11 Dec 2020: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Rajnath pitches for dialogue
2. Morocco to normalise ties with Israel

C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. Asian Development Outlook (ADO)

D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Iran’s calculated risk
ECONOMY
1. Grain and chaff
HEALTH
1. True to its name.

F. Tidbits
G. Prelims Facts
1. HelpAge India presented UN Population Award for 2020

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!

B. GS 2 Related
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Rajnath pitches for dialogue
Context

 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus)
on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
Details

 He reiterated India’s support to freedom of navigation in international waters in accordance with the UN
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
 He underlined the need to collectively address threats to a rules-based order, maritime security, cyber-
crimes and terror.
ADMM-Plus

 The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners, namely Australia, China,
India, Japan, New Zealand, ROK, Russian Federation and the United States, to strengthen security and
defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.
 The ADMM-Plus currently focuses on seven areas of practical cooperation, namely maritime security,
counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster management, peacekeeping operations, military
medicine, humanitarian mine action and cybersecurity
 The Inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, in 2010.
Objectives of the ADMM-Plus

 To promote mutual trust and confidence between defence establishments through greater dialogue and
transparency;
 To enhance regional peace and stability through cooperation in defence and security, in view of the
transnational security challenges the region faces;
2. Morocco to normalise ties with Israel
Context

 Morocco has agreed to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the fourth Arab nation to
recognise Israel under a deal brokered by the US in 2020.
Details

 The development comes as the US is expanding the number of countries under the “Abraham
Accords”, as part of which the United Arab Emirates and Israel resumed bilateral ties
 Bahrain and Sudan had followed the UAE, becoming the second and third Arab countries respectively to
resume ties with Israel.
 Along with Egypt and Jordan, Morocco becomes the sixth Arab League member to normalise ties
with Israel.
  King Mohammed VI of Morocco agreed to resume diplomatic ties between his kingdom and Israel to
expand economic and cultural cooperation, which would advance regional stability.
 As part of this deal, Morocco will establish full diplomatic relations and resume official contacts with
Israel. It will grant overflights and direct flights to and from Israel for all Israelis
What about Western Sahara?

 As part of the agreement, US President Donald Trump changed longstanding US policy and recognised
Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara.
 Western Sahara territory a former Spanish colony, was annexed by Morocco in 1975. Since then it has
been the subject of a long-running territorial dispute between Morocco and its indigenous Saharawi
people, led by the pro-independence Polisario Front.
 Morocco says it has always been part of its territory, while the African Union recognises it as an
independent state.
 An UN-brokered truce took place in 1991 and the promise of a referendum on independence, which is yet
to take place.

How the deal will affect Western Sahara?

 Trump’s backing of Morocco’s claim to sovereignty over Western Sahara is a big deal because it
diminishes the hope of a people who have aspired for the independence of that territory for decades.
  The UN is still mandated to oversee a referendum for the independence of Western Sahara – although this
hasn’t materialised since 1991 when it established its mission there known as Minurso.
Impact

 Much of the momentum behind the deal-making has been to present a united front against Iran and roll
back its regional influence.

C. GS 3 Related
Category: ECONOMY
1. Asian Development Outlook (ADO)

 It is a series of annual economic reports released by the Asian Development Bank.

 The ADO provides a comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic and development issues, for most
countries in Asia.
Projections

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) upgraded its forecast for the Indian economy, projecting 8%
contraction in 2020-21 as compared to 9% estimated earlier
 Highlighting that India was recovering more rapidly than expected, the ADB said the earlier South Asia
forecast of 6.8% contraction was upgraded to (-)6.1% in line with an improved projection for India.
Reference: Asian Development Bank (ADB).

D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!

