03.04.25

US Soft Power Decline:

• Driven by “America First” policies, leading to weakened alliances (NATO, AUKUS), strained ties with Global South due to unconditional support for Israel.
• Reduced humanitarian engagement due to USAID funding cuts and closure of institutions.
• Unstable trade and immigration policies, including protectionist measures and tighter immigration controls, damage US image.
• Decline in appeal of US higher education due to crackdown on protests and funding cuts.

India’s Soft Power Strengths:

• Rich cultural influence through yoga, Ayurveda, Bollywood, and spiritual traditions.
• Strong diaspora connections and historical ties, particularly in Asia and Africa.
• Democratic model and Gandhian ideals inspire developing nations.
• Economic and technological growth, leadership in IT, and vaccine diplomacy during COVID-19.
• Education and knowledge exchange through IITs, IIMs, and training programs like ITEC.
• Humanitarian aid and disaster relief, exemplified by Operation Brahma and assistance to Sri Lanka.
• Active participation in multilateral forums (UN, WHO, BRICS, G20).

Challenges to India’s Soft Power:

• Institutional gaps and poor coordination among organizations like ICCR and AYUSH.
• Limited utilization of multilateral platforms like UNESCO and BRICS.
• Inadequate financial resources compared to countries like China and the US.
• Lack of a formal study on global best practices in soft power promotion.
• Underutilized diaspora in shaping international perceptions.
• Passive approach to public diplomacy compared to proactive efforts by countries like China.

Way Forward for India:

• Develop a comprehensive national strategy for cultural diplomacy.
• Restructure institutions like ICCR and enhance coordination.
• Leverage multilateral platforms for cultural diplomacy.
• Learn from international best practices in soft power promotion.
• Involve the Indian diaspora in advocacy and policymaking.

• Ambitious Approach Needed: EAM Jaishankar urged BIMSTEC to adopt a more ambitious approach, given the evolving global order that is becoming increasingly regional and agenda-specific. This suggests a need for BIMSTEC to be more proactive and impactful in addressing regional challenges and opportunities.

• India’s Central Role & Connectivity: Jaishankar highlighted India’s crucial role, particularly its northeastern region, in establishing transport and connectivity linkages within BIMSTEC. This emphasizes India’s commitment to facilitating regional integration and infrastructure development.

• Meeting Context: The foreign ministers’ meeting in Bangkok served as preparation for the upcoming BIMSTEC Summit.

• BIMSTEC’s Core Purpose: It aims to foster economic and technical cooperation among countries bordering the Bay of Bengal, bridging South and Southeast Asia.

• Membership: BIMSTEC includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand.

• Origin & Structure: Established in 1997, it operates through a rotational chairmanship and consensus-based decision-making. The permanent secretariat is in Dhaka.

• Charter Adoption: The BIMSTEC Charter was adopted in 2022, providing the organization with a legal framework.

• Key Objectives: Focus on economic growth, social progress, trade and investment, transport and connectivity, regional security, technical collaboration, and sustainable development.

• New Damselfly Species Discovered: Euphaea wayanadensis, a new damselfly species, has been identified in the Wayanad region of the Western Ghats, Kerala.
• Significance for Kerala & Western Ghats: The discovery brings Kerala’s recorded odonate (damselfly and dragonfly) species count to 191 and the Western Ghats’ total to 223.
• Published Research: The findings were published in the journal ENTOMON.
• Initial Misidentification: The species was initially mistaken for Euphaea pseudodispar. Detailed study and genetic analysis confirmed its unique identity.
• Distinguishing Features: Key morphological differences include a longer black patch on the hind wing, broader humeral and antehumeral stripes in males, and a unique male genital structure.
• Habitat Preference: Euphaea wayanadensis thrives in fast-flowing streams with rocky beds and aquatic vegetation within evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
• Restricted Distribution & Vulnerability: The species has a highly restricted distribution, making it vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change. It is active year-round, except during the dry seasons.
• Ecological Importance: Damselflies, including Euphaea wayanadensis, serve as indicators of freshwater ecosystem health due to their sensitivity to water pollution.
• Discovery Location: First observed in the Kalindi River, Thirunelli, Wayanad, Kerala. Later sightings occurred in Aralam (Kannur, Kerala) and Coorg (Karnataka).

