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India’s Contribution to Counter-Terrorism Efforts

Why in News?

Recently, India has made a significant financial contribution to the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund (CTTF), marking a pivotal moment in its ongoing commitment to combating terrorism on a global scale. With this contribution, India's total financial support to the trust fund now amounts to $2.55 million.

What is the UN Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund?

• About: The UN Counter-Terrorism Trust Fund (UNCTTF) aims to bolster global efforts in countering terrorism. It was established in 2009 and incorporated into the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) in 2017. The fund focuses on enhancing member states' capacities, particularly in Eastern and Southern Africa, to address challenges such as terrorism financing and the movement of terrorists.

Global Programs Supported by UNCTTF:

• Capacity Building: The Trust Fund aids member states in strengthening their capabilities to effectively combat terrorism. This includes training for law enforcement agencies, improving legal frameworks, and enhancing the technical skills of counter-terrorism personnel.
• Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT): The Trust Fund plays a crucial role in preventing and countering terrorism financing by strengthening regulatory frameworks, enhancing financial tracking, and promoting international collaboration.
• Countering Terrorist Travel Programme (CTTP): This initiative aims to prevent terrorist movements by improving border security, utilizing advanced passenger information, and fostering international information exchange and best practices.
• UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy: The Trust Fund supports a balanced implementation of the four pillars of this strategy: addressing the root causes of terrorism, combating terrorism, building state capacity, and ensuring respect for human rights.

What is India's Contribution to Global Counter-Terrorism Efforts?

Bilateral Engagement: India engages in Joint Working Groups with nations like the United Kingdom, France, and the United States to address counter-terrorism efforts.

Multilateral Initiatives:

• BRICS: India actively addresses terrorism within multilateral forums, leading to the establishment of five sub-working groups under BRICS that focus on areas such as terrorist financing and online radicalization.
• UNSC CTC: In 2022, India hosted a special meeting of the UNSC’s Counter Terrorism Committee (CTC) to discuss terrorism financing through cryptocurrencies and the use of drones in modern terrorism. India proposed five key points for the CTC's consideration:
  (a) Implement effective and sustained efforts to counter terror-financing.
  (b) Coordinate normative efforts of the UN with other bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
  (c) Ensure the Security Council’s sanctions regime is not undermined by political considerations.
  (d) Promote international cooperation against terrorists and their sponsors and dismantle terrorist safe havens.
  (e) Acknowledge the connections between terrorism and transnational organized crime, such as arms and drug trafficking.
• India’s Contribution to UNCTTF: India has actively supported programs aimed at combating terrorism, demonstrating its commitment to multilateral efforts in this fight. The financial support is directed towards enhancing initiatives like the Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) and the Countering Terrorist Travel Programme (CTTP).
• Significance: India’s collaborative initiatives help improve the capabilities of nations to combat terrorism financing and restrict the movement of terrorists. By addressing the escalating threat of terrorism in Africa through UNCTTF, India seeks to assist African countries in countering terrorism and promoting regional stability. This aligns with India's role as a leader in the Global South and its commitment to a zero-tolerance stance on terrorism.

What are the Challenges Related to Terrorism?

• No Global Definition of Terrorism: The lack of universally accepted definitions of terrorism complicates the classification of specific actions, allowing terrorists to exploit ambiguities and hindering collective global action.
• Expanding Web of Terrorism: The internet provides terrorists with an unregulated platform to disseminate propaganda, recruit members, and advance their agendas through various websites and social media channels.
• Terror Financing: Criminals launder an estimated two to four trillion dollars annually, with terrorists often using charities and alternative remittance systems to conceal fund movements.
• Cyber Attack: As the world becomes increasingly interconnected digitally, terrorists exploit cyber attacks to intimidate or coerce governments and societies to achieve their objectives.

Way Forward

• International Cooperation Against Terrorism: The global community must overcome political divisions to combat terrorism universally, establish a global definition of terrorism, and impose sanctions on state sponsors to ensure global security and peace.
• Enhancing National Security: Strengthening military specialization and intelligence-sharing are crucial for enhancing national security and protecting against cross-border terrorist threats.
• Curbing Terror Financing: Effective measures against terrorist financing require monitoring cross-border transactions, tracking networks, and fostering international cooperation among law enforcement agencies while adhering to global standards such as those set by FATF.
• Developing a Robust Cyber-Defence Mechanism: Establishing a flexible cyber defense strategy is vital, necessitating a multi-layered approach to combat sophisticated threats from malicious actors targeting individuals, organizations, and critical infrastructure.

