What to Read in Indian Express Editorial( Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: Derek O’Brien writes: 8 suggestions for the Vice President of India — whoever that may be

Context:

Jagdeep Dhankar is only the third Vice-President in India’s history to resign before completing his term, after V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman.

Introduction

• There is a vacant seat to be filled. The chair of India’s second-highest constitutional office will have a new occupant soon. The Vice President of India, as we learnt in civics books in school, chairs the Council of States. Before the monsoon recedes, we will have a new full-time presiding officer seated in the Rajya Sabha.

Vice President ·         The Vice President of India holds the second-highest constitutional position after the President and ranks just below the President in the official order of precedence. This role is inspired by the structure of the U.S. Vice Presidency. ·         The Vice President primarily steps in as Acting President in situations where the President is unable to discharge their duties—such as in the event of death, resignation, or removal. ·         Additionally, the Vice President functions as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. ·         The Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising members from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Key Responsibilities and Reforms for the Rajya Sabha Chairperson

• Take ‘Notice’ of the Opposition:Submitting notices for discussions is a key way for Opposition MPs to hold the government accountable. However, accepted notices in Rajya Sabha dropped from 110 (2009–2016) to just 36 (2017–2024).
  • Rule 267 of the Rajya Sabhastates that a member may ask the Chair to suspend the business listed for the day, and instead take up a discussion on an issue of urgent national importance.
• Stop mass suspension of MPs:In December 2023, 146 MPs were suspended from Parliament, 100 of these were from the Lok Sabha. A dubious record. For context, during the 10 years of UPA I and UPA II, a total of 50 MPs were suspended.
• Choosing Vice Chairs:The Chairperson has the prerogative to nominate six members as Vice Chair to preside over the Rajya Sabha in the absence of the Chair or Deputy Chair. In the last two years, about 30 MPs were included in the panel to perform this duty. This must not be looked at as a perk. Nor can it be a game of musical chairs. Two suggestions here:
  • Only those MPs with considerable experience should be chosen to perform this duty.
  • The political party they are in needs to be (informally) consulted before names are announced.
• Concerns over Transparency in Parliamentary Proceedings: Visual coverage of Opposition protests inside Parliament is often excluded from Sansad TV broadcasts, which focus primarily on the Treasury Benches. This selective representation raises concerns about transparency, impartiality of public broadcasting, and the democratic right of the Opposition to dissent within the legislature.
• Ensure more Bills are sent for scrutiny:When a Bill is referred to a parliamentary committee, it goes through critical examination with stakeholders and experts being consulted. This scrutiny often helps improve the quality of legislation. In the 14th Lok Sabha (2004-09), six out of 10 bills were sent to various committees for scrutiny. In the 15th Lok Sabha, it was seven out of 10. In the 16th Lok Sabha this number fell to around three out of ten. In the 17th Lok Sabha (2019-24), only two out of 10 Bills were examined by a parliamentary committee.
• Let MPs exercise constitutional rights:When a bill is being passed in Parliament, each Member can move amendments to the Bill. When the amendments are being moved in the House, the Member has an absolute right to ask for “division” (electronic voting). In the last few years, there are multiple examples of members being denied this right. Several MPs, including your columnist, asked for division during the passing of the contentious farm bills. The right was denied.
• Must accept points of order: A point of order can be raised by any member when he/she feels that there has been a transgression of any rule in the House which the Chair has not taken cognisance of. The rules state that whenever such instances occur, members “can and should” bring such instances to the notice of the Chair. Raising a point of order is a legitimate parliamentary tactic. The Chair cannot, and must not, look away.

Conclusion

As the Vice President also serves as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, the role demands impartiality, respect for parliamentary conventions, and a commitment to democratic values. The new occupant must rise above partisanship, ensure fair proceedings, uphold the rights of all Members, and strengthen institutional credibility through transparency, dialogue, and procedural integrity.

 

Editorial 2: In face of US tariffs, global volatility, India must maintain a steady hand

Context:

The tariff shock could cost India up to $30 billion in export earnings, affecting supply chains, employment and GDP momentum in the short term.

