THE GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

1. UNDERSTANDING THE ADDITIONAL AIRBAGS MANDATE FOR VEHICLES

THE CONTEXT: The government of India has proposed the installation of six airbags in all passenger vehicles to enhance safety for vehicle occupants.

THE EXPLANATION:

What does the proposal say? 

• The general statutory rules (GSR) notification states that all vehicles in the M1 category manufactured after October 1, 2022 must come fitted with two side torso air bags in the front row at the outboard seating positions.
• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways explained that it would be deployed to the seats or on the sides at the stipulated position inside the vehicle. It added that the deployment of the inflatable airbag in the mentioned position would help mitigate injuries in the torso region or ejection of the occupant from the vehicle.
• Further, the notification asks for deploying curtain or tube air bags to cushion the entire outboard sides of the vehicle. In the event of a rollover or a crash, this would help mitigate head injury. The notification informs the requirement for such airbags would be verified in compliance to AIS-099 standards that deals with protection of occupants in a vehicle in the event of a lateral collision.

What are the previous legislation on air bags?

• The Ministry had previously mandated deployment of airbags for the passenger on the front seat of the vehicle, next to the driver, for vehicles manufactured after April 1 2021. However, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the timeline for its implementation was extended to December 31, 2021.
• “This has been mandated as an important safety feature, and is also based on suggestions of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety”.

Will the move ensure safety in case of a collision?

• According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), frontal air bags saved 50,457 lives between 1987 and 2017 — enough to fill a major league baseball stadium. It added airbags to prevent the passenger’s upper body or head from hitting the vehicle’s interior during a crash. The transport regulatory body says passengers must also ensure fastening their seat belts on roads.
• According to the Road and Transport Minister stated in the recently-concluded parliamentary session that 8,598 lives in 2020 could have been saved in head-on collision with the use of airbags. “Similarly, side collisions cost 14,271 lives and 31% of those or 4,424 lives could have been saved with the use of side airbags”.

2. TIE-UP BETWEEN INDIAN, FOREIGN VARSITIES SIMPLIFIED

THE CONTEXT: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has simplified the procedure for an Indian higher educational institution to offer programmes in collaboration with foreign universities by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with each other directly if they meet certain eligibility criteria

THE EXPLANATION:

• In its 557th meeting recently, the UGC decided that an Indian higher education institution that has a National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) grading of 3.01 or above, or is among the top 1,000 QS World University or Times Higher Education rankings, or is among the top 100 universities under National Institution Ranking Framework, will be able to tie-up with a foreign education institution which too features among the top 1,000 QS or Times Higher Education rankings.
• The previous regulations, known as the University Grants Commission (Promotion and Maintenance of Standards of Academic Collaboration between Indian and Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2016, which will now stand repealed, required two institutions to tie-up with each other after obtaining the UGC’s approval.

What was the earlier regulations?

• “The earlier regulations were too strict and there were too many bottlenecks. This simplified regulations will increase the scale at which students could benefit from such collaborations between Indian and foreign higher education institutions.
• Under the 2016 regulations, a foreign and Indian college or university could partner with each other to offer only “twinning” and “joint degree” programmes where Indian students received a degree only from an Indian institute along with a certificate from the foreign institute. But now, they can offer a third type of programme, that is, a “dual degree” programme, where both the institutes will issue a degree. Under a twinning programme, a student can get up to 30% credit utilisation of the total course from a foreign university, whereas under a joint and dual degree programme, he or she can get more than 30% of the total credits.
• These collaborations will be permitted only for the conventional mode of learning and not for distance or online learning.

3. WHO GLOBAL CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AT JAMNAGAR, GUJARAT

THE CONTEXT: The World Health Organization launched its Global Centre for Traditional Medicine at a site in India aimed at unlocking its potential by blending ancient practices with modern science.

THE EXPLANATION:

• WHO global centre of traditional medicine is a major milestone for entire South East Asian Countries. This was acknowledged by Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan through recorded video message telecasted at the ceremony.
• On this occasion, WHO President said, “Traditional medicines products are abound globally and the centre will go a long way in bringing the promise of the traditional medicine to fruition. The New Centre will focus on data, innovation and sustainability and will optimize the use of traditional medicine. He also noted that the WHO global centre for traditional medicine is a truly global project. Through this centre India will be able to take its knowledge of traditional medicine to the world and similarly world will come to India.

