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  • 27 Feb 2021
  • 38 min read
International Relations

Ceasefire Along Line of Control

Why in News

India and Pakistan have agreed to observe the 2003 ceasefire agreements along the Line of Control (LoC) and all other sectors.

  • The agreement comes in the wake of over 5000 instances of Cross Fire Violations (CFVs) along the Line of Control (LoC) and other areas in Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in 46 fatal casualties in 2020.
  • The decision was taken after discussion between the two Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO).

Key Points

  • 2003 Ceasefire Agreements:
    • The original ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2003, four years after the Kargil War (1999).
    • The 2003 ceasefire agreement remains a milestone as it brought peace along the LoC until 2006. Between 2003 and 2006, not a single bullet was fired by the jawans of India and Pakistan.
    • But since 2006, ceasefire violations have become the norm with increasing frequency.
  • Backchannel Diplomacy:
    • Several signs indicate that back channel diplomacy led up to the talks and helped produce a joint statement between the two sides, beginning with Pakistan Army chief General's call for resolving the Kashmir issue “peacefully” earlier in the month of February 2021.
    • Pakistan supported India’s five proposals for collaboration at the South Asian level on containing Covid-19.
    • India allowed the aircraft carrying Pakistan Prime Minister a clear passage to Sri Lanka, where the Pakistani leader declared a USD 50 million defence line of credit for Colombo.
    • However, during these apparent signs of back channel negotiations, both sides have maintained their respective positions on the Kashmir issue.
  • Significance of the Latest Re-commitment to the 2003 Agreement:
    • The agreement may contribute to an improvement of the security situation on the ground in Kashmir.
    • India has often alleged that many of the ceasefire violations were aimed at providing cover to infiltrating militants. Infiltration attempts may now drop, and go some way in meeting a key Indian demand on cross-border terrorism.
  • India - Pakistan Recent Developments:
    • The two sides last connected at the highest level during the Christmas day of 2015, when Indian Prime Minister landed in Lahore for an unannounced visit to meet Pakistani Prime Minister.
    • Dialogue broke down soon thereafter because of the Pathankot airbase attack of 2nd January, 2016, which was followed by the attack at the garrison in Uri and the Indian response with a surgical strike along the border.
    • Bilateral ties continued to nosedive because of the Pulwama terror attack of 14th February, 2019, and the Balakot operation by India.

Line of Control

  • The Line of Control (LoC) emerged from the 1948 ceasefire line negotiated by the United Nations (UN) after the Kashmir War.
  • It was designated as the LoC in 1972, following the Shimla Agreement between the two countries.
  • LoC is demarcated upto the Siachen Glacier (Point NJ9842)- the world's highest battlefield.
  • LoC is delineated on a map signed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of both armies and has the international sanctity of a legal agreement.

Back Channel Diplomacy

  • The back channel diplomacy is one of the diplomatic tactics practiced by states to achieve the objectives of foreign policy in solving international disputes outside official bureaucratic structures and formats.
  • It takes place away from the eyes and lenses of the media in order to ensure the confidentiality of information and keep them away from official and media trading until they reach the target.

Way Forward

  • Confidence-building measures (CBM) should be pursued to alleviate the “trust deficit” but should not be used as a substitute for the resolution of disputes.
  • Economic co-operation and trade should be facilitated to develop mutuality of interest. The problems of terrorism and Non-State Actors need to be addressed jointly through institutionalised mechanisms.
  • If the new resolve on the ceasefire holds, several low hanging fruits are available to further improve the atmosphere between the two countries, including the restoration of full strength diplomatic missions on both sides.

Source: TH

International Relations

India-China Hotline

Why in News

Recently, India and China announced that both have agreed to establish a Hotline.

Key Points

  • Hotline:
    • The decision to install a Hotline between the two countries was taken over a telephonic meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister and China’s Foreign Affairs Minister.
      • Hotline is a direct telephone line in constant operational readiness so as to facilitate immediate communication.
    • The Hotline will be helpful in timely communication and exchange of views between the two countries.
  • India’s Stand:
    • Reiterated the ‘three mutuals’ (mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests) as the approach to the relationship.
    • Disengagement, followed by de-escalation, will lead to peace along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and eventually normalisation of ties.
  • China’s Stand:
    • The boundary situation should not be placed at the front and centre of the relationship, but instead at a “proper place” in overall ties.
    • The indication was the two sides should return to business as usual while the issue is dealt with.
  • Recent Developments:

Way Forward

  • It is imperative for the two sides to cherish the hard-won relaxation, and work together to consolidate the progress, keep up the consultation momentum, further ease the situation, and improve the border management and control mechanisms.
  • As two big emerging economies, China and India need to pursue development alongside each other, move forward in partnership instead of hindrance, and work together for shared progress rather than erecting walls against each other.
  • India and China also need to advance the boundary talks to build up mutual trust and realize peace and tranquility in the border areas.

