May 16-31, 2021 - Vol 1, Issue 22
INDIA NEWS
WORLD THIS WEEK Contributed by the National Institute for Advanced Studies, Bengaluru
Compiled by Joeana Cera Matthews, Sourina Bej, Dincy Adlakha, Harini Madhusudan, Sukanya Bali and Avishka Ashok
Vaccine patent waiver: The new debate stands divided
Photo Courtesy: BBC
Photo Courtesy: IANS
What happened? On 5 May, Katherine Tai, the United States Trade Representative, announced the Biden administration's position on the proposal that India and South Africa submitted at the WTO: "The administration believes strongly in intellectual property protections, but in service of ending this pandemic, supports the waiver of those protections for Covid-19 vaccines." On 6 May, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, said she was considering the proposal. She said: "The European Union is also ready to discuss any proposal that addresses the crisis in an effective and pragmatic manner… ready to discuss how the US proposal for a waiver on intellectual property protection for COVID-19 vaccines could help achieve that objective." On 7 May, Albert Bourla, Pfizer's CEO, warned that the move "threatens to disrupt the flow of raw materials… will unleash a scramble for the critical inputs we require in order to make a safe and effective vaccine." What does this mean?
English Channel island Jersey. The French fishermen have steamed into Jersey waters to demonstrate against new rules requiring them to submit their past fishing activities in order to receive a license to continue fishing in the island's waters. On 5 May, Britain directed two Royal Navy vessels, HMS Severn and HMS Tamar, to patrol the waters around the Jersey port, which is a self-governing British Crown Dependency near northern France. What does it mean? Both the UK and EU are stuck with wider disputes for the long haul. From Northern Ireland to Jersey island, the EU-UK relation will have to accommodate the deeper nuances and economic needs of those impacted in the divorce. The French fishers ended their protest, but the row remains unresolved. The workable solution would be to form a consultation body with various fishermen communities and chart a policy accommodating the grassroots voices.
China: Canceling the Strategic Economic Dialogue with Australia Photo Courtesy: IANS
What happened? On 6 May, France dispatched two naval policing boats as French fishermen, angry over the loss of access to fishing off their coast, protested off the
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What happened? On 6 May, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), state economic planner of China, announced that it is indefinitely suspending the Strategic Economic Dialogue with Australia, which was launched in 2014 to strengthen the bilateral economic and investment ties.
On 8 May, the Philippines recorded the highest number of new cases in Southeast Asia. It registered 6979 new infections and 10,94,849 active cases. A nationwide travel ban and a total lockdown has been announced in Malaysia, Thailand and Cambodia to stop the spread of the virus. Southeast Asian countries are witnessing a 19 per cent spike in cases and a 48 per cent spike in deaths. New Zealand: Parliament shows concern about human rights abuses in Xinjiang
Photo Courtesy: IANS
What does it mean? First, the impact on the economy. The co-dependence between China and Australia in numerous sectors will keep the effect on their economies within check but, Australia will lose more since China remains its largest trading partner despite tensions. Second, Australia's alternative partners of economic cooperation are also dependent on China which leaves it with little scope to squirm its way out from the sanctioned existence.
ALSO IN NEWS China: Long March 5B rocket debris lands in the Indian ocean On 8 May, France24 reported that a large part of the Chinese rocket Long March 5B which was launched in the previous week, would re-enter the earth's atmosphere and was capable of harming the civilian population. The location and timing of re-entry were unclear. On 9 May, the rocket re-entered the earth's atmosphere and landed in the Indian Ocean, close to the Maldives. However, as predicted by the Chinese officials, most of the components belonging to the rocket were destroyed upon entering the earth atmosphere Myanmar: Violent crackdown continues against protestors
The crisis is enormous. The focus should be on steps making an immediate difference to the demand-supply imbalance countries face. As the immediate measures to meet vaccine requirements need to be prioritized. This needs to be addressed with the argument that the waiver would disincentivize anyone from taking big risks in the face of future global health threats. A via-media is required.
