India, Pakistan rule out bilateral talks during SCO Summit

•  India and Pakistan have ruled out any bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his Pakistan counterpart Ishaq Dar on the sidelines of the SCO heads of government summit.
• It will be for the first time in nearly nine years that India’s foreign minister will travel to Pakistan.
• Pakistan is hosting the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting on October 15 and 16.
• The last Indian Foreign Minister to visit Pakistan was Sushma Swaraj. She had travelled to Islamabad in December 2015 to attend a conference on Afghanistan.
• The ties between India and Pakistan came under severe strain after India’s warplanes pounded a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot in Pakistan in February 2019 in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
• The relations further deteriorated after India announced the withdrawal of special powers of Jammu & Kashmir and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories on August 5, 2019.
• Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties with India after New Delhi abrogated Article 370.

India-Pakistan Relations: Initiatives to boost ties

•  India and Pakistan have made several positive attempts in the past to improve their relationship and resolve outstanding issues. 

Here are some key initiatives that aimed to foster better relations:

i) Composite Dialogue Framework (2004-2008): Initiated in 2004, the Composite Dialogue Framework was designed to address multiple issues between the two countries, including peace and security, confidence-building measures (CBMs), Kashmir, economic cooperation, and people-to-people contacts.

•  Though contentious issues like Kashmir remained unresolved, the dialogue made progress on less controversial matters, such as economic cooperation, visa liberalisation, and cross-border trade.
•  The framework helped maintain diplomatic engagement during periods of tension. 

ii) Delhi-Lahore Bus Service (1999): The Delhi-Lahore Bus service was launched in 1999 as part of a peace initiative between Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

•  Vajpayee’s historic bus journey to Lahore was symbolic of both countries’ desire to reduce tensions and improve diplomatic relations. This initiative helped de-escalate tensions for a time, especially after the Kargil conflict, and fostered hope for lasting peace. 

iii) Ufa Agreement (2015): The Ufa Agreement was an outcome of a meeting between Indian and Pakistani National Security Advisors in Ufa, Russia. It was intended to restart the dialogue process after a period of heightened tensions.

Important points agreed upon in Ufa included: 

•  Early meetings between the Director General of BSF and the Director General of Pakistan Rangers to reduce cross-border tensions. 
•  Discussion on expediting the trial of the Mumbai terror attack, including the sharing of additional information for the case. 
•  The Ufa meeting was seen as a starting point for a potential new phase of dialogue, although subsequent events prevented sustained progress. 
•  Confidence-building measures (CBMs) such as increased cross-border trade, easing visa restrictions, and cultural exchanges were also part of diplomatic efforts to improve ties.

Benefits of strong India-Pakistan ties

i) Economic Opportunities through Trade and Development Projects

•  China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): A peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute could transform Kashmir into an economic hub, with access to Central Asia through CPEC. This would benefit both India and Pakistan, as well as the local Kashmiri population. 
•  TAPI Pipeline: The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline is a major infrastructure project that could meet the growing energy needs of both India and Pakistan. Better relations could ensure the pipeline’s security and success, enhancing energy cooperation. 
•  Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline: The stalled IPI pipeline could be revived if relations improve, providing both nations with a stable energy supply from Iran. 

ii) Peace and Stability in the Region

•  Afghanistan’s Stability: Both India and Pakistan have a stake in a stable Afghanistan. Cooperation could help combat terrorism and reduce the influence of extremist groups operating along the porous Afghan-Pakistan border. 
•  Counterterrorism Efforts: Both nations suffer from terrorism, and a cooperative security framework could help tackle extremist groups that threaten both countries. 
• iii) Boost to Regional Cooperation and SAARC
• • A thaw in relations between India and Pakistan could breathe new life into the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which has been hampered by tensions between the two nations. 
• • Improved ties could enable the region to unlock its potential for economic integration, development, and security cooperation. 

iv) Connectivity and Trade

•  Improved relations would enable direct road access from India to Afghanistan via Pakistan, eliminating the need to rely on Iran for access to Afghan markets. This would boost regional trade and open up new economic corridors. 
•  Cross-border trade could flourish, with both countries benefitting from each other’s markets and resources. 

What makes peace elusive between India-Pakistan?

