CURRENT AFFAIRS PART - IV

CONTENTS INDIA AND NEIGHBOURS

Scrapping of Article 370 and LAC tensions ...... 6 Why banning trade with China will hurt India more? ...... 6 TEESTA RIVER PROJECT ...... 8 Kholongchhu Hydro Electric Project ...... 8 India & Bangladesh ...... 9 Spratly and Paracel Islands Disputes ...... 9 Constitution of Nepal (Second Amendment) Bill 2077...... 10 Shwe Project In Myanmar ...... 10 China Passes Hong Kong Security Law ...... 11 Pakistan-Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) ...... 11 Kohala Hydropower Project ...... 11 Bhutan Issues Demarches to China ...... 11 Parcel Train to Bangladesh...... 12 India-Bhutan Open New Trade Route ...... 12 Cotton Warehouse In Vietnam ...... 12 Loya Jirga ...... 12 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP)...... 12 Weibo Diplomacy ...... 13 Milk Tea Alliance ...... 13 Oil Exploration in South China Sea ...... 13 Flash Flood Guidance Services for South Asia ...... 13 Chinese Assistance to Sri Lanka ...... 14 Sri Lanka: Controversial 20th Amendment Passed ...... 14 China Passes Export Law ...... 14 Sichuan-Tibet Railway line ...... 14 Pakistan on ‗Enhanced Follow-up List‘ ...... 15 Provincial Status For Gilgit Baltistan ...... 15

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Pak. told to allow Queen‘s Counsel: ...... 16 India, China agree on 5-point action plan: ...... 17 Pangda Village ...... 18 Skal International Asia Area (SIAA) Congress ...... 18 Bongosagar Exercise ...... 18 Afghan Peace Process ...... 18 China Opposes India-Taiwan Trade Ties ...... 19 Bangladesh Relocates Rohingyas To Bhasan Char Island ...... 19 UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee ...... 20 China amends defence law to boost war preparedness: ...... 20 China- Taiwan relations: ...... 20 China draws back troops from LAC: ...... 21 Jaishankar suggests way forward for China ties ...... 22 Military seizes power in Myanmar coup: ...... 23 Coordinated disengagement at Pangong Tso: ...... 25 Kailash Range: ...... 26 Rohingya Crisis: ...... 26 Myanmar Rohingya: What the crisis is about? ...... 27 Pak. to remain in FATF grey list until June: ...... 28 China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): ...... 29 India and Pakistan agrees to observe ―2003 Ceasefire agreement‖: ...... 30 Japan Protests After Two Chinese Coast Guard Ships Enter Islands In East ...... 30 Gilgit-Baltistan a part of India, says MEA...... 31 Sino-British Joint Declaration ...... 34 China holds third South Asia multilateral meet...... 35

INDIA AND WORLD Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) ...... 36 Post- Brexit deal: ...... 38 India Energy Modeling Forum ...... 39 Cooperative security in Persian Gulf littoral ...... 39 China issues white paper on COVID-19 fight ...... 40 What is GAFA tax? Why in News? ...... 41 2 | @ Sivarajavel IAS Academy www.sivarajavelias.com

ITALIAN MARINES CASE: ...... 43 Madhesis oppose new Nepal rule ...... 44 Mission SAGAR ...... 45 Japan Renames Area Containing Senkaku Islands ...... 45 Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020 ...... 45 Chabahar Project ...... 46 India Clears 'RELOS' Deal with Russia ...... 46 India Elected to UNSC‘s Non-Permanent Member Seat ...... 46 ISRAEL – UAE AGREEMENT: ...... 47 China To Join UN Arms Trade Treaty ...... 48 Open Sky Agreement ...... 48 What Russia‘s exit means for the Open Skies Treaty? ...... 48 Expat Quota Bill...... 49 Natanz Nuclear Facility ...... 49 Naval Liaison Officers at Madagascar and Abu Dhabi ...... 50 Malathion 95% ULV Insecticides to Iran ...... 50 Victory Day Parade ...... 50 Mary Jackson ...... 50 Israel-UAE Peace Deal ...... 51 1947 Tripartite Agreement On Gurkha Soldiers ...... 51 Operation Breathing Space ...... 51 Pakistan‘s New Map ...... 51 Constitutional Amendments in Russia ...... 52 China Halts Hong Kong Extradition Pacts With Canada, Australia, U.K...... 52 Britain Bans China's Huawei From 5G ...... 53 75th Anniversary Of Hiroshima Atomic Bombing ...... 53 15th India-EU Summit ...... 53 Istanbul Convention ...... 54 India-France to Launch Constellation of Maritime Surveillance Satellites ...... 54 India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue ...... 55 India–Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE) ...... 55 G20 Banknote Depicting J&K As Separate Entity ...... 55 Azerbaijan vs Armenia: An Old Regional Conflict ...... 56 3 | @ Sivarajavel IAS Academy www.sivarajavelias.com

Thailand Anti-Government Protests ...... 56 G-20 Anti-Corruption Working Group Meeting ...... 56 Israel-Sudan Peace Deal ...... 57 Five Eyes Group of Nations ...... 57 12th BRICS Summit ...... 57 17th ASEAN-India Summit...... 58 India-Luxembourg Virtual Summit ...... 58 India Assumes Chairmanship Of Governing Body Of ILO ...... 58 UAE Widens Its Golden Visa Programme ...... 59 Golden Card Permanent Residency Scheme ...... 59 Mega Trade Bloc RCEP Takes Off ...... 59 15th East Asia Summit ...... 60 New Caledonia Rejects Independence From France ...... 60 Armed Clashes In Ethiopia‘s Tigray ...... 60 New START Treaty ...... 61 Oaxaca ...... 61 BRICS Culture Ministers‘ Meet ...... 61 World Solar Technology Summit ...... 62 Virtual Summit of Education Ministers of G-20 nations ...... 62 US-Maldives Defence Cooperation Agreement...... 63 New Changes In Qatar‘s Labour Laws ...... 63 UK Signs First Major post-Brexit Trade Deal with Japan ...... 63 India-UK Defence Logistics Pact ...... 64 India-Japan Cooperation in 5G tech, AI and Critical Information Infrastructure ...... 64 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ...... 64 Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) ...... 65 US Currency Watch List ...... 65 Legion of Merit Award ...... 66 Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCOC) ...... 66 Indra Exercise ...... 66 Ind-Indo Corpat ...... 66 PASSEX ...... 66 SITMEX-20...... 67 4 | @ Sivarajavel IAS Academy www.sivarajavelias.com

Military specialists to get S-400 training in Moscow: ...... 67 Iran begins enriching uranium in new breach of nuclear deal: ...... 68 What are H-1B visas and new wage-based rules? ...... 69 A strong India would act as ‗counterbalance‘ to China: U.S: ...... 69 U.K. urges China to grant UN access to Xinjiang: ...... 70 West Bank and issues associated: ...... 71 U.S. resumes WHO support: ...... 72 U.S. announces restoration of relations with Palestinians: ...... 73 U.S. - Taliban peace deal: ...... 73 Russia gives nod to extend START treaty: ...... 74 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) or the ―Iran deal": ...... 74 India at UN high table: ...... 75 A global challenge to deliver vaccine, says WHO executive board: ...... 75 Chabahar Port:...... 76 Kerala govt. annuls agreement with U.S. firm: ...... 77 Biden revokes Trump‘s immigrant visa ban: ...... 78 Polar Vortex Threatens To Send US, Europe Into Deep Freeze...... 79 Gulf leaders sign deal to end years-long dispute...... 80 Global Housing Technology Challenge ...... 81 Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI)...... 82 ASEAN Defence Ministers‘ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus): ...... 83 What is the controversy about France‘s new security law? ...... 83 NRIs‘ - Vote by post ...... 84 Iran nuclear deal ...... 86 Quad is U.S. anti-China game: Russia: ...... 88 What is the S-400 deal? Why is India cautious as US sanctions Turkey? ...... 89 US Congress passes Tibetan Policy and Support Act: ...... 90 WHAT IS Extinction Rebellion?...... 91 Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement(CECPA) ...... 92

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INDIA AND NEIGHBOURS

SCRAPPING OF ARTICLE 370 AND LAC TENSIONS Context: An influential Chinese think-tank- China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR)- has linked the current tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to India‘s move las t year to abrogate Article 370 and change the status of Jammu and Kashmir.

What has the CICIR said on this? It described the move as a joint challenge to China and Pakistan, saying the move had ―posed a challenge to the sovereignty of Pakistan and China‖ and ―made IndiaPakistan relations and China- India relations more complex.‖

What happened? Last year, India released a new map following the changes in Article 370. China alleges that India opened up new territory on the map, incorporated part of the areas under the local jurisdiction of Xinjiang and Tibet into its Ladakh union territory. And this forced China into the Kashmir dispute, stimulated China and Pakistan to take counter-actions on the Kashmir issue, and dramatically increased the difficulty in resolving the border issue between China and India.

Background: Recently, there has been an increased tension in the India-China relations, due to the Chinese transgressions into Indian territory, across the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh. Talks are on at various levels to diffuse the situation.

WHY BANNING TRADE WITH CHINA WILL HURT INDIA MORE? Context: The Indian government has tried to respond to the border dispute with China by training its guns on trade. The idea resonating in Indian streets is that Indians should boycott Chinese goods and thus ―teach China a lesson‖. • But, given China‘s centrality and India‘s insignificant share in global trade, banning trade will barely hurt China while adversely impacting Indian consumers and businesses.

Boycotting China is not as easy as data from key sectors show: 1. Smartphones: Market size: Rs 2 lakh Cr. Share of Chinese products: 72%. 2. Telecom Equipment: Market size: Rs 12,000 Cr; Share of Chinese products: 25%. 3. Auto Components: Market size: 43.1 lakh Cr.; Share of Chinese products: 26%. 4. Internet Apps: Market size: 45.0 Crore smartphone users; Share of Chinese products: 66% of people use at least one Chinese app on their smartphones. 6 | @ Sivarajavel IAS Academy www.sivarajavelias.com

5. Solar Power: Market size: 37,916 MW; Share of Chinese products: 90% 6. Steel: Share of Chinese products: 18-20%. 7. Pharma/API: Market size: 1.5 Lakh Crore; Share of Chinese products: 60%. When is "Boycott China" possible? When the economical gap between India and China is narrowed, the country, prompted by emotions of nationalism amid the standoff between the two countries, can boycott Chinese products and carve out a path for 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat.'

Why is China cheaper? 1. Provision of cheap labour is one of the factors that contribute to cheaper Chinese products. 2. Raw materials are cheaper. They are a significant part of the total cost of the product. Since the Chinese firms invest in bulk purchases for bulk production, it saves the tremendous cost of production. 3. Efficient business ecosystem comprising of a network of suppliers, component manufacturers, distributors, government agencies, and customers. All have key-roles to play in ironing out the production process. 4. Business loans are easily accessible, especially for bigger industries which provides a greater financial cushion to businesses in the manufacturing segment. 5. The Chinese factories have been criticized for their lower compliance with health and safety regulations and environmental protection laws. 6. China follows a Value Added Tax (VAT) system. A tax which is charged only on the "value- added" to a product, material or service at every stage of its further manufacture or distribution. Exported goods are subject to zero per cent VAT. In simpler terms, they enjoy a VAT exemption or rebate policy.

Why 'Boycott Chinese Products' Movement is difficult in India? Trade deficit: In 2018-19, India's exports to China were mere $16.7 billion, while imports were $70.3 billion, leaving a trade deficit of $53.6 billion. Private Indian companies with Chinese investment: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from China stood at a total of $1.8 billion between 2015 and 2019. Chinese tech investors have put an estimated $4 billion into Indian start-ups. Over a period of five years ending March 2020, 18 of India's 30 unicorns are now Chinese-funded. China's dominance in the Indian digital market: Apps with Chinese investments constituted a substantial 50% of top app downloads (both iOS and G Play combined) which includes web browsers, data sharing and social media apps as per the Gateway house report. A blanket ban on Chinese imports will hurt all small businesses at a time when they are already struggling to survive, apart from hitting India‘s ability to produce finished goods. What can be done? Estimates indicate that a third of the Chinese imports constitute low-tech goods that were either made earlier by Indians, or are still being made but in smaller quantities. These can surely be discouraged, and re-replaced by local products and brands.

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TEESTA RIVER PROJECT Why in news? China has proposed $1 billion loan to Bangladesh for a Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project on Teesta River. More on news • The project is aimed at managing the river basin efficiently, controlling floods, and tackling the water crisis in summers. • It is the first time China is getting involved in a river management project in Bangladesh. India Bangladesh Teesta river issue • Teesta River originates at TsoLamo (Himalayas), India, and flows through Sikkim, West Bengal and Bangladesh before pouring into Brahmaputra River in Bangladesh. • It is one of the 54 rivers that enter Bangladesh from India and is fourth-largest trans- boundaryriver in Bangladesh (after Ganga, Brahmputra & Meghna). • Teesta has been a source of discord between India & Bangladesh with negotiations on water sharing dating back to 1951 when Bangladesh was East Pakistan. • In 1984, a Joint Rivers' Commission recommended allotting 42.5 per cent to India and 37.5 per cent to Bangladesh. • A 2011 attempt to ink an agreement on the basis of the 1984 recommendations could not be implemented due to objections from West Bengal.

KHOLONGCHHU HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT • India and Bhutan have signed a pact for the construction of the 600 MW Kholongchhu project. • It will be the first joint venture hydroelectric project in Bhutan that is to be completed in five years (by 2025). • It is a joint venture between Bhutan‘s Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) and India‘s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL). • The 600 MW run-of-the-river project is located on the lower course of the Kholongchhu River in Trashiyangtse district in eastern Bhutan.

Other hydropower projects with neighbouring countries • Dorjilung hydropower project (1,125 MW) (trilateral cooperation between Bhutan, India and Bangladesh). • India-Nepal: Mahakali Treaty was signed in 1996 for development of Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project.

More on news • It is the first time an India-Bhutan hydropower project will be constructed as a 50:50 Joint Venture, not as a government-to-government agreement. • 600 MW Kholongchhu project will be constructed in Bhutan‘s less developed eastern region of Trashiyangtse. • It is expected to be completed in the second half of 2025.

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• Joint Venture Partners: Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam, a Himachal Pradesh PSU, and Bhutanese Druk Green Power Corporation. • Kholongchhu project is one of four additional projects agreed to in 2014, for development of Hydroelectric Projects of capacity 2120 MW under Joint Venture Model. • Other 3 joint venture to be are: 180 MW Bunakha, 570 MW Wangchhu and 770 MW Chamkharchhu. • So far, India has constructed 4 HEPs in Bhutan totaling 2100MW (336 MW Chukha, 60 MW Kurichhu and 1020 MW Tala, 720MW Mangdechhu). • India is committed to help Bhutan to create a total 10,000 MW of installed capacity by 2020.

INDIA & BANGLADESH Why in news? Recently, India, Bangladesh operationalised new Inland Waterway Protocol route under Protocol for Inland Water Trade & Transit (PIWTT). More on news • Route was operationalized from Daukandi (Bangladesh) – to Sonamura (Tripura) along river Gumti. • PIWTT was signed between India and Bangladesh in 1972 to provide inland waterways connectivity between the two countries, particularly with the North Eastern Region of India and also to enhance bilateral trade. • In May 2020, addendum to PIWTT was signed with inclusion of new routes and declaration of new Ports of Call (intermediate stop for a ship). Related news • Recently, first container ship from Kolkata Port to Agartala was reached via Chattogram port. • This was done under Agreement on use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for movement of India‘s transit cargo through Bangladesh. • It will provide alternative and shorter route to connect North East Region through Bangladesh. • SPRATLY AND PARACEL ISLANDS DISPUTES Recently, China unilaterally renamed 80 islands and other geographical features around the Spratly and Paracel Islands (in South China Sea), drawing criticism from neighboring countries. Spratly Islands dispute • There has been an ongoing territorial dispute between, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Malaysia concerning the ownership of the Spratly Islands archipelago and nearby geographical features like corals reefs, cays etc. in the South China Sea.

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• Since 1968, these nations have engaged in varying kinds of military occupation of the islands and the surrounding waters, with the exception of Brunei, that has contained its objections to the use of its maritime waters for commercial fishing. Although the Spratly Islands are largely uninhabited, there is a possibility that they may have large reserves of untapped natural resources including Oil.

Paracel Islands dispute • The Paracel Islands archipelago is a collection of 130 islands and coral reefs and is located in the South China Sea, almost equidistant from China and Vietnam. • Beijing says that references to the Paracel Islands as a part of China sovereign territory can be found in 14th century writings from the Song Dynasty. Vietnam on the other hand, says that historical texts from at least the 15th century show that the islands were a part of its territory. • Since 2012, China, Taiwan and Vietnam have attempted to reinforce their claims on the territory by engaging in construction of government administrative buildings, tourism, land reclamation initiatives and by establishing and expanding military presence on the archipelago.

CONSTITUTION OF NEPAL (SECOND AMENDMENT) BILL 2077 • Nepal's Lower House has unanimously passed the Constitution of Nepal (Second Amendment) Bill 2077 (Vikram era). • The bill contains proposal to a new map of the country that includes Indian areas of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh. • India has stated that the artificial enlargement of claims is not based on historical fact or evidence and is not tenable. • It is also violative of current understanding to hold talks on outstanding boundary issues.

SHWE PROJECT IN MYANMAR • ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) will be investing an additional $121.27 million towards further development of Shwe oil & gas project in Myanmar. • OVL has been associated with exploration and development of Shwe gas project in Myanmar since 2002. The first gas from Shwe Project was received in July 2013 and plateau production was reached in December 2014.

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CHINA PASSES HONG KONG SECURITY LAW • China has formally adopted a controversial security law, giving it new powers over Hong Kong. • It is set to criminalize secession, subversion and collusion with foreign forces, but will also effectively curtail protests and freedom of speech. • The new security law has been added to Hong Kong's Basic Law, the 50-year mini-constitution agreed when the territory's sovereignty was returned to China by the UK in 1997. • Its terms are not yet clear. I.e. residents still do not know the measures they will have to abide by.

PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN TRANSIT TRADE AGREEMENT (APTTA) • Pakistan will allow Afghanistan to send goods to India using the Wagah border from July 15. The decision is a part of Islamabad‘s commitment under APTTA. • APTTA is a bilateral trade agreement signed in 2010 by Pakistan and Afghanistan that calls for greater facilitation in the movement of goods amongst the two countries. • The 2010 APTTA allows for both countries to use each other's airports, railways, roads, and ports for transit trade along designated transit corridors. • The 2010 agreement supersedes the 1965 Afghanistan Transit Trade Agreement, which granted Afghanistan the right to import duty-free goods through Pakistani seaports.

KOHALA HYDROPOWER PROJECT • China will set up a 1,124-megawatt Kohala Hydropower project in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. This project will be executed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework. • The project will be built on the Jhelum River and aims at annually providing more than five billion units of clean and low-cost electricity for consumers in Pakistan. • India has opposed this project on the grounds that the entire territory of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India.

BHUTAN ISSUES DEMARCHES TO CHINA • Bhutan has issued a demarche to China over its attempt to declare a Bhutanese wildlife sanctuary as a disputed territory. The demarche was a follow-up to protests earlier against Beijing‘s attempt to make a non-dispute into a quarrel. • Background: At the 58th Global Environment Facility Council held recently, the Chinese member raised objections to the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary project and argued that it was in a disputed area between China and Bhutan. Sakteng lies in a zone of Bhutan that borders Arunachal Pradesh and China. At the meeting, Bhutan strongly objected to the references made by China against its sovereignty. The GEF Secretariat objected to the Chinese claim and made it clear that Sakteng was well within Bhutan. • China claims that the boundary between China and Bhutan has never been delimited. There have been disputes over the eastern, central and western sectors for a long time. • Thimphu has made it clear that Sakteng is Bhutan‘s sovereign territory and that there is no dispute.

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PARCEL TRAIN TO BANGLADESH • The Indian Railways has operated its first-ever special parcel train to Bangladesh. It transported dry chillies from Andhra Pradesh‘s Guntur district to the neighbouring country. • Earlier, the mode of transportation was road. However, due to lockdown, railways was pressed into service. • It also helped in reducing the cost of transportation. Sending the chillies to the neighbouring country by road cost around ₹7,000 per tonne while the expense for carrying the same by goods trains has come out to be ₹4,608 per tonne.

INDIA-BHUTAN OPEN NEW TRADE ROUTE • India and Bhutan have opened a new trade route between Jaigaon in West Bengal and Pasakha in Bhutan. • An additional Land Customs station has been opened at Ahllay, Pasakha by GoI in this regard. • It will boost bilateral trade and commerce and lead to decongestion of vehicular traffic along the Jaigaon-Phuentsholing route. • India is Bhutan's largest trading partner. The bilateral trade stood at Rs 9,227 crore in 2018

COTTON WAREHOUSE IN VIETNAM • The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is planning to set up its own warehouse in Vietnam with an aim to increase exports to Vietnam. • CCI has surplus stocks of cotton ahead of the next harvest season and is trying to boost exports to Vietnam and Bangladesh. • Bangladesh and Vietnam have duty-free access to markets of US, Europe, and China. This gives them competitive advantage over Indian Yarn and garment exporters who pay comparatively higher duties. Also, the Bangladesh and Vietnam have higher demand for Indian cotton.

