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

Editorial 1 : In wake of Pahalgam attack, staying united, in grief — and healing

Pahalgam Massacre: A Calculated Strike on Kashmir’s Fragile Peace and Progress

 

Introduction:

The brutal killing of 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Kashmir—a scenic haven long symbolic of peace and natural beauty—was more than a horrific act of terror. It was a strategic message from forces intent on destabilizing Jammu and Kashmir’s economic revival and political normalization. With tourism as the cornerstone of Kashmir’s recent resurgence, the attack seeks to reverse hard-won gains and reignite instability in the region.

 

Key Notes:

• Targeting Kashmir’s Resurgence:
  • The attack’s location—Pahalgam, a tourism hub—was not incidental. Terrorists aimed to disrupt the economic recovery built on tourism.
  • Leaders across party lines, including PM Modi, CM Omar Abdullah, and LG Manoj Sinha, have hailed tourism as a signal of deepening peace.
• Political Milestones Under Threat:
  • A popularly elected government, led by the National Conference, assumed power last year.
  • High voter turnout in the elections indicated growing faith in democratic processes and renewed hope for normalcy.
• Cross-Border Intentions:
  • The attack appears to reflect the anxieties of Pakistan’s security establishment over Kashmir’s stabilization.
  • Just days before the massacre, Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir called Kashmir Islamabad’s “jugular vein” and invoked the divisive two-nation theory—rhetoric that may have emboldened proxies on the ground.
• Pattern of Terror Targeting Civilians:
  • Tourists now join pilgrims and migrant workers as deliberate terror targets, pointing to a new, deeply disturbing trend.
  • The Pahalgam massacre follows:
    • The June 2024 attack on a bus of pilgrims during PM Modi’s swearing-in.
    • The October killing of six migrant workers and a doctor, just after the new J&K government took office.
• Timing for Maximum Disruption:
  • The attack coincided with two significant events:
    • U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance’s high-profile visit to India.
    • PM Modi’s diplomatic engagement with Saudi Arabia, a key player in the Islamic world.
• Need for Swift Accountability and Strategic Response:
  • The government must ensure immediate action to track down the perpetrators.
  • A thorough review of security gaps is essential to prevent further civilian casualties.
  • The pattern of violence underscores a shift in militant strategy: high-impact attacks designed for visibility and disruption.

 

Conclusion:

The Pahalgam massacre is a sinister reminder that Kashmir’s peace remains fragile in the face of deeply entrenched external interests. As India mourns the innocent lives lost, it must also act swiftly—both to bring justice to the victims and to reinforce the gains of political and economic normalization in the Valley. A firm yet measured response, coupled with vigilance and unity, will be essential in ensuring that terror does not undo the hopeful script of a new Kashmir.

 

Editorial 2 : J D Vance’s India visit: The recasting

Introduction:

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance’s recent four-day visit to India came at a pivotal time, reflecting the evolving contours of Washington’s global policy under the Trump administration. Amid rising concerns over the U.S.’s stance on trade, immigration, and its global role, the visit aimed to reinforce ties with India while offering a more personable image of U.S. diplomacy. The contrast between Vance’s softer tone in India and his assertive posture in Europe earlier this year is telling — signaling an effort to strike a balance between strategic firmness and diplomatic warmth.

 

Key Notes:

• Strategic Context:
  • The visit took place as the U.S. under President Trump redefines its global outlook — marked by protectionist trade policies, tighter immigration control, and a reassertion of national interest in foreign relations.
  • These shifts have stirred uncertainty among U.S. allies, making reassurance a key subtext of Vance’s engagements in India.
• Optics and Soft Diplomacy:
  • The Vance family's sightseeing and visible engagement with Indian culture — particularly Second Lady Usha Vance’s Indian roots — offered a softer, more relatable image of the U.S. administration.
  • The warmth during the meeting with PM Narendra Modi, involving the Vance children, contrasted with the Vice-President’s harsher tone at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year.
• Trade and Defence Announcements:
  • Vance announced the finalisation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) — a step forward in addressing longstanding trade friction.
  • Defence cooperation was a prominent theme, with emphasis on U.S. offers of advanced military hardware, including the F-35 fighter jet.
  • Vance also promoted energy partnerships, proposing expanded U.S. hydrocarbon exports and joint energy exploration.
• Technology and Innovation:
  • Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence were highlighted as a future area for Indo-U.S. collaboration.
• Indo-Pacific and Quad Cooperation:
  • Vance reaffirmed the Trump administration’s consistent Indo-Pacific strategy, highlighting the continuity of the China challenge from previous administrations.
  • He welcomed India’s leadership in the Quad, reinforcing strategic alignment in a region central to U.S. geopolitical interests.

 

Conclusion:

Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to India blended personal diplomacy with strategic messaging, offering reassurance amid global anxieties over U.S. policy shifts. By signaling openness to deeper trade, defence, and technological ties while projecting cultural affinity, the visit helped reinforce the U.S.-India partnership at a time when both nations face evolving regional and global challenges. The test ahead lies in translating these optics and intentions into durable agreements that reflect mutual interests.

 

Editorial 3 : The Bard’s love story and a Shakespearean twist

Introduction:

Like a twist from one of his own plays, a forgotten letter—fragile, ink-stained, and hidden for centuries—has thrown open the doors to a re-evaluation of William Shakespeare’s personal life. Discovered in the binding of a book in Hereford Cathedral’s library and analyzed by Professor Matthew Steggle of the University of Bristol, the letter is addressed to “Good Mrs Shakspaire,” suggesting that Anne Hathaway, Shakespeare’s often-maligned wife, played a more active role in his London life than previously believed.

 

Key Notes:

• The Discovery:
  • A letter written to Anne Hathaway by a London widow has surfaced, urging repayment of money entrusted to William Shakespeare by her late husband.
  • Its tone and address imply that Anne was reachable and involved in her husband’s affairs—challenging the narrative of her abandonment in Stratford-upon-Avon.
• Challenging the Myth:
  • Traditional biographies have portrayed Anne Hathaway in limiting roles:
    • The estranged wife left behind in Stratford.
    • A burden who allegedly trapped Shakespeare into marriage due to pregnancy.
    • A domestic figure, tending to children and business while Shakespeare gained literary immortality in London.
  • The letter suggests a more complex reality—perhaps a partnership that bridged geographical distance and public life.
• Revisiting Old Clues:
  • Shakespeare’s will famously left Anne “my second best bed with the furniture.”
  • Often interpreted as a slight, modern scholarship suggests this may actually be a symbol of intimacy and loyalty—the “second best” being the marital bed, not a demotion in affection.
• A New Possibility:
  • Could Anne have been his confidante, perhaps even a creative muse?
  • Some now wonder if she inspired Sonnet 137’s “fair truth” — no longer a figure in the shadows, but perhaps the emotional constant in Shakespeare’s world.

 

Conclusion:

This newly uncovered letter nudges us toward a gentler, more nuanced portrait of Shakespeare’s marriage. It invites a reconsideration of Anne Hathaway not as a literary footnote, but as a woman of presence, influence, and quiet strength. As scholars sift through fragments of history, the idea that Anne was not an absence but an anchor in Shakespeare’s life offers a compelling reimagining — one that adds richness to the enduring mystery of the Bard’s private world.