TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 166

PRERNA FOR IAS

(ASSOCIATE OF SAMKALP)

TEN CRITICAL QUESTIONS ON CURRENT GEOPLOITICAL AND NATIONAL ISSUES – 166

1. Can India-China relations truly normalise without resolving the boundary dispute?

Answer: In my view, India and China can improve cooperation in trade, multilateral forums and other areas, but deep normalisation requires sustained peace on the border. Recent Corps Commander-level talks in Arunachal Pradesh show that military communication remains necessary because differing perceptions of the LAC and infrastructure development can create friction. India should therefore follow a dual approach: continue dialogue and confidence-building while maintaining credible military preparedness. Hotlines and commander meetings can prevent misunderstandings, but they cannot replace a boundary settlement. India should neither reject engagement nor allow economic cooperation to obscure legitimate security concerns.

2. Should India privatise routine space activities and allow ISRO to concentrate mainly on advanced missions?

Answer: Greater private participation is desirable, but it should represent expansion of India's space capability rather than withdrawal of the State. ISRO has clarified that private companies can undertake commercially replicable activities while it focuses increasingly on advanced programmes such as Gaganyaan and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station. This can create jobs, innovation and commercial scale. However, India should preserve sovereign capabilities in design, launch systems and strategic missions. Complete dependence on private providers could weaken technological autonomy. The ideal model is partnership: ISRO develops frontier capabilities and strategic technologies while competitive industry converts mature technologies into commercially scalable products and services.