Editorial 1: ​Water everywhere, but not a drop to drink

Context

Access to reliable water quality data would encourage many to opt for alternatives to bottled water.

Introduction

World Environment Day 2025, observed on June 5 with the theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, spotlighted the urgent need for global action against one of the most visible environmental threats. With over 400 million tonnes of plastic produced annually and less than 10% recycled, this day urged individuals, cities, and nations to adopt sustainable practices and reduce dependency on single-use plastics.

World Environment Day 2025: A Call to Action

• Observed on: June 5, 2025
• Theme: ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’
• Purpose: A moment of reflection on environmental fragility and the power of collective action.
• Plastic Pollution Stats:
  • Estimated global cost: $300–600 billion annually.
  • Annual production: Over 400 million tonnes of plastic.
  • Recycling rate: Less than 10%.
  • Environmental impact:
    • 11 million tonnes of plastic waste enters lakes, rivers, and seas yearly.
    • Microplastics contaminate food, water, and air.
• Key Solution Highlighted:
  • Avoid single-use plastics and improve recycling levels.

Local Challenge: Bengaluru and Bottled Water Dependence

• Trigger Incident:
  • Personal realization during a commute — difficulty in refilling water without resorting to a plastic bottle.
• Broader Context:
  • Bengaluru, once a city of lakes, now struggles to provide accessible and safe drinking water in public spaces.

Global Trend: Bottled Water and Environmental Impact

• Global Bottled Water Sales: Over half a trillion litres sold annually.
• Primary Driver: Lack of trust in the safety and reliability of alternative sources.
• Environmental Cost: Heavy reliance on single-use plastic increases pollution.

Exploring Solutions: The Bengaluru Research Initiative

• Partnership:
  • U.K.–India collaboration with Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE).
• Research Focus:
  • Examined restaurant water sources and consumer attitudes.
  • Found that consumer hesitation is linked to lack of transparency on water quality.
• Key Findings:
  • Many water samples tested failed to meet safe drinking standards.
  • Consumers are more open to alternatives if reliable water quality data is provided.

Technology-Driven Trust Building

• Inspiration from Home Use:
  • At home, people trust filtered water because systems are maintained and monitored.
  • Tech-based filters now provide data on:
    • Water consumption tracking
    • Maintenance needs and alerts
• Proposal for Public Spaces:
  • Display real-time filter maintenance status in places like:
    • Restaurants
    • Shopping malls
    • Offices
  • Aim: Increase public confidence in consuming non-bottled water.

Path Forward: Bengaluru as a Model for Change

• Opportunity for Innovation:
  • Leverage Bengaluru’s tech ecosystem to develop smart water solutions.
• Benefits:
  • Reduce dependency on plastic bottles.
  • Promote sustainable, local alternatives.
  • Offer a replicable model for other cities.

U.K.–India Climate Cooperation

• Areas of Collaboration:
  • Sharing expertise and programming.
  • Joint efforts on science and technology, climate finance, and renewable energy.
  • Projects on green energy connectivity and climate adaptation.

Conclusion

Tackling plastic pollution requires both innovation and trust. Bengaluru’s initiative to improve access to safe drinking water through transparent, tech-enabled solutions can inspire global replication. Strengthening partnerships like the U.K.–India collaboration on sustainability and climate action reinforces that local solutions, backed by science and shared responsibility, can drive meaningful global impact in the fight for a cleaner, greener planet.

Editorial 2: India’s uneasy balancing act in the Bay of Bengal

Context

India risks eroding its commitment to cooperative regionalism by using trade access to convey political displeasure.

Introduction

India’s economic engagement in the Bay of Bengal region appears to be entering a promising new phase. There is cause for measured optimism, as trade volumes through eastern ports such as Visakhapatnam, Paradip, and Haldiahave shown steady growth. The recent signing of the BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement is a significant step forward, aiming to streamline regulations and lower port-related costs. For a region historically marked by limited trade integration, these developments signal a positive shift toward deeper economic connectivity.

Contradiction Between Optimism and Action

Aspect	Details
Optimism in Trade	– India’s trade volumes are rising through eastern ports.   – BIMSTEC Maritime Agreement promises regulatory ease.
Unexpected Move	– In April, India withdrew the transshipment facility for Bangladesh.  – This facility had allowed Bangladesh to route exports via Indian ports to third countries.
Official Reason	– Logistical issues cited: port congestion and export delays.
Perception in Dhaka	– Viewed as a diplomatic signal of India’s disapproval.  – Possibly linked to Bangladesh’s growing engagement with China.
Triggering Context	– Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser, during a speech in Beijing, described India’s Northeast as ‘landlocked’.  – Called Bangladesh a maritime lifeline, which was seen as provocative in New Delhi.

