India – Maldives

India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links with each
other. India was among the first to recognize Maldives after its independence in 1965
and later established its mission at Male in 1972. Moreover, under the operation Cactus
of 1988, India played a significant role in providing military assistance to Maldives to
overcome an attempted coup by a group of mercenaries and rebels. India has also been one of
the leading development partners of Maldives and has always helped Maldives in terms of
aid, assistance and development cooperation.

It is noteworthy that India had dispatched water aid to Maldives in 2014 (operation Neer).
India has also helped Maldives construct flagship institutions like Indira Gandhi Memorial
Hospital, Faculty of Engineering technology and Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism
Studies. India and Maldives also signed a trade agreement in 1981, which provides for
export of essential commodities.

Therefore, India has spent enough diplomatic and economic capital to develop a cordial and
close relationship with the island nation, which is strategically India‟s maritime backyard.

Significance of Maldives:

Maldives has special significance for India because of the following reasons:

 Maldives occupies a very special place in the “Neighborhood First Policy” and the
SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision of the Government of
India.

 Strategically located in the Indian Ocean, Maldives archipelago comprising 1,200

coral islands lies next to key shipping lanes which ensure uninterrupted energy
supplies to countries like China, Japan and India.

 As the pre-eminent South Asian power and a 'net security provider' in the Indian
Ocean region, India needs to cooperate with Maldives in security and defence sectors.

 Indians are the second largest expatriate community living in Maldives. India has
been one of the largest sources of tourist arrivals in Maldives (earlier largest now
second to China).

 Maldives is also a member of SAARC, SASEC, and Indian Ocean Rim Association.

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 Thus, it is important for India to have Maldives on board to maintain its leadership
in the region.

Tilt towards China:

Maldives under the rule of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom (2013-2018) had
undergone an apparent tilt towards china. Consequently, China‟s strategic footprint in
Maldives had increased at the cost of India‟s decreasing clout and influence. Following points
highlight the increasing role of China in India‟s maritime backyard Maldives:

 Maldives has emerged as an important „pearl‟ in China‟s “String of Pearls” for

ensuring the security of its sea lanes, especially the unhindered flow of critically-
needed energy supplies from Africa and West Asia through the Indian Ocean.

 During Chinese President Xi Jinping‟s visit in 2014, Maldives agreed to become a

partner in China‟s Maritime Silk Route. Whereas, India has boycotted China‟s BRI.

 China has provided grant and loan assistance to Maldives to build a bridge between
the capital and the airport (called the China-Maldives friendship bridge). Whereas,
contract given to an Indian company GMR to modernize the Ibrahim Nasir
International Airport was cancelled by the Maldivian government and instead gave
it to a Chinese company for US$ 800 million.

 In December 2017, China also signed a Free Trade Agreement with Maldives. It
paves the way for a tighter embrace between Beijing and Maldives and it will also
open Maldives to Chinese goods and tourists in unprecedented numbers. Whereas,
India has been kept waiting for a similar agreement.

 China's massive economic presence in Maldives is a major concern for India.

With the country now said to owe 1.1 billion dollars to China, which is
approximately 40 % of its GDP. This raises concern about China‟s debt trap
diplomacy.

 Yameen had also tried to pass a legislation that could have given China control over
some Maldivian islands. Chinese have remained among the top visitors to the
Maldives.

 Democratic crisis in Maldives (2018) and the imposition of emergency by President

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 Abdulla Yameen were described as disturbing by India. However, china had
backed President Yameen‟s decision. Consequently, India‟s strong stand against
weakening democracy in Maldives was not appreciated much by the Yameen
government.

 The helicopter controversy was another example of India losing strategic foothold
in Maldives. India was asked by Maldives to take back its gift of two Dhruv
Advanced Light Helicopters, one manned by the Indian Coast Guard and another
by the Indian Navy. However, after several rounds of talks, India refused to take
back helicopters.

India has been concerned about the growing Chinese footprint in Maldives. There have
been apprehensions that the Chinese investments in Maldives are not just economic, but
also reflect china‟s hidden military objectives.

Double blessing for Delhi: Election of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih:

In 2018 elections, Yameen lost power. Yameen was defeated by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
(consensus candidate of the opposition parties). Prime Minister Modi attended Solih‟s
oath taking ceremony and was the only foreign leader to attend the ceremony. It is
noteworthy that unlike Yameen, Solih and political parties backing him are India
friendly.

The Solih government has reciprocated India‟s “neighborhood first” policy with an “India
first” policy. The Maldives has begun to realize a mutually beneficial relationship with
India. Thus, election of president Solih is being viewed as double blessing for Delhi:
Consolidation of democratic forces in Maldives as well as deeper alignment with India.
Both Modi and Solih have made respective visits to Maldives and India.

In fact, after his reelection in 2019, PM Modi‟s first international visit was to Maldives and
Srilanka. Later, India‟s foreign minister Dr. Jaishankar also visited Maldives twice in 2019
and 2021. As a result of these high level visits, following major decisions have been taken:

 President Solih announced “India first policy” and described India as its closest
friend.
 India announced financial assistance package worth 1.4 billion dollars.

 PM Modi has been honoured with the highest honour of Maldives called „The Rule

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 ofNishan Izzuddeen‟.
 Both leaders jointly inaugurated coastal surveillance radar system; this would
strengthen maritime security cooperation.
 A ferry service has been announced between Kochi and Maldives.

 PM Modi was given the honour to address legislature of Maldives called “Majlis”.

 Using India‟s soft power India has also decided to help Maldives construct a
cricketstadium
 India has also decided to give Dornier aircrafts on lease to Maldives.

 Fight against COVID: The Indian govt. gave the Maldives government $250
million to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. It gifted 2, 00,000 Covid-19
vaccines to the country. Maldives was the first country to receive vaccines from
India (Vaccine Maitri).
 India and Maldives inked agreement to implement the mega Greater Male
Connectivity Project (GMCP). It is the largest infrastructure project in the
country funded by an Indian grant of $100 million and a Line of Credit of $400
million.

Defence cooperation:

 In order to strengthen regional maritime security. India signed defence line of

credit agreement worth $50 million with Maldives to boost maritime capability
of Maldives.
 $50 million credit line agreement for defence projects was signed between the
Finance Ministry of Maldives and the Export Import Bank of India. Agreement
will facilitate capability building in the maritime domain and facilitate regional
HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) efforts.
 India will develop, support and maintain an important naval facility for the
Maldives National Defense Force Coast Guard Harbor at Sifvaru.
 Both countries agreed to strengthen coordination in enhancing regional maritime
security, including on combatting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,
including cross border terrorism and maintaining peace in the region to ensure
freedom of navigation in the Indian Ocean. Both nations have decided to convene
the first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism,
countering Violent Extremism and De-radicalisation at the earliest.

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 Challenges:

 China factor: Maldives has emerged as the latest theatre of the geopolitical tussle
between India and China. Rising Chinese influence and presence in Maldives is
a big concern for India.

 Islamic Radicalisation: radicalisation has grown rapidly and it is reported that

Maldives accounted for one of the highest numbers of foreign fighters in Syria in
terms of per capita. India can ill-afford a neighbour which fails to check Islamic
Radicalisation.

 Anti-India sentiment on the rise: “India Out” campaign is a call for the
removal of the Indian military presence from the Maldives. It is a result of
internal political bickering in Maldives.

Thus, the new government of Maldives has increased India‟s leverage with in the island
nation. There is new warmth and powerful impetus to bilateral ties, however, Chinese
shadow still looms over the India- Maldives relationship. India must not get complacent
as Male is still suffering due to massive Chinese debt.

India-Sri Lanka relations

The relationship between India and Sri Lanka is more than 2,500 years old. Both countries
have a legacy of intellectual, cultural, religious and linguistic interaction. In recent years,
the relationship has been marked by close contacts at all levels. Trade and investment have
grown and there is cooperation in the fields of development, education, culture and defence.
Sri Lanka occupies a central place in India‟s “Neighbourhood First” policy.

India–Sri Lanka relations have been friendly, but were controversially affected by the
Sri Lankan Civil War and by the failure of Indian intervention during the war.

Tamil issue

There are multiple religious and ethnic fault lines in Sri Lanka, primarily between
Hindu/Christian Sri Lankan Tamils and the Buddhist Sinhalese. Tamil speakers of all
religions are concentrated in the north and east; the areas claimed by the LTTE as Tamil
Eelam, their homeland, the Sinhalese are concentrated in the south and west of the island.

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For India, whatever happened in Sri Lanka directly affected the population of Tamils in the
Tamil Nadu.

Sri Lanka got its independence in 1948 and then came majority politics and a series of steps
that disadvantaged the Tamil minority. Following is a chronological list of developments
in Sri Lanka:

 The 1948 Ceylon Citizenship Act made 7 lakh Indian-origin Tamils stateless.
 The 1956 Sinhala Only Act replaced English with Sinhala as the only official
language. This act institutionalized discrimination.
 In the 1970s a preferential university admissions system known as the "policy of
standardization" discriminated against Tamils in recruitment to jobs and university
places and institutionalized ethnic discrimination.
 Officially sponsored colonization in the north and east by Sinhala farmers aroused
Tamil resistance.
 In 1976 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was formed.
 In 1983 an armed conflict started between LTTE and Sri Lankan government.
 In 1987 India-Srilanka accord was signed.
 In 1987 IPKF was sent to undertake operation Pawan. 1600 Indian soldiers gave
supreme sacrifice without fulfilling objectives of operation Pawan.
 1990, IPKF called back.
 1991, Rajiv Gandhi assassinated by LTTE.
 Civil war continues in Sri Lanka until 2009. In 2009 LTTE was defeated by Sri
Lankan army.
Indo – Sri Lanka Accord

The negotiations between India and Sri Lanka led to an accord in July 1987 called Indo-Sri
Lanka Accord. The accord attempted to address the crises in peaceful manner by providing
sufficient autonomy to northern regions without splitting up the nation. Following were
the provisions of the accord:

 The northern and eastern provinces of Sri Lanka where Tamils were the majority
would be merged into a single province.
 Substantial devolution of power to the Northern Province (13th amendment).
 The LTTE would be dissolved and arms surrendered in a very short time.
 The Indian army would come to the aid of the Sri Lankan government if requested by

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 Sri Lanka.
The 13th amendment aimed at creating provincial councils in Sri Lanka and enable Sinhalese
and Tamil as national languages while preserving English as the link language. It was about
giving more Land, Police and Financial powers to Northern Provinces. However, the
accord failed to take off because the LTTE had given only reluctant consent, was not a
signatory, did not trust the Sri Lankan government and refused to surrender.

The nearly three-decade long armed conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the LTTE came
to an end in May 2009. During the course of the conflict, India supported the right of the
Government of Sri Lanka to act against terrorist forces. At the same time, it conveyed its
deep concern at the plight of the mostly Tamil civilian population, emphasizing that
their rights and welfare should not get enmeshed in hostilities against the LTTE.

The need for national reconciliation through a political settlement of the ethnic issue has been
reiterated by India at the highest levels. India's consistent position is in favour of a
negotiated political settlement, which is acceptable to all communities within the
framework of a united Sri Lanka and which is consistent with democracy, pluralism
and respect for human rights.

India has been categorically supporting implementation of 13th amendment and

devolution of powers to Northern provinces. India expects President of Sri Lanka
Gotabaya Rajapaksa to boost the national reconciliation policy with the Tamil community
of the country. India has conveyed to President Rajapaksa that India expects Sri Lankan
government will take forward the process of national reconciliation to arrive at a
solution that meets the aspirations of the Tamil community for equality, justice, peace
and dignity.

During the visit of Sri Lanka‟s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to India in 2020, the issue
of Tamil reconciliation was again discussed. In this context, PM Modi articulated India‟s
position on the issue of post-LTTE war reconciliation with Sri Lanka‟s Tamil population.

“I am confident that the Government of Sri Lanka will realise the expectations of the
Tamil people for equality, justice, peace, and respect within a united Sri Lanka. For this, it
will be necessary to carry forward the process of reconciliation with the implementation of
the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Sri Lanka,” Mr. Modi said.

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 Development Cooperation

India has been a strong development partner of Sri Lanka. India has been assisting Sri Lanka
overcome damages which were caused by the Civil War and Tsunami. Thus, Sri Lanka is
among the major recipients of development assistance from the Government of India. India‟s
overall commitment stands close to US$ 3 billion, out of which around US$ 560 million are
purely in grants. Following are few examples:

 The conclusion of the armed conflict saw the emergence of a major humanitarian
challenge, with nearly 3 lakhs Tamil civilians housed in camps for Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs). The Government of India put in place a robust
programme of assistance to help the IDPs return to normal life as quickly as possible.
In recent years, there has been significant progress in implementation of
developmental assistance projects for IDPs and disadvantaged sections of the
population in Sri Lanka.
 The Indian Housing Project, with an initial commitment to build 50,000 houses for
the war affected as well as the estate workers in the plantation areas, is Government of
India (GoI)‟s flagship project of developmental assistance to Sri Lanka. As of today,
all the committed 46,000 houses in the Northern and Eastern Provinces have been
completed. India and Sri Lanka also signed an agreement to commence construction
of 10,000 additional houses with this India‟s total commitment to build houses in Sri
Lanka stands at 60,000.
 India has constructed a cultural centre at Jaffna.
 India has helped rehabilitate northern railway lines.
 India has helped repair and upgrade tsunami damaged Colombo – Matara railway
line.
 India has helped restore Thiruketheeswaram temple.
 Recently, after the election of Gotbaya Rajapaksa as president, India has decided to
extend 450 million dollars as Line of Credit to Sri Lanka. 400 million dollars for
infrastructure and 50 million dollars for counter terror efforts.

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 Commercial Relations

Trade: Sri Lanka is one of India„s largest trading partners in SAARC. It is India‟s second
largest trading partner among SAARC countries. Trade between the two countries grew
particularly rapidly after the entry into force of the India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement
in March 2000. However, trade is mostly one-sided in favour of India.

Worryingly, during the last two years, China has become the top import partner of Sri
Lanka, surpassing India, which had long been Sri Lanka„s largest source of imports.

Investments: Sri Lanka has long been a priority destination for direct investment from India.
Thus, India is one of the largest investors in Sri Lanka with cumulative investments of
around USD 1.239 billion.

Fisherman Issues

Given the proximity of the territorial waters of both countries, especially in the Palk Straits
and the Gulf of Mannar, incidents of straying of fishermen are common. Problem mainly
emerged only after a maritime agreement was signed between India and Sri Lanka in 1974,
wherein, Kachchatheevu Island was gifted to Sri Lanka, the Indian fishermen have been
debarred from fishing around the rich fishing grounds of that Island, leading to skirmishes
and incidents.

The agreement allows Indian fishermen “access to Katchatheevu for rest, for drying of
nests and for the annual St Anthony‟s festival” but it did not ensure the traditional
fishing rights.

To complicate matters further, Indian fisherman follow a fishing practice called bottom
trawling, which has been banned by government of Sri Lanka.

From the Indian fishermen point of view, historically, the contested waters belonged to India
and they have every right to fish in the traditional waters.

In order to address the issue India and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up a Joint Working
Group (JWG) on Fisheries between the concerned ministries of both the countries as the
mechanism to help find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.

 So far two meetings at Ministerial level (January 2017 in Colombo & October 2017 in
New Delhi) and three rounds of JWG meetings (December 31, 2016 in New Delhi;

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 April 7, 2017 in Colombo, October 2017 in New Delhi; 30 December 2020 in virtual
mode) have been held.
 The Indian side assured that bottom trawling would be phased out in a graded
time-bound manner within a practicable timeframe keeping in mind the capacity
building of the fishermen who have to be diversified into deep sea fishing as well as
other coastal fisheries activities including mariculture, pearl farming, seaweed culture,
etc.
China‟s increasing presence in Sri Lanka

The main objective of Chinese is to ensure the security of its sea lanes, especially unhindered
flow of critically-needed energy supplies from Africa and West Asia. Sri Lanka is seen as
“an important hub on the Maritime Silk Road” by China.

Mahinda Rajapaksa was president of Sri Lanka from 2005 to 2015 and during his tenure he
followed pro – china policies. He did same to Sri Lanka, what Yameen did to Maldives.
During his tenure Sri Lanka joined BRI and China got opportunity to make important
investments in Sri Lanka. China had also voted in favour of SL in US sponsored UNHRC
resolutions. Following developments will help understand china‟s increasing footprint in Sri
Lanka:

 China has displaced Japan as Sri Lanka‟s major aid donor with an annual package of
$1 billion.
 China has surpassed India in becoming Sri Lanka‟s largest trading partner.
 China is Sri Lanka‟s largest foreign investor and lender. China is now supplying over
half of all the construction and development loans Sri Lanka is receiving.
 First foreign nation to have an exclusive economic zone in Sri Lanka.
 Some of the important infrastructure projects developed by China in the island state
include Hambantota port, Colombo Expressway, Coal Power Project, and
Mattala Airport etc.
 Funding from China accounts for more than half of Sri Lanka‟s construction and
development loans.

China‟s Debt-Trap Diplomacy: Several of the projects that have been completed are now
bleeding money.

 Sri Lanka‟s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, which opened in 2013 near

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 Hambantota, has been dubbed as the world‟s emptiest international airport.
 Likewise, Hambantota Port remains largely idle.
 For China, however, these projects are operating exactly as needed: Chinese attack
submarines have twice docked at Sri Lankan ports.
 China has signed debt to equity swap agreement with Sri Lanka, as per which Sri
Lanka has handed over Hambantota port on 99-year lease to China.

Srilanka is getting into a debt trap with China and hambantota lease is a major cause of
worry for India. China is able to increase its role and influence in India‟s immediate
backyard. Thus, it is imperative for India to counterbalance China in Sri Lanka.

Mahinda Rajapaksa lost power in 2015. A new government was appointed under
Maithripala Sirisena as President and Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister. This
new government was critical of Rajapaksa‟s policies, which led country into a debt trap, they
wanted to correct this. India saw this as an opportunity and increased engagement with the
new government. As a result few important decisions were taken, which are as follows:

 Sri Lanka agreed to allow India to operate Mattala Rajapaksa International

Airport in Hambantota. India would operate the airport as a Sri Lanka-India joint
venture. The joint venture would see India gain a major stake of the airport.
 India would build Trincomalee harbor.
 India and Japan would jointly invest in the construction of East Container Terminal
in Colombo port.

