• The highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism in the strategic partnership between India and Russia is the Annual Summit meeting between the Prime Minister of India and the President of the Russian Federation.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin held their first informal Summit in Sochi, Russia, in 2018.
• In 2019, President Putin awarded PM Narendra Modi Russia’s highest state decoration, The Order of St Andrew the Apostle, for his distinguished contribution to the development of a privileged strategic partnership between Russia and India.
• Two Inter-Governmental Commissions – on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological, and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC) and Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-MTC) – meet annually.
• India-Russia military-technical cooperation has evolved from a buyer-seller framework to joint research, development, and production of advanced defence technologies.
• Joint military programs include the BrahMos cruise missile, 5th generation fighter jet, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Ilyushin/HAL Tactical Transport Aircraft, KA-226T twin-engine utility helicopters, and some frigates.
• India has acquired military hardware from Russia, including the S-400 Triumf, Kamov Ka-226 (made in India under Make in India), T-90S Bhishma, INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier, and submarines.
• Russia is a crucial partner for India in peaceful nuclear energy use, with cooperation in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) in India and the Rooppur Nuclear Power Project in Bangladesh.
• Cooperation in outer space includes satellite launches, the GLONASS navigation system, and joint activities in the field of the Human Spaceflight Programme.
• Institutional mechanisms for bilateral Science and Technology cooperation include the Working Group on Science and Technology, the Integrated Long-Term Programme (ILTP), and the Basic Science Cooperation Programme.
• Cultural ties involve the teaching of Hindi and other Indian languages in Russian institutions, as well as the promotion of Indian dance, music, yoga, and Ayurveda in Russia.

Strategic Partner

• Military Powerhouse: Russia provides crucial access to advanced weapons and military technology, vital for India's security interests against regional rivals like China and Pakistan.
• Nuclear Fuel Supplier: Russia is a key source of nuclear fuel for India's growing nuclear power program, ensuring energy security and independence.
• Political Ally: Russia supports India's position on key issues like Kashmir and UN reform, offering diplomatic backing and counterbalancing Western pressure.
• Counterbalance to the West: Russia's partnership helps India diversify its foreign relations and hedge against Western dominance, promoting a multipolar global order.

Economic Partner

• Trade and Investment: Bilateral trade is growing, though below potential. Both nations aim to increase it significantly, offering mutual economic benefits.
• Emerging Areas of Cooperation: New sectors like mining, agro-industrial, and high technology (robotics, nanotech, biotech) hold promising potential for collaboration and economic growth.
• Connectivity Projects: India's participation in Russia's Arctic and Far East development initiatives can open up new avenues for trade and resource access.

Security Collaborator

• Joint counter-terrorism efforts: Both nations face similar threats and collaborate on intelligence sharing, training, and operations to combat terrorism.
• Afghanistan crisis: Both have concerns about the situation in Afghanistan and cooperate to promote stability and prevent the resurgence of extremist groups.
• Space Exploration: Collaborative projects in satellite launches, navigation systems, and human spaceflight programs strengthen scientific and technological advancements.

• The two countries intend to increase bilateral investment to US$50 billion and bilateral trade to US$30 billion by 2025.
• Bilateral trade during FY 2020 amounted to USD 8.1 billion.
• From 2013 to 2016 there was a major decline in the trade percentage between the two countries. However, it increased from 2017 onwards and a constant increase was noticed in 2018 and 2019 as well.

Increasing Dependency on Russian Oil Imports

• India's oil imports have shifted significantly towards Russia, surpassing traditional suppliers such as Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
• Russia's geopolitical situation, including Western sanctions following the military operation in Ukraine, has prompted Moscow to offer steep discounts on its crude oil, finding a ready market in India.
• India, unlike Western countries, has chosen not to impose formal sanctions on Russia, leading to a nearly 13-fold increase in crude oil imports from Russia in 2022-23, reaching over $31 billion.

