Content:

1. A question of hygiene
2. Mining politics
3. The Budget pipeline and India’s foreign policy ambitions

A question of hygiene

Overview of the GBS Outbreak in Pune

• Over 100 suspected cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) recorded.
• Linked to Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria found in contaminated food and water.
• Patients reported gastroenteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea, and nausea before onset.
• One reported death linked to GBS.

Relevance : GS 2(Health)

Practice Question : The recent outbreak of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) in Pune highlights the vulnerabilities in India’s urban health infrastructure. Discuss the causes, health implications, and policy measures required to prevent such outbreaks in the future. (250 words)

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

• GBS is an autoimmune neurological disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system.
• The immune system attacks nerve cells, leading to:
  • Tingling sensations, muscle weakness, and numbness.
  • Paralysis in arms and legs (resembles acute flaccid paralysis in polio).
• Caused by bacterial or viral infections triggering immune response.
• Global incidence: 1-2 cases per 1,00,000 population (more common in adult males).

India’s Epidemiological Data on GBS

• Lack of large-scale epidemiological studies due to testing constraints.
• WHO report (1993): 138 cases seen annually in seven major teaching hospitals in India.
• 75% of cases occur in adults.
• Seasonal variation: GBS cases rise during weather changes.
• Possible largest recorded outbreak in India’s history.

 Treatment and Urgency

• Treatment options:
  • Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis).
  • Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy.

• Early treatment is critical:
  • Most effective if started within two weeks of symptom onset.

• Recovery prospects:
  • Many recover with timely treatment.
  • Delay leads to prolonged disability or fatality in severe cases.

Government and Health Response

• Rapid response teams deployed in Pune.
• Water sample collection and community surveillance initiated.
• Central government team sent to affected areas.
• Need for local and state government accountability in:
  • Ensuring clean drinking water supply.
  • Strengthening food hygiene regulations.
  • Enhancing public awareness on safe consumption practices.

Broader Implications: Fragility of Urban Systems

• Urban hygiene infrastructure under strain—inadequate water safety measures.
• Breakdown in sanitation and public health surveillance enables disease spread.
• GBS outbreak highlights systemic failures:
  • Lapses in water treatment and food safety monitoring.
  • Poor early disease detection and response mechanisms.

Policy Recommendations

• Strengthening disease surveillance:
  • Improved tracking of waterborne infections.
  • Rapid identification of bacterial outbreaks before escalation.

• Urban sanitation reform:
  • Regular water quality testing and early warning systems.
  • Strict food safety regulations in urban food supply chains.

• Public health awareness:
  • Large-scale campaigns on hand hygiene and food safety.
  • Use of digital health alerts for real-time information.

Mining Politics

Background: Nayakkarpatti Tungsten Block Auction

• The Union Government annulled the auction of the Nayakkarpatti tungsten block in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
• The decision followed protests citing environmental and cultural concerns.
• Initially, the block was part of eight strategic mineral auctions initiated in February 2023 by the Mines Ministry.
• Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc Limited won the bid for mining across 2,015.51 hectares.

Relevance : GS3 – Economy & Environment

Practice Question : Critically analyze the challenges associated with mining strategic minerals in India, with special reference to tungsten. (250 Words )

Environmental and Cultural Concerns

• The presence of Arittapatti, Tamil Nadu’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site, raised concerns.
• concerns included:
  • Threats to biodiversity: Arittapatti is a habitat for rare species.
  • Historical and cultural risks: Mining could endanger cave temples, Jain symbols, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions.
• The Tamil Nadu Assembly passed a resolution opposing mining near the site.
• The Centre initially suggested excluding the 1.93 sq. km area within Arittapatti and Meenakshipuram from mining operations.
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) was tasked with redefining boundaries, but before it could act, the auction was annulled.

Strategic Importance of Tungsten

• Tungsten (Wolfram) Properties:
  • A dense, lustrous metal with high melting points.
  • Crucial for defence, aerospace, electronics, and high-tech industries.
  • No effective substitutes, making it strategically vital.

• Global Scenario:
  • Countries stockpile tungsten due to its scarcity.
  • China dominates global tungsten production.

