Oct 25, 2016 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 45]

Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) The corridor covers states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal The double track and single track segment will be electrified and it is a metre gauge corridor Select the correct statement(s) Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither nor 2 Q.2) International Conference on Zero organized at UNESCO headquarters is associated with which of the following? to celebrate the rich and remarkable history of mathematics to build upon SDGs on eliminating poverty to discuss the means for developing net zero emission technologies to support and follow up on measures for eradicating polio  Q.3) Hartz reforms is concerned with Brexit Greek bailout German labour market US Presidential Elections Q.4) Maastricht treaty is related to body of international copyright treaties administered by WIPO reforming the European Union establishes for the European Community a border system and a common policy on the temporary entry of persons responsible for the creation of the European Union Q.5) Which of the following regional organization is/are members of Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Gulf Cooperation Council European Union Both (a) and (b) None Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Oct 24, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 24th October, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 24th October, 2016   INTERNATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighborhood – relations Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests, India’s interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora Important international institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate   Changing Dynamics in Central Asia and Afghanistan Fast recap on current developments in Central and South Asia In recent months, security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated and relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are tense. Although Afghanistan has signed a peace agreement with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s Hezb-i-Islami, the overall peace process with the Taliban is in disarray. Following the death of Uzbekistan president, Islam Karimov, there is a leadership change in Uzbekistan. Radical forces are spreading their wings in the region as shown by suicide bombing at the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan. Beijing’s engagements through One Belt One Road (OBOR) have raised certain expectations in Pakistan. Kabul is somewhat disappointed as it still not part of the OBOR. The overall OBOR project, particularly China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) however, has raised suspicions in New Delhi. The Afghanistan-Iran-India trilateral is moving forward with significant outcomes. The Afghanistan-India-US trilateral dialogue has also made some progress and explored ways to coordinate and align Indian and US assistance activities in Afghanistan. The US has also started a new dialogue with all five Central Asian republics under the C5+1 initiative. In early October, a major international conference on Afghanistan took place in Brussels. (European Union and the government of Afghanistan co-hosted the Brussels Conference on Afghanistan.) Outcome of the conference was to ensure continued international political and financial support for Afghanistan over the next four years. The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process Ministerial will take place in Amritsar on 4 December. Unrest in Kashmir and terrorist attack in Uri have resulted in a new low in relations between India and Pakistan. The ongoing Russia-Pakistan military exercise is noted with some unease by few analysts in India. In the midst of these activities, the Afghan President Dr Mohammad Ashraf Ghani visited New Delhi in mid-September. The 17th India-Russia summit in Goa provided another opportunity to discuss Afghanistan and Eurasian integration projects. Fig: http://www.orexca.com/img/map_central_asia.jpg   Changing Central Asian dynamics Since the collapse of the Soviet system, the five Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan have witnessed limited changes in their economic and political systems. Despite having a very complex legacy (of central planning, dissolution of the USSR, distorted economic structures, ethnic problems), countries in the region have made progress in market reforms with varying degrees. Due to certain specific features (natural resources, strategic location and background of political elite) the region used both standard as well as non-conventional strategies of economic transformation. Although the region has been relatively stable in the last few years, there is some uncertainty in Uzbekistan after the death of its President, Islam Karimov. There is a strong concern whether Uzbekistan may continue with Karimov’s legacy of strong secular State with limited political and economic openings. In a separate development, the Chinese embassy in Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) was attacked by a suicide bomber. According to various reports, a significant number of militants from Central Asia and Caucasus are already working with the ISIS. Depending on the report, these numbers vary between few hundred and few thousand. In these circumstances, any instability in Uzbekistan can easily spread into the core of Central Asia- the volatile and most densely populated Fergana Valley, consisting eastern Uzbekistan, southern Kyrgyzstan and northern Tajikistan.   Uzbekistan after Karimov Islam Karimov who ruled Uzbekistan since 1989, first as a communist leader of Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic and then as a president of independent republic was criticized by the West for his authoritarian rule and human rights violations. Still, he provided relative stability and economic development to its citizens. He also fought the forces of Islamic fundamentalism decisively. This is not a small achievement for the largest country of more than 30 million in Central Asia with ethnic linkages with neighbouring Afghanistan. Despite international pressure, he went on establishing his own “Uzbek model” of development. This was a combination of strong political authority with limited economic opening. Initially, his policies were ridiculed by western advisers. However, the Uzbek economy has grown more than 8 per cent every year in the last nine years. For some time the model has been under stress due to declining remittances from Russia and reduction in gas and cotton exports. Despite weak external outlook, the economy is still growing at about 7 per cent a year. The interim Uzbek president Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who is likely to win presidential election in December will have relatively easier time to continue Karimov’s legacy. Although Russia, US and China will continue to assert their influence on strategically important Uzbekistan, none will like to disturb stability in an already highly unstable neigbourhood. With a deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and rise of ISIS in West Asia, a weak Uzbekistan will become another opportunity for radical Islamic forces to spread their influence. The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), which was pushed by Karimov to Afghanistan-Pakistan region has developed links with the Taliban and the ISIS. Islam Karimov never allowed political Islam to prosper and all religious groups were systematically regulated. In his first speech before the Parliament, interim president Mirziyoyev stated that he would continue with the policies of Islam Karimov. He asserted that his country will neither join any military-political alliance nor it allow any military base in its territory. In foreign policy, he prioritized Central Asia, Russia, United States, China, Asia pacific (Japan, South Korea), Europe, India, Pakistan and the Middle East. Although he may continue with these policies, some priorities may change after his formal election in December.   India and the Central Asian region The geopolitical salience of Central Asia for India was never in doubt. Most Indian policy makers and analysts believe that the region is important because of its strategic location, old cultural and civilizational linkages, energy resources as well as trade and other economic opportunities, oil and gas reserves and competition for pipeline routes. Some scholars accuse India of indulging in wishful thinking toward the region, rather than develop a coherent strategy. With no direct road transportation access, plus difficult market conditions, the region did not become attractive to Indian private companies. In the 1990s, economic relationships with the region also declined considerably. Politically, Indian officials were more or less comfortable dealing with authoritarian leaders in the region. These leaders were part of the former Soviet elite, with whom India had dealt for decades. They moreover appeared to provide stability and were committed to fight Islamist extremism and terrorism. Unlike the U.S., Europe and many multilateral organizations seeking to spread democracy and market economics in the region, India has been focused primarily on ensuring political stability, since an unstable Central Asia is a serious threat for New Delhi. India obviously would have welcomed a more democratic Central Asia, but it favored allowing democratization to happen at its own pace. New Delhi also remained convinced that Russia would retain a predominant political and economic influence in the region, and generally pursued cooperation with Moscow in Central Asia. Although many in India still believe in the continuation of Russia’s overwhelming influence in the region, many scholars have also started considering another possibility in which, over time, China would become a dominant player in the region while becoming increasingly friendly to Russia. As China increases its engagement in the region and creates a larger profile through trade, energy deals, military agreements, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and now the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project, India is watching carefully. Persistent uncertainty in Afghanistan, particularly in the context of difficult India-Pakistan relations, have also added new dimension to India’s approach to Central Asia. While the failure of the international project to stabilize Afghanistan poses common security challenges, any positive outcome will open tremendous economic opportunities to both India and Central Asia. So Chinese and Afghanistan factors have increased strategic significance of Central Asia for India. The US drawdown from Afghanistan has further pushed Indian policy makers to vigorously look for new options. Developing political, economic, and energy partnerships dominated India’s “extended neighborhood” policy in the post-Soviet period. Today New Delhi’s approach to the region is laid out in the 12 point ‘Connect Central Asia’ initiative, first announced in 2012. This initiative seeks to strengthen India’s political, security, economic, and