💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

GS Paper: GS3-23.Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas – Linkages of Organized Crime with Terrorism.

  • The sanctions cloud over India-U.S. ties

    Context

    The delivery of the S-400 Triumf air defence systems from Russia is expected according to schedule. In response, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman hoped that both the U.S. and India could resolve the issue.

    Background of the CAATSA

    • The Countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) was passed when the U.S. sought to discourage trade in the defence and intelligence sectors of Russia.
    • The Act mandates the President to impose at least five of the 12 sanctions on persons engaged in a “significant transaction” with Russian defence and intelligence sectors.
    • These sanctions include suspending export licence, banning American equity/debt investments in entities, prohibiting loans from U.S. financial institutions and opposing loans from international finance institutions.
    • The Act also built in a safety valve in the form of a presidential waiver.
    • The “modified waiver authority” allows the President to waive sanctions in certain circumstances.
    • There are a few more provisions including one that allows for sanctions waivers for 180 days, provided the administration certifies that the country in question is scaling back its ties with Russia.

    Implications of CAATSA sanctions against India and scope for waiver

    • Impact on bilateral relationship: Sanctions have the tremendous potential of pulling down the upward trajectory of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and India, which now spans 50 sectors, especially in the field of defence.
    • India turned sullen over the manner in which the U.S. negotiated the exit deal with the Taliban.
    • Quad engagement: Yet, on the strategic plane, India remained on course by agreeing to the upgrading of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue and sharing the same vision as the U.S. on the Indo-Pacific construct.
    • The U.S.’s apprehension is that bringing India under a sanctions regime could push New Delhi towards its traditional military hardware supplier, Russia.
    • The U.S. Sanctions can stir up the latent belief in India that Washington cannot be relied upon as a partner.
    • While the administration will have to do the heavy lifting, the role of Indian-Americans should be significant just as they rallied around to support the Civil Nuclear Deal in the face of stiff resistance from Democrats opposed to nuclear proliferation.
    • Decrease in imports from Russia: India’s import of arms decreased by 33% between 2011-15 and 2016-20 and Russia was the most affected supplier, according to a report by the Stockholm-based defence think-tank SIPRI.
    • In recent years, though, there have been some big deals worth $15 billion including S400, Ka-226-T utility helicopters, BrahMos missiles and production of AK-203 assault rifles.
    • Increase in defence import from US: On the other hand, over the past decade, government-to-government deals with the U.S. touched $20 billion and deals worth nearly $10 billion are under negotiation.

    Conclusion

    The CAATSA test will determine the course of the India-U.S. strategic partnership. Whether the Biden administration sail through opposition within his party remains to be seen.

    UPSC 2022 countdown has begun! Get your personal guidance plan now! (Click here)

  • China’s use of ‘Microwave Weapons’

    The Indian Army has rejected a report in the British daily newspaper which claimed that the Chinese army had used “microwave weapons” to drive Indian soldiers away from their positions in eastern Ladakh.

    The use of non-lethal weapons for violence and mob control is a contested issue. Can you suggest some alternatives to it apart from the use of water cannon and teargas?

    What are “Microwave Weapons”?

    • Microwave weapons are supposed to be a type of direct energy weapons, which aim highly focused energy in the form of sonic, laser, or microwaves, at a target.
    • It uses a focussed beam of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation to heat the water in a human target’s skin, causing pain and discomfort.
    • In a microwave oven, an electron tube called a magnetron produces electromagnetic waves (microwaves) that bounce around the metal interior of the appliance, and are absorbed by the food.
    • The microwaves agitate the water molecules in the food, and their vibration produces heat that cooks the food.
    • Food with high water content cooks faster in a microwave often than drier foods.

    Which countries have these “microwave weapons”?

    • A number of countries are thought to have developed these weapons to target both humans and electronic systems.
    • According to a report, China had first put on display its “microwave weapon”, called Poly WB-1, at an air show in 2014.
    • The United States has also developed a prototype microwave-style weapon, which it calls the “Active Denial System”.

    How dangerous are these weapons?

    • Concerns have been raised on whether they can damage the eyes, or have a carcinogenic impact in the long term.
    • It is not clear yet how China intends to use such a weapon, and whether it can kill or cause lasting damage to human targets.

  • [pib] JIMEX 20

    The 4th edition of India – Japan Maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX will be held in the North Arabian Sea from 26 to 28 September 2020.

