Context

Recently, Asian Development Bank (ADB) released a report which highlighted the unpreparedness of nations across the world to tackle health emergencies even after the pandemic. 

• The title of the report was “What has Covid-19 taught us about Asia’s health emergency preparedness and response?”

Key findings of the ADB Report on Health Emergency Preparedness

• Lack of Medical Countermeasures: 

• • In 2021, 91% of economies lacked national plans for medical countermeasures such as vaccines and antiviral drugs against Covid-19.

• India Scores on Global Health Security Index 

  • India’s Global Health Security Index score decreased from 43.6 in 2019 to 42.8 in 2021.
    • The index also revealed that no country is fully prepared for future pandemics.

• Covid-19 Cases and Deaths Across Nations

• • Global Covid-19 Case Numbers
    • India covid cases: India ranked among the top three countries for Covid-19 cases since January 2020, as per WHO.
    • US covid cases: As of March 3, 2024, the United States recorded 103.4 million Covid-19 cases.
    • China covid cases: China recorded 99.3 million cases.
  • Vaccination Rates India/China
    • Vaccination in India: By November 2023, 74% of India’s population had received at least one Covid-19 vaccine dose.
    • Vaccination in China: China had the highest vaccination rate at 90%, followed by Brazil at 87%, Japan at 83%, and the US at 82%.
  • Global Covid 19 Deaths
    • High death in US: Globally, 7.04 million people lost their lives due to Covid-19, with the highest number of deaths recorded in the US.
    • Covid 19 Deaths in India: India reported 533,495 deaths due to Covid-19. 

• India’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic 

  • Three-tier system of Health: During pandemic, India used a three-tier system of health facilities to face pandemic problems. 
  • Use of vaccine: India too relied on vaccination but vaccination rate was low in India compared to other nations. 
    • One dose of covid -19 vaccine in India: India has covered its 74% population in terms of coverage of one covid vaccine dose.
    • One booster dose in India: In India, only 17 percent of the Indian population received at least one booster dose compared to 57 per cent in China. 
  • Government’s Healthcare Infrastructure Expansion
    To tackle pandemi, the Indian government took drastic steps in 2020.
    • Treatment facilities: By 2020, the government had established 15,378 treatment facilities.
      • These facilities included approximately 1.3 million isolation beds and 270,710 beds supported by oxygen.
      • Additionally, there were 81,113 ICU beds and 40,627 ventilator-ICU beds.
    • Repurpose of  Industrial oxygen: To alleviate oxygen scarcity, the nation repurposed industrial oxygen for medical purposes.

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Context

Recently, Australia announced to contribute $3bn for construction of AUKUS nuclear powered submarines.

Key Highlights On AUKUS submarine (SSN-A) Programme

• Under the AUKUS Agreement, Australia will buy up to five nuclear submarines from the US in the early 2030s before jointly building and operating a new class, SSN-AUKUS, with Britain, around a decade later. 
  • The pact will see Australia become the seventh nation to operate nuclear-powered submarines.
• All AUKUS partners are significantly investing to ensure program success, reshaping and integrating their industrial bases to facilitate SSN cooperation. 
• Recent Developments: On the day of the funding announcement, Taiwan reported detecting 36 Chinese military aircraft in its vicinity over the previous 24 hours, marking the highest number observed in 2024.

What Is AUKUS Agreement?

• In 2021, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have formed a significant trilateral security partnership named AUKUS for the Indo-Pacific.
• Motive: To Bolster the Collective industrial base capacity and Stimulate economic growth within the defense and national security sectors of the involved nations. 
  • Pivotal features : Transfer of US nuclear submarine technology to Australia. 
  • Strategic orientation towards the Indo-Pacific: Position the alliance as a countermeasure to China’s increasingly assertive maneuvers in the South China Sea.

AUKUS Submarine (SSN-A) Programme

Submarine Construction:

• Nuclear reactors for the vessels will be built in Derby,UK.
• Submarines will be constructed by BAE Systems in Adelaide,Australia. 
• The Virginia-class submarines are a British design but will have a US weapons system on board.

