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

Editorial 1 : With Nine Strikes India Underlines New Message to Pak

Context: Operation Sindoor

Introduction: India’s Military Response to the Pahalgam Attack

The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 which killed 26 civilians was the trigger point. India responded by combining diplomatic, economic, and military measures, culminating in targeted airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Punjab. The objective was to dismantle terror infrastructure, deter future attacks, and assert India’s right to self-defence.

Pahalgam Attack

• Nature of the Attack
  • Deliberate targeting of a specific religious community to provoke communal tensions.
  • Aimed at destabilizing peace in Jammu & Kashmir and undermining India’s domestic unity.
• Strategic Significance: It was one of the most brazen attacks in decades, escalating pressure on India to retaliate.

India’s Diplomatic and Strategic Preparations

• Initial Measures
  • Suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty as an economic lever.
  • Diplomatic outreach to global allies to highlight Pakistan’s role in sponsoring terrorism.
• International Advocacy
  • India garnered broad international support (except China and Turkey).
  • Countered Pakistan’s narrative at the UN Security Council, which rejected claims of a false flag operation.
• Timing of Military Action: Delayed retaliation allowed for strategic planning and global consensus-building.

Military Response: Targeted Airstrikes

• Execution
  • Strikes conducted in the early hours of Wednesday, targeting 9 terror-linked sites in Sialkot, Muridke, and Bahawalpur.
  • Focus on minimizing civilian casualties while degrading terror infrastructure.
• Objectives
  • Dismantle terror hubs used for cross-border operations.
  • Signal that no part of Pakistan is off-limits for Indian retaliation.
• Official Stance: The strikes are described as measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Outcomes

• Global Response
  • Majority called for restraint but recognized India’s right to self-defence.
  • UN Security Council declined to endorse Pakistan’s false flag narrative.
• Key Mediators
  • S. and Gulf allies engaged to prevent escalation.
  • China and Turkey remained aligned with Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Response and Escalation Risks

• Statements from Pakistan: PM Shehbaz Sharif vowed retaliation. Pakistan military promised a response at a time and place of its choosing.
• Potential for Escalation
  • Risk of tit-for-tat strikes due to Pakistan’s historical reliance on asymmetric warfare.
  • Nuclear deterrence complicates direct military confrontation.

Future Challenges and Strategic Considerations for India

• Preventing Future Attacks
  • Need for enhanced intelligence and border security to thwart cross-border terror.
  • Address vulnerabilities in Kashmir’s security apparatus.
• Sustained Deterrence
  • Recognize that Pakistan’s terror infrastructure remains entrenched with army support.
  • Build unambiguous military superiority over Pakistan to deter future provocations.
• Diplomatic Continuity
  • Maintain global alliances to isolate Pakistan diplomatically.
  • Leverage economic tools (e.g. Indus Treaty) as part of a broader strategy.

Conclusion: India’s calibrated response post Pahalgam attack balanced military assertiveness with diplomatic restraint. Airstrikes set a precedent for cross-border counter-terror operations. Long-term success hinges on sustained military readiness and global diplomatic engagement.

 

Editorial 2 : The World Markets are Calling

Context: India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Introduction: India and UK signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking the culmination of over three years of negotiations that began in January 2022.

Timing and Geopolitical Drivers

• Post-Brexit UK Strategy
  • The UK’s exit from the EU necessitated new trade partnerships to offset lost EU market access.
  • Previous deals include Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and CPTPP membership.
  • India’s FTA is the UK’s most significant post-Brexit deal due to India’s rapid economic growth and market potential.
• India’s Economic Ambitions
  • Aligns with India’s goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047.
  • Reflects a shift from historical trade scepticism to proactive global integration.
• Global Trade Dynamics
  • Diversification from China: Both nations seek to reduce reliance on China amid geopolitical tensions.
  • Decline of Multilateralism: With the WTO weakened, FTAs are critical tools for economic growth and global value chain integration.

Key Provisions and Benefits

• Trade in Goods
  • India’s Gains
    • Duty-free/reduced-duty access for exports: Pharmaceuticals, textiles, machinery, precious stones, and chemicals.
    • Tariff elimination on Indian textiles by UK.
  • UK’s Gains
    • Phased tariff reductions on high-value exports (e.g. Scotch whiskey, automobiles).
    • Quota safeguards to prevent import surges (e.g. agricultural products).
  • Services and Mobility
    • Professional and Student Mobility
      • Simplified visa processes for Indian professionals and students.
      • Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) to align qualifications in sectors like law and finance.
    • Education and Research: Strengthened collaboration via initiatives like UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).
  • Non-Trade Aspects
    • Environmental and Labour Standards: Non-binding best endeavour clauses instead of strict mandates.
    • Digital and Climate Innovation: Focus on e-commerce, digital trade, and green technologies.

Challenges and Safeguards

• Domestic Reforms in India
  • Structural Barriers: Labour market rigidities, logistics inefficiencies, and bureaucratic hurdles.
  • Need for Economic Upgradation: Scale-up manufacturing and address regulatory bottlenecks to maximize FTA benefits.
• Regulatory Divergence
  • Standards Harmonization: Differing product and process standards could hinder seamless trade.
  • Implementation Risks: Phased tariff cuts require robust monitoring to prevent market disruptions.

Economic Impact

• Trade and Investment
  • Current Trade Volume: Bilateral trade reached £42 billion in mid-2024, with India’s surplus at £8 billion.
  • Investment Flows
    • UK is India’s 6th-largest investor (£38 billion in 3 years).
    • India was the 2nd-largest FDI source for the UK in 2023.
  • Growth Projections: Target set at £84 billion, driven by enhanced market access and sectoral synergies.

Future Implications

• Upcoming FTAs: EU and US Agreements
  • EU FTA talks which are ongoing for around 20 years and a potential US deal could follow.
  • It requires India to address complex issues like agriculture and intellectual property.
• Role in Global Trade
  • Model for Developing Economies: This demonstrates how FTAs can drive domestic reform, similar to China’s WTO-driven growth.
  • Countering China’s Dominance: It positions India as a reliable alternative in global supply chains.

Conclusion: The India-UK FTA is a landmark agreement balancing mutual economic interests and strategic priorities. It marks India’s shift toward trade-led growth and could catalyse future agreements with the EU/US. FTA’s success hinges on effective implementation and complementary domestic reforms in India and continued dialogue to resolve regulatory divergences.