandemic, economic recovery, connectivity, infrastructure, cyber security, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Quad is believed to have the potential to go from a very loose structure organisation to a very cohesive structure organisation in a very short span of time.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Way Forward for QUAD</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geographical limit:</strong> QUAD should define the limits of Indo-Pacific region.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All four member countries have different notions of this geographical region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Common agenda:</strong> Make a common agenda.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At this point of time, the Quad does not have an agenda so it should frame an agenda and completely stick to it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Military component + Economic component:</strong> There has to be a military component to act against the coercive activities of China.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Putting the military component and the economic component together will help QUAD emerge as a very strong alliance as without military muscle all other fields cannot be excelled.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unified strategy at world level:</strong> Bringing in contact the countries like Germany, France and the UK will eventually bring ASEAN nations on board too.</li>
<li><strong>Hedging strategy:</strong> ASEAN needs to hedge itself with Quad against China.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unless these countries have someone else to hedge over with they will continue to go with whatever is available, i.e., China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s maritime space:</strong> India must have the<strong> Indian Ocean Region (IOR)</strong> as its priority. Currently, it doesn't have any navy that can assert itself to distant seas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in coordination with other navies like the US Navy, the Royal Navy (UK) and the French Navy, India can participate in the exercises out of the Indian Ocean Area.</li>
<li>Also India&rsquo;s navy&rsquo;s share in the defence budget has come down from 18% to 14%. If India wants to emerge as a global power, then it must invest in its navy and strengthen it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Help for small nations:</strong> Smaller countries in the IOR must be on India&rsquo;s top list and it must ensure that these nations are dependent on India only for their security.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India should be their preferred security partner.</li>
<li>India should also ensure that they do not have to look beyond India with regard to meeting their traditional &amp; non-traditional needs.</li>
<li>India should not allow China to have an opportunity to come in between India and these small nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>QUAD&rsquo;s military muscle:</strong> QUAD must have its military muscle to accomplish other areas but it should not be brought to front, it should be kept in the back burner.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Indian Ocean Region (IOR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The IOR consists of the Indian Ocean and several countries and seas around the ocean including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Madagascar, Australia, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, Tanzania and Yemen.</li>
<li>The Indian Ocean region has 30 straits and channels in and adjoining the Indian Ocean. few of them are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bab-el-Mandeb</strong> (between South Yemen and Djibouti);</li>
<li><strong>Bass Strait</strong> (between Australian continent and Tasmania);</li>
<li><strong>Strait of Hormuz</strong> (between Iran and Oman);</li>
<li><strong>Lombok, Bali, Sunda and Makassar Straits</strong> (in the Indonesian archipelago)</li>
<li><strong>Singapore Strait</strong> (between Singapore and Riau island of Indonesia)</li>
<li><strong>Malacca Strait</strong> (between Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore)</li>
<li><strong>Mozambique channel</strong> (between Mozambique and Malagasy Republic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The anti-China sentiment exists at a global level but the world hasn't actually done anything concrete to take on China and that is the biggest problem.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Time has come for an overly aggressive China to be addressed holistically.The Quad has to be made more effective by militarising it and framing a common agenda.</li>
<li>Also bringing other like minded countries in the frame and expanding the network of quad and make it more stronger.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7276,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Vietnam Virtual Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>India and Vietnam</strong> signed <strong>seven pacts</strong> during their virtual summit, in areas such as defence, petrochemicals, and nuclear energy, and agreed to <strong>intensify their development partnership</strong> that will enable achievement of <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sustainable Development Goals</a> (SDGs)</strong>, and develop capabilities to address <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/climate-change-and-land-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change.</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608634585_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608634585_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Memorandums of Understanding (MoU)/Agreements:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Agreements covered diverse areas such as<strong> IT, <a href="/pdf/1602514626-indian-peacekeepers-in-south-sudan.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN peacekeeping</a> and cancer research.</strong></li>
<li>One specific agreement will cover <strong>USD 5 million Indian Grant Assistance for Army Software Park</strong> at National Telecommunications University, Nha Trang, Vietnam.</li>
<li>Both sides committed to promote bilateral cooperation between the &ldquo;regulatory bodies of the two countries in the <strong>fields of radiation protection and nuclear safety.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence and Security:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Defence and security partnership between India and Vietnam will be an important factor of stability in the <a href="/pdf/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific region.</strong></a></li>
<li>The two sides will step up their <strong>military-to-military exchanges, training and capacity building programmes</strong> across the <strong>three services and coast guards</strong> and will intensify their defence industry collaboration <strong>building on India&rsquo;s defence credit lines extended to Vietnam.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>VINBAX</strong> is the<strong> military exercise</strong> between armies of India and Vietnam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both sides will <strong>engage more closely through institutionalized dialogue mechanisms</strong> in dealing with traditional and non-traditional security threats in <strong>cyber and maritime domains, terrorism, natural disasters, health security, water security, transnational crimes</strong> etc, including through enhanced legal and judicial cooperation, where required.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One such example is the successful implementation of the <strong>High Speed Guard Boat (HSGB)</strong> Manufacturing Project for Vietnam Border Guard Command under the <strong>US dollar 100 million Defence Line of Credit extended by the Government of India</strong> to Vietnam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Terrorism:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two sides will step up joint efforts in building a strong consensus for early adoption of the <a href="/printpdf/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>South China Sea:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining <strong>peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea,</strong> while pursuing the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the<strong><a href="/printpdf/un-begins-talks-to-regulate-the-high-seas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Both leaders further called for the full and effective implementation of the <a href="/printpdf/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea</strong></a> (DOC) in its entirety.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation at Various Forums:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both sides will strengthen multilateral and regional cooperation, including in the <strong>United Nations, ASEAN-led mechanisms </strong>and<strong><a href="/pdf/1588250738-dams-in-china-over-transboundary-rivers.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Mekong</a> sub-regional cooperation. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Association of SouthEast Asian Nations (ASEAN):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To foster practical cooperation between <a href="/printpdf/association-of-southeast-asian-nations-asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN</strong></a> and India in the key areas and in line with the objectives and principles as stated in the<strong> ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP)</strong> and India&rsquo;s<a href="/printpdf/india-vietnam-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The two sides will actively <strong>promote reformed multilateralism to make international organizations,</strong> including the <a href="/printpdf/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Security Council</strong></a>, more representative, contemporary and capable of dealing with current challenges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Management of Covid-19 Pandemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They will encourage experience-sharing and cooperation in the management of <a href="/printpdf/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, support <strong>on-line training of health professionals,</strong> forge institutional cooperation in<strong> vaccine development,</strong> promote open supply chains, facilitate essential cross-border movement of people, and maintain close contact and coordination in multilateral bodies like 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>.