• The elusive peace between India and Pakistan can be attributed to a complex interplay of historical, political, and strategic factors. Here are some of the key reasons:

i) Kashmir Conundrum

• The Kashmir issue has been a central and long-standing point of contention between the two nations. It is more than just a territorial dispute; it represents a clash of identities for both countries. The dispute has remained a symbol of the unresolved legacy of partition, making peace between the two countries elusive. 

ii) Fractured Internal Dynamics of Pakistan

• Pakistan’s internal political instability, marked by a tug of war between the civilian government and the military establishment, has significantly impacted its foreign policy, particularly towards India. The Pakistan Army has developed a vested interest in maintaining hostility with India, as it justifies its political influence and budgetary dominance in domestic affairs. This dynamic has prevented Pakistan from adopting a long-term, stable policy toward India, while the rise of Islamic extremism has further complicated the situation, creating a breeding ground for militancy and instability. 

iii) Cross-Border Terrorism

• Pakistan’s strategic use of terrorism as a tool against India has been a major mpediment to peace. Pakistan’s military doctrine of “bleeding India with a thousand cuts” involves supporting and facilitating terrorist groups that operate within India, particularly in Kashmir. This pattern of cross-border terrorism has often led to violent escalations, such as the Uri attack (2016), the Pulwama attack (2019), and India’s subsequent Balakot airstrike. These events disrupt any ongoing or potential diplomatic efforts aimed at peace. 

iv) Boundary Disputes

• Beyond Kashmir, India and Pakistan also have unresolved boundary disputes, particularly along the Line of Control (LoC) in northern Kashmir and the Sir Creek dispute in the west. These issues, though secondary to Kashmir, continue to be sources of tension and have hindered efforts to normalize relations.

v) Water Dispute

• Water has become another flashpoint in India-Pakistan relations, especially concerning the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism has led India to question the fairness of continuing water-sharing arrangements under the IWT.
• Following terrorist attacks, such as the Uri attack, India has threatened to accelerate projects to fully utilise its share of water under the IWT. While India has not abrogated the treaty, tensions over water rights exacerbate the broader hostility between the two countries. 

India-Russia working group on the Northern Sea Route (NSR)  

  The The recent meeting of the India-Russia working group on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) marks a significant step in enhancing cooperation in Arctic shipping.

Northern Sea Route (NSR):

• The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is the shortest shipping route connecting Europe and the Asia-Pacific, spanning approximately 5,600 km through four Arctic seas.
• Route Details: It begins at the Kara Strait, between the Barents and Kara Seas, and ends at the Bering Strait.
• Benefits: The NSR can reduce transit distances by up to 50% compared to traditional routes like the Suez Canal, promoting faster cargo transit.

North Sea

• Geography: The North Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, is bordered by the UK and Norway to the west, Denmark to the south, and Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France to the east.
• It connects to the Atlantic via the English Channel and the Baltic Sea through the Kattegat and Skagerrak straits.
• Infrastructure: The Kiel Canal links the North Sea to the Baltic, and major rivers such as the Rhine and Thames drain into it, contributing to its significance.
• Economic Hub: Rotterdam is the busiest port in Europe, highlighting the region’s critical role in international trade.

 Lok Sabha Speaker Addresses IPU Assembly In Geneva Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

•  Recently, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is leading a parliamentary delegation to the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva.

 Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

• The IPU is the global organisation of national parliaments.
• Established: 1889, in Paris, as the first multilateral political organisation to promote representative democracy and world peace.
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
• Membership: 180 member parliaments and 15 associate members.
• Slogan: “For democracy. For everyone.”
• Vision: A world where democracy and parliaments serve people, promoting peace and development.
• Mission: Promote democratic governance, institutions, and values by working with parliaments and parliamentarians for peace, human rights, gender equality, youth empowerment, climate action, and sustainable development.

Key Functions:

• Parliamentary Diplomacy: Facilitates dialogue and cooperation among parliaments to address global issues.
• Democracy Promotion: Strengthens parliamentary systems, making them more inclusive (gender-balanced, younger, and more diverse).
• Human Rights: Defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee of MPs from across the world.
• Funding: Primarily through contributions by member parliaments from public funds.

Structure:

IPU Assembly:

• Principal statutory body expressing the views of the IPU.
• Brings together parliamentarians to discuss international issues and recommend actions.

Governing Council:

• The plenary policymaking body, consisting of three representatives from each member parliament.
• Responsible for establishing the IPU’s annual program and budget.
• Chaired by the President of the IPU (ex-officio President of the Governing Council).

Executive Committee:

• 17-member body overseeing administration, providing advice to the Governing Council.
• Includes 15 elected members serving for four-year terms, plus the President of the IPU.

Standing Committees:

• Three committees assist the Assembly in studying and addressing specific issues.

