KHAN GLOBAL STUDIES
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
April 2024
NAT0@75 YEARS
• At an event marking 75 years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on April 4, Secretary
General Jens Stoltenberg said "NATO is bigger, stronger, and more united than ever."
• With 32 member-states - the most it has ever had - that may be true in one regard. However, the grouping
also faces significant challenges. Its expansion is believed to be a key factor behind Russia's 2022 invasion
of Ukraine and the continued conflict.
• On the anniversary, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov spoke to reporters about Russia's ties with
NATO, saying relations have now "slipped to the level of direct confrontation."
WHY WAS NATO ESTABLISHED?
• NATO is a Western security alliance founded on April 4, 1949, with 12 founding members
- Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States.
THE UN NATO CONNECTION:
They signed the Washington Treaty, which gets its power from Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, "which
reaffirms the inherent right of independent states to individual or collective defence."
WHAT IS COLLECTIVE DEFENCE?
At the very heart of the alliance is the concept of "collective security" - an attack on any of the members is seen
as an attack on all of them and demands collective action.
WHAT WAS THE NEED FOR SUCH A TREATY TO BE ADOPTED?
This was deemed necessary in 1949 amid the Cold War rivalry between the then USSR and the US, over
ideological and economic superiority.
WHICH PROVISION OF WASHINGTON TREATY ENTAILS COLLECTIVE DEFENCE?
Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, on collective security, was added "to counter the risk that the Soviet Union
would seek to extend its control of Eastern Europe to other parts of the continent."
DOES IT NECESSITATE DIRECT MILITARY INTERVENTION BY ALL THE MEMBERS?
It doesn't necessitate direct military intervention constituting all members.
The scale of action is dependent on each member country "as it deems necessary".
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HAS ARTICLE 5 BEEN INVOKED TILL NOW?
The only time the article has been invoked so far was following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US.
NATO forces were sent to Afghanistan and deployed for nearly 20 years.
CHALLENGES FACED BY NATO
• Unequal military spending by the members:
• In 2014, NATO members pledged to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defence after Russia annexed
Crimea.
• In 2019, there were clear tensions between members. US President Donald Trump argued that countries
needed to raise their military spending.
▪ Trump criticised this, saying it was unfair to countries like the US, who doing the requisite spending.
• As of 2023, of the 30 countries member countries then, 11 spent more than the limit.
• Differences between the member countries:
• While NATO has a liberal "open door" policy for membership, all members need to ratify the entry of a
new applicant for it to become a member. Turkey held off against Sweden and Finland for long, as the two
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countries' politicians had criticised Turkey in the past over human rights violations. Turkey also claimed
the countries gave refuge to "terrorists".
• In 2019, French President Emmanuel Macron said there was "a lack of strategic coordination between
European allies on the one hand and the United States and Turkey, on the other"
• Funding the Russia-Ukraine war has again become a source of disagreements among members, much to
Ukraine's displeasure.
■ The secretary General of NATO suggested creating a five-year, $107 billion fund for Ukraine, but the
suggestion drew mixed reactions from members.
WORLD HEALTH DAY
World Health Day, which is observed every year on April 7, unites us around health equity, an essential topic at
the heart of global health and justice.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared health to be a fundamental human right. The theme this year
is "My Health, My Right".
There is an alarming gap in health-care access, highlighted by the COVID-19 epidemic, environmental crises,
and growing socio-economic gaps.
Even though over 140 nations recognise health as a constitutional right, the WHO Council on the Economics of
Health for All reports that more than half the world's population needs complete access to essential health services.
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF HEALTH EQUITY?
Health equity ensures that every person has an equal opportunity to achieve their highest health potential, no
matter what their circumstances.
Recognising that social, economic, and environmental factors impact health outcomes, this idea goes beyond
genetics.
WHO's mission is to eliminate unfair and preventable disparities in health among different social and economic
categories.
True health equity addresses the root causes of health inequities such as poverty, discrimination, limited access to
high-quality education, a healthy diet, clean water, fresh air, and housing, and merely grants equal access to health
care.
