🔆What is AfCFTA?
✅AfCFTA seeks to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, and thus pave the way for accelerating the establishment of the Continental Customs Union and the African customs union.
✅ It establishes the largest free trade area in the world since the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1995.
✅The preliminary work of AfCFTA is on steps such as incremental tariff reduction, elimination of non-tariff barriers, supply chains and dispute settlement.
✅In a world, becoming increasingly dependent on African markets and commodities, AfCFTA will have a global impact.
📍Background of Africa's economic integration
✅In 1963, the Organization of African Unity was founded by the independent states of Africa. The organization aimed to promote cooperation between African states.
✅The 1980 Lagos Plan of Action was adopted by the Organization of African Unity. The plan suggested that Africa should minimize reliance upon the West by promoting intra-African trade.
✅In 2002, the Organization of African Unity was succeeded by the African Union, which had as one of its goals to accelerate the "economic integration of the continent”.
✅At the 2012 African Union summit in Addis Ababa, leaders agreed to create a new Continental Free Trade Area by 2017, for which in 2015 negotiations for AfCFTA started.
✅The AfCFTA agreement was adopted and opened for signature on 21st March 2018 in Kigali. The AfCTA entered into force on 30 May 2019.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
✅AfCFTA seeks to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, and thus pave the way for accelerating the establishment of the Continental Customs Union and the African customs union.
✅ It establishes the largest free trade area in the world since the creation of the World Trade Organization in 1995.
✅The preliminary work of AfCFTA is on steps such as incremental tariff reduction, elimination of non-tariff barriers, supply chains and dispute settlement.
✅In a world, becoming increasingly dependent on African markets and commodities, AfCFTA will have a global impact.
📍Background of Africa's economic integration
✅In 1963, the Organization of African Unity was founded by the independent states of Africa. The organization aimed to promote cooperation between African states.
✅The 1980 Lagos Plan of Action was adopted by the Organization of African Unity. The plan suggested that Africa should minimize reliance upon the West by promoting intra-African trade.
✅In 2002, the Organization of African Unity was succeeded by the African Union, which had as one of its goals to accelerate the "economic integration of the continent”.
✅At the 2012 African Union summit in Addis Ababa, leaders agreed to create a new Continental Free Trade Area by 2017, for which in 2015 negotiations for AfCFTA started.
✅The AfCFTA agreement was adopted and opened for signature on 21st March 2018 in Kigali. The AfCTA entered into force on 30 May 2019.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
🔆India France agree on Surveillance ties
India and France have reached an agreement to enhance their cooperation in the southwest Indian Ocean, capitalizing on prior joint surveillance missions from French La Reunion.
The collaboration includes discussions on using India as a production and export hub for defense equipment for allies in the region, as acknowledged during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit.
India and France have executed joint patrols, with India deploying its P-8I maritime patrol aircraft on the French island territory of La Reunion, marking a milestone in defense cooperation with a major Western military power.
These strategic partnerships are aimed at securing important maritime communication routes and extending military interactions in the region.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
India and France have reached an agreement to enhance their cooperation in the southwest Indian Ocean, capitalizing on prior joint surveillance missions from French La Reunion.
The collaboration includes discussions on using India as a production and export hub for defense equipment for allies in the region, as acknowledged during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit.
India and France have executed joint patrols, with India deploying its P-8I maritime patrol aircraft on the French island territory of La Reunion, marking a milestone in defense cooperation with a major Western military power.
These strategic partnerships are aimed at securing important maritime communication routes and extending military interactions in the region.
#gs2
#ir
@upsc_4_ir
@upsc_the_hindu_ie_editorial
1705644027-GS-MAINS-CLASSES-2025--1-.pdf
4.1 MB
Download Session Plan for Mains Class
🔆China’s ties with Africa
✅Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's trip to Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, and Ivory Coast aims to reinforce Sino-African economic and security ties in accordance with the China-Africa Leaders Dialogue outcomes.
✅The engagement includes China's support for Africa's industrialization, agricultural modernization, and talent development, setting the stage for future cooperation.
✅Historically, China has supported African liberation movements since the 1950s, leading to strategic economic and political partnerships, and is now Africa's largest trading partner.
✅China's objectives include accessing Africa's rich resources, establishing geopolitical alliances, promoting Yuan (RMB) internationalization, and exploiting commercial opportunities.
The China-Africa partnership is perceived as mutually beneficial, though concerns about potential debt traps and political non-interference policies supporting authoritarian regimes remain.
✅Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's trip to Egypt, Tunisia, Togo, and Ivory Coast aims to reinforce Sino-African economic and security ties in accordance with the China-Africa Leaders Dialogue outcomes.
✅The engagement includes China's support for Africa's industrialization, agricultural modernization, and talent development, setting the stage for future cooperation.
✅Historically, China has supported African liberation movements since the 1950s, leading to strategic economic and political partnerships, and is now Africa's largest trading partner.
