Current Affairs 23 August 2024

CONTENTS

1. Strengthening India-Japan Relations Amid Regional Tensions
2. Alarming Environmental Decline in the Aravallis
3. Navigating E-Commerce Expansion in India
4. Multidimensional Vulnerability Index
5. Atomic clocks- Lunar Time Standard
6. Dhangar Community

Strengthening India-Japan Relations Amid Regional Tensions

Context:

India and Japan recently convened their third 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial Meeting in New Delhi, focusing on reinforcing their strategic alliance amidst escalating geopolitical challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. This meeting underscored a mutual commitment to deepen cooperation across multiple sectors, highlighting the critical nature of their partnership in balancing China’s growing assertiveness in the area.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Understanding 2+2 Meetings: A Diplomatic Framework
2. Highlights of the India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue
3. India-Japan Relationship

Understanding 2+2 Meetings: A Diplomatic Framework

Participation Dynamics:

• Involves two high-level representatives, namely Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs and Defence, from each participating country.
• Aims to elevate the depth and breadth of dialogue between the nations.

Enhanced Communication and Understanding:

• Establishes a mechanism for better comprehension and appreciation of each other’s strategic concerns and sensitivities.
• Takes into consideration political factors on both sides to foster a more integrated and robust strategic relationship.

Adapting to Global Changes:

• Facilitates engagement in the context of a rapidly changing global environment.
• Offers a platform for addressing evolving geopolitical dynamics and challenges.

India’s 2+2 Partners:

• United States:
  • Holds the distinction of being India’s oldest and most significant 2+2 talks partner.
• Other Nations:
  • Engaged in 2+2 meetings with ministers from Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Russia.
• Diverse Dialogues:
  • Covers a spectrum of strategic aspects, promoting a comprehensive understanding between nations.

Highlights of the India-Japan 2+2 Dialogue

• Indo-Pacific Cooperation: Both nations reiterated their commitment to maintaining a free and rules-governed Indo-Pacific region, influenced by the increasing military activities of China.
• ASEAN Integration: There was a strong endorsement for the unity and central role of ASEAN, specifically through the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, which emphasizes peace and cooperation in the region.
• United Nations Principles: The discussions underscored ASEAN’s dedication to upholding a regional order based on United Nations guidelines.
• Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD): The meeting included discussions from the recent QUAD Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, reinforcing their commitment to deeper cooperation.
• Defense and Security Collaboration: Intentions were set to extend security support to third countries to promote regional stability, highlighting the defense cooperation as a cornerstone of their Strategic and Global Partnership.
• Security Strategy and Exercises: Updates on Japan’s 2022 National Security Strategy and progress in multinational military exercises like Veer Guardian and Malabar were noted.
• Innovations in Defense Technology: Advances in unmanned ground vehicles and robotics were acknowledged, and the transfer of Japan’s advanced radar system, UNICORN, was discussed, aiming to reduce radar detectability of warships.
• Joint Security Declaration Update: Both countries agreed to modernize the 2008 Joint Declaration to reflect the new security challenges and priorities in the evolving global landscape.
• Counterterrorism Efforts: There was a unified voice against terrorism and violent extremism, emphasizing the elimination of terrorist safe havens and the disruption of their financial and operational networks.
• Role of Women in Peace Processes: Both nations supported the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, which promotes women’s involvement in peacekeeping and conflict resolution, rooted in the principles of UNSCR 1325.

India-Japan Relationship

• Historical Beginnings: The relationship initiated in the 6th century with Buddhism’s introduction from India to Japan, influencing Japanese culture and philosophy significantly.
• Post-World War II Initiatives: In 1949, a symbolic gesture by Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru involving the donation of an elephant to Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo marked the renewal of post-WWII relations.
• Diplomatic Milestones: The 1952 peace treaty established formal diplomatic connections as one of Japan’s initial post-war agreements.
• Economic Support Post-WWII: Post-war economic recovery in Japan was significantly aided by Indian iron ore, with financial support through yen loans starting in 1958.

