DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 30th September 2023

Syllabus

• Prelims –ECONOMY

Context: Recently, the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) recently appealed to diamond industries to stop importing rough diamonds from October 15 to December 15.

Background:-

• The decision has been taken due to the lack of demand for polished natural diamonds and studded jewellery in the international market.
• In a statement, GJEPC said that the demand for loose polished diamonds and jewellery from large economies like the USA and China has been affected over the last many quarters.

About Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC): –

• Establishment: 1966.
• HQ: Mumbai.
• Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• VISION: to make India the preferred source for quality gems and jewellery. (India’s Gems & Jewellery sector )
• The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council is the apex body which aims to promote the gems and jewellery products and industry.
• It is considered to be one of the leaders in diamond manufacturing and trading.
• It is a central administrative and statutory body looking over the gems and jewellery industry in India.
• It has regional offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur and Surat.
• It drives India’s export-led growth in the gem and jewellery sector. (Export-oriented units)

Objectives: –

PROMOTING BRAND INDIA: –

• Organizing India’s biggest and second-biggest trade shows, IIJS Premiere and IIJS Signature.
• Organizing joint participation in international jewellery shows.

CONNECTING GOVERNMENT & TRADE: –

• Facilitating better interaction on trade-related issues between the industry and the Government of India, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Finance, DGFT, Dept of Commerce, Dept. of Finance.

UPHOLDING DIAMOND INTEGRITY: –

• Executing the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme in the country, as the Nodal Agency appointed by the Government of India.

SPREADING EDUCATION: –

• Running training institutes that impart manufacturing skills, and technical and design excellence in six cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Surat, Jaipur, Varanasi and Udupi.

INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE: –

• Providing MSMEs with affordable modern machines and tools at Common Facility Centres.
• Setting up Jewellery Parks across the country.

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:-

• Providing health insurance for the employees of the Council’s member companies through the group mediclaim scheme called Swasthya Ratna.

PAYING BACK TO SOCIETY:-

• Founded by GJEPC in 2014, Jewellers for Hope has donated Rs.1 crore every year to one or more NGOs/charities doing exceptional work in supporting the underprivileged.

MUST READ:  New Foreign Trade Policy

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana is aimed at (2016)

1. bringing small entrepreneurs into the formal financial system
2. providing loans to poor farmers for cultivating particular crops
3. providing pensions to old and destitute persons
4. funding the voluntary organizations involved in the promotion of skill development and employment generation

Q.2) What is/are the purpose/purposes of `District Mineral Foundations in India? (2016)

1. Promoting mineral exploration activities in mineral-rich districts
2. Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations
3. Authorizing State Governments to issue licences for mineral exploration

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: As per recent reports of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), international Shipping emissions increased by 20% in the last decade.

Key highlights of the report: –

• In 2023, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping were 20 per cent higher than 10 years earlier. (Shipping Industry in India)
• It advocates for system-wide collaboration, swift regulatory intervention and stronger investments in green technologies and fleets.
• It states that full decarbonization by 2050 will require massive investments and could lead to higher maritime logistics costs, raising concerns for vulnerable shipping-reliant nations like small island developing states.
• It emphasizes the need to balance environmental goals with economic needs.
• It states that beyond cleaner fuels, the industry needs to move faster towards digital solutions like AI and blockchain to improve efficiency as well as sustainability.
• In its analysis of global maritime trends, the report highlights shipping’s resilience despite major challenges stemming from global crises, such as the war in Ukraine.
• It states that maritime trade is expected to grow 2.4% in 2023 and more than 2% between 2024 and 2028.
• It states that balancing environmental sustainability, regulatory compliance and economic demands is vital for a prosperous, equitable and resilient future for maritime transport.

About the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):-

IMAGE SOURCE: SlideServe

• Established: 1964.
• HQ: Geneva in Switzerland.
• UNCTAD is the UN’s leading institution dealing with trade and development.
• It is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly.
• UNCTAD is part of the UN Secretariat.
• Membership: it has a membership of 195 countries.
• The Conference ordinarily meets once in four years.
• The second UNCTAD Conference took place in New Delhi, India in 1968.

