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  • Significance of recent judgments in UAPA cases

    Recent judgements involving UAPA highlights the issues with certain provisions resulting in long years of undertrial imprisonment.

    Context

    In the past week, three seminal judgments involving the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA) have been delivered. While these judgments are welcome developments, they also remind us that thousands continue to languish under the UAPA regime.

    Issues with the provisions of UAPA

    • Originally enacted in 1967, the UAPA was amended to be modelled as an anti-terror law in 2004 and 2008.
    • The period of detention is increased, enlarging the period of custody prior to which default bail cannot be granted.
    • Regular bail is subject to the satisfaction of the judge that no prima facie case exists.
    • Bail apart, the dilatory trial procedures ensure lengthy periods of pre-trial incarceration for the accused who are presumed guilty of heinous terror crimes.

    NCRB data reveal long years of undertrial imprisonment

    • As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, a total of 4,231 FIRs were filed under various sections of the UAPA between 2016 and 2019.
    •  While the number of acquittals is low,  the real picture emerges in the pendency rates.
    • The pendency rate at the level of police investigation is very high, at an average of 83 per cent.
    • This denotes that chargesheets are filed by the police on an average in about 17 per cent of the total cases taken up for investigation.
    • The rate of pendency at the level of trial is at an average of 95.5 per cent.
    • This indicates that trials are completed every year in less than 5 per cent cases.

    What did the courts say in various judgements?

    • The Supreme Court, in Union of India v K A Najeeb, held that despite restrictions on bail under the UAPA, constitutional courts can still grant bail on the grounds that the fundamental rights of the accused have been violated.
    • In Asif Iqbal Tanha v State of NCT of Delhi, the Delhi High Court took this reasoning a step further, holding that it would not be desirable for courts to wait till the accused’s rights to a speedy trial are entirely vitiated before they are set at liberty.
    • Courts should exercise foresight, and in cases with hundreds of prosecution witnesses where a trial will not see a conclusion for years to come, courts should apply the principles laid down in Najeeb.

    Way forward

    •  Even within the constraints of the UAPA, much can be achieved if a responsive and independent judiciary follows the basic principles of natural justice and due process.
    • But access to the judiciary remains limited for most of the thousands incarcerated under this widely-used law.

    Conclusion

    The governments need to consider the issue of pendency of cases under UAPA and take steps to address the issues by either repealing certain provisions or ensuring speedy trials.

  • BT Cotton adoption in Punjab has resulted in net economic, environmental benefits

    Amid the perpetual debate surrounding BT cotton’s positive and negative impacts, a recent study has said its adoption in Punjab in the past over a decade has resulted in net economic and environmental benefits.

    Background

    • BT (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton has been commercially grown in India for the past 19 years.
    • The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) approved the release of BT cotton for commercial cultivation in 2002 in western and southern parts of the country.
    • In Punjab, BT cotton was released for cultivation in 2005.
    • Before the release, it was adopted by 72% farmers on 22% of the cotton area. However, a lot of questions have been raised recently on its impact.

    BT cotton in India

    • BT cotton is a genetically modified organism (GMO) or genetically modified pest resistant plant cotton variety, which produces an insecticide to combat bollworm.
    • Strains of the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis produce over 200 different BT toxins, each harmful to different insects.
    • Most notably, BT toxins are insecticidal to the larvae of moths and butterflies, beetles, cotton bollworms and flies but are harmless to other forms of life.
    • In 2002, a joint venture between Monsanto and Mahyco introduced BT cotton to India.
    • In 2011, India grew the largest GM cotton crop at 10.6 million hectares.

    Issues with BT cotton

    • In India, BT cotton has been enveloped in controversies due to its supposed failure to reduce the need for pesticides and increase yield.
    • The link between the introduction of BT cotton to India and a surge in farmer suicides has been refuted by other studies with decreased farmer suicides since BT cotton was introduced.
    • BT cotton accounts for 93% of cotton grown in India.
    • Maharashtra banned the sale and distribution of BT cotton in 2012, to promote local Indian seeds, which demand less water, fertilizers and pesticide input.

