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Letter of Intent between AIM and WIPO

​​​​Recently, a high-level delegation from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) visited NITI Aayog to sign a Joint Letter of Intent (JLoI) between the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and WIPO.

Aim of the Joint Letter of Intent (JLoI)

The JLoI aims to develop programs for Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Intellectual Property (IP) in countries of the Global South.

• Partnership Goals: The partnership between AIM and WIPO seeks to share India’s successful innovation models with countries at similar stages of development.
• Intellectual Property (IP) Awareness: The initiative aims to raise awareness and understanding of IP rights starting from school levels.

Unlocking Innovation Potential

The partnership is expected to unlock the innovation potential worldwide and promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

• IP as a Catalyst: Intellectual property is seen as a crucial driver for innovation and creativity, essential for youth development and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Focus on Youth: WIPO emphasizes the importance of involving youth in innovation and creativity to create a more inclusive global IP ecosystem.

Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and Atal Incubation Centers (AIC)

Templates for Innovation: The successful models of Atal Tinkering Labs and Atal Incubation Centers in India are recommended as templates for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in other countries through South-South cooperation.

India’s Innovation and IP Achievements

• Global Innovation Index (GII): WIPO, as a specialized agency of the United Nations, releases the GII. In the 2023 report, India maintained the 40th position out of 132 economies.
• Patent Filing Growth: According to the WIPO Report 2022, India experienced its sixth consecutive year of growth in patent filing, with a global increase of 31.6%. This growth was primarily driven by a significant rise in resident filings.
• Positioning India as a Global Leader: The partnership between AIM and WIPO aims to position India as a leader in innovation, leveraging its vast talent pool and dynamic market to attract international investments.
• Fostering IP-led Innovation: The collaboration is expected to foster a culture of IP-led innovation, safeguarding the future of India’s technological advancements.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)

• Government Initiative: AIM is the flagship initiative of the Government of India to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the country.
• Umbrella Structure: AIM aims to create a comprehensive structure to oversee and revolutionize the innovation ecosystem in India, covering the entire innovation life cycle through various programs.
• Atal Tinkering Laboratories (ATLs): These labs are designed to nurture young innovators and promote innovative thinking among students.
• Support for Incubation: AIM supports Atal Incubation Centres and established Incubation Centres to ensure that innovations are brought to market and new enterprises are created around these innovations.
• Atal Community Innovation Centres: These centres promote the benefits of technology-led innovation in underserved and unserved regions of India.
• Atal New India Challenges: These challenges aim to create product and service innovations with a national socio-economic impact.
• ARISE ANIC Challenges: These challenges promote innovation in a phased manner within the MSME and startup sectors.

World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

• Specialized UN Agency: WIPO is one of the 15 specialized agencies of the United Nations, focused on promoting the use of intellectual property (IP) for socioeconomic development.
• Establishment: WIPO was established in 1967 and began its operations on April 26, 1970, when the convention entered into force.
• Headquarters: WIPO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Membership: WIPO currently has 193 member states, including 190 UN member states and the Cook Islands, Holy See, and Niue. Palestine has permanent observer status. The only non-members are the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and South Sudan.
• India’s Membership: India joined WIPO in 1975 and has since been an active participant in the organization’s efforts to promote IP for development.

India-US Defence Pact to Deepen Cooperation 

Context: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a four-day official visit to Washington DC.

About: During this visit, India and the US signed two important agreements: a non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) and a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Assignment of Liaison Officers.

Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA):

• The SOSA requires the US and India to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that enhance national defence.
• This arrangement aims to help both countries acquire necessary industrial resources from each other to address unexpected supply chain disruptions for national security.
• With this agreement, India becomes the 18th SOSA partner of the US, joining countries like Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, and the UK.

Memorandum of Agreement:

• The memorandum signed also focuses on assigning liaison officers to strengthen defence cooperation between India and the US.
• This agreement aims to enhance cooperation, understanding, interoperability, and information sharing on matters of mutual interest.

