The Sustainable Development Goals go much further than the previous goals set by the Millennium Development Goals. Elucidate

1. The United Nations says the SDGs go much further than the previous goals, because they address the root causes of poverty and pledge to leave no one behind, including vulnerable groups. 

2. They also emphasise the need to tackle climate change urgently and protect the environment through a shift to sustainable consumption and production, and wiser management of natural resources. 

3. The SDGs are intended to be universal, applying to all countries rather than just the developing world. 

4. They recognise the key role of the private sector in pursuing and financing sustainable development, in partnership with governments and civil society.

“There is no dearth of technical talent in India but, we have not been able to utilise the talent to create our own “Silicon Valley” as well”. Discuss the factors which are inhibiting the development of world-class technology based enterprises in India.

1. Culture/Mindset: More inclined towards service than manufacturing.
2. Risk Taking Appetite
3. Industry-Academia linkage:

• Stanford University in Silicon Valley; Companies like HP, Google, Cisco
• High investment by industries on RnD
• New Jersey failed to replicate the California model precisely because they could not create a robust Industry- Academia interface.

4. Inspiring teachers and guides like Frederick Terman => encouraged Hewlett and Packard to open an enterprise from a garage.
5. Infrastructure and governance
6. Paucity of Capital
7. Quality of Skill set of supporting personnel

* WB's Ease of Doing Business Report 2015: India's rank is 142/189

Reference

India ASEAN FTA in investment and services

India recently signed an FTA in investments and services with ASEAN.

1. What is India going to benefit out of this?
Ans :

• It will help integrate Indian economy with the booming economies of SE Asia.
• Helps indirectly in strategic partnership 
• Indian Ocean Maritime Security
• Growing China's presence in Indian Ocean Area
• Opens up market for Indian professionals and service exports.

2. But India has already signed a FTA in trade with ASEAN. Did it help India in economic terms?
Ans: Indian FTA in trade with ASEAN did not lead to expected results because to an extent of India's inherent issues.

• Poor manufacturing base ==> our products could not compete with Chinese or Korean
• The same reason didn't let imports of raw material to boost

3. Then how is this new FTA going to help?
Ans:

• Service sector is India's strength. We can leverage it in ASEAN market
• Our work force in Service sector is highly skilled. They can utilize the booming market of ASEAN nations
• An agreement in investment would boost capital inflows and outflows. We would get necessary capital for our infrastructure and other needs. Our investors can put their money in the booming upcoming market and earn healthy returns.

4. OK so what could be the concerns related to it?

• The Philippines, a competitor of India in service sector is a member of ASEAN. 
• There was an economic crisis during 1999 in this part of the world. India should tread with caution.