IS THERE NEED FOR HEALTH EQUITY IN INDIA?
Consider an example: A child born into poverty in a rural area has no access to clean water, wholesome food, or
immunisations, which lays the foundation for chronic health problems.
These differences are made worse by pandemics, climate change, and sociopolitical unrest.
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India is diverse and has wide socioeconomic gaps. Thus this predicament strikes a chord. Access to health care in
rural areas is significantly less than in metropolitan areas. Social and economic barriers exacerbate this disparity.
INDIA'S HEALTH EQUITY CHALLENGE
With a large and diversified population, India faces persistent obstacles to health equity, including notable
differences in health-care outcomes and access.
• Even though access to health care has improved over the past 20 years, there is still much work to be done
in rural India.
• According to the 2011 Census, urban slums make up over 17% of India's metropolitan areas, and exhibit
serious health disparities.
• Health risks are increased by overcrowding, poor sanitation, and restricted access to clean water. Infectious
diseases, such as tuberculosis, are 1.5 times more common in slums than in non-slum areas, according to
the Indian Council of Medical Research.
• Disparities across caste are profound. National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 (2019-21) data indicates
that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes experience higher child mortality and lower immunisation
rates.
• Disparities across gender: 59% of women in the lowest wealth quintile suffer from anaemia, almost double
the rate in the highest quintile, demonstrating the intersection of caste, gender, and economic status in
health outcomes.
• A critical shortage of doctors exacerbates these issues, with WHO data indicating only 0.8 doctors per
1,000 people, which is below the advised ratio (1 doctor per 1000 people). Even though over 75% of
health-care professionals work in metropolitan regions, which only account for 27% of the population, the
shortage is particularly severe in rural areas.
WHAT SHOULD INDIA DO?
India's health equity issues require a comprehensive approach beyond improvements in health-care facilities to
address more extensive socioeconomic determinants of health.
• To move India toward universal health coverage and a more equitable future, the government, civil society,
health-care providers, and communities need to work together.
• Governments and officials may influence the state of health through funding, creative policies, and laws.
• Ayushman Bharat: Provides free health coverage to the bottom 40% economically
• National Health Mission: includes both the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National
Urban Health Mission (NUHM), reduces the health-care gap between rural and urban India by expanding
access, strengthening infrastructure, and providing essential services to vulnerable populations.
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• Achieving health equity requires raising health literacy. India should turn health equality into a shared,
community-driven goal by including health education in the NHM, enabling its people to seek equitable
care and make educated health decisions.
• Together with the government, the public and private health-care sectors provide services to
underprivileged communities, emphasising preventive education, workforce development, and
infrastructure enhancement.
• Non-governmental organisations and civic societies engage in direct community outreach to draw
attention to and resolve regional health concerns.
• Their collaboration with international and governmental organisations allows them to tailor health
initiatives that are culturally sensitive to the community's unique needs.
• Through innovation and technical growth, particularly in digital health, the commercial sector and
charitable organisations advance accessibility and affordability while extending reach and efficacy.
ZAPORIZHZHIA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
A drone strike at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Sunday (April 7) triggered a new crisis at the facility
that has been repeatedly brought to the brink of disaster by the war between Russia and Ukraine.
WHO ATTACKED?
Russia, which has been in control of the facility, Europe's largest, for almost two years now, accused Ukraine of
launching the attacks.
The International Atomic Energy Agency {IAEA), the global nuclear watchdog, confirmed there had been "at
least three direct hits", including on one of the six reactors at the plant, but did not say who was responsible.
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WAS NUCLEAR SAFETY COMPROMISED?
While nuclear safety had not been compromised, this is a serious incident with potential to undermine integrity
of the reactor's containment system.
But such reckless attacks significantly increase the risk of a major nuclear accident and must cease immediately.
ABOUT ZAPORIZHZHIA NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Zaporizhzhia is one of five nuclear power stations in Ukraine, which meets almost half of its electricity demand
through nuclear energy. The six reactors at Zaporizhzhia have the capacity to produce 5,700 MW of electricity.
