International Relations: March 2023 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

Conference of Global Intelligence Chiefs

Why in News?

On March 1, India held the second conference of intelligence and security chiefs from 26 countries around the world.

• The conference was held for the first time in April 2022, a day before the start of the Raisina Dialogue. It was addressed by the PM of India and National Security Advisor (NSA).

What is the Highlight of the Conference?

• About: As part of Raisina Dialogue, the security conference is organised by the country’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) that reports to NSA.
• Objective: To discuss the ongoing geopolitical tensions, provided an opportunity for participants to exchange views on how to address this crisis and other geopolitical tensions. However, the meeting focused on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
• Nature of Meeting: It is modelled on the lines of the Munich Security Conference and Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue.
  • It was coincided with the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting and the Raisina Dialogue. India chairs both G20 and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2023.
• While the U.S. was absent, intelligence chiefs from the U.K., France, Japan and Bahrain were among those present.

What is Raisina Dialogue?

• The Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community.
• The conference is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
• In 2023, it seeks to capture the state of the world through its theme of "Provocation, Uncertainty, Turbulence: Lighthouse in the Tempest?"
• The Dialogue is structured as a multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral discussion, involving heads of state, cabinet ministers and local government officials, who are joined by thought leaders from the private sector, media and academia.

What is Observer Research Foundation?

• It is an independent think tank based in New Delhi with three centres in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
• It seeks to lead and aid policy thinking towards building a strong and prosperous India in a fair and equitable world and helps discover and inform India’s choices. It carries Indian voices and ideas to forums shaping global debates.
• It provides non-partisan, independent, well-researched analyses and inputs to diverse decision-makers in governments, business communities, and academia and civil society around the world.

India Denmark Cooperation

Why in News?

Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change expressed that India and Denmark can jointly demonstrate the feasibility of achieving ambitious climate and sustainable energy goals during the 'India-Denmark: Partners for Green and Sustainable Progress Conference' in New Delhi.

• Since the launch of the Green Strategic Partnership in 2020, the bilateral cooperation is focused on promoting green and sustainable development.

What is Green Strategy Partnership?

• The Green Strategic Partnership is a mutually beneficial arrangement to advance political cooperation, expand economic relations and green growth, create jobs, and strengthen cooperation on addressing global challenges and opportunities; with a focus on an ambitious implementation of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Danish companies with niche technologies and expertise have offered to help India in meeting its air pollution control targets, including in the key area of tackling the problem of burning crop stubble.
• Other key points under the partnership include dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic and cooperation in water efficiency and water loss.
• The creation of India-Denmark energy parks in areas with large numbers of Danish firms and an India-Denmark skill institute to train Indian manpower has been proposed.
• The Green Strategic Partnership will build on an existing Joint Commission for Cooperation and existing joint working groups.

What is the State of India Denmark Cooperation?

• Background:
  • The diplomatic relations between India and Denmark, established in September 1949, are marked by regular high-level exchanges.
  • Both countries share historical links, common democratic traditions and a shared desire for regional, as well as international peace and stability.
  • Bilateral relations were elevated to the level of “Green Strategic Partnership” during the Virtual Summit held in 2020.
• Commercial and Economic Relations:
  • Bilateral trade in goods and services between India and Denmark has grown by 78%, from USD 2.8 billion in 2016 to USD 5 billion in 2021.
  • The major export items from India to Denmark are textiles, apparels and yarns related, vehicles and components, metal goods, iron and steel, footwear, and travel goods.
  • Major Danish exports to India are medicinal/pharmaceutical goods, power generating machinery, industrial machinery, metal waste and ore, and organic chemicals.
• Cultural Exchange:
  • India's 75th Independence Day was celebrated in Copenhagen with a great enthusiasm with a flag hoisting ceremony and vibrant Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, attended by a large number of the diaspora.
  • Important streets and public places have been named after Indian leaders which include the Gandhi Plaene (Gandhi Park), Copenhagen and a Nehru Road near Aarhu University in Aarhus.
• Intellectual Property Cooperation:
  • The MoU signed in 2020 aims at increasing IP co-operation between the two countries by way of, exchange of information and best practices on processes for disposal of applications for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and Geographical Indications, and cooperation in the field of protection of Traditional Knowledge.
  • It will be a landmark step forward in India’s journey towards becoming a major player in global innovation and further the objectives of the National Intellectual Property Rights Policy, 2016.

Way Forward

• India and Denmark must cooperate in multilateral fora like the World Trade Organization, International Solar Alliance, Arctic Council to advance democracy and human rights and promote a rule-based multilateral system.

