What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• News army division
• Situation around LAC after Galwan incident
• What is Operation Meghdoot?

Why in News?

A plan that has been waiting for a long time to create a new Army division for possible deployment of troops to eastern Ladakh might happen this year. This is part of some changes being made for Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and the Ladakh area.

This is significant as India is commemorating the 40th year of Operation Meghdoot, under which it took control of the Siachen Glacier.

News army division

• Creation of 72 Division
  • The Army is considering raising the 72 Division for possible deployment in eastern Ladakh under the Northern Command.
    • The 72 Division was to originally function under the 17 Mountain Strike Corps (MSC) based in Panagarh (West Bengal).
  • A division has approximately 14,000 to 15,000 troops.
• Restructuring of Army corps in the backdrop of the military standoff with China
  • Currently, the Army has four strike corps — the Mathura-based 1 Corps, Ambala-based 2 Corps, Bhopal-based 21 Corps, and 17 MSC in Panagarh.
  • However, till 2021, only the 17 MSC was focused on China. The other three were focussed on Pakistan.
  • But in the backdrop of the military standoff with China which began in 2020, a restructuring was carried out in 2021 to keep two of the strike corps for the mountains facing China. 
  • The 1 Corps and 17 Corps were restructured to focus on the northern and eastern borders to tackle Chinese threats.
• Role of the 1 Corps and 17 Corps
  • The role of the 1 Corps was reoriented to focus on the northern borders with China with two infantry divisions. 
  • The 17 Corps was given an additional division from an existing corps to focus on the eastern theatre. 
  • Some elements of the 17 Corps were deployed in eastern Ladakh in the backdrop of the military standoff with China.
• Part of 2-pronged strategy
  • This decision is part of overall redeployment changes being planned in the Northern Command, with a two-pronged strategy focused on: 
    • eastern Ladakh amid the standoff along the LAC with China, and 
    • on ensuring no gap in training of strike corps elements.

Situation around LAC after Galwan incident

• India and China pushed in nearly 50,000-60,000 troops each along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) following the deadly clashes in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. 
• Friction points such as Galwan Valley, north and south banks of Pangong Tso and the Gogra-Hot Springs area have seen some resolution in the last three years with the creation of buffer zones. 
• Legacy friction points such as Depsang Plains and Demchok are yet to see any disengagement.

What is Operation Meghdoot?

• Operation Meghdoot was the code name for a military operation conducted by the Indian Armed Forces on 13 April 1984. 
• Its objective was to secure control over the strategically important Siachen Glacier in the eastern Karakoram Range of the Himalayas, located in Kashmir. 
• The operation involved Indian troops airlifting to key positions along the glacier and establishing military posts to prevent Pakistan from gaining control over the area. 
  • On April 13, 1984, a fleet of Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters flew an Indian Army platoon, one soldier at a time, to the Bilafondla Pass on the Saltoro Ridge, towering over the Siachen Glacier at an altitude of 5,450 metres (17,880 ft).
  • Simultaneously, a platoon of Ladakh Scouts was airlifted to Sia La, in the northern glacier, at an altitude of 5,589 metres (18,336 ft).
  • Soon, about 300-odd Indian troops were positioned on the strategically important peaks and passes of the Saltoro Ridge.
• The operation was successful in achieving its objectives, and India has since maintained a military presence in the Siachen Glacier region.
  • This is seen as India’s bold military response to what New Delhi calls Pakistan’s aggression in the uncharted territory of Ladakh, north of map reference NJ9842.
    • Both New Delhi and Islamabad had agreed that the Line of Control (LoC) stopped at point NJ9842 on the map. 
    • Beyond this was an unchartered territory and Pakistan wanted to occupy this region to gain strategic advantage which was thwarted by India.

Q.1. What is an infantry division?

An infantry division is a military unit that consists primarily of foot soldiers with light weapons, as well as supporting artillery, armor, and engineer units. It also has its own communication, supply, maintenance, and evacuation services. Infantry soldiers are the backbone of the military, and are responsible for defending their nation and pushing back enemy forces.

