Context

A large number of voters belong to the younger generation; their apathy towards the electoral process is a cause of concern.

Status of Young Voters in India

• Youth Voter Registration: Increasingly, the nation’s demographic belongs to its younger citizens. It is disconcerting, therefore, that recent voter registrations among those just turning 18 have decreased. 
  • Considering a lifespan of around sixty years more, or approximately twelve general elections, the country’s future belongs to today’s youth
• Low Youth Voter Registration: In Uttar Pradesh, our largest state only 25 percent of the eligible youth have registered themselves as voters.

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Historical Foundation of Political Engagement

• Pre-Independence Political Organizations: Public political life in India traces back over fifty years prior to independence, with organizations like the Congress, Muslim League, Hindu Mahasabha, and Communist Party forming between 1885 and 1925.
• Idealism to Disillusionment:The initial motivation stemmed from an idealistic pursuit of freedom, but disillusionment soon followed, accompanied by a decline in ethical and social values.

Reasons for Youth not joining Politics

• Perception of Political Apathy: Over time, a significant portion of the country’s youth has developed the belief that regardless of who holds power, their lives won’t improve, viewing politicians as a self-serving class.
• Quality of Political Representation: Not all political parties boast members from the most educated or knowledgeable sectors of society. 
  • Despite recent trends of academically and professionally qualified individuals entering politics, cynicism persists towards politicians and the political landscape as a whole.
• Challenges in Political Participation: High constituency populations and the exorbitant costs of election campaigns pose significant barriers to political participation.
  • No ordinary entrant can afford to spend astronomical sums of money to cultivate nearly two million voters per seat.
• Attraction of Wealthy Candidates to Politics: Another reason why wealthy candidates are attracted to politics is the traditional belief that once elected, the candidate would be able to earn back the money spent on electioneering and thereafter generate much money.

Way Forward

• Addressing Electoral Challenges: Delimitation and an increase in seats aim to address these challenges, but further reforms are necessary to reduce corruption and make politics accessible to a wider demographic.
• Deterrence for Opportunistic Candidates: Once the doors are closed to corruption, the attraction for opportunists to become candidates would be much diminished. 
• Benefits of Compulsory Voting: Mandatory voting not only improves the electoral system but also lowers campaign costs.
  • It also eradicates the perpetuation of vote-bank politics. Previously, when voter turnout was 50 percent or less, candidates with secure vote banks had an easy path to victory.
• Impact of Increased Voter Turnout: As voter turnout rises, the influence of a loyal vote bank diminishes. For example, in a constituency of 100,000 people, a candidate’s committed vote bank may constitute 25 percent, or 25,000 voters.
  • If overall turnout is only 50 to 55 percent, this loyal support ensures victory. However, with 100 percent turnout, such a vote bank loses its decisive advantage.
• Curbing Freebies for Genuine Political Engagement: Limiting the use of freebies is essential for genuine political participation. 
  • Such giveaways undermine the democratic process, reducing elections to mere bribery. In this context, discussions about democracy’s integrity and youth participation become futile.

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Conclusion

Addressing these challenges, including through compulsory voting and curbing freebies, is crucial for fostering a more inclusive and vibrant political process that truly represents the diverse voices of the nation.

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Context

The paradox of Indian contemporary foreign policy lies in its global rise amid regional decline, attributed to changes in relative power dynamics, particularly vis-à-vis China, and shifting geopolitical landscapes in South Asia.

Indian Foreign Policy: Navigating Global Ascendancy and Strategic Influence

• India’s Economic Rise: India’s robust economic growth, bolstered by demographic dividends and technological advancements, has propelled its emergence as a global power.
• India’s Global Influence: Participation in forums like the G-20, BRICS, and Quad showcases India’s growing geopolitical significance and its engagement in shaping global agendas. 
• India’s Strategic Significance:  India’s pivotal role in the Indo-Pacific region, amid increasing attention to maritime security and trade dynamics, underscores its strategic relevance.