• Air Pollution Crisis: India faces a severe and persistent air pollution crisis with significant health, economic, and environmental impacts.
• Pollution Levels: India ranks as the 5th most polluted country globally, exceeding WHO safe limits by 10 times. Delhi is the most polluted capital, and Indian cities dominate the list of most polluted urban centers.
• Health Impact: Air pollution caused 2.1 million deaths in India in 2021, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
• Economic Loss: Air pollution reduces GDP growth by impacting productivity, increasing health costs, and decreasing asset efficiency. It also reduces solar power efficiency, potentially causing significant electricity losses.
• Environmental Degradation: Air pollution contributes to climate change, degrades ecosystems, and threatens biodiversity through acid rain, toxin buildup, and crop yield reduction.
• Diverse Causes: Sources include industries, vehicles, biomass burning, construction, and seasonal factors like stubble burning.
• Policy Gaps: Weak enforcement of existing regulations (BS-VI, PMUY, FAME) and inadequate monitoring hinder progress.
• Financial Constraints: Limited funding and outdated technologies slow down pollution control efforts.
• Over-Reliance on Technology: Excessive focus on high-tech solutions (smog towers) while neglecting major pollution sources.
• Behavioral Barriers: Public resistance to green technologies, reliance on solid fuels, and low awareness impede progress.
• Coordination Issues: Weak inter-state cooperation and seasonal pollution spikes complicate enforcement efforts.
• Way Forward:
  • Decentralized, data-driven governance: Empower local bodies and use real-time emissions tracking.
  • Technological and structural reforms: Balance innovation with systemic changes like renewable energy transition.
  • Learning from global best practices: Adopt clean energy strategies (China), integrate waste workers (Brazil), and reinvest pollution fines (California).
  • Sector-specific pollution control: Strengthen public transport, enforce vehicle scrappage, tighten industrial emission norms, improve waste management, and promote alternatives to crop residue burning.
  • Behavioral change: Raise awareness and involve communities in monitoring and advocating for sustainable practices.
• Conclusion: Addressing air pollution requires strong political will, scientific solutions, collective action, and integration into urban planning, public health, and economic growth strategies.

• U.S. National Arrested: A U.S. citizen was recently arrested for allegedly illegally entering the prohibited tribal reserve of North Sentinel Island. This is a key point because it highlights ongoing attempts to breach the island’s protected status.

• Location and Geography: North Sentinel Island is part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, located in the Bay of Bengal. The island is approximately 8km long and 7km wide, roughly 60 sq km in area, densely forested, and surrounded by a shallow reef. Understanding the geography gives context to the tribe’s isolation.

• Sentinelese Tribe: The island is home to the Sentinelese, one of the world’s last uncontacted tribes, believed to be descendants of early humans from Africa. This is the core reason for the island’s significance; the tribe’s unique status requires protection.

• Voluntary Isolation and Resistance: The Sentinelese have maintained voluntary isolation for thousands of years and fiercely resist contact with the outside world. This resistance justifies the protective measures in place.

• Legal Protection: The Andaman and Nicobar Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act, 1956, prohibits approaching the island closer than 5 nautical miles. This law is crucial to prevent unwanted contact and protect the Sentinelese from outside diseases and exploitation.

• Population Estimate: The Sentinelese population is estimated to be between 80 and 150 people (possibly ranging from 15 to 500). Accurately assessing the population is very difficult due to the lack of contact.

• Prohibited to Visit: It is illegal for outsiders, including Indian citizens, to visit North Sentinel Island or attempt contact with the Sentinelese. This reiterates the strict enforcement aimed at protecting the tribe.

• Surge in Synthetic Drug Trafficking: India faces a growing problem with synthetic drugs, prompting responses like Haryana’s Anti-Synthetic Narcotics Task Force.

• Synthetic Drug Definition: Lab-created drugs using precursor chemicals, unlike plant-based narcotics. Examples include amphetamines and ecstasy.

• Concerns:

  • Rapid Innovation: New psychoactive substances (NPS) circumvent the NDPS Act.
  • Ease of Production: Small, hidden labs use easily available precursors.
  • Detection Difficulty: Disguised in legitimate shipments, bypassing traditional methods.
  • Dark Net Usage: Traffickers use cryptocurrencies and blockchain, complicating tracking.
  • High Potency: Drugs like fentanyl cause fatal overdoses and mass addiction.

• Global Influence: India’s location between the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle and API production exacerbate the problem. Online forums aid synthesis.

• Reforms Needed:

  • Legislative Modernization: Amend NDPS Act for generic scheduling and fast-track NPS classification.
  • National Precursor Control Network: Real-time tracking of precursor chemicals with AI alerts.
  • Digital Surveillance: Use blockchain forensics to trace cryptocurrency payments.
  • International Coordination: Leverage UN conventions and collaborate with INTERPOL.
  • Health and Awareness: Expand de-addiction infrastructure (NAPDDR) and targeted awareness campaigns (NMBA).

