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1. In Ukraine tragedy, a lesson on big powers: Proxies always end up as doormats of history
The ongoing Ukraine crisis serves as a stark reminder of the realities of global power politics, where smaller nations that function as proxies often end up as mere footnotes in history. The geopolitical maneuvering of major powers like the US and Russia underscores the necessity for nations to maintain strategic autonomy rather than become pawns in great power conflicts.
Big Powers and Strategic Resets
The recent developments in US-Russia relations have reshaped global geopolitics more significantly in the past few weeks than in decades. The Lavrov-Rubio meeting in Riyadh marked a shift, illustrating how the gravitational pull of power inevitably bends towards dominant nations. The US, under the vision of President Donald Trump, is realigning its global strategy, focusing on reasserting its influence while recalibrating its stance toward Russia. Meanwhile, Russia, under President Vladimir Putin, has pursued a long-term strategy to maintain its status among global powers, despite being the weakest among them.
Ukraine: A Proxy in Global Power Play
For three years, Ukraine has been the battleground of a proxy war between Russia and the West. The direct military conflict has resulted in a strategic stalemate that now seems to be tilting in Moscow’s favor. Washington’s policy shift acknowledges this reality, signaling a potential settlement that aligns with Russian interests. The broader implication is that Ukraine, having chosen to act as a Western proxy, now faces the grim consequences of this decision—territorial losses, demographic devastation, and an uncertain future dictated by external powers.
Europe’s Strategic Dilemma
Europe, particularly NATO, has been caught in the contradictions of its own strategic choices. While the US has maintained dominance over Europe, the transatlantic alliance’s approach toward Russia is undergoing a reset. Countries like France and Germany, the real strategic core of Europe, have struggled to assert independent policies due to internal divisions and NATO’s aggressive posturing. The result is that European NATO, once a pillar of Western security, is now increasingly seen as a liability for the US, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of its commitments.
Lessons for India and Global Powers
The Ukraine war highlights the risks of over-reliance on external powers and the dangers of aligning too closely with any single bloc. The changing geopolitical landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for India. A rebalancing of power in Eurasia, along with shifts in global energy and technology markets, could benefit India’s strategic and economic interests. However, it also serves as a warning against adopting unrealistic foreign policy frameworks based on Western narratives.
In an era where major powers continue their relentless search for proxies, strategic vigilance is crucial. Ukraine’s tragic fate underscores a timeless lesson in global politics: nations that allow themselves to be used as instruments in great power rivalries often pay the heaviest price.
2. Doing the right thing
India, as the world’s largest democracy, prides itself on conducting free and fair elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has played a crucial role in ensuring electoral integrity. However, concerns over the appointment process of election commissioners (ECs) have raised serious questions about the institution’s autonomy and impartiality.
Several civil society organisations (CSOs), along with senior political leaders, have long advocated for a more transparent and bipartisan appointment process for the ECI. Organisations such as the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Internet Freedom Foundation, and Common Cause have been at the forefront of this demand. Despite multiple legal challenges, the Supreme Court has not demonstrated urgency in addressing this critical issue, leaving the ECI’s appointment process under executive control.
Legal and Parliamentary Developments
The ADR first filed a petition in 2015 challenging the government’s exclusive control over appointing ECs, arguing that it compromised the ECI’s independence. In 2023, the Supreme Court, in Anoop Baranwal vs Union of India, ruled that until Parliament enacted a law on the appointment process, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and ECs should be appointed by the President based on a collegium comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
However, in December 2023, Parliament passed the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Act, 2023, which excluded the CJI from the selection panel. Instead, the power was given to a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, a Union cabinet minister (nominated by the PM), and the Leader of the Opposition. This effectively overturned the Supreme Court’s ruling, raising concerns about partisan control over the ECI’s appointments.
