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China-India Agreed to Disengage

Why in News Recently, during the 12th round of discussions between the senior military commanders of India and China to resolve the standoff in...

03 Aug 2021 International Relations
India-Bangladesh Commercial Railway Link Restored

Why in News Recently, Bangladesh and India started regular operation of freight trains through the restored Haldibari-Chilahati rail route after...

03 Aug 2021 International Relations
Provincial Status to Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistan

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02 Aug 2021 International Relations
India Assumes UNSC Presidency

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02 Aug 2021 International Relations
SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting

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29 Jul 2021 International Relations
US Secretary of State’s Visit to India

Why in News Recently, in his visit to India, the US Secretary of State mentioned that actions by India and the US will shape the 21st...

29 Jul 2021 International Relations
India's Options In Afghanistan

This article is based on Evaluating India's options in Afghanistan which was published in The Hindu on 27/07/2021. It talks about the US’s...

28 Jul 2021 International Relations
The Big Picture: Carbon Border Tax

Why in News At the recent G-20 ministerial meeting on environment and climate change in Italy, developing countries, including India, are...

28 Jul 2021 International Relations
Joint Actions in Afghanistan: China-Pakistan

Why in News Recently, China and Pakistan have decided to launch Joint Actions in Afghanistan to stop the war-torn country from becoming a hotbed for...

28 Jul 2021 International Relations
Reshaping India’s Foreign Approach

This Article is based upon “Expanding India’s Foreign Policy Canvas” which was published in the Hindustan Times on 22/07/2021. It...

23 Jul 2021 International Relations
Nord Stream 2 Pipeline

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23 Jul 2021 International Relations
China-led South Asian Initiative

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22 Jul 2021 International Relations
Protests in Cuba

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19 Jul 2021 International Relations
Build Back Better World Proposal

This article is based on “A counter-strategy called B3W” which was published in The Indian Express on 17/07/2021. It talks about the...

17 Jul 2021 International Relations
G7’s Build Back Better World Initiative

Why in News The G7 (Group of Seven) Countries proposed a ‘Build Back Better World (B3W) initiative’ at the recent 47th G7 summit to...

17 Jul 2021 International Relations
Violence in South Africa

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16 Jul 2021 International Relations
St. Queen Ketevan’s Relics: Georgia

Why in News Recently, India has gifted one part of the holy relics of 17th century St. Queen Ketevan to the Georgian government. These relics...

15 Jul 2021 International Relations
BHIM - UPI Launched in Bhutan

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14 Jul 2021 International Relations
US Withdrawal And Regional Dynamics

This article is based on Regional powers and the Afghanistan question which was published in The Indian Express on 13/07/2021. It talks about the...

13 Jul 2021 International Relations
Vietnam’s First Honorary Consul General in India

Why in News Vietnam has appointed Honorary Consul General of Vietnam in Bangalore to promote trade, economics, investment, tourism, educational and...

