Context:

• Recently, The 25th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-25) concluded in Nairobi, Kenya, with recommendations that would help Parties move from “agreement to action,”

SBSTTA-25: Key Highlights

• Discussion on implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which was adopted in December 2023 at 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• The delegates also discussed the recently completed assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC AR6). 
• The latest IPBES report pointed out the role invasive species play in extinction of plants and animals. 
• Findings from IPCC AR6: Climate change is the main driver of biodiversity loss and that biodiversity provides the capacity to support climate adaptation, resilience, mitigation and disaster risk reduction.
• The group assessed the findings and finalised 15 points to be taken to the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• These were based on the recognition that biodiversity loss, climate change, ocean acidification, desertification, land degradation, invasive alien species and pollution are interdependent crises that need to be addressed coherently and balanced.
• In terms of work on indicators, the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group would continue to work on this and the full monitoring framework would be considered at SBSTTA-26.

What is SBSTTA?

• Establishment: SBSTTA is established under Article 25 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• Role: SBSTTA serves as an advisory body to the Conference of the Parties (COP) and other subsidiary bodies of the CBD.
• Composition: SBSTTA is a multidisciplinary body open to participation by all Parties to the CBD. Its members are government representatives with relevant scientific and technical expertise.
• Functions:
  • Assess the status of biological diversity globally, regionally, and nationally.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of measures taken to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity.
  • Respond to specific questions posed by the COP, providing scientific and technical guidance.
• Significance: SBSTTA plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and policy decisions, ensuring that the latest scientific understanding informs biodiversity conservation efforts.

Source: Down to Earth

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Context:

• Recently a  Member of Parliament (MPs) is alleged to have accepted bribes from businessmen in exchange for asking parliamentary questions targeting the Prime Minister.

What is the Question Hour?

• The first hour of every parlimentary sitting is slotted for Question Hour. During this time, the member ask questions and the ministers usually give answers.
• MPs raise questions during Question Hour to hold the government accountable for its policies and actions.

Question Hour: Procedure

• Governing Rules: The procedure for raising questions is governed by Rules 32 to 54 of the “Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha” and Directions 10 to 18 of the “Directions by the Speaker, Lok Sabha‟.
• Notice: An MP has to first give a notice addressed to the lower house’s Secretary-General, intimating their intention to ask a question. 

Types of Questions: There are four different types of questions

Source: Indian Express

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Context:

• According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Mumbai was recorded as ‘poor’ at various stations with an AQI above 200, way worse than Delhi’s.

Air Pollution in Mumbai

• Mumbai is a coastal city that enjoys a natural cleansing advantage where winds move from land to sea for a few days, then from sea to land. This cyclic pattern usually repeats every three to four days. 
• 66 of the 92 days between November 2022 and January 2023 saw Mumbai air quality in poor or very poor cateogry—compared to an average of 28 during those months over the previous three years.

• In comparison, during the same 92 days, Delhi had 79 days of Poor and Very Poor AQI and as many as eight days of Severe. (According to Data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecast and Research (SAFAR) — under the Ministry of Earth Sciences).

What are the reasons for air pollution in Mumbai?

• Climate change, the dip in La Nina, the ocean surface cooling, and changing wind patterns have all played a role in air pollution in Mumbai.
• According to Experts, change in surface wind patterns is mainly due to a sudden drop in ocean surface temperature below normal. 
• Role of La Nina: During La Nina, colder surfaces allow oceans to absorb more atmospheric heat. Consequently, air temperature tends to go down producing a cooling effect. 
  • As a result, there is no strong wind reversal from across the sea, which would otherwise occur every 2-3 days and disperse pollutants in the air. Instead, wind reversal happens every 10-15 days, keeping pollutants hanging longer in the lower atmosphere.
  • Delayed wind reversal: Due to delay the suspended particulate matter lingers in the lower atmosphere for a longer period of time thus worsening AQI.
  • Role of developmental projects: Also, over the past few years several infrastructure and redevelopment projects have come up, this has increased the proportion of particulate matter in the air, which in turn has worsened the AQI.

