THE INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. WHAT IS THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (IDENTIFICATION) ACT, 2022?

THE CONTEXT: According to the new provisions of the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill,  it will allow police and prison authorities to collect, store and analyse physical and biological samples including retina and iris scans of convicted, arrested and detained persons.

THE EXPLANATION

What is the legislation about?

• The Bill seeks to repeal the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920. The over 100-year-old Act’s scope was limited to capturing of finger impression, foot-print impressions and photographs of convicted prisoners and certain category of arrested and non-convicted persons on the order of a Magistrate.
• The Statement of Objects and Reasons of the 2022 Bill said that new ‘‘measurement’’ techniques being used in advanced countries are giving credible and reliable results and are recognised the world over. It said that the 1920 Act does not provide for taking these body measurements as many of the techniques and technologies had not been developed then.

What are the major changes proposed?

It proposes four major changes.

• First, it would define ‘‘measurements’’ to include “signature, handwriting, iris and retina scan, physical, biological samples and their analysis, etc.” It does not specify what analysis means, implying that it may also include storing DNA samples. The “etc.” mentioned in the text of the Bill could give unfettered powers to law enforcement agencies to interpret the law as per their convenience, sometimes to the disadvantage of the accused.
• Second, it empowers the National Crime Records Bureau of India (NCRB), under the Union Home Ministry, to collect, store and preserve the record of measurements for at least 75 years. The NCRB will be able to share the data with other law enforcement agencies as well. Police is a State subject and NCRB works under the Union government, and experts contend this provision may impinge on federalism.
• Third, it empowers a Magistrate to direct any person to give vital details, which till now was reserved for convicts and those involved in heinous crimes.
• Fourth, it empowers police or prison officers up to the rank of a Head Constable to take details of any person who resists or refuses to do so. 

What are some other changes?

• The Bill also seeks to apply to persons detained under any preventive detention law. The Bill also authorises taking vital details of “other persons” for identification and investigation in criminal matters. It doesn’t define the “other persons”, implying its ambit extends beyond convicts, arrested persons, or detainees.
• The Bill’s stated objective is it provides legal sanction for taking such details and will make the investigation of crime more efficient and expeditious, and help in increasing the conviction rate.

THE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

2. INDIA AND UK CONCLUDE FIFTH ROUND OF TALKS FOR INDIA-UK FREE TRADE AGREEMENT

THE CONTEXT:Recently the Republic of India and the United Kingdom concluded the fifth round of talks for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

THE EXPLANATION:

• Negotiation officials undertook these technical talks in a hybrid fashion – with some of the teams meeting in New Delhi, India, and the majority of officials joined virtually. For this round of negotiations, technical experts from both sides came together for detailed draft treaty text discussions in 85 separate sessions covering 15 policy areas.
• Indian and UK officials will continue to work intensively throughout the summer towards our target to conclude the majority of talks on a comprehensive and balanced Free Trade Agreement by the end of October 2022.

What is a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)?

A free trade agreement is a pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers to imports and exports among them. Under a free trade policy, goods and services can be bought and sold across international borders with little or no government tariffs, quotas, subsidies, or prohibitions to inhibit their exchange.

Key features of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs):

1. The member nations of FTAs explicitly identify the duties and tariffs that are to be imposed on member countries when it comes to imports and exports.
2. FTAs typically cover trades in (a) merchandise — such as agricultural or industrial products (b) services — such as banking, construction, trading and so forth (c) intellectual property rights (IPRs), (d) investment (e) government procurement (f) competition policy and so on.
3. FTAs additionally, for the most part, provide a criterion called the ‘Rules of Origin (RoO)’, required for the determination of the product’s country of origin for the imposition of the preferential tariff on international trade.
4. FTAs act as an exception to the Most Favoured Nation principle adopted by WTO (World Trade Organization).

India-UK bilateral trade

• Bilateral trade between India and UK stood at 18.3 billion in the year 2020. It was lesser than the trade of 23.3 billion pounds in 2019.  India and UK have also launched a new Enhanced Trade Partnership. It opened the way for future Free Trade Agreements.
• Currently, India is the largest market with which the UK has committed to negotiating any trade deal. India is the second-largest investor in the UK economy.
• About 842 Indian companies in the UK, are employing more than 110,000 people. The combined revenue of Indian companies has increased by 87% in the last five years.

