Content:
- Navigating differences
- Heat plan
- India’s marginalised Parliament in budgetary affairs
- Charting a route for IORA under India’s chairship
Navigating differences
Context : India and New Zealand seek to deepen strategic and economic cooperation through defence, trade, and connectivity while navigating challenges related to China’s influence, market access, and diaspora-linked concerns.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Practice Question:
Discuss the evolving strategic and economic partnership between India and New Zealand in the context of shifting global geopolitics. Highlight the challenges and opportunities in their bilateral ties. (250 words)
New Zealand PM Luxon’s Key Geopolitical Shifts :
- Decline of rule-based order: Shift towards power-driven global politics.
- Security over economy: Increasing focus on national security in trade and diplomacy.
- From trade efficiency to protectionism: Rise of resilient supply chains among trusted partners.
India-New Zealand Strategic Cooperation
- Defence MoU Signed:
- Military cooperation, staff college exchanges, and naval port calls.
- Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Talks Revived:
- Current bilateral trade below $2 billion.
- Challenges: Market access for dairy and agriculture (India’s reason for RCEP exit).
- Enhanced Connectivity:
- Air India-Air New Zealand Codeshare Agreement signed.
- Potential direct flights by 2028.
Key Challenges in Relations
- New Zealand’s Stronger Trade Ties with China:
- Trade volume with China: ~$24 billion.
- Raises questions on diversification of economic partnerships.
- Khalistan Issue and Anti-India Protests:
- Reference to ‘Sikhs for Justice’ Khalistan referendum in Auckland (Nov 2023).
- New Zealand upholds free expression, but India sees it as an internal security concern.
- Publicly raising this issue risks dividing the 300,000-strong Indian diaspora.
Additional Dimensions of India-New Zealand Relations
1. Indo-Pacific Cooperation
- Both nations support a free, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
- New Zealand, though not part of the Quad, engages in regional dialogues with Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
2. India’s Importance for New Zealand
- Trade Diversification: Reducing dependence on China by expanding economic ties with India.
- Strategic Alignment: India’s large market and growing global influence make it a key partner for New Zealand.
3. Soft Power & People-to-People Ties
- Diaspora Influence: Over 300,000+ Indian-origin people in New Zealand serve as a cultural and economic bridge.
- Educational & Tourism Links: Growing cooperation in higher education, tourism, and professional exchanges.
- Cricket Diplomacy: A shared passion for cricket strengthens cultural bonds and enhances bilateral goodwill.
Conclusion: The Path Ahead
- Balancing economic interests and security concerns in Indo-Pacific collaboration.
- Private diplomatic engagement over sensitive issues like diaspora politics.
- Strategic alignment in defence and trade to strengthen bilateral relations.
Heat plan
Context : The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves in India signal the urgent need for a comprehensive national heat strategy that moves beyond short-term relief measures to long-term climate resilience planning.
Relevance : GS 1(Geography) , GS 3(Disaster Management )
Practice Question:
With rising global temperatures, heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense in India. Discuss the need for a comprehensive national heat strategy, highlighting the gaps in current preparedness and suggesting long-term mitigation and adaptation measures. (250 words)
Current Heatwave Trends in India
- Early Onset of Summer: February, typically classified as ‘winter‘ by the IMD, recorded unusually high temperatures across India.
- Heatwaves Reported: Goa and Maharashtra experienced official heatwaves in February; Odisha, Telangana, and Maharashtra recorded temperatures above 40°C.
- Rising Night Temperatures: 31 States/UTs saw night temperatures at least 1°C above normal, with 22 reporting anomalies of 3°C-5°C.
Scientific Warnings and Climate Realities
- New Climate Normals: Scientists predict more intense and frequent heatwaves due to rising land and sea temperatures.
- Heat Events as Disasters: Unlike floods and earthquakes, heatwaves lack structured disaster preparedness mechanisms.
Gaps in India’s Heatwave Preparedness
- Short-term Focus: Current measures include emergency responses like providing drinking water, adjusting work hours, and increasing hospital capacity.
- Lack of Long-term Plans: Cities lack structured strategies for:
- Household or workplace cooling for vulnerable populations.
- Insurance for workers facing income loss on extreme heat days.
- Fire management and electricity grid upgrades for heat resilience.