Source:IE

Indian Economy

Flexible Inflation Target

Why in News

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its Currency and Finance (RCF) report for the year 2020-21 has said that the current inflation target band (4% +/-2%) is appropriate for next 5 years.

Key Points

  • Inflation Targeting:
    • Meaning:
      • It is a central banking policy that revolves around adjusting monetary policy to achieve a specified annual rate of inflation.
      • The principle of inflation targeting is based on the belief that long-term economic growth is best achieved by maintaining price stability, and price stability is achieved by controlling inflation.
    • Strict inflation targeting is adopted when the central bank is only concerned about keeping inflation as close to a given inflation target as possible, and nothing else.
    • Flexible inflation targeting is adopted when the central bank is to some extent also concerned about other things, for instance, the stability of interest rates, exchange rates, output and employment.
  • India’s Flexible Inflation Target Framework:
    • Background:
      • The central bank and the government agreed in 2015 on a policy framework that stipulated a primary objective of ensuring price stability while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
      • The Flexible Inflation Target (FIT) was adopted in 2016. This has put India on par with other nations in terms of flexible inflation targeting.
      • The Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 was amended to provide a statutory basis for a FTI framework.
      • The amended Act provides for the inflation target to be set by the Government, in consultation with the RBI, once every five years.
    • The FIT Framework:
      • India adopted a flexible inflation targeting mandate of 4 (+/-2) percent and headline consumer price inflation was chosen as a key indicator.
    • Purpose: Inflation targeting is known to bring more stability, predictability, and transparency in deciding monetary policy.
      • This is because of the argument that rising prices create uncertainties and adversely affect savings and investments.
    • Fixed Accountability: The framework made the RBI more accountable to explain to the government if it fails to meet the inflation targets.
      • The flip side of this is such targets will restrain the RBI from taking any tight or accommodating monetary policy stance.
  • RBI’s Stand (Findings of the RCF Report):
    • The trend inflation has fallen from above 9% before FIT to a range of 3.8-4.3 % during FIT, indicating that 4% is the appropriate level of the inflation target for the country.
    • An inflation rate of 6% is the appropriate upper tolerance limit for the inflation target.
      • On the other hand, a lower bound above 2% can lead to actual inflation frequently dipping below the tolerance band.
      • While, a lower bound below 2% will hamper growth, indicating that an inflation rate of 2% is the appropriate lower tolerance bound.
    • During the FIT period, monetary transmission has been full and reasonably swift across the money market (trading in very short-term debt instruments) but less than complete in the bond markets.
      • While there has been an improvement in transmission to lending and deposit rates of banks, external benchmarks across all categories of loans and deposits could improve transmission.

Monetary Policy

  • It is the macroeconomic policy laid down by the central bank. It involves management of money supply and interest rate and is the demand side economic policy used by the government of a country to achieve macroeconomic objectives like inflation, consumption, growth and liquidity.
  • In India, monetary policy of the Reserve Bank of India is aimed at managing the quantity of money in order to meet the requirements of different sectors of the economy and to increase the pace of economic growth.
  • The RBI implements the monetary policy through open market operations, bank rate policy, reserve system, credit control policy, moral persuasion and through many other instruments.

Accommodative and Tight Monetary Policy

  • To avoid inflation, most central banks alternate between the accommodative monetary policy and the tight monetary policy in varying degrees to encourage growth while keeping inflation under control.
    • Accommodative monetary policy is adopted when central banks expand the money supply to boost the economy.
      • These measures are meant to make money less expensive to borrow and encourage more spending.
    • A tight monetary policy is implemented to contract economic growth.
      • Converse to accommodative monetary policy, a tight monetary policy involves increasing interest rates to constrain borrowing and to stimulate savings.

Monetary Policy Committee

  • It is a statutory and institutionalized framework under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, for maintaining price stability, while keeping in mind the objective of growth.
    • The Governor of RBI is ex-officio Chairman of the committee.
  • The MPC determines the policy interest rate (repo rate) required to achieve the inflation target (4%).
    • An RBI-appointed committee led by the then deputy governor Urjit Patel in 2014 recommended the establishment of the Monetary Policy Committee.

