Context: The Indian government has been facing issues related to the migration of its citizens, particularly to the United States, as desperate Indians seek better livelihoods and opportunities abroad.

Background:

India has a significant diaspora, with over 29 million Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) residing outside the country. The Indian diaspora is the world's largest overseas diaspora, and every year, around 2.5 million Indians migrate overseas, making it the highest annual number of migrants in the world. From November 2022 to September 2023, up to 96,917 Indians were arrested while crossing illegally into the US alone. This highlights the growing number of Indians leaving the country in search of decent livelihoods.

Reasons for Indians Leaving the Country:

   The reasons for Indians leaving the country are multifaceted and include:

• The main issue is the perceived favoritism in government jobs for those who pay money or are well-connected, leading to frustration among those who cannot afford it.

• Lack of well-paying private jobs in India.
• Difficulty in securing government jobs without financial means or connections.
• Wealthy individuals seeking better opportunities and acquiring foreign citizenship through investment programs.
• Rising demand for school education that enables admission overseas, indicating the middle class's desire to leave India.
• Fear of harassment by government agencies, particularly among the wealthy.

What Needs to Be Done:

   To address the out-migration of Indians, several measures can be considered, such as:

   - Creating more well-paying private job opportunities in India.

   - Reforms in the government job recruitment process to ensure transparency and equal opportunities.

   - Providing a conducive environment for investment and business growth to retain wealthy individuals.

   - Improving the overall quality of life, safety, and opportunities in India to reduce the desire to migrate.

The Indian government has responded to the issue of Indians leaving the country through various measures and initiatives. These include:

• Strengthening Online Mechanisms: The government has strengthened its online mechanism to address the problems faced by the Indian diaspora in foreign countries
• Emphasizing the Need for Improved Living Conditions and Opportunities: Experts have highlighted the need for India to create more opportunities and focus on improving living conditions and education to prevent migration. They have emphasized that a large number of Indians are giving up their citizenship, and the pursuit of economic gains, better quality of life, and lower tax rates in other countries are some of the reasons for migration
• Recognizing the Significance of the Indian Diaspora: The Indian government has recognized the significance of the Indian diaspora in enhancing India's soft power, economic contribution through remittances, and the role of the diaspora in bridging the gap between India and other countries

Conclusion:

 The article underscores the need for India to address the factors driving its citizens to leave the country and to create an environment that encourages them to stay and contribute to the nation's growth and development. Additionally, recognizing the Indian diaspora as an asset and creating policies to engage and benefit from their knowledge and expertise can contribute to India's national development.

SOURCE: IE

Context: The current nuclear order has evolved over time, with nine states possessing nuclear weapons: the United States, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea

Background: The global nuclear order is the process by which nuclear weapons affect the world order, dominated by powerful states, mostly from the Global North, with excessive  influence by nuclear weapons states (NWSs). The nuclear status quo is institutionalized in the United Nations.

News:

• The global nuclear order is under strain due to various factors such as North Korea’s nuclear program, the Iran nuclear deal, and the Trump administration’s decision to pull out.
• The African nuclear weapon-free zone treaty (Pelindaba Treaty) is central to challenging the global nuclear order.
• India’s relationship with the global nuclear order has strengthened at a modest pace between 2014 during the first term of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Issues:

• The global nuclear order is facing various issues such as the growing divide between nuclear haves and have-nots, North Korea’s nuclear program, and the Iran nuclear deal.
• The global nuclear order is facing increasing tension, with many states feeling that the structure and distribution of benefits is unjust. This tension is primarily due to debates and disputes in global forums such as NPT Review Conferences or at the IAEA.
• The existing order primarily benefits states that developed nuclear technology earliest and wrote the rules, leading to frustration among states that feel their interests are not completely served by the existing system.
• The evolution of the nuclear order will likely be driven by middle-ground states that have developed nuclear technology but whose interests are not completely served by the existing system.
• These states, such as Argentina, Brazil, China, India, and Pakistan, are particularly important in determining how the nuclear order will adapt. The future of the nuclear order will depend on how these states navigate the existing system and whether they choose to work within it or seek to change it.
• The global nuclear order is also facing a crisis of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, with frustration about the lack of nuclear disarmament and concerns about the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.
• The changing geostrategic context, the breakdown of nuclear arms control, intra-regime conflicts, the relationship between the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and the NPT, and current proliferation crises are all contributing to the crisis of the nuclear non-proliferation regime.

