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Negotiations on UK’s Brexit Deadline

Why in News Recently, the UK and the European Union (EU) have agreed to continue Brexit trade deal talks and abandon the 31st December deadline, end...

15 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
Five Years of Paris Climate Accord

Why in News Recently, India has reiterated her commitment to the Paris Climate Accord, prior to the Climate Ambition Summit which will start from...

12 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
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 Important International Institutions
Global Health Estimates 2019: WHO

Why in News Recently, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) released the 2019 Global Health Estimates. The WHO Global Health Estimates...

11 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
Emissions Gap Report 2020: UNEP

Why in News United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s Emissions Gap Report 2020 has been published recently. The annual report from...

10 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
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 Important International Institutions
Countries of Particular Concern: US

Why in News Recently, the US State Department has designated Pakistan and China among eight other countries that are of particular concern for...

09 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
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 Important International Institutions
United Nations Investment Promotion Award 2020

Why in News The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has declared ‘Invest India’ as winner of the United Nations...

08 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
China’s Artificial Sun

Why in News China successfully powered up its “artificial sun” nuclear fusion reactor for the first time recently, marking a great...

07 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
Cannabis Removed from Dangerous Substances: UN

Why in News Recently, the United Nations (UN) Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND), at its 63rd session, has taken a number of decisions, leading to...

04 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
World Malaria Report 2020: WHO

Why in News Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released the World Malaria Report (WMR) 2020. The report provides a comprehensive...

03 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
Criticism of Policies on Kashmir: OIC

Why in News India has ‘strongly’ rejected the criticism of its Kashmir policy by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The...

02 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
World AIDS Day 2020

Why in News The World AIDS Day is observed on 1st December every year all over the world. Key Points It was founded in 1988 by the World Health...

01 Dec 2020 Important International Institutions
India’s Assistance to Afghanistan

Why in News Recently, at the Afghanistan 2020 Conference, India has announced about 150 projects worth USD 80 million. Afghanistan’s...

25 Nov 2020 Important International Institutions
G20 Summit

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

23 Nov 2020 Important International Institutions
Covid-19 and Children: UNICEF

Why in News Recently, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has released the report “Averting a lost Covid generation”,...

21 Nov 2020 Important International Institutions
APEC Virtual Meet

Why in News Recently, a virtual meeting of the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was held. The meeting was hosted by...

21 Nov 2020 Important International Institutions
India-Luxembourg Virtual Summit

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

20 Nov 2020 Important International Institutions
NDB Loan to India

Why in News Recently, a 500-million dollar loan agreement was signed between the Union government, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs,...

