TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India votes against Israeli settlements
2. Jaishankar meets Rishi Sunak
C. GS 3 Related
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
1. Tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
F. Prelims Facts
1. Lockbit Cybercrime Gang
2. Moody’s downgrades US credit rating
3. Village Defence Guards
4. Leather puppetry in Godavari
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

2. Jaishankar meets Rishi Sunak

Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Mains: India – UK relation 

Context: External Affairs Minister Jaishankar met U.K. PM Rishi Sunak to enhance ties, discussing a Free Trade Agreement and broader issues.

Meeting with Rishi Sunak in London:

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the U.K. to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• Jaishankar expressed delight in calling on PM Rishi Sunak on Diwali Day. Rishi Sunak Shared best wishes from PM Narendra Modi, highlighting the festive occasion.

Focus on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership:

• India and the U.K. actively engaged in reframing their relationship to suit contemporary times.
• Discussions centred around the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.

Free Trade Agreement Discussions:

• The current focus is on discussions regarding a Free Trade Agreement between India and the U.K., Signifying a pivotal aspect of the strategic relationship between the two countries.

Meeting with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly: Jaishankar held meetings with U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly during his official trip. It highlights diplomatic engagements beyond the meeting with PM Rishi Sunak.

Broader Issues on the Agenda:

• Beyond the Free Trade Agreement, discussions also addressed concerns about Khalistani activity in the U.K.
• The possibility of an India visit by U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was explored during the diplomatic talks.

Strengthening India-U.K. Relations:

• Emphasis on actively reframing the relationship between India and the U.K. to align with contemporary global dynamics.
• It reflects the ongoing efforts to strengthen the ties and address various aspects of the bilateral relationship.

Nut Graf:  External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s official U.K. visit aimed to bolster ties, featuring a Diwali meeting with PM Rishi Sunak. Discussions centred on advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly focusing on a Free Trade Agreement. Broader issues like Khalistani activity and a potential visit by PM Sunak to India were also addressed, showcasing the commitment to deepen bilateral relations.

2. Moody’s downgrades US credit rating

Context: Moody’s shifts U.S. credit outlook from ‘stable’ to ‘negative’ due to fiscal deficits and declining debt affordability.

• Concerns over Federal Spending and Political Polarization: Investor concerns rise over federal spending and political polarization contributing to a selloff in U.S. government bonds.
• Analyst Perspectives and Fiscal Outlook: Analysts express agreement with Moody’s rationale, foreseeing continued large deficits and growing debt burden in the absence of fiscal consolidation.
• Political Polarization Risks in Congress: Moody’s highlights the risk of political polarization hindering Congress’s ability to reach a consensus on a fiscal plan, delaying potential policy responses until 2025.
• Republican Response and Stopgap Spending Measure: Republicans, controlling the House, plan a stopgap spending measure to avoid a government shutdown, emphasizing concerns over rising deficits.
• Moody’s Position Among Major Rating Agencies: Moody’s is the last major agency to maintain a top U.S. rating; Fitch downgraded to AA+ in August, aligning with S&P’s AA+ since 2011.
• Biden Administration’s Pushback: The White House disputes the negative outlook, attributing it to Republican extremism, emphasizing the U.S. economy’s strength and global confidence in Treasury securities.
• Treasury Secretary’s Response and Fiscal Sustainability: The Deputy Treasury Secretary defends the administration’s commitment to fiscal sustainability, citing deficit reduction measures and a proposal to cut the deficit by $2.5 trillion.
• Impact on Treasury Yields and Debt Affordability: Moody cites the sharp rise in Treasury yields, impacting debt affordability, while investors remain sceptical about a significant impact on the U.S. bond market.
• Market Reaction and Government Shutdown Concerns: Investors view the downgrade as a reminder of potential fiscal challenges, raising concerns about another government shutdown and emphasizing the urgency for funding legislation.
• Biden’s Poll Ratings and Election Outlook: Moody’s decision coincides with a decline in Biden’s poll ratings; a New York Times/Siena poll shows him trailing in key battleground states.
• Pressure on Congressional Republicans: Moody’s downgrade increases pressure on congressional Republicans to advance funding legislation and address the growing national debt.
• Infighting and Budget Deficits: Infighting among House Republicans and historical actions by both parties contribute to budget deficits, highlighting challenges in addressing rising Social Security and Medicare costs.