Strategic Partnerships and Cooperation

• Deepening Ties in the 2000s: The partnership was enhanced to a Global Partnership and later to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership by 2014, emphasizing the increasing significance of bilateral relations.
• Vision for Future Cooperation: The “Japan and India Vision 2025” formulated in 2015, outlines continued collaborative goals.
• Security Collaborations: The 2008 Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation laid the groundwork for ongoing dialogues, including the “2+2” meetings and the signing of the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) in 2020.
• Economic Relations: By 2021, Japan stood as India’s 13th largest trading partner and fifth largest investor, showcasing robust economic ties.

Initiatives and Agreements

• Industrial and Energy Partnerships: Initiatives like the “India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership” and “Clean Energy Partnership” focus on mutual investments and enhancing energy cooperation.
• Cultural and Social Exchanges: The sister-city agreement between Ahmedabad and Kobe in 2019 builds on previous agreements, promoting cultural exchanges and enhancing city-level cooperation.
• Significant Investments: Japan’s commitment includes a substantial investment of approximately 5 trillion yen aimed at future projects, evidencing deep financial engagement.
• Official Development Assistance: India remains the largest beneficiary of Japanese ODA, with key projects like the Delhi Metro and the High-Speed Railway initiative showcasing significant cooperation.

Cultural and Regional Engagements

• Promoting Cultural Ties: 2017 was marked as the Year of Japan-India Friendly Exchanges, enhancing cultural relations between the two nations.
• Broadening Regional Cooperation: The Japan-Southwest Asia Exchange Year in 2022 highlights Japan’s efforts to strengthen ties with India and other regions in Southwest Asia, promoting broader regional connectivity and cooperation.

-Source: The Hindu

Alarming Environmental Decline in the Aravallis

Context:

A recent scientific study has exposed the severe environmental repercussions of ongoing land use changes in the Aravallis. The study reveals that the continuous destruction of these hills is causing significant biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and a decline in vegetation cover, signaling an urgent need for comprehensive conservation strategies to reverse these damaging trends.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Challenges Facing the Aravallis
2. Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) Explained
3. Future Projections and Biodiversity
4. Aravalli Range

Challenges Facing the Aravallis

• Loss of Land: Between 1975 and 2019, about 8% (5,772.7 sq km) of the Aravalli region was lost, including 5% turned into barren land and 1% into settlements.
• Environmental Impact: This degradation facilitated the expansion of the Thar Desert towards the National Capital Region, increasing desertification and erratic weather patterns.
• Mining Expansion: The area used for mining increased from 1.8% in 1975 to 2.2% in 2019, contributing significantly to the degradation of the Aravalli hills.
• Urbanization and Mining: Rapid urbanization alongside unchecked mining practices are major factors in the degradation, with over 25% of the Aravallis lost to illegal quarrying.
• Air Pollution: Mining activities significantly contribute to air pollution in the NCR, particularly through respirable particulate matter (RPM).
• Decline in Forest Cover: The central range’s forest cover has reduced by 32% from 1975 to 2019, paralleled by an increase in cultivated land.
• Water Resource Impact: Mining activities have disrupted aquifers, altering water flows, drying up lakes, and creating new water bodies.
• Protected Areas’ Impact: Wildlife sanctuaries like Todgarh-Raoli and Kumbhalgarh have positively impacted the eco-sensitive zones, showing minimal forest depletion.
• Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI): EVI least value of 0 to -0.2 in upper central Aravali region (Nagaur district) – indicating unhealthy vegetation.

Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) Explained

• EVI Overview: EVI is an advanced vegetation index designed for higher sensitivity to biomass, atmospheric conditions, and soil quality, serving as a modified version of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).
• EVI Significance: The index ranges from 0 to 1, where values closer to 1 indicate healthier vegetation, while values closer to 0 suggest unhealthy vegetation, providing a crucial tool for environmental monitoring.

