Category: International Relations

• India ranks 126th out of 143 nations in the World Happiness Report 2024, a worldwide happiness index released on March 20 to commemorate the UN’s International Day of Happiness.

About the World Happiness Report

• The World Human Rights Report is an annual publication produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
• Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and the Editorial Board of the World Happiness Report collaborated on its release.
• It assesses three major well-being indicators: life assessments, positive emotions, and negative emotions (referred to in the report as positive and negative affect).
• The report looks at six major factors: social support, income, health, independence, generosity, and the absence of corruption.
• It was adopted by the UN General Assembly in response to a resolution proposed by Bhutan.

Key Highlights of the 2024 Report:

• Top: For the eighth consecutive year, Finland topped the list of the world’s happiest countries.
• Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and Australia rounded out the top ten countries.
• Afghanistan was at the bottom of the list.

India ranks 126th in the Happiness Index

• Surprisingly, it trails Pakistan, Libya, Iraq, Palestine, and Niger.
• China ranked 60th, Nepal 93rd, Pakistan 108th, Myanmar 118th, Sri Lanka 128th, and Bangladesh 129th.
• Influencing Factors: Marital status, social involvement, physical health, and housing arrangements all have an impact on older Indians’ life satisfaction.
• Older Indian women report higher levels of life satisfaction, while enduring more pressures and health issues.
• Key Predictors: Education level, social caste, social support, perceived discrimination, and self-rated health all have a substantial impact on older Indians’ life happiness.

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/finland-tops-2024-world-happiness-report-again-india-ranks-126-124032000537_1.html

• According to IQAir’s ‘World Air Quality Report 2023’, India would be the third-most polluted country in 2023, trailing only Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• IQAir is a Swiss air quality technology firm that specialises in protection against airborne contaminants, air quality monitoring, and air cleaning products.

Key Highlights

(A)  Most Polluted Indian Cities:

• Ten of the world’s top 11 most polluted cities are in India, with the other being Lahore in Pakistan.
• Begusarai, in Bihar, saw a considerable increase in PM 2.5 concentrations from 19.7 micrograms per cubic metre in 2022 to 118.9 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023.
• Between 2022 and 2023, the concentration of PM2.5 in Guwahati doubled, rising from 51 to 105.4 micrograms per cubic metre.
• During the same time period, Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration rose from 89.1 to 92.7 micrograms per cubic metre.
• Other Indian towns in the top 50 most polluted cities of the world list included Greater Noida (11), Muzzafarnagar (16), Gurgaon (17), Arrah (18), Dadri (19), Patna (20), Faridabad (25), Noida (26), Meerut (28), Ghaziabad (35) and Rohtak (47). 

(B) Global Insights:

• Oceania, which includes Australia, New Zealand, and French Polynesia, remained the region with the cleanest air in 2023.
• According to the survey, the top five most polluted countries in the world are Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikistan, and Burkina Faso.
• Seven countries met the WHO annual PM2.5 standard (annual average of 5 µg/m3 or less): Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand.
• Despite prior drops, China’s PM2.5 concentration rose 6.3% in 2023, indicating a worrying trend.
• For the first time, Canada was named the most polluted country in North America, highlighting regional air quality concerns.
• Africa remains the most underrepresented continent, with one-third of the population still unable to acquire air quality data. 

Source: 

• India has opted to take part in one of four cooperative work programmes launched under the Indo Pacific Economic Framework’s ‘Clean energy pillar’.
• India will join the cooperative working group on carbon markets, led by the Ministry of Power. 

What is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)?

• It is a US-led project aimed at improving the Indo-Pacific region’s resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness through stronger economic partnerships among participants.
• The IPEF was founded in 2021 with a dozen first partners representing 40% of global GDP.
• The IPEF is not a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), although members can negotiate the areas they want to.

Members Countries include:

• India is currently a member, together with 13 other Pacific Ocean countries: Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.

How does IPEF differ from other trade agreements?

• The IPEF does not include market access or tariff reductions, but experts believe it can open the road for trade accords.
• It is not a take-it-or-leave-it agreement, as most global trade treaties are.
• Because the IPEF is not a standard trade agreement, members are not yet compelled by all four pillars, despite being signatories. 

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/ipef-india-to-join-us-led-co-operative-work-programme-on-carbon-market/article67969212.ece#:~:text=India%20has%20decided%20to%20join,and%20promoting%20carbon%20market%20activities.

• The 41st Steering Committee Meeting of the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) is being held in New Delhi.
• The IPHE Steering Committee Meetings, held biannually, provide an important platform for developing international collaboration and coordination among member countries, stakeholders, and decision makers. 

About IPHE

• The IPHE was created in 2003 as an international intergovernmental cooperation led by the United States.
• Its goal is to accelerate advancement in hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
• IPHE has 21 member countries and the European Commission is a non-voting member.
• Member countries include major economies such as the United States, Japan, Germany, China, South Korea, and Canada, as well as India.
• Additionally, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Singapore have been mentioned in various contexts within the supplied materials, but they are not specifically recognised as IPHE members.

Objectives of the IPHE

• The IPHE aspires to expedite the transition to clean and efficient energy and mobility systems using hydrogen and fuel cell technology in various sectors and applications.
• The collaboration serves as a venue for exchanging information about member countries’ activities, policies, technological state, safety, rules, codes, standards, and outreach efforts.
• Advancing Clean Hydrogen Technologies: IPHE advocates a sustainable future by highlighting hydrogen’s adaptability in a variety of industries as well as its role in decarbonising energy systems.

Key Initiatives: H2 DEIA Platform

• In 2023, IPHE announced the launch of the H2-DEIA platform in collaboration with the Hydrogen Council.
• It is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in the hydrogen and fuel cell industries.
• Its goal is to build a diverse workforce, discuss best practices, and promote workforce development in the hydrogen sector. 

Source: https://www.iphe.net/

• Since October 2023, the Indian government’s focus has changed from the Indo-Pacific to the Indian Ocean, diverting attention away from developing the Quad Alliance.
• Both the Western Indian Ocean and the Northern Indian Ocean are now active geographies. 

What are the reasons behind this Policy Shift?

• Maldives and China- Under President Mohamed Muizzu, the Maldives is increasing ties with China, which could strain relations with India.
• Sri Lanka and India- Sri Lanka has demonstrated sensitivity to India’s security concerns by imposing a prohibition on foreign research ships, especially Chinese ones, entering its ports.
• India-Mauritius Cooperation– India’s SAGAR policy resulted in inaugurating infrastructure in the Agaléga Islands, increasing Mauritius’s competence to manage its Extended Economic Zone.
• Geopolitical Dynamics- The Western and Northern Indian Ocean regions are experiencing heightened activity, including wars and disruptions to marine trade routes.
• For example, in the Western Indian Ocean, the continuous conflict between Israel and Hamas has worsened, resulting in Houthi rebel attacks on international commerce.
• China’s Naval Expansion- China intends to exert regional dominance by increasing its naval footprint and fostering partnerships with countries under the string of pearls policy, such as the Maldives.
• India-China Strategic Competition- India and China are engaged in strategic competition, as evidenced by China’s efforts to create a hostile environment for India’s security and its pursuit of naval bases in vital places.

Suggestive measures:

• Shift in Focus to the Indian Ocean: India should prioritise the Indian Ocean region above the Indo-Pacific, and communicate this clearly to its strategic allies.
• Evaluation of Existing Mechanisms: The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) require a critical audit due to alleged underperformance and ineffectiveness.
• Proposal for a New Mechanism: India could explore campaigning for the establishment of a new organisation tasked with strengthening maritime security and developing the Blue Economy in the Indian Ocean region.
  • This suggested organisation might encompass India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, and Madagascar.
  • The Maldives may be able to keep its ninth seat if it follows a sound programme. This organisation can be called the ‘Indian Ocean Cooperation Organisation’. 
• India should dedicate more budgetary resources to strengthen its Navy further, with the goal of making it the third or fourth most powerful navy in the world, in keeping with the country’s objective to become the world’s third-largest economy.

