INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. INDIA –SRILANKA ANNUAL BILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE (SLINEX-23)

TAGS: GS-II-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS-PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: The 10th edition of IN-SLN bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-23 is scheduled at Colombo from 03 – 08 April 2023. The exercise is being conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase from 03-05 April 2023, followed by a Sea Phase from 06-08 April 2023. Indian Navy is being represented by INS Kiltan, an indigenous Kamorta class ASW corvette and INS Savitri, an Offshore Patrol Vessel.

THE EXPLANATION:

• AIM: SLINEX aims at enhancing interoperability, improving mutual understanding and exchanging best practices while jointly undertaking multi-faceted maritime operations. Professional, cultural and sporting events, as also social exchanges are planned during the harbour phase to further bolster the bonds of friendship and camaraderie between both the navies.
• The Indian Navy has already held multiple bilateral and multilateral exercises with foreign navies this month. In March, Konkan 2023—the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy—was held off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea. The Navy also participated in the third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse last month in the Indian Ocean Region.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

2. WHAT IS PURCHASING MANAGERS’ INDEX (PMI)?

TAGS:GS-III-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

THE CONTEXT: India’s manufacturing sector activity continued to expand in March 2023, with the S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) coming in at 56.4, up from February’s 55.3, according to data released.

About Purchasing Managers’ Index:

• The PMI or a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an indicator of business activity — both in the manufacturing and services sectors.
• It is a survey-based measure that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before. And these surveys are conducted on a monthly basis.
• It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors, and then a composite index is constructed.
• The survey is compiled by IHS Markit for more than 40 economies worldwide.

• IHS Markit is a global leader in information, analytics and solutions for the major industries and markets that drive economies worldwide.
• IHS Markit is part of S&P Global.

How is the PMI derived?

• The PMI is derived from a series of qualitative questions to a large number of companies in the concerned sector. For manufacturing PMI, the questionnaire is sent to manufacturing companies. The questions are factual in nature, and the survey is not meant for opinions, intentions, or expectations.
• The questions are related to 5 key variables. The variables with their weights in the index are — new orders (30%), output (25%), employment (20%), suppliers’ delivery times (15%) and stock of items purchased (10%).
• It is calculated as:

PMI = (P1 * 1) + (P2 * 0.5) + (P3 * 0)

Where:

• P1 = percentage of answers reporting an improvement
• P2 = percentage of answers reporting no change
• P3 = percentage of answers reporting a deterioration

• A PMI number greater than 50 indicates expansion in business activity. A number less than 50 shows a contraction. The rate of expansion is also judged by the difference from the mid-point (50) and also by the previous month’s data.

What are its implications for the economy?

• The PMI is usually released at the start of the month, much before most of the official data on industrial output, manufacturing, and GDP growth becomes available.
• Economists consider the manufacturing growth measured by the PMI as a good indicator of industrial output.
• The index also helps investors who are looking to invest in the stock markets as it helps in determining the economic health of the country. Central banks of many countries also use the index to make decisions on interest rates.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES IN NEWS

3. REVISION SERIES: PM-DEVINE

TAGS:GS-III- GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

THE CONTEXT: Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE), was announced as a new Central Sector Scheme with an initial allocation of Rs 1500 crore in the Union Budget 2022-23.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The approval of the Cabinet was accorded for the PM-DevINE Scheme on 12 October, 2022. The scheme will have 100% Central funding, and has an outlay of Rs. 6,600 crore for the 4 year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26 (remaining years of the 15th Finance Commission period).
• The objectives of PM-DevINE are to: (i) Fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti; (ii) Support social development projects based on felt needs of the NER; (iii) Enable livelihood activities for youth and women; and (iv) Fill the development gaps in various sectors.
• PM-DevINE Scheme projects will lead to creation of infrastructure, social development projects, support industries and create livelihood activities for youth and women, thus leading to income and employment generation.

Significance of PM-DevINE Scheme to North Eastern Region:

• The PM-DevINE scheme is considered a boon for North East India. Mr. HimantaBiswaSarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, rightly stated that the PM-DevINE scheme is the first of its kind and that the government’s commitment towards the north-eastern states is being reflected in deeds and not simply in words. The scheme would provide the following benefits:
• Investments: The scheme includes funding for projects in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and livelihood. This would help improve the standard of living of people in the region.
• State-specific projects: Mizoram-based projects such as Aizawl bypass and bamboo link roads suggest that Mizoram would be the biggest beneficiary of this initiative, followed by Sikkim. The Aizawl bypass is expected to reduce traffic and congestion. Also, the construction of bamboo link roads for the transport of bamboo from forests would help bamboo growers in remote and inaccessible areas connect better with the outside world, and promote local and regional development.
• Healthcare: Under the scheme, services for the management of paediatric and adult haemotolymphoid cancers would be established. This would help improve cancer care in the region.
• Co-existence with other schemes: The scheme would complement the existing schemes in the region rather than substituting any of them. Thus, the north-eastern states will continue to enjoy the benefits provided by the existing schemes.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

4. GIR CALF AND BREED

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, India’s first cloned desi Gir female calf, Ganga was produced at NDRI.

THE EXPLANATION:

• This breed is otherwise known as Desan, Gujarati, Kathiawari, Sorthi, and Surati.
• It originated in the Gir forests of South Kathiawar in Gujarat.
• It derives its name from the Gir forest, which is the natural habitat of the breed.
• Gir cattle is a dairy cattle breed and is mainly raised for milk production in India.
• Under a project by National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal to work on cloning of indigenous cow breeds such as Gir and Sahiwal, India’s first cloned Gir female calf named ‘Ganga’.

Distribution:-

• The native tract of Gir cattle is the Gir hills and forests of Kathiawar.
• It includes the Amreli, Bhavnagar, Junagadh and Rajkot districts of Gujarat.
• The breed is also known as Bhodali, Gujarati, Sorthi, Surti, Kathiawari and Desan.

Export:-

• Gir cattle are also very popular outside India.
• United States, Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil have imported this breed.

Process:-

• To clone the Gir, oocytes are isolated from live animals using ultrasound-guided needles, and then, matured for 24 hours under control conditions.
• The somatic cells of elite cows are used as donor genomes, which are fused with OPU-derived enucleated oocytes.
• Following chemical activation and in-vitro culture, the developed blastocysts are transferred into recipient mothers to deliver the Gir calf.

VALUE ADDITION:

About National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI):-

• ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) is located in Karnal, Haryana.
• It is one of the premier Institutes in the dairy sector.
• It has played a crucial role in India’s development in milk production with its continuous research.
• The Institute has the distinction of being a Deemed University for implementing its academic programmes since 1989.
• The Institute provides high-quality education in the field of dairying, which has no parallel in Asia
• The Institute has been ranked first among all Agricultural Universities of India including 4 Deemed Universities consecutively three times in the years 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.
• The Institute has also conferred the ‘Sardar Patel Outstanding ICAR Institute award’ in 2014.
• It was awarded Agriculture Leadership Award 2013 for setting up a benchmark in dairy research by contributing to research efforts to augment milk productivity, value addition, quality and safety of milk and economic and marketing aspects related to dairying.
• Prior to this, the Institute also received Education Leadership Award in recognition of the talent and leadership among educational institutes across India.

5. GI TAG FOR LADAKH’S WOOD CARVING AND BASOHLI PAINTINGS FROM KATHUA

TAGS: PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT: World famous Basohli Paintings from Kathua district of Jammu & Kashmir (UT) and Ladakh Wood Carving of Ladakh (UT) recently received Geographical Indication (GI) Tagging.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Basohli Painting’: the famous Pahari miniature style of painting known for its use of bright and bold colours and bold colours and peculiar facial forms, from Jammu’s Kathua district, has received the geographical indication (GI tag.)
• Ladakh’s Wood Carving: The craft is practiced in the Wanla and Cjoglamasar districts of Leh.Items ranging from folding tables called choktse, wooden pot called fehpur, tea mixing pot  called gurgur, larger tables, cupboards, ritual bowls, cup with lids to printing blocks are produced under thiscraft-form.
• The GI is an authorization given to a product originating from a specific geographic area having unique attributes. It is a form of Intellectual Property (IP) but unlike other Ips such as patents, copyrights, trademarks etc, is not owned by individuals but by community.
• A GI tag product carries the guarantee of authenticity associated with a specific region.  Some of popular GI products in India include Darjeeling tea, Banarasi saree, Kullu shawls, Mysore silk etc.
• There are 432 GIs granted by Government of India so far.

1. For better policing, focus on quality of personnel READ MORE
2. Chandana’s offering READ MORE
3. Moral Progress READ MORE

1. El Nino on its way, will likely impact monsoon: Experts READ MORE
2. How the Arctic has wielded influence on India’s monsoon for at least 1,000 years READ MORE
3. Food security: Climate change is affecting the seeds that India depends on READ MORE
4. Summer resolution: On the IMD’s heat wave forecasts READ MORE

1. A case for marriage equality READ MORE
2. Equality and justice, for and beyond queer and trans community READ MORE

1. Tackling graft in a federal system READ MORE
2. A long-winded road to disqualification READ MORE
3. Judicial Independence And The Ability To Question READ MORE

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

1. ONDC will lead to democratisation of e-commerce in India: Nandan Nilekani READ MORE  
2. World Bank lowers India’s growth forecast to 6.3%, says labour market needs to be more inclusive READ MORE
3. Finland joins NATO in major blow to Russia over Ukraine war READ MORE
4. Seven dead, 27 rescued after avalanche hits Sikkim’s Nathu La READ MORE
5. Explained | What was the U.N. water conference and what happened there?  READ MORE
6. India a step closer to developing reusable launch vehicle as RLV LEX mission test a success READ MORE
7. Liquidity condition eases on higher govt spending READ MORE
8. Key question in space-comms race: to auction or allocate? READ MORE
9. A megafauna bias in India’s carnivore research is hampering the country’s conservations efforts READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

1. A case for marriage equality READ MORE
2. El Nino on its way, will likely impact monsoon: Experts READ MORE
3. How the Arctic has wielded influence on India’s monsoon for at least 1,000 years READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. Tackling graft in a federal system READ MORE
2. A long-winded road to disqualification READ MORE
3. Judicial Independence And The Ability To Question READ MORE

Social issues

1. Equality and justice, for and beyond queer and trans community READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

1. C Raja Mohan writes: Russia and China’s plan is to divide and rule the West READ MORE
2. A common agenda for the Global South READ MORE
3. Triumph of India’s foreign policy READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1. A new economics for a new world READ MORE
2. How India can minimise the damage from OPEC+ production cuts READ MORE
3. Good signs: The economy is resilient though there are issues that need to be resolved urgently READ MORE
4. Impending slowdown: Global uncertainty will affect economic growth READ MORE

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Explained | Why is India taking 6G seriously? READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

1. Food security: Climate change is affecting the seeds that India depends on READ MORE
2. Summer resolution: On the IMD’s heat wave forecasts READ MORE

SECURITY

1. Should India make tactical nukes to counter China? Delhi’s no-first-use rule has no room for it READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

1. For better policing, focus on quality of personnel READ MORE
2. Chandana’s offering READ MORE
3. Moral Progress READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

1. The current overemphasis on acquiring skills at the cost of compromising life fundamentals would be counterproductive in the long run and needs a relook. Discuss how work-life balance can be maintained?
2. To achieve its long-term goal of stable inflation and growth, RBI needs to look at different instruments to reduce the impact of supply shock-induced inflation volatility. Critically examine.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

• Strategy is not the consequence of planning, but the opposite: its starting point.
• As with the shrinkage of Russian space globally, the country that benefits most from this outcome is China, which is able to successfully portray itself as “the leader speaking on behalf of the Global South”.
• India may be face-to-face with China over its Himalayan borders, and it may even be a part of the Quad, a visibly anti-China alliance, but these only matter if the conflict comes to a head.
• Against the backdrop of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, China is playing its cards tactically to expand its own influence at the expense of Russia, its ‘closest ally’.
• Developed, rather than emerging markets, have been the source of financial and economic instability since the 2008 global financial crisis.
• The future of employment might lie, counter-intuitively, in agriculture if India can adopt higher-value, employment-intensive farming practices that will increase productivity, jobs, and wages.
• For success in world-beating manufacturing, India has to invest in firm-level R&D and innovation.
• Integration into joint formation structures is a very important issue professionally impacting the functioning of the armed forces to best meet national security challenges.
• In such a complex scenario, where geoeconomics and geopolitics intersect, Chekunkov’s visit signifies Kremlin’s prioritisation of India as a key partner for the development of Russian Far East, although China is manifestly keen to connect the Arctic to its Belt and Road Initiative.
• The current overemphasis on acquiring skills at the cost of compromising life fundamentals would be counterproductive in the long run and needs a relook.
• In the recent times, there have been many challenges in managing the wildlife. A fresh innovative approach is required to manage the life on the planet.
• The first principle of democracy is to have deference for the views and feelings of others. Without this, democracy cannot endure.
• To achieve its long-term goal of stable inflation and growth, RBI needs to look at different instruments to reduce the impact of supply shock-induced inflation volatility.

ESSAY TOPIC

• Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.

50-WORD TALK

• There is novelty about attempted opposition unity on Stalin’s social justice platform. A South Indian leader is nucleus against a majority government with electoral base north of Vindhyas. Such pre-poll fronts worked in 1977 and 1989 because they had rallying points in Emergency and Bofors. Opposition is missing one today.
• The World Bank has again said deeper reforms are needed in India to spur private investments. Government tried to spend its way into encouraging corporates to invest. That’s clearly not enough. Low-hanging ease of doing business reforms done, now it’s time for tougher ones on land, labour, and capital markets.
• New place-names published by China for locations in Arunachal Pradesh—the third tranche since 2017—are black-and-white evidence Beijing means to keep up pressure along the frontier. Invented names don’t change the reality of Indian sovereignty over Arunachal. But India has to prepare itself for long-term volatility on the LAC.

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.

[WpProQuiz 456]

THE CONTEXT: The first official visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began in India on 8 March 2023. Albanese is in India for India-Australia Summit which has been concluded on 11 March 2023. India-Australia has gained new momentum with the changing geostrategic scenario. In this article, we will look into a different aspects of this relationship with reference to the Indo-Pacific region.

INDIA-AUSTRALIA BILATERAL RELATIONS: A HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

• The end of the Cold War and simultaneously India’s decision to launch major economic reforms in 1991 provided the first step towards closer economic cooperation.
• The ties were upgraded to comprehensive Strategic partnership in June 2020.
• India and Australia signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with an eye on doubling bilateral trade to $50 billion in the next five years and easing the movement of people, goods and services across borders. The negotiations for India-Australia ECTA were formally re-launched on 30 September 2021 (which were stalled since 2015) and concluded on a fast-track basis by the end of March 2022.

KEY AREAS OF RELATION

ECONOMIC COOPERATION

• India is Australia’s 5th largest trading partner.
• $26 B bilateral trade as of 2020

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH COLLABORATION:

• Both countries jointly decided to work together in the areas of digital economy, cyber security and critical and emerging technologies as identified by the Framework Arrangement on Cyber and Cyber-Enabled Critical Technology Cooperation.
• The MOU on Cooperation in the field of Mining and Processing of Critical and Strategic Minerals identifies specific areas where both sides will work together to meet the technological demands of the future economy.

MARITIME COOPERATION FOR AN OPEN AND INCLUSIVE INDO-PACIFIC

• India and Australia agreed to boost cooperation in the maritime domain as encapsulated in Joint Declaration on a Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
• Both India and Australia are committed to working together with partners and relevant regional organisations across the Indo-Pacific, including ASEAN, to enhance capacity for sustainable management of marine resources.
• Australia expressed support for India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) which will promote better coordination and cooperation among the countries in the region.
• India France Australia trilateral naval exercises and ministerial dialogue affirm commitment for free open and inclusive Indo-pacific and a rules-based order in the region with ASEAN centrality.

DEFENCE COOPERATION

• Military Exercise: Deepen and broaden defence cooperation by enhancing the scope and complexity of their military exercises and engagement activities to develop new ways to address shared security challenges.
• Both sides agreed to increase military inter-operability through defence exercises through their Arrangement concerning Mutual Logistics Support
• Australia’s white paper on foreign policy released in 2017 sees India in the front rank of Australia’s international partnerships. It says both countries have congruent interests in the openness and stability of Indian Ocean and both must ensure freedom of navigation and maritime security in the region.

ENERGY SECURITY

• Both of countries has established Energy security dialogue. Australia has huge reserves of uranium and thus can help in nuclear power cooperation.
• Civil nuclear cooperation agreement was signed in 2014, enabling India to secure uranium from Australia.
• Also India’s dependence on China for rare earth metals can be reduced through increasing imports from Australia.

COOPERATION WITH SMALL ISLAND COUNTRIES

• Australia’s Pacific set up and India’s forum for India – Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC) reaffirmed their cooperation in the South Pacific region

SECTORAL COOPERATION

• Both countries have established Joint working groups in energy, minerals and education.
• cooperation in the Clean Ganga river project
• Both are members of IORA, commonwealth, and ASEAN regional forum

PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE TIES

• Indian diaspora estimated to be nearly 7 lakh in Australia.
• India is third largest source of immigrants for Australia.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AUSTRALIA

• Australia supports India’s candidature for an expanded security council and in APEC.
• Cooperating as members of Five Interested Parties (FIP) in case of WTO.
• Along with Japan India and Australia have proposed supply chain resilience initiative
• Australia is also a member of ISA.
• Beyond bilateralism, both countries are also entering into partnerships with like­minded countries, including Indonesia, Japan and France, in a trilateral framework.

OUTCOME OF THE CURRENT VISIT

• Economic cooperation: Both countries agreed on the early conclusion of India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement.
• Defence Partnership: Australia has agreed to strengthen its defence partnerships with India
• MoUs were signed in sports and audio-visual co-production agreements and terms of reference for Solar Taskforce exchanged between India and Australia.
• Indo-pacific region: PM of India discussed maritime security in the Indo-Pacific and ways to enhance mutual security with his Australian counterpart. “In the field of defence, we have made remarkable agreements in the last few years, including logistics support for each other’s militaries,”
• India has condemned attacks on the temples in Australia. Australia assured India of the safety of the Indian community.

WHAT IS INDO-PACIFIC?

• Indo pacific region is emerging as the important geostrategic region. The Indo pacific for India is a dynamic coupling of two sea- Indian and Pacific Ocean. Indo pacific name itself denotes the centrality of India in the region.
• Indo-Pacific is home to 65 percent of the world’s population, accounts for 63 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP), and more than 60 percent of the world’s maritime trade flows through the region.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe referred to the “confluence” of the Indian and Pacific Oceans in his speech to the Indian Parliament in August 2007 as “the dynamic coupling as seas of freedom and of prosperity” in the “broader Asia”.The emergence of the Indo-Pacific as a new geographic space—bringing together the Indian and the Pacific Oceans—represents the new strategic reality of the twenty-first century.

Formally documentation of Indo-Pacific: It was first officially documented in Australia’s Defence White Paper, 2013.

QUAD (Quadrilateral security dialogue) has been in the focus in the context of freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific countries.

Evolution of Quad: Genesis –

• In 2004, India, Japan, Australia and the US formed the Tsunami Core Group for disaster relief.
• April, 2007 – Joint naval exercises near Tokyo by India, Japan and the United States.
• May 2007 – In Manila, on the sidelines of Asian Regional Forum members met in the inaugural meeting of the Quadrilateral
• August 2007 – Shinzo Abe delivers “Confluence of Two Seas” speech in Indian Parliament.
• September 2007 – Further naval exercises were held in the Bay of Bengal, including Australia.
• October2007 – Security agreement between Japan and India, ratified during a visit by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Tokyo, to promote sea lane safety and defense collaboration; Japan had previously established such an agreement only with Australia.
• January 2008 – Before visiting China, the Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, declared that “India is not part of any so-called contain China effort,” when asked about the Quadrilateral.
• February 2008 – Kevin Rudd, unilaterally announced Australia’s departure from the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue without consulting members of the Quad.

REASONS FOR ITS EMERGING

• The economic interests and future growth of many nations, in the region and beyond, are intricately linked to the freedom of navigation and free flow of trade through the Indo-Pacific.
• Eastward shift of the world’s economic “centre of gravity” toward the Asian continent from trans Atlantic region. Thus Indo Pacific region has emerged as an integrated geopolitical construct, wherein lie tremendous geoeconomic opportunities as well as daunting security challenges, not only for Asia but also for the rest of the wider world.
• India has emerged as an important and major player in the global sphere thus global community expects India to play a major role, including in terms of ensuring a maritime environment that is conducive for economic growth and development.
• The trigger for the “Indo-Pacific” coinage was China’s increasing politico-military assertiveness and increasing its unilateral actions like String of pearls, Increasing its actions in South China sea (nine-dash line ) etc
• The “Indo-Pacific” idea is an opportunity to showcase the Indian Navy’s capability to moderate China’s behavior, thereby dissuading its future aggressiveness.
• A more aggressive China has resulted in the revival of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and the announcement of a trilateral security pact (AUKUS). India, Japan, and Australia are emerging power centres and are being viewed as balancing powers in the region.

DIFFERENT STRATEGY OF VARIOUS COUNTRIES WITH RESPECT TO INDO-PACIFIC

THE U.S

America’s vision for a free, open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure Indo-Pacific region in which all countries are empowered to adapt to the 21st century’s challenges and seize its many opportunities. The United States will pursue an Indo-Pacific region that is:

●  Free & Open: A free Indo-Pacific means problems are dealt with openly, rules are reached transparently and applied fairly, goods and ideas and people flow freely

●  Connected: A connected Indo-Pacific means stronger connections within and beyond the region that allow us to work together as a regional community to tackle our shared problems.

●  Prosperous: A prosperous Indo-Pacific means broad-based prosperity and free, fair, open, and reciprocal trade that leaves no communities or countries behind in the 21st century.

●  Resilient: A resilient Indo-Pacific means improved global health security and strengthening people’s, countries’ and economies’ ability

●  Secure: A secure Indo-Pacific means that movements of people, ideas, and goods across international sea, land, and air borders and across cyberspace are made legally.

India

India remained more focused on the continental borders till the end of 20th century . Nonetheless, situation changed in 21st century and India started focusing more on maritime domain.

India views indo pacific from the shores of Africa to the Americas

India rebooted its maritime outreach in the Indian Ocean with the launch of :

●  Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) for regional cooperation in 199.

●  Launch of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) initiative in 2015.

Recognising the fact that non-conventional security threats cannot be effectively addressed without securing the East Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, India officially joined the Indo-Pacific construct in 2018.

Addressing the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore, Prime Minister outlined India’s vision and policy elements for Indo-Pacific.

In his address Prime Minister called for “an open and inclusive order in Indo-Pacific based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations” .

Prime Minister’s address was followed by the launch Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) in November 2019 which added more clarity to India’s vision.

IPOI listed

(1) Maritime Security;

(2) Maritime Ecology;

(3) Maritime Resources;

(4) Capacity Building and Resource Sharing;

(5) Disaster Risk Reduction and Management;

(6) Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation; and

(7) Trade, Connectivity and Maritime Transport as seven pillars for the cooperation with Indo-Pacific countries.

It envisages drawing on existing regional cooperation architecture and mechanisms to achieve the objective of open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

India has opened indo pacific division and an oceania division under the same Additional secretary to ensure integration in approach.

India has been categorical that it is ‘for something’ in the Indo-Pacific and ‘not against somebody’, seeking to carefully calibrate its relations with the US and China in this geopolitically critical region.

ASEAN

ASEAN lies at the centre of the Indo-Pacific. ASEAN deliberated for more than a year to publish a short five-page long ASEAN outlook on Indo-Pacific in mid-2019.

●  ASEAN identifies maritime cooperation as the highest priority. Unlike the Indo-Pacific visions of the USA, Japan and Australia, ASEAN’s economic outlook did not envisage any military cooperation to ensure maritime security. It encompasses preserving and protecting the marine environment and biodiversity, promoting green shipping, developing blue economy, sustainable management of marine resources and technical cooperation in marine science.

●  Connectivity is the second important theme of ASEAN Indo- Pacific outlook. It emphasises on improved physical, institutional and people-to-people connectivity among Indo-Pacific countries.

●  Economic cooperation: ASEAN outlook on Indo-Pacific also lists several economic and other areas for cooperation. It vouches ASEAN’s support for free trade agreement and comprehensive economic partnerships to enhance global integration.

●  Economic areas of cooperation under ASEAN outlook for Indo–Pacific go beyond trade and cover all aspects of economy that include the following, among others:

○  Digital Economy and the facilitation of cross-border data flow

○  Promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

○  Active ageing and innovation

○ Cooperation on preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with emphasis on sharing expertise and experience to realise the benefits and mitigate the challenges of digital resolution.

○  Development of private sector

●  Science, Technology, Research and Development, Smart Infrastructure, Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction/ Management and South-South Cooperation are also listed as areas for cooperation in ASEAN outlook for Indo-pacific

Australia

●  Australia has not published any special document to outline its Indo- Pacific vision or strategy, rather its Indo-Pacific vision has evolved through several key policy documents such as 2016 defence white paper, 2017 foreign policy white paper 2017, etc. These documents call for a secure, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Maritime security features prominently in the Australian vision of Indo-Pacific.

●  Connectivity/infrastructure finance also features prominently in Australian vision of Indo-Pacific. It should not be used to gain strategic influence and commercial advantage and pledges Australian support for transparency, sustainability and private sector participation in connectivity /infrastructure projects.

●  Australian Indo-Pacific strategy vouches for a free and fair trade under multilateral framework and having an open economy with high dependence on international trade.Recently launched supply chain resilience initiative which India, Japan and Australia have jointly launched, corroborates this.

The contour of Indo-Pacific strategies of different countries/regional groups varies substantially. On the one extreme, the USA has taken a confrontationist approach and its vision of the Indo-Pacific revolves around containing China. On the other extreme, ASEAN and European strategies, despite airing their concerns for freedom of navigation have adopted an inclusive approach which co-opts China. However, despite several differences, these strategies converge at many points. Moreover, India’s Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative and Indo-Pacific strategies of other countries/regions share synergy at several actionable points which opens several opportunities for India.

Various initiatives for facilitating the free flow of trade as well as respect for international law and national sovereignty.

• Blue Dot Network and Built Back Better World (B3W) by USA
• Quality Infrastructure initiative by Japan
• China Plus One” strategy: Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) with India, Japan and Australia broadly underline the “China Plus One” strategy to achieve economic rebalancing in Indo-Pacific.
• Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF): With this US has been trying to reengage economically with Indo-Pacific countries to counter China’s regional economic influence.
  • The four policy pillars of the IPEF include:
    • digital trade and standards,
    • building of resilient supply chains,
    • implementation of clean energy commitments and
    • promoting fair economy by enforcing effective tax and removal of corruption.

These initiatives have been launched to promote value and norm based cooperation to provide an alternative of Belt and Road initiative.

VIEWS OF CHINA AND RUSSIA ON INDO PACIFIC

• China claims that there is no such concept as Indo-Pacific” which was “created by the United States” to bring in partners such as India to “contain” it. China held that the Indian Ocean is included in the Asia Pacific region as their Asia-Pacific allies alone are no longer enough to contain China, they want to bring in India and other U. S. allies, such as France, which considers itself an Indo-Pacific country.
• China and Russia view QUAD as the Asian-NATO and it as a strategy of the west against its rise.Russian foreign minister Sergei lavrov – called Quad a “devious policy” by western powers to engage India in “anti china games.” Refer quad as “divisive” and “exclusivist.” He has said “alliances such as Asian NATO can be counterproductive” and further stressed that Sino Russia ties are “the highest in history.”
• China has been vocal in criticising Australia it said AUKUS and QUAD as “obsolete cold war zero sum mentality and narrow-minded geopolitical concepts” and should “respect regional people’s aspiration otherwise they will only end up hurting their own interests”. China also questioned Australia’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation, while the state-run Global Times, which often takes a harder line than Chinese officials, said: “Australian troops are also most likely to be the first batch of western soldiers to waste their lives in the South China Sea.”

Without any pan-Indo-Pacific institution, a network of bilateral, trilateral and quadrilateral cooperation has been shaping the Indo-Pacific’s emerging economic and security architecture.

THE WAY FORWARD:

• Increase relations with pacific islands: Small Island countries need security assurances against China’s aggression. India-Australia cooperation can provide them security assurances. This will also increase the diplomatic capital of India and help increase its stature as a net security provider in the region.
• Strategy autonomy- India’s foreign policy must be based on the core principle of stray autonomy. In Spite of increasing dependence on other countries like US, India needs to build its own capacity to tackle the security challenges. In a new geopolitical environment, India must tread cautiously and carefully navigate the choppy waters.
• Racism attacked: Racial attacks should be dealt strictly as it fuels the mistrust and
• Agreement to be fulfilled: All the agreements should be adhered timely. Also, there is need for early conclusion of a comprehensive economic agreement to deepen the relationship.
• Maintaining strategic relationship with the likeminded countries like EU, USA, Japan for freedom of navigation in Indo Pacific.
• Strengthen own capacity to increase deterrence to deal with the any aggression.
• Raising voice in the multilateral organization like UN for the peace and security in the region.
• Collaboration with others to deal with security challenges like illegal fishing, piracy etc.

THE CONCLUSION: In the globalised world, freedom of navigation is necessary for economic development. Thus Indo-pacific has emerged as a key geopolitical theatre of competition wraith major power involvement. In this context, India and Australia relations play an important role in maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific Ocean.

Mains Questions

1. Indo -pacific region has emerged as the key theatre of competition between various major powers. In this context discuss the steps taken by India in securing its interest.
2. Strong India-Australia relationship can play an important role in maintaining the rule of order opinion in the Indo-Pacific region. Critically examine.

HEALTH ISSUES

1. WHAT ARE RARE DISEASES AND WHY IS THEIR TREATMENT SO EXPENSIVE?

TAGS: GS-II HEALTH ISSUES

THE CONTEXT: The central government recently exempted all foods and drugs for rare diseases imported by people for personal use from custom duty. With most therapy for rare diseases priced very high, this will make a significant difference to families of people living with the conditions.

THE EXPLANATION:

What are the drugs that have been exempted from customs duty?

• Medicines and foods needed for the management of 51 rare diseases have been exempt from custom duty, with the government notification stating, “drugs, medicines or food for special medical purposes used for treatment of rare diseases specified.”
• The specified conditions include lysosomal storage disorder (a group of metabolic disorders that lead to a buildup of toxic materials in the cells), maple syrup urine disease (a hereditary condition where the body cannot process the building blocks of proteins resulting in buildup of harmful substances in blood and urine), Severe food protein allergy, Wilson’s disease (a disorder that results in the body accumulating copper) among others.
• These medicines usually attract a basic custom duty of 10 per cent, with some vaccines or medicines attracting a lower 5 per cent or nil as previously notified. Medicines for the treatment of spinal muscular athrophy and duchenne muscular dystrophy were already exempt from customs.

What are rare diseases?

• Rare diseases as the name suggests are conditions that affect very few people. The World Health Organisation defines it as any debilitating lifelong disease or disorder with a prevalence of ten or less per 10,000 population; other countries follow standards ranging between 1 and 10 cases per 10,000 to define a condition as rare disease.
• There are about 7,000 to 8,000 conditions globally that have been defined as rare diseases. The landscape of rare diseases keeps changing, with newer conditions being identified and reported constantly.

Why are drugs for rare diseases so expensive?

• Even though there have been developments in the treatment of rare diseases in the recent year, almost 95 per cent of the conditions do not have specific treatment.
• With a very small number of people suffering each of the 7,000- 8,000 rare conditions, they do not make a good market for drugs. This is the reason most pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to spend on research for treatments of the disease. This is the reason the medicine for rare conditions that do exist are known as “orphan drugs” and are prohibitively priced to recoup the cost of research and development.
• As per the National Rare Disease Policy, treatment for some rare disease can vary from Rs 10 lakh to 1 crore per year for a child weighing 10 kgs. The treatment has to be continued lifelong, with the costs going up along with the age and weight of the person.
• “At present, very few pharmaceutical companies are manufacturing drugs for rare diseases globally and there are no domestic manufacturers in India”.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

2. DEEP SEA MINING

TAGS: GS-III- SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY- PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

THE CONTEXT:The UN’s decision to take deep-sea mining applications comes when there is no mining code in place. Several countries have insisted that industrial undersea mining should require strict rules.

THE EXPLANATION:

• Recently, the International Seabed Authority has decided that it will start taking permit applications in July from companies that want to mine the ocean’s floor.
• The undersea mining will be conducted to extract key battery materials — cobalt, copper, nickel, and manganese — from potato-sized rocks called “polymetallic nodules” found at depths of 4 kilometers to 6 kilometers (about 2.5 miles to 3.7 miles).
• The Jamaica-based ISA was established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. It holds authority over the ocean floors outside of its 167 member states’ Exclusive Economic Zones.

What is Deep Sea Mining?

• Deep-sea mining is the process of retrieving mineral deposits from the deep seabed – the ocean below 200m.
• Depleting terrestrial deposits and rising demand for metals mean deep-sea mining may begin soon, even though research suggests that it could destroy habitats and wipe out species.
• Deep-sea mining should be halted until the criteria specified by IUCN are met, including the introduction of assessments, effective regulation and mitigation strategies.
• Comprehensive studies are needed to improve our understanding of deep-sea ecosystems and the vital services they provide to people, such as food and carbon sequestration.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

3. WHAT IS MANUFACTURING PURCHASING MANAGERS’ INDEX (PMI)?

TAGS: GS-III- ECONOMY

THE CONTEXT: According to S&P Global India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) New orders and output rose to a three-month high in March (2023) even as input cost inflation for manufacturing firms slipped to the second-lowest mark in two-and-a-half years.

THE EXPLANATION:

• The PMI reading rose to 56.4, from 55.3 in February, signalling the strongest improvement in operating conditions in 2023 so far. The PMI average for the January-March period was 55.7, lower than 56.3 in the previous quarter. New export orders grew at a faster pace in March than the previous month, but remained “slight and historically subdued.”

What is a PMI?

• PMI or a Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) is an indicator of business activity — both in the manufacturing and services sectors. It is a survey-based measures that asks the respondents about changes in their perception of some key business variables from the month before. It is calculated separately for the manufacturing and services sectors and then a composite index is constructed.

How is the PMI derived?

• The PMI is derived from a series of qualitative questions. Executives from a reasonably big sample, running into hundreds of firms, are asked whether key indicators such as output, new orders, business expectations and employment were stronger than the month before and are asked to rate them.

How does one read the PMI?

• A figure above 50 denotes expansion in business activity. Anything below 50 denotes contraction. Higher the difference from this mid-point greater the expansion or contraction. The rate of expansion can also be judged by comparing the PMI with that of the previous month data.
• If the figure is higher than the previous month’s then the econ-omy is expanding at a faster rate. If the figure is higher than the previous month’s then the econ-omy is expanding at a faster rate. If it is lower than the previous month then it is growing at a lower rate.

What are its implications for the economy?

• The PMI is usually released at the start of the month, much before most of the official data on industrial output, manufacturing and GDP growth becomes available.
•  It is, therefore, considered a good leading indicator of economic activity. Economists consider the manufacturing growth measured by the PMI as a good indicator of industrial output, for which official statistics are released later.
• Central banks of many countries also use the index to help make decisions on interest rates.

4. WHAT ARE ELECTORAL BONDS?

THE CONTEXT: The government recently announced the 26th tranche of electoral bond sales to be undertaken over a ten-day window at all authorized branches of the State Bank of India.

THE EXPLANATION:

About Electoral Bonds:

• The electoral bond scheme was launched by the Union government in 2018.
• It is a bearer instrument, like a promissory note that can be bought by any Indian citizen or company incorporated in India.
• The citizen or corporate can then donate the same to any eligible political party of his/her choice.
• The bonds are similar to bank notes that are payable to the bearer on demand and are free of interest.
• An individual or party is allowed to purchase these bonds digitally or through cheque.

Process:

• EBs are issued/purchased for any value, in multiples of Rs 1,000, Rs 10,000, Rs 1,00,000, Rs 10,00,000 and Rs 1,00,00,000.
• The electoral bonds are available for purchase for 10 days at the beginning of every quarter.
• SBI is the only bank authorized to sell these bonds.
• Anonymous cash donations were capped at Rs 2,000.
• EBs have a life of only 15 days during which it can be used for making donations to political parties.

Eligibility:

• Only political parties registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and which secured not less than 1% of votes polled in the last general election to the House of the People or the Legislative Assembly of the State, are eligible to receive electoral bonds.
• The bond can be encashed by an eligible political party only through a designated bank account with the authorized bank.
• The political parties have to disclose the amount to the Election Commission.
• The electoral bonds will not bear the name of the donor.

MISCELLANEOUS

5. WHAT IS SARBAT KHALSA?

TAGS: MISCELLANEOUS

THE CONTEXT: The Sarbat Khalsa, a term meaning “all congregation,” refers to a traditional assembly of all factions of Sikhs (Khalsa) to discuss political, social, and religious issues of great importance to the community. The idea of a deliberative assembly of Sikhs originated in the 18th century and was convened twice a year.

THE EXPLANATION:

Origins and Significance of Sarbat Khalsa

• The word “sarbat” means all, and the Sarbat Khalsa was an assembly where all members of the Khalsa were represented. It was a democratic institution where members could participate in decision-making. The assembly was called at times of crisis and was considered the supreme authority in the Sikh community.
• During the Mughal period, Zakarya Khan, the governor of Lahore, offered the title of Nawab to the Sikhs as a reward for their services. The Sikhs, however, refused to accept the title and instead called for a Sarbat Khalsa to discuss the issue. This marked the beginning of the tradition of calling the Sarbat Khalsa.
• The tradition continued during the period of the Sikh misls, which were essentially confederacies of Sikh chiefdoms. However, after the establishment of the Sikh kingdom by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1799, the need for an institution like the Sarbat Khalsa was reduced with the formation of the SGPC.

Sarbat Khalsa in Modern Times

• The Sarbat Khalsa was called in 1920 to discuss control over gurdwaras, and again in 1984 after the Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star in the Golden Temple. In 1986, a panthic committee was formed that gave a call for Khalistan.
• The Sarbat Khalsa was called again on November 10, 2015, by Sikh bodies opposed to the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal). The gathering attracted a large number of Sikhs from all over the world, and its impact on Punjab politics was significant. It led to a demand for a separate Sikh state, the revival of the demand for the release of Sikh prisoners, and the establishment of a parallel committee to the SGPC

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