My Science School

North Korea last month fired two short-range ballistic missiles into the sea in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions that ban such launches by the country. Some experts said North Korea's recent missile launches were aimed at laying pressure on the new Biden government in the U.S., which condemned the tests. The U.S. North Korea talks on curbing the latter's nuclear ambitions have been stalled for nearly two years due to disputes over the U.S. sanctions on the North. But what are ballistic missiles and why are their development condemned?

Capable of mass destruction

Ballistic missiles are short-, medium and long-range rocket-propelled weapon systems with the potential to carry and deliver weapons of mass destruction quickly and accurately. They follow a ballistic trajectory (a curved path) over most of their flight to deliver a payload (an explosive. weapon or nuclear device) intended to destroy a predetermined target. That means even after the missile burns up the fuel which propels it, it keeps moving and its direction remains unchanged. It follows a path determined by the speed of its launch and the influence of gravity on it which pulls it towards the Earth. So, it is gravity that eventually guides the missile to its target. Currently, over 30 countries are in possession of ballistic missiles.

Rules governing ballistic missiles

The proliferation of missiles has always been viewed as a threat to global peace and security. But, there is still no legally binding arrangement to deal with the issue of missiles. A number of multilateral regimes such as the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Hague Code of Conduct Against Ballistic Missile Proliferation (HCOC) exist to prevent missile proliferation. The voluntary MTCR was initiated in April 1987 by the G-7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the U.S.) with the aim of limiting the spread of ballistic missiles that could be used in chemical, biological, and nuclear attacks by keeping vigil over transfer of missile equipment and technologies. The MTCR currently has 35 member countries, including India which became a member in 2016. Its activities are in line with the U.N.'s non-proliferation efforts. Countries are deterred from pursuing missile programmes either through sanctions or diplomatic dialogues. Though not legally binding, the MTCR expects its member countries to act responsibly and practise restraint with regard to export of items that could lead to missile proliferation.

The HCOC launched in 2002, urges all countries to show greater restraint in their own development of ballistic missiles and to reduce their existing missile arsenal. It has over 140 member countries who are expected to annually exchange information about their ballistic missile launch programmes and provide advance notice of any such launches.

When was it first used?

The first-ever usage of ballistic missiles can be traced to World War II, when the Nazi Germany used the V-2 long-range guided ballistic missiles to attack London. When the war ended, the U.S. with the help of the captured German scientists built its own intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of unleashing nuclear destruction. Not surprisingly, other countries too got their hands on the new technology.

 

Picture Credit : Google

In the midst of elections being held in several States of the country, let's look at the role of the Election Commission of India in the elections.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the authority responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country. Operating under Article 324 of the Constitution, the ECI is empowered to administer elections to Parliament, State Legislatures and the offices of the President and Vice-President. Being a constitutional authority, the commission is among the few institutions that function independently.

When was it set up?

Established in January 1950, the commission originally had only a Chief Election Commissioner. It became a multi-member body in January 1990. Currently, the Election Commission consists of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and two Election Commissioners (ECS). Though appointed by the President, the CEC is not answerable to the President or the government. The CEC and the ECS enjoy a tenure of six years, or up to 65 years of age, whichever is earlier. They can resign or be removed before the expiry of their term. They get salary and perks similar to the Supreme Court judges.

The Election Commission of India is headquartered in Delhi. Sunil Arora is currently the CEC, with Sushil Chandra and Rajiv Kumar as the two ECs. The Election Commissioners are assisted by Deputy Election Commissioners, Directors General, Principal Secretaries, and Secretaries. At the State level, the EC is assisted by the Chief Electoral Officer of the State.

Powers of the ECI

The ECI, which is regarded as the poll watchdog in the country, has wide-ranging powers. From the announcement of elections to the declaration of results, it controls every aspect of elections. It is the commission that prepares electoral rolls and updates the voters' list from time to time.

Soon after elections are announced, the ECI enforces the model code of conduct, which lays down guidelines for the conduct of political parties and candidates during an election period. It is also responsible for punishing any candidate or party violating the code. Besides notifying dates for filing of nominations by candidates, the commission allocates symbols to political parties. It sets limits on poll expenses to ensure a level-playing field and curb use of black money in elections. During the election period, the EC can order the incumbent government to desist from misusing its power and the official machinery to improve its chances at winning elections. It is significant to note that government officials and staff on election duty work under the EC and not the government.

QUICK FACTS

• On February 26, 2021, the Election Commission announced the schedule for assembly elections to be held in West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.


• Voting for the assembly elections began on March 27, with West Bengal having the maximum eight phases continuing till April 29. The counting of votes for the four States and one Union Territory will take place on May 2.


• In the midst of the pandemic, all staff on poll duty have been declared "frontline workers" and inoculated against the disease, as per the directions of the ECI.


• VIGIL is a mobile application launched by the ECI for citizens to report Model Code of Conduct and Expenditure violations during elections.

 

Picture Credit : Google

A virtual meeting of the Quad was held recently, during which the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment towards ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The meeting took place in the backdrop of rising global concerns over China's aggressive military behaviour in the Indo-Pacific South China Sea, and along the line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. But what is Quad and why was it formed? Let's find out.

The Quad grouping

The Quad or the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue is an informal grouping of four democracies, namely Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S., committed to keeping the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence. The idea to set up the Quad was mooted by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe way back in 2007 amid the growing assertiveness of China in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, especially in the South China Sea.

The Malabar naval drills

The discussion on the Quad cannot be complete without touching upon the joint naval drills called "Exercise Malabar". This exercise has been conducted over the years in the Philippine Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Arabian Sea. What started as a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S. in 1992 became trilateral with Japan's inclusion in 2015. With the addition of Australia in 2020, it has now become a quadrilateral exercise of these, the Malabar drill of 2007 was significant as it was held for the first time in the Bay of Bengal and was expanded to include Japan, Australia, and Singapore in the naval exercise as well. This irked China which protested against the strategic coming together of the countries. Following this, Australia backed out of the drill, and the Quad idea was also shelved. Finally after a decade long gap, the Quadrilateral coalition took shape in Manila on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in November 2017. The Quad has seen its revival ever since. The foreign ministers of India, the U.S. Japan, and Australia held their first meeting under the Quad framework in New York in September 2019.

The Quad countries have all faced pressure from China one way or the other. If India witnesses constant border confrontations with China, Australia which is highly dependent on China for trade is slapped with punitive tariffs. China's expansionism in the South and East China Seas poses a security threat to Japan and a challenge to the U.S. The U.S. has been in favour of formalising the Quad and making it a security architecture.

STRATEGICALLY VITAL REGION

The South China Sea and the East China Sea are said to be rich in oil and other natural resources, and are vital to global trade. China stakes a claim to almost all of the disputed SCS, though countries such as Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, and Vietnam claim parts of it China has also built islands and military installations in the Sea. The US has challenged China's growing territorial claims over the SCS by deploying warships and fighter jets to patrol and assert freedom of navigation in the region.

QUICK FACTS

• The first-ever Leaders Summit of the Quad took place on March 12, 2021, to discuss the global and regional issues of mutual interest.


• Earlier on February 18, the third ministerial meeting of Quad member countries was held virtually. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attended the meeting.


• The ministers discussed a host of issues, including the recent developments in Myanmar, coronavirus pandemic climate change and furthering cooperation in areas such as maritime security, supply chain resilience and counter-terrorism.

 

Picture Credit : Google