Treaties and agreements

The global nuclear order has evolved over time through various key treaties and agreements that have shaped the structure and distribution of benefits in the nuclear world. Some of the most important treaties and agreements that have shaped the global nuclear order include:

• Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): The NPT is a landmark treaty that aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament. It has been signed by 191 countries and is considered the cornerstone of the global nuclear order
• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (TNP): **The TNP is another significant treaty that seeks to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote disarmament. It has been signed by 110 countries and is an important component of the global nuclear order.
• Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT): The CBTB is a treaty that aims to ban all nuclear testing, thereby reducing the risk of nuclear accidents and promoting disarmament. It has been signed by 183 countries and is an important aspect of the global nuclear order
• Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (CWC): The CWC is a treaty that bans the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. While it does not specifically target nuclear weapons, it is an important component of the global nuclear order as it seeks to reduce the risk of chemical weapons being used in conflict
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safeguards Agreement: The IAEA Safeguards Agreement is a treaty that aims to ensure the peaceful use of nuclear energy and prevent its misuse for military purposes. It has been signed by 159 countries and is an important aspect of the global nuclear order

The global nuclear order has been facing a crisis due to various factors, such as the lack of nuclear disarmament, concerns about humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, and the changing geostrategic context

To address this crisis, several solutions can be considered:

• Cooperative resolution of power struggles among major powers: Restabilizing the global nuclear order requires a resolution to the power struggles among the major nuclear-armed statesThis can be achieved through diplomacy, dialogue, and cooperation in international forums.
• Reinvigorating the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): The NPT is a central element of the global nuclear order, and its strengthening is essential for addressing the crisisThis can be achieved by addressing the concerns of member states, promoting disarmament, and ensuring the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons are considered.
• Improving the distribution of benefits: Many states feel that the structure and distribution of benefits in the global nuclear order are unjust Addressing this issue requires a reevaluation of the existing order and finding ways to distribute benefits more equitably.
• Involving middle-ground states: The evolution of the global nuclear order will likely be driven by middle-ground states that have developed nuclear technology but whose interests are not completely served by the existing system. Engaging these states in the decision-making process and providing them with incentives to work within the existing framework can help stabilize the global nuclear order.
• Re-evaluating risk reduction measures: Nuclear risk reduction mechanisms should be reassessed to ensure they are effective and impartial. This can be achieved by revisiting global risk reduction norms, including the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), and generating a broader debate on identifying caveats in nonproliferation and risk reduction.
• Promoting Nuclear Responsibilities: Approaching the issue through the Nuclear Responsibilities Toolkit allows for identifying fractures in the global nuclear order and generating consensus and constructive discussions on these issues. This can help pave the way for a more secure and stable global nuclear order.

In conclusion, addressing the crisis in the global nuclear order requires a combination of cooperative efforts, reevaluation of existing institutions and treaties, and involving key states in the decision-making process. By implementing these solutions, the international community can work towards a more stable and secure global nuclear order.

Context: The newly elected far-right President of Argentina, Javier Milei, pulled out of plans to join the BRICS bloc. Argentina was set to join on January 1, 2024.

Reasons for withdrawal:

• The decision to join BRICS had been taken by the previous administration, and the new dispensation was reviewing such policies. Milei cited China's communist ideology as a pivotal factor in Argentina's decision to disengage from BRICS.
• The Brics alliance is often portrayed as promoting a more multipolar world, but it is economically dominated by China, which accounts for more than 70% of the bloc's combined GDP.
• Milei has strongly criticized China and has pledged to pursue a foreign policy that aligns with Western countries, moving away from the previous administration's efforts to build ties with other developing countries.

BRICS

• BRICS, initially known as BRIC, is an acronym that represents an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• The term was coined by Goldman Sachs in 2001, and South Africa was added to the group in 2010. Together, the BRICS countries represent a significant portion of the world's land mass, population, GDP, and global trade.
• The organization was established to deepen economic cooperation, development financing, political coordination, social and cultural exchanges, technology and innovation, sustainable development, and peace and security.
• The principles governing BRICS relations include solidarity, openness, pragmatism, neutrality regarding third parties, and a non-bloc nature.
• The organization seeks to establish deeper ties between member nations and cooperate on economic and political matters. Over the years, BRICS countries have come together to deliberate on important issues under the three pillars of economic and financial and cultural and people to people exchanges.

Context: India and Pakistan exchanged the list of nuclear installations, covered under the Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities.

About:

• India and Pakistan have a history of exchanging lists of their nuclear installations under a bilateral pact that prohibits the two sides from attacking each other's atomic facilities.
• This agreement, signed in 1988, mandates the two countries to inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to prevent any conflict or misunderstanding.
• The 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries took place on January 1, 2024, through diplomatic channels in New Delhi and Islamabad.

Significance:

• This is the 33rd consecutive exchange of such lists between the two countries, the first one having taken place on January 1, 1992.
• The exchange of the list came amid weakening ties between the two countries over the Kashmir issue as well as cross-border terrorism.
• The agreement mandates both countries to inform each other about any nuclear installations and providing a confidence-building security measure environment.

How does the exchange of nuclear installations between india and pakistan impact global nuclear security?

• The exchange of nuclear installations between India and Pakistan impacts global nuclear security by promoting transparency and confidence-building measures between the two countries.
• This practice, which has continued for over three decades, serves as a bilateral pact that prohibits the two sides from attacking each other's atomic facilities. By exchanging these lists, both countries are able to maintain awareness of the other's nuclear installations, which can help prevent misunderstandings and reduce the risk of accidental conflict.
• This practice contributes to regional stability and enhances global nuclear security by promoting open communication and reducing the potential for miscalculation or unintended escalation.

