TOPIC : GS 2 Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Shared values
What is the news?
- S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s day-visit to Delhi this week was heavy on discussions and understandably light on deliverables.
- It is to prepare the way for more substantive meetings
- It includes the U.S.-India “2+2” of Foreign and Defence Ministers, the Quad summit of its leaders, and a bilateral meeting between Prime Ministers of both the democracy.
- Public statements by both are focused on Quad cooperation in the Indo-Pacifc, Afghanistan, and in discussing the state of democracy and rights.
Statement on QUAD
- Indian external minister told “more convergences than divergences” on the common positions that there is no military solution to confict, and that neither country would recognise a Taliban regime that takes Kabul by force.
- The divergences are more troubling for India, given that the fallout of the S. withdrawal will mean a less secure region.
- The Taliban leadership’s refusal to enforce a ceasefire, and stop attacks against civilians in areas they take over.
- The militia is also trying to squeeze trade and financial supply chains to the Afghanistan government.
- The greatest worry for India is the U.S.’s refusal to hold Pakistan to account for having given shelter to the Taliban, as this will give courage to Islamabad if the Taliban advance in Afghanistan.
Tiptoed QUAD by US
- New Delhi tiptoed around the U.S.’s announcement of a new “Quad” with Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan on connectivity, but this is another cause for worry
Major Outline of policies
- It began with meetings with a “civil society roundtable” wherein internal Indian issues such as minority rights, religious freedoms and curbs on the media and dissent were discussed,
- It made clear that rights and Freedom are important areas for the Democrat administration.
Way forward
- The US and India future even as they build upon the strong “Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership” that the world’s oldest and most populous democracies continue to share.
Mains question
How India and the U.S. have a lot in common, but it is the differences that need attention?
PRELIMS PUNCHERS
- Guru Nanak
He was the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on Katak Pooranmashi
Nanak’s teachings can be found in the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib, as a collection of verses recorded in Gurmukhi. He is considered the founder of Sikhism. The Guru Granth Sahib is worshipped as the supreme authority of Sikhism and is considered the final and perpetual guru of Sikhism. As the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak contributed a total of 974 hymns to the book. The hagiographical Janamsakhis were not written by Nanak, but by later followers without regard for historical accuracy, containing numerous legends and myths created to show respect for Nanak
- Hepatitis
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is swelling that happens when tissues of the body are injured or infected. It can damage your liver. This swelling and damage can affect how well your liver functions. Hepatitis can be an acute (short-term) infection or a chronic (long-term) infection. Some types of hepatitis cause only acute infections. Other types can cause both acute and chronic infections
Viral hepatitis is the most common type. It is caused by one of several viruses hepatitis viruses A, B, C, D, and E. Alcoholic hepatitis is caused by heavy alcohol use ,Toxic hepatitis can be caused by certain poisons, chemicals, medicines, or supplements. Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic type in which your body’s immune system attacks your liver. The cause is not known, but genetics and your environment may play a role. Hepatitis A and hepatitis E usually spread through contact with food or water that was contaminated with an infected person’s stool. You can also get hepatitis E by eating undercooked pork, deer, or shellfish.
Sources : https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/hepatitis/article35591606.ece
- Glove Puppets
It is also known as sleeve, hand or palm puppets. The head is made of either paper Mache, cloth or wood, with two hands emerging from just below the neck. These puppets are like limp dolls, but in the hands of an able puppeteer, are capable of producing a wide range of movements.
The manipulation technique is simple the movements are controlled by the human hand. With the help of these three fingers, the glove puppet comes alive. The tradition of glove puppets in India is popular in Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Kerala. In Uttar Pradesh, glove puppet plays usually present social themes, whereas in Orissa such plays are based on stories of Radha and Krishna. In Orissa, the puppeteer plays on the dholak with one hand and manipulates the puppet with the other. The delivery of the dialogues, the movement of the puppet and the beat of the dholak are well synchronised and create a dramatic atmosphere.
- World Economic Outlook
It is released by International Monetary Fund states global economic recovery continues, but with a widening gap between advanced economies and many emerging market and developing economies. Our latest global growth forecast of 6 percent for 2021 is unchanged from the previous outlook, but the composition has changed.
Report predictes Central banks should avoid prematurely tightening policies when faced with transitory inflation pressures but should be prepared to move quickly if inflation expectations show signs of de-anchoring. It states the recovery is not assured until the pandemic is beaten back globally. Concerted, well-directed policy actions at the multilateral and national levels can make the difference between a future where all economies experience durable recoveries or one where divergences intensify, the poor get poorer, and social unrest and geopolitical tensions grow.
Sources : https://blogs.imf.org/2021/07/27/drawing-further-apart-widening-gaps-in-the-global-recovery/
PRELIMS QUESTIONS
- Consider the following statement with regard to Guru Nanak
- Guru Nanak is worshipped as the supreme authority of Sikhism
- The hagiographical Janamsakhis were written by Nanak
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c).Both (d). None of above
Answer: D
He was the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. His birth is celebrated worldwide as Guru Nanak Gurpurab on Katak Pooranmashi
Nanak’s teachings can be found in the Sikh scripture Guru Granth Sahib, as a collection of verses recorded in Gurmukhi. He is considered the founder of Sikhism. The Guru Granth Sahib is worshipped as the supreme authority of Sikhism and is considered the final and perpetual guru of Sikhism. As the first guru of Sikhism, Guru Nanak contributed a total of 974 hymns to the book. The hagiographical Janamsakhis were not written by Nanak, but by later followers without regard for historical accuracy, containing numerous legends and myths created to show respect for Nanak
- Consider the following statement with regard to Glove Puppets
- In Uttar Pradesh, the puppeteer plays on the dholak with hand
- The tradition of glove puppets in India is popular in Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Kerala
Select the correct statement using code given below.
(a). 1only (b) 2 only
(c).Both (d). None of above
Answer: B
It is also known as sleeve, hand or palm puppets. The head is made of either paper Mache, cloth or wood, with two hands emerging from just below the neck. These puppets are like limp dolls, but in the hands of an able puppeteer, are capable of producing a wide range of movements.
The manipulation technique is simple the movements are controlled by the human hand. With the help of these three fingers, the glove puppet comes alive. The tradition of glove puppets in India is popular in Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Kerala. In Uttar Pradesh, glove puppet plays usually present social themes, whereas in Orissa such plays are based on stories of Radha and Krishna. In Orissa, the puppeteer plays on the dholak with one hand and manipulates the puppet with the other. The delivery of the dialogues, the movement of the puppet and the beat of the dholak are well synchronised and create a dramatic atmosphere.