nat. & int. events

8/10/2019 Nat. & Int. Events

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Current Issues

National & International


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Session Objectives

o An overview of current events

o To make one understand the practical world which

would be beneficial in GD and PI rounds

o Improving ones skill to analyse real issues which wouldhelp in improving ones personality

o Knowledge is treasure: It would always be your asset


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Guidelines and Format

o This presentation is divided in two sections:

National

International

o Each sub-section has 12 main events of currentsignificance followed by 12 minor events

o Each slide has some keywords which refers toimportant words associated with the event

These can be effectively used in GDs and PIs to givereal touch of events


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International Events


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2. Mid-East Peace Talks

These are the US mediated direct negotiations between Israeli and the PalestinianAuthority.

Talks are led by United States President Barack Obama, Israeli Prime Minister BinyaminNetanyahu and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmud Abbas.

Its ultimate aim is of "final status settlement" to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict byimplementing a two-state solution. End of negotiations aims at Israel remaining aJewish state and the establishment of a state for the Palestinian people.

Direct talks ended in late September 2010 when an Israeli partial moratorium on

settlement construction in the West Bank expired and the Palestinians refused tocontinue negotiations if Israel failed to extend the partial freeze.

Israel offered a renewed building freeze in exchange for a PA recognition of Israel as aJewish state, which was was rejected by the Palestinians.

In early September, a coalition of 13 Palestinian factions began a campaign of attacksagainst Israeli civilians, including a series of drive-by shootings and rocket attacks on

Israeli towns, in an attempt to derail and torpedo the on-going negotiations. Currently US is trying to bring back Israel on the table through some concessions.

Overall on international scene, the chance of positive outcome of the talks look bleak.

Resentment against Israel has also grown in recent times which has been expressed by USand European countries since last 12 months.


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4. North Korea South Korea Dispute

North Korea South Korea dispute is one the longest standing bilateral dispute and theborder between two i.e. 38thParallel forms the densest militarized zone of the world.

Recently aggressive incidents from North Korea have heightened security concerns asNorth Korea is an undemocratic state with nuclear arsenal and poor economy.

The issue is not just a local concern but presence of nuclear weapons and highlyclosed nature of North Korea gives rise to many suspicions across the globe.

1) Cheonan Sinking:

Cheonan was a South Korean Navy ship carrying 104 personnel, which sank off the

country's west coast near Baengnyeong Island in the Yellow Sea, killing 46 seamen. South Korean-led Joint Investigation Team (JIG) of international experts from South

Korea, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Sweden presented asummary of its investigation on 20 May 2010, concluding that the warship had been sunkby a North Korean torpedo fired by a midget submarine.

North Korea has strictly denied involvement.

North Koreas long term ally, People's Republic of China has disputed the findings ofreport

Russian Navy experts assessment report also disputed the claims by JIG

and The United Nations Security Council made a Presidential Statement condemning theattack but without identifying the attacker.


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4. North Korea South Korea Dispute (contd)

2) Presence Of highly sophisticated nuclear facility

In November 2010, Stanford University professor Siegfried Hecker was shown a secretlyand rapidly built new enrichment facility at Yongbyon.

According to the professor, facility included control room as "astonishingly modern" andon a par with "any modern American processing facility".

This presence of facility with enriched uranium is helpful in making powerful bombs andhas given an altogether new turn to North Koreasnuclear story.

International community especially, US, South Korea and its allies has come stronglyagainst this latest development with China taking a balanced reaction against its ally.

3) Artillery attack on South Korean island of Yeonpyeong

The massive artillery barrage was launched by North Korea on 23rd Novemeber, 2010

which killed two South Korean civilians in addition to two Marines Reaction was fierce from South Korea which has threatened "stern retaliation and US

came forward in support of South Korea with assurance of defense in any case of anysecurity threat.

It is important to know that a sizeable number of US army is deployed with South KoreanArmy at the North-South Korean border since the Korean War.


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5. Japan China standoff

Historical significance and current importance of Japan China relations:

Together they constitute 20% of world population and 21% of world economy.

Bilateral trade is over $260 bn (India-China trade is around ~40bn and India-Japanis around ~$10bn).

China has strongly influenced Japan with its writing system, architecture, culture,religion, philosophy and law.

Atrocities by Japanese army in World war II is still a bone of contention.

Japan is one of the oldest democracy with capitalist ideology and China is a one-party

nation which is partially opened.