Overview of India and US Bilateral Relations

• Historical Context: India’s relationship with the United States has evolved since India’s independence, overcoming periods of distrust during the Cold War and disagreements over India’s nuclear program.
• Recent Developments: In recent years, ties have improved significantly, with increased cooperation in various economic and political areas.
• Bilateral Trade: Trade between India and the US has surged by 72% from 2017-18 to 2022-23.
• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): The US was the second-largest source of FDI inflows into India in 2021-22, accounting for 18% of the total, following Singapore.
• Defence and Security Cooperation: India and the US have established deep military cooperation through a series of foundational agreements, including:
• Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA): Signed in 2016, this agreement facilitates logistical support between the two militaries.
• Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA): Finalized after the first 2+2 dialogue in 2018, this agreement ensures secure communication between the armed forces.
• Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA): Signed in 2020, this agreement enhances geospatial cooperation.
• In 2016, the US designated India as a major defence partner, a status not granted to any other country, further solidifying defence ties.
• Space Cooperation: India and the US collaborate on space exploration through the Artemis Accords, promoting a shared vision for the future of space exploration for the benefit of all humanity.
• Civil Space Joint Working Group: This bilateral group facilitates cooperation in civil space activities.
• Multilateral Cooperation: India and the US work closely in various multilateral organizations and forums, including the United Nations, G20, ASEAN-related forums, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
• Quad Cooperation: Along with Australia and Japan, India and the US form the Quad, a diplomatic network promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
• Nuclear Cooperation: Under the Civil Nuclear Deal signed in 2005, India agreed to separate its civil and military nuclear facilities and place all civil resources under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards. In return, the US committed to working towards full civil nuclear cooperation with India.

Challenges in India-US Relations

• Strategic Autonomy: India values its strategic autonomy and aims to maintain it while strengthening ties with the US.
• Differing Positions: India’s cautious stance on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has caused some frustration in the West, raising concerns about India’s reliability as a security partner.
• Defence Relations with Russia: The US has expressed concern over India’s acquisition of Russian defence systems like the S-400, which could affect interoperability between US and Indian forces and complicate the sharing of sensitive military technologies.

Conclusion: The evolving partnership between India and the United States is crucial for shaping the 21st-century global order. To realize the full potential of this alliance, both nations need to address bilateral and multilateral challenges and work towards a comprehensive and strategic global partnership. Strengthening military cooperation mechanisms is particularly important in the context of a more assertive China.

India's Prime Ministerial Visit to Ukraine

Historical Context

• This visit marks the first time an Indian Prime Minister has traveled to Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992.

Key Highlights of the Visit

• Four agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, focusing on various areas of cooperation.
• Emphasis on collaboration in Agriculture and the Food Industry.
• Humanitarian Grant Assistance aimed at implementing High Impact Community Development Projects.
• Cultural cooperation along with an agreement concerning medicines and drugs.
• Provision of four BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) Cubes, each containing essential medicines and equipment for initial medical care in various situations.

Significance of India’s Visit to Ukraine

• Display of Strategic Autonomy: The visit reflects India’s independent perspective on Ukraine and the ongoing conflict, separate from its relations with Russia.
• De-hyphenation of Russia and Ukraine: India aims to strengthen ties with both countries independently, moving away from the previous policy of maintaining equal distance.
• Eastern European Engagement: The visit signifies India’s increased engagement with Eastern European countries like Ukraine, Poland, and Greece, aligning with Europe’s peace initiatives.
• Broader European Focus: This visit is part of India’s larger strategy to enhance relations with European countries, moving beyond its historical focus on nations like Russia, Germany, France, and Britain.

Significance of India-Ukraine Relations

• Agriculture: Before the war, Ukraine was a major source of sunflower oil for India.
• Defence: In 2021, Ukraine and India signed agreements worth $70 million for the sale, maintenance, and upgrade of weapons in the Indian armed forces.
• Post-war Recovery: Both countries are exploring opportunities for Indian companies to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery efforts.
• Other Areas: Potential collaboration in medical education and other sectors.

India’s Position on the Ukraine-Russia Conflict

• India has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.
• India emphasizes that it is not neutral in this conflict, reiterating its commitment to peace from the outset.

India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting

The third India-Japan 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi, marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations between India and Japan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India, while Japan's Foreign Minister Kihara Minoru and Defence Minister Kamikawa Yoko led their delegation.

The meeting focused on key issues, including:

• Commitment to a rules-based international order.
• Strengthening defense cooperation, particularly in maritime and defense industrial collaboration.
• Addressing contemporary security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Highlights of the India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue 2024

• Commitment to Rules-Based International Order: Both countries emphasized their dedication to upholding and advancing a rules-based international order rooted in the principles of the UN Charter, including national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and peaceful dispute resolution.
• Defense Cooperation: The meeting highlighted the importance of enhancing military cooperation, particularly between the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Indian Navy, focusing on ship maintenance in India and defense assistance to third countries in the Indo-Pacific.
• Shared Strategic Vision for the Indo-Pacific: India and Japan articulated a mutual vision for a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific, emphasizing openness, transparency, and respect for international law, with ASEAN's centrality in regional security.
• Counter-Terrorism Efforts: Both nations condemned terrorism and violent extremism, calling for effective action against perpetrators of terrorist attacks and UN-listed terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda, ISIS, LeT, and JeM.
• Bilateral Military Exercises: The discussion acknowledged the evolution of defense cooperation through various bilateral military exercises, including the inaugural visit of Japanese fighter jets to India and the recent 'Veer Guardian 2023' exercise.
• Space and Cyber Cooperation: There was a push to deepen cooperation in space and cyber domains, aligning with multilateral defense collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.
• Economic and Strategic Cooperation: The dialogue included discussions on enhancing economic safety and strategic trade, highlighting developments in defense equipment and technology transfer, such as the Unified Complex Radio Antenna technology.
• UN Security Council Reform: The meeting agreed to cooperate on reforms to the Security Council to create a more representative and effective United Nations capable of addressing contemporary global challenges.