20 Nov 2020 Important International Institutions

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		'article_id' => (int) 7208,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Negotiations on UK’s Brexit Deadline',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> UK</strong> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> (EU) have <strong>agreed to continue <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/impact-of-brexit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brexit trade deal</a> talks</strong> and <strong>abandon the 31<sup>st</sup> December deadline,</strong> end of the transition period for a <strong>post-Brexit trade agreement.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Under the <strong>Withdrawal agreement</strong> between the UK and the EU, a transition period of 11 months was finalised until 31<sup>st</sup> December 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>During this period, the UK continues to <strong>participate in the EU&rsquo;s Customs Union</strong> and in the <strong>Single Market.</strong></li>
<li>The transition period makes sure that there is <strong>not a sudden shock but a degree of continuity that allows both parties to secure an orderly Brexit,</strong> minimising disruption for the citizens, businesses, public administrations, as well as for the international partners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In the negotiations on the post-Brexit trade agreement, significant differences remain on <strong>three critical issues: level playing field, governance</strong> and<strong> fisheries.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Level Playing Field:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>What measures there should be to ensure a &ldquo;level playing field&rdquo; for businesses between the UK and the EU and the role of the European Court of Justice.</li>
<li>Deadlock over <strong>the EU&rsquo;s demands for a mechanism that would make tariff-free trade with the both sides maintaining fair competition</strong> for business through a regulatory &ldquo;level playing field&rdquo;.</li>
<li><strong>The UK rejected &ldquo;evolution mechanism&rdquo;</strong> or<strong> &ldquo;equivalence mechanism&rdquo;.</strong> This mechanism<strong> intends to deter the UK from undercutting the EU</strong> if the bloc decides to raise its standards in areas such as environmental rules or workers&rsquo; rights.</li>
<li>The UK <strong>could not accept a deal that left it bound to EU rules</strong> in the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UK<strong> wants to strike out a deal through bilateral talks with EU leaders.</strong></li>
<li>However, the EU had already proposed that the<strong> mechanism should be administered by a joint committee of EU-UK officials,</strong> with the arbitration in case of disputes and the <strong>negotiations must be conducted</strong> on behalf of all of the bloc&rsquo;s 27 member states <strong>by the committee.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fisheries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The key focus is over <strong>access to UK waters by the EU&rsquo;s fishing fleets.</strong></li>
<li>According to reports, <strong>France is leading the charge in this area</strong> and demanding access rights for at least 10 years, a demand the UK is unwilling to give in to, claiming it <strong>fails to meet its take back control criteria</strong> for leaving the bloc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Possibilities After Failed Negotiations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If a deal is not reached before the December-end deadline, the &ldquo;most likely&rdquo; outcome remains a<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-uk-s-constitutional-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> no-deal Brexit</strong></a> on <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Trade Organization</strong></a> (WTO) terms on 1<sup>st</sup> January.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In a no-deal situation, <strong>the UK would immediately leave the EU with no agreement about the divorce process</strong> (term used for the UK&rsquo;s separation from the EU), <strong>leave the single market and customs union arrangements</strong> overnight.</li>
<li>The UK will have to<strong> immediately leave EU institutes</strong> and other bodies like the European Court of Justice and Europol, its law enforcement body and will<strong> no longer contribute to the EU budget.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Without a trade deal, <strong>cross-Channel trade will revert to WTO rules,</strong> with <strong>tariffs driving up prices and generating paperwork</strong> for importers and <strong>border checks and taxes will be introduced for goods travelling</strong> between the UK and the EU.</li>
<li>It would have a far-reaching impact on the way business and trade is conducted in Europe and could<strong> spoil the relations between the UK and the EU.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a soft Brexit and there is a hard Brexit but the UK needs to find a way for a semi-soft Brexit so that people do not bear the sudden shock of leaving the EU at once.</li>
<li>The EU&rsquo;s core idea is that the member nations are stronger together and pooling the resources and initiatives is the best way of achieving common goals. Even if the UK has moved out of the EU, it will continue to move forward as a bloc of the 27 countries. Meanwhile, other nations of the world will have to accommodate themselves according to the shifting balance of power and politics.</li>
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		'article_id' => (int) 7195,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Five Years of Paris Climate Accord',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India has reiterated her commitment to 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 Accord</strong></a>, prior to the <strong>Climate Ambition Summit</strong> which will start from 12<sup>th</sup> December 2020 at Glasgow, Scotland.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Climate Ambition Summit 2020</strong> will mark the<strong> fifth anniversary</strong> of the <strong>Paris Agreement,</strong> and will <strong>provide a platform f</strong>or government and non-governmental leaders to <strong>demonstrate their commitment</strong> to the Paris Agreement and the multilateral process.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607768808_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607768808_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Climate Ambition Summit 2020:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To set out new and ambitious commitments under the three pillars of the <strong>Paris Agreement</strong> that are<strong> mitigation, adaptation and finance commitments.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Scope:</strong> The Summit will provide a <strong>meaningful platform</strong> for businesses, cities and other non-state actors who are rallying together and collaborating to support governments and <strong>accelerate the systemic change required to reduce emissions and build resilience.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Hosted By:</strong> The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations</strong></a>, United Kingdom and France in partnership with Chile and Italy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History of Emissions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As the most abundant <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/greenhouse-gas-emission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Greenhouse Gas (GHG)</strong> </a>in our atmosphere, <strong>carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>)</strong> has become a direct proxy for measuring climate change. Its levels have varied widely over the course of the Earth&rsquo;s 4.54 billion year history.</li>
<li>Historically it&rsquo;s the <strong>developed countries that have been major contributors</strong> to carbon emissions.</li>
<li><strong>Historical Emissions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The United States (US) has the highest historical emissions at<strong> 25%,</strong> followed by the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> (EU) at<strong> 22%</strong> and China at<strong> 13%.</strong></li>
<li>India has a low carbon emission contribution of only <strong>3%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Paris Climate Accord</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Legal status:</strong> It is a<strong> legally binding international treaty</strong> on <strong>climate change.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Adoption:</strong> It was adopted by <strong>196 countries at <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conference of the Parties</a> COP 21</strong> in Paris in <strong>December 2015.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Goal:</strong> To limit global warming to<strong> well below 2&deg; Celsius, and preferably limit it to 1.5&deg; Celsius,</strong> compared to pre-industrial levels.</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> To achieve the <strong>long-term temperature goal,</strong> countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Current Status of Global Emissions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Five years after the Paris agreement,</strong> all states have submitted their national contributions to mitigate and adapt to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> climate change.</strong></a></li>
<li>The contributions are<strong> radically insufficient</strong> to reach the well<strong> below 2 degrees Celsius limit and are even further from the 1.5 degrees Celsius</strong> temperature limit identified in the Paris Agreement.</li>
<li>Besides <strong>India,</strong> only Bhutan, the Philippines, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Morocco and Gambia were complying with the accord.</li>
<li><strong>China</strong> has the <strong>highest GHG</strong> emissions<strong> (30%)</strong> while the <strong>US</strong> contributes <strong>13.5%</strong> and the <strong>EU 8.7%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Current Emissions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/emissions-gap-report-2020-unep" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations report</strong></a> released earlier this year stated that India&rsquo;s per capita emissions are actually<strong> 60% lower than the global average.</strong></li>
<li>The emissions in the country<strong> grew 1.4% in 2019,</strong> much lower than its<strong> average of 3.3% per year over the last decade.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Some of the Measures taken by India to Control Emissions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/only-bs-vi-vehicles-to-be-sold-from-april-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bharat Stage (BS) VI</a> norms:</strong> These are emission control standards put in place by the government to keep a<strong> check on air pollution. </strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change-mind-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Solar Mission</a>:</strong> It is a major initiative of the Government of India and State Governments to <strong>promote ecologically sustainable growth</strong> while addressing India's energy security challenge.</li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential#:~:text=A%20Solar-Wind%20Hybrid%20policy,resources%2C%20transmission%20infrastructure%20and%20land." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy 2018</strong></a>: The main objective of the policy is to provide a framework for promotion of large grid connected <strong>wind-solar photovoltaic (PV) hybrid systems for optimal and efficient utilization of wind and solar resources,</strong> transmission infrastructure and land.</li>
<li>All these and many other initiatives helped India in cutting<strong> CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 164 million kg.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues in Achieving the Pledged Targets:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Most of the Nations have been slow to update their <strong>national contributions for reducing emissions for 2025-2030,</strong> however several have announced <strong>net zero emission targets</strong> in the recent past.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Net zero emission</strong> means that all man-made greenhouse gas emissions must be removed from the atmosphere through reduction measures, thus reducing the Earth&rsquo;s net climate balance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The net zero targets are<strong> subject to credibility, accountability and fairness checks.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Credibility:</strong> The plans and policies of nations is not credible enough to meet the long term<strong> net zero targets</strong> as :
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 1.5 degrees Celsius Report</strong> </a>indicated that to stay within a reasonable chance of achieving 1.5 degrees Celsius, global <strong>CO<sub>2</sub> emissions have to fall by 45% from the 2010 levels by 2030</strong> but<strong> current national contributions are not on track for such a fall.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Accountability:</strong> There is <strong>limited or no accountability</strong> for the long-term net zero goals and short-term national contributions as:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Many <strong>net zero goals have not yet been embedded in national contributions and long-term strategies</strong> under the Paris Agreement.</li>
<li>In any case,<strong> accountability under the Paris Agreement is limited.</strong> States are not obliged to achieve their self-selected targets. There is <strong>no mechanism to review the adequacy</strong> of individual contributions. <strong>States are only asked to provide justifications</strong> for the fairness and ambition of their targets.</li>
<li>The <strong>transparency framework does not contain a robust review function,</strong> and the compliance committee is facilitative and limited to ensuring compliance with a short list of binding procedural obligations..</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fairness:</strong> Issues of fairness and justice,<strong> both between and within generations,</strong> are <strong>unavoidable:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is<strong> no mechanism</strong> to check that whether the net zero targets, and pathways to net zero are fair or how much are states doing in comparison to others and relative to how much they should.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To achieve this long-term temperature goal, <strong>countries should aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible</strong> to achieve a climate-neutral world by mid-century.</li>
<li><strong>Net zero pledges need to be credible, accountable and fair</strong> to get us to a stable climate. Not all states will be in a position to pledge net zero targets, nor should they be expected to. All states, including India, can, however, <strong>pledge actions that are credible, accountable and fair.</strong></li>
<li>Credible <strong>short-term commitments, with a clear pathway to medium-term decarbonisation,</strong> that take into account the multiple challenges states face, such as on air pollution, and development, might well be the more defensible choice for some.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-didnt-cause-climate-change-prakash-javadekar-7101545/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'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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		'article_id' => (int) 7187,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Global Health Estimates 2019: WHO',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, 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>&rsquo;s (WHO) released the <strong>2019 Global Health Estimates.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>WHO Global Health Estimates</strong> provide a comprehensive and comparable assessment of mortality and loss of health due to diseases and<strong> injuries for all regions</strong> of the world.</li>
<li>The new data of <strong>Global Health Estimates</strong> cover the period from<strong> 2000 to 2019.</strong></li>
<li>The Estimates are in consonance with the report <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ten-threats-to-global-health-in-2019-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ten Threats to Global Health in 2019</strong></a> by <strong>WHO.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Key Findings of the Global Health Estimates 2019:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Top Ten Causes of Death:</strong> Ischaemic heart disease, Stroke, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Lower respiratory infections, Neonatal conditions, Trachea, bronchus and lung cancers, Alzheimer disease and other dementias, Diarrhoeal diseases, Diabetes mellitus, Kidney diseases.</li>
