Russia Suspends New START

Why in News?

·        Recently, Russia has announced to suspend its participation in the New START, the last remaining major military agreement with the United States.

What is the New START?

Background:

·        The name START comes from the original “Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty”, known as START-I, which was signed between the US and the erstwhile USSR in 1991, and came into force in 1994.

·        START-I, which capped the numbers of nuclear warheads and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that each side could deploy at 6,000 and 1,600 respectively, lapsed in 2009, and was replaced first by the SORT, also known as the Treaty of Moscow), and then by the New Start Treaty.

New START:

·        The New START, the “Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms”, entered into force on 5th February 2011, and placed new verifiable limits on intercontinental-range nuclear weapons.

·        The two countries had to meet the treaty’s central limits on strategic offensive arms by February 2018, and to then stay within those limits for the period the treaty remained in force. The US and Russia Federation subsequently agreed to extend the treaty through February 2026.

What are the Implications of the Suspension?

·        A suspension of the treaty may mean that it will be harder for the US to monitor compliance.

·        Since Russia has already suspended mutual inspections of nuclear weapons sites and participation in a bilateral consultative commission, it would be a serious blow if Putin went further and stopped routine reporting and data exchange on nuclear weapon movements and other related developments.

·        The move is” entirely symbolic” and most probably Russia made the announcement to pressure US into approaching Russia about ending the war, so Russia can dictate the terms under which that would happen.

Mad Cow Disease

What is Mad Cow Disease

·        Also known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) is degenerative, transmissible, slowly progressive, and a fatal infection that affects the central nervous system of adult cattle.

Causes:

·        BSE is caused by a protein called a prion normally found on cell surfaces, the normal prion protein changes into an abnormal prion protein that is harmful.

·        After getting altered, these proteins destroy the nervous system tissue- the brain and spinal cord.

·        The body of a sick cow does not even know the abnormal prion is there. Without knowing it is there, the cow’s body cannot fight off the disease.

Transmission:

·        A cow gets BSE by eating feed contaminated with parts that came from another cow that was sick with BSE.

Symptoms:

·        A common sign of BSE in cows is incoordination. A sick cow has trouble walking and getting up and may also act very nervous or violent.

·        It usually takes four to six years from the time a cow is infected with the abnormal prion to when it first shows symptoms of BSE. This is called the incubation period. During the incubation period, there is no way to tell that a cow has BSE by looking at it.

·        Once a cow starts to show symptoms, it gets sicker and sicker until it dies, usually within two weeks to six months.

Treatment:

·        There is no treatment for BSE and no vaccine to prevent it.

Germany pursue an agreement with India to build 6 submarines for $5.2 billion

Why In News

·        India-Germany Agreement to build 6 submarines: Olaf Scholz's visit to India will focus on advancing a $5.2 billion agreement between Germany and India to build 6 conventional submarines in India.

Key Points

·        German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to India on February 25–26 will focus on advancing a $5.2 billion agreement between Germany and India to jointly construct six conventional submarines in India.

·        The naval project is a Western military manufacturing power’s most recent effort to wean New Delhi off of its reliance on Russian military hardware.

·        With 11 of its 16 conventional submarines being more than 20 years old, India is looking to rebuild its ageing submarine fleet in an effort to stave off China’s expanding influence in the Indian Ocean.

·        After being one of the top importers of weapons for many years, the national government intends to increase domestic weapon production in cooperation with foreign partners.

·        Just before Modi’s visit to Paris in May 2022, France’s Naval Group backed out of the project due to its failure to meet the requirements set forth by the Indian government in 2021.

About the Visit and Agreement

·        During Scholz’s visit, the two nations will discuss the submarine project, for which Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is one of two international bidders. Berlin would support the agreement.

·        According to the agreement, a foreign submarine manufacturer will need to collaborate with an Indian business to produce the submarines there.

·        A condition that has been a sticking point for most foreign corporations requires the foreign company to provide a specialised technology for fuel-cell based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP), which is another need.

·        Germany has been urged to guarantee collaborative construction of the submarines, not simply supply-side help, for India.

·        Scholz is committed to reviving India’s defence and trade relations, according to another foreign ministry official.

·        Government officials in Berlin suggested that the German government would likely support such a deal.

·        Although there is no official decision, the coalition government has loosened its stance on India’s transfer of guns and permitted the export of a package of military hardware at the beginning of February.

UAE Hosted First I2U2 Vice-Ministerial Meeting to Discuss Investment Opportunities

Why In News

·        A vice-ministerial level meeting of I2U2 countries held to address issues related to the management of the energy crisis and food security.

Key Points

·        A vice-ministerial level meeting of I2U2 countries including Israel, India, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates discussed with private sector stakeholders investment opportunities to address issues related to the management of the energy crisis and food insecurity.

·        The UAE hosted the first vice-ministerial meeting of the I2U2 in Abu Dhabi which was attended by senior officials from the four countries, along with representations from the private sector.

·        During the business forum, the I2U2 leadership discussed opportunities to advance multi-regional cooperation and investment opportunities to address some of the region’s most pressing issues, including management of the energy crisis and food insecurity.

·        Public and private-sector representatives gathered to strategize on how to best promote prosperity across the region.

·        The commitment to overcome collective challenges and deepen coordination with I2U2 continues to serve as a regional model to support investments and initiatives to improve sustainability and resilience in key sectors.

·        Hosted in Abu Dhabi by UAE Minister of State Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, the forum was attended by Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ronen Levi and, India’s Economic Relations Secretary Dammu Ravi, while the US delegation was led by the Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Jose W Fernandez.