31 May 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 31 May 2023:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. The shift in the U.S.’s approach to China
C. GS 3 Related
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
HISTORY AND CULTURE
1. Using Buddhism as a tool of soft power
ECONOMY
1. Clean energy funds rise, but mostly in China, Europe, U.S.
F. Prelims Facts
1. New Jupiter-size exoplanet discovered
2. Excavations at Purana Qila
3. Tiangong space station
G. Tidbits
1. NATO soldiers on guard in Kosovo Serb town after clashes
2. ‘India keen to boost ties with Cambodia’
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. The shift in the U.S.’s approach to China

Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries

Prelims: About G7 and its summits

Mains: Trends in US-China bilateral relations and analysing the shift in the US’s policy towards China.

Context

The US in recent times has expressed that its primary focus is towards shifting its policy on China from decoupling to de-risking. This policy was once again reiterated during the recently concluded G-7 summit at Hiroshima.

For more information on the “Hiroshima Summit”, refer to the following article:

UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis dated 29 May 2023

Overview of the US – China ties

• Post the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1979, both countries undertook efforts to better their economic interdependence. 
• Among the two, China benefited immensely due to the establishment of diplomatic ties, as the move also helped China to widen and deepen its diplomatic and economic ties with the rest of the world. 
• With the increase in Chinese economic and military powers, the ambition to challenge the dominance and influence of the US in the international arena also grew bigger.
• The rise of China not only impacted the influence of the US in global geopolitics but also its domestic industry.
• At the time when Donald Trump became the President of the US, there was an urgent need to address the techno-economic challenges posed by China.
  • This forced the Trump administration to adopt a series of measures in order to reverse the trade imbalance that was favouring China.
  • The US administration undertook measures to increase tariffs on Chinese imports and kept the high technology sector of the U.S’s out of China’s reach.
  • This was regarded as the start of “the U.S.-China trade war” started and the bilateral ties were set on course for a “decoupling”.
• The Biden administration which took over the reins of power continued with a similar policy towards China. However, over time, the current US administration has changed the label of “decoupling” to “de-risking”.

What is “de-risking”?

• In the words of the US National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan, “de-risking” mainly refers to having a resilient, effective supply chain and ensuring that the US is not subjected to coercion by any other country”. 
• The key objective of “de-risking” is to limit such an effect in areas where it undercuts the national security and industrial competence of the U.S, while decoupling fundamentally aimed to reverse the 40 years old project that had enmeshed the two economies. 
• This policy of “de-risking” has been reiterated by the US administration in recent landmark speeches by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on the “U.S.-China Economic Relationship” and US National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan on “Renewing American Economic Leadership”. 
• Various laws passed by the US in recent times such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act also have highlighted this new approach. 
• Furthermore, the U.S.’s geo-economic initiatives such as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) also are in line with the spirit of “de-risking”.

To learn more about Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), watch the following video:

The rationale behind the change in US’s policy – the need for “de-risking”

• The change in the policy has been announced against the backdrop of several events of high geopolitical significance as the global economy is hoping for a rebound post the COVID pandemic.
• The tensions between the US and China have been rising in the wake of conflict across the Taiwan Strait and the spy balloon incident.
• Xi Jinping also began his second decade of rule over China as he was handed over an unprecedented third term as the President of the People’s Republic of China, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission.
• The Russia-Ukraine war has also played a crucial role in enabling the US’s policy shift towards China as China has been backing Russia.
• Furthermore, the idea of “de-coupling” failed to appeal to the US allies and the European Union (EU) and the US administration felt that the policies of “de-risking” could better achieve the objective of getting its European allies on board to counter China.

Geopolitical ramifications of “de-risking”

• The policies of “de-risking” are expected to help the US keep its allies closer in its geopolitical rivalry against China. This was witnessed during the recently concluded G-7 summit. 
  • In the Leader’s Communique that was released post the summit, the leaders have also expressed the grouping’s consensus on de-risking and not de-coupling.
• The policies of “de-risking” have strengthened the West’s moves to counter China’s rise by facilitating a united stand among the allies. 
• China has expressed concerns over the West’s de-risking approach.
  • China has also expressed displeasure over the allegations that China has been responsible for heightened geopolitical tensions. 
  • According to China, the US is responsible for the current geopolitical tensions and has accused the US that it has created instability across the world by undertaking various political and military interventions with a Cold War mindset.
• However, the effectiveness and the outcomes of the “de-risking” policies have been questionable
• Countries such as India are expected to benefit from the “de-risking” strategies as such countries offer attractive supply chains and also provide the necessary might to confront China. However, such benefits could also come at a cost and are short term.
• Additionally, as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the consolidation of the European alliance are the key reasons behind this shift, the idea of “de-risking” might also dilute the focus of the US over the Indo-Pacific region.

Nut graf: in the wake of various events of high geopolitical significance, the US has announced the shift in its policy on China from “decoupling” to “de-risking”. This latest move by the US is expected to have significant ramifications on the global geopolitical.

Category: ECONOMY

1. Clean energy funds rise, but mostly in China, Europe, U.S.

Syllabus: Energy.

Mains: Renewable energy.

Prelims: World Energy Investment 2023.

Details:

• According to ‘World Energy Investment 2023,’ investment in clean energy has increased in recent years.
  • The report is released by the International Energy Agency.

Figure: Global energy investment in clean energy and fossil fuels (in billion $)

Source: The Hindu

• The transition is mainly towards Electric Vehicles (EVs) and renewable power.

Findings of the report:

• Investments in renewable energy are usually concentrated in advanced economies and China.

                                   Figure: Annual clean energy investments in select countries during 2019-2023

Source: The Hindu

• However, the decline in the prices of clean energy technologies has reversed slightly in the past two years.
• It is shown that the post-pandemic recovery has significantly propelled investments in the renewable energy sector.
• It is found that annual investments in green energy have surpassed those in fossil fuels registering a growth of 24% against 15%.
• Moreover, the instability in the fossil fuel market due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has accelerated the deployment of renewable energy technologies.
• Renewable energy in EV and power is complemented by battery technology, heat pumps, and nuclear power.
• It is estimated that in 2023, low-emission power will attract around 90% of the total investment in electricity generation.
  • Solar energy is projected to exceed $1 billion per day in 2023, totaling $380 billion for the year.
• India has exhibited robust investment in solar energy. 
• Brazil is also on a consistent upward trajectory. Investments are also increasing in West Asian countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Oman.

Associated Challenges:

• The factors that are impeding investments in renewable energy are:
  • Higher interest rates
  • Ambiguous policies
  • Market designs
  • Financial constraints
  • High cost of capital
• The prices of several crucial clean energy technologies experienced an increase in 2021 and 2022. This rise can be attributed to increasing input prices for critical minerals, semiconductors, and bulk materials like steel and cement.

Related Link: 

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) | UPSC Notes

Nut Graf: The World Energy Investment Report 2023 highlights that the push towards greener fuels is mainly driven by renewable power and electric vehicles. Moreover, it is usually concentrated in advanced economies and China.

F. Prelims Facts

1. New Jupiter-size exoplanet discovered

Syllabus: GS-3; Science and Technology; Awareness in the field of Space

Prelims: About the discovery of new exoplanet

Context

An international team of scientists led by Prof. Abhijit Chakraborty at the Exoplanet Research Group of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad has discovered a new Jupiter-sized exoplanet.

Details

Image Source: ISRO

• A new Jupiter-sized exoplanet with the highest density of ~14 g/cm3 known to date has been discovered.
• The new exoplanet discovered has a mass that is 13 times that of Jupiter.
• This discovery was made using the indigenously developed PRL Advanced Radial-velocity Abu-sky Search spectrograph (PARAS) and  PRL 1.2m telescope at Gurushikhar Observatory located in Mt. Abu.
• The team of scientists involved in the discovery includes researchers from India, Germany, Switzerland and the US. 
• The new exoplanet discovered was found around the star called TOI4603 or HD 245134. 
• This newly discovered exoplanet “TOI 4603b” is regarded as one of the most massive and densest giant planets that orbits very close to its host star at a distance less than 1/10th the distance between our Sun and Earth.
• This newly discovered planet falls into the transition mass range of massive giant planets and low-mass brown dwarfs.
  • Massive giant exoplanets are those having mass greater than four times that of Jupiter.
  • Low-mass brown dwarfs are those having mass equal to 13 times the mass of Jupiter.
• The exoplanet with a surface temperature of 1670 K is said to be undergoing high-eccentricity tidal migration with an eccentricity value of approximately 0.3.
• The discovery also marks the third exoplanet discovery by India, and by the PRL scientists using PARAS spectrograph and the  PRL 1.2m telescope, following the discoveries of K2-236b (in 2018) and TOI-1789b (in 2021).
• The finding of such exoplanets provides valuable information about the formation, migration, and evolution mechanisms of massive exoplanets.

