Dec 23 2024

The outcome of COP29 in Azerbaijan has been disappointing, with international climate negotiations remaining stalled. While nature continues to warm the planet, the fight against global warming requires immediate action to reduce emissions.

Global Emission Reduction Targets and Peaking

  • Commitments by Developed Nations: Developed countries aim for net zero emissions by 2050.
  • Commitments by China and India: China has committed to 2060, and India to 2070 for transitioning to net zero emissions.
  • Developments Shortening the Timeline: However, two developments are shortening the transition timeline namely the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and pressure to accept emission ‘peaking.’
  • Pressure for Emission Peaking: The G-7 Summit in Hiroshima and Apulia in 2024 urged major economies, including China and India, to accept emission peaking by 2025, with the EU and U.S. already committed.

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What is Peaking?

  • Carbon peaking refers to the point when carbon dioxide emissions stop increasing, reach their highest level, and then begin to decrease. 
  • It signifies the separation of carbon emissions from economic growth, which is crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving carbon neutrality.

Challenges for India’s Energy Transition

  • Development vs. Emission Targets: India faces the dual challenge of meeting its growing energy demand while reducing emissions. 
    • India’s electricity consumption is a third of the global average, and unlike developed countries, it needs to diversify its energy sources while growing its economy.
  • Transition Time and Technological Constraints: The shorter timeline for emission peaking means India must rely on existing technologies. 
    • Emerging technologies like small modular reactors and hydrogen may take over a decade to become commercially viable.
  • Need for Rapid Electric Generation: To sustain future growth, India must ramp up electricity generation quickly, before emissions are capped. 
    • Countries like China have already sanctioned 200 GW of new coal power plants, which India must match to secure sufficient energy.

Nuclear Energy and Challenges

  • Comparison of Energy Sources: Renewable energy and nuclear power are both emission-free options, but nuclear power may be the more cost-effective and space-efficient solution.
    • Cost: The cost of renewable energy (₹4.95 to ₹7.5 per unit) is higher than nuclear power (₹3.80 per unit).
    • Land: Renewable energy requires more land (412,033 sq.km) compared to nuclear (183,565 sq.km).
  • Tech Giants Opting Nuclear Energy: That is why Microsoft and other tech giants are turning to nuclear power, which is the only source of clean, firm power at scale.
  • Financial Challenges in the Energy Transition: At COP29, developed countries committed $300 billion annually by 2035, far short of the $1.3 trillion requested by developing countries. Much of this funding will be non-concessional loans, which many developing countries cannot afford.

Global Nuclear Power Expansion

At COP28, over 20 countries, including the U.S., France, and Japan, pledged to triple nuclear power by 2050. India, with only 3% of its electricity generated from nuclear power, will need to ramp up its nuclear energy capacity significantly.

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Conclusion

India must accelerate its energy transition to secure its future growth while balancing the need for emission reductions. As global pressure mounts, the country must act decisively to claim its share of the remaining carbon space.

Mains Practice

Q. Explain the concept of carbon trading finalised at COP29. Discuss its potential impact on developing countries, particularly India, in achieving their energy transition goals. (10 M, 150 words)

Sixteen Indian workers were reportedly lured into inhumane conditions in Benghazi, Libya, after being recruited in the UAE and forced to work in a cement factory. Despite support from the Indian mission, they remain stranded without exit permits.

Ongoing Issues of Labour Exploitation

  • Fatalities in Kuwait: In June 2024, a fire at a labour camp in Mangaf, Kuwait, claimed the lives of at least 40 Indian workers. 
    • This tragic incident highlights the dangers faced by Indian labourers in foreign countries, particularly in hazardous living and working conditions.

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  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait on 21-22 December 2024 has brought attention to the plight of Indian workers, particularly those in labour camps. 
  • Despite PM  Modi’s acknowledgment of Kuwait’s support for its over one-million-strong Indian community, the dangers faced by Indian workers remain a concern.

  • Scale of Indian Labour Migration: India has around 13 million nationals working abroad, primarily in the Gulf countries. These workers contribute significantly to India’s economy through remittances, which totaled about $111 billion in 2022.