Way Forward

  • In the conduct of monetary policy in an open economy setting, foreign exchange reserves and associated liquidity management are key, there is a need to enhance the RBI’s sterilisation capacity to deal with surges in capital flows.
  • The primary focus of FIT on price stability augurs well for further liberalisation of the capital account and eventual internationalisation of the Indian rupees.

Source: TH

Biodiversity & Environment

NGT Suggests National River Rejuvenation Mechanism

Why in News

Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Ministry of Jal Shakti to devise an appropriate National River Rejuvenation Mechanism for effective monitoring of steps to curb pollution and for rejuvenation of all polluted river stretches across the country.

Key Points

  • Background:
    • Assessment of the CPCB:
      • Findings:
        • According to the 2016-17 assessment of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the number of polluted stretches of the country's rivers has increased to 351 from 302 two years ago, and the number of critically polluted stretches — where water quality indicators are the poorest—has gone up to 45 from 34.
        • Among them, 117 such river stretches are in the States of Assam, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
      • Basis of the CPCB Assessment:
        • The CPCB, since the 1990s, has a programme to monitor the quality of rivers primarily by measuring Biochemical Oxygen Demand(BOD), which is a proxy for organic pollution—the higher it is, the worse the river.
        • The CPCB considers a BOD less than 3 mg/l an indicator of a healthy river.
    • Initiative Taken:
      • The NGT had constituted a Central Monitoring Committee to prepare and enforce a national plan to make over 350 river stretches across the country pollution free as it has caused serious threat to safety of water and environment.
  • About the Latest Direction:
    • Observation:
      • There has been deterioration in the quality of water in rivers in spite of the Water Act which was enacted way back in 1974 which was intended to bring about improvement.
    • Establishment of NRRM:
      • NGT suggested the mechanism could be called ‘National River Rejuvenation Mechanism (NRRM). NRRM may consider setting up a National, State or district environment data grid at appropriate levels as an effective monitoring strategy.
    • Expansion in the Scope of NRRM:
      • The process of rejuvenation of rivers need not be confined to only 351 stretches but may be applicable to all small, medium and big polluted rivers, including those dried up.
    • Implementation:
      • Effective measures should be taken by Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs in terms of action plans for abatement of pollution and rejuvenation of rivers.
      • The Chief Secretaries are also required to personally monitor progress at least once every month and the NRRM every quarter.
      • The accountability for failure to comply with the direction for payment of compensation will be of the Chief Secretaries concerned.
  • Causes of Polluted River Stretches:
    • Rapid urbanisation and lack of efficient waste disposal systems.
    • Industrial Cities on the banks of rivers.
    • Run-off from agricultural activities, etc.
  • Impact of Pollution:
    • The World Bank estimates that the health costs of water pollution in India equal three percent of India's GDP.
      • It has also been suggested that eighty percent of all illnesses in India and one-third of deaths can be attributed to water-borne diseases.
    • The danger Ganga’s polluted water poses is not only to the humans but also to the animals. Some of the important threatened species include, more than 140 fish species, 90 amphibian species, reptiles such as the Gharials, and mammals such as the South Asian River Dolphin.
  • Related Constitutional Provisions:
    • Article 21: The fundamental right to clean the environment, and further, pollution-free water, has been protected under the broad rubric of the right to life.
    • Article 51-A (g): It mandates as a fundamental duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife.
  • Initiatives to Tackle Water Pollution:
    • National Water Policy (2012):
      • It aims to take cognizance of the existing situation, to propose a framework for creation of a system of laws and institutions and for a plan of action with a unified national perspective.
      • Started by the Ministry of Water Resources, it highlights the importance of water for human existence as well as for economic development related activities.
      • It suggests frameworks to conserve water resources through optimal, economical, sustainable and equitable means.
    • National Water Mission (2010): It ensures integrated water resource management leading to water conservation, less wastage, equitable distribution forming better policies.
    • National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) which envisages a five-tier structure at national, state and district level to take measures for prevention, control, and abatement of environmental pollution in river Ganga.
      • It aims to ensure continuous adequate flow of water so as to rejuvenate the river Ganga.
    • Namami Gange Project: It integrates the efforts to clean and protect the Ganga River in a comprehensive manner.

Source:TH

Agriculture

Genetically Modified Organisms as Imported Food Crops

Why in News

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in a recent order has set 1% threshold for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) in food crops imported into India.

  • Earlier in August 2020, FSSAI had issued the order that 24 food crops the country imports would need a ‘non-GM-origin-cum-GM-free certificate’ issued by a competent authority.