LOYA JIRGA • Afghanistan began a three-day ‗Loya Jirga‘ to decide on freeing about 400 Taliban fighters convicted for ―serious crimes‖. • The Loya Jirga is a highly respected traditional consultative body of Afghanistan. It is the most powerful constitutional forum, in fact, the strong legacy of the modern state of Afghanistan derives from this forum. • Despite a decade or more of democracy, and years of being a republic, Afghanistan still gives its tradition of Loya Jirgas the kind of respect that allows even an elected head of state to defer to it. Since at least 1709, Jirgas have brought together tribal elders to settle issues of national crises in Afghanistan.

HIGH IMPACT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (HICDP) • India handed over a symbolic cheque to the Maldivian government to begin the implementation of nine projects under the High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP).

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• This follows India and the Maldives signing a bilateral pact on HICDPs in March 2019. Under the pact, a total grant of $ 5.6 million was announced for executing high-impact grant projects and a cash grant of about $ 7 million for the execution of small projects. • The HICDPs are chosen by the Government of Maldives through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are those with a high-level of community impact and participation in the areas of livelihood and income generation, health, education, gender and child empowerment, sports and sustainable development.

WEIBO DIPLOMACY • After the government banned 59 Chinese apps, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to quit the Chinese microblogging website Sina Weibo, which he had joined a few years ago. • This marks a sudden end to Mr. Modi‘s ―Weibo diplomacy‖ in China that was launched with much fanfare in 2015 as a means to directly communicate with the people of China before his first visit there as Prime Minister. • Weibo diplomacy: Foreign embassies communicating on Chinese social media.

MILK TEA ALLIANCE It is a social media evolved term used to describe an online democratic solidarity movement from Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan against the authoritarianism of the Chinese Government and questioned whether CoronaVirus had emerged in a laboratory in Wuhan.

OIL EXPLORATION IN SOUTH CHINA SEA • Philippine government has decided to resume oil exploration in the disputed South China Sea. • The government has approved the lifting of a sixyear moratorium on oil exploration in the Palawan Island. • The moratorium was imposed in 2014 in the light of tensions between the Philippines and China due to overlapping territorial claims. • South China Sea • The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Karimata and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan. • The South China Sea is bordered by Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

FLASH FLOOD GUIDANCE SERVICES FOR SOUTH ASIA • India has launched first of its kind Flash Flood Guidance services for India and other South Asian countries -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka -- to issue impact-based forecasting at the watershed and also city level, of floods which are very sudden and of short duration.

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• The Flash Flood Guidance is a robust system designed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to provide the necessary products in real-time to support the development of warnings for flash floods about 6-12 hours in advance. • Flash Floods are highly localized events of short duration with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood. There is a general lack of flash flood warning capabilities and capacities of the nations across the world.

CHINESE ASSISTANCE TO SRI LANKA • China has announced a USD 90 million grant to Sri Lanka for medical care, education and water supplies in Sri Lanka's rural areas. • China considers Sri Lanka to be a critical link in its massive Belt and Road global infrastructure building initiative & has provided billions of dollars in loans for Sri Lankan projects over past decade. • In 2017, Sri Lanka leased out a Chinese-built port in Hambantota to a Chinese company for 99 years to recover from the heavy burden of repaying the Chinese loan the country received to build it.

SRI LANKA: CONTROVERSIAL 20TH AMENDMENT PASSED • The controversial 20th Amendment to Sri Lanka‘s Constitution was passed in Parliament with twothirds majority. • The amendment envisages expansive powers and greater immunity for the Executive President. The 20th Amendment rolls back Sri Lanka‘s 19th Amendment that sought to clip presidential powers, while strengthening Parliament. • The new legislation in turn reduces the Prime Minister‘s role to a ceremonial one.

CHINA PASSES EXPORT LAW • China Export Law has been passed and it will come into effect on December 1. • The law stipulates export controls over items of both civilian and military use, military and nuclear products, as well as ―goods, technologies and services‖ that are related to national security, including data related to them. • Under the law, China can take reciprocal measures if any country or regions abuse their export controls in ways that hurt its national security and interest. Violation of the new export control law will lead to fines of as much as five million yuan ($746,500) and revocation of export licenses.

SICHUAN-TIBET RAILWAY LINE • China is set to begin the construction of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway line close to the border in Arunachal Pradesh. • The railway line would come up between Linzhi in Tibet and Ya'an in southwest Sichuan. It would begin from Sichuan's capital city Chengdu and shorten the time taken to travel to Lhasa from 48 hours to 13 hours.

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• This would be China‘s second major railway project on the Tibetan plateau. It has already built and operationalised the Qinghai-Tibet line on the plateau, which is one of the world's most geologically active areas.

PAKISTAN ON ‗ENHANCED FOLLOW-UP LIST‘ • The Asia Pacific Group (APG) of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has kept Pakistan in its ‗Enhanced Follow Up‘ list. The status of Pakistan was degraded from ―regular follow-up‖ to ―enhanced follow up‖ in August 2019. • APG released the first Follow-Up Report on Mutual Evaluation of Pakistan. It is a peer- review system to determine whether countries meet the compliance standards for money laundering and terror financing. After a country submits a Mutual Evaluation report, APG members can decide to place a member either through regular or enhanced follow-up. While a regular follow-up means just biennial reports, a country put under enhanced follow-up has to send four reports of compliance the following year. Financial Action Task Force (FATF) • Mandate: It is an intergovernmental organization to set standards and promote effective implementation of legal, regulatory and operational measures for combating money laundering and terrorist financing. • Established: 1989; HQ: Paris, France. • Members: The FATF currently comprises 37-member jurisdictions and 2 regional organisations (GCC, and European Commission). While India, Russia and China are members, Pakistan is only an associate member of Asia Pacific Group-FATF. FATF has 2 types of lists: 1. Black List: Countries knowns as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries. 2. Grey List: Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.

PROVINCIAL STATUS FOR GILGIT BALTISTAN • Pakistan has officially announced its decision to convert the disputed territory of Gilgit Baltistan (GB) into a full-fledged province. When this happens, Gilgit-Baltistan will become the fifth province of Pakistan. • It province will grant the region Pakistan's constitutional rights, comprising representation in the upper and lower houses of the (Pakistani) parliament. Gilgit-Baltistan is mostly governed by an executive fiat. Until 2009, the region was called the Northern Territory. • It got its current name only with the Gilgit- Baltistan (Empowerment and Self-Governance)

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Order, 2009, which replaced the Northern Territory Legislative Council from the Legislative Assembly. • India has clearly conveyed to Pakistan that the entire union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas of Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of the country by virtue of its fully legal and irrevocable accession.

PAK. TOLD TO ALLOW QUEEN‘S COUNSEL: Context: After being stuck on the issue of who will represent Kulbhushan Jadhav in the civilian court in Pakistan, India has invoked the Commonwealth grounds to end the debate over the appointment of his counsel. • India has called for the appointment of an Indian lawyer or a Queen's Counsel for the death row prisoner, Kulbhushan Jadhav, so that he receives a fair trial in his death sentence review. Background: India‘s suggestion comes against the backdrop of negotiations between the two sides to ensure a free and fair trial. • The International Court of Justice had asked Pakistan to ensure a fair review of the death sentence, but India says Pakistan has not provided ―unimpeded‖ access to him till now.

Who is a Queen's Counsel? Queen's Counsel is a barrister or advocate, appointed Counsel to the UK Crown on the recommendation of the Lord Chancellor. Queen's counsels are recognised in almost all courts around the world. A Queen's Counsel is appointed from within the legal profession on the basis of merit rather than the level of experience.

Indus Water Treaty: Context: September 19 marks the 60th anniversary of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan. About the Indus Water Treaty: It is a Water-Distribution Treaty, signed in Karachi in 1960, between India (PM Jawaharlal Nehru) and Pakistan (President Ayub Khan), brokered by the World Bank.

Who has control over what? • Under the treaty, India has control over water flowing in the eastern rivers– Beas, Ravi and Sutlej. • Pakistan has control over the western rivers– Indus, Chenab and Jhelum. Water for other purposes: • India is allowed to use 20% water of the western rivers for irrigation, power generation and transport purposes. • It also granted 3.6 million acre-feet (MAF) of ―permissible storage capacity‖ to India on the western rivers.

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Key features of the treaty: • As per the treaty, the water commissioners of Pakistan and India are required to meet twice a year and arrange technical visits to projects‘ sites and critical river head works. • Both the sides share details of the water flow and the quantum of water being used under the treaty. • The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation and information exchange between the two countries regarding their use of the rivers.

INDIA, CHINA AGREE ON 5-POINT ACTION PLAN: Context: India and China have agreed on a five-point course of action to disengage and reduce tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The five-point plan is: 1. following the consensus between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping to ―not allow differences to become disputes‖. 2. disengaging quickly to ease tensions. 3. abiding by the existing India-China border protocols and avoiding escalatory action. 4. continuing the dialogue between the Special Representatives, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Mr. Wang, as well as the other mechanisms. 5. working towards new confidence-building measures (CBMs).

What are the immediate challenges? What has not been addressed so far? 1. Nothing has been spoken about returning to the ―status quo ante‖ or positions prior to the stand-off in April. 2. India has also not categorically called on China to retreat from positions it has aggressed on at Pangong Tso, Depsang and other parts of the LAC.

What needs to be done both by India and China? • The immediate task is to ensure a comprehensive disengagement of troops in all the friction areas. That is necessary to prevent any untoward incident in the future. • The final disposition of the troop deployment to their permanent posts and the phasing of the process is to be worked out by the military commanders.

Why do face-offs occur? They mainly occur in areas along the LAC. The LAC has never been demarcated. • Differing perceptions are particularly acute in around two dozen spots across the Western (Ladakh), Middle (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), Sikkim, and Eastern (Arunachal Pradesh) sectors of the India-China border. • Face-offs occur when patrols encounter each other in the contested zones between overlapping claim lines.

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• Protocols agreed to in 2005 and 2013 detail rules of engagement to prevent such incidents, but have not always been adhered to.

Why has not the LAC been clarified? India has long proposed an exercise to clarify differing perceptions of the LAC to prevent such incidents. Maps were exchanged in the Middle Sector, but the exercise fell through in the Western Sector where divergence is the greatest. • China has since rejected this exercise, viewing it as adding another complication to the on-going boundary negotiations.

PANGDA VILLAGE • A new border village has been built by China near Bhutan. Although Chinese authorities claim that the village is situated on their territory, the released images of the village show its location on territory disputed by Bhutan and China. • Pangda is east of the India-Bhutan-China trijunction on the Doklam plateau, which was the site of a 72-day stand-off in 2017. It is for the first time since 2017 that a Chinese residential area has been noticed near the Doklam region, which is strategically important for India.

SKAL INTERNATIONAL ASIA AREA (SIAA) CONGRESS • The UT of Jammu & Kashmir will host the 50th annual SIAA congress in 2021. • Skål International was founded in 1934. It is the only professional organization promoting global Tourism and friendship, uniting all sectors of the Tourism industry. • It holds an annual World Congress each year in a different country. It is an Affiliated Member of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). • It is headquartered in Spain.

BONGOSAGAR EXERCISE • The 2nd edition of the bilateral naval exercise Bongosagar was held between India and Bangladesh in Northern Bay of Bengal. The first edition of the Exercise Bongosagar, was held in 2019. • The exercise was aimed at developing interoperability and joint operational skills through conduct of maritime exercises and operations. • Bongosagar was followed by the 3rd edition of India Bangladesh Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT), wherein both countries carried out joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary.

AFGHAN PEACE PROCESS

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• External Affairs Minister of India attended virtual meeting on Afghan peace negotiations at Doha. The Afghan peace process comprises the proposals and negotiations in a bid to end the ongoing war in Afghanistan. • In February 2020, the United States reached an agreement with the Taliban, and with the government of Afghanistan to start an intra- Afghan peace process. Some of the important elements of the deal include the withdrawal of US troops along with bringing down NATO or coalition troop numbers within 14 months from when the deal was signed. • Taliban gave the commitment that ―Taliban will not allow any of its members, other individuals or groups, including al-Qaeda, to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies‖.

CHINA OPPOSES INDIA-TAIWAN TRADE TIES • China said it would ―firmly oppose‖ any official exchanges between New Delhi and Taipei. The statement from China‘s Foreign Ministry came in response to reports that India and Taiwan were considering going forward with talks on a trade deal. India- Taiwan • India does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Like most countries, it maintains commercial ties with Taiwan. • In 1995, New Delhi set up the India-Taipei Association (ITA) in Taipei to promote interactions between the two sides and to facilitate business, tourism, and cultural exchanges. • The Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF), a leading think tank from Taiwan has signed a memorandum with India‘s National Maritime Foundation (NMF) in order to foster cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region as part of Taiwan‘s South bound policy. The island nation named India as one of its New Southbound Policy target countries in 2016.

BANGLADESH RELOCATES ROHINGYAS TO BHASAN CHAR ISLAND • The Bangladesh government has relocated 1,642 Rohingya to Bhasan Char, an island in the Bay of Bengal under the Hatiya upazila of Noakhali. • The relocation is part of a phased shift of over 100,000 refugees from the overcrowded camps in Cox‘s Bazar.

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• Bhasan Char: Located near the mouth of the river Meghna where it flows into the Bay of Bengal, Bhasan Char surfaced only in 2006 from the sediment deposited by the river. Located close to the much larger Sandwip, Bhasan Char spans 40 sq km. • The Rohingyas are the predominantly Muslim ethnic minority group with Benagli dialect.

UNSC 1267 SANCTIONS COMMITTEE • Pakistan had initiated a move to list two Indians - Angara Appaji and Gobinda Patnaik – as designated terror operatives under the UNSC's 1267 Committee for Counterterrorism Sanctions. • UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee: This committee - in pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL (Da‘esh), Al-Qaida, and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities - oversees the sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council. • It is one of the most important and active UN committee working on efforts to combat terrorism, particularly in relation to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group.

CHINA AMENDS DEFENCE LAW TO BOOST WAR PREPAREDNESS: Context: China‘s National Defence Law has been amended.

Key changes: • Gives the Central Military Commission (CMC) greater power in mobilising resources to protect a new and broader definition of what constitutes the national interest. • Experts say the phrase ―development interests‖ included the protection of China‘s economic activities and assets overseas, such as those under the Belt and Road Initiative, as a reason for defence mobilisation. • The amendment broadened the scope of key security fields beyond land borders, maritime and air defence, to include outer space and electromagnetic networks. • The amendment also said China ―will participate in global security governance, join multilateral security talks and push for and set up a set of international rules that is widely accepted, fair and reasonable‖.

Implications: The change comes amid a push for closer civil-military fusion, with a target to make the PLA a ―world class‖ military, or on par with the United States military, by 2049, when the People‘s Republic of China turns 100.

CHINA- TAIWAN RELATIONS: Context: U.S. removes restrictions on diplomatic contact with Taiwan. • The move is expected to upset China.

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Recent developments: The Trump administration has sought to strengthen bilateral relations with Taiwan. • It announced UN Ambassador Kelly Craft would go to Taiwan, a move that sparked sharp criticism from Beijing and a warning that the U.S. would pay a heavy price. • In August, Health and Human Services Secretary became the first Cabinet member to visit Taiwan since 2014.

China and Taiwan: The Chinese government maintains that mainland China and Taiwan are parts of ―one China.‖ • China has been stepping up its threats to bring the self-governing island under its control by military force with frequent war games and aerial patrols. • It has been using its diplomatic clout to stop Taiwan from joining any organisations that require statehood for membership.

CHINA DRAWS BACK TROOPS FROM LAC: Context: China has withdrawn around 10,000 troops from the depth areas along the disputed boundary in eastern Ladakh while frontline troops continue to remain in position.

Why there is a dispute here? The Line of Actual Control (LAC) – the line that separates Indian and Chinese troops since 1962 – generally runs along the land except for the width of Pangong Tso. Here, it runs through water. • Both sides have marked their areas announcing which side belongs to which country. • India controls about 45 km stretch of the Pangong Tso and China the rest.

The lake is divided into sections called fingers: There are eight of them in contention here. India and China have different understanding of where the LAC passes through. • India has maintained that the LAC passes through Finger 8, which has been the site of the final military post of China. • India has been patrolling the area – mostly on foot because of the nature of the terrain – up to Finger 8. But Indian forces have not had active control beyond Finger 4. • China, on the other hand, says the LAC passes through Finger 2. It has been patrolling up to Finger 4- mostly in light vehicles, and at times up to Finger 2.

Why China wants to encroach areas alongside Pangong Tso? • Pangong Tso is strategically crucial as it is very close to Chusul Valley, which was one of the battlefronts between India and China during the 1962 war. • China also does not want India to boost its infrastructure anywhere near the LAC. China fears it threatens its occupation of Aksai Chin and Lhasa-Kashgar highway.

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• Any threat to this highway also puts Chinese rather imperialist plans in Pakistan-occupied territories in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and beyond in Pakistan.

About Pangong Tso: • Pangong Tso literally translates into a ―conclave lake‖. • Situated at over 14,000 feet, the Lake is about 135 km long. • It is formed from Tethys geosyncline. • The Karakoram Mountain range ends at the north bank of Pangong Tso. Its southern bank too has high broken mountains sloping towards Spangur Lake in the south.

JAISHANKAR SUGGESTS WAY FORWARD FOR CHINA TIES Context: Calling 2020 as a year of ―exceptional stress‖ in a relationship ―profoundly disturbed‖ by the border crisis, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said a recognition of ―mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests‖ was key to repairing India-China relations.

Background: Twenty Indian soldiers, and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers, lost their lives in a clash on June 15 last year in the Galwan Valley, following tensions that erupted in early May triggered by transgressions by China across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), massing of troops, and what India has described as a unilateral attempt to redraw the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in several areas in eastern Ladakh.

Actions by China which went against India's interests: 1. Issuing of stapled visas to Indian citizens from Jammu and Kashmir in 2010. 2. A reluctance from China to deal with some of India‘s military commands (Beijing had that same year refused to host the Northern Army Commander). 3. China‘s opposition to India‘s membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the UN Security Council as a permanent member. 4. Blocking of UN listings of Pakistani terrorists. 5. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship project under China‘s Belt and Road Initiative, violating India‘s sovereignty in J&K. To solve the crisis, the External Affairs Minister suggested ―three mutuals‖ and ―eight broad propositions‖ as a way forward for the relationship. They are: 1. Agreements already reached must be adhered to in their entirety, both in letter and spirit. 2. Both sides also needed to strictly observe and respect the LAC, and any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo was completely unacceptable. 3. Peace and tranquillity in border areas was the basis for the development of the relationship in other domains. If that was disturbed, the rest of the relationship would be too.

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4. While both remain committed to a multipolar world, they should recognise that a multipolar Asia was one of its essential constituents.

Conclusion: While each state had its interests, concerns and priorities, sensitivities to them could not be be one-sided and relations were reciprocal in nature. As rising powers, neither should ignore the other‘s set of aspirations.

MILITARY SEIZES POWER IN MYANMAR COUP: Context: Myanmar‘s military has seized power in a coup against the democratically elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The Army said it had carried out the detentions in response to ―election fraud‖.

Implications for India: For India, the return to military rule by Myanmar‘s Tatmadaw (Army) and the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and the political leadership of the National League of Democracy (NLD) are a repeat of events 30 years ago.

What lies ahead for India? India's reaction is likely to be different this time. India does care about democracy in Myanmar, but that‘s a luxury it knows it will not be able to afford for the time being. Why? Because, 1. India‘s security relationship with the Myanmar military has become extremely close, and it would be difficult to ―burn bridges‖ with them given their assistance in securing the North East frontiers from insurgent groups. 2. hanged image of Ms. Suu Kyi herself: Her image as a democracy icon and Nobel peace laureate has been damaged by her time in office, where she failed to push back the military, and even defended the Army‘s pogrom against Rohingya in Rakhine State in 2015. 3. Benefits for China: A harsh reaction from India, on the lines of that from the U.S., which has threatened action against those responsible for the ―coup‖ unless they revoke the military‘s takeover, would only benefit China. 4. Apart from strategic concerns, India has cultivated several infrastructure and development projects with Myanmar, which it sees as the ―gateway to the East‖ and ASEAN countries (For example: IndiaMyanmar-Thailand trilateral highway and the Kaladan multi-modal transit transport network, as well as a plan for a Special Economic Zone at the Sittwe deep- water port). 5. Besides, India still hopes to help resolve the issue of Rohingya refugees that fled to Bangladesh, while some still live in India, and will want to continue to engage the Myanmar government on that.

