14 Oct 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

14 October 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Israel tells Palestinians to leave northern Gaza
2. ‘West Asia conflict will not affect IMEC’
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. Govt. mulls partnerships to make semiconductor chips
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Balancing policy
F. Prelims Facts
1. Operation Ajay: India brings back 212 citizens from Israel in first flight
2. ‘Govt. will not restrict but only monitor the import of laptops’
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

2. ‘West Asia conflict will not affect IMEC’

Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

Mains: Challenges to IMEC

Context​: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed concerns about the impact of the West Asia conflict on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

  • The conflict between Israel and Palestine has raised fears related to fuel prices, food security, and supply chain disruptions.
  • The Finance Minister assured that IMEC plans remain unaffected and discussed the issue at the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting in Marrakech.
The Corridor

  • The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Project was signed at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
  • The project forms part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII). PGII is a values-driven, high-impact, and transparent infrastructure partnership to meet the enormous infrastructure needs of low and middle-income countries.
  • The proposed IMEC will consist of railroad, ship-to-rail networks and road transport routes extending across two corridors, that is, 
    • The East Corridor – connecting India to the Arabian Gulf
    • The Northern Corridor – connecting the Gulf to Europe
  • The IMEC corridor will also include an electricity cable, a hydrogen pipeline and a high-speed data cable.

Objective:

  • It aims to create a comprehensive transportation network, comprising rail, road, and sea routes, connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe.
  • It aims to enhance transportation efficiency, reduce costs, increase economic unity, generate employment, and lower Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
  • It is expected to transform the integration of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East by facilitating trade and connectivity.

Significance:

  • The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is a significant economic initiative that can have far-reaching implications for regional trade and economic development.
  • The global concerns related to fuel and food security have broader implications for the stability of the global economy and the well-being of populations.

Solution:

  • IMEC Resilience:
    • Efforts should be made to ensure the resilience of IMEC to external factors, including conflicts in the region.
    • Diversification of trade routes and supply sources can enhance the corridor’s stability.
  • Global Coordination:
    • The international community, including G20 nations, should work together to address concerns related to fuel and food security.
    • Collaborative efforts can help stabilize global markets and ensure the availability of essential commodities.
  • Economic Growth and Investment:
    • While higher interest rates can impact investment flows in emerging markets, the Finance Minister emphasized the importance of recognizing these economies as growth engines.
    • Investment decisions should not be solely influenced by high-interest rates, as these markets offer substantial growth opportunities.

Nut Graf: The Finance Minister’s assurance that the West Asia conflict will not affect IMEC is a positive sign for the continued development of this crucial economic corridor. However, global concerns related to fuel and food security highlight the need for international cooperation to address potential disruptions and ensure the stability of global markets. Recognizing emerging markets as growth engines is essential for sustaining investment flows and economic growth.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Operation Ajay: India brings back 212 citizens from Israel in first flight

Context: 

  • India initiated Operation Ajay to bring back citizens from crisis-hit Israel in response to the escalating security situation following Hamas’ attack on Israel.
  • The first flight under this operation carried 212 citizens who had registered with the Embassy of India in Israel.

Details:

  • Crisis in Israel:
    • The security situation in Israel deteriorated after Hamas’ attack, leading to a volatile and dangerous environment for residents and foreign nationals.
    • The ongoing exchange of rockets and missiles between Israel and Hamas has added to the peril.
  • Safety Concerns:
    • Indian citizens in Israel have faced fear and uncertainty, with the sound of air raid sirens and the threat of conflict haunting their daily lives.
    • The underground shelters constructed by the Israeli government have provided a measure of physical safety.
  • Airlift Operation:
    • Operation Ajay is aimed at evacuating willing Indian citizens from Israel and ensuring their safe return to India.
    • The operation follows the principle of “not leaving any Indian behind,” as emphasized by the External Affairs Minister.
  • Significance:
    • Operation Ajay holds significant importance as it demonstrates the Indian government’s commitment to the welfare and safety of its citizens, even in challenging and crisis-stricken situations.
    • It underlines India’s responsiveness to its citizens’ needs, particularly those residing abroad, during times of distress.

2. ‘Govt. will not restrict but only monitor the import of laptops’

Context: The Indian government has clarified that it will not impose licensing requirements on the import of laptops and computers. Instead, it will focus on monitoring inbound shipments of these products, marking a change from the earlier announcement in August.

Details:

  • Licensing Requirement Announcement:
    • In August, the Indian government had announced plans to subject laptops, tablets, computers, and related products to a licensing regime, effective from November 1.
    • This decision aimed to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce imports from countries like China.
  • Revised Approach – Monitoring:
    • The government’s new approach involves monitoring, rather than imposing restrictions or licensing requirements, on laptop imports.
    • Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal clarified that the focus is on closely watching importers and their laptop shipments.
  • Monitoring and Data Collection:
    • The decision to monitor laptop imports allows the government to collect data on the volume and sources of imported laptops.
    • This data can aid policymakers in making informed decisions and assessing the impact on domestic manufacturing.
  • Balancing Domestic Production and Imports:
    • Striking a balance between promoting domestic industry and maintaining a competitive global market is crucial.
  • Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement:
    • Ensure transparency in the monitoring process and engage with industry stakeholders to gather insights and feedback.
    • Collaboration with businesses and trade associations can help in crafting effective policies.
  • Evaluating Impact:
    • Continuously evaluate the impact of the monitoring approach on the laptop and computer market in terms of domestic production, quality, and affordability.
    • Adjust policies as necessary to achieve the desired outcomes.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. The area known as 'Ramallah', which sometimes appears in the news, is located in 
which region?
  1. Gaza
  2. West Bank
  3. South Asia
  4. Jordan
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: Ramallah is a small city in the West Bank region, located north of Jerusalem. It has acted as the de facto capital city of the Palestinian administration.

Q2. With reference to the issue of GPU clusters, which of the following statements 
is/are incorrect?
  1. GPU clusters consist of computers with a graphics processing unit (GPU) on every node.
  2. Multiple GPUs in a cluster are primarily used for gaming performance.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation: GPU clusters are primarily used for specific computational tasks like image processing and machine learning, not gaming performance.

Q3. Consider the following pairs:
S.No. Operation Objective
1. Kaveri Evacuation of Indians from Ukraine.
2. Ganga Evacuation of Indians from Sudan.
3. Ajay Evacuation of Indians from conflict-hit Israel.

How many pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  1. Only one pair
  2. Only two pairs
  3. All three pairs
  4. None of the pairs
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: India initiated “Operation Ajay” to evacuate its citizens from Israel. Operation Kaveri was for evacuation from war-torn Sudan, and Operation Ganga was for evacuation from Ukraine.

Q4. With reference to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Project, 
which of the following statements is/are correct?
  1. The IMEC Project was signed at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
  2. It aims to facilitate economic integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Africa.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2 
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: IMEC is envisioned as a network of transport corridors, including railway lines and sea lanes, that is expected to aid economic growth through integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf, and Europe.

Q5. What is the term used to define administrative procedures that require the submission 
of an application or other documentation prior to the importation of goods?
  1. Import licensing
  2. Export licensing
  3. Trade regulation
  4. Customs clearance
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation: Import licensing involves administrative procedures for imports, requiring documentation before goods can be imported.

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