14th BRICS Summit

BRICS nations have supported diplomacy and dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, where three of its members China, India, and South Africa have abstained from voting on a United Nations resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

What is BRICS?

• BRICS consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• It was launched at a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of Brazil, Russia, India, and China in the year 2006.
• In 2010 BRIC turned into BRICS, with the entry of South Africa.
• BRICS is chaired by turn by its member countries.
• BRICS together define 27% of the world’s land mass, 42% of the world’s population, 24% of global GDP, and 16% of global trade, and produce 33% of the world’s food.
• The first summit was held in Yekaterinburg in the year 2009.
• The current summit was hosted by China this year and held virtually.

How important is BRICS to India?

• BRICS’s objective is to create economic alternatives for countries in the global south.
• Participation in a non-Western grouping that balances India’s growing partnerships with the West, is a key aspect of its strategic autonomy policy.
• Intra-BRICS trade presents opportunities for India in important markets, including China, which remains an important commercial partner despite security tensions.
• India also supports the BRICS goal of shielding members from the economic fallout of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
• And unlike within the Quad, the Ukraine issue does not create tension for India within BRICS.

What was the significance of the 14th BRICS summit?

• India and China have been willing to attend the BRICS summit despite the standoff between the armies at the border since 2020.
• The Nations held discussions on Counter-terrorism, trade, health, traditional medicine, environment, science, technology & innovation, agriculture, and technical and vocational education & training.
• They also discussed the main problem in the global context, including the reform of the multilateral institutions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and global economic recovery.
• The leaders adopted the Beijing Declaration which referred to the need to avoid politicization of the work of the UNSC sanctions committee.
• China asked the BRICS countries to support each other and operationalize Global Security Initiative which is proposed by China for world peace and to stay away from "Cold War mentality and power politics”.
• India will be organizing the BRICS Startup event this year to strengthen the connection between Startups in BRICS countries.
• The summit welcomed the BRICS Initiative on Denial of Safe Haven to Corruption, which aims to further strengthen anti-corruption capacity building through education and training programs and enhance anti-corruption exchanges and cooperation within multilateral frameworks.
• BRICS nations have also decided to establish the BRICS Think Tank Network for Finance.

What are the contradictions in BRICS?

• Economy: Russia, Brazil, and South Africa’s economies have frequently been on the edge of collapse while the Indian economy has been disappointing.
• Bilateral issues: members don’t discuss bilateral issues, but issues like the India-China border dispute and PLA transgressions over the LAC are bound to hurt BRICS solidarity in the long run.
• BRI: Both India and Russia are not part of China’s big infrastructure push the Belt and Road Initiative, while Brazil and South Africa are part of it.
• Ukraine issue: BRICS document regarding Ukraine highlights that there are differences between the members over Russia’s actions.
• UN reforms- India and Brazil are on a common platform in terms of expanding the UN Security Council, but China yet suggested it’s not in favour of a permanent seat for India.
• Terrorism — The recent blocking by China of an attempt by India to sanction the LeT terrorist, Abdul Rehman Makki, at the UNSC sanctions committee, served as a reminder of contrasting approaches.

Despite undeniable differences, BRICS countries have cooperated very well in the form of The National Development Bank, since its launch in 2015 has funded around $30 billion worth of projects in emerging nations. Even on space cooperation, the five countries have agreed to create a joint constellation of remote sensing satellites.

INDIA’S LAWS ON ABORTION

In a significant step for women’s rights in the USA, the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe vs Wade judgment of 1973 which gave women in America the right to have an abortion before the fetus is viable outside the womb or before 24-28 weeks. It expands the access to safe and legal abortion services for pregnant women.

ABORTION IN INDIA

• In 1960 when the high number of induced abortions took place and the population of the country rose rapidly. The union government set up Shantilal shah’s committee to frame laws on abortion.
• In order to reduce maternal mortality owing to unsafe abortion and even for controlling the population the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act was brought into force in 1971 which gave the legal right to abortion.
• The MTP Act said that abortion can be permitted up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. It also framed that the procedure can be carried out only by a registered medical practitioner.
• This law is an exception to the Indian penal code provision of 312 and 313 , the 312 of IPC say that any person who voluntarily causes a woman with a child to miscarry is liable for punishment attracting a jail term of up to three years or a fine unless it was done in good faith where the purpose was to save the life of pregnant women.
• In the year 1994, the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act was enacted to prevent the misuse of the MTP Act so that abortions aren't carried out at the fancies of a woman or a couple.
• The MPT act was amended twice in the year 2003 and in the year 2021 which change the time limit for abortion to be carried on.