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in the Post Pandemic Era:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Acknowledging the new challenges as well as opportunities brought upon by Covid-19 pandemic, the two sides will work towards reliable, <strong>efficient and resilient</strong> supply chains, and will promote <strong>human-centric globalization. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>New horizons for partnership created by <strong>India&rsquo;s goal to become a US dollar<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-07-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 5 trillion economy by 2024</a></strong> and <strong>Vietnam&rsquo;s ambition to become a high-income economy by 2045</strong> will be fully explored for all segments of economy, including <strong><a href="/printpdf/sustainable-blue-economy-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blue economy</a>, MSMEs and farming communities of the two countries.</strong></li>
<li>India and Vietnam share a <strong>comprehensive strategic partnership.</strong> One great example of economic cooperation is completion of the<strong> Development Projects</strong> with<strong> Indian &lsquo;Grant-in-Aid&rsquo; Assistance</strong> of US dollar 1.5 million for the benefit of the local community in Vietnam&rsquo;s Ninh Thuan province.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation on Climate Change:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both sides will partner in<strong> new and renewable energy resources,</strong> energy conservation and other climate-resilient technologies.</li>
<li>India advocated that Vietnam&rsquo;s possible future participation in the<a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/18-08-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Solar Alliance</strong></a> would bring new opportunities for cooperation in large scale deployment of solar energy.</li>
<li>India looks forward to Vietnam&rsquo;s joining the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure#:~:text=India's%20initiative%20for%20Coalition%20for,developing%20countries%20with%20natural%20calamities." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure</strong></a> in the near future.</li>
<li>They agreed to expand the <a href="/pdf/1598434502-india-vietnam-meeting.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mekong - Ganga Quick Impact Projects.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation and Links:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both sides will actively cooperate to publish an<strong> Encyclopedia of India - Vietnam Cultural and Civilizational Relations</strong> to mark the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of India - Vietnam diplomatic relations in 2022.</li>
<li>The two sides will promote understanding and research of their shared cultural and civilizational heritage, including <strong><a href="/pdf/buddhism-in-india.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buddhist</a> and Cham cultures, traditions and ancient scriptures.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The traditional systems of medicine like<a href="/pdf/1598412747-renaissance-in-ayurveda.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Ayurveda</strong> </a>and <strong>Vietnam-Traditional Medicine</strong> share many common threads of rich knowledge of health.</li>
<li><a href="/printpdf/international-yoga-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Yoga</strong></a> has emerged as a symbol of peace and harmony and shared pursuit of spiritual wellbeing and happiness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Development Partnership projects</strong> in heritage conservation in Vietnam (F-block of Temple at My Son; Dong Duong Buddhist Monastery in Quang Nam and Nhan Cham Tower in Phu Yen) will be materialised.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>People-to-People Exchange:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By<strong> increasing direct flights,</strong> providing ease of travelling through<strong> simplified visa procedures</strong> and facilitating <strong>tourism.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Education and Institutional Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They will further <strong>strengthen and institutionalize linkages</strong> such as Parliamentary exchanges; relations between Indian States and Vietnamese Provinces; exchanges between social organisations and youth organizations; collaboration between educational institutions; engagement between think tanks; joint research programmes; and exchanges in media, film, TV shows and sports.</li>
<li>They will also facilitate cooperation between respective agencies on the two sides to promote contents related to India - Vietnam relations and<strong> their historical links in each other&rsquo;s school textbooks.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Vietnam is a key pillar</strong> of India&rsquo;s<a href="/pdf/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Act East policy</strong></a> and there is a scope for further cooperation between the countries.</li>
<li>The close relationship between the two countries is <strong>significant for the maintenance of strategic balance in South East Asia</strong> which is witnessing aggressive Chinese activities.</li>
<li>Both Countries need to leverage the economic opportunities available because of <strong>anti-China sentiments</strong> and several manufacturing firms deciding to shift from China.</li>
<li>Keeping in mind the strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, primarily those posed by China, India and Vietnam should work in close coordination at multilateral institutions such as the UN Security Council, where both<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-non-permanent-seat-at-the-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India and Vietnam are elected to be non-permanent members</strong> </a>in 2021.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1682468" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7264,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'International River Governance',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/water/china-s-brahmaputra-dam-trans-boundary-water-governance-in-south-asia-needs-a-rethink-74698" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;China&rsquo;s Brahmaputra dam: Trans-boundary water governance in South Asia needs a rethink&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Down to Earth on 18/12/2020. It talks about the issues related to Trans-Boundary river governance.</p>
</div>
<p>In recent times, there are many reports of China building dams on the Brahmaputra river, close to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-chinese-transgression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control</strong></a> in Tibet. The move could have a far-reaching impact on water security in India&rsquo;s North East.</p>
<p>The major rivers that drain South Asian states, the Indus, the Brahmaputra and many of the midstream tributaries of the Ganga originate in Tibet.</p>
<p>This transboundary nature of major rivers and China being an upper riparian state has a clear advantage in building dams and other infrastructure to reduce or divert water flow from river systems originating in Tibet.</p>
<p>As the whole of South Asia comes under &lsquo;high&rsquo; to &lsquo;extremely high&rsquo; water-stressed areas, the establishment of trans-boundary rivers cooperation is the need of the hour.</p>
<h3>Significance of Trans-Boundary River Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Linkage With Climate Change:</strong> Transboundary water cooperation offers opportunities to realize and capitalise on the wider benefits e.g. strengthen resilience to climate change and prevent and resolve conflicts over water resources. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, building dams in the Himalayan region will result in emerging risks like extreme events (floods, droughts), landslides, forest fires and many other ecological threats pose new governance challenges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linkage With SDG:</strong> Recognition of the importance of transboundary cooperation is a prerequisite for realising the water-related SDG targets and the broader <a href="/printpdf/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals.</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linkage With Regional Development:</strong> As international waters can be catalytic agents, transboundary water cooperation has often resulted in improved wider economic integration between riparian states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Transboundary water cooperation can, directly or indirectly, act as a catalyst to improve international trade, economic development, navigation, energy generation, wildlife conservation, and broader regional integration.</li>
<li>Transboundary water cooperation arrangements also facilitate investments by providing a stable and reliable legal and institutional environment for investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Natural Advantage:</strong> Dams or water diversion projects in the upstream areas of rivers have a significant effect on downstream flows. Communities in the lower riparian areas have to accept what is being offered to them.</li>
