CNA 14 Mar 2022:-Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. The functioning of the ISS after sanctions 2. Ahead of Ramzan, North Africa faces food crisis as prices rise C. GS 3 Related ECONOMY 1. Understanding citizens’ reluctance to pay taxes D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. No ovation for India’s stand on the Ukraine war DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY 1. Unguided missile F. Prelims Facts 1. ‘Russia used phosphorus shells in Donbas attacks’ G. Tidbits H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. The functioning of the ISS after sanctions
Syllabus:Â Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Prelims: International space station (ISS)
Mains: Sanctions on Russia and Impact on International space station (ISS)
Context: Russian Space Agency, Roscosmos argued that US sanctions on Russia could disrupt the functioning of the Russian spacecraft that serviced the International Space Station.
Impact of US Sanctions on ISS Functioning:
- The U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia including a ban on transfer of technology and on Russian banks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
- The Russian space agency Roscosmos threatened not to cooperate with Germany on joint experiments in the Russian segment of the International Space Station.
- This could affect the Russian component of the ISS, which is responsible for correcting the ISS’s orbit.
- The Russian section guarantees that the space station’s orbit is corrected 11 times a year to keep it clear of space debris.
- The ISS would most likely crash into the water or land if it did not function properly.
- Know more about the International space station(ISS)
What is Russia’s role in maintaining the ISS?
- The International Space Station (ISS) is being developed with the help of scientists from five international space agencies: NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, the Canadian Space Agency, and the European Space Agency.
- Every agency has a role to play and a stake in the ISS’s maintenance.
- The module responsible for performing course corrections to the ISS’s orbit is part of Russia’s contribution to the partnership.
- They also transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
Why does the orbit of the ISS need to be corrected?
- The ISS sinks from its orbit at a height of around 250 miles above the Earth due to its massive weight and resulting drag.
- It needs to be moved up to its original line of motion around once a month.
- Another reason for changing the ISS’s direction is to prevent colliding with space debris, which could cause damage to the station.
Are there any spacecraft that could be used in the event that Russia withdraws from the effort?
- Right now, there are two options. The Dragon module from SpaceX and the Starliner from Boeing are both capable of docking with the International Space Station. The Starliner can also transport 10 tonnes of fuel.
What is the likelihood of Russia backing out?
- Though there have been previous occasions when conflicts have risen between Russia and the U.S the operation of the ISS has not been interrupted.
- “Going by the scientists’ mindset and that such a significant global effort must not go down the drain, scientists from both sides are expected to work together.
Is it true that Russia is not at risk of the International Space Station collapsing on its soil?
- Most of the time, the ISS orbit does not pass over Russian territory. Because the orbit is around 50 degrees, the ISS will most likely fall to that level.
- Closer to the equator, the likelihood of it slipping into their realm is greater.
Nut Graf
The U.S. sanctions on Russia including a ban on transfer of technology are argued to impact Russia’s part in the collaboration of the ISS as the module is responsible for making course corrections to the orbit of the space station.
2. Ahead of Ramzan, North Africa faces food crisis as prices rise
Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Mains: Impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on North Africa
Context: North Africa is experiencing a food crisis following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both key wheat exporters to the region.
Background:
- Egypt is the world’s largest wheat importer, importing around 70% of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine.
- Tunisia, Morocco, and Libya, as well as a number of other Arab countries, rely heavily on wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia.
- Libya, which is rich in oil, imports nearly 75% of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine.
- Morocco is similarly strongly reliant on the same supply source.
Source: www.dw.com
Impact of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on North Africa
- The escalating war between Russia and Ukraine will have a major impact on wheat shipments from the two nations, which account for about a third of global supply.
- Countries like Libya and Egypt, who import crucial goods from Ukraine, as well as Tunisia and Algeria, would be harmed by higher prices.
- Because Ukraine’s wheat exports to the MENA region are exclusively delivered by sea, the Black Sea plays a critical role in the country’s wheat supply chain.
- The Middle East and North Africa are referred to as MENA.
Consequences of the wheat crisis
- At some point, governments may impose rationing or raise the price of wheat-related goods.
- Such actions may cause social unrest in countries that are already struggling economically.
- Egypt’s food crisis could be a huge setback for other North African countries.
- They could try to import wheat from other nations now that they have access to the Mediterranean Sea. However, such alternatives will not be able to completely replace Russian and Ukrainian imports.
Impact on India and China
- India and China, which get the majority of their wheat from domestic production, are unlikely to be affected.
- Indeed, demand is shifting to alternative export destinations such as India and the European Union.
Nut Graf
Russia is the world’s top wheat exporter and the largest producer after China and India. And Ukraine is one of the top five wheat exporters worldwide. The invasion of Ukraine and the ensuing sanctions imposed on Russia have led Global food security to be at risk.
C. GS 3 Related
1. Understanding citizens’ reluctance to pay taxes
Syllabus: Issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development.
Mains: Factors affecting Citizens’ willingness to pay taxes
Context: In a research project, a team of researchers studied how willingness to pay property taxes changes with new information on how tax money is spent by the government.
What are the Significant Findings of the study?
- According to benefit-based taxation theory, the willingness among citizens to pay taxes depends on the benefits that taxpayers expect to receive in return for paying their taxes.
- People may be more willing to pay taxes if they believe that the money will be spent in a way that personally benefits them.
- Thus, taxes that are purely aimed at redistribution of wealth may not appeal to a lot of taxpayers.
Which Factors Affect Citizens’ willingness to pay taxes?
- Lack of Knowledge about tax spending:
- The misperceptions and inadequate information about how the taxes that they paid were being spent by the government holds back the households from paying the taxes.
- Lack of access
- Another factor affecting willingness of citizens to pay taxes is lack of access to information about how tax revenues are being spent by the government.
Recommendations:
- The researchers recommend informing the households during tax filing season about the actual share of property taxes that went into public education and other social welfare sectors.
- If the government spent a larger share of taxes towards funding social services, there will be significant change in taxpayers behavior.
- It is recommended that the government should offer detailed information on the various purposes (such as health, education, roads, etc) towards which tax collections will be earmarked.
- These steps will reduce the tendency to appeal against taxes and increase willingness to pay taxes.
Lessons for India
- The study’s conclusions may hold lessons for countries like India where there is an active push by the government to get more citizens to pay their taxes.
- A significant share of tax evasion happens in India. This is because citizens do not feel that they receive sufficient benefits from the government for the taxes that they already pay.
- So, an effective way to improve tax compliance could be to improve the provision of benefits and make the government more accountable.
Nut Graf
A study on Citizens’ willingness to pay taxes holds lessons for countries like India where there is a significant share of tax evasion due to the fact that citizens do not feel that they receive sufficient benefits from the government for the taxes that they pay.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. No ovation for India’s stand on the Ukraine war
Syllabus: Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests, Indian Diaspora.
Mains: India’s stance on the Russia- Ukraine issue; Arguments for and against this stand.
Context:
- India has had to walk a diplomatic tightrope over Russia-Ukraine issue as it tries to balance its ties with Moscow and the West.
India’s stand on the Russia- Ukraine conflict:
- India’s first statement in the UN Security Council (UNSC) did not name any country directly but it said it regretted that calls from the international community to give diplomacy and dialogue a chance had not been heeded. It, however, stopped short of criticising Russia.
- India talked about the importance of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states while calling on the member states to honour these principles in finding a constructive way forward.
- India along with 34 other countries abstained from a UN General Assembly resolution that censured Russia over its military actions against Ukraine. India had also abstained from the UN Security Council procedural vote to call for a General Assembly session on the Ukraine crisis.
- India appears to be following the strategy of non-alignment and promoting dialogue to resolve issues. India has been constantly appealing for peace. India at UNSC strongly emphasized the need for all sides to exercise the utmost restraint and intensify diplomatic efforts to ensure a mutually amicable solution.
- India’s stand on the ongoing Ukraine-Russia crisis could be termed as
Arguments in favour of India’s stand:
- Arguments justifying India’s stand on the issue rely on the fact that in international affairs, a country must be primarily guided by its national interest.
Strategic significance of Russia for India:
- Given India’s very high dependence on Russia for defence equipment and the likely need of support on the Pakistan issue in the Security Council, India must not offend Russia by condemning the invasion and this could be one of the main reasons behind India’s stand.
- Russia continues to be India’s largest arms supplier even though its share has dropped to 49% from 70% due to India’s decision to diversify its portfolio and boost domestic defence manufacturing.
- Russia is supplying equipment like the S-400 missile defence system which gives India crucial strategic deterrence against China and Pakistan, and that is the reason why it went ahead with the order despite threats of looming US sanctions.
East-west conflict:
- Another important argument for the current stand rests on the grounds that the Russian invasion and the West’s reaction, is a conflict between the east and the west, and India should stay out of it.
Student evacuation issue:
- India also has had the tough task of trying to evacuate 20,000 citizens, mostly students, from Ukraine.
- Given that safety assurances are needed from all parties in a conflict to run a successful evacuation operation partly explains India’s neutral stand on the issue. India’s taking side in the conflict could endanger the safety of its citizens.
- Notably, India has been able to get help both from Ukraine and Russia to evacuate its citizens. With hundreds of citizens still stuck in Ukraine, India with its stand can continue to seek cooperation from all sides.
Balancing ties:
- India has a connection with both countries involved in the war – economically, security-wise, education-wise and politically as well. This is the reason why India has taken a neutral stand in the conflict.
- India’s neutral stand allows it to keep channels open with everyone. In that sense, India is in a unique position as it’s one of the few countries which has good relations both with the west and Russia.
Arguments against India’s stand:
Weal moral principles:
- India’s action is tantamount to averting attention from unprovoked aggression towards an independent country by the much stronger Russian army.
- India’s refusal to take a firm line on the Russian invasion comes across as India’s lack of compassion for the people of Ukraine facing military aggression. India’s stand on the issue comes across as unethical given that India chose its own national interests over the plight of innocent Ukrainian nationals.
- This would adversely impact, India’s image in the international domain where it seeks to establish itself as the ‘Vishwaguru’ or World Teacher.
Lack of commitment to international laws and principles:
- The stand taken by India also demonstrates the lack of commitment to established principle in international affairs. It in fact goes against the principles of Panchsheel– the guiding principle for Peaceful Coexistence in international relations.
- The stand also goes against the ancient belief of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, implying that the world is a family.
- The stand taken by India leave it in the company of Russia and China. These nations have often indulged in aggression against sovereign states and viewed as disruptors of international peace and security.
Interests and principles cannot be separated:
- The article argues that it is untenable to separate national interests and national principles. Given that the principles are the most deeply held beliefs about how the world must be ordered, then the nation’s interest lies in ensuring that these principles prevail in international relations.
- The article argues that India’s stand on the issue could rebound on Indians in their interaction with the rest of the world in the future, unfavourably. If India does not want to see itself to be the victim of territorial aggression in the future, it must communicate strongly on the world stage that it condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Changed international relations dynamics:
- Notably, India had taken a similar stance during the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956 where it had abstained from voting in the UN. The article however argues that the two situations cannot be compared given that in the 1950s the West was mostly unsympathetic to India’s concerns and was backing Pakistan on the Kashmir issue with the erstwhile Soviet Union rescuing India several times by exercising its veto in the UN Security Council.
- The current situation however is different given that India shares strategic relations with the U.S. led west and also there is public condemnation of unconditional support of Pakistan vis-Ã -vis India in these countries. Notably Russia has been growing close to Pakistan, with the sale of weapon systems and bilateral military exercises.
Flawed defence supply argument:
- Though India continues to rely on the Russians for defence equipment and their spare parts, at the same time there has been the emergence of a global market for arms. So India could as well source such equipment or spare parts from the global market if Russia decides to block arms and spare supplies to India.
- Notably India too has been diversifying its defence imports with new agreements with U.S., Israel, France, Sweden etc. This offers India a great degree of independence from excessive dependency on Russia.
Conclusion:
- India being a democracy cannot look away from the violation of widely accepted norms contained in the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine for fear of losing access to its supply of armaments or of reciprocal support in the UN on matters of concern to it.
- Instead India must take a long view of how it wants to engage with the world and deal with such situations. Sticking to the time tested principles and norms of international relations is not just in India’s national interest, it is also its own reward.
Nut Graf
India’s stand on the Russia- Ukraine issue aims to accord top priority to India’s immediate national interests whereas the article calls for looking beyond them to take a long term view of the issue.
Category: DEFENCE AND INTERNAL SECURITY
Syllabus: Security Challenges and their Management
Mains: Concerns associated with accidental missile launches
Context:
- The accidental firing of a missile by India into Pakistan.
For information on the issue refer to the following article:
UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis of 13th Mar 2022
Response from the two countries:
- The Government of India has stated that the incident happened in the course of routine maintenance, due to a technical malfunction. However taking note of the serious lapse, the Indian government has ordered a high-level Court of Inquiry.
- Pakistan has expressed serious concerns over the technical lapses of such serious nature, especially in the handling of strategic weapons like missile systems. Pakistan has called for a joint probe along with the involvement of the international community.
Concerns:
Unintended damage:
- Such accidental firing can cause unintended damage on large scales including loss of life and property.
- In a similar incident in February 2019, a Mi-17V5 crashed in Budgam killing its personnel onboard and a civilian on the ground. Inquiry revealed that it was shot by an Israeli-origin Spyder surface-to-air missile system of the Indian AirForce due to certain lapses in the missile system.
Unintended escalation of tensions:
- Such incidents could have led to serious, unintended escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries of India and Pakistan. Such nuclear escalation in the volatile region will only end in destruction on both sides.
Dent India’s image on the global stage:
- Such incidents could dent confidence of the international community in India.
- India’s global image of being a responsible nuclear power has been built over decades of restrained words and thoughtful action. Though the security of India’s nuclear command and technical capabilities has never been in doubt, such incidents would adversely impact India’s reputation.
- India is a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime since 2016. Such recognition comes with an acceptance of India’s capability of handling its military strengths and contributing to global security. Generally, the handling and the launch of missiles are highly regulated with checks and balances to avoid accidents. The occurrence of such an incident shows the insufficiency of these measures and hence creates doubts about India’s capacity to handle nuclear and other military assets.
Nut Graf
The incident of missile malfunction raises several fundamental questions regarding security protocols and technical safeguards against accidental or unauthorized launch of missiles.
F. Prelims Facts
1. ‘Russia used phosphorus shells in Donbas attacks’
Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interest.
Prelims: Phosphorus shell
Context: A senior Ukrainian police officer has accused Russian forces of launching phosphorus bomb attacks in the eastern region of Lugansk.
What is the issue?
- White phosphorus shells are prohibited in densely populated civilian areas under international law.
- But they are permitted in open places to provide cover for troops.
Phosphorus shell
- It’s a colorless or yellowish translucent wax-like substance with a garlic-like odour that ignites when exposed to oxygen.
- Its fire is difficult to put out, and it adheres to flesh, intensifying the burns.
- It’s what the Nazis referred to as a “flaming onion.”
International Law to Ban Phosphorus shell
- White phosphorus is classified as an incendiary weapon under international law.
- It is defined as “any weapon or ammunition that is primarily designed to set fire to objects or to cause burn injury to persons through the action of flame, heat, or a combination thereof, produced by a chemical reaction of a substance delivered on the target” by Protocol III of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons.
About The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons
- The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) is frequently referred to as the Convention on Inhumane Weapons.
- The Convention was signed by 50 countries and became effective on December 2, 1983.
- The Convention’s purpose is to prohibit or limit the use of specified types of weapons that are thought to cause needless or unjustifiable suffering to combatants or to indiscriminately affect civilians.
- Three protocols are appended to the Convention:
- Protocol I – Non-Detectable Fragments
- Protocol II – Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Mines, Booby Traps and Other Devices
- Protocol III – Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Incendiary Weapons
G. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to Lake Chilika:
- Mangalajodi Bird Sanctuary is the core area of Chilika Lake.
- It is Asia’s largest coastal lagoon.
- Chilika Lake boasts the highest single lagoon population of Irrawaddy dolphins in the world.
Which of the given statement/s is/are correct?