• Traditional medicine is a key pillar of health care delivery systems and plays a crucial role in maintaining good health and well-being not only in India but across the world. In recent year, traditional medicine therapies have also seen a major transformation as usage of artificial intelligence, technological innovations have made it more accessible to masses. GCTM will aim to integrate the benefits of traditional medicine with the achievements of modern science and create a comprehensive health strategy.

4. ‘STAR RATING’ FOR PACKAGED FOOD UNLIKELY TO HELP, SAY EXPERTS

THE CONTEXT: The “health star rating” system that the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to adopt in order to help consumers reduce their intake of unhealthy foods has been opposed by close to a dozen consumer and health advocacy groups.

 THE EXPLANATION:

What is the Health Star Rating System?

• In February,2022 the FSSAI decided to adopt the “health-star rating system”, which gives a product 1/2 a star to 5 stars, in its draft regulations for front of package labelling (FOPL).
• The HSR format ranks a packaged food item based on salt, sugar, and fat content and the rating will be printed on the front of the package.
• The underlying premise of the HSR is that positive ingredients such as fruits and nuts can offset negative nutrients such as calories, saturated fat, total sugar, sodium to calculate the number of stars ascribed to a product.
• The decision was based on the recommendations of a study by the IIM-Ahmedabad the regulator had commissioned in September 2021.
• In the same meeting, the regulator decided that FOPL implementation could be made voluntary for a period of four years.

What is FoPL?

• In India, packaged food has had back-of-package (BOP) nutrient information in detail but no FoPL.
• Counter to this, FoPL can nudge people towards healthy consumption of packaged food.
• It can also influence purchasing habits.
• The study endorsed the HSR format, which speaks about the proportions of salt, sugar, and fat in food that is most suited for consumers.
• Countries such as the UK, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Hungary, and Australia have implemented FoPL systems.

What warranted the HSR rating in India?

• Visual bluff: A lot of Indian consumers do not read the information available at the back of the packaged food item.
• Burden of NCDs: Also, India has a huge burden of non-communicable diseases that contributes to around 5.87 million (60%) of all deaths in a year.
• Healthy dietary choices: HSR will encourage people to make healthy choices and could bring a transformational change in the society.
• Supreme Court order: A PIL seeking direction to the government to frame guidelines on HSR and impact assessment for food items and beverages was filed in the Supreme Court in June 2021.

Which category of food item will have HSR?

• All packaged food items or processed food will have the HSR label.
• These will include chips, biscuits, namkeen, sweets and chocolates, meat nuggets, and cookies.
• However, milk and its products such as chhnna and ghee are EXEMPTED as per the FSSAI draft notified in 2019.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

5. SCIENTISTS DISCOVER NEW EEL SPECIES FROM KERALA, BENGAL

THE CONTEXT: A group of Indian scientists have discovered a new species of eel from among specimens collected from the Kalamukku and Digha Mohana fishing harbours in Kerala and West Bengal respectively.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The newly discovered eel belongs to the Congrid eels group and has been named Ariosoma indicum. The term Indicum means that it was found in India.
• The scientists had collected 12 specimens from Kalamukku and seven specimens from Digha Mohana in 2020 for studies.
• Scientists from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR), confirmed Ariosoma indicumas a new species after two years of through research, taxonomic studies and molecular analysis.
• NBFGR is working on India’s fish genetic resources for intellectual property protection and sustainable utilisation.
• The total length of the new species is 362 millimetres. The eel has the following features according to the paper:
• A greenish-brown body, with faint dark bands on the dorsal portion of the head
• Minute dark pigmentation patches on the extremities of the lower jaw
• Bicoloured pectoral fin
• A short wedge-shaped pointed vomerine teeth patch, with three or four rows in the anterior portion
• Ariosoma indicumis possibly distributed along the Indian coast, including the coastal waters of Kerala and West Bengal. The Ariosoma genus has seven species, including the newly identified eel that have been documented in Indian waters. Globally, there are 223 species in the genus.
• Most of these eels have landed as by-catch in trawl landings, he added. Most eel groups possess less economic value and sampling of these groups has been rare in Indian waters, Mohapatra noted.
• “The new eel species is not listed as ‘Threatened’ or ‘Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS: INFRASTRUCTURE

