G77

Why is in news? Brazilian leader Lula rekindles ties with Cuba at G77 summit in Havana

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with his Cuban counterpart Saturday in Havana, signaling a revitalization of ties between the two countries in the first trip by a Brazilian president to the Caribbean nation in nine years.

The Group of 77 developing countries (G77) called for a new global order at a two-day summit in Havana, Cuba.

About G77:

The Group of 77 (G77) at the United Nations (UN) is a coalition of 134 developing countries, designed to promote its members' collective economic interests and create an enhanced joint negotiating capacity in the United Nations.

There were 77 founding members of the organization headquartered in Geneva, but it has since expanded to 134 member countries.

Cuba holds its chairmanship for 2023, succeeding Pakistan.

The group was founded on 15 June 1964, by 77 non-aligned nations in the "Joint Declaration of the Seventy-Seven Countries" issued at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

The first major meeting was in Algiers in 1967, where the Charter of Algiers was adopted and the basis for permanent institutional structures.

There are Chapters of the Group of 77 in Geneva (UN), Rome (FAO), Vienna (UNIDO), Paris (UNESCO), Nairobi (UNEP) and the Group of 24 in Washington, D.C. (International Monetary Fund and World Bank).

The Group of 77 lists China as one of its members.

The Chinese government provides consistent political support to the G77 and has made financial contributions to the Group since 1994, but it does not consider itself to be a member.

As a result, official statements of the G77 are delivered in the name of The Group of 77 and China or G77+China.

Objectives:

The main aims of the G-77 are to ensure that the developing world’s collective interests are safeguarded along with the enhancements of its negotiation capabilities in the wider United Nations system and other international forums.

An additional aim is also to foster good relations between the developing world at large through economic and technical cooperation.

Structure of the G-77:

The annual meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of member-countries is the most important decision-making body.

The various Chapters of the G-77 also have common features in terms of membership, decision-making, and certain operating methods.

The Group’s work in each Chapter is coordinated by a chairman who acts as its spokesman.

The chairmanship rotates on a regional basis (between Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and the Caribbean) and is held for one year in all the Chapters.

Relation between USA and Cuba:

Recently, the USA State Department has designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism for repeatedly providing support for acts of international terrorism in granting safe harbour to terrorists.

Cuba–United States relations are bilateral relations between the Republic of Cuba and the United States of America

As per the Treaty of Paris, Cuba had become a U.S. protectorate from 1898–1902, which persisted even after independence

After the Cuban Revolution of 1959, the US-Cuba relations had further deteriorated

Fidel Castro had established a revolutionary socialist state in Cuba after his successful revolt against President Fulgencio Batista. Castro had nationalized all foreign assets in Cuba, taxes on US imported were hiked and trade deals with the Soviet Union were established

The 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion, the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, and American efforts to stand up to Fidel Castro’s attempts to spread communism throughout Latin America and Africa are the main highlights of U.S. antagonism towards Cuba during the Cold War

Since then, the US-Cuba relations has faced many ups and downs

It was in 2008, that the US-Cuba relations had started to get better after many relaxations were provided by the Obama Government

In 2016, during the US diplomats’ visit to Havana, Cuba, a peculiar syndrome had affected the US people, which had soured the relationship between the two countries all over again.

Cuba designated as Safe Sponsor to Terrorism by USA.

Four countries including Cuba are Syria, Iran, and North Korea that remain on the blacklist.

Cuba was delisted in 2015 and has been blacklisted again.

Cuban Missile Crisis:

The October of 1962 saw the Cold War hit its height, when the two great superpowers, the Soviet Union and the US, teetered on the brink of nuclear warfare for 13 days.

The standoff, known as the Cuban missile crisis, was resolved and disaster was narrowly averted.

This is accredited to timely negotiations between Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev and US President John F Kennedy.

Major reasons for Crisis:

Cuba was under threat of military invasion by the USA: USSR wanted to help as a gesture of solidarity with Cuba which was a socialist country.

The USSR lost the lead in developing ICBMs: It was looking for an opportunity to encircle the USA from a close range.

Cuba seemed to be an ideal place to initiate a counter strike against the USA: USA in 1959 deployed Jupiter nuclear missiles in Turkey, which threatened the security of the USSR.

As a bargaining measure: USSR wanted to use the missiles in Cuba for bargaining with the West over removing American missiles from Europe or a withdrawal from Berlin by the West.

The Agreement:

The crisis came to an end after UN intervention.

Russian ships turned back: It was followed by a compromise between the US and USSR.

Jupiter missiles: The US president promised to disarm the Jupiter missiles deployed in Turkey.

The USSR agreed to withdraw the Russian missilesand destroy the launching sites in Cuba

The USA agreed not to invade Cuba again.

Consequences:

Ouster of Khrushchev in USSR: He was forced into retirement by other Soviet officials

John F. Kennedy: His calm but firm stance in the negotiations was heralded as great statesmanship.

Nuclear: convinced the US of the dangers of nuclear brinkmanship.

Treaty in 1963: The United States, the Soviet Union, and Great Britain signed a treaty banning atmospheric and underwater nuclear testing.

India’s Nuclear Doctrine:

A nuclear doctrine states how a nuclear weapon state would employ its nuclear weapons both during peace and war.

India released its Draft Nuclear Doctrine (DND) in August 1999. In January 2003, India released its official nuclear doctrine which can be summarized as follows –

Building and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent;

A posture of "No First Use" - nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or on Indian forces anywhere;

Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and designed to inflict unacceptable damage.

Nuclear retaliatory attacks can only be authorised by the civilian political leadership through the Nuclear Command Authority.

Non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states;

However, in the event of a major attack against India, or Indian forces anywhere, by biological or chemical weapons, India will retain the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons;

A continuance of strict controls on export of nuclear and missile related materials and technologies, participation in the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty negotiations, and continued observance of the moratorium on nuclear tests.

Continued commitment to the goal of a nuclear weapon free world, through global, verifiable and non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament.