Content :
- Cast of characters
- Maritime hub
- The messaging from putting the IWT in ‘abeyance’
Cast of characters
Context & Background
- India has not conducted a full caste enumeration since 1931.
- The Census so far records only SC, ST, and religious identity, not comprehensive caste data.
- The Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 attempted to capture caste data but was riddled with inconsistencies.
Relevance : GS 2(Social Issues ,Governance)
Practice Question :Examine the opportunities and challenges involved in the proposed caste census in India. How can caste data be effectively utilized for policy making while addressing its associated complexities?(250 Words)
Opportunities from Caste Census
- Evidence-Based Policy Making: Empirical caste data can aid targeted developmental programs and improve inclusivity.
- Fine-tuning Affirmative Action:
- Supports calls for sub-categorisation within SCs, STs, and especially OBCs.
- Can help address inequities within castes by identifying communities that are left out of benefits.
- Justice G. Rohini Commission findings (on OBC sub-categorisation) can gain empirical grounding.
- Supreme Court Verdict (2023) allows sub-categorisation within SC/ST, reinforcing the need for granular caste data.
- Better Budget Allocation: Helps in identifying needs for education, employment, and social services at a community level.
- Administrative Utility: Could lead to creation of a national caste repository to guide future decisions.
Challenges Involved
- Data Complexity:
- SECC 2011 showed over 46 lakh caste entries due to varied self-identification and spelling inconsistencies.
- No standardized caste classification system exists apart from SC/ST/OBC lists.
- Conceptual Ambiguities:
- Difficulty in distinguishing caste vs sub-caste.
- Variations in caste names across regions and languages.
- Legal & Constitutional Hurdles:
- Numerous petitions in High Courts on inclusion/exclusion in caste lists.
- Questions over who defines “backwardness” and what metrics to use.
- Logistical Issues:
- Requires massive training of enumerators to ensure standardized and unbiased data collection.
- Possible misreporting or inflation of claims by individuals/communities.
- Social Volatility:
- Previous exercises (Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana) saw political polarization and social tensions.
- Risk of group dissatisfaction, leading to further fragmentations.
- Data Confidentiality & Integrity:
- With high social sensitivity, any data leak or misinterpretation can have serious repercussions.
Way Forward
- Develop a clear national framework for caste enumeration with expert inputs.
- Use SECC learnings to design a clean, verifiable classification system.
- Ensure transparency, training, and public awareness to build trust in the process.
- Establish an independent, non-political data verification commission to maintain data integrity.
- Build consensus across states and parties to avoid politicisation and ensure coordinated implementation.
Maritime hub
Introduction:
- The Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport is a significant infrastructure project developed by Adani Ports and Kerala Government under a public-private partnership.
- It aims to transform India’s maritime capabilities and reduce dependency on foreign ports.
Relevance : GS 3(Infrastructure, Indian Economy)
Practice Question :The commissioning of the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport marks a milestone in India’s maritime history. Discuss the economic benefits and challenges of this project, and suggest measures to fully harness its potential.(250 Words)
Economic Benefits:
- Revenue Gains:
- India currently loses $200 million to $220 million annually due to transshipment cargo being handled at foreign ports.
- Vizhinjam can capture a significant portion of this market, bringing economic benefits by handling more cargo domestically.
- Cost Savings:
- The port’s location on the east-west shipping axis allows ultra-large container vessels to berth without diverting their routes, saving fuel and time, and thus reducing shipping costs.
- Boost to Domestic Economy:
- By facilitating efficient transshipment, the port will promote economic growth through enhanced logistics, trade, and industrial activities.
Strategic Location:
- Proximity to International Shipping Routes:
- The port is well-positioned along major shipping routes linking Europe, West Asia, and the Far East, making it a potential transshipment hub for global trade.
- Natural Draft:
- With a natural draft of about 20 meters, the port can handle larger ships with minimal dredging, enhancing its attractiveness to global shipping companies.
Technological and Operational Advantages:
- Automation and AI:
- As India’s first semi-automated port, equipped with remote-controlled quay cranes and an AI-powered vessel traffic management system, Vizhinjam can ensure faster cargo handling and reduced vessel turnaround times.
- Container Throughput:
- India’s current container throughput stands at 20 million TEUs compared to China’s 330 million TEUs, underlining the need for more modern ports like Vizhinjam.
Challenges and Hurdles:
- Protests and Political Issues:
- The project faced opposition from fisherfolk and the Latin Church, which slowed down progress and created social tension.
- Natural Calamities and COVID-19:
- Disruptions like natural calamities and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project and posed additional challenges to construction and development timelines.
Current Status and Investment:
- Commercial Operations:
- The port began commercial operations in July 2024, with 265 ships already berthed, including large mother ships.
- Investment Details:
- In the first phase, the Kerala Government invested ₹5,595 crore, Adani Ports spent ₹2,454 crore, and the Union Government provided a viability gap fund loan of ₹818 crore.
- This funding structure has been a subject of political debate.
Future Potential and Development Needs:
- Connectivity Infrastructure:
- Timely completion of rail and road connectivity is crucial for the port’s success. This will enable efficient delivery of cargo across South India’s hinterland.
- Phase-wise Expansion:
- Subsequent phases, with an investment of ₹9,500 crore by 2028, are essential for developing additional warehousing, logistics, and industrial facilities.
- Need for Expedited Development:
- Expedited development is required to ensure that Vizhinjam becomes a thriving commercial maritime hub for South Asia.
Conclusion:
- Vizhinjam port represents a strategic asset for India’s maritime trade, offering economic benefits, cost savings, and technological advancements.
- To realize its full potential, a comprehensive development plan involving infrastructure, connectivity, and industrial growth is essential.
- Coordination between the Centre and State will be critical to overcoming logistical, political, and social challenges, ensuring the port’s success as a global transshipment hub.
The messaging from putting the IWT in ‘abeyance’
Context
- On April 24, 2024, India put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, linking it to Pakistan’s support for cross-border terrorism after the Pahalgam terror attack.
- The term “abeyance” implies a temporary hold, not recognized under IWT or international law — used more as a political message than a legal position.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Practice Question :India’s recent decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in “abeyance” marks a significant shift in its water diplomacy. Critically examine the strategic, legal, and ecological implications of this move, and discuss whether water can be an effective tool of deterrence in bilateral relations.(250 Words)
Legal and Treaty Limitations
- IWT Articles XII(3) and (4): Do not allow unilateral suspension; treaty modification/termination needs mutual agreement.
- Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties (VCLT): India is not a party; even under VCLT, suspension is only allowed under specific circumstances (e.g., material breach, impossibility, or fundamental change).
- No formal invocation of Article 60 or 62 of the VCLT by India, thus weakening its legal basis.
- “Abeyance” lacks international legal validity; cannot override treaty obligations.
Strategic and Diplomatic Calculations
- Dual-level strategy:
- Domestic: Addresses public grief and demand for strong action post-terror attack.
- Diplomatic: Signals strategic assertiveness, allows pause in cooperation, and asserts India’s right over its water allocations.
- Helps India stall obligations like sharing hydrological data or notifying Pakistan about river projects, giving India operational leverage.
Tactical Benefits and Risks
- Offers India time to pursue infrastructure (hydropower, irrigation) projects like Kishenganga, Ratle, Tulbul Navigation — often delayed due to Pakistan’s legal interventions.
- Could allow India to flush silt from reservoirs without warning, harming Pakistan’s water planning.
- But risks escalation: Pakistan views this as an act of war threatening its water security.
Pakistan’s Internal Fragility
- Pakistan is politically and economically unstable (e.g., youth-military disconnect, fallout from Imran Khan’s arrest).
- India’s move comes at a time when Pakistan lacks internal coherence, potentially limiting effective response or negotiation.
Implications for International Image
- Unilateral action may:
- Risk litigation at Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) or International Court of Justice (ICJ).
- Could contradict India’s global environmental and diplomatic commitments.
Environmental and Governance Concerns
- Fast-tracking infrastructure may bypass ecological safeguards and public consultation, especially in the sensitive Indus basin.
- Risk of environmental degradation, particularly in seismically active and biodiversity-rich areas.
Long-term Strategic Outlook
- The move may help India project strength but may not deter terrorism or alter Pakistan’s stance meaningfully.
- Instead of military escalation or treaty threats, a multi-pronged approach is needed balancing security, diplomacy, and environmental stewardship.
- India must avoid weaponising water to the extent it damages its own democratic principles and ecological interests.
Conclusion
- India’s invocation of “abeyance” is a symbolic, strategic act aimed at pressuring Pakistan and placating domestic audiences.
- However, legally ambiguous, ecologically risky, and diplomatically sensitive — requiring careful narrative management and strategic restraint to maintain India’s long-term interests.
