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15 JULY NEWSPAPER NOTES

R2R - GUIDING SSB ASPIRANTS LIKE AN ELDER SIBLING

R2R NEWSPAPER NOTES

Fresh SSB batches starting 17th July. Referred articles were published in The Hindu.

1. India, China must move forward on de-escalation, Jaishankar tells Wang

  • Key Event: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing.
  • Core Message: Jaishankar emphasized the need for India and China to move forward on de-escalation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
  • Current Status: Despite disengagement achieved months ago, the actual withdrawal of troops has not yet followed.
  • Areas of Discussion:
    • Border issues: Addressing all aspects related to the border and de-escalation.
    • Trade and economic relations: Called for "normalising" people-to-people ties and avoiding "restrictive trade measures and roadblocks," referencing Chinese export restrictions on critical minerals.
    • Terrorism: Discussed the issue of terrorism within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
  • Bilateral Benefits: Jaishankar stated that "normalised continuation of ties can produce mutually beneficial outcomes."
  • Previous Engagements: Jaishankar has been in China multiple times since 2019, including after the Galwan clashes in 2020. He also met with Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng.
2. Women, STEM Careers and a More Receptive Industry
  • Global Context: World Youth Skills Day highlights that reducing unemployment and promoting decent work requires addressing skill development.
  • Gender Disparity in STEM:
    • Globally, less than 27% of women are in STEM careers.
    • In India, the female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) declined from 41.7% to 25.4% in 2023-24, indicating a paradox as the economy grows.
    • UNESCO data (2021) shows only 31.5% of researchers worldwide are women.
  • Economic Impact:
    • McKinsey Global Institute estimates that increasing women's participation could boost India's GDP by up to $700 billion by 2025.
    • Boosting female workforce participation could elevate GDP growth by 1%.
  • Government Initiatives:
    • New Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Emphasizes skill development and life skills training.
    • Ministry of Education's (MoE) Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme: Focuses on vocational skills development.
    • Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India): Aims to empower women's economic inclusivity.
    • Union Budget 2025-26: Introduced ₹4.49 lakh crore for skill development programs.
    • New Skill Training Initiatives: Include technology-driven skilling, policies for framework from Skill India to Digital India, and schemes like PM Vishwakarma Yojana.
  • Industry Engagement: India's private sector is increasingly stepping up with mentored campaigning, structured mentoring programs, industry-linked training initiatives, and partnerships with educational institutions.
    • UN Women's WeSTEM programme: Supported by the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, it addresses skills and bridges the talent gap.
  • Challenges: Deep-rooted societal norms, such as the belief that "mechanical means masculine," contribute to implicit bias and lower women's participation in STEM. Lack of awareness and access remain barriers.
3. The Importance of Alliance in Europe Must Go Up in India
  • Changing Global Order: The article discusses the shift towards a multi-alignment world with multiple power centres, contrasting it with a past unipolar or bipolar order.
  • India-EU Relations:
    • India and the EU have shared strategic visions and common values, forming a basis for deeper engagement.
    • EU is emerging as a key strategic partner for India, offering an alternative to current alliances.
    • Economic Ties: EU is India's third-largest trading partner, with $116 billion in bilateral trade in 2022-23.
    • FDI: EU is a major source of FDI for India, with investment more than doubling in the last three years.
    • Trade Agreements: The India-EU Free Trade and Investment Agreements are being negotiated, which are crucial for broader economic ties.
    • Digital Partnership: The India-EU Digital Partnership, initiated in February 2023, is highlighted as a model for future cooperation in digital public goods, cybersecurity, AI, and green technologies.
  • Strategic Autonomy: European nations are pursuing "strategic autonomy," emphasizing their ability to act independently in global affairs.
  • Challenges and Opportunities:
    • Geopolitical instability: The Russia-Ukraine war and its implications.
    • China factor: Europe seeks to diversify supply chains away from China, creating an opportunity for India.
    • Perceptions: India needs to overcome the perception that Europe is only relevant to its neighborhood.
    • Multilateralism: Emphasizes a commitment to multilateralism and rules-based order.
  • Key Figures: Shashi Tharoor (former Under-Secretary General of the United Nations) is the author.
4. The two-state reality we see today
  • Core Issue: The article discusses the two-state solution as the path to peace between Israel and Palestine.
  • Historical Context:
    • UN Resolution 181 (1947): Proposed the partition of Palestine into two states.
    • 1948 War: Led to Israel occupying 78% of historical Palestine.
    • 1967 War: Israel occupied the remaining 22% of Palestinian land (West Bank and Gaza).
  • Current Situation:
    • The two-state solution remains elusive and is actively undermined.
    • Palestinian State: The Palestinian state is stateless, lacking political weight, and suffering from a chronic lack of international political will.
    • Israeli Actions: Continued settlement expansion, violence against Palestinians, and demolition of homes undermine prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
  • International Community's Role:
    • The international community, including the United Nations, United States, and European Union, has often been ineffective in advocating for Palestinian rights.
    • US Veto Power: The US has repeatedly vetoed UN Security Council resolutions critical of Israel.
    • Financial Aid: International aid to Palestinians has decreased.
    • Military Aid to Israel: The US provides $3.8 billion in military aid to Israel annually.
  • Key Arguments:
    • There can be no peace without justice and respecting Palestinian human rights.
    • The international community must implement international humanitarian law and human rights principles.
    • The article calls for a renewed commitment to the two-state solution and accountability for actions that undermine it.
  • Author: Abdullah M. Abu Shaweesh (Ambassador of State of Palestine to India).

