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02-Sep-2025
Attempt Prelims IMPM Attempt Mains
INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) KEY (02/09/2025)

INTEGRATED MAINS AND PRELIMS MENTORSHIP (IMPM) 2025 Daily KEY

 
 
 
 
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Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2025 and its significance for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Digital Census,  Line of Actual Control (LAC) , Green Credit Programme (GCP), Cybercrimesimportant for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for September 02 , 2025
 
 
 
For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international Significance
 
For Mains Examination: GS II - International Relations
 
Context:
 
The 10-member Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on Monday “strongly condemned” terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the Pahalgam attack and the attacks on Jaffer Express and Khuzdar in Pakistan.
 
Read about:
 
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 
 
Global Governance Initiative (GGI)
 
Key takeaways:
 
 
  • The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a regional intergovernmental organization that was established in 2001 in Shanghai, China. It emerged out of the earlier "Shanghai Five" grouping, which included China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and later expanded into the SCO with the inclusion of Uzbekistan. Over the years, it has grown further, with India and Pakistan becoming full members in 2017, and Iran joining in 2023.
  • The primary aim of the SCO is to promote mutual trust, stability, and peace among its member states, while also focusing on political, security, economic, and cultural cooperation.
  • Initially, the organization concentrated on security concerns such as combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism in the Central Asian region. However, its scope has gradually widened to include economic collaboration, energy partnerships, infrastructure connectivity, and cultural exchanges.
  • The SCO functions as a platform for its members to coordinate on regional security matters and to reduce dependence on Western institutions, especially NATO and Western-led economic systems.
  • Given the presence of both China and Russia, the SCO is often seen as a counterbalance to Western influence in Eurasia. It also provides India with a significant opportunity to engage in regional diplomacy, particularly with Central Asia, while managing its complex relations with China and Pakistan within the same grouping.
  • Regular summits, ministerial meetings, and joint military exercises such as the "Peace Mission" exercises strengthen the organization’s objectives. Additionally, it has established mechanisms to promote trade, connectivity, and cultural ties among member states.
  • The SCO is therefore not just a security bloc but a broad-based regional forum that reflects the shifting dynamics of global geopolitics towards multipolarity
 

Prelims-Oriented Facts

  • Established in 2001 in Shanghai, China.

  • Originated from the “Shanghai Five” (China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan).

  • Current members: China, Russia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran (2023).

  • Headquarters: Beijing, China.

  • Official languages: Chinese and Russian.

  • India and Pakistan became full members in 2017.

  • Focus areas: Regional security, counter-terrorism, trade, connectivity, energy, and cultural cooperation.

  • Important mechanism: Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Mains-Oriented Analysis

Context & Importance

The SCO is one of the world’s largest regional organizations, covering around 40% of the global population and a significant share of global GDP and resources. It plays an increasingly important role in the evolving multipolar world order, offering member states an alternative to Western-led alliances and institutions.

Objectives

  • Strengthen trust, peace, and security in the region.

  • Combat the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism.

  • Promote economic cooperation, connectivity projects, and energy partnerships.

  • Encourage cultural and people-to-people exchanges among member states.

India’s Role and Challenges

  • Opportunities: Access to Central Asia’s energy resources, enhanced connectivity, counter-terrorism cooperation, and participation in Eurasian geopolitics.

  • Challenges:

    • China factor: Border tensions affect mutual trust.

    • Pakistan factor: Cross-border terrorism complicates cooperation.

    • Connectivity hurdles: India has not joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), limiting full economic engagement.

 
Follow Up Question
 
1.Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Summit was held on 10th November, 2020 in the video conference format. The Summit was hosted by: (OPSC OAS 2021) 
A. Russia               
B. India               
C. Kazakhstan             
D.  Uzbekistan
 
Answer (A)
 
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State Summit held on 10th November 2020 in a virtual format was hosted by Russia

  • Host Country (Answer: Russia)

    • In 2020, Russia held the rotating presidency of the SCO.

    • Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the summit was organized in virtual mode instead of an in-person meeting.

    • It was chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

  • India’s Role

    • This was India’s first participation at the SCO Heads of State Summit since becoming a full member in 2017.

    • Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented India.

    • He emphasized on:

      • Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

      • Need for better connectivity while respecting national priorities.

      • Fighting terrorism in all its forms.
 
