Repairing ties with Nepal: A strategy of two hands, 10 fingers
The article discusses strategies for improving bilateral relations between India and Nepal.
Read analysisCurrent Affairs
Editorials · 26 August 2026 · International Relations
Syllabus-mapped editorials, PIB updates, reports, judgments, and policy news for prelims and mains revision.
26 August 2026
The limits of air power, implications for theatre-isation
The article analyzes the limitations of air power in modern warfare, drawing lessons from the Ukraine and Iran conflicts, where air superiority alone proved insufficient to achieve decisive victory. It then applies these insights to India's military strategy, focusing on the Indian Air Force's (IAF) preference for operational flexibility over fixed theatre commands. The author argues that while the IAF's current approach has been effective against Pakistan, it may be inadequate against China due to factors like advanced networked air defense, China's strategic depth, the cost-arithmetic of modern weaponry (drones vs. interceptors), and challenging Himalayan terrain. The article advocates for theatre-isation and enhanced 'jointness' among India's armed forces to address integration deficits and ensure readiness for potential future conflicts, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), emphasizing that this decision ultimately rests with India's political leadership.
Read analysisRevising the Indus Water Treaty
The article discusses the ongoing debate surrounding the revision of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), 1960, highlighting the need to update it due to changing hydrological realities caused by climate change and to incorporate principles of Equitable and Reasonable Utilisation (ERU). It argues that the IWT, currently a partition-based allocation, should evolve into a shared management approach for mutual benefits, drawing parallels from other international water treaties like the Nile, Mekong, US-Canada, and US-Mexico agreements. The author emphasizes that revising the IWT would also help India and Pakistan meet their international obligations under conventions like Ramsar and CBD, related to water conservation and biodiversity. Both countries have implicitly recognized the need for climate alignment in their respective water policies, despite the political complexities involved.
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