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  • Controversy around the $500 million MCC grant to Nepal

    Nepal’s House of Representatives has ratified 500 million US Dollar grant assistance-Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) pact along with the “interpretative declaration”.

    What is Millenium Challenge Corporation?

    • The MCC was founded in 2004 as a US foreign aid agency that acts in accordance with governments that have demonstrated a commitment to good governance, economic freedom, and citizen investment.
    • It was envisioned as an organisation that would follow the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness’ key principles.
    • MCC works with countries that have been identified as being eligible for assistance to develop programmes that are based on MCC’s purpose of decreasing poverty via economic growth.
    • MCC’s results framework, which is based on the fourth and fifth principles of the Paris Declaration, Results and Mutual Accountability.
    • It provides a framework for applying the agency’s rigorous methods for projecting, tracking, and evaluating the effects of its programmes.
    • MCC uses this framework to address basic questions about aid effectiveness.

    Investments made by MCC

    • Compact and threshold programmes are the two types of programmes in which MCC invests.
    • Compacts are large, five-year grants implemented by an accountable entity established by each partner nation.
    • Thresholds are smaller funds focusing on policy and institutional transformation in selected countries implemented by MCC.

    The background of the project

    • MCC’s partnership with Nepal began in 2011, when the country requested assistance.
    • MCC first chose Nepal for a smaller threshold grant, and subsequently in December 2014, for a larger compact.
    • Three years later, in September 2017, the MCC-Nepal compact was signed, with the US committing $500 million and Nepal committing $130 million.
    • Nepal is expected to generate an electricity infrastructure with 400kVA transmission lines through the MCC project, which will be used to distribute power both domestically and to India.
    • Furthermore, the MCC’s implementation could boost the Nepalese economy by increasing employment possibilities and increasing per capita income.

    Issues with the project

    • It is estimated that if the agreement is not passed by Parliament, the power producers in the country are likely to lose a staggering Rs. 142 billion every year.
    • As a result, PM Sher Bahadur Deuba is striving to get the MCC passed in Parliament as soon as possible, even if it means splitting the coalition government.
    • In addition, if he fails to get it through Parliament, there is a possible risk of losing his international credibility.

    America vs China: Objections around MCC

    • The MCC agreement has created a political divide in Nepal.
    • The compact has been criticised in Nepal as endangering the country’s sovereignty, integrity, and constitutional autonomy.
    • The claim that the MCC agreement supersedes the national charter and shall prevail over Nepal’s domestic laws.
    • Many have interpreted this to suggest that the compact replaces the constitution, compromising Nepal’s sovereignty.
    • The MCC’s inclusion in the Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) is considered problematic for Nepal, as the majority of the country’s political class views the US strategy as anti-China.

    India’s role in the ongoing political crisis in Nepal

    • Few claim that the electricity generated by MCC will be only for export to India and will not be for the local public.
    • As a result, it will not benefit the local economy directly.
    • Nepal’s hydroelectric generation potential is huge, with over 6,000 large and small rivers.
    • However, through a series of barrages and dams, India has control over the majority of Nepal’s major rivers.
    • Nationalists in the Himalayan country have strongly objected to this.
    • In Nepal, where India is still perceived as a meddling big brother, its goal of strengthening India’s military capabilities through this agreement to counter China’s was questioned.

     

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  • Land protests over Deocha Pachami Coal Block

    The West Bengal government’s ambitious Deocha Pachami coal block mining project in Birbhum district has run into hurdles over land acquisition and other issues.

    Deocha Pachami Coal Block

    • The State government is planning to start mining at the Deocha Pachami coal block, considered to be the largest coal block in the country with reserves of around 1,198 million tonnes of coal.
    • It is spread over an area of 12.31 sq. km, which is around 3,400 acres.
    • There are around 12 villages in the project area with a population of over 21,000, comprising Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

    Why are locals upset?

    • The project is facing protests over land acquisition of which a significant part is forest land.
    • Locals, mostly Santhal tribals, have close affinity with the land, with forests and waterways, and rely on it for their needs.
    • The tribals were harassed and had been arrested under false and serious charges for protesting.
    • Also, the project details have not yet been made public; and the environment clearance is awaited.