<li><strong>Non-communicable diseases:</strong> Make up <strong>7 of the world&rsquo;s top 10 causes</strong> of death, <strong>an increase</strong> from 4 of the 10 leading causes in <strong>2000.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Heart disease :</strong> It now represents <strong>16% of total deaths</strong> from all causes and the number of <strong>deaths from heart disease increased by more than two million</strong> since 2000 to nearly 9 million in 2019.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/preventive-methods-for-alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease</strong></a> <strong>and other forms of dementia:</strong> Ranked 3rd in both the Americas and Europe in 2019. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Women are disproportionately affected:</strong> globally, 65% of deaths from Alzheimer&rsquo;s and other forms of dementia are women.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Diabetes:</strong> Deaths from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-diabetes-day-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>diabetes</strong></a> <strong>increased by 70%</strong> globally between 2000 and 2019, with an <strong>80%</strong> rise in deaths among males.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In the <strong>Eastern Mediterranean,</strong> deaths from diabetes have more than doubled and represent the greatest percentage increase of all WHO regions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Communicable diseases:</strong> They still take in low-income countries: 6 of the top 10 causes of death in low-income countries are still communicable diseases, including <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>malaria</strong> </a>(6<sup>th</sup>), <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-tuberculosis-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tuberculosis</a> </strong>(8<sup>th</sup>) and <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-aids-day-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)</a> (9<sup>th</sup>).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-forum-on-childhood-pneumonia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pneumonia</a></strong> <strong>and other lower respiratory infections:</strong> These were the deadliest group of communicable diseases and together <strong>ranked as the fourth</strong> leading cause of death.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, compared to 2000,<strong> lower respiratory infections were claiming fewer lives than in the past,</strong> with the global number of deaths decreasing by nearly half a million.</li>
<li>The reduction is <strong>in line with a general global decline in the percentage of deaths caused by communicable diseases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>AIDS :</strong> It dropped from the<strong> 8<sup>th</sup> leading cause of death in 2000 to the 19<sup>th</sup> in 2019,</strong> reflecting the success of efforts to prevent infection, test for the virus and treat the disease over the last two decades.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It remains the <strong>fourth leading cause of death in Africa,</strong> the number of deaths has dropped by more than half, falling from over 1 million in 2000 to 435 000 in 2019 in Africa.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tuberculosis :</strong> It is no longer in the global top 10, falling from<strong> 7<sup>th</sup> place in 2000 to 13<sup>th</sup> in 2019,</strong> with a <strong>30%</strong> reduction in global deaths. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, it remains among the <strong>top 10 causes of deaths</strong> in the <strong>African and South-East Asian regions,</strong> where it is the 8<sup>th</sup> and 5<sup>th</sup> leading cause respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>More <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-communicable-diseases-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>non-communicable diseases</strong></a> <strong>are now causing deaths worldwide,</strong> there has been a global decline in deaths from <strong>communicable diseases,</strong> which however still remain a <strong>major challenge in low- and middle-income countries.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Longevity:</strong> The estimates confirm the <strong>growing trend for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/on-longevity-and-related-concerns" target="_blank" rel="noopener">longevity</a> as in 2019,</strong> people were living more than 6 years longer than in 2000.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Global average of longevity was <strong>73 years in 2019 compared to nearly 67 in 2000.</strong></li>
<li>The new projections state that people are living longer but with more disability.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/issues-related-to-persons-with-disability" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Disability</strong></a>, however, is on the rise.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a need for an <strong>intensified global focus on preventing and treating <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/higher-mortality-from-cardio-vascular-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cardiovascular diseases</a>, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases,</strong> as well as tackling injuries, in all regions of the world, as set out in the agenda for the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals.</strong></a></li>
<li>The world needs to rapidly <strong>step up prevention, diagnosis and treatment of non-communicable diseases.</strong></li>
<li>There is an urgency to improve primary health care <strong>equitably and holistically. </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Strong primary health care</strong> is clearly the<strong> foundation on which everything rests,</strong> from combating non-communicable diseases to managing a global pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Governments and stakeholders need to urgently invest</strong> in data and health information systems to <strong>support timely and effective decision-making.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives to Improve Health sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/ayushmanbharat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ayushman Bharat</a>:</strong> It is a flagship initiative that attempts to move away from the sectoral and segmented approach of service delivery to a <strong>comprehensive need-based health care service.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> It has been launched by the government with an aim to move towards a provision of universal healthcare in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/poshan-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>POSHAN Abhiyaan</strong></a>: It aims to<strong> ensure service delivery and interventions</strong> by use of technology, behavioural change through convergence and lays-down specific targets to be achieved across different monitoring parameters.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Health Mission</strong></a>: It is a complete <strong>digital health ecosystem.</strong> The <strong>digital platform</strong> will be launched with four key features &mdash;<strong> health ID, personal health records, Digi Doctor and health facility registry.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/heart-disease-now-killing-more-people-than-ever-before-who-7099058/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7181,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Emissions Gap Report 2020: UNEP',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>United Nations Environment Programme</strong> (UNEP)&rsquo;s <strong>Emissions Gap Report 2020</strong> has been published recently.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The annual report from UNEP measures the gap between anticipated emissions and levels consistent with the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement</strong></a> goals of limiting global warming this century to well below 2&deg;C and pursuing 1.5&deg;C.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Analysis for the year 2019:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Record high <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenhouse-gas-levels-reach-record-highs-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GreenHouse Gas</a> (GHG) emissions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Global GHG emissions continued to grow for the third consecutive year in 2019, reaching a record high of <strong>52.4 Gigatonne carbon equivalent</strong> (GtCO<sub>2</sub>e) <strong>without including land use changes (LUC).</strong></li>
<li>There is some indication that the <strong>growth in global GHG emissions is slowing.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, GHG emissions are <strong>declining in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oecds-forecast-for-global-economy-in-2060" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development</a></strong> (OECD) economies and <strong>increasing in non-OECD economies.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Record carbon emission:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fossil<strong> carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) emissions (from fossil fuels and carbonates)</strong> dominate <strong>total GHG emissions.</strong></li>
<li>Fossil CO<sub>2</sub> emissions reached a record <strong>38.0 GtCO<sub>2</sub> in 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Forest fires increasing GHG emissions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since 2010, global GHG emissions have grown <strong>1.4% per year on average,</strong> with a more rapid increase of <strong>2.6% in 2019</strong> due to a large<strong> increase in vegetation forest fires.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>G20 countries account for bulk of emissions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Over the last decade, the <strong>top four emitters (China, the United States of America, EU27+UK and India)</strong> have contributed to <strong>55% of the total GHG emissions without LUC.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong> top seven emitters</strong> (including the Russian Federation, Japan and international transport) have contributed to 65%, with G20 members accounting for 78%.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The ranking of countries changes when considering <strong>per capita emissions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On consumption-based emissions:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a general tendency that <strong>rich countries have higher consumption-based emissions</strong> (emissions allocated to the country where goods are purchased and consumed, rather than where they are produced) than <strong>territorial-based emissions,</strong> as they typically have cleaner production, relatively more services and more imports of primary and secondary products.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both emission types have <strong>declined at similar rates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of the Pandemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Emissions Level: CO<sub>2</sub> emissions</strong> could <strong>decrease by about 7% in 2020</strong> compared with <strong>2019 emission levels,</strong> with<strong> a smaller drop expected in GHG emissions</strong> as <strong>non-CO<sub>2</sub></strong> is likely to be less affected.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The resulting atmospheric concentrations of GHGs such as <strong>methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) and nitrous oxide</strong> (N<sub>2</sub>O) <strong>continued to increase in both 2019 and 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sector reporting the lowest dip in emission due to pandemic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The biggest changes have occurred in<strong> transport,</strong> as restrictions were targeted to <strong>limit mobility,</strong> though reductions have also occurred in other sectors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues and Possible Solutions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The world is still heading for a temperature rise in excess of<strong> 3&deg;C this century.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The levels of ambition in the Paris Agreement still must be roughly<strong> tripled for the 2&deg;C pathway</strong> and<strong> increased at least fivefold for the&nbsp;</strong>1.5&deg;C Pathway.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Rise of 3&deg;C in global temperatures <strong>could cause catastrophic weather-related events</strong> around the world. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>UN Experts believe the way to avoid it is encourage <strong>green recovery</strong> for countries facing Covid-induced economic slumps.</li>
<li>A green recovery involves <strong>investment in zero emissions tech and infrastructure,</strong> reducing <strong>fossil fuel subsidies, stopping new coal plants,</strong> and <strong>promoting nature-based solutions,</strong> according to the UN.</li>
<li>Such actions could cut 25% of predicted emissions by 2030, and gives the planet a 66% chance of keeping warming below the 2&deg;mark that the Paris pact had set as a long term goal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Environment Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The UNEP is a leading global environmental authority established on <strong>5<sup>th</sup> june 1972.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong> It sets the <strong>global environmental agenda,</strong> promotes the sustainable development within the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a> system,</strong> and serves as an authoritative advocate for global environment protection.</li>
<li><strong>Major Reports:</strong> Emission Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, Invest into Healthy Planet.</li>
<li><strong>Major Campaigns:</strong> Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, Wild for Life.</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Nairobi, Kenya.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/climate-change-what-the-emissions-gap-report-2020-tells-us-74578" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'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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		'article_id' => (int) 7171,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Countries of Particular Concern: US',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>US State Department</strong> has designated<strong> Pakistan and China</strong> among eight other countries that are of <strong>particular concern for violation of religious freedom.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Earlier, the <strong>US State Department</strong> had released its annual<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-religious-freedom-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Religious Freedom (IRF) Report in 2019</strong></a>, which is a survey of the state of religious freedom across the world.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Country of Particular Concern (CPC):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Designation of the CPC is the top tier recommendation by the <strong>US Commission on International Religious Freedom (U</strong><strong>SCIRF)</strong> when it comes to violation of<strong> international religious freedom.</strong> It is<strong> followed by Special Watch List Countries for severe violations.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is in line with the <strong>International Religious Freedom Act of 1998</strong> which was passed to promote religious freedom as a foreign policy of the United States.</li>