Controversial Appointments and Judicial Review
Despite ongoing legal challenges, the government proceeded with new appointments under the 2023 Act. The Supreme Court declined to grant an interim stay, allowing the executive to proceed. On February 19, 2025, a new CEC and an EC took charge. While both officers have excellent records, the larger issue remains unresolved—the need for an independent, bipartisan, and transparent appointment process.
The matter remains under judicial review, and the Supreme Court’s response to these developments will be closely watched. If the government reinstates the CJI in the selection panel, much of the legal opposition to the 2023 Act would collapse.
Global Best Practices and India’s Democratic Credibility
Globally, democracies follow transparent and bipartisan appointment processes for electoral commissions:
(i) United States – Commissioners are appointed by the President with Senate approval.
(ii) South Africa – Appointments are made by the President on the recommendation of the National Assembly.
(iii) United Kingdom – The Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, with cross-party membership, oversees appointments.
(iv) France – Appointments are made jointly by the President, legislature, and judiciary.
(v) Nepal – The President appoints the CEC and ECs on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, followed by a parliamentary hearing.
Final Thoughts
The integrity of India’s electoral process depends on the independence and credibility of the ECI. The recent appointments, made under a contested legal framework and pending judicial review, have created uncertainty. A bipartisan and neutral collegium-based system, aligned with global best practices, would strengthen the ECI’s autonomy and reinforce public confidence in Indian democracy. The key question now is whether the government has the political will to ensure a fair and impartial appointment process.
3. Three years of the Ukraine-Russia conflict & lessons for India
The Russia-Ukraine war, which began on February 24, 2022, shattered the post-World War II assumption that national borders in Europe were inviolable. The ongoing war has geopolitical implications, particularly for global security alliances.
Geopolitical Shifts & US-Russia Rapprochement
(i) Initially, the US and Europe united to resist Russian aggression and support Ukraine.
(ii) International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in March 2023.
(iii) The US imposed economic sanctions on Russia and froze its assets.
(iv) In 2024, Donald Trump’s return to the US presidency altered the Western approach. His administration moved toward negotiations with Russia, effectively weakening NATO’s unity and diluting US support for Ukraine.
(v) Trump’s stance suggested that Ukraine’s NATO membership was no longer viable, and he hinted at recognizing Russia’s territorial gains.
Implications for Europe & Global Security
(i) European nations, heavily dependent on the US for security, now face strategic uncertainty.
(ii) A potential US-Russia deal could reshape alliances and impact China’s position.
(iii) Some speculate a new Yalta-like agreement (Yalta 2.0), where the US, Russia, and China define global spheres of influence, though this remains unlikely.
(iv) A US-Russia rapprochement would also affect India’s strategic partnerships with both nations.
Lessons for India
(i) Self-Reliance in Defense: The unpredictability of global alliances reinforces the need for strong indigenous military capabilities.
(ii) Strategic Autonomy: India should continue its non-aligned approach, ensuring that external shifts do not undermine national security.
(iii) Defense Spending: Increased investment in defense is crucial to counter regional challenges.
(iv) Diplomatic Maneuvering: India must maintain strong ties with both Russia and the US while adapting to shifting geopolitical dynamics.
Final Thoughts
The Ukraine-Russia war underscores the need for India to prioritize its military preparedness and maintain strategic autonomy in a rapidly evolving global order. As global power structures shift, India must ensure that its security interests remain independent and resilient.
4. A river must flow
The Yamuna in Delhi has long suffered from untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and domestic waste. While only 22 km of its 1,400-km stretch passes through Delhi, the city contributes nearly 75% of the river’s pollution load. The water quality is so poor that it is unfit for bathing, except at Palla, where it enters the capital. At certain locations, pollutant concentration exceeds permissible limits by over 700 times.
