The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 4th March 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Australia is strengthening economic ties with India through a new roadmap.

Why in News? 

The roadmap aims to enhance collaboration in various sectors such as trade, investment, energy, education, and diaspora engagement. 

Australia’s Confidence in India’s Economic Rise

•  Australia views India as an emerging economic powerhouse, anticipating it will become the third-largest economy by 2030.
• Australia supports India’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, recognizing its growing global influence. 
•  The two countries share complementary economies and strong strategic ties, making Australia a natural partner in India’s growth journey. 

The New Framework for Economic Collaboration

•  A fresh plan has been introduced to bolster economic relations between India and Australia, building on the success of the 2018 economic strategy. 
•  The roadmap outlines how Australia can both contribute to and benefit from India’s economic expansion, reflecting significant changes in global trade dynamics. 

Impact of the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA)

•  The ECTA has significantly boosted trade between India and Australia, with India’s exports to the world increasing by 35% over five years, and exports to Australia growing by 66%. 

Australia’s Role in India’s Economic Growth

•  Australia plays a crucial role in supplying India with energy, critical minerals, and resources necessary for economic and industrial growth. 
•  Australian support for India’s skill development initiatives is vital for training millions of professionals each year. 

Key Sectors for Future Collaboration

 The roadmap identifies four major sectors as “Superhighways of Growth”: 

• Clean Energy: To facilitate India’s transition to sustainable and renewable energy sources. 
• Education and Skills: To enhance workforce capabilities and address skill gaps. 
• Agribusiness: To improve food security, trade, and agricultural productivity. 
• Tourism: To strengthen people-to-people ties and boost mutual understanding. 

 Additionally, seven other major areas for cooperation include: 

•  Investment 
•  Technology 
•  Sports 
•  Culture 
•  Resources 
•  Defense 
•  Space 
•  Health 

Support for India’s Manufacturing and Skills Development

•  Australia provides essential minerals such as lithium, nickel, and cobalt to support India’s electric vehicle (EV) industry and green technologies. 
•  Australian universities are expanding their presence in India by opening campuses, offering high-quality education and training to meet the demands of the growing job market. 

Role of the Indian Diaspora in Strengthening Ties

•  Over one million individuals of Indian origin residing in Australia play a pivotal role in fostering business and community development, acting as a bridge between the two countries. 
•  The Indian diaspora strengthens bilateral ties by promoting mutual understanding, cultural exchange, and trade opportunities, contributing to the overall economic partnership. 
•  Additional investments are being directed towards programs aimed at enhancing cultural and business exchanges, further solidifying the relationship. 

Strengthening the Economic Partnership

•  The roadmap encourages Australian businesses to explore new opportunities and expand their presence in India, tapping into the growing market potential. 
•  The next step involves finalizing the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) to deepen trade and investment ties, paving the way for a more integrated economic relationship. 
•  With the roadmap in place, the future of India-Australia economic relations looks promising, aiming for mutual growth and collaboration. 

India’s burden of rising obesity, the hefty cost to pay

Why is it News?

• Overweight and obesity have become a significant public health challenge in India, with rising prevalence across all demographics.
• The issue requires urgent policy interventions to address lifestyle changes, unhealthy diets, and inadequate public awareness.

Growing Burden of Obesity

• Over the past 20 years, India has experienced a major shift in health trends, with obesity emerging as a serious challenge.
• According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021, one in four men and women in India is obese.
• The prevalence of overweight and obesity varies significantly across different states and regions, ranging from 8% to 50%.
• India has one of the highest annual increases in childhood obesity, as reported by the World Obesity Federation.
• A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research in 2023 estimates that:
  • 35 crore adults have abdominal obesity.
  • 25 crore adults suffer from general obesity.
  • 21 crore adults have high blood cholesterol.

Why This Issue Needs Urgent Attention

• Obesity is often perceived as a personal issue, and society tends to normalize it.
• India has shifted from being calorie-deficient to calorie-sufficient, yet 78 crore people cannot afford a healthy diet.
• Approximately 40% of the population lacks adequate nutrients in their diet.
• The increased consumption of high fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods and ultra-processed foods (UPF) has exacerbated the situation.
• Rapid urbanization has led to a sedentary lifestyle, with 50% of Indians failing to meet recommended physical activity levels, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
• The “thin fat Indian” hypothesis suggests that even individuals with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) may have excess body fat, increasing health risks.
• Obesity is a major contributor to diabetes, hypertension, and liver disorders, impacting millions of people in India.
• The global economic cost of obesity for India in 2019 was $28.95 billion, accounting for 1.02% of GDP, and is projected to rise to 1.57% of GDP by 2030.
• The Economic Survey 2024-25 acknowledges obesity as an emerging health crisis and recommends higher taxes on ultra-processed foods.

Policy and Programmatic Solutions

• Public Awareness and Dialogue.
  • Recognize obesity as a disease that requires prevention and management.
  • Launch public campaigns to educate people about the health risks associated with obesity.
• Promoting Physical Activity.
  • Improve urban planning by creating bicycle lanes, open gyms, and public parks to encourage physical activity.
• Regulating Unhealthy Food Consumption.
  • Implement higher taxes on HFSS and UPF products to discourage their consumption.
  • Provide subsidies for healthy foods like fruits and vegetables to make them more affordable.
  • Encourage ethical food marketing practices to promote healthier options.
• Routine Health Monitoring.
  • Include weight, height, and waist measurements as part of all medical check-ups to monitor obesity.
  • Widely share ideal weight guidelines with the public to raise awareness.
• Use of Anti-Obesity Medicines.
  • Establish clinical guidelines to ensure the proper use of weight-management medicines for obesity.
• Workplace Initiatives.
  • Encourage offices to provide weighing scales and conduct awareness programs on maintaining a healthy weight.
• Healthy Eating in Schools and Colleges.
  • Integrate nutrition education in schools and provide healthy meals in school canteens.
  • Study and implement best practices from countries with successful school nutrition programs.
• Coordinated Government Action.
  • Foster collaboration among multiple ministries, including health, finance, education, and urban development, to address obesity.
  • Focus on mindful eating and proper nutrition through a restructured nutrition program, “Suposhan Abhiyan.”
• Research and Data Collection.
  • Conduct more epidemiological studies to understand obesity trends in India better.
  • Train medical professionals to address obesity as a significant health issue in their practice.
• Making Healthy Food Affordable.
  • Ensure that healthy food options are more affordable than junk food to encourage better eating habits.
  • Promote healthier meal options on online food delivery platforms.
  • Utilize corporate social responsibility funds to promote good eating habits and nutrition awareness.

Conclusion

•  Obesity poses a significant public health crisis in India that demands immediate and coordinated action from various stakeholders. 
•  A comprehensive and multi-faceted approach is essential to promote a healthier population and address the rising rates of obesity. 
•  Tackling obesity effectively will not only improve public health outcomes but also contribute to economic growth and national development.

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