Content:
- China ties — beware conciliation without deterrence.
- Colossal wastage that is food for thought
China ties — beware conciliation without deterrence.
Context and Current Shift
- India appears to be adopting a more conciliatory stance towards China, evident from PM Narendra Modi’s recent remarks on dialogue and stability.
- This shift follows a gradual improvement in India-China relations post-2020, despite continued structural rivalry.
- China reciprocated positively to Modi’s remarks, signaling an openness to diplomacy.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Practice Question : India-China relations have witnessed a shift towards conciliation. Analyze the factors behind this shift and discuss the risks of conciliation without deterrence. Suggest a balanced approach for India.(250 Words)
Factors Behind the Shift
- Post-2020 Normalization Efforts
- The Galwan Valley clashes (2020) resulted in a significant rupture.
- Despite border tensions, disengagement agreements were reached, and trade between India and China continued to grow.
- The October 2023 disengagement deal suggested a diplomatic thaw.
- Economic Considerations
- China’s economy is over four times larger than India’s, making economic stability a key priority.
- India seeks a stable and profitable economic relationship without military escalation.
- U.S. Policy Ambiguity
- The Modi government is closely watching the evolving U.S. stance, particularly under Trump.
- Trump’s administration has taken unpredictable positions, including:
- Tariffs on China but limited military confrontation.
- Suggesting reduced defense commitments.
- Pressuring allies like Japan and Taiwan to take more responsibility.
- India, though not dependent on U.S. military protection, has benefited from intelligence sharing and strategic cooperation.
- Geopolitical Uncertainties
- U.S. decisions, such as weakening Ukraine’s position, have raised concerns about the reliability of American commitments.
- India may view stabilizing ties with China as a hedge against uncertain U.S. support.
The Risk of Conciliation Without Deterrence
- Underinvestment in Military Modernization
- Despite heightened tensions, India’s defense budget as a percentage of GDP has been declining.
- A stabilization policy could be misinterpreted as an excuse to delay critical military investments.
- Modernization of key capabilities (e.g., submarines, fighter jets) requires long-term planning.
- China’s Consistent Aggression
- History suggests that China continues assertive actions despite diplomatic engagements (e.g., Doklam 2017, Galwan 2020).
- Modi-Xi summits in the past did not prevent border incursions.
- Maintaining Military Readiness and Alliances
- Operational cooperation with Quad partners (U.S., Japan, Australia) is essential.
- Joint exercises enhance military preparedness without locking India into rigid alliances.
- Strengthening deterrence ensures negotiations occur from a position of strength.
Way Forward: Balancing Conciliation with Strength
- Continue diplomatic engagement while ensuring robust military preparedness.
- Prioritize defense modernization—delayed investments will weaken deterrence over time.
- Enhance strategic autonomy by maintaining diversified partnerships without over-reliance on any single power.
- Retain leverage over China—a stabilizing approach should not translate into strategic complacency.
Colossal wastage that is food for thought
Context : Food wastage in India is a paradox, where surplus food is discarded while millions go hungry, highlighting economic, environmental, and social challenges.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance , Social Issues ,SDG’s)
Practice Question: Food wastage in India is both an economic loss and a moral failure. Discuss the causes, impacts, and possible solutions to tackle this issue in light of SDG 2 and SDG 12.3. (250 words)
The Scale of the Problem: Global and Indian Context
- Global Food Waste (2022): 1.05 billion tonnes wasted (~20% of available food).
- India’s Contribution: Ranks second after China in total food wastage.
- Household-Level Wastage:
- India: 55 kg per capita annually.
- US: 73 kg per capita annually.
- Despite lower per capita wastage, India’s large population makes the total waste volume massive.
- Economic Loss:
- Global food waste worth $1 trillion annually.
- India discards 78 million tonnes of food yearly.
- Hunger Paradox:
- 783 million people globally face hunger.
- In India, over 20 crore people sleep hungry daily.
Understanding Food Wastage vs. Food Loss
- Food Wastage (End of Supply Chain):
- Happens at households, retail, and restaurants.
- Caused by over-purchasing, improper storage, excessive cooking, and lack of consumer awareness.
- Food Loss (Beginning of Supply Chain):
- Due to poor transport, storage, and handling.
- Affects farmers, wholesalers, and distributors.
The Environmental and Climate Impact
- Resource Wastage:
- Agriculture requires land, water, and energy.
- Wasted food = wasted resources.
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:
- Food waste = 10%-12% of India’s municipal waste.
- Landfills produce methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than CO₂.
- Food waste alone contributes 8%-10% of global GHG emissions.
- If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter (after China and the US).
- Climate Change & Food Security:
- Rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, and extreme weather (droughts, floods) disrupt food production.
- Increased wastage worsens resource scarcity and food insecurity.
The Social and Economic Injustice of Food Waste
- Food Availability vs. Accessibility:
- India produces enough food, but poor distribution leads to hunger.
- SDG Targets at Risk:
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) – Wastage prevents food from reaching the needy.
- SDG 12.3 (Halving Food Waste by 2030) – Requires urgent systemic action.
- Economic Burden:
- Wastage increases food prices.
- Burden on waste management systems.
Addressing Food Waste: Actions at Multiple Levels
A. Individual-Level Actions
- Better Meal Planning: Buy only necessary groceries.
- Efficient Storage: Refrigerate perishables properly, use airtight containers.
- Creative Use of Leftovers: Repurpose excess food into soups, stir-fries, etc.
- Composting: Convert organic waste into vermicompost.
- Donations: Surplus food can be given to food banks or NGOs.
B. Systemic and Policy Reforms
- Cold Storage & Transportation:
- Improve rural storage to reduce post-harvest losses.
- Develop efficient logistics for food distribution.
- Food Redistribution Networks:
- Expand programmes like “Save Food Share Food”.
- Incentivize food-sharing apps and platforms.
- Retail & Hospitality Sector Responsibility:
- Encourage supermarkets to donate unsold food.
- Mandate restaurants to reduce plate waste.
- Public Awareness & Education:
- Schools and media campaigns to promote mindful consumption.
Forward & Backward Linkages
Backward Linkages (Root Causes)
- Inefficient supply chains → Poor storage, transport, and handling.
- Agricultural overproduction → Leads to unsold stock & wastage.
- Cultural habits → Excess cooking, wedding & festival feasts.
Forward Linkages (Impacts & Solutions)
- Economic Impact → Increased food prices, higher import dependency.
- Health Impact → Malnutrition due to food insecurity.
- Environmental Impact → More landfill waste, increased methane emissions.
- Policy Impact → Need for stringent food management policies & food security initiatives.
Conclusion: A Critical Juncture for India
- Addressing food wastage is essential for:
- Reducing carbon footprint.
- Ensuring food security.
- Minimizing social and economic inequality.
- Requires a multi-stakeholder approach:
- Government: Infrastructure investment, policy frameworks.
- Businesses: Sustainable retail & supply chain practices.
- Individuals: Responsible consumption & waste reduction.
- The solution is not just producing more food but valuing and conserving existing resources.
- “A nation that wastes its food fails its hungry.”
