UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 29 May 2024

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

InstaLinks : Insta Links help you think beyond the issue but relevant to the issue from UPSC prelims and Mains exam point of view. These linkages provided in this ‘hint’ format help you frame possible questions in your mind that might arise(or an examiner might imagine) from each current event. InstaLinks also connect every issue to their static or theoretical background. This helps you study a topic holistically and add new dimensions to every current event to help you think analytically.

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 2:

• Squad and the rise of minilateralism in the Indo-Pacific

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

• Anshu Jamsenpa

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

• Ancient Rock Paintings

• Article 329 (b)

• Election Manifesto

• Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)

• Sovereign bond yields

• Zimbabwe’ ZiG

• Eucalyptus Trees

Mapping

• Kumaon Himalayas

Squad and the rise of minilateralism in the Indo-Pacific

#### GS Paper 2

Syllabus: International Relations

Source: ORF

Context: The rise of Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific has led to the formation of Squad—a minilateral group comprising the US, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines (a testament to the growing importance of “minilateralism”.)

What is minilateralism?

It involves small groups of nations collaborating to tackle problems or pursue mutual goals.

• Nature: Informal, flexible, voluntary frameworks with varied situational interests, shared values, or relevant capabilities.

Reasons for the rise of minilateralism:

• Dysfunctional multilateral institutions: Lack of consensus and gridlock due to diverse interests and ideologies.

• Flexibility and agility: Allows quicker decision-making and targeted cooperation.

• Issue-based cooperation: Enables like-minded countries to address specific mutual interests.

• Changing ‘Balance of Power’: The emergence of aggressive China led to formations like QUAD, and AUKUS.

Concerns with rising Minilaterals:

• Legitimacy and inclusiveness: Lack of inclusiveness may undermine the interests of the Global South.

• Limited resources and capabilities: Smaller groups may lack sufficient resources for complex challenges.

• Tensions and divisions among countries: Potential for exclusionary bloc politics.

• Accountability and transparency: Informal structure raises concerns about democratic oversight.

Reasons Behind India, historically, supporting multi-lateral Agreements

• Collective negotiation power – Mutual interest groups (Developing block, G77 etc.,) can collectively push the concerns of developing countries as a whole— IP rights, Labour laws, Environmental norms, Rate of tariff, and the proposal for tariff reduction to suit the requirements of the concerned countries.

• India’s vision of the Multi-Polar world – India does not want to be part of a bipolar or unipolar world – For that, a multilateral forum like WTO with Equal voice equal votes and full negotiation power for all concerned parties is the best forum.

• It connects India to the global value chain – Multilateral agreements lead to India becoming a part of the global value chain.

• Failure of regional agreements: For example in the case of SAARC where negotiations like SAFTA are usually marred by bilateral issues such as acrimony between India and Pak.

Evolving global order and the changing nature of threats are posing difficult questions on the continued relevance of multilateral frameworks. Bilateral, Pluri lateral and Mini laterals can help in framing targeted partnerships that can focus energies on shared interests and concerns in the current geopolitical situations.

Should India change its stance and go for Bi-lateral/ Mini-laterals rather than Multi-laterals? Yes.

• Importance of the bilateral agreements for India: 72.6% of India’s imports are from merely 15 countries and 60.5% of exports go to just 15 countries.

• Bilateral agreements have the following other benefits

• Bilateral trades can be concluded Swiftly

• Improves friendly relations

• Negotiations possible with practical aims

• Mutual compromise and accommodation at a fast pace when compared to multilateral routes

• Increased tensions and retreat of war in Europe – For example During the Russia –Ukraine conflict, India has taken a strategic stand based on the national interest which was not possible being a part of multilateral Western groups who were opposed to trade with Russia.

• Bilateral engagements with some nations are so important that it impossible to negotiate in multilateral forums

• Russia (Strategic and Military partner)

• Israel (Military partnership and the technology transfer)

• US (Strategic and diplomatic partner and as a balance to China )

• Japan (Economic partnership)

• Australia (Co-operation in the Blue Economy and Indo-pacific region)

• There is a growing importance of strategic alliances over global cooperation. These initiatives can facilitate the creation of issue-specific partnerships between like-minded countries. For instance, mini laterals can provide a forum to strengthen defence and security cooperation in new regional theatres, such as the Indo-Pacific.

• For instance, mini laterals can provide a forum to strengthen defence and security cooperation in new regional theatres, such as the Indo-Pacific.

• Easy cooperation of likeminded with converging interests –A range of mini laterals have been created to advance the interests of like-minded countries, such as The Quad the India-Japan-US trilateral the India-France-Australia trilateral

• the India-Japan-US trilateral

• the India-France-Australia trilateral

• Better decision-making and coordination:With a smaller membership, they can expedite decision-making and facilitate policy coordination on important focus areas.