Features: 

• Possess Diverse functionalities: intelligence gathering, surveillance, undersea warfare, and strike missions. 
• Enhanced Stealth and Silence Capability will ensure optimal interoperability among AUKUS partners: It will surpass Australia’s current diesel-powered fleet in stealth and silence, enabling prolonged deployments without surfacing.

Regional Implications of AUKUS Agreement

• Defense Preparedness Over Global Dynamics: 

• • AUKUS reflects an intensified emphasis on defense readiness, accentuated by ongoing conflicts like the Ukraine crisis and geopolitical shifts such as Brexit. 

• Implications Over Indo- Pacific Region:  

  • Enhanced Maritime Security &  Strategic Measures: Chinese assertiveness prompts AUKUS to reaffirm strict nuclear non-proliferation and strengthen undersea presence in the Indo-Pacific region, aiming to enhance global security and tackle regional challenges.
  • Technological Advancements: It will concentrate on developing and exchanging advanced technologies in areas like artificial intelligence, cyber, and underwater warfare, bolstering the military capabilities of the member countries.
  • Economic Opportunities: It  will yield economic benefits by fostering the development of new technologies and defense industries, fostering job creation and economic growth within member countries.

• Chinese Concerns Regarding AUKUS: 

  • China has expressed apprehensions regarding the AUKUS agreement, fearing its potential to escalate an arms race in the Asia-Pacific region & nuclear proliferation risks.
  • Intensified Military Activities and Assertive Behavior: 
    • China has escalated its military activities, undertaking modernization and expansion efforts across its armed forces, particularly its navy. 
    • Assertiveness in asserting territorial claims, notably in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan by constructing artificial islands and reefs, as well as deploying its coast guard and maritime militia to reinforce its territorial claims.

• Implications for India: 

  • Deterrence against Chinese Assertiveness: AUKUS could offer India deterrence against China’s assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Indirect benefit from the collaboration: involving technological advanced nations striving for a free Indo-Pacific.
  • Safety over India’s regional dominance: Concerns arise over the proliferation of nuclear attack submarines in the Eastern Indian Ocean due to AUKUS, potentially undermining India’s regional dominance.

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Context

According to the Ministry of Coal, there has been a reduction in the share of coal imports in the total coal consumption in the country.

Coal Reserves in India

• India is endowed with the fifth-largest coal reserves globally and stands as the world’s second-largest consumer of coal.
• Gondwana coal, which is free from moisture and contains phosphorus and sulphur, makes up to 98% of the total coal reserves in India and 99% of the coal production in India.
• • It is India’s metallurgical grade as well as superior quality coal.
  • They are found in the Damodar (Jharkhand-West Bengal); the Mahanadi (Chhattisgarh-Odisha); the Son (Madhya Pradesh Jharkhand); the Godavari and the Wardha (Maharashtra-Andhra Pradesh); the Indravati, the Narmada region.
• Tertiary Coal Fields: Carbon content is very low but is rich in moisture and sulphur and are found in extra peninsular regions such as Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh.

Trends in Coal Market

• Decline in share of imported coal: The share of coal imports declined to 21% during April 2023 to January 2024, which was 22.48% during the corresponding period of previous year.
  • Shift Towards Domestic Coal: The decrease in imported coal for blending indicates a move towards using domestic coal, reducing import reliance.
• Decline in imported coal for blending: There has been a reduction of 36.69% in the volume of coal imported for blending by thermal power plants, during April 2023 to January 2024, in contrast to the same period of the previous year.
• Increase in coal imports by coal based power plants: However, there has been a notable increase of 94.21% in coal imports by imported coal-based power plants during April 2023 to January 2024, compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
  • Decline in Import Prices:  During April 2023 to January 2024, average coal prices from South Africa and Indonesia fell by 54% and 38%, respectively.  This benefitted India due to its heavy reliance on thermal coal imports from these countries.
• Reduction in Auction Premium: Substantial reduction in the auction premium received by CIL, over the notified price of coal. It has decreased from 278% in the period from April 2022 to January 2023, to 82% during the same period in the last fiscal year.
  • Ample availability of coal: The reduction in auction premium is a testament to the ample availability of coal (currently 96 MT coal stock with coal companies) in the market.
• Decline in National Coal Index (NCI): NCI has shown a significant decline of 17.54 % in November 2023 at 155.09 points compared to November 2022, where it was at 188.08 points. This indicates a strong supply of coal in the market.