13 Jul 2021 International Relations

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		'article_id' => (int) 9074,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'China-India Agreed to Disengage',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, during the <strong>12<sup>th</sup> round of discussions between the senior military commanders</strong> of India and China to resolve the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/face-off-between-india-and-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>standoff in eastern Ladakh</strong></a>, both have <strong>agreed in principle to disengage at a key patrol point</strong> in eastern Ladakh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-not-leaving-hot-springs-gogra-post" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>11<sup>th</sup> Corps Commander-level talks were</strong></a> held in April 2021, when the<strong> two sides could not even agree on a joint statement.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627985796_pasted%20image 0 (1).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627985796_pasted image 0 (1).png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Current Disengagement:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The agreement on <strong>Patrolling Point (PP)17A (Gogra post)</strong> was reached but <strong>China is not inclined to move back from PP15 (Hot Springs area);</strong> it continues to insist that it is holding its own side of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Line of Actual Control (LAC)</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The disengagement at PP17A is likely to follow the process that was adopted for PP14 in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan Valley</strong></a> and <strong>Pangong Tso</strong> where a time-frame was set for withdrawal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Both sides<strong> agreed to resolve these remaining issues in an expeditious manner in accordance with the existing agreements and protocols</strong> and maintain the momentum of dialogue and negotiations.</li>
<li>They also agreed that in the interim they will continue their<strong> effective efforts in ensuring stability along the LAC in the Western sector</strong> and jointly maintain peace and tranquility.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Patrolling Point 15 and 17A:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Along the LAC between India and China,<strong> Indian Army has been given certain locations that its troops have access to patrol</strong> the area under its control.</li>
<li>These points are <strong>known as patrolling points, or PPs</strong>, and are decided by the <strong>China Study Group (CSG).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CSG was <strong>set-up in 1976</strong>, when Indira Gandhi was the prime minister, and is the apex decision-making body on China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Barring certain areas, like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/depsang-plains" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Depsang Plains</strong></a>, these patrolling points are on the LAC, and troops access these points to assert their control over the territory.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is an important exercise since the <strong>boundary between India and China is not yet officially demarcated.</strong></li>
<li><strong>LAC</strong> is the demarcation that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>PP15 and PP17A are two of the 65 patrolling points in Ladakh along the LAC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both these points are in an area where India and China largely agree on the alignment of the LAC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>PP15 is located in an area known as the <strong>Hot Springs</strong>, while PP17A is near an area called the <strong>Gogra post.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Location of Hot Springs and Gogra Post:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Hot Springs is just north of the Chang Chenmo river</strong> and <strong>Gogra Post is east of the point</strong> where the river takes a hairpin bend coming southeast from Galwan Valley and turning southwest.</li>
<li>The <strong>area is north of the Karakoram Range of mountains</strong>, which lies north of the Pangong Tso lake, and south east of Galwan Valley.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Importance of Hot Springs and Gogra Post :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The area lies close to <strong>Kongka Pass</strong>, one of the main passes, which, according to China, marks the boundary between India and China.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s claim of the international boundary lies significantly east, as it includes the entire <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aksai-chin" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Aksai Chin</strong></a> area as well.</li>
<li>Hot Springs and Gogra Post are <strong>close to the boundary between two of the most historically disturbed provinces (Xinjiang and Tibet) of China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Friction Points:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from PP15 and PP17A, PP14 in Galwan Valley, and<strong> Finger 4 on the north bank of Pangong Tso</strong> and <strong>Rezang La and Rechin La on the south bank of Chang Chenmo river</strong>, were identified as friction points.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Pangong Tso lake</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Pangong Lake is located in the <strong>Union Territory of <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/importance-of-ladakh" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ladakh</a>.</strong></li>
<li>It is situated at a <strong>height of almost 4,350m</strong> and is the<strong> world&rsquo;s highest saltwater lake.</strong></li>
<li>Extending to almost 160km, one-third of the Pangong Lake lies in India and the other two-thirds in China.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Galwan Valley</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The valley refers to the land that sits between steep mountains that buffet the <strong>Galwan River.</strong></li>
<li>The river has its <strong>source in Aksai Chin</strong>, on China&rsquo;s side of the LAC, and it flows from the east to Ladakh, where it <strong>meets the Shyok river on India&rsquo;s side of the LAC.</strong></li>
<li>The valley is <strong>strategically located between Ladakh in the west and Aksai Chin in the east</strong>, which is currently controlled by China as part of its Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Chang Chenmo River</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Chang Chenmo River or Changchenmo River<strong> is a tributary of the Shyok River, part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/60-years-of-indus-water-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indus River system</a></strong>.</li>
<li>It is at the southern edge of the disputed Aksai Chin region and north of the Pangong Lake basin.</li>
<li>The <strong>source of Chang Chenmo is near the Lanak Pass.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Kongka Pass</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Kongka Pass or Kongka La is a <strong>low mountain pass over a hill that intrudes into the Chang Chenmo Valley.</strong> It is in the disputed India-China border area in Ladakh.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Karakoram Range</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is also <strong>known as Krishnagiri</strong> which is <strong>situated in the northernmost range of the Trans-Himalayan ranges.</strong> It forms India's frontiers with Afghanistan and China.</li>
<li>It <strong>extends eastwards from the Pamir for about 800 km</strong>. It is a range with lofty peaks [elevation 5,500 m and above].</li>
<li>Some of the peaks are more than 8,000 metre above sea level. <strong>K2 (8,611 m)[Godwin Austen or Qogir] is the second highest peak in the world</strong> and the highest peak in the Indian Union.</li>
<li>The <strong>Ladakh Plateau lies to the north-east of the Karakoram Range</strong>.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-not-leaving-hot-springs-gogra-post" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9057,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Bangladesh Commercial Railway Link Restored',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Bangladesh and India started <strong>regular operation of freight trains through the restored Haldibari-Chilahati rail route after over 50 years,</strong> which will strengthen railway connectivity and bilateral trade between the two countries.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Haldibari-Chilahati rail link is one such route that was operational till 1965.</li>
<li>Another rail link, between<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/agartala-akhaura-rail-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Agartala-Akhaura</strong></a>, is scheduled to open by the end of 2021.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627973525_image9.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627973525_image9.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>After the Partition in 1947, seven rail links were operational</strong> between India and Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) <strong>until 1965.</strong></li>
<li>Presently, there are <strong>Five rail links</strong> between Bangladesh and India that are<strong> operational.</strong></li>
<li>They are Petrapole (India)-Benapole (Bangladesh), Gede (India)-Darshana (Bangladesh), Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur (Bangladesh), Radhikapur (India)-Birol (Bangladesh), Haldibari (India)-Chilahati (Bangladesh).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Haldibari-Chilahati route is <strong>expected to enhance the connectivity to Assam and West Bengal from Bangladesh.</strong></li>
<li>It will enhance rail network access to the main ports and dry ports to<strong> support the growth in regional trade</strong> to encourage economic and social development of the region.</li>
<li>Common people and businessmen of both countries will be able to reap the benefit of both goods and passenger traffic, once passenger trains are planned in this route.</li>
<li>Economic activities (including tourist activities) of these South Asian countries will also be benefitted from this new rail link.</li>
<li>The 75-kilometre long track <strong>will also help better integrate the rest of the country with the Siliguri corridor,</strong> also known as the<strong> 'Chicken's Neck.'</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The corridor connects India with the North-eastern states, which has witnessed growing aggressiveness from another neighbouring country of China in recent times.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Indo-Bangladesh Ties</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Fifty years ago, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bangladesh-liberation-war-1971" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bangladesh Liberation War</strong></a> in 1971 had added the colours of victory for India as it led the charge towards the formation of the new nation of Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Joint exercises:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sampriti-ix" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAMPRITI</strong> </a>(Army).</li>
<li><strong>TABLE TOP</strong> (Air).</li>
<li><strong>IN-BN CORPAT</strong> (Navy).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-bongosagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Exercise Bongosagar</strong></a> (Navy).</li>
<li><strong>SAMVEDNA</strong> (Multinational Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise with Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and UAE)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Border Management:</strong> India and Bangladesh share 4096.7 km. of border, which is the longest land boundary that India shares with any of its neighbours.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bangladesh is India&rsquo;s largest trading partner in the sub-continent</strong> with the total bilateral trade between the two nations <strong>standing at $9.5 billion (2019-20), down compared to the previous fiscal (2018-19),</strong> having crossed $10 billion.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s exports</strong> to Bangladesh account for <strong>more than 85%</strong> of the total bilateral trade.</li>
<li>In December 2020, to further boost the bilateral trade cooperation, an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bangladesh-virtual-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Bangladesh CEO&rsquo;s Forum</strong> </a>was launched.</li>
<li>Bangladesh has appreciated the Duty-Free and Quota Free access given to Bangladeshi exports to India under <strong>South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA)</strong> since 2011.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in Connectivity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In March 2021, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bharat-bangla-maitri-bridge" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Maitri Setu&ndash;a 1.9 km bridge</strong></a> built over Feni river joining Sabroom in India and Ramgarh in Bangladesh was inaugurated.</li>
<li>Protocol on<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protocol-on-inland-water-transit-and-trade#:~:text=As%20per%20the%20Protocol%20on,transit%20and%20inter%20country%20trade." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Inland Water Transit and Trade</strong> </a>(PIWTT).</li>
<li><strong>Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement</strong> is in pipeline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Partnership on Multilateral forums:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation</a></strong> (SAARC).</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation</strong></a> (BIMSTEC).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong></a> (IORA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Developments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Line of Credit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has extended 3 Lines of Credits (LOC) to Bangladesh in the last 8 years <strong>amounting to $8 billion for development of infrastructure</strong> in sectors including roads, railways, shipping and ports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bangladesh is the biggest recipient of<strong> Made-in-India <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a> vaccine doses,</strong> accounting for <strong>16% of the total supplies.</strong></li>
<li>India also offered collaboration in therapeutics and partnership in vaccine production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Emerging Disputes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bangladesh has already raised concerns over roll out of the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/to-the-point-paper-2-national-register-of-citizens-nrc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Register of Citizens (NRC)</strong> </a>in Assam, an exercise carried out to identify genuine Indian citizens living in Assam and weed out illegal Bangladeshis.</li>
<li>Currently, Bangladesh is an active partner of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a> that Delhi has not signed up to.</li>
<li>In the security sector, Bangladesh is also a major recipient of Chinese military inventory, including submarines.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There should be efforts to resolve pending issues concerning sharing of waters, resolving continental shelf issues in the Bay of Bengal, bringing down border incidents to zero, and managing the media.</li>
<li>Regular exchanges between younger entrepreneurs and civil society based on areas such as culture, music, sports, films, and sharing of best practices in sustainable development, human capital development, gender equitable growth, amongst others, needs to be pursued.</li>
<li>Increasing tourist footfall at select border locations from both sides and facilitating a mechanism of exchange through the creation of a common entertainment zone at the border can help strengthen the camaraderie.</li>
<li>There is a need to jointly work towards a new paradigm of security at the shared borders. A paradigm that enables borders to be not merely thick lines which demarcate national boundaries but act as &ldquo;connector zones&rdquo; for inclusive growth and prosperity.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/commercial-services-restored-on-railway-link-between-india-and-bangladesh-7433513/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'Provincial Status to Gilgit-Baltistan: Pakistan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, it has been reported that, Pakistani authorities have finalised a law <strong>(26<sup>th</sup> Constitutional Amendment Bill),</strong> to award <strong>provisional provincial status to strategically located Gilgit-Baltistan.</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627899909_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627899909_image6.png" 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>About Gilgit-Baltistan:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/disputed-territories-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disputed territories</strong></a> of India.</li>
<li>It is a chunk of<strong> high-altitude territory</strong> located on the<strong> north western corner of the Union Territory of Ladakh.</strong></li>
<li>It is located strategically as it <strong>borders Pakistan, Afghanistan and China.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background of Gilgit-Baltistan Dispute:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The region is<strong> claimed by India as part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu &amp; Kashmir</strong> as it existed in 1947 at its accession to India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Maharaja Hari Singh,</strong> the last Dogra ruler of J&amp;K, had signed the Instrument of Accession with India on 26<sup>th</sup> October 1947.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, it has been under <strong>Pakistan&rsquo;s control since 4<sup>th</sup> November, 1947,</strong> following the <strong>invasion of Kashmir by tribal militias</strong> and the Pakistan army.</li>
<li>Following this invasion, India moved to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Security Council</strong></a> to raise the issue of Pakistan&rsquo;s invasion, on 1<sup>st</sup> January 1948.</li>
<li>The UN Security Council passed a resolution:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Calling for <strong>Pakistan to withdraw from all of Jammu and Kashmir</strong> and then <strong>India had to reduce its forces to the minimum level</strong> following which a <strong>plebiscite</strong> would be held to ascertain people&rsquo;s wishes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, <strong>no withdrawal</strong> was ever carried out and it remains a point of contention between two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Status:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gilgit-Baltistan is an <strong>autonomous region</strong> now and after the bill is passed, it will become the <strong>5<sup>th</sup> province of the country.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Currently, Pakistan has four provinces namely Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Presently, it has been ruled mostly by<strong> executive orders.</strong></li>
<li>Until 2009, the region was simply called <strong>Northern Areas.</strong></li>
<li>It got its present name only with the <strong>Gilgit-Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance) Order, 2009,</strong> which replaced the Northern Areas Legislative Council with the Legislative Assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Making Gilgit-Baltistan a Province:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gilgit-Baltistan is the northernmost territory administered by Pakistan. It is<strong> Pakistan&rsquo;s only territorial frontier, and thus a land route, with China.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Gilgit-Baltistan region is at the centre of the USD 65 billion<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec#:~:text=22%20members%20currently.-,China%20Pakistan%20Economic%20Corridor,and%20other%20infrastructure%20development%20projects." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> China Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong></a> (CPEC) Infrastructure development plan.</li>
<li>The CPEC has made the region vital for both countries. The CPEC, which connects Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Balochistan with China's Xinjiang province, is the flagship project of China&rsquo;'s ambitious multi-billion-dollar <strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some experts on India-Pakistan relations also assert that Pakistan&rsquo;s decision might have come from India&rsquo;s reassertion of its claims after the 5<sup>th</sup> August, 2019 <a href="/blog/implications-of-j&amp;k-reorganisation-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reorganisation of Jammu &amp; Kashmir.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India maintains the Government of Pakistan or its judiciary has no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it.</li>