THE INTERNAL SECURITY AFFAIRS

3. ASSAM, ARUNACHAL FORM PANELS TO RESOLVE BOUNDARY DISPUTE

THE CONTEXT:Recently, the Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have formed 12 regional committees to expedite the process of identification and early resolution of disputed areas along their 804.10 km boundary.

THE EXPLANATION:

The two States had disputes in 123 villages along the border but the number was restricted to 86 in the Namsai Declaration, stated a document the Chief Ministers of the two States, signed on July 15 2022.

Genesis of Assam – Arunachal Pradesh border dispute:

• Assam has had boundary disputes with all the north-eastern States that were carved out of it.
• Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram were separated from Assam as Union Territories in 1972 and as States in 1987.
• None of the new States accepted the “constitutional boundary” that they said was dictated by the partisan administration of undivided Assam without consulting the tribal stakeholders.
• The issue with Arunachal Pradesh has more to do with a 1951 report prepared by a sub-committee headed by Assam’s first Chief Minister, Gopinath Bordoloi.

The dispute:

Arunachal Pradesh and Assam have disputes at about 1,200 points along their 804 km boundary. 

Efforts to resolve the dispute:

• The apex court appointed a local boundary commission in 2006 headed by one of its retired judges.
• In its September 2014 report, this commission recommended that Arunachal Pradesh should get back some of the areas transferred in 1951 besides advising both the States to find a middle path through discussions. This did not work out.

THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

4. ACTION PLAN FOR INTRODUCTION OF CHEETAH IN INDIA

THE CONTEXT: India plans to restore the only large carnivore, the Cheetah, that has become extinct in independent India.

THE EXPLANATION:

This endeavor will achieve the following goals and objectives:

Goal

Establish viable cheetah metapopulation in India that allows the cheetah to perform its functional role as a top predator and provide space for the expansion of the cheetah within its historical range thereby contributing to its global conservation efforts.

Objectives of the project are-

1. To establish breeding cheetah populations in safe habitats across its historical range and manage them as a metapopulation.
2. To use the cheetah as a charismatic flagship and umbrella species to garner resources for restoring open forest and savanna systems that will benefit biodiversity and ecosystem services from these ecosystems.
3. To enhance India’s capacity to sequester carbon through ecosystem restoration activities in cheetah conservation areas and thereby contribute towards the global climate change mitigation goals.
4. To use the ensuing opportunity for eco-development and eco-tourism to enhance local community livelihoods.
5. To manage any conflict by cheetah or other wildlife with local communities within cheetah conservation areas expediently through compensation, awareness, and management actions to win community support.

The introduction of the cheetah is not only a species recovery program but an effort to restore ecosystems with a lost element that has played a significant role in their evolutionary history, allow ecosystems to provide services to their full potential, and use the cheetah as an umbrella species for conserving the biodiversity of grasslands, savanna and open forest systems.

The word Cheetah is of Sanskrit origin and the cheetah finds mention in the ancient texts such as the Vedas and Puranas; it is indeed ironical that the species is currently extinct in India. The original threats that resulted in the extinction of the cheetah have been abated and India now has the technical and financial ability to bring back its lost Natural Heritage for ethical, ecological, and economic considerations.

Successful conservation introductions are a blend of best science, technology, sociological aspects and commitment of financial resources. These aspects are integrated in this Action Plan based on the modern scientific approach recommended by the latest International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines for reintroduction and other conservation translocations, provides the framework for bringing back the charismatic cheetah to India. 

VALUE ADDITION:

India’s effort related to relocation of Cheetahs

• This isn’t the first time that India has attempted relocation of the cheetah.
• In the early 1970s, negotiations were carried out with Iran on behalf of the Indira Gandhi administration.
• Assessed sites-Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve and Shergarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kuno National Park, Madhav National Park and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
• Kuno National Park is identified for the relocation.
• The site has been monitored since 2006 and identified for relocating the Asiatic Lion.