Q.2. What is Mountain Strike Corps (MSC)?

The Mountain Strike Corps (MSC) is an army convoy that moves along the Srinagar-Leh highway in Kashmir's Ganderbal district. It is the first mountain strike corps of India, and is also known as the Brahmastra Corps. The MSC is a quick reaction force and counter offensive force against China along the LAC. The MSC is headquartered at Panagarh in West Bengal under Eastern Command.

Source: Eye on eastern Ladakh, new Army division likely to be raised this year

Indian Express

Business Standard

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Context of the present case
• Recent judgment on human rights and climate change
• Implications of such judgements
• International precedents

Why in News?

• In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court ruled that citizens have a right against the adverse effects of climate change. The court was deciding on a case about how solar power lines were causing many Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) to die. 
• This raised worries because India promised to cut down on harmful emissions and use more clean energy, like solar power.

Context of the present case

• Declining population of GIBs
  • In recent years, one of the factors linked to the decline in the population of the GIB, are power lines in Rajasthan and Gujarat, which host several, large solar parks. 
    • GIB is an endangered species.
  • The concern was that the birds collided against the overhead transmission lines.
• Petition filed in SC in 2019
  • Environmentalists petitioned the Supreme Court in 2019, pleading that all overhead lines, existing and prospective, be shifted underground.
• 2021 order of Supreme Court
  • In April 2021, SC had ordered restrictions on the setting-up of overhead transmission lines in an area covering about 99,000 square kilometres.
  • The Court had constituted a committee of experts to determine which transmission lines ought to go underground and which ones could remain overground.
• Government sought modification in the order
  • later approached the SC, seeking modification of its directions. 
  • The govt claimed this direction will harm India’s global commitments to reduce the carbon footprint by increasing dependence on renewable energy sources.
• March 2024 order
  • In its March 2024 order, the Court has continued to task an expert committee with overseeing the electrification.
  • It also stressed that underground electrification would hinder India’s road to solar electrification.

Recent judgment on human rights and climate change

• Highlighted multiple steps taken by the govt to address climate change
  • The Court notes that the Indian government has taken multiple steps through legislation as well mission-led programmes to address climate change. 
  • The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, the National Green Tribunal Act 2010, were among those referenced in the judgment.
  • The National Solar Mission, the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency and, the National Mission for a Green India were also mentioned.
• Lamented the absence of single or umbrella legislation related to climate change
  • The government has rules and regulations that acknowledge the bad effects of climate change and try to fight it.
  • However, there is no single or umbrella legislation to specifically deal with climate change and its associated problems.
• Right of people against the adverse effects of climate change
  • Article 21 recognises the right to life and personal liberty while Article 14 indicates that all persons shall have equality before law and the equal protection of laws.
  • These Articles are important sources of the right to a clean environment and the right against the adverse effects of climate change.
    • Even though the constitution promises that everyone has equal rights and the right to life and freedom, the Court believes it is important to specifically connect climate change with these rights. 
    • They say this is because having a clean environment is just as important as having these rights. 
    • As climate change gets worse each year, it's important to recognize this as its own important right, supported by Articles 14 and 21 of the constitution.
  • It also mentioned that if vulnerable communities, like those living near the coast or experiencing land damage, or if lose crops because of climate-related issues, then it would violate their rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the constitution. 
  • This makes it even more important to clearly connect climate change with these rights.

Implications of such judgements

• Supreme Court judgments on environmental matters have often significantly altered public discourse and governmental action. 
• For instance, decisions in the M.C. Mehta verus Union of India, the Godavarman Thirumulpad cases have been the foundation of subsequent environmental action.
  • In M C Mehta case, court had directed to relocate dangerous and polluting factories to less populated areas so that they would not pose a threat to human life.
  • The case T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India is a landmark environmental case in India.
    • The court ruled that prior approval is necessary to carry out any non-forest activity within the area of any forest.
• In the current case of the Great Indian Bustard too, the ruling has come with the Court underlining the necessity for expanding electricity production for solar energy sources.
• At the same time, it has expanded the fundamental rights chapter to include various facets of a dignified existence. 
  • This is because, for the first time, the right against the adverse effects of climate change has been included in the fundamental rights.