Payment Challenges and Geopolitical Ramifications

• India faces difficulties in paying for Russian oil due to breaching the $60 per barrel price cap set by the US and European nations, as Russia offers lower discounts on its crude.
• Using currencies like the Chinese yuan for payments raises geopolitical concerns due to strained ties with Beijing.
• Western sanctions have limited Russia's access to the global secure interbank system (SWIFT), making it challenging for Indian exporters to receive payments for goods already shipped to Russia.

The Rupee-Rouble Mechanism and Trade Deficit Concerns

• Negotiations between India and Russia to reactivate the rupee-rouble trade arrangement, an alternative payment mechanism, have faced obstacles.
• Concerns over the rouble's convertibility and volatility, along with India's ballooning trade deficit, have hindered the implementation of the rupee-rouble payment mechanism.
• India's trade deficit with Russia reached $43 billion in 2022-23, leading to significant amounts of Indian rupees in Russian banks that cannot be utilized for Russia's war efforts.

De-Dollarisation Efforts and Alternative Payment Methods

• The US sanctions have prompted countries to explore de-dollarisation, replacing the US dollar as the global reserve currency.
• India has released a roadmap for the internationalization of the Indian rupee to enhance its acceptance globally.
• Indian refiners have settled non-dollar payments for Russian oil using currencies like the Chinese yuan and the UAE dirham.

Geopolitical

• Ukraine War: Russia's invasion of Ukraine has strained its relations with the West, potentially impacting India's ties with both nations. India's neutral stance faces increasing pressure to condemn Russia, creating a delicate balancing act.
• China's Shadow: Russia's close relationship with China, India's geopolitical rival, creates friction and uncertainty. While Russia played a mediating role in the Ladakh border tensions, its alignment with China raises concerns for India's security interests.
• Diversifying Foreign Policy: India's growing engagement with the US and other Western powers could further complicate the relationship with Russia, potentially leading to strategic competition and conflicting interests.

Economic

• Trade below potential: Bilateral trade between India and Russia remains below its potential, despite ambitious goals to increase it significantly. This could be due to factors like infrastructure limitations, lack of diversification, and competition from other trading partners.
• Investment gaps: While both countries desire increased investment, attracting Russian investment to India remains a challenge. This could be due to concerns about regulatory hurdles, bureaucratic complexities, and competition from other investment destinations.
• Energy dependence: India's reliance on Russia for critical resources like nuclear fuel and military equipment creates vulnerability to potential disruptions in supply or price fluctuations. Diversifying energy sources and arms imports is a long-term goal, but comes with its own challenges.

Strategic

• Shifting military landscape: India's efforts to diversify its arms imports and develop its own defence capabilities could gradually reduce its dependence on Russian military technology. This could potentially weaken the strategic partnership in the long run.
• Differing priorities: While both nations share some strategic interests, their priorities may not always align perfectly. This could lead to disagreements on issues like regional security, international sanctions, or global governance.
• Domestic politics: Internal political dynamics in both countries can also impact the relationship. Changes in leadership or shifts in public opinion could lead to changes in priorities or policies, potentially creating uncertainty and instability.

• Neurotechnologies have significantly advanced since the creation of electroencephalography (EEG).
• Developed a century ago, EEG has profoundly influenced our understanding of the brain and the treatment of neurological disorders.
• Researchers predict the imminent arrival of wearable EEG devices that could enhance human cognitive abilities directly.
• Additionally, Elon Musk’s Neuralink has sparked optimism about brain-computer interfaces assisting people with physical impairments in regaining lost functions.
• The 1990s were famously dubbed the ‘decade of the brain’ due to substantial government investments in neuroscience and neurotechnology research.
• Major initiatives like the European Union’s ‘Human Brain Project’ and the subsequent ‘BRAIN’ initiative exemplified this support.
• Nowadays, research in these fields enjoys backing from private companies, especially within the life sciences sector, and has expanded to cover brain pathophysiology, deep-brain stimulation, and neuromarketing.
• Neurotechnologies encompass a wide range of applications, from the commonly used Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to the less frequent Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI).
• Over the past few decades, the variety of sensory data these technologies can capture has grown significantly. Advanced biosensors capable of recording physiological activities, behavioural responses, and emotions have become a reality

