GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations in 2025. This is his first visit to India as the Head of State. This visit highlights the growing relationship between India and Indonesia in defence, trade, and cultural exchanges.

Key Focus of President Prabowo Subianto's Visit

During his visit to India, President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia is expected to focus on a few key areas to further enhance bilateral ties:

• Defence and Security Cooperation:
  • Brahmos Missiles Sale: The $450 million deal for the sale of Brahmos supersonic missiles is a top priority. This will significantly strengthen military ties.
  • Maritime Security: Focus on increasing military and maritime security cooperation between the two countries.
  • Joint Exercises and Patrols: Furthering cooperation through joint military exercises and maritime patrols to maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Trade and Economic Cooperation: Both countries will explore new avenues for trade and investment, especially in sectors like energy, infrastructure, and digital technology.
• Cultural and People-to-People Engagement: With 6,00,000 Indian tourists visiting Bali, the focus will be on boosting tourism and strengthening people-to-people ties. Educational and cultural exchanges will also be a focus, with continued collaboration in education and healthcare.
• Regional and Global Cooperation: The visit will provide a platform to discuss regional issues, including cooperation in regional security and the Indo-Pacific region.
  • Indonesia's role in regional groupings like BRICS will also be a point of discussion, especially in light of global geopolitical shifts.

Current Status of India-Indonesia Relations

• India and Indonesia share a strong and growing relationship, which spans multiple areas, including defence, trade, cultural exchange, and regional security. The relationship has evolved significantly in recent years, with both countries deepening their cooperation under the framework of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established in 2018.
• Cultural Relations: Indian religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism, along with Sanskrit language, greatly influenced Indonesia, particularly from the 1st to the 14th centuries.
  • Indonesian kingdoms, like the Srivijaya Empire (7th to 13th century)and the Majapahit Empire (1293-1527), were heavily influenced by Indian culture, literature, and religion. These empires maintained maritime trade routes with India.
  • The stories from Indian epics, particularly the Ramayana and Mahabharata, also have a significant place in Indonesian art, drama, and folklore.
• Key Areas of Cooperation:
  • Defence and Security: India and Indonesia engage in joint military exercises like Garuda Shakti (Army) and Samudra Shakti (Navy).
    • Their navies have been conducting joint patrols in the Indian Ocean since 2002 under the India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT).
    • India is in talks to sell Brahmos supersonic missiles to Indonesia, strengthening defence ties.
  • Trade and Investment: Bilateral trade reached $29.40 billion in 2023-24, and India's investments in Indonesia total approximately $1.56 billion. Both countries have robust economic engagement in sectors like infrastructure, automotive, banking, and pharmaceuticals.
    • Indonesia is India’s second-largest trading partner in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region.
  • People-to-People Connectivity: Direct flight connections between India and Indonesia began in 2023, making travel easier. India has become the second-largest source of tourists to Bali, with over 6,00,000 tourists visiting in 2023-24.
  • Space Cooperation: Both countries have strong collaboration in space technology, with ISRO providing satellite tracking through stations in Papua, Indonesia.

Why Indonesia is Important for India?

• Strategic Location & Maritime Security: Indonesia’s proximity to India, especially with the Andaman Islands located just 100 km from Indonesia’s Aceh province, enhances cooperation in maritime security. Both countries collaborate on issues like marine pollution, overfishing, and maritime security management in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Shared Vision for a Stable Indo-Pacific: Both India and Indonesia support a free, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, emphasizing ASEAN centrality. They share concerns over regional security, particularly regarding China’s influence, and cooperate on regional security issues.
• Economic and Trade Ties: Indonesia is India’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. Indonesia is 40% of ASEAN territory, 40% of ASEAN market, and 40% of its population.
• Natural complement to India’s growing manufacturing industry:Indonesia’s mineral-rich economy is among the world’s major exporters of thermal coal, rubber, palm oil, nickel (essential for EV batteries), and tin, as well as a substantial exporter of natural gas.
• Climate Change & Blue Economy Cooperation: Both nations face climate challenges and are committed to net-zero emissions (India by 2070, Indonesia by 2060). They can collaborate on renewable energy projects, especially solar and wind energy. Indonesia is also a leader in the blue economy, and both countries have opportunities to work together on marine resources and sustainable ocean use.
• Technology & Digital Cooperation: Both India and Indonesia are digitally advanced and can collaborate on cybersecurity, e-governance, and digital infrastructure. India’s expertise in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) offers support for Indonesia’s own digital transformation.
• Cultural & People-to-People Ties: The strong cultural links between India and Indonesia, along with a growing Indian diaspora and tourism, help strengthen mutual understanding and people-centric cooperation.
• Geopolitical Significance: As Indonesia joins BRICS, it boosts India’s influence in multilateral forums. Indonesia's key role in ASEAN aligns with India’s Act East Policy, making it an essential partner for regional and global influence.

The recent release of the 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) has sparked a significant debate around poverty estimation in India. The survey reports a decline in poverty levels across urban and rural areas, but questions have arisen about the accuracy of the data and whether the poverty line is being underestimated.

What is Poverty and How is It Defined?

• Poverty in India was traditionally defined using the expenditure required for a minimum calorie diet, updated every five years based on National Sample Survey Office (NSSO)
• However, over time, discrepancies between the NSSO’s household consumption expenditure data and national accounts data led to doubts about the reliability of poverty estimates.

How Has Poverty Estimation Evolved?

• Changes in Methodology:
  • Tendulkar and Rangarajan Committees: These committees introduced new methodologies to estimate poverty, such as using different recall periods for consumption data. However, such changes have made it difficult to compare poverty estimates over time.
  • Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): In recent years, alternative measures, like the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), have been adopted to capture poverty beyond income levels. This index considers factors like health, education, and living standards.
• The Shift to Broader Consumption: The scope of poverty definition has expanded beyond just calorie consumption to include other goods and services, reflecting modern consumption patterns. The updated methodology suggests that food expenditure now constitutes less than 50% of the total consumption basket, indicating that people now spend more on diverse needs, such as healthcare and education.

Concerns with the 2023-24 Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES)

Divergence in Data: A key issue with the HCES data is the divergence between NSSO estimates and national accounts data. This divergence has been caused by:

• Changes in Recall Periods: Different recall periods for various items (7 days for some, 30 days for others) make comparisons over time challenging. Previous estimates used a uniform recall period, which is now inconsistent with the updated method.
• New Methodologies: The introduction of mixed and modified mixed reference periods (MRP and MMRP) for data collection has resulted in higher consumption estimates, which may affect poverty estimation. The methodology also now involves visiting households multiple times for better data accuracy.

Impact on Poverty Estimates: Using the new methodologies with higher consumption estimates and applying them to outdated poverty lines might show a drastic reduction in poverty, which some argue is misleading. Experts stress the need for a consistent poverty line that reflects modern consumption patterns.

Rural vs. Urban Poverty

• Changing Rural-Urban Dynamics: Data suggests that the consumption gap between rural and urban areas is narrowing. This could be because many rural areas are increasingly peri-urban in nature, with consumption patterns becoming similar to urban regions. Rural areas, historically dependent on food items, now have diverse consumption baskets that resemble those of urban areas.
  • However, the classification of rural vs. urban areas based on the 2011 Census is outdated. Many areas once categorized as rural are now urban or peri-urban in nature, which could influence poverty estimates.
• Public Policy Impact: Government initiatives such as the National Food Security Act and flagship programs aimed at poverty reduction have likely contributed to the decrease in poverty levels. However, the definition of rural and urban must be updated to accurately reflect poverty levels across regions.

Should the Poverty Line be Revised?

The Debate Over Revising the Poverty Line: There is an ongoing debate over whether the poverty line should be upwardly revised in India:

• Rangarajan Methodology: According to experts, using Rangarajan’s poverty line, which is based on a more comprehensive consumption basket, suggests that poverty in India could be as low as 10%. However, some argue that updating the poverty line alone is insufficient without re-examining the methodology.
• International Comparisons: Global poverty benchmarks, such as the UNDP’s $2.15/day threshold, suggest that India’s poverty rate could be around 12.9%. This is lower than estimates that place poverty at 25%.

