Why is it in the News?

India recently said it has lodged a strong protest with China for carrying out construction activities in the Shaksgam Valley in an "illegal" attempt to alter the situation on the ground.

Context:

• Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the Shaksgam Valley is a part of the territory of India amid reports of China building infrastructure in the valley.
• The Shaksgam Valley strategically located region that is now part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
• MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal recently said that India "never accepted the so-called China-Pakistan Boundary Agreement of 1963 through which Pakistan unlawfully attempted to cede the area to China".
• Lodging a strong protest with China for carrying out construction activities, India called it an "illegal" attempt to alter the situation on the ground.

Where is the Shaksgam Valley Located?

• The Shaksgam Valley, or the Trans Karakoram Tract, is part of the Hunza-Gilgit Region of PoK.
• It is bordered by the Xinjiang Province of the People's Republic of China to the north.
• The northern areas of PoK are to its west and south.
• And the Siachen Glacier region to the east.

How did Pakistan cede Shaksgam valley to China?

• In 1963, Pakistan ceded the Shaksgam Valley to China when it signed a border agreement with Beijing to settle their border disputes.
• But, Article 6 of the 1963 agreement clearly stated that “the two Parties have agreed that after the settlement of the Kashmir dispute between Pakistan and India, the sovereign authority concerned will reopen negotiations with the Government of the People's Republic of China, on the boundary as described in Article 2 of the present Agreement, to sign a formal Boundary Treaty to replace the present agreement.”
• The agreement laid the basis for the construction of the Karakoram Highway, which was jointly built by Chinese and Pakistani engineers during the 1970s.

What is the History of Shaksgam Valley?   

• When the British asked the Mir of Hunza, a vassal of the Maharaja of Kashmir, to give up his rights to the Taghdumbash Pamirs and the Raskam valley in 1936, the Shaksgam valley to the south-west had remained in his possession.
• This remained the traditional frontier of British India until independence and was inherited by India following Jammu & Kashmir's accession in 1947.
• And, this was the border that Pakistan compromised in its 1963 agreement with China.
• Pakistan established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1951.
  • Back then, Pakistan was viewed as a member of the non-Soviet block due to its membership in two anti-communist military pacts -- SEATO and CENTO -- led by the United States.
  • China was on the opposite side.
  • After Chinese troops invaded Tibet in 1950, Pakistan even offered transit facilities to US aircraft so they could supply equipment to Tibetan rebels.
• Chinese troops began to cross the border in eastern Hunza after the Partition of India.
• This started in 1953 and in 1959 they took some livestock out of the area.
• This prompted a furious response from Pakistan, which was determined to protect its borders.
• The then President of Pakistan, Ayub Khan, however, saw an opportunity to appease the Chinese in the late 1950s as India-China relations were rapidly deteriorating.
• Subsequently, Beijing developed closer ties with Islamabad after the India-China War of 1962.
  • China went on to support Pakistan diplomatically during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
• Amid these developments, Pakistan chose to downgrade historical claims made by the Mir of Hunza and signed over the Shaksgam Valley to China in 1963.

What was the Consequence?

• In granting China's claim to a border along the Karakoram Range, Pakistan compromised India's traditional frontier along the KunLun Range to the northwest of the Karakoram Pass.
• It also allowed China to extend a claim eastward along the Karakoram in Ladakh.
• This enabled China to claim all of Aksai-Chin.

Why is it in the News?

Developing a domestic manufacturing infrastructure for electrolyzers is expected to reduce the cost of green hydrogen and strengthen India's competitive advantage.

What are Electrolysers?

• Electrolysers are devices that produce hydrogen through a chemical process called electrolysis, which splits water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen molecules using electricity.

How do They work?

• These devices consist of a stack of conductive electrodes separated by a membrane, to which a high voltage and current are applied.
• This induces an electric current in the water, causing it to decompose into its constituents: hydrogen and oxygen.
• The generated oxygen is either released into the atmosphere or stored for future use as a medical or industrial gas.
• The hydrogen produced can be stored as a compressed gas liquefied for industrial use or utilised in hydrogen fuel cells, which power various transportation vehicles like trains, ships, and aircraft.

Types of Electrolysers:

• Alkaline Electrolysers: This technology, predominantly used by the fertiliser and chlorine industries, employs thick membranes and nickel-based electrodes.
  • It currently represents a significant portion of global electrolyser capacity.
• Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolysers: Operating at high pressure, PEM electrolysers utilise thin perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes.
  • Though they require gold and titanium-plated electrodes and catalysts like platinum, iridium, and ruthenium, they produce high-purity hydrogen and are easy to cool, making them a popular choice.
• Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) Electrolysers: These devices utilise heat to produce hydrogen from steam and are ideal for locations with available heat sources such as nuclear or industrial facilities.
  • Operating at high temperatures ranging from 500 to 850 degrees Celsius.
• Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) Electrolysers: Operating at significantly lower temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees Celsius, AEM electrolysers combine the less harsh conditions of alkaline electrolysers with the simplicity and high efficiency of PEM electrolysers.

Electrolyzers and Green Hydrogen Production:

• Green hydrogen is renewable hydrogen produced using water electrolysis technology and electricity generated from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind.
• It is gaining unprecedented momentum globally, and it is believed that it is a key component in accelerating the shift to clean energy.
• The commercialization of electrolyzers can make green hydrogen more readily available and enable energy systems across the globe to undergo fundamental transformations to lower emissions and reduce their negative impact on the environment.

Why is it in the News?

After allegations of sexual abuse by Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna came to light, the politician fled to Germany on a diplomatic passport.

What is a Diplomatic Passport?

• Diplomatic passports are issued to people holding diplomatic status or deputed by the Government of India for official duty abroad.
• Unlike normal passports, which are valid for 10 years and have a dark blue cover, diplomatic passports are valid for five years or less and have maroon covers.
• Diplomatic passports, also known as 'Type D' passports.
• A diplomatic passport has 28 pages.
• Holders of such passports are entitled to certain privileges and immunities as per international law, including immunity from arrest, detention, and certain legal proceedings in the host country.

Issuing Authority:

• The Ministry of External Affairs’s (MEA) Consular, Passport & Visa Division issues diplomatic passports (‘Type D’ passports) to people falling in broadly five categories:
  • Those with diplomatic status;
  • Government-appointed individuals travelling abroad for official business;
  • Officers working under the branches A and B of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), normally at the rank of Joint Secretary and above; and
  • Relatives and immediate family of officers employed in IFS and MEA.
  • Select individuals who are authorised to undertake official travel on behalf of the government”.
• The MEA issues visa notes to government officials going abroad for an official assignment or visit.

What are the Benefits of Having a Diplomatic Passport?

• Official identification: The diplomatic passport serves as an official identification document for individuals representing the Indian government on diplomatic missions.
  • It helps in establishing their identity and official status.
• Diplomatic immunity: Diplomatic passport holders are typically entitled to certain privileges and immunities as per international law.
  • This includes immunity from arrest, detention, and certain legal proceedings in the host country, safeguarding their ability to perform official duties without hindrance.
• Visa facilitation: Diplomatic passports often enjoy certain privileges when it comes to visa facilitation.
  • Many countries offer expedited visa processing or waive visa requirements altogether for diplomatic passport holders, simplifying travel arrangements for official purposes.
• Access to diplomatic channels: The diplomatic passport grants access to diplomatic channels and services provided by Indian embassies, consulates, and other diplomatic missions worldwide.
  • This includes assistance with consular services, protection, and support while abroad.
• Priority services: Diplomatic passport holders may receive priority services at airports and during immigration procedures.
  • This can include dedicated immigration counters or expedited security and customs clearance, saving time during travel.
• Official representation: The diplomatic passport signifies the official representation of the Indian government and confers a sense of authority and credibility while dealing with international counterparts, foreign officials, and diplomatic communities.

Can Diplomatic Passports be Revoked?

• According to The Passports Act, 1967, the passport authority may cancel a passport or travel document, with the previous approval of the Central government.
• The passport authority can impound or revoke a passport if the authority believes that:
  • The passport holder or travel document is in wrongful possession
  • If the passport was obtained by the suppression of material information or based on wrong information provided by the individual
  • If it is brought to the notice of the passport authority that the individual has been issued a court order prohibiting his departure from India or has been summoned by the court.
• A diplomatic passport can be revoked upon orders from a court during proceedings with respect to an offence allegedly carried out by the passport holder before a criminal court.

Why is it in the News?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is struggling to contain its biggest Mpox outbreak.

What Is Monkeypox (Mpox)?

• Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a rare viral infection caused by the mpox virus, a member of the orthopoxvirus genus.
• It was first discovered in 1958 in monkeys but can also infect humans and other animals.
• Mpox typically presents with a range of symptoms and can be transmitted through close contact with infected individuals or animals.

Symptoms:

• Mpox symptoms often begin with fever, muscle aches, and sore throat, followed by a rash that starts on the face and spreads across the body.
• The rash evolves over two to four weeks, forming macules, papules, vesicles, and pustules before crusting over.
• Lesions can also appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Causes:

• The mpox virus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the skin lesions, body fluids, or respiratory droplets of infected individuals or animals.
• It can also be contracted through contaminated materials, such as bedding or clothing.

Prevention:

• Preventing mpox involves avoiding contact with infected individuals or animals, practising good hygiene, and disinfecting contaminated surfaces.
• Vaccines are also available for individuals at high risk of contracting the virus.

Treatment:

• There is currently no specific treatment for mpox, but symptoms can be managed with supportive care, such as fever reducers and pain medications. In some cases, antiviral medications may be used.

Why is it in the News?

Recently, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported that “Indian spies” had been “kicked out of Australia” after being caught trying to steal secrets about sensitive defence projects and airport security, as well as classified information on Australia’s trade relationships”.

What is the Five Eyes?

• The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, formed in 1946.
• The alliance is based on a series of bilateral agreements on surveillance and intelligence-sharing.
  • These arrangements are commonly known as the United Kingdom-United States Communication Intelligence Act (UKUSA) agreement.
• The UKUSA agreement is a secret pact that, since 1946, has allowed the two countries to share intelligence with each other.
  • The UKUSA agreement was so secret that its existence wasn't even acknowledged until 2005.
• Each of the Five Eyes states pursues interception, collection, and decryption activities and shares all intelligence information obtained with the others by default.
• These countries share information with each other through the ultra-sensitive STONEGHOST network, which has been claimed to contain "some of the Western world's most closely guarded secrets".
• The Five Eyes states share integrated programmes, staff, and bases.

Origins of the Five Eyes

• During World War II, informal secret meetings between British and American code-breakers laid the groundwork for establishing the FE alliance.
• After the Cold War, the information-sharing arrangement became formalised under the ECHELON surveillance system in the 1960s.

How does the Five Eyes Alliance operate?

• The alliance facilitates the sharing of signals intelligence among the five countries.
• The countries agree to exchange by default all signals intelligence they gather.
• The bedrock of the Five Eyes Alliance is based on the joint abilities of the United Kingdom's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and the USA's National Security Agency (NSA) to intercept intelligence.
  • These agencies collect and decrypt signal intelligence, called SigInt, which involves internet, telephone, radio and satellite data from across the world.
• The UKUSA Agreement, which was made public in 2010, states:
  • "It will be contrary to this agreement to reveal its existence to any third party whatsoever" and "each party will seek the agreement of the other to any action with third parties and will take no action until its advisability is agreed upon."