International Relations

Modi heads home after winding up his two-day visit to Bhutan

The two countries inked 10 MoUs in the fields of space research, aviation, IT, power and education to infuse new energy in their ties.

Project Signed:

-        The Mangdechhu hydroelectric power plant inaugurated and also launched stamps to commemorate five decades of India-Bhutan hydropower cooperation.

-        Launching the Rupay card. This will further enhance our relationship in digital payments, and trade and tourism. 

-        Increased SWAP limit for Bhutan under SAARC currency framework.

-        Availability of additional $100 million under a standby currency swap agreement.

-        unveiled an e-plaque on the interconnection between India’s National Knowledge Network and Bhutan’s Druk Research and Education Network.

-        India will continue to assist Bhutan in its 5 years plans.

-        Inaugurated the Ground Earth Station and SATCOM network, developed with assistance from ISRO for utilization of South Asia Satellite in Bhutan. 

-        Focus on enhancing collaboration between Royal Bhutan University and IITs of India.

 

UAE to give Modi highest civilian award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the UAE on August 23 and 24 where he will receive it.

“Order of Zayed” the highest civilian award of UAE:

-        The order in the name of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the UAE.

-        Prime Minister Modi is receiving this award in the year of the birth centenary of Sheikh Zayed.

-        It would be first visit to  leading member of the Organization of Islamic Countries after changing the status of Kashmir.

 

POLITY

Ladakh leaders urge Centre for tribal-area status to protect land, identity

Though locals have welcomed the Centre’s decision to revoke Article 370 and make Ladakh a Union territory, they fear the influx of outsiders would lead to a change in the region’s demography.

Demands:

-        Declare Ladakh a tribal area under sixth schedule of Constitution.

-        Tribals make upto 98% population.

-        They want to protect their identity, land, culture and economy.

Constitutional Provision:

Based on Articles 244(2) and 275(1), the Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram after setting up autonomous district and regional councils.

According to Article 244 and the sixth schedule, tribal-dominated areas in four states — Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram—are called “tribal areas”, which are technically different from the “scheduled areas” under the Fifth Schedule.

While executive powers of the Union extend in scheduled areas with respect to their administration in the Fifth Schedule, the Sixth Schedule areas remain within the executive authority of the state.

Reference: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ladakh-leaders-urge-centre-for-tribal-area-status-to-protect-land-identity/article29125320.ece

What is the UN’s stand on Kashmir?

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a “closed consultation” meeting on the situation in Kashmir. The last time ‘The India-Pakistan Question’ was taken up by the UNSC was in December 1971 when India and Pakistan fought a war leading to the creation of Bangladesh.

What did the UNSC discussion throw up?

-        Article 370 is an internal matter.

-        UNSC hasn’t come out with a formal statement.

-        Pakistan and China are giving more importance to repealing of article 370 than required.

-        The Key issue is whether the ground realities in J & K are similar to those of 1940s when UNSC resolution especially the plebiscite was passed.

 

When did the UNSC first discuss J&K?

The submission of India detailing the violence unleashed by the irregulars on the local population and infrastructure became the foundation upon which the “Jammu and Kashmir Question” was created at the UNSC. 

-        UN set up a three member UN commission for India and Pakistan under resolution 39.

-        Disagreement between India and Pakistan led to mission’s failure.

-        Later, a five member commission passed UNSC resolution 47 to conduct a plebiscite in J & K.

-        This resolution was to be held after restoration of Law and Order.

-        Pakistan Managed to get the ceasefire proposal without vacating its own occupied portion of Kashmir.

 Why did the plebiscite plan fall through?

-        Key condition was withdrawl of Pakistan from the areas under its control.

-        Withdrawl of Indian nationals who were not citizens of J & K.

-        Both sides firmed up their presence in J &K.

-        Global leaders ensured lingering on the Kashmir issue than proactive and effective solution.

What is the relevance of the Simla Agreement to the Kashmir issue?

-        It made Kashmir issue a bilateral one.

-        Pakistan didn’t commit independent status to Azad Kashmir as required for conducting the plebiscite.

-        Pakistan has tried to internationalize the issue by raising it under Islamic summit, and at UN.

What have the members of the UNSC said?

-        Urged both countries to solve it bilaterally.

-        Ground realities are not conducive by heightened presence of the troops at LOC.

-        According to some members, continued assimilation of the territories lying within each country sphere makes discussion under UN difficult.

-        Both countries have shown dedication to solve it bilaterally.

Reference: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/what-is-the-uns-stand-on-kashmir/article29121025.ece

 

ECONOMICS

Banking, govt, critical infrastructure most targeted by cybercriminals in 2018-19: Cisco

Banking and finance, government and critical infrastructure were among the most targeted sectors in India by cybercriminals in 2018-19, according to tech major Cisco.

Types of attacks:

-        Point of Sale attack to target sectors of Retail, Hospitality and entertainment.

-        Ransomware attack for PSU, transportation and banking industries.

Impact :

-        Led to loss of revenue, customers.

-        Enhanced cost on forensics.

-        Enhanced cost on proactive threat hunting.

Cyber threats can be disaggregated into four baskets:

1. Cyber Espionage: Act of obtaining the information without the permission of the owner. Under this, a person gains the illicit access to personal computer, a server or a network through illicit means.

Example: Cyber-attack by Chinese crackers at the computers in the Prime Minister’s Office(PMO) was reported in 2009.

1. Cyber Crime: under this, individuals or organizations target Whole network, computers, servers or critical information systems.

Example: On 12 July 2012, a high profile cyber-attack breached the email accounts of about 12,000 people, including those of officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

Bluetooth Hijacking, Botnet, Browser hijacking, E-mail address harvesting, Identity theft, phishing etc are the means to carry it out.

1. Cyber Terrorism:  Convergence of the terrorism activity with the cyberspace is known as Cyber terrorism. Its main objectives are

-        Planning terrorist attacks

-        Recruitment of the terrorists.

-        Ensuring better command and coordination.

-        Securing funding through deep web networks.

 

1. Cyber Warfare: When the Nation state uses the cyber media for crippling of another nation through means of cyber terrorism, cyber espionage is called Cyber Warfare

Reference: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/banking-govt-critical-infrastructure-most-targeted-by-cybercriminals-in-2018-19-cisco/article29125313.ece