cultural connections with Central Asia. The aims of this policy are: dealing with the region collectively in a much more pro-active manner; strengthening security and defense dialogues with the region, particularly in the context of U.S. drawdown from Afghanistan and declining interest in Central Asia exploring possibilities for cooperative engagements with Russia, China, and Iran (both bilaterally and collectively) to safeguard and promote Indian interests; and enlarging India’s development cooperation footprint in the region. In the meanwhile, India has signed strategic partnerships with Kazakhstan (2009), Uzbekistan (2011), Afghanistan (2011) and Tajikistan (2012). Apart from long standing ’special and privileged’ partnership with Russia, New Delhi has also elevated its relations with Mongolia to a ‘comprehensive partnership (2015). The perception of Central Asia’s growing strategic significance for India is reflected in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s eight day visit to all five Central Asian States in July 2015. This was the first visit of any Indian prime minister to all the Central Asian countries simultaneously since they became independent in 1991. The visit also provided a new strategic direction to the ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy. Conclusion New Delhi has long considered Central Asia as part of its extended strategic neighborhood. Building on past linkages and goodwill, India has more recently developed strong political and developmental relations in the region. Expanding Chinese influence and drawdown of US forces from Afghanistan have increased strategic significance of Central Asia for India. Although the region has remained relatively calm in the last ten years, its stability cannot be taken for granted. Due to difficult India-Pakistan relations, Iran will continue to be an important factor in India’s Central Asia/Afghanistan policy. Removal of sanctions against Tehran is helping India to expand its options in the region. In a fast changing geopolitical landscape, India should explore possibilities for cooperative engagements with Russia, Iran and even China. Apart from bilateral engagements, India should also try to engage in the region through INSTC, SCO and EAEU. Afghanistan provides an important connection for India to Central Asia. Due to its developmental engagement, India’s political, strategic and economic links to Afghanistan has improved significantly in the last fifteen years. Enhanced Indian engagement at this point will be a big boost to policy makers in Kabul. In the prevailing negative western discourse on Afghanistan, Indian experts and think tanks can also help in changing the narrative towards a positive outcome. Connecting the dots: List the Central Asian Republics and identify those of particular strategic and economic importance to India. Examine the opportunities and bottlenecks in enhancing relations with these countries.   NATIONAL/FOREIGN POLICY   TOPIC: General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. General Studies 3 Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.   Looking beyond terrorism For past few months, India at every platform and every event has mentioned ‘terrorism’. If such obsession for one topic is overshadowing other crucial segments of India’s foreign policy has to be analysed. Terrorism has become the focus India has participated and worked for 70 years in various multilateral fora on various global agenda in pursuit of global good. However, the recent tendency has shown its more than normal focus on terrorism, which does not seem appropriate beyond a point. In the past, Pakistan was ridiculed for it was glued on Kashmir and could not talk beyond it on whatever the forum and the topic for discussion. India is today on its way to opening itself to similar criticism — that it is stuck in the terrorism groove. Such an approach endorses that India is using terrorism as a convenient weapon to battle Pakistan diplomatically. India and terrorism For more than 20 years, India’s warnings about terrorism in and around South Asia went unheard. But the 9/11 attacks made the world understand what India had been suffering and what it was talking about. Today, everyone knows that ‘mothership of terrorism’ is Pakistan and there is no dispute why such adjective has been given to Pakistan. But, when PM Modi includes cross border terrorism in his speeches, regardless of the venue or topic of discussion, it doesn’t serve the desired purpose of stopping Pakistan in spreading terrorism. India’s all-out diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan on this account on every forum and to make it a litmus test of every country’s friendship to India does more harm than good. 8th BRICS summit and terrorism The BRICS summit could have been called a diplomatic win for India if the expectations were not set so high in condemning terrorism. The Goa BRICS summit looked like a battle between the member countries as to how far the group could go in identifying itself with India in isolating Pakistan. India evidently revealed that for a good relation with India, the member countries have to target Pakistan. It is known that no county would create enemies in such diplomatic conclaves, hence many presented their views on terrorism. However, China eventually acted as Pakistan’s proxy in the discussions in Goa. This shows that China cannot be forced to change its position for its all-weather friend. Thus, it is more appropriate that India should present a single, dignified and forceful presentation to multilateral fora and leave it to the member countries to tackle the issue effectively. A broader outlook is needed Today, the global concern over Islamic State is more than the situation in South Asia. The IS has shown its presence in over 30 countries and others dread its expansion. Even after 9/11, the definition of terrorism has eluded the international community. But India is condemning terrorism in all its manifestations and there is a consensus position of UN on this issue too. Hence, India has to take this opportunity to speak strongly against the IS and project cross-border terrorism as another exhibition of the same problem. India’s expectations from the international community to declare Pakistan as a terrorist state is hardly beneficial in stopping cross border terrorism. Hence, building a broader constituency against terrorism is more beneficial than focussing on one specific situation. Also, persuading China to lift its veto over including Masood Azhar on the UN list of terrorists is not helpful as China knows its geopolitical games very well and it will never antagonise Pakistan. Even if JEM is banned, it will change its name and carry out the activities. Hence, mere banning of terrorists or terrorist groups is practically not so beneficial. Similarly, it is seen that India is approaching too many countries for NSG membership and permanent membership of UNSC. In context of it, recently India modified its position of “eligibility” for permanent membership to its “right”. Such assertions will have no impact on others unless its demand is projected as part of the need to correct the imbalance in such crucial body. India has to rise up for a global solution to global problems. Conclusion- Having a new course of action The old pattern of Pakistan attacking India, India angrily reacting verbally to it and resumption of dialogue after some time does not make sense any more. India has already altered the dynamics of its relations with Pakistan by carrying out surgical strikes. So now it should not confine itself to bringing up and condemning terrorism at every international meet. Now is the need of having a predetermined course of action. This can potentially consist of Informing the international community of the state of play Combatting terrorism on the ground with measured use of force Dealing with the internal situation in Jammu and Kashmir by eliminating internal support to cross-border terrorism Amendment of the Indus waters treaty Trade sanctions etc. India has to accept that world at large does not see terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the global terrorism which threatens international peace and security. UN recognises Kashmir as a disputed territory and it influences the policy of most nations, including those who are friendly with India. Thus, a broader framework on terrorism debate has to be adopted which shows a way out for those who support India without wanting to get involved in a dispute. India had tabled Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in UNGA in 1966. It was seen as anti-Pakistan. Though after 9/11, the convention received some attention by the legal committee of the UN but it got stuck in the old argument that one man’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter. Thus, India has to look beyond conventional India-Pakistan fight and bring new measures to tackle global terrorism which will eventually include Pakistan’s non-state actors. For example, India has to work towards subsuming its interest in the desire for global peace like it did while advocating nuclear disarmament for a nuclear weapon-free world. However, it was only when NPT regime became discriminatory that India stepped out of it and took a firm decision not to sign the treaty. India knows how to look after its interest and should voice its opinion time and again but not get stuck onto it and ignore others like trade relations, strategic cooperation, cultural exchanges etc. Another example of India’s involvement in world arena is with regards to environmental negotiations. Here, India showed the way for developing countries to look after their interests and finally succeeded in participating in formation the present Kyoto protocol. Thus, India has to use its image and its UN membership in promoting common good rather than solely focusing on one issue for a long time. Multilateralism accepts constant reiterations of national positions, but to forge a consensus, the positions should be integrated with common concerns to the extent possible. Connecting the dots: Terrorism is pressing issue for India. But it becoming the centre point of India’s foreign policy will do no great benefits. Do you agree? Critically analyse. ‘One man’s terrorist is another’s freedom fighter’- What does it mean? Does this mean that there are no terrorists? Examine. Terrorism has no religion. How true is the sentence? Substantiate.   MUST READ A dark turn in the city of dreams Hindu   Making cities inclusive Hindu   Finding the right waves to cut breast cancer Hindu   India needs to talk about mental illness Hindu   Have a good party Indian Express   The Right To Self-Defence Indian Express   With ill intent Indian Express   Out of my mind: Futile campaigns Indian Express   IAS officers gather to discuss the ‘changing environment’ at work Indian Express   India is moving towards a flawed GST Livemint   Turning India’s power surplus into a boon Livemint   Brics: falling apart Livemint   To secure our borders, we must bridge economic inequality Livemint   Pulses policy must break new ground Business Line   Neighbourly considerations Business Line

