The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 25th March 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

China Ties — Beware Conciliation Without Deterrence

Why is it News?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi adopted a more conciliatory approach towards China, stressing the importance of dialogue for fostering a cooperative relationship.

India’s Recent Diplomatic Shift

• This represents a significant change in tone, considering that relations between India and China had been strained since 2020 due to border clashes.
• Efforts for military disengagement have been ongoing, and bilateral trade has continued to grow despite these diplomatic tensions.
• In October 2023, India and China reached an agreement to withdraw troops from the last two disputed areas along their border, indicating a step towards normalizing relations.

India’s Uncertain Policy Direction

• It remains unclear whether this shift in tone is temporary or indicative of a long-term policy adjustment.
• India might be revisiting its earlier approach of seeking cooperation with China.
• However, the rivalry with China is a structural issue, and India continues to engage with the Quad nations (Australia, Japan, and the United States) for strategic security reasons.
• India’s overarching strategy prioritizes economic growth, making stability with China, its largest trading partner, a logical objective.
• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has remarked that maintaining a stable relationship with China is “common sense” for India.

Impact of U.S. Policy Under Trump

• India’s foreign policy is also shaped by global events, including changes in U.S. policies.
• During his presidency, Donald Trump imposed tariffs on China but exhibited uncertainty regarding defense commitments to allies.
• Trump’s approach involved reducing defense spending in the U.S. and encouraging allies like Japan and Taiwan to bolster their military capabilities.
• His readiness to make strategic compromises, such as accommodating Russian interests in Ukraine, raises concerns that a similar arrangement could be proposed to China.
• India has relied on U.S. intelligence to manage border tensions with China, but the recent unpredictability in U.S. policy has prompted India to reevaluate its strategy.

Strengthening Military Capabilities

• Although a conciliatory approach may seem advantageous, India should not compromise on its military investments.
• In fact, India’s defense spending as a share of GDP and the national budget has declined over the past decade, even amidst the Ladakh crisis.
• Modernizing defense capabilities is a lengthy process, and delays in developing military assets such as submarines and fighter jets could weaken India’s position.
• Continuing military exercises with strategic partners is essential for operational readiness, regardless of shifts in diplomatic tone.

Ensuring Stability Without Weakness

• Achieving stability should not come at the expense of military preparedness.
• India has experienced Chinese aggression even after previous diplomatic efforts, including Prime Minister Modi’s summits with President Xi Jinping.
•  To maintain a lasting balance, India needs to complement its diplomatic initiatives with robust military capabilities to deter potential future conflicts.

Colossal Wastage that is Food for Thought 

Why in News?

Food waste is a significant global issue, with 1.05 billion tonnes of food wasted in 2022 alone, accounting for nearly 20% of all food available to consumers. India ranks among the highest food-wasting nations, second only to another large country. Understanding the difference between food waste and food loss is crucial in addressing this problem.

Food waste refers to the discarding of both edible and inedible parts of food from various stages such as manufacturing, retail, restaurants, and households. On the other hand, food loss occurs earlier in the supply chain due to factors like poor storage, transportation, and handling. In India, the per capita household food waste is 55 kg per year, which, although lower than in some other countries, is still significant given the nation’s large population.

Impact on Hunger and Economy

• Wasting food has severe implications for hunger and the economy. Globally, food worth a trillion dollars is wasted every year, which is alarming considering that 783 million people suffer from hunger worldwide.
• India alone wastes about 78 million tonnes of food annually, while over 20 crore Indians go to bed hungry every night. Despite being a major food producer, India faces challenges in ensuring that food reaches those who need it most.

Reasons Behind Food Waste in India

• Over-purchasing: Buying more food than necessary leads to unused items spoiling.
• Improper meal planning: Failing to plan meals results in wasted ingredients that are not used in time.
• Limited storage facilities: Small refrigerators and inadequate storage worsen food waste.
• Cultural habits: Preparing excess food for guests or during celebrations contributes to wastage.
• Urban challenges: In cities, poor refrigeration and short shelf life of perishable items in markets increase waste.
• Household level: Around 61% of global food waste occurs at the household level, highlighting the need for better consumer awareness and responsible consumption practices.

Environmental Consequences

• Food production consumes vast amounts of land, water, and energy. When food is wasted, these precious resources are also squandered. In India, food waste constitutes 10%-12% of total municipal waste, leading to the production of methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.
• Globally, food waste is responsible for 8%-10% of greenhouse gas emissions. If food waste were a country, it would rank as the third-largest emitter, following two major economies.

Social and Climate Challenges

• Food waste exacerbates hunger by preventing food from reaching those in need. It also obstructs progress towards global goals such as Zero Hunger and waste reduction. Climate change, characterized by rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns, is already impacting food production.
• Wasting food increases the demand for limited resources, further worsening the crisis.

Steps to Reduce Food Waste

To combat food waste, both individuals and systems can take various actions.

Individual Actions

• Plan meals: Create a meal plan and buy only the necessary groceries to avoid over-purchasing.
• Store food properly: Use airtight containers and refrigerators to extend the shelf life of food items.
• Use leftovers creatively: Find innovative ways to use leftover food to prevent waste.
• Compost food scraps: Reduce landfill waste by composting food scraps and peels.
• Donate surplus food: Share surplus food with charities and food banks to help those in need.

Systemic Actions

• Improve cold storage and transportation: Build better infrastructure for cold storage and transportation to reduce food loss in the supply chain.
• Encourage food redistribution: Promote businesses to redistribute unsold food to those in need.
• Educate consumers: Raise awareness about responsible food consumption and the impact of food waste.
• Support food redistribution networks: Provide subsidies for refrigeration and support food redistribution initiatives.

Conclusion

Reducing food waste is crucial for India to lower its carbon footprint, enhance food security, and tackle social inequality. The focus should not only be on increasing food production but also on valuing and conserving the food that is already available.