9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – June 26th, 2023

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

A new regime – India must keep an eye on adverse reactions from new drugs and vaccines

Source: The post is based on an article “A new regime – India must keep an eye on adverse reactions from new drugs and vaccines” published in The Hindu on 26^th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Issues Related to Health

Relevance: concerns associated with drugs development in India

News: India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine for the Omicron variant, GEMCOVAC-OM has been approved under emergency use guidelines by the Drug Controller General of India.

About the vaccine

Read Here: GEMCOVAC-OM: India’s first mRNA vaccine against Omicron approved

What is the significance of this vaccine for India?

Although the WHO has officially declared the end of the pandemic, the development of the vaccine demonstrates India’s capacity to produce an mRNA vaccine, which can be rapidly manufactured and scaled up, offering protection against future viruses.

How are vaccines developed?

Vaccine development involves different testing stages, including petri dish studies, animal trials, and human testing with expanding cohorts. These stages are meant to ensure that vaccines produced are effective and do not cause harm.

However, the scenario during the pandemic was different. Therefore, drug regulators globally allowed vaccine makers to combine multiple stages while evaluating efficacy.

This flexibility was facilitated through the framework of Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA).

What are the differences between drug approval in India and the US?

In the U.S., Food and Drug Administration (FDA) takes many years to evaluate new drugs and vaccines.

Whereas, India’s regulatory system focuses on first evaluating a drug formulation approved abroad and then assessing its suitability in India.

Further, the history of clinical trials in India has been characterized by mistrust, arbitrary decrees, and lax regulations. 

In India, there is still a long way to go before there is a reliable system of staged clinical trials and independent regulation for new drugs.

What can be the way ahead?

The FDA still authorises updated COVID-19 vaccines under EUA provisions because people are still dying globally due to covid. However, this alone cannot be the basis for continuing with the EUA regime in India.

India needs to establish a streamlined regulatory process that eliminates unnecessary steps while keeping a close watch on safety and unfavourable responses from new vaccines or drugs.

Why Taiwan Strait Matters To India

Source- The post is based on the article “Why Taiwan Strait Matters To India” published in “The Times of India” on 26th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- International relations

Relevance- Regional and global; issues impacting strategic interest of India

News- The article explains the possibility of a crisis in Taiwan strait and its implications for India.

What is the possibility of conflict in Taiwan strait?

Conflict is not inevitable. A crisis short of conflict in the Taiwan Strait is a likely possibility. China can utilise a range of grey-zone warfare tactics, from disruption of surface and aerial movement in the strait to an imposed quarantine. It will have geopolitical and economic consequences across the Indo-Pacific.

Today the US no longer has deterrence capability, and the Chinese have formidable economic and military capacities to initiate a crisis.

China would destroy its own economy to seize Taiwan because governments have not always acted rationally where critical interests or feelings are involved.

What will be the implications of the crisis in Taiwan for India?

Any disruption in the general area of Taiwan will have severe direct and second-order effects. It could have an impact on India’s geopolitical and economic security.

Half of India’s trade flows to our east. Disruption in global shipping beyond the Malacca Strait could have a crippling impact on our exports.

If shipping is disrupted, it will have a consequential impact on supply chains. Key segments of Indian industry, including important export sectors like pharmaceuticals and electronics, are heavily dependent on the supply chain. Thus, It will impact Indian exports to western markets.

The possible disruptions in semiconductor supplies could potentially paralyse industry, especially services, from logistics supply chains to e-commerce platforms.

Disruption of submarine cables could impact the flow of data between India and Silicon Valley.

A Rhodium Group study for Western governments in 2022 documented the devastating impact of a Taiwan crisis on productivity, employment and national security.

What is the way forward for India to limit the possibilities of conflict in Taiwan strait?

India urgently needs to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the possibility of crisis in Taiwan strait. It should comprehensively cover all sectors of economy and society.

The objective should be to identify potential impacts of the disruption in the Taiwan Strait area and develop options to mitigate the crisis.

India should put this issue on the agenda in consultations with key partners. There will be differences, but we might agree on several points towards stabilising the situation.

India’s multi-aligned approach to foreign policy permits it to have conversations with diverse players like Asean, EU, Japan, Republic of Korea and the south Pacific states. They have vital stakes in that region.

The Global South’s respect for India could be harnessed for peace. A Taiwan crisis could impact the economically vulnerable Global South the hardest. India could build awareness in the Global South about the consequences of such a crisis.

