IR AND IO notes

1 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY RRevise.AANALYSE.WWRITE BULLETIN MAINS ANSWER WRITING PROGRAMME FROM BASIC TO ADVANCE International relation & I.N. Org. Copyright © Aspire IAS All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Aspire lAS. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

2 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Indian Foreign Policy Indian foreign policy is the reflection of the times. India has been increasingly becoming Personality of the Prime Minister. Indian foreign proactive and vocal in the external arena. Having policy has traced its own path pertaining to the already proven its worth in regional authority, it need and opportunity seen by our leadership. now aspires to play and has been playing a The foreign policy of India started taking shape superpower role in the world forum. immediately after independence in 1947. Owing Even while sticking to the basic ethos and to centuries of suppression and autocracies, India objective, India's foreign policy have taken a started its foreign policy on very cautious and paradigm shift in the contemporary era. With the careful note. India's first Prime Minister Pt opening of the economy, advantages of Jawaharlal Nehru, who was at the helm of external demographic dividend, boom in the service sector, affairs of India, along with the leaders of those formulation of WTO, emergence of regional times nurtured the India's foreign policy with the economic grouping, waiver from NSG and so on, incorporation of legacy of Indian culture and it has been highly imperative for India to adopt to aspirations of freedom struggle. To start with, the need of the hour. In light of these, for the some of the prominent objectives of India's contemporary foreign policy aspirations, Gujral foreign policy can be enlisted as follows: Doctrine, Manmohan Mantra and current prime • Avoiding reliance on external powers minister Narendra Modi's views should be • Decolonisation and fight against imperialism highlighted as follows: • Non-interference in the matters of other states • Domestic development as the subtle objective Gujral Doctrine behind any foreign policy This doctrine was given by former Indian Prime • Peaceful and mutual existence and cooperation Minister I K Gujral, when he was the Minister of with other countries of the world External Affairs in 1996-97, to establish India as a • Neutrality and non-alignment substantial power in the neighbourhood. This Evolution of Indian Foreign Policy doctrine emphasized on the unilateral accommodation of other states (especially However, with changing times and its own smaller ones) for amicable relation with India. requirement the perspective of Indian foreign Gujral doctrine has been summarized under policies have changed considerably. From NAM following five principles: to inclination and 20 years treaty with USSR; 1. With South Asian Nepal, Bhutan, neighbours from survival to assertion of authority in South like Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka, India Asia (as evident in the liberation of Bangladesh); will not ask for reciprocity, but gives and from reliance on foreign powers for arms and accommodates what it can in good faith and trust. ammunitions to being a nuclear power and from a 2. The territory of any South Asian country marginal country to a leading country in G20, should not be allow to be used against the interest India's perspective as well as aspirations have of another country of the region. been changing to formulate and change its foreign 3. All South Asian countries must respect each policy to cater to the changing world and changing other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

3 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY 4. There should not be any interference in the India's foreign policy currently is being shaped by internal affairs of another country. 5. Bilateral negotiations should be the theme to our prime minister Narendra Modi and his solve any problems with the South Asian countries. minister of external affairs, Sushma Swaraj. With India's foreign policy was substantially impacted the fast changing scenario, even the policies to by a decadal tenure of ex-prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh in the era of increasing deal with external affairs keep on changing. economic affairs. These can be summarized as following 'Manmohan Mantra': Narendra Modi, has been very aggressive in 1. It is to be recognized that India’s relations with the world i.e. both major powers and our pursuing his foreign policy and engaging with Asian neighbours are being increasingly shaped by our developmental and growth priorities. other nations of the world. Modi's procative Therefore, to create a global environment conducive to the well-being of our great country diplomatic activities therefore can be summarized thereby developing it all around should be the single most important objective of Indian foreign by following points: policy. 2. India will immensely be benefited because of 1. Prioritizing an integrated neighbourhood; i.e. the greater integration with the world economy, which in turn will enable our people to realize “neighbourhood First.” their creative potential. 3. India has the desire and intention to seek 2. To promote India’s domestic development, stable, long term and mutually beneficial relations with all major powers. Therefore, India is highly international partnerships have to be built and prepared to work with the international community and international organizations to leveraged . create a global economic and security environment for the welfare of the whole world. 3. A gradual transition from \"Look East\" to \"Act 4. Indian sub-continent had uniform culture and hence share same destiny. Therefore, it requires East\" and thereby to ensure a stable and greater regional cooperation and connectivity. India must strengthen regional institutional multipolar balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. capability and capacity and invest in connectivity in order to live up to above aspirations. 4. Containing Pakistan from supporting the 5. It is not only the interests but also our values which defines the foreign policy. menace of terrorism. 5. Showcasing India as the leaders of global good governance. India, has fast emerged as a force to reckon with on international platform. Third largest economy, massive military strength, important members and leaders of various international forum and presence across the planet require India's foreign policy to be robust, sustainable and effective. India aspires to be the world leader of this century on its own merit and strength. Hence, a well crafted meticulous foreign policy is the need of the hour to cater to following aspirations of India: 1. Permanent seat of United Nations Security Council 2. Membership of groups like NSG, Australian group, Wassenar arrangement etc. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

4 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY 3. Resolving its international border issues with on. Though, India has not had massive success vis-a-vis the cooperation with its neighbours, but negotiations. still it is gradually coping up the pace to enahnce affinities with its neighbours with increasing 4. Say and importance in organizations like engagement and proactiveness. India has picked up the pace to reflect the maxim - \"The closer Arctic Council, G20, World Bank, IMF etc. geographically, economically and culturally relations you have, the greater is the need for 5. Molding WTO so as to benefit India's closer interaction and reconfiguration of foreign policy and strategic interests. agriculture and services sector along with other developing nations. Our Neighbours India's neighbour had been a part of a Regional leadership homogenous culture prevailing in the Indian subcontinent for last five thousand years. India, Owing to its huge population, massive and fast along with its neighbours as have been organized emerging economies, enormous military strength in SAARC form a unique region and culture of the and relatively better position to influence other world. However, in spite of the close proximity in states on international forum, India has naturally culture, region, aspirations and values India's emerged as an inherent leader in South Asia. India relationship with its neighbours have been far has been giving massive aid to Bhutan and has from satisfactory. been acting as a guardian for this small Himalayan India's neighbours include Nepal, Bhutan, neighbour. It has also been giving training to the Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, police and bureaucrats of Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan and Maldives, which are bounded by Afghanistan and Maldives. From time to time, SAARC barring Myanmar. India defines its India has shown exemplary leadership in helping extended neighbourhood as China, Mongolia, its neighbour come out of the crisis situation as South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, evident in the form of liberation of Bangladesh Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, from the autocracy of Pakistan, saving Maldives Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, from LTTE attack, helping its neighbours in Mauritius, Iran, Gulf countries and so on. It is a natural disasters and so on. member of various groups having regular However, the biggest impediment in the regional interactions with its neighbours as in BIMSTEC, leadership of India has been Pakistan. It has not Mekong Ganga Cooperation, East Asia Summit, only watered down India's ambition of showing Shanghai Cooperation Organization, IOR and so leadership in its own backyard but has also posed on. as a challenge to India's assertions on various Apart from the economy and trade cooperation, matters. SAARC has failed miserably due to India also aspires to have warm relation with its Pakistan's regular objection and obstruction in neighbours and extended neighbours in the field India's genuine leadership. Moreover, China too of education, health, fighting terrorism, disaster has countered India's leadership effort by luring management, employment for its citizens, curbing smaller countries with its heavy economic muscle. organized crimes, technology development and so Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

5 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY In the form of 'String of Pearls', 'One Belt One countries have been thriving on trade relations, Road', 'Maritime Silk Road', 'China Pakistan diplomacy and curbing of terrorism. Economic Corridor' etc. China has hugely diluted India's aspirations of regional leaderships Sri Lanka was a part of British India and hence its proximity to India has been well known. India, South Asian Countries however had to face jolts on some of the occasions because of LTTE. Trade cooperation, Barring few incidents, India has had very cordial cultural and religion ties etc. Have been very and warm relation with all its South Asian cordial between these two countries. neighbours except Pakistan. A brief relation between India and its neighbours can be discussed India has always supported the peaceful and with the help of following paragraphs. prosperous existence of Maldives. On innumerable occasion, India has bailed out India enjoys the warmest relation with Bhutan, Maldives from various crisis it had faced in the who it supports financially, militarily and past. However, due to Islamic fundamentalism, strategically. Inturn Bhutan always tries to act as China card and adverse government at the center its protectorate and has helped India drive out its India has been disappointed on many occasions. insurgents in the North East. However, Maldives has huge stake in retaining the cordial relation with India. India shares close proximity with Nepal in terms of culture and relationship. So much so that, there Afghanistan was the frontier province of British are no visa requirements for these two countries India and had acted as the bulwark against and their respective citizens can move into the Russian Empire. Therefore, its proximity and other country freely. India supports Nepal connection with India is well known. However, financially and strategically. Both these countries due to its internal skirmishes for the last three have several hydroelectric projects cooperation, decades, India has constantly been helping there are marriage alliances between the citizens Afghanistan cope up with the menace of terrorism of India and Nepal. and come on the path of development. Bangladesh owes its very existence to India. India has had persistently thorny relation with Barring few instances, Bangladesh has had Pro- Pakistan since the time of independence, Kashmir India government at the center. Bangladesh has issues. Sir Creek problem, Terrorism, Organized helped India in passage to North East, curbing the Crimes etc. Have been the prominent issues for menace of insurgency in the north-east and the two countries to remain at loggerhead. amicable sharing of river water. Both these Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

6 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Super Powers India has been balancing the Super Powers with great care and had been trying to reap the Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

7 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY maximum benefit for its domestic development. excepting Maldives. A planned visit to Maldives India has mostly been close to the USSR in the was called off due to internal political past, which in turn has stood firmly to all its developments in that country. Cooperation with needs. US had never been in the good books of neighbors has been reenergized. In the first part of India till last two decades. However, owing to my lecture, I will focus on the factors that pose China factor, India is fast moving to have strategic challenges in dealing with neighbors. In the later partnership with US. With all the rest superpowers part I will touch upon important specific issues of yesteryears like UK and France, India has that we have with each of our neighbors. persistently warm relation in almost all fields. With the emergence of BRICS, India is carefully The size of India is an important factor in the way negotiating with world powers, projecting itself as our neighbors view India and its policies. We the Super Power of the future. account for over 75% of the land area, population, economic activity, resources, etc., of South Asia. Challenges in India's Neighbourhood We need to be conscious of our neighbor’s Policy discomfort of having to deal with a big neighbor. Most of our neighbors are highly sensitive and we Policy of Govt of India towards neighbors is have to bear this in view while dealing with them. encapsulated in the phrase, ‘Neighbors First’. This It is a continuous process. One small thoughtless policy priority holds true for almost every country act could undo years of hard work and careful in the world. For, anything that happens in one nurturing. country will affect the other countries in the neighborhood. Former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh Demarcation of our external boundaries is yet to once said, ‘the real test of foreign policy is in the be completed, partly due to historical reasons. In handling of neighbors’. We often hear political respect of land boundary, apart from political leaders say that India wants a peaceful, prosperous problems, there is difficulty in transcribing what is and stable neighborhood. Reason is simple. This there on maps to the ground. All of you are aware means less trouble for us and will enable us to of the reasons for the external boundary around focus on development, without distraction. Jammu and Kashmir not having been demarcated. Neighborhood diplomacy is challenging and It has also not been possible to agree on the border difficult but one that is satisfying at the end. with China since China is laying unreasonable claims on territories that have historically been In accordance with its policy of ‘Neighbors First’, India. The unsettled boundaries pose major the NDA Govt. invited Heads of State / problems. Government from South Asia for the swearing in ceremony of the new Govt, in May 2014 which Demarcation of two short segments of our reassured our neighbors that India will continue to boundary with Nepal – Kala Pani and Susta – is accord priority to relations with them. PM Modi yet to be completed. Of these, Kala Pani is chose Bhutan as the destination for his first strategically important, since it will determine the foreign visit after taking over as PM. Since then tri-junction between India, Nepal and China. he has visited all the neighboring countries Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

