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Kenyans are protesting a proposed takeover of Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by India’s Adani Group on a 30-year lease.

About Kenya

• Country in East Africa with a coastline on the Indian Ocean
• Bordered by 
• South Sudan to the northwest
  • Ethiopia to the north
  • Somalia to the east
  • Uganda to the west
  • Tanzania to the south
  • Indian Ocean to the southeast.
• Capital: Nairobi
• UN-Habitat Headquarters at the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Kenya.
• Equator passes through 13 countries, including:
  • In Africa : Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia
• Refugee Camp: Dadaab Refugee Complex in Kenya is another large refugee camp that hosts refugees who fled from the civil war in Somalia. 

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Places of Importance

• Maasai Mara Reserve : Known for its annual wildebeest migrations
• Amboseli National Park: Offering views of Tanzania’s 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro.
• Lake Turkana: Earliest human ancestors ever found were discovered in Kenya’s Turkana Basin.
• World’s largest desert lake, is part of the Omo-Turkana basin, which stretches into four countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda
• Mount Kenya: Highest mountain in Kenya, and the second-highest in Africa (after Mount Kilimanjaro).
• Famous Tribes: San Bushmen, Samburu, Maasai 
• Mount Elgon: Extinct volcanic mountain situated in the northeast part of lake Victoria on the Uganda – Kenya border.
• About Lake Victoria: World’s second-largest freshwater lake.
  • Location: Bordered by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya.
  • Source of the White Nile River which flows northward and eventually joins the Blue Nile in Sudan to form the Nile River.

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Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has  developed the Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas.

About Integrated Ocean Energy Atlas.

• Launched by:  Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
• This is the world’s first atlas that provides both a combined and individual assessment of blue energy resources across India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
  • It identifies daily, monthly, and annual energy potential from tidal waves, currents, and other blue renewable sources. 
• It factors in fishing zones, shipping lines, cyclone-prone zones, eco-sensitive zones, ports, and harbours.
• The atlas will help industries, policymakers, and researchers in planning and decision-making.
  • It will also help in understanding  the available energy potential sites

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About Blue Renewable Sources

• Blue renewable sources refer to energy derived from natural marine sources, including:
  • Ocean waves
  • Tides
  • Currents
  • Osmotic power (from differences in salt concentration between freshwater and seawater)

• Potential of Blue Renewable Sources

  • Energy Potential: Oceans and seas have a lot of energy which makes them a promising source of renewable energy.
  • India’s Potential: Research indicates that India could generate up to 9.2 lakh TWh of energy from its coastline and island areas. 

• UNCLOS 

  • UNCLOS provides the legal framework for governance of the world’s oceans. 
  • It Was adopted in 1982.  
  • Relevance to the Blue Economy
    • Sustainable use of ocean resources: UNCLOS promotes sustainable use of marine resources. 
      • It ensures balance between environmental protection and economic growth. 
    • Dispute resolution: This body provides a mechanism for resolving maritime disputes. 
      • It smooths international trade. 
    • Global cooperation: It supports international cooperation in ocean research and sustainable development, which benefits the global blue economy. 

Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

• The EEZ, as defined by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), extends up to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from a country’s coastline.
  • It gives a country special rights to explore and use marine resources.
• Uses: Includes generating energy from wind and water, and extracting oil and natural gas.
• Exclusions: Does not cover the territorial sea or the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, but does include the contiguous zone.

• Rights of the Coastal State

• • Resource Management: The country can explore, use, and manage both living and non-living resources.
  • Energy Generation: It can produce energy from wind, water, and ocean currents.
  • Structures: Allowed to build and use artificial islands and other structures.
  • Research: Can conduct scientific research in the area.
  • Environmental Protection: Responsible for protecting and preserving the marine environment.

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Key Differences

• Territorial Sea vs. EEZ
  • Territorial Sea: Gives a country full control over the waters and the sea bed.
  • EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone): Grants special rights only for using resources below the sea surface. 
  • The surface waters in EEZ  are still considered international waters.
• Freedom of Navigation
  • EEZ Rules: While a country has special rights in its EEZ, it must allow other countries to navigate freely through these waters.

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The Chief Prosecutor of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has announced plans to seek the extradition of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina from India.

• The tribunal was established in 2010 by the former Bangladesh Prime Minister to investigate crimes committed during the 1971 independence war from Pakistan.

