Context

As per CPCB’s Compliance report submitted before the National Green Tribunal, as much as 80 per cent of the environmental protection charge (EPC) and environmental compensation (EC) collected by the Central Pollution Control Board remains unspent.

• There are Rs 777.69 crore green funds collected through the EPC and EC, and the CPCB has only utilised 20% or Rs 156.33 of those funds.
• CPCB’s report was filed in compliance with an order that the Tribunal passed in December 2023.

Environment Protection Charge

• The EPC is received as per an order of the Supreme Court and is utilised for air quality improvement and related work in Delhi-NCR.
• Under this charge, the dealer/manufacturer must pay a one per cent environment protection charge on the ex-showroom price of new diesel vehicles with engine capacity of 2000cc and above, registered only in Delhi and NCR.
• Usage: specific projects to control pollution in Delhi-NCR and Punjab.
  • Research and development activities, 
  • Vehicular pollution control, 
  • Health impact studies

Environmental Compensation

• The CPCB also receives 25 per cent of the environmental compensation collected by state pollution control boards.
• It also collects environmental penalties directly from polluters/defaulters in various matters.
• The environmental compensation is received as per the NGT’s orders.
• Usage: 
  • To rejuvenate and protect the environment through strengthening of laboratories/monitoring network.
  • Projects and studies/monitoring in compliance with NGT orders, and capacity building of pollution control boards.
  • Payment of travelling allowance/ dearness allowance/honorarium, etc., to the chairman and members of NGT-constituted committees.

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Context

• Recently, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Institute of Human Development (IHD) have released a report named “India Employment Report 2024”.
• Basis of India Employment Report 2024: The research is mostly based on data analysis from the National Sample Surveys and Periodic Labour Force Surveys conducted between 2000 and 2022.

Key Highlights of the India Employment Report 2024

• Female Labour Market Participation Rate: 

  • After dropping dramatically in previous years, the female labour market participation rate began to rise more rapidly in 2019, particularly in rural areas.

• Shifting of Workforce in Non-farm Sectors: 

  • One of the most important aspects of the Indian labour market is the gradual and continuous shift of the workforce away from agriculture and into non-farm sectors.

• Type of Employment in India: 

  • Employment in India is primarily self-employment and casual employment.
    • Approximately 82 percent of the workforce works in the informal sector, with approximately 90 percent informally employed.

• Stagnant Wages: 

  • While casual laborer salaries rose modestly between 2012 and 2022, regular workers’ actual wages remained stagnant or fell.

• Inadequate Data on Migration: 

  • Official surveys do not accurately capture India’s migration levels.
    • India is anticipated to have a migration rate of over 40% by 2030, with an urban population of approximately 607 million.

• Increased Urbanisation:

• • Urbanisation and migration are anticipated to expand significantly in the future.

Challenges of Youth Employment:

• Demographic Dividend: A considerable part of the population is of working age, and India is likely to remain in the potential demographic dividend zone for at least the next decade.
• Decline in Youth Population: However, the country is at a turning point since the youth population, which was 27% of the overall population in 2021, is predicted to fall to 23% by 2036.
  • Youth labour-force participation has been significantly lower than that of adults, and it has been dropping over time (2000-19), owing mostly to increased engagement in education.
    • The International Labour Organisation (ILO) defines youth as the 15-to-24 age group.
• Rise in Youth Unemployment: Youth unemployment nearly tripled, rising from 5.7% in 2000 to 17.5% in 2019 but falling to 12.1% in 2022.

Suggestions by the India Employment Report 2024

The India Employment Report 2024 recommends five key policy areas for youth in India, 

• Including job creation
• Improving employment quality,
• Addressing labor market inequalities,
• Strengthening skills and active labor market policies, 
• Bridging knowledge gaps on labour market patterns and youth employment.

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Context

Recently, The Supreme Court ruled that imposing a bail conditions that prevents a person from participating in political activities violates their fundamental rights under the Constitution.

• Siba Shankar Das @ Pintu vs. State of Odisha: The Supreme Court recently ruled that requiring a politician to abstain from engaging in political activities as a condition for granting bail would violate fundamental rights.

What is Bail?

• It refers to the temporary prison release of a person awaiting trial or an appeal.
• It is secured by depositing security before a legal authority to guarantee his eventual presence in court.

Conditions for Grant of Bail in Bailable/Non-Bailable Offences

• Conditions for bail in bailable offence are –

  • There are sufficient reasons to believe that the accused has not committed the offence.
  • There is sufficient reason to conduct further enquiry into the matter.
  • The person is not accused of any offence punishable with death, life imprisonment or imprisonment up to 10 years.

• Conditions for granting bail in non-bailable offences:

• • If the accused is a woman or a kid, bail may be granted in a non-bailable offence.
  • If there is insufficient proof, bail in non-bailable offences may be granted.
  • If the complainant delays filing a FIR, bail may be granted.
  • If the accused is seriously ill.

