Context

• Two weeks after PM Modi's visit to Russia, the U.S. and Europe are still reacting to the evident warmth between Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• This visit amidst the ongoing Ukraine war drew criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and disappointment from U.S. officials.
• Despite India asserting its freedom of choice, it has attempted to reassure that its fundamental worldview remains unchanged.
• However, PM Modi’s visit to Russia carries significant implications, suggesting that something may indeed have shifted.

The Significance of PM’s Russia Visit and Assessment on Conflict in Ukraine

• Timing and Significance of the Visit
  • The timing of PM Modi's visit to Russia is significant, occurring two years after the onset of the conflict in Ukraine.
  • This delay in direct engagement with Russia post-invasion reflects a nuanced approach to a complex geopolitical landscape.
  • Initially, after Russia invaded Ukraine, the PM abstained from the annual India-Russia summits in 2022 and 2023.
  • During this period, India's public stance was encapsulated in PM Modi's statement to Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan in September 2022: this era is not of war.
  • This declaration indicated India's disapproval of the conflict without directly condemning Russia, maintaining a delicate balance in international relations.
• Gradual Transformation of the Conflict
  • As the war in Ukraine progressed, the nature of the conflict transformed. The Russian military faced severe setbacks in the initial stages, including a failed offensive on Kyiv and a significant underestimation of Ukrainian resistance.
  • President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian defences demonstrated resilience, defying Russian expectations.
  • The conflict also saw a desperate Russian draft targeting the youth, leading many Moscow elites to flee the country.
  • Additionally, the Russian military suffered massive casualties and questions arose regarding the effectiveness of Russian military hardware against the advanced equipment supplied to Ukraine by NATO countries.
  • Despite these challenges, Russia managed to stabilise its position, particularly in the eastern regions of Ukraine that it occupied and later integrated into its territory through constitutional amendments.
  • This strategic entrenchment has allowed Russia to maintain control over these areas, creating a de facto situation on the ground.

Factors Behind India’s Decision to Re-Engage with Russia

• U.S. Political Dynamics and Strategic Calculations
  • New Delhi seems to have factored in the political dynamics in Washington.
  • Even before U.S. President Joe Biden announced his decision not to seek re-election, there were indications that his potential challenger, former President Donald Trump, might adopt a less confrontational stance towards Moscow and reduce U.S. support for Kyiv.
  • This anticipated shift in U.S. policy further influences India's strategic calculations.
• An Acknowledgement of the End of Worst Phase for Russia
  • Modi’s visit to Russia can thus be interpreted as an acknowledgment that Russia has endured the worst phases of the conflict and that it is now prudent for India to re-engage with Moscow to prevent further deterioration of bilateral ties.
  • The language used in the India-Russia joint statement during Modi's visit reflects subtle shifts in India's position.
  • The reference to the conflict around Ukraine rather than in Ukraine subtly acknowledges Russian territorial claims.
  • Furthermore, the joint statement's appreciation for peace proposals "in accordance with international law and on the basis of the UN Charter" signals a convergence of views between India and Russia on the framework for resolving the conflict.

India’s Position at the United Nations on Ukraine War

• India's consistent refusal to criticise Russia for the war is evident in its voting record at the UN.
• India has abstained from over 20 votes condemning Russia, including the most recent one on July 11 at the UN General Assembly, which called on Russia to ceasefire following missile attacks targeting civilian infrastructure, including a children's hospital.
• Despite high-level engagements with Ukraine, such as meetings with President Zelenskyy and a visit by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to India in March 2024, New Delhi has been cautious in its responses to Kyiv's requests.
• For instance, India has hesitated to allow Indian companies to provide construction, medical devices, and telecom infrastructure to the Ukrainian government, limiting its assistance to humanitarian aid.
• This restraint indicates India's unwillingness to provoke Russia, highlighting the delicate balance it seeks to maintain in its foreign policy.

