Why is it in the News?

On the last day of the 2024 Raisina Dialogue (February 24), India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said that “grey zone warfare” is the latest in informal warfare.

What is the Grey Zone Warfare?

• Grey zone warfare refers to a strategic approach where a nation seeks to gain advantages over others without engaging in overt conflict.
• It involves a series of tactics, including cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and economic pressures, aimed at subtly undermining or destabilizing adversaries.
• China has notably employed this strategy against India and neighboring countries.

What are the China's Grey Zone Tactics Against India?

• South China Sea Activities: China asserts its dominance in the South China Sea using naval and civilian vessels, raising tensions with neighboring countries like India.
• Infrastructure Near Borders: China constructs infrastructure and settlements near India's borders, bolstering territorial claims and strategic positioning.
• Digital Investments: China invests in Indian digital platforms and media, influencing public narratives and perceptions.

India's Counter-Measures:

• Inter-Agency Collaboration: India promotes collaboration among defense, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies to devise comprehensive strategies to counter grey zone threats.
• Enhanced Vigilance: India increases surveillance and presence in border areas and strategic locations to detect and respond to covert Chinese activities.
• Regulating Foreign Investments: India scrutinizes foreign investments in critical sectors, particularly technology, to safeguard national security interests.

Long-Term Implications for India:

• Information Warfare: Grey zone conflicts often involve digital misinformation, influencing public opinion and perceptions.
• Economic Leverage: Dependency on foreign investments poses vulnerabilities if used as leverage by investing nations.
• Technology Dependency: Heavy reliance on foreign technology exposes India to risks, emphasizing the need to bolster indigenous technological capabilities.

Conclusion

Grey zone warfare encompasses a multifaceted strategic landscape, blending digital, economic, and geopolitical tactics. India recognizes these challenges and is actively devising strategies to navigate this complex terrain.

Why is it in the News?

On the occasion of World Wildlife Day on March 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded those at the forefront of sustainable practices and supporting wildlife conservation efforts.

About the World Wildlife Day:

• World Wildlife Day is observed to advocate for sustainable practices that contribute to biodiversity conservation and to enhance public consciousness about the importance of safeguarding and nurturing animals.
• It endeavors to underscore the interconnectedness of all life forms on Earth and to foster harmonious coexistence between humans and animals through activism, advocacy, and education.

Origins:

• Initially proposed by Thailand to the UN General Assembly in 2013, World Wildlife Day aimed to dedicate a day to spotlight the significance of wild animals and plants worldwide.
• On December 20, 2013, the General Assembly adopted a resolution, designating March 3 as World Wildlife Day from 2014 onwards.
• Coinciding with the day, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed in 1973, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding species from the threats of international trade.

The theme of WWD 2024:

• The theme, "Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation," underscores the potential of technological advancements to revolutionize conservation efforts.
• In today's digital era, technological breakthroughs offer novel solutions to persistent conservation challenges, making this theme particularly relevant.

Significance:

• World Wildlife Day serves as a vital global awareness platform for animal protection and conservation.
• It reinforces the intrinsic value of animals and advocates for treating them with compassion, integrity, and reverence.

About the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):

• CITES is an international treaty that aims to regulate and monitor the trade of endangered plants and animals, including their parts and derivatives, to ensure their survival in the wild.
• Under CITES, member countries are required to regulate and monitor the trade of endangered species through a system of permits and quotas.
• They must also report regularly on their implementation of the treaty and collaborate with other countries to ensure its effectiveness.
• Currently, CITES has 184 parties.

Why is it in the News?

Recently, the Supreme Court restrained Patanjali Ayurved from discrediting allopathy in its campaigns, and from advertising products that claim to cure chronic conditions.

What is the Magic Remedies Act?

• The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act of 1954 is a legislative framework to control the advertisement of drugs and prohibit claims of magical qualities in remedies.
• The Act encompasses various forms of advertisements, including written, oral, and visual mediums.

What does the Magic Remedies Act entail?

• Under the Act, “drug” refers to medicines intended for human or animal use, substances for diagnosis or treatment of diseases, and articles affecting the body’s functions.
• Other than articles meant for consumption, the definition of “magic remedy” under this Act also extends to talismans, mantras, and charms that allegedly possess miraculous healing powers or influence bodily functions.

