JAN 06 NEWS ANALYSIS

Indo-French Strategic Dialogue

Context

• Recently, the National Security Advisor (NSA) of India held the 36th round of the Indo-French Strategic Dialogue with his French counterpart. 

Key Outcomes of the 36th round of the Indo-French Strategic Dialogue

• Both participants agreed to intensify efforts “towards strategic autonomy”.
• The two sides held discussions on a variety of issues:

• The current global security situation in the context of the conflict in Ukraine
• Regional security in the context of Afghanistan
• Counter-terrorism
• Cyber security
• Defence cooperation in the Indo-Pacific
• Other issues of mutual concern.

• PM Modi and Diplomatic Adviser to the President of France also discussed areas like “energy and culture”.
• The discussions reflected closeness in views of both India and France on all major international issues. 
• The France-India strategic partnership is key to tackling the pressing challenges of 2023. 
• France’s “full support” for India’s G-20 Presidency.

India- France Relations

• Strategic Relationship:
  • Genesis: After India’s 1998 nuclear tests, France was the first country to initiate a Strategic Dialogue with India. By displaying a greater understanding of India’s security compulsions as compared to other countries, France refused to impose bilateral sanctions on India. 
  • India-France strategic partnership is based on “exceptional mutual trust, shared democratic values and a joint vision for a multipolar, rules-based world order”
• Economic Relationship:

• Bilateral trade with France has witnessed a steady rise in the last decade reaching USD 10.75 billion in 2020. 
• Investment: France ranks 9th in foreign investment in India.The two sides have recognised the importance of fast tracking the discussions on an India-EU trade and investment agreement.
• Companies: More than 150 Indian companies are operational in France & more than 1000 French companies are present in India with turnover of $20 billion
• Defense Relationship:
  • India-France conducts a defense dialogue at the ministerial level. 
  • Joint defense exercises between the Air forces (Garuda series) and the Armies (Shakti), Navies (Varuna) are conducted regularly.
  • P-75 Scorpene Dea 2005: An agreement for building six Scorpène submarines under technology transfer at Mazagaon Docks Ltd. in India with French help.
  • Technology sharing and acquisitions of short-range missiles and radar equipment were concluded.
  • Rafale deal: The government-to-government agreement for 36 French Rafale multi-role combat aircrafts has taken place. 
  • Proposals in line: 

• India is close to taking a decision on a fighter jet to fly off the Navy’s aircraft carriers (Boeing’s F-18 Super Hornet or Dassault Aviation’s Rafael-M)
• India is also mulling over procuring 26 jets (probably Rafale, as per official sources).  
• Safran of France is competing with other global engine manufacturers to co-develop a fighter jet engine with the DRDO.
• Energy Sector Cooperation:

• Nuclear Reactors: An agreement was signed a decade ago for building six European Pressurized (Nuclear) Reactors (EPR) with a total capacity of 9.6 GW.
• The International Solar Alliance was launched jointly by India and France.
• Science & Technology:
• Gaganyan Mission: Both the countries have signed a cooperation agreement for the Gaganyan Mission of India.
• The French space agency will support India’s scientific experiments by providing French equipment and medical instruments for Indian astronauts.
• Joint Satellite Mission TRISHNA: TRISHNA is meant for ecosystem monitoring and water use monitoring and it is the 3rd joint mission of ISRO and CNES. 
• Maritime cooperation:

• India and France share concern about China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region. France showed more willingness to cooperate with India after the launch of AUKUS.
• French overseas territories in the Indian and the Pacific Oceans provide it with the second-largest exclusive economic zone globally. It has long maintained bases in Reunion Islands and Djibouti and established one in Abu Dhabi in 2009.
• Strengthening cooperation with France (the western Indian Ocean Region) makes eminent strategic sense even as India develops its presence in Oman (Duqm) and Seychelles (Assumption Island).
• Indo-French Naval Cooperation: Naval cooperation in the Gulf area where France has a base (in Abu Dhabi) for securing sea lanes of communication, and combating piracy, transnational crime & terrorism by fostering capabilities in the Indian and Pacific oceans.  

Significance of India-France Relationship

• Support to India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by France along with reiteration of support for defense industrialisation, joint research and cutting edge technology development in India.
• Post-Brexit, Indian companies can look at France as an entry point to Europe.
• No Money for Terror-an international conference on fighting terrorist financing is ardently advocated by both India and France at UN Platform.
• Shared Vision of multipolar world order. 
• India’s claim to UNSC Permanent membership has been continuously backed by France.
• India’s membership to the Multilateral Export Control Regimes like NSG, MTCR has been always supported by France.
• Reciprocal Logistics Support Agreement to facilitate fuel replenishment and maintenance of each other’s warships, military aircrafts and troops during port calls and disaster relief.

All India Annual State Ministers’ Conference on Water

In News

• Recently, the first All India Annual State Ministers’ Conference on Water began in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

About

• Background: 
  • The inter-state water disputes between several states are going on harming the water sharing scenarios.
• Water is a State Subject: 
  • Although water is a state subject, it was the responsibility of all to make water a subject of collaboration, coordination, and cooperation between states.
• Theme of Conference: 
  • ‘Water Vision @ 2047’.
  • It is an important dimension of the journey of ‘Amrit Kaal’ for the next 25 years.
• Whole of Government Approach:
  • All governments should work like a system wherein there should be constant interaction and dialogue among different departments of state governments, such as those handling Water, Irrigation, Agriculture, Rural and Urban Development and Disaster Management.
• Public participation will lead to more responsible behavior:
  • When the public is associated with a campaign, they also get to know the seriousness of the work. 
  • Due to this, a sense of ownership also comes in the public towards any scheme or campaign
• Water Treatment:
  • When treated water is reused, fresh water is conserved, it benefits the entire ecosystem. 
  • That’s why water treatment and recycling is essential.
• Post COVID:
  • The Indian economy has continued its growth trajectory despite COVID pandemic and it is estimated that by 2027, India will become the third largest economy in the world ahead of Germany and Japan. 
• Economy: 
  • There is a direct correlation between economic growth and the consumption of electricity and water. 
  • From becoming a 3 to 5 trillion dollar economy and further a 10 trillion dollar economy, there is a need to discuss the water requirements and its availability at a macro level through such conferences.
• Government Efforts:
  • The ‘Per Drop More Crop’ campaign that began under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY) has helped bring more than 70 lakh hectares of land in the country under micro-irrigation so far.
• State Efforts: 
  • The State of Madhya Pradesh is making a comprehensive water Policy which will be implemented soon.

Significance

• Awareness has increased through the efforts and initiatives taken by the Union and State governments. 
• The Jal Shakti Abhiyan launched by the Prime Minister, which brought together various organizations, Panchayats, NGOs, Celebrities etc., has started showing good results as can be seen through the ground water report released. 
• This has led to a reduction in the over exploited, critical and semi critical number of blocks while safe blocks have increased because more work needs to be done in this field with a focused approach.

Challenges/Issues 

• India’s water availability of 4,000 BCM through rain, glaciers or international basins, out of which, total harvestable component which is usable is half of this. 
• Climate change has changed rainfall patterns with scanty and erratic rainfall which has and continues to negatively impact this harvestable component. 
• Rapid urbanization, increased demand of water and water pollution together have reduced the per capita availability of water from 5000 CM to 1500 CM and by 2047 it might further reduce to 1200 CM.
• By 2047, our requirement is likely to surpass the availability of water and that is why there is a need for this conference to be held with all the States to holistically discuss this issue, chalk out a roadmap to ensure preparedness and contingency planning. 
• Just like food is being calculated now based on its nutritious value not weight, similarly water requirements need to be measured in a more holistic manner. 
• Increasing storage capacity through small storage facilities on the lines of Amrit Sarovars, is also challenging. 
• Storage capacity reduction of dams due to sedimentation of reservoirs needs to be worked on and initiatives need to be taken in this regard so as to ensure optimal utilization of reservoir capacity.
• There is a need to work on demand side management along with uninterrupted supply. Contamination of water resources needs to be stopped.

Way Ahead

• It is the states’ efforts for water conservation that will go a long way in achieving the collective goals of the country.
• The states should adopt the Centre’s Namami Gange Mission as a template and start similar campaigns for the conservation of rivers.
• The states need to adopt ways where the water budget is prepared at the panchayat level based on the quantity of water required in each village and the kind of work that can be done for it.
• The states need to involve the public in the campaigns related to water conservation.
• More thrust should be laid on natural farming as positive effects of water conservation have been noticed in places where natural farming is practiced. 
• Crop diversification should be practiced but based on water availability.
• The gram panchayats should prepare an action plan for the next five years where a roadmap ranging from water supply to cleanliness and waste management is considered. 

Decennial Census Exercise Postponed

In News

• Recently, the Union government informed States that the decennial census exercise has been postponed till September 2023 and the date of freezing of administrative boundaries has been extended till June 30, 2023.

More about Census

• Census is a process of collecting, compiling, analyzing, evaluating, publishing and disseminating statistical data regarding the population.
• India will soon begin preparations for what is one of the world’s largest head-count exercises.
• The Census is the enumeration of the population of the country and it is being conducted at an interval of 10 years. 
• It was first started under British Viceroy Lord Mayo in 1872. 
• The first synchronous census in India was held in 1881. 
• Who conducts this exercise?
  • The responsibility of conducting the decennial Census rests with the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
• Structure of data:
  • In the Census, data is collected on demographic and various socio-economic parameters like education, SC/ST, religion, language, marriage, fertility, disability, occupation and migration of the individuals.
• 2011 marks the first time biometric information was collected. 

Significance

• The Census gives us a clear picture of who India is– its demography, how they live, what they do and is the basis on which key policies are formulated. 
• It helps in framing government programs to uplift areas of improvement in the community.
• It is also the basis for reviewing the country’s progress in the past decade, monitoring the ongoing schemes of the government and planning for the future.

Ancient-Medieval practice of population counting:The earliest literature ‘Rig-Veda’ reveals that some kind of population count was maintained during 800-600 BC in India.The celebrated ‘Arthashastra’ by ‘Kautilya’ written in the 3rd Century BC prescribed the collection of population statistics as a measure of state policy for taxation. During the regime of the Mughal king Akbar, the administrative report ‘Ain-e-Akbari’ included comprehensive data pertaining to population, industry, wealth and many other characteristics.

Difference between the National Population Register (NPR) and the Census 

• The process of NPR and Census will begin simultaneously, the two databases are not the same.
• The decennial census is the largest single source of a variety of statistical information on the different characteristics of the people of India.
• While NPR only contains demographic information, more details are required for the census like information on demography, economic activity, literacy and education, and housing and household amenities among others.

National Population Register (NPR):

• NPR was first done in 2010 and was later updated in 2015 when it was linked with Aadhar. 
• It already has a database of 119 crore residents. 
• It is mandatory for every usual resident of India to register in the NPR.
• A usual resident is defined for the purposes of NPR as a person who has resided in a local area for the past 6 months or more or a person who intends to reside in that area for the next 6 months or more.
• The Registrar General India shall act as the “National Registration Authority”, it is also the country’s Census Commissioner.

Draft New Industrial Policy

In News

• Recently, the draft – Statement on Industrial Policy 2022 Make in India for the world – has been circulated to different ministries for their views and comments.

Key Points of Draft New Industrial Policy

• Prepared By:
  • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• Various ways for wider access to finance for the industry:
  • Setting up of a development finance institution to provide finance at competitive rates
  • Considering using some part of foreign exchange reserves for such funding.
• Aim: 
  • Addressing issues and challenges of industry through certain policy measures to foster and create an innovative and competitive industrial ecosystem in the country.
• objectives:
  • Focus on competitiveness and capability; 
  • Economic integration and moving up the global value chain; 
  • Promoting India as an attractive investment destination; 
  • Nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship; and 
  • Achieving global scale, and standards.
• Made in India brand:
  • The scheme could serve as a platform for manufacturers to demonstrate local value addition which can enhance the country’s credibility as a source of quality products.
  • It is making finance accessible to industry and for marketing the Made in India brand.