- Limited Monitoring & Urban Planning:
- Few cities invest in expanded local weather monitoring.
- Urban heat island mapping remains underdeveloped.
- Lack of heat-specific training for implementation authorities.
Mitigation vs. Adaptation: The Shift in Focus
- Slow Progress on Emissions Reductions: With global efforts to cut greenhouse gases lagging, adaptation measures are gaining importance.
- Challenges in Cooling Solutions:
- Increased cooling demand raises concerns about ozone-depleting refrigerants.
- Passive cooling and green infrastructure impact land prices and urban planning.
Need for a National Heat Strategy
- Integration with National Adaptation Plan: A holistic approach should be embedded in India’s climate resilience policies before COP30 in Brazil (November 2025).
- Key Strategic Measures:
- Sustainable Urban Planning: Passive cooling, green spaces, and targeted cooling interventions for vulnerable populations.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Resilient power grids, water conservation, and fire safety mechanisms.
- Policy & Governance: Legally binding heat action plans, worker protection laws, and cross-sectoral collaboration.
Conclusion
India needs to move beyond short-term emergency responses and develop a long-term national heat strategy to safeguard its people and economy from the increasing frequency of extreme heat events.
India’s marginalised Parliament in budgetary affairs
Context : India’s Parliament plays a marginal role in budgetary affairs, with executive dominance limiting legislative scrutiny, necessitating reforms like pre-Budget discussions and a Parliamentary Budget Office.
Relevance : GS 2(Polity)
Practice Question : India’s parliamentary role in budgetary affairs remains largely ceremonial, with limited legislative scrutiny over financial policies. Critically examine the need for greater parliamentary oversight in budget-making, suggesting key reforms to enhance transparency and accountability. (250 words)
Budget and Legislative Oversight: The Democratic Context
- Power of the Purse: Across democracies, legislatures exercise control over financial policies, ensuring fiscal discipline and transparency.
- Global Variations:
- Some parliaments actively draft and modify budget proposals.
- Others merely approve government proposals with minimal scrutiny.
- Budget Transparency: Stronger legislative participation correlates with better social outcomes and economic stability.
India’s Budgetary Process: Executive Dominance
- Minimal Legislative Influence:
- The Finance Ministry single-handedly crafts the Budget.
- Even Cabinet Ministers remain uninformed until its presentation in the Lok Sabha.
- Lack of Cabinet Scrutiny:
- Unlike legislative Bills, the Budget does not undergo detailed discussions before being introduced.
- This weakens parliamentary oversight and accountability.
- Role of Rajya Sabha:
- The Upper House has no substantive role in budget discussions.
- A Finance Minister from the Rajya Sabha cannot vote on their own Budget proposal in the Lok Sabha.
Decline of Parliamentary Authority Over Budget
- Weak Budget Debates:
- Parliamentary discussions on budgetary matters are often brief and ineffective.
- Subject committees lack the power to influence financial allocations significantly.
- Lack of Amendment Powers:
- Parliamentarians can only approve or reject the Budget but cannot introduce substantial changes.
- This reduces the legislature’s role to mere ratification.
Need for Institutional Reforms
A. Pre-Budget Discussions
- Purpose:
- Institutionalizing pre-budget discussions in the monsoon session.
- Allowing legislators to engage meaningfully in fiscal planning.
- Benefits:
- Enhances subject committee coordination.
- Encourages public participation and transparency.
- Ensures that budget allocations reflect national priorities.
B. Establishing a Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO)
- Objective: Providing independent, data-driven budgetary analysis to parliamentarians.
- Global Models: Inspired by the U.S. Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and similar institutions in Canada, Australia, and the U.K.
- Functions of a PBO:
- Conducts independent economic forecasts and fiscal impact assessments.
- Provides policy briefs to lawmakers for informed decision-making.
- Strengthens parliamentary oversight without infringing on executive authority.
Addressing Concerns Over Fiscal Discipline
- Fear of Populist Spending:
- Some economists argue that legislative power over budgets could lead to excessive spending.
- Need for Oversight:
- Leaving financial planning solely to the executive risks economic injustice and lack of accountability.
- Balanced Approach:
- Executive retains discretion but remains answerable to Parliament.
Reclaiming Parliamentary Authority Over Budgeting
- Beyond Procedural Reforms:
- Ensuring budgetary decisions reflect democratic deliberation rather than executive control.