8 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Eastern and Western extremities of our boundary kept informed of the developments. Similarly with Bhutan have not been agreed upon since the Government of West Bengal was consulted on location of the tri-junction with China is yet to be sharing of waters of Ganges and Teesta with fixed. We, however don’t have any major problem Bangladesh as also on border related issues. Our with either Nepal or Bhutan on account of non policy towards Nepal is of keen interest to UP and completion of boundary demarcation. Bihar. It is necessary to get the state governments Demarcation of our land and maritime boundary on board; this will facilitate smooth with Bangladesh was completed about 2 years implementation of the policy. back, after many years of delay. Maritime boundary with Sri Lanka was agreed upon several A serious practical problem faced by the foreign decades back, though questions have been raised policy establishment in relations with neighbors is in Tamil Nadu on the same. the existence of multiple channels of communication between the two countries. With Nepal and Bhutan India has open border. Contacts are there between political parties and This is both a boon and a problematic their leaders, community and religious leaders, arrangement. It facilities free movement of people relatives etc., on both sides of the border, apart and promotes people to people contact. But, this is from people to people contacts. Often contrary also taken advantage of by anti social elements signals emanate from these sources, making and terrorists. An important challenge is to make policy formulation difficult. Also it is often seen sure that territories of our neighbors do not that neighbor’s policy towards India is more the become safe havens for anti India elements. To policy of the party in power or sometimes even of work towards this we have institutional the leader, than a well laid out national policy. mechanisms that facilitate interaction and This leads to drastic changes in policy when there coordination between the border forces and police is a change of Government, making it difficult for on both sides of the border. us to plan our long term approach. Though foreign policy comes under the domain of Relations with neighbors need constant attention the central government, on many matters concerning neighboring countries, there is need to and nurturing. There are institutional mechanisms consult and take on board the views of the state governments on our side of the border. This is to achieve this, but these cannot be a substitute for because of contacts between the people on both sides of the border for centuries and their mutual frequent contacts at highest political levels. Apart concerns, the effect of policy on the states concerned, presence of people of Indian origin in from meetings on the sidelines of multilateral the neighboring country etc. For example, in the 1980es when Tamils of Sri Lanka were facing summits, it is necessary to have frequent exchange serious problems, Tamil Nadu Government was constantly consulted by Government of India and of visits, even if short, as such visits give momentum to relations and help in addressing outstanding contentious issues. In several regions of the world, economic integration has helped countries to overcome their political differences by creating economic Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

9 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY interdependencies. Scope for this in the South Attention is being paid to this now. Integrated Asian context is limited, the reason being that check posts are being established on a priority these are parallel economies producing and basis. This should facilitate smooth and faster exporting similar products. To overcome this, we movement of people and goods across the border. need to focus on creating manufacturing chains Simultaneously attention needs to be paid to across the region as has been done in South East development of infrastructure near the ICPs and Asia. One area which offers immense potential for upgradation of roads leading to the check posts. mutually beneficial cooperation is hydropower. Nepal and Bhutan have vast potential for Sharing what you have with others is also an hydropower, which if tapped could be exported to important instrument of diplomacy. Within the other countries in the region. Twenty years back constraints of our limited resources, we have been Sri Lanka evinced interest in importing power extending assistance to neighbors in various from India. With the advancement of technology fields. Our contribution to human resources this could become feasible in the not too distant development in the region is widely appreciated. future. Our economic cooperation programme has not delivered expected results as many of the projects We have free trade arrangement with both Nepal suffer from procedural delays and don’t get implemented for years. Over a decade back we and Bhutan since independence. This has boosted started the small development projects scheme, which has been operating successfully in Nepal, their trade with India. The FTA with Sri Lanka Bhutan, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Procedures for these projects have been simplified. Projects signed in 1999 has helped in expanding bilateral whose cost is less than 3 crores were taken up under this scheme. The limit has been increased to trade at a fast pace. However, SAFTA, the free 5 crores now. The areas of focus under this scheme are: education, primary health, rural roads, trade arrangement among SAARC countries has infrastructure etc. These projects have benefited the targeted people and have generated not delivered expected results. SAFTA, one tremendous goodwill for India in these countries. We need to build on it. thought, would underpin SAARC, but it has gone Over the past 2 decades, media has come to play the SAARC way. Primary reason is many member an important role in society. The process got accelerated after private electronic media was nations have protected their domestic industry by permitted. Government policy, including foreign policy has been an important focus area for media. including many of their products in the negative Thanks to media the younger generation is well informed and has its own views on international list on which duty concession would not be affairs, which is a welcome development. But applicable. Like SAARC, the success of SAFTA would depend on political will, which is sadly lacking till now. The recently formed BBIN grouping consisting of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal has a much better chance of success since there is political willingness to cooperate in the identified areas, like energy, water, trade, and trade facilitation. Infrastructure at the land customs points is very poor. India is more guilty on this than the others. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

10 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY electronic media and social media have made the tea plantations hardly attracts attention here. India task of a diplomat somewhat difficult. Often it is has been helping in their education and training, best to deal with neighbors on sensitive issues but the primary responsibility for their welfare and quietly, but this is becoming impossible thanks to upliftment is that of the Sri Lankan Govt. Sadly the overactive media. Many a times, media does Sri Lankan Govt doesn’t do much for them. It is not factor in the sensitivities of the other country. gratifying that during our PM’s visit to Sri Lanka in May 2017, he visited the upcountry area, where The above general points are relevant for all our most of the Tamils of recent indian origin live, to inaugurate a multi specialty hospital set up with neighbors. Against this background I will move our assistance. on to examining important specific issues with our neighbors. I will start with Sri Lanka, which is the closest neighbor from Tiruvarur. A thorny issue we have with Sri Lanka is the frequent arrest of Indian fishermen by that Sri Lanka: country. Sri Lanka alleges that our fishermen cast their net in their waters. This allegation may be The genesis of the ethnic problem in Sri Lanka partly correct. Because of depletion of fish stock can be traced back to 1948, when Sri Lanka became independent. It is a subject in which India near our coast our fishermen go further out and takes a keen interest, for, its reverberations are felt in Tamil Nadu. A quarter of Sri Lanka’s enter Sri Lankan waters. In the dialogue at highest population are Tamils and many of them retain some link with Tamil Nadu. When violence broke levels we stress on the need for continued out in Sri Lanka in the 1980es, many Tamils fled to India. Since then, Tamil Nadu has played host cooperation on this humanitarian issue. Force to tens of thousands of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. In the 1980es, India made a sincere effort to assist should not be resorted to against straying in finding a peaceful solution to the ethnic issue, but succeeded only partially. India will support fishermen. Joint Working Group on Fisheries is any effort in finding a negotiated peaceful solution that addresses the legitimate grievances of the discussing the issue. In the mean time, India has Tamil population and provides for implementation of what has been agreed upon already and been encouraging fishermen to take to deep sea incorporated in the Constitution. fishing so that they don’t need to fish in Sri Lankan waters. An alternate solution could be licensed and regulated fishing in each others waters. Sri Lankan fishermen on the western coast are interested in fishing in the Arabian Sea off our western coast. Any such solution should ensure that the livelihood of fishermen of Kerala is not adversely affected. While the concerns and complaints of the Tamils Activities of China in Sri Lanka are a matter of of the North East has attracted wide spread concern to us and are discussed at the highest attention in India, the miserable plight of Tamils levels. Huge investments in unviable projects like of recent Indian origin, who were taken by the the Hambantota port probably have other reasons. British in the nineteenth century to work in their With Sri Lanka unable to service the loan for this unviable project, it has been taken over by the Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

11 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Chinese, which is a cause for concern to us. We stood the test of time,’ said PM Modi in Bhutan. signed a free trade agreement with Sri Lanka in He chose Bhutan as the first foreign country he December 1999. Bilateral trade has grown would visit after becoming PM. exponentially since then and both countries have benefitted from the agreement and are keen on When Bhutan wanted some changes in the vastly expanding the scope of this agreement. bilateral Treaty, we agreed readily for dialogue on the issue and a new Treaty that addressed the Maldives: concerns of Bhutan was agreed upon. The new Treaty provides that neither country shall allow The strategic location of Maldives on Indian use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other. Our Ocean sea lanes makes this country important to security cooperation has been progressing smoothly to the benefit of both the countries. We us. The internal political problems inevitably have been Bhutan’s primary economic and development cooperation partner. In the case of drags us in, but we have rightly chosen not to bhutan, the model of cooperation is different from the general one, which facilitates timely adopt a prescriptive approach, but to counsel the implementation of the projects. different sides. There are reports on activities of Hydro power is the most important area of economic cooperation with Bhutan. During his religious extremists in the island. This is of visit, PM said, hydropower cooperation with Bhutan ‘is a classic example of win-win concern to us and we have flagged this to the cooperation and a model for the entire region’. Three India assisted Projects – Chukha, Kurichu attention of the Govt of Maldives. A major and Tala - with a total generating capacity of 1416 MW are presently operational. They account for problem arose when Maldives cancelled the 13% of Bhutan’s GDP and a third of its exports. They have contributed enormously to the contract of an Indian company for the airport development of Bhutan. India buys all the surplus power from these projects. Four other projects project. The arbitration award has gone in favour with a total capacity of 3540 MW are under implementation. These projects are part of the of the Indian company. Hopefully the issue will be 10,000 MW that we have agreed to put up in Bhutan by 2020. The deadline is going to be resolved amicably. missed, but India is committed to implementing the projects. Bhutan: It is not as though we do not have any problems, India – Bhutan relations are based on mutual trust, confidence and respect for each other’s national interests. The importance of this Himalayan Kingdom arises from its strategic location between India and China. It is the country where the concept of Gross National Happiness took shape. Its electoral system has many aspects which are worthy of replication in India. Its commitment to environmental preservation is worthy of adulation. It is the sole neighbor with which we have had trouble free and friendly relations since our Independence. ‘Bhutan and India share a very special relationship that has Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

12 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY but these are not serious and are handled outside Additional 500 MW will be supplied once the the glare of media and both sides resolve them in a transmission network is strengthened. From mutually accommodative spirit. Tripura additional 60 MW will be supplied. A trilateral MOU on hydroelectric power has been Bangladesh: worked out and will be signed soon by Bhutan, Bangladesh and India. This should facilitate Relations with Bangladesh have witnessed a implementation of Bangladeshi proposal to put up marked upswing since the return to power of PM Sheikh Hasina in January 2009. There is now, a hydroelectric project upstream of Kurichu in wide ranging bilateral cooperation including in areas like defence, energy, activities of Indian Eastern Bhutan with the aim of importing power insurgent groups, transit etc. Following ratification of the 1974 Land Boundary through Indian Territory. Agreement in 2015, long pending issue of boundary demarcation is out of the way. Enclaves Sharing of river waters is a major issue in bilateral in each other’s territory have been exchanged. Maritime boundary is also more or less settled. relations. The 1996 agreement on sharing of There is increasing willingness on the part of Bangladesh to crack down on the activities of waters at Farakka was possible because of the Indian insurgent groups operating from Bangladeshi soil. Some top rebel leaders have enormous support extended by PM Sheikh Hasina. been handed over to India, sending a clear message to the groups that they can no longer use Arrangement for sharing of Teesta waters was the territory of Bangladesh for anti India operations. worked out in 2011, but it has not been possible to move forward on it because of serious reservations of West Bengal which has now offered to share waters of other rivers, in stead. This is a sensitive and critical issue for which we need to find an early solution, before it becomes a major irritant. During PM Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India in April India has announced additional line of credit of $ ’17, several important decisions were taken. India 5 billion, including $ 500 million for defence will extend assistance for rebuilding old railway related supplies. Together with the existing LoCs, lines and roads and for reviving inland waterways. India has offered a total of $ 8 billion in credit In due course this will help in improving over the last 6 years. Greater economic interaction connectivity to the North East, building on direct that this will bring about will be in the interest of Kolkata - Agartala bus service launched 2 years both the countries. It was clear during PM Sheikh back. Improving the transportation network in Hasina’s visit that Bangladesh is willing to move Bangladesh has the potential to increase forward on defence cooperation. connectivity among BBIN countries. An immediate challenge for India is increasing India is presently supplying 600 MW of power to efforts by China to rope in Bangladesh into its Bangladesh, including 100 MW from Tripura. scheme of things on BRI initiative. Bangladesh has been made aware of our reservations and given our strengthening relations would hopefully Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

13 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY not agree to anything that will seriously affect our expressed readiness to engage in a dialogue and interests. Another challenge is that while on the asked for the specific concerns of Nepal, there Indian side there is bipartisan approach on was no response. It appears to be a political issue relations with Bangladesh, it does not appear so in which is whipped up whenever it suits them. In Bangladesh. At a future date, when there is change economic terms Nepal gains enormously from the of Government we should be prepared for changes Treaty. They are perhaps concerned that they may in Bangladesh’s policy towards India. Increasing end up losing the economic advantages that the economic interdependence will help in Treaty gives them and hence don’t want to engage minimizing Bangladesh’s options for changes in in a dialogue on Treaty revision. During PM’s policy towards India. In the meantime, we should visit to Nepal in 2014, it was agreed to ‘review, move forward fast on delivering on all the adjust and update’ the Treaty. promises made, keeping in view that PM Sheikh Hasina has invested enormous political capital in We have an open border with Nepal. It facilitates moving forward on relations with India. Another free movement of people but also of terrorists and ongoing issue is illegal immigration from smugglers who bring in fake Indian currency. We Bangladesh. At one level Bangladesh is in a denial must guard against misuse of the open border by mode, but the problem can’t be wished away. outside forces. Nepal’s territory has been made Measures taken by India like border fencing use of by Pakistan as a launching pad for anti – haven’t had the desired effect. Issue needs to be India activities. I am sure many of you will pursued vigorously with Bangladesh. remember the IC – 814 hijacking incident. China has been expanding its footprint in Nepal, with the Nepal: active assistance of some political forces in Nepal. This requires careful monitoring. We need to Relations with Nepal are friendly, but, divisive ensure that Nepal, while engaging with China, politics in Nepal casts its dark shadow on relations takes into account our concerns on Chinese with India. There is tremendous potential for activities in Nepal. mutually beneficial economic cooperation in sectors like hydro power, tourism etc., but Nepal The unsettled domestic political situation in Nepal has not found it possible to move forward due to is a matter of concern to us as it has a fallout domestic politics surrounding anything to do with effect on the bordering states, because of the close India. Over the last 2-3 years there has been connection between people living on either side of forward movement on some hydro projects like the border. There is an urgent need for Nepal to Arun III, Upper Karnali and Pancheshwar. A address the political unrest in the terai region, country that has the potential to meet the entire where Madhesis have been voicing their concerns, shortfall in power of South Asia is now dependent many of which are genuine. Madhesis who have on import of power from India. familial connection with people of Bihar and UP, have, for long been denied equal rights and are a Nepal has been calling for revising the 1950 suppressed lot. The 2007 interim Constitution, bilateral Treaty of Peace and Friendship. When we addressed many of their concerns, but the Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

