International Relations

1. ANTARCTIC DIPLOMACY

The first ever high-level Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly was organised by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) headed by UK at the Westminster, London. Antarctic Treaty : • The Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively known as the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica. • The treaty entered into force in 1961 and currently has 54 parties. • India officially acceded to the Antarctic Treaty System on 1 August 1983. • On 12 September 1983, the country became the fifteenth Consultative Member of the Antarctic Treaty. • The treaty sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, establishes freedom of scientific investigation, and bans military activity on the continent. • The treaty was the first arms control agreement established during the Cold War. • Since September 2004, the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat headquarters has been located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Indian Antarctic Program: The Indian Antarctic Program is a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional program under the control of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India. It was initiated in 1981 with the first Indian expedition to Antarctica. India’s research stations in Antarctica: ● Dakshin Gangotri, ● Maitri and ● Bharati Bharati: Located beside Larsmann Hill at 69°S, 76°E, Bharati is established in 2015. This newest research station for oceanographic research will collect evidence

of continental breakup to reveal the 120-million-year-old ancient history of the Indian subcontinent. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, (NCPOR)

Formerly known as the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) is an Indian research and development institution, situated in Vasco da Gama, Goa. It is an autonomous Institution of the Department of Ocean Development (DOD), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India which is responsible for administering the Indian Antarctic Programme and maintains the Indian government's Antarctic research stations, Bharati and Maitri.

2. ARCTIC COUNCIL At 11th Arctic Council ministerial meeting held at Rovaniemi in Finland, India was re-elected as an observer to intergovernmental forum Arctic Council. It was established by the eight Arctic States through the Ottawa Declaration of 1996. These are— Canada, Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the United States

• It is an Intergovernmental forum which addresses issues faced by the Arctic governments and people living in the Arctic region • It is Not a treaty-based international organization but rather an international forum that operates on the basis of consensus. • The decisions, recommendations or guidelines of the Arctic Council are non- enforceable and strictly the prerogative of the individual state. • Its mandate explicitly excludes military security. ● The Council does not prohibit the commercial exploitation of resources in the Arctic. ● Seat of Secretariat: Tromsø, Norway ● India became observer for the first time in 2013. India and Arctic region • Himadri, India’s only research station in the region opened in 2008. • National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research was renamed as the National Centre for Polar and Oceanic Research (NCPOR) in 2018. • Norwegian Programme for Research Cooperation with India (INDNOR): India and Norway’s bilateral research cooperation. • National Centre for Polar and Oceanic Research (NCPOR) signed a contract with FESCO Transportation Group for access to the icebreaker vessel which will be utilised both for general cargo deliveries to Antarctic stations and scientific activities in the Arctic region as India currently lacks a Polar-suitable vessel. • India’s ONGC (Videsh) holds a 26-percent stake in Russia’s Vankorneft project (to produce hydrocarbons from Vankor field in Siberia). • IndARC is India's first underwater moored observatory in the Arctic region.

3. OPEC & OPEC+ According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC+) plus might face sharp demand fall due to a recent surge in crude oil production from the countries like USA, Norway, and Guyana. Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) ● The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is a permanent, intergovernmental organization, created at the Baghdad Conference in 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.

● It aims to manage the supply of oil in an effort to set the price of oil in the world market, in order to avoid fluctuations that might affect the economies of both producing and purchasing countries. ● It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. ● OPEC membership is open to any country that is a substantial exporter of oil and which shares the ideals of the organization. ● Gabon terminated its membership in January 1995. However, it rejoined the Organization in July 2016. ● OPEC has a total of 13 Member Countries viz. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates(UAE), Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Angola and Venezuela are members of OPEC.

● Qatar left OPEC in 2019, after joining the organization in 1961, to focus on natural gas production, of which it is the world’s largest exporter in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG). ● Ecuador announced that it would leave OPEC on 1 January 2020. In a communique released after its meeting in Vienna, OPEC officially acknowledged that Ecuador had left the oil producers' organization effective January 1, 2020. OPEC+ ● The non-OPEC countries which export crude oil are termed as OPEC plus countries. ● OPEC plus countries include Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Oman, Russia, South Sudan and Sudan. ● The Opec and non-Opec producers first formed the alliance at a historic meeting in Algiers in 2016. ● The aim was to undertake production restrictions to help resuscitate a flailing market.

4. RAISINA DIALOGUE ● The Raisina Dialogue was held between January 14-16, 2020. It is a multilateral conference that is held in New Delhi annually since 2016. ● The dialogue is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Observer Research Foundation. ● It includes ministers from Russia, Iran, Maldives, Morocco, Australia, Bhutan, Denmark, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan and Estonia. Theme: 21@20: Navigating the Alpha Century ● The conference has emerged as India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics. ● The fourth edition of The Raisina Dialogue was held at the Taj Diplomatic Enclave in New Delhi, India from January 08–10, 2019. ● The theme for the 2019 conference was “New Geometrics | Fluid Partnerships | Uncertain Outcomes”. ● The conference is named after, “Raisina Hills”, which is the seat of Government of India and Rashtrapatibhavan. The dialogue was designed on the lines of Shangri-La dialogue. Participants: The conference is a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral meeting involving policy and decision-makers, including but not limited to Foreign, Defence and Finance Ministers of different countries, high-level government officials and policy practitioners, leading personalities from business and industry, and members of the strategic community, media and academia. SHANGRI LA DIALOGUE ● The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia's premier defense summit. It’s a unique meeting where ministers debate the region’s most pressing security challenges, engage in important bilateral talks and come up with fresh solutions together. ● The forum gets its name from the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore where it has been held since 2002. ● It is a “Track One” inter-governmental security forum held annually by an independent think tank, the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) which is attended by defense ministers, permanent heads of ministries and military chiefs of 28 Asia-Pacific states.

Track 1 Diplomacy:

Official discussions typically involving high-level political and military leaders and focusing on cease-fires, peace talks, and treaties and other agreements.

Track 1.5 Diplomacy

This term is used when both officials and non-officials are engaged in a diplomatic negotiation. Often foreign leaders travel with businessmen.

Track 2 Diplomacy (Backchannel Diplomacy):

Unofficial dialogue and problem-solving activities aimed at building relationships and encouraging new thinking that can inform the official process. In this case, diplomatic dealings are pursued through non-officials, e.g. NGOs, Businessmen, etc. Sometimes you see the business leaders, religious gurus, Nobel laureates or other prominent personalities entering into discussion with another country’s unofficial representatives. Since it is unofficial, there are many advantages of holding such talks.

Track 3 Diplomacy:

People-to-people diplomacy undertaken by individuals and private groups. Normally focused at the grassroots level, this type of diplomacy often involves organizing meetings and conferences, generating media exposure, and political and legal advocacy for marginalized people and communities.

Multitrack Diplomacy:

A term for operating on several tracks simultaneously, including official and unofficial conflict resolution efforts, citizen and scientific exchanges, international business negotiations, international cultural and athletic activities, and other cooperative efforts.

5. UAE DECLARED AS RECIPROCATING TERRITORY BY INDIA ● The Ministry of Law and Justice issued an Extraordinary Gazette Notification, declaring the United Arab Emirates to be a “reciprocating territory” under Section 44A of the Civil Procedure Code, 1908. The notification also declared a list of courts in the UAE to be “superior Courts” under the same section. ● Apart from UAE, the other countries declared to be “reciprocating territories” are: United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Trinidad & Tobago, New Zealand, the Cook Islands (including Niue) and the Trust Territories of Western Samoa, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Aden. Reciprocating territory ● “Reciprocating territory” means any country or territory outside India which the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette,

declare to be a reciprocating territory; and “superior Courts”, with reference to any such territory, means such Courts as may be specified in the said notification.” ● Essentially, orders passed by certain designated courts from a ‘reciprocating territory’ can be implemented in India, by filing a copy of the decree concerned in a District Court here. The courts so designated are called ‘superior Courts’ Section 44 of the CPC ● Section 44A, titled “Execution of decrees passed by Courts in reciprocating territory”, provides the law on the subject of execution of decrees of Courts in India by foreign Courts and vice versa. Limitations: ● The scope of the Section is restricted to decrees for payment of money, not being sums payable “in respect of taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty”. It also cannot be based on an arbitration award, even if such an award is enforceable as a decree or judgment. 6. SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION The countries of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) adopted the Bishkek Declaration during the 19th SCO summit, recently held at Kyrgyzstan’s capital Bishkek. ● SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and military organisation. It is headquarted in Beijing, China. ● The origins of SCO are traced to ‘Shanghai–5’ (China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia & Tajikistan) was established in 1996. ● In 2001, Uzbekistan joined the grouping & it was renamed as Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). ● Currently, SCO has: ● 8 Member States - China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India (joined in 2017) and Pakistan; ● 4 Observer States - Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran and Mongolia and ● 6 Dialogue Partners - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka.

● Official working languages of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are Chinese and Russian. ● It has two permanent bodies — the SCO Secretariat based in Beijing and the Executive Committee of the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) based in Tashkent. ● Council of Heads of State is the top decision-making body in the SCO. ● Its driving philosophy is known as the “Shanghai Spirit” which emphasizes harmony, working by consensus, respect for other cultures, non-interference in the internal affairs of others, and non-alignment. Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) ● The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, is a permanent organ of the SCO which serves to promote cooperation of member states against the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism. ● At SCO summit, held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on June 2004, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) was established. ● The Head of RATS is elected to a three-year term. Each member state also sends a permanent representative to RATS. ● RATS is engaged in furthering cooperation and ties between member countries on concerns of terrorism, security, drug trafficking, crime and cyberwarfare.

● India has been participating in tactical drills and counter-terror cooperation with other SCO member countries under the RATS. 7. MYANMAR-CHINA PUSH FOR BELT & ROAD INITIATIVE

China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) ● CMEC is proposed economic corridor of China under Belt and Road Initiative providing connectivity between Myanmar and China. ● It involves a central road and rail transport infrastructure leading from Southern China’s Yunnan Province through Muse and Mandalay to Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State in Myanmar. ● It provides China another node to access the Indian Ocean. Belt and Road Initiative ● The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI, or B&R) is a global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries and international organizations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

● The Chinese government calls the initiative “a bid to enhance regional connectivity and embrace a brighter future”.

● Some observers see it as a push for Chinese dominance in global affairs with a China centered trading network. ● The project has a targeted completion date of 2049, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Myitsone Dam The project was proposed across Irrawaddy river. It was suspended and the Chinese tried to revive it at an estimated cost of 3.6 billion USD. The project is controversial as it is located at a 60-mile distance from the Sagaing fault line. The Sagaing Fault is a major fault in Burma, a continental transform fault between the Indian plate and Sunda Plate that connects spreading centers in the Andaman Sea and the continental convergence zone along the Himalayan front.

8. 33RD AU SUMMIT The 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union was held at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to tackle terrorism in the continent. Theme: “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development” The African Union (AU) recently launched African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) for goods and services. AfCFTA ● The AfCFTA would be world’s largest FTA as it would create an African Common Market of 1.2 billion people and a GDP of over $3.4 billion. ● The Free Trade zone should be operational from July 2020, as countries needed time to adapt to the agreed changes. ● AfCFTA will lead to a 60% boost in intra-African trade by 2022. ● AfCFTA will bring the much-needed formalisation in the African economy with other benefits. ● 54 member countries have already signed it, out of which 27 have ratified it. African Union (AU) ● AU is a continental body consisting of the 55 member states that make up the countries of the African Continent. ● Its secretariat is at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

● It was officially launched in 2002 in Durban, South Africa as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity. ● The AU is guided by its vision of “An Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.” ● To ensure the realization of its vision, Agenda 2063 was developed as a strategic framework for Africa’s long term socio-economic and integrative transformation. ● India in 2019 extended a grant of $50 million package to Niger to host African Union Summit.

9. LUCKNOW DECLARATION

It is a joint declaration adopted as an outcome of the first India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclave which was held along the side-lines of the DefExpo 2020.

Aim: The Conclave was conducted with the aim of exporting India-made equipment to the African continent in keeping with long-standing defence partnerships since the 1950s

The Declaration calls for deeper cooperation in the domain of defence industry including through investment, joint ventures in defence equipment software, digital defence, research & development, provisioning of defence equipment, spares and their maintenance on sustainable and mutually beneficial terms.

DefExpo India-2020 The main theme of the DefExpo India-2020 will be 'India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub' and focus will be on 'Digital Transformation of Defence'.

10. CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT (CD)

Conference of Disarmament 2020 was held in Geneva, Switzerland.

About the Conference on Disarmament

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) is a multilateral disarmament forum established by the international community to negotiate arms control and disarmament agreements based at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. It meets annually in three separate sessions in Geneva.

The Conference was first established in 1979 as the Committee on Disarmament as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum of the international community. It was renamed the Conference on Disarmament in 1984.

● Predecessor : Committee on Disarmament (1979–84) Formation : 1984; ● Purpose : Discussing and debating disarmament issues, and making recommendations ● Membership : 65 Countries

The Conference succeeded three other disarmament-related bodies 1. Ten-Nation Committee on Disarmament (1960), 2. Eighteen-Nation Committee on Disarmament (1962–68) and 3. Conference of the Committee on Disarmament (1969–78).

Work of the Conference

The Conference and its predecessors were successful in meeting their mandate .

They were instrumental in drafting numerous arms control agreements: most importantly: ● Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1968), ● Biological Weapons Convention (1972), ● Chemical Weapons Convention (1993) and ● Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (1996).

11. US-TALIBAN PEACE DEAL

United States of America signed the “Agreement for Bringing Peace to Afghanistan” with the Taliban in Doha, Qatar.

Highlights of the Agreement

● Withdrawal of foreign forces. The United States agreed to reduce its number of troops in the country from roughly 12,000 to 8,600 within 135 days. If the Taliban follows through on its commitments, all U.S. and other foreign troops will leave Afghanistan within fourteen months.

● Release of prisoners- The deal also provides for a prisoner swap. Some 5,000 Taliban prisoners and 1,000 Afghan security force prisoners would be exchanged by 10 March, when talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government are due to start.

● Recognition to Taliban- The US will move to the United Nations Security Council to remove Taliban members from the sanctions list.

● Counter terror measures- The Taliban would prevent any terror group from using Afghanistan to threaten the security of US and its allies.

● Intra-Afghan Negotiations- will be started among all the stakeholders of the Afghan society and the Taliban would commit towards it. The Taliban agreed to start talks with the Afghan government in March 2020. Throughout the negotiating process, the Taliban had resisted direct talks with the government, calling it an American puppet. ● Permanent and comprehensive ceasefire will be an item on agenda of intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations.

Taliban

● The Taliban, which refers to itself as Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a Sunni Islamic organization that operates in Afghanistan, a country in Central/South Asia.

● The Taliban emerged in 1994 taking advantage of the power vacuum that was left following the aftermath of the Afghan Civil War.

● The group was mainly composed of religious students in Pakistani madrassas (who had fought in the Soviet-Afghan War) under the leadership of Mohammed Omar.

12. TRANS REGIONAL MARITIME NETWORK (T-RMN)

India signed the ascension agreement to the Trans Regional Maritime Network (TRMN) in December 2018 that gave it access to the information on ships passing through the Indian Ocean Region.

The multilateral construct comprises of 33 countries and is steered by Italy. India also has bilateral White Shipping Agreements with 36 countries.

Trans Regional Maritime Network (T-RMN):

The network facilitates information exchange on the movement of commercial traffic on the high seas. The information is available primarily through the Automatic Identification System (AIS) fitted on merchant ships with more than 300 gross registered tonnage as mandated by the International Maritime Organization.

Virtual-Regional Maritime Traffic Centre (V-RMTC) / Trans-Regional Maritime Network (T-RMN)

The V-RMTC is a virtual network connecting Maritime Operation Centers of member Navies. Through the system, based on commercial hardware and a software developed within the Italian Navy, it is possible to share among participants selected unclassified information related to merchant shipping.

The hub of the V-RMTC is located in Rome, at the Italian Maritime Operation Center (M.O.C.) of the Fleet Command Headquarter.

The community has currently a strength of 33 member Navies: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, U.K., U.S.A., Argentina, Brazil, Chile, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Peru.

