Headline: PM Reaches Out to Students; Sonam Wangchuk Ends Fast
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
Fast Concluded: Activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 26-day hunger strike late on Thursday night at Safdarjung Hospital in the presence of Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh . The decision followed extensive negotiations and a commitment from the government to address several demands .
PM’s Overture: In a late-night video message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that the Union Cabinet would discuss more stringent measures against paper leaks on Friday and bring a Bill on the matter in Parliament next week . He stated that the draft includes provisions for fast-track courts and stricter punishments .
Bureaucratic Change: The Centre transferred Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on Thursday. Naresh Pal Gangwar, a 1994-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Higher Education Secretary .
Wangchuk’s Conditions: Wangchuk broke his fast after the government provided a written assurance that students who participated in peaceful protests would not face punitive legal action . The government also agreed to consider compensation for families of students who died by suicide following the paper leaks .
CJP to Continue: Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convener Abhijeet Dipke welcomed Wangchuk’s decision but stated that the party’s protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns .
Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)
GS Paper II: Polity & Governance – Right to protest, Government accountability, Parliamentary functioning.
GS Paper II: Governance – Examination reforms, Education policy, Bureaucratic accountability.
GS Paper I: Society – Student movements, Youth discontent, Civil society mobilization.
GS Paper II: Judiciary – Fast-track courts, Criminal justice reform.
GS Paper II: Constitution – Fundamental rights, Freedom of speech and expression.
Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. PM Modi’s Late-Night Announcement
| Aspect | Details |
| Medium | Video message posted on X and Instagram |
| Key Announcement | Cabinet will discuss a draft Bill for stricter action against paper leaks on Friday |
| Bill Provisions | Fast-track courts for speedy trial; stringent punishment for offenders |
| Timeline | Bill to be introduced in Parliament next week; efforts to pass during Monsoon Session |
| Government’s Previous Action | Culprits arrested; exams for nearly 22 lakh students conducted in record time; results declared |
| PM’s Message | “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared” |
B. Wangchuk Ends Fast: Conditions and Response
Wangchuk’s conditions for ending the hunger strike were outlined in a letter to ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh, after they visited him at the hospital :
| Condition | Government Assurance |
| No punitive legal action against CJP protesters | Written assurance provided |
| Meaningful Parliament discussion ensuring accountability, including consideration of Education Minister’s resignation | Assured by ministers |
| Compensation for families of students who died by suicide | Assured |
| No further excessive police force to repress movement | Assured |
Wangchuk’s Statement: “I want to live. I want to return to my students, to education, and to the work that has defined my life. But I cannot do so at the cost of the very young people for whom this movement began” .
C. The Bureaucratic Reshuffle
In a major administrative move amidst the student protests :
| Official | Role |
| Vineet Joshi (Outgoing) | Transferred from Higher Education Secretary to Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj |
| Naresh Pal Gangwar (Incoming) | Appointed new Higher Education Secretary (1994-batch Rajasthan cadre) |
| T.K. Anil Kumar | Appointed Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy |
D. CJP’s Position
| Aspect | Details |
| Response to Wangchuk’s Fast | “We are relieved and grateful that Sonam sir has ended his hunger strike after 26 days” |
| Protest Continuation | “Cockroach Janta Party’s peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar will continue until Dharmendra Pradhan resigns” |
| Talks with Government | Talks with Union Ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh were scheduled |
E. Political Reactions and Nationwide Protests
| Aspect | Details |
| Opposition | Congress and INDIA bloc MPs have expressed solidarity with students; Parliament disruptions continued |
| Nationwide Impact | Protests spread to Chennai, Kerala, Lucknow, Patna, Bengaluru, Indore, and northeastern states |
| State-Level Actions | Police used water cannons and tear gas in Kerala and Bihar; detentions in multiple states |
| CJP’s Nationwide Call | Announced nationwide protests for July 24 |
Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)
NEET: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – India’s national medical entrance examination; the alleged paper leak triggered the protests.
