IR AND IO notes

51 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India Afghanistan Relations civilian honour, the Amir Amanullah Khan India & Afghanistan have a strong relationship Award. based on historical & cultural links. Since time  India has been favouring an Afghan led immemorial, people of Afghanistan and India and Afghan-owned peace process. have interacted with each other through trade and commerce, peacefully coexisting on the basis of India’s Contribution their shared cultural values and commonalities.  India is the sixth largest donor to Afghanistan in diverse development  In 1999, India became one of the key projects – education, agriculture, infra supporters of the anti-Taliban Northern  India has contributed close to $ 2 billion Alliance. untied funds in infrastructure development in Afghanistan  In 2005, India proposed Afghanistan’s membership in the SAARC.  Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Afghanistan’s highest  Zaranj to Delaram road project for  220kV DC transmission line from Pul-e- facilitating movement of goods and Khumri to Kabul services to the Iranian border  Construction of Afghan-India Friendship Dam (Salma Dam) in Herat province  Construction of Afghan Parliament Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

52 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Strategic Significance of Afghanistan Port which provides an alternative route to  Afghanistan is gateway to energy rich Afghanistan and Central Asia. central Asia & situated at crossroads  India hosted the 6th Ministerial Conference between South Asia & Middle East of Heart of Asia at which the Amritsar  Afghanistan has significant oil and gas Declaration was adopted. It called for reserves and has rich source of rare earth immediate elimination of terrorism to help materials Afghanistan in its political and economic  Stable government in Kabul is essential to transition. reduce terror activities across south Asia & in J & K Global Conference on Afghanistan in Russia  India was the first country Afghanistan  To discuss ways of ending conflict in chose to sign a strategic partnership Afghanistan and establish durable peace agreement with, despite the U.S. and  Moscow invited Iran, Pakistan, India, Pakistan keen on doing so China and five Central Asian States  India donated three Mi-25 attack  Russia’s pursuit of “great power” status + helicopters to Afghanistan as part of the growing concern over terrorism and bilateral strategic partnership to counter narcotic drugs pushed it to enter the the Taliban Afghan conflict  The massive reconstruction plans for the  Russia believes the Taliban is a “legitimate country offer a lot of opportunities for stakeholder” in the conflict that must be Indian companies. engaged,& and is “lesser evil” than Islamic  It has also signed the TAPI pipeline State/Da’esh forces in Afghanistan; & project that aims to bring natural gas from established links with the Taliban to Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and coordinate efforts against Daesh in Pakistan to India Afghanistan.  In the absence of transit route through  By supporting the Taliban, Russia intends Pakistan, India depends on other countries, to strengthen barriers to US interests in the including Iran, to send goods to region. Moreover Russia also reminds the Afghanistan even though it increases time West not to ignore Moscow’s interests in and costs for Indian exporters. discussions of the Afghanistan agenda at  Hence, Recently India and Afghanistan regional & international platforms. inaugurated a dedicated air freight corridor  Chinese interest in Afghan reconciliation service. It will provide Afghanistan, a stems not only from a security/terrorism landlocked country, greater access to angle but also more significantly to ensure markets in India. the sustainability of OBOR given its  India is also cooperating with Afghanistan importance in providing access to Central and Iran for development of the Chahbahar 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

53 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY  India supports an Afghan led and Afghan • During colonial times it was owned national reconciliation process within the framework of the Afghan between Russia and Britain. constitution. India-Afghanistan: Economic interests  India took a hard line, opposing the dominant view from Russia, China and • Afghanistan has a mineral wealth of about Pakistan to involve the Taliban in reconciliation efforts. $1-3 trillion of Iron ore, Lithium,  Russia’s support to the Taliban will have Chromium, Natural Gas, Petroleum etc. numerous implications for the future of Afghanistan. It will weaken the central • Safeguarding Indian investments and government in Kabul, which may result in the situation like Syria. personnel in Afghan is utmost important to India-Afghanistan: Strategic interests India as Indian investment in Afghan • If we go by Mandal Sidhanth, Afghan is India’s natural ally. amounts to about $3bn. • India is interested in retaining Afghanistan as a friendly state India-Afghanistan: Security interests from which it has the capacity to monitor Pakistan and cultivate • India faced many security challenges from assets to influence activities in Pakistan. the Taliban in Afghan during the 1990s. • While India is keenly interested in cultivating a significant partnership • Pakistan has raised and supported with Afghanistan, Pakistan is trying to deny India these very several militant groups such as opportunities. • India’s interest in Afghan is more than Lashkar-e-Taiba, Harkat-ul- mere Pakistan-centrist and reflects its aspiration to be and to be seen as a Mujahideen/Harkat-ul-Ansar, and regional power. • Islamic fundamentalism in Pakistan and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami among Afghan has deleterious effects in the domestic social fabric of India, as Hindu others, which operate in India. fundamentalism in India is triggered by these external developments. • All of these groups have trained in • Afghan is also a center of ‘great games’. • In Medieval times it was between Afghanistan, with varying Persian and Mughal Empire. proximity to the Taliban and by extension al-Qaeda. • Thus India is absolutely adamant that Afghanistan should not again become a terrorist safe haven. • Radical ideologies and terrorism spreading in this region are a security threat for India. • With Pakistan increasing its strategic depth in Afghan, it can reverse the gain of India in Afghan brought through much cost. Pakistan can incubate and move around various anti-India groups in Afghan especially in Loya Paktia. • The golden crescent comprising of Iran, Afghan, and Pakistan is a worry for India, especially with respect to the issue of drug abuse in Punjab. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

54 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY • Islamic State is using Afghan as an outpost Debate on India’s role in Afghan in Asia as it comes under stress in Iraq and There is a debate among major players in Afghan Syria. on the optimal role for India in Afghanistan’s reconstruction in light of the enduring security History competition between India and Pakistan. • India has sought to establish its presence in Afghanistan from the early days of its • Expanding India’s presence in Afghanistan independence in 1947. through increased Indian training of • In 1950, Afghanistan and India signed a Afghan civilian and military personnel, “Friendship Treaty.” development projects, and expanded • India had robust ties with Afghan King economic ties. Zahir Shah’s regime. • Prior to the Soviet invasion in 1979, New • Caution against India’s involvement. Delhi had formalized agreements and • Indian and Pakistani competition in protocols with various pro-Soviet regimes in Kabul. Afghanistan is seen as a new “Great • While India’s role in Afghanistan was Game” and argues that Afghanistan can be constrained during the anti-Soviet jihad, pacified only through a regional solution between 1979 and 1989, India expanded that resolves once and for all the its development activities in Afghanistan, intractable Indo-Pakistan dispute over focusing upon industrial, irrigation, and Kashmir. hydroelectric projects. Afghan History • After the Taliban consolidated their hold Phase I – until the end of the cold war on Afghanistan in the mid-1990s, India Monarchy under King Zahir Shah lasted till 1973 struggled to maintain its presence and to and was overthrown by a coup led by Mohammed support anti-Taliban forces. Daoud Khan. He declared Afghanistan as a • However, Indian objectives in Afghanistan republic. Against his repressive rule, protest remained modest given the constrained became widespread leading to Communist environment. India aimed to undermine the Revolution or Saur Revolution in 1978 and the ability of the Taliban to consolidate its Democratic Republic of Afghanistan came into power over Afghanistan, principally by being. The event proved to be the catalyst for supporting the Northern Alliance in decades of unrest and bloodshed in Afghan. There tandem with other regional actors. were protests against the Democratic Republic of • Working with Iran, Russia, and Tajikistan, Afghanistan and to stabilize the communist India provided important resources to the regime, USSR intervened in 1979. Northern Alliance, the only meaningful The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, challenge to the Taliban in Afghanistan. renamed in 1987 to the Republic of Afghanistan, • Since 2001, India has relied upon commonly known as Afghanistan, existed from development projects and other forms of 1978 to 1992, during which time the socialist humanitarian assistance. People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) ruled Afghanistan. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

55 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY • India had an upper hand as the diplomatic WHO ARE THE TALIBAN? and cultural ties were strong with the • Taliban means students. Afghan regime during these periods. • They are refugees of Afghan civil war and are located in NWFP in Pakistan. • India was the only South Asian nation to • They were educated in Madrasas financed recognize the Soviet-backed Democratic by Saudi Arabia and indoctrinated with Republic of Afghanistan and the Soviet Wahabism-Salafism. Union’s military presence in Afghan • Wahabism is a puritan movement in Islam territories. who wants Shariat rule. Meanwhile, US-Pakistan interest coincided in After fall of Mujahadeen government, India Afghan. After the Iranian revolution, Iran came together with the international out of US influence in the Middle Eastern region. community supported the coalition government So the US was apprehensive of growing Soviet that took control, but relations and contacts ended influence in Afghan. Thus CIA-ISI worked with the outbreak of another civil war, which together to destabilize the communist government brought to power the Taliban. The Taliban regime in Afghan, which led to USSR intervention in was recognized only by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, 1979. The intervention lasted from 1979 to 1989. and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Mujahadeen succeeded in toppling communist destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha monuments regime in Afghan in 1989. Mujahadeen was by the Taliban led to outrage and angry protests Pakistani supported alliance by seven Afghan by India. In 1999, the hijacked Indian Airlines Mujahideen parties fighting against the Soviet- Flight 814 landed and stayed in Kandahar in backed the Democratic Republic of Afghan forces Afghanistan and the Taliban were suspected of in Soviet-Afghan war. supporting them. India became one of the key India, however, recognized the Mujahadeen supporters of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance. government. Following the withdrawal of the Phase II – since the end of the cold war Soviet armed forces from Afghanistan in 1989, India continued to support Najibullah’s • India tried to repair the relations since the government (Mujahadeen government) with 1990s. But the emergence of the Taliban humanitarian aid. with Pakistan’s support limited India’s Taliban to power options. India continued to support anti- Taliban forces in Afghanistan. • Even though the Mujahadeen government came into power by the backing of US- The war in Afghan (2001-present) Pakistan, the government comprised of • Meanwhile, post-cold war scenario different warlords. This lead to the power changed the regional dynamics and US struggle between them and there was a law war on terror in 2001 lead to the defeat of & order crisis. the Taliban. • US war in Afghan was started in 2001. • Moreover, the then president, Najibullah, The war’s public aims were to dismantle become pro-India. al-Qaeda and to deny it a safe base of • This lead to the promotion of Taliban by Pakistan. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

56 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY operations in Afghanistan by removing the US, Russia, China have accepted this centrality of Taliban from power the Taliban. Since only Pakistan has influence • The US demanded extradition of Osama- over the Taliban, this turn of events can be bin-Laden from Taliban post 9/11. Taliban considered as a diplomatic victory of Pakistan didn’t comply and the US launched the whereas India is increasingly being sidelined in war on Afghan under the war on terror. these proceedings. Northern Alliance, which was fighting the Pakistan’s policy on Afganistan Taliban since the 1990s, offered assistance to the US in this endeavour. Thus all the • India’s engagement is a cause of insecurity powers, including India, Russia, the US for Pakistan. fought against the Taliban. Taliban was • Pakistan is an unnatural nation that ousted and went underground in Pakistan. suffers from a crisis of nation- • India offered assistance for the US in this building. Since the beginning, it endeavour. India sensed an opportunity to has been witnessing ethnic re-establish itself in Afghanistan in this conflicts between Punjabis-Sindhis, different international and regional between native inhabitants and framework. India began assistance for Muhasir, Shia-Sunni, Baluch etc. reconstruction and nation-building in • Its biggest fear is the possibility of Afghan. the creation of greater Pashtunistan. NWFP, south & • Zaranj–Delaram road in 2009. central Pakistan is * *dominated by • Salma dam. Pashtoons. They don’t recognize • Construction of Afghan parliament. the legitimacy of the Durand line • After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the and treat it as a colonial boundary. concentration of US was shifted to Iraq. The Pashtoon government of This lead to Taliban insurgency in 2005 Afghan is inspired by integration of and they regrouped from Pakistan the region in Afghan. hideouts. • Since then the US is looking to come out • Pakistan wants a strategic depth in of the war in Afghan but the war is being Afghan – it wants whosoever rules Afghan protracted without an end in sight. is completely controlled by Pakistan. • Recently US-Taliban talks were held in Pakistan is not ready to tolerate even the Doha and US announced that there has minimum presence of India (diplomatic been an in-principle agreement on key also). issues: US troop will leave Afghan and in return, the Taliban promised that Afghan • Pakistan has tensions over India’s presence will not be used by terrorists. in Afghanistan and the presence of India is Thus from 2001 to present, the Taliban has seen as a provocation in Islamabad and as emerged as an important central player in the evidence of an Indian strategy of Afghan peace process. Now major players like encirclement. Indian policy on Afghanistan Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

