BRICS, BIMSTEC - Current Affairs Questions and Answers

ANSWER: National Disaster Response Force

Explanation:
The First ‘BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise- 2017’ (BIMSTEC DMEx-2017) will be conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the lead agency from October 10-13, 2017 in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

This Exercise will be a platform for sharing Best Practices on all aspects of Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), strengthening regional response and coordination for Disaster Management among the BIMSTEC member countries.

Delegates from all seven nations of the ‘Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation’ (BIMSTEC) grouping, - namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, representatives from Embassies/High Commissions of BIMSTEC nations in Delhi, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and Senior Officers from the Nodal Ministries are participating in the event.

At the 17th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting held in Kathmandu, Nepal on February 7, 2017, it was decided that India would organize the first annual Disaster Management Exercise for the region.

BIMSTEC DMEx-2017

• The main focus of the BIMSTEC DMEx-2017 will be on testing the region’s preparedness and resilience towards effective activation of inter-Governmental interaction/dialogue/agreements for immediate deployment of regional resources for disaster response.
• It will help create synergy and synchronize efforts to institutionalize regional cooperation among the member countries.
• The exercise will help strengthen the effective utilization of the Search & Rescue Teams for Disaster Relief & Emergency Response, including Emergency Rapid Assessment Teams and Management of mass casualties especially in situations involving breakdown of infrastructure and communication.
• At the end of the four-day Exercise, a publication will be brought out on the outcomes and recommendations of the Joint/Common Exercise and include Agreement among BIMSTEC Nations on regional cooperation for Disaster Management and Emergency Response.
• This would be presented to the BIMSTEC Leaders at the Summit to be hosted by Nepal in October/November, 2017.
• The BIMSTEC DMEx-2017 is being conducted in two phases in Delhi and NCR. The main exercise will comprise of Table Top Exercise (TTX), Field Training Exercise (FTX) and After Action Review (AAR) which is scheduled for October 10-13, 2017.

• India has been at the forefront of DRR efforts by hosting the South Asian Annual Disaster Management Exercise (SAADMEx).
• It also hosted Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR).
  India has also offered its expertise and capabilities in DRR such as the South Asia satellite, GSAT-9, and the Tsunami Early Warning Centre to other countries.
• Disaster Management was one of the important Agenda items the BIMSTEC leaders deliberated upon during the Goa BRICS Summit in October last year where BIMSTEC leaders were the Special Invitees.
• The BIMSTEC region is home to around 1.5 billion people, constituting around 22% of the global population with a combined GDP of US $2.7 trillion economy.
• Majority of the BIMSTEC countries are situated in the South Asian Region (SAR), prone to natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes, avalanches and drought.

ANSWER: BIMSTEC

Explanation:
India will host the first meeting of national security advisers (NSAs) of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) countries to coordinate action against terrorism, extremism and radicalisation.

It was offered by India at the BIMSTEC senior officials meeting held in Kathmandu, Nepal.

India’s offer comes as concerns about the growth of radicalisation of ethnic Rohingyas of Myanmar by Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in recent months.

This issue was part of the conversation between Indian leadership and NSA Ajit Doval and the Myanmar NSA U Thaung Tun, who visited India recently.

BIMSTEC: Know More

• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation involving a group of countries.
• These are in South Asia and South East Asia.
• These are: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.
• BIMSTEC was initially founded in 1997

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• Being aware that the Bay of Bengal region is home to over thirty percent of the world’s fishermen, the leaders recognize that cooperation in sustainable development of fisheries in this region has the potential to make a significant contribution towards ensuring food security and improving livelihoods of people in our region and agree to deepen cooperation in this Sector.
• The leaders recognize the enormous potential that the development of the blue economy holds for Bay of Bengal region, and agree to explore ways to deepen our cooperation in areas such as aquaculture (both inland and coastal), hydrography, seabed mineral exploration, coastal shipping, eco-tourism and renewable ocean energy with the objective of promoting holistic and sustainable development of our region.

