CNA 17 March 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Japan, South Korea renew ties C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials WORLD HISTORY 1. Relevance of Colonial Past SECURITY 1. India’s Paramilitary Forces ECONOMY 1. Foreign Trade F. Prelims Facts 1. P-8I aircraft and Sea Dragon 23 Exercise 2. Zojila Pass G. Tidbits 1. NIOT to set up green, self-powered desalination plant in Lakshadweep 2. Defence acquisition proposals valued at ₹70,500 cr. cleared 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. Japan, South Korea renew ties
Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries
Prelims: About GSOMIA
Mains: Developments in Japan – South Korea ties and its significance
Context
Putting back a century of tensions in bilateral ties, Japan and South Korea have renewed their relations at the Tokyo summit.
Details
- The leaders of both countries have assured to resume ties as the two neighbouring countries look to combat the threats posed by the assertiveness of North Korea and China.
- These announcements have come at a time when North Korea has fired four rounds of missiles in a week.
- The leaders of both Japan and South Korea have agreed to resume regular visits, and resolve the existing disputes.
- The relationship between the two neighbouring countries has been affected for years due to their difficult history.
- South Korea was colonised by Japan from 1910 until the end of the Second World War.
- Japanese soldiers had forced thousands of Koreans to work in mines and factories whereas Korean women were forced into sexual slavery.
- The diplomatic ties between the countries were normalised in 1965. However, historical disputes have continued to affect bilateral relations.
- Various leaders of South Korea in the past have demanded Japan compensate the victims of its slavery.
Latest developments in Japan – South Korea ties
Image Source: World Map
- President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea has announced that the country has dropped the demand that Japan compensate some of the victims of its slavery and that the country would compensate victims of forced labour under Japan’s occupation through a public foundation funded by private Korean companies.
- The South Korean President also announced the “complete normalisation” of GSOMIA, which South Korea had threatened to pull out of in 2019.
- The General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which was signed in November 2016 aimed to improve intelligence sharing between Japan and South Korea.
- Japan has agreed to lift export restrictions imposed on high-tech materials such as chemicals used in the manufacturing of smartphone displays, TV screens and semiconductors.
- South Korea has also agreed to withdraw the complaint that it filed with the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2020 against Japan’s decision to tighten controls on exports to the country.
- The two countries have also agreed to resume defence dialogue and strategic talks, while also restarting a process of trilateral communication among Japan, South Korea and China.
Significance of the move
- As North Korea’s nuclear missile program and Chinese aggression threaten to disrupt peace and stability in the region, deeper security ties between South Korea and Japan provide them an opportunity to address these threats and handle them efficiently.
- Furthermore, South Korea would benefit from sharing intelligence and closer defence ties with Japan at a time when nuclear-armed North Korea is becoming more dangerous.
- The move to normalise relationships would also come with economic rewards as the two countries look to address the challenges in trade.
- With the two of the US allies being brought closer, the US will try to advance the trilateral opportunities towards the vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
- More importantly, the latest meeting and bilateral summit offer a chance for both countries to repair years of broken trust.
Nut graf: In a ground-breaking meeting, the leaders of Japan and South Korea have agreed to repair their fractured relationship by reaching a mutual agreement on various contentious issues and reviving bilateral and security dialogues. This move is said to be extremely significant for the stability of the Indo-Pacific amid growing regional security challenges.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Syllabus: Colonialism
Mains: Impact of colonial past in the present day
Context: This article discusses the relevance of colonialism in the present world.
Legacy of Colonialism:
- Colonialism refers to the practice of establishing control over a foreign country, its people, and its resources.
- Colonialism has left a significant legacy on the world we live in. It has shaped our understanding of race, culture, and identity.
- The impact of colonialism can be seen in the way power is distributed in the world, as well as in the economic and social systems that exist today.
The Persistence of Colonialism:
- Despite the fact that colonialism officially ended many years ago, its persistence can be seen in the way former colonial powers continue to exert their influence over former colonies, as well as in the way colonial attitudes and practices continue to shape our understanding of the world.
- Many former colonies continue to be dependent on their former colonial powers for trade and aid, which can be a source of ongoing economic exploitation.
- Additionally, colonial attitudes and practices continue to shape our understanding of the world. The idea that certain races or cultures are superior to others is a legacy of colonialism that continues to shape our understanding of race and culture today.
- War broke out between Ethiopia and Eritrea over a colonial border that the Italians of an earlier era of occupation had failed to define with enough precision.
Indirect Impact of Colonialism:
- The intellectual history of colonialism also had a negative impact on anthropology. For instance, the Belgian classification of Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi, which created a distinction that had not existed before led to the Rwandan genocide that occurred in 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War.
- Impact on sociology: The British invention of “martial races” in India skewed recruitment into the armed forces and burdened some communities.
- The colonial administrative habit of “divide and rule”, systematically promoted political divisions between Hindus and Muslims, which led to the Partition.
- Colonial-era distinctions also led to unequal distribution of the resources of the state within the colonial society.
- Sinhalese resentment of privileges enjoyed by the Tamils in the colonial era in Sri Lanka prompted the discriminatory policies after independence, that in turn fuelled the Tamil revolt.
Danger from a ‘mixed’ history:
- ‘Secessionism’ can be prompted by a variety of factors, historical, geographical and cultural as well as “ethnic”.
- However, different colonial experiences (Italian rule in Eritrea and British rule in Somaliland) resulted in secessions of Eritrea from Ethiopia and the “Republic of Somaliland” from Somalia.
- Boundaries drawn in colonial times create enormous problems of national unity, especially in Africa resulting in civil conflict along ethnic or regional lines.
Crisis of governance:
- State failure in the wake of colonialism is another evident source of conflict, as the by-product of an unprepared newly-independent state’s inability to govern.
- The crisis of governance in many African countries is a real and abiding cause for concern in world affairs today.
- The collapse of effective central governments — as manifested in Sierra Leone and South Sudan recently could lead to further vulnerabilities.
- The uneven development of infrastructure and uneven resource distribution in a poor country due to colonialism lead to increasing fissures in society between those from “neglected regions” and those from developed regions.
Nut Graf: Colonialism remains a relevant factor in understanding the problems and dangers of the present world. Despite the fact that colonialism officially ended many years ago, many of the countries that were colonised continue to struggle with poverty, unemployment, and social inequality.
1. India’s Paramilitary Forces
Syllabus: Various Security Forces & Agencies & Their Mandate
Mains: Issues faced by India’s paramilitary forces
Context: This article discusses various grievances of India’s paramilitary forces that need to be addressed.
Introduction:
- India’s paramilitary forces play a critical role in maintaining internal security and safeguarding the nation’s borders.
- These forces operate under the Ministry of Home Affairs and work alongside the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force to ensure the nation’s safety and security.
- Despite their crucial role, the paramilitary forces face numerous grievances that need to be addressed.
Lack of Adequate Equipment and Infrastructure:
- These forces operate in some of the most challenging environments and are responsible for maintaining law and order in various regions of the country.
- However, they often lack basic equipment such as bulletproof jackets, helmets, and proper weapons, which puts their lives in danger.
- Additionally, many paramilitary camps and facilities are in poor condition and lack basic amenities such as clean water, sanitation facilities, and medical care.
Poor Working Conditions and Pay:
- These forces work long hours in challenging conditions and are often stationed in remote areas away from their families for extended periods. Despite this, their salaries and benefits are significantly lower than those of other uniformed services such as the Army or Police.
- Many paramilitary personnel feel that they are not given the same level of respect and recognition as other uniformed services, despite their crucial role in maintaining internal security.
Inadequate Training and Career Advancement Opportunities:
- Unlike the Army or Police, which have well-established training institutions and career paths, the paramilitary forces often rely on ad-hoc training and development programs. This can result in a lack of standardisation in training and a lack of clear career paths for personnel.
- Additionally, many paramilitary personnel feel that they are overlooked for promotions and career advancements, which can lead to a lack of motivation and job satisfaction.
