Goyal sounds alarm on 'particular geographies' for supply chains
Addressing an India Energy Storage Week event in New Delhi on Thursday, Goyal said India must also look at newer technologies to reduce dependence on imports.
"We must work to prevent distortions. We must reduce our dependence on particular geographies and look at alternative sources of supply where we can have resilience in our supply chain. We must also look at newer technologies so that we are not overly dependent on imports and can focus on self-reliance," said Goyal, speaking virtually at the conference.
He added that critical minerals, the semiconductor industry and other strategic sectors are part of India's 'holistic' ambitions for the future.
"Our ambition cannot be restricted only to self-production. The whole value chain, raw materials, battery banks, semiconductors, management systems, the recycling of used equipment, the entire value chain is our holistic ambition," he said.
Goyal also said India was progressing towards its target of generating 500 gigawatt of renewable energy by 2030. He said that efforts made by the government to promote solar energy have been successful. He suggested a four-pronged approach to promote energy efficiency--focusing on innovation, analysing the co-existence of charging and battery-swapping infrastructure, preventing supply chain distortions, and focusing on becoming part of the full value chain instead of focusing only on production.
This comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a veiled nudge to China, called for diversified supply chains in the critical minerals sector, in order to prevent any one nation weaponizing its resources.
It also follows India's commitment as a part of the Quad grouping to form the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, pledging to work together to secure and diversify supply chains.
Speaking at the 17th Brics summit in Brazil on 7 July, Modi said it was important to make critical mineral supply chains reliable to ensure that no country uses these resources for its own selfish gain or as a weapon against others.
These calls for making supply chains more resilient come amid a global supply shortage of rare earth metals and allied products due to an export control order by China in April.
China has approximately 90-95% of the world's rare earth metal processing capacity, allowing it to use its exports to its own advantage. These rare earth metals and their products are used in strategic sectors such as renewable energy, clean mobility, and electronics.
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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
More flexible security dimension within Quad framework may be explored: Parliamentary panel
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Underlining the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, a parliamentary panel has recommended that a "more flexible security dimension" within the Quad framework may be explored by including initiatives like conducting joint maritime exercises in the Indian Ocean, aimed at improving coordination and better preparedness for emerging security Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs has also "strongly recommended" creation of a comprehensive inter-ministerial task force, involving ministries of defence, external affairs and commerce and other key ministries, which will facilitate rapid and efficient execution of the country's strategic priorities in the Indian panel's over 130-page report on 'Evaluation of India's Indian Ocean Strategy' was presented in Parliament on the US, Australia and Japan came together over 20 years ago to extend assistance in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. The coalition is now known as December 2024, the foreign ministers of the member nations of the grouping had said in a joint statement, "As four partners, we share a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, underpinned by effective regional institutions."The parliamentary committee, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor , in its report said it understands India's "cautious approach towards a security-centric Quad" due to its policy of multi-alignment."However, given the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, the Committee recommend that a more flexible security dimension within the Quad framework may be explored by including initiatives such as conducting joint maritime exercises in the Indian Ocean, aimed at improving coordination, enhancing maritime domain awareness (MDA), and better preparedness for emerging security challenges," it said."Proactive steps taken to deepen the Quad's security cooperation, without compromising its multi-alignment approach, focused on non-confrontational exercises and capacity-building initiatives, could significantly enhance regional stability and strengthen India's role as a responsible maritime power in the IOR," the report to the panel, India should also "deepen its strategic alliances" with regional powers and global partners, particularly through forums such as the Quad, to ensure collective security and strengthen committee further recommended that India should frame a "comprehensive and dynamic strategic engagement plan" for all 35 littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), grounded in shared common panel said it acknowledges the paramount strategic, economic, and environmental significance of the IOR for India. With a coastline of over 7,500 km, coupled with its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.4 million sq km, India is uniquely positioned at the heart of one of the most vital regions in the world."Given this geo-strategic importance, the Committee are of the considered view that India's leadership role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is both a natural and necessary extension of its geopolitical and economic interests and thereby, it should take a leading role in ensuring the security, stability, and prosperity of the region," it its report, the panel said the IOR is "vital to China for its great power ambitions"."Its search for energy, mineral resources and its compulsion to look for newer market for finished goods has led China to increase its engagement with IOR littorals. Therefore, consistent presence of People's Liberation Army (Navy) i.e. PLA (N) in the IOR, is a strategic imperative for China," it a written submission, the defence ministry has told the panel that two Carrier Battle Groups of PLA (N) are operational and a third and much more potent aircraft carrier Fujian, is at an "advanced stage of pre-commissioning trials".Dedicated efforts are being made in deep sea exploration for mining rare earth minerals towards niche technologies, and in 2024, 20 Chinese research vessels operated in the IOR for a duration of 862 days, which has been the highest number of days since 2020, the report response to the committee's query about India's assessment of the strategic implications of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the String of Pearls strategy in the IOR, the defence ministry said China has maintained presence since 2008 in IOR, "under pretext of anti-piracy operations"."China is increasingly trying to gain foothold in the region to pursue its vested interests and gain strategic leverage over the resources. Overall, these actions would be detrimental to India's economic growth which is linked to the seas," it panel further recommended that India should adopt a multifaceted and comprehensive approach to securing and stabilising the Indian panel also noted that India's strategy for the IOR is anchored in two complementary frameworks -- SAGAR (Security and Growth for All) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions."To ensure greater alignment, precision of objectives, and a more coherent strategy, the Committee recommend that the Ministry of External Affairs should undertake a comprehensive review of both these frameworks and inform the Committee about the outcome of its assessment within three months," it said.
Indian Express
11 hours ago
- Indian Express
UPSC Mains 2025: Smart use of these 25 keywords will give you an edge in GS answers and essays
There is a crucial element that often differentiates a good answer from an average answer — impressive presentation of the answer with smart use of apt vocabulary. Right words acts as a bridge to the gap between mere content and an impactful answer. In this last week leading to the UPSC Mains 2025, the skill of answer writing matters as much as the content. As the 'Liberation Day' tariff announced by Donald Trump made headlines, political scientists increasingly referred to an ancient Greek concept called Thucydides' trap. This concept describes the heightened likelihood of conflict when a rising power threatens to displace an established hegemon. What do you think? Are China and the USA moving in that direction? How will this impact India? You can include it in your answer while discussing the ongoing tariff tussle between the USA and several countries. Stressing India's first as our foreign policy, the Prime Minister has emphasised that India's current approach focuses on an 'Equi-Closeness' policy–being equally close to all, unlike the policy of maintaining equal distance from all nations. This is used while asserting India's strategic autonomy while maintaining its emerging role as a key player in geopolitics. Do not forget to use this in your answers on IR topics. It adds conceptual sharpness to your response. How is India navigating the complexity of geopolitics in a multipolar world? In recent times, while navigating the complex web of overlapping interests and transactional alliances, India's foreign policy has relied on a 'Multipolar Manoeuvre Matrix'. From hosting the Quad summit to participating in the BRICS summit and forming the IMEC, India is charting its course well, and you should do the same with your answers. As Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, has advocated for a 70-hour workweek, work-life balance has become the centre stage of discussions. First came quiet quitting, the subtle act of doing only what is required at work without going above and beyond. It was seen as a boundary-setting mechanism, a way for employees to reclaim work-life balance in a culture that often glorifies burnout. However, a new term, quiet cracking, is gaining attention. Unlike quiet quitting, which is an intentional choice, quiet cracking stems from emotional stress. It refers to employees who silently begin to unravel due to toxic leadership, unmanageable expectations, or a lack of purpose at work. Therefore, from quiet quitting to quit cracking, you can show the challenges of the current work culture faced by the youth to highlight your point. As online video consumption has skyrocketed, a term that has been making buzz is