The India-China border issue has been a longstanding source of tension, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Recent developments, such as the India-China détente at the 2024 BRICS Summit, have raised hopes for peace, however critical questions and uncertainties still remain.

Key Issues in the India-China Border Conflict

• Progress on Troop Disengagement and De-escalation: Following the 2024 summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping, troop disengagement at Depsang and Demchok has been completed. 
  • However, the processes for further de-escalation and verification remain unclear, with no definitive framework for the agreements. 
  • Additionally, the specifics of the newly agreed “patrolling arrangements” and PLA access in areas like Yangtse are still uncertain.
  • Uncertainty about whether the new patrolling arrangements differ from previous ones and if India and China will update past protocols, including the 2013 Border Defence Cooperation Agreement, to reflect the new status quo after disengagement.

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Theories on Chinese Actions

The India-China border crisis reached a boiling point in 2020, particularly after violent clashes at Pangong Tso and the deadly Galwan Valley conflict. During this period, Chinese forces amassed along the LAC, causing India to question China’s territorial ambitions. Four potential theories have been proposed to explain China’s aggressive stance

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• Expansionist Policy: China’s 2014 policy to control “every inch of territory” has led to aggressive actions in various regions, including Taiwan, the South China Sea, Doklam, and along the LAC with India.
• Strategic Reminder: Beijing may be signalling that, despite growing India-U.S. ties, India’s 3,500 km border with China remains a primary concern, emphasising the strategic importance of the continental boundary.
• Response to Indian Infrastructure: Developments such as the Daulat Beg Oldie airstrip and new border villages challenge China’s security concerns, particularly its projects connecting Xinjiang to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. 
  • Despite China’s objections, India has accelerated its infrastructure development, strengthening its territorial position.
• Reaction to India’s 2019 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation: China’s strong protests against India’s 2019 Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation, including its claim over Aksai Chin, likely triggered the 2020 escalation. 
  • The release of new maps by India, delineating disputed boundaries, further escalated tensions, prompting China to issue warnings against any actions that could complicate the boundary issue.

Way Forward

• Transparency: For lasting peace at the India-China border, India must adopt a more transparent approach in negotiations and military strategies. This will help build trust both domestically and internationally.
• Engagement and Accountability: The government should engage more actively in debates and decision-making processes, ensuring accountability and avoiding surprise announcements regarding military escalation or de-escalation.
• Democracy vs. Authoritarianism: Unlike China’s one-party system, India is a vibrant democracy, which allows for diverse viewpoints and better foreign policy decisions. 

Conclusion

To ensure a stable future at the India-China border, India needs to prioritise transparency, clear agreements, and a strategic, long-term vision. Balancing diplomatic openings with clear communication will be critical for enduring peace in the region.

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The recent Supreme Court judgement in Sukanya Shantha v. Union of India (2024) addressed caste-based discrimination in Indian prisons. 

Supreme Court Bans Caste-Based Labor Segregation in Prisons

• The apex court ruled against caste-based labour segregation within prisons, which involved assigning cleaning and sweeping duties primarily to marginalised castes based on social stereotypes
• This ruling upheld that such practices violate the fundamental rights of prisoners under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, setting a new standard for non-discrimination within prison systems.

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Previous Judgments Supporting Equality in Prison Treatment

• Prem Shankar Shukla v. Delhi Administration (1980): The Supreme Court struck down the Punjab Police Rules that classified under-trial prisoners as “better class” or “ordinary,” allowing only the “better class” to be exempt from handcuffs. 
  • The Court deemed this distinction irrational and unconstitutional, emphasising that a prisoner’s economic or social status does not correlate with their danger level or behaviour.
• Inacio Manuel Miranda v. State (1988): The Bombay High Court addressed discriminatory practices under the Goa, Daman, and Diu Prisoners Rules, which allowed “Class-I prisoners” to write four letters per month, while “Class-II prisoners” could only write two. 
  • This restriction was ruled unreasonable and a violation of prisoners’ freedom of expression, reinforcing the right to equal treatment.
• Madhukar Bhagwan Jambhale v. State of Maharashtra (1984): In this case, the Bombay High Court invalidated a Maharashtra Prison Rule that prohibited prisoners from writing letters to other prisoners, deeming it discriminatory and lacking a logical basis.
• Gaur Narayan Chakraborty and Others (2012): The Calcutta High Court ruled that Maoists charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for waging war against the state should be recognized as political prisoners. 
  • The Court emphasised that all prisoners, regardless of political affiliation, are entitled to basic amenities like bedding, cooking facilities, and the right to receive books and letters, as these are fundamental needs, not privileges.

Way Forward

• Amendments to the Model Prison Manual 2016: Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling against caste-based discrimination, other forms of discrimination persist in prisons. 
  • To ensure fairness, amendments to the Model Prison Manual 2016 are needed to guarantee equal treatment for all prisoners, regardless of background.

Ensuring a Minimum Dignified Life: Reforms should ensure prisoners’ basic human rights, including adequate food, sanitation, healthcare, and communication with family. Ensuring dignity will support rehabilitation and reduce further injustices.

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Conclusion

The recent Supreme Court ruling against caste-based discrimination emphasises a crucial shift toward a humane and non-discriminatory approach within Indian prisons. By amending prison policies and standards, India can uphold prisoners’ dignity and ensure a prison environment that supports reformation, reintegration, and the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

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India opted out of the RCEP agreement in 2019, citing concerns over its economic interests, particularly with China. However, there are growing debates about whether India should reconsider its decision.

