GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The White House has expressed confidence in its 'strong' ties with India amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding allegations against the Adani Group. 

The issue

• The US Department of Justice issued a press release detailing allegations on the Adani Group for paying over $250 million (approximately Rs 2,100 crore) in bribes to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts.
• If the case proceeds badly for Adani, it will further damage his position in India. It will be difficult for Indian business and State institutions to disentangle themselves from Adani as he is heavily present in the infrastructure and energy sectors (most favoured sectors).

India-US Relations

The relationship between the United States and India has grown significantly over the last 30 years, with cooperation in key areas such as defense, technology, and international initiatives. The engagement has been built around three main pillars:

• India as the World's Largest Democracy: The U.S. values India’s democratic system, and they often emphasize their shared democratic ideals. The U.S. sees India as a “natural ally” because both countries are democracies—India is the world’s largest, and the U.S. is one of the oldest.
  • However, despite this shared democratic identity, their approaches to democracy can differ. India generally avoids promoting democracy abroad and often has a more pragmatic stance compared to the U.S. on issues concerning non-democratic countries.
  • India’s own democracy has faced challenges, but the 2024 parliamentary elections have helped reaffirm its democratic credentials.
• India as a Bulwark Against China: The U.S. sees India as a counterbalance to China, especially as tensions between India, the U.S., and China have risen. India’s relationships with China and the U.S. have been in competition, particularly over issues like territorial disputes and the South China Sea.
  • India has become more involved in U.S.-led initiatives and has deepened defense cooperation with the U.S., but it still seeks to maintain strategic autonomy. This means India avoids forming strong alliances with any one country, including the U.S.
  • India’s relationship with China is complex, as it has economic ties with China and military reliance on Russia, which limits its willingness to fully align with the U.S. in potential conflicts, like over Taiwan.
• India as an Engine of Global Growth: The U.S. sees India as a key player in global economic growth, especially in areas like technology and manufacturing. India’s economy is growing rapidly, it has the world’s largest population, and it’s expected to become the third-largest economy in the next decade.
  • The U.S. also sees India as an alternative to China in terms of economic partnerships, especially with the trend toward reducing reliance on China in global supply chains.
  • However, India’s growth faces challenges. It has struggled to expand its manufacturing sector, and issues like infrastructure, labor, and protectionism hold back its economic potential. India is unlikely to replace China’s central role in global supply chains in the near future.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of criminal responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. This decision is linked to Israel's military actions, especially after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, with charges including murder, persecution, and using starvation as a weapon of war.

What is the ICC?

• Located in: The Hague, Netherlands
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established July 17, 1998, under the Rome Statute, an international treaty, and came into force in July 2002.
• It prosecutes individuals for crimes like genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and aggression.
• Types of Crimes: The Court's founding treaty, called the Rome Statute, grants the ICC jurisdiction over four main crimes:
  • Crimes against humanity
  • Genocide
  • Crimes of aggression
  • War crimes
• The court does not have its own policing body and relies on other countries for support in "making arrests, transferring arrested persons to the ICC detention centre in The Hague, freezing suspects' assets, and enforcing sentences.
• Under the Rome Statue, ICC member states are obligated to arrest a person who is in their territory and subject to an arrest warrant.
• The ICC has 124 state parties, including 33 from Africa, 19 from Eastern Europe and 25 from Western Europe and others such as Canada.
  • The United States is not a state party and neither is Israel. Though Israel is not a member of the Rome Statute, the court has jurisdiction over this case due to Palestine’s status and the context of the situation.
  • Russia and Ukraine are also not members of the ICC.

The Arrest Warrants:

• The ICC issued warrants for Netanyahu, Israel's former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.The warrants cite crimes related to Israel’s actions in Gaza after Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023. The specific crimes include murder, persecution, and using starvation as a weapon.
• Israel's Position: Israel rejects the ICC’s jurisdiction, as it is not a member of the Rome Statute. It argues that it has the right to self-defense and refuses to recognize the ICC’s authority over its actions.
• International Reactions:The United States and Israel's allies reject the ICC’s ruling, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction and supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.
  • Human rights groups and some countries, like Turkey, support the arrest warrants, seeing them as important for justice.
  • Some countries, including the Netherlands, say they will comply with the ICC's ruling, while others, like the UK, express support for Israel’s self-defense.