E. Editorials
Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Iran’s calculated risk
Background:

 The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed between Iran and P5+1 nations.
 Under the deal:
 Iran agreed to reduce its number of centrifuges – tube-shaped machines that help enrich uranium
– by two-thirds.
 Iran agreed to bring down its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98% and limit uranium
enrichment to 3.67%.
 Iran consented to give access to inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog agency, to its nuclear facilities, among other facilities.
  In exchange, Iran would have the sanctions lifted.
Context:
The change of guard in the US has brought into focus the nature of policy that will pursued with regards
to Iran.
Details:

1. Barack Obama’s conciliatory policy.

 The Obama administration saw Iran as a threat to not only US interests in the region but also to
global peace.
 Hence, the US under Barack Obama wanted to make Iran responsible for its actions, putting Iran
under severe sanctions would only give them an opportunity to be more reckless in their conduct.
 The US saw the only way to make Iran accountable for its actions is to bring them to the
negotiating table and arrange an agreement and also pin accountability on them if they renege on
such an agreement.
 The agreement would mean that Iran would have to phase down its nuclear programme and the
US will have to lift sanctions imposed on Iran.
2. West Asia triangle
 Israel, Saudi Arabia along with Iran constitute the three poles of West Asia, the balance of power
dynamics in the region is largely controlled by these three actors
 The US attempts to strike a deal with Iran over its nuclear programme did not go down well with
its allies in the region, namely, Saudi Arabia and Israel.
 Israel and Saudi Arabia were of the opinion that the agreement would lift the stature of Iran in the
region, something that Israel and Saudi Arabia couldn’t live with, for Israel and Saudi Arabia
gained a lot by terming Iran as a ‘rogue nation’, ‘irresponsible actor’ and ‘mischief monger’.
 The lifting of sanctions would also enable Iran to regain its natural economic and political might
and widen Iran’s influence in the region.
 Iran’s resurgence doesn’t bode well for the other two, its backing of non-state militias and the
ambition to emerge as a hegemon in the region based on the political heft of the Shia community.
 Thus Israel and Saudi Arabia made their displeasure with respect to the agreement from the
beginning.
3. ‘Maximum pressure’ policy
 2016 saw the coming of Donald Trump to the white house as the new President of the US. His
policy was the polar opposite of what the previous administration had worked towards.
 Donald Trump was very vocal in his criticism of the Iranian regime, singled out Iran for
numerous incidents in the Middle-east. Donald Trump went as far as pulling out of JCPAO and
imposed strict sanctions on Iran.
 The US pullout came even after the United Nations acknowledging that Iran was compliant with
the terms of the agreement. Thus pulling out of the JCPOA and re-imposing severe sanctions
meant that Iran was backed into a corner
  He termed his policy as ‘Maximum Pressure’, he was hoping that the US and its allies would
pressurize Iran to return to the negotiating table and it would be a perfect opportunity for the US
to dictate terms to Iran, this was welcomed by Israel and Saudi Arabia.
 The US actions meant that Israel got the opening it was eyeing to carry out its numerous covert
and overt operations against Iran. This was very evident when Israeli agents carried out an
audacious operation to steal the documents pertaining to Iran’s nuclear programme from a
warehouse in Iran.
 Iran’s nuclear scientists came under attack as seen in the recent assassination of Mohsen
Fakhrizadeh, Iranian military personnel in Syria also suffered at the hands of Israeli bombing.
4. Joe Biden era set to take off.
 The new President-elect Joe Biden was part of the Obama administration, Biden served as
Obama’s vice-president.
 Therefore, it is no surprise that Biden wants to reinstate the agreement albeit with few additional
conditions.
 He has the responsibility to ensure that the Middle-east is stable and has all the major players on
board.
5. Iran’s conundrum
 On one hand, Iran risks inviting more sanctions and losing goodwill if it retaliates to the killing of
its nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and if it doesn’t retaliate it will be seen as a weak move.
 Iran has, however, has taken a more prudent choice by not walking into the trap by retaliating,
instead, it has resorted to bringing about legislation that permits Iran to enrich Uranium to a20%
from the current 5%. This is still within the weapon-grade level of 90%. And also to stop UN
access to its top nuclear reactors if sanctions are not lifted.
6. India’s interest
 India’s economic and security interests will be impacted by the turn of events in the immediate
neighbourhood of West Asia.
 The RBI said that 52% of remittances to India come from the Gulf and West Asia and also the
safety of a large amount of Indian diaspora is of immense concern to India.
 India’s growth aspirations are intertwined with energy security and the region is the primary
crude oil source to India and any disruption due to geopolitical tensions will have a telling effect
on India’s economy.
Conclusion

