{"id":56855,"date":"2025-07-26T13:45:29","date_gmt":"2025-07-26T08:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=56855"},"modified":"2025-10-13T14:52:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T09:22:01","slug":"daily-editorial-analysis-26-july-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/daily-editorial-analysis-26-july-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Daily Editorial Analysis 26 July 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Kargil, Pahalgam and A Revamp of the Security Strategy<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>As India <strong>marks the 26th anniversary of the Kargil War,<\/strong> one of the subcontinent\u2019s most defining military engagements, the memories remain vivid, both for their strategic significance and their lasting impact on national consciousness.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fought in the icy heights of Kashmir between May and July 1999<\/strong>, Kargil was the first conflict in India to be \u2018live televised\u2019, <strong>drawing millions into the immediacy of war\u2019s uncertainty and sacrifice<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Yet, <strong>as recent events in Pahalgam in 2025 demonstrate, the lessons of Kargil continue to shape India&#8217;s response to terrorism and cross-border aggression<\/strong>, signalling a decisive shift in doctrine and preparedness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Kargil: A Watershed Moment<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>In the wake of India\u2019s declaration as a nuclear power in May 1998,<\/strong> and Pakistan\u2019s rapid reciprocation, <strong>South Asia became home to two nuclear-armed adversaries.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>India, at the time, was geopolitically isolated<\/strong>, threatened by economic sanctions and struggling with a weak, coalition government.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strategic vulnerabilities were compounded by strained economic conditions<\/strong> and neglected military modernisation, as resources and focus were divided by <strong>persistent insurgencies in Kashmir and the North-East.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Despite attempts at diplomatic rapprochement,<\/strong> including Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee\u2019s historic bus trip to Lahore in February 1999, P<strong>akistan\u2019s incursion in Kargil shattered any illusions of peace. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The war demonstrated that <strong>limited, conventional conflicts could occur under the nuclear shadow,<\/strong> provided escalation was tightly controlled.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>conflict exposed severe intelligence lapses<\/strong>, <strong>inadequate preparedness for high-altitude operations, outdated equipment<\/strong>, and a lack of coordinated command structures within India\u2019s security apparatus.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Structural and Strategic Reforms Post-Kargil<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Sweeping Reforms in Security and Intelligence<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Kargil spurred the Indian government to undertake <strong>The Kargil Review Committee\u2019s recommendations. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li>It <strong>led to the establishment of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2002<\/strong> and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) in 2004.<\/li>\n<li><strong>These structural upgrades were complemented by efforts to improve synergy among intelligence agencies,<\/strong> revamping the National Security Council Secretariat and the Joint Intelligence Committee.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>role of a National Security Adviser (NSA) became institutionalised<\/strong>, centralising strategic decision-making.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Realisation of Necessity of Military Modernisation and Self-Reliance<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Realising the absence of reliable allies, <strong>India initiated ambitious plans to update its arsenal, enhance joint command structures<\/strong>, and develop doctrines tailored to regional realities.<\/li>\n<li>Most notable was <strong>the Cold Start Doctrine,<\/strong> designed for rapid mobilisation and targeted conventional strikes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The focus on home-grown military platforms<\/strong>, evident in projects like indigenous artillery, BrahMos missiles, Rafale jets, Apache and Chinook helicopters, and S-400 air defence systems, <strong>marked a turning point towards strategic autonomy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>The Evolving Fight Against Terrorism and Pahalgam Aftermath<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>The Evolving Fight Against Terrorism<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>While <strong>Kargil catalysed reforms in conventional warfare<\/strong>, India\u2019s counter-terrorism posture evolved more gradually.<\/li>\n<li>For years, <strong>Pakistan-based terrorism inflicted grievous wounds on India<\/strong> with limited repercussions for the perpetrators.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>hijacking of IC-814 in December 1999, the Parliament attack in 2001, and the 26\/11 Mumbai terror attack in 2008<\/strong> illustrated India\u2019s restraint, as punitive measures remained largely absent.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It was only after the 2016 Uri attack that surgical strikes became a tool of calibrated retaliation,<\/strong> followed by the Balakot airstrike in 2019, a bold demonstration of cross-border resolve.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor: Setting a New Threshold<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India\u2019s response, <strong>code-named Operation Sindoor<\/strong>, was unprecedented in scope and impact.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Over four days, the Indian military struck nine terror bases and eleven military airbases<\/strong> deep within Pakistan, reportedly crippling a key nuclear storage facility.<\/li>\n<li>Pakistan, confronted with the scale and precision of India\u2019s retaliation, requested an immediate ceasefire.