2023 Global Peace Index: Iceland Tops as Most Peaceful Country, India’s Ranking and Key Findings
The 2023 Global Peace Index, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace, provides a comprehensive ranking of the most peaceful countries in the world. The 17th edition of the annual Global Peace Index (GPI), the world’s leading measure of peacefulness, reveals the average level of global peacefulness deteriorated for the ninth consecutive year, with 84 countries recording an improvement and 79 a deterioration.
This demonstrates that the deteriorations were larger than the improvements, as the post-COVID rises of civil unrest and political instability remain high while regional and global conflicts accelerate.This article highlights key findings from the report, including Iceland’s continued reign as the most peaceful country and India’s ranking.
Iceland: The No. 1 Most Peaceful Country: Iceland has retained its position as the most peaceful country since the inaugural study in 2008. It excels in domains such as ongoing domestic and international conflict, societal safety and security, and militarization. Additionally, Iceland ranks as the third happiest country globally, following Finland and Denmark.
European Dominance in Peacefulness: Seven out of the top 10 most peaceful countries in the world are located in Europe. Denmark, Ireland, and Switzerland are among the nations that contribute to Europe’s peaceful reputation. New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, and Slovenia also feature prominently in the top 10.
Overall GPI Score A composite index measuring the peacefulness of countries made up of 23 quantitative and qualitative indicators each weighted on a scale of 1-5. The lower the score the more peaceful the country. RANKREGIONSCORE 1 Iceland1.1242 Denmark1.313 Ireland1.3124 New Zealand1.3135 Austria1.3166 Singapore1.3327 Portugal1.3338 Slovenia1.3349 Japan1.33610 Switzerland1.339
India’s Peacefulness Ranking:
India’s position on the Global Peace Index stands at 126 out of 163 countries. With an overall score of 2.31, India falls below the global average of 2.314. While the country faces ongoing challenges in achieving high levels of peace, it presents an opportunity for improvement.
Key Findings from the Global Peace Index:
a) Global Peace Deterioration: For the ninth consecutive year, the average level of global peacefulness has deteriorated. While 84 countries experienced improvements, 79 witnessed a decline. The post-COVID era has seen a rise in civil unrest, political instability, and regional conflicts.
b) Increase in Conflict Deaths: Deaths resulting from global conflict rose by 96% to reach 238,000. Surprisingly, conflict-related fatalities in Ethiopia surpassed those in Ukraine, eclipsing previous peak levels observed during the Syrian war. Several countries, including Myanmar, Israel, and South Africa, reported increased conflict levels.
c) Economic Impact of Violence: The global economic impact of violence surged by 17% or $1 trillion, amounting to $17.5 trillion in 2022. This figure corresponds to approximately 13% of the global GDP. Notably, a hypothetical Chinese blockade of Taiwan would cause a staggering $2.7 trillion drop in global economic output, nearly double the impact of the 2008 financial crisis.
d) Changing Military Dynamics: Despite the conflict in Ukraine, military expenditure improved in 92 countries, while 110 countries reduced their military personnel. Conflicts are increasingly internationalized, with 91 countries currently involved in some form of external conflict, up from 58 in 2008.
Impact of the War in Ukraine on Peacefulness:
Ukraine’s Deterioration: Ukraine experienced the largest decline in peace, falling 14 places to 157th position. The economic impact of violence in Ukraine increased by 479% or $449 billion, accounting for 64% of the country’s GDP.
Positive Trends in Russia: Despite the conflict, Russia showcased improvements in areas such as incarceration rates, violent demonstrations, terrorism impact, and homicide rates. The homicide rate reached its lowest point since 2008.
Human Cost: The conflict in Ukraine has led to significant human losses, with 65% of men aged 20 to 24 either fleeing the country or losing their lives in the conflict.
JAPAN INDIA MARITIME EXERCISE 2023 (JIMEX 23)
The seventh edition of the bilateral Japan-India Maritime Exercise 2023 (JIMEX 23) is set to take place from 5th to 10th July 2023 in Visakhapatnam, India. This exercise marks the 11th anniversary of JIMEX since its inception in 2012 and aims to enhance the interoperability and cooperation between the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and the Indian Navy.
Various Phases in Exercise
The exercise will be conducted in two phases, the Harbour Phase and the Sea phase .
The Harbour Phase will focus on professional, sports, and social interactions between the participating units. It provides an excellent opportunity for personnel from both navies to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and strengthen their bonds.
Following the Harbour Phase, the exercise will transition to the sea phase, where the two navies will jointly hone their warfighting skills and enhance interoperability. This phase will witness complex multi-discipline operations in the surface, sub-surface, and air domains.
Participation from Various Fleet
The upcoming JIMEX 23 exercise will see the involvement of several Indian naval vessels, including INS Delhi, which is India’s first domestically constructed Guided Missile Destroyer. Additionally, INS Kamorta, a Corvette designed and built within India for Anti-Submarine Warfare purposes, as well as the fleet tanker INS Shakti, a submarine, maritime patrol aircraft P8I and Dornier, ship-borne helicopters, and fighter aircraft, will also be participating. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will be represented by the guided missile destroyer JS Samidare and its accompanying helicopters.
Reaffirming Commitment
JIMEX 23 highlights the shared commitment of India and Japan towards ensuring maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region. As maritime nations, both countries recognize the importance of a rules-based international order and the need for collaborative efforts to address common maritime challenges.
India-Japan Maritime Relations
Over the years, JIMEX has grown in scope and complexity, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, enhancing operational interactions, and fostering mutual cooperation between the Indian Navy and the JMSDF. The exercise provides a platform for both navies to learn from each other’s best practices, develop a deeper understanding of maritime operations, and strengthen their overall capabilities.
Amit Shah lays foundation stone of the first cooperative-run Sainik School
The foundation stone-laying ceremony of Shri Motibhai R. Chaudhary Sagar Sainik School in Boriyavi village of Mehsana,Gujarat marked a significant milestone in the education sector. This groundbreaking project, inaugurated virtually by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, is set to become the first Sainik School in India to be operated by a cooperative organization. With an estimated cost of Rs 75 crore and spread across 11 acres of land, the school is being managed by Dudh Sagar Research and Development Association (DURDA), an entity of Dudh Sagar Dair
Increasing Opportunities
The academic year 2022-2023 witnessed the enrollment of 50 students, comprising 46 boys and 4 girls, in the prestigious Sagar Sainik School. Building upon this success, the school has expanded its capacity for the academic year 2023-2024. The number of seats has been increased to 80, with a significant step toward inclusivity being the introduction of a 10 percent reservation for girls. This move not only promotes gender equality but also opens doors for more aspiring young women to receive military training and academic excellence.
Collaborative Government
The foundation stone-laying ceremony also showcased the unified efforts of the state government. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Health Minister Rishikesh Patel, Industries Minister Balwant Singh Rajput, and Cooperation Minister Jagdish Panchal were present at the ceremony, emphasizing the government’s commitment to providing quality education and fostering the growth of young individuals in Gujarat. Their presence and support demonstrate the collaborative approach taken to ensure the success of Shri Motibhai R. Chaudhary Sagar Sainik School.
Key takeaways for competitive examination
Sainik Schools are English medium residential schools affiliated to: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
Sainik Schools prepare Cadets to join the: National Defence Academy
Sainik Schools were started in : 1961
RBI Launches Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) for Enhanced Data Management
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) to revolutionize its data handling, analysis, and governance. The system leverages advanced technology to manage big data, enabling powerful data mining, text mining, visual analytics, and statistical analysis. Governor Shaktikanta Das announced the launch during the 17th Statistics Day Conference in Mumbai, highlighting the system’s potential to transform economic analysis, supervision, monitoring, and enforcement across various domains.
Key Points About the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS):
Next-Generation Data Warehouse:
CIMS serves as RBI’s advanced data warehouse, facilitating comprehensive data flow management.
Initially, it focuses on reporting by scheduled commercial banks and will gradually expand to urban cooperative banks and non-banking financial companies.
Enhanced Data Dissemination:
CIMS enables the compilation, processing, and dissemination of a broader range of data, including RBI’s weekly statistical supplement (WSS).
Public access to more data is provided, supporting online statistical analysis by external users.
Regulated Entities’ Access to Data:
Regulated entities gain access to their historical data and assessments on quality parameters within the CIMS.
This empowers entities to monitor and evaluate their own performance effectively.
Streamlining Reporting Mechanism:
RBI’s Regulations Review Authority 2.0 (RRA 2.0) recommends simplifying the reporting mechanism and reducing regulatory compliance burden.
Several recommendations have already been implemented, with others in progress.
The upcoming implementation through CIMS includes system-based submission to replace email-based reporting.
Key Benefits of the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS):
Paradigm Shift in Analysis and Supervision:
CIMS will bring a significant shift in the RBI’s economic analysis, supervision, monitoring, and enforcement across multiple domains.
The system’s capabilities enable advanced statistical analysis and integration of data from diverse sectors.
Technological Advancements:
CIMS employs state-of-the-art technology to manage big data efficiently.
It provides power users with tools for data mining, text mining, visual analytics, and advanced statistical analysis.
Data as Public Good:
RBI considers data as a public good and focuses on disseminating increasing amounts of data in the public domain.
Emphasis is placed on general dissemination rather than meeting individual requirements.
Ministry of Home Affairs Launches Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in States
The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced the “Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States” with a significant allocation of Rs. 5,000 Crore. This scheme was announced by Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah during a meeting with Ministers of Disaster Management of the States/Union Territories in New Delhi on June 13, 2023. The objective of the scheme is to strengthen fire services across the country and make India disaster-resilient.