- Strengthening representative democracy through legislative involvement.
- Expected Outcomes:
- More equitable economic policies.
- Greater budget transparency.
- Strengthened financial governance aligned with public interests.
Conclusion
- India’s current budgetary process sidelines Parliament, weakening its role in financial decision-making.
- By introducing pre-budget discussions and a Parliamentary Budget Office, India can empower its legislature to shape economic policies meaningfully.
- These reforms will ensure that financial governance reflects collective will, fostering a transparent, accountable, and democratic budgeting process.
Charting a route for IORA under India’s chairship
Context
- The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is a regional intergovernmental organization connecting Asia, Africa, and Australia through the Indian Ocean.
- India is currently the Vice-Chair and will assume Chairship in November 2025 for two years.
- India’s leadership focus: funding expansion, technology integration for policy-making, and maritime skill development.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Practice Question:
India’s upcoming chairship of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) presents both opportunities and challenges in strengthening regional cooperation. Discuss the key issues faced by IORA and suggest measures India can take to enhance its effectiveness. (250 words)
Significance of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and IORA
- Geostrategic Importance:
- Sub-region of Indo-Pacific but unique in economic and political aspects.
- Transports 75% of global trade and 50% of daily oil consumption.
- Produces $1 trillion in goods and services.
- Intra-IORA trade valued at $800 billion (2023).
- Challenges in the Region:
- Economic disparities: Poor development and unstable political systems.
- Environmental threats: Climate change, disasters, and marine degradation.
- Security risks: Piracy, terrorism, human and drug trafficking.
- IORA’s Role:
- Facilitating cooperation on maritime safety, trade, disaster risk management, and cultural ties.
- Driven by middle and small powers, unlike ASEAN which is more structured.
- Dialogue partners: U.S., China, and the EU.
Challenges Facing IORA
Inadequate Funding
- Member-funded and highly dependent on developing economies (except UAE, France, Singapore).
- Annual budget is very low (a few million dollars).
- Comparison:
- Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) budget: $1.3 billion (2020-25) for just five nations.
- IORA’s expanding engagements—blue economy, maritime security, technology—require major funding increases.
- Potential Solution:
- Engage private players (shipping, oil & gas, marine tourism).
- Establish consultative partnerships with industries contributing to the blue economy.
Institutional Weaknesses
- IORA Secretariat (Mauritius) is understaffed, limiting its operational efficiency.
- Lack of robust data management systems slows policy-making.
- Digitization & AI-driven analytics can improve governance, reduce errors, and aid quick policy assessments.
Need for Technological Upgradation
- IORA lags behind in adopting tech-driven governance.
- Integrating AI, data analytics, and blockchain for maritime governance can improve transparency and efficiency.
India’s Leadership and Policy Recommendations
Leverage SAGAR Vision for Strategic Coordination
- Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) aligns well with IORA’s goals.
- Strengthen India’s maritime diplomacy using bilateral ties with Australia, UAE, France, Singapore.
- Encourage coastal and island nations (Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mauritius) to contribute traditional marine governance knowledge.
Strengthen Collaborative Research and Education
- Research in marine sciences should be prioritized (Australia, France, Singapore have expertise).
- Industry-academia collaboration:
- Private sector must help design new maritime courses in partnership with universities.
- Marine accounting as an emerging field to support the blue economy.
- Encourage youth participation in maritime governance through research fellowships and training programs.
Institutionalizing Maritime Security & Disaster Management
- Develop a regional maritime security framework within IORA.
- Improve coordination on disaster risk management through real-time data sharing and early warning systems.
Creating a Sustainable Blue Economy Model
- Promote marine conservation policies while expanding fishing, trade, and tourism sustainably.
- Encourage investment from Gulf countries (UAE, Oman) for IORA development projects.
Conclusion
- IORA has vast potential for regional cooperation and economic development.
- India’s Chairship (2025-27) presents an opportunity to strengthen IORA’s governance, funding, and research capabilities.
- Key focus areas:
- Increasing funding through private partnerships.
- Integrating technology for policy-making.
- Strengthening academic and industrial collaboration.
- India must ensure IORA evolves into a robust and proactive institution, ensuring sustainable development and security in the Indian Ocean region.