Ashok Gulati writes on the US and India: Old friends in a changing world

Source- The post is based on the article “Ashok Gulati writes on the US and India: Old friends in a changing world” published in “The Indian Express” on 26th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Bilateral groupings and agreements

Relevance– India and US bilateral relationship in global context

News- Recently, PM Modi visited the US and addressed the US Congress a second time.

What are the factors behind increasing closeness between India and the US?

Market size of the Indian economy is increasing. There is the growing influence of the Indian diaspora in American business and politics

The China factor may be the most important one for the current closeness. China’s meteoric rise is being seen as a threat to global security by many nations.

The QUAD is a forum to contain aggressive designs of China. The current US-India friendship is only an extension of that at a bilateral level.

Why is there a need for cooperation between three big powers-US, India and China?

The US has been a superpower. As per the IMF, the US economy in April 2023 stood at $26.6 trillion with a per capita GDP of $80,000.

In comparison to that, India has an overall GDP of $3.74 trillion and a per capita GDP of just $2,600. In PPP terms, India’s GDP is $13 trillion, and its per capita GDP is about $9,000.

China, in PPP terms, is already the largest economy. In current US dollar terms, the Chinese economy stands at $19.37 trillion, next only to the US.

For world peace and prosperity, it would be best if the three countries can work together.

What is the way forward for cooperation between big power to ensure world peace and prosperity?

Political system of democracy should be preferred over authoritarian regimes. Democracy has flaws, but it is certainly better than military or authoritarian regimes.

With the Ukraine-Russia conflict, global powers are realigning into new groupings. India should make efforts to bring dialogue and diplomacy to resolve strong differences.

What should be the focus area of India-US cooperation in the near future?

Food and nutritional security are important for the planet. This is being threatened by climate change with increasing temperatures. The poorer nations suffer disproportionately. India is no exception.

The US is at the forefront of technologies in agriculture. In the 1960s several state agricultural projects with the support and mentoring of their counterparts in the US were instrumental in shaping India’s Green Revolution.

India’s agricultural universities need to be rejuvenated with cutting-edge technologies to cope with climate change and produce more nutritious food with less land, less water, and less GHG emissions.

In the next round of US-India collaboration, there should be a special attempt to include food and agriculture as one of the core areas of cooperation.

NCERT deletions discourage debate

Source– The post is based on the article “NCERT deletions discourage debate” published in The Indian Express on 26th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Issues related to development and management of education

Relevance: Issues related to curriculum

News- An act of “rationalising” by NCERT by pruning parts of the textbooks written in 2005 led to protests by the editors and others.

What are the issues involved in the matter?

There are no specific explanations for deletion of certain chapters or sections. It has not been clarified whether the deletion is caused by teaching overload, comprehension challenges or being outdated.

School teachers should have more say in deciding about the revised syllabus, not university academics.

There is no survey of students’ reactions to the themes of the deleted chapters.

73 educational authorities supported the pruning. This is not clear whether they devoted enough time to read and reflect on the deleted chapters.

Names of the experts who suggested the deletions are not in public domain.

The deletions from textbooks of political science and Indian history were done last year. Most recently, ‘Themes in World History’ (Class XI) has also been rationalised. These were written by excellent scholars.

What is the way forward?

There is a need to talk and argue about the content of NCERT books.

History textbooks must be taken seriously. For most of our literate citizens, school textbooks are the only history they will read.

Artists, writers, and researchers must pitch in to make history unforgettable. Thoughtful histories do not simply glorify or denigrate rulers. They explain the intersection between the earth and human activity, between the forces of nature and technology.

Recent Development in India-US Relations – Implications and Significance – Explained, pointwise

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Introduction

The recent visit of the Indian Prime Minister to the United States marked an important milestone in the strengthening of India-US relations. This occasion, marked by meaningful dialogues and strategic agreements, has profound implications for both nations. The meetings aimed at bolstering economic, strategic, and technological ties, addressing global challenges together, and cementing the partnership in the face of shifting global dynamics.

 

What is the Significance of these developments for India and the US?

Strategic Balancing in a Multipolar World Amid Changing Global Dynamics: The recent geopolitical developments like rise of China, decline in multilateral institutions, Russia-Ukraine war and growing influence of emerging economies highlight a constantly evolving world order. The US needs India to counterbalance China in the Indo-Pacific region. Post Galwan clash, India also needs to develop a stronger relationship with the US.