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Myanmar's military Constitution: It was the military that drafted the 2008 Constitution, and put it to a questionable referendum in April that year.

• The Constitution was the military‘s ―roadmap to democracy‖, which it had been forced to adopt under increasing pressure from the west. • It was also due to its own realisation that opening up Myanmar to the outside world was now no longer an option but a dire economic necessity. • But the military made sure to safeguard in the Constitution its own role and supremacy in national affairs. • Under its provisions, the military reserves for itself 25 per cent of seats in both Houses of Parliament, to which it appoints serving military officials. • Also, a political party which is a proxy for the military contests elections.

Myanmar-vs-Burma: Context: • The Myanmar military grabbed power in a recent coup – the third time in the nation‘s history since its independence from British rule in 1948. • After the last such takeover in 1988, the armed forces went on to make a decision that would remain controversial for decades: changing the country‘s name.

How Burma became Myanmar? • When British imperialists annexed what is today‘s Myanmar during the 19th century, they called it Burma after the dominant Burman (Bamar) ethnic group, and administered it as a province of colonial India. • This arrangement continued until 1937, when Burma was separated from British India and made a separate colony. • Even after the country became independent in 1948, it retained the same name, becoming the ‗Union of Burma‘. • In 1962, the military took over from a civilian government for the first time, and amended the official name in 1974 to the ‗Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma‘. • Then in 1988, armed forces again took power in the country, after suppressing a popular uprising and reversed the official name to ‗Union of Burma‘. • But a year later, the junta adopted a law that replaced Burma with Myanmar, making the country the ‗Union of Myanmar‘.

Rationale behind the move and its implications: While changing the country‘s name, the military said that it was looking for a way to leave behind a name inherited from the colonial past, and adopt a new one which could unify all of its 135 officially recognized ethnic groups, and not just the Burman people. However, critics decried the move, arguing that Myanmar and Burma mean the same thing in the Burmese language, only that the ‗Myanmar‘ is a more formal way of saying ‗Burma‘– a word used colloquially. 24 | @ Sivarajavel IAS Academy www.sivarajavelias.com

COORDINATED DISENGAGEMENT AT PANGONG TSO: Context: India and China have reached an agreement on disengagement in the Pangong lake area to cease their forward deployments in a phased, coordinated and verified manner.

As per the agreement:  The Chinese side will keep its troop presence in the North Bank area to east of Finger 8.  Reciprocally, the Indian troops will be based at their permanent base at Dhan Singh Thapa Post near Finger 3.  A similar action would be taken in the South Bank area by both sides.  Any structures that had been built by both sides since April 2020 will be removed and the landforms restored.  Both sides have agreed on a temporary moratorium on military activities in the North Bank, including patrolling in the traditional areas.

Why there is a dispute here? The Line of Actual Control (LAC) – the line that separates Indian and Chinese troops since 1962 – generally runs along the land except for the width of Pangong Tso. Here, it runs through water.  Both sides have marked their areas announcing which side belongs to which country.  India controls about 45 km stretch of the Pangong Tso and China the rest.

The lake is divided into sections called fingers:  There are eight of them in contention here. India and China have different understanding of where the LAC passes through.  India has maintained that the LAC passes through Finger 8, which has been the site of the final military post of China.  India has been patrolling the area – mostly on foot because of the nature of the terrain – up to Finger 8. But Indian forces have not had active control beyond Finger 4.  China, on the other hand, says the LAC passes through Finger 2. It has been patrolling up to Finger 4-mostly in light vehicles, and at times up to Finger 2.

Why China wants to encroach areas alongside Pangong Tso?  Pangong Tso is strategically crucial as it is very close to Chusul Valley, which was one of the battlefronts between India and China during the 1962 war.

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 China also does not want India to boost its infrastructure anywhere near the LAC. China fears it threatens  its occupation of Aksai Chin and Lhasa-Kashgar highway.  Any threat to this highway also puts Chinese rather imperialist plans in Pakistan-occupied territories in Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and beyond in Pakistan.

About Pangong Tso:  Pangong Tso literally translates into a ―conclave lake‖.  Situated at over 14,000 feet, the Lake is about 135 km long.  It is formed from Tethys geosyncline.  The Karakoram Mountain range ends at the north bank of Pangong Tso. Its southern bank too has high broken mountains sloping towards Spangur Lake in the south.

KAILASH RANGE: Context: The Kailash Range was the theatre of conflict during the 1962 Chinese offensive, with key battles at Rezang La and Gurung Hill.  In 2020, Indian troops secured Kailash Ridge in an operation that took the Chinese by surprise.

The Kailash Range: The Karakoram Range ends on the northern side of the Pangong Tso. 1. The Kailash Range originates from the southern bank and runs northwest to southeast for over 60 km. 2. The Kailash Ridge is characterised by rugged, broken terrain with heights varying between 4,000-5,500m. 3. Its key features include Helmet Top, Gurung Hill, Spanggur Gap, Muggar Hill, Mukhpari, Rezang La and Rechin La. The Ridge dominates Chushul Bowl; an important communications centre.

ROHINGYA CRISIS: Context: Bangladesh authorities sent a fourth group of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to Bhasan Char island in the Bay of Bengal despite calls by human rights groups for a halt to the process.

Background:  Bhasan Char is an island specifically developed to accommodate 1,00,000 of the 1 million Rohingya who have fled from neighbouring Myanmar.

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 While human rights groups have criticised the move and some are being forced to go against their will, the government has insisted that refugees moving to the island have done so voluntarily.

Who are Rohingyas?  They are an Ethnic group, mostly Muslims. They were not granted full citizenship by Myanmar.

 They were classified as ―resident foreigners or associate citizens‖.  Ethnically they are much closer to Indo-Aryan people of India and Bangladesh than to the Sino-Tibetans of the Country. Described by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as ―one of, if not the, most discriminated people in the world‖.

MYANMAR ROHINGYA: WHAT THE CRISIS IS ABOUT? Here because: The UN's top court ordered the Buddhist-majority country to take measures to protect members of its Rohingya community from genocide.

Why did they flee their homes? Rohingyas arriving in Bangladesh said they fled after troops, backed by local Buddhist mobs, responded by burning their villages and attacking and killing civilians. At least 6,700 Rohingya, including at least 730 children under the age of five, were killed in the month after the violence broke out, according to medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Amnesty International says the Myanmar military also raped and abused Rohingya women and girls.

What has the international response been? A report published by UN investigators in August 2018 accused Myanmar's military of carrying out mass killings and rapes with "genocidal intent". The ICJ case, lodged by the small Muslim-majority nation of The Gambia, in West Africa, on behalf of dozens of other Muslim countries, called for emergency measures to be taken against the Myanmar military, known as Tatmadaw, until a fuller investigation could be launched. Aung San Suu Kyi rejected allegations of genocide when she appeared at the court in December 2019.

What is happening to the Rohingya now? With more than half a million Rohingya believed to still be living in Myanmar's northern Rakhine province, UN investigators have warned there is a "serious risk that genocidal actions may occur or recur".

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Rakhine province itself is the site of an ongoing conflict between the army and rebels from the Buddhist-majority Rakhine ethnic group.

What about the refugees? Kutupalong, the largest refugee settlement in the world according to UNHCR, is home to more than 600,000 refugees alone. But in March 2019, Bangladesh announced it would no longer accept Rohingya fleeing Myanmar. While an agreement for the return of refugees was reached in early 2018, none returned. They said they would not consider going back to Myanmar unless they were given guarantees they would be given citizenship.

PAK. TO REMAIN IN FATF GREY LIST UNTIL JUNE: Context: The FATF‘s Plenary and Working Group meetings, scheduled to be held from February 21 to 26 in Paris, is all set to decide on Pakistan‘s grey list status. However, Pakistan is unlikely to exit the Financial Action Task Force‘s (FATF) ‗grey‘ list until June.

Background: Pakistan was placed on the ‗grey‘ list in June 2018 and given a timeline to implement 27 action points.

About FATF: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 on the initiative of the G7.  It is a ―policy-making body‖ which works to generate the necessary political will to bring about national legislative and regulatory reforms in various areas.  The FATF Secretariat is housed at the OECD headquarters in Paris.

Roles and functions: 1. Initially it was established to examine and develop measures to combat money laundering. 2. In October 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to incorporate efforts to combat terrorist financing, in addition to money laundering. 3. In April 2012, it added efforts to counter the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Composition: The FATF currently comprises 37 member jurisdictions and 2 regional organisations, representing most major financial centres in all parts of the globe. It also has observers and associate members.

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What is blacklist and grey list? Black List: Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put in the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities. The FATF revises the blacklist regularly, adding or deleting entries. Grey List: Countries that are considered safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put in the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.

Considered in the grey list may face: 1. Economic sanctions from IMF, World Bank, ADB. 2. Problem in getting loans from IMF, World Bank, ADB and other countries. 3. Reduction in international trade. 4. International boycott.

CHINA-PAKISTAN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (CPEC): Context: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that he was looking forward to enhancing trade ties with Sri Lanka through the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

About CPEC: The CPEC is the flagship project of the multibillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a pet project of Chinese President Xi Jinping, aimed at enhancing Beijing‘s influence around the world through China-funded infrastructure projects.  The 3,000 km-long China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) consists of highways, railways, and pipelines.  CPEC eventually aims at linking the city of Gwadar in South Western Pakistan to China‘s North Western region Xinjiang through a vast network of highways and railways.  The proposed project will be financed by heavily-subsidised loans, that will be disbursed to the Government of Pakistan by Chinese banks.

But, why is India concerned? It passes through PoK.  CPEC rests on a Chinese plan to secure and shorten its supply lines through Gwadar with an enhanced presence in the Indian Ocean. Hence, it is widely believed that upon CPEC‘s fruition, an extensive Chinese presence will undermine India‘s influence in the Indian Ocean.  It is also being contended that if CPEC were to successfully transform the Pakistan economy that could be a ―red rag‖ for India which will remain at the receiving end of a wealthier and stronger Pakistan.  Besides, India shares a great deal of trust deficit with China and Pakistan and has a history of conflict with both. As a result, even though suggestions to re-approach the project pragmatically have been made, no advocate has overruled the principle strands of contention that continue to mar India‘s equations with China and Pakistan.

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INDIA AND PAKISTAN AGREES TO OBSERVE ―2003 CEASEFIRE AGREEMENT‖: Context: India and Pakistan have issued a joint statement to strictly observe the 2003 Ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC).

About the 2003 ceasefire agreement: The ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2003, four years after the Kargil War. On November 26, 2003 the ceasefire took effect along the entire stretch of the India-Pakistan frontier.  It facilitated the opening of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalkot routes, paving the way for bus and truck services linking the two Kashmirs for the first time in six decades and encouraging cross-LoC contacts, exchanges, travel, and trade.  The ceasefire also enabled India to complete the construction of a fence near the LoC to prevent Pakistan‘s infiltration of terrorists into Kashmir, a project that it had begun a couple of decades earlier but had to suspend due to Pakistan‘s artillery fire.

Will this ceasefire last? This is not the first time that India and Pakistan have agreed to give peace a chance on the LoC to make the lives of civilians living along the line easy.  The 2003 ceasefire agreement remains a milestone as it brought peace along the LoC until 2006. Between 2003 and 2006, not a single bullet was fired by the jawans of India and Pakistan. But since 2006, ceasefire violations became the norm with increasing frequency. Recent years have seen an increasing number of ceasefire violations despite an agreement reached in 2018 to adhere to the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

What's the concern? This puts a question mark on how long the fresh commitment to ceasefire along the LoC can hold especially with summers approaching. As a matter of annual routine, terror infiltration bids from Pakistan increase as summer begins in the Kashmir Valley. Melting of ice on the high mountains offers Pakistan an opportunity to foment terrorism in the Valley.

JAPAN PROTESTS AFTER TWO CHINESE COAST GUARD SHIPS ENTER ISLANDS IN EAST

China Sea: Context: After two Chinese coast guard ships entered waters off the Senkaku islands recently, Japan protested against China's intrusion in the uninhabited islets in the East China Sea. Tensions have escalated between the two countries after Beijing enacted a legislation allowing its coast guard to use weapons against foreign ships that it views illegally entered its waters.

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What's the issue? Japan and China are locked in a dispute over the islands in the East China Sea which Tokyo calls the Senkakus and Beijing the Diaoyu. The islets are administered by Japan, however, Beijing claims the islands as its own.

What China says?  China‘s (and Taiwan‘s) position is that the Diaoyus have been part of Chinese territory since at least 1534.  China argues that Japan seized the features by force during the first Sino-Japanese War that ended with the imposition on China of the unequal Treaty of Shimonoseki. It asserts that the Potsdam Declaration that Japan accepted as part of the San Francisco Peace Treaty ending World War II required Tokyo to relinquish control of Taiwan, and that these features are part of Taiwan, which is part of China. But the US took control of them and in 1971 transferred their administration to Japan under the Okinawa Reversion Agreement.

Status quo:  China had more or less accepted the status quo – provided that Japan did not interfere with its fishing boats outside the 12-nauticalmile territorial sea. Then, in 2012, Japan upended the status quo by purchasing the islands from their private Japanese owners, thus nationalising them. Although the government maintained that this was done to keep them out of the hands of radical nationalists, China felt that Japan was opportunistically consolidating its theft of its territory.

Why is the international community worried? This dispute threatens regional and perhaps world peace because the US – and its allies – could be drawn into a kinetic conflict. In response to pressure from Japan, the US has repeatedly reaffirmed that the features come under the scope of the US-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security.

GILGIT-BALTISTAN A PART OF INDIA, SAYS MEA Why in News? Pakistan is planning to accord provincial status to the ―so-called Gilgit-Baltistan‖. Pakistan has also announced holding elections for the legislative assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan later this month. Pakistan Supreme Court has also allowed Islamabad to amend a 2018 administrative order to conduct general elections in the region. The Gilgit-Baltistan Order of 2018 provided for administrative changes, including authorising the Prime Minister of Pakistan to legislate on an array of subjects.

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India‘s Response: India slammed Pakistan for its attempt to accord provincial status to the ―so-called Gilgit-Baltistan‖, saying it is intended to camouflage the ―illegal‖ occupation of the region by Islamabad. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India ―firmly rejects‖ the attempt by Pakistan to bring material changes to a part of Indian territory which is under Islamabad‘s ―illegal and forcible occupation‖ and asked the neighbouring country to immediately vacate such areas. Pakistan occupied Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan are both part of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India by virtue of its accession to India in 1947. A resolution unanimously adopted by Parliament on February 22, 1994 affirmed that ―the State of Jammu and Kashmir has been, is and shall be an integral part of India. It demanded that Pakistan must vacate the areas of the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir, which they have occupied through aggression.

The PoK  Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is an area of 13,297 sq km, which was under the control of the Pakistani forces when the ceasefire line came into effect on January 1, 1949.  That was after a 14-month period of hostilities between India and Pakistan, which began with an invasion of Kashmir by Pashtun tribesmen, and later its Army, to seize Kashmir.  In 1963, through an agreement, Pakistan ceded to China over 5,000 sq km of Jand K land under its control, in the Shaksgam area, in northern Kashmir, beyond the Karakoram.  The capital of PoK is Muzaffarabad, a town located in the valley of the Jhelum river and its tributary Neelum (which Indians call Kishanganga) to the west and slightly north of Srinagar.

Gilgit-Baltistan region:  During the first Indo-Pak war of October 1947, Pakistan occupied 78,114 sq km of the land of Jammu and Kashmir, including the ‗Northern Areas‘.

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 The Northern Areas is the other name of Gilgit-Baltistan that Pakistan has used for administrative reasons because it was a disputed territory. Though both PoK and GB are ruled directly from Islamabad, neither is officially listed as the territory of Pakistan.  Pakistan has kept this fiction going, as incorporating these areas into its map would damage its international position in the UN and elsewhere that the entire Jammu and Kashmir is ―disputed‖.  It is one of the most mountainous regions in the world that is rich with mines of gold, emerald and strategically important minerals, and is known for its extraordinary scenic beauty, diversity and ancient communities and languages, Gilgit-Baltistan is largely an underdeveloped region.  It‘s home to K-2, the second tallest mountain in the world.  Tourism remains restricted by many factors, including military hostility, though the region has some of the ancient Buddhist sculptures and rock edicts.  It is also home to an old Shia community, which often finds itself subjected to persecution in Pakistan‘s urban centres.  The region is known for high altitude dams because of both local and Islamabad-driven initiatives

Challenges ahead for Pakistan:  This would violate the Karachi Agreement — perhaps the only instrument that provides doubtful legal authority to Pakistan‘s administration of GB — as well as the UN resolutions that would damage its position on the Kashmir issue.  Any such move would also be violative of the 1963 Pak-China Boundary Agreement that calls for the sovereign authority to reopen negotiations with China ―after the settlement of the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India‖ and of the 1972 Simla Agreement that mentions that ―neither side shall unilaterally alter the situation‖.

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SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION Why in news? Britain has accused China of breaking its international treaty obligations, after four pro-democracy lawmakers were ousted from Hong Kong‘s legislature on security grounds.Britain said the new rules to disqualify elected assembly members was ―a clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration‖.

SINO BRITISH Joint Declaration 1. It is an agreement signed by Britain and China in 1984 to settle the future of Hong Kong. 2. The two governments agreed China would reassume control of Hong Kong, which was occupied by Britain after the Opium War in 1840, from July 1, 1997. 3. The declaration was later deposited with the United Nations.

What are the main points of the joint declaration? 1. It states that China‘s basic policies regarding Hong Kong which ―will remain unchanged for 50 years‖, including the promise that the city would retain a high degree of autonomy. 2. It also states that Hong Kong‘s legal and judicial system would also be unchanged for 50 years after 1997. 3. It held that Britain would be would be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong until 1997 and the Chinese government would give its cooperation.

Is the joint declaration still valid now that Beijing governs Hong Kong? The high degree of autonomy that Beijing pledged to grant Hong Kong has been a thorny subject since the 1997 handover. The issue was exacerbated in June 2014 when the State Council released a white paper stating that Beijing had ―comprehensive jurisdiction‖ over Hong Kong. 1. Now, China says the declaration was ―now void and covered only the period from the signing in 1984 until the handover in 1997‖. 2. But, the Britain argues the agreement remained in effect and was a legally binding agreement that must be honoured.

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CHINA HOLDS THIRD SOUTH ASIA MULTILATERAL MEET. Here Because: China has held its third multilateral dialogue with countries from South Asia on January 6 to take forward closer cooperation on fighting COVID-19 and coordinating their economic agendas, reflecting a new approach in Beijing‘s outreach to the region.

Aim of the meet. The third dialogue, held virtually on January 6, brought together every country in the region barring India, Bhutan and the Maldives, and was aimed at anti-epidemic cooperation and poverty reduction cooperation

Key agendas in the meet In this meeting, the representatives shared their experience on anti- epidemic and poverty relief and also about dealing with the impact of the pandemic, resuming economic and trade cooperation, dealing with non-traditional security challenges and advancing sustainable development, and reached an initial consensus.

CPEC‘s Current scenario At the July quadrilateral dialogue with Afghanistan, Nepal and Pakistan, China‘s Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed extending the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Afghanistan, as well as taking forward an economic corridor plan with Nepal, called the Trans-Himalayan Multi- dimensional Connectivity Network.

Concerns for India All three dialogues have been attended by Pakistan and Nepal, which are emerging as two lynchpins in China‘s regional strategy. The first such meeting was convened by China in July, and was attended by Pakistan, Nepal and Afghanistan. This was followed by a five-member grouping in November attended by China, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The January 6 meeting was attended by all five countries that have taken part in these dialogues — Pakistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

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INDIA AND WORLD

MUTUAL LOGISTICS SUPPORT AGREEMENT (MLSA) Context: India and Australia have signed a historic agreement, called ‗Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA)‘, to allow access to military bases for logistics support. This was agreed upon at the first-ever virtual bilateral summit between India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison.

What is MLSA? • The agreement will facilitate reciprocal access to military logistics facilities, allow more complex joint military exercise and improve interoperability between the security forces of the two nations. • It allows reciprocal access to military facilities in terms of logistics support which generally include food, water, petroleum (fuel), spare parts and other components. • The agreement will be useful during joint military exercises, peacekeeping operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations, scheduled deployments of military platforms, and any other exigent situations that may arise. • It will help in improving interoperability between the involved parties.

Significance: • The MLSA assumes greater importance in light of India and Australia‘s limited naval capabilities. • Normally, a scarcity of resources puts severe limitations on a country‘s ability to project power in the distant waters, leaving its far-off assets at the mercy of other actors. • Therefore, countries avoid dispersion of their resources and concentrate on their near waters. • In the case of India and Australia, such a limitation does not match their ambitions in the region; it also puts them at a disadvantage vis-à-vis a belligerent China. For this reason, the MLSA holds considerable significance.