 
 
 
For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international Significance
 
For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment and Ecology
 
Context:
 
According to the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2025 annual update, all of India lives in areas where the annual average particulate pollution level (PM2.5) exceeds the WHO annual average limit of 5 g/m³
 
Read about:
 
Air Quality Life Index (AQLI)
 
Particulate Matter (PM)
 
 
Key takeaways:
 
 
  • The Air Quality Life Index, curated by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, stands as a compelling measure of how particulate matter (specifically PMâ‚‚.â‚…) affects human life expectancy.
  • It translates complex pollution data into a clear human context: how many years are taken away by breathing polluted air—making the invisible visible, and the impersonal personal
  • The 2025 edition of the AQLI report is built on data gathered in 2023 and conveys a stark global narrative: if world air quality were to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) benchmark of 5 µg/m³ PMâ‚‚.â‚…, the average person globally would gain an astounding 1.9 years of life.
  • This cumulative change amounts to a total of 15.1 billion life-years saved—a reminder that cleaner air isn’t just an environmental goal, but a lifeline

Global and Regional Highlights

  • South Asia remains the region with the most threatened lives due to polluted air. People there are losing an average of 3 years of life expectancy, with the most polluted areas seeing losses of over 8 years—making particulate pollution a deadlier risk than childhood and maternal malnutrition

  • In India, the national average life expectancy reduction due to air pollution stands at 3.5 years. This loss surpasses the impact of several other health threats—such as malnutrition (1.6 years), tobacco use (1.5 years), and even unsafe water and sanitation (less than a year)
  • Particularly alarming is New Delhi’s standing: residents of Delhi–NCR lose up to 8.2 years of life expectancy due to poor air quality—once more topping global rankings for the eighth consecutive report

Wildfires and Unexpected Trends

The 2025 AQLI data highlights a dramatic rise in pollution across North America—an unexpected reversal of trends. Canada experienced its worst wildfire season in history, and along with it, the U.S. saw PMâ‚‚.â‚… levels soar to heights not seen in years. This surge negated previous air quality gains and shifted the geography of pollution beyond traditional hotspots like California

Why AQLI Matters—and How It Helps

The AQLI isn’t just about numbers—it’s about awareness and accountability. By showing exactly how long polluted air can shave off our lives, it equips citizens, policymakers, and governments with the knowledge to act decisively. It illustrates how investments in clean air yield not only environmental returns but extended, healthier lives for populations everywhere

 

 Follow Up Question
 
1.In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? (UPSC 2016)
  1. Carbon dioxide
  2. Carbon monoxide
  3. Nitrogen dioxide
  4. Sulfur dioxide
  5. Methane

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A. 1, 2 and 3 only     

B. 2, 3 and 4 only   

C. 1, 4 and 5 only     

D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer (B)
 

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in India, calculated by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) under the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP), is based on 8 pollutants:

  1. Particulate Matter (PM10)

  2. Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

  3. Nitrogen Dioxide (NOâ‚‚)

  4. Sulphur Dioxide (SOâ‚‚)

  5. Carbon Monoxide (CO)

  6. Ozone (O₃)

  7. Ammonia (NH₃)

  8. Lead (Pb)

Now let’s match with the options given in the UPSC question:

  • Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) ❌ Not part of AQI.

  • Carbon monoxide (CO) ✅ Included.

  • Nitrogen dioxide (NOâ‚‚) ✅ Included.

  • Sulfur dioxide (SOâ‚‚) ✅ Included.

  • Methane (CHâ‚„) ❌ Not part of AQI
 
 
 
For Preliminary Examination:  Census, Demographic Divide, Delimitation Commission
 
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity and Governance
 
Context:
 
The Registrar General of India (RGI) has sought a Rs 14,618.95-crore budget to conduct the Census 2027, which will be the first “Digital Census” and collect data on caste
 
Read about:
 
Digital Census
 
What is the census and its significance?
 
 
Key takeaways:
 
  • The first attempt at a countrywide census in India took place in 1872, though it was not held simultaneously across all regions. This non-synchronous exercise covered most territories but left out some areas under British rule.
  • The first synchronous census, where enumeration was carried out at the same time across the country, was conducted in 1881 under the supervision of W.C. Plowden.
  • The upcoming Census of 2027 will mark the 16th decadal census overall and the eighth since Independence.
  • It will gather data at the village, town, and ward level, covering aspects such as housing and household amenities, demographic details, religious composition, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, linguistic distribution, literacy and education levels, employment patterns, migration trends, and fertility rates.
  • As per the 2011 Census, India’s population was recorded at 1.21 billion on March 1, 2011. Projections suggest that this number will reach 1.41 billion in 2025, and by 2027, the population is expected to touch 143.6 crore.
  • The cost of the 2027 exercise has been estimated at Rs. 101.8 per individual. Recently, the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India (RGI), functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), submitted a proposal to the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) under the Ministry of Finance for approval. After the EFC’s clearance, the matter will be placed before the Union Cabinet.
  • The funding sought will cover both phases of the operation—houselisting from April to September 2026, and population enumeration in February 2027 across the country.
  • In states with difficult terrain like Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, enumeration will be advanced to September 2026. The houselisting phase will collect information on housing quality, amenities, and household assets.
  • For the first time, the Census will adopt a digital mode, with data collected through specially designed mobile applications. Citizens will also have the option of self-enumeration, and caste details will be digitally recorded.
  • Additionally, a Census Monitoring & Management System (CMMS) is being developed to allow real-time oversight of the process. The Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) has already approved the inclusion of caste enumeration.
  • The Census 2027 is notable for being the first decadal census to face a delay of six years. Initially, the 2021 Census was sanctioned by the Union Cabinet in December 2019, with an allocation of Rs. 8,754.23 crore for census activities and Rs. 3,941.35 crore for updating the National Population Register (NPR).
  • It was planned in two phases—houselisting (April–September 2020) and enumeration (February 9–28, 2021). However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced its indefinite postponement
 
Follow Up Question
 
1.Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2009)
1. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the density of the population of India has increased more than three times.
2. Between Census 1951 and Census 2001, the annual growth rate (exponential) of the population of India has doubled.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only         
(b) 2 only                 
(c) Both 1 and 2                 
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
 
Answer (d)
 

  • Population density: India’s density rose from about 117 persons/km² (1951) to 324 persons/km² (2001)—that’s ~2.8×, not “more than three times.”

  • Annual exponential growth rate: It did not double between 1951 and 2001; the rate in the 1990s (~1.9% per year) was higher than around 1951 but nowhere near 2×
 
 
 
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
 
For Mains Examination: GS II - India Polity and International Relations
 
Context:
 
Underlining the move to repair bilateral ties — after a five-year military standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh — Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasised on Sunday that the two countries were “partners, not rivals”, marking an important shift in India’s position on China as both sides work towards gradual normalisation
 
Read about:
 
Line of Actual Control (LAC)
 
 India-China relations
 
Key takeaways:
 
 
  • The Line of Actual Control (LAC) refers to the de facto boundary that separates Indian-controlled territory from Chinese-controlled territory in areas of Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Unlike an officially agreed-upon international border, the LAC is not formally demarcated on the ground and is instead based on the positions actually held by the Indian and Chinese military forces.
  • This lack of a clearly defined and mutually recognized boundary has been the root cause of recurring tensions and occasional skirmishes between the two countries.
  • The concept of the LAC emerged after the Sino-Indian War of 1962, when both sides retreated to positions they were able to hold effectively.
  • Over time, the LAC has been divided into three main sectors for operational purposes: the Western Sector (Ladakh), the Middle Sector (Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand), and the Eastern Sector (Arunachal Pradesh).
  • In each sector, the alignment of the LAC is understood differently by India and China, leading to frequent patrolling disputes and stand-offs.
  • Efforts have been made to manage the situation through diplomatic and military mechanisms. These include agreements such as the 1993 Border Peace and Tranquility Agreement, the 1996 Agreement on Confidence Building Measures, and regular meetings of the India-China Working Mechanism on the LAC.
  • Despite these measures, the LAC remains a fluid and sensitive frontier, reflecting the broader strategic rivalry and unresolved territorial claims between India and China.
  • In essence, the LAC is not a formal boundary but a practical line based on actual control, emphasizing the distinction between legal claims and on-ground realities in one of the world’s most contested border regions
 
Additional Information
 
  • The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit, marking Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to China in seven years. Both sides emphasized the goal of reaching a “fair, reasonable, and mutually acceptable” solution to the border dispute.
  • They also highlighted the importance of a multipolar world, free trade, and the stabilizing role of their economies in global trade, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
  • This meeting, their second in the past ten months, occurred amid a growing trust deficit between India and the United States, following the imposition of 50% tariffs by the Trump administration.
  • The MEA noted that Modi underscored the principle that both India and China maintain strategic autonomy, and that their bilateral relations should not be viewed through the perspective of a third country.
  • In response, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of enhancing multilateral cooperation to protect shared interests and warned against allowing the border issue to overshadow overall China-India relations, as reported by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
  • Xi described the ideal relationship between the two nations as that of “good-neighborly friends and partners for mutual success”, using the metaphor of a “Dancing of the Dragon and the Elephant”.
  • He also referred to the previous year’s meeting in Kazan as a turning point that restarted China-India relations, noting continuous progress in exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.
  • Regarding practical steps to strengthen ties, the leaders highlighted the importance of people-to-people connections, including resuming direct flights, facilitating visas, continuing the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and promoting tourism.
  • On the matter of restoring direct flights, Indian envoy Dharmendra Misri mentioned that aviation authorities had already met and would take the next steps in coordination
 