Cockroach Janta Party (CJP): A social media-driven protest movement demanding education reforms and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Fast-Track Courts: Specialized courts established to expedite the trial of offences; PM Modi proposed these for paper leak cases.
Sonam Wangchuk: Ladakhi education activist who led a 26-day hunger strike demanding accountability over examination irregularities.
Higher Education Secretary: The top bureaucrat in the Ministry of Education responsible for higher education policy and administration.
Mains Question Framing
GS Paper II (Polity): “Prime Minister Modi’s late-night outreach to students and the government’s agreement to Wangchuk’s conditions marked a significant moment in the NEET protests. Critically examine the interplay of protest movements, government accountability, and policy reform in India’s democratic framework.”
GS Paper II (Governance): “The replacement of the Higher Education Secretary amid nationwide student protests raises questions about bureaucratic accountability and administrative responsiveness. Discuss.”
GS Paper I (Society): “The NEET paper leak protests, led by the CJP, reflect deepening youth discontent over education and employment. Analyse the socio-political significance of this mobilization.”
Linkage to Broader Issues & Debates
Examination System Reform: The recurring paper leak crises have exposed systemic vulnerabilities in India’s examination system, necessitating comprehensive structural reforms.
Student Movements: The CJP-led protests demonstrate the power of social media-driven mobilization, marking a new phase of student activism in India.
Government Accountability: The protest forced the government to respond with policy announcements (fast-track courts) and administrative action (bureaucratic reshuffle).
Right to Protest: The protest highlighted the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and the state’s obligation to ensure public safety.
Political and Policy Impact: The government’s response indicates a shift from denial to engagement, potentially shaping India’s education policy and examination framework.
Conclusion & Way Forward
The simultaneous developments of Sonam Wangchuk ending his 26-day hunger strike and Prime Minister Modi announcing stricter measures against paper leaks marked a significant turning point in India’s NEET protests. The government’s commitment to a Bill providing for fast-track courts and stringent punishment, combined with the transfer of the Higher Education Secretary, represents a comprehensive response to the crisis .
Wangchuk’s decision to end his fast, based on government assurances of no punitive action against peaceful protesters and compensation for affected families, reflects the power of sustained civil society mobilization in a democracy . However, the CJP’s continued protest at Jantar Mantar indicates that the agitation is far from over, with the demand for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation remaining central .
The Way Forward
- Examination System Reforms: Implement systemic reforms to prevent paper leaks, including technology-driven solutions and robust institutional mechanisms.
- Fast-Track Courts: Expedite the establishment of fast-track courts to ensure swift justice in paper leak cases.
- Dialogues and Engagement: Maintain open channels of communication with student organizations to address grievances and build trust.
- Political Accountability: The government must ensure accountability mechanisms are in place to prevent recurrence of examination irregularities.
- Legal Protections: Uphold the assurance of no punitive action against peaceful protesters to protect the constitutional right to protest.
- Youth Empowerment: Address the deeper concerns of India’s youth, including unemployment, education quality, and governance reforms.
The NEET paper leak protests have demonstrated the power of youth mobilization to force policy responses. Whether this leads to lasting systemic reform or merely a temporary pacification will determine the trajectory of India’s education policy in the coming years.
Headline : Houthi Attacks Drive Brent Price Past $100
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
Brent Surpasses $100:** Brent crude surged past **$100 a barrel on July 23, 2026, for the first time since May, after the Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The price of Brent crude rose $6.62, or 7%, to close at **$100.69 per barrel**, marking a nearly 40% increase since the start of the Iran conflict in February.
Houthi Escalation: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis claimed to have attacked two Saudi oil tankers—the Encelia and the Layla—in the Red Sea on July 23. The Saudi Press Agency confirmed the attack on the Encelia, stating the crew was safe. The attack on the Layla, a three lakh-tonne Very Large Crude Carrier, remains unconfirmed.
New Front in the Conflict: The Houthi attacks opened a new front in the U.S.-Iran war, just days after the group declared a “maritime embargo” against Saudi Arabia on July 20. The attack is the first known successful targeting of a Saudi vessel since the Houthis imposed the blockade on July 20. The group cited Saudi Arabia’s “blockade of supplies” and the attack on Sanaa airport on July 13 as reasons for their blockade.
Ship Diversions: At least seven vessels have already diverted their routes to avoid the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Two Chinese supertankers carrying a combined 4 million barrels of Saudi Arabian oil managed to exit the Red Sea via the Bab el-Mandeb on Thursday, but insurance rates have climbed 10 to 15 times.
Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)
GS Paper II: International Relations – West Asia conflict, Geopolitics of energy, India’s foreign policy.
GS Paper III: Security – Maritime security, Strategic chokepoints (Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb), Energy security.
GS Paper III: Economic Development – Oil prices, Global supply chains, Impact on Indian economy.
GS Paper I: Geography – Strategic waterways, Energy resources.
Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. Attack Details and Escalation
| Aspect | Details |
| Houthi Claim | Hit the Saudi-flagged tankers Encelia and Layla with drones and missiles in the Red Sea on July 23 |
| Confirmation | Saudi Press Agency confirmed Encelia was struck; Layla attack remains unconfirmed |
| Houthi Justification | Enforcing a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia for its alleged blockade of Yemen |
| Houthi Warning | “Any foolish act committed by the reckless Saudi enemy will be met with a comprehensive escalation” |
| U.S. Threats | President Trump threatened to hold Iran responsible for Houthi attacks and expand the conflict to include the Yemeni group |
B. Oil Market Impact
| Parameter | Details |
| Brent Crude (July 23) | Surged 7% to **$100.69 per barrel**; first time above $100 since May |
| Price Since February | Increased nearly 40% since the Iran conflict began |
| WTI Crude (July 23) | Rose 6.2% to $92.19 per barrel |
| Forecast | Goldman Sachs: Brent may exceed **$120** in Q4 2026 and average $100 in 2027 if disruptions persist |
| Total Oil Supply at Risk | Combined threat to Hormuz (~20% of global oil) and Bab el-Mandeb (~12% of global trade) puts roughly 25% of global oil supply at risk |
C. Impact on Saudi Oil Exports
| Aspect | Details |
| Shipments Fall | Saudi oil shipments through Bab el-Mandeb fell by 36% over the past two weeks |
| Yanbu as Alternative | Saudi Arabia had been piping ~4 million barrels of crude across the country to Yanbu on the Red Sea as an alternative to the blocked Strait of Hormuz |
| Rerouting Challenge | Re-routing through the Suez Canal and around Africa stretches voyage from Yanbu to India from ~8 days to ~39 days |
| VLCC Limitation | Very Large Crude Carriers cannot transit the Suez Canal fully loaded; they must partially offload at Ain Sukhna and reload at Sidi Kerir |
D. India’s Vulnerability
| Aspect | Details |
| Saudi Imports | India imports ~0.4 million barrels per day from Saudi Arabia, mainly via Yanbu |
| Total Imports | India’s crude oil imports are a little less than 5 mbpd |
| Russian Supply Disruption | India imported 2.25 mbpd of Russian crude in June, with nearly 0.7 mbpd originating from Novorossiysk |
| Black Sea Attacks | Ukraine has claimed more than 180 hits on Russian ships in the Black Sea in July, compounding the supply disruption |
| Diversification | India raised imports from Russia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Angola during the April-June quarter |
Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)
Bab el-Mandeb Strait: The Red Sea’s southern gateway connecting to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean; a strategic chokepoint through which ~12% of global trade passes.
Yanbu: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port city, which became the primary alternative export route for Saudi crude after the Strait of Hormuz was blocked.
Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC): A supertanker capable of carrying 2 million barrels of oil; too large to transit the Suez Canal fully loaded.
