14 October 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. China, India and New Delhi’s Quad dilemma

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

The recent Quad meeting led to the Wilmington Declaration, highlighting the growing security cooperation between India, the U.S., Japan, and Australia, focused on containing China in the Indo-Pacific. Amid deteriorating India-China ties, India must balance its Quad alignment and manage its complex relationship with China cautiously.

Introduction

• The recent meeting of the four Quad nations (Australia, India, Japan, and the U.S.) has emerged as one of the most significant to date.
• The Wilmington Declaration, while not mentioning any country, was aimed at containing China in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The article discusses the implications of this development for India, especially concerning its relations with China and the evolving strategic landscape.

The Wilmington Declaration

Wilmington Declaration: Joint statement by leaders of Quad countries (U.S., India, Japan, Australia) at the September 2024 summit in Wilmington, Delaware. It reaffirms Quad’s dedication to a stable, open international system grounded in rule of law, human rights, and democratic values. Focus on Indo-Pacific: Stresses the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific region, free from coercion or aggression. Key Areas of Cooperation: Emphasises respecting sovereignty and collaboration in maritime security, emerging technologies, and global health.

The Significance of the Wilmington Declaration

• The Wilmington Declaration highlighted the security alliance among the four Quad nations, though it avoided naming China directly.
• The strategic objective of the Quad nations is evident, focused on countering China’s influence across the Indo-Pacific.
• While no formal mutual defence agreement was declared, the alliance’s primary aim is to act as a check against China’s growing power.

Current State of India-China Relations

• India-China relations have reached a point of deterioration, with a stalemate continuing in key border areas such as Galwan, Depsang Plains, and Demchok.
• Despite efforts to disengage, there has been no breakthrough in the negotiations.
• India is responding by strengthening its military capabilities along the border, with the induction of new artillery, long-range firearms, and other advanced systems.
• Despite India’s efforts, China remains confident, bolstered by its significantly larger defence budget.

China’s Strategic Posture and Its Reaction to the Quad

• China has historically relied on the element of surprise in its foreign policy and military actions, and its response to India’s growing alliance with the West may reflect this.
• Although China appears unbothered for now, its leadership is likely closely monitoring the Quad’s moves, as any alignment could be seen as a provocation.
• India should be cautious about China’s unpredictable behaviour and to carefully navigate its relationships with both China and its Quad partners.
• It is important for India to maintain a nuanced and balanced approach, recognizing the difference between China’s territorial claims in the Himalayas and its more serious concerns on its eastern seaboard.

India’s Strategic Shift

• There is a perception that India’s growing alignment with the West, particularly the U.S., may have shifted its stance towards China.
• Recent Chinese overtures towards India for disengagement from friction points in Ladakh have not been met with much optimism from the Indian side.
• China, on the other hand, views India’s membership in the Quad as a more significant threat than its territorial disputes in the Himalayas.

Conclusion

• The article emphasises that India must be careful in its dealings with both China and the Quad, ensuring that it is not seen as part of any movement to contain or confront China.
• While India need not subscribe to China’s geopolitical vision, it should avoid aligning too closely with U.S. efforts to check China’s rise.
• A cautious approach is advised to avoid unnecessary confrontational politics, which could have adverse consequences for India-China relations and regional stability.

PYQ: ‘Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad)’ is transforming itself into a trade block from a military alliance, in present times – Discuss. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2020)

Practice Question:  Discuss the strategic implications of India’s growing alignment with the Quad for its relations with China. How should India balance its partnerships with Western nations while addressing regional security concerns? (250 Words /15 marks)

2. A critical message for the urban elite

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS1 – Urbanisation –  Their problems and their remedies.

Context

India’s urban heat island effect is worsening due to poor urban planning, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities who work outdoors in extreme heat. Privileged classes, insulated by technology, are disconnected from public issues, exacerbating inequality.The need for equitable urban planning is critical to improving living conditions for all citizens.

Introduction

• India witnessed record-breaking heatwaves this summer, with temperatures soaring beyond 50°C in Delhi.
• As the monsoon progresses, there’s a risk of ignoring the warning posed by these extreme weather events.
• The urban heat island (UHI) effect is amplifying heatwaves, especially in cities due to poor urban planning and design choices.

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect

Urban areas are significantly warmer than rural regions due to human activities, known as the UHI effect. Heat is retained by materials like concrete, asphalt, and glass, which are prevalent in urban infrastructure. Corporate hubs with sleek glass buildings, while visually appealing, trap heat and increase energy consumption. Reflections from such buildings, along with the lack of green cover, worsen conditions, making urban areas even hotter.

Impact on Marginalised Communities

• The most affected by this rise in temperature are the marginalised groups who face direct exposure to heat.
• Delivery personnel, auto drivers, construction workers, and domestic helpers endure extreme heat conditions while earning their livelihoods.
• The urban poor have little access to relief, such as air-conditioned environments, making them disproportionately vulnerable.
• Their plight is often overlooked in the public discourse, as the more privileged classes are shielded from these harsh realities.