Reasons for Decline in Coal Imports in India

• Advanced Technology: 

  • Usage of advanced technology has significantly enhanced the production capacity of public sector undertakings. 

• • Notably, Coal India Limited has experienced a growth rate exceeding 10%.

• Transparent Auction Mechanism: 

  • The transparent auction mechanism for coal blocks, devoid of end-use restrictions, has started yielding favorable outcomes.

• Increase in Production From Captive and Commercial Sources: 

  • Coal production from captive and commercial sources has seen a CAGR of around 22.50% over the past five years, underscoring the supportive role rendered by State Governments.

Conclusion

With strategic focus on optimizing indigenous coal resources and leveraging innovative technological solutions, India continues its journey towards self-reliance or Atmanirbharta in energy security of the nation.

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Context

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) predicts that global trade will improve in 2024. 

• The forecast for international trade is optimistic and World GDP is expected to continue at around 3%. 

Reasons for Anticipation of Rise In Global Trade 2024

• Moderating Global Inflation: 

  • As inflation rates stabilize, it encourages trade by reducing uncertainty and cost fluctuations.
    • Stable prices make it easier for businesses and people to analyze the market trend due to which they’re more likely to trade with other countries.

• Improved Economic Growth Forecasts: 

• • A favorable economic forecast worldwide encourages greater trade among nations by making people feel more confident about buying and selling things across borders.

• Growing Demand for Environmental Goods: 

• • The focus on sustainability and eco-friendly products is causing higher trade in environmental goods, especially in electric cars, leading to higher growth in trade. 

Challenges in Global Trade 2024

• Shipping Route Disruption: Recent disruptions in key shipping routes, such as the Red Sea, Black Sea, and Panama Canal, could increase transportation costs and disrupt supply chains, affecting international trade negatively.
• Political Conflicts Worldwide: Ongoing political conflicts worldwide may lead to instability in crucial markets like energy and agriculture, discouraging international trade.
• • Example: Russia-Ukrain Conflict, Israel-Hamas War, etc.
• Strained supply of essential minerals: The rising demand for minerals essential for clean energy technologies may strain their supply and cause price fluctuations, posing additional risks to international trade.

Global Trade Trends in 2023

• Overall decrease in global trade: Global trade decreased by 3%, amounting to approximately $1 trillion, compared to the previous record high of $32 trillion in the preceding year.
  • The downturn was primarily driven by reduced demand in developed economies and weaker trade in East Asia and Latin America.
• Sector Performance: While the services sector grew by 8% year-on-year, trade in goods declined by 5% compared to 2022.
• Quarterly Growth: Quarter-over-quarter figures showed signs of improvement, particularly in major economies like China and India.

Indian Trade Performance in 2023

• Merchandise Exports: India experienced a 5% growth in merchandise exports in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year. 
  • However, there was a 6% decrease in annual export growth.
• Services Exports: Services exports remained unchanged in the last quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year. 
  • However, there was a 14% annual growth in services exports.
• Changes in India’s Trade Dependence in 2023: India’s reliance on China and the European Union increased by 1.2%.
  • Conversely, dependence on Saudi Arabia decreased by 0.6% during the same period.

Impact of Positive Outlook of Global Trade 2024  on Indian Trade or Economy

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Context

India launched ‘Operation Indravati’ to evacuate its nationals from Haiti.

Operation Indravati Begins to Evacuate Indians from Haiti to Dominican Republic

• India is monitoring the situation through its mission at Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, which has no embassy in Haiti.
• There are between 75 and 90 Indians in Haiti and about 60 of them have registered with Indian authorities to return to India if need be.