<li><strong>Neglect of International Law:</strong> Even though there is an international convention regarding the trans-boundary river governance, there is a lack of a cooperative framework for managing river systems in South Asia.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, around 60% of transboundary river basins worldwide still lack any cooperative arrangement.</li>
<li>In addition, existing transboundary water treaties and institutions are often weak in terms of their mandate, design, resources, and enforcement mechanisms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Existing Legal Framework on Trans-boundary Rivers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, 1997</li>
<li>Helsinki Convention on the protection and use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, 1992</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Trust:</strong> The real issue for developing trans-boundary river governance, is not the scarcity of water resources, but the scarcity of &lsquo;social resources&rsquo; and abundance of &lsquo;power disparities&rsquo; between China and South Asian countries.</li>
<li><strong>Long-term, Evolving Process:</strong> Given the dependence on these collective on water resources, coming to a consensus may take longer negotiations and even a small political tussle can derail development of cooperation framework.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Water Diplomacy:</strong> Trans-boundary river governance can be adopted by the exercise of water diplomacy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/pdf/1600513479-60-years-of-indus-water-treaty.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Water diplomacy</strong></a> is a process which operates under the authority of sovereign national governments, but which also unlocks cooperation among multiple stakeholders, including at the level of municipalities and states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>River basin management:</strong> Rather than treating rivers from the lens of political borders, there is a need to adopt a river basin management approach. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This approach respects the integrity of the landscape and the catchments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Setting-up Institutional Framework:</strong> Agreements and institutional arrangements, such as river basin organizations, can offer an important means to manage transboundary waters in an equitable and sustainable way<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A trans-boundary river governance framework should, share water in river basins and aquifers, pursue legal frameworks for international cooperation, and establish joint institutions for transboundary water governance.</li>
<li>Apart from this, there is a need for the adoption of common standards for water data collection, sharing, and analysis on transboundary waters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Disasters and climate impacts do not stop at borders and already about two billion people are living in water-stressed areas. In this context, without transboundary water cooperation, inclusive sustainable development is severely curtailed, and risks to peace and security increased.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608552772_image0.PNG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608552772_image0.PNG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fafaff;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Without transboundary water cooperation, inclusive sustainable development is severely curtailed, and risks to peace and security increased. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7194,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Uzbekistan Virtual Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a recent virtual summit, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uzbekistans-president-visit-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Uzbekistan</strong></a> have deliberated on <strong>expanding bilateral ties aiming to expand cooperation in a range of areas,</strong> including new and renewable energy, digital technologies, cybersecurity and sharing of information.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The agreements also include cooperation on <strong>connectivity projects in Afghanistan</strong> and its <strong>peace process, trilateral dialogue with Iran, combatting terrorism,</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607768550_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607768550_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade, Economic and Investment Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Making efforts to achieve the <strong>mutually identified target of USD 1 billion for bilateral trade.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>current bilateral trade</strong> level of about <strong>USD 285 million</strong> (2018) is far below the potential.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Fast-track the conclusion of the ongoing <strong>Joint Feasibility Study</strong> that will pave the way for the commencement of negotiations on a <strong>Preferential Trade Agreement.</strong></li>
<li>Early conclusion of the <strong>Bilateral Investment Treaty</strong> which shall facilitate investment promotion and protection for further improvement of trade and economic cooperation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The sides noted the prospects for greater opportunities in the free economic zones of the two countries, including in the<strong> Uzbek-Indian free pharmaceutical zone</strong> in the <strong>Andijan region</strong> (eastern part of the Fergana Valley in far eastern Uzbekistan).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Uzbekistan welcomed the opportunities in India for investing/manufacturing under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;</strong> </a>programme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Development Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India confirmed the <strong>approval of a USD 448 million Line of Credit for four developmental projects</strong> in Uzbekistan in the areas of road construction, sewerage treatment and information technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence and Security:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Appreciated the enhanced pace of bilateral defence cooperation since the convening of the first meeting of<strong> Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation in February 2019.</strong></li>
<li>Welcomed the holding of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-and-uzbekistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&ldquo;Dustlik 2019&rdquo;</a>, first-ever joint military exercises in November 2019.</strong></li>
<li>Agreed to further strengthen cooperation between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries, including under the framework of the <strong>Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Civil Nuclear Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Welcomed the conclusion of the bilateral agreement between the <strong>Global Centre for Nuclear Energy Partnership</strong> (GCNEP) <strong>India</strong> and the<strong> Agency for Development of Nuclear Energy, Uzbekistan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>GCNEP is the <strong>sixth research and development</strong> (R&amp;D) <strong>unit</strong> under the aegis of <strong>Department of Atomic Energy</strong> (DAE) and helps in capacity building, in association with the interested countries and the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/63rd-general-conference-of-iaea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Atomic Energy Agency</strong></a> (IAEA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reiterated continued commitment for <strong>enhancing connectivity</strong> between India and Uzbekistan and in the larger Central Asian region to bolster trade and investment.</li>
<li>India welcomed the <strong>proposal to hold trilateral dialogue among India, Iran and Uzbekistan</strong> to promote connectivity through the Chabahar port.</li>
<li>India also <strong>requested Uzbekistan to consider joining</strong> the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-central-asia-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International North-South Transport Corridor</strong> </a>(INSTC) which would add to the overall improvement of connectivity in the larger Eurasian space.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture, Education and People-to-People Contacts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India invited Uzbekistan to avail of increased scholarship opportunities provided by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council for Cultural Relations</strong></a> (ICCR) and training and capacity building under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-s-visit-to-comoros-and-sierra-leone" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Terrorism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strongly <strong>condemned terrorism</strong> in all its forms and manifestations and reaffirmed the determination to combat this menace by destroying terrorist safe-havens, networks, infrastructure and funding channels.</li>
