International Relations - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Joint Anti-Submarine Warfare Drills

Context

Recently, joint anti-submarine warfare drills are being held by the United States, Canada, India, Japan, and South Korea.

• As a part of it, the exercise named Sea Dragon 23 was started on March 15, 2023 and it aims to strengthen the alliance between the countries to tackle threats from China and North Korea.

How China is Expanding its Maritime Domain?

• China's navy is taking part in joint search and rescue exercises in the Gulf of Oman with Iran and Russia.
• China’s dispute with Japan over tiny islands in the East China Sea has also heated up, with both sides accusing the other of violating their maritime territory.
• China is holding Security Bond-2023 exercises with other nations as well.

What is Sea Dragon 23?

• Sea Dragon 23 is a coordinated anti-submarine warfare exercise being held between the US, Japan, Canada, South Korea, and India.
• The exercise aims to achieve high levels of synergy and coordination between the friendly navies based on their shared values and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific region.
• The Indian Navy is represented by a P8I aircraft, along with P8A of the US Navy, P1 from the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, CP 140 from the Royal Canadian Air Force, and P3C from the RoKN.

Conclusion

The participation of the Indian Navy in Exercise Sea Dragon 23 reflects its commitment to enhancing its naval capabilities and strengthening cooperation with like-minded nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Interpol’s Notices

Context

Interpol has removed its red notice against fugitive Mehul Choksi.

Details

About INTERPOL:

• The International Criminal Police Organization is an international organization that enables worldwide police cooperation and crime control.
• With 194 member states, it is the largest police organization in the world.
• India is also a member state. India hosted Interpol's 91st General Assembly in 2022.
• Contrary to popular belief, INTERPOL itself is not a law enforcement agency.

Functions

Provides investigative support, expertise and training to law enforcement agencies worldwide focusing on the following key areas

• transnational crime
• terrorism
• Cybercrime
• organized crime
• crimes against humanity
• child pornography
• drug trafficking and production
• political corruption
• infringement of intellectual property rights and
• white-collar crime.

INTERPOL Notice

• These are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical information related to criminal activity.
• Notifications may also be used by the United Nations, International Criminal Tribunals and the International Criminal Court to locate persons wanted for crimes within their jurisdiction, particularly genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Notification types

• Red: Search location and arrest wanted persons wanted for prosecution or execution of sentence.
• Yellow: Helps locate missing persons, often minors, or helps identify persons who cannot identify themselves.
• Blue: Collecting additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in connection with a crime.
• Black: To search for information on unidentified bodies.
• Green: A warning about the criminal activities of a person when that person is considered a possible threat to public safety.
• Orange: Warning of an event, person, object, or process posing a serious and immediate threat to public safety.
• Purple: Seeking or providing information on the modus operandi, objects, devices and concealment methods used by criminals.
• UN Security Council INTERPOL Special Notification: Issued for groups and individuals targeted by UN Security Council sanctions committees.

G7’s Commitment Towards Carbon-free Electricity Production 

Context

• G7 countries concluded two days of meetings on climate, energy and environmental policy in the northern Japanese city of Sapporo.
  • Renewable fuel sources and energy security have taken on a new urgency following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Key Highlights of the Meeting

• Carbon-free electricity production by 2035:
  • The Group of Seven (G7) countries are committed to working towards ensuring carbon-free electricity production by 2035 and “accelerating” the phase-out of coal.
• Impetus to Solar Power:
  • They agreed to accelerate solar and wind energy investments to produce 1,000 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 from solar power and 150 GW of wind power from off-shore platforms.
• Removal of Fossil Fuel Subsidies:
  • They reaffirm the commitment to the elimination of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025.
• Net zero in energy systems by 2050: 
  • The members agreed to accelerate “the phase-out of unabated fossil fuels” – the burning of fossil fuels without using technology to capture the resulting C02 emissions – to achieve net zero in energy systems by 2050

 Other Key Facts relating to Carbon Emission

• Temperatures have already risen by 1.1C since the pre-industrial era.
• The G-7 nations account for 40% of the world’s economic activity and a quarter of global carbon emissions.
• Emerging markets and developing economies now account for more than two-thirds of global carbon emissions
• Russia is one of the world’s largest suppliers of enriched uranium for civilian nuclear programs, with more than 40 per cent of enrichment capacity globally.
• India and China are significantly dependent on coal for electricity, whereas several developed countries, including the United States, Japan, Canada and Europe are reliant on gas reserves.