Context: India is considering proposals to connect Bangladesh’s Matarbari Port to Northeastern States.

About:

Matarbari Port is a deep-sea port under construction at Matarbari in Maheshkhali Upazila of Cox's Bazar District, Bangladesh. Some key details about the port include:

- Type of harbor: Artificial

- Construction started in 2011

- Located near the Bay of Bengal coast

- Modeled after the Kashima Port in Japan, but 2.5 times larger in terms of construction

- Connection to the sea will be made through building breakwater dams to prevent silting up

- Japanese funding and technical assistance involved in the project

Significance:

- Expected to become South Asia's commercial hub due to strategic location

- Planned to reduce pressure on the Port of Chittagong

- Transformation of Matarbari into an industrial hub, increased trade, job opportunities, and economic growth

- Development of a special economic zone, including a logistics park, power plants, and LNG terminal

• Vazhakulam pineapple is a pineapple grown in the Vazhakulam area of Kerala, India.
• The pineapple is unique in aroma, flavour and sweetness due to its high sugar content and low acidity.
• Vazhakulam is considered as the biggest pineapple market in India.

It got its GI tag in 2009.

• The Czech Republic, also known as Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe with its capital Prague.
• It borders Poland, Germany, Austria, and Slovakia.

With a lack of natural lakes, reservoirs are important in the Czech Republic.

• Prerana is a week-long residential program for 20 selected students (10 boys and 10 girls) of class IX to XII, aimed at empowering them with leadership qualities.
• Ministry – Ministry of Education.
• Prerana program will run from a Vernacular School, established in 1888, in one of the oldest living cities of India, Vadnagar, in Gujarat.

The curriculum of Prerana School has been prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar and is rooted in 9 value-based themes.

• The Education and Research Network is an autonomous scientific society of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• ERNET was established in 1986 to provide a networking infrastructure for the research and education community with its headquarters are in New Delhi.

ERNET's mandate is to support the needs of academic and research institutions through consultancy, project management, training, and other value-added services.

Bomb threat e-mail to Gol Gumbaz museum turns out to be hoax.

It is the located in the state of Karnataka, built in Indo-Islamic style of architecture.It is the tomb of Mohammed Adil Shah (ruled 1627–1657).

It is the second largest dome ever built, next in size only to St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.A particular attraction in this monument is the central chamber, where every sound is echoed seven times.

• Another attraction at the Gol Gumbaz is the Whispering Gallery, where even minute sounds can be hear clearly 37 metres away.
• Gol Gumbaz complex includes a mosque, a Naqqar Khana (a hall for the trumpeters) (now it is used as museum) and the ruins of guesthouses.
• In the surrounding ornamental gardens is an archeological museum.
• It is a protected monument administered by the Archeological Survey of India.

GI tag - A GI tag is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

Ownership - Any trader's body, association, or organization can apply for a GI tag.

• Major Categories - The products in the GI registry fall under five major categories.

1. Agriculture
2. Food Stuff
3. Handicrafts
4. Manufactured
5. Natural

Highest - Handicrafts dominate the list, with over half the GI tags being given to products crafted by skilled artisans.

Harit Nauka guidelines and the River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047 were launched at the recently held inaugural Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kolkata.

• IWDC – It is hosted by the Inland Waterways Authority of India.
• Establishment in – 2023

Objectives – For comprehensive development of inland waterways and associated ecosystems with improved cargo efficiency, passenger movement, and river cruise tourism, with active participation from the States and UT’s.

Harit Nauka

• Harit Nauka – It is the ‘Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels’.
• Launched by – Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

Aim – To embark on a journey towards a sustainable and eco-friendly future for our inland waterways.

River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047

• Launched by – Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
• Roadmap – To enable capacity in an additional 26 waterways fit for river cruise tourism from an operational strength of 8 waterways.
• To increase cruise routes with night stays from 17 to 80 and to increase river cruise terminals from 15 up to 185, registering a growth of 1233%.
• To move the cruise tourism traffic with night stays up from 5000 to 1.20 lakh and the local cruise tourism traffic on National Waterways without night stays up from 2 lakh to 15 lakh by 2047.
• It had identified 30+ additional potential routes for different cruise types, including long and short, recreational, and heritage segments, to attract all tourist categories.

With rising use of drones, DRDO develops own counter technology.

Indigenous - The DRDO is developing an indigenous counter-drone technology, which is capable of counter-attacks including detection, soft kill and hard kill of all types of drones.

• The counter-drone system is ready for production and is already demonstrated to armed services and other internal security agencies.

Technology - The technology is transferred to Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru, who is the production agency for the system.

• In addition, Transfer of Technology is given to four more Indian firms for production of anti-drone systems.

TAPAS - The Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle TAPAS was developed for ISTAR (Intelligence in Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition).

Battery - Lithium Ion-based battery with indigenous battery management system has been developed by the DRDO in association with a private vendor and is being used on Tapas UAV.

TAPAS is currently only in developmental stage.