<li>Also underlined the need for every country to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks against other countries and called for early finalisation of a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/at-unga-india-call-for-early-adoption-of-ccit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism</strong></a> (CCIT).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Called for the <strong>settlement of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/afghan-turmoil-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Afghan conflict</a></strong> on the principle of Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace process and expressed unanimity in support for a united, sovereign and democratic Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reformed Multilateralism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reaffirmed that the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> (UN) must play a central role in maintaining global peace and security and also called for <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/un-reforms-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comprehensive reform</a> of the UN structures</strong> including the Security Council with expansion in both categories of membership.</li>
<li>Uzbekistan <strong>reaffirmed its support to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s candidature for permanent membership</a> of the UN Security Council</strong> and congratulated India on its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-non-permanent-seat-at-the-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>election as a non-permanent member</strong> </a>of the UN Security Council for the term <strong>2021-22.</strong></li>
<li>India also congratulated the <strong>Uzbek side on its successful election</strong> to the <a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Human Rights Council</strong> </a>for the term <strong>2021-23.</strong></li>
<li>Appreciated their close cooperation in the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Shanghai Cooperation Organization</strong></a> (SCO).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In November 2020, India hosted the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sco-summit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first-ever meeting of the Council of the Heads of Government of SCO</a> since its joining the SCO.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India appreciated Uzbekistan&rsquo;s support in the successful holding of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-meeting-of-india-central-asia-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2<sup>nd</sup> India-Central Asia Dialogue</strong></a> at the level of Foreign Ministers with the participation of Afghanistan.</li>
<li><strong>Uzbekistan is a member of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/organisation-of-islamic-cooperation-oic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Organisation of Islamic Cooperation</a></strong> (OIC), which is the second largest intergovernmental organization after the UN.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India is not a member</strong> of the OIC. However, India was<strong> invited as a guest of honour at the 46<sup>th</sup> Session of the Council of Foreign Minister in 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19 Pandemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Emphasized the need for bilateral and global cooperation to continue the<strong> fight against the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a></strong> including development and distribution of effective vaccines and other medicines.</li>
<li><strong>Uzbekistan thanked India for the assistance rendered to Uzbekistan in its fight against the pandemic</strong> and India reaffirmed its continued commitment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Agreements reached during various bilateral visits have strengthened cooperation between India and Uzbekistan in diverse sectors such as political, trade and investment, defence, security, counter-terrorism, science and technology, nuclear energy, space, information technology and have promoted cultural and academic linkages.</li>
<li>Both countries thanked each other for the productive discussions held during the virtual summit and expressed confidence that the understandings and agreements will further deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries for the well-being of their peoples and mutual prosperity.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-uzbek-president-discuss-afghanistan-iran-connectivity/article33305691.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7183,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India&rsquo;s defence minister attended the <strong>14<sup>th</sup> ASEAN Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting (ADMM) Plus</strong> organized online at Hanoi, Vietnam.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It marked the<strong> 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-defence-ministers-meeting-plus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ADMM Plus.</a></strong></li>
<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 <strong>political and social stability amid rising tensions among the Asia-Pacific&rsquo;s post-colonial states.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607671098_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607671098_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About ASEAN Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting Plus:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Creation:</strong> The 2<sup>nd</sup> ASEAN Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting (ADMM) in<strong> 2007</strong> at Singapore <strong>adopted a resolution to establish the ADMM-Plus.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> first</strong> ADMM-Plus was convened at <strong>Hanoi, Vietnam in 2010.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> The <strong>ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and it&rsquo;s eight Dialogue Partners</strong> to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.</li>
<li><strong>Membership:</strong> The ADMM-Plus countries include <strong>ten ASEAN Member States and eight Plus countries,</strong> namely<strong> Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, and the United States.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Chairman:</strong> The chairmanship of the <strong>ADMM-Plus follows the chairmanship of the ADMM.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This year it was chaired by <strong>Vietnam.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> It aims to promote <strong>mutual trust and confidence</strong> between defence establishments through greater <strong>dialogue and transparency.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Areas of cooperation:</strong> Maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations and military medicine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The current meet</strong> comes at the time when India and China remain engaged in a military standoff along the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control in Ladakh</strong></a>, and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/china-in-south-china-sea#:~:text=There%20are%20many%20interconnected%20disputes,%2C%20Vietnam%2C%20Brunei%20and%20Philippines." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> tensions continue to mount in the South China Sea.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand at the Meet:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Future:</strong> The future of the<strong> South East Asian Countries</strong> will be defined by their<strong> ability to collectively respond to challenges</strong> in the region, based on the fundamentals of freedom, inclusivity and openness.</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19:</strong> The response to the pandemic needs to be <strong>collective and collaborative.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong> Threats to the<strong> rules-based order, maritime security, cyber-related crimes and terrorism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Challenges are becoming increasingly<strong> trans-boundary in character</strong> which requires closer military-to-<strong>military interactions and cooperation amongst the ADMM-Plus countries.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tools for Cooperation:</strong> The conduct of <strong>field training exercises and table-top exercises</strong> amongst the ADMM-Plus countries are important tools to <strong>understand each other, cooperate to enhance security and maintain peace in the region.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Example: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-maitree" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>MAITREE</strong></a> which is an annual training event that is conducted in<strong> India and Thailand alternatively, since 2006.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/china-listening-rajnath-says-rules-based-order-under-threat-7100095/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7178,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Partners in Population and Development Initiative',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has digitally addressed the <strong>Inter-Ministerial Conference by Partners in Population and Development</strong> (PPD).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Partners in Population and Development:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> It is an <strong>intergovernmental initiative</strong> created specifically for the purpose of <strong>expanding and improving<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-africa-partnership" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> South-South Cooperation</a></strong> in the fields of reproductive health, population, and development.</li>