Evolution of India’s Industrial Policy

• The quest for industrial development started soon after independence in 1947.
• This will be the third industrial policy after the first in 1956 and the second in 1991. It is likely to replace the industrial policy of 1991 which was prepared against the backdrop of the balance of payment crisis.
• The Industrial Policy Resolution of 1948 defined the broad contours of the policy delineating the role of the State in industrial development both as an entrepreneur and authority. 
• This was followed by comprehensive enactment of Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 (referred as IDR Act) that provides for the necessary framework for implementing the Industrial Policy and enables the Union Government to direct investment into desired channels of industrial activity inter alia through the mechanism of licensing keeping with national development objectives and goals.
• Economic reforms initiated since 1991 envisages a significantly bigger role for private initiatives. 

Issues 

• The potential role of industrial policy has been consistently downplayed in developing countries outside of East Asia ever since the early 1980s after the growing dominance of the orthodox paradigm with well-known consequences in much of India, Latin America and also sub-Saharan Africa.
• Industrial policies are more focused on large firms  and many of the industries currently chosen to be under PLI (production linked incentives) are highly capital- and skill-intensive. 
• Even in Japan and South Korea, where industrial policy has been otherwise successful, it has often mainly helped large firms.
• In a world of geo-political conflicts and supply chain disruptions, national security is often considered a major goal.
  • Hence sometimes resources are less allotted to the industrial sector .
• Indian politicians and bureaucracy are more comfortable with “top-down” over-centralised policies.
• The government had failed to instill confidence even as its policies till now had crippled the construction, manufacturing, real estate, pharma and other major contributors to the economy.
• Lakhs of workers have lost job opportunities because of the retrogressive policies.
• The role of industrial policy is not only to prevent coordination failures but also to avoid competing investments in a capital-scarce environment.
• Excess capacity leads to price wars, adversely affecting profits of firms — either leading to bankruptcy of firms or slowing down investment, both happening often in India (witness the aviation sector)
• Imperfect information with respect to firm-level investments in learning and training; and lack of information and coordination between technologically interdependent investments. 
• Industry’s inadequate expenditure on research and development (R&D) and micro, the small and medium enterprises sector facing tough competition from cheap imports from China and other countries
• Lack of human capital has been a major constraint upon India historically being able to attract foreign investment (which Southeast Asian economies succeeded in attracting).

Way Ahead

• The implementation of an integrated investment promotion strategy by involving district, state, national and international market synergies is needed.
• Providing performance-based loans and incentives for innovation and green growth.
• Leveraging fintech and encouraging MSMEs to choose the corporate bond market.
• Accepting intellectual property rights as collaterals for loans.
• Rolling out social security schemes for women workers, and inclusion of labour-intensive industries under the production-linked incentive scheme.
• Enabling supply chain financing. 
• Encouraging microfinance institutions to form cooperative groups and finance micro-enterprises at affordable rates.
• Incentivising public procurement to promote Make in India, creating a national digital grid, developing a robust data protection regime, setting up of a technology fund, and creating a task force to continuously identify skill gaps.
• On nurturing innovation, the creation of innovation zones at the level of urban local bodies and the formulation of a national capacity development program should be done.

Elimination of Kala Azar

Context

• The Union Health Ministry reported that India is committed to eliminating Kalaa-azar from the country by 2023.

About Kala Azar 

• Kala-Azar or Visceral Leishmaniasis is a slow progressing indigenous condition that is caused by a protozoan parasite. 