Related terms

• Phase Out = to discontinue a process, project, or service in phases i.e., Zero carbon emission
• Phase Down = to slow down the process, project, or service in phases i.e., reducing carbon emission

Challenges in Phasing out coal in India

At the United Nations-Conference of Parties (COP) meeting in Glasgow in 2021, India had objected to language in the agreement to “phase out” and pushed instead for a “phase down” of coal.

• High Energy dependence: Coal is Primary energy contributor with a 57% share of India’s energy mix and Coal demand is expected to not peak until the early?2030s. 
• Very high Economic cost in phasing out, for example Germany coal phaseout needs investment of more than 50 billion euros.
• Resources richness: According to the Geological Survey of India, India has 319.02 billion tones(bt) cumulative coal reserves in India and the economy of states like Jharkhand, Orissa depends on coal mining.
• Negative impact on tax: In FY20, the Centre alone collected approximately Rs 29,200 crore in GST compensation cess from coal.
• Job loss: one study has mentioned direct coal jobs at 7,44,984 excluding contract employees.
• Issue of NPA: Economic shifts and policy changes may turn coal-fired power plants into stranded assets (non-performing assets). This will rapidly decrease their value, or they may turn into liabilities. This process is already observed in some G20 countries.

India’s Efforts

• Revised NDCs:
  • India is now committing itself to at least 45% reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030 from 2005 level.
  • India is committing to ensure that at least 50% of installed electricity generation capacity in 2030 would be based on non-fossil fuel-based sources
  • Increase non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW (gigawatts) by 2030.
  • Reduce the total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tones (BT) by 2030.
  • Achieve net zero carbon by 2070.
• The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: It helped 88 million households to shift from coal-based cooking fuels to LPG connections.
• Hydrogen Energy Mission: Focus on generation of hydrogen from green power resources.
• E-Vehicle: India is accelerating its e-mobility transition with the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME Scheme).
• Vehicle scrapping policy to phase out old and unfit vehicles complements the existing schemes.
• Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT): It is a market-based mechanism to further accelerate as well as incentivize energy efficiency in the large energy-intensive industries.
• Major Programmes in Renewable Energy Sector 
  • National Solar Mission (NSM) 
  • Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM):PM-KUSUM provides farmers with incentives to install solar power pumps and plants in their fields. 
  • Solar Parks Scheme: To facilitate large scale grid-connected solar power projects.
  • Green Energy Corridor (GEC): To facilitate renewable power evacuation and reshaping the grid for future requirements.
  • International Solar Alliance (ISA): It has 122 sun-belt countries as its prospective member countries and currently boasts a membership of 86 countries globally.
  • It is the largest grouping of states, after the United Nations
  • National Action Plan on Climate Change
  • National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
  • National Biofuel Policy, etc.

Group of Seven (G7)

• It is an intergovernmental organization of seven countries that are the world’s most industrialized and developed economies.
• It does not have a formal constitution or a fixed headquarters and the decisions taken by leaders during annual summits are non-binding.
• Together the member countries represent 40% of global GDP and 10% of the world’s population. 
• Unlike other bodies such as NATO, the G7 has no legal existence, permanent secretariat or official members. 

Present Members: 

France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, United States of America, Canada and Japan.

Genesis:

• It traces its origin to an informal meeting of the Finance Ministers of France, West Germany, the US, Great Britain and Japan (Group of Five) in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis.

