25 Feb 2024: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
GOVERNANCE
1. What is the SC’s interim order on the Forest Act?
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. The Global South’s stand on Israel’s war in Gaza
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
F. Prelims Facts
1. Prime Minister lauds role of cooperatives in farmers’ welfare
2. Centre to examine Ladakh’s demand for constitutional safeguards
3. Kerala takes a pioneering step to curb antimicrobial resistance
4. UAE’s exit from FATF grey list may spark surge in FPI flows into Indian NBFCs
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. The Global South’s stand on Israel’s war in Gaza

Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

Prelims: Gaza strip

Mains: Global South’s stand on Israel’s war in Gaza

Context​: The conflict between Israel and Gaza, particularly Israel’s actions in Gaza following the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas, has drawn significant international attention. The recent hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have further highlighted the division between Western countries and the Global South regarding Israel’s actions.

ICJ Hearings Overview:

• The ICJ hearings were initiated by a request from the UN General Assembly in December 2022. They focus on Israeli policies regarding occupations, settlements, annexation, and discriminatory actions towards Palestinians since the 1967 war.
• The hearings, led by Palestine and followed by South Africa, involve comments from 52 states and three international organizations.

Key Speakers and Positions:

• The majority of speakers from the Global South, notably Brazil and South Africa, have criticized Israel’s actions and sought judicial accountability for war crimes.
• Western countries, including the P-5 members of the UN Security Council, have defended Israel’s actions, citing the right to self-defence.
• Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki strongly condemned Israeli actions, labelling them as ethnic cleansing, apartheid, or genocide.
• Some Western countries, like Ireland, diverged from the broader Western stance by highlighting limitations on the use of force in self-defence under international law.

Brazil-Israel Relations and Recent Tensions:

• Brazil and Israel, historically close allies, have experienced tensions recently, particularly due to Brazil’s criticism of Israeli actions.
• President Lula da Silva’s criticism of Zionism and likening of Israeli actions to the Holocaust led to diplomatic repercussions, with Israel declaring him persona non grata.

India’s Position:

• India has historically supported UN resolutions critical of Israel’s occupation and annexation of Palestinian territory.
• However, India has maintained a nuanced stance, abstaining from some votes while voting in favour of others.
• India’s public comments on the issue have been minimal, reflecting a desire to balance regional expectations with strategic interests, notably defense cooperation with Israel.
• While India has expressed solidarity with Palestine, its defense ties and economic interests with Israel complicate its position.

Significance of Global South’s Stand:

• The alignment of Global South countries, led by Brazil and South Africa, against Israeli actions, underscores a shift in international dynamics.
• It signals a growing consensus among developing nations for international judicial accountability regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Global South v/s Global North

1. The Brandt Line was proposed by Willy Brandt in the 1980s.
2. It is an imaginary line that divides the world into richer countries (mainly in the Northern Hemisphere) and poorer countries (mostly in the Southern Hemisphere).
3. The line basically shows the socio-economic divide between northern countries and southern countries. 

India’s efforts to become the voice of Global South

• New Delhi Declaration: India used the G-20 presidency to build consensus among the G-20 members to include the issues of the Global South like debt financing, climate justice and gender equality in the New Delhi Declaration.
• Expansion of G-20: Inclusion of African Union.
• Voice of Global South Summit
• Vaccine Maitri
• More representative multilateral fora
• Climate Justice

Solutions:

• Encourage diplomatic dialogue and negotiation to address the underlying issues of the Israel-Gaza conflict.
• Promote international cooperation and adherence to international law to ensure accountability for actions violating human rights and humanitarian law.

Nut Graf: The ICJ hearings and the broader discourse surrounding Israel’s actions in Gaza highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics at play. The division between Western countries and the Global South underscores differing perspectives on issues of sovereignty, self-defense, and international law. India’s nuanced stance reflects its efforts to navigate these complexities while safeguarding its strategic interests and regional relationships.

2. Centre to examine Ladakh’s demand for constitutional safeguards

Context: The Union government has committed to exploring Ladakh’s demand for constitutional safeguards, particularly regarding the potential implementation of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. This decision follows discussions between civil society leaders and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials, signalling a potential shift in Ladakh’s governance framework.

Understanding the Sixth Schedule:

• The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, outlined in Article 244, is designed to safeguard tribal populations by enabling the establishment of autonomous development councils.
• These councils are empowered to formulate laws concerning land, public health, agriculture, and other areas of local governance.
• Presently, 10 autonomous councils operate in states like Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, functioning as entities with significant local autonomy.

Demands and Discussions in Ladakh:

• Members of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) in Ladakh have advocated for Statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.
• Their demands include tribal status for Ladakh, job reservations for residents, and parliamentary representation for Leh and Kargil.
• Meetings between civil society representatives and MHA officials have focused on the legal and constitutional aspects of Ladakh’s aspirations, paving the way for further deliberations.

Advantages for 6th scheduled areas

1. Democratic Devolution of Powers – The Sixth Schedule has helped in the democratic devolution of powers through the creation of Autonomous District Councils which have some legislative, judicial and administrative autonomy within a state.
2. Preservation of Cultural Practices and Customs – For example, the Bodo language of Bodoland was protected.
3. Protection of tribal Land rights – By granting the autonomous councils the powers to legislate on matters like land, forests, and fisheries.
4. Grant-in Funds – For example, the Finance Commission recommendations for grant-in aids for sixth scheduled areas.
5. Sustainable Socio-Economic Development – The inclusion of a region in the sixth schedule ensures the socio-economic development of a region in consonance with the cardinal virtue of sustainability.