<li>India has clearly conveyed to Pakistan that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas of Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of the country by virtue of its fully legal and irrevocable accession.</li>
<li>India has protested to China over the CPEC as it is being laid through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-finalises-bill-to-grant-new-status-to-gilgit-baltistan-report/article35670084.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9049,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India Assumes UNSC Presidency',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India assumed the presidency of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Security Council (UNSC)</strong></a> for the month of August 2021.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This will be the <strong>country&rsquo;s first presidency during its 2021-22 tenure as a non-permanent member</strong> of the Security Council.</li>
<li>India began its<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-at-unsc-previous-contribution-current-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> two-year tenure as a non-permanent member of the UNSC in January 2021.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is India's <strong>eighth term</strong> on the UNSC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s UNSC Presidency:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India will<strong> decide the UN body&rsquo;s agenda for the month</strong> and coordinate important meetings on a range of issues.</li>
<li>It is going to<strong> organise key events</strong> in three major areas of<strong> maritime security, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Security Council will also have on its agenda several important meetings including <strong>Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, and the Middle East.</strong></li>
<li>The Security Council will also be adopting important resolutions on<strong> Somalia, Mali, &amp; <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a> Interim Force in Lebanon.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi will be the<strong> first Indian PM</strong> to preside over a meeting of the UNSC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The last time an Indian PM was engaged in this effort was the then PM <strong>PV Narasimha Rao in 1992</strong> when he attended a UNSC meeting.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Support from France &amp; Russia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>France</strong> has stated that it is dedicated to <strong>collaborating with India over strategic problems</strong> such as maritime security, peacekeeping, and counter-terrorism.</li>
<li><strong>Russia</strong> welcomed the country gaining the UNSC presidency saying it is very <strong>impressed by India&rsquo;s agenda,</strong> which embraces <strong>critical global concerns.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges for India at UNSC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China Challenge:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is entering the UNSC at a time when Beijing is asserting itself at the global stage much more vigorously than ever. It heads at least six UN organisations and has challenged the global rules.</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s aggressive behaviour in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific</strong></a> as well as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-China border</strong></a> has been visible in all of 2020.</li>
<li>China has tried to raise the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/article-370-and-35-a-revoked#:~:text=Issues%20in%20Revoking&amp;text=India%20has%20used%20Article%20370,the%20Indian%20Constitution%20to%20J%26K.&amp;text=It%20will%20also%20clear%20the,and%20settle%20permanently%20in%20J%26K." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> issue of Kashmir</strong></a> at the UNSC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Post Covid World Order:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As the <strong>global economy is in shambles with various countries facing recession and health emergencies. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Balancing USA and Russia and Unstable West Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With the situation <strong>deteriorating between the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/recalibration-of-india-russia-ties" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US and Russia</a> and increasing tensions between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assassination-of-iranian-general-qassem-soleimani" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US and Iran</a>,</strong> it will be a <strong>tough situation to handle for India.</strong></li>
<li>India <strong>needs to uphold rule based world order</strong> with due respect to human rights ensuring the national interest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>United Nation Security Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>UNs Charter established six main organs of the UN, including the UNSC. Article 23</strong> of the UN Charter concerns the composition of the UNSC.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The other 5 organs of the UN are&mdash;the <strong>General Assembly, the Trusteeship Council, the Economic and Social Council, the International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The UNSC has been given <strong>primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security</strong> and may meet whenever peace is threatened.</li>
<li>While other organs of the UN make recommendations to member states, <strong>only the Security Council has the power to make decisions</strong> that member states are then obligated to implement under the Charter.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarter:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The council is headquartered at <strong>NewYork.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Members:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The UNSC is<strong> composed of 15 members, 5 permanent and 10 non-permanent.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Five permanent members:</strong> China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.</li>
<li><strong>Ten non-permanent members:</strong> Elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Each year, <strong>the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members (out of ten in total) for a two-year term.</strong> The ten non-permanent seats are distributed on a regional basis.</li>
<li>The council's<strong> presidency is a capacity that rotates every month among its 15 members.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Voting and Discussions at UNSC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Each member of the Security Council has one vote.</strong> Decisions of the Security Council on matters are made by an affirmative vote of nine members including the concurring votes of the permanent members.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>"No" vote from one of the five permanent members blocks the passage of the resolution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Any member of the UN</strong> which is not a member of the Security Council <strong>may participate, without vote, in the discussion</strong> of any question brought before the Security Council whenever the latter considers that the interests of that member are specially affected.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India as a Permanent Member:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>has been advocating a permanent seat in UNSC.</strong></li>
<li>India <strong>has the following objective criteria,</strong> such as population, territorial size, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/base-year-for-gdp-calculations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gross Domestic Product</strong></a>, economic potential, civilisational legacy, cultural diversity, political system and past and ongoing contributions to UN activities especially to<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-peacekeepers-in-south-sudan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> UN peacekeeping operations</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-takes-over-unsc-presidency-for-month-of-august-7432878/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 9010,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'SCO Defence Ministers’ Meeting',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/shanghai-cooperation-organisation-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)</strong> </a>Defence Ministers&rsquo; Meeting took place in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Defence Minister of India addressed the grouping and said <strong>India is committed to working within the SCO framework</strong> for helping create &amp; maintain a secure &amp; peaceful region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627549053_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627549053_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="645" height="469" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major Highlights of Defence Minister's Address:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/printpdf/at-unga-india-call-for-early-adoption-of-ccit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Terrorism</a> is the most serious threat</strong> to international peace and security and support to any acts of terror is a crime against humanity.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India reaffirms its resolve to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The geo-strategic location of India makes it both a<strong> &ldquo;Eurasian land power&rdquo;</strong> as well as a stakeholder in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-vision-for-indo-pacific" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific.</strong></a></li>
<li>Highlighted non-traditional security challenges like <strong>pandemics, climate change, food security, water security and associated societal disruptions</strong> can impact national and international landscape.</li>
<li>In dealing with Covid-19 pandemic, India has been at the forefront to provide support and assistance to countries through its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-vaccine-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vaccine diplomacy.</strong></a></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s initiative on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>coalition for disaster resilient infrastructure (CDRI)</strong></a> was also an example of how countries were coming together to create and share capabilities to deal with humanitarian assistance and disaster relief issues.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>SCO</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The SCO was founded at a summit in <strong>Shanghai in 2001</strong> by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.</li>
<li>Presently, the SCO comprises <strong>eight member states</strong> namely <strong>India, Kazakhstan, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.</strong></li>
<li>SCO nations together encompass nearly <strong>half the human population</strong> and it covers approximately <strong>three-fifths of the Eurasian continent</strong> in terms of geographical expanse.</li>
<li>The SCO, seen as a <strong>counterweight to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-as-a-security-risk-nato" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NATO</a>,</strong> is an eight-member economic and security bloc and has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations.</li>
<li>India was made an <strong>observer at the SCO in 2005.</strong></li>
<li>India and Pakistan became its <strong>permanent members in 2017.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627548690_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627548690_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Opportunities and SCO:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Regional Security:</strong> SCO will enable India, as an integral part of the Eurasian security grouping, to neutralise threats like religious extremism and terrorism in the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is due to this, India has shown keen interest in deepening its security-related cooperation with the SCO and its <a href="/pdf/india-and-the-shanghai-cooperation-organisation.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS)</strong></a>, which specifically deals with issues relating to security and defence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connect With Central Asia:</strong> SCO is also a potential platform to advance India&rsquo;s <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/connect-central-asia-policy#:~:text=It%20was%20in%20this%20context,%2C%20economic%2C%20and%20cultural%20connections." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Connect Central Asia policy.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s ongoing engagement with SCO can be seen through the<strong> prism of reconnecting and re-energising ties with a region</strong> with which India has shared civilizational linkages, and is considered the country&rsquo;s extended neighbourhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dealing With Pakistan &amp; China:</strong> SCO provides India with a forum where it can constructively engage both China and Pakistan in a regional context and project India&rsquo;s security interests.</li>
<li><strong>Bringing Stability in Afghanistan:</strong> SCO, also an alternative regional platform to delve into the rapidly changing<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-withdrawal-and-regional-dynamics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> situation in Afghanistan.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>So far India completed 500 projects in Afghanistan and is continuing with some more, with a total development aid of $3 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Importance:</strong> Acknowledging the strategic importance emanating from the region and SCO, the Indian Prime Minister had articulated the foundational dimension of Eurasia being <strong>'SECURE&rsquo;.</strong> The letters in the word SECURE are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>S for <strong>Security of our citizens,</strong></li>
<li>E for <strong>Economic development</strong> for all,</li>
<li>C for <strong>Connecting the region,</strong></li>
<li>U for<strong> Unite our people,</strong></li>
<li>R for<strong> Respect for Sovereignty and Integrity,</strong> and</li>
<li>E for <strong>Environment protection.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need to provide<strong> high priority to the &ldquo;consolidation of trust&rdquo;</strong> in the security domain within the SCO as well as strengthening ties with partners of the grouping bilaterally on the<strong> basis of equality, mutual respect and understanding.</strong></li>
<li>The SCO member countries should<strong> develop joint institutional capacities</strong> that respect individual national sensitivities and yet<strong> generate a spirit of cooperation</strong> to create contact and connectivity between people, societies and nations.</li>
<li>Member countries should realise that they have collective stakes to create a safe, secure and stable region that can contribute towards<strong> progress and improvement of human development indices.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/peace-prosperity-cant-coexist-with-terrorism-rajnath-singh-at-sco-meet-7427511/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9009,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'US Secretary of State’s Visit to India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, in his <strong>visit to India, the US Secretary of State</strong> mentioned that <strong>actions by India and the US will shape the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The visit <strong>reciprocates</strong> the visit by India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eam-s-visit-to-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>External Affairs Minister (EAM) to the US in May 2021.</strong></a></li>
<li>The US Secretary of State and India&rsquo;s EAM have also had <strong>detailed conversations</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/47th-g7-summit-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UK (at the G7 meeting)</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g20-foreign-ministers-meeting#:~:text=Recently%2C%20Italy%20hosted%20the%20G,in%20Italy%20in%20October%2C%202021." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Italy (at the G20 meeting).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Major Discussions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is<strong> no military solution to the conflict,</strong> and that taking over the country by force would not help the Taliban gain the international recognition or legitimacy it desires, including the lifting of sanctions and travel bans against the Taliban leadership.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India mentioned <strong>Pakistan was an exception to the consensus for a peaceful political settlement.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An<strong> Afghanistan that did not respect the rights of its people,</strong> and an Afghanistan that committed atrocities against its own people<strong> would not be part of the global community.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Afghanistan <strong>has to be inclusive and fully representative of Afghan people.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both share a vision of free, open, secure and prosperous <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific.</strong></a></li>
<li>Highlighted cooperation in the Indo-Pacific as part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-leaders-summit-quad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>QUAD (Quadrilateral Framework)</strong></a> with Japan and Australia, and clarified that QUAD is not a military alliance at all.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid- Vaccination:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Discussed the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-first-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad&rsquo;s initiative</strong></a> to provide Indian-made <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccination" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-vaccines</strong></a> in the Indo-Pacific region.</li>
<li>The <strong>US announced a USD 25-million grant for India&rsquo;s vaccine programme,</strong> and promised to strengthen <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-supports-india-in-covid-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>vaccine supply chains</strong> </a>to enhance production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/leaders-summit-on-climate#:~:text=About%3A,circumstances%20and%20sustainable%20development%20priorities." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership</strong></a> launched in April 2021, the two sides intend to launch a new climate action and finance mobilisation dialogue and relaunch the strategic clean energy partnership.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>US&rsquo; Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Termed the<strong> Indo-US relationship as one of the most important partnerships in the world.</strong></li>
<li>Both share <strong>a commitment to democratic values</strong> which is part of the<strong> bedrock of their relationship</strong> and reflective of<strong> India&rsquo;s pluralistic society and history of harmony.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both believe in<strong> human dignity,</strong> in <strong>equality of opportunity,</strong> the <strong>rule of law, fundamental freedoms,</strong> including freedom of religion and belief.</li>
<li>People deserve to have a voice in their government and be treated with respect no matter who they are.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Cited<strong> business cooperation, educational engagement, religious and spiritual ties and ties between millions of families</strong> as some of the <strong>key pillars of the overall relationship.</strong></li>
<li>Referred to the<strong> rising global threats to democracy</strong> and international freedoms and talked about<strong> democratic recession (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/usa-bill-to-put-sanction-on-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Human Rights Issues in China</a>),</strong> noting that it is <strong>vital for India and the US to continue to stand together</strong> in support of these ideals.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/inter-faith-marriage-personal-liberty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inter&shy;religious relations</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/freedom-of-media" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>media freedom</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/farmer-s-protest" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>farmers' protests</strong></a>, <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/16-11-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>love 'jihad&rsquo;</strong></a> violence and minority rights were part of the discussion that the US Secretary of State had with a group of people, including a representative of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/next-dalai-lama" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dalai Lama.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India-US bilateral ties have<strong> enhanced to a level that enables the two nations to deal collaboratively with larger issues.</strong></li>
