Current Affairs – February 07, 2025

Table of contents

{GS2 – IR – Issues} Trump Imposes Sanctions on ICC Over Israel War Crimes Probe

Context (TH): US President Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) officials investigating alleged war crimes by the US or its allies, particularly Israel.

What is the ICC?

International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent judicial body based in The Hague, Netherlands.
Established under the 1998 Rome Statute, operational since July 1, 2002.
Purpose: Court of last resort to prosecute crimes that would otherwise go unpunished.
Membership: 125 nations recognize ICC’s authority; notable non-members include US, Israel, China, Russia, and India.
Relationship with UN: ICC has a separate agreement with the UN.

ICC’s Organizational Structure

Assembly of States Parties: Management oversight, elects judges and prosecutor, approves budget.
Presidency: Conducts external relations, coordinates judicial matters, oversees Registry.
Judicial Divisions: Pre-Trial, Trial, and Appeals Divisions.
Office of the Prosecutor (OTP): Conducts preliminary examinations, investigations, and prosecutions.
Registry: Administrative and operational support.
Trust Fund for Victims: Provides assistance and reparations to victims. (ICC is funded by state parties and voluntary contributions).

ICC’s Jurisdiction and Working

Crimes: Genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, crime of aggression.
Jurisdiction Conditions:
- Crime committed in a State Party or by a State Party national.
- Crime referred by the UN Security Council.
- Crime committed after July 1, 2002.

Complementarity Principle: ICC prosecutes cases only when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.
Cooperation: Relies on state cooperation for arrests, asset freezes, and sentence enforcement.

Legal Process:
- No prosecution for those under 18.
- Preliminary examination by Prosecutor.
- Pre-Trial phase: Warrants issued, evidence assessed.
- Trial phase: Evidence heard, verdict rendered.
- Appeals phase: Decisions on appeals.

Limitations of ICC

Lack of Enforcement Mechanism: No police force; relies on state cooperation.
Inconsistency: Selective case selection, difficulty in taking on hard cases.
Bias Accusations: Perceived as a tool of Western imperialism.
Scarcity of Resources: Limited human and financial resources.
Procedural Delays: Substantive and procedural deficiencies leading to delays.

India and ICC

Non-Member: Did not sign the Rome Statute.
Reasons: State sovereignty, national interests, evidence collection, crime definition issues & impartiality.

ICC Investigations and US-Israel Concerns

ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli PM Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza following the Hamas attack in October 2023.
US fears ICC investigations could extend to American military personnel in war zones like Afghanistan.
US has long been skeptical of a “Global Court” that could arbitrarily prosecute American officials.

US Rationale for Sanctions

The US and Israel do not recognize the ICC, arguing it has no jurisdiction over non-member states.
Trump administration claims the ICC engages in illegitimate and politically motivated actions.
The ICC’s arrest warrants against Israeli PM and former Defense Minister were labeled “baseless”.
The order states the ICC is setting a dangerous precedent by prosecuting non-member states.
Sanctions include blocking assets, restricting travel, and penalizing US citizens aiding ICC investigations.

Past US Actions Against ICC

2002: President Bush unsigned the Rome Statute and passed the American Service-Members’ Protection Act to shield US citizens from ICC jurisdiction.
2020: Trump imposed sanctions on then-ICC prosecutor over Afghanistan war crimes investigations.
2021: Biden lifted those sanctions but maintained limited cooperation with the ICC.
2023: The US supported ICC charges against Russian President Putin for war crimes in Ukraine.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} Abu Dhabi’s Role in Gaza and Its Significance for India

Context (IE): Indian External Affairs Minister’s recent UAE visit focused on strengthening India-UAE ties amidst the Gaza conflict and regional dynamics.

UAE’s Role in Gaza Crisis

Post-ceasefire Role: The UAE has agreed to assist Gaza’s post-war administration.
Diplomatic Stance: Maintains ties with Israel to influence its actions in Palestine. However, it condemns Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” and reiterates support for Palestinian statehood.
Focus on Palestinian Authority (PA): Advocates for a unified, legitimate Palestinian Authority, rejecting the current leadership’s credibility.
Conditional Involvement: UAE’s involvement is contingent on Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and its cooperation in establishing a Palestinian state.

UAE’s Regional Priorities

Economic Diversification: UAE aims for regional stability to safeguard its sovereign wealth fund (second largest globally) and oil reserves.
Energy Security: Investments in nuclear power (e.g., Barakah plant) and safeguarding energy interests from regional conflicts like the Yemeni Houthis’ attacks.
Leadership Competition: Competes with Saudi Arabia for regional influence, focusing on long-term stability in Palestine and broader Gulf policies.