• Kala-azar is one of the most lethal and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
• The parasite infects the reticuloendothelial system and may be found in abundance in bone marrow, spleen, and liver.
• Kala-azar is the second deadliest parasitic killer in the world after Malaria.
• Distribution:

• Global: About 90% of global cases of Kala-azar were reported from eight countries: Brazil, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan in 2021. 
• India: Contributing 11.5 pc of total cases reported globally.
• Symptoms: 

• Recurring fever with a double rise in temperature.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.  
• Weakness and fatigue.
• Dry, thin, scaly skin, and hair loss. 
• Grayish discoloration of the skin of hands, feet, face, and abdomen in light-skinned people, hence the name kala-azar or black fever.
• Rapid deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin.
• Enlargement of the spleen.
• Liver enlargement.

Government Efforts:

• WHO has set the target to eliminate Kala-azar by 2017.
• Government of India (GOI) launched a centrally sponsored Kala-azar control programme in the endemic states in the year 1990-91.
• GOI is directly working with development partners such as Bill Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF),  National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate Kala Azar from India.
• On a monthly basis Kala-azar elimination is being reviewed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as well as higher officials of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
• The Centre is supporting the states in active case detection, surveillance, treatment, and supply of diagnostic kits, medicines, sprays, etc.

Progress so far

• Elimination status: Less than one case per 10,000
• Progress: 98.7 per cent decline in cases of Kala-azar (2007 to 2022) in India.
• Kala Azar endemic states: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

• Currently, more than 90% of the cases are contributed by Bihar and Jharkhand. 
• Uttar Pradesh (2019) and West Bengal (2017) states have achieved their elimination targets at the block level.
• Only one block (Littipara) of Pakur district, Jharkhand is in the endemic category (1.23 cases/10,000 population).

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

In News

• Recently, it has been observed that the Asian elephant has lost most of their optimal habitat in the Nilgiri Reserve.

About Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

• It is a Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hill ranges of Southern India. 
• It is the first biosphere in India.
• The reserve encompasses a total of 5,520 km² in the states of Karnataka (1,527 km²), Kerala (1,455 km²), and Tamil Nadu (2,537 km²).
• Biodiversity: The NBR is rich in biodiversity and has over 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, 31 species of amphibians, 39 species of fish, 316 species of butterflies, and numerous other invertebrates.
  • It is also home to around 3,300 plants and 175 orchid species of which 1,232 and 8 are endemic, respectively.
• It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 1, 2012

RBI- Integrated Ombudsman Scheme

In News

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Annual Report of the Ombudsman Schemes for April 01, 2021 – March 31, 2022. 

About Integrated Ombudsman Scheme

• The Scheme was framed by the Reserve Bank in exercising the powers conferred on it under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
• The Scheme integrates the existing three Ombudsman schemes of RBI namely,
  • the Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006; 
  • the Ombudsman Scheme for Non-Banking Financial Companies, 2018; and
  • the Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions, 2019. 

• In addition to integrating the three existing schemes, the Scheme also includes under its ambit Non-Scheduled Primary Co-operative Banks with a deposit size of ?50 crore and above. 
• The Scheme adopts the ‘One Nation One Ombudsman’ approach by making the RBI Ombudsman mechanism jurisdiction neutral.
• Some of the salient features

• A Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre has been set up at RBI, Chandigarh for receipt and initial processing of physical and email complaints in any language.
• The responsibility of representing the Regulated Entity and furnishing information in respect of complaints filed by customers against the Regulated Entity would be that of the Principal Nodal Officer in the rank of a General Manager in a Public Sector Bank or equivalent.
• The Regulated Entity will not have the right to appeal in cases where an Award is issued by the ombudsman against it for not furnishing satisfactory and timely information/documents.

‘Virovore’

In News

 Researchers claimed that the first known “virovore” has been found.

• Virovore is an organism that eats viruses.

About ‘Virovore’

• Scientists found a species of Halteria – which are microscopic ciliates that populate freshwater throughout the world.
• They can eat huge numbers of infectious chloroviruses. 
• “They’re made up of really nucleic acids, a lot of nitrogen, and phosphorus. 
• These organisms can sustain themselves with viruses, consuming many and growing in size