Governor (Part - III)

Part - I and Part - II

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Methane Alert and Response System

For Prelims: Methane Alert and Response System, Conference of Parties, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Methane Gas, Related Initiatives

For Mains: Global and National Initiatives to Cut Methane Emission, Methane Gas

Why in News?

Recently the United Nations (UN) has decided to set up a satellite-based monitoring system “MARS: Methane Alert and Response System” for tracking methane emissions and alerting governments and corporations to respond.

• The MARS initiative is intended to strengthen the efforts to cut methane emissions.

What is Methane Alert and Response System (MARS)?

• About:
  • The MARS was launched at the 27^th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
  • The data-to-action platform was set up as part of the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) strategy to get policy-relevant data into the right hands for emissions mitigation.
  • The system will be the first publicly available global system to connect methane detection to notification processes transparently.
• Objectives:
  • MARS will integrate data from a large number of existing and future satellites that have the ability to detect methane emission events anywhere in the world, and send out notifications to the relevant stakeholders to act on it.
  • MARS will track the large point emission sources, mainly in the fossil fuel industry, but with time, would be able to detect emissions from coal, waste, livestock and rice fields as well.

Why do we Need to Cut Methane Emissions?

• About Methane:
  • Methane is a colourless and odourless gas that occurs abundantly in nature and as a product of certain human activities.
  • Methane is the simplest member of the paraffin series of hydrocarbons and is among the most potent of the greenhouse gases.
• Concerns Regarding Methane:
  • Methane is the second-most common of the six major greenhouse gases, but is far more dangerous than carbon dioxide in its potential to cause global warming.
  • Accounting for about 17% of the current global greenhouse gas emissions, methane is blamed for having caused at least 25%- 30% of temperature rise since the pre-industrial times.
  • It accounts for a small portion of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions compared to carbon dioxide. But it is thought to be 80 times more efficient than carbon dioxide at trapping atmospheric heat in the 20 years following its release.

What are the Initiatives to Cut Methane Emission?

• Global:
  • Global Methane Pledge:
    • At the Glasgow climate conference (UNFCCC COP 26) in 2021, nearly 100 countries had come together in a voluntary pledge, referred to as the Global Methane Pledge, to cut methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030 from the 2020 levels.
    • More countries have joined in this initiative since then, bringing the total to nearly 130.
    • A 30% reduction in methane emissions by 2030 is expected to result in avoiding 0.2 degree rise in temperature by the year 2050, and is considered absolutely essential in the global efforts to keep the temperature increase below the 1.5 degree Celsius target.
  • Global Methane Initiative (GMI):
    • It is an international public-private partnership focused on reducing barriers to the recovery and use of methane as a clean energy source.
    • GMI provides technical support to deploy methane-to-energy projects around the world that enable Partner Countries to launch methane recovery and use projects.
    • India is a partner country.
• National:
  • ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD):
    • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed an anti-methanogenic feed supplement ‘Harit Dhara’, which can cut down cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and can also result in higher milk production.
  • India Greenhouse Gas Program:
    • The India GHG Program led by World Resources Institute (WRI) India (non-profit organization), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) is an industry-led voluntary framework to measure and manage greenhouse gas emissions.
    • The programme builds comprehensive measurement and management strategies to reduce emissions and drive more profitable, competitive and sustainable businesses and organisations in India.
  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC):
    • NAPCC was launched in 2008 which aims at creating awareness among the representatives of the public, different agencies of the government, scientists, industry and the communities on the threat posed by climate change and the steps to counter it.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q1. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? (2019)

1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

Exp:

• Methane hydrate is a crystalline solid that consists of a methane molecule surrounded by a cage of interlocking water molecules. It is an “ice” that only occurs naturally in subsurface deposits where temperature and pressure conditions are favourable for its formation.
• Regions with suitable temperature and pressure conditions for the formation and stability of methane hydrate– sediment and sedimentary rock units below the Arctic permafrost; sedimentary deposits along continental margins; deep-water sediments of inland lakes and seas; and, under Antarctic ice. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
• Methane hydrates, the sensitive sediments, can rapidly dissociate with an increase in temperature or a decrease in pressure. The dissociation produces free methane and water, which can be triggered by global warming. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
• Methane is removed from the atmosphere in about 9 to 12-year period by oxidation reaction where it is converted into Carbon Dioxide. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Q2. Consider the following: (2019)

1. Carbon monoxide
2. Methane
3. Ozone
4. Sulphur dioxide

Which of the above are released into atmosphere due to the burning of crop/biomass residue?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Ans: (d)

