🔆Decoding the Innovation Handshake
MoU between India and USA to Enhance Innovation Ecosystems through an Innovation Handshake under the framework of India – U.S. Commercial Dialogue
The MoU is signed with the objective to connect the two sides’ dynamic startup ecosystems, address specific regulatory hurdles to cooperation, share information and best practices for startup fundraising and promote innovation and job growth, particularly in critical and emerging technologies (CET) as identified under India -U.S. initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
MoU between India and USA to Enhance Innovation Ecosystems through an Innovation Handshake under the framework of India – U.S. Commercial Dialogue
The MoU is signed with the objective to connect the two sides’ dynamic startup ecosystems, address specific regulatory hurdles to cooperation, share information and best practices for startup fundraising and promote innovation and job growth, particularly in critical and emerging technologies (CET) as identified under India -U.S. initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
ICJ genocide case against Israel: What South Africa argued on Day 1 🔗
#explained_global #express_explained #gaza #genocide #international_court_of_justice #israel #palestine #south_africa
#explained_global #express_explained #gaza #genocide #international_court_of_justice #israel #palestine #south_africa
The Indian Express
ICJ genocide case against Israel: What South Africa argued on Day 1
South Africa has argued that Israel, in its relentless assault on Gaza, has transgressed Article 2 of the 1948 Genocide Convention. Here is a brief summary of South Africa’s case against Israel.
🔆Murmansk Port
India’s engagement with Russia’s Arctic region has been strengthening with India-bound goods constituting the maximum share of cargo handled this year by Murmansk Port.
📍 Murmansk Port:
✅The seaport of Murmansk is one of the largest ice-free ports in Russia.
✅It is located on the Kola Peninsula at the coast of Barents Sea.
✅It is about 2,000 km northwest of Moscow.
✅The port is navigated all year round. The dimensions of vessels calling at the port of Murmansk are not limited.
✅The main port capabilities are located on the western coast of Kola Bay, among them the mooring berths of the commercial port (including passenger area), fishing port, ship-repair yard, shipyard, oil terminal, and FSUE Atomflot premises.
✅On the eastern coast of Kola Bay there is a number of small fish and fleet maintenance terminals.
📍Kola Peninsula
✅It is situated in northwest Russia which is one of the most important economic regions in the circumpolar North.
✅The region contains valuable natural resources, including a wide variety of mineral and fish resources, and is proximate to the large gas fields of the Barents Sea.
✅A large population, industrial complexes, and military infrastructure are also characteristic of the region.
#geography
#prelims
@studytoday1
@upsc_4_ir
India’s engagement with Russia’s Arctic region has been strengthening with India-bound goods constituting the maximum share of cargo handled this year by Murmansk Port.
📍 Murmansk Port:
✅The seaport of Murmansk is one of the largest ice-free ports in Russia.
✅It is located on the Kola Peninsula at the coast of Barents Sea.
✅It is about 2,000 km northwest of Moscow.
✅The port is navigated all year round. The dimensions of vessels calling at the port of Murmansk are not limited.
✅The main port capabilities are located on the western coast of Kola Bay, among them the mooring berths of the commercial port (including passenger area), fishing port, ship-repair yard, shipyard, oil terminal, and FSUE Atomflot premises.
✅On the eastern coast of Kola Bay there is a number of small fish and fleet maintenance terminals.
📍Kola Peninsula
✅It is situated in northwest Russia which is one of the most important economic regions in the circumpolar North.
✅The region contains valuable natural resources, including a wide variety of mineral and fish resources, and is proximate to the large gas fields of the Barents Sea.
✅A large population, industrial complexes, and military infrastructure are also characteristic of the region.
#geography
#prelims
@studytoday1
@upsc_4_ir
🔆Washington Declaration
Why in news?
✅In April 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in the U.S. to commemorate the 70th anniversary of U.S.-South Korea bilateral relations.
✅A highlight of the visit was the signing of the “Washington Declaration” as a nuclear deterrence strategy.
📍Conflict Between North and South Korea
✅Since the beginning of the 20th century, Korea had been a part of the Japanese empire, and after World War II it fell to the Americans and the Soviets.
✅In other words, after WW II, USA and USSR were to decide what should be done with their enemy’s (Japan’s) imperial possessions.
✅In August 1945, Korean peninsula was divided in half along the 38th parallel. The Russians occupied the area north of the line and the United States occupied the area to its south.
✅In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, starting the three-year Korean War. As a result, American troops had entered the war on South Korea’s behalf.
✅As far as American officials were concerned, it was a war against the forces of international communism itself.
✅Finally, in July 1953, the Korean War came to an end by signing of the armistice agreement in 1953.
