Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – Health; Global groupings
In News:
The Government of India and the World Bank have recently signed an agreement for $750 million of $1 billion assistance.
Key takeaways:
Assistance is proposed for Accelerating India’s COVID-19 Social Protection ResponseProgramme to support India’s efforts at protecting vulnerable households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
It will be implemented by the Ministry of Finance.
Also, $1 billion support was announced earlier in April 2020 as well by the Bank.
The new support will be funded in two phases.
The first phase will be an immediate allocation of $750 million for fiscal year 2020.
The remaining allocation of $250 million will be made available for fiscal year 2021 in the second phase.
In this phase, additional cash and in-kind benefits based on local needs will be extended through state governments and social protection delivery systems.
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – International relations
In News:
China has recently teamed up with Pakistan to build the Diamer-Bhasha dam in Gilgit-Baltistan region.
It has created some tension between India and China since India has laid claims over this region.
Key takeaways:
Power China, one of the biggest Chinese power companies, received a contract to build the Diamer-Bhasha dam.
Once completed, the dam will allow Pakistan to use the waters of the Indus for irrigation.
Important value additions:
Diamer-Bhasha Dam
It is a concrete-filled gravity dam, in the initial stages of construction, on the River Indus between Kohistan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Diamer district in Gilgit Baltistan.
The dam site is situated near a place called “Bhasha”, hence the name.
Its foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan in 1998.
Context: A resolution is being moved at World Health Assembly seeking a probe into the origin of Covid-19 and role of WHO
Did You Know?
The call for an international investigation was first voiced formally by the Australian prime minister.
India is set to be elected Chair of the WHO’s decision-making Executive Board at its 73rd World Health Assembly on 18-19 May 2020
What is the resolution all about?
Besides a scientific investigation into the origins of the virus, the resolution calls for an “impartial, independent and comprehensive” evaluation into the international response to the corona pandemic
The resolution does not mention China by name, which is one of the key demands of US.
Critical Analysis of the resolution proposed
Diluted: The resolution was watered down to get the maximum possible backing at the WHO
Not powerless: The resolution is said to have enough teeth to dig deep into the issues raised by the corona crisis.
Overrides China’s opposition: Despite the open threats of trade sanctions from China, Australia has pressed ahead working with the EU to introduce the resolution.
Accountability: The resolution indicates that international community wants accountability from China and WHO on their handling of pandemic
Setback for China: A unanimous approval of the resolution will be a diplomatic setback for China, since limiting the demands for an external inquiry has been a major political priority for Beijing.
What must India do at these times?
India must look at the deeper issues that have troubled the WHO
There is the need to develop new international norms that will increase the powers of the WHO in facilitating early detection & notification of pandemics
India must help change the funding of WHO -It depends on donations rather than membership fees, as a result, donors will set the agenda
India must also ask if the WHO is trying to do too many things.
WHO’s initial successes came when it focused on a few objectives like combatting malaria and the elimination of smallpox.
A limited agenda will make thus WHO a more effective organisation.
Conclusion
Sustained engagement with China, then, is as important for India as deeper cooperation with the “Quad plus” nations in promoting a new global regime on preventing and managing pandemics.