the Oxford University Press (OUP)'s 2024 'Word of the Year' — brain rot. It is 'the supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging.' Since UPSC has asked a question on the impact of socialisation of children with the replacement of child cuddling with mobile phones (2023, GS 1). This is not just a buzzword — mentioning it shows an up-to-date grasp of prevailing trends and discussions. You are aware of cyberbullying and trolling. Last year, UP Class 10 Board examination topper Prachi Nigam faced relentless trolling over her facial hair. These trolling and bullying incidents are not isolated cases. On a daily basis, teenagers and celebrities face abuse from faceless people. This is explained through the online disinhibition effect, which allows the user to freely express themselves without any restraint that they would generally not do in face-to-face interactions. Using this term underlines your awareness of current trends and the evolving discourse. During Prime Minister Modi's official visit to the White House in February 2025 after Donald Trump's re-election, Modi outlined his vision for 'Make India Great Again' (MIGA), drawing inspiration from President Donald Trump's 'Make America Great Again' (MAGA) slogan. He said, 'In India, we are working with determination toward a Viksit Bharat, which in American terms, is MIGA – Make India Great Again. Together, MAGA and MIGA create a MEGA partnership for prosperity.' These key terms can also be used to emphasise the significance of these two large economies in light of ongoing trade talks. You know about India's vision of Vikshit Bharat. While addressing the diaspora in New York last year, PM Modi presented a vision of India's future through PUSHP. P stands for Progressive Bharat, U for Unstoppable Bharat, S for Spiritual Bharat, H for Humanity First Bharat, and P for Prosperous Bharat. Do not forget to write PUSHP when advocating for Vikshit Bharat. The increased use of chemical fertilisers in the agricultural sector has been a major issue for the Indian government. To promote the balanced use of fertilisers and reduce the burden of subsidies, the government launched the PM Program for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth (PM PRANAM) scheme in 2023. The agriculture sector is one of the favourite areas of UPSC, and this scheme should be included in your answer. Providing good governance is what has been the aim of the bureaucratic setup of our country. Recently, the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission (GARC) submitted a report in March this year, suggesting that the government adopt Kaizen, a Japanese method for continuous improvement. What is the approach of this philosophy? It focuses on creating small but continuous and consistent improvements by involving employees and officials at all levels of the organisation. It provides '5S' for establishing ideal work conditions: 'seiri' (sort), 'seiton' (straighten), 'seiso' (scrub), 'seiketsu' (standardize), and 'shitsuke' (sustain). Each term represents a step in the workplace organisation approach. Including this in your answer will give more value to the answer and can help differentiate it from others. Urban waste management is no small headache— it is a major challenge for today's fast-paced economy. If you have done PYQ analysis, you will notice that UPSC often throws questions that have been the hot topic. So, when urbanisation is coming with its own set of woes, the government is not sitting idle; they are part of C3, that is, the Cities Coalition for Circulation, and adopting the Jaipur declaration. Therefore, when writing about urban problems, drop the acronym 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) as the solution to urban management. Organising the global textile event, Bharat Tex 2025, the focus has been on the textile sector to lead the path of Atmanirbhar Bharat. So, when you are writing about sectors that can lead the path for a Vikshit Bharat, do not forget to bring in the 5F – Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign– vision as envisioned by the PM to position India on the Global textile map. Use this term strategically to improve the structure and content of your answer. It just celebrated its 10th birthday– making it a crucial topic for your GS and Essay papers. It is a beacon of hope for millions of women in India to live up to the saying of 'Yatra naryastu pujyante, ramante tatra devata', which means, 'Where women are honored, divinity resides.' So, when you want to quote a Samarthya (Empowered) woman, don't forget to use BBBP. The World Bank report 'Women, Business, and the Law 2024' found that globally, women earn just 77 cents for every dollar paid to men. You may know about the glass ceiling, but do you know about the sticky floor effect? The sticky floor effect refers to discriminatory patterns that prevent women's careers from moving forward when they start out in their careers (thus, stuck on the career floor). In this study, gender wage gaps are higher among lower-earning workers and steadily decline towards the higher end of the wage distribution. Therefore, when writing about the challenges faced by women, along with the glass ceiling, do not forget to mention the 'sticky floor' effect, which is much relatable to India. According to the Time Use Survey, the gap between the minutes spent by females and males in a day is the sharpest for unpaid domestic work, followed by