1. India's Strategic Balancing Act: QUAD vs. BRICS
ISSUE: India’s engagement with both the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) presents a complex strategic balancing act.
Let’s analyze the significance, challenges, and potential benefits of this approach.
Significance of QUAD:
| Significance of BRICS:
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· Countering China: QUAD offers a platform to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly concerning maritime security and territorial disputes. | · Economic Cooperation: BRICS provides a platform for economic collaboration among major developing economies, potentially leading to increased trade and investment opportunities for India. |
· Shared Values: Collaboration on issues like maritime security, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian assistance aligns with India’s strategic interests and democratic values. | · Global Governance Reform: BRICS advocates for reforms in global institutions like the UN and IMF, aligning with India’s desire for a more multipolar world order.
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· Technological Advancement: QUAD fosters cooperation in areas like critical technologies, clean energy, and infrastructure development, crucial for India’s economic and military advancement.
| · South-South Cooperation: BRICS promotes cooperation among developing nations on issues like poverty alleviation and sustainable development, benefiting India’s foreign policy goals. |
Potential Benefits:
- Strategic Autonomy: Engaging with both QUAD and BRICS allows India to pursue its strategic interests without being overly reliant on any single power.
- Increased Leverage: India can leverage its membership in both groups to extract concessions and gain greater influence on the global stage.
Diversification of Partnerships: By engaging with diverse partners, India can diversify its economic and security partnerships, reducing dependence on any one bloc.
Challenges:
Alignment Concerns: QUAD’s perceived anti-China tilt might strain India’s relationship with BRICS members like Russia and China.
Differing Priorities: Economic development might take precedence over security concerns in BRICS, potentially conflicting with QUAD’s focus on countering China.
Limited Progress: BRICS has faced criticism for its lack of concrete achievements due to internal differences and slow decision-making processes.
Balancing Act: Balancing relations with the US and China while maintaining strategic ambiguity is a delicate task.
Balancing Act Strategies:
Compartmentalization: India can compartmentalize its engagement with each group, focusing on specific areas of cooperation.
Transparency: Maintaining transparency with all partners about its strategic interests can minimize misunderstandings.
National Interest First: India should prioritize national interests and strategic autonomy while navigating its membership in both groups.
2. Governor's Immunity (Article 361)
CONTEXT: Supreme Court to review the scope of immunity granted to Governors under Article 361.
Prelims Perspective | |
In part: Part XIX of the Constitution of India
Article 361 is an exception to Article 14 (Right to Equality) of the Indian Constitution.
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Mains Issue |
Reason for Immunity: · Protects Governors from frivolous lawsuits and ensures they can discharge duties without fear of legal harassment. · Rooted in the principle “rex non potest peccare” (the king can do no wrong).
Interpretation by Courts: Ø Criminal Proceedings: SC has not definitively decided what constitutes “criminal proceedings” under Article 361(2). Issues like FIR registration, preliminary inquiries, and taking cognizance are under question. Ø Civil Proceedings: SC allows courts to examine the validity of Governor’s actions, even for malafides (bad faith), but only when discharging official duties (Rameshwar Prasad case). Ø Delaying Trial: SC can delay trial against Governors (Kalyan Singh case).
Case for Revisiting: o Potential violation of rights if accusations against Governor cannot be investigated while in office. o Evidence tampering concerns if investigation is delayed. o Debate on absolute immunity vs. accountability.
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3. Case Study: Pugedon's Vending Machine for Stray Animals
UPSC Exam Relevance:
This case study can be applied to answer questions related to:
- Urban governance and development
- Environmental issues and waste management
- Animal welfare and public health
- Social innovation and entrepreneurship
Issue: Istanbul has a large population of stray dogs (estimated 150,000) causing concerns for public health and safety, while some residents appreciate their presence.
Innovation: Pugedon, a Turkish company, created vending machines that dispense dog food in exchange for recycled plastic bottles. The profits from recycling cover the food costs. This initiative addresses both waste management and stray animal welfare.
Benefits:
- Reduces plastic waste through recycling.
- Provides food for stray animals, mitigating public health risks and potentially reducing aggression.
- Fosters a sense of civic responsibility by encouraging recycling for animal welfare.
Challenges:
- Long-term sustainability requires widespread adoption of the machines.
- Addressing the root cause of stray animals (abandonment) requires additional solutions.
Learning:
This case highlights the potential of innovative solutions to address complex urban issues. It demonstrates how:
- Public-private partnerships can tackle social and environmental challenges.
- Waste management programs can be designed with social benefits.
1. Nipah Virus- All you need to know |
CONTEXT: Kerela on alert as teenager dies of Nipah virus
4. Nipah Virus- All you need to know
UPSC Relevance: GS-II(Governance); GS-III: Science and Technology, Environment, DM
