Just 5 days are left for 2022 to get over and you will get to celebrate. But before that CivilsDaily has planned to end your 2022 prep session with a banger of UPSC workshops. The biggest UPSC Workshop of 2022.
UPSC, by exams, checks your attitude and qualities of an officer, the syllabus is just a medium to know these qualities
Sajal Singh
Day 1 with IPS, Shubham Nagargoj: How to cover 6 months of current affairs backlog and keep it up to date till UPSC Prelims?
28 Dec 2022 (Wednesday), 7 pm
Shubham sir, IPS and CivilsDaily’s Supermentor will discuss ways to cover UPSC current affairs backlog of 6 months or more. This is super important for those who have just started preparation for either UPSC 2023 or 2024.
Day 2: How UPSC Topper Areeba, AIR 109 made her UPSC Timetable and set targets?
29 Dec 2022 (Thursday), 7 pm
UPSC Topper AIR 109, UPSC 2021, Areeba Nomaan, CD’s Super Mentor will take a LIVE workshop where she will be share the skills and importance of having a flexible and workable UPSC Timetable.
She will help you breakdown your UPSC prep into small weekly and monthly measurable targets.
Day 3 with AIR 267, Soham Mandhare: Most important themes for UPSC Prelims 2023 and strategy for next 5 months.
30 Dec 2022 (Friday), 7 pm
UPSC Topper AIR 267, UPSC 2021 will be discussing the most important themes from Current Affairs and GS syllabus for UPSC Prelims 2023. These are going to be the most relevant and probable topics for the upcoming prelims.
29th December, at 7 PM | UPSC Workshop with AIR 109, Areeba Nomaan on a 5-month plan for UPSC 2023 & 18-month plan for 2024 and set daily weekly, and monthly targets | FREE Registration Open
According to UPSC Topper AIR 109, UPSC 2021, Areeba Nomaan, those who can not govern the clock, but get governed by it, will not be eligible for UPSC CSE. Because the foundation of every strategy lies in proper time management. And you can’t value your time without a workable strategy.
Once you master your time, you will understand how easy it is that most of the rankers hit their target of what they can accomplish in under 12 months.
So whether you’re sitting for UPSC 2023 or have made up your mind for UPSC 2024 as your first and final attempt, don’t waste a single minute.
AIR 109, UPSC 2021, Areeba Nomaan, CD’s Super Mentor took the IMP masterclass on cracking UPSC 2023-24 in just one attempt + Important Time management skills and strategy.
Zoom link will be emailed to you post-registration
Key takeaways: How to make a timetable for UPSC?
What should be your approach for the next 5 months even if you have just started the preparation for UPSC 2023? Strategy for the next 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and like that, will be shared with you.
What should be your approach for the next 18 months even if you have not yet started the preparation? Strategy for the next 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and like that, will be shared with you.
How to cover the UPSC syllabus? The syllabus, and not the books, must be completed. Focussing on the essentials first.
Time management You just need to invest effectively 5 hours per day for UPSC success. How to effectively manage preparation time? Make a timetable and set targets. Learn from the UPSC Topper Areeba herself.
Managing UPSC preparation with a serious time crunch; job – working professionals, college students, and family (especially for homemaker aspirants)
She made a UPSC trend analysis and based on that decoded the expectations and pattern of UPSC 2023. Areeba ma’am shared 10 important themes for the upcoming exams that one must not ignore whether it’s UPSC 2023 or 2024.
Short-time smart Revision techniques that are common, standard, and used frequently. What exactly are they?
How to take full advantage of the FREE CivilsDaily’s Preparatory Package and personalized mentorship session
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval recently hosted a meeting of his counterparts from five Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan — in New Delhi.
This is the first time India is hosting a conclave of top security officials from Central Asian countries focussing on the evolving security situation in Afghanistan and ways to deal with the threat of terrorism.
About the meet
Central Asia is seen as the northern boundary of the Islamic world.