Assurances and Resolutions:

• MHA officials have assured the Ladakhi representatives of resolving issues such as the establishment of a Service Selection Board and the provision of gazetted jobs akin to Sixth Schedule areas in northeastern states.
• The unity between LAB and KDA has been instrumental in achieving progress during discussions, reflecting the collective effort to address Ladakh’s concerns comprehensively.

Challenges and Protests in Ladakh:

• Ladakh, since its reconstitution as a Union Territory following the revocation of Article 370, has witnessed protests over concerns regarding land rights, resource protection, employment opportunities, and bureaucratic interference.
• The demand for constitutional safeguards reflects broader anxieties among locals regarding governance and representation in the region.

3. Kerala takes a pioneering step to curb antimicrobial resistance

Context: Kerala’s initiative to implement the H1 rule, aimed at curbing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), marks a pioneering step in India’s healthcare landscape. While commendable, the impact of this measure might not be immediate due to various underlying challenges. Nonetheless, Kerala’s proactive approach sets a precedent for addressing AMR, which is a global health concern.

Challenges in Implementing the H1 Rule:

• The H1 rule, introduced by the Indian government in 2011, aimed to regulate the over-the-counter sales of antibiotics without a prescription to combat AMR.
• However, due to the diverse healthcare landscape across India, the effective implementation of this rule has been hindered, leading to modifications that permit the sale of certain antibiotics without prescriptions.
• Kerala’s recent adoption of the original H1 rule, under Operation AMRITH, represents a significant departure from the prevailing norms.

Factors Facilitating Implementation in Kerala:

• Kerala’s high doctor-patient ratio, even in rural areas, provides a conducive environment for enforcing the H1 rule effectively.
• The State’s high literacy rate fosters awareness among the populace regarding the importance of adhering to regulations, thereby enhancing compliance.
• Operation AMRITH leverages these factors to ensure strict enforcement of the H1 rule, mandating a doctor’s prescription for the acquisition of any class of antibiotics.

Addressing the Root Causes of AMR:

• Unnecessary and irrational antibiotic prescriptions by doctors contribute significantly to AMR, highlighting the need for enhanced diagnostic facilities to accurately identify bacterial infections.
• Educating patients about the limitations of antibiotics and discouraging unnecessary prescription requests are crucial steps in combating AMR.
• Kerala’s requirement for hospitals to disclose rates of hospital-acquired infections acknowledges the socioeconomic dimensions of AMR and underscores the importance of improving public health infrastructure and governance to reduce infection transmission.

Comprehensive Strategies to Combat AMR:

• In addition to enforcing the H1 rule, Kerala must focus on rationalizing antibiotic use in hospitals and prohibiting the growth-promotional use of antibiotics in agriculture and animal husbandry.
• Promoting the development of new antibiotics, diagnostics, and vaccines by supporting entrepreneurial ventures is essential to address the evolving nature of AMR.
• Kerala’s emphasis on infection prevention standards in healthcare facilities and the mandatory reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates will yield long-term benefits in reducing AMR-related fatalities.

4. UAE’s exit from FATF grey list may spark surge in FPI flows into Indian NBFCs

Context: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently exited the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list after nearly two years. This development is expected to pave the way for increased Foreign Portfolio Investor (FPI) flows into Indian Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). The removal of the UAE from the grey list is anticipated to ease regulatory restrictions and enhance investor confidence, particularly in regulated sectors like NBFCs.

Impact on Investments in Indian NBFCs:

• A circular issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2021 specified that investments in NBFCs from FATF non-compliant jurisdictions would not receive equal treatment compared to those from compliant jurisdictions.
• Investors from non-compliant FATF jurisdictions, including the UAE during its inclusion in the grey list, faced restrictions on gaining significant influence in Indian NBFCs.
• The exit of the UAE from the grey list is expected to alleviate these restrictions, enabling UAE investors to pursue investments in Indian NBFCs more freely.

Eased Regulatory Environment:

• The RBI had previously rejected several applications for investments in NBFCs routed through private equity and venture capital funds domiciled in Mauritius due to FATF’s grey-listing of the country.
• With the UAE’s exit from the grey list, similar restrictions imposed on UAE investors seeking investments in India-based funds and financial services sectors are expected to be eased.
• This relaxation in regulations is anticipated to foster cross-border investments and collaborations between India and the UAE, potentially boosting FPI flows into Indian NBFCs.

Potential Surge in FPI Flows:

• Experts predict that the UAE’s removal from the FATF grey list may lead to a surge in FPI flows into India over the next two years.
• The easing of Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for FPIs from the UAE and the enhanced regulatory environment is likely to attract larger investments from the region into Indian markets, particularly NBFCs.
• The UAE, with a significant number of FPI registrations in India, is expected to emerge as one of the top regions for FPI flows into India post its exit from the grey list.

Enhancement of UAE’s Fund Jurisdiction:

• The exit from the FATF grey list could potentially enhance or reinstate UAE’s reputation as a fund jurisdiction, creating competition for other financial centres like the Gift IFSC in India.
• The recent signing of bilateral agreements between India and the UAE, including a bilateral investment treaty and a framework deal for regional connectivity, further strengthens the potential for increased investments between the two countries.

Significance of UAE’s Exit for Indian Economy:

• The removal of regulatory hurdles and the influx of investments from the UAE into Indian NBFCs could significantly contribute to the growth and stability of the Indian financial sector.
• Enhanced collaboration between India and the UAE in the financial domain is expected to bolster bilateral economic ties and foster greater economic resilience for both countries.

Q1. Consider the following statements: 

Q2. Consider the following statements: 

Q3. Which is Jupiter's largest moon, and also the largest moon in the entire solar system?

Q4. Consider the following statements: 

Q5. The word ‘Denisovan’ is sometimes mentioned in media in reference to?