India-EU Trade Conundrum

Why in News?

Recently, the European Union (EU) has decided to extend safeguard duties, which were set to expire this month. As a result of this extension, the safeguard duties will now remain in effect until 2026.

Recent Key Highlights in India-EU Trade

Exports:

• India's exports to Europe for FY24 are approximately USD 86 billion.
• Merchandise exports to EU member countries reached about USD 65 billion in 2021-22, while imports totaled USD 51.4 billion.
• In 2022-23, exports amounted to USD 67 billion.

Substantial Interest in Steel Exports

• India's iron and steel product exports to the EU increased to USD 6.64 billion in 2023-2024, up from USD 6.1 billion in 2022-23.

Imposition of Countervailing Duties

• In 2020, the US and EU imposed countervailing duties (CVDs) on certain Indian exports, including paper file folders, common alloy aluminium sheets, and forged steel fluid.
• Countervailing duties are tariffs on imported goods aimed at offsetting subsidies provided by the exporting country's government, intending to safeguard the domestic industry.

Government's Response

• The commerce ministry is developing an institutional mechanism to verify tax refunds issued to exporters under the government's duty remission scheme (RoDTEP) to prevent countervailing duties imposed by leading importing nations.

What is the RoDTEP Scheme ?

• The RoDTEP is a duty remission program that began on January 1, 2021, aimed at enhancing exports by alleviating tax burdens on exported goods.
• This scheme is managed by the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, and replaces the previous export incentive program called Merchandise Exports from India (MEIS).
• The MEIS was initially implemented following a World Trade Organization (WTO) decision, as it violated WTO regulations.

Objective

• The scheme seeks to provide comprehensive support to exporters by reimbursing various costs.
• It aims to reimburse exporters for taxes, duties, and levies incurred during the production and distribution processes that are not compensated under other schemes.

Addition of New Sectors Under RoDTEP

• The Government of India has announced the extension of RoDTEP support to additional export sectors, including Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, Export Oriented Units (EOU), and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) export units.
• Sectors such as Engineering, Textiles, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, and Food Processing will benefit from this measure.

Financial Allocation

• Since its launch, the RoDTEP Scheme has already provided support amounting to Rs 42,000 Crores to over 10,500 export items.
• For the current financial year, the scheme has a budget of Rs 15,070 Crore, with an additional 10% increase planned for FY 2024-25.

Russian Consignment to India via INSTC

Why in news?

Recently, Russia has dispatched two trains loaded with coal to India using the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) for the first time. This shipment will cover over 7,200 kilometers, traveling from St. Petersburg, Russia, to Mumbai port via Bandar Abbas in Iran.

What is the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)?

• About: The INSTC is a multimodal transit route spanning 7,200 kilometers, connecting the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea through Iran, and extending to northern Europe in Russia. It integrates ship, rail, and road routes for cargo movement between India, Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia, and Europe.
• Origin: Launched on September 12, 2000, through a trilateral agreement among Iran, Russia, and India during the Euro-Asian Conference on Transport, the INSTC aims to enhance transportation cooperation among member states.
• Membership Expansion: Since its inception, the INSTC has grown to include 10 additional countries, bringing the total to 13, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Syria, Belarus, and Oman.

Routes and Modes:

• Central Corridor: This route starts from Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai, connecting to Bandar Abbas port in Iran. It traverses Iranian territory through Nowshahr, Amirabad, and Bandar-e-Anzali, continuing along the Caspian Sea to reach Olya and Astrakhan Ports in Russia.
• Western Corridor: This corridor links the railway networks of Azerbaijan and Iran via the cross-border nodal points of Astara (Azerbaijan) and Astara (Iran), further connecting to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in India via sea.
• Eastern Corridor: This route facilitates transport from Russia to India through the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

What is the Significance of INSTC for India?

• Diversification of Trade Routes: The INSTC allows India to avoid critical chokepoints such as the Red Sea (Suez Canal route), enhancing trade security. Recent geopolitical tensions, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and Houthi attacks on ships, underscore the necessity for alternative trade routes. This corridor enables India to bypass Pakistan and the unstable situation in Afghanistan, facilitating access to Central Asia.
• Enhanced Connectivity with Central Asia: This corridor links India to markets in Russia, the Caucasus, and Eastern Europe, bolstering trade, energy collaboration, defense, counterterrorism, and cultural exchanges with Central Asian Republics through initiatives like "Connect Central Asia." It significantly reduces transit time by 20 days and freight costs by 30% compared to the Suez Canal route.
• Energy Security: The INSTC improves India's access to energy resources in Russia and Central Asia, potentially decreasing dependence on the Middle East. For instance, amidst the Russia-Ukraine war, imports of metallurgical coal from Russia have surged, expected to increase further due to declining imports from Australia.
• Strengthening Ties with Iran and Afghanistan: India has made investments in the Chabahar Port located in Iran's Sistan-Balochistan province and has entered into an agreement for the INSTC to promote trade with Central Asian countries. The Chabahar Port is crucial for India, Iran, and Afghanistan, providing direct sea access and trade opportunities in the region.

What are the Challenges Related to Full Utilization of INSTC?

• Limited International Funding: Unlike China's Belt and Road Initiative which has dedicated funding sources, the INSTC struggles with insufficient financial backing from significant institutions like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
• US Sanctions on Iran: The stringent sanctions imposed on Iran following the US's withdrawal from the JCPOA in 2018 have led many global companies to withdraw from infrastructure projects in Iran, hampering progress.
• Security Concerns in Central Asia: The presence of terrorist groups, such as the Islamic State, poses significant security risks along the corridor, which may deter investment and disrupt smooth operations.
• Differential Tariffs and Customs: Variations in customs regulations and tariff structures across member states create complications and delays for cargo movement.
• Uneven Infrastructure Development: The corridor's reliance on various transport modes (ship, rail, road) is challenged by inconsistent infrastructure development among member states, particularly the underdeveloped rail networks in Iran, which result in bottlenecks and hinder efficient cargo movement. A lack of a joint work plan for developing the corridor and its business ecosystem further complicates matters.

Way Forward

• Proactive Approach: A proactive strategy, particularly by founding members like India and Russia, is essential for the success of the INSTC. This may include joint marketing efforts, infrastructure development projects, and diplomatic measures to navigate political challenges.
• Financing Gap: Addressing the need for substantial investment in infrastructure development and corridor maintenance is vital. Encouraging private sector involvement can help mitigate risks through improved security and political stability.
• Streamlining Customs and Tariffs: Implementing a harmonized customs regime and mutual recognition agreements could simplify processes and expedite cargo movement.

Conclusion

The INSTC corridor holds significant potential for fostering strong trade connections between India, Russia, Iran, and Baltic and Scandinavian countries. It could enhance economic growth, improve relationships among participating nations, and counterbalance China's influence in Central Asia. However, challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles and regional conflicts must be addressed for the INSTC to realize its full potential.

Shifting of Route of the Silk Road

Why in News?

A recent study by Chinese scientists published in the journal Science Bulletin revealed that the primary route of the ancient Silk Road shifted northward due to climate change. This study provides significant insights for understanding how climate change impacts the geographical evolution of human societies.

What is the Silk Road?

• About: The Silk Road was an extensive network of trade routes that linked the Atlantic coasts of Europe with the Pacific coast of Asia (China), spanning over 1,500 years. It was named after the lucrative silk trade originating from China at the eastern end of the route.
• Goods Traded: Besides silk, various products such as spices, gold, and precious stones were transported along these routes.
• Route: The Silk Road passed through prominent cities and kingdoms, including Samarkand, Babylon, and Constantinople.
• History: In the 2nd century BCE, Emperor Wu of the Chinese Han Dynasty sent his envoy Zhang Qian to the "Western Regions," establishing the Tarim Basin route of the Silk Road. Zhang Qian is often referred to as the "Father of the Silk Road" for his significant explorations.
• Caravan Routes: Caravans departing from the Chinese capital, Xi'an, would travel the Tarim Basin route, skirting the basin surrounded by the Tianshan, Kunlun, and Pamir mountains, eventually heading west towards the Levant and transferring goods to ships for further transportation to Western Europe.

How the Route of Silk Road was Shifted?

• Old Route (Tarim Basin Route): The original Silk Road route ran between the Tianshan Mountains to the north and the Kunlun Mountains to the south, chosen by merchants to avoid the harsh desert conditions of the Tarim Basin.
• New Route (Junggar Basin Route): Around 420–850 CE, merchants stopped using the traditional Tarim Basin route and began utilizing the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains in modern-day Xinjiang, known as the Dzungaria route, which eventually replaced the Tarim Basin route.
• Consequences of the New Route: This shift led to the growth of the Turco-Sogdian cultural sphere and enhanced trade and communication between Chinese dynasties and nomadic empires in Central and West Asia, such as the Khazar Empire.