Chinese Dual-Use Facilities Raise Security Concerns in India

Context

Recent satellite images showing the construction of a military facility on Coco Islands in Myanmar and a proposed remote satellite receiving ground station system in Sri Lanka, both coming up with Chinese help, have raised concerns in India of possible surveillance across the region.

What are the Causes of Concern?

• Coco Islands of Myanmar located very close to India’s Andaman and Nicobar Island chain are strategically important for India.
  • China, which has been eyeing to encircle India in the Indian Ocean Region with its aggressive ‘String of Pearls’ policy is developing a military facility on the islands.
  • The island is being connected to the southern landmass using a new bridge which can anytime be used by the Chinese military.
• Because of its critical location, the proposed remote satellite receiving ground station in Sri Lanka can be used to spy on Indian assets and intercept sensitive information across the region.
  • Satellite tracking facilities are inherently dual-use in nature which means they can be used for both civil and military activities.
  • It’s also apprehended that India’s satellite launch facilities in Sriharikota and the missile test range in Odisha could come under the scanner of the ground station and launches from there could be tracked to obtain sensitive data.
    • Ground stations are surface-based facilities which are designed to provide real-time communication with satellites.
• Recently, a Chinese ship was seen docking at Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, the forementioned stations are likely to work in coordination with such vessels to gather vital information in the region.

What are the Other Instances that Raise Doubts on China’s Intentions?

• In August 2022, the docking of Chinese spy ship ‘Yuan Wang-5’ at Hambantota created a major diplomatic showdown between India and Sri Lanka.
• Later in November, another vessel ‘Yuan Wang-6’ had entered the Indian Ocean Region, coinciding with a planned Indian long-range missile launch.
  • At that time, the launch was deferred, and the vessel had re-entered the IOR in December when the missile test was rescheduled.

Where are the Coco Islands located?

• The Coco Islands are in the north-eastern Bay of Bengal. They are part of Yangon region of Myanmar. These islands are situated very close to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

What is China’s “String of Pearls” Strategy?

• The "String of Pearls" is a geopolitical theory that refers to China's increasing efforts to develop and expand its ports and naval bases throughout the Indian Ocean region, from the Strait of Malacca to the Horn of Africa.
• The theory suggests that China is seeking to establish a series of strategic naval bases and commercial ports along key sea-lanes in the Indian Ocean, to protect its vital energy imports and enhance its maritime influence.
• These "pearls" include ports such as Gwadar in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka, and Djibouti in Africa, which provide China with greater access and influence in the region.
• Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), sometimes referred to as the New Silk Road is another infrastructure project by China. It is also seen as part of China’s debt trap diplomacy.

What is India doing to Counter China?

• “Necklace of Diamonds” Strategy: This strategy aims at garlanding China or in simple words, the counter encirclement strategy. India is expanding its naval bases and is also improving relations with strategically placed countries to counter China's strategies. India’s strategic bases are:
  • Chabahar port – Iran
  • Sabang port – Indonesia
  • Sittwe port – Myanmar
  • Mongla port – Bangladesh
  • Changi naval base – Singapore
• Forming groups with Like-minded Nations: India has made agreements for military cooperation in the region with Japan, Australia and the USA. The four countries carry out joint military exercises in the IOR region and are known as the ‘Quad’.
• Building Coastal Radar Networks: India is installing coastal systems in the countries in Indian Ocean region such as Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, Seychelles and Bangladesh. These radars will relay live images, videos, and location information of Ships moving in the Indian Ocean Region.
  • The project is implemented by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• Act East Policy: This was launched as an effort to integrate India’s economy with South-East Asian nations. It has been used to make important military and strategic agreements with Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand helping India to counter China.
• Military and Naval Relationships: To upgrade and train its navy, India has developed a strategic naval relationship with Myanmar which gives India an increased footprint in the area.
• Strategic Investments: India has invested a lot diplomatically in countries like Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia - all surrounding China. It also has recently extended over USD 1.75 billion in grants and credit to Myanmar.