<li>Welcomes <strong>US&rsquo; strong commitment to strengthen the India-US strategic partnership</strong> that is anchored in shared democratic values and is a force for global good.</li>
<li>Responded to the US concerns on the issues with a number of points, making it clear that the <strong>quest for a more perfect democracy applied to both the US and India.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s policies of the last few years had been to right wrongs done historically, and that <strong>while freedoms are important, they should not be equated with the lack of governance&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Current State of India-US Ties</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Defence:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and US inked<strong> important defence pacts</strong> in the last few years and also <strong>formalised the four nation alliance of QUAD.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The alliance is seen as an important counter to China in the Indo-Pacific.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/australia-to-join-malabar-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Malabar exercise</strong></a> in November 2020 portrayed a high point in Indo-US strategic ties, it was the<strong> first time in 13 years that all four countries of QUAD came together</strong> sending a strong message to China.</li>
<li><strong>India now has access to american</strong> <strong>bases</strong> from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/djibouti-code-of-conduct" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Djibouti in Africa</strong></a> to Guam in the Pacific. It can also access advanced communication technology used in US defence.</li>
<li>India an US have <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>four foundational defence agreements</strong></a>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-usa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geospatial Intelligence (BECA).</strong></a></li>
<li>General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA).</li>
<li>Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/basic-exchange-and-cooperation-agreement-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The previous US government <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-withdraws-gsp-for-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ended India&rsquo;s special trade status (GSP withdrawal)</strong></a> and also imposed several bans, India also retaliated with bans on 28 US products.</li>
<li>Current<strong> US government has allowed all the bans by the previous government to expire.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Diaspora:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a <strong>growing presence of Indian diaspora in all spheres in the US.</strong> For example the current Vice-President (Kamala Harris) of the US has a strong Indian connection.</li>
<li>There are <strong>several Indian origin people holding strong leadership positions in the current US administration.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When the US was reeling under a deadly<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid</strong> </a>wave last year, <strong>India rushed important medical supplies and eased export restrictions to help the country.</strong></li>
<li>Initially the US showed hesitancy in returning the favour when India needed it, however the <strong>US quickly changed its stance and rushed supplies to India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a<strong> huge potential to boost bilateral trade between the countries</strong> especially on account of increasing<strong> anti-China sentiment in both the nations.</strong></li>
<li>Thus, the negotiation should <strong>focus on the resolution of various non-tariff barriers</strong> and other market access improvements as early as possible.</li>
<li>In order to counter China in the maritime domain, <strong>India needs to fully engage with the US and other partners in the Indo-pacific region,</strong> in order to preserve the freedom of navigation and the rules-based order.</li>
<li>In international politics, <strong>there are no permanent friends and no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.</strong> In such a scenario India must continue to pursue its foreign policy of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-embrace-of-strategic-hedging" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>strategic hedging.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-democracy-is-powered-by-its-freethinking-citizens-blinken/article35583397.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9007,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'India's Options In Afghanistan',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/evaluating-indias-options-in-afghanistan/article35549295.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Evaluating India's options in Afghanistan</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 27/07/2021. It talks about the US&rsquo;s withdrawal from Afghanistan and the option available for India in order to tackle the challenges emerging after that.</p>
</div>
<p>It is not a coincidence that the United States of America (US) is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-withdrawal-and-regional-dynamics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>exiting Afghanistan</strong></a> at the same time that the focus of its foreign policy is shifting to East Asia.</p>
<p>There is growing consensus that the USA, instead of staying engaged in the lost wars should now urgently prepare itself for the unfolding geopolitical contest with China.</p>
<p>Defeating the Taliban and nation-building were part of the <strong>neoconservative ideology</strong> (promotion of democracy and interventionism in international affairs) of the US, which has evidently failed.</p>
<p>However, the US can abandon the Afghan government and exit the theatre, but India cannot. It has to protect its investments, prevent Afghanistan from becoming another safe haven for anti-India terrorist groups, and also check Pakistan deepening its influence in Kabul.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>US&rsquo;s Changed Priority </strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Changing Priorities From Middle East to Indo-Pacific:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The USA may have retreated from Afghanistan as part of <strong>a grand strategy to take on China in maritime Asia,</strong> in which it needs India&rsquo;s involvement, and India might find it tempting to join the ranks, especially after China&rsquo;s aggression on the Line of Actual Control.</li>
<li>America&rsquo;s strategic response to China&rsquo;s rise is its <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific strategy</strong></a>, which is aimed at containing China&rsquo;s rise and challenging its high-functioning single party dictatorship.</li>
<li>The US wants India to play a key role in the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-leaders-summit-quad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quad bloc</a>.</strong> But there is one problem. <strong>India,</strong> unlike the other members, is the only <strong>continental Asian power</strong> in the Quad, which shares a contested land border with China and is vulnerable to the geopolitical changes in the Eurasian landmass.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ending Endless Wars:</strong> After the costly and prolonged military interventions in Afghanistan, the US has begun to see no more interest in resolving the conflict there.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Presence In Afghanistan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Barring a brief pause in the 1990s, India has historically enjoyed<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-afghan-policy-and-taliban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> good ties with Afghanistan</strong></a>, which go back to the <strong>1950 Treaty of Friendship.</strong></li>
<li>Indian interests and influence suffered when the Taliban, backed by Pakistan, captured Kabul in 1996.</li>
<li>But India was back in action as soon as the Taliban were ousted from power after the US invasion in 2001.</li>
<li>India has made huge investments and commitments ever since, which run into over USD 3 billion, and cultivated strong economic and defence ties with the Afghan government.</li>
<li>Now, it is again staring at uncertainty with the US pullback having effectively changed the balance of power in Afghanistan and the Taliban making rapid territorial gains.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627469991_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627469991_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Options In Afghanistan</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Talking with the Taliban:</strong> Talking to Taliban would allow India to seek security guarantees from the insurgents in return for continued development assistance or other pledges as well as explore the possibility of the Taliban&rsquo;s autonomy from Pakistan.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At this point, <strong>talking to the Taliban looks inevitable.</strong> But India should not overlook the deep ties between Pakistan&rsquo;s security establishment and the Haqqani Network, a major faction within the Taliban.</li>
<li>The USA overlooked it while fighting the Taliban along with Pakistan, and it paid a heavy price for it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taking Afghan Government in Confidence:</strong> There is no guarantee that India&rsquo;s quest for engagement with the Taliban would produce a desirable outcome. So India should broad-base its options. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While talking to the Taliban to protect its interests, India should also enhance aid to Afghanistan&rsquo;s legitimate government and security forces and work with other regional powers for long-term stability in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Support Afghan Military Forces:</strong> The Afghan military has some 200,000 battle-hardened soldiers, including the highly trained special forces. The only force that is standing up to the Taliban is the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India should urgently step up training Afghan forces and provide military hardware, intelligence and logistical and financial support so that Afghan military can continue to defend the cities.</li>
<li>India should also coordinate with other regional powers to support the Afghan government because if the government forces crumble before the Taliban, the prospects for a political settlement would be narrowed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional solution:</strong> There is a convergence of interests between India and three key regional players &mdash; China, Russia and Iran &mdash; in seeing a political settlement in Afghanistan. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>None of these countries would like to see the Taliban taking over Afghan militarily, which means there would be an isolated Sunni Islamist regime in a country with fractured ethnic equations.</li>
<li>Thus, there is a need for cooperation from like minded countries on this front.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Short Term and Long Term Goal:</strong> India&rsquo;s<strong> immediate goal should be the safety and security of its personnel</strong> and investments. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The long-term goal should be finding a <strong>political solution to the crisis.</strong> None of this can be achieved unless it works together with the regional powers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Russian Support:</strong> Russia has cultivated links with the Taliban in recent years. India would need Russia&rsquo;s support in any form of direct engagement with the Taliban.</li>
<li><strong>Significance of Iran:</strong> Iran shares a long border with Afghanistan and has close resemblance of ethnic minorities. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The original objective of India&rsquo;s <strong>Chabahar project</strong> in Iran was to create a direct access to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan.</li>
<li>This direct access is critical for India in all different scenarios &mdash; move supplies to Afghanistan in larger quantities, retain its presence in the event of a civil war or carry out covert operations if the Taliban take power by force.</li>
<li>However, the US's pressure on India is a roadblock in good relations between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bonhomie With China:</strong> India should talk with China, with the objective of finding a political settlement and lasting stability in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India, as would be impacted by the consequences of American withdrawal, has to work with Eurasian powers to protect its interests and stabilise Afghanistan. If India remains active and patient too, many opportunities could open up in the new Afghan phase.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f0fff1;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>After withdrawal of the US troops from Afghanistan, India has to work with regional powers to protect its interests and stabilise Afghanistan. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 9001,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Carbon Border Tax',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/STK_c05bRbg" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At the recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-meeting-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G-20 ministerial meeting on environment and climate change in Italy</strong></a>, developing countries, including India, are expected to raise their concerns over the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union&rsquo;s (EU&rsquo;s)</strong></a> recent proposal on the<strong> first of its kind &ldquo;Carbon Border Tax&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Yet to be legally formalised, the tax plan could come into force from 2026.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Imposing Carbon Levies:</strong> The measure is designed to <strong>protect European industries from competitors abroad</strong> who are not subjected to the same<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/carbon-market" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> carbon</strong></a> levies.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A transitional phase from 2023-25 will see importers monitoring and reporting their emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Similar Proposals from USA:</strong> In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-usa-bilateral-trade" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United States</strong></a>, the Democrats have proposed their own version of a tax on imports from countries that lack substantial climate policies as part of a $3.5 trillion budget plan. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, this proposal is far less detailed than the EU&rsquo;s plan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Policy of EU:</strong> A decade ago, European officials wanted to charge foreign airlines taking off and landing in Europe for the carbon pollution they produce. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But the EU scrapped the idea after heavy pressure from the United States and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Emissions Trading System of EU:</strong> The 27 EU member states have much stricter laws to control <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-global-carbon-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions</strong></a> in the form of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fit-for-55-package-eu" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 'Emissions Trading System'</strong> </a>that caps how much GHG individual industrial units can emit. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The industries that fail to cap their emissions can buy 'allowances' from those who have made deeper cuts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Carbon Pricing Instruments:</strong> As per the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Bank</strong></a>, about 64 carbon pricing instruments such as emissions trading schemes or taxes are in use around the world. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, they cover only 21% of global greenhouse gas emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>European Union and Carbon Border Tax</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Disincentivize Carbon Extensive Goods:</strong> The idea behind the tax is to disincentivize companies outside the European Union that are exporting to the EU four carbon extensive goods: <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/steel-industry-in-india-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">steel</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cement-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cement</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-subsidy-on-dap#:~:text=Recently%2C%20the%20government%20has%20increased,by%2060%25%20to%2070%25." target="_blank" rel="noopener">fertilizers</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/aluminium-as-ninth-core-industry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aluminium. </a></strong></li>
<li><strong>Digital Certificates:</strong> Under the proposal, importers will be<strong> required to buy digital certificates representing the tonnage of carbon dioxide emissions</strong> embedded in their imported goods.</li>
<li><strong>Causes Behind Imposing Carbon Tax:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>EU and Climate Change Mitigation:</strong> The EU has declared to cut its carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Till date, these levels have fallen by 24%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, emissions from imports contributing to 20% of the EU's CO2 emissions are increasing.</li>
<li>Such a carbon tax would incentivise other countries to reduce GHG emissions and further shrink the EU's carbon footprint.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Carbon Leakage:</strong> The Emissions Trading System of the EU makes operating within the region expensive for certain businesses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The EU authorities fear that these businesses might prefer to relocate to countries that have more relaxed or no emission limits. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This is known as <strong>'carbon leakage'</strong> and it increases the total emissions in the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefit for Certain Countries:</strong> Countries that have already introduced carbon trading systems in their own countries will be benefitted by this initiative. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These industries of these exporting countries can claim a rebate equal to the amount of tax that they have already paid.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Worst Affected Countries:</strong> The countries to be worst affected will be <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/new-india-russia-ties" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russia</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-uk-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Britain</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-ukraine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ukraine</a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/turkey-greece-stand-off" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Turkey</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/turkey-greece-stand-off" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a></strong> which collectively export large amounts of fertilizer, iron, steel and aluminum to the European Union. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The United States sells significantly less steel and aluminum to Europe, but could also see an impact.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues with the New Tax</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Response of the BASIC Countries:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-meeting-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India and China) countries'</strong></a> grouping had opposed the EU's proposal in a joint-statement terming it <strong>"discriminatory"</strong> and against the principles of equity and<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g20-energy-and-climate-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 'Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities' (CBDR-RC).</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These principles acknowledge that richer countries have a responsibility of providing financial and technological assistance to developing and vulnerable countries to fight climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on India:</strong> The EU is India's third largest trading partner. By increasing the prices of Indian-made goods in the EU, this tax would <strong>make Indian goods less attractive for buyers and could shrink demand.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The tax would create<strong> serious near-term challenges for companies</strong> with larger greenhouse gas footprint.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-Consensual with Rio Declaration:</strong> The EU&rsquo;s notion of having a uniform standard all over the world for the environment is <strong>not borne out by the global consensus contained in the Article 12 of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rio Declaration</a></strong> which says that the standards applicable to developed countries cannot be applied to developing countries.</li>