• Why Harder to Regulate: Synthetic drugs are harder to regulate because of rapid innovation, the ease of production in small labs, their high potency leading to fatality, and are usually trafficked in disguise, using dark net, etc.

• Drug Interdiction: INS Tarkash seized over 2500 kg of narcotics in the Western Indian Ocean during maritime security operations. This highlights the Indian Navy’s role in combating illegal activities at sea.

• Stealth Frigate: INS Tarkash is a state-of-the-art stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, emphasizing its advanced design and capabilities.

• Talwar Class: It belongs to the Talwar class of guided missile frigates, showcasing its Russian origin and technology transfer.

• Built in Russia: INS Tarkash was built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, indicating the collaboration between India and Russia in naval shipbuilding.

• Commissioned in 2012: It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 9, 2012, marking its entry into service.

• Western Fleet: INS Tarkash is part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, demonstrating its operational area of responsibility.

• Stealth Technology: The frigate utilizes stealth technologies and hull design to reduce its radar signature.

• Weapon Systems: It is equipped with advanced weapon systems like the BrahMos missile, surface-to-air missiles, a 100mm gun, close-in weapon systems, torpedoes, and electronic warfare suite, showcasing its multi-dimensional threat response capability.

• Helicopter Capability: INS Tarkash can carry a Ka-28 or Ka-31 helicopter, expanding its anti-submarine warfare and early warning capabilities.

• Chandrayaan-3’s ChaSTE (Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment) is the first instrument to measure in-situ temperatures near the Moon’s south pole.
• ChaSTE successfully penetrated lunar soil and deployed a thermal probe, unlike previous missions like ESA’s Philae and NASA’s InSight HP3.
• It provides crucial data on lunar surface temperatures, supporting evidence of water ice deposits.
• The thermal probe, integrated into the Vikram lander, has 10 temperature sensors spaced 1 cm apart.
• It uses a rotation-based deployment mechanism, pushing the probe downwards.
• ChaSTE reached a depth of 10 cm in the lunar regolith and monitored temperature variations.
• Final temperature readings confirmed thermal properties essential for lunar exploration.
• ESA’s Philae lander failed to deploy its temperature probe due to an awkward landing.
• NASA’s InSight HP3 couldn’t penetrate deep enough due to low friction in Martian sand.
• Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission, aiming for a soft landing near the Moon’s south pole.
• ChaSTE’s importance lies in providing data on temperature variations beneath the lunar surface, aiding future Moon exploration.

• Context: Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly seeks retrieval of Katchatheevu island from Sri Lanka.
• Why: The resolution aims to protect Tamil Nadu fishermen’s traditional fishing rights and alleviate their suffering from Sri Lankan Navy actions.
• What is Katchatheevu: A small, uninhabited island in the Palk Strait, between India and Sri Lanka.
• Historical Background: Originally under the control of the Raja of Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) during British rule; ownership disputed after independence.
• 1974 Agreement: The Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement transferred Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka; Indian fishermen were granted access for specific purposes.
• Fishermen Disputes: Indian fishermen face arrests and detentions by the Sri Lankan Navy for alleged illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.
• Religious Significance: The St. Antony’s Church on the island hosts an annual festival attended by pilgrims from both countries.

• Death Anniversary: The Prime Minister paid tribute to Shyamji Krishna Verma on his death anniversary (March 30th).

• Who was he? He was an Indian revolutionary, patriot, lawyer, and journalist born in Gujarat.

• Indian Home Rule Society: In 1905, he established the Indian Home Rule Society in London to inspire revolutionary activities among young Indians against British rule. This is important because it highlights Verma’s active role in fostering anti-colonial sentiment and action.

• India House & The Indian Sociologist: He founded India House and The Indian Sociologist, a journal that became a hub for radical nationalists. This is significant as it shows his commitment to providing a platform for revolutionary thought and organizing Indian students abroad.

• Arya Samaj & Veer Savarkar: He was the first President of the Bombay Arya Samaj and influenced Veer Savarkar. This illustrates the breadth of his influence on Indian socio-political movements.

• Shift to Europe: Due to British criticism, Verma moved from England to Paris and then Geneva, where he died in 1930. This reveals the challenges he faced due to his revolutionary activities and the constant pressure from British authorities.

• Kranti Teerth: A memorial dedicated to him, Kranti Teerth, was built near Mandvi in 2010. This indicates the recognition and remembrance of his contributions in contemporary India.