CURRENT-AFFAIRS

Context

The relations between India and the Arab world have now evolved beyond centuries-old civilizational ties into a 'deep strategic partnership.' The convergence of India's 'Link West' policy and the Arab nations' 'Look East' policies has made both indispensable to each other. Amidst current global instability and regional conflicts, India has emerged as a 'stability-providing power.' This meeting is not limited to economic interests alone but creates a shared geopolitical front to strengthen the voice of the Global South, counter-terrorism, and ensure maritime security, which is poised to play a decisive role in the emerging new world order.

About Arab League

• Origin: It is an intergovernmental organization encompassing all Arab states in the Middle East and North Africa. It was established on March 22, 1945, following the adoption of the 'Alexandria Protocol' in 1944.
• Members: Currently, it has 22 members.
• Founding Members: Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Transjordan (now Jordan), and Yemen.
• Headquarters: Cairo, Egypt.

Why in News?

This meeting has been the center of global discussion for the following reasons:

• A Decade-long Gap: This was the first such major diplomatic event since 2016 (Bahrain), marking a significant milestone in India's 'Link West' policy. This is the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi on January 30-31, 2026.
• Pahalgam Terror Attack: The official condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, by Arab nations is being seen as a major diplomatic victory for India.
• Regional Tensions: The meeting took place at a time when West Asia is navigating Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and complex ceasefire processes in Gaza.

India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting

• This is the highest institutional mechanism for dialogue between India and the 22-member Arab League.
• It was co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, and the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• Representatives from all significant countries of the Arab world participated in this summit, underlining India's growing global stature.

Main Objective of the Meeting

• Historic Return: This was the first such meeting since 2016 (Bahrain) in which all 22 member states of the Arab League participated.
• Shared Vision: Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the Arab world as India's "extended neighborhood" and emphasized exploring new opportunities in technology, energy, and trade.
• Global Challenges: The meeting occurred while the world grapples with challenges like the new policies of the U.S. (Trump administration), Iran-Israel tensions, and instability in the Red Sea.

Key Highlights of the Delhi Declaration

A joint statement was issued after the meeting, titled the 'Delhi Declaration.' Its major pillars are as follows:

• Peace and Security: Both sides pledged to respect multilateralism and the sovereignty of states.
• Crackdown on Terrorism: A policy of "Zero Tolerance" against terrorism was reaffirmed. Specifically, Arab nations strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, which India views as a major diplomatic achievement.
• The Palestine Issue: India and Arab nations supported an independent and sovereign State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, living side-by-side in peace with Israel.
• Regional Stability: Attacks by Houthis on ships in Yemen were condemned, and emphasis was placed on ensuring safe passage in the Red Sea.

Economic and Strategic Significance

The relationship between India and Arab countries is not limited to politics; it has solid economic foundations:

• Trade: Trade between India and Arab countries exceeds $240 billion.
• Energy Security: India imports 47% of its crude oil and over 50% of its fertilizers from these countries.
• Indian Diaspora: Approximately 9 million Indians live and work in these countries, serving as a strong bridge between the two regions.
• New Initiatives: Regional frameworks like STREAM (Suez Canal–Red Sea Economic and Maritime Development Initiative) were discussed to promote economic integration.

Diplomatic Balancing (The Balancing Act)

The highlight of this meeting was India's "strategic maturity":

• India appealed for peace without naming Israel, ensuring that ongoing ceasefire efforts were not hindered.
• India maintains strong ties with Israel on one hand, while fully upholding its historical and cultural relations with Arab nations and Palestine on the other.

Analysis

This meeting demonstrates that India is no longer just a 'Buyer' but has become a 'Security Provider' and 'Technology Partner' for the Arab world. The soft and supportive stance of Arab countries regarding the Kashmir issue indicates that they have stopped viewing India through the prism of Pakistan.

Way Forward

• Institutional Continuity: There should not be a 10-year gap in such high-level meetings; they should be made biennial (every two years).
• Digital Economy: Expanding digital infrastructure like UPI and RuPay across the Arab world.
• Food Security: Increasing investment in agriculture and logistics through the 'India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor' (IMEC).

Conclusion

The India-Arab meeting is not merely a diplomatic formality but a "civilizational reunion." The Delhi Declaration has made it clear that from New Delhi to Cairo and Riyadh, there is a shared vision for peace and progress. This partnership will play a decisive role in shaping the direction of the 'Global South' in the coming decade.

General Studies Paper – II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

Context

In the third decade of the 21st century, the global order is at a historic turning point. The ‘Liberal Global Order’ established after World War II and globalisation based on free trade are now dying. Recent ‘tariff warnings’ by U.S. President Donald Trump and the rising dominance of China are signs that the world is moving away from ‘cooperation’ back toward ‘mercantilism’. In such a scenario, the question is whether India is prepared for this new, harsh order?

The Death of Globalisation and the Rise of ‘Mercantilism’

Globalisation was not just an expansion of trade, but a political system that rested on democracy and multilateral institutions.

• New Paradigm: Trade is now being viewed as an instrument of ‘state power’.
• Zero-Sum Game: Trade is no longer a deal for mutual benefit, but has become a battlefield where exports are ‘strength’ and imports are ‘weakness’.
• Assertion of Sovereignty: Countries are now prioritising ‘self-reliance’ and ‘domestic protectionism’ over liberal values.

The Influence of China and the Collapse of the Multilateral System

China utilised the global system but did not follow its rules.

• Alternative Model: China demonstrated that one can become an economic superpower even without democracy and without a free information system.
• Excess Capacity: China’s trade surplus has crippled the domestic manufacturing of developing countries like India.
• Failure of Institutions: Institutions like the WTO are no longer effective, resulting in the loss of collective bargaining power for developing countries.

