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

Editorial 1: Unstable World, Stable Partner

Context:

In an era marked by shifting global power structures and recurring geopolitical uncertainties, India’s partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stands out as a pillar of stability and mutual trust. As the Indo-Pacific region witnesses heightened strategic competition, particularly between the United States and China, the relevance of ASEAN and India’s engagement with it, has become central to ensuring a free, open, and inclusive regional order.

Evolution of India–ASEAN Relations:

• India’s engagement with ASEAN began in 1992when it became a sectoral dialogue partner, and by 1995, it had achieved full dialogue partnership status.
• The relationship gathered momentum with the launch of the “Look East Policy” in the early 1990s under Prime Minister  V. Narasimha Rao.
• The policy was designed to enhance economic and strategic cooperation with the dynamic economies of Southeast Asia.
• In 2002, India participated in the first ASEAN–India Summitat Phnom Penh, which elevated the relationship to the highest political level.
• A decade later, during the 20th anniversary of India–ASEAN ties in 2012, the partnership was upgraded to a “Strategic Partnership.”
• Since then, the association has expanded to encompass security, trade, connectivity, and cultural cooperation.
• In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi articulated India’s vision of a “Free, Open, and Inclusive Indo-Pacific,” aligning closely with ASEAN’s “Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP)”, which emphasizes dialogue and cooperation over confrontation.

Economic and Strategic relations:

• ASEAN collectively represents one of the world’s most dynamic economic blocs, accounting for nearly 5 trillion USD in GDPand serving as a crucial hub of global trade.
• India’s trade with ASEAN exceeds 110 billion USD (as of 2023), making the bloc India’s fourth-largest trading partner.
• Despite this, the potential for deeper integration remains high, particularly in emerging sectors such as digital technology, renewable energy, and resilient supply chains.
• Strategically, ASEAN forms the geographic and political centre of the Indo-Pacific, a region that hosts critical maritime routes through which nearly40% of global trade passes.
• For India, engagement with ASEAN complements its Act East Policy, an evolution of the earlier Look East Policy, which seeks to strengthen connectivity through projects such as the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highwayand the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project.
• These initiatives not only improve physical connectivity but also advance India’s strategic presence in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN’s Role in a Fragmented Global Order:

• The present geopolitical environment is increasingly unstable.
• The rise of China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea, coupled with the growing US–China rivalry, has created deep strategic anxieties within ASEAN.
• While countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia emphasize maritime security, others seek to maintain a balance by deepening ties with multiple partners, including India, Japan, and Australia.
• ASEAN’s policy of “centrality” with its determination to remain the core of regional decision-making, aligns with India’s vision of multipolarityand non-alignment.
• India, as the only Quad member with a strong history of engagement with ASEAN, is viewed as a “stable partner in an unstable world.”

Diplomatic and Military relations:

• Prime Minister Modi’s proactive diplomacy since 2014 has reinvigorated India–ASEAN relations.
• He has consistently attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) and emphasized the need for cooperative solutions to regional challenges.
• The inclusion of maritime security, disaster management, and counterterrorism in India–ASEAN dialogue frameworks illustrates the broadening of the partnership beyond economic interests.
• India’s soft power through Buddhism, cultural linkages, diaspora networks, and initiatives such as the ASEAN-India Youth Summitfurther enhances people-to-people connectivity.
• The naval exercise INS Sudarshini’s expedition to ASEAN countries and the celebration of the ASEAN-India Friendship Year (2022) symbolize this enduring cultural bond.

Challenges and opportunities for India and ASEAN countries:

• Despite the progress, trade imbalances, slow project implementation, and bureaucratic hurdles have limited the full potential of the partnership.
• Moreover, ASEAN’s internal divisions and India’s cautious economic approach, as seen in its withdrawal from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),have raised concerns about India’s long-term economic commitment.
• To consolidate its position, India must strengthen physical, digital, and energy connectivity with ASEAN, promote supply chain resilience, and support ASEAN’s centrality in the Indo-Pacific architecture.
• Expanding cooperation in green technologies, defence production, and educationcan add new depth to the relationship.