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Indian Foreign Policy Faces Regional Decline

• India’s Waning Influence in South Asia: India’s influence in South Asia has weakened compared to the Cold War era, exacerbated by China’s ascendance in the region and the United States’ withdrawal. 
• Challenges to India’s Regional Hegemony: Factors such as China’s assertive regional policies, coupled with American retrenchment, have accentuated India’s challenges in maintaining regional hegemony.
• India’s Indo-Pacific Focus: In the Indo-Pacific, while attention has grown, India’s global importance as a vital player might have strained its capacity to engage with its continental neighbors, given its focus on the great power dynamics in the region.
• Factors Behind India’s Regional Decline: The decline of India’s regional influence stems from power dynamics and geopolitical decisions made by smaller regional powers. Overlooking their balancing acts in favor of great power dynamics could prove counterproductive.

Indian Foreign Policy Faces Regional Decline Amid China’s Rise

• Shift of Dominance in South Asia: China’s unprecedented rise as a global superpower has reshaped the regional balance of power, challenging India’s traditional dominance in South Asia.
• Change in Neighborhood Dynamics: India faces heightened geopolitical competition in its neighborhood, leading to strategic shifts among smaller powers aligning with China.
  • The region’s smaller powers engage in balancing acts, viewing China as a hedge against India, shifting the regional balance of power.

Strategic Responses to Address the Paradox of Indian Contemporary Foreign Policy

• Need for Geopolitical Adaptation: India must acknowledge the changing geopolitical landscape and modernise its approach to the region.
• Acknowledging Regional Geopolitical Shifts: It is imperative to recognize that the region, its neighbors, and their geopolitical dynamics have undergone significant changes over the past fifteen years at the very least.
• Capitalizing on India’s Strengths in Regional Engagement: India should prioritize leveraging its strengths instead of attempting to compete directly with the People’s Republic of China in every aspect, which is an impractical pursuit. 
  • It’s crucial to devise a fresh approach to regional involvement that aligns with India’s traditional advantages and the evolving realities of the region. 
  • Reasserting its Buddhist heritage serves as an illustrative strategy.
• Leveraging India’s Maritime Advantage:  India’s continental strategy presents numerous obstacles, whereas its maritime domain offers ample opportunities to boost trade, participate in minilaterals, and forge issue-based coalitions, among other endeavors. 
  • Therefore, New Delhi should capitalize on its maritime strengths in the Indo-Pacific to address its various continental limitations.
• Engaging South Asian Neighbors in Indo-Pacific Strategy: This might entail integrating India’s smaller South Asian neighbors into Indo-Pacific strategic dialogues. While many of them are maritime nations, they currently have limited involvement in the Indo-Pacific initiative.
• Expanding Indo-Pacific Partnerships: India and its allies (the U.S., Japan, Australia, the European Union, and others) should explore avenues to engage and collaborate with Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Bangladesh within their broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
  • India ought to endeavor to draw them from the China-led regional strategy by integrating them into the Indo-Pacific strategy
• External Collaboration: Embracing a non-India centric lens and leveraging partnerships with external actors can address regional challenges.
• Utilizing Soft Power and Informal Diplomacy:
• India’s Soft Power Influence: India should harness its soft power to maintain influence, fostering informal contacts and conflict management processes in the region.
• Bridging Diplomatic Gaps: Encouraging informal engagements with civil society actors can bridge diplomatic gaps, especially in sensitive areas like Myanmar.

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Conclusion

Indian foreign policy must navigate the complexities of its global rise and regional decline by adapting strategies to shifting power dynamics and leveraging soft power to maintain influence in its neighborhood.

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Context

Recently, there has been a notable rise in the rejection of Indian spice shipments in various countries.

