26 September 2024

• Diplomacy: India and China agreed to resolve the remaining friction points at Depsang and Demchok at the 31st Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) meeting.
• International: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Summit (Islamabad, October 2024 context) confirmed Belarus as a full member.
• Security: China tested the DF-41 ICBM for the first time in the Pacific Ocean, triggering international alerts.
• Assam: The Supreme Court directed the Centre to complete the implementation of Clause 6 of the Assam Accord within three months.

GS area: International Relations (India-China)

India and China held the 31st meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on Matters Relating to India-China Border Areas.

Key developments:

• Progress: Approximately 75 per cent of friction points along the LAC (Line of Actual Control) created since April 2020 have been resolved, with disengagement completed at Galwan, Hot Springs, Gogra-Post (PP17A) and other friction points.
• Remaining: Depsang Plains and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh remain unresolved. Depsang is strategically critical: China's position prevents Indian patrols from reaching traditional patrol points (PP10, PP11, PP11A, PP12, PP13).
• WMCC: A diplomatic mechanism (established 2012) that meets at the level of Joint Secretaries to handle border discussions and reduce miscalculation. Distinct from the DCCW (Corps Commander-level talks) and SPDMC (Special Representative Talks at NSA level).
• April 2020 trigger: Chinese troops moved into multiple friction points in eastern Ladakh, taking advantage of COVID-19 disruptions and India's attention on domestic pandemic management.
• India's diplomatic stance: Engagement at all levels (diplomatic, military) while maintaining troop presence at forward locations. India added infrastructure (roads, bridges, border villages) while negotiations continued.

Static linkage: India-China relations, LAC, border management.

GS area: International Relations

The SCO formally inducted Belarus as a full member at the Astana summit (2024).

Key facts about the SCO:

• Founded: 2001 (Shanghai). Emerged from the Shanghai Five (1996).
• Members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan (founding), India and Pakistan (2017), Iran (2023), Belarus (2024).
• Observers and dialogue partners: Include Afghanistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and others.
• Headquarters: Beijing.
• Secretariat: Shanghai.
• Focus areas: Security (combating terrorism, separatism, extremism, collectively called the "Three Evils"), economic cooperation, cultural exchanges and now energy, trade and digital cooperation.
• SCO-RIS: Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure, headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Facilitates intelligence sharing on terrorism.
• India's role: India joined in 2017. India uses the SCO platform to engage with Pakistan and Central Asian states, important for India's connectivity goals (INSTC, Chabahar Port).

Static linkage: SCO, multilateral organisations, India-Central Asia relations.

GS area: International Relations (security), Science and Technology

China conducted the first flight test of the DF-41 ICBM into the Pacific Ocean.

Key facts:

• DF-41: A road-mobile, three-stage solid-fuel ICBM. Range approximately 12,000-15,000 km. Capable of reaching the continental United States.
• MIRVed: The DF-41 is reported to carry Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs): multiple nuclear warheads in a single missile that can hit different targets.
• China's nuclear posture: China maintains a "no first use" (NFU) policy and a relatively small but rapidly expanding nuclear arsenal (approximately 500 warheads as of 2024, per SIPRI).
• Strategic significance of Pacific test: This is the first time China tested an ICBM into the Pacific (rather than internal testing ranges). It signals strategic messaging to the United States and its Pacific allies.
• India-China nuclear dimension: China's nuclear build-up, combined with Pakistan's nuclear arsenal, creates a two-front nuclear dimension for India's security planners.
• ICBM definition: An intercontinental ballistic missile travels on a ballistic arc, reaching altitudes over 1,200 km. Range exceeds 5,500 km.

Static linkage: Nuclear weapons, arms race, Indo-Pacific security.

GS area: Polity (citizenship), Governance (northeast India)

The Supreme Court directed the Central government to implement Clause 6 of the Assam Accord within three months.

Key background:

• Assam Accord (1985): Signed between the Rajiv Gandhi government and the All Assam Students' Union (AASU). Ended the six-year Assam agitation over illegal Bangladeshi immigration.
• Clause 6: "Constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people."
• Committee on Clause 6: The Biplab Kumar Sarma Committee (2019) recommended 80-100 per cent reservation for "Assamese people" in certain categories of employment and educational institutions, and the definition of "Assamese people."
• Citizenship linkage: Assam was the flashpoint for the NRC (National Register of Citizens) exercise and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) controversy.
• NRC (Assam): The 2019 NRC listed approximately 19 lakh people as non-citizens of Assam. However, the government and AASU are dissatisfied with the list's completeness.

Static linkage: Citizenship, NRC, northeast India, special provisions.

GS area: Governance (anti-corruption), Polity

The Karnataka government expanded the Lokayukta's jurisdiction to include all Group A and Group B government officers.

Key context:

• Lokayukta: An ombudsman-type institution for investigating complaints against public servants. Karnataka's Lokayukta (established 1984) is one of India's strongest, with investigative powers including the ability to conduct raids.
• Constitutional basis: No specific constitutional provision mandates Lokayuktas. The First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966-70) recommended an ombudsman. States create Lokayuktas through legislation.
• Model after: Scandinavian "ombudsman" concept.
• Comparison with Lokpal: The Lokpal (anti-corruption body for central public servants) was established in 2019 under the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013. Covers Group A/B/C/D central government employees and public sector undertakings.

Static linkage: Anti-corruption institutions, administrative law, Lokpal and Lokayukta Act.

GS area: Economy (fisheries), Environment

India formally joined the Marine Stewardship Council's (MSC) Fisheries Network (MSFN) in September 2024, marking a step toward sustainable fisheries certification.

Key facts:

• MSC: A non-profit organisation that sets standards for sustainable fishing and provides certification (the blue MSC label). Established in 1997. Based in London.
• MSFN: The Marine Stewardship Council's Field Network: a certification and traceability network.
• India's fisheries sector: India is among the world's top fish producers (annual production approximately 16 million tonnes, third globally). Marine fisheries dominate; Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are leading states.
• Blue Economy: India's Blue Economy policy covers sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, seabed minerals and maritime tourism.
• PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): The flagship scheme for fisheries development, with Rs 20,050 crore outlay (2020-2025).

Static linkage: Fisheries, Blue Economy, sustainable resource management.

• Lebanon geography (context: Hezbollah conflict, late September 2024): Lebanon is bordered by Syria (north, east) and Israel (south). Area approximately 10,452 square km. Capital: Beirut. Confessional political system (power shared between Maronite Christians, Sunni Muslims and Shia Muslims). Hezbollah is a militant group with significant political representation.
• India's cotton production (Kharif): Cotton Kharif 2024-25 sowing data showed area close to normal at around 127 lakh hectares. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and Rajasthan are major producing states.