Jaishankar's Pakistan trip, the 'Commons', and Lankesh murder accused
Oct 22, 2024
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Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Affairs Editor at The Indian Express, discusses the historic visit of India's External Affairs Minister to Pakistan during the SCO summit, highlighting potential shifts in India-Pakistan relations. Amitabh Sinha, a contributor to the same paper, delves into the crucial governance of common resources like forests and urban parks, emphasizing community involvement for conservation. The discussion also touches on the controversial appointment of Shrikant Pangarkar, linked to journalist Gauri Lankesh's murder, raising important questions about activism in a politically charged environment.
S.J. Shankar's historic visit to Pakistan highlights the potential for improved diplomatic relations amid ongoing regional tensions and security concerns.
The concept of commons emphasizes the collective responsibility of communities in managing shared resources to combat environmental challenges effectively.
Deep dives
India-Pakistan Relations at the SCO Summit
The recent visit of India's External Affairs Minister S.J. Shankar to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit marked a significant diplomatic occurrence as it was the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nine years. The meeting in Islamabad included discussions about key regional challenges, especially concerning relations with neighboring countries like China and Pakistan. Shankar highlighted the need for introspection among these nations regarding their frosty relationships and addressed critical issues such as border tensions with China and cross-border terrorism linked to Pakistan. This visit was viewed by many as a potential icebreaker and an opportunity to improve bilateral ties, especially after Shankar was able to have informal discussions with Pakistani leadership during the summit's social gatherings.
The Importance and Challenges of Common Resources
Commons, which refer to resources owned collectively by a community, play a crucial role in everyday life, particularly in the context of climate change and sustainability. One estimate suggests that approximately 20-25% of India's landmass consists of commons, including forests, grazing lands, and community parks, making their preservation essential for environmental health. Various challenges arise in maintaining these resources, primarily due to the 'tragedy of the commons' phenomenon, where individual exploitation leads to resource depletion since no one entity is responsible for their management. Scholars like Elinor Ostrom have pushed against traditional theories suggesting external governance, demonstrating that localized community involvement in resource management often leads to better conservation outcomes.
Shrikant Pangarkar's Political Controversy
Shrikant Pangarkar, accused in the murder case of journalist Gauri Lankesh, recently faced issues in his political career after being removed from his role with the Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena. Pangarkar has become a contentious figure due to allegations of organizing training camps and involvement in criminal conspiracies, though he maintains that these accusations arise from political rivals. Despite his troubled political background, including shifts between various parties and alleged links to right-wing contexts, he insists on his loyalty to the Shiv Sena. Currently out on bail for multiple charges, including the Lankesh murder case, Pangarkar's future in politics remains uncertain amid ongoing scrutiny.
First, The Indian Express Diplomatic Affairs Editor, Shubhajit Roy, shares his observations from the 2024 SCO summit, which marked the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to Pakistan in nine years. Next, The Indian Express’ Amitabh Sinha discusses the importance of common resources and the challenges in preserving and maintaining them (13:58).
Finally, we provide a quick update on Shrikant Pangarkar, an accused in the murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, who was appointed on Friday as the poll campaign in-charge for the Jalna Assembly seat under Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena (26:20)
Hosted by Ichha Sharma Written and produced by Niharika Nanda and Ichha Sharma Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
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