 The West Asia region has never been short of drama and tension, the three major players are committed
to neutralizing any efforts to gain preponderance.
 The US has the opportunity to get Iran back to the negotiating table and it has to expend adequate
diplomatic capital in bringing its allies Israel and Saudi Arabia on board.
Category: ECONOMY
1. Grain and chaff
Context:

 The absence of conciliation on the horizon between the farmers and the Government has led to several
farmers’ organisations calling for the blockade of Delhi’s highways to Jaipur and Agra.
 The farm legislation have brought farmers and the union government on a collision course.
Details:

1. Farmer protests.
 The passing of the farm acts are believed to bring about a massive change in the farming
landscape, this has led to large scale protests, especially by the farmers of Haryana and Punjab.
 The farmers are camping around the national capital expecting themselves to be heard.
2. Lack of assurance over Minimum Support Price and public procurement.
 Uncertainty over Minimum Support Price and fears over the dismantling of public procurement
has heightened the fears among the farmers.
 The Government has so far not issued a written statement committing to continued existence of
MSP led public procurement.
 The other concerns like parity between state-run and private Mandis, registration of traders and
dispute resolution mechanisms have not been heeded as well.
3. Risks faced by farmers
 Farmers run the dual risk of market and weather, while the latter is largely uncontrollable, but the
former can be managed.
 A sound government policy will help minimize market risk, therefore government policies must
aim to ensure agriculture is not at the mercy of market forces.
 Public procurement at MSP is seen as a cushion against price shocks to the farmers, especially
when close to 85% of Indian farmers are small and marginal farmers, the farm income is,
therefore, the backbone of the rural economy.
4. Food security.
 Food security has been a major concern in India, food security is largely defined by the
availability and accessibility of food. India ranked 76th in 113 countries assessed by The
Global Food Security
 The above picture requires more proactive efforts from the side of the government, leaving the
farming and marketing of agriculture produce entirely to market forces is nothing but a path to
disaster.
 Several free-market countries have a certain degree of government control over farming and
marketing and this has been conceded at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
Way forward
  The need for reforms cannot be dismissed, but to do it unilaterally without much deliberation at the
Parliament and not consulting the farmers and leaving other stakeholders in the dark has not gone down
well.
 The Union has the responsibility towards the farmers who are the backbone of food security, thus cannot
be left at the mercy of market forces.
 The first step in resolving the deadlock will begin from guaranteeing MSP and reassuring the farmers of
procurement and subsidies and this has to be done through the letter of law to restore the lost trust in the
government.

Category: HEALTH
1. True to its name.
Context:
Granting approval to COVID-19 vaccines tested and manufactured in India
Background:
Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) is responsible for approval of licenses of specified categories
of drugs such as blood and blood products, I.V. Fluids, Vaccine and Sera.
Details:

1. Safety of the vaccine cannot be compromised.

 The need for COVID-19 vaccine has meant that several pharma companies are working round the
clock for developing a vaccine, running clinical trials, doing everything to get the vaccine in the
market.
 While it is great that the world Is on the brink of coming up with a vaccine to neutralize the
pandemic, it is to be ensured that it is not done in haste.
 The importance of a vaccine cannot be downplayed but it cannot come at the cost of safety, it
means that the vaccine has to go through each phase of vaccine development, without having to
jump the gun.
2. Drug Controller General of India’s stance.
 The DCGI, which is responsible for granting licenses to drugs has laid to rest any doubts and
concerns over the approval of COVID-19 vaccine.
 It has categorically put it on record that without the adequate data, the vaccines won’t be issued a
clearance even for emergency purposes.
 It has sought additional data with regards to safety and immunogenicity from Serum Institute of
India and Bharat Biotech, based in Pune and Hyderabad respectively.
 The deferment of approval over the need to have more concrete data will infuse more trust and
faith on the regulator and in the long run will help in fighting ‘Vaccine hesitancy’- Refers to
delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccines despite availability of vaccine services owing to many
reasons, one of them being doubts over the safety of the vaccine
 3. Hastiness to seek approval.
 Bharath Biotech
1. Its move to secure clearance without having submitted from the phase-3 trials has been
surprising.
2. It has in return chose to rely on the phase1 and phase 2 safety and immunogenicity data
 The Serum
1. It submitted interim safety and immunogenicity data of the Oxford vaccine from phase 2
and phase 3 clinical trials held in India and other countries.
2. The safety data of the Indian trial was submitted only until mid-November. There are
questions over the data submitted because, the phase-3 trials began on September 21, and
since the second dose is administered with a time interval of 28 days and the median
follow-up after the second dose would have been for just a few weeks.
3. Therefore with lack of satisfaction on behalf of the drug regulator, the DCGI has asked
for immunogenicity data from the U.K trial.

4. Approval and regulatory standards

 Several global vaccine manufacturers signed a joint pledge stating that they would not rush in
haste to seek approvals from the regulatory authorities without testing it as per the standard
framework.
 The Indian manufacturers should strive to achieve the highest standards in testing without the
need to act in haste.
 Public trust is very important for a successful vaccination campaign, any shreds of doubt over the
efficacy of the vaccine might lead to people skirting vaccination.
Conclusion

 The DCGI has done the right thing by summoning more data from the clinical trials, it has done well not
to act prematurely.
 It is the responsibility of both the drug manufacturers and the regulators to ensure that the vaccine is fail-
proof, if both the actors do their duty without compromising on anything, then the world will soon have
the first COVID-19 vaccine that is efficient and safe.

F. Tidbits
Nothing here for today!!!

G. Prelims Facts
1. HelpAge India presented UN Population Award for 2020
Context

 NGO HelpAge India received the “2020 UN Population Award” for its contribution towards serving
disadvantaged elderly people and raising awareness on their cause.
Details

 HelpAge India became the first Indian NGO to be awarded the prestigious 2020 UN Population Award in
the institutional category.
 The last time the Award came to an Indian was 28 years ago, back in 1992, when it was awarded
to Mr. J.R.D. Tata as an individual laureate.
 The selection of HelpAge is in recognition of its work on population issues and efforts in the realisation
of rights of older persons in India since 1978.
 The award brings focus to the issue of ageing with India housing an estimated 140 million elderly.
 It works for the welfare of the elderly.
UN Population Award

 It was established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1981

 It recognises contributions in the fields of population and reproductive health.
 It consists of a gold medal, a diploma and a monetary prize.
Also Read: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Herod’s Palace recently seen in news is in which country?

a. Iran
b. Indonesia
c. Israel
d. Japan

Answer: c

Explanation:

 Israeli authorities are set to unveil previously off-limits structures within King Herod’s palace-fortress
Herodium

 Herod’s Palace at Jerusalem was built by Herod I the Great, King of Judea

Q2. Consider the following statements with reference to Kathakali:

 1. It is a well-known dance drama from the state of Kerala whose movements are influenced by ancient
martial arts and athletic tradition
2. It is performed by Male dancers only

Which of the above statement/s is/are correct?

a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. Both
d. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a

Explanation:

 Kathakali has always been considered a male art form.

 History proves that though women were not welcome during the years when Kathakali made its mark as
an art, it still could not stop women from being a part of it.

 Although many women were attracted to Kathakali and learned it, to perform on stage they had to create
their own space.

 That resulted in women-only groups formed in different parts of Kerala. They succeeded in staging
Kathakali plays and created a parallel space for Kathakali and women.

Q3. The only African country with coastal exposure to both the

Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea is

a. Algeria
b. Mauritania
c. Morocco
d. Libya

Answer: c

Explanation:
  Morocco borders Algeria to the east and southeast, Western Sahara to the south, the Atlantic Ocean to the
west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north.

 It is the only African country with coastal exposure to both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Q4. Which of the following are correctly matched?

Wildlife Sanctuary State

1. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary Arunachal Pradesh

2. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary Tamilnadu

3. Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary West Bengal

Options:

a. 2 and 3 only
b. 3 only
c. None
d. 1 and 2 only

Answer: c

Explanation:

 Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary- Kerala

 Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary- Assam

 Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary- Tripura

Q5. Which of the following statement/s about C. Rajagopalachari is/are correct?

1. He was independent India’s first and last Indian Governor General.

2. Rajagopalachari founded the Swatantra Party and was one of the first recipients of India’s highest civilian
award, the Bharat Ratna.
 3. It was founded on the conviction that social justice and welfare can be attained through the fostering of
individual interest and individual enterprise in all fields better than through State ownership and
Government control.

Options:

a. 1 and 2 only
b. 2 and 3 only
c. 1 and 3 only
d. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: d

Explanation:

 Please refer This Day in History – 25th Dec.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. “US’s exit from the Iran nuke deal may have collateral consequences for India”, In the light of
the above statement explain the outcomes for India. (10 marks 150 words; INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS)
2. India's agriculture marketing and its cropping pattern both undoubtedly require reforms, Discuss.
(15 marks, 250 words; ECONOMY)
 11 Dec 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. BSNL, in partnership with Skylo, to introduce worlds' first, satellite-based narrowband-IoT network in India

2. A tough novel species of Muraingrass identified by scientists in the plateaus of Western Ghats of Goa

3. Aerosols in Indo-Gangetic Plain have led to increased incidents of high rainfall in the Himalayan foothills

4. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, addresses ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus online

5. Union Jal Shakti Minister inaugurates 5th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) with focus on Arth Ganga-River
conservation synchronized development

1. BSNL, in partnership with Skylo, to introduce worlds’ first, satellite-based narrowband-IoT

network in India
Context:

 BSNL, in partnership with Skylotech India, announced a breakthrough in satellite-based NB-IoT (Narrow
Band-Internet of Things), in pursuance of Digital India starting with fishermen, farmers, construction,
mining and logistics enterprises.
 With this solution, India will now have access to an omnipresent fabric of connectivity for millions of yet
unconnected machines, sensors and industrial IoT devices.
Details

1. Narrowband IoT or NB-IoT.

 Narrowband IoT or NB-IoT is a wireless communication standard for the Internet of Things
(IoT). NB-IoT belongs to the category of low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN), enabling to
connect devices that need small amounts of data, low bandwidth, and long battery life
 NB-IoT (Narrowband-IoT) is a narrowband radio technology for the machine to machine and
Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications requiring wireless transmission over a more
extended range at a relatively low cost and using little power for long battery lives.
2. What does it mean?
 This new ‘Made in India’ Solution, which is indigenously developed by Skylo, will connect with
BSNLs satellite- ground infrastructure and provide pan-India coverage, including Indian seas.
 This is an attempt to leverage technology to provide affordable and innovative telecom services
and products across customers segments.
Applications

 Industries, agriculture, railways and fisheries, have been operating offline, and have not had the
opportunity to take full advantage of the latest advancements in AI & IoT until today. This is the worlds
first satellite-based NB-IoT network.
  The coverage will be so vast that it will not leave any dark patch within the boundary of India, from
Kashmir & Ladakh to Kanyakumari, and from Gujarat to the North East, including the Indian seas.
 Skylo would also help provide critical data for the logistics sector to enable effective distribution of
COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 and will be a big contributor in service to the nation.
 This new technology is in line with the Department of Telecom and NITI Aayog‘s plan of bringing
indigenous IoT connectivity to India’s core sectors. Examples of where this technology has already been
tested successfully include, Indian Railways, fishing vessels, and enabling connected vehicles across
India.
 The accompanying Data Platform provides an immersive, visual, experience for industry-specific
applications on mobile or desktop. It gives users the ability to take immediate and appropriate action, no
matter where they are.
 This new digital machine connectivity layer will serve as a complement to smartphone-centric mobile &
Wi-Fi networks and covers India’s full geography to bring online new applications for the first time.

2. A tough novel species of Muraingrass identified by scientists in the plateaus of Western Ghats of
Goa
Context:
A new species of Indian Muraingrasses known for their ecological and economic importance, such as
fodder, have been spotted by scientists in Goa in the Western Ghats.
Details:

1. Characteristics
 The species has adapted to survive harsh conditions, low nutrient availability, and blossoms every
monsoon.

2. Taxonomy
 The species was named Ischaemumjanarthanamii in honour of Prof. M. K. Janarthanam,
Professor of Botany, Goa University, for his contribution to the Indian grass taxonomy and
documentation of the floristic diversity of Goa state.
 2017 monsoon saw the first collection of this new species. The population was kept under
observation for the following two years to ascertain the consistency of its characters.
 The novelty of the species was confirmed by morphological and molecular data of the species.
3. Area of presence
 Around the world, 85 species are known from Ischaemum, of which 61 species are exclusively
found in India. The Western Ghats have 40 species with the highest concentration of the genus.
 Ischaemumjanarthanamii grows on low altitude lateritic plateaus in the outskirts of Bhagwan
Mahavir National Park, Goa.
  The vegetation is exposed to extreme climatic conditions like desiccation in drier months and
soils with low nutrient availability. However, withstanding these, the species has adapted to
survive harsh conditions and blossom every monsoon
 The Western Ghats is one of the four global biodiversity hotspots of India, is known for a wide
diversity in flora and fauna.

3. Aerosols in Indo-Gangetic Plain have led to increased incidents of high rainfall in the
Himalayan foothills
Context:
Scientists have found that aerosols like black carbon and dust, which makes the Indo-Gangetic Plain one
of the most polluted regions of the world, have contributed to increase in the incidents of high rainfall
events in the foothills of the Himalayan Region.
Details:

 A team of researchers from National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Leipzig Institute for
Meteorology (LIM), University of Leipzig, Germany, Indian Institute of Technology Madras,
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur supported by the Department of Science & Technology,
Government of India under DST Climate Change program have highlighted the crucial role of the
aerosol direct radiative effect on high precipitation events over the Himalayan region.
Indo-Gangetic Plains

 The Indo-Gangetic Plain is also known as Indus-Ganga and the North Indian River Plain. It lies between
the great northern mountain and peninsular plateau and is formed by three major rivers – the Ganges, the
Indus, the Brahmaputra and their tributaries. It covers a large area of about 7, 00,000 sq. km in Northern
and Eastern India.
 The region is known for high aerosol loading, a large part of it is black carbon and dust largely owing to
stubble burning and vehicular emissions.
 This presents an opportunity for analysing how aerosol impacts extreme rainfall events, particularly when
an air mass is forced from a low elevation to a higher elevation as it moves over rising terrain technically
called orographic forcing.
Takeaway from the research

 The research concluded that particulate emissions have the potential to alter the physical and dynamical
properties of cloud systems and, can amplify rainfall events over orographic regions downwind of highly
polluted urban areas.
 The study made use of data between 2001 and 2017, data with regards to rainfall rate, aerosol
measurements called Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), meteorological reanalysis fields such as pressure,
temperature, and moisture content at different altitudes are used to compute the thermodynamic variable
“moist static energy” and outgoing long-wave radiation from Indian region to explore high precipitation
events on the foothills of the Himalayas.
 The team found a correlation between high precipitation events, high aerosol loading, and high Moist
Static Energy (MSE) values (Moist static energy of an air mass includes the potential energy due to its
height above the ground and the latent heat due to its moisture content).
 The findings also highlight the crucial role of the radiative effect of aerosol on high precipitation events
over the Himalayan region.
 The results of the study indicate that aerosols can play a vital role in exciting High Precipitation (HP)
events over the Himalayas during the monsoon season. Thus, aerosols, including chemistry, are essential
to consider when forecasting HP events over the Himalayan region in regional modelling studies.

4. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, addresses ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus online
Context: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, attended the 14th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus
organized online at Hanoi, Vietnam.

Details:
ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus
  ADMM Plus is an annual meeting of Defence Ministers of 10 ASEAN Countries and eight partner
countries, namely Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, ROK, Russian Federation, and the United
States.
 This year marks the 10th year of inception of ADMM Plus forum.
India’s participation was marked by

 Positives of ADMM plus

 India highlighted the key role of ASEAN-centric forum in promoting dialogue and engagement
towards a pluralistic, cooperative security order in Asia.
 India’s Defence Minister in his speech was vocal about the collective achievements of ADMM
Plus in the past decade in advancing multilateral cooperation through strategic dialogue and
practical security engagements.
 He complimented the achievements of the seven Expert Working Groups in sharing best practices
in key domains including Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief,
Counter-terrorism and Peace Keeping Operations.
 Security
 India emphasised that Indo-Pacific region, in particular, confronts numerous traditional and non-
traditional security threats.
 Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) launched in last year’s (2019) East Asia Summit can be
seen as an open global initiative which draws on existing regional cooperation architecture and
mechanism.
 It focuses on seven central pillars conceived around Maritime Security, Maritime Ecology,
Maritime Resources, Capacity Building and Resource Sharing, Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management, Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation, and Trade Connectivity and
Maritime Transport.
 Sea lanes of communication
 India called for an open and inclusive order in Indo-Pacific based upon respect for sovereignty
and territorial integrity of nations, peaceful resolutions of disputes through dialogue and
adherence to international rules and laws.
 India has always shown support to freedom of navigation and over-flight for all in International
waters in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Conclusion:

 India has time and again stressed ASEAN-centrality in its approach towards South-east Asia, in line with
the “5S” strategy laid down by India’s Prime Minister,i.e, Shanthi, Samman, Samvad, Sahyog, Samriddhi.
5. Union Jal Shakti Minister inaugurates 5th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS) with focus on
Arth Ganga-River conservation synchronized development
Context:

 5th India Water Impact Summit (IWIS), organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga and Center for
Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga)
 The theme being comprehensive analysis and holistic management of local rivers and water bodies with a
focus on Arth Ganga – river conservation synchronised development.
Details:

 The India Water Impact Summit is an annual event where stakeholders get together to discuss, debate and
develop model solutions for some of the biggest water-related problems in the country.
 5th IWIS will forge greater interaction between investors and stakeholders in the water sector and promote
international cooperation between India and many foreign countries for water and river management.”
 It will bring together various stakeholders to discuss, debate and develop model solutions to some of the
biggest water-related issues in the country.
Summit

 As part of Gyan Ganga initiative, engagement with scientists and researchers at the national and
international level has been witnessed.
 Summit will try to discuss and address issues of Agriculture, Human Habitation, both urban and rural, on
banks of rivers, Tourism, Energy and Flood Management.
 The summit has intentions to work towards implementation of the Prime Minister’s vision of Arth
Ganga on the ground
 It was said that river conservation itself is an economic activity giving employment to many and is
contributing to the GDP.
Need for water use efficiency.

 Two back to back weak monsoons has meant that 330 million people — a quarter of the country’s
population — are affected by a severe drought. With nearly 50 per cent of India grappling with drought-
like conditions, the situation has been particularly grim this year in western and southern states that
received below-average rainfall.
 According to the Composite Water Management Index (CWMI) report released by the NITI Aayog in
2018, 21 major cities (Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and others) are racing to reach zero
groundwater levels by 2020, affecting access for 100 million people.
 There is a huge scope of water conservation both at the demand-side and supply-side management. The
summit endorsed “5 R’s” for wastewater management which are recycled, reuse, reduce, recharge
(groundwater).