International Relations (March-April-May) 2020 Set 5

Table of Contents

Topics to discuss

Q) Which of the countries are not the members of NPT

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

50 years of NPT

Recently, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which came into force in 1970, marked its 50th anniversary.

NPT and its Objectives

The treaty defines nuclear-weapon states as those that have built and tested a nuclear explosive device before 1 January 1967; these are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China

Objectives of NPT

To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology
To promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and
To further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.

India’s Stand on NPT

Indiais one of the only five countries that did not sign the NPT or withdraw from NPT, thus becoming part of a list that includes Pakistan, Israel, South Sudan and North Korea
India always considered the NPT as discriminatoryand had refused to sign it.
India has opposed the international treaties aimed at non-proliferation since they were selectively applicable to the non-nuclear powers and legitimisedthe monopoly of the five nuclear weapons powers.

Q) Which of the countries Announced that it will exit the Open Skies Treaty?

Open Skies Treaty

Recently, U.S. announced that it will exit the Open Skies Treaty, stating that Russiahad “continuously and flagrantly” violated the treaty.

About Open Skies Treaty

OST is an agreement that permits each state party to conduct short-notice, unarmed, reconnaissance flights over the others territories to collect data on military forces and activities.
It is aimed at building confidence and familiarity among states-parties through their participation in the overflights.
OST was signed in 1992 and came into effect in 2002.
Currently 34 states are party to the treaty while a 35th, Kyrgyzstan, has signed but not ratified it.
Majority of members include North American and European nations like USA, UK, Russia, Turkey.
India, China are not members to the treaty.
Though state-parties are allowed to overfly all of a member’s territory, the treaty determines specific points of entry and exit and refuellingairfields

UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND WORKS AGENCY

India has given USD 2 million in aid to UNRWA working for the welfare of Palestinian refugees, amidst the coronavirus crisis.

UNRWA

UNRWA was created in December 1949 by the UN, as a relief and human development agency.
UNRWA provides shelter, basic food supplies, medical aid, education, and work opportunities for Palestine refugees in its five fields of operations: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Gaza Strip and West Bank including East of Jerusalem.
It is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN Member States.
UNRWA also receives some funding from the Regular Budget of the UN, which is used mostly for international staffing costs.

World Health Organisation

Indian Health Minister took charge as the chairman of the WHO Executive Board and USA threatened to freeze funding to World Health Organization (WHO)

WHO Executive Board

Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members in the field of health are elected for three-year terms.
It meets at least twice a year.
Primary function of the board is to implement the decisions of WHA, advise and facilitate its work.
Chairman post is held by rotation for one year among 6 regional groups Africa, Americas, South East Asia, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific.

WHO Funding Pattern

It consists of four kinds of contributions
Assessed contributions: dues countries pay in to become member of WHO-based on country’s wealth and population
Specified voluntary contributions: come from members or partners and can be flexible or highly earmarked. It forms the largest share of WHO’s funds.
Core voluntary contributions: to benefit less well-funded activities resources and ease implementation bottlenecks because of lack of immediate financing
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Contributions: to strengthen human pandemic potential, and increase access of developing countries to vaccines and pandemic related supplies.
US is currently WHO’s biggest contributor with 67%and India’s share is 0.48%.
Out of the total funds, maximum funds are spent in Africa region ($1.2 billion) followed by Eastern Mediterranean region, South East Asia, Europe, Western Pacific, and Americas regions respectively.
Area where maximum money allocated is polio eradication (26.51%), followed by essential health and nutrition services (12.04%), and preventable diseases vaccines (8.89%)