    Back2Basics:

    Coal

    • This is the most abundantly found fossil fuel. It is used as a domestic fuel, in industries such as iron and steel, steam engines and to generate electricity. Electricity from coal is called thermal power.
    • The coal which we are using today was formed millions of years ago when giant ferns and swamps got buried under the layers of earth. Coal is therefore referred to as Buried Sunshine.
    • The leading coal producers of the world include China, US, Australia, Indonesia, India.
    • The coal-producing areas of India include Raniganj, Jharia, Dhanbad and Bokaro in Jharkhand.
    • Coal is also classified into four ranks: anthracite, bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite. The ranking depends on the types and amounts of carbon the coal contains and on the amount of heat energy the coal can produce.

     

  • What is the International Court of Justice?

    Ukraine has filed an application before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), instituting proceedings against the Russian Federation for committing Genocide.

    International Court of Justice

    • The ICJ is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN).
    • It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946.
    • The court is the successor to the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), which was brought into being through, and by, the League of Nations.
    • It held its inaugural sitting at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, in February 1922.

    Its establishment

    • After World War II, the League of Nations and PCIJ were replaced by the United Nations and ICJ respectively.
    • The PCIJ was formally dissolved in April 1946, and its last president, Judge José Gustavo Guerrero of El Salvador, became the first president of the ICJ.
    • The first case, which was brought by the UK against Albania over concerning incidents in the Corfu channel — the narrow strait of the Ionian Sea between the Greek island of Corfu and Albania.

    Seat and role

    • Like the PCIJ, the ICJ is based at the Peace Palace in The Hague.
    • It is the only one of the six principal organs of the UN that is not located in New York City.
    • The other five organs are:
    1. General Assembly
    2. Security Council
    3. Economic and Social Council
    4. Trusteeship Council
    5. Secretariat
    • The court as a whole must represent the main forms of civilization and the principal legal systems of the world.
    • The judges of the court are assisted by a Registry, the administrative organ of the ICJ. English and French are the ICJ’s official languages.

    Jurisdiction of ICJ

    • All members of the UN are automatically parties to the ICJ statute, but this does not automatically give the ICJ jurisdiction over disputes involving them.
    • The ICJ gets jurisdiction only if both parties consent to it.
    • The judgment of the ICJ is final and technically binding on the parties to a case.
    • There is no provision of appeal; it can at the most, be subject to interpretation or, upon the discovery of a new fact, revision.
    • However, the ICJ has no way to ensure compliance of its orders, and its authority is derived from the willingness of countries to abide by them.

    Judges of the court

    • The ICJ has 15 judges who are elected to nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and Security Council, which vote simultaneously but separately.
    • To be elected, a candidate must receive a majority of the votes in both bodies, a requirement that sometimes necessitates multiple rounds of voting.
    • Elections are held at the UNHQ in New York during the annual UNGA meeting.
    • A third of the court is elected every three years.
    • The judges elected at the triennial election commence their term of office on February 6 of the following year.
    • The president and vice-president of the court are elected for three-year terms by secret ballot. Judges are eligible for re-election.

    India in ICJ

    • Four Indians have been members of the ICJ so far.
    • Justice Dalveer Bhandari, former judge of the Supreme Court, has been serving at the ICJ since 2012.
    • Former Chief Justice of India R S Pathak served from 1989-91, and former Chief Election Commissioner of India Nagendra Singh from 1973-88.
    • Singh was also president of the court from 1985-88, and vice-president from 1976-79.
    • Before him, Sir Benegal Rau, who was an advisor to the Constituent Assembly, was a member of the ICJ from 1952-53.

    Indian cases at the ICJ

    • India has been a party to a case at the ICJ on six occasions, four of which have involved Pakistan.
    • They are:
    1. Right of Passage over Indian Territory (Portugal v. India, culminated 1960);
    2. Appeal Relating to the Jurisdiction of the ICAO Council (India v. Pakistan, culminated 1972);
    3. Trial of Pakistani Prisoners of War (Pakistan v. India, culminated 1973);
    4. Aerial Incident of 10 August 1999 (Pakistan v. India, culminated 2000);
    5. Obligations concerning Negotiations relating to Cessation of the Nuclear Arms Race and to Nuclear Disarmament (Marshall Islands v. India, culminated 2016); and
    6. (Kulbhushan) Jadhav (India v. Pakistan, culminated 2019).

