Russia’s shift in nuclear doctrine, broadening the conditions for nuclear weapon use, has raised concerns globally. While the West remains relatively unalarmed, experts warn it could escalate tensions and spur a new arms race.

Shift in Russia’s Nuclear Policy

• On the 1,000th day of the Ukraine war, Russia announced a new nuclear doctrine, expanding its justification for nuclear use. 
• This doctrine not only allows for nuclear retaliation in response to threats to Russia’s sovereignty but also permits nuclear strikes against non-nuclear states backed by nuclear powers.
• The new doctrine emerges as Ukraine, backed by the U.S. and NATO, targets Russian military assets using long-range weapons, heightening tensions.  

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Erosion of Anti-Nuclear Frameworks

• Dismissal of Threats: The U.S. administration downplayed the significance of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, emphasising that it does not change the nuclear deterrence balance between Russia and NATO. 
  • Washington sees the threat as rhetoric rather than a real shift in policy.
• Normalisation of Nuclear Threats: Russia’s shift in nuclear policy has, in a sense, desensitised Washington and the world to the use of nuclear weapons. 
  • The notion that one of the nine countries possessing nuclear weapons, with Iran potentially becoming the tenth, might use them has become more of a reality that garners little reaction.
• Nuclear Arms Expansion: Discussions in the U.S. about expanding its nuclear arsenal in response to Russia-China cooperation signal a return to prioritising nuclear capabilities as part of national security.
• Ukrainian Regret: The Soviet Union’s collapse sparked optimism for nuclear disarmament, with Ukraine giving up its nuclear warheads in exchange for security assurances from Russia, the U.S., and others. 
  • However, many Ukrainians now regret this decision, especially following Russia’s aggression.
• Deterioration of Arms Control Treaties: Russia’s nuclear posture complicates existing arms control frameworks, particularly with the impending expiration of the “New START” treaty, which limits the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons. 
  • Without renewal or replacement, arms control measures could weaken.
• Nuclear Posturing by Other Nations: Other nuclear powers may respond by strengthening their own deterrence policies, potentially sparking an arms race. This could lead to a global environment of heightened nuclear threat perception.
• Shift from Disarmament to Escalation: The post-Cold War era’s focus on disarmament has shifted. 
  • Under President Obama, there were efforts to reduce nuclear arsenals, but now, with Russia’s growing nuclear assertiveness, the emphasis is returning to bolstering nuclear deterrence.

Due to the above concerns, many have started to view the situation as a potential trigger for a third world war.

Conclusion

Russia’s nuclear policy shift signals a heightened global security threat, increasing the risk of a new arms race. The international community must adapt its strategies for diplomacy, arms control, and conflict resolution to effectively manage these escalating nuclear tensions

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The Netflix series Heeramandi, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, explores the lives of courtesans in pre-Independence India, shedding light on the struggles and resilience of sex workers. It emphasises their mental health challenges, which continue to be relevant today.

Reasons Behind Mental Health Challenges Faced by Sex Workers

• Stigma and Social Exclusion: Sex workers face societal rejection, preventing them from seeking help and accessing rights, worsening their mental health. 
  • For instance, they often struggle to find rented accommodation due to the stigma surrounding their profession. 
• Violence and Abuse: Sex workers endure physical, emotional, and sexual violence, leading to trauma and conditions like PTSD, severely affecting their emotional well-being.
• Economic Pressures: Many enter sex work due to financial instability, causing chronic stress, insecurity, and poor mental health due to unpredictable income.
• Substance Abuse: To cope with stress and trauma, sex workers often turn to drugs or alcohol, worsening mental health and creating a cycle of addiction and isolation.

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Way Forward

• Address Root Causes: Focus on reducing stigma, providing economic opportunities, and preventing violence through targeted interventions.
• Mental Health Programs: Scale up initiatives like data-driven mental health databases and peer support networks. Research and co-design interventions with sex workers to enhance well-being.
  • For example, in Sonagachi, Kolkata, a mental health database project aims to provide targeted interventions by using data-driven solutions tailored to the specific mental health needs of sex workers.
• Legal and Policy Support: Ensure legal protections, policies against violence, and access to safe spaces. 

Conclusion

Sex workers’ mental health needs urgent attention. A multifaceted approach involving legal protection, mental health services, economic opportunities, and anti-stigma policies is essential to addressing the challenges faced by this marginalised community.

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Delhi’s recurring hazardous air quality, despite technological efforts, highlights the inadequate political response and remains a critical concern that urgently requires focused attention and long-term solutions.

Current Situation in Delhi

• Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is frequently reaching hazardous levels, with an alarming average of 488 on November 18, 2024. 
• Some private stations reported AQI levels over 1,000, negatively impacting children and the elderly.
• Despite investments in technology and efforts to monitor pollution sources and improve air quality, the system has failed to prevent severe pollution episodes effectively.
• While the number of ‘poor’ days (AQI over 200) has decreased from 200 in 2016 to 121 in 2024, the overall pollution situation continues to worsen, with ‘severe’ pollution days rising annually. 
• In fact, there have only been two years when the number of ‘severe’ days was in the single digits. 

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Challenges in Addressing Pollution

• Delay despite analytical tracking: Modern public and private tools provide daily tracking of pollution sources. Yet, government response remains slow, undermining timely interventions.
• Stubble Burning vs. Road Dust: Stubble burning and Diwali are seasonal concerns, but recent pollution spikes mainly stem from year-round issues like household emissions and road dust, demanding sustained solutions.
• Lack of Political Will: Effective action demands clear, consistent political commitment, which is currently absent. 
  • Despite a nuanced understanding of pollution and the creation of bodies like the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), there is still insufficient coordination between Delhi and surrounding states.

Way Forward

• Consistent Communication and Leadership: The government must take a more active role in addressing pollution, consistently communicating its intent and implementing measures beyond political convenience.
• Long-term Solutions: Immediate measures, such as managing road dust, should be prioritised, while a comprehensive, year-round strategy is needed to address the root causes of pollution.
• Public Awareness: Raising public awareness is key to holding politicians accountable, ensuring action on pollution, and fostering shared responsibility among citizens and policymakers.

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Conclusion

The continued failure to address air quality issues in Delhi highlights the need for consistent, non-political, long-term solutions. The government must prioritise effective, year-round measures, particularly addressing road dust and maintaining transparent communication to build public trust and tackle the crisis seriously.

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India criticises the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for being discriminatory, as it disproportionately impacts developing economies. India calls for fairer trade practices and equitable emission accounting to ensure balanced climate action.

Understanding Protectionism

• Protectionism is a threat to the collaboration required between the developed and developing world in addressing climate issues.

Protectionist mechanism employed by European Union

1. European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU-CBAM)

• The EU’s CBAM imposes a carbon price on certain imports, set to take full effect on January 1, 2026. 
• It ensures a level playing field by aligning the carbon cost of imports with domestic production. 
• Targeting carbon-intensive goods like cement, steel, aluminium, fertilisers, and electricity, CBAM may significantly impact India’s exports, as these items form a key part of its trade with the EU.

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2. Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive(CSDDD)

• The EU’s CSDDD mandates large companies to address human rights and environmental impacts of their operations globally.
  • For example, in a company where child labour is employed, this directive asks companies not to engage in business with such entities violating human rights.

3. EU Deforestation Regulation(EUDR)

• The EUDR requires companies to ensure their supply chains are free from deforestation. 
• They must trace product origins, assess deforestation risks, and mitigate them. 
• For instance, companies must avoid sourcing coffee grown on deforested land.

Key Issues with the CBAM

• Discriminatory Nature
  • Unilateral Design: CBAM was introduced by the EU without sufficient consultation with developing nations like India, undermining global collaboration on climate action.
  • Unequal Burden: It shifts the carbon cost to exporters like India, overlooking developed countries’ historical emissions and higher consumption, violating the CBDR principle.
• Impact on India’s Trade
  • The EU accounts for 20.33% of India’s exports, with 25.7% exposed to CBAM.
  • Sectors like iron and steel (77% of India’s EU exports), aluminium, cement, and fertilisers face increased costs, reducing competitiveness in the EU market.

Way Forward

Stronger arguments need to be presented, highlighting that not all developing countries are equally affected by CBAM, as their trade dependencies on the EU differ significantly compared to India.

• Additionally, the impact of climate change is not uniform across developing nations, with some countries being far more vulnerable than others.

Proposed Arguments

• Time for Adaptation
  • The EU had decades to prepare for its emission reduction goals, starting with the 2008 Climate Action Package, which targeted a 20% reduction by 2020. 
  • This was later expanded to a 55% reduction by 2030 under the 2019 European Green Deal
  • Developing countries like India lack sufficient time to adapt, as CBAM’s 2026 implementation timeline is too soon for nations with limited infrastructure for emissions reduction.
• Revenue and Empowerment
  • CBAM revenue, projected at €5–14 billion annually by 2030, will remain with the EU.
  • India advocates for revenue sharing to help developing nations build capacity and access sustainable technologies for climate adaptation.
• Equity-Based Emission Accounting (EBA)
  • India can propose EBA as an alternative to the current CBAM framework. 
  • EBA incorporates factors such as per capita GDP, per capita emissions, trade-related gains, and avoided emissions through trade to ensure fair distribution of emission reduction responsibilities, reflecting developmental and historical disparities.
• Ensuring Fairness
  • The current Production-Based Accounting (PBA) under UNFCCC overlooks historical emissions by developed nations.
  • Equitable emission targets should account for each country’s development stage and mitigation capacity.

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Conclusion

India must counter CBAM by advocating for equitable climate policies that consider historical emissions and developmental disparities. Collaboration with the Global South, stronger arguments, and equity-based alternatives can ensure fairer climate action and trade practices.

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