17 Apr 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

B. GS 2 Related

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. G-7 Ministers commit to work for carbon-free electricity by 2035

Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings

Prelims: About G7

Mains: Efforts undertaken by the G7’s to combat climate change

Context

Climate and Energy Ministers from G-7 countries have committed to work towards ensuring carbon-free electricity production by 2035 and increasing efforts to phase- out coal. 

Key details

• The participants further agreed to focus on solar and wind energy investments in order to generate 1,000 GW by 2030 from solar power and 150 GW of wind power from off-shore platforms which are in line with recent reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 
• These announcements were made as a part of an agreement by the countries at the end of a conference in Sapporo, Japan, which was held ahead of the G-7 summit in Hiroshima scheduled to take place in May.
• The Union Environment Minister of India also attended the summit as India holding the presidency of the G-20 was invited as a “guest”.
  • India in the past during the Conference of Parties (COP)-26 meeting in Glasgow had objected to the use of the term “phase out” and had instead urged for a “phase down” of coal.
  • Developing countries like India are still significantly dependent on coal for generating electricity, whereas developed countries, such as the US, Japan, Canada and other European nations are dependent on gas reserves.
  • The Indian Environment Minister said that developing countries would require finance, technology and assistance from developed countries for transitioning away from fossil fuels. 
• The final agreement of the conference also stated that the countries acknowledge that fossil fuel subsidies are inconsistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement and that phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies is a key component of delivering on the Paris Agreement, which they assure to eliminate by 2025.
• The agreement also notes that the countries had ended new direct government support for unabated international thermal coal power generation by the end of 2021 and public support for the international unabated fossil fuel energy sector in 2022.

Path ahead

• The Union Environment Minister has remarked that achieving the targets set on carbon neutrality “will not fly” unless they are made to acknowlede the principles of equity and climate justice.
• Experts also believe that stronger and bolder actions are required from the G-7. 
• G-7 is expected to step up its climate commitments and demonstrate them in practice. 

Nut graf: During the conference in Sapporo, the G7 countries have proposed to put in place a deadline for phasing out coal and also have committed to increasing clean energy investments. These measures have once again emphasised the role of clean energy in ensuring energy security for the future.

E. Editorials

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Iran and Saudi Arabia Restore Ties

Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests

Mains: Implications of restoration of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia on India’s energy security and its interest in West Asia.

Context: Iran and Saudi Arabia recently agreed to restore diplomatic ties seven years after severing relations. 

Introduction:

• On March 10, 2023, Iran, Saudi Arabia and China announced an agreement had been reached covering a resumption of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran. 
• The three countries also announced a re-opening of their embassies and missions within a period not exceeding two months. 
• The announcement was significant and surprised the US and Israel who had been attempting to build a regional coalition against Iran. 
• The agreement affirmed their respect for the sovereignty of states and non-interference in the internal affairs of states.
• The deal, brokered by China, also included the implementation of a security cooperation agreement signed in 2001 and a 1998 pact to enhance cooperation on trade, investment, technology, and culture.

Background:

• The relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia have been strained for decades due to various geopolitical, religious, and economic factors. The two countries are regional rivals and have often found themselves on opposite sides of conflicts in the Middle East.
• Iran, which is predominantly Shiite, and Saudi Arabia, which is mainly Sunni, have been regional rivals since Iran’s 1979 revolution, which ended 2,500 years of dynastic rule. 
• The Saudi monarchy, which based its legitimacy on Islam, felt threatened by the Islamic Republic, which condemned monarchies as an illegitimate form of government.
• In recent years, the tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia have escalated due to a number of factors, including the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen and the Iranian nuclear program. 
• The two countries have also been competing for influence in countries such as Iraq and Syria.
• Since early 2016, there have been bilateral efforts to alleviate tensions that have emerged between Tehran, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi, as well as within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) more broadly, regarding Yemen and Syria.

China’s role:

• China has been engaged in negotiations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, seeking to strengthen its economic ties with the two countries. 
• China has been particularly interested in Iran’s oil and gas resources and has been working on developing its infrastructure projects in the country.
• At the same time, China has been building its economic ties with Saudi Arabia and has become the country’s largest trading partner. China has been importing oil from Saudi Arabia and has been investing in the country’s infrastructure projects, such as the construction of a high-speed rail network.
• China’s negotiations with Iran and Saudi Arabia have raised concerns among some countries, particularly the United States, which has been seeking to isolate Iran and limit its economic activities. 
• However, China has been pursuing its economic interests in the region and has been willing to engage with all parties involved in order to achieve its goals.

American and Israeli reactions:

• Apart from showing obvious surprise, the reactions from the U.S. reflected a shift in the framework of international diplomacy. 
• Israel, which is another significant player in the region, was equally taken aback by this development, viewing it as a serious setback in their efforts to create a regional coalition against Iran.
• According to Aaron Miller, a former State Department advisor on the Middle East, this development highlights that the U.S. ‘s influence and credibility in the region have declined, and a new type of international regional alignment is emerging, which has given newfound influence and status to both Russia and China.

