Current Affairs_International Affairs

8/17/2019 Current Affairs_International Affairs

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C ntents

• Foreign Policy- New Trends

• Soft Power

• Central Asia

• West Asia

• Mongolia and India Relations

• North Korea & India Relations

• Indo-Japan Relations

• Oceania

• USA - Cuba Re-approachment

• Indian Ocean

• Refugee Crisis

• Diplomatic Immunity: Issues related to it

• South Korea & India Relations

• Defence Diplomacy

• Russia - (Decline in Indo-Russia Relations)

• Indo - USA Nuclear Deal

• CLND Act, 2010 - (Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages)

• Pivot To Asia

• New Constitution of Nepal

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URRENT AFFAIRS

International Affairs


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A. Bringing Religion into Foreign Policy : Importance and Challenges –

1. One of the distinguishing features of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’sdiplomacy has been his effort to rebuild the long-neglected Buddhist bridge

to the world.

2. Recently Modi addressed “A Global Hindu-Buddhist Initiative on Conflict

Avoidance and Environment Consciousness” in the capital in partnership

with the Tokyo Foundation and the International Buddhist Confederation.

3. From a seeming personal fad of the PM, Buddhism has begun to acquire

an unprecedented weight in India’s Asian policy. In his address to the

parliament of Mongolia in June this year, Modi went beyond the notion

of promoting India’s soft power to highlight the importance of Buddhism

in dealing with the contemporary political challenges before Asia and theworld.

a. For one, he insisted that the spiritual values of Buddhism are deeply

connected to the principles of democracy. “If we follow the ‘right

path’ of the master,” “it will also be natural to walk on the path of

democratic values.” “The convergence of Buddhism and democracy

provides us a path to build an Asia of peace and cooperation, harmony

and equality.”

b. Modi also argued that Buddhism is “a call for each of us, as individuals

and as nations, to assume the universal responsibility to mankind and

our planet”. That Modi was not being quirky in injecting religion intothe messy debate on climate change was confirmed by none other

than Pope Francis, who released the encyclical on climate change a

few days later, insisting on our collective moral responsibility to pass

on a clean planet to the next generations.

c. He is quite in tune with an emerging international trend. Many leading

powers are getting their foreign offices to be more attentive to religious

issues. While many secular states have traditionally seen religion as

a source of international conflict, some are beginning to argue that

it might, under certain conditions, be a force for some good. The

avowedly godless Chinese Communist Party now deploys Buddhism

as a major diplomatic tool to win friends and influence religiouscommunities across the world. The deeply secular West European

states are acknowledging the resurgence of religion as a major factor

in world politics, especially on their doorstep in the Middle East, and

are finding ways to cope with it. Although the professional US

diplomatic corps has no religious bias, America’s political leaders

have long seen the nation as the “chosen one” and its foreign policy

as “god’s work”. More recently, Washington has begun to strengthen

the institutional capacity of the United States government to deal

with matters of faith. The US Department of State now has an

Office of Religion and Global Affairs that advises the secretary of

state on policy issues relating to faith and helps the US governmentagencies engage religious communities around the world.

4. In Delhi, there is bound to be some unease at Modi’s attempt to bring

religion into the conduct of Indian foreign policy.


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a. After all, independent India has consciously kept its diplomacy apart

from religion all these decades.

b. Even when India talked of shared culture and deep civilisational

links with its Asian friends, Delhi was quite careful to edit religion

out of it. In being unafraid of bringing faith into foreign policy, Modi

may be treading new ground in India.

5. While Modi must bring Indian foreign policy in line with this trend, he

must also guard against the real dangers of faith-based diplomacy.

a. Delhi must recognise that putting religion into statecraft does not

mean privileging one faith over another. If Buddhism has the potential

to reinforce India’s engagement with many East Asian countries, a

similar outreach on Islam might boost India’s ties with the Muslim

world. As the power of Christian groups rises across the world, Delhi

also has a good reason to engage them.

b. India must also avoid creating any impression that its new interest in

Buddhism is directed against any particular country. Even more

important, Delhi must be acutely conscious of being drawn into

religious quarrels of others or allowing external intervention in its

own multiple contentions on faith.

c. A purposeful engagement with key religious communities around the

world could certainly lend new effectiveness to India’s international

relations, but only when it is handled with great political care and

diplomatic competence.

B. Federalization of Foreign Policy

1. Present scenario – Federalization of foreign policy is happening here

a. From Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s aggressive lobbying

on Sri Lanka, to the multitude of voices on Bangladesh that have

emerged from Assam and Tripura on Bangladesh, to Punjab and

Jammu and Kashmir’s engagements with Pakistan — states are

demanding a direct say in how foreign policy is made and conducted.

b. In June 2015, West Bengal CM accompanied PM on his tour to

Bangladesh. This was a decisive turn in Indian diplomacy as for the

first time, perhaps, the leader of a state — and one ruled by anopposition party — has been acknowledged to have a place in the

making and execution of foreign policy.

2. Dangers of it – It doesn’t take a lot to see the perils that could lie ahead.

a. CMs have a record of putting chauvinist concerns ahead of strategic

imperatives, something that has increasingly complicated India’s

dealings with Sri Lanka.

b. Then, the interests of states in dealings with foreign countries might

not always converge, which could render decision-making fraught.

c. Issues of national security might, conceivably, conflict with stateinterests in trade.

d. And worse, states could blackmail the Centre on foreign policy

decisions, demanding concessions in return for their consent.


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3. For all these dangers, though, the federalisation of foreign policy is

inevitable, even desirable.

a. Though New Delhi cannot afford to give regional leaders a veto over

the conduct of foreign policy, it has to take on board the fact that

many states now have economic and diasporic relationships acrossthe world.

b. Foreign missions in New Delhi are devoting growing resources to

cultivating relationships with state-level leaders, recognising that they

— not the Central government — are key to making and delivering

deals.

c. Also the present government is not comfortably placed in Rajya

Sabha, thus it has make ego-assuaging concessions to CMs belonging

to opposition parties.

4. Concluding Remark

a. For India’s foreign policy establishment, learning to listen to regional

leaders will be a new, and sometimes painful, experience. But the

process cannot be deferred.

Soft Power

What is Power and Hard Power?

1. Power is the ability to achieve one’s purposes or goals and at the most

general level, it is the capacity to influence the behaviour of others to get

the outcomes one wants.

2. There are several ways of influencing the behaviour of others. To achieve

the desired outcomes, one can coerce with threats, induce with payments

this has been the traditional concept of power (‘hard power’) in international

politics. This concept of hard power is often associated with the possession

of certain resources like population, territory, natural resources, economic

strength, military force and political stability.

What is Soft Power ?

1. A new form of power—‘soft power’— has become increasingly discussed

in the post-Cold War era.

2. The idea of soft power was formally coined by Joseph Nye, a Harvardpolitical scientist in his book, ‘Bound to Lead: The Changing Nature of

American Power’. The term was coined in the context of an aggressive

defence strategy pursued by the US. Nye argued, especially as in the case

of Vietnam where the US military was unable to hold its own, leave alone

winning the hearts and minds of people, for employing non-military methods

to further the US cause. (Now USA has started engaging with Vietnam (in

a bid to counter China’s influence).

3. According to him, soft power is the ability of a country to persuade

others to do what it wants without resorting to force or coercion.

4. How is it different from hard power?

a. Hard and soft power can be regarded as two extremities on acontinuum of power.


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c. At the same time it has promoted its image of the country which

inspired the anti-colonial struggles of the last century and took a

strong principled stand against apartheid to develop future partnerships

in Africa. As a result, by publicising the pluralist nature of its politics

and society, India intends to prove it is a cooperating, stabilising andexemplary rising power, in contrast to China’s more aggressive, if not

neo-colonial model.

7. Supporting Examples –

a. Reapproachment of USA with Vietnam and Cuba where hard power

failed;

b. Another example is the Unites States’ increased funding and emphasis

to public diplomacy post 9/11 and the Iraq War because its unilateral

use of hard power in Iraq and Afghanistan has led to the growth of

anti-Americanism in many parts of the world and decreased its softpower significantly.

8. Today’s major powers are not as able to use their traditional power resources

to achieve their purposes as in the past. Private actors and small states

have become more powerful on many issues. At least five trends have

contributed to this diffusion of power: economic interdependence,

transnational actors, rise of nationalism in weak states, the spread of

technology and changing political issues.