<li><strong>Change in the Climate-Change Regime:</strong> The greenhouse content of these imports would also have to be adjusted in the greenhouse gas inventories of the importing countries which essentially implies that GHG inventories would have to be reckoned not on the production basis but at the point of consumption basis. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would turn the entire climate change regime upside down.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protectionist Policy:</strong> The policy can also be regarded as a disguised form of protectionism. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Protectionism refers to government policies that restrict international trade to help domestic industries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such policies are usually implemented with the goal of improving economic activity within a domestic economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Maintaining India-EU Relations:</strong> India must also not forget that the EU is its second largest buyer and currently, India has surplus in both trade and services with the EU. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The EU is a market that India needs to nurture and protect.</li>
<li>India should talk to the EU bilaterally to ensure that its exports with the latter are protected either through an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-eu-leader-s-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Free Trade Agreement</strong></a> or by other means and if there are adjustments and standards that India needs to meet then it should look forward to fulfilling it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Playing Wise:</strong> India is not an exporter of cement or fertilizers to the EU and on steel and aluminium too, it is relatively smaller than other countries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is not the target of this policy of the EU, the target is Russia, China and Turkey which are large emitters of carbon and major exporters of steel and aluminium to the EU.</li>
<li>There is little reason for India to be at the forefront of the opposition. It should rather talk directly to the EU and bilaterally settle the issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preparing While Protesting:</strong> China has always followed the policy of &lsquo;Keep Preparing While Protesting&rsquo;.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is talking about protesting against the carbon border tax. But side by side, it has already started its own carbon trading system also claiming it to be the largest.</li>
<li>If the EU in future imposes this tax, India will be badly affected by it if it doesn&rsquo;t set up its own carbon trading system. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India shall not be caught off guard in 2026 if the tax is imposed, it shall prepare for the best as well as the worst.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reshaping the Climate Mitigation Policies of India:</strong> India may not have a carbon trading system but its energy taxes if converted into carbon equivalents would rank as very high. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India already has measures of climate change mitigation in the country, it just needs to convert them, devise them in ways which are compatible with important markets of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collective Persuasion:</strong> The BASIC countries and other significant developing countries shall follow the policy of collective persuasion at the global meetings for finding alternatives for climate change mitigation rather than implementing such a policy.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A mechanism like Carbon Border Tax for charging imported goods at borders may spur adoption of cleaner technologies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>But if it happens without adequate assistance for newer technologies and finance, it would rather become disadvantageous for the developing countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As far as India is concerned, it must assess the advantages and disadvantages that it is likely to face with the imposition of this tax and talk to the EU with a bilateral approach.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8997,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Joint Actions in Afghanistan: China-Pakistan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> China and Pakistan have decided to launch Joint Actions in Afghanistan</strong> to stop the war-torn country from becoming a hotbed for terrorism.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-withdrawal-and-regional-dynamics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan</strong></a> has been matched by the swift <strong>advance of the Taliban across the nation.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627460089_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627460089_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Joint Action:</strong> It has been outlined in <strong>five areas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>avoid the expansion of war</strong> and prevent Afghanistan from falling into a full-scale civil war.</li>
<li>To <strong>promote the intra-Afghan negotiations between the government and the Taliban</strong> and establish &ldquo;a broad and inclusive political structure&rdquo;.</li>
<li>To resolutely <strong>combat terrorist forces</strong> and push all major forces in Afghanistan to draw a clear line against terrorism.</li>
<li>To<strong> promote cooperation among Afghanistan&rsquo;s neighbours</strong> and to explore the construction of a platform for cooperation among them.</li>
<li>To<strong> closely work on international fora</strong> on the Afghan issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Need:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Terrorism in Pakistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pakistan is concerned over the <strong>Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP),</strong> which has been waging an insurgency against the country for several years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rise in Uyghur Militants:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is worried over the regrouping of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uighur-muslims" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Uyghur</strong></a> militants from Xinjiang, China who operate under the aegis of <strong>East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM),</strong> which Beijing alleges has links with Al-Qaeda.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The recently released 12<sup>th</sup> report of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nation</strong></a> has <strong>confirmed the presence of the ETIM militants in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Interests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If the situation in Afghanistan further deteriorates, Pakistan as well as the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)</strong> </a>will be in danger. Also many other Chinese projects in Afghanistan and Pakistan will be in danger.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There was a recent<strong> bomb attack on a shuttle bus carrying Chinese engineers</strong> at Dasu area of Upper Kohistan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan where a<strong> Chinese company is building a 4320-mw dam on the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/60-years-of-indus-water-treaty" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Indus river</a>.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India has opposed</strong> the CPEC, which <strong>passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK),</strong> although China has pushed ahead with projects and stepped up its investments in PoK.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Background of Situation in Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>On <strong>11<sup>th</sup> September 2001, terrorist attacks (9/11) in America</strong> killed nearly 3,000 people.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Osama Bin Laden,</strong> the head of Islamist terror group al-Qaeda, was quickly identified as the man responsible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Taliban, radical Islamists who ran Afghanistan at that time, protected Bin Laden, and refused to hand him over. So, a month after 9/11, the <strong>US launched airstrikes against Afghanistan</strong> (Operation Enduring Freedom).</li>
<li>After the attacks, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nato-ally-status-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)</strong></a> coalition troops declared war on Afghanistan.</li>
<li>The <strong>US</strong> dislodged the Taliban regime and<strong> established a transitional government in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
<li>In July 2021, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/road-ahead-for-afghanistan-after-us-exit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US troops departed</strong></a> from the biggest airbase in Afghanistan after the 20-year-long war, effectively ending their military operations in the country.</li>
<li>The US withdrawal has <strong>turned the balance of power in the battleground in favour of the Taliban.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Interests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Investments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Protecting its <strong>investments,</strong> which run into billions of rupees, in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Taliban:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Preventing</strong> a future<strong> Taliban regime</strong> from being a pawn of Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pakistan's Terror Base:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Making sure that the <strong>Pakistan-backed anti-India terrorist groups do not get support from the Taliban.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-afghan-policy-and-taliban" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s Afghan policy</strong></a> is at a major crossroads; to <strong>safeguard its assets there as well as to stay relevant</strong> in the unfolding &lsquo;great game&rsquo; in and around Afghanistan, <strong>India must fundamentally reset its Afghanistan policy.</strong></li>
<li>India needs to <strong>re-evaluate its decisions and be more omnidirectional in its approach</strong> to deal with all forces that are central to the future of Afghanistan.</li>
<li>India must, in its own national interest, <strong>begin &lsquo;open talks&rsquo; with the Taliban</strong> before it is too late. The time for hesitant, half-embarrassed backchannel parleys is over.</li>
<li>The <strong>changing political and security situation requires India to be more open</strong> to adapting its maximalist position and starting a dialogue with the Taliban.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/world/china-pak-agree-to-launch-joint-actions-in-afghanistan-to-drive-out-terrorist-forces-chinese-fm-7423741/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8957,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Reshaping India’s Foreign Approach',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This Article is based upon<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/expanding-india-s-foreign-policy-canvas-101626948705147.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Expanding India&rsquo;s Foreign Policy Canvas&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in the Hindustan Times on 22/07/2021. It talks about the changes occurring in the global economic domain and how India can shift from just an aspirational player to a global one by expanding its foreign agenda.</p>
</div>
<p>After living for more than a year and a half with the covid 19 pandemic, the world is recovering and bringing changes in the global economic domain.</p>
<p>On one hand, a new global tax is being worked upon to establish a minimum corporate tax regime. On the other, carbon border levies are being unveiled to aid net zero emission goals.</p>
<p>Binding dispute resolution provisions are also being sought to be embedded into international agreements. Technological decoupling is also taking place, leading to new value chains being set up.</p>
<p>Climate, health, digital technology and geo-economics will define the global conversation. India must remain proactive and focus on understanding and shaping these domains rather than just remaining at the receiving end.</p>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Foreign Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Focus on Geo-Politics:</strong> Indian foreign policy, like that of most other States, has generally given primacy to the frictions and friendships relating to geopolitics such as: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/india-s-prospects-as-a-nuclear-power#:~:text=India%20has%20always%20stood%20by,India%20to%20join%20the%20treaty.&amp;text=In%201954%2C%20Indian%20Prime%20Minister,for%20a%20%22standstill%22%20agreement." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>demand for nuclear disarmament</strong></a></li>
<li>The<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Non-Aligned Movement</strong></a> as a response to the Cold War</li>
<li>Support for<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/un-reforms-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> United Nations (UN) peacekeeping</strong></a></li>
<li>Call for adoption of <a href="/printpdf/at-unga-india-call-for-early-adoption-of-ccit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comprehensive convention on international terrorism</strong></a></li>
<li>However, lesser importance has been given to geo-economics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environment Related Initiatives:</strong> The Prime Minister of India has espoused climate action as an issue where what India does within its borders to benefit its citizens also matters well beyond our borders. This has both economic and political benefits.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, India is among the select few countries to have hosted the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop-28" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>COP</strong></a> of all three Rio conventions on climate change (<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNFCCC</strong></a>), biodiversity (<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cms-cop-13-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on Biological Diversity</a></strong>) and land <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-convention-to-combat-desertification-cop-14" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification)</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Policy amid the Pandemic:</strong> During the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>, India&rsquo;s foreign policy apparatus was key in securing essential global supplies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues regarding Human Resource:</strong> Migration and human mobility are emerging issues. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Africa will be the largest repositories of young populations while most other societies age. Lack of opportunities in India create an obvious situation of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-brain-drain-in-health-sector#:~:text=Brain%20drain%20is%20a%20term,a%20higher%20standard%20of%20living." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Brain Drain.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues related to Science &amp; Technology: <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/to-the-point-paper-3-antimicrobial-resistance-amr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)</a></strong> is a growing global problem to which the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may further contribute. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Global concerns regarding <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cybersecurity</a> </strong>are also rising.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>A Stronger China:</strong> Militarily, China has further strengthened itself and now seeks to dominate the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific Ocean</strong></a> with its announcement of its third aircraft carrier&rsquo;s launch in 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Deteriorating India-Russia Ties:</strong> Though India and Russia share a long history of strategic and economic cooperation, the post-Cold war Russia and China strategic convergence remains a foreign policy issue for India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the sanctions imposed on Russia after Crimea's annexation in 2014 has pushed Russia towards a tighter embrace of China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This seems to signal reduced interest in countries such as India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s closeness to the U.S. has also weakened its links with traditional friends such as Russia and Iran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Thinking Beyond Geo-Political:</strong> Subjects such as regulation of trans-boundary digital behemoths, big data management, trade issues and disaster &amp; humanitarian relief can prove to be beneficial by being addressed through the prism of a broader approach taking into account the global dimensions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a need to expand India&rsquo;s foreign policy agenda beyond the traditional thinking of what is geopolitical.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Realising the Significance of Geo-Economics:</strong> Geo-economics inevitably impacts geopolitics. China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative is an example. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Climate, health security and digital technologies are becoming aspects of geopolitical contestation of different kinds.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s willingness to encompass these areas, which it previously considered beyond the pale of its foreign policy posture, will be key to its ability to navigate the coming wave of global changes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>G20 in 2023:</strong> India&rsquo;s presidency of <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G20</a></strong> in 2023 will provide it the opportunities to weave geo-economic themes with geopolitical interests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Till now, India has played the role of an emerging power with ambitions to play the role of a global power.</li>
<li>The G20 summit of 2023 will provide the opportunities to articulate and be vocal on issues that matter to the world, and be proactive to further its interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Hedging:</strong> The way forward for the Indian foreign policy should be <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-s-embrace-of-strategic-hedging" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>strategic hedging</strong></a>; a combination of bolstering domestic as well as external strategic capabilities and creating economic dependencies abroad through enhanced manufacturing and exports. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Furthermore, a balance between capabilities and reach is what India needs to master strategic hedging with other countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The primary goal of India&rsquo;s foreign policy is to preserve, promote and protect national interests in the broadest sense of the term, and not to limit the canvas.</p>