Call for Reforming UN Security Council

Recenty, the Foreign Ministers of the ‘Group of Four’ countries—India, Brazil, Germany, and Japan met on the margin of the 79th Session of the UNGA to assess the state of play and discuss prospects for a reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

The UNSC is one of the six main organs of the United Nations, with the primary goal of maintaining international peace and security.

Current Composition of UNSC

• The UNSC consists of five permanent members (P5): China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These members hold veto power, allowing them to block any substantive resolution.
• There are also ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
• More than 50 UN Member States have never been members of the Security Council.

UNSC Elections

• Each year, the General Assembly elects five non-permanent members for a two-year term.
• The ten non-permanent seats are distributed regionally: (i) Five for African and Asian States (ii) One for Eastern European States (iii) Two for Latin American and Caribbean States (iv) Two for Western European and other States

G4 Nations

• The G4 nations—Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan—support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the UNSC.
• Unlike the G7, which focuses on economic and political cooperation, the G4’s primary goal is securing permanent member seats on the Security Council.
• Each of these countries has been elected non-permanent members of the council multiple times since the UN’s establishment.

Need For Reform

• Categories of Membership: The G4 Ministers emphasise the need to expand both permanent and non-permanent categories of UNSC membership, aiming to enhance participation from developing countries and those significantly contributing to international peace and security.
• Regional Representation: The G4 highlights the importance of better representation for various regions, particularly Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Text-Based Negotiations: The G4 Ministers express concern over the slow progress in intergovernmental negotiations and call for urgent text-based negotiations to initiate the reform process.
• Global Imbalances: Recent geopolitical events have exposed the UNSC’s limitations in safeguarding international peace, highlighting the need for reform to address representation issues, especially in the permanent category.
• Urgency and Significance: The G4 countries recognise the urgency of reform to equip the UNSC to tackle pressing global challenges such as conflict resolution, peacekeeping, climate change, and humanitarian crises.

India’s Stance

• India has consistently advocated for UNSC reform, believing it deserves a permanent seat as a major global player.
• India emphasises the need for equitable representation, particularly for developing countries, and stresses that reform is a collective effort involving all UN members.

Proposed Reforms

• The G4 proposed expanding the Council’s membership to include more permanent and non-permanent members.
• Africa’s role is particularly crucial in shaping a more representative and effective UNSC.
• Without meaningful reforms, the Council risks being ill-equipped to address the pressing challenges faced by the international community.

Challenges in UNSC Reform

• Reforming the UNSC is challenging due to differing views among countries and procedural tactics used by some nations to delay progress.
• Procedural Hurdles: Amending the UN Charter requires consensus among member states, which is difficult given their divergent positions.
• Size and Terms: There is no agreement on the acceptable size and terms for an enlarged Council.
• Veto Provisions: The current veto system held by the P5 is contentious, with disagreements on extending veto power to new permanent members.
• Effectiveness Uncertainty: Doubts persist about whether an enlarged Council would improve its functioning, even if it becomes more representative.

Security Challenges and the Summit of the Future

• The UN General Assembly’s seventy-ninth round of meetings, known as the ‘Summit of the Future’ faced significant hurdles due to ongoing security challenges, presenting a unique opportunity to revive multilateral cooperation.
• Coffee Club: An informal group of around 40 member states, mostly middle-sized countries, opposes larger regional powers gaining permanent seats, and has been instrumental in hindering UNSC reform over the past six years.
• India remains committed to pushing for change despite these challenges.

India’s Preparedness

• As a current non-permanent member of the UNSC, India is set to complete its two-year tenure in December.
• India is prepared to take on greater responsibilities while addressing historical injustices faced by the Global South.

Conclusion and Road Ahead

• The effectiveness of the UNSC is crucial in addressing complex challenges such as conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, climate change, and pandemics.
• The G4’s push for reform aims to ensure that the Council reflects the realities of the interconnected and dynamic global landscape.
• Urgent UNSC reform is needed to create a more inclusive, responsive, and effective United Nations capable of tackling the multifaceted issues facing humanity.