Source: Indian Express

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Context:

• The United States President on October 15  accused the Palestinian militant group Hamas of using innocent Palestinians as human shields.
• Meanwhile, protests rage in the Arab world and beyond, condemning Israel’s forced displacement of Gazans and other Palestinians.

What are human shields?

• The term ‘human shields’ is used in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) with respect to civilians or other protected persons, whose presence or movement is aimed, or used to render military targets immune from military operations.
• Using human shields is considered a war crime and banned as per Rule 97 of the IHL. At the same time, it is also prohibited to attack human shields.

What is forced displacement?

• Ordering the displacement of the civilian population for reasons related to the conflict, unless the security of the civilians involved or imperative military reasons so demand,” constitutes forcible displacement according to Rome statutes.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Norwegian Refugee Council described the order to “forcibly transfer” civilians as unlawful.
• The Israeli military demand that 1.2 million civilians in northern Gaza relocate to its south within 24 hours, without any guarantees of safety or return, would amount to the war crime of forcible transfer.
• The difference between evacuation and forced transfer depended on whether the act would “actually benefit the security of the civilians.”

Source: Indian Express

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Context:

• This article is based on the news “Why the Indian Army is embracing AI” Which was published in the Indian Express. The Indian Army has been deploying Artificial Intelligence (AI) surveillance systems along its borders with Pakistan and China.

Ai in Defence: Advancing Border Security & Surveillance

• A total of 140 AI-based surveillance systems have been deployed for this purpose.
• These systems include high-resolution cameras, sensors, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) feeds, and radar feeds.
• The data collected from these various sources is processed and analyzed using artificial intelligence technology.
• The primary goal of these systems is to detect intrusions at the borders and classify potential targets for more effective border security.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

• AI is the simulation of human intelligence by computers. It relates to the ability to learn, rationalize and undertake appropriate actions to achieve a specific goal.

Also read: Security Challenges and their management in Border Areas

What is the significance of AI in Defence?

• Game-Changer in Various Fields: AI is seen as a game-changer in logistics, information operations, and intelligence collection.
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management: AI can significantly improve military logistics and supply chain management, enhancing efficiency.
  • AI-Based Border Surveillance: India employs 140 AI-based surveillance systems at its borders with Pakistan and China, reducing human involvement and enhancing security by detecting intrusions and classifying targets.
  • AI-Powered Drones: AI-equipped drones excel in day and night reconnaissance missions, capturing images and extracting data from remote locations. They also detect enemy drones, offering cost-effective threat mitigation.
  • Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS): LAWS autonomously detect, select, and engage hostile targets, multiplying force effectiveness while requiring minimal personnel.
  • Autonomous Combat Vehicles and Robots: These technologies enhance soldier protection and performance, aiding in monitoring casualty evacuation,
• Positioning in Intelligent Warfare: India aims to position itself at the forefront of intelligent warfare strategies, recognizing the importance of AI in various military applications, including border control, comprehensive surveillance, and AI-equipped drones for reconnaissance missions.
• Data Management and Enhanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) Capabilities:
  • AI can process vast amounts of military data, providing actionable intelligence.
  • Supports on-field warfighters with credible intelligence.
  • Example: Project Maven in the United States uses AI for data analysis in counter-insurgency operations.
  • AI aids physical ISR in harsh terrains and weather conditions, reducing risks to human soldiers.

• Cybersecurity
  • AI is used for both ISR activities and as a weapon system (offensive or defensive).
  • Trained AI systems are more efficient in identifying and responding to cyber threats.
  • Essential in combating evolving and sophisticated cyber threats that surpass human capabilities.

What are the concerns related to the AI in defence?