Impact of the Warrants:

• While Israel does not recognize the ICC, the warrants could affect Netanyahu’s ability to travel internationally. If he travels to any of the 124 countries that are part of the Rome Statute, he could face arrest.
• However, enforcement of such warrants can be inconsistent, as some countries have previously failed to arrest individuals under similar warrants.
• The warrants may not lead to immediate arrests, as the ICC does not typically prosecute individuals in absentia unless in rare circumstances.

The Supreme Court of India has reserved its judgment on a case challenging the inclusion of the words “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. The court is considering several petitions filed by individuals including Subramanian Swamy, Vishnu Shankar Jain, and Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, who argue that these terms should not be part of the Preamble.

Background (What’s the issue?)

• The 42nd Amendment (1976):The terms “socialist”, “secular”, and “integrity” were added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment during the Emergency period (1975-77) under the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• The petitioners argue that these words were added in a controversial period (the Emergency) and should be removed, claiming that the amendment was unconstitutional. Though the petition is not against the principles of “socialism” or “secularism”, but objects to their inclusion in the Preamble
  • The petitioners argue that the inclusion of these terms in the Preamble was unnecessary and that the Preamble should remain as it was originally written by the Constituent Assembly.

Court’s Observations:

• The Supreme Court benchnoted that the 42nd Amendment had already been subjected to judicial reviews in the past and had been upheld by the courts.
• The bench emphasized that it cannot declare the Parliament's actions during the Emergency as invalid. In other words, they rejected the idea that the changes made during the Emergency were illegitimate.
• The bench also refused to refer the case to a larger bench, as requested by the petitioners, and clarified that “socialism” in India refers to a “welfare state”, which is different from the concept of socialism in other countries.
• The Role of Parliament and the Constitution:The court highlighted that under Article 368, Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, which includes the Preamble. This power was exercised during the 42nd Amendment.
  • The bench made it clear that it would not entertain arguments claiming that the Preamble could not be amended, as Article 368 grants Parliament the authority to do so.

 Understanding ‘India’s’ Socialism

• Socialism in India:The court stated that “socialism” in India is understood as a welfare state—meaning the state’s role is to ensure the welfare and equality of its citizens, not necessarily to control all industries or eliminate private enterprise. The private sector has grown successfully in India, and socialism in India has not stopped this growth.
• Secularism in India:The court referred to its earlier decision in the 1994 SR Bommai case, where it had already ruled that “secularism” is a fundamental part of the Constitution, meaning the state must remain neutral and not favor any religion.

The Supreme Court issued notice on a plea filed by Himachal Pradesh government challenging an order of the high court, which nullified a 2006 state law permitting the state to appoint members of the state Legislative Assembly as parliamentary secretaries.

Background:

• In 2006, Himachal Pradesh passed a law called the Himachal Pradesh Parliamentary Secretaries (Appointment, Salaries, Allowances, Powers, Privileges and Amenities) Act, 2006.
  • This law allowed the state government to appoint Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) as Parliamentary Secretaries.
  • These Parliamentary Secretaries were given several benefits, including official powers, salaries, and allowances similar to those of government ministers.

High Court's Actions:

• Now, the Himachal Pradesh High Court struck down this 2006 law. The court ruled that the state legislature did not have the authority to pass such a law, and it was unconstitutional. The court's main reasoning was that this law violated the Constitution of India in two key ways:
  • Office of Profit: The court held that being appointed as a Parliamentary Secretary effectively gave an MLA the same duties and privileges as a minister, even though they were not formally ministers. This meant they were holding an Office of Profit, which is not allowed for elected representatives unless certain conditions are met.
  • Violation of Article 164(1-A): This article limits the size of the Council of Ministers in each state. The court found that the Parliamentary Secretaries were performing tasks that were akin to ministers but were not officially recognized as such, thus violating this constitutional provision.
• The High Court also declared the appointments of six Congress MLAs as Parliamentary Secretaries (made in January 2023) to be illegal and unconstitutional.
• The court ordered that these MLAs could be disqualified due to holding an Office of Profit.
• The court also ruled that certain protections given to these appointees under the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Members (Removal of Disqualifications) Act, 1971 were also illegal.

Supreme Court's Involvement:

• The State of Himachal Pradesh disagreed with the High Court's ruling and appealed to the Supreme Court. Now, the Supreme Court issued a notice on this appeal, meaning it will examine the case in detail.
• The Supreme Court also took the following actions:
  • Stayed (paused) the High Court's order: The Supreme Court paused the High Court’s direction to start disqualification proceedings against the MLAs who were appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries. This means that for now, the MLAs won’t be disqualified.
  • Issued a temporary ban on new appointments: The Supreme Court ordered that no new MLAs should be appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries while the case is pending.

