10 July 2024 CNA
Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Putin accepts Modi’s request to release Indian military recruits C. GS 3 Related D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS 1. Persisting brutality 2. The innate limitations in executing iCET F. Prelims Facts 1. CM Stalin releases books on folk deities, forts of T.N. G. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions H. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Putin accepts Modi’s request to release Indian military recruits
Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Mains: India- Russia Relations
Introduction:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s request to discharge Indian soldiers serving in Ukraine.
- The discharge is expected to take place within weeks from various deployment locations.
- This decision follows Modi’s direct intervention during a private dinner and subsequent talks.
Diplomatic Efforts and Background:
- The issue was raised by the Indian Embassy in Moscow and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during the SCO Summit in Astana.
- Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra confirmed Modi’s strong stance on the return of all Indian military recruits.
- The demand for discharge grew due to recruitment on false promises of high salaries and Russian residency papers.
Rising Concerns and Government Response:
- Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi highlighted the issue in Parliament, noting the increasing pressure on the government.
- The Ministry of External Affairs acknowledged the problem, initially downplaying it but later admitting to at least 50 Indian men serving in the conflict.
- Four Indian recruits have been killed, and several have received discharge papers awaiting formal release.
Bilateral Trade and Agreements:
- Modi and Putin agreed to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, focusing on using national currencies.
- Cooperation projects in Russia’s Far East and a joint vision statement on trade and economic cooperation were discussed.
- MoUs on climate change, polar research, legal arbitration, and pharmaceutical certification were signed.
Economic and Diplomatic Developments:
- Modi announced the opening of Indian consulates in Kazan and Yekaterinburg.
- Bilateral trade already stands at around $65 billion, with a significant increase due to discounted Russian crude imports.
- The focus on economic issues marked a shift from previous summits centred on military supplies and strategic partnerships.
Defence and Strategic Partnerships:
- Delays in defence supplies were discussed, with a commitment to explore the co-production of defence equipment.
- Modi accepted Russia’s highest civilian honour, the Order of St Andrew the Apostle.
- Modi was invited to the first “Extended BRICS” summit in Kazan in the coming months.
Nut Graf: Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s request to discharge Indian soldiers serving in Ukraine, following intense diplomatic efforts. This decision, alongside agreements on increased bilateral trade and cooperation, marks a significant development in India-Russia relations.
C. GS 3 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
Syllabus: GS-2, Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s Interests
Mains: Diplomatic solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict
Introduction:
- Russia’s missile strikes across Ukraine on 8 July resulted in at least 38 deaths.
- Civilian locations, including the Okhmatdyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv, were hit.
- Russia claims to target military and industrial bases, but civilian areas are also heavily affected.
- The attack coincides with a NATO summit in Washington discussing long-term military aid for Ukraine.
Recent Territorial Gains and Challenges:
- Russia has made incremental gains in Kharkiv Oblast and Donetsk.
- Ukrainian forces withdrew from a neighbourhood in Chasiv Yar.
- Despite some advances, Russia’s capabilities are questioned due to the lack of dramatic gains.
- Ukraine continues to target Russian ships, energy depots, and border regions with drones.
The Need for Dialogue:
- Neither side seems capable of finding a military solution.
- Ukraine faces difficulty in pushing Russian troops out of captured territories.
- Russia’s aggression has strengthened NATO, which has expanded and committed to long-term assistance for Ukraine.
- World leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, call for talks.
- Both Russia and Ukraine are encouraged to pursue dialogue to end the conflict.
Nut Graf: The ongoing brutality of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, marked by missile strikes on civilian targets and incremental territorial gains, highlights the urgent need for dialogue. With military solutions elusive, global leaders call for both sides to pursue peaceful negotiations.
Syllabus: GS-2, Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests
Mains: About iCET
Introduction:
- Despite productive talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and U.S. counterpart Jake Sullivan, the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) faces structural challenges.
- Issues mainly involve the autonomy of U.S. defence companies in transferring costly, Washington-developed technologies.
- Strict U.S. export control laws hinder the sharing of military technologies via joint ventures, even when strategically beneficial.
Current Focus of iCET:
- iCET’s defence component includes local manufacturing of General Electric GE F-414INS6 engines for Tejas Mk-II light combat aircraft.
- Plans to locally assemble 31 armed MQ-9 Reaper/Predator-B UAVs for $3 billion are also in progress.