    What is the new study about?

    Success of BT in Punjab

    • The research was funded by the Agricultural Extension Division of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research under extramural project “Impact evaluation of integrated pest management technologies”.
    • It found that since the commercialization of BT cotton:
    1. there has been reduction in insecticide use by volume and applications,
    2. decline in environmental and human health impact associated with insecticide use,
    3. more reduction in the use of highly hazardous and riskiest insecticides, and
    4. reduction in the expenses associated with insecticide use.
    5. Cotton yields in the past 13 years have been stable, the only exception being 2015

    Now its’ time to answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as: (CSP 2017)

    (a) Pesticides in agriculture

    (b) Preservatives in processed foods

    (c) Fruit-ripening agents

    (d) Moisturizing agents in cosmetics

  • What govt proposes to change in film certification

    The Centre has recently released the draft Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021 to the general public for comments.

    Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2021

    • The new draft proposes to amend the Cinematograph Act of 1952 with some provisions.
    • It seeks to give the Centre “revisionary powers” and enable it to “re-examine” films already cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

    A look at what the draft proposes to change:

    (a) Revision of certification

    • This will equip the Centre with revisionary powers on account of violation of Section 5B(1) (principles for guidance in certifying films).
    • The current Act, in Section 6, already equips the Centre to call for records of proceedings in relation to a film’s certification.
    • The Ministry of I&B explained that the proposed revision “means that the Central Government, if the situation so warranted, has the power to reverse the decision of the Board”.
    • Currently, because of a judgment by the Karnataka High Court, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in November 2020, the Centre cannot use its revisionary powers on films that have already been granted a certificate by the CBFC.

    Issues

    • The draft comes shortly after the abolition of the Film Certificate Appellate Tribunal, which was the last point of appeal for filmmakers against the certificate granted to their film.
    • The draft has been criticized by filmmakers and term it a “super censor”.

    (b) Age-based certification

    • The draft proposes to introduce age-based categorisation and classification. Currently, films are certified into three categories — ‘U’ for unrestricted public exhibition; ‘U/A’ that requires parental guidance for children under 12; and ‘A’ for adult films.
    • The new draft proposes to divide the categories into further age-based groups: U/A 7+, U/A 13+ and U/A 16+.
    • This proposed age classification for films echoes the new IT rules for streaming platforms.

    (c) Provision against piracy

    • The Ministry noted that at present, there are no enabling provisions to check film piracy in the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
    • The draft proposes to add Section 6AA that will prohibit unauthorized recording.
    • The proposed section states, no person shall, without the written authorization of the author, be permitted to make an audio-visual recording device.
    • Violation shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term of not less than three months and may extend to three years and with a fine which shall not be less than Rs 3 lakh which may extend to 5 per cent of the audited gross production cost or with both.

    (d) Eternal certificate

    • The draft proposes to certify films for perpetuity.
    • Currently, a certificate issued by the CBFC is valid only for 10 years.

  • Retreating Monsoon is a global phenomenon: Study

    Rainfall during retreating monsoon, which parts of South India experience every year, is not a local anomaly and is global in nature and scale, according to a recent study by the University of Sydney.

    What is Retreating Monsoon?

    • In India, retreating monsoon is the withdrawal of south-west monsoon winds from North India.
    • The withdrawal is gradual and takes about three months.
    • With the retreat of the monsoons, the clouds disappear and the sky becomes clear. The day temperature starts falling steeply.
    • Monsoon rains weaken all over India except few southeastern states.
    • It is helpful in Rabi crop cultivation.

    What has the research found?

    • The research has identified regions in the northern hemisphere that receive the bulk of the rainfall during September, October and November and southern hemisphere that receive most of the rainfall from March to August.
    • The discovery that these are part of a global pattern and not one-off occurrences means they can be systematically studied, which will help understand how these communities could be affected by climate change.
    • Peninsular India and parts of South-East Asia are among the eight regions examined in the study.

    Factors affecting the retreat

    • The eight global regions identified by the study that receive most of their rainfall after summer, have several things in common.
    • They lie on the eastern fringes of landmasses and are in close proximity to mountain ranges with modest heights.