Way Forward

• Increase Naval Capabilities: India must enhance its naval capabilities by incorporating more and more vessels and submarines. India's naval capabilities are limited, particularly in terms of the number of warships and submarines it possesses. This limits India's ability to patrol and secure its maritime borders and project its naval power in the Indian Ocean region.
• Enhance the Investment in other countries: India has tried countering China through diplomatic investments, but it needs to enhance these investments as China as China is way ahead of India in making such investments. India’s investments look miniscule before China.
• Economic Competition: Along with all other steps, India must focus on economic growth to project itself as an alternative to China in global economy. Aatmanirbhar Bharat abhiyan has been a good initiative towards this.
• Technological Advancements: China is investing heavily in developing advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and 5G networks. India needs to match these investments to stay ahead of China in the technological race and ensure its own security and economic development.

Russia-India Bilateral Trade

Context

Recently, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister has attended the 24^th Russia-India Inter-Governmental Commission (IGC) meeting in India.

• Russia has expressed its interest in importing manufacturing equipment, including machinery, from India to replace those of Western origin.

What are the Key Highlights of the Meeting?

• Both countries reviewed the defense cooperation between India and Russia, which has been facing challenges related to deliveries and payments due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
• The two countries discussed the plans that India has for Russia's far eastern region, which is an essential part of Russia's strategy in the Indo-Pacific region.
• They held discussions on bilateral trade efforts and the identification of new industrial points that would provide additional impetus for trade between the two countries.
  • Balance of trade currently tilts in favor of Russia, and hence, the two sides discussed ways to bring more balance in trade relations.
• Both sides also discussed a wide range of issues related to bilateral trade, economic, and humanitarian cooperation.
  • These discussions covered many areas of mutual interest, including those related to technology, energy, healthcare, and education.

What is the Status of India-Russia Trade Ties?

• India's total bilateral trade with Russia stood at ~USD 13 Billion in 2021-22 and USD 8.14 Billion in 2020-21.
• Russia is India’s seventh biggest trading partner, up from 25^th position in 2021.
  • The US, China, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Indonesia were the six countries that recorded higher volumes of trade with India during the first five months of 2022-23.

What are the Concerns Related to Bilateral Trade?

• Trade Imbalance:
  • India's Imports from Russia accounted for USD 17.23 Billion, while India's exports to Moscow were only worth USD 992.73 million, resulting in a negative trade balance of USD 16.24 Billion in 2020-21.
  • Russia's share in India's total trade has increased to 3.54%, up from 1.27% in 2021-22.
  • While Russia's share in India's total trade was 2.1% in 1997-98, it has hovered below 2% for the last 25 years.
• Factors Causing Trade Imbalance:
  • The sudden jump in imports from Russia, mainly oil and fertilizers, which began to surge earlier in 2022, is the main driver behind this increase in bilateral trade.
    • Petroleum oil and other fuel items accounted for 84% of India's total imports from Russia, while Fertilizers were second.
  • Together, fertilizers and fuel accounted for over 91% of the total imports from Russia this year.

How can Trade Imbalance Between Russia and India be Addressed?

• Indian Export to Russia:
  • Both the countries are looking to increase Indian imports, particularly in the machinery sector, where India has advanced production capabilities.
• Rupee-Ruble Mechanism:
  • One of the challenges facing the trade relationship is payments, logistics, and certifications. Both sides are in talks to resort to the Rupee-Ruble mechanism to safeguard bilateral trade from the impact of western sanctions.
• New Industrial Points:
  • Both are looking to identify new industrial points that can give additional impetus for trade, and to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement.

What are the Different Aspects of Indo-Russia Relations?