Functions of UNCTAD: –

• It supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively.
• It provides economic, and trade analysis, and facilitates consensus building.
• It offers technical assistance to help developing countries use trade, investment, finance and technology for inclusive and sustainable development.

Important reports: –

• Trade and Development Report: Annual
• World Investment Report: Annual
• The Least Developed Countries Report: Annual.
• Commodities and Development Report: Annual.

MUST READ: GREEN MARITIME SECTOR

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Rapid Financing Instruments” and “Rapid Credit Facility” are related to the provisions of lending by which of the following: (2022)

1. Asian Development Bank
2. International Monetary Fund
3. United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative
4. World Bank

Q.2) With reference to foreign-owned e-commerce firms operating in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2022)

1. They can sell their own goods in addition to offering their platforms as marketplaces.
2. The degree to which they can own big sellers on their platforms is limited.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Syllabus

• Prelims –INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Context: India and Finland recently agreed on cooperation between the two countries in several areas of telecom including the development of Human Resources for the dynamic sector.

About India and Finland:-

IMAGE SOURCE: countryreports.org

• Finland and India have traditionally enjoyed warm and friendly relations.
• In recent years, bilateral relations have acquired diversity with collaboration in research, innovation, and investments by both sides.
• 2019 marked 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Economic cooperation: –

• Finland sees India as a market for its products and a favourable investment destination for its high-technology industries.
• India views Finland as an important member of the European Union and a repository of modern technology.

S&T Collaboration: –

• An agreement for Cooperation in S&T was signed in February 2008 for the development of innovation policies, exchange of information and scientists and R&D collaboration.
• Both India and Finland are consultative members of the Antarctic Treaty and have active stations in Antarctica.
• Finland will be hosting the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM) in 2023 and India in 2024.
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) have been cooperating in the field of Atmospheric Environment since 2014.

Cultural Relations: –

• Indian culture and yoga are very popular in Finland.
• Cultural events are organized regularly by Indian Associations and other cultural organizations promoting Indian dance and music.

Environment Relations: –

• There have been successful partnerships since 2004 between the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in air quality including capacity building.

Cooperation in Education: –

• Finland is a global leader in education scoring consistently on several parameters.
• There have been tie-ups between private firms for the exchange of best practices in early childhood and K-12 education.
• There is an MoU between a Consortium of ten Finnish Universities and twenty-three Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) for the period 2020-2025 for cooperation in the higher education sector.

MUST READ: Foreign Universities in India

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following countries: (2023)

1. Bulgaria
2. Czech Republic
3. Hungary
4. Latvia
5. Lithuania
6. Romania

How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?

1. Only two
2. Only three
3. Only four
4. Only five

Q.2) Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries? (2019)

1. Japan
2. Russia
3. The United Kingdom
4. The United States of America

Syllabus

• Prelims –IMPORTANT AWARDS

Context: President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Service Scheme Awards 2021-22 recently.

Background:-

• The award was given to 52 persons for their contributions to social services.

About National Service Scheme Awards 2021-22:-

• Instituted in 1993-94.
  • It was instituted on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee Year of the National Service Scheme.
• Instituted by: Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry.
• Presented by: President of India.
• Venue: Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The NSS Awards, are presented every year to the NSS Volunteers, Programme Officers, NSS Units and the Universities/+2 Councils to recognize their voluntary service.

Objectives:-

• To encourage young NSS student volunteers to develop their personality through community service.
• To encourage the Programme Officers and the Programme Coordinators of NSS for catering for the needs of NSS through the NSS volunteers. (Gandhi as a Political thinker and a Social reformer)
• To motivate NSS Volunteers to continue their selfless service towards community work.

About NSS:-

• Launched: 1969.
• NSS is a central sector scheme.
• Objective: to develop the personality and character of the student/youth through voluntary community service.
• The ideological orientation of the NSS is inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
• The motto of NSS is “NOT ME, BUT YOU” In Hindi it is “स्वयंसेपहलेआप”.
• NSS volunteers work on issues of social relevance through regular and special camping activities.