9. The importance of soft power in the contemporary world can be seen if

we look at why China pulled out all stops to hold a successful Olympics.

The success of the Beijing Olympics has helped increase China’s softpower around the world with the associated benefits.

‘SOURCES’ of India’s Soft Power – India’s Soft Power Potential

India has always been a country with tremendous ‘soft power’—as can be seen

from the fact that unlike the rise of China, its ‘rise’ is not being viewed with

trepidation and alarm in many countries. The various sources of soft power

Culture 1. Culture is the most important source of soft power. India

is at a very advantageous position as far as culture is

concerned and has historically enjoyed much soft power.

2. Alternative to western values -

a. Indian culture (based on spiritualism) offers one of

the most dynamic alternatives to Western cultural

values (i.e. materialism).

b. India's spirituality is much needed in these days of

conflict and strife. India's tolerance for different

religions and cultures is legendary. This is the land

which has preached 'Vasudhaiva Kudumbakam' (the

world is my family) and Loka Samastha Sukhino

Bhavanthu (let there be peace in the whole world)

after all. India's message of secularism which actually

means different religions co-existing in harmony with

each other, rather than the Western concept of


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separation of religion and the State is a valuable lesson

in these days when there is so much strife in the name

of religion.

3. Long civilizational links -

a. India has had a long history of civilizational and cultural

links with countries as far-flung as Iran, Rome and

South East Asia. Its riches and splendour have attracted

traders and travellers for thousands of years.

b. Countries in Southeast Asia still have remnants of

Indian traditions: the Angor Vat temple in Cambodia,

temples and pagodas in Thailand, Myanmar as well as

the presence of several Sanskrit words in languages

like Bahasha Indonesia prove the influence of Indian

culture on these countries. India, as the land where

the Buddha preached, has positive connotations for

Buddhists all over the world.

c. Buddhism spread from India to China and other

countries through Buddhist monks and scholars came

to India to study at its universities leading to a healthy

exchange of ideas right from ancient times the

influence of which is apparent throughout Asia even

today.

d. Islamic preachers from India are believed to have

spread the religious and cultural values of Islam in

Singapore and Malaysia.

4. Non Violence -

a. Also, as one of the few places in the world where

Jews were welcomed and not persecuted, India enjoys

much soft power in Israel.

5. Indian Diaspora -

a. India's diaspora is a huge soft power asset. There are

millions of Indian diaspora spread across countries.

b. This diaspora (comprising of blue color labor as wellas white collar professional elite to political elites) have

contributed immensely to the countries they have

settled in and command influence and respect in these

countries.

c. In fact, the Indo-American community in the US has

been found to be the most educated immigrant

community in the US. The recent upturn in Indo-US

relations has a lot to do with the lobbying, influence

and reputation of the Indo-American community.

6. Yoga -

a. One of India's most successful and enduring imports-

yoga-is practised all over the world both as a form of

exercise and as a stress-buster by millions of people.


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Yoga is already a global phenomenon and is rapidly

becoming part of mainstream culture, particularly in

the West.

7. Cuisine -

a. Indian cuisine with its subtle use of spices and herbs

grown across the Indian subcontinent is also becoming

popular in the West, particularly in the United

Kingdom (UK) which is home to a large Indian

diaspora. Indian food has also gained popularity in

other Western countries and there are many Indian

restaurants in the larger cities of the US and Canada.

8. Music and Movies

a. Elements of popular Indian culture like music and

movies have a wide following in many countries. The

power of music can bridge borders and bring people

closer.

b. Indian music and movies have a large international

market and have become increasingly popular abroad,

particularly in Asia, Europe, Africa and West Asia.

c. Even in countries like Russia, Syria and Senegal,

Indian films, particularly Hindi Bollywood, which is

the most important movie industry after Hollywood)

movies, have a following. Indian movies are popular and watched not only in South Asian countries like

Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Sri

Lanka due to their close proximity with India and due

to certain similar cultural outlooks present in the

movies but also in Europe, Africa and the Middle

East. Wax statues of several actors from the Indian

film industry at Madame Tussaud's in London bear

testimony to the influence of Indian cinema and India's

soft power.

d. When Indian movies are screened at International FilmFestivals like Cannes, then our soft power is built.

9. The success of Indian companies like Infosys Technologies

and Wipro Technologies in the Information Technology

(IT) sector; success of other multinational companies like

the Tata Group and Reliance Group; and the worldwide

recognition of the academic excellence of the Indian

Institute of Management (IIMs) and Indian Institute of

Technology (IITs)-the centres of excellence for higher

training, research and development in science, engineering

and technology in India-have contributed to the new image

of India as a country with English educated, enterprising

people. In the US, for example, the stereotypical Indian is

no longer a starving peasant, but a highly professional IT

specialist.


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1. Democracy

a. India is the world's largest democracy. India has never

had a military dictatorship.

b. India has had free and fa ir el ections sinceindependence.

c. India's democracy has allowed traditionally

marginalized sections of society like Scheduled

Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women to participate in

governance.

d. In fact, Bhutan's and Nepal's recent shift towards

democracy was encouraged by its neighbor India's

example of a thriving democracy.

e. Free Media - The presence of a free press in which allshades of opinion are allowed to be expressed also

contributes to India's soft power.

f. Civil society - India has a thriving civil society which

has never shied away from trying to solve social ills.

g. Judiciary -unlike most Asian countries, also has a

fiercely independent judiciary which has often played

an activist role in taking up many issues important to

the public, but neglected by the government.

h. As the world's largest democracy, with a vibrant free

press, India has important soft power advantages over the other rising power in the region, China. Because

of India's democratic experience, its rise (unlike China)

has been perceived as complementing rather than

challenging the existing Asian and international orders.

2. Nuclear -

a. The U.S., with its Indo-U.S. nuclear deal, accorded

India special treatment in nuclear cooperation. The

deal provided benefits usually reserved for Non-

Proliferation Treaty (NPT) signatories. Washington

justified cooperation with India by highlighting Delhi'simpeccable non-proliferation record. This stance was

replicated by other states, including the Nuclear

Suppliers Group (NSG) member states who allowed

India's participation in international nuclear commerce

and supported the Indo-U.S. deal. Today, India is the

only known nuclear weapons state that is not part of

the NPT but is still permitted to engage in nuclear

commerce globally.

b. Despite having tested weapons in 1974 and 1998 and

being a non-signatory to the NPT and Comprehensive

Test Ban Treaty, India has been one of the most vocal

advocates for global disarmament. It has arguably been

the most passionate anti-nuclear campaigner amongst

the world's nine known or suspected nuclear weapons

Political Values


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states, with one of the world's most notable pleas for

global disarmament made by Prime Minister Rajiv

Gandhi at the U.N. in 1988. Delhi sought to avoid

labels of hypocrisy by positioning itself as the

"reluctant nuclear power."

1. Joseph Nye says that a country's foreign policy can increase

its soft power if its foreign policy is perceived by other

countries and people to be 'legitimate, non-aversial and having

moral authority'.

2. India's foreign policy has been based on moral values from

the time of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who remains

a tremendous influence on Indian foreign policy even today.

3. Moreover, even before independence, leaders of the Indian

National Congress supported the freedom struggles of people

under colonial rule in Asia and Africa. This support, both

political and material, continued even after independence.

4. India also strongly decried Apartheid and racial

discrimination at international fora.

5. Its refusal to join either bloc during the Cold War and sending

a medical contingent rather than armed combatants to the

United Nations (UN) force in Korea in 1950 also enhanced

its standing in the world community, particularly the

countries of the Third World.

6. His is proved by India's getting the chairmanship of theNeutral Nations Repatriation Commission (NNRC) set up

in 1953 after the Korean War and India's mediatory role in

bringing about the Indo-China Peace Agreement after the

French were defeated by the Vietnamese.

7. Nehru commanded respect in the newly-independent

countries of the world as leader of the Non Aligned

Movement (NAM). Nehru was determined to "forge a world

order that eschewed, or at least hobbled, the use of force

in international politics".29 India even supported China's

claim for a permanent seat on the United Nations (UN)

Security Council. Thus, till the 1962 Sino-Indian war at

least, India's soft power especially among Third World

countries was tremendous and India was the rallying point

for many of these countries.

