GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context –

The Indian economy appears to have done quite well in the first half of this fiscal year amid rising global risks.

Indian Economy's Strong Performance

• Growth in First Quarter: The Indian economy has shown remarkable resilience in the first half of the fiscal year, evidenced by robust growth rates, notably 7.8% in the first quarter.
• Strengthened Economy: The economy demonstrates strength through factors such as high PMI figures, sustained tax collections, strong public investment, and a supportive financial environment.
• Overcoming Hurdles: Despite headwinds like high food inflation and weak exports, India's economy is witnessing positive trends.

Challenges and Global Interaction

• Challenging Global Factors: While India's domestic economy exhibits resilience, it faces challenges influenced by global factors. These global dynamics, including cyclical aspects, shocks, and structural changes, create a significant impact on the country's economy.
• Global Integration: Integration with global markets and trade fluctuations, especially concerning Europe, the US, and the Asia Pacific region, contributes to these impacts.
• Geopolitical Factors: The ongoing geopolitical conflicts and erratic weather patterns add stress to the domestic economy.

Prospects for Long-term Growth

• Comprehensive structural alterations: India's growth narrative in the medium to long term is affected by extensive structural changes such as shifting globalisation, technological disruptions, climate action, and demographic transitions.
• Growth Prospects for India: As global growth potential declines, India aims to enhance its growth prospects by concentrating on infrastructure development, growth-oriented reforms, and the diversification of global supply chains.

Context-

India will host the next 2+2 ministerial dialogue with the US on November 9^th, 2023

India-US Strategic Meeting and Regional Dynamics

• India’s Strategic Meeting: Addressing recent economic growth and factors like PMIs, inflation trends, and external accounts. Also, reflecting on the context of the ongoing India-US 2+2 meeting.
• China’s Role in the South China Sea: Detailing recent hostilities between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. Mentioning conflicting claims, the trigger for tension, and the involvement of Quad nations.
• Diplomatic Dilemma and the Way Forward: Reflecting on the dynamics between nations and their approach towards China. The dilemma for security strategists and potential strategies to counter China's assertiveness. Also, discussing trade dependencies and future approaches.

The Dilemma Surrounding China's Assertiveness

• Escalating Tensions in the South China Sea: Detailing the recent allegations and responses from the Philippines and China in the South China Sea. Analyzing the historic conflict and recent actions that might potentially involve the US.
• The Philippines' Relationship Dynamics: Reflecting on the Philippines’ shifting alliances, closer relations with the US, Japan’s role, and the rhetoric surrounding the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
• Security Strategists’ Dilemma: Discussing the complex dilemma faced by various countries, including Australia and India, balancing security concerns against trade dependencies with China.

Strategic Dynamics and Future Scenarios

• Maritime Options and Bilateral Relationships: Discussing alternate strategies in the maritime domain and new initiatives like AUKUS. Reviewing China’s concerns in the Malacca Strait and the challenges for policy makers.
• Strategic Standpoints: Considering the various levels of support for the Philippines among nations. Also, delving into the implications and possible outcomes of the US-China contestation in relation to India’s relationships and the future Quad summit.

Context –

Domestication of Silkworms has affected the species in intricate ways.

Silk Production and Types

• History of Domestication: Silk, extracted from the cocoons of the Bombyx mori silk moth, finds its roots in Chinese domestication over 5,000 years ago.
• Varied Colours and Textures: Mulberry leaves sustain the silkworms, with different species like muga, tasar, and eri silks harvested from other moth species, yielding varying silk textures and colors.
• Wild Silk Production: Wild silks amount to about 30% of India's silk production, contrasting the finer, longer threads of mulberry silks.

Genetic Variations and Pigment Diversity

• Reason for diversity: The diversity in silk coloration originates from mutations affecting the absorption and transportation of pigments like carotenoids and flavonoids from mulberry leaves.
• Method for production of colored Cocoons: Through artificial selection, the silkworms produce differently colored cocoons, forming a palette of hues from yellow-red to deep green or white.
• Significance of Genes: Understanding the genetic basis of these mutations, researchers have identified the significance of genes in pigment production.

Insights and Genetic Studies

• Research Insights: Researchers have examined genes like apontic-like, observing differences in the production of melanin pigment when mutated.
• Role of Gene Regulation: Such studies have shed light on gene regulation and expression, exploring the intricate mechanisms behind the development of colored silks.
• Better Avenues: These findings have opened avenues for a genetic exploration into the domestication process, potentially extending to similar studies in other domesticated species like rice, mangoes, and dogs in the future.