Daily Answer Writing Program MTS-18: 16Th June, 2021 Syllabus- GS Paper II- Indian Constitution, Indian Polity, Governance, International Relations & Current Affairs

Daily Answer Writing Program MTS-18: 16th June, 2021 Syllabus- GS Paper II- Indian Constitution, Indian Polity, Governance, International Relations & Current Affairs

Q1. India’s relations with China involve the four C’s — conflict, competition, cooperation and containment. (150 Words, 10 marks)

Introduction Over the years China has emerged as a significant power in India’s neighborhood. The rise of China has dictated India to engage with China in new ways which involves carefully crafting relationship with China but at the same time protecting India’s interest.

India – China relations- Conflict 1. Border Dispute- The border between India and China is not clearly demarcated throughout and there is no mutually agreed Line of Actual Control (LAC). 2. River Water Dispute: China has been building dams in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra. 14th Chinese 5- year plan (2021-25) has further accelerated this. 3. Belt and Road Initiative (BRI): India boycotted BRI on issues of sovereignty (as China Pakistan Economic- Corridor – part of BRI, passes through Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) and other concerns over transparency, debt burden issues 4. China has always opposed India’s entry to Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), etc.

Competition 1. Presence in South Asia: China is now the largest overseas investor in the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka and it has signed an FTA with Bangladesh recently. 2. China is the biggest arms supplier to Pakistan and Bangladesh today, while it is trying to make inroads in Nepal. 3. India and China also compete in fields such as Space technology, Manufacturing etc. 4. Competition to develop and efficiently distribute vaccine all around the globe.

Cooperation 1. Chinese FDI: Chinese investors had invested in Indian manufacturing and startups. 2. Technology and innovation: Bullet train, precision manufacturing, electronics etc. 3. Climate Issues: Both are climate leaders and push for developing countries rights at forums like UNFCCC, CBDR for developing countries. 4. Reorientation of international economic policy: by creating Institutions like AIIB, providing alternative credit to World Bank, demanding IMF quota reforms.

Containment 1. India is stepping up its strategic partnership with like-minded Indo-Pacific partners like US, Japan, Australia etc. Thus, we will see a far greater partnership between India and the United States on issues of mutual interest—which is likely to have a substantial China component. 2. India will also likely look to build greater cooperation through configurations such as the “Quad plus” (expanding the existing grouping of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States to include New Zealand, South Korea, France and Vietnam).

Conclusion Both India and China need to further engage with each other in order to reduce their mis-understanding as outlined in the Wuhan spirit. But at the same time; as the recent Galwan crisis pointed out, that India cannot lower its Guard when it comes to China, and has to remain ever vigilant.

Q2. The Indian diaspora has proved to be a great leverage for India in Global diplomacy, but it had its fair share of negative fall outs. Elucidate. (150 Words, 10 marks)

Introduction The Indian diaspora comprises approximately 31 million people; contributing both via remittances and knowledge transfers to the Indian economy. The diaspora also has huge economic and political backing which acts in favour of Indian diplomacy.-.

Role of Indian Diaspora Indian diaspora as a biggest strategic asset for India: 1. Influential Positions: From Google CEO Sundar Pichai to Nobel laurete scientist Har Gobind Khorana and Microsoft CEO Sathya Nadella the list of NRIs and their contribution to the world goes endlessly. The President of Singapore, Governor-General of New Zealand and prime ministers of Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago were all of Indian descent. 2. As a Pressure groups: The influential Indian diaspora affects not just the popular attitude, but also government policies in countries where they live, to the benefit of India. India benefits tremendously through these people in luring large multinational companies as well as entrepreneurial ventures. Example: lobbying for the US-India Civilian Nuclear Agreement Bill in 2008 3. Agents of change: Diaspora acts as ‘agents of change’ facilitating and enhancing investment, accelerating industrial development, and boosting international trade and tourism. Another tangible long-term advantage in nurturing ties with an active Diaspora is an accelerated technological sector. 4. Soft Power: The spread of Yoga, Ayurveda, Indian spiritualism, Bollywood, Indian cuisine across the world has made India famous. It has even led to revival of many lost relationships with many countries. 5. Humanitarian Assistance: There are many instances where diaspora has stood up for their Indian kins in times of disaster. Example: during the recent Kerala floods, immense help in the form of men, material and money from diaspora was given. Indian diaspora residing in China’s Shanghai has contributed Rs. 32.13 lakh to the Chief Minister’s distress relief fund for Kerala floods. 6. Political power: Many people of Indian origin hold top political positions in many countries, in the US itself they are now a significant part of Republicans and Democrats, as well as the government. The three ministers Rishi Sunak, Alok Sharma, and Priti Patel have held top roles in the UK government currently. 7. Remittances: Remittances make an invaluable contribution by aiding in socio-economic development, poverty reduction and changes in consumption behaviour in rural areas. More than $ 70 billion is sent by diaspora annually.

Negative fallouts-- 1. Negative campaigning and foreign funding, coming from abroad to destablise India. Such as Pakistan funding Kashmiri separatists in USA and EU. 2. Separatist movements like the Khalistani movement , bring bad name to India. 3. Involvement of diaspora in drug smuggling and money laundering, especially from Gulf to India. 4. Diaspora pressure at times leads to comments/interference of foreign states in India’s internal matters. Ex- Canadian PM comment on farmers protest. 5. Diaspora have tried to influence Indian elections via directing/ laundering foreign funds to India. 6. The Diaspora’s engagement with western media (TV debates, newspapers) has been more on covering negative issues and problems about India rather than showing a positive image and better side of their home country. This has led to a negative bias towards India in the west.

Conclusion The Indian diaspora is the bridge between their nation and India where they can grow simultaneously for betterment of their citizens. With the versatile role of Diaspora, India could fulfil its cherished dream of being a super power and it could make much head way in its international and foreign affairs. The diaspora can provide the requisite strategic impulse, which makes it all the more important to unlock their potential.

Q3. “Decentralization could enhance unity and efficiency in external relations”. In the light of the statement, define what do you mean by Para diplomacy? Discuss the prospects and challenges of Para diplomacy. (150 Words, 10 marks)

Introduction Para-diplomacy refers to the foreign policy capacity of sub-state entities, their participation, independent of their metropolitan state, in the international arena in pursuit of their specific international interests. This is a recent phenomenon as diplomacy is traditionally treated as a sovereign subject.

Reasons for the growth of Para diplomacy: 1. As globalisation has eroded traditional boundaries, the Central government by itself may not be well equipped to meet the challenges posed by new political, economic and social forces. 2. States are often better equipped than the Central government to undertake diplomatic measures in areas of trade, commerce, foreign direct investment, education, cultural exchanges and also outsourcing of business. 3. There might be cases where the Central government differs with state governments on ideological and political grounds, which makes it likely that some judgments of the central government may not be viewed in the best interest of states and vice versa. 4. Given India’s size, provincial governments are often better placed to enhance diplomatic relations with other governments in their neighbourhood because of geographical, cultural, historical and economic reasons.

India’s experience with Para diplomacy: India has seen a sudden boost in its Para diplomatic activities in the last few years. In early 2015, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asked the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, to lead a high-profile delegation to China, a month before PM Modi’s state visit to China.

On his visit to Bangladesh in June 2015, PM Modi included Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal in his official delegation. PM Modi’s predecessor, Dr Manmohan Singh, did the same for his visit to Bangladesh in September 2011, where he included four chief ministers from India’s northeaster states bordering Bangladesh. The inclusion of chief ministers in prime ministerial visits overseas, or the MEA asking a chief minister to lead an overseas delegation in advance of a prime ministerial visit, is a relatively recent practice in the official conduct of India’s foreign relations.

Prospects: • It can bring a decentralised dimension to international debates. • It can help in promoting trade, tourism, cultural ties and even post-conflict reconciliation. • It can strengthen diaspora diplomacy, by connecting diaspora with their home state. • Sub-national relations can also be conducted to promote and attract investments seeking region-specific economic advantages. • Can help iron out certain complex issues, such as Bangladeshi illegal immigration in India.

Challenges • Border management is a complex issue; the Union government can ill afford to delegate this power to states in the name of globalisation and market forces. • It can internationalise domestic issues by bringing regional issues on the global stage, leading to foreign intervention/ comments on India’s internal affairs. • Most Indian states, barring only five, have either land or maritime borders with neighbouring countries. • Differences between central and state government on certain issues, such as West Bengal on Teesta water sharing, Tamil Nadu government on Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. • States may lack skilled manpower and resources required to conduct diplomacy especially at international level. • Interest of certain states may tend to overshadow interest of other states and country as a whole. Ex – influence of Kerala on India’s gulf policy during 2000’s

Way Forward • Deputation of IFS officers to various states for certain period - L.M.Singhvi Committee • There is a need for a new structure in MEA in which the states are fully represented. • Also, the Ministry of External Affairs should have offices in key states. • Think Tanks should be established in states to facilitate policy options and to provide inputs to the states and the Centre. • States should also be encouraged to secure the best deals for themselves within the overall policy of the Central government.

Conclusion Para-diplomacy is still in its nascent stage in India. It will take some time and may require the emergence of dynamic leaderships at the state level to imitate the success story of Sao Paulo and Macau. Para-diplomacy has the potential to not only strengthen the federal structure of the Indian state but also radically alter the trajectory of Indian foreign policy by helping regional governments to realise their potential in the conduct of cross-border relations.

Q4. Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) seek to differentiate India’s leadership from the methods of other regional powers, it reassures littoral states as India’s maritime influence grows. Analyse. (250 Words, 15marks)

Introduction SAGAR is a maritime initiative of India that focuses on the blue economy. The goal of SAGAR is to increase maritime cooperation in the Indian Ocean region and to achieve prosperity and development of all the counties in the region. The word SAGAR was coined by PM Modi in his 2015 Mauritius visit.

How India Seeks to Differentiate its Leadership from Others: 1. USA Methods & Interest: The US interest in this region is mainly from a military and strategic standpoint. It aims to achieve two objectives through its presence, secure and maintain its superiority in this economically important region, and to counter the rise of China. 2. Chinese Method & Interest: Chinese interests are purely political and economic. It is not invested in the development of this region. This fact shows in the way it conducts its policy with Indian Ocean Littoral states. 1. Chinese cheque diplomacy is aimed at debt trapping poor African and Indian Ocean littoral states and leveraging that debt for favourable policies. The ninety-nine-year lease of the Hambantota port of Sri Lanka is a good example of this fact. 2. Also, Chinese irresponsible and mindless exploitation of natural resources has disturbed the fragile ecology of these countries.

3. Indian Interest & Different Methods: Unlike India, neither China nor the USA the two major players in this region is Indian Ocean states. Due to this fact, their interest in the region is purely based on selfish motives. India however is the largest Indian ocean state with nearly 7300 km of maritime boarded and has historical, cultural, and good diplomatic relations with all littoral states.

Any disturbance in the Indian Ocean region like piracy or bilateral issues will hurt Indian interests. At the same time, the Indian growing population means Indian needs attain consistent economic growth the one component of which is the blue economy. Thus, India’s interests lie in the peace and development of India ocean regions.

However, due to past experiences; littoral states are wary of any major power and hence India is trying to differentiate its methods while dealing with these countries. India is positioning SAGAR as its consultative, democratic, and equitable vision for the region. The objectives of SAGAR to establish a climate of trust, and transparency; respect for international maritime boundaries, peaceful resolution of maritime issues, are markedly different from policies followed by other major powers in the region.

How India Seeks to Reassure the Littoral States: Being smaller states in the regions Indian Ocean littoral states are naturally wary of larger states like India especially in recent times when its economy and global influence are growing. Moreover, India and China are engaged in a race to acquire preeminent positions in Asia, and more often than not it is these smaller states that end being collateral damage in this kind of competition. India realizing the apprehension of littoral states seeks to reassure them via its actions and policies.

1. India is acting as a net security provider in the region. Indian navy regularly patrols this area to combat privacy and other illegal activities like human and drug trafficking. 2. As a net security provider, India aims to build the capacities of littoral states. With these agendas in mind, it held 16 country multilateral naval exercises called Milan. 3. India has launched Project Mausam which Aims to understand spread of shared knowledge systems, traditions, technologies and ideas along maritime routesin the Indian ocean 4. Disaster management has been another key initiative of India in the littoral region. India is proactively providing g disaster relief to the littoral states. The best example is relief provided to Madagascar ravaged by cyclone Ava. 5. India is also at the forefront in preparing these countries for disasters by providing early warning systems. For example, after the 2004 tsunami, India has deployed the Indian Tsunami early warning system, which is now designated as a regional India tsunami service provider. India is also acting as a first responder in the region. 6. Indian naval teams played a stellar role in search and rescue operations when Mozambique was hit by Cyclone Idai, it and even set up medical camps and deployed four warships for relief operations 7. Mission Sagar: India provided Food Items, COVID related Medicines including HCQ Tablets and Special Ayurvedic Medicines for Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comorosalong with a Medical Assistance Teams embarked.

Conclusion: With India aspiring to be a global power it is circulating it maintains maritime influence in the Indian Ocean region especially now when the indo-pacific region is gaining prominence. In the past couple of years, India has been focusing on expanding its maritime economy and started initiatives like SAGARMALA. The success of these initiates also depends upon the successful implementation of SAGAR vision. In a positive sign of goodwill that India holds in these countries, India was recently accorded observer status in IOC.