Today's Brief 23/07/2024
- M.R Mishra
- Jul 23, 2024
- 7 min read
Maitri setu: , also known as the India-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge, is a 1.9-kilometer bridge on the Feni River that links Sabroom in Tripura, India, with Ramgarh in Chittagong, Bangladesh.
It provides a shorter and more economical alternative land route between India's eastern and western states compared to the longer route through Assam.
The bridge was officially opened to the public on March 9, 2021, by the Prime Ministers of India and Bangladesh. It is constructed and maintained by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
The bridge was built by Ahmedabad-based Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon Private Limited (DRA Infracon) at a cost of ₹82.57 crore. The bridge was named "Maitri Setu" to symbolize the growing friendship and bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh.
The construction was undertaken by the Government of India at a project cost of ₹133 crore.
The Feni River is a transboundary river that flows through southeastern Bangladesh and the Tripura state of India. It is a relatively short river, with a length of about 116 kilometers (72 mi),
The Feni River originates in the South Tripura district of India and flows through Sabroom town before entering Bangladesh. The Muhuri River, also known as Little Feni, joins the Feni River near its mouth, which empties into the Bay of Bengal. The Feni River is navigable by small boats for a distance of about 80 kilometers upstream.
China-Bangladesh Relations
In 2023, China and Bangladesh reinforced their Strategic Partnership of Cooperation, with President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holding face-to-face talks after four years. Chinese investment in Bangladesh reached nearly 1.4 billion USD,
Firstly, China wants to secure energy routes and lessen reliance on the Strait of Malacca by expanding its sphere of influence in the Indian Ocean.
Plans for port expansion and oil pipelines are among the many investments that China has made in Bangladesh as a part of its ‘string of pearls’ strategy. Second, Bangladesh is an important gateway to South Asia, giving China access to a significant market.
In order to access South Asian markets, the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) corridor is an important avenue for China, positioning Bangladesh as a hub for Chinese infrastructure projects.
Bangladesh's location along the BCIM Economic Corridor and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road—particularly with the Chittagong port—plays a crucial role in China's inter-connectivity aspirations as a key player in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Furthermore, China maintains influence by countering India's regional domination through arms supplies to Bangladesh.
Lastly, Bangladesh also has an conducive atmosphere for relocating sunset industries to lessen the impact of “China plus One” strategy.
It will also give China access to a young, relatively cheaper labour pool. Bangladesh's strategic significance to China is thus multidimensional and encompasses economic, geopolitical, and connectivity aspects.
China Plus One,
also abbreviated as C+1 or Plus One, is a business strategy adopted by companies to diversify their manufacturing and sourcing activities away from a sole reliance on China.
Reasons for adoption: Companies are motivated by various factors to implement a China Plus One strategy.
Risk mitigation: Spreading their eggs across multiple baskets ensures continued production even if there are problems in China.
Cost control: Manufacturing costs in China have been rising, and Plus One countries might offer a more cost-effective option.
Market access: Setting up shop in a new region allows companies to tap into local markets and benefit from trade agreements.
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as the One Belt One Road or sometimes referred to as the New Silk Road, is a massive infrastructure development project launched by China in 2013. Here's a breakdown of its key points:
Scope:
Global: It aims to connect China with over 150 countries and international organizations across Asia, Europe, Africa, and even parts of Latin America.
Components:
Two Main Routes:
Belt: A network of land corridors linking China with Europe through Central Asia and the Middle East.
Maritime Silk Road: A network of sea routes connecting China with Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
Focus Areas: Infrastructure development in transportation (roads, railways, ports), energy, and digital communication.
Goals:
Economic Development: Boosting trade and economic growth for China and participating countries by improving connectivity.
Regional Cooperation: Fostering deeper economic and political ties between China and BRI nations.
Market Expansion: Creating a larger market for Chinese goods and services.
Potential Benefits:
Increased trade and investment
Improved infrastructure and transportation networks
Job creation and economic growth in participating countries
Potential Concerns:
Debt Trap Diplomacy: Some countries worry about accumulating unsustainable debt from Chinese loans for BRI projects.
Environmental Impact: Concerns exist about the environmental consequences of large-scale infrastructure development.
Lack of Transparency: Criticism exists regarding the opaque decision-making processes and limited public participation in BRI projects.
