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

Editorial 1 : From Delhi to Port Louis

Context: India-Mauritius Relations and Mauritius' Geopolitical Significance.

 

Introduction: Overview of India-Mauritius Relations

• Historical & Cultural Ties
  1. Ethnic Linkages: Nearly 70% of Mauritius’ 1.3 million population is of Indian origin, fostering deep cultural and historical bonds.
  2. Shared Colonial Legacy: Both nations share a history of British colonialism, with Mauritius gaining independence in 1968.
• Diplomatic Engagements & SAGAR Initiative
  1. PM Modi’s 2015 Visit: Marked India’s renewed focus on the Western Indian Ocean through the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All) framework.
  2. PM Modi’s 2025 Visit: Aims to deepen strategic cooperation amid rising geopolitical competition in the Indian Ocean.
• Strategic Partnership Beyond Ethnic Kinship
  1. Mauritius’ Agency: Mauritius is recognized as an independent geopolitical actor, not merely an extension of India.
  2. India’s Role: India has positioned itself as a reliable partner supporting Mauritius’ sovereignty and regional security interests.

 

Geopolitical Significance of Mauritius

• Historical Context
  1. Colonial Crossroads: Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British colonial powers vied for control, shaping its multicultural identity.
  2. Post-Colonial Struggles: Recent resolution of the Chagos Archipelago dispute (1968–2023) marked a victory against colonial vestiges.
• Strategic Location
  1. Star and Key of the Indian Ocean: Mauritius is a critical maritime chokepoint for trade routes connecting Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
  2. Cold War & Post-Cold War Relevance: Mauritius has regained prominence during World Wars and Cold War. Now it is central to countering China’s Indian Ocean ambitions.
• Economic & Connectivity Hub
  1. Regional Financial Centre: Transformed into a hub for global capital and connectivity networks post-independence.
  2. Bridge Between Regions: Facilitates economic and diplomatic linkages between Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

 

Chagos Archipelago Resolution

• Legal Implications
  1. ICJ Advisory Opinion (2019): Upheld Mauritius’ sovereignty over Chagos, reinforcing decolonization principles in international law.
  2. UK-Mauritius Agreement (2023): Legally transfers sovereignty while addressing displaced peoples’ humanitarian concerns.
• Geopolitical Outcomes
  1. US Military Base Retention: Diego Garcia lease extended for 99 years, ensuring continued US presence to counterbalance China.
  2. Countering Misperceptions: The agreement strengthens Western influence, contrary to claims it enables Chinese dominance.
• Humanitarian & Environmental Cooperation
  1. Displacement Redress: Addresses grievances of the people forcibly removed during the 1960s–70s.
  2. Environmental Collaboration: Establishes frameworks for joint UK-Mauritius environmental stewardship.

 

Regional Security Dynamics & Competing Interests

• India’s Strategic Investments
  1. Agaléga Island Infrastructure: Development of logistics hubs to bolster maritime security and regional influence.
  2. Balancing China: Pragmatic support for Mauritius’ sovereignty aligns with India’s aim to curb Chinese naval expansion.
• China’s Expanding Footprint
  1. Military & Economic Inroads: Djibouti naval base, infrastructure projects (ports, transport corridors), and Indian Ocean conferences targeting island states.
  2. Geo-Economic Leverage: China utilizes Mauritius as a gateway to African and Middle Eastern markets.
• Other Key Players
  1. Europe: Reasserting influence through historical ties and strategic partnerships.
  2. Gulf States: Leveraging financial power to expand regional influence.
  3. Russia, Turkey, Iran: Increasing diplomatic and economic engagements in the Western Indian Ocean.

 

Conclusion: Mauritius maintains balanced ties with global powers while preserving strategic autonomy. India’s diplomatic success in Mauritius is built on reliability and respect for sovereignty, transcending ethnic linkages. Prime Minister’s visit reinforces India’s commitment to a multifaceted partnership addressing regional security, economic growth, and global geopolitical challenges.

 

Editorial 2 : Dark Circles Tell Stories

Context: India’s women are facing a sleep crisis.

 

Introduction: ResMed Global Sleep Survey Findings

• Women experience fewer nights of good sleep weekly (3.83 vs. 4.13 for men).
• 38% of women struggle to fall asleep vs. 29% of men.
• Menopause impact: 44% of menopausal women globally face sleep issues 3+ times weekly.
• Health consequences: 17% of Indian women take sick leave due to poor sleep vs. 12% of men.

 

Root Causes of Women’s Sleep Deprivation

• Gendered Caregiving Roles
  1. Primary responsibility: Women remain default caregivers for children and the elderly, even when employed.
  2. Double burden: Paid work along with unpaid domestic labour (second shift).
  3. Societal expectations: Women’s careers are conditional on maintaining household duties (e.g. cooking during commutes).
• Structural & Economic Barriers
  1. Lack of infrastructure
     • Scarcity of affordable daycare centres and government-run crèches.
     • Reliance on unreliable nannies or elderly family members for childcare.
  2. Income inequality: Low wages in semi-urban areas prevent access to support services.
• Workplace Inequities
  1. Inadequate maternity policies
     • Short maternity leaves and regressive policies in privatized sectors.
     • Child Care Leave (CCL) challenges: Male-dominated leadership often denies requests.
  2. Sleep poverty for lactating mothers: Extended night time caregiving disrupts rest.

 

The Women Empowerment Rhetoric

• The Myth of Empowerment
  1. Financial independence is not liberation: Careers add to, rather than replace, domestic duties.
  2. Exploitation of labour: Empowerment narratives ignore systemic failure to redistribute caregiving responsibilities.
• Cultural & Familial Norms
  1. Unchanged gender roles: Sons are rarely taught to share household work.
  2. Intergenerational cycles: Daughters internalize the same burdens as their mothers.

 

Systemic Failures & Policy Gaps

• Government Neglect
  1. Lack of institutional support: Minimal investment in childcare infrastructure (e.g. crèches).
  2. Data gaps: Diversity in India complicates data collection, masking ground realities.
• Impact of Neoliberal Economics
  1. Rising inflation: Forces women into dual roles to sustain household income.
  2. Privatization: Erodes worker protections (e.g. shrinking maternity leave policies).

 

Way Forward

• Redistribute caregiving: Encourage shared responsibilities within families and workplaces.
• Policy reforms
  1. Expand affordable childcare infrastructure.
  2. Mandate equitable parental leave and enforce CCL approvals.
• Cultural shift: Challenge patriarchal norms perpetuating women’s double burden.

 

Conclusion: Women’s sleep deprivation in India is a systemic issue rooted in gendered labour, cultural norms, and policy neglect. True empowerment requires dismantling structural barriers, not empty rhetoric.