Remittance in India

  • India was the leading recipient of remittances in 2024, with an estimated inflow of $129 billion. It was followed by Mexico, China, the Philippines, and Pakistan. 
  • This surge in remittances was primarily driven by a recovery in job markets in high-income countries, according to a blog post by World Bank economists.

  • Explorations Faced: However, many of them face severe exploitation, limited personal gains, and dangerous working conditions, including the oppressive kafala system in Gulf nations.

Kafala System

  • The kafala system is an outdated system that still defines the relationship between foreign workers and their local sponsor, usually their employer, in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
  • Sponsors are responsible for covering travel expenses and providing housing. In some cases, sponsors use private recruitment agencies to hire workers from their home countries.
  • The system usually falls under the jurisdiction of interior ministries, rather than labor ministries, so workers often have no protection under the host country’s labor law.

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Government Efforts and Limitations

  • Regulating Labour Migration: The Indian government introduced the e-Migrate system over a decade ago to regulate labour migration, particularly for workers travelling to 18 countries requiring Emigration Clearance (ECR).
  • Limitations: However, recruitment agents and contractors often bypass these protections, and workers in non-ECR countries like Israel and Russia face even more severe challenges, including risks of death in conflict zones.

The 18 countries for which emigration clearance is required for ECR passport holders and nurses travelling for work are as follows: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sudan , South Sudan, Syria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

E-Migrate

The Indian government has launched the e-Migrate web portal and mobile app to simplify overseas employment processes for Indian workers. The platform enables registration, tracks recruitment, provides access to authorized employers, and offers a grievance redressal mechanism for workers abroad.

Solutions

  • Reforming India’s Emigration Act and tightening oversight of recruitment agents.
  • Signing agreements with other countries to secure higher compensation from foreign employers is an essential step.
  • However, a more sustainable solution lies in promoting equitable economic growth within India. In cases like the workers in Libya, the government often has no option but to repatriate them, yet many face a bleak future upon returning. For most, the harsh realities abroad still seem preferable.
  • Instead of merely celebrating the success of the diaspora, India should use platforms like the Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan to address the struggles of these workers, whose plight contrasts sharply with the country’s growing economic and diplomatic ambitions.

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Conclusion

The exploitation of Indian workers abroad highlights the urgent need for stronger regulations, better protections, and sustainable economic opportunities within India. Addressing these issues is crucial for balancing the success of the diaspora with the welfare of migrant laborers facing harsh conditions.

Mains Practice

Q. Critically assess the role of platforms like Pravasi Bharatiya Sammelan in addressing the concerns of vulnerable sections of the Indian diaspora, such as labour migrants. How can these platforms be made more effective?  (15 M, 250 words)

The year 2024 marked a significant turning point for the Indian Navy, with a series of operational milestones that reinforced its global standing as a leading maritime power. Among the most notable advancements, undersea warfare emerged as a critical area of focus.

  • Modern India has a 7,500 km coastline.
  • India’s undersea warfare capabilities means advanced underwater detection systems used to identify and counter potential threats, including enemy submarines and other submerged vehicles to protect India’s national interest.

Operation Sankalp

  • Indian Navy’s Operation: At the outset of 2024, the Indian Navy’s Operation Sankalp expanded its mandate, moving from the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea. 
  • Aim: This initiative aims to safeguard shipping lanes from piracy, hijacking, and drone attacks, while also offering assistance to vessels targeted by Houthis.
  • Boost India’s Image: The Navy’s proactive stance in these regions has solidified its reputation as a preferred security partner and first responder for global maritime security.

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Advancements in Undersea Warfare  

  • INS Arighaat: A cornerstone achievement in 2024 was the commissioning of India’s second indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), INS Arighaat. 
    • Enhancing Nuclear Capabilities: This submarine, launched in August, enhances India’s nuclear triad and nuclear deterrence capabilities.
    • Different from INS Arihant: INS Arighaat mirrors its predecessor, INS Arihant, in terms of size and propulsion but incorporates a higher indigenous content and advanced sonar (can navigate in muddy waters) and propulsion systems.
    • Contributing to Undersea Warfare: These upgrades, including enhanced acoustic dampening, contribute significantly to India’s undersea warfare capabilities.

