TOPIC: GS 2 Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
A COVID blot on India’s foreign policy canvas
What is the news?
The second wave of COVID­19 and its saddened consequences, prompting the country to accept foreign aid after a gap of 17 years, is bound to have far reaching strategic implications for India.
Regional primacy COVID 2.0 has quickened the demise of India’s regional primacy.
India’s traditional primacy in the region was built on a mix of material aid, political influence and historical ties.
Political influence
Steadily declining, its ability to materially help the Neighbourhood will shrink in the wake of COVID­19, and its historical ties alone may not do wonders to hold on to a region hungry for development assistance and political autonomy.
China dominated region will provide New Delhi with little space to pursue its regional, let alone global, geopolitical ambitions except in the Indo­Pacific region.
Indo­Pacific is geopolitically keen and ready to engage with India, the pandemic could adversely impact India’s ability and desire to contribute to the Indo­Pacific and the Quad.
COVID­19, for instance, will prevent any ambitious military spending or modernization plans (called for in the wake of the stand­off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
Limit the country’s attention on global diplomacy and regional geopolitics, be it Afghanistan or Sri Lanka or the Indo­Pacific
Outpouring of global aid to India shows that the world realises India is too important to fail, the international community might also reach the conclusion that post­COVID­19 India is too fragile to lead and be a ‘leading power’.
General economic distress, a fall in foreign direct investment and industrial production, and a rise in unemployment have already lowered the mood in the country.
Domestic political preoccupations will further shrink the political elite’s appetite for foreign policy innovation or initiatives.
China has, compared to most other countries, emerged stronger in the wake of the pandemic.
While one is yet unsure of the nature of China­U.S. relations in the days ahead, the rise of China and India’s COVID­19 related troubles could prompt Washington to hedge its bets on Beijing.
COVID­19 has forced us to reimagine, to some extent at least, the friend enemy equations in global geopolitics.
Way forward
Classical geopolitics should be brought on a par with health diplomacy, environmental concerns and regional connectivity in South Asia. COVID­19 may have opened precisely such an opportunity to the world’s least integrated region.
Mains question
A direct consequence of the pandemic is that New Delhi’s claim to regional primacy and leadership could take a hit. Explain
Sources: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/a-covid-blot-on-indias-foreign-policy-canvas/article34483476.ece

 

 

1. Eatsmart Challenge
The EatSmart Cities Challenge is envisioned as a competition among cities to recognize their efforts in adopting and scaling up various initiatives under Eat Right India. The challenge is open to all Smart Cities, capital cities of States /UTs, and cities with a population of more than 5 lakh. It aims to motivate Smart Cities to develop a plan that supports a healthy, safe and sustainable food environment supported by institutional, physical, social, and economic infrastructure along with the application of ‘smart’ solutions to combat food related issues.
The challenge has a potential to create social and behavioural change towards food safety, hygiene and nutrition. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the EatSmart Cities Challenge. The challenges aim at creating an environment of right food practices and habits and to make public transport safe, affordable, comfortable, and reliable.
Sources: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1711988

2. Capital Adequacy ratio
The capital adequacy ratio (CAR) is a measurement of a bank’s available capital expressed as a percentage of a bank’s risk-weighted credit exposures. The capital adequacy ratio, also known as capital-to-risk weighted assets ratio (CRAR), is used to protect depositors and promote the stability and efficiency of financial systems around the world. Two types of capital are measured tier-1 capital, which can absorb losses without a bank being required to cease trading, and tier-2 capital, which can absorb losses in the event of a winding-up and so provides a lesser degree of protection to depositors.
Tier-1 capital, or core capital, consists of equity capital, ordinary share capital, intangible assets and audited revenue reserves. Tier-2 capital comprises unaudited retained earnings, unaudited reserves and general loss reserves.
Sources : https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/money-and-banking/yes-bank-in-breach-of-capital-adequacy-ratio-requirements/article31523411.ece
3. Palk strait
The Palk Strait is a strait between the Tamil Nadu state of India and the Jaffna District of the Northern Province of the island nation of Sri Lanka. It connects the Bay of Bengal in the northeast with Palk Bay in the southwest. Several rivers flow into it, including the Vaigai River of Tamil Nadu. The strait is named after Robert Palk, who was a governor of Madras during the Company Raj period.
The unique feature around Palk Strait is that the waves around it, to its North and South are of high contrast. To the north, the waves of Bay of Bengal are mostly swells waves while that on the south, in Palk Bay are mostly sea waves. Despite being a sea dominated area, the significant wave heights in Palk Bay regions are relatively low. It is studded at its southern end with a chain of low islands and reef shoals that are collectively called Adam’s Bridge.
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/dozens-from-india-intercepted-in-sri-lankan-waters/article34481368.ece

4. Bamboo dwelling bat
Indian researchers discovered India’s first bamboo dwelling bat near Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya. It has sticky disc shaped feet It is unique factor that helps it to cling to bamboo surfaces. It is bright orange in colour and have Flat skull, High frequency echolation (suitable for cluttered environments like bamboo groves)
. Adapted to bamboo habitation though its not unique factor. Genetically different from all other bats bearing disk like pads. This discovery increased the population of bats in India to 130 and added a new genus and species to bat fauna of India .Its IUCN Status is Least Concern
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/meghalaya-records-indias-first-bat-with-sticky-disks/article34349748.ece

PRELIMS QUESTIONS
1. Consider the following statement with reference to The EatSmart Cities Challenge
1. The challenge is open to all Smart Cities, capital cities of States /UTs, and cities with a population of more than 10 lakh
2. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched the EatSmart Cities Challenge
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both of them (d). None of the above
Answer : D
The EatSmart Cities Challenge is envisioned as a competition among cities to recognize their efforts in adopting and scaling up various initiatives under Eat Right India. The challenge is open to all Smart Cities, capital cities of States /UTs, and cities with a population of more than 5 lakh. It aims to motivate Smart Cities to develop a plan that supports a healthy, safe and sustainable food environment supported by institutional, physical, social, and economic infrastructure along with the application of ‘smart’ solutions to combat food related issues.
The challenge has a potential to create social and behavioural change towards food safety, hygiene and nutrition. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs launched the EatSmart Cities Challenge. The challenges aim at creating an environment of right food practices and habits and to make public transport safe, affordable, comfortable, and reliable.

2. Consider the following statement with reference to Bamboo dwelling bat
1. It is discovered India’s first bamboo dwelling bat near Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Its IUCN Status is Endangered

Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c). Both of them (d). None of the above
Answer : A
Indian researchers discovered India’s first bamboo dwelling bat near Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary in Meghalaya. It has sticky disc shaped feet It is unique factor that helps it to cling to bamboo surfaces. It is bright orange in colour and have Flat skull, High frequency echolation (suitable for cluttered environments like bamboo groves)
. Adapted to bamboo habitation though its not unique factor. Genetically different from all other bats bearing disk like pads. This discovery increased the population of bats in India to 130 and added a new genus and species to bat fauna of India .Its IUCN Status is Least Concern