unpaid caregiving services for household members. What does this reveal about the state of the care economy in India? In this case, you can use the 5R framework provided by the International Labour Organisation to demonstrate your in-depth knowledge and clarity. The 5R framework focuses on recognising, reducing, redistributing, rewarding, and representing care work. Want to read more about balancing care and monetised economies for India's growth? Read here. After the Justice Verma Cash row, judicial reform has been a talking point from public platforms to Parliament. One such reform that has been in focus for a long time is the uncle-judge syndrome. The Law Commission, in its 230th Report, suggested doing away with the uncle-judge syndrome. The Commission has said that judges should not be posted in the same High Court where they have practised to eliminate the uncle-judge syndrome. So, when it comes to judicial reform, do mention getting rid of the uncle-judge syndrome. In 2017, while launching a digital system developed to help the Supreme Court go paperless, Modi said that if the country had to adapt to new technologies and stay ahead of the curve, it would have to follow the equation 'IT+IT = IT', or Information Technology and Indian talent equals 'India Tomorrow'. While writing India's digital mission, do not forget to mention this equation. Antyodaya — uplifting people at the bottom of the pyramid— has been the guiding philosophy of the government. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighting the 11 years of inclusive growth of the current government, wrote that the vision of Antyodaya is based on four simple yet powerful pillars. This includes building infrastructure that connects, inclusive growth, job-creating manufacturing that creates jobs, and empowering simplified systems. Questions on 'Inclusive growth' have frequently appeared in UPSC Mains, so whenever writing about it, be certain to point out the vision of the government — antyodaya. Reserve Bank Governor Sanjay Malhotra, while slashing the repo rate in June 2025, said that the Indian economy offers immense opportunities to investors, both domestic and foreign, through three Ds – demographic, digitisation, and domestic demand. In September 2014, while addressing the Indian diaspora at Madison Square Garden in New York City, Modi singled out 'three Ds' — 'democracy, demographic dividend, and demand' — as the three unique strengths of India that will take it to new heights. Conclude your economy-related answer with a vision-oriented note, highlighting the three D's as drivers of growth. According to the NITI Aayog, 'Mobility has the potential to drive the economy forward and positively impact the lives of citizens, both in urban and rural areas.' The Prime Minister outlined a vision for the future of mobility in India based on the 7 C's: Common, Connected, Convenient, Congestion-free, Charged, Clean, and Cutting-edge mobility. This is important in light of India's commitment to climate change and increased emphasis on the use of Electric Vehicles (EVs). This was also mentioned during PM Modi's address at the inauguration of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. When writing about the government's measures in the mobility sector or push for clean energy, remember to highlight the Seven Cs to provide a more holistic and structured answer. Nuclear energy, as a solution to climate change and a potentially destructive weapon, presents a duality. Nuclear deterrence, that is, the possibility of using a nuclear weapon by a country to deter an enemy, has been highlighted in recent conflicts around the world. In this regard, the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is important for your exam. Since India is not a member of the NPT, do not forget to mention what the current arrangement of the NPT is called by many — 'nuclear apartheid'. For a sharper and more impactful Mains answer, include this term in the right context. The Swachh Bharat Mission, which completed 10 years since its launch, is an example of effective utilisation of nudge theory. Campaigns like 'seeti bajao', 'Darwaza Band', and 'Har Din Do Bin' encouraged behavioural change in sanitation and hygiene. Use this keyword to spin your narrative to emphasise the significance of behaviour change in various sectors. You are aware of China's strategy of the 'String of Pearls', but do you know that India has its own counterstrategy for the same? India's counterstrategy is the 'Necklace of Diamonds', which involves strategic partnerships with regional littorals, investments in port infrastructure, and presence through naval diplomacy. When showcasing India's shift in maritime security from SAGAR to MAHASAGAR, be sure to mention this strategy to elevate the quality of your mains answer. The Triple A approach through the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), Anganwadi Worker (AWW), and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) is a strategy for integrated child and maternal healthcare in India. These are the first-line public health service providers in rural Indian communities. The AAA approach is worth adding to writing answers related to health, women and children. At COP26 in Glasgow, India presented the five nectar elements (Panchamrit) of India's climate action. It include reaching 500GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, 50 per cent