Future Projections and Biodiversity

• Projected Loss: By 2059, it is projected that 22% of the Aravalli area could be lost, with 3.5% potentially used for mining purposes.
• Biodiversity Decline: There has been a significant decrease in local wildlife, including leopards, striped hyenas, and golden jackals.
• River Impacts: Key rivers originating from the Aravallis, such as Banas, Luni, Sahibi, and Sakhi, are now dead, reflecting the severe environmental stress in the region.
• Human-Wildlife Conflicts: The loss of natural forests has escalated conflicts between humans and wildlife in the area, highlighting the urgent need for conservation and sustainable management strategies.

Aravalli Range

• The Aravalli Range extends 692 km from Gujarat to Delhi, passing through Rajasthan, with a width ranging from 10 to 120 km.
• Approximately 80% of the range is situated within Rajasthan, with the remaining 20% spread across Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat.
•  The range is segmented into two primary sections: the Sambhar Sirohi Range and the Sambhar Khetri Range in Rajasthan, spanning about 560 km.
• The Aravallis serve as an ecotone, acting as a transition zone between the Thar Desert and the Gangetic Plain, where diverse ecosystems and biological communities converge.
• Gurusikhar, located in Rajasthan, is the highest peak of the Aravallis, standing at an elevation of 1,722 meters.

Significance of the Aravallis

• The Aravallis play a crucial role in halting the advancement of the Thar Desert towards the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains, also serving as vital catchment areas.
• Home to 300 native plant species and 120 bird species, the range is a sanctuary for various animals, including jackals and mongooses.
• During the monsoon season, the Aravallis guide monsoon clouds eastward, benefiting the sub-Himalayan rivers and North Indian plains, while in winter, they protect the fertile valleys from harsh westerly winds.
• The range significantly contributes to groundwater replenishment by capturing rainwater, thereby enhancing the groundwater levels.
• Often referred to as the “lungs” of Delhi-NCR, the Aravallis mitigate some of the severe air pollution effects experienced in the region.

-Source: Down To Earth

Navigating E-Commerce Expansion in India

Context:

The Union Minister of Commerce and Industry has expressed concerns regarding the swift growth of the e-commerce sector in India, particularly highlighting the impact of global giants like Amazon.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. E-commerce
2. Government Efforts to Enhance E-commerce in India
3. Challenges in the Indian E-commerce Sector

E-commerce

• E-commerce involves the buying and selling of goods and services or transferring funds or data, over the internet.

Advantages of E-commerce

• Wider Reach: Products are delivered to the remotest areas, enhancing competition and connecting suppliers and customers.
• Reduced Costs: The economy of scale and reduced miscellaneous expenses lower the prices of products.
• Customer Interaction: Feedback mechanisms allow customers to learn more about products and influence improvements.
• Business Growth: E-commerce expands the customer base, increases sales, and facilitates quick transactions.

Disadvantages of E-commerce

• Security Concerns: There’s a need for stronger security measures to protect personal and financial data.
• Customer Service Challenges: Online stores may struggle to address customer concerns as effectively as physical stores.
• Legal Ambiguity: Unclear regulations regarding online sales can foster distrust between buyers and sellers.
• Physical Inspection: Customers cannot physically inspect products before purchase, relying solely on images.
• Accountability Issues: There is often less accountability regarding product quality in e-commerce.

Catalysts for E-Commerce Growth in India

• Online products tend to be cheaper than their offline counterparts, providing a competitive edge.

Payment Innovations

• Digital Advances: The Government’s Digital India initiative boosts internet accessibility, enhancing e-commerce.
• Modern Payment Solutions: The rise of digital wallets and UPI (Unified Payments Interface) offers diversified payment methods.
• Preference for COD: Despite digital advances, Cash on Delivery remains popular due to substantial cash circulation in India.
• Market Dynamics: The high demand from India’s aspiring consumers drives e-commerce growth.
• Language Factor: The predominance of English on Indian e-commerce platforms caters to a large English-speaking middle class, propelling industry growth.

