Editorial 1 : Farm talk
Introduction: One is promising what is probably a pie in the sky and the other more of the same. That, perhaps, is also reflective of the two rivals’ relative self-confidence. The election manifesto of both BJP and Congress gives a glimpse of future planning regarding the agriculture sector.
The BJP has promised to raise the income support to farmers
- The BJP’s 2024 Lok Sabha election manifesto is shorn of populism when it comes to farmers.
- It talks about a continuing increase in minimum support prices (MSPs) of crops “from time to time” (which the Narendra Modi government has anyway been doing) and providing “sustained financial support for our farmers” through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (without specifying whether or by how much the current Rs 6,000 annual transfer under it will be raised).
- The 2024-25 interim Budget, unlike the one five years ago, did not announce any hike in the PM-Kisan scheme payout or other giveaways.
- The Modi government didn’t see any need for these before the model code of conduct came into effect, nor does the BJP feel the need now.
Apart from raising financial support, noting new for the farmers
- The protests against the three farm laws were one of the most serious challenges the Modi government had to face in its 10 years.
- It was forced to repeal them, just as the ordinance amending the Land Acquisition Act was allowed to lapse during its first term.
- The BJP manifesto’s merely reiterating the government’s existing or proposed programmes — including the not-so-far-successful ones, like making India “atmanirbhar” (self-reliant) in pulses and edible oils, establishing clusters for production of essential TOP (tomato, onion, potato) vegetables and promoting natural farming – may demonstrate its conviction of returning for a third term.
- The manifesto is, however, silent on the farm laws.
- The party clearly does not want to rock the political boat, or commit to things it does not consider feasible to deliver.
Congress wants to legalize MSP
- On the other hand, in its manifesto, Congress has pledged to give a “legal guarantee” to MSP.
- How this would be done — making it a right for farmers to receive and obligatory for the government to ensure MSP — is not spelt out.
- As most economists have argued, a “legal MSP” is neither fiscally nor physically sustainable.
- How credible the promise is to the farmers themselves also remains to be seen.
Both parties emphasize R&D in agriculture
- That said, there are good things in both manifestos.
- The Congress has promised to “double” the funding for R&D in agriculture in five years, while the BJP has stressed on technological interventions to enable more accurate assessment of crop loss and faster payouts under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana.
- Unfortunately, what is missing in both documents is a vision for Indian agriculture.
- Producing more from the same or less quantity of water, nutrients and energy requires politically-sensitive input pricing decisions.
- But that may be too much to expect from election manifestos.
Conclusion: After seeing through the rhetoric, one can conclude that BJP's manifesto skirts populist promises, while Congress's manifesto doesn't. But both the parties’ manifestos lack a vision for the agriculture sector. The good part for agriculture is that both of parties want R&D in agriculture to grow.
Editorial 2 : Step back now
Introduction: The attack on Israel — Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones on Saturday. The last time a similar strike took place was during the first Gulf War — was a response to the airstrike, allegedly by Israel, on an Iranian consulate building in Damascus. Several people were killed in that attack, including senior officers of the Revolutionary Guard.
Damage caused by Iran’s attacks
- Nearly all of the missiles and drones launched by Iran were neutralised by Israel’s missile defence systems as well as those of friendly nations and there has been minimal damage to property and no loss of life.
- Iran’s mission to the UN stated that the attack was a proportionate response under the Charter for Self-Defence and that Tehran considered “the matter concluded”.
- The ball is now in the Benjamin Netanyahu government’s court.
Both parties have crossed red lines
- The fact remains that red lines have been crossed.
- Thus far, the conflict between Israel and Iran has been carried out largely through proxies and attacks on each other’s personnel on foreign soil.
- With the attack on the Iranian mission and the missile attacks, there is a danger of an all-out conflict between the two regional powers.
US’s appeal to step back, Israel’s mixed signaling
- The perils of such a conflict have been recognised by the US and other Western countries.
- US President Joe Biden has made it clear that the US will not back Israel in offensive operations against Iran and G7 countries, and while condemning the attack, has flagged the dangers of an escalation.
- The Netanyahu government, however, has been sending mixed messages.
- Over the last two days, it has hinted that it could “retaliate”, though it would do so in a time and manner of its choosing.
- Some are viewing the missile attack as a failure of Israel’s “deterrence” policy — this constituency might demand reprisals.
- The prime minister was deeply unpopular in Israel before the October 7 attack by Hamas.
- The failure to bring back the remaining hostages and the prolonged conflict have put Netanyahu in the dock once again.
- His increasing dependence on the conflict and the country’s far-right to stay in power means that the Israeli government might act in dangerous and unpredictable ways.
Israel is again isolating itself from world
- The attacks on civilians in Gaza, expansion of the conflict to the West Bank and now the possibility of a wider regional conflict have isolated Israel internationally.
- The gains of the Abraham Accords, which saw moderate Arab nations willing to deepen ties with Tel Aviv, have been squandered by the prolonged conflict and callousness towards humanitarian concerns in Palestine.
- It is time the government listens to its friends.
- India’s statement in the aftermath of the attacks puts forth the view of many in the global community: “We are seriously concerned at the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran which threatens the peace and security in the region… We call for immediate de-escalation, exercise of restraint, stepping back from violence and return to the path of diplomacy.”
Conclusion: Israel and Iran have both crossed red lines. The ball is now in the Netanyahu government's court. Strategic scholars are certain of an Israeli retaliation. What is to be seen, is whether the retaliation will deepen the crisis in West Asia.