Significance of Reintroducing Cheetahs

• A section of conservationists has long advocated the reintroduction of the species in the country.
• It is recognised as a strategy to conserve threatened species and restore ecosystem functions.
• The cheetah is the only large carnivore that has been extirpated, mainly by over-hunting in India in historical times.
• India now has the economic ability to consider restoring its lost natural heritage for ethical as well as ecological reasons.”
• The conservation of the cheetah will revive grasslands and their biomes and habitat, much like Project Tiger has done for forests and all the species that have seen their numbers go up.

Kuno National Park

• Kuno National Park of Madhya Pradesh is one the most unique destination for all wildlife lovers and enthusiasts
• It has a healthy population of chital, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, chinkara and cattle. Currently, the leopard and striped hyena are the only larger carnivores within the National Park, with the lone tiger having returned to Ranthambore earlier this year.

THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

5. AGRICULTURE MINISTRY LAUNCHES INDIGENOUS VACCINE FOR LUMPY SKIN DISEASE

THE CONTEXT: Providing a big relief to the livestock of the country, the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare,launched the indigenous vaccine Lumpi-ProVacInd to protect livestock from Lumpy Skin disease.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The vaccine has been developed by the National Equine Research Center, Hisar (Haryana) in collaboration with the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar (Bareilly). Describing this vaccine as a milestone for eradicating the Lumpy disease. The Ministry also noted that livestock, along with human resource, is the biggest asset of our country, which we have a big responsibility to preserve and prosper.
• “According to the Ministry directed the concerned officials to provide this vaccine in large numbers at the earliest for relief to the cattle. He said that there are 30 crore livestock in the country, considering the plight of mute animals, all possible measures should be taken to provide them relief at the earliest”.
• Meanwhile, the Punjab government-run Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) issued an advisory on the disease, which, it said, is transmitted by vectors such as mosquitoes, biting flies and ticks.

VALUE ADDITION:

What is the Lumpy Skin Disease?

According to a report by GAVI, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) disease is caused by a virus called the Capripoxvirus and is “an emerging threat to livestock worldwide”. It is genetically related to the goatpox and sheeppox virus family.

• LSD infects cattle and water buffalo mainly through vectors such as blood-feeding insects. Signs of infection include the appearance of circular, firm nodes on the animal’s hide or skin that look similar to lumps.
• Infected animals immediately start losing weight and may have fever and lesions in the mouth, along with a reduced milk yield. Other symptoms include excessive nasal and salivary secretion. Pregnant cows and buffaloes often suffer miscarriage and in some cases, diseased animals can die due to it as well.

CASE STUDY:

• Nearly 3,000 cattle have died in Rajasthan and Gujarat due to a viral infection called the Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) that has spread across the states. Gujarat Chief Minister visited the affected areas in Kutch to review the situation.
• On July 27, 2022, The Gujarat government banned the transport of livestock out of 14 affected districts. Around 11 lakh cattle have been vaccinated against the disease, and the National Dairy Development Board has supplied 28 lakh doses of goat pox vaccine to Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab, bought from a private entity called Hester Biosciences. A toll-free helpline – 1962 – has also been activated to guide cattle-herders and dairy farmers to tackle the disease.

THE NEWS IN NUMBERS

6. UNEMPLOYED YOUTH

73 In million, the expected global number of unemployed youths in 2022, down two million from the year before, according to the United Nations. However, the figure is still six million higher than the pre-pandemic level of 2019, with the recovery in youth unemployment lagging behind the bounceback in other age groups, the International Labour Organization (ILO) said. Between 2019 and 2020, those aged 15 to 24 experienced a much higher percentage loss in employment than the rest of the labour market

7. ASSISTANCE FOR NEPAL

15 In ₹ billion, the amount China has pledged in grant assistance to Nepal. “The two foreign Ministers took stock of overall aspects of Nepal-China relations and agreed to promote further cooperation in various sectors, including trade, connectivity, investment, health, tourism, poverty alleviation, agriculture, disaster management, education, culture, and people-to-people exchanges among others,” the Nepal Foreign Ministry said. Foreign Minister Narayan Khadka was visiting China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi.

8. OWNING DIGITAL CURRENCY

7.3 The percentage of Indian population that owns digital currency, the seventh highest in the world, according to the UN, which said that the use of cryptocurrency rose globally at an unprecedented rate during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UN trade and development body UNCTAD said that in 2021, developing countries accounted for 15 of the top 20 economies when it came to the share of population that owns cryptocurrencies. Ukraine topped the list with 12.7%.