Conclusion

Prioritising strategic relationships, evaluating existing procedures, advocating for new collaborative projects, and improving naval capabilities are all necessary for India’s policy pivot towards the Indian Ocean region to ensure regional security and boost economic success. 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/all-eyes-are-now-on-the-indian-ocean-region/article67964873.ece#:~:text=Both%20the%20Western%20Indian%20Ocean,have%20become%20active%20geographies%20again&text=While%20the%20Indian%20government's,Indian%20Ocean%20since%20October%202023.

• In 2022, India ranked 134 out of 193 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), up from 135 in 2021, according to the UNDP. Switzerland has been ranked number one. 

The Human Development Index (HDI)-

About

The Human Development score (HDI), first introduced by the UNDP in 1990, is a statistical composite score. It assesses a country’s average performance across three key dimensions: 

• Health: This component is represented by life expectancy at birth. It reflects the population’s overall health and well-being, as well as their ability to receive healthcare.
• Education: This dimension covers metrics such as predicted years of schooling for entering students and average years of schooling for adults. It analyses a country’s educational attainment and educational opportunities.
• Standard of Living: This dimension is calculated using Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). It reflects the population’s economic well-being and living standards, such as income and access to basic necessities.

Background

• Mahbub ul Haq, a Pakistani economist, and Amartya Sen, an Indian economist, co-developed the Human Development Index. It is used by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to evaluate a country’s progress as part of the Human Development Report.
• In addition to the Human Development Index (HDI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) presents the Human Development Report (HDR), which 

1. Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI),
2. Inequality-adjusted Human Development Index (IHDI),
3. Gender Inequality Index(GII) since 2010 and
4. Gender Development Index (GDI) since 2014

Key Points as per Report- 

• According to the report, India’s rank on the Human Development Index (HDI) increased from 135 in 2021 to 134 in 2022, with small gains in life expectancy and GNI per capita.
• India ranks lower than its southern neighbour Sri Lanka (ranked 78) and China (ranked 75) in the High Human Development category, as well as Bhutan (ranked 125) and Bangladesh (ranked 129) in the Medium Human Development category.
• Reducing inequities: According to the research, there is a backward trend in reducing gaps between wealthy and poor countries. Despite our interconnected global communities, there is a lack of collective action on climate change, digitization, poverty, and inequality, resulting in a growing human development gap.
• Challenges of Democracy: While nine out of ten people worldwide support democracy, more than half express support for leaders who may damage it. Political polarisation and minimal control over government decisions are common, resulting in protectionist or inward-turning policy responses.

Action Plans as per the report- 

• Foster multilateral cooperation and collaboration among governments, NGOs, enterprises, and stakeholders to tackle global challenges together. This could include encouraging communication, collaboration, and agreements that support common goals and responsibilities.
• Policy Coordination: Improve coordination and coherence in policymaking at the national and international levels to ensure that policies handle interconnected issues completely. This may entail integrating multiple perspectives, harmonising strategy across industries, and maximising resource use.
• Increase investments in sustainable development programmes that prioritise environmental protection, social fairness, and economic growth. This could include money for renewable energy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and poverty-relief initiatives.
• Empowering Communities: Encourage local communities and grassroots organisations to participate in decision-making and problem-solving activities. This could include offering resources, capacity-building assistance, and forums for civic engagement.
• Encourage discussion, empathy, and mutual understanding across varied cultures in order to reduce polarisation and enhance social cohesion. This could include fostering education, cultural exchange programmes, media literacy, and activities that encourage tolerance and respect for human rights.
• Transparency and Accountability: Improve the transparency, accountability, and integrity of governance structures and institutions in order to restore citizen trust and confidence. This could include increasing anti-corruption measures, encouraging open government efforts, and ensuring inclusive and participatory decision-making procedures.
• Invest in education, public awareness campaigns, and media literacy programmes to raise understanding of global issues, their interconnectedness, and the significance of collective action. This could promote a sense of shared responsibility and garner public support for collaborative solutions.
• Encourage inclusive economic growth that benefits all segments of society, decreases inequality, and promotes opportunity for marginalised groups. This could include enacting policies that encourage job creation, entrepreneurship, social protection, and access to basic amenities.
• Building Resilience: Invest in readiness, adaptation, and mitigation techniques to address global threats such as climate change, pandemics, and economic crises. This could include improving healthcare systems, disaster risk reduction strategies, and social safety nets.
• Advocacy and Leadership: Encourage political leadership and commitment at all levels to prioritise collective action and successfully solve common concerns. This could entail rallying political support, meeting with legislators, and keeping leaders accountable for their decisions.