57 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY • Afghan is India’s natural partner, not just • US policy on Afghan had not been consistent. On the one hand, the US thinks to balance Pakistan but also for the that it needs the assistance of Pakistan to solve the issue because of the geographic fulfilment of energy-economic interest. proximity of Pakistan to Afghan. On the other hand, the US is also wary of • Indian policy in Afghan can be described Pakistan’s double game of supporting the US and Taliban at the same time. as the dichotomy between its aspiration for • Because of this inherent inconsistency of a larger role in its northwestern US policy regarding Afghan, US has not been able to decide what should be the neighbourhood and the real constraints on extent of India’s role in Afghan. it. • India’s reconstruction program in Afghan is inconvenient for the US for the fear of • In 2011 India became the first country provocation of Pakistan. Afghanistan signed a strategic Under the Obama government • Obama policy was of regional diplomacy partnership agreement. Until then India along with providing additional troops in Afghan. was following US demand of India’s • The aim was to draw down forces from 2011 and by 2014 Afghan will take over limited cooperation with Afghan. security. • But Taliban increased attacks thus • India has repeatedly stressed that its exposing the weakness of Afghan capability to take over. relationship with Afghan is independent of Under Trump government Pakistan. • Donald Trump endorsed that the Afghan war should be ended at the earliest • India argues that the tripartite relationship possible time. • But hasty withdrawal would create a between India, Pakistan, and Afghan are vacuum as the ground situation had become more complicated with various mutually independent: terrorist outfits including ISIS and al- Qaeda gaining space in Afghan. • In both the 1965 and 1971 wars, • Followed Obama policy of a modest increase in troops. Afghanistan was non-committal • Initiated New Afghan policy. and did not support India. New Afghan strategy of US • Military commitment without a deadline. • On the Kashmir issue, Afghanistan has not publicly supported India • India has not entered the debate on the Durand Line. • In 2018, in a first major offensive military platform to Kabul, India gifted a Mi 25 attack helicopter. • The delivery marks the first time India has gifted offensive combat capability to Afghanistan, a sensitive topic in the past due to strong objections by Pakistan. • Under the agreement, India will also train Afghan defence personnel on operations. US policy on Afghanistan Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

58 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY • Open acknowledgement of Pakistan’s role Regional Powers in providing sanctuary to Afghan-based China militant groups. • China’s role in Afghanistan is gradually • Acknowledgement of India’s’ role in evolving towards more engagement in stabilizing Afghan. various areas. China has evolved into a notable though not yet major player in • US.’s new Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Afghanistan in the areas of investment, policy builds India’s economic assistance economic and humanitarian assistance. into its own strategy for Afghanistan. • This increasing engagement reflects both Under the strategy, the US held back its aid to China’s concerns about the deterioration of Pakistan until Islamabad demonstrates action security in Afghanistan and its interest in against terrorist groups. However, China came in benefiting from a reconstructed aid of Pakistan by arguing that Pakistan has also Afghanistan. been affected by terrorism. After the US released this new Afghanistan • Afghan’s geographic location at the strategy, Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman crossroads of Central and South Asia, visited the US. India put forward its Afghan between India in the South and Russia in strategy: the North, is of great strategic value to China. In addition, Afghanistan’s vast • There will be no Indian boots-on-ground natural resources are also an attraction. in Afghan. • China’s interest in ensuring stability in • India will provide economic assistance and Afghan reflects its growing worries about capacity building. an eruption of insecurity that could endanger its security of its border province • India will sign MoU with Afghan to train Xinjiang, its investments in the Central its police force. Asian region and also its OBOR initiative. • India will assist Afghan in its own way • Beijing is concerned about possible links and not the way desired by the US, that is between its Muslim minorities in Xinjiang boots-on-ground. and the Taliban, as well as other Islamist groups in Afghanistan. • Countered the argument of Pakistan Prime Minister that India has zero political and • Beijing remains reluctant to consider a zero military role in Afghan. security role in Afghanistan but has made major diplomatic efforts to promote the However, President Donald Trump now appears Afghan peace process. reconciled to Pakistan’s centrality to the endgame in the region. He unilaterally announced his plan • China is holding talks in Islamabad since of pulling US troops out of Afghan. A early 2016 along with Afghanistan, the “framework” deal between the US and Afghan US, and Pakistan (the Quadrilateral Taliban signed at Doha. Washington’s hasty Coordination Group). China is also timetable of 18 months to disentangle itself from holding peace talks between the Afghan the Afghan quagmire has narrowed the US’s government and the Taliban. options. Due to this India is trapped in a strategic blind-spot in Afghanistan. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

59 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY • China’s role as a mediator and confidence- • After deterioration of US-Iran ties, Iran builder may be crucial, as its pressure has began to support the Taliban in its borders kept Pakistan peacefully engaged. to ward off US presence from their borders. • What Afghanistan needs is long-term and sustainable support – and China would be • Amidst the crippling sanctions on its in a position to provide it, be it in the economy, Iran can benefit from a stable frame of its OBOR scheme or other trading partner in its neighbourhood. In initiatives. 2017 it supplanted Pakistan as Afghanistan’s largest trading partner. • There may also be several areas of common interest for China to explore with Russia other countries that are present in • Russia has increased its involvement in Afghanistan already. Afghanistan. • This could include joint • Russia established ties with the Taliban in infrastructure projects and training 2007 to discuss the issue of drug and professionalization for trafficking through the central Asian Afghans. region. • India and China have agreed for • Moreover mutual fear of IS has brought joint projects in Afghan in the the Taliban and Russians closer. Wuhan summit in 2018. • After the Syrian crisis, Russia is trying to flex its muscle in this region to boost its Iran global power status. • Like India, Russia, China, and the U.S., Iran would want to see a steady hand at the Peace conferences and processes helm in Afghanistan. There are many peace conferences and processes • Iranian Revolution 1979 can be seen as a to solve the crisis. Bonn Agreement 2001 was the precursor to Afghan turmoil. Iranian first international pact on Afghanistan for peace Revolution led to two developments in the and reconciliation. Let us look at some of the region: important among them, their consequences and • Iran came out of US influence. The US India’s role or stand in them. thus intervened in Afghan to counter There are two major international peace efforts USSR influence in the region. This lead to that are currently underway – the American push USSR intervention in Afghan in 1979. for peace led by Zalmay Khalilzad (Special • Iranian Revolution consolidated Shia sect Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, in Iran. This threatened Saudi and UAE Khalilzad) and the Moscow-led consultations. lead by Sunni sects. This, in turn, led them Zalmay Khalilzad has held talks with different to finance Wahabism-Salafism and thus stakeholders – Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Taliban. the Taliban with the intention to deliver a deal in • Since Saudi was promoting Wahhabi Islam six months. Appointment of Khalizad indicates through the Taliban, Iran supported the the US urge to get out of Afghan at the earliest overthrow of the Taliban in 2001. possible time. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

60 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Moscow consultations are called ‘Moscow-format • Current talks with the Taliban are not consultations on Afghanistan’. Moscow Afghan-led, owned or controlled, and the consultation is one of the few peace processes Taliban has not abjured violence, or sworn which have managed to get the Taliban and allegiance to the Afghan constitution Afghanistan at the same table of talks before joining talks. notwithstanding its inconclusiveness. Heart of Asia Conference, Kabul process etc. are • For India, which has built on its centuries- some of the other peace conferences. old ties with Afghanistan with $3 billion in India’s stand in the Peace Conferences development assistance over the last 10 years, the spectre of a Pakistan proxy in • In peace conferences, India’s stand is that power in Kabul is now looming large. it should be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled and with the • Holding no trump cards in this game, India participation of the government of is now engaging with China and Iran, and Afghanistan. India is also wary of talks with a range of Afghan actors including with the Taliban and the distinction of former President Hamid Karzai, who is ‘good Taliban-bad Taliban’. said to be playing a key role in the US- Taliban process. Recent events • Much to India’s chagrin, U.S. and Russia • India aims to secure its own strategic and have accepted the idea that peace in economic interests in Afghanistan while Afghanistan is not possible without major backing the position taken by the concessions to the Taliban. Taliban has government in Kabul on the talks. become the centre stage in all the peace conferences. • According to foreign policy experts, India • This is evident in the talks facilitated by may have to think of reaching out to the Russia in Moscow in February 2019, with Taliban in near-future, at least sections of mainstream Afghan politicians sitting it that are independent minded. around the table with Taliban leaders and recent U.S.-Taliban talks in Qatar. Trade and Connectivity between India-Afghan • The U.S. and Russia have, in their • India wants to improve transport respective peace processes, agreed to connectivity and economic collaboration sidestep the Ashraf Ghani regime in with countries in Central and South Asia Kabul, and accepted the Taliban’s through Afghan. condition that it will not negotiate with the • There is a land route through Waga Atari elected Afghan government at this stage. route. But Pakistan doesn’t allow India- • And both the Russian and U.S. processes Afghan trade through this route. are dependent on cooperation from • India and Iran inked a transit agreement on Pakistan, which retains its influence over transporting goods to landlocked the Taliban leadership. Afghanistan. • Indian investment in Chabahar port in southeastern Iran will serve as a hub for the transportation of transit goods. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

61 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY • India builds Deleram- Zaranj instability in Afghan that will not only affect highway in Afghan. India’s interest but also regional stability. The current US move has been a diplomatic • India-Afghan established two air victory for Pakistan. The US will require corridors to facilitate bilateral Pakistan’s support to implement the interim deal trade. as only Pakistan has influence over the Taliban. Fully aware of the deadline, the Taliban are trying • India helped Afghans in the reconstruction to secure maximum concessions from Zalmay of Salma Dam in the Herat province. Khalilzad without offering anything meaningful in return. • India has also constructed a new With the US withdrawing from Afghanistan, India Parliament complex for the Afghan must find ways to maintain its presence. Despite government. being an important stakeholder in Afghanistan, India finds itself increasingly marginalized in • There is an India Afghan joint working negotiations involving the key regional players. group on trade, commerce, investment. New Delhi is concerned about the vital role that all the powers are giving to Pakistan. Iran and • India ratified UN TIR (Transports Russia, two of India’s closest allies during the Internationaux Routiers or international Northern Alliance’s battle against the Taliban road transport) Convention in 2017. regime in the 1990s, seem out of sync with New • TIR facilitates trade and Delhi’s interests. international road transport by India’s developmental approach has earned it permitting customs sealed vehicles immense goodwill among the Afghan people. and containers to transmit nations However, the “soft power” strategy has without inspected at borders. limitations. The recent mocking of Donald Trump • Afghan Pakistan are contracting of New Delhi’s role in war-torn Afghanistan is a parties of TIR manifestation of this limitation. However, there is • TIR may boost trade between a domestic consensus in India that boots-on- India-Afghan through Pakistan. ground is not an option. Thus India is in the dilemma between continued soft-power or to • Under Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade aggressively push its hard power. Agreement, Afghan can use Pakistan Trump’s recent strategy of engaging with the territory for transit trade and vice versa. Taliban without the consideration of India has cast • But Pakistan did not allow the a shadow over the US’s role as a strategic ally of agreement to be used by India for India in the region. transit. • Afghan is in favour of India joining • While India’s principled position that it the agreement, but Pakistan will not directly or publicly talk to the rejected this proposition. Taliban until it engages the Afghan government remains valid, it is necessary Conclusion Donald Trump is the third US President who is trying to end the Afghan war. However many experts opine that the announcement of drawdown before getting anything concrete from the Taliban is a strategic blunder for the US. It will lead 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