L-G’s Cleanup Plan: A Long Overdue Effort
The Lieutenant Governor’s (L-G) plan to clean the Yamuna over the next three years was much needed. The proposal focuses on cleaning the riverbed, upgrading sewage treatment plants (STPs), and emptying effluents from city drains. However, past efforts have struggled due to political discord and lack of cooperation between Delhi’s government and the L-G. Moreover, Delhi failed to engage with neighboring states in the National Capital Region (NCR) to rejuvenate the river effectively.
The Challenge of Sewage Management
Delhi generates approximately 790 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage, while its STPs have a theoretical treatment capacity slightly exceeding 700 MGD. However, a 2023 Delhi Pollution Control Board study found that 21 out of 37 STPs fail to meet basic pollution control norms, and over 70% lack bacterial disinfection facilities despite multiple National Green Tribunal (NGT) orders. Additionally, many areas remain outside the sewerage network.
Past Efforts and Their Shortcomings
The Sheila Dikshit government attempted to address this issue in 2006 through an interceptor drain project linking STPs to such areas, but despite an expenditure of ₹2,400 crore, the initiative has faced repeated delays. Meanwhile, Delhi’s sewage volume has increased by at least 100 MGD over the past two decades, necessitating urgent infrastructure upgrades.
Inter-State Water Sharing Disputes
Another crucial factor affecting the Yamuna’s health is water-sharing disputes. The 30-year agreement between five Yamuna basin states is due for renegotiation this year. In the past decade, conflicts between the Delhi and Haryana governments have exacerbated the crisis. The new Delhi government must ensure better engagement with neighboring states to secure higher water flows and effectively implement its rejuvenation plans.
The Way Forward
Without sustained political will, inter-state cooperation, and strict pollution control measures, the Yamuna’s revival will remain an unfulfilled promise. Effective governance, technological upgrades, and accountability in waste management are crucial for ensuring that the river, which is central to Delhi’s ecosystem, can flow clean once again.
5. War and politics
As the world marks three years of the Russia-Ukraine war, the ongoing human tragedy serves as a stark reminder that geopolitical calculations often overshadow the lofty principles in whose name wars are waged. Nearly a million people have been killed or wounded, making this the bloodiest European conflict since World War II. Ukraine’s cities have suffered relentless Russian air and missile strikes, while Russia itself has borne immense costs due to Western sanctions and economic isolation.
The Strategic Miscalculations
Russia initially believed the war would be over in a week, but three years later, its territorial ambitions have come at a steep price. Western sanctions have weakened its economy, and its political standing in Europe has deteriorated. Ukraine, despite its just cause of defending sovereignty, has found its success dependent on continued Western support. However, Europe, once united in its backing, is now divided, and the United States has shifted its stance following political changes in Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, once hailed as a hero of resistance, is now facing criticism from the new U.S. administration, which views Ukraine as a mismanaged recipient of American aid.
Russia’s Changing Diplomatic Strategy
Russia, which long condemned the U.S. as the primary instigator of the war, is now seeking negotiations with Washington. The anti-American rhetoric from Moscow is being replaced with discussions about potential cooperation, reminiscent of World War II-era diplomacy. This shift underscores the fact that Russia’s ultimate goal was never to dismantle U.S. dominance but rather to negotiate a more favorable engagement with the West.
India’s Pragmatic Approach
As the geopolitical landscape surrounding the Ukraine war shifts, India’s cautious and balanced approach stands vindicated. While Russia’s invasion clearly violated principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity—values India strongly upholds—Delhi refrained from outrightly condemning Moscow. Given its deep strategic ties with Russia, India was willing to endure diplomatic pressure for maintaining neutrality. Now, as the U.S. appears ready to move on from Ukraine, India’s consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy has proven to be a prudent stance.
Lessons for the Future
The war in Ukraine has reinforced the reality that global conflicts are not dictated solely by military might but also by shifting political alliances. For India, this serves as a crucial lesson in balancing strategic interests while upholding fundamental principles. As major powers recalibrate their positions, New Delhi must continue to prioritize diplomacy and adaptability in an unpredictable international order.
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in Indian Express and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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