10 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis
1. A reason to talk
(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Editorial Page – Page No. – 10)
| Context |
| The article discusses India’s pragmatic engagement with the Taliban amid complex regional geopolitics. |
A Pivotal Meeting in Dubai
- Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s meeting with the Taliban’s acting foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in Dubai on January 8, marks a significant escalation in India’s engagement with the Taliban regime.
- While India has not formally recognized the Taliban, this dialogue reflects a pragmatic approach in navigating Afghanistan’s geopolitical complexities since the regime’s controversial rise to power in August 2021.
India’s Approach to Taliban Engagement
Functional-Level Communication
- India has maintained functional communication with the Taliban since their takeover.
- This careful engagement balances India’s strategic interests and the international reluctance to accord formal recognition to the regime.
- Misri’s meeting underscores India’s intent to address emerging challenges while exploring opportunities for cooperation.
The Role of Humanitarian Assistance
- India’s aid to Afghanistan has been substantial, including essential medicines, vaccines, and food supplies.
- Post the Misri-Muttaqi meeting, India committed additional support, especially in healthcare and refugee rehabilitation, highlighting India’s enduring role as a humanitarian ally in the region.
Geopolitical Context and Regional Dynamics
Tensions Between Pakistan and Afghanistan
- Misri’s meeting occurred amidst escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan soil intensifying the discord.
- Kabul’s staunch refusal to recognize the Durand Line and the Taliban’s support for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have deepened Islamabad’s vulnerabilities.
- Pakistan’s historical strategy of using Afghanistan for “strategic depth” against India has backfired, with the Taliban now threatening its western border.
Interconnected Terror Networks
- The Taliban’s ties with the TTP and al-Qaeda further complicate regional security.
- While these groups cooperate against the Islamic State (Khorasan Province), their resilience poses a threat to stability.
- This aligns with global concerns about Afghanistan becoming a haven for extremist networks under Taliban rule.
Comparative Diplomacy: Afghanistan and Syria
Disparities in Global Engagement
- The international community’s reluctance to formally engage with the Taliban contrasts sharply with its approach to the Syrian regime, now represented by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
- Despite HTS’s record of human rights violations, global powers have softened their stance on Syria, raising questions about the potential for Taliban rehabilitation.
- India’s senior-level engagement with the Taliban positions it among countries like China and Russia, which have established working relationships with the regime.
India’s Strategic Opportunities in Afghanistan
Leveraging Traditional Friendship
- Afghanistan’s goodwill toward India, as reflected in the popularity of Indian cultural exports like cricket, provides a unique avenue for soft power diplomacy.
- India’s assistance in sports, particularly cricket, resonates with Afghan youth, fostering people-to-people connections.
Regional Collaboration via Chabahar Port
- India’s collaboration with Iran, particularly through Chabahar Port, can serve as a strategic channel for delivering aid to Afghanistan while countering Pakistan’s influence.
- Strengthening ties with Tehran also presents opportunities for broader regional cooperation.
Resuming Development Projects
- India’s long-standing development projects in Afghanistan, which were paused after the Taliban’s rise, could be reinstated to deepen bilateral ties and enhance India’s influence.
- These initiatives align with India’s “Act West” policy, emphasizing its commitment to the region’s stability.
Conclusion:
- India’s engagement with the Taliban reflects a calibrated strategy in a volatile region.
- By prioritizing humanitarian assistance, leveraging soft power, and collaborating with regional players, India is well-positioned to navigate Afghanistan’s complexities.
- While formal recognition of the Taliban remains distant, this evolving relationship underscores the need for pragmatic diplomacy in addressing shared challenges and opportunities.
| What is the importance of Afghanistan to India? |
Afghanistan is important for India for several reasons:
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| PYQ: The proposed withdrawal of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) from Afghanistan in 2014 is fraught with major security implications for the countries of the region. Examine in light of the fact that India is faced with a plethora of challenges and needs to safeguard its own strategic interests. (200 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2013) |
| Practice Question: Discuss India’s evolving engagement with the Taliban in the context of regional geopolitics and its implications for India’s foreign policy objectives, humanitarian efforts, and security concerns. (250 Words /15 marks) |
2. A more empathetic justice
(Source – Indian Express, Section – The Ideas Page – Page No. – 11)
| Topic: GS2 – Social Justice |
| Context |
| The article highlights the Delhi High Court’s directive mandating free medical treatment for survivors of rape, child sexual abuse, and acid attacks. |
A Landmark Judgment on Free Medical Treatment
- In the case of S V v State (December 10, 2024), the Delhi High Court, through Justice Pratibha M Singh and Justice Amit Sharma, reinforced the legal mandate requiring all hospitals to provide free medical treatment to victims of rape, child sexual abuse, and acid attacks.