What were the Reasons Behind the Shift of the Silk Road?

• Climate Change: Researchers analyzed chironomid ('lake flies') fossils to reconstruct historical climate conditions, discovering a cooling and drying period from 420-600 CE. This made the Tarim Basin less viable for trade due to water scarcity, prompting caravans to switch to the northern route, which provided more reliable water sources.
• Geopolitical Factors: Even when climate improved in the Tarim Basin (600-850 CE), traders preferred the northern Junggar Basin route due to the rise of the Tubo Kingdom (Tibet) south of Xinjiang, which created safety and political concerns for trade along the traditional route.

What was the Historical Significance of the Silk Route?

• Economic Significance: The Silk Road was the main artery for trade, facilitating the exchange of high-value products like silk, spices, and precious metals. This trade generated substantial wealth and contributed to the economic development of societies along the route.
• Cultural Diffusion: The Silk Route enabled a rich interchange of cultural, artistic, and religious ideas between the East and West, promoting the spread of beliefs such as Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam, and facilitating the transfer of technologies and agricultural practices, leading to a blending of cultures.
• Geopolitical Significance: Control over the Silk Route conferred power and influence to empires, leading to the establishment of military outposts and diplomatic relations. Competition over this trade network significantly shaped the geopolitical landscape of Eurasia.
• Technological Advancements: The Silk Route facilitated the exchange of crucial technological innovations, including the compass, gunpowder, and printing techniques, while also advancing methods of transportation, such as camel caravans and maritime shipping.
• Legacy and Contemporary Relevance: The Silk Route continues to influence modern trade and cultural interactions, with initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative underscoring its relevance in current geopolitical and economic contexts.

How did the Silk Route End, and What are the Revival Efforts in Present Times?

• End of Silk Route: The original Silk Route effectively ceased to exist in 1453 when the Ottoman Empire restricted trade with the West, leading to a disconnect between East and West, followed by the discovery of alternative sea routes for trade.
• Reviving the Silk Route: In 2013, China launched the "One Belt, One Road" (OBOR) initiative aimed at revitalizing the Silk Route by enhancing connectivity with over 60 countries across Asia, Europe, and East Africa.

Global Principles for Information Integrity

Why in news?

The United Nations (UN) has recently introduced the Global Principles for Information Integrity, a vital framework designed to combat the rising threats of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech in the digital world. The UN emphasized the importance of protecting human rights and the need for a coordinated global effort to create safer online environments.

About Global Principles for Information Integrity:

• The Global Principles for Information Integrity represent a significant move towards tackling the challenges of the digital information landscape.
• Originating from the 2021 UN report "Our Common Agenda," these principles aim to foster global cooperation and collective action.
• The goal is to establish healthier information ecosystems that support peaceful societies and a sustainable future.
• In a time when countless individuals encounter falsehoods and misleading narratives, these principles are grounded in human rights, including freedom of expression and opinion.

Need for the Global Principles for Information Integrity:

• The Global Principles are essential for a unified approach to safeguarding human rights and ensuring the integrity of information worldwide.

To Counter Growing Threats:

• The unchecked spread of false narratives is exacerbating conflicts and undermining democracy, human rights, public health, and climate initiatives.
• Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are intensifying these threats, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children.

To Develop Responsibility and Accountability:

• The UN calls upon governments, tech companies, advertisers, and the public relations sector to take responsibility for the dissemination and monetization of harmful content.
• The degradation of information integrity undermines the UN's missions, including peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.
• A recent survey revealed that 80% of respondents believe that harmful information jeopardizes their safety and that of their communities.

Crucial Insights on Key Recommendations:

• The Global Principles were developed following extensive consultations with Member States, the private sector, youth leaders, media professionals, academia, and civil society.

Combating Disinformation and Hate Speech:

• All stakeholders, including governments, tech companies, advertisers, and media organizations, should refrain from using, endorsing, or amplifying disinformation and hate speech for any purpose.

Promoting Media Freedom:

• Governments must guarantee timely access to information, foster a free, diverse, independent media landscape, and ensure robust protections for journalists, researchers, and civil society.

Enhancing Tech Company Responsibilities:

• Tech companies should integrate safety and privacy considerations into all products, implement consistent policies across various countries and languages, and prioritize the protection of groups often targeted online.
• They should also focus on crisis response and uphold information integrity during electoral processes.

Ethical AI Development:

• AI developers must adopt immediate, inclusive, and transparent practices to ensure that AI applications are ethically designed, deployed, and utilized, respecting human rights.