The drone attacks came three days after the power station suffered its most recent loss of external power supply.
Nuclear power plants are connected to more than one external power source to run essential safety and security
operations, including the crucial task of cooling the reactors.
The power station has also faced frequent shelling and mortar attacks from both sides, making it the most
dangerous nuclear site in the world currently -even though other nuclear power stations in Ukraine have also
suffered shelling and lost external power at some point during the war.
HOW RESILIENT ARE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS?
Most nuclear reactors are made of several layers of steel and concrete, and are
designed to absorb shocks from earthquakes of magnitude 8 or even higher.
CAN SHELLING IMPACT THE POWER PLANTS?
Ordinary shelling or gunfire can't impact them seriously, and it is not surprising that the drone attack did not cause
much physical damage to the Zaporizhzhia station.
It is, however, not clear how a nuclear power plant would fare against a powerful bomb or missile attack. Such
an incident has never happened, and no country is expected to be so reckless as to bomb a nuclear reactor.
However, the war around Zaporizhzhia seems to be testing that assumption.
BUZZWORDS IN GLOBAL TRADE
There are four buzzwords in global trade which are trending nowadays.
(1) Offshoring
(2) Reshoring
(3) Nearshoring
(4) Friendshoring
WHAT IS OFFSHORING?
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This is when a company moves business operations to another country.
REASONS FOR OFFSHORING:
This new country might have cheaper labour.
Right kind of personnel are more available in that country.
Many a times the developed countries offshore their operations to conserve their natural resources.
IS MANUFACTURING ONLY OFFSHORED?
No. manufacturing is not the only candidate for offshoring. Departments like customer support, accounting, etc
can also be offshored.
WHAT IS RESHORING?
This is the opposite of reshoring. It is also known as inshoring or onshoring.
This is when a business transfers its processes back to its home country.
WHY COUNTRIES RESORT TO RESHORING?
It might be responding to the fragility of global supply chains or favourable tariffs.
WHAT IS NEARSHORING?
It is when a company locates a process in a nearby country where labour is cheaper and channels of shipping and
communication are strong.
The two countries often share a border with each other.
WHAT IS FRIENDSHORING?
• Friendshoring is the new buzzword in the global trade room. In practices, businesses can't always make
or process everything domestically.
• Friendshoring or Allyshoring is when they rely on countries with shared values when looking for raw
materials or possible manufacturing bases.
• That way, there are likely to be fewer supply chain disruptions.
IRAN-ISRAEL TENSIONS
As war clouds hover over West Asia, New Delhi advised Indians to not travel to Iran and Israel till further notice,
"in view of the prevailing situation in the region".
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"All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there
and register themselves," the MEA advisory said. It added: "They are also requested to observe utmost precautions
about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum."
THE TRIGGER TO THESE TENSIONS
Suspected Israeli Warplanes bombed Iran's embassy in Damascus, Syria on April 1 in a strike that Iran said killed
seven of its military advisers, three of them senior commanders, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior
commander in its Quds Force.
Notably, Zahedi was directly responsible for managing Iran's relationships with Lebanese Hezbollah, the Syrian
government and Shia militias in the country, and Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and the West
Bank.
WHAT IS ISRAEL'S RESPONSE?
While Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack,
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday that Israel "must be punished and it shall
be".
In response, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed: "Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We
are prepared to meet all of the security needs of the State of Israel, both defensively and offensively."
THE GLOBAL INVOLVEMENT IN THIS THIS EPISODE
Countries have called on Iran to exercise restraint in order to avoid a wider conflict in the region. "Right now it's
very important for everyone to maintain restraint so as not to lead to a complete destabilisation of the situation in
the region, which doesn't exactly shine with stability and predictability," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov
said.
Similarly British foreign minister David Cameron, and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on
their Iranian counterpart, Hossein Amirabdollahian, to urge maximum restraint, and avoid a further escalation.
