Issues & Options June - 2012

Issue: I No: VI

Matured Indo-French Relations Indian Federalism Not in Danger

Pakistan’s Heart Unchanged Nalanda: Symbol of Glorious Past

and many more ….

Published By : Vivekananda International Foundation 3, San Martin Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110021, [email protected], www.vifindia.org

Contents

ARTICLES - Why Dilute The Vision Of The University At Nalanda? A New Socialist President In France 65 3 - Anirban Ganguly - Kanwal Sibal

India-Pakistan Relations: A Misplaced Euphoria APPENDIX

10 - Satish Chandra Text Of Agreement On Strategic Partnership

Between The Republic Of India And The 103 President Putin Redux Islamic Republic Of Afghanistan 77 - PP Shukla 15

Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement 107 India-China Relations Are Marked By Strategic Stability, Tactical Aggressiveness Between The United States Of America And The Islamic Rebublic Of Afghanistan 25 84 - Gurmeet Kanwal

Iran, Israel And India's Interests EVENTS 29 - Barry Bharathan Vif - Heritage Foundation Bilateral

Conference On Perspectives On 'Cooperation China’s Footprints In Sri Lanka And India’s In The Asia Pacific Region' Concerns 96 38 - Dr. N. Manoharan Round Table Discussion On 'Indo-Us Military Cooperation In The Context Of South Asian Carry Forward The Legacy Of Agni-5 Security Perspectives And The Way Ahead 44 - Radhakrishna Rao 98

Round Table Discussion On “Implications Is Federalism In Danger Through Central Of The Likely Leadership Change(S) In The Activism? 52 Prc And Pla Strategy On The South China Sea Issue” - Dr. M.N. Buch 100

Parliament @ 60 – A Balance Sheet 61 Round Table Discussion With An American Delegation Led By Dr. Peter R. Lavoy - A. Surya Prakash 103

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 2

A New Socialist President In France

- Kanwal Sibal

he French presidential interpretation. The slant in the election is not as much an Anglo-saxon media gets reflected T international event as the in media reporting in India on US pesidential election is. This is developments in France. a reflection of the status of the US as a global power and Europe’s The absence of a sizable Indian diminished international role. community in France, contrasted In countries with liberal political with the situation in the US, systems the US presidential limits the degree of popular election is treated as if it were a interest in India in political domestic election of sorts, with developments in France. even trivialities getting covered. On the other hand, elections in From our perspective, the most major European countries get important aspect of Francois limited attention in countries like Hollande’s victory in the French India. presidential election would be its meaning for India, directly or In the case of France the extent of indirectly. coverage and the nature of commentary in the Indan media Relations between India and are heavily influenced by the France have reached a level of treatment that the US and maturity that would insulate British media give to elections them from changes in political there. leadership in France, or for that matter in India. There is little independent reporting because only an odd There is a bipartisan consensus in Indian journalist is based in Paris both countries on the importance and the language barrier results of the relationship and the in a reliance on English language mutualities of interests involved. sources for information and Hollande’s mentor, Francois

*Kanwal Sibal - Member Advisory Board, VIF

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 3

Mitterand, the first socialist with its films, plastic arts, President of France after WW2, literature, fashion and cuisine. visited India two times as With Chirac’s presidency President, in 1982 and 1989. The relations further deepened at the aim was to consolidate relations strategic level, especially after the in the political, military, space, 1998 nuclear tests by India. nuclear, economic and cultural fields. Chirac resisted US attempts to isolate India through sanctions, The defence relationship with declaring it would be business as France began in the 50s. usual with India and was the first Numerous Indian nuclear to propose a strategic dialogue, scientists got trained in French culminating in the first western establishments since those early country with which India years. In the area established a The defence relationship with of space the French France began in the 50s. strategic have launched our Numerous Indian nuclear partnership. satellites and scientists got trained in French India’s already technologically establishments since those very productive assisted in our early years. In the area of relationship in the space programme. space the French have defence, nuclear launched our satellites and technologically assisted in our and space domains De Gaulle and the space programme. with France was spirit of resistance sought to be to Anglo-Saxon deepened through global domination and the strategic partnership. attachment to independent French decision making that he Shared support for a multi-polar represented has always been world, especially during the viewed with admiration in India. period when Chirac was President It resonated politically with and the socialist Lionel Jospin India’s own independent- was Prime Minister and Hubert mindedness in international Vedrine- a great intellectual affairs. proponent of multi-polarity- was Foreign Minister- is an important At the cultural level France has marker in terms of how we should always had a significant hold on look at Hollande’s electoral the minds of Indians and others

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 4 victory in its foreign policy consolidating France’s position as dimension. defence supplier to India. In space India will be launching Reservations about US France’s Spot 6 satellite later this domination of global affairs is not year. unique to Gaullist thinking- Sarkozy, however, had a softer After the commencement of posture towards the US and economic reforms in India and NATO- it is shared by socialists India’s emergence on the global too. scene, French commercial and economic interest in India has France has had significant greatly expanded, with numerous strategic successes with India in top level French companies the recent period. The French investing in India. Rafale has been selected for final negotiations for the The popular belief After the commencement of acquisition of 126 economic reforms in India and that the Gaullists multi-role combat India’s emergence on the global are better for aircraft. In the scene, French commercial and India-France nuclear domain the economic interest in India has relations than the French signed a greatly expanded, with Socialists is not framework numerous top level French borne out by companies investing in India. agreement in reality, as much as December 2010 to a similar belief that set up two EPR reactors at the Democrats in the US are Jaitapur in India. better for India than the Republicans. In a recent visit former French Foreign Minister Juppe declared It is true that Francois Hollande France’s willingness to transfer is not known in India. But then he enrichment and reprocessing was litttle known abroad, technologies to India, the first including in German political country to say so publicly. circles, before he became President. Obama did not know India and France have also him either. agreed to refit 52 Mirages for about $2 billion, in another Hollande has been a political milestone in terms of organizer essentially, having been

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 5 the head of the French socialist He expressed in even more party from 1997 to 2008. He has emphatic terms French support never held a government position. for India’s membership of the In democratic countries leaders UNSC and strongly backed are important but it is not international civilian nuclear personalized power beyond a cooperation with India. point. It is unimaginable that as a party politician with the ambition He did this on the assumption to become President he has not that boosting India’s role served developed an external vision. to further French interests in the larger international context. In any mental survey of the These are not short term external world by a world leader considerations to be set aside with Asia cannot be ignored, and change in occupancy at the within Asia, China and India are Elysee. in the foreground. Hollande as President will be In any case, the India-France obliged to take close interest in relationship is well structured. A foreign affairs even if his Strategic Dialogue at the level of expertise and interests have lain National Security Advisors or an elsewhere all these years. But equivalent position, a High were he to operate differently Defence Committee at the level of from his predecessor and give Defence Secretaries, an annual more freedom to his Ministers, Foreign Secretary dialogue, a India will not lose. Joint Economic Committee at the level of Commerce Ministers, as Foreign Minister Fabius, who has well as a CEO Forum, exist to been Prime Minister and underpin the relationship. President of the French National Assembly, knows India very well, The two countries cooperate in having visited India in the past the fight against terrorism. and interacted with its leaders on numerous occasions over the Nicolas Sarkozy, with no known years. interest in India before becoming President, contributed very Fabius has a spohisticated positively to India-France understanding of our country. relations.

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 6

Hollande will no doubt reach out as Hollande has done during his to India, though India may not be campaign. his priority destination at present. There are no outstanding But attempts to cordon off Europe issues between the two countries and France from the rest of the that need resolution, but there world is not an answer. Already are major projects that need high the trans-Atlantic relationship is level attention to bring to fruition. yielding ground to the US pivot France could begin to lose ground towards Asia. China is the biggest in India if after the attention trading partner of the US. India received from Chirac and Sarkozy, Hollande No trans-Atlantic appeared less Hollande will no doubt reach island of prosperity forthcoming. out to India, though India may can be built in a not be his priority destination world where both On nuclear issues at present. There are no the US and Europe one can count on outstanding issues between the are declining in two countries that need Hollande’s support resolution, but there are major relative political even if he wants to projects that need high level and economic reduce France’s attention to bring to fruition. power. own dependence on nuclear energy. He France could begin to lose It is the emerging has supported the ground in India if after the and developing EPR programme, attention India received from countries that are the kind of nuclear Chirac and Sarkozy, Hollande asking for a reactors France appeared less forthcoming. restructuring of wants to sell to global institutions India. because they are heavily weighted in the favour of the West. This Europe’s financial woes, including will occur not according to the economic pressures on France, recipe of western countries that may dictate inward looking want to protect their own circle of policies, part of which may be prosperity but as a joint questioning of the beneficial enterprise on the basis of consequences of globalisation and constantly enlarging this circle. resentment against so-called unfair competition from abroad, Hollande’s immediate concerns relate to Europe’s future and that

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 7 of the Eurozone. The Greek crisis with the Eurozone crisis based on threatens to unravel the Eurozone the German austerity and destroy the great prescriptions. achievement of the single currency. Hollande’s election has upset the equation as he wants to have both Europe, driven by a powerful growth and austerity. Growth is political and economic needed to manage politics and momentum, has expanded into an austerity is needed to manage the unwieldy entity. At the heart of it economics. How to reconcile the has been French-German two? collaboration as well as rivalry in He wants the European Central the eastern and south-eastern Bank to play a more growth expansion of the Union. oriented role. France has tried to The protagonists of growth in dominate the Italy and Spain and even in The protagonists of politics of Europe parts of Germany controlled by growth in Italy and while the Germans the Social Democrats have Spain and even in have dominated gained strength from parts of Germany the economy. Both Hollande’s election and the controlled by the politics and change in the terms of the Social Democrats debate that has resulted. economics seem to Obama, across the Atlantic, have gained be in disarray for favours a growth strategy too. strength from the present. Hollande’s election and the change in Europe has been too self-confident the terms of the debate that has for its own good, projecting its resulted. Obama, across the political, economic and social Atlantic, favours a growth achievements, its concern for the strategy too. environment, its commitment to human rights etc as a model for The British may mock at some of others to emulate. Hollande’s tax and spend propositions but have little The current European crisis tests credibility because of the poor the Franco-German conduct of the management of their own affairs of the Union. finances and the meagre results Sarkozy and Merkel worked hard so far of their own policies of to develop a joint strategy to deal austerity.

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 8

year he has put a wrench in At the end, Holland and Merkel NATO’s withdrawal plans. as well as others will find a compromise solution. If this presages a less interventionist role in the Arab The sooner the better as the world, India can only be glad as European Union is collectively the Sarkozy’s activism in Libya and largest economy in the world with Syria seemed excessive even in a combined GDP of over $17.5 the context of France’s vocation as trillion, and is the largest a defender of human rights. exporter and importer of goods and services. This was not a point of contention India is already feeling the effect between India and France of the Eurozone crisis. There is bilaterally but did reflect concern about the strengthening differences in policy on of protectionist tendencies in humanitarian affairs. Europe. All in all, India does not have to In foreign affairs, whereas work out any new equation with Sarkozy has integrated the Hollande’s France , but in the face French armed forces with Nato’s of the Eurozone crisis, Germany military command structure, must. The laissez faire Anglo- Hollande’s position on this seems Saxons have never liked the to differ, but he is unlikely to highly regulated French economic undo his predecessor’s decision as model and have little reason to that would open up a political wish Hollande success. front against the US prematurely. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh As it is, by deciding to withdraw and President Hollande would all French troops from have a chance to exchange views Afghanistan by the end of this when they meet at the G-20 summit in Mexico in June .

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VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 9

India-Pakistan Relations: A Misplaced Euphoria - Satish Chandra

t is ironical that at a time from the near euphoric when Pakistan’s standing in statements being made in this I the international community regard from many sections, is down in the dumps its official and non official, in the relationship with India is on the latter. Have the perpetrators of mend. While the rationale for the the Mumbai attacks been brought former is clear there is no such to book by Pakistan? No. Instead explanation for the latter. terrorists like Hafiz Saeed are allowed to function freely and The downward spiral in openly spew venom against India. Pakistan’s standing in the Has Pakistan wound down the international community is due to infrastructure of terror created by numerous factors notably its it for use against India? No. having been exposed as a source Indeed, after the Mumbai attacks of terrorism, its role as a spoiler of November 2008 there have in finding a satisfactory resolution been at least three other major to the Afghan problem, its Pakistani inspired terrorist unsavoury record as a attacks against India. Has proliferator, and finally its Pakistan handed over to India emergence as a nation whose any of the 50 or so terrorists democratic credentials are elements like Dawood Ibrahim suspect and where the observance whose extradition had been of the rule of law is more the requested by the latter? No. Has exception than the norm. Pakistan stopped trying to push infiltrators into Kashmir? No. In contrast, there is no such Has Pakistan shown any linear logic to explain the upward indication of genuinely seeking trend in Pakistan’s relations with reconciliation with India by giving India as would seem to be case up its opposition to India’s quest

*Satish Chandra - Distinguished Fellow, VIF

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 10 for a permanent seat on the UN towards according India MFN Security Council, by curbing the treatment. In this context, one pumping in of fake currency into may caution that it would be India or by desisting from imprudent to be swayed by sweet pursuing an India centric nuclear nothings which is the sum and policy? No. On the contrary it has substance of Zardari’s India visit encouraged the formation of the and the assertions made by Defence of Pakistan Council led Kayani and him. They by no by extremists like Hafiz Saeed means represent any tangible who revel in making aggressive positivity on Pakistan’s stance vis anti Indian statements. a vis India and have merely been induced by the desire to ensure a In the light of the foregoing it peaceful eastern front at a time would be obvious to all objective when Pakistan is under analysts that there is no basic considerable pressure from the change of heart in Pakistan about USA and has a troubled western India and that a new dawn in the front. It is, of course, true that on relationship between the two trade Pakistan has made some countries is not on the cards in forward movement by progressing the foreseeable future. Indeed, from a positive list to a negative given Pakistan’s continued list though one should note that it involvement in terrorism directed is yet to accord MFN status to against India another major India. It must also be clearly terrorist incident in India is just understood that the halting waiting to happen. moves taken by Pakistan in this regard are in part in response to Notwithstanding the foregoing our accord of MFN treatment to many in India still insist on Pakistan way back in the 1990’s, projecting a new found positivity and in part in response to our not in Pakistan’s attitude towards having opposed the EU move to India on the basis of the very fact provide Pakistani textiles duty of Zardari’s April 8th visit to free access to the Eurozone even India, his call for “better though this adversely affected our relations”, Kayani’s subsequent own textile exports. Finally, it assertion about the need for should be kept in mind that by peaceful coexistence between the deciding to give India MFN two countries and resolution of all treatment Pakistan is only doing issues, and Pakistan’s move itself a favour as its failure to do

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 11 so all these years has denied it Siachen issues. It is submitted access to cheaper Indian goods---- that no such agreements should something which is particularly even be contemplated until and painful at a time when its unless there is clear evidence that economy is in dire straits. Pakistan is prepared to bring to book the perpetrators of the Clearly, projections of a change of Mumbai attacks, shut down its heart in Pakistan vis a vis India India centric terrorist are untenable. They are also infrastructure and give up its unfortunate as they have created inimical attitude towards India. a totally misplaced euphoria Conclusion of such agreements in about the possible upward the absence of such trajectory of India- evidence would not Pakistan relations Furthermore, it needs to borne only amount to and induced all in mind that even relatively dishonouring the manner of ill innocuous measures like an memories of the considered calls for easing of visa restrictions or countless Indians further concessions removal of constraints on who have been the by India to woo Pakistani investments in India victims of Pakistan even in will exponentially enhance Pakistani inspired disregard of all Pakistan’s capabilities to terror but would security destabilize India and should also embolden implications. Such not, therefore, be considered as Pakistan to calls are gathering long as the former does not continue to involve traction as our give up its inimical approach itself in terrorist Prime Minister is towards India. actions directed all set to visit against India Pakistan within the next few confident that the latter will months and a “successful” visit never penalize it. Furthermore, it would demand the conclusion of needs to borne in mind that even some agreements. relatively innocuous measures like an easing of visa restrictions Some of the agreements being or removal of constraints on touted are an easing of the visa Pakistani investments in India regime, removal of existing will exponentially enhance restrictions on Pakistani Pakistan’s capabilities to investments in India, and destabilize India and should not, settlement of the Sir Creek and therefore, be considered as long as

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 12 the former does not give up its the more so as the special inimical approach towards India. gestures made by India in the In this context, one need only past as in the Indus Waters refer to recent reports to the effect Treaty and in the Simla that Pakistan has been using the Agreement have earned it no eased travel opportunities across gratitude or appreciation from the LOC for smuggling large Pakistan. amounts of fake currency into India. Both on Sir Creek and Siachen, though the differences between Finally, as regards the two countries the proposed Specifically, in respect of Sir are relatively small agreements on Sir Creek while India has taken they embody Creek and Siachen the internationally accepted important issues of the same will only position that the boundary principle and there be reached if India between the two counties is no reason why makes all the should be the mid channel of India should make concessions. the Creek, Pakistan demands concessions and Historically, on no that it should be the eastern give in to the issue has Pakistan shore line of the Creek. While utterly made any major acceptance by India of the unreasonable concession and Pakistani position would entail demands made by agreements a marginal loss of territory on Pakistan. between it and land it will have a much India have only greater adverse impact in the Specifically, in been arrived at on determination of our maritime respect of Sir Creek when the latter has boundary and Extended while India has done all the Economic Zone. taken the running. Though internationally the differences between the two accepted position that the countries on both issues are boundary between the two relatively small there is no reason counties should be the mid for India to make any special channel of the Creek, Pakistan gestures as long as Pakistan demands that it should be the continues to give us no eastern shore line of the Creek. satisfaction on the issue of While acceptance by India of the terrorism and retains its inimical Pakistani position would entail a mindset vis a vis India. This is all marginal loss of territory on land

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 13 it will have a much greater authentication of the Actual adverse impact in the Ground Position Line. Indeed, determination of our maritime some may argue and rightly so boundary and Extended Economic that we should not pursue an Zone. Accordingly, it would not be agreement at all on this issue appropriate for us to give up our because when it was originally principled position on the issue. mooted in the 1980’s we were This is all the more so as the taking many casualties in the region is believed to be rich in area which is not the case today hydrocarbons. due to vastly improved logistics. Furthermore, while we could, in In respect of Siachen both sides the 1980’s and 1990’s, have have been calling for a addressed Pakistan’s stealthy demilitarization of the area and occupation of the area, through a withdrawal of forces to specified breach of faith, by bringing to points. It has, however, not been bear our superiority in possible to arrive at an agreement conventional arms this is much as Pakistan has been unwilling to more difficult in the current authenticate the existing location nuclearised environment. Above of the forces of the two sides. This all we should not lose sight of the is essential in order to be able to fact that demilitarization of establish breach of faith by either Siachen will enhance the side. Given Pakistan’s proclivity possibility of Sino-Pak collusive to violate such understandings activity in the area. with India, as most recently demonstrated by their breach of back to content the LOC in 1999 which led to the Kargil conflict, it would be imprudent for us to give up our insistence on Pakistan’s