Why China is opposing THAAD defence systems in South Korea? What is THAAD Defence system? THAAD is an acronym for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense. It is a transportable, ground-based missile defense system. This anti-ballistic missile defense system has been designed and manufactured by the US company Lockheed Martin.

How it operates? THAAD is coupled with space-based and ground-based surveillance stations, which transfer data about the incoming missile and informs the THAAD interceptor missile of the threat type classification. THAAD is alarmed about incoming missiles by space-based satellites with infrared sensors.

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Where all it has been deployed? South Korea, the UAE, Guam, Israel and Romania.

What is this South Korea-China controversy over THAAD about? • US has a base in South Korea. So, the US operates THAAD missile defense system in this base. • The US had previously announced that the deployment of this missile defense system was a countermeasure against potential attacks by North Korea, particularly after the country had engaged in testing ballistic missiles. • This was felt necessary for the US because, in 2017, matters escalated in the Korean Peninsula after North Korea test fired a few missiles in the direction of US bases in Japan. • These moves by the US and by extension, South Korea, particularly angered China.

China‘s concerns are based on the following: The system has inbuilt advanced radar systems that could track China‘s actions. The US having a presence in the region particularly through its many military bases in Japan and South Korea is particularly worrying for China. The US exerts influence over South Korea and Japan and may interfere with Beijing‘s long-term military, diplomatic and economic interests in the region.

How this controversy has affected South Korea? The impact of the controversy was not limited to a diplomatic level, but had far-reaching consequences. 1. When the controversy first arose in 2017, China had hit South Korea economically. South Korean businesses, including large conglomerates found their diversified operations hampered. 2. Post this development in 2017, tourism from China to South Korea fell drastically. 3. South Korea‘s entertainment industry witnessed concerts, shows and other commercial ventures in China by K-pop stars being forced to cancel as a result of this controversy. 4. South Korean cosmetics and beauty products that are extremely popular in China also witnessed their sales being impacted, due to calls on social media to boycott South Korean products.

What next? Following the deployment of replacement missiles now, China has issued a statement urging the US not to harm bilateral relations between Beijing and Seoul. The US and South Korea have consistently maintained that these missiles are only to counter potential threats by North Korea.

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POST- BREXIT DEAL: Context: The UK and European Union have finally agreed a deal that will define their future relationship. Background: Ever since the UK left the the EU on 31 January, both sides have been talking about what the new rules should be.

What do we know about the deal? The deal contains new rules for how the UK and EU will live, work and trade together. • No taxes on each other's goods when they cross borders (known as tariffs). No limits on the amount of things which can be traded (known as quotas). • Tariffs: Tariff-free and quota-free access to one of the world‘s biggest markets is the backbone of the Brexit deal and goes beyond the EU‘s deals with Canada or Japan. • Trade: There will be mutual recognition of trusted trader programmes. This means UK producers will have to comply with both UK and EU standards. • Professional qualifications: There will be no more automatic recognition for doctors, nurses, architects, dentists, pharmacists, vets, engineers. They will now have to seek recognition in the member state they wish to practise in. • Mobility – freedom of movement: UK nationals no longer have the freedom to work, study, start a business or live in the EU. Visas will be required for stays over 90 days. • Fisheries: The UK will leave the common fisheries policy. Why did the deal take so long? Because so much was at stake. The EU is the UK's nearest and biggest trading partner, The UK government says the deal covers trade that was worth £668bn in 2019. While the UK was in the EU, companies could buy and sell goods across EU borders without paying tariffs. • Without the deal, businesses would have had to start paying these taxes, which would have added to their costs. • No deal would have also meant even more border checks, which could have caused delays for lorries transporting products.

What happens next? • Even though the deal has been agreed, it still needs to be made law. • For that to happen it must be looked at and approved by both the UK and European parliaments. What are the EU and Brexit? The EU is made up of 27 European countries. EU citizens are free to live and work in other EU countries, and firms in those countries can buy and sell each other's goods without checks or extra taxes at borders. • The UK was the first country to leave the EU and this was known as Brexit - British exit. • Brexit happened because a public vote - or referendum - was held in June 2016, to decide whether the UK should be in the EU- Leave won by 52% to 48% .

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INDIA ENERGY MODELING FORUM In the recent joint working group meeting of the Sustainable Growth Pillar, an India Energy Modeling Forum was launched. Composition: The forum would include knowledge partners, data agencies and concerned government ministries. • NITI Aayog will initially coordinate the activities of the forum and finalizing its governing structure.

Background: Sustainable Growth Pillar is an important pillar of India-US Strategic Energy Partnership co- chaired by NITI Aayog and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The SG pillar entails energy data management, energy modelling and collaboration on low carbon technologies as three key activities.

The Forum aims to: 1. Provide a platform to examine important energy and environmental related issues; 2. Inform decision-making process to the Indian government; 3. Improve cooperation between modelling teams, government, and knowledge partners, funders; 4. Facilitate exchange of ideas, ensure production of high-quality studies; 5. Identify knowledge gaps at different levels and across different areas; 6. Build capacity of Indian institutions. What is Energy Modelling? Energy modeling or energy system modeling is the process of building computer models of energy systems in order to analyze them. • Such models often employ scenario analysis to investigate different assumptions about the technical and economic conditions at play. • Outputs may include the system feasibility, greenhouse gas emissions, cumulative financial costs, natural resource use, and energy efficiency of the system under investigation.

What are Energy Modelling Forums (EMF)? The Energy Modelling Forum (EMF) in USA was established in 1976 at Stanford University to connect leading modelling experts and decision makers from government, industry, universities, and other research organizations. The forum provides an unbiased platform to discuss the contemporary issues revolving around energy and environment.

COOPERATIVE SECURITY IN PERSIAN GULF LITTORAL What is Persian Gulf region and why is it so significant? The lands around the Persian Gulf are shared by eight countries- Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

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• These countries are major producers of crude oil and natural gas, and thereby contribute critically to the global economy and to their own prosperity. • The area has approximately two-thirds of the world‘s estimated proven oil reserves and one- third of the world‘s estimated proven natural gas reserves. • This factor has added to their geopolitical significance. • A considerable amount of sea trade passes through the gulf, leading to heavy traffic in the region. Given its significance, the framework for stability and security in the region should have the following: 1. conditions of peace and stability in individual littoral states; 2. freedom to all states of the Gulf littoral to exploit their hydrocarbon and other natural resources and export them; 3. freedom of commercial shipping in international waters of the Persian Gulf; 4. freedom of access to, and outlet from, Gulf waters through the Strait of Hormuz; 5. prevention of conflict that may impinge on the freedom of trade and shipping 6. prevention of emergence of conditions that may impinge on any of these considerations.

Why this is important for India too? • The Gulf is an integral part of India‘s ‗extended neighbourhood‘, both by way of geographical proximity and as an area of expanded interests and growing Indian influence. • India is dependent on the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states for 42 per cent of its overall oil imports; three of the top five oil suppliers to India are Gulf states. • Indians make up the Gulf states‘ largest expatriate community, with an estimated 7.6 million Indian nationals living and working in the region; especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. • The GCC is India‘s largest regional-bloc trading partner, which accounted for $104 billion of trade in 2017–18, nearly a 7 per cent increase from $97 billion the previous year. This is higher than both India– ASEAN trade ($81 billion) and India–EU trade ($102 billion) in 2017- 18.

CHINA ISSUES WHITE PAPER ON COVID-19 FIGHT Context: China has issued a white paper on the country's battle against COVID-19. The document is titled "Fighting COVID-19: China in Action." The paper explains: China's prevention, control and treatment efforts in the battle against the virus, as well as the efforts made at a global level in international cooperation. • From early outbreak to an all-out nationwide effort to save as many lives as possible, the Chinese Government has taken the most comprehensive, the strictest and the most thorough prevention and control measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak. • China has made full use of the weapon to win the battle against COVID-19. • It has vowed to continue advocating globalization and multilateralism amid the coronavirus pandemic and in its aftermath.

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• It has released information on COVID-19 in an open and transparent manner as required by law.

What‘s the issue? US president Donald Trump and leaders of several countries have accused China of not being transparent in reporting the deadly disease, leading to huge human casualties and economic crisis across the world. Recently, the World Health Assembly (WHA), the decision-making body of Geneva- based World Health Organisation (WHO), passed a unanimous resolution to probe the origin of the virus. China also backed the resolution.

Impact: The coronavirus has infected over 68,00,000 people and killed nearly 4,00,000 across the world. The US is the worst affected country with over 1.9 million cases and more than 1,09,000 deaths, while the total number of cases in China stand at 84,177. The global economy, which was in a sluggish recovery even before the coronavirus outbreak, is now bound to suffer a "severe recession" in 2020.

WHAT IS GAFA TAX? WHY IN NEWS? The United States has reportedly pulled out of talks aimed at overhauling the global tax system for digital giants. With this, France has now confirmed an "impasse" on the so-called GAFA tax.

What‘s the concern now? France as well as U.K., Spain, Italy and others have imposed taxes on the largest digital firms. U.S. officials have slammed the moves as discriminating against American firms, and say any new levies should come only as part of a broader overhaul of international tax rules. Now, the US withdrawal from talks risks reigniting a transatlantic trade spat.

Background: In January, 137 countries agreed to negotiate a deal on how to tax tech multinationals by 2020- end, under the auspices of the OECD. France, Britain, Italy and Spain have already sent a reply expressing their desire to agree on ―a fair digital tax at the level of the OECD as quickly as possible.

Additional information: What is GAFA tax? GAFA tax—named after Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon—is a proposed digital tax to be levied on large technology and internet companies. France has decided to introduce the tax (3% tax on revenues from digital activities).

The rationale for having separate taxation on digital firms: 1. Existing tax norms that are framed envisaging brick and mortar business models are not suitable to regulate online services.

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2. The technology companies differ from traditional businesses as a result of user participation in creating value, which, in turn, translates into revenue. 3. The often complex corporate structures set up by several companies that derive huge revenues from major European economies but allow them slash their tax bills by shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions. (Base Erosion and Profit Sharing issue) European countries in particular say the so-called GAFA — Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon — are unfairly exploiting tax rules that let them declare profits in low-tax havens, depriving them of a fair share of their fiscal payments. Digital tax in India: India has the second-largest online users in the world, with over 560 million internet users, and hence, from the viewpoint of its tax revenue base, digital businesses could not be overlooked. However, as is the case in other jurisdictions, Indian tax laws were suited for conventional business models such as brick and mortar stores and thus in dire need of an overhaul.

Recent Amendments: To ensure that value created digitally is appropriately taxed; two significant amendments were introduced in Indian taxation laws in the recent past – 1. The ―Equalization Levy‖ – A tax aimed at foreign digital companies has been in place since 2016 and levied a 6% tax payable on gross revenues from online advertising services, which raked over Rs. 550 crores in fiscal year 2017-2018. • The new amendment, effective from April 1, 2020, essentially expands the equalization levy from online advertising to nearly all online commerce activities done in India by businesses that do not have taxable presence in India through applicability of 2% on its revenues. • Specifically, it is levied on consideration receivable by the e-commerce operator for supply or services or facilitation of supply or service to – Person resident in India, Non-resident under specified circumstances such as through sale of data collected from a person resident in India, and Person who buys goods or services through an IP address located in India. 2. The concept of ―Significant Economic Presence‖ (SEP): Introduced for the purposes of corporate income tax, which expanded to include the following: • Advertisement which targets a customer residing in India or who accesses advertisement through internet protocol (IP) address located in India. • Sale of data collected from a person residing in India or who uses an IP address located in India. • Sale of goods/services using data collected from a person residing in India or who uses IP address located in India.

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ITALIAN MARINES CASE: Why in News Recently, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has published an extract of the final award of the ad-hoc tribunal constituted to settle disputes related to the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) regarding Italian marine Case between India and Italy. • It has rejected India‘s contention that the soldiers, who were accused of killing Indian fishermen, could be tried in Indian courts and ordered India to cease all criminal proceedings.

Background • In 2012, Indian police had detained two Italian marines posted on oil tanker Enrica Lexie who had shot at two Indian fishermen on an Indian vessel, apparently mistaking them for pirates operating near the Kerala Coast. • After three years, Italy moved the International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (ITLOS) seeking for two italian marines to stay in their own country during the trial process and also to stop India from going ahead with its criminal prosecution. • At that time, India had set up a specially designated court, as ordered by Indian Supreme Court, to determine the applicability of jurisdiction. o India‘s National Investigation Agency had already slapped charges against the two Italians under sections of the Indian Penal Code, related to murder, attempt to murder, mischief and common intent. • The ITLOS judgement of 2015 called on Italy and India to suspend all domestic prosecutions arising from the Enrica Lexie Case. It had also ordered not to initiate any steps that might jeopardize or prejudice the carrying out of any decision which the arbitral tribunal may provide. • The matter led to a long freeze in diplomatic relations between India and Italy, which were reset only in 2016.

Key Points • Judgements in Favour of India: o The tribunal held that the actions of the Italian military officers breached India‘s freedom of navigation under UNCLOS Article 87(1)(a) and 90. o The tribunal also held that India is entitled for payment of compensation in connection with loss of life, physical harm, material damage to property and moral harm suffered by captain and crew of ‗St Antony‘, the Indian vessel. • Judgements in Favour of Italy: o India had called on the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) UNCLOS tribunal to adjudge and declare that PCA has no jurisdiction with respect to the case submitted to it by Italy. However, a majority of the court's five- member bench ruled 4-1 that it had jurisdiction in the matter.

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o Italian position that the marines, being members of the Italian armed forces in the official exercise cannot be tried by Indian courts, was held and immunity was granted to Italian marine officials. • Basis of the Judgement: o The tribunal observed that India and Italy had concurrent jurisdiction over the incident and a valid legal basis to institute criminal proceedings against the marines. o However, it also observed that the immunities enjoyed by the marines as State officials operate as an exception to the jurisdiction of the Indian courts and, hence, preclude them to judge the marines.

Permanent Court of Arbitration • The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was established in 1899 and headquartered at the Hague in Netherlands. • It is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to serve the international community in the field of dispute resolution and to facilitate arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution between States. • It has a Financial Assistance Fund which aims at helping developing countries meet part of the costs involved in international arbitration or other means of dispute settlement offered by the PCA.

Way Forward • India has taken note of the Award and will be following with relevant entities on the matter and regulatory framework established by the Government. • Further, increasing awareness about the incident and treating it as a lesson for Indian diplomacy would help India to handle future challenges better.

MADHESIS OPPOSE NEW NEPAL RULE Why in News? Nepali opposition party leaders have opposed the planned changes in the existing citizenship rules that will most notably affect the families in Nepal‘s plains also known as the Madhes region where cross-border kinship with India is common. However, the government defends its move by citing India's citizenship rules to justify the amendments the Nepalese govt has brought.

Proposed changes: • The Bill seeks to amend the country‘s Citizenship Act that would require a foreign woman married to a Nepali national to wait seven years for naturalised citizenship. • It includes seven rights that a foreign woman married to a Nepali national can exercise till she acquires citizenship certificates. • Lack of a citizenship certificate will not bar them from running any businesses and earn, use and sell any fixed and movable assets, make profits through businesses and get involved in transaction of property of any kind.

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Who are Madheshi? Why they are concerned about these changes? • The Madheshi are residents of Terai region in the south of Nepal at the foothill of the Himalayas on the border with India in Bihar. • The Madhesis have castes and ethnicity similar to Bihar and eastern UP, with frequent intermarriages between families on either side of the border. • They believe these changes will introduce uncertainty and tension in the society and families. • Critics have termed the changes as racially motivated. Changing ties between India and Nepal: The move to amend the citizenship act comes days after the Nepal government completed the process of redrawing the country‘s political map through a Constitutional amendment, incorporating three strategically important Indian areas, a move that could severely jolt relations with New Delhi. These include- Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh.

MISSION SAGAR • India launched Mission Sagar as part of the government‘s outreach initiative towards five Island nations in the Indian Ocean amidst the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic. • As part of Mission, Indian Naval Ship Kesari has departed for five Island Nations - Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros. India will provide food Items, COVID related Medicines including HCQ Tablets and Special Ayurvedic Medicines with Medical Assistance Teams to these nations. • The deployment is in consonance with the Prime Ministers' vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‗SAGAR‘ promulgated in March 2015.

JAPAN RENAMES AREA CONTAINING SENKAKU ISLANDS • The Ishigaki Municipal Assembly (A local council in southern Japan) has passed a bill to change the name of an administrative area covering the disputed uninhabited island chain to Tonoshiro Senkaku from Tonoshiro. The Senkakus island chain, which China calls Diaoyus, has been administered by Japan since 1972, but its legal status has remained disputed until now. • The Senkaku Islands are located in the East China Sea. The sovereignty on this island is claimed by Japan, the People‘s Republic of China, and the Republic of China (Taiwan).

UYGHUR HUMAN RIGHTS POLICY ACT OF 2020 • US President Donald Trump has signed the Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020. • The Act require various United States government bodies to report on the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, China, including internment in the Xinjiang re-education camps. • It calls for sanctions against those responsible for repression of Uyghurs and other Muslim groups in China‘s Xinjiang province, where the United Nations estimates that more than a million Muslims have been detained in camps.

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• The Bill also calls on U.S. firms operating in Xinjiang region to ensure their products do not include parts using forced labour. • It represents the most significant action to date by any country to punish China.

CHABAHAR PROJECT • Iran drops India from Chabahar rail project citing delays from the Indian side in funding and starting the project. The development comes as China finalizes a massive 25-year, $400 billion strategic partnership deal with Iran, which could cloud India‘s plans. • The railway project to construct a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, was being discussed between the Iranian Railways and the Indian Railways Construction Ltd (IRCON), was meant to be part of India‘s commitment to the trilateral agreement between India, Iran and Afghanistan to build an alternate trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia. • The project not only gives India an alternative route to Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan, but also has the potential to provide an Indian strategic counter to Pakistan‘s Gwadar port being developed by China right next door to Chabahar. • The Chabahar Port is located on the Gulf of Oman. It is the only oceanic port of Iran.

INDIA CLEARS 'RELOS' DEAL WITH RUSSIA • The Indian government has cleared the signing of 'RELOS' (Reciprocal Exchange Of Logistics) agreement with Russia. This means Indian ships or aircraft can now use Russian ports or airfields without having to take permission or make immediate payments. • So far, India has signed four military logistics support agreements with partner countries: o Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the United States in 2016. o Implementing Arrangement Concerning Mutual Coordination, Logistics and Services Support with Singapore in 2018. o Agreement for the Provision of Reciprocal Logistics Support between the Armed Forces with France in 2018. o Agreement to Extend Logistical Support to each other‘s navies with Republic of Korea in 2019.

INDIA ELECTED TO UNSC‘S NON-PERMANENT MEMBER SEAT • India has been elected to the UN Security Council (UNSC) as non-permanent member with 184 of the 192 votes. It has been elected for a two-year term starting January 1, 2021. • Along with India, Ireland, Mexico and Norway obtained the requisite two-thirds majority in the General Assembly. The fifth African seat remained vacant and will go into second round with Kenya and Djibouti fighting it out. • The UNSC has five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years. To get elected, a country has to secure 2/3rd of the votes casted.

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• India was the endorsed candidate of the Asia-Pacific Group of UN member countries and faced competition. The last time India was elected to the UNSC was in 2010 (tenure started from 2011).

ISRAEL – UAE AGREEMENT: Israel and the United Arab Emirates have announced an agreement that will lead to a full normalisation of diplomatic relations between the two states, a move that reshapes the order of West Asia politics from the Palestinian issue to Iran. The agreement will be known as the Abraham Accords.

Overview of the agreement: • Trilateral agreement: The agreement was the product of lengthy discussions between Israel, the UAE and the US that accelerated recently. • Under the accord, Israel has agreed to suspend annexing areas of the occupied West Bank as it had been planning to do. • It also firms up opposition to regional power Iran, which the UAE, Israel and the US view as the main threat in the region.

Background: Israel had signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. But the UAE, along with most other Arab nations, did not recognise Israel and had no formal diplomatic or economic relations with it until now.

Where is West Bank? It is a landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia, bordered by Jordan to the east and by the Green Line separating it and Israel on the south, west and north. The West Bank also contains a significant section of the western Dead Sea shore.

What is the dispute settlements here? Who lives there? 1. The West Bank was captured by Jordan after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. 2. Israel snatched it back during the Six Day War of 1967, and has occupied it ever since. During this war, the country defeated the combined forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. 3. It has built some 130 formal settlements in the West Bank, and a similar number of smaller, informal settlements have mushroomed over the last 20-25 years. 4. Over 4 lakh Israeli settlers — many of them religious Zionists who claim a Biblical birthright over this land — now live here, along with some 26 lakh Palestinians. 5. The territory is still a point of contention due to a large number of Palestinians who live there and hope to see the land become a part of their future state. 6. When Israel took control of the land in 1967 it allowed Jewish people to move in, but Palestinians consider the West Bank illegally occupied Palestinian land.