Thus, India rightly tried to secure its position in Sri Lanka vis-à-vis China.

Rajapaksa brothers are back

India has been robustly engaging with Srilanka, however, in 2019, Sri Lanka underwent
elections and Rajapaksa family is back in power. Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been appointed
as President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister and Basil Rajapaksa as the
finance minister.

Election of Rajapaksa government poses new challenges for India: India and Sri Lanka have
had a number of differences on economic and other issues in the past two years listed below

 Gotabaya government supports idea of “development over devolution”.

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  Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa has also ruled out taking forward the MoU signed by his
predecessor Ranil Wickremesinghe, allowing Indian participation in energy and
infrastructure projects in Trincomalee; an Indian stake in “Mattala airport” is not on
the cards either.

 Moreover, in 2021 Sri Lanka scrapped a 2019 trilateral agreement with India and
Japan to develop the Eastern Container Terminal of the Port of Colombo. This
poses new challenges for India.

 Total debt of Sri Lanka is 60 billion dollars. In this context in 2020 PM Mahinda
Rajapaksa requested India to allow debt repayments by Colombo to be deferred for
three years, which will help the country deal with its massive debt burden. India has
delayed taking a decision on it.

 President Gotabaya Rajapaksa‟s requested India for a $1 billion currency swap.

However, it has not yet materialized.

In order to ensure that India‟s interests are protected, following steps have been taken:

 Gotabaya Rajapaksa was sent an invitation to visit India. He accepted and first
country he visited was India after assuming office.
 India extended 450 million dollars as line of credit to Sri Lanka. USD 400 million
for development and infrastructure projects and USD 50 million for security and
counter terrorism were announced.
 India has clarified Inida‟s position on Tamil reconciliation.
 Adani Group, signed a $700 million deal with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and the
Sri Lankan conglomerate John Keells Holdings, making it “the largest foreign
investor” in Sri Lanka‟s port development projects. The agreement is meant to
develop the Western Container Terminal (WCT) of the Colombo Port, with the
Adani Group having a 51 percent stake and John Keells and the Sri Lanka Port
Authority at 34 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

 India and Sri Lanka has agreed on a four-pillar initiative to help mitigate Sri
Lanka‟s economic crisis:

i) Lines of credit for food, medicines and fuel purchases granted by India,

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 ii) A currency swap agreement to deal with Sri Lanka‟s balance of payment issues.
(demand made in 2020)

iii) An “early” modernisation project of the Trincomalee oil farms that India has been
pursuing for several years.

iv) A Sri Lankan commitment to facilitate Indian investments in various sectors.

Way forward:

New Delhi must consider Sri Lanka‟s request for a three-year moratorium and be upfront
about its response, in contrast to the past when New Delhi did not take up an offer to develop
Hambantota port, and ceded space to China. Ignoring or rebuffing the new request could
damage bilateral ties far more.

Moreover, India should try to deepen people-to-people contacts. It can help address the
friction between both the countries and help foster a better understanding between the two
countries.

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Iran- Israel Conflict: Instability in the Middle East
This editorial is based on “ Step back: On Iran-Israel tensions ” which was published in The Hindu on
17/04/2024. The article talks about the geopolitical concerns of heightened tensions in the volatile West
Asia region after Iran's drone and missile attack on Israel.

For Prelims: Iran, Israel, Middle East,1979 Islamic Revolution, Stuxnet, Gaza Strip, Red Sea Crisis, Israeli
air defense system, OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries), Two State Solution, Gulf
Cooperation Council, European Union, United Nations, Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

For Mains: Historical Background of Relations Between Iran and Israel, Key Events that Led to Iran’s
Attack on Israel, Impact of Iran- Israel Conflict on the World

Iran launched a significant attack on Israel, deploying over 300 projectiles, including approximately 170
drones, cruise missiles, and over 120 ballistic missiles. This action was widely seen as retaliation for a
deadly strike on Iran's consulate in Damascus, Syria.

The attack signals a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, moving beyond
previous skirmishes involving Israel and Hamas. This event highlights the intensifying tensions between
two of the Middle East's staunchest adversaries and underscores the potential for further conflict in the
region.

What is the Historical Background of Relations Between Iran and Israel?

Pre-1979 Iran-Israel Ties:

Iran was one of the first countries in the region to recognise Israel after its formation in
1948.
In 1948, the opposition of Arab states to Israel led to the first Arab-Israeli war. Iran was not
a part of that conflict, and after Israel won, it established ties with the Jewish state.
According to an analysis from the Brookings Institute, Israel, under its first Prime
Minister David Ben Gurion, adopted the "periphery doctrine" to counter Arab hostility
by forming alliances with non-Arab, mainly Muslim, countries in the Middle East. This
strategy focused on forging partnerships with nations like Turkey and pre-revolution Iran,
which shared a pro-Western orientation and felt isolated in the region
Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, who ruled Iran from 1941 to 1979, pursued a pro-
Western foreign policy. Despite facing an economic boycott from Arab states, Iran
maintained diplomatic ties with Israel and even continued to sell oil to Israel during this
period.
The 1979 Revolution:
A religious state was established in Iran after the Shah was overthrown in the 1979
Islamic Revolution. The regime’s view of Israel changed, and it was seen as an occupier
of Palestinian land.
 Israel’s Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini termed Israel “Little Satan” and
the United States the “Great Satan”, seeing the two as parties interfering in the region.
Iran also sought to grow its presence in the region, challenging the two major powers Saudi
Arabia and Israel – both of whom were US allies.
A Shadow War after 1979:
As a result, the ties between the countries worsened. While Israel and Iran have never
engaged in direct military confrontation, both have attempted to inflict damage on the
other through proxies and limited strategic attacks.
In the early 2010s, Israel targeted several facilities and nuclear scientists in a bit to prevent
it from developing nuclear weapons.
In 2010, the US and Israel are believed to have developed Stuxnet, a malicious computer
virus. It was aimed at attacking a uranium enrichment facility at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site
and was the “first publicly known cyberattack on industrial machinery”.
Iran, meanwhile, is seen as responsible for funding and supporting several militant groups
in the region that are anti-Israel and anti-US, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in
the Gaza Strip.
This support was why concerns of a widening conflict or a confrontation have been raised
in the last few months.
What are the Key Events that Led to Iran’s Attack on Israel?

Withdrawal from Iran's Nuclear Deal: In 2018, Israel hails US withdrawal from Iran's nuclear
deal with world powers after years of lobbying against the agreement, calling Trump's decision "a
historic move".
Assassination of Iran’s Army General: In 2020, Israel welcomes the assassination of General
Qassem Soleimani, commander of the overseas arm of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, in an American
drone strike in Baghdad. Iran strikes back with missile attacks on Iraqi bases housing American
troops.
Hamas Missile Attack: In October 2023, Hamas (the Iran-backed terrorist group) launched a
missile attack targeting Israel. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes on Gaza.
Israel Raids and Attacks Medical Facilities: In November 2023, Israel started conducting raids
and attacking medical facilities as Hamas was reportedly operating from these hospital buildings
and carrying out their warfare.
Houthi Group's Red Sea Incident: In November 2023, The Iran-backed Houthi group, based in
Yemen, landed their helicopter on the Galaxy Leader cargo vessel as it was passing via the Red
 Sea. This marked the start of the 'Red Sea Crisis,' which eventually led to supply chain issues.
Escalation of Israel's Ground Offenses: In December 2023, Israel's ground offenses in the
Gaza Strip intensified at a rapid pace. This led to an increase in the death toll and the number of
refugees. India urged for an 'early and durable resolution' between the warring nations.
Airstrike on the Iranian Embassy: A suspected Israeli air strike on the Iranian embassy
compound in Damascus kills seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, including two
senior commanders. Israel neither confirmed or denied responsibility.
Iran's Missile Attack on Israel: In April 2024, Iran launched a missile attack on Israel. The attack
was, allegedly, in response to a suspected Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Syria. This marked
the first instance of Iran directly targeting Israel from its domestic territory.
Israel’s Multi-layered Air Defence: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that the Israeli air
defense system intercepted 99% of the incoming projectiles from Iran. The United States, the
United Kingdom, France, and other Middle Eastern allies also helped defend Israel.

How the Iran-Israel War May Impact the World?

Possible Israeli Response May Increase Regional Escalation:

 Given the widely held Israeli belief that a nuclear-armed Iran is an existential threat to
Israel, retaliation cannot be ruled out of the decision-making matrix.
Failure of diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions or negotiate a peaceful resolution could
leave military action as the only option, increasing the likelihood of regional escalation.
Potential to Disrupt Oil Supplies:
Iran is the third-largest producer of crude oil within OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum
Exporting Countries). If the tensions between Iran and Israel escalate further, the supply of
crude oil prices will be severely disrupted.
This will hit Indian share market sentiment as India is the third-largest consumer and
importer of crude oil, importing over 80% of its crude oil needs.
Spike in Inflation and Capital Outflow:
If geopolitical tensions increase from hereon, commodity prices will move up due to supply
disruptions. Globally, inflation will remain high due to geopolitical tension as it will affect
crude oil prices and other commodity prices such as copper, zinc, aluminium, nickel, etc.
As a result of these concerns, investors are expected to become cautious and may move
their money out of riskier assets like Indian stocks and into safer options like gold (bullion).
Bond prices may fall, the cost of credit may rise for companies, and stock markets may fall
both because of reduced profitability of the corporate sector and heightened uncertainty.
Trade and Travel Disruptions:
Apart from oil prices being affected, trade and travel could also be hit in the likelihood of an
Israel-Iran all-out war. Aviation and shipping sectors could be disrupted.
In fact, several countries in the region, including Iran, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, and Israel,
temporarily closed their airspaces, opening it later, albeit with restrictions.
Experts have noted that India’s exports to Europe would be disrupted in wake of the
renewed Iran-Israel tensions.
India’s Strategic Dilemma:
India's long-standing strategic relationships with both Iran and Israel present challenges on
both policy and operational fronts.
India values its strategic partnership with Israel, which includes defense cooperation,
technology exchange, and intelligence sharing. However, India also maintains historical
and economic ties with Iran, including energy imports and infrastructure projects.
India seeks to maintain stability in the Middle East to safeguard its interests, including
energy security and the welfare of its diaspora.
What Could be the Possible Solutions to De-escalate the Iran - Israel Conflict?

Sustainable Ceasefire and Two-State Solution:

Israel should accept a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible, open the borders
for international humanitarian aid to Gaza, and respect the UN resolutions to end the
70-year-old crisis by realizing a two-state solution.
The two-state solution is the only feasible way ahead for long-term security, peace and
stability in the region. It is not an easy goal, but both sides are familiar with the challenges
and opportunities.
Dialogue and Diplomacy:
An international initiative must mediate a sustainable ceasefire between Israel and Iran.
Encouraging both countries to engage in direct talks facilitated by international mediators
could help build trust and find common ground.
Iran and Israel could engage in direct talks facilitated by a neutral third party, such as the
European Union or the United Nations.
Addressing Nuclear Proliferation Concerns:
Iran could adhere to the terms of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and allow
international inspections of its nuclear facilities to ensure compliance with the agreement.
In return, Israel could recognise Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy and commit to
refraining from military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Regional Cooperation:
Promoting cooperation between Iran and Israel within the framework of regional
organizations, such as the Arab League or the Gulf Cooperation Council, could help address
shared security concerns and foster stability in the Middle East.
Developing a comprehensive regional security architecture that addresses the concerns of
all stakeholders in the Middle East could contribute to stability and reduce the likelihood of
conflict between Iran and Israel.
Long-Term Vision for the Middle East:
Regional powers could work together to establish a comprehensive security architecture for
the Middle East, including confidence-building measures, arms control agreements, and
mechanisms for resolving conflicts peacefully.
Addressing underlying issues, such as historical grievances, territorial disputes, and
religious extremism, can help create an environment conducive to peace and
reconciliation.
Normalization of Relations:
Iran and Israel could take steps towards normalizing diplomatic relations, such as
exchanging ambassadors, reopening embassies, and facilitating people-to-people
exchanges, similar to the peace agreements between Israel and some Arab states like the
United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Conclusion

The repercussions of ongoing instability in the Middle East extend to the Global South and Global
Governance. Therefore, it is crucial for the international community to urge all parties to refrain from
violence and prioritize diplomatic negotiations for solutions. Embracing responsible and balanced policies
is imperative to prevent long-term instability and alleviate the region's crisis.

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the potential implications of the Iran-Israel conflict on global peace and stability. Suggest
measures to ensure long-term stability in the Middle East region.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims
 Q. Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries? (2017)

1. Jordan
2. Iraq
3. Lebanon
4. Syria

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Ans: C

Q. Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the
Mediterranean Sea? (2015)

(a) Syria

(b) Jordan

(c) Lebanon

(d) Israel

Ans: B

Q. The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the
affairs of (2018)

(a) China

(b) Israel

(c) Iraq

(d) Yemen

Ans: B

Mains

Q. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.”
Discuss. (2018)

PDF Refernece URL: [Link]

editorials/20-04-2024/print

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India – Myanmar Relations
[Link]/printpdf/india-myanmar-relations

Why in News?
India-Myanmar joint operation destroyed several militant camps of Arakan Army
on the Indo-Myanmar border.
The action averted a possible threat to the ambitious Kaladan transit and
transport project which is important for improving the connectivity in the Northeast.
Myanmar is important for India because of the geographic, historical, cultural and
economic linkages/ties that span centuries as well as for the overall development of
North-Eastern Indian states. India and Myanmar relationship officially got underway
after the Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1951.

Areas of Cooperation

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Strategic Significance
India and Myanmar share a long 1,643 km geographical land border and
maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal. Myanmar shares borders with 4 Indian
states – Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast
India.
Myanmar is India’s gateway to South-East Asia.
India - Myanmar border is highly porous, poorly guarded and located along a
remote, underdeveloped, insurgency-prone region and proximate to opium
producing area.
The border is also vulnerable to the activities of insurgents and drugs and
arms traffickers.
Myanmar is also important from the security point of view as the influx of
sizable numbers of Rohingya from Myanmar’s Rakhine state continues.
India–Myanmar border poses a challenge to India’s security.

Trade and Economy

The success of India’s Act East Policy, Neighbourhood first policy largely depend
on its relations with Myanmar.
Bilateral trade has grown from $12.4 million in 1980-81 to $2.18 billion in 2016-
17.
Myanmar is also the beneficiary of a duty-free tariff preference scheme for least
developed countries (LDCs).
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 Some of the Indian companies such as Essar, GAIL, and ONGC Videsh Ltd. have
invested in Myanmar’s energy sector.
Cooperation in the banking sector, which is crucial for investment and trade, is
moving ahead steadily. United Bank of India and EXIM Bank have representative
offices in Myanmar.
Indian firms engage in manufacturing, services (banking, insurance, dry port),
power sector etc.
Connectivity
India is building the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport, a road-river-port
cargo transport project, to link Kolkata to Sittwe in Myanmar and then from
Myanmar’s Kaladan river to India’s north-east.

India, Myanmar, and Thailand are building the Asian Trilateral Highway, which
will connect India to ASEAN. The road is expected to boost trade and commerce
in the ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, as well as with the rest of Southeast Asia.
Development Assistance
India has already extended $2 billion in soft loans. It has offered to help
Myanmar developmental assistance in the areas it wants rather than be
prescriptive.
India is also providing assistance in setting up institutions for higher learning
and research, namely Myanmar Institute of Information Technology, Advanced
Centre for Agricultural Research and Education, Myanmar-India Centre for
Enhancement of IT Skills, India-Myanmar Industrial Training Centres.
A new Indian proposal suggests the setting up of infrastructure and socio-
economic projects jointly with Myanmar in the restive Rakhine state—in the
areas of education, health, agriculture, agro-processing, upgradation of roads,
small power projects and livelihood activity.
Defence Cooperation
India-Myanmar Bilateral Army Exercise (IMBAX) is aimed at building and
promoting closer relations with armies.
Myanmar is a key partner in the fight to end insurgency in India's northeast.
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 Cultural Significance
India and Myanmar share cultural ties in terms of Buddhist heritage and shared
history of colonialism.
Building on this shared heritage, India is undertaking some key initiatives in the
restoration of the Ananda Temple in Bagan and the repair and conservation of
a large number of damaged pagodas.
Humanitarian Assistance
India has responded promptly and effectively in rendering assistance following
natural calamities in Myanmar like Cyclone Mora (2017), Komen (2015),
earthquake in Shan State (2010).
India also offered to provide support in capacity building in disaster risk
mitigation as well as in strengthening Myanmar's National Disaster Response
Mechanism.
Indian Community
There are varying estimates of 1.5-2 million people of Indian origin living and
working in various parts of Myanmar.
Multilateral Partnership
Myanmar is also a key component of India’s strategy to bridge South and South-
East Asia through BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical
and Economic Cooperation).
Myanmar's membership of ASEAN, BIMSTEC and Mekong Ganga Cooperation
has introduced a regional/sub-regional dimension to bilateral relations and
imparted added significance in the context of our "Act East" policy.
Myanmar has generally been supportive of India's stand in various international
organisations. For our part, we have supported Myanmar's association with
SAARC as an observer, a status Myanmar formally acquired in 2008.
The Rohingya Issue
India does not directly engage with the issue of Myanmar’s treatment of its
Rohingya Muslim minority. But India has condemned the recent terrorist attacks
in northern Rakhine State. This can be considered as a measure of support to
Myanmar.

Challenges
Internal Security is a major concern for India; Indo-Myanmar border is porous and
lightly policed which is exploited by terrorist outfits and insurgent groups from North
Eastern part of India eg. supply of trained cadres, arms trafficking.
Bilateral trade between India and Myanmar still falls short of expectations.
Overtime trust deficit has widened between India-Myanmar because of the Indian
reputation for delaying implementation of various projects.
China has asserted itself through its soft power as well as through its trade and
economic relations with Myanmar by taking up large infrastructure projects.
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 As China’s growing influence in the region is a potential threat to India, New Delhi
would like to enhance India’s presence by developing infrastructure and connectivity
projects in the country.
India has found it difficult to counter Chinese influence in Myanmar.

Way Forward
Both the countries are affected due to the misuse of open border by internal and
external forces, the responsibility of border management and regulation depends on
both.
It is also the only country that can act as a link between India and ASEAN.
Myanmar is India’s gateway to Southeast Asia and could be the required impetus to
realize India’s Act East Policy.
Myanmar itself is an emerging consumer market of 60 million people who have
demands for products ranging from personal care to beverages to smart phones.
India should leverage these export opportunities.
There are a few sectors where India can extend its presence in Myanmar. These
include manufacturing high-end smart phones, exporting cement, furniture, FMCG,
energy, telecommunications, healthcare, creating townships, low cost housing
development, ports and logistics, rural electrification etc.
Agriculture is another sector where India can substantially augment its cooperation
with Myanmar in rice research activities, post-harvest technology, agriculture financing
and articulating policies.
India’s Kaladan Multimodal Transit and Transport project and India-Myanmar-Thailand
Trilateral Highway have seen much delay over the past couple of years. Hence, it can
be said that the success of India’s Act East Policy will now depend on India’s prompt
action and pragmatic approach for completion of projects.
Enhancing economic partnership with Myanmar needs to be a priority in India’s Act
East Policy which will benefit New Delhi in enhancing ties with Southeast Asia.

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 Insights Mind maps

India-Russia Relations

1) Introduction

 Relations with Russia are a key pillar of India's foreign policy, and Russia has been a longstanding
time-tested partner of India.

 Both countries signed “Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership” in October 2000

 Traditionally, the Indo-Russian strategic partnership has been built on five major components:
politics, defence, civil nuclear energy, anti-terrorism co-operation and space.

2) Strain in the relationship

 The first concerns the rapidly expanding ties between India and USA, which started with the India-
US nuclear deal in 2008.

 The second concerns the growing defence relationship between India and USA.

 Russia’s decision to supply Pakistan with the Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters has alarmed the Indian
defense establishment.

 The Russia-Pakistan joint exercises raise many questions

 India having its own military exercises with the U.S. and has signed logistics agreements which can
eventually give the U.S. access to Indian naval bases.

 Russia had proposed a Russia-India-China (RIC) forum. India is hesitant about this because of the
unresolved issues with China.

3) Economic ties

 Russia-India trade has not grown to great heights despite the encouragement of both states.

 Recently India and Russia decided to institutionalize the CEO’s Forum and agreed to liberalize
business travel which will help boost bilateral trade

 Russia sees India – one of the fastest growing economies in the world – as a country that could
alleviate Russia’s economic problems.

 Make in India initiative would welcome Russian companies from the public and private sectors

 Russian firms have shown a willingness to invest in India in construction, major infrastructure
projects such as dedicated freight corridors and industrial clusters, smart cities, and engineering
services, sharing technologies and skills.

 Indian companies are exploring major investment options in Russia, especially in natural resources
such as coal, fertilizers, hydrocarbons, minerals, and rare earth metals
[Link] Page 1
 Insights Mind maps

 Trade and investment relations are not up to the mark and this needs improvements.

4) Energy ties

 According to the International Energy Agency, India will cross Japan as the world’s third largest oil
user this year, and is expected to have the highest rate of growth of crude demand globally through
2040.

 The sale of a 98% stake in Essar Oil to a consortium led by Russian state-owned oil giant Rosneft is
significant step in the process of deleveraging the balance sheets of Indian corporate.

 The Russia-India investments in the oil and gas sector and exports to third countries need to be
energised.

 Russia is an important partner in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and it recognizes India as a
country with advanced nuclear technology with an impeccable non-proliferation record.

 Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) is being built in India with Russian cooperation.

5) Political ties

 New Delhi needs Moscow’s support in the former’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security
Council

 The Russians have backed the Indian position on Kashmir

 India and Russia are engaged in several multilateral efforts that are greatly favoured by Russia such
as the BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

 Annual Summit meeting is the highest institutionalized dialogue mechanism under the Strategic
Partnership

6) Defence ties

 India’s defense ties with the erstwhile Soviet Union and later with Russia were a major pillar of
bilateral ties.

 However, in recent times there has been deep strain in the relationship.

 Indian government recently announced the purchase of five S-400 supersonic air defense systems
from Russia, costing around $6 billion

 Two sides agreed that the Kamov 226 helicopter would be manufactured in India.

 Recent defense agreements have sent a strong message that New Delhi continues to view relations
with Moscow an indispensible element of India’s foreign policy

 India and Russia agreed to strengthen the defense partnership in line with the “Make in India”
program

[Link] Page 2
 Insights Mind maps

 The new initiatives will encourage joint manufacturing of defense products in India and motivate
the private sector in developing a strong defense manufacturing base in India

 The boost to defense engagement will also help India contain the growing engagement between
Russia and Pakistan.

7) Issues of terrorism

 Counterterrorism is another area where both countries find a convergence of interest

 Both countries strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms, stressing the need for an effective
global effort in dealing with the terrorist menace.

 They also called for the elimination, once and for all, of all terrorist “safe havens,” presumably
referring to Pakistan.

 India and Russia also share concerns about the aggravation of the security situation in Afghanistan,
including along its borders.

 India openly shared Russia’s concerns over developments in Syria

 India’s stance on Syria will certainly help cement its ties with Russia countering the earlier feeling
that India was not coming forward to support Russia in difficult times.

8) Space Cooperation

 India-Russia cooperation in the field of peaceful uses of outer space dates back to about four
decades.

 2015 marked the 40th anniversary of the launch of India’s first satellite “Aryabhatt” on a Russian
(then USSR) launch vehicle ‘Soyuz.’

 An agreement was signed between C-DAC and GLONASS for cooperation in technologies based on
satellite navigation.

9) Cultural Cooperation

 There is a strong tradition of Indian studies in Russia.

 Apart from Hindi, languages such as Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Urdu, Sanskrit and Pali are
taught in Russian Institutions.

 There is general interest among Russian people in Indian dance, music, yoga and ayurveda.

 There are regular cultural initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts between India and
Russia

 The President of India inaugurated the Year of Indian Culture ‘Namaste Russia’ in Moscow on 10
May 2015.

[Link] Page 3
 Insights Mind maps

10) 17th India-Russia annual summit

 Altogether 16 Agreements / MoUs are signed and more emphasis is on defence procurement.

 India and Russia also signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement for 4 additional Krivak or Talwar
Class Stealth Frigates.

 Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Rostec State Corporation signed a Pact worth $ 1 bn to
set up a Joint Venture that will make at least 200 Kamov-226T Utility Helicopters in India.

 Signed an agreement on "Information Security” aimed at countering terrorism, drug trafficking and
other illegal cross border activities.

 A Science and Technology Commission to facilitate development and sharing of cutting-edge

technologies.

 Both the Leaders dedicated to the Nation, 2nd Unit of the Kudankulam Atomic Power Plant. They
also laid the foundation stone for two more Units at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

 Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) will work with an Indian fund to invest $ 1 bn.

11) Need of the Hour

 India has to rebuild on its strengths and common concerns with the Russians.

 Both have to revitalise their earlier agreement on sharing intelligence for a joint strategy on
terrorism.

 Indian and Russian anxieties on terrorism need to converge and bring about some positive
outcome.

 India needs to deepen its scientific and technological relations with Russia since a base for this
already exists.

 India can use some creative means to build a Russia-India-China (RIC) alliance.

 Needs focus is increasing trade and investment ties between India and Russia

12) Conclusion

 A sharp rise in Russia-China defense ties, the assertive foreign policy of a rising China in the Indo-
Pacific, and the China-Pakistan nexus will all encourage India to continue to strengthen ties with
Russia.

 It is clear that India-Russia relations remain vital for both countries amid a changing regional and
global security environment.

 More will need to be done if the relationship is to play the role both countries clearly expect.

 With more emphasis on defence deals as well as energy ties in recent times, India tried to ward off
the impression that it is tilting towards the United States of America.
[Link] Page 4
India-US Relationship
[Link]/printpdf/india-us-relationship

This article is based on “The operative word must be bilateralism ” which was published in
The Hindu on 17/11/2019. It talks about the changing nature of the India-U.S. relationship.

Global politics is changing rapidly and it has its effects on global relationships as well. Now
the focus of the nations have shifted to unilateralism, protectionism and isolationism
from peace, joint cooperation, multilateralism and liberalism usually propogated by
institutions such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and the
International Court of Justice.

Global politics is disturbed by the disruptions caused by the trade war between the
US-China and Brexit impacting other nations’ relations with them and with each
other. India also stands at a crossroads in terms of its foreign policy approach in these
turbulent times.
India has to make crucial decisions in such times to sustain and the options available
are-
Continue with the time-tested stable policy of non-alignment and strategic
autonomy.
Follow unilateralism and be a permanent treaty ally of one of the
superpowers.
Forge new relations and explore fresh territories by adopting the strategy of
multi-alignment and transactional autonomy.

Relationship Dynamics

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 It can be elaborated into three main categories-
Good Phase- It is linked to the historic terms like the U.S. civil nuclear deal, the
ongoing defence cooperation and the signing of “Foundational Defence
Agreements” which are the Communications Compatibility and Security
Agreement (COMCASA), the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of
Agreement (LEMOA) and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement
for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA) etc.
Bad Phase- It is linked with the current trade challenges, the U.S.’s
hyphenation of India with China in its trade war and its call for the removal
of the ‘developing country’ tag assigned by the WTO.
Ugly Phase- It was when the U.S. sent its fleet towards India to assist
Pakistan during the 1971 war.
The good outweighs the other two but a sense of scepticism remains because of
India’s multilateral outreach, especially with respect to the procurement of defence
material from Russia and Indian military’s presence in Afghanistan.
India also needs to remain mindful of the unpredictability and inherent
contradictions in U.S. foreign policy and, at the same time, capitalise on U.S.
‘isolationism and retrenchment’ by maintaining its time-tested policy of non-
alignment and strategic autonomy.

Contradictions in the U.S.’s Outlook

The recent abandonment of Kurds, who assisted the Americans in fighting the
Islamic State, by Trump administration should be kept in mind by the other nations.
India must be prepared, in case U.S. suddenly withdraws its forces from Afghanistan,
which could lead to a complete takeover by the Taliban, with potential repercussions
on India’s northern front.
With respect to Pakistan, U.S.’s policies seems very unclear and confusing often
creating misleading information. For example, the ever changing views of the U.S. on
Pakistan like calling it a “friend who he does not need” to a “friend in need” even
after being aware of Pakistan’s ties with terrorism.
U.S. campaigned for Iran’s nuclear deal in 2015, then withdrew itself from the
accord in 2018 and has now adopted a blanket sanction policy with relation to
any nation dealing in oil transactions with Iran.
India needs to be careful because of all such examples and U.S.’s expectations from
India to forego its age-old friendship with Russia.

Possible Solutions
India must ensure that India-U.S. bilateralism survives the ill effects of
unilateralism without compromising India’s friendly position.

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 U.S. needs to realise that India cannot keep distance from the globalisation,
regional alliances and emerging trade opportunities. However, at the same time it
can be assured that India will never take sides hurting U.S. interests while taking
real strategic and economic bilateral decisions.
India should not feel distracted and focus on multi-alignment both with the U.S. and
Russia, especially in terms of getting a waiver under the Countering America’s
Adversaries Through Sanctions Act in purchasing the S-400 missile system from
Russia.
On the trade front, India can be an effective supplier rather than being an
outsourcing hub if compared to China. Strategically also, the U.S. views India as a
platform to contain China’s hegemony. India sees it as an opportunity for
economic expansion, with the U.S. being an equal partner.
China’s cautious pragmatism along with assertiveness needs to be factored into the
decision-making process of both India and the USA. Both need to forge a broad-
based and productive political partnership for that.

Way Forward
It is the official right of the sovereign nation-states to make formal ties and bonds
based on mutual interdependence.
India and the U.S. should strengthen their relationship on global and regional
levels and look for issues of common interest which can provide enormous
opportunities for both countries to work closely in reshaping the global political
order.
Both nations have the potential to grow together without comprising India’s
situation due to unilateralism by benefitting of mutual interests and understanding
each other better.

Drishti Mains Question

Analyse India-USA relationships with reference to the rapidly changing global

politics.

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Cold War
[Link]/printpdf/cold-war

Recently, 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall (which was brought down on
9/11/1989) was celebrated which had marked a pivotal event in the Cold War Era.

What is Cold War?

The Cold War was a period (1945-1991) of geopolitical tension between the Soviet
Union and its satellite states (the Eastern European countries), and the United States
with its allies (the Western European countries) after World War II.

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 Post World War II, the world got divided into two power blocs dominated by two
superpowers viz. the Soviet Union and the US.
The two superpowers were primarily engaged in an ideological war between the
capitalist USA and the communist Soviet Union.
The term "Cold" is used because there was no large-scale fighting directly between the
two sides.

Note:
The Cold War was between Allied countries (UK, France etc. who were led by the US)
and Soviet Union.
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union, officially known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
(USSR).
It is the world’s first Communist state that was established in 1922.

Reasons of Cold War

Durning the World War Allied countries (US, UK and France) and Soviet Union fought
together against the Axis powers (Nazi Germany, Japan, Austria). However, this wartime
alliance could not workout after World War II, due to multiple factors.

Potsdam conference
The Potsdam conference was held at Berlin in 1945 among US, UK and Soviet
Union to discuss :
Immediate administration of defeated Germany.
Demarcation of boundary of Poland.
Occupation of Austria.
Role of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe.
Soviet Union wanted some portion of Poland (bordering Soviet Union) to be
maintained as a buffer zone. However, the USA and UK didn't agree to this demand.
Also, the USA did not inform the Soviet Union about the exact nature of the atomic
bomb, dropped on Japan. This created suspicion in Soviet Union about the intentions
of western countries, embittering of the alliance.
This created suspicion in the Soviet leadership.

Truman's Doctrine
Truman Doctrine was announced on March 12, 1947,by US President Harry S. Truman.

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 The Truman Doctrine was a US policy to stop the Soviet Union’s communist and
imperialist endeavors, through various ways like providing economic aid to other
countries.
For example, US appropriated financial aid to support the economies and
militaries of Greece and Turkey.
Historians believe that the announcement of this doctrine marked the official
declaration of the Cold War.

Iron Curtain
Iron Curtain is the political, military, and ideological barrier erected by the Soviet
Union after World War II to seal off itself and its dependent eastern and central
European allies from open contact with the West and other noncommunist areas.
On the east side of the Iron Curtain were the countries that were connected to or
influenced by the Soviet Union, while on the west side were the countries that were
allies of the US, UK or nominally neutral.

Important Events of the Cold War

Berlin Blockade 1948

As the tension between Soviet Union and Allied countries grew, Soviet Union
applied Berlin Blockade in 1948.
The Berlin Blockade was an attempt by the Soviet Union to limit the ability of
Allied countries to travel to their sectors of Berlin.

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 Further, on August 13, 1961, the Communist government of the German Democratic
Republic began to build a barbed wire and concrete wall (Berlin Wall) between East
and West Berlin.
It primarily served the objective of stemming mass emigration from East
Berlin to West Berlin.
Except under special circumstances, travelers from East and West Berlin were
rarely allowed across the border.
This Berlin Wall served as a symbol of the Cold War (US and Soviet Union), until its fall
in 1989.

History of the Berlin wall

Allied countries (US, UK, France) and Soviet Union together defeated Nazi Germany in
World War II in 1945, after which Yalta and Potsdam conferences (1945) were held
between Soviet Union and Allied countries to decide the fate of Germany’s territories.
At the conference, Germany was to be divided into zones under Russian, American,
British and French influence.
The eastern part of the country went to the Soviet Union, while the western part
went to the United States, Great Britain and France.
Berlin, as the capital, was to be likewise split. However, Berlin happened to
be in the middle of the Russian zone.
The three Allied zones got merged and became the Federal Republic of Germany
(FRG) or West Germany while the former Soviet occupation zone became the
German Democratic Republic (GDR) or East Germany.
The division of Berlin was the main bone of contention between USSR and
Allied countries, as West Berlin became an island within Communist East
Germany.

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 Berlin Wall fell on 9/11/1989, marking a symbolic end to the cold war.

The Marshall Plan vs The Cominform

The Marshall Plan
In 1947, American Secretary of State George Marshall, unveiled European
Recovery Programme (ERP), which offered economic and financial help wherever
it was needed.
One of the aims of the ERP was to promote the economic recovery of Europe.
However, this was an economic extension of the Truman Doctrine.
The Cominform
The Soviet Union denounced the whole idea of Marshall Plan as 'dollar
imperialism.
Therefore, the Cominform (the Communist Information Bureau) - was launched
in 1947, as the Soviet response to the Marshall Plan.
It was an organization to draw together mainly Eastern Europe countries.

NATO vs Warsaw Pact

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 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
The Berlin blockade showed the West's military unreadiness and frightened
them into making definite preparations.
Therefore, in 1948, mainly the countries of western Europe signed the Brussels
Defence Treaty, promising military collaboration in case of war.
Later on Brussels Defence Treaty was joined by the USA, Canada, Portugal,
Denmark, Iceland, Italy and Norway. This led to the formation of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in April 1949.
NATO countries agreed to regard an attack on any one of them as an attack on
all of them, and placing their defence forces under a joint command.
Warsaw Pact
The Warsaw Pact ( 1955) was signed between Russia and her satellite states
shortly after West Germany was admitted to NATO.
The Pact was a mutual defense agreement, which the Western countries
perceived as a reaction against West Germany's membership of NATO.

Space Race
Space exploration served as another dramatic arena for Cold War competition.
In 1957, Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, the world’s first artificial satellite and the first
man-made object to be placed into the Earth’s orbit.
In 1958, the U.S. launched its own satellite called Explorer I.
However, this space race was won by the US, when it successfully landed, the first
man (Neil Armstrong) on the surface of the moon in 1969.

Arms Race
The containment strategy of US provided the rationale for an unprecedented arms
buildup in the United States, reciprocated by Soviet Union.
Development of nuclear weapons took place on a massive scale and the world
entered into the age of nuclear age.

The Cuban Missiles Crisis, 1962

The Cuba got involved in the Cold War when US broke off its diplomatic relations with
Cuba in 1961, and Soviet Union increased their economic aid to Cuba.
In 1961, the USA planned Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, intending to overthrow the
head of Cuban state (Fidel Castro), who was backed by the Soviet Union . However, the
operation failed.
Fidel Castro then appealed to the Soviet Union for military help, to which Soviet Union
decided to set up a nuclear missile launchers in Cuba aimed at the USA.

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 Cuban Missile Crisis, brought two superpowers on the brink of a nuclear war.
However, the crisis was averted diplomatically.

End of the Cold War

In 1991, Soviet Union collapsed due to multiple factors which marked the end of the Cold
War, as one of the superpowers was weakened.

Reasons of the collapse of the Soviet Union

Military reasons
The space race and the arms race drained a considerable proportion of Soviet
Union's resources for military needs.
Policies of Mikhail Gorbachev
In order to kick start moribund Soviet economy, Gorbachev instituted the
policies of glasnost (“openness”) and perestroika (“restructuring”).
Glasnost was intended for liberalization of the political landscape.
Perestroika intended to introduce quasi free market policies in place of
government-run industries.
It allowed more independent actions from various ministries and
introduced many market-like reforms.
Rather than sparking a renaissance in Communist thought, these steps opened
the floodgates to criticism of the entire Soviet apparatus.
The state lost control of both the media and the public sphere, and
democratic reform movements gained steam throughout the Soviet Union.
Also, there was growing disenchantment in the public due to falling
economy, poverty, unemployment, etc. This made the people of the Soviet
Union attracted to western ideology and way of life.
Afghanistan War
The Soviet-Afghan (1979–89) was another key factor in the breakup of the Soviet
Union, as it drained the economic and military resources of Soviet Union.

Conclusion
The end of the Cold War marked the victory of the US and the bipolar world order turned
into a unipolar.

However, over the last decade, the position of the US as the world's most powerful state has
appeared increasingly unstable. The US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, non-traditional
security threats, global economic instability, the apparent spread of religious

7/8
fundamentalism, together with the rise of emerging economic powers (like Japan, Australia,
India, China etc.) have made the world look more multipolar and has led many to predict
the decline of the west and the rise of the rest.

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India - Iran
[Link]/printpdf/india-iran

Why in News
Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that India is no longer
involved in the Farzad-B gas field project of Iran.

Further, it said that India has not received any response from Iran since
December 2019 on the future of the Chabahar-Zahedan railway project as
well.
It cited policy changes by the Iranian government, Iran’s uncertain
finances, and the USA sanctions situation as the reasons behind the decisions
on Indian infrastructure projects in Iran.

Key Points

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Farzad-B Gas Field:

It is located in Persian Gulf (Iran).

The contract for exploration of the field was signed in 2002 by Indian
consortium comprising ONGC Videsh, Indian Oil Corporation and Oil India.
The contract expired in 2009 after declaration of commerciality of the field,
based on the gas discovery.
It has gas reserves of more than 19 trillion cubic feet.
ONGC has invested approximately USD 100 million.
Since then, the consortium has been trying to secure the contract for
development of the field.
The major dispute between India and Iran was over setting up of two
pipelines, and also over money to be quoted on the development plan.
Around 75% of the deal was finalised by May 2018, when the USA
unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and announced
sanctions on Iran.
In January 2020, India was informed that in the immediate future, Iran
would develop the field on its own and would like to involve India
appropriately at a later stage.

2/4
Chabahar-Zahedan Railway Project:

In the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ signed in 2003, both countries had decided
to jointly develop the Chabahar Port complex.
The Port development was exempted from the sanctions.
India’s main investment in the Chabahar Port where it has taken over
operations of one terminal, had progressed well in the last few years,
handling 82 ships with 12 lakh tonnes of bulk cargo in 8200 containers
since December 2018.
A contract to develop the 628-km railway line (Chabahar-Zahedan)
along the Iran-Afghanistan border was signed in 2016.
IRCON was appointed by the Government of India to assess the feasibility
of the project. It was working with CDTIC, an Iranian company.
It had completed the site inspection and review of the feasibility report.
The Iranian side was to nominate an authorised entity to finalise
outstanding technical and financial issues. India waited for the same.
However, Iran started work on the railway project in July 2020.
India is not part of this project as of now since there is lack of clarity
on whether it will attract the USA sanctions. However, it has conveyed to
Iran that it is open to joining the project later.

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 Concerns for India:
Iran’s growing proximity to China.
Further, Iran seems to be sceptical of India’s diplomatic ties with the USA.
Farzad-B gas Field:
India needs gas and Iran remains one of the best options as
geographically, Iran is closest to India of all the countries in the Persian
gulf region.
Further, it could have improved India-Iran ties as the crude oil import
from Iran remains impacted due to the USA sanctions.
Chabahar is not only a key to maritime relations between both the countries,
but also provides an opportunity to India to reach Russia and Central Asia.
Further, it allows India to bypass Pakistan which had blocked Indian aid
to Afghanistan and all trade over land.

Way Forward
India needs to play a balancing act between the USA and Iran.
Further, India needs to closely watch the space created by its exit.
In a world where connectivity is seen as the new currency, India’s loss on account of
these projects can become gain for some other country, especially China.

Source: IE

4/4
 Library
Sainik School Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
India-Pakistan Relations

In keeping with its “Neighbourhood First Policy”, India desires normal neighbourly
relations with Pakistan. India’s consistent position is that issues, if any, between India
and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of
terror and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive environment. It
has been made clear that India will not compromise on issues relating to national
security and will take firm and decisive steps to deal with all attempts to undermine
India’s security and territorial integrity.

Attempts for engagement

2. India has made a number of attempts to build normal neighbourly relations with
Pakistan. Since 2014, this has manifested in the invitation to the then Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif for the swearing-in ceremony in May 2014; the meeting between Prime
Ministers’ in Ufa in July 2015; and External Affairs Minister’s (EAM) visit to Islamabad in
December 2015. EAM also took the initiative to propose a Comprehensive Bilateral
Dialogue in December 2015. These initiatives have been responded with acts of cross-
border terrorism and violence against India including the cross-border terror attack on
Pathankot Airbase on 2 January 2016; attack on Army Camp in Uri in August 2016; and
terror attack on the convoy of Indian security forces in Pulwama by Pakistan based
Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) on 14 February 2019.

3. Prime Minister spoke to Mr. Imran Khan on 30 July 2018 and congratulated him
for his party emerging as the largest political party in the National Assembly. PM also
sent a congratulatory letter to PM Imran Khan on 18 August 2018 desiring meaningful
and constructive engagement for the benefit of the people of the entire region. EAM
congratulated the new Foreign Minister on 22 August 2018.

4. In response to PM’s congratulatory letter, Pakistan wrote back on 14 September

2018 and suggested meeting between Foreign Ministers in UNGA in New York. The new
Foreign Minister of Pakistan also wrote to EAM on 17 September 2018 with a similar
proposal. These letters talked of bringing a positive change and mutual desire for
peace, and also Pakistan’s readiness to discuss terrorism. In response to the
intentions expressed in these letters, Pakistan’s proposal for a meeting was accepted
by India on 20 September 2018. However, within hours of India’s acceptance, Pakistan-
based terrorist entities brutally killed three police personnel in the state of Jammu and
Kashmir. Earlier, that same week, an Indian BSF soldier was brutally killed at the border
on 18 July 2018. All these incidents happened after Pakistan’s PM and FM wrote letters
to India’s leadership expressing their desire for change and for peace. Moreover,
India’s strong protests with Pakistan and call for remedial action were met with outright
denial. Under such circumstances, it was assessed that any conversation with Pakistan
would be meaningless. India was left with no choice but to call off the meeting between
the Foreign Ministers of India and Pakistan in New York.

5. PM Modi received a telephone call from Pakistan PM on 26 May 2019

congratulating him on election victory. PM Modi thanked him and recalled his earlier
suggestion to Pakistan PM to fight poverty jointly. PM Modi also stressed that creating
trust and an environment free of violence and terrorism were essential for fostering
cooperation for peace, progress and prosperity in the region.

6. Pakistan is yet to respond like a normal neighbour. It has continued to sponsor

cross border terrorism against India; restrict normal trade, people to people exchanges
and connectivity with India. On 7 August 2019, Pakistan announced unilateral
measures, including downgrading of diplomatic relations, suspension of bilateral trade
and review of bilateral arrangements with India. Subsequently, Pakistan suspended all
bus and train services between India and Pakistan. India has rejected Pakistan’s
attempt to present an alarming picture of bilateral ties to the world by taking such
unilateral measures. India has urged Pakistan to review its unilateral actions in respect
of relations with India so that normal channels of diplomatic communications are
preserved.

Cross-border Terrorism

7. Terrorism emanating from territories under Pakistan's control remains a core

concern in bilateral relations. India has consistently stressed the need for Pakistan to
take credible, irreversible and verifiable action to end cross border terrorism against
India and fulfill its assurances, given to India at the highest level in January 2004 and
reiterated several times, that territory under its control would not be allowed to be used
for terrorism against India in any manner.

8. India has repeatedly called upon Pakistan to bring perpetrators of Mumbai terror
attacks to justice expeditiously. However, there has been no progress in the ongoing
trial of Mumbai terror attacks case in Pakistan even after all the evidence has been
shared with Pakistan side.

9. It has also been emphasised that India will continue to take firm and decisive
steps to protect its national security. Following the cross border terrorist attack on an
army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on 18 September 2016 and continued
incidents of terrorist infiltrations, the Indian Army conducted surgical strikes at various
terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control, based on specific and credible inputs,
and inflicted significant casualties to terrorists and those providing support to them.

10. Pulwama cross-border terror attack: In a heinous and despicable act of cross
border terror attack on the convey of Indian security forces in Pulwama, Jammu &
Kashmir on 14 February 2019, 40 security personnel were martyred. This terrorist act
was perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based and supported
terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries, which is led
by UN designated and internationally proscribed terrorist Masood Azhar.

11. Credible intelligence was received that JeM was attempting another suicide terror
attack in various parts of the country, and terrorists were being trained for this purpose.
In an intelligence led operation in the early hours of 26 February 2019, India carried out
a successful anti-terror pre-emptive air strike against a training camp of JeM in Balakot,
Pakistan.

12. Against this counter terrorism action, Pakistan on 27 February 2019 targeted
military installations on the Indian side by using its air force. Due to India’s high state of
readiness and alertness Pakistan’s attempts were foiled successfully.

Indus Waters Treaty

13. The 115th meeting of Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) was held on August
29-30, 2018 in Lahore. The Indian delegation was led by the Indian Commissioner for
Indus Water (ICIW), while the Pakistan delegation was led by Pakistan Commissioner
of Indus Water (PCIW). In the two days meeting both sides discussed Pakal Dul
Hydroelectric Power Project (HEP), Lower Kalnai HEP and reciprocal tours of
Inspection to both sides of the Indus basin. Subsequently, a delegation led by PCIW
inspected Pakal Dul, Lower Kalnai, Ratle and other hydropower projects in the Chenab
Basin in January 28-31, 2019.
People to People Relations

14. There are 275 Indians, including fishermen presently believed to be in Pakistan’s
custody. However, Pakistan has acknowledged the custody of 262 of them. As a result
of persistent efforts, India has been successful in securing the release and repatriation
of 2133 Indians, including fishermen, from Pakistan’s custody since 2014.

15. A delegation of fishermen’s representatives and officials from the State of Gujarat
visited Karachi in March 2015 for the release of 57 Indian fishing boats. Government of
India has persistently taken up the matter of release of 1100 Indian fishing boats
believed to be Pakistan custody.

16. In October 2017, India suggested to Pakistan to revive the mechanism of the
Joint Judicial Committee which looks into humanitarian issues of fishermen and
prisoners in each others custody. India has suggested to Pakistan to also address the
issue of mentally unsound prisoners. Pakistan responded positively, in principle, to the
proposal in March 2018. While India has reconstituted Judicial Committee and
proposed visit of a team of medical experts to examine mentally unsound prisoners,
Pakistan has not responded despite repeated reminders.

17. The visit to religious shrines between India and Pakistan is governed by the
Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines signed between India and Pakistan in
1974. The protocol provides for three Hindu pilgrimage and four Sikh pilgrimage every
year to visit 15 shrines in Pakistan while five Pakistan pilgrimage visit 7 shrines in India
Kartarpur Corridor

18. The Government of India on 22 November 2018 formally conveyed to the

Government of Pakistan that it would initiate the Kartarpur Corridor on the Indian side
and urged Pakistan to build a corridor with suitable facilities in its territory from the
international border to Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan to facilitate easier access
and smooth passage of Indian pilgrims throughout the year. The Government of
Pakistan on 22 November 2018 concurred to India’s proposal.

19. An Agreement between India and Pakistan for the facilitation of pilgrims to visit
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, Pakistan, was signed on 24 October 2019 in order
to fulfill the the long-standing demand of the pilgrims to have easy and smooth access
to the holy Gurudwara. The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Agreement, inter alia, provides for
visa-free travel of Indian pilgrims as well as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)
cardholders, from India to the holy Gurudwara in Pakistan on a daily basis, throughout
the year.

20. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kartarpur Sahib
Corridor on 9 November 2019 on the occasion of the 550th birth Anniversary of Guru
Nanak Dev Ji and flagged-off the first group of pilgrims to Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib.
Around 44,000 pilgrims have already visited the holy Gurudwara using the Kartarpur
Sahib Corridor since its inauguration.
 VISION IAS
[Link]

(Major Issues for G.S. Advance Batch : 2015)

India – China Relation

Table of Content

1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 2
2 PM Modi’s visit to China in 2015 ........................................................................................................... 2
3 Areas of Conflict .......................................................................................................................................... 3
4 Areas of Cooperation ................................................................................................................................. 5
5 Areas of Competition ................................................................................................................................. 6
6 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 8

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1 Introduction
 On 1 April, 1950, India became the first non-socialist bloc country to establish diplomatic relations with the
People’s Republic of China. Prime Minister Nehru visited China in October 1954. While, the India-
 China border conflict in 1962 was a serious setback to ties; Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s landmark visit in
1988 began a phase of improvement in bilateral relations. In 1993, the signing of an Agreement on the
 Maintenance of Peace and Tranquility along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the India-China Border
Areas during Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s visit reflected the growing stability and substance in bilateral
ties.
 India-China relations, though occasionally showing signs of peace and cooperation, have often been afflicted
by tension and mistrust. With the potential to make big contributions to regional peace and development,
these two Asian powers have, by design or accident, themselves been the sources of regional tension and
insecurity to some extent. Besides their internal dynamics, the interplay of interests and moves of their
neigbours, and several external powers would have significant bearing on the equation and relations
between them.

2 PM Modi’s visit to China in 2015

 The visit was rich in symbolism and substance and it opened up a new chapter in India-China relations. For
the first time, Chinese President Xi Jinping travelled outside Beijing to receive a foreign leader, in Xi’an in his
home province of Shaanxi.
 President Xi also accompanied Prime Minister to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and organized a grand welcome
ceremony at the Xi’an city wall.
 There were 24 agreements signed on the government-to-government side, 26 MoUs on the business-to-
business side and two joint statements, including one on climate change. The fact that India and China
could come up with over 50 outcome documents in just eight months reveals the huge potential that exists
between our two countries, as well as the efforts that we have made to elevate our partnership.
 They included such diverse fields as space cooperation, earthquake engineering, ocean sciences, mining,
railways, skill development, education, culture, Yoga, tourism and many more.
 Prime Minister interacted with 21 CEOs of leading Chinese companies and over 40 prominent Indian CEOs
attended the Business Forum along with their counterparts from China. The 26 business understandings
worth over US$ 22 billion signed at the Forum covered such varied sectors as industrial parks, renewable
energy, thermal energy, telecommunication, steel, capital goods, IT and media.
 There was, moreover, an action-oriented accord on broad-basing the bilateral partnership, as could be seen
from the range of agreements signed and in the establishment of new dialogue mechanisms, such as the one
between the DRC and the NITI Aayog and the Think Tanks’ Forum, besides a bilateral consultative
mechanism on WTO negotiations.
 Three new institutions were launched in partnership, the Centre for Gandhian and Indian Studies in
Shanghai, Yoga College in Kunming, and National Institute for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in
Ahmedabad.
 Both sides decided to establish new Consulates in each other’s country, in Chengdu and Chennai and to
expand our interactions at the sub-national level.
 Two agreements signed-one on cooperation between the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the
International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC and another on the establishment of a
State/Provincial Leaders’ Forum-reflect this understanding.
 A number of sister-city and sister-state relations agreements between: Karnataka and Sichuan, Chennai and
Chongqing, Hyderabad and Qingdao, Aurangabad and Dunhuang were also signed.
 Prime Minister also announced the extension of the e-visa facility to Chinese nationals wishing to travel to
India.

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3 Areas of Conflict
1. The biggest problem is of Tibet & Dalai Lama.
 This led to the first ever war between these two nations. China is very sensitive about the territorial
sovereignty and having Dalai Lama run a shadow government in India has historically been a major
irritator for them.
 India's support for the Dharamasala regime is a huge issue for China, but not even headline-worthy for
India.
2. Two border disputes
 One in a region called Aksai Chin and another in a region called Arunachal Pradesh. Both nations claim
both regions although China controls the former and India the latter. In both these places the geography
favors the current arrangement. With both nations nuclear armed, it is inconceivable for any solution
other than formalizing the status quo.
 When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited China in May 2015, one of his objectives was to persuade
the Chinese leadership to restart discussions on the clarification of the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
through the exchange of maps.
 The rationale for India’s demand was that, pending a final settlement of the border question, LAC
clarification would help ease border tensions. But the Chinese leadership was not enthusiastic about
India’s proposal. Instead, China called for a comprehensive ‘code of conduct’ for the forces deployed
along the border. Here, it is useful to remember that both LAC clarification and Confidence Building
Measures (CBMs) are part of the agreed principles in the 2005 agreement.
 This mismatch in desired outcomes was the main obstacle in the recent border talks, and it showed once
again India and China’s contrasting approaches to border negotiations at large.
 India’s reluctance to consider a ‘code of conduct’ suggests that it entertains reservations about agreeing
to restrictions on its plans for infrastructure development in the border region.
 Perhaps, this reluctance is because of two inferences. One, that the Chinese proposal is aimed at limiting
India’s military and infrastructure modernisation, and thereby enabling China to preserve its military
advantage in Tibet. And two, accepting the Chinese proposal could potentially curtail the ability to
effectively patrol and intercept PLA movements in territory claimed by India.
 The Indian position on the Sino-Pakistan understanding on Chinese activities in PoK has been consistent.
There are often debates in India-mostly episodic and lacking vigour-about Sino-Pakistan relations.
3. Domination of Indian Ocean
 China has been accused of pursuing strategic maneuvers on a well-thought out route encircling India in
the Indian Ocean.
 Beijing has been reaching out to
India’s neighbors on the premise of
development and trade, allegedly
recreating the Silk Route. From Nepal
in the south east to Myanmar,
Bangladesh to Sri Lanka in the south
and Pakistan in the west, China plans
to choke India diplomatically.
 There are diplomatic visits, courtesy
calls, exchange of gifts and promises
between Mr. Modi and the heads of
all of the surrounding countries, to
not just counter the Chinese
influence but also strengthen the
Indian presence.
4. Water issue:
 The dispute between India and china is mainly regarding the Brahmaputra River flowing through the two
countries.

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  The search for water resources in China and India has persistently been a source of tension between the
two countries.
 Chinese efforts to divert the water resources of the Brahmaputra River away from India will worsen a
situation that has remained tense since the 1962 Indo-China war.
 The melting glaciers in the Himalayas as a result of accelerating global climate change will have a
dramatic effect on this river’s water supply. This will increase water scarcity as well as the likelihood of
floods, impact agrarian livelihoods and strain the fragile equilibrium between the two Asian giants.
5. Pakistan factor:
 The longtime friendship between China and Pakistan, rooted in a time when both countries were deeply
mistrustful of India, has long made New Delhi nervous.
 The relationship has mainly gone one way, with China providing economic assistance and political
backing to Pakistan.
 Islamabad is also anxious for an alliance it can use to balance the growing economic and political clout of
India.
 But Pakistan also offers China a gateway to South Asia, Iran and the Arabian Sea, one of the economic
beltways that President Xi Jinping has sought to build through the region. Earlier this year, during a visit
to Islamabad, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China and Pakistan have an "all-weather
friendship."
6. South China Sea issue and India:
 China opposes India’s oil exploration in the SCS (which has been undertaken at Vietnam’s request) by
calling the area of exploration a ‘disputed’ area and asserting ‘Chinese sovereignty’ over the SCS in the
‘historical’ context.
 It has been continuously expressing its reservation in this regard in the last few years, and sometimes
quite belligerently at that. India has taken note of the Chinese reservation and has carefully gone ahead
in signing a few agreements with Vietnam for oil exploration in the SCS. These exploration fields are very
much within the maritime space under the actual control of Vietnam.
 But at the same time, China casually shrugs off the issue of India’s ‘sovereignty’ over POK in the
‘historical’ context. China is currently engaged on a variety of investment projects and infrastructural
building activities in Gilgit-Baltistan, and these will be expanded under the CPEC project.
 China further explains that the Sino-Pak understanding to implement CPEC through POK is based on a
range of bilateral agreements and understandings, including their 1963 Border Agreement.
7. Maritime Silk Route project: Impact on India:
 Beijing’s plan for a maritime infrastructure corridor in the broader Indo-Pacific region, first proposed by
President Xi Jinping’s during his trip to Southeast Asia in October 2013, has attracted attention because
of its potential to establish a Chinese foothold in the Indian Ocean. Needless to say, China’s outreach to
India - inviting it to join the project - has generated much analytical curiosity.
 The first thing of interest about the MSR is that it was initially mooted as an ASEAN-centered project.
The intention then was to enhance connectivity and cultural links in China’s strategic backyard-the South
China Sea.
 Beijing later expanded the scope of the project to include the Indian Ocean, but in reaching out to
Colombo and New Delhi, it found a willing partner only in the former. India has been ambivalent about
the MSR and is yet to make up its mind on joining the project.
 The problem with the MSR, essentially, is the ‘opaque’ nature of its proposal. Outwardly, the project is
about the development of massive maritime infrastructure and connectivity in the Indian Ocean and
the Western Pacific. Beijing has been careful to project the MSR as an exclusively commercial venture,
trying hard to dispel any impressions of it being a cover for maritime military bases. Surprisingly,
however, China has released no details about the project, and this makes many countries doubt Beijing’s
strategic intentions.

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  The lack of specifics not only makes it hard to decipher the MSR’s real purpose, it gives credence to
suspicions of geopolitical game play by China. Indeed, for a project being touted as a critical enabler of
regional sea-connectivity,
Chinese planners would
have spent much time and
effort developing the fine-
print. The lack of firm plans,
proposals and timelines then
does lead to a suspicion that
there may be something
about the MSR that Beijing is
hesitant to reveal quickly.
 The MSR’s essential
rationale is the leveraging of
Chinese soft-power. The aim
apparently is to shore-up
China’s image as a benevolent state. Beijing’s would also conceivably use the project’s commercial
investments to establish its legitimate interests in the Indian Ocean. And while China can be expected to
do everything in its power to force region states to join the project - including offering economic aid to
potential partners - the bottom-line for it will be to make an offer to India that is hard to refuse.
 For India, it is instructive that the sales pitch of shared economic gains does not conceal the MSR’s real
purpose: ensuring the security of sea lines of communications (SLOCs) in the Indian and Pacific oceans.
Since African resources are China’s focus right now, the project could well be a surrogate for a giant
Chinese SLOC running all the way from the East African coast, to the Southern coast of China – created,
maintained and controlled by Beijing. In its ultimate form, therefore, the MSR could end up setting up
Chinese logistical hubs in the Indian Ocean, linking up already existing string of pearls.
 India’s appreciation of the MSR must be based on an objective appraisal of these new realities. Even
assuming the project delivers on its economic promise, it could well turn out to be detrimental to India’s
geopolitical interests in the IOR.
 As Beijing becomes more involved in building infrastructure in the Indian Ocean, it will play a larger part
in the security and governance of the IOR, which could pose a challenge to India’s stature as a ‘security
provider’ in the region and also adversely affecting New Delhi’s strategic purchase in its primary area of
interest.

4 Areas of Cooperation
 Despite their rivalries, the two countries have played up their cultural links-such as the importation of
Buddhism into China by wandering Chinese monks more than 1,500 years ago-and have found ample room
for economic cooperation.
 Both are members of the BRICS grouping of emerging economies, which is now establishing a formal lending
arm, the New Development Bank, to be based in China's financial hub of Shanghai and to be headed by a
senior Indian banker.
 India also was a founding member of the China-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which plans
to be formally established by year's end and seeks to emulate institutions such as the World Bank and
International Monetary Fund.
 Educational areas: India and China signed Education Exchange Programme (EEP) in 2006, which is an
umbrella agreement for educational cooperation between the two countries. Under this agreement,
government scholarships are awarded to 25 students, by both sides, in recognized institutions of higher
learning in each other’s country. The 25 scholarships awarded by India are offered by Indian Council for
Cultural Relations (ICCR).

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Trade cooperation:
 Two countries have shown tremendous economic growth. Change in the dynamics of the global economy
has provided the opportunity to both countries to cooperate on wider scale.
 China and India are the major trading partners in the region. During the last decade, bilateral trade has
increased notably. In 2014, the trade between China and India exceeded over $65 billion mark. According to
the Trade Map figures, in 2013, China accounted for 11.1 percent of India's imports, while 4.1 percent of
India exports were destined for China. Chinese exports to India are mainly comprised of electric and
electronic equipment, organic chemical, fertilizers and furniture. On the other side, China's imports from
India chiefly consist of cotton, pearls, precious stones, copper ores, slag and ash.
 Bilateral trade has expanded substantially in recent years. Nevertheless, the balance of trade still remains in
China's favor. Following table summarizes the latest trends in trade between China and India.

Source: China India Trade and Investment Center

 Though, compared to the past, the economic cooperation between the two countries has accelerated.
However, there are still enormous opportunities that have not been exploited in such fields as
manufacturing, construction, electricity, gas and water industries, infrastructure (such as, roads, buildings,
transportation, storage and communication), hotels and tourism, financial institutions, agriculture,
healthcare, education and the various training sectors.
 China and India have synergies in many areas. China has wide experience and expertise in the field of
construction industry. Due to its international recognition, Chinese firms have been successful in creating
infrastructure base for many countries. India could utilize Chinese expertise in the development of its high-
speed railway network, metro lines and other infrastructure facilities.
 While the sides are seeking to expand bilateral trade to $100 billion this year, China exports far more than it
imports, something Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi hopes to alter with increased market access for
Indian goods and services.

5 Areas of Competition
Competition in Africa:
 The rapid economic growth experienced by China and India has resulted in an increase in competition for
global resources and investment opportunities. Unsurprisingly, the abundance of natural resources in Africa
has made the continent a hotspot for Chinese and Indian economic activity.
 This growing Sino-Indian involvement has been economically beneficial and has resulted in widespread
investment and development, with African leaders welcoming the competition.
 Africa is now the latest front in an increasingly global competition between India and China for new markets,
agricultural land and access to natural resources.
 While Western media and politicians have reacted with varying degrees of alarm over the surge of Chinese
trade and investment in Africa, Indian companies have been quietly building their presence on the continent.
 As China drives deeper into what many Indians consider their sphere of influence in South Asia, Africa offers
an ideal opportunity for Indian firms to challenge China’s growing influence in the region.

6 [Link] ©Vision IAS

 For many Indians, particularly in certain political circles and on the blogosphere, competition with China is
presented in a classical real politik paradigm.
 The headlines misleadingly frame the issue in terms of win/loss or even as a “race” between the two
countries. Although it may be compelling, even somewhat entertaining, to draw on 19th century colonial
cliches (e.g. the Scramble for Africa or the Great Game) it is entirely misleading as both the Indians and
Chinese are employing radically different strategies in Africa than earlier European powers.
 Ironically, the enhanced competition among Chinese and Indian companies will most directly affect
European and American firms who are rapidly being shut out of Africa’s emerging markets.
 While China’s aggressive economic approach has caused it to achieve more influence in Africa than any
other country, its dominance is slowly being impeded by India’s growing involvement in the region. India
has focussed on emphasising its cultural and historical ties to enhance the development of its trade relations
with resource-rich countries like Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Sudan.
 The success of India’s soft power strategy has been evident in countries like Sudan, where Indian
corporations have attained near complete control of the local oil and natural gas industry.
 The same trend is occurring in Zimbabwe where China’s dominance in the energy and resource sectors is
being challenged by private and state-owned Indian enterprises.
 The US$ 4 billion takeover of Zimbabwean steelmaker Zicosteel, by India’s Essar Group, was hailed by the
Zimbabwean Government as the largest foreign direct investment deal in Zimbabwe in recent decades.
 Competition for the takeover was intense, as various Chinese corporations challenged the Essar Group’s bid.
 The incident has been viewed by some as a reflection of the intense rivalry developing between China and
India, and while China continues to dominate African markets, the success of India’s economic strategies has
raised uncertainty towards China’s future economic dominance in the region.
Competition in foreign policy
 China and India are still strategic rivals despite their increased economic cooperation.
 Alongside the U.S., Japan, and Australia, India is also seen as one of the major actors that have an interest in
offsetting China’s dominance over Asia.
 That India and China came to be known as fellow members of the BRICS does not suffice by itself to reverse
the two giants’ inherent tendency towards taking sides with rival groupings which are once again beginning
to overwhelm Asia’s strategic environment.
 Moreover, New Delhi set its permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a
primary national goal in the name of being recognized as a great power on a global scale. In contrast, China
pioneers the opposition bloc which stands firmly against any attempts to reform the UNSC because such
would mean including not only India but Japan and several other countries in the Council as well.
 The two countries’ strategic interests in South Asia are also mutually exclusive.
 China maintains intimate ties with Pakistan, with high-level defense cooperation at the core thereof, a
reality that deeply disturbs India as might be expected.
 On the other hand, Beijing feels extremely uncomfortable with India’s hosting of the Tibetan opposition.
China even fears that India might still be supportive of Tibet’s independence.
 Likewise, there is a heated rivalry between Beijing and New Delhi for influence over Bangladesh, Myanmar,
Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
 New Delhi shapes its foreign policy in tandem with the West, backing Myanmar’s opening to the rest of the
world as well as its related democratization project.
 However, Beijing believes one of the essential motivations behind such a policy is to detach Myanmar from
China’s larger zone of influence.

7 [Link] ©Vision IAS

6 Conclusion
 It seems that while an urge for closer cooperation motivates enhanced economic affairs between New Delhi
and Beijing, competition is still what marks their bilateral diplomatic relations.
 The diplomatic rivalry in question is not limited to strategic concerns, but is further fueled by a chronic
border dispute.
 On the other hand, neither Beijing nor New Delhi can afford to turn a blind eye to the huge benefits that
intense economic cooperation can potentially bring about.
 Therefore both countries are trying to capitalize on mutual economic benefits while working hard to contain
political frictions within manageable limits.

Copyright © by Vision IAS

All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without prior permission of Vision IAS

8 [Link] ©Vision IAS

India-Nepal Relations
[Link]/printpdf/india-nepal-relations

Why in News?
Recently Cabinet approved ₹1236 crore investments for Arun-3 hydro project.
The project will provide surplus power to India's strengthening economic linkages with
Nepal.

Historical Ties
Nepal is an important neighbour of India and occupies special significance in its
foreign policy because of the geographic, historical, cultural and economic
linkages/ties that span centuries.
India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of Hinduism and Buddhism with Buddha’s
birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal.
The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of
people, but they also have close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly
known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta.
The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 forms the bedrock of the
special relations that exist between India and Nepal.

Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950

The treaty talks about reciprocal treatment of Indian and Nepali citizens in the two
countries, in residence, property, business and movement.
It also establishes national treatment for both Indian and Nepalese businesses (ie
once imported, foreign goods would be treated no differently than domestic goods).
It also gives Nepal access to weaponry from India.

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Importance of Nepal

Nepal shares border with 5 Indian states- Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal,
Sikkim and Bihar. Hence an important point of cultural and economic exchange.
Importance for India can be studied from two different angles: a) their strategic
importance for India’s national security; and b) their place in India’s role perception in
international politics.
Nepal is right in the middle of India’s ‘Himalayan frontiers’, and along with Bhutan it
acts as northern ‘borderland’ flanks and acts as buffer states against any possible
aggression from China.
Rivers originating in Nepal feed the perennial river systems of India in terms of
ecology and hydropower potential.
Many Hindu and Buddhist religious sites are in Nepal making it an important pilgrim
site for large number of Indians.

Areas of Cooperation
Trade and economy
India is Nepal’s largest trade partner and the largest source of foreign
investments, besides providing transit for almost the entire third country trade
of Nepal.
Indian firms engage in manufacturing, services (banking, insurance, dry port),
power sector and tourism industries etc.

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Connectivity
Nepal being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by India from three sides and
one side is open towards Tibet which has very limited vehicular access.
India-Nepal has undertaken various connectivity programs to enhance people-
to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development.
MOUs have been signed between both the governments for laying electric rail
track linking Kathmandu with Raxaul in India.
India is looking to develop the inland waterways for the movement of cargo,
within the framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional
access to sea for Nepal calling it linking Sagarmath (Mt. Everest) with Sagar
(Indian Ocean).
Development Assistance
Government of India provides development assistance to Nepal, focusing on
creation of infrastructure at the grass-root level.
The areas assistance include infrastructure, health, water resources, and
education and rural & community development.
Defence Cooperation
Bilateral defence cooperation includes assistance to Nepalese Army in its
modernization through provision of equipment and training.
The Gorkha Regiments of the Indian Army are raised partly by recruitment from
hill districts of Nepal.
India from 2011, every year undertakes joint military exercise with Nepal known
as Surya Kiran.
Cultural
There have been initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts in the area of
art & culture, academics and media with different local bodies of Nepal.
India has signed three sister-city agreements for twinning of Kathmandu-
Varanasi, Lumbini-Bodhgaya and Janakpur-Ayodhya.
Humanitarian Assistance
Nepal lies in sensitive ecological fragile zone which is prone to earthquakes,
floods causing massive damage to both life and money, whereby it remains the
biggest recipient of India’s humanitarian assistance.
Indian Community
Huge number of Indians lives in Nepal, these include businessmen, traders,
doctors, engineers and labourers (including seasonal/migratory in the
construction sector).
Multilateral Partnership
India and Nepal shares multiple multilateral forums such as BBIN (Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, and Nepal), BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral
Technical and Economic Cooperation) NAM, and SAARC (South Asian Association
for Regional Cooperation) etc.

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Challenges
Internal Security is a major concern for India; Indo-Nepal border is virtually open and
lightly policed which is exploited by terrorist outfits and insurgent groups from North
Eastern part of India eg. supply of trained cadres, fake Indian currency.
Overtime trust deficit has widened between India-Nepal because of the Indian
reputation for delaying implementation of various projects.
Nepal over the years has witnessed chronic political instability, including a 10-year
violent insurgency, damaging Nepal’s development and economy.
There is anti-India feeling among certain ethnic groups in Nepal which emanates from
the perception that India indulges too much in Nepal and tinkers with their political
sovereignty.
The establishment of diplomatic relations between Nepal and China and its growing
influence in Nepal has resulted in declining traditional leverage of India in Nepal.

Way Forward
Both the countries are affected due to the misuse of open border by internal and
external forces, the responsibility of border management and regulation depends on
both.
India should provide an alternative narrative for India-Nepal ties, one that takes into
account longstanding people-to-people ties and cultural connect.
India should focus on fructifying the potential of hydropower cooperation, which has
remained untapped largely due to differing perceptions.
India should maintain the policy of keeping away from internal affairs of Nepal,
meanwhile in the spirit of friendship India should guide the nation towards more
inclusive rhetoric.
With its immense strategic relevance in the Indian context as Indian security concern,
stable and secure Nepal is one requisite which India can’t afford to overlook.

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Why in News

Recently, the US intelligence reports said the tension on the Russia-Ukraine border represents a major
security crisis for the region, with the potential to snowball into a broader conflict.

Ukraine says that Russia has amassed around 90,000 troops at the border.

//

Key Points

Background:

Ukraine and Russia share hundreds of years of cultural, linguistic and familial links.

For many in Russia and in the ethnically Russian parts of Ukraine, the shared
heritage of the countries is an emotional issue that has been exploited for
electoral and military purposes.
As part of the Soviet Union, Ukraine was the second-most powerful Soviet republic
after Russia, and was crucial strategically, economically and culturally.
Cause of Conflict:

Balance of Power: Ever since Ukraine split from the Soviet Union, both Russia and the
West have vied for greater influence in the country in order to keep the balance of power in
the region in their favour.
Buffer Zone for Western Countries: For the US and the European Union, Ukraine is a
crucial buffer between Russia and the West.

As tensions with Russia rise, the US and the EU are increasingly determined to keep
Ukraine away from Russian control.
 Russian Interest in Black Sea: The unique geography of the Black Sea region
confers several geopolitical advantages to Russia.

Firstly, it is an important crossroads and strategic intersection for the entire

region.
Access to the Black Sea is vital for all littoral and neighboring states, and
greatly enhances the projection of power into several adjacent regions.
Secondly, the region is an important transit corridor for goods and energy.
Protests in Ukraine:

Euromaidan Movement: Euromaidan (European Square) was a wave of

demonstrations and civil unrest in Ukraine, which began in November 2013 with
public protests in Maidan Nezalezhnosti ("Independence Square") in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The protests were sparked by the Ukrainian government's decision to

suspend the signing of an association agreement with the European Union,
instead choosing closer ties to Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union.
Separatist Movement: The Donbass region (the Donetsk and Luhansk regions) of eastern
Ukraine has been facing a pro-Russian separatist movement since 2014.

According to the Ukrainian government, the movement is actively supported by the

Russian government and Russian paramilitaries make up between 15% to 80% of
the separatists fighting against the Ukraine government.
Invasion of Crimea:

Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in what was the first time a European
country annexed territory from another country since World War-2.
The annexation of Crimea from Ukraine followed a Russian military intervention
in Crimea that took place in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution and
was part of wider unrest across southern and eastern Ukraine.
The invasion and subsequent annexation of Crimea have given Russia a maritime
upperhand in the region.
Ukrain’s NATO Membership: Ukraine has urged the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) to speed up his country’s membership in the alliance.

Russia has declared such a move a “red line”, and worried about the
consequences of the US-led military alliances expanding right up to its doorstep.
The Black Sea is bordered by Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and
Ukraine. All these countries are NATO countries.
Due to this faceoff between NATO countries and Russia, the Balck sea is a region of
strategic importance & a potential maritime flashpoint.
Minsk Agreements:

Minsk I: Ukraine and the Russian-backed separatists agreed a 12-point ceasefire deal
in the capital of Belarus in September 2014.

Its provisions included prisoner exchanges, deliveries of humanitarian aid and the
withdrawal of heavy weapons.
The agreement quickly broke down, with violations by both sides.
Minsk II: In 2015, an open conflict was averted after the ‘Minsk II’ peace agreement was
signed, under the mediation of France and Germany.

It was designed to end the fighting in the rebel regions and hand over the
border to Ukraine’s national troops.
It was signed by Representatives of Russia, Ukraine, the Organisation for
Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the leaders of two pro-Russian
separatist regions.

OSCE is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental

 organisation. Its mandate includes issues such as arms control, promotion of
human rights, freedom of the press, and fair elections.
Current Situation:

Russia is seeking assurances from the US that Ukraine will not be inducted into
NATO. However, the US is not prepared to give any such assurance.

This has left the countries in a stand-off, with tens of thousands of Russian troops
ready to invade Ukraine.
Russia is keeping the tensions high at the Ukraine border in order to get sanctions
relief and other concessions from the West.
Any kind of military action by the US or EU against Russia would precipitate a major
crisis for the whole world, and has so far not been mooted by any of the parties
involved.
India’s Stand:

India did not join the Western powers’ condemnation of Russia’s intervention in
Crimea and kept a low profile on the issue.
In November 2020, India voted against a Ukraine-sponsored resolution in the
United Nations (UN) that condemned alleged human rights violations in Crimea thereby
backing old ally Russia on the issue.

Black Sea

The Black Sea is located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
It is surrounded by the Pontic, Caucasus, and Crimean Mountains in the south, east and north
respectively.
The Black Sea is also connected to the Sea of Azov by the Strait of Kerch.
The Turkish straits system - the Dardanelles, Bosporus and Marmara Sea - forms a transitional
zone between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Bordering countries of Black Sea are: Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania.
There is a significant absence of oxygen in the water (anoxic waters).

Way Forward

A practical solution for the situation is to revive the Minsk peace process. Therefore the West (US
and Other western Countries) should push both sides to resume talks and live up to their
commitments as per the Minsk agreement to restore relative peace on the border.

Source: IE

PDF Refernece URL: [Link]

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 LIBRARY
India -Bhutan relations
Diplomatic relations between India and Bhutan were established in 1968 with the
establishment of a Special Office of India in Thimphu. The basic framework of India-
Bhutan bilateral relations was the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1949
between the two countries, which was revised in February 2007.

2. The traditionally unique bilateral relations, characterized by trust and understanding,

have been sustained by a tradition of regular high level visits between the two
countries. India was the first country of visit (27-29 December 2018) by the newly elected
Prime Minister Lotay Tshering (PMLT) after the Bhutanese elections. PMLT again visited
India on 30-31 May 2019 to attend the swearing-in of the newly elected Indian government.
His Majesty The King of Bhutan visited India on 17 August 2018 to attend the state funeral
of the former Indian PM Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Around 40 high-level visits have
taken place between India and Bhutan since 2014.

3. Bhutan was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first overseas visit shortly after
becoming the Prime Minister of India post the 2014 General Elections. Shortly after
his re- election in 2019, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi undertook a State Visit to
Bhutan on 17-18 August 2019, during which he met His Majesty the King, the Fourth King
and the Prime Minister of Bhutan and comprehensively reviewed all aspects of the bilateral
[Link] Modi and Prime Minister Lotay Tshering (PMLT) expressed satisfaction at
the excellent state of bilateral ties, which are based on mutual trust and respect, and
underpinned by shared historical, cultural, economic, developmental and people-to-people
linkages.

Assistance during the Covid-19 Pandemic

4. Bhutan was the first country to receive the Made in India Covishield vaccines
under Ministry of External Affairs Vaccine Maitri Initiative. The first consignment of 150,000
vaccines
was gifted on January 20, 2021. On March 22, 2021, the Government of India (GoI)
gifted a second consignment of 400,000 doses of the ‘Made in India’ COVID-19 vaccine
to the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) in keeping with the uniquely close and
friendly relations between both [Link] Government of India has handed over a
total of 13 consignments of medical supplies, one portable X-Ray machine, essential
medicines and medical equipment in addition to the vaccine consignments to strengthen
Bhutan’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent consignment
containing 6 units of portable digital x-ray machines was handed over on May 3, 2021.

Developmental cooperation
5. Over the past decades, India has contributed significantly to the socio-economic
development of Bhutan while respecting the priorities and needs of the Government of
Bhutan and the people of Bhutan. In the 12th FYP (November 2018-October 2023), the
total budget outlay of Bhutan is estimated at Nu.31000 crores, of which GoI has
committed for assistance of Nu.4500 crores, which is at the same level as the 11th FYP.

Hydro-power cooperation
6. Hydro power cooperation is the most important symbol of the symbiotic
cooperation between the two countries. Till date Government of India (GoI) has
constructed four major hydro-electric projects (HEPs) in Bhutan totaling 2136 MW,
including 336 MW Chukha HEP,
60 MW Kuricchu HEP, 1020 MW Tala HEP and the recently commissioned 720 MW
Mangdechhu HEP. Currently, there are two IG Model HEPs under construction viz.
1200 MW Punatsangchhu–I HEP and 1020 MW Punatsangchhu–II HEP. The
Concession Agreement for the Kholongchu project in East Bhutan was signed in June
2020 and the project is expected to be complete in 2026.

Cooperation in New and Emerging Areas

7. Space cooperation is a new and promising area of bilateral cooperation. Pursuant
to the India-Bhutan Joint Statement of the state visit of the Prime Minister of India to
Bhutan in August 2019 where both India and Bhutan agreed to collaborate on the joint
development of a small satellite for Bhutan and the Memorandum of Understanding
between India and Bhutan on
cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space signed on November 19, 2020, ISRO
and Department of Information and Technology (DITT) are currently collaborating on the
joint development of a small satellite for Bhutan with the intention of sharing knowledge
on building and operating a small satellite.

8. Fin-tech is another new domain of collaboration between India and Bhutan.

In November 2019, India launched the first phase of the RuPay project in Bhutan which
allowed Indian tourists to make cashless payments at ATMs and POS terminals in
Bhutan. November 2020 witnessed the virtual launch of the Phase II of the RuPay Card
which will allow Bhutanese banks to issue Rupay cards that can be used across the
length and breadth of India, thus completing the full inter-operability of the flagship
digital project.

Commerce and Trade

9. India has consistently been Bhutan’s top trading partner. In the last five years (2015-
19), India’s trade with Bhutan increased by over 50% from USD 750 million in 2015-16
to USD 1144 million in 2019-20, accounting for over 85% of Bhutan’s total trade, with
the balance of trade in India’s favour. The trade between the two countries is governed
by the India-Bhutan Trade and Transit Agreement of 1972 which was last renewed in
November 2016, and which establishes a free-trade regime between the two countries.
The Agreement also provides for duty- free transit of Bhutanese exports to third
countries. India is also the leading source of investments in Bhutan.

Education
10. Many Bhutanese students benefit from scholarships provided by the GOI for
study in Indian universities. In addition, many Bhutanese youth also enrol as self-
financed students in Indian universities. It is estimated that approximately 4000
Bhutanese are studying in Indian Universities at any time.

11. The current offers from India to Bhutan in terms of Scholarship Schemes such as
the well- known Ambassador’s Scholarship, prestigious Nehru Wangchuck Scholarship,
Five-Year Plan project-tied assistance based Undergraduate Scholarship, Nalanda
University Scholarship and
other scholarships such as ICCR Undergraduate Engineering scholarships, AYUSH
scholarships, AYUSH(BIMSTEC) scholarships and SAARC scholarships have provided
a strong foundation to the bilateral engagement in education. About 1000 Bhutanese
students studying in Indian colleges and institutes benefit from the award of the
Ambassador’s Scholarship every year, which was first instituted in 2001.

Cultural and Buddhist links

12. A number of Bhutanese pilgrims travel to Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sikkim,
Udayagiri, and other Buddhist sites in India. As a part of the 50 th anniversary celebration
of diplomatic relations, GOI sponsored a visit by 18 Lam Netens (Buddhist monks) and
representative of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan to India. His Holiness the Je
Khenpo (the head monk of Bhutan) visited Rajgir in November 2018 to preside over the
Salang or ground breaking ceremony to construct a Bhutanese Lhakhang (temple) and
for World Peace Prayer in Rajgir in Bihar.

13. The Zhabdrung Statue, currently on exhibition at the Simtokha Dzong in

Bhutan, has been loaned by the Asiatic Society, Kolkata to the Royal Government of
Bhutan. (Dharma Raja or Zhabdrung, is the title of Ngawang Namgyal, a 16 th century
Buddhist monk – a revered figure in Bhutan, regarded as the founder of the modern
nation state of Bhutan). On June 19, 2021, a subtle smiling 3.3 feet tall bronze cast
statue of Lord Buddha in a lotus pose, weighing approximately 200 kgs, was handed
over the Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji. On June 20, 2021, coinciding with the birth
anniversary of Guru Padmasabhava, the statue was consecrated and enshrined in the
sacred Kuenrey of the Tashichodzong.

Indians working in Bhutan

14. It is difficult to estimate the number of Indian nationals in Bhutan at any time,
since many of them are short-term contract labourers working on specific construction
projects. Some Indian daily-workers also enter and exit Bhutan every day in the border
towns, in a sign of the close economic inter-dependence between both countries.
India - Ukraine
[Link]/printpdf/india-ukraine

Why in News
Recently, Ukraine has shown interest to procure some military hardware from India in
addition to efforts to deepen its presence in the Indian defence market.

It is in sync with Indian defence sector reforms and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
which includes making India self reliant in defence manufacturing.

Key Points
About:
Ukraine has signed four agreements worth USD 70 million which includes sale of
new weapons as well as maintenance and upgrades of existing ones (R-27 air-
to-air missiles) in service with the Indian armed forces.
Ukraine also showed its intent to sell India its AN-178 medium transport
aircraft.
Ukraine is currently upgrading the AN-32 transport fleet of the Indian Air
Force (IAF) under a deal finalised in 2009.
The Ukraine team also held discussions with the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) and looked at possible collaborations in
research and development.

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 India-Ukraine Relations:
Diplomatic Relations:
Immediately after the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Government of India
recognized the Republic of Ukraine as a sovereign independent
country in December 1991.
The Embassy of India in Kyiv was established in May 1992 and Ukraine
opened its Mission in New Delhi in February 1993.
India and Ukraine enjoy warm and friendly relations and cooperate in areas
like Education, Mutual Legal Assistance and Outer Space cooperation.
Defence Relations:
Ukraine has been a source of military technology and equipment for
India since its independence.
Ukraine manufactures the R-27 air-to-air missiles which are in use
by the IAF on its SU-30MKI fighters.
Now, India is also supplying its weapons to Ukraine to enhance defence
cooperation between the two countries.
Trade:
India is Ukraine’s largest export destination in the Asia-Pacific and the
fifth largest overall export destination.
Pharmaceuticals account for the majority of Indian exports to Ukraine.
Culture:
There are more than 30 Ukrainian cultural associations/groups spread
across the country, engaged in promoting Indian dances.
There are about 18,000 Indian students studying in Ukraine, mainly in the
field of medicine. Indian business professionals work predominantly in the
fields of pharmaceuticals, IT, engineering, medicine, education, etc.
Challenges:
The rift between Russia and Ukraine, which burst out into armed combat
when Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, has
created a potential dilemma for India.
Recently, a Russian press release has objected to the overhaul in Ukraine
of military equipment built and sold by Russia.
Russia has begun objecting to customers dealing with Ukraine.
The potential for trouble with Russia exists because the Indian Air
Force (IAF) is currently collaborating with Ukraine to overhaul its fleet
of AN-32s.

Ukraine

Location:
Ukraine, a country located in eastern Europe. The capital is Kyiv (Kiev), located
on the Dnieper River in north-central Ukraine.

2/3
 Surrounding Countries and Seas:
Ukraine is bordered by Belarus to the north, Russia to the east, the Sea of Azov
and the Black Sea to the south, Moldova and Romania to the southwest, and
Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland to the west.
In the far southeast, Ukraine is separated from Russia by the Kerch Strait, which
connects the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea.
History:
With the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. (the Soviet Union) in December 1991,
Ukraine gained full independence.
The country changed its official name to Ukraine, and it helped to found the
Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an association of countries that
were formerly republics of the Soviet Union.
Recent Issues:
Recently, Ukraine got at loggerheads with Russia over the occupation of
Crimean peninsula by Russia.
In June 2020, Ukraine became ‘Enhanced Opportunity Partners’ under the
Partnership Interoperability Initiative of North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO).
Ukraine is also seeking European Union and NATO membership, a move that
could obstruct attempts to resolve other tensions with Russia.

Source:TH

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India-Maldives Relations
[Link]/printpdf/india-maldives-relations

This article is based on “Strategic comfort’ with the Maldives” which was published
in The Hindu on 09/11/2020. It talks about the relations between India and Maldives.

Maldives holds strategic importance for India under the Modi government’s
‘Neighbourhood First’ policy due to its location in the Indian Ocean. However, the
relations between the two countries was strained under the pro-China regime of their
former President Abdulla Yameen.

This can be reflected in the recent ‘India Out’ campaign led by Abdulla Yameen, against
India’s massive developmental funding for creating physical, social and community
infrastructure, and incumbent President Solih’s government retaining two India-gifted
helicopters and their operational military personnel.

While India-Maldives relations have always been close, cordial and multi-dimensional,
recent regime instability in the Maldives has posed some limitations, especially in the
political & strategic arena . Therefore, the main challenge to India’s diplomacy is balancing
out all these contradictions into harmonious relations.

Geo-Strategic Importance of Maldives to India

Despite being the smallest Asian country with a land area, Maldives is one of the world’s
most geographically dispersed countries straddling a 960-km-long submarine ridge
running north to south and which forms a wall in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Its
strategic location defines the geo-strategic importance of Maldives far beyond its physical
size, which can be reflected as the following:

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 Maldives, a Toll Gate in Indian Ocean: Located at the southern and northern
parts of this island chain lies the two important sea lanes of communication (SLOCs).
These SLOCs are critical for maritime trade flow between the Gulf of Aden and
Gulf of Hormuz in West Asia and the Strait of Malacca in Southeast Asia.
While the Indian Ocean is considered as the key highway for global trade and
energy flow, Maldives virtually stands as a toll gate.
While SLOCs in the vicinity of the Maldives have broader strategic significance
for global maritime trade, these are of vital importance for India since nearly
50% of India’s external trade and 80% of her energy imports transit these
westward SLOCs in the Arabian Sea.
Increasing Maritime Activity: As maritime economic activity in the Indian Ocean
has risen dramatically in recent decades, the geopolitical competition too in the
Indian Ocean has intensified.
Due to this, China’s strategic interests and logistical limitations in the Indian
Ocean have prompted it to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean.
India’s Strategic Priority: A favourable and positive maritime environment in the
Indian Ocean is essential for the fulfilment of India’s Strategic priority.
Thus, India continuously aims at promoting an ever-expanding area of peace
and stability around it.
In addition, Maldives is an important partner in India’s role as the net security
provider in the Indian Ocean Region.

Cooperation Between India & Maldives

Security Cooperation: Through the decades, India has rushed emergency
assistance to the Maldives, whenever sought.
In 1988, when armed mercenaries attempted a coup against President
Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, India sent paratroopers and Navy vessels and
restored the legitimate leadership under Operation Cactus.
Further, joint naval exercises have been conducted in the Indian ocean and
India still contributes to the security of the maritime island.
Disaster Management: The 2004 tsunami and the drinking water crisis in Male a
decade later were other occasions when India rushed assistance.
At the peak of the continuing COVID-19 disruption, the Maldives has been the
biggest beneficiary of the Covid-19 assistance given by India among its all of
India’s neighbouring countries.
When the world supply chains were blocked because of the pandemic, India
continued to provide crucial commodities to the Maldives under Mission
SAGAR.

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 People To People Contact: Technology has made connectivity easier for everyday
contact and exchanges. Maldivian students attend educational institutions in India
and patients fly here for superspeciality healthcare, aided by a liberal visa-free regime
extended by India.
Economic Cooperation: Tourism is the mainstay of Maldivian economy. The
country is now a major tourist destination for some Indians and a job destination for
others.
Given the geographical limitations imposed on the Maldives, India has
exempted the nation from export curbs on essential commodities.

Irritants in Relations
Political Instability: India’s major concern has been the impact of political
instability in the neighbourhood on its security and development.
The February 2015 arrest of opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed on terrorism
charges and the consequent political crisis have posed a real diplomatic test for
India’s neighbourhood policy.
Radicalisation: In the past decade or so, the number of Maldivians drawn towards
terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS) and Pakistan-based madrassas and jihadist
groups has been increasing.
Political instability and socio-economic uncertainty are the main drivers
fuelling the rise of Islamist radicalism in the island nation.
Events in West Asia, Afghanistan and Pakistan have also influenced Maldivian
radicalisation.
This gives rise to the possibility of Pakistan based terror groups using remote
Maldivian islands as a launch pad for terror attacks against India and Indian
interests.
Further, India's concern is regarding how radical Islamist forces have been
gaining political influence in the neighbourhood.
China Angle: China’s strategic footprint in India’s neighbourhood has increased.
The Maldives has emerged as an important 'pearl' in China’s “String of Pearls”
construct in South Asia.
Given the Maldives's strategic location in the Indian Ocean, there are
speculations about China trying to develop strategic bases in the archipelago.
Given the uncertain dynamics of Sino-Indian relation, China’s potential
strategic presence in Maldives remains a concern.
Also, the Maldives have started using the China card to bargain with India.

Conclusion

3/4
In accordance with the “Neighbourhood First” policy of the government, India remains a
committed development partner for a stable, prosperous and peaceful Maldives. However,
for adherence of strategic comfort in relations, Maldives on its part should abide by its
India First’ policy.

Drishti Mains Question

Maldives holds strategic importance for India under ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy due to
its location in the Indian Ocean. Discuss.

This editorial is based on “No fireworks: On NGT ban on sale and use of
firecrackers” which was published in The Hindu on November 10 th, 2020. Now watch
this on our Youtube channel.

4/4
India-Israel Relations
For Prelims: India-Israel Relations, CSIR, AI, Sustainable Energy, FTA, I4F, AWACS, ISA, Abrahm
Accords.

For Mains: India-Israel Relations.

Why in News?

Recently, India’s Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Israel’s Defense Research
and Development (DDR&D) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Research
and Development Cooperation.

//
What are the Key Highlights of the MoU?

It aims to work together on research and development projects in various fields such as
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum and semiconductors, synthetic biology, Sustainable
Energy, Healthcare, and Agriculture. They will focus on implementing specific projects in
mutually agreeable areas.
The collaboration will include important industrial sectors such as aerospace, chemicals, and
infrastructure.
The MoU will be monitored by a Joint Steering Committee led by the heads of the CSIR and
DDR&D for taking forward mutually benefiting Industrial and technology cooperation.

How has the India-Israel Relations been So Far?

Diplomatic:
Though India officially recognized Israel in 1950, both countries established full
diplomatic ties only on 29th January 1992.
As of December 2020, India was among 164 United Nations (UN) member states to have
diplomatic ties with Israel.
Economic and Commercial:
Trade between India and Israel has increased from USD 5 billion before the Covid-19
 pandemic to about USD 7.5 billion till 2023 January.
Trade in diamonds constitutes about 50% of bilateral trade.
India is Israel's third-largest trade partner in Asia and seventh largest globally.
Israeli companies have invested in India in energy, renewable energy, telecom, real
estate, water technologies, and are focusing on setting up R&D centers or
production units in India.
India is also in dialogue with Israel for concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Defence:
India is one of the largest importers of weapons from Israel, contributing to about
40% of its annual arms exports.
The Indian armed forces have inducted a wide array of Israeli weapon systems over
the years, which range from Phalcon AWACS (Airborne Warning And Control
Systems) and Heron, Searcher-II and Harop drones to Barak anti-missile defence systems
and Spyder quick-reaction anti-aircraft missile systems.
At the 15th Joint Working Group (JWG 2021) meeting on Bilateral Defence
Cooperation, countries agreed to form a Task Force to formulate a comprehensive
Ten-Year Roadmap to identify new areas of cooperation.
Agriculture:
In May 2021, “a three-year work program agreement” for development in agriculture
cooperation, was signed.
The programme aims to grow existing Centres of Excellence (CoE), establish new centers,
increase CoE’s value chain, bring the Centres of Excellence into the self-sufficient mode,
and encourage private sector companies and collaboration.
Science & Technology:
In recent years, multiple MoUs have been signed between Israel’s Start-Up National Central
and Indian entrepreneurship centres like iCreate and TiE (Technology Business
Incubators).
In 2022, the two countries recently widened the scope of the India-Israel Industrial R&D
and Innovation Fund (I4F) to include sectors like renewable energy and ICT
(Information and Communication Technology) through increased participation of
academia and business entities.
I4F is a cooperation between the two countries to promote, facilitate and support
joint industrial R&D projects between companies from India and Israel to
address the challenges in the agreed ‘Focus Sectors’.
Others:
Israel is also joining the India-led International Solar Alliance (ISA), which aligns very
well with the objectives of both countries to scale up their cooperation in renewable
energy and partner in clean energy.

Way Forward

Indians are sympathetic towards Israel and the government is balancing and recalibrating its West
Asia policy on the premise of its own national interest.
India and Israel need to overcome the vulnerability of their religious extremist neighbours
and work productively on global issues like climate change, water scarcity, population explosion
and food scarcity.
A more aggressive and proactive Middle Eastern policy is the need of the hour for India to reap the
maximum benefit of the geopolitical realignments gradually being brought in by the Abraham
Accords.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims:

Q. The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the
affairs of (2018)

(a) China
(b) Israel
 (c) Iraq
(d) Yemen

Ans: (b)

“Two-State Solution” is related to Israel-Palestine conflict. It aims at the resolution of this conflict
via creation of two independent states – Israel and Palestine. It gained traction post Oslo Accord
1993, and is seen by many as the only viable solution to this impending crisis.
The framework of the solution is set out in the UN resolution on the “Peaceful Settlement of the
Question of Palestine”, going back to 1974.
Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

Mains:

Q. “India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.”
Discuss (2018)

Source: PIB

PDF Refernece URL: [Link]

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 Library
Sainik School Chittorgarh, Rajasthan
India-France Bilateral Relations

Brief on India-France Bilateral Relations

India and France have traditionally close and friendly relations. In 1998, the two
countries entered into a Strategic Partnership which is emblematic of their
convergence of views on a range of international issues apart from a close and
growing bilateral relationship.

The areas of defence & security cooperation, space cooperation and civil
nuclear cooperation constitute the principal pillars of our Strategic Partnership.
India and France also have a robust economic partnership. Apart from these,
India and France are increasingly engaged in new areas of cooperation such as
maritime security in the Indo Pacific region, counter terrorism, climate change,
renewable energy and sustainable growth and development among others.

India and France share a close degree of convergence on a range of

regional and global issues. France has continued to support India’s claim for
permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council and the reforms
of the United Nations. France’s support was vital in India’s accession to Missile
Technology Control Regime (MTCR), Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) and
Australia Group (AG). France continues to support India’s bid for accession to
the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

There exist vibrant bilateral cultural and educational linkages as also growing
people-to-people contacts. Indian diaspora also has a sizeable presence in
metropolitan France and its overseas departments/territories.

COVID-19 Cooperation
India and France closely cooperated at the peak of the pandemic in both
countries. India supplied France with nearly 2 million hydroxychloroquine tablets
and 36 MT of paracetamol (API) after having lifted export restrictions on these
life- saving drugs. France expressed its gratitude by sending 120 ventilators, 50
thousand serological tests and 50 thousand nose/throat swabs as aid.
France also announced a 200 million euro loan to India to help the vulnerable
sections most severely affected by the pandemic. Over 2500 Indians had been
repatriated from France and a similar number of French citizens were
repatriated from India to their home countries through special flights.

In the second wave, France provided 18 oxygen plants till date to hospitals
across India which will fulfill oxygen requirements for 10 years. France also
supplied over 100 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen to the state of
Maharashtra through
the French industrial gas producer Air Liquide. Besides this, P2G
assistance also came in from several French companies, including
Airbus.

Recent high level political

exchanges Head of States

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron

have a strong relationship underscored by convergences in global and
regional priorities. In 2020, there was no physical meeting, on account of
the COVID-19 pandemic, however there have been several telephonic
exchanges between the two leaders. Most recently, PM held a telephone
conversation with President Macron on 26 May 2021. Issues of mutual
interest such as strategic autonomy, the Indo-Pacific region, defence
cooperation and environment were discussed. The Indian Prime Minister
gave the keynote address at the 5th Edition of Vivatech, held in Paris, in
June 2021.

On 24 July 2020, President Macron wrote to Prime Minister Modi

expressing solidarity with India in the fight against Covid-19, by sharing
medical equipment and technical expertise. Prime Minister Modi wrote
back to him on 31 July 2020 expressing gratitude, sharing a desire for
advancing the bilateral strategic partnership and engaging actively in the
Indo-Pacific region.

PM visited France in August 2019 at the special invitation of President

Macron for the 2019 G-7 Summit, where India was one of the ‘Goodwill’
partners. The visit comprised two segments: the bilateral component (22-
23 August in Chantilly,Paris) and the G-7 related visit in Biarritz (25-26
August). The bilateral meeting entailed discussions on defence
partnership, civil nuclear cooperation, space, counter-terrorism, energy,
Indo-Pacific, maritime security and people to people contacts. The
outcomes of the visit included India-France Roadmap on Cybersecurity
and Digital Technologies and four other Agreements/MoUs. On 23
August, PM met the then French PM Edouard Philippe and discussed
strengthening of economic relations and people to people contacts. PM
also addressed the Indian community in Paris and virtually inaugurated
a memorial for the victims of the Air India crashes of 1950 and 1966. In
Biarritz PM addressed the session on digital transformation as the lead
speaker and participated in another session on climate, biodiversity and
oceans.
President Emmanuel Macron and Mrs. Brigitte Macron paid a State
Visit to India from 10-12 March 2018 during which they visited New
Delhi, Agra, Mirzapur and Varanasi. After the ceremonial welcome in
New Delhi, President Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held
restricted and delegation-level talks. Fourteen inter-governmental
agreements were signed following the talks including one for the provision
of reciprocal logistics support between the respective Armed Forces. In
addition to the visit Joint Statement, a "Joint Strategic Vision of India-
France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region” and the "India-France
Joint Vision for Space Cooperation” were also issued. The President of
India hosted a banquet in honour of President Macron as also
delegations of other countries which had assembled in New Delhi for
the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance.

PM visited France on 2-3 June 2017. This was the first meeting with
President Macron. Apart from a meeting at the Elysee Palace, the two
leaders visited Arc de Triomphe and laid a wreath to pay homage to the
memory of the Indian soldiers who died fighting in defence of France in
the two world wars.

Additionally, former French President Francois Hollande visited India 24-

26 January 2016 as the Chief Guest of India’s Republic Day
celebrations. In a historic first, a French military contingent also marched
on Rajpath on the Republic Day and thus France became the first ever
foreign country to have been invited to participate in the march. PM visited
France twice in 2015. First in April 2015, which was his first visit to a
European country as PM. Then in November 2015, to attend the inaugural
Leaders’ Event at the COP-21 Climate Change Summit and launched
the International Solar Alliance jointly with President Hollande in the
presence of the then UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.

Other High level

Visits

Hon’ble Vice-President Shri Venkaiah Naidu represented India at the

commemorative ceremony of World War-I Armistice centenary and also
participated in the inaugural Paris Peace Forum on 11 November 2018
in Paris. He inaugurated the memorial for fallen Indian soldiers at Villiers
Guislan on 10 November.

EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar visited Paris on 11-12 November 2019. He

called on President Macron and held meetings with French Foreign
Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. He attended the 2nd edition of the Paris
Peace Forum where he addressed a high-level panel-discussion on
multilateral governance of cyberspace, alongside French and German
FMs.
EAM addressed the Ministerial meeting of the Alliance for Multilateralism
that was held virtually on 26 September 2020 and also addressed the
forum virtually on 24 February 2021.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited France from 07- 10 Oct
2019 for the 2nd edition of the Defence Dialogue with the French Minister
of Armed Forces Ms. Florence Parly. He called on President Macron and
interacted with heads of key French defence industry enterprises. On 08
October 2019 RM visited Bordeaux to attend the handing over ceremony
of the first of the 36 Rafale fighter aircrafts being purchased from France
under the inter-governmental contract signed in September 2016. He also
visited select defence industry sites in France. Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
had also visited France on 11-14 October 2018 for a bilateral visit and
took stock of the Rafale programme.

MoS External Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan visited Reunion island

on 23-24 October 2019 along with an Indian business delegation to
participate in a summit meeting on “Regional Economic Integration in
the Indo-Pacific Region”, following an invitation from French Presidency.
He held conversations with several French ministers and also called on
French President Emmanuel Macron. He also participated, virtually, in the
Summit on the Financing of African Economies, hosted by France in
May 2021.

France to India

The French Foreign Minister, Mr. Jean-Yves Le Drian visited Delhi and
Bengaluru on 13-15 April 2021. He held an extensive bilateral meeting
with EAM, besides also meeting other dignitaries, including Shri
Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Environment Forest Climate Change. He
also participated in the Raisina Dialogue, one of only 3 foreign ministers
to have physically been in Delhi during the Dialogue. In Bengaluru he
signed an agreement with ISRO for cooperation on India’s first human
space mission Gaganyaan.

The Diplomatic Advisor to the French President, Emmanuel Bonne

and the NSA of India, Shri Ajit Doval, held their annual Strategic
Dialogue on 7January 2021 in Delhi.

The French Minister for Ecological Transition, Ms. Barbara Pompili,

visited India from 28 January to 02 February 2021. She held meetings
with Shri Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Environment Forest Climate
Change; Shri RK Singh, MoS (IC) Ministry of Power and Renewable
Energy and Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, MoS (IC) Housing and Urban
Affairs. Other French Ministerial visits to India, in recent times, have
been those of Culture Minister Franck Riester (27-28 January 2020);
Secretary of State to the
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne (10
June 2019); Secretary of State to the Minister for Ecological & Transition,
Ms. Brune Poirson for the 2nd General Assembly of the ISA (30 October –
1 November 2019); Minister of Solidarity and Health, Ms Agnès Buzyn for
the preparatory meeting of the Sixth Replenishment of the Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (8 February 2019);Foreign
Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (December 2018 and November 2017); and
Minister for the Armed Forces, Ms. Florence Parly (October 2017). A
number of French Ministers had accompanied President Macron during
his State Visit to India in March 2018.

Recent exchanges at the Parliamentary level include the visit of

President of India-France Friendship Group in National Assembly Ms.
Celine Calvez to India on 27-28 January 2020 and the visit of a French
Senate delegation to India in September 2018 as well as in September
2019.

Economic Cooperation

Both India and France have important bilateral investments and trade and
commercial cooperation, particularly in sectors involving IT
corridors,smart-cities, railways, capital and trade exchanges ,skill
development etc. France has emerged as a major source of FDI for India
with more than 1,000 French establishments already present in India.
France is the 7th largest foreign investor in India with a cumulative FDI
stock of USD 9 billion from April 2000 to December 2020, which
represents 2 % of the total FDI inflows into India. There are more than 150
Indian companies operating in France (including sub-subsidiaries),
employing more than 7,000 persons.

France’s GDP is almost similar to that of India’s, but our bilateral trade
remains far below potential, even though India has enjoyed a consistent
trade surplus. In the period April 2018-March 2019, India-France bilateral
trade stood at 11.59 billion Euro(+0.6% compared to the previous FY).
India’s exports to France were valued at 6.23 billion Euro, up 4%.
Meanwhile, French exports to India decreased by 3.07% during the same
period to 5.35 billion Euro. Trade with France constitutes only 1.41% of
India’s total international trade.

A Joint Economic Committee (JEC/JCM) exists at the level of Ministers

of Commerce and Foreign Trade from both sides. The 18th JCM was
held virtually on 27 November 2020 which was co-chaired by by Shri
Hardeep Singh Puri, Hon'ble Minister of State for Commerce & Industry
and Mr. Frank Reister, French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and
Attractiveness. A joint announcement was also signed for setting up of a
FAST-TRACK system for French companies in India and Indian
companies in France.
An India-France CEOs’ Forum exists at the level of top CEOs from both sides
meeting annually and presenting their reports to the Prime Minister of India and
President of France. The Forum is led by Mr. Dhruv Sawhney, CEO of Triveni
Engineering and Mr. Paul Hermelin, CEO of Capgemini. The last round of
CEO’s Forum met on 10 March 2018 at New Delhi coinciding with the visit of the
French President to India. Shri Piyush Goyal, Commerce & Industries Minister,
held a virtual interaction with French businesses in February 2021.

Almost all the major French companies are present in India including
Renault, Saint Gobain, Veolia, Michelin, Capgemini, Sanofi, EDF, Airbus,
Lactalis, Sodexho, Total and others. India’s Reliance, Tata, Mahindra, L&T
and other big companies have tied up joint cooperation with major French
companies like Dassault, SAFRAN, Thales, Schneider Electric and others in
the defence and electronics sector. French infrastructure companies are looking
forward to major opportunities in Indian projects including in smart cities and
renewable energy. SNCF, the French railways and the Indian Railways have
established a Permanent Indo-French Railway Forum. They have been
cooperating in the studies for the feasibility of semi-high speed upgrade of
Delhi-Chandigarh section and station development study of Ambala and
Ludhiana.

The Bilateral Investment and Protection Agreement between India and France
expired in 2010, ten years after coming into force. GoI intends to replace it with
a revised Bilateral Investment Treaty. A model text of the agreement was
proposed by the Indian side in 2015. French side has informed that as all trade-
related agreements are subject to the purview of EU, France cannot unilaterally
decide in the matter. As declared during the visit of President Macron to
India, both India and France support the efforts of India and EU to negotiate
a early harvest EU- India Trade Agreement.

Development Cooperation

AFD, the French Agency for Development has, since 2008, committed close to 2
billion Euros in the form of loans to the State and State-owned companies,
as well as technical assistance programs. It has extended a loan of Euro 100
million to the Government of India for its Smart Cities Mission. French side has
been actively cooperating with various programmes in especially three Smart
Cities, viz. Chandigarh, Nagpur and Puducherry. AFD has partnerships with the
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and it works closely with the Department of
Economic Affairs (DEA) through Annual Negotiation Meetings (ANM). In May
2020, the advisory board of the Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
announced that it has allocated 200 million Euros and will sign an agreement
with India’s Finance Ministry to support welfare measures and the most
vulnerable sections of society.

Defence Cooperation
Cooperation in defence is the cornerstone of the India France strategic
partnership. The two countries have a Ministerial level Defence
dialogue, which has been held annually since 2018.

The three services also have regular defence exercises; viz. Exercise
Shakti (Army; the last one took place in November 2019 in India),
Exercise Varuna (Navy; is scheduled be held in the gulf of Oman from 25
to 27 April 2021), Exercise Garuda (Air Force; July 2019 in France). The
Indian Navy also participated in the French led La Pérouse exercise,
along with other Quad members from 05 to 07 April 2021. Various staff
courses, training programmes etc. also take place regularly.

Purchase of Rafale aircraft: The Inter-governmental agreement for

purchase of 36 Rafale fighter aircrafts (30 fighter aircrafts and 6 trainers)
by India in flyaway condition was signed in New Delhi on 23 September
2016. On 10 September 2020, French Armed Forces’ Minister Florence
Parly participated in the formal induction ceremony of five Rafale aircraft
at the Ambala air base. So far 18 Rafale aircrafts have been ferried to
India.

Space Cooperation
India and France have a rich history of cooperation in the field of space,
since the 1960s with the construction of Sriharikota launch-pad with
French technical assistance. Building on the historical linkages in the
arena of civilian space, both India and France issued a “Joint Vision for
Space Cooperation” during the visit of President Macron to India in March
2018.
ISRO and the French Space Agency, CNES have been carrying on
various joint research programmes and collaborating in satellite launches.
Both sides have exchanged cooperative proposals addressing Earth
observation, Maritime domain awareness, Global navigation satellite
system, exploration of solar system, space transportation system and
human spaceflight. As part of the ongoing bilateral cooperation between
ISRO and Arianespace, GSAT-11 was launched from Kourou (French
Guyana) in December 2018; GSAT-30 was launched on 16 January
2020. France continues to be a major supplier of components and
equipment for the Indian space programme.
Environment and Renewable Energy

France is a founding member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA),

announced by PM Modi in 2015 at UN Climate Change CoP21. The 3rd
ISA Assembly held in October 2020 re-elected India and France as
President and Co-President of the ISA. The countries signed an MoU on
renewable energy in January 2021. The objective of the MoU is to
promote bilateral cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy on
the basis of mutual benefit, equality and reciprocity. It covers
technologies relating to solar, wind, hydrogen and biomass energy.

A key outcome the visit of the French Minister of Ecological Transition’s

visit was the announcement to celebrate 2021-22 as Indo French Year
of Environment. AFD and Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited
(SECI) signed a letter of intent for developing 150 MW floating solar
power system in January 2021.

Cooperation in the fields of S&T and Education

In the field of S&T, the Indo-French Centre for the Promotion of

Advance Research (CEFIPRA) based in New Delhi, established in 1987,
plays a major role by identifying and funding joint proposals for research
projects. Several other bilateral cooperation programmes exist including
an Indo-French Ministerial-level Joint Committee on Science and
Technology, established in 2016, whose first meeting was held in New
Delhi in June 2018.

The French government has started granting the residence permit called
“Authorization Provisoire de Sejour” (APS) of 12 months for the second
year after the completion of the first period of 12 months which was
already been granted to Indian students of Masters-level and above. GoI,
on its part, has implemented the facilitation of visa for 250 French
students annually under the French VIE scheme (Volontariat
International en Enterprises) in which French students fresh after
graduation are encouraged by the French government to seek internship
opportunities in companies abroad to supplement their academic
experience.

During the visit of PM to France (August 2019), the two sides set the
student exchange target to 20,000 by 2025. During this visit, an
Administrative Arrangement was also signed between the two countries
for Cooperation in Skill Development and Vocational Training. An
Agreement on the mutual recognition of degrees has entered into force.
Two Knowledge Summits have also been held courtesy the French side
in March 2018 (New Delhi) and October 2019 (Lyon).
Cyberspace and Digital technology

The two countries have several convergences in their respective

positions on digital sovereignty, privacy and data protection. The Indo
French Roadmap on Cybersecurity and Digital Technology was signed
between the two countries during PM Modi’s visit to France on 22
August 2019. The roadmap lays down areas of cooperation such as
cybersecurity, fight against cybercrime, regulation of Artificial Intelligence,
protection of personal information, digital governance et al. There exists
an MoU between ANSII and Cert-in on exchange of information signed
in 2019.

In the field of exascale computing, Atos in collaboration with CDAC has

developed “PARAM-Siddhi- AI”, India’s fastest supercomputer.
Additionally, there exist immense potential in collaborating in future
technologies such as 5G and beyond, developing global tech standards,
training and capacity building programs and connecting the start up
ecosystems of the two countries.

The Indian Prime Minister gave the keynote address at the 5th Edition
of Vivatech, held in Paris, in June 2021.

Counter-terrorism

India and France have consistently condemned terrorism and have

resolved to work together for adoption of the Comprehensive
Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) in the UN. Following the
Pulwama attack (Feb 2019), France steadfastly supported India and
nationally listed the Pakistan-based ‘global terrorist’ Hafiz Saeed,
which was followed up with the listing at the UN. France has also
supported India’s requests to block attempts by Pakistan to enlist
innocent Indian citizens under the UNSC 1267 sanctions Committee
based on fabricated charges. As France witnessed a string of terrorist
attacks in 2020, most notably the “Paris stabbing attack” in September
and beheading of Samuel Paty in October 2020, India expressed its
condolences. In the face of the backlash against purported French
“Islamophobia”, in countries such as Turkey and Pakistan, Prime
Minister Modi extended his support to President Macron.
The International Day of Yoga has been organized by the Embassy of
India, Paris in Paris and in other cities of France since 2016. Various
events have also been held to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary
of Mahatma Gandhi, the 550th Birth anniversary of Shri Gurunanak
Devji, and the 70th year of the Constitution of India. These events have
received wide acclaim and press coverage. Several events have been
planned in 2021-22 to commemorate 75 years of India’s independence
and celebrate ‘Amrit Mahotsav’.

Indian community in France

The Indian diaspora in France is estimated to be around 5,00,000,

majority being French citizens based in the French overseas territories.
Around 109,000 Indian citizens reside in mainland France, with a
majority originating from former French colonies of Puducherry,
Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore. A sizeable number of
Indian origin population lives in the French Overseas Territories of the
Reunion Island (300,000), Guadeloupe (60,000) and Maritinique (6,000).
There has also been an increasing number of students (nearly 10,000)
and professionals studying and working in mainland France. There are
more than
50 Indian community organizations active in France. Major communities
constituting the Indian origin population originate from Puducherry and
Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Punjab.

Consular issues

Bilateral consular relations are guided by the following four agreements:

 India-France Extradition Treaty (August 2005)

 India-France Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) in

Criminal Matters (10 October 2005)

 India-France Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced

Persons (January 2008)

 India-France agreement on exemption of visa requirements for

diplomats (October 2013)

During the visit of PM to France (August 2019), the two sides decided
to initiate a regular Consular Dialogue, the first edition of which was
held in July 2020 through virtual mode.
 LIBRARY

India and Afghanistan relationship

India and Afghanistan have a strong relationship based on historical and cultural links.
The relationship has its foundations in the historical contacts and exchanges between the
people. In recent past, India-Afghanistan relations have been further strengthened by the
Strategic Partnership Agreement, which was signed between the two countries in October
2011.

2. The Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between the two sides, provides for
assistance to help rebuild Afghanistan's infrastructure and institutions, education and
technical assistance to re-build indigenous Afghan capacity in different areas,
encouraging investment in Afghanistan's natural resources, providing duty free access to
the Indian market for Afghanistan's exports support for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned,
broad-based and inclusive process of peace and reconciliation, and advocating the need
for a sustained and long-term commitment to Afghanistan by the international community.

High Level Visits

3. Prime Minister visited Herat on 4 June 2016 in western Afghanistan where he, along
with President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan H.E Asharaf Ghani jointly inaugurated the
Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam. The completion of the dam project
represents culmination of years of hard work by about 1,500 Indian and Afghan engineers and
other professionals in very difficult conditions. It also highlights India's continued commitment
to Afghanistan's reconstruction and development.

4. Prime Minister on 22 August 2016 jointly inaugurated through video conferencing, the
restored Stor Palace in Kabul with President Ghani. During his his address at the inauguration
Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment that the 1.25 billion Indian people will “always”
stand with Afghanistan in ensuring peace and prosperity.

5. Prime Minister along with a high level delegation paid a visit on 25 December 2016 to
Afghanistan. During his visit, he called on President Ashraf Ghani; met Chief Executive, Dr
Abdullah Abdullah and former President Hamid Karzai. During his visit, he inaugurated the
newly built Afghan Parliament with approx INR 970 crore; announced new 500 scholarships for
the children of the martyrs of Afghan Security Forces and gifted four Mi-25 Attack helicopters to
the Afghan Air Force. During the visit, it was also decided to conduct the second Strategic
Partnership Council meeting headed by the Foreign Ministers of the both countries in the first
quarter of 2017 along with four joint working group meetings.

6. President Ghani paid a working visit to India on 19 September 2018 and met the
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Prime Minister. The two leaders reviewed and positively assessed the progress
of the multi- faceted India-Afghanistan strategic partnership. They expressed
satisfaction at the increase in bilateral trade that had crossed the US $ 1 billion
mark. The two leaders also appreciated the successful conclusion of the India-
Afghanistan trade and investment show in Mumbai from September 12-15, 2018
and expressed determination to strengthen connectivity between the two
countries, including through Chabahar port and Air-Freight Corridor. It was
agreed to deepen the ‘New Development Partnership’ in the areas of high impact
projects in this field of infrastructure, human resources development and other
capacity building projects in Afghanistan. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, the then Chief
Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (CE) visited India from 28-29
September 2017. He called on Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji, met Prime Minister and
EAM. An MoU on technical cooperation on police training and development was
signed and formally exchanged at the meeting between Chief Executive and
Prime Minister. This created an enabling framework for training and capacity
building of Afghan National Police personnel in various fields in addition to India's
ongoing assistance for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.
Afghanistan was also invited to participate in the International Solar Alliance
Summit meeting being held in India in December 2017 and also to the World
Food Processing Show being held in November 2017 in India that would enable
the Afghan businessmen to engage with international markets.

7. The second Strategic Partnership Council meeting was held in New Delhi
on September 11, 2017. Foreign Minister H.E Salahuddin Rabbani led the
Afghan delegation comprising of senior members of the Afghan Government.
Making use of the fresh US$ 1 billion development assistance announced by
Government of India and Afghanistan launched a ‘New Development
Partnership’. Government of India worked with the Government of Afghanistan to
identify priorities and projects where Afghanistan needed India’s assistance.
India agreed to implement important new projects such as the Shahtoot Dam and
drinking water project for Kabul that would also facilitate irrigation; water supply
for Charikar City; road connectivity to Band-e-Amir in Bamyan Province that
would promote tourism; low cost housing for returning Afghan refugees in
Nangarhar Province to assist in their resettlement; a gypsum board
manufacturing plant in Kabul to promote value added local industry development
and import substitution; a polyclinic in Mazar-e-Sharif among others. In addition,
India also committed to take up additional 116 High Impact Community
Development Projects in 34 provinces of Afghanistan. India also announced that
on- going assistance programmes for education, capacity building, skills and
human resource development of Afghanistan, would continue for a further period
of five years from 2017 to 2022.

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inaugural cricket test match of Afghanistan with India on (June 14, 2018) and
Visit of Defence Minister Assadullah Khalid (23 February 2019). Further high
level visits were that of Secretary (Economic Relations), MEA to Kabul for the
Joint Working Group on Development Cooperation on 08-09 August 2018; Dr.
Anup Wadhavan, Secretary (Commerce) visited Kabul for the Joint Working
Group on Trade, Commerce and Investment on 25-26 October 2018.

Commercial Relations

8. Given the geographical proximity and historical linkages, India has been a
natural trading partner for Afghanistan and is the largest market in South Asia for
its products. The total bilateral trade between India and Afghanistan for CY 2019-
20 was at US$ 1.5 billion. While there is immense potential to expand bilateral
trade, the difficulties in transit via Pakistan was a major hurdle in expanding the
trade ties. In order to expand trade to India, the Afghan government in
collaboration with Government of India launched a dedicated Air Freight Corridor
on 19 June 2017.

9. Since its inauguration in 2017, India-Afghanistan Air-Freight Corridor has

witnessed close to a 1000 flights, carrying goods valued at over USD 216 million.
This has provided a boost to Afghan exports to India and has directly benefited
Afghan farmers and small traders and exporters. India and Afghanistan now aim
to expand the Corridor to other cities in both the countries.

10. Another important initiatative which strengthened bilateral trade was the
operationalization of the Chabahar Port in December 2017, followed by
commercial agreement to manage port operations in February 2018. The Port
has so far handled over 5,000 containers ferrying over 110,000 tons of wheat
and over 2,000 tons of pulses sent by India as assistance to Afghanistan via
Chabahar. These were delivered to various parts of Afghanistan and average
transportation time (excluding processing time) involved was less than 2 weeks.
In 2019, Afghanistan shipped around 700 tons of agricultural and mineral
products to India through the Chabahar Port, clearly demonstrating the feasibility
of Chabahar Port as a transit point for Afghanistan and eventually to Central Asia.

Afghanistan India Culture Relations

11. Given the extensive cultural linkage between India and Afghanistan, there
is considerable interest in cultural exchange events on both sides. There have
been several

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exchanges of artistes and music troupes over the past few years. Major such
events include an “India-Afghanistan Culture Week” held in New Delhi in
November 2017 in collaboration with India-Afghanistan Foundation (IAF) and
ICCR; visit of a cultural troupe headed by Smt. Kumud Diwan to Kabul in
September 2017; visit of ‘Awayee Band-e-Amir’ - a folk musical troupe from
Bamiyan Province of Afghanistan for the 5th International Folk Music and Dance
Festival organised by ICCR at New Delhi in December 2018; visit of a three-
member Instrumental ‘Sarod’ group led by Shri Avijit Ghosh in October 2019.

12. In addition to the above people to people exchanges, the two

Governments came together to establish an India- Afghanistan Foundation
(IAF) in 2007. IAF is a trust fund which finances projects aimed at fostering
India-Afghanistan relations through enhancement of economic, scientific,
educational, technical as well as cultural cooperation. The management and
direction of the Foundation are vested in a Board of Directors consisting of 10
members. Ambassador of India to Afghanistan in Kabul and Ambassador of
Afghanistan to India in New Delhi are the Co-Chairpersons of the Board. The
other eight members are nominated by the two Governments. The 12th Board
Meeting of the India Afghanistan Foundation was held in August 2019 at the
Kabul Chapter. The Board reviewed the working of the Foundation and looked
into new proposals form both the Chapters.

Sports Cooperation

13. India and Afghanistan have robust relations in the field of sports. Since
2011, Afghanistan Under-14 & Under-17 Boys’ and Under-17 Girls’ football
teams have been participating in the Subroto Cup International Tournament
organised every year by the India Air Force.

14. Cricket has been a major factor in promoting people-to-people ties

between the two countries. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has been alloted
three cricket home grounds in India (Noida, Dehradun and Lucknow). India is
also involved in construction cricket stadiums and grounds in various provinces
of Afghanistan under the aegis of HICDP. The first India- Afghanistan test match
was held in Bangalore in 2018. A bilateral test series, Afghanistan versus West
Indies was held in India, with Afghanistan as the host country from 06 November
19 to 01 December 2019. The series comprised of 3x One day Matches, 3 x T-
20s and One test match at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Indian FMCG, Amul
was the sponsor for Afghan National Cricket Team for the ICC Cricket World Cup
in 2019.

4
Human Resource Development and Capacity Building

15. Human resource development and capacity building initiatives

constitute an important segment of India's assistance in Afghanistan. On
an average, more than 3,500 Afghan nationals undergo training/education
in India every year. More than 15,000 Afghan students pursue education in
India on self-financing basis. India’s assistance in human resource
development has helped to create a large pool of trained manpower that
has been an asset to both the public and private sectors in Afghanistan.
India’s initiatives in this field include:

(i) Following the reconstruction and renovation of Habibia School in Kabul,

India extended assistance for training and maintenance of the school.

(ii) A Special Scholarship Scheme of 1,000 scholarships per annum to

Afghan nationals (administered by ICCR) with 100% utilization in most
years.

(iii) India offers over 1,000 Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation
(ITEC) slots to Afghanistan annually in the areas of . The ITEC training is
expected to address Afghanistan’s need to strengthen its administration
and governance at national, provincial and district levels, including through
sharing experiences and technical assistance in building capacities of civil
administration and project implementation.

(iv) The Afghanistan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology

University (ANASTU) established with India’s assistance is contributing to
capacity building in agricultural sciences. The Indian Agriculture Research
Institute (IARI) is involved in training, equipping and establishing the
University.

(v) Under India-Afghanistan Agricultural Fellowship Programme, Afghan

students and scholars pursue graduation and research courses at various
agricultural universities and institutes in India.

(vi) Nearly 50 Afghans are completing graduation in the Indian school of

Mines Dhanbad with a view to strengthen technical man-power in mining
sector

5
Humanitarian
Assistance

16. Major humanitarian assistance by India to Afghanistan in recent

years include the following:

(i) To combat the global pandemic of COVID-19 and related issues of food
security, India is commited to deliver 75,000 MT of Wheat to Afghanistan
in 2020. In addition, India has also undertaken supply of 5 lakh tablets of
Hydroxy-chloroquinine, 1 Lakh tablets of Paracetamol and 50,000 pairs of
surgical gloves to Government of Afghanistan in 2020.

(ii) Provision of food assistance of 11 lakh tonnes of wheat, both as grains

and biscuits, was distributed to approximately 1.5 million school children

(ii) To promote food security, particularly children during the times of

drought, India has distributed 2000 tonnes of pulses to Afghanistan in
2018.

(iii) A Medical Diagnostic Centre in Kabul was set up in 2015. The Centre
provides latest diagnostic facilities to children of Afghanistan thereby
generating goodwill for India.

Indian Diaspora in Afghanistan

17. Presently, there are estimated to be about 1710 Indians in the country.
Most of the Indians in Afghanistan are engaged as professionals in Banks, IT
firms, construction companies, hospitals, NGOs, telecom companies, security
companies, universities, Govt. of India sponsored projects, Govt. of Afghanistan
and UN Missions. The Mission interacts closely with members of the Indian
Diaspora, assisting wherever required. The Diaspora members also actively
participate in the Mission’s cultural activities and celebrations of national days.