    JIMEX 20

    • It is conducted biennially between the Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)
    • This series of exercises was commenced in January 2012 with a special focus on maritime security cooperation.
    • The last edition of JIMEX was conducted in October 2018 off Visakhapatnam, India.
    • JIMEX 20 will showcase a high degree of inter-operability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a multitude of advanced exercises, across the spectrum of maritime operations.
    • Multi-faceted tactical exercises involving weapon firings cross deck helicopter operations and complex surface, anti-submarine and air warfare drills will consolidate coordination developed by the two navies.
    • JIMEX 20 will further enhance the cooperation and mutual confidence between the two navies and fortify the long-standing bond of friendship between the two countries.

  • Rethinking the defence doctrine

    Indian Army’s prevailing doctrine

    • The Army’s prevailing doctrine is designed to deter and defend against major conventional invasions.
    • This determines how the Army is organised, what equipment it operates, and where it is deployed.
    • The Army expects to win wars by launching its own punitive offensives after an enemy attack, to either destroy enemy forces or seize enemy land.
    • The Army expected that any Chinese bid to capture Indian territory would come as a major conventional invasion.

    Miscalculation about Chinese intentions

    • Chinese army crossed the LAC in several places nearly simultaneously, and in larger numbers than usual.
    • Still, the Indian Army probably expected the stand-off would repeat the pattern of years past: China would make its point with a temporary transgression and retreat after talks.
    • But China has no interest in launching a major conventional invasion, but this is not just a typical probe either.
    • China’s quick land grab looks increasingly permanent, like an attempt to change the border without triggering war.

    How to address such security threat

    • Addressing this type of security threat requires preventing, not reversing, such fait accompli land grabs.
    • This requires a fundamental shift in the Army’s doctrinal thinking.
    • This fundamental shift involves strategies revolving around punishing the adversary, to strategies that prevent its adventurism in the first place.

    Way forward

    • Surveillance: Doctrinal change involves a greater investment in persistent wide-area surveillance to detect and track adversary moves, devolved command authority to respond to enemy aggression.
    • Rehearsed procedures: It would also involve rehearsed procedures for an immediate local response without higher commanders’ approval.
    • Detection: The military must be able to detect adversary action and react quickly, even pre-emptively, to stop attempted aggression from becoming a fait accompli.
    • Delegation of power: In peacetime, local commanders must have the authority and to take anticipatory action.
    • The late-August incident at Chushul demonstrates how this can and should work.

    Conclusion

    The challenge for India is to learn the right lessons and be alert to similar tactics in other regions, like the Indian Ocean. It must not rely on doctrines forged in wars half a century ago.

  • Issues with the nuclear deterrence

    On 6 August 1945 world witnessed the destructive potential of the nuclear weapons. Today’s nuclear weapons are several times more destructive than the one used there. This calls for the close scrutiny of the idea of the nuclear deterrence. This article dwells over the same issue.

    Context

    • While Hiroshima and Nagasaki have been the last two cities to be destroyed by nuclear weapons, we cannot be sure that they will be the last.
    • Since 1945, several countries have armed themselves with nuclear weapons that have much more destructive power in comparison to those that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

    Vulnerability

    • Over 1,26,000 nuclear weapons have been built since the beginning of the atomic age.
    • There is no realistic way to protect ourselves against nuclear weapons.
    • The invention of ballistic missiles has made it impossible to intercept nuclear weapons once they are launched.
    • Neither fallout shelters nor ballistic missile defence systems have succeeded in negating this vulnerability.
    • Nuclear weapon states are targets of other nuclear-weapon states, but non-nuclear-weapon states are vulnerable as well.

    Idea of nuclear deterrence

    The idea of nuclear deterrence consists of following two proposition.

    • 1) That nuclear weapons are so destructive that no country would use them.
    • 2) Such use would invite retaliation in kind, and no political leader would be willing to risk the possible death of millions of their citizens.

    Issues with the idea of deterrence

    • 1) It is claimed that nuclear weapons do not just protect countries against use of nuclear weapons by others, but even prevent war and promote stability.
    • These claims do not hold up to evidence.
    • 2) The apparent efficacy of deterrence in some cases may have been due to the more credible prospect of retaliation with conventional weapons.
    • 3) Implicitly, however, all nuclear-weapon states have admitted to the possibility that deterrence could fail.
    • they have made plans for using nuclear weapons, in effect, preparing to fight nuclear war.
    • 4) The desire to believe in the perfect controllability and safety of nuclear weapons creates overconfidence, which is dangerous.
    • Overconfidence is more likely to lead to accidents and possibly to the use of nuclear weapons.

    So, what prevented the nuclear war if not deterrence?

    • While a comprehensive answer to this question will necessarily involve diverse and contingent factors, one essential element in key episodes is just plain luck.

