CONTENTS

1. India-CARICOM Summit: Strengthening Ties with Caribbean Nations
2. Andhra Pradesh Repeals Two-Child Policy Amid Demographic Shifts
3. International Criminal Court
4. International Cooperative Alliance
5. AroTrack

India-CARICOM Summit: Strengthening Ties with Caribbean Nations

Context:

The Prime Minister of India recently chaired the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown, Guyana, marking a significant step in strengthening relations between India and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The summit, which also involved the Prime Minister of Grenada, the current CARICOM Chair, builds on the momentum from the first India-CARICOM Summit held in 2019 in New York.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Highlights of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit
2. About CARICOM

Key Highlights of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit

Strengthening Cooperation through the Seven Pillars

• Capacity Building
  • Expansion of ITEC Slots: India has pledged an additional 1000 ITEC slots specifically for CARICOM countries over the next five years, aiming to enhance professional and technical skills in the region.
• Agriculture and Food Security
  • Sharing Expertise: India discussed its advancements in agriculture, focusing on modern technologies like drones, digital farming, and mechanization to bolster agricultural productivity in CARICOM countries.
• Renewable Energy and Climate Change
  • Global Collaborations: The summit emphasized India’s call for greater cooperation under international frameworks such as the International Solar Alliance and Mission LiFE, targeting renewable energy expansion and sustainable practices.
• Innovation, Technology, and Trade
  • Technological Assistance: India is keen on exporting its Digital Public Infrastructure model to improve efficiency in public service delivery across CARICOM nations, fostering economic and technological collaboration.
• Cricket and Culture
  • Cultural Exchange: Plans to organize “Days of Indian Culture” in CARICOM countries and initiatives to train young female cricketers from the region underline the cultural and sporting ties.
• Ocean Economy and Maritime Security
  • Maritime Collaboration: India proposed partnerships in maritime domain mapping and hydrography, crucial for enhancing maritime security and ocean economy management in the Caribbean Sea.
• Medicine and Healthcare
  • Affordable Healthcare Models: Promotion of India’s affordable healthcare strategies, including the distribution of generic medicines and the integration of Yoga, aims to improve health standards in the Caribbean.

Emphasis on Climate Justice

• Advocacy for SIDS: CARICOM leaders lauded India’s efforts in advocating for climate justice, recognizing the vulnerability of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to climate change despite their minimal contribution to global emissions.
• Equitable Climate Approach: The concept of climate justice highlighted during the summit seeks to mitigate the disproportionate impacts of climate change on marginalized and vulnerable communities by promoting fair and just solutions.

About CARICOM:

CARICOM is the Caribbean Community, a regional organization of Caribbean countries and dependencies. Here are some key points:

Purpose:

• To promote economic integration and cooperation among its members.
• To ensure that the benefits of integration are equitably shared.
• To coordinate foreign policy.

Members:

• 15 member countries: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
• 5 associate member territories: Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
• 6 observer states: Aruba, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.

Leadership:

• The Chairmanship of the Community rotates every six months among the member countries’ Heads.

Secretariat:

• The CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana, is the principal administrative organ of the Community.
• It is headed by a Secretary General who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Community.

Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ):

• In 2007, CARICOM officially inaugurated the CCJ.
• It serves as the final court of appeal for CARICOM members and handles regional trade disputes.

-Source: The Hindu

Andhra Pradesh Repeals Two-Child Policy Amid Demographic Shifts

Context:

Andhra Pradesh has recently repealed its longstanding two-child policy, a regulation in effect for nearly three decades that prevented individuals with more than two children from contesting local body elections as a measure to control population growth. The state government cited the challenges of a rapidly aging population and a declining fertility rate as key reasons for the reversal. Officials expressed concerns that these demographic trends could lead to serious long-term economic and social consequences, prompting a reevaluation of policies to better align with the current and future demographic realities.