Oct 23, 2016 Motivational Articles

Creative Guidance – Resolving Inner Conflicts – Inspirational & Educative Articles

Resolving Inner Conflicts: A human being is almost always in the middle of the war zone of the mind. He is torn between a thousand different desires, emotions, fears, expectations and dreams. Managing this constant battleground of emotions and learning the art of resolving inner conflicts is one of the most important skills an individual can learn. Every choice begins with an inner conflict. Knowing how to understand and interpret different thought patterns and eventually choosing one idea over the other without being overwhelmed by the whole process is a mark of a person who understands himself well. This personal understanding of oneself is the key to resolving inner conflict. An inner conflict can be as simple as choosing coffee over tea and as complex as choosing the right profession. All decision making is about resolving these internal conflicts. Every day and every moment of living is a challenge in inner conflict resolution. All inner conflicts propose two or more options to choose from. The firmness of one’s conviction to choose what is right and to remain committed to that option in spite of all the obstacles is the process of resolving inner conflicts. The one who has learnt how to resolve his inner conflicts can face almost any obstacle of life without fear and guilt. Give it a thought. If you didn’t have to choose between what is right and wrong; if you dint have to choose between what is good and bad; if you dint have to choose between now and later; where is the strife and struggle of daily living. Most of your time is consumed in making decisions; isn’t it? Where to go, what to do, which profession to choose, which subject to take, when to take a break, when to study, when to rest, when to work etc are all examples of inner conflict resolution. All of us know what a conflict is, but very few know how to resolve a conflict and what the process of conflict resolution is. We have to first begin by identifying the conflicting thought process. Very often we are too afraid to look at the options presented to us in detail. We would rather prefer to quickly choose one and move on than to spend good quality time reflecting on the available options. The first habit that has to change in order to address the problem of internal conflicts is to stop being afraid of the problems. The moment we stop fearing our thought process, we get the necessary courage to sit and analyze different options available to us. Just the time and energy given to observe our conflicting thoughts solves half the problem. Rest is just a matter of having a little more patience for the other issues to resolve. Let us acknowledge and accept the fact that we are faced with the daily challenges of inner conflict resolution. Let us also understand that with a little more courage we can resolve any inner conflict. Take away courage, then all we have is an endless list of unresolved problems that will continue to torture us for the rest of our lives. Courage will help us to take control of the problem and resolve it. There are no conflicts for a courageous heart. “The articles are a copyright of The Ahamo Movement and IASBABA.” Read more such articles– Click Here

Oct 23, 2016 AIR

All India Radio - India-Nepal relation

ARCHIVES   India-Nepal relation   Search 15th September 2016 here:  http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests   In August 2016, Nepal elected its new Prime Minister- Prachanda or Pushpa Kamal Dahal for second time. The PM of Nepal made his first official visit to India unlike last time. His four day visit is seen important in light of recent strains developed between the neighbouring countries. India- Nepal tensions The Nepal PM visit is considered very important because there has been a change in government. With the previous government headed by PM Oli, the relationship was much tensed because of blockade and allegations of interference. Constitution of Nepal was an internal issue and for their own sovereignty. Initially, there was an interim agreement supported by all stakeholders, but in the final draft, the key factors which were wanted by the Madhesi group were left out, which ultimately created problems. However, it has to see from India’s side too. Any intense problem like that, particularly in Terai region, India also gets affected. Terai has an open border, if any tension is there, it spills over in this region and thus India is legitimate in being concerned about the security, law and order, stability aspect. Nepal’s constituent should be inclusive so that all parts of nations are satisfied. New Nepal PM has said that it wants an inclusive government as its government wants now the National Nepal congress, Madhesi party to be partner to government. India and Nepal have a very conscious and deep desire to overcome the difficulties of the past and to move ahead in a spirit of understanding, mutual accommodation and with realisation that both India and Nepal need each other. Geographically and historically close Geographical closeness will always remain and the intensity of relation between India and Nepal is unlike any other two countries. Open border, Gurkha regiment of Indian army, easy work availably on both side of border are key highlights of India-Nepal relationship. Nepal has not yet fully recovered from devastation of earthquake. It has affected millions of people, more than year and half has passed but there is no rehabilitation at a rate as fast as it should have. The one billion dollar promised by India will be now actually distributed for reconstruction projects. Other issue is agreement on water resources. The HEP plant visit will realised that water resources development is very important for Nepal. The constitution problems still persists. Two third majority is required to amend it and India is keen on that amendment. The change might happen as it is visible from two factors There was an agreement when interim constituent was finalised Only two-three parties got together and went against the interim constitution which created a great deal of misunderstanding and mistrust that came in between various groups in Nepal. The fact that they were on verge of inclusive constitution, the younger generation of Terai region decided to voice their disagreement. Younger generation is more impatient and the older generation have realised that if at this point, in this constitution, they don’t get these key provisions- residentship provision, demarcation of various provinces, then in future, the new generation will be devoid of their rights. For India, the concern is how it spills over in India. There was loss of life, property, trade due to Madhesi blockade. At present, it is encouraging that amongst all the political parties there seems to be a broad consensus with exception of Oli’s party for an inclusive constitution. The new PM of Nepal made it very clear that he himself was committed to a positive, strong and good relation with India. In first instance, he sent his special envoy as the home minister to India and the deputy PM to China. Next, the Nepal PM came to India with a schedule to meet all the top leadership of Indian government, visit Jhakri HEP in HP and discuss border security. Change in foreign policy? Analysts have observed that there seems to be a movement by Nepal to move towards China to find an alternative to their dependence over India during Oli government. China factor will remain. But geographically, India and Nepal have more close relation than Nepal and China due to presence of Himalayas as the international boundary. Nepal may try to have multiple agreements with China and also have close relation with it, but in the end, China, Nepal and India know that the India-Nepal relation is the key for Nepal’s development. Even at the height of blockade, China told that Nepal has to have good relation with India. India and Nepal relation is part of South Asian family whereas China is not a south Asian country. They have to build a brand South Asia identity with stronger India-Nepal relationship. It is very important that India and Nepal relation stand on their own strength. There are problems between neighbours but how are those problems solved is important. They have to be carried forward, be strong and irreversible in terms of friendship and understanding. They both have to see their respective security interest, economic development, prosperity and work out what they need from each other. Old promises, new partnerships It had adverse impact in India when in 2008, Prachanda visited China first. Those in India who cherished comprehensive relationship with Nepal were not happy. The PM’s visit is meant to restore the full confidence once again in positive India Nepal relation. This was PM’s visit to do the course correction and sort out the problems. So, there have not been many new agreements. The focus is on building what is already been signed. It has been stated very categorically that dynamic and time bound implementation of existing projects is needed. There is a whole plethora of projects between Nepal and India- hydropower, transmission lines, activities connected with earthquake relief etc. So, all these things are being picked up for speedy implementation. Implementation and time bound completion has been emphasised. PM Modi has mentioned that India has also created a special purpose vehicle for national developments on their borders. Both the countries want to deliver good for their people. There is a general impression that India says a lot but does not deliver. India has to assure that it values more people to people relation. India has to make an impact on the socio economic profile of the country with which India is very intimately connected and any slide there affect our part of the border and vice versa. For instance, take hydro power- Nepal has perennial shortage of electricity, 16 hour of power cuts and it is sitting on world’s topmost hydro resources. 80000 GW can be produced and these river water projects- mahakali, pancheshwar have been hanging for last 30 years. But in recent years, there has been active engagement on both sides to accentuate engagement there and to speed up work and accomplish the remaining. These projects have impact on people. Their villages and townships will be benefiting from that. So it has vast socio economic impact. Success will be of both countries. So, it is completely mutuality of interests and at the level of country and people. Connecting the dots: What has been the basis of strong relationship of India and Nepal in South Asia? Does China’s closeness with Nepal threaten India’s relation and position in Nepal? Examine.  