• India’s Tungsten Reserves:
  • Only 5% of India’s tungsten resources are in Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
  • The majority is found in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Way Forward

• Lack of stakeholder engagement.
• A more balanced approach could have included:
  • Scientific assessment by the GSI before any decision.
  • Boundary adjustments to protect the biodiversity site while allowing mining in other areas.
  • Transparent communication with state and local stakeholders to prevent political conflicts.
• Future auctions of critical minerals should ensure a balance between resource security and environmental sustainability.

The Budget pipeline and India’s foreign policy ambitions

Context:

• Annual Budget Focus: Public attention often revolves around sectors like taxation, infrastructure, and defence, but the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also demands scrutiny due to its significance in India’s foreign policy.

Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)

Practice Question:  Examine the role of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India’s foreign policy framework and assess the implications of its underfunding on India’s global ambitions. Suggest measures to enhance MEA’s institutional capacity and resources in light of India’s growing international stature.(250 Words)

• Budget Growth: The MEA’s budget saw a rare 23% spike in the 2024-25 budget, up from a modest 4% annual increase from 2017 to 2023. Despite this, the MEA remains one of India’s least-funded ministries, with its allocation constituting only 0.4% of the total national budget.

• Efficiency: The MEA is efficient in utilizing its budget, exceeding 96% of revised estimates, but its current financial capacity is insufficient to fulfill India’s expanding global ambitions.

Foreign Policy Ambitions and Global Leadership

• India’s Global Vision (Viksit Bharat 2047): To achieve the vision of becoming a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, India requires strong, sustained global partnerships.

• India is positioning itself as a leader of the Global South, strengthening relationships with ASEAN, Quad countries (India, Australia, Japan, the U.S.), and leading initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

• Impact of Limited Budget: Partner countries expect greater diplomatic engagement, financial support, and timely project delivery, but the current MEA budget is inadequate to meet these rising expectations.

Recommendations for Budgetary Increase

• Parliamentary Committee Suggestion: In 2022, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs recommended raising the MEA’s budget to 1% of the total Union Budget. A more gradual increase to 0.6%-0.8% could signal India’s commitment to global leadership.

• Focus Areas for Funding:Economic Tools for Regional Integration: Increased funds are necessary for strengthening regional cooperation and for advancing connectivity initiatives in South Asia, particularly as China’s influence grows.

• Institutional Capacity: The MEA’s diplomatic strength relies heavily on bolstering its human resources, research capabilities, and institutional infrastructure. Expanding India’s diplomatic corps and providing research expertise are crucial.

Foreign Aid Shifts

• Decline in Aid and Rise in Loans: India’s foreign aid budget dropped by 10% in 2024-25, while loans to foreign countries increased by 29%. This shift towards Lines of Credit (LoCs) enables sustainable infrastructure financing but also demands effective oversight.

• Neighbourhood Focus: A significant portion (45%) of LoCs is directed towards India’s neighbourhood, with Bangladesh being the largest recipient. This reflects the strategic importance of India’s immediate neighbours.

• Aid to Neighbourhood Countries: Bhutan remains the largest recipient of India’s aid, followed by Sri Lanka, which saw a 63% increase in funding for the current year.

Institutional Capacity and Research

• Increased Training Budget: The MEA’s training budget for the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) grew by 30%, but capacity-building efforts are still insufficient. The IFS remains understaffed, which limits India’s diplomatic engagement potential.

• Research and Think Tanks: Cuts to funding for academic institutions like Nalanda University and South Asian University (both experiencing 20-22% budget reductions) pose a challenge to India’s long-term diplomatic strategy. Investment in policy-relevant, evidence-based research is essential to back foreign policy decisions.

Need for Declassification and Digitisation

• Historical Documentation: The External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, emphasized the need for the MEA to lead in digitising and declassifying its records. Such initiatives would enhance public access to India’s diplomatic history, enabling scholars to better understand past successes and failures.

• Track 1 vs. Track 2 Diplomacy: By accelerating these efforts, the MEA could make its decision-making process more transparent, thereby fostering better understanding and learning within India’s foreign policy apparatus.