Nuclear Triad

The nuclear triad is a military strategy involving three types of forces: land-based nuclear missiles, nuclear missiles launched from submarines, and strategic aircraft carrying nuclear bombs or missiles. This three-pronged approach ensures that a country has multiple ways to launch a nuclear attack, making its defense more secure and reliable.

  • Testing of the K-4 SLBM: One of the most pivotal tests conducted in 2024 was the successful launch of the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) from INS Arighaat.
    • Specifications: With a range of 3,500 kilometers, the K-4 missile places much of China within striking distance, thereby augmenting India’s strategic deterrence.
    • Results Are Being Analyzed: The test results are being analyzed, and the induction of this missile into India’s SSBNs will provide a potent composite weapon package.
  • Project-77 (P-77): Recently, the Indian government approved the long-awaited Project-77 (P-77), which involves the construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) at a cost of ₹40,000 crore.
    • These SSNs, with delivery slated for 2036-37, will have over 90% indigenous content.  
    • The induction of SSNs will complement the role of SSBNs by enhancing protection and increasing India’s underwater warfare capabilities.
    • Upon their commissioning, India will become the only non-P5 nation to operate both SSBNs and SSNs, marking a significant leap in naval power.

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Features SSBN SSN
Full Form Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear Submersible Ship Nuclear-powered
Primary Role Nuclear deterrence (retaliation or scaring off the enemy) Attack (offensive operations)
Weapons Ballistic nuclear missiles Torpedoes, cruise missiles
Design Focus Stealth and endurance Speed and agility
Strategic Relevance Second-strike capability Sea control and dominance
Example INS Arihant and INS Arighaat Project 77-class submarine by 2036-37

Conventional Submarines in India’s Naval Strategy

While nuclear submarines dominate attention, conventional submarines remain crucial to India’s naval strategy. The U.S. has also debated reviving diesel-electric submarines for missions not requiring nuclear capabilities.

  • Project-75: The commissioning of INS Vaghsheer, the sixth Scorpene-class submarine under Project-75, is a key development in this regard. 
    • The Navy plans to order three more such boats, which will help fill the gap created by the decommissioning of older vessels.
    • Specifications: These conventional submarines are equipped with advanced air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, extending their operational range and stealth.
  • Project-75(I): In parallel, Project-75(I) aims to enhance India’s submarine fleet by introducing air-independent propulsion (AIP)-enabled submarines, in collaboration with Spain and Germany.
    • Specifications: This project is expected to increase indigenous content in the fleet, with the first boat likely to feature 45% indigenous components, rising to 60% in the sixth vessel.
  • These developments ensure that conventional submarines continue to play a key role in the Indian Navy’s strategic operations.

Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) Systems in Submarines

  • The essential function of Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) is to enable a submarine to produce its own oxygen, significantly enhancing its underwater endurance.
  • AIP allows a submarine to stay submerged for three to four times longer between battery charges, thereby reducing its vulnerability to detection.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs)

  • Approval for 100-Tonne UUVs: In a further push to modernize its undersea warfare capabilities, the Indian Navy has secured approval for the construction of 100-tonne Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) at an estimated cost of ₹2,500 crore.
  • Benefit: UUVs would enhance India’s undersea capabilities by providing a low-cost yet high-return solution. 

This project reflects India’s strategic focus on leveraging niche technologies as key enablers to tackle the growing complexity and evolving threats in the maritime domain.  

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Challenges and Solution

  • Budgetary and Procurement Challenges: There is a persistent mismatch between planned acquisitions and available funding, leading to delays in key projects. 
  • Solution: Ensuring sustained funding, streamlining procurement processes, and addressing long gestation periods for complex projects are critical for the Navy to maintain its operational readiness and effectiveness.

Conclusion

By modernizing its fleet, embracing new technologies, and expanding its operational reach, India is reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests and ensuring the security of vital sea lanes. As the Navy moves forward, continued investment in both strategic and technological capabilities will be essential for meeting future challenges in an increasingly complex global maritime environment.

Mains Practice

Q. India’s pursuit of undersea warfare capabilities reflects its maritime aspirations and strategic priorities. However, challenges in indigenous development and budgetary constraints persist. Critically analyze how India can balance these competing demands while maintaining its position as a credible naval power in the Indo-Pacific region. (10M, 150 words)


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Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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