PLACES IN NEWS 11th JANUARY 2025

Serbia

 

Why in news?

 

1. Serbia has decided to terminate all military contracts with Russia, signalling a significant shift in its defence and geopolitical stance.
2. This decision comes amidst growing international scrutiny of Russia due to its actions in Ukraine and increasing pressure on Serbia to align more closely with European Union policies.

 

About Serbia:

1. Geography 

1. Serbia is a landlocked country in South-eastern Europe, situated in the central and western part of the Balkan Peninsula.
2. It shares borders with Hungary to the north, Romania to the northeast, Bulgaria to the southeast, North Macedonia to the south, Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to the west, and Montenegro to the southwest.
3. Its capital is Belgrade, located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. 

2. Formation and Historical Background

1. Serbia traces its roots to mediaeval kingdoms and empires, such as the Serbian Empire in the 14th century. However, following Dušan’s death in 1355, internal strife and external threats, particularly from the advancing Ottoman Empire, weakened the empire.
2. The pivotal Battle of Kosovo in 1389, although symbolically significant, marked the decline of mediaeval Serbia as the Ottomans gradually took control.
3. The 19th century saw the rise of Serbian nationalism after centuries of Ottoman domination, which largely suppressed Serbian autonomy.
4. The Serbian Revolution (1804–1815) led to the establishment of the Principality of Serbia, which gained formal autonomy from the Ottoman Empire. By 1878, Serbia was recognised as an independent kingdom under the Treaty of Berlin.
5. In the 20th century, Serbia became a key constituent of Yugoslavia, a multi-ethnic federation formed in 1918.
6. The disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s resulted in a series of conflicts, leading to Serbia’s reformation as a republic.
7. In 2006, Montenegro’s independence dissolved the Serbia-Montenegro union, establishing Serbia as a standalone nation.

3. Serbia's Military Ties with Russia

1. Historical Relations: Serbia and Russia have shared close historical, cultural, and religious ties based on Slavic and Orthodox Christian connections.
2. Military Cooperation: Russia has been a major supplier of military equipment to Serbia, providing tanks, helicopters, and air-defence systems. Serbia also engaged in joint military exercises with Russia.
3. Geopolitical Dynamics: Serbia often maintained a delicate balance between its aspirations for European Union (EU) membership and its historical ties with Russia, avoiding direct alignment with NATO.

4. Reasons Behind Termination of Military Contracts with Russia

1. Growing Pressure from the West: Serbia has faced increasing pressure from the EU and the United States to align its foreign policies with Western norms, particularly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
2. EU Aspirations: Serbia seeks EU membership, and distancing itself from Russia aligns with the EU’s stance on Russian aggression. Terminating military contracts could demonstrate Serbia’s commitment to the EU’s geopolitical objectives.
3. Economic and Political Considerations: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine and global sanctions on Russia have made military cooperation with Russia increasingly untenable for Serbia. By severing ties, Serbia avoids potential economic repercussions and international isolation.
4. Balancing Act: Despite its historical ties with Russia, Serbia aims to balance its foreign policy to safeguard its strategic interests and regional stability.

5. Countries That Severed Ties with Russia Post-2022

1. Major Breaks: Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, many Western countries, including the United States, Canada, and members of the European Union, imposed strict sanctions and cut diplomatic or economic ties with Russia.
2. Eastern Europe: Countries like Poland, the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), and the Czech Republic were vocal in their condemnation of Russia and led efforts to isolate it diplomatically.
3. Ukraine’s Allies: Nations supporting Ukraine, such as the UK, Australia, and Japan, also implemented sanctions and froze ties with Russia.

Venezuela

Why in news?

1. Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a controversial third term as President of Venezuela in Caracas, deepening the political divide in the country.
2. Critics argue his re-election lacked transparency, citing alleged irregularities in the 2024 elections, which many opposition groups boycotted.

About Venezuela:

1. Geography and Location:

1. Venezuela is located on the northern coast of South America, making it a crucial geographical link between the Caribbean and the continent's interior.
2. It shares land borders with Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the east. It has an extensive coastline along the Caribbean Sea to the north.
3. Its capital is Caracas, situated in the north-central part of the country, which serves as Venezuela's political, economic, and cultural hub.
4. The Andes Mountains span western Venezuela, while the Orinoco River Basin, one of South America’s largest river systems, dominates the central and southern regions.
5. The country is also renowned for its rich biodiversity, featuring the Guiana Highlands and Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, making Venezuela a land of diverse and striking natural landscapes.

2. Natural resource potential:

1. Venezuela is endowed with abundant natural resources that have historically shaped its economy.
2. The country holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, primarily concentrated in the Orinoco Belt, with the oil industry contributing the majority of its export revenue.
3. In addition to oil, Venezuela is rich in gold, bauxite, iron ore, and diamonds, particularly in the Guiana Shield region, enhancing its mineral wealth.
4. It also possesses significant natural gas reserves, ranking among the largest in Latin America.
5. Despite this resource abundance, the Llanos region, with its fertile plains suitable for cattle ranching and agriculture, remains underdeveloped compared to the nation's extractive industries.

3. Regional Crisis:

1. Economic Collapse: Years of mismanagement and over-reliance on oil revenue have led to severe economic instability, marked by hyperinflation, a shrinking GDP, and a collapse of public services. The crisis has caused widespread shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials, leaving millions in poverty.
2. Political Instability: The presidency of Nicolás Maduro has been contested both domestically and internationally. Opposition leaders and international observers claim that elections under his leadership have lacked transparency and fairness.
3. Humanitarian Crisis: The ongoing economic and political turmoil has triggered one of the largest refugee crises in the world. Over 7 million Venezuelans have fled to neighbouring countries, straining regional resources and relationships.
4. Social Unrest: High unemployment, inflation, and government repression have fuelled protests and unrest, further destabilising the country.