Following the extension of the AB PM-JAY health insurance scheme to all senior citizens, there is some amount of confusion over which card to apply for (AB PM-JAY or ABHA health cards).

What is AB-PMJAY?

• Launched in: 2018
• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan MantriJan ArogyaYojana (AB PM-JAY) is Central Government’s flagship health insurance scheme.
• The scheme (earlier called the National Health Protection Scheme) is touted as the largest health assurance scheme in the world, and offers Rs5 lakh insurance coverage to a family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation in any government hospital or at any empanelled private hospital across the country.
• The scheme targeted over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families (approximately 55 crore beneficiaries) that form the bottom 40% of the Indian population.
• Extension (Ayushman Bharat VayVandana):In September this year, the Centre announced that the scheme would now be extended to all senior citizensaged 70 and above, irrespective of their income status. This extended scheme is known as the Ayushman Bharat VayVandana, and is part of the PM-JAY scheme.
  • This was to benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, with six crore senior citizens, with Rs5 lakh free health insurance cover on a family basis.
  • All senior citizens of the age 70 and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status, are eligible to avail of this.
  • A separate beneficiary card (orange and white) is given to beneficiaries of AB-VayVandana.

What is the ABHA card?

• The ABHA card (a blue and white card) is not a health insurance card but a digital health account to store medical records.
• It includes a 14-digit Health ID linked to a digital account where health information is stored such medical history, prescriptions, and hospitalizations.
• Usage: It is used to access and share medical records digitally across various healthcare services in India.
• The Correct Process:
  • To avail health insurance coverage under the AB PM-JAY scheme, seniors must apply for the AB PM-JAY health insurance card, which provides up to Rs5 lakh coverage.
  • The ABHA card, which is a digital medical account, is helpful for storing and sharing medical records but does not offer insurance or cashless treatment at hospitals.

The AB PM-JAY card is health insurance card (for cashless treatment).The ABHA card is digital health ID (to store and access medical records).

A large number of dead fish were found floating on Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, Kerala. This event attracted attention due to the suspected causes and its environmental implications.The lake, covering 5,700 hectares, is an ecologically important site recognized by the Ramsar Convention.

Factors Responsible for Killing Fish in Ashtamudi Lake

• Algal Bloom: Algal bloom occurs when there is an overload of nutrients (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) in the water. These nutrients primarily come from pollution, particularly untreated sewage and agricultural runoff.
  • Algal blooms deplete oxygen in the water, suffocating fish and other aquatic life. This causes widespread mortality of aquatic organisms.
• Sewage Contamination: The lake has been heavily polluted by untreated sewage from nearby households and establishments. A significant percentage of sewage is directly discharged into the lake, increasing the nutrient load and contributing to algal blooms.
  • The presence of harmful bacteria like E. coli and streptococci in water samples confirms contamination from human and animal waste.
• Plastic Pollution: A high concentration of microplastics has been found in the water, fish, and sediment of Ashtamudi Lake. Plastics pose direct threats to aquatic organisms by causing physical harm and introducing toxins into the ecosystem.
  • Plastic waste comes from various sources, including fishing activities, aquaculture, and municipal solid waste dumping.
• Other Pollutants: Along with plastics, the lake is contaminated by abattoir waste, poultry waste, and chemicals from various industrial and agricultural activities. These pollutants further degrade water quality and disrupt the aquatic ecosystem.
• Sediment Build-up: Sedimentation in the lake, especially from poor waste management practices, reduces water flow, affecting oxygen levels and overall water quality. This contributes to the degradation of habitats for aquatic species.
• Invasive Species: The spread of water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant, is also limiting fishing areas. It blocks the flow of water and interferes with fishing practices, adding to the challenges faced by local fishermen.
• Deforestation and Encroachments: Illegal encroachments and deforestation around the lake’s fringes have further disrupted its ecosystem. Encroachments restrict natural water flow and contribute to pollution.

A recent tragic incident unfolded in Uliyana village of SawaiMadhopur district, Rajasthan, located adjacent to the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. This incident involved the death of a villager, Bharat Lal Meena, and the subsequent killing of a tiger, Chirico (T-86), which was allegedly involved in the attack. This event highlights a critical issue of human-wildlife conflict in the region, drawing attention to the complexities surrounding the protection of both human lives and tiger conservation.