Importance of UAE for India

Convergence of ideas on global climate issues. Both India and the UAE co-launched the Global Green Credit Initiative.
Co-operation in Fintech: The RuPay card, a key component of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), has been accepted in the UAE since August 2019.
India’s Strategic Interest: UAE supports India’s Kashmir stance and is involved in key developmental projects in Jammu & Kashmir.
Internationalisation of India’s education: The IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus has been established.

Economic Partnership

Bilateral trade grew to $85 billion in 2022-23.
UAE is India’s 3rd largest trading partner & 2nd largest export destination.
It is also the 4th largest overall investor in India.
The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, signed on February 18, 2022. It aims to increase trade in services to $115 billion in five years.
The bilateral investment treaty with the UAE was ratified on February 1, 2024. This has the potential to boost manufacturing and attract increased foreign direct investment.

Internationalisation of INR

From July 2023, the rupee was being accepted for transactions at Dubai’s airports.
India and the UAE also operationalised a rupee-dirham settlement system.
In August 2023, the Indian Oil Corporation made a rupee payment to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for crude oil imports.

Energy security

UAE is the only nation in the region that has strategic oil reserves stored in India.
An agreement was signed between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL) and the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to invest in the strategic crude oil storage facility in Mangaluru with an initial investment of $400 million.

Defence and security cooperation.

During the OIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in 2019, UAE invited India’s External Affairs Minister as a keynote speaker/guest of honour country despite protests from Pakistan.
The UAE was one of few nations specially invited for the G-20 summit, in September 2023, under India’s G-20 presidency.

Global groupings

The I2U2 or the West Asian Quad comprising India.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) infrastructure project.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Citizenship} SC Order on ‘Illegal Foreigners’ in Assam

Context (IE): SC ordered Assam government to begin deportation of 63 detained “foreigners” in Assam.
Key Issue: A significant portion of detainees might belong to the category of Declared Foreign Nationals (DFNs), who were arbitrarily declared as foreigners without clear evidence of their foreign nationality.

Recent Supreme Court Directives

Deportation Orders: Once declared a foreigner, the individual must be deported immediately, with no indefinite detention.
Indefinite Detention: Reinforced that indefinite detention violates Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty).
Union Govt must provide data on the total number of declared foreigners in Assam, how many have been deported, and the process for those whose nationality is unknown.

Foreigners Tribunals (FTs)

Establishment: FTs were created by Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964 under Foreigners Act, 1946.
Post-independence, they were recognised in 1964 by an executive order of the Home Ministry.
Under Section 2(a) of the 1946 Act, “a foreigner means a person who is not a citizen of India”.
Thus, it will apply only to persons against whom there is strong evidence of being a foreigner.
Though applicable across India, FTs are currently operational only in Assam. In other states, local courts handle such cases under the Foreigners Act of 1946.
Jurisdiction: FTs are unique to Assam and handle cases of suspected illegal immigrants, especially those excluded from the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Structure: FTs are headed by judicial or legal experts and have quasi-judicial powers to summon witnesses, examine documents, and declare individuals as foreigners if they fail to prove their citizenship.
Referrals: Cases can be referred by the District Magistrates or border police regarding suspected illegal immigrants.
Procedure: FTs must dispose of cases within 60 days. If an individual fails to provide evidence of citizenship, they are sent to detention centers for eventual deportation.
Burden of Proof lies with the accused person, who must prove their citizenship; failure to appear or provide proof results in a declaration as a foreigner.
Appeals Process: Individuals can challenge FT decisions in the Gauhati High Court and, if dissatisfied, appeal to the Supreme Court.
Post 2019 amendment to the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, state and central govts can establish FTs.

Declared Foreign Nationals (DFNs)

DFNs are individuals questioned by Assam Border Police about their citizenship and later declared as foreigners by Foreigners Tribunals (FTs).
Unlike Convicted Foreign Nationals (CFNs), DFNs are not charged under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
Their citizenship is questioned based on incomplete or technical grounds, such as minor discrepancies in legacy documents (e.g., spelling errors).
The tribunals often dismiss such documents, leading to wrongful declarations.

Problems with the Tribunal Process

FTs are not proper judicial courts, leading to potential miscarriages of justice.
Ex parte orders (decisions made in absence of the accused) are frequent, denying individuals the opportunity for defense.
Gauhati HC has repeatedly overturned FT orders, noting the injustice of dismissing valid documents.
In Mohammad Rahim Ali’s case, SC reversed an FT order, reinstating his citizenship, calling it a “grave miscarriage of justice”.