• Historical Background:
  • During the Cold War, India and the Soviet Union had a strong strategic, military, economic and diplomatic relationship. After the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia inherited its close relationship with India which resulted in both nations sharing a Special Strategic Relation.
  • However, the relations have taken a steep downfall over the past few years, especially in the post-Covid scenario. One of the biggest causes for this is Russia’s close relations with China and Pakistan, which have caused many geopolitical issues in the past few years for India.
• Political Relations:
  • Two Inter-Governmental Commissions – one on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), and another on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC- MTC), meet annually.
• Defence and Security Relations:
  • Both countries regularly conduct the Tri-Services exercise ‘INDRA‘.
  • The joint military programmes between India and Russia include:
    • BrahMos cruise missile programme
    • 5th generation fighter jet programme
    • Sukhoi Su-30MKI programme
  • The military hardware purchased/leased by India from Russia includes:
    • S-400 Triumf
    • Kamov Ka-226 200 to be made in India under the Make in India initiative
    • T-90S Bhishma
    • INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier programme.
• Nuclear Energy:
  • Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being constructed within the scope of the Russia-India Inter-Governmental Agreement.
  • Both India and Russia are implementing Rooppur Nuclear Power Project in Bangladesh.

Conclusion

• A multi-pronged approach that focuses on diversification, promotion of exports, negotiation of better trade deals, expansion of economic cooperation, and addressing structural issues can help address the trade imbalance between India and Russia.

Hope for Peace in Yemen 

Context

• Hundreds of prisoners captured during the war in Yemen were reunited with their families.
• The main warring sides in Yemen are the Iran-backed Houthis and the pro-Yemen government, Saudi-led coalition.

Details

• The large-scale prisoner swap has given the people hope for a permanent ceasefire in Yemen.

What is the Stockholm Agreement?

• The warring parties in control of parts of Yemen had signed the Stockholm Agreement in December 2018 whereby they had committed to freeing conflict-related detainees.
• The agreement brokered by the United Nations had three main components — the Hudayah agreement, the prisoner exchange agreement, and the Taïz agreement.
• The Hudayah agreement included a ceasefire in the city of Hodeidah and other clauses like no military reinforcements in the city and strengthened UN presence.
• The Taïz agreement includes the formation of a joint committee with participation from civil society and the UN.

How did the war start?

• In 2011, a popular uprising in Yemen forced its long-standing authoritarian president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to hand over power to his deputy, Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.
• However, the new president was overwhelmed with Yemen's economic problems, and security problems such as attacks by jihadists.
• Furthermore, most of Yemen's armed forces felt more loyalty to the ousted president than they did to Mr Hadi.
• The Houthis took advantage of his weakness.
  • Formally known as the Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), they champion Yemen's Zaidi Shia Muslim minority.
• In early 2014, they seized control of Saada province, in the north of the country and then captured the nation's capital, Sanaa, forcing President Hadi to flee abroad in March 2015.
• A Saudi-led multinational coalition intervened in the conflict in Yemen in March 2015
  • Yemen's neighbour Saudi Arabia was alarmed by the prospect of the Houthis taking control of Yemen, fearing it would become a satellite of Saudi Arabia's rival, Iran.
  • In March 2015, it and other Arab states began an air campaign aimed at ousting the Houthis and restoring Mr Hadi's government.
  • The coalition received logistical and intelligence support from the US, UK and France.

What's happened since then?

• In August 2015, coalition ground troops landed in the port city of Aden and drove the Houthis out of the south of Yemen. However, they could not dislodge them from Sanaa or the north of the country.
• Yemen's official government is now in Aden, while President Hadi himself is based in Saudi Arabia.
• The Houthis allied with the former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, to form a "political council" to govern the area under their control.
• However, in December 2017, Saleh broke with the Houthis and called for his followers to fight them. Saleh was killed and the Houthis defeated his forces.
• In 2018, the Saleh loyalists joined the Saudi-led coalition. Together, they launched a major offensive against the Houthis to recapture the Red Sea city of Hudaydah. The port there is the principal lifeline for millions of Yemenis at risk of famine.
• The Houthis have attacked targets in Saudi Arabia and the UAE with ballistic missiles and drones, targeting sites including oil installations but also injuring civilians.
• Saudi and US officials have accused Iran of smuggling weapons such as drones to the Houthis, in violation of a UN arms embargo. Iran has denied the allegation.
• The UN says both sides in the civil war may have committed war crimes. Both sides deny the allegation.
• In April 2022, the UN brokered a ceasefire between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels, though the sides failed to renew it six months later.
• However they recently agreed to swap prisoners as a confidence measure which it is hoped could lead to a permanent ceasefire.