Need for a Clear, Updated Methodology: Both experts agree on the need for a clear, updated methodology for estimating poverty. The methodology should reflect modern consumption patterns and include a consistent poverty line that can be applied across surveys.

Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and Criticism

• What is the MPI? India’s MPI includes 12 indicators, compared to 10 in the UNDP's global MPI. This broader approach has been praised for capturing a wider range of deprivations beyond income, such as bank accounts, maternal health, and access to services.
• Criticism of MPI: Some critics argue that the MPI doesn’t capture issues like income vulnerability and future deprivation risks, which are essential for measuring long-term poverty. Additionally, once a household has access to basic services (e.g., electricity, bank accounts), it is not considered deprived in those areas, which could understate the severity of poverty.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka announced the renaming of the Jaffna Cultural Centre to the ‘Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre’. The renaming was done to honor the Tamil poet-philosopher Thiruvalluvar, a respected figure in Tamil culture.

Why the name change?

• The Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre was renamed to recognize the cultural significance of Thiruvalluvar to Tamils worldwide.
• This decision was part of India’s ongoing efforts to celebrate and promote Tamil culture globally.
• The renaming of the Jaffna Cultural Centre to Thiruvalluvar Cultural Centre caused controversy due to the removal of ‘Jaffna’ from the name.
• Many in the Tamil community felt the change was disrespectful to their identity.
• After backlash, India compromised by reinstating the word ‘Jaffna’ in the name.

The Fiscal Health Index (FHI), released by NITI Aayog provides a comprehensive evaluation of the fiscal health of India's states. This report for the financial year 2022-23 covers 18 major states that contribute significantly to India’s economy, focusing on their public expenditure, revenues, debt sustainability, and overall fiscal stability. The initiative aims to assess and benchmark fiscal performance across states, helping to identify areas for improvement and best practices that can be adopted for better fiscal management.

Key Highlights of the FHI Report

• Top Performers: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Goa, and Jharkhand were ranked as the best-performing states, with Odisha topping the list due to its high capital outlay, effective revenue mobilization, and low interest payments. These states have a revenue surplus and strong fiscal management.
• Aspirational States: States like Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala are struggling with fiscal challenges. These states face issues such as low revenue mobilization, high debt burden, and difficulties in meeting fiscal and revenue deficit targets.
• Front-Runners: Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka were categorized as front-runners for fiscal health. These states demonstrated high developmental expenditure, consistent revenue growth, and improved debt sustainability.
• Fiscal Indicators: States like Odisha, Goa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh scored highest in the FHI over the 2014-15 to 2021-22 period, showcasing stable fiscal management and strong debt profiles.
• Debt Sustainability: Odisha was recognized for its excellent debt sustainability with the highest scores in Debt Index (99.0) and Debt Sustainability (64.0).

The decline in the Koraga population raises concerns regarding the preservation of their unique cultural heritage and traditional practices.

About the Koraga Tribe:

• The Koraga tribe, one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India, is facing a declining population. They primarily reside in the Dakshin Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka, as well as the Kasargod district of Kerala.
• Koraga tribe are found in the southern parts of India, particularly in Karnataka (Dakshin Kannada and Udupi districts) and Kerala (Kasargod district).
• Language: While most Koragas speak the Tulu language, they also have their own distinct language.
• Clans: The Koragas are divided into 17 exogamous clans or sects, known as "bali."
• Economy: Traditionally, the Koragas are agriculturists, relying on forest produce like bamboo, cane, and creepers for basketry. Their livelihoods are closely linked to the forests and natural resources.
• Culture & Practices: They engage in folk dances, rituals, and songs to appease deities, seek good harvests, and prevent epidemics.
  • Dholu (drum) and Voote (flute) are the key musical instruments of the Koragas.
• Social Structure:
  • The Koraga tribe practices a matrilineal system, with descent traced through the female line, although patrilocal residence is followed after marriage.
  • Property inheritance is equal among both sons and daughters.
• Religious Practices: They worship various Bhuta deities through rituals like Bhuta Kola, a folk dance associated with worshipping spirits like Panjurli, Kallurti, Korathi, and Guliga.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Battlefield Surveillance System ‘SANJAY’, which it is set to be inducted in all operational brigades, divisions and corps of the Army in three phases.