Relevance:

GS I: Population related Issues

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Need of the New Population Strategy in India
2. Way Forward

Need of the New Population Strategy in India

• Declining Total Fertility Rate (TFR): India’s TFR has decreased to 2.0, below the replacement level of 2.1. This reduction indicates a future potential decrease in population size, particularly evident in states like Andhra Pradesh, where the TFR is significantly lower at 1.5. A population below replacement level could lead to a shrinking workforce, affecting economic dynamics and growth potential.
• Demographic Dividend: Currently, a substantial portion of India’s population is in the working-age group (15-64 years), with a significant younger segment (26% aged 10-24 years). This presents an opportunity to harness a demographic dividend. However, without strategic policies focusing on education, skill development, and job creation, this potential might not be fully realized, and the benefits of having a young population could be lost.
• Ageing Population: As per the India Ageing Report 2023 of the United Nations Population Fund, over 20% of India’s population will be aged 60 or above. This shift towards an ageing population requires a robust healthcare system geared towards chronic and geriatric care needs and policies that ensure healthy ageing and adequate elderly care.
• Resource Strain: India faces severe stress on natural resources, notably in urban areas like Delhi and Bangalore, where water scarcity is becoming increasingly acute. A new population policy is essential to manage resource allocation efficiently and ensure sustainable use amidst a growing population.
• Urbanization Challenges: High population growth has driven rapid and often unplanned urbanization, leading to overstretched infrastructure, environmental pollution, and the proliferation of slums. A comprehensive population policy can guide more balanced urban development and mitigate these adverse effects.
• Public Service Delivery: A rapidly growing population strains public services, limiting access to quality healthcare, education, and social welfare services. Strategic population management can help optimize resource distribution and improve service delivery.
• Regional Disparities: High fertility rates in impoverished regions can exacerbate economic inequality and hinder overall development. A new population strategy could address these disparities by integrating family planning with broader socio-economic development goals.

Way Forward

Policy and Planning

• Rights-Based Family Planning: Policies should focus on empowering individuals, particularly women, through education, health care, and economic opportunities.
• Regional Specificity: Tailored strategies are essential, with proactive measures in high fertility regions and supportive policies in areas with aging populations.

Socioeconomic Integration

• Integrated Development: Linking family planning with broader socioeconomic strategies like education enhancement, job creation, and poverty reduction will foster sustainable growth.
• Healthcare and Elderly Care: Investment in healthcare infrastructure is crucial, especially for geriatric care, to support an aging demographic and alleviate the burden on the workforce.

-Source: The Hindu

International Criminal Court

Context:

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant
2. About the International Criminal Court (ICC)

ICC Arrest Warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant

Accusations and Charges

• Specific Allegations: Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant are accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including:
  • Starvation: Intentional deprivation of essential resources such as food and water to Gaza’s civilians.
  • Restricted Medical Supplies: Limiting access to crucial medical supplies, causing significant suffering.
  • Violence and Torture: Alleged involvement in or responsibility for torture, killings, sexual violence, and property destruction by forces under their command.

Mechanism and Implications of ICC Arrest Warrants

• Enforcement of Warrants: The International Criminal Court’s warrants require member states to arrest and extradite the accused if they enter their territories.
• Challenges in Execution:
  • The enforcement depends largely on the cooperation of member states, which might be complicated by political alliances.
  • Similar to the case with Russian President Vladimir Putin, travel restrictions can isolate the accused from international engagements, primarily in Western countries.
• Political and Diplomatic Repercussions:
  • While arrest by countries like Germany, France, and the UK is unlikely due to their diplomatic relations with Israel, the issuance of the warrant places moral and international pressure on Israel.
  • It symbolizes a significant victory for Palestine, potentially restricting Netanyahu’s international mobility and influencing global diplomatic relations.

About the International Criminal Court (ICC):

The ICC is a permanent judicial institution established by the Rome Statute in 1998 to investigate, prosecute, and try individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression. It can impose prison sentences on those found guilty.