8. Non-aggression - Despite possessing one of the world's

largest armies and its location in a hostile and troubled

neighbourhood, India has not threaten another country; we

have not launched a war. The five wars that it has been

engaged in have been in reaction to aggression from Pakistan

and China.

9. Unlike the US, it has never sought to perpetuate itshegemony, either in the neighbourhood or elsewhere in the

world.

10. India don't interfere in other’s internal matters.

Foreign

Policies


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11. Instead we help them to restructure e.g. in Sri lanka andAfghanistan. We see Indian personnel working closely inthe rehab of war-torn countries such as Afghanistan andIraq to rebuild or create new infrastructure-often at

considerable personal risk to themselves.12. As compared to china's economic penetration which is seen

as a threat to the local economy, India's investment iswelcomed and is seen as beneficial

13. After the 1990s, India has tried to play down its 'big brother'image in South Asia by taking initiatives to resolve disputeswith its neighbours and scrupulously avoiding interferencein the internal affairs of its neighbours. One example of this is the 'Gujral doctrine' which introduced the principleof non-reciprocity, emphasising that India not only had a

bigger responsibility, but should give more to the smaller

neighbours than she would receive.

14. With globalization and liberalization of the economy, ascountries became more interdependent, any country couldnot afford to antagonise other countries by stressing on itshard power capabilities.

15. India's participation in UN peacekeeping operations can beinterpreted as an attempt to increase its soft power incountries around the world.

16. Even the Indian Army has also attempted to use soft power in militancy-affected states like Jammu & Kashmir to winthe 'hearts and minds' of people in places where there isinsurgency. 'Operation Sadhbhavana' in Jammu and Kashmir and other operations in which the Indian army has builtinfrastructure, refugee camps and given medical aid to peoplein militancy-infested regions are good examples for this.

17. The best example of India's successful use of soft power can be seen in its relations with Afghanistan helping it steala march over its traditional rival, Pakistan in the hearts of the common Afghans. Since the fall of the Taliban, Indiahas focussed on the reconstruction of Afghanistan throughaid for building infrastructure like dams and roads andproviding scholarships for Afghan students. Indian televisionoperas and Hindi movies have become the primary sourceof entertainment for Afghans, particularly those in citiesand towns.

18. Our neighbors do not see India as a threat in the way thatmany of Russia or China's neighbors view those powers.

19. When it came to humanitarian intervention, over the last25 years India's opposition or support was directly relatedto the level of intrastate violence entailed in intervening.This was true regardless of who was intervening in whom,

for what reason, and whether there were strategic gains init for Delhi. This included interventions in Iraq, Libya andSyria. India's opposition to intervention was compounded

by its pluralistic worldview, with acceptance of all regimetypes.


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Steps Taken to Realize this Potential

1. It is only over the past decade or so that India has begun to play its soft

power cards more systematically.

2. Besides setting up a public diplomacy division within the Ministry of External Affairs in 2006 and expanding the Indian Council for Cultural

Relations (ICCR) worldwide, it has roped in the Ministry of Tourism,

which is behind the “Incredible India” campaign, and the Ministry for

Overseas Indians “to showcase its social, political, and cultural assets

abroad,”

3. These government actors are working to leverage India’s soft power “by

using it to support larger foreign policy initiatives such as the Look East

Policy (now Act East), the Connect Central Asia policy, and developing

strategic aid and trade partnerships in Africa,” he said, adding that in each

of these initiatives, “official diplomacy has been buttressed by culturalexchange and efforts at increasing public knowledge and appreciation of

India in foreign countries.”

4. Opening learning of Sanskrit institutes.

5. India’s continued soft power in the Asia–Pacific can be seen in the proposal

by India to revive the once world famous Nalanda University in partnership

with China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. This initiative is an example

of the convergence of the soft power agendas of five different countries.

6. India has Creating a Public Diplomacy Division in India’s Ministry of

External Affairs in 2006. This new institution’s main objective has beento intensify the dialogue on foreign policy issues with all segments of the

society at home and abroad. However, it is a fairly new and small

department and its ability to formulate and implement policies remains

to be seen.

7. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has set up 22 cultural

centres in 19 countries whose activities ranging from film festivals to

book fairs and art exhibitions, aim to present an image of India as a plural

multicultural society.

8. The Indian government has also encouraged the use of Hindi abroad by

organising an annual and rotating World Hindi Conference and by offeringHindi classes in its different centres.

9. India has also begun to emphasise its democratic process. In 2005, India

joined the UN Democracy Fund and contributed $25 million to it, making

it the second biggest donor after the US ($38 million). India’s activities

mainly include electoral assistance and programs to strengthen the rule of

law and to fight corruption.

10. In Afghanistan, India has deliberately refused to send any military mission

and instead pursued a soft power strategy to gain Afghan goodwill by

delivering $1.3 billion in economic and logistical assistance. Since 2001,

India has concentrated on the reconstruction of Afghanistan through aidfor building infrastructure like dams and roads and providing scholarships

for Afghan students. Ordinary Afghans seem to have appreciated India’s

‘soft’ involvement in their country and majority of them have a favourable

image of India.


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11. Also write about steps taken at bilateral level in general especially economicassistance to each country.

12. India has also progressively tried to include its diaspora into its foreignpolicy strategies.

Recent Steps Taken by NDA Government

1. Religion

a. Religion especially Buddhism is a key components of Modi’s mission

in shaping the future of the subcontinent and Asia. On the occasion

of Buddha Purnima, Modi said, “Without Buddha, the 21st century

will not be Asia’s century.”

b. During his travels over the last year, Modi has put shared religious

heritage with neighbours at the centre of his regional engagement,

whether it was

i. Offering prayers to Lord Pashupatinath in Kathmandu, Nepal;

ii. Meditating at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan; or

iii. Visiting the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

In sri lanka he also met the Mahanayakas. Engaging with

Mahanayakas was important as they wield political influence

over the Buddhists in Sri Lanka.

c. Religious tourism infra – Modi has talked about the possibilities of restoring historic Buddhist sites in the subcontinent and promotingtourism by integrating them across borders through moderntransportation facilities.

• During budget 2015, 100 crore provided for National Missionon Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and SpiritualAugmentation Drive(PRASAD). It was also announced that Sarnath-Gaya-VaranasiBuddhist circuit to be developed with world class touristamenities to attract tourists from all over the world.

d. In march 2015, An Indian government-supported NGO organised arare dialogue on vinaya between high-ranking monks of the Theravadatradition in Sri Lanka and the Nalanda tradition in New Delhi inmarch 2015 — a dialogue at this level between the two traditions

was last held in the 7th century AD.

• Besides Sri Lanka, Theravada Buddhism is the dominant religion

in Myanmar, Thailand and Laos, while the Nalanda tradition

has a Himalayan perspective, which includes Nepal and Bhutan.

By reaffirming India’s historical leadership of the Buddhist world

and projecting its Buddhist links in the region, Delhi is evidently

trying to counter efforts by China to extend its sphere of

influence.

e. As governor of Fujian province, President Xi Jinping had actively

played the Buddhist card and Beijing continues to further its agenda

through the world fellowship of Buddhists. Of course, Chinese claimsof promoting Buddhism are ironic because Beijing represses the

religion in the country, violently so in Tibet which India should

highlight.


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2. Yoga

a. On June 21, the world will observe International Day of Yoga for thefirst time ever. A United Nations resolution to this effect that Indiamoved in the General Assembly last year was co-sponsored by

an unprecedented 170 countries. It “reflected yoga’s immensepopularity worldwide, underscoring its richness as a soft power resource.”

b. Yoga is among the themes that figured during the recent visit of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to China, Mongolia, and SouthKorea.

3. Nepal earthquake – Humanitarian aid extended to the people affected bythe devastating earthquake that hit Nepal (and those impacted by previouscalamities in South Asia).

4. Social Media –

a. On his visit to China he leveraged social media to reach out toordinary Chinese citizens by debuting on Sina Weibo, China’sadaptation of Twitter. In couple of days his account recorded 11million hits. (Kevin Rudd, former Australian Prime Minister andBritish Prime Minister David Cameron are also on it).

5. Bollywood

a. On his visit to China he leveraged bollywood to reach out to ordinaryChinese citizens. Bollywood movie PK was also released in chinawhich grossed 100 crore there (earlier 3 Idiots was released whichwas also very popular).

b. The Indian and the Chinese film industries are also coming together in celebration of the Hein Tsang’s (Xuan Zang’s) China-India connect.An MoU was signed between Eros group and China Film Groupwho will collaborate for the making of the film on him. Already amovie titled “Kung Fu Yoga” featuring Hollywood star Jackie Chanis being made under the joint production.

