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

Editorial 1: A China-led trilateral nexus as India’s new challenge

Context

The Beijing-led trilaterals are strategically designed to undermine India’s long-term regional and strategic interests.

Introduction

Last week, China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh convened their first trilateral meeting in Kunming, China, focusing on enhancing cooperation and exploring avenues for deeper engagement. This dialogue came shortly after a similar China-Pakistan-Afghanistan trilateral held in May, aimed at expanding the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)and boosting regional cooperation. These China-led trilaterals emerge at a time when Pakistan’s regional relevance is waning, India is strengthening ties with Afghanistan, and New Delhi’s relationship with Bangladesh is facing strain. By promoting these trilateral engagements, Beijing appears to be repositioning Pakistan as a key regional playerwhile simultaneously attempting to divert India’s strategic focus toward managing immediate bilateral tensions.

A war that shaped alignments

Aspect	Details
Historical Context	The 1962 India-China war shaped regional geopolitics and strategic alignments in South Asia.
China-Pakistan Alliance	Post-war, China saw Pakistan as a strategic ally to distract India and limit its regional ambitions.
Pakistan’s View of China	Pakistan perceived China as a reliable provider of economic and military assistance to bolster its position against India.
Economic Dependency	By end of 2024, Pakistan owed over $29 billion in loans to China.
Military Dependency	Over 80% of Pakistan’s arms imports come from China.
Diplomatic Support at Global Forums	China has shielded Pakistan-backed terrorists at the UNSC and other multilateral bodies.
Operation Sindoor (May 2025)	India retaliated against a Pakistan-sponsored terror attack in Pahalgam. China termed the action “regrettable” and urged dialogue.
Chinese Support During Escalation	Pakistan used Chinese-made equipment: drones, radars, missiles, guidance systems, and fighter jets during the conflict.
Diplomatic Reinforcement Post-Conflict	Pakistan’s Foreign Minister met the Chinese counterpart, reaffirming their “iron-clad friendship”, likely leading to new trilateral engagements.

Strategic Patterns: The China-Pakistan ‘Plus One’ Doctrine Against India

• The strategy of China and Pakistan using other South Asian countriesto counter India is not a new development.
• As early as 1965, Pakistan considered leveraging East Pakistan, China, and Nepalto cut off India’s Siliguri corridor, a vital strategic link.
• This strategy appears to be resurfacing, driven by India’s rising confidencein regional and global affairs.
• Pakistan-sponsored terror attacks— Uri (2016), Pulwama (2019), and Pahalgam (2025) — have been met with strong Indian retaliation, including surgical strikes and diplomatic offensives.
• India has clearly signaled an end to tolerance of nuclear blackmailby Pakistan.
• New Delhi has used its diplomatic clout and economic strengthto isolate Pakistan, including:
  • Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
  • Halting bilateral trade
  • Blocking port access
  • Targeting military installations
• These responses have weakened Pakistan’s military confidenceand exposed vulnerabilities in Rawalpindi’s security apparatus.
• India’s firm response to Chinese incursionsin Doklam and Galwan have likely surprised Beijing and altered its calculus.
• To counter China, India has deepened strategic ties with like-minded countries(e.g., Quad nations) to contain Chinese aggression.

China’s Shrinking Influence & Emerging Trilateral Tactics

• India’s pragmatic regional diplomacyhas slowed down China’s momentum in South Asia.
• In the Maldives, despite initial anti-India rhetoricby President Mohamed Muizzu, China remains cautious, and Muizzu has turned to India for economic stability.
• In Nepal, although a BRI frameworkwas signed, funding disagreements have delayed most projects.
• In Sri Lanka, President Anura Kumara Dissanayakehas prioritized relations with India, even visiting Delhi before Beijing, respecting India’s strategic redlines.
• In Bangladesh, despite diplomatic tensions, India has continued trilateral energy cooperationinvolving Nepal.
• These regional shifts have increased anxiety in Beijing, prompting new trilateral movesinvolving Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
• Prior to regime changes, both Afghanistan (2021)and Bangladesh (2024) supported India’s counter-terror efforts against Pakistan.
• With new regimes, Pakistan and China are trying to pull these nationsinto their strategic sphere.
• There is growing concernover India’s direct engagement with the Taliban, which could erode Pakistan’s leverage in Afghanistan.
• Pakistan has significantly deepened its security, economic, and political tieswith the new government in Bangladesh.
• Historically, both Afghanistan and Bangladeshhave ties with Pakistan, and may again become breeding grounds for cross-border terrorism.
• Backed by Chinese investment and political cover, Pakistan may regain regional relevance, create frictions between India and its neighbors, and keep Delhi preoccupied with terror and border security.
• This, in turn, would facilitate Chinese BRI projectsand expand Beijing’s influence across South Asia.