• The digitalization of neuro-data presents both significant opportunities and concerns. Beyond care-seekers, neurotech is becoming more integrated into everyday life through smartwatches, apps, and 'embeddables.'
• These devices collect user data, which can then be transmitted to healthcare providers and private companies. These entities might integrate the data into broader frameworks to offer real-time health tracking and personalized recommendations.
• However, this also heightens the risk of surveillance from various sources for different purposes. For instance, employers might monitor employees' movements and mental states to assess alertness, fatigue, and other indicators.
• This data can be shared with other employers, physicians, and various state and non-state actors, potentially increasing control over individuals' behavior. Digitized health data also holds significant commercial value, particularly in advertising and neuromarketing.
• The growing investment by the private sector in neurotechnologies has sparked concerns regarding their governance and regulation. These technologies raise unique ethical issues as they can access individuals' physiological and psychological states.
• Ultimately, the right to free thought and mental privacy could be at risk. Under the guise of monitoring and assessing efficiency, different entities may track and monitor the movements and behaviours of various segments of the population, both individually and collectively

4. What is Neuroethics?

 

• The right to think freely and protect one’s mental state and thoughts from surveillance and monitoring are fundamental rights that could be undermined by technological advancements.
• Experts aim to establish ethical standards to maximize the benefits of neurotechnologies while minimizing harm, which is the central concern of neuroethics, a crucial field of research and action that has grown over the past two decades.
• Various institutions and funding agencies have sought to define and enforce ethical principles for neuro-related research and development.
• In 2015, the U.S. Presidential Commission on Bioethics released a two-volume report titled "Gray Matters," addressing ethical tensions and societal implications of advancing neuroscience and technology, focusing on cognitive enhancement, consent capacity, and the intersection of neuroscience and the legal system.
• In 2019, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recommended nine principles to ensure ethical neurotechnology development and use, emphasizing "safeguarding personal brain data" and "anticipating and monitoring potential unintended use and/or misuse."
• UNESCO published a paper in 2022 highlighting that neurotechnology's interaction with and alteration of the human brain raises issues of human identity, freedom of thought, autonomy, privacy, and well-being.
• The risk of unauthorized access to sensitive brain information is significant, especially as neural data is increasingly sought for commercial purposes like digital phenotyping, emotional data, neurogaming, and neuromarketing.
• Industry developments in neuromarketing to evaluate and potentially alter consumer preferences raise serious concerns about mental privacy, especially in non-democratic governments.
• In 2023, researchers at the Institute of Neuroethics in Atlanta reviewed several guidelines and ethical frameworks published worldwide. These documents urge researchers to "proactively consider and communicate potential implications of scientific advances" and to "improve and meaningfully incorporate ethics in training and the conduct of research."

 

5. About Neurorights

 

• Internationally accepted human rights principles and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights offer some insights into individuals' neurorights, but their enforceability varies by jurisdiction. In 2021, Chile became the first country to legally recognize neurorights by amending its constitution.
• According to a 2022 article in the journal AI & Society, technological advancements in Chile must "respect people's physical and mental integrity," and its laws should "protect brain activity and related information." In the U.S., Colorado passed a law in April 2024 to safeguard neurological privacy, while California is considering similar legislation.
• However, some legal scholars argue that the current rights framework is sufficient and that neurorights-specific laws may have limited scope. For instance, in a paper published last year in AJOB Neuroscience, Pennsylvania State University scholars debated whether neuro-privacy is significantly different from data privacy.
• A major challenge in developing appropriate neuroethical standards is the rapid evolution of the underlying technologies.
• The diverse contexts in which these technologies are used, along with varying expectations and cultural norms, further complicate this task.
• UNESCO has appointed an expert group to develop the "first global framework on the ethics of neurotechnology," expected to be adopted by the end of 2025.
• Although this framework is unlikely to lead to a treaty or binding convention, it could significantly influence government guidance documents and policy narratives. Besides UNESCO, various intergovernmental organizations are also actively addressing the human rights implications of neurotechnologies

 

 

 

For Prelims: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), Gray Matters, neuroprosthetics   For Mains: GS III- Science & Technology -Rapid evolution of neurotechnologies

 

 

Source: Indianexpress

 

ARUNA ASIF ALI- QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT

 

 

 

1. Context

 

Aruna, a prominent female freedom fighter, was born on July 16, 1909. How she rose to prominence during the Quit India movement.

