GS PAPER: II

Maldives will not renew agreement for joint hydrographic survey with India:

Context

The Maldives Cabinet has decided against renewing a 2019 MoU with India for hydrographic surveying, following the demand for Indian troops to be removed from the island nation. The MoU, due to expire in 2023, was carried out in three joint hydrographic surveys in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Critics argue it is an infringement on Maldivian sovereignty, while the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian High Commission in Male have not commented on the recent Cabinet decision.

Water survey agreement

• The agreement permitted India to conduct a hydrographic survey of the Maldivian territorial seas, study and map reefs, lagoons, coastlines, ocean currents, and tide levels. It was signed in 2019 when the Indian Prime Minister visited the Maldives at the invitation of then President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
• In accordance with the terms of this agreement, six months before to the agreement’s expiration, one party may terminate it by notifying the other party.
• The arrangement automatically extends for a further five years as stipulated in the conditions.

Why the agreement has been terminated

• The island nation’s new leadership has been hostilely opposing Indian initiatives and requested that India remove its military soldiers from the Maldives last month as well.
• The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) uses two helicopters and one airplane from India for disaster relief and emergency medical evacuations.
• According to the official statement, the action was taken to strengthen national security by developing their own capabilities to carry out such surveys and safeguard the sensitive data that may be obtained from them.

Geo-strategic location and importance of Maldives

• One of the most geographically scattered nations on earth, the Maldives sits atop a 960-kilometer-long undersea ridge that runs north to south and forms a wall in the centre of the Indian Ocean.
• The Maldives’ geostrategic significance extends well beyond its geographical boundaries due to its advantageous location. The Maldives is positioned as a crucial toll gate in the Indian Ocean, which is acknowledged as a major worldwide trade and energy route.
• It is an important intersection for two major sea channels of communication (SLOCs).
• The Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia and the Gulfs of Aden and Hormuz in West Asia depend on these SLOCs for the smooth operation of marine trade.
• These SLOCs close to the Maldives are strategically significant not just in the region but also globally, as they are essential to maritime trade.
• These westward SLOCs in the Arabian Sea are extremely significant, especially for India, which depends on them for 80% of its energy imports and over 50% of its foreign trade.

GS PAPER – II

Parliament security breach and protest followed:

Why in news?

There was major security breach on the 22^nd anniversary of the attack on parliament, two people jumped inside the Lok Sabha chamber from the visitors’ gallery.

It was followed by opposition members suspended for disrupting proceedings and protest.

Recent update:

• 14 opposition members were suspended for disrupting proceedings on Thursday.
• On Friday also, LS barely functioned for a couple of minutes and RS also didn’t take up any business.
• Both the houses didn’t take up the question hour, zero hour, and a private members business.
• The opposition members, who had moved notices to take up the matter as adjournment motions, continued their protest after Rajyasabha and loksabha didn’t accepted the notices.
• Both the houses were adjoined till the Monday.

The masterminds behind the attack:

• Lalit Jha who is teacher by profession had taken responsibility and surrendered at the kartavya path police.
• Four other accused were already arrested, two of them were who entered the premises and two outside the premises.

What are the Rules for Parliament Visitors?

• In the Lok Sabha, “admission, withdrawal, and removal” of visitors—whom the legislature refers to as “strangers”—during House sessions is governed by Rule 386 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
• The Speaker may, in accordance with Rule 387, remove “strangers” from any area of the House.
• A Secretariat officer may remove or detain any stranger within a House member’s precinct by using Rule 387A, which has been approved by the Speaker.
  • This includes strangers who are admitted and misbehave, break the Speaker’s rules (under Rule 386), or neglect to leave the House during sessions as instructed under Rule 387.
• Members may only apply for visitor’s cards for people they know personally.
• In order to be certified, one must state that “the above-named visitor is my relative/personal friend/known to me personally, and I take full responsibility for him/her.”
• Typically, visitor’s gallery entry cards are only good for one session, usually lasting an hour. These cards are issued subject to the holder adhering to the terms approved on them and are not transferable.
• Visitors are required to carry both the certification and a photo ID for security purposes.
• There are similar regulations in place for guests entering the Rajya Sabha.
• Members are urged to proceed with extreme caution, particularly when allowing entrance to persons who have been presented by a personal acquaintance.
• Members are accountable for any unfortunate event or inappropriate behavior.