6. Steps taken by Modi to pay homage to world war veterans to tell theworld that they stood with them in those difficult days.

Challenges –(What Erode’s our Soft Power, Neglected Areas)

• In practice, India’s soft power remains weak for two primary reasons:

a. First, Indian diplomacy has neglected soft power as an importanttool of statecraft and has only recently understood the relevance of ‘cultural diplomacy’. Goodwill for India abroad has largely beengenerated in an unplanned manner.

b. Second, soft power cannot really exist without some initial hardpower achievements. A country will only be able to realistically tella ‘better story’ if it has material power to build its soft power on.

• Foreign Policy

a. Myanmar operation and above all chest-thumping. But recentincidents like chest-thumping after the Myanmar incident can senda wrong signal. Do it but don’t shout.

b. Supporting terrorism to counter – terrorism – this gives credence toPakistan claim that india is a hypocrite country.


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c. Big brother attitude to neighbours who are using the chinese card.

d. Need to give more aid and thus in this aspect were not able competewith china which is giving aid in billions.

• Programs of ghar wapsi and failing to take steps to prevent minoritiespersecution send a wrong signal to whole world esecially the Muslimworld.

• Human rights violations by instruments of the State like the Police andthe Army reflect badly on a country which has a very liberal Constitution,thus eroding its soft power. The use of torture to extract confessions andcontinued use of the capital punishment (though used very rarely) whenmost countries have abolished these practices also affect the country’s softpower negatively.

• India’s dismal ranking in UN Human Development Report for 2009 whichseriously affects India’s soft power bringing back the earlier images of the1950s of an overpopulated, poor country with underfed people. Economicreforms have led to high growth rate.

• Unresolved disputes with its immediate neighbours also affect India’s softpower potential. India needs to resolve these disputes reasonably if itwants to be seen as a global power deserving a seat on the UN SecurityCouncil.

• The lack of success in sports and a non-existent sporting culture are alsoimpediments in the growth of India’s soft power. No other aspect of culture has the capacity to bring together powerful tool for internationalengagement as sports does. For instance, China, having held an extremely

successful Olympics and having topped the medals tally, has gained new-found respect from countries across the world.

Way Forward

• Learn from the Beijing Model

a. As China raced to become one of the leading economies, culturaldiplomacy became an important complement to Beijing’s “go out”strategy.

b. Over the last decade, Xinhua, once the classic example of a “staidsocialist news agency”, acquired global reach and influence.

c. China’s state-owned CCTV network launched international TVchannels in English, French, Spanish, Arabic and Russian. Beijinghas also set up nearly 500 Confucius Centres to teach Mandarin andpresent Chinese culture to international audiences.

d. But Delhi should learn to stay out of the business of “promoting”it. Much like propaganda, which works best when it’s not seen assuch, soft power strategies are most effective when they are subtleand indirect.

• Soft power can be increased by augmenting funding for cultural activities

in embassies, promoting India aggressively and starting India study centres

all over the world on the lines of British Council, American InformationResource Centers, Alliance Francoise and the Confucius Institutes started

by China. These institutes increase their respective countries’ soft power

by projecting a favourable image of their countries to the outside world

through public relations exercises.


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• The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) should give more emphasis to public

diplomacy and more initiatives like friendship years with different countries

should be started. More funding should be given for public diplomacy.

• India should also hold more cultural festivals abroad showcasing differentaspects of its culture.

• The doors of Indian universities should be opened to foreign students

through scholarships and student exchange programmes so that they

understand Indian culture, interests and values by the time they go home

and propagate a favourable image about India.

• For this, more funds should be allotted to the Indian Council for Cultural

Relations (ICCR).

• Tourists must be welcomed to India so that more people see the beauty

and varied culture of India. Indian tourists abroad also convey the image

of a new, rich and confident India. They must also be advised to be politeand to respect the traditions of the countries they visit.

• There should be more focus on sports infrastructure development in schools

so that the world gets to know India as a sporting nation.

• The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas initiative by the Indian government is a

laudable attempt to tap into the economic and political resources of the

Indian diaspora all over the world. But India needs to do more so that the

diaspora feels welcome and wanted by India.

• India needs to ensure that the benefits of democracy and economic reforms

reach the needy. This would help bring those fighting the Indian State intothe mainstream. It has certainly taken some steps towards this by

encouraging those fighting against it in Kashmir and the North East to

engage in the political process. This effort seems to be working and must

be encouraged.

Concluding Remark

12. India, at various points in its history, has used both hard power and soft

power. However, a reliance on one or the other exclusively would not help

in achieving foreign policy objectives. Soft power cannot be used in all

situations just as hard power cannot be used in all circumstances. But if

used effectively in conjugation with hard power, it can yield better resultsthan if only hard power is used. This use of a judicious combination of

soft and hard power has been termed as ‘smart power’ by some scholars

like Suzanne Nossel. India has a lot of potential for this ‘smart power’,

blessed as it is with abundant soft power as well as hard power.

Central Asia

A. SCOs Expansion

1. Founded originally as Shanghai 5 in 1996 by 5 nations. Then Uzbekistan

was included in 2001 and thereafter it became SCO. In 2015, it was

decided to include India and Pakistan as new members.

2. Its members are China, Russia, central asian countries except Turkmenistan,

India and Pakistan.

3. Functions:


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a. Its core aim is security cooperation. i.e. It’s a security block. It is

sometimes also tagged as Asia’s NATO.

b. Energy and water resources have emerged as focal areas of

cooperation.

c. Cultural cooperation - E.g. people to people contact, festivals, shows

etc.

4. Reasons for including new members –

a. Each of the six original members, though, have varying geostrategic

reasons for wanting India on board — a sign of how complex the

challenges of shaping the new Asia are.

b. The four Central Asian states — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,

and Uzbekistan — want a counterweight to the dominance of Russia

and China.c. Moscow wants a counterweight to China’s growing power in its Central

Asian backyard and a new partner to show its adversaries in Europe

and the US that it is not without friends.

d. For its part, China sees expansion as a step towards giving the

organisation heft — especially since its ally, Pakistan, is also joining

up.

e. The SCO has been cast as the institutional heart of a new Asian

order — an emerging counterweight to a world with US and European

power at its core. That billing hasn’t been matched by anything the

SCO has actually done since it was founded in 2001, but there’s littledoubt that full membership will give New Delhi a real say in shaping

Asia’s geostrategic powers.

f. Four of the eight nations which have tested nuclear weapons, an

index of military power, will be part of the new alliance once India

and Pakistan are on board next year; so, too, will three of the world’s

major economies, along with territories that house some of the world’s

largest hydrocarbon reserves.

5. Importance of SCO membership to India –

a. India’s membership of the SCO is significant. To begin with, it opensup trade, energy and transit routes between Russia and China that

pass through Central Asia, that were hitherto closed to India.

b. Iran’s observer status will ensure the SCO serves as a platform for

India to discuss trade through the Iranian ports of Bandar Abbas and

Chabahar, and link them to the Russian proposal for a North-South

Transport Corridor. This circumvents India’s situation of being

hemmed in owing to lack of access to markets through Pakistan.

c. While the SCO charter disallows bilateral issues being taken up, the

security grouping provides a platform for India and Pakistan to discuss

them, as it will be when Mr. Modi and Mr. Sharif meet.

d. With Russia and China taking the lead, the SCO could even prove

a guarantor for projects such as the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-

Pakistan-India) and IPI (Iran-Pakistan-India) pipelines that India has

held off on security concerns.


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e. The SCO summit will provide a valuable interface to engage with

Afghanistan’s neighbours at a time when so much is changing in its

security outlook, between the international troop pullout and talks

with the Taliban.

f. Finally, the SCO is an important counter-balance to India’s perceived

tilt towards the U.S. and its allies on security issues. In a politically

polarised world, with the U.S. and Europe pitted against Russia and

China and where all the powers are economically interlinked, India’s

best hope to emerge a leader lies in its ability to bridge the two.