1. Go beyond belief: Understanding the significance of misery READ MORE
2. Communal violence pushed Gandhi to the brink READ MORE
3. When obedience is virtue, questioning evil READ MORE

1. Evidence that giant meteorite impacts created the continents READ MORE
2. Warming and redistribution of nitrogen inputs drive an increase in terrestrial nitrous oxide emission factor READ MORE  
3. India’s new climate targets make no mention of some of the commitments made to the world in Glasgow READ MORE

1. The slow execution of the police as an institution continues. Who will save it? READ MORE
2. Digital regulation: Main challenges and how India can deal with them READ MORE
3. Confusion over freebies READ MORE
4. Goal of social democracy isn’t fulfilled for lack of fraternity READ MORE

1. Demographic benefit waning: India will start ageing soon, with average age slated to reach 38.1 years in 2050 READ MORE
2. Survey data on poverty and broad policy pointers READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. Youth employment deteriorated in India: ILO report READ MORE
2. Jagdeep Dhankhar sworn in as 14th Vice President of India READ MORE
3. Rear Admiral Guillermo Pablo Rios of Argentina appointed leader of UNMOGIP READ MORE
4. What is this new Langya virus? Do we need to be worried? READ MORE
5. 7% Indians own crypto, 7th highest globally: UN READ MORE
6. ‘Inflation spike, CAD concerns easing; govt being watchful’ READ MORE
7. Do Vitamin D supplements help? READ MORE

Main Exam

1. Demographic benefit waning: India will start ageing soon, with average age slated to reach 38.1 years in 2050 READ MORE
2. Evidence that giant meteorite impacts created the continents READ MORE

 GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. The slow execution of the police as an institution continues. Who will save it? READ MORE
2. Digital regulation: Main challenges and how India can deal with them READ MORE
3. Confusion over freebies READ MORE
4. Goal of social democracy isn’t fulfilled for lack of fraternity READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Survey data on poverty and broad policy pointers READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. India as a major world player at 75 READ MORE
2. INDIA MUST REJIG TIES IN ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. A timely gesture: Transferring more tax devolutions to States early in the year is a prudent move READ MORE
2. Regulate fintechs, but not with a bludgeon READ MORE
3. The critical role of FPOs in doubling farmers’ income READ MORE
4. Ethanol push: More projects needed to spur transition to clean energy READ MORE
5. Regulating digital lending: Rules are in the right direction READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Warming and redistribution of nitrogen inputs drive an increase in terrestrial nitrous oxide emission factor READ MORE  
2. India’s new climate targets make no mention of some of the commitments made to the world in Glasgow READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Highs & lows of our defence and security READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. Go beyond belief: Understanding the significance of misery READ MORE
2. Communal violence pushed Gandhi to the brink READ MORE
3. When obedience is virtue, questioning evil READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. How far do you agree with this view that freebies for marginal section of society is not a freebie; this is just a state government discharging its “constitutional responsibilities” to create an equitable society? Justify your view.
2. ‘India has emerged as one of the key players in the international arena without compromising its basic premise’. Examine the statement with the help of recent developments.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power.
• There needs to be engagement with survey data, but ground-level realities should shape programmatic interventions.
• Friction points between the Centre and States will persist with fluctuating intensities, but a rising economic tide will ease constraints for both.
• Fintech have become valuable partners for banks in connecting with consumers. It’s Bigtech that need greater regulatory watch now.
• A lot of recommendations rest on the ability of farmer producer organisations to address the structural weakness of small and marginal farmers.
• Religion becomes a matter of belief – and belief acts and has a corresponding influence on the mind; the mind then can never be free.
• The passage of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill in the just-concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament is another indicator of the political resolve to promote the use of non-fossil fuels such as ethanol, green hydrogen and biomass.
• The Election Commission seems to be steering clear of the mess of freebies our politicians have created.
• Freebies for marginal section of society is not a freebie; this is just a state government discharging its “constitutional responsibilities” to create an equitable society.
• In the last 75 years, the world has changed and so has India. The world has seen the end of the Cold War and a world shifting from bipolar to unipolar and also stages of a multipolar one.
• The current discussion about democratic challenges is quite pertinent and clear, and it requires a critical examination of its pervasive and silent discourse.
• Fraternity, as opposed to liberty and equality, fails to get traction in public discourse or political programmes.
• The challenges in the path of fraternity projects are many. But we must overcome them, as it is on the pillar of fraternal relations that a well-functioning and healthy democracy rests.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Liberty may be endangered by the abuse of liberty, but also by the abuse of power.

