Top News Highlights- 30 July 2024

A Decade of India’s Act East Policy (AEP)

• Overview: AEP, a progression from the Look East Policy initiated in 1992, focuses on enhancing economic, cultural, and strategic ties with the Indo-Pacific region, with ASEAN at its core.
• Achievements: Notable achievements include support to the Philippines on the South China Sea dispute, stronger ties with countries like Indonesia and Vietnam, and regional connectivity projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand highway.
• Challenges and Way Forward: Despite the deep integration of China in the ASEAN economy and India’s economic challenges, future strategies include reviewing the ASEAN FTA and boosting sectors like tourism and semiconductor production through partnerships with ASEAN countries.

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Plans for Large Cities

• Concept: TOD is aimed at optimizing land use and improving public transit infrastructure to ensure sustainable urban mobility in 14 large Indian cities.
• Benefits: Economic benefits include increased real estate values and higher labor productivity, while environmental advantages cover reduced urban transport emissions and enhanced urban greenspaces.
• Implementation: Steps include the National TOD Policy of 2017, incorporation of TOD in the Smart Cities Mission, and local initiatives like the TOD Manual for Delhi.

Philippine Oil Tanker Incident and Oil Pollution Management

• Incident Details: A Philippine oil tanker sank near Manila, raising concerns about a major oil spill.
• Environmental Impact: Oil spills can lead to significant biodiversity loss, disrupt food chains, and impact photosynthesis in marine ecosystems.
• Remedies and Regulations: Remedies include bioremediation and mechanical recovery methods like booms and skimmers, governed by international conventions like MARPOL and national laws like the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan.

Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) Maintains Soil Fertility

• Study Findings: A long-term fertilizer experiment revealed that INM practices help maintain soil fertility by optimizing organic and inorganic nutrient sources.
• Significance: INM enhances soil health, promotes sustainable crop production, and is cost-effective.
• Government Initiatives: Programs like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana and Mission Organic Value Chain Development are promoting INM and organic farming.

External Affairs and State Government Jurisdiction

• Issue: The Ministry of External Affairs criticized the Kerala government for appointing a Secretary in charge of External Cooperation, citing overreach into federal jurisdiction.
• Constitutional Context: Matters of foreign affairs are primarily under the Union’s jurisdiction, with specific constitutional provisions limiting state roles in external engagements.
• State Interests: States have economic and cultural stakes in international relations, often involving FDI, diaspora connections, and inter-state treaties like water sharing.

MyGov Platform: 10 Years of Engaging Citizens

• Overview: MyGov, launched in July 2014, serves as a bridge between citizens and government, facilitating policy engagement and public feedback through digital platforms.
• Functions and Achievements: It has used diverse methods like social media and surveys to involve citizens in governance processes, enhancing participatory policy-making.

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Keywords and Concepts

• Act East Policy (AEP): A foreign policy aimed at strengthening relations with Southeast Asia through economic and strategic partnerships.
• Transit Oriented Development (TOD): A development model that focuses on dense, mixed-use communities centered around high-quality public transport systems.
• Integrated Nutrient Management (INM): An agricultural practice that aims to achieve crop productivity and soil health sustainability by balancing organic and inorganic nutrients.
• MyGov: A platform that enables citizen participation in governance through digital engagement.