- This judgment extends beyond legal compliance, advocating for a holistic approach to therapeutic care for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.
Legal Obligations for Free Medical Treatment
Mandatory Provisions under Indian Law
- The court emphasized the mandatory nature of Section 357C of the CrPC and Section 397 BNSS, which obligate all hospitals—whether public or private—to provide free first aid and medical treatment to survivors.
- The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s 2014 guidelines further outline that such treatment must include diagnostics, medicines, and other necessary healthcare services.
Expanding the Definition of Treatment
- Crucially, the court broadened the scope of “treatment” to include not only first aid and medical diagnostics but also psychological counseling, mental health support, and family counseling.
- By mandating immediate care without insisting on ID proof, the court prioritized the dignity and rights of survivors, setting a significant precedent in “therapeutic jurisprudence.”
Guidelines for Hospital Compliance
Sensitization of Medical Staff
- To ensure effective implementation, the court directed hospitals to train their medical and administrative staff on the legal obligation to provide free treatment.
- Non-compliance is now categorized as a criminal offense, punishable with imprisonment or fines, signaling the seriousness of the issue.
Display of Information
- Hospitals must prominently display signs stating the availability of free treatment for survivors, increasing awareness among victims and ensuring accountability within medical institutions.
Therapeutic Jurisprudence and the Right to Health
Addressing Structural Barriers
- The court’s emphasis on therapeutic access reframes sexual and gender-based violence as a public health issue.
- This perspective underscores the need for comprehensive care systems to aid survivors, including those of marital rape or domestic violence, regardless of the legal status of marital rape in India.
Learning from Global Cases
- The case of Gisèle Pelicot in France serves as a stark reminder of the systemic bias against women in healthcare and justice systems.
- It highlights the need for medical professionals to root out prejudices, ensure trauma-informed care, and avoid medical gaslighting.
Gaps in Governance and Survivor Support
Denial of Basic Necessities
- The judgment exposed glaring deficiencies in the treatment of survivors, such as the lack of clothing kits after forensic procedures.
- Victims are often left in blood-soaked clothes or flimsy gowns, adding to their trauma.
State Responsibility
- The state’s failure to replace seized clothing and personal items violates the dignity and safety of survivors, amounting to gendered harm.
- Providing clothing kits, including essentials like sanitary products and undergarments, should be considered a constitutional obligation to uphold survivors’ rights.
Broader Implications for Policy and Practice
Addressing Public Health Concerns
- The court’s observations call for a systemic approach to treat sexual violence as a public health crisis.
- Ensuring access to free medical care and post-assault necessities not only aids individual survivors but also reinforces societal accountability.
Expanding the Scope of Therapeutic Access
- The judgment opens avenues to advocate for similar provisions for other forms of gender-based violence.
- By integrating therapeutic access into healthcare systems, society can better address the pervasive harm caused by sexual and domestic violence.
Conclusion:
- The Delhi High Court’s judgment in S V v State is a significant step toward institutionalizing survivor-centric care.
- However, addressing the systemic neglect of survivors’ needs—such as clothing replacement and trauma-informed care—requires coordinated efforts from the state, medical institutions, and civil society.
- This judgment sets the stage for a broader reimagining of justice and health systems to ensure dignity, safety, and therapeutic access for survivors of gender-based violence.
| Practice Question: Discuss the significance of the Delhi High Court’s directive mandating free medical treatment for survivors of rape, child sexual abuse, and acid attacks. How can this judgment serve as a foundation for broader systemic reforms?(150 Words /10 marks) |
For more such UPSC related Current Affairs, Check Out: 9 January 2025 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis
