Context

• The upcoming 4th summit of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), composed of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States, marks an important moment in the strategic evolution of this partnership.
• Scheduled for September 21, 2024, in Wilmington, Delaware (US), this summit will take place amidst significant global challenges and leadership transitions, offering a chance for the Quad to consolidate its future path.
• Amid this development, it is crucial to examine the broader context, goals, and potential impact of the Quad summit, particularly focusing on its implications for the Indo-Pacific region.

Significance of the Fourth Quad Leaders’ Summit

• Leadership Transitions and Strategic Urgency
  • This summit holds significant importance as it coincides with political transitions for both U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
  • With Biden not seeking re-election and Kishida’s Liberal Democratic Party facing challenges, there is an increased urgency to reinforce the Quad’s strategic direction before new leadership dynamics potentially alter the equation.
  • The fact that India deferred hosting the summit to the U.S., due to Biden's election commitments, reflects a degree of flexibility among Quad members and a recognition of practical challenges.
• Addressing Global Challenges Along with Regional Challenges
  • Despite these transitions, the Quad leaders seem determined to solidify the partnership’s priorities, especially in the context of ongoing global uncertainties.
  • The setting of the summit alongside the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future suggests that the Quad intends to align its regional ambitions with broader international objectives.
  • It will offer a framework for addressing global governance challenges in tandem with regional security issues.

Primary Agendas of the Wilmington Quad Summit and India’s Role

• Indo-Pacific Integration: Maritime Domain Awareness and Legal Cooperation
  • At the heart of the Quad’s agenda is the Indo-Pacific region, which has become a critical focal point for economic, security, and geopolitical strategies.
  • A primary goal of this summit is to reinforce maritime domain awareness (MDA) as a foundational pillar of Indo-Pacific cooperation.
  • The expansion of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) to the Indian Ocean region during the July 2024 Tokyo meeting underscores the Quad’s ambition to promote a rules-based maritime order.
  • The Indian Ocean’s inclusion aligns with a broader Indo-Pacific narrative that aims to link regional security frameworks with economic and technological initiatives.
• Launch of a Quad Maritime Legal Dialogue
  • Central to this effort is the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which serves as the foundation for promoting freedom of navigation and upholding international maritime norms.
  • The Wilmington summit is expected to explore the potential launch of a Quad Maritime Legal Dialogue, an initiative designed to consolidate expertise in international maritime law.
  • This legal framework would not only serve Quad members but also benefit other regional actors committed to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
• India’s Role
  • India’s role in this domain is particularly notable through its leadership of the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), which facilitates real-time information sharing and coordination among like-minded partners.
  • The operationalisation of the South Asia programme within this framework signals India’s growing commitment to maritime security and its intent to play a leading role in maintaining regional stability.
  • This aligns with India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy, which seeks to counterbalance China’s assertiveness in the region.

Expanding the Quad’s Agenda Beyond Security

• Leveraging the Technology for Public Good
  • Several key initiatives underscore the Quad’s multifaceted approach.
  • For instance, the implementation of an Open-Radio Access Network (RAN) in Palau and a space-based climate warning system in Mauritius highlight the Quad’s commitment to leveraging technology for public good.
  • Similarly, the deployment of off-grid solar projects in the Indo-Pacific islands reflects a concerted effort to promote sustainable development while enhancing energy security.
• Innovation and Talent Development
  • In addition, the Quad's focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, through initiatives like the inaugural STEM cohort.
  • It illustrates the group's broader vision of creating innovation and talent development.
  • These initiatives align with the Quad’s overarching goal of ensuring regional economic resilience, particularly considering the shifting geopolitical landscape that has affected supply chains and infrastructure networks.

The Strategic Context and Future Prospects

• Representation of a Unified Response to Fracturing World Order
  • The Quad’s evolution comes at a critical time for the Indo-Pacific region, which faces growing challenges from both state and non-state actors.
  • China’s increasingly assertive behaviour in the South China Sea and broader Indo-Pacific, often in contravention of international norms, has exacerbated security concerns for Quad members.
  • The ongoing conflicts in West Asia, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the fracturing global order add further complexity to the regional security environment.
  • Against this backdrop, the Quad represents a unified response to these challenges, aiming to foster a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific.
  • By focusing on enhancing supply chain resilience, the Quad aims to mitigate the risks associated with economic over-dependence on China.
  • This approach highlights the intersection between economic security and broader geopolitical concerns, as the reconfiguration of global supply chains presents both challenges and opportunities for regional actors.
• Outlook: A Prelude to the Summit of the Future
  • The Wilmington summit serves as a prelude to the Summit of the Future, which aims to reshape global governance by addressing critical issues such as sustainable development, international peace, technological innovation, and future welfare.
  • In many ways, the Quad acts as a microcosm of these broader global aspirations, championing cooperation and stability in a volatile world.
  • As the Quad continues to mature, this summit offers an opportunity to assess its progress and potentially lay the groundwork for future initiatives.
  • By addressing regional security challenges while promoting economic resilience, technological innovation, and environmental sustainability, the Quad can serve as both a regional stabiliser and a key player in shaping global governance norms.

Conclusion

• The upcoming Quad summit in Wilmington marks an important milestone in the evolution of this strategic partnership.
• Against the backdrop of leadership transitions and pressing global challenges, the Quad is poised to play a crucial role in promoting regional security and economic resilience in the Indo-Pacific.
• By reinforcing its commitment to maritime domain awareness, international legal cooperation, and a wide array of development and security issues, the Quad continues to consolidate its position as a key framework for ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

About Naga King Chilli:

• It belongs to genus Capsicum of family Solanaceae.
• It is also known as raja mircha, Bhoot Jolokia and Ghost pepper.
• It is a spice renowned globally for its extreme heat, which exceeds 1 million Scoville heat units (SHU).
• It is ranked among the hottest chillies in the world, the king chilli holds significant cultural and economic value for the Naga people.
• It has received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2008.
• The cultivation of king chilli in Seiyhama is an ancient practice. Farmers begin searching for suitable plots in December or January, with large bamboo groves being the preferred location. 
• The peak harvest of king chilli occurs in August and September, with the final harvest in November and December.
• Significance: The king chilli has long been used to preserve food in Nagaland’s hot, humid climate, extending the shelf life of food and reducing waste. 

About Venus Orbiter Mission:

• It is envisaged to orbit a scientific spacecraft in the orbit of planet Venus.
• Objectives
• It is for better understanding of the Venusian surface and subsurface, atmospheric processes and influence of Sun on Venusian atmosphere.
• The study of the underlying causes of transformation of Venus, which is whispered to be once habitable and quite similar to Earth would be an invaluable aid in understanding the evolution of the sister planets, both Venus and Earth.
• The Indian Venus mission is expected to answer some of the outstanding scientific questions resulting in various scientific outcomes.
• India Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will be responsible for the development of spacecraft and its launch.
• The mission is expected to be accomplished on the opportunity available during March 2028. The realization of the spacecraft and launch vehicle is through various industries.
• Funding: The total fund approved for the VOM is Rs.1236 Cr out of which Rs 824.00 Crore will be spent on the spacecraft.
• The cost includes development and realization of the spacecraft including its specific payloads and technology elements, global ground station support cost for navigation and network as well as the cost of launch vehicle.
• Significance: Venus, the closest planet to Earth and believed to have formed in conditions similar to Earth, offers a unique opportunity to understand how planetary environments can evolve very differently.

About NPS Vatsalya  Scheme:

• It is an extension of the existing National Pension Scheme (NPS) but focuses on children.
• Eligibility for NPS Vatsalya as follows
  • All minor citizens (age below 18 years).
  • Both the child and the parent must be Indian citizens. All parties must comply with the Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
  • Account can be opened in the name of minor and operated by parent or guardian. Minor will be the beneficiary.
  • Scheme can be opened through various Points of presence regulated by Pension Fund Regulatory Authority of India (PFRDA)such as major banks, India Post, Pension Funds and Online platform (e-NPS).
  • Contribution: Subscriber to make a minimum contribution of Rs 1000/- per annum. There is no limit on the maximum contribution.
• PFRDA will provide multiple investment choices to subscribers. Subscribers can take exposure in government securities, corporate debt, and equity in different proportions based on risk appetite and desired returns.
• On attaining the age of majority, the plan can be converted seamlessly into a normal NPS account. 
• Withdrawal rules
  • After three years of opening the NPS vastsalya account, partial withdrawals are allowed. Up to 25% of the corpus can be withdrawn for specific purposes, including education, medical treatment for certain illnesses, or disabilities over 75%.
  • Once the child attains the age of 18, the corpus of up to Rs 2.5 lakh can be withdrawn entirely and if it exceeds, the 20% can be withdrawn and rest 80% can be used for annuity purchase in the NPS.
• In the unfortunate event of a subscriber's death, the entire corpus is given to the nominee, usually the guardian. If the guardian dies, a new guardian must be assigned after completing a new KYC.
• If both parents die, a legal guardian can manage the account without further contributions until the child turns 18.

About Next Generation Launch Vehicle:

• It will have 3 times the present payload capability with 1.5 times the cost compared to LVM3, and will also have reusability resulting in low-cost access to space and modular green propulsion systems.
• The development of the NGLV is taken up which is designed to have a maximum payload capability of 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit, which also has a reusable first stage.
• This development project will be implemented with maximal participation from the Indian industry, which is also expected to invest in the manufacturing capacity at the outset itself, thereby allowing a seamless transition to the operational phase subsequent to the development.
• NGLV will be demonstrated with three development flights (D1, D2 & D3) with a target of 96 months (8 years) for the completion of the development phase.
• The total fund approved is Rs. 8240.00 Crore and includes the development costs, three developmental flights, essential facility establishment, Programme Management and Launch Campaign.
• Significance
  • It will enable national & commercial missions including launch of human spaceflight missions to Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
  • Lunar/inter-planetary exploration missions along with communication & earth observation satellite constellations to Low Earth Orbit that will benefit the entire space ecosystem in the country.
  • This project will boost the Indian space ecosystem in terms of capability and capacity.

About Bio-RIDE Scheme:

• It is designed to foster innovation, promote bio-entrepreneurship, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in biomanufacturing and biotechnology.
• It aims to accelerate research, enhance product development, and bridge the gap between academic research and industrial applications.
• The scheme has three broad components:
  • Biotechnology Research and Development (R&D);
  • Industrial & Entrepreneurship Development (I&ED)
  • Biomanufacturing and Biofoundry (New component under this new scheme)
• It is part of the Government of India’s mission to harness the potential of bio-innovation to tackle national and global challenges such as healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and clean energy.
• Funding and Time period: The proposed outlay for the implementation of the unified scheme ‘Bio-RIDE’ is Rs.9197 crore during the 15th finance Commission period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• Implementation of Bio-RIDE Scheme will -
  • Promote Bio-Entrepreneurship: It will nurture a thriving ecosystem for startups by providing seed funding, incubation support, and mentorship to bio-entrepreneurs.
  • Advance Innovation: It will offer grants and incentives for cutting-edge research and development in areas like synthetic biology, biopharmaceuticals, bioenergy, and bioplastics
  • Facilitate Industry-Academia Collaboration: It will create synergies between academic institutions, research organizations, and industry to accelerate the commercialization of bio-based products and technologies.
  • Encourage Sustainable Biomanufacturing: A significant focus will be placed on promoting environmentally sustainable practices in biomanufacturing, aligned with India’s green goals.
  • Support researchers through Extramural funding:It will play critical role in advancing scientific research, innovation, and technological development across diverse fields of biotechnology by supporting extramural funding to research institutions, universities, and individual researchers in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, bioenergy, and environmental sustainability.
  • Nurturing Human Resource in Biotechnology sector: It will provide holistic development and support to students, young researchers and scientists working in the multidisciplinary areas of Biotechnology.

About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):

• It is a statutory board constituted by the Central Government under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• It is responsible for guiding the government’s decisions on matters related to wildlife conservation and issuing approvals for projects in protected areas (PAs).
• The WLPA mandates that without the approval/recommendation of the NBWL, construction of tourist lodges, alteration of the boundaries of PAs, destruction or diversion of wildlife habitat, and de-notification of Tiger Reserves, cannot be done.
• Structure:
  • It is a 47-member committee, headed by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (environment minister) as vice chairperson.
  • In addition to offices and institutions directly involved in conservation and protection of wildlife, the NBWL also has the chief of army staff, defence secretary, and expenditure secretary to Government of India as members.
  • Further, the central government nominates 10 members who are eminent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists.
  • In practical terms, many of its tasks are delegated to a standing committee (SC-NBWL), which is empowered to carry out the same functions.
  • The SC-NBWL shall consist of the Vice-Chairperson (environment minister), the Member Secretary, and not more than ten members to be nominated by the Vice-Chairperson from amongst the members of the NBWL.
• While the act envisaged the board and the committee as advisory bodies, their powers and responsibilities were increased in 2002, after the Supreme Court ruled that the SC-NBWL had to approve all proposals that sought permission for “any activity” within a wildlife sanctuary.
• The SC-NBWL also makes recommendations on the setting up of and management of National Parks, Sanctuaries, and other PAs and on matters relating to restriction of activities in those areas.
• The SC-NBWL shall ordinarily meet once in three months.

About Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs):

• REITs are companies that own or finance income-producing real estate across a range of property sectors. 
• It allows investors to pool their funds and invest in various real estate projects.
• Essentially, it functions like a mutual fund for real estate investments.
• These trusts own and oversee a portfolio of income-generating properties, such as office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, etc.
• Unlike other real estate companies, a REIT does not develop real estate properties to resell Instead, a REIT buys and develops properties primarily to operate them as part of its own investment portfolio.
• When investors invest in a REIT, they become fractional owners of the property equivalent to the amount they’ve invested, giving them access to the benefits of owning real estate assets in small ticket sizes.
• Most REITs are publicly traded like stocks, which makes them highly liquid, unlike traditional real estate investments.
• REITs in India:
  • In India, REITs were introduced in 2014 and are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
  • For a company to qualify as a REIT, the following criteria must be satisfied:
    • 90% of the income must be distributed to the investors in the form of dividends.
    • 80% of the investment must be made in properties that are capable of generating revenues.
    • Only 10% of the total investment must be made in real estate under-construction properties.
    • The company must have an asset base of at least Rs 500 crores.
  • REITs cannot invest in agricultural land, vacant land.

About Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay SanraksHan Abhiyan (PM-AASHA):

• It is an umbrella scheme aimed at ensuring remunerative prices to the farmers for their produce.
• PM AASHA has three components, and states can choose whichever one they wish to implement. The three components are
• Price Support Scheme (PSS):
  • In PSS, physical procurement of pulses, oilseeds, and copra will be done by Central Nodal Agencies with the proactive role of state governments. 
  • In addition to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), Food Corporation of India (FCI) will take up PSS operations in states/districts.
  • The procurement expenditure and losses due to procurement will be borne by the Central Government as per norms. 
• Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS): 
  • Under PDPS, it is proposed to cover all oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
  • Direct payment of the difference between the MSP and the selling/model price will be made to pre-registered farmers selling his produce in the notified market yard through a transparent auction process.
  • All payments will be done directly into the registered bank account of the farmer.
  • This scheme does not involve any physical procurement of crops, as farmers are paid the difference between the MSP price and the Sale/modal price on disposal in the notified market.
  • The support of the central government for PDPS will be given as per norms.
• Pilot of Private Procurement and Stockist Schemes (PPPS):
  • In addition to PDPS, for oilseeds, states have the option to roll out PPSS on a pilot basis in selected districts/Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMCs) of districts involving the participation of private stockists. 
  • This scheme will allow private players to participate in the procurement of crops.
  • The pilot district/selected APMC(s) of the district will cover one or more crops of oilseeds for which MSP is notified.
• Only one scheme, i.e., PSS or PDPS, may be made operational in one State with respect to one commodity.

About Houthis:

• The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah (Partisans of God), are an Iranian-backed Shiite Muslim military and political movement in Yemen.
• Its members, who subscribe to the minority Zaidi sect of Shiite Islam, advocate regional autonomy for Zaidis in northern Yemen. 
  • Shiite Muslims are the minority community in the Islamic world, and Zaidis are a minority of Shiites, significantly different in doctrine and beliefs from the Shiites who dominate in Iran, Iraq, and elsewhere.
  • They are a minority in Yemen, which is predominantly Sunni Muslim, but they are a significant one, numbering in the hundreds of thousands and making up as much as a third of the overall population.
• The group emerged in the 1990s and takes its name from the movement's late founder, Hussein al-Houthi. 
• The Houthi movement began as an effort to maintain tribal autonomy in northern Yemenand protest Western influence in the Middle East.
• They have been fighting Yemen’s Sunni-majority government since 2004. 
• The Houthis took over the Yemeni capital Sanaa in September 2014 and seized control over much of north Yemen by 2016. Currently, Houthis controls approximately one-third of Yemen’s territory.
• Today, the Houthis seek a greater role in the Yemeni government and continue to advocate for Zaidi minority interests.
• The movement is known for its virulently anti-American and anti-Semitic rhetoric.
• Several of the group’s leaders have been designated as terrorists by the United States.