6. INDIA TO GET WORLD’S HIGHEST TUNNEL AT SHINKU LA PASS CONNECTING HIMACHAL PRADESH TO LADAKH

THE CONTEXT: According to the Border Roads Organisation will start the construction of the tunnel connecting Himachal Pradesh to Zanskar Valley in Ladakh by July 2022.

THE EXPLANATION:

• TheBorder Road Organisation will construct the world’s highest tunnel at Shinku La Pass at 16,580 feet to connect Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh.
• It also noted, while opening Himachal to Zanskar Road at Shinku La Pass, where over half a dozen vehicles crosses the Shinku La Pass from Zanskar side towards Manali.
• At present, one has to travel 101 km from Manali to Darcha on Leh road and thereafter, take a turn from Darcha towards Shinku La Pass and enter Zanskar valley.

Value Addition:

Zanskar Valley:

• The Chadar Trek, also known as the Frozen River Trek, is only accessible during the winter months in Zanskar.
• Zanskar is recognised for its hazardous terrain for adventure seekers, with treks like the Padum-Darcha Trek, Lugnak Trail Trek, and Zanskar-Sham Valley Trek among the options.

Shinku La:

• Shinku-La Tunnel, also known as Shinkula Tunnel or Shingo-La Tunnel, is a planned motorable tunnel linking Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul Valley and Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley in Northern India.

VALUE ADDTION:

ABOUT BORDER ROAD ORGANISATION

• The Border Road Organization is an infrastructure building organization working under the Ministry of Defence.
• It develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighboring countries.
• It was conceptualized by Pt Nehru, the First Prime Minister of India. Formed in 1960, the BRO is engaged in developing means of communication in border areas.
• The organization primarily meets the defense requirement towards infrastructure development of remote Border areas of North &North East states.
• The infrastructure development includes Roads, Bridges, Highways, Airports, Tunnels, Buildings and other structures.
• Apart from the strategic / defense requirement, the roads also cater for the socio-economic development of the nation. Border Roads Organization has contributed a lot to the socio-economic development of the North East region.

THE COVID CORNER

7. PLASMA-BASED GREEN DISINFECTANTS CAN LIMIT SPREAD OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES LIKE COVID 19

THE CONTEXT: Researchers have developed a plasma-based disinfectant generated with the help of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) which could act as a green decontaminant for COVID 19.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The COVID 19 pandemic had brought forth the urgent need for decontaminants that can limit the spread of infectious diseases through contact. However, most decontaminants consisted of chemicals which are hazardous for the environment. This encouraged researchers to work towards greener alternatives.
• A team of scientists from the Life Sciences and Physical Sciences divisions from the Institute of the Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India, Guwahati, Assam has demonstrated that the plasma generated by cold atmospheric pressure (CAP) has the potential to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which binds to human ACE2 receptor for inducing viral infection and subsequent Covid-19.
• Plasma, the fourth state of matter which makes up most of the universe when produced in controlled conditions in the lab and are termed as Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAP). The scientists passed plasma forming gases such as Helium, Argon, and Air through a high voltage electric field which led to the formation of a stable plasma with a mixture of ions, and electrons emitting a pink glow of CAP inside the reaction chamber.
• This research recently published in the international journal of the RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) Advances shows that short-lived highly reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) generated in the plasma led to complete deactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein occurs within 2 min of CAP treatment. The RT-PCR analysis has also established that CAP can deactivate the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
• The researchers showed that the CAP, a plasma-based disinfection method is a better alternative to environmentally hazardous chemical-based decontamination methods. “The cold atmospheric plasma is environmentally safe since, during the entire decontamination process by plasma treatment, no chemical waste is produced.
• They also, noted that the disinfection method could further be extended for various bacterial or fungal infections.

THE PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

8. GURU TEGH BAHADUR’S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY FETE AT RED FORT

THE CONTEXT: According to Union Culture Ministry, Prime Minister will address the nation from Red Fort on April 21, 2022 to mark the 400th birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Ministry officials said the Red Fort was chosen as the venue for two reasons.
• “First, it was the place from where Mughal ruler Aurangzeb gave orders for the execution of Guru Tegh Bahadur in 1675.
• Second, the ramparts of Red Fort is from where the PM addresses the nation on Independence Day, so it’s an ideal place to reach out to the people with a message of interfaith peace”.

Value Addition:

• Guru Tegh Bahadur (1621 – 1675) was the ninth of ten Sikh Gurus and the leader of Sikhs from 1665 until his beheading in 1675.

• He was born in Amritsar, Punjab, India in 1621 and was the youngest son of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh guru.

• His 115 hymns are included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the main text of Sikhism.
• He was originally named Tyag Mal but was later renamed Tegh Bahadur after his gallantry and bravery in the wars against the Mughal forces.
• He built the city of Anandpur Sahib.
• Sikh holy premises Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi mark the places of execution and cremation of Guru Tegh Bahadur respectively.
• He started community water wells and langars (community kitchen for the poor and hungry).
• In 1668 in Assam, he was able to preach a treaty between the King of Ahom and Raja Ram Singh of Amber who was sent there by Aurangzeb.
• In 1672, he visited Kashmir where he saw the persecution of non-Muslims.
• The Guru attracted huge numbers of devotees and followers. This is said to have distressed the Mughal Emperor. It is also said that the Guru’s promise of protection to the persecuted Kashmiri Pandits also led to his being summoned to Delhi by the Emperor. While the Sikh faith was gathering strength, Aurangzeb was following a policy of religious discrimination and persecution in many places. Tegh Bahadur was brought before the Emperor when he reached Delhi.
• On 24 November 1675, the Guru was publicly beheaded on the orders of Aurangzeb for refusing to accept the authority of Mughal Emperor, at Chandni Chowk in Delhi. Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib was built in 1783 at the place where he was beheaded.
• His young son Gobind, who was only nine when his father was killed, became the tenth and the last Sikh Guru. The effect of his father’s cruel murder must have been profound on him. Guru Gobind Singh went on to become the founder of the Khalsa and challenged the authority of the Mughals.

THE PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTIONS

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Q. Consider the following statements about the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights:

1. 1. The High Commissioner for Human Rights is the principal human rights official of the United Nations.
   2. The High Commissioner for Human Rights is appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
   3. High Commissioner for Human Rights is accountable to the UN General Assembly.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

ANSWER FOR 19TH APRIL 2022

Answer: B

Explanation:

• Char Chinar, also sometimes called Char Chinari, is an island in Dal Lake, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
• It is located on the Lakut Dal (Small Dal) known as Ropa Lank (Silver Island).
• The second Chinar Island, known as Sone Lank (Gold Island), is located on the Bod Dal (Big Dal).
• It is a large, deciduous tree known for its longevity and spreading crown.

1. Demolition drives violate international law: The bulldozing of houses in M.P. was to impose collective punishment on the alleged rioters READ MORE
2. An honest reckoning: On simmering dispute between India and WHO about COVID deaths READ MORE
3. The challenge of regulating online gaming READ MORE

1. Caste inequalities within socio-religious groups: Evidence from Uttar Pradesh READ MORE
2. Infirm childhood: The Gadchiroli experiment must be replicated across India to counter child malnutrition READ MORE

1. Before We Can Manage E-Waste, We Must Reduce Waste. This Is Why. READ MORE
2. Emissions reduction: Address market failure READ MORE
3. Climate and Us | Two draft green clearance notifications that should worry us READ MORE
4. Responding to climate change: India needs institutions to address concerns READ MORE
5. Only 10% Chance of Limiting Global Warming Under 1.5 Degrees READ MORE