The Comfort Trap of Privilege and Technology

• The privileged classes have access to air-conditioning and technology that insulate them from extreme weather, reducing their motivation to demand urban reforms.
• Tech-driven conveniences like delivery apps, ride-hailing services, and online platforms for repairs further detach the elite from engaging with their cities.
• This has led to a ‘comfort trap’, where technology enables a life of convenience, minimizing interactions with the environment and other people.
• Privileged individuals, by opting for comfort over engagement, inadvertently become disconnected from public services and urban issues.

Inequality in Urban Governance

• The disparity between the wealthy and the marginalised manifests in how urban problems are addressed.
• When the wealthy face issues like flooding in posh areas, swift action is taken by the authorities, while similar problems in poorer regions remain unaddressed.
• Public services, such as education and transport, suffer from neglect as the affluent opt for private solutions, further marginalising public infrastructure.

The Vicious Cycle of Technology and Urban Degradation

• A vicious cycle emerges where heatwaves force people indoors, increasing their reliance on technology to meet their needs.
• This growing dependence on tech deepens urban inequality, as the wealthy demand fewer public services while marginalised communities continue to struggle.
• As a result, cities become less liveable for everyone, and the gap between the privileged and the marginalised widens.

Reconnecting with Cities

• Breaking out of the comfort trap is essential for both personal and societal well-being.
• Urban elites must recognise the need to reconnect with their cities, engage with public issues, and advocate for improvements.
• Ensuring liveable, equitable urban spaces requires active participation from all citizens, particularly those who hold influence.

Conclusion

• The growing reliance on technology and urban comforts is exacerbating existing inequalities in Indian cities.
• For cities to thrive, privileged individuals must use their influence to push for better urban planning and public services.
• By confronting the true state of urban living, cities can be rebuilt to become more inclusive, equitable, and liveable for all.

PYQ: Bring out the causes for the formation of heat islands in the urban habitat of the world. (100 words/5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2013)

Practice Question:  Discuss the impact of the urban heat island (UHI) effect on marginalised communities in Indian cities. How can urban planning and governance address the growing inequality in the context of climate change and technology-enabled lifestyles? (250 Words /15 marks)

3. Scuttling people’s right to information

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity – Statutory Bodies

Context

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, has empowered citizens by promoting transparency and accountability in governance. However, deliberate vacancies in information commissions and regressive amendments have weakened its effectiveness, creating backlogs and limiting public access to information. This undermines democracy and threatens the law’s integrity.

Empowerment through RTI Act

• The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, has been a powerful tool for citizens to expose corruption and hold power to account.
• The law has been used to uncover various issues, including the opacity of the electoral bonds scheme.
• Despite its success, the RTI Act faces growing backlash and deliberate attempts to undermine its effectiveness.

Vacant Posts and Backlogs

• Many information commissions across India remain non-functional due to vacant posts of commissioners.
• In 2023, the Satark Nagrik Sangathan reported that 7 out of 29 information commissions were defunct for periods ranging from several months to over four years.
• Large backlogs plague the commissions, with over 4 lakh pending appeals and complaints.
• In states like Maharashtra, the backlog exceeds 1 lakh cases, yet commissioner positions remain unfilled.
• The Central Information Commission has 8 out of 11 posts vacant, despite repeated Supreme Court directives to fill them.
• This leads to delays in case resolution, with some states like Chhattisgarh and Bihar projecting resolutions as late as 2029.

Lack of Accountability

• The majority of appointees to the commissions are retired government officials or individuals with political patronage, limiting impartiality.
• Despite the power to impose penalties, 95% of cases where penalties could have been levied saw none imposed, sending a signal of impunity.
• Information officers often ignore RTI requests without consequences, leading to unanswered and delayed applications.

Regressive Amendments to the RTI Act

• In 2019, amendments to the RTI Act undermined the autonomy of information commissions by giving the Central government control over commissioners’ tenures, salaries, and pensions.
• The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, expanded the exemption of personal information from the RTI Act, further weakening citizens’ access to information.
• A key provision allowing citizens the same rights to information as MPs and MLAs was also deleted.

Threats to RTI Activists

• Over 100 people have been killed, and thousands assaulted or threatened, for using the RTI Act.
• Despite the passage of the Whistleblowers Protection Act in 2014, the government has not yet formulated rules to implement it.
• Every year, approximately 6 million RTI applications are filed, highlighting the importance of the law in redistributing power and fostering democratic engagement.

Conclusion

• The erosion of the RTI Act is tantamount to an erosion of democracy, as it diminishes citizens’ ability to hold the government accountable.

Practice Question:  “The Right to Information Act is a vital tool for ensuring transparency, but its implementation has faced numerous challenges.” Discuss the issues surrounding the RTI Act’s functioning and suggest measures to strengthen its effectiveness. (250 Words /15 marks)