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India and other countries should “respect” and follow ASEAN’s policy on Myanmar rather than adopting a “different” path.
In comments to about India’s decision to engage the Myanmar military government that came to power in February 2021 after deposing the elected National Unity Government (NUG) and jailing thousands of leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi, Ms. Marsudi said that it could make the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) efforts towards democracy “less effective”.
Instead, she urged India and other countries to follow the ASEAN “five point consensus” that calls for an immediate end to violence in the country; dialogue among all parties; the appointment of a special envoy; humanitarian assistance by ASEAN; and the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties.
The message to ASEAN partners is, please support the ASEAN efforts -- because if you do differently, then that will not help us be effective and to help Myanmar out of this political crisis”.
Earlier in the year, ASEAN members and the U.S. had also conveyed their concerns to New Delhi and Colombo about their invitation to the Myanmar Foreign Minister for the BIMSTEC virtual summit in March.
The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) includes seven South Asian and Southeast Asian nations.
In late November, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra had visited Nay Pyi Taw, and in a departure from the past, did not meet with members of the deposed political parties.
Nor did an official release refer to the ASEAN consensus, which previous releases from the Ministry of External Affairs had mentioned.
Government officials have maintained that India’s ties with Myanmar are important given that they share a porous border with incursions by militants, and need to engage the military leadership as regional rivals like China do.
Stop grading terrorists as good and bad: India in UN (Page no. 1)
(GS Paper 3, Internal Security)
The era of classifying terrorists as "bad" or "good" on the basis of "political convenience" must end immediately, a concept note circulated by India in the U.N. Security Council here has said, underlining that categorising terror acts by intent as religious or ideologically motivated will dilute the shared global commitment to fighting terrorism.
India, the current President of the 15-nation U.N. Security Council, will hold two signature events on reformed multilateralism and counter-terrorism to be chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
India proposes to organise a briefing of the Security Council on December 15 on ‘Global counter-terrorism approach – principles and the way forward” under the ‘Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts’.
Ahead of the meeting, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, in a letter to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, asked that a concept note intended to guide the discussions on the topic be circulated as a document of the Security Council.
The terrorist attacks in New York on September 11, 2001 were a turning point in the global approach to counter-terrorism. Since then, London, Mumbai, Paris, many parts of West Asia and Africa have also experienced terrorist attacks,” the concept note last week said.
It added that these attacks highlight that the threat of terrorism is grave and universal and that terrorism in one part of the world seriously impacts peace and security in other parts of the globe.
The threat of terrorism is transnational. Terrorist actors and their supporters, facilitators and financiers collaborate while remaining in different jurisdictions to organise acts anywhere in the world. A transnational threat can be defeated only by the collective efforts of all States Members of the United Nations”.
Stressing that the menace of terrorism cannot be associated with any religion, nationality, civilisation or ethnic group, the note said that all acts of terrorism are criminal.
States
Arunachal yields a potentially new songbird (Page no. 3)
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Six birdwatchers trekked to a peak in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district in search of the rare and elusive grey-bellied wren babbler. They recorded a potentially new species of songbird they named after the Lisu, the local community.
The team comprising Praveen J. from Kerala, Subramanian Sankar from Tamil Nadu, DipuKaruthedathu and Hemraj Duraiswami, and their local guides YolisaYobin and Rahul Baruah, had explored the Mugafi peak in Changlang district in March. Their findings were published by Indian BIRDS, a peer-reviewed journal of South Asian ornithology.
The grey-bellied wren babbler is mostly found in Myanmar with some birds occurring in adjoining China and Thailand. There has been only one previous report of this bird from India when two specimens were collected from Mugafi close to the Myanmar border in 1988.
One of these specimens is kept at the Smithsonian Museum in the United States.Mugafi is 40 km from Vijaynagar, the remotest circle headquarters in Arunachal Pradesh. A 157 km road from nearest town Miao, much of it through the Namdapha Tiger Reserve, is yet to be completed.
All the birds we found had a sweet song similar to that of the Naga wren babbler and quite unlike the trilling song of the grey-bellied wren babbler.
The team managed to take some photos and videos of the bird and recorded its songs over their two-day trek almost marred by incessant rainfall.
They came back and analysed the skins of other wren babblers in many museums, including one at as well as photographs from other sites. They tried to match their sounds with the existing recordings of the grey-bellied wren babbler.
As the name indicates, the belly of grey-bellied wren babbler is grey. But all the photos we got showed birds with a whitish belly. The single Smithsonian specimen from these mountains also had a whitish belly.
When all the information was put together, the birdwatchers realised they have probably documented a new bird for science — at least a new subspecies, but more likely a new species.
Editorial
The role of the ‘China Test’ in India’s grand strategy (Page no. 6)
(GS Paper 2, International Relations)
If principal contradictions must determine strategic priorities, New Delhi should decide what its principal contradiction is. The concept of a principal contradiction — one that poses the most intense challenge to an individual/organisation, and has the power to shape its future choices and consequent outcomes — is a useful method of optimising and prioritising strategic decision-making.
Whether or not Indian policymakers articulate it as such, China is contemporary India’s principal strategic contradiction. Every other challenge, be it Pakistan, internal insurgencies, and difficulties in relations with its neighbours, fall in the category of secondary contradictions.
If so, I would argue that major decisions in New Delhi’s strategic decision matrix should pass the China test, which amounts to asking and answering a rather straightforward question: “does x or y decision/development/relationship help deal with the China challenge, or not?” Decision-makers must then view the decision/development/relationship in the light of this answer.
It is not that secondary contradictions are not important or that they do not add to the primary contradiction. A perspicacious ‘China test’ can help prioritise strategic decision making in the longer run, at least as an analytical tool with potential policy utility.
From an operational point of view, the ‘China test’ consists of three distinct elements. First, an assessment of how a certain Indian decision or a specific regional development squares with Chinese regional strategy or interests.
Second, an assessment of whether India’s decision or a certain regional development would require India to make modifications at the level of secondary contradictions.
And third, an assessment of whether this would require any major policy changes internally. Let me highlight the utility of the ‘China test’ using a few examples.
New Delhi has had a complicated relationship with Washington which is increasingly getting normalised and interests-driven. Despite its withdrawal from the region, Washington is seeking to re-engage southern Asia (Pakistan, South Asia in general, the Indo-Pacific, and perhaps even the Taliban).
The narrative of a post-truth world (Page no. 6)
(GS Paper 1, Society)
In a January 2017 opinion piece for CNN, world affairs columnist Frida Ghitis wrote: “The fact is Trump has become America’s gaslighter in chief”.
Earlier, in a 2016 article in Teen Vogue, writer Lauren Duca used the word “gaslighting” to capture the “post-truth” anxieties that “facts have become interchangeable with opinions, blinding us into arguing amongst ourselves as our very reality is called into question.”
Ever since “post-truth” was perceived to be a narrative of the contemporary world — it was also declared as Oxford Dictionary’s “Word of the Year” in 2016 — the term has remained shadowy and possibly a bit incomplete.
Now, “gaslighting” has not only supplemented “post-truth” but also explained the modus operandi for igniting the modern collective post-truth rhetoric.
It was destined to, though. Despite its origins in the 1930s, the term only became a cultural touchstone in the 2010s, particularly in the context of the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
It depicted a range of deceptive behaviours by politicians (Donald Trump), who frequently asserted that the media were spreading “fake news”, as well as the U.K. government’s handling of various issues regarding Brexit.
The term first entered psychological literature in 1969. It made its way from the psychotherapist’s notebook to the wider public domain by 2018.
In 2018, the term was named a “buzzword” by The Guardian and shortlisted for the “word of the year” by Oxford Dictionary.
Explainer
On amending the cooperative societies Act (Page no. 8)
(GS Paper 2, Polity and Constitution)
The Bill to amend the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS) Act, 2002, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 7. Opposition parliamentarians alleged that the Bill’s provisions encroached upon the rights of State governments, demanding that it be referred to a Standing Committee.
According to the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), cooperatives are people-centred enterprises jointly owned and democratically controlled by and for their members to realise common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations.
Multi-State cooperatives are societies that have operations in more than one State — for instance, a farmer-producers organisation which procures grains from farmers from multiple States.
The board of directors are from all the States these collectives operate in and control all the finances and administration. There are close to 1,500 MSCSs registered in India with the highest number being in Maharashtra.
The independent and autonomous character of cooperative societies was to be crucial in their functioning. However, H.S. Shylendra, professor at the Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA) points out in a 2021 paper that the inclusion of cooperatives in the planning process as development instruments made the sector an avenue for dispensing patronage to the supporters of ruling political parties.
Moreover, the policy of State governments to contribute to the share capital of the cooperatives enabled governments, “in the name of public interest” to directly intervene in the working of cooperatives which are legally autonomous.
Notably, the potency of cooperatives as an apparatus of political control can be seen in States such as Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat, parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Besides, MSCSs were formed to ease the operation of collectives throughout the country.
What are the existing laws on religious conversions? (Page no. 8)
(GS Paper 2, Polity and Constitution)
The Supreme Court’s recent remarks on religious conversions cast a spotlight on the long-standing debate about what the fundamental right to “propagate” one’s religious faith entails.
On December 5, a Bench led by Justice M.R. Shah said acts of charity or good work to help a community or the poor should not cloak an intention to religiously convert them as payback.
The Bench has been hearing a plea from advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking a special law against forced conversions and alleging that “mass conversions” of socially and economically underprivileged people are being carried out.
The Bench in an earlier hearing in November had remarked that religious conversions by means of force, allurement or fraud may “ultimately affect the security of the nation and freedom of religion and conscience of citizens”, asking the Centre to clarify what it was doing to curb such conversions.
Article 25(1) of the Constitution says “all persons” are equally entitled to the freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion freely.
The debate on religious freedom goes back to the Constituent Assembly when the framers of our constitution debated the inclusion of the “right to propagate” as a fundamental right.
Some members wanted to replace the word “propagate” with “practise privately”, fearing that the right would create room for forceful conversions.