    Two predominant factors cause the phenomenon:

    • First, the low mountain range in each region runs from north to south, shielding it from west-bound winds that trigger summer monsoon.
    • After summer, the range aids in the ‘orographic lift’ or rising of east-bound air mass from a lower to higher elevation, forming clouds and resulting in rain.
    • The second factor is atmospheric convection or vertical movement of air.
    • As the earth is heated by the sun, different surfaces absorb different amounts of energy and convection may occur where the surface heats up very rapidly.
    • As the surface warms, it heats the overlying air, which gradually becomes less dense than the surrounding air and begins to rise.
    • This condition is more favorable from September to February because of the role played by sea surface temperature or water temperature.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.The seasonal reversal of winds is the typical characteristic of:

    (a) Equatorial climate

    (b) Mediterranean climate

    (c) Monsoon climate

    (d) All of the above climates

  • [pib] Amendments to the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020

    For the purposes of preventing unfair trade practices in e-commerce, the Central Government had notified the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 with effect from 23 July 2020.

    Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020

    The proposed amendments aim to bring transparency in the e-commerce platforms and further strengthen the regulatory regime to curb the prevalent unfair trade practices.

    The proposed amendments are as follows:

    (a) Chief Compliance Officer

    • To ensure compliance of the rules, the appointment of Chief Compliance Officer, a nodal contact person for 24×7 coordination with law enforcement agencies, officers to ensure compliance to their orders and Resident Grievance Officer for redressing of the grievances of the consumers on the e-commerce platform, has been proposed.
    • This would ensure effective compliance with the provisions of the Act and Rules and also strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism on e-commerce entities.

    (b) Registration of e-coms

    • Putting in place a framework for registration of every e-commerce entity with the DPIIT for allotment of a registration number which shall be displayed prominently on the website as well as invoice of every order placed by the e-commerce entity.
    • This would help create a database of genuine e-commerce entities and ensure that the consumers are able to verify the genuineness of an e-commerce entity before transacting through their platform.

    (c) Prohibition of miss-selling

    • The goods and services entities selling goods or services by deliberate misrepresentation of information have been prohibited.

    (d) Expiry dates

    • This would ensure that consumers are aware of the expiry date of the products they are buying on the e-commerce platform.
    • It compels all sellers on marketplace e-commerce entities and all inventory e-commerce entities to provide the best before or use before the date to enable consumers to make an informed purchase decision.

    (e) Fair and equal treatment

    • It has been provided that where an e-commerce entity offers imported goods or services, it shall incorporate a filter mechanism to identify goods based on country of origin and suggest alternatives to ensure fair opportunity to domestic goods.

    (f) Fall-back liability

    • This would ensure that consumers are not adversely affected in the event where a seller fails to deliver the goods or services due to negligent conduct by such seller in fulfilling the duties and liabilities.

    Why need such an amendment?

    It was observed that there was an evident lack of regulatory oversight in e-commerce which required some urgent action.

    • Manipulating search results: Moreover, the rapid growth of e-commerce platforms has also brought into the purview the unfair trade practices of the marketplace e-commerce entities engaging in manipulating search result to promote certain sellers.
    • Preferential treatment: This includes preferential treatment to some sellers, indirectly operating the sellers on their platform, impinging the free choice of consumers, selling goods close to expiration etc.
    • Flash sales: Certain e-commerce entities are engaging in limiting consumer choice by indulging in “back to back” or “flash” sales. This prevents a level playing field and ultimately limits customer choice and increases prices.

    Check this PYQ from CSP 2012:

    Q. With reference to consumer’s rights / privileges under the provision of law in India which of the following statements correct?

    1. Consumer are empowered to take samples for food testing
    2. When consumer fi les a complaint in any consumer forum, no fee is required to be paid.
    3. In case of death of consumer, his/her legal heir can file a complaint in the consumer forum on his/her behalf.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a) Only 1

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Stop Reading The Same Things Over And Over Again, There’s A Better Way

    Stop Reading The Same Things Over And Over Again, There’s A Better Way

    Attend FREE Habitat sessions here

    Suppose you started reading Laxmikant to prepare for questions on Indian Constitution. 