IRAN'S RETALIATION
Iran launched over 200 drones and missiles at Israel as its proxies and allies also carried out coordinated attacks
on Israeli positions.
"The regime in Iran sent a massive swarm of over 200 killer drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles," an
Israeli army spokesman said.
Iran insists it acted in "self-defence" after the targeting of its diplomatic mission in Damascus. It said it hoped its
action would prompt no further escalation and "the matter can be deemed concluded."
THE INVOLVEMENT OF UN
The UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on April 14 over Iran’s drone and missile
attack on Israel, the body’s president said. The meeting is aiming to be held at Israel’s request.
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INVOLVEMENT OF USA:
U.S. forces have downed some Iran-launched attack drones flying toward Israel, according to a U.S.
defense official and two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.
The defence official said the effort to intercept the attack was continuing.
DEFENCE ATTACHES
India has begun to post Defence Attaches (a kind of new post) to different countries all across the
world.
This is going to boost India’s Strategic presence all across the world. It will also enable India to
establish Strategic ties with many countries all across the world.
ABOUT DEFENCE ATTACHE
A DA is a member of the armed forces who serves in an embassy as a representative of his/her
country’s defence establishment abroad.
WHICH BRANCH OF ARMED FORCES WILL A DA BELONG TO ?
DA is a generic term that covers personnel from all branches of the armed services, although
some larger countries may appoint a DA to represent an individual service branch, such as an air
force or naval attaché.
WHAT IS THE MAIN JOB OF A DA?
It is the DAs job to protect, develop, and promote the defence interests of their country in the
nation they are assigned, as well as in bilateral military and defence relations.
ARE DAs HAVING DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY?
● The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961, provides immunity to persons
according to their rank in a diplomatic mission. It defines the legal status of the DA.
● Under the Convention, DAs are considered members of the diplomatic staff,
enjoying full immunity.
SWITZERLAND TO HOST PEACE TALKS
With the Russia-Ukraine war in its third year, Switzerland will host a peace conference at Bürgenstock on
June 15-16, immediately after the June 13-15 G7 Summit in Italy. Switzerland has taken the initiative at
the request of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who visited Bern on January 15.
Switzerland wants India to participate in the conference, to which some 120 countries will be
invited at the level of Heads of State/ Government.
It remains to be seen whether US President Joe Biden will be able to take time out in the middle of
his re-election campaign, or whether Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and China’s President
Xi Jinping, who have announced a “friendship without limits”, will attend.
AIMS OF THIS CONFERENCE
● The idea is to “provide a platform for a high-level dialogue on ways to achieve a
comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine based on international law and the UN
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Charter,”.
● The conference will aim to “create a common understanding of the
framework conducive to this goal and a concrete roadmap for the peace
process”,
Switzerland had earlier hosted a Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) at Lugano in July 2022,
and a National Security Advisors Meeting in Davos at the beginning of this year.
THE SWISS HISTORY OF MEDIATION
Neutrality is a foundational principle of Switzerland’s foreign policy.
● It acted as the protecting power during the two World Wars, and held nearly 200
protective power mandates during World War II.
● Switzerland represented India’s interests in Pakistan and Pakistan’s in India
between 1971 and 1976.
● Over the last two decades, Switzerland has been the protecting power between Saudi
Arabia and Iran, the US and Iran, Russia and Georgia, and other pairs of mutually
hostile governments.
● It hosted talks between the government in Colombo and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam in 2006.
During the Russia-Ukraine war, however, Switzerland has leaned towards Ukraine, and has
joined the Western sanctions regime against Russia.
VIEWPOINTS OF RUSSIA & UKRAINE
● UKRAINE: Zelenskiy has sought India’s support on a 10-point “peace formula”,
which calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, release of prisoners,
restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, and guarantees on nuclear safety, food and
energy security.
● RUSSIA: For Russia, this formula is a non-starter. Moscow says it is “pointless”, and the
peace effort is doomed to fail if it doesn’t take Russia’s interests into account. It has said it
is willing to enter talks about Ukraine, but these must respect Russia’s security interests and
reflect the “new realities” on the ground.
