02 May 2025: The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. Reviving a Far-Sighted but Forgotten Bill Mechanism

(Source – Page 8, The Hindu International Edition​)

Topic: GS Paper 2 – Parliament and State Legislatures: Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business

Context

Private Member’s Bills (PMBs), introduced by non-ministerial MPs, offer a rare channel for independent legislative initiatives in Parliament. Despite their historical significance, they are now largely symbolic due to disruptions, institutional neglect, and the dominance of government business.

What Are Private Member’s Bills (PMBs)?

• PMBs are introduced by Members of Parliament (MPs) who are not Ministers.

• Fridays in Parliament are traditionally reserved for PMBs.

• Intended as a platform for individual MPs to propose innovative laws, they reflect MPs’ independent thinking and constituent concerns.

Sharp Decline in PMB Relevance

• Since Independence, only 14 PMBs have been passed into law.

• None have been passed by both Houses of Parliament since 1970.

Recent Trends:

• 17th Lok Sabha (2019–24):

  • 729 PMBs in Lok Sabha, 705 in Rajya Sabha.

  • Only 2 PMBs discussed in Lok Sabha, 14 in Rajya Sabha.

• 18th Lok Sabha:

  • Just 20 MPs have introduced PMBs so far.

  • None of the 64 PMBs introduced during Budget Session 2024 were debated.

Causes of Decline:

• Frequent sessional disruptions, early adjournments.

• Fridays used for general discussions or government business.

• No dedicated mechanism to prioritize or support PMBs.

PMBs: An Avenue for Innovation and Reform

Despite low passage rates, some PMBs have made notable impact:

• Right to Disconnect Bill (2019) by Supriya Sule raised national discourse on mental health and digital labour rights.

• Transgender Persons Bill (2014) by Tiruchi Siva was passed in Rajya Sabha and became the basis for the 2019 legislation.

• PMBs by ruling party MPs also demonstrate responsiveness to constituency-level issues.

Shrinking Space for Legislative Autonomy

• The Anti-Defection Law (52nd Constitutional Amendment) limits MPs’ freedom to deviate from party lines.

• In this constrained environment, PMBs offer a democratic space for independent representation.

• MPs are not just party delegates but elected voices of the people.

Key Reforms to Reinvigorate PMBs

Conclusion

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar recently called PMBs “forward-looking” and a “gold mine” for lawmaking. Strengthening this mechanism demands serious procedural reforms and a renewed commitment to participatory democracy.

Practice Question: Private Member’s Bills reflect the democratic spirit of the Indian Parliament but face institutional and procedural neglect. Analyse the reasons for their decline and suggest reforms to enhance their legislative role. (250 words, 15 marks)

2. China’s Strategic Push — Asia Ties Amid Tariff Tensions

(Source – Page 8, The Hindu Editorial​)

Topic: GS Paper 2 – International Relations: India and its neighborhood, Bilateral, Regional and Global groupings, Effect of policies of developed countries

Context

President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia marks China’s strategic recalibration to counter rising U.S. tariffs and maintain economic leadership in Southeast Asia. Amid growing protectionism from the U.S., China is doubling down on its regional partnerships to retain influence and market access.

China’s Strategic Realignment in the Indo-Pacific

• Xi Jinping’s Southeast Asia tour (April 14–18, 2025) aimed to reposition China as a reliable and engaged economic power.

• The backdrop: heightened economic tensions with the U.S., including a 145% tariff regime introduced by the Trump administration.

Southeast Asia as a Geopolitical Buffer and Economic Bridge

• These nations serve dual roles: insulating China from trade shocks and expanding its diplomatic footprint.

Signature Projects and Agreements

• Funan Techo Canal in Cambodia highlights infrastructure diplomacy.

• Agreements range across digital economy, AI, infrastructure, and agriculture.

• Trade with Cambodia crossed $15 billion in 2024.

Strategic Messaging Against the U.S.

• Mr. Xi’s diplomacy is multi-pronged — reinforcing economic ties, assuring political allies, and contrasting China’s cooperative posture with the West’s confrontational stance.

Intra-ASEAN Diplomacy and Regional Balancing

• Vietnam: Reassurance on South China Sea disputes.

• Malaysia: Highlighted peaceful resolution and BRI collaboration.

• Cambodia: Reinforced status as a core ally.

• Xi’s tour boosts China’s standing within ASEAN and potentially divides regional consensus on alignment with the U.S.

Wider Strategic Implications

• Undermines U.S. coalition-building efforts in the Indo-Pacific.

• Enhances China’s role in regional rule-making and economic integration.

• Positions China as an indispensable partner amid global economic flux.

• Raises questions about ASEAN’s ability to balance between the two superpowers.

Domestic and Global Message

• The tour boosts Mr. Xi’s political credibility at home, countering narratives of diplomatic isolation or slowdown.

• To the Global South, it signals that China is open for business and partnership, even as Western narratives grow critical.

Practice Question: Critically analyze China’s evolving strategic and economic diplomacy in Southeast Asia amid rising trade tensions with the U.S. What implications does this have for regional balance and India’s foreign policy? (250 words, 15 marks))

Read more – 01 May 2025: The Hindu Editorial Analysis