Haiti Crisis

• Haiti is currently in a state of emergency due to escalating violence attributed to gang warfare, resulting in the virtual disappearance of the government.
• The UN reports that gangs control 80 per cent   of Haiti’s capital, with ongoing clashes in the remaining areas.
• Haiti has been plunged into a severe humanitarian, political and security crisis following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.

About Haiti Country

• It is a country in the Caribbean Sea that includes the western third of the island of Hispaniola and smaller islands such as Gonave, Tortue (Tortuga), Grande Caye, and Vache. 
• Capital: Port-au-Prince
• Major Mountain Ranges: Massif de la Selle, Massif du Nord.
• Largest Lake: Étang Saumâtre
• Largest Gulf: The Gulf of Gonâve.
• It is positioned in the Northern and Western hemispheres of the Earth.
• Bordering Countries: Haiti is bordered to the east by the Dominican Republic, which covers the rest of Hispaniola, to the south and west by the Caribbean, and the north by the Atlantic Ocean. 

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Context

Recently, the principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in New Delhi has initiated action on the Netravati Waterfront Promenade Development Project in Mangalore. 

Netravati Riverfront Project: NGT takes Cognisance of CRZ & Environmental Norm Violation Allegations

• Action Taken: Recognising the seriousness of the environmental and social issues associated with the project, NGT has taken suo motu cognisance and directed the formation of a joint committee to submit a detailed report on the project.
• Background: The local chapter of the National Environmental Conservation Foundation (NECF) had raised concerns regarding the project’s impact on the lives of common people in the area.
• Criticism: The project has faced criticism for its potential adverse effects on the environment and the livelihoods of local communities.

About Netravati River

• Origin: It originates in the Western Ghats in the Bangrabalike forest Valley of Yellaner Ghats of the Kudremukh range in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka. 
• Course: It merges with the Kumaradhara River, a left-bank tributary, at Uppinangadi before flowing to the Arabian Sea.
  • • Kumaradhara River originates in Western Ghats in the Subramanya range near Uppinangadi village.
  • Along its course, the Netravati also flows through the popular pilgrim place called Dharmasthala.
• Importance: Netravati river is the main source of water to Bantwal and Mangalore.

About Promenade Development Under Netravati Waterfront Development Project

• Aim: To connect the city to the river and the sea with the help of proposed landmarks and nodes, which are further connected to the city through a series of road networks that will act as connectors between the city and the promenade.
• A Proposal for Re-engagement: It is proposed to re-engage the city with the varied water-related experiences.
  • The project intends to develop the waterfront as an active recreational and commercial area with waterfront gardens, parks, pedestrian-friendly walkways, bicycle track, boardwalks, nature parks, adventure sports etc. 
  • The overall vision also aims to create a working waterfront by modernizing the existing fishing harbour and retrofitting the old port area with tourism activities.

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Context

In Iran, Baha’i Minority Faces Persecution Even After Death.

• The graves have been desecrated by state authorities in Iran.

About Baha’i Minority

• The Bahai faith is a relatively young monotheistic religion with spiritual roots dating back to the early 19th century in Iran.
• The Bahais have a spiritual center in the Israeli port city of Haifa, but its history dates back to well before the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948.
• Unlike other minorities, Bahais do not have their faith recognised by Iran’s constitution and have no reserved seats in parliament. 
• They are unable to access the country’s higher education and suffer harassment ranging from raids against their businesses to confiscation of assets and arrest.

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Context

Recently, the Zoological Survey of India published a book entitled, ‘An Illustrated Guide to the Lepidoptera of India’.

An Illustrated Guide on the Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) of India

• Aim: To bring a summary of the main diagnostic characters for all the families and superfamilies of Butterflies and Moths found in India. 
• Diversity: Global Lepidoptera is updated to 166,320 species, 143 families and 43 superfamilies.
  • 13,124 species, 101 families and 31 superfamilies occur in India. 
• Heliocosmidae: The authors rectified a taxonomic glitch and described a new family of Lepidoptera i.e., Heliocosmidae.