• Seeking Informal dialogues: Trilateral are an effective way to discuss emerging issues in a flexible manner without establishing rigid commitments and going through lengthy formal negotiations

Challenges:

The rise of minilateralism has disrupted international interdependence and globalization, leading to fragmented global governance mechanisms. This is evident in the ambiguity of QUAD’s strategic interests in countering Chinese aggression.

Conclusion

However, India should take a balanced view and engage with trading partners bilaterally and through plurilateral and multi-lateral agreements forums depending on case to case basis.

Prelims Link:

In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (UPSC 2020)

(a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey (b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand (c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam (d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea

Ans: A

Anshu Jamsenpa

#### Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TOI

Context: Anshu Jamsenpa, the first woman from Arunachal Pradesh’s Nyishi tribe, has scaled Mount Everest.

Values are shown by Her:

Anshu Jamsenpa embodies perseverance, resilience, and dedication. She promotes the importance of hard work and determination in achieving one’s goals. Her journey emphasizes the value of courage and overcoming challenges, serving as an inspiration for aspiring mountaineers and adventurers. Anshu’s success also highlights the significance of cultural pride and the empowerment of women in traditionally male-dominated fields.

About the Nyishi tribe, previously known as the Daffla

It is the largest ethnic group in Arunachal Pradesh. They consider themselves descendants of Abo Tani, believed to be the first human, thus aligning with the Tani Group of Tribes, which includes the Adi, Gallo, and Apatani. Their society lacks a caste system and rigid class distinctions. Polygyny is practised, and their major festival is Longte.

Ancient Rock Paintings

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TOI

Context: In Mauxi village, Goa, rock carvings dating back to the Neolithic age were confirmed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

More about the News:

Rock carvings, including depictions of zebus, bulls, and antelopes alongside footprints and cupules, were discovered on a metabasalt rock along the dry riverbed of the Zarme River.

These carvings represent prehistoric art in India, spanning various periods:

• Upper Palaeolithic Period: Earliest paintings, such as linear representations of animals like bison, elephants, and tigers, alongside stick-like human figures, found at sites like Bhimbetka and Jwalapuram.

• Mesolithic Period: Predominantly depicting human scenes of hunting and community dances, with animals painted in a naturalistic style and humans in a stylistic manner. Major sites include Pachmarhi and Adamgarh Hills.

• Neolithic-Chalcolithic Period: Characterized by pottery and metal tools depicted in rock paintings, with predominant colours of white and red possibly made from grinding haematite and limestone. Men are portrayed as adventurous, and animals appear youthful and majestic. Notable sites include the Chambal region and Daimabad in Maharashtra.

Article 329 (b)

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: The Print

Context: The Supreme Court adjourned an application by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) seeking directions to the Election Commission (EC) regarding the publication of voter turnout figures, citing Article 329(b) of the Constitution, which prohibits judicial intervention during elections.

About Article 329(b):

• Article 329(b) of the Constitution, found in Part XV alongside articles 324-329, governs electoral matters.

• Article 324 grants the Election Commission powers to oversee elections, while Article 329 addresses the judiciary’s role in electoral affairs.

• Article 329(a) prohibits the judiciary from challenging laws regarding electoral district boundaries or seat allocation.

• Article 329(b), as amended by the Constitution (19th Amendment) Act, 1966, mandates that elections can only be questioned through an election petition presented according to laws made by the appropriate Legislature.

• The Representation of the People Act, 1951, further establishes the authority of high courts to hear and decide on election petitions, with Supreme Court review possible.

• In past rulings, the Supreme Court clarified that “election” in Article 329(b) encompasses the entire electoral process, from notification to result declaration, and barred judicial interference at intermediary stages.

Election Manifesto

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: The Supreme Court ruled that promises in a political party’s manifesto benefiting the public financially are not corrupt practices. This decision came from an appeal challenging the election of B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan, a Congress candidate, in the 2023 Karnataka Assembly election.

The petitioner argued that such promises were corrupt, but the court found this view too “far-fetched,” stating that policy commitments leading to financial benefits for the public are legitimate and not corrupt practices.

What is an Election Manifesto?

An election manifesto is a published declaration of a political party’s intentions, views, policies, and programs, often released before elections to inform voters.

What are Freebies?

It refers to goods and services like bicycles, smartphones, and bill waivers offered by parties. Unlike subsidies, which are essential for governance, freebies aim to attract voters.

The Supreme Court, in the 2013 S Subramaniam Balaji vs Government of Tamil Nadu case, noted that unrealistic poll promises and freebies disrupt fair elections but do not constitute corrupt practices under the law.

Small Island Developing States (SIDS4)

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: GEF

Context: At the Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) emphasizes sustainable development for SIDS.

The GEF, alongside partners, has provided $1.9 billion in grant finance to SIDS, supporting green and blue economy approaches, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, renewable energy, and more. The ongoing GEF-8 funding cycle (2022 – 2026) prioritizes the needs of SIDS and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

What are Small Island Developing States (SIDS)?

They are a group of countries characterized by their small land area, limited resources, and vulnerability to environmental and economic challenges. They are typically located in the Caribbean, Pacific, and Indian Ocean regions. SIDS face unique developmental issues, including climate change impacts, natural disasters, and limited economic diversification opportunities.

