Current Affairs – November 23, 2024

{GS1 – A&C – Personalities} Guru Nanak Dev

• Context (IE): Guru Nanak Jayanti in 2024, celebrated on November 15, coincided with Kartik Purnima. Also known as Gurpurab, it marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji (c. 1469–1539 CE)

• Birth: Born in 1469 in Talwandi (now Nankana Sahib, Pakistan).
• Enlightment: Guru Nanak got his enlightenment in Sultanpur in 1496.
• Founder of Sikhism: Established the Sikh faith, rejecting caste discrimination and advocating for devotion to one formless, all-powerful, and truthful God.
• Rejection of Rituals: Denounced idol worship, pilgrimages, and caste distinctions, promoting a practical, ethical, and truthful way of life.
• Core Teachings: God conceptualised as Nirguna (attribute less) and Nirankar (formless).
• Three Pillars of Sikhism
  • Nam Japna: Contemplating and chanting the name of one God.
  • Kirat Karna: Earning an honest livelihood through righteous work.
  • Vand Chhakna: Sharing one’s wealth with others to promote social equality.
• Death: Guru Nanak passed away in 1539 at Kartarpur, Punjab.

Key Aspects of Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Life and Teachings

• Egalitarian Society: Promoted equality through Langar (shared community meal), Pangat (eating together without discrimination), and Sangat (collective decision-making).
• Oneness of God: Emphasized the message of “Ek Onkar Satnam,” advocating that all are equal.
• Core Values: His teachings centered on forgiveness, patience, kindness, and compassion, essential for fostering societal harmony.
• Just Society: He advocated “kirat karo” (honest work), “naam japo” (devotion), and “vand chhako” (sharing with others) to create a balanced and responsible community.
• Karma and Dharma: Emphasized that karma (actions) should be the basis of dharma (righteousness), linking spirituality with social responsibility.
• Charity and Service: Promoted the concept of “dasvandh”, encouraging individuals to donate a tenth of their earnings to help the needy.
• Gender Equality: Taught that both men and women are equally valued and share God’s grace, advocating for gender justice.
• Respect for Women: Stressed that women deserve equal respect and opportunities, a significant teaching in the context of modern gender equality.
• Promoting Peace: Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s philosophy of oneness, compassion, and service offers a pathway to peace and social cohesion.
• Spiritual Leadership: As a spiritual guide, he emphasized the role of a Guru in providing illumination, dispelling doubts, and guiding towards truth.

Sikhism

• Founding and Core Beliefs: Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak in the 15th century.
• God & Soul: Sikhism believes in one God, aiming to reconnect with God by overcoming ego and desires.
• Equality and Social Justice: Guru Nanak promoted social equality and opposed the caste system, advocating for equal treatment for all individuals.
• Guru Granth Sahib: The Guru Granth Sahib is the eternal Guru after the ten Gurus, containing hymns that promote universal values.
• The Khalsa and Five Ks: Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa in 1699, with Sikhs wearing the Five Ks as symbols of their faith.
• Gurdwaras and Takhts: Sikhs worship in Gurdwaras, with Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar being the most significant. The Five Takhts are key institutions in Sikhism.
• Service (Seva): Seva (selfless service) is a core principle of Sikhism, encouraging individuals to serve humanity without expecting rewards.
• Sikh Population in India: As per the census 2011, the Sikh population in India is around 20 million (1.7% of the total population).

{GS2 – IR – Groupings} 11^th ADMM Plus Meeting

• Context (PIB): 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus was held in Lao PDR.

• ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners, i.e. Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the US (collectively referred to as the “Plus Countries”), to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.
• The Inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Ha Noi, Viet Nam in 2010. It meets annually since 2017.
• It is the only official framework of Defense Ministers’ meetings in the Asia-Pacific Region.

{GS2 – IR – India-China} India-China Bilateral Relations

• Context (IE): The Modi-Xi meeting in October 2024 marked an effort to repair strained India-China ties, which were severely impacted by the 2020 border standoff.

Need for Repairing Bilateral Relations

• Border Tensions and Military Presence: Despite some progress in disengagement, de-escalation along the LAC remains a challenge, with both countries maintaining a significant military presence of 50,000–60,000 troops.
• Public Distrust and Sentiment: Suspicion toward China prevails in India particularly following the standoff in Ladakh, due to past military confrontations, economic imbalances, and recent border tensions, making normalization of relations difficult.
• Strategic Competition in Asia: Competing interests, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, continue to limit the scope of bilateral cooperation.
• Post-Galwan Tension: The Galwan clashes in June 2020 led to a severe deterioration in bilateral relations, with 20 Indian soldiers and at least 4 Chinese soldiers killed.
• Divergent Priorities: India prioritizes border peace and disengagement as prerequisites for normalization, while China seeks to focus on cultural exchanges and restarting relations.
• Economic and Diplomatic Benefits: Both countries are keen to repair ties, recognizing the potential economic, diplomatic, and strategic benefits of improved relations.