Mental Health and Stress-Related Issues:
- Paramilitary personnel often work in high-stress environments which can lead to a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- However, many paramilitary personnel feel that their mental health issues are not taken seriously, and they do not receive the support and treatment they need.
Lack of Accountability and Transparency:
- There have been several instances where paramilitary personnel have been accused of human rights violations and other illegal activities, but there has been a lack of accountability and punishment for these actions. This lack of accountability can lead to a lack of trust in the organisation and can damage its reputation.
Read more on Security Forces and Agencies in India
Nut Graf: India’s paramilitary forces, responsible for maintaining internal security and safeguarding the nation’s borders, face numerous grievances. These include a lack of adequate equipment, poor working conditions, inadequate training, and mental health issues. Addressing these grievances is crucial for the forces’ effectiveness and morale.
Syllabus: Import/Exports
Mains: Foreign Trade of India
Context: Government data on merchandise import/export for the month of February 2023.
Introduction:
- India’s merchandise imports and exports each saw a dip of over 8 percent on an annual basis in the month of February.
- According to the Union Commerce Ministry estimates, tentative global demand drove India’s goods exports down 8.8% in February to $33.9 billion, while imports fell 8.2% year on year to $51.31 billion.
- This is the third contraction in merchandise exports in five months, following an 11.6% drop in October 2022 and a 3% drop in December 2022.
- India’s merchandise trade deficit in February stood at $17.43 billion, marginally lower than the $17.75 billion recorded in the previous month.
Reasons behind the slump:
- A sharp 29% collapse in oil exports, a 12% fall in chemical shipments and a 10% contraction in engineering goods outflows —accounting for almost half of India’s merchandise exports resulted in February’s decline.
- However, the effects of weakening global demand dragged down 13 more of India’s top 30 export items.
- Export sectors that recorded negative growth during the 11-month period of this fiscal included engineering goods, gems and jewellery, cotton yarn/fabrics/made-ups, and plastic and linoleum.
- Engineering exports dipped by 4.24 per cent to USD 96.9 billion during April-February 2022-23. In the same period, gems and jewellery shipments declined by 0.3 per cent to USD 35.21 billion.
- Sectors which recorded positive growth included petroleum products, chemicals, pharma, electronic goods, rice, and ready-made garments of textiles.
- Retail sales in the U.S., India’s largest export destination, soared 3% in January as a positive surprise, but slumped in February.
- Besides monetary tightening, uncertainties from the ongoing Ukraine war and the lingering pandemic further dampened global growth.
Implications:
- Shrinkage of manufacturing for two quarters, and a sustained spell of slipping shipments could mean factory job losses and dent consumption.
- The 8.2% drop in February’s imports and the lowest import bill in almost a year ($51.3 billion) does not reflect well on domestic demand that is hoped to insulate the economy from global shocks.
- The failures at two U.S. banks and the disclosure of vulnerabilities by European banker Credit Suisse amid the U.S. Federal Reserve’s struggle to control inflation suggests the continuation of the slowdown.
Nut Graf: India’s merchandise exports and imports experienced a significant decline in February 2023, marking the third contraction in merchandise exports in the last five months. While some sectors saw positive growth, sustained slipping shipments could lead to factory job losses and dent domestic consumption.
F. Prelims Facts
1. P-8I aircraft and Sea Dragon 23 Exercise
Syllabus: GS-3; Security; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate
Prelims: About P-8I aircraft and Sea Dragon 23 Exercise
Context
The Indian Navy has deployed P-8I aircraft in the third edition of the coordinated multilateral Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise conducted by the U.S. Navy in Guam.
P-8I aircraft
- The P-8I aircraft is an anti-submarine warfare aircraft.
- The aircraft is designed for undertaking long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Thus the P-8I is also regarded as a multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft.
- The P-8 aircraft are designed and manufactured by the US-based Boeing Company.
- It is one of Boeing’s most advanced aircraft.
- The P-8 aircraft has two variants, namely:
- The P-8I: Manufactured for the Indian Navy
- The P-8A Poseidon: Deployed by the US Navy, the UK’s Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force, and the Royal Norwegian Air Force.
- The P-8I aircraft has the ability to fly at an altitude of about 41,000 feet and has a short transit time.
- P-8I is a dual-engine aircraft and has a top speed of 490 knots (789 km/hour) along with a range of over 1,200+ nautical miles (2,222 km).
- In 2009, India placed an order for eight P-8I aircraft and the first of these aircraft was inducted in 2013 making India the first country outside the US to get one.
Sea Dragon 23 Exercise
- Exercise Sea Dragon 23 is the third edition of the coordinated multilateral Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercise conducted by the US Navy.
- The Sea Dragon is an annual, multinational high-end exercise hosted by the US Navy.
- The Ex Sea Dragon 23 would test the capabilities of the aircraft in tracking simulated and live underwater targets.
- Other than P-8I of the Indian Navy, aircraft such as P8A of the US Navy, P1 of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, CP 140 from the Royal Canadian Air Force and P3C from the Republic of Korean Navy will also take part in the exercise.
2. Zojila Pass
Syllabus: GS-1; Geography; Physical geography of India
Prelims: Zojila and other important mountain passes
Context
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) reopened the strategic Zojila Pass after it remained closed for about 68 days.
Zojila Pass
- The Zojila Pass is located at 11,650 feet in Dras, Kargil district of the Union Territory of Ladakh.
- Zojila is a high mountain pass that acts as a gateway between the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.
- It helps connect Srinagar with Kargil and Leh.
- The Zojila Pass is also regarded as “The Mountain Pass of Blizzards”.
- Every year the pass would be closed during the winter months due to extreme snowfall as temperatures dip to sub-zero degrees.
Read more – Mountain Passes in India
Other important mountain passes
- Razdan Pass is located at an elevation of 11,624 ft above sea level in the Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The Razdan Pass provides the only road connectivity between the Gurez Sector and the Kashmir Valley.
- Sadhna Pass also known as Nastachun pass is located at an elevation of 10,269 ft above sea level in the Kupwara district of Kashmir.
- The mountain pass connects Karnah tehsil in the Kishanganga valley of Kupwara district with the Kashmir valley.
- Zamindar Gali or Z-Gali is a pass at an elevation of about 10,446 ft that connects the villages of Machil with the mainland of Kupwara in Kashmir.
- It is situated close to Varnau Forest and Tungwāli Baihk.
G. Tidbits
1. NIOT to set up green, self-powered desalination plant in Lakshadweep
- The Chennai-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) which is working on an initiative for providing potable water on six islands of Lakshadweep using the Low-Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology is looking to make the process free of emissions.
- The NIOT is an institute working for harnessing energy from the ocean under the aegis of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- At present, the desalination plants provide about 1,00,000 litres of potable water every day and are powered by diesel generator sets since there are no other sources of power in these islands.
- The LTTD makes use of the difference in temperature in the ocean water at the surface and at depths of about 600 feet which is close to 15°C.
- Under this technology, the warm surface seawater is flash evaporated at low pressure and the vapour is condensed with cold deep seawater.
- The resulting vapour when condensed is free of salts and contaminants and fit to consume.
- However, diesel power is used to reduce the water pressure making the process to be dependent on fossil fuel which is also a precious commodity on the islands.
- NIOT is looking to deploy a desalination plant that will also supply power to the plant making it a self-sustaining plant.
- At present, five desalination plants are in operation in the Lakshadweep islands and four more are expected to be functioning in the near future.
- The proposed self-sustaining plant would be the 10th plant and is expected to be ready by the end of 2023.
2. Defence acquisition proposals valued at ₹70,500 cr. cleared
- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by the Defence Minister has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth ₹70,500 crores.
- The AoN has been accorded by the DAC for capital acquisitions under the “Buy Indian-IDDM” (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured).
- Among the projects which have been accorded AoN, there are long-gestation projects with indigenous design and development such as the development of marine diesel engines.
- Out of the total proposals, Indian Navy proposals account for over ₹56,000 crores, which includes indigenous BrahMos cruise missiles, Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, Utility Helicopters-Maritime, etc.
- Allocations for medium-speed marine diesel engines are said to be a significant step because India is attempting the indigenous development and manufacturing of such engines for the first time.