Strategic Sensitivities and Maritime Priorities

Aspect	Details
Indian Response	– New Delhi viewed the statement as undermining its Northeast connectivity strategy.  – PM Modi and ministers have emphasised the Northeast’s strategic importance.
India’s Maritime Strategy	– India is actively investing in coastal infrastructure through the Sagarmala programme.
East Coast Progress	– Cargo movement on the east coast has more than doubled in a decade.
Policy Support	– GST cuts on bunker fuel.  – Incentives for coastal shipping.
Broader Vision	– Maritime trade is treated as a national priority.  – India aims to be a regional integrator through enhanced logistics and connectivity.

Tensions amid reenergised BIMSTEC

India’s Regional Trade Vision and BIMSTEC Push

• India has made a strategic effort to revive BIMSTEC as a platform for regional integration.
• The BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation Agreement seeks to:
  • Harmonise customs procedures
  • Foster multimodal transport linkages
  • Reduce trade costs and frictions within the Bay of Bengal
• For smaller economies like Bhutan, Myanmar, and Nepal, access via Indian ports is critical — a lifeline for regional trade and connectivity.

Withdrawal of Bangladesh Transshipment Facility: A Disruption

Aspect	Details
India’s Action	Revoked Bangladesh’s transshipment facility in April, which had enabled Dhaka to use Indian ports for third-country exports.
Perceived Justification	India cited port congestion and exporter delays.
Dhaka’s Interpretation	Seen as a political signal, potentially linked to Bangladesh’s recent diplomatic outreach to China.
Contextual Trigger	Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser referred to India’s Northeast as ‘landlocked’ in Beijing, promoting Bangladesh as the maritime gateway.
Strategic Sensitivity	This narrative clashed with India’s emphasis on the Northeast’s strategic autonomy and role in connectivity.

Impact on Bangladesh’s Economy

• The ready-made garment (RMG) sector, contributing over 85% of Bangladesh’s foreign exchange, is disproportionately affected.
• Exporters had grown dependent on Indian gateways for:
  • Faster shipment timelines
  • Lower transportation costs
• Alternative routes (e.g., via Sri Lanka or Southeast Asia) are:
  • Costlier
  • More time-consuming
• The move adds uncertainty to export logistics amid fragile global demand.

Escalation of Trade Tensions

New Restrictions	Implications
India imposed curbs(May)	On seven categories of Bangladeshi goods: garments, plastics, processed foods, etc.
Land Route Restrictions	Goods can now only enter India through seaports like Kolkata or Nhava Sheva, not Northeastern land ports.
India’s Justification	Cited Dhaka’s restrictions on yarn imports via land routes.
Bangladesh’s View	Sees India’s move as disproportionate and retaliatory, especially since transshipment was revoked earlier.

Strategic Signaling vs. Cooperative Regionalism

• Some in New Delhi argue this is a reminder to Dhaka about the risks of strategic hedging.
  • Bangladesh has increased ties with China, reopened maritime trade with Pakistan, and asserted its connector role.
• But these are sovereign decisions Dhaka is entitled to make.
• If India uses trade access as leverage, it risks:
  • Undermining the principle of cooperative regionalism
  • Sending a negative signal to the rest of South and Southeast Asia

Wider Regional Implications

• This issue is not limited to India–Bangladesh ties.
• Nations like Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka are closely watching.
• The concern isn’t the use of leverage — that’s expected from major powers.
• The concern is that maritime trade, once viewed as neutral, shared infrastructure, is now becoming:
  • Transactional
  • Politicized
  • Vulnerable to geopolitical shifts

India’s Strategic Trade Advantage

• India’s Port Strengths:
  • Possesses the most extensive and efficient port infrastructure in the Bay of Bengal region.
  • Rapidly expanding cargo-handling capacity.
  • Coastal shipping and multimodal linkages are more advanced than those of any other BIMSTECmember.
• Strategic Limitation:
  • Infrastructure alone does not guarantee regional leadership.
  • Credibility and consistency in policy are equally vital in a fragmented and cautious region like the Bay.

Risks of Politicised Trade Facilitation

Concern	Impact
Shifting trade policies	If seen as politically motivated, they undermine trust among regional partners.
Neighbouring countries may hedge	Partners could diversify trade routes away from India, reducing India’s regional clout.
Regional architecture may stall	India’s broader vision for regional integration under BIMSTEC could face setbacks.

Bay of Bengal: A Region at Crossroads

• Opportunities:
  • Can become a vibrant corridor linking South and Southeast Asia.
  • Improved connectivity offers the potential for sustainable regional growth.
  • A BIMSTEC Free Trade Agreement, if executed well, could reshape trade dynamics.
• Challenges:
  • The region is still strategically sensitive.
  • The blurred line between economic policy and geopolitical motives can create instability and mistrust.

Conclusion

There is still an opportunity for India to clearly define its position on the transshipment arrangement with Bangladesh. It could specify the conditions under which the agreement might be reinstated or, preferably, establish a rules-based framework that ensures trade remains shielded from political fluctuations. Such a move would send a reassuring message not only to Dhaka but to the broader Bay of Bengal region. However, the more pressing challenge lies in whether India can successfully balance its strategic imperatives with the need to foster regional trust. As of now, the signals on this front remain ambiguous and mixed.