Content:

1. China ties — beware conciliation without deterrence.
2. 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

1. Post-2020 Normalization Efforts
   1. The Galwan Valley clashes (2020) resulted in a significant rupture.
   1. Despite border tensions, disengagement agreements were reached, and trade between India and China continued to grow.
   1. 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

1. Underinvestment in Military Modernization
   1. Despite heightened tensions, India’s defense budget as a percentage of GDP has been declining.
   1. A stabilization policy could be misinterpreted as an excuse to delay critical military investments.
   1. 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.”