About Lepidoptera

• Order Lepidoptera: Consists of species of butterflies, moths, and skippers. 
• Features: 
• • Almost all adult lepidopterans have two pairs of wings with a large wingspan compared to the size of its body. 
  • Presence of a mouthpart in the form of a coilable proboscis that acts as a straw to consume liquid food.
• Life Cycle Of Lepidopterans: Consists of four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult (imago).

Importance of Lepidoptera:

• Pollination: Important pollinators for many plant species as they feed on nectar, they transfer pollen from one flower to another, aiding in the reproduction of plants.
• Biodiversity: Their presence indicates the health of an ecosystem, and their diversity reflects the diversity of plants and other organisms within it.
• Indicator Species: Certain species of butterflies and moths are considered indicator species, meaning their presence or absence can indicate the health of an ecosystem. 
• Food Source: They form an integral part of food webs, contributing to the balance of ecosystems, serving as a crucial food source for many other organisms, including birds, small mammals, and other insects. 
• Economic Importance: Some species of butterflies, such as the monarch butterfly, have economic importance in areas such as ecotourism. 
• Scientific Research: Lepidoptera are studied by scientists for various reasons, including understanding their behavior, life cycles, and ecological roles. 

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Context

A recent study by the University of Sheffield has highlighted the risks of using water contaminated with arsenic to cook rice. 

What Is Arsenic?

• Arsenic is a natural element that is present in the Earth’s crust.
• Sources of Arsenic: It can be found in soil, water, and air due to natural processes.
• Inorganic arsenic is more harmful, with more severe health consequences compared to organic arsenic.
• Arsenic can get into our bodies through eating, breathing, or skin contact.
• Harmful Consequences of Arsenic: 
  • Cancer (like skin, lung, bladder, and kidney cancer), heart diseases, and diabetes.

Arsenic in Rice: Key Findings of the Study

• Global Adherence to WHO Standards:

  • The study reveals that 32% of the world’s population resides in low- and middle-income countries that fail to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limits on arsenic in water. 
    • Additionally, some nations still adhere to the outdated WHO standard of 50 parts per billion.

• Varied Regulations and Risks:

  • Arsenic Regulation in India: While India and 40 other countries have adopted a stricter standard of 10 parts per billion, 19 nations lack any evidence of arsenic regulation. 
    • This discrepancy highlights a global inconsistency in safeguarding against arsenic exposure.

• Arsenic in Rice and Health Risks:

• • High Arsenic in Rice: Rice contains higher levels of arsenic compared to other grains. 

• • • Group 1 Carcinogen Classification: This inorganic arsenic (iAs) is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of WHO). 
    • Cooking rice with arsenic-contaminated water poses serious health risks, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
  • White and Brown Rice: White and parboiled rice tend to absorb more arsenic than brown rice. 
    • High Risk of Health Issues in Asia: This puts populations in Western countries and Asia at higher risk of health issues related to arsenic exposure.
      • Brown rice a safer choice: The study suggests that brown rice could be a safer choice in regions with limited access to arsenic-safe water.
        • The bran layer in brown rice may act as a barrier against arsenic accumulation, reducing health risks compared to white or parboiled rice.

• Effect of Cooking Techniques on Arsenic Absorption

• • Different Cooking Methods influence the absorption of arsenic from water into rice.
    • Excess Water or Percolating cooking: Using excess water or percolating cooking water effectively reduces arsenic levels in both white and brown rice. 
    • Parboiled and Absorbed Method: Another method, called the parboiled and absorbed method, involves simmering unwashed rice in de-ionized water for 5 minutes before filtering out arsenic from the surface.

Policy Recommendations

• Ensuring Safe Water Supply:

  • Make Policy for Rice-Consuming Nations: There should be policies for high per capita rice consuming countries like Bangladesh.
  • Water supply free from arsenic: Ensure water supplies are free from arsenic, particularly for domestic use.
  • Monitoring and regulation: Rigorous monitoring and regulation are needed to prevent arsenic contamination in water sources.

