The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 29th September 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Free Fall

Why in News?

India and Canada are dealing with an unprecedented diplomatic crisis, after Canadian Prime Minister accused agents of the Government of India for killing Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.

What is the history of India Canada relations?

• Political relation- India shared diplomatic relation with Canada in 1947, Canada supported plebiscite in Kashmir in 1948, which reflects the diplomatic relation shared by both countries.
  • India-Canada Track 1.5 Dialogue was established involving experts, government officials and business leaders from both sides to explore the possibility of future cooperation.
• Economic relations- In 2022, India was Canada’s
  • 9th-largest merchandise trading partner in the Indo-Pacific region,
  • 13th-largest merchandise trading partner globally, and
  • 14th-largest destination for merchandise export.
  • Both the countries formally agreed to relaunch Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), a free trade agreement covering negotiation on the trade in services and investment, etc.
• Science and Technology- MoUs were renewed at the 7th India-Canada Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) focussing on quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and cyber-physical systems etc.,
• Agriculture- Canada has agreed to examine the request for Conformity Verification Body (CVB) status to APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) for hassle-free export of Indian organic products.
• Nuclear cooperation- Nuclear Cooperation Agreement (NCA) was signed with Canada in 2010.
• Space relations- ANTRIX, the Commercial arm of ISRO, has launched several nanosatellites from Canada.
  • ISRO in its 100th Satellite launched in 2018, flew Canadian 1^st LEO satellite, from Indian spaceport Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• Education- Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI) is a unique bi-national organization fostering, since 1968, education and cultural cooperation and collaboration between India and Canada.
• Indian diaspora- Canada hosts one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world, numbering 1.6 million (PIOs and NRIs) which account for more than 4% of its total population.
• Cultural relations- Canada was the Country of Focus at the 48th International Film Festival of India held in Goa in 2017.
• IC-IMPACTS (India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability) is the Centre of Excellence for development of research collaborations between Canada and India.

What is the issue now?

• Canada’s allegation- Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
• Canada has said that its Five Eyes partners could re-evaluate intelligence sharing and law enforcement cooperation with India if Canadian officials uncover definitive proof of India's involvement in Nijjar's murder.
• India’s reply - India has dismissed the accusations as "absurd" and "motivated."
• Responses - In response to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official related to the case, India has reciprocated by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat.
• India suspended visa services in Canada. E-visa services were stopped too.
• India has asked Canada to downsize its diplomatic staff in the country, arguing that there should be parity in strength and rank equivalence in the mutual diplomatic presence.
• Both countries declared that they would pause trade talks with each other.

How the tussle will affect India?

• Destruction of public image - The allegations can damage India's public image as a democratic nation committed to a rules-based order or its perception as a trustworthy ally.
• Haven for separatists- The big issue for India is the safe haven that Canada has provided to separatist Khalistani groups.
• Affect education- Temporary suspension of visas would affect India as Canada is the 2^nd most popular destination for Indian students, especially from Punjab and Haryana.
• India Canada standoff- Erosion of trust and confidence which makes it difficult for both countries to engage in key issues.
• Disrupt trade relations- It affects the balance of trade which is in India’s favour, and Canada is among the few countries with which India has a trade surplus.

• The diplomatic tensions led to pause on negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement between the two countries.
• Hospitality sector- Both countries issued travel advisories urging their citizens to ‘exercise utmost caution’ while travelling to some regions in the other country.
• Affects revenue- Canada is one of the top 10 countries to contribute to foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala.
• Strained relationship could affect the revenue.
• Agriculture- Canada is important to India as a supplier of
  • Muriate of Potash (MOP) - It is the 3^rd most consumed fertiliser in India after urea and di-ammonium phosphate.
  • Red lentil- Canada is the largest source of red lentils for India with the annual import being pegged at around 4-5 lakh tonnes.
• Geopolitical relationship- The recent standoff with Canada could affect India’s relation with Western countries and groupings such as QUAD.
• Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy may be hindered without India’s participation.

What lies ahead?