Background

• Refuge in India: Ms. Sheikh Hasina sought refuge in India in early August following a mass uprising that forced her resignation.

• Criminal Charges: Since her departure, several criminal cases have been filed against Ms. Hasina and her aides. The charges include: Murder,Torture ,Abduction, Crimes against humanity and Genocide.
• Diplomatic Passport Revoked: The new interim government in Dhaka has revoked Ms. Hasina’s diplomatic passport. 
• Bilateral Extradition Treaty Exists: Additionally, India and Bangladesh have a bilateral extradition treaty in place that could allow for her return to face trial.

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Extradition Treaty between India and Bangladesh

• About Extradition: Extradition is the formal process by which one country requests and obtains the surrender of an individual from another country to face criminal charges or serve a sentence for a crime committed within the requesting country’s jurisdiction.
• Difference between Extradition and Asylum: The process of returning the convict or accused to the nation he escaped from is called extradition. Whereas, Asylum is when a country gives protection to individuals who are being prosecuted by another country.
• Extradition Treaty (2013): India and Bangladesh signed an extradition treaty in 2013 to tackle issues of insurgency and terrorism along their shared borders.
• Amendment (2016): The treaty was amended in 2016 to simplify the process of exchanging fugitives wanted by both nations, facilitating smoother extraditions.
• Legal Justification for Extradition: The extradition of Ms. Hasina is deemed critical to ensure the fairness of her trial under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973, and for enforcing judicial orders.
• Extradition Precedents:The treaty has already facilitated notable extraditions, including:
  • Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Assassination Case (2020): Two convicts involved in the 1975 assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were extradited to Bangladesh for execution.
  • Anup Chetia (ULFA Leader): India secured the extradition of Anup Chetia, general secretary of banned United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), after 18 years of imprisonment in Dhaka.
• Extradition Criteria:
  • Minimum Sentence Requirement: The treaty mandates the extradition of individuals charged with or convicted of crimes that carry a minimum sentence of one year’s imprisonment.
  • Dual Criminality Principle: Extradition requires that the offence be punishable in both India and Bangladesh. 
    • Since the charges against Ms. Hasina are prosecutable in India and carry substantial penalties, she qualifies for extradition.
• Scope of Offences: The treaty covers not only direct criminal acts but also attempts to commit crimes, as well as aiding, abetting, inciting, or acting as an accomplice.
• 2016 Amendment to the Extradition Treaty:
  • Lowered Evidence Requirement: The 2016 amendment removed the need to provide concrete evidence against the offender for extradition.
  • Arrest Warrant Sufficient: Under Article 10 of the treaty, an arrest warrant from a competent court in the requesting country is enough to initiate the extradition process.

Grounds for India Refusing Extradition of Ms Hasina

• Political Nature of the Offence (Article 6)
  • Exemption for Political Offences: Extradition may be refused if the offence is of a “political nature.”
    • Limitations on Political Exemption: Crimes such as murder, terrorism-related offences, and kidnapping are excluded from being classified as political.
  • Ms. Hasina’s Charges: Charges like murder, enforced disappearance, and torture fall outside the political offence exemption, making it unlikely for India to refuse extradition on these grounds.
• Lack of Good Faith or Justice (Article 8): Extradition can be denied if the request is not made in good faith or is not in the interests of justice.
• Military Offences Exemption: Refusal is possible if the offence is a military one not recognized under general criminal law.
• Potential Political Persecution: India may argue that Ms. Hasina could face political persecution or an unfair trial, especially in light of reports of Cabinet ministers being mistreated while under arrest in Bangladesh.

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Diplomatic and Political Implications of the Impending Extradition

• No Guarantee of Extradition: The treaty does not guarantee Ms. Hasina’s extradition, as the final decision will depend on diplomatic negotiations and political factors.
• Diplomatic Relations Impact: Some of the experts argue that even if India declines the extradition request, it would likely be a minor political irritant and would not significantly damage bilateral relations.
• Bilateral Trade: Bangladesh is India’s largest trade partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade reaching $15.9 billion in the fiscal year 2022-23.
• Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA): Prior to Ms. Hasina’s ouster, both nations were preparing to begin discussions on a CEPA to further strengthen economic ties.
• Post-Regime Change Support by India: After the regime change in Dhaka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the new interim government’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, pledging continued support for ongoing development projects.
• Post-Regime Change Support by India: After the regime change in Dhaka, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the new interim government’s Chief Adviser, Muhammad Yunus, pledging continued support for ongoing development projects.