Background:

• The Rome Statute, the court’s founding treaty, was adopted in July 1998, and the ICC began its operations in 2003.
• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands.
• Members: 123 nations are parties to the Rome Statute and recognize the ICC’s authority. Notable exceptions include the US, China, Russia, and India.

Funding: The ICC is funded by contributions from its member states and voluntary donations from governments, international organizations, individuals, corporations, and other entities.

Composition:

• Judges: The ICC has 18 judges from different member countries, elected to non-renewable nine-year terms.
• The Presidency: Comprised of three judges (a President and two Vice-Presidents) elected from among the judges, the Presidency represents the Court externally and organizes the work of the judges.
• Judicial Divisions: There are three divisions with 18 judges: Pre-Trial, Trial, and Appeals.
• Office of the Prosecutor (OTP): The OTP receives referrals and credible information on crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction, conducts investigations, and prosecutes cases before the Court.
• Registry: The Registry provides administrative and operational support to the Chambers and the OTP.

Jurisdiction of the ICC:

Unlike the International Court of Justice, which resolves disputes between states, the ICC prosecutes individuals.

The ICC can hear a case if:

• The country where the offense occurred is a party to the Rome Statute, or
• The perpetrator’s home country is a party to the Rome Statute.
• The ICC steps in only if the national court is unable or unwilling to prosecute.
• The ICC’s jurisdiction covers offenses committed after July 1, 2002, the date when the Statute came into force.

Relation with the United Nations (UN):

• The ICC is not a UN organization but has a cooperation agreement with the UN.
• The UN Security Council can refer situations outside the ICC’s jurisdiction to the Court, granting it the authority to act.

-Source: Indian Express

International Cooperative Alliance

Context:

India is all set to host the global conference of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) for the first time.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Overview of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA):

• The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) is a non-profit international association dedicated to uniting, representing, and serving cooperatives globally.
• Established in 1895, the ICA is one of the oldest and largest non-governmental organizations, representing approximately one billion cooperative members worldwide.
• Serving as the apex organization for an estimated 3 million cooperatives, the ICA provides a global voice and a platform for sharing knowledge, expertise, and coordinated action for and about cooperatives.
• The ICA upholds the Statement on the Cooperative Identity, which encompasses a definition of cooperatives, 10 values, and 7 operational principles. This statement sets the foundational standards for cooperatives across all sectors and regions.
• Its membership includes both international and national cooperative organizations from various economic sectors.
• The ICA boasts over 306 member organizations from 105 countries.
• Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the ICA operates four regional offices covering Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.
• Additionally, the ICA includes sectoral organizations that address specific cooperative activities in agriculture, industry and services, consumer retail, banking, fisheries, health, housing, and insurance.

-Source: The Hindu

AroTrack

Context:

Recently, scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) have developed a water-pollutant detecting device called ‘AroTrack’.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Overview of AroTrack:

• AroTrack is a pioneering device designed to detect harmful aromatic xenobiotic pollutants like phenol, benzene, and xylenols in water.
• The device utilizes proteins derived from bacteria that thrive in heavily polluted environments, allowing for the effective identification of multiple aromatic pollutants.
• A crucial mechanism in AroTrack involves a highly selective ATP hydrolysis chemical reaction triggered by the presence of an aromatic compound in the water sample. This reaction results in a visible color change in the protein solution, which AroTrack can detect.
• The device includes a light-emitting diode (LED) and phototransistor assembly that projects light of a specific wavelength through the sample and measures the light absorption, indicating the presence of pollutants.
• AroTrack features a biosensing module named MopR, specifically sensitive to detecting phenol, enhancing the device’s accuracy and reliability.
• The device has demonstrated consistent performance in water temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius and can complete testing within 30 minutes.
• Significance: AroTrack’s affordability, battery-operated nature, and portability make it especially suitable for use in rural and low-income areas, where access to expensive laboratory testing is often limited.

-Source: The Hindu