UK and France: BREXIT pangs deepen as a new rule restricts fishing rights
The statement on the NDRC website has accused Australia of disrupting "the normal exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia out of Cold War mindset and ideological discrimination." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Wang Wenbin called it a "necessary and legitimate" response to Australia. He mentioned that Australia is "abusing" national security concept to pressure cooperation from China.
Southeast Asia: Uncontrollable spike in Coronavirus cases
On 8 May, the military government declared several lawmakers from the parallel government as "terrorists'' and held them responsible for the numerous bomb attacks, arson, and killings. On 7 May, a military council spokesperson announced that the country would not welcome a visit by the ASEAN envoy until the stability in the State is restored. On the same day, a pre-dawn strike was conducted in the Natmouk district of Magway. As Myanmar marked three months of protests since the coup, a total of 765 people have lost their lives, and thousands have been reprimanded unlawfully by the military government. On 5 May, the parallel government also announced the establishment of a "people's defense force" to protect the protestors from the brutal crackdown.
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WORLD THIS WEEK Photo Courtesy: IANS
Narendra Modi and Boris Johnson agreed to adopt the "Road Map 2030" to raise the bilateral ties to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Leaders also unveiled a plan to conclude an interim trade deal by 2022. According to the Ministry of External Affairs press release, both emphasized their commitment in areas like peopleto-people relationships, trade and prosperity, defense and security, climate action, and healthcare. Afghanistan: 55 killed in a targeted attack in Kabul
On 5 May, the Parliament in New Zealand declared serious human rights abuses taking place in the Xinjiang region. The members of the Parliament supported the motion but insisted on removing the word "genocide" from the statement. The declaration was made soon after Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta expressed discomfort in being included in statements being made by the Five Eyes collectively. The Chinese embassy reacted to the statement and condemned New Zealand's interference in its internal affairs. India: 5G trials begin, China expresses 'concern and regret' Photo Courtesy: IANS
On 8 May, three explosions occurred near girls' school in Dasht-e Barchi, west Kabul which led to the killing of at least 55. No group has claimed responsibility. President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack. He said: "the Taliban, by intensifying their illegitimate war and violence, showed that they have no interest in a peaceful solution to the current crisis." Spain: People's Party wins Madrid regional elections On 4 May, the People's Party managed to win the elections but fell short of a complete majority in the Madrid regional elections. The People's Party won 65 seats out of 136 seats in the regional assembly, while the Socialist Party lost a few seats and was only able to hold 24 seats. The vox also won 13 seats in the assembly and is now considered to be a critical player in Madrid politics. The UK: Three-day long G7 meeting in London
On 4 May, the Department of Telecommunication granted Telecom Service Provider (TSPs) permission to conduct trials for 5G technology for six months. The Department excluded Chinese companies from its trials. The trial aims at testing 5G spectrum propagation, model tuning, evaluation of chosen equipment and vendors, testing of indigenous technology, applications, and 5G phones and devices. Ministry of Communication said: "The applicant TSPs include Bharti Airtel Ltd., Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd., Vodafone Idea Ltd., and MTNL. These TSPs have tied up with original equipment manufacturers and technology providers which are Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung, and C-DOT." The Chinese embassy in New Delhi, "express concern and regret that Chinese telecommunications companies have not been permitted to conduct 5G trials with Indian telecom Service Providers in India." India: PM Boris JohnsonNarendra Modi hold virtual summit
On 3 May, the United Kingdom hosted the G7 meeting in London. It is the first in-person meeting held by the G7 and included the Foreign and Development Ministers of the seven-member countries. Australia, India, South Korea, South Africa and the Chair of ASEAN also joined the meeting as guests. The ministers discussed tackling global threats, upholding democracy and human rights, climate change and the pandemic. Chinese aggression in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan and denuclearization of the Korean peninsula were also discussed at the summit. About the Authors Joeana Cera Matthews is a Masters student at the University of Mysore, Sourina Bej is a PhD scholar at the University of Bonn. Dincy Adlakha is a Masters student at Christ University. Harini Madhusudan is a PhD Scholar at the National Institute of Advanced Studies. Sukanya Bali and Avishka Ashok are Research Associates at NIAS. The report has been modified by India News due to space considerations
On 4 May, Prime Minister
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