International Relations: October 2022 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

UN Peacekeeping Forces Fatalities

Context

• The UN Undersecretary General reported a growing number of fatalities among United Nations Peacekeeping Forces (UNPKF) in direct attacks.

About

• Growing Threat: Two BSF jawans died in a spate of attacks on United Nations Peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) amidst anti­-UN protests.
• UN Peacekeeping fatalities due to malicious acts (not illness or accidents) are rising from 13 in 2020 to 25 in 2021 and to 26 till August 2022. 
• Tour Agenda: The UN Peacekeeping chief has kept the issues of growing fatalities and the lack of clear mandates for the ‘blue helmets’ at the top of the agenda as part of a tour to India, Pakistan, the UAE and Japan. 

Reasons for rising attacks

• Deteriorating political and security environments in which peacekeeping operations are mandated. Such a situation in DRC does not entail the political lead conflict resolution. 
• Terrorist or criminal groups threat: In the big operations in Africa, the efforts to establish peace and stability is threatened by terrorist or criminal groups favoring chaotic environment. 
• Lack of participation in decision making: India having lost 179 peacekeepers over the past 60 years has criticized peacekeeping operations for not giving adequate say to  troops and police contributing countries in the kind of missions they participate in.
• Gap in mandate and practice: The mandate is actually for UN peacekeeping, on the ground in foreign missions the mandate changes to peace enforcing for which the forces are not trained. 
• Peacekeeping limitations: Peacekeeping is neither a war, nor peace enforcement; thereby limiting the scope and potential of peacekeeping operations.

UN Peacekeeping Forces

• Genesis: The first UN peacekeeping mission was established in May 1948. The UN Security Council authorized the deployment of a small number of UN military observers to the Middle East. 
• It was meant to form the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) and monitor the Armistice Agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
• Strength of numbers: Since its genesis, more than 1 million men and women have served under the UN flag in more than 70 UN peacekeeping operations. 
• Also, more than 1,00,000 military, police and civilian personnel from 125 countries are currently serving in 14 peacekeeping operations.
• A symbol of hope and peace: UN Peacekeepers have been maintaining peace for some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Their service and sacrifice and operation under harsh and dangerous conditions has made the Blue Helmet a symbol of hope to millions of people worldwide.
• A multidimensional role: 
  • Initially, UN Peacekeeping’s goals were limited to maintaining ceasefires and stabilizing situations on the ground to aid in the political resolution of the conflict by peaceful means. 
  • Those missions consisted of military observers and lightly armed troops with monitoring, reporting and confidence-building roles in support of ceasefires and limited peace agreements. 
  • In addition to the above roles, today's peacekeeping operations also facilitate the political processes, protect civilians, disarm combatants, support elections, protect and promote human rights and restore the rule of law.
• Demography: Most of the peacekeepers are serving in the military or police.
• 14 % are civilians serving as the civilian leadership of the mission, working in the areas of political and civil affairs, human rights, elections, strategic communications, IT, logistics, transport and administration etc.
• Women peacekeepers are playing an increasingly prominent role while serving as police officers, troops, pilots, military observers, and other uniformed and civilian posts, including in command positions.

Way Forward

• The UN should devise a framework to improve the geographical diversity of troops and police contributing countries. 
• Efforts should be stepped up to make peacekeepers better equipped, trained and prepared. 
• There is a need for robust mandates that require proactive peacekeepers with the ability to face and counter armed groups. 
• India’s proposed 10-point plan for more accountability to protect UN peacekeepers should be considered by the UN. 
• Crimes against peacekeepers should be treated as war crimes. 
• The UN should consider India’s suggestion to build a memorial wall to honor the peacekeepers.

Sapta Kosi High Dam Project

Why in News?
Recently, India and Nepal have agreed to take forward the Sapta Kosi high dam project through further studies.

• Senior officials of the two sides have met and reviewed the bilateral water-sector cooperation, including the implementation of the Mahakali Treaty.

What is Sapta Kosi High Dam Project & Mahakali Treaty?

• Sapta Kosi High Dam Project:

  
  

  • Sapta Kosi High Dam is a multipurpose project proposed to be constructed on the Saptakoshi River of Nepal (Known as Kosi River in India).
  • The project is primarily aimed to control floods in south-east Nepal and northern Bihar and to generate hydropower.
  • The project will provide irrigation, control floods and generate 3,000 MW of electricity.
• Mahakali Treaty:
  • The Mahakali Treaty was signed in 1996 over the integrated development of the Mahakali River, including Sarada Barrage, Tanakpur Barrage and Pancheshwar project.
  • Mahakali River is also known as Sharda River or Kali Ganga in Uttarakhand.
  • It joins Ghagra river in Uttar Pradesh, which is a tributary of the Ganga.

