CNA 3 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Russian Oil Price Cap C. GS 3 Related INTERNAL SECURITY 1. Red Corner notice D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials SOCIAL ISSUES 1. Indian politics needs a dose of new experimentalism INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Connecting India’s East with the Indo-Pacific 2. On the boil 3. Great responsibility F. Prelims Facts G. Tidbits 1. The U.S. list of global terrorists 2. B-21 Raider 3. Vijay Hazare Trophy 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
Syllabus: Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: Impact of Russian Oil Price Cap on India
Context: EU to impose a price cap on Russian crude.
Key Details:
- The European Union is joining G-7 countries in imposing a $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil ahead of an EU embargo on imports by sea.
- Poland had delayed approving the adoption of the plan while it pushed for a lower price ceiling and tough new sanctions to punish Russia for its war against Ukraine and starve its military of funds.
- The European Union presidency, currently held by the Czech Republic, confirmed that member state ambassadors had reached agreement on the price cap and that the decision would enter into force when published in the EU official journal.
- The oil price cap will run alongside the EU’s ban on imports of Russian oil.
Background:
- U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen proposed to cap the price of Russia’s oil exports along with other G7 allies as a way to limit Russia’s earnings while keeping Russian oil flowing to the global economy.
- The cap is set to take effect on 5th December, the same day when the European Union will impose a boycott on most Russian oil.
- Russia, the world’s second-largest oil producer, has already rerouted much of its supply to India, China, and other Asian countries at discounted prices.
Image Source: Times of India
- Russia has said it will not observe a cap and will halt deliveries to countries that will follow this cap.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has further warned that Western plans to introduce oil price caps could have grave consequences for energy markets.
Read more on Russian Oil Cap Ban in Sansad TV Perspective.
Nut Graf: The price cap on Russian oil by the European Union is a bold move considering the high dependence of European countries on Russian energy. However, the cap is intended to adversely impact Russian military operations in Ukraine.
C. GS 3 Related
Syllabus: Role of External State & Non-State Actors in Creating Challenges to Internal Security
Mains: Examination of Khalistan threat
Context: According to the Punjab Chief Minister, Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar, allegedly involved in the killing of a Punjabi singer, has been detained in the U.S.
Key Details:
- Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar of the ‘Lawrence gang’, is allegedly involved in the killing of Punjabi singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, known as Sidhu Moosewala.
- A Red Corner notice, which allows the arrest and detention of a fugitive abroad, was issued against Satinderjeet Singh, alias Goldy Brar.
Khalistani and ISI Connections:
- As per the National Investigation Agency, Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi gangs have contacts with Canada-based Khalistani elements and Pakistan-based Inter-Services Intelligence agents, and these gangs were working at the behest of them.
- Goldy Brar’s detention is part of a string of successes by Indian security agencies that are sending alarm bells across terrorists hiding abroad.
- NIA also announced the arrest of terrorist Harpreet Singh Malaysia from Delhi airport recently.
- He was involved in the Ludhiana court building bomb blast on December 21, 2021.
Khalistan Movement and Canada Connection:
- The Khalistan movement refers to a Sikh separatist movement that seeks to establish a Sikh homeland within the Punjab region.
- The proposed state would consist of land that currently forms Punjab, India and Punjab, Pakistan.
- The Khalistan issue came to a head in 1983 when a religious militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale seized the Golden Temple with his armed followers.
- This prompted Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to launch ‘Operation Blue Star’ that resulted in the deaths of Bhindranwale and his followers and massive damage to the Golden Temple. In the aftermath, PM Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards.
- In the 1990s, the insurgency petered out and the movement failed to reach its objective for multiple reasons including a heavy police crackdown on separatists, factional infighting, and disillusionment from the Sikh population.
- Currently, the Khalistan movement is a dormant movement in India as it does not hold much traction in the urban or local populace of Punjab.
- But the movement gets ideological support from Sikhs living in Canada, UK or USA.
- They pump money, ideological support to the struggle; ISI of Pakistan is still pumping money and effort to revive the movement.
Nut Graf: Khalistani movement is being kept alive from Canada and Pakistan by involving the narco-terror ring that is run by Indo-Canadian gangsters who operate out of Canada. Recent arrests of several Khalistani supporters are seen as a major step towards fighting one of the last attempts to revive the defunct Khalistani movement, an operation with large scale ramifications.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. Indian politics needs a dose of new experimentalism
Syllabus: Social empowerment
Mains: Lack of diversity in India’s political landscape and the way forward
Context: This article discusses the issues associated with diversity among lawmakers in India and compares it with the rest of the world.
Global scenario
- Representation of individuals from the native and tribal background: In recent years, various democracies across the world have provided opportunities for individuals from native tribal and indigenous movement backgrounds to emerge as leaders.
- In September 2022, Rep. Mary Peltola, who is a native Alaskan, swore in the United States House of Representatives
- In 2021, Deb Haaland became the first Native American Cabinet Secretary in the U.S. Department of the Interior.
- Representation of women: Also, mature democracies are now looking to increasingly encourage female participation in law making and representation.
- In 2018, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest woman (29 years) to serve in the United State House of Representatives.
- Sanna Marin became the youngest Prime Minister (34 years) of Finland in 2019 and also all of her coalition parties had female party leaders.
- Under the leadership of Justin Trudeau, 50% of the Canadian cabinet was composed of females.
- Representation of youth: Democracies around the world are undertaking efforts to engage with youth.
- Other than the examples of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sanna Marin, in 2017, Sebastian Kurz was appointed as Chancellor at the age of 31 years in Austria,
- In 2017, Typhanie Degois, who was a law student, was elected to the Parliament of France at the age of 24.
- Representation of LGBTQ+ individuals: Countries are also taking steps towards facilitating a conducive environment that encourages individuals with non-normative sexuality to take up roles in policy making.
- There have been instances in African countries such as South Africa, Tunisia and Mauritius wherein LGBTQ+ individuals have got elected or nominated to positions such as High Court judge or leaders of political parties.
- Such examples can also be seen in Iceland, Ireland and Belgium.
- Sri Lankan Member of Parliament, Mangala Samaraweera and Governor Niluka Ekanayake.
- Diversity in ideologies: Developed democracies also boast of greater diversity in ideologies by extending representation to different socio-economic groups such as trade unions, farmers, Libertarians, green politics, etc.
- Libertarianism philosophy that advocates economic liberty and a small state, with limited regulation, has had extended political influence in countries such as Australia, Brazil, South Korea, and the U.S.
- Likewise, green politics has been embraced in countries such as the U.S., Germany and other European countries.
Lack of diversity in Indian politics
- Despite having a President who comes from a tribal background, the representation of tribal and indigenous individuals in parliamentary committees is often lacking with less than 59.5% of all SC/ST lawmakers represented mainly in the Social Justice Committee.
- Further, there have been very few political parties in the country that have SC/ST individuals as a part of their leadership.
- Additionally, the opportunities to point out injustice against their community are often rare, and linked to the lottery system for the Zero Hour Q&A time.
- Also, in India, political parties are seen nominating only a handful of women candidates to contest in elections.
- According to various studies, it was seen that, between 1999 and 2019, the average age of Lok Sabha MPs was more than 50 years (rising from 52 in 1999 to 59 in 2014).
- Most of the political parties are increasingly fielding older candidates in elections and India is increasingly becoming a gerontocracy (a state by old people).
- India has also witnessed a positive change with respect to the representation of LGBTQ+ community individuals in recent years with the examples of Shabnam Mausi and Madhu Bai Kinnar.
- However, such instances have been very few and atypical sexual orientation is still considered a career stopper in politics.
- With respect to the diversity of ideologies in Indian Politics, most of the Indian political parties are typically centre-left and populist in nature.
- Further, only about 37.24% of Indian Members of Parliament claim themselves to be “agriculturists” and only 7.15% of them have listed their occupation as “farmers”.
Key recommendations
- Rules and laws such as Anti-defection Law must be revisited as they prevent SC/ST lawmakers from speaking up and taking their personal stand on issues where they have a difference of opinion with their political party.
- The Women’s Reservation Bill that aims to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies must come into force.
- Policy measures that encourage youth to participate in politics such as pushing for youth quotas in select seats must be undertaken.
- In this regard, it is also important to make inner-party democracy a mandatory norm in the political ecosystem of the country and steps should be initiated to push for proportional representation.
- The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment must be accorded extended responsibilities to promote the participation of vulnerable and marginalised groups such as women, LGBTQ+ individuals and SC/ST individuals in politics.
Nut graf: Despite India being the largest democracy in the world, the political ecosystem of the country still continues to be constrained by the lack of diversity, aging individuals and issues such as nepotism. A greater push towards diversity and the inclusion of individuals from varied backgrounds is the need of the hour if not India’s democracy will continue to remain stunted.
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Connecting India’s East with the Indo-Pacific
Syllabus: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Mains: The role and significance of Northeastern and eastern parts of India in the Indo-Pacific centred policies and strategies of the country.
Context: This article talks about the importance of connecting and extending the role of Northeastern and eastern parts of India with its Indo-Pacific strategies.
Background
- There has been a shift in India’s diplomatic strategy with the introduction of “Look East” and “Act East” policies that have increased the focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
- However, the interpretation of “Indo-Pacific” among the diplomatic circles of India is different from the perceptions of this policy in Northeastern and eastern India.
- Therefore, an effective way to work for a “free, open, inclusive, peaceful and prosperous” Indo-Pacific is by addressing the differences in perception between officials and those living in the eastern regions of the country.
Key requirements of the Northeastern areas of the country
- The Northeast states of India which are famously regarded as “seven sisters” (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura) and “one brother” (Sikkim) are experiencing transformation towards enhanced security and development.
- In the Northeastern and eastern regions of India more important issues are the need for adequate security, ramping up economic development, and better connectivity with the rest of India and other South Asian and Southeast Asian countries.
- Recent participation in policy conversations in Imphal (Manipur), interactions with the intelligentsia in Kolkata, and the two Indo-Pacific conclaves hosted by a think tank leading in the study of India’s Northeast have helped in providing clarity about local needs and priorities.
- As per these studies, the security conditions in the region have improved significantly in recent years but traditional and fundamental core issues such as insurgency have remained unresolved.
- Further, these interactions helped to highlight a notable contrast in security assessments of the authorities and the local communities.
- The perspective of authorities and officials was that the antisocial activities such as smuggling, drug trafficking, transnational border crime, insurgency, and the refugee influx represented serious non-traditional threats to the region and China was seen as a key player behind these activities.
- This perception has led to an increase in vigilance and strict action by the Assam Rifles and other security agencies.
- However, representatives of the local communities have raised concerns regarding the insensitive handling of those engaged in lawful exchanges with the neighbouring countries and that there was a scope for more effective and people-sensitive border management in the future.
- The perspective of authorities and officials was that the antisocial activities such as smuggling, drug trafficking, transnational border crime, insurgency, and the refugee influx represented serious non-traditional threats to the region and China was seen as a key player behind these activities.
Development as priority
- The Northeastern region is on the path towards significant economic development and still has very high potential with the development of infrastructure and connectivity,
- The construction of roads linking northeastern towns will help create jobs for several graduates produced by local universities.
- Manipur’s rich research and development facilities must be leveraged and the state should be promoted as the hub of medical tourism for other Indian States and neighbouring countries such as Myanmar.
- Further, in order to accelerate development in the region, investments by Indian corporates and foreign investors should be increased and managed better.
- The Chief Minister of Manipur has urged the strategic and business community to contribute towards developing a concrete foundation for leveraging opportunities with respect to commerce, connectivity, and human capital development.
Connecting India’s East with the Indo-Pacific
- Various intellectuals and performers in the cultural fields from India, Japan, the U.S., Thailand, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka recently reflected on the Indo-Pacific construct’s cultural dimensions and underscored the significance of the region’s “unity in diversity” through music, dance, drama, and cuisine.
- The former Foreign Secretary of India had stressed that the “shared culture, history and mutual social threads that tie the region with India [are] also an important component towards fostering regional cooperation”.
- Former Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh opines that the neighbouring countries must focus more on the geo-cultural dimensions along with the geopolitical and geo-economic aspects of the Indo-Pacific.
- Experts believe that expanding people-related cooperation would result in a wider acceptance of the Indo-Pacific and consolidation to face future challenges.
- It is important that the policy makers acknowledge the growing significance of the Bay of Bengal region and the concept of the Indo-Pacific must be perceived as the immediate neighbour of the Bay of Bengal and its littoral countries.
- After acknowledging the significance of Bay of Bengal, the member-states must invest more in the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) to improve its effectiveness.
- Further, while implementing India’s Indo-Pacific strategy it is important to accept and consider the concerns of Northeast and eastern regions of the country.
Nut graf: Apart from the “Look East and Act East” policies, there have to be compounded efforts to promote the “Think and Relate East” policy within India as increased cultural diplomacy and people-to-people contact in the form of educational exchanges, tourism, and trade would help fortify India’s historical and geographic ties with the Indo-Pacific region.
2. On the boil
Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries
Mains: Israel and Palestine conflict
Context: Recently five Palestinian men were killed by Israeli security forces in separate incidents which have aggravated violence in the West Bank region.
Details
- The year 2022 has experienced increased conflict and violence in the region with increased attacks by Palestinians and Israelis carrying out raids in West Bank towns on a daily basis.
- Organised armed resistance has been increasing in the West Bank region, ever since the clashes in Jerusalem in May 2021, which led to the 11-day war on the Gaza Strip and new militant groups have also sprung up in recent times.
- Israel believes that it can manage the security challenges from Palestinians with heavy force and no concessions because of weak and divided Palestinian leadership.
- The Palestinian Authority which occupies few parts of West Bank, is led by Fatah while the overpopulated Gaza Strip is being ruled by its rival Hamas.
- Despite Israel’s disproportionate might, strength and influence, the situation is still beyond Israel’s control.
- Further, the return of Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister of Israel could flare up the situation and make it much more problematic as some of his far-right and orthodox partners want the Jewish settlements in the West Bank to be expanded and expel disloyal Arab citizens of Israel.
To read more about – Israel-Palestine Conflict
Nut graf: The aggravated conflict in the region has not just put the lives of several Palestines in extreme danger but is also reshaping Israeli society which is becoming extremely polarised. The concept of a two-state formula which is slowly losing its relevance must be revived in order to establish peace and stability in the region.
Syllabus: Bilateral, regional and global groupings involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Prelims: About G20
Mains: Significance of India’s G20 Presidency, key challenges and the way forward
Context: As India assumes G20 presidency on December 1st, 2022, about 100 monuments in the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari were lit up with India’s G-20 logo symbolising the motto of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”.
To read more about this topic refer to the following article:
Sansad Tv Perspective: India’s G20 Presidency
F. Prelims Facts
Nothing here for today!!!
G. Tidbits
1. The U.S. list of global terrorists
- The U.S. has recently added a key anti-Pakistani militant group and its al-Qaeda branch to its list of “global terrorists”.
- The U.S. State Department designated the TTP and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent as “Specially Designated Global Terrorists.”
- The U.S. also named four members of TTP and al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent — Osama Mehmood, the head of the al-Qaeda branch; Yahya Ghouri, the deputy chief of al-Qaeda’s branch; and Muhammad Maruf, who is responsible for recruitment for the group. It also designated the TTP’s leader, Qari Amjad, who oversees militant attacks in northwest Pakistan.
- This triggered sanctions against the groups amid a resurgence of militant violence in Pakistan.
- Both groups operate from Afghanistan, but they have hideouts in Pakistan’s former tribal regions in the northwest and elsewhere as well.
- Pakistani Taliban were behind the 2014 attack on a Peshawar school that killed 147 people, mostly schoolchildren.
2. B-21 Raider
- The US Air force recently unveiled its most advanced military aircraft – the B-21 Raider.
- It is developed by US defense major Northrop Grumman.
- B-21 Raider is being promoted by the company as a ‘digital bomber’.
- Through the integration of cloud computing, and advanced integration of data, sensors and weapons, the B-21 raider has been developed using agile software.
- It is the first new American bomber aircraft in more than 30 years. Almost every aspect of the program is classified.
- When delivered to the US Air Force, Northrop Grumman’s B-21 stealth bomber will join the US nuclear triad and will provide the USAF with long-range mission survivability.
- It can hit enemy targets with conventional missiles as well as nuclear warheads.
Image Source: northropgrumman
- The Saurashtra cricket team beat Maharashtra to win the 2022 Vijay Hazare Trophy.
- The Vijay Hazare Trophy, also known as the Ranji One-Day Trophy, is an annual limited-overs cricket domestic competition involving state teams from the Ranji Trophy plates organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
- The tournament was started in the 2002-03 season and is named after twentieth-century Indian cricketer Vijay Hazare.
- Tamil Nadu is the most successful team having won the trophy five times.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Which of the following places are best known for the coastal red sand dunes? (Level-Difficult)
- Erra Matti Dibbalu in Andhra Pradesh
- Theri Desert in Tamil Nadu
- Padubidri Beach in Karnataka
- Puri Beach in Odisha
Options:
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 4 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- The red dunes are called theri in Tamil. They consist of sediments dating back to the Quaternary Period and are made of marine deposits.
- Such sand deposits are rare and have been reported only from three places in the tropical regions in south Asia such as Teri Sands in Tamil Nadu, Erra Matti Dibbalu in Visakhapatnam and one more site in Sri Lanka. They do not occur in equatorial regions or temperate regions due to many scientific reasons.
Q2. How many of the given statements with respect to the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park are correct? (Level-Difficult)
- It is included under UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger.
- It is a place of worship and a continuous pilgrimage for Buddhists.
- The site represents both Hindu and Muslim architecture and is known for Islamic designs from before the Mughal era.
Options:
- One statement only
- Two statements only
- All three statements
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is incorrect, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Gujarat.
- Statement 02 is incorrect, The Kalika Mata Temple, located on top of the 800 metres high Pavagadh Hill, is an important Hindu shrine in the region, attracting large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.
- Statement 03 is correct, The transition between Hindu and Muslim culture and architecture in the late 15th to early 16th century is documented in the park, particularly the early Islamic and pre-Mughal city that has remained without any change.
Q3. Which among the following statements best describes the ‘B-21 Raider’ recently seen in News? (Level-Medium)
- Russia’s unmanned combat air vehicle.
- A bomb detection device indigenously developed by the DRDO and the Indian Institute of Science.
- A long-range strike stealth bomber developed with nuclear capabilities for the US Air Force.
- Russia’s first long-range nuclear-capable strategic bomber.
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- The US Air force recently unveiled its most advanced military aircraft – the B-21 Raider.
- It is developed by US defence major Northrop Grumman.
- B-21 Raider is being promoted by the company as a ‘digital bomber’.
- It can hit enemy targets with conventional missiles as well as nuclear warheads.
Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to EOS-06: (Level-Medium)
- It is an ocean observation satellite.
- Its payloads are of great significance to India’s blue economy aspirations.
- It carried the ARGOS – a communication payload jointly developed with France.
- It is a part of a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and launch a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar on an Earth observation satellite.
How many of the given statements is/are correct?
- One statement only
- Two statements only
- Three statements only
- All four statements
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, EOS 6 is the third-generation Indian satellite for monitoring the oceans.
- Statement 02 is correct, The satellite would serve as a strong foundation for India’s blue economy and polar region policies.
- Statement 03 is correct, The EOS-06 payloads include Ocean Color Monitor (OCM-3), Sea Surface Temperature Monitor (SSTM), Ku-Band Scatterometer (SCAT-3) and ARGOS – a French payload.
- Statement 04 is incorrect, The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and launch a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar on an Earth observation satellite.
Q5. With reference to ‘Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD)’, consider the following statements:(PYQ-CSE-2017)(Level-Medium)
- The first APMCHUD was held in India in 2006 on the theme ‘Emerging Urban Forms — Policy Responses and Governance Structure’.
- India hosts all the Annual Ministerial Conferences in partnership with ADB, APEC and ASEAN.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is incorrect, The First APMCHUD Conference was held in New Delhi in December 2006 under the theme “A vision for sustainable urbanisation in the Asia-Pacific by 2020“.
- Statement 02 is incorrect, The Conference of APMCHUD is a biennial event. This event is hosted by one of the member countries whose offer is consented to by the members in the previous conference of the APMCHUD.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- In implementing India’s Indo-Pacific strategy, voices from the Northeast and the eastern parts of the country must be heard. Discuss. (250 words; 15 marks) (GS-2; International Relations)
- G20 Presidency presents India a great opportunity and an equally big responsibility. Examine how India could cement its global aspirations with this opportunity? (250 words;15 marks) (GS-2; International Relations)
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CNA 3 Dec 2022:- Download PDF Here
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