Reforming Business Models:

• Tech companies should explore advertising models that do not rely on programmatic advertising and prioritize human rights, privacy, and safety.
• Users should have enhanced control over their online experiences and personal information.

Transparency in Advertising:

• Advertisers should demand clarity in digital advertising processes to ensure their funding does not inadvertently support disinformation or hate speech, thereby protecting human rights.

Data Transparency and Accountability:

• Tech firms and AI developers must ensure substantial transparency, allowing researchers and academics access to data while maintaining user privacy, conducting independent audits, and collaboratively developing accountability frameworks.

Protecting Children:

• Specific measures must be implemented to safeguard and empower children, with governments providing resources for parents, guardians, and educators.

Indus Water Treaty and Related Issues

Why in News?

 A Pakistani delegation visited Jammu's Kishtwar district to inspect the hydroelectric power projects—Kishanganga HEP on the Jhelum River and Ratle HEP on the Chenab River—under the Indus Water Treaty. This visit took place amid ongoing disputes concerning technical objections raised by Pakistan regarding these projects.

This visit marks the first inspection since the revocation of Jammu & Kashmir’s special status in 2019.

What is the Indus Water Treaty?

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) is a water-sharing agreement signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, mediated by the World Bank. It allocates the waters of the Indus River system between the two countries. Under the treaty:

• Pakistan receives the waters of the Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab)
• India receives water from the Eastern Rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej).

Also, India can use the Western Rivers for limited purposes like hydroelectric power generation, with certain restrictions and a dispute resolution mechanism managed by a Permanent Indus Commission and involving Neutral Experts and a Court of Arbitration if necessary.

Dispute Resolution Mechanism: The treaty provides a structured mechanism for resolving disputes related to water-sharing:

Step 1: The Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) is required to meet at least once annually to address and resolve any issues related to the treaty's implementation

Step 2: If disputes remain unresolved after discussions within the PIC, a Neutral Expert is appointed to settle technical issues related to the interpretation or application of the treaty's provisions.

Step 3: If disputes continue after the Neutral Expert's decision, the issue can be taken to a Court of Arbitration, which is made up of a seven-member arbitral tribunal. This tribunal is responsible for delivering a binding resolution to the dispute.

Current Issue:
India and Pakistan have disputes regarding the design and operation of specific hydroelectric projects, particularly the Kishenganga and Ratle Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs), which are built on the Jhelum and Chenab rivers, respectively.

Issues faced by the IWT:  

• Challenges for new power projects: Ongoing disagreements create difficulties in establishing new power projects.
• Restrictions on water usage: The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) allows Jammu and Kashmir to use river water only in limited ways, impacting the water available for farming.
• Lack of cooperation: There is a significant absence of collaboration and trust between the involved countries.
• No regular data sharing: The planned data sharing as outlined in the treaty is not happening as expected.
• Conflict resolution limitations: The focus is more on resolving conflicts rather than enhancing interaction, trust, and cooperation.
• Dispute resolution: The most crucial reason to alter the treaty is to clarify Article IX of the treaty’s dispute resolution system.
  Though India is rightful of using the western rivers for non-consumptive purposes, each time India plans a hydroelectric project, Pakistan challenges it by calling for international arbitration. E.g., the hydroelectric power plants, Kishanganga and Ratle.
• Climate change factor: The treaty did not consider climate change, global warming, environmental impact assessments and such issues.
• Ineffectiveness of the Permanent Indus Commission
• Does not cover groundwater: The Treaty is no longer fit for its purpose as it only covers surface water but not groundwater.
  Groundwater depletion may increase by up to 75% in 2050, putting further pressure on the upstream portions of the Indus River.

Way Forward

• Negotiation and Dialogue: Use existing systems like the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) to talk directly and resolve disagreements.
• Technical Solutions: Involve experts to help solve problems related to the design, building, and operation of water projects, as demonstrated in the Baglihar Dam situation.
• Mediation: If talks don't work out, look for help from a neutral third party, possibly the World Bank or other international groups.
• Legal Recourse: Use the treaty's arbitration panel to handle disputes that remain unresolved after failed negotiations or mediation efforts.
• Long-term Solutions: Work on bigger political issues through ongoing discussions and teamwork for a lasting fix.

Conclusion

The treaty, as a document, may have its flaws, but the bigger issue lies in the strained relationship between India and Pakistan. Experts are advocating for the treaty's renegotiation, emphasizing the need for both countries to renew the agreement to ensure that resources are shared fairly between them.