NASA’S Europa Clipper Mission

•  A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket carrying NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

What is Europa Clipper Mission ?

• The Europa Clipper is NASA’s largest spacecraft for planetary exploration, with an estimated mission cost of $5.2 billion

 Aims: To place a spacecraft in orbit around Jupiter to perform a detailed investigation of Europa.

 Mission Objective: 

• To find out if the ice-encased moon Europa could be habitable.
• Europa shows strong evidence for an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy crust. 
• Important science instruments with spacecraft
• Plasma Instrument for Magnetic Sounding (PIMS): Measures magnetic fields to detect the ocean’s properties.
• Mapping Imaging Spectrometer for Europa (MISE): Identifies surface composition.
• Europa Imaging System (EIS):  Captures high-resolution images.
• Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding Ocean to Near-surface (REASON):Probes beneath the ice to study the subsurface structure.
• Europa Clipper Magnetometer :Analyses Europa’s magnetic environment
• Power Source: Spacecraft has large solar arrays to collect enough light for its power needs as it operates in the Jupiter system.

Europa

• Europa is a moon of Jupiter that’s considered one of the most promising places in our solar system to search for life beyond Earth.
• Size: Slightly smaller than Earth’s moon and its diameter is about one-quarter that of the Earth.
• Potential for Primitive Life: Scientists believe Europa could potentially harbour microbial life near thermal vents at the ocean floor, similar to life forms found in Earth’s deep oceans.

Jupiter

• Position and Size: Fifth planet from the Sun and the largest in the solar system. If hollow, it could fit 1,000 Earths inside.
• Oldest Planet: Jupiter formed 4.6 billion years ago from the dust and gases left over from the Sun’s formation.
• Shortest Day: Has the fastest rotation, completing a spin on its axis in just 10.5 hours.
• Orbital Period: Takes approximately 12 Earth years to orbit the Sun.
• Moons: Jupiter has 95 officially recognized moons.
• The four largest moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto) were first observed by Galileo in 1610.
• Ganymede, the largest moon, is bigger than Mercury.

National Electricity Plan (Transmission)

•  Central Electricity Authority (CEA) advanced the plan in consultation with stakeholders, emphasizing the combination of forty seven GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems and 31 GW of Pumped Storage Plants.
• CEA with the aim of transmitting of 500 GW of Renewable Energy installed capacity by the year 2030 and over 600 GW of Renewable Energy installed capacity by the year 2032, prepared the detailed Nation Electricity Plan (Transmission) in consultation with various Stakeholders.

Key components: The plan outlines the addition of over 191,000 circuit kilometers of transmission strains and 1,270 GVA of transformation capacity from 2022-2032, with a central point on high-voltage structures (220 kV and above).

• It encompasses cross-border interconnections with countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and capacity links to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 
• It emphasizes the adoption of latest technologies including Hybrid Substations and high-overall performance conductors and targets to foster ability development inside the zone.
• It also consists of provisions for delivering power to green hydrogen and green ammonia manufacturing hubs, which are emerging as key sectors in India’s green economy.
• These hubs may be positioned at coastal areas such as Mundra, Kandla, Gopalpur, Paradeep, Tuticorin, Vizag, and Mangalore. 

Objectives  

• Power demand is expected to surge to 388 GW by 2031-32, necessitating more suitable transmission infrastructure.
• Therefore , The plan aims to facilitate the transmission of 500 GW of renewable strength with the aid of 2030 and over 600 GW by 2032. 
• Overall, the plan alerts massive funding opportunities, with over INR 9,15,000 Crores expected in the transmission sector by 2032.

Challenges

• Lack of clarity in regulatory policies can create uncertainty for buyers and slow down infrastructure development
• Construction of new transmission strains frequently faces opposition due to environmental effect issues, 
• A shortage of skilled professionals inside the transmission zone can hinder the development.

Future Outlook 

• The National Electricity Plan is seen as a critical step closer to attaining net-zero emissions by 2070. 
• It serves as a roadmap for balancing growing electricity demand with green energy goals, positioning India as a global leader in clean energy by 2047. 

Central Electricity Authority (CEA)

• A statutory employer beneath the Ministry of Power, was established thru the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948, and now functions beneath the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003.
• CEA affords professional recommendation to the Ministry of Power on technical, financial, and operational subjects related to power generation, transmission, and distribution.

Nobel Prize in Economics 2024

  The 2024 Economics Nobel was awarded to U.S. economists Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity.” The prize committee credited the winners for enhancing our understanding of the root causes of why countries fail or succeed. 