Exp:

• Biomass is organic material that comes from plants and animals, and it is a renewable source of energy.
• Biomass contains stored energy from the Sun. Plants absorb the Sun’s energy in a process called photosynthesis. When biomass is burned, the chemical energy in biomass is released as heat.
• Crop residue and biomass burning (forest fires) is considered as a major source of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Methane (CH₄), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOX). Burning of rice crop residue releases Suspended Particulate Matter, SO₂, NO₂ and O₃ in the atmosphere.
• Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

---

Mains

Q1. Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (2021)

Q2. Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (2021)

Source: IE

Jawaharlal Nehru

For Prelims: Home Rule League, Indian National Congress, Quit India Movement.

For Mains: Significance and contribution of Jawaharlal Nehru in national freedom struggle.

Why in News?

India is celebrating Children's Day on 14^th November 2022 to commemorate the 133^rd birth anniversary of the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

• World Children’s Day is celebrated on 20^th November each year.

Who was Jawaharlal Nehru?

• About:
  • Birth: 14^th November 1889 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.
  • Father’s Name: Motilal Nehru (a lawyer who held the office of Indian National Congress as President two times.)
  • Mother’s Name: Swarup Rani
• Brief Profile:
  • Author, politician, social activist, and lawyer who rose to prominence as the face of Indian national movement against British rule of India.
• Education:
  • Nehru received his education at home from English governesses and tutors until the age of 16.
  • He attended Harrow, a prestigious English school, in 1905, where he spent two years.
  • He spent three years at Trinity College in Cambridge where he earned a degree in natural science.
  • He qualified as a barrister from the Inner Temple, London.
• Return:
  • In 1912, when he returned to India, he immediately entered in to politics.
• Contribution in Indian Freedom Movement:
  • Nehru participated in the Bankipore Congress as a delegate in 1912.
  • In 1916, he joined Annie Besant’s Home Rule League.
    • He became Secretary of the Home Rule League, Allahabad in 1919.
  • When the Non-Cooperation Movement began in 1920, he interacted with Mahatma Gandhi and joined the national independence movement.
  • In 1921, he was detained on suspicion of engaging in anti-government activity.
  • Nehru was appointed as General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee in September 1923.
  • Since 1927, he has twice served as the general secretary of the Congress party.
  • Nehru was lathi-charged in Lucknow in 1928 while leading a protest against the Simon Commission.
  • Nehru was elected as president of the Lahore Session of Indian National Congress in 1929.
    • Nehru advocated for India's complete independence in this session.
  • In 1929-31, he drafted a resolution called Fundamental Rights and Economic Policy, which outlined the congress's main goals and the nation's future.
    • The resolution was ratified by the Congress party during the Karachi Session in 1931, which was presided over by Saradar Vallabhai Patel.
  • He participated in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and was put in jail.
  • Nehru became a more prominent leader within the Congress and grew close to Mahatma Gandhi.
  • In 1936, he presided over the Lucknow session of the Indian National Congress.
  • Nehru was arrested for attempting to organize an individual satyagraha to oppose India's forced participation in the war.
  • He took part in the civil disobedience movement in 1940, for which he received a four-year jail term.
  • Nehru introduced the historic 'Quit India' movement at the All-India Congress Committee session in Bombay in 1942.
  • Nehru along with other leaders was arrested on August 8, 1942 and taken to Ahmednagar Fort.
  • He was released in 1945 and went on to arrange legal defence for officers and troops accused with disloyalty in the Indian National Army (INA).
  • He was chosen to serve as the president of Indian National Congress fourth time in 1946.
  • To recommend a strategy for the transfer of power, the Cabinet Mission was dispatched to India in 1946.
    • An interim government headed by Jawaharlal Nehru as Prime Minister was formed.
  • On August 15, 1947, India attained independence but also suffered the pain of partition.
• First Prime Minister of India:
  • A princely state must join in the constituent assembly, according to Nehru, who also affirms that there would be no princely states in an independent India.
  • He assigned Vallabhbai Patel to oversee the effective integration of the states.
  • India became a sovereign democratic republic on January 26, 1950, when the new Indian Constitution came into effect.
  • In order to divide up states according to languages, Jawaharlal Nehru created the states reorganization committee in 1953.
  • In addition to promoting democratic socialism, he promoted India's industrialization by carrying out the first five-year plans.
  • The Non-alignment movement (NAM) is regarded as his greatest geopolitical accomplishment.
    • India decided to not align with any superpower during the cold war era after World War II.
  • His final term as prime minister was troubled by the Sino-Indian War, 1962.
  • He promoted democratic socialism during his 17 years as prime minister, highlighting the necessity for India to attain both democracy and socialism.
  • His internal policies were founded on the four tenets of democracy, socialism, unification, and secularism. He was able to incorporate these pillars into the construction of new independent India.
• Books Written: The Discovery of India, Glimpses of World History, An Autobiography, Letters from a Father to His Daughter.
• Death: 27^th May 1964.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q1. For the Karachi Session of Indian National Congress in 1931 presided over by Sardar Patel, who drafted the Resolution on Fundamental Rights and Economic Programme? (2010)