<li>The Act aims to <strong>promote greater religious freedom</strong> in countries which engage in or tolerate violations of religious freedom, and to advocate on the behalf of individuals persecuted for their religious beliefs and activities in foreign countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nations on the CPC list</strong> for engaging in or tolerating <strong>systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom</strong> are Pakistan, China, Myanmar, Eritrea, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Nigeria</strong> is the<strong> first secular democracy</strong> that has been named a<strong> CPC.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Notably, the State Department <strong>did not accept the USCIRF recommendation</strong> that <strong>India,</strong> Russia, Syria and Vietnam<strong> be also designated as CPCs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Earlier, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uscirf-annual-report-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF report)</strong></a> <strong>had downgraded India&rsquo;s religious freedom</strong> to the lowest grade in the <strong>&lsquo;Country of Particular Concern (CPC)</strong> category.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian government had <strong>rejected the report</strong> by asserting that there is <strong>no locus standi for a foreign government</strong> to comment on the state of its <strong>citizens' constitutionally protected rights.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Special Watch List:</strong> Governments that have engaged in or tolerated <strong>"severe violations of religious freedom&rdquo;</strong> are included in this list.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua</strong> and <strong>Russia</strong> are on the list.</li>
<li><strong>Sudan and Uzbekistan</strong> have been <strong>removed from the list</strong> based on significant, concrete progress undertaken by their respective governments over the past year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Entities of Particular Concern:</strong> This list includes <strong><a href="/printpdf/masood-azhar-listed-as-a-global-terrorist" target="_blank" rel="noopener">al-Qaida</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/boko-haram" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boko Haram</a></strong> (based in Nigeria), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ceasefire-in-yemen" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the Houthis</strong></a> (of Yemen),<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/shanghai-cooperation-organisation-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> ISIS</strong></a> (Islamic State), ISIS-Greater Sahara, ISIS-West Africa, and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-taliban-peace-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Taliban</strong></a>, etc.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Freedom of Religion in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Freedom of religion in India is a <strong>fundamental right guaranteed by Article 25-28 of the Constitution of India.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/regulating-right-to-freedom-of-religion" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Article 25</strong></a> (Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion).</li>
<li><strong>Article 26</strong> (Freedom to manage religious affairs).</li>
<li><strong>Article 27</strong> (Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion).</li>
<li><strong>Article 28</strong> (Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further<strong> Article 29 and 30</strong> of the Constitution deal with the <strong>protection of interest of minorities.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/us-designates-pak-china-as-countries-of-particular-concern-for-violation-of-religious-freedom-7096025/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 7 => 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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		'article_id' => (int) 7161,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'United Nations Investment Promotion Award 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)</strong></a> has <strong>declared &lsquo;Invest India&rsquo;</strong> as<strong> winner of the United Nations Investment Promotion Award 2020.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>United Nations Investment Promotion Award:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It recognises and celebrates the outstanding achievements of the world&rsquo;s <strong>Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs).</strong> Since <strong>2002,</strong> UNCTAD has organised these awards <strong>annually.</strong></li>
<li>The Awards also highlight the contributions of these organizations in raising private sector investment in sustainable development and in achieving the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).</strong></a></li>
<li>The <strong>response of IPAs to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19#:~:text=The%20World%20Health%20Organisation%20(WHO,31st%20December%2C%202019)." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic</a></strong> became the <strong>basis for the evaluation</strong> of the 2020 Award.</li>
<li><strong>Germany, South Korea and Singapore</strong> have been some of the <strong>past winners</strong> of the award.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Invest India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency of India</strong> and acts as the first point of reference for investors in India.</li>
<li>It is a<strong> non-profit venture set up in 2009</strong> under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry,</strong> Government of India.</li>
<li><strong>UNCTAD highlighted good practices followed by Invest India,</strong> such as the Business Immunity Platform, Exclusive Investment Forum webinar series, its social media engagement and focus Covid response teams (such as business reconstruction, stakeholder outreach and supplier outreach) created as a response to the pandemic, in its publications.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government Measures Related to Investment Promotion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s attractiveness as an<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)</strong> </a><strong>destination</strong> has surged in recent times. In 2019, it was<strong> among the top 10 countries attracting foreign funds,</strong> receiving billions of dollars in a variety of sectors, including services, technology, IT and telecom, and construction.</li>
<li>In <strong>2020, factors such as</strong> a swift response in combating the Covid crisis, favourable demographics, impressive mobile and internet penetration, massive consumption and technology uptake, played an important role in attracting the investments.</li>
<li>Launch of Schemes attracting investments, such as, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/export-promotion-council-for-technical-textiles" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National technical Textile Mission</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pli-scheme-for-ten-more-sectors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Production Linked Incentive Scheme</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-kisan-sampada-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana</strong></a>, etc.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government has elaborated upon the initiatives under the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measures-on-atmanirbhar-bharat-3-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Atmanirbhar Bharat</strong> </a>to encourage investments in different sectors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As a part of its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Make in India initiative</strong></a> to promote domestic manufacturing, India deregulated FDI rules for several sectors over the last few years.</li>
<li>The Government of India continues to improve<strong> Ease of Doing Business</strong> in the country by releasing notifications highlighting measures to improve the business environment in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India <strong>ranked 63<sup>rd</sup> out of 190 countries</strong> (moved up by 14 spots) in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doing Business 2020: World Bank Report.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nations Conference on Trade and Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>UNCTAD is a<strong> permanent intergovernmental body</strong> established by the United Nations General Assembly in <strong>1964.</strong> Its headquarters are located in <strong>Geneva, Switzerland.</strong></li>
<li>It was established to <strong>promote development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy.</strong></li>
<li>It is a <strong>central agency</strong> that monitors performance of Investment promotion Agencies (IPAs) and identifies global best practices.</li>
<li>Some of the<strong> reports</strong> published by it are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Trade and Development Report</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-investment-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Investment Report</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-investment-trend-monitor-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Investment Trend Monitor Report</strong></a></li>
<li>The Least Developed Countries Report</li>
<li>Information and Economy Report</li>
<li>Technology and Innovation Report</li>
<li>Commodities and Development Report</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1678902#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20(UNCTAD)%20has,at%20UNCTAD%20Headquarters%20in%20Geneva.&amp;text=In%20March%202020%2C%20UNCTAD%20constituted,IPAs%20response%20to%20the%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7150,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'China’s Artificial Sun',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>China successfully powered up its<strong> &ldquo;artificial sun&rdquo; nuclear fusion reactor</strong> for the first time recently, marking a great advance in the country&rsquo;s<strong> nuclear power research capabilities.</strong> The nuclear reactor is expected to provide clean energy.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-fact-for-prelims-6th-march-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>HL-2M Tokamak reactor</strong></a> is China&rsquo;s<strong> largest and most advanced nuclear fusion</strong> experimental research device, and scientists hope that the device can potentially unlock a powerful clean energy source.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>HL-2M Tokamak device is used in it to replicate the<strong> nuclear fusion process that occurs naturally in the sun.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It uses a <strong>powerful magnetic field</strong> to fuse<strong> hot plasma</strong> and can reach temperatures of over <strong>150 million degrees Celsius,</strong> approximately<strong> ten times hotter than the core of the sun.</strong></li>
<li>Located in <strong>Sichuan province,</strong> the reactor is often called an <strong>&ldquo;artificial sun&rdquo; on account of the enormous heat and power it produces.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Other Similar Experiment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-thermonuclear-experimental-reactor-iter-assembly" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a collaboration of<strong> 35 nations launched in 1985.</strong></li>
<li>It is located in <strong>France.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to build the world's largest tokamak to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy.</li>
<li>The tokamak is an <strong>experimental machine designed to harness the energy of fusion.</strong> Inside a tokamak, the energy produced through the<strong> fusion of atoms</strong> is absorbed as heat in the walls of the vessel. Like a conventional power plant, a fusion power plant<strong> uses this heat to produce steam and then electricity by way of turbines and generators.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nuclear Reactions</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Description:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A nuclear reaction is the process in which two nuclei, or a nucleus and an external subatomic particle, collide to produce one or more new nuclides.Thus, a nuclear reaction must cause a transformation of at least one nuclide to another.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Nuclear Fission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The nucleus of an atom splits into<strong> two daughter nuclei.</strong></li>
<li>This decay can be natural spontaneous<strong> splitting by radioactive decay,</strong> or can actually be simulated in a lab by achieving necessary conditions <strong>(bombarding with neutrons, alpha particles, etc.).</strong></li>
<li>The resulting fragments tend to have a combined mass which is less than the original. The <strong>missing mass is usually converted into nuclear energy.</strong></li>
<li>Currently<strong> all commercial nuclear reactors are based on nuclear fission.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nuclear Fusion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Nuclear Fusion is defined as the <strong>combining of two lighter nuclei</strong> into a heavier one.</li>
<li>Such nuclear fusion reactions are the<strong> source of energy in the Sun</strong> and other stars.</li>
<li>It takes considerable <strong>energy to force the nuclei to fuse.</strong> The conditions needed for this process are extreme millions of degrees of temperature and millions of pascals of pressure.</li>
<li>The hydrogen bomb is based on a <strong>thermonuclear fusion</strong> reaction. However, a nuclear bomb based on the fission of uranium or plutonium is placed at the core of the hydrogen bomb to provide initial energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-turns-on-artificial-sun/article33253082.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7134,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Cannabis Removed from Dangerous Substances: UN',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> (UN) <strong>Commission on Narcotic Drugs</strong> (CND), at its<strong> 63<sup>rd</sup> session,</strong> has taken a number of decisions, leading to<strong> changes in the way <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-study-marijuana-derived-drugs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cannabis</a></strong> (Marijuana or Hemp)<strong> is internationally regulated,</strong> including its reclassification out of the most dangerous category of drugs.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>January 2019,</strong> 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) made six recommendations related to the <strong>scheduling of cannabis in UN treaties,</strong> including the deletion of cannabis and cannabis resin from <strong>Schedule IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Schedule IV is the<strong> category of drugs</strong> that are considered to have<strong> "particularly dangerous properties"</strong> in comparison to other drugs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The proposals <strong>were to be placed before the CND&rsquo;s session in March 2019,</strong> but members<strong> voted to postpone</strong> the vote, requesting more time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Decision:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Older Status:</strong> The CND decision will <strong>remove cannabis from Schedule IV,</strong> where it was<strong> listed alongside deadly, addictive opioids, including heroin.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Current Status:</strong> Now, both cannabis and cannabis resin will remain on <strong>Schedule I,</strong> which includes the<strong> least dangerous category of substances.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Countries in Favour:</strong> 27 of the CND&rsquo;s 53 Member States, including India, the USA and most European nations, voted in favour of the motion.</li>
<li><strong>Countries not in Favour:</strong> 25 countries, including China, Pakistan, and Russia, were not in favour and there was one abstention, Ukraine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since the Convention was enforced in 1961, cannabis had been subject to the strictest control schedules, which even <strong>discouraged its use for medical purposes.</strong></li>
<li>The reclassification of cannabis, although significant, <strong>would not immediately change its status</strong> worldwide as long as <strong>individual countries continue with existing regulations.</strong></li>
<li>However, it will impact this process, as many <strong>nations follow the lead of international protocols</strong> while legislating in their respective nations.</li>
<li>With this historic vote, the CND has opened the door to <strong>recognizing the medicinal and therapeutic potential</strong> of cannabis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand and Regulations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India has voted with the majority</strong> to remove cannabis and cannabis resin from the list of most dangerous substances in the Convention.</li>
