Table of Contents
UPSC Prelims Bits For Today
Ex SAMPRITI-X
In News
A joint military training exercise Ex SAMPRITI-X is being conducted at Jashore Military Station in Bangladesh from 05 June to 16 June 2022.
Key Points
- As part of the ongoing India Bangladesh bilateral defence cooperation.
- Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour conducted alternately by both countries which aims to strengthen and widen the aspects of interoperability and cooperation between both the armies.
- The aim of the exercise is to strengthen interoperability between the two armies and to understand each other’s tactical drills and operational techniques.
- The Indian contingent of company strength is being represented by a Battalion of the DOGRA Regiment and the contingent departed by road for the exercise location on 4 Jun 2022.
- During the joint military exercise Ex SAMPRITI-X, armies of both the Nations will share expertise in multiple simulated scenarios of Counter Terrorism, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief and UN Peacekeeping Force under UN mandate.
Lifestyle for the Environment- LiFE Movement
In News
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched a global initiative ‘Lifestyle for the Environment – LiFE Movement’ on June 5, via video conference.
The idea of LiFE
- The idea of LiFE was introduced by the Prime Minister during the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow last year.
- The idea promotes an environment-conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and destructive consumption.
About Mission Life
- The vision of LiFE is to live a lifestyle that is in tune with our planet and does not harm it. And those who live such a lifestyle are called “Pro-Planet People”.
- Mission LiFE borrows from the past, operates in the present and focuses on the future. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the concepts woven into our life.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
In News
On May 23, the Joe Biden administration launched its own version of a “pivot to Asia” through the establishment of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF)
About IPEF
- An important by-product of the fourth Quad Summit in Tokyo on 24 May, was the Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) announced a day earlier.
- This is an associated framework of the Quad that will open the region to other countries.
- The IPEF goes beyond the original Quad intent. It develops the recent Quad initiatives for larger functional rather than security-led efforts in the Indo-Pacific.
Aspects of IPEF
- The US sees the IPEF as expanding the US economic leadership in the Indo-Pacific, benefitting the US economy.
- The IPEF is expected to decide on high standard rules for competition, rather than domination by any particular country.
- The focus on resilient supply chains is an effort to protect the region from disruptions and inflationary pressures.
IPEFs Importance For India
- The US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) is strategically important for India for four reasons.
- It will enhance India’s economic engagement in the region, which was dented after India’s withdrawal from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.
- India’s last-minute withdrawal from RCEP was not seen in the right spirit by ASEAN and other RCEP members.
- The IPEF will help control the damage caused by the RCEP withdrawal as all the IPEF members save India and the US—Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam—are signatories to the RCEP.
- Building resilient supply chains is one of the motives of the IPEF. India can consider members as alternative sources for its raw materials requirements. Malaysia could increase the supply of chips, whereas Australia can be a source of minerals for Indian industry. This could reduce India’s overdependence on China for these inputs.
- It will also help India strengthen its ties with Australia.
- The IPEF can also support India’s renewed love for free trade agreements.