(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Dr. Rajendra Prasad 
(d) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Ans: (b)

Q2. In the ‘Individual Satyagraha’, Vinoba Bhave was chosen as the first Satyagrahi. Who was the second? (2009)

(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(b) Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) C. Rajagopalachari 
(d) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Ans: (b)

Source: HT

India-US Economic and Financial Partnership Meet

For Prelims: India-US Relations, Indo-Pacific Strategy

For Mains: Bilateral Groupings & Agreements, Indo-Pacific Region, India US Relations - Challenges and Areas of Cooperation

Why in News?

Recently, the 9^th Ministerial meeting of the India-US Economic and Financial Partnership was held.

• The Indian delegation was led by the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs and the USA delegation was led by the Treasury Secretary.

What are the Key Highlights of the Meet?

• Efforts to Increase Climate Ambition:
  • Both countries shared the re-energized global efforts to increase climate ambition as well as respective domestic efforts to meet publicly expressed climate goals.
• Macroeconomic Challenges:
  • In the context of the conflict in Ukraine, both discussed the current headwinds to the global macroeconomic outlook including increased commodity and energy prices as well as supply side disruptions, and reemphasized their commitment to the central role of multilateral cooperation in addressing these global macroeconomic challenges.
• Multilateral Development Banks:
  • They acknowledged the importance of working through MDBS to help India access and mobilize available financing to support development objectives, including climate action.
  • Both plan to continue engaging on these and other global economic issues multilaterally and bilaterally.
• Equal Debt Treatment:
  • Both sides affirmed their commitment to debt sustainability, transparency in bilateral lending, and coordinating closely on extending fair and equal debt treatment to countries facing debt distress.
• G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment:
  • Both reiterated commitment to step efforts to implement the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatment in a predictable, timely, orderly and coordinated manner.
• Collective Quantified Goal:
  • Both agreed to mobilize USD 100 billion every year till 2025 from public and private sources for developing countries, in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation.
  • The countries also discussed mutual collaboration in sharing of information to tackle offshore tax evasion.
• Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act:
  • The two sides will continue to engage in discussions relating to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) for sharing of financial account information.

How have been India’s Relations with the US?

• About:
  • The U.S.-India strategic partnership is founded on shared values including a commitment to democracy and upholding the rules-based international system.
  • The United States and India have shared interests in promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity through trade, investment, and connectivity.
  • The United States supports India’s emergence as a leading global power and a vital partner in efforts to safeguard the Indo-Pacific as a region of peace, stability, and growing prosperity.
• Economic Relations:
  • In 2021, overall U.S.-India bilateral trade in goods and services reached a record USD 157 billion.
  • The United States is India’s largest trading partner and most important export market.
  • America is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus. In 2021-22, India had a trade surplus of USD 32.8 billion with the US.
• International Cooperations:
  • India and the United States cooperate closely at multilateral organizations, including the United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
  • The United States welcomed India joining the UN Security Council in 2021 for a two-year term and supports a reformed UN Security Council that includes India as a permanent member.
  • Together with Australia and Japan, the United States and India convene as the Quad to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific and provide tangible benefits to the region.
  • India is also one of twelve countries partnering with the United States on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
  • India is a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), at which the United States is a dialogue partner.
  • In 2021, the United States joined the International Solar Alliance headquartered in India, and in 2022 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

What are the Associated Challenges of India-US Ties?

