NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
1. Monkeypox cases Rise in the Capital.
2. India to Host UNSC Meet on Counter terrorism.
3. China steps up Pressure on Taiwan.
4. 'Integration of all Naga areas is the legitimate right of Nagas' : Chairman NSCN (I-M)
1. Monkeypox cases Rise in the Capital.
Contaxt
WHO declared monkeypox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and the 4th case is seen in the Capital.
What is monkeypox and when was it first discovered?
Zoonotic virus that can infect humans as well as other animals, including rodents and other primate species.
1958 - First discovered in monkeys at the Statens Serum Institute in Denmark.
1970 - First case in the present Democratic Republic of the Congo, the virus has be- come endemic in parts of Central and West Africa.
Other Zoonotic diseases: Zoonotic influenza, Salmonellosis, West Nile virus, Plague, Emerging coronaviruses, Rabies, Brucellosis, Lyme disease, etc.
About the virus:
The virus belongs to the same family of viruses as variola — the virus that causes smallpox. The disease presents with symptoms that are similar to those previously seen in smallpox patients, although it is less contagious and less severe.
What are the symptoms?
Fever, headache, muscle pain, and lethargy along with rashes and blisters commonly on the face, palms, feet, mouth, eyes or genitalia. These symptoms generally appear within two weeks since infection but can last for two to four weeks, with severe cas- es occurring mostly among children. However, newborns, young children and people with underlying immune deficiencies may be at a higher risk of developing more severe symptoms.
How is the virus transmitted?
• Animal-to-human transmission of the virus can result from close contact with blood, fluids or skin lesions of infected animals.
• Human-to-human transmission could happen through close contact, and through body secretions, skin lesions or contaminated articles of individuals infected with monkeypox.
What does declaring monkeypox a health emergency entail?
• The WHO defines a PHEIC as a disease outbreak that “constitutes a public health risk through the international spread of disease” which may require an immediate and coordinated international response.
• WHO has made seven PHEIC declarations: 2009 H1N1 (or swine flu) pandemic, the 2014 polio declaration, the 2013–2016 outbreak of Ebola in Western Africa, the 2015–16 Zika virus epidemic, the 2018–20 Kivu Ebola epidemic, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Monkeypox.
• This designation entails accelerating international efforts to contain the spread of the disease before it escalates into a pandemic.
• Promoting countries to devise efforts to control transmission and coordinate sharing of key resources such as vaccines and therapeutics apart from heightened contact tracing, diagnosis and vaccination.
• While studies are underway to understand the epidemiology, transmission routes and clinical presentations of the disease, the WHO will offer support to affected nations for developing an effective outbreak response and surveillance as well as prevention and therapeutic strategies against monkeypox.
What are the current prevention and treatment options against monkeypox?
• There are no specific treatments available for monkeypox. In most cases, monkey- pox is a self-limited disease that resolves spontaneously without any specific treatment.
• Clinical management of monkeypox includes relieving symptoms and managing complications and preventing long-term effects. I
• The WHO reports that vaccination against smallpox is approximately 85% effective in preventing monkeypox and thus prior immunization against smallpox may lead to mild disease.
2. India to Host UNSC Meet on Counter terrorism.
Contaxt
India will host diplomats and officials from all 15 countries of the United Nations Security Council for a special meeting on terrorism, in Delhi and Mumbai in October.
Members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Permanent members (P5): China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States.
Non-permanent members: Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, United Arab Emirates.
The permanent members are the countries that became the winners of the Second world war. They are also the only countries recognised as Nuclear Powers under Non-Proliferation Treaty.
How the non-permanent members are selected
The non-permanent members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly for two-year terms starting on 1 January, with half of them being replaced each year.
A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.
About Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC)
The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established by a Security Council resolution which was adopted in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States. Its mandate is to
CTC has been tasked with monitoring the various countries to ensure they enhance their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home, in their regions and around the world, including taking steps to:
- Criminalize the financing of terrorism
- Freeze without delay any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism
- Deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groups
- Suppress the provision of safe haven, sustenance or support for terrorists
- Share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts
- Cooperate with other governments in the investigation, detection, arrest, extradition and prosecution of those involved in such acts
- Criminalize active and passive assistance for terrorism in domestic law and bring violators to justice.
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS
- The meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), which India is chairing for 2022 as a member of the UNSC, will focus particularly on challenges such as terrorism financing, cyberthreats and the use of drones.
- New Delhi is expected to highlight cross-border threats from Pakistan and Afghanistan at the meeting, which will come two months before India completes its tenure as an elected member of the UNSC (2021-22).
- In addition, India has been pushing for the UN members to adopt a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (first proposed in 1996), which is likely to be raised during the meeting.
- While terror financing is now recognised and dealt with through mechanisms such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), it was necessary to build templates and “codes of conduct” for newer threats, including financing through cryptocurrency and the use of drones for terror attacks.
3.India to Host UNSC Meet on Counter terrorism.
Contaxt
India will host diplomats and officials from all 15 countries of the United Nations Security Council for a special meeting on terrorism, in Delhi and Mumbai in October.
Members of United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Permanent members (P5): China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States.
Non-permanent members: Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, Norway, United Arab Emirates.
The permanent members are the countries that became the winners of the Second world war. They are also the only countries recognised as Nuclear Powers under Non-Proliferation Treaty.
How the non-permanent members are selected
The non-permanent members are elected by the United Nations General Assembly for two-year terms starting on 1 January, with half of them being replaced each year.
A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election.
About Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC)
The Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) was established by a Security Council resolution which was adopted in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks in the United States.
Its mandate is to
CTC has been tasked with monitoring the various countries to ensure they enhance their legal and institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home, in their regions and around the world, including taking steps to:
- Criminalize the financing of terrorism
- Freeze without delay any funds related to persons involved in acts of terrorism
- Deny all forms of financial support for terrorist groups
- Suppress the provision of safe haven, sustenance or support for terrorists
- Share information with other governments on any groups practicing or planning terrorist acts
- Cooperate with other governments in the investigation, detection, arrest, extradition and prosecution of those involved in such acts
- Criminalize active and passive assistance for terrorism in domestic law and bring violators to justice.
IMPORTANT HIGHLIGHTS
- The meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), which India is chairing for 2022 as a member of the UNSC, will focus particularly on challenges such as terrorism financing, cyberthreats and the use of drones.
- New Delhi is expected to highlight cross-border threats from Pakistan and Afghanistan at the meeting, which will come two months before India completes its tenure as an elected member of the UNSC (2021-22).
- In addition, India has been pushing for the UN members to adopt a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (first proposed in 1996), which is likely to be raised during the meeting.
- While terror financing is now recognised and dealt with through mechanisms such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), it was necessary to build templates and “codes of conduct” for newer threats, including financing through cryptocurrency and the use of drones for terror attacks.
4. China steps up Pressure on Taiwan
Context
China is ratcheting up military pressure on Taiwan following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit.
Current Tensions
- The current round of tensions between China and Taiwan began in 2021 when China observed its National Day to mark the birth of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
- Coinciding with the 72nd anniversary celebrations, China flew over 100 fighter jets into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, jangling nerves in Taiwan and setting off alarm around the world that it was preparing to take over the island by force.
- Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and China’ steadfast support of Russia in the face of global criticism has heightened these fears.
Where does Taiwan stand in relation to China and the world?
- Taiwan, earlier known as Formosa, a tiny island off the east coast of China.
- It is where Chinese republicans of the Kuomintang government retreated after the 1949 victory of the communists — and it has since continued as the Republic of China (ROC).
Location: - The island is located in the East China Sea, to the northeast of Hong Kong, north of the Philippines and south of South Korea, and southwest of Japan.