✅Since the signing of the armistice agreement, North and South Korea have been divided by a 4km wide demilitarised zone stretching 250km.
📍What does the Washington Declaration say?
✅The agreement outlines cooperation towards deterrence
✅As per the agreement:
an American nuclear ballistic submarine would be deployed in the Korean peninsula;
✅a nuclear consultative group would be formed to formulate principles of joint response tactics;
✅South Korea would receive Intel from the U.S. regarding nuclear advancements; and
✅the U.S. will strengthen South Korea’s nuclear deterrence capabilities through joint military training programs and an annual intergovernmental simulation.
✅It reaffirmed the non-proliferation Treaty
South Korea would not venture into the creation of its own independent nuclear capabilities.
✅It would instead focus on deterrence measures through an alliance-based approach.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Why in news?
✅In April 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in the U.S. to commemorate the 70th anniversary of U.S.-South Korea bilateral relations.
✅A highlight of the visit was the signing of the “Washington Declaration” as a nuclear deterrence strategy.
📍Conflict Between North and South Korea
✅Since the beginning of the 20th century, Korea had been a part of the Japanese empire, and after World War II it fell to the Americans and the Soviets.
✅In other words, after WW II, USA and USSR were to decide what should be done with their enemy’s (Japan’s) imperial possessions.
✅In August 1945, Korean peninsula was divided in half along the 38th parallel. The Russians occupied the area north of the line and the United States occupied the area to its south.
✅In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, starting the three-year Korean War. As a result, American troops had entered the war on South Korea’s behalf.
✅As far as American officials were concerned, it was a war against the forces of international communism itself.
✅Finally, in July 1953, the Korean War came to an end by signing of the armistice agreement in 1953.
✅Since the signing of the armistice agreement, North and South Korea have been divided by a 4km wide demilitarised zone stretching 250km.
📍What does the Washington Declaration say?
✅The agreement outlines cooperation towards deterrence
✅As per the agreement:
an American nuclear ballistic submarine would be deployed in the Korean peninsula;
✅a nuclear consultative group would be formed to formulate principles of joint response tactics;
✅South Korea would receive Intel from the U.S. regarding nuclear advancements; and
✅the U.S. will strengthen South Korea’s nuclear deterrence capabilities through joint military training programs and an annual intergovernmental simulation.
✅It reaffirmed the non-proliferation Treaty
South Korea would not venture into the creation of its own independent nuclear capabilities.
✅It would instead focus on deterrence measures through an alliance-based approach.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆The International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN’s highest body is in news after South Africa accuses Israel for genocide in gaza.
Situated at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICJ was established in June 1945, post-World War II, under the Charter of the United Nations.
The court has dual jurisdictional powers, which include offering legal opinions on matters referred by UN agencies (advisory jurisdiction) and resolving disputes between nations (contentious cases jurisdiction), and ensuring 'state responsibility' for violations of international law.
The Court consists of 15 judges.
Although the court’s rulings are legally binding and non-appealable, they often get defied due to a lack of an independent enforcement mechanism. The UNSC is authorized by the UN Charter to enforce the ICJ’s decisions but its compliance is usually subject to the political dominion of the Security Council's permanent members.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Situated at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICJ was established in June 1945, post-World War II, under the Charter of the United Nations.
The court has dual jurisdictional powers, which include offering legal opinions on matters referred by UN agencies (advisory jurisdiction) and resolving disputes between nations (contentious cases jurisdiction), and ensuring 'state responsibility' for violations of international law.
The Court consists of 15 judges.
Although the court’s rulings are legally binding and non-appealable, they often get defied due to a lack of an independent enforcement mechanism. The UNSC is authorized by the UN Charter to enforce the ICJ’s decisions but its compliance is usually subject to the political dominion of the Security Council's permanent members.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
🔆South Africa has moved the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Israel
Invoking the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 1948. South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocide during its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
South Africa's case is based on Article II of the Genocide Convention, which defines genocide as acts such as killing members of a national, racial, ethnic or religious group; causing serious bodily and mental harm to the members of the group; and deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.
A ruling on whether to issue provisional measures is expected in weeks. However, the ICJ doesn't have means to enforce its own orders and any enforcement is subject to the veto powers of the UN Security Council's permanent members.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
Invoking the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 1948. South Africa accuses Israel of committing genocide during its ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
South Africa's case is based on Article II of the Genocide Convention, which defines genocide as acts such as killing members of a national, racial, ethnic or religious group; causing serious bodily and mental harm to the members of the group; and deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.
