Indian Express Editorial Topic-1 : An elusive grand bargain
GS-2 Mains
Short Notes or Revision Notes
Question : Discuss India’s concerns regarding the US-China relationship and its implications for regional dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.
US-China Relations: A Balancing Act
Biden’s “Responsible Competition” Strategy
- The US aims to cooperate with China where possible and challenge them where necessary.
- This approach is seen with skepticism by some analysts, including India.
India’s Concerns
- India worries engagement with China will come at the expense of US allies.
- The US, geographically distant from Asia, has reasons to find accommodation with China.
Reasons for Cooperation and Competition
- Both are leading economies with significant interdependence.
- Both are major military powers.
- Economic threats from China and its attempts to push the US out of Asia push for a US response.
Implementation of “Responsible Competition”
- Agreement on pushing back against China exists, but disagreement on intensity remains.
- Some Republicans favor a more confrontational approach.
- Biden maintains a “responsible competition” policy.
- Examples of US-China engagement:
- High-level communication between leaders.
- Xi Jinping’s visit to the US in November 2022.
- Yellen’s visit to China this week.
US Indo-Pacific Strategy: Countering China Through Alliances
US Focus on Indo-Pacific Despite Ukraine War
- Biden hosting Japanese PM Kishida for a state visit.
- Kishida is the third Quad leader to receive this honor under Biden.
- This highlights the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific for the US.
Japan as the Linchpin of US Strategy
- Japan has emerged as a key player in Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy.
- Kishida has promised to increase Japan’s defense budget and develop new military capabilities.
- This marks a shift from Japan’s post-war pacifism.
- US wants to include Japan in AUKUS (technology partnership with US, UK, Australia) for advanced military technology development (excluding nuclear submarines due to Japan’s anti-nuclear stance).
AUKUS and Expanding Cooperation
- AUKUS collaboration focuses on hypersonic, underwater, cyber, AI, and quantum computing technologies.
- Japan’s technological prowess can be valuable in this area.
- This reflects a shift towards minilateralism beyond bilateral alliances.
- The US is creating a network of alliances, including the Quad (India, Japan, Australia, US) and the Chip Four (semiconductor producers – Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, US).
Building a Web of Asian Security Networks
- The US aims to create a network of Asian security networks to deter China.
- This includes encouraging Japan to expand security assistance to other countries.
- The US is nudging South Korea to cooperate with India on advanced technology.
- India is also stepping up its own engagement in East Asia.
US vs. China’s Approach
- The US strategy focuses on strengthening allies, building partnerships, and promoting cooperation between its Asian partners.
- China, on the other hand, seeks a “grand bargain” with the US for a Chinese sphere of influence in Asia, leaving its neighbors out.
Conclusion
- Both the US and China have reasons to cooperate (economic interdependence, military power), but competition and contradictions also exist.
- The US’s active competition with China provides greater agency for India and other regional players.
Indian Express Editorial Topic-1 : To be a doctor
GS-2 Mains
Short Notes or Revision Notes
Question : Discuss the socioeconomic implications of this disparity and propose measures to bridge the gap between demand and availability of medical education opportunities.
Medical Education in India: A Growing Demand and Limited Seats
Surge in Students Going Abroad
- 18,000 Indian medical students returned from Ukraine due to the war.
- Many are now pursuing MBBS in Central Asia, Eastern & Southeastern Europe (Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia).
- This trend highlights shortcomings in the Indian medical education system.
Limited Seats vs. High Aspiration
- India added 220+ medical colleges and increased MBBS seats by 60% in the last five years.
- However, there’s a vast gap between available seats (107,950) and aspiring students (2+ million took NEET last year).
- The ratio of seats to aspirants is roughly 20:1.
Need for More Opportunities
- A 2019 study shows many students going abroad for medical education come from middle/lower-middle class backgrounds, including rural areas.
- NEET participation has tripled in 10 years, reflecting growing aspirations for the medical profession.
- But competition is fierce – only the top 0.25% get into elite colleges.
Affordability Concerns
- Government institutions are cheaper but offer only half the seats.
Increasing Medical Education Seats in India
Expert Proposals
- NITI Aayog (2020): Link private colleges with district hospitals to serve underserved areas.
- Focus on paramedical staff: Enhance skills of paramedics and nurses to address non-specialist needs.
- Medical pedagogy tweaks: Train more general practitioners, similar to successful European models.
Challenges for Foreign Medical Graduates
- Rigorous exams required to practice in India.
- Difficulty in transferring credits from foreign institutions, unlike some European countries.
Need for Reform
- Government has initiated discussions on educational reform.
- Similar efforts are needed to address medical education gaps.
Conclusion
- The Ukraine crisis exposed problems in India’s medical education system.
- Out-of-the-box thinking is needed to meet the growing demand for medical professionals.