Oct 14th The Hindu Imp News Articles & Editorial

Edition: International Table of Contents

 Page 01 : Prelims Fact

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) attacked a UNIFIL facility in southern Lebanon, escalating tensions as peacekeepers faced ongoing assaults.

• Israel’s Prime Minister urged the UN to withdraw UNIFIL from Hezbollah areas, citing safety concerns for peacekeepers and soldiers.

United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) – Key Information:

• Established: March 1978 by the UN Security Council.
• Original Mandate: Confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist Lebanon in restoring authority.
• Post-2006 Role: Expanded after the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
  • Monitor the cessation of hostilities.
  • Support Lebanese Armed Forces in southern Lebanon deployment.
  • Ensure humanitarian access to civilians.
  • Facilitate the safe return of displaced persons.
• Troop Strength: Over 10,000 personnel from 50 countries.
• Mandate: Governed by UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006).

Places in Focus:

• Ramyah (South Lebanon): Location of the UN peacekeeping force’s facility attacked by IDF tanks; near the volatile border with Israel.
• Blue Line: Demarcation between Israel and Lebanon, established by the UN to confirm Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.
• Meiss ej Jebel: Another location in south Lebanon where IDF soldiers halted a UNIFIL logistical movement.

Page 06 : Prelims Fact

Ladakh’s auroral sightings highlight advancements in space weather monitoring, as predicted by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and CESSI at IISER Kolkata.

• These occurrences signal increased solar activity, with auroras visible due to coronal mass ejections and solar storms.

Analysis of the news:

• Ladakh recently witnessed auroral sightings, marked by reddish or greenish lights, typically seen in northern regions.
• The latest aurora occurred on October 10-11, following previous sightings in May 2023 and November and May 2022.
• The auroras were captured by all-sky cameras operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics at Hanle and Merak in Ladakh.
• These sightings validate advancements in space weather monitoring by astrophysicists, who predicted the event 48-72 hours earlier.
• The occurrence of auroras in Ladakh, a lower-latitude region, signals heightened solar activity and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
• Solar storms are part of the sun’s 11-year activity cycle, with the current cycle predicted to peak in 2024.

Page 07 : GS 2 : Social Justice – Health

Precision medicine, driven by genomics and emerging technologies like gene editing and mRNA therapeutics, is transforming healthcare globally.

• India’s biobanking ecosystem is growing but faces challenges due to inconsistent regulations around data protection and ethical practices.
• Aligning India’s biobanking laws with global standards is crucial for advancing next-generation therapeutics.

Introduction to Precision Medicine

• Precision medicine is transforming healthcare by offering personalised treatments, especially in fields such as cancer, chronic diseases, and genetic disorders.
• The Human Genome Project laid the groundwork for advancements in genomics, which have enhanced diagnostics and therapies for multiple health conditions.
• Emerging technologies like gene editing, mRNA therapeutics, and organ-on-chips are contributing to the progress of precision medicine.

Technological Advancements in Precision Medicine

• Gene editing and mRNA therapeutics are two key emerging technologies.
• Success stories include restoring vision through gene therapy and reversing diabetes with reengineered stem cells.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, the mRNA platform played a critical role in the development of vaccines, which led to a Nobel Prize.
• Organ-on-chips offer promising solutions by replicating human organs in laboratories, aiding in more accurate drug testing.

Precision Medicine in India

• The precision medicine market in India is growing rapidly at a CAGR of 16% and is projected to exceed $5 billion by 2030.
• It contributes significantly to India’s bioeconomy, alongside innovations in cancer immunotherapy, gene editing, and biologics.
• In 2023, India approved NexCAR19, its first domestic CAR-T cell therapy, and opened a dedicated center for its development.
• Collaborative efforts between healthcare institutions, such as Apollo Cancer Centre and the Indian Institute of Science, are driving the use of artificial intelligence in precision medicine.

Role of Biobanks in Precision Medicine

• Biobanks store biological samples (e.g., blood, DNA, tissues) and are crucial for the success of precision medicine.
• Large and diverse biobanks ensure that research benefits a broad section of society.
• Recent research using biobank data has led to the discovery of rare genetic disorders and the identification of potential sarcoma therapies through organoid-based studies.

Biobanks in India

• India currently has 19 registered biobanks storing various biological specimens, including cancer cell lines.
• Key initiatives like the ‘Genome India’ project, which sequenced 10,000 genomes from 99 ethnic groups, and the ‘Phenome India’ project, focused on cardio-metabolic diseases, are aiding precision medicine research.
• The Paediatric Rare Genetic Disorders (PRaGeD) mission aims to develop therapies for genetic disorders affecting children.
• Despite progress, India’s biobanking regulations are fragmented and hinder the full potential of precision medicine.

Challenges in Biobanking Regulations

• Unlike other countries such as the U.S. and the U.K., India lacks comprehensive regulations on biobanking, leaving gaps in informed consent, data protection, and privacy.
• Current guidelines from the Indian Council for Medical Research and the Department of Biotechnology are inadequate and do not protect individual rights effectively.
• Issues like mishandling of samples, data misuse, and non-consensual sharing pose ethical challenges.
• Without robust laws, Indian citizens risk losing control over their biological samples and the resulting research profits.

The Need for Regulatory Reform

• Stronger regulations, overseen by an expert committee, would encourage public participation in biobanks and ensure ethical practices.
• Proper biobanking laws aligned with global standards would position India as a leader in next-generation therapeutics, enhance trust, and facilitate international collaborations.
• India’s involvement in international organisations like the Quad and BRICS, as well as its leadership in pharmaceuticals, underscores the importance of aligning its biobanking policies with international standards.

Conclusion

• To harness the full potential of precision medicine, India must strengthen its biobanking regulations, ensuring ethical practices, data protection, and public trust.
• These reforms will not only benefit domestic healthcare but also enhance India’s position in global medical research and pharmaceutical diplomacy.

Page 10 : Prelims Fact

The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has approved the installation of an X-band radar in Wayanad, Kerala, to improve disaster monitoring following the devastating July 2024 floods and landslides.

• This radar will enhance early warning systems for landslides and severe weather events.

What Are X-Band Radars:

• The radar operates within the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum (8-12 GHz, 2-4 cm wavelengths) and provides high-resolution images by using shorter wavelengths to detect smaller particles like rain droplets and soil.
• This technology will help monitor particle movements in the region, including soil shifts, to provide early landslide warnings.
• The radar offers high temporal sampling, meaning it can frequently sample its environment, enabling detection of rapid particle movements.
• X-band radars are limited in range due to faster attenuation of higher frequency signals but are highly effective for localised monitoring.
• It is part of a broader radar infrastructure initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, including the addition of 56 Doppler radars across India.

Page 14 : Prelims Fact

The U.S. will send a THAAD missile defence system to Israel to bolster air defences amid escalating tensions with Iran.

• Iran has warned against U.S. military involvement, further inflaming the conflict in the region.

THAAD Missile Defence System:

• The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is an advanced missile defence system designed to intercept and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase (final stage of descent).
• It uses a hit-to-kill technology, relying on the kinetic energy from impact to destroy incoming missiles, rather than using explosive warheads.
• The system operates at high altitudes, providing wide-area coverage and complementing other missile defence systems like the Patriot, which operates at lower altitudes.
• THAAD consists of four main components: interceptors (missiles), a launcher, a radar system to detect and track targets, and a fire control system for command and control.
• The system has a range of up to 200 kilometres and can target missiles at altitudes of up to 150 kilometres.
• Developed by Lockheed Martin, THAAD is a critical part of the U.S. military’s layered missile defence strategy.
• It has been deployed in several regions, including South Korea, the Middle East, and Guam, for defence against missile threats from adversaries.

Page : 08 Editorial Analysis

Context :

• The recent Quad meeting led to the Wilmington Declaration, highlighting the growing security cooperation between India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia, focused on containing China in the Indo-Pacific.
• Amid deteriorating India-China ties, India must balance its Quad alignment and manage its complex relationship with China cautiously.

Introduction

• The recent meeting of the four Quad nations (Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.) has emerged as one of the most significant to date.
• The Wilmington Declaration, while not mentioning any country, was aimed at containing China in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The article discusses the implications of this development for India, especially concerning its relations with China and the evolving strategic landscape.

The Wilmington Declaration

• Wilmington Declaration: Joint statement by leaders of Quad countries (U.S., India, Japan, Australia) at the September 2024 summit in Wilmington, Delaware.
  • It reaffirms Quad’s dedication to a stable, open international system grounded in rule of law, human rights, and democratic values.
• Focus on Indo-Pacific: Stresses the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific region, free from coercion or aggression.
• Key Areas of Cooperation: Emphasises respecting sovereignty and collaboration in maritime security, emerging technologies, and global health.

The Significance of the Wilmington Declaration

• The Wilmington Declaration highlighted the security alliance among the four Quad nations, though it avoided naming China directly.
• The strategic objective of the Quad nations is evident, focused on countering China’s influence across the Indo-Pacific.
• While no formal mutual defence agreement was declared, the alliance’s primary aim is to act as a check against China’s growing power.

Current State of India-China Relations

• India-China relations have reached a point of deterioration, with a stalemate continuing in key border areas such as Galwan, Depsang Plains, and Demchok.
• Despite efforts to disengage, there has been no breakthrough in the negotiations.
• India is responding by strengthening its military capabilities along the border, with the induction of new artillery, long-range firearms, and other advanced systems.
• Despite India’s efforts, China remains confident, bolstered by its significantly larger defence budget.

China’s Strategic Posture and Its Reaction to the Quad

• China has historically relied on the element of surprise in its foreign policy and military actions, and its response to India’s growing alliance with the West may reflect this.
• Although China appears unbothered for now, its leadership is likely closely monitoring the Quad’s moves, as any alignment could be seen as a provocation.
• India should be cautious about China’s unpredictable behaviour and to carefully navigate its relationships with both China and its Quad partners.
• It is important for India to maintain a nuanced and balanced approach, recognizing the difference between China’s territorial claims in the Himalayas and its more serious concerns on its eastern seaboard.

India’s Strategic Shift

• There is a perception that India’s growing alignment with the West, particularly the U.S., may have shifted its stance towards China.
• Recent Chinese overtures towards India for disengagement from friction points in Ladakh have not been met with much optimism from the Indian side.
• China, on the other hand, views India’s membership in the Quad as a more significant threat than its territorial disputes in the Himalayas.

Conclusion

• The article emphasises that India must be careful in its dealings with both China and the Quad, ensuring that it is not seen as part of any movement to contain or confront China.
• While India need not subscribe to China’s geopolitical vision, it should avoid aligning too closely with U.S. efforts to check China’s rise.
• A cautious approach is advised to avoid unnecessary confrontational politics, which could have adverse consequences for India-China relations and regional stability.