14 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Constitution of 2015 rolled many of these Afghan exports and enable Afghanistan to get provisions back resulting in the current ongoing essential and emergency supplies by air. An unrest. For success in its quest for a new Afghanistan in turmoil is what Pakistan wants so democratic identity, Nepal needs to carry along all that it can expand its influence in that country and sections of population. install its proxies in power. This will not be in India’s interest and will be of serious security Afghanistan: concern to us. As the situation evolves, we will be faced with the difficult task of ensuring that Our relations with Afghanistan are warm and Afghanistan doesn’t fall into the hands of Pakistan friendly. This landlocked country is in turmoil for supported Taliban or some such force. nearly 40 years due to external interference. India has worked with successive Governments during Pakistan: this period, except when Taliban ruled the country. We have extended development Now on to the neighbor with whom we have had assistance aimed at benefiting the people, all difficult relations right from the day both the through this period, which has generated countries were born, namely Pakistan. The enormous goodwill for India. President difficulty in dealing with Pakistan is that the Mohammad Ashraf Ghani was hopeful that he can elected Government is not in control of foreign solve Afghanistan’s problem by reaching out to policy or defence matters. It is the army which has Pakistan and China and when he didn’t succeed, the final say on these subjects. It is not surprising he realized the importance of engaging with India. then that whatever is agreed in good faith with the We extend assistance to Afghan security forces Government falls by the wayside soon. The and there is active cooperation with them. We composite dialogue agreed to in 1997 hasn’t have extended development assistance of $ 2 progressed much because army would not like it billion to Afghanistan. PM visited Afghanistan in to progress. Every goodwill gesture by India is December 2015 when the new Parliament building reciprocated through army organized terrorist which was built with Indian assistance was activities against India. Pakistan cannot forget the inaugurated. PM visited Afghanistan again in humiliation of 1971. Army would not want 2016 to inaugurate the long delayed Salma improvement of relations with India as it will lead Friendship dam and HEP. to questions being raised about its elevated and bloated status. Terrorism is an instrument of state Landlocked Afghanistan is heavily dependent on policy of Pakistan. It is this Pak sponsored getting most of its supplies through Pakistan. terrorism that is destabilizing Afghanistan. Pakistan uses it as leverage. We need to implement the Chabahar port project in Iran Pakistan’s strong and growing defence and expeditiously. This would provide an alternate nuclear links with our other difficult neighbor is a route for Afghanistan to get its supplies. In June matter of serious security concern to us. The this year, an air corridor was inaugurated between proposed CPEC, which doesn’t appear to be India and Afghanistan, which will facilitate economically viable will add to these concerns Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

15 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY apart from infringing on India’s territorial Our hope that growing economic and cultural sovereignty in Jammu and Kashmir. China is links would encourage China to moderate its stand actively helping Pakistan in its nuclear and missile on contentious issues has been belied. programmes, with the aim of causing serious security concern to us. What is inexplicable is the Border violations continue. The explanation that reluctance of the US to take action against or at this is due to non demarcation of the border will least restrain Pakistan, despite clear evidence that satisfy only the eternal optimists. Non tariff Pakistan is fomenting trouble in the region and in barriers against import of items from India have fact acting against the US and its interests. been expanding. Dumping of Chinese products Perhaps they are hopeful that Pakistan will has been increasing, affecting Indian contribute to stabilizing the situation in manufacturers. Its cooperation with Pakistan on Afghanistan. the latter’s nuclear and missile program is a cause for very serious security concern to us. In fact China: China’s cooperation with Pakistan has reached a stage where, even if the US were to stop assisting Over the last 3-4 decades, China’s global profile Pakistan, China will step in to fill the breach. has changed enormously, thanks to consistently China is roping in our neighbors to join in its high growth rates, resulting money power and mega BRI initiative. Some of the mega projects aggressive foreign policy. It has emerged as the that are being planned or have already been second largest economy and has the highest executed are not economically viable. It is likely foreign exchange reserves. It is using its economic that in due course China will acquire these assets muscle to invest abroad to further its strategic and position itself permanently in our interests. China is now a confident power that is neighborhood. CPEC which cuts across J & K and willing to push forward its interests aggressively. the reported mega hydro electric project in J&K We have to bear these factors in view while are of serious concern to us and so are their mega dealing with China. While our growing economy projects on Brahmaputra. There is growing should provide incentive for China to engage with evidence of material Chinese support for North us meaningfully, we should be under no illusion East insurgents. that China’s approach on bilateral issues, both political and economic, would change Given this scenario, we have to look at our options dramatically. carefully. We need to continue to strengthen economic and trade links, while continuing efforts In the 1980es, the two countries decided to put on getting market access barriers faced by indian aside contentious issues temporarily and focus on exporters lifted. Bilateral dialogue on contentious issues that are to mutual advantage. Progress has issues has to continue. We need to strengthen been achieved on this, in that trade is booming, economic and defence links with Japan, South though it is largely China that is benefiting Korea, Vietnam, etc., and continue participating in through increased exports to India. Both countries military exercises with them. We should continue are members of BRICS and its various initiatives. to strengthen our armed forces and also the Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

16 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY infrastructure along the border. Our efforts to lies in leveraging this to get their full cooperation convince immediate neighbors on the negative on security related issues. This would be possible effects of Chinese projects should continue only if we are able to deliver on time on what has quietly. been agreed upon, on which our record has not met with recipient’s expectations. Myanmar: Source: MoEA Return of democracy in Myanmar provides an opportunity to us strengthen links and thus INDIA’S FOREIGN POLICY NEEDS safeguard our interests in that country. This was REWORK not possible earlier because of Chinese influence Foreign policy is not a fixed concept as it keeps on on the military regime. President of Myanmar U changing according to changing domestic and Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu international conditions. Kyi have visited India in the last year and our PM National interest is the core objective of foreign had visited Myanmar earlier. The discussions policy of a nation. The secondary national interest covered both economic and security related issues. may change with time but the primary national There is agreement to maintain security along the interest endures. border. Both sides expressed shared commitment In international community every country has to to fight against terrorism and insurgent activity. interact with other countries. This interaction is PM said, after his meeting with State Counselor, not haphazard but takes place with definite that it has been agreed that close coordination to orientations and objectives. These orientations and ensure security in the areas along the border and objectives form the core of foreign policy. sensitivity to each others strategic interests will National security is an example of primary serve the interests of both the nations. In the interest. No country can compromise with her context of continuing Chinese support to Indian national security for the sake of most beloved insurgent groups [ and also Myanmar insurgents], principles of foreign policy. this should be followed up and implemented on Thus, the foreign policy is the instrument to ground. realize the national interest of a country. A foreign policy bereft of national interest is a purposeless It has been decided to expedite Kaladan exercise. multimodal project, which would benefit Mizoram as also rest of the North East, Myanmar and PM Modi’s pace with round of issues with Bangladesh. Trilateral highway to connect with world leaders: Thailand and provide road access to South East Prime Minister Narendra Modi has maintained a Asia will also be expedited. We are extending frenetic pace, renewing contacts with world assistance in many fields including, education, leaders ever since the results of general election power, renewable energy, agriculture, health care, 2019. He was the cynosure of all eyes at the G-20 oil exploration etc. Total assistance for ongoing meeting in June, in Osaka. projects is around $ 1.75 billion. The challenge Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

17 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY At the BRICS informal meeting, also in Osaka, he China is the major challenge that India has to called for the strengthening of the World Trade contend with. Smaller countries in the region are Organisation and for a global conference on being inveigled to participate in China’s terrorism. programmes such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). PM discussed counter-terrorism and climate India and Bhutan are the only two countries in this change issues at separate meetings with China’s region that have opted out of the BRI, and they President Xi Jinping and Russia’s President seem like the odd men out. Vladimir Putin. Deepening India-U.S. relations today again carry He participated in the Japan-India-U.S. trilateral the danger of India becoming involved in a new grouping, arguing for a “rules based order” in the kind of Cold War. Indo-Pacific region. He met with U.S. President India must ensure that it does not become a party Donald Trump, to discuss the future of India-U.S. to the conflicts and rivalries between the U.S. and relations. a rising China, the heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia, and also avoid becoming a South Asian concerns and realities to India: pawn in the U.S.-Iran conflict. In this backdrop, India needs to rework many of Closer relations with the U.S. also carries the risk its policies in the coming five years. of aggravating tensions between India and China, South Asia, in particular, and the region of our even as China and the U.S. highest priority, needs close attention. The U.S.-China-Russia conflict has another The region is one of the most disturbed in the dimension which could affect India world and India has little or no say in any of the The strategic axis forged between the Mr. Putin’s outcomes taking place. Russia and Mr. Xi’s China will impact not only India-Pakistan relations are perhaps at their lowest the U.S. but also India’s position in both Asia and point. Tarring Pakistan with the terror brush is Eurasia, with India being seen as increasingly hardly policy, and stable relations continue to be aligned to the U.S. elusive. Hence, India needs to devise a policy that does not India has no role in Afghan affairs and is also leave it isolated in the region. excluded from current talks involving the Taliban, The challenge in the coming years for India is to the Afghan government, Pakistan, the U.S. and check the slide, especially in Asia, and try and even Russia and China. restore India to the position it held previously. India might have recouped its position more India cannot afford to wait too long to rectify the recently in the Maldives, but its position in Nepal situation. and Sri Lanka remains tenuous. In West Asia again, India is no longer a player to reckon with. Now Changing geopolitics requires an altered foreign policy: China, US, Eurasia Challenges: Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

18 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY The geopolitical scenario of the world is changing, Notwithstanding India’s ambition to become a $5- and this has brought up new global issues for trillion economy by 2024-25, the reality today is India deal with. that the economy appears to be in a state of Therefore, various aspects of India’s foreign decline. policy also is required to be changed to fit the New policy parameters will need to be drawn up changing geopolitics of the world. by India, and our capabilities enhanced in areas such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology and Need to focus on newer threats as well: cyber methodology, all of which constitute critical As India intensifies its search for state-of-the-art elements of the disruptive technology matrix. military equipment from different sources, it may Neither the Economic Survey nor the Budget be worthwhile for India to step back and contain useful pointers to a more robust economy, reconsider some of its options. one that is capable of providing a higher rate of growth, more opportunities for skilled labour, and Military power is but one aspect of the conflicts greater potential for investments. that rage today. Experts point out that outright The looming challenge for India in the coming war, insurgencies and terror attacks are fast five years, therefore, would be how to build a becoming passé. strong economic foundation, one that is capable of providing the kind of power structure needed for Nations confront many other and newer threats at an emerging power, and also one possessing the present. Today, disruptive technologies have best liberal credentials. tremendous danger potential and nations that possess these technologies have the ability to India-Russia Bilateral Relations become the dominant powers in the 21st and 22nd Centuries.  India-Russia diplomatic relations are now 70-years-old. A major challenge for India will hence be how to overcome our current inadequacies in the realm of  A key pillar of India’s foreign policy has disruptive technologies rather than remaining been the cultivation of relations with confined to the purely military domain. Russia. The U.S., China, Russia, Israel and few other  The substantive relationship was cemented countries dominate these spheres as also when the two countries signed cyberspace and cyber methodologies. the Declaration on the India-Russia Conclusion: Strategic Partnership in October 2000. Despite a plethora of official statements, the state of the economy remains a matter of increasing  In December 2010, the Strategic concern. India needs to pays greater heed to its Partnership was elevated to the level of economy. a Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.  India-Russia ties in the post-Soviet era have acquired a qualitatively new character with enhanced levels of cooperation in almost all areas of the Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