Significance of the work of this year’s economics Nobel prize winners:

•  Three economists who have studied why some countries are rich and others poor and have documented that freer, open societies are more likely to prosper.
• The work by Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson “demonstrated the importance of societal institutions for a country’s prosperity,”.
• Acemoglu and Johnson work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, while Robinson does his research at the University of Chicago.
•  In their work, the economists studied institutions that European powers such as Britain and Spain put in place when they colonized much of the world starting in the 1600s. They brought different policies to different places, giving later researchers a “natural experiment” to analyze.
• Colonies that were sparsely populated offered less resistance to foreign rule and therefore attracted more settlers. In those places, colonial governments tended to establish more inclusive economic institutions that “incentivized settlers to work hard and invest in their new homeland. In turn, this led to demands for political rights that gave them a share of profits,”.
• In more densely populated places that attracted fewer settlers, the colonial regimes limited political rights and set up institutions that focused on “benefiting a local elite at the expense of the wider population,” .
• “Paradoxically, this means that the parts of the colonized world that were relatively the most prosperous around 500 years ago are now those that are relatively poor,” it added, noting that India’s industrial production exceeded the American colonies’ in the 18th century.
• The economics prize is formally known as the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. The central bank established it in 1968 as a memorial to Nobel, the 19th-century Swedish businessman and chemist who invented dynamite and established the five Nobel Prizes.
• Though Nobel purists stress that the economics prize is technically not a Nobel Prize, it is always presented together with the others on Dec. 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death in 1896.

Why is the quality of institutions so important?

• Institutions are the “rules of the game” that define the incentives that individuals face when dealing with each other. For example, institutions that stop the State from seizing the property of honest citizens would give citizens the incentive to work hard without the fear of expropriation and that in turn would lead to economic prosperity.
• Institutions that legalize expropriation, on the other hand, would affect individual incentives negatively and cause economic stagnation.
• Now, Acemoglu and Johnson argued that institutions can either be “inclusive” or “extractive”.
• Inclusive institutions are characterized by secure private property rights and democracy while extractive institutions are marked by insecure private property rights and the lack of political freedom. They tried to empirically demonstrate that inclusive institutions lead to long-run economic growth and higher living standards while extractive institutions lead to economic degradation and poverty.
• To this end, they studied the institutions that colonists set up in different colonies and the impact that they had. When a colonial power did not want to settle in a country for various reasons (such as higher mortality rates due to geography), it set up institutions that were extractive in nature. Example is the case of Britishers in India.
•  But in countries where colonists wanted to settle for the long-run, they set up inclusive institutions that encouraged investment and long-term growth over short-term plunder. This may have been the case in the United States where the British set up institutions that promoted long-term prosperity.
• It should be noted that institutions can also include factors like culture, which influence the more explicit “rules of the game” expressed by political and economic institutions.

If inclusive institutions are so good for growth, why don’t we have more of them?

• Rulers face different choices in their respective countries. When the rulers of a country are able to safely extract resources for their personal gains through extractive institutions, the laureates argue, they have little reason to bring in political and economic reforms (or inclusive institutions) that can benefit the wider population over the long run.
• In such cases, extractive institutions prevail for a really long time as long as the masses do not revolt against the status quo.

Reserve Bank Climate Risk Information System (RB-CRIS)

• This is an initiative of RBI which aims to enhance climate risk assessments by providing high-quality, standardized data to all.
• It comprises two parts.  
• The first part will be a web-based directory, listing various data sources, (meteorological, geospatial, etc.).
• It will be publicly accessible on the RBI website. 
• The second part will be a data portal which will consist of processed data in standardised formats. 
• Only the regulated entities will have access to the data in a phased manner.

Need for the CRIS

• Climate change is emerging as one of the significant risks to the financial system. 
• Climate risk assessments are crucial for regulated entities to ensure the stability of their balance sheets and that of the financial system. 
• Such an assessment requires high-quality data relating to local climate scenarios, climate forecasts, and emissions. 
• There are various gaps in the available climate-related data such as fragmented and varied sources, differing formats, frequencies and units. 
• To bridge these gaps Climate Risk Information System is needed.

Draft disclosure framework on climate-related financial risks

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released a draft disclosure framework on climate-related financial risks on February 28, 2024. 
• The framework requires regulated entities (REs) to disclose information on the following four areas: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets. 
• The framework is aligned with international standards set by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures.

The framework''s goals are to:

• Increase transparency and accountability in financial institutions 
• Help stakeholders understand the risks and how REs are addressing them 
• Align with India''s net-zero goals by 2070.