Oct 22, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 22nd October, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 22nd October, 2016   INTERNATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 2 Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.   India-EU water management cooperation Recently, a MoU was signed between Indian and the European Union (EU) on water cooperation at the World Sustainable Development Summit. Both share a vision for a sustainable water management. Brief of MoU: The MoU envisages strengthening the technological, scientific and management capabilities of India and EU in the field of water management on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefit. It provides technical exchange on water issues, including on integrated water resource management plans within river basins and through study visits. Aims to identify key environmental issues and approaches to sustainable development where exchange of experiences and cooperation could be mutually beneficial to strengthen and further develop cooperation between India and EU. Objective is to tackle the challenges posed by water management in the context of growing population, competing water demands and a changing climate. Success of the European Union has been observed in distribution of water resources, water pricing, water use efficiency by encouraging the changes in agricultural practices necessary to protect water resources and quality, such as switching to less water-demanding crops, etc., The EU States have adopted water pricing policies to provide adequate incentives for users to use water resources efficiently thereby contributing to environmental objectives.   India-EU partnership in water management India is one of the EU’s strategic partners. Cooperation between the world’s two largest democracies covers many areas, from security, trade and investment to research and innovation and sectorial cooperation. The India-EU Water Partnership is a great example of these close ties. India has 2.45% of the world’s land area, but 17.5% of the population has been going deeper into the ground for water to sustain itself. The water and sanitation requirements of its growing population are largely unmet. Thus, tackling water challenges is a real priority to reach the economic and environmental goals. Need for water management In 2015 at United Nations, world leaders adopted clean water and sanitation as the sixth goal of 17 sustainable development goals for 2030. With the growth of population, the demand of water is also increasing. Drinking water, irrigation and sanitation are pre-conditions for life and livelihood. The dire consequences of water unavailability is seen in conflicts between neighbours, states and countries. As per 2016 United Nations World Water Development Report Water and Jobs that three out of four jobs worldwide are water-dependent. Thus, this highlights the importance of managing water on Earth, which is three fourth covered by water!   Water management in Europe EU has made progress in managing its waters. European countries have well-planned framework of laws and systems based on the Water Framework Directive adopted in 2000 and the management of river basins, many of them cross-boundary in nature, by interstate river basin authorities. This model can be beneficial in India also as India has to overcome many water challenges in a holistic and integrated way. To integrate the work of researchers and companies, a European Innovation Partnership on Water is there which facilitates innovations and supports the further development of the water sector in Europe. Due to a well-placed water policy, a vibrant water sector has grown in the EU with businesses providing water supply systems and improving urban wastewater treatment. The new initiatives is now moving towards a more circular economy, where nothing is wasted and where materials are recycled and reused as long as possible. This will also boost water reuse and the technological innovations needed for it. There are currently more than 9,000 SMEs in the European water sector. They employ almost 500,000 people out of a total working population of 300 million. In India, this corresponds to several million jobs in the water sector alone. Way forward EU has considerable experience of working with India in water sector in last decade. In Rajasthan, a recently concluded EU-India State Partnership (Rs. 500 crores) supported the development of Integrated Water Resources Management policy and its application to 3,200 villages in 11 districts. Many partnerships between India and EU are expected to be built on these lines. EU is looking forward to help India in its Ganga Rejuvenation initiative, through quick-win business solutions based on EU best practices, by developing a consolidated analysis taking into account joint research activities and identifying key problems and solutions, including innovative European solutions, and by contributing to an analysis of a possible appropriate governance and legal set-up for the Ganga River Basin. Another promising field in water management is water research and innovation where EU-India cooperation has been fruitful, with the application of natural water treatment systems as well as new technologies for the treatment of wastewater giving several low-cost options. Also, India is in process of negotiating its participation in the EU Joint Programming Initiative “Water challenges for a changing world” which when once finalised, will strengthen research and innovation cooperation between India, the EU and EU member states in the field of water. India’s participation in EU Research Programme Horizon 2020 will also be important milestone towards strengthening India-EU water partnership. The ultimate aim shall be to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030, and provide relief to millions of people who still struggle in obtaining clean and sufficient water for their families and their crops every day of their lives. Connecting the dots: Water management is once again finding focus with various agricultural as well as water conservation initiatives. Apart from government initiatives, bilateral agreements are also undertaken in this area. Is it possible to balance internal and external partnerships or it will be over-lapping? Examine. Recently, India-EU signed a MoU on water partnership. Before that, Germany is also partnering with India in its ‘Clean Ganga’ mission. What is the importance of such partnerships? Discuss. Related article: India, EU summit agrees on new agenda for strategic partnership MUST READ BRICS and walls Indian Express Related article: 8th BRICS SUMMIT — GOA DECLARATION   It’s time for a fiscal stimulus Business Line   Shrinking cultural space in urban India Business Line  

Oct 21, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 21st October, 2016

ArchivesIASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 21st October, 2016 INDIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE TOPIC: General Studies 1 Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.General Studies 2 Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.“Why monuments would be worse off without the World Heritage status”UNESCO defines a WHS as a place or environment of “great significance” or meaning to mankind. It may be a living urban city or a rural settlement, a natural landscape (an underground cave, for instance), a forest or a water body, an archaeological site (where excavations have revealed relics of the past) or a geological phenomenon.Thus, it could be a natural site, a cultural site (which would be a traditional man-made settlement representative of a culture or cultures resulting from human interaction with the environment), or a site that’s a mix of both.The largest number of World Heritage sites are in Italy (49) and China (45). Note: Nations can submit no more than one nomination per year and competition is keen. To evaluate each year’s crop of nominations, UNESCO relies upon expert evaluations by the International Commission on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Concerns over the impact of tourism on World Heritage sitesThe increased tourist flow also has a flip-side. The Taj Mahal, the country’s most popular monument which became a World Heritage site in 1983, attracts one in every four foreign tourists visiting India.Taj Mahal is recently ranked as the fifth most popular landmark based on travellers’ reviews and ratings. The list was topped by Machu Picchu in Peru. Abrasions and the deposit of body oils are causing damage to the structure. Pollution has also been a worry for conservationists.The effect of bringing people to a location unequipped to deal with the consequences of tourism seriously undermines the World Heritage program’s altruistic beginnings and goals.However, the government is yet to take a call on limiting tourist flows based on a report submitted by the National Envrionmental Engineering Research Institute which looks at the impact of different levels of tourist footfalls. Concerns with fundingWorld Heritage tag does not necessarily mean more money for these sites.Between 1983 and 2008, India received less than a million dollars from the World Heritage Centre (WHC) in financial assistance. Since 2008, India has not sought any funds.For 2016-2017, the World Heritage Fund has $5.9 million at its disposal. However, it falls far short of covering the whole cost of implementing the Convention.In other words, money is far too little to protect the world’s heritage and priority is given to the endangered sites.In addition to the World Heritage Fund, assistance may be called forth from ―international and national governmental and non-governmental organizations and private bodies and individuals.For instance, the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, which are also World Heritage sites, have received international financial assistance. The Japanese Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC) extended loans worth Rs 350 crore to the Indian government for conservation works and creating infrastructure for tourists at the caves between 1993 and 2013. But such instances of financial support are rare for Indian World Heritage sites.Commentators have criticized that there are instances of bureaucratic wrangling, underhanded deals for money and influence between the Funding Committee and the Member States. They have begun to question whether UNESCO‘s position in international preservation has diminished significantly from the ―gold standard.Also global funds may not be worth the effort required to get them, given the laborious, multi-step clearance from the government.Therefore, effective funding and radical changes is needed if the UNESCO’s WHC is to remain an effective conservation tool.However, it is quite evident that sites with World Heritage Tag get preference from the government over their peers without the honour.For instance, the ASI spent Rs 1.4 crore on Elephanta in 2015-16, nearly twice as much as it spent on the Kanheri Caves in Mumbai, a collection of over a hundred caves dating back to the 3rd century BC. The Kanheri Caves are not on the World Heritage list.Why monuments would be worse off without the World Heritage status?World Heritage sites are in the ASI’s top category of monuments and they are first priority. Sites with World Heritage Tag get preference for funding from the government over their peers without the honour.The biggest upshot of the World Heritage status is the rise in tourists at the site, especially those from other countries.For instance, in 2015-16, Elephanta had 7.2 lakh Indian visitors, more than double the arrivals at Kanheri. In the same period, Elephanta got 36,570 foreign tourists, more than seven times the figure at Kanheri. "When foreign travellers plan their itinerary, this (World Heritage status) makes a huge difference.Countries will have to identify sites they want considered for the World Heritage status, and this has led to criticism that some properties of real cultural or natural significance may be ignored. A country will have to first put its prospective sites on the tentative list and then decide which of those it wants to nominate for inclusion on the World Heritage list. India presently has 44 properties on the tentative list, with some having been on it since 1998. The list also has cities like Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Delhi.Once a site is inscribed on the World Heritage list, it has to follow the monitoring guildelines of the WHC. All countries will have to mandatorily submit a report to the WHC on their sites every six years, and the WHC assesses them.If a site faces threats to its conservation and the threats are not addressed, the WHC could put it on the list of sites in danger. Only after the country has done enough will the site be taken off the list. But if the country does not act, the site could then be delisted.The process to remove a site from the danger list is a collaborative effort between the country concerned, the advisory bodies, the World Heritage Centre at UNESCO, and sometimes other countries who may provide funding or technical support. Concerns over protecting the WHSThe WHC has come in for criticism for failing to protect sites like the Bamiyan Valley in Afganistan, where Buddha statues were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, and the remains of the historical cities of Palmyra in Syria and Hatra in Iraq, both of which were damaged by the Islamic State terrorists.The Manas National Park in Assam, which was inscribed in 1985, bore the brunt of the Bodo insurgency, which caused a sharp fall in wildlife populations. The site was put on the ‘danger’ list in 1992. The site was taken off the in 2011, eight years after the Bodo Accord was signed. Rhinos were reintroduced in Manas from the Kaziranga National Park, another World Heritage site, and the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. Manas is presently home to 28 rhinos and 25 tigers, among other animals.An academic who has spent time researching at Manas and Kaziranga, says the World Heritage status is nothing more than a brand tag. "The government is not bound to give any more money because of it and the governing mechanism is according to the Wildlife Protection Act."The WHC opened its first natural heritage management and training centre at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, last year. Concerns over Anthropogenic activitiesIndia's three major natural World Heritage Sites - the Western Ghats, Sundarbans National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary - are facing threats from harmful industrial activities like mining.Activities such as mining, illegal logging, oil and gas exploration threaten 114 out of 229 natural World Heritage sites, including Sundarbans known for iconic Royal Bengal tiger, Western Ghats, one of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world, and the Manas Sanctuary in Assam, home to many endangered species including Indian rhinoceros.While ecology of Western Ghats covering six states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala - is threatened by mining and oil and gas exploration, Manas Wild Life Sanctuary faces threat from dams and unsustainable water use.Sundarbans in West Bengal and neighbouring Bangladesh have been hit by various activities including unsustainable water use, dams, wood harvesting, over-fishing and shipping lanes.These sites are recognised as the world's most important protected areas like India's Great Himalayan National Park and Kaziranga National Park.The Western Ghats supports the single largest population of endangered Asian elephants and vulnerable Indian bison.These iconic places face a range of threats, including climate change. Removing pressure from harmful industrial activity is therefore critical to increase the sites' resilience.According to International Union for Conservation of Nature, which helps the world find pragmatic solutions to most pressing environmental and developmental challenges, natural World Heritage sites are not just important environmentally, they also provide social and economic benefits.Two-thirds of natural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List are crucial sources of water and about half help prevent natural disasters such as floods or landslides, according to an IUCN report.Picture Credit: http://img.etimg.com/photo/54757625/1.jpg The way ahead:Sustainable tourism programme, involving stakeholders or interested parties, including government agencies, conservation and other non-governmental organisations, developers and local communities in planning and management is of paramount importance.UNESCO must have mechanisms with which to effect real change when governments do not comply with the basic premises of preservation.Member states should no longer be allowed to submit their own nominations for inclusion