Key Points

  • Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs):
    • These are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering.
    • This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.
  • Genetically Modified Crops:
    • Conventional plant breeding involves crossing of species of the same genus to provide the offspring with the desired traits of both parents.
      • Genus is a class of items such as a group of animals or plants with similar traits, qualities or features.
    • Bt cotton is the only Genetically Modified (GM) crop that is allowed in India. It has alien genes from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) that allows the crop to develop a protein toxic to the common pest pink bollworm.
    • Herbicide Tolerant Bt (Ht Bt) cotton, on the other hand is derived with the insertion of an additional gene, from another soil bacterium, which allows the plant to resist the common herbicide glyphosate.
    • In Bt brinjal, a gene allows the plant to resist attacks of fruit and shoot borers.
    • In DMH-11 mustard, genetic modification allows cross-pollination in a crop that self-pollinates in nature.
  • Legal Position of GM crops in India:
    • In India, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the apex body that allows for commercial release of GM crops.
    • Use of the unapproved GM variant can attract a jail term of 5 years and fine of Rs. 1 lakh under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
  • Regulation of Imported Crops:
    • The task of regulating GMO levels in imported consumables was initially with the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
    • Its role was diluted with the enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and FSSAI was asked to take over approvals of imported goods.

Source: DTE

Biodiversity & Environment

Migratory Birds and Chilika Lake

Why in News

Migratory birds in and around Chilika lake and Bhitarkanika National Park have started leaving earlier (in February) than other years, as temperatures in Odisha (in and around Chillka lake) began to soar.

  • The birds usually arrive in the region in November and migrate back around mid-March or early April when the temperature hovers around 39 degree Celsius.

Key Points

  • Migratory Species: Every year in winter, migratory birds arrive at the water bodies around Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest salt-water lagoon and Bhitarkanika, the second-largest mangrove forest in India (the largest being the Sunderbans, West Bengal).
    • They flew in from places as far off as Siberia, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, the Himalayan region and central Europe.
  • Reasons for Early Departure:
    • Warming of the Region: The average temperature of Bhubaneswar (located 35 kilometers from Chilika) recorded for the month of February was 34-35 degrees Celsius between 2015 and 2019.
    • Decreasing Water Levels: Rising temperature coupled with the decreasing water levels in the lake also contributed to this early migration.
  • Chilika Lake:
    • Chilika is Asia's largest and world's second largest lagoon.
    • It is the largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent and is home to a number of threatened species of plants and animals.
    • In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
    • Major attraction at Chilika is Irrawaddy dolphins which are often spotted off Satpada Island.
    • The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.
    • Kalijai Temple - Located on an island in the Chilika Lake.
  • Bhitarkanika National Park:
    • Bhitarkanika National Park is one of Odisha’s finest biodiversity hotspots and is famous for its mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles, and countless creeks.
    • The Bhitarkanika is represented by 3 Protected Areas, the Bhitarkanika National Park, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
    • Bhitarkanika is located in the estuary of Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Mahanadi river systems.
    • It is said to house 70% of the country’s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started way back in 1975.

Migratory Species in India

  • India is a temporary home to several migratory animals and birds.
  • The important among these include Amur Falcons, Bar-headed Geese, Black-necked cranes, Marine turtles, Dugongs, Humpback Whales, etc.
  • The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird flyway network, i.e, the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans.
  • India has also launched the National Action Plan for the conservation of migratory species under the Central Asian Flyway as India is a party to Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

Source: DTE

Social Justice

Same Sex Marriage

Why in News

Recently, the Central Government opposed same-sex marriage in Delhi High Court stating that a marriage in India can be recognised only if it is between a “biological man” and a “biological woman” capable of producing children.