Applicability

• The framework is mandatory for Indian banks, financial institutions, and top NBFCs. 
• Disclosure requirements 
• The requirements for disclosures vary based on the size and complexity of the regulated entities (REs) operations. 

UNIFIL : The UN''s Peacekeeping Mission In Lebanon

• UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) is a peacekeeping mission established in 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli forces, maintain peace, and support the Lebanese government in regaining control of southern Lebanon
• UNIFIL was established in 1978 by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) after Israel’s first invasion of Lebanon. It was initially created following UNSC Resolutions 425 and 426, which called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.
• The mission has three main objectives: to confirm Israel’s withdrawal, restore peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in reasserting its authority in the region.
• Based in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL operates in a region long associated with Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese group with military capabilities. Although many peacekeepers have military backgrounds, their role under UNIFIL is strictly non-combatant.
• UN peacekeepers are required to remain neutral and can only operate with the permission of the host country. Their duties range from monitoring ceasefires to facilitating political processes and protecting civilians UNIFIL’s Presence and Personnel
• UNIFIL is one of the largest UN peacekeeping missions, with over 10,000 personnel from 50 countries. As of September 2024, some of the top contributing countries include Indonesia, Italy, India, Nepal, and Ghana, with over 1,000 peacekeepers each. Other nations such as Spain, France, Malaysia, and China also provide significant numbers of troops. The mission also includes approximately 800 civilian staff members who support its global operations.

Operations Along the Blue Line

• UNIFIL operates primarily along the Blue Line, a 120-kilometre boundary established by the UN in 2000 to confirm Israel’s full withdrawal from southern Lebanon. This area, spanning 1,060 square kilometres between the Litani River and the border, is a highly sensitive region due to its proximity to both Hezbollah forces and Israeli military operations. To prevent conflict, both Israel and Lebanon are required to notify UNIFIL of any military activities or security operations near the Blue Line in advance.

What is Article 142, invoked by Supreme Court? 

• The Supreme Court on Monday (October 14) refused to entertain a PIL seeking directions under Article 142 to include sexual offences against men, trans persons and animals under the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
• Article 142 of the Indian Constitution holds great significance in the context of the judiciary’s power and its relationship with the legislative and executive branches.

Article 142

• Article 142(1) states that the Supreme Court (SC) may pass any order necessary to do “complete justice” in any matter pending before it. This gives the SC wide discretionary powers to ensure justice is served, even in situations where existing laws might be insufficient or silent.
• Article 142(2) provides the SC the authority to secure the attendance of persons, production of documents, and punishment for contempt of its orders.

Judicial Activism and Judicial Overreach

• Judicial Activism: Article 142 is often cited as a tool for the judiciary to correct injustices when the law falls short, reflecting its activist role. The judiciary, using Article 142, has sometimes stepped into domains traditionally handled by the legislature and executive, leading to debates around separation of powers.
• Judicial Overreach: Critics argue that in certain instances, the SC’s use of Article 142 encroaches upon the functions of the other branches of government.

Key Judicial Pronouncements

• Union Carbide Case (1989): Article 142 was invoked to finalize the compensation for the Bhopal gas tragedy victims, bypassing procedural delays to deliver justice.
• Ayodhya Verdict (2019): The SC used Article 142 to ensure a peaceful resolution to the Ayodhya land dispute, by granting the disputed land to a trust and allocating alternate land to the Muslim litigants.
• Coal Block Allocation Case (2014): In this case, the SC invoked Article 142 to cancel over 200 coal block allocations that were found to be illegal.

Complete Justice: The Broad Scope

• The phrase “complete justice” allows the SC to go beyond the limitations of statutory law. For example, in cases involving environmental protection, Article 142 has been used to enforce strict norms even when explicit legislation was not in place.
• It also enables the SC to issue binding directions when existing laws are inadequate. For example, in criminal cases, the court has sometimes ordered the release of prisoners or alteration of punishments for humanitarian reasons.
• While the power under Article 142 is extraordinary, the SC has noted that it must be exercised with caution. It should not contradict or bypass existing laws unless there are compelling reasons to do so.

Criticism and Debate

• Undemocratic Power?: Some legal scholars argue that the broad powers under Article 142 may undermine parliamentary sovereignty, as the judiciary can effectively create law in certain situations.
• Ambiguity in the Term “Complete Justice”: The lack of a clear definition of “complete justice” leaves significant room for interpretation, which has been both praised for flexibility and criticized for the potential for misuse.