15 Apr 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 15 Apr 2022:-Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Red star over Solomon Islands
C. GS 3 Related
ENVIRONMENT
1. MPs’ panel lends voice against elephant trade
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INDIAN SOCIETY AND SOCIAL ISSUES
1. Is Hindi or English beneficial as the link language?
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. A window for inter-State collaboration, to breathe easy
ECONOMY
1. Growth pangs
F. Prelims Facts
1. El Nino and La Nina
2. Sovereign debt
3. Chennakeshava temple
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Key features of the proposed deal 

• The deal authorises China to send its “police, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces” to the islands upon the country’s request, or if China views that the safety of its projects and personnel in the islands are at risk.
• The deal also enables China’s naval vessels to use the islands for their logistics support. 
• There are speculations that China may build its next overseas naval base in the Solomon Islands after Djibouti (which also was initially regarded as a logistics support base).

Solomon Islands’ increasing proximity to China

• The Soloman islands became independent in 1978 as a constitutional monarchy under the British Crown, with a parliamentary system of government.
• Since then, the Islands shared close security relations with Australia, which is the first responder to any crisis in the South Pacific.
• The island country also had close relations with Taiwan, which came to an end with the current government in the country.
• China offered five hundred million U.S. dollars as financial aid, which was nearly five times that Taiwan spent on the islands in 20 years. 
• In 2019, the new government switched its ties with Taiwan to China. 
• It is also said by the pro-Taiwan Opposition that the current government has been bribed by China.
• The government has said that the ties with China are aimed at diversification of its security partnerships, focusing on its security dependence on Australia.

China’s Interests in Solomon Islands

• Taiwan Factor – The islands in the south pacific are countries where China has competition from Taiwan for diplomatic recognition.
  • China sees Taiwan as a breakaway province awaiting reunification, therefore any country that has relations with China will have to sever ties with Taiwan. 
  • The Solomon Islands was one among the six Pacific islands which had close ties with Taiwan. 
  • However, in 2019, the Solomon Islands, along with Kiribati have switched towards China. 
• Geopolitical interests – These Pacific island states act as potential means to mobilise support for the great powers in international organisations such as the United Nations.
• Maritime interests – These islands have large maritime Exclusive Economic Zones and these ‘small island states’ are also seen as ‘big ocean states’. 
• Access to resources – Solomon Islands have crucial reserves of timber and other mineral resources, along with fisheries. 
• Strategic interests – The strategic location of these pacific islands allows China to indulge itself between U.S.’s military bases in the Pacific islands and Australia. This became significant after the emergence of the AUKUS.

Geopolitical Implications

• The deal between the countries has become controversial both domestically and internationally as it has the potential to disrupt the traditional security mechanisms in the South Pacific region. 
  • The Pacific islands have been traditionally under the influence of the Western powers, such as the U.S., U.K., France, Australia and New Zealand.
  • These countries have territorial possessions in the region and have also used the region as a nuclear weapons testing ground. 
  • This established structure has been challenged by China.
• There were protests in the Solomon Islands in 2021 against the government for increasing ties with China.
• Australia has now increased its financial support to the island country and also extended its security mission till 2023 as the country hosts the Pacific Games. 
• The U.S. is now planning to reopen its embassy in the Solomon Islands after 29-years. 
• New Zealand has criticised China for attempting to militarise the region and causing unwanted tensions.
• There has been a growing dissatisfaction among the islands in the South Pacific over China’s economic policies and its adverse impact on their vulnerable economic and political systems. 

1. A window for inter-State collaboration, to breathe easy

Syllabus:  Environmental Pollution

Mains: Air pollution issue in Delhi; Scope of collaborative efforts in addressing the issue.

Background:

• Air pollution in Delhi has been a major challenge, especially so over the last few years. The persistence of stubble burning in Punjab remains a major contributor to winter pollution in Delhi.
• The political blame game between the elected governments of Delhi and adjoining state of Punjab on the issue of air pollution undermined any collaborative action on the pollution issue.
• Given that the same political party holds power in both Delhi and Punjab, this provides the ideal opportunity to resolve the air quality issue in Delhi and Punjab.

Recommendations:

• The following measures could be taken to ensure collaboration on the pollution issue.

Engagement:

• The people in charge in the two states must engage in talks setting aside their disagreements.
• This would provide the necessary impetus to take the issue forward. This will also help them arrive at a common understanding of the issue and also help in finding solutions that are amenable to both governments.

Sharing information:

• There should be the creation of platforms for knowledge exchange. This could involve information on air quality levels and source assessment studies.
• A common knowledge centre would facilitate cross-learning on possible solutions and also developing long-term strategies for pollution mitigation.

Collaboration in execution:

• Delhi and Punjab should not only co-design solutions that would improve air quality but also collaborate to execute proven solutions. They could jointly institutionalise a joint task force comprising experts from State-run institutions to pilot these solutions and assess their impact. This would ensure wider acceptance of the solutions.

Market for diversified crops:

• Given that ‘paddy-wheat cycle’ is one of the major factors for continued stubble burning practice, there is the need to push for crop diversification to wean the farmers away from ‘paddy-wheat’ combination.
• However, the lack of an assured market for agricultural products, other than wheat and paddy, has acted as a deterrent and this necessitates the need to create a market for diversified crop products. The two states should consider appropriate policy measures to signal demand and create an assured market for diversified crop products.