Strait of Hormuz: The waterway between Iran and Oman, through which ~20% of global oil supplies passed before the conflict. Now effectively closed.
Houthi Movement: Iran-backed armed group controlling northern and western Yemen, including the Bab el-Mandeb coastline.
Maritime Embargo: A naval blockade; the Houthis declared one against Saudi Arabia on July 20, 2026.
Saudi Arabia’s 12-Year Blockade: The Houthis justify their actions as a response to the Saudi-led coalition’s military intervention and naval blockade of Yemen since 2015.
Mains Question Framing
GS Paper II (International Relations): “The Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea mark a dangerous escalation in the West Asia conflict. Analyse the geopolitical and economic implications for India’s energy security.”
GS Paper III (Security): “The simultaneous disruption of the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb straits poses an unprecedented threat to global energy supplies. Discuss the implications for India’s strategic maritime interests.”
GS Paper III (Economic Development): “Oil prices have surged past $100 a barrel amid escalating West Asia tensions. Examine the impact of this volatility on India’s economy, trade deficit, and inflation.”
GS Paper II (International Relations): “Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea route was India’s alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthi blockade now threatens this vital supply line. Critically evaluate India’s options.”
Linkage to Broader Issues & Debates
Energy Security: India imports ~88% of its crude oil requirements. The combined threat to the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb exposes critical vulnerabilities in India’s energy supply chain.
Global Oil Market: With both major chokepoints under threat, global oil supply is facing its most severe disruption since the 1970s oil crisis.
Shipping Costs and Routes: The detour around Africa adds ~31 days to voyage times and significantly increases freight and insurance costs.
India’s Options: India has turned to Russia and Latin American oil to compensate for the supply shortfall. This has increased India’s dependence on Russian crude—which accounted for more than half of India’s oil imports in June—at a time when Russian exports from Novorossiysk are also under threat in the Black Sea.
West Asia Escalation: The Houthi blockade has opened a new front in the war, with President Trump threatening to expand the conflict to include the Yemeni group.
Conclusion & Way Forward
The Houthi attacks on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea on July 23, 2026, have driven Brent crude prices past $100 a barrel for the first time since May. The escalation marks a new phase in the West Asia conflict, as Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have opened a second front—targeting Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea shipping corridor just days after declaring a maritime embargo.
The crisis compounds an already dire situation: the Strait of Hormuz, through which ~20% of global oil supplies passed, is effectively closed. Saudi Arabia had been piping ~4 million barrels of crude to its Red Sea port of Yanbu as an alternative route, but the Houthi blockade now threatens this vital supply line. Saudi oil shipments through Bab el-Mandeb have already fallen 36%. The detour through the Suez Canal and around Africa would stretch the journey from Yanbu to India from ~8 days to ~39 days, with fully loaded Very Large Crude Carriers requiring partial offloading to transit the canal.
For India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, the crisis is deeply concerning. India imports ~0.4 mbpd from Saudi Arabia, mainly via Yanbu, and its total imports are nearly 5 mbpd. India has already turned to Russia for more than half of its oil imports, with Russian crude accounting for a record 2.6 mbpd in June. However, Russian oil exports from Novorossiysk—which supplied nearly 0.7 mbpd to India in June—are also under threat from Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea. Without alternative supply routes, India faces additional pressure in securing replacement crude volumes.
The Way Forward
- Diversify Suppliers: India must accelerate diversification beyond the West Asia and Black Sea regions, including exploring Russian supplies via the Eastern route and increasing Latin American imports.
- Reserve Management: Utilise India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves to cushion against supply shocks and price volatility.
- Alternative Routes: Work with Saudi Arabia and other partners to ensure the Yanbu-Red Sea corridor remains open, and explore alternative shipping routes to mitigate the impact of chokepoint disruptions.
- Diplomatic Engagement: India should use its diplomatic leverage with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the U.S., and the Houthis to advocate for de-escalation and the protection of commercial shipping.