Japan's Asia Energy Transition Initiative

Why in News?

Japan looks forward to supporting India’s clean energy transition by including India in the Asia Energy Transition Initiative (AETI).

• Japan’s AETI, launched in 2021, initially supported the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries towards achieving net zero emissions, including financial assistance of USD 10 billion for renewable energy.

What is Asia Energy Transition Initiative?

What are the Major Highlights of India Japan Clean Energy Cooperation

• The Clean Energy Partnership between India and Japan was published in March 2022.
• It would work on the agenda covered in the India-Japan Energy Dialogue 2007 and will subsequently expand into areas of mutual benefit.
• India and Japan have taken over the presidentship of G20 and G7, respectively.
• In the context of environmental sustainability, India's Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) is one of the most important priorities during the G20 presidency.
• Also, the Feed-in Premium (FiP) scheme by the government of Japan was implemented in April 2022 and is expected to improve the country's energy transition.
• Japan has set a goal of becoming net-zero by 2050, and the government issued an interim report on Clean Energy Strategy in May 2022.
• India has also set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
• The Indian subcontinent's massive renewable energy potential can boost green hydrogen (GH2) production and immense potential for a GH2 economy.
• Nepal and Bhutan also have surplus hydropower potential, and green hydrogen electrolyzers can tap this in countries like India and Bangladesh.
• Events like the India-Japan Environment week would help create a roadmap to integrate variable renewable energy into the system through technological, institutional, and personnel cooperation.

What is the Status of India -Japan Bilateral Relations?

• Defense Ties: India-Japan Defence and Security partnership has evolved over the years from bilateral and multilateral exercises including Dharma Guardian and Malabar respectively. And welcoming the participation of Japan for the first time in the MILAN exercise.
• Health-Care: In view of the similarities and synergies between the goals and objectives of India's AYUSHMAN Bharat Programme and Japan’s AHWIN, both sides had been consulting with each other to identify projects to build the narrative of AHWIN for AYUSHMAN Bharat.
• Investment and ODA: India has been the largest recipient of the Japanese Official Development Assistance(ODA) Loan for the past decades. Delhi Metro is one of the most successful examples of Japanese cooperation through the utilization of ODA.
• India’s Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project is funded by a soft loan provided by Japan International Cooperation Agency under Special terms for economic partnership (STEP).

India Us Commercial Relations

Context

India and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will pave the way for creating a semiconductor sub-committee under the Commercial Dialogue between the U.S. Department of Commerce and India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Commerce.

Details

• Key features of the Commercial Dialogue:
  • Creating reliable supply chains,
  • Diversifying and friend-shoring [sourcing of material from countries with similar social and political values],
  • Facilitating climate and clean technology cooperation, inclusive digital growth, talent development, post-pandemic economic recovery, and
  • Focus on cooperation.
• Background:
  • In the last few years, India-U.S. bilateral relations have developed into a "global strategic partnership",based on shared democratic values and increasing convergence of interests on bilateral, regional and global issues.
  • The two countries have created a lot of opportunities to reinvigorate bilateral ties and enhanced cooperation under the motto --- “Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go”.
• High-level dialogue mechanisms:
  • India-U.S. Commercial Dialogue: The India-U.S. Commercial Dialogue is led by the Minister of Commerce and Industry (CIM) and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
  • India – U.S. Economic and Financial Partnership: The India – U.S. Economic and Financial Partnership is led by the Finance Minister (FM) and the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
  • India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum: The India-U.S. Trade Policy Forum is led by CIM and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).
• Trade and Economic:
  • The U.S. is India’s largest trading partner, goods and services combined.
  • Bilateral trade in goods and services grew by more than 10% per annum over the past two years to reach US$ 142 billion in 2018.
  • India’s goods exports to the U.S. were valued at US$ 54 billion and India’s goods imports from the U.S. were valued at US$ 33 billion.
  • India’s services exports to the U.S. were valued at US$ 28.7 billion and India’s imports of services from U.S. were valued at US $ 25.8 billion.
  • direct investments in India are estimated at about US$ 44.5 billion whereas Indian FDI in U.S. is estimated at US$ 18 billion.
• S&T:
  • The multi-faceted cooperation between India and the U.S. in the field of Science and Technology has been growing steadily under the framework of the India-U.S. Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement signed in 2005, renewed in 2019.
  • The Indo-U.S. Science & Technology Forum was established to promote cooperation in Science, Technology and Innovation.
  • Both countries also have a long history of cooperation in civil space arena that includes cooperation in earth observation, satellite navigation, and space science and exploration.
  • The India-U.S Joint Working Group on Civil Space Cooperation regularly reviews the status of cooperation and identifies new areas for furthering space cooperation.
  • ISRO and NASA are also working towards intensifying cooperation in Mars exploration, heliophysics, and human spaceflight through relevant working groups between both sides.
• Frictions:
  • Trade related: like removal of India from its list of developing countries and taking off India from list of beneficiary-developing countries under its scheme of Generalized System of Preferences.
  • Tariffs war: In 2018, the US imposed additional tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum imports from various countries, including India, India’s refusal to remove the 20% tariffs on ICT products.
  • WTO disputes: like Capping prices of medical devices by India, greater Indian market access for American agriculture and dairy products etc.
  • IPR: India is also on U.S.’s Priority Watch List.
  • Trade deficit: India enjoys a trade surplus with US. The trade gap between the countries has increased to USD 17.42 billion in 2019-20 from USD 16.86 billion in 2018-19. It is one of the concerns of US officials.
  • IPR issues: Recently, the US placed India on its ‘Priority Watch List’ among other countries over the issue of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). India has been alleged for not taking sufficient measures to improve its IP framework which has negatively affected the US right holders in the past years. 
  • According to the US, weak IP regime in India makes it tough for innovators to receive and maintain patents in India, especially pharmaceuticals. Insufficient enforcement actions, copyright policies that do not properly incentivize the creation, commercialization of content, and an outdated and insufficient trade secrets legal framework are some of the issues mentioned by plan report of Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Vienna Convention

