CNA 03rd Mar 2021:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. India and Japan back in new Sri Lanka port project C. GS 3 Related ECONOMY 1. Centre garners ₹77,815 crore in spectrum auction, Jio top bidder 2. Alert helps foil plan to hack power systems in Telangana ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 1. Himalayan serow spotted in Assam D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. The anatomy of a spring ceasefire ECONOMY 1. Recalibrating relations with EU F. Prelims Facts G. Tidbits 1. Don’t create buffer stock of vaccines: Health Ministry 2. Pak. has given ‘pension’ to terrorists, says India 3. LSTV-RSTV now merged under banner of Sansad TV 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
1. India and Japan back in new Sri Lanka port project
Context:
Sri Lanka has announced that it would develop the West Container Terminal (WCT) at the Colombo Port, along with India and Japan.
Details:
- Approval has been granted to develop the WCT with private investors nominated by India and Japan.
- The decision comes a month after the Rajapaksa government ejected the two partners from a 2019 tripartite agreement to jointly develop the East Container Terminal (ECT), citing resistance to foreign involvement.
- Sri Lanka had backed out of an agreement with India and Japan to develop the East Container Terminal (ECT) at the Colombo Port. Both India and Japan had expressed displeasure about Colombo unilaterally pulling out of the 2019 agreement.
This issue has been covered in the 3rd February 2021 Comprehensive News Analysis.
West Container Terminal (WCT) development:
- In the ECT project agreed upon earlier, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) was to hold a majority 51%, but in the WCT proposal, India and Japan will be accorded an 85% stake, as is the case in the nearby Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT).
- China Merchants Port Holdings Company Limited holds an 85% stake in CICT.
- While the ECT was partially in use, the WCT has to be built from scratch, requiring a much higher investment.
- The WCT is adjacent to the China-run CICT and just a couple of kilometres away from the China-backed Port City being built on reclaimed land.
- This makes WCT a strategically desirable spot for India.
Timing of Sri Lanka’s move:
- The alternative offer comes at a time when Sri Lanka is seeking support from India at the ongoing UN Human Rights Council session, where a resolution on its rights record will soon be put to vote.
This topic has been covered in the 27th February 2021 Comprehensive News Analysis.
C. GS 3 Related
1. Centre garners ₹77,815 crore in spectrum auction, Jio top bidder
Context:
The telecom spectrum auctions concluded with the Centre garnering ₹77,814.8 crore in revenues.
Spectrum Auctions:
- Devices such as cellphones and wireline telephones require signals to connect from one end to another. These signals are carried on airwave.
- The airwaves are called spectrum, which is subdivided into bands that have varying frequencies.
- A firm can bid for spectrum only as per the eligibility point allocated based on its deposit.
- Foreign companies are also eligible to bid for the airwaves. But, they will have to either set up a branch in India and register as an Indian company, or tie up with an Indian company to be able to retain the airwaves after having won the spectrum in the bid.
- The Union government owns all the publicly available assets within the geographical boundaries of the country including airwaves.
Details:
- The amount exceeded the expectations of the government as well as analysts. Analysts had predicted a low-key bidding at the auctions.
This topic has been covered in the 1st March 2021 Comprehensive News Analysis.
- The auction is the first in nearly five years.
- The spectrum will be assigned to bidders for a period of 20 years.
- No bids were received for the premium 700 MHz and 2500 MHz bands. The 700 MHz band remained unsold during the 2016 auctions as well due to the high prices.
2. Alert helps foil plan to hack power systems in Telangana
Context:
A possible hacking of the power systems in Telangana by a China-based group was averted by the power utilities of the State by taking timely precautionary measures following an alert issued by the Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-In).
Details:
- CERT-In had reported from a trusted source that the China-based “Threat actor Group Command and Control” servers were trying to communicate with systems belonging to the Telangana State Load Dispatch Centre (TSSLDC) and the Transmission Corporation of Telangana Ltd (TS-Transco) and advised suitable precautionary measures to ensure the security of the power systems.
- Acting instantly on the alert, various measures were taken by the TS Transco.
The cyberattack attempt which came to light assumes significance as it comes at a time when The New York Times reported that a power blackout in Mumbai was due to a China-based cyber-attack.
