Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Exam – August 08, 2024

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} I2U2 Initiative

• Context (TH): Rising tensions between Iran and Israel over the Hamas Leader killing may impact some initiatives like the I2U2 initiative (West Asian Quad).

• Established in 2021, it is a strategic partnership between India, Israel, UAE and US.
• Aim: To mobilise private sector capital and expertise to achieve a variety of goals, including modernising infrastructure, advancing low-carbon development pathways, and improving public health.

{GS2 – IR – India-Bangladesh} Political Instability in Bangladesh

• Context (IE): PM Sheikh Hasina’s resignation and flight to India amid protests mark a pivotal shift in South Asian geopolitics, raising concerns about Bangladesh‘s stability and its relationship with India.

Catalyst for PM’s Resignation

• Nationwide Uproar: Student protests over job quotas, fueled by governmental repression and violence from the Awami League’s student wing, ignited widespread unrest.
• Economic Challenges: The COVID-19 pandemic and global economic downturn leading to rising unemployment and inflation despite prior growth.
• Democratic Deficit: Allegations of electoral violence and rigging diminished democratic credibility and contributed to public dissatisfaction.
• Authoritarian Measures: Increasing the use of stringent laws, such as the Digital Security Act, to suppress dissent led to a more authoritarian governance style.
• Economic Disparities: Corruption, high-profile financial scandals, and growing inequality.

India-Bangladesh Relations Under Sheikh Hasina

• Trade Growth: Bilateral trade reached $13 billion in FY 2023–24, with Bangladesh becoming India’s largest trade partner in South Asia.
• Land Boundary Agreement (2015): Resolving long-standing border disputes marked a significant achievement in bilateral relations.
• Key connectivity projects: Successful implementation of cross-border rail links and port agreements. For example, India uses the Agartala-Akhaura rail link and the Chattogram and Mongla ports.
• Defence and Medical Collaboration: Joint military exercises, such as the annual “Exercise Sampriti,” and the growth of medical tourism, where Bangladeshi citizens seek medical treatment in India.
• Enhanced Security Collaboration: Hasina’s government helped dismantle anti-India militant groups, improving regional security.
• Energy Partnerships: Bangladesh imported substantial electricity from India, and the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline facilitated fuel transport.

Bangladesh’s Strategic Importance for India

• Geostrategic Value: Bangladesh’s location provides critical access to the Bay of Bengal and serves as an essential trade route to Southeast Asia.
• Regional Stability: Crucial for maintaining regional security and peace in South Asia.
• Economic Interdependence: Eg., Export of Indian pharmaceuticals & import of Bangladesh textiles.

• Cultural Connections: Shared heritage and cultural links, reinforced by festivals like Durga Puja and exchanges in music, literature, and film, strengthen interpersonal bonds and foster mutual respect
• Regional Cooperation: Collaborative efforts in regional forums such as BIMSTEC and SAARC are vital for mutual development.

Challenges Ahead for India

• Political Uncertainty: A less friendly administration could reinvigorate anti-India militant groups, exacerbating border security tensions.
• Geopolitical Dynamics: Instability in Bangladesh could enable China to expand its influence, necessitating India’s vigilance as Beijing might offer lucrative deals to any new regime, similar to its actions in Sri Lanka.
• Economic Implications:
  • Disruptions in trade and payment delays impact the profitability and stability of these investments.
  • Indian-owned textile manufacturing units in Bangladesh, which constitute around 25% of the sector, may shift operations back to India due to instability.
  • It raises doubts about the future of the potential free trade agreement (FTA).
• Infrastructure and Connectivity Risks:
  • India has provided USD 8 billion in credit since 2016 for road, rail, and port projects, including the Akhaura-Agartala rail link and the Khulna-Mongla Port rail line.
  • Current unrest threatens to disrupt trade and access to India’s Northeast region.

Way Forward

• Fostering New Alliances:
  • Maintain a cautious “wait-and-watch” strategy to assess developments and their potential impacts on regional stability.
  • Engage with various political factions in Bangladesh to foster a more inclusive relationship.
  • Engage with a broader spectrum of Bangladeshi society to counteract negative perceptions of India and move beyond the 1971 liberation narrative.
• Strengthening Security Measures: Bolster security measures along the border to address potential spillover effects and maintain stability.
• Advancing Digital Connectivity: Develop a digital connectivity corridor to enhance trade, technological exchange, and e-commerce.
• Strategic Geopolitical Maneuvering:
  • Collaborate with international partners, including the US, UK, and European nations, to mitigate the risks of possible Chinese and Pakistan influence.
  • Work with Gulf partners like the UAE and Saudi Arabia to support Bangladesh’s economic stabilization and counter extremist influences, maintaining regional stability.
• Support for Democratic Processes: India should advocate for democratic principles and reforms in Bangladesh while avoiding direct political interference.
• Address Critical Issues: Focus on resolving ongoing disputes, such as water sharing and the Rohingya refugee crisis, and manage cross-border challenges effectively.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Federal Structure} Kashmir Post-Article 370

• Context (TW | TW): The situation in Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370, is complex and has led to significant debates and concerns.
• Impact on Democracy: Critics argue that the move ignored the will of the Kashmiri people, relying on the Governor (a government appointee) to represent them, which is undemocratic.
• Comparison to Colonialism: The extension of constitutional provisions by undemocratic means is compared to instances of foreign rule, like British colonialism in India.
• Unilateral Annulment: Article 370 was part of the accession agreement between J&K and India, similar to agreements between sovereign entities.
• Administrative Issues: Faces criticism for inefficiency and lack of cohesion, relying heavily on non-cadre officers and facing allegations of corruption.
• Militancy: Militancy has spread from Kashmir to Jammu, with increasing attacks and casualties.
• Developmental Issues: Despite promises of development, issues persist.
  • Electricity and Infrastructure: No significant improvements in power supply or road conditions.
  • Crime and Corruption: Increase in crime, corruption, and control by “outsiders” in local trades.
  • Industrialization: Promised industrialization and job creation have not materialized.

