CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19/04/2024
Contents
CURRENT AFFAIRS – 19/04/2024
India’s nuanced approach in the South China Sea
(General Studies- Paper II)
Source : The Hindu
In March 2024, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, expressed full support for the Philippines in upholding its national sovereignty amidst the ongoing South China Sea dispute between Manila and Beijing.
- This statement follows a joint statement in 2023 between New Delhi and Manila, calling for China to adhere to the rules-based maritime order and acknowledge the International Court of Justice ruling in favor of Manila.
- These statements mark a departure from India’s previous cautious and neutral stance on the South China Sea issue, signaling a significant evolution in India’s approach.
Key Highlights
- Economic Origins and Engagement
- Initially, India’s engagement with the region was primarily economic, driven by its Look East Policy.
- This policy aimed to enhance economic integration with Southeast Asia and secure energy resources to fuel India’s growing economy.
- Indian state-owned enterprises, such as ONGC Videsh, participated in oil and gas exploration projects in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zones, highlighting India’s economic interests in the region and its support for freedom of exploration within the bounds of international law, particularly UNCLOS.
- Transformation and renewal of appraoch
- Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration, India’s policy orientation shifted from Look East to Act East, signifying a move towards a more strategic and active engagement with the Indo-Pacific region.
- This transformation reflects India’s recognition of the evolving geopolitical landscape and the need for a proactive foreign policy approach.
- The Act East Policy emphasizes not only economic integration but also strategic partnerships and expanded security cooperation with countries in the Indo-Pacific, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
- Simultaneously, India has bolstered its own capacities through various measures, including forward positioning, mission-based deployments, reinforced maritime domain awareness, and the development of deep-water maritime facilities.
- These efforts aim to enhance India’s presence and influence in the region, aligning with its broader strategic and economic aspirations on the global stage.
- India’s Evolving Position on the South China Sea
- India’s stance on the South China Sea issue has undergone a significant evolution, becoming more nuanced and less cautious as tensions in the region escalate due to China’s assertive territorial claims and militarization efforts.
- This evolution is deeply intertwined with India’s complex relationship with China, characterized by historical border disputes and recent incidents like the Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
- Complex Relationship with China
- India and China have a history of border disputes, which have intensified following the Galwan Valley incident.
- China’s periodic incursions into Indian Territory and actions such as renaming Indian villages in Arunachal Pradesh have further strained bilateral relations.
- India’s response, including sending a frontline warship to the South China Sea, demonstrates its capability for asymmetric deterrence in the face of Chinese aggression.
- Strategic Engagements and Regional Security
- India’s strategic engagements, including naval exercises and military cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, serve dual purposes.
- They demonstrate India’s commitment to regional security while countering China’s unlawful assertions in the South China Sea and along India’s land border.
- The ASEAN Factor
- India’s strategic recalibration is driven by a recognition of the South China Sea’s critical importance to regional security and the global maritime order.
- Disputes in the region, involving China and ASEAN countries, have implications for freedom of navigation and trade routes vital to India and countries worldwide.
- India’s centrality in the Indo-Pacific theater necessitates a focus on ASEAN’s position, despite internal differences within the regional grouping posing challenges.
- India advocates for a rules-based international maritime order, particularly emphasizing UNCLOS, to counter unilateral actions threatening regional stability.
- India’s nuanced approach in the South China Sea reflects its broader strategy of safeguarding its interests while contributing to collective efforts to maintain peace, stability, and respect for international law in the Indo-Pacific region.
About South China Sea and the dispute
- The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, located in Southeast Asia.
- It is bordered by several countries and territories, including China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam.
- Geography:
- The South China Sea covers an area of approximately 3.5 million square kilometers (1.4 million square miles).
- It is characterized by a complex network of islands, reefs, shoals, and atolls, many of which are uninhabited.
- The sea serves as a vital maritime route for international trade, connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean through the strategic Strait of Malacca.
- Territorial Disputes:
- The South China Sea dispute is a long-standing territorial conflict involving several countries in the region, primarily China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei.
- The main issue revolves around the overlapping claims to various islands, reefs, and waters in the South China Sea, which is a vital shipping route, rich fishing ground, and potentially holds untapped natural resources.
- China’s territorial claims are outlined in its “nine-dash line,” which extends hundreds of miles south and east from its Hainan province, encompassing land parcels and their adjacent waters.
- This claim has been met with opposition from other countries in the region, as they have staked their own claims on various islands and zones within the sea, such as the Paracels and the Spratlys.
- The most serious clashes have occurred between Vietnam and China, as well as between the Philippines and China.
