Type: IOCR

Central Idea

• The Black Sea grain deal lapsed on July 17. Turkey now seeks to resume the treaty.
• Russia though had not agreed to renew the deal, citing unmet promises and difficulties in its own agricultural exports due to Western sanctions.

Black Sea Grain Initiative

• The Initiative eased Russia’s naval blockade and saw the reopening of three key Ukrainian ports.
• The UN and Turkey brokered the deal in July 2022, allowing cargo ships to travel between Ukrainian ports and undergo inspections to ensure they were not carrying arms.
• The deal has been extended twice but is set to expire on July 17, 2023.
• The agreement created procedures to safely export grain from certain ports to attempt to address the 2022 food crisis.
• It provides a safe maritime humanitarian corridor for Ukrainian exports (particularly for food grains) from three of its key ports: Chornomorsk, Odesa and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi in the Black Sea.

Outcomes of this deal

• Approximately 9.8 million tonnes of grains have been shipped so far since the deal was brokered as per International Grains Council (IGC) Projections.
  • The IGC is an intergovernmental organization established in 1949. Its primary purpose is to promote cooperation and consultation on grains trade and related aspects globally.
  • India is an exporting member of the IGC.
• The initiative has also been credited for having made a huge difference in the global cost of living crisis.

Why was this deal launched?

• Ukraine’s Role: Ukraine is a significant exporter of food grains, including wheat and corn, and contributes to the UN’s food aid programs.
• Impact of Russian Invasion: Russia’s invasion and blockade of Ukrainian ports raised concerns about food security and soaring prices globally.

Russia’s Opposition and Reasons

• Claims of Unmet Promises: Russia argues that promises made under the deal have not been fulfilled, affecting its own agricultural exports and fertilizers due to Western sanctions.
• Obstacles to Agricultural Exports: Russia faces challenges with payment platforms, insurance, shipping, and logistics, even though there are no direct restrictions on its agricultural products.
• Frustration and Goodwill: Russian President expressed frustration and stated that Russia has shown goodwill in extending the deal but feels enough is enough.
• Shift in Grain Destinations: Russia claims the deal was meant to ensure global food security, but Ukraine has mainly exported to high- and middle-income countries, while the UN notes that food prices have cooled down, benefiting poorer nations.

Impact on Grain Exports and Production

• Russian Wheat Export Dominance: Russia remains the world’s top wheat exporter, primarily targeting the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.
• Ukraine’s Declining Shipments: Ukraine’s grain shipments are projected to more than halve, with production at an 11-year low.
• Shifting Markets: Ukraine’s grain markets have shifted from Asia and North Africa to Europe, driven by ease of shipment, causing a glut of Ukrainian grain and protests from farmers in Eastern European countries.

International Grains Council

• The International Grains Council (IGC) is an intergovernmental organization that oversees the Grains Trade Convention and aims to promote cooperation in the global grain trade. Established in 1949 as the International Wheat Council, it was renamed in 1995 to reflect its expanded scope.
• India is a member of the International Grains Council (IGC), which is the intergovernmental organization that oversees the global grains trade.

Back2Basics: Black Sea

• Black Sea is bound by Ukraine to the north and northwest, Russia and Georgia to the east, Turkey to the south, and Bulgaria and Romania to the west.
• It links to the Sea of Marmara through the Bosphorus and then to the Aegean through the Dardanelles.

Significance of Black Sea for Russia

• Black Sea has traditionally been Russia’s warm water gateway to Europe.
• For Russia, the Black Sea is both a stepping stone to the Mediterranean.
• It acts as a strategic buffer between NATO and itself.
• It showcases the Russian power in the Mediterranean and to secure the economic gateway to key markets in southern Europe.
• Russia has been making efforts to gain complete control over the Black Sea since the Crimean crisis of 2014.

Central Idea

• The G-20 Culture Ministers’ meeting held in Varanasi resulted in the unanimous endorsement of the ‘Kashi Culture Pathway’ document.