India’s stand:

• India has responded cautiously to this development. The region is geographically close to India and falls within its security parameters. 
• Additionally, the region is a significant source of India’s oil imports and investments. It is also a critical destination for Indian manpower exports, and an essential trading partner, including projects. Moreover, India has historical linkages with the region.
• India’s official policy is centred on prioritising bilateral relations and refraining from getting involved in regional disputes. 
• To maintain these priorities, India has focused on supporting cooperative security and ensuring the freedom of waterways and navigation.

Nut Graf: Iran and Saudi Arabia announced an agreement to resume diplomatic relations, reopen embassies. The deal brokered by China surprised the US and Israel, who had been trying to build a coalition against Iran. India responded cautiously, given its proximity, historical links, and trade interests in the region.

• The West Bengal government has asked schools, colleges, educational institutes and universities to remain closed on account of severe heat wave conditions.
• Most of the districts in South Bengal have been witnessing temperatures in excess of 40 degrees Celsius. 
• The Regional Meteorological Centre at Alipore in Kolkata has said that the maximum temperatures in Kolkata would be more than 40 degrees Celsius in the coming days.
• Further, the maximum temperatures in the last few days have been four degrees more as compared to normal temperatures.

Read more – Heat Waves

Also read – The sophisticated anatomy of heat waves

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Identify the disease: (Level – Easy)

1. The disease causes the early death of the red blood cells.
2. The government of India introduced a mission to eliminate the disease by 2047.

Options:

1. Leukemia
2. Yaws
3. Sickle Cell Disease
4. Thalassemia

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

• Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder or red blood cell (RBCc) disorder.
  • Red blood cells contain hemoglobin which is a protein that carries oxygen through the body. 
• Usually, the RBCs are disc-shaped and flexible in order to move easily through the vessels. In the case of Sickle Cell Disease RBCs are crescent or sickle-shaped thereby slowing or at times blocking the blood flow.
• Sickle Cells usually die in 10 to 20 days causing a shortage of RBCs.
• The Union Finance Minister while presenting the Union Budget 2023-24 has announced that the government will work in “mission mode” to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia by 2047.

Q2. How many of the following statements is/are true? (Level – Moderate)

1. Only the Supreme Court of India has the power to issue writs.
2. Quo Warranto cannot be issued against a ministerial office.
3. This feature has been borrowed from the American (USA) Constitution.

Options:

1. Only 1 statement
2. Only 2 statements
3. All 3 statements
4. None of the statements

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is not correct, Writs are a written order from the Supreme Court or High Court that commands constitutional remedies for Indian Citizens against the violation of their fundamental rights. 
  • The Article 32 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to issue writs, whereas Article 226 empowers the High Courts.
  • Thus, both the Supreme Court as well as the High Courts can issue writs in India.
• Statement 2 is correct, The Supreme Court or High Courts issue “Quo Warranto” writ to prevent illegal usurpation of a public office by a person.
  • Quo-Warranto can be issued only when the substantive public office of a permanent character created by a statute or by the Constitution is involved
  • It can’t be issued against private or ministerial office
• Statement 3 is not correct, The feature of issuing writs are borrowed from English law where they are known as “prerogative writs”.

Q3. How many of the following statements is/are true? (Level – Moderate)

1. A positive Indian Ocean Dipole can neutralize the effect of El Nino.
2. A positive IOD is experienced when the Western Indian Ocean basin is warmer than the Eastern basin.
3. IOD is also known as Indian Nino.

Options:

1. Only 1 statement
2. Only 2 statements
3. All 3 statements
4. None of the statements

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct, A positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) neutralises the impacts of an El Niño. 
  • Positive IOD acts like a mini La Niña over India.
• Statement 2 is correct, The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is a periodic oscillation of sea surface temperatures in which:
  • Positive phase is associated with the warmer western Indian Ocean than the eastern Indian Ocean.
  • Negative phase is associated with the colder western Indian Ocean than the eastern Indian Ocean.
• Statement 3 is correct, The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is also known as the “Indian Nino”.

Q4. How many of the following statements is/are true regarding the Uttiramerur 
Inscription in news lately? (Level – Difficult)

1. It is a Chola Period inscription located in the state of Tamil Nadu.
2. It talks about the economy of the time and the booming business relations between India and Southeast Asia.

Options:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct, Uthiramerur Inscription dated around 920 A.D. during the reign of Parantaka Chola is located in the present-day Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu
• Statement 2 is not correct, Uthiramerur Inscription provides details about how village assembly functioned 1,000 years ago
  • The inscription gives details of the functioning of the local sabha, i.e. the village assembly. 
  • The inscription also provides details about how members were selected, the required qualifications, their roles and responsibilities, and how they could be removed.

Q5. In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of 
cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into the 
stratosphere?  (Level – Moderate) [PYQ - 2019]

1. Creating the artificial rains in some regions
2. Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
3. Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
4. Reducing the global warming

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

• Thinning cirrus clouds would be achieved by injecting ice nuclei (such as dust) into regions where cirrus clouds form, making the ice crystals bigger and reducing the cirrus optical depth. 
  • Thinning the clouds could allow more heat to escape into space and thereby cool the planet and reduce global warming.
• Stratospheric sulfate aerosol injection has been proposed to counter anthropogenic greenhouse gas warming. 
  • Stratospheric sulfate aerosol injection increases the reflectivity of the lower stratosphere helps reflect inbound sunlight back into space and thus helps keep the planet cool.