Faced Allegations

• US Shipment Rejection: In the past six months, about one-third of Mahashian Di Hatti (MDH) Pvt Ltd’s spice shipments to the US were turned away due to salmonella contamination.
• Hong Kong’s Action: Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety suspended the sale of three MDH spice blends (Madras curry powder, Sambhar masala and curry powder masala) and Everest fish curry masala. 
• Singapore and Hong Kong Suspensions: Both have suspended the sale of several products from both MDH and Everest Food Products Pvt Ltd due to alleged detection of a cancer-causing pesticide (ethylene oxide) in their products.
• Investigation on Contamination: Various countries (including Singapore, Hong Kong and the U.S.) have announced an investigation into possible contamination of spice mixes sold by top Indian brands. 
  • The complaints cite the presence of ethylene oxide, a toxic chemical used as a food stabilizer, beyond permissible limits. 

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India’s Response to Spice Contamination

• Spice Board of India Initiatives: It has initiated mandatory testing of products shipped abroad and is reportedly working with exporters to identify the root cause of contamination.
• Inspection: Thorough inspections at exporter facilities are also underway to ensure adherence with regulatory standards.
• Preventing Measures: Preventing ethylene oxide (EtO) contamination by voluntary testing of EtO during raw and final stages; EtO treated products to be stored separately; to identify EtO as a hazard and incorporate critical control points in hazard analysis. 
• FSSAI Action: The FSSAI has directed state regulators to collect samples of major spice brands, including MDH and Everest, to test for the presence of EtO. 

About Spices

• Spices are defined as plant derived substances that add flavor to any dish. 
• Spices are primarily used as food flavoring (cloves, black pepper) or to create variety. They are also used in perfume cosmetics (Saffron, sandalwood) and incense (cinnamon, styrax). At various periods, many spices were used in herbal medicine.

History & Evolution of Indian Spices

• Ancient Origins: The use of spices in India can be traced back to ancient times (as far back as the Indus Valley Civilization) and used for culinary and medicinal purposes.
  • Trade Routes: India has a strategic location on ancient trade routes, including the Silk Route, facilitated the exchange of spices and relations with other civilizations.
  • Ayurvedic Influence: Many spices were believed to possess medicinal properties and were used to treat various ailments.
• Arab and Persian Influence: During the medieval period, they played a significant role in further disseminating Indian spices to the West, which then flourished and became luxury commodities in Europe.
• European Influence: In the 15th century, European powers, particularly the Portuguese, Dutch, and later the British, sought direct access to India’s spice-producing regions, which led to the exploration and establishment of maritime trade routes, contributing to the Age of Exploration.
• Colonial Powers: European colonial powers aimed to control the spice trade, leading to the establishment of trading posts and colonies in India. 

Post-Independence:

• India continued to be a major player in the global spice market. 
  • India is known for producing a wide variety of spices due to its diverse climate and geography. Example: Spices like black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, cumin, etc.
  • Global Influence: The use of Indian spices is widespread in international markets and cooking.

Spices Market of India

India is the world’s biggest exporter, producer and consumer of spices, and its domestic market for the products was valued at $10.44 billion in 2022. India produces 75 varieties out of 109 varieties, listed by  the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 

• Export: The top three importers of India’s curry powders and mixtures, in the fiscal year 2022-23, include the U.S. (₹196.2 crore), U.A.E (₹170.6 crore) and U.K. (₹124.9 crore).
• Major Exported Spices:
  • Pepper, cardamom, chilli, ginger, turmeric, coriander, cumin, celery, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, nutmeg & mace, curry powder, spice oils and oleoresins. 
• Largest Spices Producing Indian States: 
  • Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Assam, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Significance of Spices for India

• Economic Growth:
• • Export: India is one of the world’s largest spice exporters, and its spices are in high demand globally. India exports its spices to more than 150 countries, with the US, China, Vietnam, UAE, and Malaysia being some of the largest markets.
  • Employment: The spices sector provides livelihoods to millions of farmers, traders, and laborers involved in its cultivation, processing and marketing.
  • Value Addition: India has moved up the value chain from exporting raw spices to offering value-added products like spice oils, oleoresins, culinary pastes, and ready-to-use spice mixes, among others.
• Cultural Significance: 
  • Cultural Heritage: Spices have a rich cultural heritage in India. They have been an integral part of Indian culture for centuries, used not only in cuisine but also in traditional medicine, rituals, etc. 
  • Health Benefits: Turmeric is valued for its anti-inflammatory properties, and ginger is used to aid digestion.
  • Spice Blends: Spice blends like garam masala and curry powder are at the heart of Indian cooking and are carefully crafted combinations of spices that lend distinctive flavors to dishes.
  • Regional Variations: Spices play a central role in defining regional cuisines and adding depth to local flavors.