What do we know about the Kosi River System?

• The Kosi is a trans-boundary river which flows through Tibet, Nepal and India.
• It has its source in Tibet that includes the world's highest upland, it then drains a large part of Nepal before emerging onto the Gangetic plains.
• Its three major tributaries: the Sun Kosi, Arun and Tamur meet at one point just upstream of a 10 km gorge cut through the Himalayan foothills.
• The river crosses into northern Bihar, India where it branches into distributaries before joining the Ganges near Kursela in Katihar district.
• The Kosi carries the maximum amount of silt and sand after the Brahmaputra in India.
• It is also known as the “Sorrow of Bihar” as the annual floods affect about 21,000 sq. km. of fertile agricultural lands thereby disturbing the rural economy.

What are some other Recent Developments in India Nepal Relations?

• Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Government of Nepal and Sutlej Jal Vikas Nigam (SJVN) Limited for the project in 2008 for execution on a Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis for a period of 30 years including five years of the construction period.
• Hydropower Projects: Nepal also invited Indian companies to invest in the West Seti hydropower project in Nepal.
• Cross-border Rail Link: The operationalisation of the 35 kilometers cross-border rail link from Jayanagar (Bihar) to Kurtha (Nepal) will be further extended to Bijalpura (Nepal) and Bardibas (Nepal).

Conflict in the Korean Peninsula

Why in News?

Recently, North Korea flew 12 warplanes near its border with South Korea, prompting the latter to scramble 30 military aircraft in response.

• Tensions have risen sharply on the Korean Peninsula as North Korea’s recent barrage of missile tests prompted South Korea, the United States and Japan to conduct joint drills in response.

What is the Conflict in the Korean Peninsula?

• Origin:
  • The root of the conflict lies in the Japanese occupation of Korea between 1910- 1945.
  • When Japan was defeated in the Second World War, the Allied forces agreed to establish a “four-power trusteeship over Korea” at the Yalta Conference (1945).
  • However, the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) invaded Korea and took control of the north while the south remained under the rest of the allies, mainly the USA.
  • The division of the two regions was along the 38^th parallel north, which still continues to be the official border dividing the two Koreas.
  • In 1948, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) were established.
  • As both tried to enhance their reach, territorially and ideologically, the Korean Conflict emerged between the two nations.
• The Korean War:
  • On 25^th June 1950, North Korea, backed by the USSR, launched an attack on South Korea and occupied most of the country.
  • In response, the United Nations force led by the US retaliated.
  • In 1951, the US forces led by Douglas MacArthur crossed the 38^th parallel and triggered the entry of China in support of North Korea.
  • To prevent further escalation, peace talks began later in 1951.
  • India was actively involved in negotiating peace in the Korean peninsula by engaging all the major stakeholders – US, USSR and China.
  • In 1952, the Indian resolution on Korea was adopted at the United Nations (UN).
  • On 27^th July 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed between the UN Command, the Korean People's Army and the Chinese People's Volunteer Army.
  • It led to an official ceasefire without a Peace treaty. Thus, the war officially never ended.
  • This also led to the establishment of the Korean Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) – a strip of land running across the Korean Peninsula to serve as a buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea.
  • In December 1991, North and South Korea signed a pact agreeing to refrain from aggression.

What is the US-North Korea Conflict?

• During the Cold War era, the US extended its Nuclear Umbrella (guarantee of support during a nuclear attack) to its allies i.e. South Korea and Japan.
• North Korea withdrew from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2003 and afterwards, under present leader Kim Jong-un, it increased nuclear missile testing.
• In response to this, the US started deploying THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) in South Korea in March 2017.
• The territorial conflict which started between North and South Korea has transformed into a tussle between the US and North Korea.

What are the Recent Acts of Aggression by North Korea?

• In recent years North Korea has accelerated its nuclear programme by increasing its nuclear stockpile, withdrawn from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has tested nuclear explosives multiple times.
• USA has deployed THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) in South Korea to counter increasing missile adventurism of North Korea.
• North Korea recently demolished the Inter-Korean Liaison Office in Kaesong, which was established in 2018. In the absence of formal diplomatic relations, the building functioned as a de facto embassy and provided a direct communication channel for the two nations.
• Most recently in 2022, North Korea conducted a record number of missile tests.
  • It may further raise tensions by testing an intercontinental ballistic missile or conducting its first nuclear test explosion since 2017, following an old pattern of heightening tensions.