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CHINA TO JOIN UN ARMS TRADE TREATY • The People‘s Republic of China has decided to join the UN Arms Trade Treaty. The treaty is a global pact to regulate arms sales in the world. • The UN General Assembly adopted Arms Trade Treaty in 2013 and entered into force on December 2014. This is the first-ever global treaty to establish international norms aiming to prevent conventional weapons from being used for war crimes and human rights abuses, or being diverted for illegal use by criminals. • The world's largest arms traders including the United States, China and Russia have not joined the treaty. Now China has decided to join the treaty. • India is not a member of this treaty.

OPEN SKY AGREEMENT • Recently UAE showed interest to have an open sky agreement with India. • There are about 1,068 flights a week between India and the UAE operated by the airlines of the two countries under the bilateral Air Service Agreement. • The National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016, allows the government to enter into an 'open sky' air services agreement on a reciprocal basis with SAARC nations as well as countries beyond a 5,000 kilometre radius from New Delhi. UAE wants India to revisit this policy. • Open Sky Agreement allow airlines to operate unlimited number of flights between the two countries. India has already signed open sky agreements with Japan, US, Greece, Jamaica, Guyana, Czech Republic, Finland, Spain and Sri Lanka.

WHAT RUSSIA‘S EXIT MEANS FOR THE OPEN SKIES TREATY? Context: Russia has announced that it is leaving the Open Skies Treaty (OST).

What is the Open Skies Treaty? It is an accord between over 30 countries that allows participants to fly unarmed reconnaissance flights over any part of their fellow member states. • First proposed in 1955 by former US President Dwight Eisenhower as a means to deescalate tensions during the Cold War, the landmark treaty was eventually signed in 1992 between NATO members and former Warsaw Pact countries following the demise of the Soviet Union. It went into effect in 2002 and had signatories, including key players US and Russia, along with one non-ratifying member (Kyrgyzstan). • Aims of the OST: Build confidence among members through mutual openness, thus reducing the chances of accidental war.

Features of the treaty: 1. Under the treaty, a member state can ―spy‖ on any part of the host nation, with the latter‘s consent.

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2. A country can undertake aerial imaging over the host state after giving notice 72 hours before, and sharing its exact flight path 24 hours before. 3. The information gathered, such as on troop movements, military exercises and missile deployments, has to be shared with all member states. 4. Only approved imaging equipment is permitted on the surveillance flights, and officials from the host state can also stay on board throughout the planned journey.

Why did Russia leave after the US? In May 2020, the Trump administration announced its intention of withdrawing from the OST, accusing Russia of ―flagrantly and continuously violating the Treaty in various ways for years‖.  Now, Russia has attributed this move to ―the lack of progress in removing obstacles for the continued functioning of the agreement.‖  Moscow is worried that the U.S.‘s withdrawal restricts its access to American territory, while Washington‘s allies in Europe can continue flyovers over Russian territory to collect intelligence that could be handed to the U.S.

Implications: Experts now worry about the fate of the much larger US-Russia ‗New START‘ nuclear arms control agreement, which is slated to expire on February 5, 2021 while US President-elect Joe Biden has spoken in favour of preserving the treaty.

EXPAT QUOTA BILL • Kuwait‘s National Assembly has approved the draft expat quota bill, according to which Indians should not exceed 15% of the population. • Of the 4.3 million population of Kuwait, expats account for 3 million. The Indian community constitutes the largest expat community in Kuwait, totaling 1.45 million. • Kuwait is a top source of remittances for India. In 2018, India received nearly USD 4.8 billion from Kuwait as remittances.

NATANZ NUCLEAR FACILITY • A fire at Iran's underground Natanz nuclear facility has caused significant damage that could slow the development of advanced centrifuges used to enrich uranium. • Natanz, also known as the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, is among the sites now monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency after Iran‘s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. • Natanz includes underground facilities buried under 7.6 m of concrete, which offers protection from airstrikes.

About IAEA • Widely known as the world‘s ―Atoms for Peace and Development‖ organization within the United Nations family, the IAEA is the international centre for cooperation in the nuclear field.

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• Headquartered at Vienna, IAEA was established as an autonomous organisation on 29 July 1957. • Though established independently of the United Nations through its own international treaty, the IAEA Statute, the IAEA reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.

NAVAL LIAISON OFFICERS AT MADAGASCAR AND ABU DHABI • India is planning to post Navy Liaison Officers at the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) in Madagascar and also at the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASOH) in Abu Dhabi. • RMIFC: Based in Madagascar, it functions under the aegis of the Indian Ocean Commission. It aims to deepen maritime domain awareness by monitoring maritime activities and promoting information sharing and exchange. • EMASOH: Started by France in February 2020, it is based at the French naval base in Abu Dhabi. It aims to monitor maritime activity and guarantee freedom of navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. • Indian Ocean Commission: It is particularly unique and is the only African regional organization composed entirely of islands: Comoros, France/Reunion, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. India had joined the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) as an observer in March 2020.

MALATHION 95% ULV INSECTICIDES TO IRAN • State-owned insecticide manufacturer HIL (India) Ltd has supplied about 25 tonnes of Malathion 95 per cent ULV to Iran to help the country control the locust menace. • Malathion is a chemical mainly used to protect food-producing plants from insects. It has been supplied to Iran on government-to-government basis. • India had recently approached Iran and Pakistan for coordinated response to counter desert locust menace in the region.

VICTORY DAY PARADE • Recently, Indian Defence Minister attended the Victory Day Parade in Moscow, Russia on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. • The Indian contingent participated in the parade along with the armed forces personnel from 17 other countries, including China.

MARY JACKSON • NASA decided to name its headquarters in Washington DC after its first black female engineer, Mary Jackson. Jackson had helped to break down barriers for African Americans and women in engineering and technology. • Mary Jackson was recruited in 1951 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics which was succeeded by Nasa in 1958. Jackson died in 2005 and in 2019 she was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

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ISRAEL-UAE PEACE DEAL • US President Donald Trump announced that the United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state. • With this announcement, the UAE became the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties with Israel. Under the deal, Israel would suspend its plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank. • Among Arab nations, only Egypt and Jordan have active diplomatic ties with Israel. Mauritania recognized Israel in 1999, but later ended relations in 2009 over the Israel's war in Gaza. • The UAE is a US-allied federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. Formed in 1971, the country like other Arab nations at the time did not recognize Israel over its occupation of land home to the Palestinians.

1947 TRIPARTITE AGREEMENT ON GURKHA SOLDIERS • Nepal Foreign Minister recently said that the 1947 agreement among India, Nepal and the United Kingdom that deals with the military service of Gorkha soldiers has become ―redundant‖. • It was the first window open for Nepali youths to go abroad. The 1947 agreement divided the Gorkha regiments of the British empire between India and the United Kingdom. • It also assured that the Gorkha soldiers of Nepal while serving in the British military will draw perks and privileges equivalent to their counterparts. However, Gorkha veterans have been alleging that the U.K. has been discriminating against them. • Gorkha soldiers from Nepal have been an integral part of the Indian Army for over six decades and currently, there are 39 battalions serving in 7 Gorkha regiments. Indian Army Chief is granted the honorary post of a General in the Nepal Army. • The objection from Nepal regarding the Gorkhas serving in the Indian military has been heard more prominently in the recent months in the backdrop of Nepal-India territorial dispute over the Kalapani region.

OPERATION BREATHING SPACE • A team of researchers from Israel arrived in Delhi with a mission, code-named Operation Breathing Space to work with Indian authorities in the fight against the pandemic. • The delegation will carry out the final stages of research in India to determine the effectiveness of advanced Israeli technologies developed for the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19. • The team is working on four different kinds of technologies that have the potential to detect COVID-19 in as less as 30 seconds.

PAKISTAN‘S NEW MAP • The Ministry of External Affairs has termed Pakistan‘s announcement of a new political map, which asserts its claims on Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, and Junagadh, as an exercise in ―political absurdity‖.

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• The new map depicts the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory while also incorporating Siachen as part of Pakistan. It does not show any borders in the east of Kashmir, where China illegally occupied Aksai Chin. It also incorporates Sir Creek into Pakistani territory as well as parts of the erstwhile princely state of Junagadh. The map also shows the Federally Administered Tribal Areas as being part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. • This is not the first time Pakistan has tried to portray Junagadh as part of its territory. The 2012 Atlas of Islamic Republic of Pakistan also portrayed Junagadh as a separate territory. • The Pakistan cabinet also approved the decision to rename a major road in Islamabad as Srinagar Highway. The road was previously called Kashmir Highway.

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS IN RUSSIA • In a recently held referendum, Russian citizens supported a set of constitutional amendments. It was put to vote on 1 July, 2020.

Key Changes • Presidential Term: Current Constitution allows for two consecutive terms as president. The new constitution does not change the two-term limit. However, it hits the reset button. In other words, with the enactment of new constitution, Putin will be eligible for two additional six-year terms after the current term expires in 2024. As a result, Putin can stay in power until 2036. • Stronger-man Presidentialism: Recent amendments cement further centralisation of power. They give the President new powers, including the authority to remove judges, appoint some members of the parliament for life and name regional prosecutors. • Constitutional Patriotism: o It gives the Russian Constitutional Court constitutional power to nullify the decisions of international tribunals. o It also place strict limitations on Russians who hold foreign citizenship or residency from serving public office. These constitutional restrictions block any individual who has ever held foreign residency or citizenship from ever running for President. o The amendments also declare the importance of a belief in God. It has also termed Russia as the successor state to the Soviet Union.

CHINA HALTS HONG KONG EXTRADITION PACTS WITH CANADA, AUSTRALIA, U.K. • China announced the suspension of Hong Kong‘s extradition treaties with Canada, Australia and Britain in a tit-for-tat move following similar decisions by those countries over a controversial new security law. • The three countries had all suspended extradition treaties with Hong Kong. This was done after Beijing imposed a broad new security law that criminalises many forms of political dissent. China termed this as an interference in its internal affairs.

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Turkey Approves Social Media Law • Turkey‘s parliament approved a law that gives authorities greater power to regulate social media. • The law requires major social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter to keep representative offices in Turkey to deal with complaints against content on their platforms. • If a social media company refuses to designate an official representative, the legislation mandates steep fines, advertising bans and bandwidth reductions. With a court ruling, bandwidth would be halved, and then cut further. Bandwidth reductions mean social media networks would be too slow to use. • The legislation also requires social media providers to store user data in Turkey.

BRITAIN BANS CHINA'S HUAWEI FROM 5G • The United Kingdom has banned Huawei from its 5G telecom network thereby reversing its earlier decision to allow the Chinese tech company a limited role in building the country's super-fast wireless infrastructure. • Operators such as BT and Vodafone have been given until 2027 to remove existing Huawei equipment from their 5G networks. • In the lead up to this complete removal of all Huawei kit from UK networks, there will be a total ban on purchase of any new 5G kit after December 31, 2020.

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIROSHIMA ATOMIC BOMBING • Japan on 6th August, 2020 marks 75 years since the world's first atomic bomb attack, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing a scaling back of ceremonies to commemorate the victims. • The bomb attack on Hiroshima killed around 1,40,000 people. Three days later, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, where 74,000 people were killed. • The United States has never apologised for the bombings, which many in the US see as having ended the war. Japan announced its surrender just days later on August 15, 1945, and some historians argue the bombings ultimately saved lives by avoiding a land invasion that might have been significantly more deadly.

15TH INDIA-EU SUMMIT • The 15th Summit between India and the European Union (EU) was held in virtual format on 15th July 2020. • The leaders adopted the "India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025‖ to guide cooperation between India and the EU over the next five years. • They welcomed the signing of the India-EURATOM Agreement on research and development cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. • They also adopted a Joint Declaration on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy and

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welcomed the upcoming renewal of the India-EU Science and Technology Agreement for another five years. • They welcomed the ongoing activity in India of the European Investment Bank and the upcoming planned investments of Euros 550 million in the Pune and Bhopal Metro Rail Projects. • India and the EU will reinforce their cooperation in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to promote the deployment of solar energy, and in the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF) to mobilise private capital towards environmentally sustainable investments. • The EU looks forward to cooperating with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) launched by India to ensure that infrastructures are resilient to climate change. Additional Information: EU is India’s largest trading partner for goods with trade exceeding $100 billion. India also has a large services trade of approximately $40 billion. Despite this, India represents only about 2% of EU external trade

ISTANBUL CONVENTION • It is a European treaty aimed at preventing violence against women • Recently Poland left the treaty citing "harmful" because it required schools to teach children about gender. • The convention sets minimum standards for governments to meet when tackling violence against women. When a government ratifies the Convention, they are legally bound to follow it. • It is a human rights treaty of the Council of Europe against violence against women and domestic violence which was opened for signature on 11 May 2011, in Istanbul, Turkey. Effective from 2014. • Ratified by 34 countries (India has neither signed nor ratified). Council of Europe • The Council of Europe was founded on 5 May 1949. • It is an international organisation whose stated aim is to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe. • Membership is open to any European country, provided they meet specific democratic and human rights standards. Currently it has a total of 47 member states.

INDIA-FRANCE TO LAUNCH CONSTELLATION OF MARITIME SURVEILLANCE SATELLITES • The constellation of maritime surveillance satellites for the Indian Ocean Region, to be jointly launched by India and France. The main purpose of this is to trace illegal spillage of oil by ships. • The satellites will be operated jointly by France and India to monitor ships in the Indian Ocean. TRISHNA, a thermal infrared observer will also be a part of the constellation. Both TRISHNA and Oceansat-3 Argos Mission will augment the maritime surveillance constellation.

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• France and India are also collaborating on the Gaganyaan, India's first manned space mission. France will also be part of ISRO's mission to Venus. So far, the two agencies have put up two climate and ocean weather monitoring satellites — Megha-Tropiques in 2011 and SARAL-AltiKa in 2013.

INDIA-US 2+2 MINISTERIAL DIALOGUE • India hosted the third India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi. The first two 2+2 Ministerial dialogues were held in New Delhi in September 2018 and in Washington DC in 2019. • This 2+2 Ministerial is the highest-level institutional mechanism between the two countries. It provides for a review of the security, defence and strategic partnership between India and the United States.

INDIA–AUSTRALIA CIRCULAR ECONOMY HACKATHON (I-ACE) • AIM (Atal Innovation Mission), in association with Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), is organizing a two-day hackathon on circular economy. • The idea of I-ACE was conceived during a virtual summit on 4 June 2020, between the Indian and Australian prime ministers. • The four key themes for the hackathon are: Innovation in packaging packaging waste, Innovation in food supply chains avoiding waste, Creating opportunities for plastic waste reduction and Recycling critical energy metals and e-waste. • Circular Economy – A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life. In Circular Economy, the products are designed for reuse and recyclability. Almost everything gets reused, remanufactured, and recycled into a raw material or used as a source of energy.

G20 BANKNOTE DEPICTING J&K AS SEPARATE ENTITY • India urges Saudi Arabia to take urgent corrective steps on G20 banknote depicting J&K as separate entity. • The banknote, a new 20 Riyal currency, was released on October 24 to commemorate Saudi Arabia's presidency of organizing the G20. • The note features Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the 2020 G20 Summit logo on one side while the other highlights the G20 nations.

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AZERBAIJAN VS ARMENIA: AN OLD REGIONAL CONFLICT • Recently a military action in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, has resulted in the death of at least 100 civilians and Armenian combatants. • Straddling western Asia and Eastern Europe, NagornoKarabakh is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but most of the region is controlled by Armenian separatists. Nagorno- Karabakh has been part of Azerbaijan territory since the Soviet era. When the Soviet Union began to collapse in the late 1980s, Armenia‘s regional parliament voted for the region‘s transfer to Armenia; the Soviet authorities turned down the demand. • The countries fought a bloody war over the region in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although they declared a ceasefire, brokered by Russia in 1994, they have never managed to agree a peace treaty.

THAILAND ANTI-GOVERNMENT PROTESTS • Thailand is witnessing pro-democracy demonstrations with protesters demanding that the monarchy be reformed and that Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha resign. • Until 1932, Thailand was an absolute monarchy. It was converted to a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Following a coup in 1947, Thailand has been ruled by the military for the most part. The current ruler, Maha Vajiralongkorn, became king in December 2016. PM Chan-ocha came to power through a coup in 2014. • Chan-ocha, endorsed by the king, is alleged to have meddled with electoral laws during the 2019 elections, which has enabled him to remain in power. • Traditionally, Thailand‘s political divide has been between the ―red shirts‖ (populists and supporters of Shinawatra) and ―yellow shirts‖ (loyalists of the royalty). Populist leader Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted as Prime Minister by the military in 2006 and has been in exile since.

G-20 ANTI-CORRUPTION WORKING GROUP MEETING • The 1st ever Ministerial Meeting of G-20 Anti-Corruption Working Group was held recently. It was hosted by Saudi Arabia, who is the current Chair of the organisation.

Anti-Corruption Working Group of G-20 • It was established in June 2010 at the G20 summit held at Toronto. Its primary goal is to prepare comprehensive recommendations for consideration by leaders on how the G20 could continue to make practical and valuable contributions to international efforts to combat corruption. • The group works with the OECD, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, World Bank, Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and IMF.

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• The G-20 countries had agreed on the Anti-Corruption plan for 2019-2021 at Buenos Aires in 2018.

ISRAEL-SUDAN PEACE DEAL • Sudan and Israel have agreed to normalise relations in a US-brokered deal to end decades of hostility. Sudan has technically been at war with Israel since its 1948 foundation. • It makes Sudan the 3rd Arab country to forge diplomatic relations with the Jewish state in two months. • In 1979, Egypt became the first Arab state to make peace with Israel. Recently, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain had signed a normalization deal with Israel. • Days before Sudan signed a peace deal with Israel, it has been removed from US‘ State Sponsor of Terrorism List. Sudan was added to the list in 1993 after it was accused of harboring groups such as Hezbollah and Palestinian militant outfits. Now only three countries are there in the list. These are – Syria, Iran and North Korea.

FIVE EYES GROUP OF NATIONS • India is among seven countries to back a UK-led campaign against end-to-end encryption of messages by social media giants such as Facebook, which they say hinder law enforcement by blocking all access to them. It marks an expansion of the so-called "Five Eyes" group of nations. • ―Five Eyes‖ group of nations is a global alliance on intelligence issues. It was originally an intelligence-sharing agreement between the United States and the UK aimed at decrypting Soviet Russian intelligence during cold war era. • By the late 1950s, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand had also joined the Alliance. The intelligencesharing agreement between these five countries has only strengthened over time, as it has extended to surveillance of online activity.

12TH BRICS SUMMIT • 12th BRICS Summit was held in a virtual format. It was hosted by the current Chair Russia. • Theme - "Global Stability, Shared Security and Innovative Growth. • India will be taking over the Chairmanship of the BRICS in 2021. It which would be the third BRICS Presidency for India since its inception (after 2012 and 2016). • In order to strengthen fight against terrorism, the Summit finalized the BRICS Counter- Terrorism Strategy.

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17TH ASEAN-INDIA SUMMIT • 17th India-ASEAN summit was held online. It was co-chaired by Indian PM Modi and PM of Vietnam Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Vietnam is the current Chair of ASEAN). • India highlighted that a cohesive, responsive and prosperous ASEAN is central to India's Indo-Pacific Vision and contributes to Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). • India underscored the importance of strengthening convergence between India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific, to ensure a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific region. ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, hilippines, Singapore and Thailand.

INDIA-LUXEMBOURG VIRTUAL SUMMIT • A Virtual Summit was held between PM Modi and PM of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel. This was the first stand-alone Summit meeting between India and Luxembourg in the past two decades. • Luxembourg Stock exchange and funds based out of Luxembourg are the third largest investors in India. Foreign Portfolio investments from Luxembourg total more than Rs. 3 lakh crore. It is largest after the US and Mauritius. • Luxembourg is the 5th largest investor from the EU after the Netherlands, Germany, France, Cyprus and the 15th largest investor in India.

INDIA ASSUMES CHAIRMANSHIP OF GOVERNING BODY OF ILO • After a gap of 35 years, India has assumed the chairmanship of the governing body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). • The Governing Body (GB) is the apex executive body of the ILO, which decides policies, programmes, agenda, budget, and elects the Director-General.