6. Way Forward –

a. For New Delhi, the challenge will be to ensure the two great powers

already at the table do not undermine its own interests.

b. In 2005, for example, the SCO called for a timetable for the US to

shut down bases in Central Asia — bases that India, however, saw asimportant elements in stabilising Afghanistan.

c. New Delhi, moreover, is seeking an enhanced partnership with EastAsian states like Japan, which view China with suspicion. New Delhihas now gained entry to the halls where the Great Game is being

played — but must beware that it does not gamble more than it canafford to lose.

B. PM’s Visit to Central Asia

1. In July 2015, PM Modi visited the 5 Central Asian countries.

2. Main highlights of the visit –

a. The prime minister’s visit had a strong cultural connotation thoughthe past links with Central Asia have not yet given the desired results.Importantly, he touched upon the shared Islamic heritage and Sufitraditions. Modi gifted a reproduction of Khamsa-i-Khusrau to IslamKarimov. Hopefully, the Uzbek dictator liked the gift. Linguistic linkswith the Tajiks were also invoked by Modi. Clearly, the visit entaileda strong joint socio-cultural rhetoric – references to Yoga, Hindi, Sufism,IT, among others, added substance to India’s soft power.

b. Nazarbayev’s daring decision to sign a major contract for a renewed

long term supply of 5,000 Metric tonnes (MT) of uranium to Indiaduring the next five years is the most significant takeaway of thePrime Minister’s visit. This is in fact proving more promising thanachievements on the hydrocarbons side.

c. Then India’s ONGC-Videsh Ltd (OVL) has finally made its first breakthrough when Modi launched the drilling operations for oilexploration in the Satpayev block on 7 July, 2015.

d. The Ufa Summit and Modi’s visit to Turkmenistan may also havepossibly shown the way finally even for the TAPI pipeline to see thelight of day. In Ashgabat, the Prime Minister called the TAPI project

a “key pillar” and pushed for its realization “quickly”.e. Combating terrorism, cementing defence, economic and energy ties

and enhancing connectivity were recurring themes in the PrimeMinister’s discussions with the leaders of these countries. In all, the21 bilateral agreements signed with the five countries were desirable.


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f. Inking of a MoU for co-operation between the Indian and Kyrgyz

Election Commissions is significant, though the Kyrgyz have been

looking to Western countries for democratic experience.

g. The contract with Uzbekistan for the supply of 2,000 metric tonnes

of uranium signed in 2014 is important, but it needs to be seen how

it gets implemented finally.

3. Significance –

• Of course, there were no big ticket items to turn the spotlight, but the

Prime Minister’s own strong presence seems to have created a huge

excitement. Modi has become a factor in Central Asia and this is

important. In fact, it has been decades since any popular Indian leader

visited these countries and they felt nice about it. Such a visit was

long desired; as one friend of this author put it, we needed such a

thing because Indian leaders have always appealed to everyone in

Central Asia.

4. Challenges –

a. India has already missed the bus and it has a lot of catching up to do.

b. India faces financial limitations when it comes to competing with

other powers in Central Asia. Indian investment is dismal and the

current engagement policy does not have vitality for spurring economic

interdependence with these countries.

c. Connectivity : The connectivity issue, i.e., the International North

South Transport Corridor (INSTC), has been discussed since 2000.Crores have been spent on Bandar Abbas and now on the Chabahar

Port option. But accessing Central Asia via the Indian Ocean is a

flawed approach that has proved unviable and has not worked so far.

During the visit, Modi mooted the idea of bypassing Afghanistan to

link with Central Asia through surface, digital and air connectivity.

Many wonder whether his visit was linked to India’s growing

disenchantment with Afghanistan’s increasing closeness with Pakistan.

d. Apart from geography, a lack of understanding and scholarship is

another handicap. India does not have the depth of knowledge on the

region’s historical, political, linguistic, and above all the intricate socio-

tribal structural underpinnings, for instance, the function andrelationship among Kazakh zhus (hordes) that ultimately regulate the

decision making process. As a result, the official and diplomatic

channels often used do not necessarily yield the desired results. This

style of approach over a period of time has led to a distortion in

overall relations –the reason why the depth of India-Central Asia ties

have always remained in question.

e. Central Asians had high expectations from New Delhi from the

beginning, but India lacked sufficient efforts and skill to understand

the importance of Silk Route dynamics as compared to the focused

attention paid by China and others. China’s trade with the region is

over USD 50 billion compared to India’s paltry USD 1.4 billion.China is transporting energy from the region.

f. The flurry of agreements on defence and security are largely symbolic

and they have been there for quite some time though without much


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significance. Take the case of Ayni airbase in Tajikistan that India

acquired post-Kargil and IC-814 hijacking. India refurbished the base

at a cost of USD 70 million in 2007, yet we do not know whether

it is really using the base. Defence co-operation with Kyrgyzstan has

been going on for a few years but with little benefits to India.Kyrgyzstan has far closer military ties with China.

g. Combating terrorism especially the threat posed by the Islamic State

gained prominence, suggesting that it is a “threat without borders”.

But Central Asia, despite being located in the proximity of the main

source of terrorism, is not a hotbed of terrorism. There are no records

of the Taliban and Al Qaeda having set gained a footing in the region.

h. Russia is and will remain an important factor for India’s ability to do

business in Central Asia. The countries of the region are still integrated

with Russia. They do not have complete freedom of manoeuvre to

conduct foreign relations without having a concord with Russia. Russiastill favours India as a countervailing measure against China’s

monopoly on Kazakhstan’s uranium exports. As long as India’s fuel

imports remain modest and ties with Kazakhstan do not get deeper,

a major hurdle is unlikely. But, given growing Russia-China

convergence, India’s nuclear ties with Kazakhstan will be conditioned

by changes in the geopolitical climate just as geopolitics decisively

undermine the import of hydrocarbons from Central Asia.

i. Central Asians undeniably consider India to be a reliable, trustworthy

and predictable partner. But at the same time they do not consider

India to be a good performer. Many have argued that New Delhi’s

indecisiveness always influenced Nazarbayev against energy dealswith India. Even though Kazakhs realize the importance of engaging

India, they also know well that it is only China that can fit the bill

ultimately.

5. Way Forward

a. Hopefully, the SCO can provide India with the opportunity of working

together with Russia and the Central Asian republics. It could help

resolve at least some problems.

b. India should find other innovative ways such as joining international

energy consortiums for exploration, opting for LNG purchases fromthe region, etc. Central Asia could become another Middle East for

Indian engineers, management experts, and skilled and semi-skilled

workers to find employment. They could earn huge amounts of foreign

exchange from the region’s energy service sector. Indian companies

could participate in the ancillary and drilling sectors of the oil and gas

industry, which is rapidly growing in the Caspian region.

c. We can conclude by saying that Prime Minister Modi’s visit has

provided a momentum which needs to be sustained. For this connect

central Asia policy, 2012 needs to be taken up seriously.

C. Connect Central Asia Policy, 20121. India has come up with a “Connect Central Asia policy”, 2012 which was

declared in 2012.

2. It includes elements such as:


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a. High level visits,

b. Comprehensive economic engagement,

c. Partnership in the development of energy and natural resources, (i.e.

energy),

d. Strategic partnerships, (i.e. security related aspect),

e. Development of potential in medical field, education, e-networks,

(i.e. soft power),

f. Ensuring land connectivity, etc.

3. The implementation of the policy needs to be speeded up and for this do

the following –

a. Firstly, this will require allocation of definite resources for the

implementation of the policy.

b. Secondly, there must be an inst itut ional mechanism for

implementation.

West Asia

A. Sectarian Divide (Sunni – Shia Conflict)

1. Meaning of Sunni and Shia

a. After the death of Prophet Muhammad, there was debate among

the Muslims on who will take over the leadership of the Muslim

nation.

b. One group believed that new leader should be elected on the basis

of his capability. These are Sunni (This is what was done, and the

Prophet Muhammad’s close friend and advisor, Abu Bakr, became

the first Caliph of the Islamic nation).

c. Other group believed that the next leader should be from the prophets

family. These are Shia. They wanted that leadership should have

passed directly to his cousin & son-in-law, Ali.

2. Now the Shia – Sunni sectarian divide in West Asia

Shia Axis : Iran is the Leader of the group; its

allies are Iraq, (Shia majority), Syria (Sunni

majority, Shia ruler), Bahrain (Shia majority,

Sunni ruler), Hezbollah in Lebanon (a socio-

political-military group), Houthis in Yemen.