1. Ramzan, the month of fasting and forgiveness READ MORE
2. Opinion: India must address its lack of ethics READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. ‘India could meet Sri Lanka fate if freebie culture persists’ READ MORE
2. Demolition drives violate international law READ MORE
3. Mahinda moots clipping presidential powers; one killed in police firing READ MORE
4. Why rise in nickel price due to Russia-Ukraine war casts shadow on shift from fossil fuels to EVs READ MORE
5. Scientists discover new eel species from Kerala, Bengal READ MORE
6. India to get world’s highest tunnel at Shinku La Pass connecting Himachal Pradesh to Ladakh READ MORE
7. RBI ‘State of the economy’ report: ‘Global policy tightening may precipitate rocketing inflation’ READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. Caste inequalities within socio-religious groups: Evidence from Uttar Pradesh READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Demolition drives violate international law: The bulldozing of houses in M.P. was to impose collective punishment on the alleged rioters READ MORE
2. An honest reckoning: On simmering dispute between India and WHO about COVID deaths READ MORE
3. The challenge of regulating online gaming READ MORE

SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. Infirm childhood: The Gadchiroli experiment must be replicated across India to counter child malnutrition READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India-UK partnership is like the Modi-Johnson relationship. Underrated in geopolitics READ MORE
2. West-Led Globalisation May End, New One Might Have Eastern Face READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. High inflationary trends: Need to lower dependence on fossil fuels READ MORE
2. Why India shouldn’t get carried away by wheat, rice export bonanza due to Ukraine war READ MORE
3. A new pandemic has struck the world: Food inflation READ MORE
4. Global Implications of Covid-19 and the Economic War on Russia READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 

1. Before We Can Manage E-Waste, We Must Reduce Waste. This Is Why. READ MORE
2. Emissions reduction: Address market failure READ MORE
3. Climate and Us | Two draft green clearance notifications that should worry us READ MORE
4. Responding to climate change: India needs institutions to address concerns READ MORE
5. Only 10% Chance of Limiting Global Warming Under 1.5 Degrees READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Towards a peaceful, stable Northeast READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Ramzan, the month of fasting and forgiveness READ MORE
2. Opinion: India must address its lack of ethics READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with this view that the culture of party whip is making executive less accountable, and laws are passing with inadequate scrutiny? Justify your view.
2. ‘Rising inflation in India not only foretells greater misery for the beleaguered middle and lower middle classes, but it also threatens to impede the economic revival in the country’. Justify the statement.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity will lead us to peace.
• As the custodian of India’s constitutional order, it is high time that the judiciary acted and imposed necessary checks on the unbridled exercise of power by the executive.
• Courts should use international law to counter the nationalist-populist discourse.
• Healthy tax revenues and disinvestment proceeds will allow the government to absorb the risks related to increased spending this year.
• The efforts by the Union government to make the northeastern region the main pillar of the Act East policy have been useful in bringing a sense of political stability that is very crucial for optimal economic development and capacity enhancement in the region.
• Our Parliament must reflect the changing aspirations, restlessness and ambition of the new India, driving accountability and not suborning itself to the executive — it should be a true centre of inquiry.
• RISING inflation in India not only foretells greater misery for the beleaguered middle and lower middle classes, it also threatens to impede the economic revival in the country.
• Modi govt must assess food inflation and the domestic requirement of wheat and rice in a war-ravaged year. Data on procurement doesn’t look good.
• As US widens its net to sanction more and more countries, these countries seek to build up trade mechanisms that are not reliant upon Western institutions anymore.
• Developing countries will have to cooperate closely, combat the economic and public health consequences of the pandemic, and tackle the fallout of the economic war on Russia together.
• The appetite in many parts of the world has already increased for an alternative to Western-shaped globalisation, but this does not necessarily mean deglobalisation. It could mean a globalisation platform that no longer has its epicentre located in Washington or Brussels.

50-WORD TALK

• Supreme Court’s decisions to expand the definition of ‘vulnerable witness’ to include civil and juvenile justice cases is important judicial reform. Witnesses are crucial to justice delivery and their sensitive engagement. A safe and secure court environment can help improve the quality of deposition and the outcome of a trial.

Things to Remember:

• For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
• Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
• For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
• For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
• Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.