    What do you do? You read through it, answer the questions in the book, and gradually complete the syllabus. 

    What do you do next? You pick up mock questions and try solving them. 

    While solving the question paper, you realise that you have missed some points. What do you do then? You go back to Lakshmikant and read that chapter again.

    Now, this is not a one time thing. Every time you discover that you have missed a concept or cannot solve a particular question, you go back to the book and read it again. Basically, you spend a lot of time reading the same material over and over again without feeling confident that you will definitely solve the questions. Is this the smart way of preparing for your exams or could there be a better way?

    And you are not alone. Most of the students do the same thing and waste a lot of time and effort in reading the same things without feeling completely confident about it. Would it not be better if you could spend this time on reading some other material or preparing for your optional subject? Wouldn’t it be better if you read the syllabus once or maybe twice and felt confident about it?

    What if we tell you that you can gain absolute mastery over the subject, not only constitution but all of them, without going through the same material multiple times? What if we tell you that there is a better way, a smarter way?

    So, what is the smarter way?

    We spoke with hundreds of aspirants who have cracked the exam and they revealed the secret that helped them succeed. The secret was ‘discussion.’

    Habitat discussions – a smarter way.

    In fact, every aspirant who has succeeded will tell you that they engaged with their peers and mentors in numerous discussions to understand the topics comprehensively. Successful aspirants will tell you that they got a comprehensive understanding of the topics by participating in thorough discussions with other aspirants. 

    Why do they do this?

    Engaging in discussions helped these successful candidates in clearing their doubts. It helped them get a broader perspective on the subject and it helped them find new ways of answering questions without having to read the same material over and over again. 

    They learned through conversations!

    How can you do the same?

    Well, at Habitat, we have highly focused aspirants engaging in thorough discussions on the most relevant topics, everyday. They are guided by experienced mentors who engage in the conversation and keep it concentrated on the topic. We make sure that every aspirant on Habitat learns at their own pace but in an efficient manner. 

    The aspirants in our clubs get the following benefits:

    • Completion of the syllabus? No problem
    • Intense revision? Done
    • Detailed discussion? Of course
    • Answer writing practice? Yes
    • A focused approach to studies? Indeed
    • Doubt clearing? Obviously

    We make sure that you have everything that you need to succeed! 

    All you need to do is give it a shot! So, go ahead and try out one of our clubs. Or just speak with us for free! 

    We promise that you will find learning much easier and feel more confident going for your exam.

    free Discussions on Habitat – Current affairs, Answer writing, IR, Economics, and more

  • Corporates need commitment to sustainability and community alongside pursuit of profit

    The article calls the corporates to adopt new capitalism in the aftermath of the pandemic which involves alongside the profit motives the commitment to giving back.

    Capitalism in the aftermath of Covid-19

    • The 2008 crisis was caused by the excesses of global finance, whereas the 2020 economic crisis was caused by a pandemic that spilled over to the economy.
    • While the current pandemic is the first of its kind in nine decades, the dire economic consequences are very similar to that global financial crisis just a decade ago.
    • What is also similar is the policy response that has followed both the 2008 and 2020 crises — the Keynesian prescription of the government stimulating a depressed economy by using monetary and fiscal instruments.
    • Cheap liquidity preserves the wealth of the asset-owning classes even as the real economy stalls.
    •  However, over-stretched governments head towards a debt/fiscal crisis which eventually forces austerity, hitting those dependent on government handouts.
    • It is this inequality in outcomes that is unlikely to happen this time.
    • Already, the G-7 has pledged to maintain a minimum level of corporation tax.
    • There have also been calls for additional taxation, particularly on the assets of the wealthy.