Thus, relations define one of the most important bilateral relations in modern world.

What is important for an MBA aspirant is to know the importance of this relation and itspossible effects

Recent phenomenal growth of China and weakening of Japanese economy has broughtboth the countries at par with aggressive China to assert its influence in Pacific Region.

Japan forms a major counter balance in the region and is an ally of US.

Incident which recently flared up the tensions is when Chinese a trawler collided withJapanese Coast Guard's patrol boat near the Senkaku Islands and resulted in detention ofboat captain. The islands are a disputed territory which is currently administered byJapan and claimed by bothPeople's Republic of China and Republic of China.

More than mere trawler itsthe geopolitical dimension which is to be regarded as China

has declared its assertion on international stage.


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6. European economic crisis

Historical dominance of Europe in the world economy is known but in lastfew years this has been dented and simultaneous rise of the Asian giants has

decreased the clout of Europe which was unchallenged since last 4 centuries. In early 2010, fears of a sovereign debt crisis called 2010 Euro Crisis developed

concerning some European states, including European Union members Greece, Ireland,Italy, Portugal and Spain. This led to a crisis of confidence as well as the widening of bondyield spreads.

Concerns about rising government deficits and debt levels across the globe together with a

wave of downgrading of European government debt created alarm in financial markets. The most notable case was concerned with Greece:

Global financial crisis that began in 2008 had effected countrys largest industries,tourism and shipping, resulting in fall of revenues by 15% in 2009.

To keep within the monetary union guidelines, the government of Greece was foundto have misreported the country's official economic statistics and was discovered to

have paid many banks hundreds of millions of dollars in fees since 2001 forarranging transactions that hid the actual level of borrowing.

The purpose of these deals made by several subsequent Greek governments was toenable them to spend beyond their means, while hiding the actual deficit from EU.

By 2010, deficit was 13.6% of GDP and debt was 120% of GDP with bonds upto 70%held by foreign investors.

Tax evasions makes Greece loose more than $20bn per year. Finally by April 2010, S&Pdowngraded Greek debt rating to levels of junk..


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6. European economic crisis (contd) This problem with Greece was not alone in Europe and many other countries including

Italy also had many irregularity issues but problem of Greece was worst.

Austerity and loan agreements: Many measures were taken by Greek government which included spending cuts, public

sector wage reductions and loan requests to IMF & EU.

On 2 May 2010, a loan agreement was reached between Greece, Eurozone countriesand IMF that included loan of 45 billion to be provided in 2010, with more fundsavailable later. A total of 110 billion was agreed, with interest for Eurozone loans at 5%

(considered to be high level for any bailout loan). Government of Greece agreed to impose new

austerity measures including increase of VAT,special tax on high pensions, rise in luxury taxesincrease in retirement age etc.

The bailout policy was objected and an alternate

proposal including Greek exit from the eurofollowed by devaluation of currency was suggested.

In plain words for the students, one of the centralconcerns was that the crisis could spread beyondGreece and reduced confidence in other Europeaneconomies with Ireland (14.3% of GDP as govt.deficit), U.K. (12.6%), Spain (11.2%) and Portugal

(9.4%) are at high risk.


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7. G-20 summit Emerging global trends have created new institutions with major

countries (G-8) not the sole manipulator and operator at world stage.

G-20 is the new global group of 19 primary economies plus theEuropean Union which represent 85% of global GNP, 80% of worldtrade (including EU intra-trade) and 2/3rd of the world population.

(i) Toronto Summit:

Starting in 2008, 4thmeeting was held at Toronto in June, 2010 withtheme of "recovery and newbeginnings.

Emerging from financial crisis leaders of developed nations agreed onmany issues:

Developed nations agreed to cut annual budget deficits in half by2013 by and reducing debt-to-GDP ratio in each economy by 2016

Financial institutions would be required to keep a higher amountof financial capital in case of future financial shocks.

(ii) Seoul Summit: Summit was held with a special emphasis on global economic

situation

South Korea became the first non-G8 nation to host G-20summit.

Risk of Currencywar was a primary agenda looking at fragile

US economy and large trade surplus of China.


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7. G-20 summit (contd)

Major outcomes of Seoul Summit:

Endorsement of Seoul Development Consensus, a set of guidelines and

principles for working together with less development nations to improve economicgrowth and reduce poverty.

