CNA 05 May 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Washington Declaration of US and South Korea 2. SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials ECONOMY 1. Go First Bankruptcy: Trouble in Indiaβs Aviation Sector SECURITY 1. Correlation between CCTV Cameras and crime F. Prelims Facts 1. Lake Kivu G. Tidbits 1. Proud Boys 2. Yangon Port 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. Washington Declaration of US and South Korea
Syllabus: Effect of Policies & Politics of Developed & Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: Various challenges in Korean Peninsula
Context: U.S. President Joseph Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met on April 26, 2023, to mark the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK Alliance.
Introduction:
- The successful launch of North Korea’s Hwasong-8 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile has led to the South Korean President’s visit to the US to advance the strategic partnership and draw up an extended nuclear deterrence plan against North Korea’s regional aggression.
- Both countries signed the βWashington Declarationβ and have agreed to immediate bilateral presidential consultations in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack and promised a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response using the full force of the alliance, including the US’s nuclear weapons.
Washington Declaration:
- Both countries signed the βWashington Declarationβ as a nuclear deterrence strategy during the visit.
- The Washington Declaration tries to establish a credible nuclear connection between them in response to North Korea’s growing nuclear and missile provocations.
- The declaration allows for the establishment of a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), giving South Korea more control over nuclear response planning and coordination.
- South Korea would receive Intel from the U.S. regarding nuclear advancements.
- It mentions the ‘need for peace and stability’ in the water around Taiwan and discusses issues such as the tension between China and Taiwan and Chinese military activities in the South China Sea.
- According to the declaration, an American nuclear ballistic submarine would be deployed on the Korean peninsula.
- It also mandates the U.S. President as the only βsole authorityβ to use the nuclear arsenal of the U.S. in the event of a nuclear confrontation.
Significance:Β
- The Washington Declaration aims to create a more overt and close coordination among US allies in the Indo-Pacific to deal with not only North Korea but also the moves of China and Russia.
- The attempt is based on the premise that China, Russia, and North Korea, along with a few other partnerships, are challenging the regional status quo.
- Under the declaration, the U.S. will strengthen South Koreaβs nuclear deterrence capabilities through joint military training programs and an annual intergovernmental simulation.
- The declaration reaffirmed the Non-Proliferation Treaty implying that South Korea would not venture into the creation of its own independent nuclear capabilities and would instead focus on deterrence measures through an alliance-based approach.Β
U.S. control over South Koreaβs nuclear power:
- The foreign policy objectives of South Korea are significantly influenced by the United States.
- The U.S. pressured South Korea to abandon its nuclear development program and withdrew nuclear weapons from the country in the 1990s.
- The U.S. wants to control global nuclear arms production, and allowing South Korea to develop its own nuclear arsenal would hinder this effort.
- The U.S. is more concerned about the nuclear capabilities of North Korea, and a potential crisis or conflict on the Korean Peninsula involving multiple nuclear-armed actors.
- The U.S. assures its allies that it will maintain stability in the region and protect them with its own nuclear weapons.
Read more on the Korean War in the linked article.
Global and Domestic Response:
- The Washington Declaration aims to balance power dynamics against North Korea with a nuclear deterrence policy in the region.
- Physical deployment of the arsenal can be seen as a direct threat by opposing actors and used as leverage to act aggressively.
- China criticised the agreement, stating that it undermines the nuclear non-proliferation regime and the strategic interests of other countries.
- North Korean leader Kim Jong-Unβs sister warned that the declaration would only result in making peace and security in North-East Asia and the world exposed to more serious danger.
- 71% of South Koreans are sceptical about U.S. support and want to build their own nuclear weapons, according to a poll by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations.
Nut Graf: The US and South Korea recently signed the “Washington Declaration” which is aimed at deterring North Korean aggression. The declaration allows for the establishment of a Nuclear Consultative Group, joint military training programs, and an annual intergovernmental simulation. However, some are sceptical of US support, and China and North Korea have criticized the agreement.
2. SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional & Global Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests
Mains: Aim and goals of SCO and challenges.
Context: Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) are meeting in Goa on May 4-5, 2023.
Introduction:
- India, the chair of SCO is hosting the foreign ministersβ meeting in Goa from May 4-5 to prepare the agenda for the groupβs summit in July 2023 where 15 decisions or proposals will be signed off.Β
- The theme of Indiaβs chairmanship of SCO in 2023 is βSECURE-SCOβ.Β
- India attaches special importance to SCO in promoting multilateral, political, security, economic and people-to-people interactions in the region.
- The ongoing engagement with SCO has helped India promote its relations with the countries in the region with which India has shared civilizational linkages, and is considered Indiaβs extended neighbourhood.
Highlights of the meeting:Β
- Union External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a “detailed” discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang.
- India-China talks focused on resolving the military stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- Mr. Jaishankar also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Uzbekistan counterpart Bakhtiyor Saidov.
- Mr.Jaishankar held a “comprehensive review” of India-Russia bilateral, global and multilateral cooperation with the Russian Foreign Minister.
- The two Ministers had a “trust-based exchange of views” on all issues, including their cooperation as part of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
- Both meetings with the Russian and Chinese Ministers included discussions about upcoming events such as the SCO, G-20 and BRICS summits.
- Russia and China have held up a consensus on the joint communique that India is hoping to release during the G-20 summit in September.
- Russia expressed its commitment to “build a fair multipolar system of interstate relations” and strengthen coordination within the framework of interaction at important international platforms such as the SCO, BRICS, the UN and the G20 with India.
Nut Graf: India, as the chair of SCO, is hosting a foreign ministers’ meeting to prepare the agenda for the group’s summit in July 2023. The meeting includes discussions on bilateral ties, unresolved military stand-off with China, and cooperation with Russia as part of the India-Russia Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.Β
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
1. Go First Bankruptcy: Trouble in Indiaβs Aviation Sector
Syllabus: Infrastructure
Mains: Various issues in Indiaβs aviation industry
Context: Go Airlines filed for voluntary insolvency proceedings.
Introduction:Β
- Go Airlines (Go First) has filed for voluntary insolvency proceedings with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
- The airline has been struggling for some time now, with half its fleet of aircraft grounded due to snags in their Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engines, and other financial problems.
- Go First is the first Indian carrier since Jet Airways to go to the NCLT under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016.
Distress in Aviation Sector:
- Several airlines in the Indian aviation sector have failed over the past 30 years, with the most recent being Go First, leaving employees and passengers stranded.
- In 2008, the global financial crisis resulted in problems for major airlines.
- As per many experts, crony capitalism which ensured that the favoured lot was never questioned and banks kept pumping in funds to aid non-performing assets resulted in aviation sector distress.
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also blamed for overlooking the financial stress in airlines such as Kingfisher and Jet Airways.
- Although the DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirement for Scheduled Transport Operations outlines the minimum requirements for running an airline, such as finance, crew numbers, staff, and route projections, airlines announce grandiose plans without proven financial security or the minimum required number of pilots, engineers, and cabin crew, with inflated projections.
- Safety and training are areas that suffer in Indian airlines, and the regulator is seen as a mere facilitator as long as the Ministry of Civil Aviation is involved.
- It is unclear whether the DGCA has conducted a financial audit of all airlines in India and published its findings.
Challenges faced by Indian Aviation Industry:
- The Indian aviation industry has been facing financial challenges for years. The high cost of aviation fuel, taxes, and infrastructure have put tremendous pressure on the profitability of airlines.
- The highly competitive aviation market with numerous domestic and international players vying for a share of the market has led to price wars, which have further eroded the profitability of airlines.
- Indiaβs airports are overburdened and lack adequate infrastructure to support the growing demand for air travel. This has resulted in flight delays and cancellations, which have affected passenger confidence in the aviation sector.
- The highly regulated aviation sector has led to delays in obtaining permits and approvals for airlines. This has slowed down the growth of the industry and made it difficult for new players to enter the market.
- The aviation industry requires skilled personnel, such as pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers. However, there is a shortage of trained personnel in the country, which has hampered the growth of the industry.
- The Indian aviation industry has been grappling with safety concerns, such as inadequate training and maintenance of aircraft, which have put passenger safety at risk.
- The aviation industry is highly sensitive to fluctuations in currency exchange rates. This can impact the profitability of airlines and affect the cost of air travel.
- Global economic downturns can affect the demand for air travel. The COVID-19 pandemic is an example of how external factors can have a severe impact on the aviation industry.
Way Forward:
- The Indian aviation industry needs transparency and accountability from airlines, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA with respect to operations and safety.
- The mismanagement of the Indian aviation industry hinders its potential for growth as a sector.
- A complete revamp of India’s civil aviation policy is necessary to enforce stricter regulations on airline owners, promoters, and officials to prevent the mismanagement and failure of airlines.
- The policy revamp should aim to prevent the recurrence of situations where employees and passengers are left stranded without compensation due to the sudden closure of airlines.
- A revamped civil aviation policy should prioritize safety, training, and professionalism to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector.
- Airlines should have a corpus fund to meet the dues of employees and passengers in case of airline closure.
Nut Graf: Go Airlines has filed for insolvency under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The Indian aviation industry faces challenges such as financial struggles, price wars, inadequate infrastructure, and a shortage of skilled personnel. To ensure long-term sustainability, a complete revamp of India’s civil aviation policy is necessary.
1. Correlation between CCTV Cameras and crime
Syllabus: Various Security Forces & Agencies & Their Mandate
Mains: Pros and Cons of CCTV Cameras in India.
Context: This article discusses the significance and concerns regarding the use ofΒ CCTV cameras by the government.
Introduction:Β
- Indiaβs CCTV camera coverage has grown rapidly over the years. Today, Delhi and Chennai have more cameras per square mile than cities in China.Β
- States argue that CCTV cameras reduce crime, and the public finds the presence of these cameras reassuring.Β
- In a survey conducted by Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies in August 2022 in 12 States, more than three-fourths of the respondents supported installing CCTV cameras at the entrance of their homes.Β
- However, surveillance using CCTV by the government in India is a topic of concern for various reasons.
Role of CCTV Cameras in Fighting Crime:
- The presence of CCTV cameras can act as a deterrent to potential criminals by making them aware that they are being watched and recorded.
- CCTV footage can be used as valuable evidence in criminal investigations and trials, providing clear and irrefutable proof of criminal activity.
- They can help prevent crimes from occurring in the first place by allowing law enforcement to monitor high-risk areas and respond quickly to any suspicious activity.
- In crowded public places like markets, malls and railway stations, CCTV cameras can help authorities manage and control crowds, ensuring public safety.
- They can be used to monitor traffic flow and identify any congestion or accidents, helping to improve traffic management and reduce accidents.
- CCTV cameras can help emergency services respond more quickly and efficiently to incidents such as fires, natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
- They can be used to monitor public transport, ensuring the safety of passengers and identifying any criminal activity on board.
Concerns:
- The use of CCTV cameras by the government raises concerns about privacy violations of citizens. It is important to strike a balance between the need for security and the right to privacy.
- The widespread use of this technology could lead to a culture of surveillance, in which citizens feel constantly monitored and their privacy is compromised.Β
- There are also concerns about the accuracy of facial recognition technology and the potential for false positives, which could result in innocent people being mistakenly identified as criminals.
- The government may not be transparent about the use of CCTV cameras, and citizens may not be aware of their rights or the extent to which they are being monitored.
- There is a possibility that the use of CCTV cameras could lead to bias and discrimination, especially against marginalized communities.
- The installation and maintenance of CCTV cameras can be expensive, and there is a risk that taxpayers’ money may be wasted if the cameras are not used effectively.
- The effectiveness of CCTV cameras in reducing crime is still a matter of debate. There are multiple studies in the U.K. which show that there is no connection between CCTV cameras and the reduction of crime.
- CCTV cameras can be vulnerable to cyberattacks, and if they are not secured properly, the footage could be compromised.
Poor regulation:
- Societal demands drove the implementation of surveillance systems, with CCTVs being primarily pushed from a women’s safety angle and the Mumbai attacks serving as a catalyst.
- The experimentation with technology was part of the modernization of policing infrastructure in India.
- However, there is no law in India regulating the collection, processing, storage, or sharing of surveillance data.
- There is no specific law or standard operating procedure governing the use of facial recognition technology by police departments in India.
- There is no oversight committee or mechanism for citizens to file complaints against the police in case of civil rights violations related to the use of surveillance technologies.
- While laws are in place to protect citizens, national security is often cited as an excuse for not regulating state surveillance.
Nut Graf: India’s use of CCTV cameras has rapidly grown in recent years. The cameras are believed to deter crime and provide valuable evidence, but there are concerns about privacy violations, accuracy, bias, and transparency. Poor regulation and the lack of laws governing surveillance data collection and sharing have raised concerns about civil rights violations and misuse.Β
F. Prelims Facts
1. Lake Kivu
Syllabus: GS01-World Geography
Prelims: Β African Great Lakes
Context: Floods in Rwanda
Key Details:Β
- At least 130 people have died after floods and landslides hit Rwanda’s northern and western provinces.
- The Western Province bordering Lake Kivu and the district Rubavu are some of the badly affected regions.Β
- Rwanda’s weather authority is linking the unusual rains seen in recent years to climate change.
- Many factors contribute to flooding, but a warming atmosphere caused by climate change makes extreme rainfall more likely.
African Great Lakes:
- The Great Lakes of Africa refer to a series of large, interconnected lakes in East and Central Africa, including Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi, Lake Albert, Lake Edward, and Lake Kivu.Β
- These lakes are some of the deepest and largest freshwater lakes in the world, with a combined surface area of over 143,000 square kilometres and a total volume of about 18,000 cubic kilometres. They hold approximately 27% of the worldβs freshwater.
- The lakes are an important source of water, food, and livelihoods for millions of people in the region, supporting fishing, agriculture, and other economic activities.
- The lakes also play a crucial role in the region’s ecology, supporting a rich array of aquatic plant and animal species, including several endangered species such as the Nile crocodile and the hippopotamus.
- Lake Victoria is the largest of the Great Lakes of Africa, with a surface area of over 68,800 square kilometres. It is set between the Rift Valleys and is bounded by uplifted mountains and highlands associated with rifting.
- Compared to the other lakes, it is geologically younger (less than half a million years) and much shallower with markedly lower water clarity.
- It is shared by three countries: Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.
- Lake Tanganyika is the second-deepest lake in the world and the longest freshwater lake in the world. It is shared by four countries: Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Burundi.
- Lake Malawi is the third-largest of the Great Lakes of Africa. It is shared by Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
- Lake Albert is located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is named after Prince Albert of Belgium. It is relatively shallow and has a maximum depth of about 50 metres.
- Lake Edward is located on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is named after Prince Edward of the United Kingdom.Β
- Lake Kivu is located on the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and is one of only three known lakes in the world that contains a large amount of dissolved gas, primarily methane and carbon dioxide.
Image Source: World Atlas
Significance and Challenges:
- The Great Lakes of Africa have a complex political and historical significance, as they have often been the site of conflict and disputes between neighbouring countries over issues such as territorial claims, resource management, and environmental degradation.
- In recent years, the lakes have also faced significant challenges from pollution, overfishing, and the impacts of climate change, which have threatened the ecological balance of the lakes and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them.
- The Great Lakes of Africa are a focus of international attention and cooperation, with various regional and international organisations working to address the environmental and social challenges facing the lakes and their surrounding communities.
- The lakes are also an important tourism destination, attracting visitors from around the world to explore their natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
G. Tidbits
1. Proud Boys
- Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was convicted of seditious conspiracy for orchestrating an attack on the U.S. Capitol to keep Donald Trump in power after the 2020 presidential election.
- The charge carries a prison sentence of up to 20 years, and Tarrio was a top target of the largest Justice Department investigation in American history.
- This is a significant milestone for the Justice Department, which has now secured seditious conspiracy convictions against the leaders of two major extremist groups who sought to keep Joe Biden out of the White House at all costs.
About Proud Boys:Β
- The Proud Boys is a far-right, exclusively male, neo-fascist organisation in North America that promotes and engages in political violence in the United States.
- The group’s leaders have been convicted of violently opposing the US government, including the constitutionally prescribed transfer of presidential power, and the group has been designated as a terrorist group in Canada and New Zealand.
- The Proud Boys are known for their opposition to left-wing and progressive groups and for their support for former US President Donald Trump, who has denounced such groups, including the Proud Boys.
- The group originated in 2016 under the leadership of Gavin McInnes, taking its name from the song “Proud of Your Boy” from the 2011 Disney musical Aladdin.
- The Proud Boys initially emerged as part of the alt-right but distanced itself from this movement in early 2017, and Donald Trump’s comment “Proud Boys, stand back and stand by” during the October 2020 presidential debates is credited with greatly increasing interest and recruitment.
2. Yangon Port
- Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ) has sold its newly built container terminal in Yangon, Myanmar to Solar Energy Ltd for $30 million.Β
- The sale was triggered by US sanctions on Myanmar Economic Corp. Ltd (MEC), which had leased the land to APSEZ for the project.Β
- APSEZ is the ports and logistics division of the Adani Group.
- Filings from May 2021 showed that the company invested $127 million in the project, including a $90 million upfront payment to lease land.
- The Port of Yangon is the largest city in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), and it was the countryβs capital from 1948 to 2006.Β
- Located on the central coastline on the banks of the Yangon River, it is 40 kilometres upriver from the Gulf of Martaban off the Andaman Sea.Β
- Known internationally as Rangoon until 1989, Yangon reflects the Burmese pronunciation of the cityβs name.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Which of the following statements is/are true? (Level-Difficult)
- The exchange rates in India are determined by the Reserve Bank of India.
- Currency devaluation can be done only by the government, while currency depreciation is a result of market forces.Β
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is incorrect, In a free-market economy, the exchange rate is decided by the supply and demand for rupees and dollars. However, in India, the exchange rate is not fully determined by the market. From time to time, the RBI intervenes in the foreign exchange (forex) market to ensure that the rupee βpriceβ does not fluctuate too much or that it doesnβt rise or fall too much all at once.
- Currently, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs manually notifies the rate of exchange of conversion of 22 foreign currencies every fortnight.
- Statement 2 is correct, Devaluation means officially lowering the value of the currency in terms of foreign exchange. The devaluation of currency is done by the government.
- The Indian rupee was devalued in the years 1949, 1966, and 1991 by the government of India.
Q2. Which of the following statements is/are true? (Level-Medium)
- Type 1 diabetes is caused due to auto-immune reactions.
- Type 2 diabetes is caused only due to insulin deficiency in the body.
- Type 1 diabetes is more common in India.
Options:
- 1 only
- 1 and 2
- 2 and 3
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct, Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease caused by the autoimmune response against pancreatic Ξ² cells.
- It is a condition where the pancreas completely stops producing insulin, the hormone responsible for controlling the level of glucose in the blood by increasing or decreasing absorption to the liver, fat, and other cells of the body.
- Statement 2 is incorrect, Type 2 diabetes is caused by a combination of two primary factors: defective insulin secretion by pancreatic Ξ²-cells and the inability of insulin-sensitive tissues to respond appropriately to insulin.
- In type 2 diabetes, the body isn’t able to use insulin the right way. This is called insulin resistance. As type 2 diabetes gets worse, the pancreas may make less and less insulin. This is called insulin deficiency.
- Statement 3 is incorrect, Β Type 1 diabetes, accounts for 5 to 10 out of 100 people who have diabetes.
Q3. Identify the correct statement: (Level-Medium)
- The Central government has started the βAspirational Blocksβ program on the lines of the βAspirational Districtsβ program.
- It has also initiated the βAspirational Citiesβ program to make Indian cities more liveable.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Β Statement 01 is correct, The Aspirational Blocks Programme is on the lines of the Aspirational District Programme that was launched in 2018 and covers 112 districts across the country.
- It is aimed at improving the performance of blocks lagging on various development parameters.
- This will enable holistic development in those areas that require added assistance.
- The program will cover 500 districts across 31 states and Union Territories initially.Β
- Over half of these blocks are in 6 statesβUttar Pradesh (68 blocks), Bihar (61), Madhya Pradesh (42), Jharkhand (34), Odisha (29) and West Bengal (29).Β
- Statement 2 is incorrect, Maharashtra has conceptualised and initiated the Aspirational Cities Programme (ACP) modelled on the lines of the Aspirational Districts initiative of Niti Aayog.
Q4. Which of the following countries do not border the Mediterranean Sea? (Level-Easy)
- Israel
- Jordon
- Syria
- Tunisia
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
Image Source: World Atlas
Q5.Which one of the following statements does not apply to the system of Subsidiary Alliance introduced by Lord Wellesley?β (Level-Easy)
- Β To maintain a large standing army at other’s expenseβ
- Β To keep India safe from Napoleonic dangerβ
- Β To secure a fixed income for the Companyβ
- Β To establish British paramountcy over the Indian States
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: Subsidiary Alliance was basically a treaty between the British East India Company and the Indian princely states, by virtue of which the Indian kingdoms lost their sovereignty to the English. It also was a major process that led to the building of the British Empire in India.
The Subsidiary Alliance system was used by Lord Wellesley to build an empire in India.
The Subsidiary Alliance Treaty
- Acknowledge the British East India Company as the paramount power
- Permanently station a British army within his territory
- Pay subsidy for maintaining this army.
- Post a British resident in his court.
- Not negotiate with any other rulers without prior consent from the Governor-General.
- Not employ any European in their service without getting approval from the British.
- If the ruler fails to make payment as per the Alliance, then the state would be confiscated by the British East India Company.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Despite the promise it holds, Indiaβs civil aviation sector has been troubled for long. Elucidate. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-3; Economy]
- Examine the strategic implications of the βWashington Declarationβ that was signed recently between the USA & South Korea. (250 words, 15 marks) [GS-2; International Relations]
Read the previous CNAΒ here.
CNA 05 May 2023:- Download PDF Here
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