How Bail and Bail Conditions Work

• Khilari vs. State of UP’ (2009): The Supreme Court observed that while exercising its discretion to release a person on bail, the court must ensure it acts “judiciously”. It also ruled that the appellate court must record its reasons while granting bail.
• Section 439 of the CrPC: It states that a high court or court of session can direct any accused person in custody to be released on bail.
  • It also allows them to impose any condition that they consider necessary for the purposes of Section 437(3), which lists conditions that can be imposed in cases of offences punishable with seven years or more in prison. 

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Context

India is actively reducing black carbon emissions through the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY).

About Black Carbon

• About: It is the dark, sooty material emitted alongside other pollutants when biomass and fossil fuels are not fully combusted.
• Composition: It comprises a significant portion of particulate matter or PM, which is an air pollutant.
• Contribution: It contributes significantly to global warming due to its high efficiency in absorbing light and heating its surroundings. It contributes to warming by turning incoming solar light into heat.
  • It also affects cloud formation, regional circulation, and rainfall patterns.
• Impacts: It causes global warming and poses significant concerns. Studies have established a direct link between exposure to black carbon and an increased risk of heart disease, birth problems, and early mortality.
  • It has a warming impact on climate that is 460–1,500 times stronger than CO2.
• Sources of Black Carbon Emissions: The residential sector contributes 47%, industry 22%, diesel vehicles 17%, open burning 12%, and other 2%.
• • The industrial and transportation sectors have witnessed improvements, but residential emissions remain an issue.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas 
• Aim: To provide LPG connections to women from Below Poverty Line (BPL) households.
• Phase 1: The scheme was launched on 1st May 2016. The target under the scheme was to release 8 Crore LPG Connections to the deprived households by March 2020. 
• Phase2: Under the Union Budget for FY 21-22, provision for release of additional 1 Crore LPG connections under the PMUY scheme has been made. In this phase, special facilities have been given to migrant families.

Role of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

• Providing Free LPG Connections: It gives free access to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for low-income households.
• Primary Goal: The primary goal was to make clean cooking fuel available to rural and impoverished people, reducing their reliance on traditional cooking fuels.
• Developing Infrastructure: The PMUY has developed infrastructure to support LPG connections, such as free gas stoves, deposits for LPG cylinders, and a distribution network.
• Reducing Black Carbon Emissions: The programme has played a critical role in lowering black carbon emissions. It provides a cleaner alternative to conventional fuel consumption.

Issues with Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)

• Low Penetration: According to RTI data (2022-2023), 25% of all PMUY beneficiaries received either zero or only one LPG refill.
  • They still used traditional biomass for cooking.
• Reliance on Traditional Fuels: Traditional fuels continue to provide half of a PMUY beneficiary household’s total energy demands.
  • The average PMUY beneficiary household uses only 3.5-4 LPG cylinders per year, compared to six or seven for a regular non-PMUY household.
• Effect of Traditional Fuels: Women and children are disproportionately affected by the LPG shortage and increased use of traditional fuels. 
  • They are particularly vulnerable to high amounts of indoor air pollution, which causes several health problems and untimely mortality.
• Unaffordability: Over the past five years, LPG costs have skyrocketed, making it unaffordable for many PMUY beneficiaries.
  • In October 2023, the government raised the LPG subsidy to ₹300 from ₹200. 
• Lack of Last Mile connectivity:  The lack of last-mile connectivity in the LPG distribution network leads to distant rural communities relying heavily on biomass.

Local Solutions and Innovations

• Production of Coal Bed Methane: Composting biomass produces coal-bed methane (CBM) gas on-site.
• Advantage of Coal Bed Methane: CBM is a far cleaner fuel, with reduced black-carbon emissions and investment.
• Role of Panchayats: Panchayats can take the initiative to generate CBM gas locally at the village level, ensuring that every rural home has access to safe cooking fuel.
• Carbon Reduction Measures: Prioritising black carbon reduction measures, such as the PMUY scheme, can help India become a global leader in tackling regional health challenges.
  • It will assist the country achieve its Sustainable Development Goal of providing everyone with cheap clean energy while also contributing to global climate mitigation.

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Context

According to the observations of the experts, fresh groundwater may be found deeper than 250 metres and, in some cases, the groundwater is saline in nature in Sundarbans.

Concerns Raised by the Report

• Release of Microplastics: 

  • The environmental study report further found four million tonnes of microplastics are released into the Bay of Bengal and the Sundarbans each year from various rivers in Bangladesh and India. 
    • Additionally, less sweet water enters the Sundarbans mangrove system. 

• Dependent on Tidal Rivers and Mangroves: 

  • Sundarbans is situated in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) delta and depends on the tidal rivers and mangroves. 
    • The rivers are mostly saline as they are disconnected from the ‘parent river’. The scarcity of freshwater is the burning issue in the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve. 

• Major Impacting Factors: 

  • These include river erosion, exploitation of forest resources, conflicts between humans and animals, trafficking of women, human interference (tourist activities, fishing, small-scale businesses, etc), hunting of wild animals and unemployment. 
    • According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the temperature rise has detrimental impacts on the estuarine ecosystem of the mangrove forest. 
    • Moreover, the use of non-forest land for mangrove forestation further exacerbates the situation.
    • Chemicals such as hydrocarbons and marine paints, caused by Bangladesh’s Mongla Port and India’s Leather Estate, contaminate the rivers and water ecosystem. 