    Consider the question “What are the problems involved in the idea of nuclear deterrence. Also, examine the factors responsible for the failure of nuclear disarmament.”

    Conclusion

    Humanity has luckily survived 75 years without experiencing nuclear war, can one expect luck to last indefinitely?

    Original articles:

    https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/taking-nuclear-vulnerabilities-seriously/article32279584.ece

  • Rising incidences of Chinese Transgressions

    As tensions remain high between Indian and Chinese soldiers, the number of recorded Chinese transgressions across the disputed India-China border surged by 75 per cent in Ladakh in 2019, and the Chinese forays into Indian Territory in the first four months of the current year have also witnessed an increase compared to the same period last year.

    Chinese Transgression:

      • The border between India and China is not fully demarcated and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) is neither clarified nor confirmed by the two countries.
      • This leads to different perceptions of the LAC for the two sides while soldiers from either side try to patrol the area.
      • Observation Methods: Use of surveillance equipment, face-offs by patrols, reliable indications by locals, or evidence left by the Chinese in the form of wrappers, biscuit packets etc. in an unmanned area.
      • Official data shows that 80% of Chinese transgressions across the LAC since 2015 have taken place in four locations of which three are in eastern Ladakh in the western sector.
        • These areas of eastern Ladakh are Pangong Tso, Trig Heights and Burtse.
        • The fourth area is the Dichu Area/Madan Ridge area (Arunachal Pradesh) of the Eastern sector.

    •  Implications of Increased Number of Transgressions:

      • It is an indicator of increased Chinese assertiveness.
      • Even if there are no major incidents, it should not be taken lightly.
      • So far, there has been no major standoff between the two sides after the 73-day Doklam standoff on Sikkim-Bhutan border in 2017.

    Concerns

    • India is worried about the tensions at Naku La in Sikkim and at Galwan river and Pangong Tso in Ladakh.
    • The increased transgressions lead to more tensions between both countries which are already struggling to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.
    • Nepal’s recent behaviour on the Mansarovar Link Road raising the border map issue also raises Indian concerns.
    • The constant accusations on each other also cause tensions and disrupt the peace on borders.
      • Recently, Chinese media accused India of building defence facilities in the Galwan Valley region of the contested Aksai Chin area.
    • India and China are both nuclear-armed countries with strong militaries and the constant border conflicts are not a desirable thing.

    Way Forward

    • In the Wuhan and Mahabalipuram summits, both China and India had reaffirmed that they will make efforts to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas.
    • On 1st April, 2020 India and China completed their 70 years of diplomatic relations.
    • Both countries have resolved border issues peacefully in the past four decades which gives the hope that the tensions will subside soon.
    • Establishment of peace between the two big powers of such an important geopolitical region is essential for their own growth and development as well as for maintenance of global peace.

    Practice question for mains:

    Q. Clear demarcation of the national borders is the need of the hour. Discuss.

  • [pib] Shekatkar Committee recommendations on Border Infrastructure

    Government has accepted and implemented three important recommendations of the Committee of Experts (CoE) under the chairmanship of Lt General D B Shekatkar (Retd.) relating to border Infrastructure.

    Practice question for mains:

    Q. India’s unique geo-strategic location needs an all-weather and efficient border infrastructure. Comment.

    About Shekatkar Committee

    • The military reforms committee – under Lt General (retd.) DB Shekatkar – was set up by then Raksha Mantri Manohar Parrikar in 2015.
    • The committee was established with a mandate for Enhancing Combat Capability and Rebalancing Defence Expenditure.
    • Shekatkar Committee had made recommendations on enhancing the combat potential of India’s three armed forces, rationalizing the defence budget etc.
    • The committee submitted its report on December 21, 2016. It had apparently exceeded its brief with some 200 recommendations.
    • A major recommendation is that the defence budget should be 2.5% to 3% of the GDP.

    Recommendations on border infrastructure

    • On the matter related to creating border infrastructure, the Government has implemented the recommendation of CoE to outsource road construction work beyond the optimal capacity of Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
    • These were related to speeding up road construction, leading to socio-economic development in the border areas.
    • The other recommendation relating to the introduction of modern construction plants, equipment and machinery has been implemented.

    Back2Basics: Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

    • The BRO develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighboring countries and functions under the Ministry of Defence.
    • It is entrusted for construction of Roads, Bridges, Tunnels, Causeways, Helipads and Airfields along the borders.
    • Officers from the Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) and personnel from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) form the parent cadre of the Border Roads Organisation.
    • It is also staffed by officers and troops drawn from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers on extra regimental employment.
    • The BRO operates and maintains over 32,885 kilometers of roads and about 12,200 meters of permanent bridges in the country.