SECURITY

Reasi and the ‘years-old’ issue of cross-border terror

Source: The Hindu

Context

• Reasi Terrorist Attack and Historical Parallels: The Reasi terrorist attack on June 9, 2024, which coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's oath-taking ceremony, recalls the 2014 attack on the Consulate General of India in Herat, Afghanistan. Both attacks were orchestrated to embarrass and provoke India during significant political events.
• Persistent Terrorism Challenge in Jammu and Kashmir: The Reasi attack underscores the ongoing terrorism challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, with suspected links to terrorist groups in Pakistan. This continues a pattern of violence and insurgency in the region, highlighting the enduring threat of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

Details

Key Points

• Terrorism and National Security:
  • The Reasi attack is an example of terrorism aimed at destabilizing and provoking a nation during critical political events.
  • The incident underscores the persistent threat of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, with links to Pakistani terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba.
• India-Pakistan Relations and Security Dynamics:
  • Historical context of Pakistan’s support for separatism and terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, influenced by the success of the Afghan Jihad.
  • The strategic and political dimensions of the Kashmir issue, including Pakistan’s use of terrorism as part of its security doctrine.
• Counter-terrorism Strategies and Diplomatic Efforts:
  • India’s response to terrorism through a combination of military force, counter-insurgency measures, and diplomatic efforts.
  • Notable counter-terrorism operations: Uri surgical strikes (2016), Balakot airstrike (2019), and the doctrine of pre-emption.
  • The role of international diplomacy and bilateral dialogue, including the limitations and challenges faced in engaging Pakistan on the issue of terrorism.
• Historical and Geopolitical Context:
  • The evolution of India’s counter-terrorism policy from the 1990s to the present, including key milestones such as the Shimla Agreement and the Composite Dialogue.
  • The impact of major terrorist incidents like the 2001 Parliament attack, the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and the Pathankot airbase attack on India’s security policies and diplomatic strategies.

Sources:

The Hindu

ECONOMY

BIG REFORMS PUSH

Source: Indian Express

Context

• The budget for 2024-25 must address five critical elements: growth, employment, manufacturing, public finance, and other developmental priorities (agriculture, education, health, and environmental sustainability).
• Achieving high growth rates, boosting employment, enhancing manufacturing competitiveness, maintaining sound public finances, and advancing reforms in agriculture, education, health, and climate action are essential to realizing India's economic goals.

Details

Key Points

• Economic Growth and Development:
  • Vision for “Viksit Bharat” to make India a developed economy by 2047.
  • Strategies for achieving 10% real GDP growth, focusing on private consumption, investment, exports, and imports.
  • Comparative analysis with countries like Indonesia and Brazil to understand the growth trajectory.
• Employment and Labor Reforms:
  • Importance of labour-intensive manufacturing for leveraging the demographic dividend.
  • Factor market reforms to improve the capital to labour ratio and enhance labour market efficiency.
  • Policies to boost labour-intensive manufacturing and enhance trade competitiveness.
• Manufacturing and Trade:
  • Importance of scaling up manufacturing and improving trade competitiveness.
  • The role of India in the global supply chain, particularly in the context of the China+1 strategy.
  • Government initiatives to attract investments and boost manufacturing.
• Public Finance and Fiscal Policy:
  • Review of India’s Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) framework.
  • Importance of reducing the public debt to GDP ratio and managing fiscal deficits.
  • Recommendations for setting up an independent Fiscal Council to improve fiscal discipline and policy-making.
• Monetary and Fiscal Policy Coordination:
  • The interplay between fiscal policy and monetary policy in managing inflation and economic growth.
  • The impact of fiscal policy choices on monetary policy effectiveness.
  • Strategies to integrate market discipline into fiscal rules and institutions to reduce sovereign risk.
• Sectoral Development and Reforms:
  • Agricultural market development and reforms to enhance productivity and income.
  • Education sector reforms to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education.
  • Health sector improvements to achieve better health outcomes.
  • Policies to meet carbon emission targets and promote environmental sustainability.

Sources:

Indian Express