1. Revival of SAARC
Syllabus: GS2 – International Organisation
Context
Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, has emphasized the revival of the “spirit of SAARC”, arguing that the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) holds the potential to resolve many of the region’s significant challenges.
SAARC’s Dormancy
The SAARC Summit, scheduled for 2016 in Islamabad, was canceled following the Uri terrorist attack in India. Several nations, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Afghanistan, opted not to attend. The last SAARC biennial summit was held in 2014 in Nepal. Many South Asian leaders have expressed the need for SAARC to become an active and functional body to address pressing regional issues, including security, economic cooperation, and humanitarian crises, such as the Rohingya situation.
Reasons for SAARC’s Failures
- Lack of Political Will: Member states often prioritize national interests over regional cooperation. The absence of political commitment from leaders to resolve conflicts or work collectively has stunted SAARC’s growth. Unlike the European Union, where member states have overcome historical differences, South Asian leaders have been less proactive in fostering regional unity.
- Structural Weakness: SAARC operates on a unanimity principle, requiring all members’ consent for decisions. This has led to deadlock as countries, particularly India or Pakistan, can veto or block initiatives. This structural flaw limits SAARC’s ability to transcend political differences or manage regional disputes effectively.
- Economic Disparities: Significant economic disparities exist among SAARC members. India’s dominant economic position in the region often causes resentment among smaller states, who feel overshadowed by India’s ‘Big Brother’ hegemony.
- Limited Scope of Cooperation: SAARC has been successful in areas such as health, education, and disaster management, but has struggled with more critical sectors like security, trade, and economic development. The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) agreements remain largely unimplemented, limiting economic collaboration.
- External Influence: External powers, such as China and the U.S., exert geopolitical influence, complicating SAARC’s internal dynamics. China’s growing presence through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has caused divisions among SAARC members, disrupting regional unity.
- Internal Conflicts and Political Instability: Many SAARC nations face internal political challenges, including civil unrest, coups, and ethnic insurgencies, which undermine their ability to engage fully in regional cooperation. For example, Afghanistan’s ongoing conflict and Bangladesh’s crisis weaken SAARC’s cohesion.
Need for SAARC Revival
- Regional Cooperation for Peace and Security: A functional SAARC can serve as a platform for dialogue, confidence-building, and peaceful conflict resolution. Cooperation on issues such as terrorism, cross-border disputes, and cybersecurity is crucial for regional stability.
- Economic Integration and Development: South Asia remains among the least economically integrated regions globally. A revived SAARC could promote intra-regional trade, investment, and economic cooperation through agreements like SAFTA. Enhanced economic ties could lead to job creation, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development for the region’s 1.8 billion people.
- Addressing Common Challenges: The region faces shared challenges, including climate change, natural disasters, food security, public health issues, and water resource management. A stronger SAARC could coordinate regional efforts to address these challenges effectively.
- Rohingya and Refugee Crisis: Regional cooperation is essential to manage humanitarian crises like the Rohingya situation. SAARC could facilitate discussions on repatriation, resource-sharing, and addressing the root causes of refugee movements, providing relief to countries like Bangladesh that are under considerable strain.
- Geopolitical Balance: Given China’s growing influence in South Asia, reviving SAARC would allow member states to collaborate strategically to balance external powers. This could help promote regional autonomy and strengthen South-South cooperation.
- Leveraging Global Forums: A reinvigorated SAARC could amplify South Asia’s voice in global forums such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and climate summits, ensuring the region’s interests are represented effectively.
India’s Role and Contribution
India continues to support SAARC, demonstrated by initiatives like the launch of the South Asian Satellite and the establishment of the South Asian University, which have fostered regional collaboration in technology, education, and research. However, India has increasingly focused on interregional initiatives like BIMSTEC and its Act East Policy. For SAARC to remain relevant, it must rejuvenate itself in the face of evolving geopolitical dynamics.
Way Ahead
- Strengthening Political Will: Member states, especially India and Pakistan, must prioritize regional cooperation over bilateral tensions. Diplomatic dialogue and confidence-building measures are necessary to ensure SAARC’s smooth functioning.
- Boosting Intra-Regional Trade: Streamlining trade procedures, enhancing connectivity, and fully implementing SAFTA can unlock the region’s untapped trade potential, fostering economic growth.
- Leveraging Sub-Regional Initiatives: India and other members can align initiatives like BIMSTEC and the Act East Policy with SAARC goals to ensure mutual growth and regional stability without sidelining SAARC.
2.WHO Global Framework for Pathogen Origins
Syllabus: Science and Technology: Health
Source: WHO
Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched its first Global Framework for investigating the origins of novel or re-emerging pathogens.
Framework Overview
- Developed by: The Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), established by WHO in 2021, comprising global independent experts.
- Key Principles: The framework aligns with International Health Regulations (IHR) and the One Health approach.
- International Health Regulations (IHR): A legally binding framework for global health responses.
- One Health Approach: Integrates human, animal, and ecosystem health.
WHO Global Framework for Pathogen Origins:
Description
The framework provides a unified approach to investigating the origins of new or re-emerging pathogens.
Key Features
It includes comprehensive guidelines for early investigation, sample collection, human studies on transmission and clinical presentations, studies on the human-animal interface, and research into insect vectors, environmental sources, and genomics.
Objective
The framework aims to prevent and contain health crises by understanding pathogen origins, focusing on the timely and transparent sharing of findings.
Pathogens and Their Impact
Pathogens are microorganisms responsible for causing disease. They include:
- Bacteria: Single-celled organisms causing infections like tuberculosis (e.g., Mycobacterium tuberculosis).
- Viruses: Smaller agents invading host cells to replicate and cause diseases such as COVID-19 (e.g., SARS-CoV-2).
- Fungi: Organisms causing conditions like athlete’s foot (e.g., Candida albicans).
- Parasites: Organisms living on or within hosts, causing diseases like malaria (e.g., Plasmodium falciparum).
- Prions: Misfolded proteins causing degenerative brain diseases (e.g., prions responsible for Mad Cow Disease).
Significance
Understanding the origins of pathogens is vital for preventing health crises. The framework aims to prevent future pandemics by ensuring investigations are conducted promptly, with transparent reporting.
What is Disease X?
Disease X refers to a hypothetical pathogen with no known treatment that could cause a major pandemic. WHO added it to its Blueprint list in 2018, predicting that it could be 20 times more lethal than SARS-CoV-2. Disease X underscores the potential threat of future microbial outbreaks.
What is the Pandemic Treaty?
The Draft Pandemic Treaty is an international agreement spearheaded by WHO to strengthen global cooperation in preventing, preparing for, and responding to pandemics. It covers surveillance, detection, and access to health technologies. The final agreement is targeted for adoption at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024.
3. Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain
Syllabus: Internal Security
Source: IE
Context: The second summit on Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM), following the first one in 2023, is being held in Seoul. It aims to establish global norms for the military application of AI. While the US and China are actively involved, India has been observing rather than participating.
Aim: The summit discusses the broader military implications of AI, evolving from debates on autonomous weapons to other defense applications. The US advocates for responsible AI use through national policies and a UN resolution, while China is focused on regulatory frameworks. India is facing pressure to transition from a passive role and contribute to shaping global norms on AI.
What is REAIM?
The Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM) is a global forum aimed at developing ethical standards and guidelines for the application of AI in defense. It brings together governments, international bodies, tech companies, and civil society to deliberate on the impacts of AI in military contexts and establish norms that promote safe and ethical use of these technologies. The summit focuses on shaping global regulations to govern military AI use.
Principles for the Responsible Use of AI in Warfare:
- Human Oversight: Ensure human supervision in critical decisions, especially those involving life or death.
- Accountability: Assign responsibility for AI-driven decisions and their outcomes.
- Transparency: Maintain transparency in AI systems to make their decision-making understandable.
- Safety and Security: Prioritize safety to avoid unintended outcomes and prevent misuse.
- Ethical Standards: Adhere to ethical standards and humanitarian laws in AI applications.
- Accuracy and Reliability: Ensure AI systems function accurately and reliably.
- Data Privacy: Safeguard data privacy and ensure responsible handling of sensitive information.