    Back2Basics:

    BASIS INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE
    Relationship with the United Nations Independent; UN Security Council may refer matters to it Primary judicial branch of the UN.
    Members 105 members 193 members (all members of the United Nations).
    Derives authority from The Rome Statute Charter of the United Nations and the Statute of the International Court of Justice.
    Scope of work Criminal matters – investigating and prosecuting crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes Civil matters- settling legal disputes between the member-states and giving advisory opinions on international legal issues
    Jurisdiction Only the member nations of the ICC, which means around 105 countries. Can try individuals. All the member nations of the UN, which means 193 countries. Cannot try individuals and other private entities.
    Composition 1 prosecutor and 18 judges, who are elected for a 9-year term each by the member-states which make up the Assembly of State Parties with all being from different nations 15 judges who are elected for a 9-year term each and are all from different nations.
    Funding Funded by state parties to the Rome Statute and voluntary contributions from the United Nations, governments, individual corporations, etc. Funded by the UN.

     

     

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  • [Burning Issue] India and Latin America Relations

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    Context

    Latin America is generally understood to consist of the entire continent of South America in addition to Mexico, Central America, and the islands of the Caribbean whose inhabitants speak a Romance language such as Spanish, Portuguese, and French.

    History of Indo-Latin American Ties

    • India’s ties with certain Latin American nations are longstanding and Mexico was the first Latin American country to recognize India after its independence in 1947.
    • When Fidel Castro ousted the Batista regime in Cuba in 1959, India was one of the first countries to recognize the new government, set-up an embassy in Havana and establish diplomatic relations.
    • However, relations between India and Latin America did not gather momentum throughout most of India’s post-independence history.
    • India and Latin American nations were both colonies of European powers. After achieving independence, both adopted socialist policies, which did little to enhance relations.
    • Many Latin America and the Carribbean (LAC) countries joined the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
    • India also supported LAC countries against United States (US) interventions in the United Nations (UN) and other multilateral gatherings, but this did not address the deficit in relationship.

    Why does Latin America Matter?

    • Energy demand is rising: In a view of India’s growing demand for energy and its interest in seeking overseas investments, Latin America attracts New Delhi’s interest. After all, the region is rich in extractive resources.
    • Important markets: Given that three G20 economies, i.e. Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are in Latin America, Indian businesses are keen to tap its expansive market.
      • During the last two decades, India’s trade with Latin American countries has grown substantially and its investments are diversified in sectors such as Information Technology (IT) and manufacturing.
      • Moreover, the region has emerged as an important market for the Indian pharmaceutical and automobile industries.
    • China’s emergence in the region: Analysts within India’s strategic community are of the view that China is fast emerging as Latin America’s economic and strategic partner, and that India must begin expanding its own footprint in the region.
    • India’s Soft Power is making difference: To its advantage, India’s status as a rising power, its economic growth, as well as its soft power in the form of its cultural and civilizational practices such as yoga have gained traction in Latin America.

    Why Indo-Latin American Ties did not grow?

    • Relations between India and Latin America did not gather momentum owing mainly to the geographical distance between the two regions, and differing domestic and international priorities.
    • Thousands of miles away, Latin America played a small role in New Delhi’s strategic and geopolitical considerations.
    • There has also been a lack of cultural, linguistic and diaspora connections between the two regions in the past.