directly to the Committee. Several independent groups, comprised of anthropologists, archaeologists, ecologists, and others, should research and recommend worthy sites to the World Heritage Committee. This extra layer of vetting will help to quell extensive lobbying and bartering by potential host countries on behalf of their sites.The World Heritage program must bring in money from various sources in order to fund its programs. As it stands, corporations and philanthropists are hesitant to sink money into UNESCO because of its extensive bureaucracy and lack of transparency. If the World Heritage Committee can reassure potential donors regarding the exact use of their funds, it will go a long way toward gathering the capital necessary to carry out the program‘s mission. At the same time, an influx of new potential donors will ensure that the program is not pressured to compromise on its goals by organizations that use money as leverage for political and economic influence.The creation of the World Heritage Convention was a significant step toward recognizing and preserving the greatest cultural and natural aspects of the world. However, its implementation has derailed, and the World Heritage program needs to realign its procedures with its goals.Connecting the dots: Does UNESCO inscription play a significant role in tourism destinations performance? Also discuss the UNESCO's role in relation to protecting the world heritage site. Discuss the benefits of a site getting awarded as World Heritage Site by UNESCO? Also discuss some of the concerns faced by World Heritage Sites in India with suitable examples.Related article:World Heritage and India’s World Heritage ListNATIONAL/ECONOMY TOPIC:General Studies 2 Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.General Studies 3 Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. Inclusive growth and issues arising from it. GST Council meet- Issues and way aheadIn news: A two day meeting of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council concluded recently with no consensus on GST rate and other issues. We will now briefly look into the issues and further course of action sought to be taken.  What is GST Council? According the GST Bill, the President must constitute a GST Council within sixty days of the Act coming into force. The GST council is headed by Union Finance Minister and comprises finance ministers or other representatives of states. The Council will make recommendations to the Union and the States on important issues related to GST, like the goods and services that may be subjected or exempted from GST, model GST Laws, special provisions for certain States, etc. The decisions of the GST Council will be made by three-fourth majority of the votes cast. The centre shall have one-third of the votes cast, and the states together shall have two-third of the votes cast. Thus, neither the states together nor the Centre alone can change the GST.Tasks done till now The GST Council's first meeting in September had finalised area-based exemptions and how 11 states, mostly in the North-East and hilly regions, will be treated under the new tax regime. Till now, 6 issues have been settled by the GST Council, including finalisation of rules for registration, rules for payments, returns, refunds and invoices. The Centre and states had also reached an agreement on keeping traders with annual revenue of up to Rs. 20 lakh out of the GST barring 11 northeastern and hill states, where the threshold will be Rs. 10 lakh. The issue of dual control over small traders was resolved but it resurfaced in latest meeting and now it is yet to be resolved.New proposalsSlab structure The finance ministry has proposed a four-slab structure (6-12-18-26 percent) and there is near unanimity on it. In 2015, a committee headed by Chief Economic Adviser had recommended a revenue neutral rate (RNR) of 15-15.5% and standard rate of 16.9-18.9% for the proposed GST and a high rate of 40% for luxury goods. The four-slab structure is seen as the government’s way of dealing with opposition demand that the rate should not go beyond 18% as well as protecting revenues of states. The higher rate for services under the indirect tax regime is proposed to be 18%, while essential services such as transportation are proposed to be taxed at 6% or 12%. However, no consensus as yet has been arrived at it.State compensation The GST Council finalised the compensation formula for states for potential revenue loss, converging at an assumption of 14% revenue growth rate over the base year of 2015-16 for calculating compensation for states in the first five years of implementation of GST. States getting lower revenue than this would be compensated by the Centre.Inflation The total impact of the proposed rate structure on Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation rate will be (-) 0.06%. The inflation impact on constituents of CPI such as health services, fuel and lighting and clothing is estimated to be 0.56%, 0.05 % and 0.23%, respectively, while for transport it is estimated at (-) 0.65%, education at (-) 0.08 % and housing at (-) 0.09%. GST rate should not be regressive in nature and be such that the existing revenues of states and Centre are protected and the impact on CPI inflation is minimal.Cess on GST The centre has proposed a cess on the highest slab of 26%, which many states have opposed and tax experts have criticised. This cess will be on luxury goods (high-end cars) and ‘sin’ goods like tobacco, cigarettes, pan masala and aerated drinks. Though some term it as a clever move. The states that stand to lose revenue will need to be compensated and the states that gain are not going to give money for this. Hence, the Centre will then have to resort to this cess which will cushion the impact on the Consolidated Fund. Earlier, there was a proposal to subsume all cess levies in the GST, several of them introduced by the present NDA government. However, now the finance ministry is keen on additional cess than 40% slab suggested by CEA for luxury and demerit goods. Administration control over assesses Earlier, the council had decided that states would have sole administrative control over assesses having an annual turnover of Rs 1.5 crore. Above that, both the states and the Centre would have control. The Centre would have sole control over assesses in the services sector right from the beginning till the time states have a mechanism to monitor service tax assesses. However, that consensus broke down later as a few states said they also monitor some service taxes even now, such as entertainment tax and as such should have control over that.Expert views and opinion On slab structure The GST is supposed to be the final step towards simplifying the indirect tax regime. This kind of a structure will take it back to the pre-VAT era (the regime which replaced sales tax in 2005) where there were multiple rates within and across states The only consolation will be that GST rates in the slabs will be uniform across states. Thus, with this structure, there will be hardly any way forward. A member of 14th Finance Commission has pointed out that this could also lead to the creation of an inverted duty structure. (An inverted duty structure is making manufactured goods uncompetitive against finished product imports in the domestic market as finished goods are taxed at lower rates than raw materials or intermediate products.) These multiple tax rates will increase compliance costs as well as administrative costs. More importantly, it will lead to intense lobbying by industry groups – everyone will want to be in the lower tax slab. The blanket 18% rate is not possible, rather a two-slab structure in the 20-22% range would have been better. Though one rate is viable but two slabs will be needed to politically sell the tax reform. Across the European Union the GST has only two rates with the exception of Denmark which has just one rate.On cess The maximum rate of 26% for demerit or luxury goods may harbour more goods than initially envisaged, which will make them costlier. Also since cesses would be outside the GST, the present cascading may continue raising the tax burden. Other option instead of cess can be increasing the clean energy cess, which is not part of GST, and raising the rate on gold — which is now proposed to be taxed at 4%— to 6%. Also, the tobacco tax is only on cigarettes which constitutes only 11% of the market. The Centre should seriously consider bringing in other forms such as chewable tobacco, gutka and bidis into the net.Conclusion There shouldn’t be sub optimal solutions and haste in implementation of GST. Care has to be taken that items being consumed by upper middle class and rich, which are being taxed at higher rate presently, should not be taxed at a rate lower than their present tax incidence, while items of mass consumption should not be taxed at a higher rate. It is a positive sign that Centre and states did manage to reach a broad agreement on the formula for compensation to loss-incurring states and a cess over the peak rate to fund the compensation. Now the hurdle of Administrative Control over tax assesses has to be overcome. Finance Minister has set November 22 target to resolve all operational issues with State representatives in the Council so that the rates and implementation modalities could be codified into law and passed by Parliament in the winter session. And the GST can be rolled out from April 1, 2017.Connecting the dots: The GST council can be called a true federal body. Do you agree? Examine. The GST rate structure is not the sole important factor of GST bill. Many other concurrent issues play an equally important role in making India an economic union. Discuss.MUST READFrames of reference- Triple talaqHindu A vote on referendumsHindu Myths about Israel’s security modelHindu At ease with the worldIndian Express The Way Forward from ParisIndian Express Strengthening India’s energy securityLivemint Regime change at the Reserve Bank of IndiaLivemint Will Modi’s target of doubling Brics trade by 2020 materialize?Livemint The unfinished business of job creationBusiness Line  

