Editorial 1: China ties — beware conciliation without deterrence

Context

Regarding ties with China, India must recognize that a stabilization policy also necessitates maintaining a strong deterrent.

Introduction

India seems to be softening its stance toward China. In a podcast released in mid-March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke more positively about China than he has in years. He emphasized that “only through dialogue can we build a stable, cooperative relationship,” which is important for global peace and prosperity. Chinese officials welcomed his remarks.

India-China Relations: Gradual Recovery After 2020 Border Crisis

• India-China relations have been gradually improving after a major rupture in 2020.
• In 2020, China carried out multiple incursions across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) into Ladakh, leading to a skirmish that killed 20 Indian soldiers.
• Military talks led to a slow disengagement of forces from several border sites.
• Despite diplomatic tensions, bilateral trade continued to grow, reaching record levels.
• In October 2024, India and China unexpectedly agreed to disengage troops from the last two incursion sites.
• This formally ended the crisis, setting both countries on a path toward normalization.

On India’s stance

• Uncertain Policy Direction: It is unclear if Prime Minister Modi’s comments indicate a real policy shift or just a change in tone.
• Keeping Options Open: New Delhi may not have made a final decision and could be maintaining flexibility.
• Possible Return to Past Approach: India might be reviving its earlier strategy of seeking a cooperative relationship with China, as seen in previous Modi-Xi summits.
• Ongoing Rivalry: The India-China competition is long-term and deeply rooted.
• Strengthening Quad Ties: Just days after Modi’s podcast, India’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, met with military leaders from Quad partners—Australia, Japan, and the U.S.
• Economic Priorities: India has always focused on economic growth, making it practical to avoid military conflicts with its biggest trading partner.
• China’s Economic Advantage: With an economy over four times larger than India’s, China remains a crucial factor in India’s strategic decisions.
• A Pragmatic View: As External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar put it, maintaining stable relations with China is just “common sense.”

The three body problem

• No Policy in Isolation: India does not make decisions in a vacuum; it closely watches global developments, especially in the U.S.
• Monitoring U.S. Actions: The Modi government is carefully observing the Trump administration’s policies and their impact.

Trump’s Mixed Signals on China

Policy Area	Trump’s Actions	Implications
Trade	Imposed tariffs on China	Signals toughness on trade
Defense	Suggested cutting U.S., China, and Russia’s defense spending by half	Shows a softer stance on military issues
Allies’ Defense	Urged Japan and Taiwan to increase military spending and take more responsibility	Could reduce direct U.S. military involvement

Trump’s Approach to Global Power Deals

• Grand Bargains: Trump prefers striking deals with major powers rather than maintaining long-standing commitments.
• Ukraine Example: His peace plan accommodates Russia’s interests while prioritizing U.S. commercial gains.
• Potential for China: There is no reason Trump couldn’t strike a similar deal with China, possibly trading strategic influence for economic benefits.

Impact on India’s Security Calculations

Factor	Impact on India
Trump’s Ukraine Policy	Weakened U.S. security commitments, raising concerns for allies
Cut in Intelligence Support	Stopped warning Ukraine about Russian missile attacks
New Delhi’s Concerns	India relies on U.S. intelligence for managing the China threat
Doubts Over U.S. Support	Raises the need for India to stabilize ties with China

India’s Strategic Response

• Self-Reliance in Defense: India does not depend on U.S. military protection but values intelligence-sharing.
• Reducing Uncertainty: Given the unpredictability of U.S. support, India sees merit in stabilizing relations with China.
• Balancing Power Dynamics: Strengthening diplomatic engagement with China may be necessary to avoid being caught in global power shifts.

Sharpen the sword

• New Policy Risks: A softer stance toward China may tempt India to reduce military spending and partnerships.
• Reality Check: Instead of easing off, India must strengthen its military preparedness.

India’s Weak Military Investments

Concern	Current Situation	Impact
Defence Spending	Declining as a share of GDP and national budget	Limits modernization and preparedness
Ladakh Crisis Response	Military buildup remained weak despite urgency	Shows lack of long-term investment
Delayed Modernization	Investments in submarines, fighter jets take years	Postponement benefits Beijing

The Long-Term Need for Military Strength

• Future Options Depend on Present Investments: Military capabilities take years, even decades, to develop.
• Delays in Modernization: Postponing reforms and investments weakens India’s strategic position.

Strengthening Military Cooperation

Action Needed	Benefit
Continuing Joint Exercises	Improves interoperability with partners
Operational Coordination	Strengthens India’s military capabilities without rigid commitments
Independence in Partnerships	Allows India to work with allies while maintaining strategic autonomy

Way Forward: The Need for Proactive Investment

• Stability Should Not Mean Weakness: A stabilisation policy must not become an excuse to neglect military readiness.
• Balancing Diplomacy with Strength: India must engage diplomatically while ensuring it remains militarily capable.
• Preparing for the Future: To have options tomorrow, India must invest in its military today.

Conclusion

The main goal of military power is to prevent attacks and, if needed, fight back. Indian leaders should be prepared for more Chinese aggression in the future, just as they have faced for years, even after Prime Minister Modi’s meetings with President Xi. If India wants peace, it must back its diplomatic efforts with real strength to stop aggression. Otherwise, peace could turn into weakness.

