1:Syrian Rebels to get Non-Lethal aid from UK

Nowadays, it has turned into sectarian war between Shia Prez. Bashar Al Assad (Alawite) vs Sunni Rebels.
Nobel Peace prize 2014 winner Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has started new
investigation.
Geneva II conference:
UN sponsored
@ Monteux, Switzerland
Started from January 2014 . Aims to bring both Syrian government and rebel forces on negotiation table.
Moderate/Secular:
1. Free Syrian Army(FSA) 2. Syrian National Coalition (SNC)
mostly ex-soldiers, US, UK etc. support them with non-lethal aid: food, tent, and medicines.
Extremist/Non-Secular:
1. Al-Nusra 2. Islamic Front.
Affiliated with Al-Qaeda. They get funding from Sunni-extremist groups in Middle east. But When they run out
of diesel/ammo, they loot the godowns of secular rebels. After all theyre Extremists!

2:What is WIPO?
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) is a specialized agency of United Nations, setup in 1970.
1. promotes the protection of intellectual property rights in
a. Industrial domain: patents, invention, trademark etc.
b. Artistic domain: book, music, photographs etc.
2. Enforcement of IPR related treaties, the most important one being Patent
Cooperation Treaty (PCT). A patent registered under PCT, has legal validity in all the countries that have
signed PCT treaty.
3. Coordinates with WTO for enforcement of TRIPS- Trade related intellectual property rights & GI
(Geographical indicator) tags.
4. Coordinates with national agencies to combat piracy- in medicine, music, movies, software and other
copyrighted products.
5. Provides arbitration /mediator service to private parties for IPR infringement.
6. Resolves disputes over internet domain names. Particularly Cybersquatting i.e. buying a domain name in
bad faith, to sell it to the rightful owner at high price.

Marrakesh Treaty for Visually Challenged:

World Intellectual Property rights Organization (WIPO)s Marrakesh Treaty aims to help visually challenged
people to access copyrighted books.
Indias stand: 2012: We already amended Copyright act to give exceptions to visually challenged people.
2014: We signed Marrakesh Treaty
Will permit translation of copyrighted books in all 22 official Indian languages for the benefit of VC. Theyll
be distributed to educational institutions & libraries
Even private sector has come forward. TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) developed online platform to aid in
online distribution of such books.
WIPO HQ: Geneva, Switzerland
Called Marrakesh treaty because it was adopted @Marrakesh, Morocco in 2013
Now at the national level efforts so far towards educating visually challenged:
1. At elementary level Sarva shiksha abhyan aims at providing inclusive elementary
education for children under the age of 14 years.

3: International Court of Justice (ICJ) & Marshall Islands Case

against India
ICJ-Structure
1. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the main judicial organ of the United
Nations.
2. Setup under UN Charter of 1945.
3. Permanent seat at Hague, Netherlands
4. Has its own international secretariat, outside UN Secretariat.
5. Official court languages: French and English.

Marshall Islands case

After WW2, USA had setup a military base in Marshall Islands in Pacific to test nuclear and hydrogen bombs.
This led to ecological destruction, and radiation contamination on the islands and its residents.
2014: Marshall Island government filed a case in ICJ against the nine nuclear
weapon states alleging theyve continued nuclear race and did not begin nuclear disarmament despite obligations under
NPT.
Though India, Pakistan, Israel & N.Korea are not parties to NPT, theyre also
included in the case, on the argument that disarmament provision of NPT apply to all nations as a customary international
law.
Capital Majuro.
Before WW1 German Colony
After WW1 Japanese Colony
After WW2 USA Military Base. Later ran under Trusteeship of UN
1991 Finally joined UN as a free country.
What is their problem?
From 1946 to 1958, USA conducted 67 nuclear tests on these islands Even destroyed one of the islands by testing a
hydrogen bomb.
Consequently, Marshall Islands became one of the most contaminated sites in the world
April 2014: filed a case in International Court of Justice (ICJ) against nine nuclear weapon states viz.
Parties to NPTNon-parties to NPT
1. USA