<li><strong>Launch:</strong> PPD was <strong>launched at the 1994 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-world-population-2019-unfpa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Conference on Population and Development</a></strong> (ICPD), when <strong>ten developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America</strong> formed an intergovernmental alliance to help implement the <strong>Cairo Program of Action</strong> (POA).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The POA,<strong> endorsed by 179 nations,</strong> stresses the need to <strong>establish mechanisms to promote development</strong> through the sharing of experiences in reproductive health (RH) and family planning (FP) within and among countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> An alliance of <strong>27 developing countries. India is a member country.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Secretariat:</strong> Dhaka, Bangladesh</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inter-Ministerial Conference by PPD:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It was<strong> jointly organised by</strong> PPD, <strong>National Health Commission of China</strong> (NHC) and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-world-population-2020-unfpa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Population Fund</strong></a> (UNFPA).</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Advocate and ensure political support and investment to address the effects of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong> </a>in the achievement of the <strong>Three Zeros by 2030,</strong> finalised under the <strong>Nairobi Summit 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India appreciated the efforts of PPD</strong> in promoting cooperation in key areas of reproductive health, population and development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nairobi Summit</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In<strong> November 2019,</strong> the Nairobi Summit, also known as <strong>ICPD+25,</strong> was held in Nairobi, Kenya, to celebrate the<strong> 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the ICPD</strong> (held in Cairo in 1994).</li>
<li>The <strong>UNFPA and the Government of Kenya hosted</strong> the Nairobi Summit, which brought together governments, UN agencies, private sector organizations, women's groups and youth networks to discuss and agree on initiatives to <strong>further advance the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Three Zeros by 2030:</strong> Pledges were announced to achieve <strong>zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning, </strong>and<strong> zero gender-based violence and harmful practices by 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Steps Taken by India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Steadfast in its reaffirmation of the<strong> commitments made at the Nairobi Summit.</strong></li>
<li>Committed to ensuring<strong> universal health coverage</strong> through its flagship programme <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ayushman Bharat.</strong></a></li>
<li>The Government has <strong>pledged USD 3 billion by 2020 for improving reproductive health services.</strong></li>
<li>With aspirations of achieving <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/universal-health-coverage-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>universal health care</strong></a>, India&rsquo;s<strong> National Health Policy 2017</strong> aims at raising public health expenditure to 2.5% of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-decreases-to-11-year-low" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gross Domestic Product</strong> </a>(GDP).</li>
<li>Continuous efforts to<strong> substantially reduce the unmet need for contraception</strong> by increasing the range of contraceptives and improving accessibility and quality of family planning services.</li>
<li>Implementation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-council-of-health-and-family-welfare-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan</strong></a> (SUMAN) initiative for achieving the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goal</strong> </a>(SDG) target for reducing Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) to less than 70 by 2030.</li>
<li>It is<strong> enacting stringent legislation to address gender-based violence</strong> and eliminate all forms of atrocities against women and girls.</li>
<li>Dedicated to providing quality, timely and disaggregated data, <strong>investing in digital health innovations, and improvement of data systems</strong> by 2030 to achieve sustainable development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)</strong></a> aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 response</strong> </a>started even before it was declared as a pandemic by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-whohttps://www.drishtiias.com/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-health-organization-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Health Organisation</strong></a> (WHO).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/umbrella-scheme-for-family-welfare-and-other-health-interventions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Community-based interventions</strong></a> including <strong>family planning</strong> are also a part of various services provided.</li>
<li><strong>Promotion of alternate service delivery mechanisms</strong> along with<strong> telemedicine</strong> services, digital platforms for training, improving finances and streamlining supply chain systems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Current times require integrated and coordinated efforts from all health institutions, academia and other partners directly or indirectly associated with the health care services to make these services accessible, affordable and acceptable to all. PPD plays an important role in fostering such dialogue at the highest levels to take forward the common agenda of &lsquo;Health for All&rsquo;.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1679131" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7174,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Global Energy Transition',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/india-s-evolving-energy-diplomacy-ht-editorial/story-9UyHkF00O0Xkuz27VmY3UP.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;India&rsquo;s evolving energy diplomacy&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on 07/12/2020. It talks about the transition in global energy geopolitics and the challenges emanating from it.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/opec#:~:text=The%20Organization%20of%20the%20Petroleum,%2C%20Saudi%20Arabia%2C%20and%20Venezuela.&amp;text=However%2C%20it%20rejoined%20the%20Organization,of%2014%20Member%20Countries%20viz." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)</strong></a> decided to allow an increase in production of crude oil. This would mean cheaper oil, which may result in profits for oil-importing countries like India.</p>
<p>However, the global energy system is undergoing a transition away from nearly complete dependence on fossil fuels toward a greater reliance on clean and renewable energy sources.</p>
<p>As the global low-carbon energy transition impacts the geopolitics of energy, India's energy diplomacy should not be just about cheaper oil. It should focus on a long-term policy that fulfils India&rsquo;s energy needs while adhering to the commitment of a clean environment.</p>
<p>In this context, bilateral energy diplomacy is a critical foreign policy tool to manage the geopolitical consequences of the low-carbon energy transition.</p>
<h3>Global Energy Geopolitics Transition</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Oil Becoming Epicentre of Global Geopolitics:</strong> The shifting of energy source from coal supplies to oil supplies has led to the Middle East becoming an essential epicentre of global geopolitics and to oil becoming a vital issue for national security.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since the second half of the 20<sup>th</sup> century, control of oil resources has played a central role in several wars, such as the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the Gulf War (1990-1991), etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Warming &amp; Global Concern:</strong> The global concern for more than half a century oil and natural gas have been at the heart of the geopolitics of energy. However, the over-dependence on oil &amp; gas has brought the global issue of global warming into the forefront.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many important events like the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kyoto Protocol signing</strong> </a>&amp; <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement</strong></a> marked the critical steps forward in global efforts to respond to the challenge of global warming.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Decarbonisation Process Getting Strengthened:</strong> Under the Paris Agreement, the countries have committed themselves to act to limit the increase in the average global temperature to well below 2&deg;C compared to pre-industrial levels.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This reinforces the decarbonisation measures already in place in several parts of the world.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, technological advances have increased the competitiveness of solar and wind energy technologies, batteries and electric cars.</li>