<li>Under India&rsquo;s <strong>Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985,</strong> the <strong>production, manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport,</strong> and <strong>use</strong> of cannabis is a <strong>punishable offence.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Act was enacted in 1985 which succeeded the <strong>Dangerous Drugs Act 1930.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/delisting-of-controlled-substances" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Narcotics Control Bureau</strong></a> (NCB) is vested with the <strong>power to charge individuals</strong> in cases related to the<strong> illegal use and supply of narcotics.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cannabis<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607076925_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1607076925_image2.jpg" style="float: right;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the WHO, cannabis is a generic term used to denote the <strong>several psychoactive preparations of the plant <em>Cannabis sativa.</em></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the WHO, cannabis is by far the <strong>most widely cultivated, trafficked and abused</strong> illicit drug in the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The major psychoactive constituent in cannabis is <strong>Delta9 tetrahydrocannabinol</strong> (THC).</li>
<li>The <strong>unpollinated female plants</strong> are called<strong> hashish.</strong> Cannabis oil (hashish oil) is a concentrate of <strong>cannabinoids</strong> (compounds which are structurally similar to THC) obtained by solvent extraction of the crude plant material or of the resin.</li>
<li>According to the <strong>NDPS Act</strong> &ldquo;cannabis plant&rdquo; means<strong> any plant of the genus cannabis.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><em><strong>&lsquo;Charas&rsquo;</strong> </em>is the separated <strong>resin extracted</strong> from the cannabis plant. The NDPS Act covers separated raisin, in whatever form, whether crude or purified, obtained from the cannabis plant and also includes concentrated preparation and resin known as hashish oil or liquid hashish.</li>
<li>The Act defines<em><strong> &lsquo;ganja&rsquo;</strong> </em>as the<strong> flowering or fruiting tops of the cannabis plant</strong> but it clearly excludes the seeds and leaves.</li>
<li>The Act <strong>illegalises any mixture with or without any neutral material, of any of the two forms of cannabis, charas and ganja, or any drink prepared</strong> from it.</li>
<li>The legislature<strong> left seeds and leaves</strong> of the cannabis plant <strong>out of the ambit of the Act,</strong> because the serrated leaves of the plant have<strong> negligible THC content.</strong></li>
<li><em><strong>&lsquo;Bhang&rsquo;,</strong></em> which is commonly consumed during festivals like Holi, is a paste made out of the leaves of the cannabis plant, and is <strong>hence not outlawed.</strong></li>
<li>Similarly, <strong>CBD oil,</strong> an acronym for<strong> cannabidiol</strong> derived from the leaves of the cannabis plant, <strong>would not come under the NDPS Act.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The NDPS Act <strong>does not permit the recreational use of cannabis</strong> in India.</li>
<li>While CBD oil manufactured with a licence under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/medical-devices-in-india-issues-and-challenges#:~:text=hip%2Dimplant%20scandal.-,The%20Drugs%20and%20Cosmetics%20Act%2C%201940,distribution%20of%20drugs%20in%20India." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940</strong></a> can be <strong>legally used,</strong> it is not very common.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Commission on Narcotic Drugs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>UN agency</strong> mandated to decide on the scope of control of substances by placing them in the schedules of global drug control conventions.</li>
<li>It was founded in <strong>1946</strong> and is headquartered in <strong>Vienna.</strong></li>
<li>Global attitudes towards cannabis have changed dramatically since the commencement of the 1961 Convention, with many jurisdictions permitting cannabis <strong>use for recreation, medication or both.</strong></li>
<li>Currently, <strong>over 50 countries allow medicinal cannabis programmes,</strong> and its recreational use has been legalised in<strong> Canada, Uruguay</strong> and <strong>15 states of the USA.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/un-decides-cannabis-not-a-dangerous-narcotic-india-too-votes-to-reclassify-7089562/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7125,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'World Malaria Report 2020: WHO',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, 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) has released the <strong>World Malaria Report (WMR) 2020.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report provides a<strong> comprehensive update on global and regional <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/worlds-first-malaria-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">malaria</a> data</strong> and trends including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, elimination and surveillance.</li>
<li>It indicates that <strong>India has made considerable progress in reducing its malaria burden.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Malaria cases<strong> globally numbered about 229 million,</strong> an annual estimate that has remained virtually <strong>unchanged over the last four years.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In <strong>2019,</strong> it claimed about 4,09,000 lives, compared to 4,11,000 in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The report noted that the <strong>11 highest-burden countries</strong> viz. Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, <strong>India,</strong> Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania, account for <strong>70% of the global estimated case burden and 71% of global estimated deaths</strong> from malaria.</li>
<li>Countries in <strong>South-East Asia made particularly strong progress,</strong> with <strong>reductions in cases and deaths</strong> of 73% and 74%, respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is the <strong>only high endemic country</strong> which has<strong> reported a decline of 17.6%</strong> in 2019 as compared to 2018.</li>
<li>The <strong>Annual Parasite Incidence</strong> (API, the number of new infections per year per 1000 population) reduced by 18.4% in 2019 as compared to 2018.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has sustained API less than one since the year 2012.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has also <strong>contributed to the largest drop in cases region-wide,</strong> from approximately 20 million to about 6 million.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The percentage <strong>drop in the malaria cases was 71.8%</strong> and<strong> deaths were 73.9%</strong> between<strong> 2000 to 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India achieved a<strong> reduction of 83.34% in malaria morbidity</strong> and<strong> 92% in malaria mortality</strong> between the year 2000 and 2019, thereby achieving <strong>Goal 6 of the Millennium Development Goals.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>MDG 6 aimed to <strong>combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases,</strong> which have a direct and indirect impact on rural development, agricultural productivity and food and nutrition security.</li>
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a> have replaced the MDGs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>States of <strong>Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Meghalaya</strong> and <strong>Madhya Pradesh (high endemic states)</strong> disproportionately accounted for nearly <strong>45.47% of malaria cases</strong> in 2019.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>63.64% of malaria deaths</strong> were also reported from these states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The figures and trends between the last two decades clearly show the <strong>drastic decline in malaria,</strong> hence the <strong>malaria elimination target of 2030 looks achievable.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives to Curb Malaria:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>In India, malaria elimination efforts</strong> were <strong>initiated in 2015</strong> and were intensified after the launch of the <strong>National Framework for Malaria Elimination</strong> (NFME) in <strong>2016</strong> by the<strong> Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>NFME is in line with <strong>WHO&rsquo;s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria,</strong> 2016-2030, which guides the<strong> WHO Global Malaria Programme</strong> (GMP), responsible for coordinating WHO's global efforts to control and eliminate malaria.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2019#:~:text=The%20Strategic%20Plan%20gives%20year,for%20Malaria%2C%202016%2D2030." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination</strong> </a><strong>(2017-22)</strong> was launched in <strong>July 2017</strong> which laid down strategies for the following five years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It gives year wise elimination targets in various parts of the country depending upon the endemicity of malaria.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Implementation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-malaria-report-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>High Burden to High Impact</strong></a> (HBHI)<strong> initiative</strong> was started in <strong>four states</strong> (West Bengal, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh) in <strong>July 2019.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2018, the WHO and the RBM Partnership initiated the HBHI initiative in <strong>11 high malaria burden countries,</strong> including <strong>India</strong> to end malaria.</li>
<li>It has continued to make impressive gains in India, with<strong> 18% reductions in cases</strong> and<strong> 20% reductions in death,</strong> over the last 2 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Due to the efforts made by the Government of India in the <strong>provision of microscopes, rapid diagnostics Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets</strong> (LLINs) to high burden areas has led to a reduction in endemicity in these otherwise very high endemic states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>LLINs are<strong> nets treated</strong> in the factory with an insecticide<strong> incorporated into the net fabric which makes the insecticide last at least 20 washes</strong> in standard laboratory testing and <strong>three years of recommended</strong> <strong>use</strong> under field conditions.</li>
<li>Use of LLINs has been accepted by the community at large and has been one of the main contributors to the drastic malaria decline in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1677601" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7113,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Criticism of Policies on Kashmir: OIC',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India has &lsquo;strongly&rsquo; <strong>rejected the criticism of its Kashmir policy by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/organisation-of-islamic-cooperation-oic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>47<sup>th</sup> session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers,</strong> held at <strong>Niamey (Niger),</strong> had made a reference to India over its <strong>policies on Jammu and Kashmir.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Organisation of Islamic Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>OIC is the <strong>second largest intergovernmental organization</strong> after the United Nations with a membership of <strong>57 states.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India is not a member of the OIC.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>collective voice of the Muslim world.</strong> It endeavors to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of <strong>promoting international peace and harmony</strong> among various people of the world.</li>
<li>It was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in <strong>Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, in 1969.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong> Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>47<sup>th</sup> Session of OIC:</strong> A report submitted at the 47<sup>th</sup> session referred to the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It said that the decision of the Indian government to<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> repeal special status</strong></a> (in 2019) was aimed towards <strong>changing the demographic and geographic composition</strong> of the territory.</li>
<li>The continuous blockade and restrictions together have<strong> led to human rights abuses.</strong></li>
<li>The statement <strong>acknowledged the support that Pakistan has been providing to keep the Kashmir issue</strong> on the agenda of the organisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India strongly hit out at the OIC, accusing it of making<strong> "factually incorrect and unwarranted"</strong> references to Jammu and Kashmir in resolutions adopted by the grouping at the session.</li>
<li>India asserted that the <strong>union territory is an integral and inalienable part of the country.</strong></li>
<li>India<strong> advised the OIC to refrain from making such references in future</strong> and said it is regrettable that the<strong> grouping continues to allow itself to be used by a certain country</strong> "which has an abominable record on religious tolerance, radicalism and persecution of minorities" in a <strong>clear reference to Pakistan.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>After India revoked<strong> special status</strong> in Kashmir, Pakistan lobbied with the OIC for their condemnation of the move.</li>
<li>Over the last one year, Pakistan has tried to rouse sentiments among the Islamic countries, but only a handful of them, <strong>Turkey</strong> and <strong>Malaysia</strong> publicly criticised India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Saudi Arabia</strong> and the <strong>UAE,</strong> both top leaders among the Muslim countries, were <strong>not as critical</strong> of India as Pakistan had hoped.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of India&rsquo;s latest statement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India believes to bust the <strong>double standard of OIC,</strong> where it supports the agenda of Pakistan in the name of human rights.</li>
<li>India now sees the <strong>duality of the OIC unjustifiable,</strong> since many of the member countries of the OIC have <strong>good bilateral ties</strong> and convey to India to ignore OIC statements <strong>but sign off on the joint statements</strong> which are<strong> largely drafted by Pakistan.</strong></li>
<li>India also wants to challenge this issue because of the possibility of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-us-election-results-on-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Joe Biden administration in the US</strong></a> which may have a strong view on human rights in Kashmir and may issue statements that <strong>may complicate India&rsquo;s</strong> image at the global stage.</li>
<li>With India preparing to take <strong>over a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-non-permanent-seat-at-the-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">non-permanent member&rsquo;s seat at the UN Security Council</a></strong>, it wants to use its diplomatic clout and goodwill to bury this issue at the global body in the next two years and bring up the<strong> Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism</strong> high on agenda.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India and OIC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s relationship with OIC as an organisation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At the 45<sup>th</sup> session of the Foreign Ministers&rsquo; Summit in 2018, Bangladesh, the host, <strong>suggested that India,</strong> where more than 10% of the world&rsquo;s Muslims live,<strong> should be given Observer status,</strong> but <strong>Pakistan opposed</strong> the proposal.</li>
