What to Read in The Hindu Editorial (Topic and Syllabus wise)

Editorial 1: India’s geopolitical vision should be larger

Context

In a world influenced by 'Trumpian' dynamics, India should integrate economic development with geopolitics rather than viewing them as separate concerns.

Introduction

Earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for their “noble mission” to help stop the Ukraine-Russia war, bringing joy to many Indians. But this raises an important question—why doesn’t India take a more active role in solving regional and global conflicts?

• India has taken bold actions in regional conflicts, such as:
  1. 1971 Bangladesh War: Helped stop a genocide and supported the birth of a new nation.
  2. 1988 Maldives Crisis: Prevented armed mercenaries from overthrowing the President.
  3. 2009 Sri Lanka: Assisted in the defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
  4. Recent piracy operations: Actively fought piracy in the region.
• India is a key global contributor, playing a major role in:
  1. ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative: Supplied vaccines worldwide during COVID-19.
  2. Climate action: Founded the International Solar Alliance and promoted sustainability.
  3. Digital public infrastructure: Shared tech solutions globally.
  4. Disaster response: Acted as a first responder in natural calamities.

 

A reticence

• Over the past two decades, India has focused on economic growth, under both UPA and NDA governments.
• This strategy has elevated India to the 5th largest economy in the world.
• However, there is a perception that taking a strong political role in global conflicts might hamper growth and development.

 

Reasons for India’s Reticence in Global Conflicts

Reason	Explanation
Economic Prioritization	Fear that involvement in conflicts could impact trade and growth.
Bilateral Relations	Concern that intervention may strain diplomatic ties with key nations.
Regional Delegation	Belief that conflicts should be managed by regional powers or global actors.
West Asia Policy	India, despite high stakes, remains cautious, aligning with Gulf nations’ stance on issues like Gaza.

 

Need for a Larger Geopolitical Vision

• While these reasons are valid, the global order is changing, and India’s ambitions require a broader geopolitical role.
• Historically, India led the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to empower developing nations.
• Today, multi-alignment serves India’s interests by strengthening bilateral relations with all key players.
• However, NAM was about supporting the Global South, while multi-alignment focuses primarily on India’s own interests.

 

Rising International Expectations from India

• As the 5th largest economy and a thriving democracy, India has growing global responsibilities.
• India aspires to:
  1. Become a permanent UNSC member.
  2. Be a key power in a multipolar world.
  3. Influence global decision-making beyond just taking a stance.
• If India argues that UNSC decisions lack credibility without its participation, the same applies to decisions made outside the UNSC.

 

India’s Role in the Ukraine Conflict

• Putin’s statement thanking PM Modi reflects appreciation for India’s diplomatic balance.
• India’s abstention on UNSC votes influenced many developing nations to adopt a neutral stance.
• PM Modi’s message to Putin that “this is not an era of war” reinforced India’s credibility.
• Putin’s remark can also be seen as a subtle push for India to play a bigger role in global diplomacy.
• Key Question: As one of the few nations that can engage with both Russia and Ukraine, shouldn’t India be at the high table of global diplomacy?

 

There is a global reset

If India does not step up, it risks ceding diplomatic space to other countries in key conflict zones:

Region	Conflict	Key Mediators	India’s Role
Europe	Ukraine-Russia war (2022)	Türkiye	Limited involvement despite high stakes.
West Asia	U.S.-Russia and U.S.-Ukraine talks	Saudi Arabia	Saudi’s multi-alignment approach overshadowed India.
Africa	Rwanda-DR Congo ceasefire	Qatar	Qatar took the lead in mediation.
South Asia	Troika Plus talks on Afghanistan	U.S., China, Russia, Pakistan	India was excluded despite regional importance.
Bangladesh	Political crisis	Global actors	India had limited influence in its own neighborhood.

 

2. Global Power Shift & India’s Strategic Response
   • The world is undergoing a reset, marked by:
   • The U.S. and Europe shifting rightward, leading to possible U.S. disengagement from some regions.
   • Fragmentation of trade and rising protectionism, making strategic alignments crucial.
   • India’s key challenges:
   • Adversarial relations with China are unlikely to improve.
   • Trade deficit with China is growing due to closely linked supply chains.

 

3. The Importance of Expanding Alliances
   • As the U.S. and China move toward a possible geopolitical "deal", power could be divided into spheres of influence.
   • This could weaken the Quad (India, Japan, Australia, U.S.), reducing its strategic relevance.
   • To avoid diplomatic marginalization, India must:
   • Strengthen alliances beyond its immediate region.
   • Play a proactive role in global conflicts rather than staying on the sidelines.
   • Key Question: With global power shifting, should India remain a passive observer, or assert itself as a major geopolitical force?

 

A time for a shift and also reform

• Regional strategy should go beyond just bilateral relations with individual countries.
• India has built strong ties with Central Asian nations, but has reduced its role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
• In East Asia, India’s absence from RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) means it needs greater engagement.
• Europe is under pressure, making this a good time for India to enhance strategic ties.
• Economic reforms are needed to improve competitiveness and align with U.S. trade expectations.
• A U.S.-India trade deal could serve as the foundation for a stronger relationship with the Trump 2.0 administration.

 

India’s Role in Global Conflicts: Proactive but Not Mediatory

Misconception	Reality
India should become a mediator in conflicts.	Proactiveness does not mean mediation but active participation.
India should wait for an invitation to intervene in global issues.	Major powers won’t invite India unless New Delhi shows clear intentto be a geopolitical player.