Concerns with Deportation

Risk of Statelessness: Many deported individuals may not be recognized as citizens by Bangladesh, leaving them stateless.
Violation of Legal Precedent: SC has ruled against deporting stateless persons, ensuring their legal protection.
Discriminatory Process: Forcing individuals into an unknown country or city violates established norms and increases marginalization.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – FRs} Furlough and Parole in India

Context (IE): Delhi HC is hearing a case challenging Delhi Prison Rules of 2018 examining whether denying furlough despite good conduct violates the reformative approach of criminal justice system.

Parole

Parole refers to a prisoner’s timebound release with suspension of sentence for short-term situations like illness or family emergencies, before the end of a sentence, in exchange for good behavior.
It is the privilege given to the prisoners to return to society and socialize with families and friends.
It can last up to one month and can be extended under special circumstances.

Exemptions to Parole

Those convicted of crimes against the state or are a threat to national security.
People convicted of murder, rape of children, and other crimes, unless the issuing authority decides otherwise.

Furlough

It is a conditional release for long-term prisoners to prevent monotony and help reintegrate them into society, while the sentence continues, with no uniform legislation.

Its objective is to break the monotony of jail and allow the inmate to maintain contact with the outside world, based on good conduct.

Furlough vs Parole

Key Difference: Parole is granted for specific reasons, whereas furlough is for the general well-being of long-term prisoners.
Granting Authorities: Parole is granted by the Divisional Commissioner, while furlough is granted by the Deputy Inspector General of Prisons.

Constitutional and Legal Insights

There are no specific provisions related to Parole and Furlough in the Prisons Act, 1894 and the Prisoners Act, 1900.
Section 59 of the Prisons Act empowers States to make rules for the shortening of sentences as rewards for good conduct.
Suspension of Sentence: Power to suspend a sentence is distinct from granting furlough. KM Nanavati (1960) case established that Governor, under Article 161, does not have the power to suspend a sentence during an ongoing appeal.

National Legal Trends

State Practices: Some states deny furlough during appeal periods, urging convicts to seek relief from the court.
Case of National Legal Services Authority: NALSA highlighted that several states do not provide furlough during appeals, viewing it as a judicial issue.

Delhi Prison Rules 2018

Rule 1224: States that furlough will not be granted if an appeal is pending in the HC or SC.
Challenge: The rule restricts their right to furlough, violating Article 14 (equality) and Article 21 (life and liberty) of the Constitution.
Delhi High Court’s Interpretation: The HC has interpreted the rule to mean that only the appellate court (HC or SC) can grant furlough during pending appeals.

Also refer to Distinction between Parole & Furlough

Context (TH): India’s diagnostics industry, estimated at ₹860 billion in 2024, faces significant challenges despite rapid growth and increasing demand.

Current Status

Size of the Sector: The diagnostics industry accounts for around 9% of the total healthcare sector, with approximately 300,000 labs across India.
Projected Growth: The sector is expected to grow from ₹860 billion in 2024 to ₹1,275 billion by 2028.

Challenges

Regulatory Issues

Clinical Establishments Act (2010): Intended to regulate diagnostic labs, ensuring minimum standards. However, only 12 states & all UTs (except Delhi) have adopted it.
Accreditation Challenges: Labs can voluntarily obtain accreditation from bodies like NABL, but most remain unaccredited with varying quality standards.
Fragmentation: Due to low entry barriers, leading to uneven service quality and poor regulation, particularly in rural areas.

Shortage of Trained Personnel

Manpower Crisis: There is a severe shortage of skilled pathologists, microbiologists, and lab technicians, which affects the quality of diagnostic services.
Unqualified Personnel: Many labs operate with technicians rather than qualified professionals, leading to potential risks like incorrect diagnoses and fraudulent practices (e.g., “ghost pathologists”).
Geographical Inequality: Rural areas are disproportionately underserved, despite comprising nearly 70% of the population, contributing to healthcare inequality.

Urban-Rural Divide

Concentration in Urban Areas: 24% of diagnostic revenue comes from rural areas, though 70% of the population resides there, highlighting the urban-centric nature of the sector.
Government Sector Challenges: State-run labs, especially in Telangana and Kerala, face issues like outdated facilities and limited operating hours, pushing patients towards private labs.