• Selection of Low Arsenic Rice Varieties:

  • Priority of different rice: Prioritize cultivation and consumption of rice varieties with lower arsenic absorption.
  • Low exposure to arsenic: Reduce exposure to arsenic through food consumption in regions with elevated arsenic levels in water.

• Adopting Effective Cooking Methods:

• • Effective technique: Use cooking techniques that effectively remove arsenic from water and grains.
    • Use Ratio of rice to rice-to-water ratio of 1:6–12 for cooking rice: Methods such as excess water cooking with ratio of rice to rice-to-water ratio of 1:6–12  or percolating cooking water can significantly reduce arsenic levels in rice.
  • Implementation of cooking methods: Safeguard public health by implementing these cooking methods in areas with prevalent arsenic contamination.

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Context

UNESCO led the development of the United Nations World Water Development Report 2024 on World Water Day (March 22, 2024).

Key Findings from the World Water Development Report 2024

• Water Access Disparities and Increasing Migration: 2.2 billion people do not have access to safely managed drinking water and 3.5 billion people globally do not have access to properly managed sanitation facilities.
  • These numbers are expected to increase,exacerbated by climate change and population growth.
• Water Deficit Inducing Migration:  Water deficits could be linked to 10 percent of the increase in migration worldwide.
  • Displacement can increase the burden on local water systems and resources, resulting in tensions between migrant and host communities.
• Increasing Water Footprint: The global water footprint is expanding with freshwater consumption increasing by nearly one percent annually. 
  • In the lowest-income countries, 80 percent of jobs rely on water, compared to 50 percent in high-income nations.
• Urban-Rural Divide: There is a prominent urban-rural divide wherein “four out of five people lack at least basic drinking water services live in rural areas.
• Critical Water Availability and Climate Change: Only 0.5 percent of water on Earth is usable and climate change is dangerously affecting that supply. 
  • Over the past twenty years, terrestrial water storage including soil moisture, snow and ice has dropped at a rate of 1 cm per year, with major ramifications for water security.
• Impact on Food Security: Climate change, population growth and increasing water scarcity will put pressure on food supply as about 72 percent of the freshwater used is used for agriculture.
• Rise in Water-Related Disasters: Water-related disasters have dominated the list of disasters over the past 50 years and account for 70 percent of all deaths related to natural disasters.
• Child Mortality in Conflict-Affected Areas: Children under the age of 15 living in countries affected by prolonged conflict are, on average, almost three times more likely to die due to lack of safe water, sanitation and hygiene than by direct violence.
• Transboundary Water Cooperation: Only 24 countries report that all their transboundary basins are covered by cooperation arrangements.
  • Transboundary waters account for 60 percent of the world’s freshwater flows, and 153 countries have territory within at least 1 of the 310 transboundary river and lake basins and inventoried 468 transboundary aquifer systems.
• Economic Returns of Water and Sanitation Investments: The benefits of investing in water and sanitation outweigh the costs, as it can improve health, productivity, environment, and social outcomes. 
  • Every US$ 1 invested in water and sanitation yields a return of US$ 4.3. In transboundary rivers and aquifers this includes hydropower production, flood and drought management, water quality, and ecosystem conservation.

How Can Water Be linked to Conflict and Instability?

• Water in Historical Conflict: 

• • Water has been a pivotal resource for some of the greatest civilisations such as the Indus, the Nile, the Tigris and the Euphrates. However,  conflicts arose in these civilisations on account of this resource. 

• • • Ex- Tensions between the Mesopotamian cities of Lagash and Umma. This conflict centered around a fertile piece of land and water resources. 
    • The conflict also yielded the world’s first peace treaty, the Treaty of Mesilim, recognised as one of humanity’s oldest legal documents.

• Divergent Interests Among Users: 

  • Water can be a trigger when interests of different water users, including States and provinces, clash and and seem impossible to reconcile. 
    • Similarly, conflicts may arise when there’s a decrease in water quantity or quality, potentially impacting human and ecosystem health.

