India Central Asia Relations

India Central Asia Relations

This article deals with ‘India Central Asia Relations.’ This is part of our series on ‘International Relations’, which is an important pillar of the GS-2 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.


What is Central Asia?

India Central Asia Relations
  • Central Asia is a region made up of five nations forming the underbelly of Russia. These include
Country  Capital
Kazakhstan Astana
Kyrgyzstan Bishkek
Tajikistan Dushanbe
Turkmenistan Ashgabat
Uzbekistan Tashkent
  • These countries gained independence in 1991 after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
  • These countries are landlocked but are ultra-rich in resources and have sparse populations.
  • India considers the Central Asian countries part of its ‘extended and strategic neighbourhood’.  

Historical Connection with India

  • Al -Beruni came to India in the 11th century from Central Asia. He authored a famous book named Tahkik ul Hind.
  • Babur, who founded Mughal Empire in India, was a native of Uzbekistan (Ferghana province).

Politics of the region

  • Although these countries achieved their independence in 1991, authoritarian regimes have remained in power (except Kyrgyzstan.)  
  • They have not opened up their economies and always feared that western countries, especially the US supported by NATO, might try to change the regime like what happened in Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan in 2005.  

Economy of these States

  • States which have a strong economies are
    • Kazakhstan with high per capita income
    • Turkmenistan, which is a major supplier of gas  
  • But this is not the case with other states. E.g. Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan are economically weak because they don’t have hydrocarbon resources. These states are still dependent on Russia (For example, Tajikistan’s primary source of revenue is remittances from Russia).


Importance for India

1. Natural resources

The Central Asian region is endowed with rich natural resources

  1. Turkmenistan: It has the 4th largest gas reserves. India is part of the TAPI Pipeline starting in Turkmenistan
  2. Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan is rich in gas resources.
  3. Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan is rich in oil and Uranium (KazAtomPro)
  4. Tajikistan: Tajikistan has vast hydropower potential 

Since India is an energy-hungry nation, these nations are natural allies in this respect.


2. Strategic Location

  • It is located at the bridge between  Europe and Asia. 
  • The central lynchpin in this is the International North-South Corridor.

3. Security

  • Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan border Afghanistan. After the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Central Asian nations and India can cooperate to control terrorism and extremism in Afghanistan. 
  • Central Asia is known for its moderate practice of Islam. It can act as a counter to the radical Wahabist ideology of Islam.
  • India’s only foreign military airbase, i.e. Air Base in Farkhor (Tajikistan), operated by IAF.  
Farkhor Airbase in Tajikistan
Farkhor Airbase (of India) in Tajikistan

4. Trade

  • Trade between India & Central Asia is roughly $2 billion compared to their $50 billion trade with China. Hence, there is enormous untapped potential.   
  • Indian pharma and drugs, tea and coffee, are in huge demand in Central Asia.  
  • Various Indian Companies are involved in Energy Projects in Central Asia. These include
    • NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kazakhstan (KazAtomPro) 
    • ONGC, Mittal Energy & KazMe2unaiGaz (KMG) have signed a deal regarding the offshore Satpayev Oil Block in the Caspian Sea.
    • BHEL & NHPC are working on hydro projects in Tajikistan 

5. The demand for Indian Products

  • Indian Pharma and Drugs, Tea and Coffee have a huge demand in Central Asian countries.
  • Bollywood is popular in Central Asian countries. 

6. Drug Trafficking

  • Tajikistan is a gateway for Afghan Drugs to Central Asia. This money is used for funding terror activities against India too.

Steps taken by India

  • Connect Central Asia Policy: Dealt below.
  • India has stepped up its multilateral engagements with Central Asian Countries through forums such as Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Eurasian Community etc.
  • India has renewed its efforts toward the completion of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
  • India has signed the Ashgabat Agreement.
  • Indian government invited the leaders of the Central Asian nations as the Chief Guest for 2022 Republic Day


TAPI Pipeline

TAPI Pipeline
  • TAPI pipeline aims to bring gas from Turkmenistan to India while passing through Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It has the following advantages

  • It will help bring energy to India and its neighbours at a competitive price.
  • It will help India diversify its fuel basket
  • It can help to normalize the relations between India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
  • It will help stabilize Afghanistan as it can earn revenue through transit fees. 

But there are challenges as well

  • Finance: Nearly 85 % of the project cost is expected to be incurred by Turkmenistan, which is currently facing economic hardship
  •  Security: The region through which the TAPI pipeline passes is turbulent. 
  • Geopolitics: Diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan are not conducive for a venture such as the TAPI pipeline.

Connect Central Asia (2012)

  • India’s initiative for political, economic & cultural proximity with Central Asia 
  • It was propounded in 2012. 
  • The main Aspects of the initiative include 
    • Cooperation in science and technology 
    • Educational Exchange 
    • Helping Infrastructural Development in Central Asia 
    • Regular Summit Meetings and other exchanges  
  • It focuses on socio-economic-political cooperation.


Ashgabat Agreement

  • The agreement was signed between the governments of Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, which Kazakhstan and Pakistan later joined in 2016. India joined the grouping in 2018.
  • The agreement aims to establish international transport and transit corridor linking Central Asia with the Persian Gulf. It will be achieved via easy customs clearances, fast transport etc.
First Joining Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Iran via Rail line
Second Making shipping corridors at Bandar Abbas and Chabahar

Constraints in relation

1. Landlocked and Inaccessible

  • Central Asian region is landlocked and has poor connectivity with India.
  • To address this, the following connectivity initiatives have been started 
    1. International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
    2. Building Chabahar Port in Iran
    3. India has joined Shanghai Cooperation Organization 
    4. The process of signing the free trade agreement (FTA) with the Eurasian Economic Union has been fast-tracked
    5. India has signed Ashgabat Agreement 
    6. Connect Central Asia Policy 
    7. TAPI Pipeline 

2. Takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban

  • It has made access to Central Asian countries even more difficult.

3. Chinese presence and interest

  • China is making considerable inroads in Central Asia through the One Belt One Road initiative.

4. Radicalisation and Terrorism

  • Central Asia is vulnerable to radical Islamist influences like Al Qaeda, Islamic State, Taliban, IUM, Hizb-ut-Tahrir and others.

5. Other Issues

  • “Youth bulge” with huge unemployment and limited economic opportunities
  • Serious and worsening corruption
  • Potentially restive minority populations (such as the ethnic Uzbeks in Kyrgyzstan )
  • Drug trafficking

Chinese Challenge

  • China has invested a massive $35 Billion in Central Asian states. 
  • Central Asian states are an important part of the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB). 
  • Most of the Chinese investments are in the field of energy. Notable projects include
    1. Pipeline from Turkmenistan To China 
    2. Pipeline from Kazakhstan to China

Investment Comparison: India vs. China

  China India
Investment $35 billion $1.6 billion
Trade $50 billion $2 billion

Way Forward

  • India should consider setting up an India-Central Asia Forum (on the lines of the India-Africa Forum)   
  • India should develop the Chabahar port on a priority basis.  
  • India should focus on Telemedicine, Tele-education etc., i.e. areas where India is strong & where geography doesn’t matter much.
  • India should utilize the potential of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

India European-Union Relations

India European-Union Relations

India European-Union Relations

This article deals with ‘India European-Union Relations.’ This is part of our series on ‘International Relations’, which is an important pillar of the GS-2 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.


Why is Europe important to India? 

  • Europe is linked to India’s colonial legacy, as India was a colony of Britain. 
  • Ties are also coloured by the outlook of educated western leaders like JL Nehru, Gandhi etc. 
  • Britain has a special place in Indian foreign policy due to the large Indian Diaspora in Britain.
  • India can learn the art of multilateralism from European Union. EU can act as a model for creating the SAARC Custom Union. 
  • India and the European Union are ‘natural partners’ because of their shared values & beliefs in democracy, pluralism, independent media & the rule of law.


Various aspects of India-EU Relations

1. Trade Relations

India-EU Relations
  • The European Union is one of the largest trading partners of India. The bilateral trade accounts for $116.4 billion in 2021.  
  • European Union is the second largest investor in India, with a cumulative FDI of €70 billion from 2000. 
  • Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and European Union is currently under negotiation. When signed, it would be the world’s largest encompassing 1.8 billion people. 
  • But problems are present because European markets are going towards protectionism.  

