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  In the depths of the ocean, at the wreckage of the Titanic, a submersible implodes, subjecting its occupants to unimaginable pressure. Within milliseconds, the sudden breach causes an explosive equalization of pressure, releasing a force equivalent to multiple kilograms of explosive. As the submersible collapses, adiabatic compression generates intense heat, vaporizing flesh and bone. The entire implosion occurs in just 50 milliseconds, far faster than the human body can register pain. The sequence of events, from crushing pressure to searing heat and violent water intrusion, happens too quickly for the brain to comprehend. Though tragic, these incidents provide valuable insights for the improvement of submersible design and regulations, reminding us of the dangers and boundless wonders of deep-sea exploration. Author Link

History of Ladakh History of India The standoff at Galwan river raised the question of the significance of Ladakh to India and China. History 1. Ladakh was initially part of Tibetan empire but later broke off in 742 CE after the assassination of King Langdarma. 2. Until the Dogra invasion in 1834, Ladakh was an independent Himalayan state similar to Sikkim and Bhutan. 3. It was integrated into the state of Jammu and Kashmir by the Dogra ruler Gulab Singh. 4. In 1841, Tibet under the Qing dynasty of China tried to invade Ladakh but was defeated by the Sikhs. This led to the Treaty of Chushul by which Tibet agreed to not invade again. 5. After the Anglo-Sikh war in 1845-46, Ladakh was brought under British suzerainty. Significance of Ladakh 1. Ladakh served as an entrepot between Central Asia and Kashmir. Tibetan pashmina shawl was traded through Ladakh to Kashmir. 2. Trade flourished from Karakoram pass to Yarkand and Kashgar to Chinese Turkestan. China’s inte...

Trade with China International Relations 1. The Galwan standoff has raised the demand from Indians to boycott Chinese goods including Chinese items in Indian restaurants. 2. But banning trade with China abruptly is not a good approach. A. Trade deficits 1. India has a huge trade deficit with China, but this does not mean that the Indian economy is weaker. 2. At the same time, India has a trade surplus with the US, UK. This does not imply India’s economy is stronger. 3. Trade deficits imply that India is not capable of producing the needs of its people efficiently. 4. Running huge trade deficits could be a problem if a country does not have enough forex reserves to import the goods. But India has $500 billions in its forex reserves. B. Indian producers and exporters 1. Indian producers import a huge proportion of intermediate goods such as electrical machinery, fertilizers, organic chemicals etc. 2. These imports become part of final goods that are used by India or expo...

The ‘Global Energy Transition Index 2020’ has been launched recently. About the report 1. It is a fact-based ranking intended to enable policymakers and businesses to plot the course for a successful energy transition. 2. It analyses the energy sectors of 115 countries and benchmark countries on their current energy system performance annually. 3. It also provides a forward‑looking way as it measures the readiness of countries for the energy transition. 4. It is a part of the World Economic Forum’s Fostering Effective Energy Transition initiative and based on its predecessor, the Energy Architecture Performance Index. Findings 1. 94 countries have improved their ETI score since 2015, representing 70% of the global population. 2. 20% of the global population uses as much energy as the remaining 80%. 3. 70% of young people consider the speed of energy transition to be either stagnant or too slow. 4. The index has been topped by Sweden. It is followed by S...

1. The seas provide food, livelihoods and a sense of identity, especially for coastal communities in the Pacific island states. 2. Climate change and unsustainable resource management have degraded ecosystems and diminished biodiversity. 3. Levels of overfishing have exponentially increased, leaving fish stocks and food systems vulnerable. 4. Marine plastic pollution flowing through the region’s rivers has contributed to most of the debris flooding the ocean. Lack of data 1. Data are available for only 2 out of 10 targets for the Sustainable Development Goal 14, ‘Life Below Water’. 2. Due to limitations in methodology and national statistical systems, information gaps have persisted at uneven levels across countries. Plastic pollution 1. Asia and the Pacific produce nearly half of global plastic by volume, of which it consumes 38%. 2. Plastics represent a double burden for the ocean a) Production of plastics generates CO2 absorbed by the ocean and ...

1. Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Organisation (WHO) was opposed by China. 2. Taiwan’s status had limited its ability to share information about COVID-19 and its arrangement with the WHO was not satisfactory. Taiwan’s status 1. Taiwan is not a member of the WHO. 2. China has opposed its inclusion in the World Health Assembly (WHA), the organization’s decision-making body, citing the ‘One China principle’. 3. But, Taiwan participated in the WHA as an observer from 2009 to 2016. India’s stand 1. India is among the 179 of the 193 member states of the UN that do not maintain any diplomatic ties with Taiwan. 2. The U.S. has been pushing for Taiwan’s inclusion in the WHA, but it requires a simple majority from member states. 3. India will have to decide on this as it takes over as chairperson of the executive board. 4. The government is yet to make a final decision on whether to support the U.S. move to include Ta...

1. India is set to take over as the next Chairperson of the World Health Organisation’s decision-making executive body 2. India will have to decide on supporting the USA’s move to reinstate Taiwan’s observer status at the World Health Assembly (WHA) that is opposed by China. 3. India’s nominee will take over as the Chairperson, replacing Japan. 4. India is likely to hold the post for the next three years. 5. The seven-nation meeting was attended by the foreign ministers of Australia, Brazil, India, Israel, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. 6. All invitees other than India are major non-NATO allies of the United States, who would be expected to support USA’s move. 7. China has been referring to the “One-China” principle as a widely accepted universal consensus of the international community including the Indian government.

Global Supply Chains 1. The COVID 19 pandemic has disrupted the supply chains and countries are dependent on other countries for items of basic necessities including pharmaceuticals. 2. So, the nations should build supply chains inside the country. Where does it make an impact? 1. China has monopolized the world trade as more than 9 lakh companies are operating in China. So, during the pandemic i. The supply disrupted as manufacturing process stopped in China. ii. This has led to shortage of medicines, manufacturing, Infrastructure etc. across the world. 2. Every country would now move towards the protectionism, atleast in essential commodities like medicines, infrastructure etc. 3. As per WTO, global trade for 2020 will see a downfall ranging from 13% - 32%. 4. IMF has forecasted 3% economic slowdown that will surely jeopardize economic activities of many countries. 5. Idea of realigning towards self-sufficiency would be prioritized by the g...