29 December 2023 : The Hindu Editorial Notes PDF
The Hindu Editorial
29-December-2023
1. India’s stationary course in the shipping value chain.
| Topic: GS3 – Indian Economy – Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railway etc. Critical for UPSC: Understanding India’s maritime challenges is vital for strategic and economic assessments, aligning with UPSC’s comprehensive exam syllabus. |
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Yangtze River as China’s Lifeline:
- Yangtze River as China’s Lifeline: The Yangtze River holds cultural, historical, and economic significance for China, with the Three Gorges project adding to its importance.
- Modern Dynamics of the Yangtze: Today, the Yangtze serves as a crucial trade route, witnessing a blend of traditional cultural elements and modern industrial activities.
- Shipping Marvels on the Yangtze: Unlike conventional convoy systems in global waterways, the Yangtze often sees multiple convoys of merchant ships navigating in parallel, showcasing logistical expertise and piloting skills.
- Economic Impacts: Merchant ships on the Yangtze play a pivotal role in transporting raw materials from global sources to Chinese industries and exporting finished products worldwide.
India and China’s Maritime Trajectories: A Comparative Analysis
- India’s Early Advantage: Until the late 1980s, India was ahead of China in merchant shipping, boasting a tradition of ship-owning and contributing significantly to the International Maritime Organization.
- Shift in Dynamics: India’s shipyards showed promise in building ships competitively for the global market, with a focus on skilled English-speaking seafarers.
- Labour as a Driving Force: Similar to other sectors, India’s growth in the shipping industry relied on supplying skilled labor, with a substantial presence of Indian seafarers globally.
- Evolution into Ship Management: Indian talent in value engineering and bargaining led to the growth of ship management companies, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings.
Challenges in India’s Maritime Growth: A Critical Assessment
- Lack of Vertical Integration: India has struggled to move up the shipping value chain, facing limitations in ship owning, chartering, financing, and shipbuilding.
- State of Indian Shipyards: The state-owned Shipping Corporation of India’s challenges and a lack of focus on shipbuilding have impacted the order books of Indian shipyards.
- Contrast with China’s Approach: China, propelled by a dedicated government plan, became a global leader in shipbuilding by 2020, with a substantial share in ship manufacturing.
Policy Initiatives and Future Prospects: A Glimpse
- Maritime Agenda 2020: The UPA government aimed to increase India’s share in global shipbuilding, but by 2020, the share had dropped significantly.
- Maritime India Vision 2030: The current government’s vision emphasizes logistics, environment, and seafarer growth but lacks specific plans for shipbuilding and owning.
- Strategic Significance: Shipbuilding holds strategic importance for India, offering a seat at the global maritime table and enhancing international trade presence.
- Military and Industrial Integration: Shipbuilding not only contributes to industrial might but is integral to naval strength, positioning India strategically in global maritime dynamics.
Conclusion
- The article underscores India’s historical advantage in shipping, challenges in shipbuilding, and the imperative for strategic focus.
- It emphasizes the need for a concerted effort to elevate India’s maritime industry globally.
| More about Shipping Industry in India |
Prospects:
Challenges:
Way Forward:
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| Practice Question: Examine the challenges faced by India’s maritime industry, focusing on shipbuilding, and discuss the strategic implications for India’s global positioning. (150 words/10 m) |
2. India and Russia seem keen on renewing ties in a changed world.
| Topic: GS2 – International Relations – Bilateral Relations UPSC Relevance: Understanding India-Russia relations amid global shifts, addressing geopolitical concerns, and multilateral cooperation aligns with UPSC’s international relations and strategic awareness syllabus. |
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Significance of Jaishankar’s Russia Visit
- Unusual Duration: The five-day visit by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to Russia signifies the special effort made by India and Russia for successful and productive meetings.
- Unprecedented Putin Meeting: Russian President Vladimir Putin meeting a lower-ranking foreign official is unusual, emphasizing the significance of the visit.
- Concerns over India-Russia Relations: Speculation arose due to Prime Minister Modi’s absence from the annual leadership summit, raising concerns about the health of India-Russia relations post the Ukraine war.
Mission Objectives and Achievements
- Addressing Perceptions: A major part of Jaishankar’s mission was to address concerns and perceptions of differences between India and Russia.
- Resultant Agreements: Agreements on nuclear power projects, connectivity, trade, and talks for the Eurasian Economic Union-India free trade agreement indicate positive momentum.
Multilateral Cooperation and Geopolitical Significance
- Continued Multilateral Cooperation: Plans for the expanded BRICS summit, coordination at the UN and SCO, and affirmation of annual leadership summit in 2024 highlight continued multilateral cooperation.
- Strategic Convergence: Jaishankar’s statement on India-Russia relationship as the ‘only constant in world politics’ underscores geopolitical and strategic convergence amid global rebalancing.
Geopolitical Implications
- Global Perception: Jaishankar’s words on geopolitical convergence in a multipolar world gain attention, impacting global perceptions, especially in Washington and Beijing.
- Observations on India-U.S. Relations: Notable in the context of India-U.S. relations, marked by friction over the Pannun investigation and Biden’s refusal of India’s Republic Day invitation.
Key Concerns and Future Prospects
- Pending Issues: Attention remains on unresolved matters like the rupee-rouble payment mechanism and the delayed delivery of S-400 air system
- Overall Import: Jaishankar’s visit highlights the efforts to eliminate static in the relationship, emphasizing the enduring strength of ties amid global geopolitical shifts.
Conclusion
- Foreign Ministers’ extensive Russia visit signifies a deliberate effort to strengthen ties amid global uncertainties.
- The agreements and affirmations underscore enduring India-Russia relations, crucial in navigating geopolitical complexities.
| PYQ: What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2020) |
| Practice Question: Analyse the dynamics of the Indo-Russian relationship in the context of changing global geopolitical scenarios. (150 words/10 m) |
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