    Current Trade Relations with the LAC Region

    • Following liberalisation of the Indian economy, Latin American governments and their private sectors saw opportunities in India’s growing market.
    • Indian industries also discovered that some, middle-income countries of Latin America offered better markets than those of North America and Western Europe.
    • Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, and Panama are currently India’s top ten trading partners in the LAC.
    • There has been an upward swing in the relations between India and Mexico after Prime Minister’s visit to Mexico in June 2016, when both countries decided to upgrade bilateral relations to the level of ‘strategic partnership’.
    • India is currently Mexico’s ninth most important global trading partner, after the US, India is Mexico’s largest supplier of automobiles.
    • Brazil has historically been the cornerstone of India’s relations with Latin America, but recently there is a dip in bilateral trade.
    • However, India has invested billions of dollars in Brazil’s hydrocarbon reserves and crude imports.

    Significance of Indo-Latin American Ties

    • India also exports a billion dollars’ worth of generic medicines to Latin America, which has helped these countries reduce the cost of healthcare.
    • The entry of Indian generic pharmaceuticals in Latin America over the last two decades has also put pressure on local and multinational companies to reduce their prices.
    • Latin American firms have invested about a billion dollars in India in areas such as soft drinks, multiplexes, theme parks, and auto parts.
    • Latin American software firms have also established development and delivery centres in India, employing over a thousand Indian software engineers
    • Latin America has also emerged as a key contributor to India’s energy security.
      • India now imports 20% of its crude oil from Brazil, Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela
      • In 2012, India overtook China as the largest Asian buyer of Venezuelan oil.
    • India also constitutes one of the largest suppliers of IT services to Latin America
      • Over 35,000 Latin Americans are employed in Indian IT companies operating in the region
      • New Delhi is also actively promoting official policies intended to further expand Indian IT services in Latin America.

    Countering Chinese Expansion in the Region

    • Although India has steadily expanded its footprint in Latin American countries over the past several years, it is still dwarfed by China’s immense presence in the region.
    • Many Latin Americans governments resent Chinese imports, which flood their markets at the cost of local businesses. They are also worried by their growing dependence on Chinese investments.
    • By contrast, India’s modest trade and investments are welcomed with virtually no opposition. This gives New Delhi an unexpected, long-term competitive advantage over China.

    India’s interests in Latin America

    (1) Economic

    • Latin America is also very rich in minerals such as copper, lithium, iron ore, gold and silver. It gives India an opportunity to increase investments for their extraction as well as for their imports at cheaper rates.
    • India’s exports to Latin America increased by 9.6% in 2018-19 (April to March) reaching $13.16 billion from $12 billion in 2017-18.

    (2) Strategic 

    • The region is very important for India in order to achieve its global ambitions such as in order to pursue its membership of the UNSC, the NSG and at various other negotiations like climate change, terrorism, trade, etc
    • India is cooperating with Brazil at platforms like BRICS, IBSA which has provided an alternative platform for developing countries and reduces their dependence on existing institutions controlled by west.

    (3) Energy security

    • Currently India sources 15% of its crude oil from Latin America countries.
    • Latin America is also an important partner in the India led International Solar Alliance.

    (4) Food security

    • Latin America region is five times that of India and only has half as much population.
    • India is importing pulses and oil seeds from many of African and Southeast Asian countries at very high costs.

    Why India should expand ties with Latin American countries

    • Growth prospect: With a collective GDP of more than $6 trillion, and a combined population of more than 600 million, half of which is under the age of thirty, Latin America constitutes a dynamic, growing and resource-rich part of the world with huge economic prospects for India.
    • Food Security: Latin America can also contribute towards food security. The region is five times the size of India and has only half the population. India is currently importing pulses and oilseeds from other countries at high costs.
    • Cheaper imports: Latin America is also very rich in minerals such as copper, lithium, iron ore, gold and silver, and could give India an opportunity to increase investments for their extraction as well as for their import at cheaper rates.

    Way Forward

    • Bringing India and Latin America together will require effective institutional framework as well as businesses and people-to-people networks.
    • India must also promote Latin American studies, invest in shipping industries, and conclude preferential trade agreements and free trade agreements at the earliest.
    • Latin American languages must be encouraged in India to incentivise Indian professionals to take jobs in these countries, and to promote trading ties.
    • The commerce ministry should revive its ‘Focus:LAC’ programme, which has previously helped encourage and support Indian exporters to explore business opportunities in the region.

