Decoding World Affairs

Why has India accused Canada of acting as a safe haven for Khalistani sympathisers?

[1] Safe haven for Khalistan extremists: India’s long-held complaint has been that Canada acts as a safe haven for Khalistani separatists/extremists.

[2] Lack of support against extremism: Its biggest grouse has been Canada’s failure in preventing the 1985 Air India bombing (perpetrated by Canada-based Khalistani extremists) and the lack of support in subsequent investigations. The bombing killed 329 people (including children), the biggest airline terrorist act before 9/11.

[3] Political clout: Sikhs constitute only 2% of Canada’s population but their political clout is far disproportionate because of geographic concentration. At one point, there were four Sikh ministers in the Trudeau cabinet. Most of the Sikh MPs are from Trudeau’s Liberal Party.

[4] Passive support to extremism: Mr. Trudeau and other party leaders attending Sikh community festivals which featured Khalistan flags and the glorification of Talwinder Parmar, the Air India bombing mastermind; and also drawing support from known Khalistani sympathisers.

[5] Insecurity in next election: In surveys, 54% of Sikhs in Canada intend to vote for the Conservative Party and 21% for Trudeau’s party in the next elections.

I wrote this article this case was filed in supreme court. Yesterday, the supreme court has given judgement on this.

https://decodingworldaffairs.com/amu-a-central-university-or-minority-institution/

How Chinese BRI is loosing its charm?

[1] One of the reasons the BRI’s charms have dimmed is China’s own slowing economy and Beijing’s unwillingness to be as generous with its loans in the second half of the decade, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

[2] Another is the discomfort in many countries over the terms for the loans, which involve hiring Chinese companies and engaging Chinese workers, while often demanding heavy collateral, as Sri Lanka found out after losing control of the Hambantota port.

[3] The U.S.’s heavy lobbying against the BRI has also had some effect: Italy’s Giorgia Melloni announced in December 2023 that it would not renew the BRI MoU.

[4] The Brazilian Foreign Adviser’s statement follows a visit by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai who asked Brazil to think carefully through an “objective lens” before signing on to the BRI. The remarks raised a protest from the Chinese Embassy in Brasilia which called them “disrespectful” of Brazil’s sovereign right to choose its partners.

A good article on the paradox of American power, political dysfunction and strategic resilience

https://decodingworldaffairs.com/should-india-abrogate-indus-water-treaty-as-a-response-to-cross-border-terrorism/

One of the best example of how migration shapes internal politics.

These people are in shackle are the original inhabitants of Australia. The person standing is a British officer. The picture is from the first decade of the 20th century.

Those who promised to teach civilization to the world have been scattered from Australia to South Africa and India due to the cruelty of Europe.

Wishing you a very happy Diwali to everyone. 💐

Significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) for India

[1] Thwart to China’s BRI: IMEC is seen as a potential counter to China's BRI in the Eurasian region. It can serve to counterbalance China's growing economic and political influence. It would help India in balancing China efficiently without much investments.

[2] Exploring West Asia: After economic liberalization in 1991, India largely explored East Asia through Look East policy followed by Act East policy. Now, it is providing opportunity to extend cooperation beyond balancing west Asia.

[3] Potential strategic Role in Africa: The corridor's model could be extended to Africa, aligning with the US and EU's plan to develop a Trans-African corridor. It signifies India's intent to strengthen its engagement with Africa.

[4] Deepening relations with USA: It dispels the notion that India and the United States may collaborate in the Indo-Pacific but not in the Middle East. The project showcases how India and the U.S., along with Israel and the UAE, can partner in developing joint economic projects through forums like the I2U2.

[5] Bypassing neighbourhood syndrome: It would help in bypassing Pakistan’s veto over India’s overland connectivity to the Central Asia. It is so because Jabel Ali port in UAE is near to Chahbahar port developed in Iran with India's assistance. It may help in further connecting central Asia.

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor

Read this beautiful article

https://decodingworldaffairs.com/changing-contour-of-reservation-policy-in-india/

What is Carbon credit?

The green-coloured piece of paper printed by the Reserve Bank of India and circulated by the government is worth 20 rupees. The person who possesses it can buy a packet of biscuits by transferring that value to the seller.

There are different ways to acquire such pieces of paper. For example, people do different kinds of jobs to earn money. Carbon credits are similar. Just like possessing the green note means you possess 20 rupees of value, possessing one carbon credit gives you a licence to emit 1,000 kg of carbon dioxide (or equivalent).

You can earn a carbon credit by removing 1,000 kg of carbon dioxide from the environment and submitting the proof to a government or suitable certifying agency. Once they sign off, you can sell your credit to potential buyers. Governments around the world have decided which types of work can earn carbon credits, who can certify them, and who can buy them.

Such projects include most renewable energy installations, certain forests, and carbon capture facilities. The Paris Agreement set up an international carbon market as part of helping countries meet their emissions targets.

An important problem with carbon credits is that the certifying agencies struggle to verify whether sellers have actually removed 1,000 kg of carbon dioxide. How countries can fix this problem is an important agenda item at the COP29 climate talks in Baku in November.

Source: TH

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