This has replaced Washington Consensus which it supersedes, the SeoulConsensus is less free market orientated, allowing a bigger role for state intervention.

This shift should be noted in terms of departure from liberal ideology which hasdominated western mindsets.

One important aspect was the currency issue where two principal protagonists, theU.S. and China, appeared to have dug in their heels and refused to compromise.

G-20 countries agreed to take action to seek more balanced growth but delayed untilnext year the contentious issue of Global imbalances, the phenomenon of somecountries such as the U.S. running up huge external deficits matched by surpluses inChina and other countries and this pose the biggest threat to a sustained global

recovery. One bright spot was the approval given to IMF reform, which was mooted earlier.

China took a strong position against other members that the lax U.S. monetary policyis weakening the dollar and pushing destabilising capital to emerging markets.

Indian position looks pretty as India is sitting pretty during all these negotiations ands it does what economic theory prescribes, as it runs a deficit on the current account

which is financed by a surplus on the capital account


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8. Healthcare Reforms in US

Issue of health insurance reform in the United States has been the subject of politicaldebate since the early part of the 20th century.

Though dormant in most of the 20thcentury, the issue gained heat in 2008 presidentialelection where:

Republicans (John McCain)proposed open-market competition rather thangovernment funding.

Democrats (Barack Obama) called for universal health care and called for thecreation of a National Health Insurance Exchange that would include both private

insurance plans and a Medicare-like government run option where coverage wouldbe guaranteed regardless of health status and premiums would not vary based onhealth status either.

In plain terms these can be said that purpose of the McCain plan was to "makeinsurance more affordable," while the purpose of the Obama plan was for"more people to have health insurance.

Key Reforms:Cost: $940 bn over 10 yearsCoverage: Extended to 32 mn uninsuredInsurer can no longer deny coverage to those withpre-esisting conditionsUninsured and self-employed able to purchaseinsurances through state

Low income people wanting to purchase insuranceeligible for subsidies

What it means to Obama ?Huge victory after year of intense effort in whichObama put his own reputation on lineFailure would have crippled Obamas presidencyMany economists believed that plan is rightdirection towards controlling costs and wouldsoften expensive healthcare in US

Help in reducing deficitPopularity among low-income section


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9. Af-Pak Policy & Insurgency

9/11 attacks on America brought a decade long fight to Afghanistan by NATO forces underleadership of US.

Miscalculation and interests in middle-east brought Iraq to centre-stage of conflict. 9 year long conflict has left the policy makers in a limbo with war spilling over in the

tribal areas of Pakistan. This new region is termed as Af-Pak.

This US strategy aimed at defeating the Taliban-Al-Qaeda alliance in the volatile Af-Pak region with surge of 20,000 soldiers and shift attention from Iraq to Afghanistan andPakistan.

Regional Facts and policy objectives: Richard Holbrooke is special envoy of

US for Af-Pak Talibanis the belligerent who believes in

strictest interpretations of Sharia law everand became notorious internationally fortheir treatment of women

This is a tribal regions with low-literacy Islamic fundamentalists and religious

heads wield great control over population Refugee influx via porous durand line

has altered the demographic and socialstructure of the region


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10. China Factor on the world stage China is one of the most ancient civilization extending over a large area in East Asia, with

multicultural demographic and social structure.

The phenomenal rise of China has been the story of this decade.Recent Historical Review:

Emerging from the destruction of world war II, country embarked on a socialist trackunder comrade Mao-Zedong after military struggle in 1949.

The great famine in 1959 as a result of its policies left a blemish on the Chinese story.

Cultural revolution started in 1966 ended in a failure.

The economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping after 1978 brought the country on the path ofeconomic resurgence and subsequent relaxation in strictly controlled policies brought thecountry its old glory.

A Statistical Look: Fastest growing nation of the world with over 10% GDP growth(USA: 2%, India: 7%).

Grew over 10 times in 26 years (England grew 10 time in 70 years during its glory). 2ndlargest GDP in the world both in terms of PPP and nominal calculations. Has worlds largest forex reserves with values over $2.6 trillion(Japan: $1 tn, India: $.3

tn) Largest trade surplus in the world along with largest exporter of the world with exports

values more than $1.4 tn (India: $200bn). Consumes more than half of steel produced in the world.

Set to surpass US as the largest economy by 2030. Largest creditor of US finances with dollar reserves ~$800bn.


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10. China Factor on the world stage (contd) The widespread growth in economic clout changed policy and stand of China in

international forum.