<li>The convergence of these two elements has started to reshape the global energy system. This can be seen from India establishing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/third-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges of Global Energy Transition</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Challenge For Oil Producing Countries:</strong> The global energy transition represents a challenge for oil- and gas-producing countries, and in particular for those with a less diversified economy more dependent on oil revenues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If the global energy transition were to take place more quickly than expected, and if these countries were to remain unprepared, the consequences could be serious from both the socio-economic and geopolitical points of view.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats Emanating From Energy Integration:</strong> The spread of renewable energies will increase electrification and stimulate cross-border trade in electricity. For example, India&rsquo;s call to establish <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/one-sun-one-world-one-grid-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;one sun one world one grid system (OSOWOG)&rdquo;.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The digitisation of electricity grids presents security risks, as terrorist groups or hostile countries could seek to either enter the systems to extrapolate information, or to disrupt them to cause economic and social damages.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Supply of Rare-Earth Mineral:</strong> The rapid development of wind and solar energy, together with that of electric cars, raises concerns about the security of supply of the minerals needed to manufacture them.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The dominance of China in the supply of these rare minerals and current geopolitical tension between US &amp; China could trigger a case like the &lsquo;cobalt crisis&rsquo; of 1978.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Note: Cobalt Crisis</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The &lsquo;cobalt crisis&rsquo; of 1978, following the outbreak of a conflict in the province of Katanga &ndash; the heart of world mineral extraction &ndash; in what was then called Zaire.</li>
<li>The crisis caused a global shortage of cobalt, driving the international price of the mineral to the sky.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>What Should India Do?</h3>
<p>The real challenge for India&rsquo;s energy diplomacy is preparing the ground for a post-oil future in a manner that ensures oil markets abet rather than disrupt this larger transition. In this context, India energy diplomacy should focus on both the fossil fuel &amp; renewable energy axis.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>On the Fossil Fuel Axis:</strong> The government should leverage its buyer strength to secure &ldquo;most favoured&rdquo; terms of trade for crude supplies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this regard, India can negotiate with major oil &amp; gas producing countries to enter into long term agreement, citing the onset of peak oil demand in India and the decline of oil demand in the developed world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On the Renewable Axis:</strong> India must develop its own world-scale, competitive, manufacturing systems for Renewable energy. In this context:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>First, India will need to build solar and wind power at an unprecedented scale and speed, replacing coal-fired power plants.</li>
<li>Second, India will need to extend the reach of that renewable energy to power sectors of the economy like industry and transportation that haven't traditionally used electricity.</li>
<li>Third, India must become radically more energy-efficient.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Some many opportunities and challenges are emanating from the global energy transition. However, from the Indian perspective, thanks to record foreign exchange reserves, India today can absorb somewhat higher global oil prices, and shift focus on attracting the massive investments needed for its natural gas and renewable energy plans.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607516485_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607516485_image 0.png" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffbfa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Energy diplomacy is a critical foreign policy tool to manage 21<sup>st</sup>-century bilateral relations. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nsopCf3ve8Y" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/fighting-malnutrition-govt-must-focus-on-nutrient-security/2145198/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Fighting Malnutrition: Govt must focus on nutrient security&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Financial Express on December 8<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7170,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SAARC Charter Day',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>In a message to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</strong> </a>on its<strong> 36<sup>th</sup> Charter Day</strong> anniversary, the Prime Minister said that SAARC can only be fully effective in the absence of &ldquo;terror and violence&rdquo;.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAARC Charter Day is <strong>observed annually on 8<sup>th</sup> December.</strong> This day marks the <strong>signing of the SAARC Charter in 1985</strong> by the leaders of SAARC Countries at the <strong>First SAARC Summit</strong> held in <strong>Dhaka (Bangladesh).</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The full potential of SAARC can only be realised in an atmosphere free of terror and violence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This indicates that <strong>India&rsquo;s concerns over cross-border terrorism from Pakistan remain a primary obstacle</strong> in India&rsquo;s participation in the summit.</li>
<li>In their messages, both Pakistan and Nepal called for the SAARC summit to be held soon.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also called for SAARC countries to<strong> &ldquo;recommit to defeating the forces that support and nurture terrorism.&rdquo;</strong></li>
<li>India is also <strong>committed to</strong> an &ldquo;integrated, connected, secure and prosperous South Asia&rdquo;, and will support the economic, technological, cultural and social development of the region.</li>
<li>Highlighting the importance of <strong>greater collaboration,</strong> India referred to the <strong>example of the early coordination between SAARC countries for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>emergency Covid-19 fund</strong> was created with an initial contribution of USD 10 million from India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Stalled SAARC Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SAARC&rsquo;s functioning and activities have virtually stalled<strong> because of the strained relations between India and Pakistan.</strong></li>
<li>Besides <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/video-conference-of-saarc-leaders-on-covid-19#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20Emergency%20Fund%3A,a%20contribution%20to%20the%20fund." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>a virtual meeting in March</strong></a> on the Covid-19 situation, SAARC <strong>hasn&rsquo;t had any significant engagements since India pulled out of the summit</strong> that was to be held in Pakistan in 2016 in the aftermath of the Uri terror attack.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Eight Member States:</strong> Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.</li>
<li><strong>Secretariat:</strong> Kathmandu (Nepal).</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life, and to accelerate economic growth, among other things.</li>
<li><strong>SAARC Summits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>usually held biennially</strong> and <strong>hosted by</strong> member states in <strong>alphabetical order.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> last SAARC Summit in 2014</strong> was held in Kathmandu (Nepal), which was attended by India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607505847_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607505847_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAARC Charter reflects the region&rsquo;s &ldquo;shared vision, collective resolve and mutual pursuit to promote peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia through eradication of poverty, accelerated economic growth and advancement in socio-cultural development&rdquo;.</li>
<li>There is a need for greater regional cooperation today than ever before. To collectively emerge from the pandemic, the situation underlines the importance of more concerted efforts, collaboration and cooperation among the member states of SAARC.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/saarc-potential-cant-be-realised-until-terror-ends-pm-modi/article33281688.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7169,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India Switzerland Relations',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A<strong> virtual meeting took place</strong> recently between an Indian Minister and his Swiss Counterpart.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the Ministers reiterated the desire to move forward on the <strong>India-EFTA Trade &amp; Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) negotiations.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>European Free Trade Association</strong> (EFTA) is the intergovernmental organisation of <strong>Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>These countries are <strong>not part of the European Union</strong> (EU) with which India is negotiating a separate trade agreement called the<strong> India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The proposed agreement covers trade in <strong>goods and services, investments, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, protection of intellectual property and public procurement.</strong></li>
