Table of Contents
Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 1: The misplaced move of ‘one nation one election
Context
Frequent elections in India bring several advantages that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Introduction
The idea of holding simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and local bodies was proposed by the Prime Minister a few years ago. This idea may have stemmed from the constant campaigning caused by frequent elections in various parts of the country.
High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections
A high-level committee, led by former President Ram Nath Kovind, was formed to explore the idea of simultaneous elections. Other notable members included Home Minister Amit Shah, Ghulam Nabi Azad, N.K. Singh, Subhash C. Kashyap, Harish Salve, and Sanjay Kothari. The committee’s report, submitted in March this year, was available to the public before the 2024 general elections.
BJP’s Role and Challenges
The concept of simultaneous elections was a key part of the BJP’s election manifesto. If the BJP had won a majority, it could have claimed public support for this idea. However, without a clear majority, it’s uncertain whether voters truly back the proposal. The committee produced a large report of 18,626 pages in a relatively short time, showcasing the importance of the issue. The proposal has almost reached its final stages, with plans for simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, and local body elections within 100 days of the general election.
Constitutional Amendments and Their Impact
Implementing simultaneous elections would require changes to various Articles of the Constitution. One major amendment concerns the tenure of State Assemblies, which would no longer have a fixed five-year term under Article 172. Instead, their tenures would align with the Lok Sabha.
Amendment Bill Stages
A Constitutional amendment bill will be introduced in the Lok Sabha and will require a special majority to pass. For this, at least 362 votes are needed, but with only 292 members in the ruling NDA, achieving this majority will be challenging. Opposition from various parties makes it even more difficult for the bill to pass.
Arguments for and Against
The high-level committee argued that holding elections simultaneously would reduce costs. However, the amount allocated for elections is not significantly high. For instance, in 2023-24, ₹466 crore was budgeted for the Election Commission of India, which is not a huge sum considering the country’s size. Additionally, the money spent by political parties on elections wouldn’t be redirected to infrastructure like roads or hospitals.
Another argument is that frequent elections disrupt development due to the model code of conduct. However, there is no concrete evidence supporting this claim, as elections have been regularly held without halting development.
Impact on Federalism
Aligning the tenure of State Assemblies with the Lok Sabha would undermine India’s federal structure. State Assemblies, which have a fixed tenure under Article 172, are independent legislative bodies. Changing their tenure could violate the Constitution’s basic structure, as ruled in the Kesavananda Bharati case, which protects federalism.
Conclusion
Frequent elections ensure accountability, as representatives must regularly engage with the public. Simultaneous elections, held once every five years, could weaken this connection. Additionally, political parties may become less active in addressing people’s needs if elections occur less often. For governments, regular elections provide valuable feedback, allowing them to adjust policies based on public sentiment. Therefore, while simultaneous elections might offer convenience, they could harm India’s federal structure and reduce accountability in governance.
Analysis of The Hindu Editorial 2: China’s warning shots with minerals that run the world
Context
China is perfecting the art of using strategic resources, like critical minerals, as a tool for statecraft.
Introduction
On August 15, China decided to limit the export of antimony, a vital mineral used in defense sectors for missiles, sensors, ammunition, and even nuclear weapons. Citing national security, China’s Commerce Ministry announced that these restrictions would begin on September 15, part of a series of moves initiated in 2023.
China’s Dominance in Critical Minerals
China is not just a player but a leader in the critical minerals sector. It controls around 60% of rare earth production and critical minerals and 80% of global processing. Its dominance across mining, refining, and processing gives it near-monopoly control. Any decision China makes in this space can impact national security for countries worldwide, especially for regions like the European Union, India, Japan, and the United States, which depend heavily on these resources.
The 2010 Incident: China’s First Move
China’s use of minerals as leverage first drew global attention in 2010 when a Chinese trawler collided with Japanese Coast Guard vessels. After the incident, China stopped exporting rare earth elements to Japan, sparking global concern over the world’s dependence on China for strategic minerals.
The Antimony Episode and Recent Restrictions
The recent restrictions on antimony reinforce the belief that China uses critical minerals as a coercive tool. In 2023, China imposed export restrictions on gallium and germanium, two minerals vital to making solar cells and computer chips, following the Netherlands’ move to limit semiconductor equipment exports to China. In response to U.S. controls on semiconductors, China restricted synthetic graphite exports, used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, fuel cells, and nuclear reactors.
These actions highlight China’s readiness to weaponize its control of critical mineral supply chains, signaling that it will not hesitate to retaliate if pressured by the West.
China’s Growing Use of Mineral Power
China’s export restrictions serve as a reminder of its dominance in global mineral supply chains. It has also limited the export of rare earth processing technologies and other methods needed for critical minerals, making it harder for the U.S. and its allies to build alternative supply chains. China is now using its mineral power as a strategic tool, much like the U.S. oil embargo on Japan in 1940, to hit its adversaries’ weak spots.
Shifting Foreign Policy Strategy
China’s control over critical resources has shifted from a tactic of intimidation to an integral part of its foreign policy. China now feels more confident using its mineral resources to assert its dominance for two reasons: first, to remind the West of its strategic dependency on Chinese minerals, and second, to sabotage the West’s high-tech sectors by disrupting critical mineral supply chains.
This strategy targets minerals used in dual-use applications, like the Virginia-class submarine and the F-35 fighter aircraft, which rely on large quantities of rare earth elements.
Conclusion: India’s Growing Risk
India, like its Quad partners (Australia, Japan, and the U.S.), is vulnerable due to its heavy reliance on China for critical minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper. In FY23 alone, India’s mineral imports amounted to ₹34,000 crore. As demand for these minerals grows, so will the costs and vulnerabilities. This situation should serve as a wake-up call for India to invest in alternative supply chains and form partnerships with like-minded countries to reduce its dependence on China.