Editorial 2: Colossal wastage that is food for thought

Context

Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to create an effective food management system that reduces massive food waste and promotes responsible consumption.

Introduction

The United Nations Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report 2024 shows that in 2022, the world wasted 1.05 billion tonnes of food—almost 20% of all food available to consumers. Worryingly, India is one of the biggest contributors to this problem. This is a serious issue that needs urgent action. It’s not just about poor resource management; it’s also a major moral and environmental concern.

Understanding Food Wastage vs. Food Loss

Term	Definition	Causes
Food Wastage	Discarded edible and inedible parts from the food supply chain, including households, restaurants, and retail	Over-purchasing, improper storage, cultural habits, and poor planning
Food Loss	Food lost earlier in the supply chain due to inefficiencies	Poor storage, transport, and handling issues

India’s Position in Global Food Waste

• Second-largest food-wasting nation after China.
• Household food waste per capita: 55 kg annually (lower than the U.S. at 73 kg but still a massive total due to India’s population).
• Impact: Worsens climate change, leads to economic loss, and deepens social inequality.
• The Scale of the Crisis

Global Food Waste	India’s Food Waste
$1 trillion worth of food wasted annually	78 million tonnes of food discarded every year
783 million people worldwide face hunger	Over 20 crore Indians go to bed hungry

• Challenges in India’s Food Supply Chain
  • Overproduction vs. Food Insecurity: Despite being a top food producer, India struggles with food wastage alongside widespread hunger.
  • Inefficiencies at Multiple Levels: Food loss occurs from farm to consumer due to storage, transportation, and market inefficiencies.

Key Causes of Household Food Waste

Cause
Over-Purchasing	Buying more groceries than needed
Poor Meal Planning	Not planning meals properly, leading to spoilage
Storage Limitations	Small refrigerators, lack of cool or dry storage
Cultural Practices	Cooking large portions for guests or celebrations

Retail and Urban Market Challenges

• Poor refrigeration and short shelf life lead to high food spoilage.
• Around 61% of global food waste happens at the household level, emphasizing the need for consumer awareness and better food management.
• The Need for Urgent Action:
  • India must address food wastage through better planning, storage, and consumer education.
  • Reducing waste will help fight hunger, cut economic losses, and protect the environment.

Measuring the environmental impact

Impact	Details
Resource Consumption	Food production requires vast amounts of land, water, and energy. Wasting food means wasting these critical resources.
Municipal Waste Contribution	Food waste makes up 10%-12% of India’s total municipal waste, leading to landfill overflow.
Methane Emissions	Decomposing food in landfills releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change.
Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions	Food loss and waste contribute to 8%-10% of global emissions. If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter after China and the U.S.

Household-Level Actions to Reduce Carbon Footprint

• Reduce food waste by planning meals and buying only what is needed.
• Improve energy efficiency in homes to lower overall environmental impact.
• Adopt sustainable diets, such as eating more plant-based foods and reducing meat consumption.
• Practice proper waste disposal by recycling and composting organic waste.

The Social Injustice of Food Waste in India

Issue	Impact
Food Inaccessibility	India produces plenty of food, but wastage prevents it from reaching those in need.
Hindrance to SDGs	Food waste obstructs progress toward SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12.3 (Reducing Food Waste at Consumer & Retail Levels).
Economic and Social Disparity	Large-scale food wastage coexists with widespread hunger, highlighting deep inequalities.

Climate Change and Food Security in India

• Rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, and extreme weather (droughts, floods, and landslides) impact crop yields and disrupt supply chains.
• Increased food wastage intensifies resource demand, making food security even more fragile.
• The Need for Sustainable Solutions
  • Reducing food waste is essential to conserving resources, lowering emissions, and improving food accessibility.
  • Stronger policies, public awareness, and better food management practices can help India move toward a more sustainable future.

Actions that need to be taken

1. What Individuals Can Do:

• Smart Meal Planning & Shopping: Plan meals in advance and stick to a shopping list.
• Proper Food Storage: Use airtight containers and store food at the right temperature.
• Creative Leftover Use: Turn leftover food into new meals, like making soup from extra vegetables.
• Composting: Convert kitchen scraps into compost to reduce waste.
• Food Donations: Share surplus food with local food banks or charities.

2. What Governments & Businesses Should Do:

• Infrastructure Investment: Build more cold storage and improve food transportation.
• Sustainable Business Practices: Encourage businesses to redistribute unsold food.
• Educational Awareness: Schools and institutions should teach responsible consumption.
• Policy Support: Provide subsidies for food redistribution networks and cold storage solutions.

3. Successful Initiatives:

• India’s “Save Food, Share Food” programme shows how large-scale food redistribution can make a difference.

Conclusion

India is at an important turning point. Reducing food waste is key to lowering carbon emissions, ensuring food security, and bridging social gaps. Governments, businesses, and individuals must work together to create a system that cuts waste, makes the best use of resources, and encourages responsible consumption. The answer isn’t just producing more food but valuing and preserving what we already have. By making mindful food choices, reducing waste at all levels, and supporting sustainable food systems, we can build a future where food is saved, resources are used wisely, and no one goes hungry.