Direct confrontation with US, Japan, India & EU at many issues including currencymanipulation, trade deficit, environmental issues, Tibetan & Taiwanese sovereignty,border disputes and modernisation of military has showed hard power of dragon.

Its successful organization of World Expo, Beijing Olympics, Guangzhou Asian Gamesand various international meets has drifted the concentration of power and relegatedtraditional European power centres.

Active support to rouge nations including North Korea, Iran and Sudan has end badsignals to every corner of world.

What is its effect on India?

Aggression of China in Indian border areas, sovereignty of Arunanchal Pradesh and AksaiChina are long standing disputes among the two nations.

Chinasonly threat in Asia remains in form of India which is next to it in all fields.

Its active contain india policy and formation of string of pearls has warned Indianpolicy makers and challenged Indian ambitions across the globe.

Use of Pakistan to counter forms a major bone of contention between the nations.

Mutual assistance is vital for both the nations as visible in the environmental summit inCopenhagen.

Formation of BRIC has also given new dimension to strategic relationship.


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11. Currency War

Currency war, also known as competitive devaluation, is a condition in internationalaffairs where countries compete against each other to achieve a relatively low exchange

rate for their home currency, so as to help their domestic industry. According to this is a period of global currency war.

While many states have experienced undesirable upwards pressure on their exchangerates and taken part in the on-going arguments, the most notable dimension has been therhetorical conflict between the United States and China over the valuation of the yuan.

Due to great depression in 1930s, currency war became prominent primarily due to

unpredictable changes in exchange rates reduced international trade. Why do we need devaluation?

When a country is suffering from high unemployment or has export based economy,a lower exchange rate is preferred as a lower value for the home currency will raisethe price for imports while reducing the price for exports.

Today the conditions that favor this

unconventional war as much of the world issuffering from a recession, low growth andunemployement or are pursuing strategieswhich depends on a favourable balance ofpayments.


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12. Wikileaks

WikiLeaks is an international organization that publishes submissions of otherwiseunavailable documents from anonymous sources and leaks.

Julian Assange, an Australian journalist and Internet activist, is its director. Notable leaks include Somali assassination order, Guantanamo Bay procedures, Sarah

Palin's Yahoo email account contents, Peru oil scandal, Nuclear accident in Iran, Baghdadairstrike video.

Latest in this series was 92,000 documents release in Afghan War Diary which hasshocked many governments across the globe.

Primary concern was regarding dozens of Afghan civilians named in the documentdumped as U.S. military informants, whose lives and families, were at terrible risk.

Many governments looked option of Assanges arrest and restrict his internationalmovement.

WikiLeaks also released up to 400,000 documents relating to the Iraq War.

Main issue was release of reports about US governments nonchalant attitude

towards torture by the Iraqi authorities during the period after the 2003 war. Concerning Indian reservations about Pakistan, documents confirmed Pakistani

intelligence continued assistance to al-Qaeda and Taliban with proofs about anti-Indian operations assisted by them.

Overall the issue is highlighted in international media and its effects has changedbackstage pictures concerning US and its allies.


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Signing of STARTtreaty by US-Russia for arms reduction.

Belgium voted to ban veil in the country.

French pension reforms and subsequent backlash.

New rounds of sanctions against Iran.

China Pakistan nuclear deal and its implications.

Red shirts protest in Thailand.

Democracy in Myanmar and concerns regarding Aung San Suu Kyi.

Venezuela Colombia spat.

Coalition government in UK.

Political instability in Australia.

Rise of SCO as a parallel to NATO.

Arrest warrant against Sudans President Omar Al Bashir .


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National Events


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1. Naxalism: A threat to internal security The term came from Naxalbari, a small village in the West Bengal where a section of

CPI(M) led by Kanu Sanyal led a violent uprising in 1967 in a quest to develop a

revolutionary opposition to official leadership. Naxalism is the gravest security threat to India internally as it engulfs common mindset of

the affected region.

Poverty, lack of education have been the factor which helped in enrolling men for thecause.

Sense of deprivation and injustice act as motivational force to agitate for rights.

Naxal group has been declared as a terroristorganization under Unlawful Activities (Prevention)Act, 1967.