This topic has been covered in the 2nd March 2021 Comprehensive News Analysis.
Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Himalayan serow spotted in Assam
Context
A Himalayan mammal has been spotted in Assam.
Details:
- Himalayan Serows have been spotted in the Manas Tiger Reserve.
- The serow has been spotted for the first time in the tiger reserve or anywhere else in Assam.
- Principal Chief Conservator of Forest for areas under the Bodoland Territorial Council stated that the sighting augurs well for the health of the tiger reserve.
Sightings of rare animals:
- The black-necked crane was also recently sighted in Manas.
- The Buddhists revere the bird that nests in the Tawang region.
- Critically endangered white-bellied heron was also spotted.
- The sightings of rare animals and birds in Manas is an outcome of better access to remote parts of the protected area where extremists and hunters once ruled.
- Birders had sighted the colourful Mandarin duck in the Maguri-Motapung wetland near eastern Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
- This duck was last spotted in Assam 118 years ago.
Himalayan Serow:
- Himalayan serow is a goat-antelope.
- The Himalayan mammal is a high-altitude dweller usually found 2,000-4,000 metres above sea level.
Manas Tiger Reserve:
- The Reserve is contiguous with the 1,057-sq. km. Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. The anatomy of a spring ceasefire
What’s in News?
India and Pakistan have issued a joint statement for the first time in years, announcing that they would observe the 2003 ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC). The announcement has triggered widespread speculation about the durability, significance and implication for the bilateral relations in general.
Indication of peace:
- While the development comes with a surprise factor, there have been some indications about warming up of relations between the traditional rivals.
- Pakistan Army Chief had stated that “It is time to extend hand of peace in all directions”, and on the Indian side, the Army Chief “with our continuous engagement with Pakistan, we will be able to prevail over them (for border peace)… as unsettled borders help no one”.
- India allowed the use of its airspace by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s special aircraft to fly to Sri Lanka just a day before the ceasefire announcement.
- In Colombo, Mr. Khan said, “Our only dispute is Kashmir and it can only be resolved through dialogue.”
Significance of the ceasefire:
Specifics of the declaration:
- Two distinct features make the recent ceasefire announcement different:
- This was a joint statement by the two DGsMO.
- Unlike the previous declarations, the recent agreement mentions a specific date, i.e., the night of February 24-25, to begin the ceasefire.
In the wake of growing ceasefire violations:
- It is one of the most significant military measures by India and Pakistan in over 18 years to reduce violence along the LoC in Kashmir.
- The agreement is path-breaking from a conflict management point of view.
- It comes in the wake of over 5,000 ceasefire violations in 2020 (the highest in 19 years since 2002).
- Also, the November 2003 ceasefire agreement was also announced in the wake of a high level of violence.
Geo-political significance:
- New Delhi was stuck in an ugly two-front situation and a feeling of being boxed in by an inimical Pakistan and an aggressive China.
- Dealing with it was neither easy nor practical.
- That the Indian Army had to redeploy forces from the western border with Pakistan to the northern border with China is indicative of the serious material challenges it could throw up.
- The best way to deal with the two front challenge then, New Delhi could have reasoned, was to defuse at least one front. The LoC was a natural candidate.
Return to back channel:
- What is also significant to note about the ceasefire agreement between the two DGsMO is that this was preceded by high-level contacts through the backchannel.
A brief history:
- The history of India-Pakistan ceasefire pacts and war termination agreements is both complex and instructive.
- The Karachi agreement of 1949, which ended the first war between the newly formed India and Pakistan, was the first ceasefire agreement between the two countries which, signed under the good offices of the United Nations, created the India Pakistan boundary in Kashmir called the Ceasefire Line or CFL.
- The United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was mandated to monitor the ceasefire along the CFL.
- The 1965 India-Pakistan war also ended in a ceasefire, but since the status quo ante bellum was restored after the Tashkent Agreement, the CFL in Kashmir remained unaltered.
- However, the India-Pakistan war of 1971 would change that. The ceasefire which ended the 1971 war was enshrined into the Simla Agreement the following year.
- But unlike 1965, status quo ante bellum was not restored by the Simla Agreement, a decision that would have important implications for bilateral relations.
- The Suchetgarh Agreement of 1972 delineated the ‘line of control’ in Jammu and Kashmir which resulted from the ceasefire of December 1971 thereby renaming the CFL as the LoC.
- By this smart move, Indian negotiators not only changed the nomenclature of the India-Pakistan dividing line in Kashmir and the physical alignment of the border in Jammu and Kashmir, but also made the UNMOGIP presence in Kashmir irrelevant.
- The UN force was mandated to ensure a ceasefire on the CFL, but there was no CFL after 1972, and, more so, the UN was not even a party to the Simla Agreement unlike the Karachi Agreement.
Way Forward:
- A ceasefire does not observe itself. It requires a clearly articulated and mutually-agreed-upon set of rules and norms for effective observance along with an intent to observe them.
- The latest ceasefire is an expression of such an intent, but without the rules and norms to enforce it.
- The Simla Agreement or the Suchetgarh Agreement do not have those rules either.
- The Karachi Agreement, on the other hand, has clearly laid down provisions on how to manage the CFL which, of course, was overtaken by the LoC.
- Ironically, therefore, armed forces deployed on either side of the LoC in Kashmir often have to resort to the strictures enshrined in the long-defunct Karachi Agreement to observe the ceasefire mandated by the Simla Agreement. This needs to change.
- Now that ceasefire has been declared, the next logical step is to arrive at a set of rules to govern that ceasefire.
- An unwritten ceasefire, experiences from conflict zones around the world show, tend to break down easily and trigger tensions in other domains.
1. Recalibrating relations with EU
The article talks about the need and opportunity for India to forge stronger ties with the European Union to revitalise its exports, in the backdrop of BREXIT and India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
India’s vision of self-reliance:
- The Atmanirbhar Bharat programme and the Budget 2021-22 have set the tone and tenor to bolster supply chains and achieve self-reliance.
- However, it does not mean that India looks at being economically insular.
- Realising the vision of a self-reliant India would entail localising an increasing share of value added along supply chains through investments and phase-wise reduction of import tariffs with strategic partners such as the European Union (EU).
Export potential:
- India has an untapped export potential of $39.9 billion in the EU and Western Europe.
- The top products with export potential include apparel, gems and jewellery, chemicals, machinery, automobile, pharmaceuticals and plastic. India benefits from tariff preferences under the EU’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for several of these products.
- In fact, India is among the major beneficiaries of the EU’s GSP.
- Exports under the GSP are valued at nearly $19.4 billion in 2019, accounting for nearly 37% of India’s merchandise exports to the EU.
Concerns:
- There are several products where India has export potential in the EU, but these have graduated or are on the brink of graduation under EU GSP.
- Product graduation applies when average imports of a product from a beneficiary country exceed 17.5% of EU-GSP imports of the same product from all beneficiary countries over three years.
- India’s exports of products such as textiles, inorganic and organic chemicals, gems and jewellery, iron, steel and their articles, base metals and automotives are already out of the ambit of EU-GSP benefits.
- There is also a likelihood of losing EU-GSP benefits in other categories such as apparel, rubber, electronic items, sports goods and toys due to product graduation.
- Meanwhile, India’s competitors in apparel exports such as Bangladesh would continue to receive tariff benefits in the EU under the Everything but Arms Initiative.
- Another competitor, Vietnam, concluded a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU in 2019.
Cautious approach to FTAs:
- India’s negotiation for a Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement, which commenced in 2007, is yet to materialise due to lack of concurrence in areas like automotives and dairy and marine products.
- India’s cautious approach to FTAs is due to its past experience of an unequal exchange of benefits in several FTAs signed by the country.
Way Forward:
- In light of the declining preferential access and the likely erosion of competitiveness in the EU market, there is clearly a need to deepen trade and investment ties with the region.
- A thorough assessment of the benefits from FTA for domestic producers is warranted.
- India must consider the impact of FTA on sensitive sectors, and the possibility of inclusion of safeguards such as sunset clause on concessions for some items.
- There should also be provisions for aspects such as investment and non-tariff measures (NTMs).
- As far as NTMs are concerned, India faces as many as 414 NTMs in the EU, in a wide array of sectors.
- FTAs have some institutional arrangements for NTMs.