• Coastal Erosion: 

• • Due to this, lands have been encroached by the saline river’s water. It has forced many residents to migrate to cities and small towns of West Bengal and other parts of India.  
    • Out of the 104 islands in India, 54 are inhabited by humans.  

• Impact on Forest Dwellers: 

  • The increase in salinity in the water, environmental pollution, socio-political disturbances, changes in biodiversity and sea level, changing characteristics of local rivers and creeks, river erosion and infrastructure issues have made the situation difficult for the forest dwellers. 
    • Corruption and fraudulent practices by stakeholders gradually increase the challenges faced by the Sundarbans ecosystem.

Using Mangrove Resources to Protect the Sundarbans

• Restoring Pond Water Ecosystem: Different aquatic plants and mangrove seedlings like E crassipes, P stratiotes, R mucronata and B gymnorrhiza, as well as two different seaweeds such as S wightii and K alvarezii and algae Anabaena sp can  be used to restore the pond’s water ecosystem. 
• Indigenous Indian major carps such as Rohu (Labeo rohita), Catla (Catla catla), Mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigala), Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Bhetki (Lates calcarifer), Parse (Mugil parsia) and Bhangar (Mugil tada) can aid in restoring ponds’ water ecosystem.
• Wastewater Treatment: The main species involved in effective wastewater treatment are lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus plantarum, L casei and Streptococcus lacti and photosynthetic bacteria such as Rhodopseudomonas palustrus and Rhodobacter spaeroide. 
• Exiguobacterium aurantiacum has the capability of degrading phenol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. 
• Mineralisation of Organic Wastes: Bacterial species belonging to the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Cellulomonas, Rhodoseudomonas, Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter are known to help in this.
• • It is recommended that biofilters be installed to trap debris and promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
  • Installing solar pond fountain aerators can further improve the ecosystem. 

Way Forward

• Nature-Based Solutions: These can be a good way to support the people and environment of Sundarbans. One such example is for protecting streambanks. 
• Instead of cultivating vetiver, which is not a local species and lacks salt tolerance, other grass species such as Wild rice (Porteresia coarctata), Myriostachya wightiana, Biscuit grass (Paspalum vaginatum), and salt couch grass (Sporobolus virginicus) could be cultivated.
• Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: Soil-tolerant paddy varieties such as Darsal, Nona Bokra, Talmugur, etc. should be cultivated.
  • Crop cultivation should be promoted by the government and non governmental organisations to support sustainable agriculture. 
  • Implementing rainwater harvesting and watershed development initiatives will further enhance agricultural production.
  • Minimising the usage of submersible pumps and promoting the establishment of women-run self-help groups and farmer producer organisations to initiate green businesses can contribute to sustainable development.
  • Efforts should be made to stop unscientific agricultural practices and unsustainable irrigation methods. 
  • Exploring opportunities for carbon credits can support development activities while encouraging sustainable practices. 
• Promoting Organic Agriculture: This can help farmers increase their income while maintaining environmental health. 
• Establishing Agro-based Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: This can contribute to improving rural gross domestic products and creating employment opportunities. 
  • Supporting medicinal plant cultivation can provide additional income sources for farmers. 
  • Utilising non-timber forest resources to develop various products can promote economic growth while ensuring the conservation of natural resources.
•  Policies Focusing on Solar and Bio-Energy: This can significantly aid in supporting livelihoods in the region. 
• Gender Equality: It is paramount in Indian society and women-run farmer producer organisations and self-help groups should be given priority in the implementation and design of any development projects in Sundarbans.
• Healthcare: Establishing well-equipped healthcare facilities that adhere to global standards is essential for the Sundarbans’ inhabitants. 
• Waste Management: Effective solid and liquid waste management, along with water, sanitation and hygiene practices, are crucial for sustainability in the Sundarbans.
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation policies: They are imperative for addressing climate risks in the Sundarbans. 
  • Proper conceptualisation and implementation of such policies can complement other development projects in the region.
• Responsible and Sustainable Tourism: The unique cuisine and culture of Sundarbans have the potential to attract tourists to the area, contributing to its economic growth. 
  • It is essential to ensure that projects dedicated to the Sundarbans undergo thorough auditing and monitoring by capable agencies to ensure their effectiveness and accountability.
• Information, education and communication activities: This will help to promote sustainability and cleanliness among stakeholders. 

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Context

Recently, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released recommendations on ‘Usage of Embedded SIM for M2M Communications (Machine-to-machine Communications)’.

About M2M Communication

• About: Machine-to-machine communication involves direct communication between devices via any communication route, including wired and wireless.
• Exchanging Data without human intervention: It allows networked devices to share data and conduct tasks without the need for human intervention.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) enable computers to communicate with one another while also making independent decisions.
• Cost Effective: M2M systems frequently employ public networks and access methods to reduce costs.
• Other Terms: Aside from M2M, various words are used to describe such communication, including Internet of Things (loT), Internet of Everything, Embedded Wireless, and Smart systems (homes, cities, metres, grids, and so on), each with slightly different characteristics.
  • loT is a connected network of embedded devices capable of having M2M communication without human intervention.

