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

Editorial 1: ​Deep ties

Context

India must strengthen its engagement with neighbouring countries.

Introduction

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Maldives signified a major revival in bilateral ties, once strained by political tensions. Invited as chief guest for Maldives’ 60th Independence Day, the visit reflected a renewed partnership grounded in mutual respect, economic cooperation, and regional security—reaffirming India’s commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy amid shifting global and regional geopolitical challenges.

Revival of India-Maldives Bilateral Relations

• PM Narendra Modi visited Maldives as the chief guest for the country’s 60th Independence Day, upon invitation by President Mohamed Muizzu.
• The visit marked the restoration of close ties reminiscent of the Ibrahim Solih era.
• Initial friction in 2023 due to Mr. Muizzu’s “India Out” campaign and India’s social media “Boycott Maldives” backlash has now eased.
• Muizzu’s 2024 visit to India helped reset ties, with India offering substantial economic assistance.

Strategic and Economic Cooperation Strengthened

• India extended a line of credit worth $565 million (₹4,850 crore)to support the Maldives’ economy.
• India also reduced the Maldives’ debt burden by 40%on earlier credit lines.
• Both sides launched negotiations for an India-Maldives Free Trade Agreement, aiming to deepen economic ties.
• Multiple MoUs were signed, covering:
  • Fisheries
  • Meteorological science
  • Digital infrastructure
  • Pharmaceutical cooperation
• A significant step was the rupee-rufiyaa currency payment mechanism, enabling smoother bilateral transactions.

Geopolitical Implications and Neighbourhood Diplomacy

• India reaffirmed its commitment to the “Neighbourhood First” policyamid global and regional challenges:
  • Rising tensions with Pakistan post-Pahalgam attack
  • Diplomatic strains with Bangladesh
  • S. tariff issues and conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza
• Maldives’ security engagement was highlighted by a trilateral national security consultationwith India and Sri Lanka.
• Following PM Modi’s visit, Maldives also hosted Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, showing regional coordination.
• New Delhi is set to host Nepal PM K.P. Sharma Oli — his first visit since assuming office a year ago.
• A commemorative stampissued by Maldives depicted traditional boats of India and Maldives, symbolising shared heritage and partnership.
• PM Modi called both countries “fellow voyagers on a shared journey,” emphasising mutual development and cooperation in turbulent global times.

Conclusion

The Maldives visit marks a significant stride in strengthening India’s neighbourhood diplomacy, promoting trust, trade, and regional security. By extending economic support and launching fresh initiatives, India is reinforcing its leadership role in the Indian Ocean region. In an era of global instability, closer ties with immediate neighbours like Maldives ensure both mutual prosperity and strategic stability in South Asia.

 

Editorial 2: ​​The fact is mangroves drive business

Context

Mangroves and other blue carbon ecosystems are seldom reflected in official budgets or policymaking, despite their immense value.

Introduction

Despite their crucial role in supporting coastal economies and shielding millions from climate extremes, mangroves have long remained peripheral in planning and policy decisions. Their decline is more than an environmental issue—it represents the degradation of vital natural infrastructure that protects urban coastlines, sustains fisheries, and provides billions worth of ecosystem services and avoided climate-related damages.

• In an era of escalating extreme weather and rising seas, blue carbon ecosystems like mangroves are indispensable for both climate stability and economic resilience.
• Yet, they remain largely absent from financial models and policy agendas. How can we rethink these ecosystems as engines of sustainable development and security?
• The Mangrove Coalition’s three strategic pillars offer a roadmap for transformative action.

Mapping with technology

• Advanced technologieslike satellite imagery, drone mapping, and geospatial AI algorithms are transforming how we measure and monitor mangrove ecosystems.
• These tools enable precise mappingand accurate blue carbon quantification, essential for effective policy formulation and restoration strategies.
• Valuation of mangrove ecosystem servicesreveals their immense worth:
  • ₹3,535 millionin Pichavaram, Tamil Nadu
  • ₹664 billionin the Sundarbans, West Bengal
• Carbon sequestrationalone contributes approximately ₹462 million annually in the Sundarbans.
• These figures underscore mangroves’ dual ecological and economic significance.
• Local communities with traditional knowledgeand livelihood dependence on mangroves must be prioritised and included in benefit-sharing, ensuring social and economic equity.

Involving communities

• Community-led conservationfosters mutual respect between people and nature, strengthening long-term stewardship.
• Fisherfolkrecognise mangroves as nurseries for juvenile fish, directly linking healthy ecosystems to sustainable fisheries.
• The livelihoods of coastal communitiesare deeply connected to the health of mangrove and estuarine ecosystems.
• In urban areaslike Mumbai and Chennai, mangroves suffer from pollution and degradation, leading to reduced biodiversity and weakened community resilience.
• When communities experience tangible benefits—such as more fish, cleaner air, and protection from storms—they are more motivated to act as long-term custodians.
• Mangroves support alternative livelihoodslike aquaculture, beekeeping, and eco-tourism, diversifying income sources.
• Participatory modelssuch as Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) can be adapted for urban mangrove management, promoting inclusive ownership and accountability.

Mobilising Citizen Science for Collective Ecosystem Stewardship

• Citizen scienceengages the public in monitoring, understanding, and valuing mangrove ecosystems, sparking both awareness and action.
• Training diverse community members to observe and document ecological changes can supplement or substituteformal monitoring systems.
• Mangrove healthis linked to broader wetland and river systems—including freshwater flow, sediment transport, and biodiversity.
• Regular community-led monitoringoffers early insights into ecosystem trends, helping guide timely conservation interventions.
• Empowering citizens creates a culture of shared responsibilityand enhances the visibility of mangroves as vital to climate resilience and community well-being.

Platforms can play a pivotal role

• A comprehensive mangrove health toolshould track multiple ecological and social indicators, including:
  • Changes in mangrove area and coverage
  • Quantity, quality, and seasonal timing of freshwater flows
  • Biodiversity metrics: avian, floral, molluscan, and fish populations
  • Community dependenceon mangroves for livelihoods and well-being
  • Perception of ecosystem servicessuch as storm protection, air purification, and income generation
• These multi-dimensional assessmentscan offer critical insights to guide informed conservation and management decisions.
• Community engagement platformslike “Mangrove Mitras” (Friends of Mangroves) can:
  • Foster participation among urban residents and local communities
  • Create awarenessthrough hands-on experiences
  • Help restore the human-nature connection, linking people, wetlands, rivers, and mangroves
  • Promote a deeper appreciation for the ecological, economic, and cultural valueof mangroves

Conclusion

Sustainable stewardship isn’t a top-down directive, but a collaborative partnership where the health of mangroves and the well-being of communities go hand in hand. Policymakers and businesses must view mangroves not just as biodiversity reserves, but as essential assets for climate resilience and economic stability. Their protection requires a united front—where science, industry, and local communities contribute their distinct strengths to ensure long-term conservation.