- Negotiations for transferring 80% of F-414 engine technology to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited exclude critical turbine forging metallurgy.
- Technology transfer for MQ-9 UAVs is around 10-15%, with plans for a domestic maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility.
Limitations and Historical Context:
- The U.S. government cannot act on behalf of defence companies owning intellectual property rights, affecting technology transfer.
- U.S. defence vendors are motivated by commercial interests, impacting the extent of technology they are willing to share.
- Similar technology transfer issues led to the failure of the 2012 Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), which iCET replaced with broader goals.
Innovative Solutions and Strategic Shifts:
- Indian defence officials suggest using the jugaad (innovation) approach for U.S. platforms like helicopters and aircraft.
- Jugaad has historically allowed India’s military to make foreign systems serviceable in extreme conditions and terrains.
- However, enabling protocols and the stricter ‘Golden Sentry’ end-use monitoring program prevent the use of jugaad on U.S. acquisitions.
- The iCET aligns with U.S. policy to reduce India’s dependency on Russian arms, as suggested in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee report.
Conclusion and Caution:
- There are concerns that iCET might succumb to “Augustine’s Laws,” where excessive discussion replaces actionable progress.
- Efforts must focus on practical implementation rather than prolonged discussions to avoid stagnation.
Nut Graf: Despite promising talks, the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) faces significant challenges due to U.S. defence companies’ reluctance to transfer technology and strict export controls, hindering progress and potentially replicating past failures like the DTTI.
F. Prelims Facts
1. CM Stalin releases books on folk deities, forts of T.N.
Introduction:
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released two coffee-table books:
- Folk Deities of Tamil Nadu: Worship, Tradition and Custom
- Forts of Tamil Nadu: A Walk-Through
- The books were brought out by The Hindu Group of Publications in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu government’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department and Tourism Department.
- K. Ramachandran, Minister for Tourism, and P.K. Sekarbabu, Minister for HR and CE, received the first copies of the books.
Folk Deities of Tamil Nadu:
- Curated by B. Kolappan, Senior Deputy Editor at The Hindu.
- Focuses on numerous folk deities, their worship, traditions, and customs.
- Highlights deities like Madurai Veeran, Kaathavarayan, Muthupattan, Muneeswaran, and Karuppasamy.
- Includes chapters on Sudalai Madan, Ayyanar, Ponnar-Sankar, Maasani Amman, Bannari Amman, and Angalamman.
- Contains contributions from scholars and folklorists, with colourful photographs.
Forts of Tamil Nadu:
- Curated by Sanjana Ganesh, Senior Sub Editor at The Hindu.
- Documents the history and significance of various forts in Tamil Nadu.
- Features forts such as Fort St. George, Gingee, Sadras, Thirumayam, and more.
- Includes essays by writers from The Hindu and freelance contributors, with photographs and archival images.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. How many of the following of India’s defence imports are of Russian origin?
- Su 30 MK
- Rafale-M fighters
- MQ-9B Sky Guardian drones
Choose the correct answer from the code given below:
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation: Su 30 MK only
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization:
- It was formed in 1949 with the signing of the Washington Treaty.
- It is a security alliance.
- It is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
How many of these statements is/are correct?
- Only one
- Only two
- All three
- None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: All three statements are correct.
Q3. Sudalai Madan, Ayyanar, Ponnar-Sankar and Maasani Amman recently seen in the news are:
- Ports of Sangam age
- Sangam age poets
- Deities worshipped across Tamil Nadu
- Great Epics of Tamil Literature
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: These are deities worshipped across Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister recently released a coffee-table book titled ‘Folk Deities of Tamil Nadu’.
Q4. Which of these committees suggested that the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) should at least be 50% more than the comprehensive cost of production?
- Rajamannar Commission
- M S Swaminathan Commission
- Punchhi Commission
- Sarkaria Commission
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: M S Swaminathan Commission recommended that the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) should at least be 50% more than average production costs.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Transfer of critical technology to developing countries like India is crucial for a sustained partnership and an inclusive future. In this regard, discuss the significance of the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). (10 marks, 150 words) [GS-2, International Relations]
- How does the evolving global geopolitical landscape impact the dynamics of the India-Russia relationship? (15 marks, 250 words) [GS-2, International Relations]
Read previous CNA articles here.
Comments