<p>If India wants to ride the next wave of global change, it will need a broader global agenda and a carefully crafted game plan in place soon.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f9fff5;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;It has been long since India has remained as an aspirational/emerging power. The time is now to bring a change in the paradigm and become one of the countries shaping the global economic domains&rdquo;. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8950,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Nord Stream 2 Pipeline',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>US has approved the Germany-Russia Nord Stream 2 Pipeline (NS2P) project -</strong> which significantly increases Europe&rsquo;s energy dependence on Russia.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>US had previously imposed sanctions</strong> to prevent the completion of this gas pipeline between Russia and Germany.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627023751_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1627023751_image4.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>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is a 1,200-km pipeline that runs <strong>from Ust-Luga in Russia to Greifswald in Germany through the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/baltic-nations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Baltic Sea</a>.</strong> It will carry 55 billion cubic metres of gas per year.</li>
<li>It was decided to build this pipeline in 2015.</li>
<li><strong>Nord stream 1 system</strong> is already completed and together with NS2P, it will supply 110 billion cubic metre of gas a year to Germany.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Implications:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>EU&rsquo;s Dependence on Russia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will increase Europe's dependence on Russia for Natural Gas, currently<strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> EU (European Union)</a> </strong>countries already rely on Russia for 40% of their gas needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bypassing Ukraine:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is an existing pipeline between Russia and Europe through Ukraine, once the NS2P project is completed <strong>it would bypass Ukraine and deprive it of a significant transit fee of around $ 3 billion per year.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Geopolitical win for Russia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It can be<strong> a generational geopolitical win</strong> for Russia and a catastrophe for the United States and its allies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>US&rsquo; New Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Softer Option to threaten Russia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The US has gone with the softer option of threatening Russia with consequences should it use the pipeline to harm Ukraine or other countries in eastern Europe.</li>
<li>On one hand, it wants <strong>access to Russia&rsquo;s hydrocarbons,</strong> but on the other <strong>distrusts Russian President Vladimir Putin,</strong> who it holds responsible for a series of affronts, such as the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ukraine-s-bid-to-join-nato" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Crimean conflict</a></strong> of 2014 and the alleged interference in the US elections of 2016 and 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Germany&rsquo;s own Act against Russia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The US-Germany deal lays out that Germany by itself will put sanctions and limit Russian exports, if 'Russia attempts to use the energy as a weapon and commit further aggressive acts against Ukraine'.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Green Fund for Ukraine:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Germany has to &ldquo;utilise all available leverage&rdquo; to extend by 10 years the current Russia-Ukraine gas transit agreement.</li>
<li><strong>Germany also has to contribute at least $175 million to a new $1 billion &ldquo;Green Fund for Ukraine&rdquo;</strong> that aims at improving the country&rsquo;s energy independence.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/nord-stream-pipeline-us-germany-7417589/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8940,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'China-led South Asian Initiative',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Bangladesh has invited India to join the China-led South Asian initiative</strong> for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reasons-for-rising-covid-19-infections-second-wave" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>vaccines and poverty alleviation.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It includes the creation of the China-South Asian Countries Emergency Supplies Reserve, and a Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Centre set up in China.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About China-South Asian Initiative: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Members:</strong> China, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India, Bhutan and the Maldives are the other <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAARC countries</strong></a> that are not part of this initiative.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Intended Vision:</strong> China has different kinds of strategic, maritime, political and ideological interests with different South Asian nations so it is increasing its engagements with each country on equal footing to counterbalance India.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong> Given continuing tensions over Chinese PLA aggression at the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, India&rsquo;s stand is that other bilateral relations <strong>cannot move ahead without a resolution of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener">boundary stand-off.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Associated Issues:</strong> This initiative seems to be China 's strategy to contain and undermine India's role in South Asia. This can be reflected in the following arguments:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Minus-India Initiative:</strong> Combinations of all SAARC member countries (other than India, Bhutan and Maldives) led some experts to suggest this was meant to be a <strong>&ldquo;Minus India&rdquo; initiative. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Diluting India&rsquo;s Role in South Asia:</strong> This initiative is one of China's attempts to make inroads into South Asia. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Chinese push to this regional grouping comes also at a time when India has been reluctant to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/saarc-revival" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>revive SAARC</strong></a>, turning its focus more on yet <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-bimstec-1#:~:text=This%20article%20is%20based%20on,on%2014%2F04%2F2021.&amp;text=BIMSTEC%20as%20a%20regional%20organization,cybersecurity%2C%20and%20coastal%20security%20cooperation." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>another regional bloc&ndash;BIMSTEC.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Countering Quad:</strong> The China-led bloc could be its plan to create what some call a northern Himalayan Quad aimed at countering the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>US-led Quad</strong></a> of which India is an active member.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Initiatives for South Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In early 2021, India - driven by its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy</strong></a> and in its understanding of its<strong> role as the &lsquo;net security provider&rsquo; of the region</strong> began providing Covid-19 vaccines on a priority basis to its immediate neighbours <strong>(<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-vaccine-diplomacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vaccine Diplomacy</a>).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is also <strong>helping with the training of health workers</strong> in some of these countries and the setting up of the infrastructure to administer the shots.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, India, Japan and Australia have formally launched the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/launch-of-supply-chain-resilience-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It aims to reduce dependence on China amid a likelihood of rechurning of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However,<strong> India for years has struggled to match the pace of Chinese investment in countries</strong> such as Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives, where China is building ports, roads and power stations as part of its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g7-s-build-back-better-world-initiative" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rcep-comes-into-existence" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)</strong></a>, a mega trade bloc comprising 15 countries led by China has come into existence. It has kept the doors for India open.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Establishing a Border Commission:</strong> Demarcation of Indian external boundaries is yet to be completed. Resolution of border disputes will pave way for stable regional integration. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, India must strive for resolution of borders by establishing a border commission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Broader Lens of Foregin Policy Goals:</strong> Integrating India&rsquo;s regional economic and foreign policy remains a major challenge. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, India should resist compromising bilateral relationships with neighbours for short economic interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improving Regional Connectivity:</strong> Regional connectivity must be pursued with greater vigour while security concerns being addressed through cost-effective, efficient and reliable technological measures which are in use in other parts of the world.</li>
<li><strong>Implementing Gujral&rsquo;s Doctrine:</strong> India&rsquo; neighbourhood policy should be based on the principles of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/gujral-doctrine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gujral Doctrine.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would ensure India&rsquo;s stature and strength cannot be isolated from the quality of its relations with its neighbours and there can be regional growth as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-is-welcome-to-join-china-south-asia-grouping/article35433572.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8904,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Protests in Cuba',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, thousands of Cubans took to the streets across the country to protest longstanding restrictions on rights, scarcity of food and medicines, and the government&rsquo;s poor response to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These protests are the <strong>biggest anti-government demonstrations on the Communist-run island</strong> in decades.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626682657_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626682657_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Ongoing Protests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The anti-government protests erupted amid <strong>Cuba's worst economic crisis</strong> since the fall of the Soviet Union, its former ally, or end of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>cold war</strong></a> <strong>(1945-1991).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Cuba has been an authoritarian communist state for more than six decades.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Cuba has been<strong> hit hard by US sanctions and Covid-19.</strong></li>
<li>Cubans have been angered by the collapse of the economy, food and medicine shortages, price hikes and the government's handling of the pandemic.</li>
<li>Protesters shouted "freedom" and<strong> demanded for President Miguel Diaz-Canel to step down.</strong></li>
<li>On the other hand, Cuba's President <strong>blamed the US for the turmoil.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>He called tight sanctions imposed by the US on Cuba, has resulted in a <strong>policy of economic suffocation</strong> and is the prime reason for protests in Cuba.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, the US President said the US stands with the people of Cuba in their call for freedom.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History of Cuba:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From the 15<sup>th</sup> century, Cuba was a <strong>colony of Spain</strong> until the <strong>Spanish&ndash;American War of 1898,</strong> when Cuba was occupied by the US.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, Cuba gained nominal independence as a de facto United States protectorate in 1902.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 1940, Cuba attempted to strengthen its democratic system. But, political radicalization and social strife culminated in a coup and<strong> subsequent dictatorship under Fulgencio Batista in 1952.</strong></li>
<li>Open corruption and oppression under Batista's rule led to his ousting in January 1959 by the<strong> 26<sup>th</sup> of July Movement.</strong> This established communist rule under the <strong>leadership of Fidel Castro.</strong></li>
<li>Since 1965, the state has been governed by the<strong> Communist Party of Cuba.</strong></li>
<li>Moreover, the country was a point of contention during the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States. A <strong>nuclear war</strong> nearly broke out during the <strong>Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USA-Cuba Relationship:</strong> The United States and Cuba have had a strained relationship for more than sixty years. The tumultuous US-Cuba relationship has its <strong>roots in the Cold War.</strong> This can be reflected in the following events.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cuban Revolution:</strong> In 1959, Fidel Castro and a group of revolutionaries seized power in Havana (city capital of Cuba). They<strong> overthrew the US-backed</strong> government of Fulgencio Batista.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>After the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro&rsquo;s government began nationalizing American-owned properties, imposed economic penalties on trade with the US and increased its trade with the Soviet Union.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cuban Missile Crisis:</strong> Aftermath of events following Cuban revolution, the United States severed diplomatic ties with Cuba and began pursuing covert operations to overthrow the Fidel Castro regime in 1961.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This followed an attempt by the US agencies to topple Cuban Government, known as the <strong>Bay of Pigs invasion.</strong></li>
<li>In response, Cuba allowed the Soviet Union to <strong>secretly install nuclear missiles on the island.</strong> This brought the US and Soviet Union on the brink of Nuclear war.</li>
<li>In the end, Soviet Union agreed to withdraw the missiles in exchange for a pledge from the US not to invade Cuba and to remove the US nuclear missiles from Turkey.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>US Sanctions:</strong> After Cuban Missile Crisis, the US instituted a <strong>ban on nearly all its exports to Cuba,</strong> which US President John F. Kennedy expanded into a <strong>full economic embargo</strong> that included stringent travel restrictions.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These economic sanctions continue till today.</li>
<li>US President Barack Obama took several steps to normalize bilateral relations, including restoring diplomatic ties and expanding travel and trade.</li>
<li>However, the Trump administration reversed aspects of the past agreements by reimposing restrictions on tourism and other commerce.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Stand:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Presently, India is yet to declare its stance on the current ongoing protest, but India<strong> in the past has supported lifting the economic blockade of Cuba.</strong></li>
<li>In the UN General Assembly, India stressed that the continued existence of this siege by the US against Cuba undermines multilateralism and the credibility of the United Nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Communist Country</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A Communist country is a nation that is governed by a single party, and the foundation of the ruling leaders' decisions is based on the philosophies of Marx and Lenin.</li>
<li><strong>Communism</strong> is a political, social, philosophical, and economic doctrine aiming to replace private property profit-based economy with common ownership of major means of production.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/thousands-of-cubans-join-anti-government-protests/article35287953.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8901,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Build Back Better World Proposal',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/chinas-influence-g-7-leaders-belt-road-initiative-7408524/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;A counter-strategy called B3W&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 17/07/2021. It talks about the recent Build Back Better World (B3W) proposal moved by the G-7 Countries.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/47th-g7-summit-1#:~:text=Group%20of%20Seven%20(G7),international%20security%20and%20energy%20policy." target="_blank" rel="noopener">G-7</a> leaders have come out with the Build Back Better World (B3W) proposal. The proposal aims to address the infrastructure investment deficit in developing and lower-income countries.</p>
<p>Thereby, the proposal seeks to counter China&rsquo;s rising influence across 100-plus countries through <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belt Road Initiative (BRI) projects</a>. Through BRI projects, China seeks to deploy corrosive tactics or debt traps for its strategic dominance in trade, foreign policy, and geopolitics in the world.</p>
<p>B3W is at its nascent stage, it remains to be seen what role India will play in Build Back Better World since it has been a strong opponent of BRI, which is designed by China to establish strategic dominance in trade, foreign policy, and geopolitics.</p>
<h3>Status of BRI &amp; Associated Issues</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The BRI project was launched in 2013, it broadly aims to facilitate cross-border transportation of goods, access to energy, creating demand for existing excess capacity in Chinese industries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China had an overall exposure of investment of around $750 billion between 2013 to mid-2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>However, from a macro view of BRI projects clearly reflects the motive of China-centric international economic integration, production networks, hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region, and, eventually, the global economy.</li>
<li>For Instance, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)</a>, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bcim-not-a-part-of-bri#:~:text=Corridor%20(CPEC).-,Bangladesh%2DChina%2DIndia%2DMyanmar%20(BCIM)%20Corridor,Bangladesh%20before%20heading%20to%20Kolkata." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bangladesh-China, India, the Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM)</a>, and the Colombo Port City Project in Sri Lanka, amongst others, are important BRI projects.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These projects are not the only commercial in nature but have strategic implications too.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Further, the BRI project is colonial in nature as China&rsquo;s trade gives more market access to Chinese markets and ensures a stable supply of energy and other resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the Council on Foreign relations overall debt to China has soared since 2013, surpassing 20% of GDP in some countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>B3W &amp; Its Guiding Principles</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Goal:</strong> The Build Back Better Plan is a Covid-19 relief, future economic, and infrastructure package proposed by G-7 countries for developing and lower-income countries.</li>
<li><strong>Components of B3W:</strong> Through B3W, the G7 and other like-minded partners will coordinate in mobilizing private-sector capital in four areas of focus:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Climate,</li>
<li>Health and health security,</li>
<li>Digital technology,</li>
<li>Gender equity and equality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Values-Driven Development:</strong> Infrastructure development carried out in a transparent and sustainable manner&mdash;financially, environmentally, and socially &mdash;will lead to a better outcome for recipient countries and communities.</li>
<li><strong>Good Governance and Strong Standards:</strong> B3W to infuse investment by complying with the standards promoted by the Blue Dot Network, relating to the environment and climate, labor and social safeguards, transparency, financing, construction, anti-corruption, and other areas.</li>
<li><strong>Climate-Friendly:</strong> The investments will be made in a manner consistent with achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.</li>