- Incidents include the seizure of the Paracels by China from Vietnam in 1974, resulting in the deaths of over 70 Vietnamese troops, and the 1988 clash in the Spratlys, which left about 60 Vietnamese sailors dead.
- Recent tensions have included stand-offs over the Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area between the Philippines and China, and China’s introduction of a drilling rig into disputed waters near the Paracels in 2014.
- In 2013, the Philippines initiated arbitration under Annex VII of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) against China’s claims in the South China Sea.
- The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled in favor of the Philippines in 2016, declaring that China’s claims regarding the rights and obligations in regard to the waters, seabed, and maritime features of the South China Sea, based on historic rights and as depicted in the map containing the nine-dash line, are invalid.
- China, however, has boycotted the proceedings and refuses to be bound by the ruling.
- Despite the PCA ruling, tensions in the South China Sea remain high, with China continuing to assert its territorial claims through island-building and naval patrols.
- The US, which does not take sides in territorial disputes, has conducted “freedom of navigation” operations near disputed islands to challenge China’s claims.
- Japan, without a direct stake in the South China Sea, provides military support to claimant countries like Vietnam and the Philippines.
- Natural Resources and Trade:
- The South China Sea is a vital shipping route, with over 21% of global trade, worth $3.37 trillion, transiting through it in 2016.
- It is also home to rich fishing grounds, providing livelihoods for millions, and may hold untapped natural resources.
- The disputes over the South China Sea have significant implications for global trade, regional security, and the rule of law in international relations.
Why have private investments dropped?
(General Studies- Paper III)
Source : The Hindu
Private investment, measured by Private Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has failed to gain momentum, posing a significant challenge to the Indian economy.
- Since 2011-12, private investment has been on a steady decline, prompting the government to look to large Indian corporations to stimulate investment.
- The government’s move to reduce corporate taxes in 2019 from 30% to 22% was aimed at incentivizing private investment but failed to yield desired results.
Key Highlights
- Understanding GFCF and its Importance
- GFCF signifies the growth in the size of fixed capital within an economy, encompassing investments in assets like buildings and machinery.
- Private GFCF serves as an indicator of the willingness of the private sector to invest in the economy.
- This metric is crucial because fixed capital contributes to economic growth by enabling workers to produce more goods and services, ultimately enhancing living standards.
- Developed economies like the U.S. typically exhibit higher levels of fixed capital per capita compared to developing economies like India.
- Trends in Private Investment in India
- Private investment in India experienced a significant uptick following the economic reforms of the late-1980s and early-1990s, which bolstered private sector confidence.
- Prior to liberalization, private investment hovered around or slightly above 10% of GDP, while public investment steadily rose, surpassing private investment in the early 1980s.
- However, post-liberalization, private investment took the lead in fixed capital formation.
- The growth trajectory of private investment endured until the global financial crisis of 2007-08, surging from around 10% of GDP in the 1980s to approximately 27% in 2007-08.
- However, since 2011-12, private investment has been on a downward trajectory, hitting a low of 19.6% of GDP in 2020-21.
- Despite government measures such as tax cuts aimed at stimulating investment, private investment has struggled to regain momentum, posing a significant challenge to India’s economic growth and development.
- Factors Contributing to the Decline in Private Investment
- Low Private Consumption Expenditure
- Economists in India have attributed the stagnation of private investment, particularly since the onset of the pandemic, to low private consumption expenditure.
- They argue that robust consumer spending is essential to instill confidence in businesses regarding future demand for their products and services.
- Hence, increasing government spending to boost consumption is advocated as a strategy to stimulate private investment.
- Historical Trends and Inverse Relationship
- Contrary to expectations, historical data in India shows that an increase in private consumption has not necessarily translated into higher private investment.
- In fact, a decline in consumption spending has sometimes coincided with a rise in private investment.
- The inverse relationship between consumption and investment is believed to stem from the fact that funds allocated towards savings and investment come at the expense of lower consumption expenditure.
- Structural Problems and Policy Uncertainty
- Another school of thought suggests that structural issues and policy uncertainty are the primary drivers behind the decline in private investment.
- Unfavorable government policies and uncertainty surrounding policy decisions are cited as major obstacles hindering private investment.
- The slowdown in economic reforms over the past two decades under various government administrations is seen as correlated with the decline in private investment.
- Implications of Low Private Investment
- Slower Economic Growth
- Low private investment poses a significant risk to economic growth, as a robust fixed capital base is essential for increasing economic output.
- While government investment may offset the shortfall in private investment, concerns exist regarding its effectiveness and the potential crowding out of private investment.