Overall, the Belt and Road Initiative is a complex and ambitious undertaking with both potential benefits and drawbacks. It's a topic of ongoing debate and analysis.
2. Agricultural Development: means the Agricultural Produce & Livestock Market Committee established under the provisions of APLM Act
APMC Yard / Regulated Market Committees (RMC) Yard is any place in the market area managed by a Market Committee, for the purpose of regulation of marketing of notified agricultural produce and livestock in physical, electronic or other such mode. -
The place shall include any structure, enclosure, open space locality, street including warehouse/silos/pack house/cleaning, grading , packaging and processing unit pesent in the Market Committee of the defined market area.
e-National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal that networks the existing APMC/Mandis to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities.
National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) is a pan-India electronic trading portal which networks the existing APMC/Mandis to create a unified national market for agricultural commodities.
e-NAM a pan-India electronic trading portal was launched on 14th April 2016, by the Prime Minister of India, with the aim of networking the existing mandis on a common online market platform as “One Nation One Market” for agricultural commodities in India.
Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC) is the lead agency for implementing e-NAM under the aegis of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Government of India.
e-NAM portal enables farmers to trade their produce through their nearby e-NAM mandis and facilitate traders to bid online from any location. e-NAM provides single window services for all Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) related services and information. This includes commodity arrivals, quality assaying by Artificial Intelligence based Machines/Equipments, e-Bidding, e-payment settlement directly into farmers account, among other services.
Horticulture Planning & Marketing Department, J&K initiated e-NAM by integrating 2-Mandis – Narwal (Jammu) & Parimpora (Srinagar) on e-NAM in May-2020 in first phase, and 9 more mandis in 2nd phase. Total 11 mandis of UT 0f J&K are integrated with eNAM as of now.
Objectives:
To integrate markets first at the level of the States/UT and eventually across the Country through a common online market platform, to facilitate pan - India trade in agricultural commodities.
To streamline marketing / transaction procedures and make them uniform across all markets to promote efficient functioning of the markets.
To promote better marketing opportunities for farmers / sellers through online access to more buyers and markets, removal of information asymmetry between farmer and trader, better and real-time price discovery based on actual demand and supply of Agri commodities.
To establish quality assaying systems for quality assurance, to promote informed bidding by buyers.
To promote stable prices and availability of quality produce to consumers
3.A 1982 SC ruling that allowed appointment of RSS-affiliated persons to government jobs: On July 9, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued an order lifting the restriction on government employees taking part in the activities of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Almost 42 years earlier, a ruling of the Supreme Court had paved the way for appointing individuals with an RSS background to government jobs.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/a-1982-sc-ruling-that-allowed-appointment-of-rss-affiliated-persons-to-government-jobs-9469495/
4.Moidams: India is hosting the World Heritage Committee Meeting for the first time. It takes place from 21 to 31 July 2024, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The World Heritage Committee meets annually and is responsible for managing all matters on World Heritage and deciding on sites to be inscribed on the World Heritage list.
The 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in 2024 will examine
27 nominations from around the world, including 19 Cultural, 4 Natural, 2 Mixed sites and 2 Significant modifications to the boundaries. Out of which, India’s Moidams – The Mound – Burial System of the Ahom Dynasty is set to be examined under the category of Cultural Property.
5. EAM Jaishankar To Attend ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings In Lao PDR:
ASEAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a political and economic union of 10 member states in Southeast Asia.
10 member states of ASEAN
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam
Founded in 1967, ASEAN aims to promote economic, social, and cultural development in the region, as well as promoting regional peace and stability. It also works to collaborate on matters of shared interest, promote Southeast Asian studies, and maintain close cooperation with existing international organisations.
ASEAN has been a successful model for regional integration, with its member states enjoying significant economic growth and increased trade ties.
The bloc has also played a role in promoting peace and security in Southeast Asia.
Establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), which has eliminated tariffs on most goods traded between member states.
Creation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which aims to create a single market and production base for the region.
Adoption of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), which promotes peaceful relations among member states.
Development of a range of mechanisms for cooperation on political-security issues, such as maritime security and counter-terrorism.
ASEAN continues to face challenges, such as rising nationalism, maritime disputes, and the uneven pace of economic development among its members. However, the bloc remains a significant force for regional stability and prosperity.
Thanks For Visiting!!
Reference:
https://orcasia.org/article/589/economic-ties-between-china-and-bangladesh
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