<li>In 2019, India <strong>made its maiden appearance</strong> at the OIC Foreign Ministers&rsquo; meeting, as a &ldquo;guest of honour&rdquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This<strong> first-time invitation was seen as a diplomatic victory for India,</strong> especially at a time of heightened tensions with Pakistan following the Pulwama attack.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Criticism of India's Policies by OIC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It has been <strong>generally supportive of Pakistan&rsquo;s stand on Kashmir,</strong> and has issued statements criticising the alleged Indian &ldquo;atrocities&rdquo; in the state/Union Territory.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2018, the OIC General Secretariat had &ldquo;expressed strong condemnation of the killing of innocent Kashmiris by Indian forces in Indian-occupied Kashmir&rdquo;.</li>
<li>It described the<strong> &ldquo;direct shooting at demonstrators&rdquo;</strong> as a<strong> &ldquo;terrorist act&rdquo;,</strong> and <strong>&ldquo;called upon the international community to play its role in order to reach a just and lasting solution to the conflict in Kashmir&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>OIC has criticised the Government of India over the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/citizenship-amendment-act-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019</strong></a>, and the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/liberhan-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Babri Masjid verdict</strong> </a>of the Supreme Court.</li>
<li>OIC has also criticised the Indian government for what it called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/islamophobia-in-india-oic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;growing Islamophobia&rdquo;</strong></a> in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Response:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has always maintained that<strong> OIC has no locus standi in matters strictly internal to India</strong> including that of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which is an integral and inalienable part of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s relationship with OIC member countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Individually, India has good relations with almost all member nations.</li>
<li>Ties with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-gulf-countries" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UAE</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Saudi Arabia</strong></a>, especially, have improved significantly in recent years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi (UAE)</strong> was a special chief guest at the <strong>68<sup>th</sup> Republic Day</strong> celebrations in 2017.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The OIC includes two of <strong>India&rsquo;s close neighbours,</strong> Bangladesh and Maldives. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Indian diplomats say both countries<strong> privately admit that they do not want to complicate their bilateral ties with India on Kashmir.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-kashmir-india-and-the-oic-7074514/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7104,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'World AIDS Day 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-aids-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World AIDS Day</strong> </a>is observed on <strong>1<sup>st</sup> December every year</strong> all over the world.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was founded in <strong>1988</strong> by 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> (WHO) and was the first ever global health day with a motto of raising public awareness about <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/round-table-of-unaids" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome</strong> </a>(AIDS).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>AIDS is a pandemic disease caused by the infection of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/hiv-new-hope" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Human Immunodeficiency Virus</strong> </a>(HIV), which damages the human immune system.</li>
<li>In <strong>2019,</strong> 6,90,000 people died from HIV-related causes and 1.7 million people were newly infected, with nearly 62% of these new infections occurring among key populations and their partners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Theme for 2020:</strong> &ldquo;Global solidarity, resilient HIV services.&rdquo;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On World AIDS Day 2020, WHO is calling on global leaders and citizens to rally for &ldquo;global solidarity&rdquo; to<strong> overcome the challenges posed by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> on the HIV response.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care services are all being disrupted</strong> particularly in countries with fragile health systems.</li>
<li>Slowing progress means the world will be missing the <strong>&ldquo;90-90-90&rdquo; targets for 2020,</strong> which were to ensure that: <strong>90%</strong> of people living with HIV are aware of their status, <strong>90%</strong> of people diagnosed with HIV are receiving treatment, and <strong>90%</strong> of all people receiving <strong>treatment</strong> have achieved <strong>viral suppression.</strong></li>
<li>Any slowing down in provision of these services will leave many vulnerable populations at greater risk of HIV infection and AIDS-related deaths and missing these intermediate targets will make it difficult to <strong>achieve the target of elimination of AIDS by 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In<strong> 2020,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/2020-as-year-of-the-nurse-and-midwife-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife</strong></a>, it is a call for more protection and support to these health workers who have long been on the frontline of HIV service delivery.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It reminds the public and government that <strong>HIV has not gone away</strong> and there is still a <strong>vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.</strong></li>
<li>It is an <strong>opportunity to show solidarity</strong> with the millions of people living with HIV worldwide.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7067,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India’s Assistance to Afghanistan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, at the<strong> Afghanistan 2020 Conference,</strong> India has announced about 150 projects worth USD 80 million.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Afghanistan&rsquo;s President, officials from the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> (UN) and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> (EU) officials, besides representatives of other countries, attended the conference.</li>
<li>Also, the <strong>USA has decided to reduce its troop presence</strong> in Afghanistan to about 2,500<strong> by January 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Current Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will launch <strong>phase-IV of high-impact community development projects,</strong> which include around <strong>150 projects worth USD 80 million.</strong></li>
<li>It has signed an agreement for building the <strong>Shahtoot dam,</strong> which would provide <strong>safe drinking water</strong> to 2 million residents of Kabul city.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It builds on the 202 km <strong>Pul-e-Khumri transmission line of 2009,</strong> through which India provides power to the city.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Earlier Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s development programmes in Afghanistan are focused around<strong> five pillars:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Large infrastructure projects.</li>
<li>Human resource development and capacity building.</li>
<li>Humanitarian assistance.</li>
<li>High-impact community development projects.</li>
<li>Enhancing trade and investment through air and land connectivity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Since 2001,</strong> India has committed <strong>USD 3 billion</strong> towards rebuilding and reconstruction of Afghanistan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>During the <strong>Taliban years from 1996 to 2001, India did not invest</strong> in Afghanistan.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606298653_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1606298653_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="395" height="297" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-dropped-from-chabahar-rail-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Chabahar Port</strong></a> <strong>in Iran,</strong> which provides<strong> alternate connectivity to Afghanistan.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Afghanistan&rsquo;s growth has been constrained by its landlocked geography and Pakistan blocking transit access made the situation even worse.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pandemic Support:</strong> India sent more than 20 tonnes of <strong>medicines, other equipment and transported 75,000 tonnes of wheat</strong> to Afghanistan to address the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> challenge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Shift in Indian Perspective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian government&rsquo;s decision to invest in Afghanistan&rsquo;s future, where the Taliban is set to play a dominant role, is being seen as a <strong>major departure from the past.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India also participated in the commencement ceremony of the intra-Afghan talks in Doha in September 2020,</strong> where a 21-member Taliban team was also present. It <strong>reflects India's realisation of ground realities and shifting sands in Kabul&rsquo;s power structure.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduction of Troops by USA:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>February 2020,</strong> the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-taliban-peace-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA and the Tabilan signed an agreement</strong></a> in Doha, (Qatar&rsquo;s capital).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to it, the <strong>USA would withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan in 14 months</strong> and would also<strong> release Taliban prisoners,</strong> held captive by the Afghan government.</li>
<li>In return, the <strong>Taliban assured</strong> that they would <strong>not allow</strong> transnational jihadist organisations such as <strong>al-Qaeda</strong> and the <strong>Islamic State</strong> to <strong>use Afganistan as their base</strong> and also <strong>committed to start direct talks with the Afghan government,</strong> which began in September 2020.</li>
<li>With the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/withdrawal-of-us-troops-from-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USA leaving at such a crucial point</strong></a>, it<strong> not only deprives Afghan forces of the support they need,</strong> particularly the<strong> airpower,</strong> but also<strong> affects their morale.</strong></li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nato-ally-status-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>North Atlantic Treaty Organization</strong></a> (NATO) has <strong>committed to funding Afghan troops for four more years.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, this decision <strong>will leave Afghanistan with an uncertain future</strong> as the <strong>Taliban is expected to take over</strong> after the troops&rsquo; withdrawal.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Taliban, who were <strong>ousted from power in 2001 after the USA invasion,</strong> have since been fighting both foreign troops and the Afghan government.</li>
<li>It now controls more than half of the country and contests the whole of it.</li>
<li>Since the agreement was signed, the Taliban have <strong>conducted more than 13,000 attacks</strong> nationwide.</li>
<li>According to a <strong>UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan</strong> (UMAMA) report in October 2020, nearly<strong> 6,000 Afghan civilians were killed</strong> in the first nine months of the year and <strong>45% of the deaths were by the Taliban.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The increasing level of violence in Afghanistan is a pressing concern. However, in<strong> spite of the challenges, both sides</strong> (the government representatives and the Taliban) <strong>remain at the negotiating table,</strong> and appear to have reached an early breakthrough.</li>
<li>India calls for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire and also believes that the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indias-role-in-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>peace process</strong></a> must be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.</li>
<li>India looks forward to walking hand in hand with the people of Afghanistan and the world community to work towards a peaceful, prosperous, sovereign, democratic and united Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-pledges-aid-to-rebuild-afghanistan-commits-to-projects-worth-80-million-7064393/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7053,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'G20 Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, at the<strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> G20</a> (Group of Twenty)</strong> summit<strong> held virtually India</strong> called for a<strong> &ldquo;New Global Index&rdquo;</strong> for the post-Corona world .</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>New Global Index</strong> will be based on <strong>4 pillars of</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Talent, </strong></li>
<li><strong>Technology, </strong></li>
<li><strong>Transparency and </strong></li>
<li><strong>Trusteeship towards the planet.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This year's summit was hosted by <strong>Saudi Arabia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Talent:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>focus</strong> must shift to <strong>multi-skilling</strong> and<strong> reskilling</strong> from <strong>capital and finance</strong> to create a vast <strong>human talent pool.</strong></li>
<li>Indian initiatives such as the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-skill-development-and-entrepreneurship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Skill Development Mission (NSDM)</strong> </a>which aims to create convergence across sectors and States in terms of <strong>skill training activities</strong> is already in direction of creating a <strong>vast human talent pool.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-education-policy-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Education policy</strong></a> and programmes such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-innovative-learning-programme-dhruv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Program (DHRUV)</strong></a> are well aligned with this element.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensuring that technology reaches all segments of the society and the value of new technologies should be measured by their <strong>benefit to humanity.</strong></li>
<li>India suggested that as <strong>follow-up action</strong> and creation of a G20 virtual secretariat as a <strong>repository of documentation.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digitial India</strong></a> and <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/e-governance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>E-governance</strong></a> campaigns of India have increased people's access to technology and other government services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Transparency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reforms such as<a href="/to-the-points/paper4/good-governance-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Right to Information</strong></a> <strong>and <a href="/to-the-points/paper4/good-governance-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ease of Doing Business</a></strong> promote transparency in governance in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trusteeship:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The world should deal with the environment and nature as <strong>trustees</strong> rather than <strong>owners</strong> which would inspire us towards a <strong>holistic and healthy lifestyle.</strong></li>
<li>Climate change must be fought not in silos but in an<strong> integrated, comprehensive and holistic way.</strong></li>