Diversification of partnership: The expansion of partnership across sectors like technology, space, health, digital infrastructure, and energy allows both nations to diversify their collaboration beyond traditional domains. For India, this can mean an infusion of capital, technical know-how, and access to advanced technology. For the US, it means access to India’s large market, robust human resources, and a rapidly growing technology sector.  

Defense and security cooperation: The defense technology transfer signifies the US’s recognition of India as a trusted ally. This will bolster India’s self-reliance in defense and enhance its military capabilities. For the US, it strengthens a key partnership in a geopolitically sensitive region.  

Strengthening of economic relations: The resolution of trade disputes signifies a move towards more robust and fair economic relations. It allows both countries to protect their economic interests and ensure healthier trade ties, benefiting businesses and consumers in both nations.  

Collaboration for global challenges: Increased collaboration in the health sector, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, showcases the shared commitment of both countries to address global health challenges. Similarly, cooperation in clean energy reflects their responsibility towards global climate issues.  

Enhancement of People-to-People Ties and Role of the Indian Diaspora: Deepening people-to-people ties not only fosters mutual understanding and goodwill, but also strengthens the durability of bilateral relations. The role played by the Indian diaspora in the economic and political life in the US is highlighted by the appointment of more than 130 Indian-Americans to key positions in Biden administration. The community makes up around one percent of the American population.

What are the Implications of these developments for India?

Broadened technological collaboration: The commitment to greater technology sharing in fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and telecommunications has the potential to propel India’s tech sector forward. Access to advanced technology and research opportunities can significantly boost India’s innovation ecosystem.

Defense and security: The strategic technology transfer in fighter jet engines can enhance India’s defense capabilities. This aligns with India’s goal to become more self-reliant in defense production and could act as a deterrent against regional threats.

Space exploration: Collaboration in space exploration and technology could give a substantial push to India’s space ambitions, helping the country further its scientific research, satellite capabilities, and potentially manned missions.

Energy sector boost: The focus on clean energy collaboration can provide technological and financial support for India’s transition to renewable sources. This is crucial for India’s energy security and its commitments towards climate change mitigation.

Economic opportunities: The resolution of previous trade disputes with the US means increased access to one of the world’s largest markets. This could result in higher exports, increased foreign investments, and overall economic growth for India.

Health sector advancement: The collaboration in the health sector, especially regarding COVID-19 response and the distribution of vaccines, will help improve India’s health infrastructure. This is likely to contribute to better health outcomes for the Indian population in the long run.

Strengthening of international stature: The recent developments signal recognition of India as a significant global player by the US. This can enhance India’s diplomatic influence and bargaining power on the international stage.

What are the challenges in India-US relationship?

Read here: Recalibrating the India-US relationship

Defense dependence on Russia: India’s historical and ongoing dependence on Russian military supplies, such as the S-400 missile system, conflicts with US sanctions on Russia. This issue complicates India-US relations and could hinder deeper strategic collaboration.

Varied stance on global conflicts: India and the US have different perspectives on global conflicts. For instance, India’s abstention from condemning Russia over the Ukraine crisis and its balanced approach towards the Israel-Palestine conflict contrasts with the US’s positions.

Human Rights and Democratic Values: There are elements in the US who keep on raising the issues of freedom of expression, freedom of press, protection of ethnic minorities, democracy, etc. in India. During the recent official visit of the Indian Prime Minister, more than 70 American lawmakers wrote to U.S. President Joe Biden asking him to raise concerns about democratic norms and human rights in India. 

Trade and economic issues: Despite growing trade, issues persist, such as Indian protectionism and restrictions on market access for certain US goods. Further, the contentious subject of H1B visas, crucial for Indian professionals, remains unresolved.

Uncertainty about US policy: Indian policymakers express concern about policy shifts in the US due to domestic political changes. Such uncertainty, especially in areas like immigration and foreign policy, can make long-term planning difficult for India.

Handling China: While both countries have concerns about China’s rise, they differ in their approach. India maintains a nuanced stance towards China due to its geographical proximity and complex historical relations. This can sometimes lead to divergences with the US approach.

Climate change policy: While both nations are working towards sustainable development and climate change mitigation, the pace and extent of their commitments differ. India, a developing country, emphasizes the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’ and seeks more support from developed countries like the US.

What should be the course of action for India?