2. Russia
3. UK
4. France
6. India
7. Israel
8. Pakistan
5. China 9. North Korea
Collectively these nine nations have >17000 nuclear warheads.
Marshall Islands Arguments:
1970: NPT came into force. It provides Non-nuclear states will not acquire nuclear weapons Nuclear states will aim for
disarmament. But those who signed NPT, havent stopped nuclear arms race or started nuclear
disarmament. Thus, theyve breached NPT Article 6. Yes, India, Pakistan, Israel and N.Korea have not signed NPT, but
still, the disarmament provision of NPT also apply to them as a customary international
law. Yet, by continuing nuclear arms race, they too have breached the international law. Besides, India, Pakistan and UK
have accepted compulsory jurisdiction of ICJ. Hence theyre answerable in this court irrespective of whether theyre party
of NPT or not. We dont want any compensation. We only want the ICJ court to order those 9 nation to begin nuclear
disarmament.
What next for nuclear states?
1. Those 9 countries will have to prove in court theyre committed towards nuclear
disarmament, otherwise ICJ might pronounce a legally binding verdict on disarmament.
2. But, Israel already stated we are not party to NPT, this case has no legs. India/ Pak may take the same line.
3. India has accepted ICJs compulsory jurisdiction. But only with respect to multilateral treaties. But since we are not
party to NPT, ICJ cannot exercise jurisdiction over us.
4. North Korea may not even bother sending lawyer to defend themselves @ICJ.
5. China may even say NPT has been extended to infinite time, there is no deadline to begin disarmament.
6. USA and Russia might argue in the court, were sincerely taking steps for nuclear disarmament viz.
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) of 1970s
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) from 2010

4. Pakistan: Conditional NPT signature:

Why in news? Because in a recent seminar, Paki Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Chairman said Were
ready to sign NPT. Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
Nuclear Weapons States:
Countries that tested nuke bombs before 1st January 1967. meaning Only P5: U.S., U.K., France, China and the
Soviet Union. They can continue to possess the nuclear weapons for the time being. But ultimately theyll have
to begin disarmament.
Non-Nuclear Weapons States :
Everyone else, Promised not to acquire nuclear weapons .
Sequent of Events after NPT:
1974 India conducts nuclear test @Pokhran.
1975 Dr. A.Q. Khan steals Uranium technology from Netherlands to Pak.
1975 Group of Nuclear exporter countries met at London, to put export controls on
such Non-Nuclear Weapon countries. Otherwise NPT would become meaningless. This gang later transforms into NSG.
1992 Nuclear Supply Group (NSG) releases dual-use guideline.
Pakistans says we are ready to sign NPT, BUT with following condition.
1. NPT has two classification: nuke weapon countries (tested bombs before 1967),
non-nuke weapon countries.

2. Although we tested first nuke-bomb only in 1998 STILL give us membership in

nuke weapon country category.
Sequent of Events after NPT:
1974 India conducts nuclear test @Pokhran.
1975 Dr. A.Q. Khan steals Uranium technology from Netherlands to Pak.
1975
Group of Nuclear exporter countries met at London, to put export controls on
such Non-Nuclear Weapon countries. Otherwise NPT would become
meaningless. This gang later transforms into NSG.
1992 Nuclear Supply Group (NSG) releases dual-use guideline.
Dual use guideline:
IF a given material/technology has dual use i.e. in making nuke bomb + in
making nuclear reactors for energy
THEN Nuclear supplier country can export / transfer it to another country
ONLY IF the recipient country (e.g India) promises not to use it for nuclear
explosion OR in unsafe nuke reactors.
But still, NSG approval necessary before such export/transfer begins.
In other words, by dual use guideline, NSG aims to prevent spread of sensitive nuke
technology to problematic countries such as N.Korea and Pakistan.
Why does Pak. Want to join NPT?
1. Theyre facing electricity shortage. Want to develop nuclear plants.
2. Like India, Pakistan wanted exceptional treaty with US and NSG-waiver, without
signing the NPT. But thats unlikely to happen due to Dual use guideline.
Pakistan is facing nuclear Apartheid because of its tainted past like Dr. AQ
Khan the nuclear thief, Sheltering Osama and so on.
3. So now Pak planning to join NPT. That way Pak can legitimately demand NSG waiver for buying fissile material and
technology.