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Mangalajodi bird sanctuary in Odisha located on the northern edge of Chilka. Hence Statement 1 is not correct
- Lake Chilika is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and the second largest coastal lagoon in the world. Hence Statement 2 is correct
- This salt lake has the highest single lagoon population of Irrawaddy dolphins in the world.Tourists gather around the year to enjoy sighting Irrawaddy dolphins near Satpada Island.Hence Statement 3 is correct
Q2. Which of the given statements is/are correct?
- Palladium is used to coat electrodes that help control flow of electricity.
- Palladium is used in making multilayer ceramic capacitors which are important to make smartphone screens and power circuit breakers.
- Ukraine is the world’s largest producer of palladium.
Options:
- 3 only
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Most palladium is used in catalytic converters for cars. It is also used in jewellery and some dental fillings and crowns. It is used in the electronics industry in ceramic capacitors, found in laptop computers and mobile phones. Hence Statement 1 is correct
- In the electronics sector, most palladium is used for multi-layer ceramic (chip) capacitors (MLCC). MLCCs store energy in electronic devices such as broadcasting equipment, mobile telephones, computers, electronic lighting and high voltage circuits. Hence Statement 2 is correct
- Russia is the leading global producer of palladium in recent years. Hence Statement 3 is not correct
Q3. Which of the given statements with respect to GenoMICC research project is/are INCORRECT?
- It is a research study initiated by India that is exclusively aimed at mapping and identifying the genetic variation linked to severity of COVID-19.
- It aims to undertake whole genome sequencing of thousands of individuals representing diverse ethnic groups from India.
- It is an initiative of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Options:
- 1 and 3 only
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
GenOMICC (Genetics of Mortality in Critical Care)
- It is a research study done by Scientists in the United Kingdom that brings together clinicians and scientists from around the world to find the genetic factors that lead to critical illnesses.Hence Statement 1 is not correct
- Researchers from the GenOMICC consortium, led by the University of Edinburgh in partnership with Genomics England, sequenced the genomes of 7,491 patients from 224 intensive care units in the United Kingdom. Hence Statement 2 and 3 are not correct
- GenOMICC has been studying infections such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), flu and other forms of critical illness.
- The overarching aim of genome association studies is to not only correlate genes but also design treatments.
Q4. Which of the given statements is/are correct with respect to the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority?
- In India, the prices of all drugs including branded and generic are regulated by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority.
- It fixes the ceiling price of scheduled medicines in the first schedule of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
- It prepares the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) annually.
Options:
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- 1 and 2 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority(NPPA) was set up as an attached office of the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals on August 29, 1997.
- It is responsible for regulating the prices of drugs in the country and ensuring their availability, accessibility and affordability to every citizen of the country. Hence Statement 1 is correct
- NPPA aims to implement and enforce the provisions of the Drugs Price Control Order (DPCO), 1995/2013 in accordance with the powers delegated to it.Hence Statement 2 is correct
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India prepares the first National List of Essential Medicines of India.Hence Statement 3 is not correct
Q5. Which of the following phrases defines the nature of the ‘Hundi’ generally referred to in the sources of the post-Harsha period?
- An advisory issued by the king to his subordinates
- A diary to be maintained for daily accounts
- A bill of exchange
- An order from the feudal lord to his subordinates
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Harshavardhana was born in 590 AD to King Prabhakaravardhana of Sthaneshvara (Thanesar, Haryana). He belonged to the Pushyabhuti also called the Vardhana dynasty.
- Hiuen Tsang has given a very favorable account of king Harsha and his empire.
- Hundis refer to financial instruments evolved on the Indian subcontinent used in trade and credit transactions. They were used
- as remittance instruments (to transfer funds from one place to another),
- as credit instruments (to borrow money [IOUs]),
- for trade transactions (as bills of exchange).
- Hence Option C is correct
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- An effective way to improve tax compliance could be to improve the provision of benefits and make the government more accountable. Analyse. (10 Marks, 150 Words)[GS-3, Economy]
- Discuss the protocols and agreements in place between India and Pakistan for regulating missile tests. (10 Marks, 150 Words)[GS-2, International Relations]
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CNA 14 Mar 2022:-Download PDF Here
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