19 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY bilateral relationship including political, indeed been at the centre of this bilateral security, trade and economy, defense, relationship. science and technology, and culture. The 1990s: India and Post-Soviet Russia Introduction: India-Russia Bilateral Relations over the Decades In the 1990s, in the wake of USSR’s India and the Soviet Union (USSR) disintegration and rising Atlanticism in Russian foreign policy orientation, Russia looked up to the Trust and mutual interests are at the base of West and cut its third world engagements. It India’s relationship with the former Soviet started on a difficult transition to a market Union/Russian federation. economy to become a ‘normal’, ‘capitalist’ nation In the years after its independence, India gained like the Western countries. The decline of Soviet industrially from the USSR which provided a base military-industrial complex, its ‘shock therapy’ for its future growth. Starting in the 1950s, India for transition to capitalism forced by the received from the Soviet Union generous geopolitical developments led to change assistance for its industrialization. Its development in content of bilateral relations and the two in the areas of defense, space and atomic energy countries drifted apart for some time. However, had Soviet capital and knowhow. India was short the two countries have remained friends during of capital, foreign exchange and the turbulent decade of 90s and later. technology; Soviet Union filled the gaps in India’s Post-Soviet India-Russia Relations after Putin: development story letting India pay for projects in Contours and Interests rupees through a special arrangement. India got reliable, affordable and good quality In the Soviet era, political, military and economic military supplies and crucial products like oil and policies of the USSR were seen through the oil products, fertilizers, metals etc. India’s overriding Marxist-Leninist framework. But after emerging Public Sector (PSUs) was scripted with the de-ideologization of the Russian foreign and Soviet help. India’s relationship with USSR security policy framework post 1991, it was helped India in many ways to become more self- Russia’s economic interests that superseded reliant. ideology which altered the board for countries like During the Cold War and non-alignment decades, India. The bilateral relations had to undergo some India was dependent on the USSR on strategic pragmatic renewal (also given the liberalization of issues such as the Jammu and Kashmir problem. India in 1991), based on realistic possibilities and Support of Soviet Union has been behind India’s the legitimate interests of both sides with an space, technological and nuclear advancement. emphasis on economics. The Indo-Soviet Friendship Treaty of 1971 (in Russia, a vast nation of eleven time zones, made a the wake of 1971 Indo-Pak war where Russia remarkable comeback under President Putin after supported India while the US and China supported a turbulent decade of economic and political Pakistan) supplied the framework to deepen the instability in the wake of the Soviet Union cooperation. Military-technical cooperation has disintegration. Russia, under Putin, has been seeking the lost ‘great power status’ asserting Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

20 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY itself on the regional and global stage. The Both Russia and India support the concept of a nationalist surge was particularly emboldened by multi-polar world, an idea shared by China and the rising oil revenues which helped Russia’s many others. economic fortunes. Even though a Cold War era This vision supports the co-existence of multiple hostility has been ruled out, Russia has been powers and possibilities in the international trying to stand up to the West and NATO system; a collective security that is inclusive; it expansion in its ‘near abroad’ (independent supports greater regionalism to foster common republics which were once part of Soviet Union). regional interest; it supports negotiated There has been a marked improvement in Indo- settlements and the possibility of independent Russian relations that had suffered setback after foreign policy; and also that international the collapse of the Soviet Union. Bilateral high- decisions be made through bodies like the UN level visits have been institutionalized and mutual which should be strengthened, democratised and visits by heads of state are a norm than an empowered. It suits a rising Russia which sulks its exception. India (with Pakistan) became a full loss of ‘great power status’ and a rising India member of the Shanghai Cooperation which aspires for a permanent seat at the UNSC Organisation (SCO) and it also engages with and enhanced status in the global arena. Russia in the BRICS forum. It is not a coincidence that all Cold war Indian military continues to depend on Russian institutions that Russia inherited as the successor hardware although the dependence is reinventing state to the Soviet Union, such as the COMECON itself to one of partnership and joint production and the Warsaw Pact, have collapsed. But the US- than the usual supplier-client relation. Countries led Cold War regime remains intact. NATO not like the US aspire to be India’s defense supplier as only remains but has been strengthened and India is one of the world’s most lucrative arms touches the Russian borders. The US walked out market. Of late, Russia has turned to Pakistan for of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty. The arms sales but nothing serious has materialized US constantly critiques Russia on its democracy. yet; Pakistan was also accommodated as a full The US challenges Russian influence in Central member of the SCO. Asian republics, its policy on Iran, and most of all, The growing strategic dimensions of India-Russia its aspirations with China for a multi-polar world. bilateral relationship is grounded in the Anti-Americanism in Russian foreign policy is not foundations of converging security interests at the a dogma, it is often a need. India has to balance global and regional levels. India supports Russia’s itself between Russia and the US, both of who call for multi-polarity, multilateralism and reforms look up to it for cooperation and engagement. in the UN Security Council. Russia supports Russian and Indian interests converge with India’s candidature for a seat in the Security respect to global foreign policy landscape where Council (UNSC) as India seeks a greater role for both seek a rise in their profile. Russia’s foreign itself in the international system. relations are more unstable now than ever (given Russia’s Emphasis on a Multipolar world its support for Syria, a suspected nerve agent attack in the UK, its meddling in the US elections, continuing US sanctions Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

21 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY for annexation of Crimea in 2014)and it needs a Pacific region which raises some eyebrows in stable partner like India. Russia. Russia is also said to be cozying up to Russia’s Domestic Problems which attract China. It has also suggested India to join China’s International Criticism Belt and Road Initiative which India maintains The post-Soviet surge in the Russian economy transgresses its sovereignty. Russia has was also linked to a power struggle within – also showed willingness in joining Pakistan and redistribution of wealth (centralisation and China in giving legitimacy to Afghan Taliban. reprivatisation), especially in the energy sector India is the biggest market for arms and Russia and even in military industrial complex. has been the traditional supplier. Now India is Corruption is rife with little transparency in the looking up to the West, particularly to the US and decision-making system in Russia. Its judicial Israel, and because of this Russia is finding new system is weak and requires reforms. There has allies and markets as it feels slightly alienated. been considerable opposition against the Russia still has substantial military-technical leadership for adopting autocratic tendencies, engagements with India which will nevertheless backsliding on democracy, curbing free press, continue. Russia as such, appears to be trying to encouraging nationalism and xenophobia while balance its South Asia relations rather than using energy as a powerful weapon of foreign abandon its traditional strategic partner India even policy. In May 2018, Putin was sworn in as as it cultivates new partners and engagements. Russia's president for a fourth term, extending Conclusion: Enduring Partnership his almost two-decade rule by another six years at The fact is that Russia has been a long standing, a time of high tension with the West. significant partner of India. The bilateral Recent Security Concerns in Russia-India relationship with Russia forms a cornerstone of Bilateral Relationship India’s foreign policy and it is likely to continue There are emerging concerns in India-Russia so despite occasional concerns. The two countries bilateral relations. The most important of which have a political understanding underpinned by a is Pakistan. Russia, of late, is courting Pakistan as strong economic and strategic relationship which India inches closer to the West. For example, continues to evolve and endure. Pakistan was also admitted as a full member of the On the trade front, the two countries need to up SCO alongwith India in 2017. the ante. India has to concentrate on export of its Most recently (February, 2018), a Balochistan strength areas (sectors such as IT/ITeS, rebel leader gave an interview in Moscow blaming pharmaceuticals and healthcare) while gaining India for the trouble in the region. Russia has from Russia’s expertise in nuclear technology, expressed its willingness to help Pakistan augment defence, energy and hydrocarbons so that efforts its ‘anti-terror capabilities’, a modest phrase for like Make in India, Digital India and Smart Cities arms sales. India has repeatedly asked Russia not get aligned with India-Russia bilateral to sell arms to Pakistan. relationship. India is also part of the Quadrilateral Security There are certain concerns that India is looking up Dialogue (Quad) with US, Japan and Australia to the West and trying to replace Pakistan as US seeking a viable balance of power in the Indo- pivot in the South Asian region as it aspires for Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

22 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Western defence equipment (including aircrafts)  In 1947, the Stalin led Soviet Union became one of the first countries to and Russia is warming up to Pakistan to counter recognize India‘s independence. the US in Afghanistan and Central Asia. Despite  Even before India became independent, an official announcement was made on 13 the concerns, if the two countries keep playing the April 1947 on the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the balancing game the bilateral relations will endure. Soviet Union. Most recently, PM Modi and President Putin had a  The Soviet Union also showed great interest in Pakistan which instead showed fruitful informal meeting in Sochi in late May more interest in an alliance with the West instead of Soviet Union. Soviets became 2018 where the two discussed bilateral and pro-India since then, evidenced by their coming to more neutral positions on regional issues including BRICS and the Kashmir and Goa. International North-South Transport Corridor.  After Stalin’s death in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev showed greater interest in These talks have been labelled ‘extremely aiding countries with a mixed economy. India also got substantial assistance from productive’. USSR during the Khrushchev period. India-Russia Relationship: A Timeline  Soviet Union used its veto power for the first time to block anti-India initiatives on Pre-Independence Period Jammu & Kashmir (first in February 1957 and then again in June 1962) and Goa (in  The deep roots of this relationship go back December 1961). to the early 20th century when India was  IIT Bombay was established in 1958 with assistance from UNESCO and the Soviet under British rule and the Czars ruled over Union and was stocked with Soviet equipment. Russia. The Russian Revolution of 1905  The Soviets declared their neutrality inspired Indian freedom fighters. during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and helped broker a peace agreement during  Gandhi developed a close connection with the 1965 India-Pakistani border war. Russia and carried  In 1962, the USSR agreed to transfer the then-cutting edge technology to co- on lengthy correspondence with Leo produce the MiG-21 jet fighter in India (something which was denied to China Tolstoy. earlier).  Russia's communist leader V.I. Lenin followed with interest and sympathy the rising Indian freedom struggle.  Nehru visited the Soviet Union in 1927, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, and he came back deeply impressed with the Soviet experiment. He was convinced that a poor developing country like India needed to follow not the capitalist path but a socialistic one. India-Russia Relations Since 1947: Important Landmarks Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

23 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY  The military-technical assistance the Security Council to block attempts to stop USSR was providing to India came with India from its ongoing military campaign. the advantage of payment in  Soviet diplomatic backing and material nonconvertible rupees through a rupee- support and the confidence provided by rouble credit fund set up by the Soviets, the 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty of Peace, thereby saving scarce foreign currency. Friendship and Cooperation enabled India to successfully undertake the  Indian debts to the USSR could be paid operations in 1971 that led to the creation back in goods as per the agreement of Bangladesh. between the two nations. So, traditional  The 1971 treaty contained a pledge export commodities like Indian tea, of military assistance; it was a leather, textile goods, and agricultural significant departure from India‘s products dotted many a Soviet household stance of nonalignment. (apart from the Raj Kapur films popular in  ISRO built India's first satellite, the USSR). Aryabhata, which was launched by the Soviet Union on 19 April 1975.  In the initial decades, Five-year plans in  Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in India coincided with or were preceded by a space in 1984, when he flew aboard the new loan by USSR. Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11.  In 1991, about 70% of Indian army’s  India got assistance in the sector armaments, 80% of its air force systems, of industrial technology, with the Soviets and 85% of its naval platforms were of building dozens of factories throughout Soviet origin. India for producing heavy machinery, for  In 1991, two watershed moments manufacturing of steel some of which was happened — economic liberalisation was also exported to the USSR, for generating introduced in India, and the Soviet Union power, and for extracting and refining oil. was dissolved.  Soviet disintegration was met with shock  USSR also played a major role in building and disbelief in Indian foreign policy India’s energy sector by building circles. In the early 1990s, discussions hydropower stations, developing India’s were about managing India‘s rupee-rouble coal industry and finding oil in Indian soil. debt that had accumulated over the years USSR also helped in setting up India’s of the Soviet Union’s favourable trade energy major ONGC. policy.  When Vladimir Putin became Russia’s  Estimates say that between 1955 and 1970 President in 2000, the bilateral ties were Indian imports from the Soviet Union put on a solid foundation again after about increased more than 100 times, and a decade of post-Soviet confusion and exports to the Soviet Union more than 50 stagnation. times. Also, 70,000 skilled workers were trained at joint Indo-Soviet centres in India.  During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the Soviet Union cast three vetoes in the UN Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

24 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY  Russia-India defence relationship has  India’s investments in Russia’s oil and gas industry is presently around $8 billion. It is begun to move beyond the buyer-seller likely to reach $15 billion by 2020, with India set to acquire an almost 50 per cent model to a more cooperative relationship stake in the Rosneft Siberian oil project. with joint research, design, and  In October, 2016 (Goa), the two adopted a Joint Statement, “Partnership for Global production. Peace and Stability” which resulted in 19 cooperation agreements in areas including  The manufacture and supply of tanks and defence, space, trade and investment, hydrocarbons and railways. missiles (T-90 and BrahMos), ships and  In 2016, India announced a $5.5 billion submarines (the Talwar-class stealth deal with Russia to purchase the S- 400 Triumf air defence system. Russia frigates), the aircraft-carrier Vikramaditya could deliver it in 2018. and the nuclear submarine (Arihant),  The weakest link in Indo-Russian cooperation remains the low volume of jetfighter and early airborne warning trade. The goal is of boosting bilateral trade to US$30 billion by 2025. aircraft (Sukhoi 30MKI and IL-76) are all  On 21 May 2018, PM Modi had extremely examples of such cooperation. productive discussions with President Putin in Sochi. The complete range of  India and Russia historically enjoyed ties India-Russia relations was reviewed as well as other global subjects. in the cultural sphere: long-term scholarly and student exchanges, culture festivals, and art exhibits, observance of Year of Russia in India and vice versa.  Indo-Russian energy cooperation has acquired new dimensions particularly in the hydrocarbon and nuclear sector. In August 2017, Russia’s largest oil producer, Rosneft acquired Essar Oil refinery and port (Vadinar, Gujarat) in a $12.9-billion deal.  India-Russia Civil Nuclear Cooperation is an important dimension in the strategic partnership and includes transfer of nuclear power reactors (over twenty reactors to be built in twenty years), fuel supply agreement, fuel supply assurance, agreement to transfer reprocessing technology and enriched technology. This developing Eurasian grid of peaceful Nuclear production and consumption could also be extended to other countries in future deepening the bilateral cooperation. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