- The proposals also include an allocation for the indigenous design and development of Long Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW) for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to be integrated with SU-30 MKI fighters, the indigenous 155mm/52-Calibre Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) along with High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) and Gun Towing Vehicles (GTVs) for Indian Army.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements with respect to the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP):(Level – Moderate)
- It is a central sector scheme.
- The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship administers the programme.
- The programme is being implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) at the national level.
- Individuals above the age of 21 years, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Cooperative Societies involved in production, and institutions that are registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 are eligible for benefits under this programme.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 3 only
- 2, 3 and 4 only
- 2 and 4 only
- 1, 3 and 4 only
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, PMEGP is a central sector scheme.
- Statement 2 is not correct, PMEGP is administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME).
- Statement 3 is correct, The scheme is implemented by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) functioning as the nodal agency at the national level.
- At the state level, the scheme is implemented through State KVIC Directorates, State Khadi and Village Industries Boards (KVIBs), District Industries Centres (DICs) and banks.
- Statement 4 is not correct, Individuals above the age of 18 years, Self Help Groups (SHGs), Cooperative Societies involved in the production, and institutions that are registered under the Societies Registration Act of 1860 are eligible for benefits under this programme.
Q2. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2022 (Rules)? (Level – Moderate)
- A foreign lawyer registered under the Rules shall be entitled to practice law in India in Litigation and Non-Litigation matters.
- They shall be allowed to practice on transactional or corporate work on joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property matters, drafting of contracts and other related matters on a reciprocal basis.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, A foreign lawyer and law firms registered under the rules shall be entitled to practise law in India in non-litigious matters only.
- Statement 2 is correct, Further, foreign lawyers or foreign law firms shall not be permitted to appear before any courts, tribunals or other statutory or regulatory authorities.
- They shall be allowed to practise on transactional work or corporate work such as joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property matters, drafting of contracts and other related matters on a reciprocal basis.
Q3. With respect to Ex Sea Dragon, which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level – Easy)
- It is an annual, multinational high-end exercise hosted by the Australian Navy.
- The exercise primarily focuses on anti-submarine warfare amongst the participating countries.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct, The Exercise Sea Dragon is an annual, multinational high-end exercise hosted by the U.S. Navy.
- Statement 2 is correct, The Exercise Sea Dragon focuses mainly on coordinated multilateral Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) exercises amongst the participating countries.
Q4. Which of the following is the best description of ‘Mission Sahbhagita’? (Level – Moderate)
- It is a scheme comprising projects aimed at the infrastructure development of India’s international borders
- The objective is to provide education and market-driven skills training to youth between the ages of 17 and 35 years
- It is a scheme to protect the growers of eligible crops from making distress sales and to reduce post-harvest losses
- It is a platform for sharing wetland management experiences, best practices, success stories, and associated challenges
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Mission Sahbhagita is a platform for sharing wetland management experiences, best practices, success stories, and associated challenges.
- It was launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2022 with a mission of a healthy and effectively managed network of 75 wetlands of national and international significance.
Q5. Which one of the following was a journal brought out by Abul Kalam Azad? [PYQ(2008)] (Level – Difficult)
- Al-Hilal
- Comrade
- The Indian Sociologist
- Zamindar
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- The Al-Hilal was a newspaper established by Indian leader Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and used as a medium for criticising the British Raj in India.
- The Comrade was a weekly English-language newspaper that was published and edited by Maulana Mohammad Ali.
- Shyamaji Krishnavarma who was the founder of the India House in London started to publish and edit “The Indian Sociologist”.
- The subtitle of “The Indian Sociologist “was “an Organ of Freedom, of Political, Social and Religious Reform”.
- The “Zamindar” is a newspaper edited by Maulana Zafar Ali Khan.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the impact of colonial rule which has been left behind, on the socio-political set-up and governance in the subcontinent. (15 marks; 250 words) (GS-1; History)
- Discuss the reasons and the impacts of the current trend of the trade deficit in India. (15 marks; 250 words) (GS-3; Economy)
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 17 March 2023:- Download PDF Here
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