Main articles/opinions analysis for UPSC 22 April 2025 | Legacy IAS

Contents:

1. India, China at 75 – A time for strategy, not sentiment
2. New paths for the creative economy of India
3. Historical agreement

India, China at 75 – A time for strategy, not sentiment

Background: 75 years of diplomatic ties

• The relationship of India and China has evolved Asian Solidarity (1950) Unpleasant strategic rivalry.
• Currently defined by Border disputes, deep suspicion and regional competitionBut also peppered with economic mutual dependence and reach for cooperation.

Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations)

Practice question: “India‘The relationship with China has evolved into one of competitive coexistence, which demand strategic calibration instead of sentimentalism. Analyze in this context of India critically‘The China policy approach in recent years. How can India balance with dialogue while maintaining strategic autonomy? (15 points, 250 words)

Core Challenge: The ‘Chinese lens‘ In Indian policy

• China is the most critical external factor Design the foreign and strategic policy of India.
• Post-Galwan (2020) and the shadow of 1962The bilateral relationship is characterized by:
  • Permanent militarization of the LickEspecially in East -Ladakh.
  • High risk of miscalculation or escalation.

Defense and deterrence

• Over 60,000 Indian troops Permanently stationed in eastern Ladakh.
• India Balances military deterrence With diplomatic involvement.
• Strategic need: Guardrails to prevent flash points.

Economic paradox: deterrence versus dependence

• Handlone Balance $ 100 billion in 2024–25 (in favor of China).
• Despite:
  • Forbidden on appsinvestment restrictions,
  • India remains dependent on Chinese inputs Pharmaceutical products, electronics, telecom, etc.
• Full Economic is neither feasible nor desirable in the short term.

India‘S Strategic approach: ‘Competitive side by side‘

• Collaborate on:
  • Brics, SCO (multilateral platforms),
  • Dialogue initiatives (eg patroling, hydrological data exchange).

• Retain desk And avoid becoming in binaries in binaries.

South -Asia: strategic peat war

• China’s footprint through Belt and road Initiatives:
  • The Hambantota port of Sri Lanka, Pokhara Airport from Nepal, the infrastructure loans of the Maldives.
• India‘S Comment:
  • Development aid, Defense Cooperation, First Responder in Crises.
• Urgent need: Proactive diplomacy About reactive competition.
  • Win hearts, not just the headlines.

Narrative competition: Example of Bangladesh

• Recent comments from Bangladesh‘S interim leader In Beijing worried.
• Despite factual accuracy (surrounding land surrounded), such comments:
  • Reflect China’s strategic messages“
  • Emphasize the needs of India to Bridge Trust Gaps Near.

PM’s remark

• PM Modi’s March 2025 Lex Fridman Podcast:
  • Called old civilization tyres with China,
  • Called to ‘Healthy competition and mutual growth. “

• Responses:
  • Beijing responded positively (Mao Ning),
  • Resumption of LAC verification patrols,
  • Conversations about hydrological collaboration, Kailash Yatra and REV -Hearing the flight.

Water weapons: a new limit

• China‘S Eng Power of Dam Project near Arunachal Restores fears:
  • No formal treaty in sharing water,
  • High risk of maladministration or deliberate manipulation,
  • Adds an ecological and strategic layer to bilateral challenges.

Proposed China policy: 4-Pillair Framework

1. Military willingness – Shaine without escalating.
2. Economic diversification – Trade without over -dependence.
3. Diplomatic involvement – Manage flashpoints and work together on global platforms.
4. Narrative control – Form perceptions in the region and worldwide.

The way forward: strategically not sentimental

• Embrace ‘Competitive coexistence ”:
  • Build infers – military, economic, diplomatic,
  • Prevent zero–sum think it over.
• The stability of Asia requires Home -grown architecturenot too much for the US
• China is both a challenge and a mirror:
  • A test of India’s Statecraft, ambition and vision on leadership.

New paths for the creative economy of India

Introduction

• India’s history of creativity Spans various fields: Art, Science, Metallurgy, Medicine and Astronomy.
• With the aim of one $ 5 trillion economyIndia must restructure its innovation ecosystem with creativity as a core driver.

creative economy

• The creative economy includes economic activities that are rooted in Creativity, knowledge and intellectual propertySpan sectors such as design, media, art and software.

• It stimulates innovation, cultural expression and the creation of jobs, which contribute more than $ 2 trillion worldwide and support nearly 50 million jobs.

Relevance: GS 3 (Economy)

Practice question: India‘The journey to a powerhouse of a creative economy depends on its ability to bridge the gap between creativity and innovation. Discuss the challenges in this transformation and suggest measures to promote inclusive and Grassroots level innovation. (15 points, 250 words)

Meaning of the global creative economy

• In 2022Global Creative Services Exports = $ 1.4 trillion (↑ 29% since 2017).
• Global Creative Goods Exports = $ 713 billion (↑ 19%).
• The creative economy generates $ 2 trillion+ annual and supports ~ 50 million jobs.
• UNCTADCreativelyEconomyProspect2024 Identifies Top 3 sectors:
  • Software services – 41.3%
  • Research and development – 30.7%
  • Advertising, market research, architecture – 15.5%

India‘s performance in the creative economy

• In 2019:
  • Export of creative goods and services = $ 121 billion
  • Services Share = ~ $ 100 billion
  • Design sector = 87.5% export

• In 2024:
  • Is employed ~ 8% of the labor population of India
  • The export grew 20% In a year → Income of $ 11 billion

Challenges in India‘S creative ecosystem

• Creativity ≠ Innovation: Ideas often cannot convert into Scalable products/services.
• Lack of institutional support, IPR protection and capital.
• Grassroots Creativity is under -utilized and underented.
• No structured mechanism to Bridge the creativity innovation gap.

The nature of creativity

• Four segments of creativity (scientifically classified):
• Endogenous (internally driven) USA Exogenous (triggered externally)
• Grassroots Innovations usually fall under: intentional/spontaneous + cognitive

Case studies of creative sparkle

• Anthrodam Project (Indonesia): Biomimicry-based flood management system inspired by:
  • Ant tunnels, rose petals, lettuce coral, pill millipedes, frigate bird
  • Illustrates potential of Nather-inspired design

• Indian examples:
  • Mitticool clay fridge
  • Pedal processed washing machine
  • All need financing, upscaling, IPR protection

Policy and investment requirements

• Invest in Creativity at all levels -From tribale to technical startups.
• Make one supporting ecosystem: capital, training, IP protection, market coupling.
• Integrate ‘One district, one innovation‘ In governance (parallel to ODOP).
• Restructuring IPR laws to meet informal and indigenous innovations.
• Reject Investments for climate technology To grassroots creative solutions:
  • India received in 2023 $ 2.8 billion In climate technology
  • But adjustment/innovation of the base received negligible share

Forward

• Establish Innovation hubs at district level For bottom-up development.
• Make sure Institutional recognition From makers and innovators separately.
• Brave public-private partnerships (PPP) in creative infrastructure.
• Use platforms such as Gian (Grassroots Innovations Augmentation Network) to mainstream local solutions.
• Promote social entrepreneurship Grassroots scales ethical creativity.

Historical agreement

Context: WHO Pandemic Agreement (2024)

• Rounded April 16, 2024 through the Intergovernmental negotiation bidy after 3.5 years and 13 meetings.
• The design is ready for adoption by the World Health Meeting in May 2024.
• Strive for Prevent, prepare and respond To future pandemas more fairly and more effective.

Relevance: GS 2 (International Relations, International Organizations)

Practice question: “The recent WHO -Pandemic Agreement marks a turning point in tackling global inequalities in emergencies on health.” Investigate critically the importance of the agreement in guaranteeing fair pandemic readiness and response (15 points, 250 words)

Background and global imbalances

• Reflect deep historical divided between the Global North and Global South In health management.
• Developed countries: Hesitant to commit to technology transfer, diagnostics, vaccines.
• Developing countries: Reluctant to share pathogen without Guaranteed access to resulting health products.
• Echoes beyond inequalities pretend Indonesia‘S protest in the mid -2000s over H5N1 -Monster use Without access to vaccine.

Important provisions of the agreement

Pathogen access and benefits share (PABs)

• Most significant performance from the treaty.
• Guarantees developing countries Who share pathogens or genome data, receive:
  • Access to diagnostics” vaccineAnd treatments developed from their samples.
• Aims the Inequality from the COVID eraWhere richer countries have collected vaccines.

Health workers protection

• First unanimous Agreed article: Stronger measures for Protection of frontline health workers Worldwide.

Pharmaceutical obligations

• Pharmaceutical companies will:
  • Donate 10% From pandemic products to WHO.
  • Bid one Extra 10% At affordable prices for countries with a low income.
• Address hoard Seen during Covid-19, especially in Africa.

Technology transfer

• Debate: transfer will take place on “Mutually agreed conditions”not alone “Voluntarily”.
• Convention asks for:
  • Promotion” permitAnd stimulation From technology exchange.
  • Make it possible development to land To produce vaccines and health instruments independently.
• A shift of commercial discretion by international obligation.

Meaning of the Agreement

• Proposes a legal and moral precedent:
  • Fairly pandemic ready.
  • Sharing Life -saving health sources.
• Balance sovereignty About organic materials with global solidarity.
• Authorizes developing countries to Negotiate earlier conditions In future emergency situations.

Challenges forward

• Details about implementation and enforcement that are still evolving.
• Sample to share mechanisms and negotiations on intellectual property rights.
• Ensure that the pharmaceutical compliance with Donation and prices Clauses can be difficult without strong accountability mechanisms.

Relevance for India

• As one large supplier of generic medicines and vaccines, India stands for:
  • Take advantage of technological access.
  • Contribute to a fair distribution of medicines.
• Must invest in R&D infrastructure” Pathogenic monitoringAnd household production To use this agreement.