About Sanjay System

• The SANJAY system is a state-of-the-art battlefield surveillance system developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) under the "Buy (Indian-IDDM)" initiative, which focuses on self-reliance in defense technology.
• The system will serve as a common integrated surveillance platform for the Indian Army.
• The Army did not operate a common integrated surveillance system before SANJAY.
  • Before SANJAY, the Army operated various surveillance tools that weren’t fully integrated. The new system merges data from various battlefield devices into one comprehensive platform, making it more efficient and responsive.
• Data Integration and Processing: The SANJAY system gathers information from a wide range of battlefield surveillance devices deployed at the division and corps levels.
  • It processes this data, which includes voice, video, content, and images, and fuses it with other inputs and databases to create a real-time battlefield scenario. This helps commanders make more informed decisions in strategic positioning and overall battlefield management.
  • The system uses artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced information techniques to assess the location of targets and predict potential threats. The data is transferred over high-speed, secure digital communication links, ensuring that it is both fast and protected from cyber threats.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin's recent statement about the origin of iron in the State has attracted attention. His assertion, based on recent archaeological findings in Tamil Nadu, pushes back the antiquity of iron to the first quarter of the fourth millennium BCE, challenging the previously established dating of iron technology in India.

Iron's Early Antiquity in Tamil Nadu

• Archaeological Evidence: Recent excavations in Sivagalai, Tamil Nadu (2019-2022), have led to the attribution of iron's introduction in India to the early part of the fourth millennium BCE.
• Scientific Validation: The findings of the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) were corroborated by renowned institutions, such as the Beta Analytic laboratory in the U.S., lending credibility to the revised dating.
• Implication for National History: This pushes the timeline of the Iron Age in India further back, suggesting that iron technology might have emerged in Tamil Nadu well before the commonly accepted period of 1800 BCE, previously established after excavations in the mid-Ganga Valley.

Shifting Archaeological Focus

• Focus on Iron-Specific Sites: Archaeologists might need to prioritize sites specifically related to iron technology rather than mixed copper-iron sites, which could improve efficiency in research and excavation.
• Regional Coordination: While Tamil Nadu supports archaeological projects, the constraints of territorial jurisdiction highlight the need for collaboration with neighboring southern states to ensure comprehensive coverage of the region.
• Role of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI): The ASI should take a leading role in coordinating efforts across southern India, pooling resources and expertise to enhance research quality and findings in the region.

Political Context and Historical Debate

• Political Instrumentalization of History: In the current political climate, historical narratives are increasingly being used to promote specific agendas, and the discovery of iron's early antiquity is important in countering baseless historical claims.
• Need for Credible Evidence: Establishing the antiquity of iron in India through scientific research is crucial to countering politically motivated distortions of history.
• Significance of Scholarly Integrity: Reliable archaeological findings grounded in evidence can prevent the manipulation of history and provide a solid foundation for national identity and heritage.

Practice Question:

Q. Discuss the significance of recent archaeological findings in Tamil Nadu regarding the antiquity of iron in India and their implications for the understanding of early technological advancements in the Indian subcontinent. How can coordinated efforts among states and institutions enhance archaeological research?

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s recent visit to India signals a potential shift towards a more comprehensive and strategic partnership between the two nations, underlining Prabowo's aspirations to elevate Indonesia's global influence while aligning with India's objectives.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

• Collaborative Foreign Ministries: Foreign ministers S. Jaishankar and Retno Marsudi have fostered effective relations between India and Indonesia, setting the stage for enhanced diplomatic ties and regular consultations.
• G20 Presidencies: Both nations held consecutive G20 presidencies in 2022 and 2023, deepening their engagement and providing a platform for closer cooperation on global issues.
• Strategic Leadership: The growing rapport between Modi and Prabowo is expected to elevate the India-Indonesia relationship, potentially surpassing the previous dynamic between Modi and Jokowi.

