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30 04 20Notes

Title Study on China dams brings the Brahmaputra into focus (Page number 14)

Syllabus GS II: International Relations

Theme Chinese dams on Brahmaputra and its implications on India

Highlights Context:

A new study has come

SL. NO. TOPICS

THE HINDUPAGE NO.

1 Study on China dams brings the Brahmaputra into focus 14

2 By any calculus, India qualifies for UNSC permanent seat 11

3 Afghan peace and India’s elbow room 06

4 A greater impact on women 07

Dated: 30. Apr. 2020DNS Notes - Revision

out which has highlighted the impact of China’s dams on the Mekong river has raised fresh questions on whether dams being built on other rivers that originate in China, such as the Brahmaputra, may similarly impact countries downstream.

GEOGRAPHICAL OVERVIEW TO BRAHMAPUTRA RIVER The two most populous countries of the world – China and India – comprising

20 and 17 per cent of the world’s population, contain only seven and four per cent of the world’s water resources, respectively.

China intends to triple its hydropower capacity and therefore is increasingly damming trans-boundary Rivers to achieve its hydropower targets.

China also intends to undertake gigantic water diversion projects which include building a dam on the Great Bend of Yarlung, where the river curves into the Assamese plains of India.

The Yarlung Tsangpo enters India after passing the Great Bend, through Arunachal Pradesh where it is known as Siang/Dihang, then onto Assam where it is called Brahmaputra, and thereafter to Bangladesh where it is named Jamuna.

RIPARIAN COTENSTATIONS China is the only country in the region which is completely upper riparian which

lends it an unparalleled advantage and power to influence the flow of water to nations downstream. India functions as a middle riparian state. It is a lower riparian state in relation to China, but an upper riparian state vis-a-vis Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The upper and lower riparian nations often make incompatible claims about their rights over river waters.

o The upper riparian nations base their claim on the principle of ‘absolute territorial sovereignty’, meaning the right to use the river waters unilaterally regardless of lower riparian concerns. The lower riparian states base their claims on ‘absolute territorial integrity’ which argues that upper riparian actions should not affect the water flowing downstream.

IMPORTANCE OF TIBET China distinctive position as a completely upper riparian nation allows it to act

as a hydro-hegemon in the region. o China’s hydro-hegemony is made possible by its control over Tibet. The

Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau extends over a vast area spanning 2.5 million sqkm & is often referred to as the ‘third pole’ and ‘roof of the world.’

It is home to the largest fresh water reserves outside north and south poles. It is the source of some of the Asia’s most important river systems including the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Irrawady, Slaween, Mekong, Yangtze and Huang He. All these rivers are trans-boundary in nature, with the exception of Yangtze and Huang He.

CHINESE PROJECTS China completed the Zangmu Dam built on the upper reaches of Brahmaputra


in 2010, with three more dams at Dagu, Jiacha and Jeixu are at present under construction. Zam hydropower station, which will be the largest dam on Brahmaputra, too commenced in 2015. China admitted to the construction of Zangmu Dam only in 2010 and that too after a series of denials. China has not yet officially communicated anything about the construction of the other three dams – Dagu, Liacha and Jiexu – on Brahmaputra.

China has built more dams on its rivers than the rest of the world combined , and yet has no water sharing agreement or treaty with any of its neighbours including India.

Lack of communication by China has created an atmosphere of suspicion and mistrust in India, especially in its north-eastern region. China has indicated that three hydropower projects on the main stream of Brahmaputra River in Tibet Autonomous Region were approved for implementation. A hydropower project at Zangmu was declared fully operational by Chinese authorities in October 2015.

INDIAN CONCERNS As a lower riparian State with considerable established user rights to the waters

of the trans-border Rivers, India carefully monitors all developments on the Brahmaputra River.

Government has consistently conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities and has urged them to ensure that the interests of downstream States are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas.

The Chinese side has conveyed that they are only undertaking run-of-the-river hydropower projects which do not involve diversion of the waters of the Brahmaputra. India’s concerns are that these dams are large enough to be converted and used as storage dams. China depriving India of water during lean seasons becomes a possibility.

The release of flood waters during the monsoon season, which could inundate the already flooded Brahmaputra river basin in Assam. There is much apprehension that the Brahmaputra may lose the silt, which makes the plains in its basin fertile, because of sediment trapping in the dams.

All hydropower projects, particularly around the Great Bend, are located in a highly volatile tectonic zone. Their proximity makes them extremely earthquake-prone.

In building its dams, China has also polluted its rivers. o The quality of water that flows downstream into India needs to be taken

into account. o The disruption of natural flood cycles of the river could also adversely

affect the rich geo-environmental and bio-physical settings in India’s northeast.

The principle of prior appropriation, which favors neither the upstream nor the downstream State but the one that puts the water to first use, thereby protecting the right to first use of water as in the past. China has priority rights since it was the first to build dams on Yarlung Tsangpo.

By building dams especially near the Great Bend, after which the river flows into India through Arunachal Pradesh, China could be seeking to leverage its claim over the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.