62 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY that India stays abreast of all negotiations and isn’t cut out of the resolution process. • It is hoped that a robust channel is open between Indian intelligence agencies and all important groups in Afghanistan*, *including the Taliban, in order to ensure that Indian interests, development projects, and citizens are kept secure. • New Delhi should leverage the goodwill it enjoys among the Afghan people. India must intensify its dialogue with regional and global stakeholders, and impress upon them that any dialogue with the Taliban must not come at the cost of the hard- fought victories of the Afghan people in the past two decades: on establishing constitutional democracy and the rule of law, and securing the rights of women and minorities. India’s army chief, General Bipin Rawat, recently asserted that India “cannot be out of the bandwagon” because if “you are not sitting on the high table you will not know what is happening”. It is time for New Delhi to engage the Taliban to secure its interests. India also needs to reassess its policy choices in close coordination with Russia and Iran, constantly reminding them that complete surrender to the Taliban’s demands will be detrimental to their own security. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

63 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Free Trade Agreements and India • There was increasing contact between people and this led to a rise in exchanges A Free Trade Agreement is an agreement between and even economically. countries to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade.Trade barriers include tariff barriers like • Look East Policy was a game-changer and taxes and nontariff barriers like regulatory laws. after that, there has been no looking back Trade barriers include tariff barriers like taxes and and only growth of relations in between nontariff barriers like regulatory laws. two regions. A Free Trade Agreement or FTA is an agreement between two or more countries where the ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE countries agree on certain obligations that affect • The Economic relation is a pillar on which trade in goods and services, and protections for the two region’s partnership rests. In this investors and intellectual property rights, among context, with the enforcement of the ‘Look other topics. East Policy’ there were growing trade India- ASEAN Free Trade Agreement relations in goods and investments. After the India-ASEAN free trade agreement • Recently, India and The Association of was created in 2003, trade relations Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) boomed even further. In 2009, the Free completed 25 years of cooperation and Trade Agreement in Goods was signed partnership. and enacted in 2010. The ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA) has been • With the initiation of economic reforms in completed with the entry into force of the India from 1991 onwards, the then ASEAN-India Agreements on Trade in government initiated the ‘Look East Service and Investments on 1 July 2015. Policy’ which was particularly focused on With this, India will stand to gain as it has Southeast Asia and East Asia. always asked for an FTA which will be more comprehensive and included services • The successive governments rigorously which has been India’s stronger sector. implemented the policy. With the regime • The ASEAN nations and India together change in 2014, there was an upgrade of consist one of the largest economic regions the ‘Look East Policy’ to ‘Act East with a total population of about 1.8 Policy’. billion. ASEAN is currently India’s fourth largest trading partner, • The India-ASEAN relationship and ties go accounting for 10.2 percent of India’s total way back in history. Culturally, Southeast trade. India, on the other hand, is Asia has borrowed heavily from India and ASEAN’s 7th largest trading partner. there were even Indian kings who went to India’s service-oriented economy perfectly Southeast Asian lands and established new complements the manufacturing-based dynasties there. economies of the ASEAN countries.The annual trade between India and ASEAN • With the end of the colonisation era, stood at approximately US$ 76.53 billion slowly the ties between India and ASEAN started to develop yet again. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

64 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY in 2014-15. However, it dropped to US$ especially the rubber plantations of Kerala who 65.04 billion in 2015-16 due to declining have complained of the cheaper imports ever since commodity prices against the backdrop of the agreement was about to be signed. a sluggish global economy. The other drawback of the agreement is that • Investment flows are quite remarkable the agreement in services hasn’t reaped many both ways, with ASEAN accounting for benefits for India. According to ASEAN rules, approximately 12.5 percent of investment until all the nations have not ratified the FTAs in flows into India since 2000. Singapore is their Legislatures, the FTA will not be enforced. the primary hub for both inward and This has caused much trouble for India as outward investments. Foreign direct Philippines hasn’t ratified the FTA in services as investment (FDI) inflows into India from there will be direct competition in between India ASEAN between April 2000 and May and Philippines in direct competition in services 2016 were about US$49.40 billion. FDI which would be a disadvantage for the latter. outflows from India to ASEAN countries, Over the years, with the statistics and trade from April 2007 to March 2015, according figures, it can be easily deciphered that the trade to data from the Department of Economic imbalance in favour of ASEAN and India has an Affairs (DEA), was about US$38.672 expanding trade deficit with the region which billion. dearly hurts its Current Account Deficit and thus, • In order to enhance economic and strategic hurt India overall fiscally. relations with the Southeast Asian India and RCEP countries, the Indian government has put Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, in place a Project Development Fund to set also known as RCEP is a mega trade- up manufacturing hubs in Cambodia, block which is being negotiated in between Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam(CMLV) the ten members of the ASEAN group and six countries through separate Special Purpose other members namely South Korea, Australia, Vehicles (SPVs). China, Japan, New Zealand and India. It is a CHALLENGES IN INDIA-ASEAN FREE Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which is being TRADE AGREEMENT proposed amongst these nations which will Despite the fact that the Trade Agreement with include goods and services, investments, ASEAN has helped trade grow immensely with intellectual property rights, economic and India, still, the issue remains that the agreement technical cooperation and dispute settlement. has benefitted the ASEAN region more than If negotiated and enforced, it will be one of the India. With the agreement in goods signed, the largest trading blocs of the world. With a domestic markets have faced stiff competition combined Gross Domestic Product of almost $17 because they have to compete with the cheaper trillion and covering more than 40 percent of the goods of the ASEAN region. For example, the world’s trade. It also covers more than 3 billion rubber imports from Malaysia, palm oil imports people. from Indonesia have made it a tough ordeal for the The bloc aims at tariff liberalization amongst local manufacturers of palm oil and rubber, the nations and so, there will be easier market Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

65 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY access amongst for all the nations amongst sector. The already negotiated FTA with themselves. ASEAN has hurt the interests of some ADVANTAGES FOR INDIA particular communities such as rubber plantations and palm oil production. Also, • For India, which is not a part of the other the allied sectors, such as the dairy major trade blocs of the world, such as sector in India, which still is not at a Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation mature stage, will also face stiff (APEC), the Trans Pacific Partnership competition from countries like New (TPP), this free trade agreement would Zealand who have a very strong dairy prove to be of advantage as earlier it was sector and their economy thrives on the feared that with the presence of these trade same. blocs and the negotiation of their FTAs, • Also, the industrial sector of India is still India might lose out its market share, in a nascent stage. In the context of goods, especially in case of textiles, India has already given up on a three tier pharmaceuticals and medicines etc. to tariff reduction proposal which would other Southeast Asian nations like offer different coverage for ASEAN, Japan Vietnam. and South Korea and much lower level of tariff reduction coverage for Australia, • Also, with India already having an FTA China and New Zealand. with ASEAN and Japan and South Korea, • With the agreement on the intellectual with the negotiation of the RCEP, it property rights to be negotiated, which is will complement India’s pre-existing being pressurised by Japan, this will lead FTAs and will allow better access to to the issue that India may lose its status consumer markets in other nations. as the pharmaceutical hub of the world. Agreeing to data exclusivity, extending • With the FTA being negotiated even in patenting terms and unduly strong services, it will add to the advantage for enforcement measures will weaken the India where they have a comparative generic pharmaceutical sector and will advantage over other nations, especially in come in direct conflict with section 3(d) of the context of Information Technology the Indian Patents Act. This will make related services, healthcare services and medicines expensive and inaccessible not educational services. just for Indians but for the entire developing world. India has already CHALLENGES FOR INDIA resisted pressure in not succumbing to • The agricultural sector of India, which dilute the provisions with the European faces issues like lack of investment, low Union and the FTA to be proposed with productivity, obsolete technology and the same. Thus, diluting the measures in fragmented landholdings will suffer even this context might again open a Pandora’s more as with the negotiation of the RCEP box for India. agreement, now, the Indian market will be flooded with products from other nations which are comparatively cheaper and have a more efficient agricultural Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

66 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY • Also, in the case of the services sector, selected goods without tariffs or with very where India is assuming and pitching for low tariffs) and later, it was upgraded to a gains, it remains to be seen whether it will Free Trade Agreement in 2004 and duly gain or not. India is pitching for came into force in 2006. This was Mode 3 and Mode 4 type gains. With basically done to improve trade and Mode 4 types of gains highly unlikely to economic relations amongst the member be awarded, in the context of Mode 3, nations of SAARC. except in the case of Information • With the classification of nations as Least Technology and Information Technology Developing Countries and Non-Least Enabled Services, it remains to be seen Developing Countries, there was a creation whether it will benefit India much or not. of an equal platform for all the players in the region so that the Free Trade • Finally, to conclude, the FTA will Agreement would not lead to issues for the basically put a big challenge to the ‘Make domestic markets. in India’ programme which the current • However, despite more than ten years after government is aggressively promoting. For the enactment of the FTA, the trade example, the granting of tariff free access growth amongst the member nations is to the Chinese goods, which have already meagre. This puts a question mark on the flooded the Indian markets and have concept of creation of an FTA in the decimated the Indian goods and markets region. Because of the geopolitical will further aggravate the situation and add scenario of the subcontinent, there have to increase the budget deficit with China. always been contentious issues amongst the neighbours. For example, India and South Asia Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) Pakistan have always had their differences • South Asian Association for Regional and their relationship becomes the Cooperation or SAARC, as it is known, is elephant in the room in case of any summit a region comprising of all the South-Asian and negotiations to be done. Also, the nations or the subcontinent i.e. India, proximity of Pakistan to China has added Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, to the troubles. Bhutan and the other two countries • Other smaller nations have also played the namely Afghanistan and Maldives. It China card again and again against India was conceived to improve the which has led to a void in the confidence interrelationships between the nations and amongst the nations. The trade amongst improving people to people contact as all the nations is so poor that it comprises the people are united culturally but divided of only five percent of the total trade of by the borders. the nations. • In this context, the concept of South-Asia • The clause of ‘sensitive list’ has also hurt Free Trade Agreement or SAFTA was trade prospects which each nation conceived for the first time in 1993 as a apprehensive of losing out on its domestic Preferential Trade Agreement ( an agreement amongst the nations to trade Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

67 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY industry as compared to the other nations Mechanism at the global level in which the foreign investors in a country can drag the and thus, have included quite a many of government at the international arbitration centres without exhausting the local the list of goods and services to be traded litigation means and claim huge losses citing losses they suffered due to various in the sensitive list. When included in the reasons, including policy changes. This has been summarily rejected by India, list, the products become immune from Argentina as well as Japan. Japan has been opposing it on the grounds that tariff concession. international arbitration will involve huge costs whereas India wants the foreign India-European Union Free Trade Agreement investors to exhaust the national judicial remedies and then only go for international (Proposed) arbitration. Future of the Free Trade Agreements and • India-European Union (EU) India’s stand on them The unilateral termination of the BITs with so FTA, officially known as the Broad- many nations should be reviewed, especially when India is being projected as a bright spot in the Based Trade and Investment global economy. The move comes as a regressive step as it increases the confusion of the foreign Agreement is being negotiated for quite a investors who wish to invest in India. Also, the clause which says at least five years of national while. However, in 2013, there was a litigation is necessary after which the international tribunals can be approached looks like a step in breakdown in talks in between the two the wrong direction. This goes against the government’s slogan of ‘More Governance, Less sides and the talks have been stalled ever Government’ and against the concept of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in the nation. since. The European Union wants India to In regard with the FTAs, India should be very careful in the clauses of negotiation. Despite reduce the import duties on alcohol and having a strong services sector in a select few categories, ( IT, ITES, Healthcare and Education automobiles and India wants the EU to etc.) the agricultural sector as well as the industrial sector, especially the Micro, Small and declare India as a ‘data secure’ country. Medium Scale Enterprises are still not as mature and strong as compared to the other countries with • Also, in 2016, India unilaterally terminated which India is negotiating FTAs. Bilateral Investment Treaties with many countries across the world, with many of them being European nations. This has added to the increased scepticism of the nations who have question marks over the future investments to be made in India. The reason why the Bilateral treaties have been terminated is that India has put forward its own condition of exhausting all the judicial and litigation measures available in the country first and then only go for international litigation or arbitration. The 2016 Model Indian Bilateral Investment Treaty requires the foreign investor to litigate at least for five years in the national courts before approaching the international tribunal. • In contrast, the EU and Canada had put forward the idea of Investor State Dispute Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