Key Areas of Cooperation Discussed

• Direct Flights and Visa Relaxations: Both countries have discussed resuming direct flights and easing visa restrictions on diplomats, scholars, and media.
• Media Exchanges: There is a mutual desire to resume media exchanges, with journalists from both sides seeking to work freely in each other’s countries.
• Kailash Mansarovar Yatra: India and China are discussing the resumption of this important pilgrimage.
• Trans-Border River Data Sharing: India has been cautious about sharing water data, but this remains a point of discussion.
• Disengagement Process: Both sides agreed on “patrolling arrangements,” marking an important first step in the de-escalation process.

Advantages of Improved Relations

• Economic Growth: Enhanced ties would open up trade and investment opportunities, benefiting both economies.
• Strategic Cooperation: With both nations playing key roles in global geopolitics, stable relations would foster greater collaboration in regional and international affairs.
• Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Revitalizing exchanges in culture, education, and tourism can strengthen people-to-people ties, helping to build mutual understanding and trust.

Way Forward

• Celebrating Diplomatic Milestones: With the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations coming up, plan commemorative events that highlight cooperation over confrontation, fostering goodwill.
• Focused De-escalation: De-escalating military tensions along the LAC remains a critical step. India and China need to focus on long-term peacekeeping measures to ensure stability in the region.
• Diplomatic and Strategic Engagement: Strengthening mechanisms such as the Special Representatives and Foreign Secretary-Vice Minister talks can provide a structured platform for resolving issues.
• Public Diplomacy: Both countries need to address public concerns through media and cultural exchanges to build trust among their populations.

{GS2 – IR – Middle East} India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT)

• Context (TH): The India-UAE BIT, signed in 2023 and effective from August 31, 2024, replaces the 2013 treaty. It aligns with India’s Model BIT while addressing emerging investment challenges.

Features of India-UAE BIT

• Mandatory Local Remedies: Investors must exhaust local remedies for three years before initiating arbitration.
• Balance of Interests: The framework balances sovereign regulatory powers with investor protection.
• Investment Coverage: Includes both direct and portfolio investments, simplifying jurisdiction by excluding the “significance to host state development” clause.
• Transparency and Compensation: Ensures protection against expropriation, transparent dealings and compensation for losses.
• Exclusions: No Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) clause to prevent misuse; taxation issues excluded to maintain India’s regulatory autonomy.
• Anti-Fraud Safeguards: Bars third-party funding for arbitration and restricts Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) in cases of proven investor misconduct.

Significance of India-UAE BIT

Economic Relations

• UAE is India’s 7th largest FDI source with $19 billion in investments (April 2000-June 2024).
• Strengthens investor confidence by providing clear dispute resolution and equitable treatment.

Sectoral Partnerships

• Trade: UAE is India’s 3rd largest trading partner after the US and China.
• Energy: UAE is a key supplier of crude oil, LNG, and LPG to India.
• Defense: Collaboration through joint military exercises like Desert Cyclone.

Advantages of India-UAE BIT

• Investment Protection: Guarantees fair treatment, reducing arbitral discretion with explicit definitions.
• Regulatory Sovereignty: Excludes MFN and taxation, preserving India’s policy space.
• Investor Confidence: Simplified provisions encourage transparent and predictable investment environments.
• Negotiation Strategy: Balancing regulatory autonomy with investment protection is crucial for ongoing discussions with the UK and EU.
• Softened ISDS Approach: Acknowledges global criticism of prolonged domestic litigation requirements.

Challenges

• Judicial Overstretch: India’s legal system remains a bottleneck despite reduced ISDS waiting periods.
• Investor Concerns: Exclusion of MFN and taxation may deter developed country investors.
• Arbitral Risks: Inclusion of portfolio investments could increase India’s exposure to arbitration claims.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Legal Infrastructure: Expedite dispute resolution mechanisms by addressing judicial delays.
• Clarifying Treaty Provisions: Define ambiguous terms like ‘merits’ to minimize jurisdictional disputes.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Incorporate investor feedback and address partner countries’ concerns on MFN and taxation exclusions.
• Anti-Corruption Frameworks: Implement robust measures to address fraud and corruption for enhanced credibility.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) 2025

• Context (TH): Annual CCPI report for 2025 was released at COP29 in Baku.