of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030, reduction of total projected carbon emissions by one billion tonnes from now to 2030, reduction of the carbon intensity of the economy by 45 per cent by 2030, over 2005 levels, and achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2070. As climate change holds high relevance for UPSC Mains, add these five ingredients to make the panchamrit — Indian climate action to climate change. For any queries and feedback, contact Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Khushboo Kumari is a Deputy Copy Editor with The Indian Express. She has done her graduation and post-graduation in History from the University of Delhi. At The Indian Express, she writes for the UPSC section. She holds experience in UPSC-related content development. You can contact her via email: ... Read More
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Relief' or ‘illogical'? Supreme Court's stray dog round-up order has people divided
The big Supreme Court order on stray dogs has people divided, with a section backing the directive to pick up the canines of Delhi-NCR streets within eight weeks as 'relief' and another slamming the same, warning that it has the potential of worsening human-dog conflict and is "illogical". Several individuals and groups, including Residents' Welfare Association (RWAs), have welcomed the SC order on stray dogs.(Pixabay/Representative) The Supreme Court on Monday ordered picking of all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR within eight weeks, directing that they be housed in dog shelters to be created by appropriate authorities. RWAs welcome SC stray dog order Several individuals and groups, including Residents' Welfare Association (RWAs), have welcomed the order. Atul Goyal, president of United Resident Joint Action (URJA), an apex body of RWAs in Delhi, said dog bite cases have been rising steadily, and this order will help provide relief from the problem. "Along with stray dogs, cattle on the roads have also started attacking people and causing traffic jams. The authorities should take similar action for such animals as well," PTI news agency quoted Goyal. Also Read: Delhi CM vows action plan after SC order to remove stray dogs within 8 weeks Delhi mayor Iqbal Singh also backed the Supreme Court order, saying the people of Delhi were facing problems. 'I welcome Supreme Court's order as the people of Delhi were facing a lot of problems. We will try our best to implement this order in the next 6 weeks. We don't have shelter homes, but we have 10 operational sterilisation centres. We can make temporary and permanent shelter homes. MCD and the Delhi government will ensure that no one faces problems due to stray dogs. We will make an action plan after holding meetings with our officers,' he told news agency ANI. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Monday said the stray dog menace in the city had reached 'gigantic' proportions and assured that her government would soon roll out a comprehensive policy to address the problem in line with the Supreme Court's directives, adding that it will be 'planned and systematic'. 'Illogical': PETA, others slam SC order Animal protection bodies as well as several politicians have flagged concerns over the Supreme Court order on stray dogs in Delhi-NCR, calling it "impractical, illogical, and illegal". The India wing of the American animal rights animal protection organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) termed Supreme Court's order to send all stray dogs in Delhi-NCR to shelters within eight weeks as "impractical, illogical, and illegal". PETA India said that the forced removal of Delhi's community dogs would create "chaos and suffering" for both the animals and residents. PETA India advocacy associate, Shaurya Agrawal, said the Delhi government had 24 years to implement sterilisation programmes, 'implement the ABC rules'. Delhi has 10 lakh dogs and only half of them are sterilised... Housing them in shelters is impractical. It is very difficult. This is going to create chaos and problems. Removal of dogs is inhumane, is cruelty in itself, and the conditions within the shelters are going to be very bad," ANI quoted him as saying. Animal rights activist and former Union minister Maneka Gandhi called the directive "impractical", "financially unviable" and "potentially harmful" to the region's ecological balance. Maneka Gandhi said that the scale of the task makes it "unworkable". 'You have three lakh dogs in Delhi. To get them all off the roads, you'll have to make 3,000 pounds, each with drainage, water, a shed, a kitchen, and a watchman. That will cost about ₹15,000 crore. Does Delhi have ₹15,000 crore for this?' PTI quoted Maneka Gandhi as saying. Later, Maneka Gandhi also said the order is not 'doable', adding that it is a 'very strange judgment given by someone who is in anger'. "Angry judgments are never sensible," she said while speaking to ANI. The Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) also on Monday called the Supreme Court order 'shocking', adding that it runs 'contrary to global public health guidance, India's own laws, and humane, evidence-based practice.' The Supreme Court, hearing a suo motu case over dog bites in national capital on Monday, directed that no stray canines will be released back. In a warning, the Supreme Court said, 'If any person or organisation comes in way of picking up of stray dogs, action will be taken.'