What's been the human cost?

• The UN says Yemen is experiencing the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
• It says 5 million people, one in seven of the population, have been displaced. while 24.1 million people, 80% of the population, are in need of humanitarian aid and protection.
• More than 10,000 children have been killed in the fighting, according to the UN
• The UN estimated that by the start of 2022, the conflict in Yemen had caused over 377,000 deaths, with 60% the result of hunger, lack of healthcare and unsafe water.

What are Yemen’s divisions?

• Yemen has long struggled with religious and cultural differences between its north and south and the legacy of European colonialism.
• The modern Yemeni state was formed in 1990 with the unification of the U.S.- and Saudi-backed Yemeni Arab Republic, in the north, and the Soviet-backed People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen, in the south.
• Ali Abdullah Saleh, a military officer who had ruled North Yemen since 1978, assumed leadership of the new country.
• However, just four years after unification, southern separatists seceded for several months and reemerged in 2007 as the Southern Movement, which has continued to press for greater autonomy within Yemen.
• Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), an Islamist militant group, and the related Ansar al-Sharia insurgent group have captured territory in the south and east
• The Houthi movement, whose base is among the Zaydi Shiites of northern Yemen, rose up against Saleh’s government six times between 2004 and 2010.

What caused the current crisis?

• Several factors widened these political divisions and led to full-scale military conflict.

Fuel price hikes

• Under pressure from the International Monetary Fund, which had extended to Yemen a $550 million loan premised on promises of economic reforms, Hadi’s government lifted fuel subsidies in 2014.
• The Houthi movement organized mass protests demanding lower fuel prices and a new government.

Houthi takeover

• The Houthis captured much of Sanaa by late 2014.
• Hadi’s government resigned under pressure in January 2015 and Hadi later fled to Saudi Arabia.

Military division

• Military units loyal to Saleh aligned themselves with the Houthis, contributing to their battlefield success.
• Other militias mobilized against the Houthi-Saleh forces, aligning with those in the military who had remained loyal to the Hadi government.
• Southern separatists ramped up their calls for secession.

Saudi intervention

• In 2015, with Hadi in exile, Riyadh launched a military campaign—primarily fought from the air—to roll back the Houthis and restore the Hadi administration to Sanaa.

What are the prospects for a solution to the crisis?

• UN-backed peace negotiations have made limited progress.
• The 2018 Stockholm Agreement averted a battle in the port city of Hodeidah, a vital hub for aid; but there has been little success in implementing the accord’s provisions, which includes the exchange of more than fifteen thousand prisoners and the creation of a joint committee to de-escalate violence in the city of Taiz.
• Observers worry that friction among regional actors, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, is prolonging the war.

About Yemen

• Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country in Western Asia.
• It is situated on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, and borders Saudi Arabia to the north and Oman to the northeast and shares maritime borders with Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.
• Yemen is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the Arabian Peninsula.
• Its constitutionally stated capital, and largest city, is Sanaa.
• In ancient times, Yemen was the home of the Sabaeans, a trading state that included parts of modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea.
• Yemen is a member of the Arab League, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
• It belongs to the least developed country group.
• As of 2020, the country is placed the highest in the Fragile State Index, the second worst in the Global Hunger Index, surpassed only by the Central African Republic, and has the lowest Human Development Index out of all non-African countries.