With the Taliban’s return in Afghanistan, the threat of radicalism and possible regrouping of the Islamic State poses a serious security challenge for the countries in the region.
From the security perspective, the NSAs discussed the challenges of extremism, terrorism, and radicalisation in the region.
NSA said financing is the “lifeblood” of terrorism, and countering it should be a priority.
What is the Central Asia Region?
Central Asia is a region in Asia that stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China and Mongolia in the east, and from Afghanistan and Iran in the south to Russia in the north.
It includes the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
India-Central Asia Ties
India has decades-old wish to connect with the resource and fuel-rich Central Asian nations.
Since the emergence of the Central Asian Republics as independent countries in the early 1990s, New Delhi has been trying to establish ties with them.
Trade and collaboration
India’s trade with the five Central Asian Republics—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan—was below $ 2 billion in 2018.
The potential areas for collaboration include construction, sericulture and pharmaceuticals to IT and tourism.
Much of this trade was routed through Iran, Russia or the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Efforts for connectivity
Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline
Development of Iran’s Chabahar Port
Zaranj-Delaram Highway
International North-South (Transit) Corridor (INSTC)
Central Asia’s importance for India
Russian backyard: Central Asia has always been seen as Russia’s backyard — some 20-30% of the population is of Russian origin, and Russian is spoken widely.
Fossil fuels: While Central Asia is seen as fuel-rich and, hence, important for an energy-starved India.
Mineral richness: Central Asian states are also mineral-rich, and Kazakhstan, for one, has been a source of uranium for India’s nuclear power plants.
Market for India: A country like India which is seen as a major economy has to have a presence in these markets. INSTC also offers a safe and cost-effective route to the EU (European Union) market.
Convergence against Terrorism: India can forge a common position on terrorism and radicalization, which is a matter of concern to the region as much as it is to India.
Hurdles for India
China’s opportunism: China’s trade with Central Asia was $50 billion-$60 billion in the same period. The obvious advantage in China’s favour is geographical proximity.
Lack of mutual trust: Unfortunately, many connectivity options are not open to them today due to the lack of mutual trust.
Pakistan factor: Tensions with Pakistan mean there is no viable land route towards Central Asia.
Iran and the US sanctions: Efforts to look for a circuitous route via Iran (and Afghanistan) have stalled due to US sanctions on Iran.
Issues in the Iran-Afghanistan bypass route
Recent events acquire broader geopolitical relevance for India in this route:
Taliban true-face: The takeover of Afghanistan by the Pakistan-backed Taliban has severely set back India’s plans in Central Asia.
Iran’s bypassing of India: Iran’s overtures has been clearly visible after itself allocating Farzad-B Gas exploration contract to another company bypassing India.
India’s recent engagement
Defence collaboration: In recent years, New Delhi has engaged with Central Asian Republics in the defence sphere through military exercises (say Ex Kazind).
Engagement at UN: Political and economic engagement is also important, given the imperatives of working together at a body such as the United Nations (UN).
Technological ties: India has set up universities there—Sharda and Amity are examples.
Scope for expansion
Dairy Sector: There is scope for collaboration in the dairy sector.
Pharma: Indian firms have been setting up pharmaceutical units in Russia that can serve these countries as well.
Info Technology: IT and IT-enabled services are two other areas.
Cultural connect: Bollywood movies are quite famous in these countries.
Way forward
India needs to develop into stronger bond of trade and commercial bonds which will be possible once the INSTC crystallizes.
The road ahead in the short term is difficult as India doesn’t seem to have any real leverage to get the connectivity projects with Central Asia going.
India has been negotiating with individual bilateral partners though.
Conclusion
India does not want the post-Soviet space to be captured by the Chinese, and the NSAs engagement is a key mechanism in Delhi’s toolkit.
In June 2002, Vajpayee had said in Almaty that the new “Silk Route Initiative” of India’s foreign policy seeks to build a new Silk Road of Friendship and Cooperation between India and Central Asia.
