9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – March 11th, 2023

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GS PAPER - 2

India and Sweden: Old friends in new times

Source: The post is based on the article “India and Sweden: Old friends in new times” published in The Indian Express on 11th March 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – International Relations

Relevance: India-Sweden bilateral relations

News: There have been 75 years to bilateral relation between India and Sweden. The article discusses the bilateral relations between the two nations.

How has been the bilateral relations between India and Sweden?

Manufacturing: Sweden and India have both identified industry and manufacturing as the key to building long-term economic growth. The extensive bilateral manufacturing exchange between Sweden and India has allowed the two countries to benefit from each other.

Swedish companies like Ericsson, SKF, Alfa Laval, and Volvo have been ambassadors of Sweden in India for innovation, sustainable manufacturing, skill development, and social inclusion.

Clean Energy: There have been many Swedish innovations in India to enable decarbonisation. There is further need to work toward socially and environmentally sustainable practices throughout the entire supply chain.

Further, Bilaterally, both the nations prioritise digitalisation, the green transition, and the industry of the future.

Multilaterally, both nations co-chairs the Leadership Group for Industry Transition and also through their respective presidencies in the European Union and the G20, they lead the way towards achieving sustainable goals.

Trade: The year 2022 saw record bilateral trade between the two nations.

What lies ahead for the bilateral relations between India and Sweden?

Sweden is one of the strongest proponents for a Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and India. An FTA would be a game changer for both the economies.

Further, Sweden is also committed towards deepening and expanding the partnership by capitalising on the collaboration in innovation, green transition, energy, health, industry policy and more.

Hence, both nations should work together on improving ties and collaborating on strategic issues and leading the development.

Nobody loves local government

Source: This post is created based on the article “Nobody loves local government”, published in the Indian Express on 11th March, 2023.

Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – Indian Polity – Devolution of power upto the local levels

Context: on the 30th anniversary celebrations of 73rd and 74th amendments, there is a need to take a relook on the achievements of local governance.

Centralisation was made attractive by the argument that centralised power would be required to break the power of local elite.

However, even after 73rd and 74th Amendments,  both central and state governments, are looking to hoard most of the resources.

India has the lowest spending on local government as a proportion of resources.

In this regard, it becomes important to look at the significance and challenges associated with local governance.

Achievement of 73rd and 74th amendments

It made common citizens, representatives sharing power with central and state governments.

It led to the devolution of many important functions to the local government.

Women empowerment.

What are the challenges facing local governance?

It is a common perception that the lower tiers of government is incompetent. However, the state at local levels is competent, which is facing a lack of support and investment from the top.

A good amount of Fiscal resources that local governments is managing, going through central level schemes, like NREGA.

Technology has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it can create local capacity; on the other, it has been used to largely bypass political negotiation and control.

What steps should be taken?

Local government requires many technical, administrative and financial fixes.

Jayalalithaa, the former chief minister, made the case for a unified district-level local government rather than a distinction between urban and rural. Now, many important decisions for urbanisation, like land use change are being made in panchayats.

Decentralisation was designed to be the pathways to inclusive growth through inclusive governance and active citizenship. Therefore, the state would be better served by decentralisation than centralisation, transparency instead of opacity (hence the RTI Act), public reason instead of administrative discretion (hence independent regulators), local capacity instead of concentrated authority, active participation instead of subject status.

India-Australia relations: Challenges and Significance – Explained, pointwise

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Introduction

The Australian Prime Minister (PM) is on a trip to India. During his visit, India and Australia signed an Audio-visual co-production agreement. The two Prime Ministers also discussed a range of domains to improve India-Australia relations. But to realise the full potential of India-Australia relations few concerns have to be addressed.

What are key discussions in the recent Australian Prime Minister (PM) visit to India?

Australia wants to work with India and build a relationship in the areas of culture, economics, and security.

-Both countries signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for sports and audio-visual co-production agreements, and they also talked about the terms of reference for the Solar Taskforce between India and Australia.

India was worried about the damage done to Hindu temples in Australia by people who support the Khalistani government. In reply, Australia agreed to protect and keep safe the Indian community in Australia. 

About the evolution of India-Australia relations in the past 

India-Australia relations
Source: MEA

Pre-Independence ties: India and Australia’s relations started immediately after European arrival in Australia in 1788. All trade to and from the penal colony of New South Wales was controlled by the British East India Company through Kolkata. 

