PM IAS EDITORIAL ANALYSIS – JAN 17

Editorial#1 India’s Role in Global Peace Initiatives Amidst Great Anniversaries

Context

As the world commemorates key anniversaries of historic peace initiatives in 2025, it is imperative for India to assume a proactive role in championing global disarmament and peace. With the absence of towering intellectuals like Bertrand Russell, Albert Einstein, and Joseph Rotblat to warn the world of existential threats, nations must rise collectively to avert catastrophic outcomes.

Introduction: The Lessons of Calamity

History teaches us that disasters, whether natural or human-made, strike unexpectedly, catching humanity unprepared. Much like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami or the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles, nuclear calamities, if unleashed, will leave humanity with irreversible devastation. Unlike natural disasters, however, nuclear threats are preventable with concerted action.

The Nuclear Age: A Reflection on the Past

• Trinity Test and Hiroshima-Nagasaki: The dawn of the nuclear age began with the Trinity Test on July 16, 1945, followed by the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki within a month. These events, marking their 80th anniversaries, killed over 2,00,000 civilians and left physicists like J. Robert Oppenheimer quoting the Bhagavad Gita to describe the enormity of the destruction.
• Russell-Einstein Manifesto: Ten years later, in 1955, the Russell-Einstein Manifesto called for disarmament, warning that humanity must “remember its humanity and forget the rest.” This plea for peace remains relevant as the world now faces heightened nuclear risks.

The 70th Anniversary of the Avadi Resolution

India has a rich legacy of advocating for peace. On January 17, 1955, the Indian National Congress, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and C. Rajagopalachari, passed the Avadi Resolution, which called for the total prohibition of weapons of mass destruction. It anticipated the concerns of the Russell-Einstein Manifesto and reflected India’s moral and political stance against nuclear armament.

Current Global Nuclear Scenario

• Rising Threats: The nuclear landscape today is fraught with peril. Russia’s revised nuclear doctrine and the proliferation of nuclear technology among non-state actors pose significant risks.
• Global Arsenal: Despite reductions since the Cold War, the world still possesses approximately 12,100 nuclear warheads across nine countries, including India. The potential for annihilation remains alarmingly real.
• Diminished Leadership: Unlike in the past, there are no prominent global voices warning against the dangers of nuclear escalation. Negotiations for disarmament have become a ritual devoid of urgency, even as the world edges closer to catastrophe.

India’s Historical Contributions to Disarmament

• Rajiv Gandhi’s Action Plan (1988): India’s commitment to peace was reaffirmed by Rajiv Gandhi’s visionary plan for a nuclear weapons-free world order. This initiative emphasized India’s role as a global leader in advocating for non-violence and disarmament.
• Scientific and Political Inputs: India’s leadership has historically blended scientific insight with political will, as seen in the Avadi Resolution and subsequent efforts.

The Need for Renewed Leadership

As a responsible nuclear power, India must reclaim its leadership role in global peace initiatives. The world is at a crossroads, with nuclear deterrence becoming a dangerous doctrine and geopolitical tensions escalating. India’s position as a rising global power gives it the moral authority and strategic leverage to convene a global dialogue on disarmament and peace.

Proposed Actions for India

1. Initiate a Global Peace Conference: India should lead efforts to organize a conference addressing the risks of nuclear proliferation and weapons of mass destruction, akin to the spirit of the Avadi Resolution.
2. Collaborate with Global Powers: Engage with nuclear-armed states, including Russia, the U.S., and China, to promote arms control agreements and reduce stockpiles.
3. Strengthen Non-Proliferation Mechanisms: Reinforce its commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) frameworks.
4. Promote Human-Centric Diplomacy: Advocate for the Russellian ethos of prioritizing humanity over militaristic pursuits.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

In this year of significant anniversaries, India has an opportunity to honor its legacy and redefine its role on the global stage. By spearheading efforts for disarmament and peace, India can not only uphold the ideals of Nehruvian and Gandhian philosophy but also secure a future free from the shadow of nuclear devastation. As the Avadi Resolution aptly stated, the call for disarmament is not merely about halting belligerence but about saving humanity itself.

Editorial#2 An Alliance of Democracies with India at Its Core

Context

In 2024, the world witnessed a super-election year, setting the stage for 2025 to emerge as a critical year for democracies to regroup, collaborate, and redefine global leadership. A practical and robust partnership between Europe, India, and the United States is essential to counter global challenges and leverage democratic synergies. For too long, EU-India relations have been bogged down in protracted negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), while the broader geostrategic potential of this relationship remains untapped.

Reimagining EU-India Relations

The Bigger Picture: Strategic Cooperation Beyond Trade

1. Moving Beyond Negotiations: While a comprehensive trade deal may not materialize immediately, the focus must shift to higher-order strategic issues such as economic security, defense cooperation, and advancements in space and emerging technologies.
2. Europe’s Frustrations and India’s Realities:
   • Europe has expressed discontent with India’s neutral stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
   • However, India’s ties with Russia are rooted in history, and its rivalry with China, despite economic interdependence, underscores its unique geopolitical calculus.
3. Acknowledging Double Standards: Europe’s economic reliance on China complicates its demand for India to sever ties with Russia, highlighting the need for a balanced approach.

India’s Geopolitical Stance

India’s Balancing Act

As a growing economy, India seeks to avoid entanglement in the emerging division between democratic and autocratic blocs. However, its democratic ethos aligns it more naturally with Europe and the U.S., making closer collaboration logical and mutually beneficial.

Common Threat Perceptions

1. China-Russia Partnership: The “No Limits” partnership between China and Russia poses a significant threat to democratic nations worldwide.
2. Interlinked Security Realms: Events in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific are interconnected, necessitating joint efforts to strengthen trade, investment, and security measures.

Strengthening Defense and Technology Collaboration

Defense Cooperation

1. India-U.S. Collaboration: India’s role as a “Major Defense Partner” of the U.S. and its membership in the Quad (Asia-Pacific NATO) highlight its strategic importance.
2. EU’s Role:
   • Accelerate EU-India defense discussions, elevate them to the highest political levels, and promote European investment in India’s defense industries.
   • The EU’s newly established Defense Commissioner should prioritize visiting India to foster collaboration in defense and space.

Technology Partnerships

1. Trade and Technology Council (TTC):
   • The EU-India TTC mirrors a similar council between the EU and the U.S., but its potential remains underutilized.
   • Drawing lessons from the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), the TTC can promote high-level strategic collaboration.
2. Emerging Technology Race:
   • With China leading in 57 of 64 critical emerging technologies, the democratic world faces a significant challenge.
   • India’s growing role as a hub of research innovation and Europe’s expertise can complement U.S. advancements to counter China’s dominance.

Building a Practical Relationship

Tangible Outcomes

A pragmatic EU-India relationship must prioritize:

1. Reducing Dependencies on China: Establishing alternative supply chains for critical raw materials and technology.
2. Strengthening People-to-People Ties: Enhanced cultural, educational, and professional exchanges to deepen mutual understanding.

India’s Economic Potential

As India is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy within the next decade, Europe’s engagement with India represents not only economic opportunity but also a strategic alignment of values and priorities.

Conclusion: A Unified Democratic Front

Europe, India, and the United States, while individually powerful, are collectively unstoppable against rising autocratic forces. To anchor India within this alliance, Europe must adopt a balanced approach, acknowledging India’s challenges and unique geopolitical position. Together, these democracies can champion a vision of shared prosperity, security, and technological leadership, safeguarding the future of democratic ideals globally.