<\/li>\n<li><strong>This operation established new deterrence<\/strong>: India demonstrated a willingness to impose <strong>devastating costs on the perpetrators and their patrons<\/strong>, making clear that the era of strategic restraint was over.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Lessons and the Road Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>From the heights of Kargil to the valleys of Pahalgam, <strong>India\u2019s security doctrine has undergone a profound transformation.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The country has built <strong>robust intelligence and military capabilities<\/strong>, strengthened inter-agency coordination, and embraced indigenous technological development.<\/li>\n<li>Crucially, <strong>the political and military leadership have signalled an unambiguous shift <\/strong>from passive deterrence to proactive defence, where terror attacks will be met with overwhelming and direct retaliation.<\/li>\n<li>Yet, the <strong>fundamental lesson from these decades of conflict is that vigilance and adaptability are indispensable<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>While India\u2019s capabilities have grown,<strong> the need for continual modernisation, jointness among armed forces, and unyielding political resolve remains paramount<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>India cannot afford another surprise on the scale of Kargil or Pahalgam;<\/strong> the imperative is to stay ahead of emerging threats in an ever-volatile region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>legacy of Kargil and the aftermath of Pahalgam encapsulate India\u2019s journey from hesitant responder to confident,<\/strong> self-reliant regional power.<\/li>\n<li>As the nation commemorates <strong>the sacrifices of its soldiers, it must also reaffirm its commitment to vigilance, unity, and relentless pursuit of peace<\/strong> and security.<\/li>\n<li>The message is clear: <strong>never again will India countenance another Kargil or Pahalgam.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Kargil, Pahalgam and A Revamp of the Security Strategy FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Q1.<\/strong>\u00a0What was significant about the Kargil War in terms of media coverage?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong>\u00a0The Kargil War was the first \u2018live televised\u2019 conflict in India, bringing the war into the living rooms of millions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q2.<\/strong>\u00a0What major intelligence failure was revealed by the Kargil War?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong>\u00a0The war revealed a lack of real-time intelligence and aerial surveillance, leading to delayed decision-making.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q3.<\/strong>\u00a0What was Operation Sindoor?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong>\u00a0Operation Sindoor was India\u2019s military retaliation in 2025, striking terror bases and airbases across Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q4.<\/strong>\u00a0What was one key structural change in India\u2019s security set-up after Kargil?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong>\u00a0The establishment of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2002 was a key change for better intelligence coordination.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q5.<\/strong>\u00a0How did India\u2019s military strategy evolve post-Kargil?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong>\u00a0India developed the \u201cCold Start Doctrine\u201d for rapid, limited incursions and focused on modernizing equipment and joint force coordination.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/kargil-pahalgam-and-a-revamp-of-the-security-strategy\/article69855894.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Hindu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>The Scientist Who Made \u2018Mangroves\u2019 a Buzzword<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mangroves, once primarily valued by local communities<\/strong> for their vital role in providing fishery resources and supporting livelihoods, <strong>have steadily ascended to the forefront of global environmental discourse. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Today, their <strong>significance spans disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, carbon sequestration<\/strong>, fisheries enhancement, and the safeguarding of biodiverse shoreline habitats.<\/li>\n<li><strong>This transformation in perception is the result of a series of scientific recognitions<\/strong>, policy interventions, and the <strong>tireless advocacy of pioneers such as M.S. Swaminathan.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Shifting Perspectives: From Margins to Mainstream<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Historically, <strong>communities living alongside mangroves understood their importance<\/strong> intimately, relying on these ecosystems for sustenance and income.<\/li>\n<li>However, <strong>broader recognition came only in the late 1980s. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Landmark initiatives, including the United Nations Development Programme and <strong>UNESCO\u2019s 1988 regional mangrove research project, set the stage<\/strong> for an explosion in research and policy focus.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Crucially, at the 1989 Climate Change and Human Responses conference, M.S. Swaminathan articulated the potential of mangroves<\/strong> to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on coastal societies.<\/li>\n<li>He <strong>highlighted the threats of rising sea levels and cyclones, advocating for immediate, sustainable mangrove management<\/strong> rooted in ecology, economics, and equity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>His pioneering vision included genetic research aimed at transferring mangrove<\/strong> salinity tolerance traits to crops such as rice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Key Contributions of Dr Swaminathan<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong>Institutional Leadership <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Founding the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME)<\/strong>in 1990, with Swaminathan as Founding President, provided a vital institutional anchor for global mangrove conservation.