Way forward:

India and ASEAN together represent a vision of balance, inclusivity, and stability. Their partnership transcends transactional diplomacy, it is a convergence of civilizations and a commitment to peace in the Indo-Pacific. As global power equations continue to shift, India’s steady engagement with ASEAN will remain not just a strategic necessity but a reflection of its larger aspiration to shape an equitable and rules-based regional order.

 

Editorial 2: Pendency issue in courts: Why SC flagged execution petitions

Context:

One of the gravest challenges facing India’s judicial system today is the mounting pendency of cases. The Supreme Court recently flagged the inordinate delay in execution petitions  cases where a decree has been passed but not implemented  as symptomatic of a deeper malaise in the system. The inability to ensure timely enforcement of judgments undermines both judicial credibility and public trust in the rule of law.

Definition of Execution petition:

• Once a court pronounces a judgment, the winning party must often file an execution petition to enforce it.
• For example, to recover money, possession, or property. In theory, this should be a swift procedural step.
• However, in practice, execution often drags on for years.
• According to a report cited by the Supreme Court, nearly one-third of all civil cases in district courts are execution petitions, indicating how enforcement has become the weakest link in the justice chain.

The Magnitude of Pendency:

• As per the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), over 3 crore cases are pendingacross various courts in India (as of 2025).
• Of these, about 4.4 crore are in subordinate courts, 60 lakh in High Courts, and nearly 80,000 in the Supreme Court.
• The average disposal time for civil and criminal cases ranges from 5 to 15 years, and in some instances, exceeds two decades.
• Such pendency affects not just litigants but also the economy  discouraging investment, hampering contract enforcement, and burdening citizens with prolonged uncertainty.

Causes of Pendency:

• Vacancies and Infrastructure Deficits: With a sanctioned strength of over 25,000 judges, India faces a shortage of nearly 5,000 judges across all levels. The judge-to-population ratio, about 21 per million, remains far below the Law Commission’s 1987 recommendation of 50 per million.
• Procedural Complexity and Adjournments: Frequent adjournments, outdated procedures, and delays in serving noticesor recording evidence stretch cases unnecessarily.
• Poor Enforcement Mechanisms: Even after decrees, enforcement requires coordination with police, revenue authorities, or local bodies, leading to bureaucratic delays and corruption.
• Government as the Largest Litigant: The government, through its departments and PSUs, accounts for nearly 50% of all pending cases,often due to appeals filed mechanically without merit.
• Technological and Administrative Limitations: Despite thee-Courts Mission Mode Project, digital infrastructure and data integration remain uneven, particularly in lower courts.

Consequences of huge pendency:

• For citizens, prolonged litigation means emotional, financial, and psychological strain.
• For the economy, inefficiency in contract enforcement  as reflected in India’s ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index (2020) deters both domestic and foreign investment.
• For the judiciary, it erodes moral authority and public faith, contradicting the constitutional ideal of “justice-social, economic and political” under the Preamble.

Judicial and Policy Initiatives to reduce the pendency:

• The Supreme Court has repeatedly underscored the need for time-bound justice. Initiatives such as:
• National Judicial Infrastructure Authority (NJIA) proposal,
• Fast-track courts, Family courts, and Commercial courts,
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanismslike arbitration, mediation, and conciliation,
• Virtual hearings post-COVID-19.
• The Justice M. Jagannadha Rao Committee (2004)and Law Commission (245th Report) have recommended simplification of procedural laws and adoption of technology-driven case management systems.

Steps needed to reduce the pendency of cases:

• Filling Vacancies and Enhancing Infrastructure: Recruitment, training, and retention of judges must be prioritized. Separate enforcement wings can be established in courts to expedite execution petitions.
• Institutional Reforms: The All India Judicial Service (AIJS)could ensure merit-based appointments and uniform standards across states.
• ADR and Lok Adalat: Promoting community-based dispute resolution can reduce litigation inflow.
• Accountability and Monitoring: Periodic judicial performance audits and data transparency through NJDG can enhance accountability.
• Public Legal Education: Citizens must be empowered with awareness of legal remedies, promoting early settlements.

Way forward:

Pendency in Indian courts reflects not only administrative inefficiency but also a deeper governance challenge  one that affects the very foundation of democracy and rule of law. A reformed, technology-driven, and citizen-centric judicial system is essential for realizing the constitutional promise of timely and accessible justice for all.