 

 

2.Who is Aruna Asif Ali?

 

 

• Aruna Asaf Ali is a legendary revolutionary figure, celebrated for her significant contributions to India’s freedom struggle. She is particularly recognized as the heroine of the Quit India Movement, having defied even Mahatma Gandhi’s orders to surrender in late 1946.
• Born Aruna Ganguly, she was raised in a liberal Brahmo Samaj environment. Her marriage to Asaf Ali, a Muslim Congress leader who was 20 years her senior, was opposed by her family.
• In his recent book, The Circles of Freedom, T.C.A. Raghavan, former High Commissioner to Pakistan, describes Aruna’s life in 1928 Old Delhi’s Kucha Chelan as vastly different from her Anglo-Indian upbringing.
• Although she was not required to observe purdah, her Anglo-Indian background made it difficult to adjust to the domesticity and seclusion of a traditional Muslim household, necessitating separate facilities for her in Asaf Ali's mansion. Initially, her role was limited to being the wife of a public figure, often attending high teas in nationalist circles in Delhi.
• However, Aruna eventually emerged as a leader among women in the Congress, alongside figures like Sarojini Naidu and Sucheta Kripalani. She first heard the slogan "Inquilab Zindabad" when her husband visited Sardar Bhagat Singh in Lahore Jail as Gandhi's representative.
• Aruna recalled that the small room resonated with Bhagat Singh's powerful slogan, inspiring her commitment to the nationalist struggle.
• In 1932, she was imprisoned for her participation in the Civil Disobedience movement. Following the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, when all political prisoners were to be released, Aruna chose to remain in jail to protest the inhumane treatment of inmates in Tihar Jail, leading to significant reforms there.
• After 1932, she endured ten years of solitary confinement in Ambala, as the British were particularly harsh on women revolutionaries, often forcing them to sacrifice family ties. Declared an offender, her property was seized and auctioned, but she avoided arrest by finding mentorship under Ram Manohar Lohia. Her long underground struggle with Socialist leaders like Lohia and Jay Prakash Narayan deepened her socialist beliefs.
• Aruna co-edited the newspaper Inquilab with Lohia and continued her activism until 1946. Moved by her resolve, Gandhi urged her to surrender, writing, “I have been filled with admiration for your courage and heroism. You are reduced to a skeleton. Do come out and surrender... Reserve the prize money for the Harijan cause.”
• Determined to pursue her socialist ideals, she only surrendered after the prize on her head was lifted. Even after resurfacing and facing arrest, she supported the Royal Indian Navy mutiny aboard the INS Talwar.
• After independence, Aruna left the Congress to join the Communist Party of India, where she established the National Federation of Indian Women, the women's wing of the party. She lost her husband in 1953, who by then had become India’s first ambassador to the United States. Despite her proximity to the capitalist camp during the Cold War, she remained true to her ideological beliefs.
• In 1965, she received the Order of Lenin, and in 1992, the Indian government honored her with the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award. In 1997, she was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, and in 1998, a stamp commemorating her was issued. Aruna Asaf Ali Marg in New Delhi is named in her honour

 

3. About the Quit India Movement

 