About ILO • It is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice through setting international labour standards. • It was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles (that ended World War I). • In 1946, the ILO became a specialized agency of the newly formed United Nations. It is the first and oldest specialized agency of the UN. At present, ILO has 187 members. • It sets labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men. • HQ- Geneva, Switzerland

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UAE WIDENS ITS GOLDEN VISA PROGRAMME • The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has approved granting ―golden‖ visas allowing 10-year residency to certain professionals, specialised degree holders and others. o All holders of doctorate degrees, medical doctors, and also computer, electronics, programming, electrical, and biotechnology engineers are now eligible. o Also eligible are those with specialised degrees in artificial intelligence, big data, and epidemiology, as well as high school students living in the UAE who rank top in the country and university students with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.8 or higher.

GOLDEN CARD PERMANENT RESIDENCY SCHEME • It was launched by UAE to woo wealthy individuals and exceptional talents from all over the world. • The ―Golden Card‖ visa includes categories: o General investors who will be granted a 10 year permanent residency visas . o Real Estate Investors, who can get a visa for 5 year visa. o Entrepreneurs and Talented Professionals like doctors, researchers and innovators can get 10 years visa. o ‗Outstanding students‘ will also be permitted 5 years permanent residency visas

MEGA TRADE BLOC RCEP TAKES OFF • The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a mega trade bloc comprising 15 countries, signed the world's biggest free trade deal. • The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its five-dialogue partner - Australia, China, Japan, Korea and New Zealand - met virtually in November 2020 and signed the agreement.

About RCEP • Conceptualised in 2012, the RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between ASEAN nations and its FTA partners. The ten ASEAN member nations include Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia. • The FTA partners of the ASEAN nations included China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and India. After India‘s pull out, ASEAN nations only have five FTA partners now. • Its principal purpose is to ―achieve a modern, comprehensive, high-quality and mutually beneficial economic partnership agreement among the ASEAN Member States and ASEAN‘s FTA Partners.‖ • The agreement would cover a market of 2.2 billion people, or almost 30 per cent of the world's population, with a combined GDP of US$ 26.2 trillion or about 30 per cent of global GDP, and accounts for nearly 28 per cent of global trade (based on 2019 figures).

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15TH EAST ASIA SUMMIT • 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) was held virtually in November 2020. The Summit was chaired by the PM of Vietnam in his capacity as ASEAN Chair.

About East Asia Summit • It is the premier forum in the Asia-Pacific region to deal with issues relating security and defence. Since its inception in 2005, it has played a significant role in the strategic, geopolitical and economic evolution of East Asia. • EAS comprises the ten member states of the ASEAN as well as Australia, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States. • The 18 member of EAS together represent 54% of the world population and account for 58% of the global GDP.

NEW CALEDONIA REJECTS INDEPENDENCE FROM FRANCE • The South Pacific territory of New Caledonia chose to remain French. It rejected independence in a tightly-fought referendum marked by a high turnout. A French overseas territory in the Pacific, • New Caledonia has seen deep divisions between its indigenous Kanak population and Europeans. New Caledonia was colonised by France in the mid-19th century and won greater autonomy and the right to hold up to three referendums on its political status under the Noumea Accord, signed between French and local leaders in 1998. • Kanaks represent around 39% of the population, while Europeans, most of whom were born in the territory, make up about 27%. • New Caledonia is rich in resources and accounts for around 10% of the world's nickel reserve.

ARMED CLASHES IN ETHIOPIA‘S TIGRAY • Violence has escalated in Ethiopia and it is on the brink of a civil war. A domestic conflict is going on in the country‘s northern Tigray region. The long-simmering tensions between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed‘s government in Addis Ababa and leaders from the country‘s northern Tigray region spilled into the open. • Conflict started in September 2020, when Tigray held local elections in insubordination of the Ethiopian federal government. These elections were considered illegal by the federal government, further leading to conflict with Tigray authorities.

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• The structure of Ethiopia‘s federal system allows the ten regions of the country significant autonomy. These regions also have their own parliaments, their own security forces, and the right to a referendum for independent rule.

NEW START TREATY • Russian President proposed that Russia and the United States extend their New START arms control treaty for at least a year without imposing any conditions. The treaty is about to expire in February 2021. However, the proposal has been rejected by the USA. • The New START treaty (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) accord was signed in 2010 by US President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. • The pact limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers, and envisages sweeping on-site inspections to verify compliance. • It had replaced the Treaty of Moscow (SORT), which was to expire in 2012.

OAXACA • In his recent Mann ki baat address, the PM made a reference to the region of Oaxaca (pronounced O-aa-ha-ka) in Mexico. • He said khadi was being manufactured in Oaxaca, and narrated an anecdote about how khadi reached Latin American country after a local resident became influenced by a film on Mahatma.

BRICS CULTURE MINISTERS‘ MEET • The 5th BRICS Culture Ministers‘ Meeting was held online under the Chairpersonship of Russian Federation. • India proposed to explore possibilities of hosting a Digital Online Exhibition on a Shared theme towards end of 2021 and opening the BRICS Corner under the of BRICS Alliance of Libraries. The Corner will disseminate information related to the history and culture of BRICS countries.

BRICS • BRICS is the group composed by the five major emerging countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -, which together represent about 42% of the population, 23% of GDP, 30% of the territory and 18% of the global trade. • The acronym BRIC was coined by Goldman Sachs in 2001. In 2011, with South Africa joining the group, the BRICS reached its final composition. • At the Fortaleza Summit (2014), in Brazil, important institutions were created: the New Development Bank (NDB) and the Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA). The CRA is is an important financial stability mechanism for countries affected by crises in their balance of payments. • BRICS cooperation has two pillars including consultations on issues of mutual interest through

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meeting of leaders and ministers and cooperation through meeting of senior officials in areas including trade, finance, health, education etc. The Sherpa mechanism is also an important mechanism at senior officials level to take stock and give direction.

WORLD SOLAR TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT • The first-ever World Solar Technology Summit was held in September 2020. It was organised by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). • Aim – To focus on state-of-the-art technologies and next-generation technologies that will help boost efforts towards harnessing solar energy more efficiently. • ISA also launched its technology journal, Solar Compass 360. • Globally, India ranks 4th in terms of renewable power. India has enhanced its installed renewable capacity by 2.5 times and increased the solar installed capacity by more than 13 times.

International Solar Alliance (ISA) • ISA was conceived as a coalition of solar-resource-rich countries (which lie either completely or partly between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn) to address their special energy needs. • The launch of ISA was announced by H.E. Mr. Narendra Modi, the Hon‘ble Prime Minister of India and H.E. Mr. Francois Hollande, former Hon‘ble President of France on 30th November 2015, at the 21st session of United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP-21) in Paris, France. • The ISA has 122 sun-belt countries that lie between the two tropics as its prospective member countries and currently boasts a membership of 86 countries globally.

VIRTUAL SUMMIT OF EDUCATION MINISTERS OF G-20 NATIONS • A virtual meeting of G20 Education Ministers was held recently. It was hosted by the Saudi Arabia, current chair of G20. • In 2021 Italy will chair the Group of Twenty (G20) for the first time since it started its gatherings in 1999. The 2022, 2023 and 2024 summits will be hosted by Indonesia, India and Brazil respectively.

About G-20 • The Group of Twenty (G20) is the premier international forum for global economic cooperation. • Established in 1999, G20 was elevated from a forum of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to that of Heads of State/Government in 2008 to effectively respond to the global financial crisis of 2008.

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• G20 members account for 85 per cent of the world economy, 75 per cent of global trade, and two-thirds of the world's population. • Members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, and the European Union. • G-20 is a forum, not a legislative body, its agreements and decisions have no legal impact, but they do influence countries' policies and global cooperation.

US-MALDIVES DEFENCE COOPERATION AGREEMENT • Maldives government signed a military agreement ―Framework for a Defence and Security Relationship‖ with the U.S., the first that Male has signed with any country other than India. • The Agreement talks of maintaining peace and security in the Indian Ocean and promoting a rules-based order that promotes stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. • Trump administration is looking for strengthening alliances in the Indo-Pacific to counter China‘s growing presence in the region. It is significant that the Maldives has taken a strategic position, and signed this agreement with the U.S. and not with China, despite the fact that it is part of BRI (Belt and Road Initiative).

NEW CHANGES IN QATAR‘S LABOUR LAWS • Recently, Qatar has brought about a change in its labour laws. The key changes are • Abolished ‗kafala system‘ or requirement for a ―no objection certificate‖ that migrant workers needed to get from their employers before changing jobs. Now, workers will have to serve a onemonth notice period if they have worked for less than two years and notice period of two months if they have worked longer. • Increasing the minimum wage by 25 per cent to $274 or 1000 Qatari riyals and an additional 300 QAR for food and 500 QAR for accommodation in case not provided by the company. These reforms will be applicable to workers of all nationalities and in all sectors. It will also include domestic workers who were previously excluded. • Why were they changed: Qatar is hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup and in the run-up to the sporting event that is viewed by more than half of the global population, the country has faced flak for its labour laws, seen by many as being exploitative of migrant labourers.

UK SIGNS FIRST MAJOR POST-BREXIT TRADE DEAL WITH JAPAN • Britain and Japan formally signed a trade agreement, marking the UK's first big post- Brexit deal on trade. Britain has said the deal meant 99% of its exports to Japan would be tariff-free, and that it could increase trade by $19.9 billion in the long run, compared with 2018. • Britain had formally left EU in January 2020. Since then it has focused on negotiating new trade deals with countries around the world.

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• Japan welcomes Britain's interest in joining the 11-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) free trade deal. Japan is already a member of the CPTPP, which also links Canada, Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

INDIA-UK DEFENCE LOGISTICS PACT • India and the UK are in the final stages of agreeing on a key defence logistics pact. The pact will help in reciprocal use of airfields, bases, spares and supplies. • This reflects a policy shift in London as the UK government finalizes its Integrated Review of Britain‘s foreign policy, defence and international development in the post-Brexit world. • After the pact, India can access ports and military bases from the Garrisons in the Gulf to Keeling Island in the South Indian Ocean and strategic military locations such as Busan and Okinawa. India will also be able to access Naval facilities in the Atlantic. • India already has logistics sharing pacts with the US, France, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and Japan.

INDIA-JAPAN COOPERATION IN 5G TECH, AI AND CRITICAL INFORMATION INFRASTRUCTURE • India and Japan have finalised an agreement on cyber-security to boost cooperation on 5G technology, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and critical information infrastructure. • Cooperation in critical information infrastructure would include infrastructure for banks and payment systems, telecommunications and internet, nuclear reactors etc. • Japan also agreed to be the lead partner in the connectivity pillar of the Indo-Pacific Oceans' Initiative (IPOI). The IPOI is an India-backed framework aimed at making meaningful efforts to create a safe and secure maritime domain in the Indo-Pacific, a region where China has been expanding its military assertiveness triggering global concerns.

INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY (IAEA) • Iran has agreed to give IAEA inspectors access to two suspected former nuclear sites. IAEA had long been demanding the access of these two site, however, Iran kept blocking the access. • The latest row over access comes as a landmark deal between Iran and world powers in 2015. Under the deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran committed to curtailing its nuclear activities in return for sanctions relief and other benefits. • But Iran has slowly abandoned its commitments in retaliation for U.S‘ decision to renounce the deal and reimpose sanctions.

About International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) • It is an autonomous intergovernmental organization dedicated to increasing the contribution of atomic energy to the world‘s peace and well-being. • It also ensures that agency assistance is not used for military purposes.

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• It was set up as the world's "Atoms for Peace" organization in 1957 within the United Nations family. • The IAEA Secretariat is headquartered at the Vienna International Centre in Vienna, Austria.

ORGANISATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS (OPCW) • Germany has claimed that Novichok was used to poison Alexei Navalny (a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin who is in a coma in a Berlin hospital). • Novichok: It is used for a family of highly toxic nerve agents with a composition slightly different from the better-known poison gases VX and sarin. Novichok agents are believed to be five to 10 times more lethal than these substances. In 2019, members of the OPCW agreed to expand its list of banned ―Schedule 1‖ chemicals to include Novichok agents. That ban went into effect in June 2020.

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) • It is a multilateral treaty that bans weaponization of chemical weapons and requires their destruction within a specified period of time. It is implemented by OPCW. • So far it has 193 members. Egypt, Israel, North Korea and South Sudan are not the member of convention.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) • It is an international organization established by the Chemical Weapons Convention (adopted 1992, entered into force 1997). Its aim is to implement and enforce the terms of the international treaty, which prohibits the use, stockpiling, or transfer of chemical weapons by signatory states. • The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. Its headquarters are located in The Hague, Netherlands • It is not part of United Nation. The OPCW reports on its inspections and other activities to the UN through the office of the secretary-general.

US CURRENCY WATCH LIST • The United States has once again included India in its currency manipulation watch list. India had been placed on this watch list in 2018 but was removed in 2019. • The new watch list also names China, Japan, Korea, Germany, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand. Switzerland and Vietnam have been declared as outright currency manipulators. • The term currency manipulator is given by the US government to countries it feels are engaging in unfair currency practices by deliberately devaluing their currency against the dollar. • Three pre-conditions need to be satisfied for a country to be named as currency manipulator and two of the three conditions to be placed on the watchlist; They are o A bilateral trade surplus of more than $20 billion with the US; o A current account surplus of at least 3 percent of GDP; and o Net purchases of foreign currency of 2 percent of country‘s GDP over a 12-month period.

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LEGION OF MERIT AWARD • US President Donald Trump has conferred The Legion of Merit, Degree Chief Commander — to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Australian PM Scott Morrison and former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe. • The Legion of Merit, in the highest degree of the Chief Commander, is a prestigious award conferred by the President of the US, typically upon Heads of State or Heads of Government of other countries. The award is being given since 1943. • There have been two Indian recipients of the hounour in the past: Field Marshal K M Cariappa in 1950, and Gen S M Srinagesh in 1955.

DJIBOUTI CODE OF CONDUCT (DCOC) • India has joined DCOC, also known as Jeddah Amendment (JA), as an Observer. India joins Japan, Norway, the UK and the US as Observers to the DCOC/JA. • DCOC/JA is a grouping on maritime matters comprising 18 member states adjoining the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, the East coast of Africa and Island countries in the IOR. • It was established under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in January 2009 with an aim of repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean Region, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea • It provides a framework for capacity building in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean to combat the threat of piracy.

INDRA EXERCISE • India and Russia held the 11th edition of bilateral naval exercise, Indra 2020, in the Andaman Sea, close to the strategic Strait of Malacca. • In July, the Indian Navy had conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz strike group in the same area near the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands.

IND-INDO CORPAT • The 35th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy was conducted in December 2020. • Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kulish, an indigenously built missile corvette, along with P8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) undertook coordinated patrol with their Indonesian counterparts.

PASSEX • The Indian Navy (IN) has conducted a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in December 2020. • Indian Navy is being represented by indigenously constructed guided missile frigate Shivalik and anti-submarine corvette Kadmatt alongwith integral helicopters.

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SITMEX-20. • India, Singapore and Thailand, recently, concluded their trilateral naval exercise SITMEX- 20. This was the second edition of SITMEX and was hosted by the Singapore Navy. • The Indian Navy was represented by two indigenous warships -- an ASW corvette, INS Kamorta, and a guided Missile corvette, INS Karmuk. • Military Exercise Between India and Thailand- MAITREE (Army), SIAM BHARAT (Air Force), Indo-Thai CORPAT (Navy) Military Exercise Between India and Singapore- Bold Kurukshetra (Army), Joint Military Training (Air Force), SIMBEX (Navy)

MILITARY SPECIALISTS TO GET S-400 TRAINING IN MOSCOW: Context: The US has yet again warned India that it could face sanctions over it acquiring five Russian Almaz-Antei S-400 Triumf self-propelled surface-to-air (SAM) systems for $5.5 billion. India is unlikely to get a waiver over Washington invoking its Countering America‘s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) on the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its S-400 buy.

What is CAATSA, and how did the S-400 deal fall foul of this Act? • Countering America‘s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)‗s core objective is to counter Iran, Russia and North Korea through punitive measures. • The Act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions, in the backdrop of its military intervention in Ukraine andits alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections.

But why does the US have a law like CAATSA to begin with? • Following the US elections and allegations of Russian meddling some call it collusion in the US elections, the strain between Washington and Moscow has reached a new level. • Angry with Moscow‘s actions around the world, US lawmakers are hoping to hit Russia where it hurts most, its defense and energy business, through CAATSA.

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IRAN BEGINS ENRICHING URANIUM IN NEW BREACH OF NUCLEAR DEAL: Context: Iran has resumed 20 percent uranium enrichment at its sensitive Fordow nuclear facility— a major step away from a 2015 nuclear deal struck with world powers.

Implications: • Enriched uranium can be used to make reactor fuel but also nuclear bombs. Weapons-grade uranium is 90% purity. • The move could complicate the incoming Biden administration's plans to restart nuclear talks with Tehran.

Iran's changing attitude: • Iran, which insists that its nuclear programme is peaceful, has rolled back a number of commitments under the deal. • It has said it is retaliating for the US economic sanctions that were reinstated in 2018 by President Donald Trump when he abandoned the accord, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

What is enriched uranium? • Enriched uranium is produced by feeding uranium hexafluoride gas into centrifuges to separate out the most suitable isotope for nuclear fission, called U-235. • Low-enriched uranium, which typically has a 3-5% purity of U-235, can be used to produce fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. • Highly enriched uranium has a concentration of 20% or more and is used in research reactors.

Why is 20% purity significant? • Experts at the Arms Control Association said that 120kg of uranium enriched to 20% was about half the amount of uranium that, when enriched to weapons-grade (90% or more), was necessary for one bomb . • They also warned that the production of highly enriched uranium would pose a more serious near-term proliferation risk.

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WHAT ARE H-1B VISAS AND NEW WAGE-BASED RULES? Context: • The US administration has once again amended the H-1B visa norms. Changes: • Rules to give priority to higher wages and skills for selection of deserving candidates. • The old lottery system of work visa selection will not be followed now.

What are H-1B work visas? • In 1952, after the US started expanding its presence in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines, it felt the need to hire quality workers who could help the country achieve innovation in these areas at reasonable costs. The need to hire workers paved way for the introduction of the H-1 work visa system in US. • This work visa system was further subdivided into H-1B, H-2B, L1, O1, and E1 visas, depending on the qualification required and the area for which workers were sought. • Of these, the H-1B visa remains the most popular due to the relatively better wage chance it offers.

What is the new wage-based H-1B work visa regime? • Priority in selection of visas to applications of those employers where the ―proffered wage equals or exceeds‖ the prevailing level in that area of employment (The proffered wage is the wage that the employer intends to pay the beneficiary). • This regime will also take into account the skill set that the respective worker brings to the country and cross check it whether such skill set is available at the same cost among the US workers.

A STRONG INDIA WOULD ACT AS ‗COUNTERBALANCE‘ TO CHINA: U.S: Context: The Trump administration has declassified a sensitive document on the U.S. strategic framework for the IndoPacific‘ from 2018. The document outlines objectives and strategies with regard to China, North Korea, India and other countries in the Indo-Pacific region. Declassified document outlines objectives on China: As per the document, The U.S.‘s first national security challenge are: 1. Maintaining ―U.S. strategic primacy‖ in the region and promoting a ―liberal economic order‖. 2. Stopping China from establishing ―illiberal spheres of influence‖. 3. Ensuring that North Korea does not threaten the U.S. and 4. Advancing U.S. economic leadership globally.

Objectives towards India: • The U.S. aims to help India become a net security provider in the region and solidify a lasting strategic partnership with India. • It plans to achieve via enhanced defence cooperation and interoperability;

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• Working with India ―toward domestic economic reform‖, and • Greater leadership roles for India in the East Asia Summit and ASEAN Defence Ministers‘ Meeting Plus.

Act-East policy in the document: • The U.S. aims to support India‘s ―Act East‖ policy and ―its aspiration to be a leading global power, highlighting its compatibility with the U.S., Japanese and Australian vision‖ of the Indo-Pacific. • A strong India, in cooperation with like-minded countries, would act as a counterbalance to China, is one of the underlying assumptions of the strategy. • China aims to dissolve U.S. alliances and partnerships across the region. China will exploit vacuums and opportunities created by these diminished bonds. • On Russia, it says the country will ―remain a marginal player‖ in the region relative to the U.S., China and India. • On North Korea, a stated U.S. objective is to, ―Convince the Kim regime that the only path to its survival is to relinquish its nuclear weapons.‖ The reason for the early declassification of the document: • To communicate to the American people and to our allies and partners, the enduring commitment of the U.S. to keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open long into the future. Significance of declassification: • It is an attempt by some in the outgoing administration to make their mark on policy clear and public, but it‘s not a document that speaks to tremendous strategic foresight. • There‘s a considerable bit of dissonance across this document, however, in its professed goal of spreading American and liberal values and the complete lack of any language on human rights.

U.K. URGES CHINA TO GRANT UN ACCESS TO XINJIANG: • Context: Britain‘s government has pressed China to allow UN rights inspectors to visit Xinjiang after raising new allegations of ―appalling‖ human rights abuses against the Uighur minority people.