Follow Up Question
 

1.LAC (Line of Actual Control) is an effective border between India and ______. (SSC CHSL 2020)

A.Pakistan

B.Bhutan

C.Sri Lanka

D.China

 
Answer (D)
 
The LAC is not a formally agreed-upon international boundary but represents the areas actually controlled by India and China along their disputed frontier, primarily in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. It emerged after the 1962 Sino-Indian War and remains the line where both countries exercise military control
 
 
 
 
For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international Significance
 
For Mains Examination:  GS III - Environment and  Ecology
 
Context:
 
In a new set of rules, the Union Environment Ministry will now award green credits generated for tree plantation under the Green Credit Programme (GCP) only after five years, based on a minimum canopy density of 40 per cent and tree survival. 
 
Read about: 
 
What is the Green Credit Programme (GCP)?
 
What are the challenges with the GCP?
 
 
Key takeaways:
 
  • Under the Green Credit Programme (GCP), the Ministry of Environment encourages voluntary environmental initiatives by companies, individuals, or groups, including activities like tree planting, water conservation, and waste management. Participants are rewarded with green credits for their contributions.
  • The revised methodology for awarding tree plantation-based green credits now emphasizes the growth and survival of trees rather than the earlier focus on trees per hectare.
  • This shift addresses longstanding concerns about government-led plantation and afforestation programs, which have often been criticized for neglecting tree survival, canopy quality, and density.
  • The updated rules stipulate that credit generation will occur only after a minimum of five years, highlighting the importance of healthy and sustainable plantations. Notably, these credits are non-tradable and non-transferable, except in cases of transfer between a parent company and its subsidiaries.
  • Previously, one of the main incentives of GCP was the market-based trading of credits, allowing participants to exchange green credits through a designated platform. Under the new rules, those involved in tree plantation can still exchange credits once for compensatory afforestation obligations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) requirements, or other legal tree planting mandates. After such an exchange, the credits cease to exist.
  • The revised methodology, notified on August 29, 2025, replaces the version first introduced on February 22, 2024. Under the updated framework, participants earn green credits only after completing at least five years of restoration activities on degraded forest land and achieving a minimum canopy density of 40%.
  • Credits are now calculated based on vegetation status, including changes in canopy density and the number of surviving trees, rather than awarding credits based on a fixed number of trees per hectare within two years.
  • Specifically, one green credit will be given for each tree that survives for more than five years, subject to verification by designated authorities.
  • Under the GCP, state forest departments assign degraded land parcels to participating companies or groups, who carry out the plantation work. Credits earned may be used for reporting under environmental, social, and governance (ESG) indicators, thereby promoting accountability and transparency.
  • The GCP was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2023 at the United Nations Climate Conference in Dubai, with the aim of promoting voluntary environmental protection initiatives. So far, 57,986 hectares of degraded forest land have been registered under the programme, according to official data
 
Follow Up Question
 

1.Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct? (UPSC CSE 2011)

(a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol

(b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota

(c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission

(d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme.

 
Answer (d)
 

  • (a) Correct: The carbon credit system was established under the Kyoto Protocol (1997) to provide incentives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

  • (b) Correct: Countries or organizations that reduce emissions below their assigned quota earn carbon credits, which they can sell.

  • (c) Correct: The main objective is to limit the growth of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide.

  • (d) Incorrect: Carbon credits are traded in the market, and their price is determined by supply and demand, not fixed by the UN Environment Programme
 
 
 
 
For Preliminary Examination:  Current events of national and international Significance
 
For Mains Examination:  GS II & III - Governance & Science and Technology
 
Context:
 
Ten months after launching the online ‘suspect registry’ system, the Centre has declined 13 lakh fraudulent transactions and saved Rs 5,111.80 crore.
 
Read about:
 
What are cybercrimes?
 
What is the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)?
 