• In the sweltering summer of 1942, a rigorous negotiation was underway in Delhi between Indian freedom fighters and a mission led by Sir Stafford Cripps. This mission was dispatched by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to secure India’s support for the Second World War.
• Prior to Cripps, Lord Linlithgow, the Viceroy of India, had made the 'August Offer' in 1940, proposing dominion status for India but granting veto power to the Muslim League and other sectarian leaders.
• Amidst rising tensions and rapid troop movements between the Axis and Allied powers in Europe, Indian leaders were under pressure to declare their stance.
• Additionally, with war-time inflation escalating, Bengal faced the prospect of the worst famine of the 20th century.
• British territories in Southeast Asia, such as Rangoon and Sittwe, were rapidly falling to General Hideki Tojo's forces. Reports of British soldiers fleeing and abandoning the Burmese in the face of Japanese attacks were equally unsettling.
• In this politically charged atmosphere, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) in Wardha passed the resolution for the Quit India Movement (Bharat Chhoro Andolan) on July 14, 1942, advocating that the British should leave India to determine its own fate. Historian Sekhar Bandyopadhyay noted that Mahatma Gandhi was in an uncharacteristically militant mood at this time.
• On August 8, 1942, Gandhi delivered his renowned “Do or Die” speech at Gowalia Tank Maidan. This stance was unusual for Gandhi, as 'dying' implied a form of violence, a departure from his usual insistence on non-violence, which had previously led him to halt movements like Non-Cooperation (1920-21) due to violent incidents

4.Female Freedom Fighters

 

• Numerous chroniclers have documented the unprecedented participation of women in the Quit India movement. While women had been involved in protests since the early days of Gandhian movements, the Quit India movement marked the emergence of a significant women-led political struggle in India.
• On the night of August 8, 1942, Gandhi and other leaders were imprisoned. Following their arrest, women leaders took on unconventional roles in the movement.
• The extensive involvement of women, both in and out of jail, above and underground, highlights how women's leadership evolved significantly during this period.
• Notable women leaders included Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, Usha Mehta, Matangini Hazra, Kanaklata Barua, Purnima Banerjee, and Aruna Asaf Ali

5. Other Prominent freedom fighters

 

• Dr. Harish Chandra, in his work Participation of Women in India’s Freedom Movement: With Special Reference to Quit India Movement (1942-1947), emphasized that women often faced the brunt of British oppression. They were frequently searched and paraded from their homes at night, and efforts were made to intimidate them regarding their bodies to discourage new participants in the freedom struggle.
• Police brutality extended beyond lathi charges, with authorities sometimes resorting to gunfire. Sarojini Naidu, the first Indian woman to preside over the Indian National Congress (INC), was arrested right after the Quit India resolution was passed, given her veteran status and high priority on the list of leaders to be imprisoned.
• In her absence, women leaders of the INC displayed remarkable resilience, with Sucheta Kripalani taking charge. The wife of Congress leader and Gandhian J.B. Kripalani, she also founded the All India Mahila Congress.
• Her experience teaching Constitutional History at BHU was evident in her passionate speeches, and her close association with Ram Manohar Lohia influenced her socialist political views. This advocacy ultimately led her to become the first female Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on October 2, 1963. Due to her prominence, she couldn’t remain active for long and was eventually detained in Patna.
• Another prominent freedom fighter, Usha Mehta, was just 22 when she famously announced, “This is Congress Radio from 42.34 meters from somewhere in India.” Inspired by Gandhi's speech, she utilized newly developed radio technology to circumvent censorship and amplify the voice of the resistance.
• From August to November 1942, Congress Radio broadcast updates about imprisoned revolutionaries, the atrocities they faced, and the activities of the Azad Hind Fauz, occasionally airing patriotic songs like Vande Mataram.
• As the daughter of a government magistrate, Mehta’s operations were less visible to British intelligence. However, she was eventually caught and imprisoned in Pune’s Yerawada Jail until March 1946, earning the title "Radio-ben" in the nationalist media.
• Matangini Hazra, a committed Gandhian and revolutionary, embodied the slogan “Do or Die.” At the age of 73 in 1942, she led a march of 6,000 volunteers, mostly women, to attack the Tamluk Police station in Bengal.
• As they approached their target, the police opened fire, and Hazra was shot multiple times, reportedly dying with the Tricolour in her hands and “Vande Mataram” on her lips

 

 

 

For Prelims: Quit India Movement, Aruna Asif Ali, Cripps Mission For Mains: GS I- Modern Indian History, Important events of Indian freedom movement

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1.Quit India Movement was launched in response to (UPSC CSE 2013) A.Cabinet Mission Plan B.Cripps Proposals C.Simon Commission Report D.Wavell Plan Answer (B)   The Quit India Movement was launched in response to the Cripps Proposals in 1942

 

Source: Indianexpress