08 june 2020 : The Hindu Editorials Summary & Short Notes
Editorial Topic Name – IN PERSIAN GULF LITTORAL , COOPERATIVE SECURITY IS KEY
QUESTION: Discuss the impact of rising US-Iran conflict on India and its international relations.
Arora IAS Editorial Summary
WHAT?
- Persian Gulf Region
WHY IN NEWS?
- Because this Persian Gulf region has the presence of major producers of crude oil and natural gas, and thereby contributing to the global economy.
- Thus, maintaining peace through cooperative security by regional members is one of the best solutions to stabilize the region politically and economically.
PERSIAN GULF REGION:
- The land is shared by 8 countries namely- BAHRAIN, IRAN, IRAQ , KUWAIT, OMAN, QATAR , SAUDI ARABIA and the UAE.
- UAE , Bahrain , Saudi , Oman , Qatar and Kuwait are the member countries of Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC).
- Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi are OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) members.
BACKGROUND:
- For eight decades prior to 1978, this gulf was guarded as ‘ British Lake’.
- Events like Muscat Conference (1975) , Iranian Revolution(1979) and Iraq-Iran war (1980) increased the political tensions.
- Subsequently, it enhanced USA’s interests and roles in the region.
- Later, the UNSC Resolution 598 (1987) was adopted to ensure a ceasefire between Iran and Iraq specifically and to explore measures to enhance the security and stability in the region.
CURRENT SITUATION:
- RISING CONFLICTS IN THE REGION: e. Yemen , Syria, Libya , aggravated global and regional relationships.
- USA’S ROLE IS DECLINING: as conflicts have hampered USA -Iran relations.
- Declining USA’s commitment to sub-regional security has raised more issues among GCC members due to political and ideological disagreement with Iran.
- SPLIT WITHIN GCC: due to following reasons-
- Global Eco. Crisis,
- Immediate and longer term impact of COVID-19 on regional economies.
- Decline in oil prices.
Problems in OPEC.
INDIA AND PERSIAN GULF REGION:
- The friendly relation has been reflected in bilateral trade of around $121 billion and remittances of $49 billion.
- GCC suppliers account for around 34% of India’s crude imports.
- The eco. and pol. relationship of India with GCC has blossomed in recent years.
INDIA-IRAN:
- India has always shared a friendly relationship with Iran. But both faces one of the most complex phases at all times due to USA’s pressure which has politico-economic impacts.
- In May 2018, USA abandoned the nuclear deal and reinstated eco. sanctions against Iran.
INDIA’S OVERALL ROLE IN THE REGION:
- India has avoided an involvement in local or regional disputes in region.
- Indian interests do not entail power projection but necessitate peace and regional stability.
THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR ENSURING SECURITY-
- Prevention of conflict that may impinge on the freedom of trade and shipping.
- Freedom of access to Gulf waters through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Freedom of commercial shipping in international waters of the Persian Gulf.
- Conditions of peace and stability in individual littoral states.
WAY FORWARD:
- Indian interests would be best served if this stability is ensured through cooperative security options.
- It has been assessed that the Saudi is a fading power whereas UAE, Qatar and Iran are emerging as the new regional leaders. Oman and Iraq will have to struggle to retain their sovereign identities.
Short Notes
WHAT?
- Persian Gulf Region
WHY IN NEWS?
- Gulf countries and other efforts to maintain peace + cooperative security in Persian Gulf region + tackling oil related issues.
PERSIAN GULF REGION:
- 8 countries = BAHRAIN, IRAN, IRAQ , KUWAIT, OMAN, QATAR , SAUDI ARABIA and the UAE + UAE , Bahrain , Saudi , Oman , Qatar and Kuwait = GCC members+ Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi = OPEC members.
BACKGROUND:
- Before 1978, this gulf = ‘ British Lake’ + Muscat Conference , Iranian Revolution and Iraq-Iran war = political tensions.
- UNSC Resolution 598 (1987) = adopted to ensure a ceasefire between Iran and Iraq enhancing security and stability.
CURRENT SITUATION:
- RISING CONFLICTS IN THE REGION.
- USA’S ROLE IS DECLINING.