As of 2009, Naxalites were active acrossapproximately 220 districts in 22 states of Indiaaccounting for about 40 percent of India's

geographical area. They are concentrated in an area known as the "Red

Corridor", where they control 92,000 km2. Government measures to tackle naxalism:

High-level training of security forces Change in ideology through education Poverty alleviation programmes

Complete access to local resources


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2. Nuclear Liability Bill Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement enacted in October 2008, had launched India on the

elite world nuke stage.

To facilitate nuclear commerce India had to separate its military nuclear facilities andcivilian nuclear facilities which fall under IAEA inspection.

The nuclear commerce attracts primary companies from various countries and need ofNuclear Liability Bill becomes imperative.

After 18 amendments parliament passed the bill with prominent features including:

Clause for maximum liability as $458 million (In US its is $10,500 million)

Clause 17 which deals with legal boundation of culpable groups in case of a nuclearaccident.

Clause 18 which limits the time to make claim within 20 years only.

Clause 35 gives povison to make appeal to Supreme Court and High Court.

Strict Liability and Exclusive Liability of operator.

The enactment of this law gave a legal cover to this ambitious programme which wasnecessarily needed by India to fulfill its target of 20,000 MW nuclear powerproduction by 2020.

Some countries like US require such laws by the host country to allow its companies dobusiness.

As a pretext in Indian case, Bhopal Gas Tragedy can be used.


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3. Right to Education Rights for education were earlier encorporated in Directive Principles of State

Policy.

But seeing the below average progress in education sector where literacy rate still hoversaround 65% (2001 census) need of strict implementation made it necessary to be includedin Fundamental Rights which are enforceable by law.

By this law which is stated inArticle 21A and accorded same legal status as right to life:

Every child in the age group 6-14 years will be provided 8 years of elementaryeducation.

Cost for children, which prevents them from accessing education, will be borne by thestate which shall have the responsibility of enrolling the child as well as ensuringcompletion of 8 years of schooling.

No child shall be denied admission for want of documents.

No child shall be turned away if the admission cycle in the school is over.

No child shall be asked to take admission test.

Children with disabilities will also be educated in the mainstream schools.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has beenmandated to monitor the implementation of this historic right.

Guidelines for private schools have been set and public schools will be subsidized .

By this law India has joined group of 135 countries which have legal rights/guarantees toprovide free and compulsory education to children.


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4. Scam Time Scams in India have a long history and has brought consistent shame to rising India story.

2010 seems to have given a complete new dimension due to unearthing of scams involving

officials from the highest echelon.CWG Scam:

Involvement of more than $17 bn was severely criticized by several politicians and socialactivists due to large expenditure on the sporting event despite the fact that India has oneof the world's largest concentration of poor people.

Matter was further complicated by tracing of illegal transaction records involving top

officials of CWG organizing committee primarily its chairman Mr. Suresh Kalmadi.2G Spectrum Scam:

Involving a cabinet minister, A Raja, 2G spectrum financial scandal is the largest politicalcorruption case in modern Indian history, amounting to a record $40 billion loss fromunderpricing to Government of India.

The alleged modus operandi was telecom bandwidth being grossly undervalued and

offered to a chosen few with vested interests, on a dubious 'First-Come-First-Served' basis. CAG report holds A. Raja personally responsible for the sale of 2G spectrum at 2001 rates

in 2008.

Adarsh Housing Society scam, Housing loan scam have come forward to haunt UPAgovernment.


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5. AADHAR: Unique Identification Authority Unique identification project is an initiative that would provide identification for each

resident across the country and would be used primarily as the basis for efficient delivery

of welfare services To execute this project Prime Minister's Council on UIDAI Authority formed which

appointed Mr. Nandan M. Nilekani as Chairman, in the rank and status of a CabinetMinister for an initial tenure of five years.

According to common understanding one can look at wo distinct political dimensions.

Project can be fundamentally linked to national security concerns rather than

developmental concerns. Restructure the role of state in social sector where its is not an instrument to expand

India's social security system, instead, the aim is to keep benefits restricted to the so-called targeted sections.

The project has set off with launch of The first Aadhaar number in Maharashtra in thevillage of Tembli, on 29th Sep 2010.

Target has been set to roll out to around 600 million citizens in the next 4-5 years.Criticisms:

Violation of privacy and civil liberties of people.

No cost-benefit analysis or feasibility report prepared.

Risk of database security and misuse of information.


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6. India @ sports Sports power is one of the best way to express the strength of a country as it is associated

with every common man.

In International Politics, this is highly regarded as a soft-powerweapon.