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

• The RCEP is a comprehensive trade agreement that aims to enhance economic cooperation between 15 Asia-Pacific countries. 
• It builds upon existing free trade agreements(FTA) between Australia and 14 other Indo-Pacific nations, including Brunei, Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and later, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
• RCEP officially entered into force on 1 January 2022 for the first ten members, with subsequent countries joining in 2022 and 2023. 
• It represents the world’s largest free trade agreement in terms of GDP, underscoring its economic significance.

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Key Reasons Behind India’s Decision to Opt Out of RCEP

• Domestic Industry Protection: Indian industries, particularly in manufacturing and dairy, feared increased competition from more advanced economies within the RCEP, especially China and Southeast Asia. 
  • There were concerns that cheap Chinese imports would flood the market, exacerbating the trade deficit with China.
• Past Experiences with Trade Agreements: India’s past experience with FTAs, such as the one with ASEAN, was seen as unfavourable, with India reportedly gaining less than its counterparts and facing increased imports. 

Compelling Reasons for India to Reconsider Joining the RCEP

• Shift in Global Trade Dynamics: Global companies are increasingly seeking alternatives to China under the “China Plus One” strategy, spurred by the U.S.-China trade war and the disruptions caused by COVID-19.
  • Missed Trade Opportunities:  Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, which are part of RCEP, have benefitted from this shift, attracting new manufacturing investments.
• Strategic Alignment: India’s strategic “Act East” policy and its aspirations for a stronger role in the Indo-Pacific region align with RCEP’s objectives. 
  • Participation in RCEP could reinforce India’s commitment to economic and geopolitical engagement with its Southeast Asian and East Asian neighbours, strengthening its influence in the Indo-Pacific. 
• Rising Protectionism: The global trade environment has become increasingly protectionist, especially under President Donald Trump’s administration, pressuring India to lower tariffs and improve market access. By joining the RCEP, India could better integrate into global supply chains, reducing its trade isolation.
• India Inc’s changing stance: Over time, industry leaders in India, represented by bodies like CII and FICCI, have shown greater openness to embracing free trade agreements, including RCEP, provided there are sufficient safeguards to protect Indian interests. 

Way Forward for India’s Rejoining of RCEP

While joining RCEP offers significant potential benefits, India must keep two key considerations in mind:

• Situation at the Line of Actual Control (LAC):
  • Although some disengagement has taken place along the LAC with China, full de-escalation remains critical for India to consider re-engaging in deeper economic ties with a China-inclusive trade bloc. 
  • Only a stable, de-escalated border can support sustainable participation in RCEP.
• Engage in Thorough Stakeholder Consultations:
  • India must conduct comprehensive consultations with stakeholders—domestic industries, industry bodies, and trade experts—to evaluate if they are now better equipped to handle competition within RCEP. 

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Conclusion

Rejoining the RCEP is a strategic decision that requires careful consideration of domestic interests and global trade dynamics. India should reassess its position, engage stakeholders, and ensure that any future agreement aligns with its long-term economic and geopolitical goals.

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The Public Distribution System (PDS) in India is a critical tool for ensuring food security among the most vulnerable populations. However, persistent challenges have raised concerns about its long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

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Key Issues in the Public Distribution System (PDS)

• Excessive Coverage of Free Food: 
  • The current PDS covers 57% of India’s population, which raises the question of whether such widespread distribution is necessary. 
  • According to World Bank (2022) data, 12.9% of Indians still live on less than $2.15 (PPP) a day, reflecting extreme poverty. 
  • However, the NITI Aayog (2024) report highlights a significant reduction in poverty, with 248 million people lifted out of poverty over the last nine years. 
  • The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MDPI) dropped from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23. 
• Leakages in PDS: 
  • Around 28% of the allocated food grains (about 19.69 million metric tonnes of rice and wheat) fail to reach the intended beneficiaries. This results in an annual loss of approximately Rs 69,108 crore. 
  • Despite technological interventions like PoS machines and biometric authentication, leakage in the Public Distribution System remains a challenge.
  • Although leakages have decreased from 46% in 2011-12 (Shanta Kumar Committee, 2015) to 28% today, they remain significant.
• Nutritional Security: 
• • The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) data shows that the share of spending on pulses and vegetables has declined in 2022-23 compared to 2011-12, contributing to poor dietary diversity.
  • According to the National Family Health Survey (2019-21), 35.5% of children under five are stunted, 19.3% are wasted, and 32.1% are underweight. This points to severe malnutrition issues that free grains alone cannot address.

Reforms Needed in the Public Distribution System (PDS)

• Revisit the Coverage of Free Food: Those above the extreme poverty line (Antyodaya) should contribute by paying at least half the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the food they receive, as was done under the Targeted PDS introduced in 1997-98. 
• Redirect Savings to Agricultural Investments: Savings from reducing subsidies for those above the poverty line could be reinvested into agriculture R&D, rural infrastructure, and climate-resilient practices, fostering long-term food security and reducing dependence on subsidies.
• Plug Leakages Through Direct Cash Transfers: To address persistent leakages, the government could switch to direct cash transfers to beneficiaries’ accounts instead of physical food grain distribution. 
• Improving Nutritional Security: It is proposed that some Fair Price Shops (FPS) be converted into “nutrition hubs”, offering a diversified range of nutritious produce, including eggs, pulses, millets, and fruits, alongside the usual cereals and address the growing concerns of malnutrition.
  • This could be done using a digital food coupon system, which beneficiaries could use to redeem for a wider variety of nutritious foods.

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Conclusion

Reforming the Public Distribution System is essential for a future-ready India. Through targeted reforms, we can build a more efficient, sustainable, and resilient food security system aligned with India’s growth and development goals.

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