Russian forces control a little less than a fifth of Ukraine, and Moscow has claimed four Ukrainian
regions as its own.
INDIA, RUSSIA & UKRAINE
From the beginning of the Ukraine conflict, India has been emphasising on dialogue and diplomacy.
India is ready to contribute to any peace process.
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EVOLUTION OF INDIA’S POSITION:
● Since the outbreak of the war in February 2022, India has walked a diplomatic tightrope
between Russia and Ukraine.
● It did not explicitly condemn the invasion, but it did call for an international probe
into the Bucha massacre and expressed concern over nuclear threats issued by
Russian leaders.
● India abstained from voting against Russia in several resolutions at the UN Security
Council.
● In September 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Putin that “this is not the era of
war” — a formulation that found an echo at the G20 Summit statement in Bali in
November 2022.
● At the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023, India was able to forge a
consensus, and get a joint declaration to which both the US-led West and Russia,
backed by China, agreed.
● Modi has had at least five phone conversations with Putin and at least four with
Zelenskiy since the beginning of the war. He has also met both leaders in person on the
sidelines of multilateral summits.
○ During their telephone conversation last month, the Ukrainian President thanked
India for its support for his country’s sovereignty, and said it would be important for
Kyiv to see New Delhi attend the peace conference in Switzerland.
For India, which aspires to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the conference
presents an opportunity to shape the conversation at the global high table.
BRAHMOS MISSILE DELIVERED TO PHILIPPINES
India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles were delivered to the Philippines on Friday (April 19), as part of a
$375 million deal signed by the two countries in 2022.
BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL), a joint venture company of India’s Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO), had signed a contract with the Philippines on January 28, 2022, for supply
of Shore Based
Anti-Ship Missile System.
THE BIRTH OF BRAHMOS
● In the early 1990s, India’s strategic leadership felt the need for cruise missiles — guided
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missiles that traverse the majority of their flight path at almost constant speed and deliver
large warheads over long distances with high precision.
○ The need was felt primarily following the use of cruise missiles in the 1991 Gulf War.
● An Inter-Governmental Agreement was signed with Russia in Moscow in 1998 by Dr
Kalam, who headed the DRDO, and N V Mikhailov, Russia’s then Deputy Defence
Minister.
● This led to the formation of BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between DRDO and
Russian Space company NPO Mashinostroyenia (NPOM).
○ The Indian side holding 50.5% and the Russians 49.5%.
● It was named after two rivers in India and Russia respectively – the Brahmaputra and
the Moskva.
THE FIRST TEST
In 1999, work on development of missiles began in labs of DRDO and NPOM after BrahMos
Aerospace received funds from the two governments.
The first successful test in 2001 was conducted from a specially designed land-based launcher.
ABOUT BRAHMOS MISSILE
● BrahMos is a two-stage missile with a solid propellant booster engine.
● Its first stage brings the missile to supersonic speed (meaning faster than sound) and
then gets separated.
● The liquid ramjet or the second stage then takes the missile closer to three times the
speed of sound in cruise phase.
● The missile has a very low radar signature, making it stealthy, and can achieve a
variety of trajectories.
● The ‘fire and forget’ type missile can achieve a cruising altitude of 15 km and a
terminal altitude as low as 10 m to hit the target.
● The BrahMos has 3 times the speed, 2.5 times flight range and higher range
compared to subsonic cruise missiles.
BRAHMOS TRIAD
Senior DRDO scientists say what makes the missile system unparalleled is its extreme accuracy and
versatility.
● Land-based BrahMos formations along the borders,
● BrahMos-equipped Sukhoi-30s at bases in Northern theatre and and Southern
peninsula, and
● BrahMos-capable ships and submarines deployed in sea together form a triad.
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LAND BASED BRAHMOS
The land-based BrahMos complex has four to six mobile autonomous launchers, each with three
missiles on board that can be fired almost simultaneously. Batteries of the
land-based systems have been deployed along India’s land borders in various theatres.