<li><strong>Strong Strategic Partnerships:</strong> B3W will envisage countering the aggressive model of development and establish a more inclusive model of global development.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reinventing Capitalism:</strong> Covid-19 has exposed the fragility and societally negative outcomes of contemporary capitalist economies. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, in order to build a global development as highlighted by the B3W blueprint, it will require fine-tuning of the current model of Capitalism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Building Consensus in Democracies:</strong> Any plan formulated by vibrant democracies such as these countries usually takes time and has to go through many diplomatic and bureaucratic twists and turns. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thus, the main challenge for G-7 countries is to build global consensus and deliver projects in a time-bound manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The counter-proposal of B3W is certainly a welcome step to contain the adverse implications of a Chinese mega plan. However, B3W lacks coherent thoughts and proper planning at this stage.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, it is better late than never. Moreover, it remains to be seen what role India will play in B3W since it has been a strong opponent of China&rsquo;s BRI.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f7fcff;">
<p><span style="color: #003366;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The counter-proposal of the Build Back Better World (B3W) proposal is certainly a welcome step to contain the adverse implications of a Chinese mega plan. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8896,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'G7’s Build Back Better World Initiative',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> G7 (Group of Seven)</strong> Countries proposed a <strong>&lsquo;Build Back Better World (B3W)</strong> initiative&rsquo; at the recent<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/47th-g7-summit-1#:~:text=Group%20of%20Seven%20(G7),international%20security%20and%20energy%20policy." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 47<sup>th</sup> G7 summit</strong> </a>to <strong>counter China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).</strong></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Group of Seven</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an<strong> intergovernmental organisation</strong> that was formed <strong>in 1975.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>bloc meets annually</strong> to discuss<strong> issues of common interest</strong> like global economic governance, international security and energy policy.</li>
<li>The G7 countries are <strong>the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the US.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All the <strong>G7 countries and India</strong> are a part of <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G20</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The G7 does <strong>not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters.</strong> The decisions taken by leaders during annual summits are non-binding.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>aims to address the infrastructure investment deficit in developing and lower income countries -</strong> the<strong> space which has been increasingly captured by China</strong> through 2,600 BRI projects with trillions of dollars of investment. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>BRI projects are perceived as corrosive tactics or debt traps</strong> laid by China for its strategic dominance in trade, foreign policy and geopolitics in the world.</li>
<li>The<strong> overall focus is on developing transportation, logistics and communications, which would reduce trade and transaction cost for China&rsquo;s trade,</strong> give more market access to Chinese markets and ensure stable supply of energy and other resources.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This infrastructure plan is <strong>being led by the United States.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>B3W initiative will <strong>provide a transparent infrastructure partnership to help narrow about $40 trillion</strong> needed by developing nations by 2035.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It calls for spending<strong> hundreds of billions of dollars</strong> in collaboration with<strong> the private sector</strong> while<strong> adhering to climate standards and labour practices.</strong></li>
<li>However, the <strong>announcement is yet to be made about how exactly the plan would work or how much capital it would ultimately allocate.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s BRI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was <strong>launched in 2013.</strong> It involves <strong>development and investment initiatives</strong> that would<strong> stretch from Asia to Europe and beyond.</strong></li>
<li>More than 100 countries<strong> have signed agreements with China</strong> to cooperate in BRI projects like <strong>railways, ports, highways and other infrastructure.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Investment through BRI:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since its inception, <strong>outward investment has been aggressive</strong> as China&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow-touches-82-bn-in-fy21" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FDI (Foreign Direct Investment)</strong></a> outflow to inflow ratio increased to 1 from around 0.34 during 2001-10.</li>
<li>In volume terms, the <strong>FDI outflow increased to an average of $140 billion in 2016-19 from an annual average $25 billion</strong> during 2001-10.</li>
<li>China is<strong> investing in Africa</strong> to lay a comprehensive transportation network. China has <strong>also signed various contacts with the East Asian region,</strong> mostly focusing on transportation, railways, roadways and waterways, for better integration between China and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN countries.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Important Projects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the Bangladesh-China, the Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM) and the Colombo Port City Project in Sri Lanka, amongst others, are important BRI projects.</li>
<li>China has a plan to complete 4,000 km of railways and 10,000 km of highways within the Central Asian region as part of BRI.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has expressed concerns about the <strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor</strong> (CPEC), as it traverses through <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pakistan-s-provincial-status-to-gilgit-baltistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)</a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The massive infrastructure project <strong>connects China&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uighur-muslims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Xinjiang province</a> with <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/viability-of-bri-and-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gwadar port</a></strong> in Pakistan&rsquo;s Balochistan province.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India <strong>refused to join the Chinese initiative in the past</strong> and raised its voice against the BRI.</li>
<li>India <strong>also sees an adverse trade impact on its products&rsquo; competitiveness,</strong> market access, resource extraction etc. due to Chinese competition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of B3W:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>re-emergence of China as a leading global power</strong> is considered to be one of the most significant geo-political events of recent times, alongside the <strong>1991 fall of the Soviet Union</strong> that ended the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War.</strong></a></li>
<li>China in 1979 had an<strong> economy that was smaller than Italy's,</strong> but after opening to foreign investment and introducing market reforms, it has <strong>become the world's second-largest economy</strong> and is a global leader in a range of new technologies.</li>
<li>However, the <strong>West had failed to offer a positive alternative</strong> to the "lack of transparency, poor environmental and labour standards, and coercive approach" of the Chinese government that had left many countries worse off.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The counter proposal of B3W is certainly a welcome step to contain the adverse implications of a Chinese mega plan. However, B3W lacks coherent thoughts and proper planning at this stage. Nevertheless, it is better late than never.</li>
<li>Moreover, it remains to be seen what role India will play in B3W since it has been a strong opponent of China&rsquo;s BRI.</li>
<li>The counter-strategy is necessary to bring down Chinese leverage. A macro view of BRI projects across geography &mdash; quantum and pattern of investment &mdash; clearly reflects the motive of China-centric international economic integration, production networks, hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region and, eventually, the global economy.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/chinas-influence-g-7-leaders-belt-road-initiative-7408524/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1626515384834000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2s2EDId818ims7iqcLx-yU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8886,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Violence in South Africa',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Riots and looting in South Africa</strong> have left more than 70 people dead, hurt thousands of businesses and damaged major infrastructure.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the <strong>worst civil unrest since the end of white minority rule in 1994.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626424228_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626424228_pasted image 0.png" width="400" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reason for Recent Violence:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Protests began over calls for <strong>release of former president Jacob Zuma, who served the country from 2009-18</strong> and is facing corruption charges. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Former Cabinet ministers, high-ranking government officials and executives of state-owned enterprises have <strong>implicated Jacob Zuma in corruption.</strong></li>
<li>Many feel that <strong>his successor as president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has failed to provide decisive leadership</strong> - either to calm anger over Zuma's imprisonment or to reassure South Africans that they will be safe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>While the violence may have been spurred on by the <strong>imprisonment of Jacob Zuma</strong>, it&rsquo;s being <strong>fanned by underlying problems in the country amid a raging pandemic and failing economy.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2020, the country had witnessed its sharpest decline in annual <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-decreases-to-11-year-low" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gross Domestic Product</strong></a> since 1946.</li>
<li><strong>Unemployment</strong> stood at a record high of 32.6% in the first three months of 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government's Response:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government has <strong>condemned the violence</strong> and has stated that there is no justification for the violence. A lot of <strong>criminals or opportunistic individuals are trying to enrich themselves during this period.</strong></li>
<li>It has <strong>deployed its army to support the South African police</strong>, however, the rioting and looting haven&rsquo;t stopped.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India- South Africa Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s links with the struggle for freedom and justice in South Africa date back to the period during which <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mahatma-gandhi-jayanti#:~:text=2nd%20October%202020%20was,of%20the%20Nation%20%2D%20Mahatma%20Gandhi.&amp;text=Gandhi%20was%20a%20social%20reformist,of%20nonviolent%20resistance%20called%20Satyagrah." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mahatma Gandhi</a> started his Satyagraha</strong> movement in South Africa over a century ago.</li>
<li>India was at the forefront of the international community in its <strong>support to the anti-apartheid movement</strong>; it was the <strong>first country to sever trade relations with the apartheid Government (in 1946)</strong> and subsequently <strong>imposed a complete -- diplomatic, commercial, cultural and sports -embargo</strong> on South Africa.</li>
<li>After a gap of four decades, India re-established trade and business ties in 1993, after South Africa ended its institutionalised <strong>racial segregation (<a href="/mains-practice-question/question-280" target="_blank" rel="noopener">apartheid</a>).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In November 1993, <strong>diplomatic and consular relations were restored.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After South Africa achieved democracy in 1994, it was the <strong>Red Fort Declaration on Strategic Partnership</strong> between India and South Africa, signed in March 1997 which set the parameters for a rekindled relationship.</li>
<li>The Strategic Partnership between the two countries was again reaffirmed in the <strong>Tshwane Declaration (October 2006).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both these declarations have been instrumental mechanisms that have contributed in the past to both South Africa and India for achieving their respective national objectives.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India and South Africa have a<strong> long history of working together by coordinating their views and efforts</strong> in institutions of global governance/multilateral fora, in order to achieve greater autonomy and ensure that the agenda of &lsquo;South&rsquo; is prioritised.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>For Example:</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/brics-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BRICS</strong></a> (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), IBSA (India, Brazil, and South Africa), <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong></a> , <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong></a> (IORA) and <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-trade-organisation-wto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Trade Organisation (WTO)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is <strong>South Africa&rsquo;s fifth-largest export destination</strong>, and<strong> fourth-largest import origin</strong> and is the <strong>second-largest trading partner in Asia.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both countries are working to boost trade volumes in the coming years. Bilateral trade between India and South Africa <strong>currently stands at USD 10 billion.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>2016</strong> both the countries agreed to collaborate in the defence sector, especially in terms of the opportunities available for South African private sector under <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/assessment-of-make-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&lsquo;Make in India&rsquo;</a> initiative</strong>, energy sector, agro-processing, human resource development, and infrastructure development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science &amp; Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Department of Science and Technology of both countries have collaborated, especially in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/square-kilometre-array-telescope" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Square Kilometer Array (SKA)</strong></a> project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the help of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/70-years-of-indian-council-for-cultural-relations#:~:text=The%20Indian%20Council%20for%20Cultural,other%20countries%20and%20their%20peoples." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)</strong></a>, an intensive programme of cultural exchanges is organised throughout South Africa including scholarships for South African nationals.</li>
<li>The 9<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-hindi-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Hindi Conference</strong> </a>was held in September 2012 at Johannesburg.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>major part of the Indian origin community came to South Africa from 1860 onwards</strong> as farm labour to serve as field hands and mill operatives in the sugar and other agricultural plantations.</li>
<li>South Africa is <strong>home to the highest number of Indian Diaspora in the African continent</strong>, with a total strength of 1,218,000 thereby constituting 3% <strong>of South Africa&rsquo;s total population.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since 2003 onwards, India has celebrated <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pravasi-bharatiya-divas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD)</strong></a> each year on 9<sup>th</sup> January (the day Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa to India).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India-South Africa <strong>partnership is progressive and forward looking.</strong> Their rich culture and people-to-people contacts lends character and quality to India-South Africa ties.</li>
<li>It is natural that South Africa needs other partners in Asia just as India is engaged in forging other partnerships in Africa. However, <strong>both India and South Africa will need to keep in mind constantly that their own bilateral relationship deserves priority</strong> and has immense potential that is yet to be realized.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-south-africa-is-witnessing-worst-violence-in-years-7404306/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8874,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'St. Queen Ketevan’s Relics: Georgia',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>India has gifted one part of the holy relics of 17<sup>th</sup> century St. Queen Ketevan to the Georgian government.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These relics were gifted on the <strong>first ever visit of India&rsquo;s External Affairs Minister to independent Georgia.</strong></li>
<li>Georgia is <strong>a strategically important country situated at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Queen Ketevan was from Kakheti, a <strong>kingdom in eastern Georgia.</strong></li>
<li>It is believed that, she was <strong>killed in 1624 in Shiraz (modern day Iran)</strong> for <strong>not converting to Islam.</strong></li>
<li>The parts of her remains were brought to Goa by Augustinian monks in 1627.</li>
<li>The relics of the martyred Queen Ketevan were found by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-circles-of-archaeological-survey-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)</strong></a> in 2005 in the ruins of the Church of St. Augustine in Goa.</li>
<li>Many historical, religious and spiritual sentiments of the Georgian people are attached to St. Queen Ketevan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Church of St. Augustine</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Church of St. Augustine is a ruined church complex located in Goa.</li>
<li>The church was completed in 1602 by Augustinian monks who landed in Goa in 1587.</li>
<li>The church was abandoned in 1835 after the Portuguese government of Goa began evicting many religious orders in Goa under its new repressive policies.</li>
<li>The subsequent neglect caused the vault of the church to collapse in 1842.</li>
<li>It is a part of the <strong>Churches and convents of Goa,</strong> which is a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India-Georgia Relations:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Historical Background:</strong> Fables from India&rsquo;s Panchtantra are believed to have influenced the Georgian folk legends.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Those links were further strengthened in medieval ages by missionaries, travelers, and traders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Visit:</strong> India was willing <strong>to do more in terms of investment in Georgia,</strong> which ranks highly in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ease-of-doing-business-rankings-of-the-states-dpiit#:~:text=Ease%20of%20Doing%20Business%20(EODB,implementation%20of%20BRAP%20by%20them." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ease of doing business index.</strong></a> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Georgia<strong> has also applied for <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">EU (European Union)</a> membership,</strong> which, if accepted, would give India another gateway to Europe, and a foothold in the Caucasus.</li>