Embedded Sim

• An embedded SIM is a SIM card that cannot be removed from a device. Traditional SIM cards are made so that they can easily be swapped out of a phone, so that core service information can get ported from one physical device to another. 
• With an embedded SIM, the chips are made to allow for information switching, so that the actual physical chip would not get removed from the device.

Advantages of Embedded Sim

• Convenience: 

  • It will also save you a trip to a telecom store/service centre if you travel another state or country and want to switch to another provider.

• Security: 

  • When a phone with a physical SIM card is lost or stolen, the SIM card can be used for illicit purposes.
    • An eSIM prevents this because there is no physical part to remove and use in another device.

• One less Opening on Your Phone: 

  • Having an eSIM implies one less opening on your phone’s frame, which should lessen the probability of factors like dust and water entering the phone through yet another slot. 

Application of M2M Communication

• Transportation & Automotive Uses: 

  • M2M Communication applications in transportation and automotive include monitoring driver performance, fuel consumption, GPS tracking, E-Tolls, theft prevention, traffic control, smart parking, and emergency calls.

• Utilities: 

  • M2M applications in this domain will be utilized to monitor and control generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption through the usage of intelligent devices.
    • For Example: This category includes smart meters for measuring water, electricity, and fuel use in homes and industries, smart grids for real-time load monitoring, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

• Financial Transactions: 

  • M2M modules are put in remote wireless or wired Point of Sale (PoS) terminals
  • Such as ATM machines, to provide online credit or debit card transactions (e.g., cash replacement, repair diagnostics, paper availability).

• Automation in Home and Buildings: 

• • Home/Building Automation uses M2M modules and sensors to monitor and regulate energy, health, HVAC, lighting, solar, wind, and building alarms (security, fire, incursion, and emergency).

• Security and Surveillance: 

• • Security and surveillance applications include alarm system monitoring, video surveillance, real-time monitoring, and video analytics for banking, retail, and buildings, as well as smart card and facility management.

• Healthcare: 

• • Smart body sensors, remote patient monitoring in residential/institutional settings that communicate with a smartphone and a central server. M2M technology can be employed in rural primary health care facilities to facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment.

• Electronic Goods: 

• • Consumer electronics use cases include remote monitoring and control, as well as interoperability with devices such as e-readers, gaming consoles, picture frames, TVs, and refrigerators.

Steps taken by Government of India to Promote M2M Communication

• Providing Connectivity to Iot Networks: Guidelines, new licences, and an additional 1 MHz are made available to service and connectivity providers, allowing them to provide connectivity to M2M/IoT networks.
• Numbering Plan: A 13-digit numbering plan was released specifically for M2M/IoT devices connected via mobile networks.
• M2M Sim: SIM features specific to M2M Communication Services have been defined.
• Approval of Embedded Sim: The DoT has approved the use of embedded SIMs, allowing Telecom Service Providers to configure them over the air (OTA).
  • This has facilitated the availability of sufficient numbering resources, resulting in a strong framework for the country’s mobile M2M ecosystem.

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Context

According to a report by the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 60 percent of migrant deaths were linked to drowning in the last decade.

About International Organization for Migration

• Established: It was established in 1951 as part of the United Nations system.
• Head office: Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland
• Members: It has 175 member states (India is a member).
• Aim: To help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration to promote international cooperation on migration issues.
• Status: The IOM was given Permanent Observer status by the UN General Assembly in 1992, and a cooperation agreement between the IOM and the UN was signed in 1996.
• Work Areas: 
  • Migration and development
  • Facilitating migration
  • Regulating migration
  • Forced migration
• Major Reports: World Migration Report
• New Strategic Plan: According to the IOM’s most recent strategic plan, the organization’s three key goals for 2024-2028 are to save lives and protect persons in transit, promote solutions for displacement, and to facilitate paths for regular migration. 

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Context

Recently, RBI revealed in its data that India’s current account deficit (CAD) narrowed to $10.5 billion, or 1.2 % of gross domestic product (GDP), in the third quarter (October-December) of FY2024.

Key Highlights of RBI Data

• Current Account Deficit narrowed down to $10.5 billion in the 3rd Quarter from $16.8 billion, or 2% of GDP, in the year-ago quarter.
  • In the second quarter of FY2024, the country CAD stood at $11.4 billion, or 1.3 per cent GDP.
• Merchandise trade deficit was marginally higher at $71.6 billion (in Q3 FY2024)  than $71.3 billion during Q3 FY2023. 
• Services exports grew by 5.2 % on a y-o-y basis due to the rising exports of software, business and travel services.
  • Net services receipts increased  from a year ago that helped cushion the current account deficit. 
• Private transfer receipts (representing remittances by Indians employed overseas) amounted to $31.4 billion, an increase of 2.1 per cent over their level during the corresponding period a year ago.
• Foreign direct investment recorded a net inflow of $4.2 billion as compared with a net inflow of $2 billion in Q3 FY2023. 
• Foreign portfolio investment recorded a net inflow of $12 billion, higher than $4.6 billion during Q3 FY2023. 
• External commercial borrowings to India recorded a net outflow of $2.6 billion in Q3 FY2024 as compared with a net outflow of $2.5 billion a year ago. 
• Non-resident deposits recorded a higher net inflow of $3.9 billion than $2.6 billion a year ago. 
• Increase in Foreign exchange reserves (on a balance of payment (BoP) basis) to the tune of $6 billion.