5:US report on Indian Counter Terrorism measures:

Plan for National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID). Itll link intelligence related databases in different ministries
and departments.
Signed treaty with USA for Information exchange for aviation security
Member of FATF (Financial Action Task Force) on Money Laundering. Also part of similar grouping in
Eurasia and Asia.

6: USA: Work permit to H1B Spouses:

US Immigration Bill 2013 Aims to fix this problem by granting work permits even to the spouses of such
H1B holders.
That way both husband + wife can work, less money problem, less family tension, can afford to wait n watch
for green card.

7: Fair share from Teesta?

Geography:

Teesta originates from Kangse Glacier, Charamu Lake in Sikkim, most of its catchment area lies in India.
It enters Bangladesh, joins Brahmaputra, and ends in Bay of Bengal. After Brahmapurta, Ganges and Meghna;
Teesta is the 4th largest river in Bangladesh
March 2014
BIMSTEC summit at Nay Pyi Taw click me
Mohan assured Haseena about early conclusion of Teesta accord.
Sequence of events:
W.Bengal government began constructing a barrage and catchment area on Teesta. Bangladesh opposed,
because their rice bowl Rangpur region depends on Teesta. To pacify them, India began negotiation.
1983: India- Bangladesh concluded and ad-hoc agreement on Teesta
Water share from Teesta
India 39%
Bangladesh 36%
Unallocated 25%
But problem unsolved, because Bangladesh wanted equal sharing. 1984: Joint-river commission appointed to
collect hydrological data & suggest a rational
method for water sharing.
Commission recommended increasing Bangladeshs share, on logic that W.Bengals barrage is very close to
Bangladesh border (~90 km). Some water will penetrate underground and benefit both countries anyways.
New formula proposed
Water share from Teesta
India 42.5%
Bangladesh 37.5%
Unallocated 20% for the river (otherwise nothing will reach to Bay of Bengal!)

8:India Bhutan Love n Hate over Hydroprojects:

Topic in news because during April 2014, India and Bhutan signed a new Inter-Governmental Agreement for hydro
projects.
2006: India Bhutan signed agreement. India promised to develop 10,000 MW hydropower in Bhutan. Bhutan promised
theyll export surplus electricity to India by 2020.
India Bhutan Love & Hate over HYDRO POWER:
Bhutanese economy is based on agriculture, forestry and tourism. But major of GDP comes from construction and hydroelectricity.
2. India is the only importer of Bhutanese Hydroelectricity.
3. We also supply them Bhutan laborers, food imports and defense equipment.
4. But relations turned sour during previous PM Jigme Thinleys inclination towards China.
Chinese Angle:
2008: China begins Border settlement talks with Bhutan.
China asked Bhutan to give 250 sq. km from North Bhutan. And offered to give 500 sq.km area from China in return.
But this smaller 250 sq.km area is in Chumbi valley- @tri-junction of Bhutan, India and China.
If China sets up base here, they can easily penetrate India and cut off North Eastern India from rest of the country.
Fortunately Bhutan government declined the offer.
2012: RIO+20 summit. Chinese leaders again made offer PM Jigme Thinley , he responded positively.

India alarmed, begins teaching lesson to Bhutan:

1.Until now we gave Aid/donation to Bhutan for building their Hydroplants. But now we
stopped giving free aid. Only loans for Bhutan.
2. Stopped kerosene and cooking gas subsidy.
3. Subprime crisis=> declined tourists. GDP stagnates. No money to repay Indian loans.
4. So far Bhutan PM completed only 3 Hydro project = not sufficient production to cover the
costs.
5. Cannot give any more subsidy on Kerosene and cooking gas =>Bhutanese juntaa protests.
2013 General election in Bhutan, they vote new Prime Minister Tshering Thogba

9: Sino-India BDCA Pact:

This was signed in October 2013, but topic is in news during April 2014 because Army officers of both sides
met each other as per the provisions of this pact.
Under Border Defense Cooperation Agreement (BDCA), Both sides will :
1. follow maximum self-restrain,
2. Will not use military capabilities against each other
3. Will avoid patrolling along such border areas, where there is no common understanding of
LAC (Line of Actual Control)
4. Both can initiate joint-military training exercise=> In Nov.2014, there will be Hand-inHand counterterrorism exercise at Barrackpore (West Bengal).
Benefits to Indian side:
1. Will have to spend less man and material resources to guard Sino-Indian border.
2. This agreement can smooth path towards peaceful settlement of border disputes
3.distant possibility, (since there are no permanent friends or foe in diplomacy) if
goodfaith is established, China may stop arming Pakistan against India.

10. FATCA Treaty India US(Foreign account tax compliance act):

1. Will come in effect from 1st July 2014.
2. All Indian Financial intermediaries (Banks, mutual funds, insurance cos etc.) will have to keep record of
American investors- not just US citizens but even US green card holders and US residents.
Exempted: Accounts of US government entities, US Federal reserve and retirement funds. Accounts <$50000 .
For Noncompliance, Indian FI will have to pay 30% of the withholding tax to USA
FATCA agreements have to models
MODEL1
Desi Financial institutions (banks, Mutual funds etc) will sent report to their Government (CBDT)=> matter
forwarded to=>American IRS(India has signed this type of agreement with USA )
MODEL2
Desi FI will directly send info to American IRS tax department

11: Israel-Palestine: HAMAS-FATAH Unity Deal:

Hamas and Fatah =two rival factions of PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization).

2007: rift between Hamas and Fatah => civil war

for the full historic coverage of Israel-Palestine, read my earlier article click me
Hamas and Fatah =two rival factions of PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization).
2006: Hamas wins Palestine election but failed to form government
2007: rift between Hamas and Fatah => civil war.
Both factions tried to reconcile in 2011 and 12 but no help.
Hamas Fatah
not important
Its leader Mahmood Abbas is the current President of Palestine authority.
Dominates Gaza & Coastal areas. Mostly poor & isolated regions.
Dominates West Bank area. Most populous and rich.
Refuses to recognize Israel as a sovereign country.
Uses violent methods to teach Israelis a lesson.
Moderate views than Hamas.
Undergoing crisis period due to lack of money and political support.
Egyptian army wiped out their supporters (Muslim brotherhood) and supply tunnels to Gaza.
Egyptian army supports them.
Even Qatar has stopped supporting Hamas.
Fast forward to current issue

July 2013: Peace talks begin between Israel & Palestine, USA plays mediator.
These talks had deadline of nine months (=end in April 2014.)
But peace talks failed because:
PARTY Action
PALESTINE
Israel has not released our prisoners. Well now apply to join 15 UN agencies and international treaties such as
Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, child rights, anti-torture, anti-corruption convention
and so on. click me Then well complain about Israel in those bodies. Switzerland has even supported that
Palestine can join Geneva Convention!
ISRAEL
Palestine is trying to bully me under those stupid conventions Now for tit for tat. Every month we collect
taxes from Palestines junta and pay $100 million to Palestine authority. But since youve applied to
those UN bodies & secretly negotiating with terror outfits like Hamas, now well withhold that tax money :P
USA
first time publically blamed Israel for failure of talks Because Israels decision to build 700 more settlements
in Palestinian territory
Anyways, just one day before the talk deadline in April 2014, Hamas and Fatah propose to sign a
peace agreement, with following features:
We recognize Israel as a country (but of 1967 borders)
We Renounce violence
We Acceptance of previous Israel- Palestine agreement 2011 and Hamas-Fatah agreement
2012
Well hold election within 6 months.
Why USA-Israel unhappy with this Unity Deal between Hamas & Fatah?
1. USA and Israel have declared Hamas as a militant/ terrorist organization. Hence direct
negotiation with Hamas is against their official policy.
2. USA declared that the pact is unhelpful and paused the talks.
3. Some expert believe this is a tactic by Palestine leader Mahmood Abbas. He has not
formally signed this treaty yet. This is a ploy to force Israel to release those $100 tax
money.
4. Israels stand: if Abbas signs this Unity Pact with Hamas=> well hold him reasonable for
every rocket fired towards Israeli settlements.
5. EU Stand: Hamas is still a terror outfit under EU laws. Well recognize any deal between
Israel-Palestine ONLY if Palestine is ruled by a non-violent regime.

12: UN Security sector reforms (SSR):

1.UN carter mandates every member to either troops or equivalent money in UN Peacekeeping operations
(PKOs).
2. The share depends on countrys economy & status in global governance.
3. We are the largest troop contributor in PKO, have participated in 46 out 70 UN missions, send 1.7 lakh
soldiers and lost >150 of them

Indias stand on SSR reforms:

1. In Africa, the deployment of UN peacekeeping force operations (PKO), is often seen as Neo-Colonialism,
hence doesnt get cooperation from locals.

2. Therefore, UN & (White) donor countries should keep minimum external footprint during peacekeeping ops.
3. Instead we should ensure sustainable national ownership of the SSR process.
4. In other words, the strife-ridden (African) host countries should decide mandate the functions/mandate of
UN Peacekeeping troopers and how much Desi liquor quota should be alloted to those foreign troopers.
5. (White) donor countries should not be calling the shots. (Poor) Host country should decide their own
Priorities.
6. SSR reform should also focus on post-conflict peacebuilding.
7. Meaning, After peace agreement is signed (Between xyz African government vs rebels), Peacekeeping
operations should focus on maintenance of public order until situation returns to normalcy (instead of
immediately packing the bags and leaving- to save UN budget.)
8. UN peacekeeping mission should be run in cost-effective manner and not with cost-cutting mindset.
9. Without political reforms at national (African country level) and International (UNSC) level, any police,
military reforms/charters will be hollow and unsustainable.
10. Sometimes soldiers of local ethnic majority dominate the peacekeeping corps, thereby act discriminately
and turn blind eye to human rights abuse.
11. Therefore, we should ensure impartial recruitments in peacekeeping forces.

UNSC Resolution 2151 on SSR:

1. The Sovereign (host African) country should decide the mandate of (international) peacekeeping forces.
2. If Rule of law is strictly enforced, many civil wars & conflicts can be prevented.
3. Therefore, UN should help not only during crisis but also for long term capacity building of these (African)
armies, police, jail authorities, border patrol, immigration service and judiciary.
Why need?
To make peoples live safer, these UN missions must become more accountable and effective.
Therefore, in 2007 UN Secretary General setup a task force on securities sector reforms (SSR).
UNSC
In addition to above points by India, UNSC resolution in 2014, also includes following:
1. Long term capacity building of armies, police, jail authorities, border patrol, immigration & judiciary.
2. Rehabilitation of former rebels, child soldiers and victims.
3. Disarmament & arms embargo
4. combat organized crime and corruption
5. Broader political reforms with participation of civil society.
6. Gender justice, more women in security forces.

13: UN-IOC Sports for development and Peace:

UN and IOC has signed an agreement Sports for development and Peace
To use sports for promoting peace and economic development.
Features:
Educate youth via sports: learn while you play
Sports to increase interaction of margined society with rest of the world .
In conflict areas like Syria and S.Sudan, Sports can help restore some normalcy.
Sports can motivate children to enroll in schools.
Sports can empower girls, give them leadership skills.

14: Maritime Silk Road (MSR) policy?

Objectives
1. Connect 12 inland Chinese regions with 14 neighboring countries. (revive ancient silk road)
2. Get new export markets
3. Secure lanes to import raw material.
4. Counter the influence of USA and Russia.

Economic reasons:
Subprime crisis => global economic crisis => Fed Tapering=> less FDI and import orders from US and EU.
Result : Chinas Export & FDI driven economic model is losing its effect.
The growing disparity between Coastal China vs Inland China = creating social problems, helping extremists
and junta demanding for democracy. Hence China needs to develop those 12 inland regions (mostly located in
Western Part of China)?