• Water as a Weapon in Armed Conflict: 

  • It can be used by both State and non-State actors as a means to gain or maintain control over territory and populations or as a means to pressurize opponent groups.
    • Ex- water was used by Israel as a weapon against its conflicts with Hamas.

• Water Vulnerability in Conflict Zones:  

  • Water can suffer as a consequence of conflict when water resources become intentional or unintended victims or targets of violence. 
    • Deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, including water systems, not only pose significant health hazards but also breach international humanitarian law.

• Multiplying Factor in Conflict Settings:  

  • For Example, the inability of a government to provide basic water services leads to a delegitimization of State institutions and ignites social unrest.
    • If factors such as food insecurity, unemployment and internal migration coincide with water-related stress, all culminate in instability at various governance levels.

• Climate Change and Rising Water Insecurity: 

  • Currently, the world is experiencing a multitude of climatic extremes, spanning from intense heatwaves to turbulent floods raising concerns regarding the climate crisis and its ongoing effects on water insecurity.
    • For instance, in India, the monsoon has displayed erratic patterns over time, introducing significant uncertainties for agriculture.

• Transboundary Water Resource and Pollution: 

• • A large proportion of the world’s freshwater resources are in transboundary waters” including in India. 
    • With its expansive landmass, India boasts a network of long rivers, not only serving its own needs but also shared with its neighbours. 
    • However, in the South Asian region, the extent of water pollution has worsened considerably in recent years, especially the Meghna, Brahmaputra, Ganga and Indus.

Way Forward to Use Water for Peace

• Water Diplomacy as a Solution for Rising Water Conflicts: 

• • The shared recognition that water is a vital resource, with limitations in quality and availability, necessitates collaborative governance.
    • This will ensure effective and equitable water allocation among nations, fostering regional stability and peace, and an understanding of the intricate relationships between water, climate, and international stability.

• Universal Principles for International Water Law: 

  • Within the added climate change-related pressures, the world needs to foster improved cooperation over water-sharing and embrace universal principles for International Water Law. Working towards establishing formal arrangements over river basins and aquifers by the riparian States are key for long-term successful cooperation.

• • By governing the use of shared waters and encouraging the use of water sustainably, we can strive for better water diplomacy making water a force for peace.Inclusive Approach: Water diplomacy requires inclusive approaches, acknowledging the indigenous and local communities’ extensive cross-border networks.
  • Involving civil society and academic networks can help in facilitating political processes to prevent, mitigate, and resolve water-related disputes.

• Cross-Sectoral Water Cooperation:  

  • Bringing together water, energy, agriculture, environment helps to better manage trade-offs and can amplify the benefits that accrue from collective action while also safeguarding ecosystems. 
    • Multilevel governance systems are key to breaking sectoral silos in a way that can deliver legitimate, equitable and sustainable outcomes.Ways to cooperate over water include the sharing of energy and food security benefits across transboundary basins, multi-stakeholder environmental protection (such as ‘peace parks’) and basin management schemes.

• Action-Oriented Water Cooperation: 

  • Concrete steps are needed to address funding and financing gaps, insufficient and inaccessible data and information, capacity development shortfalls, weak governance systems.
    • These result in poorly coordinated and uneven power relationships among stakeholders, and the slow introduction and uptake of innovative practices and technologies.
    • Early and efficient cooperation over water resources can also prevent water being a trigger, a weapon or a casualty in times of armed conflicts. 

• Transboundary Cooperation as Key: 

• • More than three billion people globally depend on water that crosses national borders. 

• Cooperation over transboundary Rivers, Lakes and Aquifers:

• • They can generate multiple economic, social, environmental and political benefits that in turn deliver prosperity and peace at local, national, regional and global levels.
    • Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin (FASRB) in the Balkans, signed in 2002 can be considered as an example of geopolitical coordination, managing conflicts and driving stability in the region riven apart by the Bosnian War of the 1990s.