Why in News?

After pro-Khalistan people took down the Indian flag at the High Commission in London, the Indian government summoned the “senior-most” UK diplomat, Deputy High Commissioner and reminded her of the basic obligations of the UK Government under the Vienna Convention.

What is the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations?

• The Convention was adopted on 14th April 1961 by the United Nations Conference on Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities held in Vienna, Austria. India has ratified the convention.
• It entered into force on April 24, 1964, and is nearly universally ratified, with Palau and South Sudan being the exceptions.
• It sets out the special rules – privileges and immunities – which enable diplomatic missions to act without fear of coercion or harassment through enforcement of local laws and to communicate securely with their sending Governments.
• It makes provision for withdrawal of a mission – which may take place on grounds of economic or physical security – and for breach of diplomatic relations which may occur in response to abuse of immunity or severe deterioration in relations between sending and receiving States.
• A “receiving State” refers to the host nation where a diplomatic mission is located.
• In either of these cases – or where permanent missions have not been established – a framework is provided for the interests of each sending State to be protected in the receiving State by a third State.
• It affirms the concept of “inviolability” of a diplomatic mission, which has been one of the enduring cornerstones of international diplomacy.
• Basically, the security of any High Commission or Embassy is the responsibility of the host nation. While diplomatic missions can also employ their own security, ultimately, the host nation is accountable for security.
• The difference between high commission and embassy is basically where they are situated. Commission applies to Commonwealth member states whereas Embassy applies to the rest of the world.

Interpol’s Notices

Why in News?

Interpol, the global police body, has removed the red notice against Mehul Choksi, a fugitive wanted by India in the USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank fraud case.

• However, the Interpol red notice removal doesn't affect India's investigations or extradition request.

What are Interpol Notices?

• About:
  • Its notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crime-related information.
  • Notices are issued by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau and are made available for all our member countries to consult in our Notices database.
• Different Notices:

India and Maldives: 4th Defence Cooperation Dialogue

Why in News?

Recently, India and the Maldives conducted the 4th Defence Cooperation Dialogue (DCD) in Male.

• The DCD is the highest institutionalised interactive mechanism between the two countries. It charts the future course of relations between both Armed Forces.

What are the Areas of Cooperation Between India and Maldives?

• Tourism:
  • Tourism is the mainstay of Maldivian economy. The country is now a major tourist destination for some Indians and a job destination for others.
  • In August 2021, Afcons, an Indian company, signed a contract for the largest-ever infrastructure project in Maldives which is the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP).
• Security Partnership:
  • Defence cooperation extends to the areas of Joint Exercises - “Ekuverin”, “Dosti”, “Ekatha” and “Operation Shield” (begun in 2021).
  • India provides the largest number of training opportunities for Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), meeting around 70% of their defence training requirements.
• Rehabilitation Centre:
  • Signing of an USD 80-million contract for the Addu reclamation and shore protection project.
• Infrastructure:
  • In 2022, the National College for Policing and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) was inaugurated by India’s External Affairs Minister.
  • NCPLE is the largest grant project executed by India in Maldives.