- Allocation of Capital and Fiscal Drag
- Some argue that private investors are better at allocating capital efficiently compared to public officials, suggesting that government investment may lead to wasteful spending.
- Additionally, taxes imposed to finance public spending can exert a drag on the economy, further exacerbating the challenges associated with low private investment.
- Slower Economic Growth
- Low Private Consumption Expenditure
Activity-based curriculum drawn up for anganwadis
(General Studies- Paper II)
Soure : The Hindu
An internal committee comprising representatives from key ministries and organizations, including the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with civil society organizations, has finalized a framework document.
- Titled ‘Navchetana’, the activity-based curriculum is designed to align with the principles outlined in the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes a continuum of learning.
- This curriculum aims to cater to the developmental needs of children across various domains.
Key Highlights
- Implementation and Training
- Staff in approximately 14 lakh anganwadis will undergo training to effectively implement the curriculum.
- This training is crucial to ensure that educators are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to facilitate children’s holistic development.
- Approach and Components of the Curriculum
- The ‘Navchetana’ curriculum adopts an activity-based approach, focusing on interactive methods such as talking, playing, moving, listening to music and sounds, and stimulating all senses, particularly sight and touch.
- These activities are designed to help children reach developmental milestones across various domains, including early language, emergent literacy, and numeracy.
- Objective: Holistic Development
- The curriculum aims to promote holistic development by addressing the cognitive, socio-emotional, physical, and language development of young children.
- Through engaging and age-appropriate activities, children are provided with opportunities to explore, learn, and develop essential skills necessary for their overall growth and well-being.
- Early Brain Development and Importance
- According to researches, up to 75% of a child’s brain development occurs within the first three years of life.
- The national framework emphasizes the critical role of early brain development and provides detailed guidance for caregivers and frontline workers on conducting early stimulation activities.
- Guidelines for Caregivers and Frontline Workers
- The framework outlines step-by-step instructions for caregivers and frontline workers to conduct early stimulation activities.
- This includes techniques such as getting the child’s attention, communicating and responding to the child, introducing age and skill-appropriate play activities, and following the child’s lead during interactions.
- Caregivers are encouraged to observe the child’s actions, acknowledge their interests, provide positive reinforcements, and support them in learning new tasks.
- Age-Appropriate Activities
- The document contains 36 sets of activities tailored for children from birth to 36 months.
- These activities utilize household objects such as cups, bottles, or fabric scraps to promote engagement and learning.
- Activities progress from simple actions like reaching for objects and imitating sounds in the first year, to more complex tasks like feeding themselves, exploring the house, playing with dough, and using a mirror as they grow older.
- Developmental Milestones and Progression
- As children reach different ages, the recommended activities evolve to match their developmental milestones.
- For example, at 18 months, children are encouraged to scribble with crayons, while at 24 months, they may engage in activities like shoe sorting and matching.
- By the age of three, children are introduced to concepts like riding a cycle, identifying colors, and saying their names.
- Identification of Developmental Delays
- The framework emphasizes that these activities can help identify children with developmental delays.
- In such cases, anganwadi workers or parents are advised to adapt by selecting activities suitable for children slightly younger, ensuring that each child receives tailored support and stimulation to foster their overall development.
About the Anganwadis
- Anganwadis are government-run child care and early education centers in India, primarily serving children under the age of six and pregnant or lactating women.
- These centers are a crucial part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, which is the largest integrated early childhood development program in the world.
- The primary objectives of Anganwadis are to:
- Provide a safe and nurturing environment for children under six years of age.
- Offer pre-school education to help children develop essential cognitive, language, and social skills.
- Promote health and nutrition among children and pregnant or lactating women through supplementary feeding, health check-ups, and immunization.
- Empower women by providing them with employment opportunities as Anganwadi workers and helpers.
- Anganwadis are typically staffed by an Anganwadi worker and an Anganwadi helper, who are responsible for implementing the ICDS scheme’s various components.
- These centers are designed to cater to the needs of children from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds, with a focus on addressing malnutrition and promoting overall development.
WHO defines pathogens that transmit through Air
(General Studies- Paper III)
Source : The Hindu
The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a new term, ‘infectious respiratory particles’ (IRPs), to describe pathogens that transmit through the air.
- This decision aims to address the lack of common terminology, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, to describe the transmission of such pathogens.
Key Highlights
- Background and Consultation Process
- The announcement by the WHO follows extensive consultations conducted across multiple steps from 2021 to 2023.
- The challenges posed by varying terminologies became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, hindering common understanding and communication efforts to curb pathogen transmission.