What is the Current Account Deficit and Its Trends? 

• Current account deficit is the difference between exports and imports of goods and services. 
  • It is a key indicator of the country’s external sector.
• Components: It is the sum of Balance of Trade (Export minus Imports of Goods and Services) + Net Factor Income from Abroad (Interest income and Dividends, etc) and Net Transfer Payments ( Eg- Foreign Aid) 
• Formula: Current Account = Trade Balance+Net factor income+Net transfer payments 
• “Twin deficit” : The situation in which one nation has a current account deficit (trade deficit) and Fiscal deficit at the same time.
  • Fiscal Deficit= Total Expenditure- Total Receipts (excluding borrowings).

Causes of Current Account Deficit

Implication of Current Account Deficit

• Depreciation of Rupee: A large current account deficit for a continued period of time can lead to depreciation of rupee, and the demand for foreign currency (especially dollars) will see a rise.
• Inflation: Depreciation of rupee, as a result of continued deficit in the country’s current account, will see prices of imported goods becoming costlier, and in turn pushes the country towards inflation.
• Elevated Interest Rates: It will affect the investment & consumption cycle of the economy.
• Economic Growth: Persistent CAD affects economic imbalances which further hinders sustainable growth prospects of the country.
• Trade Balance: Due to Current account deficits Competitiveness & stability of Domestic Industries will get affected.

How can India Moderate Current Account Deficit?

Following are the factors that can moderate India’s current account deficit: 

• Reduce the price of commodities.
• Appreciation of rupee.
• Lessen debt taken from developed nations.
• Reduce foreign ownership of assets.
• Improve the quality of imported goods.
• Reduce non-essential imports of gold, mobiles, and electronics.
• Increase value of exports.

Balance of Payment and Its Components

• Definition: Balance Of Payment (BOP) is a bookkeeping system that summarizes the country’s economic transaction with other countries of the world for a particular period. 
• Impact: BoP keeps track of the trade and investments and transfers in a country with the rest of the world. 
• Components: The BoP is composed of Capital and Current Accounts. 

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Context

Recently, India has submitted an application to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) seeking permission to explore the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount) in the Indian Ocean. 

Sensing China threat, India joins Sri Lanka in Race for Seabed Mining; Applies for Exploration Rights – Afanasy Nikitin Seamount

• Concerns Over Chinese Activities: India’s application is aimed at safeguarding its interests against the backdrop of escalating Chinese presence in the region and potential future ramifications.
• Safeguarding India’s Interests Competition from Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka’s application for an extended continental shelf claim of up to 500 nautical miles may pose competition for India’s exploration interests (India staked a claim for its continental shelf up to 350 nautical miles from its border).

• Exploration Application for the Carlsberg Ridge: India has also sought authorization to explore Carlsberg Ridge in the Central Indian Ocean to investigate for polymetallic sulphides (which are large smoking mounds near hydrothermal vents that are reportedly rich in copper, zinc, gold and silver).

Seabed Mining

• Seabed Mining is the extraction process that involves retrieving submerged minerals and resources like manganese nodules, seafloor massive sulfides, and cobalt crusts from the ocean floor, achieved through methods such as dredging sand or lifting materials in various ways.

Exploration Rights Over Open Ocean

These rights are specific to areas part of the open Ocean.

• Regulatory Framework for Exploration Exploration licenses for extraction activities in the open ocean must be obtained from the International Seabed Authority (ISBA), as no country can assert sovereignty over these areas.

Impediment to India’s Exploration Ambitions 

• India’s exploration plans could be influenced by the decisions of the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (which decides on the limits of the country’s continental shelf), particularly concerning continental shelf claims in the Bay of Bengal.

Geoeconomic and Geostrategic Significance of Deep Sea Mining in Central Indian Ocean Basin

• China’s Assertiveness in the Region: 

  • China’s presence over the region claims the rights of territorial sovereignty that could extend its influence in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
  • Therefore it’s very important to protect & explore the Oceanic Ecosystem for All.

• Strategic Influence Concerns: 

  • There is apprehension that countries exploring deep sea mining beyond their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) will gain strategic influence in the region.

• Political Motivations of the Country’s: 

  • Deep-sea mining holds not only economic value but also serves as a political tool, enabling access and monitoring of international or disputed waters.
  • Particularly to reduce dependence on China for rare earth elements (REEs) crucial for high-tech electronics manufacturing. 

• Access to Open Ocean based on the Exploration Rights:

  • It will make each nation a level playing field over the region to pop up their economy &
  • Availability of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in PMNs is critical for each country’s ambitions in manufacturing strategic defense systems, semiconductors, and clean energy technologies. 