• Tariff Imposition: In 2018, the US imposed a 25% tariff on certain steel products and a 10% tariff on certain aluminum products from India.
  • India retaliated in June 2019, by increasing tariffs on 28 products worth about USD 1.2 billion on US imports.
    • However, after the imposition of the Section 232 tariffs, steel exports to the US declined by 46% year-on-year.
• Misunderstanding Self-Reliance as Protectionism: The Atmanirbhar Bharat Campaign has exacerbated the view that India is increasingly becoming a protectionist closed market economy.
• Exemption from US’ Generalised System of Preferences: Effective since June 2019, the USA decided to withdraw duty-free benefits to Indian exporters under the GSP programme.
  • Consequently, special duty treatment on USD 5.6 billion worth of exports to the US was removed, affecting India's export-oriented sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, agricultural products and automotive parts.
• US’ Hostility towards Other Countries:
  • Some of the differences between India and the US are not direct consequences of India-US relationship but due to US’ hostility towards third countries like Iran and Russia – the traditional allies of India.
  • The other issues that are challenging India-US relationship include India’ ties with Iran and India’s purchase of S-400 from Russia.
  • The US' call for India to distance itself from Russia may have a far-reaching consequence to South Asia’s status quo.
• US’ policy in Afghanistan:
  • India is also concerned over the US’ policy in Afghanistan as it is jeopardizing India’s security and interest in the region.

Way Forward

• The unparalleled Demographic Dividend provides enormous opportunities for the US and Indian firms for technology transfer, manufacturing, trade and investment.
• India is emerging as a leading player in an international system that is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. It shall use its present situation to explore opportunities to further its vital interests.
• India and the US are strategic partners today in the true sense of the term - a partnership among mature major powers that is not seeking a complete convergence but managing differences by ensuring a continuous dialogue and channelling these differences into crafting new opportunities.
• Russia’s increased alignment with China as a result of the Ukraine crisis only complicates India’s ability to rely on Russia as it balances China. Hence, continuing cooperation in other security areas is in both countries’ interests.
• Space governance will become central to the US-India bilateral relationship, driven by mutual concern about the increasing space capabilities of the Chinese Army.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples. (2019)

Source: PIB

Asian Conference on Diarrhoeal Disease and Nutrition

For Prelims: Diarrhoea, Diarrhoea, Cholera, Typhoid, Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) Solution, Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF), Integrated Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD), Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) Campaign, Rotavirus Vaccine Drive.

For Mains: Government Initiatives for Diarrhoeal Diseases.

Why in News?

Recently, Union Minister addressed 16^th Asian Conference on Diarrhoeal Disease and Nutrition (ASCODD) at Kolkata. Delegates from India and other South East Asian countries, African countries, US, European countries joined the conference virtually.

What are the Key Highlights of the Conference?

• The theme of the ASCODD was “Prevention and control of cholera, typhoid and other enteric diseases in low and middle-income countries through community participation: beyond the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic”.
• The conference program focuses on the latest issues in enteric infections, nutrition, policy, and Practice including roadmap to end Cholera by 2030, Cholera vaccine development and rapid diagnostics, contemporary perspectives of antimicrobial resistance of enteric bacteria: new Initiatives and challenges, enteric bacterial infections, including Shigella spp, epidemiology, burden, and vaccines against other viral infections, including Hepatitis, lessons learned about diarrhoea research during the COVID pandemic.
• Indian initiatives under Digital India initiative such as Online Registration System, eHospital for hospital management, eSanjeevani telemedicine app were highlighted.

What is Diarrhoeal Disease?

• About:
  • Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day (or more frequent passage than is normal for the individual).
  • The most severe threat posed by diarrhoea is dehydration.
    • During a diarrhoeal episode, water and electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium and bicarbonate) are lost through liquid stools, vomit, sweat, urine and breathing.
    • Dehydration occurs when these losses are not replaced.
• Statistics:
  • Diarrhoeal disease is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old.
    • Each year diarrhoea kills around 525,000 children under five.
  • Globally, there are nearly 1.7 billion cases of childhood diarrhoeal disease every year.
• Clinical Types:
  • Acute Watery Diarrhoea – lasts several hours or days, and includes cholera;
  • Acute Bloody Diarrhoea – also called dysentery; and
  • Persistent Diarrhoea – lasts 14 days or longer.
• Causes:
  • Infection: Diarrhoea can be caused by bacterial infections such as cholera and typhoid, or by viral and parasitic organisms, most of which are spread by faeces-contaminated water.
  • Malnutrition: Children who die from diarrhoea often suffer from underlying malnutrition, which makes them more vulnerable to diarrhoea.
  • Contaminated Food and Water: Contamination with human faeces, for example, from sewage, septic tanks and latrines, is of particular concern. Animal faeces also contain microorganisms that can cause diarrhoea.
• Prevention:
  • Access to safe drinking-water;
  • Use of improved sanitation;
  • Hand washing with soap;
  • Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life;
  • Good personal and food hygiene;
  • Health education about how infections spread; and
  • Rotavirus vaccination.
• Treatment:
  • Rehydration with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS): ORS is a mixture of clean water, salt and sugar. It costs a few cents per treatment. ORS is absorbed in the small intestine and replaces the water and electrolytes lost in the faeces.
  • Zinc Supplements: Zinc supplements reduce the duration of a diarrhoea episode by 25% and are associated with a 30% reduction in stool volume.
  • Rehydration with Intravenous Fluids: This is done in case of severe dehydration or shock.
  • Nutrient-rich Foods: The vicious circle of malnutrition and diarrhoea can be broken by continuing to give nutrient-rich foods – including breast milk – during an episode, and by giving a nutritious diet – including exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life – to children when they are well.
  • Consulting a Health Professional: For management of persistent diarrhoea or when there is blood in stool or if there are signs of dehydration.

What are the Related Initiatives by India?

• Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF): To increase awareness about use of ORS and Zinc in diarrhoea, ICDF is being observed during pre-monsoon/ monsoon season, with the aim of ‘zero child deaths due to childhood diarrhoea’ since 2014.
• Integrated Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD): In 2014, India launched the Integrated Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia and Diarrhoea (IAPPD) to undertake collaborative efforts towards prevention of diarrhoea and pneumonia-related under-five deaths.
• Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): It was launched by the government in 1985 and prevents mortality and morbidity in children and pregnant women against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases including pneumonia and diarrhoea.
• Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) Campaign: It seeks to reduce child mortality due to pneumonia, which contributes to around 15% of deaths of children under the age of five annually.
• Rotavirus Vaccine Drive: In 2019, the government of India launched a rotavirus vaccine drive across all states and Union Territories, which was an unprecedented national scale-up of the rotavirus vaccine.

Source: PIB

19th ASEAN-India Summit

For Prelims: ASEAN, Act East Policy, ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific

For Mains: Significance of ASEAN for India, India-ASEAN Areas of Cooperation

Why in News?

Recently, the Vice President of India attended the 19^th ASEAN-India Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

What are the Highlights of the Meeting?

• Act East Policy:
  • India hailed the deep cultural, economic and civilizational ties that have existed between India and South East Asia from time immemorial and stated that the India-ASEAN relationship forms the central pillar of India's ACT-EAST policy.
  • India reiterated its support to ASEAN centrality in the Indo-Pacific.
• Comprehensive Strategic Partnership:
  • ASEAN and India adopted a joint statement announcing the elevation of the existing Strategic Partnership to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
  • It reiterated the commitment to enhance India-ASEAN cooperation in various areas such as maritime activities, counter-terrorism, cyber security, digital economy, environment, science & technology, tourism, among other areas.
  • It proposes expediting the review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) to make it more user-friendly, simple, and trade-facilitative.
• Peace and Security:
  • Both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Deepening Dialogue and Coordination:
  • As part of maintaining “ASEAN-Centrality”, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of deepening dialogue and coordination through ASEAN-led mechanisms including the ASEAN-India Summit, the East Asia Summit, the Post-Ministerial Conference with India (PMC+1), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).

What is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations?

• About:
  • It is a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation.
  • It was established in August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
  • Its chairmanship rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.
  • ASEAN countries have a total population of 650 million people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 2.8 trillion.
• Members:
  • ASEAN brings together ten Southeast Asian states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – into one organisation.

How has Been the ASEAN-India Relations?