<li>There is also <strong>a political significance</strong> of this visit, <strong>given the hostile relations between Russia and Georgia.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has given clear signals to Russia that it was not happy with the recent visit of Russia&rsquo;s foreign minister to Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Caucasus</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Mountain system and region<strong> lying between the Black Sea (west) and the Caspian Sea (east)</strong> and occupied by <strong>Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626333160_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626333160_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/relics-of-st-queen-ketevan-to-be-displayed-400-years-after-death/article35306220.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 17 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8868,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'BHIM - UPI Launched in Bhutan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Union Minister of Finance of India</strong> along with her counterpart, the<strong> Finance Minister of Bhutan</strong> has jointly launched <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-transactions-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bharat Interface for Money</a> - <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/upi-20-launched-by-npci" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unified Payments Interface (BHIM-UPI) </a></strong>in<strong> Bhutan.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The payment system was launched by <strong>NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL),</strong> the international arm of <strong>National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI),</strong> in partnership with the <strong>Royal Monetary Authority (RMA)</strong> of Bhutan.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626256178_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626256178_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bhutan is the<strong> first country</strong> to adopt <strong>UPI standards</strong> for its Quick Response (QR) code, and the first country in our immediate neighbourhood to accept mobile based payments through the BHIM App.</li>
<li>It is also the<strong> second country after Singapore</strong> to have <strong>BHIM-UPI acceptance at merchant locations.</strong></li>
<li>Bhutan will also become the<strong> only country to both issue and accept RuPay cards as well as accept BHIM-UPI.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bharat Interface for Money-Unified Payments Interface (BHIM-UPI):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>BHIM is developed by the <strong>National Payment Corporation of India (NPCI).</strong></li>
<li>It is an initiative to enable fast, secure, reliable cashless payments through the mobile phone.</li>
<li>BHIM is based on <strong>Unified Payment Interface (UPI)</strong> to facilitate e-payments directly through banks.</li>
<li>It is interoperable with other Unified Payment Interface (UPI) applications, and bank accounts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Unified Payments Interface (UPI)</strong> is an instant real-time payment system, allowing users to transfer money on a real-time basis, across multiple bank accounts without disclosing details of one&rsquo;s bank account to the other party.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The simple, safe, cost-effective mobile-based payments system has become one of the most prominent forms of digital payments.</li>
<li>The payment infrastructures of the two countries are seamlessly connected and<strong> will benefit a large number of tourists and businessmen from India who travel to Bhutan each year.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will enhance the ease of living and ease of travelling through cashless transactions at the touch of a button.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In 2020, UPI enabled commerce worth USD 457 billion, which is equivalent to approximately 15% of India&rsquo;s GDP.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>RuPay Card Scheme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RuPay is the first-of-its-kind <strong>domestic Debit and Credit Card payment</strong> network of India.</li>
<li>The name, derived from the words &lsquo;Rupee and &lsquo;Payment&rsquo;, emphasises that it is India&rsquo;s very own initiative for Debit and Credit Card payments.</li>
<li>The card can also be used for transactions in Singapore, <strong>Bhutan,</strong> UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>NPCI, an umbrella organisation for operating retail payments and settlement systems in India, is an initiative of<strong> Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong> and <strong>Indian Banks&rsquo; Association (IBA)</strong> under the provisions of the <strong>Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.</strong></li>
<li>It is a<strong> &ldquo;Not for Profit&rdquo; Company</strong> under the provisions of <strong>Section 25 of Companies Act 1956 (now Section 8 of Companies Act 2013),</strong> with an intention to provide infrastructure to the entire Banking system in India for physical as well as electronic payment and settlement systems.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/npci-arm-to-extend-bhim-upi-payments-system-to-bhutan/article35310936.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 18 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8860,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'US Withdrawal And Regional Dynamics ',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/us-troops-withdrawal-from-afghanistan-pakistan-taliban-7401581/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional powers and the Afghanistan question</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 13/07/2021. It talks about the scenarios emerging in Afghanistan and the region after withdrawal of American troops.</p>
</div>
<p>The speedy <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/american-exit-from-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>withdrawal of US troops</strong></a> from Afghanistan has been matched by the swift advance of the Taliban across the nation. While the US has confirmed that 90% of the withdrawal is done, the Taliban has claimed that it is in control of 85% of Afghanistan territory.</p>
<p>These developments have moved <strong>Afghanistan into the court of regional powers</strong> that now have the burden of managing the military vacuum created by the US retreat.</p>
<p>The idea of a regional solution to Afghanistan has always had much political appeal. But <strong>divergent regional strategic perspectives</strong> limit the prospects for a sustainable consensus on Afghanistan.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626174258_pasted%20image 0 (10).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626174258_pasted image 0 (10).png" width="300" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>
<h3>US Withdrawal and Regional Powers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Taliban:</strong> Taliban itself remains a major variable. If the Taliban does not accommodate the interests of all Afghans, it simply sets the stage for the next round of the civil war in Afghanistan. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Taliban is also signalling that it will not be a proxy for anyone else and that it will pursue independent policies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China:</strong> The US withdrawal from Afghanistan today reinforces the strongly held conviction in China that the US is in terminal decline.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The withdrawal, at a time when China is offering an alternative to the Western model of international governance, is seen in China as a great ideological victory.</li>
<li>However, for China, potential Taliban support to the Xinjiang separatist groups is a major concern.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India:</strong> India will have three critical areas in dealing with the Taliban.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Protecting its investments, which run into billions of rupees, in Afghanistan;</li>
<li>Preventing a future Taliban regime from being a pawn of Pakistan;</li>
<li>Making sure that the <strong>Pakistan-backed anti-India terrorist groups do not get support</strong> from the Taliban.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other:</strong> None of the regional countries want to see Afghanistan becoming the nursery of international terror again under the Taliban. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Iran can&rsquo;t ignore the Sunni extremism of the Taliban and its oppressive record in dealing with the Shia, and Persian-speaking minorities.</li>
<li>Pakistan worries about the danger of the conflict spilling over to the east of the <a href="/printpdf/withdrawal-of-us-troops-from-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Durand Line</strong></a>, and hostile groups like the <strong>Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)</strong> gaining sanctuaries in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Approach</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The era of prolonged peace in Afghanistan secured by the US military presence has come to its end. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would mean new constraints on India&rsquo;s ability to operate inside Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three structural conditions</strong> will continue to shape India&rsquo;s Afghan policy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One is India&rsquo;s <strong>lack of direct physical access to Afghanistan.</strong> This underlines the importance of India having effective regional partners.</li>
<li><strong>Pakistan</strong> has the <strong>capability to destabilise any government</strong> in Afghanistan. But it does not have the power to construct a stable and legitimate order in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>The contradiction between the interests of Afghanistan and Pakistan is an enduring one. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pakistan likes to turn Afghanistan into a protectorate, but Afghans deeply value their independence. All Afghan sovereigns, including the Taliban, will look for partners to balance Pakistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India should focus on <strong>intensifying its engagement with various Afghan groups</strong>, including the Taliban and <strong>finding effective regional partners</strong> to secure its interests in a changing Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Use of Multilateral Organisations:</strong> Such as <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-international-institutions-shanghai-cooperation-organisation-sco" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO)</strong> </a>should be used in dealing with the Afghan questions and achieve stability. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geography, membership and capabilities make the SCO an important forum to address the post-American challenges in Afghanistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An <strong>independent, sovereign, democratic, pluralistic and inclusive Afghanistan</strong> is crucial for peace and stability in the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to ensure the same, the Afghan peace process, as stated by India&rsquo;s Afghan policy, should be <strong>Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also, there is a need for the global community to <strong>fight against the global concern of terrorism.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, it high time to adopt the <a href="/printpdf/at-unga-india-call-for-early-adoption-of-ccit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism</strong></a> (proposed by India at UN in 1996).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Admin and Military Reforms:</strong> More militancy is witnessed in the region where the state fails to deliver. Thus, Administrative and military reforms within Afghanistan are the need of the hour to tackle the menace of emerging Taliban 2.0.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The US's exit from Afghanistan has triggered Taliban emergence, geopolitical flux and thus, instability in the region.</li>
<li>As these factors will increasingly push India into a geopolitical tough spot in the region, smart statecraft, therefore, is required to deal with changing dynamics in Afghanistan.</li>
<li>If India remains active and patient too, many opportunities could open up in the new Afghan phase.</li>
</ul>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfcf0;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan has led to emergence of new challenges for the regional powers. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8855,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Vietnam’s First Honorary Consul General in India',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Vietnam has <strong>appointed Honorary Consul General of Vietnam in Bangalore</strong> to promote trade, economics, investment, tourism, educational and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and the State of Karnataka.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Industrialist <strong>N.S. Srinivasa Murthy</strong> based in Bengaluru has been appointed as Honorary Consul General of Vietnam for Karnataka.</li>
<li>He is the <strong>first honorary consul general of Vietnam from India.</strong> The appointment is for a <strong>period of three years.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626165218_pasted%20image 0 (6).png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1626165218_pasted image 0 (6).png" width="350" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India-Vietnam Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>History of Cultural Ties: <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-vietnam-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cultural</a></strong> and economic links between India and Vietnam date back to the 2<sup>nd</sup> century. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both the countries have agreed to have various commemorative activities in the <strong>year 2022, to mark the 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations</strong> between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Anti-Imperialist Struggle:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Even before official diplomatic ties were established in 1972, India <strong>supported <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-vietnam-relations-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vietnam's</a> anti-colonial struggle</strong> during its independence movement.</li>
<li>During the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> period, India supported Hanoi&rsquo;s &ldquo;Four Points&rdquo; for resolving the <strong>Vietnam conflict</strong> (American war in Vietnam).</li>
<li>India also supported Vietnam during the <strong>Kampuchea crisis (Cambodian&ndash;Vietnamese War) i</strong>n the late 1970s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Look East Policy:</strong> The relationship was further strengthened when India, in the early 1990s, initiated its <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Look East Policy&rdquo;</strong></a> with the specific objective of <strong>economic integration and political cooperation</strong> with Southeast Asia and East Asia.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2014, the 'Look East Policy' was <strong>graduated into an 'Act East Policy'.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP):</strong> The strategic partnership was elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership in 2016, given the new security challenges of the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sale of military equipment to Vietnam:</strong> Negotiations for four large patrol vessels and <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/brahmos-missile" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BrahMos</a> short-range cruise missiles</strong> are going on.</li>
<li><strong>Training Vietnam's armed forces in military equipment:</strong> Kilo-class submarines &amp; Sukhoi aircraft.</li>
<li><strong>Military exercises:</strong> VINBAX, IN-VPN BILAT.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Geostrategic Convergence:</strong> India and Vietnam have their <strong>shared apprehension of an aggressive China.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China's virtually claiming the whole <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/south-china-sea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South China Sea</strong> </a>as its territory and its assertiveness in the Indian Ocean.</li>
<li>China <strong>complained about Indian cooperation for the exploration for oil in Vietnamese waters, especially in light of the disputed political status of the Spratly Islands.</strong></li>
<li>India and Vietnam have agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership &ldquo;in line with India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-vietnam-relations-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)</strong></a> and the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asean-summit-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN&rsquo;s</a> Outlook on Indo-Pacific</strong> to achieve shared security, prosperity and growth for all in the region.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Vietnam closely cooperate in various regional forums such as <strong>ASEAN, East Asia Summit, Mekong Ganga Cooperation</strong>, besides UN and WTO.</li>
<li>Vietnam has supported India's bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council and join the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Trade and economic relations for mutual benefit, which have significantly improved over the years particularly after the <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/a-note-on-free-trade-agreements-and-their-costs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN- India Free Trade Agreement</strong> </a>was signed.</li>
<li>India is now among the top ten trading partners of Vietnam.</li>
<li>India is <strong>investing in development and capacity assistance</strong> for Vietnam through quick impact projects (QIP), proposals in the area of water resource management in Vietnam&rsquo;s Mekong Delta region, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and digital connectivity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Science and Technology Cooperation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Vietnam have signed the <strong>Framework Agreement</strong> on cooperation in:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes, IT cooperation, <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cyber Security</a>.</strong></li>
<li>Uses of Atomic Energy for Peaceful Purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Vietnam has been a large recipient of training programs under <strong>Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC)</strong> programs.</li>
<li>A proposal to set up a <strong>Centre for Satellite Tracking and Data Reception</strong> and an <strong>Imaging facility in Vietnam </strong>under<strong> ASEAN-India Cooperation mechanism</strong> is under consideration.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Coordination:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Global Level:</strong> Keeping in mind the strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, primarily those posed by China, India and Vietnam should work in close coordination at multilateral institutions such as the UN Security Council, where both India and Vietnam are elected to be <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elections-for-non-permanent-members-of-the-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>non-permanent members</strong></a> in 2021.</li>
<li><strong>Regional Level:</strong> Vietnam&rsquo;s role in ASEAN may make it easier for India and ASEAN to cooperate more on regional security issues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Some of the big powers within ASEAN like Indonesia are also likely to take stronger positions against China given its aggressive posture in the South China sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Front:</strong> Both Countries need to leverage the economic opportunities available because of anti-China sentiments and several manufacturing firms deciding to shift from China.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India should figure out a strategy, so that India&rsquo;s stance of not joining <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rcep-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>RCEP</strong></a> should not become a barrier in the growth of trade between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expedite Defence Deals:</strong> Both Countries should expedite the process of negotiations for finalisation of defence deals.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This assumes more importance for India after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan valley Clash</strong></a> &amp; China&rsquo;s disrespecting international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vietnam-appoints-first-honorary-counsel-general-in-india/article35252706.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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