International precedents

• Paris Agreement of 2015
  • The link between climate change and human rights has grown stronger since the Paris Agreement of 2015. 
  • The preamble of the Agreement had references to human rights.
• Various international reports and stand of UN Bodies
  • Various reports have highlighted that there was a growing convergence between the fields of international human rights law (IHRL) and climate change. 
  • Several reports of UN human rights bodies and Human Rights Council resolutions are now drawing a link between rights and climate change.
  • Scholars also argue that the framing of climate change as affecting future generations and endangering their right to a liveable planet follows from the link to human rights.

Q.1. What Is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas.

Q.2. What is climate jurisprudence?

Climate jurisprudence is a rights-based approach that frames climate change as a matter of justice. It demands that policies and measures to address climate change also protect and promote human rights

Source: The trend in climate change jurisprudence | Explained

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• How Iran and Israel Became Arch-Rivals?
• Are Israel and Iran Headed for a War?
• Seize of Israeli Container by Iran

Why in News?

• Indian government sources confirmed that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had seized a Nhava Sheva-bound ship with 17 Indian nationals on board for its links with Israel.
• New Delhi was in touch with Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels to ensure the security, welfare and early release of the Indian nationals.

How Iran and Israel Became Arch-Rivals?

• 1979 was a pivotal year:
  • While Iran was ruled by the Pahlavi dynasty for more than a half-century, Iranian-Israeli bilateral relations remained cordial. Iran was one of the first Muslim countries to recognise the new state of Israel.
  • However, ties between the two countries collapsed after Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979. 
  • Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was ousted, and the new supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, pursued a policy of standing up to "arrogant" world powers.
  • Still, limited cooperation between Israel and Iran continued into the 1980s. But later a hostile rivalry emerged as Iran built up and funded proxy militias in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen.
  • As a result, a shadow war between Iran and Israel grew over the years.
• Iran's nuclear program is a main target:
  • Iran's nuclear program (which it has always insisted is entirely peaceful) has been a primary focus of Israeli attacks.
  • Tehran believes Israel and the U.S. introduced the Stuxnet computer virus in the early 2000s to target the centrifuges enriching uranium for Iran's nuclear program.
  • A series of sabotage attacks continued into the 2020s, as Israel sought to damage Iranian nuclear facilities.
• War by proxy
  • Iran has long backed armed groups around the region that target Israel as well as the U.S. military.
  • The main one is Hezbollah in Lebanon, formed in the 1980s to fight the Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon.
  • Hezbollah has been firing rockets into northern Israel since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

Are Israel and Iran Headed for a War?

• The Israeli war on Hamas is on the edge of exploding into a wider conflict with a likely Iranian retaliation over a suspected Israeli strike earlier this month on an Iranian consular building in Syria.
• The conflict has spread across the Middle East since the eruption of the Gaza war, with Iran-backed groups declaring support for the Palestinians, waging attacks from Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq.
• Iran has so far avoided direct confrontation with Israel or the United States, while declaring support for its allies. However, the strike on the Iranian consular building in Syria changes that.

Seize of Israeli Container by Iran

Q.1. What is the 'Axis of Resistance'?

The 'Axis of Resistance' includes not only Hamas, the Palestinian group that ignited the war by attacking Israel, but also, the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, the Houthi movement in Yemen, various Shi'ite armed groups in Iraq and Syria.

Q.2. How does the Israel Hamas war affect India?

Since India is a net importer of crude oil, an extended conflict could result in an increased import bill. Prolonged conflicts may lead to elevated petrol and diesel prices, inflationary pressures, higher fiscal deficits, currency depreciation, and possibly reduced economic growth in India.

Source: Iran seizes Israel-linked cargo ship with 17 Indians on board

NPR

ET