• About:
  • ASEAN is considered one of the most influential groupings in Southeast Asia.
  • India and several other countries, including the US, China, Japan and Australia, are its dialogue partners.
  • The ASEAN-India dialogue relations started with the establishment of a sectoral partnership in 1992.
  • This graduated to full dialogue partnership in December 1995 and summit-level partnership in 2002.
  • Traditionally the basis of India-ASEAN ties has been trade and people-to-people ties due to shared historical and cultural roots, a more recent and urgent area of convergence has been balancing China’s rise.
    • Both India and ASEAN aim to establish a rules-based security architecture for peaceful development in the region, in contrast to China’s aggressive policies.
• Areas of Cooperation:
  • Economic Cooperation:
    • ASEAN is India’s 4th largest trading partner.
    • India signed FTA (Free Trade Agreement) in goods in 2009 and an FTA in services and investments in 2014 with ASEAN.
      • Since the FTA came into effect, the trade between them has almost doubled to reach over USD 87 billion in 2019-20 and then declined to USD 79 billion in 2020-21 due to pandemic-driven slowdown.
    • India has a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with various countries of the ASEAN region which has resulted in concessional trade and a rise in investments.
    • Commodity trade between India and ASEAN region has reached USD 98.39 billion in the period April 2021- February 2022.
    • India’s main trading ties are with Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand.
  • Political Cooperation:
    • ASEAN-India Centre (AIC) was established to undertake policy research, advocacy and networking activities with organizations and think-tanks in India and ASEAN.
  • Financial Assistance:
    • India provides financial assistance to the ASEAN nations through various mechanism like ASEAN-India Cooperation Fund, ASEAN-India S&T Development Fund and ASEAN-India Green Fund.
  • Connectivity:
    • India has been undertaking several connectivity projects like India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral (IMT) Highway and the Kaladan Multimodal Project.
    • India is also trying to establish a Maritime Transportation Agreement with ASEAN and also Plans for a Railway link between New Delhi in India to Hanoi in Vietnam.
  • Socio-Cultural Cooperation:
    • Programmes to boost People-to-People Interaction with ASEAN are organized, such as inviting ASEAN students to India, Special Training Course for ASEAN diplomats, Exchange of Parliamentarians, etc.
  • Defence Cooperation:
    • Joint Naval and Military exercises are conducted between India and most ASEAN countries.
      • The maiden Asean-India Maritime Exercise will be held in 2023.
      • Watershed’ Military Exercise held in 2016.
    • Vietnam has traditionally been a close friend on defense issues, Singapore is also an equally important partner.

What is the Significance of ASEAN for India?

• India needs a close diplomatic relationship with ASEAN nations both for economic and security reasons.
• Connectivity with the ASEAN nations can allow India to improve its presence in the region.
  • These connectivity projects keep Northeast India at the centre, ensuring the economic growth of the northeastern states.
• Improved trade ties with the ASEAN nations would mean a counter to China’s presence in the region and economic growth and development for India.
• ASEAN occupies a centralised position in the rules-based security architecture in the Indo-Pacific, which is vital for India since most of its trade is dependent on maritime security.
• Collaboration with the ASEAN nations is necessary to counter insurgency in the Northeast, combat terrorism, tax evasions etc.

Way Forward

• ASEAN and India must reinforce the trade and investment relations.
  • India’s trade with ASEAN has grown faster than India’s trade with the world. India faces significant non-tariff barriers in ASEAN that also limit its export with the ASEAN.
• Current engagement in value chains between ASEAN and India is not substantial. ASEAN and India can leverage the emerging scenario and support each other to build new and resilient supply chains. However, to explore this opportunity, ASEAN and India must upgrade their skilling, improve logistics services and strengthen the transportation infrastructure.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q1. Consider the following countries: (2018)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. China
4. India
5. Japan
6. USA

Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?

(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5
(b) 3, 4, 5 and 6
(c) 1, 3, 4 and 5 
(d) 2, 3, 4 and 6

Ans: (c)

Q2. The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as (2016)

(a) G20
(b) ASEAN
(c) SCO
(d) SAARC

Ans: (b)

Exp:

• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the five countries (Australia, China, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand) with which ASEAN has existing FTAs.
• Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Q3. In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not a participant/ participants? (2015)

1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 3
(d) 1, 2 and 5

Ans: (c)

---

Mains

Q. Evaluate the economic and strategic dimensions of India’s Look East Policy in the context of the post-Cold War international scenario. (2016)

Source: TH

Rising Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing

For Prelims: Exclusive Economic Zone, Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

For Mains: India’s Fisheries Sector and related initiatives

Why in News?

During the first half of this year, Indian Navy vessels monitored more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels in the Indian Ocean, despite growing Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

• Most of the illegal activity is found in the Northern Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
• International Day for the Fight against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing is organized every year on 5^th June.

What is Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU)?

• IUU fishing is a broad term that captures a wide variety of fishing activity.
• IUU fishing is found in all types and dimensions of fisheries; it occurs both on the high seas and in areas within national jurisdiction.
• It concerns all aspects and stages of the capture and utilisation of fish, and it may sometimes be associated with organized crime.
• IUU fishing undermines national and regional efforts to conserve and manage fish stocks and, as a consequence, inhibits progress towards achieving the goals of long-term sustainability and responsibility.

What is the State of India’s Fisheries Sector?