<li>India-Switzerland <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/model-bilateral-investment-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bilateral Investment Treaty</strong></a> (BIT)which is under negotiation was also discussed.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>BITs are treaties between two countries aimed at protecting investments made by investors of both countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Forums:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Minister sought support of Switzerland for the <strong>joint proposal of India and South Africa in <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Trade Organization</a> (WTO) for TRIPS waiver.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>South Africa and India</strong> have called for the (WTO) to <strong>suspend intellectual property (IP) rights</strong> related to Covid-19 to ensure equitable sharing of vaccines and new technology to control the pandemic.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A temporary ban would allow multiple actors to start production, instead of having manufacturing concentrated in the hands of a <strong>small number of patent holders.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Switzerland Relations</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607505430_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607505430_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Switzerland have had cordial and friendly relations since India&rsquo;s Independence, based on <strong>shared values of democracy and rule of law.</strong> A Treaty of Friendship between India and Switzerland was signed at New Delhi in 1948.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Relation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per EXIM Bank, Switzerland was the<strong> 11<sup>th</sup> largest trading partner</strong> for India in 2018-19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Switzerland invested FDI equity worth approximately USD 4.781 billion in India from April 2000 to September 2019 thus becoming the <strong>12<sup>th</sup> largest investor and accounting for about 1.07% of total FDI</strong> in India during this period</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science and Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During the visit of Swiss President to India in 2003, an<strong> inter-Governmental framework Agreement on Technical and Scientific Cooperation</strong> was signed under which an <strong>Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme</strong> (ISJRP) was launched in 2005.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Skill Training:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Several Institutes from both the countries have <strong>collaborated</strong> to impart the highest standards of skill training in India. <strong>E.g.:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bharatiya Skill Development Campus and University.</li>
<li>Indo-Swiss Centre of Excellence, Pune.</li>
<li>Vocational Training Center, Andhra Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1679195" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7117,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Shanghai Cooperation Organisation & India',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/regional-priorities-on-the-sco-summit/article33224842.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Regional priorities: On the SCO summit&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 02/12/2020. It talks about the opportunities posted in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as a grouping for India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India for the first time hosted the heads of governments (HoG) meeting of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-balancing-with-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong></a>, three years after joining the eight-nation group. The focus of this virtual conference was in developing a plan to overcome the socio-economic consequences of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> in the region.</p>
<p>In less than two decades, SCO has emerged as a key regional organisation in the Eurasian space. It accounts for over 60% of Eurasia's territory, more than 40% of the world's population, and almost a quarter of the world's GDP.</p>
<p>Given the increasing role and significance of the SCO in the Eurasian region and beyond, India is likely to benefit more in the long-term by joining the organisation. Therefore, SCO provides the opportunity for India to fulfil its national interest while cautiously navigating through challenges.</p>
<h3>Opportunities For India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regional Security:</strong> SCO will enable India, as an integral part of the Eurasian security grouping, to neutralise centrifugal forces arising from religious extremism and terrorism in the region.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The drawdown of Western forces from Afghanistan and the rise of Islamic State (IS) with its stated intention to create &lsquo;Khorasan&rsquo; have added a new explosive dimension to the region's security landscape.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Embracing Regionalism:</strong> The SCO is one of the few regional structures India is a part of now, given a decline in its engagement with <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAARC</strong></a>, BBIN and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rcep-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RCEP</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More importantly, cooperation in three critical areas&mdash; energy, building trade and transportation links, and dealing with traditional and non-traditional security threats&mdash; can be facilitated through the SCO mechanism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connect With Central Asia:</strong> SCO is also a potential platform to advance India&rsquo;s <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/connect-central-asia-policy#:~:text=It%20was%20in%20this%20context,%2C%20economic%2C%20and%20cultural%20connections." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Connect Central Asia policy.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s ongoing engagement with SCO can be seen through the prism of reconnecting and re-energising ties with a region with which India has shared civilizational linkages, and is considered the country&rsquo;s extended neighbourhood.</li>
<li>The SCO provides India with a convenient channel for its outreach &mdash; trade and strategic ties &mdash; to Central Asian countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>Note:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The foundation of India&rsquo;s economic outreach to Central Asia is based on its 2012 Connect Central Asia Policy with its focus on the 4 C&rsquo;s - Commerce, Connectivity, Consular and Community.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dealing With Pakistan &amp; China:</strong> SCO provides India with a forum where it can constructively engage both China and Pakistan in a regional context and project India&rsquo;s security interests.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While the government has eschewed meetings with Pakistan for the last five years, it has used the SCO for talks with China, including this year amidst the LAC stand-off.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bringing Stability in Afganistan:</strong> SCO also an alternative regional platform to delve into the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan and the centrifugal forces arising from religious extremism and terrorism in the region which threaten India&rsquo;s security and development.</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Balancing:</strong> Above all, the SCO has been seen as a grouping worth pursuing as it retains India&rsquo;s geopolitical balance, a useful counterpoint to New Delhi&rsquo;s otherwise much more robust relations with the western world.</li>
<li><strong>Foundational Dimensions of SECURE:</strong> Acknowledging the strategic importance emanating from the region and SCO, the Indian Prime Minister had articulated the foundational dimension of Eurasia being<strong> 'SECURE&rsquo;.</strong> The letters in the word SECURE are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>S for Security of our citizens,</li>
<li>E for Economic development for all,</li>
<li>C for Connecting the region,</li>
<li>U for Unite our people,</li>
<li>R for Respect for Sovereignty and Integrity, and</li>
<li>E for Environment protection.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges That India Needs to Navigate</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Denial Of Direct Land Connectivity:</strong> A major impediment in India&rsquo;s expanded engagement with Eurasia remains the strategic denial of direct land connectivity between India and Afghanistan and beyond by Pakistan.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is due to this, India&rsquo;s bilateral trade with Central Asia stands at about $2 billion and with Russia about $10 billion in 2017.</li>
<li>In contrast, China&rsquo;s trade with Russia has crossed $100 billion in 2018 while the bilateral figures for Central Asia stand at over $50 billion.</li>
<li>The lack of connectivity has also hampered the development of energy ties between the hydrocarbon-rich region and India</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growing Russia-China Convergence:</strong> One of the major factors for Russia pushing India&rsquo;s inclusion into the SCO was to balance China&rsquo;s power.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, today the challenge India faces is the growing closeness of Russia and China, even as India has promoted better relations with the US.</li>
<li>Further, the new equation of growing Russia &mdash; China &mdash; Pakistan triangular convergence of interests is a challenge that needs to be navigated.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Difference Over BRI:</strong> While India has made its opposition to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRI</strong></a> clear, all other SCO members have embraced the Chinese project.</li>