 
Key takeaways:
 
 
  • The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), set up in 2018 under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), serves as a national-level hub to coordinate and address issues related to cybercrime across the country.
  • In September 2024, I4C launched four key platforms: the Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre (CFMC), the ‘Samanvaya’ platform, a Cyber Commandos programme, and a Suspect Registry.
  • One of the major initiatives under I4C is the Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting and Management System (CFCFRMS). Managed at the State/UT level, this platform connects law enforcement agencies, banks, and financial intermediaries to enable swift action on complaints regarding financial cyber fraud, which can also be reported via the helpline number 1930.
  • The Suspect Registry, developed using data from the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP), maintains records of 1.4 million cybercriminals involved in financial frauds and other cybercrimes.
  • This data has been shared with banks nationwide. Launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 10, 2024, the registry is accessible to States/UTs as well as central investigation and intelligence agencies.
  • Data accessed by The Indian Express indicates that, between September 2024 and August 1, 2025, approximately 3,54,884 accounts linked to fraudulent activity were frozen, 11,10,566 unique accounts were identified, and Rs 5,111.80 crore was safeguarded after rejecting fraudulent transactions.
  • Currently, 61 banks and financial institutions are part of the suspect registry system. These include 35 private-sector Indian banks, 12 nationalized banks, six regional rural banks, six wallets/merchant platforms, and one foreign private bank.
  • Analysis by agencies shows that India loses over Rs 1,000 crore per month to cyber fraud.
  • For example, losses recorded were Rs 1,837 crore in January, Rs 1,573 crore in February, Rs 1,683 crore in March, Rs 1,314 crore in April, Rs 1,644 crore in May, Rs 1,584 crore in June, and Rs 1,829 crore in July 2025, with more than 80% of cases falling under financial fraud.
  • Refunds to victims during the first seven months of 2025 included Rs 15.03 crore in January, Rs 9.48 crore in February, Rs 9.87 crore in March, Rs 15.75 crore in April, Rs 14.60 crore in May, Rs 18.45 crore in June, and Rs 11.73 crore in July
 
Follow Up Question
 
1.Global Cyber Security Index (GCI) 2020 is released by which of the following organizations? (RRB Clerk Mains 2021)
A. World Bank
B. United Nations Development Programme
C. International Telecommunication Union
D. World Economic Forum
E. None of these
 
Answer (C)
 

  • The GCI is a benchmark report that measures the commitment of countries to cybersecurity across five key pillars: legal, technical, organizational, capacity building, and cooperation.

  • It is published biennially by the ITU, which is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for information and communication technologies.
 
 
 
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international Significance
 
For Mains Examination: GS III - Economy
 
Context:
 
US President Donald Trump’s frequent claims about stopping the conflict between India and Pakistan, which he believes could have gone nuclear, show that he wants to go down in history as a peacemaker. Interestingly, Pakistan has nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize and has managed a much-favoured treatment from the US
 
 
Read about:
 
Imposition of 50% tariff by US on India
 
What are India’s import and export trends with regard to the US?
 
 
Key takeaways:
 
 
  • Tariffs are taxes or duties levied by a government on imported goods and services. Their main purpose is to make foreign products more expensive relative to domestic goods, encouraging consumers to choose local products. Tariffs also serve as a protective mechanism for domestic industries against international competition and act as a source of government revenue.
  • With high tariffs of 50%, Indian exports to the United States are expected to face significant losses, potentially amounting to $40–50 billion.
  • Although a federal appeals court ruled on August 29 that the U.S. President overstepped his authority in imposing these tariffs, enforcement has been paused until mid-October, allowing the administration time to appeal to the Supreme Court. Any further restrictions on H-1B visas could exacerbate these losses. Thus, India has considerable stakes in its economic ties with the U.S.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained a firm stance, emphasizing that India is willing to endure short-term difficulties but will not compromise its long-term interests. Meanwhile, countries like the EU, Japan, and South Korea have already negotiated deals, and China has resisted U.S. pressure by leveraging its control over rare earth minerals.
  • India, with an economy less than one-seventh the size of the U.S., lacks such leverage. In this scenario, agility and strategic planning are crucial to navigating this power play.

To address these challenges, several measures are suggested:

  • Avoid retaliation, as India does not have the leverage that China possesses, and too much confrontation could be counterproductive.

  • Diversify exports rapidly to other markets, including Russia, Japan, Australia, Africa, and Latin America. India should accelerate negotiations on Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the EU, Russia, ASEAN, the African Union, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

  • Strengthen trade cooperation within BRICS, ensuring adherence to agreed rules, especially as the U.S. has weakened the World Trade Organisation (WTO) framework through selective tariffs.

  • Maintain dialogue with the U.S. on trade issues, adopting a pragmatic approach. For instance, marginally reducing oil imports from Russia (worth roughly $6–7 billion) and increasing U.S. imports could help safeguard exports of $40–50 billion. Such measures require careful negotiation without being perceived as a compromise of India’s sovereignty.

  • Implement domestic reforms, including reducing import duties, to prevent India from being labeled the “tariff king” and to strengthen the economy against external pressures

 
Follow Up Question
 
1.What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions’. Explain with suitable examples. (UPSC CSE 2019)
 
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