THE CONTEXT: The fifth summit of the now 25-year-old Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) hosted by Sri Lanka, was held in March 2022 in a hybrid fashion. India’s Prime Minister, who attended the summit virtually, called for unity and cooperation in the region as it faces economic and health challenges. PM also announced the adoption of the organisation’s institutional architecture- the BIMSTEC charter. This article analyses this development in detail.

DETAIL OF THE SUMMIT

• The summit’s theme “Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies, Healthy People” captures the main current priorities of member states and the efforts by BIMSTEC to develop cooperation activities that support member states’ programmes to deal with the economic and development consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The main outcome of the summit was the adoption and signing of the BIMSTEC Charter, which formalizes the grouping into an organization made up of member states that are littoral to and dependent upon the Bay of Bengal.
• The summit saw considerable progress being achieved in the BIMSTEC connectivity agenda with adopting the ‘Master Plan for Transport Connectivity’ by Leaders, which lays out a guidance framework for connectivity-related activities in the region in the future.
• The Prime Minister underscored the importance of enhanced BIMSTEC regional connectivity, cooperation, and security, made several suggestions, and called upon fellow leaders to strive to transform the Bay of Bengal into a Bridge of Connectivity, Prosperity, and Security among the BIMSTEC-member countries.
• Three BIMSTEC agreements were signed during the summit
• BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
• BIMSTEC Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Cooperation in the field of Diplomatic Training.
• Memorandum of Association on Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility.

BIMSTEC: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE GROUPING:

• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is a multilateral regional organisation established to accelerate shared growth and cooperation between littoral and adjacent countries in the Bay Bengal region.
• It has a total of seven member countries- five from South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and two from Southeast Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand.
• It was founded as BIST-EC, in June 1997, with the adoption of the Bangkok Declaration, with Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand as members. It became BIMST-EC (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand Economic Cooperation) with the entry of Myanmar in late 1997, And eventually, it was named in its current form when Nepal and Bhutan became members in 2004.

THE AIM:

• The aim of setting up the regional grouping was not to create a new region for cooperation but to revive the connectivity and common interests of the Bay of Bengal region members.
• According to the official website of BIMSTEC, “the regional group constitutes a bridge between South and Southeast Asia and represents a reinforcement of relations among these countries.”
• BIMSTEC is different from other regional groupings such as SAARC or ASEAN because it is a sector-driven organisation.

WHAT IS THE WORKING MECHANISM OF BIMSTEC?:

• Until the current summit, BIMSTEC did not have a formal document or organisational architecture, which was adopted this time in the form of the BIMSTEC Charter.
• It did have a working mechanism for policy-making and operational goals. Policymaking would be done through two types of meetings: Summits, which are supposed to be held every two years; and ministerial meetings of Foreign and Commerce Ministers of member countries for deciding on trade and economic affairs, to be held once every year. An operational meeting of senior officials to monitor the activities of the grouping is also supposed to be held twice a year.
• Since its inception, BIMSTEC’s policymaking meetings have not been held as per plan. Just five summits, including the current one, have been held in 25 years.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BIMSTEC?:

• The BIMSTEC region hosts 22% of the world population or 1.68 billion people; the member states have a combined GDP of US$3.697 trillion/per year.

IMPORATNCE OF BIMSTEC FOR INDIA

LOOK EAST POLICY:

• It should be seen in the context of India’s heightened interest and commitment to its “Act East” policy.
• Without a strong outreach to BIMSTEC member states, India’s attempts at achieving its Act East policy goals will lack momentum.

SECURITY:

• It could also be seen as aligning with India’s larger goal to gain trade and security prominence in the Indian Ocean region and to cater to the concept of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ region, a major focus of Quad countries.

AN ALTERNATIVE TO SAARC:

• The idea of BIMSTEC also gained prominence after the 2016 Uri attack when India was able to get SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations on its side to boycott the organisations’ summit, which was to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan.
• The progress of SAARC has stalled over the years due to Indo-Pak relations and what experts call Pakistan’s obstructionist approach to the organisation.
• BIMSTEC emerged as an alternative platform for cooperation.

CHINA’S INFLUENCE IN THE REGION:

• China’s influence and presence in India’s neighbourhood have grown enormously on account of BRI initiatives.
• Debt burdens have forced India’s neighbours to hand over assets to China.
• India will be hoping that its economic engagement with the Bay of Bengal littoral states will restrict Chinese influence in these countries.