China has proven its might in sports and have been victoriously accepted by world as asports-superpower.

Dismal record of India at international level with exception of cricket and hockey isinjustice to real talent of a billion.

During 1984, 1988 and 1992 olympics India failed to win even a single medal.

Recent development in sports where India has won its first individual gold medal atOlympics, 2ndposition in Commonwealth games with a haul of 101 medals and 6thposition in the Asian Games with best haul of 64 medals have given hope for rise of a newsports-power.

Miles to go before standing eye-to-eye with US and China but a process has begun where aproper training and funds are needed to keep this momentum.

Sporting status of any nation is one of the best reflection of the ground reality of food,nutrition and fundamental sports training status.

Olympic Gold Questis a program of the Foundation Of Sports And Games, started byIndian sporting icons Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone to identify and support Indianathletes with a proven track record, who have the potential to win Olympic gold medals.


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7. Judicial Asset Enquiry Bill Controversy Campaign for the Judicial Accountability and Reform has gained steam in recent times

which is highlighting the need for transparency and public disclosure of assets by judges.

Judicial Assets Bill was a proposed legislation which would make disclosure of personalassets of judges mandatory in India.

Due to various reasons the bill has still not been a law where a clause that suchdeclaration of asset would not come within the ambit of the Right to Information Act, thebill was withdrawn.

Adding to this direction Delhi High Court while ruling that the officeof the Chief Justice

of India (CJI) is a public authority that comes under the ambit of the Right toInformation.

Judicial independence was not a judgespersonal privilege but a responsibility cast uponhim and a judge should keep himself above suspicion, preserve the impartiality andindependence of the judiciary and win the public confidence.

Behind this notion was a concept that the wielders of power legislative, executive and

judicial were entrusted to perform their functions on a condition that they accountedfor their stewardship to the people who authorises them to exercise such power.

At present, supreme court judges disclose their assets to the Chief Justice of India butafter deliberations made by full court meeting of judges it has been agreed to be put onthe website.


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8. Burning Kashmir For three consecutive summers, Kashmir has been on a boil.

In 2008 protest started jointly by all separatist parties over allotment of 100 acres of

government land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board. In 2009, trouble started over alleged rape and murder of two young women in

Shopian in South Kashmir.

In 2010, the current phase of agitation is started by groups of teenagers triggered bythe killing of 17 year old Tufail Ahmad Mattoo on June 11.

Character of the agitation and its leadership changed every time in the last three years

shows that specific issues that agitate the people are no less important but the commonfactor is lack of trust in the state or the Indian government.

All Parties Hurriyat Conferenceis a political front with primary objective to haveIslamic governance in Jammu & Kashmir and liberate the regions from India.

Its primary demands are to repeal Armed Forces Special Powers Act and acceptKashmir as a disputed territory.

They have led many agitations and protests against GoI. This time movement besides being directed against India is also aimed at automatically

exposing Hurriyet leaders failure to deliver on their promise of liberating Kashmir.

Overall for Indian perspective, the character of the protest of the teenagers protest has tobe understood as baton of the present movement is now in the hands of the newgeneration, who are disillusioned by attempts so far.


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9. India and MPI Index Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) was developed in 2010 by Oxford Poverty &

Human Development Initiative and the United Nations Development Programme that

uses different factors to determine poverty beyond income-based lists.

MPI Parameters:

1.Years of Schooling

2.Child Enrolment

3.Child mortality

4.Nutrition

5.Electricity

6.Sanitation

7.Drinking Water

8.Floor

9.Cooking Fuel

10.Assets

Highlights:

8 Indian states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West

Bengal, together accounting for more poor people than in

the 26 poorest African nations combined.

It estimated IndiasMPI poverty at 55%.

Overall South Asia ranks among the poorest with 51% of

the population of Pakistan is MPI poor, 58% in Bangladesh

and 65% in Nepal.

At an all-India level, deprivation across these are 17.6% for

schooling, 25% for enrolment, 23% for child mortality,

38.9% for nutrition, 28.7% for electricity, 49.3% for

sanitation, 12% for drinking water, 40% for floor, 52.2%

for cooking fuel and 38.1% for assets.


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10. India Pakistan in recent times No section of Indian current affairs can be without India-Pakistan dimension.

Highest level composite dialogue process has stopped since 26/11 massacre as India took

a tough stand against terrorism emanating from Pakistan and demanded visible effortsagainst perpetrators of Mumbai carnage .