25 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India-US Bilateral Relations • India’s growing national capabilities give it ever greater tools to pursue its national Eliminating the hesitations of history, India and interests to the benefit of the United States. the United States have built a strong and strategic India has the world’s third-largest Army, bilateral relationship and continues to contribute fourth-largest Air Force, and fifth largest the stability and prosperity of the world. The first Navy. All three of these services are Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru likened modernizing, and the Indian Air Force and American Imperialism to that of British. He Indian Navy have world-class technical propounded and propagated the Non-Alignment resources, and its Army is seeking more of Principle whereby India refused to join either the them. capitalistic US or the communist Soviet Union. India’s socialistic economic principles and deep • India is an important U.S. partner in scepticism to the US hegemony resulted in its international efforts to prevent the further predilections towards USSR much to the ire of the spread of weapons of mass destruction. West. As the ideological Cold War ended after a myriad of international convergences and • India’s broad diplomatic ties globally divergences, India was forced to look West given (most importantly in the Middle East), its the paradigm shift in the geopolitics of the world aspirations for United Nations (UN) and in Francis Fukuyama’s words “End of Security Council permanent membership, History”. Today both India and US are among the and its role in international organizations most vibrant foreign cohorts and strategic such as the International Atomic Energy partners. Agency makes New Delhi an especially Why India Matters to the USA? effective voice in calls to halt proliferation. • India is an indispensable partner for the • India’s position against radicalism and United States. Geographically, it sits terrorism corresponds with that of the between the two most immediate United States. problematic regions for U.S. national interests. The arc of instability that begins • India’s English-speaking and Western- in North Africa goes through the Middle oriented elite and middle classes East, and proceeds to Pakistan and comfortably partner with their counterparts Afghanistan ends at India’s western in U.S. firms and institutions, including border. more than 2.8 million Indian Americans. The U.S. higher education system is an • The Indian landmass juts into the ocean incubator of future collaboration, with that bears its name. With the rise of Asian more than 100,000 Indian students in economies, the Indian Ocean is home to American universities. critical global lines of communication, with perhaps 50 percent of world container • As India modernizes and grows it will products and up to 70 percent of ship- spend trillions of dollars on infrastructure, borne oil and petroleum traffic transiting transportation, energy production and through its waters. distribution, and defence hardware. U.S. firms can benefit immensely by providing expertise and technology that India will Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

26 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY need to carry out this sweeping nation can a priori prevent future Chinese transformation. proliferation activities, only a U.S.-led • India-USA cooperation is critical to global international effort has any chance of action against climate change. success. • India is genuinely committed to a world • India will be better able to protect its order based on multilateral institutions and national interests in Pakistan and cooperation and the evolution of accepted Afghanistan in coordination with the international norms leading to accepted United States. international law. • The United States will continue to be • Indian culture and diplomacy have important for India’s economic success. generated goodwill in its extended India’s economy has been built around neighbourhood. New Delhi has positive unleashing domestic consumption rather relations with critical states in the Middle than relying on exports. East, in Central Asia, in Southeast Asia, • The United States has also remained one and with important middle powers such as of the top sources of foreign direct Brazil, South Africa, and Japan—all of the investment in India, bringing important strategic value to the United States. India’s managerial expertise, capital, and soft power is manifest in wide swaths of technology with it to the dynamic Indian the world where its civil society has made market. a growing and positive impression. • The United States has a long-term • Indian democracy has prospered despite commitment to maintain security and endemic poverty; extraordinary ethnic, freedom of navigation on the high seas, religious, and linguistic diversity; and something critical to India as a net energy foreign and internal conflicts. importer. Why the United States matters to India? • Washington retains unparalleled power • America remains the critical stabilizing and influence in global governance force in Asia through its military and institutions. diplomatic power projection and • As India seeks a larger role in the UN commitments to the region. Security Council and international • The twentieth century bore witness to a monetary institutions, U.S. support for multigeneration U.S. efforts to prevent the India will be critical to reforms that benefit emergence of any hostile hegemon on the New Delhi’s national interests. Eurasian landmass, a function that the • The United States retains a sizable United States continues to fulfil today with technological edge on many commercials, the help of its Asian partners. aerospace, and defence technologies, the • China has chosen episodically to ignore access to which benefits Indian national global nonproliferation norms, a pattern of interests as well as Indian firms and behaviour that the United States has customers. assiduously sought to curtail. Though no Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

27 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India-USA: Five Pillars of Strategic to states that don’t possess them and to Partnership support international nonproliferation efforts. 1. Strategic Issues 6. US companies will be allowed to build 2. Energy and Climate Change nuclear reactors in India and provide 3. Science and Technology nuclear fuel for its civilian energy 4. Health and Innovation program. 5. Education and Development An approval by the Nuclear Suppliers India-US Civil Nuclear Deal Group lifting the ban on India has also cleared the The deal is seen as a watershed in India-USA way for other countries to make nuclear fuel and relations and introduces a new aspect to technology sales to India. India would be eligible international nonproliferation efforts. Since July to buy U.S. dual-use nuclear technology, 18, 2005, the deal lifts a three-decade U.S. including materials and equipment that could be moratorium on nuclear trade with India. It used to enrich uranium or reprocess plutonium, provides U.S. assistance to India’s civilian nuclear potentially creating the material for nuclear energy program and expands India-USA bombs. It would also receive imported fuel for its cooperation in energy and satellite technology. nuclear reactors. Terms of the deal: The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 1. India agrees to allow inspectors from the 2010 • The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage International Atomic Energy Association (CLND) Bill, 2010 fixes liability for (IAEA), the United Nations’ nuclear nuclear damage and specifies procedures watchdog group, access to its civilian for compensating victims. nuclear program. By March 2006, India • The Bill fixes no-fault liability on promised to place fourteen of its twenty- operators and gives them a right of two power reactors under IAEA recourse against certain persons. It caps safeguards permanently. the liability of the operator at Rs 500 2. India commits to signing an Additional crore. For damage exceeding this amount, Protocol (PDF)-which allows more and up to 300 million SDR, the central intrusive IAEA inspections of its civilian government will be liable. facilities. • All operators (except the central 3. India agrees to continue its moratorium on government) need to take insurance or nuclear weapons testing. provide financial security to cover their 4. India commits to strengthening the liability. security of its nuclear arsenals. • For facilities owned by the government, 5. India works toward negotiating a Fissile the entire liability up to 300 million SDR Material Cutoff Treaty (FMCT) with the will be borne by the government. United States banning the production of • The Bill specifies who can claim fissile material for weapons purposes. compensation and the authorities who will India agrees to prevent the spread of enrichment and reprocessing technologies Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

28 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY assess and award compensation for nuclear between India and Pakistan, especially on damage. the Kashmir question. • Those not complying with the provisions 5. While traditional differences between of the Bill can be penalized. Delhi and Washington on global issues have endured, the two sides are now Five developments avoiding confrontation in multilateral fora 1. The US has removed many high dealing with trade and climate change. technology sanctions imposed on India since 1974. If Delhi was prevented by law India-US Trade Relations from importing anything for its nuclear • There are more than 50 bilateral dialogue programme over the last few decades, it is mechanisms between the two boosting atomic power generation in India governments. through imported uranium and is • India-USA bilateral trade in goods and negotiating with multiple vendors for the services increased from $104 billion in purchase of new reactors. 2014 to $114 billion in 2016. 2. The US has become India’s largest trading • Both countries have made a commitment partner in goods and services, and the two to facilitate actions necessary for sides have set an ambitious goal of half a increasing the bilateral trade to $500 trillion dollars for future trade. The billion. growing commercial engagement has been • In June 2016, Prime Minister Modi and reinforced by an intensification of people- President Obama pledged to explore new to-people contact and the presence of the 3 opportunities to break down barriers to the million strong Indian diasporas in movement of goods and services, and America. support deeper integration into global 3. Cooperation on counter-terrorism and supply chains, thereby creating jobs and intelligence-sharing have expanded rapidly generating prosperity in both economies. over the last decade. The US has become • The U.S. is the fifth largest source of one of India’s major suppliers of arms, and foreign direct investments into India. the two sides are discussing ideas that • Among large Indian corporations having would once have been dismissed as investments in the U.S. include Reliance inconceivable — for example, US support Industries Limited, Tata Consultancy in the development of India’s next- Services, Wipro, Essar America, Piramal, generation aircraft carrier. Mahindra, Lupin, Sun Pharma, etc. 4. In refusing to extend the civil nuclear • There are several dialogue mechanisms to initiative to Islamabad, Washington strengthen bilateral engagement on removed the hyphen in its relations with economic and trade issues, including a Delhi and Islamabad. Since 2005, America Ministerial Level Economic and Financial has also discarded the idea of mediating Partnership and a Ministerial Trade Policy Forum. For greater involvement of private Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

29 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY sector in the discussions on issues India-US: Cooperation in Energy and Climate involving trade and investment, there is a Change bilateral India-USA CEO’s Forum. • India and the US have set up a bilateral • The India-USA Energy Dialogue was Investment Initiative in 2014, with a launched in May 2005 to promote trade special focus on facilitating FDI, portfolio and investment in the energy sector. investment, capital market development and financing of infrastructure. • There are six working groups in oil and • US firms will be lead partners in gas, coal, power and energy efficiency, developing Allahabad, Ajmer and new technologies and renewable energy, Vishakhapatnam as Smart Cities. civil nuclear co-operation and sustainable India-US Defence Cooperation development under the Energy Dialogue. • Defence relationship has emerged as a major pillar of India-USA strategic • As a priority initiative under the PACE partnership with the signing of ‘New (Partnership to Advance Clean Energy), Framework for India-U.S. Defense the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Relations’ in 2005 and the resulting the Government of India have established intensification in defence trade, joint the Joint Clean Energy Research and exercises, personnel exchanges, Development Center (JCERDC) designed collaboration and cooperation in maritime to promote clean energy innovations by security and counter-piracy, and exchanges teams of scientists from India and the between each of the three services. United States, with a total joint committed • India participated in Rim of the Pacific funding from both Governments of US$ (RIMPAC) exercise in July-August 2016. 50 million. • The agreements signed during the past one year include: India-US: Cooperation in Education 1. Logistics Exchange Memorandum of India is learning from the U.S. experience in Association (LEMOA) community colleges in order to meet our demands 2. Fuel Exchange Agreement for skill-development. It has been agreed to 3. Technical Agreement (TA) on information collaborate with U.S. institutions in the area of sharing on White (merchant) Shipping Technology Enabled Learning and Massive Open 4. Information Exchange Annexe (IEA) on Online Courses (MOOCs) to extend the reach of Aircraft Carrier Technologies education in India. Under the Global Initiative of Pending agreements are: Academic Networks (GIAN) launched by India, • Communication and Information Security up to 1000 American academics will be invited Memorandum of Agreement (CISMOA) and hosted each year to teach in Indian • Basic Exchange and Cooperation universities at their convenience. The two sides Agreement (BECA) are also collaborating to establish a new Indian Institute of Technology in Ahmedabad. India-US: People to People Contacts The 3.5-million-plus strong Indian American community is an important ethnic group in the U.S., accounting for about 1% of the total Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