• People to people relation- While the Canada-India dispute is a serious diplomatic matter, the relationship between their people remains robust.
• Quiet diplomacy- It is a diplomatic approach that focuses on behind the scene negotiations and discussions.
• Canada- It should show respect for India’s interest especially in Khalistan issue, which is a longstanding crisis between two countries.
• India- It should constructively engage with Canada on the entire gamut of legal processes and practices of both countries so that all grievances can be satisfactorily addressed.

Reform can address India’s kidney transplant deficit

Why in News?

India’s organ shortage when it comes to kidneys is alarming. In 2022, over two lakh patients needed a transplant, but there were only about 7,500 transplants (about 3.4%). Due to the prevalence of diabetes, malnourishment, overcrowding and poor sanitation, there is a high prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in India, affecting about 17% of the population. CKD often leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

What is the Status of Organ Donation in India?

• Growing Demand and Persistent Shortage:
  • Over 300,000 patients are on the waiting list for organ donations in India.
  • The supply of organ donors has not kept up with the increasing demand.
  • Approximately 20 individuals die daily while awaiting organ transplants due to the shortage.
• Slow Growth in Donor Numbers:
  • Donor numbers, including both living and deceased, have shown slow growth over the years.
  • From 6,916 donors in 2014, the count increased to about 16,041 in 2022, indicating a modest rise.
  • The deceased organ donation rate in India has remained consistently below one donor per million population for a decade.
• Deceased Organ Donation Rate:
  • Urgent efforts are required to raise the deceased organ donation rate to address the shortage.
  • Countries like Spain and the United States have achieved significantly higher donation rates, ranging from 30 to 50 donors per million population.
• Prevalence of Living Donors:
  • Living donors constitute the majority, accounting for 85% of all donors in India.
    • However, deceased organ donations, especially for kidneys, liver, and heart, remain considerably low.
• Regional Disparities:
  • Disparities in organ donation rates exist among different states in India.
    • Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Maharashtra have reported the highest number of deceased organ donors.
    • Delhi-NCR, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal are prominent regions with a high number of living donors.
• Kidney Transplants:
  • Kidney transplantation in India faces a significant disparity between demand and supply.
  • Annual demand for 200,000 kidney transplants is met with only around 10,000 transplants each year, creating a substantial gap.

What are the Challenges Regarding Organ Donation?

• Lack of Awareness and Education:
  • Limited awareness among the general public about organ donation and its impact.
  • Insufficient education among medical professionals to identify potential donors and counsel families effectively.
• Family Consent and Decision-Making:
  • Family reluctance to give consent for organ donation, even when the deceased individual had expressed a willingness to donate.
  • Emotional and ethical dilemmas that families face when making decisions about organ donation.
• Organ Trafficking and Black Market:
  • Illegal organ trafficking and the existence of a black market for organs.
  • Criminal activities exploiting the demand for organs and undermining legitimate donation processes.
• Medical Eligibility and Compatibility:
  • Matching suitable donors and recipients based on medical compatibility and organ availability.
  • Limited availability of compatible organs, leading to prolonged waiting periods for patients.
• Donor Incentives and Compensation:
  • Debates over the ethical implications of offering financial incentives or compensation to organ donors.
  • Balancing the need for increasing donation rates with ensuring ethical practices.
• Infrastructure and Logistics:
  • Inadequate infrastructure and resources for organ retrieval, preservation, and transplantation.
  • Challenges in the timely transportation of organs from donors to recipients, especially across different regions.

Way Forward

• Partner with artists, influencers, and celebrities to create impactful campaigns highlighting organ donation's significance.
• Organize seminars for medical professionals, employing interactive simulations and case studies for donor identification and family counseling.
• Collaborate with educational institutions to raise awareness among students about organ donation through workshops and talks.
• Host community-driven events that showcase the success stories of organ recipients and donors.
• Engage religious leaders to debunk myths and misconceptions about organ donation, emphasizing its compassionate aspect.
• Introduce a program to honour donors and their families, recognizing their selfless contribution through plaques and certificates.
• Foster collaborations between healthcare institutions to optimize organ transplantation processes for efficient outcomes.
• Promote the idea of organ donation as a selfless act of compassion and empathy.