Both established diplomatic relations in the pre-Independence period, with the establishment of the India Trade Office in Sydney in 1941. The end of the Cold War and simultaneously India’s decision to launch major economic reforms in 1991 provided the first positive move towards the development of closer ties between the two nations. 

Post-Independence ties: With the passage of time, the relationship gained momentum towards a strategic relationship, alongside the existing economic engagement.

Since the elevation of the relationship in 2020, the countries have advanced practical actions on cyber and critical technologies, maritime affairs, defence ties, economic and business links and Quadrilateral cooperation. 

The countries have also signed India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (India-Australia ECTA) in 2022. It is a path-breaking trade agreement for both countries and is expected to enhance bilateral trade. 

What is the significance of Australia to India and vice versa? 

Indo-Pacific Stability: Both nations aspire to a free, open, inclusive, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The establishment of QUAD grouping and active participation by both is necessary to counter China’s actions in the region. 

Gateway to Pacific Countries: The growing cooperation would help India get better access to Pacific Island nations like Kiribati, Solomon Islands etc. as Australia enjoys a high degree of influence over them. 

Indian Diaspora: As per the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2016 census, 619,164 people in Australia declared that they were of ethnic Indian ancestry which made 2.8% of the Australian population. This huge number induces India to work in tandem with Australia for ensuring their well-being and development. 

Upholding International Law: Both nations have a firm commitment to a rule-based international order. They believe in sovereign equality of nations and progression based on mutual respect and understanding. 

Geo-Strategic Considerations: Considering Australia’s proximity with the Indian Ocean, active engagement is desired for maintaining India’s strong position in the Indian Ocean region. Further, Australia’s support is desired for getting membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group and bringing reforms to UNSC. 

Energy security: Australia’s long-term and secure LNG supply can help diversify India’s current highly concentrated import supplies from the Middle East. 

Defying China: Australia is fully aware of China’s desire to become the dominating force in the Indo-Pacific region. They are also aware of China’s use of economic coercion and its goal to restore the Middle Kingdom. All of this is causing other countries like Australia to balance and restrain China. And India is seen as a key component in these initiatives. 

Read more: India-Australia Bilateral Relationship – Explained, pointwise 

What are the areas of cooperation in India-Australia Relations? 

India-Australia relations - Economic cooperation
Source: MEA

Comprehensive strategic partnership: In 2020, the Prime Ministers of both the countries elevated bilateral relationship from “strategic partnership” to “comprehensive strategic partnership” during the India-Australia Leaders Virtual Summit. 

Defence Cooperation: 

Educational cooperation: 

  • The Australia-India education qualification recognition mechanism was signed in 2023. This new mechanism will mean that degrees obtained in Australia will now be recognised in India, and, vice-versa. 
  • Two Australian government universities, Deakin University and University of Wollongong, will be the first foreign education institutions to set up campuses in GIFT City, Gujarat 

Economic Cooperation:  

  • Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at about US$ 27.5 billion in FY 21. 
  • India-Australia Economic Cooperation Trade Agreement (ECTA) was in force since 2022. This has resulted in an immediate reduction of duty to zero on 96% of Indian exports to Australia in value (that is 98% of the tariff lines) and zero duty on 85% of Australia’s exports (in value) to India. 

Security Cooperation: India and Australia are both members of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) along with the US and Japan.Further Australia participated in the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Malabar Naval exercise. 

Energy Cooperation:  

  • A Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement between the two countries was signed in 2014. The agreement provides the framework for substantial new trade in energy between Australia and India. 
  • In 2022, both countries signed a Letter of Intent on New and Renewable Energy for cooperation to reduce the cost of renewable energy technologies, including ultra low-cost solar and clean hydrogen. 
  • India announced Australian Dollars(AUD) 10 million for Pacific Island Countries under the International Solar Alliance (ISA). 

Multilateral cooperation:  

  • Both are members of the Quad, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), ASEAN Regional Forum, and Asia Pacific Partnership on Climate and Clean Development, and have participated in the East Asia Summits. 
  • Both countries have also been cooperating as members of the Five Interested Parties (FIP) in the World Trade Organization context. 
  • Australia is an important player in Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and supports India’s membership in the organisation. 
  • Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI): India, Australia, and Japan collaborated to strengthen Indo-Pacific supply chains. 

Science and Technology: Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF) is a pillar of collaboration on science, technology and research. Both countries successfully conducted the 2021 India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon.Australia is also supporting India’s Gaganyaan Space Program. 