<li><strong>India-Pakistan Rivalry:</strong> SCO members have, in the past, expressed fears of the organisation being held hostage to India&rsquo;s and Pakistan&rsquo;s adversarial relationship, and their fears would likely have worsened in recent times.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Improving Connectivity With Central Asia:</strong> India can seek to capitalise on Russian concerns about China exercising disproportionate influence in Central Asia. Moreover, Central Asian states are also keen for India to play a bigger role in the region.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in order to succeed, India would first have to improve its own standing in the region.</li>
<li>In this context, the opening of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/chabahar-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chabahar port</strong></a> and entry into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-central-asia-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ashgabat agreement</strong> </a>should be utilized for a stronger presence in Eurasia besides a clear focus on operationalising <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-firm-takes-over-chabahar-port-operations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improving Relations With China:</strong> It is imperative that India and China set up a modus vivendi (agreement allowing conflicting parties to coexist peacefully) for the 21<sup>st</sup> century to be viewed through the lens of an Asia century.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This sentiment was aptly reflected in Prime Minister Modi&rsquo;s statement at the 2018 Shangri La Dialogue wherein he stated: <strong>"Asia of rivalry will hold us all back. Asia of cooperation will shape this century."</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improving Relation With Pakistan:</strong> SCO&rsquo;s emphasis on promoting economic cooperation, trade, energy and regional connectivity should be leveraged to improve relations with Pakistan and persuade it to unblock India&rsquo;s access to Eurasia and provide a fillip to projects like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ6dDPQK1Zg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>TAPI.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Military Corporation:</strong> In the context of increasing terrorism in the region, it is imperative for SCO countries to develop a &lsquo;cooperative and sustainable security&rsquo; framework and make the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure more effective.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>An evolving objective of SCO now appears to increase not just its regional but also its global strategic and economic profile. In this scenario, India, as a new member of SCO, will need to formulate an appropriate Eurasian strategy.</p>
<p>This strategy should serve India&rsquo;s regional interests to ensuring sustainable nation-building through development partnerships, maintaining sovereignty, preventing the region from being a hub of terrorism and extremism. At the same time, it is also in India&rsquo;s interest that this region does not evolve into a geopolitical chessboard of new great game rivalries.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606910428_image0.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606910428_image0.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></p>
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<tbody>
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<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) provides the opportunity for India to fulfil its national interest while cautiously navigating through challenges. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e2nhRDrd4W4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/donald-trump-s-last-push-in-west-asia-ht-editorial/story-JjeyZwYA5TH837OHn7NEbL.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Donald Trump&rsquo;s last push in West Asia&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on November 30<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7110,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SCO Online International Exhibition',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Vice President of India</strong> has launched the first ever<strong> SCO Online Exhibition on Shared Buddhist Heritage.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The launch happened during the <strong>19<sup>th</sup> Meeting of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</a> Council of Heads of Government</strong> (SCO CHG), held in<strong> New Delhi.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India highlighted that the <strong>crossborder terrorism</strong> is the <strong>biggest challenge</strong> for the SCO countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>SCO Online International Exhibition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Developed by: First ever of its kind</strong> the exhibition was developed and curated by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-museum-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Museum</strong></a>, <strong>New Delhi,</strong> in active collaboration with SCO member countries.</li>
<li><strong>Participants:</strong> Museums from India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Budhhist Connection:</strong> Buddhist philosophy and art of Central Asia connects <strong>SCO</strong> countries to each other and presents an excellent<strong> opportunity for visitors</strong> to access, appreciate and compare <strong>Buddhist art antiquities from SCO</strong> countries on a <strong>single platform.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Knowledge about Different Schools of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/buddhism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buddhism</a>:</strong> The visitors can explore the Indian Buddhist treasures from the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/mauryan-architecture-part-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gandhara and Mathura Schools</strong></a>, <strong>Nalanda, Amaravati, Sarnath, etc. in a 3D virtual format.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Artistic Wealth and Excellence:</strong> The international exhibition gives a glimpse of the artistic wealth displayed in various museums across Asia and also represents the artistic excellence embedded within an eclectic historical timeline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Highlights:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Pakistan Hall</strong> depicts the life of <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/buddhism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gautama Buddha</strong></a> <strong>and buddhist art through a collection of impressive Gandhara art objects</strong> including fasting Siddhartha and footprint of Buddha from Sikri, meditating Buddha from Sahri Bahlol, miracle of Sravasti from Gandhara, etc.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Oriental Art Museum, Moscow</strong> contributed objects which depict the <strong>Buddhist Buriyat Art of Russia</strong> through icons, ritual objects, monastery traditions etc.</li>
<li><strong>The Dunhuang Academy of China</strong> contributed a rich <strong>digital collection on buddhist art</strong> which include<strong> ingenious architecture, resplendent murals, decorative designs, costumes etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India on Terrorism:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India raised the issue of terrorism at the meeting and highlighted it as the enemy of humanity. It expressed its concerns on the <strong>state sponsored terrorism and in particular crossborder terrorism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India supports the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/12th-brics-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy.</strong></a></li>
<li>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-annual-resolution-on-counter-terror" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s annual resolution on the issue of counter-terrorism</strong> </a>was adopted by consensus in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-annual-resolution-on-counter-terror" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First Committee</strong> </a>of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-annual-resolution-on-counter-terror" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations General Assembly</strong></a> (UNGA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India also criticised Pakistan for using terrorism as a<strong> instrument of state policy</strong> and called upon the members of<strong> SCO</strong> to fight it <strong>collectively.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>permanent intergovernmental international organisation</strong> and a <strong>Eurasian political, economic and military organisation</strong> aiming to maintain <strong>peace, security and stability in the region</strong> created in <strong>2001.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>SCO</strong> is widely regarded as the<strong> "Alliance of the East",</strong> due to its growing centrality in Asia-Pacific, and has been the primary security pillar of the region.</li>
<li>It is the<strong> largest regional organisation in the world</strong> in terms of geographical coverage and population, covering <strong>three-fifths of the Eurasian continent and nearly half of the human population.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India and Pakistan.</li>
<li><strong>Observer states:</strong> Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia.</li>
<li><strong>Dialogue Partners:</strong> Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1677157#:~:text=Shri%20M.%20Venkaiah%20Naidu%2C%20Vice,New%20Delhi%2C%20in%20videoconference%20format." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 19 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

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