Content:

1. A mixed report card for the IMEC
2. Stop the free fall
3. Debating the ‘healthy longevity initiative’

A mixed report card for the IMEC

Background Of India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC)  :

• Event: IMEC announced in September 2023 during the G20 summit in New Delhi.

• Objective: Reduce transit time by 40% and costs by 30% compared to the Suez Canal route.

Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations )

Practice Question:Highlight the challenges faced by the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC). How India can maximise its benefits from the corridor? (250 words)

Progress and Challenges :

• Initial Optimism: The announcement was met with optimism.

• Conflict Implications: The escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict on October 7, 2023, halted progress.

• Key Stakeholders: Saudi Arabia and Jordan faced delays, impacting the northern part of the corridor.

• Geopolitics: Arab countries’ relations with Israel affect the project’s optics and progress.

• Eastern Part Progress: UAE-India relations have strengthened, leading to significant progress.

Trade Implications :

• Bilateral Trade Growth: Post-CEPA, bilateral trade between India and the UAE increased by 93%, from $43.30 billion in 2020-21 to $83.64 billion in 2023-24.

• Non-Oil Trade: Significant growth in non-oil trade, indicating diversification of the trade basket.

Facilitation :

• Virtual Trade Corridor: Launched by India and the UAE to streamline administrative processes, reduce costs, and ease trade.

• Model for IMEC: This initiative provides a framework for other IMEC countries to follow for cross-border trade facilitation.

Uncertain Western Part vs. Committed Eastern Part

• Western Challenges: Uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

• Eastern Progress: Continued development of economic linkages and infrastructure.

Other Elements :

• Clean energy export, undersea fibre-optic cables, energy grid linkages, and telecommunication lines are on hold until the situation normalises.

Recommendations for India

• Port Preparation: Develop ports and specific economic zones along connectivity nodes.

• Improve Domestic Logistics: Enhance digital footprint to reduce logistics time and costs.

• Global Supply Chain Integration: Strengthen manufacturing competitiveness to position India as a global supply chain alternative.

• IMEC Secretariat: Establish a secretariat to organise and streamline the corridor’s structure and operations.

Conclusion

The IMEC, with significant progress in the eastern part and halted progress in the western part, needs to be implemented effectively. Strengthening bilateral relations is the key.

Stop the free fall

Background :

• Trigger Event: The diplomatic tension began with Canada’s public allegations that Indian officials were involved in the 2023 murder of Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

• Escalation: USA allegations regarding a plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun further complicated matters.

• Recent Incidents: On November 3, a camp organised by the Indian mission in Brampton was disrupted by Khalistan activists, followed by a protest by a Hindu group.

Relevance: GS 2 ( International Relations )

Practice Question: Analyse the effect of the India-Canada diplomatic tension on the Indian diaspora in Canada. What measures can be taken to ensure their safety? (250 words)

Impact on People

• Indian Diaspora: Approximately 19 lakh people of Indian origin in Canada maintain close ties with India and require consular services.

• Security Concerns: The Canadian government must ensure the security of Indian diplomats.

Economic Relations

• Trade Impact: Bilateral trade in goods and services is around $19 billion. Negotiations on a bilateral trade treaty are stalled.

• Visa Issues: Disruptions in visa issuance on both sides can impact economic relations.

Broader Context

• People-to-People Contacts: Sustained contacts have been beneficial, but current turmoil results in disrupted relations among people.

• Canada’s Border Policy: New restrictions on student visas will affect Indian aspirants. Nearly two-thirds of the Canadian population feels there are too many immigrants.

Conclusion

There is a growing need to ensure the safety of both diasporas because the normalisation of relations between the countries is not happening any soon.

Debating the ‘Healthy Longevity Initiative’

Context:

• World Bank published a reportcalled‘Unlocking the Power of Healthy Longevity: Demographic Change, Non-communicable Diseases, and Human Capital’ in September 2024.

• Focus: Impact of demographic changes and the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

Relevance: GS 1 (Society ), GS 2 ( Social Justice )

Practice Question: Discuss the challenges for addressing the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), with a special focus on India. Suggest key measures (250 words)

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic conditions that are not transmissible directly from one person to another. NCDs are primarily caused by a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioural factors.

Examples:Cardiovascular Diseases, Cancers, Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Diabetes.

Global Data:

1. Mortality: NCDs are responsible for 71% of all deaths globally, accounting for 41 million deaths each year.
2. High-Burden Regions: Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) bear the brunt, with 85% of premature deaths (those occurring between ages 30-69) due to NCDs.
3. Projections: The number of deaths due to NCDs is expected to rise from 61 million in 2023 to 92 million by 2050.
4. India: NCDs currently account for approximately 60% of all deaths in India.

Important Findings

• Ageing Population: A significant demographic shift towards an ageing population.

• Rise of NCDs: NCDs are becoming the leading cause of death in LMICs.

• Projections: Global deaths are expected to rise from 61 million in 2023 to 92 million in 2050.

• Health Care Needs: Increased need for NCD-related hospitalization and long-term care.

Proposed Initiative

• Healthy Longevity Initiative (HLI): A life course approach to sharply reduce avoidable deaths and disabilities.

• Goals: Increase levels of physical, mental, and social functioning through middle and older ages, reduce serious disabilities, and ensure a short period before inevitable death.

LMICs Challenges

• Healthcare Accessibility: Lack of accessible healthcare, competent medical staff, and well-equipped hospitals.

• Inadequate Funding: Insufficient state funding for healthcare leading to catastrophic health expenses and impoverishment.

Modest and Feasible Objectives

• Modest Strategy: Strategies for reducing the surge in NCDs need to be realistic and achievable.

• India’s Situation: India’s elderly population (140 million) faces a high growth rate and increased susceptibility to NCDs.

Social Security Schemes

• Utilizing social security schemes to handle Diabetes and Heart Diseases

• Pensions help cover healthcare expenses, thus reducing NCDs.

• High costs of travel, fees, and medicines impose a financial burden, leading to out-of-pocket expenditure and indebtedness.

Lifestyle Factors

• Dietary Risks: High intake of refined grains, red meats, and fat-dense foods increases the risk of diabetes and heart diseases.

• Age-related Risks: Sedentary lifestyles, high-calorie diets, and genetic predispositions increase the risk of diabetes and heart diseases with age.

Ayushman Bharat Scheme

• Objective: Provide health insurance coverage to the bottom 40% of households.

• Challenges: Inadequate funding, stringent eligibility requirements, and corruption issues hamper its effectiveness.

Hospital Expenses and Supreme Court Intervention

• Inflated Prices: Private hospitals are notorious for inflated healthcare prices.

• Regulation: The Supreme Court directed the central government to regulate hospital procedure rates with informed pricing decisions.

Behavioural and Policy Changes

• Lifestyle Changes: Importance of physical activity and balanced diets to prevent obesity and related NCDs.

• Tobacco Consumption: Limiting tobacco use can reduce NCD prevalence.

• Taxation: Taxing unhealthy products to reduce multi-morbidity prevalence.

Conclusion

The World Bank report on healthy longevity and NCDs sheds light on the rising burden of NCDs in LMICs. There is a growing need for realistic and feasible strategies.