✅China's objectives include accessing Africa's rich resources, establishing geopolitical alliances, promoting Yuan (RMB) internationalization, and exploiting commercial opportunities.
The China-Africa partnership is perceived as mutually beneficial, though concerns about potential debt traps and political non-interference policies supporting authoritarian regimes remain.
Forwarded from INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
One Sun, One World, One Grid held in New Delhi.pdf
399.7 KB
One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) Initiative:
✅The idea for the OSOWOG initiative was put forth by the Prime Minister of India, at the First Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in October 2018.
✅The initiative aims at connecting energy supply across borders.
✅Vision: It aims to connect different regional grids through a common grid that will be used to transfer renewable energy power and, thus, realise the potential of renewable energy sources, especially solar energy.
✅The project is being spearheaded by the governments of India and the UK in partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the World Bank Group.
✅It will bring together a global coalition of national governments, international financial and technical organisations, legislators, power system operators and knowledge leaders to accelerate the construction of the of the new infrastructure needed for a world powered by clean energy.
✅The idea for the OSOWOG initiative was put forth by the Prime Minister of India, at the First Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in October 2018.
✅The initiative aims at connecting energy supply across borders.
✅Vision: It aims to connect different regional grids through a common grid that will be used to transfer renewable energy power and, thus, realise the potential of renewable energy sources, especially solar energy.
✅The project is being spearheaded by the governments of India and the UK in partnership with the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the World Bank Group.
✅It will bring together a global coalition of national governments, international financial and technical organisations, legislators, power system operators and knowledge leaders to accelerate the construction of the of the new infrastructure needed for a world powered by clean energy.
🔆RBI report on PRI
✅The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report highlights financial challenges faced by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), with 95% of their revenues coming from grants, limiting their spending capacity.
✅The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) institutionalized Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) with a three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the intermediate/block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. PRIs operate under 29 subjects outlined in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution.
📍Source of Finance for PRIs:
✅Local government revenue sources include:
🔰Central Finance Commission Grants (Tax devolution) and other Grants from the Central Government
🔰Tolls, taxes, duties, and fees collected by the State government on behalf of local bodies (State Finance Commissions Transfer); Grants in aid, etc.
🔰PRIs have the authority, as per Article 243-H, to impose, collect, and allocate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees.
📍Key point of the RBI report:
✅Own Revenue Sources: Panchayats rely on limited sources like property taxes, fees, and fines, constituting a minor share of their revenue.
Own revenues, generated through local taxes, contribute only about 1.1% to their total revenue in 2022-23
✅Low expenditure Revenue: expenditure of panchayats is less than 0.6% of the gross state domestic product for all states.
✅Grant Dependency: Approximately 95% of Panchayats’ revenues come in the form of grants from higher government levels, limiting their financial autonomy.
✅Inter-State Variations in Devolution : Significant variations exist in the devolution of powers and functions to Panchayats across states. States with higher devolution levels show improved socio-economic outcomes.
✅Inconsistency in Data :The assessment of the fiscal health of Panchayati Raj Institutions is hindered by inconsistent data on their finances.
✅Challenges in Local Tax Revenue Generation: Panchayats face challenges in generating local tax revenue due to a limited tax base, administrative infrastructure shortages, lack of trained staff, and unclear guidelines.
#gs2
#polity_governance
@upsc_polity_governance
✅The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) report highlights financial challenges faced by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), with 95% of their revenues coming from grants, limiting their spending capacity.
✅The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) institutionalized Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) with a three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the intermediate/block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. PRIs operate under 29 subjects outlined in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution.
📍Source of Finance for PRIs:
✅Local government revenue sources include:
🔰Central Finance Commission Grants (Tax devolution) and other Grants from the Central Government
🔰Tolls, taxes, duties, and fees collected by the State government on behalf of local bodies (State Finance Commissions Transfer); Grants in aid, etc.
🔰PRIs have the authority, as per Article 243-H, to impose, collect, and allocate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees.
📍Key point of the RBI report:
✅Own Revenue Sources: Panchayats rely on limited sources like property taxes, fees, and fines, constituting a minor share of their revenue.
Own revenues, generated through local taxes, contribute only about 1.1% to their total revenue in 2022-23
✅Low expenditure Revenue: expenditure of panchayats is less than 0.6% of the gross state domestic product for all states.
✅Grant Dependency: Approximately 95% of Panchayats’ revenues come in the form of grants from higher government levels, limiting their financial autonomy.
✅Inter-State Variations in Devolution : Significant variations exist in the devolution of powers and functions to Panchayats across states. States with higher devolution levels show improved socio-economic outcomes.
✅Inconsistency in Data :The assessment of the fiscal health of Panchayati Raj Institutions is hindered by inconsistent data on their finances.
✅Challenges in Local Tax Revenue Generation: Panchayats face challenges in generating local tax revenue due to a limited tax base, administrative infrastructure shortages, lack of trained staff, and unclear guidelines.
#gs2
#polity_governance
@upsc_polity_governance