    Conclusion

    • Latin America is being increasingly considered as an important investment destination due to its growing industrial and manufacturing strength.
    • India offers immense opportunities for collaboration, trade and investment for partner countries from Latin America. Latin American nations have long been seeking more diplomatic representation from India.
    • Despite recent improvements on many fronts, however, both India and the LAC countries face some formidable challenges.
    • They still have some of the highest inequality indices in the world, as well as serious deficiencies in infrastructure, technology, innovation and competitiveness.
    • India and the LAC region could approach these challenges as opportunities to forge new partnerships to promote growth and development through increased trade and investment.

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  • [pib] International Monsoons Project Office (IMPO)

    Union Minister of Science & Technology has launched the International Monsoons Project Office (IMPO).

    International Monsoons Project Office (IMPO)

    • IMPO will be hosted at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, an institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt of India, initially for five years.
    • Setting up the IMPO reiterates the importance of monsoons for the national economy.
    • It would encompass activities and connections related to international monsoon research that would be identified and fostered under the leadership of the World Climate Research Programme.
    • Both the World Climate Research Programme and World Weather Research Programme are international programmes coordinated by the United Nations World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

    Significance of IMPO

    • Setting up the IMPO in India would mean expanding an integrated scientific approach to solve the seasonal variability of monsoons, enhancing the prediction skill of monsoons and cyclones.
    • It would promote knowledge sharing and capacity building in areas of monsoon research crucial for agriculture, water resources and disaster management, hydropower and climate-sensitive socio-economic sectors.
    • It is a step towards making India a global hub for monsoon research and coordination in a seamless manner for addressing common and region-specific aspects of the monsoons around the world.

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    Back2Basics:

    Various terms related to Indian Monsoon

  • [pib] Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)

    National Logistics Portal (NLP) is set to be integrated with Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) to make the multi-modal logistics ecosystem more efficient.

    Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP)

    • ULIP is designed to enhance efficiency and reduce the cost of logistics in India by creating a transparent, one window platform that can provide real-time information to all stakeholders.
    • It was also emphasized that the solution should have the visibility of multi-modal transport, and all the existing systems of various ministries, governing bodies, and private stakeholders should be integrated with the ULIP system.
    • This will create a National Single Window Logistics Portal which will help in reducing the logistics cost.
    • ULIP will provide real-time monitoring of cargo movement while ensuring data confidentiality with end-to-end encryption, comprehensive reduction in logistic cost resulting in competitive costing.

    There are three key components which are defining the ULIP platform:

    • Integration with existing data sources of ministries: As authorization, compliance and clearance are some of the critical activities of Logistics; the integration with data points of ministries shall enable a holistic view and interlink the handshaking points.
    • Data exchange with private players: To enable the private players, logistics service providers, and industries to utilize the data available with ULIP and at the same time share their data (transportation, dispatch, delivery, etc.) with ULIP, thereby streamlining the processes to bring better efficiency through data exchange.
    • Unified document reference in the supply chain: To enable a single digitized document reference number for all the documentation processes in a single platform.

     

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  • Reporting cyber attacks

    Context

    The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is likely to come out with new cyber security regulations which will put the onus on organisations to report any cybercrime that may have happened against them, including data leaks.

    Damages inflicted by the cyber crimes

    • Apart from private firms, government services, especially critical utilities, are prone to cyber attacks and breach incidents.
    • The ransomware attack against the nationwide gas pipeline in 2021 in the U.S. virtually brought down the transportation of about 45% of all petrol and diesel consumed on the east coast.
    • If it were measured as a country, then cyber crime — which is predicted to inflict damages totalling $6 trillion globally in 2021 — would be the world’s third-largest economy after the U.S. and China.

    Provision for reporting the cybercrime

    • Clause 25 in the Data Protection Bill 2021 says that data fiduciaries should report any personal and non-personal data breach incident within 72 hours of becoming aware of a breach.
    • Clause in EU GDPR: Even the golden standard for data protection, namely the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (EU GDPR), has a clause for reporting data breach incidents within a stringent timeline.
    •  This, in principle, is likely to improve cyber security and reduce attacks and breaches.