50 WORD TALK

• Government has done well to remove the regressive caps on airfares. It should also rationalise taxes and levies on the sector to make it more competitive and allow airlines to invest in growing the pandemic-hit business and safety. Civil aviation is no longer a luxury but a critical public-facing service.

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.) 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: In June 2022, the summit of the Group of Seven (G7) was held in Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, Germany. India participated in the summit as an invited member. The discussion focused on addressing the war crisis in eastern Europe between Russia and Ukraine, the Covid-19 crisis, climate change, infrastructure development and the food crisis. The detailed analysis of the development is as follows.

ABOUT THE SUMMIT

DATE OF SUMMIT 26- 28 June 2022

PARTICIPATION

• Apart from seven G- 7 members (UK, USA, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy and France), This year, Germany invited the leaders of five other countries; these are
o Argentina
o India
o Indonesia
o Senegal
o South Africa

ISSUES DISCUSSED IN THE SUMMIT

• During the three-day meeting, the G7 leaders discussed a wide range of topics, including:
o Ukraine and cooperating on foreign policy
o addressing energy and food security
o investing in climate and health
o promoting partnerships for infrastructure and investment
o shaping the global economy
o advancing gender equality
o shaping international cooperation

OUTCOMES OF THE SUMMIT

UKRAINE

• The G7 leaders re-emphasized their condemnation of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine.
• Financial support from the G7 in 2022 amounts to more than EUR 2.6 billion in humanitarian aid.
• G7 countries are ready to grant or have pledged and provided EUR 28 billion in budget aid.
• The G7 leaders are strongly committed to supporting Ukrainian reconstruction through an international reconstruction plan and conference.
• G7 countries will continue to impose severe and enduring sanctions on Russia to help bring an end to this war.

ENERGY AND FOOD SECURITY
• Russia’s war on Ukraine is dramatically worsening energy security and access to food globally.
• The G7 leaders committed to taking immediate action to secure the energy supply and reduce price surges.
• This includes exploring additional measures such as price caps.
• The G7 countries will also increase global food and nutrition security through the Global Alliance on Food Security.

ECONOMIC ISSUES
• The G7 leaders remain committed to minimizing the impact of the war globally, as well as its impact on their own economies and population.
• G7 countries will help to stabilize and transform the global economy while tackling rising costs of living for citizens.

CLIMATE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
• The G7 leaders endorsed the goals of an open and cooperative International Climate Club. The Climate Club will be built around three pillars: advancing ambitious and transparent climate change mitigation policies toward climate neutrality; transforming industries to accelerate decarbonization; and boosting international ambition through partnerships and cooperation to facilitate climate action and promote just energy transition.
• They will work with partners towards establishing it by the end of 2022.
• The objectives are to:
 drive urgent, ambitious and inclusive action to align with 1.5°C pathways
 accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement
• The G7 leaders committed to:
 a highly decarbonized road sector by 2030
 a fully or predominantly decarbonized power sector by 2035
 prioritizing the acceleration of the phase-out of domestic unabated coal power use.

INVESTMENT IN A BETTER FUTURE
• The G7 leaders reviewed the progress of the G7 Partnership for Infrastructure and Investment.
• Through the partnership, they aim to mobilize USD 600 billion over the next five years to narrow the global investment gap.
• The G7 leaders agreed to step up their cooperation globally. Building on their existing partnership with South Africa, they will work towards new Just Energy Transition Partnerships with:
 Indonesia
 India
 Senegal
 Vietnam

HEALTH
• On COVID-19, the G7 leaders reaffirmed their commitment to equitable global access to and delivery of safe, effective and affordable:
 vaccines
 therapeutics
 diagnostics
 other essential medical goods

DEMOCRATIC VALUES
• The G7 leaders will also cooperate with civil society and partners to:
 strengthen the resilience of our societies
 promote human rights online and offline
 address disinformation
 achieve gender equality

AN ANALYSIS OF THE OUTCOMES

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND CONFLICT

• Global Alliance for Food Security is a good step, but nutrition needs more attention.
• The Alliance should be engaged with governments, local farmers, smallholders, and social actors to develop and strengthen local food chains –and boost long-term food security, sovereignty and resilience.
• Communities in the Horn of Africa are facing the threat of starvation following four consecutive failed rainy seasons in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, a climatic event not seen in at least 40 years.
• The March-May 2022 rainy season is likely the driest on record.
• Only USD 4.5 billion for global food security this year, while World Food Programme (WFP) needs USD 14 billion this year to tackle hunger.

OPEN SOCIETIES

• The G7 leaders’ special statement on resilient democracies and commitment to work with civil society and other partners is an improvement on the 2021 open societies statement because:
 It has increased the prominence of civic space in the statement, and there is now more detail.
 There is now a commitment to “advancing programmes for the protection of human rights defenders and all those exposing corruption”, which we can use to hold G7 leaders accountable.
 There is a commitment to “speaking out against threats to civic space, and respecting freedom of association and peaceful assembly.”
• But a special task force to strengthen and expand protection mechanisms for civil society organizations and activists under threat that was discussed in the previous meeting was not discussed this year.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND TRANSFORMATION

To address the problem of unsustainable debt levels, the G20 reached an agreement in November 2020 on a Common Framework for Debt Treatments which aimed to deal with insolvency and protracted liquidity problems in the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI)-eligible countries by providing debt relief but the initiative facing its implementation issues and struggling to maintain its credibility.
• While the G7 recognizes urgency “to improve multilateral frameworks for debt restructuring and to address debt vulnerabilities”, they failed to admit the weaknesses of the existing G20 Common Framework and the need for a reform of international debt architecture, which includes cancelling unsustainable debt for the countries that need it the most and
• In the 47th G-7 Summit in 2021, the group made an agreement to plug the cross-border tax loopholes used by the giant multinational companies (MNCs) to evade taxes has immense potential to reform and revolutionize
• the global tax system.
• The reform blueprint was based on two pillars:
o to distribute the profits equitably among countries where these are generated, enabling them to tax such profits
o by the adoption of a minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15 per cent globally.
• Establishing effective engagement with private creditors and China.
• Similarly, recognition of the weaknesses and limitations of the global tax deal reached in 2021, especially for the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), was absent.
• Lots of attention was given to gender equality, both in terms of addressing and mainstreaming it, and there was even the suggestion of developing “feminist development, foreign and trade policies.”

CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

• G7 leaders did not take any concrete steps forward on climate and environmental justice. They instead backtracked on their commitment to stop funding fossil fuels overseas. The G7 watered down the COP26 commitment to end new direct public support for fossil fuels by the end of 2022.
• No progress was made on increasing support for those on the frontline of the climate crisis, with the $100bn-a-year climate finance commitment (to help poorer countries cut carbon emissions and cope with global warming, but only two nations offered firm promises of more cash) reiterated but not met two years after failing to meet the delivery deadline.
• No concrete commitments were made to provide finance to address loss and damage, the missing component of climate finance, only empty words about scaling up climate and disaster risk finance and insurance.

GLOBAL HEALTH AND CARE

• Commitment to the collective support of USD 79 million for the Childcare Incentive Fund is a welcome step in the right direction, but the care economy should be seen beyond childcare and be part of adequately funded (2% of GDP) social protection.
• Did not commit to the critical TRIPS waiver, which would relax intellectual property rules and share Covid-19-related tech and know-how with Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs), allowing them to produce and use Covid-19 vaccines.
• Made a commitment to Universal Health Care by 2030, stepping up their efforts in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response under the One Health approach.
• Committed to supporting a successful Seventh Replenishment of the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) with the goal of ending the three diseases, though it was not backed up with funding. In their final declaration, the G7 countries reaffirmed their support for international organizations such as the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

INDIA IN THE SUMMIT

Indian PM participated in the summit and discussed issues like energy, food security, counterterrorism, environment and democracy with the leaders of the powerful bloc and its partner countries.
The highlights of PM’s speech:
• Urged the countries to invest in clean energy and said access to energy should not be a privilege of the rich and the poor also should have an equal right to energy.
• Women’s rights and their leading role in development.
• On the issue of global food security by, saying that Millets can make a valuable contribution to ensuring food security in the world. Apart from it, PM Modi highlighted the role of Indian agriculture in global food security.
• Apart from it, PM lauded Indian agricultural manpower and how it can be instrumental in ensuring food security.
• The result of this can be seen as the first announcement made was a 600-billion-dollar infrastructure initiative to help developing countries tackle climate change. The initiative, namely, Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, is seen as the West’s response to China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Importance of meeting for India
The meeting was held at a time when the interesting turn of events in world politics, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis, growing Chinese threat in the Indo-Pacific, the revival of the global economy post-pandemic, energy transition and others are going on, and somehow, India is at the centre of it all. So, the invitation for the meeting to India shows that the canvas of India’s foreign policy is increasing day by day and day, and India has become an important ally for the West in the developing world.

WHAT DID INDIA GET FROM THE SUMMIT?

SERVES INDIA’S LARGER GEOPOLITICAL CALCULUS

• India’s relations with the West matter.
• India shares a large and conflicted border with China and is in the direct line of fire of China’s expansionist ambitions, the rise of terrorism with the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, walking thin rope in the Russia-Ukraine crisis, an economically ailing Sri Lanka in its backyard, India does not have it easy.
• Therefore, being part of plurilateral platforms like these serves India’s larger geopolitical calculus.

OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH WEST AND INDIA

• the G-7 Summit presents an opportunity for both the West and India to forge and strengthen their existing partnerships while also mindfully tackling the ongoing geopolitical crisis across the globe.
• Also, the summit has further established the “indispensability of India in any noticeable North, South, or North-South platforms when it comes to searching for solutions and their implementation”.
• The West knows that India has risen and is at the helm of global politics and, therefore, cannot be ignored at the table.

INDIA IS VERY CLEAR ABOUT SAVING ITS INTERESTS

• India is continuing to maintain its strategic autonomy as well as focus on serving its own economic and geopolitical interests along with regional prosperity.
• The Global politics of the 21st Century is centred around the Indo-Pacific, and India is at the centre of it the road to a stable, peaceful, resilient geopolitical environment goes via India.

HOW IS THE CANVAS OF INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY INCREASING?

INVITATION TO THE SUMMIT

• It is clear that despite India’s reluctance to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine and differing stances with the West, India was invited (not exclusive, though) as a partner country to the summit.

PARTICIPATED AS AN IMPORTANT ALLY IN INDO-PACIFIC

• India’s growing influence in global affairs is unquestionable. In the new Indo-Pacific construct and amidst China’s muscle-flexing, India is critical. Back in 2017, the then US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson, referred to India as the “Western beacon” of the Indo-Pacific.

IMPORTANT MEMBER OF DIFFERENT GROUPINGS

• India’s growing stature and importance in world affairs are widely recognized. India’s diplomacy has led the country to emerge as a global influencer through active participation in I2U2, G-20, BRICS, QUAD, SCO, SAARC, and now G-7.

INDIA’S NARRATIVES ARE MAKING IT A GLOBAL FORCE IN WORLD FORUM

• It can be seen how India can bring a “fresh perspective on the narrative of the global north on climate change, carbon pricing, pandemic prevention, issues related to Intellectual Property, global food security and public stock holdings as well as promotion of shared values of democracy, and the rule of law”.

PGII vs. BRI

• The G 7 leaders launched the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), a joint initiative to fund infrastructure projects in developing countries. The project, launched on June 27, is being seen as the bloc’s counter to China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative.
• However, the stated purpose of both the PGII and the BRI is to help secure funding for countries to build critical infrastructure such as roads, ports, bridges, communication setups, etc., to enhance global trade and cooperation.
• China began the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013 under President Xi Jinping. It aims to revive the ancient trade routes crossing to and from China–from Rome in Europe to East Asia.
• However, China was criticized in the West and by some other countries for providing unsustainable debts to countries that will be unable to repay them.