Challenges faced by the Indian Spices Sector

• Economic Concerns: 
  • Immediate Risk: Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said that nearly $700 million worth of exports are at stack due to regulatory actions in critical markets.
  • China’s Impact: If China follow Hong Kong, Indian exports could see a “dramatic downturn”. This could affect exports valued at $2.17 billion – about 51.1% of the country’s global spice exports. 
  • EU’s Influence: It could further worsen if the European Union, which it states, “regularly rejects Indian spice consignments over quality issues”, follows suit. 
  • Total Potential Losses: The impact could be an additional $2.5 billion, bringing the total potential losses to 58.8% of global exports.
• Quality & Standard Maintenance: One of the major challenges in the spices sector is maintaining high-quality standards and meeting the stringent pesticide residue norms of importing countries. 
• Food Safety Concerns: Food safety is a paramount concern for consumers worldwide, particularly in developed nations where stringent regulations ensure product safety. Indian spice exporters encounter challenges in assuring consumers of the safety and hygiene of their products.
  • More than seven in 10 Indians are worried about the quality and safety of the spices they consume, according to a recent Local Circles survey that documented responses from 12,300 people across 293 districts. 
• Traceability and Transparency: The fragmented nature of India’s spice supply chain presents challenges in achieving full traceability and transparency. Lack of standardized documentation, inadequate record-keeping practices, and informal trade channels hinder Indian exporters’ ability to provide verifiable traceability data.
• Tariffs & Trade Barriers: Tariffs and trade barriers imposed by developed countries pose significant obstacles for Indian spice exporters. Despite being a major producer and exporter of spices, India faces stiff competition from other exporting nations.
• Price Volatility & Competition: The global spice market is highly competitive and Indian exporters often face challenges related to price volatility, influenced by factors such as crop yield, weather conditions, and currency fluctuations.
• Operational and Logistic Barriers: Many companies struggle to trace ingredients, especially raw agricultural commodities, due to the lack of standardized recordkeeping and intentional food fraud. 
• Societal Impact: In the event of potential losses, farmers of such crops too could find themselves at the receiving end. Such instances will burden the farmer.

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Way Forward

• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) & Organic Cultivation: To address quality and standard issues, there is a need to focus on GAP and organic cultivation for spices.
• Strict Regulations & Safety Checks: To address the arising mistrust around FSSAI, there is a need for stricter regulatory measures and transparency in food production and safety industry standards. 
• Adopt Alternatives to Ethylene Oxide in Food Processing: Exploring safer chemical alternatives that have similar antimicrobial properties without carcinogenic risks is crucial.
  • Substances such as ozone, hydrogen peroxide, or heat treatments could serve as potential replacements for ethylene oxide in certain applications.
• Adequate Investment: By prioritizing investments in quality infrastructure, implementing stringent food safety measures, enhancing traceability and transparency, and aligning with market trends, Indian spice exporters can overcome these hurdles and unlock the vast potential of developed markets for India’s rich array of spices.
• Sustainability: As global awareness about environmental issues and sustainability grows, there is an opportunity for India to expand its share in the organic spices market.
  • There is a need to implement sustainable farming practices that can also help preserve biodiversity and reduce environmental impact.
• Market Diversification: Exploring new markets and creating demand for lesser-known spices is required and could help in reducing dependence on traditional markets.

Conclusion

The recent controversies “collectively underscore the persistent nature of food safety challenges across various sectors of the food industry”. There is a need to ensure standard food safety and address the issue of contamination at the earliest.

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