CNA 12 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Saudi Arabia’s quest for strategic autonomy POLITY & GOVERNANCE 1. Data Protection Bill in Monsoon Session C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNAL SECURITY 1. Punjab — beware the Ides of March INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND POLITY 1. Building safeguards F. Prelims Facts 1. Indian DefSpace Symposium 2. The 17th Lok Sabha is likely to be the shortest since 1952 G. Tidbits 1. IMD predicts ‘normal’ monsoon as El Nino effect looms large this year 2. Govt. unveils Quality Control Orders for technical textiles 3. India set to grow by 5.9% this fiscal: IMF H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Saudi Arabia’s quest for strategic autonomy
Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries
Mains: Understanding the shift in Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy, the rationale behind and its implications.
Context
Saudi Arabia is following a course correction and looking to autonomise its foreign policy by reaching out to old rivals and enemies and also by seeking to balance between great powers.
Saudi’s changing foreign policy
Image Source: The Hindu
- Traditionally, Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy has been hostile towards Iran. This had led to proxy conflicts across the West Asian region. The instances of proxy conflicts include:
- In Syria, which is said to be Iran’s only ally in West Asia, Saudi collaborated with its Gulf allies and Turkey along with the West supported a rebellion against President Bashar al Assad.
- Also in Yemen, when its capital Sana’a was taken over by the Iran-backed Shia Houthi rebels in 2014, the Saudis resorted to a bombing campaign.
- Further, one of the major demands made by the Saudis to Qatar while imposing a blockade in 2017 was to cut its ties with Iran.
- Despite the traditional hostility, Saudi Arabia, in March 2023 announced the efforts to normalise diplomatic relations with Iran which were mediated by China.
- Post the announcement of the Saudi-Iran detente, reports have now claimed that Russia is mediating talks between Saudi Arabia and Syria.
- These talks could result in Syria re-entering the Arab League before its next summit which will be held in May 2023 in Saudi Arabia.
- Most recently, a Saudi-Omani delegation reached Yemen to hold discussions with the Houthi rebels for bringing about a permanent ceasefire.
- These latest moves by Saudi Arabia indicate a significant shift in the policy adopted by Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman.
- Saudi’s foreign policy is undergoing a change as aggressiveness is being replaced by diplomacy and loyal alliances are being kept aside for pragmatic realignments.
- Furthermore, the change in Saudi’s foreign policy is taking place at a time when Saudi is also trying to balance between the U.S. (Saudi’s largest arms supplier), Russia, (Saudi’s OPEC-Plus partner) and China (the rising superpower in the region).
Rationale behind Saudi’s changing foreign policy
- Experts feel that these changes do not mean that the relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran are undergoing a structural transformation as Iran is expected to continue to drive Saudi Arabia’s security and strategic concerns.
- However, Saudi’s response to the challenges imposed by Iran is changing from strategic rivalry and proxy conflicts to tactical de-escalation and mutual coexistence.
- There exists a wide range of factors that have influenced the change in Saudi’s attitude, they are:
- Recent unsuccessful ventures by Saudi Arabia.
- In Syria, President Bashar al Assad, who was supported by Russia and Iran, won the civil war.
- Also in Yemen, the Saudi-led interventions have failed to oust the Houthi rebels from Sana’a and now the Houthis using their drones and short-range missiles pose a serious security threat to Saudi itself.
- The change in the priority of the U.S., away from West Asia. The U.S. has been Saudi’s most important security partner and this change in U.S.’s priority has forced Saudi to establish closer ties with Iran.
For more information about the “Saudi-Iran detente”, refer to the following article:
UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis dated 14 Mar 2023
Balancing act of Saudi
Image Source: The Hindu
- With the U.S.: The U.S. is still the largest defence supplier for Saudi.
- Saudi Arabia is also looking to enhance its advanced missile and drone capabilities to counter Iran’s advancements in these areas with help of the U.S.
- Saudi Arabia has ordered Boeing aircraft worth $35 billion and has involved itself in conditional talks with the U.S. on normalising ties with Israel.
- However, Saudi has now realised that the U.S.’s deprioritisation of West Asia would alter the post-War order of the region and is trying to use the vacuum created by the U.S.’s deprioritisation to autonomise its foreign policy.
- With Russia: Unlike the other Western allies of the U.S. Saudi Arabia has not imposed any sanctions on Russia.
- Despite concerns from the West, Saudi Arabia has collaborated with Russia to bring about oil production cuts twice since the start of the war in Ukraine.
- This move to keep the prices high would benefit both Russia as well as Saudi Arabia as the kingdom is currently undertaking large infrastructure projects to transform its economy.
- With China: At the same time, Saudi has developed deeper trade and defence ties with China.
- Furthermore, the Saudi and Iran reconciliation deal was mediated by China.
Implications for the region
- If the normalisation of ties and the following negotiations result in Syria rejoining the Arab League, it would be seen as a victory for President Bashar al Assad in the civil war and will also help improve the relationship between Damascus and other Arab capitals.
- Similarly, if the Saudis end the war in Yemen by holding talks with the Houthis, Saudi Arabia will have a peaceful border while Iran could also retain its existing influence in the region.
- However, the path ahead may not be smooth which has been evident in the recent escalation in the Israel and Palestine conflict and the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran.
- It is also important for Saudi Arabia to continue its course of autonomy without irking or damaging its relations with the U.S. and the West.
- In post-War West Asia, the U.S. had been the mediator or broker for most of the major realignments which includes the Suez War and the Abraham Accords.
- However, there has been a change as now China and Russia are mediating realignments successfully.
- Further, with Saudi Arabia looking to build its own autonomy, the U.S., despite having a significant military presence in the region, is now being reduced to a spectator.
Nut graf: Saudi Arabia, which had traditionally adopted an aggressive foreign policy is now looking for a course correction by trying to engage with its rival nations, trying to balance between great powers and autonomise its foreign policy. These actions are expected to change the security dynamics and bring about peace and stability in the Gulf region.
1. Data Protection Bill in Monsoon Session
Syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Prelims: About the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022
Mains: Important provisions and critical evaluation of Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022
Context
The Union government has told the Supreme Court that the new Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022 was ready and would be tabled in the Monsoon Session.
Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2022
Image Source: The Hindu
- The key objective of the new Bill is to enforce individual privacy in the online space.
- The new Bill, if enacted, would replace the existing Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, notified in 2011.
- The new Bill defines “Data” as a “representation of information, facts, concepts, opinions or instructions in a manner suitable for communication, interpretation or processing by humans or by automated means”.
- According to the Bill:
- Data principal is an individual to whom the personal data is related to.
- Data fiduciary is an individual who determines the purpose and means of the processing of personal data.
- Data processor is a person who processes personal data on behalf of a data fiduciary.
For more information on the new “Data Protection Bill”, refer to the following article:
UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis dated 19 Nov 2022
Also read: Sansad TV Perspective: Digital Personal Data Protection Bill
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. Punjab — beware the Ides of March
Syllabus: GS-3, Challenges to Internal Security.
Mains: Khalistani Movement.
Context: The emergence of the extremist tendency among certain sections of Sikhs.
Details:
- In areas of the world where a sizeable concentration of Sikh diaspora exists, signs of radicalist threats have started appearing.
- The emergence of self-styled Sikh extremist preacher, Amritpal Singh, points to something that has deeper roots.
- The resemblance of the preacher to that of Bhindranwale is currently limited to style and lacks substance. However, his actions are attracting extremist fringe among the Sikh youth including the Sikh diaspora in countries like Canada, Australia, the U.K., and the U.S.
- It should be noted that the inner circle of the Bhindranwale coterie has clarified that “there is no successor to Bhindranwale as yet”.
- It is found that the ‘core group’ of Amritpal Singh has established links with pro-Khalistan groups like the Babbar Khalsa, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF).
Associated Concerns:
- India is one of the most populous countries with different religions and almost all segments have felt neglected or discriminated against at some point.
- It is argued that the existing security dispensation has not learned lessons from previous experience. For instance, in 1984, the development of the Bhindranwale phenomenon was not sudden and incidents like damage to Akal Takht and Operation Blue Star could have been avoided.
- It should be noted that the arrest of Amritpal Singh would just be the first step. The major challenge would be to deal with his coterie.
- The linkage of all happenings with ‘foreign conspiracy’ results in ignoring the deeper underpinnings.
- Another concern is that intelligence analysis is given low priority.
- The farmers’ protests (January 2021) despite being an agrarian protest, carried signs of self-determination.
- The police force was not alerted despite an attack at a police station (Ajnala, near the Pakistan border).
Way Ahead:
- The information should be carefully assessed and analyzed before being projected to policymakers.
- The central and state intelligence agencies should not miss signs of growing insecurity among the Sikh population and discontent among the Sikh peasantry due to deteriorating economic conditions.
- The information should also be shared with friendly intelligence agencies abroad, particularly in countries with a larger Sikh population.
- The farmers’ agitation against the farm laws (January 2021) should be revisited to determine the other factors that led to protest and violence.
- There is a need to introspect about the signs of the revival of the idea of Khalistan within the country.
- Instead of strong-arm methods, the government and its agencies should handle the matter tactfully.
- It should also address the issue of ‘fake news’ both within and outside the country.
- India should convince the world about the true nature of the radicalist Khalistan threat, and its close association with terrorist groups.
- Moreover, India should avoid criticizing foreign governments for violent events in their country.
Conclusion:
India should steer between the extremes of right and left and ensure greater unity giving due respect to individual dignity and human progress.
Also read: Khalistan Movement, Origins, Current Situation
Nut Graf: The threat of radicalized forces in Punjab has increased in the past few months. India should learn from past experience and understand its true cause instead of resorting to strong-arm measures.
Category: INDIAN CONSTITUTION AND POLITY
Syllabus: GS-2, Indian Constitution and its features.
Mains: Preventive Detention and associated concerns.
Prelims: Preventive Detention.
Details:
- The Supreme Court (SC) of India observed that preventive detention laws are a colonial legacy and confer arbitrary powers on the state.
- The SC and High Courts (HC) of India on multiple occasions have denounced the Executive’s failure to adhere to procedural safeguards while dealing with the rights of detainees.
Concerns associated with Preventive Detention:
- Though detentions are set aside on technical grounds, the actual relief that detainees gain is insubstantial.
- Moreover, the detention orders are quashed after several months. In some cases, the decision comes after the expiry of the full detention period.
- In preventive detention cases, courts usually examine adherence to procedural safeguards. It rarely scrutinizes the reason behind the detention.
Facts about Preventive Detention
- Most of the detentions are ultimately set aside due to the following reasons:
- Unexplained delay in the disposal of representations submitted by the detainees.
- Failure or delay in providing proper grounds for detention.
- Other less common reasons are:
- Illegible copies of documents.
- Invocation of detention for trivial reasons.
- Tamil Nadu tops the list in the number of preventive detention cases in the period 2011-2021.
- The law is misused across the country as it allows to detain suspects for a year and prevents them from obtaining bail.
Conclusion
- Though preventive detention is allowed by the Constitution, the government should ensure efficient policing and speedy trials to curb crimes.
- The government should not misuse the law for unfettered power and discretion.
Also read: Right to Freedom (Articles 19 – 22)
Nut Graf: The Supreme Court has raised concerns about the misuse of preventive detention by the executive. The concerns associated with it should be addressed by the legislature in a timely manner.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS-3; Security
Prelims: About Indian DefSpace Symposium and Indian Space Association (ISpA)
Context
Indian Space Association (ISpA) has organised the “Indian DefSpace Symposium 2023” in association with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Details
- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan during the Indian DefSpace Symposium 2023 said that the nature of warfare is changing and we are witnessing the militarisation of space and steady progress towards weaponisation.
- He further added that “the aim should be towards developing dual-use platforms with a special focus towards incorporating cutting-edge technology and expanding NAVIC constellation to provide agile space-based Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and ensure secure satellite-assisted communications”.
Indian DefSpace Symposium
- Indian DefSpace Symposium is organised by the Indian Space Association (ISpA) in association with the DRDO.
- The Symposium aims to create a platform for all stakeholders who have a keen interest in boosting India’s military space capability and plans.
- The Symposium would provide a platform to bring together experts from multiple domains from the defence, DRDO, government sectors and industry professionals to discuss the latest trends and challenges in the field of defence.
- The key focus of the Symposium would be on delivering space domain awareness and satellite communications to enhance military operations, address related issues and develop a Defence Space Strategy in line with the National Space Strategy.
- Indian DefSpace Symposium 2023 is organised as a part of deliberations under “Mission Def-Space”, under which 75 challenges have been identified for development by the industry.
About Indian Space Association (ISpA)
- The Indian Space Association (ISpA) was set up in 2021.
- The Indian Space Association (ISpA) is an apex, non-profit industry body working towards the successful exploration, collaboration, and development of the private and public space industry in the country.
- ISpA undertakes policy advocacy, engages and operates with all stakeholders and acts as a catalyst for accelerating the exchange of knowledge on space-related domains.
Read more about – Indian Space Association (ISpA)
2. The 17th Lok Sabha is likely to be the shortest since 1952
Syllabus: GS-2, Polity and Governance
Prelims: Details about 17th Lok Sabha and Budget Session.
- The 17th Lok Sabha has functioned for only 230 days (till April 2023).
- It should be noted that the 16th Lok Sabha had the lowest number of sitting days (331) among all the full-term Lok Sabhas.
- The average number of sitting days in a year is 58. This highlights that the 17th Lok Sabha will not reach beyond 331 as only one year is remaining.
- The terms of the fourth, sixth, ninth, eleventh, and twelfth Lok Sabha were shorter than five years and thus the number of sittings was also less.
Image source: Business Standard
Budget Session 2023:
- In the Budget Session of 2023 (31st January to 6th April 2023) the Lok Sabha functioned for 33% of its scheduled time (46 hours) and the Rajya Sabha functioned for 24% (32 hours).
- In Lok Sabha, around 150 Bills were introduced and 131 Bills (excluding Finance and Appropriation Bills) were passed.
- It was the sixth shortest Budget session since 1952.
- The Question Hour functioned for 19% of the scheduled time in the Lok Sabha and 9% of the scheduled time in the Rajya Sabha.
- No private member bill was introduced or discussed either in the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
Also read: Devices of Parliamentary Proceedings
G. Tidbits
1. IMD predicts ‘normal’ monsoon as El Nino effect looms large this year
Image source: The Hindu
- As the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a 4% shortfall in the coming season, India’s four-year run of munificent summer monsoon rainfall is expected to end in 2023.
- IMD has categorised rainfall in the year 2023 as “normal”, it is — at 96% of the long period average (LPA) which is at the lowest end of the agency’s category of normal rainfall.
- The key reason for the shortfall in rainfall is linked to the development of El Nino, which is a phenomenon of warming in the central Pacific.
- All drought years in India have been El Nino years, but not all El Nino years have produced droughts.
- Since 2019, India has been under the influence of La Nina which is associated with the cooling in the central Pacific regions, and substantial rainfall in the Indian subcontinent.
- In recent years, the IMD has accorded greater emphasis on the “dynamical” monsoon forecast techniques which take into account the global atmospheric and ocean conditions to forecast climate conditions which are different from the traditionally adopted statistical approach.
2. Govt. unveils Quality Control Orders for technical textiles
- The Ministry of Textiles has announced two Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for 31 technical textile items which include 19 geo textile and 12 protective textile products.
- The latest QCO is the first-ever technical regulation for technical textile products in the country.
- In the next phase, the Ministry of Textiles is looking to issue two more QCOs for 28 items that aim to cover 22 agro textile products and six medical textile items.
- Recently Quality Control Orders (QCO) were introduced for fibres such as cotton, polyester and viscose which are the basic raw materials in the Indian textile industry.
For more information on this topic, refer to the following article:
UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis dated 31 Mar 2023
3. India set to grow by 5.9% this fiscal: IMF
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that India’s economy will grow by 5.9% for FY 2023-24.
- Further, the IMF has estimated a 6.3% economic growth rate for India for the next fiscal year.
- The growth numbers were announced as part of the “World Economic Outlook (WEO): A Rocky Recovery Report” unveiled at the start of the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings in Washington.
- The report also notes that a very strong economy is needed to allow India to continue to achieve higher living standards and create jobs.
- According to the IMF chief, the global economy is gradually recovering from the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, but at the same time, serious financial stability-related downside risks have emerged driven by high inflation.
- The IMF recommended the central banks remain steady with their anti-inflation measures and also adjust their policy instruments while extending targeted support for those impacted by the cost of living crisis.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. How many of the following statements are true about Mahatma Jyotiba Phule? (Level – Moderate)
- Mahatma Jyotiba Phule established the first girls’ school in India.
- Deenbandhu, a weekly Marathi newspaper was founded by him.
- He founded the Satyashodhak Samaj in 1873 to focus on the rights of women and backward castes.
Options:
- Only 1 statement
- Only 2 statements
- All 3 statements
- None of the statements
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule were social reformers who spearheaded the movement to emancipate women.
- As a result of their efforts, the first girls’ school in India was established in Pune in 1848.
- Statement 2 is not correct, Deenbandhu, a newspaper representing the masses of the Indian society (Bahujansamaj) was started by Krishnarao Pandurang Bhalekar.
- Krishnarao Pandurang Bhalekar was a close associate of the anti-caste social reformer, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule.
- Statement 3 is correct, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule founded the Satyashodhak Samaj (Truth Seekers’ Society) in 1873 to focus on the rights of women and backward castes.
Q2. What do you understand by the “National Credit Framework”? (Level – Moderate)
- It is a framework established by NABARD to provide credit to the micro-food processing industries.
- It is a model system by the IMF to assist member states regarding the means to manage their national debt.
- It is a framework by UGC to instruct schools and colleges regarding credit systems.
- It is a framework that the “Domestic Systemically Important Banks” need to follow to reduce their risk quotient.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- The National Credit Framework (NCrF) is a comprehensive framework encompassing elementary, school, higher, and vocational education & training, integrating the learning on three-axis i.e. academics, vocational skills and experiential learning including relevant experience and professional levels acquired.
- National Credit Framework (NCrF) has been jointly developed by UGC, AICTE, NCVET, NIOS, CBSE, NCERT, the Ministry of Education, DGT, and the Ministry of Skill Development.
- The National Credit Framework (NCrF) is an inclusive umbrella framework to integrate the credits earned through school education, higher education and vocational & skill education.
Q3. Identify the correct statements regarding the JUICE Mission: (Level–Easy)
- It is a NASA Mission that will be launched in April 2023.
- It aims to explore 3 of Jupiter’s moons to find if they have the right conditions for life.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) is a European Space Agency (ESA) mission.
- Statement 2 is correct, The JUICE Mission, will make detailed observations of the giant gas planet and its three large ocean-bearing moons namely Ganymede, Callisto and Europa to find if they have possible habitats to support life.
Q4. Which of the following water bodies surround Taiwan? (Level – Difficult)
- South China Sea
- Sea of Okhotsk
- East China Sea
- Philippine Sea
Options:
- 1, 2 and 3
- 2, 3 and 4
- 1, 3 and 4
- 1, 2 and 4
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
Image Source: Britannica Encyclopedia
Q5. In which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka? (Level – Difficult) [PYQ 2012]
- Kanganahalli
- Sanchi
- Shahbazgarhi
- Sohgaura
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- In 1993, a team of archaeologists surveyed Sannai in Karnataka and discovered a broken relief sculpture which had the emperor, his queen, and attendants engraved on a slab at the Kanaganahalli site.
- An inscription in Brahmi letter that read “Ranyo Ashoka” (Raja Ashoka) was seen alongside the stone picture of Ashoka.
- It is the first sculpture of Ashoka with his name engraved on it.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Preventive detention law, though constitutional, is often misused. Critically evaluate. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, Polity & Governance]
- What do you understand by the term ‘Data Protection’? Examine the evolution of the data protection legal landscape in India. (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-3, Security]
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 12 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
Comments