Internal Challenges Facing the Indian Economy

India is “too large to ignore, but too poor to matter”.

• Erosion of Demographic Dividend: Over the last 15 years, India has not been completely successful in converting its youth population into ‘productive capacity’.
• Imbalance of the Social Pyramid: India's economic structure has become divided into a narrow apex (the wealthy class) and a vast, powerless base (the poor class).
• Lack of Infrastructure: Lack of public investment in sectors like education and health has limited the state's capacity.

The Aspiration of ‘Vishwaguru’ vs Institutional Foundations

India claims to become a ‘Vishwaguru’ on the global stage, but the necessary infrastructure for this is weak:

• State Capacity: A system where the government can effectively implement policies and provide justice.
• Social Cohesion: Social stability is not possible without the benefits of development reaching the last person in society.
• Lack of Innovation: Except for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), India still lags behind global standards in other sectors.

Areas of Opportunity for India

Despite these challenges, India can lead in certain areas:

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): Mechanisms like UPI and Aadhaar are India's identity at the global level.
• Renewable Energy: India's initiatives in the field of green energy can give it a strategic edge.
• Services Sector: India's dominance in information technology and consultancy services remains intact.

Way Forward

India must move away from ‘rhetoric’ and focus on ‘solid institutional reforms’:

• Social Contract: Equal distribution of the benefits of development must be ensured to prevent social unrest.
• Investment in Human Capital: To become a ‘Vishwaguru’, not just diplomacy, but an educated and healthy workforce is required.
• Diverse Supply Chain: To reduce dependence on China, the ‘China Plus One’ strategy must be implemented at the ground level in the manufacturing sector.

Conclusion

The end of globalisation means that no country can move forward with the help of ‘crutches’ anymore. This is a moment of self-introspection for India. If we do not strengthen our state capacity and social unity, the slogan of ‘Vishwaguru’ will remain merely a rhetorical ornament. Real power comes from ‘the strength of institutions’ and ‘economic self-reliance’, not from speeches alone.

Context

Recently, the Government of India has made significant amendments to the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. The primary objective of these amendments is to reduce regulatory hurdles in the pharmaceutical sector and promote “ease of doing business”. This step by the government is considered a major effort towards strengthening India’s position as the “pharmacy of the world”.

What are “Quick Pills”?

“Quick Pills” refers to such swift and simple reforms made by the government in drug regulations whose objective is to accelerate the process of pharmaceutical research and development and reduce regulatory barriers.

That is —

• By removing the requirement of licences
• By implementing a prior-intimation system
• By reducing approval timelines

The government has attempted to make the drug development process faster and smoother, which has been metaphorically described as “Quick Pills”.

Why in Discussion?

• The government has abolished the previously mandatory ‘test licence’ required for small quantities of drugs manufactured for research and testing purposes.
• In its place, only a ‘prior-intimation mechanism’ has been introduced, which has become the main subject of discussion.

Key Changes in the Rules

• Intimation instead of licence: For research and analysis, giving a ‘notice of intent’ on the SUGAM portal will now be sufficient instead of obtaining a physical licence.
• Reduction in timeline: The statutory licensing period for high-risk drugs (narcotic and psychotropic) has been reduced from 90 days to 45 days.
• Digitisation: The entire process has been made paperless and online.
• BE/BA studies: For low-risk bioavailability and bioequivalence studies, only online intimation has been made mandatory.

Why were these Changes Needed?

• Global competition: After COVID-19, global demand for rapid delivery of medicines has increased.
• Delay in research: Earlier, complex licensing procedures caused months of delay in research.
• Cost reduction: Saving time reduces research costs, which can make medicines cheaper.

Impact of these Reforms

• End of ‘Licence Raj’: Dependence on physical documents and repeated visits to government offices will end.
• Significant time savings: Drug development timelines are expected to reduce by at least 3 months.
• Encouragement to innovation: Experimentation will become easier for small start-ups and researchers.
• Economic benefits: Time savings will increase investor confidence and boost foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector.

Limitations and Concerns

• Threat to quality: Simplification of rules raises fears of relaxation in quality control.
• Lack of monitoring: After removal of licensing, ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) may become difficult.
• Past incidents: Deaths abroad caused by Indian cough syrups in recent years have affected the image of India’s pharma sector. Reduced inspection could prove fatal.
• Possibility of misuse: There remains a risk that drugs produced for research could be commercially misused.

Deeper Analysis

These reforms represent a major tilt towards “speed” and “efficiency”. India has the highest number of US-FDA approved manufacturing plants in the world, yet the domestic regulatory system has often been known for complexities. However, it must be remembered that in the pharmaceutical sector, “speed” can never substitute “patient safety”. Deregulation can succeed only when supported by a strong post-market surveillance mechanism (monitoring after drugs enter the market).

Way Forward

• Automated monitoring: Random audits and surprise inspections should follow the intimation mechanism.
• Strict penalties: Heavy fines and blacklisting provisions should be enforced for violation of quality standards.
• Digital tracking: Technologies such as blockchain may be used to monitor drug supply chains.
• Capacity building: The number and technical capability of state and central drug inspectors should be increased.

Conclusion

These amendments to drug rules are a bold step toward making India’s pharmaceutical sector globally competitive. Ending the ‘Licence Raj’ is commendable, but compromising on quality could prove self-destructive. Ultimately, India must develop an ecosystem where the “speed of innovation” and the “quality of products” complement each other rather than act as obstacles.