26 May 2025: The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. Frontier of progress
Source – ( Page 8, The Hindu Editorial)
| Topic: GS Paper 2 (Governance, Federalism), GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure Development) |
| Context |
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Developmental Initiatives in the North-East
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Major infrastructure projects like the Sela Tunnel (Arunachal), Bhupen Hazarika Bridge (Assam), extensive highways, new airports, and railway lines.
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1,600-km Northeast Gas Grid and telecom expansion are helping boost connectivity.
Strategic and Security Dimensions
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Success of peace efforts: Bodo Accord (2020), Bru refugee settlement, Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM (2015).
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Reduced footprint of AFSPA across many parts of the region.
Challenges Persist
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Unresolved inter-state border disputes (e.g., Assam-Meghalaya).
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Delay in concluding the Naga peace process.
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Concerns over hydropower projects in Arunachal due to ecological impact.
Way Forward
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Align domestic strategies with Act East Policy goals.
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Enhance regional diplomacy, especially with Myanmar and Bangladesh, to tackle illegal migration and insurgency spillover.
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Balance economic progress with ecological and ethnic sensitivities.
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Practice Question: Discuss how India’s approach to integrating the North-East region aligns with its Act East Policy. What are the key challenges and how can they be resolved?(GS2 – 250 Words – 15 Marks) (250 Words / 15 Marks) |
2. The air power use discourse and Operation Sindoor
Source – ( Page 8, The Hindu Editorial)
| Topic: GS Paper 3 (Internal Security, Defence Preparedness) |
| Context |
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Strategic Shift in Doctrine
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From defensive posturing to “prevention, pre-emption, and punishment” model.
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Air power now seen as a key first responder in limited wars and hybrid warfare.
Operation Sindoor: A Case Study
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Displayed integration of offensive air power with real-time intelligence and precise strikes.
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Emphasized deterrence without escalation, preserving India’s image of strategic restraint.
Implications for Military Planning
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Budget constraints demand rethinking air vs. ground force priorities.
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Pakistan’s access to China’s fifth-gen jets (J-35) necessitates greater air dominance by India.
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Need for robust air defence and investment in next-gen aircraft and unmanned systems.
Way Forward
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Prioritize joint operations and integrated theatre commands.
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Shift discourse from inter-service rivalry to capability-based planning.
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Increase capital allocation for IAF modernisation.
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Practice Question: How has Operation Sindoor signaled a shift in India’s use of air power? Examine its implications for national security doctrine and inter-service operational planning. |
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