The comparison of BRI and PGII

BRI 

• 1.2 to 1.3 trillion-dollar project
• State-funded.
• Projects by extending large, low-interest loans to countries.
• The Belt and Road project started to revive connectivity, trade, and infrastructure along what was China’s ancient Silk Road.
• The project initially aimed to strengthen connectivity with Southeast Asia but later expanded to South and Central Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America
• the BRI has faced criticism for making countries sign confidential tenders for extending massive loans, leaving countries indebted to China.

PGII

• 600 billion project.
• Funded through private investors
• Build projects through grants and investments.
• The PGII is a values-based plan to help underfunded low and middle-income countries meet their infrastructure needs. PGII has laid focus on climate action and clean energy,
• G7 leaders emphasized ‘transparency’ as the cornerstone of PGII projects.

IS THERE ANY SPECIFIC ROLE FOR INDIA IN PGII?

• The PGII will have four key priorities on infrastructure: climate and energy security, digital connectivity, health and health security, and gender equality and equity, all of which are priority areas for India as well.
• A specific plan for investment in an Agritech and Climate sustainability fund would invest in companies that increase food security and promote both climate resilience and climate adaptation in India, as well as improve the profitability and agricultural productivity of smallholder farms.

WHAT ARE THE CRITICISM OF INDIA’S STAND IN G-7?

India has become an important ally of the West in the Indo-pacific region, and its participation in the summit clears it, but mere attending a summit does not serve India’s interest, and the development will lead to India’s hostilities with all-weather competitor China. Moreover, India didn’t call for any improvement in the structuring of the group, India’s interests can be negatively impacted by the developments because:
• G 7 is essentially a “First World Elite Club” that hasn’t grown- nor has it revised its membership, given that not all of its members are among the world’s top economies anymore.
• The G-7 countries represent more than 50% of Global GDP and just 10% of the world population, showing how much is concentrated in the hands of a few.
• By cutting out Russia and China, the G-7 ensured the polarization of the world into the two blocs, even as ties between Russia and China got stronger.
• The fact that G-7 countries are also military partners means that the economic agenda of the grouping often takes a backseat over political issues- in the current scenario- over the Russia-Ukraine war and the tussle with China.

THE WAY FORWARD:
• The participation is g good opportunity for India to increase its foreign policy canvas but with an independent foreign policy.
• The formation of PGII is an opportunity for India to counter China’s presence in South Asia. India should use this opportunity to engage maximum developing countries.
• West is continuously supporting India to counter China in Indo-Pacific and now continuously inviting India into their elite club, so India should use this opportunity to call the reform in UNSC.
• The Indian government would do well to engage with the multilateral ecosystem to ensure that future multilateral rules do not disadvantage developing economies instead of outrightly rejecting them.
• India should focus on capacity building and timely resolution of disputes.
• India’s 2022-23 presidency of the G20 presents an opportunity for the country to articulate a forward-looking vision for fair and comprehensive foreign policy.

THE CONCLUSION: India’s engagement with the West is the opportunity for India to overcome the challenge that occurred after Covid-19. India’s participation in the summit is a good move by India to engage deeply with the West but India should be concerned with saving its interests. India’s focus should be to create a balance between the West and its all-weather friend Russia. Though mere participation can’t hurt India’s interest, India should avoid the criticism of Russia as it did in the recent past.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Critically examine the outcomes of the 14th G-7 summit.
2. How far do you agree with the view that the G-7 Partnership for Infrastructure and Investment is an alternative to the OBOR of China?
3. “Without a stable neighbourhood, attempts to increase the foreign policy canvas by India will not elicit desired outcomes”. Illustrate and Comment.

Just add to your knowledge

• The Grougroup7 (G7) is an informal group of seven countries, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, the heads of which hold an annual summit with the European Union and other invitees.
• Together the member countries represent 40% of global GDP and 10% of the world’s population.
• The G7 draws its roots from a meeting between the current G7 members, excluding Canada, that took place in 1975. At the time, the global economy was in a state of recession due to the OPEC oil embargo.
• After this first summit, the countries agreed to meet annually, and a year later, Canada was invited into the group marking the official formation of the G7 as we know it.
• The President of the European Commission was asked to join the meetings in 1977, and following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and a subsequent thaw in relations between the East and West, Russia was also invited to join the group 1998.
• Thereafter the group was named the G8 until 2014, when Russia was expelled for its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

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