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Current Edge Daily Brief 30th October 2025
Quote of the Day
“A politician thinks about the next election but the stateman thinks about the next generation.” – JAMES FREEMAN CLARKE
What the Others Say
“Netanyahu’s self-victimisation has helped him at the ballot box in the past, but following two years of war, the time has come for the public to recognise the real victims of the current governments policy – everyone but him.” – HAARETZ, ISRAEL
Table of Contents
THE BIG PICTURE
- IE Opinion: Shashi Tharoor writes: India’s Taliban outreach requires reconciling principle with pragmatism
- TH Text & Context: What is China’s complaint against India at WTO? (Prabhash Ranjan)
NEWS IN SHORT
- President of India takes a sortie in a Rafale Aircraft at Ambala
- Study reveals rare defence traits in Indian frogs
The Big Picture
IE Opinion: Shashi Tharoor writes: India’s Taliban outreach requires reconciling principle with pragmatism
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations
Why in News?
India’s outreach to Taliban-led Afghanistan, marked by Afghan FM Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to New Delhi and upgraded diplomatic ties, reignites debate on balancing moral principles with strategic interests.
Recent Developments
- High-Level Visit → Afghan FM’s India visit; joint statement on humanitarian & development cooperation.
- Diplomatic Upgrade → India’s “technical mission” in Kabul → upgraded to “embassy” (symbolic engagement).
- Press Controversy → Taliban excluded women journalists → domestic backlash; MEA distanced itself.
- Public Reaction → Protests by media & Opposition → demand to uphold India’s gender equality values.
India–Taliban Engagement: Strategic Rationale
- Security Calculus → Stable Afghanistan = ↓ anti-India terror, limits Pakistan’s proxy leverage.
- Development Footprint → $2.3 bn aid legacy → infrastructure, education, health → maintain influence.
- Geopolitical Balance → Counter Pakistan–China influence; ensure regional presence post-US withdrawal.
- Diplomatic Flexibility → Engagement ≠ recognition; channels open for aid, security dialogue, connectivity.
Challenges and Concerns
- Moral Dissonance → Taliban’s gender repression clashes with India’s constitutional ethos.
- Public Scrutiny → Fear of “normalising” an anti-women regime under guise of realpolitik.
- Historical Distrust → IC-814 hijacking legacy → enduring suspicion of Taliban intentions.
- Ethical Contrast → 1974 boycott vs apartheid S. Africa ↔ current tolerance of gender apartheid.
- Regional Instability → Fragile Afghan economy, internal conflict → uncertain partner for India.
Way Forward
- Conditional Engagement → No formal recognition; link cooperation to rights, inclusivity benchmarks.
- Humanitarian Focus → Aid delivery → prioritise women’s access to education, health, livelihood.
- Transparency Tools → Aid audits, periodic rights assessment, public reporting on security assurances.
- Multi-Stakeholder Vigilance → Media, civil society, Parliament → maintain moral accountability.
- Balanced Posture → Blend realism with values → protect national security and uphold democratic ideals.
Test Your Knowledge 01
Q. Which of the following global developments most directly influenced India’s Afghanistan recalibration?
(a) China’s Belt and Road expansion via CPEC into Afghanistan
(b) Russia’s withdrawal from Central Asia
(c) The fall of ISIS in Iraq
(d) The UN’s suspension of all aid to Afghanistan
Hint: Chinese outreach through CPEC and Afghan connectivity projects prompted India’s strategic re-engagement.
TH Text & Context: What is China’s complaint against India at WTO?
Syllabus: Pre/Mains – International Relations
Why in News?
China filed a complaint at WTO alleging India’s PLI schemes for EVs, auto, and ACC batteries violate WTO subsidy rules.
PLI Scheme – Overview
- Launched → 2020; Aim → boost manufacturing, exports, GVC integration
- Incentive → % financial reward on incremental sales
- Target → strategic sectors (electronics, pharma, auto, batteries, etc.)
- Inclusion → MSME linkages via supply chains
China’s WTO Complaint
- Alleges → India’s 3 PLIs = Import Substitution (IS) subsidies
- Schemes challenged →
- → ACC Battery (25% DVA req.)
→ Auto sector (50% DVA req.)