Regulations on advertisements under the Magic Remedies Act:

• The Act imposes strict regulations on the publication of advertisements related to drugs.
• It prohibits advertisements that give false impressions, make false claims, or are otherwise misleading.
• The term “advertisement,” under the Act, extends to all notices, labels, wrappers, and oral announcements.
• Violations of these provisions can result in penalties upon conviction, including imprisonment or fines.

Punishment:

• Violating the Act can result in imprisonment, fines, or both.
• If this is the first conviction for the violator, they may face up to six months in prison, fines, or both.
• For a subsequent conviction, imprisonment may extend to one year, a fine, or both.
• The Act does not include any limits for the fines that may be imposed on individuals or organizations.

Who comes under the Magic Remedies Act?

• The Act applies to all individuals and entities involved in the publication of advertisements, including manufacturers, distributors, and advertisers.
• The Act can hold both individuals and companies accountable for contraventions.

Why is it in the News?

Moscow, Riyadh, and several other OPEC+ members announced extensions to oil production cuts first announced in 2023 as part of an agreement among oil producers to boost prices following economic uncertainty.

What is the OPEC+ Oil Alliance?

• OPEC+ is a coalition of oil-exporting nations that convenes regularly to determine the quantity of crude oil to offer on the global market.
• Origin: This alliance was established in late 2016 to formalize a framework for collaboration between OPEC and non-OPEC oil-producing nations on a consistent and sustainable basis.
• The primary objective of these nations is to collaborate on regulating crude oil production to stabilize the oil market.
• OPEC+ collectively controls approximately 40% of global oil supplies and holds over 80% of proven oil reserves.
• At its core, OPEC+ consists of OPEC member states, predominantly comprising nations from the Middle East and Africa.
• Membership: It includes OPEC member states along with Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Brunei, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mexico, Malaysia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Oman.

About the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC):

• OPEC, short for the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, is a permanent intergovernmental organization comprised of oil-exporting nations.

Mission:

• To coordinate and harmonize the petroleum policies of its member countries.
• To ensure the stability of oil prices in global oil markets, aiming to eliminate detrimental and unnecessary fluctuations.
• Formation: Founded in 1960 by the five original members - Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.
• Presently, it consists of 13 member countries, which include Algeria, Angola, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Headquarters: Located in Vienna, Austria.

Why is it in the News?

Recently, Indian security agencies have intercepted a Pakistan-bound ship from China at Mumbai's Nhava Sheva port.

What are CNC Machines and Wassenaar Arrangements?

• CNC machines are controlled by a computer and offer efficiency, consistency, and accuracy not possible manually.
• These machines have been included in the Wassenaar Arrangement since 1996.
• This international arms control regime aims to stop the proliferation of equipment with both civilian and military uses, with India being among the 42 member countries exchanging information on transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and technologies.

About the Wassenaar Arrangement:

• The Wassenaar Arrangement is a voluntary export control framework established in July 1996.
• Comprising 42 member nations, it facilitates the exchange of information regarding transfers of conventional weaponry and dual-use goods and technologies.
• Dual-use items possess the capacity for both civilian and military applications.
• The arrangement's secretariat is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

Membership:

• The arrangement boasts 42 member states, predominantly consisting of NATO and EU nations.
• Members are obligated to report arms transfers and dual-use goods and technology transfers or denials to destinations beyond the arrangement biannually.
  • India became a member of the Arrangement in 2017.

Objectives:

• Central to its operation is the continual exchange of technology-related information, encompassing both conventional and nuclear-capable technologies, among member states.
• This information exchange involves the maintenance and refinement of comprehensive lists of materials, technologies, processes, and products deemed militarily significant.
• The primary goal is to regulate the movement of technology, materials, or components to entities or nations that could jeopardize global security and stability.

Wassenaar Arrangement Plenary:

• The WA Plenary is the decision-making and governing body of the Arrangement.
• It is composed of representatives of all Participating States who normally meet once a year, usually in December.
• Chairmanship of the Plenary is subject to annual rotation among Participating States.
• In 2018, the United Kingdom held the Plenary Chair, while Greece assumed the position in 2019.
• Decisions within the Plenary are made through consensus.