India refuses to endorse Ukraine meet statement

As it chose to separate itself from the final text released on June 16 at the end of the Peace Summit in Switzerland, India highlighted that only measures acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine can lead to peace.

What is a Joint Communique on a Peace Framework?

• Following the June 16, 2024 Peace Summit in Switzerland, a formal document known as the Joint Communique on a Peace Framework was released. The group’s position and suggested parameters for resolving the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict are outlined in this communiqué.

Key Highlights of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland

• Participation and Endorsement: The “Joint Communique on a Peace Framework” was endorsed by more than 80 nations at the summit.
• In line with the UN charter and Ukraine’s peace formula, the communiqué placed a strong emphasis on preserving the country’s territorial integrity.
• Non-Endorsing Countries: The statement was not signed by Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, India, or the United Arab Emirates. China completely turned down the invitation, whereas Brazil continued to be an observer.
• India’s Participation and Attitude: Although present at the summit, India declined to sign the final agreement. India’s position is based on the idea that any peace plan must be supported by both Russia and Ukraine in order to be viable. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted India’s dedication to comprehending other viewpoints in order to use communication and diplomacy to achieve a long-lasting solution.

Why did India Refuse?

• Neutrality and Balanced Approach: In order to retain its diplomatic ties with both Russia and Ukraine, India has adopted a policy of neutrality and balanced diplomacy, refraining from taking a stance in the conflict.
• Mutually Acceptable Solutions: India emphasizes communication and constructive engagement between the warring parties and feels that any peace solution must be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine in order to be durable.
• Strategic and Diplomatic Considerations: By refusing to support the communiqué, India preserves its credibility as a go-to mediator, safeguarding its strategic alliance with Russia and taking into account more general geopolitical issues like the security of food and energy.

What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.(2020)

India needs to close the gender gap in education and politics 

Though growth has slowed, worldwide gender parity has increased from 68.4% in 2023 to 68.5% in 2024. According to a research by the World Economic Forum, at this rate, full parity will not be reached for 134 years.

The Global Gender Gap Report 2024

• The World Economic Forum (WEF) released it, and it shows notable differences in gender parity in a number of different industries.

Present Scenario:

The 2024 Global Gender Gap Report:

• With 68.5% of the gender gap eliminated globally, there has been a sluggish progress towards gender parity.
• With nearly 90% closure, Iceland is in the lead, while India has dropped to 129th place out of 146 countries with 64.1% closure.
• Declines in the indices of political empowerment and education are blamed for India’s minor setback.

Challenges in India:

• India still needs to close the inequalities in political representation and education, even in spite of gains in economic involvement.
• Women’s labor force participation is 45.9%, which suggests a large amount of unrealized potential.
• Women’s literacy rates are still 17.2 percentage points lower than men’s, which has an effect on India’s standing in the world.

Significance of Low Gender Gap in the Education Sector:

• Encouraging women to pursue higher education is essential to improving their economic prospects.
• It is crucial to take steps like lowering the percentage of female dropouts, teaching job skills, and guaranteeing workplace safety.
• Enhancing women’s educational attainment and literacy rates can result in increased economic productivity and empowerment.

Significance of Low Gender Gap in Political Representation:

• Despite recent improvements, India still has a low percentage of women in governmental positions. The Lok Sabha’s female membership ratio of just 13.6% indicates a lack of political empowerment.
• To increase women’s political power and involvement, the Women’s Reservation Bill, which aims to reserve one-third of seats in legislative bodies, must be put into effect.

Way forward:

• Improving Access to and Quality of Education: Put in place focused policies to close the gender gap in education, with an emphasis on raising the enrollment and retention rates of females.
• Encouraging Women’s Political Empowerment: Put policies in place to support women’s political engagement, including awareness campaigns, support groups, and leadership development courses.

Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (2021)

PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana

For 92.6 million eligible farmers nationwide, the Prime Minister will provide the 17th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), totaling more than ₹20,000 crore.

About the PM-KISAN Scheme

• The Indian government provides all funding for the PM-KISAN, a central sector scheme.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare is in charge of carrying it out.
• Initiated: February 2019.
• The goal is to assist in obtaining different inputs to guarantee healthy crops and yields that are appropriate for the expected farm income at the conclusion of each crop cycle.
• Objective: To provide eligible farmers with an annual financial assistance of ₹6,000.
• This assistance is distributed in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each every 4 months, via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into the bank accounts of beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries:

• Farmer families that hold cultivable land can apply for the benefits of this plan.
• Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) (a farmer who owns cultivable land up to 2 hectare as per land records of the concerned State/UT.).
• The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with the State / UT Governments.

Impact of the Scheme

• Beneficiaries outreach: The PM-Kisan plan has been used by over 11 crore farmers nationwide, including over 3 crore women farmers, demonstrating its broad influence and reach.
• Financial Assistance: With the help of this financial assistance, farmers are able to pay for their inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, and other supplies as well as sustain their families.
• Better Agricultural Practices: This promotes the expansion of the agricultural industry and helps ensure food security.
• Poverty Alleviation: By giving small and marginal farmers a reliable source of income, the program, like Universal Basic Income (UBI), significantly contributes to the alleviation of poverty among them.
• Enhanced Livelihoods: PM-Kisan helps farmers maintain a higher standard of living for their communities in rural areas by acting as a safety net in times of agricultural hardship or economic uncertainty.

[2020] Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?

1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets.
2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks.
3. Consumption requirements of farm households.
4. Post-harvest expenses.
5. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only

(d) 1, 2, 4 and 5

KUWAIT

49 people have died as a result of the horrific fire in Kuwait, 41 of them are Indian citizens.

Context:

• Kerala and Tamil Nadu were the two southern states from whence the bulk of the Indian victims came.

About KUWAIT

• The Arabian Peninsula’s northeasternmost point is home to Kuwait.
• Its borders are the Persian Gulf to the east, Saudi Arabia to the south, and Iraq to the north and northwest.
• Kuwait City, the nation’s largest and capital, is the hub of its politics, culture, and economy.

Political System:

• Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government.
• The head of state is the Emir, who is a hereditary monarch.