Twenty years later, New Delhi remains on the road, and on the job.
Parliament recently passed the Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill 2022, with the Rajya Sabha passing it by voice vote.
Although the Bill was supported by members cutting across party lines, some concerns over certain provisions in the Bill were raised.
What is Maritime Piracy?
Essentially piracy is any illegal act, broadly defined as robbery on the high seas (i.e. outside of the 12nm limit of Territorial Waters).
However, robbery occurring within the 12nm limit is treated as a crime of robbery under the laws of the coastal state.
The aim of piracy is to extract the maximum monetary value possible by:
Hit and Run – Theft of ships’ cash and/or stores
Kidnap for ransom– removal of persons to extort release money
Hijack for Ransom– detention of the target to extort release money
Stealing ship and cargo – targeting of vessels (often during Ship-Ship operations) to remove cargo.
What factors favour pirate operations?
Legal and jurisdictional opportunities
Favourable geography
Conflict and disorder
Under-funded law enforcement/inadequate security
Permissive political environments
Cultural acceptability/maritime tradition ex. in Somalia
Reward
Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill 2022: Key Features
Defining Piracy: The Bill defines piracy as any illegal act of violence or detention or damage or destruction committed by any person, or by the crew or any passenger of a private ship. Such illegal acts come under the definition of piracy if they are committed against another ship or any person or property on board a ship, on the high seas.
Compliance with UNCLOS: The Bill will bring the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) into domestic law and empower Indian authorities to take action against piracy on the high seas. The Bill covers the sea beyond the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is 200 nautical miles off the coast of India.
Penal provisions: The Bill provides for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment or fine or both, for anybody who commits any act of piracy. This punishment can increase to a life imprisonment or death penalty if any person is found to have caused somebody’s death or attempts to cause somebody’s death while committing the act of piracy.
Designated courts: The Bill also provides for designation of a specific sessions court in the States for speedy trial of offences under the law. Notably, this court would have the jurisdiction to handle cases against any person apprehended by or in the custody of the authorised personnel or police– irrespective of their nationality or citizenship of the person.
Broader jurisdiction: These courts would be able to handle trials against foreigners caught under this law as well, along with Indian citizens, or resident foreign nationals in India or stateless people.
Need for such law
Global compliance: India is a party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea adopted by the United Nations on 10 December 1982, and ratified the convention on 29 June 1995.
Filling the legislative gap: Up until now, it did not have any domestic law on maritime piracy.
Narrow scope of IPC: The Indian Penal Code provisions relating to armed robbery are usually used to prosecute pirates. However, this has proven to be inadequate in the past.
Rising cases of Piracy: The Gulf of Aden has seen a spurt in attacks by pirates operating from Somalia since 2008.
Vicinity to major shipping routes: This route is used by 2,000 ships each month for trade between Asia and Europe and the East coast of Africa.
Increasing India’s naval capabilities: India on its part is actively engaged in anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Eastern Arabian Sea.
Issues with the Bill
Capital Punishment: Under the Bill, if a person, while committing an act of piracy causes or seeks to cause death, he will be punished with death. This implies a mandatory death penalty for such offences.
Ambiguity over imprisonment: The Bill provides for imprisonment of up to 14 years if a person participates in an act of piracy. However, committing an act of piracy is punishable with life imprisonment.
12Nm boundary: The Bill applies to all parts of the sea adjacent to and beyond the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India, i.e., beyond 200 nautical miles from the coastline.
Way ahead
Maritime security: By bringing a strong legislation, India has taken a lead on the issue of maritime security at a multilateral forum.
Protection of maritime trade: More than 90 percent of trade taking place by sea routes. So Anti-Piracy Bill is the need of the hour as the Bill will give the right to take action on high seas.
Secured Freedom of navigation (FON): The Bill will strengthen India’s credentials as a partner with other countries to make the world more piracy free.
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