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From Paper to Practice: A Study on Health-System Bias and Exclusions in Assessing SRHR in India

Aashi Sahu, Anshim, Ritika Jindal, Swastika Kar Abstract This paper attempts to investigate the gap between reproductive health policies in India and theirgrassroots implementation. Special focus is given to marginalized women, mainly those from Dalitand tribal backgrounds. Although there are various legal frameworks such as the Janani SurakshaYojana (JSY) and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act amendments, deep rootedimpediments continue to restrict women’s access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).Most mainstream literature focuses on service outreach metrics but fails to look into theintersectional realities of caste, class, age, and geography in health-system interactions.Methodologically, this paper builds on the qualitative approach with content analysis of policydocuments, review of secondary data, and semi-structured interviews with women. Alongside, thispaper explores the lacuna in SRHR. Primary focus is given to institutional bias, provider’s attitudes,and lack of infrastructure that result in denial or delay of services. Emphasizing lived experiencesand examining the state’s accountability in ensuring bodily autonomy, the research aims to offer anuanced critique of India’s reproductive health landscape. The paper concludes with policyrecommendations targeting both structural reforms and sensitization frameworks to makereproductive rights meaningfully accessible to marginalized women.

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December 6, 2025 No Comments

From Non-Alignment to Trade Alliances – India’s Evolving Role in Global Trade Forums

Author: Rajan Patel India’s strategic positioning India’s engagement with BRICS and the G20 reflects its consistent efforts to shape the global political discourse in line with its own interests, while also promoting ideas like multilateralism, inclusive development, and reforming existing institutions. India is often seen as a democratic counterweight to China’s influence in the region and even though both countries align on certain economic and developmental issues, their bilateral ties remain tense mainly because of long-standing territorial disputes and trade imbalances but these tensions have at times helped India maintain its ties with the West, where it is increasingly viewed as a credible alternative to China in the region (Stimson, 2022). India’s trade with BRICS countries witnessed a substantial growth over a period of 4 years as it increased from USD 120.65 billion in 2019 to around USD 174.45 billion in 2023, with China alone accounting for over USD 122 billion (Kamalakar, 2024), a significant percent of India’s trade. Addressing this issue, India has tried to strengthen its ties with Russia, especially post-Ukraine war, and expanded trade with Brazil and South Africa in areas like defence, energy, and pharmaceuticals. It has also supported the expansion of BRICS to include countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE, positioning itself as a leader of the Global South while also pushing for strategic autonomy through ideas like de-dollarisation and the proposal of a BRICS currency (Pant & Jayaprakash, 2024). India’s G20 presidency in 2023 marked a diplomatic shift by putting the Global South at the centre of the conversation. The theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future” was more than just a symbol; it showed India’s effort to reposition itself as a consensus-builder in a world that is divided (Kumar, 2024) The Voice of the Global South Summit brought together 125 countries, and India’s leadership was evident in its success as it promoted the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 – a move that addressed long-standing concerns around institutional equity and representation (India Foundation, 2023; Kumar, 2024). Economic Policy and Initiatives India has always been committed to global financial reforms, as it supported the Common Framework for Debt Treatment, calling for an overhaul of international financial institutions, so they could better serve the interests of emerging economies while also advocating for a comprehensive restructuring of debts, as developing countries held nearly 30% of the world’s USD 92 trillion debt (Kumar, 2024), a much-needed intervention helping countries like Zambia, Ghana, and Ethiopia. India also pushed for greater South-South trade cooperation, which rose from USD 140.75 billion in 1990 to USD 9.36 trillion in 2021 and measures like the Jaipur Call to Action and the Digital Trade Documentation Principles reflected this priority. India also pushed for greater South-South trade cooperation, which rose from USD 140.75 billion in 1990 to USD 9.36 trillion in 2021. Measures like the Jaipur Call to Action and the Digital Trade Documentation Principles reflected this priority. Digital Push and Global Role India also aced the race for digitization and its digital public infrastructure – the Aadhaar, UPI, Co-Win – was showcased as a model for the Global South, backed by the launch of a Global DPI Repository and a USD 25 million contribution to the DPI Impact Fund which played a key role in announcing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), offering an alternative to China’s connectivity push (Kumar, 2024; India Foundation, 2023). Together, India’s role in BRICS and the G20 is a reflection of its attempt to maintain strategic autonomy while still leading on issues that matter to the developing world. It is not just participating—it is shaping.