Sunni Axis : Except Bahrain The 5 GCC

Countries Are Sunni Dominated i.e. Saudi,

UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman.


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3. So the two axis (esp. Iran and Saudi) and fighting for the dominance in the

region, GCC countries in present scenario are more anti – Iran then anti–

Israel.

4. Consequences/ Implications:a. Proxy Wars –

• Has led to regional stability as Saudi and Iran are involved in

proxy wars in Yemen (Houthis), Syria (Bashar-al-asad) and Iraq

where different groups and factions have been supported by

them. during Arab spring (when Iran tried to overthrow

monarchies in sunni countries.

b. IS –

• Has contributed to rise of IS as sunnis in Iraq and Sryia who

were discriminated in Iraq and Syria joined it.

• Due to this divide they haven’t been able to tackle the priority

threat-IS.

c. Oil –

• Instability over there can lead to oil supply shocks.

• Iran has on many occasions threatened to block strait of

Hormouz which is the main channel of oil supply from Gulf

to the outside world.

d. A tough balancing act for India’s foreign policy; proximity with one

side raises eyebrows in other camp; our reluctant attitude towards

Iran was due to Saudi’s pressure.

B. Syrian Civil War

1. Started In 2011.

2. Reasons:

a. It was part of the larger Arab Spring that started in 2011 i.e. protest

against dictatorship and demand of democracy.

• Assad family is ruling Syria since 1970. Present president –

Basher Al-Assad.

b. It acquired a Sectarian conflict. Rulers (Assad family) belongs to

minority Alwaites group (an offshoot of shia islam) whereas 75% of

Syrians are Sunni.

c. This is complicated by :

• Other ethnic conflicts like kurds, Christians, etc.

• Foreign intervention i.e. Iran and Hezzbollah group being Shia

are supporting the Syrian govt, whereas Saudi and other Sunnigroups supporting the rebels.

• Emergence of IS (a sunni group), it originated in Iraq but taking

advantage of chaos entered Syria.


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3. Present status:

a. The civil war is still going on.

b. Humanitarian loss – as of March 2015, 2-3 lakh killed, 9 million

displaced and thus migrating to Europe; use of chemical weaponsconfined by UN.

c. Present map of Syria – which part is under control of whom.

4. Russia’s involvement in civil war –

a. In September, 2015 Russia got involved in Syrian conflict when it

sent its fighter plains to assist Syrian president Basher Al-Assad.

b. Why –

i. To protect its ally president Basher Al-Assad.

ii. To gain strategic influence in West Asia which it has lost to US.

iii. To secure itself against IS.

iv. At present US and NATO forces don’t have a concrete strategy;

failed to tackle it.

c. Implications

i. Needs coordination between Russia and NATO otherwise it

can strain relations further.

ii. It is Russia’s first major military operation outside its

neighborhood since involvement in Afghanistan in 1980s.

C. Operation Rahat

Overview

1. It was an operation of the Indian Armed Forces in April 2015 toevacuate Indian citizens and other foreign nationals from Yemen duringthe 2015 military intervention by Saudi Arabia and its allies in Yemen.

Red – govt (controls around 40% of territory)

Grey – IS

Green – rebels

Yellow – kurds


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2. Details of operation:

a. Saudi had enforced a no-fly zone in Yemeni airspace which made itdifficult to evacuate Indians by air. But India successfully requestedSaudi Arabia to allow foreign nationals to go to Sanaa and Aden.

b. India then created a base in Djibouti. Air India flew passengers fromAden and sanaa to Djibouti and from there Air Force C-17 transportersflew evacuees back home.

c. Indian Naval Ships (Mumbai, Tarkash and Sumitra) were also deployedto flew back the Indians.

d. In this VK Singh (minister of state, external affairs) led from the

front.

3. How many evacuated?

a. Around 4,800 Indian citizens and 2,000 foreign nationals of 48countries including 12 Americans and 3 Pakistanis.

b. It was not the biggest ever rescue operation : India evacuated 2,280persons during the 2006 Lebanon War; 15,000 during Libyan crisis

in 2011 and the biggest one was during the Iraq-Kuwait crisis in

1990 when India evacuated 1.7 lakh people.

4. Comment:

a. Our efforts were very professional and appreciated all over the world;

it was the first time Western nations asked for and acknowledgedIndia’s help in evacuating their citizens.

b. This crisis provided a rare occasion for India and Pakistan to cooperate

(11 Indian’s were rescued by Pakistan and 3 Pakistani’s by India).

c. Government was issuing advisories since January 2015, but still they

stayed there due to economic reasons (lack of jobs in India).

D. Diaspora and Conflict Region

1. Middle East (where around 6 million Indians reside) is prone to conflict

and ensuring the security of Indians there is a recurring challenge.

2. In the recent past, India has done a commendable job in evacuating its

citizens from conflict-hit countries. (1.7 lakh evacuated in Iraq & Kuwait(1990), 2.300 in lebanon (2006), 15,000 in Libya(2011) and and 6,500 in

yemen(2015)).

3. But its track record in rescuing its citizens from kidnappers has been a

mixed one. While it managed to bring back some 100 nurses who were

held by Islamic State in Iraq a year ago, the fate of 39 other Indians

abducted by militants in June 2014 from Mosul is still unclear. India

cannot afford to leave such cases unresolved.

4. So what should be done:

a. Use past experience to develop permanent institutional capabilitiesin this regions to protect Indians abroad.

b. Review the early warning systems to anticipate a crisis quickly, update

citizens through advisories and ensure their early departure.


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c. Maintain neutrality with West Asian nations so that Indians caught

in conflict are not harmed.

d. Cultivate ties with influential actors in the region, to help solve issues

such as kidnappings.e. It was seen that many Indians stayed back in Yemen inspite of

advisories being issued way back in January. One reason was job.

But in some situations, the problem is that their employers hold their

passports and wages. For this India together with SAARC nations

should collectively negotiate with Gulf countries for better working

conditions.

E. Houthis (Yemen)

1. Who are Houthis –

a. Houthi is a Shia group; belonging to Zaidi school of thought.

b. The group takes its name from Hussein al-Houthi, who launched an

in 2004 in the background of US invasion of Iraq. At present it is

being led by Abdul-Malik al-Houthi.

2. Aim – They are not against the present republican system (Yemen is a

republic with a bicameral legislature), rather it’s aim is:

a. Preservation of their religion; ending their persecution (Yemen is a

mix of Shia and Sunni with rulers being sunni who are discriminating

Shias),

b. Ending western influence, and

c. End to corruption, government accountability, Job opportunities for

ordinary Yemenis.

3. To achieve these aims they are fighting since 2004. But the trigger even

was when in 2014 there was disagreement between houthis and president

Hadi over the constitution to be formed. Government wants Yemen to be

a federation but houthis rejected it. They also demanded the removal o

sacking of the corrupt govt. In Sept 2014 they took control over the

capital city Saan’a and in january 2015 occupied the presidents palace

which it controls. President Hadi has been forced to relocate to Adenwhich has been declared as provincial capital.

4. Implications – use all points of sectarian conflict:

a. It can end up like Syria, being in a long civil war.

b. Provides another battleground for Saudi-Iran to fight. Iran is supporting

the Houthis rebel; Saudi is backing president Hadi. It launched a

military operation against the Houthi rebels under Operation Decisive

Storm followed by operation restoring hope.

c. Oil – although not a major oil supplier but instability here can threatenoil supplies as Bab el-Mandab strait between Yemen and Djibouti

(along with Strait of Hormuz) is a major choke points for global oil

supplies.


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d. Internal security.

i. Has increased stability and has allowed al-Qaeda to gain a

stronghold; Yemen is the HQ of Al Qaeda in Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).

ii. Has shifted focus on Iran and Saudi to deal with IS.

iii. Yemen is a member of the IOR-ARC and its cooperation in

dealing with piracy in the Gulf of Aden has been significant.

e. With respect to India – India’s main concern in Yemen was the safety

of more than 5,000 citizens. It was able to evacuate them

under Operation Rahat.