68 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY For the sake of gaining an advantage in the 4. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and services sector and access to foreign markets in the rise of US as a super power, India services, which are also not completely accessible started aligning itself with the US and this because of the nation’s reservations, India ends up further added to our improved relations compromising on the primary and secondary with Israel. sector which affects too many livelihoods and the economy overall. 5. After decades of Non-Alignment and Pro- Thus, the negotiations at an international level Arab policy, in 1992 India changed its should be done only after proper deliberation and stance and established full diplomatic ties understanding of the situation. with Israel. India-Israel Relations India-Israel Relations post 1992 • By 1992, the stage was ready for a new Though India voted against a UN resolution for beginning in the history of India-Israel the creation of Israel, once Israel is created, India relationship. As mentioned earlier, the first officially recognised Israel (in 1950). But full steps towards de-hyphenation were diplomatic ties were established only in 1992. initiated in 1992 when the government The reasons for this tectonic shift in the foreign established full diplomatic relations with policy stand were: the bilateral relationship between the two countries has blossomed at the economic, 1. During these years, the popular perception military, agricultural, space research and of Israel was negative as it was a state political levels. formed on religion and analogous to • Israel was one of the rare countries to Pakistan. However, the formation of an directly help India during the Kargil Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) War. The Kargil conflict revealed some in 1969 which neglected the sentiments of important deficiencies in India’s Indian Muslims by blocking of India’s intelligence and military forces. In the membership to this group by Pakistan is efforts to rectify these problems, India one of the primary triggers for the change turned towards Israeli assistance and in stance. (Even today India is not a technologies. member of OIC). • Since then Israel became an important defence importer for India. When India 2. India has received no backing from the was planning to undertake a military strike Arab countries on Kashmir Issue. There against Pakistan in June 2002 as part have been no serious attempts by the Arab of Operation Parakram (response to our world to put pressure on Pakistan to reign Parliament attack), Israel supplied in the cross-border insurgency in Kashmir. hardware through special planes. • Now, India is the world’s largest buyer of 3. Israel supported India during Indo-Pak Israeli weaponry and in 2013 India was the wars even before full diplomatic ties were third largest trading partner of Israel in established. 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

69 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY • Apart from defence cooperation, Israel has • In 2015 India abstained at the UN Human intensified its cooperation with Indian Rights Commission (UNHRC) on a agriculture, helping farmers multiply their resolution welcoming the report of the income by the adoption of modern same Commission of Inquiry. It was the agricultural technologies to increase the first time India refused to vote against productivity. Israel. • Recent years have been witnessing a major • Later on, our Government clarified that boost in the cooperation in other areas there was no change in India’s traditional such as S&T, Space research, Commerce, support to the Palestinian cause and it was and trade etc. the reference to the ICC (International criminal court) which made India abstain • Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s Israel from voting. (India has not signed Rome visit in 2015 was another milestone in statute on ICC). bilateral relations, as this was the first visit by an Indian president to Israel. Our PM is • However, with an increased focus on planning to visit Israel in 2017. closer ties with Israel, there is little doubt that India has diluted its support to What is India’s stand on Israel-Palestine Palestine. Conflict? What are the things India must keep in mind • India traditionally believes in the 2-state before endorsing Israel? solution and supports the establishment of The important areas of concern by India before a sovereign independent and a viable state endorsing Israel are as follows: of Palestine. 1. India’s energy security still relied upon the • India’s support for Palestine has not Arab Nations. deterred its growing relationship with Israel. 2. India should consider its relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran before going for • However, over the years, the Indian closer ties with Israel. Saudi has not yet government has diluted its reaction to recognised Israel as a country and Iran Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians. supports the Palestinian cause. Any direct stake on Israel would affect our relation • In 2014 India favoured a UN resolution with these countries. which established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate a violation of Way ahead international humanitarian and human Israel wants India to end its pro-Palestine policy. rights law in the ‘Occupied Territories’ Considering the defence and technological ties during ‘ Operation Protective Edge’. with Israel, India can’t ignore Israel (Please refer article on Israel-Palestine too. However, while going beyond strategic Conflict). But our Government was relations with Israel, India cannot afford to ignore reluctant to pass a resolution in Parliament its crucial energy ties with Iran and the Gulf condemning the Israeli action deviating countries. Also, it should not be forgotten that from its earlier practice. India requires the firm endorsement of its Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

70 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY candidature from the Arab countries that form a • India was one of the first countries to large group in the UN General Assembly. recognise the state of Palestine in 1988. It is to be noted that India has been very keen to preserve a pragmatic balancing act between • When Palestine Authority (PA), a self regional players in the West Asian region like Government body, was created as a result Saudi Arabia and Iran. On similar lines, India of Oslo Peace accord, India opened her should be cautious enough while backing Israel Representative Office for it in Gaza, which and should adopt a more balanced and pragmatic later was shifted to Ramallah in 2003. approach while dealing with Israel and Palestine. India-Palestinian relations • India voted in favour of UN Resolution India-Palestinian relations against constructing West Bank wall by Israel in 2003. • India’s solidarity with Palestinian people and its attitude towards Palestinian cause • India voted in favour for accepting was taken shape during our freedom Palestine as a full member of UNESCO in struggle against British colonialism. In 2011. 1938, on the proposal to create a homeland for Jews in Palestine, Mahatma Gandhi • India voted in favour of upgrading the wrote, “my sympathy for the Jews does status of Palestine to a ‘non-member state not blind me to the requirements of ‘ in UN in 2012. Justice. It is wrong and inhuman to impose the Jews on the Arabs’. • In 2014, India supported a UNHRC resolution to lauch probe into the Isreal’s • In 1947, having been the victim of offensive in Gaza. Partition and going through its horrific scenes, India voted against the partition of India’s cooperation with Palestine in other Palestine at the United Nations General areas Assembly. It should be noted that India was the only non-Arab and Non-Muslim • Along with Political support, India has country to do so. been contributing material and technical assistance to the Palestinian people. India • Post Independence also, empathy with has offered budgetary assistance to a tune Palestine became the essential part of our of US$ 30 million since 1995 till date for foreign policy. different development initiatives in Palestine. Construction of a library in Al- • India has always played a proactive role in Azhar university, library – cum activity garnering support for the Palestinian cause centre in Palestine technical college etc. to at multilateral forums. name a few. • And in 1974, India became the first non- • In 2016 India pledged a USD 1.25 million Arab country to recognise Palestine to the UN relief agency for Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) as the sole refugees as it voiced concern over the representative of the Palestinian. fragile situation and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. • India has always been a leading partner in educational support and cooperation to Palestine. It has been at the forefront 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

71 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY capacity building process, extending hundreds of scholarships to Palestinian students under the ITEC (Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation) • India-Palestine cultural connections draw strength from India’s cultural and civilizational linkages with the Arab world. Due to the cultural similarities of both countries, Indian Arts and Culture is very popular in Palestine. Several cultural activities such as Kalarippayattu (Indian Martial Art), Kathak etc. were organised in Palestine in the recent past. Indian films, yoga, Indian cuisines etc are also popular in Palestine. Reasons behind India’s pro-Palestine policy 1. India with a considerable number of Muslim Population has been always sympathetic to the Muslim population in Palestine. Indian politicians also followed a pro- Palestine approach without hurting the minority sentiments. 2. India did not want to jeopardise the interest of its citizens (more than 7 million) working in Arab countries which are a good source of forex reserves. 3. India is dependent on the Arab nations for its larger oil imports. 4. India’s co-operation with the Soviet Union during cold war era and our desire to counter Pakistan with the support of Arab nations was another reason for our pro- Palestine policy. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

72 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India’s ‘Connect Central Asia’ education in areas like Information Technology, management, philosophy and languages. Policy 7. India is working on setting up a Central Asian e-network with its hub in India, to deliver, tele- The elements of India’s ‘Connect Central Asia’ education and tele-medicine connectivity, linking policy as follows: all the five Central Asian States. 1. India will continue to build on our strong 8. Indian companies can showcase its capability in political relations through the exchange of high the construction sector and build world class level visits. Its leaders will continue to interact structures at competitive rates. Central Asian closely both in bilateral and multilateral fora. countries, especially Kazakhstan, have almost 2. India will strengthen its strategic and security limitless reserves of iron ore and coal, as well as cooperation. India already has strategic abundant cheap electricity. India can help set up partnerships in place with some Central Asian several medium size steel rolling mills, producing countries. In focus will be military training, joint its requirement of specific products. research, counter-terrorism coordination and close 9. As for land connectivity, India has reactivated consultations on Afghanistan. the International North-South Transport 3. India will step up multilateral engagement with Corridor (INSTC). India & Central Asian nations Central Asian partners using the synergy of joint need to join our efforts to discuss ways to bridge efforts through existing fora like the Shanghai the missing links in the Corridor at the earliest and Cooperation Organisation, Eurasian Economic also work on other connecting spurs along the Community (EEC) and the Custom Union. India route. has already proposed a Comprehensive Economic 10. Absence of a viable banking infrastructure in Cooperation Agreement to integrate its markets the region is a major barrier to trade and with the unifying Eurasian space. investment. Indian banks can expand their 4. India looks to Central Asia as a long term presence if they see a favourable policy partner in energy, and natural resources. Central environment. Asia possesses large cultivable tracts of land and it 11. India will jointly work to improve air sees potential for India to cooperate in production connectivity between our countries. India is one of of profitable crops with value addition. the biggest markets for outbound travelers 5. The medical field is another area that offers estimated at USD 21 billion in 2011. Many huge potential for cooperation. India is ready to countries have opened tourist offices in India to extend cooperation by setting up civil woo Indian tourists. Central Asian countries could hospitals/clinics in Central Asia. emerge as attractive holiday destinations for 6. India’s higher education system delivers at a tourists and even for the Indian film industry fraction of the fees charged by Western which likes to depict exotic foreign locales in its universities. Keeping this in mind, India would films. like to assist in the setting up of a Central Asian 12. Connections between our peoples are the most University in Bishkek that could come up as a vital linkages to sustain our deep engagement. I centre of excellence to impart world class would particularly like to emphasise exchanges Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

73 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY between youth and the future leaders of India and  India has had relations with Central Asia Central Asia. India already has a robust exchange since the 3rd century B.C as the nations of students. India will encourage regular fell on route to the Legendary Silk Route. exchanges of scholars, academics, civil society and youth delegations to gain deeper insights into  The Silk Route not only served as the each other’s cultures. medium for transportation of goods, silk, textiles, spices etc but also facilitated Why in News? dispersion of thoughts, ideas, religion and philosophy.  Recently India’s External Affairs Minister  Buddhism found inroads in several of (EAM) participated in first India-Central Central Asian cities such as Merv, Khalachayan, Tirmiz and Bokhara etc in Asia Dialogue in Samarkand, Republic of form of Stupas and Monasteries. Uzbekistan.  Babur in 1526 came from the fertile valley of Fergana (food bowl of Central Asia) to  Five countries from Central Asia the dusty town of Panipat and established the mighty rule of Mughals in India. participated in the dialogue- Kazakhstan,  Men of prominence such as Amir Khusrau, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Dehlawi, Al-Biruni, Abdur Rahim Khan i Khanan etc having Central Asian routes Turkmenistan. came and made their name in India.  All the countries participating in the  During the Soviet period- culture, music, dance, movies and literature bound the dialogue are also members of Soviet Republics closely with India. Popularity of iconic stars like Raj Kapoor, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Nargis, and others brought India into the homes and hearts of common people of India-Central Asia Dialogue this region.  It was the first ministerial level India-  Bilateral relations however suffered considerable neglect in the 25 years after Central Asia dialogue. emergence of these countries as independent States in 1991.  Dialogue focused on a number of Present Time issues including ways to improve  India has registered significant progress recently through renovation of Chabahar connectivity and stabilize war-ravaged port, development of the International North-South Transport Corridor Afghanistan. (INSTC) and becoming a member of Ashgabat Agreement.  India has proposed setting up of ‘India- Central Asia Development Group’ to take forward development partnership between India & Central Asian countries. o The group may enable New Delhi to expand its footprints in the resource-rich region amid China’s massive inroads and to fight terror effectively, including in Afghanistan.  India will host the next India-Central Asia Dialogue in 2020. Historical ties with Central 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

