5 December 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. India’s strategic focus on West Africa

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 9)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context

Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit to Nigeria, the first by an Indian PM in 17 years, highlights India’s strategic engagement with Africa. Strengthening ties with Nigeria, Africa’s largest democracy and economy, reinforces India’s role in the Global South. This visit also counters China’s growing economic influence in Nigeria and Africa.

Significance of the Visit

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stop in Nigeria en route to Brazil for the G-20 Summit marks his first visit to Africa in his third term.
• This visit is historically significant, being the first by an Indian Prime Minister to Nigeria in 17 years.
• Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu welcomed Mr. Modi at Abuja airport and honored him with Nigeria’s second-highest national award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger.

India-Nigeria Relations

• Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and democracy, as well as a regional hegemon in West Africa.
• The country plays a crucial role in the African Union and serves as a democratic role model, mediating disputes across the continent.
• Strengthened ties with Nigeria have broader implications for Africa, given its leadership status.

Strategic Areas of Cooperation

• The Prime Minister’s visit emphasized strengthening partnerships in defense, energy, technology, trade, health, and education.
• Key security concerns include terrorism, separatism, piracy, and drug trafficking.
  • India is aiding Nigeria in counterterrorism efforts, including combatting Boko Haram.
  • Nigeria has shown interest in purchasing Indian arms, reinforcing defense ties.
• The Prime Minister’s visit followed an earlier trip by an Indian defense industry delegation to Lagos, showcasing India’s growing role as a defense supplier in Africa.

Developmental Partnership

• India has extended developmental assistance to Nigeria through concessional loans worth $100 million and capacity-building training programs.
• This partnership is distinctively shaped in what is termed the ‘India Way.’

Nigeria’s Ties with China

• Nigeria hosts over 200 Chinese companies and is China’s largest export market in Africa.
• Trade ties are substantial, with China funding 22 major infrastructure projects worth $47 billion in Nigeria.
  • Examples include the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Abuja Light Rail project.
  • Chinese loans total $3.121 billion, representing 11.28% of Nigeria’s external debt.
• Huawei, a leading Chinese tech firm, has trained thousands of Nigerian youth and civil servants while expanding telecommunications infrastructure.

Challenges and Opportunities

• Despite China’s dominant presence, India maintains strong ties with Nigeria.
• Bilateral trade between India and Nigeria has decreased from $14.95 billion in 2021-22 to $7.89 billion in 2023-24 due to India’s growing oil imports from Russia.
• However, both countries continue to collaborate as leaders of the Global South.

Conclusion

• Prime Minister Modi’s visit underscores Nigeria’s significance in India’s foreign policy.
• Sustained efforts are needed to transform diplomatic goodwill into tangible outcomes, bolstering bilateral ties and benefiting the Global South.

PYQ: How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource rich Africa? (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-1 2014)

Practice Question:  Examine the significance of India’s strategic partnership with Nigeria in the context of countering China’s influence in Africa. Discuss how such partnerships align with India’s Global South vision. (150 Words /10 marks)

2. Cash transfer schemes for women as new poll plank

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)

Topic: GS2 – Governance

Context

Cash transfer schemes targeting women, like Maharashtra’s ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ and Jharkhand’s ‘Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana,’ have become pivotal in political campaigns. These initiatives reflect the increasing influence of women voters and the efficiency of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) in welfare delivery. However, concerns about their long-term sustainability and impact persist.

Introduction to Cash Transfer Schemes

• In the recent Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections, cash transfer schemes for women have emerged as a central campaign strategy.
• Maharashtra introduced the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ offering ₹1,500 per month to eligible women, while Jharkhand launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana,’ offering ₹1,000.
• These schemes are part of a growing trend, with 14 Indian States already implementing similar policies, covering nearly 20% of the adult female population.

Why Cash Transfer Schemes are Gaining Popularity

1. Increasing Women’s Political Influence
   • Women’s voter turnout has risen from 47% in 1962 to 66% in 2024.
   • Women are increasingly voting independently, creating a significant ‘women constituency.’
   • Political parties are under pressure to cater to this demographic, as seen in the swift passage of the women’s reservation Bill and the focus on ‘Nari Shakti.’
2. Efficiency Through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)
   • DBT eliminates middlemen, reducing corruption and leakages in welfare delivery.
   • The technology-driven system fosters a direct connection between citizens and political leaders, enhancing individual loyalty.
   • DBT schemes reflect a “techno-patrimonial” model, where technology is used to bolster leaders’ appeal.
3. Quick Results and Political Messaging
   • Cash transfers are a fast and visible method to demonstrate governance commitment.
   • Unlike long-term projects like schools and hospitals, cash transfers have immediate effects, appealing to voters.
   • Regular credits act as reminders of the government’s ‘benevolence,’ enhancing the ruling party’s popularity.
4. Wider Issues in Welfare Design
   • The prevalence of similar schemes across States indicates a lack of innovative welfare strategies.
   • Opposition parties also adopt DBT, showcasing the ruling party’s influence in shaping welfare norms.
   • However, these schemes prioritize efficiency over state capacity building, pushing citizens toward private alternatives for basic services.

Criticism of DBT Schemes

• Limited Impact on Structural Issues: DBTs address immediate financial needs but fail to resolve systemic issues like inadequate healthcare or education infrastructure.
• Exclusion Errors: Beneficiaries may be excluded due to lack of documentation, technical issues, or poor digital literacy.
• Dependency Risks: Regular cash transfers might create dependency, reducing incentives for self-reliance.
• Shift to Privatization: Encourages reliance on private services rather than improving public systems.

Conclusion

• Cash transfer schemes like ‘Ladki Bahin’ and ‘Maiya Samman’ reflect a dominant welfare trend.
• Whether this trend continues or evolves will shape India’s future welfare policies, with critical implications for equity and governance.

PYQ: In what way could replacement of price subsidy with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) change the scenario of subsidies in India? Discuss. (200 words/12.5m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-3 2015)

Practice Question:  Critically analyze the rise of cash transfer schemes for women as a welfare strategy in India. Discuss their benefits, limitations, and implications for the larger welfare landscape. (150 Words /10 marks)