    What corporates can do

    • Instead of waiting for governments to react under popular pressure, corporates must themselves set out on a different path.
    • Covid-19 has brought home the fragility of human life and the deeply interconnected fate of humanity.
    • Outside of the pandemic, there is no better example of this than climate change which, if left uncontrolled, could devastate the world.
    • While governments negotiate, corporates must respond with voluntary commitments to mitigate climate change.
    • Climate change mitigation should be at the core of all business models going forward.
    • In addition, promoters need to come forward to pledge more of their wealth towards philanthropy.
    •  India implemented the concept of corporate social responsibility as part of its legal framework a decade ago.

    Investor pressure for action towards environment

    • The ability of the private sector to work for the greater good seems implausible.
    • But it is already happening — not because of government regulation, but because of investor pressure.
    • Progressive actions towards the environment and society are being rewarded by investors.
    • The absence of such progressive actions is being penalised.
    • Market forces are, after all, embedded in society.
    • They are perfectly capable of moving beyond profit.

    Threat of new-age tech capitalism

    • The real challenge for society, government and capitalists comes from the new-age tech capitalists.
    • They are the new monopolists or oligopolists who don’t exercise their power over society by charging a supernormal price.
    • In fact, a lot of them provide goods and services at hefty discounts.
    • Instead, what they seek is to control information and influence choices.
    • Many of the promoters of such enterprises are philanthropists but society and governments have a different set of concerns on how they exercise power.

    Conclusion

    An imperfect world is passing through a perfect storm. There will be big changes on the other side. Capitalism will survive. It could thrive by choosing its own pathway or it could stumble along under the hammer of big government fuelled by populist backlash.

  • UPSC Prelims Strategy Demystified|| Register and get ART of Tikdam Handbook curated by AIR 20

    UPSC Prelims Strategy Demystified|| Register and get ART of Tikdam Handbook curated by AIR 20

    Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook by Dr Vipin Garg (UPSC Rank 20) on your registered email.

    CLICK HERE FOR PRELIMS MENTORSHIP AND TIKDAM HANDBOOK

    Prelims can be scary.

    The preliminary Stage is the first step to your LBSNAA dream. More than 5 lakh candidates appear for prelims every year. But only 10,000 to 13,000 students make it for Mains. This stage is known for its BRUTAL ELIMINATION.

    Many toppers have struggled with prelims !! Even the level of questions in prelims have been raised by UPSC – It is becoming more tricky, less factual, and more conceptual.

    WHAT IS THE BEST STRATEGY FOR PRELIMS?

    Never forget your basics.

    • Revision: Your static syllabus should be revised at least 2-3 times before you sit for your prelims paper. Make no mistake of thinking that only current affairs can help you sail through the examination. The static portion has its own importance, don’t ignore it.
    • Attempt UPSC previous year paper: It is a crime if you go for prelims paper without attempting the last 10 years UPSC prelims papers, Period
    • Attempt Mock Tests: More mocks means more practice, more revisions, and fewer mistakes on the D – Day.

    If you are secure with these basic steps then what’s next?

    WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO SECURE PRELIMS?

    Mentorship: Mentorship can help you prepare more efficiently for prelims. Both 2021 and 2022 students can benefit from Mentorship.

    For 2021students, the prelims is within 3.5 months. You still have 1 month, where you can plan and strategize for prelims. Our mentors can gauge your level of preparation, help you with your doubts and suggest the last-minute MUST preparatory tools for prelims.

    For 2022 students, it is important that you start on the right path. Get in contact with our mentorship program to take benefits of customized schedule, on-call doubt resolutions, and weekly calls for performance evaluation.

    Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

    CLICK HERE FOR PRELIMS MENTORSHIP AND TIKDAM HANDBOOK

    Tikdam: UPSC is an intelligent test taker. It not only wants to test your comprehension (of syllabus) but also your ability to perform under pressure (& lack of information). How would you solve a “factual” question which gives an illusion of the necessity of “rote-learning”? By ensuring that your core fundamentals are strong and then using the Art of Tikdams to go for the best approximation among the answer choices!

    We have been hammering on the importance of logical thinking and the art of Tikdam along with sound preparation as essential ingredients to clear prelims examination for quite some time now.

    Make no mistake, this is a GOLDMINE of practical wisdom.