Objective of the Scheme:
The primary goal of the scheme is to expand and modernize fire services in the States by enhancing preparedness and capacity-building components of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Funding and Contribution:
For project proposals under the scheme, State Governments need to contribute 25% of the total cost, except for the North-Eastern and Himalayan (NEH) States, which will contribute 10% from their budgetary resources.
The scheme is based on the recommendation of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC), allowing an allocation of 12.5% from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for the Funding Window of Preparedness and Capacity Building.
Allocation and Utilization:
An amount of Rs. 5,000 Crore has been earmarked from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) corpus for the priority project of “Expanding and Modernization of Fire Services.”
It is essential to note that there will be no spill-over of liabilities for projects sanctioned beyond the specified award period.
Key Initiatives:
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, several key initiatives are being implemented to achieve the objective of ‘zero death’ and minimal property loss during disasters.
Strengthening the disaster risk reduction system in India is a crucial step toward making the country disaster-resilient.
World Investment Report 2023: FDI in Developing Asia Remains Flat at $662 Billion in 2022
The UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2023 reveals that foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to developing Asia remained unchanged at $662 billion in 2022 compared to the previous year. However, the report highlights significant variations among countries in the region.
Here are the key highlights:
Concentration of FDI Flows:
FDI inflows to developing Asia were highly concentrated, with five economies accounting for nearly 80% of the total investment. These economies are India, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
India’s FDI Performance:
World Investment Report 2023: FDI in Developing Asia Remains Flat at $662 Billion in 2022
The UNCTAD report highlights the significant growth of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to India and the increasing investments made by Indian companies in other countries, particularly in the renewable energy sector. Here are the key points:
Inward FDI to India:
FDI flows to India increased by 10% to reach $49.3 billion, positioning India as the third-largest host country for greenfield project announcements and the second-largest for international project finance deals in South Asia.
This growth reflects the attractiveness of India as an investment destination, particularly in the renewable energy sector.
Greenfield Projects by Indian Multinational Enterprises:
The report states that greenfield project announcements by Indian multinational enterprises more than tripled, reaching $42 billion.
Acme Group and ReNew Power, both focusing on renewable energy, were involved in two of the largest greenfield projects.
Acme Group’s Project in Egypt:
Acme Group announced a $13 billion plant in Egypt to produce 2.2 billion tonnes of green hydrogen annually.
This investment demonstrates India’s global footprint in renewable energy and its commitment to sustainable development.
ReNew Power’s Project in the Suez Canal Economic Zone:
ReNew Power announced an $8 billion green hydrogen plant in the Suez Canal Economic Zone.
This project further emphasizes India’s role in promoting renewable energy and the expansion of Indian companies’ investments abroad.
Bangladesh’s Growing Investments:
Bangladesh experienced a 20% growth in overseas investments, reaching $3.5 billion.
Singapore’s Record FDI:
Singapore emerged as the largest recipient of FDI in the Southeast Asia region, recording a new high of $141 billion, representing an 8% increase.
Malaysia’s FDI Growth:
Malaysia also achieved record FDI inflows, with a growth of 39% to reach $17 billion.
Vietnam and Indonesia’s FDI Increase:
Vietnam and Indonesia experienced FDI growth of 14% and 4%, reaching $18 billion and $22 billion, respectively.
Decline in FDI to the Philippines:
FDI to the Philippines decreased by 23% due to divestments in several sectors.
China’s FDI Performance:
FDI inflows to China rose by 5% to $189 billion, mainly driven by investments in manufacturing and high-tech industries, primarily from European multinational enterprises.
Hong Kong’s Decreased FDI:
Hong Kong witnessed a 16% decline in FDI, reaching $118 billion.
UAE’s Attraction for Foreign Investments:
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced a 10% increase in foreign investments, reaching a record high of $23 billion, while FDI in Saudi Arabia declined by 59% to $7.9 billion.
FDI Growth in Central Asia:
FDI to Kazakhstan doubled to $6.1 billion, primarily in extractive industries, while Uzbekistan witnessed an 11% increase, reaching $3 billion.
Leading Investors in Asia:
China and Hong Kong remained the largest investors in Asia, followed by the United States, Japan, and Singapore.
FDI Growth in Regional Economic Blocs:
According to the UNCTAD report, foreign direct investment (FDI) has been on the rise in major regional economic blocs within developing Asia over the past five years. Here are the key highlights:
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):
FDI in ASEAN member states increased by an impressive 41% to reach $222 billion. This growth reflects the attractiveness of ASEAN countries for foreign investments.
Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP):
The countries participating in the RCEP witnessed a substantial FDI increase of 42% to reach $580 billion. This regional economic partnership has proven to be an attractive destination for foreign investors.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States:
FDI in the GCC states experienced remarkable growth, surpassing 100% to reach $37 billion. This significant increase highlights the economic potential and attractiveness of the Gulf region for foreign investments.
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Nations:
SAARC nations observed a 20% growth in FDI, reaching $56 billion. This growth demonstrates the increasing interest of foreign investors in South Asian countries.