NEWS IN SHORTS

  • Australia Hosts Largest Drills Involving 19 Nations, With Chances of Chinese Scrutiny
    Australia is hosting Talisman Sabre 2025, its largest-ever war-fighting exercise, involving over 35,000 military personnel from 19 nations, including India. The drills commenced on Sunday with live-fire exercises using HIMARS rockets. The exercise is expected to attract Chinese surveillance, as China has previously monitored such events off the Australian coast.
  • Centre Defends New Coal Plant Rules, Calls Them Cost-Effective
    The Environment Ministry has defended its decision to exempt most thermal power plants from installing flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) systems, calling the revised policy "scientifically justified," targeted, and cost-effective. The new norms mandate FGD systems for only about 11% of India's 600 thermal power units, primarily in major cities with poor air quality. Critics argue this move is a rollback of environmental safeguards.
  • DGCA Orders Boeing Fuel Switch Inspection
    The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered specific Boeing aircraft operators to inspect the locking feature of the fuel control switch by July 21, following an interim report on the Air India crash on June 12. The report indicated that flipping of the two switches supplying fuel to the engines caused a double-engine failure. The order applies to Air India's Boeing 787s, Air India Express's 737-NGs, and Akasa's 787s.
  • All Boeing 787s Found Fit to Fly, Says Air India CEO
    Air India CEO Campbell Wilson stated that all Boeing 787 aircraft in their fleet have undergone checks since the last month's deadly crash and are found fit to fly. The preliminary probe report found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the aircraft or engines. While acknowledging some concerns, Wilson emphasized that the report made no premature conclusions or recommendations against the aircraft type.
  • After 18 Days on ISS, Shukla Begins Return Trip to Earth
    Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew are returning to Earth after spending 18 days on the International Space Station (ISS). They departed from the ISS on Monday and are expected to splash down off the California coast on Tuesday. Shukla completed all seven microgravity experiments, with post-flight studies planned to assess the impact of microgravity.
  • Researchers Gear Up to Study Seeds Sent to Space
    Scientists at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) are preparing to study seeds of rice varieties, horse gram, tomato, sesame, and brinjal sent to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Ax-4 mission. The research aims to understand the effects of microgravity on germination and yield parameters, with comparative studies using different samples.
  • News in Numbers (Selected Data)
    Eight people were arrested in Spain for anti-migrant violence in Torre Pacheco. India achieved 50% RE-based power generation capacity, reaching 242.6 GW from non-fossil fuel sources. Eight deaths due to floods occurred in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region. 22 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Monday. Global vaccine reserves have averted 5.8 million infections since 2000.
  • "Too Close for Comfort" - US Policies Impact Allies
    U.S. President Donald Trump's announced 35% tariff on Canadian digital services tax (DST) from July 10 has caused diplomatic strain, particularly with Canada. This "America First" approach has forced close allies like Canada and Nepal to re-evaluate their foreign and economic strategies, prompting them to diversify trade relations and seek new partnerships amid US unpredictability.

    • Sachin Jangir

    AIR 128, NDA 152

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