30 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY population in the country. Indian American crossing the 38th Parallel and naming community includes a large number of China as an aggressor. professionals, business entrepreneurs and • 1955: Pakistan officially aligned with the educationalists with increasing influence in the United States via the South East Asian society. The two countries have been working Treaty Organization (SEATO) and Central together to facilitate travel of their respective Treaty Organization (CEATO) also known citizens, and to this end, an MOU has been signed as Baghdad Pact. Meanwhile, India, being in June 2016 to facilitate India’s joining of the the chief proponent of Non-Alignment Global Entry Programme for expedited Movement (NAM), held the first Afro- immigration for eligible Indian citizens at U.S. Asian Conference at Bandung, Indonesia. airports. • The rogue state of Pakistan became an It appears highly likely that in strategic, political, important ally to the US in the security, defence and economic terms, relations containment of the Soviet Union, giving between India and the USA will continue their rise to strategic complications with India. upward trajectory under President Trump. Impact • In the Sino-Indian war of 1962, the US of USA’s relations with Pakistan over India is extended help to India against China’s likely to be beneficial and positive. Geopolitical belligerence by sending an American manoeuvres can have significant impact on India- carrier- The Enterprise- to the Bay of USA relations, however, it would remain to be Bengal. China, however, had declared multi-faceted and an “indispensable partnership” unilateral ceasefire the next day. Indian leaders and public welcomed American India-USA: History of Relations intervention. • The birth of Indian Republic was • 1966: In response to India’s criticism of accompanied by Pakistan’s occupation of the US intervention in Vietnam, President Kashmir. Nehru’s efforts to garner support Lyndon B. Johnson restricted the supply of from the international community was grain shipments to India under Public Law fruitless. 480 programme. • India declined the American offer to • 1967: A predominantly Anti-American accept a seat at the United Nations worldview led India to reject a founding Security Council and rather pushed for the membership in the Association of membership of the People’s Republic of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). China which it has immediately • 1968: India rejected the Non-Proliferation recognized as a sovereign nation. Treaty (NPT) proposed by the world’s (Reference – TheHindu) leading nuclear powers. • In the year 1950, India abstained from a • 1971: The USA had maintained a studious US-sponsored resolution calling for UN’s silence on Pakistan’s repressive policies in military involvement in the Korean War. East Pakistan. The then Secretary of State India even voted against UN forces Henry Kissinger visited Delhi to make India comply to not support liberation Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

31 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY movements in East Pakistan. Indira mujahedeen fighters infiltrated into Gandhi’s intransigence was met with Kashmir as militants. diplomatic muscle-flexing. Next month, • 1988: Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made a India signed a Treaty of Friendship, Peace historic visit to China which led to and Cooperation with the Soviet Union, normalization of relations between India seen as a blatant shift from India’s Non- and China. Alignment policies. US President Richard • 1990: India hesitatingly provided a brief Nixon in a retaliatory move chose to logistical support for American military explicitly tilt American policy in favour of operations in the Gulf War. Pakistan and suspended $87 million worth • Post-1991: The Soviet Union of economic aid to India. American naval disintegrated into independent nations and fleet USS Enterprise traversed the Bay of the United States emerged as the single Bengal, issuing mild threats. India won the largest hegemon, making the world Bangladesh Liberation War as the unipolar. It coincided with India opening Pakistani Army embarrassingly doors to foreign private capital in its surrendered more than 90,000 troops. historic Liberalization, Privatization, and • 1974: India conducted its first nuclear Globalization move. weapon test at Pokhran, and it came as a • Trade between India and the US grew major jolt to the USA who made plans to dramatically and is flourishing today. upgrade its presence at Diego Garcia, a British-controlled island in the Indian ocean. • 1975: India faced considerable domestic turmoil and entered into a state of Emergency. • 1977: The Emergency ended and the US immediately eased restrictions it has placed on World Bank loans to India and approved direct economic assistance of $60 million. • 1978: US President Jimmy Carter and Indian Prime Minister Desai exchanged visits to each other’s nations. • The 1980s: Large amounts of military aid was pumped into Pakistan by the USA in order to fight a proxy against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. This created significant repercussions in the internal security of India as the Pakistani Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

32 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India - CHINA agreements signed during his visit included the one on CBMs in the Military Field along the LAC The People’s Republic of China (PRC) was covering adoption of concrete measures between established on October 1, 1949, and India was the the two militaries to enhance exchanges and to first non-communist country to establish an promote cooperation and trust. India-China Embassy in PRC. On April 1, 1950, India and political relations are enhanced and strengthened China established diplomatic relations. The two by various mechanisms. There is a close and countries also jointly expounded the Panchsheel regular interaction between strategic and foreign (Five Principles of Peaceful Co-existence) in policy think-tanks. 1954. Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai visited India in June 1954 and Prime Minister Nehru visited Major irritants China in October 1954. Premier Zhou Enlai again  Border Disputes – Share about 3,488-km visited India in January 1957 and in April 1960. long border which is yet to be fully The India-China conflict in 1962 led to a serious delineated. setback in bilateral relations. India and China  India supports a Tibetan gov. in exile restored ambassadorial relations in August 1976. formed by Dalai Lama, unacceptable to Higher political level contacts were revived by the china. China recently opposed to the Dalai visit of the then External Affairs Minister, A.B. Lama’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh, Vajpayee in February 1979. The Chinese Foreign particularly Tawang, which it considers as Minister Huang Hua paid a return visit to India in Southern Tibet. June, 1981. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi visited  China began the practice of issuing stapled China in December 1988. During this visit, both visa to residents of AP and J & K, though sides agreed to develop and expand bilateral it stopped it for J & K but continues for relations in all fields. It was also agreed to AP. establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) – to seek  China has an undeclared policy of String fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution of Pearls to encircle India, which involves on the boundary question – and a Joint Economic building of ports and naval bases around Group (JEG). From the Chinese side, Premier Li India’s maritime reaches. While India has Peng visited India in December 1991. Prime been trying to develop closer arrangements Minister Narasimha Rao visited China in with the countries surrounding China viz. September 1993. The Agreement on the Japan, South Korea & Vietnam Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the  China has been building dams in Tibet part Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India – China of Brahmaputra. India has objected to it Border Area was signed during this visit, but there has been no formal treaty over providing for both sides to respect the status quo sharing of the Brahmaputra water. on the border, clarify the LAC where there are  China has been blocking India’s attempt to doubts and undertake CBMs. President R. entry to NSG & has also blocked India’s Venkataraman paid a state visit to China in May attempt at the UN for sanctions against 1992. This was the first Head of State-level visit Jash-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar. from India to China. President Jiang Zemin’s state visit to India in November 1996 was similarly the first by a PRC Head of State to India. The four Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

33 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY  India considers building of the CPEC as withdrew respecting the international China’s interference in India’s sovereignty boundary (Mcmahon Line). However, it and territorial integrity. has continued to assert its claim over the territory. Nowadays, almost the whole of  Trade imbalance with the imbalance Arunachal is claimed by China. skewed in China’s favour viz. $46.56 • The two nations have held on to their own billion in 2016 stands even on the Johnson line and McDonald line which demarcates the Border Dispute India China territories of the two. The India-China borders can be broken down into • Johnson Line – India’s accepted three sectors demarcation – It marks Aksai Chin as an Indian territory 1. Western Sector – DISPUTED – This • McDonald Line – China’s stance – It comprises the Aksai Chin sector. This marks Aksai Chin as Chinese territory region which originally was a part of the The India-China War of 1962 state of Jammu and Kashmir is claimed by • The pretext of the war was a dispute over China as part of its autonomous Xinjiang the sovereignty of the Aksai Chin and region. After the 1962 war, it is Arunachal Pradesh. administered by China. It is the second • But, in reality, there were many reasons largest Indo-China border area covering and the prominent one was China’s over 38000 sq. km. However, it is an perception of India as a threat to its rule of uninhabited land. While India claims the Tibet. entire Aksai Chin territory as well as • The war was preceded by various conflicts the Shaksgam valley (Indian territory and military incidents between India and gifted to China by Pakistan), China China throughout the summer of 1962. contests Indian control over Daulat Beg • Then on October 20, 1962, People’s Oldi (a tehsil in Leh, south of Aksai Liberation Army (PLA) of China invaded China-it is believed to host the world’s India in Ladakh and across the Mcmahon highest airstrip) line in the Arunachal Pradesh. • Until the start of the war, India was 2. Central Sector – UNDISPUTED – confident that a war would not happen and Although China has recognised India’s made little preparations. sovereignty over Sikkim and had initiated • After a month long War, China unilaterally the trade at Nathu La pass, the Doklam declared a ceasefire on 19 November fiasco could mean trouble at all ends. 1962. By then China has made significant advances on both the fronts. India suffered 3. Eastern Sector – DISPUTED – The a huge setback and was badly defeated. Arunachal Pradesh border that China still • China achieved its objective of acquiring claims to be its own territory is the largest control in the Aksai chin. In the eastern disputed area, covering around 90000 sq. sector, their troops went back to the north km. It was formally called North East of the Mcmahon line. Frontier Agency. During the 1962 war, the People’s Liberation Army occupied it but they announced a unilateral ceasefire and Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

34 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India-China border conflicts after the war at Nathu La lasted 5 days and the one at • There have been several instances of Cho La ended the same day. Chinese troops entering the Indian side and • The outcome was more pleasing to India Indian troops entering the Chinese side. as they were able to send back the Chinese • Still, the Indo-China border has military and therefore the 1967 conflicts remained largely peaceful, except in are seen as a success for India. 1967 when there were two incidents of armed conflict first at Nathu La and then at Cho La. • It started when the PLA launched an attack on Indian posts at Nathu La. The conflict 1. Shimla agreement of 1914: To demarcate However, China rejects the Shimla the boundary between Tibet and North agreement and the Mcmahon line, East India, a convention was held at contending that Tibet was not a sovereign Shimla in 1914, representatives of all state and therefore did not have the power three i.e. Tibet, China and British India. to conclude treaties. After the discussion, the agreement was 2. Panchsheel Agreement of 1954: The signed by British India and Tibet but not Panchsheel doctrine clearly indicated the by the Chinese officials. Presently India willingness to ‘Respect each other’s recognises the Mcmahon line, as agreed sovereignty and territorial by the Shimla convention, as the legal integrity’. Although we have come a long boundary between India and China. way since, from 1962 war to the cold peace era of 1962-1989, to the revived Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

35 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY tensions of the present, the intent of the framework of Guiding principles and doctrine was well directed. It must have political parameters to improve bilateral acted as a safeguard against any such ties. It proposed a three-step resolution to disputes arising at the first place. the border disputes: 3. In 1989, India-China formed a Joint a. A bilateral agreement on the laid down Working Group for Confidence principles. building measures (CBMs) and agreed to b. This was to be followed by an exchange mutually settle all border disputes. of maps between the two countries. 4. India-China Agreements regarding the c. Once satisfied with the markings, the Line of Actual Control (LAC): The LAC final demarcation of borders was to take is the effective military border which place. separates Indian controlled areas of Jammu 6. In 2005 a protocol was agreed on and Kashmir from Aksai Chin. It is to be Modalities for the implementation of noted that this border is not a legally Confidence Building Measures in the recognised international boundary, but Military field along the LAC. rather it is the practical boundary. 7. In 2012 India and China agreed on the Conventionally, India considers the establishment of a working mechanism for Johnson line of 1865, marked by a civil Consultation and Coordination on India servant W.H. Johnson, which put Aksai China borders. Chin in Jammu and Kashmir. On the other Clearly, the policies have not sufficed in realising hand, China recognises the Macartney- a solution to the long-standing disputes. A status- Macdonald Line as the actual boundary quo exists owing to the face-off between which puts Aksai Chin in Xinjiang region differential aspirations of the two nations. While of China. In 1993, when the then Prime China’s support for resolution of border disputes Minister Narasimha Rao visited China, stands subservient to Tibet issue, India would ‘The Agreement for Maintenance of continue to hold on to the Tibet card unless the Peace and Tranquillity along the border-disputes are resolved. Besides, the LAC‘ has been signed between India and changing global and regional picture – from China. In 1996 an agreement took place China’s move towards ‘assertive regionalism’, its on Confidence Building Measures in the strengthening ties with Pakistan and its complete military field along the LAC. disregard for counter-opinions on contentious 5. In 2003 India and China signed issues like South-China sea – has only worsened a Declaration on Principles for Relations the chances of a quick resolution. and Comprehensive Cooperation and also mutually decided to appoint Special OBOR – Will Connect Asia, Africa, Middle Representatives to explore the framework East & Europe of a boundary settlement from the political perspective. The India-China relations  Three main goals of China are: received a major boost in 2003.  Economic diversification China recognised India’s sovereignty  Political stability and the over Sikkim. This was also followed by a  Development of a multipolar global order Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

36 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY  All of India’s neighbours, except Bhutan, opposition to India’s entry into the NSG and a UN sent highlevel delegations for the summit. ban against Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e- Muhammad leader Masood Azhar. The decision to not attend even as an observer, however, effectively closes the door for diplomacy. Expert believe that by boycotting the Beijing meet, India was denying itself unending benefits of something as big as OBOR for ex. infrastructural shortcoming that it is facing currently. Meanwhile India & Japan have come up with Asia Africa Growth Corridor to counter China’s OBOR. India’s Objection to OBOR The Baloch Angle  Projects in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, Gwadar is located in Baluchistan, & Baloch are ignoring India’s “sovereignty and against CPEC because they claim that the CPEC’s territorial integrity”. benefits will not flow to them. They further state  Lack of transparency in China’s agenda, that CPEC is not an economic project. Pakistan New Delhi believes that it is not just an and China together are building a military economic project but one that China is infrastructure in Balochistan’s coastal areas. The promoting for political control purpose is to strengthen their military supremacy  Smacks of Chinese neo-colonialism – in the region which will undermine the stability of Could push smaller countries on the road the region. A fear of a massive inflow of migrants into a crushing debt cycle, destroy the from different areas of Pakistan which will change ecology and disrupt local communities. the demography of Balochistan and reduce the  India fears that CPEC, passing through the Baloch people to a permanent minority in their Pakistan controlled Kashmir, would serve historic homeland. the purpose of granting legitimacy to Pakistan’s control over the region, and by It has been two years since the Belt and Road promoting the construction of the corridor, Initiative (BRI) forum was unveiled and China intends to meddle in the Kashmir Chinese President’s address to the second BRI dispute. forum was a clear indication that Beijing is  Indian security experts also fear that after coming to terms with the pushback this gaining access to Gwadar port, the Chinese ambitious project has received. In this address will find it easy to sail into the Indian was included a stated commitment to Ocean. “transparency and sustainability” of BRI projects, and to greater debt sustainability in the “financing India’s decision to skip the meeting came after a model” for BRI projects under new guiding year of bilateral discord over China’s stubborn principles. The Short Gist Since 2017, India, the U.S. and other countries have been critical of the lack of transparency Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