Latest developments: • UK recently introduced import controls on firms that may have sourced goods from the region in northwest China using forced labour from the mainly Muslim Uighur community. There have been reports of ―slave labour, forced sterilisation, appalling human rights abuses in the region".

Who are Uighurs? • A Muslim minority community concentrated in China's northwestern Xinjiang province. • They claim closer ethnic ties to Turkey and other central Asian countries than to China.

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Why is China targeting the Uighurs? • Xinjiang is technically an autonomous region within China — its largest region, rich in minerals, and sharing borders with eight countries, including India, Pakistan, Russia and Afghanistan. • Over the past few decades, as economic prosperity has come to Xinjiang, it has brought with it in large numbers the majority Han Chinese, who have cornered the better jobs, and left the Uighurs feeling their livelihoods and identity were under threat. • This led to sporadic violence, in 2009 culminating in a riot that killed 200 people, mostly Han Chinese, in the region‘s capital Urumqi. And many other violent incidents have taken place since then. • Beijing also says Uighur groups want to establish an independent state and, because of the Uighurs‘ cultural ties to their neighbours, leaders fear that elements in places like Pakistan may back a separatist movement in Xinjiang. Therefore, the Chinese policy seems to have been one of treating the entire community as suspect, and launching a systematic project to chip away at every marker of a distinct Uighur identity.

WEST BANK AND ISSUES ASSOCIATED: Context: • Israel approves West Bank settlement homes ahead of Trump exit. • The approvals are widely seen as taking advantage of the last few days of US President Donald Trump's administration.

Where is West Bank? • It is a landlocked territory near the Mediterranean coast of Western Asia, bordered by Jordan to the east and by the Green Line separating it and Israel on the south, west and north. The West Bank also contains a significant section of the western Dead Sea shore.

What is the dispute settlements here? Who lives there? 1. The West Bank was captured by Jordan after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. 2. Israel snatched it back during the Six Day War of 1967, and has occupied it ever since. During this war, the country defeated the combined forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. 3. It has built some 130 formal settlements in the West Bank, and a similar number of smaller, informal settlements have mushroomed over the last 20-25 years. 4. Over 4 lakh Israeli settlers — many of them religious Zionists who claim a Biblical birthright over this land — now live here, along with some 26 lakh Palestinians. 5. The territory is still a point of contention due to a large number of Palestinians who live there and hope to see the land become a part of their future state.

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6. When Israel took control of the land in 1967 it allowed Jewish people to move in, but Palestinians consider the West Bank illegally occupied Palestinian land.

Are these settlements illegal? 1. The United Nations General Assembly, the UN Security Council, and the International Court of Justice have said that the West Bank settlements are violative of the Fourth Geneva Convention. 2. Under the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), an occupying power ―shall not deport or transfer parts of its own civilian population into the territory it occupies‖. 3. Under the Rome Statute that set up the International Criminal Court in 1998, such transfers constitute war crimes, as does the ―extensive destruction and appropriation of property, not justified by military necessity and carried out unlawfully and wantonly‖.

U.S. RESUMES WHO SUPPORT: Context: The U.S. has resumed its funding for WHO as President Joe Biden shifts towards greater international cooperation in the fight against COVID-19.

Background: Last year, US President Donald Trump had put a hold on America‘s funding to the World Health Organization, accusing it of becoming China-centric during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The US is the largest contributor to the WHO. How is the WHO funded? There are four kinds of contributions that make up funding for the WHO.These are: 1. Assessed contributions are the dues countries pay in order to be a member of the Organization. The amount each Member State must pay is calculated relative to the country‘s wealth and population. 2. Voluntary contributions come from Member States (in addition to their assessed contribution) or from other partners. They can range from flexible to highly earmarked. 3. Core voluntary contributions allow less well-funded activities to benefit from a better flow of resources and ease implementation bottlenecks that arise when immediate financing is lacking. 4. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Contributions were started in 2011 to improve and strengthen the sharing of influenza viruses with human pandemic potential, and to increase the access of developing countries to vaccines and other pandemic related supplies.

WHO‘s current funding pattern: • As of fourth quarter of 2019, total contributions were around $5.62 billion, with assessed contributions accounting for $956 million, specified voluntary contributions $4.38 billion, core voluntary contributions $160 million, and PIP contributions $178 million.

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U.S. ANNOUNCES RESTORATION OF RELATIONS WITH PALESTINIANS: Context: U.S. President Joe Biden‘s administration has announced that it is restoring relations with the Palestinians and renewing aid to Palestinian refugees. This is a reversal of the Donald Trump administration‘s cutoff and a key element of its new support for a two-state solution to the decades-old conflict agreed to by Israelis and Palestinians.

Israel-Palestine Conflict: • The Israeli-Palestinian conflict dates back to the end of the nineteenth century, primarily as a conflict over territory. • After the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, the Holy Land was divided into three parts: The State of Israel, the West Bank (of the Jordan River), and the Gaza Strip. • The 1993 Oslo Accords mediated the conflict, to set up a framework for two state solution. It recognized the Palestinian Authority tasked with limited self-governance of parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. West Asia peace plan: • Unveiled by former U.S. President Trump. • It plans to revive the stalled two-state talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians. • It seeks to give the Israelis an expansive state with Jerusalem as its ―undivided capital‖ and tight security control over a future Palestinian state.

U.S. - TALIBAN PEACE DEAL: Context: The Biden administration has said that it will review the US-Taliban deal to see if the Taliban are able to keep their end of the bargain.

U.S.- Taliban peace deal: • A peace deal between the U.S. Government and the Taliban was signed on 29 February, 2020. • The deal calls for U.S. and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops to leave Afghanistan.

Significance of Peace in Afghanistan for India: • India has called for renewed efforts for establishing enduring peace and stability, and putting an end to externally-sponsored terrorism and violence in Afghanistan. • Economically, it is a gateway to the oil and mineral-rich Central Asian republics.

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• Afghanistan has also become the second-largest recipient of Indian foreign aid over the last five years. Some of the important elements of the deal include: • The withdrawal of US troops along with bringing down NATO or coalition troop numbers within 14 months from when the deal was signed.

The main counter-terrorism commitment by the Taliban is that: • Taliban will not allow any of its members, other individuals or groups, including al-Qaeda, to use the soil of Afghanistan to threaten the security of the United States and its allies.

RUSSIA GIVES NOD TO EXTEND START TREATY: Context: US, Russia agree to extend 'New START' nuclear arms treaty. The extension of the landmark arms control treaty will continue to limit the number of nuclear missiles and warheads each country can deploy.

Background: Negotiations to extend the treaty were stalled by the administration of former US President Donald Trump, which insisted on tougher inspections for Russia and for China to be included, which Beijing refused.

About the New START treaty: 1. The New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty), was signed in 2010 by former US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart at the time, Dmitry Medvedev. 2. The treaty limits each party to 700 deployed intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) or deployed submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), 1,550 nuclear warheads on deployed ICBMs and SLBMs, and 800 deployed and non-deployed ICBM launchers. 3. It also envisions a rigorous inspection regime to verify compliance.

JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (JCPOA) OR THE ―IRAN DEAL": • Context: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently confirmed that if Iran were to become compliant with the terms of the now defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA, or the ―Iran deal‖), the U.S. would re-enter it too. • The Trump administration had pulled out of the deal in 2018.

About the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA:  Iran agreed to rein in its nuclear programme in a 2015 deal struck with the US, UK, Russia, China, France and Germany. • The 2015 nuclear deal gave Iran relief from sanctions in return for curbs on its nuclear programme.

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Under the deal: 1. Iran agreed to rein in its nuclear programme in a 2015 deal struck with the US, UK, Russia, China, France and Germany. 2. Tehran agreed to significantly cut its stores of centrifuges, enriched uranium and heavy-water, all key components for nuclear weapons. 3. The Joint Commission was established, with the negotiating parties all represented, to monitor implementation of the agreement.

INDIA AT UN HIGH TABLE: Context: India has entered the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member and it will stay on the council for two years. India at UNSC: • India has served in the UN Security Council seven times previously. • In 1950-51, India presided over the adoption of resolutions calling for cessation of hostilities during the Korean War and for assistance to Republic of Korea. • In 1972-73, India pushed strongly for admission of Bangladesh into UN. The resolution was not adopted because of a veto by a permanent member. • In 1977-78, India was a strong voice for Africa in the UNSC and spoke against apartheid. Then External Affairs Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee spoke in UNSC for Namibia‘s independence in 1978. • In 1984-85, India was a leading voice in UNSC for resolution of conflicts in the Middle East, especially Palestine and Lebanon. • In 2011-2012, India was a strong vice for developing world, peacekeeping, counter-terrorism and Africa. • India chaired the UNSC 1373 Committee concerning Counter-Terrorism, the 1566 Working Group concerning threat to international peace and security by terrorist acts, and Security Council 751/1907 Committee concerning Somalia and Eritrea.

UN REFORMS: • New Delhi has said it is essential that the Security Council is expanded in both the permanent and nonpermanent categories. • It says India is eminently suited for permanent UNSC membership by any objective criteria, such as population, territorial size, GDP, economic potential, civilisational legacy, cultural diversity, political system and past and ongoing contributions to UN activities especially to UN peacekeeping operations.

A GLOBAL CHALLENGE TO DELIVER VACCINE, SAYS WHO EXECUTIVE BOARD: Context: If 2020 was the year of discovery of COVID-19 vaccines, 2021 will be the year India faces the challenge of getting them to people across the world who most need it, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who is the Chairman of the Executive Board of the World Health Organization, has said.

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What is the WHO Executive Board? • It is one of the WHO‘s two decision making bodies. The other one is the World Health Assembly. The agency‘s headquarters are located at Geneva in Switzerland.

Composition: • The executive Board is composed of 34 members technically qualified in the field of health. • The Board chairman‘s post is held by rotation for one year by each of the WHO‘s six regional groups: African Region, Region of the Americas, South-East Asia Region, European Region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, and Western Pacific Region.

Term: Members are elected for three-year terms.

Functions: 1. Sets out agenda for the Health Assembly and resolutions for forwarding to the Assembly are adopted. 2. Gives effect to the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly. 3. Advises it and facilitates its work. 4. The Board and the Assembly create a forum for debate on health issues and for addressing concerns raised by Member States. 5. Both the Board and the Assembly produce three kinds of documents — Resolutions and Decisions passed by the two bodies, Official Records as published in WHO Official publications, and Documents that are presented ―in session‖ of the two bodies.

Key facts: • India became a party to the WHO Constitution on 12 January 1948. • The first Regional Director for South East Asia was an Indian, Dr Chandra Mani, who served between 1948-1968.

CHABAHAR PORT: Context: India delivers 2 cranes for Chabahar. This is part of a bilateral contract between India and Iran signed in May 2016 for $85 million to equip and operationalise the port. Amid talks with Iranian authorities, it signals a push to the port project.

Significance: India‘s plans to invest further in the port project are seen as an indicator that the government expects some easing up in U.S. sanctions in the upcoming months, once the new Biden administration begins to address its policy on re-entering the Iran nuclear deal.

Where is Chabahar Port? • Located on the Gulf of Oman and is the only oceanic port of the country.

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Why Chabahar port is important for India? 1. With this, India can bypass Pakistan in transporting goods to Afghanistan. 2. It will also boost India‘s access to Iran, the key gateway to the International North-South Transport Corridor that has sea, rail and road routes between India, Russia, Iran, Europe and Central Asia. 3. It also helps India counter Chinese presence in the Arabian Sea which China is trying to ensure by helping Pakistan develop the Gwadar port. Gwadar port is less than 400 km from Chabahar by road and 100 km by sea. 4. With Chabahar port being developed and operated by India, Iran also becomes a military ally to India. Chabahar could be used in case China decides to flex its navy muscles by stationing ships in Gwadar port to reckon its upper hand in the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf and Middle East. 5. Trade benefits: With Chabahar port becoming functional, there will be a significant boost in the import of iron ore, sugar and rice to India. The import cost of oil to India will also see a considerable decline. India has already increased its crude purchase from Iran since the West imposed ban on Iran was lifted. From a diplomatic perspective, Chabahar port could be used as a point from where humanitarian operations could be coordinated.

KERALA GOVT. ANNULS AGREEMENT WITH U.S. FIRM: • Context: The Kerala government has invalidated a controversial agreement that the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) had reached with a U.S.-based firm, EMCC International, to build and operate a deep-sea trawling fleet to harvest the marine wealth off the State‘s coast.

What's the issue? • Opposition called this deal as a bid to sell off the state‘s marine wealth, endangering the livelihood of lakhs of fishermen in the state.

What was the agreement all about? What were the objectives of the project? • One of the stated objectives of the deal was deep sea fishing with state-of-the-art technology. • The components of the project were building 400 deep sea fishing trawlers as per the design proposed by EMCC. • The EMCC would train and deploy 1.60 lakh fishermen in deep sea fishing. Their skills would be upgraded, and the local fishing community would benefit in terms of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

How is the proposed project against fisheries policy? • The Union Government had in 2017 withdrawn permission given for foreign trawlers for deep sea fishing in the exclusive economic zone of the country.

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• The EEZ of the country extends up to 370 km from the coastline. Illegal fishing by foreign vessels in Indian waters is punishable under provisions of Maritime Zone of India (Regulation of Fishing by Foreign Vessels Act) 1981. Besides, Kerala's fisheries policy, brought in 2018, opposed allowing foreign and native corporate vessels along the state‘s coast • The professed policy of the state is to equip the traditional fishermen for deep sea fishing by making them owners of deep sea fishing vessels. • Besides, there would be restrictions on the number of vessels. Only traditional fishermen would be given permission to replace their old boats.

What is Deep Sea Trawling? • The Deep Sea Trawling can be defined as the Industrial way or method fishing in which large nets with heavy weight are carted across the seafloor to lift out the catch marine animals such as fishes, shrimp, cod etc. It is considered as the most prominent method of fishing which is a practice across the world at large scale.

Impact of Deep Sea Trawling on Environment: • The gears of Deep Sea Trawling creates huge on the life of marine plants and animals as well as the seafloor by disrupting the sediment column structure, overturning boulders, re- suspending sediments and imprinting deep scars on muddy bottoms.

BIDEN REVOKES TRUMP‘S IMMIGRANT VISA BAN: Context: The Biden administration has revoked Donald Trump‘s suspension of new immigrant visas, which had been in effect since late April 2020. • The revoked order had suspended the entry of certain immigrants and non-immigrants into the U.S. ostensibly on grounds of protecting the U.S. labour market in the wake of COVID- 19. • Mr. Biden, however, did not revoke a Trump administration pause on H1-B (skilled worker), L (intra-company transfer) and several other work and exchange visitor visa categories that went into effect on June 24, 2020. • H1-B visas are predominantly granted to workers in the IT sector, and most of these visas — over 70% — have gone to Indian citizens in recent years.

What are H-1B, H-2B, L and other work visas? • In order to fill a vacuum of highly-skilled low-cost employees in IT and other related domains, the US administration issues a certain number of visas each year which allows companies from outside the US to send employees to work on client sites. 1. H-1B: Person is Specialty Occupation: To work in a specialty occupation. Requires a higher education degree of its equivalent. 2. L1 visas allows companies to transfer highly skilled workers to US for a period of up to seven years.

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3. H-2B visas allow food and agricultural workers to seek employment in the US. 4. J-1 Visas: It is for students on work-study summer programmes. • Why has Columbia granted temporary legal status to Venezuelans?

Context: Columbian President Iván Duque recently announced that Venezuelans will have temporary protected status for the next ten years in what is being called a ―historic‖ decision. The temporary protection statute is for those Venezuelan migrants who are fleeing dictatorship in their country. • The decision covers more than 1.7 million Venezuelans who have fled to Columbia in the last few years.

Why are Venezuelans fleeing their country? • Venezuela is engulfed in a political crisis with two rival politicians claiming to be the country's legitimate leader. • Venezuela is currently under the authoritarian rule of President Maduro, who belongs to the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. • After completing his first term, Maduro began his second term in January 2019, which is seen by many Venezuelans and members of the international community as illegitimate. • The country had also slipped into an economic crisis and entered recession in 2014. • After the economic collapse, the crime rate in the country doubled and inflation multiplied in a situation that was made worse by Western sanctions.

Role of the US: • Maduro has blamed the US sanctions on Venezuela‘s state oil company and government for the economic problems that the country is currently riddled with, which include hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages and electricity blackouts. Maduro has also accused the US of trying to rule the country from afar. • Background: According to UN estimates, over 90 per cent of the country was living in poverty in April 2019 and an estimated 4.8 million Venezuelans have fled the country for other places in Latin America and for the Caribbean countries as of February 2020.

POLAR VORTEX THREATENS TO SEND US, EUROPE INTO DEEP FREEZE. What is a polar vortex? • Essentially a low-pressure area, it is a wide expanse of swirling cold air surrounding both polar regions. The counterclockwise flow of air helps keep the colder air near the poles. ―Polar vortexes are not something new. The term ‗polar vortex‘ has only recently been popularised, bringing attention to a weather feature that has always been present… However, when we feel extremely cold air from the Arctic regions at Earth‘s surface, it is sometimes associated with the polar vortex,‖ the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains on its website.

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So, when does the polar vortex cause extreme cold? • In winter, the polar vortex sometimes becomes less stable and expands. ―Many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the [north] polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with the jet stream,‖ NOAA explains. This is called a polar vortex event, defined by NOAA‘s SciJinks as the ―breaking off‖ of a part of the vortex. Normally, when the vortex is strong and healthy, it helps keep a current of air known as the jet stream traveling around the globe in a pretty circular path. This current keeps the cold air up north and the warm air down south,‖ NOAA says. ―But without that strong low-pressure system, the jet stream doesn‘t have much to keep it in line. It becomes wavy and rambling. Put a couple of areas of high-pressure systems in its way, and all of a sudden you have a river of cold air being pushed down south along with the rest of the polar vortex system.‖

Is all cold weather the result of a polar vortex event? • No. Though the polar vortex is always ―hanging out‖ up North, it takes pretty ―unusual conditions‖ for it to ―weaken‖ for it to migrate far south, NOAA explains. It is not confined to the US either. ―Portions of Europe and Asia also experience cold surges connected to the polar vortex. By itself, the only danger to humans is the magnitude of how cold temperatures will get when the polar vortex expands, sending Arctic air southward into areas that are not typically that cold,‖ it states.

GULF LEADERS SIGN DEAL TO END YEARS-LONG DISPUTE. Riyadh-Doha break • In 2017, Saudi Arabia led an Arab transport blockade against Qatar, ostensibly to punish Doha for its ties with radical Islamist groups. The bigger motivation probably was to pressure Qatar into reducing diplomatic and economic relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia‘s great rival in the region. • Coalition countries put 13 demands as conditions to resume relations, including shutting news organisations such as Al Jazeera, closing a Turkish military base in the country, and downgrading ties with Tehran. Qatar called the embargo a violation of international laws and instead, strengthened ties with Iran and Turkey. Importantly, Gulf Co-operation Council members Kuwait and Oman broke ranks with the Saudi group, and Kuwait sought to assume the role of mediator between the coalition and Qatar. Qatar in the Middle East Over the last four decades, Qatar has gone from being one of the poorest Gulf states to one of the wealthiest — the presence of large gas reserves contributing significantly in helping it to become an influential player in the region‘s politics. Qatar has also used its wealth and influence on the wider global stage. • Qatar shares a huge gas field with Iran, which is an incentive for it to retain good relations with the Shiite regime in Tehran. This is a strong irritant for Sunni Saudi Arabia, which seeks to control the geopolitics of the Middle East. Qatar‘s support for the Palestinian Hamas in Gaza, Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and Islamist groups in Syria are also major areas of contention. Qatar has denied backing al-Qaeda and Islamic State, however. Breakthrough in crisis united states president donald trump had expressed support for the saudi-led

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embargo, and called qatar a ―funder of terror‖. This was surprising given Qatar‘s close ties with the US and its allies, and the fact that the country hosts a massive American military facility at the al-Udeid air base. Trump did an about-turn in 2018, however, and praised Qatar‘s efforts to combat terrorism. • The breakthrough came in late 2020, the result of sustained Kuwaiti mediation efforts and intensified US pressure on the Gulf coalition. Trump‘s senior advisor Jared Kushner visited Saudi and Qatar in December. Kushner was among the senior US officials present at the GCC summit in al-Ula this week.