MUST READ:  (Padma awards)

SOURCE: AIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022: (2023)

1. It was the first time that the Chess Olympiad was held in India.
2. The official mascot was named Thambi.
3. The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera Menchik Cup.
4. The trophy for the winning team in the women’s section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All four

Q.2) Consider the following statements in respect of the Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards. (2021)

1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titled under Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.

Which of the above statements is not correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

Context: Damages due to the Pink Bollworm have been wreaking havoc on cotton fields from Rajasthan to Haryana.

Background: –

• The Pink Bollworm (PBW), a highly destructive cotton pest, has reached unprecedented levels of infestation in the Indian states of Rajasthan and Haryana, severely affecting cotton crops.

About Pink Bollworm: –

• Pink Bollworm is one of the most destructive pests of cotton.
• It is native to India.
• It was originally reported in India in 1842.
• It has now spread to cotton-growing regions worldwide.
• The adult Pink bollworms are small moths.
• The larvae are the most damaging stage, identified by distinctive pink bands.
• The pinkish-coloured larva generally pupates in a cocoon inside a boll or seed, in litter, or underground.
• They feed on cotton bolls, consuming seeds and damaging fibres.
• This leads to reduced crop yields and quality. (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee)
• The infestation also impacts other plants like hibiscus, okra, and hollyhock.
• This outbreak threatens the livelihoods of cotton farmers.
• It calls for urgent pest management measures. (Agristack Project)

MUST READ: GM Crops and their regulation

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements: (2023)

1. India has more arable area than China.
2. The proportion of irrigated areas is higher in India as compared to China.
3. The average productivity per hectare in Indian agriculture is higher than that in China:

How many of the above statements is/are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q.2) Which of the following organisms ·perform the waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the

distance to a source of their food? (2023)

1. Butterflies
2. Dragonflies
3. Honeybees
4. Wasps

Syllabus

• Prelims –GOVERNANCE

Context: In first, there are a record-breaking number of Indian universities in the recently released, Times Higher Education’s World University Rankings 2024.

Key highlights of the report:-

• The University of Oxford tops the ranking for the eighth year in a row.
• The US is the most-represented country overall, with 169 institutions, and also the most-represented in the top 200 (56).
• With 91 institutions, India is now the fourth most-represented nation, overtaking China (86).
• The top university in India, the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
• The next highest-ranked universities in India are Anna University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Mahatma Gandhi University, and Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, which are all in the 501-600 band.
• Indian universities made significant gains this year, including five of the countries’ top universities.
• IISc moved up from 251-300 bands last year to 201-250.
• Anna University moved up from 801-1000 band last year to 501-600.
• Aligarh Muslim University moved up from 801-1000 band last year to 601-80.
• Bharathiar University moved up from the 801-1000 band last year to 601-800.
• Malaviya National Institute of Technology entered the ranking for the first time in the 601-800 band.
• Two IITs, the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati and the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad, moved up two bands to join the world’s top 800 universities, from 1001-1200 to 601-800.

About World University Rankings 2024: –

• Founded in 2004.
• Published by: Times Higher Education.
• The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 include 1,904 universities across 108 countries and regions.
• These rankings are the most comprehensive, rigorous and balanced global ranking. (QS World University Rankings 2021)
• It covers their core missions of teaching, research, knowledge transfers and internationalization.
• It assesses research-intensive universities across 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across five areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.
• It is trusted worldwide by students, teachers, governments and industry experts.

MUST READ: Education & Nation Building

SOURCE: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) What is the purpose of ‘Vidyanjali Yojana’? (2018)

1. To enable famous foreign educational institutions to open their campuses in India.
2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.
3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 2 only
2. 3 only
3. 1 and 2 only
4. 2 and 3 only

Q.2) What is the aim of the programme ‘Unnat Bharat Abhiyan’? (2018)

1. Achieving 100% literacy by promoting collaboration between voluntary organizations the government’s education system and local communities.
2. Connecting institutions of higher education with local communities to address development challenges through appropriate technologies.
3. Strengthening India’s scientific research institutions in order to make India a scientific and technological power.
4. Developing human capital by allocating special funds for health care and education of rural and urban poor, and organizing skill development programmes and vocational training for them.