Geopolitical and Geo-Economics Factors Behind India’s Re-Engagement with Russia

• Keeping Russia Away from China
  • The geopolitical signalling of the visit extends beyond India-Russia relations.
  • By visiting Moscow shortly after cancelling a trip to Astana, Kazakhstan, for the SCO Summit, PM Modi demonstrated a willingness to forgo a joint appearance with Chinese President Xi Jinping but not with Mr. Putin.
  • This contrasts with western messaging, which urges China to reduce its support for Russia.
  • India's priority remains keeping Russia on its side amid continuing tensions with China at the Line of Actual Control, despite its partnerships with western countries in the Indo-Pacific.
• A Reminder to the West: India Has Other Options
  • The U.S.'s recent actions have also given New Delhi pause. The Biden administration has forged AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) for nuclear submarines.
  • The US engaged Quad Plus countries such as New Zealand, South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines, and hosted the "AP-4" (Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Japan) during the NATO summit in Washington, coinciding with the Modi-Putin summit.
  • New Delhi risks limiting its utility to Indo-Pacific partners compared to these other groups by refusing to make the Quad (India, Japan, Australia, U.S.) a strategic concept.
  • Whether the Modi government can convince its partners to infuse new energy into the Quad remains to be seen, with a Quad Foreign Ministers' meeting and a possible Quad summit later this year in New Delhi.
  • In this context, the Russia visit asserted India's strategic autonomy and reminded that India has other options.
• The Geo-Economics Factor
  • PM Modi's Russian visit must be considered in its geo-economic context.
  • Regardless of battlefield outcomes in Ukraine, western sanctions against Russia will likely persist, and so will India's supply of discounted Russian oil.
  • These imports have significantly boosted India-Russia trade, growing by 66% to $65 billion last year and another 20% in the first quarter of 2024.
  • Sustaining this growth requires developing payment mechanisms for oil imports.
  • The Modi-Putin summit addressed this issue with action items in nine specific areas, prioritising circumventing western sanctions.
• Energy Supplies and Commodity Exports
  • The joint statement on cooperation in Russia's Far East aims to increase energy supplies and commodity exports using the yet-to-be-operationalised Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor.
  • These measures will help rationalise the trade imbalance and develop mutual investments, such as Rosneft's controlling stake in the Gujarat-based Vadinar refinery and Indian public sector units' stakes in Russian oil fields.
  • Despite financial implications, the U.S. and Europe have avoided sanctioning these transactions, accepting Vadinar-processed Russian oil products as Indian products.
  • New Delhi surmises that more such deals could be safely pursued in the future.

Conclusion

• These calculations could be disrupted by developments in the Ukraine war, the Russian economy's struggle with sanctions, and post-election shifts in the U.S.
• However, the enduring message from PM Modi's Moscow visit is the solid bet his government has placed on India-Russia ties.
• This visit underscores India's strategic autonomy, highlights its geopolitical manoeuvring, and reinforces its geo-economic strategies, ensuring that India's relationship with Russia remains a cornerstone of its foreign policy.

About NOvA (NuMI Off-axis νe Appearance):

• It is an experiment to study one of nature’s most elusive particles: neutrinos.
• It is managed by the U.S. Department of Energy's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, located outside of Chicago, United States of America.
  • Fermilab sends a beam of neutrinos 500 miles north to a 14,000-ton detector in Ash River, Minnesota.
  • By measuring the neutrinos and their antimatter partners, antineutrinos, in both locations, physicists can study how these particles change their type as they travel, a phenomenon known as neutrino oscillation.
• NOvA aims to learn more about the ordering of neutrino masses.

What are Neutrinos?

• They are elementary subatomic particles with no electric charge, very little mass, and 1/2 unit of spin. 
• They travel at near light speeds.
• They belong to the family of particles called leptons, which are not subject to the strong force. 
• They are often called 'ghost particles' because they barely interact with anything else. 
• They are, however, the most common particle in the universe. Approximately 100 trillion neutrinos pass completely harmlessly through your body every second.
• Every time atomic nuclei come together (like in the sun) or break apart (like in a fission reactor or particle accelerator), they produce neutrinos. 

About Dark Oxygen:

• Oxygen that is being produced in complete darkness thousands of feet below the ocean surface is termed dark oxygen.
• Why is the discovery important?
  • Until now, it was thought that oxygen was created only through photosynthesis, a process that requires sunlight. 
  • Oceanic plankton, drifting plants, algae, and some bacteria are the primary elements attributed to the production of oxygen in the ocean. All these organisms are capable of photosynthesis. 
  • The production of oxygen at such depths is thought to be impossible because there isn't enough sunlight for plants to do photosynthesis.
  • However, in this case, oxygen is not being produced by plants.
  • The oxygen comes out of Polymetallic nodules that are similar in resemblance to lumps of coal.
  • These nodules, made up of metals like manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, and lithium, can generate oxygen through electrochemical activity even in the absence of light.
  • They are splitting H2O molecules into Hydrogen and Oxygen.

Key Facts about Polymetallic Nodules:

• Polymetallic nodules, also known as manganese nodules, are small, rounded accretions found on the seabed of the deep ocean floor.
• These nodules are composed of a mixture of metals and minerals, including manganese, iron, nickel, copper, cobalt, and traces of other valuable elements such as platinum, rare earth elements, and lithium. 
• They form through a slow and gradual process over millions of years.
• They develop as concentric layers around a central nucleus, which can be a shell fragment, a shark tooth, or a piece of basaltic rock.
• The layers are primarily composed of manganese and iron oxides, with other metals being deposited along with them.
• These metals are really important for the production of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicle batteries, mobile phones, wind turbines, solar panels, etc.
• They are mainly found in the north-central Pacific Ocean, the southeastern Pacific Ocean and the northern Indian Ocean.
• It is said that there may be enough polymetallic nodules in an area of the Pacific Ocean called the Clarion-Clipperton Zone to meet global energy demands for decades after.

About Kargil Vijay Diwas:

• Kargil Diwas, also known as Kargil Vijay Diwas, is celebrated annually on July 26 to commemorate India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War.
• The day celebrates the courage and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who valiantly defended the nation’s sovereignty.
• The year 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Key Facts about Kargil War:

• It was fought between India and Pakistan between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and along the Line of Control (LOC).
• Cause: 
  • In an effort to ease these tensions, India and Pakistan signed the Lahore Declaration in February 1999, which aimed for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue.
  • However, during the winter of 1998-1999, Pakistani forces secretly infiltrated the Drass and Batalik sectors of Kargil in the Ladakh region.
  • Their objective was to capture positions that would allow them to monitor and potentially control movements along the vital NH 1A.
  • Initially, the Indian military mistook these infiltrators for insurgents. As the scale of the infiltration became apparent, India mobilized nearly 200,000 troops to counter the threat, leading to the onset of the Kargil War.
• Operation Vijay:The Indian Army fought bravely and recaptured the famous 'Tiger Hill' and other important posts around under 'Operation Vijay' by evicting the Pakistani troops in the 1999 Kargil War.
• High Altitude Warfare:It was fought at extreme altitudes, with some of the battlegrounds reaching heights of over 18,000 feet.
• Duration: It lasted for approximately three months.
• Armaments:
  • The Indian Army employed heavy artillery, airpower, as well as major infantry operations during the Kargil War.
  • In a first, the Indian side used the Bofors FH-77B howitzers to shoot down enemy positions nested at the top of the mountains. 
  • Israel provided their Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to India during the conflict.
• Live on TV: It was the first ever war to be broadcasted live on TV channels in India. 
• The End of Conflict: The war came to an end on July 26, 1999, when India successfully pushed back the Pakistani forces from the occupied positions.
• Casualties:  As per official figures, around 500 Indian soldiers laid down their lives while at least 1,000 Pakistani troops were also killed.
• It was the last war that happened between India and Pakistan. 

About Wind Demon:

• It is an advanced air-to-surface cruise missile designed for precise, long-range attacks at a low cost.
• It was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
• The missile can be launched from a helicopter or aircraft and is capable of striking both mobile and stationary targets according to a predetermined plan without the need for operator intervention.
• Features:
  • With a range of over 200 kilometers and a weight of 140 kg, this missile is distinguished by its remarkable accuracy, with a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of just 1 meter. 
  • Its ability to fly at extremely low altitudes reduces the risk of detection, disruption, and interception, thus enhancing its operational effectiveness.
  • Operators can choose from various speed profiles: fast, slow, fast, tailored to specific tactical requirements.
  • The missile operates effectively both day and night and is equipped with an advanced electro-optical seeker with thermal capabilities.
  • It also features laser spot tracking capabilities, and its warhead weighs over 20 kilograms.
  • Additionally, it is equipped with a Man-in-the-Loop control system that allows human supervision during critical mission phases.

About State of the World’s Forests 2024 Report:

• It is published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.
• It provides a comprehensive analysis of forest conditions and trends. 
• Highlights of the Report:
  • It highlighted a decline in deforestation rates compared to previous decades, with several countries showing significant improvements. 
  • The data also reveals a disturbing picture of the challenges forests face due to climate change.
  • In 2020, the global forest covered approximately 4.1 billion hectares (ha), or 31 percent of the land area.
  • Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, and China account for 54 percent of the global forest area, in descending order. 
  • Another 10 countries, including Australia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Peru, and India, contribute about two-thirds of the global forest area. 
  • The report estimated that between 1990 and 2020, approximately 420 million ha of forest were converted to land use.
  • However, deforestation rates fell from 15.8 million ha per year between 1990 and 2002 to 10.2 million ha between 2015 and 2020. 
  • Deforestation rates in Africa were 4.41 million ha, 2.95 million in South America, and 2.24 million in Asia.
  • It also noted 10 countries recording annual gains in forest area in 2020, which include China, Australia, India, Chile, Viet Nam, Turkey, the United States of America, France, Italy, and Romania. 
    • India gained 2,66,000 hectares of forest annually from 2010-2020, ranking third globally in forest area gains.
  • The global mangrove area was recorded to be 14.8 million ha, out of which South and Southeast Asia contributed almost 44 percent of the total global area. 
  • The rate of gross global mangrove loss decreased by 23 percent between the two recent decades (2000-2010 and 2010-2020), and the rate of gain in mangrove areas also decreased slightly.
  • Asia was the major contributor to mangrove loss and gains.
  • It is estimated that about 340-370 million ha (equivalent to less than half the land area of Australia) of the earth’s land area is impacted by annual fire. 
  • Satellite data revealed that total fires in 2023 emitted 6,687 megatons of carbon dioxide globally, more than double the emissions contributed by the European Union by burning fossil fuels.

About Ketamine Pill:

• Ketamine, also known as Ketalar, is a medicine that doctors use to make people not feel pain during surgeries.
• It is sometimes called a “party drug”, blocks the receptor for an excitatory neurotransmitter, those that cause neurons to stimulate and send messages, called glutamate.
• It is derived from a hallucinogenic drug Phencyclidine (PCP), it works by blocking the NMDA receptor in the brain and spinal cord, and increases a brain chemical or neurotransmitter called glutamate.
• It halts transmission of pain in the spinal cord and activates reward pathways of the brain.
• It is a dissociative anaesthetic with psychedelic properties and is used under strict medical supervision for anaesthesia and to treat treatment-resistant depression.
• Uses: Ketamine therapy is used to treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, end-of-life distress, chronic pain, drug/alcohol problems, and more.
• Potential side effects on the body include depression, cognitive issues, unconsciousness, and memory loss.
• Regulation in India: It is a Schedule X drug in India, which means it is tightly controlled and even monitored on a case-specific basis by the prescribing doctor. 

About MERCOSUR:

• Mercosur (MERCOSUR for its Spanish initials) or the Southern Common Market is an economic and political bloc of Latin America.
• Members: It originally comprised Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay as its members. Bolivia and Venezuela joined it later. (Venezuela has been suspended since December 1, 2016).
• It was created in 1991 by signing the Treaty of Asuncion, an accord calling for the “free movement of goods, services, and factors of production between countries.” 
• It aims to promote economic integration, free trade, and the movement of goods, services, and people among member countries.
• Governance: The bloc’s highest decision-making body, the Common Market Council, provides a high-level forum for coordinating foreign and economic policy.
• Its official working languages are Spanish and Portuguese.
• India and MERCOSUR signed the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) in 2004, which allowed India to forge closer economic ties with one of the world’s largest trade blocs.
• Headquarter: Montevideo, Uruguay.

About Exercise KHAAN QUEST:

• It is a multinational military exercise which will bring together military forces from around the world to collaborate and enhance their peacekeeping capabilities.
• Last edition of Exercise KHAAN QUEST was conducted in Mongolia from 19th June to 2nd July 2023. 
• Background
  • The exercise first started as a bilateral event between USA and Mongolian Armed Forces in the year 2003.
  • Subsequently, from the year 2006 onwards the exercise graduated to a Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise with current year being the 21st iteration.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 40 personnel is being represented mainly by troops from a Battalion of the MADRAS REGIMENT along with personnel from other Arms and Services. One Woman Officer and two Women Soldiers will also form part of the contingent.
• Aim of Exercise KHAAN QUEST is to prepare Indian Armed Forces for peacekeeping missions while operating in a multinational environment, thereby increasing interoperability and military readiness in peace support operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.
• Tactical drills to be practiced during the exercise will include establishment of Static and Mobile Check Points, Cordon and Search Operations etc.
• The exercise will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between soldiers of the participating countries.