REGIONAL COOPERATION:

• BIMSTEC has gained popularity among South Asian countries as a platform for regional cooperation.
• The organisation is a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
• BIMSTEC’s major strength is that it includes two influential regional powers: Thailand and India.
• The region has countries with the fastest-growing economies in the world.

FUTURE PERSPECTIVEs:

• India is likely to find that focusing its diplomatic energies on BIMSTEC member states could be rewarding.
• Relationships among BIMSTEC members are generally cordial, unlike the strained India-Pakistan relationship.
• BIMSTEC is not without its share of problems. India will need to convince other BIMSTEC members that its new outreach to them is not a “rebound relationship,” a short-term one to thumb its nose at Pakistan.
• BIMSTEC suffers from a lack of human and financial resources. India needs to allocate more resources to its BIMSTEC budget and should take an informal leadership role to provide BIMSTEC with momentum.

STRATEGIC SHIFT FROM SAARC TO BIMSTEC

THE URI ATTACK AND BOYCOTT OF THE SAARC SUMMIT:

• In September 2016 India saw a deadly attack on the army camp in Uri.
• After that attack, India expressed its inability to participate in the Islamabad SAARC summit due to “prevailing circumstances” and stepped up diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.
• Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan followed India’s decision to stay away from the November summit to be held in Islamabad.
• India and other countries cited “cross-border terrorist attacks in the region” as a reason for boycotting the summit.

SHIFT FROM SAARC TO BIMSTEC:

• India invited the BIMSTEC leaders to the BRICS summit at Goa in 2016.
• In doing so it sent out the message that if SAARC wasn’t ready to deliver, India had BIMSTEC to turn to. After that, The Indian prime minister engaged BIMSTEC leaders in bilateral meetings.
• Since 2016 there has been no movement forward on resuming the SAARC summit.
• India is regularly attending the BIMSTEC summit and it had emerged as an alternative regional platform where five SAARC (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka) countries could gather and discuss sub-regional cooperation.
• India chose BIMSTEC over any other regional grouping indicative of India’s importance to the Bay of Bengal region.
• BIMSTEC=SAARC- (Pakistan, Maldives, and Afghanistan) +(Thailand and Myanmar)

WHY IS INDIA’S STRATEGIC FOCUS SHIFTING FROM SAARC TO BIMSTEC?

Apart from the terror issue, there are many other issues which are responsible for India’s strategic shift from SAARC to BIMSTEC. These are

FAILURE OF SAARC:

• SAARC has come under serious scrutiny in the last few years.
• From its very inception, member countries treated it with suspicion and mistrust.
• Even after three decades of its existence, SAARC’s performance has been less than satisfactory, and its role in strengthening regional cooperation is being questioned.
• In the 30 years of its history, annual SAARC summits have been postponed 11 times for political reasons, either bilateral or internal.
• Numerous agreements and institutional mechanisms established under SAARC have not been adequately implemented.

PAKISTAN’S NON-COOPERATION:

• Pakistan’s non-cooperation has stalled some major initiatives under SAARC.
• At the 18th SAARC summit in Kathmandu in 2014, initiatives such as the SAARC–Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA), could not be signed.
• The SAARC satellite project that India proposed was abandoned following an objection from Pakistan in 2016.
• 19th summit scheduled to be held in Pakistan in 2016 was suspended for an indefinite period, as member countries declined to participate.
• While cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan is a major concern for India, Pakistan has failed to address these concerns.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA IN BIMSTEC

BRIDGE BETWEEN SOUTH ASIA AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA:

• Nearly 1.5 billion people live along its coastline.
• 25% of the world’s traded goods across the Bay of Bengal every year.
• 80% of Chinese, 90% of South Korea’s, and Japan’s energy imports pass through the Bay of Bengal.

MARKET:

• The seven countries (apart from India) have a combined GDP of approximately US$ 2.7 trillion with 5.5% economic growth.

RESOURCES:

• the Bay of Bengal is the world’s largest bay, it is also rich in untapped natural resources, with some of the world’s largest fishing stocks, reserves of gas, and other sea bed minerals.