Oct 21, 2016 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 44]

Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Consider the following statements about Green train corridors (GTC) They are sections of the railways which will be free of human waste on the tracks Okha-Kanalus stretch of Western Railway is India’s first GTC Which of the following statements is/are true? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Q.2) Consider the following pairs:     Joint Military Exercises :: Countries Hand-in-Hand : India- China Indra : India – Russia Indradhanush: India- UK LAMITYA: India- Seychelles Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched? 2, 3 and 4 1 and 2 only 1, 2 and 4 All of the above  Q.3) Consider the following statements about river Krishna It originates from Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra It flows through Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and not Telangana River Tungabhadra is the largest tributary Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 1, 2 and 3 Q.4) Consider the following statements about Algeria It shares its borders with Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Libya It was colonized by the Spanish Mediterranean Sea is to the west of Algeria Which of the following statements is are correct? 1 and 2 2 and 3 1 and 3 None of the above Q.5) Global Conference on Voter Education titled “Voter Education for Inclusive, Informed and Ethical Participation” is being organized by Election Commission of India and Amnesty International Election Commission of India and International Foundation for Electoral Systems Election Commission of India and UNDP Election Commission of India and The Association of World Election Bodies Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Oct 20, 2016 IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 20th October, 2016

Archives   IASbaba’s Daily Current Affairs – 20th October, 2016   INTERNATIONAL   TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Important International institutions   Taking forward India-Myanmar relation Fading relevance of SAARC In recent months before Uri Attack, India was considering various measures to deal with dismal role of SAARC. SAARC had been inefficient in its objectives- promoting economic integration, developing transportation and energy corridors and promoting cooperation to deal with terrorism. The main obstacle of SAARC has been Pakistan which sought to use the platform to undermine India’s influence in South Asia, while aggressively seeking to secure China’s admission to it. However, post Uri attack, by securing support of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Maldives in refusing to participate in the forthcoming SAARC summit in Islamabad, India has shown that it means business when it comes to dealing with terrorism. Looking the other way India has encouraged in promoting economic and anti-terrorism cooperation with its ASEAN partners as well as with eastern side SAARC partners- Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. It was observed that very little attention was paid to utilising the BIMSTEC group which is organisation of all the eastern SAARC members across the Bay of Bengal — India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka — with ASEAN members Myanmar and Thailand. Thus, drawing inspiration from previous BRICS summit hosted by Brazil and Russia, where partner-nations from Latin America and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation were invited to attend BRICS, India also invited the BIMSTEC partners. The leaders of BIMSTEC met BRICS leaders at the 8th BRICS summit held in Goa. Hence, Pakistan was prevented from undermining India’s diplomacy across its eastern neighbourhood and made BIMSTEC the primary organisation for regional outreach. A quadrilateral India-Sri Lanka-Maldives-Seychelles corridor across the western Indian Ocean can reinforce the effort of developing outreach in Indian Ocean. India requires a policy for regional containment of Pakistan by complementing these efforts with an India-Iran-Afghanistan economic partnership. This will make Pakistan realise that in its efforts to deny India connectivity across its western neighbourhood and damaging India’s economic partnerships with its eastern neighbours, only it will be marginalised. Thus, marginalising Pakistan in South Asian regional forums till it mends its ways should be the salient feature of India’s policy to promote regional economic cooperation. The Myanmar focus Myanmar plays a salient role across India’s eastern shores. In this new strategic setting, India has to pay more attention to its relation with Myanmar. India has to be more cooperative and evoke trust for better bilateral relations. It is known that Myanmar has sought to take relations forward but there is unhappiness over the insensitivity India showed by undertaking cross-border strikes against NSCN(K) separatists on Myanmar’s soil, without prior approval from that government. It shouldn’t be forgotten that for over two decades Myanmar has cooperated with India in counter-terrorism operations on their soil against armed separatist groups from India. Thus, India needs to reciprocate more appropriately. India has to develop deeper economic and social ties with Myanmar. Unlike Afghanistan and Sri Lanka where India has considerable progress in infrastructural development, it has a deplorable record in executing development projects in Myanmar.   More active and cooperative bilateral relation The first official visit of Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has been hailed by PM as an opportunity to give a further boost to the full range bilateral relationship. In the context of India’s Act East Policy, it is meaningful to examine this as an intent to infuse a sense of urgency in India’s efforts to realise the full potential of this critical bilateral partnership. However, intent apart, the reality is that bilateral trade between India and Myanmar has been woefully below potential. Though India categorises the $1.57-billion trade in 2014-15 with Myanmar as a reflection of India being the “fourth largest trade partner” with Myanmar, but a rough comparison with China shows true picture. The trade between Myanmar and China is $9.5 billion in the first ten months of 2015-16. In addition, China invested $15.418 billion in 115 projects, making it the biggest investor in Myanmar. While India is still pledging to enhance its engagement in the agriculture, power, renewable energy and power sectors, the Chinese are already financing new ports, highways and dams in Myanmar. Thus, there is good amount of Chinese control even in the financial sector in Myanmar. There has been repeated emphasis on improving connectivity across India’s eastern borders by a trilateral “friendship highway” through Myanmar to Thailand. Sadly, the work has been tardy on this highway. The rebuilding of roads between Manipur-Mandalay-Thailand could be the centrepiece for tourist traffic but once again, the poor project implementation and many restrictions and procedures made roads hardly utilisable. One of the unique features of our border with Myanmar has been that tribals living on both sides can travel freely across it. However, it has been heard that India is planning to fence the international border. This move is opposed from the CMs of the four bordering States: Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. Fencing should be limited and not affect the free movement of tribals. Rather it should be undertaken primarily to prevent the rapidly growing and illegal imports of Chinese products from across the India-Myanmar border. Picture Credit: http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01471/TH_31_Highway_col__1471900e.jpg Conclusion and way forward China is more visible in Myanmar because it came forward to help Myanmar when it was an international outcast under the military junta. So, India clearly has vast ground to cover if it has to prove its relevance to a democratic regime that seems keen to strike a balance of power between its two giant neighbours. Myanmar is also worried of the excess Chinese influence on its economy as well as demography. This is visible as 50% of Mandalay’s population is today Chinese and learning Mandarin has become an essential job requirement for the young population. Against this backdrop, India’s expression of intent to strengthen partnership has to be backed by encouraging Indian businesses to invest in Myanmar, open hospitals and facilitate pharmaceutical exports further, besides improving transportation facilities. The two sides have signed three agreements to boost cooperation in power, banking and insurance sectors, besides deciding to step up ties in areas of oil and gas, agriculture, renewable energy and health care. Also close coordination to ensure security in the areas along border, and sensitivity to each other’s strategic interests, will help both neighbours. India has to give utmost importance to enhancing the ties with Myanmar as it is its doorway to larger South East Asian nations as well as moderating Chinese influence in the region. Connecting the dots: India has other neighbours to look forward to, to counter Pakistan’s negative influence in the region. In the light of this, examine the importance of India-Myanmar relation. Chinese influence in the South Asian countries has to be moderated and many countries see India as a capable competitor. Do you agree? Explain   INDIAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE   TOPIC: General Studies 1 Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India. General Studies 2 Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.   World Heritage and India’s World Heritage List Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. This is embodied in an international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.   UNESCO's World Heritage mission is to Encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention and to ensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage; Encourage States Parties to the Convention to nominate sites within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List; Encourage States Parties to establish management plans and set up reporting systems on the state of conservation of their World Heritage sites; Help States Parties safeguard World Heritage properties by providing technical assistance and professional training; Provide emergency assistance for World Heritage sites in immediate danger; Support States Parties' public awareness-building activities for World Heritage conservation; Encourage participation of the local population in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage; Encourage international cooperation in the conservation of our world's cultural and natural heritage.   The Criteria for Selection To be included on the World Heritage List, sites must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria. The World Heritage Committee, the main body in charge of the implementation of the Convention, has developed precise criteria for the inscription of properties on the World Heritage List and for the provision of international assistance under the World Heritage Fund.   Selection criteria To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius; To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design; To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared; To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history; To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change; To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (the committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria); To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance; To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features; To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals; To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation.   World Heritage Convention of 1972 The World Heritage Convention of 1972, adhered to by 192 countries, aims to protect cultural and natural heritage across the world. There are presently 1,052 World Heritage sites in 165 countries, of which 814 are cultural sites, 203 natural and 35 mixed; 55 more properties are on the "in danger" list. Picture Credit: http://img.etimg.com/photo/54757433/1.jpg The WHC, however, has received flak for its bias toward Europe and North America, with these two regions being home to nearly half of all World Heritage sites. Picture Credit: http://img.etimg.com/photo/54757466/1.jpg   India’s World Heritage Sites India, which ratified the Convention in 1977, has 27 cultural World Heritage sites, seven natural sites and one mixed site. Among the cultural properties are the Taj Mahal, the monuments of Hampi, the churches and convents of Goa, Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar and the Mountain Railways of India, which include the Darjeeling, Nilgiri, and Kalka-Shimla railway networks. Natural sites include the Sundarbans in West Bengal, the Kaziranga and Manas National Parks in Assam, and the Western Ghats. Sikkim’s Khangchendzonga National Park, which was included this year, is the sole mixed site. While there are four times as many cultural sites in India as natural, the latter are much larger in area. India has the sixth largest number of World Heritage sites. Italy is on top with 51 sites.   P.S. Tomorrow’s DNA will be on “Why monuments would be worse off without the World Heritage status” and related issues. Connecting the dots: Does UNESCO inscription play a significant role in tourism destinations performance? Also discuss the UNESCO's role in relation to protecting the world heritage site.   MUST READ The bonding in Benaulim Hindu   Britain’s Indian litmus test Hindu   Dams close to glacial lakes in Himalayas under flood threat Hindu   No relook into allocation of Krishna water: Tribunal Hindu   MGNREGA 2.0: Modi to spend a record Rs 60,000 crore Indian Express   Electing to recall Indian Express   High on rhetoric, low on tact Indian Express   Common knowledge and counter-strikes Livemint   Towards a global regime on drones Livemint   Are grain procurement shocks inflationary? Livemint   The climate change conundrum Livemint    