Recent Developments:

Secretary level talks resumed in June, 2010.

Failed meeting between foreign ministers in July, 2010.

Meeting of Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Home Minister P. Chidambaram in

Islamabad kept hopes alive for resumption of dialogue process. In a significant development Pakistan withdrew its objection against Uri-II and

Chutak dams in Jammu & Kashmir.

Indian Concerns & Demands:

Action against Hafeez Saeed and other prime accused in 26/11.

Action against all forms of terror rising from Pakistan.

End of any governmental or intelligence support to any group acting against India.

Pakistani Concerns & Demands:

Suspects Indian support to Baloch rebels and asks for immediate end.

Concerned about water barrages and dams in upper reaches of India.

Overall relations are still highly distrustful with both countries viewed as an arch-enemy.


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11. Indo-US issue & Obamas visit to India Despite much gains in Indo-American relations during the tenure of the Bush

administration, initial approach of the Obama administration towards ties with India

raised concerns of a downturn in Indo-American relations. Many analysts warned US of its negligence as India is seen as an indispensable ally on

several issues, including climate change, Afghanistan war and energy security.

Off late high level visits by Hillary Clinton and finally Barack Obama gave solid impetus tothe bilateral ties.

At economic front, Obamas protectionist views against outsourcing and eventual hike in

visa fees has not been welcomed in India. At military and strategic front, agreement regarding US$2.1 bn sale of eight P-8

Poseidons to India had send positive signals.

Diplomatic help in successfully pushing through a US$2.9 bn loan sponsored by ADB,despite considerable opposition from China.

Non-military aids to Pakistan also forms a regular issue.

Highlights of Obamas visit: In Presidents India visit the issue of visa fee hike was seriousl

In a major policy shift Obama declared U.S. support for India's permanent membership ofUnited Nations Security Council.

Announced removal of export control restrictions on several Indian companies andconcluded trade deals worth $10 billion which are expected to create 50,000 jobs in US.


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12. India and the world in recent times Look East Policy: Initiated in 1991, marked a strategic shift in Indias policy towards

South-East Asian nations

India has recently signed FTA with ASEAN which will take out duties from 3,200products by 2013 and will end duties in rest by 2016.

India has conclude its 7thIndia-ASEAN summit and rise of trade to $48bn shows thegrowth of alliance.

EU: Strategically most important engagement with trade volume ~ 61 bn (2008).

Currently FTA is under negotiation which is expected to be agreed by early year.

Tariffs are to be slashed in over 90% items with both sides demanding further cuts intheir respectivebenefit areas.

Africa: Taking a cue from Chinas ever expanding operations in Africa India hasawakened to step up its strategic game in Africa.

India undertook 1stIndia-Africa summit in 2008 and is determined to scale upbilateral trade to $70bn by 2015.

Currently trade stands at $39 bn compared to $109 bn China-Africa trade. South Africa: Historical relations between both countries has found new meaning in

21stcentury.

In June 2010, visit by SA president Jacob Zuma resulted in more strategic dealscovering air services past and agricultural co-operation.

IBSA has given new meaning to this realtion.

Relations with Brazil, South Korea and Japan has also seen major improvements.


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12 in 12

Indian launched census 2011.

Yashpal Committee report on higher education proposed formation of a super-regulator

that is 7 member Commission for Higher Education and Research. Lok Sabha passed Communal Violence Bill, Educational Tribunal Bill, Prevention of

Torture Bill.

108thamendment bill concerning women reservation in legislature was presented andpassed in Rajya Sabha.

Cabinet cleared Bill on voting rights for NRIs.

Swavalamban a pension scheme for unorganised sector is introduced. Ministry of Environment and forests cancelled Vedanta Project on the basis of N.C.Saxena

report marking an unprecedented decision with respect to environmental issues.

IPL crossed valuation of $4 billion in 3 years.

National Investigative Agency is formed as a new federal agency approved by governmentto combat terror in India.

Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar mission has been launched to increase powerproduction from solar energy upto 20,000 MW by 2020.

Dedicated Freight Corridor to be established along Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata tofacilitate goods movement.


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Threats to India Literacy

Corruption

Drug Abuse Naxalism

Terrorism

Communalism

Regionalism

Low awareness

Foreign Threats

Pakistan

China

Cyber Threats

Economic Threats

Flow of counterfeit money

Tax evasion


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