<li>A principle whose benchmark could be a <strong>per capita carbon footprint.</strong> A <strong>carbon footprint</strong> is the amount of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenhouse-gas-levels-reach-record-highs-un-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>greenhouse gases</strong></a> primarily carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by a particular human activity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Future meetings:</strong> Italy in 2021, Indonesia in 2022,<strong> India in 2023</strong> and Brazil in 2024.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India's Initiatives for Lowering Emissions</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Infrastructure Push:</strong> India&rsquo;s <strong>next-generation infrastructure</strong> push will not only be <strong>convenient and efficient,</strong> but will also contribute to a <strong>cleaner <a href="/prelims/prelims-subject-wise-compilation-gs-paper-1/prelims-gspaperi-subject-wise-environment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">environment</a>. E.g.: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure</a></strong>, announced by the Prime Minister at the Hamburg G20 meet in 2017. This will act as a convening body that will pool best practices and resources from around the world for reshaping construction, transportation, energy, telecommunication and water, so that building in these core infrastructure sectors factors in natural catastrophes.</li>
<li><strong>Producing Clean Energy:</strong> The India-France joint initiative of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/second-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International Solar Alliance (ISA).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>ISA</strong> will contribute to reducing <strong>carbon foot-print.</strong></li>
<li>India will meet its goal of<strong> 175 GigaWatts</strong> of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/curtailment-issue-in-renewable-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>renewable energy</strong></a> as a part of its climate commitments made under the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-climate-change-act-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>paris climate deal</strong></a> well before the target of <strong>2022.</strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5-years-of-ujala-and-slnp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) and LED Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP)</strong></a> scheme has made LED lights popular, saving around <strong>38 million tons of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-energy-and-carbon-dioxide-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">carbon dioxide emissions </a></strong>per year.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ujjwala Scheme</strong></a>: <strong>Smoke-free kitchens</strong> have been provided to over <strong>80 million households</strong> making it among the <strong>largest clean energy drives</strong> globally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Combat Desertification: The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-convention-to-combat-desertification-cop-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)</a></strong> links development and environment to sustainable land management and aims to combat desertification and the ill-effects of drought.</li>
<li><strong>Clean Air &amp; Water:</strong> The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-environment-forest-and-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></a> aims to decrease air pollution and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/15-point-directive-to-clean-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Namami Gange program</strong> </a>seeks to rejuvenate river Ganga and show the <strong>spirit of trusteeship in governance.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>G20</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>informal group of 19 countries and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong>, with representatives of the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/international-monetary-fund-imf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Monetary Fund</a> and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Bank</a>.</strong></li>
<li>The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world&rsquo;s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about <strong>two-thirds of the world&rsquo;s population, 85% of global gross domestic product, 80% of global investment </strong>and over<strong> 75% of global trade.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong> Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/g20-summit-pm-modi-suggests-global-index-7060637/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7043,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Covid-19 and Children: UNICEF',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <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) has released the report <strong>&ldquo;Averting a lost Covid generation&rdquo;,</strong> which highlights significant and growing consequences of <strong>Covid-19</strong> on children.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report came ahead of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-children-s-day#:~:text=World%20Children's%20Day%20is%20celebrated,of%20the%20Child%20in%201959." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Children&rsquo;s Day</strong></a> (20<sup>th</sup> November).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is the <strong>first UNICEF report to comprehensively outline</strong> the dire and growing <strong>consequences for children as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pandemic</a> goes on.</strong></li>
<li>It shows that while symptoms among infected children remain mild, <strong>infections are rising</strong> and the longer-term<strong> impact on the education, nutrition and well-being of an entire generation</strong> of children and young people can be life-altering.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Data Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Children and adolescents account for <strong>1 in 9 reported Covid-19 infections.</strong></li>
<li>As of the <strong>beginning of November 2020,</strong> children and adolescents accounted for <strong>11% of the 25.7 million infections</strong> reported across 87 countries.</li>
<li>It estimated that <strong>a third of the countries</strong> analysed, <strong>witnessed a drop of at least 10% in coverage of health services</strong> and there was a<strong> 40% decline in the coverage of nutrition services</strong> for women and children across 135 countries.</li>
<li>As of <strong>October 2020, 265 million children were still missing out on school meals</strong> globally.</li>
<li><strong>65 countries</strong> reported a <strong>decrease in-home visits by social workers</strong> in September 2020, compared to 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These numbers <strong>bust the myth that children are barely affected</strong> by the disease, which has been prevalent throughout the pandemic.</li>
<li><strong>Disruptions to key services </strong>and <strong>soaring poverty rates</strong> pose the biggest threat to children and the longer the crisis persists, the deeper its impact on children&rsquo;s education, health, nutrition and well-being.</li>
<li><strong>Vulnerabilities of women and children have increased,</strong> as <strong>health services continue to be disrupted and schools shut, denying children free <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mid-day-meal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mid-day meals</a></strong> offered at schools for underprivileged children.</li>
<li>While children could <strong>transmit the virus to each other and to older age groups,</strong> there was strong evidence that, with <strong>basic safety measures in place,</strong> the net benefits of keeping schools open outweighed the costs of closing them.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Schools are not the main driver of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-to-test-for-community-transmission-of-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">community transmission</a></strong>, and children are more likely to get the virus outside of school settings.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India Specific Highlights:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Infections in Under 20:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per data from the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/icmr-recommends-use-of-hydroxy-chloroquine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Medical Research</strong></a> (ICMR) on the dashboard of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-centre-for-disease-control-ncdc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Centre for Disease Control</strong></a>, 11.89% of Covid-19 cases in India are in under 20.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Education:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>1.5 million school closures have impacted 247 million</strong> children enrolled in elementary and secondary education and <strong>28 million</strong> children who were attending pre-school education <strong>in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anganwadi-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anganwadi</a> Centres.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Nutrition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An estimated <strong>20 million children under 5</strong> years of age are suffering from <strong>wasting</strong> (low weight for height), over<strong> 40 million</strong> children are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/malnutrition-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>chronically malnourished</strong> </a>and more than half of the Indian <strong>women aged 15-49</strong> years are <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/anaemia-in-women#:~:text=Iron%20deficiency%20is%20the%20most,%2C%20weakness%2C%20dizziness%20and%20drowsiness." target="_blank" rel="noopener">anaemic.</a></strong></li>
<li>The pandemic has <strong>further exposed the fragility</strong> of children, less by the virus itself but much more by the indirect and long-term fallout.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Newborn Mortality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Covid-19 poses a grave threat to the gains made by India in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-tackling-infant-mortality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Neonatal Mortality Rate</strong></a> (NMR) and <strong>Infant Mortality Rate</strong> (IMR) which saw improvements in recent years.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>NMR</strong> is defined as the &lsquo;number of deaths during the first 28 completed days of life per 1,000 live births in a given year or period&rsquo;.</li>
<li><strong>IMR</strong> is defined as the &lsquo;number of deaths of children under the age of 1 year per 1000 live births for a given year.&rsquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanitation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/woes-of-migrants-amid-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>socio-economic stress and migration</strong> </a>resulting due to the Covid-19 put <strong>access to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-toilet-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">toilets</a> and the practice of using them at risk.</strong></li>
<li>The schools which offered <strong>improved access to and quality of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities are closed</strong> and the facilities are not accessed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ensure all children<strong> learn,</strong> including by closing the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-statistical-organisation-survey-on-digital-education-divide" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>digital divide.</strong></a></li>
<li>Guarantee access to <strong>nutrition</strong> and <strong>health services</strong> and make<strong> vaccines</strong> affordable and available to every child.</li>
<li>Support and protect the <strong>mental health</strong> of children and young people and bring an end to abuse, gender-based violence and neglect in childhood.</li>
<li>Increase access to<strong> safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene</strong> and address <strong>environmental degradation</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/special-report-on-climate-change-ipcc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change.</strong></a></li>
<li>Reverse the rise in <strong>child poverty</strong> and ensure an inclusive recovery for all.</li>
<li>Redouble efforts to protect and support children and their families living through <strong>conflict, disaster and displacement.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Children&rsquo;s Day</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is celebrated on <strong>20<sup>th</sup> November each year to promote international togetherness and awareness</strong> among children worldwide, and <strong>improve children's welfare.</strong></li>
<li>The date of 20<sup>th</sup> November is an important date because, on this date, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations General Assembly</strong></a> adopted the<strong> Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959 </strong>and the <strong>Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Convention on the Rights of the Child <strong>recognises every human being under 18 years old as a child</strong> and is the<strong> world&rsquo;s most widely ratified human rights treaty.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India ratified it in 1992.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/1-in-9-children-infected-by-covid-19-unicef/article33141124.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7039,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'APEC Virtual Meet',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a virtual meeting of the<strong> 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)</strong> forum was held.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The meeting was <strong>hosted by Malaysia. New Zealand</strong> will also <strong>host next year's APEC meetings</strong> virtually due to the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>With <strong>growth in the Asia-Pacific region expected to decline by 2.7%</strong> this year, from a 3.6% growth in 2019, APEC's focus was on accelerating economic recovery and developing an affordable vaccine.</li>
<li><strong>Focus Areas:</strong> Trade and investment, Digital Economy and Technology, Structural Reform, Economic and Technical Cooperation and Thematic and institutional matters.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>APEC leaders adopted the <strong>Putrajaya Vision 2040,</strong> a new 20-year growth vision to <strong>replace the Bogor Goals</strong> named after the Indonesian town where leaders agreed in 1994 to free and open trade and investment.</li>
<li>Recognised the <strong>importance of a free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent and predictable trade and investment environment</strong> to drive economic recovery at such a challenging time (Covid-19).</li>
<li>Discussed the <strong>Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) agenda</strong> and the <strong>APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap (AIDER).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China has become the main driving force</strong> behind the grouping after the <strong>United States began withdrawing from multilateral bodies</strong> during Trump's presidency.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But Trump made the surprise decision to take part in this year's event, after <strong>not participating at APEC since 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It vowed to keep its &ldquo;super-sized&rdquo; economy open for business and warned against protectionism as the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic. It needs to be noted that Trump&rsquo;s <strong>"America First"</strong> policy has alienated trading partners.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>After the signing of the world&rsquo;s largest trade pact <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/regional-comprehensive-economic-partnership-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)&rsquo;</strong></a>, China is trying to set the agenda for global commerce.</li>