    Click on the link provided to experience our Mentorship through a free mentorship call and as added bonus you can also get FREE ‘Art of Tikdam’ Handbook on your registered email.

    CLICK HERE FOR PRELIMS MENTORSHIP AND TIKDAM HANDBOOK

    Art of Tikdam Handbook – Description

    This is an advanced level compilation on choicest IAS Prelims questions, penned down by Vipin Garg, AIR 20 (CSE 2015).

    These 20 pages contain elaborate expositions on the application of what we at Civilsdaily refer to as TIKDAMS.

    With 19 questions & unique explanations using the 3 types of Tikdam approaches, we present to you this unprecedented piece of literature in the history of IAS Prelims Approach Methodology.

  • 22nd June 2021| Daily Answer Writing Enhancement(AWE)

    Topics for Today’s questions:

    GS-1  Population and associated issues

    GS-2   Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interest


    GS-3  Transport and Marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints;

     

    GS-4  Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.

    Questions:

    Question 1)

     

    Q.1) Various socio-economic problems of India are associated with the high population. However there is a change of perception about India’s population which now seen as a opportunity then a burden. Comment. (15 Marks)

     

    Question 2)

    Q.2) Notwithstanding the cataclysmic changes in the global and regional politico-security environment, India has been able to maintain amicable ties with Russia. Yet, recent events point to divergent perspectives of the two countries. Comment. (10 marks)

    Question 3)

    Q.3) Rice and sugar form the major part of India’s agri-export basket. However, there are concerns over their export sustainability. What are the reasons for concerns and suggest the measure to deal with these concerns? (10 marks)

    Question 4)  

    Q.4) Truth does not emerge by itself. It is only through a conflict of opposing views that truth emerges. In the light of above statement give the views of John Stuart mill on freedom of expression with reference to Indian democracy.(10 marks)

     

    HOW TO ATTEMPT ANSWERS IN DAILY ANSWER WRITING ENHANCEMENT(AWE)?

    1. Daily 4 questions from General studies 1, 2, 3, and 4 will be provided to you.

    2. A Mentor’s Comment will be available for all answers. This can be used as a guidance tool but we encourage you to write original answers.

    3. You can write your answer on an A4 sheet and scan/click pictures of the same.

    4.  Upload the scanned answer in the comment section of the same question.

    5. Along with the scanned answer, please share your Razor payment ID, so that paid members are given priority.

    6. If you upload the answer on the same day like the answer of 1st June is uploaded on 1st June then your answer will be checked within 72 hours. Also, reviews will be in the order of submission- First come first serve basis

    7. If you are writing answers late, for example, 1st June is uploaded on 3rd June, then these answers will be evaluated as per the mentor’s schedule.

    8. We encourage you to write answers on the same day. However, if you are uploading an answer late then tag the mentor like @Swatantra so that the mentor is notified about your answer.

    *In case your answer is not reviewed, reply to your answer saying *NOT CHECKED*. Swatantra Sir’s tag is available, tag him.

    For the philosophy of AWE and payment: 

    CLICK HERE To join Daily AWE

  • [RSTV Archive] India-China Ties Post-Galwan

    There has been one year since the Galwan Valley clash in which 20 of our soldiers lost their lives and a number of Chinese troops were also killed. Both in terms of geography and numbers, China’s intrusion was neither local nor limited. This incident is touted to be the biggest face-off since the 1962 war.

    Background: LAC Dispute

    • In what was the worst clash between the two countries in over 40 years, the Galwan incident reverberated around the world.
    • The casualties in the clash were the first in the disputed Sino-Indian border since 1975.
    • The Galwan episode led to a rapid build-up of forces on both sides of the Line of Actual Control.
    • This incident is being seen as major punctuation in the bilateral relations between India and China and what does the future hold for both neighbors.

    Disengagement is yet incomplete

    • Following multiple rounds of talks both at the military and diplomatic levels, an agreement was made on de-escalation and disengagement from all friction points in Ladakh.
    • So far, the two militaries have disengaged only in the Pangong Tso lake area.
    • But other hotspots remain, including the Chinese intrusions in the Depsang plains, Galwan, Goghra and Hot Springs. 
    • Unless the Chinese troops vacate and redeploy along the pre-standoff alignment, a deep dive rebooting of ties might be impossible to commence. 

    Where did China focus during these clashes?

    • Chinese focused mainly on Siachin, Galwan areas, Depsang plateau, Kailash Range.
    • This is the side where India always wanted to create a buffer zone since the 1962 war.

    What is China’s consideration?

    • There are many theories why China did so, what are its intention.
    • Chinese are demanding area in Depsang side, North Bank of Pangong Tso.
    • Infringement and stalemate persist in these areas since both countries clashed one year ago.
    • China is living in denial.
    • India is in no mood to ignore the “new realities” on the ground, and go ahead with a full- blown trade, commercial and people-to-people relationship between the two civilizational states.

    Did India just win at the Line of Actual Control?

    Military deterrence and economic and diplomatic maneuvering could not have altered China’s cost-benefit calculus on their own.

    • If China had aimed to coerce India into accepting its territorial claims along the LAC, the massacre at Galwan Valley emboldened New Delhi’s resolve to fight back.
    • Militarily, the effort marked the biggest mobilization of the Indian Armed Forces in recent decades.
    • What followed was a concerted effort to use all of the economic, diplomatic, and military power at India’s disposal to push China to return to the status quo—what it called a “strategy of hurt.”
    • This strategy communicated a simple dictum to Beijing: China should remove its soldiers and its bases, or India would inflict economic, diplomatic, and military costs.
    • Diplomatically, too, India embraced the West more firmly, signing an agreement that furthers military cooperation between the US and QUAD.   It also sent an Indian destroyer to the South China Sea,

    Repercussions of this incident

    • The border has gone beyond the red line; it has become a major constraint between the two nations.
    • Chinese will try to link the border issue to another thing: G7, QUAD, Pandemic, Virus is not natural, Chinese involvement in this, Australia joining Malabar exercise.
    • But above everything, geopolitics still remain. Our EAM, S Jaishankar has outrightly clarified that it cannot be business as usual with China.

    A lesson for the world

    • Due to increasing engagement of India with the alliances like QUAD, G 7, etc., it is understandably palpable to China regarding the act of deterrence being showcased by the rest of the world.
    • The QUAD, NATO and G7 are identifying China as a malign competitor, which has hegemonic ambitions in guise of trade.
    • The Wuhan Lab Leak theory has raised eyebrows about China’s alleged role in the Coronavirus spread.
    • In any case, the skirmishes with China are global incidences of utmost importance in cognizance with what China does in the South China Sea or Hong Kong.

    Roadmap for the world

    • Major countries have a heavy dependency on trade with China which all of a sudden cannot be de-linked.
    • Thus China is a largely globalized country. Nations need to change this and create new alignments.
    • India has to create its own upliftment and reduce dependence on China.

    The ball is in China’s court, so the future moves depend on whether it accepts peace in the border through talks or it disengages on its own.

    Lessons for China

    China needs to scan carefully if it wishes a durable, good neighborly relationship with India:

    1. First, China must not impede India’s rise as a global heavyweight. China should stop being conspicuous in denying India’s presence in other international decision-making bodies such as the UNSC, NSG etc.
    2. Second, China needs to appreciate that India too is a deep civilizational state, whose cultural bandwidth extends from Southeast Asia to West Asia.
    3. Finally, after years of friction, India wants to settle the border issue with China once and for all.

    Way forward for India

    • Since the Galwan incident, it is understandable that Indian forces remain vigilant throughout.
    • India is now considering to explore all avenues which will make itself atma-nirbhar.

    Conclusion

    • Both sides have a history of prolonged and armed coexistence normally.
    • Only a truly effective and general military deterrent will help India stand up to China’s bullying.
    • And New Delhi today seems more determined than ever to move in that direction.
    • This is likely to be a new phase in not only Sino-Indian ties but also the geopolitics of the larger Indo-Pacific.

    Reference:

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