The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 11th February 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

India as a bridge between the Global North and South

Why is it News?

At the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in January 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s dedication to enhancing the Global South’s voice through inclusive governance and development cooperation. 

India’s Renewed Focus on the Global South

• India is actively championing the concerns of developing countries and striving to establish a more inclusive global governance framework.
• Unlike previous movements centered on decolonization, India is fortifying its relationships with traditional allies such as the United States and European nations.
• High-level diplomatic visits signal India’s intent to forge new alliances while preserving strategic partnerships.

Strategic Considerations and Global Positioning

• Some analysts suggest that India’s expanding role in the Global South is aimed at countering the influence of another major global power.
• Investment trends indicate competition, particularly in African nations where both India and another major power are ramping up their presence.
• Industrialized countries are strategically aligning with India, partly to rebalance global power dynamics.
• India is not merely competing but also positioning itself as an independent emerging power with distinct strategic and economic interests.

Addressing Global South Concerns

• Many developing countries are grappling with economic challenges, debt burdens, and conditional aid from major powers.
• These nations are seeking alternative partnerships that do not replicate existing dependency models.
• India has the potential to serve as a bridge between developed and developing nations but needs to implement effective strategies to bolster its position.

Key Steps for India’s Success Redefining Development Cooperation

• India should promote a development model that is not solely dictated by advanced economies.
• While emphasizing equal partnerships, India sometimes prioritizes its own strategic interests.
• The newly introduced ‘Global Development Compact’ should focus on strategies rooted in India’s experiences.
• India’s development journey is valuable, but learning from other developing nations is crucial to address domestic and global challenges effectively.
• A balanced approach will help avoid perceptions of dominance over smaller nations.

Adopting a Human-Centric Approach

• India promotes sustainability and responsible consumption through initiatives like Mission LiFE.
• There is a need for a broader focus on human resource development, particularly in skills training and entrepreneurship.
• The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program should evolve from short-term skill-building initiatives to helping countries establish strong institutions capable of developing skilled workforces.
• Cooperation in areas such as digital infrastructure, climate resilience, energy solutions, water, and food security can enhance India’s role in global development.

Building Inclusive Global Governance

• India has advocated for more inclusive decision-making, such as pushing for the African Union’s inclusion in the G-20.
• Strengthening its domestic capacity for international cooperation is as important as influencing global institutions.
• Initial collaboration with experienced development partners like the United Nations or European nations can be beneficial.
• Over time, India should develop independent mechanisms for international development partnerships.
• Trilateral cooperation and long-term engagement can help India scale up its global initiatives.

The Way Forward

• India’s aspiration to be a leading voice for the Global South necessitates active listening and collaboration.
• Historically, India successfully led a global movement by offering an alternative path for developing nations.
• Presently, India has the opportunity to establish an inclusive and sustainable development model for the world, addressing the needs and aspirations of the Global South.

The problem of regulating live-in relationships

Why in News?

 Uttarakhand has put into action a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) that oversees various facets of civil life. A notable aspect of this code is the mandatory registration of opposite-sex live-in relationships. 

Introduction to the UCC in Uttarakhand

• The UCC in Uttarakhand criminalizes unregistered non-marital cohabitation, imposing penalties for non-compliance.
• While some provisions aim to protect vulnerable individuals in live-in relationships, others raise concerns regarding autonomy and legal clarity.

Well-intentioned Provisions

• The UCC safeguards the rights of individuals in live-in relationships, particularly those who may become financially or socially vulnerable.
• Children born in live-in relationships will be regarded as legitimate, enhancing the current legal framework where only children from void or voidable marriages were considered legitimate.
• The law ensures maintenance rights in cases of desertion, providing legal protection against abandonment.

Challenges in Maintenance Provisions

• The UCC allows for maintenance in cases of desertion but lacks provisions for maintenance upon termination of the relationship.
• Termination involves submitting a statement to the registrar, potentially leaving one partner without support.
• Same-sex relationships are not legally recognized, leaving individuals in such partnerships unprotected.

Ambiguity in the Definition of Live-in Relationships

• The UCC defines a live-in relationship as being ‘in the nature of marriage,’ aligning with previous legal interpretations.
• However, this definition is problematic as many live-in relationships do not resemble marriage.
• The law requires registration within one month, but live-in relationships often evolve gradually without a clear starting point.
• This rigid registration requirement may compel casual relationships into legal regulation, causing unnecessary complications.

Concerns About Sexual Autonomy

• The Supreme Court has affirmed the right to sexual autonomy, allowing individuals to choose their relationships freely.
• However, the UCC mandates informing parents/guardians if one partner is below 21 years of age, infringing on privacy rights.
• In a context where honor-based violence is a concern, this provision may endanger individuals in inter-caste or inter-religious relationships.

Increased State Surveillance

• The UCC requires all registered live-in relationships to be reported to the local police, treating these relationships as potential law-and-order issues.
• Failing to register a live-in relationship is deemed a criminal offense, punishable by imprisonment or fines, reflecting an extreme legal stance.

Conclusion

•  In various countries, the registration of live-in relationships aims to extend marriage-like protections to cohabiting couples. 
•  However, Uttarakhand’s UCC perceives live-in relationships as issues to be regulated rather than social realities necessitating legal safeguards. 
•  The current form of the law restricts personal freedom, amplifies state intervention, and reinforces social control over individual choices.