3. Village Defence Guards

Context: Village defence guards in Rajouri, J&K, opened fire on suspicion. No injuries were reported. Precautionary cordon and search operation underway.

Time and Location:

• The incident occurred around 4 a.m. in upper Dhangri, a village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.
• This village had previously witnessed a terrorist attack resulting in seven casualties earlier in the year.

Actions of Village Defence Guards (VDGs):

• Village defence guards, responsible for local security, opened fire in response to observing suspicious movements.
• Approximately two dozen rounds were fired by the VDGs.

Absence of Casualties: Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the firing incident.

Previous Attack: The village had experienced a tragic terrorist attack earlier in the year, where seven individuals lost their lives.

Nature of Firing: The firing was directed towards an area outside a house in the village, indicating a proactive response to potential threats.

Security Measures Taken:

• In response to the incident, the police and army initiated a cordon and search operation in the village and surrounding areas.
• This operation is considered a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and security of the region.

4. Leather puppetry in Godavari

Context: The ancient art of leather puppetry in Andhra Pradesh is facing extinction due to changes in religious affiliations, impacting livelihoods.

Migration and Settlement:

• Puppeteers migrated from Maharashtra, settling in Madhavapatnam near Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, in the 1980s.
• Telugu actress Jamuna assisted in securing house sites for approximately 300 families.

Religious Shift and Decline:

• The majority of puppeteers embraced another faith, leading to a decline in practitioners.
• Presently, only about 60 puppeteers remain, organized into five troupes.

Impact of Religious Conversion:

• Puppetry, based on Hindu mythology, faces challenges as performers must recite tales from Hindu epics.
• New religious affiliations prompt many to quit puppetry, affecting the survival of the art.

Financial Struggles:

• COVID-19 restrictions have severely impacted puppetry shows, leaving families struggling for livelihoods.
• Lack of performances leads to financial distress, pushing some puppeteers to beg on the streets.

Generational Impact:

• Younger artists manage alternative work, while older ones, dedicated to puppetry, suffer psychological shock.
• Lack of performance and patronage, along with the influence of digital media, contribute to their plight.

Dwindling Female Voices:

• Puppet plays require female voices for characters, with fewer than a dozen proficient women performers.
• Limited script availability and the absence of written formats pose challenges for learning and preserving the art.

Craftsmanship Challenges:

• Puppeteers craft puppets from goat skin, but difficulties arise in obtaining orders for new puppets.
• Traditional craftsmanship, involving natural colors, struggles to attract attention and order.

Lack of Succession:

• Efforts by the State government to groom youths in puppetry have not resulted in serious pursuit of the art.
• Young individuals are disinterested due to a perceived lack of livelihood opportunities.

Adaptation and Experimentation:

• Puppeteers rewrite plays to incorporate contemporary themes for government programs, with reduced duration.
• Attempts to create decorative puppets, like lampshades, aim to sustain the craft but face market challenges.

Cultural Significance:

• Puppeteers express concern about being potentially the last generation associated with puppetry in the Godavari region.
• Despite challenges, puppeteers continue to experiment and adapt to keep the ancient craft alive.

Q1. With reference to Leather Puppetry, which of the 
following statements is/are correct?

Q2. Consider the following statements regarding Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs):

Q3. With reference to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), 
which of the following statements is/are incorrect?

Q4. Consider the following statements regarding ransomware:

Q5. With reference to the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in 
Jammu and Kashmir, which of the following statements is/are correct?