A ruling on whether to issue provisional measures is expected in weeks. However, the ICJ doesn't have means to enforce its own orders and any enforcement is subject to the veto powers of the UN Security Council's permanent members.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
UNSC Reforms
India's demands for reforming the UNSC
✅ Permanent Membership: India has long demanded a permanent seat in an expanded UNSC to reflect its rising influence as an emerging power.
✅ Equitable Representation: India advocates for equitable regional representation in an expanded UNSC. It notes that Africa and Latin America currently have no permanent members, while Asia only has China. India calls for more opportunities for under-represented regions.
✅ Veto Power Reform: While seeking a permanent seat, India has also consistently pushed for reforming the veto power wielded by the 5 existing permanent members (P5) to make the UNSC more democratic.
✅ In 2020, India again called for restricting the veto only to vital national security issues.
✅ Terrorism Convention: India urges the UNSC to adopt a comprehensive convention on terrorism reflecting the current realities of cross-border and international terrorism.
✅ Working Methods Reform: India advocates for reforms in the UNSC's opaque working methods and decision-making procedures to make them more transparent, efficient and inclusive.
Key challenges facing UNSC reforms:
✅ Lack of Consensus: There is no consensus among UN member states on the nature and extent of UNSC expansion.
✅ Resistance from Current P5: The existing permanent members are reluctant to dilute their influence by expanding permanent membership. They have shown little willingness for drastic reform.
✅ Competing Claims: Rival states like India, Japan, Germany, Brazil and others are competing for permanent seats. Concurrence on new permanent members is difficult.
✅ Representation and Rotation: Smaller states prefer expanded non-permanent membership with regional representation and rotation instead of new permanent members. This clashes with demands for permanency.
✅ Security Council's Relevance: Some states question the relevance of the UNSC structure itself in the 21st century and argue for alternative global conflict resolution mechanisms that are more representative and equitable.
✅ Charter Amendment Requirement: Any UNSC expansion requires amendment of the UN Charter, which needs ratification by 2/3rd UN members and all P5 members.
Achieving this high bar for reform is challenging.
✅ Loss of Privileges: The P5 enjoy certain privileges like appointing the Secretary General. They are reluctant to extend these privileges to new permanent members, reducing incentives for reform.
✅ Changing Global Order: Lack of consensus among major powers like the US, Russia and China on the direction of the evolving global order hampers progress on UNSC reforms.
#gs2
#ir
Join @CSE_EXAM
@upsc_4_ir
India's demands for reforming the UNSC
✅ Permanent Membership: India has long demanded a permanent seat in an expanded UNSC to reflect its rising influence as an emerging power.
✅ Equitable Representation: India advocates for equitable regional representation in an expanded UNSC. It notes that Africa and Latin America currently have no permanent members, while Asia only has China. India calls for more opportunities for under-represented regions.
✅ Veto Power Reform: While seeking a permanent seat, India has also consistently pushed for reforming the veto power wielded by the 5 existing permanent members (P5) to make the UNSC more democratic.
✅ In 2020, India again called for restricting the veto only to vital national security issues.
✅ Terrorism Convention: India urges the UNSC to adopt a comprehensive convention on terrorism reflecting the current realities of cross-border and international terrorism.
✅ Working Methods Reform: India advocates for reforms in the UNSC's opaque working methods and decision-making procedures to make them more transparent, efficient and inclusive.
Key challenges facing UNSC reforms:
✅ Lack of Consensus: There is no consensus among UN member states on the nature and extent of UNSC expansion.
✅ Resistance from Current P5: The existing permanent members are reluctant to dilute their influence by expanding permanent membership. They have shown little willingness for drastic reform.
✅ Competing Claims: Rival states like India, Japan, Germany, Brazil and others are competing for permanent seats. Concurrence on new permanent members is difficult.
✅ Representation and Rotation: Smaller states prefer expanded non-permanent membership with regional representation and rotation instead of new permanent members. This clashes with demands for permanency.
✅ Security Council's Relevance: Some states question the relevance of the UNSC structure itself in the 21st century and argue for alternative global conflict resolution mechanisms that are more representative and equitable.
✅ Charter Amendment Requirement: Any UNSC expansion requires amendment of the UN Charter, which needs ratification by 2/3rd UN members and all P5 members.
Achieving this high bar for reform is challenging.
✅ Loss of Privileges: The P5 enjoy certain privileges like appointing the Secretary General. They are reluctant to extend these privileges to new permanent members, reducing incentives for reform.
✅ Changing Global Order: Lack of consensus among major powers like the US, Russia and China on the direction of the evolving global order hampers progress on UNSC reforms.
#gs2
#ir
Join @CSE_EXAM
@upsc_4_ir