What about India's Position in Korean Conflict?

• Indian’s Stand:
  • India has consistently voiced its opposition to North Korean nuclear and missile tests. However, it has maintained a neutral stance regarding sanctions.
  • Earlier, during the Korean War (1950- 53), India played a major role in a cease-fire agreement signed between both the warring sides.
• India's Relations with North and South Korea:
  • In May 2015, the bilateral relationship with South Korea was upgraded to ‘special strategic partnership’.
  • India has a major role to play in South Korea’s Southern Policy under which the latter is looking at expanding relations beyond its immediate region.
  • Similarly, South Korea is a major player in India’s Act East Policy under which India aims to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific.
  • India has diplomatic relations with North Korea for over 47 years, which reflects the legacy of India’s commitment to the Non-Alignment Movement.

Way Forward

• With the post-Covid geopolitical order undergoing major changes and global economic conditions deteriorating, North Korea will want to focus on strengthening its already weak economy, especially when the country has hit hard by the pandemic.
• Furthermore, at some point, dialogue between North Korea, the United States, South Korea, Japan and other stakeholders on the Korean Peninsula will reopen.
• At that juncture, India would be poised to play a constructive role in promoting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.
• Continuing India’s engagement with North Korean leadership may pay off in these foreseeable situations.

UN's 77th Anniversary

Why in News?
Recently, the World has celebrated the 77th anniversary of the United Nations(UN) on 24th October 2022.

What is the UN?

• About:
  • The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States.
  • Its mission and work are guided by the purposes and principles contained in its founding Charter and implemented by its various organs and specialised agencies.
  • Its activities include maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development and upholding international law.
• History:
  • In 1899, the International Peace Conference was held in The Hague to elaborate instruments for settling crises peacefully, preventing wars and codifying rules of warfare.
    • It adopted the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes and established the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which began work in 1902. This court was the forerunner of the UN International Court of Justice.
  • The forerunner of the United Nations was the League of Nations, an organization conceived in circumstances of the First World War, and established in 1919 under the Treaty of Versailles "to promote international cooperation and to achieve peace and security."
  • United Nations Conference on International Organization (1945).
    • Conference held in San Francisco (USA), was attended by representatives of 50 countries and signed the United Nations Charter.
  • The UN Charter of 1945 is the foundational treaty of the United Nations, as an intergovernmental organization.
• Components: All the 6 were established in 1945 when the UN was founded.
  • General Assembly
  • Security Council
  • Economic and Social Council
  • Trusteeship Council
  • International Court of Justice
  • UN Secretariat.
• Funds and Programmes:
  • United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
  • United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)
  • World Food Programme (WFP).
• Specialized Agencies:
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  • International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
  • International Labour Organization (ILO)
  • IMF
  • World Bank
  • International Maritime Organization (IMO).
  • International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
  • United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
  • United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
  • World Health Organization (WHO.
  • UNCTAD.
  • United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
  • United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
  • United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

What are the UN’s Contributions so Far?

• Increment in the UN membership: Post- 1960's decolonisation, the membership of the UN expanded from about 50 members to double.
• Decolonisation: It was the UN which played the lead role in the 1960 decolonisation and helped around 80 colonies in gaining their freedom.
• Involvement with Civil Society: The UN is no more an organisation of nations only, more and more UN bodies have begun engaging with the people within the nations, experts, intellectuals and media with time.
• Better Sustenance: The UN has successfully sustained itself till now, as compared to the League of Nations, which is an achievement.
• Peacekeeping: The UN has successfully prevented World War - III.

What are the UN's Major Setbacks?

• Arm Races and Cold War: Although, the WW-III has been successfully prevented till date, violence, arm races, nuclear races and cold wars still occur among nations.
• Power Suppressing Principles: The world body still continues to see a tussle between ‘principle’ and ‘power’. While the hopes of a peaceful and just world are represented by the UN, the most powerful states are privileged by granting them commanding heights over international politics via the undemocratic instruments of veto power and permanent seats in the UN Security Council (UNSC).
• Not a Multipolar Organisation:
  • The UN has been unable to present itself as a multipolar and multilateral organisation.
  • At the time of formation, the UN had 5 permanent members with a total of 51 members, presently, it has 193 members but permanent members in the UN General Assembly are still 5.
• Laggard in Holistic Growth:
  • The organisation had not been able to cope up with the increasing globalisation.
  • The UN has been a laggard in overall development; no institutional arrangement is there to deal in particular with Pandemics or new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.

What is the Significance of India at UN?