Syllabus

• Prelims –SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-SPACE

Context: Recently, NASA’s CALIPSO mission stopped blasting lasers at Earth after 17 years.

Background: –

• NASA recently announced that its CALIPSO satellite, which takes climate, weather and air quality measurements using LIDAR, has ended its science mission.

About CALIPSO mission: –

• Launch Date: April 28, 2006
• Launch Location: Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, USA.
• Launch Vehicle: Delta II rocket. (Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV))
• Spacecraft: PROTEUS
• Orbit Type: Sun-synchronous.
• CALIPSO is a joint U.S. (NASA)/French (Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales/CNES) mission.
• Observations from spaceborne lidar, combined with passive imagery, will lead to an improved understanding of the role aerosols and clouds play in regulating the Earth’s climate, in particular, how aerosols and clouds interact with one another.

Mission’s  Objectives:-

• CALIPSO’s primary objective is to enhance our understanding of clouds and aerosols (tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere) and their roles in Earth’s climate system.
• CALIPSO aims to provide valuable data for climate change research by monitoring key atmospheric parameters.
• The mission contributes to improved air quality assessments and weather forecasting by providing real-time atmospheric data.

Instruments:-

• Lidar Technology: CALIPSO is equipped with a lidar (light detection and ranging) instrument, known as the CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization).
• It uses laser pulses to measure the altitude and properties of clouds and aerosols with high precision.
• Passive Sensors: The satellite also carries passive sensors, including the Imaging Infrared Radiometer (IIR).
• Wide Field Camera (WFC): provides complementary data on clouds and aerosols.

MUST READ: India – USA space cooperation

SOURCE:  THE INDIAN EXPRESS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System? (2023)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. Israel
4. Japan

Q.2) With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: (2018)

1. PSLVs launch satellites useful for Earth resources monitoring whereas GSLVs are designed mainly to launch communication satellites.
2. Satellites launched by PSLV appear to remain permanently fixed in the same position in the sky, as viewed from a particular location on Earth.
3. GSLV Mk III is a four-stage launch vehicle with the first and third stages using solid rocket motors, and the second and fourth stages using liquid rocket engines.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3
3. 1 and 2
4. 3 only

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 3 (Economy and Environment)

Context: MS Swaminathan, the Father of the Green Revolution who transformed India’s image from a begging bowl to a bread basket passed away recently.

About Green Revolution in India:

• The term ‘Green Revolution’ refers to the new agricultural technology developed during the 1950s and 1960s by a team of agricultural experts at the International Centre for Maize and Wheat Improvement in Mexico and at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.
• The Green Revolution in India began in the mid-1960s marking a transition from traditional agriculture in India and the introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds and the associated agricultural techniques.
• India is now the world’s largest sugar-producing country and holds the second position in rice production only after China.
  • India is also the second largest producer of wheat with a share of around 14.14 percent of the world’s total production in 2020.
• As per the 4th Advance Estimates, the production of food grains in the country is estimated at 315.72 million tonnes which is higher by 4.98 million tonnes than the production of food grains during 2020-21.

Positive Impacts of Green Revolution

• Tremendous Increase in Crop Produce: It resulted in a grain output of 131 million tonnes in the year 1978-79 and established India as one of the world’s biggest agricultural producers.
  • The crop area under high yielding varieties of wheat and rice grew considerably during the Green Revolution.
• Reduced import: India became self-sufficient in food-grains and had sufficient stock in the central pool, even, at times, India was in a position to export food-grains.
• Benefits to the farmers: The introduction of the Green Revolution helped the farmers in raising their level of income.
  • Farmers ploughed back their surplus income for improving agricultural productivity.
  • The per capita income of Punjab stands at Rs.1,73,873 in 2022-23 (Advance Estimates) which is higher than Rs. 1,70,620 at National level.
• Industrial Growth: The Revolution brought about large scale farm mechanization which created demand for large scale establishment of agro based industries.
• Generation of rural employment: There was an appreciable increase in the demand for labour force due to multiple cropping and use of fertilizers.
  • It created plenty of jobs not only for agricultural workers but also industrial workers by creating related facilities such as factories and hydroelectric power stations.
• Bullock capitalism: Emergence of a new class of wealthy farmers and their subsequent impact on economic and agricultural policy evident post-Green Revolution especially Green Revolution belt.