Strategic Diplomacy and Stance on Global Issues: Amid the complexities of a multipolar world, India should uphold its principles of strategic autonomy. This means nurturing its burgeoning relationship with the US, while also maintaining balanced relations with other global powers such as Russia and China. Concurrently, India must articulate its stance on global conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine issue, ensuring respect for international norms without compromising its national interests. In doing so, India affirms its position as a responsible global player capable of contributing to peaceful conflict resolution. 

Trade disputes resolution: India must continue working on resolving trade disputes with the U.S., ensuring the negotiation of fair and balanced trade agreements. Enhancing market access, addressing intellectual property rights issues, and balancing trade deficits should be priorities.

Defense sector: India should carry forward its cooperation with the U.S. in the defense sector, focusing on technology transfer and joint production. This will help enhance India’s defense capabilities, contributing to national security.

Managing regional politics: India needs to carefully manage its regional politics, especially with respect to the Afghanistan situation. It should actively engage with the US and other stakeholders to ensure that its interests in the region are protected.

Role in the Quad: India should utilize the Quad platform for promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, countering China’s aggressive behavior, and addressing shared global challenges such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stance on global issues: India should carefully articulate its stance on global issues such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, respecting international laws and norms while ensuring its national interests are not compromised. As a responsible global player, India should also actively contribute to finding peaceful solutions to these conflicts.

GS PAPER - 3

Climate meet in France: It signals small steps towards improving climate financing architecture

Source: The post is based on the article “Climate meet in France: It signals small steps towards improving climate financing architecture” published in The Indian Express on 26^th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Environment – Climate Change

Relevance: challenges in climate financing

News: Recently, a summit for a ‘Global Financial Pact on Climate Change’ was held in Paris.

What are the excerpts of the Summit?

Most delegates attending the summit arrived at a consensus that multilateral institutions should find ways to unlock new climate investments. Also, debt arrangements should include disaster clauses.

For instance, the disaster clause may include a two-year pause on repayments after an extreme weather event.

However, representatives of the developing countries still feel th at any changes in the funding ecosystem will be gradual.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed a possibility that rich nations will meet their pledge for a $100 billion annual fund for climate change initiatives in the Global South, by the end of this year.

This fund was originally meant to be received by the developing countries by 2020. However, the failure to do so represents the failure of the global climate financing system and a sense of mistrust in climate negotiations.

What are the challenges present in climate financing?

The current commitment of $100 billion represents a fraction of the amount required by the Global South to develop resilience against climate change.

A report presented at COP27 last year. It estimated that, excluding China, developing and emerging economies will require $2 trillion annually by 2030 to support energy transition, adaptation, sustainable agriculture, and address global warming-related loss and damage.

What measures have been taken to support developing countries?

The IMF announced Special Drawing Rights (SDR) of $ 100 billion to Global South. France, Japan, and the UK also made SDR-related pledges.

The World Bank also said it will pause loan repayments for countries struggling with climate disasters.

What more can be done?

Instead of the support from the developed nation, loans currently constitute the primary source of funds for climate financing. Therefore, financing support from developed countries must be fulfilled as soon as possible.

The demand of vulnerable countries at the summit in Paris for their need for grants and technology transfers should also be considered.

Gains from LLMs for India

Source: The post is based on the article “Gains from LLMs for India” published in “Business Standard” on 26th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

News: LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT are useful tools which will impact learning, working and exporting. The need is to devise mechanisms to harness their strengths and avoid their pitfalls.

What are the pitfalls of LLMs?

Firstly, LLMs are trained on the text available over the internet. But most of the text on the Internet is problematic and this is going to get worse, as the Internet is about to grow a hundred-fold with LLM-generated content.

Secondly, LLMs lack a critical sense in assembling the information from the internet, in judging what is appropriate and what is not and in forming a coherent picture.

Thirdly, LLMs can make things up and slip that into the output. (Hallucination)

How LLMs will impact worker productivity in India?

A study “Generative AI at Work” on the impact of generative AI found 14 percent gains for weak employees. However, it also found that it will not be beneficial to skilled employees.  

At best, these tools can close the productivity gap between Indian workers and those from any first-world organization.

India has a very large low-capability workforce. LLMs can increase the productivity of these workers.

Why is a complex management system required for LLMs?

Mistakes made by LLMs are obvious to an expert, but a novice may not be able to point them out.

Therefore, a multi-layer management system for LLMs is required. In this system, first drafts will be produced by juniors using LLMs, which will be reviewed by experts. So that any mistake of the draft can be corrected by an expert.