INDIAN STRENGTH India too has decided to commence construction of 14 hydropower projects in

Arunachal Pradesh, most of which were located lower down on Brahmaputra. This might be viewed as India’s effort to establish its ‘lower riparian right’ to counter China’s first use priority rights. However, such projects like Lower Subansiri hydroelectric power project are stuck in red-tape.

The volume of precipitation varies across the Brahmaputra sub-basin substantially. It receives primarily two types of precipitation, rainfall and snowfall. In this respect, the Tibetan part being located in the Himalayas, receives much less rainfall as compared to the southern part of the basin in India and Bangladesh.

The total annual outflow of Yarlung from China is about 31 billion cubic metres (BCM), whiles the annual flow of Brahmaputra at the end of the sub-basin in Bangladesh, and is 606 BCM. Around 80% of the flows of Brahmaputra emerge within the Indian boundary.

Various issues relating to trans-border Rivers are discussed with China under the ambit of an institutionalized Expert Level Mechanism which was established in 2006, as well as through diplomatic channels.

The Brahmaputra also gets mightier as it flows downstream within India because of the flow contribution of tributaries such as Dibang, Lohit and Subansiri.

Bangladesh as lower riparian State has also supported Indian position for pressuring China on forming a river sharing agreement. Similarly, India can work other lower riparian countries of river originating from China such as Mekong to end the hydro-hegemony of China.

Personal Notes

Title By any calculus, India qualifies for UNSC permanent seat (Page number 11)

Syllabus GS II: International Relations Theme Important perspectives of UNSC and why India deserves to be a Permanent member

at UNSC Highlights Context:

Syed Akbaruddin who has been India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations since many years, is about


to retire. The article has made reference to UNSC and India’s case for a

permanent membership. Now this is one issue which keeps on coming back in current

affairs and also from the perspective of UPSC examination, this is an important topic.

o Especially given when India is due for election to the temporary membership of the UN Security Council later this year, for the 2021-22 period.

So this discussion will have two parts:o Prelims focused: what and how of UNSC. o Mains focused: why India’s case for PM is a sound one

What is UNSC? The Security Council, the United Nations’ principal crisis-

management body, is empowered to impose binding obligations on the 193 UN member states to maintain peace.

Few major Roles: o Ensuring international peace and security, o Recommending that the General Assembly accept new

members to the United Nationso Approving any changes to its charter.

So no changes to the UN charter or no new member can be admitted into UN without the approval of UNSC (as these resolutions require agreement of all the P5 members)

What is the Security Council’s structure? It comprises of two kinds of members: Five permanent members—

o China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—collectively known as the P5.

o Any one of them can veto a resolution. 10 non-permanent members

o Along with the five permanent members, the Security Council of the United Nations has temporary members that hold their seats on a rotating basis by geographic region.

o These members do not have veto powers The reason behind Veto being limited to just five

members has roots in WWII. o The United States and Soviet Union were the outright

victors of the war, and, along with the United Kingdom, they shaped the post war political order.

So how are non-permanent members elected? These ten non-permanent members are elected by the United

Nations General Assembly for two-year terms starting on 1 January, with five replaced each year.

To be approved, a candidate must receive at least two-thirds of


all votes cast for that seat, which can result in deadlock if there are two roughly evenly matched candidates.

A retiring member is not eligible for immediate re-election. An important thing to remember is that the 10 non-permanent

seats are regionally distributed as shown in the image:

Is there anything interesting about the way it holds its meetings? Oh Yes,

The council’s presidency rotates on a monthly basis, This mechanism ensures that even non-permanent members can

also play some role in agenda-setting.

What are the Security Council’s mechanisms which should be kept in mind for exam? There two such mechanisms through which UNSC tries to enforce “Peace” across the world:

Chapter VI of UN Charter o The Security Council aims to peacefully resolve

international disputes under Chapter VI of the UN Charter, which authorizes the council to call on parties to seek solutions via negotiation, arbitration, or other peaceful means.

Failing that: -- Chapter VII of UN Charter

o Which empowers the Security Council to take more assertive actions, such as imposing sanctions or authorizing the use of force “to maintain or restore international peace and security.”

o Peacekeeping missions are the most visible face of the United Nations’ conflict-management work; in mid-2018, following the completion of its mission in Liberia, the council was overseeing fourteen operations involving roughly ninety thousand uniformed personnel.


Even before diving into case for India’s membership, why does India cares so much for that?India (or any other country for that matter) would want a permanent membership to the UNSC for two reasons:

First, the veto power, which India could use to defend its interests, say against Pakistan (just like Russia did last year over the civil war in Ukraine).

Second, the sheer prestige associated with permanent membership of a multilateral forum. India’s elevation will also be an acknowledgment of its rise as a global power, ready to play a key role in the council’s objectives of international peace and security.

So, on what basis does India claims permanent position at UNSC?

Population o Around 1/6th of the global population.