• Released by: Germanwatch, New Climate Institute & Climate Action Network.
• It compares the climate performance of 63 countries and the EU, which together account for over 90% of global GHG emissions.
• It assesses each country’s performance in four categories: GHG Emissions (40%), Renewable Energy (20%), Energy Use (20%) and Climate Policy (20%).
• A country is rated in a category that includes Very High, High, Medium, Low, Very Low & Not Included.

Key Findings

• The 1st three places remain empty followed by Denmark (4^th), Netherlands (5^th) and UK (6^th).
• 63 countries, along with the European Union, assessed are responsible for 90% of global emissions.
• India ranks 10th in this year’s CCPI, dropping two spots compared to last ago.
• India and the U.K. are the only two G20 countries among the high performers in the CCPI. India’s per capita emissions stand at 2.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e), far below the global average of 6.6 tCO2e.
• The four lowest-ranked countries in the CCPI are Iran (67^th), Saudi Arabia (66^th), the United Arab Emirates (65^th), and Russia (64^th), all four among the world’s largest oil and gas producers.
• India has made considerable progress in renewable energy policy, particularly with large-scale solar power projects and the launch of the Rooftop Solar Scheme.

{GS3 – IS – Issues} Understanding the Changing Face of Extremist Violence

• Context (TH): Global focus on major wars like the Ukraine conflict and Israel-Hamas violence has diverted attention from evolving patterns in extremist violence.

Global Trends in Extremism

• Right-Wing Extremism Growth: Far-right ideologies are gaining mainstream acceptance, especially in Europe and the West; examples include Brexit and rising xenophobia in Germany.
• Islamist Extremism Threats: Groups like the Islamic State are influencing both homegrown cells and global networks, causing rising insecurity in West Asia and beyond.

Drivers of Extremist Violence

• Misinformation and Disinformation: Amplify grievances, driving extremist ideologies.
• Economic and Political Discontent: Frustration with governance and inequality fuels radicalisation.
• Digital Radicalisation: Online platforms accelerate the spread of extremist propaganda.
• Pandemic Aftermath: COVID-19-induced social isolation and distrust intensified radicalisation.

Evolving Extremist Patterns

• Shift in Ideologies: Left-wing extremism has declined; right-wing and other forms of extremism are on the rise.
• Global Interconnection: Right-wing ideologies are spreading globally, with cross-border radicalisation.
• Naxalite Movement: Transitioned from ideological movement to violent insurgency, posing ongoing challenges.
• Rise of Right-Wing Ideologies in Europe: Increasing political polarisation in Germany and France signals growing far-right influence.

Challenges and Implications of Modern Extremism

• Blurred Ideological Lines: Political, religious & social grievances overlap, creating multifaceted threats.
• Emerging Right-Wing Concerns: PFI (Popular Front of India) and SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) reflect the rise in right-wing militancy.
• Historical Left-Wing Threats: Naxalism & Communist uprisings highlight persistent ideological dangers.
• Radicalisation Across Borders: Exposure to global extremist narratives poses challenges for India’s youth and communities.
• Small, Decentralised Cells: Extremist groups operate through agile units, complicating intelligence and counter-measures.
• Erosion of Trust in Liberal Democracies: Right-wing ideologies undermine inclusive values, destabilising societies and governance.
• International Security Risks: Transnational extremist ideologies hinder global cooperation & security efforts.
• Policy Recalibrations: Effective counter-extremism strategies demand balancing responses to both left- and right-wing threats.

Way Forward

• Strengthening Law Enforcement: Training to handle decentralised and technology-driven extremist operations.
• Countering Online Radicalisation: Collaborative global efforts to monitor and curtail extremist propaganda online.
• International Cooperation: Sharing intelligence and best practices to combat transnational extremism.
• Community Engagement: Addressing socio-economic grievances and promoting inclusive governance to prevent radicalisation.
• Proactive Vigilance: Eternal vigilance remains key to liberty, demanding balanced and humane countermeasures.

{GS3 – S&T – AI} Democratising AI

• Context (TH): Big Tech’s AI dominance has led countries like India to invest in alternatives, but a radical approach is needed to truly challenge their monopoly.

Challenges Posed by Big Tech Dominance

• Computational Costs: Building deep learning models is costly, making it difficult for smaller players to compete with Big Tech. For instance, Gemini Ultra cost around $200 million to train in 2023.
• Monopoly Over Data: Big Tech companies have continuous access to vast streams of data, giving them a competitive edge that smaller players cannot match.
• Lock-In Effect: Big Tech provides end-to-end services, from cloud infrastructure to developer tools, making it expensive and inefficient for companies to switch providers.

