23rd March 2024 : Daily Current Affairs : Micro Notes (Revision Notes) (Arora IAS)

Mains Exam 

Insurgency in Balochistan

Syllabus: GS-2 : International Relations

 Context

• Pakistani security forces repelled a militant attack in Balochistan province.

About Balochistan

• Largest and least populated Pakistani province.
• Rich in natural resources, including oil, making it strategically important.
• History of bloody insurgencies and Baloch nationalist movements since 1948.

Background of the Insurgency

• Partition of British India in 1947:
  • Balochistan region divided into four princely states.
  • These states offered three options: join India, Pakistan, or remain independent.
  • Khan of Kalat (largest state) initially chose independence.
• Treaty signed between Kalat and Muslim League in 1947:
  • Recognized Kalat as an independent state.
  • Pakistan later disregarded the treaty.
• Pakistan Army forced annexation of Kalat in 1948.

Insurgency and Discontent

• Forceful integration of Kalat into Pakistan led to:
  • Discontent and resistance among Baloch people.
  • View of annexation as a betrayal of autonomy and cultural identity.
• Multiple insurgencies for independence suppressed by Pakistan.
• Balochistan:
  • Most neglected and poverty-stricken province despite its size and resources.
  • Contributes only 4% to Pakistan’s economy.

India’s Stand on Balochistan

• Complex and influenced by various factors:
  • Geopolitics
  • Regional stability
  • Relationship with Pakistan
• India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir prevents overt Indian involvement.
• Pakistan accuses India of supporting Baloch separatists (denied by India).
• India:
  • Supports right to self-determination for Baloch people.
  • Maintains non-interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs.
• India’s stance balances concern for human rights with maintaining diplomatic ties with Pakistan.

 

Prime Minister Modi’s Visit to Bhutan

Syllabus: GS-2 : International Relations

 Context

• PM Modi visited Bhutan in a two-day visit as part of India’s Neighbourhood First Policy.

Key Highlights

• India and Bhutan signed seven agreements on energy, food safety, sports, research, and space collaboration.
• PM Modi received the Order of Druk Gyalpo, Bhutan’s highest honor.
• India doubled its assistance to Bhutan from ₹5,000 crore (2019-2024) to ₹10,000 crore (till 2029).

India-Bhutan Relations

• Geographical Connection: Bhutan shares a 699 km border with four Indian states, acting as a buffer between India and China.
• Diplomatic Relations: Established in 1968, with the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (1949) as the cornerstone.
• Trade Relations: India is Bhutan’s top trading partner with trade in goods increasing from US$484 million to US$1.606 billion in the last decade.
• Financial Assistance: India contributes 73% of Bhutan’s total external grant component for the 12th Five Year Plan (₹5000 Cr).

Development Projects

• Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs):
  • Completed: Chukha HEP, Kurichhu HEP, Tala HEP (exporting surplus power to India).
  • Ongoing: 720 MW Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Power Project, 1200 MW Punatsangchhu-1 & 1020 MW Punatsangchhu-2.
• Supporting Bhutan’s “Gelephu Mindfulness City” project.
• Planned: 58-km rail link between Gelephu (Bhutan) and Kokrajhar (Assam, India).

The China Factor

• China’s growing presence in Bhutan is a concern for India.
• Bhutan’s border negotiations with China worry India.
• Potential Doklam swap: China might seek Doklam in exchange for disputed territories in northern Bhutan.
• Doklam’s strategic importance: The Doklam plateau borders the Siliguri Corridor, connecting India’s mainland to the Northeast.
• Chinese territorial claims:
  • 2020 claim on Bhutan’s Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary bordering Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Alleged construction of villages inside Bhutan.
• India views China’s claims as pressure tactics to gain control of Doklam.

Way Ahead

• India’s engagement strengthens its strategic position in the Himalayas amidst border tensions with China.
• Development assistance will boost Bhutan’s economy and economic ties between the two nations.

 

 

Prelims Exam

International Organisations

Digital Innovation Board of ITU 

• Co-chaired by India.
• Part of ITU’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development.
• 23 members from Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America.
• Focuses on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship for a more inclusive digital future.
• Provides guidance and advocacy for building critical local enablers and fostering innovation in digital development.

Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

• Intergovernmental organization founded in 2001 with nine members (China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran) and three observer states (Afghanistan, Belarus, Mongolia).
• Aims to enhance regional cooperation to curb terrorism, separatism, and extremism in Central Asia.
• SCO Startup Forum:
  • Focuses on broadening startup interactions among member states.
  • Provides value to startups through mentoring and enabling access to investors and corporations.

AUKUS Agreement

• Trilateral security partnership between Australia, UK, and US for the Indo-Pacific.
• US and UK to help Australia acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
• Cooperation on advanced technologies like AI, cyber, and hypersonic weapons.
• Australia to provide 4.6 billion Australian dollars to British industry for submarine construction.

Science and Technology

Project ANAGRANINF

• Sanctioned by Technology Development Board (TDB) for developing new antibiotics against gram-negative bacterial infections.
• Joint effort between Indian and Spanish companies.

Gram-Negative Bacteria

• Develop resistance to existing antibiotics.
• Cause severe hospital-acquired infections like pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and meningitis.

Pushpak

• ISRO’s achievement in Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Technology.
• Named after the mythological spaceship from Ramayana.
• Lifted by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter and released from 4.5 km altitude.
• Shielded with heat-resistant materials for atmospheric re-entry.
• Part of RLV-TD project, a crucial step towards developing a fully reusable launch vehicle for low-cost space access.

Art and Culture

Mohiniyattam

• One of eight classical dance forms recognized by Sangeet Natak Academy.
• From Kerala, named after the mythical enchantress Mohini.
• Performed by women in honor of Lord Vishnu.
• Characterized by graceful, swaying body movements and emphasis on acting.