Introduction:

• US-India trade relations — anchored in democratic values and growing strategic convergence — have entered a more challenging phase. The recent imposition of 25 per cent-plus tariffs on Indian exports by the US adds stress to trade negotiations.
• While the two nations continue to underline their commitment to a strong partnership, evolving geopolitical dynamics and economic nationalism are reshaping the context in which the partnership operates.

The Core Issue

• The core of the dispute lies not just in tariffs or market access. While India’s prudent refusal to open its agricultural and dairy markets remains a sticking point for Washington, a deeper unease stems from India’s energy and defence ties with Russia.
• As India expanded its crude oil imports from Russia — from around 2 per cent of total imports in FY22 to around 36 per cent in FY25— largely due to wartime discounts, Western discomfort has grown.
• However, with those discounts now shrinking, India has fresh room to diversify its sources— including LNG and crude from the US — potentially turning friction into an opportunity for recalibration.
• While Washington’s growing dissatisfaction with India’s defence procurement — still dominated by Russian-origin systems — is understandable, India’s position is pragmatic.
• Legacy dependence is being steadily addressed through increased indigenous production, joint ventures and expanded purchases from Western partners, including the US. This evolving defence landscape can, in fact, serve as a strategic bridge rather than a barrier.

Impact of Tariffs on Trade Front

• On the trade front, the impact of tariffs cannot be ignored. Indian exports to the US constitute just over 2 per cent of GDP — a modest share by global standards— but their composition matters.
• Sectors such as textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and auto componentswill face the brunt. The tariff shock could cost India up to $30 billion in export earnings, affecting supply chains, employment and GDP momentum in the short term.
• Yet India’s economic structure — rooted in strong domestic consumption — offers it a cushion many export-heavy economies lack.

Volatile Global Environment

• Still, the broader global environment remains volatile. A slowdown in emerging markets, ongoing capital outflows and rising financial uncertainty are contributing to short-term pressures.
• July saw foreign portfolio investors pull more than $1.4 billion from Indian markets, and the Rupee weakened nearly 2 per cent, ranking among the weaker emerging market currencies in the month.
• A depreciating currency feeds into imported inflation, raises the cost of foreign debt and adds complexity to monetary policymaking.
• This leaves the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) with a delicate balancing act. Inflation is benign —expected to average around 3 per cent in FY26— but the case for rate cuts is not straightforward.
• The RBI must weigh global interest rate trajectories, volatile capital flows and exchange rate dynamics while ensuring domestic growth remains on track. In this climate, the central bank’s credibility, communication and consistencybecome as important as its policy tools.

Not Only India

• India is not alone in facing US tariff actions. Even close allies such as the UK, EU, Japan, and Vietnam have faced similar measures.
• The pattern suggests a larger trend — Washington’s push to narrow its current account deficit through selective protectionism and reduced import dependence. In such a world, economic diplomacy is becoming more tactical than rule-based.

India’s Market Resilience Amid Global Trade Volatility

• Despite near-term volatility, India’s market fundamentals remain sound. Key drivers such as financial services, consumer goods and technologyare relatively insulated from trade tensions.
• However, short-term market volatility is inevitable, driven by high valuations and policy uncertainty. Sectors like auto components could even gain, as US tariffs on Chinese and Mexican parts create demand for alternatives. Pharmaceuticals and electronics — so far exempt from US tariffs — also continue to perform well.
• Recent earnings softness and valuation concernsmay create short-term noise, but long-term investor confidence remains intact.
• India’s lower export dependency gives it strategic roombut it must not foster complacency. As global trade dynamics shift — shaped by US-China tensions, evolving WTO norms and mounting economic nationalism — India must respond with agility, diversification, and diplomatic foresight.

Conclusion:

By carefully balancing its energy sources, defence partnerships and trade positions, India can emerge not just as a resilient economy but as a shaping force in the evolving global order. In this fluid environment, India’s steady hand and long-term vision are not only essential for its own growth but increasingly important for global economic stability.