Indian Express Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Insights from India’s Role at the UN Futures Summit

 GS-2 Mains Exam 

Revision Notes

India’s Stake in the Future for Humanity:

• Civilisational Heritage: India has an ancient tradition of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), reflecting its belief in global unity and cooperation.
• Youth and Democracy: India boasts the world’s largest youth population and is the largest democracy, positioning it as a key player in shaping the future.
• Intergenerational Solidarity: Cultural emphasis on solidarity between generations makes India invested in global long-term futures.
• India as Vishvamitra: At the UN Summit of the Future, PM Modi positioned India as a Vishvamitra (friend of the world), representing one-sixth of humanity.
• Human-Centric Development: India emphasized its commitment to SDGs, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and solar energy, offering to share these successes globally.
• Call for Reform: Modi highlighted the admission of the African Union to the G20 as a key reform, underscoring the need for global action to match ambition.

 

Need for Reforming the UN:

• Outdated Systems: The UN Secretary-General acknowledged that the UN cannot build a future for newer generations using outdated structures from the past.
• Dysfunction in Multilateral Systems: The global multilateral system is currently ineffective and gridlocked, contributing to the world’s disorder.
• Failure to Resolve Major Conflicts: The UN has been ineffective in handling major global conflicts such as the NATO-Ukraine/Russia war, the West-China cold war, and the Gaza conflict.

 

Current Global Situation:

• Neglected Terrorism Threats: The world has lost focus on addressing terrorism, while rearmament races are escalating.
• Disinformation & Regime Changes: False narratives and foreign information manipulation are used to undermine democracies and cause regime changes in developing countries.
• Failure in SDGs: The world is lagging on 88% of SDG targets, with devastating climate impacts due to extreme weather events.
• Lack of Financial Support: Developing countries are struggling due to the absence of needed financing, green technologies, and debt relief from donors and Multilateral Financial Institutions (MFIs).
• Solidarity Deficit: The global community is facing a lack of unity, with nations resorting to unilateral and transactional diplomacy, affecting multilateralism.

 

UN Summit of the Future:

• Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity: The Summit aimed to rebuild trust and align outdated multilateral institutions with today’s realities through equity and solidarity.
• Pact for the Future (PFF): The Summit’s 58 action points aimed to address global challenges:
  • Conflict prevention, peace-making, disarmament, and counter-terrorism
  • SDGs, environmental protection, and financing climate action
  • Human rights, gender equality, and democratic reforms
  • Disaster risk reduction, humanitarian response, and advances in science, technology, and digital governance.
• Consensus-Building Role of the UN: The Summit demonstrated the UN’s ability to bring governments together to reaffirm principles, make pledges, and assume new responsibilities.

 

Positive Developments for India:

• Terrorism Commitment: India secured global support for a future free from terrorism and violent extremism. The Summit pledged to revitalize the Convention Against Terrorism.
• UNSC Reform Pledge: The Summit included a significant pledge for UNSC reform—to make it more inclusive, transparent, and democratic. The text emphasized prioritizing Africa and creating space for developing countries like India.

 

Global Digital Compact:

• Bridging the Digital Divide: The Global Digital Compact emerged as a key outcome, aligning with India’s G20 vision to close the digital divide and promote Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for achieving SDGs.
• AI Governance: The Compact proposed establishing an Independent International Scientific Panel on AI and launching a Global Dialogue on AI Governance, taking forward India’s initiatives on technology.

 

Way Forward:

• A Shared Future: The Summit presented a unified direction for global cooperation under the banner of “One Earth, One Family.”
• Surviving Future Shocks: Collective global action is crucial for addressing current wrongs, preparing for future shocks, and thriving together as one people and planet.
• UN’s Role: The success of global governance depends on public belief in the UN’s role and active participation in change.
• Guiding Philosophy: India’s cultural saying, “Yad Bhavam, Tad Bhavati” (you become what you believe), underscores the importance of collective vision in shaping the future.

 

Conclusion: India’s role at the UN Summit of the Future has highlighted its commitment to global peace, sustainable development, and technological leadership. By advocating for reforms, solidarity, and inclusive governance, India is paving the way for a future where the world works together to tackle common challenges.

 

 

Indian Express Editorial Summary

Editorial Topic : Tech Diplomacy 4.0

 GS-3 Mains Exam 

Revision Notes

Technology in Diplomacy:

• PM Modi’s diplomacy revolves around technology, seen in interactions with US President Biden, Quad leaders, and the UN Summit of the Future.
• Focus areas include semiconductors, AI, biotechnology, telecom, clean energy, quantum computing, and modular nuclear reactors.
• This tech diplomacy aids both civilian and military sectors, contributing to India’s industrial modernisation.

Historical Phases of Tech Diplomacy:

1. 1950s (Nehru’s Era):

1. • Nehru and Homi Bhabha prioritized access to nuclear and space technology.
   • US played a key role in India’s Green Revolution via agricultural technology cooperation.

2. 1970s (Populism Era):

1. • India’s nuclear test (1974) and drift towards Moscow weakened tech diplomacy.
   • Global non-proliferation regime limited India’s technology access.

3. 1980s (Gandhis’ Era):

1. • Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi re-emphasized technology, focusing on telecom and computing.
   • Progress was hindered by bureaucratic resistance and the non-proliferation regime.

4. 2000s (Civil Nuclear Agreement):

1. • India-US civil nuclear initiative (2005) was a major milestone, though hindered by political and bureaucratic opposition.

The Fourth Phase (Modi Era):

• Modi’s first term emphasized digital and green technologies.
• AI and semiconductors gained focus in Modi’s second term, matching the global tech revolution.
• iCET initiative deepened India-US cooperation on critical technologies, in response to China’s challenges.
• Indian brain drain to the US evolved into a tech bridge between both nations.

Way Forward:

• Reforms in India’s science and tech sector are essential to overcome internal bureaucratic resistance and ensure long-term success.