2. Excavations at Purana Qila

Syllabus: GS-1; History; Ancient History

Prelims: About Purana Qila and findings of the excavations

Context

A new round of excavations at the Purana Qila (Old Fort) site has uncovered evidence of the continuous history of the city since the pre-Mauryan era.

Details

Image Source: PIB

• The fresh round of excavations has also excavated the remains of a 900-year-old Vaikuntha Vishnu from the Rajput period, the structural remains of a 2,500-year-old terracotta ring well from the Mauryan period, a terracotta plaque of Goddess Gaja Lakshmi from the Gupta period, and a four-room complex from the Sunga-Kushan period dating back to 2,300 years ago.
• The findings at the Purana Qila site in Delhi include shards of Painted Gray Ware pottery which are dated to around 1200 BC to 600 BC, beads, seals, copper coins and a bone needle.
• Over 136 coins and 35 seals have been found in the excavation sites so far, which indicates that the site played a crucial role as a centre for trade activities.
• The latest excavation efforts along with the ones carried out in 2013-14 and 2017-18 have revealed nine cultural levels that represent different historical periods namely pre-Mauryan, Mauryan, Sunga, Kushana, Gupta, post-Gupta, Rajput, Sultanate, and Mughal.
• It is also said that the site could host one of the events during the G-20 leadership summit in September 2023.

About Purana Qila

• Purana Qilla is a 16th-century fort located in the South Eastern part of the present city of New Delhi. 
• The Purana Qila is said to have been built by Sher Shah Suri and the Mughal emperor Humayun.
• It is believed that it was the site of Indraprastha, which was the capital of the Pandavas as mentioned in the Mahabharata.
• The fort was the inner citadel of the city of Din Panah during Humayun’s rule who renovated it in 1533.
• Later, Sher Shah Suri, who was the founder of the Suri Dynasty, after defeating Humayun in 1540, renamed the fort Shergarh.
  • Sher Shah Suri added several structures in the complex during his five-year reign.
• The current Purana Qila fort complex is thus a conglomerate of various structures that lie scattered over an area of more than 300 acres. 
• Purana Qila was surrounded by a wide moat that was linked to the river Yamuna- the waters of which once lapped against the eastern walls of the fort.

3. Tiangong space station

Syllabus: GS-3; Science and Technology; Awareness in the field of Space

Prelims: About Tiangong space station

Context

China has recently sent three astronauts to its Tiangong space station and has put a civilian into orbit for the first time amidst plans to send a crewed mission to the Moon by 2030.

Tiangong space station 

Image Source: The BBC

• Tiangong space station which translates as “Heavenly Palace” is China’s permanent space station.

• China had previously launched two temporary trial space stations, named as Tiangong-1 and Tiangong-2.
• The Tiangong space station has three modules namely:
  • Tianhe: the core module launched in 2021
  • Wentian: science module 1, launched in 2022
  • Mengtian: science module 2, also launched in 2022
• Tiangong space station is planned in such a way that it shares its orbit with the Xuntian space telescope in order to facilitate astronauts to repair and upgrade the telescope easily. 
• China became only the third country in history to have put both astronauts into space and to build a space station, after the Soviet Union and the US.
• China believes that Tiangong will replace the International Space Station (ISS), which is due to be decommissioned in 2031. 

G. Tidbits

1. NATO soldiers on guard in Kosovo Serb town after clashes

Image Source: The BBC

• NATO soldiers have secured a municipal building in the Kosovo town of Zvecan, a day after 30 NATO soldiers and 52 Serb protesters were injured in clashes.
• Tensions between Serbia and Kosovo have been rising in recent times.
• Kosovo mainly consists of ethnic Albanian population that was formerly a province of Serbia. 
• Kosovo declared independence in 2008. However, Serbia has refused to recognize Kosovo’s statehood and still considers it part of Serbia despite having no formal control over the region.
  • Kosovo’s independence has been recognized by over 100 countries including the US. However, countries like Russia, China and five European Union countries have sided with Serbia resulting in a deadlock.
• Tensions in the region have intensified after ethnic Albanian mayors took office in northern Kosovo’s Serb-majority area after April elections which were boycotted by the Serbs.

