Top News Highlights-23 October 2024

Table of Contents

India-China Border Agreement

India and China have agreed on patrolling arrangements along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC).
The standoff began in 2020 following China’s protests over Indian infrastructure projects in the neighborhood of the Galwan Valley.
The India-China border is divided into three sectors, with the Ladakh or Western sector being the most contentious one.
Key challenge: China rejects the McMahon Line in the Eastern Sector and disputes boundary demarcations in other sectors.

India is heavily reliant on imports of solar modules and cells with more than 80 percent of world production controlled by China.
A report by the Global Trade Research Initiative throws light on the fact that India lacks in the solar manufacturing capacity of raw materials like polysilicon and wafers.
Recommendations include an increase in the scope of the PLI Scheme and together deal to reduce dependency on China.

It said that 33% of students in Indian colleges consider themselves nascent entrepreneurs, which is much higher than the global average of 26 percent.
India ranks 39 on the Global Innovation Index, having more than 110 unicorns, and therefore is sustainably supported by a startup ecosystem.
Some of the other challenges include a very low transition rate of nascent ventures into active businesses and not much access to programs in entrepreneurship education.

The government has issued rules regarding regulation of the exploration and production of minerals in the offshore areas it has left hydrocarbons and atomic minerals out.
Offshore mining is a dire requirement to minimize the importation of minerals and meet the increasing demands of metals.
Disadvantages include environmental devastation, technological restrictions, and possible damage to the fishing communities.

Indian Institute of Geomagnetism discovers a research paper that connects volcanic eruptions with ionospheric disturbances in disturbing satellite communications.
Volcanic gravity waves induce Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) that in turn damage satellite-based technologies.
Volcanic eruptions, too, have cooled the atmosphere and enriched the soil with recent eruptions observed in Indonesia and New Zealand.

Wetlands International report underlines the usefulness of wetlands during the renewed National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans after the COP15.
Wetlands occupy only 6% of the Earth but house 40% of the planet’s biodiversity and play an important role in carbon sequestration, among other nutrient cycling functions.
The report demands measurable targets in wetland restoration to halt biodiversity loss

India stood at 84th position in the Economic Freedom of the World Report 2024 released by the Fraser Institute.
The report has measures in terms of the size of government, legal system and property rights, and freedom to trade internationally.
Hong Kong topped at 1st place and Venezuela lagged at the 165th position.

Completion of one year of operations of India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), Namo Bharat Trains
Operating over a 42-km stretch between Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut, it has been saving time and promoting sustainable urban transport
The full 82 km corridor will be completed by 2025, further strengthening India’s commitment to sustainable transportation

PLI Scheme: A package of incentives for manufacturing solar components locally that goes on to reduce India’s import dependency.
National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs): Aim to meet international biodiversity targets, specifically wetland conservation.
Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002: The offshore area mineral development and Regulation Act 2002 provides the legal framework for the regulation of mineral exploration in offshore areas.