<li>Although China is promoting openness in trade, its own actions go against it, for example:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Australian exports of beef, wine and barley to China, their biggest market, have been restricted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Established:</strong> 1989</li>
<li><strong>Members: 21</strong></li>
<li><strong>India is not a Member.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Member Nations:</strong> Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States.</li>
<li>Its 21 member economies are home to around <strong>2.8 billion</strong> people and represented approximately <strong>59% of world GDP</strong> and<strong> 49% of world trade</strong> in 2015.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India and APEC</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India had requested membership in <strong>APEC,</strong> and received initial support from the United States, Japan, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Officials have decided<strong> not to allow India to join as India does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do.</strong></li>
<li>India was invited to be an<strong> observer for the first time in November 2011.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Reasons for India to join APEC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will be more integrated with the global economy since APEC economies constitute an important trading bloc in the world.</li>
<li>It will help India bargain and negotiate a better deal with the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expected Benefits to APEC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In India, APEC will find an<strong> alternate market</strong> for labour, consumers and investments, and an additional counterweight to help check unilateral economic ambitions in the region.</li>
<li>It will also help APEC embrace<strong> some notion of &lsquo;Indo-Pacific&rsquo;</strong> and give it a renewed purpose in a renewed 21<sup>st</sup> century.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/in-apec-speech-xi-touts-chinas-economy-as-base-of-free-trade/article33134975.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7032,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Luxembourg Virtual Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Prime Ministers of India</strong> and the <strong>Grand Duchy of Luxembourg</strong> have held the <strong>first-ever India-Luxembourg Virtual Summit.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Both countries have cordial and friendly relations for over more than seven decades since the <strong>establishment of diplomatic relations in 1948.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605863409_image1.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1605863409_image1.gif" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Focus Areas:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthening <strong>India-Luxembourg relationship in the post-<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> world,</strong> especially in the areas of financial technology, green financing, space applications, digital innovations and start-ups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promote Multilateralism:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Strengthen cooperation on realising<strong> effective multilateralism and combating global challenges</strong> like the Covid-19 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>, terrorism and climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>New Initiatives:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India welcomed <strong>Luxembourg&rsquo;s announcement to join the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/third-assembly-of-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Solar Alliance</a></strong> (ISA), and also invited it to join the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure</strong> </a>(CDRI).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agreements Signed at the Summit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between <strong>India International Exchange (India INX)</strong> and <strong>Luxembourg Stock Exchange.</strong></li>
<li>MoU between State Bank of India (SBI) and Luxembourg Stock Exchange.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both these provide for cooperation in financial services, industry maintenance of orderly markets in securities, ESG (environmental, social and governance) and green finance in the local market.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>MoU between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/invest-india-business-immunity-platform" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Invest India</strong> </a>and <strong>Luxinnovation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It provides for support and development of mutual business cooperation, including promotion and facilitation of inbound FDI, coming from or proposed by Indian and Luxembourgish investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Luxembourg Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic Relationship:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries have a <strong>long-standing cooperation in the steel</strong> sector and the leaders called upon businesses, including SMEs and startups, to <strong>explore further opportunities</strong> for expanding the economic relationship.</li>
<li>Both nations look forward to the<strong> 17<sup>th</sup> Joint Economic Commission</strong> (JEC) between <strong>India and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-and-belgium-luxembourg-economic-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union</a></strong> to review the economic and trade relations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> proposed agreement</strong> between the regulatory authorities <strong>Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier</strong> (CSSF) and the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Securities and Exchange Board of India</strong> </a>(SEBI) would deepen bilateral cooperation in the financial sector.</li>
<li>Luxembourg, as a <strong>leading international financial centre in Europe,</strong> can <strong>act as an important bridge</strong> to help connect India&rsquo;s financial services industry with international markets and reach European and global investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Space and Digital Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both countries have an <strong>ongoing space cooperation,</strong> including in the domain of <strong>satellite broadcasting and communications.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Luxembourg based space companies</strong> have <strong>started utilising the services of India</strong> for launching their satellites into space.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In November 2020, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong> </a>(ISRO)<strong> launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/earth-observation-satellite-eos-01-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PSLV-C49 mission</a></strong>, which included 4 satellites from Luxembourg.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A <strong>cooperation instrument in the area of exploration and <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/29-03-2019#:~:text=Global%20Rules%20and%20demands%20related%20to%20Space&amp;text=There%20are%20international%20treaties%20governing,be%20exploited%20for%20peaceful%20purposes.&amp;text=India%20is%20a%20party%20to%20the%20Outer%20Space%20Treaty." target="_blank" rel="noopener">use of outer space</a> for peaceful purposes</strong> is currently under discussion between the two Governments.</li>
<li>In the wake of the<strong> pandemic,</strong> both India and Luxembourg are <strong>promoting digitalisation</strong> through the<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> "Digital India&rdquo;</strong></a> programme and the <strong>"Digital Luxembourg&rdquo;</strong> initiative respectively and agree to explore convergences between the two initiatives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Higher Education and Research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Indian National Brain Research Centre</strong> and the <strong>Luxembourg Institute of Health</strong> and the<strong> Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine</strong> have an ongoing collaboration in the field of <strong>neurodegenerative diseases.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of <strong>disorders that are characterised by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the central nervous system or peripheral nervous system.</strong></li>
<li>Examples: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/preventive-methods-for-alzheimers" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Alzheimer's disease</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/z-scan-method-for-parkinson-s-disease#:~:text=Parkinson's%20disease%20is%20a%20chronic,the%20brain%20to%20the%20body." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Parkinson's disease.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>IITs</strong> in Bombay, Kanpur and Madras and the <strong>National Law School of India</strong> have <strong>links</strong> with the <strong>University of Luxembourg</strong> which will be <strong>further expanded</strong> for higher education and research in both countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture and People-to-people Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019,<strong> Luxembourg</strong> issued a<strong> commemorative stamp to mark the 150<sup>th</sup> Birth Anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mahatma-gandhi-jayanti#:~:text=2nd%20October%202020%20was,of%20the%20Nation%20%2D%20Mahatma%20Gandhi." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mahatma Gandhi</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Both countries intend to <strong>conclude a Migration and Mobility agreement</strong> to further strengthen mobility as well as an <strong>agreement on an exemption of visas</strong> for holders of diplomatic and official/service passports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>EU-India Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>July 2020,</strong> a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-eu-virtual-summit#:~:text=Recently%2C%20India%20and%20the%20European,that%20define%20their%20bilateral%20ties." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>virtual summit between India and the European Union</strong></a> (EU) was held, where India expressed support for further intensification of the India-EU relationship, through strengthening cooperation in areas of common interest in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific region</strong></a>, and through comprehensive, sustainable and rules-based connectivity.</li>
<li><strong>Luxembourg,</strong> as <strong>one of the founding members of the EU,</strong> has<strong> played a constructive role</strong> in supporting stronger India-EU ties, which becomes even more important for the <strong>post-Covid-19 economic recovery.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Luxembourg <strong>welcomed <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elections-for-non-permanent-members-of-the-unsc#:~:text=Key%20Points,129%20votes)%20to%20be%20confirmed.&amp;text=This%20would%20be%20India's%20eighth,will%20begin%20from%20January%202021." target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s election to a non-permanent seat</a></strong> in the <strong>UN Security Council</strong> for the term 2021-2022 and reiterated its <strong>support for the reforms in the UN Security Council,</strong> including its expansion in both categories of permanent and non-permanent membership. It <strong>supports <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India&rsquo;s candidature for the permanent membership</a></strong> of the UN Security Council.</li>
<li>Luxembourg supported India&rsquo;s entry into the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/multilateral-export-control-regimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Missile Technology Control Regime</strong></a> (MTCR) and India&rsquo;s participation in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-nsg-bid" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nuclear Suppliers Group</strong> </a>(NSG).</li>
<li>India supports <strong>Luxembourg&rsquo;s candidatures to the <a href="/daily-news-editorials/the-relevance-of-unhrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Human Rights Council</a></strong> for the term 2022-2024.</li>
<li>Both <strong>condemn <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-international-convention-on-terrorism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">terrorism</a> in all its forms and manifestations</strong> and agree on the need for continued cooperation to support international efforts at the UN and at forums like the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-action-task-force-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Financial Action Task Force</strong> </a>(FATF) to prevent and combat terrorism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>first stand-alone Summit between India and Luxembourg</strong> in the past two decades marks a new phase in the bilateral relations where both countries reaffirmed their commitment towards widening and deepening the spectrum of the bilateral relations and enhancing consultation and coordination in regional and multilateral fora on matters of mutual and global interest.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1674160" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'NDB Loan to India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a <strong>500-million dollar</strong> loan agreement was signed between the <strong>Union government, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, National Capital Region (NCR) Transport Corporation Limited</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-annual-meeting-of-ndb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>New Development Bank (NDB)</strong></a> for the <strong>Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> 82.15 km long,</strong> under-construction, semi-high speed rail corridor connecting <strong>Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut.</strong></li>
<li>It is one of the three rapid-rail corridors planned under Phase-I of Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) project of <strong>National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).</strong></li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Project will provide a <strong>fast, reliable, safe and comfortable</strong> public transport system in the NCR.</li>
<li>The project will serve as a <strong>demonstration</strong> for developing high-capacity rapid urban transit corridors in other urban areas of India.</li>
<li>High-speed connectivity will result in <strong>balanced economic development</strong> across the region, leading to economic benefits to all strata of society and many nodes of development rather than all economic activity happening at one place.</li>
<li>It will help in reducing<strong> traffic congestion and total emissions</strong> from the transport sector in NCR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Contributors:</strong> The total project cost is estimated at<strong> 3,749 million dollars,</strong> which will be financed by the <strong>NDB, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/-1-5-billion-adb-loan-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asian Development Bank (ADB)</a>, Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction,</strong> government and other sources.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>New Development Bank</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>multilateral development bank</strong> jointly founded by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/brics-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS</strong></a> countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) at the 6<sup>th</sup> BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil in 2014.</li>
<li>It was formed to <strong>support infrastructure and sustainable development</strong> efforts in BRICS and other underserved, emerging economies for faster development through innovation and cutting-edge technology.</li>
<li>It is headquartered at<strong> Shanghai, China.</strong></li>
<li>In 2018, the NDB received observer status in the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations</strong></a> General Assembly, establishing a firm basis for active and fruitful cooperation with the United Nations.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/centre-inks-500-million-loan-deal-with-ndb-for-rrts-project/article33136353.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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