Examples of AI Use in Warfare by Different Countries:
| Country | Use of AI in Warfare | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Surveillance and Reconnaissance | AI-powered drones for intelligence and surveillance. |
| China | Intelligised Warfare | AI in cyber operations and predictive military strategies. |
| Russia | Autonomous Weapons | Development of robotic combat systems. |
| Israel | Missile Defense Systems | AI in the Iron Dome for threat interception. |
| UK | Data Analysis and Cyber Defense | AI for large-scale data analysis and threat response. |
| India | Border Surveillance and Security | AI-based systems for border monitoring and security. |
Alignment of Responsible AI with Ethical Principles:
| Strategy | Description |
|---|---|
| Ethical Guidelines | Developers should adhere to shared ethical standards during AI design. |
| Accountability Mechanisms | Implement systems for accountability, liability, and impact reporting. |
| Transparency | Ensure clarity in AI decision-making processes and data usage to eliminate bias. |
| Privacy Protection | Use anonymized data, seek consent, and enforce data protection to safeguard privacy. |
| Diverse Stakeholders | Include participants from various backgrounds to address diverse needs in AI development. |
| Regular Ethical Audits | Conduct continuous audits to maintain ethical standards and identify areas for improvement. |
4.Taliban’s New 114-Page “Morality Law”
Source: IE
Context: The Taliban’s newly issued 114-page “morality law,” enforced by the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, further restricts Afghan women. It mandates full-body veiling, with face coverings deemed necessary to prevent “temptation.” Women’s voices are considered “intimate” and are banned from public speaking or singing. Men and women unrelated by blood or marriage are forbidden from interacting, and LGBTQ individuals and religious minorities face more severe persecution. The law, similar to the Taliban’s previous regime (1996-2001), has been condemned as “gender apartheid” for intensifying the oppression of women and minorities.
Ethical Issues with the Law:
- Gender Apartheid: Systematic marginalization of women, curtailing their freedoms and rights.
- Suppression of Women’s Voices: Prohibits women from public speaking or singing.
- Forced Veiling: Imposes mandatory full-body veiling, including covering the face.
- Restriction of Social Interaction: Forbids interactions between unrelated men and women.
- Persecution of LGBTQ and Minorities: Targets LGBTQ individuals and religious minorities for further discrimination.
- Use of Fear and Surveillance: Encourages the public to report “violations,” fostering a culture of fear.
- Arbitrary Detention and Punishment: Grants morality inspectors broad powers to enforce the law arbitrarily.
5. Supreme Court Ruling on Judges Elevation
Source: IE
Context: The Supreme Court ruled that the elevation of judges must be determined collectively by the High Court Collegium rather than a single Chief Justice. It clarified that while the “content of consultation” is beyond judicial review, the principle of “effective consultation” falls within its scope.
Background of the Case:
The Supreme Court directed the Himachal Pradesh High Court Collegium to reconsider the promotion of District Judges Chirag Bhanu Singh and Arvind Malhotra, stressing that the decision must be based on collective deliberation rather than the sole discretion of the High Court Chief Justice.
About Collegium:
The Collegium system recommends appointments for judges in the Supreme Court and High Courts:
- Supreme Court Collegium: Comprises the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the four senior-most Supreme Court judges.
- High Court Collegium: Consists of the Chief Justice and two senior judges of the High Court.
Appointments are made by the President under Articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution.
6. Helium Gas and its Use in Rockets
Source: TH
What is Helium?
Helium is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic gas with an atomic number of 2, making it the second most abundant element in the universe. It’s primarily produced through nuclear fusion in stars. First identified in the Sun’s light in 1868, helium was later found in uranium ore. On Earth, it’s a rare resource produced through the radioactive decay of elements like uranium and extracted from natural gas. Once released into the atmosphere, helium escapes into space, making it non-renewable.
Why is it used in rockets?
Helium is used in rockets because it is inert and non-reactive, with an extremely low boiling point (-268.9°C), allowing it to remain in a gaseous state under cold conditions. It pressurizes fuel tanks, ensuring smooth fuel flow to engines, and is safe to use with residual fuel. Its small atomic size makes it ideal for detecting leaks in rocket systems. Although alternatives like argon and nitrogen have been tested, helium remains preferred due to its efficiency in the space sector.
7. Planetary Protection
Source: TH
What is Planetary Protection?
Planetary protection involves preventing the contamination of Earth’s biosphere and other celestial bodies by extraterrestrial microbes during space missions. It ensures that missions to the Moon, Mars, or other planets do not introduce harmful contaminants. The principle is based on Article IX of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which mandates the sterilization of spacecraft to preserve the environments of other celestial bodies.
India’s Role in Planetary Protection:
- Mars Missions: India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) in 2014 followed planetary protection protocols to avoid contaminating Mars.
- Policy Adherence: India abides by planetary protection guidelines under the Outer Space Treaty.
- Spacecraft Cleaning: ISRO implements strict sterilization procedures to comply with planetary protection standards.
- International Collaboration: India collaborates with international space agencies to share best practices and enhance protection efforts.
India is a signatory to the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST), which commits countries to the peaceful exploration and use of outer space. Additionally, India has signed other treaties, including the Rescue Agreement (1968), Liability Convention (1972), Registration Convention (1976), and the Moon Agreement (1979).