ANSWER: Sri Lanka

Explanation:

• In the recent BIMSTEC Leaders meeting on the sidelines of the 8th BRICS Summit, There was consensus on some issue which proposed for speedy development of coordinating agencies.
• Recognizing the need for development, access and availability of technology- including for SMEs- for promoting sustainable development across sectors, the BIMSTEC Leaders’ Retreat 2016 Outcome Document directed for early finalization of the Memorandum of Association on the Establishment of BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility in Sri Lanka.
• The leaders also direct the BIMSTEC Network of National Centres of Coordination in Traditional Medicine and its Task Force to expand and deepen cooperation in the sector o traditional medicines.

ANSWER: 1, 3

Explanation:

• Acknowledging the civilizational, historical and cultural linkages in our region, we recognize the rich potential for development of tourism and reiterate our keen interest in taking concrete steps to promote intra-BIMSTEC tourism including specialized tourist circuits and eco-tourism. In particular, we encourage the development of Buddhist Tourist Circuit and Temple Tourist Circuit within the region.
• We decide to expedite the establishment of the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Commission and BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory in Bhutan, which will serve as a repository for information on cultural industries.

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

• Acknowledging the civilizational, historical and cultural linkages in our region, we recognize the rich potential for development of tourism and reiterate our keen interest in taking concrete steps to promote intra-BIMSTEC tourism including specialized tourist circuits and eco-tourism. In particular, we encourage the development of Buddhist Tourist Circuit and Temple Tourist Circuit within the region.
• We decide to expedite the establishment of the BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Commission and BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory in Bhutan, which will serve as a repository for information on cultural industries.

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation:

• Being convinced that the development of connectivity in various forms and manifestations is the key to promote regional integration, BIMSTEC leaders expressed satisfaction at the continuing efforts and initiatives to advance multi-modal physical connectivity (air, rail, roads and waterways) in the BIMSTEC region.
• Recommendations of the BIMSTEC Transport Infrastructure and Logistics Study were implemented. The leaders agreed to explore the possibility of having a BIMSTEC Motor Vehicle Agreement.
• The leaders committed to expedite the signing of the BIMSTEC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters, and to early ratification of the BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking.

ANSWER: Nepal

Explanation:

• Fourth BIMSTEC Summit will be held in Nepal in 2017.
• The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation involving a group of countries in South Asia and South East Asia. These are: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.
• 1^st BIMSTEC Summit – 2004 - Bangkok, Thailand
• 2^nd BIMSTEC Summit – 2008 - New Delhi, India
• 3^rd BIMSTEC Summit – 2012 - Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

ANSWER: 1, 2

Explanation:

• Comments on terrorism were made but no country was named as such directly. BRICS failed to reach a consensus on including Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in its Goa declaration.
• On Syria, the declaration called upon all parties involved to work for a comprehensive and peaceful resolution of the conflict taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, through inclusive national dialogue and a Syrian-led political process.
• They also resolved to continue the relentless pursuit against terrorist groups so designated by the UN Security Council including ISIL, Jabhat al-Nusra and other terrorist organisations designated by the UN Security Council.
• The declaration asks for a comprehensive reform of the UN, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of the developing countries so that it can adequately respond to global challenges.

ANSWER: 2, 3

Explanation:
Few key initiatives during India’s BRICS chairmanship -

• BRICS Film Festival
• BRICS Convention on Tourism
• BRICS Digital Conclave
• BRICS Wellness Forum
• BRICS Friendship Cities Conclave
• BRICS Smart Cities Workshop
• 3rd BRICS Urbanisation Forum
• BRICS Local Bodies Conference
• BRICS Handicraft Artisans’ Exchange Programme
• BRICS Young Scientist Conclave
• BRICS Innovative Idea Prize for Young Scientists
• BRICS Economic Research Award.