Limitations of Data and AI Models

• Data Intelligence: Big Tech’s access to sophisticated, continuous data streams gives them a substantial advantage, which smaller players struggle to compete with.
• Commercial Capture of Open Data: Open data initiatives often fall prey to commercial capture, where Big Tech, with superior resources, dominates data access and usage.
• Academic Decline: Big Tech’s dominance has reduced the role of academia in AI, with commercial firms leading AI research and publications.

Need for a New Approach to AI Development

• The Global Development Compact’s approach to AI democratization falls short by not shifting the paradigm away from Big Data and deep learning.
• Big Tech’s growing influence in AI calls for a fundamentally different strategy.
• Reliance on Big Data and deep learning restricts equitable AI development.
• Shift focus to ‘small AI’ models —accessible, manageable and inclusive.

Shift Towards ‘Small AI’

• Theory of Change: A new model of AI development should focus on a theory of change—understanding how various factors interact and designing AI models to contribute positively to social change.
• Domain Expertise Over Big Data: AI models should be grounded in lived experiences and domain knowledge, not just statistical patterns derived from large data sets.
• Purpose-Driven AI: Smaller, more focused AI models can be more democratic, effective and tailored to local needs.

Suggested Measures

• Move Beyond Big Data: Focus on small, purpose-driven AI models that address real-world challenges rather than competing with Big Tech on data volume.
• Support Local Startups: Governments should foster local AI talent and innovations that are better aligned with community needs and contexts.
• Develop Democratic Infrastructure: Invest in public computational resources and infrastructure that are competitive with Big Tech’s offerings, but rooted in democratic values.
• Encourage Collaboration: Revitalize partnerships between academia and industry to ensure a balanced, ethical approach to AI R&D.
• Address Computational Costs: Public investments in computational resources and federated models must match Big Tech’s capabilities to ensure competitiveness.

{Prelims – Awards} Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar

• Context (PIB): 82 Young Artists Conferred Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar for 2022 & 2023.

• It was instituted by Sangeet Natak Akademi in the name of Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan for young performing art practitioners upto the age of 40 years in 2006.
• It is given annually to artists in the fields of music, dance, drama, folk & tribal arts and puppetry.
• It carries a purse money of Rs 25,000, a plaque and an angavastram.

Ustad Bismillah Khan

• He was India’s one of the finest classical musicians and played Shehnai.
• After M S Subbalakshmi and Ravi Shankar, Bismillah Khan is the only third classical musician who received the Bharat Ratna.
• He received all three Padma awards (Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

{Prelims – In News} Peak Oil

• Context (IE): Peak oil is in news as the world shift towards renewables.

• Peak oil refers to the point in time when global crude oil production reaches its maximum point and subsequently begins an irreversible decline. This occurs when readily accessible oil reserves are depleted, forcing us to rely on more challenging and expensive extraction methods.
• The concept is derived from geophysicist Marion King Hubbert’s “peak theory,” which states that oil production follows a bell-shaped curve.

Credits: Wikipedia

Factors driving behind Peak Oil

• Geological Constraints: Most of the world’s easily accessible oil reserves are already exploited, pushing towards more difficult-to-reach reserves, such as deepwater offshore drilling or unconventional sources like shale oil which are expensive to extract and produce smaller yields than traditional wells.
• Geopolitical Instability: The world’s largest oil-producing regions are located in politically unstable areas (wars in Iraq and Syria) leading to disruption of production and supply chains.
• Technological Limitations: Limits to how much oil can be extracted from a given reserve.
• Rising Demand of developing economies like China & India, puts additional strain on global oil supply.
• Environmental Pressures: Increasing awareness of climate change, transition to renewable energy sources have led to growing pressure to reduce reliance on oil.

Implications

• Extracting remaining resources becomes increasingly challenging & expensive leading to higher production costs, leading to higher prices for gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum-based products.
• Transition to less accessible reserves can disrupt supply chains and geopolitical stability.

{Prelims – PIN India} Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve

• Context (IE): Chhattisgarh government notified Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla as India’s 56^th tiger reserve.

Credits: Competex

• It is the fourth tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh after Achanakmar, Indravati, and Udanti Sitanadi. It is nestled in the Chota Nagpur plateau and partly in Baghelkhand plateau.
• It’s the 3rd largest Tiger Reserve after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.
• It is spread across four districts, Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur (MCB), Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur in the northern tribal Sarguja region of Chhattisgarh.
• It is connected to the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh to the West and Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand to the East.
• It is contagious to Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.