37 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY with which many of the BRI projects were (CPEC), aimed at linking China’s Xinjiang negotiated with governments. province with the Arabian Sea. While China’s statements on transparency and  Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Malaysia had inclusivity will be welcomed in India, they second thoughts on some of the don’t address India’s main concern over the infrastructure projects over fears of BRI, which is of sovereignty. a “debt trap”, and allegations of corruption in BRI projects became election  India’s objection to the China-Pakistan issues. Economic Corridor (CPEC) is that it runs through parts of Pakistan Occupied In April last year, European Union Kashmir (PoK), and this has led to the Ambassadors to Beijing issued a statement Indian government’s decision to stay away saying the BRI ran “counter” to their agenda from the BRI summit. for liberalising trade and “pushed the balance of power in favour of subsidised Chinese  India’s other concern over the BRI’s companies”. inroads in South Asia will also grow: at the summit, China listed the China-  After Central Asia and Southeast Asia, Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) China’s biggest foray is into Europe, and and the Nepal-China Trans-Himalayan the criticism of the European Union Multi-dimensional Connectivity Network, Ambassadors did not go unheeded by and the CPEC as focus areas. Beijing. China agreed to renegotiate terms on projects, reached out to regional  Despite these, India has abandoned its organisations like the Arab and African sharp rhetoric against the BRI this time forums and the EU, where the Chinese compared to 2017, and China issued Premier pledged to “respect EU rules and statements saying it would not allow the standards” at a summit of “17+1” Central decision to affect the bilateral and Eastern European countries that are relationship. part of the BRI. o This is an indicator that both countries would rather be guided  It is hoped that China will take this on the issue by the Wuhan understanding forward and help build spirit than by the deep differences an infrastructure financing network they continue to have over the BRI that is equitable and transparent, project. especially for smaller states. What is the Wuhan spirit in Indo-China India has consistently opposed the 1963 “China- relations? Pakistan Boundary Agreement” that recognises PoK as under “actual Pakistani control” without  The Indian Prime Minister and the Chinese prejudicing a final dispute resolution with India. President met informally at Wuhan, the India has also protested the Karakoram Highway capital of Central China’s Hubei province on which traffic has been plying regularly, as well in April, 2018. as subsequent infrastructure projects built by China in the disputed PoK area like the $60+  It was in this summit where the two billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor leaders are said to have developed a rapport with one another, which many foreign policy commentators believe will Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

38 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY draw new dimensions in future India-  Rome endorsed the BRI recently, the China relations.  This understanding between India and first among the Group of 7 most China (through their respective leaders) is what is termed as the Wuhan spirit or industrialised nations to do so. This ‘Wuhan consensus’. To conclude endorsement of the BRI is a potential The BRI project as it stands today is a mammoth infrastructure project and here are some game changer. Other major economies interesting pointers about it:  The BRI is, in essence, a response to may follow Rome’s lead, in much the slowing Chinese domestic economic growth earlier this decade, accentuated by same way as the initial resistance to a slump in Chinese exports to developed countries following the 2007-08 economic China’s Asian Infrastructure meltdown; [as infrastructure spending at home became less sustainable, China Investment Bank eventually shifted to boosting the global competitiveness of domestic businesses]. evaporated.  It is hard to put a precise number on the number of BRI projects With the rise of populist forces in many countries worldwide because projects are negotiated informally between investor and recipient in recent years, the world’s open trading system countries. But they are clearly in the thousands, unprecedented in the history of has come under a protectionist strain. Perhaps, development cooperation, in terms of the volume of investment and potential there are signs in the BRI of the beginnings of a benefits.  A concern for the BRI is its current different kind of globalisation. One day, the BRI dependence on the U.S. dollar to fund the bulk of its projects. But unlike some might remain Chinese in all but name. That may years ago, China’s stocks of the U.S. dollar are in limited supply. Conversely, actually be the next phase of globalisation in the the Renminbi is yet to emerge as a full- fledged global currency. That may leave making. We have to wait and watch. China with the option of adopting a co- financing strategy. Such cooperation with South China Sea Dispute multilateral banking institutions would be New islands were constructed by dredging sand a welcome balancing act as it would onto reefs, an effort by China to boost its claim to increase transparency and sustainability in all of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. It the long run. has also built ports, Runaways and radar facilities on the manmade islands. satellite images of the islands, show that China now appears to have installed large antiaircraft guns and weapons systems as well – Paracel and Spratly islands. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

39 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY as Vietnam, Malaysia and Philippines use the tsunami early warning-system developed by India.  China rejected an international ruling on Doklam Plateau Face-off the South China Sea as “null and void” Indian troops intervened to block the path of and devoid of any “binding force”. Chinese People’s Liberation Army soldiers engaged in building road-works on the Doklam  China’s development in the region is seen plateau, a strategically vital 269 sq. km. patch of as threatening to other nations Taiwan, Bhutan’s territory that Beijing laid claim to. Brunei, Philippines and Malaysia.  This is the first time that India used troops  About half of the world’s annual merchant to protect Bhutan’s territorial interests. fleet tonnage—passed through the South China Sea in 2010. Any tension in the  Earlier China have made Bhutan a region may immensely affect the “package deal” under which the Chinese international trade and economy agreed to renounce their claim over the 495-sq.-km disputed land in the Northern  China has demonstrated a desire to control Bhutan, in exchange for disputed land of all of the passage through what it considers Doklam plateau. its sphere of naval power. This predilection is in direct opposition to the India’s concern U.S.-backed global standard of free  The construction of a new road through the passage through the high seas. Chumbi valley would further endanger the “Chicken’s Neck” – the narrow Siliguri India has made it clear that it recognised that the corridor links the north-east with the rest tribunal had been set up within the jurisdiction of of India the UN’s Convention on the Law of the Sea  India has conveyed to the Chinese (UNCLOS) that must be given the “utmost government that the latter’s construction of respect”. As part of a soft-diplomacy effort, India road in the disputed Doklam area ‘would is looking to have South China Sea countries such represent a significant change of status quo with serious security implications for India.’  India is vulnerable in this corridor as it is the only access point to the northeast. The Corridor is about 500 km from the Chumbi Valley. Chinese reaction  Following the tensions, Chinese authorities have closed the Nathu La pass to Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims.  China served notice on India to withdraw its forces, as a precondition for a Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

40 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY “meaningful dialogue” – unacceptable to barriers against Indian products and India, unless the PLA also withdraws its services. troops and road-building teams.  India must necessarily “hope for the best,  China has long desired an independent and prepare for the worst”, when it comes Bhutanese stand without Indian advocacy to tensions with its northern neighbour. and interference on the boundary issue. Chinese academia often dubbed India’s Deterioration of India-China relation interference as hegemony in South Asia.  Delhi has expressed disappointment over  By challenging Bhutanese security, China’s rejection of its concerns on Beijing hoped to put a strain on the India- sovereignty issues, and refusal to corner Bhutan “special relationship”. Pakistan on cross-border terrorism or help India’s bid for NSG membership. India & China Mutually Disengaged Their  In turn, India’s spurning of the OBOR Troops Initiative and cooperation with U.S. on maritime issues has not played well in  The end of Dokalam standoff is a huge China political, diplomatic & moral victory for  Dalai Lama visit to Tawang was strongly India. It will contribute to raising the protested by China – it accused India for stature of the country. The fact that the fuelling secessionist in Tibet. Indian government stayed steadfast and  India is also working with Japan, South resolute in the face of extreme Korea and the US to contain China’s provocation, speaks volumes of the power in the Indian Ocean provoking determined and decisive approach of the China present government. Cooperation between India and China  The episode has significantly established  Both members of BRICS, which is now the image of India as a responsible, establishing a formal lending arm, the New decisive and reliable actor on the global Development Bank. scene.  India, a founding member of the China- backed Asian Infrastructure Investment  The episode has contributed to further Bank. strengthen relations between India and  China welcomed India’s full membership Bhutan. The message to India’s of Shanghai Cooperation Organization. neighbourhood is also positive and  Both countries have advocated reassuring. democratization of international institutions such as World Bank, IMF  However India and China should not see  China and India have similar stand during Doklam in terms of point-scoring but WTO negotiations. rather as a warning of the need for extending their border management framework across other borders as well.  Stronger economic and commercial partnership between the two countries can be a win -win scenario for both the countries if China removes its non-tariff Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

41 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY  China and India, being the main targets of Mamallapuram Summit: 2nd India-China criticism by the US and its friends, have so far successfully coordinated their strategies Informal Summit: in the environmental summits • In his delegation level talks with Xi ‘CHENNAI CONNECT’ Jinping, PM Modi noted that India and Talks between Modi and Xi were aimed at building on the relationship reset that began China were global economic in Wuhan in April last year. The Wuhan spirit had given a new momentum and powers during most of the last 2000 years trust to our ties. In the summit, Modi and Xi decided to issue “strategic guidance” to their and were returning to stage gradually. militaries to strengthen communication and build trust and understanding. • A new era of cooperation will begin This year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held “productive” today through ‘Chennai Connect’,” talks as part of the second India-China informal summit in the southern coastal town of Modi said while referring to the outcome Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu. of the first informal summit between the two leaders in the Chinese port last year. • The prime minister said strategic communication between the two countries increased following the first informal summit in Wuhan. • India and China had decided to prudently manage differences and not to allow them to become disputes. • We had decided that we will be sensitive towards each other’s concerns. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

42 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY What will be the agenda in Mamallapuram: President Xi Jinping and PM Narendra Modi’s PM Narendra Modi will hold one-to-one and talks. delegation-level talks with the Chinese President. The two leaders are likely to decide dates for In the Mamallapuram summit, the focus of the the next Special Representatives talks. talks is likely to be on steps to ensure mutual development and expanding overall ties. New mechanism to be set up to discuss trade The focus of the meeting is on improving people and investment: to people contact and on how to maintain peace India and China plan to set up a new mechanism and tranquillity on the India-China border. to discuss ways and means to reduce trade The meeting between them has no specific agenda deficit ($53 billion), enhance mutual trade, but issues like terrorism, terror funding, support investment and services. and sourcing are likely to come up during Chinese This was one of the important understandings reached out by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

43 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end ensure the prosperity and stability of the of the two-day informal summit between the two region. leaders. • They also agreed on the importance of Wuhan Summit concluding negotiations for a mutually- beneficial and balanced RCEP.  The Wuhan meeting of April 2018, an informal summit between Prime Minister Areas of Defence and security: Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi • Chinese President raised the issue of Jinping opened a new chapter in the defence and security, and said there is relations of the two countries as they a need to step up engagement in this area engaged in the wake of post-Doklam to enhance trusts between the two rhetoric. militaries and security forces. • They have extended an invitation to  Earlier the summit was perceived as a Defence Minister to visit China. The date window dressing over deeper frictions, but will be decided through diplomatic in reality, it proved to be a crucial channels. rapprochement policy. • Both the leaders had an in-depth exchange of views in a friendly  It was a form of cultural integration & atmosphere on overarching, long-term people to people interaction program, and strategic issues of global and regional which gave impetus to the cordial relations importance. between the two countries. • They also shared their respective approaches towards national development. The enhanced interaction between the two nations • The two leaders evaluated the direction of in the past 5 years, in the form of 9-10 bilateral bilateral relations in a positive light and meetings has paved the way in eliminating their discussed how India-China bilateral differences and clearing the misgivings & doubts. interaction can be deepened to reflect the growing role of both countries on the The new mechanism will be at an elevated level. global stage. The decision on when and how this mechanism • They shared the view that the international will be activated will be done now through situation is witnessing significant diplomatic channels. readjustment. • They were of the view that India and Terrorism a common threat: China share the common objective of • Both leaders are concerned that terrorism working for a peaceful, secure and continues to pose a common threat. prosperous world in which all countries • As countries that are large and diverse, can pursue their development within a they recognised the importance of rules-based international order. continuing to make joint efforts to ensure that the international community Conclusion: strengthens the framework against training, financing and supporting terrorist groups throughout the world and on a non- discriminatory basis. • They shared the view that an open, inclusive, prosperous and stable environment in the region is important to Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