Critical Minerals Investment Partnership

India and Australia have reached a major milestone in working towards investment in critical minerals projects to develop supply chains between the two countries.

Details

• The Union Minister for Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs and Minister for Resources and Northern Australia held bilateral talks and announced the Partnership has identified five target projects (two lithium and three cobalt) on which to undertake detailed due diligence
• Ministers from the two countries have also agreed to deepen cooperation and extend their existing commitments to the India- Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership.
• Investments under the Partnership will seek to build new supply chains underpinned by critical minerals processed in Australia, that will help India’s plans to lower emissions from its electricity network and become a global manufacturing hub, including for electric vehicles.
• Australia produces almost half of the world’s lithium, is the second-largest producer of cobalt and the fourth-largest producer of rare earths.
• Australia confirmed that it would “commit A$5.8 million to the three-year India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership”.

What are critical minerals?

• Critical minerals are elements that are the building blocks of essential modern-day technologies, and are at risk of supply chain disruptions.
• These minerals are now used everywhere from making mobile phones, computers to batteries, electric vehicles and green technologies like solar panels and wind turbines.
• Based on their individual needs and strategic considerations, different countries create their own lists.
• However, such lists mostly include graphite, lithium and cobalt, which are used for making EV batteries; rare earths that are used for making magnets and silicon which is a key mineral for making computer chips and solar panels.
• Aerospace, communications and defence industries also rely on several such minerals as they are used in manufacturing fighter jets, drones, radio sets and other critical equipment.

Why is this resource critical?

• As countries around the world scale up their transition towards clean energy and digital economy, these critical resources are key to the ecosystem that fuels this change.
• Any supply shock can severely imperil the economy and strategic autonomy of a country over-dependent on others to procure critical minerals.But these supply risks exist due to rare availability, growing demand and complex processing value chain. Many times the complex supply chain can be disrupted by hostile regimes, or due to politically unstable regions.
• As the world transitions to a clean energy economy, global demand for these critical minerals is set to skyrocket by 400-600 per cent over the next several decades, and, for minerals such as lithium and graphite used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, demand will increase by even more — as much as 4,000 per cent.
• They are critical as the world is fast shifting from a fossil fuel-intensive to a mineral-intensive energy system.

What are countries around the world doing about it?

• In 2021, the US ordered a review of vulnerabilities in its critical minerals supply chains and found that an over-reliance on “foreign sources and adversarial nations for critical minerals and materials posed national and economic security threats”.
• Post the supply chain assessment, it has shifted its focus on expanding domestic mining, production, processing, and recycling of critical minerals and materials.
• India has set up KABIL or the Khanij Bidesh India Limited, a joint venture of three public sector companies, to “ensure a consistent supply of critical and strategic minerals to the Indian domestic market”.
• Australia’s Critical Minerals Facilitation Office (CMFO) and KABIL had recently signed an MoU aimed at ensuring reliable supply of critical minerals to India.
• The UK unveiled its new Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre to study the future demand for and supply of these minerals. It also said that the country’s critical mineral strategy will be unveiled later this year.
• US, Canada and Australia had launched an interactive map of critical mineral deposits with an aim to help governments to identify options to diversify their critical minerals sources.

About Cobalt

• A lustrous, silvery-blue metal. It is magnetic.

Uses

• Cobalt, like iron, can be magnetised and so is used to make magnets. It is alloyed with aluminium and nickel to make particularly powerful magnets.
• Other alloys of cobalt are used in jet turbines and gas turbine generators, where high-temperature strength is important.
• Cobalt metal is sometimes used in electroplating because of its attractive appearance, hardness and resistance to corrosion.
• Cobalt salts have been used for centuries to produce brilliant blue colours in paint, porcelain, glass, pottery and enamels.
• Radioactive cobalt-60 is used to treat cancer and, in some countries, to irradiate food to preserve it.

Biological role

• Cobalt is an essential trace element, and forms part of the active site of vitamin B12. The amount we need is very small, and the body contains only about 1 milligram. Cobalt salts can be given to certain animals in small doses to correct mineral deficiencies. In large doses cobalt is carcinogenic.
• Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope. It is an important source of gamma-rays. It is widely used in cancer treatment, as a tracer and for radiotherapy.

Natural abundance

• Cobalt is found in the minerals cobaltite, skutterudite and erythrite. Important ore deposits are found in DR Congo, Canada, Australia, Zambia and Brazil. Most cobalt is formed as a by-product of nickel refining.
• A huge reserve of several transition metals (including cobalt) can be found in strange nodules on the floors of the deepest oceans.
• The nodules are manganese minerals that take millions of years to form, and together they contain many tonnes of cobalt.