About GEF:

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established in 1992 during the Rio Earth Summit. It comprises funds dedicated to addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and land and ocean health issues. Governed by an Assembly, Council, Secretariat, and various agencies, it supports five major international conventions, including the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. With 184 member countries, including India, its secretariat is in Washington, D.C., and the World Bank serves as its trustee, managing the GEF Trust Fund.

Sovereign bond yields

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ET

Context: Sovereign bond yields fell to near one-year lows following RBI’s record dividend payout to the government. The 10-year benchmark yield closed at 6.978%, its lowest since June 6, 2023.

Expectations of lower government borrowing and improved fiscal deficit contributed to the decline. Additionally, easing crude oil prices and resumption of overseas investment boosted market sentiment.

What is Bond Yield?

Bond yield represents the return on capital invested in a particular bond. It is inversely related to bond price, meaning as the price of a bond increases, its yield decreases, and vice versa. This relationship is crucial in the bond market, as fluctuations in yield impact the attractiveness of bonds to investors.

A decline in government bond yields has significant implications, as it lowers borrowing costs across the economy, with sovereign debt yields serving as benchmarks for determining corporate borrowing rates. The recent decrease in sovereign bond yields can be attributed to the record-high dividend payout of Rs 2.11 lakh crore by the Reserve Bank of India to the government, which is expected to bolster the government’s financial position.

Additionally, improved market sentiment due to falling crude oil prices has spurred buying interest in bonds, further contributing to the decline in yields.

Sovereign bonds are specific debt instruments issued by governments and play a crucial role in financing government expenditures.

Factors Affecting Sovereign Bond Yield:

• Creditworthiness: Perceived ability of the issuing country to repay debts.

• Country Risk: External/internal factors affecting stability.

• Exchange Rates: Impact of economic volatility and inflation on bond interest rates.

Zimbabwe’ ZiG

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: FE

Context: Zimbabwe has launched its newest currency, the ZiG, which is backed by gold and aimed at addressing the country’s long-standing issues with currency instability and hyperinflation.

The ZiG, introduced on April 5, 2024, co-circulates with other foreign currencies in the economy.

About Gold-backed currency:

It has a fixed value directly tied to gold and is convertible into the precious metal. Its money supply is constrained by available gold reserves, offering inherent value and potential long-term stability.

In contrast, fiat currency lacks intrinsic value and is designated as legal tender by governments. Its value is dictated by supply and demand dynamics and isn’t backed by any physical commodity. Fiat currency affords central banks greater control over printing money as needed.

Eucalyptus Trees

#### Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Th

Context: The Kerala government allowed the Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) to plant eucalyptus trees for financial reasons, sparking protests from environmentalists who argued it would harm forests and increase human-animal conflicts.

• The government later amended the order to restrict planting eucalyptus only on KFDC land, aligning with a 2021 eco-restoration policy aimed at replacing invasive species with indigenous flora.

Issues with the order: In conflict with the 2021 Eco-restoration Policy, which aims to replace invasive species with native ones to support wildlife, the widespread planting of eucalyptus faces opposition. Studies like the Chinnakanal Example demonstrate that replacing eucalyptus with native fruit-bearing species could mitigate human-wildlife conflicts. Instances of successful restoration, such as the Marayoor Sandal Division, highlight the benefits of removing exotic species, supported by international organizations.

About Eucalyptus:

It is native to Australia, Tasmania, and nearby islands, and is an evergreen tree primarily planted for fuel and furniture wood, as well as paper and pulp production. However, concerns arise due to its high water consumption, toxicity to animals, and flammable oil emissions. Despite being a biomass production champion, its rapid growth exacerbates water depletion and soil fertility reduction, leading to ecological concerns.

Kumaon Himalayas

#### Mapping

Source: TH

Context: The Supreme Court has temporarily halted a 90-acre hotel and township project in the Kumaon Himalayas, challenging the “single window” clearance system. SC argued that single-window clearances cannot replace mandatory environmental approvals in such ecologically sensitive areas.

Kumaon Himalayas:

• Location: West-central Himalayas in northern India, within Uttarakhand, northwest of Nepal.

• Boundaries: Between the Sutlej River (west) and Kali River (east).

• Ranges: Part of the Siwalik Range (south) and Great Himalayas (north).

• Highest Peaks: Nanda Devi and Kamet.

• Lakes: Naini Lake, Sattal, Bhimtal, Naukuchiya Tal.

• Hill Stations: Nainital, Ranikhet, Almora.

• Indigenous People: Tharus, Bhutiyas, Jaunsaris, Buksas, Rajis.

• Concerns: Ecologically fragile and seismic-prone area.

Shiwalik Range:

• Extent: 1,600 km from the Teesta River (Sikkim) through Nepal and India to northern Pakistan.

• Parallel: Runs with the Himalayan system from Haridwar (Ganges) to the Beas River.