- Pathogens Covered and Transmission Methods
- IRPs include pathogens causing respiratory infections such as COVID-19, influenza, measles, MERS, SARS, and tuberculosis.
- The WHO emphasizes that individuals infected with a respiratory pathogen can expel infectious particles containing the pathogen through breathing, talking, singing, spitting, coughing, or sneezing.
- These particles are now termed IRPs, and they exist on a continuous spectrum of sizes, eliminating the previous dichotomy of ‘aerosols’ and ‘droplets’.
What are pathogens?
- Pathogens are microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites that cause disease in their host organisms.
- These disease-causing agents can infect humans, animals, plants, and even other microorganisms.
- Pathogens typically invade their host’s body, multiply, and interfere with normal physiological functions, leading to the development of illness or infection.
- Here’s a brief overview of different types of pathogens:
- Bacteria:
- Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that can cause various diseases, such as strep throat, tuberculosis, and food poisoning.
- Some bacteria produce toxins that contribute to the symptoms of infection.
- Viruses:
- Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that require a host cell to replicate.
- They can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold and influenza to more severe diseases like HIV/AIDS and COVID-19.
- Fungi:
- Fungi are a diverse group of organisms, including yeasts and molds, that can cause fungal infections or diseases.
- Examples of fungal infections include athlete’s foot, ringworm, and candidiasis (yeast infection).
- Parasites:
- Parasites are organisms that live on or inside a host organism and benefit at the host’s expense.
- Parasitic infections can be caused by various organisms, including protozoa, helminths (worms), and ectoparasites like ticks and lice. Examples of parasitic diseases include malaria, schistosomiasis, and intestinal worm infections.
- Prions:
- Prions are infectious proteins that can cause neurodegenerative diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans, scrapie in sheep, and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or “mad cow disease”) in cattle.
- Bacteria:
What’s behind heavy rainfall in Dubai?
(General Studies- Paper I)
Source : The Indian Express
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced an unprecedented and historic rainfall event following a severe thunderstorm on April 15, which resulted in extensive damage, disruptions to daily life, and tragic fatalities.
Key Highlights
- Record-Breaking Rainfall
- The rainfall recorded during the thunderstorm surpassed any previously documented event since data collection began in 1949.
- Dubai, known for its arid climate, received an extraordinary amount of rain, with more than 142 millimeters falling within a short period.
- This amount exceeded what the city typically receives in a year and a half.
- Impact on Infrastructure and Travel
- The heavy rainfall wreaked havoc on infrastructure and transportation systems.
- Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports, experienced disruptions, with flights being diverted or delayed.
- Airport operations were temporarily suspended for 25 minutes, further exacerbating travel disruptions.
- Disruption of Daily Life
- Residents across Dubai faced significant challenges as homes were flooded, vehicles stranded on roadways, and popular shopping centers inundated with water.
- Tanker trucks were deployed to pump out excess water, and widespread disruptions persisted even after the rainfall subsided.
- Factors Behind Heavy Rains in Dubai
- The recent heavy rains in Dubai were primarily attributed to a passing storm system traversing the Arabian peninsula and moving across the Gulf of Oman.
- Additionally, cloud seeding, a process involving the spraying of salt mixtures into clouds to induce condensation and precipitation, may have contributed to the intensification of the rainfall.
- Reports indicate that meteorologists at the National Center for Meteorology conducted multiple cloud-seeding flights before the onset of the heavy rains.
- Potential Influence of Climate Change
- While heavy rainfall events are rare in the arid climate of the UAE, questions arise about whether climate change played a role in this extreme weather event.
- Rising global temperatures lead to increased evaporation of water from land and oceans, resulting in a warmer atmosphere capable of holding more moisture.
- Studies suggest that for every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, the atmosphere can hold approximately 7% more moisture, intensifying precipitation patterns.
- Regional Studies and Climate Trends
- Research conducted in desert regions such as India’s Thar desert and Australia has indicated a potential increase in rainfall due to climate change.
- The UAE itself has experienced a significant rise in temperatures, with an increase of nearly 1.5 degrees Celsius over the past 60 years.
- This rise is attributed to the surge in greenhouse gas emissions since the Industrial Revolution.
- Complexity of Attribution to Climate Change
- While climate change may contribute to extreme weather events like heavy rainfall, attributing any specific event solely to climate change is challenging.
- Various factors, including natural climate variability such as El Niño and La Niña, contribute to the occurrence of such events.
- Therefore, while climate change may exacerbate weather patterns, other factors must also be considered in understanding the complexities of extreme weather events.
