Editorial 1 : In Defence of India
Context: Dealing with the China question
Introduction
India’s recent defence agreements with countries like Australia and Japan, highlighted during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Laos, reveal the increasing significance of security cooperation in Asia.
Recent Defence Agreements
- Air-to-Air Refuelling with Australia
- The agreement allows Indian and Australian military aircraft to refuel in mid-air, enhancing the operational reach and flexibility of both air forces.
- Defence Industrial Collaboration with Japan
- Discussions with Japan focused on joint production, particularly in the realm of stealth equipment for Indian warships.
China’s Military Rise and Regional Security
- Defence Build-up
- Massive Military Investment: China has made large-scale investments in its military capabilities over the past three decades.
- Assertiveness on territorial disputes
- China’s Diplomatic Approach
- Charm Diplomacy: China has adopted a more diplomatic approach recently, shifting from confrontational wolf-warrior tactics to more conciliatory measures.
US Role in Regional Security
- Eroding US Military Dominance
- The growing power of China’s military is challenging the US’s traditional dominance in the East Asian theatre.
- US possesses superior technology but China's numerical advantage is steadily shifting the balance.
- US Strategic Focus
- In response to China’s rise, the US has increasingly focused on Asia’s security but is constrained by its obligations in Europe and the Middle East.
Challenges for the United States
- Diversion of Military Resources
- Multiple Fronts and Military Constraints
- Ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East are straining US military resources, especially in the production of essential weapons and ammunition.
- Shrinking Military Production Capacity
- Outdated Facilities: Many US military production facilities are aging, and the defence industry faces a shortage of skilled personnel.
- Collaboration with Allies: To mitigate production shortfalls, the US is increasingly seeking to collaborate with allies, such as Japan and South Korea.
India’s Strategic Response
- Modernizing Defence Sector
- Defence Roadmaps: India has signed defence industrial roadmaps with the United States and France, with plans to negotiate similar agreements with Italy.
- Private Sector Involvement: India is pushing for greater involvement of its private sector in defence production, with an emphasis on increasing arms exports.
- Reforms in Defence Industry
- Revamping DRDO: A high-level committee has recommended restructuring India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to enhance its effectiveness.
- Accelerating Modernisation: India needs to accelerate the pace of defence reforms to close the technological gap with China and strengthen its defence capabilities in light of the evolving regional security situation.
Way Forward: India will need to move much faster on the reform front than it has so far to cope with the massive gap in the defence capabilities with China as well as seize the international opportunity for the transformation of its defence industrial base.
Editorial 2 : A Gift to the Nation
Context: The Constitution at 75: A gift to the people of India at the onset of their journey as an independent nation
Longevity of Indian Constitution
- The average lifespan of the constitutions adopted after 1789 is just 17 years.
- In South Asia, Sri Lanka replaced its constitution thrice, Pakistan six times and Nepal five times.
- It is indeed a tribute to India’s founding fathers that their draft, with amendments, has lasted 75 years. Indians can be justifiably proud of this fact.
Government of India Act, 1935
- It was a detailed act and was the last of the enactments that were made for the governance of undivided India.
- It was based on a White Paper and Joint Parliamentary Committee Report.
- In April 1936, at its 49th session held in Lucknow, the Indian National Congress rejected this Act as being designed to facilitate and perpetuate the domination and exploitation of the people of India.
- Congress reiterated its demand for a Constituent Assembly consisting of elected Indians who would frame its own constitution.
Constituent Assembly
- After World War II, it was clear that India would get freedom before the end of that decade.
- Cabinet Mission Plan of 1946 envisaged the creation of a Constituent Assembly that included representatives of the Congress, the Muslim League and the princely states to draft a constitution for a united India.
- Lord Wavell, the then Viceroy, made a fervent appeal to these three parties to work together.
- Muslim League decided to boycott the Constituent Assembly which began its first session on December 9, 1946.
Draft Constitution
- The final draft of the Constitution was prepared over a period of two years, 11 months and 17 days.
- Out of eight major committees, the drafting committee, under the chairmanship of B R Ambedkar, was appointed on August 29, 1947, and took 141 working days to prepare a final draft that initially consisted of 243 articles and 13 schedules.
- The drafting committee had the invaluable assistance of B N Rau as the constitutional adviser and of S N Mukherjee as the chief draftsman of the Constitution.
Indian Independence Act, 1947
- India had attained freedom on 15 Aug 1947.
- Section 8 of the Indian Independence Act, 1947 enabled the Constituent Assembly to perform dual functions.
- To draft the new Constitution
- To function as the federal legislature under the Government of India Act, 1935.
- Government of India Act, 1935 which was condemned by the Congress in 1936 became the basis of our Constitution.
Details of the Constitution
- Dr. Ambedkar presented the draft to the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1948.
- He explained why the parliamentary system of government was being preferred to the presidential form.
- India was also to have a federal structure but with greater power being given to the Union.
- Why Such Long Constitution?
- India was an infant nation, with no conventions, and with a population having several languages, castes and religions. It was, therefore, necessary to have a constitution that set out, in great detail, the roles of the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
- Its two most important features were the chapters on Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. Several of these provisions were adopted from the US, Australian, Canadian, Japanese and Irish constitutions.
Amendments to the Constitution
- In its 75-year journey, the constitution has been amended almost 125 times.
- The ability to amend its provisions has proved to be its strength.
- This has avoided rigidity and enabled it to adapt to the changing needs of a diverse society.
Basic Structure Doctrine
- The finest day in its 75-year existence was April 24, 1973, when by a slender majority, the Supreme Court prohibited any amendment that altered its basic structure or its essential features.
- The doctrine of basic structure has guaranteed that our Constitution will certainly celebrate its 100th birthday.
Conclusion and Way Forward
- The people of India could not have received a better constitution at the beginning of their journey as an independent nation.
- It is now up to elected governments at the Centre and the states to work towards attaining the noble objectives set out in the Directive Principles without compromising on the Fundamental Rights of its citizens.