The upgraded land attack version, with capability of cruising at 2.8 Mach, can hit targets at a range
up to 400 km with precision. Advanced versions of higher range and speed up to 5 Mach are said to be
under development. The ground systems of BrahMos are described as ‘tidy’ as they have very few
components.
SHIP BASED BRAHMOS
● The Navy began inducting BrahMos on its frontline warships from 2005.
● These have the capability to hit sea-based targets beyond the radar horizon.
● The Naval version has been successful in sea-to-sea and sea-to-land modes.
● The BrahMos can be launched as a single unit or in a salvo of up to eight missiles,
separated by 2.5-second intervals.
● These can target a group of frigates with modern missile defence systems.
AIR BORNE BRAHMOS
On November 22, 2017, BrahMos was successfully flight-tested for the first time from a
Sukhoi-30MKI against a sea-based target in the Bay of Bengal. It has since been successfully
tested multiple times.
BrahMos-equipped Sukhoi-30s, which have a range of 1,500 km at a stretch without mid-air refuelling, are
considered key strategic deterrence for adversaries both along land borders and in the strategically important
Indian Ocean Region. The IAF is said to be integrating BrahMos with 40 Sukhoi-30 fighter jets across the
various bases.
SUBMARINE LAUNCHED
This version can be launched from around 50 m below the water surface.
The canister-stored missile is launched vertically from the pressure hull of the submarine, and uses
different settings for underwater and out-of-the-water flights.
This version was successfully tested first in March 2013 from a submerged platform off the coast of
Visakhapatnam.
UNSC RESOLUTION ON CEASEFIRE BETWEEN GAZA & ISRAEL
The UN Security Council this week demanded an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and
the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, after the United States, which has
repeatedly used its veto to shield its ally Israel, abstained from the vote.
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WHY DID USA ABSTAIN?
Historically, there has been broad bipartisan support in the US for Israel.
But the situation in Gaza has divided opinion — a significant section of Americans is now critical
of both Israel’s action, and the full US backing for it.
● This is important also in the context of the presidential election in November. For
President Joe Biden, the Arab and Muslim vote, as well as the vote from the Democratic
party’s left wing, will be crucial — and these voters have been critical of Israel.
● Also, many Arab countries, some which are important partners to the US, are growing
increasingly concerned at Israel’s actions.
DOES THIS MARK A SHIFT IN USA’s POLICY TOWARDS ISRAEL?
It is definitely an important signal from the US, which has been supportive of the Israeli
government in the UNSC since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.
However, this is not the first time that the US has distanced itself from the Israel. In the final
days of the Obama administration in 2016, the UNSC passed a resolution deeming Israel’s
settlements in Palestine illegal and a violation of international law, after the US abstained.
HOW MANY TIMES HAS USA SUPPORTED ISRAEL?
According to an analysis by the think tank Chicago Council on Global Affairs, until December 18, 2023,
the US had vetoed 45 resolutions critical of Israel
IS THE UNSC RESOLUTION BINDING?
In general, UN General Assembly resolutions are in the nature of recommendations, which
explicate the UN membership’s position on a certain matter. UNSC resolutions are normally seen as
somewhat more prescriptive. However, there is a difference between UNSC votes under Chapter 6
and Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, with the latter considered as binding.
In any case, options for enforcing a UNSC resolution are limited if the country in question
refuses to accept it, as Israel has already done.
If the UNSC wants to enforce its decision, it can decide to authorize travel bans, sanctions, or
the sending of troops. So, the vote is more of a political message, including in terms of the US
administration’s current stance on the issue.
WHAT WILL BE THE RESOLUTION’S IMPACT THEN?
It is undoubtedly an important political message in the current context. But it is not going to end
the conflict.
The October 7 attacks, viewed as the largest single-day loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, has
left a deep impact on the Israeli psyche. From their perspective, their effort has been to restore
deterrence, so something like that never happens again.