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September 19, 2025 No Comments
Public Policies
Farjana Akhter

The True Cost of Poverty and Corruption on Education System in Developing Nations

The True Cost of Poverty and Corruption on Education System in Developing Nations                      Authors-Srishti Prasad, Farjana Akhter, Tarunika B, Christopher.S.Rekwot , ⁠P. Harshitha                                                                                                              Abstract The paper looks into the intricate relationship between poverty and corruption in the education system, showing how corrupt practices in the sector deter access to quality education and sustain unequal opportunities. Reaching comfortably beyond academia, the book examines, with the help of the most insightful scholarship, as well as case studies, how corruption most negatively impacts vulnerable communities; it is a root cause of inequality that restricts social mobility and economic empowerment. Discussion The discussion highlights the need for transparency, accountability, and strategic investments in education to disrupt this cycle. Societies must take action to empower stakeholders and promote meaningful reform, to restore the promise of education as a path out of poverty and to promote more equitable and sustainable development.  1. Introduction What happens to a nation’s future when its children are denied the basic right to quality education? According to Senator Bernie Sanders, “Education should be a right not a privilege”. Education is considered to be one among the fundamental aspects of human development. It can make a better human being by improving one’s abilities, skills, knowledge, choices and decisions. It can also help one to live a healthy life, to have access to resources needed to maintain a decent standard of living, and to participate in the society. Education can also contribute to other aspects of human development, such as environmental sustainability, gender equality, human rights, and peace. Therefore, education is not only a human right, but also a human development. The Sustainable Development Goal 4 aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” Are all children across the globe able to access quality education today? The promise of better-quality education for all remains unfulfilled due to the twin evils namely Poverty and Corruption. According to UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report 2024, approximately 251 million children and youth aged 6 to 18 are still out of school globally with only 1% decrease in nearly a decade. The report highlights chronic under-investment especially in low-income countries and also emphasised that education should be a global priority. (Azoulay, 2024) In various developing countries, only a small percentage of children complete their primary school and even fewer children complete secondary school. The reasons behind it include difficulty to reach schools as well as the cost of schooling. This is seen as a crisis in many developing countries. Children being denied the right to education due to poverty are also being denied various opportunities, such as being employed, supporting their families and contributing to the development of their communities. (Nortje, 2017) It had been well said by Peter Eigen that Corruption is a major cause of poverty as well as a barrier to overcoming it. The two scourges feed off each other, locking their populations in a cycle of misery. Corruption must be vigorously addressed if aid is to make a real difference in freeing people from poverty. Nicole Duerrenberger confirmed that Corruption negatively correlates with the expected years of schooling using data from 88 developing countries. (Duerrenberger & Sussanne Warning, 2018) 2. Understanding Poverty and Corruption in Context of Education  Comprehending the rich nexus between Poverty & Corruption with respect of education and without knowledge is vicious circle which reinforces inequality and impede development. When corruption infiltrates education—whether through money paid for admissions or stolen school funds—it weakens the very quality and access of education, particularly for the poor. Transparency International reveals how corruption negates the quality of education with effects that include larger class sizes, teachers not being paid properly, lack of learning materials that hurts the less advantaged child12. And when educational resources are siphoned away, or access sold to the highest bidder, the promise of education as an escape from poverty is broken. Academic work tends to suggest that it is not just the case that corruption exacerbates poverty, but that it is driven by poverty. Publications like those of Gupta et al. (2002) and Tebaldi and Mohan (2010) show that higher levels of corruption accentuate income inequalities and reduce the opportunity of the poor to invest in education3. Poor families, from countries with high rates of poverty, may also be compelled to make “under-the-counter” payments for schooling “free” at the point of entry (as in Bangladesh, where more than a third of all students paid unofficial fees to gain access to schooling2). This is a particular feedback loop: poverty leads to susceptibility to corruption which leads to (made worse by) poverty which leads to vulnerability to corruption, and so on. Such a vicious circle cannot be reversed by policy changes alone but by a society-wide orientation towards transparency, accountability, and investment in education. Supporting evidence of this finding is evident from that Fomicová and Ortega (2017) found poverty and reduction in education and corruption to be negatively related.4 In comparison with countries that have lower education investment and less control over corruption, Castro (2019) argued that there is greater reduction in poverty in countries that have educational investment and active control over corruption. When we empower communities to demand better governance and ensure children receive the learning and health resources that those with more advantages already enjoy, we foster a fairer and more prosperous society 3. Poverty as a Barrier to Educational Access At present, there are lots of developing countries where poverty stands as one of the most significant barriers to quality education. The consciousness is profound, reinforcing a cycle of inequality and hindering economic development. 3.1 Financial Barriers:

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July 20, 2025 No Comments
Public Policies
Ashwini Wagh, Niharika Bajpai, Sanya, Sowmya Radhakrishnan, Afreen Manzoor

Rohingya Crises – The Absence of National Asylum Law in India

Abstract Refugee policy in India exists in a legal and moral paradox. Despite hosting thousands of displaced individuals, including the persecuted Rohingya from Myanmar, the country has no dedicated national asylum law is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention. The Rohingya crisis brings to light the consequences of this legal vacuum, i.e., statelessness, insecurity and inconsistent treatment under laws that fail to differentiate refugees from illegal migrants. India’s reliance on the Foreigners Act and Citizenship Act results in arbitrary detention, limited access to rights and deportation threats, even for UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) registered individuals. Judicial responses remain unpredictable, reflecting a broader policy shaped more by national interest than humanitarian need. This paper explores the intersection of statelessness, international obligations and domestic law, arguing for a structured legal framework that guarantees refugee protection while addressing genuine security concerns. A codified national asylum policy is not only a legal necessity but a test of India’s constitutional values and global leadership ambitions. Keywords: Refugee, Rohingya, Statelessness, Non-refoulement, Asylum Law, Human Rights, National Security, Displacement Introduction Refugees are those forced to leave their home country owing to persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political beliefs, or social group participation (UNHCR, 1951). The Rohingya are predominantly Muslim and have resided in Buddhist Myanmar for decades. There are around 1.1 million Rohingya in Southeast Asian countries. They are not one of Myanmar’s 135 listed ethnic groups and have been denied citizenship rights since 1982, forcing them to depart their home country. (Al-Jazeera, 2018) India’s position on the Rohingya crisis has always been varied and multifaceted. The country has neither signed any international refugee conventions nor enacted a national asylum law (Yhome, 2016). Consequently, Rohingya refugees are treated as foreigners under domestic legislation, For instance, the Citizenship Act of 1955 and the Foreigners Act of 1946, recently amended in 2019, which apply directly to them (Nair, 2021). While India acknowledges the humanitarian dimension of the crisis, it has prioritized national security. As a result, the Rohingya remain caught in a web of borders, bureaucracy and brutality. In a nation that upholds the civilizational, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam a ideal of “the world is one family”, the absence of a national refugee law speaks more profoundly than any proclaimed tradition of hospitality. To address the refugee issue effectively, a holistic strategy is essential, as refugees continue to face suspicion, surveillance and slow erasure. The paper examines the intersection between statelessness, human rights, and the legal gap in India’s refugee policy. Its objective is to advocate for the development of a robust and inclusive legal framework, incorporating measures such as resettling vulnerable refugees, providing safe spaces for asylum and supporting their integration through various initiatives in host countries (Lloyd College, Blog). The Legal Void India now has a greater need for comprehensive refugee laws because of the influx of displaced persons fleeing neighbouring countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Tibet, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. The absence of specific legal frameworks to address the difficulties faced by refugees creates a legal void that exposes them to a number of risks, including arbitrary detention, discrimination, prosecution, and obstacles to accessing essential services, even though India has a long history of welcoming migrants. Essential rights for refugees are guaranteed by the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention.  India has a considerable Rohingya population, more than 46,000 have been officially recorded by the UNHCR but neither the 1951 Convention nor its 1967 Protocol has been signed.  This situation culminated in a significant event involving the deportation of unauthorized foreign nationals, including Rohingya, in 2017. In the Indian context, refugee governance falls under two legislative frameworks. The Foreigners Act 1946, with its most recent amendment in December 2018, confers considerable authority to the Government regarding the regulation of foreigners’ entry and stay. Additionally, the Citizenship Act of 1955, modified in 2019, establishes religious affiliation as a criterion for Indian citizenship for refugees present in the nation. (Shreya Mishra, 2024) Despite numerous Rohingya possessing refugee documentation and UNHCR registration, the Indian authorities do not officially acknowledge their refugee status or provide protection. Consequently, these individuals face perpetual vulnerability to detention or deportation and are denied access to fundamental rights. The manifestations of discriminatory practices against refugees and preferential aid have revealed an arbitrary interpretation of the non-refoulement principle. Since determinations made outside a structured legal framework tend to be arbitrary, unclear, and predominantly shaped by strategic and geopolitical considerations rather than humanitarian imperatives. This unsystematic methodology has resulted in inequitable, erratic and inconsistent handling of Rohingya. (Rajan, 2022) Without a thorough framework for determining refugee status, authorities struggle to distinguish between people trying to enter the country illegally and genuine refugees in need of protection. Inadequate vetting procedures place India at considerable risk of infiltration by persons with harmful intentions, creating serious national security vulnerabilities. Consequently, the lack of a thorough legislative structure governing refugee movements raises the critical issue of how the nation can appropriately balance protecting its national security interests while fulfilling its humanitarian obligations toward refugees. The implications of an absence of thorough refugee legislation are substantial. Undocumented refugees experience heightened susceptibility to human rights infringements, while judicial bodies issue inconsistent decisions owing to legislative ambiguity. Concurrently, the state confronts challenges about security, population disparities, and resource depletion in receiving communities. Additionally, refugees become susceptible to mistreatment, exploitation, and illicit trafficking. The deficiency in refugee statutes also generates national security apprehensions. Furthermore, India’s international standing suffers due to the lack of comprehensive refugee regulations. The nation’s non-adherence to global refugee conventions remains a source of concern within the international sphere.  (Debbarma, 2024) Statelessness and Security Concerns The Rohingya problem is a result of decades of statelessness and persecution in Myanmar, which are rooted in the 1982 Citizenship Law that denies the rohingya their legal identity and rights by excluding them from recognized ethnic groups. Large numbers of people were displaced as a result of military operations, crackdowns, and systematic discrimination. Their movement has been used as an excuse for

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July 13, 2025 No Comments

Balancing Growth and Greed: Ethics, Justice, and Development in Emerging Societies

Balancing Growth and Greed: Ethics, Justice, and Development in Emerging Societies Authors: Vithika Goel, Varsha. G, Anisha Neogi, Joshua Oluwagbolahan, Ambuj Singh, Olalekan Falegan Abstract Economic growth in the emerging economies of modern societies, although essential, often comes at the cost of environmental degradation, rising inequality, and social disintegration (World Bank, 2023; IPCC, 2023). This research highlights that uncontrolled industrialization can lead to ethical compromises and crime concerns (UNDP, 2022; IMF, 2023). Using reliable data from global institutions, the study argues that public policy must move beyond facilitating growth to ensuring sustainability and equity (World Bank; UNDP; IMF). Without strategic monitoring, development becomes harmful rather than beneficial. Therefore, inclusive, ecologically balanced development is important (IPCC; Academic Journals, 2023) to align economic ambitions with environmental and social justice. To address these issues, policymakers must prioritize green infrastructure, enforce environmental regulations, and expand social safety nets (UNDP, 2022; World Bank, 2023). Integrating climate adaptation strategies and equity-focused planning into the development agenda can reduce long-term risks (IPCC, 2023). Furthermore, transparent governance and international cooperation are essential to balance national development goals with global sustainability commitments (IMF, 2023; Academic Journals, 2023). A shift towards an inclusive policy model centered on ecology and human well-being is not just a recommendation, it is a necessity for the future sustainability of emerging economies. Keywords: Growth, GDP, Sustainable, Climate Change, Policy, Equitable, Development Introduction  As the pace of the 21st century hastens, economic growth has been a hope of promise and a field of contradiction. It has unmatched potential for poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, and the rise in the standard of living, especially for the world’s emerging economies. However, it also raises raw issues in the shape of widening inequalities, speeding up the pace of environmental degradation, and moral issues regarding the distribution of resources and administration. For example, the World Bank predicts that sub-Saharan Africa’s urban population will double by 2040 and Southeast Asia’s digital economy will exceed $300 billion in 2025. But accompanying these growth narratives are also attached dark realities: more than 1.3 billion people worldwide remain in multidimensional poverty, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) estimates, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tallies developing countries to carry an asymmetrical climate risk burden with the path of their industrial development. Socio-economic inequalities, meanwhile, form the ground on which white-collar crime, ecologic crime, and organized violence ran amuck, gnawing away at social solidarity. Such trends are further buttressed by policy failures in which governing organizations are overwhelmed by the accelerating economic changes and respond with growth on the expense of sustainability and fairness. Through a multi-disciplinary study of such causative elements, this paper endeavours to inquire how the dynamics of economic growth within transition communities intersects with issues in environmental ethics, criminological trends, and public policy challenges. Drawing on facts and statistics of World Bank, IMF, UNDP, IPCC, and literature, the research seeks to illuminate both the danger of boundless growth as well as on the possible trajectory of equitable, sustainable, and inclusive growth and tries to provide useful information to policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to facilitate development for meeting the accumulating battle of growth vs greed in the age.  Economic Growth and the Modern Society Economic development remains a top measure of country development and societal advancement, oftentimes tracked using proxies like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment, infrastructure, and technology development. Countries such as India, Indonesia, and Vietnam have been recording good growth trajectories lately. During the fiscal year 2023-24, India achieved an 8.2% GDP growth rate, the highest among major world economies, according to the World Bank (2023a). Indonesia experienced a 5.0% growth rate in 2023, primarily driven by consumer demand and favourable commodity prices (World Bank, 2023b). Vietnam recorded a 5.0% growth rate with forecasts projecting an increase to 6.1% in 2024 on the back of robust manufacturing and export-driven economies (World Bank, 2023c). As these economic gains are made, the fruits of labour are not distributed equally. Urban centres flourish with improved infrastructure, technology, and services, but rural regions lag, lacking basic services. This imbalance has led to broader societal transformations and greater recognition of the limitations of growth-oriented development patterns. Urbanization and Infrastructure Strain South Asia has experienced accelerated economic growth, and with this has come massive urbanization. Between 2001 and 2011, South Asia’s urban population increased by 130 million; another increase of nearly 250 million is anticipated by 2030 (Roberts, 2015). This has caused immense pressure on public infrastructure, including housing, transport, sanitation, and water supply systems. Urban centres across the region are failing to provide affordable housing, and as a consequence, informal settlements are mushrooming. The public transport system is typically crowded and under-resourced, and the waste management system becomes overstretched, raising high public health and environmental challenges. Additionally, pressure on water and energy networks is increasing due to heightened demand and stress caused by climate change (World Bank, 2015). Urban governance has failed to keep pace with these challenges. Administrative capacity and resources to apply long-term urban planning are non-existent in most cities. Such conditions bring about fragmented growth, unproductive use of land, and inefficient delivery of services. Improved urban strategies, increased investment, and institutional reforms that give powers to local government must be applied in order to address these issues. The Ethics of Progress and Technological Advancement Emerging societies increasingly look to technological innovation as a means of addressing structural inefficiencies and developmental gaps in their pursuit of economic growth and modernization. AI-powered governance systems and digital finance are just two examples of how technology is frequently hailed as the great equalizer. But beneath this assurance is a basic moral conundrum: at what cost and to whom does technological advancement benefit? Innovation has the potential to increase access to healthcare, education, and financial inclusion while also streamlining service delivery. However, it also runs the risk of exacerbating already-existing disparities. For example, in many developing nations, socioeconomic disparities have increased due to the digital divide, which is the difference between those who have access to

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July 6, 2025 No Comments

Evolving Dynamics of India–African Union Relations: From Symbolic Partnership to Strategic Multilateral Engagement

India- African relations have evolved from ancient trade and cultural exchanges into a multifaceted partnership. Rooted in share colonial histories and parallel struggle for the independence, this relationship between two countries has deepened through Non- aligned Movement and the Bandung Conference. In the 21st century, this bond has transformed into dynamic cooperation in trade, energy, technology, and diplomacy, symbolizing a strong South- South alliance.

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July 2, 2025 No Comments
International Relations
Danvanth K

Echoes of Conflict: The Ripple Effects of Indo-Pak Tensions on South Asia and Beyond

INTRODUCTION Following the Pahalgam attacks, India’s retaliatory actions, justified according to the international laws, were taken as an act of war by Pakistani ministries. This led to cross-border attack by drones, missiles, and fighter jets between the two countries. When the apparent ceasefire was violated, it led to many political tensions in the country. This research paper aims to study the various economic, cultural, social, and political impacts of terrorism amid Indo-Pak tensions. It will also study the global context of cross-border terrorism, essential to critically study India’s nuclear war, and what gets obscured in the new military-industrial of nation-states. This paper then, in its attempt, will compose of concepts and interpretations revolving around terrorism, both in the global and domestic context. This article will answer certain integral questions like what is the relevance of mineral resources in such tensions, what are the methods and approaches followed by other countries to deal with terrorist activities, what is the impact of such tensions on the economy, how does this incident leads to an impact on urban displacement and tourism etc.   THE ACTION OF MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OF INDIA Immediately after the political tensions escalated between India and Pakistan, X received orders from Indian Government to ban around 8000 accounts, both international and national, for purposes of national security. Multiple accounts, of celebrities, media channels and political, foreign governmental accounts were shut down. The external affairs ministry contacted multiple nations and was determined to brief the situation to secretaries and representatives of other countries. Moreover, Pakistani nationals were barred from entering India using SAARC Visa (Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri), and any previous SVES visas granted to citizens of Pakistan were considered to be revoked, with every Pakistani national still in India to deport within 48 hours.  The Indian High Commission in Islamabad would no longer have its own defence, navy, and air advisors. Additionally, five of the Service Advisors’ support workers were to be removed from both High Commissions. Understanding The Stance Of Major Powers America’s stance can confuse anyone in the world. On one hand, it supports India superficially, and on the other hand, it provides aid and support to Pakistan as well. Any analysis of its stance will bring us to the self-interested profits generated in America. Since 1954, the American alliance with Pakistan caused India to move closer to the Soviet Union. Now, USA and India do not have strained relations. Since, Donald Trump coming into power, Indo-American relations have seen drastic fluctuations. Trump can be seen floating appreciation of Indian subcontinent, as well as condemning Indian tariff policies. Similarly, boosting Pakistan’s capacity of fighter jets by aiding $397 Million to Pakistan, while condemning terrorism globally. On the other hand, China openly supports Pakistan. The Sino-Pakistani Agreement of 1963 officially settled all the two nations’ territorial problems, and Chinese military aid to Pakistan started in 1966. A strategic partnership was established in 1972 and by 1979, strong economic cooperation had begun. Maintaining a “special relationship” has been a top priority for both nations, and their frequent high-level visit exchanges have resulted in the creation of several cooperation initiatives. Pakistan has received military, technological, and economic support from China; the two countries view one another as close strategic partners. Even during recent escalations, China supported Pakistan expressly. This raises concerns for India as it creates “enemy” neighbours on both sides. India and Russia stand on good terms together. After their famous friendship agreement in 1971, their relations have since been positive and growing. While there is no formal alliance between Russia and Pakistan, their relation has been developing after militant attacks and post-cold war shifts. However, inclination of Russia can be concluded to be towards India more than Pakistan due to strategic relations, diplomatic appreciation, military exchanges, and presence of a common enemy – China, with whom they share a complex history. The UK expressly condemns terrorism. The UK has stated that it would want to assist either India or Pakistan, advising them to defuse the situation and have a conversation.  The UK recognizes Pakistan’s need for regional peace and security even as it backs India’s claims that Pakistan harbours terrorism. A diplomatic role in the India-Pakistan dispute has also been offered by the UK, which has emphasized the need for a peaceful conclusion.       THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF WATER IN TERRORISM AND STATE RETALIATION In today’s landscape of global security, water has emerged as a strategic tool in terrorist actions and more recently, in counter-terrorism efforts. In the context of Indo-Pak tensions, the role of water has evolved from a background issue to a central instrument of both aggression and retaliation. Violent Non-state actors have started shifting their focus from conventional areas like weapons, violence, and control over territory to water as a tool of influence. Water and water infrastructure has been directly targeted by terrorist organizations to disrupt livelihoods, economies and assert dominance. In August of 2014, ISIS seized control of the Mosul Dam which is Iraq’s largest hydroelectric dam near the Tigris River. Control of the structure gave ISIS the dangerous ability to either flood the city or create a famine. This was a way of displaying power and control to achieve their broader objective of establishing a caliphate. Such incidents of “water weaponization” by terror outfits show how essential resources can be manipulated to instil fear among the population and destabilize entire regions. However, states have also begun to harness this vital resource as a retaliatory measure to such threats. The Pahalgam attack, pushed India to carry out a number of measures to firmly exhibit its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. A major non-kinetic response which could have far-reaching consequences was the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT). The move to place the treaty in ‘abeyance’ has sent a strong signal that continued acts of state-sponsored terrorism will not be overlooked and will carry serious consequences. The Indus basin is a lifeline for Pakistan’s agrarian economy. 80% of cultivated land relies on water

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June 29, 2025 No Comments
Zero Hunger
Bhavya Nahar

Towards Zero Hunger: Strengthening PDS for Nutritional Security in India

This paper discusses how the Public Distribution System (PDS) has become very important in combating hunger and malnutrition in India, which is part of Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. It does so by using comparisons between states with high and low performance to show that the efficiency of PDS in terms of integration of technology, involvement of the community, and implementation of specific policies is related to better nutritional results. The paper identifies the necessity of inclusive and decentralized changes to narrow down the gap of malnutrition regional disparities.

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June 28, 2025 No Comments