Prelims Focus 10th March 2025

Convention on Cluster Munitions

In News: Lithuania withdrew from the Convention on Cluster Munitions, citing protection issues over the Russia-Ukraine struggle.

• It is the first country to leave the convention.

Convention on Cluster Munitions

• Adopted: Signed in 2008 in Oslo, Norway.
• Purpose: Aimed at banning the use, production, switch, and stockpiling of cluster munitions.
  • Seeks to defend civilians from the indiscriminate harm as a result of unexploded submunitions.
  • Cluster munitions may be dropped from aircraft or fired from artillery, exploding mid-air and scattering bomblets over a extensive area
• Signatories: Over a hundred countries have signed or ratified the treaty.
  • Some nations, along with major military powers like the U.S., India, Russia, and China, have not signed the treaty.

Gandiva Missile

In News: India’s current and most superior past visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra MK-III, has been formally renamed Gandiva. 

Key Features of Gandiva Missile

• Extended Range:

• • • 340 km while targeting enemies at 20 km altitude.
    • 190 km whilst engaging targets at 8 km altitude.

• Advanced Propulsion System:

• • • Powered by a dual-fuel ducted ramjet engine (a contemporary technology that makes use of atmospheric oxygen as an oxidizer), making sure sustained high-pace flight.
    • Launch velocity between 0.8 to 2.2 Mach, able to engage goals moving at 2.0 to 3.6 Mach.

• Enhanced Target Engagement Capabilities:

• • Can neutralize fighter jets, bombers, navy transport flight.

Khalistan movement 

In News: During a recent visit to London, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar faced a significant security breach when a pro-Khalistan protester attempted to block his convoy outside Chatham House. 

• The incident, which involved the protester tearing the Indian flag, highlighted concerns over the presence and activities of separatist groups in the UK. The Indian government strongly condemned the breach, emphasizing that such actions demonstrate the “licence accorded to such forces” in the UK and the need for stronger action against them. 
• The UK Foreign Office also condemned the incident, stating that any attempts to intimidate or disrupt public events are unacceptable. This event underscores ongoing tensions between India and the UK regarding the activities of pro-Khalistan groups, which India views as a security concern.

About: 

The Khalistan movement is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon rooted in Sikh nationalism and separatism. It seeks to establish an independent Sikh state, known as Khalistan, within the Punjab region of India. This movement has a rich history, marked by periods of intense activism and violence, particularly during the 1980s.

Historical Background: 

The idea of Khalistan has its roots in Sikh political ideology, which emphasizes the creation of an autonomous Sikh homeland. This concept gained prominence during the partition of India in 1947, when Sikhs were divided between India and Pakistan, leading to a desire for a secure homeland within India.

Key Events and Figures

1. Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973): The Shiromani Akali Dal passed this resolution, which initially demanded greater autonomy for Punjab but was later hijacked by calls for a separate state.
2. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: A charismatic leader who became the face of the Khalistan movement in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His radical approach heightened tensions between Sikhs and the Indian government.
3. Operation Blue Star (1984): A military operation ordered by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to remove Bhindranwale and his followers from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This operation led to significant casualties and widespread outrage among Sikhs globally.
4. 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots: Following Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star, large-scale violence against Sikhs occurred in Delhi and other parts of India.

Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP)

In News: The Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP) is a significant infrastructure development in Karnataka, India, aimed at enhancing energy security and grid stability. This project, with a capacity of 2000 MW, is being developed by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) and involves the construction of a pumped storage facility between two existing reservoirs on the Sharavathi River.

How It Works

The PSHP operates on the principle of pumped storage, where excess electricity generated during off-peak hours is used to pump water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. During peak hours, water is released back to the lower reservoir through turbines, generating electricity to meet high demand.

Significance and Benefits

• Energy Security: The project is crucial for ensuring energy security by providing a reliable source of power during peak demand periods.
• Grid Stability: It helps stabilize the grid by balancing supply and demand fluctuations.
• Environmental Impact: While it offers a clean source of energy, there are concerns about environmental impacts such as altering natural water flows and affecting aquatic ecosystems.

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