It denominates, it divides, and encamps people to warring ways.” He suggested that while everybody should have the right to profess and practise their religion as they saw best but they should not be “swell “their number to demand the spoils of political warfare.
The right to propagate was ultimately kept in the Constitution but States and civil society have knocked on the doors of the judiciary time and again to interpret this freedom.
The Supreme Court verdict in Rev. Stainislaus vs. State of Madhya Pradesh in the 1960s is frequently cited in matters involving religious freedom.
Text & context
What is end-to-end encryption and why are tech companies focusing on it? (Page no. 9)
(GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Apple, announced it will be increasing the number of data points protected by end-to-end encryption on iCloud from 14 to 23 categories.
The company claimed that with end-to-end encryption, user data will be protected even in case data is breached in the cloud. Similarly, Elon Musk, in November, said that he wanted Twitter DMs to be encrypted.
He also shared that he is in contact with Moxie Marlinspike, creator of Signal who was willing to help out with encrypting Twitter DMs. However, government agencies are not happy with the development.
The FBI in a statement to AP said that while it remains a strong advocate of encryption, it is deeply concerned with the threat that end-to-end encryption and user-only access pose.
The agency insisted they hinder its ability to protect Americans from cyber-attacks, violence against children, and terrorism.
End-to-end encryption is a communication process that encrypts data being shared between two devices. It prevents third parties like cloud service providers, internet service providers (ISPs) and cybercriminals from accessing data while it is being transferred. The process of end-to-end encryption uses an algorithm that transforms standard text into an unreadable format. This format can only be unscrambled and read by those with the decryption keys, which are only stored on endpoints and not with any third parties including companies providing the service.
End-to-end encryption has long been used when transferring business documents, financial details, legal proceedings, and personal conversations.
It can also be used to control users’ authorisation when accessing stored data, which seems to be what Apple intends to do.
End-to-end encryption is used to secure communications. Some of the popular instant-messaging apps that use it are Signal, WhatsApp, iMessage, and Google messages.
However, instant messaging is not the only place where user data is protected using end-to-end encryption. It is also used to secure passwords, protect stored data and safeguard data on cloud storage.
News
India needs policies which focus on job rich growth and equality to move forward’ (Page no. 12)
(GS Paper 3, Economy)
There are several countries in the region where workers are facing problems. People are disappearing, people are being jailed. We need to find a better way to balance the need for economic growth and respect for minimum right and protections for workers. This has come up in this meeting. With this, of course, the underlining issue of social dialogue was also taken up, along with issues of migrant workers from receiving and sending countries was also discussed.
The participants were focussed in deepening the debate on those issues and sharing their experiences so that countries can look forward to implement the suggestions of this meeting. The region is fast growing economically.
But, frankly, I feel that the social side is really lagging behind. This has a negative and direct impact on inequality.
The policies have to be adopted by each country according to its conditions. I am very careful to not to give an impression of a top-down approach. Investment in job-rich and employment-rich sectors is the way forward.
Similarly, inflation is a big concern for all of us. We need price stability. Central banks are tightening the monitory space. When we are making these monitory restrictions, we have to look at the impact of these restrictions on the job market. We have to make sure that such decisions should help control inflation but they do not worsen the precarious situation.
The whole globe is already suffering from Ukraine situation. Our first point would always be calling for cessation of hostilities and that every body should be around the table for negotiations. My first call would be for stop of the war and try to find an acceptable solution.
Secondly, Ukraine situation, coupled with other crises, is causing inflation and energy crisis. Those who are paying the price for this are those who have nothing to do with this crisis.
‘Clean Ganga’ changes course to conservation, tourism, livelihood (Page no. 12)
(GS Paper 3, Conservation)
Marking a shift in emphasis, the Union government’s flagship NamamiGange programme, conceived to improve the sanitation levels in the Ganga river is now geared towards conservation, tourism and providing economic livelihoods.
At a meeting, earlier this week, of the top body tasked with coordinating NamamiGange activities and chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat the thrust of decisions focused on having the Tourism Ministry develop a “comprehensive plan” for developing tourism circuits along the Ganga in line with “ Arth Ganga,” organic farming and cultural activities.
Arth Ganga, or harnessing economic potential from the Ganga, follows from a directive by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2019 after chairing a similar meeting of the Ganga taskforce.
Proceedings of the meeting, held on December 8, suggest that along with developing “tourism circuits” the Ministry was planning exhibitions and fairs in 75 towns along the main stem of the river; the Agriculture Ministry was taking steps to build organic farming and natural farming corridors; the urban affairs ministry was focussed on mapping drains and solid waste management and, the environment ministry was scaling up afforestation and scaling up conservation efforts to protect the Gangetic river dolphin.
Asok Kumar, Director, National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), said in a statement that in the last six months, several workshops and visits had been organised for farmers who were being “nudged and sensitised” to shift to ‘natural farming.’
The Power Ministry was working to reuse treated wastewater of thermal power and the Rural Development Ministry looking to rejuvenate small rivers and protect traditional water bodies.
In States, the focus would be expeditiously completing projects and every Ganga district was expected to develop a scientific plan and health card for at least 10 wetlands and adopt policies for reuse of treated water and other by products.