People to People Ties: Australia is investing in India’s talented young people through a new Future Skills Initiative between education and training providers and industry. This complements the Australian government’s significant new Maitri scholarships and fellowships which gives Indian students and researchers the chance to experience Australia’s world class education system. 

Cultural Cooperation: Australia’s Indigenous peoples are custodians of the oldest continuing civilisation in the world. This is the reason the Australian government returned 29 culturally significant artefacts to India. 

What are the challenges in India-Australia Relations? 

Coal mine controversy: There was controversy over the Adani coal mine project in Australia, with some activists protesting against it, which created a strain in the relationship between the two countries. 

Visa issues: There have been concerns over visa restrictions for Indian students and professionals seeking to work in Australia. 

India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine crisis: Australia has criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine and sided with the U.S. and western countries. However, India has refrained from criticizing Russia over the issue. This can create differences in bilateral discourse and the functioning of QUAD.   

No Free Trade Agreement: Both nations have been interacting and communicating with each other for decades but have failed to create a consensus on a Free trade agreement. 

China’s Discontent: China is unhappy with the growing security cooperation between Australia and India. The Chinese government responded to the Quadrilateral dialogue by issuing formal diplomatic protests to its members, calling it Asian NATO”. 

Lack of Uranium Supply: The progress on uranium supply has been very low, despite efforts from both sides. In 2017, Australia had sent its first uranium shipment to India but that was cited as a small sample of uranium” transferred purely for testing purposes”. 

Violence with Indian Diaspora: Attacks on Indian Diaspora and temples in the recent past by Khalistan supporters have been an issue of strain. 

What can be done to strengthen India-Australia Relations? 

Focus on economics competitiveness: India would have to work on improving its competitiveness, as in most trade sectors, it would be competing with China, ASEAN, Chile, Japan, Korea and New Zealand, which have already-functional FTAs with Australia. Australia has 16 FTAs under operation. 

Reduce religious polarisation in India: Like India raised objections about Khalistani groups and their attack on temples in Australia, India should reduce religious polarisation within the country.

Active diplomatic engagement: It would be required to make Australia fulfil its promise to amend its domestic tax law in order to stop taxation of the offshore income of Indian firms providing technical services to Australia. 

Collaborate on Science & Technology: India and Australia have a strong track record of collaborating in research and innovation. The Australian Government’s $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda presents new opportunities to engage with India. The agenda resonates well with India’s ‘Start-up India’ and ‘Make in India’ campaign. 

Encourage cooperation in Space: India can provide commercial Space applications to Australia for several of its Space initiatives. 

Focus on common interests: Regular strategic dialogue should focus on common interests, including those relating to China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, terrorism and maritime security. A bilateral security declaration is needed between Australia and India. India should reciprocate Australia’s overtures to engage as a priority maritime partner. 

Read more: Indo-Australian relationship. How bilateral relations among two nations can be strengthened? 

Sources: DFAT, MEA, Indian Express (Article 1 and Article 2), The Hindu(Article 1 and Article 2)

Syllabus: GS 2: International Relations – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

GS PAPER - 3

A moment of reckoning for AUKUS and Australia

Source– The post is based on the article “A moment of reckoning for AUKUS and Australia” published in The Hindu on 10th March 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- International relations

Relevance– Important development impacting the geopolitics around world

News– An announcement about an “optimal pathway” for AUKUS is on the horizon. It has implications for Australia’s plans to operate a fleet of nuclear powered submarines within the next decade.

What are options before the UK?

The first is for the U.S. to build nuclear powered attack submarines for Australia. But many U.S. policymakers seem sceptical about this option.

The US is also facing problems with nuclear submarine construction. So, the possibility of the U.S. building SSNs for Australia appears rather remote.

The second option is for the U.K. to expand its Astute­ class programme to Australia. But it is not without challenges.

The U.K. is constructing its Dreadnought Class ballistic missile submarine programme while designing the Astute­class replacement in a sequential build process.

Even if Australia acquired an Astute­class submarine, integrating the onboard combat system would be difficult due to differences between the current Australian and American fleets.

The third and perhaps most likely option is a trilateral effort to develop a new nuclear submarine design.

Canberra could announce a modified version of the yet to be launched U.S. Next ­Generation Attack Submarine or U.K. Submersible Ship Nuclear Replacement programmes, or even a completely new AUKUS­ class design to be acquired by all three Countries.

What are the challenges before Australia in getting SSBNs from the UK and US?