Key Points

  • Background:
  • Centre’s Response/Argument:
    • Supreme Court’s Order:
    • Societal Morality:
      • There exists a “legitimate State interest” in limiting the recognition of marriage to persons of opposite sex. The considerations of “societal morality” are relevant in considering the validity of a law and it is for the Legislature to enforce such societal morality and public acceptance based upon Indian ethos.
    • Not in Consonance with Existing Laws:
      • The fundamental right under Article 21 is subject to the procedure established by law and it cannot be expanded to include the fundamental right for same sex marriage to be recognised under the laws which in fact mandate the contrary.
        • Article 21 of the constitution guarantees the right to life. This right cannot be taken away except through a law which is substantively and procedurally fair, just and reasonable.
      • Any interference with the existing marriage laws would cause complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws in the country.
    • Sanctity of Marriage:
      • Living together as partners or in a relationship with a same-sex individual is “not comparable” with the “Indian family unit concept” of a husband, wife and children, arguing that the institution of marriage has a “sanctity”.
  • Legality of same-sex marriages in India:
    • The right to marry is not expressly recognized either as a fundamental or constitutional right under the Indian Constitution.
    • Though marriage is regulated through various statutory enactments, its recognition as a fundamental right has only developed through judicial decisions of India’s Supreme Court.
    • Such declaration of law is binding on all courts throughout India under Article 141 of the Constitution.
  • Important Supreme Court Decisions:
    • Marriage as a Fundamental Right (Shafin Jahan v. Asokan K.M. and others 2018):
      • While referring to Article 16 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Puttaswamy case, the SC held that the right to marry a person of one’s choice is integral to Article 21 of the Constitution.
        • Article 16 (2) in the Indian constitution provides that there cannot be any discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence or any of them.
      • The right to marry is intrinsic to the liberty which the Constitution guarantees as a fundamental right, is the ability of each individual to take decisions on matters central to the pursuit of happiness. Matters of belief and faith, including whether to believe are at the core of constitutional liberty.
    • LGBTQ Community Entitled to all Constitutional Rights (Navjet Singh Johar and others v. Union of India 2018):
      • The SC held that members of the LGBTQ community “are entitled, as all other citizens, to the full range of constitutional rights including the liberties protected by the Constitution” and are entitled to equal citizenship and “equal protection of law”.

Way Forward

  • The LGTBQ community needs an anti-discrimination law that empowers them to build productive lives and relationships irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation and place the onus to change on state and society and not the individual.
  • Once members of the LGBTQ community “are entitled to the full range of constitutional rights”, it is beyond doubt that the fundamental right to marry a person of one’s own choice has to be conferred on same sex couples intending to marry. More than two dozen countries have legalized same-sex marriage.

Source:IE

Important Facts For Prelims

Guru Ravidas Jayanti

Why in News

Guru Ravidas Jayanti is celebrated on Magh Purnima (27th February 2021), the full moon day in the month of Magh according to the Hindu lunar calendar.

Key Points

  • About Guru Ravidas:
    • He was a 14th century saint and proponent of the Bhakti movement in North India.
    • It is believed that he was born in Varanasi in a cobbler’s family.
    • He gained prominence due to his belief in one God and his unbiased religious poems.
    • He dedicated his whole life to the abolition of the caste system and openly despised the notion of a Brahminical society.
    • His devotional songs made an instant impact on the Bhakti Movement and his poems were included in ‘Guru Granth Sahib’, the religious text of the Sikhs.
  • Bhakti Movement:
    • The development of the Bhakti movement took place in Tamil Nadu between the seventh and ninth centuries.
    • It was reflected in the emotional poems of the Nayanars (devotees of Shiva) and Alvars (devotees of Vishnu).
      • These saints looked upon religion not as a cold formal worship but as a loving bond based upon love between the worshipped and worshipper.
    • In course of time, the ideas of the South moved up to the North but it was a very slow process.
    • A more effective method for spreading the Bhakti ideology was the use of local languages.
      • The Bhakti saints composed their verses in local languages.
    • They also translated Sanskrit works to make them understandable to a wider audience.
      • Examples include Jnanadeva writing in Marathi, Kabir, Surdas and Tulsidas in Hindi, Shankaradeva popularising Assamese, Chaitanya and Chandidas spreading their message in Bengali, Mirabai in Hindi and Rajasthani.

Source: PIB

Important Facts For Prelims

Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Union Minister for Rural Development inaugurated Saras Aajeevika Mela 2021 at Noida Haat.

  • More than 300 rural self-help groups and craftsmen from 27 states are participating in the Mela.

Key Points

  • About:
    • It is a programme to transform rural India in general and the lives of rural women in particular.
    • During the Mela, workshops on product packaging and design, communication skills, social media publicity and Business to Business marketing will be organised to educate the rural self-help groups and craftsmen.
  • Organiser:
  • Objective:
    • To bring the rural women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under one platform so that they can showcase their skills, sell their products, and help them build linkages with bulk buyers.
      • Through participation in SARAS Aajeevika Mela, these rural SHG women will get vital national level exposure to understand the demand and taste of urban customers.
  • Significance:
    • The Mela acts as an integrated approach towards women empowerment.
    • The Initiative is well aligned with the government's vision of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

Source:PIB

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