TOPIC : GS 2 Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Multipolarity, scripted by the middle powers
What is the news?
American government has also extended his firm backing for another of the “IndoPacific” as an area of strategic significance for the U.S. and the associated alignment that gives shape and substance to this geopolitical concept the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad for short
New cold war
U.S. continues to view China as its principal adversary on the world stage and that it will use the Quad to challenge China in the IndoPacific, possibly as part of a “new Cold War”.
Likeminded nations to curb China’s growth, reduce its influence in international institutions, and induce China to change in more creative and assertive ways a clarion call for regime change
The two(Russia and china) countries have agreed to harmonise their visions under the Eurasian Economic Union sponsored by Russia and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
This idea has now been subsumed under the ‘Greater Eurasian Partnership’ to which both are committed.
Both have condemned the Quad for “undermining global strategic stability”.
The final shape of this divide will be determined by four nations, namely Japan, Iran, Turkey and India, which, as “middle powers”, have the capacity to project power regionally, build alliances, and support (or disrupt) the strategies of international powers pursuing their interests in the region.
Turkey, a NATO member, has found its interests better served by Russia and China rather than the U.S. and its European allies
Reluctant allies
Japan has an ongoing territorial dispute with China relating to the Senkaku islands in the East China Sea. Thus, the security treaty of 1951 with the U.S. has been crucial for Japan’s interests.
Japan greater selfconfidence so that it can reduce its securitydependence on the U.S. and pursue an independent role in the IndoPacific.
Hence its $200 billion ‘Partnership for Quality Infrastructure’ that funds infrastructure projects in Asia and Africa, though Japan is also willing to work on BRI projects on a selective basis
Turkey’s glory through military and doctrinal leadership across the former territories of the Ottoman empire — has been achieved through a steady distancing from its western partners and increasing geopolitical, military and economic alignment with Russia and China
Way forward
The four middle powers, whose choice of alignment will impart a political and military binary to world order, are reluctant to make this a reality. While Cold War advocates in home capitals and in the U.S. will continue to promote evertighter alliances, these nations could find salvation in “strategic autonomy” — defined by flexible partnerships, with freedom to shape alliances to suit specific interests at different time
Mains question
Japan, Iran, Turkey and India are well set to shape the emerging world order. Discuss
Prelims Punchers
- Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana
This programme meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations. The most productive mining areas in the country are largely areas inhabited by scheduled tribes. They also are mainly located in the areas covered by the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution. The PMKKKY is, therefore, very sharply focused on safeguarding the health, environment and economic conditions of the tribals and providing them with opportunities to benefit from the vast mineral resources that are extracted from the areas where they live.
The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) will be implemented by the District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) of the respective districts using the funds accruing to the DMF. The Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, mandated the setting up of District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) in all districts in the country affected by mining related operations.
Source : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1510600
It is a proposed solution to the problem of rising ocean levels in Northern Europe. It would be a megaproject, involving the construction of two massive dams in the English Channel and the North Sea; the former between France and England, and the latter between Scotland and Norway. As of 2020, the scheme is largely a thought experiment intended to demonstrate the extreme cost of engineered solutions to the effects of climate change. The scheme’s authors describe it as “more of a warning than a solution”.
The northern enclosure (NEED North) would be a multiple section dam at the perimeter of the northern rim of the North Sea. The detailed engineering is not stated, although some form of continuous structure could provide for overland infrastructure – road and/or railway between Great Britain and Norway.
Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/dams-and-damages/article33795426.ece
Net Zero Goal / Carbon Neutrality
Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be done by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal (often through carbon offsetting) or by eliminating emissions from society (the transition to the “post-carbon economy”). It is used in the context of carbon dioxide-releasing processes associated with transportation, energy production, agriculture, and industry.
Although the term “carbon neutral” is used, a carbon footprint also includes other greenhouse gases, usually carbon-based, measured in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence. The term climate-neutral reflects the broader inclusiveness of other greenhouse gases in climate change, even if CO2 is the most abundant. The term “net zero” is increasingly used to describe a broader more comprehensive commitment to decarbonization and climate action, moving beyond carbon neutrality by including more activities under the scope of indirect emissions, and often including a science-based target on emissions reduction, as opposed to relying solely on offsetting.
- Permanent Court of Arbitration
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is an intergovernmental organization located in The Hague, Netherlands. It is not a court in the traditional sense, but provides services of arbitral tribunal to resolve disputes that arise out of international agreements between member states, international organizations or private parties. The cases span a range of legal issues involving territorial and maritime boundaries, sovereignty, human rights, international investment, and international and regional trade. The PCA is constituted through two separate multilateral conventions with a combined membership of 122 states. The organization is not a United Nations agency, but the PCA is an official United Nations Observer
Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/business/companies/cairn-energy-india-dispute-court-7241783/
Prelims Questions
1.Net Zero Goal refers to
- It is the state in which a country’s emissions are compensated by absorption and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere
- Reduce consumption of plastic bags by providing a more sustainable alternative
- Deliver top quality using clean fuel technology
- None of the above
Answer : A
Carbon neutrality refers to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. This can be done by balancing emissions of carbon dioxide with its removal (often through carbon offsetting) or by eliminating emissions from society (the transition to the “post-carbon economy”). It is used in the context of carbon dioxide-releasing processes associated with transportation, energy production, agriculture, and industry.
Although the term “carbon neutral” is used, a carbon footprint also includes other greenhouse gases, usually carbon-based, measured in terms of their carbon dioxide equivalence. The term climate-neutral reflects the broader inclusiveness of other greenhouse gases in climate change, even if CO2 is the most abundant. The term “net zero” is increasingly used to describe a broader more comprehensive commitment to decarbonization and climate action, moving beyond carbon neutrality by including more activities under the scope of indirect emissions, and often including a science-based target on emissions reduction, as opposed to relying solely on offsetting
Qn. 2.Consider the following statement regarding The permanent Court of Arbitration
1.The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is an intergovernmental organization located in The Hague, Netherlands.
- The organization is a United Nations agency, but the PCA is not an official United Nations Observer
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both (d). None of the above
Answer : A
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is an intergovernmental organization located in The Hague, Netherlands. It is not a court in the traditional sense, but provides services of arbitral tribunal to resolve disputes that arise out of international agreements between member states, international organizations or private parties. The cases span a range of legal issues involving territorial and maritime boundaries, sovereignty, human rights, international investment, and international and regional trade. The PCA is constituted through two separate multilateral conventions with a combined membership of 122 states. The organization is not a United Nations agency, but the PCA is an official United Nations Observer