• Budget Constraints: India’s current AI investment in the military is seen as inadequate compared to its strategic rival, China. 
  • According to the Delhi Policy Group, a security think tank, the Indian military allocates approximately US$50 million annually for AI spending. China invests more than 30 times as much in AI technology.
• Over-Reliance on Surveillance Systems: There is a concern that overreliance on even advanced surveillance systems may not be foolproof, as demonstrated by the recent surprise attack on Israel.  anticipating and preventing unexpected threats.
• Complexity of Counter-Terrorism: Counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations often involve complex and nuanced situations that AI systems do not interpret easily. Human intelligence is crucial in understanding the subtleties of human behavior and decision-making in such contexts.
• Misidentification of Targets: AI systems may make mistakes in identifying targets, potentially leading to unintended attacks on non-combatants or friendly forces, resulting in unacceptable collateral damage.Ex, U.S. drone surveillance footage has misidentified civilians as terrorist targets in the August 2021 strike in Afghanistan.
• Data and Privacy: Balancing personal data protection with AI’s benefits poses challenges and trade-offs between privacy and prosperity.
• Ethical Dilemma: There is a moral question regarding whether AI systems should have the authority to autonomously select and engage targets without human intervention, especially in situations where human lives are at stake.

Also read: Hamas Attack on Israel: Lessons For India to Learn

Way Forward

• Human Accountability: Defining the extent of human involvement and responsibility in AI-driven military operations is crucial. Clear lines of accountability need to be established for any mishaps or wrongdoing.
• Doctrinal Variations: The extent of AI system autonomy may vary among different military doctrines, but there is a general consensus that fully unpredictable autonomous systems may not be preferred in military operations.
  • The US, for example, recently updated its policy directive on autonomy in weapon systems, allowing them to use lethal force, but with the caveat that such autonomous systems must be explicitly designed to allow commanders to “exercise appropriate levels of human judgment over the use of force”.
• Set-up Processes and Practices: Establish processes and practices that facilitate collaboration with research labs, academia, startups, and the private sector. 
  • The Indian Army has been closely collaborating with Academia, the Indian Industry and  DRDO for the realization of complex AI-based projects.
  • For this, an AI Lab has been established at the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering wherein AI projects have undergone extensive in-house testing.
• Role of Private Sector: Recognize the private sector’s pivotal role in making AI accessible and efficient for military purposes. Foster an ecosystem that promotes the flow of both capital and skills, which is essential for AI innovation.
• Robust Hardware and Enabling Data Banks: Invest in robust hardware and establish data banks to support AI operations. Critical infrastructure availability is crucial for AI’s success in both civilian and military applications.

Conclusion:

Deploying AI in defence, the Indian Army has integrated 140 AI-based surveillance systems along its borders with Pakistan and China, utilizing high-resolution cameras, sensors, UAV feeds, and radar feeds. These systems analyze data to detect intrusions, classify targets, and bolster border security, showcasing AI’s transformative role in real-time monitoring, military simulators, and intelligence surveillance.

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Context:

• This article is based on the news “The BRI at 10, some hits, many misses” Which was published in the Hindu. Recently, the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation was convened in Beijing, China. The forum was started  by China as a platform for collaboration and networking that would periodically review the broad direction of the BRI, finalize its action agenda, and announce new frameworks and agreements.

Taliban wants to formally join China’s Belt and Road Initiative

• The Taliban administration has expressed its interest in formally joining China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, in a bid to attract investment in Afghanistan.
• Dampening Enthusiasm: About 27 world leaders attended the first forum in Beijing in 2017. That number was 37 in 2019. Only 23 world leaders attended the third forum, suggesting  decreased enthusiasm among participating countries to take debt, and China’s less desire to lend. 
• Italy, a member of the G7, is also expected to leave the BRI.

What is the China’s Belt and Road Initiative or BRI?

• The Belt and Road Initiative or BRI was launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping  in 2013.
• Objective: To connect Asia with Europe and Africa, through a network of railways, highways, ports, airports, and other infrastructure projects with the intent to promote trade, investment, and economic growth in participating countries.
• Principal components: The Silk Road Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road
• Geographic Corridors under BRI
  • China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
  • New Eurasian Land Bridge Economic Corridor.
  • China-Indochina Peninsula Economic Corridor.
  • China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor.
  • China-Central Asia-West Asia Economic Corridor.
  • China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
    • Since India refused to join BRI, the BCIM corridor has also stalled, and has been replaced by a later launched China-Myanmar Economic Corridor.
• Renaming from ‘One Belt and one Road’ to to BRI: Earlier, it was named as ‘One Belt One Road’, which brought about numerous misinterpretations, as the partners tend to focus too much on the word “one”, assuming that there is to be only one maritime route and a single land belt, whereas, in reality, “The Belt and Road Initiative aims to connect Asia, Europe and Africa along five routes.” 