Other Navies have shown an interest to join the Community, namely: Ghana, Qatar, Australia, and Japan, while accession process for Cameroon and Ecuador is at the moment ongoing.

White Shipping Agreement

White Shipping Agreement (WSA) is an information network protocol that allows the navies of two countries to exchange information about ships in their oceanic territories.

Ships are classified into White (Commercial Ships), Grey (Military Vessels) and Black (Illegal Vessels).

13. CLMV CONCLAVE

The 5th India-CLMV CLMV Conclave) Business Conclave was held at Phnom Penh, Cambodia in 2018. It was jointly organised by Ministry of Commerce & Industry along with Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is institutional partner of the event.

The CLMV conclave is an annual feature which provides an opportunity for Indian business leaders to interact with government and business stakeholders representing the four countries.

CLMV:

● Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam collectively, is the third largest economy in ASEAN, followed by Indonesia and Thailand.

● India’s trade with the CLMV countries has grown from USD 1.5 billion to more than USD 10 billion in the last 10 years. ● This country association within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises its newest, lowest income, and formerly closed- economy members. One of the ways in which the association operates is through CLMV Economic Ministers’ Meetings.

14. ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC)

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia- Pacific.

It is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Headquartered in Singapore, APEC is recognized as one of the highest-level multilateral blocs and oldest forums in the Asia-Pacific region, and exerts a significant global influence.

Aim: To create greater prosperity for the people of the region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth and by accelerating regional economic integration.

Members:

● APEC’s 21 member economies are Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; The Philippines; The Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; United States of America; Viet Nam.

● APEC Members account for approximately 40% of the world’s population, approximately 54% of the world’s gross domestic product and about 44% of world trade.

APEC has three official observers: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Secretariat, the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

India has requested membership in APEC, and received initial support from the United States, Japan, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Officials have decided not to allow India to join for various reasons, considering that India does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do. However, India was invited to be an observer for the first time in November 2011.

15. SAARC

Sri Lanka’s former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has pitched for revival of SAARC for better regional integration and development of the region. About South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

SAARC was established with the signing of the SAARC Charter in Dhaka in 1985. Its secretariat is in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Objectives: To promote the welfare of the people of South Asia and to improve their quality of life, and to accelerate economic growth, territorial integrity, mutual trust and benefit etc.

Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The Summit level Meetings of the Heads of State or Government of Member States is the highest decision-making authority under SAARC.

SAARC maintains permanent diplomatic relations at the United Nations as an observer and has developed links with multilateral entities, including the European Union

Decisions at all levels are to be taken on the basis of unanimity. Bilateral and contentious issues are excluded from the deliberations of the Association.

South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA), the FTA of SAARC, came into force in 2006

16. THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO)

North Macedonia is set to officially become the 30th member of NATO with the deposit of its “instrument of accession” at the U.S. Department of State.

North Macedonia is a member state of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

The accession protocol entered into force on 19 March 2020, allowing North Macedonia to deposit its instrument of accession and thereby become a member state of NATO on 27 March 2020.

NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), or North Atlantic Alliance, the Atlantic Alliance, the Western Alliance, is a military alliance.

It was established by the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 and it was signed in Washington, D.C., USA, on April 4, 1949.

Its headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium. Its other official name means the same in French, Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique nord (OTAN).

● Motto - Animus in consulendo liber (A mind unfettered in deliberation) ● Formation - 4 April 1949 ● Type - Military alliance ● Headquarters - Brussels, Belgium ● Headquarters of Allied Command Operations — Mons, Belgium.

● Significance: It constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its independent member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.

Objectives:

Political – NATO promotes democratic values and enables members to consult and cooperate on defence and security-related issues to solve problems, build trust and, in the long run, prevent conflict.

Military – NATO is committed to the peaceful resolution of disputes. If diplomatic efforts fail, it has the military power to undertake crisis- management operations. These are carried out under the collective defence clause of NATO’s founding treaty – Article 5 of the Washington Treaty or under a United Nations mandate, alone or in cooperation with other countries and international organisations.

17. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION

● WHO is a specialised agency of UN. ● It is concerned with international public health ● It acts as coordinating authority on international public health. Established in 1948. ● It succeeded the Health Organization, which was an agency of the League of Nations. ● HQ : Geneva, Switzerland India is a founder member of WHO. ● WHO flag features the Rod of Asclepius as a symbol for healing. ● It is part of the U.N. Sustainable Development Group. It has six semi- autonomous regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide. ● Its main objective as ensuring "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health”. Parent organization - United Nations Economic and Social Council ● The WHO was established in 7 April 1948, which is commemorated as World Health Day. The first meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA), the agency's governing body, took place on 24 July 1948.

WHO Funding

● The WHO is funded by its members and philanthropic organisations. ● The US with 14.67 per cent of total contribution is the largest funding source for the United Nations health agency. The next big contributors are the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (9.76 per cent) and GAVI Alliance (8.39 per cent). The GAVI Alliance is a Geneva-based public-

private partnership organisation to which Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation makes a sizeable contribution. ● The UK (7.79 per cent) and Germany (5.68 per cent) are the only other country after the US to make over 5 per cent of total financial budget of the WHO. The UN Office for the Coordination of HumanitarianAffairs (UNOCHA) is other body to make over 5 per cent contribution. The World Bank (3.42 per cent), the Rotary International (3.3 per cent), the European Commission (3.3 per cent) and Japan (2.7 per cent) are among other major contributors to the WHO's finances. ● China, which is at the centre of the current WHO controversy in the wake of novel coronavirus pandemic, contributes only 0.21 per cent of total money flowing into the global health agency. ● India's share of contribution is more than double the China's at 0.48 per cent and much closer to France's (0.5 per cent). Interestingly, even Pakistan contributes (0.36 per cent) to the WHO more than China.

18. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION (IOM)

● IOM is an intergovernmental organization that provides services and advice concerning migration to governments and migrants, including refugees, internally displaced persons and migrant workers.

● IOM was established in 1951 as Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) to help resettle people displaced by World War II.

● It was granted Permanent Observer status to UN General Assembly in 1992 Cooperation agreement between IOM and the UN was signed in 1996.

IOM works in four broad areas of migration management: ● Migration and development, ● Facilitating migration, ● Regulating migration and ● Forced migration

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MIGRATION ● Formation - 1951; 69 years ago (as Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration) ● Headquarters - Geneva, Switzerland ● Membership - 173 member states and 8 observer states as of March 2019 (over 80 global and regional IGOs and NGOs are also observers) ● Official languages - English, French and Spanish Director General - António Vitorino

● Observer States: Bahrain, Bhutan, Indonesia, Kuwait, Qatar, Russian Federation, San Marino and Saudi Arabia. ● Focus Areas: Promotion of International Migration Law; Policy Debate and Guidance; Protection of Migrants’ Rights; Migration Health; and the Gender Dimension of Migration ● Nodal Ministries: Ministry of External Affairs ● Flagship Publications: World Migration Report

IOM X

IOM X is a Communication for Development campaign operated by the International Organization for Migration in Bangkok, Thailand.

The campaign's stated purpose is: "to encourage safe migration and public action to prevent human trafficking and exploitation in the Asia Pacific region."

19. U.N. PEACE KEEPING FORCE

The UN peacekeeping forces are called Blue Berets because of the colour of the caps that they wear. UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Berets or Blue Helmets because of their light blue berets or helmets) can include soldiers, police officers, and civilian personnel.

The health force can have caps of another colour, probably red. The launch of the Red Berets will be a historic action to be taken at a critical moment. The UN’s relevance will be established and there will be concrete action taken to end the pandemic.

Indian peacekeepers have received the United Nations Medal for their dedication and sacrifice serving so far away from home to protect civilians and build durable peace in South Sudan.

UN Peacekeeping Forces

UN Peacekeeping is an instrument developed by the UN as a way to help countries torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace.

The first UN peacekeeping mission was established in May 1948, to the Middle East to monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

Principles of UN peacekeeping: ● Consent of the parties

● Impartiality ● Non-use of force except in self-defence and defence of the mandate The financial resources of UN Peacekeeping operations are the collective responsibility of UN Member States.

● Decisions about the establishment, maintenance or expansion of peacekeeping operations are taken by the United Nations Security Council. ● India has provided more than 2 lakh military and police officers to UN Peacekeeping over 70 years, in more than 50 missions, starting from Korean War in 1950. ● India has lost the highest number of its peacekeepers in various UN peacekeeping operations in the last 70 years, with 168 military, police and civilian personnel causalities.

20. G20 MEETING

G20 meeting was held recently in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). Saudi Arabia is the first Arab nation to hold the G20 presidency.

Theme: “Realizing Opportunities of the 21st Century for All”.

India will host the G20 Summit In 2022, when the country celebrates its 75th year of Independence. It will be the first meet of the global grouping in India.

Amid 2008 Financial Crisis the world saw the need for a new consensus- building at the highest political level. It was decided that the G20 leaders would begin meeting once annually.

About G20:

● Formed in 1999, the G20 is an international forum of the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. ● Collectively, the G20 economies account for around 85 percent of the Gross World Product (GWP), 80 percent of world trade. ● To tackle the problems or the address issues that plague the world, the heads of governments of the G20 nations periodically participate in summits. ● In addition to it, the group also hosts separate meetings of the finance ministers and foreign ministers. ● The G20 has no permanent staff of its own and its chairmanship rotates annually between nations divided into regional groupings. ● The first G20 Summit was held in Berlin in December 1999 and was hosted by the finance ministers of Germany and Canada.

Objectives: ● The Group was formed with an aim of studying, reviewing, and promoting high-level discussion of policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability. ● The forum aims to pre-empt balance of payments problems and turmoil on financial markets by improved coordination of monetary, fiscal, and financial policies. ● The forum seeks to address issues that go beyond the responsibilities of any one organisation.

Member Countries: ● The members of the G20 consist of 19 individual countries plus the European Union (EU). ● The 19 member countries of the forum are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom and the United States.

● The European Union is represented by the European Commission and by the European Central Bank.

21. ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC COOPERATION

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation is an international organization founded in 1969, consisting of 57 member states, with a collective population of over 1.8 billion as of 2015 with 53 countries being Muslim-majority countries.

● The organisation states that it is the collective voice of the Muslim world and works to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony.

● The OIC has permanent delegations to the United Nations and the European Union. The official languages of the OIC are Arabic, English, and French. ● Administrative centre (Headquarters) - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia ● Charter signed - 25 September 1969

Creation ● On 25 September 1969, an Islamic Conference, a summit of representatives of 24 Muslim majority countries (most of the representatives being heads of state), was held in Rabat, Morocco. ● Six months later in March 1970, the First Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In 1972, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC, now the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) was founded.

Members

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has 57 members, 56 of which are also member states of the United Nations, the exception being Palestine.

Some members, especially in West Africa and South America, are – though with large Muslim populations – not necessarily Muslim majority countries. A few countries with significant Muslim populations, such as Russia and Thailand, sit as Observer States.

22. INDIAN OCEAN COMMISSION (IOC)

India was recently accepted as an observer in the Indian Ocean Commision, getting a seat at the table of the organization that handles maritime governance in the western Indian Ocean.

IOC, a trusted regional actor Following a request from New Delhi, the IOC granted observer status to India at the Commission’s 34th Council of Ministers.

● Founded in 1982, the IOC is an intergovernmental organisation.

● Comprises of five small-island states in the Western Indian Ocean: the Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion (a French department), and Seychelles.

● Though Réunion brings a major power, France, into this small-state equation, decisions in the IOC are consensus-based, and while France’s foreign policy interests are represented, the specifics of Réunion’s regional decision-making emerge from its local governance structures.

In 2012, the IOC was one of the four regional organisations to launch the MASE Programme — the European Union-funded programme to promote Maritime Security in Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean.

Under MASE, the IOC has established a mechanism for surveillance and control of the Western Indian Ocean with two regional centers.

● The Regional Maritime Information Fusion Center (RMIFC), based in Madagascar, is designed to deepen maritime domain awareness by monitoring maritime activities and promoting information sharing and exchange.

● The Regional Coordination Operations Centre (RCOC), based in Seychelles, will eventually facilitate joint or jointly coordinated interventions at sea based on information gathered through the RMIFC.

23. Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

The 19th IORA Council of Ministers meeting was held in Abu Dhabi with the theme of “Promoting a Shared Destiny and Path to Prosperity in the Indian Ocean”.

The meeting was important as two of India’s important partners, the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, took charge as the new chair and vice-chair of one of the largest regional maritime organisations for the duration of 2019-21.

About IORA:

1. The Indian Ocean Rim Association was set up with the objective of strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean Region.

2. Setup in 1997, it Consists of 22 coastal states bordering the Indian Ocean.

3. The IORA is a regional forum, tripartite in nature, bringing together representatives of Government, Business and Academia, for promoting cooperation and closer interaction among them.

4. It is based on the principles of Open Regionalism for strengthening Economic Cooperation particularly on Trade Facilitation and Investment, Promotion as well as Social Development of the region.

5. The Coordinating Secretariat of IORA is located at Ebene, Mauritius

Members

Australia, Bangladesh, the Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. IORA has ten dialogue partners: China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

24. UN CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has cancelled over $1 trillion debt owed by developing countries amid the COVID- 19 pandemic. It aims to help them overcome the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

● United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ● UNCTAD is the part of the United Nations Secretariat dealing with trade, investment, and development issues. ● The organization's goals are to: "maximize the trade, investment and development opportunities of developing countries and assist them in their efforts to integrate into the world economy on an equitable basis". ● UNCTAD was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964 and it reports to the UN General Assembly and United Nations Economic and Social Council. ● The primary objective of UNCTAD is to formulate policies relating to all aspects of development including trade, aid, transport, finance and technology. ● The conference ordinarily meets once in four years; the permanent secretariat is in Geneva. ● One of the principal achievements of UNCTAD (1964) has been to conceive and implement the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP). It was argued in UNCTAD that to promote exports of manufactured goods from developing countries, it would be necessary to offer special tariff concessions to such exports. ● The first UNCTAD conference took place in Geneva in 1964 ● Currently, UNCTAD has 195 member states and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

UNCTAD members:

All UN members plus UN observer states Palestine and the Holy See. UNCTAD members are divided into four lists, the division being based on United Nations Regional Groups with six members unassigned: Armenia, Kiribati, Nauru, South Sudan, Tajikistan, Tuvalu.

● List A consists mostly of countries in the African and Asia-Pacific Groups of the UN. ● List B consists of countries of the Western European and Others Group. ● List C consists of countries of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States (GRULAC). ● List D consists of countries of the Eastern European Group.

Reports UNCTAD produces a number of topical reports, including:

● The Trade and Development Report ● The Trade and Environment Review ● The World Investment Report ● The Economic Development in Africa Report ● The Least Developed Countries Report ● UNCTAD Statistics ● The Information Economy Report ● The Review of Maritime Transport ● The International Accounting and Reporting Issues Annual Review ● The Technology and Innovation Report

25. ACCESS TO COVID-19 TOOLS (ACT) ACCELERATOR

The World Health Organization along with the other international leading organizations such as Global Fund, UNTAID, CEPI, etc. has launched the COVID-19 Tools (Act) Accelerator.

ACT Accelerator initiative:

● ACT Accelerator initiative provides a global platform for action to enhance connections and leverage interdependencies for collective partnership. ● It also enhance problem-solving, mobilizing and guiding investments, and driving equitable access for new COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. ● The process will help "speed up and harmonize" the development, production, and equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics for COVID19. ● The initiative will ensure all people have access to all the tools to defeat COVID-19. ● The ACT Accelerator ensures to bring together the combined power of several organizations to work with speed and scale.

26. MISSION SAGAR

India dispatched INS Kesari, carrying medical assistance, food items to the countries in the Southern Indian Ocean as part of a "Mission Sagar" initiative to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic.

Five island nations -- Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles - requested India for medical and food assistance to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ministries Involved:

The Mission involves two major ministries of India-- Ministry of Defence and Ministry of External Affairs-- along with several other Government agencies.

Meanwhile, Indian Navy ship Jalashwa is evacuating Indian nationals from Male to Kochi, during her second repatriation sortie under the Indian government`s Operation Samudra Setu. The Navy ship already repatriated citizens to India during her first sortie.

Security and Growth for All in the Region SAGAR was launched in 2015. It is India’s strategic vision for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

● Through SAGAR, India seeks to deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbors and assist in building their maritime security capabilities. Further, India seeks to safeguard its national interests and ensure Indian Ocean region to become inclusive, collaborative and respect international law. ● The Mission Sagar assistance is in line with India’s role as the first responder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). ● It highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with its neighboring countries and further strengthens the existing bond.

27. INTERNATIONAL PRESS INSTITUTE

The International Press Institute (IPI) has condemned the recent turn of events in India, expressing “grave concern over the misuse of the law by authorities... to intimidate journalists and curtail press freedom”. Headquarters: Vienna, Austria

Institute

● International Press Institute (IPI) is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. Founded in October 1950, the IPI has members in over 120 countries. ● IPI is the world's leading organization for the defense of press freedom with members in over 110 countries. What began as a small enterprise in the early 1950's has expanded to become an ongoing dialogue between journalists throughout the world. ● Even though the size of the organisation has changed, its philosophy remains the same: that freedom of expression is the right that protects all other rights and that this freedom needs to be promoted and defended. ● IPI's membership is made up of editors and media executives working for some of the world's most respected media outlets. IPI has also established a new membership category: "IPI Leading Journalists" which is open to heads of media departments, bureau chiefs, correspondents and others. ● In several countries, including Nepal and Azerbaijan, IPI members have established National Committees that support IPI in its work to improve the situation for media. ● IPI enjoys consultative status with the UN, UNESCO and the Council of Europe. ● IPI is a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, a global network of non-governmental organisations that monitors press freedom and free expression violations worldwide. It is also a member of the Tunisia Monitoring Group, a coalition of 16 free expression organisations that lobbies the Tunisian government to improve its human rights record.

28. DIAMER-BHASHA DAM

Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government has signed a whopping 442 billion Pakistani Rupees (PKR) contract with a joint venture of a Chinese state-run firm and a commercial arm of Pakistan’s military for the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha dam.

Chinese state-run firm China Power holds 70% and the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO), a commercial arm of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, 30% share in the consortium. The contract signed covers construction of a diversion system, main dam, access bridge and the 21MW Tangir hydropower project.

The Diamer-Bhasha Dam is located on the Indus River in northern Pakistan between Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Diamer district in Gilgit Baltistan.

29. NEW NEPAL MAP The new map includes 335-km land area including Limpiyadhura in the Nepalese territory. Nepal’s ruling Nepal Communist Party lawmakers have also tabled a special resolution in Parliament demanding return of Nepal’s territory in Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh.

Nepal’s Claims: ● The Lipulekh Pass is claimed by Nepal based on the 1816 Treaty of Sugauli it entered with the British colonial rulers to define its western border with India. India and Nepal share a 1,800km (1,118-mile) open border. ● Nepal has said it has "consistently maintained" that as per the Sugauli Treaty (1816), "all the territories east of Kali (Mahakali) river, including Limpiyadhura, Kalapani and Lipu Lekh, belong to Nepal." Kathmandu also claims the highly strategic areas of Limpiyadhura and Kalapani, although Indian troops have been deployed there since New Delhi fought a war with China in 1962.

India’s Claims: ● The 80-Km new road inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to help pilgrims visiting Kailash-Mansarovar in Tibet in China as it is around 90 kms from the Lipulekh pass. The road follows the pre- existing route used by the pilgrims of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. India has said that the recentlyinaugurated road section in Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand lies completely within its territory. ● The Kali River forms the boundary between India and Nepal in this region. However, India states that the headwaters of the river are not included in the boundary. Here the border runs along the watershed. ● According to India, under treaty of Sugauli, Limpiyadhura is the point of origin of Kali river. It is the point where Nepal border begins. Lipulekh pass: The Lipulekh pass is a far western point near Kalapani, a disputed border area between Nepal and India. Both India and Nepal claim Kalapani as an integral part of their territory - India as part of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district and Nepal as part of Dharchula district.

30. INLAND WATER TRANSIT AND TRADE PROTOCOL India and Bangladesh signed the second Addendum of the Inland Water Transit and Trade Protocol in Bangladesh. To boost trade, economic activity and connectivity, India and Bangladesh have added five more "ports of call" on either side and increased the protocol (water) routes from 8 to 10.

New Ports: There are six "ports of call" each in India and Bangladesh. The new five "ports of call" on the Indian side are Dhulian, Maia, Kolaghat, Sonamura and Jogigopha and on the Bangladesh side Rajshahi, Sultanganj, Chilmari, Daudkandi and Bahadurabad. Two more extended 'ports of call" -- Tribeli (Bandel) and Badarpur in India and Ghorasal and Muktarpur in Bangladesh -- have been added.

Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) ● In 1972, India and Bangladesh signed the Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT). ● It is a bilateral protocol connecting the inland waterways of India and Bangladesh for the transportation of goods and keeping their respective waterways navigable, while providing infrastructure facilities. ● The protocol further states that both countries will mutually decide the proposed expenses; voyage permissions shall be taken at least four days prior to the actual journey; and the vessels shall share equal tonnage. ● It was last renewed in 2015 for five years with a provision of automatic renewal for the next five years, giving long-term assurance to stakeholders. Port of call: ● Port of call means an intermediate stop for a ship on its scheduled journey for cargo operation or taking on supplies or fuel. ● As Per the shipping Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) regulation a “port of call” can be defined as the port of a country where cargo or a passenger (cruise) ship halts to discharge or load the cargo or to embark or disembark passengers.

31. LAC TENSIONS

Friction Points:

Green top hill above the finger area of Pangong Tso (lake) seems to be the latest friction point, with reports stating that 18 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel from a larger patrol party were being detained by Chinese soldiers. However, the Indian Army denied any such “detention”

Sikkim’s Naku La pass is one of four areas that had seen aggressive action between the Chinese and Indian troops (including the Army and the Indo- Tibetan Border Police personnel) since mid-April this year.

Similar skirmishes, including jostling, and fisticuffs between the soldiers had been reported along a stretch in eastern Ladakh at the Pangong Tso lake, Demchok and the the Galwan river nalah. Both sides had rushed more personnel to the area, and more than a dozen new Chinese boats had been observed on the lake. Pangong Tso Lake: ● Pangong means extensive concavity in the Ladakhi language and Tso means lake in Tibetan.

● This is a long lake with crystal clear but undrinkable brackish water. ● Pangong Tso is a long narrow, deep, endorheic (landlocked) lake situated at a height of more than 14,000 ft in the Ladakh Himalayas. ● The western end of Pangong Tso lies 54 km to the southeast of Leh. ● The 135 km-long lake sprawls over 604 sq km in the shape of a boomerang, and is 6 km wide at its broadest point. ● The lake freezes over in winter, and becomes ideal for ice skating and polo. The lake is in the process of being identified under the Ramsar

Convention as a wetland of international importance. This will be the first trans-boundary wetland in South Asia under the convention. Note: The legendary 19th century Dogra general Zorawar Singh is said to have trained his soldiers and horses on the frozen Pangong lake before invading Tibet.

Tactical significance of the lake: By itself, the lake does not have major tactical significance. But it lies in the path of the Chushul approach, one of the main approaches that China can use for an offensive into Indian-held territory. Indian assessments show that a major Chinese offensive, if it comes, will flow across both the north and south of the lake. During the 1962 war, this was where China launched its main offensive.

32. BORDER ROADS ORGANISATION:

● The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) develops and maintains road networks in India's border areas and friendly neighboring countries. Officers from the Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) and personnel from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) form the parent cadre of the Border Roads Organisation. It is also staffed by officers and troops

drawn from the Indian Army's Corps of Engineers on extra regimental employment (on Deputation). ● Currently, the organisation maintains operations in twenty-one states, one UT (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. ● The BRO operates and maintains over 32,885 kilometers of roads and about 12,200 meters of permanent bridges in the country. Presently, BRO is also involved in the construction of a tunnel at the Rohtang pass which is estimated to be ready by September 2020. The BRO operates in 18 Projects namely: Arunank, Beacon, Brahmank, Chetak, Deepak, Dantak, Himank, Hirak, Pushpak, Sampark, Setuk, Sewak, Shivalik, Swastik, Udayak, Vartak, Vijayak and sela tunnel. ● The organisation's operations are spread across India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan.

Role of the BRO: During Peace: ● To Develop & Maintain the Operational Road Infrastructure of General Staff (GS) in the Border Areas. ● To Contribute to the Socio-Economic Development of the Border States. During War: ● To Develop & Maintain Roads to Keep Line of Control through in Original Sectors and Re-deployed Sectors. ● To Execute Additional Tasks as laid down by the Govt Contributing to the War Effort. BRO is entrusted for construction of Roads, Bridges, Tunnels, Causeways, Helipads and Airfields. 33. G7 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE GROUP The U.S. has joined an international panel for setting ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence. US is now joining the group to counter Chinese dominance in shaping international standards on surveillance and facial recognition at the United Nations. The partnership was launched after a virtual meeting between national technology ministers. It was nearly two years after the leaders of Canada and France announced they were forming a group to guide the responsible adoption of AI based on shared principles of "human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation and economic growth."

Group of Seven (G7): The Group of Seven (G7) is an international intergovernmental economic organization consisting of the seven largest IMF- advanced economies in the world: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The annual G7 Summit includes the 7 heads-of-government from these 7 countries. The European Union is an invitee to G7. G7 Member facts: ● 7 of the 7 top-ranked advanced economies with the current largest GDP and with the highest national wealth (United States, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Canada). ● 7 of the 15 top-ranked countries with the highest net wealth per capita (United States, France, Japan, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Germany). ● 7 of 10 top-ranked leading export countries. ● 5 of 10 top-ranked countries with the largest gold reserves (United States, Germany, Italy, France, Japan). ● 7 of 10 top-ranked economies (by nominal GDP), according to latest International Monetary Fund's statistics. ● 3 countries are constitutional monarchies (United Kingdom, Canada, Japan), 2 are presidential republics (France, United States) and 2 are parliamentary republics (Germany and Italy).

34. HONG KONG LAW

● The law is called the “NPC Decision on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to Safeguard National Security”. ● It essentially empowers the National People’s Congress (Ruling party of China) to draft new national security laws for Special Administrative Region (SAR) of Hong Kong for the first time. ● The laws could cover any activity that seriously endangers national security. ● The law is aimed at enabling measures to counter, lawfully prevent, stop and punish foreign and overseas forces which are using Hong Kong to carry out separatist or destructive activities. ● The law has been criticised by pro-democracy parties and legal community in Hong Kong. ● It is being said that it undermines the “one country, two systems” model of Hong Kong.

The details of the law's 66 articles were kept secret until after it was passed. It criminalises any act of:

● Secession - breaking away from the country Subversion - undermining the power or authority of the central government ● Terrorism - using violence or intimidation against people ● Collusion with foreign or external forces The new law's key provisions include that: ● Crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in prison ● Damaging public transport facilities can be considered terrorism ● Those found guilty will not be allowed to stand for public office ● Companies can be fined if convicted under the law Beijing will establish a new security office in Hong Kong, with its own law enforcement personnel - neither of which would come under the local authority's jurisdiction ● This office can send some cases to be tried in mainland China - but Beijing has said it will only have that power over a "tiny number" of cases ● In addition, Hong Kong will have to establish its own national security commission to enforce the laws, with a Beijing-appointed adviser ● Hong Kong's chief executive will have the power to appoint judges to hear national security cases, raising fears about judicial autonomy ● Importantly, Beijing will have power over how the law should be interpreted, not any Hong Kong judicial or policy body. If the law conflicts with any Hong Kong law, the Beijing law takes priority ● Some trials will be heard behind closed doors. People suspected of breaking the law can be wire-tapped and put under surveillance ● Management of foreign non-governmental organisations and news agencies will be strengthened The law will also apply to non-permanent residents 35. EXPANSION OF G7 TO G11 US President Donald Trump indicated that the G7 group might become G10 or G11 by stating that he believes that the G7 group cannot represent the developments around the world appropriately. G-11 ● A G-11 alliance could work on the formulation of its own network for digital currency, focusing on scalability and interoperability. However, China’s first mover advantage in this sector would be difficult to overcome. ● For the US, strengthened economies of India, South Korea, and Russia could be an essential counter to the rise of China in Asia. In this regard, the G-11 alliance could prove to play a vital role. ● For India, a place in the G-11 would only be a validation of the obvious, that of its growing stature as an emerging superpower. While India’s stressed telecom sector pushes 5G implementation ahead, the

government should aid the likes of Airtel and Vodafone looking to opt for other vendors against Huawei. ● The alliance with the G-11 should also focus on getting more supply chains to India, especially for the companies headquartered in the US. ● However, given its geographical proximity to China, the Modi government will have to ensure, from a military aspect, that it does not become a proxy ground for the Cold War between China and the US. Therefore, channels for consistent engagement between Delhi and Beijing must always remain open, for it would be unwise to risk a feud with a neighbour for friends in the West. 36. GLOBAL VACCINE SUMMIT

Global Vaccine Summit hosted by the UK. The summit, held virtually given the coronavirus pandemic lockdown around the world.

GAVI

● GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance (previously the GAVI Alliance, and before that the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) is a public–private global health partnership with the goal of increasing access to immunisation in poor countries. ● Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is a United Nations-backed organisation which coordinates vaccinations across the world. ● The Gavi came into inception in 2000 with an aim to encourage manufacturers to lower the vaccine prices for the poorest countries in return for long-term and high volume demand from these nations. ● Its core partners are the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

● The Gavi has helped vaccinate 760 million children in the world's poorest nations, preventing more than 13 million deaths.

● Focus - Vaccines against: human diseases ● Location - Geneva, Switzerland

GAVI's approach to public health has been described as business-oriented and technology-focused, using market-oriented measures, and seeking quantifiable results. This model, termed the "Gates approach" or US-type approach, GAVI is taken to exemplify. It contrasts with the approach typified by the Alma Ata Declaration, which focuses on the effects of political, social and cultural systems on health.

Alma Ata Declaration:

The Declaration of Alma-Ata was adopted at the International Conference on Primary Health Care (PHC), Almaty (formerly Alma-Ata), Kazakhstan (formerly Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic), 6–12 September 1978. It expressed the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of all people. It was the first international declaration underlining the importance of primary health care.

The Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978 emerged as a major milestone of the twentieth century in the field of public health, and it identified primary health care as the key to the attainment of the goal of "Health for All" around the globe.

37. INDIA-AUSTRALIA COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

India and Australia upgraded their relationship with a raft of agreements, including strengthening defense ties and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific maritime issues.

● The mutual logistic support agreement gives the two countries access to each other’s military bases. India and Australia see defense as a key pillar of the bilateral engagement and have recently conducted several military exercises. ● The Joint Declaration on Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific commits the nations to support the rules-based maritime order in the region, founded on respect for the sovereignty of all nations and international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS HQ Montego Bay, Jamaica.

● Accords were also struck to enhance cooperation on cyber and related technologies.

Agreements signed: ● Framework Arrangement on Cyber Enabled critical Technology ● MoU on cooperation in processing of Critical and Strategic minerals implementing arrangement related to cooperation in Defence. ● MoU on cooperation of training and vocational education ● MoU on understanding water resource management MoU in the field of Governance Reforms and Public Administration ● MoU on cooperation in mining and processing of strategic minerals.

The Mutual Logistics Support Agreement signed will allow the countries to have access to each other’s military bases. The countries also decided to enhance their 2+2 foreign affairs and defense dialogues.

38. INDIA ELECTED AS NON-PERMANENT MEMBER OF UNSC

India was elected as non-permanent member of the powerful United Nations Security Council for a two-year term, winning 184 votes in the 193-member General Assembly. ● Along with India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway also won the Security Council election. ● There were 192 Member States present for voting and the 2/3 required majority was 128. India garnered 184 votes. Canada lost the elections. ● India will sit in the most powerful U.N. organ, for two years beginning on January 1, along with the five permanent members China, France, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S. as well as non-permanent members Estonia, Niger, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia and Vietnam. ● India was a candidate for a non-permanent seat from the Asia-Pacific category for the 2021-22 term. Its victory was a given since it was the sole candidate vying for the lone seat from the grouping. ● New Delhi’s candidature was unanimously endorsed by the 55- member AsiaPacific grouping, including China and Pakistan, in June last year. ● Previously, India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the Council for the years 1950-1951, 1967-1968, 1972-1973, 1977-1978, 1984-1985, 1991- 1992 and most recently in 2011-2012.

Kenya:

Kenya defeated Djibouti to get elected to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), after the UN General Assembly (UNGA) failed to choose between the two candidates during a first round.

Election of Non- permanent members

Each year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members out of a total of 10, for a two-year term.

Distribution of seats:

● These 10 seats are distributed among the regions thus: five for African and Asian countries; one for Eastern European countries; two for Latin American and Caribbean countries; two for Western European and other countries. ● Of the five seats for Africa and Asia, three are for Africa and two for Asia; there is an informal understanding between the two groups to reserve one for an Arab country. The Africa and Asia Pacific group takes turns every two years to put up an Arab candidate. ● Elections for terms beginning in even-numbered years select two African members, and one each within Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. ● Terms beginning in odd-numbered years consist of two Western European and Other members, and one each from Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean.

39. INDIA BECOMES FOUNDING MEMBER OF GLOBAL ALLIANCE ON AI

India has joined international and multi-stakeholder initiative Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as its founder member.

In this alliance, India will join Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the US, and the European Union.

The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) is an international and multistakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of AI, grounded in human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.

Global Partnership for Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) will be supported by a Secretariat. It will be hosted by OECD- Organization for Economic Cooperation

and Development in Paris, as well as by the two Centres of Expertise- one each in Paris and Montreal.

Aim: The global initiative aims to guide responsible development and use of Artificial Intelligence, grounded in human rights, diversity, inclusion, innovation, and economic growth. It will also provide support to the cutting- edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.

40. 32ND VIRTUAL EAG PLENARY MEETING 2020

Indian officials, including representatives from enforcement agencies, have participated in the 32nd special Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG) plenary meeting 2020, under the aegis of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

EAG:

The Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and financing of terrorism is an FATF-style regional body. ● The EAG was established in 2004 and is currently an associate member of the FATF. ● The primary goal of the EAG is to assist member-states in implementing the 40 FATF anti-money laundering Recommendations and the 9 Special FATF Recommendations on combating terrorist financing (FATF 40+9 Recommendations). ● The EAG comprises nine countries: India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. ● The EAG was established on 6 October 2004 in Moscow by the decision of the Inaugural Conference and at the initiative of the Russian Federation, supported by the FATF, IMF, World Bank and several other countries. The EAG is an FATF-style regional body and became an Associate Member of the FATF in June 2010. ● The creation of an FATF-style regional body (FSRB) for countries of the Eurasian region that have not been part of existing FSRBs, is to play an important role in combating the threat of terrorism and increasing the transparency and security of financial systems of the region.

The EAG objective is to incorporate these countries into the global system on anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT).

The main goals of the EAG are to:

● Facilitate implementation of international standards; Carry out joint programs within the FIU sphere of competency; ● Conduct evaluations of the effectiveness of existing AML/CFT mechanisms; ● Coordinate technical assistance cooperation; ● Analyze trends (typologies) in the AML/CFT sphere and exchange experience in combating these crimes.

41. 51ST WEF ANNUAL SUMMIT

The 51st annual WEF Davos meeting was held in January 2021 by the World Economic Forum (WEF). WEF to adopt a new twin-summit format by bringing together leaders from across the globe for an in-person and well as virtual dialogues with the theme: ‘The Great Reset’.

WEF

● WEF is Swiss non profit foundation, based in Geneva. ● Founded in 1971. ● It works to improve the state of the world through public-private cooperation. ● It serves as independent not-for-profit organization that works closely with other international organizations. ● WEF is best known for its annual winter meeting for five days in Davos, a mountain resort in Graubünden, in eastern Alps region of Switzerland. ● The meeting brings together some international political leaders, 2,500 top business leaders, selected intellectuals, and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world. Earlier themes:

● 2019 - Globalization 4.0: shaping a global architecture in the age of the fourth industrial revolution ● 2020 - Stakeholders for a cohesive and sustainable world

42. INDIA JOINS 'ALLIANCE FOR POVERTY ERADICATION'

India has become a founding member of an Alliance for Poverty Eradication at the UN, launched by the President of the General Assembly, aimed at focusing on efforts to boost global economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: –

● It aims to focus on efforts to boost the global economy and eradicate poverty after COVID 19 pandemic. ● It also aims to galvanise the member states, the international community and other stakeholders to support actions geared towards poverty eradication. ● India has joined the Alliance as a founding member and the forum aims to focus on efforts to boost the global economy in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights:

● Modernisation of Agriculture, creation of jobs are among the goal of reducing poverty. ● Among the 17 Sustainable Development goals Poverty eradication is at the top. ● Approximately 2.1 billion people are classified as poor across the globe, among which 767 million are living in extreme poverty. ● Over 271 million people of India have moved out of poverty between 2006 to 2016, according to the United Nations Development programme. ● The Alliance will lead the voice of poverty eradication by starting with the nucleus of like-minded countries.

43. KUWAIT’S EXPAT BILL TO IMPACT 800,000 INDIANS

The Kuwaiti National Assembly's legal and legislative committee has determined that the expat quota bill was constitutional. According to the bill, Indians should not exceed 15 % of Kuwait's population which could force some 800,000 Indians to leave Kuwait given that Indians number 1.45 million in Kuwait, constituting the largest expatriate community in the country. The current population of Kuwait is 4.3 million, with Kuwaitis making up 1.3 million of the population, and expatriates accounting for the rest.

Highlights: ● The draft expat quota bill has been deemed constitutional and will be transferred to the respective committee so that a comprehensive plan is created. ● Lawmakers and government officials including the Prime Minister of Kuwait have been calling to reduce the number of expats from 70% to 30% of the population. ● The draft law will impose a cap on the number of expats and gradually reduce them by almost 5% on a yearly basis. ● For example, if expats constitute 70% of the population this year, next year it will 65% and 60% in the following year.

44. RUSSIANS APPROVE NEW CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS

Russians approved the constitutional changes proposed by the Vladimir Putin- led Russian Government, which will allow Putin to possibly remain in power for another 16 years till 2036. A total of 206 amendments had been proposed and Russians had to vote a “yes” or a “no” to the reforms as a whole. Russia went to polls on July 1 for a nationwide referendum on newly proposed constitutional reforms. Biggest outcome of the referendum

● The final results of the referendum on constitutional changes show a landslide victory for Russia's president Vladimir Putin. ● Russians have granted Putin the right to stay in power until 2036 by voting overwhelmingly for constitutional changes that reset the clock on the longtime Russian leader's tenure to zero.

Diversity of new amendments:

The amendments cover dozens of existing articles, and add several new ones. Luckily, they fall broadly into three categories and many enshrine things in the constitution that are already federal law:

Conservative ideology ● Banning any action aimed at the "expropriation" of Russian territory, or calls for that. ● Protecting the "historical truth" of the Great Patriotic War (1941- 1945) and banning any "belittling" of the feats of those who fought. ● Protection of the institution of marriage as the union of a man and a woman. ● Senior officials barred from holding foreign passports, residency or overseas bank accounts. ● Refers to Russians' faith in God, as handed down by their ancestors.

Social/Welfare: ● Pensions to be index-linked. ● Minimum wage no less than subsistence minimum income. ● Forming a "responsible attitude" to animals.

Institutions: ● State Council to set "direction of domestic and foreign policy and socio-economic priorities". ● A person can only hold the presidency for two terms (replacing "two consecutive terms").

● In the case of a person already holding the presidency, previous terms will not count - the so-called "zeroing" of Vladimir Putin's terms so far.

45. INDIA'S 2ND VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW

NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog presented India’s second Voluntary National Review (VNR) at the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development, 2020, which is being held virtually from July 7, 2020 to July 16, 2020, under the aegis of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), amid COVID-19 pandemic.

