Current Affairs Capsule for 17th October 2024

1. India, Pak. avoid blaming each other at SCO meet.

Key Participants:

• S. Jaishankar, the Indian External Affairs Minister.

• Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Finance Minister.

• First physical visit of an Indian Foreign Minister in the neighboring country in the last nine years.

Atmosphere of the Exchange:

• This was something quite different from the previous meetings’ atmosphere that was full of tension.

• Kashmir issue was not talked about and there were no blame games played also.

Jaishankar’s Speech Highlights:

• India insisted on the fight against the three evils of terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

• Sco nations asked top respect border and sovereignty.

Shift in Pakistan’s Approach:

• There was no usual rhetoric about the disputed territory of Kashmir in PM Shehbaz Sharif’s first speech.

Outcome of the Summit:

• After deliberation, the parties signed eight points of understanding.

• Pakistani officials remain optimistic, especially in the relations existing between the two countries provided both respond positively.

2. Decoding the government’s move to enact MSP In India

What is MSP?

• Anyone reading that wants to know that MSP stands for the minimum support price that the government of India agrees to pay for a farmer’s produce.

• The objective is to give shielding against the conditions of the market for farmers.

Benefits of Legalizing MSP:

1. Enforceable Rights: Farmers can avail MSP legally hence enjoying judicial back up.

2. Boost to Rural Economy: Consumption rises in the countryside when farmers’ income is higher.

3. Promotes Diversification: Producers have been urged to cultivate pulses and millets as they are integral to environmentally friendly farming for climate change.

UPSC Practice Question:

Consider the following statements about MSP:

1. In respect of cereals, pulses and oil seeds, anyone can buy the crops directly from the farmers at MSP all over the country.

2. The market prices of MSP are fixed always higher than the market price all across the country.

Which of the above statements is true /are true???

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

3. India-Australia Trade Negotiations: CECA Agreement

Objective:

• Before the early next year Australia elections completing the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).

• CECA is actually the succedaneum of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) that was signed between both nations.

Trade Snapshot (FY24):

• Bilateral trade: $24 billion.

• India’s exports to Australia: $7.94 billion.

• India’s imports from Australia: $16.15 billion.

India’s Demands:

• This is aimed at solving tariff quirks that may be unkind to Indian exporters.

• Demand for a better Free Trade Agreement (FTA) deal bargains with more favorable terms in provisos.

Relevance for SSC & UPSC: Possible questions may include: Trade relations between the two countries, FTA policies or India-Australia economic partnership.

4. Abetment of Suicide: Supreme Court Interpretation

Legal Definition:

• Economic bribe in India is permitted under Section 394 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

• Punishment: Up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine.

Supreme Court’s Key Guidelines:

1. Direct Incitement: The accused must have induced or compelled suicide of the victim.

2. Harassment or Exploitation: Victim had feel with suicide is the only way out.

3. Emotional Abuse: The accused takes advantage of the emotional state of the victim.

4. Financial or Reputational Harm: Physical aggression; financial and relational control; sabotaging; threats to safety; social ostracism.

Important Case Laws:

• M Mohan v State (2011): Direct intention required for cou bail under Section 306.

• Ude Singh v State of Haryana (2019): Abetment varies according to the facts and circumstances of a case.

5. Renewable Energy achievements set up in the year 2000 till date in India

Recent Milestone:

• India has reached 200GW or more of renewable power capacity by October 2024.

Targets and Commitments:

• One of the declared goals at the Copenhagen summit was to have at least 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by the year 2030.

• The primary goal of Net-Zero now must be achieved by 2070, as pledged at the COP26.

Key Government Initiatives:

1. National Green Hydrogen Mission: Singapore aims at developing green hydrogen to reduce emission.

2. PM-KUSUM Scheme: Encourages deployment of solar powered pumps in farming.

3. PLI Schemes: Promotes the use of local content in the production of the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) modules.

Practice Question for UPSC:

Which of the following statement about solar power generated in India is right?

1. However, India ranks third globally in the production of silicon wafers that are used in fabrication solar panels.

2. The tariffs of solar power are decided by the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

Correct Option:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

6. World Food Day 2024

Theme: Right to Food for another Life and Another Future.

Observed on: 16th October every year.

Significance:

• Reflect a creation of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the year 1945.

• Human right to food is one of the features of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights enacted in 1948.

India’s Achievement:

• With the least impact which makes them the most sustainable food consumers among the G20 nations as rated by the living planet report by WWF.

7. Birth Anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Born: 15-10-1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

Achievements:

• Nickname for his involvement in the missile development programs- Missile Man of India.

• Was the 11th President of India holding the office between 2002 and 2007.

Awarded India’s top civilian honors:

• Padma Bhushan (1981)

• Padma Vibhushan (1990)

• Bharat Ratna (1997)

Famous Books by Dr. Kalam:

• Wings of Fire

• India 2020

• Ignited Minds

8. China’s Operation Joint Sword 24B

Location: The survey was carried out near Taiwan in the South China sea.

Geopolitical Significance:

• Taiwan’s location on the Eastern China Sea has it occupying a strategic position in the over arching trade network in the Asia Pacific region.

• Taiwan Strait conflict poses a threat to global supply chains especially to electronics.

China-Taiwan Relations:

• Taiwan is referred to as a country on its own but it is regarded a rebellious province by China.

• Taiwan is officially recognized by fewer than half the countries in the world, 11 in total, however, most countries have unofficial relations with Taiwan.