F. UAE

1. Context – PM Modi visited UAE in August.

2. Cooperation:

a. Economic/energy –

i. Trade – UAE is India’s third largest trade partner (after China

and the USA), with bilateral trade standing at over USD 59

billion in 2014-15; have agreed to boost it by 60% in next 5

years during PMs visit.

ii. Investment : During the visit, UAE promised to invest $75

billion in India via UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund.

iii. India needs it for energy security and UAE also needs to diversify

market due to slow-down in Europe and discovery of shale gas

in USA; in recent visit UAE agreed to help India develop

strategic petroleum reserves (which is impt due to fear of

disruptions in production and supply).

b. Strategic –

i. During visit, the Relations between the two were elevated to a

comprehensive strategic partnership.

ii. Collaboration on issues like piracy and Terrorism (AQAP HQ in yemen and IS are a threat to both).

iii. Defense engagement –

• Under defence cooperation agreement, two sides are

cooperating in training, joint exercises, information sharing

etc, but not in equipments.

• In recent join statement, the two sides agreed to cooperate

in joint manufacture of defence equipment in India.

iv. UAE backs India for UNSC seats.

v. It’s a Gateway to Muslim world (OIC, Arab league) who

have a negative image of India due Kashmir problem, Tensions

with Pakistan, India’s image as a Hindu-majority country,

Communal riots.


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c. Cultural –

i. UAE agreed to allot land for a hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.

ii. 6 million Indian migrant workers are in overall Gulf

(constituting 35% of our Diaspora); Remittances by them aremajor source of forex.

d. It lies in our “immediate neighbourhood”, with only the Arabian Sea

separating the two.

3. Challenges:

a. Tough Balancing act for India on two religious axis.

i. Muslim and Jews (Israel) – India’s government is tilted towards

Israel.

ii. Sunni-Shia (Iran) axis – after US-Iran nuclear deal, India’srelation with Iran will improve.

b. Pakistan continues to portrays India as anti-muslim.

c. Diplomatic –

i. Excessive non – intervention by India. Gulf countries feel thatIndia has been over-cautious about its involvement in the

political and security affairs of the region.

ii. Modi’s visit was 1st visit by an Indian PM in last 30 years; last

was in 1981.

iii. Lack of institutional mechanism.

d. Investment is below potential due to problems in India’s investment

climate.

e. Anti-minorities activities by administration; Kashmir issue has the

potential-pakistan has recently again raised the issue at UN.

4. Way forward :

a. Launch an Act West Policy on the lines of Act East Policy.

b. Increase cultural contacts by having cultural exchange, holding inter-faith dialogues. Establish India Culture Centers throughout the region.

5. Some steps in recent years to boost relations with West Asia:

a. Under the Riyadh declaration signed in 2010 we declared strategic

partnerships with Saudi Arabia in 2010.

b. With Oman strategic partnership declared in Oman in 2008.

c. Agreement on defence and security cooperation with Qatar in 2008.

G. Israel - Palestine

1. In 2015, the relations between the worsened further due to

a. Palestinian’s frustration over Israel’s increasing occupation and Steps

towards statehood at stand-still.

b. Controversy over Al-aaqsa mosque.


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c. Re-election of Benjamin netanhayu to power.

2. Due to this in October 2015, there was an increasing demand of 3rd

Intifada (Intifada means Palestinian attempt to shake off Israeli power

and gain independence).

3. Is two state solution possible? The two-state solution calls for “twostates for two peoples” i.e. an independent State of Palestine alongside

the State of Israel. Chances are bleak due to following reasons –

a. Lack of unity among West Bank (governed by Fatahs) and Gaza

Strip (governed by Hamas).

b. By way of peace talks with Israel not possible.

• Israel especially under Benjamin Netanhyu will in no way are

united on the long-term game plan to annex most of the West

Bank and Jerusalem. An independent Palestine will give a basethe radical Islam to attack Israel.

• Also there are no agreements on areas like Boundary (Palestine

wants pre-1967 border; Israel wants 1967 border), water rights,

status of Jerusalem and freedom of access to religious sites.

c. By way of UN –

i. Yes, global opinion is tilting towards it due to genuine grievances

of Palestine (increasing illegal settlement, Attacks, human rights

violation and Socio – economic conditions).

• UN granted Palestine a non-member status, in 2012. In

January 2015, International Criminal Court accepted

Palestine as a member, Parliaments of several European

nations voted to ask their governments to recognise the

state of Palestine.

ii. No, because granting permanent membership of UN to Palestine

can be vetoed by US which enjoys a special relation with US.

This can be seen by the fact that no sanctions has been imposed

by UN on it.

d. By way of Intifada – chances are mix

i. Earlier Intifadas (1987-93 and 2000-5 didn’t yielded result).

ii. Israel will resort to brute force so that will crush their demand

brutally and that can lead to Israel’s further isolation and will

make the case of Palestine more stronger.

Oslo Accords, 1994

1. The accords included the first formal mutual recognition between Israel

and the Palestine Liberation Organization, and specified that bilateral

negotiations were the only viable path to Palestinian statehood.

2. Created the Palestinian Authority as a provisional government.

3. Laid out a five-year timetable for resolving all areas of conflict between

the Palestinians and the Israelis.


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4. Divided the West Bank into three sections:

a. Area A: The major cities where Palestinians were to have full control.

b. Area B: Where Israel would be in charge of security while Palestinians

handled civilian matters.

c. Area C: Areas to be under full Israeli control.

5. Why are they the cornerstone of ties?

Intifada

1. An Arabic word literally means shake.

2. It refers to a concerted Palestinian attempt to shake off Israeli power and

gain independence.

3. In Oct, 2015 there has been an increasing demand for 3rd Intifada (earlier

2 intifadas were 1987-93 and 2000-05).

H. India – Israel/Palestine Relations

1. India’s policy on Palestine has slowly changed over time (from solidarity

to non-alignment to closeness with Israel)

2. How can we say that/reasons –

a. Zionist forces in Israel and hindutva forces in India share similar

views on following:

i. Both of the forces are extremely nationalistc & conservative in

their prospective and ideology and

ii. The method of dealing with neighbours and threats, including

terrorism.

b. This can be seen by our voting. In July 2015, India abstained from

a vote against Israel at the UN Human Rights Council over the gaza

strikes in 2014.

c. Kashmir issue – If India votes for independence of Palestine then

world will ask the Indian government to do the same for Kashmir;

it will make case for Kashmir strong.

d. India being a major buyer of Israel’s defence exports.

e. India also needs Israel in Science and technology especially areas of

Drip irrigation and Agriculture.

f. Even Israel is getting isolated in world due to its continuous human

rights violation in Palestine.

3. Challenges for India:

a. Palestine vis-à-vis Israel – even western countries are going in favour

of Palestine, but with NDA government at centre, India is moving

closer to Israel. b. West asia especially Iran vis-à-vis Israel – we need Iran for

hydrocarbons + it is a regional power but Israel and Iran are not on

good terms.


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4. Way forward:

a. Such cooperation had existed during the earlier regimes, but India

had consistently sought to maintain its position on the Palestine

issue, which was in line with that of nearly every country in the

world, considering the brazen ways of Israel with respect to Palestine.

b. This does not behold well for India’s stature as a nation committed

to a just international order.

Mongolia and India Relations

• India was the first country outside the socialist bloc to establish diplomatic

relations with Mongolia in 1955. Nehru fought for Mongolia’s status at

the United Nations. But inspite of this relations remained weak.

• The demise of Communism (it’s the 25 the year of its democracy) and

the revival of Buddhism have added a new dimension to Indo-Mongolianrelations. (This point has been mentioned at many places).

• In this background, in May 2015, PM Modi visited Ulaanbaatar (during

his 3 nation tour – other 2 being china and South Korea) to commemorate

the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

• He was India’s first Prime Minister to visit Mongolia.

Importance of Mongolia and India to each other –

Consists of only 3 million people; landlocked between Russia and China.

Inspite of this she is important for:

1. Economic; energy –

a. Has huge reserves of natural uranium and other valuable minerals

for India. During the visit it was decided to cooperate civil nuclear

sector.

b. Need Mongolia for safeguarding its interest in Russia’s resource-rich

trans-Siberia and Far East.

c. A potential destination for Indian investment.

d. During the visit

i. India announced on Sunday a $1-billion credit line to Mongolia

for infrastructure development.

ii. Decided to cooperate in renewable energy.