 

Historical Example: India's Role in Global Diplomacy

• Korean War (1951-52):
  1. India played a crucial role in the UN Security Council, despite being a newly independent and impoverished nation.
  2. Its contribution led to India becoming Chair of the Neutral Nations Repatriation Commission.
• Recent UNSC Stint (2021-22):
  1. India acted as a bridge between opposing views, reinforcing its credibility in global diplomacy.
• Key Takeaway: India must assert itself in regional and global affairs, rather than just react to situations.
  1. Being proactive will strengthen India’s influence and secure its place as a major geopolitical force.

 

Conclusion

In a 'Trumpian' world, where big powers dominate and geopolitical fragmentation increases, India should not see economic development and geopolitics as separate issues. Instead, we must follow multi-alignment in all areas to maximize benefits. India should use the opportunity of Trump 2.0 to become a key global player by influencing the changing world order.

Editorial 2: Advantage China in Africa’s nuclear energy market race

Context

As many African nations restructure their energy sector, China could become their preferred partner.

Introduction

The Russia-Ukraine war has highlighted the importance of energy security, as many European countries struggled to find new energy sources and partnerships. Despite being far from the conflict, Africa also felt its impact. Now, African leaders are focusing on restructuring their energy sector, with nuclear power emerging as a key solution for their energy transformation.

• Africa currently has only one nuclear power plant – the Koeberg plant in South Africa, built by a French consortium.
• Several other African nations – including Ghana, Nigeria, Sudan, Rwanda, Kenya, and Zambia – are planning to adopt nuclear energy to improve electricity access.
• Estimates suggest that by 2035, Africa could generate 15,000 MW of nuclear power.
• The nuclear energy market in Africa is set for major growth, with an investment potential of $105 billion.

 

Shifting Power in Africa’s Nuclear Market

• France’s Declining Influence: France has long dominated Africa’s nuclear market, especially in Francophone Africa.
  1. However, its influence is weakening, and it is struggling to stay relevant.
• U.S. Involvement: Since 2023, the United States has been hosting the US-Africa Nuclear Energy Summit (USANES).
  1. The future of U.S. nuclear expansion in Africa will depend on President Donald Trump’s policies.
• Russia’s Growing Presence: Russia has signed nuclear agreements with Egypt, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Burundi.
  1. Since July 2022, Russia’s Rosatom has been constructing a nuclear reactor in El Dabaa, Egypt, though progress has been slow.
• South Korea’s Entry: South Korea, led by Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP), has shown interest in expanding into Africa’s nuclear market.
  1. China Leading the Race: Among all global players, China is emerging as the dominant force in Africa’s nuclear market.

 

Key Players in Africa’s Nuclear Market

Country	Current Role & Influence
France	Losing dominance, especially in Francophone Africa.
United States	Hosting USANES, future expansion depends on Trump’s policies.
Russia	Signed deals with Egypt, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Burundi; slow progress in Egypt’s El Dabaa reactor.
South Korea	Entering the market, led by KHNP.
China	Leading the nuclear race in Africa.

 

 

China’s Entry into Africa’s Nuclear Sector

• China's nuclear ambitions in Africa are relatively new but expanding rapidly.
• In 2012, China, in partnership with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), launched a scholarship program for students from Africa and South Asia to train them in Chinese nuclear technology and procedures.
• This initiative increased the chances of African nations choosing Chinese equipment and expertise.
• Today, China operates over 50 nuclear reactors, making it an attractive partner for African countries.

 

China’s Key Nuclear Companies in Africa

• Two major state-owned companies lead China's nuclear expansion in Africa:
  1. China General Nuclear Power Group (CGN)
  2. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)

 

Recent Nuclear Agreements with African Nations

Country	Agreement with China	Expected Outcome
Nigeria	Signed MoU at FOCAC 2024	Development of nuclear power stations covering design, construction, operation, and maintenance.
Uganda	Signed MoU at FOCAC 2024	Plans to build a 2 GW nuclear plant, with the first 1 GW unit operational by 2031.
Kenya	Plans to develop a research reactor by 2030	Still deciding on its partner country.
Ghana	Partnered with U.S.-based NuScale Power & Regnum Technology Group for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)	China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC)will build a Large Reactor (LR).

 

Competition with Russia in West Africa

• Pro-Russian governments in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali signed an MoU with Russia during the Russia-Africa Summit 2023.
• These countries approached Russia’s Rosatom for nuclear projects, but:
  1. Nuclear power plants require massive investments.
  2. Russia’s economic struggles due to sanctions and the Ukraine war may limit its ability to fund large-scale projects.
  3. This could push these nations toward China, which has more financial resources for nuclear expansion.

 

Africa’s nuclear ambition, impact on India

• Shift Towards Clean Energy
  1. Africa is increasingly viewing nuclear energy as a solution to its energy challenges.
  2. The global push for cleaner and more efficient energy sources is driving this interest.
• Chinese Financing and Debt Considerations
  1. Despite concerns about debt traps, African nations are likely to seek Chinese financial support for nuclear projects.
  2. China is already a global leader in nuclear power plant construction.
• Challenges in Power Transmission
  1. Many African countries lack the necessary transmission infrastructure to distribute nuclear-generated power.
  2. China can assist in building these networks through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• China’s Expanding Influence
  1. If China successfully develops Africa’s transmission infrastructure, it will strengthen its leadership in the region’s clean energy market.
  2. This involvement will further solidify China’s dominance across Africa.

 

Conclusion

As of January 30, 2025, India's nuclear power capacity is 8,180 MW. To reach its target of 100 GW by 2047, India needs a steady supply of uranium, making Africa an important source. In 2009, India signed a civil nuclear agreement with Namibia and has plans to develop uranium mining projects in Niger and Namibia. However, with China expanding its influence in Africa, it may become more challenging for India to secure a strong presence in the region’s nuclear market, which could affect its long-term energy security.