China efforts and setbacks

• The recent regional developmentsreaffirm that China, not Pakistan, poses the primary strategic challenge to India.
• As both China and Pakistanconfront a more assertive India, Beijing sees trilateral arrangements as a means to undermine India’s regional position.
• While India seeks regional supportto combat terrorism, China’s interference threatens to disrupt these efforts.
• South Asian countrieswill increasingly need to navigate a delicate balance between India’s security concerns and China’s expanding influence.
• Beijing’s use of Islamabadto complicate regional dynamics adds further geopolitical strain.
• India, in response, must continue to assert its redlinesand communicate clearly that any provocations by neighboring states will result in serious economic, military, and political consequences.

Conclusion

The emerging China-led trilaterals, with Pakistan as a conduit, reflect Beijing’s attempt to reshape South Asia’s strategic balance by undermining India’s growing influence. While India asserts its military strength and diplomatic clout, it must remain vigilant and proactive. A firm yet pragmatic strategy is essential to deter provocations, safeguard national interests, and sustain its regional leadership in an evolving geopolitical landscape.

 

Editorial 2: No time to rest

Context

India has improved its position in the SDG rankings, showing progress in key areas, but continues to lag in governance-related indicators.

Introduction

India’s entry into the top 100 of the Sustainable Development Report marks a significant milestone in its development journey since 2016. Published by the UN-backed SDSN, the report assesses global progress on the SDGs. While India shows advancement in poverty reduction and energy access, persistent challenges in nutrition, governance, and digital inclusion underscore the need for deeper systemic reforms.

India’s Ranking in the Sustainable Development Report (SDR)

• India has entered the Top 100 in the Sustainable Development Report (SDR) for the first time since the report’s inception in 2016 by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
• SDSN functions as an independent UN-backed body, widely followed by governments and policymakers.
• In 2016, India ranked 110 out of 157 countries.
• In 2025, India has improved to 99th out of 167 countries, benefiting from:
  • Better data metrics
  • More granular and diverse comparisons

Progress and Challenges: Overview

Year	Rank	Number of Countries
2016	110	157
2025	99	167

• Although this is progress, India must introspect:
  • Why the 11-point rise was delayed
  • What systemic gaps need urgent attention

Thematic Performance on Key SDGs

SDG 1 – No Poverty

• Positive performance, despite data issues.
• Poverty estimation challenges:
  • No official consumption expenditure data since 2018
  • Rangarajan poverty line (~₹33/day rural; ₹47/day urban) is outdated
• Proxy data insights:

Source	Year	Poverty Rate
NSSO	2012	22%
World Bank	2023	~12%

• Indicates poverty halved between 2012 and 2023.

SDG 2 – Zero Hunger

• Persistent area of concern
• Key indicators show marginal improvement only:

Indicator	NFHS-4 (2015-16)	NFHS-5 (2019-21)
Stunting	38.4%	35.5%
Wasting	21.0%	19.3%

• Obesity in age group 15–49 years has nearly doubled (2006–2021), especially in wealthy urban areas.
• Reflects nutritional inequality across:
  • Income groups
  • Rural vs Urban regions

SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

• Major achievement: Near-universal household electrification
• Issues remain:
  • Quality and duration of power supply vary by region
• Renewable energy success:
  • India is now 4th globally in renewable capacity (mostly solar and wind)

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Strong performance:
  • Rapid mobile phone penetration
  • Financial inclusion via UPI-based digital platforms
• Digital divide exposed by COVID-19:
  • Stark contrast between urban and rural internet access
  • Hinders progress on education (SDG 4) and other digital-dependent services

SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Weakest performing area for India in recent years
• Lagging on:
  • Governance quality
  • Rule of law
  • Press freedom
  • Institutional independence
• These aspects have shown stagnation or decline during the Modi years, highlighting a critical gap in India’s holistic development goals

Conclusion

India’s rise to 99th rank is a step forward but not the final goal. Bridging gaps in nutrition, institutional strength, and rural-urban disparities remains crucial. With the 2030 SDG deadline approaching, India must accelerate targeted policy action and data transparency. True progress lies not just in improved rankings, but in equitable, inclusive, and sustainable development for all citizens.