Conclusion-

To address global challenges and ensure a sustainable future, multilateral cooperation, policy coordination, sustainable development investment, community empowerment, dialogue, transparency, education, inclusive economic growth, resilience building, and advocacy for leadership are essential. 

Source: https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/indicators/india-ranked-134-out-of-193-countries-on-united-nations-human-development-index-for-2022/articleshow/108486435.cms#:~:text=India's%20ranking%20on%20the%20United,as%20highlighted%20by%20the%20UNDP.

• The United States is leading an initiative at the United Nations to establish regulations for artificial intelligence (AI).
• The draft resolution acknowledges the rapid advancement of AI and strives to reduce the digital divide between countries.
• Around three months before the declaration, the United States began consultations with all 193 UN member nations.
• It intends to ensure that governments have the required capacity to leverage technology for disease detection and flood prediction. 

Need global support to pass the resolution:

• For Principles: The resolution seeks global support for a set of principles for developing and applying AI. It aims to steer the usage of AI systems for good purposes while mitigating associated hazards.
• If accepted, the resolution will be considered a historic step towards supporting safe, secure, and trustworthy AI on a worldwide scale.
• Consensus Support: Following many versions, the resolution received unanimous support from all member nations. It will be formally considered later this month.
• Non-legally binding: Resolutions of the General Assembly, unlike those of the Security Council, are not legally binding. However, they are useful markers of world opinion.

How will it have a good impact on society as a whole?

AI may play an important role in both detecting diseases and predicting floods by using numerous data sources, advanced algorithms, and computer capacity.

Disease Detection with AI:

• Medical Imaging Analysis: AI algorithms may examine medical pictures such as X-rays, MRI scans, and CT scans to look for abnormalities or indicators of diseases like cancer, TB, or pneumonia.
  • Deep learning models, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have demonstrated high accuracy in detecting patterns in medical images.
• Health Monitoring and Predictive Analytics: AI-powered health monitoring devices can continuously collect data on heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels.
  • Machine learning algorithms can analyse this data to find anomalies or early indicators of sickness, allowing for timely intervention and prevention. 
• Diagnostic Decision Support Systems: AI-powered diagnostic systems can help healthcare practitioners diagnose diseases by analysing patient data, symptoms, medical history, and lab test results.
  • These systems can make precise and fast recommendations, which improves diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

Flood Prediction with AI:

• AI-based flood prediction involves data analysis and modelling. To create predictive models, AI algorithms can analyse a variety of data sources, including weather patterns, geography, soil moisture, river levels, and past flood data. Machine learning approaches such as regression, decision trees, and neural networks may detect complicated correlations between these variables and predict the likelihood and severity of flooding.
• Remote Sensing and Satellite Imagery: Artificial intelligence (AI) can analyse satellite imagery and remote sensing data to track changes in land use, vegetation, and water bodies. This data can be used to evaluate flood risk and forecast flood events in sensitive locations.
• Real-Time Monitoring and Early Warning Systems: AI-powered sensors and monitoring equipment can continuously collect information about rainfall, river levels, and water flow rates. Machine learning algorithms can analyse this data in real time to spot rapid changes or abnormalities that indicate an impending flood. Early warning systems can then notify authorities and communities, allowing them to take precautions and evacuate residents as needed.

Conclusion

Worldwide agreement on AI principles is crucial for moving forward. Continued efforts to build regulatory frameworks and assist developing nations are critical. AI’s contribution in disease detection and flood prediction demonstrates its ability to efficiently address global concerns. 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/us-to-moot-first-of-its-kind-resolution-at-un-seeking-equal-global-access-to-ai/article67949377.ece#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20is%20spearheading,developing%20world%2C%20have%20equal%20access.