Thus, what happens in and around Taiwan is of deep concern to all of East Asia.
- Recognition: Taiwan sees itself as a de jure sovereign state but it is largely unrecognized by other countries
- Just 15 countries around the world recognise Taiwan. Most are very small, many are remote island nations.
India`s President Standpoint
In 2020 after the Galwan clashes India handpicked a diplomat in the Ministry of External Affairs to become its envoy in Taipei.
- Later in that year, the BJP asked two of its MPs to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen through virtual mode.
- Lee Teng-hui: condoling the death of former Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui, India described him as “Mr Democracy”.
Implications of the rising tensions for India
- With India facing its own problems with China on the LAC, there have been suggestions that it should review its One China Policy.
- It has in any case long stopped reiterating this officially — and uses not just the Tibet card, but also develops more robust relations with Taiwan to send a message to China.
- India and Taiwan currently maintain “trade and cultural exchange” offices in each other’s capitals.
- New Southbound Policy (NSP): Often lauded as the Tsai administration’s flagship foreign policy initiative, the NSP expands the scope of countries covered in the Go South Policy.
- Through the policy, Taiwan has extended engagement with Australia, New Zealand, India, and its five South Asian neighbors.
One China Principal
- In practice, the ‘One China’ principle is a stabilization mechanism that preserves the status quo over Taiwan’s political status while allowing it to function as an independent economic, civic and administrative entity.
- Since 1979, Taiwan has had to negotiate its ‘international living space’ but it has largely honored the ‘One China’ principle.
5.'Integration of all Naga areas is the legitimate right of Nagas' : Chairman NSCN (I-M)
Context
In his speech on the 7th anniversary of the Framework agreement, as agreed upon political institutions will be instituted in the Naga areas in the so-called states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in addition to the present Nagaland state, which will be transitional to the final goal”.
How old is the Naga political issue?
Pre- independence:
- The British annexed Assam in 1826, and in 1881, the Naga Hills too became part of British India. The first sign of Naga resistance was seen in the formation of the Naga Club in 1918, which told the Simon Commission in 1929 “to leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times”.
- In 1946 came the Naga National Council (NNC), which declared Nagaland an independent state on August 14, 1947.
- The NNC resolved to establish a “sovereign Naga state” and conducted a “referendum” in 1951, in which “99 percent” supported an “independent” Nagaland.
Rise of Naga nationalism
- The British had annexed Assam in 1826, in which they subsequently created the Naga Hills district and went on to extend its boundaries.
- The assertion of Naga nationalism, which began during British rule, has continued after Independence, and even after Nagaland became a state.
- Along the way, the unresolved issues gave rise to decades of insurgency that claimed thousands of lives, including civilians.
What was the Ceasefire Agreement which was signed in 2015?
- Signatories: Interlocutor R.N. Ravi signed the agreement on behalf of the Center in presence of PM Modi. The other two signatories were leader of NSCN(IM) i.e. Isak Chishi Swu, who died in 2016 and Thuingaleng Muivah (86) who is leading the talks.
- Takeaway of the Agreement: The Government of India recognised the unique history, culture and position of the Nagas and their sentiments and aspirations. The NSCN(IM) also appreciated the Indian political system and governance.
- Significance: It shows the government's strong intent to resolve the long standing issue and adoption of diplomatic peaceful approach by Naga Society to fulfill their aspirations.
- Objective: Both sides agreed that October 2019 for concluding an accord, which would settle all Naga issues
- Shrouded in Secrecy: The details of the agreement have not been made public by the government citing security reasons.
Way Ahead
- Any moves to alter boundaries will intensify ethnic conflicts and insurgencies beyond Nagaland.
- The accord can be concluded after consultations with Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, all States which have a stake in the matter.
- The Central government needs to reiterate its commitment to finalizing the Naga accord while seeking to re-engage with the NSCN (I-M) without giving in to its arbitrary demands.