Conclusion

To build resilience against climate change and to serve a growing population equitably and sustainably, an integrated and inclusive approach, centred on human rights, and based on sound, trusted data, must be taken to managing this finite resource.

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Context

Recently, the Delhi Chief Minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on charges of corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s excise policy for 2021-22, which was later scrapped.

What Does this Arrest Highlight?

• Delhi CM Arrested Under PMLA

• • Delhi CM had become the first serving CM in the country to be arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

• Delhi CM Arrested: Arising Concerns

  • Against the Law: The selective use of the ED to target the Opposition by the Ruling Government.
    • As per experts, the summons given to Delhi CM was already being applied in a highly discretionary way. 
  • Against the Democratic Value: Arrest in the middle of a general election campaign is an unprecedented display of impunity that does not allow the Opposition to mobilize its resources for elections.
  • A Politically Motivated Move: It is argued that despite numerous raids and investigations, no evidence of wrongdoing has been found and it is a politically motivated move.
  • Need: The judiciary needs to play a significant role by dismantling the instruments of oppression, and the political opposition needs to come together and not treat this issue as merely a legal or administrative battle. 
    • It needs to mobilise within the bounds of the laws politically. Presenting a Severe Challenge: It underscores the complexities and challenges associated with combating corruption and ensuring transparency within governmental institutions.
  • About Corruption:
    • Refers: As per Transparency International, corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. 
    • India’s Position: Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI), 2023 positioned India at 93 out of 180 countries.

• • • • The CPI ranks 180 countries and territories around the globe by their perceived levels of public sector corruption, scoring on a scale of 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
    • Concerns: It erodes trust, weakens democracy, hampers economic development and further exacerbates inequality, poverty, social division and the environmental crisis.

Can a Sitting CM Hold Office While in Jail?

• Arising Question on Continuing to Hold Public Office: There is a question arising can a Chief Minister serve while in Jail? 
• Legal Provision: According to experts, there are no constitutional or legal provisions that prohibit a Chief Minister from serving while in Jail. 
  • Role of LG in Delhi: While there is no legal bar on Kejriwal continuing as CM, the LG has a critical role to play. The LG can recommend the imposition of the President’s rule.

• • According to the rules, the Chief Minister loses position:
    • If he/she loses the majority in the House
    • His/her party asks to step down
    • He/she resigns from the position
  • On Disqualification: As per section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, conviction is required for disqualification. 
  • Basic Norm for Holding a Public Office: The Supreme Court in Manoj Narula versus Union of India held that the fundamental norm for holding a public office was:
    • Constitutional Morality: This means avoiding acting in a manner contradictory to the rule of law. 
    • Good Governance: The government has to rise above narrow private interests or parochial political outlook and aim at doing good for the larger public interest. 
    • Constitutional Trust: To uphold the high morality attached to a public office.
• Implication: The outcome of his case could have far-reaching consequences for the political landscape in the entire country.

Way Forward

• For Statutory Institutions: 

  • Statutory institutions like ED need to be strengthened and accountable by:
    • Ensure Functional Autonomy: There is a need to provide Functional independence to ED and also the protection of ED officers from political interference.
    • Provide Statutory Backing: Ensuring statutory status by means of adequate legislation will maintain the independence of the Enforcement Directorate and maintain its accountability.

• For Judiciary:

• • The judiciary needs to take their action on filling the loopholes that can be politically misused. 
    • Example: The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), on which the Supreme Court had put its seal of approval (‘Kafka’s Law’, IE, July 29, 2022), that can be politically misused. 
  • The Court’s need to make amendments in following issues like erratic record on bail, its constant support of the Executive, etc. to maintain Indian constitutional values.

• For Government: 

  • The Government needs to follow and promote Constitutional and ethical values.
    • Kautilya’s views on the importance of promoting ethical conduct and good governance remain relevant today, and efforts to combat corruption continue to be a key priority for governments and international organisations worldwide.
    • Kautilya recommended a range of measures to promote transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in public service. 

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