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The proposal for establishing the National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-XR) in Mumbai has been cleared by the Union Cabinet

• The center will also set up an Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality (AVGC-ER) Task Force in the country, which featured in the budget announcement of 2022-23.

About the AVGC-ER Centre

• It will be incorporated as a Section 8 Company under the Companies Act, 2013.
• Implemented by: The Government of India along with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and the Confederation of Indian Industry.
• Aim: To make India the hub for AVGC-XR activities and position India as a content hub for providing state-of-the-art content thereby enhancing India’s soft power globally
• Features:
  • Training Programs: It will offer specialised training-cum-learning programs to equip people with the latest skill sets in cutting-edge AVGC-XR technologies
  • Research and Development: The institution will also foster research and development by bringing together experts from various fields like computer science, engineering, design and art 
  • Indian Content Hub: It will focus on creation of India’s IP for both domestic consumption and global outreach, leading to creation of content based on India’s rich historical and cultural heritage
  • Incubation Centre: It will also function as an incubation centre by providing resources for nurturing startups and early-stage companies in the AVGC-XR field

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India has sent a formal notice to Pakistan requesting changes to the Indus Water Treaty.

More on the news

• The notice mentions that there have been fundamental changes in circumstances that need a review of the treaty.
• In January 2023, India had also sent a similar notice to Pakistan asking for amendments to the treaty.

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About Indus Water Treaty 

• The Indus Water Treaty (IWT) is a water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan.
  • It was  arranged by the World Bank.
• It was signed in 1960 in Karachi between Jawaharlal Nehru and Ayub Khan.  
• The treaty regulates the use of the Indus River and its tributaries between the two countries.

• Key Provisions of Indus Water Treaty

• • The treaty ensures fair water usage by both countries and sets guidelines for building projects over the rivers.
  • Focuses on cooperation and goodwill between the nations for optimum water use.
  • It has established the Permanent Indus Commission to resolve disputes.
  • The treaty has survived several wars and provided a mechanism for conflict resolution.
  • Permanent Indus Commission
    • It involves commissioners from both countries to oversee cooperation and dispute resolution.
    • The commission has survived three wars and ensures annual inspections, data exchanges, and meetings.
    • Both commissioners submit an annual report.
      • Although these reports are not made public.

Distribution of Rivers and Water

• Eastern Rivers (Beas, Ravi, Sutlej): India controls these rivers with a total flow of 41 billion m³ annually.
  • India gets most of the water from eastern rivers (80%).
• Western Rivers (Indus, Chenab, Jhelum): Pakistan controls these rivers with a total flow of 99 billion m³ annually.
  • Pakistan gets most of the water from western rivers (80%). 
    • India can use the Western Rivers for limited irrigation and non-consumptive purposes like power generation and navigation.

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Issues and Concerns

• Ratle Plant Dispute: Pakistan objects to India’s 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Plant and seeks arbitration to resolve the issue.
  • Disputes like Baglihar Power Plant and Kishanganga Plant were resolved through the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) or neutral experts.
• Groundwater Use: Pakistan uses groundwater from eastern rivers ( Ravi and Sutlej) but India does not raise formal objections. 
  • However, It is a potential treaty violation by Pakistan
  • India’s attempts to use water or build dams often face objections from Pakistan.
    • The Tulbul Navigation Project is an example of such a dispute.
  • Flooding in Kutch: Pakistan’s river works cause flooding in India’s Great Rann of Kutch, violating the treaty.

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The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) revealed that the country is expected to have 56 additional Doppler weather radars in the next few years.

More about the news

• The ministry has also developed apps to provide accessible weather forecasts, particularly for farmers.
• The IMD Director General  emphasized the Centre’s support for Mission Mausam, which aids in weather forecasting.
• He also emphasized on the mission’s role in enhancing urban and village-level forecasting systems.
• IMD has expanded rainfall monitoring stations to 7,000 and is working to improve real-time forecasting ahead of the monsoon.

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What are Doppler Weather Radars?

• Doppler Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) uses electromagnetic waves in the microwave range to detect location, direction, altitude, intensity, and movement of objects.
• Doppler Principle: Measures changes in frequency due to relative motion between the radar and an object (Doppler effect). If objects move closer, the frequency increases.

• Purpose: Enhances precision in long-range weather forecasting and surveillance using a parabolic dish antenna and a foam sandwich spherical radome.
• Applications: Tracks rainfall, cloud formations, thunderstorms, and lightning in real-time.
• Types of Doppler Radars: Classified by wavelength—L, S, C, X, and K bands.

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The Union Cabinet has approved funds for four space projects of ISRO in line with the Vision 2047 mapped by the space agency.

The Approved Projects Include

• Chandrayaan 4 Mission

  • Budget: The project was approved for Rs 2,014 and is slated for launch in 2027 for a period of 36 months.
  • Goal:  To lay the foundation for India’s plan to land astronauts on the Moon by 2040.
  • Modules: The mission will have five modules across two separate launches and is designed to land on Moon, collect samples, store them in a vacuum container, and bring them back to Earth.

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• The Venus Orbiter Mission

  • Tentative date for launch is March 2028 for the Venus mission, when the Earth and Venus will be at their closest.
    • It will be India’s second planetary mission after the Mars Orbiter Mission in 2014.
  • Budget: The project has been approved for R 1,236 crore. 
  • Mission Objective: To study the, 
    • Surface and Subsurface Stratigraphy: It involves understanding of  its geological history and resurfacing processes.
    • Atmosphere: It will study the composition, dynamics, and chemistry of Venus’ thick atmosphere, including the enigmatic phenomena like the greenhouse effect.
    • Ionosphere: The mission will also examine how Venus’ ionosphere interacts with solar irradiance and solar wind, contributing to our knowledge of planetary atmosphere
    • The interaction of the planet with the sun.
  • Importance: This mission will explore Venus Evolution (considered Earth’s Twin Planet)
    • Evolution: The study aims to answer the question of how the planetary environments evolve differently inspite the similar beginnings as Venus also had the same beginning as did Earth.
    • To Explore the Possibility of Life: The presence of phosphine (a gas that is usually associated with biological processes) in Venus’ atmosphere may show signs of life in its upper atmosphere, requiring further exploration.
• Gaganyaan and Bhartiya Antriksh Station (The Indian Space Station): 
  • The Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS) is planned to be India’s own space station for scientific research which is planned to be operationalised by 2035
    • Currently, the only two functioning space stations are the US-led International Space Station and China’s Tiangong.
  • The Cabinet has approved the development of the first module of the Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS-1) by December 2029.
  • The Revised Gaganyaan Programme: Initially approved in December 2018, the mission aims for human spaceflight to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and focuses on completing eight missions by December 2029.
  • Budget: Both the Gaganyaan mission and the setting up of the Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS) is approved at the cost of Rs 20,193 crore
• Next Generation Launch Vehicle: 
  • It aims to increase ISRO’s launch capability from the current 10 Tonnes to the low earth orbit to 30 Tonnes to the low earth orbit.
    • India’s existing launch vehicles, including PSLV, GSLV, LVM3, and SSLV, can launch satellites up to 10 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to Geo-Synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO)
  • This launch vehicle is one of the requirements for setting up the Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS).
  • Budget: The project will cost Rs 8,239 crore and will have three development flights with a target of 8 years for the completion of the development phase.

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The Union Cabinet has accepted the recommendations of a High-Level Committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind on the “One Nation One Election” initiative. 

Why One Nation One Election is in the News? 

• The proposal calls for holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies in a phased manner. 
• The simultaneous elections would be effected in two phases: 
  • First Phase: Lok Sabha and assembly elections will be aligned and in the 
  • Second Phase: It will be held within 100 days of the first, local body elections will be covered.

About Simultaneous Elections/One Nation One Election

• Meaning: Simultaneous elections refers to holding elections for the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies together, to ensure that the election cycle aligns across the country.
• Process: Elections for both Lok Sabha and state assemblies would occur on the same day or in a phased manner, every five years, allowing citizens to vote for both simultaneously.
• Historical Context of Simultaneous Elections:
  • Initial Simultaneous Elections (1951-67): India held simultaneous elections in 1951-52, 1957, 1962, and 1967 for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
  • Disruption: This synchronisation was disrupted due to political instability, including the rise of regional parties and frequent use of Article 356 (President’s Rule) in state assemblies.
• Countries where simultaneous elections are conducted : South Africa, Sweden , Germany, Britain.

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Key Proposals of the Kovind Committee on Simultaneous Elections

• Appointed Date for Lok Sabha Sessions: After general elections, the President will notify the date for the Lok Sabha to convene, maintaining synchronisation.
  • This notification will enact Article 82A (a new article introduced through the first Bill)  to facilitate the transition to simultaneous elections.
    • The proposed Article 82A states that all the state assemblies constituted in any general election held after the “appointed date” shall come to an end on the expiry of the full term of the Lok Sabha.
• Shortened Terms for New State Assemblies: New state assemblies formed post-synchronization will have shortened terms to align with the next general elections.
• Handling Hung Houses or No-Confidence Motions: In the event of a hung house or no-confidence motion, new elections will be held, but the new term will only last until the next scheduled general elections.
• Terms for New Lok Sabha and State Assemblies: Fresh elections will occur if there is a hung house or no-confidence motion. 
  • The new Lok Sabha will complete the remainder of the previous term, while state assemblies will continue until the Lok Sabha’s term ends, unless dissolved earlier.
• Unified Voter Roll and Identity Card System: Propose a unified voter roll and identity card system for all elections, requiring a constitutional amendment and ratification by the States.
  • A unified electoral roll for all elections will be created by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in consultation with State Election Commissions under the new Article 325(2) of the Constitution.

Significance of ‘One Nation, One Election’

• Cost Efficiency: Simultaneous elections can significantly enhance cost efficiency by reducing election expenses for both the government and political parties. 

• Reduced Voter fatigue: Voter fatigue is a cause of voter abstention which results from the electorates of representative democracies being asked to vote often, on too many issues or without easy access to relevant information. 
• Policy Continuity: Simultaneous elections can enhance policy continuity by minimising the influence of frequent election cycles, enabling governments to prioritise long-term planning and implementation over short-term political strategies.
• Model Code of Conduct (MCC) Impact: By reducing the number of election cycles, the MCC’s impact on governance can be minimised, allowing for more continuous and effective policy implementation.
• Reduced Black Money: Fewer elections can reduce the circulation of unaccounted money used in campaigns.
• Public Services: Prevents disruption in public services due to frequent deployment of government staff for election duties.
• National Unity: Promotes national over regional perspectives in the electoral process.

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Challenges of Implementing Simultaneous Elections

• Constitutional Amendments: Implementing One Nation One Election requires changes to several constitutional provisions like Article 85, Article 356, and others. 
  • It will lead to alteration of the Basic Structure of the Constitution. Eg. it will affect the Federal character of the Constitution.
• Logistical Challenges: Organizing elections simultaneously across the country presents significant logistical hurdles, such as coordinating security forces, organising Electronic Voting Machines (EVM’s) on a large scale.
• Against Federalism: It could weaken India’s federal structure, as state-specific issues might be overshadowed by national concerns. 
  • Simultaneous Elections have the tendency of moving the country towards a unitary state rather than a federal one that the Constitution envisages. 
• Regional Issues may take backseat: The blending of national and regional issues in simultaneous elections could overshadow local concerns, shift priorities, and create an imbalance, potentially giving national parties an undue advantage over regional ones.
• Voting Behaviour: Evidence shows that voters often tend to vote for the same party for both State and Central governments when voters are required to cast their ballots for both the State and Central governments simultaneously, at the same polling booth, and on the same day.
• Feasibility: Concerns arise over the feasibility of conducting elections across all state governments if a coalition central government collapses.

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Way Forward

• Align Election Cycles: It is necessary to schedule legislative assembly elections to coincide with Lok Sabha elections for terms ending within six months to one year before or after, to create a synchronised electoral cycle.
• Ensure Free and Fair Elections: Strengthen the Election Commission’s regulatory role and monitoring capabilities to oversee poll expenditure and ensure the integrity of elections at all levels.
• Implement Electronic Voter ID Cards: Utilise IT-enabled tools like electronic voter ID cards to eliminate bogus entries from electoral rolls, improving the accuracy and integrity of voter registration.
• Consider State Funding of Elections: There is a need to explore the state funding options to reduce the influence of money in politics and create a more level playing field for all candidates.

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