    Why reporting cybercrime is important

    • Alerting other organisations: If incidences are reported, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team and others can alert organisations about the associated security vulnerabilities.
    • Precautionary measures: Firms not yet affected can also take precautionary measures such as deploying security patches and improving their cyber security infrastructure.
    • Why firms are reluctant to notify the crime? Any security or privacy breach has a negative impact on the reputation of the associated firms.
    • An empirical study by Comparitech indicates that the share prices for firms generally fall around 3.5% on average over three months following the breach.
    • So, firms weigh the penalties they face for not disclosing the incidents versus the potential reputational harm due to disclosure, and decide accordingly.

    Possible solutions

    • Periodic cyber security audits:  How will the regulator come to know when a firm does not disclose a security breach?
    • It can be done only through periodic cyber security audits.
    •  Unfortunately, the regulators in most countries including India do not have such capacity to conduct security audits frequently and completely.
    • Empanel third-party auditors: The government can empanel third party cyber security auditors for the conduct of periodical cyber security impact assessments, primarily amongst all the government departments, both at the national and State level, so that security threats and incidents can be detected proactively and incidents averted.
    • Evaluation and Certification of cyber security: The Ministry, as part of cyber security assurance initiatives of the Government of India, to evaluate and certify IT security products and protection profiles, has set up Common Criteria Testing Laboratories and certification bodies across the country.
    • These schemes can be extended towards cyber security audits and assessments as well.
    • Security command centre:  Much like IBM, which set up a large cyber security command centre in Bengaluru, other large firms can also be encouraged to set up such centres for protection of their firms’ assets.

    Consider the question “Reporting cyber security breaches is important. Yet, firms are reluctant to report the breaches. Examine the reasons for reluctance on part of the firms and suggest the way forward.”

    Conclusion

    Such measures will also pass the muster of the EU GDPR, thereby moving India closer to the set of countries that have the same level of cyber security and data protection as that of EU, for seamless cross-border data flow.

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  • What is the Munich Security Conference (MSC)?

    The latest edition of MSC a week ago assumed significance as it was here that the Ukrainian President appealed for help ahead of the Russian invasion.

    Munich Security Conference

    • The Munich Security Conference is an annual conference on international security policy that has been held in Munich, Bavaria, Germany since 1963.
    • It brings together heads of state, diplomats and business leaders from the world’s leading democracies for three days of meetings and presentations.
    • It is the world’s largest gathering of its kind.
    • Over the past four decades the MSC has become the most important independent forum for the exchange of views by international security policy decision-makers.

    How did it begin?

    • When the MSC was founded in 1963, it was envisioned as a way for leaders, mostly from the West, to discuss threats and dangers in an informal setting.
    • Most of the concerns at the time stemmed from the Cold War, which had dominated world politics for nearly a half-century.
    • Over time, the conference evolved into a platform for airing grievances and workshopping political agreements, some of them outside the realm of East-West relations.
    • In recent years, the conference has often invited leaders from authoritarian countries, and even adversaries, to speak.

     

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  • [Burning Issue] Ukraine Crisis and India

    Context

    • It is being perceived as a tightrope walk for India, taking a more neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.
    • It is widely said that India’s statement at the UN lacked condemnation of the Russian invasion.
    • War makes no sense to anyone. But during these circumstances, we may raise one question:

    “Why the West is pretending to need India against the war in Ukraine?”

    Ans. For a country that claims to be a vishwaguru or world teacher, India’s shortsighted stance on critical geopolitical is a big surprise to the world.

    Another narrative is– The west in spite of averting the crisis alone, is seeking our help. They are just trying to demonize India (as they usually did). They understand India’s interests and compulsions perfectly.

    India-Ukraine Relations: A backgrounder

    • With a population of over 40 million and an area of about 600,000 sq km, Ukraine is one of the largest countries in Europe.
    • India has an extensive bilateral relationship with Ukraine, spanning all spheres of cooperation. India was one of the first countries to recognize Ukraine.
    • India recognized the Republic of Ukraine as a sovereign country in December 1991 and established diplomatic relations in January 1992.
    • The Embassy of India in Kyiv was opened in May 1992.  Ukraine opened its Mission in Delhi in February 1993 – its first in Asia.