Negative Impacts of Green Revolution

• Non-Food Grains Left Out: Although all food-grains including wheat, rice, jowar, bajra and maize have gained from the revolution, other crops such as coarse cereals, pulses and oilseeds were left out of the ambit of the revolution.
• Limited Coverage of HYVP: High Yielding Variety Programme (HYVP) was restricted to only five crops: Wheat, Rice, Jowar, Bajra and Maize.
  • Therefore, non-food grains were excluded from the ambit of the new strategy.
• Regional disparities: Green Revolution technology has given birth to growing disparities in economic development at interred and intra-regional levels.
  • It has so far affected only 40 percent of the total cropped area and 60 per cent is still untouched by it.
  • The most affected areas are Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh in the north and Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in the south.
• Depletion of groundwater resources: It led to a significant increase in water consumption for irrigation, which has depleted groundwater resources in many areas.
  • As per Ground Water Resources Assessment for 2022, Punjab has 76% groundwater blocks which are overexploited, Rajasthan has 72% and Haryana has 61%.
• Impacts on soil and crop production: Repeated crop cycle in order to ensure increased crop production depleted the soil’s nutrients.
  • Toxic chemicals in the soil destroyed beneficial pathogens, which further led to the decline in the yield.
• Unemployment: Except in Punjab, and to some extent in Haryana, farm mechanization under the Green Revolution created widespread unemployment among agricultural labourers in the rural areas.
  • The worst affected were the poor and the landless labourers.
• Health Hazards: The large-scale use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides resulted in resulted in a number of critical health illnesses including cancer, renal failure, stillborn babies and birth defects.

Way Forward:

Overall, the Green Revolution was a major achievement for many developing countries, specially India and gave them an unprecedented level of national food security. But there is a need of a more comprehensive policy environment that can protect farmers, human health and the environment from the negative impacts of the green revolution in India.

Source:  Indian Express

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (International Relations)

Context: A planned tripartite power trade agreement between India, Nepal and Bangladesh is in the final stage, though New Delhi and Dhaka may have to augment their transmission capacities to implement the pact,

• The proposed tripartite power trade pact, the first of its kind in South Asia, was agreed to by the three countries earlier this year and is aimed at meeting a long-standing demand from Nepal and Bangladesh to allow the sale of electricity to the Indian grid.

India – Bangladesh relations:

Historical ties:

• India was the first country to recognise Bangladesh as independent state and established diplomatic relations after its independence in December 1971.
• Bangladesh’s geographical location as India’s eastern neighbour gives it strategic importance.

Trade and investment: 

• Bangladesh is India’s biggest trade partner in South Asia.
• India’s exports to Bangladesh during 2021 was US$14.09 Billion.
• Bangladesh may become India’s fourth-largest export destination in FY22, jumping five places in two years.
• Bangladesh’s major import items like cotton, mineral fuel, machinery, electrical equipment, and cereals are among the top exported commodities by India to the world.
• 6 Border Haats (4 in Meghalaya and 2 in Tripura), have been approved by the Indian and Bangladesh governments.

Connectivity and cooperation:

• Bandhan Express: starting from Kolkata for Khulna since 2017.
  • It covers the distance via Petrapole and Benapole border route to cater to the demands of the people from both countries.
• Maitree Express: Starting from Dhaka for Kolkata – since 2008
  • The tri-weekly service between Kolkata and Dhaka used to run with 90 percent occupancy.
• Mitali Express: Starting from New Jalpaiguri in North Bengal to Dhaka.
• Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade (PIWTT) was signed for the transportation of goods and keeping their respective waterways navigable while providing infrastructure facilities.
• Agartala – Akhaura Rail Link: between Agartala (Tripura) and Akhaura (Bangladesh) would be the first train from the northeastern region to Bangladesh.

Border management and river waters:

• The Ganga Waters Treaty signed in 1996 for sharing of waters of river Ganga during lean season.
• Most recently an MoU has been signed between the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Bangladesh Ministry of Water Resources on the withdrawal of water from the Kushiyara.
• The two sides also affirmed that border management is a shared priority and commended the fact that the deaths on the border have greatly reduced.

