MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS
Q1. In light of the recent restoration of close relations between India and Egypt, describe Egypt’s strategic importance to India.
GS II – International Relations
Introduction:
Recent restoration of closer connections between Egypt and India:
- In 1955, the two nations signed a Friendship Treaty, and in 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement was founded with both nations as founding members because to India’s backing of Egypt, notably during the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956.
- During the Cold War, India and Egypt were united by their desire to avoid becoming “camp followers” of either the United States or the Soviet Union. India and Egypt were also crucial to the G-77 alliance and “South-South Cooperation” projects.
- More recently, India and Egypt have taken positions on the Ukraine crisis that are strikingly similar: they urge for a diplomatic settlement while refusing to condemn Russia’s actions.
- India gained a lot of favour in Cairo last year by choosing to provide wheat to Egypt, one of the largest importers in the world who was adversely affected by the ban on shipments from Russia and Ukraine.
- Along with a memorandum of understanding in agriculture, antiquities and archaeology, and competition law, India and Egypt are also working to expand their collaboration in the fields of green energy, medicines, and defence.
- Ministerial-level political and diplomatic engagements between Egypt and India have increased, particularly as important ministers from both nations have visited one another, demonstrating the increased focus on enhancing all facets of the bilateral relationship.
Egypt’s strategic importance to India:
- Egyptian control of the Suez Canal and its proximity to the Red Sea ensure the Arab nation’s capability as a nodal link by providing a different connectivity route to Europe via the Red Sea-Mediterranean Sea route, similar to Chabahar and International North. Additionally, Egyptian control of the Suez Canal and its proximity to the Red Sea ascertain the Arab country’s capability as a nodal link by providing a different connectivity route to Europe via the Red Sea-Mediterranean Sea route.
- Strategic defence partnership: Egypt appears to be a lucrative partner as a market for Indian defence platforms given that India is focusing on self-production and indigenisation in the defence sector and that Egypt is one of the 42 countries to which India currently exports defence goods. Additionally, Egypt has expressed interest in purchasing India’s Tejas aircraft.
- Energy resources: As a major importer of Egyptian petroleum products, India looks on Egypt as a dependable partner in meeting its energy demands. Egypt provides India with a sizeable amount of crude oil and natural gas.
- Egypt, a member of the Organisation of Islamic collaboration (OIC), is regarded as a moderate Islamic voice, and as such, Egypt can aid in encouraging collaboration between India and other OIC states.
- Egypt will provide a dedicated cluster for India within the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE), which holds significant significance for Indian trade. Out of the total 4.8 million barrels per day of crude oil shipped and transported through the canal, 500,000 barrels per day of crude are shipped to India. The presence of India in SCZONE would allow it to maintain a two-pronged approach in the region, which can be beneficial for both countries.
- India and Egypt are clearly attempting a closer relationship that considers both future economies and autonomous foreign policies. As India and Egypt continue to strengthen their relationship, the potential for further growth and diversification in the years to come becomes increasingly promising.
Q2. The beginning of climate change has led to a resurgence in millet farming. Analyse. What actions has the government done to boost millet output in India?
GS III – Environmental Conservation related issues
Introduction:
- Due to the fact that a region’s climate influences the type of flora and crops that can grow there, the agricultural industry is particularly vulnerable to climate change. A region’s food security, agricultural production, and food stability are all being impacted by climate change. The growth of plants is severely hampered by rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and protracted droughts that occur during crucial crop periods. Investigating crops that can endure the effects of climate change is necessary in light of this.
As a result, millets are encouraged for cultivation for the following reasons:
- Due to its resilience and capacity to flourish in a variety of agro-climate locations, weather intense heat and drought, and endure temperatures as high as 46 degrees Celsius, millets are once again being grown as a crop.
- Millets also grow well in arid climates as rain-fed crops, require less water, have a lower carbon footprint per hectare than wheat and rice, and may be grown on marginal soils and grazing grounds.
- Millets are renowned as “famine reserves” due to their short growing season and capacity to be kept for two years or more. They are also inexpensive to maintain because they are often grown using natural farming practises.
- Millets are a significant dietary source since they are high in macronutrients and micronutrients like calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, protein, and vital amino acids. They also contain lots of antioxidants and are non-glutinous.
- The fibrous roots of millet plants help to improve soil quality, control water runoff, and aid soil conservation in erosion-prone places, ultimately restoring natural ecosystems. This makes intercropping millets with other crops very advantageous.
Given the advantages offered by millet crops, the government has implemented a number of initiatives to encourage millet cultivation, including:
- The first steps in boosting millet intake and production for nutritional security in India were taken with the introduction of the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millet Promotion (INSIMP) in 2011–12.
- Declaring 2018 the National Year of Millets: As part of the National Food Security Mission, the government declared 2018 the National Year of Millets and launched the Millet Mission.
- Under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has been implementing a Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals (Millets) in 212 Districts of 14 States since 2018–19 to promote millets.
- Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry for Millet-based Products: The PLISMBP, or Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry for Millet-based Products, has been approved for implementation from 2022–2026 by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI).
- The government is also encouraging farmers, FPOs, and entrepreneurs to apply for the Agri-Infrastructure Fund Scheme, which offers interest subsidies on loans up to $2 crore for the establishment of primary millet processing units.
- An increase in the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi has been announced in an effort to entice farmers to grow millet.
- Additionally, the government has permitted “nutri-cereals” to be a part of the Mid-Day Meal and Public Distribution System (PDS) programmes.
- Millets offer food, nutrition, fodder, and livelihood security, and they haveenormous potential in our fights against poverty and climate change. The value chain for millets and millet-based goods has to be promoted and strengthened because the UN has declared 2023 the International Year of Millets.