Human-Wildlife Conflict in Ranthambore

• Human Casualties: From 2019 to 2024, there have been five human fatalities in tiger attacks, with 2,000+ cattle killed by tigers in the same period. However, tiger-related deaths are not officially recorded, leading to an underestimation of the severity of the conflict.
• Missing Tigers: A report surfaced that 25 out of 75 tigers in Ranthambore were reported missing, raising concerns about poaching, migration, and natural deaths. Of these, 14 were missing for less than a year, and 11 for over a year. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has directed the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) to investigate this issue.
• Historical Tension: The long-standing distrust between villagers and the Forest Department is rooted in the belief that the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve prioritizes wildlife conservation and tourism at the expense of the local population’s safety and livelihoods.
• Past Incidents: Villagers remember the 1980s when Fateh Singh Rathore, a key figure in the reserve’s conservation efforts, was attacked by Uliyana villagers. This event was driven by frustration over forced relocation for the reserve’s expansion, highlighting a history of tensions in the region.
• Compensation Issues: The Forest Department provides compensation for cattle losses due to tiger attacks, but the process is often cumbersome and bureaucratically challenging for the villagers.

Increasing Human-Tiger Conflict

• Changing Behavior of Tigers: Historically, tigers in the region would prey mostly on cattle, but in recent years, there has been an increase in human attacks. Some villagers report that tigers now show more aggression, especially in the buffer zones and agricultural fields near forests.
• Changing Livelihoods: The fear of tiger attacks has led to changes in how villagers manage their livestock. Many have started selling their cattle at a loss, fearing the tigers’ predation. The community also faces financial hardship due to these losses, which impacts their livelihoods from dairy and agriculture.
• Conservation vs. Human Safety
  • Forest Reserve Overcrowding: Experts believe that Ranthambore Tiger Reserve is overcrowded, with tigers outgrowing the available territory. This overcrowding may force tigers into more frequent encounters with human settlements in search of food or territory.
  • Unresolved Issues: Despite representations from villagers, the boundary walls separating the forest from agricultural land are inadequate, with gaps that allow tigers to easily cross into human areas. The Forest Department has not taken enough action to address these gaps or prevent crop and livestock loss, further exacerbating the situation.

Russia tested a hypersonic intermediate-range missile in an assault on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Ukraine.

About Oreshnik

• The new intermediate-range ballistic missile, Oreshnik, which means hazel tree in Russian, is a nuclear-capable weapon that has not been previously mentioned publicly.
• It is based on the “RS-26 Rubezh” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
  • An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) has a range of 1,000-5,500km (621 to 3,418 miles), a level below that of an intermediate-range ballistic missile.
• It is a new intermediate-range ballistic missile that officials said was experimental, and it is believed that Russia only possesses a few.
• The hypersonic missiles can change direction mid-flight, making them extremely difficult to track and intercept with air defenses.
• It is believed to have a theoretical range of below 3,420 miles, meaning it could reach past Ukraine and into Europe from where it was launched.
• Hypersonic missiles travel at speeds of at least Mach 5 – five times the speed of sound – and can manoeuvre mid-flight, making them harder to track and intercept.
• The missile can have three to six warheads.

The government must include coking coal in the list of critical minerals and provide special dispensation to enhance the domestic production of the key raw material for steel production, according to a NitiAayog report.

Key Highlights of the Report:

The NitiAayog report titled "Enhancing Domestic Coking Coal Availability to Reduce the Import of Coking Coal"emphasizes the importance of coking coal for India's steel production and infrastructure development.

• Coking Coal as a Critical Mineral: The report recommends that the Indian government include coking coal in the list of critical minerals due to its central role in the cost of steel production.
  • Coking coal constitutes approximately 42% of the cost of steel, which is essential for infrastructure development and employment generation in downstream industries.
• High Import Dependence: India’s import dependence on coking coal is about 85%, which is much higher than that of the EU (approximately 62%).Despite having significant domestic reserves of coking coal, India continues to rely heavily on imports, which raises concerns over national security and cost control for its steel industry.
• Underutilization of Domestic Reserves: India holds substantial geological reserves of coking coal, including 16.5 billion tonnes of medium coking coal. However, these reserves remain underutilized, with low capacity utilization in public sector washeries.
• Challenges in the Coking Coal Washing Process: The report points out that the capacity utilization of public sector coking coal washeries was below 32% in FY 2022-23, resulting in low yields of washed coal (35-36%). In contrast, private sector washeries performed better with higher yields and utilization rates. This discrepancy indicates inefficiencies that need to be addressed to optimize production.
• Policy Recommendations:
  • The report advocates for the amendment of the Coal Bearing Areas (CBA) Act, 1957, to allow private sector participation in coal exploration and washing while maintaining public-private partnerships.
  • The government should also enable policy changes to allow joint venture companies to sell byproducts from coking coal washeries (such as middling and tailing), which would help reduce costs for steel plants by passing on the profits from these byproducts.
• EU's Declaration of Coking Coal as Critical: The European Union has already declared coking coal as a critical raw material, recognizing its strategic importance for the steel industry and broader economic development.
• Economic and Strategic Importance of Coking Coal: Coking coal is vital for steel production, which is essential for India's infrastructure development and employment generation. By improving domestic production, India can reduce its import bills and achieve greater self-sufficiency, which aligns with its broader economic and energy security goals.

About Coking coal (or metallurgical coal)

• Coking coal (or metallurgical coal) is a bituminous coal with a suitable quality that allows the production of metallurgical coke.
• Coke is the main product of the high-temperature carbonisation of coking coal.
• It is an essential input material in steelmakingas it is used to produce pig iron in blast furnaces acting as the reducing agent of iron ore and as the support of the furnace charge. 
  • Steel is cited as a strategic material in all industries related to the low-carbon transition. About 780 kg of coking coal is needed to produce 1 ton of steel.
• ?By-products of coke production such as tar, benzole, ammonia sulphate and sulphur are used for the manufacture of chemicals, as well as coke oven gas used for heat and power generation.

The recent G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro focused on tackling global hunger, poverty, and promoting climate justice, with a specific call for policies such as taxing the super-rich to generate funds for poverty alleviation. Brazilian President Lula Da Silva emphasized that poverty is a "scourge" and proposed a 2% wealth tax to generate USD 200 billion. However, the G-20 declaration fell short of such ambitious measures. The summit’s timing, coming amidst ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, diluted the focus on these critical issues, while climate justice remained a significant but unresolved concern.

Global South’s Role and G-20 Agenda

• Brazil’s Advocacy for Poverty Reduction: At the G-20 summit, Brazilian President Lula Da Silva called for policies such as a 2% wealth tax on the super-rich to address global poverty, aiming to generate $200 billion in revenue.
• Global South and Governance: Prime Minister Modi emphasized that the Global South, representing the majority of the world’s population, should hold more influence in global governance, reflecting the priorities of poorer nations.
• Diluted Focus: The summit's focus on poverty and hunger was diluted by ongoing global conflicts, particularly the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Ukraine war, limiting the scope of discussions on poverty alleviation.

The Impact of Global Conflicts on G-20 Discussions

• Humanitarian Concerns: The G-20 declaration expressed "deep concern" over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but it avoided specifics on resolving the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.
• Polarized Global Narratives: The polarized narratives surrounding the Israel and Ukraine conflicts made it difficult for G-20 members to reach a consensus on key global issues, especially on food and energy security.
• Geopolitical Tensions: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the Middle East conflict further fractured the discussions, with G-20 leaders unable to address conflict resolution effectively.

Climate Justice and the Future of Global Governance

• COP29 and Climate Financing: The G-20 summit coincided with COP29, highlighting the need for climate financing and justice for developing nations, which was reflected in the summit's agenda.
• S. Political Influence: With the U.S. presidential election results influencing the summit, the likelihood of significant action on climate change and poverty alleviation under a potential Trump presidency was deemed low, due to his stance on climate change and fossil fuel exploitation.
• Urgency for Action: The Global South, represented by the quartet of Indonesia, India, Brazil, and South Africa, must push for concrete progress in the next G-20 summit, particularly on global poverty, hunger, and climate justice, as the deadline for addressing these issues becomes more urgent.

Practice Question:

Discuss the challenges and opportunities for the Global South in shaping the agenda of the G-20 summit, particularly in addressing global poverty, hunger, and climate justice. How do geopolitical tensions and leadership changes in major powers influence the outcomes?"

