Chinese influence in Africa is high on the global agenda, as China within just a few decades has become a key political and economic power in the continent. Let's ponder upon Chinese interest in Africa...

Chinese interests in Africa

[1] Critical minerals: Africa supplies 90% of the world’s cobalt and platinum, and 75% of coltan, essential for electronics. China has the largest refineries in Africa for rare earths and minerals that are vital to its emerging tech industry.

[2] Political support: In the UN General Assembly, Africa is the largest bloc and has the power to swing resolutions on contentious issues like the South China Sea. Africa has been vocal in supporting China in the international arena including its “One China” policy for Taiwan and Hong Kong.

[3] Challenging US hegemony: China is encouraging Africa to trade in Chinese currency. China’s debt restructuring of Zambia’s $4.1 billion loan has incentivised borrowers towards RMB. With lower Chinese interest rates and the depreciation of African local currency, the RMB stands as an alternative to the dollar.

[4] Commercial opportunities: Africa imports largely from China for finished goods. The African markets for Chinese exports are beneficial for the Chinese economy.

♛ Decoding World Affairs

A high level committee made under the chairmanship of former President ‘Ram Nath Kovind’ to examine the feasibility of simultaneous elections.

Argument for ONOE

[1] Saving of public money: Currently, the costs of conducting all State and parliamentary elections in a five-year cycle work out to the equivalent of ₹10 per voter per year (As per ECI). The NITI Aayog report has also said that when elections are synchronised, it will cost the equivalent of ₹5 per voter per year.

[2] Disengagement of politicism: To break the campaign mood of political parties. There are at least 5-6 State elections that happen every year. This results in political parties, including Ministers, being in ‘permanent campaign’ mode, which acts as a hindrance to policy making and governance.

[3] Arrest low efficiency in administration: Administrative machinery in the districts slow down during the election period with the primary focus being the conduct of elections.

[4] Ensure national security: There are also paramilitary forces that are withdrawn from the locations in which they are posted and deployed to the concerned State for the smooth conduct of elections.

♛ Decoding World Affairs

Associated challenges

[1] Legal issue: Notably, the Law Commission submitted that simultaneous elections are not feasible within the existing framework of the Constitution. In any case, unless the term of each Lok Sabha and Assembly is fixed, and premature dissolution for whatever reason is barred, the idea is unworkable.

[2] Federal challenges: Conducting elections simultaneously to the Lok Sabha and all State assemblies would result in national issues overshadowing regional and State specific issues. National political parties would have a significant advantage over regional parties on account of this mechanism.

[3] Procedural constraints: It is said that the Constitution, the RPA 1951 and the Rules of Procedure of Lok Sabha and State Assemblies would require appropriate amendments to conduct simultaneous polls. Any subsequent amendment needs ratification from at least 50% of the States.

[4] Functional challenges: What would happen if the Central or State government collapses mid-tenure or President rule under Article 356 is imposed in a state? Would elections be held again in every State or will the President’s rule be imposed?

♛ Decoding World Affairs

The best test of yourself is when you dive through the lowest phase of life and do not compromise with your principles by keeping your head high.

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Indian commandos with a group of detained pirates after the Indian Navy freed an Iranian Fishing Vessel (Iranian and Pakistani citizens) hijacked by Somali pirates.

Showing India's capability as net security provider in Indian Ocean

[1] In the second successful intervention within 36 hours, the Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel INS Sumitra, deployed in the Gulf of Aden, neutralised a hijack situation and rescued the Iranian-flagged fishing vessel Al Naeemi and its crew of 19 Pakistani nationals from 11 Somali pirates off the east coast of Somalia.

[2] In another incident, a coordinated multilateral response between the Indian Navy, the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Sri Lankan Navy foiled the hijacking bid on a Sri Lankan fishing trawler.

[3] The Gulf of Aden has seen a sudden spurt in piracy from Somalia in the last few months after going down completely from the peak around 2010. The Indian Navy has maintained continuous presence with at least one major warship deployed on anti-piracy duties since 2008.

♛ Decoding World Affairs

The Uttarakhand Assembly is likely to pass the State’s Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill during its four-day-long session this week. A State-appointed panel constituted to draft the UCC submitted its final report to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on February 2. The report has also been passed by the State Cabinet. Yesterday, it was tabled in the state assembly.

Constituent Assembly debate

⏹ Poker Sahib and Naziruddin Ahmed (Opposed UCC: It would come in the way of Article 19 of the draft Constitution (now Article 25) which guarantees the fundamental right to freedom of religion)

⏹ K.M. Munshi (Supported UCC: He contended that a UCC would not defeat the principle of freedom of religion since the state is empowered to make laws related to religious practices if they were intended for social reform)

⏹ Dr. Ambedkar (Middle path: He supported UCC but with the consent of community. He said that although a UCC was desirable, it should remain “purely voluntary” during the initial stages).

Why is there a strong push for UCC?

[1] To ensure equality and secularism (Article 14: A secular republic needs a common law for all citizens rather than differentiated rules based on religious practices.)

[2] Gender justice (The rights of women are usually limited under religious law, be it Hindu or Muslim. It is the duty of the state to ensure liberty to women from "essential doctrine" that has patriarchal values.)

[3] Support from Judiciary (Judiciary has been pushing the state for UCC. In Shah Bano judgement 1985, Supreme Court said that the govt should move towards a UCC. More or less similar thing was told in Sarla Mudgal case 1995)

[4] Constitutional obligation (Article 44 of Indian constitution says that the State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India. It acts as a guiding light for state.)

[5] Role of state (Role of state can't be negated even in personal sphere. State should offset negative spillover effects of natural rights and custom rights. E.g. Head Hunting in Nagaland is a traditional practice of Nagaland. It doesn't mean that it can't be allowed in democratic country on the name of "culture")

[6] Freedom of choice (Neutral personal laws encourages inter-caste and inter-religious marriage. E.g. Special Marriage Act, 1954)

♛ Decoding World Affairs

MS Swaminathan has been announced as one of the recipients of the esteemed Bharat Ratna award. The eminent agronomist and agricultural scientist will be conferred with the prestigious award for his contributions to Indian agriculture and farmer's welfare.

Factors prompted the initiation of the Green Revolution in India

[1] Population Growth: The existing agricultural practices were unable to keep up with the growing demand for food, leading to concerns about food shortages and the potential for famine.

[2] Food Security: To ensure food security and reduce dependence on food imports, the Indian government sought ways to boost domestic food production. The Green Revolution aimed to increase crop yields and overall agricultural productivity to meet the nutritional needs of the growing population.

[3] Technological Advancements: The development of high-yielding varieties (HYVs) of crops, particularly wheat and rice, presented an opportunity to significantly increase agricultural output.

[4] International Assistance: Initiatives like the Ford Foundation's collaboration with Indian scientists, including Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug, played a crucial role in introducing high-yielding crop varieties and modern agricultural techniques.

[5] Economic Development: Achieving self-sufficiency in food production was seen as a crucial component of overall economic development. A robust agricultural sector was considered vital for providing a foundation for industrialization and economic growth.

♛ Decoding World Affairs