Read more > Article 370, Legal?, SC Verdict on Article 370

{GS3 – Envi – Wetlands} Bhoj Wetland

• Context (PIB): Bhoj Wetland (MP) is not at risk of being delisted from the Ramsar Convention list.

• Bhoj Wetland consists of two artificial lakes, Bhojtal (Upper Lake) and the Lower Lake.
  1. Raja Bhoj of Malwa built Bhojtal by constructing an earthen dam across the Kolans River.
  2. The Lower Lake was constructed nearly 200 years ago, largely from leakage from the Upper.
• Other Ramsar sites in MP include Sirpur Wetland, Sakhya Sagar, and Yaswant Sagar.

National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)

• NPCA is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by MoEF&CC.
• It aims to restore and protect wetlands, improve water quality, enhance biodiversity, integrate wetlands into development plans, and support States with management, capacity building, and research.
• It uses a four-pronged approach, including the creation of a Wetland Brief Document, a Wetland Health Card, Wetlands Mitras for collaboration, and a Wetland Integrated Management Plan.

Read More > Ramsar sites in India, Wetlands.

{GS3 – IE – Employment} State of Rural Youth Employment Report 2024

• Context (IE): The State of Rural Youth Employment Report by the Development Intelligence Unit (DIU), reveals that 70-85% of employed rural youth want to change their jobs.

• The opportunity youth (unemployed/underemployed), which accounted for about 70% of all rural youth across 21 states were surveyed.

Key Findings

• Current Perception of Agriculture: The majority do not find agriculture aspirational due to low productivity and insufficient profits.
• Preferred Job Types: The majority prefer small businesses (manufacturing, retail, trading) or salaried jobs in public/private sectors.
• Local Work Preference: Over 60% of males and 70% of females prefer work near their villages, even with lower income.
• Support Needs for Entrepreneurship: 90% of males and 50% of females need support in accessing seed capital, and only 10% need full training courses.
• Needed Improvements in Agriculture: Technical support to increase productivity, crop diversification, and access to high-quality, affordable agri-inputs.

{GS3 – IS – Issues} Forces Behind Terrorism in Kashmir

• Context (IE): Recent attacks in the Jammu region remind us that ending terror in J&K is far from finished.
• Abrogating Article 370 was necessary but insufficient to end terrorism due to the following interconnected forces that created terrorism in the Kashmir Valley.

Forces	Details
Troubled Pakistan	The Pakistani military uses anti-India propaganda to fuel military interests as national interest. It frames Pakistan as Islam’s fortress, attracting funds and justifying terrorism.
Cold War Geopolitics	Kashmir became a Cold War pawn, with initial UN support for Pakistan, which allied with the US, and joined the Baghdad Pact. US weapons meant for Afghans were diverted to support terrorism in J&K.
Radical Islam	Pakistan’s claim on Kashmir stems from the Islamic vs. non-Islamic conflict. Wahhabi conservatism and terrorism disrupted Kashmiri syncretism.
Fraught Federalism	J&K’s unique status led to an intense engagement with Delhi and central interventions, shaping political dynamics (E.g. Abrogation of Article 370).
Separatist Politics	Article 370 allowed the adoption of soft separatism, leading to a closed society and stifling competitive politics, worsening separatist sentiments.
The Baghdad Pact (CENTO/METO), signed in 1955 by Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Turkey, and the UK, was a defensive military alliance aimed at maintaining peace and security in the Middle East.

{Prelims – In News} Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI)

• Context (DNR): The IMD has used the SPI to analyze precipitation and drought trends in India.

• SPI uses long-term precipitation records to develop a probability distribution of precipitation.
• The index can be positive for wet conditions and negative for dry conditions and includes time scales of 1,2,3,6,9,12,24,36,48,60 and 72 months.
• It uses only precipitation data, making it less complex than the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI).
• It requires high-quality, reliable data with a minimum of 30-50 years of data for accurate calculation.

The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) is a meteorological index used to measure the severity of drought conditions based on precipitation, temperature, and soil moisture data. Developed by Wayne Palmer in the 1960s, it considers both water supply and demand, making it a comprehensive tool for drought assessment.

Read more > Water Scarcity in India, Floods in India, Flash Floods

{Prelims – PIN World – Europe} Danube river

• Context (DTE): Poaching and trafficking are threatening the survival of Sturgeon Fish in Danube river.

• It is the second-largest river in Europe after Russia’s Volga.
• It flows from Black Forest in Germany to the Black Sea.
• It passes through four capital cities (Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, and Belgradeor) and ten countries.
• It is connected to the North Sea via the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal.
• Sturgeon Fish is found in freshwaters and saltwaters of Eurasia and North America.

Credits: Yale E360

{Prelims – Sci – Bio} Sucralose as a Sugar Substitute

• Context (TH): Judicious use of sucralose as sugar substitute helps diabetics.

• Sucralose is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener which is 600 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar).
• Sucralose and sucrose (sugar) have been shown to have similar taste and flavour profiles and chemically sucralose is derived from sucrose.
• It remains exceptionally stable under heat and across a range of pH levels and can be used in both cooking and baking without losing its sweetness.
• Other artificial sweeteners: Saccharin, Acesulfame, Aspartame, Neotame, Advantame and Stevia.