India won’t bend to PAK nuclear blackmail
Syllabus: GS2/ india and its neighbourhood relationship
In News
- PM declared operation sindoor as India’s established policy in the fight against terrorism.
About
- Prime minister made it very clear in his speech that any rhetoric or blackmail from Pakistan regarding nuclear warfare will not be tolerated while acting against terrorism.
- Reiterating his earlier stand on terrorism and giving references of surgical strikes of 2016 and balakot strikes of 2019, PM made his stand clear that zero tolerance is the new normal on which no compromise would be made.
- The PM emphasised that any new talk with Pakistan could only take place with respect to terrorism and that Pakistan’s actions will be evaluated for any further actions if required.
India, Pak to cut troops on border
Syllabus: GS3/security challenges and their management in border areas
Context
- India and Pakistan army agreed to troop reduction from border and forward areas.
About
- Ensuring their commitment to not fire a single shot or initiating any aggressive actions , both sides’ armies agreed to withdraw troops from the border area and forward areas.
- It was decided during the meeting of DGMOs ( Director general of military operations ) of both sides.
- Further the Director general of India made it clear that should the need arise in future , India is equipped in every possible parameter to resist any unwanted circumstances .
- In this context the Territorial army is being prepared in accordance with the scheme outlined by the government to withstand any unforeseen situations.
Territorial Army (TA)
Syllabus :GS 3/Security Agencies
Context
- Rule 33 empowers the Central Government to authorize the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) to call out the Territorial Army (TA).
- This provision can be invoked to provide essential guard duties or to supplement and support the regular Indian Army.
What is the Territorial Army (TA)?
- About: It is a volunteer force that acts as a second line of defence after the regular Indian Army. Unlike full-time soldiers, TA members are civilians who take time out of their regular jobs (doctors, engineers, business owners, and more) to train and serve the country in times of need.
- History: The genesis of the Territorial Army in India can be traced back to the first war of Independence in 1857, when a Volunteer Force was raised. The TA in its current form came into being when the Territorial Army Act was enacted on Aug 18, 1948.
- Rank: It comprises officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs), non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and other ranks — all holding ranks identical to the regular Indian Army.
- Strength: The TA currently has a strength of over 40,000 personnel organised into 32 infantry battalions and various engineer and departmental units.
- Nickname and Motto: The force is nicknamed the ‘Terriers’ and operates under the motto ‘Savdhani Va Shooter’ (Vigilance and Valour).
- Command: It is commanded by a Director General of Territorial Army, a Lieutenant General-ranked officer deputed from the Indian Army, and falls under the Chief of Defence Staff through the Department of Military Affairs in the Ministry of Defence.
Single – use food packaging
Syllabus: GS3/ Environment
Context
- Single use food and beverage packaging constitutes 84 percent of plastic waste in the eco- sensitive Himalayan region.
About
- According to a study conducted by Zero Waste Himalaya Alliance, nearly 70% of the plastics accumulated from across the Himalayan belt from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh are non-recyclable and have no market value.
- This starting revelation of the environmental reality came to light at the Zero Waste Himalaya Network Meet held in Himachal Pradesh’s Bir in April, where the dignitaries of the alliance lamented the inefficiencies of the current policies in addressing the unusual challenges of mountain ecosystems.
- The alliance was organised by Zero Waste Himalaya, an organisation located in Sikkim’s Gangtok, and the Integrated Mountain Initiative based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
- It was mentioned in the report that 84.2% of the plastic waste was found to be food and beverage packaging. These packages have been audited to gather data on the top corporate polluters in the Himalayan region.
Starmer moots law to curb migration to Uk
Syllabus: GS2/ International Relations, GS3/ Economy
Context
- The Labour party in the UK released a white paper tightening the current immigration policy in view of the threat that the UK is becoming an ‘island of strangers’.
UK PM new policy
- The new rules, if enacted into law, would in some cases double the time to permanent residence from five to 10 years, raise the English language standards for immigrants and close the social care visa route. The rules will impact Indians living and working in the U.K., many of whom are on visas which are the focus of the White Paper.
- Every area of the immigration system — work, family, and study — will be tightened up so we have more control,” Mr. Starmer said, as he promised a “selective and fair” migration system.
PRACTICE QUESTION
1. Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?
- This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
- It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
- Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
- The Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.
Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Ques -Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):
- Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
- IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2