• Indian Scenario:
  • India is the second largest fish producing country in the world accounting for 7.56% of global production and contributing about 1.24% to the country’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and over 7.28% to the agricultural GVA.
  • India aims to achieve a target of producing 22 million metric tonnes of fish by 2024-25.
  • The sector is recognized as a powerful engine for providing employment to 14.5 million people and sustaining livelihood for the 28 million fishermen community of the country.
  • The fisheries sector has witnessed three major transformations in the last few years:
    • The growth of inland aquaculture, specifically freshwater aquaculture.
    • The mechanization of capture fisheries.
    • The successful commencement of brackish water shrimp aquaculture.
• Related Initiatives:
  • Fishing Harbours:
    • The development of five major Fishing Harbours (Kochi, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Petuaghat) as hubs of economic activity.
  • Seaweed Park:
    • Multipurpose seaweed park in Tamil Nadu would be the center of production for quality seaweed-based products, developed on a hub and spoke model.
  • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana:
    • It strives to create direct employment to 15 lakh fishers, fish farmers, etc. and about thrice this number as indirect employment opportunities.
    • It also aims to double the incomes of fishers, fish farmers and fish workers by 2024.
  • Palk Bay Scheme:
    • The Scheme, “Diversification of Trawl Fishing Boats from Palk Straits into Deep Sea Fishing Boats” was launched in 2017 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
      • It was launched as part of the umbrella Blue Revolution Scheme.
  • Marine Fisheries Bill, 2021:
    • The Bill proposes to only grant licenses to vessels registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, to fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

What are the Initiatives taken to tackle the Issue of Illegal Mining?

• Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA):
  • In May, 2022, recognising the impact of IUU fishing which can lead to the depletion of fish stocks affecting marine ecology, the Quad members announced a major regional effort under the ambit of Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA).
  • It aims to provide a more accurate maritime picture of “near-real-time” activities in the region.
  • It (IPMDA) is expected to catalyse joint efforts of India and other Quad partners towards addressing IUU in the Indo-Pacific region.
• IFC-IOR:
  • The Indian Navy's Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC) in Gurugram and the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) co-located with it monitor all vessel movements on the high seas.
  • IFC-IOR has been collaborating with other regional monitoring centres across the globe to enhance maritime safety and security, including efforts to monitor IUU.
• UNCLOS:
  • As per United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal nations are responsible for addressing IUU fishing issues within their respective EEZ.
  • Under UNCLOS, regional fisheries management organizations such as the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission and Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement monitor IUU fishing on the high seas.
• The Cape Town Agreement:
  • The 2012 Cape Town Agreement is an internationally-binding instrument that sets minimum requirements on the design, construction, equipment, and inspection of fishing vessels of 24 meters in length and over or equivalent in gross tons.
    • India is not a signatory of the agreement.
• Agreement on Ports State Measures:
  • The objective of this Agreement is to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing through the implementation of effective port State measures, and thereby to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of living marine resources and marine ecosystems.
    • India is not a signatory of the agreement.
• International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing:
  • The General Assembly of the United Nations (UNGA) declared 5^th June the International Day for the Fight against IUU Fishing at its seventy-second session in November 2017.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Defining blue revolution, explain the problems and strategies for pisciculture development in India. (2018)

Source: PIB

Dengue

Why in News?

According to a study, the ongoing spread of Dengue in India has been attributed to a late withdrawal of monsoon.

• Dengue transmission is closely associated with three key factors — rainfall, humidity and temperature — which dictate the geographies in which dengue spreads and the transmission rate.

What are the Highlights of the Study?

• In India, the number of months suitable for dengue transmission by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes has risen to 5.6 months each year.
  • It accounts for a 1.69% increase between 1951-1960 and 2012-2021.
• The study projected “expansion of Aedes aegypti in the hot arid regions of the Thar Desert and Aedes albopictus in cold upper Himalayas as a result of future climatic changes.
  • Dengue spreads through the bite of two mosquitoes — Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus.
    • Currently, Aedes aegypti is prevalent in the southern peninsula, eastern coastline, north-eastern states and the northern plains.
    • Aedes albopictus dominates the eastern and western coastlines, north-eastern states and the lower Himalayas.

What is Dengue?