Pricing and Affordability

Private Sector Pricing: Diagnostic tests in the private sector are often expensive, making them inaccessible to lower-income groups.
Government Initiatives: Programs like Telangana’s ‘T-Diagnostics’ have helped reduce patient costs. Kerala’s ‘Aardram Mission’ upgrades primary health centers for affordable diagnostic services.

Key Issues in Lab Operations

Regulation Gaps: Many small & medium-sized labs in Kerala & Tamil Nadu face regulatory challenges, including space requirements and non-recognition of out-of-state qualifications for technicians.
Lack of Supervision: Lack of stronger regulations mandating that all diagnostic labs be supervised by qualified pathologists, focusing on quality control and standard operating procedures.

Way Forward

Public Awareness: Enforcing stricter regulations and enhancing state-run lab services can help address these concerns.
Need for Standardization: State governments should enforce standards across both private and public sectors to ensure consistent, quality healthcare for all.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Extreme Arctic Warming

Context (IE): The Arctic experienced a record temperature rise in February 2025, with temperatures exceeding 20°C above average, triggering concerns about its impact on global climate systems.

Rapid Rate of Arctic Warming

Unprecedented Warming: Temperature at the North Pole surged by over 20°C above average, marking an extreme warming event.
Arctic Warming Rate: Since 1979, the Arctic has warmed 3.8 times faster than the global average, significantly outpacing the 1.3°C increase seen globally since the late 19th century.

Key Factors Contributing to Arctic Warming

Role in Climate Regulation: The Arctic acts as a “refrigerator” for the planet, helping cool the Earth. Its rapid warming disrupts this crucial role, threatening the stability of global climate patterns.
Albedo Effect: Melting sea ice reduces reflectivity, causing darker ocean water to absorb more heat, accelerating warming.
Limited Convection: Weak vertical mixing traps heat near surface, intensifying Arctic temperature rise.

Causes of Extreme Temperature Rise

Low-Pressure System: A deep low-pressure system over Iceland opened gates for warmer air from lower latitudes to enter the Arctic, raising temperatures drastically.
High Sea Surface Temperatures: Extremely high sea surface temperatures in the North-East Atlantic intensified the warming, further amplifying the heat influx into the region.

Global Implications of Arctic Warming

Rising Sea Levels: Melting ice in the Arctic directly contributes to global sea-level rise, posing a threat to coastal communities.
Disruption of Weather Patterns: The warming impacts global weather, leading to more extreme events such as storms, droughts, and shifts in precipitation patterns.
Global Climate System Interconnectedness: Changes in the Arctic have a cascading effect on global weather and climate systems, influencing temperature and weather patterns worldwide.

{GS3 – Envi – Degradation} Regulating Thermal Power Emissions in India

Context (TH): MoEFCC extended the SO₂ emission compliance deadline by three years, impacting 20 GW of thermal plants in high-density areas.

Evolution of Emission Norms for Thermal Plants

2015: MoEFCC introduced new emission norms, tightening particulate matter (PM) standards and introducing SO₂ norms for the first time.
2017 Deadline: Initial deadline for compliance, but extensions followed due to implementation challenges.
Multiple Extensions: The latest revision (December 2024) marks the fourth extension, delaying compliance further.

Revised Compliance Deadlines (2024 Notification)

The Categories are based on pollution impact and location sensitivity.
Category A (By Dec 31, 2027): Plants within 10 km of NCR/cities >1 million population (e.g., Dadri NTPC, Koradi).
Category B (By Dec 31, 2028): Plants in critically polluted areas/non-attainment cities (e.g., Singrauli, Korba, Chandrapur).
Category C (By Dec 31, 2029): All other plants (e.g., Talcher, Mundra, Simhadri).

Current Status of Compliance

Only 22 GW (~8%) of India’s coal-based capacity has installed Flue Gas Desulphurisation plants, despite deadlines.
102 GW (~50% of total thermal capacity) is in advanced stages of FGD installation.
No publicly available data to verify compliance, raising concerns over regulatory oversight.

Challenges in Implementing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD)

High Costs & Supply Chain Issues: Expensive technology, delays in procurement, and limited domestic manufacturing hinder progress.
Debate Over Necessity: Studies by NITI Aayog & CSIR-NEERI suggest focus should shift to particulate emissions, raising doubts about FGD’s urgency.
Operational Challenges: Increased coal consumption, technical difficulties, and long gestation periods for FGD installation.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Health Impacts: SO₂ emissions contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in Delhi-NCR and other high-risk areas.
Financial Burden on Consumers: Electricity consumers bear the cost of FGDs through regulatory pricing, even if plants do not operate them due to cost concerns.
Environmental Compensation Scheme: MoEFCC introduced penalties for non-compliance, but their effectiveness remains uncertain due to weak enforcement.