Areas of Strategic Cooperation

• BRICS Membership: Indonesia’s inclusion in BRICS (2023) offers new opportunities for India and Indonesia to collaborate within this influential bloc, particularly in pushing for a stronger strategic presence.
• China Factor: Despite Indonesia’s economic ties with China, Prabowo’s independent policy approach opens space for cooperation between India and Indonesia, navigating the complexities of their shared interests in the Indo-Pacific.
• Indo-Pacific Collaboration: Indonesia’s evolving stance on the Indo-Pacific, including alignment with India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), provides a strong foundation for joint efforts in regional maritime security and resource management.

Expanding Trilateral and Regional Cooperation

• Trilateral Partnerships: India and Indonesia, in collaboration with Australia, already have a trilateral framework that could gain momentum with Prabowo’s visit, expanding cooperation in areas like maritime security and regional stability.
• Regional Architecture: Active participation in ASEAN forums and consultations on regional issues like Myanmar could enhance the efficacy of ASEAN-related meetings and strengthen India-Indonesia ties.
• BIMSTEC Integration: Inviting Indonesia to join the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) would solidify its strategic role in India’s eastern neighbourhood and enhance regional connectivity.

Practice Question

Q. Examine the potential for deeper strategic cooperation between India and Indonesia, focusing on areas such as BRICS, Indo-Pacific security, and trilateral frameworks. How can their collaboration shape the future strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific region?

As India celebrates 75 years of its Constitution, the focus shifts to how the core values, particularly personal liberty and human dignity, have faced challenges in modern India. A recent reinstatement of dissent as a constitutional ethic, through a Supreme Court ruling, highlights the ethical and moral dilemmas surrounding personal liberty today.

Reinstating Dissent in Constitutional Ethics

• Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017): The Supreme Court reinstated Justice S. Fazl Ali’s dissent in the A.K. Gopalan case (1950), which upheld Gopalan’s right to political dissent, marking a shift in understanding personal liberty in constitutional ethics.
• K. Gopalan's Detention: Gopalan’s preventive detention in 1950, sanctioned by the Supreme Court's majority judgment, was later declared a judicial error, reinforcing personal liberty and questioning previous interpretations of constitutional rights.
• Broader Ethical Framing: The revision of constitutional ethics calls for integrating personal liberty and human dignity into a comprehensive justice framework, moving beyond mechanical readings of law to ensure constitutional values are respected.

Historical Context and Modern Challenges

• Preventive Detention and Political Dissent: Preventive detention laws, which allowed for indefinite custody without trial, have grown in use, particularly under anti-terror laws, echoing the challenges faced by political dissenters today.
• Continuity of Political Persecution: The continued detention of anti-CAA activists, including young dissenters, parallels the experiences of historical figures like A.K. Gopalan, underscoring the need to critically assess constitutional integrity in contemporary India.
• Judicial Inaction on Liberty: Despite the constitutional commitment to personal liberty, the Indian judiciary has faced criticism for its delayed action in upholding the rights of detainees, particularly dissenters under laws like the Preventive Detention Act.

Dissent, Colonial Legacies, and Judicial Responsibility

• Colonial Legal Influence: The Preventive Detention Act of 1950, rooted in colonial law, continues to be used in post-independence India, which raises concerns about the legacy of these laws in modern judicial practices.
• Evolving Constitutional Interpretation: As reflected in the Puttaswamy case, the challenge is to extend the values of dissent, dignity, and liberty enshrined in the Constitution, ensuring that the courts evolve with the changing societal and political realities.
• Future of Constitutional Values: The judicial system is urged to protect the ethical spirit of the Constitution and not undermine it through outdated or politically motivated interpretations, as this would defeat the core mission of justice.

Practice Question

Q. Critically analyze the evolution of constitutional interpretation regarding personal liberty and dissent in India, focusing on landmark cases like A.K. Gopalan vs State of Madras (1950) and Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017). How does the application of preventive detention laws impact constitutional ethics in the context of political dissent?