MEDICAL TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY ACT 2021

1. Under this act, the medical termination of pregnancy is permitted if it is backed by medical opinion and is being sought for at least the following reason:

• if the continuation of the pregnancy would involve a risk of life to pregnant women
• if it results in grave injury to the women’s physical or mental health
• if a child is born then he/she can suffer from a serious physical or mental abnormality

2. There is a requirement of the opinion of one registered medical practitioner for termination of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of gestation.
3. The Act introduced the requirement of the opinion of two registered medical practitioners for termination of pregnancy at 20-24 weeks of gestation under the condition that the woman is either survivor of sexual assault or rape or if she is a minor if her marital status has changed during the ongoing pregnancy.
4. It also states that the name and other details of a woman whose pregnancy has been terminated shall not be revealed, except to a person authorized in any law that is currently in force.
5. If the pregnancy has to be terminated beyond the 24 weeks of the gestational period then it can be only done by a four-member medical board set up in each state under this act.
6. Even unmarried women can also have the access to abortion .

Illegal Abortions

• Abortion of under 4 to 5 months pregnancy: The punishment for getting an illegal abortion is jail time for 3 years/or a fine.
• Abortion without consent - If anyone else forces the pregnant woman to have an abortion then the punishment is the jail for up to 10 years and a fine.
• Abortion resulting in death - If the patient dies because of an abortion carried out by an unskilled person, the doctor who conducted the operation can be punished with jail time of up to 10 years and a fine.

Issues with the Current Abortion Laws

• According to a 2015 study in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics, 10 to 13% of maternal deaths in India are due to unsafe abortions which is the third leading cause of maternal death in our country.
• Lack of access to safe abortion clinics, particularly public hospitals, and stigma and attitudes toward women, especially young, unmarried women seeking an abortion, have not been addressed in this law.
• The law does not address non-medical concerns over the economic costs of raising a child, effects on career decisions, or any other personal considerations.
• Just 20% of abortions occur in public sector facilities and 52% in private, according to the National Family Health Survey 2015- 2016 whereas 53% of abortions were performed by enrolled medical specialists and the rest were done by midwives and auxiliary nursing midwives.

INDIA-VIETNAM DEFENCE TIES

The maritime domain has taken centre stage in the bilateral talks between India and Vietnam. Progress of India’s Act East Policy, maritime multilateralism, maritime security outreach, and the building of a strong network across the Indo- Pacific are a key element which has made Delhi and Hanoi new natural partners.

What are the key elements that have made India and Vietnam natural partners?

• Vietnam is an important partner in India’s Act East policy and the Indo-Pacific vision and the two countries share a rich history of civilization and cultural linkages spanning more than 2,000 years.
• Both the countries share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership since 2016 and defence cooperation is one of the important pillars of this partnership.
• India and Vietnam do not tolerate any question on violations of freedom of navigation and threats to sovereign maritime territorial rights as enshrined under international maritime law.
• New Delhi has always supported Vietnam’s position in the South China Sea regarding Beijing’s destabilizing actions backing the verdict of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the year 2016.

RECENT DEVELOPMENT REGARDING DEFENCE COOPERATION

• Joint Vision Statement: India and Vietnam signed a Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 to enhance the scope and scale of existing defence cooperation which will again strengthen their relationship.
• Defence Line of Credit: Both the countries have also agreed on the early finalization of the $500 million Defence Line of Credit which is extended to Vietnam.
• Mutual Logistics Support: India and Vietnam also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mutual Logistics Support.
• Capacity building: India is about to gift two simulators and a monetary grant for setting up of IT Lab at the Air Force Officers Training School for capacity building of the Vietnamese Armed Forces.
• VINBAX is the joint military exercise between the military of India and the military of Vietnam. The naval exercise PASSEX 2020 had the participation of the country like India, Russia, the USA, Australia, and Vietnam.

SIGNIFICANCES OF INDIA-VIETNAM DEFENCE TIES

• China’s role: The signing of the vision document came amid growing congruence between the two countries in the maritime security domain amid China's increasing strength in the region.
• Mutual interests: The implementation of the projects under the Line of Credit will add substantially to Vietnam's defence capabilities and further India’s vision of 'Make in India, and Make for the World'.
• Stability of Indo-Pacific- The close defence and security cooperation between India and Vietnam is an important factor in the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.
• Energy reserves: It is most important to protect the common interests since India has oil exploration projects in the Vietnamese waters in the South China Sea.

India’s relationship with Vietnam will further help India to expand its role in South East Asia and boost India’s Act East Policy. Through mutual cooperation, India can widen its role under the Sagar initiative to reap the benefits of the blue economy for the inclusive development of the Indo-Pacific region, maintain maritime security, and also strengthen its strong strategic presence in the region.