74 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY International North-South Transport Corridor  India has a very wide array of interests in (INSTC) Central Asia covering security, energy, economic opportunities etc.  International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), is multi-modal  Central Asia serves as a land bridge transportation established in 12 Sep 2000 between Asia and Europe, making it in St. Petersburg, by Iran, Russia and India geopolitically axial for India. for the purpose of promoting transportation cooperation among the  Security, stability and prosperity of Member States. Central Asia is imperative for peace and economic development of India.  This corridor connects India Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Caspian Sea via the  The region is rich in natural resources such Islamic Republic of Iran and then is as petroleum, natural gas, antimony, connected to St. Petersburg and North aluminum, gold, silver, coal and uranium Europe via the Russian Federation. which can be best utilized by Indian energy requirement.  The INSTC was expanded to include eleven new members, namely: the  Central Asia has huge cultivable areas Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of lying barren and without being put to any Armenia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz productive use, offering enormous Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Republic opportunity for cultivation of pulses. of Turkey, Republic of Ukraine, Republic Indian agribusiness companies can setup of Belarus, Oman, Syria, Bulgaria commercial agro-industrial complexes in (Observer). Central Asia.  India uses the instrumentality of soft  Owing to higher economic growth, several power and its ready acceptability in areas have become attractive for Central Asia to strengthen bilateral ties. construction business, providing huge o India through cultural events- scopes to Indian companies engaging in classical dance, music, Bollywood financial services, contractors, engineers, films, yoga, literature and and management specialists. educational programs reinforces the historical ties with the region.  Both India and Central Asian Republics (CARs) share many commonalities and  The Indian Technical and Economic perceptions on various regional and world Cooperation (ITEC) Program provides issues and can play crucial role in technical assistance and training in areas providing regional stability. such as banking, remote sensing and information technology etc in the premier  For India to use Chabahar as a vital institutions in India. gateway to access Eurasian markets and optimally operationalize its use, requires a Importance of Central Asia for India Central Asian state joining the project as a direct stakeholder.  Central Asian Regions are fast getting linked to the global market for production, Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

75 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY supplies of raw materials and services.  There are several administrative laggards They are also increasingly getting integrated into the East-West Trans- in the region such as non-availability of Eurasian transit economic corridors. Indian Synergy in Central Asian Region hard currency, banking services, and  Central Asia is facing many challenges in food security; Indian expertise in the field prevailing corruption creating roadblocks can be a game changer in the region.  Commercial farming is another important in smooth bilateral relations. area where India and CARs can cooperate.  India’s experience in boosting food and  India’s \"Look East\" policy has resulted in milk production and modernizing agro- techniques under the green and white concentrating its economic and diplomatic revolution can prove panacea for Central Asia. resources in Southeast and East Asia.  Good relations with India will provide an assured market to these countries for their  Involvement of China in Central Asia in energy, raw materials, oil and gas, uranium, minerals, hydro electric power form of Belt and Road Initiative while etc.  India can significantly bring in lots of posing opportunity by giving easy access foreign investment along with technical expertise in field of infrastructure, to India in the region, it can significantly hospitality, medical etc. Challenges undermine India’s influence in the region.  There are obstructions of physical connectivity due to Pakistan’s hostility and  Porous border and unbridled corruption Afghan instability for its desultory attitude towards Central Asia. along with the proximity with regions of  India’s current trade volume with Central Asia is minimal, and cannot be increased soaring opium production (Golden without substantially improving transport connectivity. Crescent and Golden Triangle) makes the  Politically, the Central Asian republics are highly fragile and also face threats like region a powerhouse for drug and money terrorism, Islamic fundamentalism etc making the region a volatile and unstable trafficking. market. Suggestions  It is fairly understood that both the CAR and India both have not optimally utilized each other’s resources present in diverse sectors.  India is rapidly moving towards its goal of becoming a regional power which continuously requires uninterrupted supply of fuel and energy which can easily be provided by the CAR.  There is a need to realize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) which has a potential of spurring the trade to 170 billion dollars from paltry 10 Billion Dollars. Eurasian Economic Union  The Eurasian Economic Union was started in 2015 based on the Customs Union of Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

76 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY  The bloc was launched to ensure the free movement of goods, services, capital and workforce within its borders.  Members: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia. Way Forward  India should be fully mindful of its historic Silk Route ties with Central Asia, and try to make an entry into the largely untapped energy potential of the region.  India needs to use its instrument of economic leverages more efficiently to build closer ties with Central Asia.  'Connect Central Asia' Policy is a very comprehensive policy which includes political, security, economic and cultural cooperation.  India should make efforts to step up multilateral engagement with Central Asian partners using the synergy of existing forums like the SCO, Eurasian Economic Community (EEC) etc.  Measures such as relaxing of visa regimes, establishing schools and universities; strengthening tourism; Investment in agriculture sector can significantly improve India’s position in the region.  Growing synergies between the India and CAR will promote security, stability, economic growth and development of all 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

77 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Non-Alignment Summit alignment of NAM doesn't mean the neutrality of state on global issues, it was  The Non-Aligned Movement was formed always a peaceful intervention in world during the Cold War as an organization of politics. States that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the United States or Principles the Soviet Union, but sought to remain As J.L Nehru was founding members, the independent or neutral. principles of NAM was largely guided by Panchsheel principles, some of them are:  The basic concept for the group originated in 1955 during discussions that took place  Respect for the principles enshrined in the at the Asia-Africa Bandung charter of the United Nations and Conference held in Indonesia. international law.  The first NAM Summit Conference took  Respect for sovereignty, sovereign place in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in equality and territorial integrity of all September 1961. States.  It has 120 members as on April 2018  Peaceful settlement of all international comprising 53 countries from Africa, 39 conflicts in accordance with the charter of from Asia, 26 from Latin America and the the United Nations. Caribbean and 2 from Europe (Belarus, Azerbaijan). There are 17 countries and  Respect for the political, economic, social 10 international organizations that and cultural diversity of countries and are Observers at NAM. peoples.  The Non-Aligned Movement was founded  Defence and promotion of shared interests, and held its first conference (the Belgrade justice and cooperation, regardless of the Conference) in 1961 under the leadership differences existing in the political, of Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia, Gamal economic and social systems of the States, Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Jawaharlal Nehru on the basis of mutual respect and the of India, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, and equality of rights. Sukarno of Indonesia.  Respect for the inherent right of individual  The purpose of the organization was or collective self-defence, in accordance enumerated in Havana Declaration of 1979 with the charter of the United Nations to ensure \"the national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and  Non-interference in the internal affairs of security of non-aligned countries\" in their States. No State or group of States has the struggle against imperialism, colonialism, right to intervene either directly or neo-colonialism, racism, and all forms of indirectly, whatever the motive, in the foreign subjugation. internal affairs of any other State.  During the cold war era the NAM played a  Promotion and defence of multilateralism vital role in stabilizing the world order and and multilateral organisations as the preserving peace and security. Non appropriate frameworks to resolve, Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

78 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY through dialogue and cooperation, the USSR. It wanted the representation of problems affecting humankind. third world countries to make UNSC more Objectives democratic. Members echoed with same  NAM has sought to \"create an independent demand at 17th NAM conference at path in world politics that would not result Venezuela. in member States becoming pawns in the  Failed to resolve regional tensions: In struggles between the major powers.\" the era of cold war the tension in South  It identifies the right of independent Asia escalated due to regional conflict judgment, the struggle against imperialism between India- China and India-Pakistan. and neo-colonialism, and the use of NAM failed to avoid tensions in the moderation in relations with all big powers region, that further led to the the as the three basic elements that have nuclearisation of the region. influenced its approach.  At present, an additional goal is facilitating India’s Position a restructuring of the international  India being a founder and largest member economic order. in NAM was an active participant in NAM meetings till 1970s but India’s inclination NAM in Cold War Era towards erstwhile USSR created confusions in smaller members. It led to  Against Apartheid: The evil of apartheid the weakening of NAM and small nations drifted towards either US or USSR. was massively prevalent in African  Further disintegration of USSR led the unipolar world order dominated by US. countries like South Africa, its was on the India’s New Economic Policy and inclination towards US raised questions agenda of NAM right from first over India’s seriousness over non alignment. conference. During 2nd NAM conference  Prime Minister of India skipped the 17th Non Aligned Movement (NAM) summit at Cairo the government of South Africa held in Venezuela in 2016, it was only second such instance when Head of a state was warned against the discriminatory didn’t participate in NAM conference.  Moreover, NAM continued losing practices of apartheid. relevance for India in a unipolar world, especially after the founding members  Disarmament: The Non-aligned failed to support India during crisis. For instance, during 1962 War with China, Movement repeatedly comes out for Ghana and Indonesia, adopted explicitly pro-China positions. During 1965 and maintenance of peace,'the cessation of arms race and the peaceful coexistence of all States. In the General Assembly, India submitted a draft resolution declaring that the use of nuclear weapons would be against the charter of the United Nations and crime against humanity and should therefore be prohibited.  UNSC reforms: Right from its inception NAM was in the favour of UNSC reforms, it was against the domination of US 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

79 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY 1971 wars, Indonesia and Egypt took an  The large scale migration in Europe and anti India stance and supported Pakistan. Asia due to the unstable regimes  India in particular, but also most other and ethnic conflict in different parts of NAM countries, have integrated world. themselves to varying degrees within the  Issue of global climate change and liberal economic order and have benefited occurence of catastrophic from it. disasters raising demand to form global  India is a member of the G20 and has consensus to deal with it. declared itself as a nuclear weapons  Changing US policies, protectionism, power and has for all practical purposes prevalent terrorism and nuclearisation of abandoned the call for global nuclear middle east. disarmament.  Formation of multiple regional  India has also engaged itself with new and economic groupings like TPP and RCEP old global powers. India joining and fading away of multilateral bodies the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a WTO from global arena. coalition seen by many as a counterforce to China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific Relevance of NAM NAM continues to hold relevance as a platform and Shanghai cooperation and due to its principles. organisation led by China shown India’s  World peace - NAM has played an active role in preserving world peace.It still balancing approach in new world order. stands by its founding principles, idea and purpose i.e. to establish the peaceful and  India is striving hard for a multipolar prosperous world. It prohibited invasion of any country, promoted disarmament and a world order and asserting itself as one of sovereign world order. the player. Multi polar world order is very  Territorial integrity and sovereignty - NAM stands with this principle and much closed to NAM principles. proved its repeated relevance with the idea of preserving the independence of every Emerging Global Order nation. NAM has to adopt and change itself to suit the newly emerging challenges and geopolitics such  Third World nations - Third world as: countries fighting against socio-economic problems since they have been exploited  World has again moved towards bi- for a long time by other developed nations, polarity, one led by US and other NAM acted as a protector for these small by China-Russia. The war torn syria is countries against the western hegemony. prime example of this, where both US and Russia is asserting power.  Support of UN - NAM’s total strength compromises of 118 developing countries  The escalating tension in Indo- pacific region due to China’s assertion and US acting as a counterweight to check the Chinese expansionist policy. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

80 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY and most of them being a member of UN  NAM as a concept can never be irrelevant, General Assembly. It represents two third members of general assembly, hence NAM principally it provides a strong base to members act as important vote blocking group in UN. foreign policy of its members.  Equitable world order - NAM promotes equitable world order. It can act as a  It should be seen as “Strategic Autonomy”, bridge between the political and ideological differences existing in the which is the need of the hour of today’s international environment.  Interest of developing countries - If world. The principles of NAM still can disputes arise between developed and developing nation at any point of a guide the nations towards it. concerned topic for example WTO, then NAM act as a platform which negotiates  NAM is a platform where India can assert and conclude disputes peacefully securing the favorable decisions for each member its soft power and provide an active nation.  Cultural diversity and human rights - In leadership and by being a torchbearer for the environment of gross human right violation, it can provide a platform to raise smaller countries at multilateral platforms. such issues and resolve the same through its principles.  The conference of Heads of the State or  Sustainable development - NAM supported the concept of sustainable Government of the Non-Aligned development and can lead the world toward sustainability. Can be used as Countries, often referred to as Non- larger platform to make consensus on global burning issues like climate change, Aligned Movement Summit is to be held migration and global terrorism.  Economic growth - The countries of in Azerbaijan in June 2019. Platform NAM has inherent assets, such as a favourable demography, demand and should be used for consensus making on favourable location. The cooperation can lead them to higher and sustainable spectrum of global issues. economic growth. Can be an alternative to regional groupings like TPP and RCEP.  It should be used as a platform to raise global issues like terrorism, climate change and trade protectionism and others.  NAM platform can be used to garner support by South-East Asian countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines against Chinese assertion in South China Sea and related island and border disputes.  NAM can provide a platform for Afro- Asian cooperation and a strong position for poor African nation to have healthy negotiations with China and US for economic development without compromising the sovereignty of their land. Recently, the Vice President of India attended the 18th Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) Summit which was held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Way Forward Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

81 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY  The theme for the 18th NAM Summit in a row (17th and 18th NAM Summit). is “Upholding the Bandung Principles to ensure concerted and adequate response o It had been the customary practice to the challenges of the contemporary ever since the inception of NAM world.'' that India had always participated in the summit meetings through its o The theme relates to the prime minister, with the forthcoming 65th anniversary of single exception of the 6th NAM Bandung Principles (2020) and Summit when Chaudhury Charan the 60th anniversary of the Singh was the caretaker PM and establishment of the Non- hence missed it. Alignment Movement (2021).  Moreover, India has started to o Bandung principles promote world actively engage with new and old global peace and cooperation which were powers. formulated at the Asian-African Conference in 1955. o India joining the Quadrilateral  This NAM Summit majorly focussed on Security Dialogue, a coalition seen contemporary issues such as Terrorism, by many as a counter force to threats to peace and security, UN reform, China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific climate change, sustainable development, and Shanghai cooperation economic governance, and south-south organization led by China shown cooperation. India’s balancing approach in the new world order.  NAM continued losing relevance for India in a unipolar world, especially after the founding members failed to support India during the crisis. o For instance, during the 1962 War with China, Ghana and Indonesia adopted explicitly pro-China positions. o During the 1965 and 1971 wars, Indonesia and Egypt took an anti- India stance and supported Pakistan.  Recently, the Prime Minister of India skipped the second NAM summit Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

82 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India's Act East Policy Integration. Recently, the Prime Minister of India visited o India became a dialogue partner of Thailand for East Asia Summit and Regional ASEAN in 1996 and summit level Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) partner in 2002. Summit. The visit was intended for India to finalize the RCEP trade deal. o In 2012 the relationship got up- India has expressed many concerns regarding the graded into a Strategic signing of the trade deal, viz. unfavourable Partnership in 2012. balance of trade, non-acceptance of auto-trigger mechanism, protection of domestic industry (dairy o The time when India launched and steel), lack of consensus on rules of origin, Look East Policy in 1992, India's etc. trade with ASEAN was $2 billion. However, RCEP envisages strong economic After signing the Free Trade linkages of India with Southeast Asian and East Agreement in 2010 with ASEAN, Asian countries, which is at the core of India’s Act the trade has grown to $72 billion East Policy. (2017-18). Evolution o India is also an active participant in India Act East Policy was unveiled by Prime several regional forums like Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at the the East Asia Summit 12th ASEAN-India Summit in 2014 held in (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum Myanmar. Act East Policy is the successor of (ARF) etc. Look East Policy. Look East Policy  Act East Policy focused on ASEAN countries + Economic Integration + East  In order to recover from the loss of the Asian countries + Security cooperation. strategic partner -USSR (end of the Cold war 1991), India sought to build up a o Prime minister of India relationship with the USA and allies of the highlighted 4C's of Act East USA in Southeast Asia. Policy.  In this pursuit, former Prime minister of • Culture India P V Narasimha Rao launched Look • Commerce East policy in 1992, to give a strategic • Connectivity push to India’s engagement with South- • Capacity building East Asia region. o Security is an important dimension of India's Act East Policy. How Act East is different from Look East policy?  Look East policy focused on • In the context of growing the Association of Southeast Asian Chinese assertiveness in Nations (ASEAN) countries + Economic the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, securing Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

83 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY freedom of navigation and  Quad is an informal strategic dialogue of India's own role in the like-minded democracies converging Indian Ocean is a key across the Indian and Pacific oceans. feature of Act East Policy.  It comprises of the US, Japan, India and • In pursuance of this, India Australia. has been engaged under the  Quad is perceived to be symbiotically narrative of Indo- linked military alliance, formed to contain pacific and informal China. grouping called Quad. Challenges Indo-Pacific India has done more than two decades of hard  In order to counter China's assertiveness in work to extend its reach beyond South Asia, the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean, reaching East Asia or Indo-Pacific region. the term Indo-pacific gained prominence. However, there are some challenges to Act East  The first time, the term 'Indo Pacific' was Policy. used by the Japanese Prime Minister Trade Deficit Shinzo Abe in 2007. Trade has grown over the years but this has occurred with an imbalance. o According to him, it is  India’s trade deficit vis-a-vis all a connection between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. other Regional Comprehensive  However, the President of the United Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries States reinvigorated the term Indo-pacific at EAS summit, 2017. is around $ 107 billion.  Through Indo-pacific, US envisages an  This trade deficit is significantly huge, open, free, inclusive, prosperous and rule- based Indo Pacific system. given India's total trade deficit i.e. around  The term Indo-pacific is being used $180 billion. instead of 'Asia-Pacific'. This shows the salience of India in the new  This was one of the reasons that made construct. India exit RCEP negotiations. Dealing with China India has to cope up with different strategies of China.  On one hand, China is encircling India (through the string of pearls), building o This can be reflected in multilateral China Pakistan economic corridor through military exercises disputed territory between India & like Malabar (trilateral naval Pakistan. exercise between India, Japan and  On the other hand, China wants India to be the US). on its side, on issues like climate change, o India hosted ASEAN Plus military globalization etc. exercise (Force 18) in 2018.  Also, India desires that its foreign policy Quad of Multi Alignment should not make Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

84 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY China apprehensive of India being a o Similar to China developing ports member of the anti-China alliance led by the US. in the Indian Ocean, India with Steps for an Assertive Act East Policy Need for Competitive Manufacturing Indonesia is developing a port  Act East Policy seeks economic integration of India's economy with global called Sabang (near the Strait of supply chains which are concentrated in Southeast Asia and East Asia. Malacca).  In order to become a manufacturing hub, India should do holistic reforms to make o Recently, the Indian prime minister its manufacturing competitive (India hasn't witnessed major reforms since proposed an “Indo-Pacific Oceans 1991). Initiative” for the safe, secure and o In this context there is a need for capital sector reforms, labour stable maritime domain. reforms, easing of land acquisition and bridging infrastructure deficit. • It focuses on creating o The responsibility of carrying out partnerships among these reforms lies with both the private sector and the government. interested states in  This will also help India to check its trade enhancing maritime deficit. security, sustainably using  A balanced, fair and equitable trade relationship is critical for a resounding marine resources, disaster Act East Policy. prevention & management. Tackling China  Just like China is showing its assertiveness Developing North East in the Indian Ocean, India must increase its engagement in the South China Sea.  The success of India’s Act East Policy,  In this context, India's engagement with Quad and ASEAN countries is a step in will depend upon connectivity projects in the right direction. India's North East region. o India and Vietnam, are collaborating in oil exploration in  Therefore, India should expedite the the South China Sea (where China has its claims of sovereignty). connectivity projects like India–Myanmar– Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. Leveraging Soft power  While pursuing Act East Policy India must work on its niche advantage i.e. cultural and civilizational. o These cultural and civilizational linkages are dated from ancient times (spread of Buddhism and Hinduism). o India’s freedom struggle further extended this connection, as many of India's freedom fighters had links with Southeast and East Asian 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

85 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY o Today, the sphere of India’s o Fortaleza Declaration stressed cultural power expanded because of technological infusion and that the NDB will strengthen globalization. cooperation among BRICS and o There is a growing realization of Gandhi’s ideal of Sovereign will supplement the efforts of citizens (a situation where each citizen is so empowered that it can multilateral and regional financial influence the world). institutions for global development  The Indian diaspora will forge a strong people to people relations, which in turn thus contributing to sustainable and will enhance India’s cultural and civilizational linkages. balanced growth. o NDB has successfully worked as one of the most promising multilateral development institutions. Since its inception in 2015, it has approved 42 investment projects worth over $11 BRICS and India billion.  In 2001, the British Economist Jim  Contingency Reserve O’Neill coined the term BRIC to describe Arrangement: BRICS nations signed the four emerging economies of Brazil, BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement Russia, India and China. (CRA) in 2014 as part of Fortaleza  The grouping was formalised during the Declaration at Sixth BRICS summit. first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers o Contingency Reserve on the margins of the UNGA in New York Arrangement, aimed at ensuring in 2006. liquidity for member-states when  The first BRIC Summit was held they are confronted by short term in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in June, 2009. balance of payment crises.  The expansion of grouping took place at o The capital of $100 billion Foreign Ministers’ meeting in New York committed under CRA, can act as in 2010 with the inclusion of South Africa. the guarantor of BRICS financial  South Africa attended the third BRICS stability in case of crisis. Summit in Sanya, China` in April 2011. Relevance of BRICS in Global Order Institutions  BRICS countries together accounts for  New Development Bank: During the 42% of the world’s population, a third of sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil the global GDP and around 17% share of (2014), the leaders signed the Agreement world trade. for establishing the New Development Bank (NDB). o BRICS countries’ sizable contribution to global growth, trade Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

86 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY and investment makes it an  The treaty was signed in December 1987 important pillar of global order.  Financial: Structural imbalances caused by US President Ronald Reagan and by the global financial crisis of 2008 and new threats to the global economy posed Soviet General Secretary Mikhail by trade war and unilateral economic sanctions are yet to be resolved. Gorbachev.  It prohibited the United States and the Soviet Union from possessing, testing and deploying ground-launched cruise and ballistic missiles of ranges between 500 o The growing contribution of the and 5,500 kilometers. BRICS to the world economy and  It also covered all land-based missiles, the rising importance of the including those carrying nuclear warheads economic relations between the but did not cover sea-launched missiles. BRICS and other Emerging Market Importance of BRICS for India and Developing Countries  Geo-Politics: Global geopolitics today (EMDCs) create an opportunity for represents the case of a tug of war and new initiatives that would better India finds itself in the middle of it. This help to support sustainable and has made difficult for India to carve a inclusive growth and development. middle path for balancing its strategic  Security: The US unilateral withdrawal interests between the U.S and the from Intermediate-Range Nuclear Russia-China axis. Forces (INF) Treaty and Iran deal has posed a great security threat to global o Therefore, BRICS platform peace. provides an opportunity for India to balance Russia-China axis. o BRICS, being a pillar of fairer  Global Economic Order: BRICS polycentric world order, can play a significant role in assuring world countries shared a common objective of peace by playing an active role in dispute resolution based on reforming the international financial and principle of fairness. monetary system, with a strong desire to  Poverty Reduction: The BRICS contribution to world poverty reduction build a more just, and balanced has been sizeable. Continued BRICS growth remains important for poverty international order reduction as well as for reducing international inequalities. o To this end, BRICS community plays an important role in the G20, Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) in shaping global economic Treaty policies and promoting financial stability.  Voice of Developing Nations: As the western countries are raising challenges on issues ranging from World Trade Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

87 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Organisation to climate change, the Balancing trade deficit with China is huge developing countries are crippling under challenge for other partner nations. the onslaught of these policies.  Global Model for Governance: Amidst, global slowdown, trade war and o In recent period, BRICS has protectionism, the critical challenge for the BRICS consists in the development of a emerged as the voice of developing new global model of governance which should not be unipolar but inclusive and countries, or the global south and constructive. playing a significant role in o The goal should be to avoid a negative scenario of unfolding protecting the rights of developing globalization and to start a complicated merging of the global countries. growing economies without distorting or breaking the single  Terrorism: BRICS also provides a financial and economic continuum of the world. platform for India to galvanize its efforts Way Forward against terrorism and has worked within  BRICS should promote comprehensive development of all states — both big and the grouping to take a strong stand against small — and enhanced mutually beneficial cooperation among them on the basis of terrorism and bring about focused shared interests.  Democratization of international consultations on specific aspects relating issues i.e agreements on global agendas should be reached with the widest and to terrorism. equal participation of all stakeholders and be based on universally recognised legal  Global Grouping: India is actively norms.  The principle of respect for cultural and pursuing its membership for United Nation civilizational diversity of the world should be a top priority. Security Council (UNSC) and Nuclear  BRICS nations should strive for peaceful and politico-diplomatic settlement of crisis Supplier Group (NSG). and conflict in various regions of the world. o China forms the major roadblock in pursuing such goals. Therefore, BRICS, being one of the pillars of the emerging BRICS provides an opportunity to fairer polycentric world order, plays an important actively engage with China and resolve the mutual disputes. It also helps in garnering support of other partner countries. Challenges  Heterogeneity: It is claimed by critics that heterogeneity (variable/diverse nature of countries) of the BRICS nations with its diverse interests possess a threat to the viability of the grouping.  China Centric: All the countries in BRICS grouping trade with China more than each other, therefore it is blamed that as a platform to promote China’s interest. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

88 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY stabilising role in global affairs. In the storming  The idea behind de-globalisation is to ocean of world politics, BRICS can contribute shield local manufacturing by making significantly in maintaining international stability imports costlier. and ensuring global economic growth and becoming a united center of the multipolar world. Indicators of De-globalization There is some evidence of deglobalization in the De- Globalization aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. The economic data are mixed and indicate a stall, but Recently, the global events like trade war between not a collapse of globalization. the United States and China, and Brexit Movement in Britain highlight a loss of faith of  Trade Protectionism: The recent trade Advanced Economies (AEs) in globalisation. war between the US and China indicates a Globalization change in attitude of AEs in protecting their interests at the cost of developing  Globalization refers to the economic, countries. social, and political integration of nations. It entails the spread of products, o Trade is not growing as quickly as technology, information, and jobs across before the Great Financial Crisis of national borders and cultures. 2008, that may be the consequence o In economic terms, it describes an of decreased investment in interdependence of nations around technological innovation. the globe, fostered through free trade.  Immigration Control: Instances of immigration control by US, UK and other De-Globalization European countries have been dominant in  It is the process of diminishing past one decade. interdependence and integration between the nations. It is characterised by the o Recent decision of Trump decline in economic trade and investment administration of building wall between countries. across Mexican border highlights o It highlights the trend of several emerging trend of protectionism in countries wanting to go back to free movement of people across the economic and trade policies that borders. put their national interests first.  These policies often take the form of  Brexit Movement: Brexit and ‘Make tariffs or quantitative barriers that impede America Great Again’ are symptoms of the free movement of people, products and underlying processes of de-globalization services among countries. that have already generated significant trade and investment uncertainty. o This has had a concrete impact on trade & investment flows as firms Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

89 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY and consumers are adjusting  Growing Inequality: The slow pace of behaviour in anticipation of further technological change in AEs had resulted trade shocks. in the stagnation of blue collar incomes  Flow of Capital: Cross-border financial which seems to be the major cause of flows have been reduced due to rising inequality in the AEs. uncertainty in the global policy making and increased protectionism by AEs. o AEs have blamed globalization for Impact on Advanced Economies their deteriorating economies and According to think tank Capital Economist, labour market growth. roughly a third of global per capita income growth since 1990 has accrued to the emerging  Consumer Credit: As a bid to keep markets (EMs) and not to the AEs. Various spending alive, AEs focused on the impacts visible on AEs due to globalization have consumer credit in the early 2000s. This been described below: precipitated into the Great Financial Crisis  Labour Market Loss: The major hurdle of 2008. faced by the AEs is the death of relatively low skilled sectors like textile and the  Social Cost of Globalization: The support economies that grew around it. intensity of America’s opioid addiction There are varying estimates of the job crisis maps directly into regions and losses caused by cheaper imports from demographic groups that have borne of the China and other emerging economies. contraction of economic opportunities that globalization has brought. o The re-absorption of this displaced Impact on Emerging Markets labour has been slow and Emerging Markets have been the greatest beneficiaries of globalisation in the past few incomplete which is reflected in the decades. The recent trends of de-globalisation will have profound impact on EMs, which are share of wages to GDP that highlighted below: dropped by 5% from 2000 to 2017.  Trade: The increase in tariff barriers by the AEs have led to the shrinking of  Technology: Advanced Economies have exports in EMs which is silently destroying their job intensive largely depended on technological change manufacturing sector. for per capita income growth and  Migration: AEs are the hot destination of high skilled labour from EMs. The productivity enhancement. increased protective measure by AEs for free movement of high skilled labour is o There is deceleration in threatening their productive growth and technological change, during the job opportunities. last decade, partly due to low investment in innovation and partly due to fading additional gains from the internet computer revolution. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

90 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY o De-globalisation with respect to the mobility of services and people can impact both the export of services, and the trend of Indians migrating abroad for higher education and jobs.  Protectionist moves change the fundamental premise on the basis of which international organisations such as the WTO regulates global trade. o When large, industrialised and prosperous nations break ranks to erect new entry barriers for goods and services, this can drastically impact the fortunes of their many trade partners.  Calculations of global economic growth, inflation and interest rates can then observe drastic changes. o The US economy, for instance, imports a lot of inexpensive manufactured goods from China. If a tariff war increases costs of imports into the US, its domestic inflation may rocket and US interest rates may increase faster. Conclusion The biggest losers from de-globalisation would be the EMs who have benefited the most from globalisation. Therefore, the agenda of building a more balanced industrial economy incorporating the needs of both AEs and EMs needs a concentrated effort to make a global economy more inclusive. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

91 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Indo-Arctic routes are being opened, paving the way for untapped hydrocarbon Recently, the Indian Prime Minister at Eastern and mineral resources to be exploited. Economic Forum (EEF), mentioned India’s  Politically, Indo-Arctic should be an extension of India’s ‘Act East’. willingness to play “a significant role in the Arctic Council.” It provides an opening for India to pursue a grandiose Arctic plan. India has been an observer member of the Arctic Council since o India's ‘Look East Policy' during 2013. the previous decades was limited to Why should India be concerned about the Arctic? South-East Asia.  India will have to look at the Arctic — o In this decade, India expanded it to both from the prism of climate East Asia and Australia. change and also as a strategic construct. o The Arctic should be a natural  Climate Change Aspect extension during the next decade. o The impact of climate change o ‘Indo-Arctic’ initiative, as a across the coasts of India and its strategic construct, could provide a economic fallout should bring up platform for India. the Arctic more in the discussion. o It could open political space for o Global warming is leading to the India to work with like-minded melting of permafrost, which will countries to expand its footprint in release an unprecedented amount the Arctic through its coasts by the of carbon dioxide in nature. Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean  Scientific Research and the Bering Sea.  Geo-Strategic Aspect: o Study and research regarding o The Indo-Arctic will also strategically balance the US and warming of the arctic will help Russia. India to develop an understanding o India is working with the US in developing the Indo-Pacific region. of fast-melting glaciers in the o An Indo-Arctic construct Himalayas, which is referred to as would complement India’s Indo- Pacific push, and enable India to the Third Pole. work with Russia closely. o India in this pursuit How India can implement Indo-Arctic Policy?  India and Russia will have to work with has established Himadari base partners across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean in South-East Asia and East station for arctic research In Svalbard, Norway.  Arctic Paradox o As the Arctic region witnessed an unprecedented rate of ice-melt because of global warming, new Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

92 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Asia. o Singapore, Indonesia, South Korea and Japan could be the natural partners to this endeavour.  China's help can be taken in this regard which has enunciated its own ‘Polar Silk Route’ initiative.  Scientifically, India will have to expand its footprints in the Polar Research.  Outside Polar research, India should also make policies on other areas like Polar shipping, trade and maritime routes.  Unlike Antarctica, the Arctic is not considered a ‘global commons’ (the principle of sovereignty prevents external players from exacting significant gains in the region). o Therefore, India should steer away from advocating for an Arctic commons and instead, it must ensure that the environment is strongly considered at the centre of all debates at the Arctic Council. The Arctic may be the northernmost part of the world, geographically far from India. However, Politically and strategically, the Arctic can no longer be perceived as too far. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

93 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Eastern Economic Forum the NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Russia has conveyed to India that it has not Federation during the 19th edition of the annual India-Russia Bilateral Summit in invited Pakistan’s Prime Minister to the Eastern the year 2018. Economic Forum, to be held from 4th-  The First India-Russia Strategic 6th September, 2019 in Vladivostok, where Indian Economic Dialogue was held in St. Petersburg in the year 2018. Prime Minister has been invited as the chief guest.  The recent one is the second such  In a build up to the Prime Minister’s dialogue and focusses on six core areas of cooperation, namely, Vladivostok visit, both the countries held a Strategic Economic Dialogue in New Delhi on 10th July, 2019. Eastern Economic Forum o Development of transport  The Eastern Economic Forum was established by the decree of the infrastructure and technologies; President of the Russian Federation in the o Development of Agriculture and year 2015. Agro-Processing sector;  It takes place each year in Vladivostok, a o Small and medium business city in Russia.  It serves as a platform for the discussion of support; key issues in the world economy, regional o Digital transformation and frontier integration, and the development of new technologies; industrial and technological sectors, as o Cooperation in trade, banking, well as of the global challenges facing finance, and Industry; Russia and other nations. o Tourism & Connectivity.  The Forum business programme includes a India-Russia Relations number of business dialogues with leading  India-Russia cooperation is based on the partner countries in the Asia-Pacific solid foundations of the 1971 Treaty of region, and with ASEAN, a key Peace, Friendship and integration organization of dynamically Cooperation between the Republic of developing nations in Southeast Asia. India and the USSR, 1993 Treaty of  Over the years, it has emerged as an Friendship and Cooperation between international platform for discussing the Republic of India and the Russian the strategy for developing political, Federation, 2000 Declaration on Strategic economic and cultural Partnership between the Republic of India ties between Russia and Asia Pacific. and the Russian Federation and 2010 Joint India-Russia Strategic Economic Dialogue Statement elevating the Partnership to a  The India-Russia Strategic Economic Special and Privileged Strategic Dialogue (IRSED) was established Partnership. following a bilateral Memorandum of  Cooperation between India and Russia Understanding (MoU) signed between spans across the whole gamut of sectors Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

