GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context:

India-China tensions at the Asian Games due to the last-minute denial of entry to Indian athletes have again put a strain in relations between both the countries.

Asian Games Opening marred by Political Disputes

• Indian Minister's Protest: Indian Sports Minister cancelled his China visit in protest after three Indian Wushu players were denied entry.
• Last-Minute Denial: Athletes from Arunachal Pradesh faced last-minute entry denials, revealing ongoing political tensions.
• Visa Issue: Beijing's move to bar their travel, despite digital accreditations, highlights tensions and strained relations.

Sports Events Used for Political Gains

• Geopolitical Posturing: China's use of sporting events for political messaging, like selecting Galwan Valley commander as a torchbearer.
• Organizers' Complicity: Event organizers often overlook such actions due to China's host and financial support status.
• Distrust and Lack of Communication: The incident underscores the distrust in bilateral relations and the need for improved communication.

Ongoing Border Disputes

• Border Dispute: The denial of entry highlights unresolved issues, including border disputes and visa problems.
• Restoring Normalcy: New Delhi emphasizes that normalizing relations requires addressing the Line of Actual Control and border peace.
• Prolonged Standoff: Until Beijing revisits its stance on the border issue, the strained India-China relationship will persist.

Context:

The U.S.-China competition in the region gives New Delhi a new opportunity for multi-engagement with other parties.

USA’s Strategy for West Asia

• Two-Part Strategy: President Biden's approach to West Asia involves strengthening ties between Gulf Arab states and Israel, particularly Saudi Arabia, and reassuring allies of continued U.S. engagement.
• Importance of Saudi-Israel Deal: Biden aims to secure a Saudi-Israeli agreement to bolster Arab-Israeli relations and maintain U.S. influence without military commitments.
• Economic Integration: The U.S. encourages the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor to enhance regional connectivity, benefiting India and ensuring American influence through economic channels.

U.S. Deprioritization and China's Growing Role

• S. Pivot: The U.S. is shifting focus to Eastern Europe and East Asia, deprioritizing West Asia but not exiting entirely.
• China's Involvement: China's increasing engagement in the region poses a challenge as it seeks oil resources and peacemaking roles.
• Dilemma for the U.S.: To counter China's influence, the U.S. aims to strengthen regional alliances, involve India, and compete economically.

Challenges and India's Role

• Saudi-Israel Deal Challenges: Despite progress, challenges remain in achieving a Saudi-Israeli agreement.
• Changing Dynamics: Regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are becoming more independent in their foreign policies, making them less reliant on the U.S.
• India's Multi-Engagement: India should engage with West Asia through multiple channels, including economic corridors, without being swayed by Cold War-like dynamics.

Context: 

Recently, the central government has presented three Bills in the Lok Sabha that, if passed, will replace the existing criminal laws of the country. Although, to make real change, we must reshape the institutions in charge of criminal justice.

Reevaluating Criminal Law's Role

• Law and Order Objective: New bills aim to strengthen law and order by emphasizing the correlation between social order and criminal law enforcement.
• Limited Efficacy: Criminal law's exclusive focus on punishing individuals obscures the societal roots of crimes and its limited capacity for crime control.
• Questioning the Overhaul: The true intention behind these legislative reforms should be examined.

Criminal Law's Individualistic Approach

• Outdated Perspective: Criminal law places full responsibility for crimes on individual offenders, neglecting the impact of social circumstances.
• Environmental Factors: Research shows that social context, education, and socio-economic status significantly influence decision-making and risk management.
• Neglecting Environmental Factors: Criminal law's emphasis on individual responsibility overlooks the role of social and environmental factors in crime.

Challenges in Reforming Criminal Justice

• Symbolic Action: Governments exaggerate criminal law's ability to reduce crime, using legislative reforms for symbolic condemnation rather than substantive change.
• Power Dynamics: Criminal law can be a tool of oppression, disproportionately affecting the marginalized and vulnerable.
• Need for Comprehensive Reconfiguration: True reform requires rethinking the entire criminal justice system, including police, courts, and support services.