Kashi Culture Pathway

• Under this, G20 nations aims to address the preservation of cultural heritage, curbing illicit artifact trafficking, restitution of cultural property, and protection of living heritage, particularly that of indigenous communities.
• The document’s key aspects and implications highlight the united stance of G-20 countries towards cultural preservation.

Key Features

• Protection amid Conflict: The ‘Kashi Culture Pathway’ document accentuates the collective commitment of G-20 nations to protect cultural heritage from intentional and unintentional destruction, particularly in times of conflict.
• Combating Illicit Trade: G-20 member nations underscored the necessity to establish a robust global coalition to counter the illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts, with special attention to bolstering law enforcement collaboration.
• Enhanced Cooperation and Tools: Collaboration among nations and strengthening of enforcement tools were identified as essential to heighten the effectiveness of combatting cultural property trafficking. This includes voluntary data exchange to support investigations and law enforcement.
• Empowerment of Cultural Professionals: The document emphasizes enhancing research, documentation, and capacity-building for cultural professionals, legal authorities, and law enforcement personnel to better counter the trafficking of cultural property.
• Prevention and Regulation: Preventive measures were stressed, including regulatory actions against the unlawful export of cultural artefacts, particularly within the realm of online trade.

Central Idea

• The BRICS alliance, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has extended invitations to six additional countries, namely Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
• This move aims to bolster the collective voice of the Global South and foster multipolarity in the international arena.

Why discuss this?

• As BRICS broadens its membership, it strengthens its claim to represent nearly half the world’s population and includes key oil-producing nations.
• However, concerns also arise regarding China’s increasing influence within the alliance.

BRICS Plus: Emerging Role

• Heft and Influence: The inclusion of new members enhances BRICS’s position as a spokesperson for the developing world. The alliance currently represents 40% of the global population and over a quarter of the world’s GDP. With the addition of new members, it will encompass almost half the world’s population and include major oil-producing nations.
• Global Solidarity: BRICS’s growth is driven by anti-US sentiment and a desire for multipolarity among countries in the Global South. It serves as a platform where nations can express solidarity and challenge Western-dominated narratives.

BRICS: Evolution and Geopolitical Context

• Emergence of BRICS: Established in 2009, BRICS initially comprised Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2011. The alliance aimed to showcase the economic potential of these emerging markets.
• Challenges and Opportunities: While BRICS’s economic performance has varied, geopolitical shifts like the Ukraine conflict have propelled it into a bloc with the potential to challenge Western influence and provide an alternative viewpoint.

Dynamics of New BRICS Members

• Unanimous Decisions: BRICS decisions require unanimous agreement from all members. While Russia and China face geopolitical challenges with the West, Brazil, South Africa, and India maintain significant partnerships with the US and Europe.
• China’s Role: China is driving BRICS’s expansion, making membership expansion a core agenda item.
• Inclusion of Iran: China and Russia’s influence is evident in the inclusion of Iran, highlighting their collaboration. This move brings together regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran within the same alliance, reflecting China’s mediation efforts.
• Saudi Arabia’s Shift: Saudi Arabia’s inclusion marks its pursuit of a more independent foreign policy, diverging from its traditional US alliance.
• Global Significance for Iran and Russia: For Iran and Russia, BRICS membership signifies their global partnerships and challenges to Western dominance.

Implications for India

• Balancing Act: India’s participation in the G7 summit and Quad summit reflects its multifaceted foreign policy approach. While engaging with Western alliances, India also places importance on its “anti-Western” stance within BRICS.
• BRICS as a Non-Western Bloc: India views BRICS as a “non-Western” group and strives to maintain its independent voice within the alliance.
• Concerns for India: Amid expansion, there are concerns that BRICS could tilt more toward China, potentially side-lining India’s interests.

Conclusion

• BRICS’s expansion signifies a step toward global multipolarity, providing a platform for diverse countries to unite against Western-centric narratives.
• As the alliance grows, it gains greater representation and influence, strengthening the collective voice of the Global South.
• However, with China’s increased influence, there are also legitimate concerns about the balance of power within BRICS and its impact on individual member states.