2. ‘India keen to boost ties with Cambodia’

• The President of India has held that India is keen to further elevate its defence relations with Cambodia besides increasing tourism and people-to-people contacts.
• While welcoming the King of Cambodia, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President of India has added that there is great potential for further growth in trade and investment between India and Cambodia. 
• India is keen to further boost its defence relations with the Southeast Asian country.
• The President further said that the visit of the King of Cambodia to India demonstrates the importance that Cambodia attaches to its ties with India as the two countries share a rich and vibrant relationship.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. How many of the following statements are correct? (Level – Difficult)

1. Goa became a full state of India in 1961.
2. It was a part of the Bijapur kingdom before being captured by the Portuguese.
3. Operation Vijay was launched in 1961 to expel the Portuguese from both Goa and Daman and Diu.

Options:

1. Only 1 statement
2. Only 2 statements
3. Only 3 statements
4. None of the statements

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is not correct, Goa was annexed by India on 19 December 1961.
  • On 30 May 1987 Goa attained statehood (while Daman and Diu became a separate union territory).
• Statement 2 is correct, In 1492, Goa became a part of Adil Shah’s Bijapur Sultanate, which established Goa Velha as its second capital.
  • Goa was captured by the Portuguese in the Battle of Goa (1510) and became the first part of India to fall to European colonial rule on the west coast. 
• Statement 3 is correct, Operation Vijay (1961) is the operation by the Military of India that led to the capture of Goa, Daman and Diu and Anjediva Islands from the Portuguese.

Q2. How many of the following water bodies border Turkey? (Level – Moderate)

1. Aegean Sea
2. Caspian Sea
3. Bosporus Strait
4. Mediterranean Sea
5. Red Sea

Options:

1. Only 2
2. Only 3
3. Only 4
4. All 5

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

Q3. Which of the following statements are true? (Level – Difficult)

1. Flavanols are a type of nutrient found in some fruits and vegetables.
2. They have anti-oxidant properties.
3. Their deficiency in the human body is associated with old age-related memory loss.

Options:

1. Only 1 statement
2. Only 2 statements
3. All 3 statements
4. None of the statements

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct, Flavonols occur abundantly in a variety of fruits and vegetables. 
  • The most studied flavonols are kaempferol, quercetin, myricetin and fisetin
• Statement 2 is correct, Flavonols act in plants as antioxidants, antimicrobials, photoreceptors, visual attractors, feeding repellants, and for light screening.
• Statement 3 is correct, Flavonols deficiency in humans is associated with age-related memory loss.

Q4. “Polygenic Risk Score” is: (Level – Moderate)

1. A score given to the countries based on the susceptibility of its citizens to get CVDs.
2. An index to determine a region’s vulnerability towards endogenic disasters.
3. An index to calculate whether or not an asteroid will strike the Earth.
4. A genetic test to determine a person’s susceptibility to get heart disease.

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

• Polygenic risk scores can provide a measure of disease risk due to one’s genes. 
• It summarises genome-wide genotype data into a single number that represents genetic liability to a trait. 
• Polygenic risk score is one way by which people can learn about their risk of developing a disease, based on the total number of changes related to the disease.

Q5. Under which Schedule of the Constitution of India can the transfer of tribal land
to private parties for mining be declared null and void? (Level – Easy) [PYQ - 2020]

1. Third Schedule
2. Fifth Schedule
3. Ninth Schedule
4. Twelfth Schedule

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

• The Supreme Court of India in its Samatha vs State of A.P. and Ors. case held that government, tribal, and forested lands in the scheduled areas cannot be leased to non-tribal persons or private companies for mining purposes.  
• The court noted that the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution preserved these lands to protect tribal persons’ economic empowerment, economic justice, social status, and dignity.  
• The Court  also noted that all land in the scheduled areas, regardless of title, cannot be leased out because of the importance of agriculture as the source of livelihood for tribal persons and thus the transfer of lands in the scheduled areas can be allowed only for peace and good governance of the land.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. Explain the relevance of soft power diplomacy in India’s foreign policy with examples.  (250 words, 15 marks) (GS-2; International Relations)
2. Deduce the US policy shift from de-coupling to de-risking with China. (250 words, 15 marks) (GS-2; International Relations)

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 31 May 2023:- Download PDF Here