- India should critically review the availability of such arrangements in its negotiations, as also their operationalisation and effectiveness.
- India also needs to negotiate on investment-related aspects with the EU to enhance bilateral investments and foster stronger value chains, especially in technology-intensive sectors in which the EU has a comparative advantage.
Conclusion:
- Post-Brexit EU finds itself in the midst of a growing need for recalibrating ties with its partner countries.
- Forging stronger ties with the EU through a mutually beneficial agreement could help strengthen Indian manufacturing and revitalise exports.
F. Prelims Facts
Nothing here for today!!!
G. Tidbits
1. Don’t create buffer stock of vaccines: Health Ministry
What’s in News?
COVID-19 Vaccination.
- The Health Ministry has urged States/UTs to utilise 100% capacities of private hospitals functioning as COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs).
- It has directed that private hospitals not under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and the State Insurance Schemes can also be utilised as CVCs.
2. Pak. has given ‘pension’ to terrorists, says India
What’s in News?
46th session of the Human Rights Council.
- At the session, India reiterated that Kashmir is an inalienable part of its territory and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has no locus standi to raise matters related to the region on international platforms.
- Using the Right of Reply at the session, India’s diplomatic team said Pakistan has given ‘pension’ to terrorists and urged Islamabad to focus on its poor economic condition and improve the lives of its minority communities.
- Challenges faced by the religious and ethnic minorities of Pakistan were highlighted stating that ‘holy’ sites of the minority groups had been attacked by Pakistan.
The tough exchange came days after India and Pakistan agreed to adhere to the 2003 ceasefire agreement. Despite the positive signs at the bilateral level, Pakistan and the OIC raised the Kashmir issue at the HRC which drew a sharp response from India.
3. LSTV-RSTV now merged under banner of Sansad TV
What’s in News?
The merger of the Lok Sabha TV (LSTV) and the Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) has been finalised and will be replaced by Sansad TV.
- Retired IAS officer Ravi Capoor is appointed its Chief Executive Officer.
Background:
- In November 2019, after deliberations between Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu, a committee headed by former Prasar Bharati Chairman Surya Prakash was set up.
- It submitted a report in February 2020.
- The Surya Prakash panel held a meeting with Members of Parliament from different political parties and they strongly recommended the continuation of the live telecast.
- Three different sub-committees are currently examining the report to finalise the integration of technical and manpower resources of both the channels.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to Himalayan serow:
- It is a high altitude dweller usually found 2,000-4,000 metres above sea level.
- It is a goat-antelope.
- It is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ in the IUCN Red List.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- 1 and 2 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Himalayan serow is a goat-antelope.
- The Himalayan mammal is a high-altitude dweller usually found 2,000-4,000 metres above sea level.
- It is classified as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List.
Q2. Which of these ports of Sri Lanka is the largest natural harbour in the country?
- The Port of Colombo
- The Port of Galle
- The Port of Trincomalee
- The Port of Hambantota
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- The Port of Trincomalee is the largest natural harbour in Sri Lanka.
- The Port of Colombo is the largest port of Sri Lanka with most traffic.
Q3. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
- Negev Light Machine Gun – U.S.A
- SIG-716 assault rifles – Israel
- AK-203 assault rifles – Russia
Choose the correct option:
- 1 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 3 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Light Machine Guns (LMGs) are designed to be employed by an individual soldier, with or without an assistant, as an infantry support weapon.
- Negev is Israeli LMG.
- SIG-716 assault rifles are American LMG.
- AK-203 assault rifles are Russian LMG.
Q4. Consider the following statements with respect to Manas National Park:
- It is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site.
- It is located in Assam.
- It is a tiger reserve as well as an elephant reserve.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
- 1, 2 and 3
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 2 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Manas National Park is a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site.
- It is located in Assam. It is a tiger reserve, an elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss how a strategic partnership with the European Union will help India realise its goal of vision of a self-reliant India under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. (15 Marks, 250 Words) [GS-3, Economy]
- What is the significance of India and Pakistan’s joint re-commitment to the 2003 ceasefire? Is it the start of improvement in the strained relations between the two countries? Analyse. (15 Marks, 250 Words) [GS-2, International Relations]
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CNA 03rd Mar 2021:- Download PDF Here
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