2. Strategic/geopolitical importance –

a. China is engaging in peripheral diplomacy by upgrading its ties in

Indian subcontinent; new Delhi should reciprocate. Visit to Seoul and

Ulaanbaatar, the 2 democracies is in right direction.

b. Mongolia wants a measure of “strategic autonomy” from its neighborsRussia and china. China’s deep economic forays is opposed by the

Mongolian public. In this background Mongolia has diversified its

relations under the “third neighbour” policy.


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c. Defense cooperation has grown:

i. Militaries of the two countries conduct Exercise “NomadicElephant” regularly.

ii. National Security Councils are consulting since 2006 on issuessuch as cyber security.

iii. India’s Border Security Force (BSF) is helping Mongolia’s GeneralAuthority of Border Protection (GABP) to manage its vast

border with China.

iv. During the visit, ties were upgraded to “strategic partnership”and Agreed to cooperate in surveillance, air services, cyber security.

d. During his visit, PM announced that the 2 shades will work for stability

in the Asia Pacific region (he said this amid China’s push for increasing

its regional influence).

e. Strategically, Indian and Mongolian interests in China and Central

Asia coincide.

3. Spiritual Neighbor:

a. Buddhism travelled to Mongolia from India and is the dominant

religious faith over the last two millennia.

b. Thus the two sides are also spiritual neighbor.

c. Buddhism is a key part of Modi’s cultural diplomacy and thus travelled

to restore religious ties.

d) Challenges – There are Limits to any Indian Powerplay in Mongolia.

1. Demography – Its population is only three million (inspite of being half

of India’s territorial size).

2. Geography – Land locked; its difficult to and costly to transport Mongolia’s

mineral resources to India. Should work on completing the north-south

corridor.

3. With just two neighbors Ulaanbaatar has no interest in provoking either

Russia or China by undertaking activities hostile to them.

4. Its difficult to match China’s economic presence in Mongolia. In 2000,

Mongolia’s trade with china was USD 300 million in 2000. India’s trade is

merely USD 25 million.

5. Has been ignored till now; momentum needs to be sustained.

North Korea & India Relations

1. Relations between the two in the past have remained cold. No ministerial

contact. Relations confined to food aid to North Korea.

2. Due to following reasons:

a. Pakistan – with whom North Korea has close relations; it also helped

Pakistan in nuclear reactor development.

b. South-Korea – North Korea and South Korea are enemy nations and

we are close to South Korea.


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c. Its nuclear program which is opposed globally; US has imposed an

economic blockade.

3. But now we are taking steps for improving the relations

a. Sitaram Yechury, who in July, 2013, led a three-member parliamentarydelegation to Pyongyang.

b. In April, 2014 North Korea send his Foreign Minister to India.

c. In Sept, 2105, India sent Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju to

participate in an event marking the North Korean national

Independence Day to North Korean embassy.

4. Reasons:

a. North Koreas willingness to expand ties as it is facing isolation.

b. Indian side reason

i. Part of peripheral diplomacy.

ii. North Korea is estimated to have one of the largest global

deposits of minerals and rare earth metals necessary for India’s

IT industry and electronic majors.

iii. Diplomats are not ruling out the possibility that a dramatic

change in bilateral ties like what the U.S. achieved with Iran

and Cuba could possibly also occur in case of North Korea. If

ties improve then there will a rush to North Korea and India

should be an early bid.

Indo-Japan Relations

a) Importance:

1. Why we need Japan –

a. Highly developed nation. An important source of investment and

technology.

b. As a part of our Look East Policy.

c. Area of skill development (80% of labour is skilled).

d. India can learn from Japan in disaster management especially

Earthquake.

2. Why Japan needs us

a. Huge market for Japanese products.

b. Japan has surplus capital to invest and India needs investment.

3. Mutual reasons

a. China

i. Part of peripheral diplomacy for India.

ii. Japan needs India to counter China; becoming assertive in East

China Sea too.


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Positives –Steps Taken

1. Regular contacts

a. Narendra Modi recently visited Japan in August, 2014.

2. Area of cooperation

a. Economic

i. Investment

• Projects fuded by it : Delhi Metro Project, WesternDedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), DMIC (DelhiMumbai Industrial corridor).

• During Modi’s visit in 2014, Japan promised to invest

$35 billion in India over the next five years.

• It is the largest provider of Official Development

Assistance to India.

ii. India is supplying rare earths to Japan (after China decided to

cut export).

b. Security front

i. In 2014 our strategic relations were upgraded to Special Strategicand Global Partnership.

ii. Since 2011 holding the defence and foreign affairs dialogue inthe “2+2” Format at secretary level.

iii. Japan and India have held naval exercises in the Indian Ocean.

c. Both are members of G – 4 (group aspiring to be member of UNSC).

d. Soft power

i. Buddhism; During WW-2 INA of SC Bose and the JapaneseImperial Army fought together in battles against the Britishforces.

ii. Japan is involved in reconstruction of Nalanda.

iii. Modi wants to develop rejuvenating Indian cities on the linesof Kyoto. A partner city affiliation agreement betweenVaranasi (Kashi) and Kyoto was signed in 2014, which willsee cooperation in the fields of heritage conservation, citymodernization and culture.

c) Challenges

1. Economic

a. Trade : below potential;(Bilateral trade at $16.29 billion in 2013-14 accounted for just 2.13 per cent of India’s total trade; our trade with South

Korea > Japan)

b. Investment faces hurdles due to complex regulatory environment;language barrier.

c. Japan like South Korea argues that the content of the Indo-JapanCEPA needs to be upgraded to match with other FTAs which Indiahas with other countries.


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d. Subsequently Japan plus cell was setup in DIPP (department of industrial policy & promotion).

2. Security

a. Strategic relationships are symbolic, jut confined naval exercisesinspite of China’s assertiveness.

b. Reasons

i. No one wants to provoke China which keeps a close eye on

evolving India-Japan ties.

ii. Japans pacifist constitution; that’s why coulddn’t secure the

supply of Japan’s world class US-2 amphibious aircraft.

3. Civilian nuclear deal hasn’t been negotiated because of Japan being the

only victim of a nuclear attack and after the Fukushima radiation disaster

in 2011 it has become more apprehensive of nuclear power.

4. People to people contact is less.

Oceania

A. Australia

1. Positives

a. Regular contacts:

i. Bilateral : PM of Australia visited India in September 2014,

Modi visited Australia in Nov, 2014.

ii. On sidelines of summit : Commonwealth meet, G – 20, IORA,

East Asia summit.

b. Economic:

i. Trade : Annual trade is worth nearly AU$16 billion in 2014.

ii. Investment : Indian investment in Australia was AU$10.9 billion

in 2014 (mainly in field of energy), and Australian investment

in India was AU$9.8 billion.

c. Investment:

i. India and Australia have also launched the CEO Forum.

ii. Negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation

Agreement (CECA) expected to be concluded by December

2016.

d. Energy:

i. Australia is an “energy superpower” having abundant coal, oil,

natural gas and uranium.

ii. Adai group is developing the Carmichael coal mine projectwhich will provide coal to India.

iii. Reliance has entered into a partnership agreement with Uranium

Exploration;


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e. Nuclear energy – In Sept 2014, both sides signed a civil nuclear agreement with Australia. Australia has about third of world’s

recoverable uranium resources and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes of it

in a year.

f. Strategic:

i. Cooperating in Indian ocean;

ii. During Modi’s visit India-Australia strategic framework announced which ensures annual meetings between the leaders,

defense ministers and regular exchanges between the armed

forces related to piracy, ter rorism and changing foreignmaritime presence in Indian ocean, cyber-security.

iii. Defence Minister of Australia visited India in September, 2015.

• Australia acknowledge that India’s partnership is essentialto sustaining the U.S-led push to maintain the strategic

balance in East Asia vis-à-vis China.

• During Modi’s visit, Australia had formally requested

for a “quadrilateral dialogue” with the intent of joining

the “India-U.S.-Japan” trilateral talks as part of the “Asia

dialogue”.

• In Sept, 2015, navies of two sides conducted their first

Bilateral Maritime Exercise — Exercise AUSINDEX.

• Also planning to improve our bilateral Air Force

relationship as we use common platforms such as the

Hawk, C-17, C-130 aircraft.

g. Culture:

i. The English language is an important link.

ii. Sporting diplomacy:

• In cricket and hockey, the two countries have strong

ties.

• Sachin, Laxman, Warne, Gilchrist are popular in the

each other country.MRF Pace Foundation training pace bowlers in India. Ma

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