What are the motivations behind China’s infrastructure investment under the Belt and Road Initiative?

• China’s rivalry with the US: The vast majority of Chinese international trade passes by sea through the Malacca strait off the coast of Singapore which is a major US ally. The initiative is integral to China’s efforts to create its own more secure trade routes.
• Political influence: Enhancing China’s intention is also to make participating nations interdependent with the Chinese economy, and thereby build economic and political influence for China.
• Boosting Development: The Belt and Road serves as a vital tool in China’s efforts to uplift its less affluent central provinces, with the government providing substantial budgets and promoting competition among businesses in these areas to secure contracts.

What are the concerns associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?

• Debt Trap Diplomacy: Nations have borrowed heavily from China for Belt and Road Initiative  projects, and they now face challenges in repaying these loans. This has led to accusations of “debt trap diplomacy,” where countries risk losing control of strategic assets if they default on their loans.
  •  For example, Sri Lanka had to hand over control of the Hambantota port to China due to mounting debt.
• Risks involved with major infrastructure projects: There are potential environmental, social, and corruption risks associated with any large infrastructure project. 

• • For Example: In 2016, China was involved in 240 coal projects in Belt and Road Initiatives countries, responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.
• Macro risks: For some countries, the financing required for BRI projects may expand debt to unsustainable levels. 
  • For instance, the construction of the Lao PDR section of the Kunming -Singapore Railway has an estimated cost of US$ 6 billion – nearly 40 percent of the GDP of Laos in 2016. 
• Slow Pace of Projects: In Pakistan, Belt and Road Initiative projects worth around $19 billion are either completed or underway but that has not provided impetus to structural economic reforms. 
  • As a result, Pakistan’s economy is on the brink of a default with high amounts of debt, an ever-growing current account deficit and very low foreign exchange reserves.
• Slowdown of Chinese Economy: The recent slowing down of the Chinese economy presents another key challenge to the BRI. 
  • The Chinese economy grew 5.5% in the first half of 2023, above the official 5% target but below its historical rate. It is also facing deflation and rising youth unemployment.

• Governance Issue: In contrast to initiatives such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) does not possess a centralised governing framework, which complicates the collective resolution of issues. 

What are the proponents of China’s Belt and Road Initiative?

• Tremendous size and scope: BRI economies account for one-third of global GDP and trade, and close to two-thirds of world population. Countries that have joined the BRI have seen a jump in investment and trade with China and preferential treatments in policy, although these are, again, enabled through bilateral arrangements. As the 
  • White Paper on Belt and Road Initiative noted, between 2013 and 2022, trade with BRI partners grew 6.4% annually reaching $19.1 trillion while total investment reached $380 billion.
• Large unexploited Potential: While BRI economies, including China, have significantly increased their global exports in the past two decades, some countries like Afghanistan, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Laos face challenges such as insufficient infrastructure and weak policies, hindering their trade potential. 
  • A successful Belt and Road Initiative has the potential to address these gaps and enhance international commerce, particularly for less-integrated economies
• Improving connectivity: It currently takes about 30 days to ship goods from China to Central Europe, with most goods being transported by sea. Shipping goods by train can cut transit time in half, but costs much more. 
  • If successful, BRI projects stand to make trade easier in some of the world’s most important economic corridors.
• Investment Window: The proponents of the Belt and Road Initiative argue that it is not a debt trap and that the initiative provides much-needed investment and infrastructure for developing countries. 
• Moving towards BRI 2.0: Beyond big-ticket infrastructure projects with low short-term returns, BRI partners are moving into strategic sector ties with China, such as 5G network deployment through the Digital Silk Road.
  • Amid the U.S.-China technology war., the average deal size has dropped 48% since 2018, making BRI projects smaller but more strategic.

Also read: India-China Relationship

Conclusion:

Through Belt and Road Initiative, China has established an investment network to safeguard its interests which has resulted in many low- and middle-income nations accumulating significant debts. In response, global initiatives such as PGII, Global Gateway need to be prioritized for more inclusive and sustainable development.

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