2. Security Relations

  • India and Europe share a common interest on
    • Defending global terrorism & extremism 
    • Securing trade lines from attacks by pirates 
    • Preventing attacks on IT infrastructure 
  • The relation will be helpful in securing Indian Ocean Region because its members, like France, Italy etc., have important bases.
    • France: Reunion Island and UAE 
    • Italy: Djibouti

3. Maintain the World Order

  • India and European Union have a commitment to a “rules-based” international order and a “multipolar” world.
  • For UNSC Reforms, the EU is most important because of the Veto Power of France. 

4. Climate Change & Environment

  • Both shares a common view toward Climate Change 
  • After the withdrawal of the UK from the European Union, India-EU Cooperation has become even more important. 

5. City to City Cooperation

  • There is a city-to-city cooperation between European and Indian cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Chandigarh
Chandigarh- France Connection

6. New opportunities

  • Assertive China and its challenge to the existing balance of power is forcing the European Union & India to work jointly.
  • Post-Brexit, India has deepened its relationship with the European Union. Earlier, all the EU trade with India was routed through London.

Challenges

  • The increasing wave of Protectionism in the European Union countries.
  • In WTO, both are leaders of Opposite Blocs wrt the Doha Development Agenda. 
  • Issues wrt Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) (discussed below)
  • Indian agro-products are banned from entering the EU on frivolous pretexts under SPS measures of the WTO.
  • Labour Issues: There are problems wrt Labour Laws in India. E.g., Indian Carpets denied entry on the pretext that the carpet industry of Mirzapur employs child labour.
  • Human Rights issue: EU members have expressed concerns regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in India. 


India-EU FTA or Broad-based Trade & Investment Agreement (BTIA)

Both parties initiated negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) called the Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) in 2007 but have not reached a conclusion till now.


Concerns raised by EU

  • India’s model BIT (Bilateral Investment Treaty): The Model Treaty allows companies to seek international arbitration only when all domestic options have been exhausted.  
  • Data Secure Status of India: EU has refused to grant the status of Data Secure Nation to India. Hence, it will increase operating costs and affect competitiveness. 
  •  India’s IPR Regime  with the provision of compulsory licensing  
  • Issues such as Vodafone Case and Retrospective taxation  
  • EU wants India to reduce taxes on liquor (which would benefit France) and automobiles (which would benefit Germany)
  • Duty and tariff protection provided by the Indian government to domestic producers of spirit, wine and dairy products

Concerns raised by India

1. Concerns in Agriculture Sector: 

  • EU subsidises its dairy products. Hence, there is a concern about dumping Indian markets with European Dairy products.
  • Europe uses the SPS Measures clause of WTO to block access to Indian Agri products in Europe.

2. Concerns in the service sector: 

  • India demands relaxation in the movement of skilled professionals into the EU. 
  • Indian government wants recognition of India’s professional qualifications in the EU.   

3. Procurement Policy

  • EU wants the government procurement chapter to be added to the FTA so that it can capture the lucrative government procurements.

Post-Brexit Opportunities

After Brexit, it could be easier for India to negotiate the terms of the FTA with the EU. Till now, the UK was playing the role of the most prominent spoiler.

Radio Isotopes and their Uses

Last Update: May 2023 (Radio Isotopes and their Uses)

Radio Isotopes and their Uses

This article deals with ‘Radio Isotopes and their Uses .’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.


Introduction

Isotopes of some elements are unstable and hence radioactive. E.g.: Iodine-131, Indium-92, Molybdenum-99, Chromium-51, Phosphorous-32 etc.


Applications of Radio Isotopes

1. Energy

  • Energy can be produced by using nuclear fission and fusion in a controlled way using nuclear reactors.
Radio Isotopes and their Uses

2. Agriculture

  • To develop mutant crops: Radioisotopes is used to develop high yield, disease-resistant varieties 
  • BARC has produced green manure crop Sesbania Rostrata using this
  • Food irradiation: Food irradiation is used for food preservation, in which radiation is used to break chemical bonds of enzymes needed for chemical reactions. It increases the shelf life of perishable food. CODEX & HACCP accept food irradiation. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act has provisions regarding food irradiation.
Food irradiation

3. Medicine and Healthcare

  • Nuclear medicine is a medical speciality that uses trace amounts of radioactive substances (called radio-pharmaceuticals) to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases and conditions safely and painlessly.
    1. Thyroid cancer is treated using I-131 (iodine)
    2. Bhabhatron, designed by BARC, is used to treat  Breast Cancer, Bowel Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer and Lung Cancer using radioactive Co-60 (Cobalt).
    3. Brachytherapy is done by placing sealed radioactive sources at or near the target area. It is used for treating Prostate Cancer using Iridium-192
  • Radio Immunoassay to measure Hormones, Enzymes and Serum Proteins.
  • Radiation Sterilization is used to sterilize medical products such as syringes, cotton wool etc.
Nuclear Medicine

4. Dating / Archaeology

  • C-14 Dating: Radioactivity of a particular isotope of Carbon, i.e. C-14, is used by archaeologists to ascertain the age of dead organisms. 
  • Uranium Dating: Uranium dating is used to date the rocks formed 1 million to 4.5 billion years ago.


5. Sludge Hygenization

  • Radiation Technology is used to hygienize the sludge and manufacture manure from it. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is using this technique.
Radioactivity Applications

6. Insect and Pest Control

Insect and Pest Control

7. Detecting Leakage

  • Radioactivity can be used to detect the point of leakage in underground pipelines. The point of leakage has high levels of radiation. 
High Count Rate 
civilspedia.com

8. Other uses

  • Water Management: BARC has developed desalination technologies for providing potable water in rural areas & on ships using radioactive materials.  
  • Industry: Radioisotopes are used in the quality control of industrial products.

Nuclear Energy as Power Source in India – Advantages and Disadvantages

Nuclear Energy as Power Source in India – Advantages and Disadvantages

This article deals with ‘Nuclear Energy as Power Source in India – Advantages and Disadvantages .’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is important pillar of GS-3 syllabus . For more articles , you can click here

Installed capacity of India

As of April 2017 => 6,780 MW (6.78 GW) which constitutes ~2% of installed capacity of India

Nuclear  Energy as Power Source in India - Advantages and Disadvantages

Problems with Nuclear Power generation in India

1.India’s domestic Uranium Reserve can support only 100 GW of energy.

  • Our future depends upon  development of third stage of Nuclear Program without which will remain dependant on imported Uranium as it is case with Oil currently.

2. Current Nuclear reactors consume significant amount of water.

  • Hence most of upcoming plants will be set up near sea coasts. It will put pressure on the coastline & Western  Ghats.

3. There are long gestation periods which increase costs of the plant significantly.

4. New safeguard requirements post Fukushima disaster has pushed per MW costs of Nuclear Reactors significantly higher in comparison to Thermal, Solar and Wind Plants.

  • Jaitapur plant in Maharashtra (AREVA) is expected to cost 20 crore/ MW in comparison other sources cost 4 crore/ MW.

5. Some argue that Total costs of a Nuclear Lifecycle which involves Mining of Uranium, transportation , handling of waste generated etc is significantly more than economic value generated during lifetime of the functioning of the plant

6. Nuclear installations will be favorite targets of terrorists  which can cause irreversible damage to people 

So, Should Nuclear Energy be used ?

Strong arguments which justify use of nuclear energy are

  • No Green House Gases (GHGs) are emitted in Nuclear Power generation  => Helps to fight Global Warming
  • It generates very limited waste in quantity (although far more hazardous in quality). 
  • Helpful to achieve Paris Pledges => 40% of energy from Non-fossil sources till 2020
  • Increases image of country as technologically advanced nation .
  • Non fluctuating source of renewable energy. Solar, Wind etc energy depend on sunshine, wind speed etc and hence fluctuate

But

  • Cost of power from new nuclear reactors is increasing significantly post Fukushima Disaster . Power from new reactors costs between Rs. 6.2-6.5/Unit 
  • In case of any nuclear leakage & accident in nuclear power plants, damage is immense & incurable
  • Land acquisition issues ,  need for large water reservoirs for the reactors, & concerns about a possible tsunami scenario 
  • Major Nuclear Companies like Toshiba-owned Westinghouse, Areva etc are on verge of Bankruptcy pointing towards fact that Nuclear Energy has become unviable
  • Investing in Solar and Wind Energy is better option  . Cost of Solar Energy has decreased to around ₹4.5 / kWh compared to ₹6.5 kWh of Nuclear Energy
  • Uranium contamination of ground water due to Mining. Eg : in Rajasthan

Conclusion : India is producing miniscule 2% of its energy from Nuclear Energy. Although we should increase this share but at the same time safety protocol should be updated

Indian Nuclear Sector

Indian Nuclear Sector

This article deals with ‘Indian Nuclear Sector.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is important pillar of GS-3 syllabus . For more articles , you can click here

Aim of the nuclear research in India

  • Peaceful use of the nuclear energy
  • Power generation
  • Applications in the agriculture
  • Medical sciences, industrial application etc

Organisational set up

Indian Nuclear Sector

Department of Atomic Energy( DAE)

  • Formed  in 1954
  • Headquarters – Mumbai
  • Directly under PMO
  • Responsible  for the Nuclear energy including nuclear power and research

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board( AERB)

  • Setup in 1983
  • Under Atomic Energy Act ,1962
  • For regulating nuclear sector

Some institutions running under DAE

1.R&D sector

BARC

  • Bhaba Atomic Research Centre
  • Headquartered in Bombay
  • Formed in 1954 in Trombay (Mumbai)
  • Involved in research and development (R&D) in the field of Nuclear Energy.
  • Made  research reactors like Apsara (1956), Zerlina (1961) etc

IGCAR(Indira Gandhi Centre for Advanced Research)

  • Headquartered in Kalpakkam
  • Formed in 1981
  • Made various reactors for producing energy   . Eg Tarapur (1969), Rawatbhata (1981) etc
  • Currently working on PFBR (2nd Stage Reactor)

Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology

  • Situated in Indore
  • Doing work in advanced technology like Atomic Energy , Nano Tech, robotics etc

Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre

  • Situated in Kolkata

Atomic Minerals Division (AMD)

  • Situated in Hyderabad
  • Looks after availability of Nuclear Fuels in India 

2. Public Sector Undertakings

NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd)

  • Situated in Mumbai
  • Incharge of First stage of Nuclear Plants
  • All 24 Nuclear Energy  Plants in India are working under it

BHAVINI 

  • Bhavini = Bhartiya Nuclear Vidyut Nigam Limited
  • Situated in Kalpakkam
  • incharge of second stage -> PFBR operated by it

Uranium Corporation of India ltd (UCIL)

  • Situated in Jaduguda
  • Extract Uranium and process it to yellow cake

Indian Rare Earth ltd

  • Situated in Mumbai

3. Industrial sector

Heavy Water Board Mumbai
Nuclear Recycling Board Mumbai
Nuclear Fuel Complex Hyderabad
Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology Mumbai

4. Aided institutions

TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental research) Bombay
Tara Memorial Centre Bombay
Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics Kolkata
Institute of Physics Bhubaneswar
Institute of the Mathematical sciences Madras

India and Atomic Bomb

  • Indian Government formed Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) post independence which has conducted 2 successful Nuclear tests till date
1st May 1974 Smiling Budha Based on Nuclear Fission
2nd May 1998 Shakti Both Nuclear Fission and Fusion (Hydrogen bomb)
  • Indian Nuclear Program is considered better than rest of nuclear powers of the world because
    • India has adopted ‘No First Use Policy’ .
    • Indian Atomic Bombs are under Civilian Government.
    • Indian Nuclear Bombs are of minimal capacity of destruction .

Indian Ocean Region

Indian Ocean Region

This article deals with the Indian Ocean Region.’ This is part of our series on ‘International Relations’ which is an important pillar of the GS-2 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.


What is Indian Ocean Region (IOR)?

Indian Ocean Region
  • The region containing and surrounding the Indian Ocean is known as Indian Ocean Region. 
  • Indian Ocean Region has 51 coastal and landlocked states. Hence, it is a vast region.


Reasons behind the increased importance of the Indian Ocean

  • The Indian Ocean has become the lifeline of world trade (& has been so since time immemorial). The Indian Ocean is important for commerce as 
    • 2/3rd of world oil shipments pass through the Indian Ocean.
    • 1/3rd of bulk cargo passes through the Indian Ocean. 
    • It hosts nearly 40% of the world’s population. 
Importance of the Indian Ocean
  • The Indian Ocean has the world’s most important choke points,  notably the Straits of Hormuz, Malacca and Bab el Mandeb. As these choke points are important for global trade, a number of extra-regional states maintain a naval presence in the Indian Ocean. Eg 
    • US: 5th Fleet in Bahrain & uses the island of Diego Garcia as an air-naval base.  
    • France: Naval bases in Djibouti, Reunion Island and Abu Dhabi
  • Growing Economies: The economies of many Indian Ocean countries, such as India, Malaysia, and Tanzania, are growing rapidly and are attracting huge investments.
  • Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is rich in natural resources containing 
    • World’s 40% oil exploration
    • Nearly 15% of total fishing in the world
    • Mineral and natural resources like iron, copper, Zinc, manganese, gold and silver 
  • China’s aggressive soft power diplomacy and Maritime Silk Road (MSR) Policy have been the most crucial element in shaping the Indian Ocean strategic environment. The US and other nations like Japan, India and Australia are also trying to counter Chinese initiatives. 
  • Security issues:  Indian Ocean Region (IOR) faces many security issues, such as piracy, illegal migration, drug trade etc. 


Changed attitude of India towards  Indian Ocean

  • Indian Ocean Region is the centre stage of 21st-century politics  & India stands geographically right in the middle. South Africa, Iran, Indonesia & Australia are also part of the Indian Ocean RIM family, but none has centrality & attraction like that of India. 
  • India is positioning itself as the “net security provider” in the broader Indian Ocean region.
  • Due to its strategic location and capabilities, India can play a pivotal role in this region. Till now, India has played a positive role and, in the time of need, has readily helped smaller countries of the region such as Maldives (Operation NEER), Srilanka, Bangladesh etc.

Importance of IOR for India

1. Geostrategic Importance

  • India is situated right in the middle of the Indian Ocean. 
  • It is important to secure Indian Ocean Region to protect Indian ships from piracy and stop human trafficking and drug smuggling.
  • 90% of Indian trade passes through the Indian Ocean. Hence, it is vital to protect our Sea Lines of Commerce (SLOC).
  • Energy Security: Most of our oil supplies come from Indian Ocean Rim countries.

2. Protection of assets and islands

  • Its security is important to protect Indian assets and islands situated in the Indian Ocean 
    1. Islands: Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep
    2. Assets: Like Bombay High 

3. Economic Importance

It is the source of resources like

  1. Fishing and aquaculture
  2. Deep sea mineral exploration 
  3. Petroleum reserves like Bombay High 

4. Cultural Importance

  • India has cultural relations with IOR countries dating back centuries.
  • India has been the centre stage of Indian Ocean trade, corroborated by texts like Periplus Maris Erythraei, Jataka Stories, Sangam Poetry etc.

5. Diaspora

  • A large Indian diaspora lives in Indian Ocean Rim Countries and Small Island Nations like Mauritius, Maldives, South Africa etc.

6. Countering China’s influence

  • China’s aggressive soft power diplomacy has been seen as arguably the most critical element in shaping the IOR environment, transforming the entire region’s dynamics. 

7. Other

  • Monsoon Mechanism: The Indian Ocean plays a vital role in keeping the Monsoon mechanism in favour of India.

Chinese threat & String of Pearls

China’s Malacca Dilemma

  • Nearly 360 ships per day pass through the Strait of Malacca.
  • If there is any blockade by a human or natural disaster, it will cause problems for China because 80% of its oil & gas imports & almost 60% of exports pass through this region.
  • Singapore is located on the Malacca Strait and hosts a huge US naval base
  • Andaman & Nicobar Islands are situated near Malacca and can be used to choke the Straits. 
  • To counter Malacca’s Dilemma, China has opted to go for an ambitious String of Pearls strategy.

String of Pearls

  • It is the theory that China is trying to increase its naval presence in the Indian Ocean and counter India by surrounding it.
  • It is developing a string of ports around India for this purpose.
Kyaukpyu  Myanmar
Chittagong Bangladesh
Hambantota Srilanka
Marao Atoll Maldives
Gwadar Pakistan
Djibouti First Chinese Overseas Military Base (overlooks Bab el Mandeb)
String of Pearls

Side Topic: Kra Canal 

  • The Kra Canal aims to address China’s Malacca Dilemma.
  • It is a 100-km canal cutting Thailand into two parts. Kra Canal will link the South China Sea to the Andaman Sea, bypassing the Malacca Strait.
  • It has the added advantage of saving time.
  • Experts believe Kra Canal could benefit India and other economies by taking pressure off the overcrowded Malacca Straits.
Kra Canal

Indian steps  wrt IOR

To counter String of Pearls, India is also making ports 

Andaman & Nicobar Islands It can act as an Iron choke to Malacca
1. Malacca strait is overlooked by Andaman & Nicobar islands.
2. India has established a naval air station here called Baaz.
Chabahar Port India is developing the Chabahar port in Iran.
Duqm port India has signed an agreement with Oman to provide military and logistics support to Duqm Port.
Seychelles India has given a proposal to lease the Assumption Islands from Seychelles.
Myanmar India is investing in Sittwe port as part of its Kaladan Multimodal project.
Mauritius India has developed infrastructure on Agalega Island in Mauritius.
Srilanka India is developing Kakesuthai & Trincomalee ports.
France India and France signed the “reciprocal logistics support” agreement as part of which warships of both nations would have access to each other’s naval bases.  

Making Alliances

Apart from that, India is trying to contain China by making alliances with like-minded nations. These include

  • Making an alliance with Vietnam (Vietnam, too, has issues with China in the South China sea).
  • Malabar practice with US & Japan.
  • Formation of Quad by USA, Japan, Australia and India.


Military Modernisation

  • Agni, Sukhoi, Nuclear submarines, and Aircraft Carriers-Vikramaditya and Vikrant, are not meant for Pakistan but to fight against a powerful nation like China.

Iron Curtain Policy  to counter Chinese String of pearls

  • It is the term given by naval analyst Zang Ming according to which Andaman & Nicobar islands can be used as a metal chain to block Chinese access to the Strait of Malacca.
  • Japan is also helping India to develop Andaman and Nicobar.

Project Mausam

  • It was launched in June 2014.
  • It is a Ministry of Culture project.
  • Aim : 
    1. The project tries to see how the monsoon winds helped maritime trade historically between Indian Ocean-connected countries. 
    2. How winds influenced local economies, scientific quests, modern statecraft, religion, politics and cultural identity


Cotton Route

  • Cotton Route’ has been started to strengthen economic ties between countries in the Indian Ocean rim

Spice Route

  • The Spice Route has been started to revive old links between 31 countries in Asia and Europe with India, particularly spice-rich Kerala.

SAGAR Initiative

  • Announced by the PM of India, the Sagar initiative aims at Security And Growth for All in the Region.

Challenges to India’s role as a net security provider in IOR

  • The capacity of the Indian defence industry to supply naval and military equipment to India and its allies is challenged by the experts. Achieving the status of net security provider can put enormous strain on the country’s finite resources and calls for a manifold increase in existing military hardware. 
  • More focus on territorial boundaries: Due to its pending territorial disputes with China and Pakistan, India is forced to focus on its territorial boundaries.
  • China challenges India’s status in the Indian Ocean through its Belt and Road Initiative and String of pearls.
  • Opposition from other countries. E.g.: 
    1. Seychelles parliament has opposed the lease of Assumption Island to India.
    2. Past Experience of Overseas Deployment of Armed Forces: The recipe of net security provider does encompass ‘Overseas Deployment’ as a vital ingredient. However, the experiences in Sri Lanka continue to have a dragging effect on any thought process involving overseas deployment. 

India Bhutan Relations

India Bhutan Relations

India Bhutan Relations

This article deals with ‘India Bhutan Relations.’ This is part of our series on ‘International Relations’ which is an important pillar of the GS-2 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.


Brief History

Timeline of India Bhutan Relations

India and Bhutan have long-standing diplomatic, economic and cultural relations.

  • India’s relations with Bhutan go back to 747 AD when a Buddhist monk Padmasambhava went from India to Bhutan and founded the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism. Thus, India contributed to the cultural growth of Buddhism in Bhutan.
  • Bhutan came under the control of the British Empire when it lost in the Anglo-Bhutan Wars. Consequently, the Bhutanese king was forced to sign a humiliating treaty. 
  • When India became independent in 1947, Nehru went to Bhutan to build relations. Bhutan also preferred India over China as, in 1949, when China took over Tibet, it did create tensions and fears of annexation in Bhutan. In 1949, India and Bhutan concluded a Treaty of Friendship.
  • Diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968 with the appointment of a resident representative of India in Thimpu.  
  • Regular visits between both countries’ highest level Government functionaries have become a tradition. Dr Lotay Tshering, PM of Bhutan, visited India in 2018. It is the first overseas visit of PM Tshering after assuming office in 2018. Bhutan was also the first country visited by PM Narendra Modi after assuming office in 2019. The visit reflects the high priority that the Government of India (GoI) attaches to its relations with Bhutan.

Presently, Bhutan-India relations are governed by a friendship treaty renegotiated in 2007, freeing Thimphu’s external relations from New Delhi but still subjecting the Himalayan nation’s security needs to Indian supervision. 


India-Bhutan Friendship Treaty

  • Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1949. Terms of Treaty included 
    1. As per Article-2 of the treaty, India accepted Bhutan’s sovereign and independent status, but Bhutan has to seek Indian guidance in matters of defence and external affairs. 
    2. Apart from that, Indian citizens have the same right to employment in Bhutan as Bhutanese nationals do in India. 
    1. Open border system between Bhutan and India under which citizens of India and Bhutan have a right to move into each other’s territory without a visa
  • The treaty was revised in 2007 because Bhutan raised its voice against Article 2 of the treaty. Under the renegotiated Treaty of Friendship, only defence is guided by India, and Bhutan can have independent Foreign Policy.
  • India-Bhutan Trade And Transit Agreement (1972) provides for duty-free transit of Bhutanese exports through India to third countries.
  • Treaty of Cooperation in Hydropower and Protocol (2006): Under the treaty, India has agreed to help and assist Bhutan in developing Hydropower of 10 GW and assured Bhutan to import the surplus to India. 


Importance of Bhutan for India

Strategic importance

  • Bhutan acts as a buffer between India and China.
  • Chumbi Valley is situated at the trijunction of Bhutan, India and China and is 500 km away from the “Chicken’s neck” in North Bengal, which connects the northeast with the rest of the country. China is demanding Chumbi valley from Bhutan, which can jeopardize Indian security. 
  • After the Doklam standoff, securing Bhutan’s present borders, especially its western border, is essential for India to secure Siliguri Corridor/ Chicken’s Neck.  

To contain insurgency in North-East

  • Bhutan cooperated with India and helped flush out militant groups like the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) from the Himalayan nation. In 2003–04, the Royal Bhutan Army launched a mega operation known as Operation All Clear to eliminate ULFA and NDFB cadres in South Bhutan and successfully neutralized 650 insurgents and destroyed 30 insurgent camps.

Political Importance

  • An unstable and restive Bhutan would jeopardize India’s investments in that country and provide a safe haven for anti-India activities and anti-India militant groups. 
  • Bhutan is also the only country in the region that joined India in its boycott of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative.  

Multilateral Cooperation

  • Bhutan is a founding member of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It is also a member of BIMSTEC, World Bank, the IMF, Group of 77 and others.


Commercial Relations

  • The trade between the two countries is governed by the India-Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement 1972, last renewed in 2016. The Agreement established a free-trade regime between the two countries. The Agreement also provides for duty-free transit of Bhutanese exports to third countries
  • India has been the principal financier of Bhutan’s 5-year plan (for the latest five-year plan of 2018-2023, India has committed ₹4500 crores.) 
  • Both countries have committed to developing 10,000 MW of hydropower generating capacity in Bhutan. 
  • India is Bhutan’s largest trading partner. Around 80% of Bhutan’s total imports are from India, and India provides a market for 90% of its exports. 
  • The government is planning to build a mini dry port in the border town of Phuentsholing to promote trade. 
  • Indian banks, such as the SBI and Bank of Baroda, have a presence in Bhutan. 
  • Bhutanese currency  Ngultrum is officially pegged to the Indian Rupee.


Hydropower Cooperation

  • Hydroelectric power generated by Bhutan is the country’s main export to India. 
  • India has financed the dams through aid and loans and buys excess electricity. Bhutan exports around 45% of its hydropower to India. 
  • Both countries have committed to developing 10,000 MW of hydropower generating capacity in Bhutan. 
  • Three hydroelectric projects (HEPs) made with Indian assistance are already operational. These projects include
    • Tala HEP (capacity = 1 GW || Most important project of Bhutan)
    • Chukha HEP
    • Kurichu HEP

Problems

  • India’s power-surplus status and the advent of other renewable energies like wind and solar power will make it more difficult for Bhutan to ensure that its hydropower sector becomes profitable. 
  • Bhutan alleges that due to hydro cooperation with India, there is a dominance of Indian firms in Bhutan. It feels that an overwhelming presence of Indian firms in Bhutan has restricted the space of growth for the Bhutanese corporate sector. 
  • Bhutan feels that the Indian firms end up recruiting cheap Bangladeshi labour in dam construction; as a result, Bhutanese don’t stand to benefit from the diplomacy.

Security Ties

  • The Indian military “is virtually responsible for protecting Bhutan from external and internal threats“.
  • The Eastern Command of the Indian Army and Air Force have integrated Bhutan’s defence into their role and responsibilities. 
  • The Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) trains Bhutanese security personnel as well. 


People to People Cooperation

  • Approximately 4000 Bhutanese are studying in Indian Universities.
  • India-Bhutan Foundation was established (in 2003) to enhance people to people exchanges in focus areas like education, culture, scientific and technical research, and environment protection.
  • About 60,000 Indian nationals live in Bhutan, employed mainly in the hydroelectric power and construction industry. 


Other aspects of cooperation

  • Space Cooperation: In 2020, India and Bhutan signed MoU on Space Cooperation and India will assist Bhutan in Remote Sensing, Space Communication etc. 
  • Project Dantak: Since 1961, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has run Project Dantak. Under this, the BRO provides for roads construction, telecom works, colleges, schools and other infrastructure.
  • During COVID Crisis (2020-21), India supplied vaccines to Bhutan. In return, when India faced a severe oxygen shortage, Bhutan gave 40 metric tonnes of oxygen (~10,000 cylinders) every day to India.
  • India is also assisting Bhutan in establishing an e-Project covering all the 20 districts of Bhutan.
  • PM Narendra Modi has coined the idea of B2B as ‘Bharat to Bhutan’ to build effective and renewed bilateral relationships.

Issues / Irritants

Although the older Bhutanese generation looked to India with gratitude, the newer generation tends to look more profoundly and dissatisfied at the situation.

  • Doklam Crisis (73-day India-China standoff In 2017 ): Doklam, or Donglang in China, comprises a plateau and a valley at the trijunction between India, Bhutan and China. It is surrounded by the Chumbi Valley of Tibet, Bhutan’s Ha Valley and Sikkim. Despite several rounds of engagement between China and Bhutan, the dispute over Doklam has not been resolved. It flared up in 2017 when the Chinese were trying to construct a road in the area, and Indian troops, in aid of their Bhutanese counterparts, objected to it, resulting in the standoff. Doklam is located close to the Siliguri corridor, which connects mainland India with its north-eastern region. The corridor, also called Chicken’s Neck, is a vulnerable point for India. But many Bhutanese feel that why they should suffer for protecting Indian interests.  
  • India acting as a roadblock in solving the Bhutan-China boundary issue: Bhutan cant solve their boundary dispute with China. Bhutan has three disputed regions with China: Doklam Plateau, Jakarlung and Pasamlung. In 2013, India stopped all loans, subsidies and aid in retaliation for starting discussions with China for settling their boundary dispute without taking Indian consent. 
India Bhutan Relations
  • Bhutan had decided to withdraw from the BBIN Motor Vehicle Agreement because it would adversely affect its environment and its sovereignty.  
  • Bhutan also stopped free tourist access to Indians in 2020.
  • Imposing behaviour of India: Bhutanese people are raising voices against increasing Indianisation. E.g., Under Project Dantak, Border Roads Organisation built a road in Bhutan and placed boards with tricolour shade which wasn’t appreciated by Bhutanese people leading to a backlash. Ultimately, signboards were changed. 
  • Delays in Hydropower projects by Indian companies leading to the country’s burgeoning national debt.
  • Bhutan wants to increase its export power tariff to India as it is lesser than the cost of production.
  • Goods and services tax hurts Bhutanese traders & Demonetization left lasting scars on the banking system.
  • Indian aid is being criticized for creating ‘jobless growth’ in Bhutan.  
  • The terms on which India is financing the hydropower projects and getting electricity from Bhutan at cheap rates seems unfavourable to Bhutan. Hydropower plants are also attached to certain environmental concerns. 

Way Forward

  • Continue Foreign Aid: Although Bhutan remains the largest recipient of Indian aid, the amount of assistance in grants and loans to the country has dropped over the last two years. It is not the right time for India to decrease aid to Bhutan as the Chinese presence is growing.
  • India must draw the Bhutanese public attention to China’s role in the debt trap policy of China, epitomized by the Hambantota port case in Sri Lanka. 
  • Respect Bhutanese Values: India should demonstrate respect for Bhutanese values. The Bhutanese are environment-conscious people. Therefore, India should go for economically and environmentally more viable projects. 
  • Maintain Ties with the Bhutanese Monarchy: Unlike their Nepali counterparts, Bhutan’s monarchs have been strong proponents of close relations with India. India should back Bhutan’s constitutional monarchy and strengthen it by channelling its aid through this institution.
  • The fourth King of Bhutan King Jigme Singye Wangchuck coined the phrase “Gross National Happiness” in 1972 and declared that is more important than GDP. India needs to combine the Gross National Happiness of Bhutan with its own economic development to maintain a shared prosperity and relationship between the two countries.

India Nepal Relations

INDIA—NEPAL 
RELATIONS

India Nepal Relations

This article deals with ‘India-Nepal Relations.’ This is part of our series on ‘International Relations’, which is an important pillar of the GS-2 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.


Introduction

  • India and Nepal are connected geographically, historically, religiously, economically and financially.
  • Open borders, shared religious background, marital relations, and unrestricted movement of people between the two nations are unique characteristics of bilateral ties. 
  • India and Nepal share a long boundary, and 5 Indian states-Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim and Bihar are adjacent to Nepal.
  • But in recent times, the relationship between the two countries has been going through an obnoxious phase.  


History

Common Culture

  • India and Nepal have had common culture since times immemorial. 
  • For example 
    • In Ramayana, Sita was from Janakpuri (Nepal).
    • Buddha was born in Rummendei in Nepal. Emperor Ashoka has also visited that place.

British Times

  • Treaty of Sagauli of 1816: Britishers defeated the Gurkhas in the Anglo-Gurkha wars and subsequently signed the Treaty of Sagauli.  
  • As per the treaty 
    • Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim were annexed to the British empire.
    • Treaty established Mahakali or Kali  River as a dividing line in the Western sector.
    • British resident was stationed at Kathmandu
    • Nepal surrendered its foreign policy to Britishers.
    • Britishers started to recruit Gorkhas to British Army. 

Treaty of Peace & Friendship, 1950

  • After the Independence, India and Nepal signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1950.
  • Under the terms of the treaty 
    • Nepal would consult India whenever they undertake any arms imports from any nation other than India.
    • Neither government shall tolerate any threat to the security of the other by a foreign aggressor.
    • Opening of the border between the two countries. 
    • Citizens of both countries are empowered to have the same privileges for property, trade and residence, movement, and work in India without a work permit.
    • As per Article X in the treaty, either party can ask for a change in the treaty whenever demanded.

Strengths in India-Nepal relations

Strengths in India Nepal Relations
  • A large number of Nepalese work in India (nearly 30 lakh Nepalis or 10% of Nepal’s population). Significant among them are Gorkha soldiers in the Indian army. 
  • Nepalese and Indians have common cultural & historical ties.
  • A large majority in Nepal follows Hinduism.
  • People belonging to the Terai region of India and Nepal have kinship and marital ties.  
  • Nepal is a landlocked country, and access to the outer world is only through India. 
  • Indian cinema & music is highly popular in Nepal.  


Importance and Cooperation

1 . Military Cooperation

Indian and Nepalese Military have very close ties. Eg

  • There are 180 training slots for the Nepalese army in the Indian Military Academy. 
  • Indian Army Chief is Honorary General of Nepal Army & vice versa.
  • Nepalese can serve as soldiers in the Indian army. Over 1.23 lakh veterans are currently residing in Nepal. India sends ₹ 1100 crores/ annum as pension to these ex-servicemen.
  • Battalion-level Joint Military Exercise’ SURYA KIRAN’ is conducted alternately in India and Nepal.

Issues

  • But Nepal is also increasing military ties with China. 2017 saw the first Nepal-China joint military exercise.
  • Indian army is recruiting more Garhwalis and Kumaon than Nepali Gurkhas in Gurkha Regiment. It has to be noted that the Gurkha regiment, originally comprised only of Nepali Gurkhas, changed the rule in 1975 to recruit Nepalese and Indian domiciled Gurkhas in 70:30. In the 1990s, it was changed to 60:40, and the government is considering changing it further to 40:60.

2 . Economic Cooperation

  • India is Nepal’s largest trading partner having bilateral trade of $7 billion. 
  • Indian exports to Nepal have grown 8 times in the past 10 years. 
  • India and Bangladesh have signed MoU to enable Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement (MVA), thus allowing the smooth movement of goods and vehicles across borders. 

3 . Strategic Importance

  • Nepal is a buffer state between India and China.
    • Indian border with Nepal is most indefensive as there is no protection by the Himalayas as Nepal lies beneath the Himalayas
    • If China penetrates Nepal and connects it with Road and Railways, Gangetic plains will become vulnerable.

4 . Multilateral Cooperation

Both India and Nepal are part of many multilateral organizations, especially

  • SAARC
  • BIMSTEC
  • BBIN 

5. Others

  • Education3000 scholarships/seats are provided to Nepali nationals in India annually.
  • Indian help in Post – Earthquake Reconstruction: India has pledged $2 billion for reconstruction in Nepal.  
  • Culture: India and Nepal have signed three sister-city agreements between 
    1. Kathmandu-Varanasi
    2. Lumbini-Bodhgaya (Buddhist)
    3. Janakpur-Ayodhya (Sita & Ram)
  • India and Nepal have had Power Exchange Agreement since 1971 for meeting the power requirements in the border areas of the two countries. 
  • South Asia’s first cross-border petroleum products pipeline, constructed and funded by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., connecting Motihari in India to Amlekhgunj in Nepal
  • India also provided economic assistance to Nepal, which was to the tune of ₹1200 crore

New Indian Projects  in Nepal

  • Construction of a Raxaul-Kathmandu, Jogbani-Biratnagar and Jaynagar-Bardibas railway line. 
  • Nepal-India Ramayana Circuit connecting Janakpur, the birthplace of Sita, with Ayodhya.
  • 900 MW Arun III hydro-electric project in Nepal.
  • Upgradation of 10 roads in the Terai area; 
  • Establish Integrated Check Posts at Birgunj, Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, and Nepalgunj.

Issues / Irritants

1 . Open Border Issue

  • Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1950 accepted “open border” between India and Nepal. An “open border” means an unrestricted movement of people from either side.
  • Due to Open Border, many illegal activities are carried like 
    • Fake Currency,
    • Terrorist penetration
    • Drug Smuggling, 
    • Human Trafficking. 
    • Pakistan has been taking advantage of the open border to infiltrate terrorists and pump fake Currency into India. 

2. Kalapani Issue

  • The origin of the Kalapani issue goes back to the Treaty of Sagauli. As per the treaty, the Kali River was designated as the boundary. In between the two streams of the Kali, the river lies Kalapani. The issue arises because India recognizes the eastern stream as the Kali river while Nepal recognizes the western stream as the Kali river. 
  • Kalapani is a strategic position located at the trijunction of India, China and Nepal and provides an advantage to India vis a vis China. Nepal is demanding it (under Chinese pressure, demand is gaining strength). 
  • This issue took an ugly turn in 2020. India built a new 80 km-long road in the Himalayas, connecting to the border with China, at the Lipulekh pass. The Nepali government protested immediately, contending that the road crosses territory that it claims and accusing India of changing the status quo. Later, Nepal enlarged its claim from 35 square kilometres of territory to nearly 400 square kilometres and incorporated it into the revised map through a constitutional amendment.
Kalapani Issue

3. Nepal Constitution of 2015 and Madheshi Issue

Constituent Assembly of Nepal framed the constitution of Nepal, which came into force in 2015. But India was not happy with this development because of the following reasons:-

  1. In the new constitution, the Madheshi (who constitute 70% of the population, speak Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi and Hindi and have a close relationship with Indian living across the border) were left out. Out of 165 Legislative Assembly seats, they were given just 65 seats, while Pahadis were given 100 seats. 
  2. It also intends to destroy the roti-beti character, as women from UP and Bihar states of India who marry a Madheshi will be treated as a foreigner for up to five years.

4. River issues

  • Nepal is an upper riparian state and has great hydropower generation potential. However, Nepal’s installed hydel capacity of 800 MW is much lesser than the potential of over 80 GW. Due to power shortages, power cuts are common throughout the country. India has approached Nepal to develop power projects on the Nepalese river on the condition of getting preferential rights over Nepalese waters. Still, Nepal has refused it due to sovereignty issues and the Indian track record of not delivering projects on time. 
  • India and Nepal share three major rivers, i.e. Kosi, Gandhak & Mahakali. There are three treaties to regulate water sharing, and these include
    1. Kosi River Treaty: Kosi river causes tremendous flooding in Bihar. As per the treaty, the two sides agreed to manage Kosi flooding. India has constructed the barrage on the Kosi river in Nepal, and Nepal agreed to give its management rights to India for 199 years. 
    2. Gandak River Treaty: Under the treaty, both sides utilize water from the Gandak river to generate 20 GW of electricity. 
    3. Mahakali River Treaty: Under the treaty, India has agreed to undertake the creation of three dams at Sarda, Janakpur and Pancheshwar. Both sides have agreed to share costs. However, there has been no progress on these projects owing to pending social and environmental impact assessment.
  • Certain sections in Nepal allege that India, while managing the barrage on the Kosi river, does not release adequate water for irrigation and, during floods, opens the gates, leading to many villages getting submerged completely.

China card of Nepal

  • China has increased its footprint in Nepal. China in 2015 overtook India as Nepal’s biggest foreign investor.
  • The present government has a clear tilt towards China.
  • Chinese Project of which Nepal is part include
    • China and Nepal have signed an agreement for all-weather road connectivity between Kathmandu and the Tibet Autonomous Region.
    • China is planning to extend its rail network to the Nepal border. 
    • Nepal is part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR ) Project.
    • China is funding powerplant on Budhi Gandaki (worth $ 2.5 billion), Trishuli river etc. 
    • China has agreed to provide access to the Tianjin seaport to transit Nepali goods (but distance = 3,000 km || compared to 1,000 km from Haldia port ). 
    • China is making Dry Port at Kodari (China has already made the road from Kathmandu to Kodari) 
    • China is constructing a road connecting Kodari with Zhangmu (in Tibet).  
    • China Study Centers (CSC) and Confucius Institutes have been opened in large numbers in Nepal.
China Card of Nepal
Kathmandu-Kodari-Zangmu Road
  • In previous years, the Indian share in Nepal’s foreign trade is decreasing while China’s is increasing.
India vs China in Nepal
Indian and Chinese Share in Nepalese Trade

Why Nepal is interested in China

  • Dependency on India: Nepal has found itself heavily reliant on India for an outlet to the outer world because of its geographical constraints. India can practically blockade Nepal in case of any dispute. 
  • Ideological basis: The communist parties in Nepal have favoured and consistently protested against India.
  • Economic Opportunities: Nepal views the Chinese railway as an opportunity to bring Chinese pilgrims and tourists to Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, and the famous valley of Pokhara. The  
  • Earlier, King Mahendra (in1960s), Birendra & Gyanendra too used China card. Hence, it is not a new problem.

Why China is interested in Nepal

  • The market for Chinese products in Nepal.
  • The Tibetan community in Nepal is a serious concern. China is pressuring the Nepalese government to do crackdown on Tibetan activities.
  • Use Nepal in breaching the Himalayan barrier

Why India is worried?

  • Strategic vulnerabilities: Rising Nepal and China cooperation signals that the Himalayas are not a barrier anymore.
  • Debt Trap diplomacy of China: China can take parts of Nepal on lease as done in Sri Lanka in the case of Hambantota port.
  • Effect on other neighbours: Including Bhutan, which has faced similar circumstances with India and China.
  • Impact on regional groupings: Growing China-Nepal relations may become a hurdle in regional groups like BIMSTEC, in which Nepal holds a powerful voice.

Indian strategy to contain it

  • Due to the Indian policy of not buying power from Chinese projects, the Nepalese government was forced to abandon Chinese involvement in the West SETI Power Project. Hence, the Nepalese government gave the project to NHPC.

India Afghanistan Relations

India- Afghanistan Relations

This article deals with ‘India Afghanistan Relations.’ This is part of our series on ‘International Relations’ which is an important pillar of the GS-2 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

A brief history of India-Afghanistan Relations

1950 Afghanistan and India signed a “Friendship Treaty.”
1950 to 1978 India had robust ties with Afghanistan during King Zahir Shah’s regime. 
1978 People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) (Marxist Party) took power in a military coup , an event which is known as SAUR Revolution. They started series of radical reforms in Afghanistan and as a results conservatives started war against them.  
1979 Soviet Union entered Afghanistan after threat of removal of Socialist government in the neighbourhood of USSR was eminent and war started between the Soviet Union led Afghan forces and Mujahedeen allegedly supported by USA and Pakistan .  
1989 Soviet forces left Afghanistan after eminent defeat .  
1990s  Taliban rose to power in Afghanistan. India started to support the ‘Northern Alliance’ which was fighting Taliban in Afghanistan .  
2000s till 2012 Subsequent to the 9/11 attacks in USA, NATO interfered in Afghanistan under OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (2001)  with the purpose to defeat Al-Qaeda,remove the Taliban from power &  create a viable democratic state .
– Taliban gave a tough fight and as a result, NATO stayed in Afghanistan for  more than decade.
– USA also worked for the capacity building of the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) and it was thought that even after the US troops finally withdraw, the ANSF would be strong enough to prevent the Taliban from recapturing Afghanistan .
 
Post  2012 Barack Obama shifted the focus on ending the Afghan war.
Obama increased the US troops in Afghanistan during first term (called ‘Surge Policy’).
But his policy saw major turn in second term when he decided to  withdrew all but approximately 8,400 soldiers from Afghanistan
2016 In 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award.
Trump policy Trump regime wanted to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan .
Feb 2020 US president struck a peace deal with the Taliban on the issues of counterterrorism and the withdrawal of U.S. and international troops. Its terms were as follows
1. The United States to reduce its troops in Afghanistan from 12,000 to 8,600.
2. Release of prisoners and prisoner swap.
3. Recognition to Taliban and US will move to the United Nations Security Council to remove Taliban members from the sanctions list.
4. Taliban would prevent any terror group from using Afghanistan to threaten the security of the US and its allies.
5. Intra-Afghan Negotiations will be start  among all the stakeholders of the Afghan society and the Taliban would commit towards it.  
2020 ‘Intra-Afghan peace talks’ held for the first time between Afghan government and the Taliban in Qatar.

India – Afghanistan

  • In 1999, India became one of the key supporters of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance.
  • In 2005, India proposed Afghanistan’s membership in the SAARC.  Both nations also developed strategic and military cooperation against Islamic militants.
  • Afghanistan signed its first Strategic Partnership Agreement with India in 2011.
  • In 2016, PM Narendra Modi was conferred with Afghanistan’s highest civilian honour, the Amir Amanullah Khan Award.


Importance of Afghanistan for India

India has a vision about stable Afghanistan which would be the crossroad of trade, the role which Afghanistan has played for centuries.

Economic importance

  • Natural Resources: Afghanistan has a mineral wealth of about $1-3 trillion which includes Iron ore, Lithium, Chromium, Natural Gas, Petroleum etc.
  • Massive reconstruction plans for the country offer a lot of opportunities for Indian companies.

Security

  • A stable government in Kabul will not give a safe haven to terrorists that might reduce insurgency in Kashmir. In fact, at present, the extremists fighting in Kashmir have drawn inspiration from the resistance offered by Afghan Mujahedeen against the Soviets during the Cold War.
  • Afghanistan can help in the prevention of Pakistan from regaining its central role in Afghan affairs.

Gateway to energy-rich Central Asia

  • Afghanistan is situated at crossroads between South Asia and Central Asia and South Asia and the Middle East. 


Indian works in Afghanistan

  • India has contributed 2 billion $ for Afghanistan’s reconstruction (6th largest donor by amount).  Indian assistance has been largely focused on infrastructure, irrigation and defence.
  • India has helped in the deepening of democracy in Afghanistan by building its Parliament building (cost = $90 million). 
  • Other Indian projects in Afghanistan include
    • Salma Dam on Harihud river (cost = $290 million) will generate 42 megawatts and irrigate 75,000-hectare land. It was later renamed to India-Afghanistan Friendship Dam.
    • Construction of a 218 km road from Zaranj to Delaram for facilitating the movement of goods to Chabahar Port.
    • Committed to contribute substantially in improving the transportation system in Kabul & to donate 1000 buses.
    • India has built a 220 kV DC transmission line from Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul.
    • Constructing the Chimtala power substation in Kabul.
    • Rebuilding of the Habibia High School in Kabul.
    • Financing the establishment of the Afghan National Agriculture Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU) in Kandahar.
    • Building the cricket stadium in Kandahar.
    • Building a cold storage warehouse in Kandahar.
  • India and Afghanistan signed a Preferential Trade Agreement in  2003. In  2011, India removed basic customs duties for all products of Afghanistan (except alcohol and tobacco) giving them duty-free access to the Indian market.
  • Afghanistan is rich in mineral resources.   India has acquired rights to iron mining (from Hajigak iron ore reserves).
  • Accessing Afghanistan is the biggest problem for India because Pakistan doesn’t allow Indian trucks to pass from her territory & reach Afghanistan. To overcome this India has invested in a route through Iran (Zaranj-Delaram Highway). Chabahar port will also help in this pursuit.
  • India has also invested in TAPI. If the project takes off, it will help Afghanistan to earn a transit fee.
  • India has donated four Mi-25 attack helicopters to Afghanistan.
  • India train cadets of the Afghani Army at NDA and IMA.
  • A large number of Afghani students come to India to study through scholarships. 
  • Afghanistani Cricket Team has a base in Dehradun.
  • Indian Soft Power: Indian Bollywood movies and dramas are among the favourite of Afghani people.  In Afghanistan, the reason that Bollywood is popular is that it has deep echoes with the psyche of Afghan society. Bollywood cinemas are based on the theme of a larger-than-life Bollywood hero fighting injustice. This synchronizes well with the Afghan society, which has also faced and continues to face immense injustice.

APTTA (Af-Pak Transit Trade Agreement)

  • Treaty was originally signed in 1950 to provide access to Karachi port & Lahore dry Port to Afghanistan. Under the modified agreement in 2011, along with Karachi port and Lahore dry port, 
    • Afghan trucks loaded with Cargo meant for India can travel up to its last checkpoint at Wagah in Pakistan.
    • But no Indian goods can be imported and Afghan trucks would have to drive back empty to the Afghanistan-Pakistan border where they could load up with Pakistani goods.
Af-Pak Transit Trade Agreement
  • Afghanistan demands  Pakistan to open a transit route for India.  But Pakistan doesn’t allow this. Bitter India-Pakistan relations mean Afghan trucks carrying perishable fruit face long delays on both sides of the border.
  • In 2016, Ashraf Ghani asserted that if Pakistan does not allow its trucks to come back with goods from India, Afghanistan would block Pakistani access to Central Asia. But, despite the assertion by Ghani, Pakistan refused to budge.
  • Due to this, India is adopting alternate routes
    • India has built Zaranj-Delaram Highway and Chabahar Port for trade with Afghanistan in future.
Zaranj Delaram
  • India-Afghanistan Air Freight Corridor was started in 2017 (Bring Dry fruits to India & take medicine, garments etc. from India). The air corridor will be a big enabler to the bilateral trade and will send a strong message to Pakistan that despite its obstructionist behaviour, India will continue to engage with Afghanistan.

Heart of Asia – Istanbul Process

  • ‘Heart of Asia- Istanbul Process’ was established to encourage security, political and economic cooperation between Afghanistan and its neighbour.  There are 14 participating countries in this.
India Afghanistan Relations
  • 6th & latest conference was held in Amritsar in Dec 2016. Amritsar Declaration was adopted which called for
    • Immediate elimination of terrorism from Afghanistan 
    • State-sponsored terrorism was identified as a key challenge
  • Amritsar was chosen as a venue by India because
    • Amritsar lies at the heart of the Grant Trunk Road connecting Bangladesh to Peshawar.
    • India showcased that Pakistan remains an irritant in facilitating regional connectivity. India used the conference in Amritsar to press Pakistan to allow entry of trucks and transit to Afghanistan via the Attari- Wagah border.

Issue: US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Timeline

2000s till 2012 Subsequent to the 9/11 attacks in the USA, NATO interfered in Afghanistan under OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (2001)  with the purpose to defeat Al-Qaeda, remove the Taliban from power &  create a viable democratic state.
– Taliban gave a tough fight and as a result, NATO stayed in Afghanistan for more than a decade.
– USA also worked for the capacity building of the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) and it was thought that even after the US troops finally withdraw, the ANSF would be strong enough to prevent the Taliban from recapturing Afghanistan.
 
Obama Policy Obama increased the US troops in Afghanistan during the first term (called ‘Surge Policy’).
– But his policy saw a major turn in the second term when he decided to withdraw all but approximately 8,400 soldiers from Afghanistan.
Trump policy Trump regime wanted to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan.
Feb 2020 US president struck a peace deal with the Taliban on the issues of counterterrorism and the withdrawal of U.S. and international troops. Its terms were as follows
1. the United States to reduce its troops in Afghanistan from 12,000 to 8,600.
2. Release of prisoners and prisoner swap.
3. Recognition to Taliban and US will move to the United Nations Security Council to remove Taliban members from the sanctions list.
4. Taliban would prevent any terror group from using Afghanistan to threaten the security of the US and its allies.
5. Intra-Afghan Negotiations will start among all the stakeholders of the Afghan society and the Taliban would commit towards it.  
2020 ‘Intra-Afghan peace talks’ held for the first time between the Afghan government and the Taliban in Qatar.

Reasons for US withdrawal

  • Trump’s America First Policy: Trump is not in favour of wasting US ‘blood and treasure’ on distant lands (19th year and no solution in sight).
  • The realisation that the Afghanistan war cant be won owing to Afghan geography and society. Even after 19 years of war, the Taliban is controlling a large part of Afghan territory.
Area under Taliban Control

Reasons for US failure

  • Polity factor: The US failed to integrate the Taliban into Afghan government & National Unity Government was corrupt & inefficient.
  • Geographical Factors:  hostile terrain as well as guerrilla tactics used by Talibs.
  • Great Game:  
    • Intervention by global powers. E.g. U.S.-Russia tensions are creating space for proxies.
    • Intervention by regional powers. Eg: India vs Pakistan.
  • Role of Pakistan: ISI allowed senior Taliban Leaders to run the war in relative security. 
  • Socio-Cultural Factors:  nomadic and tribal society in Afghanistan comprises multiple tribes like Pashtuns, Turks and Persians, each dominant in different regions, asserting their own traditions and culture. The tribal factionalism didn’t allow the democratically elected government to settle in Afghanistan.

Consequences of US withdrawal

  • The resurgence of Taliban: Post US withdrawal, the Taliban with help of Pakistan can take over the whole of Afghanistan.
  • The breeding ground of Terrorism threatening the security of Central Asia and India.
  • Refugee Crisis as instability will result in the mass exodus of Afghans.
  • Threat to human rights: The Taliban wants to reimpose its version of Islamic law as the country’s system of governance.

Consequences for India

  • The upsurge of terrorism and act as a launchpad for attacks on India as happened during 1990s post-Soviet withdrawal. Eg: In 1999, Pakistani terrorists hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814 and landed in Kandahar.
  • On Kashmir:  Separatists in Kashmir are using the Taliban’s “victory” over the US  to inspire that they too could “defeat India”.
  • India has already invested 2 billion $ in Afghanistan’s infrastructure along with a large investment in Chabahar port with an eye on Afghanistan.
  • The ‘Golden Crescent’ comprising of Iran, Afghan, and Pakistan is a worry for India, especially with respect to the issue of drug abuse in Punjab
  • TAPI project may get jeopardised impacting the energy security of India.
  • It will lead to increased Pakistani involvement in Afghan policy which will disturb the Balance of Power in the Middle East & Central Asia in Pakistan’s favour.
  • Refugee Crisis will impact India. Due to the resurgence of the Taliban regime, a large number of Afghani Sikhs and Hindus will seek refuge in India.

IRNSS / NAVIC

Last Updated: May 2023 (IRNSS / NAVIC)

IRNSS / NAVIC

This article deals with ‘IRNSS / NAVIC‘. This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.


How Global Positioning System (GPS) works?

  • GPS is the network of 24 Satellites that orbits the Earth transmitting signals back to Earth. GPS triangulates the position by comparing the time when the signal was transmitted by the satellite with the time it was received. With the help of 3 satellites locked by the receiver, the 2D position (latitude & longitude) can be determined, and with 4 satellites, the 3D position can be determined (latitude, longitude & altitude).
  • GPS receiver is only a receiver, without any transmitting capability. The satellites contain highly precise atomic clocks, generating some code that keeps transmitting to the Earth.


IRNSS / NAVIC

  • At present, only a few countries have fully functional global navigation systems. These include
USA NAVSTAR
Russia GLONASS
China Beidou Compass
Japan Quasi-Zenith
Europe Galileo
  • American GPS has 24 satellites covering all parts of the world. Indian GPS (named NAVIC) has just 7 satellites covering India and 1,500 km beyond its borders. 
  • 7 satellites of NAVIC or IRNCC has the following composition
    • 3 Geostationary Satellites 
    • 4 Geosynchronous Satellites with an inclination of 29 degrees 
  • Area of Service of IRNSS includes 
    • Primary Service Areaup to 1,500 km from India’s boundary.
    • Extended Service Area: rectangle imagined by 30° S and 50° N and 30° E and 130° E.
  • NAVIC has an accuracy of 20 m (compared to 15 m of American GPS).
IRNSS / NAVIC

Timeline

1979The first satellite of GPS (USA) was launched.
1982 The first satellite of GLONASS was launched.
2006 The Indian government approved this project.
2016 April All 7 satellites were placed in orbit & Modi named this system NAVIC, i.e. Navigation with Indian Constellation.

Applications of IRNSS

  1. Terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation.
  2. Disaster management
  3. vehicle tracking and fleet management.
  4. Integration with mobile. 
  5. Precise timing
  6. Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers.
  7. Geotagging of all the assets created under schemes like MNREGA, RKVY etc.

Why should the Indian Government waste money on IRNSS/NAVIC? Why not simply use American GPS at a fraction of that cost?

  • Access to a foreign GPS is not guaranteed during a hostile situation. During Indo-Pakistan War (Kargil War) in 1999, the rumour circulated that the US was denying India access to the most precise level of its GPS. Although this rumour was never substantiated, this scenario presented the advantage of having such a system fully under Indian Control.
  • Americans sent wrong GPS signals to Iraqi planes during the Iraq war, and the same can happen with India as well.
  • It also bolsters the ability of India to serve as a net security provider in the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean Region. 
  • It will increase the technical prowess of India and help it in becoming a knowledge-based economy.
  • It can play a role in relief efforts post disasters such as the tsunami in the Indian Ocean region in 2004. 

Use in Diplomacy

  • As a goodwill gesture, Modi said that our SAARC neighbours could use it who depend on foreign GPS services.

New developments wrt NAVIC

  • December 2020: International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has recognized NavIC as a World-Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS) component. It will enable NAVIC’s utilization in maritime navigation, surveying and others.
  • Jan 2020Qualcomm Technologies has unveiled mobile chipsets supporting the IRNSS/ NAVIC. Now Mobile manufacturers can release NAVIC enabled phones in India. 

GAGAN

GAGAN
  • GAGAN = GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation System 
  • GAGAN is intended to meet civil aviation requirements, and ISRO has worked with the Airports Authority of India to establish GAGAN.
  • It is a satellite-based augmentation system for Civil Aviation purposes.
  • It depends on GPS (American navigation system) and  Indian satellites like GSAT 8, 10 & 15.
  • GAGAN  provides position to aeroplanes in the Indian airspace with an accuracy of 3 m.