- Domestic Production: Accelerate domestic oil and gas exploration to reduce import dependence over the medium term.
- Energy Transition: The crisis underscores the urgency of India’s energy transition; accelerated investment in renewables, electric vehicles, and alternative energy sources is essential.
Headline: Global Waterways Should Be Safe, Unimpeded: Jaishankar
Preliminary Facts (For Mains Answer Introduction)
Jaishankar’s Statement: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, participating in the 21st East Asia Summit (EAS) in Manila on July 23, 2026, stated that global maritime channels “must remain safe and unimpeded”. He stressed that under no circumstances can attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping, or infrastructure be countenanced.
Call for Dialogue: Jaishankar called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the West Asia/Gulf conflict, amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, including Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
Myanmar Conflict: He expressed India’s support for a “political solution” to the civil conflict in Myanmar, where Ethnic Armed Organisations are challenging the junta’s authority. He also expressed support for ASEAN’s efforts in resolving the situation.
South China Sea: Jaishankar reiterated India’s support for the conclusion of a “substantive, effective and legally binding Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea, fully compliant with UNCLOS 1982”.
Pakistan Response: The Ministry of External Affairs hit back at Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s remarks on Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty at the ASEAN Regional Forum, stating that Pakistan was cynically exploiting the forum to amplify falsehoods.
Syllabus Mapping (Relevance)
GS Paper II: International Relations – India’s foreign policy, Maritime security, ASEAN, Indo-Pacific strategy.
GS Paper II: International Relations – South China Sea, Myanmar conflict, West Asia crisis.
GS Paper II: International Relations – India-Pakistan relations, Indus Waters Treaty, Kashmir.
GS Paper III: Security – Maritime security, Freedom of navigation.
GS Paper III: Economic Development – Global supply chains, Energy security.
Deep Dive: Core Issues & Analysis (For Mains Answer Body)
A. India’s Position on Maritime Security
| Aspect | Details |
| Core Principle | “International waterways must remain safe and unimpeded, fully in consonance with international law” |
| Unacceptable Actions | Attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping, or infrastructure “cannot be countenanced” |
| West Asia/Gulf Crisis | Calls for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict |
| Strategic Context | The statement comes amid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz blockade, and attacks on Indian seafarers in the Black Sea |
B. India’s Engagement with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific
| Aspect | Details |
| EAS Participation | 21st East Asia Summit in Manila (July 23) |
| India’s Hosting | Two EAS activities in 2026: 7th EAS conference on maritime security cooperation in Kochi; EAS Maritime Heritage Festival at Lothal |
| Indo-Pacific Vision | Supports “ASEAN centrality, regional stability, and the realisation of a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific” |
| South China Sea | Supports a legally binding Code of Conduct consistent with UNCLOS that does not prejudice legitimate rights of all users |
C. Myanmar and Regional Stability
| Aspect | Details |
| India’s Position | “India stands for finding a political solution to the Myanmar issue” |
| ASEAN Support | India supports ASEAN efforts to resolve the situation |
| Context | Myanmar has been in civil conflict since the military junta took power in February 2021; Ethnic Armed Organisations are challenging the junta’s authority |
D. Counter-Terrorism and Cyberscam Centres
| Aspect | Details |
| Zero Tolerance | “Zero tolerance for terrorism” – acts of terrorism will have consequences |
| Cyberscam Centres | “Collective action against cyberscam centres should be prioritised” |
| Context | Southeast Asian nations are grappling with cyberscam centres in Myanmar and Cambodia |
E. Israel-Palestine Two-State Solution
| Aspect | Details |
| India’s Position | Reiterated support for a two-state solution for lasting and durable peace |
| Context | The ongoing war in Gaza and the West Asia crisis |
F. Pakistan Response
| Aspect | Details |
| Pakistan Deputy PM’s Remarks | Ishaq Dar stated that lasting peace in South Asia lies in the “just resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council” and that the Indus Waters Treaty is a “cornerstone of regional peace” |
| India’s Rebuttal | MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal: Pakistan is “cynically exploited a multilateral forum to amplify falsehoods, peddle state-sponsored disinformation, and divert attention from its own well-documented record of sponsoring cross-border terrorism” |
Key Terms (For Prelims & Mains)
East Asia Summit (EAS): A regional forum of 18 countries for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political and security issues.
ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations—a regional bloc of 10 Southeast Asian countries.
South China Sea Code of Conduct (CoC): A legally binding agreement being negotiated between ASEAN and China to manage disputes in the South China Sea.
UNCLOS 1982: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea—the international legal framework for maritime activities.
Myanmar Junta: The military government that took power in Myanmar in February 2021.
Indus Waters Treaty: A water-sharing agreement between India and Pakistan signed in 1960.
ASEAN Centrality: The principle that ASEAN should be at the centre of regional security architecture in the Indo-Pacific.
Mains Question Framing
GS Paper II (International Relations): “External Affairs Minister Jaishankar has called for safe and unimpeded global waterways amid escalating maritime tensions. Analyse India’s strategic interests in maritime security and its role in the Indo-Pacific.”
GS Paper II (International Relations): “India has called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the West Asia crisis, while supporting a political solution in Myanmar. Discuss India’s approach to regional conflicts and its role in multilateral forums like the EAS.”
GS Paper III (Security): “Attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Black Sea threaten global energy supplies. Examine India’s vulnerability and its diplomatic responses.”
GS Paper II (International Relations): “The India-Pakistan exchange at the ASEAN Regional Forum reflects the persistent tensions in bilateral relations. Discuss the implications for regional stability.”
Linkage to Broader Issues & Debates
Maritime Security: India’s call for safe waterways reflects its dependence on sea lanes for trade and energy, and its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
West Asia Crisis: The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have added to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, threatening global oil supplies and India’s energy security. India’s call for dialogue reflects its balancing act between the US and Iran.
ASEAN Centrality: India’s support for ASEAN’s role in the Indo-Pacific reflects its strategic alignment with the regional architecture.
South China Sea: India’s support for a legally binding Code of Conduct is consistent with its broader maritime security interests and its opposition to unilateral actions.
Pakistan: The exchange at the ASEAN Regional Forum highlights the persistence of the India-Pakistan conflict and the use of multilateral forums for diplomatic confrontation.
Conclusion & Way Forward
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s participation in the 21st East Asia Summit on July 23, 2026, highlighted India’s strategic priorities in a volatile global order. His call that “international waterways must remain safe and unimpeded” comes at a critical juncture—with the Strait of Hormuz blocked, Houthi attacks in the Red Sea threatening Saudi shipping, and Indian seafarers killed in the Black Sea. Jaishankar’s statement that “under no circumstances can attacks on seafarers, civilian shipping or infrastructure be countenanced” reflects India’s deep concern over the escalating maritime security crisis.
India’s diplomatic engagement at the EAS and ASEAN Regional Forum covered a broad range of issues—from the West Asia crisis to the Myanmar conflict, the South China Sea Code of Conduct, and counter-terrorism. India also reiterated its support for the two-state solution for Israel-Palestine and pushed back against Pakistan’s statements on Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty.
The Way Forward
- Maritime Security Cooperation: India must work with ASEAN, the US, and regional partners to ensure the safety of shipping routes and protect freedom of navigation.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Continue advocating for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the West Asia crisis and other regional conflicts.
- Myanmar: Support ASEAN’s efforts to find a political solution while maintaining engagement with all stakeholders.
- Multilateral Leadership: India’s hosting of EAS activities in Kochi and Lothal reflects its growing role in maritime security and cultural diplomacy—these should be leveraged for broader strategic objectives.
- Counter-Terrorism: Strengthen collective action against terrorism and cyberscam centres in Southeast Asia.
- Energy Security: Diversify oil import sources to reduce dependence on volatile regions.