Democracy o With continuous and functional democratic experience,

India is best suited to provide these values into UNSC which is often criticized for acting on behalf of few nations.

Economy o India is also the world's fifth largest economy and third

largest in terms of purchasing power parity as of 2020. Military

o Responsible Nuclear power o 3rd largest military spender after china and USA (SIPRI

report discussed in DNS day before yesterday by Mangal Sir)

Contributions to UN o India is the largest contributor to the UN Peacekeeping

Operations (UNPKO), with nearly 180,000 troops serving in 44 missions since it was established.

o India is also among the highest financial contributors to the UN, with the country making regular donations to several UN organs.

Active participation in global affairs o India has not only participated but has also taken lead

roles in matters which are global like climate change, ozone depletion , counter terrorism and rule based global order.

Conclusion: So although the case for India’s membership is a sound one, but

there are many challenges put by various nations and factors which will be topic of another discussion.


Personal Notes


Title Afghan peace and India’s elbow room (Page number 6)

Syllabus GS II: International Relations

Theme Understanding the impact of ongoing peace process on India

Highlights Context: UN Secretariat held a “6+2+1” meeting on regional efforts to support peace in

Afghanistan. 6 neighbours of Afghanistan (China, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,

and Uzbekistan), 2 global players (the USA and Russia) and 1 (Afghanistan) attended the meeting.

Absence of India from this meeting is a blow to India’s efforts to bring peace in the civil war-torn Afghanistan and also to its role in being the leader in the South Asia.

Why India was not invited in the meeting?

It was sighted that India shares no physical boundary with Afghanistan. India never announced its support to the US Taliban peace process India’s resistance to publicly talking to Taliban has also contributed to absence

of invitation. Even Ashraf Ghani government is not leading, owning or controlling the

reconciliation process in this US Taliban peace deal. So, where we stand today?

India’s voice in the reconciliation process has been limited, it has weakened India’s position with other leaders

of the deeply divided democratic setup in Kabul such as the former chief executive Abdullah Abdullah

Why is it a bad situation for India?

India is hugely invested in the democratic government of Afghanistan. Groups like ISKP (backed by Pakistan) attacked Gurudwara in Kabul and killed

25 Sikhs. Damage done due India’s goodwill because of the controversy over CAA.

What India should do now?

Act as a bridge between Ashraf Ghani and showcase to the world that India’s role in Afghanistan is significant and it cannot be neglected.

India should also act as mediation channel between the US and Iran as it is almost a precondition for peace in Afghanistan.

the government must consider the appointment of a special envoy, as it has been done in the past, to deal with its efforts in Afghanistan, which need both diplomatic agility and a firmness of purpose at a watershed moment in that country’s history.

Personal Notes


Title A greater impact on women (Page Number 07)

Syllabus GS I: Social IssuesGS II: Issues related to Vulnerable sections of the society


Theme Impact of covid on vulnerable sections of our society

Highlights Context:

The pandemic of COVID -19 is exposing inequalities of all kinds, including gender inequality.

A greater impact on women There has been increase in the risk of violence towards women trapped with

abusive partners. For instance - the largest support organisation in the U.K. reported a 700% increase in calls – indicating surge in domestic violence.

Women are disproportionately represented in poorly paid jobs without benefits, as domestic workers, casual labourers, street vendors, and in small-scale services like hairdressing. ILO estimates that nearly 200 million jobs will be lost in the next three months alone – many of them in exactly these sectors.

Girls will have their education cut short – for instance - in some villages in Sierra Leone, school enrolment rates for teenage girls fell from 50% to 34% after the Ebola epidemic, with lifelong implications for their well-being and that of their communities and societies.

There will be delay in women’s return to the paid labour force – due top huge increase in care work due to school closures, increased needs of older people.

Steps to be taken – Moving services like women counseling etc online Expanding domestic violence shelters and designating them as essential Increasing support to front line organisations working for women welfare. Women in insecure jobs urgently need basic social protections, from health

insurance to paid sick leave, childcare, income protection and unemployment benefits.

Measures to stimulate the economy, like cash transfers, credits, loans and bailouts, must be targeted at women

Women and faster recovery from the pandemic Women’s unpaid domestic labour is subsidizing both public services and

private profits. This work must be included in economic metrics and decision-making.

With women’s interests and rights front and centre, we can get through this pandemic faster, and build more equal and resilient communities and societies that benefit everyone.

We need women at the table when decisions are taken on this pandemic, to prevent worst-case scenarios like a second spike in infections, labour shortages, and even social unrest.

This pandemic is not only challenging global health systems, but our commitment to equality and human dignity.Quotes

Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world – Hillary


Clinton Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had said “I measure the progress of community by the

degree of the progress which women have achieved”. Woman is the companion of man, gifted with equal mental capacity. – Gandhiji UN Women – Women are the ultimate economic accelerators. (They invest

almost all of their income in productive areas). To awaken the people, it is the women who must be awakened. Once she is on

the move, the family moves, the village moves, the nation moves. – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

Personal Notes

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