Defence cooperation:

• High-level exchanges include the edition of India-Bangladesh CORPAT ‘Bangosagar’ exercise, Regional Commanders meeting of Coast Guards and the Annual Defense Dialogues.
• Various Joint exercises take place between the two countries:
  • Exercise Sampriti (Army) and Exercise Milan (Navy).

Multilateral Cooperation:

• India and Bangladesh are also engaged in regional cooperation through multilateral forums such as SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).

Tourism and cultural ties:

• According to the Ministry of Tourism, Bangladesh accounted for the largest share of foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2020, including tens of thousands of people who come to the country for medical treatment.
• The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) in Dhaka plays an important role in the celebration of common cultural links between the two countries.
• Its training programs including Yoga, Kathak, Manipuri dance, Hindi language, Hindustani classical music and the cultural programs of renowned artists of India and Bangladesh contribute to the promotion of people-to-people contacts.

Significance of Bangladesh to India:

• Geopolitical: Bangladesh is India’s neighbour and shares a long land, riverine and maritime boundary.
  • India needs cooperation from Bangladesh to counter the Chinese ‘String of Pearls’.
• Strategic: Bangladesh is located at the crossroads of South Asia and Southeast Asia and is important for India’s Act East Policy, which aims to build closer ties with the countries of Southeast Asia.
• Economic: India-Bangladesh have close economic ties, with India being one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners.
• Cultural: India and Bangladesh have a shared history, culture, and heritage.
  • The people of the two countries are linked by strong cultural and familial ties, and there is a large population of Indian-origin people living in Bangladesh.
• Environmental concerns: Bangladesh and India share trans-boundary rivers and ecological systems, making it important for the two countries to cooperate on issues such as water management and flood control.

Areas of Concerns:

• Citizenship Amendment Act: There has been a concern in Bangladesh about the CAA and the proposed National Register of Citizens in India.
  • The concern is as much about laws as the anti-Bangladeshi rhetoric from the highest political echelons in Delhi.
• China factor: China has been increasing its investments in Bangladesh, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, energy, and telecommunications.
  • For example, BRI and investment in Chittagong port.
• Teesta River Water Dispute: The long-pending issue of sharing Teesta waters – a major concern for Dhaka – continues to be unresolved, partly due to the Government of West Bengal.
  • No treaty has been signed yet to resolve the Teesta water-sharing dispute between the two nations.
• Border disputes: Long-standing disputes over the demarcation of the shared border, particularly in the regions of Assam and Tripura.
• Illegal immigration: The flow of migrants across the Bangladeshi border as a result of the country’s unrest has further strained the relationship between the two countries.
  • The inhabitants of the Indian states bordering Bangladesh have experienced substantial socio-economic-political challenges as a result of the significant influx of migrants.

Way forward:

India needs to look at more ways to deepen its ties with Bangladesh, especially keeping in mind the shifting nature of geopolitics and geoeconomics in South Asia. India needs to find a fine balance in respecting Bangladesh’s economic growth while maintaining its economic progress.
Source:   HT

Q1) Consider the following pairs:

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Q2) Consider the following statements

Statement-I:

The UNCTAD publishes the Least Developed Countries Report biannually.

Statement-II:

The second UNCTAD Conference took place in New Delhi, India in 1968.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
3. Statement-I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
4. Statement-I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Q3) With reference to the CALIPSO mission, consider the following statements:

1. It contributes to improved air quality assessments and weather forecasting.
2. It is a joint NASA-ESA mission.
3. It uses laser pulses to measure the altitude and properties of clouds and aerosols with high precision.

How many of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 2 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 3 only

Mains Practice Questions

Q.1) In times of regional turmoil, India- Bangladesh relations need careful nurturing.” Discuss. (250 words)

Q.2) Discuss the role of Dr. M. S. Swaminathan in the green revolution and Its impact on Indian agriculture. How did his initiatives address food security challenges in the country? (250 words)

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  30th September 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – a

Q.2) – d

Q.3) – b