44 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India and China were global economic  China needs to take into consideration the powers during most of the last 2000 years and ground realities while looking at India- were returning to stage gradually. Pakistan relations in order to bring The two countries should go beyond the model of regional peace. differences management, actively shape bilateral relations and accumulate positive energy.  The balance of power is changing both We should enhance exchanges and cooperation, domestically & regionally, the world in promote convergence of interests and achieve general and China in specific needs to common development. understand that India has a cartographic Both agreed that it is important to support and position along Line of Actual Control & strengthen the rules-based multilateral trading there are disputes still in place, but that all system at a time when globally agreed trade forms the part of internal matters of India. practices and norms are being selectively questioned.  During this period of economic slowdown, India and China will continue to work together India can bring more structural reforms in for open and inclusive trade arrangements that order to attract and enhance foreign will benefit all countries. Chinese capital inflow. Way Forward  The greater responsibility lies on China’s  The need for the positive role of the two shoulder to engineer greater trust and to nations: The geo-political dynamics have stop creating obstacles in the path of changed in the recent past. It has been said progress on India, be it on India’s entry that this century is Asia’s century, so in the into the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), light of this perception, both countries or designating Masood Azhar as the global need to focus their energies more on terrorist. domestic socio-economic development rather than frittering it away militarily.  China’s dominating role simultaneously  Past has revealed that whenever the global demands India to stay prepared on all opportunities have demanded the positive fronts, i.e, militarily, economically, or Sino-Indian relations, both the nations diplomatically. have tried to tackle their problems in a mature fashion and leave aside the  The reorganization of the state of J&K differences. The best example of this could opens the door for resolving the border be seen in China’s recognition of bottom- dispute along LAC with China. up cultural people to people interaction while granting visas to Indian Mansarovar Synergizing the efforts in order to resolve the pilgrims. existing conflicts is the need of the hour for mutual progress and harmony. Source: PIB - THE HINDU – OBOR web Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

45 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India Japan Relations  India’s rich natural and human resources Motivated primarily by shared concerns about and Japan’s advanced technology China – developing a closer defence partnership  India’s prowess in services and Japan’s defined by regular maritime exercises and excellence in manufacturing highlevel political consultations  Japan’s surplus capital for investments and India’s large and growing markets & Complementarities between the two countries middle class  Japan’s ageing population and India’s youthful dynamism Cooperation from Japan  Western Dedicated Freight Corridor  Japan has been extending bilateral loan  Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and grant assistance to India since 1958.  Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor Japan is the largest bilateral donor to India  Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful in priority areas like power, transportation, environmental projects & Infra Uses of Nuclear Energy development –  To build upon cooperation in the field of  New Delhi metro network. smart cities  Modernisation and expansion of conventional railway system in India Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

46 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY  Consolidation of security and defence Initiative which India has blatantly snubbed owing cooperation to sovereignty issues. What is Asia-Africa Growth Corridor  MOU between JAXA and ISRO (AAGC)? concerning Cooperation in the Field of The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor is an India- Outer Space Japan economic cooperation agreement aimed at the socio-economic development of Asia and  A dedicated task force having Africa. The vision document for AAGC was representatives of both countries for released by India in the 2017 African phased transfer of technology for success Development Bank meeting. of Make in India. The aim of the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor is to develop infrastructure and digital India Japan Civil Nuclear Deal, 2016 connectivity in Africa through Indo-Japan Enables Japan to export nuclear power plant collaboration. It will envisage a people-centric technology as well as provide finance for nuclear sustainable growth strategy by engaging various power plants in India stakeholders. The priority areas will be health and Now Companies involved in nuclear reactor pharmaceuticals, agriculture and agro- programme of India can source the most critical processing, disaster management and skill equipment in a reactor — Steel reactor vessel enhancement. from Japan The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor is to be based A major achievement for India as it is Japan’s first on four pillars: civilian nuclear cooperation pact with a country that has not signed the nuclear NPT 1. Enhancing capacity and skills. The agreement confirms India’s position in front 2. Quality Infrastructure and Institutional of the world as a responsible nuclear nation which uses nuclear energy peacefully Connectivity. Will boost India’s strategy to pursue a low-carbon 3. Development and Cooperation Projects. growth model in decades to come. 4. People-to-People partnership. Why is it important for Asia and Africa? Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) Opportunities are abundant in both the resilient economies of Asia and the rapidly growing During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to African continent. Both regions have the Japan in 2016, both India and Japan sought to advantage of young demography, and their social institutionalize socio-economic development of indicators are on an accelerating trajectory. There Asia and Africa. There, the idea of promoting a is an urgent need to explore the untapped growth corridor was crystallized. Subsequently in potential of these regions. 2017, at the African Development Bank meeting The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor will be held in Gujarat, India unveiled the vision instrumental in creating new production channels, document of the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor expanding and deepening the existing value (AAGC). chains, ensure economic and technical cooperation The joint declaration on AAGC is being seen as a for enhancing capacities, facilitate a greater masterstroke of geopolitics in this region, as it apparently counters China’s Belt and Road Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

47 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY contact of peoples between the two continents, • Japan’s robust developmental assistance and achieve sustainable growth over the longer plays a major complementary role in this term. This project is responsive to the Sustainable region. Development Goals (SDGs) too. What is the current role of India and Japan in • Japan has expertise in designing, Africa? planning and delivering hardware India infrastructure. • India has always had contributed to Africa, • It enjoys a leading edge in research and huge human and financial resources. The development areas. It also has the recently held India Africa Growth Summit capacity to transfer capabilities for in New Delhi attended by heads of state of managing and strengthening supply chains all 54 countries was a huge diplomatic in the manufacturing sector and success that rejuvenated and strengthened infrastructure projects. ties between both entities. There were crucial announcements of economy and • Japan holds Tokyo International trade, that included a $10 billion Conference on African Development concessional credit line offer. (TICAD), which provides an open forum to generate innovative discussion among • India has a voracious appetite for natural stakeholders participating in the African resources and is seeking to expand its development programs. Since its inception markets. It has made significant strides to in 1993, TICAD has contributed in counter China’s juggernaut and reported improving social and economic ‘neo-colonialism‘. conditions in Africa mainly through aid grants and technical assistance. • At the same time, India’s contribution to the development of the social sector of What is the common interests of India and Africa through the Pan Africa e-network Japan in Africa? has been indispensable in cementing such A Special Strategic and Global Partnership exist strong ties between the Indian between India and Japan. Both nations have subcontinent and the African continent. common interests in the region such as: • There is a significant presence of Indian • Freedom of navigation in the sea lines of banks and companies in Africa. The communication EXIM Bank is the lead organization for carrying out the development credit tasks. • Elimination of terrorism India has a unique distinction in providing • Chinese rising belligerence and hegemony affordable, appropriate and adaptable technology. in the Asian region, and • Sustained economic growth • It is also working on project execution Hence, the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor is set to and in building technical capacities in be a fine-tuned vision and agenda of both many developing countries in the region. governments, aligning with their own development priorities. Japan What are the aspects on which the AAGC will deliberate? Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

48 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor will and Africa for sustainable and innovative deliberate on the following aspects: development. What is the mode of infrastructure • The existing mechanisms for cooperation development in AAGC? between Asia and Africa. The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor would provide guaranteed quality infrastructure, both physical as • The broad-based agenda for the well as institutional, that would connect people, synchronized growth of Asia-Africa for towns, regions, and countries. There are five sustainable and innovative development. remarkable paradigms associated with AAGC: 1. effective mobilization of financial • Establishment of optimum linkages and resources; cooperation among the sub-regions of Asia 2. their alignment with socio-economic and Africa. development and development strategies of partner countries and regions; • Establishment of the industrial corridor 3. application of high-quality standards in and industrial network. terms of compliance with international standards established to mitigate • Improved partnership for infrastructure environmental and social impact; development between the two continents, 4. provision of quality of infrastructure and their sub-regions to address the current taking into account aspects of economic demands of trade, investment, and services efficiency and durability, inclusiveness, in a sustainable manner. safety and disaster-resilience, sustainability as well as convenience and • Complementary ways through which amenities; and infrastructure and connectivity 5. contribution to the local society and complement the development of industrial economy. corridor and industrial network. What are the unique features that push the need for AAGC? • Coordination between institutional and 1. The basic concept of the Asia-Africa infrastructure partnerships. Growth Corridor is that it aims for an open, inclusive, sustainable and innovative • The role of people-to-people partnership to growth of the entire Asia-Africa region, in strengthen the growth corridor. cooperation with the international community. • Ways to ensure better and freer 2. Trade Facilitation is a major component of institutional and people-to-people AAGC Framework. In a study conducted partnerships between Asia and Africa. by the European Commission, it is found that the time taken for export and import • Identification of priority projects, which activities is among the highest in Africa. can be optimized and which are economically and financially feasible. • Mechanisms that can result in the exchange of best practices of growth, governance, and partnership between Asia and Africa, including their sub-regions. • Technical, economic, and institutional barriers. • Specific recommendations for AAGC, and for the larger global periphery around Asia Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

49 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY 3. The Declaration of African Union increase exports. For this, the Indian Ministers of Trade has also underscored Ocean Rim Association (IORA) countries the importance of trade facilitation and would be on the forefront. stated their priorities on enhancing 4. AAGC initiatives will aim to integrate infrastructure, boosting productivity and existing programmes of partner countries. trade capacities, reducing transaction costs, This will spur activities/projects to supporting reforms, and improvements to augment production for exports. India has customs regulatory systems. already made efforts through various initiatives to develop capabilities in other 4. According to OECD trade facilitation countries in Asia and Africa in the past. indicators, Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa AAGC and the China factor are below the best practices. The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor has been 5. There is a need for customs modernization portrayed as a response to China’s Belt and plan with a focus on better organization Road Initiative (BRI). Maritime expert for and management, coupled with Observer Researcher Foundation Abhijit Singh administrative, financial and technical has made few observations: autonomy as well as accountability. 1. There’s high reason to suspect that China 6. India has established the Directorate of will expand its berthing rights at the Valuation, Special Valuation Branch, and Hambantota port in Sri Lanka to National Import Database to improve eventually account for its own military custom valuation practices. Similar facilities. institutions can be established in other developing countries in Asia and Africa 2. Through investments in port projects and through technical assistance. rail construction such as the East Coast Rail Link project in Malaysia, where ports What are the possible benefits of the Asia- and rail are developed and heavily Africa Growth Corridor? financed by China, Beijing may eventually be able to bypass Singapore, cut off key 1. India has highly skilled software Malaysian trade routes. professionals who ensure high quality of service delivery meeting international 3. It can further weaken ASEAN unity by standards. Frugal innovations and quick playing both neighbouring states off fix solutions have been harnessed with against each other. limited resources resulting in good quality and affordable products adding to the China is paranoid with the “Malacca Dilemma” comparative advantage of countries in the where it suspects that at the time of any crisis, the region. country’s main access to energy can be cut off by an enemy power via the narrow straits of Malaysia 2. India’s success in the single-window and Sumatra. Evidently, it is concerned about custom clearance through SWIFT could be security issues and is adamant to find alternative replicated in African countries. 3. AAGC initiatives will also enable Afro- Asian countries to industrialize and Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

50 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY routes (China Pakistan Economic Corridor serves make African nations stakeholders in that purpose partly). development. 76 years after attacking the US at Pearl Harbor 3. Structural changes within India and Japan following an oil and gas embargo, Japan also fears must take place before the two can a sabre rattling neighbour controlling its access to promote sustainable people-to-people trade and resources. For India, too, China’s exchanges. decision to build an economic corridor with 4. With protectionism and significant Pakistan through disputed Kashmir is domestic hurdles to overcome, it is symptomatic of a far greater Chinese revisionism difficult to envision both leaders and a break with the current rules-based system. effectively promoting meaningful regional The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor provides a integration on the people-to-people level. benevolent alternative to Belt and Road The Asia-Africa Growth Corridor Vision Study Initiative. Japan enjoys a greater trust in that will use the Geographical Simulation Model region. Investing in strategic infrastructure (GSM) to bring out the economic gains for Africa projects such as ports, rails, and through its integration with India, South Asia, telecommunications would find receptive South-East Asia, East Asia and Oceania. The customers in countries seeking to minimize their AAGC is designed to be responsive to the needs dependence on individual trading partners. Its past of equitable and sustainable growth. Its experiences would allay the local perceptions of development programmes and projects are based foreign control. on equal partnership, mutual trust, and Matching Japan’s high skills and capital, India’s cooperation. AAGC aims for an open, inclusive, own size and experience with economic sustainable and innovative growth of the entire development has challenged it to pursue key Asia Africa region, in cooperation with the technologies – be they in pharmacology or solar international community. energy – on a mass scales. With close links in ASEAN, India is widely seen as a benevolent power and via its cultural and religious ties to diaspora populations, India has a strong advantage in promoting trade. Weakness in AAGC 1. Unlike China, the third largest arms exporter globally, Japan and India face notable constraints. Where Article 9 of the Japanese constitution limits the size and engagement of the Japanese army, India, the greatest importer of weapons, remains far behind its main competitor. 2. India doesn’t have pockets deep enough to offer freebies to Africa. All it can do is Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved