19 Feb 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Misplaced priorities
2. Ties across the sea
3. In Gaza, peace prospects remain distant
POLITY
1. The enormity of the Indian electorate and its State-wise variances
F. Prelims Facts
1. IPCC’s Assessment Reports
2. Ultradian rhythms
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

2. Ties across the sea

Syllabus: GS-2, Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Mains: India – UAE bonhomie 

Introduction:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the UAE, his seventh since 2014, underscores the growing importance of the Emirates in India’s foreign policy.
• The visit coincided with PM Modi’s participation in the ‘World Governments Summit’ in Dubai and the inauguration of Abu Dhabi’s first Hindu temple, highlighting the multifaceted nature of bilateral relations.

Strengthening Economic Ties:

• The swift conclusion of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022 and the recent Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) demonstrate the deepening economic cooperation between India and the UAE.
• The UAE now stands as India’s third-largest trading partner, second-largest export destination, and fourth-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), emphasizing the significance of their economic partnership.
• Initiatives such as the inauguration of Bharat Mart for Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) further solidify trade ties between the two nations.

Technological Collaboration:

• Both countries have embarked on technological collaborations aimed at enhancing digital infrastructure, research and development (R&D) for energy security, and exploring avenues such as green hydrogen and energy storage.
• Agreements on digital cross-payments signify a commitment to leveraging technology for mutual benefit and progress.

Strategic Cooperation and Multilateral Engagement:

• The Agreement for an Intergovernmental Framework on the India-Middle East Economic Corridor sets the stage for broader multilateral cooperation between India and the UAE.
• Collaboration over initiatives like I2U2 with the U.S. and Israel, along with the UAE’s recent membership in BRICS, further strengthens the strategic partnership.
• Discussions on regional security issues, such as the Israel-Gaza operations and Red Sea attacks, highlight the UAE’s role as a stable interlocutor in a turbulent region.

Cultural and Historical Ties:

• India-UAE relations are deeply rooted in centuries-old maritime trade and cultural engagement, with a significant Indian diaspora contributing to about 18% of India’s global remittances.
• While economic and strategic interests align, differences in governance systems and societal dynamics pose potential challenges, requiring both nations to navigate carefully.
• PM Modi’s emphasis on shared values of tolerance, pluralism, and a “shared heritage of humanity” underscores the enduring bonds between the two countries across the Arabian Sea.

Nut Graf: Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to the UAE underscores the deepening strategic and economic ties between the two nations. With significant agreements signed, including on trade, investment, and technology, the visit signals a growing partnership built on shared values and historical connections.

3. In Gaza, peace prospects remain distant

Syllabus: GS-2, Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s Interests

Mains: Ongoing Gaza conflict and its impact on India – Israel relations

Introduction: Conflict in Gaza

• The conflict in Gaza has persisted for nearly five months, resulting in significant death and destruction among Palestinian residents.
• Major peace initiatives have been undertaken, involving intelligence officials from the U.S. and Israel, along with counterparts from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, as well as the Prime Minister of Qatar.
• U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made multiple visits to the region to advocate for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance for Gaza.

Peace Negotiations: Proposal and Rejection

• A peace plan emerged in Paris, proposing a two-month ceasefire with the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
• Hamas modified the proposal, calling for a 135-day truce with staged releases of hostages and increased humanitarian aid flow, leading to a full ceasefire and Israeli troop withdrawal.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu swiftly rejected the proposal, labelling Hamas’ terms as “delusional,” maintaining his stance for “total victory” over Hamas and re-occupation of Gaza.
• Despite the rejection, U.S. officials expressed optimism, suggesting that Hamas’ proposal created room for potential agreement. Talks continued in Cairo regarding prisoner exchanges and aid movement.

Netanyahu’s Hardline Stance and Political Calculations:

• Netanyahu’s hardline approach may stem from personal interests, including his desire to maintain right-wing support and avoid consequences related to corruption charges.
• He has consistently rejected the “two-state solution” and pushed for a sovereign Palestinian state within occupied territories.
• His response to peace initiatives may be influenced by his assessment of U.S. pressure limits, particularly considering the upcoming presidential elections and support for Israel from both Republicans and Democrats.
• Netanyahu’s preference for prolonging the conflict until a potential return of Donald Trump to the White House reflects his reliance on Trump’s support.

The Saudi Arabia Card and Israeli Strategy:

• The U.S. aims to leverage the prospect of normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia to push Netanyahu toward a ceasefire, contingent upon conceding a sovereign Palestinian state.
• Netanyahu believes he can bypass this by securing a United Nations Security Council resolution recognizing a Palestinian state, thereby triggering normalisation with Saudi Arabia without formal concessions.
• However, recent statements from Saudi Arabia reaffirm the requirement of a sovereign Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, indicating potential obstacles to Netanyahu’s strategy.

Nut Graf: Amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, peace negotiations face hurdles as Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu rejects proposed terms from Hamas. Political calculations and external pressures complicate efforts to mitigate the humanitarian crisis.
Category: POLITY

1. The enormity of the Indian electorate and its State-wise variances

Syllabus: GS-2, Salient Features of the Representation of People’s Act

Mains: Delimitation conundrum amidst rising population 

Introduction: India’s Electorate Size and State Variances

• India boasts the world’s largest electoral democracy, with 97 crore eligible voters expected to participate in the upcoming general elections, marking a 6% increase from 2019.
• The 28 States and eight Union Territories of India house a vast number of voters, comparable to the populations of some major countries.
• The variance in electorate size among states underscores the complexity of representation and governance in India.

State-wise Comparison of Electorate Sizes:

• States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar exhibit electorate sizes comparable to populous countries like Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines, respectively.
• Even smaller states like Goa have electorate sizes comparable to sovereign nations like Bahrain and Cyprus.

Variance in Representation: Average Voters per Member of Parliament

• Significant differences exist in the number of voters represented by Members of Parliament (MPs) across various states.
• For instance, while an MP from Delhi represents an average of 20.5 lakh voters, the corresponding numbers for states like Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu are 18.3 lakh, 15.8 lakh, and 15.4 lakh voters, respectively.

Implications of Frozen Delimitation Exercise:

• The frozen delimitation exercise, last conducted after the 1971 Census, has led to disparities in representation.
• The exercise, intended to incentivize effective population control measures, has resulted in unequal representation among states in the Lok Sabha.

Prospects and Challenges of Delimitation:

• Experts caution against a delimitation exercise that could exacerbate federal imbalances, potentially reducing representation for states that have successfully managed population growth.
• Proposed solutions range from maintaining the freeze on delimitation to adjusting the size of state assemblies to better reflect population dynamics.

Nut Graf: India’s upcoming general elections highlight its status as the world’s largest democracy. With significant variances in electorate sizes among states, the debate over delimitation raises crucial questions about federal representation and population dynamics.

2. Ultradian rhythms

• While circadian rhythms such as the sleep-wake cycle follow a 24-hour cycle, ultradian rhythms are biological rhythms that recur more frequently than once every 24 hours. 
• They govern various physiological processes, including heartbeat, breathing, hormonal release, and brain-wave activity. 
• One of the better-known among them is the sleep cycle, characterised by alternating periods of rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep. 
• Ultradian rhythms also influence patterns of hormone release.

Q1. Consider the following statements: 

Q2. Consider the following statements:

Q3. Consider the following statements: 

Q4. Which crop gets infected by the Panama wilt disease?

Q5. Among the following crops, which one is the most important anthropogenic 
source of both methane and nitrous oxide? [PYQ 2022]