US and Indian Air Force to engage in ‘Cope India’ fighter training exercise

Why In News

·         Next week, India's Sukhoi-30s, which are made in Russia, will participate in an exercise named 'Cope India' that involves dogfighting with American F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jets.

Key Points

·         Next week, India’s Sukhoi-30s, which are made in Russia, will participate in an exercise named ‘Cope India’ that involves dogfighting with American F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jets. The exercise was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is taking place after a four-year gap.

·         The upcoming Cope India series of wargames will feature India’s Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft engaging in dogfights with the US Air Force’s F-15 Strike Eagle fighter jets. The exercise, which was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, will take place after a gap of four years.

·         The American F-15s will be brought from a Pacific air base to Kalaikunda air base in West Bengal, where the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKIs will face them in combat.

·         The Indian Air Force has participated in various multi-national exercises recently, including EX Desert Flag in the UAE and Ex Cobra Warrior in the UK, with a focus on building on existing capabilities, aircrew tactics, and force employment to enhance US-India cooperation.

About the Cope India

·         Cope India is a series of wargames that originated in 2004 as a fighter training exercise held at Gwalior air station. Over the years, the exercise has expanded to include a variety of training activities, including subject matter expert exchanges, air mobility training, airdrop training, and large-force exercises, in addition to fighter-training exercises. The previous edition of the exercise was held in 2019.

NASA Selects First Woman and Black Man for Artemis II Moon Mission

Why In News

·         NASA has announced the names of the four astronauts who will be taking humans back to the Moon. For the first time, a woman astronaut, Christina Koch, and a black astronaut, Victor Glover.

Key Points

·         After a 50-year break, NASA has announced the names of the four astronauts who will be taking humans back to the Artemis II Moon Mission. For the first time, a woman astronaut, Christina Koch, and a black astronaut, Victor Glover, will be part of a lunar mission.

·         The team, along with Reid Wiseman and Jeremy Hansen, will orbit the Moon in a capsule in late 2022 or early 2025. While they will not land on the Moon, their mission will prepare the way for a future crew to make a touchdown.

·         The most recent human spaceflight mission to the Moon was Apollo 17 in December 1972, and the first landing was made by Apollo 11 in 1969. The next lunar landing, known as Artemis-3, is not expected to happen until at least a year after Artemis-2. Currently, NASA does not possess a system that can bring astronauts down to the lunar surface, but Elon Musk’s SpaceX company is developing one.

·         During a ceremony held in Houston, Texas, the four astronauts – three from the US and one from Canada – were officially presented to the public. They will now commence a rigorous period of training to prepare themselves for the mission. By selecting a woman and a person of color,

·         NASA is fulfilling its commitment to promoting diversity in its exploration efforts. It is worth noting that all previous crewed Moon missions have been undertaken by white men.

About all Four astronauts

·         Reid Wiseman (47): A US Navy pilot who served for a time as the head of Nasa’s astronaut office. He’s flown one previous space mission, to the International Space station in 2015.

·         Victor Glover (46): A US Navy test pilot. He joined Nasa in 2013 and made his first spaceflight in 2020. He was the first African American to stay on the space station for an extended period of six months.

·         Christina Koch (44): An electrical engineer. She holds the record for longest continuous time in space by a woman, of 328 days. With Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir she participated in the first all-female spacewalk in October 2019.

·         Jeremy Hansen (47): Before joining the Canadian Space Agency, he was a fighter pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He has yet to fly in space.

About the Artemis II mission:

·         Artemis II will see the crew board the Orion spacecraft, carried by the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket – the most powerful ever built – for a flyby of Earth’s only natural satellite. The Artemis II crew represents thousands of people working tirelessly to bring us to the stars. This is their crew, this is our crew, this is humanity’s crew.

·         During the Artemis II mission, NASA will test the performance of the SLS rocket, Orion spacecraft, and ground systems needed to support crewed missions to the Moon. The mission will also test the communication and navigation systems that will be used during future crewed missions.

China Renames 11 Places in Arunachal Pradesh

Why In News

·         China published a list of standardized names for 11 locations in Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as "Zangnan," the southern region of Tibet, and using Chinese, Tibetan, and pinyin characters.

Key Points

·         China’s Civil Affairs Ministry published a list of standardized names for 11 locations in Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as “Zangnan,” the southern region of Tibet, and using Chinese, Tibetan, and pinyin characters. This move is seen as an attempt by China to stake a claim on the Indian state, in line with their regulations on geographical names.

·         China’s Civil Affairs Ministry has disclosed the precise coordinates and official names of 11 locations in Arunachal Pradesh. These places include two residential areas, two land areas, five mountain peaks, and two rivers. Additionally, the ministry has listed the categories of the places’ names and their subordinate administrative districts.

China’s Illegal Claim over Arunachal Pradesh:

·         China claims a large part of Arunachal Pradesh as its own territory based on historical and cultural links to the region, as well as the presence of ethnic Tibetans. China argues that the territory was historically part of Tibet and was incorporated into the Chinese empire during the Qing Dynasty.

Arunachal Pradesh: India’s Integral Part:

·         However, India disputes China’s claim and considers Arunachal Pradesh to be an integral part of its sovereign territory since the country’s independence from British rule. India points to historical evidence, including the McMahon Line, a boundary drawn by British colonial officials in 1914 that demarcated the region as part of India.

·         The dispute over Arunachal Pradesh has been a longstanding issue between the two countries, resulting in occasional military standoffs and diplomatic tensions. Despite efforts to resolve the issue through negotiations, the dispute remains unresolved.

PM Modi invited to France for Bastille Day parade

Why In News

·         Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to France for the Bastille Day parade, which is scheduled for July 14th.

Key Points

·         Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited to France for the Bastille Day parade, which is scheduled for July 14th. The invitation was extended by French President Emmanuel Macron, who expressed his desire to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries.

Significance of the Bastille Day parade:

·         The Bastille Day parade is a significant event in French history, commemorating the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14th, 1789, which was a turning point in the French Revolution. The parade is a celebration of the nation’s military and its achievements.

India and France: A growing bilateral relationship:

·         PM Modi’s attendance at the event marks a milestone in the bilateral relationship between India and France. In recent years, the two countries have strengthened their cooperation in various fields, including defense, space, and trade.

·         PM Modi’s visit to France is expected to focus on strengthening the partnership between the two countries, particularly in the areas of defense and security. France is a key partner for India in its efforts to modernize its armed forces, and the two countries have cooperated closely on a number of defense projects, including the development of fighter jets and submarines.

·         In addition to defense cooperation, the two countries are also expected to discuss ways to enhance their trade and economic ties. France is one of India’s major trading partners in Europe, and there is potential for further growth in areas such as technology, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals.

Importance of this invitation:

·         The invitation is also seen as a recognition of India’s growing importance on the world stage. India has emerged as a key player in global affairs, with a rapidly growing economy and a strategic location at the crossroads of Asia and the Middle East.

·         Overall, PM Modi’s visit to France for the Bastille Day parade is expected to further strengthen the already strong partnership between the two countries. The invitation is a testament to the growing importance of India on the world stage and the close ties between India and France.

Indian Govt Forms Committee to Enhance Pension Benefits

Why In News

·         Indian government forms committee to explore enhanced pension benefits for government employees.

Key Points

·         The Indian government has formed a committee to explore ways of enhancing the pension benefits of government employees under the National Pension System (NPS).

·         The committee will be headed by the finance secretary and consists of three other members: the secretaries of the Department of Personnel and Training, the special secretary in the Department of Expenditure, and the Chairman of the Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA).

·         The committee will examine whether any changes are necessary to NPS for government employees and suggest measures to enhance the pension benefits of NPS-covered government employees while maintaining fiscal prudence.

States’ Move to Old Pension Scheme Raises Concerns

·         Several state governments have announced their intention to return to the old pension scheme, which offers an assured pension based on the last drawn salary. While this is seen as a populist move, it has raised concerns about the financial burden it may place on state exchequers. The Centre’s decision to revisit the pension issue suggests that it may become an important public policy issue ahead of the national polls early next year.

Committee to Consider Fiscal Implications and Budgetary Space

·         The finance ministry issued an order outlining the committee’s responsibilities. The committee will examine the NPS for government employees and suggest measures to enhance pension benefits for those covered under the scheme. It will also consider the fiscal implications and the impact on the overall budgetary space to ensure that fiscal prudence is maintained to protect the interests of the common citizens.

·         In her announcement last month, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed the Lok Sabha of the government’s decision to set up a committee to examine pensions and develop an approach that addresses the needs of government employees while maintaining fiscal prudence.

·         The order issued by the finance ministry is in line with this announcement and demonstrates the government’s commitment to exploring ways of enhancing pension benefits for government employees under the NPS.