→ EV manufacturing (attract global OEMs) - Argument → DVA conditions = domestic goods preference → discrimination vs Chinese imports
- Claim → Violation of SCM Agreement Art. 3.1(b)
WTO Rules on Subsidies
- Legal basis → SCM Agreement under WTO
- Definition (Art.1) → Govt. financial contribution + specific benefit
- Categories →
✦ Prohibited → export & import-substitution subsidies
✦ Actionable → cause adverse trade effects → subject to challenge
✦ Non-actionable → R&D, regional aid (limited cases) - IS subsidies = prohibited → contingent on domestic over imported goods
Related WTO Provisions
- GATT Art. III.4 → National Treatment → imported goods ≠ less favourable treatment
- TRIMs Agreement Art. 2.1 → bans local content requirements
- Local content req. → example of prohibited TRIM → favors domestic production
India’s Likely Defence
- DVA ≠ mandatory local content → can achieve value addition via services, tech, design, R&D
- No explicit import substitution condition
- Broader aim → global competitiveness, not protectionism
Dispute Settlement Process
- Step 1 → Consultations (bilateral resolution attempt)
- Step 2 → If failed → WTO panel adjudication (3-member)
- Step 3 → Appeal → Appellate Body (non-functional since Dec 2019)
- Implication → If appealed → status quo; India can continue schemes till appeal resolved
Broader Context
- Similar subsidy tensions → US–China, EU–China (EVs, green tech)
- Reflects → “Subsidy wars” amid global industrial policy race
- India’s stand → legitimate industrial strategy for tech self-reliance & green growth.
Test Your Knowledge 02
Q. Under the WTO framework, which of the following correctly distinguishes a Prohibited Subsidy from an Actionable Subsidy under the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) Agreement?
(a) Prohibited subsidies are permissible if they serve environmental objectives; actionable subsidies are not.
(b) Prohibited subsidies are inherently trade-distorting; actionable subsidies become challengeable only upon proof of adverse effects.
(c) Both prohibited and actionable subsidies are exempt under Article 27 for developing countries.
(d) Prohibited subsidies include R&D support and regional development incentives.
Hint: Prohibited subsidies (export & import-substitution) are per se illegal; actionable ones require evidence of injury or trade distortion.
News in Short
President of India takes a sortie in a Rafale Aircraft at Ambala
Why in News?
Draupadi Murmu, President of India, took a sortie in a Dassault Rafale fighter jet at Ambala Air Force Station, Haryana on October 29 2025.
Key Details
- Flight at Ambala AFS, Haryana — President Murmu flew in a Rafale sortie.
- Becomes first Indian President to fly in two different IAF fighter aircraft (previously flew in a Sukhoi-30 MKI in April 2023).
- Sortie described as “unforgettable experience” by the President.
- Significance: symbolises commitment to India’s maritime/air defence capabilities and strengthens the visibility of air force assets.
- Also notable: during this event, the President met Shivangi Singh, India’s only woman Rafale pilot.
About Rafale Fighter Jets
- 5-gen multirole fighter → made by Dassault Aviation (France)
- Twin-engine, canard-delta wing → high agility & maneuverability
- Role versatility → air superiority, ground attack, reconnaissance, nuclear delivery
- Avionics → AESA radar, Spectra EW suite, advanced sensor fusion
- Weapons → Meteor (BVRAAM), SCALP, MICA, Hammer, precision bombs
- India → 36 jets (2016 deal, ₹59,000 cr) → operated by No. 17 “Golden Arrows” & No. 101 “Falcons” Squadrons.
Study reveals rare defence traits in Indian frogs
Why in News?
Delhi Univ. scientists document 1st-time rare anti-predator behaviours in 2 Indian frog species.
A sequence of images displaying the body-raising behaviour of the bicoloured frog from Kerala.
Unique Defence Behaviours
- Apatani horned toad (Xenophrys apatani) → Arunachal; nocturnal; cryptic leaf-litter colouration → inflates body + emits distress shriek + bites intruder.
- Bicoloured frog (Clinotarsus curtipes) → Kerala; diurnal; forest floor dweller → arches body by vertical limb stretch → appears larger/intimidating.
Scientific Context
- Study by Delhi Univ. Systematics Lab (S.D. Biju) → published in Herpetological Notes.
- 1st record of biting & body-raising defence among India’s 419 frog spp.
- Globally: ~7,876 spp., ~650 show such defence → India’s data scarce.
- Highlights need for ↑ field-based natural history studies on Indian amphibians