To that end, they have set themselves certain fairly maximalist goals, such as
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eliminating Hamas in its entirety. But that can be difficult to achieve.
UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS NETWORK
UNESCO’s Executive board has proposed to add 18 new sites to the UNESCO Global Geoparks
Network.
ABOUT UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARKS NETWORK
● The UNESCO Global Geoparks (UGGp) network is a group of 213
unified geographical areas that are managed with a holistic approach of
protection, education, and sustainable development.
● The UGGp network is a bottom-up approach that combines conservation with
sustainable development while involving local communities.
● The UGGp network uses its geological heritage to enhance awareness and understanding
of key issues facing society, such as using our earth's resources sustainably, mitigating the
effects of climate change, and reducing natural hazard-related risks.
● The Global Geoparks Network (GGN) is a non-governmental organization (NGO)
grouping all UGGp's in the world.
● It was established in 2015.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
● The GGN works for the development of UGGp's in the world by getting specifically
involved in the development of UGGp's in developing countries with a high priority
towards Africa and Latin America.
● The GGN also organizes cooperation and mutual assistance between UGGp's and
between UGGp's professionals.
● The GGN represents, advances, and disseminates knowledge in geodiversity management
and other disciplines related to studies in geo-conservation, geo-tourism, geo-education,
and/or the management and activities of UGGp's.
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HOW MANY UGGps ARE THERE?
As of April 2024, there are 213 UGGp's in 48 countries, with GGN member sites situated in five of
seven continents.
WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE HIGHEST NO. OF SITES?
China is the country with the largest number of global geoparks.
HOW MANY SITES DOES INDIA HAVE?
ZERO. India as of now does not have any site. But India has proposed the following sites till date:
● Lonar Lake (2018)
● St. Mary’s Island & Malpe beach. (2019)
● Erra Matti Dibbalu, Visakhapatnam. (2020)
● Dinosaur fossil national park, MP (2024)
THE KATCHATHEEVU ISLAND CONTROVERSY
The Katchatheevu controversy
Why is the uninhabited 285-acre islet important to Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka? What was agreed upon
in the 1974 pact between India and the island nation? What has been the stand of the Tamil Nadu
government over the years? Can Sri Lanka claim sovereignty?
THE BIG QUESTION IS WHETHER THIS ISLAND WAS GIVEN AWAY CALLOUSLY TO SRI LANKA BY INDIA?
When did Katchatheevu become part of SL?
IN 1974, INDIRA GANDHI HANDED OVER THIS ISLAND THROUGH
EXECUTIVE RESOLUTION TO SL ON THE BASIS OF TWO CONDITIONS:
● INDIAN FISHERMEN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DRY THEIR NETS ON THE ISLAND.
● PERMITTING INDIAN FISHERMEN TO PARTICIPATE IN ST. ANTHONY RELIGIOUS
FESTIVAL.
HISTORY OF THE DISPUTE
SL’s Claim: Sri Lanka claimed sovereignty over Katchatheevu on the ground that the Portuguese
who had occupied the island during 1505-1658 CE had exercised jurisdiction over the islet.
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India’s claim: India’s contention was that the erstwhile Raja of Ramnad [Ramanathapuram] had
possession of it as part of his zamin.
Ownership of the island was controversial up until 1974 as during the British rule, the island was
administered by both countries. India then recognized equal ownership with Sri Lanka.
The legality of the transfer was challenged in the Indian Supreme Court since the recognizing was
not ratified by the Indian Parliament.
THE CENTRE’S STAND
In August 2013, the Union government told the Supreme Court that the question of retrieval of
Kachchatheevu from Sri Lanka did not arise as no territory belonging to India was ceded to Sri Lanka.
It contended that the islet was a matter of dispute between British India and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
and there was no agreed boundary, a matter of which was settled through 1974 and 1976 agreements.
In December 2022, the Centre, pointed out in its reply in the Rajya Sabha that Katchatheevu “lies on
the Sri Lankan side of the India Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line.”
It added that the matter was subjudice in the Supreme Court.
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