The article defines brinkmanship as a strategy of pushing a dangerous situation to the brink of conflict to force concessions, a legacy of the Cold War. It discusses its resurgence in the post-Cold War era, particularly through terrorism and proxy conflicts, citing examples like Hamas-Israel and Iran's Strait of Hormuz blockade. It also analyzes how major powers like the U.S., Russia, China, and North Korea employ brinkmanship, noting its impact on global stability and the displacement of traditional diplomacy. The author suggests India's strategic DNA eschews such tactics, emphasizing the need for global introspection on this dangerous trend.
Brinkmanship involves pushing a conflict to the edge to compel an adversary to yield, a tactic with roots in the Cold War era.
The article highlights the use of brinkmanship by non-state actors (terrorism) and in proxy conflicts, exemplified by Hamas-Israel and Pakistan/Iran's actions.
Major powers like the U.S., Russia, China, and North Korea utilize various forms of brinkmanship, from economic coercion to military posturing, impacting global geopolitical stability.
परीक्षा बिंदु
Brinkmanship was coined by Western political scientists in the 1950s and 1960s, analyzing crises like the Berlin Blockade (1948-49) and the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962).
Hamas attacks on Israel on October 23, 2023, are cited as an example of brinkmanship.
Russia's takeover of Crimea in 2014 and advance on Kyiv in February 2022 are mentioned in the context of its brinkmanship.
The article discusses the inconsistencies and ineffectiveness of India's cow protection laws, highlighting incidents of cow carcasses and the varying legal frameworks across states. Despite stringent laws in many states, cattle census data reveal a decline in cow population while buffalo populations have grown, suggesting these laws fail to achieve their objective. The authors argue that cow protection, while a central Hindutva issue, has historical political backing from parties like Congress. The article also points out that these laws economically disadvantage farmers by preventing them from culling unproductive cattle, leading to financial losses and potentially illegal sales at lower prices. It questions the constitutional validity and practical implications of such laws, citing privacy concerns and the need for a more objective assessment.
Despite stringent cow protection laws in many Indian states, cattle census data indicate a decline in cow population and a rise in buffalo population, questioning the laws' efficacy.
The article highlights the economic burden on farmers due to cow protection laws, as they are unable to sell unproductive cattle, leading to financial losses.
Historically, cow protection has been a significant political issue, supported by various parties beyond just Hindutva groups.
परीक्षा बिंदु
Over 20 States in India have laws prohibiting cow slaughter.
Article 48 of the Constitution places cow protection within the non-justiciable Directive Principles.
The Gujarat law of 2017 provides for life imprisonment for cow slaughter.
The article debates whether increasing the Supreme Court's sanctioned strength from 34 to 38 judges will resolve its pendency crisis. Prashant Reddy T. and Swapnil Tripathi discuss the implications, with Reddy questioning the ordinance route for the increase and Tripathi highlighting how the large number of Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) contributes significantly to the backlog. Both agree that the Court's appellate jurisdiction has overshadowed its constitutional role. Concerns are raised that more judges could lead to greater doctrinal inconsistency, especially with two-judge benches, and that the government's inconsistent litigation policy exacerbates the problem. They emphasize the need for robust mechanisms to filter frivolous litigation, stricter time allocation, and improved gender representation.
The recent increase in the Supreme Court's sanctioned strength to 38 judges aims to address pendency, but its effectiveness is debated.
The high volume of Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) and the Court's reluctance to establish clear guidelines for their exercise are major contributors to the backlog.
Concerns exist that increasing judge strength could lead to greater doctrinal inconsistency, particularly with two-judge Division Benches, and more conflicting rulings.
परीक्षा बिंदु
The President promulgated an ordinance increasing the sanctioned strength of the Supreme Court from 34 to 38 judges on May 17.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Bill, 2026, was approved by the Union Cabinet.
According to the National Judicial Data Grid, pendency before the SC currently stands at 93,966 cases.
India and China held their 35th Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) meeting in Beijing. Both sides reviewed the border situation, expressed satisfaction with progress in maintaining peace and tranquillity, and discussed issues related to border delimitation, management, mechanism building, and cross-border cooperation. The Indian delegation emphasized the need for an early meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers. They agreed to continue diplomatic and military-level exchanges and prepare for the 25th round of Special Representatives (SR) Talks, aiming to implement consensus reached in previous rounds on the boundary question.
The 35th WMCC meeting between India and China focused on border delimitation, management, and cooperation.
Both nations acknowledged progress in maintaining peace and tranquillity along the border, contributing to bilateral relations.
India specifically called for an early meeting of the Expert Level Mechanism on Trans-border Rivers.
परीक्षा बिंदु
The 35th Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) meeting was held in Beijing.
The Indian delegation was led by Sujit Ghosh, Joint Secretary (East Asia).
The Chinese delegation was headed by Hou Yanqi, Director-General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 51st PRAGATI meeting, where he urged states to resolve inter-State water disputes through cooperation, timely clearances, and technology-based monitoring. He cited the Ken-Betwa project as a model for such resolutions. During the meeting, seven critical infrastructure projects across railways, power, and road sectors covering nine states were reviewed. The Prime Minister emphasized that delays in project implementation lead to cost escalation and deprive citizens of essential facilities, underscoring the importance of efficient project execution.
Prime Minister Modi advocated for cooperative resolution of inter-State water disputes, emphasizing timely clearances and technology-based monitoring.
The Ken-Betwa project was highlighted as a model for resolving such disputes.
The 51st PRAGATI meeting reviewed seven critical infrastructure projects across various sectors in nine states.
परीक्षा बिंदु
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the 51st PRAGATI meeting.
The Ken-Betwa project was cited as a model for inter-State water dispute resolution.
Seven critical infrastructure projects across railways, power, and road sectors were reviewed.
The National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates for India 2022-23 indicate that households still bear nearly half of the current health expenditure (OOPE), despite increased government and insurance spending. While the government claims a rise in its health expenditure as a percentage of GDP, experts like Abhay Shukla point out that public financing has dropped back to pre-COVID levels, with GHE as a share of CHE sharply declining. Private health insurance expenditures are three times higher than government-financed schemes, suggesting PMJAY and similar programs fail to provide substantial protection. The health system remains deeply privatized, leading to inequities and high costs, with a low focus on preventive care.
Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) constitutes nearly half of India's current health expenditure, placing a significant burden on households.
Despite government claims of increased public health spending, the share of Government Health Expenditure (GHE) in Current Health Expenditure (CHE) has declined sharply post-COVID.
Private health insurance spending significantly outweighs government-financed schemes, indicating inadequate financial protection for citizens.
परीक्षा बिंदु
National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates for India 2022-23 are the source of data.
Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) is nearly 49.90% of Current Health Expenditure (CHE).
Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as a percentage of GDP rose from 1.15% in 2013-14 to 1.43% in 2022-23.
The Agriculture Ministry is actively preparing for the potential impact of El Nino on the upcoming monsoon, which is forecast to be "below normal" at 92% of normal rainfall. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the focus is on preparation rather than fear, including identifying regions likely to experience insufficient rainfall and preparing advisories on appropriate crops. The Ministry is also working on suitable seeds, supply modes, and contingency plans to mitigate any adverse effects on agriculture. The Kharif Conference, involving State Agriculture Ministers, will further discuss these preparations.
The Agriculture Ministry is preparing for a "below normal" southwest monsoon due to El Nino predictions.
The strategy emphasizes proactive preparation, including identifying vulnerable regions and advising on appropriate crops.
Contingency plans, suitable seeds, and supply logistics are being developed to mitigate potential agricultural impacts.
परीक्षा बिंदु
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made the statement.
The IMD forecast a "below normal" southwest monsoon, with 92% of normal rainfall expected during June-September.
The Kharif Conference is being held to discuss preparations.
The Supreme Court's May 21 clarification allows trials and proceedings under Section 124A (sedition) to resume for accused persons who consent to it, partially reviving the paused colonial-era provision. This decision, made in an unconnected case (Kamran vs State of Madhya Pradesh), raises concerns about constitutional questions, particularly regarding the provision's constitutionality which is still pending before the SC in the Vombatkere petitions. Critics argue it creates disparity, forcing some accused into trials under an undecided law while others remain in limbo, and undermines the fundamental right to equality before the law. The article highlights the historical context of sedition and its potential chilling effect on free speech.
The Supreme Court's May 21 clarification allows sedition proceedings under Section 124A to resume for accused persons who willingly consent to face trial.
This decision partially revives a colonial-era provision whose constitutionality is still under challenge in pending petitions (Vombatkere vs Union of India).
The clarification creates a disparity, as consenting accused face trial under an undecided law, while others can remain in indefinite limbo.
परीक्षा बिंदु
The Supreme Court's clarification was issued on May 21.
Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) deals with sedition.
The interim order of May 11, 2022, had put all ongoing and future proceedings under Section 124A in abeyance.
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