There are at least three situations where a multi-layer management system for LLMs will yield great results:

1) Email-based customer support: With LLM support, the headcount of employees will go down and their productivity will go up. The minimum bar for recruitment in the Indian labour market might go down, thus permitting going down to workers with lower wages. This will yield improved profit.

2) Computer programming: ChatGPT is useful for translating a programme from one language into another, which Indian software companies do a lot. LLMs for programming can help build code that is inexpensive to maintain and enhance.

3) English communication: A lot of the Indian workforce has poor English and writes bad text in their communications. LLMs can help convert prompts into sound English, and thus improving intra-organisation information flows.

Experts are needed to spot the mistakes made by the LLM. Becoming an expert takes decades of learning and practice. LLMs can disrupt this process as the beginners are not  following the conventional learning practices now.

Incentivise eco-friendly fertilisers

Source: The post is based on the article “Incentivise eco-friendly fertilisers” published in “Business Standard” on 26th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Indian Economy – Agriculture Inputs

News: The growing awareness of the need to reduce the application of chemicals in agriculture is encouraging the use of eco-friendly alternatives like biofertilisers and biopesticides.

What is the need of eco-friendly fertilizers and pesticides?

Biofertilisers and biopesticides are equally or more effective in promoting plant growth and protecting crops. Also, they do not damage resources like soil and water.

Pests and pathogens have started acquiring immunity against the chemicals. New and mutated versions of existing pests and diseases have also begun to emerge.

Consumer demand for products cultivated without the use of harmful chemicals is steadily increasing. Start-ups are also playing an important role in producing and promoting bio-products.

Biopesticides are biodegradable. They can prevent or cure plant diseases and control or repel pests without posing any environmental or health hazards.Their use reduces the risk of weeds developing immunity against specific weedicides.

What are the advantages of eco-friendly fertilisers?

Biofertilisers are beneficial for both plants and soils. They enhance soil’s physical and biological condition and contribute to soil fertility by supplying a range of macro- and micro-nutrients.

Biofertilisers do not result in substantial nutrient losses through gas emissions or leaching, which is a common issue with chemical fertilisers.

Why eco-friendly fertilisers and pesticides need to be incentivized?

Although biofertilisers and biopesticides have demonstrated their effectiveness, their current market share remains inadequate. Nonetheless, their utilization has been steadily increasing at an annual rate of 7-8 percent over the last five years

This rate may rise to over 10 percent in the next five years, due to favourable government policies and growing demand for organically grown products.

The need is to incentivise greater public and private investment in developing newer fertilisers and pesticides which minimizes use of hazardous chemicals.

It is neither feasible nor advisable to completely replace conventional fertilisers and pesticides with bio-based alternatives. However, it is crucial to promote the trend of increased utilization of biological farm inputs.

Manipur — this is not a time for finger-pointing

Source– The post is based on the article “Manipur — this is not a time for finger-pointing” published in “The Hindu” on 26th June 2023.

Syllabus: GS3 – Internal Security

Relevance:  Internal security in in northeast

News- Manipur’s two major communities, the Kukis and Meiteis, have been on a bloody communal clash since May 3. After nearly two months, the State remains tense, with over 120 lives lost.

What is interlink in mutual warfare as evident from the Manipur crisis?

The current standoff in Manipur shows how the hills and valleys depend on each other for their mutual welfare. One community does impact other communities even if they live separately.

The integral geography of hills and valleys, and any move to disrupt this integrity can be a source of a sense of insecurity for another.

Some of the deadliest conflicts in the world were always implicit in shared geographical destinies. Example- Russia’s response to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s overtures in Ukraine.

What are the concerns of Kuki and Meitei people?

Meitei– There is silent and non-aggressive ethnic cleansing of Meiteis from Manipur’s hills in the decades since India’s Independence. There is a need to acknowledge the accumulated pain and humiliation of confinement.

Their demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status is also a response to accumulated pain and confinement.

Kukis– The Kukis have suffered from unjust humiliations and a sense of persecution by the insensitive government policies. The government has pushed policies such as drives against poppy plantation, illegal migration and encroachment into reserved forests.

What is the way forward to resolve the conflict?

This is not the time for finger-pointing. The return of normalcy must be the priority. This initiative should begin from the leadership at the very top.

All stakeholders in this conflict can sit down together to evolve a way forward, with consensus, including structural administrative changes agreeable to all, and for the benefit of all.

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

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