: Strategic supply lines

Strait of Malacca= pirate infested waters but >80% of imports to China come from this route. China wants to secure this
lane.
China wants to gain access to Bengal Bay and Indian Ocean = Need better relations with Myanmar and ASEAN.

15:What is Project Sagarmala:

Project Sethusamudram: To link Palk Bay with Gulf of Mannar and faciliate maritime trade through it.
Project Sagarmala: To modernize minor and major ports of India; + setup new ports. ($22 billion USD)
Chinas String of Pearls = aims to surround India by developing ports in neighbor countries and possible
convert them in military base at later stage.
But Project Sagarmala only aims to improve Indias maritime infrastructure by modernizing existing major and
minor ports of India and setting up new ports.
In 2003, then PM Vajpayee proposed Project Sagarmala with following features:
1. Setup Sagarmala Development Authority (Similar to National highway authority of India

16: Port Infrastructure bottlenecks:

Reasons:
2. High clearance time at Indian ports- any ship entering India has to sign ~150 documents, multiple
inspection layers and tariff rates.
3. Large vessels cannot enter in Indian ports. They dock at Sri Lanka, and send cargo via smaller vessels.
4. Only 3 LNG terminals (Liquefied natural gas is used to transport natural gas over long distances, often by
sea. In most cases, LNG terminals are purpose built ports used exclusively to export or import LNG.) Hazira, Dahej @Gujarat and Kochi @Kerala.
5. Tonnage of all Indias 12 ports combined cannot compete with Shanghai alone

Steps taken :
Shipping ministry formed new Committee to setup two major ports
a. Sagar, West Bengal.
b. Dugarajapatnam, Andhra Pradesh Simandhra.
2. Together theyll add new port capacity of 100 MTP
4. 100% FDI permitted for port development projects (automatic route), along
with reliefs in Income tax for such investors.
FYP aims to add ~2500 MTPA port capacity
PPP projects approved at Mumbai, Ennore, Kandla and Kolkata ports
Automatic Identification System (AIS) system and Vessel Traffic Management
Services (VTMS) in all the Ports

17:What is NEW Cold War?

Thus, every member state of ex-USSR, is now falling under NATO influence. Putin gets worried because of this
encirclement, and hits back by taking over Crimea from
Ukraine. Obama tries to teach him a lesson, by
1. suspending Russia from G8
2. Moving NATO military assets in Black sea.
3. Asking EU to cut financial ties with Russia. Although Sweden, France reluctant because they want to sell defense
equipment to Russia for billions of dollars.
But why is USA doing this?
Cold war= competition between Capitalism and Communism. Today, even Russia and China adopted capitalist methods.
So not really any ideological opposition. But the triad of USA, EU and Japan are unhappy because:
1. Russia = largest oil and gas reserves

2. China= largest forex reserve. Biggest Buyer of Russian crude oil.

3. If they came together via BRICS, then Triads monopoly, influence on WTO and IMF will be gone.
Russias next move?
1. Russia can sell Sukhoi SU-35 fighter jets to China
2. Russia can refuse to side with US on Iran and Syria.
3. Russia-China start trading via their domestic currencies rather than using
Dollars. This will weaken the dollar

18:Afghani get Russian weapons on Indian money :

2011: India signed Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) with Afghanistan,
promised to look after their security demands including arms, ammunition and training.
Since USA and NATO are withdrawing, India needed to step in and fulfill its pledge under SPA.
Temporary solution
1. India asked Russia to supply arms to Afghanistan, India will pay for it.
2. India will only finance choppers, artillery guns, armored truck and tanks. Russia will supply AK rifles on its own.
3. This is a temporary solution because India cannot substitute USA or NATO forces in Afghanistan. Unlike USA, we dont
have deep pockets, Unlike NATOnations, we dont want to send our troops on Afghan soil .
Permanent solution
1. Collaborate with Russia, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan- ask them to look after the security detail in
Afghanistan. Taliban are threat to each of them.
2. Joint mining & human resource development projects with China. A prosperous Afghanistan means less new recruits
for Taliban .

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