<\/li>\n<li>He\u00a0<strong>co-authored the Charter for Mangroves<\/strong>, integrated into the World Charter for Nature at the 1992 United Nations Conference, which continues to underpin global mangrove conservation standards.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The ISME\u2019s initiatives, such as economic and environmental evaluations,<\/strong> international workshops, restoration manuals, and the influential World Mangrove Atlas, redefined mangroves <strong>from marshy wastelands to irreplaceable multi-use ecosystems.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The creation of the\u00a0<strong>GLObal Mangrove database and Information System (GLOMIS)<\/strong>, and the establishment of genetic resource centres across Asia and Oceania, have <strong>institutionalised mangrove research, conservation, and restoration.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong>A Transformative Impact on Indian Policy and Practice<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>India\u2019s mangrove management journey began as early as 1783, but throughout the colonial and early post-independence era, <strong>the emphasis was on clear-felling for agriculture and settlement. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Restoration attempts by government agencies often failed<\/strong>, and local communities were unfairly blamed for degradation.<\/li>\n<li>Under Swaminathan\u2019s guidance, <strong>participatory research in the 1990s, particularly with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, revealed that destructive management practices<\/strong>, not community resource use, were to blame for mangrove losses.<\/li>\n<li>This led to the development and pilot-testing of the\u00a0<strong>hydro-ecological \u201cfishbone canal\u201d method <\/strong>for restoration in several Indian states.<\/li>\n<li>Over time, <strong>this approach blossomed into the Joint Mangrove Management programme<\/strong>, which was officially recommended for adoption nationwide in 2000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Mangroves as Coastal Shields<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>The <strong>demonstrated ability of mangroves to reduce devastation during major natural disasters, such as the 1999 Odisha super cyclone<\/strong> and the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, solidified their value in disaster mitigation.<\/li>\n<li>These <strong>events catalysed large-scale restoration efforts by both central and state governments<\/strong>, affirming mangroves as essential coastal infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Measuring Progress: India\u2019s Growing Mangrove Cover<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023, the nation\u2019s mangrove cover is now\u00a0<strong>4,991.68km\u00b2, 0.15% of its land area<\/strong>, up by 16.68km\u00b2 since 2019.<\/li>\n<li>This <strong>tangible growth reflects the success of sustained, science-based policies<\/strong> and multi-stakeholder collaboration.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>World Mangrove Day<\/strong> serves as a timely occasion to assess progress.<\/li>\n<li>The <strong>evolution of mangrove conservation from local stewardship to an urgent global mandate underscores the value of visionary leadership<\/strong>, robust science, and participatory management.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Thanks to champions like M.S. Swaminathan and the dedicated efforts of researchers, policymakers,<\/strong> and local communities, <strong>mangroves are now recognized not only as natural resources, but as vital assets in the quest for environmental security<\/strong> and climate resilience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>The Scientist Who Made \u2018Mangroves\u2019 a Buzzword FAQs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Q1.<\/strong>\u00a0Who played a key role in bringing global attention to mangrove conservation?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong>\u00a0M.S. Swaminathan played a pivotal role in promoting global mangrove conservation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q2.<\/strong>\u00a0What major method was developed in India to restore degraded mangroves?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong>\u00a0The hydro-ecological \u201cfishbone canal\u201d method was developed to restore degraded mangroves in India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q3.<\/strong>\u00a0How did mangroves help during natural disasters like the 1999 Odisha cyclone and the 2004 tsunami?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>Mangroves reduced the loss of life and property during these natural disasters.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q4.<\/strong>\u00a0According to the ISFR 2023, what is the total mangrove cover in India?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans. <\/strong>India\u2019s mangrove cover is 4,991.68 km\u00b2 as per ISFR 2023.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Q5.<\/strong>\u00a0What organisation did M.S. Swaminathan help found to support mangrove research and conservation?<br \/>\n<strong>Ans.<\/strong>\u00a0He helped found the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/op-ed\/the-scientist-who-made-mangroves-a-buzzword\/article69855942.ece#:~:text=Swaminathan%20playing%20a%20pivotal%20role,its%20Founding%20President%20till%201993.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">The Hindu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Daily Editorial Analysis 26 July 2025 by Vajiram &#038; Ravi covers key editorials from The Hindu &#038; Indian Express with UPSC-focused insights and relevance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":50653,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[138],"tags":[141,882,909],"class_list":{"0":"post-56855","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-daily-editorial-analysis","8":"tag-daily-editorial-analysis","9":"tag-the-hindu-editorial-analysis","10":"tag-the-indian-express-analysis","11":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56855","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56855"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56855\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50653"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56855"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56855"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56855"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}