Australia must find ways to get around U.S. export controls. U.S.’s stringent export control and protocol regime could jeopardise the technology transfer agreement.

To operationalise the pact, the only way forward is to reform the U.S. export control regime by creating a “carve­out” of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). This is not easy.

Many of its regional partners oppose the Royal Australian Navy operating nuclear attack submarines. Some, such as Indonesia, have been open about their reservations.

Others, such as India, despite being politically supportive of AUKUS, appear conflicted about the prospect of these submarines operating in the regional littorals.

How developments related to AUKUS have implications for?

Even with its closest allies, the U.S. is facing difficulties in transferring technology. It is not that Washington does not want to help a partner. But the U.S. export control system is so rigid. Acquiring critical technology from the U.S. remains a daunting task.

The other lesson is that nuclear technology is difficult under the international system. For Australia to operate nuclear powered submarines, it will have to exploit a loophole.

The loophole allows non­nuclear weapon countries to withdraw the fissile material required for submarine reactors from the IAEA Monitored stockpile.

The removal could set a dangerous precedent by allowing potential proliferators to use naval reactors as a cover for future nuclear weapons development.

Acquiring nuclear propulsion technology is likely to be also complicated for India. It is not a party to the Non­ Proliferation Treaty.

The complexities involved in the transfer of technology for HEU fueled reactors in nuclear attack submarines from the U.S. and U.K. leave India with only one practical option. It is buying a high-power reactor from France.

The miniaturised low enriched uranium (LEU) reactor core for SSNs is a workable alternative. But, it has its own limitations in terms of Indian dependence on France for reactor fuel and the need for periodic refuelling.

Let’s talk about crime – on Cyber Crimes

Source: The post is based on the article “Let’s talk about crime” published in Business Standard on 11th March 2023.

Syllabus: GS 3 – Cyber Security

Relevance: Cyber-crimes and measures to prevent them

News: The article discusses the increasing cyber-crimes and measures to deal with it.

How do cyber-crimes possess threats to people?

The incident of cybercrimes has increased with the time and the digitalization has further given the advantage to the scammers.

Scammers usually pretend to be from a bank or a fintech company and ask for information from the account holders. They have also developed fake apps/websites that look like real bank apps/websites.

So, multiple ways are being adopted to trap people in the scam and those who get trapped in the scam end up losing money.

Moreover, it is also not easy to trace the scammers because they disappear without leaving a trace. The process of filing a cyber-crime complaint is also difficult for non-tech people. 

What can be done to prevent cyber-crimes by the Financial Institutions?

First, they need to spread awareness and talk about the issue to the general public.

Second, they should take several measures to publicise the issue. For example, everyone opening a new bank account should receive mandatory warnings about not getting trapped into the scam.

They should also message regularly on social media about the common scams and how to avoid them.

Third, Financial institutions need to lobby authorities to make it easier to file cybercrime complaints.

Fourth, they also need to explore ways to make it more difficult for criminals to scam people.

Dump This Practice – Kochi garbage fire is a warning to all cities

Source: The post is based on the article “Dump This Practice – Kochi garbage fire is a warning to all cities” published in The Times of India on 11th March 2023.

Syllabus: GS – 3 – Environmental pollution and degradation.

Relevance: About Kochi garbage fire.

News: Kochi became clouded in toxic fumes after the Brahmapuram dumpyard caught fire recently. The Kochi garbage fire made many people in close vicinity to shift out temporarily. The winds carried noxious dioxins and furans inside faraway homes.

What is the reason behind Kochi garbage fire incident?

The waste treatment plant has been operating without a licence since 2016. This is because, they kept failing at various mandated benchmarks, from plastic waste segregation to bio-mining of legacy waste. Since it is the only dump yard in Kochi, the debris kept rising.

Read more: New e-waste rules and India’s e-waste challenge – Explained, pointwise

What Kochi garbage fire incident highlights about India’s waste treatment plants?

Kochi garbage fire incident is a familiar occurrence across the country. Unsanitary mixed waste dumps are regularly leaking serious health hazards into the air, whether it is the Adharwadi and Deonar landfills in Maharashtra or the massive garbage mountains in Ghazipur, Okhla and Bhalswa in Delhi.

Municipal bodies have less accountability for waste treatment. Hence, the waste turns into totally unsustainable ones.

Must read: Waste Management in India: Status, Challenges and Solutions – Explained, pointwise

More urbanisation is generating more waste daily. Scientific management of waste will be the backbone of India’s cities.

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