    (1) Trade

    • Bilateral trade between the two countries has grown significantly in the last 25 years.
    • As per data from the Indian government, the bilateral trade between the two nations stood at $2.3 billion so far this fiscal, compared with $2.5 billion in the last fiscal (FY21). 
    • India is Ukraine’s largest export destination in the Asia-Pacific and the fifth largest overall export destination.

    (2) Diplomacy

    • India and Ukraine have signed several MOUs/Agreements in many spheres.
    • These include Diplomatic relations, visa matters, consular matters, trade and commercial matters, space, science and technology, defense, etc.

    (3) Culture

    • There is a great interest in Indian culture in Ukraine at the public level, covering various aspects such as dances, yoga, philosophy, Ayurveda and spirituality.
    • Many Indian movies have also been shot in Ukraine, for example most recent being the ‘Bahubali 2: The Conclusion’.
    • A small but vibrant Indian community lives in Ukraine, comprising mostly of business professionals and students.
    • There are about 18,000 Indian students studying in Ukraine, mainly in the field of medicine.

    Why is Russia invading Ukraine now?

    • Undoing historic injustice: President Putin has frequently accused Ukraine of being taken over by extremists, ever since its pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted in 2014 after months of protests against his rule.
    • Ukraine’s affinity towards West and NATO: Russia has long resisted Ukraine’s move towards the European Union and the West’s defensive military alliance, NATO.
    • So-called ‘oppression’ in Ukraine: It is now clear that Russia is seeking to overthrow Ukraine’s democratically elected government. Its aim is that Ukraine be freed from oppression and “cleansed of the Nazis”.

    Why is this war a no-lesser significant event?

    Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a clear violation of the rules-based international order.

    • First war of the century: These are terrifying times for the world, witnessing a major power invading a European neighbour for the first time since World War II.
    • Annexation of a democratic nation: For Europe’s leaders, this invasion has brought some of the darkest hours since the 1940s.
    • Covid disruptions: The global economic landscape, in a post-Covid situation, is in a shambles.
    • Intense militarization: The military industrial complex everywhere will be strengthened. As more and more armament is used up in the conflicts and more arms are manufactured.
    • Heading up towards mutually assured destruction

    India’s position on this war so far

    (1) India is subtle to Russia

    • New Delhi has taken a subtle pro-Moscow position on the question of Russian attacks against Ukraine.
    • This pro-Russia tilt is not just the position of the Indian government, but is something, somewhat surprisingly, shared by much of the Indian strategic community as well.

    (2) Evacuation of Indians remain a priority

    • Ukraine has sought India’s support in its fight against the Russian forces.
    • In an emotional appeal, Ukrainian ambassador urged PM Modi for a personal intervention.
    • Hundreds of Indian students remain stranded in Ukraine and its border which is seemingly India’s topmost priority.

    How would the war impact India?

    (1) Economic Impact

    • This war has immediate consequences for global trade, capital flows, financial markets and access to technology.
    • It can hurt Asia through multiple channels, such as:
    • Tighter global financial conditions
    • Elevated uncertainty and the risk of weaker global demand
    • Higher commodity prices, especially oil

    (2) Impact on diaspora

    • According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science, there are around 18,095 Indian students in the country. In 2020, 24 per cent of its overseas students were from India.
    • Ukrainian medical colleges are a godsend for students who are unable to get seats in government colleges or afford the hefty prices charged by private institutions in India. 

    (3) Geo-political impact

    (discussed below)

    India’s dilemma

    • India may not share a border with either Russia or Ukraine, and as many intellectual elites have already argued, the case for New Delhi not taking sides is straightforward.
    • The West’s critical sanctions will inhibit any nation (including India) from doing business with Russia and potentially diversify Russia-India ties.

    India needs Russia

    • Arms trade: Russia is one of India’s largest arms suppliers and a key strategic ally. More than half of India’s arms imports between 2016-2020 were from Russia.
    • Independent foreign policy: India’s special and privileged strategic partnership with Russia as a totem of Indian strategic autonomy.
    • Multi-polarity and institutional reforms: India shares Russia’s goal of a multipolar world. It is a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and of BRICS, a loose grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

    What message has India’s silence conveyed?

    • India is neither openly criticizing nor endorsing Russian actions.
    • However, this radio silence is seen as an endorsement of war.

    Why is India silent?

    Ans. The elephant in the room is China. Because “Power often triumphs principles.”

    • China’s political patronage to Russia: A deepening global crisis would allow Russia to deepen its ties with China for political support, market access and technology.
    • Decline of US hegemony: A US-led international order now seems pretty much over, anchored as it was by financial imperialism through dollar-dependence, a petro-dollar market and via strategic military dominance.
    • Open opportunism for China: It is likely to use this opportunity to exhaust America’s foreign policy attention-capital away from its strategic objectives in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
    • Balancing China: This circumstances could negatively affect the coordinated approach that Delhi seeks among like-minded partners to balance China.

    Western narratives of India’s position

    • Maintaining influence: India’s recent effort aims to “reclaim” or expand its “sphere of influence” in the Indian subcontinent.
    • Endorsing unification through revivalism: It creates a rhetoric around the integrated creation of Akhand Bharat is part of the thought process of right wing factions.
    • India’s territorial overtures for future: There have been voices of reclaiming Pakistan occupied Kashmir using the clouds of this war.

    Is India doing a mistake?

    • Russian justifications for its actions against Ukraine are similar to those Beijing makes versus India:
    • Historical claims on territory
    • Ethnic Linkages
    • This military action would go against the respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty for which India frequently advocates.
    • Moscow may or may not be able to moderate Chinese antagonism towards New Delhi.
    • The hawks and the far right wing will gain popularity due to this war.

    Threats remain to India

    This war on Ukraine could have major implications for India’s strategic calculus:

    • Increasing Chinese assertion: It will no doubt embolden China and its territorial ambitions.
    • Sanctions on defense trade: India may be sanctioned by the US if it continues with the S-400 missile system deal, but also could extend to future defense purchases.
    • Pakistan Proximity: Pressure from the West on Russia will move it closer to India’s adversaries, China and Pakistan.

    Options for India

    There are four potential options India can/could choose from:

    1. Condemn
    2. Support
    3. Stay silent or
    4. Express displeasure and call for diplomacy

    The first option will pit India against Russia, the second will pit it against the U.S. and its allies, the third option will be read as pro-Russia, and the fourth option — which it has taken — is the least harmful.

    Way forward

    • Geopolitical priority: India’s Russia tilt should be seen not just as a product of its time-tested friendship with Moscow but also as a geopolitical necessity.
    • Upholding morality: However, with the rise of right-wing populism and authoritarianism across the globe, moments such as this in history, warrant bold, corrective action – and more importantly, a principled, moral outlook.
    • Upholding democratic principles: Silently siding with Russian imperial nostalgia, India’s “balanced posturing” and silent endorsement of the Russian president may hurt India’s credentials as a democratic republic.
    • No factionist divisions: India must also make it clear to coercing countries that their “with us or against us” formulations are hardly constructive. There are no innocents in this conflict.

  • Places in news: Chernobyl

     

    Ukrainian authorities said that radiation levels had increased in the Chernobyl exclusion zone after the Russian Invasion.

    What is Chernobyl Disaster?

    • The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the No. 4 reactor in the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near the city of Pripyat in the north of Ukraine (formerly USSR).
    • It is considered the worst nuclear disaster in history both in cost and casualties.
    • It is one of only two nuclear energy accidents rated at seven—the maximum severity—on the International Nuclear Event Scale.
    • The other such incident was the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in Japan.

    Destruction caused

    • Some sources state that two people were killed in the initial explosions, whereas others report that the figure was closer to 50.
    • Dozens more people contracted serious radiation sickness; some of them later died.
    • Between 50 and 185 million curies of radionuclides (radioactive forms of chemical elements) escaped into the atmosphere.
    • This is several times more radioactivity than that created by the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
    • This radioactivity was spread by the wind over Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine and soon reached as far west as France and Italy.

     

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