Central Idea

• In a significant stride towards global healthcare innovation, the World Health Organization (WHO) and India’s G20 presidency have jointly unveiled the ‘Global Initiative on Digital Health’ (GIDH).
• The announcement was made at the Health Minister’s Meeting during the G20 Summit, hosted by the Indian Government.

What is GIDH?

• WHO and G20 Partnership: The WHO and India’s G20 presidency collaboratively introduced the ‘Global Initiative on Digital Health’ (GIDH).
• Strategy Implementation: GIDH functions as a WHO-managed platform, supporting the implementation of the ‘Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025.’
• Transformation Acceleration: The WHO, as the strategy’s Secretariat, facilitates the global convergence of standards, best practices, and resources for expediting digital health system transformation.

Objectives of the GIDH Initiative

• Measurable Outcomes: GIDH aspires to unite nations and partners, aiming to achieve tangible results through concerted efforts.
• Prioritizing Investment Plans: The initiative seeks to establish focused investment plans for the transformation of digital health, driven by clear priorities.
• Enhancing Resource Transparency: GIDH works towards greater transparency in reporting digital health resources, ensuring effective resource allocation.
• Facilitating Global Collaboration: The initiative fosters the exchange of knowledge and collaboration among regions and countries to expedite progress.
• Comprehensive Governance: GIDH supports holistic government approaches to digital health governance within countries.
• Boosting Support: The initiative aims to enhance both technical and financial support for the implementation of the ‘Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020–2025’ and its forthcoming phase.

India’s Role and Vision

• Digital Health Innovation: India’s G-20 Health Minister emphasized India’s role in digital health innovation at the G-20 Health Ministers’ Meeting.
• National Digital Health Architecture: India’s efforts for a comprehensive digital health ecosystem, exemplified by the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), were highlighted.

Central Idea

• Foreign Secretary has told a Parliament committee that the Raisina Dialogue is now among the most significant global level think tank events in the world.

What is Raisina Dialogue?

• Flagship Geopolitical Conference: The Raisina Dialogue, founded in 2016, emerged as India’s flagship conference for discussions on global geopolitics and geo-economics.
• Hosted by ORF: The Observer Research Foundation (ORF), an independent think tank, collaborates with the Ministry of External Affairs to host the Raisina Dialogue.

Emergence of the Dialogue

• Geopolitical and Geo-economic Discourse: The Raisina Dialogue is a significant global-level think tank event that fosters cross-sectoral discussions on geopolitics and geo-economics.
• Global Participation: Raisina Dialogue serves as a platform for engagement among policymakers, heads of states, cabinet ministers, local officials, private sector executives, media representatives, and scholars.
• Inspired by Shangri-La Dialogue: Modeled after Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, Raisina Dialogue facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogues on crucial global issues.

Political patronage to the dialogue

• Participation: PM’s attendance and address at the 2016 Raisina Dialogue marked a turning point, elevating the event’s significance.
• Shifting Paradigm: PM Modi’s presence elevated Raisina Dialogue from its modest beginnings in 2015 to a global focal point within a span of eight years.
• Global Recognition: The conference gained international recognition and prominence, attracting participants of repute from across the world.

Significance: Reflecting Indian Perspective

• Strategic Vision: Raisina Dialogue embodies a deliberate strategy to reflect and project India’s point of view on global matters.
• India-Centric Thinking: In alignment with the government’s focus on promoting India-centric thinking, the conference portrays India’s stance on global issues.
• Diverse Representation: The event brings together international sponsors, co-sponsors, and participants, fostering diverse viewpoints and critical appraisal of foreign policies.

Magnitude and Impact

• Global Participation: The recent edition of the Raisina Dialogue held in March 2023 witnessed the presence of Italy’s Prime Minister and over 30 foreign ministers. Participants from more than 100 countries engaged in discussions.
• Growing Influence: The conference’s stature and influence are evident through its widespread representation and discussions on a wide array of global issues.

Conclusion

• The Raisina Dialogue stands as a remarkable testament to India’s increasing role and influence in the global arena.
• As the Dialogue continues to shape discussions on geopolitics and geo-economics, it reinforces India’s position as a significant player on the world stage.