Extending inter-state cooperation:

• Delhi and Punjab governments should going forward assert the need for extending inter-State cooperation to other States in the Indo-Gangetic plains through different inter-State forums such as the Northern Zonal Council.
• They must use this platform to highlight the need for coordination with neighbouring States to alleviate the pollution crisis.

Significance of collaboration:

• The high pollution levels has an adverse impact on the health of the citizens, with notable impact on children and elderly populations. Apart from the health impacts, air pollution also leads to economic losses. In 2019, Delhi and Punjab together faced economic losses estimated to be approximately ₹18,000 crore due to worsening air pollution. The collaboration which would help mitigate air pollution will no doubt address the above challenges.

1. Growth Pangs

Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment.

Mains: Concerns with the Indian economy.

The silent epidemic of non-communicable diseases:

Context:

• The World Bank bi-annual South Asia Economic Focus

Concerns with India’s economic status:

Downgrading of growth prospects:

• The World Bank has downgraded its 2022 growth projections for India from the earlier estimate of 8.7% to 8% GDP growth in 2022-23. This is estimated to drop further to 7.1% in 2023-24.
• The RBI projects lower growth at around 7.2%.
• A nowcast of high frequency indicators by the RBI suggests India’s growth experiencing a relative slowdown in the January to March 2022 quarter, compared to previous quarters.

Uneven recovery:

• Post-pandemic growth has been uneven. India’s recovery varies widely across sectors.

Poor fiscal status:

• India faces high fiscal deficit and high debt numbers and this is not good for India’s long term economic prospects.
• India’s external situation is going to get tricky going forward with current account deficit rising to record levels, because of elevated oil prices. Foreign investment into India also looks shaky given the global context.

Inflation pressure:

• While the growth estimates have gone down, the inflation projections have increased. The RBI projects inflation to be around 5.7% up from its previous estimate of 4.5%. Economists expect inflation to trend much higher, even above 7% in the first half of the year, and well over the comfort threshold of 6% over the full year.
• India’s inflation, which is measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has stayed above the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s upper tolerance limit of 6% for three months running.
• The high inflation rates would adversely impact people’s real incomes and also impact the manufacturing sector by increasing input costs of production.
• The continued accommodative stance by the Monetary Policy Committee despite spiralling inflation calls into questions the efficacy of monetary policy.

Unemployment:

• CMIE data suggest that over the last five years, India has lost two crore jobs outside agriculture. Unemployment can affect the goal of sustained economic growth and inclusive growth.

Tepid consumption:

• There has been a dampened post-COVID recovery in India’s household consumption. The incomplete labour market revival leading to lower income and the high inflation would only exert downward pressure on consumption expenditure.
• This weak demand does not augur well for economic recovery in India.

Geopolitical turmoil:

• The Russia-Ukraine conflict has triggered fresh challenges to the Indian economy. The geopolitical uncertainty and supply-chain disruptions are being caused by the war.
• The inflation effects due to high oil and food prices has added to the pressures on the Indian economy.

1. Sovereign debt

Syllabus: GS-3; Economy; Important Economic terminologies

Prelims: Sovereign debt

Context:

The Sri Lankan government decided to default on all its foreign debt as it awaits financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Sovereign debt:

• Sovereign debt refers to the debt issued or accumulated by any government.
• Sovereign debt is issued by the government usually in the form of securities.
• Sovereign debt is also referred to as government debt, public debt, and national debt.
• Governments borrow money to finance various expenses that they cannot meet through their tax revenues. 
  • Governments must pay interest on such debt along with the principal amount.
• Governments take sovereign debt by issuing bonds, bills or other debt securities, or by taking loans from other countries or organizations such as the IMF.

1. Chennakeshava temple

Syllabus: GS-1; Indian Heritage and Culture; Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Prelims: Chennakeshava temple

Context:

Devotees attended the rathotsava at the historic Chennakeshava temple in Belur

Belur’s Chennakeshava temple

• The temple was commissioned by the Hoysala king Vishnuvardhana to mark his victories against the Cholas in 1116 AD.
• The temple is located at Belur (also called Velapura) in Hassan district of Karnataka.
• The temple is constructed on the banks of the Yagachi River.
• It is a Vaishnava temple that also includes themes of Shaivism, Shaktism, Jainism and Buddhism. 
• It is a remarkable example of the Vesara style of architecture and is a testimony of the artistic, cultural and theological heritage of the 12th century Hoysala Empire.

Read more about – Vesara style of architecture

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

Q1. With respect to the financial powers of the Governor, which of the following statements is/are correct?

Q2.  Which of the following differences between the traditional El Nino and the El Nino Modoki is/are correct?

1. Traditional El Nino is characterized by strong anomalous warming in the eastern equatorial
   Pacific whereas the El Nino Modoki is associated with strong anomalous warming in the
   central tropical Pacific
2. Traditional El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic, whereas in the El Nino
   Modoki there are greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

Q3. Consider the following Pairs:

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With respect to First Buddhist Council, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It was conducted under the patronage of King Kalasoka of Sisunaga dynasty.
2. It was held at Vaishali.
3. The monk who presided over the first council was Mahakassapa.

Options

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q5.  ‘Triclosan’, considered harmful when exposed to high levels for a long time, is most likely
present in which of the following?

1. Food preservatives
2. Fruit-ripening substances
3. Reused plastic containers
4. Toiletries

Read the previous CNA here.