The global footprint of the Adani Group, a major Indian business conglomerate, has come under scrutiny due to allegations of corruption, cronyism, and violations of international laws. The group has expanded its operations across several countries, including Sri Lanka, Kenya, Bangladesh, and others. However, recent legal issues, including a US grand jury indictment, are threatening its international business standing. This has raised concerns about the Indian government's support for Adani’s global ventures and its broader implications for India's economic diplomacy.

Adani’s Global Expansion and Controversies

• Adani Group's Global Reach: The Adani Group has expanded its operations from Australia to Kenya and Sri Lanka, with the Indian government actively supporting its international ventures in the name of geo-economics.
• Corruption Allegations and Legal Troubles: Allegations of corruption and bribery linked to Adani’s global projects have led to investigations in countries like Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Bangladesh, with the US legal system scrutinizing the group’s activities.
• US Legal Exposure: The Adani Group's reliance on overseas funding, particularly from the US, has exposed it to scrutiny under US anti-bribery laws, as in the case of Adani Green, which raised funds in the US and was registered there.

Geopolitical and Economic Implications for India

• India’s Geopolitical Support for Adani: The Indian government has been accused of supporting Adani’s global ventures as part of its geo-economic strategy to enhance India's global influence, reflecting the country's "comprehensive national power".
• Vulnerabilities of Dependence on Western Finance: The Adani Group’s globalisation has been funded largely through Western financial resources, making its expansion vulnerable to Western legal frameworks, unlike China’s self-reliant approach.
• Impact on India’s Global Reputation: Adani’s legal issues have cast a shadow over India’s global image, particularly damaging "Brand India" as it weakens the credibility of Indian businesses in the international arena.

Crony Capitalism and Domestic Concerns

• Cronyism and Political Nexus: The nexus between business and politics in India has led to crony capitalism, which has often gone unchecked domestically but is now causing problems on the international stage.
• State-Supported Globalisation and Risks: The Indian government's overt support of Adani’s international ventures has crossed the line from promoting business interests to potentially endorsing dubious practices, thereby undermining national integrity.
• Need for Accountability: The exposure of the Adani Group's unethical practices calls for swift action to preserve the credibility of Indian business globally, emphasizing the need for exemplary accountability to restore trust.

Practice Question:

Critically examine the implications of the Adani Group's global expansion on India's foreign policy and economic diplomacy. How do allegations of cronyism and legal issues affect India's international standing?

The rise of extremist violence, particularly through domestic terrorism and extremist ideologies, is underreported amid major conflicts like the Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas clash. A RAND study highlighted the evolving nature of domestic extremist violence, urging law enforcement to prepare for these changes, a crucial lesson for India as well. This shift from left-wing to right-wing extremism is now influencing global security dynamics, including in India, where concerns about rising right-wing extremism are becoming more prominent.

Evolving Nature of Extremist Violence

• RAND Study on Domestic Terrorism: A RAND study on the changing face of domestic extremist violence stresses the importance of understanding new trends to prepare for future threats.
• Impact on Law Enforcement: The study suggests that law enforcement agencies must adapt to the changing spectrum of extremist ideologies to prevent escalation in both the U.S. and globally.
• Lessons for India: Although India's history of extremist violence differs, the study's findings on the rise of right-wing extremism have global relevance, especially in India’s context.

The Historical Context of Extremism in India

• Early Post-Independence Extremism: In the early years of independence, India faced severe communal violence and the rise of left-wing extremist movements like the Communist insurgencies in Bengal and Telangana.
• Naxalite Movement: By the late 1960s, the Naxalite movement emerged as a major challenge to the Indian state, initially appealing to intellectuals and the youth, but later descending into violent extremism.
• The Lingering Threat: While the movement declined, left-wing extremism, particularly Naxalism, continues to be a threat, demonstrating the potential for radical ideologies to resurface.

The Rise of Right-Wing Extremism

• Shift from Left to Right: The rise of right-wing ideologies across Europe has shifted the focus of extremist violence from left-wing to right-wing extremism. Countries like Germany and France have seen growing right-wing movements with increasing xenophobia.
• Impact of Global Events: The rise of the Islamic State and the 2001 attacks in the West, along with the pandemic, have exacerbated right-wing radicalization, feeding into global instability and insecurity.
• India's Security Implications: Right-wing extremism is also growing in India, with organizations like the Popular Front of India (PFI) linked to radical elements, making it essential for law enforcement to manage this new dimension of threat.

Practice Question:

How have the shifting dynamics of global extremist violence, particularly the rise of right-wing extremism, impacted national security frameworks? Discuss the implications for law enforcement and security agencies in India.