● The theme of HLPF is “Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development”. ● 47 Member States present their VNRs during 10 days long HLPF, 2020. ● NITI Aayog released the India’s 2nd VNR 2020 report titled “Decade of Action: Taking SDGs from Global to Local”.

UN-High-level Political Forum (HLPF):

● The HLPF is the foremost international platform for follow-up and review of progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 2030 Agenda. The HLPF meets annually under the auspices of the ECOSOC of the United Nations (UN). ● NITI Aayog prepared and presented India’s first VNR in 2017.

Previous HLPF's themes:

● 2020 - Accelerated action and transformative pathways: realizing the decade of action and delivery for sustainable development ● 2019 - HLPF under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council -Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality -HLPF under the auspices of the General Assembly (SDG Summit) ● 2018 - Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies

46. AZAD PATTAN HYDEL PROJECT

Pakistan and China have signed an agreement for the 700 MW Azad Pattan hydel power project on the Jhelum river in Sudhnoti district of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

● The project is the second power project under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), for which an agreement has been signed in the last two months. The first agreement was for the Kohala project on the Jhelum near Muzaffarabad. ● The project will be developed on the ‘build, own, operate, transfer’ (BOOT) model. The project will be transferred to the government of Pakistan after 30 years. ● The Azad Pattan project is one of five hydropower schemes on the Jhelum. Upstream from Azad Pattan are the Mahl, Kohala, and Chakothi Hattian projects; Karot is downstream. Like Kohala and Azad Pattan, Karot too, is being developed under the CPEC framework. ● The Karot Hydropower station, the third project being executed by China on the Jhelum is on the boundaries of Kotli district in PoK and Rawalpindi district in Pakistan’s Punjab province. ● Two hydel projects are planned in Gilgit Baltistan – Phandar Hydro Power, and Gilgit KIU. India has protested the construction of dams and other infrastructure in PoK and Gilgit Baltistan, which are territories claimed by it as part of Jammu & Kashmir. Kohala project: This project is one of the biggest investments by China in PoK. Construction is expected to be complete by 2026. A special purpose vehicle called Kohala Hydro Company Pvt Ltd was incorporated in 2015 by China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited.

Other projects:

● The Karot Hydropower station, the third project being executed by China on the Jhelum is on the boundaries of Kotli district in PoK and Rawalpindi district in Pakistan’s Punjab province. ● Two hydel projects are planned in Gilgit Baltistan – Phandar Hydro Power, and Gilgit KIU.

47. NEW WORLD BANK COUNTRY CLASSIFICATIONS BY INCOME LEVEL

According to the New World Bank country classifications by income level 2020-2021, India remains in the classification, Lower-Middle-Income Economy. In total 218 countries have been included in this classification.

The World Bank classifies countries into four income groups namely: low income , lowermiddle income, upper-middle income, and high-income economies.

For FY 2021 the classification was made on the basis of the following GNI per capita: ● Low-income economies: GNI per capita, between USD 1,035 or less in 2019 ● Lower Middle-income economies: GNI per capita between USD 1,036 and USD 4,045 ● Upper middle-income economies: GNI per capita between USD 4,046 and USD 12,535 ● High-income economies: GNI per capita of USD 12,536 or more.

Highlights: ● Economies that moved to a higher category- In addition to Mauritius and Nepal, Benin, Nauru, Romania and Tanzania have moved to a high category compared to the previous year classification. ● Economies that moved to a lower category- In addition to Sri Lanka Algeria, Sudan have moved to a lower category compared to their previous year classification. ● In total 29 countries are classified under Low income which include Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Mozambique among others. In total 50 countries are classified under Lowermiddle income which include, Bangladesh, Kenya, Bolivia among others. ● In total 56 countries are classified under Upper-middle income economies which include Albania, Brazil, China among others.In total 83 countries are classified under High income economies which include, Australia, Austria, Canada among others.

48. INDIA-US STRATEGIC ENERGY PARTNERSHIP

India and the US have signed an MoU to develop a strategic petroleum reserve and the two countries are in advanced stage of discussion to store crude oil in America to increase India’s stockpile.

Highlights:

The SEP organizes inter-agency engagement on both sides across four primary pillars of cooperation:

● Power and Energy Efficiency, ● Oil and Gas, ● Renewable Energy, ● Sustainable Growth.

The SEP also supports USA efforts under the AsiaEDGE initiative, which establishes India as a strong energy partner in the Indo-Pacific region.

49. ABRAHAM AGREEMENT: UAE-ISRAEL DIPLOMATIC RELATION

US President Donald Trump announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations as part of a new peace deal.

● The deal called “Abraham Agreement” is the first of its kind since Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994. ● The name Abraham is to honour the patriarch of three major Abrahamic religions of the world-- Judaism, Islam and Christianity. ● Under the agreement, Israel would suspend its plans to annex parts of the West Bank. ● The United Arab Emirates has become the first Gulf Arab country to reach a deal on normalising relations with Israel. Until now Israel has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries.

● The UAE is also the third Arab nation to reach such a deal with Israel, after Jordan(1994) and Egypt(1979). ● Mauritania recognized Israel in 1999, but later ended relations in 2009 over the Israel’s war in Gaza at the time.

Highlights:

● This historic diplomatic agreement will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel. ● Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet and sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit. ● Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East’s most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations. ● The United Arab Emirates and Israel will immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus. ● Israel and the United Arab Emirates will join with the United States to launch a Strategic Agenda for the Middle East to expand diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation. ● The United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security coordination.

50. SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE INITIATIVE

India, Australia, and Japan have started the discussions for the launch of a trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) in order to reduce the dependency on China. The initiative which was first proposed by Japan might be executed.

● The officials have been working on the dates to hold the first meeting of the commerce and trade ministers of the three countries. Earlier, Japan through its Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry had approached India and had pressed on the urgency of taking the initiative forward. ● In the light of China’s aggressive moves in the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh, the Indian government has decided to consider the proposal

quite seriously. As per the sources, Tokyo was in favour of launching SCRI by November 2020.

Objective: It can be assumed that the objective of the Japanese proposal is two-fold, one is to attract foreign direct investment to turn the Indo-Pacific into an ‘economic powerhouse’ and second to build a mutually complementary relationship between the partner countries. ● The idea has also been to throw open the initiative to the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) after India-Japan-Australia builds an understanding of the matter. ● The objective of the countries will be to work out a plan to build on the existential supply chain network. Japan and India, for example, have an India-Japan competitiveness partnership dealing with locating the Japanese companies in India.

About Supply Chain Resilience Initiative:

● Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) is a direct response to the individual economies and companies who are concerned about the Chinese political behavior and the disruption which may lead to supply chains. ● The purpose of creating the supply chain will be to improve its resilience across the Indo-Pacific, which through such an effort will be able to develop a sound economic profile to its security logic.

51. INDIA- BANGLADESH TEESTA RIVER ISSUE

Bangladesh is discussing an almost $1 billion loan from China for a comprehensive management and restoration project on the Teesta river.

India and Bangladesh have been engaged in a long-standing dispute over water-sharing in the Teesta. Bangladesh’s discussions with China come at a time when India is particularly wary about China following the standoff in Ladakh

52. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) DECLARES AFRICA FREE OF WILD POLIO VIRUS

The African Continent was declared free of wild polio by the independent body, the Africa Regional Certification Commission (ARCC), which is responsible for certifying the eradication of wild poliovirus in the World Health Organization (WHO) African Region.

The Poliovirus is now found only in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Highlights: ● The last case of wild poliovirus in Africa was detected in 2016 in Nigeria’s Northeastern Borno state.

● Two out of three strains of wild poliovirus have been eradicated worldwide and on 25th August, 2020 Africa has been declared free of the last remaining strain of wild poliovirus. ● Poliovirus has joined smallpox (1980) in the list of viruses that have been eradicated in Africa.

Criteria:

A region is eligible for certification only after every country has met the criteria established by the Global Certification Commission (GCC). No single country can be certified as polio-free, WHO regions as a whole are certified as polio- free. Each Country in the region has to meet criteria across polio immunization, disease surveillance and containment. The presence of a functional National Polio Certification Commissions (NCC) to review, endorse and submit documentation to the ARCC. A region is certified as wild polio free only after meeting all the criteria for certification and after three consecutive years without detection of any case in the country or the region.