2001 Attack on the Indian Parliament

• An armed group of terrorists stormed the Indian Parliament in New Delhi on December 13, 2001, in what was dubbed the “attack on the Indian Parliament.”
• The assailants were members of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, two extremist groups with headquarters in Pakistan.
• Government officials and security officers lost their lives as a result of the incident.
• The attack made India’s parliamentary system more susceptible to outside threats and led to a significant revision of the country’s security protocols.

GS PAPER – II

SC denied stay on Allahabad high court permission to conduct survey of Mathura’s Shahi idgah mosque:

Why in news?

On December 14, the Allahabad high court allowed an application for the inspection of Shahi Idgah mosque complex adjoining the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura.

Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay an Allahabad High court order.

Why stay on survey not allowed?

• The Supreme Court on Friday refused to stay an Allahabad High court as it was just an oral plea.
• The bench asked committee of management Trust Shahi idgah to challenge the High court decision to challenge the high court decision by filing a proper appeal.

Why survey is allowed?

• Hindu petitioners assert that the mosque constructed by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1670 built over Lord Krishna’ birthplace in Mathura.
• The petitions mention the official court bulletin from January to February 1670 as evidence of Aurangzeb’s order.

Claims by the Muslim side?

• Mosque committee argue in high court that the mosque does not fall within the disputed 13.37 acres.

GS PAPER – II

U.S. Israel and their views on scaling back war in Gaza against HAMAS.

Why in news?

The U.S. and Israel discussed a timetable for scaling back intense combat operations in war against Hamas.

U.S. National security Advisor Jake Sullivan also met with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas to discuss the post war future.

What are the Three Possible Scenarios for the Conflict and their Potential Effects?

Limited Conflict in Gaza:

Under this scenario, the fighting mostly stays inside the Gaza Strip, with very little spreading into neighbouring areas.

Potential Effect

• The conflict in Gaza has limited direct impact on the global economy, but it’s concerning for a recovering global economy as central banks struggle to balance inflation and economic slowdowns, with the death toll already exceeding 8,000.

Regional Conflict with Iran-backed Militants

• The scenario involves a regional conflict involving Iran-backed militant groups in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, potentially leading to increased instability and conflict. Oil prices could rise to mid-USD 90s, higher than current prices, and global inflation rates could potentially dent economic growth by 0.3%.

Full-scale War Involving Israel, Iran, and Major Powers:

The most extreme scenario involves a full-scale war between regional powers Israel and Iran, potentially involving major world powers like the US, China, and Russia.

Potential Effects:-

The Middle East conflict could disrupt trade and global crude oil supply, potentially increasing crude oil prices to USD 150 per barrel. The conflict could also affect Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which may face challenges passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a 48-kilometer shipping chokepoint. Additionally, global inflation could rise to 6.7% in 2024, potentially slowing economic growth by 2% and potentially leading to a worldwide recession, with significant implications for countries like India and the US.

What is GAZA?

• The Gaza strip is an artificial creation that emerged in 1948 when roughly three fourths of Palestine’s Arab population was displaced.
• In some cases expelled, during the course of Israel creation.

What is HAMAS?

• It is a Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group that waged war on Israel since the group was founded in 1987.
• It has motive to replace Israel with a Palestinian state.

History

• The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt gave rise to Hamas in 1987 as a breakaway group that aimed to carry out its goals by waging armed jihad.
• As a resistance movement against Fatah and Israeli occupation, it grew in popularity.
• Since 1997, the US has classified Hamas as a terrorist group. The majority of Europe and many other nations, including Israel, have this same view.

Ideology:

• According to Hamas, no territory in Palestine should be given up or compromised.
• Any alternative to Palestine’s total freedom is rejected by Hamas.

Recent update?

• In the meeting a timetable was discussed for winding down the intense combat phase of war.
• The fight is going to take months and different phases will take place at different times.