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

Editorial 1 : Not a Deal, A Relationship

Context: India-EFTA trade agreement opens the door to long-term, multifaceted cooperation.

 

Introduction: Global trade, collaboration and advanced technologies boost ambitious achievements, propelling nations to new heights as highlighted by India’s space success. The same thinking applies beyond space exploration, extending to economic partnerships that harness expertise, investment and innovation.

 

European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

• Countries included: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
• Strengths of EFTA
  • The EFTA countries are world leaders in advanced technologies and major foreign investors.
  • EFTA industries excel in areas such as precision engineering, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals and financial services — sectors that align with India’s growth ambitions and innovation-driven economy.
• These strengths position EFTA as a valuable partner in supporting India’s technological advancement, sustainability efforts and investment landscape.

 

EFTA–India Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)

• Recently signed it aims to reduce tariffs, streamline customs, enhance intellectual property protections, and promote sustainable trade.
• Targets $100 billion in investments and 1 million jobs in India over 15–20 years.

 

EFTA-India Collaboration: Key Components

• Economic Opportunities
  • EFTA Strengths: Advanced technologies, innovation, and global investment leadership. Expertise in renewable energy (Norway, Iceland), precision engineering (Switzerland), and pharmaceuticals.
  • India’s Growth Areas: Green energy transition, digital economy, and manufacturing (e.g. Make in India).
• Role of the EFTA Desk
  • Purpose:Facilitate partnerships, navigate regulatory frameworks, and provide market insights. Serve as a resource hub for businesses entering new markets.
  • Impact: Over 100 EFTA businesses visited India to explore opportunities post-TEPA signing.
• Long-Term Vision
  • Beyond Transactional Trade: Focus on trust, shared values, and mutual growth. The collaboration combines economic, social, and environmental goals (e.g. sustainable trade practices).
  • Technology Transfer: Swiss precision technology aided India’s moon mission. Similar synergies could accelerate India’s green transition.

 

Opportunities

• For India
  • Job Creation:1 million jobs through investments in high-tech sectors.
  • Technological Advancement:Access to EFTA’s cutting-edge innovations.
  • Sustainability: Leverage Nordic expertise in renewable energy to meet climate goals.
• For EFTA Countries
  • Market Expansion: Access to India’s vast consumer base and skilled workforce.
  • Investment Returns: Capitalize on India’s growth in infrastructure, healthcare, and digital services.

 

Challenges

• Regulatory Harmonization: Aligning standards and procedures across diverse economies.
• Scaling Investments: Ensuring long-term commitment to meet the $100 billion target.
• Sustainability Compliance: Balancing economic growth with environmental safeguards.

 

Conclusion: Building a transformative win-win partnership will require sustained joint efforts. EFTA is committed to working alongside India to unlock new opportunities, drive innovation and contribute to the sustainable prosperity of our societies.

 

Editorial 2 : In Paris, An Opportunity

Context: At Paris AI Action Summit, much is riding on how India positions itself in the global AI landscape.

 

Introduction: Technology evolves quickly, and it’s often hard to predict who will come out on top. A small AI startup from China, DeepSeek, spooked big tech investors on Wall Street last month with its generative AI chatbot, a direct rival to ChatGPT. It introduced a new approach to building AI models with fewer resources through reverse engineering, one that fundamentally challenges how US tech companies have been approaching AI development.

 

India’s Position in Tech and AI

• UPI: Global fintech success but is limited to payments.
• India never built global companies on the scale of Google or Apple, nor have we seen our tech go global.
• Challenges
  • Lack of indigenous foundational AI models (reliance on OpenAI/Google).
  • Limited long-term R&D investment and ecosystem.
• Missed Opportunities
  • Historically India prioritized app development over core tech innovation.
  • Absence of homegrown AI platforms with global impact.

 

Strategic Pathways for India in AI

• Immediate Opportunities
  • Geopolitical Advantage
    • Partner with the US/EU for semiconductor access and AI collaboration.
    • Establish joint ventures (JVs) for equal representation in global AI projects.
  • Responsible AI Frameworks: Lead in ethical AI governance to build global trust.
• Long-Term Strategies
  • AI-First Approach
    • Build indigenous AI models (not reliant on foreign tech).
    • Prioritize programming, mathematics, and statistics in education.
  • Research & Talent Development
    • Create AI research labs with PhD talent from IITs/technical institutes.
    • Incentivize retention of skilled professionals through competitive pay.
  • Sector-Specific Goals: Identify priority sectors (e.g. healthcare, agriculture) for AI integration.

 

Challenges

• Technical and Structural Barriers
  • Resource Constraints: Competing with US/China’s funding and infrastructure.
  • Skill Gap: Need for advanced technical expertise in AI development.
• Global Competition
  • US Dominance: Closed-source models (e.g., OpenAI).
  • China’s Open-Source Push: Lower-cost AI democratization.
  • India’s Opportunity: Leverage open-source AI to build affordable, scalable solutions.
• Policy and Execution Risks
  • Balancing speedwith sustainable innovation.
  • Ensuring political willand long-term policy consistency.

 

Conclusion: India needs to realise that any nation that manages to scale up AI, democratise it, and generate developer interest is the one that will control the narrative and lead the AI arms race. With China aspiring to be the global leader in open-source AI, it has a better chance to expand AI at a much lower cost. But in tech, anything is possible, and India could jump in if it plays its cards right.