Topic: International Relations: Neighbourhood and Groupings
Q1. Evaluate the efficacy of India's Neighbourhood First policy in fostering a peaceful and amicable subcontinent. (10 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction:
- The "Neighbourhood First" policy is an important factor of India’s foreign policy that focuses on frequent high-level political exchanges and a policy of non-reciprocity towards neighbours in the subcontinent.
- It is based on the Gujral Doctrine, which is a set of five principles to guide the conduct of foreign relations with India's immediate neighbours to maintain stability and growth in the region.
Main Body:
Effectiveness of India's Neighbourhood First Policy:
- Balancing India’s image and culture: "Neighbourhood First" policy follows India’s vision of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam while making it a leader of the southern world developing countries.
- Continuous Dialogue involves vigorous regional diplomacy by engaging with neighbouring nations and building political connectivity through dialogue.
- For example, all heads of government of SAARC countries were invited to the oath-taking ceremony of the Prime minister in 2014.
- Resolving bilateral issues: This policy helps India solve bilateral issues through mutual agreements without conflict.
- For example, India and Bangladesh had agreed on the historic Land Boundary Agreement (LBA).
- Technical Cooperation in Subcontinent: The policy also focuses on technical cooperation among like-minded developing countries without many technological advancements.
- For example, the SAARC satellite was developed to share technology like telemedicine, e-learning etc., with people across South Asia.
- Disaster management: India’s cooperation in disaster response, weather forecasting etc., has created a positive image worldwide while increasing soft power.
- For example, operation Insaniyat, recent vaccine support during covid19 pandemic etc.
- Connectivity: to ensure a free flow of resources, energy, goods, labour, and security information across borders.
- For example, the Kaladan project with Myanmar.
Challenges to Neighbourhood First Policy:
- Role of Pakistan: Normalising equations with Pakistan remains India’s biggest challenge, as it openly uses terror as an instrument of state policy.
- Unstable Afghanistan: Fragile politics and state-sponsored external threats from Pakistan make maintaining relations with Afghanistan a challenge too.
- The recent role of the Taliban and the Non-inclusion of India as a major member in talks shows the weakness of the Neighbourhood First" policy.
- Dominant and Expansionist China: China's policies towards Pakistan, such as constructing Gwadar Port and Diamer Bhasha dam, have raised suspicions.
- Additionally, China's OBOR initiative has attracted smaller nations, further increasing concerns.
- Anti-Indian sentiments: Increasing anti-Indian sentiments in Nepal, fueled by local political tactics and accusations of a big brotherly attitude from India, challenge India's Neighbourhood First policy.
- Nepal's utilisation of China as a bargaining chip adds further complexity to the situation.
Conclusion:
- To quote Former Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee, You can change your friends but not neighbours.
- Hence, to play a dominant role in the emerging multipolar world politics, India must develop good relations with its neighbours while not compromising its national aspirations.
Q2. India-Nepal relations have seen some emerging friction points in the past two decades. Analyse the statement and discuss how it can be improved. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
Model Structure
Introduction:
- Nepal is our Himalayan neighbour with close religious and cultural ties, but the relations have been affected as Nepal recently claimed Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura of Uttarakhand state as part of its territory. OR
- The Treaty of Sagauli of 1816 demarcated the Kali river as the border between India and Nepal. But the unilateral inclusion of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura by Nepal in its map has soured bilateral relations.
Main body:
- Since the abolition of monarchy in 2008, the relations have been affected and friction points have emerged due to issues like -
- Nepal considers the treaty of Sagauli as the only document on border demarcation. It considers the source of Kali to be near Limpiyadhura, thus all disputed areas are considered to the East of river Kali. India considers administrative and revenue records also, and even China recognised Indian sovereignty over these areas.
- The 2015 Nepal economic blockade by India resulted in a severe economic crisis.
- Issue of Madhesis, whose interests are taken up by India several times, is considered interference in internal matters by Nepal.
- Coming to the power of the communist party and their support from China further aggravated our bilateral relations. Recently, China and Nepal signed all-weather road connectivity between Tibet and Kathmandu.
- Change of the course of river Gandak in Bihar and ensuing dispute in Susta,
- Kalapani area in Pithoragarh of Uttarakhand is a trijunction between India, Nepal and China and is of immense strategic importance.
- Nepal earthquake of 2015 and its coverage by Indian media was criticised.
- Even with all these emerging issues, bilateral relations are cordial and progressive because-
- India is Nepal’s largest trading partner and source of foreign investments
- India provides sea access to landlocked Nepal for trade. The BBIN motor vehicle agreement is an initiative in this regard.
- The Peace and friendship treaty of 1950 ensured an open border allowing unrestricted movement of people. Presence of close family ties based on Roti-Beti ka Rishta.
- Defence modernization and cooperation, and the presence of the Gorkha regiment in the Indian army. Multilateral agreements in SAARC, BIMSTEC etc.
- Cultural ties with sister city initiatives between Kathmandu-Varanasi, Lumbini-Bodhgaya and Janakpur-Ayodhya.
- To further improve these ties, steps can be taken like-
- Early operationalization of BBIN motor vehicle agreement.
- Better border management to prevent inflow of Fake Indian Currency Notes and alleged arms which fuel Naxalism.
- Hydropower is a less tapped area of cooperation. Need to operationalize more hydropower projects like Arun-3.
- Bilateral agreements must also ensure that any economic cooperation with China shall not affect India’s strategic interests and its relations with Nepal.
Conclusion:
Both nations must respect the territorial integrity of each other to ensure smooth ties as it is the main bone of contention. Another focus area is to make power deficient Nepal as power surplus by tapping huge hydropower potential. Upcoming religious tourism in Ayodhya, Varanasi and Gorakhpur can further India’s soft power and enhance people-to-people contacts.
Q3. India and Sri Lanka share close relations since ancient times but there have been issues in recent times. Discuss. (10 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction
- India and Sri Lanka are close neighbors in South Asia and are part of many multilateral groupings like SAARC, BIMSTEC, IORA, SASEC etc. They share economic, cultural, religious and linguistic ties and have many shared interests.
Main Body
- There is constant growth in trade and commerce along with cultural ties. Some important aspects of the relationship include-
- Sri Lanka is important because it is India’s second largest trading partner in SAARC. An FTA between the two goes back to 1998 with focus on increased trade relations and better commerce activities.
- Security cooperation is another area with bilateral exercises like SLINEX and Mitra Shakti. India also provides military training to the Sri Lankan army and ensures better security in the Indian Ocean region.
- India building Trincomalee port and Colombo airport is an important aspect of relations considering that these are strategic assets.
- India’s Education and health sector is important for Sri Lanka as a lot of scholarships and affordable health facilities are provided to them by India.
- Cultural cooperation agreement was signed between India and Sri Lanka as Tamil, Yoga, Sangam literature and Buddhism are an important connecting link.
- Tourism is also an important connecting link between India and Sri Lanka with Tamil and Buddhist places serving as host destinations.
- But this traditional relationship and geographical closeness has been affected in recent times due to issues like-
- Involvement of China has drifted Sri Lanka away from India. Granting lease of Hambantota port and inclusion in Maritime Silk Route has affected India’s interests in Sri Lanka.
- Fishermen issue very often brings both sides at loggerheads which is due to less clearly demarcated maritime boundary and impact of high and low tides.
- Issue of Katchatheevu island, which is an uninhabited island, was ceded by India to Sri Lanka as part of peace efforts in 1974 but the Tamil fishermen still consider it as their own and this causes a lot of disputes.
- Sri Lanka’s growing indebtedness due to China’s briefcase diplomacy has put it in a spot of arm twisting for favoring China over India.
Conclusion
In international relations, it is said that you can change friends and enemies but not neighbors. Also, India-Sri Lanka ties go way back since times immemorial. Thus there is a need to ensure an amicable solution to resolve any conflict and ensure no external power can influence bilateral relations.
Q4. Discuss the areas of cooperation between India and Bangladesh and what are the issues which impact bilateral relations between the two countries? (15 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction
- India shares around 4100 km land boundary with Bangladesh which is the longest land boundary it shares with any country.
- India was the first country to recognize and establish bilateral relations with Bangladesh after its formation and this is what forms the basis of relations.
Main Body
- India and Bangladesh have a lot in common with areas of interests like literature, connectivity, culture, economy, art etc.
- The relations depends upon following areas of cooperation
- River water treaties as there are many major and minor transboundary rivers and water sharing is an important area of cooperation. Ganga waters treaty, Teests river pact and Kushiyara river pact are some of the engagements.
- Grid connectivity for power needs and energy sector is also an important area where India has signed pacts for the Rooppur nuclear plant, hydrocarbon project and friendship pipeline project.
- Bangladesh is the 6th largest trading partner of India and border connectivity has helped improve trade ties. There are provisions for duty free access, border haats, streamlined customs checking etc.
- There are connectivity pacts with modes like roads, railways and inland waterways involving all 5 border states of India. Bandhan, Maitree and Mitali express are some trains for easing connectivity between the two countries.
- There is cooperation in security and military aspect also to ensure issue of terrorism is addressed amicably.
- Tourism is another area of interest and Bangladesh accounted for largest foreign tourist arrivals in India in 2020.
- Recently there have been some issues in bilateral relations due to external and internal factors. Some of them are
- Migration is a very big issue which has continued since the Bangladesh liberation war and is said to have altered demography in many bordering states of India. These illegal migrants are both refugees and economic migrants and also include Rohingyas who entered India from Myanmar via Bangladesh.
- River water dispute is also an issue with Teesta being at the center of the dispute.
- Porous borders are a source of illegal smuggling of cattle, fake currency, drugs and human trafficking.
- Chinese influence due to its Maritime Silk Route and Belt and Road Initiative is a big threat for India in its immediate neighborhood.
- Terrorism is a big issue which is slowly spreading in South Asia and Bangladesh is no exception. It is used as a safe haven by many infiltrators, insurgents and terrorists and is also used as an alleged training ground.
Conclusion
Bangladesh is a very important neighbor and trading partner considering its market, proximity, cordial political relations and border length. It is time to upgrade the relationship to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and ensure better connectivity, energy security and amicable resolution of river water disputes.
Q5. SAARC has outlived its expectations and it’s time for India to focus on BIMSTEC to shape neighbourhood policies and domestic interests. Discuss. (10 Marks)
Model StructureIntroduction:
- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is an 8-member grouping founded in 1984 whereas BIMSTEC is a 7-member grouping initiated by the Bay of Bengal littoral states in 1997.
Main body:
- SAARC has outlived its expectations because-
- One of the least regionally integrated areas as evident from South Asia’s total trade which is only 5 per cent of total trade done by members.
- Frequency of summits has dropped.
- Unanimous decision-making has led to Pakistan stalling many projects aimed at boosting intra-regional connectivity.
- Entry of China into the affairs of Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka etc has further led to slow-paced developments.
- High frequency of bilateral conflicts, mistrust and economic disintegration.
- Focus on BIMSTEC because-
- Pivotal to Indian Act East policy and India ASEAN connectivity.
- The Bay of Bengal has huge untapped resources and energy exploration along Rakhine state.
- Boost corridors like IMT highway, Kaladan project and BIMSTEC multi-modal project.
- Development of North East India.
- Lies close to the Strait of Malacca choke point which is important for Chinese trade, thus enormous strategic depth.
- But BIMSTEC can't be a replacement for SAARC because-
- Some positives of SAARC include
- South Asia Free Trade Agreement which has preferred regional trade over trans-regional and abolished double taxation.
- Free movement of a certain trade.
- Education and cultural exchanges are frequent at South Asian University.
- BIMSTEC has only 4 summits till now in response to 18 by SAARC.
- FTA in BIMSTEC has been pending since 2004.
- Insurgency in the North East and the pro-China stance of Thailand.
- Budgetary deficits in the BIMSTEC secretariat.
- Some positives of SAARC include
Conclusion
- SAARC represents the cultural, political, religious and culinary affinity of people which can't be replaced but only co-operated.
- One can change friends but not neighbours and there is an urgent need for constructive dialogue with Pakistan for an amicable solution. SAARC is also crucial to tap the economic potential of the region and enhance India’s quest to be a net security provider.
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