• Prioritization of Deep Sea Exploration by India: 

  • It is seen as an unavoidable necessity for India from a geo-economic perspective.
  • India must persist in scientific research, conduct comprehensive environmental assessments, and enhance its capacity and capabilities to facilitate further exploration of deep ocean resources. 
  • For Example: Projected Samudrayaan Mission of India & Matasya 6000 for Deep sea mission.

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Context

AK Balan, a CPI(M) leader, has warned that the party might lose its iconic Hammer, Sickle, and Star symbol if it performs poorly in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha Elections.

• If CPI(M) loses its national status, it might have to use a different symbol like the octopus or pangolin in future elections assigned by the Election Commission.

What is the National Party?

• The National party has a nationwide presence. 
• These parties are usually big such as  the Congress and BJP. 
  • However, small parties can also become a national party. 
• A party can gain and lose status as a national party if it fails to meet the standard criteria set by election commission. 

National Party Criteria

A political party is recognized as a national party when it meets one of the following conditions mentioned in Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968:

• Vote Share in Multiple States: A party must secure at least 6% of the total valid votes in four or more states where it fields candidates in Lok Sabha or state assembly elections. 
  • Additionally, it must win a minimum of four Lok Sabha seats from any state or states.
• Representation in Lok Sabha: In the previous Lok Sabha elections, the party must have won at least 2% of the total seats, with candidates elected from a minimum of three states.
• State Party Recognition: The party is known as a state party in at least four states.

Advantages of Being a National Party in India

• Reserved party symbols
• More coverage on television and radio during elections.
• A national party can engage 40 star campaigners
  • Exemption from the expenses of star  campaign from the party’s overall costs 
• “National” status enables a party to get land from the government to build its headquarters.
• These parties are given two free sets of electoral rolls.
  • In addition to it, it gets one free electoral roll for each candidate. 
• These parties have rights to field any candidates across the nation, leading to increased support and influence. 

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Context

The External Affairs Minister (EAM) of India is on an official visit to the Philippines in the background of heightened tensions between the Philippines and Chinese naval forces.

India Support for Philippines Amidst South China Sea Tensions

• Dispute over the Second Thomas Shoal:

  • Currently, China and the Philippines are engaged in a tense dispute over the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea (SCS.). Both countries claim ownership of the shoal.

• Aggressive Actions of the Chinese Coast Guard: 

• • The aggressive maritime actions by the Chinese Coast Guard were taken against a Filipino vessel intended to deliver supplies to troops aboard the BRP Sierra Madre ship in the Spratly Islands.
    • The Chinese Coast Guard claimed it was legitimately guarding “Chinese waters” from the “foreign vessel”.

• Verbal Exchanges between India and China: 

  • This recent confrontation in the SCS follows a series of verbal exchanges between India and China regarding Arunachal Pradesh. 
    • In recent weeks, India and China have engaged in disputes over China’s assertion of territorial claims over Arunachal Pradesh, which India has firmly rejected as “absurd” and “ludicrous”. 

Key Highlights of the Meet 

• Agenda of the Visit: The visit’s agenda includes professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, joint exercises as well as official and social engagements, including visits to capacity-building facilities.
• Visit to Indian Coast Guard Ship in Manila Bay: EAM visited Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialised Pollution Control Vessel, which is in Manila Bay in the Philippines as part of an overseas deployment to the ASEAN countries.
• Highlighting Shared Challenges: He emphasized the significance of the ship’s visit which underscored the “shared challenges” confronting India and the Philippines.
  • These challenges include oceanic pollution, illegal fishing, and environmental protection in the region. 
  • The ICG has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards enhanced maritime cooperation, safety, and security with the Coast Guards of the Philippines and Vietnam.
• India’s Support for Philippine Sovereignty: The EAM expressed India’s unwavering support for the Philippines in asserting its national sovereignty amidst the dispute with Beijing over the SCS. 
• Defense and Security Cooperation: He emphasized India’s interest in expanding cooperation with the Philippines, particularly in defense and security realms.
  • He also stressed the importance of “like-minded countries” in the Indo-Pacific region collaborating to strengthen cooperation.
• Other areas of Growing Cooperation: Other areas of cooperation between the two countries were discussed. 

• • This includes trade, capacity-building in digital infrastructure, regional issues including the Indo-Pacific, Myanmar, the Ukraine war and cooperation in common fora including the UN and Non Aligned Movement (NAM).
• Importance of Adherence to International Law: EAM stressed the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS), which is the “the constitution of the seas”, and all parties “must adhere to it in its entirety, both in letter and in spirit”.

About South China Sea

• Location: 

  • The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean.
    • Marginal Sea: A marginal sea is a type of sea that is partially enclosed by land and connected to a larger ocean or sea.
    • The South China Sea is connected by Taiwan Strait with the East China Sea and by Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea.

• Bordering States & Territories: 

  • The People’s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.
    • The Gulf of Thailand and the Gulf of Tonkin are also part of the South China Sea.

• Features: 

  • There are two major clusters of land features in the Sea. 
    • Paracels:  These consist mainly of islands and reefs. 
      • Reefs are chains of rocks or coral at or near the surface of the water. 
    • Spratlys:  They have some islands but are mostly reefs and rocks that may not even appear above water at high tide.

• Topography: 

• • Most of these islands are not arable, do not support permanent crops, and have no meadows, pastures, or forests.  However, the surrounding water areas are abundant in oil, natural gas, minerals, and seafood.

Importance of South China Sea

• Strategic Location: 

  • It is strategically located at the crossroads of major maritime trade routes, connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean. 

• Global Shipping Lane: 

  • More than $3 trillion in trade passing through its waters annually.
    • It serves as a crucial transit point for international shipping, and global trade.
    • 80% of global trade by volume and 70% by value is transported by sea. Of the total volume, 60% passes through Asia, with the SCS carrying an estimated one-third of global shipping

• Natural Resources: 

• • The sea is believed to have abundant natural resources, including fisheries and potential oil and gas reserves.
    • Fishing Ground: It is home to rich fishing grounds that provide for the livelihoods of millions. More than half of the world’s fishing vessels are in the SCS, and millions of people depend on these waters for their food and livelihoods.
    • Energy Reserves: It has proved oil and gas reserves. 
    • Energy Routes: Significant energy routes for East Asian countries to transport oil and natural gas. 

Significance of South China Sea for India

• Economic Significance:

  • Global Trade: 55% of India’s trade with the Indo-Pacific region passes through the waters of SCS.
  • Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs): Nearly 55% of India’s trade transits through it. 
  • Energy Resources: India seeks to explore the vast reserves of oil and natural gas.
  • Maritime Connectivity: The SCS is a key link in India’s Act East Policy. 

• Security Significance:

• • Strategic Waterway: The SCS is a strategic waterway that connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
  • Freedom of Navigation: India is a staunch supporter of freedom of navigation.
  • Countering China’s Expansionism: India seeks to balance it by strengthening its own maritime capabilities and deepening its ties with regional partners.

• • Protecting Indian Ocean Interests: Maintaining a stable and rules-based order in the South China Sea is crucial for safeguarding India’s interests in the Indian Ocean region.

• Geopolitical Significance:

• • Emerging as a Regional Power: With a vested interest in shaping the Indo-Pacific order.
  • Strengthening Alliances: With the US, Japan, Australia, and ASEAN countries.
  • Promoting a Rules-Based Order: For the prevalence of international law and norms.
  • Growing importance for the Indo-Pacific Region in geopolitics.

About South China Sea Dispute

• About: The South China Sea Dispute involves island and maritime claims of several sovereign states of the region who contest China’s claim over such territory. 
  • According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), around 70 disputed reefs and islets are under contestation.
  • China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Taiwan have built more than 90 outposts on these disputed features.
• Parties to the South China Sea Dispute: This includes Brunei, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam that are directly involved in the South China Sea dispute with China.
• China: It claims nearly the entire SCS based on its historical “nine dash line” claim, which encompasses the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, Scarborough Shoal, and other features within the region.

• Taiwan: Officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), asserts the same territorial claims as China over the SCS, including the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, and Scarborough Shoal.
• Vietnam: It claims sovereignty over the Paracel Islands and the Spratly Islands in the SCS. It also contests China’s claims and activities in the disputed waters.
• Philippines: It asserts its claims over the Spratly Islands, including Scarborough Shoal, which is located within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). 
• Malaysia: It claims several features in the Spratly Islands, including the Layang-Layang Reef, Swallow Reef, and the Investigator Shoal.
• Brunei: Brunei claims a portion of the Spratly Islands, but its claim is relatively small compared to other claimant countries.

China’s Stand Over the South China Sea Dispute

• China’s Assertion of Sovereignty: While these countries question China’s claim of its sovereignty over the region, China does not recognize them and claims the islands and maritime lanes are within the nine-dash line and are a part of its own territory.
  • China insists on its “historical rights” to the “waters and islands”of the SCS.
• Opposition to Internationalisation of the South China Sea Dispute: China is opposed to the internationalisation of the South China Sea Dispute.
  • It demands that such conflict should be resolved bilaterally without the intervention or mediation from any other nation or multilateral institutions.

Concerns with China’s Expansion/Challenges in the South China Sea Region

• Fishing Ban: 

  • It has been arbitrarily imposed by China since 1999 under the pretext of promoting sustainable fishing and improving marine ecology. 
    • The ban includes waters 12 degrees north of the equator and includes parts of Vietnam’s 200-mile EEZ and the Paracel Islands.

• Legal Actions:   

  • Article 22  of the Coast Guard Law promulgated in January 2021 in China enables the China Coast Guard (CCG) to use weapons against foreign organizations and individuals that infringe on China’s sovereign rights and jurisdiction at sea.

• Proxy Warfare:  

  • Actions conducted by Chinese maritime militia with support from the CCG aimed at swarming, ramming foreign vessels, and blocking their access to disputed areas. 
    • This was evident in the recent friction between China and the Philippines.
    • The CCG utilized a ‘military-grade’ laser against a Philippine Coast Guard vessel, disrupting a rotation and resupply mission near Second Thomas Shoal, and engaging in dangerous maneuvers to impede the mission.