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 14

President Putin Redux - P.P. Shula

Even with the North Atlantic orientation of today’s European policy, we cannot forget that NATO and Europe are not one and the same thing. And I’ve already said that Russia is a country of European culture, not NATO culture. - Vladimir Putin, First Person n 7 May, as has been was demonstrably unequal to the happening every four years task. O since 2000, a President was sworn into office on the It is to the credit of Putin that he Kremlin in Moscow. Vladimir did indeed save Russia. He did Putin took the oath of office for more: he restored it to the level of the third time – actually for the a great power. He brought fourth time, since he had been stability, he ended the free-for-all acting President since late 1999. that Russia, including even its It must have been quite a contrast capital city had been reduced to. for him. When he took office duly And he oversaw a revival of the elected in May 2000, he told the country’s economy as well. As a Russian people that his result, by the early 2000’s, predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, had Goldman Sachs had identified it handed over power to him with as part of the BRIC economies one plea: “Save Russia”. And at whose future was to become one of that time, it was a big ask. Russia the major economies in the world. was going through fresh True, not all of this was Putin’s convulsions, economic and doing, but in large measure it political, and the ailing Yeltsin was, and he had created the

* PP Shukla – Joint Director, VIF

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 15 stability that was so essential for these were the cities that had the economy to take advantage of gained the most from the policies the commodity boom that was to of Putin, and he himself is a follow. And a grateful populace native of St Petersburg. indicated its recognition of his role by giving him a degree of This would explain why the support that - even after return of Putin as President has discounting for some exaggeration not been welcomed with the in the opinion polls – most enthusiasm that he certainly feels democratic leaders can only entitled to. Public opinion has dream of. clearly shifted in the four years of the Medvedev Presidency, and But time marches on, new events this has targeted both the leaders, occur, the stability as well as their and other basics A look at his views as they Party, the United begin to be taken have been since his first term Russia Party for granted. as President suggests that he [URP]. This would Memories fade, and sees Russian interests best also explain why new ideas emerge. served in a strong European there have been Above all, a new tie-up. This is coupled with an street President had to be understanding [right or wrong] demonstrations elected as the that Europe and America are against both the Russian distinct cultures, as the quote Parliamentary Constitution allows given at the opening of this elections that were only two article indicates. held last December consecutive terms [won by URP of to an incumbent. Medvedev held course, though with a diminished the job for four years, starting in mandate], and the Presidential 2008, and in both tone and elections in March. substance, his approach to governance was markedly Anyway, Putin is in power now different. Some degree of popular for six years – the term of the impatience with the “sovereign Presidency was increased to six democracy” that was the flavour years by Medvedev in one of his of the Putin-Medvedev era was early acts as President, and it is clearly manifest, especially on the important to try and understand streets of Moscow and St his [Putin’s] persona and current Petersburg. The irony was that strategic views. It would be important to recognise that the

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 16 situation in Russia – indeed all of particularly close to Russia and to Europe – is fluid, and there are Putin. [It would be fair to say that few certainties, including of Medvedev is more exposed, and politics in the continent. sympathetic, to the Anglo-Saxon world and culture.] A look at his views as they have been since his first term as Putin has revealed his attitude President suggests that he sees very early in his new stint as Russian interests best served in a President. He blamed the street strong European tie-up. This is disturbances on the Americans coupled with an understanding even before he took office; and he [right or wrong] that Europe and has declined to attend the G8 America are distinct cultures, as Summit in America. The message the quote given at clearly is that the opening of this America is not to article indicates. There was early speculation, be his first visit This is coupled fed by Russian sources, that outside the CIS. In with a strong the first country Putin was fairness, President personal German likely to visit outside the CIS Obama also did not exposure during will be China. There is to be an help matters by his career in the SCO [Shanghai Cooperation declaring that KGB, with the Organisation] Summit in June Putin had one leg result that he in China, and he will be going in the Cold War for that. In turn, China has speaks fluent era, and welcomed Putin’s return to the German, and is demonstrating a Presidency. well acquainted clear preference for with the culture. In his early book dealing with Medvedev. – a long interview actually – Nonetheless, the fact that Putin “First Person”, he describes with has retained Medvedev as Prime feeling how he was impressed by Minister and sent him to the G8 Helmut Kohl of Germany, and Summit, suggests that he [Putin] observes: “And it was especially is pragmatic enough to see that gratifying to hear him [Kohl] say the American relationship is that he couldn’t imagine a Europe important enough not to be without Russia”. This view has damaged just in order to make a been only reinforced over the point. Of course, this move to stay years, and German Chancellors away may also play into the like Schroeder have been American Presidential elections,

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 17 and Putin would not mind that short speech, as all his inaugural either, for he is not one to forget a speeches have been, but there is slight. this significant passage: “We must all understand that the life of our There was early speculation, fed future generations and our by Russian sources, that the first prospects as a country and nation country Putin was likely to visit depend on us today and on our outside the CIS will be China. real achievements in building a There is to be an SCO [Shanghai new economy and developing Cooperation Organisation] modern living standards, on our Summit in June in China, and he efforts to look after our people and will be going for support our that. In turn, This idea of Eurasia is very families, on our China has much part of Putin’s persona, and embraces both a strong determination in welcomed Putin’s developing our vast return to the tie-up with Europe and Germany as its anchor, and expanses from the Presidency. An with China at the other end of Baltic to the article in the the Eurasian land-mass. In the Pacific, and on our People’s Daily, same speech, Putin also ability to become a under the title “A praised Medvedev for the work he did as President. The latter leader and centre stable prosperous of gravity for the Russia under Putin also spoke at the inaugural ceremony and hinted that the whole of Eurasia.” is good for China” civil and social changes he [Emphasis added]. hailed his electoral introduced need to be success, adding preserved. This could contain This idea of that he rode the seeds of future trouble between the two men. Eurasia is very “a wave of populari much part of ty for his no- Putin’s persona, nonsense incorruptible image” – and embraces both a strong tie-up just the sort of message that with Europe and Germany as its would please him. While it is true anchor, and with China at the that he will be going to China for other end of the Eurasian land- the SCO meet, he will, it turns mass. In the same speech, Putin out first visit Europe [Germany also praised Medvedev for the and France] and that will be in work he did as President. The early June latter also spoke at the inaugural It is also instructive to examine ceremony and hinted that the civil Putin’s inaugural speech. It is a and social changes he introduced

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 18 need to be preserved. This could number of Chinese settlers, contain the seeds of future trouble registered and unregistered, in between the two men. the area are not more than half a million at the most. But the potential imbalance is too serious On the same day that he took to be ignored. The Order issued by office, Putin signed a number of Putin calls for more incentives to Executive Orders, some five in all families that have three or number; of these, three are of more babies; nothing really new immediate interest, as they also here. The important element is tell us something about the the suggestion that migration is priorities that he will follow. They to become a serious effort to concern Demographics, the address the labour shortage. Economy, and Foreign Policy. Again, this is not entirely new, Each of them is worth considering and there are migrants from the in some detail. The Russian CIS in large numbers. But the population has been in steady intent here appears to be to cast a decline for some decades now, wider net, something that has particularly the Slavic part. been bubbling under the surface Despite Governmental efforts, for some years now. The this trend has not been arrested. document is short on substance, There is not only the question of but this is a thought that has maintaining the population found high-level expression, and growth at a level that would be will need to be followed carefully. enough to replenish the labour force, important though that is, On the foreign policy side, there there is also the problem of are a number of important depopulation – over time – of the indications of what we may Siberian region. A very small part expect. The order in which issues of the population lives in these are taken up may be taken to regions, no more than 7 million in reflect their importance. The list the Far East. Facing them across of tasks begins with international the border is a Chinese population issues like terrorism, that is some 120 million, if not proliferation, drug-trafficking, etc. more. At the moment, the Then comes the regional problem has been contained, prioritisation, and the first area despite scare stories to the listed is the CIS. Next comes the contrary in Russian lore, and the European Union, where the most

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 19 important subject is Energy towards it, notably Ballistic cooperation and the need to Missile Defence deployments in develop a common space in this East Europe, and NATO sector. Asia-Pacific is the next and expansion, and this has been well- there is the following formulation received in the Russian elite used to define priority tasks: policy circles. “deepening equal, trust-based partnership and strategic The US is the next to be cooperation with China, strategic mentioned, and has the partnership with India and distinction of being only one of Vietnam, and developing four countries mentioned in a mutually beneficial cooperation stand-alone formulation. There is with Japan, South nothing unexpected in the details Korea, Australia, of policy priorities Asia-Pacific is the next and but it is important New Zealand and there is the following to note that there other key nations formulation used to define in the Asia-Pacific priority tasks: “deepening is an explicit region.” equal, trust-based partnership reference to the and strategic cooperation with threat Russia Until recently, China, strategic partnership perceives from the India and China with India and Vietnam, and American plans for developing mutually beneficial were mentioned on a global missile cooperation with Japan, South par with each Korea, Australia, New Zealand defence system. other, but here the and other key nations in the This is one of the standing of China Asia-Pacific region.” major Russian is clearly enhanced. concerns, as There is a suggestion that the two mentioned above, and will countries are not only trusted continue to bedevil relations. partners, but that they also Obama was overheard asking cooperate at the strategic level. Medvedev to ask Putin to give This is a trend in Russian him some time to work through thinking and action that needs to this issue after the election, but be watched carefully. China is the Russia will clearly not cut any only major power that has shown slack on this one. some understanding of Russian concerns over Western policies

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 20

The other countries that get a audited for their performance. stand-alone mention are These were monopolies from the Afghanistan, Iran, and North Soviet times, which were broken Korea – all problem areas that up in the 1990’s, then re- concern Russia deeply. There is consolidated under Putin himself. nothing remarkable in the They have clearly not performed formulations, though it is worth up to the mark, and it is not noting that on Afghanistan, the surprising that their functioning Order mentions the importance of is to be examined. But the SCO and of CSTO [Collective approach is still decidedly statist, Security Treaty Organisation – a and it would be fair to say that grouping of some this is not the former Soviet The other countries that get a thinking that states], and of the stand-alone mention are guided Medvedev Russia-NATO Afghanistan, Iran, and North in his policies as Council. But there Korea – all problem areas that President. is no direct concern Russia deeply. There mention of NATO is nothing remarkable in the An important itself, which is odd formulations, though it is aspect that considering that worth noting that on deserves close the Russians at Afghanistan, the Order attention going various times have mentions the importance of forward is the indicated their SCO and of CSTO [Collective nature of the Security Treaty Organisation – desire for ISAF not Defence a grouping of some former to pull out cooperation Soviet states], and of the prematurely from between Russia Russia-NATO Council. the country. and China. After some serious The economic policy contains problems in the mid-2000’s, some of the expected targets, such things appear to have got better as on ease of doing business. But lately. A recent statement by one the most significant hint is that of China’s Deputy Ministers concerning the main State emphasised the importance of this monopolies on aircraft in the bilateral strategic manufacturing and ship building. partnership between the two There is a hint that the countries. and the financial monopolies hae not performed as problems of the Russian Defence expected, and they are to be industry would make China an

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 21 attractive partner. There are were two First DPM’s in the continuing problems over IPR outgoing arrangement] is another issues, no doubt, but this is where indicator of a willingness to reach the dynamic between the financial out to the West for deeper problems and the overall economic engagement. It is also relationship on the one hand, and worth noting that Vladislav the IPR issue on the other will Surkov seems to have been bear watching. forgiven for the disappointing performance of the United Russia The early personnel changes have Party at the Parliamentary also been announced. There are elections and is now to be the some changes in the Government Head of the Government Staff, a Ministers though the Ministers powerful post. None of the three for Foreign Affairs, Finance and has any exposure to India, and Defence remain unchanged. The this would suggest that we would most intriguing aspect of the have to continue to work at the change is the dropping of the top leadership levels in order to powerful Deputy Prime Minister, keep the economic relationship Igor Sechin, who controlled the healthy. Energy and Fuel complex. It has now been announced that he is to Many of the Ministers who were become CEO of the State oil in charge of economic and social company Rosneft – a clear portfolios in the outgoing demotion. There were suspected Government have been moved to differences between him and the Kremlin as advisers to Putin. President Medvedev, but this This suggests that he will run the looks like a concerted move by Government with tight control both the leaders in the new over decision-making, and with tandem, Putin and Medvedev. the help of the team that he had with him as Prime Minister. But The removal of Sechin from the perhaps the most important move post of Deputy Prime Minister from the old Government team is opens the way for a Medvedev the complete rehabilitation and protégé – Arkady Dvorkovich – to return to power and trust of take his place as the overall in- Sergei Ivanov, who was earlier charge of the Energy and Fuel the Deputy Prime Minister. He Complex. The retention of Igor was a candidate for the Shuvalov as First Deputy Prime Presidency and very close to Putin Minister, and the only such [there

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 22 in 2008, but Putin chose positive reference in the foreign Medvedev over him then. Ivanov policy priorities, even though it was brought in as the Head of the comes below China and the Presidential Administration in description is of a lesser order. December last year, while Medvedev was still President. However, of late, our high-level However, it was clearly a dialogue has been losing the preparation for the new quality it had during Soviet times, President, namely, Putin. The or even early in the 2000’s, and is position of Head of the becoming formal and Presidential transactional. Administration is There is also the For India, it is important to effectively the most changing Russian take note of the changing important position attitude towards overall outlook in the Russian after that of the Pakistan. It is not establishment. Nothing drastic President himself as yet a cause of is expected in our bilateral in the Kremlin. concern, but the ties, and the relationship is pace of Ivanov, who speaks strong and stable, as is shown fluent English, development of the by the quality of the Defence relationship will knows India well and Hi-tech cooperation and will be an bear careful between the two countries. The scrutiny in the important channel importance of India is also for developing ties coming months and reflected in the positive years. This is between the two reference in the foreign policy countries. almost a Russian priorities, even though it reflex: whenever For India, it is comes below China and the they fear that India important to take description is of a lesser order. is getting too close note of the to America, they changing overall outlook in the reach out to Pakistan. While it Russian establishment. Nothing may have been a viable approach drastic is expected in our bilateral in the 1960’s and 1980’s, it would ties, and the relationship is strong be serious mistake in the current and stable, as is shown by the context, and it is to be hoped that quality of the Defence and Hi-tech those in Moscow who understand cooperation between the two South Asia well will see the countries. The importance of pitfalls of this policy. India is also reflected in the

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 23

All in all, this adds up to a very much to see that. The street ambitious approach to Russian demonstrations after the policy and ambitions. The big Parliamentary and Presidential question is whether this is elections were among the largest feasible. The Russian system has since the fall of the USSR. The atrophied quite a bit since the public mood is changing, and the days of the USSR. The kind of media are reflecting a desire for capabilities it had in science and more changes – once again in a technology, in defence, in space – liberal direction, after the control all this has suffered attrition. they accepted in the early period Above all, their long-standing of this century. If the leadership weakness in economic thinking is up to the challenge of adapting and management, especially in to the new circumstances, the context of a market economy, economic and social, Russia can and a probable slowdown in the look forward to another period of commodity boom, is going to prove stability and economic growth. As to be a serious challenge. There is a major power on the global scene, also going to be unprecedented Russia will be an important factor resistance to Putin’s vision and in the emerging shape of the programme – it does not take world, one way or another.

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VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 24

India-China Relations Are Marked By Strategic Stability, Tactical Aggressiveness - Gurmeet Kanwal

elations between India and old territorial and boundary China have been fairly dispute over which the two R stable at the strategic countries fought a border war in level. Economic relations are 1962. The pointers to the future much better now than these have are not particularly positive. been in the past. Mutual economic China continues to be in physical dependence is growing rapidly occupation of large areas of even though the balance of trade Indian territory in Jammu and is skewed in China’s favour. The Kashmir. On the Aksai Chin two countries have been plateau in Ladakh in J&K, China cooperating in international fora is in possession of approximately like WTO talks and climate 38,000 square kilometres of change negotiations. There has territory since the mid-1950s. In even been some cooperation in addition, Pakistan illegally ceded energy security. However, at the 5,180 sq km of Indian territory to tactical level, China has been China in 1963 in the Shaksgam exhibiting a markedly assertive Valley of Pakistan Occupied political, diplomatic and military Kashmir under a bilateral attitude. Instability in the boundary agreement that India security relationship, in does not recognise. Close to this particular, has the potential to act area, the Chinese built the as a spoiler; and, it is this Karakoram highway that now relationship that will ultimately provides a strategic land link determine whether the two Asian between Xinjiang, Tibet and giants will clash or cooperate for Pakistan. China continues to mutual gains. The major cause for stake its claim to about 96,000 sq instability in the India-China km of Indian territory in the relationship is the half-century eastern state of Arunachal

* Gurmeet Kanwal – Visiting Fellow, VIF

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Pradesh, which it calls Southern the Military Field signed in 1996, Tibet. border guards of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have Chinese interlocutors have transgressed the LAC repeatedly repeatedly claimed that the to intrude into Arunachal Tawang Tract, in particular, is Pradesh and Ladakh. They have part of Tibet and that the merger even objected to Indian road of this area with Tibet is non- construction efforts and the negotiable. In 2005, India and presence of Indian graziers at China had agreed on “guiding their traditional grazing grounds. principles and parameters” for a To be fair to the Chinese, they too political solution to the territorial claim similar transgressions by dispute. One important Indian patrols. parameter was that “settled During any future conflict with Patrol face-offs are populations will either China or Pakistan – commonplace and not be disturbed”. even though the probability is usually end with In the case of low, India will have to contend both the sides Tawang, the with a two-front situation as warning each other Chinese have gone each is likely to collude to go back to their back on their militarily with the other – a own territory. commitment. If situation for which the Indian While no such such erratic armed forces are not prepared. incident has behavior continues, resulted in a India will find it difficult to accept violent clash so far, the Chinese assurances of peaceful probability of such an occurrence resolution of the territorial is high. Demarcation of the LAC dispute at face value. without prejudice to each other’s position on the territorial dispute The Line of Actual Control (LAC) would be an excellent confidence between India and China is yet to building measure but little be physically demarcated on the progress has been made in 15 ground and delineated on military rounds of talks between the two maps. In fact, despite the Border Special Representatives, Peace and Tranquility Agreement including the January 2012 (BPTA) signed with the Chinese meting at New Delhi. Under the in 1993 and the agreement on circumstances, China’s Confidence Building Measures in intransigence in exchanging maps

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 26 showing the alignment of the LAC deeper than the oceans.” China in the western and the eastern has also guaranteed Pakistan’s sectors is difficult to understand. territorial integrity.During any The military gap between Indian future conflict with either China and China is growing steadily as or Pakistan – even though the the PLA is modernising at a rapid probability is low, India will have pace due to the double-digit to contend with a two-front annual growth in the Chinese situation as each is likely to defence budget while India’s collude militarily with the other – military modernisation plans a situation for which the Indian continue to remain mired in red armed forces are not prepared. tape. China’s negotiating strategy Hence, it is in India’s interest to is to stall resolution of the dispute strive for the early resolution of till the Chinese are in a much the territorial dispute with China stronger position in terms of so that India has only one major comprehensive national strength military adversary to contend so that they can then dictate with terms. The rapidly blossoming strategic partnership between back to content China and Pakistan is also a major cause for concern. Chinese leaders have proclaimed that their friendship with Pakistan is “higher than the mountains and

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 27

Iran, Israel And India's Interests

- Barry Bharathan

Geo Politics of Civilisations and Culture

wo civilisations, India and Israeli diplomat's car, the Iran and a very ancient American led Western isolation of T culture consecrated in the Iran has triggered of a reaction creation of Israel are in an asking for India to choose a Iran enigmatic triangle. India is or Israel approach. The house is involuntarily at the apex with divided on this as is expected in inimical, Iran and Israel at the our democracy. Pressure from two distanced points of this USA too is a significant factor. triangle. The media, information highway is full of articles assuming India has managed relations on polarised positions. Whatever be an “Iran & Israel” approach. Iran the views, India's Interests come supplies nearly 12% of oil and the first and foremost. promise of gas supplies in the future. Many also believe that Never a Zero Sum Game India and Iran enjoy a civilisational relationship that International relationship is endures periodic differences. never a zero sum game. This self Israel and India cooperation that evident truth shows up in all the began in the early 90's has Geo Political and Military progressively evolved into a happenings in the South Asian, robust engagement across the Central Asia and the, Gulf; land span of defense, agriculture, and ocean Mass over the last two science, technology and research. decades. Most critically, this In many ways, over the last two entire swathe has been subject to decades India has successfully cross currents of international responded to “Shalom and Salaam interests, inter and intra country aleikum” of both Israel and Iran. upheavals. Artificial divisions of The 13th February attack on an the region by the British also

* Barry Bharathan – Distinguished Fellow, VIF & Former Vice Chief, Indian Navy

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 28 spawned regional tensions. Israeli openly declared intentions of - Arab animosity, the Iran - Iraq completely destroying the latter. war, the Cold War between the The probability of a pre emptive super powers, the then unique Israeli strike on Iran with Iraq- Soviet Union engagement attendant ramifications cannot be and the incessant quest for energy ruled out. Its attack on Iraq, years has scarred this swathe into being ago cannot be forgotten. China a land of constant violence, has a unique Iran relationship. It conflict, radical ethnicity and geo- is a silent, covert supplier of political instability. In effect nuclear and missile material to whatever path India chooses, Iran. Maraging steel for would be irrelevant centrifuges, that in the background USA and China too are since have been of a much larger intrinsic to this construct. The destroyed by Israel, and simmering former has binding, ties with and the silk worm volcano of visceral the Jewish state. It is at missiles are but a distrust and present in the politics of few glaring misperceptions. confrontation with the examples of Even on this single Persians on a host of well Chinese complicity. factor India would known issues. Iran's nuclear This is in line with perhaps do well to posturing and anti American a China policy of maintain status stand off, rattles the West. It is pursuing a path of quo in its Iran and also an avowed enemy of Israel setting up a long- Israel with openly declared term presence in relationships. intentions of completely the Middle East destroying the latter. and Africa. An USA and China important and ignored aspect is USA and China too are intrinsic Beijing's plans to influence affairs to this construct. The former has in Afghanistan and Central Asia. binding, ties with the Jewish In more ways than one, the wake state. It is at present in the of an American led NATO politics of confrontation with the withdrawal is waiting to be filled Persians on a host of well known in by China supported by issues. Iran's nuclear posturing Pakistan. Iran is a proxy Ocean and anti American stand off, guarantor along with Pakistan. rattles the West. It is also an The port of Gwadar and Mir avowed enemy of Israel with

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Quasim are already being readied the lone super power, is for China. committed to the free World and the idealism of democracy. Yet it Cross Domino Effects has an open and also closed long lasting relationship with the There are also some cross domino Saudis. In more ways than one, effects that need to be in the this borders on invidiousness. calculus of Gulf geo politics. A few Saudi Arabia is distinctly a of them are: totalitarian theocracy. It is also a strident sponsor of International Shia- Sunni Schism terrorism. The horrific 9/11 World The historic Shia- Sunni schism is Trade Centre attack had many a silent strategic Saudi nationals. Al Qaeda was divider in the spawned there and region. This divide The USA, the lone super and remanants constantly simmers power, is committed to the free remain in that between tension World and the idealism of kingdom. Saudi and violent democracy. Yet it has an open Arabian confrontation. Arab and also closed long lasting relationship with spring happenings relationship with the Saudis. China and do involve this In more ways than one, this Pakistan is also divide in its own borders on invidiousness. unique and close dynamic. This Saudi Arabia is distinctly a While USA is its Islamic schism is totalitarian theocracy. prime arms and violent, visceral military training and unrelenting over the last ally, it is repotted several centuries, to have missiles from China. Terrorism in Pakistan flourishes Saudi Arabian - American with Saudi Arabian money. Closer Appliqué home, in India too, its efforts in engaging many madrassas is Applique virtually means external motivated by a bigoted obsession application or superimposition. to aggressively spread Islam at Appliqué is indeed apt in the cost of everything else. The describing the American- Saudi porous polity of India is passive Arabian connection in the context on this too. The USA is also of a democracy dealing with a impervious to a similar successful theocratic monarchy. The USA, attempt in its own continent.

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Wahabism of the American- Iranian honeymoon post the overthrow of In the Gulf region this oil-rich Shah Reza Pahlavi. kingdom follows Wahabi Islam alongside a closed society. Saudi Energy Security and Security of Royalty with tacit American Energy support has kept a stranglehold on its people. There is neither Global Energy needs are on freedom nor fairness in that exponential rise. Oil is black gold. society in the name of Islam. It controls the pulse of Islamic views on the "infidel" International trade. Keeping sea (kafir) are lanes open and perpetuated in Global Energy needs are on providing security exponential rise. Oil is black to this energy are Saudi Arabia. gold. It controls the pulse of onerous tasks. The Wahabi ways International trade. Keeping condone many sea lanes open and providing Persian Gulf, Red wrongdoings in the security to this energy are Sea, the Indian name of religion. onerous tasks. The Persian Ocean and the The Arab spring Gulf, Red Sea, the Indian concerned choke Ocean and the concerned choke points are all uprisings are only points are all vulnerable, but vulnerable, but a symptom of the vital and valuable to ensure disease of unrest the flow of oil and gas from the vital and valuable with no real end in Middle East to the East and to ensure the flow sight. Egypt, Libya Far East. Any conflict in the of oil and gas from and now Syria are region is bound to have a the Middle East to catastrophic impact on energy the East and Far examples of failed availability and failing East. Any conflict leadership. in the region is Western influence was the genesis bound to have a catastrophic and is now the ironic, iron force impact on energy availability. behind the people movement who aspire for freedom from autocratic Arms Bazaar regimes. It is no more a question The region spreading from the of whether the Saudi royalty will Gulf to the Far East is an arms cave in but when. This too is bazaar. There is a plethora of bound to trigger a tsunami of lethal conventional weapons of uncertainty and chaos! It would intense concentration in the Gulf. be a deja vu repeat of the collapse The western countries headed by

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USA, and China along with some implications in effect, impact and eastern bloc countries led by consequences for the Sub- Russia are part of the military continent. What happens in the vendors club. The famous book Persian Gulf will have a lasting, tilted Arms Bazaar by Anthony and long-term impact on all Sampson clearly illustrates that Indian Ocean rim countries. The the military supplies have been Indian Ocean is a floating home to on since the last four decades. about 35 to 40 warships from More telling is the simple fact of different nations, not to speak backward and volatile nations about the Indian, Pakistan, having easy and ready access to Bangladesh, Sri Lankan navies fierce fire power. Wild West and task Force 150 led by USA. syndrome echoes in the deserts, At any given time there are at dunes and the waters of the land. least 10 to 15 submarines The West is futilely trying to put transiting underwater. Nearly out the fires that it had started 2000 to 3000 merchant ships decades ago! ranging from super tankers, gas carriers, cargo ships, container Indian Ocean vessels, traverse these waterways every day. Fishing fleets, dhows, The Indian Ocean is the “Life trawlers, exploratory vessels, big line” between West and East. oil rigs also cross the sea lanes. In Over 1000 million tons of oil pass peace time alone the Arabian Sea, through close to Indian shores the Bay of Bengal, the important every year. India is dependent on straits from east to west are all the seas for 95% of its trade and subject to threats of: 80% for oil. It cannot simply afford to allow closure of sea lanes  Mutual interference among for more than 10 days. This Ocean submarines being every one’s lake is the  Environmental degradation reality today. As the largest stake due to discharge of dirty oil holder in the region we at least by empty oil tankers in ought to know what is happening violation of in our waters and be able to UNCLOS(United Nations rightfully secure ourselves as a Convention on laws of the sovereign democracy. Others may Seas) agreed upon rules of sail away but we cannot. This behavior. subtle difference has gross, telling

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 Major oil Pollution disasters  Strangulation of traffic, in due to collisions between choke points, due to any of tankers. the above.  Tsunamis and cyclones.  Low intensity threats of In these circumstances to ask piracy, smuggling and India to choose between Iran and hijacking. Israel is hypothetically and geo- politically anathema.

Indian Interests

Indian interests do not need great debate and Indian interests do not need discussion. We are a benign power, a great debate and discussion. secular stable democracy and an We are a benign power, a ancient civilisation. The international secular stable democracy and arena flocks to us, despite our an ancient civilisation. The weaknesses. international arena flocks to Therein lies our us, despite our weaknesses. intrinsic strength. Today, the world Therein lies our intrinsic needs us. We never need to be in a strength. Today, the world position to choose but let others want needs us. We never need to be us. Our Interests can be realised by in a position to choose but let being what we are. Let greater or others want us. Our Interests lesser powers do can be realised by being what the asking of India we are. Let greater or lesser to be what it can be for their sake! powers do the asking of India to be what it can be for their Iran sake! before the influx of the Europeans. We We need Iran for counter simply cannot abdicate this even balancing the Gulf security if we are tempted to unwittingly calculus. Western influence while attempt this exercise. 12% of oil is being of immense use has also critical. Constructive inherent limitations of distanced engagement with Iran would give and obtuse alien content. India India some leverage towards has historic, cultural, commerce resolution of pending contentious and trade foot prints that are issues in the region. Equally etched in the DNA of the important is the Chinese dragon Mediterranean, Maghreb, that is breathing fire to an agenda Malacca, Near and Far East long of its own. Countering this

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 33 without confrontation requires an offing. Israelis have also learned amalgamated, calming, Indian to live with our pro-Palestine presence with tacit support of the Posture. other players in the region. Gulf Countries Israel India enjoys a unique stature in Many Israelis, specially from the Arab World. In many ways, their Political, Military, Pakistani attempt to discredit diplomatic corps believe that their India has not found much favour. population is 1.2 billion by simply Over the years the number of adding their 7.8 million. They Indians who work in the Gulf, has have a fervent gone up belief that the Jews significantly across and Indians have a India enjoys a unique stature various disciplines. destiny together for in the Arab World. In many This is indeed a the common good of ways, Pakistani attempt to major factor that the World. This discredit India has not found brings in valuable small State adds much favour. Over the years foreign exchange, great value to India the number of Indians who contributing to our and brings surgical work in the Gulf, has gone up economy. The Iraqi precision to our significantly across various Air Force and Navy diplomatic, disciplines. This is indeed a have at one time, military, and major factor that brings in been trained by us government valuable foreign exchange, very well on matrices. India- contributing to our economy. Military basics. Israel cooperation Oman and India focuses on space, water have also a special relationship management, non-conventional that has prospered over the years. energy sources, nanotechnology, Saudi Arabia and India too have biotechnology and self reliance in now entered into a positive military technology. There are arrangement, highlighting a also agrarian thrusts between tectonic shift in perceptions. both countries. Israel is our sixth These have taken place despite largest trading partner. With our ongoing Israeli connection. trade value of nearly $10 billion India's decision not to join USA in and increasing, a bi-lateral free Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 trade agreement is also in the was perhaps most prudent and

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 34 strategically sensible. This has commitment to the letter of the stood us in good stead and earned law. the appreciation of the regional leadership. Iran-India India's Signature Tune relationship is also perceived by the Middle East as a salutary India is an enigmatic miracle. The influence in the region. India- last 25 years has seen us grow as GCC trade stands around $120 one of the leading economies billion. Approximately 6 million starting with our liberalised Indian nationals work in the Gulf economic strategy. 1998 saw us with yearly remittances of $30 become a nuclear power. We are billion. 70 to 75% of India’s energy now recognised by the USA imports are from the Gulf through the aegis of defense countries, including Iran. These cooperation and Indo-US civil are irrevocable links that have to nuclear cooperation agreements. be further strengthened. Several significant partnerships have also emerged with a host of Indian Sovereignty G-8 and G-20 countries. Prospects of us being elected into the UN We are a Sovereign system, with Security Council also appear a track record of sound law and bright. order in the national and international arena. Justice and India at home appears diffident prosecuting terrorist activities are and disjointed. Nation part of our jurisprudence. It goes Management, Political leadership beyond consideration of our apathy and lack of accountability relationships. There is need for are all part of our evolution. objectivity in our dealing with the Nevertheless the intrinsic attack on the Israeli diplomat strength of India resting with our with the heavy hand of the law. seasoned office establishment has We also need to preempt any always ensured that we muddle Israeli retaliation in our soil. On through, without too much mud no account should we be seen as a on our face. The international vacillating system that is image of India is yet another indecisive. Our handling of Kasab positive paradigm. India is caught red handed in the 26/11 predictable, staid, stable, secular Mumbai attack, though and restrained. Our protests are frustrating, does vindicate our full loud but our violence is subdued.

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Our elections are peaceful, with We are no more in a position of our laws mostly enforced. We having to choose or measure our have come off age without too march. On the way we may falter much trauma of a colonial at times but would not fall down. dominion. Our eclectic absorption, Let India continue with Iran and adaptability and the phenomenal Israel triad and not consider this success of Indians abroad are all a triage. This would be our noticed by others. rightful and rational call.

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VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 36

China’s Footprints In Sri Lanka And India’s Concerns

- Dr. N. Manoharan

hina’s footprints in Sri having wider strategic Lanka go beyond the so ramifications is the main Chinese C called “String of Pearls” footprint in Sri Lanka that has framework. Being a “time-tested attracted considerable attention friend” of Sri Lanka, China is one of India. Some of the important of the major players in the island infrastructure projects developed in many fields. The diplomatic by China in the island state engagement goes to 1950s though include Hambantota port, the intensity of it has picked up Katunayake-Colombo tremendously in the recent years. Expressway, the Norochcholai In the present context, the Coal Power Project, Maththala bilateral relations between the Airport, Colombo South Harbour two countries are cast within the Expansion Project, 661-room broad structure of the ‘China-Sri Shangri La hotel and the Center Lanka All-round Cooperation for Performing Arts in Colombo. Partnership of Sincere Mutual Statistically speaking, funding Support and Ever-lasting from China accounts for more Friendship’ proclaimed in 2005. than half of Sri Lanka’s The Chinese involvement ranges construction and development from infrastructure development, loans. In value terms, it is economic aid, oil exploration, estimated at over USD six billion; investments, trade and a strong more than any other country. diplomatic support to the island state when in need, especially in The most talked about project is the wake of human rights Hambantota port. The first phase accountability issue that emerged of the port was completed in 2010 after the end of ‘Eelam War IV’. by the China Harbour Engineering Co. Ltd at a cost of Infrastructure development $360 million. It includes a high-

* Dr. N.Manoharan – Senior Fellow, VIF

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 37 quality passenger terminal, cargo in Sri Lanka is less, if not handling, warehousing, insignificant, in comparison to bunkering, provisioning, China. Sri Lankans rate the maintenance and repair, medical Chinese better in terms of timely supplies and customs clearing completion of projects, cost facilities. The harbour is effectiveness and quality of strategically located not only for infrastructure. Indian companies the Chinese merchant vessels and have certain inherent cargo carriers sailing to and from disadvantages compared to their Africa and the Middle East to Chinese counterparts. While most make a stopover, but can also be Indian companies are privately used by any military fleet. A owned, Chinese ones are state- strong foothold for owned and the Chinese in supported by state Hambantota would Sri Lanka is not alone where financial allow them to have China’s presence is institutions like dominance over a increasingly seen. Beijing has China vast area of the for long been building Development Bank Indian Ocean maritime and other linkages Corporation, and extending from with, apart from Sri Lanka, Exim Bank. Profit Australia in the countries of eastern Africa, motive comes last east, Africa in the Seychelles, Mauritius, West for the Chinese west and up to Asia, Pakistan, Maldives, companies. Their Antarctica in the Bangladesh, Myanmar and priority is to look south. It may not Southeast Asian countries. towards aspects be difficult for like strategic China to closely monitor all ships advantages, diplomatic mileage – military and non-military – that and good will gained through shuttle between east and west projects. Most importantly, in the coasts of India encircling Sri Indian case, the private sector Lanka. Ironically, Colombo had and the government do not seem proposed building the to complement each other’s efforts Hambantota port as a joint and gains. Risk-averse Indian venture with India, but New companies care less about Delhi had let the offer pass. projection of Indian ‘soft power’ without much state support and When it comes to infrastructure motivation. This point should be development, India’s involvement taken into consideration by the

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 38 government of India in its hugely in favour of China (ratio of economic diplomacy. 1:19 compared to 1:10 with India in 2011); yet Sri Lankans are not Sri Lanka is not alone where complaining. China is Sri Lanka’s China’s presence is increasingly largest foreign investor and seen. Beijing has for long been lender. To cite recent figures, building maritime and other China gave USD 1.2 billion and linkages with, apart from Sri USD 821 million respectively in Lanka, countries of eastern 2009 and 2010; this accounted for Africa, Seychelles, Mauritius, 54 percent of total foreign loans in West Asia, Pakistan, Maldives, 2009 and 25 percent in 2010. Sri Bangladesh, Myanmar and Lanka’s Central Bank announced Southeast Asian countries. The in June 2011 that China’s main objective behind is to ensure national currency, the Yuan the security of its sea lanes, (renminbi), would be allowed to be especially unhindered flow of used in international critically-needed energy supplies transactions. On the other hand, from Africa and West Asia. At the the Indian rupee does not enjoy same time, these linkages have the same privilege, despite India doubled up as virtual encircling of remaining as Sri Lanka’s largest India, which some experts call the trading partner and one of the “String of Pearls” construct. largest donors and investors.

Although India’s presence in What the Sri Lankans appreciate, reconstruction of post-war Sri even more is China’s diplomatic Lanka is huge, China’s support to Colombo against West- involvement is also notable. It has led call for international already provided one million investigations on war crimes dollars for the humanitarian committed during ‘Eelam War IV’. needs. This apart, it gave tents China, along with India and meant for IDPs worth 20 million Russia, was instrumental in Yuan. As far as economic defeating the UN resolution in engagement is concerned, the May 2009 censuring Sri Lanka. volume of trade between China China once again supported Sri and Sri Lanka reached nearly 2.1 Lanka when US-sponsored billion US dollars in 2010 and resolution was passed in March grew further to USD 3.14 bn in 2012. When India insisted on 2011. The balance of trade is providing only “non-lethal

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 39 weapons” to Colombo during the an important turning point and it ‘Eelam War IV’ considering is our country’s strategy to domestic political implications enhance our ports-related especially in Tamil Nadu, China economy.” Rajapaksa’s vision is to liberally supplied requisite arms “reposition Sri Lanka as the ‘pearl and ammunition to Sri Lankan of the old Silk Route’.” Colombo is troops to defeat the LTTE. These more than happy to be one of the fetched China tremendous good pearls in China’s “String of will from the Sri Lankan Pearls”. In turn, India’s interests government and the Sinhalese in and concerns are not in Sri general. Lanka’s radars, although the island President Rajpaksa recently There is no free state tries its best observed, “We are a non- lunch, however. In to maintain a fine aligned country. Our return, apart from balancing act to neighbours are Indians. I deeply appreciating keep both big always say, Indians are our China’s help, Sri powers of Asia in relations. From the time of Lanka has time good humour, while Asoka, we have had that and again at the same time culture… but that doesn’t reiterated its strict benefitting from mean we won’t get commercial adherence to ‘one both. To benefits from others; from China policy’: “that distinguish India the Government of China, or Japan, or whoever. They will come here, they will from other players, the People’s build and they will go back. President Rajpaksa Republic of China India comes here, they will recently observed, is the sole legal build and they will stay. This “We are a non- government is the difference…” aligned country. representing the Our neighbours are whole of China and Indians. I always say, Indians are that Taiwan is an inalienable part our relations. From the time of of the Chinese territory.” Colombo Asoka, we have had that does not seem to mind giving culture… but that doesn’t mean more leeway to Beijing in the we won’t get commercial benefits island to strengthen its economy, from others; from China, or which is the top priority at the Japan, or whoever. They will moment. In the words of come here, they will build and President Rajapaksa himself, “Sri they will go back. India comes Lanka’s economy is currently at here, they will build and they will

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 40 stay. This is the difference…” Lanka are purely strategic and, to Keeping this in mind, a little extent, commercial. development projects are offered to both India and China from India is not panicky about China’s time-to-time. But, China is closer footprint, but at the same time to the heart of present Left-of-the- concerned about the strategic Centre regime headed by implications. The main concern is Mahinda Rajapaksa. the possibility of use of infrastructure put in place by India’s involvement in Sri Lanka’s China against Indian interests. In infrastructure development the Annexure of the India-Sri cannot be underestimated. They Lanka Accord of 1987 India and range from helping fund the Sri Lanka have agreed that Matara-Colombo rail line, the “Trincomalee or any other port in dredging and refurbishment of Sri Lanka would not be made the Kankesanthurai Harbor, and available for military use to any the renovation of Palaly Airport. country in a manner which is India’s line of credit is about USD prejudicial to India's interest.” $1.8 billion, although the figure is India trusts that Colombo would roughly half of China’s current abide by this provision seriously. line of credit which stands at But, caution is better, given the roughly USD $3.4 billion. Sri fact that Sri Lanka has not fully Lanka’s preference, therefore, is abided by even the core provisions known. It is now in a position to of the Accord citing various juggle India and China, but is excuses and justifications. To closer to Beijing, which has “no flout this provision in the strings attached”, at least overtly, Annexure will not take much to any of the projects time. The matter of concern for implemented or aid granted. Sri India is the possibility of dual-use Lanka knows well that China will mode of certain infrastructure never demand to address the projects. Like for instance, China grievances of Sri Lankan is allowed to have storage and minorities through a reasonable fuelling facilities at Hambantota, negotiated political settlement, although India has also been and will not place restrictions on offered to enjoy the same the involvement of any other facilities. Similarly, the Colombo country in the island in any port that handles about 70 manner. Beijing’s interests in Sri percent of India’s shipping is

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 41 being modernised with Chinese present context, India has been assistance. If China’s wishes, it dealing the issue in a more subtle can always turn these projects to manner. India has to balance out India’s disadvantage in a conflict between regional peace, its own situation. strategic interests and that of long-term peace, and development New Delhi has indeed been taking of Sri Lanka. The key is to sustain various steps to address these bilateral ties with Sri Lanka in concerns. In a similar situation in the long run and make up for the the 1980s, India was assertive in lost ground. conveying its viewpoint. It in fact made sure that Sri Lanka was not back to content used by forces inimical to India’s interests through the bilateral Accord of July 1987. But, in the

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Carry Forward The Legacy Of Agni-5 - Radhakrishna Rao

he flawless, twenty minute should stand no chance in an long maiden flight of India’s overall arms race with China.” T most advanced and longest Going further, it warned New range Agni-V missile capable of Delhi against relying on its hitting targets at a distance of relationship with US and implied 5,000-kms on April 19 has given a the possibility of India joining big boost to the nuclear hands with the West to curb deterrence and long range China’s growth. ” India should strategic strike capability of also not overstate the value of its India. Western allies and the profits it could gain from participating in a Going beyond the debate whether containment of China. If it the three-stage Agni-V really equated long-range strategic deserves the tag of ICBM (Inter missiles with deterrence of China, Continental Ballistic Missile) or and step-up further hostilities, it not, India should carry forward could be sorely mistaken,” noted the legacy of this most powerful the Global Times editorial. There three-stage, solid fuel driven were also reports to suggest that missile to develop a range of China may pressurize countries to missiles capable of hitting targets drop exporting critical beyond 10,000 kms. For such a components used in missile capability alone can help systems to India. transform India into a superpower besides providing Not surprisingly, the total parity with China to some extent turnaround of US stance in so far in long-range missile strike as its muted reaction to Agni-V capability. Indeed, in the launch was concerned was on the aftermath of the Agni-V launch, expected lines. The cryptic an editorial in the pro-Beijing response of US which had left no Global Times had observed, “India stone unturned to prevent India

* Radhakrishna Rao – Research Fellow, VIF

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 43 from testing the Agni-II missile in Clearly, Agni-V, which has helped late 1990s was “all nuclear India expand its missile foot print capable states should exercise far beyond China and Pakistan, restraint regarding nuclear has altered the global geo-political capabilities.” Added to that, scenario in all its manifestations. following India’s 1998 twin “Agni-V gives strategic deterrence Pokhran nuclear blasts, parity as it provides the same Washington had blamed India for range and clout as Chinese “proliferation” and brought India missiles have,” says Bharat under the technology embargo. Karnad, Professor at the Centre Obviously, USA which is hard for Policy Research in New Delhi. selling its defence hardware to India, cannot afford Indeed, the to offend India at Obviously, USA which is hard decision to equip this critical selling its defence hardware to Agni-V with MIRV juncture. Indian India, cannot afford to offend (Multiple Prime Minister India at this critical juncture. Independently Indian Prime Minister Targetable Re- Manmohan Singh Manmohan Singh was right in entry Vehicle) was right in his his observation: “The observation: “The successful Agni-V test launch would help India successful Agni-V represents another milestone strike multiple test launch in our quest to add to the targets spread represents another credibility of our security and across a vast preparedness to continuously geographical swath milestone in our explore the frontiers of at one go. “The quest to add to the science.” credibility of our versatile capability security and preparedness to of this missile will enable India to continuously explore the frontiers leapfrog into the area of MIRV, of science.” anti-satellite weapons and the capability to launch satellites on The new generation Agni-V demand. This will usher in a new missile with a formidable strike era of missile development in capability and state of the art India,” says Avinash Chander, technological elements marks a Chief Controller (Research and massive strategic leap for India as Development) of missiles and it becomes the sixth nation in the strategic systems at DRDO. world capable of delivering Indeed, DRDO would need to warhead across the continents. build its own launch capability to

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 44 take care of the growing space As it is, the plan to equip Agni-V defence needs of the country. For with MIRV capability has been ISRO with its limited hailed by strategic experts. infrastructure, a single “MIRV is the right way to go,” operational launch vehicle in the says Rajaram Nagappa, Professor form of PSLV (Polar Satellite of Strategic and Security Studies Launch Vehicle) and a solitary at National Institute of Advanced launch complex on India’s eastern Studies(NIAS) in Bangalore. coast is clearly not in a position to Nagappa who had earlier worked build and launch satellites – at on solid fuel driven motor systems short intervals and on a regular at the Thiruvananthapuram- basis – required by the three based Vikram Sarabhai Space wings of the Centre(VSSC) of Services. Indeed, it DRDO can position Agni range ISRO says would be in the of missiles as one of the key “Reduction of fitness of things for components of India’s space structural mass DRDO to modify weaponization programme the and maximising of the Agni range of need for which the country’s fuel efficiency was political leadership should ballistic missiles to recognize without any loss of another important launch satellites time. For in the context of area which the into orbit at a short China’s highly motivated plans defence scientists turnaround time. for perfecting the techniques of have solved.” Moreover, DRDO space warfare, India cannot According to DRDO can position Agni afford to remain a silent sources, an MIRV spectator. range of missiles as payload would be one of the key significantly components of India’s space heavier since it would consist of weaponization programme the several nuclear warheads, each of need for which the country’s them weighing about 400-kg. “The political leadership should primary modules of MIRV are in recognize without any loss of an advanced stage of time. For in the context of China’s development. Realization and highly motivated plans for integration of them into a weapon perfecting the techniques of space is just a question of threat warfare, India cannot afford to perception and the need as it remain a silent spectator. arises,” says Chander.

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Incidentally, the MIRV capability PLA (Peoples Liberation Army) of Agni-V has its parallel in the University in China, “the Agni-V multiple launch capability of the range could be further enhanced four-stage Indian space to become an ICBM.” But then, as workhorse PSLV, which in April stated by Avinash Chander, “As of 2008, had created a sort of record now, most of India’s perceived and by hoisting as many as ten potential strategic threats are satellites into space in one go. localized within 5,500-km range. “The MIRV technology is similar Agni-V will take care of this to ISRO’s multiple satellite concern.” injection technology. The defence scientists have to miniaturize it For India the biggest advantage of and install better Agni-V is that it can be launched guidance systems from any location to ensure that For India the biggest within the country, warheads hit the advantage of Agni-V is that it in any direction targets,” says can be launched from any and at any time. Karnad. As pointed location within the country, in DRDO has already out by DRDO, the any direction and at any time. hinted that the focus of the new DRDO has already hinted that range of Agni-V generation Indian the range of Agni-V can be can be enhanced missiles is on enhanced through the use of through the use of weight reduction improved materials and improved materials and improvement enhanced fuel loading and enhanced fuel in velocities with capability. loading capability. high payload According to V. G. capability. Shekaran, Director of the Hyderabad-based Advanced Agni-V featuring many advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) of technology elements including DRDO which designed and state of the art guidance and developed Agni-V “A great navigation, stealth features, advantage of the configuration of canister launch capability and Agni-V is that we can further carbon composite rocket motor enhance and expand its range. We casing, could very well serve as a would upscale Agni-III with a platform for a robust Indian range of 3,500 km to Agni-V in a ICBM programme. According to short time. On similar lines, we Zhang Zhaozang, a Professor with can go beyond Agni-V. That is the

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 46 beauty of Agni-V’s configuration. guidance of the former Indian Its up-scaling and mobility is President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul high.” Interestingly, among the Kalam who as the head of DRDO new technologies used for Agni-V had consistently striven to put the are ring laser gyro-based inertial Indian missile development navigation system, micro inertial programme on a sound footing. navigation system, high speed on- Incidentally, during his stint with board computer based on power ISRO(Indian Space Research PC design, light weight composite Organisation), Kalam had played motors and 100% home-grown a key role in the development of software. Research Centre Imarat India’s first civilian launch (RCI), a DRDO laboratory based vehicle SLV-3 which had its in Hyderabad, has made successful debut flight in 1980. significant contribution to the Against this backdrop, US think development of advanced inertial tank have been alleging that the navigation, guidance and control Agni range of missiles have systems which went into Agni-V. benefited enormously from the solid fuel technology developed for As envisaged now, Agni-V will the four stage, 17-tonne SLV-3. help India boost its second strike capability in the context of India’s Two more tests of Agni-V need to national policy of the no first use be carried out before its induction of nuclear capability. The short- into services hopefully by the range Agni-I equipped to strike a middle of this decade. DRDO has target at a distance of 700-kms already revealed that the and medium range Agni-II development of the naval variant designed to hit a target at a of Agni-V which can be launched distance of 2,500-kms have from under sea platforms is on already been inducted into track. This nuclear capable, road service. The programme for mobile missile can reach out to developing improved performance almost entire Asia, East Europe Agni range of missiles – Agni-III, upto the Russian coast in the Agni-IV and Agni-V—owes its north and close to the coastline of origin to Agni-I and Agni-II Australia and South Africa. The missiles developed as part of the target range however, varies Integrated Guided Missile depending on the launch site. Development Programme Agni range of missiles form the (IGMDP) spearheaded under the mainstay of India’s nuclear

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 47 deterrence capability based on the trucks by road to the required no first use of nuclear weapon destination. This would give policy. With the Indo-Russian armed forces tremendous supersonic cruise missile flexibility to pick and choose from BrahMos already inducted into where to launch the missile. the army and the navy, the Akash surface-to-air area defence system “Three major gains from Agni-V in service with the IAF and the are the technology of MIRV, the indigenous nuclear powered capability to launch mini submarine Arihant boosting the satellites and the capability to K-15 underwater launched engage satellites in its orbit,” says missile, DRDO claims that India Saraswat. According to Saraswat, has now a complete range of Agni-V gave the ability to take a missiles to take care of “kill vehicle” instead of a payload multifarious to high altitude of threats emanating Agni-V can easily be stored in about 800-km. This from a variety of hermitically sealed canister kill vehicle can be directions. and quickly transported atop used to smash a launcher trucks by road to the rogue satellite to By all means, the required destination. This ensure the safety of would give armed forces smooth debut flight tremendous flexibility to pick Indian space of Agni-V and choose from where to resources. ”Besides exemplifies India’s launch the missile. the kill vehicle, one growing should have some technological self-reliance that guidance to hit the satellite. We stands out as a challenge to can put advance seekers that are technology denial and trade built in the country itself. sanction regime. As stated by Satellite position will be given to DRDO chief, V. K. Saraswat the kill vehicle that will then “Agni-V is a game changer and inflict the desired change,” said India is a major missile power Saraswat. Saraswat, who has all now.” Saraswat drives home the along been stressing on the need point that the biggest advantage for the developing the building of Agni-V is its short reaction blocks of Indian space time and high mobility. Agni-V weaponization programme, views can easily be stored in Agni-V as a key anti satellite hermitically sealed canister and device. quickly transported atop launcher

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Incidentally, Prithvi, a tactical missiles along with the supersonic battlefield system, happens to be cruise missile BrahMos developed the first missiles developed under by India in partnership with IGMDP which was initiated in Russia makes for a win-win 1983 by DRDO. Following the combination in taking care of the successful launch of Prithvi-1 possible misadventure from liquid fuel driven missile in across the Himalayan border. The February1989, the US and other plan to deploy both these missiles, developing countries imposed which are formidable in their own technology embargo on India way, in India’s north eastern under MTCR (Missile Technology sector, has the potential to give Control Regime) adversely Indian defence forces a affecting the availability of tremendous strategic advantage advanced electronic devices such .Similarly, DRDO’s well conceived as computer processor chips, radio plan to put in place a two layered frequency devices, electro ballistic missile defence shield hydraulic components, maraging seeks to protect the Indian skies steel and composite materials with two interceptor missiles— such as carbon fibre. But then Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile unfazed by technology denial for high altitude interception and regime, DRDO chose to develop the Advanced Air Dfence (AAD) the critical components and missile for lower altitude hardware through consortium interception—assumes approach involving national significance. With a number of laboratories, universities and other home grown missile private industries. Thanks to the systems—Nirbhay intermediate vision of DRDO India became self range subsonic land attack sufficient in the development of missile now awaiting its debut components including phase flight, Prahar quick reaction shifters, magnesium alloys,servo battlefield missile currently being valves, resins and carbon fibres. weaponised for use by the Indian Today around 80% of the army and Astra air to air beyond components and hardware going the visual range missile awaiting into the Indian missile systems firing from Su-30 MKI combat are produced within the country. aircraft--- Indian defence forces will have no reason to worry There is no denying the fact that about defending the country the nuclear capable Agni range of

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 49 against the evil design of the transformed into a centre of potential aggressors. excellence in state of the art missile technologies. And for the The unqualified success of Agni-V Indian Defence Minister A. K. clearly demonstrates that DRDO Antony who has all along been means business and it can no urging DRDO to take a leaf out of longer be considered a laggard in the success story of ISRO, the so far as developing a range of Agni-V successful flight cannot advanced missiles of different but be the “happiest moment of class is concerned. Indeed, as his life”. stated by Saraswat, nowhere else in the world does a single agency has so many on-going programmes. DRDO which not back to content long back was at the receiving end for its shortcomings , now stands

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Is Federalism In Danger Through Central Activism? - Dr. M.N. Buch

rticle One of the Colonies voluntarily surrendered Constitution makes India a some of their powers to the Union A Union of States. The words while jealously guarding what of the Article are “India, that is, they did not surrender. Under the Bharat, shall be a Union of U.S. Constitution that which is States”, The key words are, not surrendered to the Union ‘India’, ‘Bharat’, ‘Union’ and belongs to the States. Residuary ‘States’. powers in the U.S. vest in the States. In India the Seventh Adi Sankara brought us the Schedule of the Constitution has philosophy of ‘advaitya’, or three Lists of legislative indivisible, in contrast with competency. List One is the Union ‘dvaitya’ or dual, duality. The List in which Parliament has Constitution by calling India that exclusive legislative jurisdiction; is Bharat perhaps recognises List Two is the State List in duality in all thing. Of course this which the State Legislature has, is dabbling in the field of the exclusive jurisdiction; List Three metaphysical, but the fact is that is the Concurrent List in which in our polity there are almost both Parliament and the State always two facets, that which is Legislatures have jurisdiction, stated and that which is real. with the laws of Parliament taking precedence . Under Article To return to Article One, in the 248 all residuary powers vest in Union that is India if there are no the Union. States there is no Union. In the United States of America thirteen The Indian Union really consists separate British American of the Provinces of British India, Colonies came together to jointly not quite colonies but also not fight the war of Independence. quite States as understood in the For this purpose they formed an present federal context. Their Union, a federation in which the

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 51 origin lies in British rule as then our Constitution or Basic ultimately codified by the Law. This has been carried Government of India Act 1935. forward, fine tuned and enshrined Many of the features of that Act in our Constitution which has also are carried over to our accommodated the princely states Constitution --- in fact the Act is which merged into the Union. the basic frame around which the Constitution is woven. It is not as The word federalism does not find if the Provinces came together to any mention at all in the form a Union, for which purpose Constitution, except in the Article they surrendered containing definitions, Article some of their 366, sub-clause (11) powers to the The Indian Union really of which refers to federation. The consists of the Provinces of the Federal Court division of powers British India, not quite as constituted was already done colonies but also not quite under the by the Government States as understood in the Government of of India Act, 1935, present federal context. Their India. Act 1935 and in section 95 of origin lies in British rule as Article 374, which which one finds an ultimately codified by the provides for judges echo of Article 356. Government of India Act 1935. of the Federal Or is it the other Many of the features of that Court to be judges way round, with Act are carried over to our of the Supreme Article 356 echoing Constitution --- in fact the Act Court and for all section 95 of the is the basic frame around cases before that Act? Prior to 1935 which the Constitution is court to stand India was an woven. transferred to the Unitary State with Supreme Court. several federal features, not Everywhere the word used is because federalism was the ruling ‘Union’. Is it, therefore, a question philosophy but because India was of semantics only and we really too large to be governed without a are a federation. Or is it that we high degree of decentralisation of are a Union with federal features powers and local autonomy. It is without being a true federation? in 1935 that this autonomy was enshrined in the Act which was The Seventh Schedule of the

* Dr. M.N. Buch – Visiting Fellow, VIF

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Constitution provides in the have led to increasing federal Union, State and Concurrent intervention and enlargement of Lists the exclusive jurisdiction of the role of the federal Parliament, the exclusive government. As the world jurisdiction of State Legislatures becomes more complex, as modern and the concurrent jurisdiction of transport and communications, both. List Two of the Seventh information technology shrink Schedule gives autonomy, one can distances the demand for argue sovereignty to the States in centralised decision making the subjects enumerated in the increases. It is here that in a list. Under Article 162 the federation collective decision executive power of making through the State extends consultation and to all matters for It is here that in a federation knowledge sharing which the State collective decision making has to coexist Legislature is through consultation and within competent to make knowledge sharing has to decentralised laws. Exclusive coexist within decentralised implementation of jurisdiction implementation of decisions decisions and an mandated by the and an increasing partnership increasing Constitution does between the Centre, the partnership give India a strong States, Local Government and between the federal character the people all become virtually Centre, the States, and, therefore, important. A successful Local Government India can be federation is one where this is and the people all deemed to be a achieved. become virtually federation. But it is important. A a federation with very strong successful federation is one where centripetal force in which the this is achieved. Centre has a larger role than the States. All federations have this As already stated India is a highly to a greater or lesser degree and centripetal federation. Under even in the United States the Article 312 we have All India exigencies of war, the demands of Services constituted by the national security, economic Centre, whose officers hold all the considerations, especially at a senior posts in the Centre and the time of crisis and the striving for States. Our judiciary is not equal opportunity and civil rights divided into State Judges trying

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 53 cases under State laws and transactions, taxes on Federal Judges trying cases under advertisements in newspapers, federal laws. Right from the court taxes on sale and purchase of of first instance, civil or criminal, goods in the course of interstate right upto the Supreme Court, all trade, etc. By contrast the States magistrates and judges have have the power to impose land jurisdiction to try cases under any revenue, taxes on agricultural law in force in India, State or income, taxes and duties relating Federal. The judiciary is a unified to agricultural land, property tax, hierarchy with the Supreme excise duties on alcoholic liquors, Court at the Apex. The control opium and narcotic drugs, over and audit of the funds and electricity tax and duties, taxes on accounts of the Central, State and entry of goods, taxes on vehicles Local Government vest in a single subject to concurrent powers Comptroller and Auditor General, vested in Parliament under Entry just as conduct of Parliamentary 35 of List 3, entertainment tax, and State Legislature elections is capitation tax and rates and the responsibility of the Election stamp duty. With a new VAT and Commission. GST regime in the offing the discretion to levy taxes will be The Centre has other levers to further reduced. No doubt Part asset its superiority over the XII of the Constitution in Articles State, of which finance is a very 268, 269,270, 271 and 272 does important one. Under the provide for distribution of tax Constitution, List 1 of the revenue between the Union and Seventh Schedule enumerates the the States and under Article 280 taxation powers of the Centre. it is mandatory to constitute a Entries 82 to 92B give the quinquennial Finance taxation powers of the Centre and Commission. But how much of these include income tax, custom central taxes will form part of the duties, excise duties on tobacco divisible pool is limited by Article and goods manufactured or 271 and, therefore, if income tax produced in India, corporation rates are not increased and tax, taxes on capital value on instead surcharges are imposed, assets, estate duty on property, the State will get no share of this terminal tax on goods and revenue. In other words, if the passengers carried by rail, sea or Centre decides that some revenue air, taxes on stock exchange should be withheld from the

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States it can do so and the the financial equations are Finance Commission heavily weighted in favour of the notwithstanding, the States can Centre. In a federation of equality do nothing about it. the financial arrangement would be such that the Centre can Another financial lever available neither discriminate against, nor to the Centre is the Five-Year in favour of any State. This is not Plan and the Annual Plan. The the position in India, which is a size of the State Plan is very major complaint of the non UPA largely dependent on what the ruled States in the country at State can raise by way of present. resources, but by withholding central grants or There are large downplaying In Indira Gandhi’s time, numbers of sectoral thanks to her basically irritants which now requirements the imperious nature and seem to be Planning centralisation of powers in the plaguing Centre- Commission can Prime Minister the Centre was State relations. definitely influence totally supreme, State During Nehru’s the size of the Governors were changed at time there was State Plan. When will and state governments homogeneity we add to this the superseded whenever they because the same huge sums of were found to be inconvenient party ruled both money available and the writ of the Centre was the States and the from the Centre supreme and at no time more Centre. In Indira under schemes than during the Emergency. Gandhi’s time, such as the thanks to her National Rural Employment basically imperious nature and Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) and centralisation of powers in the the Jawaharlal Nehru National Prime Minister the Centre was Urban Renewal Mission totally supreme, State Governors (JNNURM) one would get some were changed at will and state idea of how the Centre can governments superseded manipulate things in favour of a whenever they were found to be State whose government is inconvenient and the writ of the friendly to the Centre and how it Centre was supreme and at no can harass a State whose time more than during the government is unfriendly. Clearly Emergency. The States were

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 55 virtually reduced to presiding over a centripetal administrative units which had to policy, but with State obey the orders of the superior Governments which are stable government, the Government of and powerful and act as a check India. Federalism virtually died on central whimsicality is the best under Indira Gandhi, as did a constitutional and administrative number of other institutions arrangement for India. This is the which are vital for the working of goal towards which one must a democracy. On the use of Article progress. 356 the Supreme Court did put a number of restrictions in the S.R. In the United States any law Bommai case, but which affects the interests of the the real problem is States must have that if the Centre Paradoxically it is only when the support of the does use Article the Centre is weak and the Senate, which is 356 and destablises ruling coalition is unstable the guardian of the a State that the States are relatively rights of the States Government, by safe from whimsical central in the federal set the time judicial intervention. A weak Centre is up. Regardless of remedy can begin not good for the country the size of the to take effect the because decision making at the State it sends two damage has national level virtually ceases. representatives to already been done Therefore, safeguarding the Senate. In .Paradoxically it is federalism through a weak India the Council of only when the Centre is far worse than the States has 238 Centre is weak and disease itself. representatives of the ruling coalition States and Union is unstable that the States are Territories but because the relatively safe from whimsical number of members from each central intervention. A weak State is dependent on the size of Centre is not good for the country the State Assembly, the more because decision making at the populous States have more national level virtually ceases. number of members and the less Therefore, safeguarding populous States are marginalised. federalism through a weak Centre The method of election being is far worse than the disease indirect and the total electorate itself. Ideally the constitutional for each State being the position of a strong Centre Legislature of the State, the

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 56 decision of the Council of the The result is that many State States is a reflection of the Governments resolve not to political equation within each enforce a law of Parliament. For State Assembly. The members, example in the matter of the Food therefore, are representatives of Safety and Standards Act both political parties rather than of the Madhya Pradesh and West State from which they are elected. Bengal have said that they would To that extent there is no not strictly enforce this law. Only difference in the working of the a weak Centre can tolerate this. House of People and the Council of States because members of both When it comes to matters of Houses answer to a whip. That is national security the situation certainly not true of the Congress becomes more serious. Every time of the United States of America. when a break-down of law and The Council of States has no veto order takes place State powers in the matter of legislation Governments do go running to the even if it adversely affects the Centre for help. The Naxalite interests of a State. It is only movement which has seriously under Article 249 that Parliament affected the administration of acquires the powers to legislate about 160 districts in the country with respect to a matter in the is one example where the affected State List in the national interest, States are clamouring for central provided that the Council of assistance and central forces. States so resolves. Because When terrorists struck Bombay in members of the Council of States 2008 the Maharashtra answer a whip the members of Government went running for that House will, even in a matter help to the Centre. When natural governed by Article 249, vote not calamities strike the States want in the interest of the State or central intervention. At that time States but as per the diktat of the no one cries about such ruling party. At the level of intervention weakening Parliament, therefore, the States federalism. However, when the have no guardians to safeguard Centre decides to set up a their interests and, therefore, National Counter Terrorism there is a growing distrust Centre and tries to arm it with between State Governments, the authority to intervene Central Government and immediately on receipt of credible legislation enacted by Parliament. information and to neutralise a

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 57 terrorist attack which is building wherewithals to perform its duty up, the States cry foul. It is a fact under Article 355. We do need a that police is entirely a State serious dialogue between the subject and police action is the Centre and the States on Article responsibility of the State 355 versus Entries 1 and 2 of List Governments. With the police 2 of the Seventh Schedule of the throughout India at senior levels Constitution (Police) and to see to being manned by the very IPS what extent the power to strike officers who also serve the Central against terrorists on receipt of Government it is strange that the credible information is available Centre obviously does not trust to a Central authority without the State police and wants to this being construed as an attack retain powers of on the rights of the direct intervention. States. It is in this Broadly speaking it is not This is strongly behalf that the federalism which is under resented by the Interstate Council attack but rather individual States. By failing must be activated State Governments and the to take States into so that all matters Centre itself which are under confidence and by relating to Centre- threat because the two trying to push State relationships opposing parties will not talk through certain can viewed through to each other, will not create measures which the prism of public an environment of trust and have been initiated will insist on trying to score interest and at central level the brownie points against each solutions arrived at Centre has which would enable other. aggravated the the Centre to situation and created a bogey of discharge its constitutional federalism in danger versus obligations without the States national integrity in danger. feeling that this is an Under Article 355 it is the duty of encroachment on their rights. In the Union to protect the States other words, what this federation against external aggression and needs is a clear-cut understanding internal disturbance and to of what federalism means under ensure that the government of Indian circumstances and how we every State is carried on in can create that machinery which accordance with the provisions of ensures smooth relations between the Constitution. Surely the the Centre and States without Centre must have the conflict.

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Broadly speaking it is not need be, coercive powers be used federalism which is under attack to call recalcitrant States to but rather individual State account. Right now federalism is Governments and the Centre not in danger through Central itself which are under threat activism. The fact is that the because the two opposing parties Centre, by failing to assert itself will not talk to each other, will is failing in its duty and this can not create an environment of trust be fatal because as satraps break and will insist on trying to score away the Centre itself would brownie points against each other. wither away. What price then this In case there is no consensus the Union of States? Centre must use its authority to decide an issue and then ensure that all States fall in line. Here defiance by one or more States back to content should not be tolerated and, if

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Parliament @ 60 – A Balance Sheet - A. Surya Prakash

s the two Houses of duties seriously? Given the Parliament celebrate their constraints of space, let us A Sixtieth Birthday on May attempt to answer at least some 13 (they came into being on May of these questions. 13, 1952), parliamentarians are in a celebratory mood and are Since this is a birthday preparing for a special sitting on celebration, it would be in the that day, despite it being a fitness of things to begin on a Sunday. positive note. The biggest achievement of the two Houses of However, as all Indians know, the Parliament is that they are far Sixtieth birthday (Shashtaabdi more representative of the Indian Poorthi) is also a day for some people now than they were 60 sober reflection on life gone by years ago. We can now see the and on what lies ahead. So, away occupational democratization of from the din in the two chambers, the Lok Sabha. Almost half the there is need for some quite stock- members of the First Lok Sabha taking on the efficacy, relevance comprised of Lawyers (36 per and standing of these two cent), Journalists and Writers (10 democratic bodies that are at the per cent) and most of them came apex of our democratic structure. from dominant Hindu castes. The political empowerment of hitherto How have these two Houses disadvantaged groups has functioned over the last 60 years? brought about a change over the How representative are they? last two decades and the Have they fulfilled their mandate composition of the Lok Sabha is of overseeing the work of the far more balanced now in terms of executive, keeping the occupation, caste and class of government on its toes and members. The First Lok Sabha protecting the interests of the had 112 non-matriculates. This people? Are our MPs still came down to 19 in the 14 Lok committed to public welfare? Do Sabha. Again, the first Lok Sabha they take their parliamentary had 277 graduates, post

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 60 graduates and doctorates. In the also improved the sartorial sense 14 Lok Sabha as many as 428 of MPs if nothing else! members could boast of such qualifications. The political However, there are many items of empowerment of the less the negative list: The Question privileged has also changed the Hour has lost its zing. The composition of the state inquisitorial nature of this hour assemblies for the better and this which one saw in parliament up in turn has changed the to the late 1980s when ministers composition of the Rajya Sabha trembled at the thought of being because the subjected to harsh interrogation assemblies elected by the likes of Rajya Sabha However, there are many Bhupesh Gupta, Members. The items of the negative list: The Indrajit Gupta, Upper House too Question Hour has lost its Atal Behari has begun to zing. The inquisitorial nature Vajpayee, Madhu mirror the social, of this hour which one saw in Limaye, Piloo Mody political and parliament up to the late and Madhu economic diversity 1980s when ministers Dandavate are of Indian society. trembled at the thought of over. Today, MPs being subjected to harsh who are ill- A couple of other interrogation by the likes of prepared or lack developments that Bhupesh Gupta, Indrajit the moral courage are of a positive Gupta, Atal Behari Vajpayee, to pin down nature are the Madhu Limaye, Piloo Mody ministers appear introduction of the and Madhu Dandavate are uncertain and committee system over. nervous and and the televising ministers like of parliamentary proceedings by P.Chidambaram, who are wanting Speaker Shivraj Patil in 1993. in democratic etiquette, talk down The constitution of department- to them! Many other related committees has improved parliamentary instruments like parliament’s oversight functions Adjournment Motions, Call and has nudged MPs towards Attention Motions and Short specialization. The televising of Duration Questions have become parliament has lifted the purdah rusted. The government is no on parliament and enabled people longer afraid of the opposition, to see it in its true colours. It has because the latter is not clothed in

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 61 moral authority any more. per cent in the 12 Lok Sabha and Compare this to the situation in 22.40 per cent in the 13 Lok 1957 when a question put by Sabha. In the 14 and 15 Lok Feroze Gandhi, an MP belonging Sabha, at least 30 per cent of the to the ruling party led to the time has been lost to disruptions unearthing of the LIC-Mundhra in session after session. Scandal and the eventual resignation of the then Finance As regards individual MPs, the Minister Mr.T.T.Krishnamachari. report card is disappointing. The distance between MPs and the Yet another troubling statistic is electors is growing; the motto in the decline in the number of the 1950s was simple living, high sittings of parliament per year. In thinking. Now it is high living, no the 1950s, parliament had an thinking. MPs want to flaunt average of 123 sittings, in the their power and wealth and stay 1960s it rose to 138 sittings. This away from the Aam Aadmi. They had declined drastically to just 78 want red beacons (lal bathis) atop sittings in the year 2003.In recent their cars; they are obsessed with years, the total sittings per year is their privileges and have a down by about 30 per cent disdain for ethics; they neglect compared to the situation in the parliamentary duties; attendance 1960s. The irony is that while the is abysmal during passage of bills work of government is expanding, and there is high absenteeism in the work of parliament which has committees (50 per cent). The list oversight responsibilities is is endless and all this has taken declining. How do MPs keep a its toll on the working parliament. watch on the working of government? On the issue of maintaining standards in public life, India’s While sittings per year and time parliament started on the right allocated for budgetary matters is note when it decided to expel down, there is a sharp rise in the H.G.Mudgal, a member, for time lost in disruptions and in the advancing the cause of the cost of parliament. The 11 Lok Bombay Bullion Association in Sabha lost 5 per cent of its time to the House for a price. After much disruptions. This rose to over 10 negotiation and haggling, he

* A. Surya Prakash – Senior Fellow, VIF

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 62 accepted an advance of Rs 2700 Parliament therefore needed a and raised questions of behalf major jolt to get it out of its stupor bullion merchants. But that was and to understand the growing in 1951 in what is known as the public concern over the fall in Provisional Parliament that ethical standards among MPs. existed prior to the constitution of This happened with two sting the two Houses in May, 1952. operations conducted by television However, after the Lok Sabha and professionals in 2005. The first of Rajya Sabha came into being, a these exposed a “Cash for certain laxity crept in when it Questions” Scam in our came to moral and ethical issues. parliament. MPs were willing to Parliament watched in silence raise questions in parliament for when a member forged the a price (Rs 30,000 to Rs 1.10 signatures of 20 MPs on a lakh). The tapes aired on a TV memorandum submitted to the channel came as a shock to the Union Commerce Minister on people. Swift action followed. The behalf of liquor importers from two Houses referred the matter to Yanam and Mahe, former French committees and on the basis of territories. The MP was their reports 11 MPs were prosecuted, sentenced and jailed expelled from parliament. Around by the court, but there was no the same time, there was another admonition or punishment by expose vis-à-vis the MPLAD parliament. Sensing public Scheme. A TV channel showed resentment, Speaker Shivraj Patil four MPs or their personal staff proposed a Code of Conduct for demanding money to recommend legislators in the early 1990s and projects under this scheme. Here the Privileges Committee of the again, based a committee’s Lok Sabha followed this up with a findings, the MPs were recommendation that parliament reprimanded and suspended from adopt the Code of Conduct and parliament for a while. But the establish a committee to look into most shocking case was that of a both privileges and ethics. These Lok Sabha Member who was into developments led to the human trafficking. He was caught establishment of ethics smuggling a woman to Canada on committees in the two houses, but his wife’s passport. Action was the committees have by and large swift. He was and criminally remained dormant. prosecuted and later expelled from the House.

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So, what does the balance sheet between this elected body and the look like? As stated earlier, the people. A look at the quality of most positive development over debates and the efficacy of the last 60 years is the political parliamentary instruments will empowerment of disadvantaged give us an idea of how far groups, introduction of the removed we are from that ideal committee system and better parliament that we all thought we policing of members. However, we would have after independence. still need to address the issue of dysfunctionality of parliament Finally, since it’s the 60 th (loss of over 30 per cent of birthday of our parliament, let us parliamentary time end our diagnosis to disruptions), Though the two Houses have on a positive note MPs’ disdain for been in existence for 54 years, by borrowing a law making and we have not had an phrase from Atal the absence of independent audit of the Behari Vajpayee. periodic audit of working of parliament and this Our parliament is has contributed in no small 60, but it will the working of measure to the growing hiatus parliament by between this elected body and neither tire, nor independent the people. A look at the retire! Instead, it citizens. quality of debates and the will go on to efficacy of parliamentary perpetuity and A beginning can be instruments will give us an hopefully become made with a review idea of how far removed we are more efficient and from that ideal parliament of the practice and that we all thought we would more responsive to procedure of have after independence. the aspirations of parliament. This the people. has never been more pressing. Though the two Houses have been in existence for 54 years, we have not had an independent audit of back to content the working of parliament and this has contributed in no small measure to the growing hiatus

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Why Dilute The Vision Of The University At Nalanda? - Anirban Ganguly

n a remarkable speech six centuries, it continued to be delivered at Nalanda on the centre of Asian I November 20, 1951 at the Consciousness.’ This perhaps inauguration of the Magadh unique epithet for that ancient Research Institute for the study of seat of learning – centre of Asian Pali, Prakrit and research in Consciousness – appears to have Buddhist literature and been overlooked by the Nalanda philosophy, Dr. Rajendra Prasad University project’s mentors today the first President of the Indian in their hurried quest to forge Republic dwelt at length on the international linkages and importance of the ‘aim of reviving achieve an international profile the ancient glory of Nalanda in for the upcoming university. But the world of knowledge.’ perhaps it was Prasad’s concluding remarks that have Prasad referred to Nalanda as the proved to be most portentous for symbol of the most glorious period the entire Nalanda project today of Indian history not only because and for those entrusted with the of the quest for knowledge shaping of its core vision. blossoming there ‘into its finest Commending the aim and effort of shape but also because it bound reviving this ancient seat of together, at that time, the various learning, the first citizen had different parts of Asia with links noted then: of knowledge.’ Lyrically describing the symbolism of the We should aim at reviving the ancient Nalanda University the educational system of a bygone President observed that its age and re-establish Nalanda as a ‘message was heard across the centre of art, literature, mountains and oceans of the philosophy, religion and science. Asian mainland and, for nearly Cultural renaissance can come

* Anirban Ganguly – Senior Research Associate, VIF

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 65 about in the life of a nation only development of this prime when a large number of institution while sitting at the determined scholars devote a life location of the institution and time to a search after truth…” certainly not in Delhi… (Recommendation No.25) It is this lack of a group of ‘determined scholars’ resolute on Asking for reviewing the proposal devoting a ‘life time to a search by the University Governing after truth’ and to giving shape to Board – taken in the fourth a Nalanda University in our time meeting of the Nalanda Mentor that appears to be at the root of Group in August, 2008 at New the failure to elicit positive Delhi – of setting up the School of interest in the International entire project and Relations of the to turn it into a The responsibility to develop Nalanda national endeavour this institution [Nalanda University in with international University] should be given to Delhi, the appeal and those who are devoted, genuine Committee, ramifications. and committed to make selfless presenting an Interestingly, efforts for the development of alternate vision noting just such an this prime institution while framework for the absence of sitting at the location of the School, dedication amongst institution and certainly not in recommended those professing to Delhi… (Recommendation instead: shoulder the No.25) onerous task of this The school of historic revival, the International Studies under the Parliamentary Standing Nalanda University should be set Committee on External Affairs up at the main University (2011-2012) in its fourteenth Campus and having capacity to report tabled in May 2012 desired carve out a unique identity for that: itself and focus upon the issues of cultural diplomacy and cultural The responsibility to develop this engagement so as to imbibe, build institution [Nalanda University] upon and advocate the diplomatic should be given to those who are and cultural traditions of the devoted, genuine and committed region and should endeavour to be to make selfless efforts for the a unique and one of its kind which

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 66 is highly specialized in subjects international relations all over that are not replicated or the country – Jawaharlal Nehru stereotyped by other academic University (JNU), Jadavpur institutions or organisation. University, Pondicherry Central (Recommendation 25) University – which have made their mark in the subject domain. The point emphasised by the Delhi itself houses one of those Committee has been that the well-established schools of proposed School of International international studies at JNU and Relations must not evolve into has again come up now with a just another international studies post graduate course in centres but must, more uniquely, international relations at the focus on re- South Asian examining, University (SAU) The state government from its reinventing and re- in the same city. It past records of cooperation in forging, under is not clear, the project will certainly not be present therefore, as to wanting in extending support international what purpose it to make such an attempt conditions, India’s would really serve succeed. Such an approach agelong external – except academic cultural linkages shall well fit in with its own proactive efforts of turning duplication – to with the wider Bihar and the region around it also have a world, especially into a favoured international Nalanda the Southeast educational and business University Asian and Central destination. international Asian region. In studies school in other words, the Delhi on similar academic and Committee wished to see the pedagogical patterns. Why not try School develop itself into a and re-create, even if against specialized centre for strategizing challenging odds, an international India’s cultural diplomacy in a profile for the entire region world that is increasingly witness around the University in Nalanda to regional and global actors itself and give those students of deftly combining hard and soft the area, who are forced to power in order to further their migrate out of the region, an respective international goals. opportunity to interact with the Moreover, there already functions wider world and develop life skills well established schools of in their own backyard. The state

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 67 government from its past records position almost always ignores of cooperation in the project will the pool of local talent, regional certainly not be wanting in possibilities and refuses to take extending support to make such these into account while an attempt succeed. Such an discouraging altogether any scope approach shall well fit in with its for their growth. The approach own proactive efforts of turning instead must be to encourage all Bihar and the region around it stake-holders of the project to into a favoured international regularly travel to the location educational and business and initiate interactions on the destination. There has to be a ground. In its heyday ancient genuine effort at convincing the Nalanda attracted a large number people of the state of the huge of scholars who undertook the potential and utility of a project of perilous journey to the such magnitude. And for it to be knowledge-centre in search of seen as truly beneficial for the Indian wisdom and insisted on state a greater involvement of direct interactions. Video and experts, academics and teleconferencing facilities can administrators from within the hardly be effective substitutes for state itself is absolutely personal interactions while imperative. creating institutions. Surely the near un-motorable route – as per It has been argued that since the the Governing Board – can be corps diplomatique and the developed into a major state Ministry of External Affairs highway with the Central (MEA), the nodal ministry for the Government and the Planning University, function from Delhi it Commission making special would make ‘sense for Nalanda allocations in this matter for the University to draw upon both project. Interestingly, the these groups for the school’ and Buddhist monk I-tsing (I Ching, thus have the school located Yijing) who had visited Nalanda there. Such an approach, as it and had studied there for a always does, displays a mindset considerable time collecting ‘400 that is incapable of looking Sanskrit texts’ reports that ‘in the beyond the national capital when forty years between Hsuan- creating institutions of national tsang’s [Xuanzang] departure and importance and planning their his arrival in India fifty-six long-term sustenance. Such a scholars from China, Japan and

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Korea had visited India’, keeping region of focus will only serve to in mind the near insurmountable dilute the entire vision of the obstacles to intercontinental University. The Sections 3c and 4 journeys in that age, such a high (5) of the Nalanda University Act inflow of scholars into Indian from which allows the University to the region around demonstrates have centres at different places the vibrancy of her ancient can be promulgated at a much knowledge seats. Why reverse later stage when the University this trend in present times of has gained a certain standing and enhanced repute. The connectivity and recently A network of centres and heightened constituted (April institutional affiliates must communication? 2012) Committee instead now concentrate on Why not focus on by the Planning developing the core of the remaking Nalanda Commission to University and make it an international suggests academically viable; too much educational hub planning beyond the current amendment in the once more. This region of focus will only serve Nalanda propensity of to dilute the entire vision of University Act situating the the University. The Sections 3c 2010 may well University’s and 4 (5) of the Nalanda deliberate on these various schools of University Act which allows sections in this studies at different the University to have centres light. locations in the at different places can be The other major country will only promulgated at a much later aspect on concern serve to diffuse the stage when the University has is international entire physical gained a certain standing and involvement and formation of the repute. project before the support. core itself has taken shape and International deprive it of a palpable academic funding commitments till date presence. A network of centres have not been very encouraging, and institutional affiliates must as per the MEA’s submission instead now concentrate on before the Committee, of the developing the core of the pledged contributions to the tune University and make it of USD 10 million made by academically viable; too much foreign governments and planning beyond the current institutions, the ‘actual

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 69 contribution materialised so far is to actively convince and enlist USD 1.1.million’ creating a ‘huge other partners. Instead of arguing shortfall’ which will have to be over whether Yijing learnt his met and borne by the Government Sanskrit in Sriwijaya (Sumatra, of India. Apart from China the Indonesia) or in India, as some only other country to come up eminent members of the with financial support is Thailand Governing Board have been which officially made a donation recently doing, it would do well if of a 100,000 USD and a Thai they got into the act of eliciting private company supplementing it greater international support for with another contribution of 5,000 the project and not simply look to USD early this China to year. No other periodically salvage major international No international treaty signed the effort with its support has as yet nor any official international qualified been forthcoming. monitoring committee formed munificence. No international for the university which is Diversification of treaty signed nor being termed international. international any official Singapore, for example, whose stakeholders in the international Foreign Minister had then project is one of the monitoring played a key role in conceiving cardinal demands committee formed the project and who continues at this stage, for the university as a member of the Governing historically which is being Board, is yet to come forward Nalanda had termed with any major contributions several international. for the project. benefactors, across Singapore, for the seas among example, whose Foreign Minister them was the king of had then played a key role in Suvarnadvipa, (Sumatra), named conceiving the project and who Bālaputradēva whose numerous continues as a member of the endowments to Nalanda included Governing Board, is yet to come one for the copying of scriptures forward with any major (Dharmaratna) in its imposing contributions for the project. library unit. The Nalanda Copper Plates of Dēvapāladēva ‘records This only reflects a lack of the gift of five villages to a vihāra dynamism on the part of the founded at Nalanda’ by originators of the project in trying Bālaputradēva, whom it calls the

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 70 king of Sumatra numbers of pilgrims, scholars, (Suvarnadvipādhīpa mahārāja). and the monks going to Nalanda from Śrīvijaya had become so In his ‘History of Śrī Vijaya’ numerous as to justify special K.A.Nilakanta Sastri refers to provision being made for their Bālaputradēva’s contribution to material and spiritual needs Nalanda and observes that the being met at the great centre.’ king’s munificence demonstrated This historic fact of Nalanda the existence of a robust link having numerous benefactors between the must equally kingdom and Although in another context, it translate itself in Nalanda. A devout would still be useful, for the present times Buddhist, example, to point to the efforts in order to confer a Bālaputradēva was made by Jawaharlal Nehru in civilisational attracted to the forging such international dimension to the Nalanda linkages while forming an whole effort. University and international advisory board built a ‘lofty vihāra for the Bodh Gaya Temple Although in to serve as the Committee in 1955. In a letter another context, it abode of the (25th May 1955) to the then would still be Bhiksu Sangha’ Chief Minister of Bihar Sri useful, for example, and with the Krishna Sinha (Sri Babu) to point to the consent of the king Nehru dwelt on the necessity efforts made by in whose territory of including foreign Jawaharlal Nehru Nalanda lay, he representatives from Buddhist in forging such further endowed countries in the board in order international the ‘new foundation to give these countries a sense linkages while with the income of of partnership. forming an five villages, to be international used towards the advisory board for worship offered in the temples of the Bodh Gaya Temple Buddha …towards the needs of Committee in 1955. In a letter the Bhiksus in their health and in (25th May 1955) to the then Chief sickness…and for repair to the Minister of Bihar Sri Krishna buildings.’ Sastri argues that the Sinha (Sri Babu) Nehru dwelt on foundation of the monastery and the necessity of including foreign its endowment are not isolated representatives from Buddhist acts ‘but tangible proof that the countries in the board in order to

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 71 give these countries a sense of evolve into a truly multinational partnership. He called for the effort if it overlooks this vibrant inclusion of representatives from dimension of India’s civilisational principal Buddhist countries such space and confines its as Burma, Tibet, Laos, Ceylon, international activism and Thailand, Japan, Nepal and outreach to a single imposing Cambodia. Interestingly Nehru regional power by ignoring other left out China saying that he did potential participants who are not mind ‘if China (apart from eager to be part of the effort. The Tibet) was also invited’ to send a latest has it that an all-Chinese representative, but that he would group of 14 architects have drawn ‘not suggest this to begin with.’ up a master plan for the Nalanda Campus – ‘The Nalanda Contrast this with the proponents University: a Mother Plan for the of the modern day Nalanda who 21st Century Campus’ – at the have omitted the Tibetans Nalanda Sriwijaya-Centre at altogether from the project and Singapore and plans to promote it who have been instead looking to for the final competition for the China for every new direction and Nalanda campus master plan. idea. Nehru appeared to be quite One only hopes that there are clear on the issue of forging groups of Indian architects as well international partnerships for who are being encouraged to draw projects such as these, ‘We must up plans for the Nalanda campus remember’ he continued in his in tune with its ancient design letter to the Bihar Premier, ‘that and ambience and that their this advisory body will have proposals, when drawn up, will larger significance than merely receive the same attention and one for the Bodh Gaya temple. It consideration. will really bring India into the international picture from In connection with this issue of its another point of view.’ Referring architectural design, it may be to India’s cultural and relevant to mention that ancient civilisational space Nehru Nalanda had an imposing library displayed an understanding of the superstructure consisting of three need for India to re-explore and buildings, called ‘Ratnasāgara, recreate this space in her Ratnagañjaka and Ratnodadhi neighbouring region. The Nalanda with the last reportedly being University project, thus, cannot nine-storied.’ Today’s vision of the

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University must equally seek to ‘office space provided at Rajgir in recreate that ancient library a very bad condition and in a structure and not be simply major state of disrepair’ with no satisfied with a USD 1 million sewage connection or water donation from China made with supply, ‘inadequate and erratic the rider that the fund be ‘used telecommunication facilities’, and for building a Chinese-style narrow and congested roads. It is library in the future university.’ however rather anomalous that What is needed is while the not the physical University and its In connection with this issue of replica of a foreign Governing Board its architectural design, it may university but accept that they be relevant to mention that rather a modern are ‘in touch with ancient Nalanda had an university with a the Bihar imposing library physical structure Government on all superstructure consisting of that shall aspects of three buildings, called symbolise and ‘Ratnasāgara, Ratnagañjaka infrastructure express the Indian and Ratnodadhi with the last development, and civilisational ethos reportedly being nine-storied.’ are receiving full of that age. Today’s vision of the co-operation from University must equally seek them’ they The Standing to recreate that ancient library continue to insist – Committee was structure and not be simply citing lack of also not in favour satisfied with a USD 1 million infrastructural of having the donation from China made support – on Nalanda office with the rider that the fund be shifting the function from ‘used for building a Chinese- University office to Delhi. One of the style library in the future the national reasons given for university.’ capital. Has the having the office in communication Delhi was that it then between the University and would act as the ‘public face of the the State Government actually University, especially for the broken down or touched an all international community, and for time low? Is anyone trying to diplomatic missions of other seriously redress this slide? countries.’ The other point made was that the infrastructure in the The question remains as to what area was in a bad shape with the prevents the ‘public face’ of the

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University – whatever that may website.’ The Seal, an mean in academic terms – from internationally recognised functioning from Nalanda itself; emblem of ancient Nalanda, was Bihar with its Bodh Gaya has then widely advertised in the achieved an international profile publicity brochure of the and the revival of the Nalanda University, but strangely, once university can in fact be the first the University Act was passed the step in drawing up a concerted ancient Seal was silently plan to develop through Bihar discarded in favour of a surrealist first, and then the rest of the rebus that completely fails to country, a Buddhist symbolise a pilgrimage circuit civilisational link with a great The question remains as to with the past potential to attract what prevents the ‘public face’ institution and is international of the University – whatever incapable of attention. This that may mean in academic effectively insistence on having terms – from functioning from expressing the the office at the Nalanda itself; Bihar with its ‘Asian national capital Bodh Gaya has achieved an Consciousness.’ appears to be in line international profile and the with a concerted revival of the Nalanda It is no one’s case effort to de-link the university can in fact be the that only first step in drawing up a present University metaphysical concerted plan to develop from its ancient subjects be through Bihar first, and then spirit and past. The taught and the rest of the country, a Governing Board contemplated Buddhist pilgrimage circuit members have been upon in the with a great potential to seen to be modern attract international attention. consistently adopting University – in such a stance. Take fact, even in the the case of the ancient Nalanda past ‘the goal of at least some of Seal; in their earlier avatars as the students’ at ancient Nalanda part of the Mentor Group these ‘was not monastic life or very members had unanimously missionary activity, but adopted to ‘use the “Nalanda employment by the state’ – but in Seal” in the emblem of the order to have, at least a Nalanda University and also as semblance of the old spirit that the principal symbol in [its] imbued Nalanda, it is essential to

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 74 preserve and reactivate some of An inability to effectively those dominant physical symbols translate the vision of the and intellectual lines that formed university on the ground has an integral part of the ancient plagued the entire effort since its seat. inception; the Standing Committee’s views have only While not entering into the other further buttressed that aspects of the Committee’s report perception. But it is the and observations on the entire Committee’s concluding remarks effort – e.g. the delay in launching on the Nalanda University project the Global Design that point towards Competition – it a deeper confusion An inability to effectively would suffice to in the entire effort translate the vision of the note that the and to a university on the ground has Committee was directionless plagued the entire effort since dismayed to approach in its inception; the Standing observe ‘the lack of evolving its actual Committee’s views have only progress regarding vision and in further buttressed that the Nalanda envisaging its University Project.’ perception. But it is the Committee’s concluding future role. The Committee remarks on the Nalanda Expressing its deep also noted that ‘the University project that point concern ‘about the proposed outlay for towards a deeper confusion in contents of the the year 2012-13 the entire effort and to a curriculum and the was Rs.598.50 directionless approach in standards and crores while the evolving its actual vision and quality of the actual allocation’ in envisaging its future role. academic course to made under the be introduced’ in Plan Head was the University, the Committee Rs.15 crores. The Committee focused on a more fundamental ‘desired to know the reasons for issue that perhaps calls for a seeking such a huge allocation for wider national debate and annual plan 2012-13 at this introspection regarding the juncture’ and called for reviewing project itself: the entire Detailed Project Report (DPR) ‘in accordance with the ground realities.’

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The Committee feel that the course- identity and consciousness – that content, academic-structure as well need to be reflected and as faculty for the Nalanda deliberated upon. In absence of a University should be in consonance wide-ranging debate the project with the unique identity and shall become subservient to the academic character of the University idiosyncrasies of a few minds and that it is envisaged to be and should eventually forfeit its pan-national be able to live up to the founding philosophy and ideas behind the potential. establishment of this University. The Committee feel that the What did the ancient University University should emerge as a at Nalanda really symbolise, what valuable resource for promotion of did its emergence really signify studies and research in oriental for the concept and vision of cultures, literary tradition and education, it appears that ‘with languages and civilisation based on the evolution of Nalanda, Indian the native knowledge systems and it higher education entered a new should act as a living repository of phase, transcending sectarian and cultural and literary traditions of denominational lines and moving the region. This University should into the direction of a true strengthen and build upon the university.’ The fundamental goal cultural capital and carry forward of education evolved then, aimed the thread of identity and at transforming the pupil into a consciousness within the South-East truly learned and educated man – Asian Countries. The Ministry should endeavour to attain the aim ‘vidyā-purusa’. of achieving highest intellectual and academic standards of international This essential goal of creating quality through this University… beings of wisdom - ‘vidyā-purusa’ (Recommendation No.26) – may well turn the Nalanda University into a decisive It is issues such as these – the educational and civilisational founding philosophy, the experiment of our time. A project emergence of the University as a divorced from such a deeper cultural and civilisational driving vision risks degenerating repository of the region, its into another stereotype capacity to be able to carry institution tied to a mind forward the thread of cultural numbing routine and liable to back to content external manipulations.

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Text Of Agreement On Strategic Partnership Between The Republic Of India And The Islamic Republic Of Afghanistan - October 04, 2011 he Islamic Republic of CONVINCED that the further Afghanistan and the comprehensive development of T Republic of India, their bilateral ties would promote hereinafter referred to as "the progress and prosperity in both Sides", states and the region as a whole; RECOGNISING the time-tested APPRECIATING the significant and friendly relationship between expansion of bilateral ties the two countries, underpinned by between the two countries and, in historical and cultural ties; this context, the sincere and generous assistance that the EMPHASISING the fundamental Republic of India has provided to and lasting importance of the the Islamic Republic of Treaty of Friendship between the Afghanistan over the past ten Government of India and the years; Royal Government of Afghanistan of 4 January 1950, and SEEKING to impart a long term subsequent Agreements and Joint commitment to their multifaceted Statements; bilateral relations and to actively develop them in political, PROCEEDING from a desire to development, economic, trade, further strengthen their scientific, technological, cultural traditional and historical ties to and other fields in the years mutual benefit; ahead; DRAWING upon their rich and CONFIRMING their adherence to fruitful tradition of cooperation in the common ideals of peace, various fields since the democracy, rule of law, non- establishment of their diplomatic violence, human rights and relations; fundamental freedoms;

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REAFFIRMING their mechanism for regular bilateral commitment to international law, political and Foreign Office including to the purposes and Consultations. Political principles of the United Nations consultations will be led by Charter; Foreign Ministries of both countries and include summit Hereby proclaim the level consultations convened at establishment of relations of least once a year. Strategic Partnership, as laid out in the following paragraphs: 2. The Sides agree to consult and cooperate at the United Nations GENERAL PRINCIPLES and other international, regional 1. This Agreement, based on and multilateral fora. Such mutual understanding and long cooperation is to be aimed at term trust between the Sides, influencing decision-making in envisages the elevation of the these fora in the interest of both multifaceted ties between the two countries. Cooperation at the UN countries to higher levels, both in and multilateral fora would the bilateral field and in the include: international arena. (a) Joint initiatives on key 2. The Strategic Partnership regional and international issues; between the Sides is based upon (b) Support for the reform and the principles of sovereignty, expansion of the United Nations equality and territorial integrity Security Council, including a of States, non-interference in permanent seat for India in the their internal affairs, mutual Council. respect and mutual benefit. 3. The Sides agree to establish a 3. The Strategic Partnership Strategic Dialogue to provide a between the Sides is not directed framework for cooperation in the against any other State or group area of national security. The of States. Dialogue will be led by NSAs and POLITICAL & SECURITY involve regular consultations with COOPERATION the aim of intensifying mutual efforts towards strengthening 1. The Sides agree to engage in regional peace and security. close political cooperation and, in this respect, establish a

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4. Security cooperation between including civil aviation, and any the Sides is intended to help other areas that the Sides may enhance their respective and agree on. mutual efforts in the fight against international terrorism, organized 3. The Sides agree to take crime, illegal trafficking in effective measures to create a narcotics, money laundering and favourable environment to so on. promote trade and investment. The measures shall include, 5. India agrees to assist, as among others: mutually determined, in the training, equipping and capacity (a) Enhancing investment building programmes for Afghan protection; National Security Forces. (b) Simplifying customs and other TRADE & ECONOMIC procedures and promoting the COOPERATION removal of non-tariff barriers, and gradually lowering tariff barriers; 1. The Sides commit to strengthening trade, economic, (c) Working towards the creation scientific and technological of air-cargo facilities for cooperation, as well as promotion of commercial cooperation between other bodies exchanges; of business and industry (d) Cooperating in the areas of representatives, with a view to banking and finance, and expanding trade and economic improving credit and insurance relations. facilities and; 2. In the interest of Afghanistan's (e) Enhancing cooperation and sustainable development, and coordination at international furthering economic trade, economic and financial interdependence between the two bodies. countries, the Sides commit to deepening and diversifying 4. To achieve a sustained cooperation in sectors such as expansion of bilateral trade and agriculture, rural development, economic ties with a long term mining, industry, energy, perspective, the Sides will information technology, establish effective mechanisms for communications, transport, interaction between Indian and

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Afghan entities. Specific (a) Envisage assisting measures will include: Afghanistan emerge as a trade, transportation and energy hub (a) Encouraging contacts between connecting Central and South regions/provinces in both Asia and enabling free and more countries with a view to unfettered transport and transit promoting trade, economic and linkages; cultural cooperation; (b) Focus on development of (b) Mandating the relevant bodies regional infrastructure projects; of both countries to jointly explore the possibilities of regional (c) Help facilitate the integration trading arrangements with third of the Afghan economy within the countries; South Asian and global economies by opening markets for Afghan (c) Further enhancing the quality and Indian products for mutual and international competitiveness benefit; and of their goods by promoting cooperation between the (d) Strengthen regional institutions of quality assurance cooperation under SAARC, of and standardization, and on new which both sides are members. technologies; and CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT (d) Encouraging greater AND EDUCATION cooperation between the Chambers of Commerce and 1. In the interest of Afghanistan's Industries of both countries. long-term, sustainable development, and building on the 5. Recognizing that regional existing generous aid programme economic cooperation is vital to offered by India to Afghanistan, the future economic prosperity of India commits to continue its individual nations, the Sides assistance to the development and agree to cooperate, both capacity building efforts in bilaterally and through regional Afghanistan. organizations in promoting regional economic cooperation. (a) Cooperation will, among other Regional economic cooperation areas of focus, concentrate on the shall: agriculture, mining and health sectors, reflecting Afghanistan's priorities; and

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(b) India further commits to exchange programmes at the expand ongoing Small school and university levels. Development Projects (SDPs) for grass-root level development in 4. As part of its capacity building the remote and rural areas. support for the Afghan government, India will continue 2. The Sides agree to establish and expand technical, training institutional linkages between and other capacity building their respective governments by support to the various encouraging cooperation between departments in the three Ministries/agencies of the two branches of government, sides. India offers the experience including the Executive, Judiciary of its own institutional, and the Parliament. administrative, political and economic systems as references 5. In response to Afghanistan's that Afghanistan can study and need to strengthen its benefit from in the light of its own administration and governance at needs and realities. national and sub-national levels, India offers its experience of 3. As part of its highly successful governance at the national, state, annual scholarship programme, district and local body levels, and and the broader strategy of technical assistance in setting up support to higher education for a permanent, career-based civil Afghanistan, India will continue service suitable for Afghan to expand education and training realities. opportunities in India through the ICCR and ITEC scholarships, and SOCIAL, CULTURAL, CIVIL multilateral-funded programmes. SOCIETY & PEOPLE-TO- PEOPLE RELATIONS (a) Responding to the requirements of Afghanistan, 1. In pursuit of further expanding India will explore avenues to the existing people-to-people expand scholarships in medical, bonds that exist between the two engineering and management countries, the Sides envisage institutes of India; and greater exchanges between parliament, media, women, youth, (b) The Sides will also encourage sports, academic, cultural, and facilitate annual student intellectual and religious figures and bodies.

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2. Through the India-Afghanistan 6. To facilitate legal cases Foundation, the Sides will seek to involving nationals of one country promote social and cultural ties, in the other, the Sides will work with a focus on arts, literature, towards agreements on mutual poetry and so on, and further legal assistance in civil and expand the exposure to each criminal matters. others' cultural heritage and achievements. 7. To promote relations between civil societies and, in particular, 3. The Sides will encourage and enable intellectual exchanges, the promote greater exchanges Sides intend to establish India- between media organizations in Afghanistan Round Table their respective countries, within consisting of eminent persons the framework of an independent representing different fields. and free media. 8. Both Sides agree to promote 4. Both Sides will work for the cooperation and exchanges in the upliftment of women, their field of sports. education and rights, and also for the poorer or weaker sections of 9. Both sides agree to share and their societies. learn from each others' experience of the values and institutions of 5. To encourage and expand democracy, including the sharing, interaction and legitimate distribution and devolution of movement of people between the powers, relations between the two countries, the Sides agree to Centre and States/Provinces, simplifying rules and procedures electoral reforms etc. for travel by citizens of both countries. The Sides intend to: 10. The Sides agree to establish parliament-to-parliament (a) Promote tourist exchanges and exchanges between the two cooperation between tourist countries by organizing visits of organizations in both countries; parliamentary delegations and and establishing parliamentary friendship groups in the two (b) Encourage sister-city countries. agreements between the cities/provinces/states of the two IMPLEMENTATION countries. MECHANISM

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1. This Strategic Partnership of 04 January 1950, which states: would be implemented under the "There shall be everlasting peace framework of a Partnership and friendship between the two Council, which will be headed by Governments who will further the Foreign Ministers of both strive to maintain and strengthen countries. The Council will the cordial relations existing convene annual meetings. between the people of their respective countries." 2. The Council will consist of separate Joint Working Groups on Signed on the 4th October 2011 at Political & Security New Delhi in four originals, each Consultations, Trade and in Hindi, Pashto, Dari and Economic Cooperation, Capacity English languages. However, in Development & Education, and case of any discrepancy in the text Social, Cultural and Civil Society, or difference in interpretation, the involving high level English text shall prevail. representatives from concerned Ministries/Authorities. (Manmohan Singh) 3. The existing dialogue Prime Minister of the Republic of mechanisms between the two India (Hamid Karzai) sides will become part of the President of the Islamic Republic Council. of Afghanistan CONCLUSION

The Islamic Republic of back to content Afghanistan and the Republic of India go forward in this partnership, re-asserting the fundamental and lasting spirit of the Treaty of Friendship between the Government of India and the Royal Government of Afghanistan

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Enduring Strategic Partnership Agreement Between The United States Of America And The Islamic Republic Of Afghanistan

I.PREAMBLE States of America, which is a strategic ally of the people and he Islamic Republic of government of Afghanistan, is Afghanistan considered impotant in order to T ("Afghanistan") and the ensure political, economic and United States of America ("United military security of the country. States'') have patnered closely Signing a strategic cooperation since 2001 to respond to threats to document with the United States international peace and security conforms with the national and help the Afghan people chart interest of Afghanistan and is of a secure, democratic, and significant impotance... When prosperous future. As a result, signing this document Afghanistan is now on a path Afghanistan and the United towards sustainable self-reliance States must be considered as two in security, governance, economic sovereign and equal countries", in and social development, and accordance with the Chater of the constructive patnership at the United Nations. regional level. Emphasizing their shared The Parties express their determination to futher advance appreciation for the November the Afghan people's desire for a 2011 Traditional Loya Jirga, stable and independent Afghan which declared: "Emphasizing the state, governed on the basis of need to preserve the Afghanistan's Constitution and achievements of the past ten shared democratic values, years, respect the Afghan including respect for the Constitution, women's rights, fundamental rights and freedoms freedom of speech, and taking into of all men and women, consideration the prevailing Afghanistan and the United situation in the region, strategic States ("the Paties") commit to cooperation with the United strengthen long-term strategic

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 84 cooperation in areas of mutual Respect for the rule of law, as well interest, including: advancing as the sound and transparent peace, security, and adherence to Afghanistan's reconciliation; strengthening state Constitution and all other institutions; suppoting operative laws, reinforces its Afghanistan's long-term economic foundation. The Paties reafirm and social development; and their strong commitment to the encouraging regional cooperation. sovereignty, independence, Recognizing the continued territorial integrity and national relevance of their commitments at unity of Afghanistan. the 2010 London and Kabul Conferences, as well as the 2011 Accordingly, the Paties agree to Bonn Conference, the Paties the following: affirm their resolve to strengthen II.Protecting And Promoting Afghanistan's institutions and Shared Democratic Values governance capacity to advance such areas of long-term strategic 1. The Paties agree that a strong cooperation. commitment to protecting and promoting democratic values and Cooperation between Afghanistan human rights is a fundamental and the United States is based on aspect of their long-term mutual respect and shared patnership and cooperation. interests - most notably, a common desire for peace and to 2. Underscoring the central strengthen collective efforts to impotance of the values and achieve a region that is principles of the Afghan economically integrated, and no Constitution, Afghanistan longer a safe haven for al-Qaeda reaffirms its strong commitment and its afiliates. Afghanistan and to inclusive and pluralistic the United States go forward in democratic governance including this patnership with confidence free, fair, and transparent because they are committed to elections in which all the people of seeking a future of justice, peace, Afghanistan paticipate freely security, and oppotunity for the without internal or external Afghan people. interference. Reafirming its commitments made at the 2011 Respect for the sovereignty and Bonn Conference, Afghanistan equality of states constitutes the foundation of this patnership.

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 85 shall strengthen and improve its social, political, civil and cultural electoral process. rights. 3. Afghanistan reafirms its Iii. Advancing Long-Term commitment to protecting human Security and political rights under its Constitution and international 1. The Paties reaffirm that the obligations, including the presence and operations of the International Covenant on Civil U.S. forces in Afghanistan since and Political Rights. In this 2001 are aimed at defeating al- regard, Afghanistan shall Qaeda and its afiliates. The strengthen the integrity and Paties acknowledge the great capacity of its democratic sacriices and suffering that the institutions and processes, Afghan people have endured in including by taking tangible steps the struggle against terrorism to futher the eficiency and and the continued threats to their effectiveness of its three branches desire for peace, security and of state, within its unitary system prosperity. The Paties also pay of government, and suppoting tribute to the sacriices made by development of a vibrant civil the people of the United States in society, including a free and open this struggle. media. 2. In order to strengthen security 4. Afghanistan reaffirms its and stability in Afghanistan, commitment to ensuring that any contribute to regional and kind of discrimination and international peace and stability, distinction between citizens of combat al-Qaeda and its afiliates, Afghanistan shall be forbidden, and enhance the ability of and ensuring the rights and Afghanistan to deter threats freedoms that are guaranteed to against its sovereignty, security, all Afghans under Afghan law and and territorial integrity, the the Afghan Constitution. Paties shall continue to foster Consistent with its Constitution close cooperation concerning and international obligations, defense and security Afghanistan shall ensure and arrangements, as may be advance the essential role of mutually determined. women in society, so that they a. The Paties' respective may fully enjoy their economic, obligations under this Agreement,

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 86 and any subsequent Understanding on the arrangements, are without Afghanization of Special prejudice to Afghan sovereignty Operations (2012), until over its territory, and each Paty's superseded by the Bilateral right of self-defense, consistent Security Agreement or other with international law. arrangements, as mutually determined. This obligation is b. The Paties shall, subject to without prejudice to the status, their internal procedures, initiate commitments, and negotiations on a Bilateral understandings of those Security Agreement. Negotiations frameworks, until superseded as should begin ater the signing of noted above. this Strategic Patnership Agreement, with the goal of 3. To help provide a long-term concluding within one year a framework for mutual security Bilateral Security Agreement to and defense cooperation, the supersede the Agreement United States shall designate regarding the Status of United Afghanistan a "Major Non-NATO States Military and Civilian Ally." Personnel of the U.S. Department of Defense Present in Afghanistan 4.The Paties underscore their in connection with Cooperative strong suppot for Afghan effots Efforts in Response to Terrorism, towards peace and reconciliation. Humanitarian, and Civic a. The necessary outcomes of any Assistance, Military Training and peace and reconciliation process Exercises, and Other Activities are for individuals and entities to: (2003), and other such related break ties with al-Qaeda; agreements and understandings renounce violence; and abide by that are mutually determined to the Afghan Constitution, be contrary to the provisions of including its protections for all the Bilateral Security Agreement. Afghan women and men. c. The conduct of ongoing military b. Afghanistan afirms that in all operations shall continue under state actions and understandings existing frameworks, which with regard to peace and include the Memorandum of reconciliation, it shall uphold the Understanding on the Transfer of values of the Afghan Constitution. U.S. Detention Facilities (2012) and the Memorandum of

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5. Beyond 2014, the United States with NATO standards and shall seek funds, on a yearly promote interoperability with basis, to suppot the training, NATO forces. equipping, advising, and sustaining of the Afghan National d. The Paties futher call on NATO Security Forces (ANSF), so that member states to sustain and Afghanistan can independently improve Afghan security secure and defend itself against capabilities beyond 2014, by internal and external threats, and taking concrete measures to help ensure that terrorists never implement the Declaration by NA again encroach on Afghan soil and TO and the Government of the threaten Afghanistan, the region, Islamic Republic ofAfghanistan on and the world. an Enduring Partnership concluded at the November 2010 a. Such suppot should: (1) help NATO Lisbon Summit. build appropriate capabilities reflecting the evolving nature of 6. Afghanistan shall provide U.S. mutually-recognized threats to forces continued access to and use Afghan stability; (2) suppot effots of Afghan facilities through 2014, to help the Afghan State attain a and beyond as may be agreed in sustainable security structure; the Bilateral Security Agreement, and (3) strengthen the capacity of for the purposes of combating al- security institutions of Qaeda and its afiliates, training Afghanistan. the Afghan National Security Forces, and other mutually b. A U.S-Afghanistan Working determined missions to advance Group on Defense and Security, shared security interests. established under the framework of this Agreement, shall undetake a. The United States emphasizes regular assessments of the level of its full respect for the sovereignty threat facing Afghanistan, as well and independence of Afghanistan. as the country's security and It reaffirms its commitment to the defense requirements, and make Inteqal framework, and a specific recommendations about transition to full Afghan security future cooperation in this ield to responsibility. It futher reafirms the Bilateral Commission. that it does not seek permanent military facilities in Afghanistan, c. Assistance to the ANSF should or a presence that is a threat to have the goal of being consistent Afghanistan's neighbors.

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 88 b. The United States futher of South-Central Asia, the United pledges not to use Afghan States affirms that it shall regard territory or facilities as a with grave concern any external launching point for attacks aggression against Afghanistan. against other countries. Were this to occur, the Paties shall hold consultations on an c. The nature and scope of the urgent basis to develop and future presence and operations of implement an appropriate U.S. forces in Afghanistan, and response, including, as may be the related obligations of mutually determined, political, Afghanistan and the United diplomatic, economic, or military States, shall be addressed in the measures, in accordance with Bilateral Security Agreement. their respective constitutional 7. The Paties shall enhance procedures. information and intelligence Iv. Reinforcing Regional Security sharing to counter common And Cooperation threats, including terrorism, narcotics trafficking, organized 1. The Paties agree on the crime, and money laundering. impotance of Afghanistan having cooperative and friendly relations 8. The Paties also underscore with its neighbors, and emphasize their suppot to improve regional that such relations should be security cooperation and conducted on the basis of mutual coordination. The Paties affirm respect, non-interference, and that the production, trafficking, equality. They call on all nations and consumption of illicit to respect narcotics poses a major threat to ensuring security and the Afghanistan's sovereignty and formation of a licit Afghan territorial integrity, and to refrain economy, as well as to regional from interfering in Afghanistan's security and a healthy world. internal affairs and democratic They are determined to cooperate processes. in Afghanistan, the region, and the world to eliminate this threat. 2. With a view to the impotance of regional cooperation for the 9. Recognizing that the stability consolidation of security in the of Afghanistan would contribute region, the Paties shall undetake to the development and stability earnest cooperation with the

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 89 countries of the region, regional V. Social And Economic organizations, the United Development Nations, and other international organizations on mutually 1. The Paties agree that recognized threats, including: developing Afghanistan's human terrorist networks; organized and natural resources is crucial to crime; narcotics traficking; and regional stability, sustainable money laundering. economic growth, and Afghanistan's recovery from more 3. To enhance regional stability than three decades of war and and prosperity, the Paties shall that Afghanistan will have further cooperate in restoring special, signiicant and continuing Afghanistan's historic role as a iscal requirements that cannot be bridge connecting Central and met by domestic revenues in the South Asia and the Middle East years following Transition. In this by: regard, the United States reafirms its commitment made at a. building on and facilitating the 2011 Bonn Conference to implementation of existing and directing inancial suppot, future regional consistent with the Kabul initiatives,including transit and Process, towards Afghanistan's trade agreements; economic development, helping b.strengthening border Afghanistan address its coordination and management continuing budget shotfall to between Afghanistan and its secure the gains of the last neighbors; decade, make Transition irreversible, and become self- c. expanding linkages to regional sustaining. transpotation, transit, and energy networks through the realization 2. In the economic sphere: of projects, including a. The Paties shall pursue infrastructure, throughout consolidation and growth of a Afghanistan; and market economy, and long-term d. mobilizing international suppot cooperation for Afghanistan's for regional investments that sustainable economic growth, facilitate Afghanistan's taking into consideration integration with the region. Afghanistan's Constitution, as

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 90 well as its historical and social should be the primary realities. beneiciaries of Afghanistan's mineral wealth. The United b. Noting Afghanistan's priorities, States shall therefore suppot the United States shall help Afghanistan's effots to govern its strengthen Afghanistan's natural wealth through an economic foundation and suppot accountable, eficient, effective and sustainable development and self- transparent framework that suficiency, paticularly in the builds upon and surpasses areas of: licit agricultural international best practices. production; transpotation, trade, transit, water, and energy 3.In the social sphere, the Paties infrastructure; fostering shall undetake sustainable joint responsible management of effots to help Afghanistan develop natural resources; and building a its human capacity through: strong financial system, which is needed to sustain private a. access to and enhancing the investment. quality of education, including higher education and vocational c. To encourage trade and private training in key areas for all sector development, the Parties Afghans; and shall undetake common effots to increasingly use the Generalized b. access to basic health services System of Preferences. Futher, to and specialized care, including for encourage investment, the United women and children. States intends to mobilize the 4. The Paties underscore the Overseas Private Investment crucial impotance of the ight Corporation, U.S. Expot-Impot against corruption. Bank, and U.S. Trade and Development Agency to encourage a. The Paties shall ight decisively U.S. private sector activity in against all forms of corruption. Afghanistan. Afghanistan shall b. The Paties shall devise augment its suppot for the mechanisms to enhance aid development of its private sector effectiveness and avoid corruption through the relevant Afghan through improved procurement institutions. practices, transparency, and d. The Paties afirm their strong accountability. desire that the Afghan people

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 91 c. Afghanistan shall strengthen b. Building on its commitments at its anticorruption institutions, the 2010 Kabul and London and revise and enforce its laws, as Conferences ("the Conferences"), necessary, in accordance with its the United States reiterates its national and international commitment to channel at least obligations. 50 percent of such economic and social assistance to Afghanistan d. Afghanistan futher shall through Afghan government safeguard and enhance the budgetary mechanisms. The Afghan inancial system by Paties shall periodically review implementing recommendations this commitment, through the from the Financial Action Task Afghanistan-United States Force Asia Paciic Group Bilateral Commission, established (FATF/APG) regarding anti- under this Agreement, with the money laundering and combating goal of increasing the percentage terrorist financing. of assistance channeled through 5. The United States and Afghan Government budgetary Afghanistan shall continue their mechanisms beyond 2012. cooperation to promote c. The United States also Afghanistan's development, reaffirms its 2010 Kabul including annual U.S. social and Conference commitment to economic assistance to progressively align its Afghanistan commensurate with development assistance behind the strategic impotance of the Afghan National Priority U.S.-Afghan patnership. Programs, as mutually a. To achieve this goal, the United determined by both Paties, with States shall seek on a yearly the goal of achieving 80 percent of basis, funding for social and alignment by the end of 2012. The economic assistance to United States agrees that any Afghanistan. The United States development assistance not also suppots Afghanistan's efforts aligned is to be fully transparent to encourage international and consulted with the investment and suppot for the Government of Afghanistan. Afghan private sector, which is d. These commitments are crucial to developing a secure, contingent upon the Afghan prosperous, peaceful Afghanistan government establishing and region. mechanisms and demonstrating

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 92 agreed-upon progress to ensure be based on the priorities of the financial transparency and Afghan Government and mutually accountability, increasing budget identified needs. expenditures, improving revenue collection, enhancing public 2.Afghanistan shall improve financial management systems, governance by increasing the and other mutually determined responsiveness, and transparency measures of performance and of Afghan executive, legislative, progress, including those and judicial institutions so that committed at the Conferences. they better meet the civil and economic needs of the Afghan 6. The Parties shall strengthen people. It shall promote eficiency the long-standing relations and accountability at all levels of between their people and civil the government, consistent with societies through a range of effots, Afghan law, and ensure that they including youth and women's provide services according to fair initiatives, and cooperation and objectively applied procedures between their universities and and consistent with national institutions of higher education. standards for minimum service delivery. 7. The United States shall promote exchanges and related 3. The United States shall suppot activities, which may include the Afghan Government in initiatives such as the Fulbright strengthening the capacity, self- Program and International reliance, and effectiveness of Visitor Leadership Program. Afghan institutions and their ability to deliver basic services. 8.The Paties also shall cooperate to suppot Afghan cultural 4.The Paties shall work institutions, and preservation of cooperatively to eliminate cultural heritage. "parallel structures," including ProvincialReconstruction Teams Vi. Strengthening Afghan and District Stabilization Teams Institutions And Governance consistent with the Inteqal 1. The Paties shall cooperate framework. towards improving the human VII. Implementing Arrangements capacity of Afghanistan's crucial And Mechanisms government institutions. U.S. assistance to Afghanistan should

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1. To advance cooperation and economic development, and monitor progress towards strengthening Afghan institutions implementing this Agreement, the and governance. Paties shall establish an Afghanistan-United States c. The Joint Steering Committee Bilateral Commission and should also convene regularly to associated implementation assess common threats and mechanisms. discuss regional issues of mutual concern. a. The Commission shall be chaired by the respective foreign 2.Through the Bilateral ministers of Afghanistan and the Commission, Paties should United States, or their designees, establish mutually determined and meet semi-annually in Kabul levels of support and assistance. and/Washington on a rotational 3.Afghanistan and the United basis. States may enter into further i. Preexisting bilateral forums, arrangements or agreements, as such as the Afghanistan-United necessary and appropriate, to States Bilateral Security implement this Agreement, Consultative Forum, shall be subject to the relevant laws and incorporated into the framework regulations of both Parties. of this new structure. VIII. FINAL PROVISIONS b. A Joint Steering Committee 1. This Agreement shall enter into shall guide and repot to Ministers force when the Paties notify one on the work of standing expet another, through diplomatic working groups formed to channels, of the completion of implement this Agreement. their respective internal legal i. These working groups shall be requirements necessary for the chaired by relevant ministers, or entry into force of this Agreement. their designees, and are to It shall remain in force until the constitute a forum for regular, end of 2024. Upon mutual written senior-level consultations on agreement of the Paties, six issues of mutual concern. These months pior to the expiration of issues include, but are not limited the Agreement, it may be renewed to, advancing long-term security, for a mutually agreed period. This promoting social, democratic, and Agreement may be amended or terminated by mutual written

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 94 agreement of both Parties at any 3.Any disputes with respect to time, and either Party may implementation of this Agreement provide witten notice to the other shall be settled through of its intent to terminate this diplomatic consultations between Agreement, which shall be the Paties. effective one year after the date of such notification. Signed in duplicate by the Presidents of the Islamic Republic 2. All actions taken under this of Afghanistan and the United Agreement shall be consistent States of America on this 2nd day with the Parties' respective of the month of May, in the year commitments and obligations 2012, in the city of Kabul, in the under intenational law. Pashto, Dari and English Cooperation under this languages, each text being equally Agreement is subject to the authentic. relevant laws and regulations of the respective Paties, including back to content applicable appropriations laws.

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Vivekananda International Foundation & The Heritage Foundation: A Bilateral Initiative

Seminar on 'Perspectives U.S. as a resident power in Asia on Cooperation in the Asia marked by a strategic outplay in A Pacific Region' was held the Asia Pacific owing primarily between 30th April and 1st May to China’s spectacular rise and 2012 in New Delhi. The Heritage Asia’s response to it. Foundation was represented by Mr. Walter Lohman, Director, Emerging Global Strategic & Asian Studies Center, Ms. Lisa Economic Environment in the Curtis, Senior Asia Pacific was the Research Fellow, theme of Session I Asian Studies Center with presentations and Mr. Dean Cheng, made by Ambassador Research Fellow, P.P. Shukla, Joint Chinese Political & Director, Security Affairs. The Vivekananda focus of the Seminar International centered primarily on Foundation, Mr. the India-U.S., India- Walter Lohman, and China and India-U.S. Ambassador Rajiv – China relationships in the 21st Sikri, former Secretary, Ministry Century. of External Affairs. India-China and India-U.S Relations was the The Director of the Vivekananda theme for Session II that included International Foundation, Mr. presentation by Mr. Walter Ajit K. Doval initiated the Lohman, Prof. Sujit Dutta, proceedings and emphasized the Gandhi Chair, Nelson Mandela global shift in power towards Centre for Peace and Conflict Asia, and India in particular, that Resolution, Jamia Milia Islamia, could be described as a swing Ms. Lisa Curtis and Brig. (Retd.) state in global international Gurmeet Kanwal, Adjunct Fellow, affairs. Walter Lohman on his Center for Strategic and part reiterated the status of the International Studies,

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Washington. Session III focussed on the issues delineated above. on the theme of China’s Military The final session of the Seminar Modernization Programme that was on Indo-U.S. Relations and was chaired by General N.C. Vij, the Way Forward and Chaired by former Chief of Army Staff, Ambassador P.P. Shukla followed followed by presentations by Mr. by presentations by Ms. Lisa Dean Cheng, Brig. (Retd.) Arun Curtis and Ambassador Kanwal Sahgal, Joint Director, Institute Sibal, former Foreign Secretary. of National Security Studies and The concluding remarks were also Prof. Srikanth Kondapalli, made by Ambassador Satish Center for Chinese Studies, Chandra, former Deputy National Jawaharlal Nehru University. Security Advisor and currently, Session IV dealt with the theme Distinguished Fellow at the Maritime Security and Military Vivekananda International Space Concerns chaired by Vice Foundation. Admiral (Retd.) Raman Puri, former Chief of Integrated He noted that the seminar had Defence Staff and the session was promoted a better understanding marked by presentations by Vice of the situation in the Asia Pacific Admiral (Retd.) Barry Barathan, and also a better appreciation of Distinguished Fellow, the U.S. and Indian perspectives Vivekananda Foundation, Mr. in this regard. Hopefully, this Dean Cheng and Brig. (Retd.) initiative would serve as the first Rahul Bhonsle, of Security of many such bilateral endeavours Risks.com. between the two organizations. The deliberations during the The second day of the proceedings course of the seminar were focused on the Salience of Tibet, distinctive by the high level of Af-Pak and Myanmar in Indian convergence in the perspectives of and U.S. foreign and strategic the Indian and U.S. proponents policies and chaired by Ms. Lisa with a desire for more effective Curtis. Mr. Thubten Samphel, cooperation. Director, Tibet Policy Institute, Dharamshala, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Ravi Sawhney, Distinguished Report prepared by Nidhi Fellow, Vivekananda Foundation, Bhatnagar Mr. Dean Cheng, and Mr. Walter Lohman made the presentations back to content

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Round Table Discussion On "Indo-U.S. Military Cooperation In The Context Of South Asian Security And The Way Ahead"

A Round Table discussion on the pivotal nature of engagement “Indo-U.S. Military Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region arising in the context of South Asian from trade, energy and security Security and the Way Ahead” was compulsions. Further, U.S. held on 17 May 2012. The guest withdrawal in the Afghanistan speaker, on the occasion was Dr. context is not a definite, rather Amer Latif, there is going to currently be a decisive visiting fellow U.S. with the engagement, in Wadhwani Chair West Asia too. for U.S.-India The U.S. is Policy Studies at reviving its old CSIS. relations with Previously, he Japan, was director for Singapore, South Asian Australia, affairs in the Philippines and Office of South others in the and Southeast Indo-Pacific, Asian Affairs in the Office of the even in the wake of assertive Undersecretary of Defense for cross-regional engagement Policy (OSDP). between the states.

Dr. Latif noted that the robust The United States and India are engagement with the Indian and natural partners and hold U.S. militaries was only common views on the rise of deepening, yet there is a need to China, aftermath of Afghanistan take this out of the joint-exercises post -2014 and its stability and operability context, to a equally is the issue of stability in larger strategic aim. The United Pakistan, concerns over nuclear States he averred was driven by weapons in Iran, maritime

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 98 security and terrorism. The 2012 and US constituencies the values US Defence Strategic Guidance is of a deepening engagement. significant to the extent of US support to India’s ability in Finally, he noted that there is a upholding regional stability, even semblance of understanding so not mentioning its long-time domestic compulsions in shaping allies in the region like Japan, the future course of the bilateral South Korea, and Australia etc. engagement ranging from domestic political factors to Dr. Latif brought out some key economic crises and alternate challenges in moving forward in foreign policy concerns. the Indian and U.S relationship from; (i) strategic challenge The discussion was lively and marked by a parallel set of focused on the future course of interests - there is agreement on ties between India and the U.S. policy outcomes but disagreement The Director, Vivekananda on policy implementations, (ii) International Foundation, Ajit Political – a trust deficit by India Doval brought the event to a close on issues of technology transfer, remarking that it would be drawdown from Afghanistan and expedient to conduct a joint study U.S as a credible partner. Arms on prospective military-industry sales to both Pakistan and India cooperation in India to include the seem incongruous in this sense. possibility of joint projects with (iii) There is a significant the US relating to defence bureaucratic challenge in production. attempting to communicate effectively. Some level of transparency and predictability Report prepared by Nidhi can help produce informed Bhatnagar decisions. (iv) The communications challenge in back to content articulating to both the Indian

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Round Table Discussion On “Implications Of The Likely Leadership Change(S) In The Prc And Pla Strategy On The South China Sea Issue”

A Taiwanese delegation visited representation and influence of Vivekananda International military personnel in the CPC Foundation on 18 May 2012 to Central Committee. During the hold a Round Table Discussion on course of power transition plenary “Implications of the likely sessions are held by the CPC Leadership Change(s) in the PRC Central Committee. The and PLA Strategy on the South importance of the 7th one was China Sea noted as it would Issue”. The be followed by delegation the 18th CPC comprised of Dr. Party National Cheng-kun Ma, Assembly. He Professor and elaborated on Director of PLA the three Studies Division, important National Defense mobilisations University that were (NDU), ROC initiated by the (Taiwan), Major Communist James Peng, Party during the Instructor of 6th Plenary National Defense University, Session (that was held last year). Taiwan and Col. Hui-shin Chen, They are 1) Ideological/Loyalty Director, Defence Division of Mobilisation during which the Taipei Economic and Cultural cadres are sent to the localities Center (India). and the local party members are asked to show their loyalty and At the outset, a comprehensive reach consensus with the Central presentation was made by Dr. Party leadership about the power Cheng-kun Ma who started by transition arrangement (for the explaining the dynamics of power 18th Party National Assembly) 2) structure and power transition in Political Mobilisation in which the China, as well as the Prime Ministers produces a report

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 100 for the National Assembly 3) next party assembly however the Organisational Mobilisation different factions within it exert through which they produce party their influence in the decision representatives to participate in making process depending on the national assembly, it includes their power at that time. He also people from a) Provincial level elaborated on the role and power Party Organisation, b) Central of the nine members of the Financial Institutions c) State Standing Committee who form owned Enterprises and d) PLA- the core leadership in the political Military. hierarchy of China.

He also touched on the issue of He further spoke about the issue representation and influence of of the Crisis in the South China military personnel in the political Sea highlighting the Scarborough sphere of China. It was stated Shoal Confrontation between that the Communist Party has China and the Philippines as well absolute leadership over the as bringing out the PLA strategy military and it has no significant on the matter. He pointed out authority in the power transition that China was insisting on and political decision making, as absolute sovereignty over the the army occupies a small shoal and were pushing for percentage of seats in the Party bilateral negotiations instead of National assembly (they occupy multilateral dialogue. It was roughly 1/10th of the seats in the mentioned that while China 17th National Assembly). persisted on a diplomatic solution to the confrontation it was The presence of different factions preparing for an armed conflict. namely Communist Youth But Dr Ma noted that China does League, Shanghai Gang and the not intend to initiate a military Prince-lings and their leaders confrontation and is just putting were brought out, as well as the pressure on the other side in delicate power balance order to solve the issue before the arrangement between them was Typhoon season (June- highlighted. It was also noted by September) arrives and has to Dr Ma that although the Central pull back from the region. Finally, Committee makes political he mentioned about the US decisions about how many warning to Philippines to refrain members would they have for the from doing anything provocative

VIVEK : Issues and Options June – 2012 Issue: I No: VI 101 that could further lead to Report prepared by Neha Mehta escalation of tensions between the two as China has made its back to content intentions clear to the US over the crisis in the South China Sea.

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Round Table Discussion With An American Delegation Led By Dr. Peter R. Lavoy

The Vivekananda International the attention worldwide to the Foundation held a Round Table challenges that would continue to meeting with a U.S. delegation exist in term of governance and in led by Dr. Peter R. Lavoy, regional diplomacy for peace and Principal Deputy Assistant stability to prevail. There was a Secretary of Defense for Asian wide degree of convergence in and Pacific Indian and Security Affairs American view of the U.S points on the Administration need for on May 18, 2012. ensuring a stable Mr. Frank J. Afghanistan. Ruggiero, Senior There was an Deputy Special intensive Representative question answer for Afghanistan session where it and Pakistan was felt that the was a member of US and Indian the delegation think tanks need who participated to have more in the deliberations. The substantial exchanges to interactive dialogue focused on understand each other in the the future of the Af-Pak region emerging strategic environment. and the prospective role that India and U.S. could engage in Report prepared by Nidhi this part of South Asia. Bhatnagar

The U.S withdrawal from back to content Afghanistan in 2014 has drawn

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