Government Efforts to Enhance E-commerce in India:

• Initiatives Supporting E-commerce Growth: Key programs like Digital India, Make in India, Start-up India, Skill India, and Innovation Fund have been pivotal since 2014, boosting e-commerce development.
• Government e-Marketplace (GeM): Introduced in 2016, this platform facilitates public procurement efficiently and transparently, ensuring fair competition.
• National Retail Policy Goals:
  • Streamlining business operations.
  • Simplifying licensing procedures.
  • Promoting digital retail strategies.
  • Encouraging comprehensive reforms.
  • Establishing an Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to foster interoperability across e-commerce platforms.
• Consumer Protection Measures: The E-commerce Rules 2020 mandate transparency in product origins and decision-making criteria for product listings.
• 5G Deployment: Significant governmental investment in 5G technology aims to further enhance e-commerce capabilities across India.

Challenges in the Indian E-commerce Sector:

• Rapid Growth and Its Implications: As per the Pahle India Foundation report, e-commerce is expanding rapidly, with an annual growth rate of 27%, suggesting a doubling of the sector every three years.
• Employment Impact:
  • The sector has created approximately 15.8 million jobs, including substantial employment for women.
  • Around 1.76 million retail enterprises are now engaged in e-commerce.
• Concerns Over Predatory Pricing:
  • The practice of setting artificially low prices to eliminate competition has been noted, with specific accusations directed at major players like Amazon.
  • Such strategies, although boosting consumer access to lower prices, are viewed critically for potentially undermining small retail businesses.
• Potential Social Disruption:
  • The expansion of large e-commerce platforms could negatively impact an estimated 100 million small retailers, posing risks of significant social and economic disruptions.

-Source: Indian Express

Multidimensional Vulnerability Index

Context:

The UN General Assembly has introduced the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) to aid Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in obtaining low-interest financing. This new measure seeks to address the unique challenges faced by these nations, particularly their high susceptibility to climate change impacts, despite having relatively higher GDPs per capita which previously excluded them from certain financial aid programs.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI)
2. Index Application and Observations
3. Conclusion

Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI)

Overview

• The MVI serves as a comprehensive metric designed to assess both the structural vulnerabilities and resilience of nations within the context of sustainable development.
• It complements traditional measures like Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, offering a broader perspective on a nation’s stability and developmental needs, especially in the face of external shocks.

Purpose and Utility

• National Income Shortcomings: While GNI per capita has been the standard, it often fails to reflect the true vulnerabilities that affect nations, particularly those exposed to external shocks.
• Enhancing Aid Efficiency: The MVI aims to refine development assistance criteria by focusing on vulnerability rather than just income levels, thus targeting aid more effectively.

Composition of the MVI

• Universal Assessment: This component ranks countries based on a set methodology that evaluates their vulnerability and resilience.
• Country-Specific Profiles (VRCP): Offers a detailed analysis tailored to the individual characteristics of each country.

Core Principles of the MVI

• Multidimensional Scope: It includes indicators across economic, environmental, and social spheres to ensure a holistic assessment.
• Universal and Exogenous: Designed to apply universally, the index distinguishes between factors within and outside a country’s control.
• Data Integrity: Uses reliable, recognized data ensuring comparability and transparency.

Structural Insights

• Vulnerability Aspects:
  • Economic: Susceptibility to external economic disruptions.
  • Environmental: Risks from natural and anthropogenic environmental changes.
  • Social: Vulnerabilities arising from internal social dynamics.
• Resilience Components:
  • Economic Resilience: Inherent capabilities aiding in recovery from economic shocks.
  • Environmental Resilience: Natural and infrastructural strengths mitigating environmental risks.
  • Social Resilience: Social cohesion and capital that bolster societal recovery and adaptation.