Way Forward

Strict Enforcement & Incentives: Real-time monitoring, stricter penalties, and financial support for FGD adoption.
Balanced Policy Approach: Strengthen domestic FGD supply chains, support local manufacturing, and prioritize compliance in high-risk zones.

{Prelims – In News} Fort William Renamed Vijay Durg

Context (TH): The Indian Army’s Eastern Command HQ, Fort William, in Kolkata, has been renamed Vijay Durg, reflecting an ongoing effort to eliminate colonial vestiges within the military.

Historical Significance

Original Construction: Built by the British in 1781, named after King William III.
Strategic Location: Located on the eastern bank of the river Hooghly, Kolkata, West Bengal.
Fort’s Legacy: Played a key role as the center of British military and administrative power in India.
Previous Names: Kitchener House renamed to Manekshaw House; St. George’s Gate renamed Shivaji Gate.

Architectural Features

Design: Octagonal, brick-and-mortar construction, designed in a star-shaped fortification.
Spans 70.9 acres with lush gardens, arched windows, and Georgian-Gothic styles.
Defensive Purpose: Built for defense against cannon fire; not designed for explosive shelling.
Major Structures:
- Dalhousie Barrack (1856),
- Kitchener’s House (converted in 1784),
- Granary Barracks (by Warren Hastings).
- Vijay Smarak inside Fort William accessible to the public on Sundays and public holidays since 2019.

Source: Wikipedia

Significance of Name Change

The New Name Vijay Durg, inspired by a historic Maratha naval fort in Maharashtra.
Symbolic Shift: Reflects Indianisation of military traditions, aiming to distance from colonial symbols.

{Prelims – PIN} Aga Khan IV and the Nizari Ismaili Community

Context (IE): Prince Karim al-Husseini, the Aga Khan IV, passed away on February 4, 2025. He was the 49th hereditary Imam of the Nizari Ismaili Shia Muslims, renowned for his philanthropy, leadership, and efforts to bridge cultural divides.

The Nizari Ismaili Community

Sect: A subgroup of Ismaili Shias, part of the larger Shia branch of Islam.
Descent: Traces descent from Prophet Muhammad through his daughter Fatima and son-in-law Ali.
Subsects: Nizari Ismailis and Dawoodi Bohras; Nizaris follow direct hereditary descent to the Aga Khans, while Bohras recognize descent only till the 18th Imam.
Global Presence: Spread across 30+ countries, with roots in Persia and the Indian subcontinent.

Aga Khan IV: Life and Leadership

Birth and Succession: Born in 1936 in Switzerland; succeeded his grandfather, Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah, in 1957 at age 20.
Philanthropic Focus: Headed the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), impacting healthcare, education, and rural development in over 30 countries.
Cultural Contributions: Promoted Muslim culture through the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Recognition and Legacy

Spiritual Role: Held a near-divine status as Imam, leading the Nizari Ismailis with a modern, progressive outlook.
Received India’s Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contributions.
Cultural Restoration: Oversaw major restoration projects like the Humayun’s Tomb and the Quli Qutb Shahi Tombs in India.

Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)

Key Entities: Aga Khan Health Services, Aga Khan Schools, Aga Khan Foundation, and the University of Central Asia.
Global Impact: Focused on improving the quality of life in Asia and Africa with a budget exceeding $1 billion annually.
Philosophy: Guided by Islamic ethics, bridging faith and society to promote sustainable development.

{Prelims – S&T – Defence} Stryker ICV and Javelin Missiles

Context (TH): The India-U.S. defence cooperation advances with a focus on the co-production of Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicles (ICV) and the evaluation of Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM).

Stryker Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV)

Eight-wheeled armoured vehicle designed for rapid deployment.
Significance: Enhances infantry mobility and survivability, firepower, and protection in high-altitude and counter-insurgency operations, especially in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
Co-production has Strategic Goals: Strengthen border security, enhance India-U.S. defence ties, and support the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Key Features

V-hull for mine and blast protection.
30 mm cannon and 105 mm mobile gun.
Composite armour with ceramic tiles for troop protection.
Top speed of 100 km/h, range of 483 km.
Airlifted by Chinook helicopters for mobility in difficult terrains.

Javelin Missile Demonstration and Evaluation

Javelin ATGM is a key component for mounted anti-tank capabilities.
Demonstrated in high-altitude conditions, with performance feedback indicating the need for re-trials.