GEOSTRATEGIC:

• BIMSTEC community gives tacit recognition to India as a major power in Indo-Pacific by facilitating India to take a leading position.

ROLE IN INDO-PACIFIC:

• the Bay of Bengal acts as a funnel to the Strait of Malacca linking the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is a major maritime choke-up point for China, Japan, and most East and Southeast Asian states.

DEVELOPMENT OF COASTAL STATES:

• One-quarter of its population lives in states bordering the Bay of Bengal. Their growth and development are increasingly seen to hinge on the degree of connectivity with the Southeast Asian markets.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES FOR INDIA IN BIMSTEC?

LACK OF HUMAN AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES:

• BIMSTEC suffers from a lack of human and financial resources.
• India needs to allocate more resources to its BIMSTEC budget and should take an informal leadership role to provide BIMSTEC with momentum.
• India is currently the largest contributor to the BIMSTEC secretariat budget.

SUPREMACY:

• India would have to counter the impression that BIMSTEC is an India-dominated bloc; in that context, India can follow the Gujral doctrine that intends to chalk out the effect of transactionary motive in bilateral relations.

CONNECTIVITY:

• Connectivity is a major issue among BIMSTEC nations.
• North-Eastern states are important in deepening connectivity among BIMSTEC nations, but the Siliguri corridor (chicken neck) provides a very narrow passage for movement and obstructs connectivity.
• The underdevelopment of North Eastern states in terms of infrastructure and connectivity will also be a major hurdle.

REGIONAL INSTABILITY:

• Regional instability in the form of the Rohingya crisis and other intra and interstate issues can hamper the efficient and effective functioning of the grouping.

THE LACK OF CRITICAL SUPPORT:

• Strong and clear political commitment, adequate financial resources, full engagement of business and industry, and optimal involvement of civil society has been the principal constraint in BIMSTEC.

BCIM:

• The formation of another sub-regional initiative, the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Forum, with the proactive membership of China, has created more doubts about the exclusive potential of BIMSTEC.

BIMSTEC VS SAARC: WHICH IS MORE SUITABLE FOR INDIA?

If India wants to prove itself as a regional power, as the largest country in South Asia, India cannot escape its responsibilities under SAARC. The following points explain the differences between SAARC and BIMSTEC. In the end, it can be seen that none of them can substitute for each other. Rather they can complement each other’s roles.

THE WAY FORWARD

• India can’t afford to remain isolated in the light of recent forays by China in South Asia that India exerts as its own sphere of influence. By facilitating trade and economy through BIMSTEC, India can integrate the economies of surrounding countries. For e.g., India can integrate the BIG-B initiative of Bangladesh with its own SAGARMALA project
• To build this as a sustainable platform, India should also focus on maintaining consistency in the frequency of the summits to ensure regularity in decision making;
• It should also fund it more to improve the capacity of the secretariat, both in terms of manpower and funding. In the short term, since India lacks the resources, India should use its clout to derive funds from JICA, World Bank, or ADB.
• Ensuring tangible results/benefits, which will add to the motivation of the countries to concentrate on BIMSTEC
• To prevent this platform fall apart like SAARC, India needs to give teeth to it. This can be done by empowering BIMSTEC to be a platform for dispute resolution among member 24 countries. This will require debates and discussions among the BIMSTEC countries to reach a consensus. India should also go ahead of its reservations on certain issues that neighboring countries opine as big brotherly nature to improve their confidence.

THE Conclusion: Recent summit is a good opportunity for India and other BIMSTEC countries to develop a strong regional group to promote peace, stability, and trade. For India, it is an important platform to counter China in the South Asia region. Apart from it, with the help of BIMSTEC countries, India can develop an effective regional group for trade like ASEAN.

Questions:

1. Discuss the opportunities and challenges for India in the BIMSTEC grouping.
2. How far do you agree with this view that as being the largest country in the South Asia region, India should lead the region in world politics, and for that India should try for the revival of SAARC? Analyse your view.
3. ‘BIMSTEC is an opportunity for India for its Act East Policy, but it cannot be an alternative of SAARC’. Critically Examine.