• About:
  • Dengue is a mosquito-borne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus (Genus Flavivirus), transmitted by several species of female mosquito within the genus Aedes, principally Aedes aegypti.
    • This mosquito also transmits chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika infection.
  • There are 4 distinct, but closely related, serotypes (separate groups within a species of microorganisms that all share a similar characteristic) of the virus that cause dengue (DEN-1, DEN-2, DEN-3 and DEN-4).
• Symptoms:
  • Sudden high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, severe bone, joint, and muscle pain, etc.
• Diagnosis and Treatment:
  • Diagnosis of dengue infection is done with a blood test.
  • There is no specific medicine to treat dengue infection.
• Status of Dengue:
  • Incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the world in recent decades, with a vast majority of cases under-reported, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • WHO estimates 39 crore dengue virus infections per year, of which 9.6 crore show symptoms.
  • According to data shared by the National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control, India recorded 63,280 dengue cases as of September, 2022
• Controlling Dengue Using Bacteria:
  • Recently researchers from the World Mosquito Program have used mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria to successfully control dengue in Indonesia.
  • Method:
    • The scientists infected some mosquitoes with Wolbachia and then released them in the city where they bred with local mosquitoes, until nearly all mosquitoes in the area were carrying Wolbachia bacteria. This is called the Population Replacement Strategy.
    • At the end of 27 months, the researchers found that the incidence of dengue was 77% lower in areas where Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes had been released, as compared to areas without such deployments.
• Dengue Vaccine:
  • The dengue vaccine CYD-TDV or Dengvaxia was approved by the US Food & Drug Administration in 2019, the first dengue vaccine to get the regulatory nod in the US.
    • Dengvaxia is basically a live, attenuated dengue virus which has to be administered in people of ages 9 to 16 who have laboratory-confirmed previous dengue infection and who live in endemic areas.
  • Vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) is developing India's first Dengue vaccine and has received permission for a Phase-1 trial.
    • The vaccine is being produced in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health in the US.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. Which of the following diseases can be transmitted from one person to another through tattooing? (2013)

1. Chikungunya
2. Hepatitis B
3. HIV-AIDS

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only 
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

• The problem of transfusion-transmitted diseases (TTD) is directly proportionate to the prevalence of the infection in the blood donor community.
• Several infectious diseases have been found to be associated with tattooing, including some TTDs.
• Hepatitis B virus is spread when blood, semen, or other body fluid infected with the hepatitis B virus enters the body of a person who is not infected. Hence, 2 is correct.
• HIV-AIDS spreads only through certain body fluids from a person who has HIV. These fluids are blood, semen, pre-seminal fluids, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It is transmitted by sexual intercourse or sharing injection, drug equipment, such as needles, etc. Hence, 3 is correct.
• Chikungunya virus is transmitted from people to people through mosquito bites, most often by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These are the same mosquitoes that transmit dengue virus. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on a person already infected with the virus. It is not a TTD. Hence, 1 is not correct. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Source: DTE

Afzal Khan Tomb

Why in News?

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has sought reports from the Maharashtra government on the demolition drive conducted around the tomb of Afzal Khan.

• The court stated that these reports should indicate the nature of the structures and whether due process was followed in removing the alleged unauthorized structures.
• The Maharashtra government stated that the demolition drive was over and illegal structures built on government and forest land were razed.

What is the Controversy over the Tomb of Afzal Khan?

• Hindu groups have alleged the Hazarat Mohammad Afzal Khan Memorial Society has expanded the tomb by carrying out unauthorised constructions.
• In 2004, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) application was filed by a person demanding the demolition.
• The Hindu groups also claimed the Society was glorifying an “enemy of Swaraj” in “Shivaji’s own land” by hosting various activities in the slain commander’s honour.

Who was Afzal Khan?

• He was a 17^th-century commander of the Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur.
• With Chhatrapati Shivaji’s rise and increasing control of the region, Afzal Khan was seen as the man to subdue him in the Deccan.
• Khan put together a force of 10,000 cavalry and marched from Bijapur to Wai, plundering Shivaji’s territory along the way.
• Shivaji called a council of war at the fort of Pratapgarh, where most of his advisers urged him to make peace. However, Shivaji was not eager to back down and he set up a meeting with Khan.
• During the meeting, an embrace between the two turned into an attack in which Shivaji emerged victorious. This was followed by a rout of the Adilshahi army at the hands of the Marathas.
• As per Maratha sources, Khan’s remains were buried at the fort and a tomb was constructed on Shivajij’s orders.
• In an act of grace Shivaji erected a tomb over the remains of Afzui Khan and built a tower in his honour, which is still known by the name ‘Afzul Buruj’ at Pratapgarh.
• The sword of Afzul Khan was preserved as a valued trophy in the armoury of Shivaji and his descendants.

Source: IE