Index Application and Observations

• Independent of Income: MVI findings are not directly correlated with national income levels, providing a unique standpoint to assess vulnerability and resilience.
• Relevance to SIDS: Proves particularly useful for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), often highlighting greater vulnerability than indicated by income alone.
• Global Application: Encourages a unified approach among international donors and financial institutions to integrate MVI assessments into policy frameworks and aid allocations.
• Debt and Financial Assessments: Suggested as a tool for evaluating debt sustainability and the necessity for targeted financial restructuring beyond traditional income-based assessments.

Conclusion

The Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) serves as an innovative tool for tackling the intricate difficulties encountered by nations prone to various vulnerabilities. By delivering an all-encompassing evaluation of both vulnerability and resilience across multiple facets, the MVI stands to transform international development strategies, guiding resources more effectively to areas most in need.

-Source: The Hindu

Atomic clocks- Lunar Time Standard

Context:

Recently. An international astronomical group has called for a lunar time standard to facilitate future missions, addressing time discrepancies on the Moon due to its unique gravitational effects.

Relevance:

Science and Technology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Overview of Atomic Clocks
2. Mechanism of Atomic Clocks
3. Types of Atomic Clocks

Overview of Atomic Clocks:

• Definition and Function:
  • An atomic clock is a device that measures time based on the vibrations of atoms.
    • Specifically, it uses the oscillations of electrons in atoms for timekeeping.
  • It is the most precise time-keeping device available, with an accuracy margin of only a few billionths of a second per day.
  • Atomic clocks are significantly more precise than conventional clocks due to the high frequency and stability of atomic oscillations.
• Applications:
  • These clocks are crucial in applications requiring high precision timing, such as GPS systems, telecommunications networks, and scientific research.

Mechanism of Atomic Clocks:

• Operational Principles:
  • Atomic clocks utilize a type of atom known as a “cesium atom.”
  • Cesium atoms are highly stable and have a specific frequency at which their electrons oscillate.
  • This frequency is fundamental to the atomic clock’s timekeeping.
  • To measure time using cesium atoms, the clock employs a “microwave cavity.”
  • The microwave cavity, filled with cesium vapor, receives a microwave signal that causes the cesium atoms to vibrate.
  • As cesium atoms vibrate, they emit radiation at a specific frequency.
  • This frequency is detected and compared to a standard frequency by a detector.
  • The difference between these frequencies is used to adjust the clock’s timekeeping.

Types of Atomic Clocks:

• Cesium Atomic Clocks:
  • The most common type, used to define the international standard for time, Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
• Hydrogen Maser Atomic Clocks:
  • These are even more accurate than cesium atomic clocks and are primarily used in scientific research.

-Source: The Hindu

Dhangar Community

Context:

A large group of Dhangars recently marched to the office of the sub divisional officer in Khamgaon of Maharashtra’s Buldhana district, demanding a “grazing corridor” for their sheep and goats.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Dhangar Community

• The Dhangar community, primarily shepherds, resides across multiple Indian states including Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and predominantly in Maharashtra.
• Classified under the Vimukta Jati and Nomadic Tribes (VJNT) in Maharashtra, they lead a secluded lifestyle, roaming forests, hills, and mountains.

Family Structure and Demographics

• Household Dynamics: Characterized by small, tightly knit family units, with familial bonds playing a pivotal role.
• Population Insight: The Dhangar community comprises approximately 1 crore individuals, constituting about 9% of Maharashtra’s total population.

Cultural and Sub-Caste Distinctions

• Sub-Castes: The tribe consists of about 20 sub-castes, each with unique traditions and customs.

Livelihood and Economic Activities

• Primary Occupation: Dependence on sheep and goat herding for livelihood, embracing both nomadic pastoral and semi-nomadic agrarian lifestyles.
• Seasonal Migration: Post-bajra harvest in October, they migrate annually seeking fertile pastures for their livestock.

Cultural Practices

• Customs and Rituals: The journey includes ancestral worship and a variety of traditional rituals.
• Cultural Significance of Music: Night-time singing plays a critical role, serving both cultural and communal functions.
• Oral Traditions: Engage in ‘sumbaran,’ a traditional form of storytelling integral to their cultural identity.

-Source: The Hindu