• India and the UN: 
  • India is one of the founding members of the UN.
  • Since its independence and even before that, India has been an active participant in all initiatives undertaken by the UN like Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable development goals and various UN summits, including on climate change.
• Maintaining peace: As far as the peacekeeping ambit of the UN is concerned, India has performed quite well in maintaining peaceful and friendly relations with most of the nations.
• India and UNSC:
  • India has been elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for two years in January 2021.
  • The non-permanent membership of India can be taken as an opportunity to convince the like-minded nations for fighting international terrorism.
  • Moreover, India should also focus upon sitting upon the apex body in future; becoming a permanent member of the UN.
• Raising concern over need of reforms:
  • India has realised the urgent need of reforms in the UN specially at the UNSC and has raised concerns over the issue.
  • Developing nations, including India, now play a larger role in both the international economy and politics. But these changes are not reflected in the UNSC, where all critical decisions are still being taken by the veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council.

Way Forward

• The UN has survived and thrived and has certainly seen incremental changes over the last 75 years but the time has come for the UN to change and change for the better.
• UNSC is in desperate need to undergo reforms, the sooner the better, the later the more redundant.
• In a nutshell, as far as the whole UN is concerned complete reform is needed with principles not to be written by the most powerful anymore.

India-Africa Defence Dialogue

Context

• India-Africa Defence Dialogue to be held on October 18 on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. 

Details:

• The broad theme of the dialogue is ‘India-Africa: Adopting Strategy for Synergising and Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation’.
• India’s approach towards Africa is guided by the Kampala Principlesenunciated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2018.
  • The Kampala Principles promote ownership of private sector engagement (PSE) through development co-operation by partner countries and ensure the alignment of PSE projects and programmes with national sustainable development priorities.
• The first-ever India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in conjunction with DefExpo on February 06, 2020.

Background of relations:

• India’s relations with Africa date back several centuries. The presence of Indians in East Africa is documented in the 'Periplus of the Erythraean Sea' or Guidebook of the Red Sea by an ancient Greek author written in 60 AD.
• The geographical proximity and easy navigabilityin Indian Ocean resulted in well-established trade network between India and the Swahili Coast predating European exploration.
• More concrete relation between India and Africa begins to emerge during the Islamic agewhich is evident through the accounts of Venetian traveller Marco Polo.
• Political connection during the colonial era was linked through M.K Gandhiwho began his political career in South Africa, became the leader of colonized and established Indian Natal Congress in 1894.
• After India got independent, it raised voice for African liberation taking their case to all the available international forums. End of racial struggle and decolonization became the rallying point of India–Africa relations.
• India was a forerunner as a champion of the interests of the developing countries from Africa, particularly through the Bandung Declaration of 1955, the Group of 77, and the Non Aligned Movement (NAM).
• Africa is home to over half a dozen of the fastest growing countries of this decade such as Rwanda, Senegal, and Tanzania etc making it one of the growth pole of the world.
• African continent has a population of over one billion with a combined GDP of 2.5 trillion dollars making it a huge potential market.
• Africa is a resource rich continentdominated by commodities like crude oil, gas, pulses and lentils, leather, gold and other metals, all of which India lack in sufficient quantities.
• India’s duty-free tariff preferential scheme for Least Developed Nation(LDCs) launched in 2008 has benefited 33 African states.
• Multilateral engagement was launched with the first India Africa Forum Summit(IAFS) in 2008.
• India is investing in capacity building providing more than $1 billion in technical assistance and training to personnel under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation(ITEC) program.
• As a full member of African Capacity Building Foundation(ACBF), India has pledged $1 million towards ACBF’s sustainable development, poverty alleviation, and capacity building initiative.
• India has invested $100 million in the Pan-African E-Networkto bridge the digital divide in Africa, leveraging its strengths in information technology.
• Indian military academies offer training to military officersfrom a number of African states.
• India has also unveiled the Vision Document of the Asian Africa Growth Corridorwhich is jointly prepared by Indian and Japanese think tanks.
• Under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, India supplied 24.7 million doses of Made of India Covid vaccines to 42 countries in Africa.
• Moreover, over 3 million strong Indian diaspora in Africaalso proves to a crucial strategic asset for India to further its relations with African countries.

 Trade Relations:

• Trade between the African subcontinent and India increased from $7.2 billion in 2001 to $59.9 billion in 2017, making India the continent’s fourth-largest national trading partner, according to Exim Bank and the African Export-Import Bank (Afriexim Bank).
• Trade with India accounted for more than 6.4 per cent of total African trade in 2017.
• Bilateral trade between India and the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa was valued at $46.82 billion in 2020-21, down from $55.70 billion in 2019-20.
• India has a negative trade balance with sub-Saharan Africa, the Ministry figures show.
• Ministry of External Affairs said that 38 African nations have benefited from India’s Duty Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme which provides duty free access to 98.2 per cent of India’s total tariff lines.
• Lines of Credit (LoCs) worth $12.26 billion have so far been extended to African countries, making them the second-largest recipient of India’s concessional loans, the MEA said.
• Mauritius is the first and only African country so far to have a CECPA (Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement) with India, an agreement that aims at building trade ties between the two countries.

To read more information, India and Africa Relations

India-New Zealand Relations

Context:

• Nations like India and New Zealand have a particular responsibility of forging a post-colonial order that will provide global prosperity and stability, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said, as he discussed pressing issues like the security situation in the Indo-Pacific and the consequences of the Ukraine conflict with his New Zealand counterpart.
• Jaishankar, who is on his first visit to New Zealand as the external affairs minister, held "warm and productive" talks with his New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta.

Details:

• There was also a very open discussion on how India and New Zealand together will shape the larger region, the Indo-Pacific region
• There was a discussion on some current, some pressing issues like the security situation in the Indo-Pacific, the consequences of the Ukraine conflict.
• Other issues discussed: climate action, climate justice, air connectivity, concerns of students
• India is the second largest source of international students in New Zealand pursuing higher education in various disciplines
• During the visit, Jaishankar joined Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to felicitate members of the Indian community for their exceptional achievements and contributions.
• New Zealand has approximately 2,50,000 persons of Indian origin and NRIs, a vast majority of which have made the country their permanent home.

Background:

• India and New Zealand (NZ) have historically shared close and cordial ties.
• Similarities such as membership of the Commonwealth, common law practices and pursuing shared aspirations of achieving economic development and prosperity through democratic governance systems for diverse communities in both countries (NZ prides itself as one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world with 213 ethnicities officially recorded) provide an excellent backdrop for deepening the friendly ties.
• Both countries became independent in the same year and diplomatic representation of India was established in 1950 with the opening of a Trade Commission, which was later upgraded to High Commission.
• Tourism and sporting links, particularly in cricket, hockey and mountaineering, have also played a significant role in fostering goodwill between the two countries.
• Both countries are fellow travellers in their commitment to disarmament, global peace, North-South Dialogue, human rights, ecological preservation and combating international terrorism.
• People-to-people contacts have flourished since migration from India began at the turn of the last century.
• Leadership of both the countries have shown significant interest in raising all aspects of the relationship to the next level. This is reflected in a series of high-level bilateral visits and meetings.
• NZ identified India as a priority country in its “Opening Doors to India” policy notified in October 2011, which was reiterated in 2015. In 2011, NZ launched the NZ Inc. India Strategy, aiming to make India a core trade, economic and political partner for NZ.
• Bilateral institutional mechanisms: Foreign Office Consultations, Bilateral Cyber Dialogue, Economic Dialogue
• Cooperation on Covid-19 pandemic: Both countries cooperated extensively both bilaterally and as part of a group of like-minded countries in fighting against the pandemic by ensuring continuity of supply chains of essential commodities, medicines and vaccines.
• Cooperation in education sector: On 11 February 2020, The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi signed a MoU with NZ universities to establish a NZ Centre at the Institute.
• India is NZ’s 11^th largest two-way trading partner with total two-way trade valued at US$1.80 bn during the year ending September 2020. Education and tourism are NZ’s growth sectors with India.
• Both sides are committed to work towards a high-quality, comprehensive and balanced bilateral FTA, which is being negotiated since 2010.
• Civil Aviation Cooperation: Given the large Indian diaspora in NZ and increasing two-way tourism flow, there is a strong case for a direct air connection between the two countries which might prove to be a game-change for all aspects of bilateral relations.
• India NZ Business Council (INZBC) and India NZ Trade Alliance (INZTA) are the two prominent organizations working to promote India-NZ trade and investment relations.
• Indians started arriving in NZ in the late 18th century on British East India Company ships, bringing supplies to Australian convict settlements. Most of the initial immigrants were from Gujarat followed by Punjab.
• In 1920, they formed the Auckland Indian Association, which celebrated its centenary last year.
• NZ India Central Association, founded in 1926, is the umbrella organisation of all Indian associations in NZ and will celebrate its centenary in a few years’ time.
• As per a recent study conducted by an Indian association, by a conservative estimate, PIOs contribute $ 10 bn to the NZ economy.
• In the field of mountaineering, Sir Edmund Hillary, who is considered a NZ hero, is also an iconic name in India. He served as NZ High Commissioner to India from 1985 to 1988.