GLOBAL HOUSING TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE • The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India has conceptualized a Global Housing Technology Challenge - India (GHTC- India) which aims to identify and mainstream a basket of innovative technologies from across the globe that are sustainable and disaster- resilient. Such technologies would be cost effective, speedier and ensure a higher quality of construction of houses, meeting diverse geo-climatic conditions and desired functional needs. The GHTC-India platform aspires to provide an eco-system for the adoption of innovative technologies in the housing construction sector in a holistic manner. Lighthouse projects are envisaged that will be built using these innovative technologies and further support will be provided to upcoming domestic technologies to foster an environment of research and development. • Conceptualised through extensive consultations with various stakeholders, GHTC-India leverages the scale and successes of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) and its Technology Sub-Mission. It furthers the transformative vision of the Hon‘ble Prime Minister and his belief in technological advances to rapidly deliver low-cost housing that meets stringent environmental, societal, quality and economic standards. To enable a technology transition, GHTC-India will encourage participation from across the ffordable urban housing and construction sectors, such as technology providers, researchers, start-ups, developers, academia, public sector agencies, and civil society organizations.

GHTC-India has following three components: • Component 1 - Conduct of EXPO-Cum-Conference • Component 2 - Identifying Proven Demonstrable Technologies :Inducting suitable established technologies from across the globe to the Indian market through shortlisting and actual construction of Light House Projects • Component 3 - Establishment of Affordable Sustainable Housing Accelerators India (ASHA- India) for Indian technologies which have potential but not market ready yet. These technologies will be provided required support for development through Incubation Centres or field level application through Accelerator Workshops. • Sates/ UTs are expected to actively participate in this initiative of the Govt. of India. States/UTs are encouraged to be a part of this Challenge and come forward with suitable land ,as prescribed for Light House project and avail this unique opportunity to introduce

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new proven Technology in their State. States / UTs may apply in the prescribe proforma to participate in the Light House project.

GLOBAL ALLIANCE FOR VACCINES AND IMMUNISATION (GAVI). Why in news? • Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has been nominated by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) as a member on the GAVI Board. • Dr. Harsh Vardhan will be representing the South East Area Regional Office (SEARO)/ Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) constituency on the GAVI Board.

GAVI Board: • The GAVI Board is responsible for strategic direction and policymaking, oversees the operations of the Vaccine Alliance and monitors programme implementation. • With membership drawn from a range of partner organisations, as well as experts from the private sector, the Board provides a forum for balanced strategic decision making, innovation and partner collaboration.

What is GAVI? • Created in 2000, Gavi is an international organisation – a global Vaccine Alliance, bringing together public and private sectors with the shared goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the world‘s poorest countries.

Members: • Gavi brings together developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry in both industrialised and developing countries, research and technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private philanthropists.

Main activities: • GAVI‘s strategy supports its mission to save children‘s lives and protect people‘s health by increasing access to immunisation in poor countries. • It contributes to achieving the United Nations‘ Millennium Development Goals by focusing on performance, outcomes and results.

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• Its partners provide funding for vaccines and intellectual resources for care advancement. • They contribute, also, to strengthening the capacity of the health system to deliver immunisation and other health services in a sustainable manner.

ASEAN DEFENCE MINISTERS‘ MEETING PLUS (ADMM-PLUS): Why in news? • The 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Plus was held virtually recently.

About ADMM- Plus: • Consistent with the ADMM guiding principles of open and outward looking, the 2nd ADMM in Singapore in 2007 adopted the Concept Paper to establish the ADMM-Plus. • The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region. • Eight Dialogue Partners are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the USA (collectively referred to as the ―Plus Countries‖). • Agreed five areas of practical cooperation under this mechanism are: • Maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping operations and military medicine. • In 2013, a new priority area of humanitarian mine action was agreed.

WHAT IS THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT FRANCE‘S NEW SECURITY LAW? Why in news? • France government introduced a controversial security bill in parliament that seeks to provide greater powers and protections for police officers.

Controversial provisions: • Enabling the police to organise ground and air mass surveillance, while at the same time restricting the filming of police officers. • Articles 21 and 22 of the proposed ―global security‖ law allow the police and the gendarmes (paramilitary forces) to use body cameras and drones to film citizens, and allow the recorded footage to be live streamed to the command post. • Article 24 penalises publishing ―the image of the face or any other element of identification‖ of a police or paramilitary official who is acting in ―a police operation‖, if the dissemination is done with ―the intent of harming their physical or mental integrity‖.

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What have the bill‘s supporters said? • The government has insisted that it does not intend to target press freedoms, and that the new law is aimed at protecting police officers and their families from online trolling and harassment when off duty.

What are the opponents of the new law saying? • Article 24 would make it harder to cover public events and record instances of police violence, thus making it more difficult to hold officers accountable.

NRIS‘ - VOTE BY POST Why in News? • The Election Commission has named a few countries where it would like to have postal voting introduced for NRIs on a pilot basis. • The proposal may get implemented first for voters based in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Germany, France, and South Africa.

Background: • On November 27, the Election Commission of India (ECI) wrote to the Law Ministry, proposing to extend the facility of postal ballots to (eligible) overseas, non-resident Indians (NRIs) for the Assembly elections in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal in 2021. • The ECI proposed amending the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, in order to allow this facility. The postal ballots will be sent to NRIs electronically and they will send these ballots after choosing their candidate via post. • This partially electronic facility is now available for service voters (being a member of the armed Forces of the Union; or a member of a force to which provisions of the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950), have been made applicable whether with or without modification; a member of an Armed Police Force of a State, and serving outside that State; or a person who is employed under the Government of India, in a post outside India) and is being sought to be extended to overseas NRI voters. The Law Ministry is yet to respond to the proposal.

What is the current strength of NRI voters? • According to a UN report of 2015, India‘s diaspora population is the largest in the world at 16 million people. • Registration of NRI voters, in comparison, has been very low: a little over 1 lakh overseas Indians registered as voters in India, according to the EC. • In last year‘s Lok Sabha elections, roughly 25,000 of them flew to India to vote. • Out of 1.18 lakh NRI voters, the largest number — about 89,000 — are registered to vote in Kerala. The second-largest cohort (roughly 7,500) are registered in Andhra Pradesh.

What is the reason behind the EC leaving out the Gulf countries?

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• Holding a democratic exercise, involving voters queuing outside Indian Missions and Embassies, in non-democratic countries will require permissions, and the host nation may not approve. Given these concerns, the EC, for now, hasn‘t included Gulf countries in its proposed pilot.

How can overseas voters currently vote in Indian elections? • Prior to 2010, an Indian citizen who is an eligible voter and was residing abroad for more than six months owing to employment, education or otherwise, would not have been able to vote in elections. • This was because the NRI‘s name was deleted from electoral rolls if he or she stayed outside the country for more than six months at a stretch. • After the passing of the Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2010, eligible NRIs who had stayed abroad beyond six months have been enabled to vote, but only in person at the polling station where they have been enrolled as an overseas elector. • Just as any resident Indian citizen above the age of 18 years (having attained it on the first day of January of the year of revision of electoral rolls for the State) is eligible to vote in the constituency where she/he is a resident, overseas Indian citizens are also eligible to do so. • In the case of overseas voters, their address mentioned in the passport is taken as the place of ordinary residence and chosen as the constituency for the overseas voter to enrol in.

Are postal ballots a viable means of voting? • The ETPBS method allowed for greater turnout among service voters in the 2019 Lok Sabha election. • With increasing mobility of citizens across countries for reasons related to work, the postal ballot method has been recognised by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (an intergovernmental organisation that works to support democratic processes and institutions) as a means to allow overseas voters to exercise their right, subject to certain conditions normally related to the time spent abroad or the work carried out abroad. • Postal ballots were proven to be a secure and easy ways of registering the mandate in the presidential elections in the United States recently with many voters preferring to use this method due to the COVID-19 social distancing norms. • A postal ballot mechanism that allows for proper authentication of the ballot at designated consular/embassy offices and an effective postal system should ease this process for NRIs, but the rules must be clearly framed for eligibility on the basis of time spent away from the country.

If approved, how will voting by postal ballots work for NRIs? • The EC has proposed that any NRI interested in voting through the postal ballot in an election will have to inform the Returning Officer (RO) not later than five days after the notification of the election. • On receiving such information, the RO will dispatch the ballot paper electronically.

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• A designated officer in the Indian mission will download the ballot paper on the voter‘s behalf, and hand it over to the overseas elector. • The overseas elector can then mark her preference at the mission, get the self-declaration form attested by the designated officer, and hand back the ballot paper and declaration form in a sealed envelope to the mission. • The mission will then dispatch all the envelopes to the election officer concerned.

IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL Why in News? • Biden sets new demands for return to Iran nuclear deal. • Iran would have to address its ―malign‖ regional activities through proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen in the talks that would have to include its Arab neighbours like Saudi Arabia. • President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal in 2018 and has reimposed crippling sanctions on Iran as part of a ―maximum pressure‖ campaign against the US‘s arch enemy.

Why is the West concerned? • Iran‘s decision to begin enriching to 20% purity a decade ago nearly triggered an Israeli strike targeting its nuclear facilities, tensions that only abated with the 2015 atomic deal. • A resumption of 20% enrichment could see that brinksmanship return as that level of purity is only a technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Background of nuclear deal with Iran • In 2015, the P5+1 nations-China, France, Russia, the U.K. and the U.S., plus Germany- reached an agreement with Iran to curb the country‘s nuclear programme. • It was expected that the agreement would lead to a new beginning in West Asia, however, this did not happen. • Washington saw Iran‘s nuclear programme, which was at an advanced stage in 2015, as a national security problem and tackled it via diplomacy. • However, for Israel and Saudi Arabia, Iran‘s nuclear programme was not the problem but was part of the larger geopolitical challenges Iran posed. • The problem was Iran itself: Tehran‘s influence across West Asia, its backing for non-state militias, and its ambition to emerge as a dominant pillar in the region. • The Donald Trump administration took an entirely different line towards Iran. • It pulled the U.S. out of the nuclear deal, despite United Nations certification that Iran was compliant with its terms, and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

What will Iran get in return? • Iran will receive relief from U.S., European Union, and United Nations Security Council nuclear-related sanctions.

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Reason behind the US decision to withdraw from Nuclear deal: • Mr. Trump‘s decision is not about Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. If it was the actual concern, it would have supported a deal that closes the path towards nuclear weapons for Iran. • Instead, the bigger concern for Mr. Trump as well as Washington‘s closest allies in West Asia — Israel and Saudi Arabia — is Iran‘s re-accommodation in the global economic mainstream. • They fear that if Iran‘s economic profile rises, it will embolden it to increase its regional presence, posing a strategic threat to the interests of the U.S.-Saudi-Israel axis.

How does it affect India? • The reintroduction of sanctions against Iran is bad news. Iran is now India‘s third largest source of oil. • Apart from supply disruptions, a further surge in crude prices will worsen India‘s current account imbalance and fuel inflation, at a time when the economy is just beginning to show signs of returning to a high growth trajectory. • For global corporations too, there will be considerable pain. For example, there are said to be around 200 French companies operating in Iran and some like Renault have plants there. They will now have a 90-day period to wind down operations. • India‘s Chabahar port project in Iran, which was just showing signs of moving forward, could be in trouble.

India‘s reluctance with Iran • Looking at the whole aspects of relations, when it comes to politics, there has been a great common understanding and shared interests. • But when it comes to economic and trade relations, it has been subject to some limits and restrictions, which are hampered by the various sanctions imposed. • The US had put pressure directly or indirectly on the relations, although that has not been the will of both sides.

Conclusion: • US-Iran ties have continued to worsen since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and imposed crippling sanctions on Iran. • Relations between the two countries first became acrimonious during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which brought Iran‘s pro-West monarchy to an end, and replaced it with an Islamic Republic

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QUAD IS U.S. ANTI-CHINA GAME: RUSSIA: Context: Russia has called the four-nation quadrilateral strategic dialogue or Quad as a “devious policy” by western powers to engage India in “anti-China games”.

What's the issue? • It expressed concerns about the U.S. Indo-Pacific policy and criticised the Quad. Also, for the first time it has suggested that India-Russia ties could be affected by it.

What are Russia's concerns? • India has become an object of the western countries’ persistent, aggressive and devious policy as they are trying to engage it in anti-China games by promoting Indo-Pacific strategies, the so- called “Quad”. • At the same time the West is attempting to undermine Russia's close partnership and privileged relations with India. This is the goal of the U.S.’s very tough pressure on New Delhi in the MTC [military and technical cooperation] area. • The incoming Biden administration is also expected to press harder on India against its purchase of the S-400 anti-missile system from Russia, which could attract U.S. sanctions. • Overall, the U.S. and European countries are trying to “restore” the unipolar model with U.S. leadership.

What is Quad grouping? • The quadrilateral security dialogue includes Japan, India, United States and Australia. • All four nations find a common ground of being the democratic nations and common interests of unhindered maritime trade and security.

Genesis: • The grouping traces its genesis to 2004 when the four countries came together to coordinate relief operations in the aftermath of the tsunami. • It then met for the first time in 2007 on the sidelines of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. • The intention was to enhance maritime cooperation between the four nations.

Significance of the grouping: • Quad is an opportunity for like-minded countries to share notes and collaborate on projects of mutual interest. • Members share a vision of an open and free Indo-Pacific. Each is involved in development and economic projects as well as in promoting maritime domain awareness and maritime security. • It is one of the many avenues for interaction among India, Australia, Japan and the US and should not be seen in an exclusive context.

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What are China’s views on the Quad? • There is a general understanding that the Quad would not take on a military dimension against any country. The strategic community in China, nevertheless, had branded it an emerging “Asian NATO”. Notably, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe’s “Confluence of Two Seas” address to the Indian Parliament gave a fresh impetus to the Quad concept. This recognised the economic rise of India.

Why there is a need for formalisation? • Despite renewed efforts, the QUAD has faced criticism over its lack of formal structure. There have been calls for institutionalisation, a formal agreement to transform the group into a formidable anti-China bloc. A lot has changed over the years. Each member state has faced the heat of China’s increased aggression. o China has grown in might and influence and is keen on picking up fights. o After attempting to influence Australia’s domestic policies, it slapped punitive tariffs on the country. o It is engaged in what has become a routine border confrontation with India. o China has flared up territorial disputes with Japan with regards to the Senkaku Islands and is battling a fully-fledged trade war with the United States.

U.S., China dominate arms market: report: Context: • Stockholm International Peace Research Institute has released a report on arms market across the world. Key findings: • The U.S. arms industry accounted for 61% of sales by the world‘s ―Top 25‖ manufacturers last year, ahead of China‘s 15.7%. • Total sales by the ―Top 25‖ rose by 8.5% to $361 billion, or 50 times the annual budget of the UN‘s peacekeeping operations. • China and the United States are the two biggest states in terms of global arms spending. • For the first time, a company from the West Asia made it into the ―Top 25‖: EDGE, of the United Arab Emirates, was formed by the consolidation of some 25 defence entities in 2019.

What is SIPRI? • Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) established in 1966 is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. • Based in Stockholm the Institute provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.

WHAT IS THE S-400 DEAL? WHY IS INDIA CAUTIOUS AS US SANCTIONS TURKEY? Context: • The United States has imposed sanctions (Under CAATSA) on Turkey over Ankara‘s acquisition of Russian S-400 air defence systems.

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• What is the S-400 air defence missile system? Why does India need it? • The S-400 Triumf is a mobile, surface-to-air missile system (SAM) designed by Russia. • It is the most dangerous operationally deployed modern long-range SAM (MLR SAM) in the world, considered much ahead of the US-developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD). • India‘s acquisition is crucial to counter attacks in a two-front war, including even high-end F-35 US fighter aircraft.

What is CAATSA, and how did the S-400 deal fall foul of this Act? • Countering America‘s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA)'s core objective is to counter Iran, Russia and North Korea through punitive measures. • The Act primarily deals with sanctions on Russian interests such as its oil and gas industry, defence and security sector, and financial institutions, in the backdrop of its military intervention in Ukraine and its alleged meddling in the 2016 US Presidential elections.

But why does the US have a law like CAATSA to begin with? • Following the US elections and allegations of Russian meddling some call it collusion in the US elections, the strain between Washington and Moscow has reached a new level. • Angry with Moscow‘s actions around the world, US lawmakers are hoping to hit Russia where it hurts most, its defense and energy business, through CAATSA. • And what does it mean for India‘s defence landscape? • As per the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Arms Transfer Database, during the period 2010-17, Russia was the top arms supplier to India. • Most of India‘s weapons are of Soviet/Russian origin – nuclear submarine INS Chakra, the Kilo-class conventional submarine, the supersonic Brahmos cruise missile, the MiG 21/27/29 and Su-30 MKI fighters, IL-76/78 transport planes, T-72 and T-90 tanks, Mi- series of helicopters, and Vikramaditya aircraft carrier • Therefore, CAATSA impacts Indo-US ties and dents the image of the US as a reliable partner. While India has got a waiver from the outgoing Trump administration on the S-400 air defence system, Delhi hopes that the incoming Biden administration would not work towards reversing the decision.

US CONGRESS PASSES TIBETAN POLICY AND SUPPORT ACT: Context: • The legislation was recently passed.

Highlights of the new law: • It reaffirms the rights of the Tibetan Buddhists to choose the next incarnation of the Dalai Lama without any interference of China. • The legislation will empower the US Government to impose sanctions on the Chinese Government officials, who might try to interfere in the process of selecting the next incarnation of the Dalai Lama, just as they had done in case of Panchen Lama.

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• It also acknowledged the legitimacy of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile elected by the exiled community as well as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). • It seeks to introduce key provisions aimed at protecting the environment and water resources on the Tibetan Plateau. Response: It has been hailed by the Tibetans, who were concerned over the possibility of the Chinese Government making an attempt to install someone loyal to it as the 15th Dalai Lama after the death of the incumbent and use him as a puppet to fizzle out the global campaign against its occupation of Tibet. Background: The incumbent and the 14th Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India ever since his 1959 escape from Tibet, which had been occupied by the Chinese People‘s Liberation Army (PLA) in 1950-51. • He has been leading the movement for ―genuine autonomy‖ for Tibet and the Tibetans. • But, the speculation is rife over the fate of the movement beyond his lifetime. About the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE): The Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile (TPiE) has its headquarters in Dharamsala, in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. • The 16th TPiE had 45 members: • 10 representatives from each of the traditional provinces of Tibetan – U-Tsang, Dhotoe and Dhomey; • Two from each of the four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and the pre-Buddhist Bon religion; • Two representing each of the Tibetan Communities in North America and Europe. • One from Australasia and Asia (excluding India, Nepal and Bhutan). What does the Tibetan Constitution say? The Central Tibetan Administration exists and functions on the basis of the Constitution of the Tibetan government called ‗The Charter of the Tibetans in Exile‘. • In 1991, The Constitution Redrafting Committee instituted by the Dalai Lama prepared the Charter for Tibetans in exile. • The Dalai Lama approved it on June 28, 1991.

What is Kashag? • The Kashag (Cabinet) is Central Tibetan Administration‘s highest executive office and comprise seven members.

WHAT IS EXTINCTION REBELLION? What is the News? • Delhi Police have named environmental activists Disha Ravi, Nikita Jacob, and Shantanu Muluk, in its report. These activists were volunteers of the ―Extinction Rebellion‖ movement. It seeks to call attention to the climate change emergency. Extinction Rebellion • It was launched in the United Kingdom in 2018 as a response to a report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). • Purpose: The movement describes itself as a decentralized, international, and politically non-partisan movement. It uses non-violent direct action and civil disobedience to persuade governments to act on the Climate and Ecological Emergency.

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• Logo: The logo of the movement is an ‗X‘ with the top and bottom cross. It resembles an hourglass which stands for a warning that time is running out for many species. The extinction(X) hourglass is placed within a circle that represents the planet Earth. • Core Demands: The group has three core demands: The Government should ―Tell the Truth‖, ―Act Now‖ and ―Go Beyond Politics‖. By that, it confronts the climate and ecological emergency that the world is facing.

COMPREHENSIVE ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT(CECPA)

BETWEEN INDIA AND MAURITIUS: What is the News? • Union Cabinet has approved a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement(CECPA) with Mauritius.

What is CECPA? • It is a kind of free trade pact that aims to provide an institutional mechanism to encourage and improve trade between the two countries. • Under this agreement, countries cut or eliminate the duties on the products. The countries also liberalize the norms to promote the services trade.

Key Features of India - Mauritius CECPA • It is a limited agreement that will cover only select sectors. The agreement covers Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Trade in Services, Technical Barriers to Trade(TBT). Further, the agreement also covers Sanitary and Phytosanitary(SPS) measures, Dispute Settlement, Movement of Natural Persons, Telecom, Customs Procedures and Cooperation. • The two countries have also agreed to negotiate an Automatic Trigger Safeguard Mechanism(ATSM). They will negotiate on ATSM for a limited number of highly sensitive products within two years of the Signing of the Agreement.

What is Automatic Trigger Safeguard Mechanism(ATSM)? • It is a special safeguards mechanism included in the agreement. This will protect the country from any sudden or dramatic increase in imports. Under this mechanism, If the imports of a product are rising alarmingly, then after reaching a certain threshold, India can impose safeguard duties on imports from Mauritius automatically. The same provision applies to Mauritius as well against Indian imports.

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