- Declining USA’s commitment to sub-regional security + disagreement with Iran.
- SPLIT WITHIN GCC due to – Global Eco. Crisis, Decline in oil prices, Problems in OPEC.
INDIA AND PERSIAN GULF REGION:
- The friendly relation = bilateral trade.
- GCC – 34% of India’s crude imports + improving relations with GCC.
INDIA-IRAN:
- friendly relation But problems escalation due to USA interference+ May 2018, USA= abandoned the nuclear deal + sanctions.
INDIA’S OVERALL ROLE IN THE REGION:
- Avoided regional disputes + necessitate peace and regional stability.
THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR ENSURING SECURITY-
- Conflict prevention + freedom of trade and shipping + Freedom = Gulf waters through the Strait of Hormuz + commercial shipping in international waters of the Persian Gulf + peace & stability like conditions.
WAY FORWARD:
- Indian interests would be best served if this stability is ensured through cooperative security options + sovereign identities can be retained from cooperative envt.
Editorial Topic Name – POACHING DOUBLED DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWN
QUESTION: Poaching is one of the major issues in the protection of wild animals . Discuss how can real-time monitoring of animals help in tackling poaching as well as reduce instances of man-animal conflict?
Arora IAS Editorial Summary
WHAT?
- Indian Wildlife amidst COVID-19 crisis.
WHY IN NEWS?
- Recently, a report titled “Indian wildlife during Covid-19 crisis: An analysis of the states of poaching and illegal wildlife trade was released by TRAFFIC.
KNOW ABOUT TRAFFIC( THE WILDLIFE TRADE MONITORING NETWORK):
- It is a leading non-governmental Org. working on wildlife trade in context of both biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
- It is a join program of WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources).
- In 1976 having HQs in Cambridge, UK.
- It played key role in bringing together the South Asian countries to form South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network(SAWEN).
- The main aim of this initiative is to have the countries collaborate and cooperate to fight wildlife crime in the region.
REPORT FINDINGS:
- The report has recorded a significant increase in poaching in India during the over two month long lockdown period.
- It points out that reports of poaching for consumption and local trade have more than doubled during Covid-19 lockdown.
- Report has found that incidences rose from 35 to 88 and added that it remains unknown how reporting rates in the media have changed because of the lockdown.
SMALL MAMMAL CATEGORY:
- Includes hares, pangolins , giant squirrels , monkeys etc. Cases against this group 17 to 25% between the pre and lockdown periods.
BIRD-RELATED SEIZURES:
- There was a slight decrease in the incidences, which dropped from 14% to 7% between the analysis period.
- There was less reporting of poaching and illegal trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles.
CONCLUSION:
- The outcome of this report indicates that “despite efforts by law-enforcement agencies, wild animal populations in India are being subjected to additional threats during the lockdown period”.
- More than doubling of reported poaching cases will place additional burden on wildlife law enforcement agencies.
Short Notes
WHAT?
- Indian Wildlife amidst COVID-19 crisis.
WHY IN NEWS
- “Indian wildlife during Covid-19 crisis: An analysis of the states of poaching and illegal wildlife trade was released by TRAFFIC.
KNOW ABOUT TRAFFIC( THE WILDLIFE TRADE MONITORING NETWORK):
- Non-governmental Org. working on wildlife trade + conserving biodiv. & sustainable development + Program of WWF & IUCN
- In 1976 + HQs in Cambridge, UK.
- Role in bringing together the SAWEN
- Aim = Collaboration+cooperation, protecing wildlife.
REPORT FINDINGS:
- significant increase in poaching in India + poaching for consumption and local trade have more than doubled during Covid-19 lockdown + Incidences rose from 35 to 88
SMALL MAMMAL CATEGORY:
- Includes hares, pangolins , giant squirrels Cases against this group 17 to 25% .
BIRD-RELATED SEIZURES:
- Slight decrease in the incidences, which dropped from 14% to 7% + less reporting of poaching and illegal trade in tortoises and freshwater turtles.
CONCLUSION:
- Not productive outcomes coming from law-enforcement agencies.
- Doubling poaching = additional burden on wildlife law enforcement agencies.
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