• Raising Questions on Maritime Diplomacy: 

  • The publication of China’s ’10-dash line’ map has raised questions about China’s adherence to international law and diplomacy. 
    • The dispute has implications for regional stability and broader U.S.-China relations, as the United States and its allies respond to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea region. 

• Tracking Militia Vessels: 

• • China’s militia vessels usually turn off or manipulate their automatic identification system (AIS) or have a short-range transmitter so it is hard for them to be located. 

• Managing China-US military and Paramilitary Competition:  

  • With China’s expansion in the region, US military involvement in the area has largely increased leading to the militarisation of the region.
    • The US has expanded the scale of military exercises with allies in Southeast Asia, and increased the frequency and intensity of its ‘freedom of navigation operations’ (FONOPs).
    • It has deployed larger amounts of advanced weapons, and strengthened military ties with regional states.

Attempts to Resolve South China Sea Dispute

• Dispute Settlement Mechanism of the UNCLOS: The Philippines invoked the dispute settlement mechanism of the UNCLOS in 2013 to test the legality of China’s ‘nine dash line’ regarding the disputed Spratlys. 
• Ruling by Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA):  In response, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague decreed in its 2016 judgement that the line had “no legal basis.” 

• • China dismissed the judgement as “null and void.” 
• Role of ASEAN: In 2002, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China signed the Declaration on the Code of Conduct of Parties in the SCS in an attempt to manage and resolve disputes.

Challenges in Resolving the South China Sea Dispute

• Undefined Geographic Scope: There is disagreement among the claimant countries and other stakeholders over the exact geographic boundaries and scope of the SCS which further complicates the dispute.
• Disagreement over dispute settlement mechanisms: There is a lack of consensus on how to settle disputes in South China Sea. 
  • Different countries have varying preferences regarding the mechanisms and forums for resolving conflicts.
• Legal status of the Code of Conduct (COC): Negotiations for a COC between ASEAN and China are ongoing, but the legal status and enforceability of the COC remain undefined.
• Historical Complexities: The diverse histories and competing territorial claims of distant, largely uninhabited archipelagos.

Options for India Considering Its Interests in the South China Sea Region

• Defence Diplomacy:  As South China Sea (SCS) carries merchandise to and from India. Thus, India has a stake in the SCS, just as China has in the Indian Ocean. India must, therefore continue to actively pursue its defence diplomacy outreach in the Indo Pacific region: 
  • Increase military training and conduct exercises and exchanges at a higher level of complexity,
  • Extend Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief activities, 
  • Share patrolling of the Malacca Strait with the littoral countries, etc. 
• Extending Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships: The Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships that India has concluded with Australia, Japan, Indonesia, the U.S., and Vietnam could be extended to Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Singapore. 
• Strengthening ANC: India should also strengthen the military capabilities of the tri-service Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC).

Way Forward to South China Sea Dispute

• Diplomacy and Engagement:

• • Multilateral Negotiations: Encourage all parties involved in the dispute to engage in peaceful, open, and multilateral negotiations to find mutually acceptable solutions and fostering understanding among the nations.

• • Regular Dialogues: These dialogues can help in addressing immediate concerns and preventing misunderstandings from escalating into conflicts.

• Code of Conduct (COC): 

  • Actively promote the finalization and adherence to a robust and legally binding Code of Conduct for the SCS. 
    • This COC should outline specific guidelines for behavior in the region, including dispute resolution mechanisms, maritime security protocols, and environmental protections.

• Conflict Prevention and Management:

  • Confidence-Building Measures: Establishing hotlines between military and government officials to facilitate immediate communication in case of maritime incidents. 
  • Maritime Cooperation: Encourage joint efforts in areas such as marine scientific research, environmental protection, and fisheries management to foster cooperation and mutual benefit.

• International Arbitration and Legal Mechanisms: 

  • Encourage nations involved to utilize international arbitration and legal mechanisms to address specific disputes. 
    • Uphold and respect international rulings, such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling in the Philippines vs. China case, as a basis for resolving disputes peacefully.

• Role of Third-Party Mediation and Regional Cooperation in Resolving the South China Sea Dispute.

  • Neutral Mediators: Involve neutral third-party mediators such as the United Nations, ASEAN, or other respected international bodies. These mediators can facilitate negotiations, offer expert advice, and help maintain impartiality during discussions.
  • Regional Involvement: Encourage active involvement and support from regional organisations like ASEAN, which can play a vital role in mediating and facilitating dialogue among the disputing parties.

• Promotion of Common Interests:

• • Shared Prosperity: Emphasize the shared economic and environmental interests of the countries involved in the South China Sea. Encourage joint initiatives for sustainable development, disaster management, and protection of marine resources, highlighting the benefits of cooperation.
  • Cultural Exchanges: Promote people-to-people exchanges, cultural understanding, and academic collaboration among nations to foster mutual respect and reduce prejudices.

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