Conflicts with Bordering Countries

1. Colombia:
   • Relations with Colombia have often been tense due to accusations of Venezuela harbouring Colombian guerrilla groups.
   • Disputes over border control and smuggling exacerbate tensions, with periodic closures of the shared border.
2. Guyana: Venezuela disputes the Essequibo region, a territory of approximately 159,500 square kilometres claimed by Guyana. The dispute escalated after the discovery of significant oil reserves in the contested waters, leading to increased international attention and involvement.
3. Brazil: Although less conflict-prone, the influx of refugees into Brazil’s northern states has strained local resources, occasionally causing political friction.
4. Caribbean Nations: Venezuela has had maritime disputes with neighbouring Caribbean nations, particularly over its oil-rich Exclusive Economic Zone.

 

Anji Khad Bridge

Why in news?

1. Indian Railways has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of the Anji Khad Bridge, the country’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.

About Anji Khad Bridge:

1. The Anji Khad Bridge, located in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, is India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge.
2. It is a key component of the ambitious Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, aimed at enhancing connectivity between the Kashmir Valley and the rest of India.
3. The bridge spans the Anji River, a tributary of the Chenab River, and connects the towns of Katra and Reasi.
4. Built in the challenging Himalayan terrain, the bridge overcame complex geological conditions, including seismic activity and fragile rock formations.
5. The project involved collaborations with IIT Roorkee and IIT Delhi for site-specific investigations, ensuring its stability in this difficult region.

Kandla Port

Why in news?

1. India’s Kandla Port, one of the country’s busiest and oldest ports, is set for a major revitalization with a $6.6 billion investment.
2. This momentous initiative aims to modernize port infrastructure, enhance cargo handling capacity, and improve connectivity, making it more competitive in the global maritime trade.

About Kandla Port:

1. Kandla Port, officially known as Deendayal Port, is a significant seaport located in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India.
2. Situated in the Kandla Creek, approximately 90 km from the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch, it serves as a vital maritime gateway for the western region of India.
3. The port is about 256 nautical miles southeast of the Port of Karachi in Pakistan and approximately 430 nautical miles north-northwest of the Port of Mumbai.
4. Established in the 1950s, Kandla Port was constructed as the chief seaport serving western India, especially after the partition of India in 1947. It was developed to compensate for the loss of Karachi Port, which became part of Pakistan.
5. The port was officially renamed Deendayal Port in 2017 under the Indian Ports Act, 1908, to honour the contributions of Deendayal Upadhyaya, a prominent leader and thinker.
6. As the largest port in India by volume of cargo handled, Deendayal Port plays a crucial role in the nation's economy. In the 2023–24 financial year, it handled approximately 132.3 million metric tonnes of cargo.
7. The port primarily handles liquid and bulk cargoes, including crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals, and fertilizers. It serves as a vital transit point for the hinterland of North, West, and Central India, facilitating trade and commerce.
8. The port's strategic location on the western coast of India enhances its importance in international trade, particularly with countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It is well-connected by road and rail networks, ensuring efficient transportation of goods to and from the port.
1. The development of Kandla Port has significantly contributed to the economic growth of the Kutch district and the state of Gujarat, fostering industrialisation and employment opportunities.

Benin

Why in news?

1. An Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in Benin, marking a significant escalation in violence in the region.
2. The attack occurred in the northern part of the country, near the border with Burkina Faso and Niger, areas increasingly affected by jihadist insurgencies.

About Benin:

1. Geography:

1. Benin is a West African country located between Togo to the west, Burkina Faso and Niger to the north, Nigeria to the east, and the Bight of Benin to the south. The country spans approximately 650 km from the Niger River in the north to the Atlantic Ocean in the south.
2. Its coastline measures about 121 km, and the country is approximately 325 km wide at its widest point. Benin's geography includes a sandy coastal plain, plateaus covered with the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic, and mountain ranges along the northwest border, such as the Atacora Mountains, with the highest point being Mont Sokbaro at 658 meters.
3. The climate varies from tropical along the coast to semi-arid in the north, with a tropical monsoon climate characterised by two rainy seasons and two dry seasons. Annual rainfall averages around 1,300 mm in the coastal area.

2. Natural resource potential:

1. Benin's natural resources include agricultural land, forests, and minerals. The country has a forest cover of about 28% of its total land area, which has decreased from 4,835,150 hectares in 1990 to 3,135,150 hectares in 2020.
2. The remaining forests are primarily located in the southwest and central regions. The forests contain valuable timber species such as mahogany and iroko.
3. Agriculture is a significant part of the economy, with cotton being a major export commodity. However, the sector faces challenges due to climate change, including droughts and floods, which have led to displacements and food insecurity.

3. Regional Crisis:

1. Benin has experienced several crises in recent years. The country is highly vulnerable to climate change, with projections indicating that by 2070, 98% of its territory could be exposed to extreme temperatures under a 2.7°C global warming scenario.
2. This situation is exacerbated by the country's dependence on agriculture and informal employment, making its development path more susceptible to climate impacts.
3. Benin has also faced increasing security challenges, particularly in its northern regions. Since December 2021, the country has experienced a rise in violent events linked to extremist groups, with around 20 incidents reported between December 2021 and May 2022.
4. These attacks have been attributed to groups such as the al-Qaida-linked JNIM, which have expanded their activities from neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso and Niger into Benin.
5. The tri-border area, including the W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, has become a hotspot for extremist violence, with militants using the region for cross-border attacks. The escalating violence has raised concerns about the stability of the region and the capacity of local security forces to effectively respond to these threats.

UPSC CSE PYQ Q. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries. Statement-II: Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves  Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements? (2024) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct Answer: Option D

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