• The Yaounde Declaration was recently signed by health ministers from 11 African countries dealing with the most severe malaria outbreaks. 

What is Yaounde Declaration?

	Details
Signed at	WHO and the Cameroon government organised the Yaoundé conference in Cameroon’s capital, Yaoundé.
Participants	Malaria stakeholders include health ministers, global malaria partners, funding agencies, scientists, civil society organisations, and more.
Signatory countries	Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.These countries account for more than 70% of the world’s malaria burden.
Pledges	Effective management of the malaria issue in Africa, including stronger leadership and more investment in malaria prevention, the use of modern data technology, and so on.Investing more in health infrastructure, personnel, and programmes, working across sectors, and developing partnerships for funding, research, and innovation.demonstrating a strong commitment to rapidly decreasing malaria fatalities and keeping each other and their respective governments responsible for their promises.

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/world/yaounde-declaration-health-ministers-of-11-african-countries-commit-to-end-malaria-deaths-94922

• The World Trade Organisation (WTO) held its 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from February 26 to March 2, with 166 member countries in attendance.
• The conference concluded with the adoption of a ministerial declaration proposing a reform plan to strengthen the WTO’s role in regulating global trade and fostering smooth cross-border commerce. 

About World Trade Organization (WTO)

	Details
Establishment	1995, replacing GATT
Objective	To regulate international trade
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Members	164India is a Founding Member.
Objectives	Formulate rules for tradeNegotiate further liberalizationSettle disputesAssist developing countriesCooperate with major economic institutions
Principles	Non-DiscriminationMost Favored NationNational TreatmentReciprocityPredictability through Binding CommitmentsTransparencyEncourage Development and Reforms
Important Trade Agreements	Agreement on Agriculture (AoA),Agreement on TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights),Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS),Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT),Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS),General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) etc.
WTO Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)	Negotiated during the Uruguay Round (1995).The goal is to improve agricultural commerce and boost rural economies with fewer trade “distortions”.Focuses on improving market access, decreasing subsidies, and removing export subsidies.Types of Subsidies:Green Box – No distortion in commerce.Amber Box – Can distort production and commerce (with limits) Blue Box – Subsidies linked to production-limiting programs
Most Favoured Nation Clause	Ensures nondiscriminatory trade.Prevents prejudice among trading partners.The first clause in GATT grants special trading statuses to all WTO members.

Key Decisions at MC13

• Member countries committed to develop a fully effective dispute settlement system by 2024.
• Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT): The emphasis was on increasing the use of S&DT provisions to meet the development goals of developing and least developed countries (LDCs). 

Challenges to Multilateral Trading Orders

• Rising Protectionism: As domestic pressures increase, developed economies have demonstrated a proclivity for protectionist policies, threatening the current globalised trade paradigm.
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Ongoing conflicts and sanctions have affected global supply systems, demanding a rethinking of trade rules to maintain resilience and efficiency.
• Development discrepancies: Concerns about fair treatment of nations persist, with attention focused on reducing discrepancies between richer and less developed countries. 

India’s Approach

• India’s approach include advocating for a resolution on the Public Stockholding (PSH) programme, which is vital for guaranteeing food security. The programme allows for the procurement and delivery of vital food grains to millions of beneficiaries at subsidised costs.
• Fisheries Subsidies: India proposed regulations to govern fisheries subsidies, pushing for assistance to impoverished fishermen in national waters while reducing subsidies for industrial fishing in international oceans.
• E-commerce Customs Duties: India advocated for the lifting of the customs duty moratorium on cross-border e-commerce, stressing the necessity to protect income generation in the digital trade landscape.

Outcomes

• Agriculture: At MC13, a text addressing agricultural issues was drafted, marking a significant milestone after decades of talks.
• Fisheries: Progress towards consensus on fisheries regulations was highlighted, with the goal of finalisation by mid-year.
• E-commerce charges: Despite attempts, the exemption from customs charges on e-commerce transactions has been extended for another two years, disappointing some developing countries.

Source: https://www.csis.org/analysis/insight-13th-wto-ministerial-conference#:~:text=The%20main%20accomplishment%20of%20the,set%20taxes%20on%20digital%20trade.