Oct 20, 2016 Daily Prelims CA Quiz

IASbaba Daily Current Affairs Quiz [Day 43]

Click here to get all the Tests– Archives Q.1) Assumption Island was in news recently. It is concerned with which of the following? China’s new naval base near Horn of Africa Joint Military Exercise of the ASEAN members India’s naval base in Seychelles Somalian Pirates took over the island Q.2) Consider the following indicators Maternal Mortality Ratio Female and Male shares of Parliamentary seats Female and Male labour force participation rates Adolescent Birth Rate Which of the following indicators is/are considered for Gender Inequality Index? 2,3 and 4 1,2 and 4 1,3 and 4 All of the Above Q.3) Consider the following Archipelago pairs:                 Islands                                     Country Balearic Islands :                        England Archipelago of the Azores :      Ecuador Isles of Scilly :                             Spain Which of the pairs given above is/are correct? Only 2 Only 2 and 3 Only 3 None of the Above Q.4) Which of the following is a UNESCO World Heritage Mixed Site? Khangchendzonga National Park Ajanta Caves Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Q.5) Consider the following statements about Gulf of Cambay It is an inlet of the Arabian Sea along the west coast of India in Gujarat Narmada, Godavari and Sabarmati drains into it Which of the following statements is/are incorrect? Only 1 Only 2 Both 1 and 2 Neither 1 nor 2 Download the Solution- Click here All the best IASbaba

Oct 20, 2016 AIR

All India Radio - India Afghanistan Relation

ARCHIVES   India Afghanistan Relation   Search 14th September 2016 here http://www.newsonair.com/Main_Audio_Bulletins_Search.aspx   TOPIC: General Studies 2 India and its neighbourhood- relations. Bilateral groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India's interests Effect of policies and politics of developing countries on India's interests   On a recent visit to India, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani held a close consultation on key issues with PM Modi. The visit is considered significant in the backdrop of rising Taliban militancy as well as Afghanistan’s demand for increased defence supplies from India. India is one of the biggest donor to Afghanistan pledging two billion in support for reconstruction programme in war torn countries. When compared the two day visit of September 2016 to April 2015’s visit, there is a very marked difference. When President Ghani came to power in September 2014, his first visit was to China, then to Pakistan, USA, Saudi Arabia and Iran. India came much lower in reckoning. He had drawn a scheme of 4 concentric circles and India was in 4th circle. After coming to power, Afghanistan had great hopes in Pakistan that it will bring Taliban to the negotiating table with Afghanistan and also Pakistan will be able to impress upon Taliban that they should stop their attacks on Afghanistan. However, all these hopes have been belied now. Since 2002, when Taliban went out of Afghanistan, India has committed and given more than 2 billion dollars. Additional 1 billion dollar in aid in development and economic progress is being provide by PM Modi in September 2016. India has till now invested 10.8 billion dollars in Afghanistan- setting up iron mines, six steel plants and 800MW power plant, hydroelectric power projects, transition line, roads etc. Besides this, India has also given the aid of additional two billion dollars for reconstruction. India in Afghanistan Such initiatives and aids will take the cooperation forward as India has been engaged and involved effectively in Afghanistan- Parliament building, Pul-e-Khumri transmission line power project, Salma dam and Store palace (Darul Aman palace). Now, there has been deepening of engagement across the board. This time, collaboration was outer space collaboration, capacity development, world class pharmaceutical, solar alliance. The opportunities are enormous at government level as well as private sector of two countries. Connectivity- India is helping Afghanistan to connect it with Iran. It will be a game-changer project. Afghanistan is a land locked country. Chabahar port development will connect to Zaranj- Delaram road to Afghanistan, from there it will connect to central Asia. The connectivity with India where India and Afghanistan have been connected with each other for centuries and Pakistan does not permit Afghanistan to send its products through its own territory by land to India, so they are not able to take advantage of Indian market in terms supplying their own Kandhari Anar, Herati saffron and they are not able take benefit of Indian market. The trilateral agreement in May 2016 between India, Afghanistan and Iran to develop Chabahar can prove to be a game changer. Pipeline connectivity is also considered to help in Afghanistan development. Defence cooperation Both India and Afghanistan have collaborated and signed strategic partnership agreement. Also, India gifted three Mi25 to Afghanistan which were used earlier when dealing with the Taliban when they had established control over Kunduz in north of Afghanistan. Both governments are considering more equipment, armament, weaponry, whether small arms and ammunition that should be supplied to Afghanistan to take care of its security and stability and introducing peace. The common problem Afghanistan has now become wise to Pakistan. It has understood that Pakistan is lying when it is saying that it is trying to restrain Taliban, but instead they are helping Taliban to launch attacks against Afghanistan. So they are now disillusioned. Few weeks ago, Afghanistan President threatened Pakistan to allow their products to come to India else they will stop the access of Pakistan to central Asian countries. So relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan are not healthy as before. Pakistan is supporting terrorism, both India and Afghanistan have to deal effectively with menace of Taliban. Bangladesh and Iran have also become victim of Pakistan militancy. These are serious problems where Pakistan is destabilising the region. How to prevent such actions from Pakistan? Pakistan has emerged as epicentre of terrorism where the terrorists have come, trained, indoctrinated, sent back to carry out terrorist attacks. Across the world wherever the terrorist attacks are taking place, there is signature of Pakistan. In Iraq and Syria, many of fighters have gone from Pakistan. Thus, to tackle the militancy and prevent Pakistan from taking such steps, just like in recent G20 summit and also at the East Asia summit, PM has said that countries which are providing sanctuary, funding terrorist should be isolated and should be sanctioned. Need for collaborative approach to fight terrorism. Afghanistan army is not fully train to deal with terrorism. There should be a regional cooperation between countries to fight terrorism. After the withdrawal of US forces, NATO and ICEF forces, the responsibility rally devolves upon the neighbouring countries. In the neighbourhood, Pakistan is looking for strategic depth as far as Afghanistan is concerned. China doesn’t seem to be really interested, even the initiatives that India has taken in the UN under 1267 resolution to have people like Lakhvi, Masood Azhar to be designated as terrorists, China is not taking it seriously. China is not able to wear down upon Pakistan as so far it has not experienced any negative impact of terrorism. But all countries, whether central Asia, Russia, China, have to come together and draw security architecture. India has now option of ‘Heart of Asia’ where discussion to stabilise Afghanistan continues. There is responsibility of the international community dealing with the militancy. The powerful countries and organisations need to impose embargo on countries which are promoting terrorism in region. Very small troops to counter terrorism remain in Afghanistan, mainly it is for training and intelligence and practically none for operation. Hence there is need for countries to come together and sanction such countries. But there are countries which look at terrorism in their own interest and hence don’t take strict action against the ‘terrorist sheltering’ countries. Terrorism should not be viewed through prism of politics. The whole world needs to come together and present a solid unified front against the menace of terrorism. Related Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process The Istanbul Process provides a new agenda for regional cooperation in the ‘Heart of Asia’ by placing Afghanistan at its center. The countries participating in the Istanbul process look forward for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, as well as a secure and prosperous region as a whole. HoA conference was held in Delhi in April 2016 with key elements being devising sustained, incremental approach to implementation of the confidence building measures (CBM) in Afghanistan There are 14 Heart of Asia countries Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and UAE. The supporting countries are Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Iraq, Japan, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, U.K., U.S. and the E.U. Connecting the dots: India and Afghanistan has seen visible rise in the bilateral strategic partnership amongst the SAARC nations. Discuss the importance of stronger India-Afghanistan relationship.