94 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY and rests on the fundamental pillars of  In November 2017, India, the US, political and strategic cooperation, military Australia and Japan gave shape to the and security cooperation, cooperation in long-pending \"Quad\" Coalition to the spheres of economy, energy, industry, develop a new strategy to keep the critical science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian cooperation. sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence (especially China). Quad and G-4 o Australia is worried about China's growing interest in its land, The foreign ministers of the Quad countries - infrastructure and politics and India, US, Australia and Japan - met on the influence on its universities. sidelines of the UNGA meeting on 27th September 2019. o In the last decade, Japan believes that China has tried to bully it on  The group is seen as a regional several territorial issues. counterweight to China and has only met at the Joint or Assistant Secretary level o China has border disputes since 2017. The latest meeting is seen as with India. China is also blocking an upgrade by at least three levels. India’s path into the Nuclear Suppliers Group.  The Ministers met to discuss cooperation on counter-terrorism, mentoring, o A weakened US sees the coalition assistance in disaster relief, airtime as an opportunity to regain its security, cooperation, development, influence in the Indo-Pacific finance and cybersecurity efforts etc. region.  The Quad countries were “resolute” in  India has been hesitant about the their view of the centrality of Quad, in part because it does not want to the Association of South East Asian isolate China and because it has had a Nations (ASEAN) in South East Asia. history of staying clear of security alliances. o The notion of ASEAN centrality broadly refers to the group of  Members of the Quad, barring countries being at the centre of Australia, are currently engaged in the security and strategic frameworks annual Malabar exercises – military for the Asia-Pacific region. exercises that started between India and the U.S. in 1994 and became trilateral Quad (with Japan) in 2015.  The Quadrilateral security dialogue or Quad was first mooted by the Japanese o India has not permitted Prime Minister in 2007. Australia to participate in these  However, the idea couldn’t move ahead exercises, concerned about what with Australia pulling out of it, apparently message it would send to China, due to Chinese pressure. which is wary of the exercise. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

95 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY G-4 Meeting taken through “comprehensive  The foreign ministers of G-4 grouping also consensus”. held a meeting on the sidelines of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).  G-4 is a group of four countries i.e. Brazil, Germany, India and Japan which support each other’s bids for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)  The G-4 countries have decided to prepare for a fresh push for reforms at the UNGA in 2020 when the UN celebrates its 75th anniversary.  It was highlighted that there is a clear need for an enhanced role of developing countries and of major contributors to the United Nations to make the UNSC more legitimate, effective and representative. o This means that India and Brazil — the two developing countries in G-4 grouping — should get a place along with China, which is the only developing country in the UNSC. o The countries also put a focus on the role of the African continent in the Council.  G-4 said that the reforms-related decisions should be by a two-third majority in the UN General Assembly, which was enshrined in the 1998 resolution of the UNGA. o This is contrary to the position taken by China, which has always said that the decisions should be Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

96 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY India-Africa Partnership Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi  Africa is the world's second largest  Established in 1943 by a group of Indian continent both in terms of land and intellectuals as a think tank. population with 54 countries which  A non-official, non-political and non-profit account for almost 15% of the world's organisation registered under human population. the Registration of Societies Act 1860.  India and Africa have a long and rich  Devoted exclusively for the study of history of interactions marked by cultural, international relations and foreign economic and political exchanges based on affairs. the principle of South-South Where does India-Africa Partnership stand and Cooperation. how do we move forward in these rapidly  In recent years, a number of steps have changing times? been taken to further and strengthen these  The conference discussed three main relations. themes- South-South Cooperation o Firstly, it addressed the ways in  It is a broad framework of which India and Africa can collaboration among the countries of the remodel excellent bilateral southern hemisphere in the political, relations in a global matrix which economic, social, cultural, environmental is changing rapidly. and technical domains.  Involving two or more developing o Secondly, it focused on the specifics of the dynamics of India’s countries, it can take place on a bilateral, relations with different countries in regional, intraregional or the African continent. interregional basis. o Thirdly and most importantly, it  The United Nations Office for South- emphasised on the ways in which South Cooperation (UNOSSC) was the status of African studies in established in 1974 to promote, coordinate India can be evaluated because a and support South-South cooperation substantive intellectual and globally and within the UN system. academic engagement at the base is  At National Conference on ‘India-Africa required before embarking on a Partnership in a Changing Global major bilateral engagement. Order- Priorities, Prospects and  It was concluded on the point that there Challenges’, organised by the Indian are numerous opportunities and a great Council of World Affairs (ICWA), India expressed that it has many common deal of potential in India-Africa partnership and to harness them we need to interests with Africa and both have vital move very quickly. Reasons given were- stakes in each others’ progress, peace and o The African continent itself prosperity. is changing a great deal and it has some of the fastest growing Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

97 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY economies with abundant natural  Growth and Development: By focusing resources. o There is also a renewed interest in on economic growth, economic & few major economies of the African continent for various industrial partnership, finding synergies reasons which can be sensed by the mention of New Scramble for to work together on already envisioned Africa in the conference. Scramble for Africa: It was the proliferation of projects and delivering on them in the conflicting European claims, occupation, division and colonisation of African territory during the ongoing plans. New Imperialism period (1881-1914). How to address the issues?  Security: By carefully maintaining our Steps that can be taken-  Focus on Diversity: By looking into each own security interests without creating a country individually in a different manner because Africa is not a single sense of contest because then it can political entity and offers a lot of diversity.  Strengthening ties through Culture: By become a delicate situation and give rise to moving further with keeping civilisational and historical relations in further insecurities. So working on those mind because they are important to develop trust and confidence necessary to kind of linkages, cementing the trust and take a relationship further.  Support for Aspirational Economies: By also working for the mutual advantages. partnering with aspirational African economies which want to come up to the  People to People Connect: By working same level of India if not of fully developed countries in few years (Agenda diligently towards making sure that 2063). Agenda 2063- It is Africa’s blueprint and master the African students who come to study plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the continent’s in India become Indian ambassadors in strategic framework that aims to deliver on its goal for inclusive and sustainable development Africa and talk highly of India. and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, Issues Which Need Further Exploration progress and collective prosperity. Trade It was negligible in the 1990s but today it has crossed 65 billion dollars.  Both India and African countries account for almost one-third of the world’s population giving a good reason to collaborate and move further taking care of each others’ business interests.  India’s businesses and its attitude has been changing and large number of Indian companies are present in Africa now. So the notion of nation building has changed after the economic reforms of the 1990s and the Indian businesses have become aggressive and multinational in their approach.  Take a differentiated view of Africa as there are Anglophone, Francophone and Lusophone Africa (linguistic classification of African Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

98 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY countries) among few others. We have African region. These are connected to the had traditional relations of trade and business with Anglophone Africa but with major, multinational terrorist the rest of the two relations are in building process and need more emphasis. organisation Al-Qaeda which again is  India requires raw materials like uranium, gold, plutonium, copper etc which can be connected to Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish- procured from Africa and in turn India can give them finished products. There is e-Mohemmad of Pakistan. So terror is an this asymmetrical relationship in which India has some kind of edge which we can important rallying point. cultivate even further. Security  Areas of common interests between India  Security needs to be given more attention for both India and African nations and and Africa like Indian ocean as an area of both can help each other in training.  Energy security needs more emphasis and security and the issue of economic enhancement. India is already trying to import oil from Sudan, Angola, cooperation there, needs attention. Nigeria and entire Gulf of Guinea region. This is particularly important  Economic investments in energy and because West Asian countries cannot be relied upon completely due to the infrastructure should also be considered as disturbances and instabilities going on. Also being the members of Solar a part of building the security Alliance gives more reasons to strengthen it together. collaborations.  Maritime security needs promotion for the security of the maritime regions by Mutual Learning forming anti-terrorism and anti-piracy coalitions. After Indian PM’s visit to  In South Africa, Truth and Seychelles, Mozambique and Tanzania the Indian interest in South-West Indian Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was Ocean has increased.  Security ties continue to be important established abolishing Apartheid and because of the terrorism link. Two major terrorist organisations work in white men apologised and black men Africa, Boko Haram in West African region and Al-Shabaab in the East pardoned. India can learn from such a new experiment.  African countries like Nigeria or Congo can learn how federalism and democracy truly works from India. Truth and Reconciliation Commission  It was a court like justice restorative body established by the South African government in 1995 to help heal the country and to bring about a reconciliation of its people by uncovering the truth about human rights violations that had occurred during the period of apartheid. Apartheid  It was a policy which governed relations between South Africa’s white minority and non-white majority. It sactioned racial segregation, poltical and economic discrimination against non- whites. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

99 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Agriculture  India needs to go to Africa and involve  It has a lot of potential because many African countries have large unused like China, so that our cultures get mixed arable lands.  The issue of food security issue can be and more potential for growth can be resolved by venturing into it.  This sector has the perfect explored. complementarity with India because we have skilled population in agricultural Youth production, a large market and processing capacities.  Indian and African countries have young  Indian government should make a Special Purpose Vehicle to make it possible for people who aspire to be the drivers in the the Indians to do farming in Africa because a single body will not be able to Information Technology sector and can handle such a large venture. team up for the developments. Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)  A SPV also called Special Purpose Entity Way Forward (SPE), is a subsidiary created by a parent company to isolate financial risk. Its legal  India and Africa need to build on the status as a separate company makes its obligations secure even if the parent strong base which already exists and step company goes bankrupt. on in terms of establishing Common Linkages  Associations from the past by linking more diplomatic missions in a sustained leaders like Gandhi-Mandela and Nehru- Nkrumah. way, more trade missions, continuous high  Similar modern history with anti- colonial, anti-racist, anti-imperialist level engagements including summit level tendencies and similar post-colonial history with post colonial independent engagements. And most importantly, there nation-states coming up.  Indian diaspora in Africa is looking at must be a sustained effort to develop their roots and they want to get back so we have to exploit that factor in study of Africa in Indian research which traditional and cultural links like Bollywood movies and classical dance can institutions and universities. play a major role.  Africa is believed to be the continent where human race evolved actually so Africans pushback the idea of India being the cultural superpower so building partnerships and collaborations to demonstrate the closeness of human race in India and Africa can help.  More focus should be given to the contemporary areas of collaboration like economy, investment, infrastructure development and human resources. The partnership between India and Africa has strong traditional and historical base and there are common grounds or linkages between both and it is time to build on them further from here onwards, be it culture, be it security or areas like trade, technology or agriculture. Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved

100 Revise.analyse.writE-RAW2020 Make MAINS-WRITING Skill EASY Indo-Pacific : Strategic Importance the sea lanes. Majority of the world’s The External Affairs Minister, who is on a two trade passes through these oceans. day visit to Russia, has said that Indo Pacific is o There was a time before the cold one of the new concepts and approaches thrown war when the centre of gravity of up by the changing world. With various countries the universe was across the and international forums using the term Indo Atlantic i.e. trade was actually Pacific in their official statements, it is gaining transiting from the Atlantic but currency in recent times. now it has shifted. India, France and Australia have held track 1.5  The earlier term used to be Asia- dialogue to identify security challenges and Pacific, from which India was excluded. sustainability issues in the Indo Pacific region. o This term was prevalent during the Safeguarding freedom of navigation and keeping cold war time. Indo Pacific stable was a crucial item on the o The shift to the term ‘Indo-Pacific’ agenda during Prime minister Narendra Modi and shows the salience of India in the French President Emmanuel Macron' s recently new construct. concluded annual summit in Paris.  Terrorism and the fear of assertion by a Note: particular country in the region are major  The track 1.5 dialogue refers to top-level threats to the Indo-Pacific region. political decision-makers, yet  The Indo-Pacific region includes world’s in informal, non-official settings. four big economies: USA, China, Japan  These track 1.5 mediation/dialogue and India. processes often serve to sort out and  The term ‘Indo-Pacific’ is interpreted prepare for track 1 talks. differently by different stakeholders.  The first level (track 1) includes o India considers the region as negotiation between the leadership of two an inclusive, open, integrated and countries (e.g. political and/or military). balanced space. India The Term ‘Indo-Pacific’ continuously emphasises on  It is a recent concept. It was about a strategic inter-connections, decade ago that the world started talking common challenges and about the Indo-Pacific but its rise has been opportunities between the Indian quite significant. Ocean and the Pacific.  One of the reasons behind the popularity o The U.S. considers it to be a free of this term is an understanding that and open Indo-Pacific, highlighting the Indian Ocean and the Pacific are a the importance of rules or norms linked strategic theater. of conduct in the region, thus  Also, the centre of gravity has shifted to trying to contain the role of China Asia. The reason being maritime routes, in the region. the Indian Ocean and the Pacific provide o The ASEAN countries look at Indo-Pacific as a consociational Aspire IASThe name associated with excellence 10/70 Old Rajeneder Nagar N.Delhi www.aspireias.com 8010068998/9999801394 ©2018 ASPIRE IAS. All rights reserved