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India- Sri Lanka

Why in News Recently, the Government of Srilanka decided to rebuild a demolished memorial at Jaffna University after the High Commissioner of...

19 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
India-Nepal Joint Commission Meet

Why in News Recently, the 6th India-Nepal Joint Commission meeting was held where in Nepal raised the Kalapani boundary dispute with India. The two...

19 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
India’s Trade Deficit with China at Five-year Low in 2020

Why in News The trade deficit, between India and China, declined to a five year-low of 45.8 billion USD in 2020, the lowest since 2015. Trade...

18 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
India & Oman

Why in News Recently, a meeting of the India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group (IOSCG) was held with the first high-level official visit from Oman...

16 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
India’s NSA Visit to Afghanistan

Why in News Recently, the National Security Advisor (NSA) of India visited Afghanistan for talks on strategic issues with the leadership in...

15 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
SAARC Revival

This article is based on “Reclaiming SAARC from the ashes of 2020” which was published in The Hindu on 13/01/2021. It talks about the...

14 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
Indian Foreign Policy In 2021

This article is based on “Reframing India’s foreign policy priorities” which was published in The Hindu on 12/01/2021. It talks...

12 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
Domestic Exploration of Lithium

Why in News Recent surveys by the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) have shown the presence of lithium resources in...

11 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
Political Crisis in Nepal

This article is based on “What India should, and shouldn’t, do in Nepal” which was published in The Hindustan Times on...

09 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
Helping Hand to Sri Lanka

Why in News An India-funded free ambulance service is playing a vital role in Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 response. Key...

07 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
Solidarity and Stability Deal: Gulf Countries

Why in News Recently, Gulf states signed a ‘solidarity and stability’ deal at the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Al...

06 Jan 2021 India and its Neighbourhood
India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries

Why in News Recently, the Fourth Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries was held through virtual mode. Palk Strait...

31 Dec 2020 India and its Neighbourhood
Mission Sagar-III

Why in News Recently, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan has arrived at Sihanoukville Port, Cambodia as part of ongoing Mission Sagar-III. Key...

30 Dec 2020 India and its Neighbourhood
India’s Two-Front Challenge

This article is based on “Dealing with India’s two-front challenge” which was published in The Hindu on 29/12/2020. It talks...

29 Dec 2020 India and its Neighbourhood
India-Qatar

Why in News Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister met the top leaders of Qatar and discussed strengthening the economic and security...

29 Dec 2020 India and its Neighbourhood
Europe In Indo-Pacific

This article is based on “India’s new Europolitik” which was published in The Indian Express on 22/12/2020. It talks about the...

23 Dec 2020 India and its Neighbourhood
The Big Picture: India's Vision for Indo- Pacific

Why in News? The Russian Foreign Minister has described New Delhi as an "object" of the West's "persistent, aggressive, and devious" policy...

22 Dec 2020 India and its Neighbourhood
International River Governance

This article is based on “China’s Brahmaputra dam: Trans-boundary water governance in South Asia needs a rethink” which was...

21 Dec 2020 India and its Neighbourhood
Coastal Radar Chain Network

Why in News India’s efforts are in advanced stages to set up coastal radar stations in Maldives, Myanmar and Bangladesh. The radar...

21 Dec 2020 India and its Neighbourhood
India-Bangladesh Virtual Summit

Why in News Recently, India and Bangladesh have held a virtual summit covering comprehensive discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations and...

19 Dec 2020 India and its Neighbourhood

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		'title' => 'India- Sri Lanka',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Government of Srilanka decided to rebuild a demolished memorial at <strong>Jaffna University</strong> after the High Commissioner of India&rsquo;s concerns.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The demolition of a memorial paying tribute to Tamil civilians killed during the civil war between LTTE and the Sri Lankan Army in 2009 has brought attention to unaddressed issues of <strong>minority rights</strong> of Tamilians in Srilanka again in the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-sri-lanka-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Srilanka relations</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611051412_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1611051412_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Issues of Tamilians in Srilanka</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Denial of Citizenship:</strong> The problem of the Srilankan Tamils began earlier than the 1950s. After independence in 1948 the <strong>Srilankan government felt that the Tamils were not Srilankan</strong> because they had Indian ancestry. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The majority of the Tamils were<strong> denied Srilankan citizenship</strong> due to which most of the Tamils continued to live in poverty in the tea estates of Srilanka.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linguistic Discrimination:</strong> The conflict between Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka started in 1956 when <strong>Sinhala was made the official language</strong> by the country's President and large scale discrimination began against the Tamils.</li>
<li><strong>Religious Discrimination:</strong> The discrimination against the Tamil population continued throughout the 1960s as <strong>Buddhism was given the primary place in the state</strong> and the number of Tamils employed by the state and admitted into institutions of higher learning was greatly restricted.</li>
<li><strong>Intensified Movements:</strong> During this period the Tamils responded to their oppression largely through a political and a non-violent protest movement. In the 1970s, however, there was an increased trend towards Tamil separatism and militancy that gave rise to a terrorist organization called LTTE.</li>
<li><strong>Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE):</strong> It was formed in 1976 as the self-styled "national freedom movement of the people of Tamil Eelam" and began a guerilla war on the government and administration. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It undertook numerous terrorist activities in Srilanka especially against the Sinhalese and executed the<strong> assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (the ex Prime Minister of India).</strong></li>
<li>After a long strife, and millions of casualties, the civil war with LTTE ended in 2009. India played an important role in helping Srilankan to uproot terrorism from its homeland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rehabilitation of Refugees:</strong> A lot of Srilankan Tamils who evaded from Srilankan civil war (2009) are seeking refuge in Tamil Nadu. They are not returning in fear of being targeted again. It is a challenge for India to rehabilitate them.</li>
<li><strong>Sentiments of Indian Tamils:</strong> A number of protests and criticism is drawn at the end of Indian Government for overlooking the plight of Srilankan Tamils to maintain good relationship with Srilanka.</li>
<li><strong>Strategic interests vs Tamil question:</strong> Often India has to trade off on the question of Tamilian minority rights over strategic issues to protect its economic interests in its neighborhood and to counter Chinese influence in Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India - Sri Lanka Confidence Building Measures: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Currency Swap Agreements: <a href="/printpdf/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Reserve Bank of India</a></strong> (RBI) had signed an agreement for extending a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-signs-currency-swap-for-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> USD 400 million currency swap</strong></a> facility to Sri Lanka to boost the foreign reserves and ensure financial stability of the country, which is badly hit by Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li><strong>High Level Exchanges:</strong> Political relations between India and Sri Lanka have been marked by high-level exchanges of visits at regular intervals.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Support against Terrorism:</strong> During the course of the civil war, India supported the right of the Government of Sri Lanka to act against terrorist forces.</li>
<li><strong>The Indian Housing Project:</strong> It is Government of India&rsquo;s flagship project of developmental assistance to Sri Lanka. Its initial commitment is to build 50,000 houses for those affected by the civil war as well as for the estate workers in the plantation areas.</li>
<li><strong>Addressing Fishermen Issue:</strong> Given the proximity of the territorial waters of both countries, especially in the <strong>Palk Straits</strong> and the <strong>Gulf of Mannar</strong>, incidents of straying of fishermen are common. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Both countries have agreed on certain practical arrangements to deal with the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fishermen-issue-with-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> issue of bona fide fishermen</strong> </a>of either side crossing the <strong>International Maritime Boundary Line.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Exercises:</strong> India and Sri Lanka conduct joint Military (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-mitra-shakti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mitra Shakti</strong></a>) and Naval exercise (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/slinex-20-india-sri-lanka-naval-maritime-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SLINEX</strong></a>).</li>
<li><strong>Participation in Groupings:</strong> Sri Lanka is also a member of regional groupings like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bimstec-guests-of-honour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong> </a>(Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> SAARC</strong> </a>in which India plays a leading role.</li>
<li><strong>SAGAR:</strong> Srilanka supports India&rsquo;s concern for the security of Indian ocean with its &lsquo;Neighbourhood First&rsquo; policy and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lucknow-declaration" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region).</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Line of Credit:</strong> India has extended a $400 million line of credit to Sri Lanka to help strengthen its infrastructure and economy. An additional $50 million to help Sri Lanka combat terrorism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/india-intervened-on-jaffna-varsity-memorial-issue/article33594886.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7498,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Nepal Joint Commission Meet',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>6<sup>th</sup> India-Nepal Joint Commission</strong> meeting was held where in Nepal raised the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-nepal-border-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kalapani boundary dispute</strong> </a>with India. The two sides also <strong>discussed cooperation in a range of areas,</strong> including power, oil and gas, water resources, capacity building and tourism among others.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India distanced itself from discussing the matter at the Joint Commission level as there is a <strong>dedicated Foreign Secretary-level mechanism to discuss boundary disputes.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Nepal&rsquo;s requirement for vaccines to fight the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccine-distribution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> pandemic was discussed as it has approved<strong> Serum Institute of India&rsquo;s</strong> (SII) <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/phase-ii-iii-clinical-trials-of-covishield" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covishield vaccine.</strong></a></li>
<li>Both the delegations reviewed the development partnership and discussed the benefit of the <strong>Integrated Check Posts (ICP) at Birgunj and Biratnagar</strong> (Nepal). The Posts have helped in seamless movement of people and trade between the two countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Third and Fourth ICP at Nepalgunj and Bhairahawa respectively to be started.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India to build <strong>two cultural heritage projects in Nepal</strong> on the<strong> &lsquo;Pashupatinath Riverfront Development&rsquo;</strong> and the<strong> &lsquo;Bhandarkhal Garden Restoration in Patan Durbar&rsquo;</strong> through grant assistance.</li>
<li>Nepal&rsquo;s Foreign Minister also delivered a speech in<strong> Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Council of World Affairs was established in <strong>1943 as a think tank.</strong> It is devoted exclusively for the <strong>study of international relations and foreign affairs.&nbsp;</strong>The <strong>Vice President of India</strong> is the <strong>ex-officio President of ICWA.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India - Nepal Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Ties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal is an important neighbour of India and occupies special significance in its foreign policy because of the <strong>geographic, historical, cultural and economic linkages/ties that span centuries.</strong></li>
<li>India and Nepal share similar ties in terms of <strong>Hinduism and Buddhism</strong> with Buddha&rsquo;s birthplace Lumbini located in present day Nepal.</li>
<li>The two countries not only share an open border and unhindered movement of people, but they also have <strong>close bonds through marriages and familial ties, popularly known as Roti-Beti ka Rishta.</strong></li>
<li>The India-Nepal <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-downturn-in-indo-nepal-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950</strong></a> forms the bedrock of the special relations that exist between India and Nepal.</li>
<li>Importance for India can be studied from two different angles: a) <strong>their strategic importance for India&rsquo;s national security;</strong> and b) <strong>their place in India&rsquo;s role perception in international politics.</strong></li>
<li>Rivers originating in Nepal feed the <strong>perennial river systems</strong> of India in terms of ecology and <strong>hydropower potential.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade and Economy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is Nepal&rsquo;s<strong> largest trade partner</strong> and the<strong> largest source of foreign investments,</strong> besides providing transit for almost the entire third country trade of Nepal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal being a landlocked country, it is surrounded by India from three sides and one side is open towards Tibet which has very<strong> limited vehicular access.</strong></li>
<li>India-Nepal has undertaken various <strong>connectivity programs</strong> to enhance people-to-people linkages and promote economic growth and development.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>MOUs have been signed between both the governments for laying electric <strong>rail track linking Kathmandu with Raxaul</strong> in India.</li>
<li>India is looking to develop the<strong> inland waterways</strong> for the movement of cargo, within the framework of trade and transit arrangements, providing additional access to sea for Nepal calling it linking <strong>Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) with Sagar (Indian Ocean).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bilateral defence cooperation includes assistance to Nepalese Army in its modernization through provision of equipment and training.</li>
<li>The <strong>Gorkha Regiments</strong> of the Indian Army are raised partly by recruitment from hill districts of Nepal.</li>
<li>India from 2011, every year undertakes joint military exercise with Nepal known as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/surya-kiran-xiv" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Surya Kiran.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There have been initiatives to promote people-to-people contacts in the area of art &amp; culture, academics and media with different local bodies of Nepal.</li>
<li>India has signed three <strong>sister-city agreements</strong> for twinning of<strong> Kathmandu-Varanasi, Lumbini-Bodhgaya and Janakpur-Ayodhya.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Humanitarian Assistance</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Nepal lies in a sensitive ecological fragile zone which is prone to earthquakes, floods causing massive damage to both life and money, whereby it remains the biggest recipient of India&rsquo;s humanitarian assistance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Multilateral Partnership</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Nepal share multiple multilateral forums such as<strong> BBIN</strong> (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal), <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong></a> (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non Aligned Movement</strong></a>, <strong>and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAARC</a></strong> (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues &amp; Challenges</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Intervention:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As a landlocked nation, Nepal depended for many years on Indian imports, and India played an active role in Nepal's affairs.</li>
<li>However, in recent years, Nepal has <strong>drifted away from India's influence,</strong> and China has gradually filled the space with investments, aid and loans.</li>
<li>China considers Nepal a key partner in its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative</strong></a> (BRI), and wants to<strong> invest in Nepal's infrastructure</strong> as part of its grand plans to boost global trade.</li>
<li>Rising Nepal and China cooperation can undermine Nepal&rsquo;s distinction of <strong>buffer state</strong> between India and China.</li>
<li>China on the other hand wants to avoid the formation of any <strong>Anti-China stance by the Tibetans living in Nepal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Border Dispute:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-nepal-border-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>issue erupted in November 2019</strong> </a>when Nepal had released a new political map that claims <strong>Kalapani, Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh of Uttarakhand as part of Nepal&rsquo;s territory.</strong> The area of <strong>Susta</strong> (West Champaran district, Bihar) can also be noted in the new map.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India should negotiate diplomatically to resolve the boundary dispute with Nepal under the aegis of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indo-nepal-territorial-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> International law on Trans-boundary Water Disputes</strong></a>. In this case, boundary dispute resolution between <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-bangladesh-relationship" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Bangladesh should serve as a model</strong></a>.</li>
<li>India should engage more proactively with Nepal in terms of <strong>people to people engagement, bureaucratic engagement as well as political interactions.</strong></li>
<li>Mere <strong>differences shall not turn into disputes</strong> and both the countries should resolve the issues peacefully.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/nepal-raises-boundary-issue-with-india-in-joint-commission-meeting/article33582802.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7487,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India’s Trade Deficit with China at Five-year Low in 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The<strong> trade deficit,</strong> between India and China, declined to a <strong>five year-low of 45.8 billion USD</strong> in 2020, the<strong> lowest since 2015.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Trade Deficit:</strong> A trade deficit is an amount by which the <strong>cost of a country's imports exceeds its exports.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bilateral Trade in 2020:</strong> Two-way trade in 2020 reached <strong>87.6 billion USD, down by 5.6%</strong> from 2019, according to new figures from <strong>China&rsquo;s General Administration of Customs</strong> (GAC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s imports from China</strong> accounted for <strong>66.7 billion USD,</strong> declining by 10.8% year-on-year and the lowest figure since 2016.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s exports to China,</strong> however, <strong>rose to the highest figure on record,</strong> crossing the 20 billion USD mark and growing 16% in 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>overall imports declined,</strong> due to slump in domestic demand in 2020.</li>
<li>There is, yet, no evidence to suggest India has <strong>replaced its import dependence on China</strong> by either sourcing those goods elsewhere or <strong>manufacturing them at home.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Biggest Import from China (2019 data):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Electrical machinery and equipment, organic chemicals fertilisers etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Top Exports to China (2019 data):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Iron ore, organic chemicals, cotton and unfinished diamonds.</li>
<li>Further, the year 2020 saw a surge in demand for<strong> iron ore in China</strong> with a slew of <strong>new infrastructure projects</strong> aimed at <strong>reviving growth</strong> after the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong> </a>slump.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade Deficit with China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>balance of trade between India and China</strong> is hugely<strong> tilted in the favour of the latter.</strong> India&rsquo;s trade deficit with China was 45.8 billion USD in 2020 and 56.77 billion USD in 2019.</li>
<li>The huge trade deficit with China could be<strong> attributed to two factors: narrow basket of commodities,</strong> mostly primary, that <strong>India exports to China</strong> and <strong>market access impediments for most of Indian agricultural products</strong> and the sectors where India is competitive in, such as pharmaceuticals, IT/IteS, etc.</li>
<li>Over time, India&rsquo;s raw material-based commodities have been overshadowed by Chinese exports of machinery, power-related equipment, telecom, organic chemicals and fertilisers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Measures Taken to Reduce Import Dependence on China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/43-more-mobile-apps-banned" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ban on more than 100 Chinese apps</strong></a>, amidst <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict#:~:text=China%20views%20India%27s%20assertions%20regarding,due%20to%20Covid%2D19%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>border tensions</strong></a> between the two countries in eastern Ladakh.</li>
<li>It has increased scrutiny of <strong>Chinese investments in many sectors,</strong> and is weighing a decision to keep Chinese companies out of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5g-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>5G trials</strong></a>.</li>
<li>The government recently put <strong>import restrictions on tyres,</strong> while also making its <strong>prior <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-fdi-rule#:~:text=The%20Government%20of%20India%20has,the%20current%20Covid%2D19%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener">approval mandatory for foreign investments from countries that share land border</a></strong> with India to curb "opportunistic takeovers" of domestic firms - a move which will <strong>restrict FDI from China.</strong></li>
<li>The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has<strong> also identified 12 sectors -</strong> food processing, organic farming, iron, aluminium and copper, agro chemicals, electronics, industrial machinery, furniture, leather and shoes, auto parts, textiles, and coveralls, masks, sanitisers and ventilators - to make India a global supplier and cut import bill.</li>
<li>To <strong>cut import dependency on China for APIs</strong> (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients), the government in March <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/schemes-approved-to-promote-drug-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>approved a package</strong></a> comprising four schemes with a total outlay of Rs. 13,760 crore to boost domestic production of bulk drugs and medical devices in the country along with their exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610963346_image9.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610963346_image9.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/indias-trade-with-china-falls-in-2020-deficit-at-five-year-low/article33581648.ece#:~:text=Photo%20Credit%3A%20Reuters-,The%20trade%20deficit%2C%20a%20source%20of%20friction%20between%20India%20and,billion%2C%20the%20lowest%20since%202015.&amp;text=China's%20total%20iron%20ore%20imports,China%20remains%20to%20be%20seen." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7472,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India & Oman',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a meeting of the<strong> India-Oman Strategic Consultative Group</strong> (IOSCG) was held with the first <strong>high-level official visit</strong> from Oman to India since the onset of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610789405_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610789405_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Partnership during Pandemic:</strong> India assured assistance to Oman in its requirement for <strong>Covid-19</strong> vaccines. India had also facilitated<strong> food and medical supplies to Oman</strong> during the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Previously both the countries have expressed satisfaction on the operationalisation of the <strong>Air Bubble arrangement</strong> between the two countries during <strong>covid-19.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air bubbles</strong></a> (travel corridors or travel bubbles) are systems established between <strong>two countries</strong> that perceive each other <strong>to be safe and allow carriers of both the countries to fly passengers either way</strong> without any restrictions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive Review:</strong> Both sides reviewed the entire spectrum of India-Oman relationship including in political, energy, trade, investment, defence, security, space, mining, Science &amp; Technology, culture and consular fields.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Oman Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two countries across the Arabian Sea are linked by<strong> geography, history and culture</strong> and enjoy warm and cordial relations, which are attributed to <strong>historical maritime trade linkages.</strong></li>
<li>While people-to-people contact between India and Oman can be traced back <strong>5000 years, diplomatic relations were established in 1955</strong> and the relationship was upgraded to <strong>Strategic partnership in 2008.</strong> Oman has been a key pillar of<strong> India's West Asia Policy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Visits at the highest level have been exchanged frequently between India and Oman. Ministerial level visits have taken place regularly.</li>
<li>The Sultanate of Oman is a<strong> strategic partner of India</strong> in the Gulf and an important interlocutor at the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gulf-cooperation-council-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></a> (GCC), <strong>Arab League</strong> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong> </a>(IORA) fora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministries of Defence of both countries review their relations annually under the aegis of <strong>Joint Military Cooperation Committee</strong> meeting.</li>
<li>India and Oman conduct <strong>regular biennial bilateral exercises</strong> between all three services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Army exercise: <strong>Al Najah</strong></li>
<li>Air Force exercise: <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ex-eastern-bridge-v" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Eastern Bridge</strong></a></li>
<li>Naval Exercise: <strong>Naseem Al Bahr</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Since 2008, Oman has been extending its support to Indian Navy&rsquo;s <strong>anti-piracy missions</strong> and Indian Naval Ships are regularly welcomed by Oman for <strong>Overseas Deployments.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic &amp; Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India accords a high priority to expanding its economic and commercial ties with Oman. Institutional mechanisms like<strong> Joint Commission Meeting</strong> (JCM) and<strong> Joint Business Council</strong> (JBC) oversee economic cooperation between India and Oman.</li>
<li>The bilateral trade and investment between India and Oman remain <strong>robust and buoyant.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is among Oman&rsquo;s <strong>top trading partners.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For Oman, India was the<strong> 3<sup>rd</sup> largest</strong> (after UAE and China) source for its imports and <strong>3<sup>rd</sup> largest market</strong> (after UAE and Saudi Arabia) for its non-oil exports in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Major items of India&rsquo;s <strong>exports to Oman</strong> include mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; articles of iron or steel; electrical machinery and equipment, textiles and garments, chemicals, tea, coffee, spices etc</li>
<li>Main items of<strong> India&rsquo;s imports</strong> from Oman include fertilizers; mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Indian financial institutions such as State Bank of India, Public Sector Undertakings such as Air India, Life Insurance Corporation(LIC), have presence in Oman. Indian companies have invested in Oman in sectors like iron and steel, cement, fertilizers, textile etc.</li>
<li><strong>India-Oman Joint Investment Fund</strong> (OIJIF), a JV between <strong>State Bank of India and State General Reserve Fund</strong> (SGRF) of Oman, a special purpose vehicle to invest in India, has been operational.</li>
<li><strong>Access to Duqm Port:</strong> Oman has allowed India, including its navy, access to its Duqm port, about 550 km south of the capital Muscat. The Port of Duqm SEZ is earmarked to be the Indian Ocean&rsquo;s largest deep-sea port.</li>
<li>An agreement to <strong>develop Little India, an integrated tourism complex project in Duqm</strong> worth 748 million USD, has been signed between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Oman have close cultural relations. The vibrant Indian expatriate community in Oman regularly hosts<strong> cultural performances and invites celebrity artists and singers from India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community in Oman:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The large, diverse and highly regarded expatriate Indian community in Oman is spread over the<strong> entire spectrum of professions.</strong> Thousands of Indians are working as doctors, engineers,etc.</li>
<li>There are many<strong> Indian schools offering CBSE syllabus</strong> catering to the educational needs of about <strong>45,000</strong> Indian children.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India does not have enough energy resources to serve its current or future energy requirements. The rapidly growing energy demand has contributed to the need for <strong>long term energy partnerships with countries like Oman.</strong></li>
<li>Oman&rsquo;s Duqm Port is situated in the <strong>middle of international shipping lanes connecting East with West Asia.</strong></li>
<li>India needs to engage with Oman and <strong>take initiatives to utilise opportunities arising out of the Duqm Port industrial city.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-oman-review-ties-vow-to-step-up-trade-and-investment/article33576897.ece#:~:text=Secretary%20(CPV%26OIA)%20thanked%20the%20Omani,to%20Oman%20during%20the%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7467,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India’s NSA Visit to Afghanistan',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-vote-on-national-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Security Advisor (NSA)</strong></a> of India visited Afghanistan for talks on strategic issues with the leadership in Kabul.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>First official visit since initiation of Intra-afghan talks:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This visit is significant because it was the first visit by any senior Indian official amidst the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/intra-afghan-talks-role-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intra-Afghan Talks.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>Intra-Afghan</strong> talks refer to the <strong>negotiation meetings between the Taliban and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/afghanistan-s-power-sharing-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Afghan High Council for National Reconciliation</a></strong> (representative of Afghan Government) opened in Doha in 2020.</li>
<li>These talks are <strong>facilitated and supervised by the United States,</strong> representatives of the Ghani government and the Taliban aimed at ending the decades-old war and forging a political settlement.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues discussed:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exchanged views</strong> on the <strong>Peace Process,</strong> the beginning of <strong>2<sup>nd</sup> round of (Intra-Afghan) talks,</strong> and the <strong>role of India in establishing peace in Afghanistan.</strong></li>
<li>Emphasis to <strong>synchronise efforts to combat terrorism</strong> and maintain peace in Aghanistan which shall become more challenging after the USA troops withdraw after <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/us-taliban-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Doha Peace Pact (2020).</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Doha Peace Pact:</strong> In February 2020, the USA and the Tabilan signed an agreement in Doha, (Qatar&rsquo;s capital) which included: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>USA to withdraw all of its troops from Afghanistan in 14 months and would also release Taliban prisoners, held captive by the Afghan government.</li>
<li>Assurance by Taliban that they would not allow transnational jihadist organisations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State to use Afganistan as their base and also committed to start direct talks with the Afghan government, which began in September 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Role in establishing Peace in Afghanistan:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>By <strong>participating in the intra-Afghan inaugural dialogue</strong> in Doha, India has shown its willingness to engage with all Afghan parties including the Taliban for peace in Kabul.</li>
<li>India conveyed that the peace process must: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Be Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled;</li>
<li>Respect national sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan; and</li>
<li>Promote human rights and democracy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has a major stake in the stability of Afghanistan since it has<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-s-assistance-to-afghanistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> invested considerable resources</a> in Afghanistan's development.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610709018_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610709018_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of Stable Afghanistan for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A stable Afghanistan government in power is a <strong>strategic asset vis-&agrave;-vis Pakistan.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>An increased political and military role for the Taliban</strong> and the expansion of its territorial control should be of great concern to India since the Taliban is widely believed to be a prot&eacute;g&eacute; of Islamabad.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The country has the <strong>Central Asian Republics</strong> to the North, Pakistan to its East, and through Iran and Pakistan the Indian Ocean deeper south.</li>
<li>Withdrawal of the USA troops could result in the<strong> breeding of the fertile ground for various anti-India terrorist</strong> outfits like <a href="/printpdf/pakistan-on-fatf-grey-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lashkar-e-Taiba</strong></a> or Jaish-e-Mohammed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has reaffirmed its <strong>support to the Doha Agreement (2020) and intra-Afghan peace negotiations</strong> facilitating Afghan peace process and reiterated its commitment to Afghanistan&rsquo;s pursuit of <strong>&ldquo;sustainable peace and reconciliation&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s vision of a<strong> sovereign, united, stable, plural and democratic Afghanistan</strong> is one that is shared by Afghanistan, cutting across ethnic and provincial lines.</li>
<li><strong>Continuing such active engagement</strong> will enable India to work with like-minded forces in the region to ensure that the vacuum created by the USA withdrawal does not lead to an unravelling of the gains registered during the last two decades.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ajit-doval-goes-to-afghanistan-focus-on-terror-7145469/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7457,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'SAARC Revival',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/reclaiming-saarc-from-the-ashes-of-2020/article33561545.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Reclaiming SAARC from the ashes of 2020&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 13/01/2021. It talks about the need for the revival of SAARC.</p>
</div>
<p>The year 2020 marked the sixth year since the leaders of the eight nations that make up the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)</strong></a> were able to meet.</p>
<p>India&rsquo;s problems with Pakistan on terrorism, territorial claims, and its role in blocking SAARC initiatives on connectivity and trade are the main reasons that even after thirty-six years of its formation, SAARC appears to be a defunct body.</p>
<p>However, if India aspires to become a global power, it must keep its neighbourhood peaceful, prosperous and supportive. In this context, reviving SAARC becomes very important.</p>
<h3>Need For Reviving SAARC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Regional Disconnect:</strong> Over the past year, India-Pakistan issues have impacted other meetings of SAARC. This makes it easier for member countries and international agencies, to deal with South Asia as a fragmented group rather than a collective one.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>No other regional power is as disconnected from its immediate neighbourhood as India.</li>
<li>This disconnect is a challenge to India&rsquo;s economic and security interests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19:</strong> The impact of Covid-19, is a growing distaste for &lsquo;globalisation&rsquo; and growing preference for nativism, self-dependence and localising supply chains.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>While it will be impossible for countries to entirely cut themselves off from the global market, regional initiatives will become the golden mean between globalisation and hyper-nationalism.</li>
<li>Moreover, reviving SAARC is crucial to countering the common challenges brought about by the pandemic.</li>
<li>According to a World Bank report, the South Asian countries are expected to lose nearly about 10.77 million jobs and $52.32 billion in GDP alone from the impact of the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dealing With China:</strong> It is clear that tensions with Pakistan and Nepal amplify the threat perception from China, while other SAARC members (minus Bhutan), all of whom are <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong></a> partners of China will be hard placed to help individually.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, in the current pandemic, China is sending medicines, personal protective equipment kits, and promising vaccines to most SAARC countries as part of its<strong> &ldquo;Health Silk Road&rdquo;</strong> initiative.</li>
<li>Therefore, in dealing with China&rsquo;s challenge, both at India&rsquo;s borders and in its neighbourhood, a unified South Asian platform remains India&rsquo;s most potent countermeasure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Engaging With Pakistan:</strong> China&rsquo;s incursions in Ladakh doesn&rsquo;t stop India to attend meetings with the Chinese leadership at the SCO, the Russia-India-China trilateral, the G-20.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, it is misplaced that India applies the same logic, for not engaging with Pakistan. India must understand that engagement with Pakistan is very crucial for the revival of SAARC.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Application of Gujral Doctrine:</strong> India&rsquo;s conduct of foreign relations with immediate neighbours should be guided by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/gujral-doctrine" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Gujral Doctrine</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this present context of Covid-19 pandemic, India can apply Gujral doctrine by pursuing Vaccine diplomacy with SAARC countries, whereby India can supply vaccines either free or at affordable costs and counter future pandemics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>All-of South Asia Approach:</strong> South Asian countries need to work as a collective to set common standards and promote a more intra-regional, transnational approach towards health security, food security, and job security.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, India can follow the European model of regional integration.</li>
<li>Moreover, India can strengthen its position as an education hub for students from its neighbourhood. This will help to form closer political ties and spread its cultural influence and values to the surrounding region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regional Development:</strong> Being the biggest economy in South Asia, India can carry out infrastructure projects to improve connectivity, including the laying of new pipelines, building electricity networks, upgrading port, rail, and airport infrastructure, and reinvigorating people-to-people exchanges.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India must find its prism to view its South Asian neighbourhood having a shared future and acting as a force-multiplier for India&rsquo;s ambitions on the global stage.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>&ldquo;India must find its prism to view its South Asian neighbourhood having a shared future and acting as a force-multiplier for India&rsquo;s ambitions on the global stage&rdquo;. In light of the statement, discuss the need for the revival of SAARC.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QX_ethKYaCs" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/handling-the-avian-flu-crisis-hteditorial-101610461818610.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Handling the avian flu crisis&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on January 12<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7439,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Indian Foreign Policy In 2021',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/reframing-indias-foreign-policy-priorities/article33552868.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Reframing India&rsquo;s foreign policy priorities&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 12/01/2021. It talks about the current challenges and opportunities in pursuit of fulfilling foreign policy objectives.</p>
</div>
<p>Like any other country, India&rsquo;s foreign policy envisages to widen its sphere of influence, enhance its role across nations, and make its presence felt like an emerging power. The year 2021 presents a bunch of challenges and opportunities in pursuit of fulfilling foreign policy objectives.</p>
<p>For instance, the rise of China and its influence in India&rsquo;s neighbourhood is a cause of worry for India. Moreover, concluding the negotiations for an<strong> EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment</strong> debunks the myth of Chinese isolation after <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a> and further strengthened China&rsquo;s position.</p>
<p>Moreover, India&rsquo;s foreign policy decisions like growing convergence with the US have led to weakening its links with traditional friends like Russia and Iran.</p>
<p>Therefore, in shifting the balance of power in the region, India needs to tackle foreign policy challenges and leverage opportunities carefully.</p>
<h3>Challenges in Front of India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>A Stronger China:</strong> China is the only major country that had a positive growth rate at the end of 2020, and its economy is poised to grow even faster in 2021.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Militarily, China has further strengthened itself and now seeks to dominate the Indo-Pacific Ocean with its announcement of its third aircraft carrier&rsquo;s launch in 2021.</li>
<li>In this context, any breakthrough in Sino-Indian relations is unlikely to occur, and the confrontation between Indian and Chinese armed forces is expected to continue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Growing Russia-China Axis:</strong> Russia is beginning to display more significant interest in its periphery&rsquo;s affairs. Moreover, the sanctions imposed on Russia after Crimea's annexation in 2014 has pushed Russia towards a tighter embrace of China.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This seems to signal reduced interest in countries such as India.</li>
<li>Also, India&rsquo;s closeness to the U.S. has weakened its links with traditional friends such as Russia and Iran.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Changing Middle East Equations:</strong> The US-brokered rapprochement between Israel and four Arab countries &mdash; the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan &mdash; reflected the changing landscape in the region.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, despite the hype surrounding <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/israel-uae-and-bahrain-abraham-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Abraham Accords</strong></a>, the situation remains fluid and has not reduced the risk of a confrontation between Iran and Israel.</li>
<li>Given the region&rsquo;s strategic flux, Iran could well be tempted to use its nuclear capability to enhance its position.</li>
<li>This does pose problems for India since both have relations with it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Self-Imposed Isolation of India:</strong> Currently, India remains isolated from two important supranational bodies of which it used to be a founding member, viz., the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/non-aligned-movement-nam" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)</strong></a> and the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/revival-of-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, India has opted out of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rcep-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).</strong></a></li>
<li>This self-imposed isolation doesn&rsquo;t synergise with India&rsquo;s aspiration of becoming a global power.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Weakening Ties with Neighbors:</strong> A more worrying concern for Indian foreign policy is weakening ties with the neighbours.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be seen from instances like <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-11-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China&rsquo;s Cheque Book Diplomacy</strong> </a>vis-a-vis Srilanka, strain in relation with<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bangladesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Bangladesh on NRC issue</strong></a> and recent <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-nepal-border-dispute#:~:text=India%20rejected%20the%20new%20map,boundary%20issues%20through%20diplomatic%20dialogue." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>border controversy with Nepal</strong></a> due to the release of the new map.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Neighbourhood First:</strong> Through a series of diplomatic efforts, India should make valiant efforts to improve relations with some of its neighbours such as Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka,
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, as the world emerges from the pandemic, India has a lot to gain from what could be <strong>&ldquo;vaccine diplomacy&rdquo;</strong> with neighbours in 2021 &mdash; supplying vaccines either free or at affordable costs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>External Aid in Adequate Measure:</strong> The current standoff with China has reinforced JL Nehru&rsquo;s belief in 1963 that India needs <strong>&ldquo;external aid in adequate measure&rdquo;.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, India will need continuing support from the US, Japan, Australia, besides European leaders such as France, Germany and the UK.</li>
<li>India should appreciate European entry into Indo-pacific narrative, as already, France and Germany have come up with their Indo-Pacific strategy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India at UNSC High Table:</strong> As India enters the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-permanent-seat-in-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Security Council as a non-permanent member</strong> </a>for the eighth time, India should raise all-important global matters like China&rsquo;s aggressiveness&mdash; from Tibet to Taiwan, Iran-Saudi rivalry, refugee crisis between Bangladesh and Myanmar, etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India should refrain from a limited focus on isolating Pakistan, as it would distract from India&rsquo;s aspirations of being a global leader.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Engaging With US:</strong> As the future of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/quad-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Quad</strong></a> and the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-Pacific strategy</strong></a> relies on the new US administration, India will need to build on its deepening strategic and defence ties with the US and resolve trade and visa issues.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>In the light of the changing actualities of the international situation, India must cautiously play foreign policy, if it wants to emerge as a global rather than an aspirational player.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf5;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In the light of the changing actualities of the international situation, India must cautiously play foreign policy, if it wants to emerge as a global rather than an aspirational player. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f-UgHOy0jGw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/the-diaspora-dilemma-hteditorial-101610294070862.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The diaspora dilemma&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindustan Times on January 10<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7428,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Domestic Exploration of Lithium',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recent surveys by the<strong> Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research</strong> (AMD) have shown the presence of<strong> lithium resources in Mandya district,</strong> Karnataka.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>AMD is the oldest unit of the<strong> Department of Atomic Energy.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Lithium:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Properties:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a chemical element with the symbol <strong>Li.</strong></li>
<li>It is a soft, silvery-white metal.</li>
<li>Under standard conditions, it is the <strong>lightest metal </strong>and<strong> the lightest solid element.</strong></li>
<li>It is highly <strong>reactive and flammable, and must be stored in mineral oil.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>an alkali metal and a rare metal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>alkali metals</strong> consist of the chemical elements <strong>lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, caesium, and francium.</strong> Together with hydrogen<strong> they constitute group 1,</strong> which lies in the <strong>s-block</strong> of the periodic table.</li>
<li><strong>Rare Metals</strong> (RM) include Niobium (Nb), Tantalum (Ta), Lithium (Li), Beryllium (Be), Cesium (Cs) etc. and <strong>Rare Earths</strong> (RE) include Lanthanum (La) to Lutetium (Lu) besides Scandium (Sc) and Yttrium (Y). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These <strong>metals are strategic in nature</strong> with wide application in the nuclear and other high tech industries such as electronics, telecommunication, information technology, space, defense etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Lithium metal is used to make<strong> useful alloys.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, with lead to make <strong>&lsquo;white metal&rsquo;</strong> bearings for motor engines, with <strong>aluminium to make aircraft parts,</strong> and with <strong>magnesium </strong>to<strong> make armour plates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In Thermonuclear reactions.</li>
<li>To make <strong>electrochemical cells.</strong> Lithium is an important component in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/electric-vehicles-policy-2020-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Electric Vehicles</strong></a>, Laptops etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lithium Resources in Karnataka:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The survey shows presence of <strong>1,600 tonnes of lithium resources</strong> in the <strong>igneous rocks</strong> of the <strong>Marlagalla-Allapatna</strong> region of <strong>Karnataka&rsquo;s Mandya district.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of Domestic Exploration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reducing Import Bill:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India currently imports all its lithium needs.</strong> Over 165 crore lithium batteries are estimated to have been imported into India between 2016-17 and 2019-20, at an estimated import bill of upwards of<strong> USD 3.3 billion.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reducing Overdependence on China:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is a major source of <strong>lithium-ion energy storage products</strong> being imported into the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Associated with Domestic Exploration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The new find is categorised as <strong>&ldquo;inferred&rdquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;inferred&rsquo;</strong> mineral resource is the part of a resource for which <strong>quantity, grade and mineral content</strong> are estimated only with a <strong>low level of confidence</strong> based on information gathered from locations such as <strong>outcrops, trenches, pits, workings, and drill holes</strong> that may be of limited or uncertain quality, and also of lower reliability.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The lithium find is <strong>comparatively small,</strong> considering the size of the proven reserves in <strong>Bolivia, Argentina, Australia,</strong> and<strong> China respectively.</strong></li>
<li>India is seen as a<strong> late mover in attempts to enter the lithium value chain,</strong> coming at a time when <strong>Electric Vehicles</strong> are predicted to be a<strong> sector ripe for disruption.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>2021 is likely to be a turning point for battery technology with several <strong>potential improvements to the li-ion technology,</strong> and alternatives to this tried-and-tested formulation in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lithium-ion-technology" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>advanced stages of commercialisation.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extraction Method:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lithium can be extracted in different ways, depending on the type of the deposit .<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Solar evaporation</strong> of large <strong>brine pools.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>brine pool</strong> is a volume of brine collected in a seafloor depression.</li>
<li>For example: Brines of <strong>Sambhar and Pachpadra</strong> in Rajasthan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Hard-rock extraction of the ore</strong> (a metal-bearing mineral).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example: <strong>rock mining at Mandya.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Potential Sites:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The major<strong> mica belts</strong> in<strong> Rajasthan, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Pegmatite</strong> (igneous rocks) belts in<strong> Odisha and Chhattisgarh.</strong></li>
<li>Brines of <strong>Sambhar and Pachpadra</strong> in Rajasthan, and<strong> Rann of Kachchh</strong> in Gujarat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Government Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India, through a newly state-owned company<strong> Khanij Bidesh India Ltd,</strong> had <strong>signed an agreement with an Argentinian firm</strong> to jointly prospect lithium in Argentina that has the <strong>third largest reserves of the metal in the world.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The company has a specific mandate<strong> to acquire strategic mineral assets such as lithium and cobalt abroad.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/looking-for-lithium-toehold-india-finds-a-small-deposit-in-karnataka-7141303/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7419,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Political Crisis in Nepal',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/what-india-should-and-shouldn-t-do-in-nepal/story-UJ0tUcogvwdkaeqKdSWn8I.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;What India should, and shouldn&rsquo;t, do in Nepal&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 08/01/2021. It talks about the recent political crisis in Nepal and what India should do.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, Nepal has drifted into a political crisis following its Prime Minister (PM) KP Sharma Oli&rsquo;s decision to dissolve Parliament. The Nepalese PM has stated that this decision was on the backdrop of infighting within the ruling Nepalese Communist Party (NCP).</p>
<p>As India&rsquo;s role in the mediation of earlier political crises in Nepal has led to the development of anti-Indian sentiment in Nepal, India has done right by not meddling into Nepal&rsquo;s internal matters.</p>
<p>However, India is apprehensive that political instability in Nepal will expand space for China to intervene in Nepali politics and shape a government that is favourable to China.</p>
<p>To counter Chinese influence on Nepal, India must pay attention to Nepal&rsquo;s core economic and strategic interests that in the first place pushed Nepal towards China.</p>
<h3>Current Issues in India-Nepal Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Revision of 1950 Treaty:</strong> Nepal has asked for a revision of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-downturn-in-indo-nepal-relations#:~:text=Treaty%20of%20Peace%20and%20Friendship%20of%201950,-The%20treaty%20talks&amp;text=It%20also%20establishes%20national%20treatment,no%20differently%20than%20domestic%20goods)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>1950 treaty</strong></a>, and India has accepted this. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the issue remains stuck because Nepal does not clarify how to strike a proper balance between India&rsquo;s security concerns and Nepal&rsquo;s developmental aspirations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Border Issue:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indo-nepal-territorial-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kalapani border dispute&rsquo;s</strong></a> question has spoiled popular perceptions in Nepal about India. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Taking advantage of this, Nepal&rsquo;s current leadership has taken a unilateral decision to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/diplomatic-low-in-indo-nepal-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>draw new maps which show Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura belongs to Nepal.</strong> </a></li>
<li>As India also claims these positions, this border issue has led to the lowest point in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-nepal-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Nepal relations history.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tug of War Between China &amp; India:</strong> Nepal&rsquo;s geo-strategic location (sandwiched between India &amp; China), has created a tug of war between India and China over Nepal.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China sees Nepal as a bulwark against the international movement targeting China.</li>
<li>For India, Nepal is essential for the region's security, acting as a buffer state.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increasing Chinese Influence:</strong> Sino-Nepali economic ties began to grow in 2015, but in 2018, China&rsquo;s influence in Nepal started to gather momentum. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Having played an essential role in the NCP&rsquo;s formation, China came to wield enormous influence over the NCP government.</li>
<li>It resulted in China ousting India as Nepal&rsquo;s number one investor.</li>
<li>More importantly, Nepal&rsquo;s foreign policy under the NCP government became strongly pro-China.</li>
<li>Moreover, this influence can be evidenced by the fact that China has now stepped up its self-assumed role as mediator in the ongoing crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<p>Seeking a friendly regime in the neighbourhood is a recognised norm in the realist world of international relations. India is no exception. Therefore, India should recalibrate its ties with Nepal. In this context:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Demarking Red Lines:</strong> India can improve ties with Nepal by picking up pending controversial issues such as the 1950 treaty, the Kalapani border dispute, and trade and investment matters. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, India should categorically state its position, drawing red lines (security concerns emanating from China) that Nepal should not cross.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Measures:</strong> On trade and investment issues, India needs to be more accommodative. Nepal sells less than $1billion worth of products to India while importing nearly $8 billion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Even though economies govern trade deficits, India can and must move to remove structural and procedural impediments to the entry of genuine Nepali goods into Indian markets.</li>
<li>Also, India should encourage Indian investments in such industries, including hydropower production, to boost Nepali exports.</li>
<li>Completing big development projects such as the Pancheshwar multipurpose project could also be a breakthrough between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation Between Armies:</strong> When it comes to resolving border disputes between the two countries, understanding the armies is vital. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2015, when India&rsquo;s economic blockade and the political leadership of both countries were at loggerheads, both armies&rsquo; leadership played a vital role in lifting the talks&rsquo; blockade and resumption.</li>
<li>So, robust army diplomacy between the two countries can substantially contribute to improving bilateral ties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>As no significant development in bilateral relations appears likely during the prevailing uncertainty, India must encourage consolidation of a people-driven polity, and improve its popular profile. This will only help India reclaim its contested strategic space.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fefff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>To counter Chinese influence on Nepal, India must pay attention to Nepal&rsquo;s core economic and strategic interests that in the first place pushed Nepal towards China. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6izTchALSHw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/fruits-of-incitement-the-hindu-editorial-on-the-trump-incited-mob-attack-on-us-capitol/article33523021.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Fruits of incitement: On the mob attack on U.S. Capitol&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on January 8<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7399,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Helping Hand to Sri Lanka',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>An India-funded <strong>free ambulance service</strong> is playing a vital role in Sri Lanka&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19</strong></a> response.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610014882_07.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1610014882_07.png" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India provided a <strong>grant of 7.56 million USD</strong> for the <strong>Suwa Seriya</strong> [vehicle or journey for good health] <strong>service</strong> which was launched in 2016, on a pilot basis. Later, this was extended throughout the country with additional grants from India.</li>
<li><strong>India also helped with Capacity Building:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Training and refresher programmes for <strong>Sri Lankan emergency medical technicians</strong> which further <strong>generated employment</strong> for the local population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is India&rsquo;s <strong>second largest grant project to Sri Lanka</strong> after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-sri-lanka-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>housing project</strong></a> of more than <strong>60,000 houses</strong>, with a nearly 400 million USD grant.</li>
</ul>
<h3>India Sri Lanka Relations</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geopolitical Significance of SriLanka:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sri Lanka&rsquo;s location in the <strong>Indian Ocean region</strong> has been of strategic geopolitical relevance to several major powers.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China&rsquo;s <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-11-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>string of pearl&rsquo;s strategy</strong></a> is aimed at encircling India to establish dominance in the Indian Ocean.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is building state of the art gigantic modern ports all along the Indian Ocean and to the south of it, in Gwadar (Pakistan), Chittagong (Bangladesh, Kyauk Phru (Myanmar) and <strong>Hambantota (Sri Lanka)</strong>. Thus Sri Lanka is vital for China&rsquo;s <strong>String of Pearls strategy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sri Lanka has a list of <strong>highly strategic ports</strong> located among <strong>busiest sea lanes of communication.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Political Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/printpdf/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Reserve Bank of India</strong></a> (RBI) has signed an agreement for extending a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rbi-signs-currency-swap-for-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>USD 400 million currency swap</strong></a> facility to Sri Lanka to boost the foreign reserves and ensure financial stability of the country, which is badly hit by Covid-19 pandemic.</li>
<li>Political relations between India and Sri Lanka have been marked by <strong>high-level exchanges of visits at regular intervals.</strong></li>
<li>Sri Lanka is a member of regional groupings like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bimstec-guests-of-honour" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BIMSTEC</strong></a> (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAARC</strong></a> in which India plays a leading role.</li>
<li>India and Sri Lanka conduct <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/exercise-mitra-shakti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>joint Military (Mitra Shakti)</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/slinex-20-india-sri-lanka-naval-maritime-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Naval (SLINEX)</strong></a> exercises.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sri Lanka is one of India&rsquo;s <strong>largest trading partners among the SAARC countries.</strong> India in turn is Sri Lanka&rsquo;s <strong>largest trade partner globally</strong>.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s exports to Sri Lanka amounted to 5.3 billion USD in 2015-17 whereas its imports from the country were at 743 million USD.</li>
<li>Trade between the two countries grew particularly rapidly after the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-sri-lanka-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement</strong></a> which came into force in March 2000.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural and Educational Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Cultural Centre in Colombo actively promotes awareness of Indian culture by offering classes in <strong>Indian music, dance, Hindi and Yoga</strong>. Every year, cultural troupes from both countries exchange visits.</li>
<li>The <strong>India-Sri Lanka Foundation</strong>, set up in December 1998 as an <strong>intergovernmental initiative</strong>, also aims towards enhancement of scientific, technical, educational and cultural cooperation through civil society exchanges and enhancing contact between the younger generations of the two countries.</li>
<li>The People of Indian Origin (PIOs) comprise <strong>Sindhis, Borahs, Gujaratis, Memons, Parsis, Malayalis and Telugu</strong> speaking persons who have settled down in Sri Lanka (most of them after partition) and are engaged in various business ventures.</li>
<li>In April 2019, India and Sri Lanka also concluded agreement on <strong>countering Drug and Human trafficking.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues and Conflicts</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China Factor:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sri Lanka also handed over the <strong>strategic port of Hambantota</strong>, which is expected to play a key role in <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China&rsquo;s Belt and Road Initiative</strong></a><strong>, to China on a 99-year lease.</strong></li>
<li>China has also supplied arms as well as provided huge loans to Sri Lanka for its development.</li>
<li>The two countries have signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement which is Sri Lanka&rsquo;s first nuclear partnership with any country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fishermen issue:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Given the proximity of the territorial waters of both countries, especially in the <strong>Palk Straits</strong> and the <strong>Gulf of Mannar</strong>, incidents of straying of fishermen are common.</li>
<li>Fishermen often <strong>risk their lives</strong> and cross in to Srilankan rather than return empty-handed, but the Sri Lankan Navy is on alert, and have either arrested or destroyed fishing nets and vessels of those who have crossed the line.</li>
<li>The 4<sup>th</sup> meeting under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-joint-working-group-on-fisheries#:~:text=India%20and%20Sri%20Lanka%20agreed,solution%20to%20the%20fishermen%20issue." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Joint Working Group</strong></a> (JWG) on fisheries was held recently between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India and Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka as the mechanism to help find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/an-indian-gift-helps-sri-lankas-covid-19-fight/article33503867.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source:TH</a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7387,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Solidarity and Stability Deal: Gulf Countries',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Gulf states signed a<strong> &lsquo;solidarity and stability&rsquo;</strong> deal at the 41<sup>st</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gulf-cooperation-council-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></a> <strong>(GCC) summit</strong> held in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609920965_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609920965_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Sanctions on Qatar:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In June 2017, Saudi Arabia and its allies, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severed ties with Qatar and imposed a naval, air and land blockade on the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Qatar was <strong>charged to be too close to Iran</strong> and backed radical Islamist groups.</li>
<li>The country was <strong>alleged to support and fund terror</strong> through its support of Iran and <strong>Muslim Brotherhood</strong> (a Sunni Islamist political group <strong>outlawed by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solidarity and Stability Deal:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Members of the<strong> GCC</strong> signed a deal in<strong> Al&shy;Ula, Saudi Arabia</strong> to remove all the sanctions over Qatar and<strong> re-open</strong> their<strong> land, sea and air borders to Qatar.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,<strong> Qatar,</strong> Saudi Arabia and UAE are the members of <strong>GCC.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To unite efforts to promote the Gulf region and to confront challenges that surround them, especially the threats posed by the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-steps-up-uranium-enrichment#:~:text=Under%20the%20deal%2C%20Iran%20agreed,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Iranian regime&rsquo;s nuclear and ballistic missile programme</strong></a> and its <strong>plans for sabotage and destruction.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>GCC is a <strong>political, economic, social, and regional organisation</strong> which was<strong> established by an agreement concluded in 1981</strong> among Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE in view of their special relations, geographic proximity, similar political systems based on Islamic beliefs, joint destiny and common objectives.</li>
<li>The structure of the GCC consists of the <strong>Supreme Council (the highest authority), the Ministerial Council and the Secretariat General.</strong> The Secretariat is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Relation with Gulf Region</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and GCC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The economic and political relationship of India with the GCC has improved in recent years.</li>
<li>The friendly relation has been reflected in the<strong> bilateral trade</strong> of around USD 121 billion and <strong>remittances</strong> of USD 49 billion from a workforce of over nine million.</li>
<li>GCC suppliers account for around <strong>34% of India&rsquo;s crude imports.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and Iran:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has always <strong>shared a friendly relationship with Iran.</strong> But the India-Iran relation faces one of the most complex phases at all times due to the USA&rsquo;s pressure which has politico-economic impacts.</li>
<li>In May 2018, the USA abandoned the nuclear deal <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iran-blocking-sites-access-iaea#:~:text=Iran%20Nuclear%20Program%20and%20JCPOA&amp;text=The%20deal%20was%20named%20as,parlance%20as%20Iran%20Nuclear%20Deal.&amp;text=The%20agreement%20allowed%20Iran%20to,reactor%20fuel%20and%20nuclear%20weapons." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action)</strong> </a>and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bigger-picture-of-usas-action-against-iran" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reinstated economic sanctions against Iran.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India and Qatar:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-qatar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s External Affairs Minister met the top leaders of Qatar</strong></a> and discussed strengthening the economic and security cooperation between the two countries.</li>
<li>India shares a <strong>friendly relation with Qatar</strong> and even at the time of sanctions on Qatar, India maintained a cordial relation with the oil rich nation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Overall Role in the Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has <strong>avoided involvement in local or regional disputes</strong> in the region, since Indian interests do not entail power projection but necessitate <strong>peace and regional stability.</strong></li>
<li>The Gulf is among India&rsquo;s <strong>top trading partners.</strong> The <strong>deepening energy interdependence</strong> is marked by growing volumes of energy imports into India. There is also the prospect of substantive investments from the Gulf into the <strong>Indian hydrocarbon sector.</strong></li>
<li>The number of Indian <strong>migrant workers in the region</strong> stands at more than <strong>7 million.</strong></li>
<li>The expansion of the political engagement has been matched by the <strong>growing security cooperation, especially on counter-terrorism.</strong></li>
<li>India and its Gulf partners are also <strong>taking tentative steps towards defence cooperation.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example participation of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and others in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/naval-exercise-milan-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> India&rsquo;s mega multilateral Milan Exercise.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Gulf region has historical, political, economic, strategic and cultural significance for India. <strong>India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) can provide a boost to the relations.</strong></li>
<li>It has been assessed that Saudi Arabia is a fading power whereas UAE, Qatar and Iran are emerging as the new regional leaders. <strong>Oman and Iraq will have to struggle to retain their sovereign identities.</strong></li>
<li>Thus, <strong>Indian interests would be best served</strong> if the <strong>stability in the region</strong> is ensured through cooperative security since the alternative, of competitive security options, cannot ensure durable peace.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 11 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7344,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Fourth Meeting of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-sri-lanka-security-and-geopolitics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Sri Lanka</strong> </a><strong>Joint Working Group (JWG) on <a href="/pdf/1605966939-world-fisheries-day-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fisheries</a></strong> was held through virtual mode.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Palk Strait</strong> and <strong>Gulf of Mannar</strong> are major fishing grounds for both the countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609753743_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609753743_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Fourth Meeting:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two sides exchanged views on the status of<strong> cooperation between Navy &amp; Coast Guard</strong> of both countries in patrolling, existing hotline between the Coast Guards and related operational matters, cooperation in <strong>preservation of marine environment as well as the schedule for the fifth meeting of the JWG.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sri Lanka also sought a <strong>safe passage for Sri Lankan fishermen to enter the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India <strong>reiterated</strong> the<strong> need for releasing all fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody</strong> in line with the <strong>commitment given by the Sri Lankan President</strong> during his state visit to India in <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-12-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>November 2019.</strong></a></li>
<li>India highlighted the initiatives being taken under the new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-matsya-sampada-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana</strong> </a>and<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-fisheries-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> other schemes</a> of Government of India and governments of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to diversify and reduce fishing pressure in the Palk Bay.</strong></li>
<li>India also informed of<strong> initiatives taken for diversification into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deep-sea fishing</a></strong> especially by fishermen of the Palk Bay area,<strong> infrastructure</strong> created to <strong>facilitate deep-sea fishing,</strong> promotion of <strong>alternative livelihood</strong> through <strong><a href="/printpdf/pegasus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seaweed</a> cultivation</strong>, <strong>mariculture and varieties of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aquaculture</a> activities.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mariculture</strong> is the <strong>farming of marine organisms</strong> for food and other products such as pharmaceuticals, food additives, jewelry etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Working Group:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Sri Lanka agreed to set up a <strong>Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries </strong>in <strong>2016</strong> between the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India</strong> and <strong>Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka</strong> as the <strong>mechanism to help find a permanent solution</strong> to the fishermen issue.</li>
<li>The JWG also <strong>includes representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Coast Guards and Navies</strong> of both countries.</li>
<li><strong>Terms of reference of the JWG:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Expediting the transition towards <strong>ending the practice of bottom trawling</strong> at the earliest.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bottom trawling</strong> is an industrial fishing method where a large net with heavy weights is dragged across the seafloor.</li>
<li>When the weighted nets and trawl doors are dragged along the seafloor, <strong>everything in their path is disturbed or destroyed,</strong> including seagrasses, coral reefs or rock gardens where fish hide from predators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Framing <strong>procedures for returning fishermen</strong> arrested by both sides.</li>
<li>Possibility of <strong>joint patrolling.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Fisherman Issue</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given the <strong>proximity of the territorial waters of both countries,</strong> especially in the <strong>Palk Strait</strong> and the <strong>Gulf of Mannar,</strong> incidents of straying of fishermen are common.</li>
<li><strong>Indian boats</strong> have been fishing in the troubled waters for centuries and<strong> had a free run of the Bay of Bengal, Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar</strong> until 1974 and 1976 when treaties were signed between the two countries to demarcate <strong>International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, <strong>the treaties failed</strong> to factor in the hardship of thousands of traditional fishermen who were forced to restrict themselves to a meagre area in their fishing forays.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609754513_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609754513_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>The <strong>small islet of Katchatheevu,</strong> hitherto used by the Indian fishermen for sorting their catch and drying their nets, <strong>fell on the other side of the IMBL.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fishermen often risk their lives and cross the IMBL rather than return empty-handed, but the <strong>Sri Lankan Navy</strong> is on alert, and <strong>have either arrested or destroyed fishing nets and vessels of those who have crossed the line.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The IMBL is<strong> imaginary,</strong> but it was <strong>geo-tagged</strong> and is visible to the fishermen, due to G<strong>lobal Positioning System (GPS) sets. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Deep Sea Fishing Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Promoted as <strong>an alternative to bottom trawling by Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s fishermen</strong> off the Palk Bay, the scheme envisages the provision of 2,000 deep sea fishing boats in place of trawlers by 2019-20, which will be the third and final year of implementation of the scheme.</li>
<li>It aims to put an end to disputes arising between the two countries.</li>
<li>It has been taken up under the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Blue Revolution&rsquo;</strong> </a>scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to <strong>focus more on its traditional and cultural ties</strong> to improve relations with Sri Lanka.</li>
<li><strong>Starting ferry services between India and Sri Lanka</strong> can improve people to people linkages.</li>
<li><strong>Mutual recognition of each other's concerns and interests</strong> can improve the relationship between both countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684807#:~:text=The%20Fourth%20Meeting%20of%20the,Fisheries%2C%20Animal%20Husbandry%20and%20Dairying." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7339,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Mission Sagar-III',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Indian Naval Ship (INS) <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samudra-laksamana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kiltan</a></strong> has arrived at <strong>Sihanoukville Port, Cambodia</strong> as part of ongoing <strong>Mission Sagar-III.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ship will deliver 15 tons of <strong>Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief</strong> (HADR) stores for the flood-affected people of Cambodia, which will be handed over to Cambodia&rsquo;s <strong>National Disaster Management Committee</strong> (NDMC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, the ship delivered 15 Tons of HADR Stores for the flood-affected people of Central <strong>Vietnam.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Mission Sagar-III is part of <strong>India&rsquo;s HADR assistance to friendly foreign countries</strong> during the ongoing<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>November 2020,</strong> as part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission Sagar-II</strong></a>, <strong>INS Airavat</strong> delivered food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.</li>
<li>Launched in May 2020, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'Mission Sagar&rsquo;</strong></a> was India&rsquo;s initiative to deliver Covid-19 related assistance to the countries in the Indian Ocean Littoral states. The countries included were Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This Mission is being undertaken in accordance with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Security And Growth for All in the Region</strong> </a>(SAGAR) vision and reiterates India&rsquo;s position as a dependable partner, and the <strong>Indian Navy as the Preferred Security Partner and First Responder.</strong></li>
<li>The Mission also highlights the <strong>importance accorded to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Association of Southeast Asian Nations</a></strong> (ASEAN) countries and further <strong>strengthens the existing bonds.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cambodia and Vietnam </strong>are<strong> member nations of the ASEAN.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>INS Kiltan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette.</strong></li>
<li>It is part of the <strong>Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command,</strong> based at <strong>Visakhapatnam.</strong></li>
<li>INS Kiltan, along with the <strong>INS Sahyadri,</strong> is the latest, <strong>indigenously designed and built multi-role ships</strong> of the Indian Navy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two ships are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors and can carry multi-role helicopters representing the &lsquo;coming of age&rsquo; of India&rsquo;s warship building capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched in <strong>2015,</strong> it is India&rsquo;s strategic vision for the <strong>Indian Ocean Region</strong> (IOR).</li>
<li>Through SAGAR, India seeks to <strong>deepen economic and security cooperation</strong> with its maritime neighbours and assist in building its maritime security capabilities.</li>
<li>Further, India seeks to safeguard its national interests and ensure the IOR to become inclusive, collaborative and respect international law.</li>
<li>The key relevance of SAGAR emerges when seen in conjunction with India&rsquo;s other policies impacting the maritime domain like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East Policy</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-09th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Sagarmala</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Mausam</strong></a>, focus on <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blue Economy</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684365" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7331,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'India’s Two-Front Challenge',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/dealing-with-indias-two-front-challenge/article33439804.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Dealing with India&rsquo;s two-front challenge&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 29/12/2020. It talks about the two-front war scenario for India.</p>
</div>
<p>In the last century, Indian strategic thinking was overwhelmingly focused on Pakistan and the security considerations emanating from there. However, in recent decades India&rsquo;s military intelligentsia is firm on the view that a collusive China-Pakistan military threat is a real possibility.</p>
<p>The Chinese intrusions in Ladakh in May 2020 and the deadlock in negotiations have now made the Chinese military threat more apparent and real. But some media reports had indicated that Pakistan had moved 20,000 troops into Gilgit-Baltistan, matching the Chinese deployments in Eastern Ladakh.</p>
<p>Given this, it would be prudent for India to be ready for a two-front threat.</p>
<h3>Growing China-Pakistan Military Links</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sino-Pakistan relationship is nothing new, but it has far serious implications today than perhaps ever before.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China has always looked at Pakistan as a counter to India&rsquo;s influence in South Asia.</li>
<li>China, through its chequebook diplomacy, wants to exercise this hegemony over the South-Asian neighbours. In this pursuit, China would want to drain India&rsquo;s economic resources on the border confrontation.</li>
<li>Thus, a two-front war scenario can be a strategy by China to undermine India&rsquo;s role in its neighbourhood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Over the years, the ties between the China &amp; Pakistan countries have strengthened and there is a great deal of alignment in their strategic thinking.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be understood by the fact that China has made massive investments in Pakistan via the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/obor-cpec#:~:text=The%20CPEC%20is%20bilateral%20project,Gwadar%20Port%20in%20Balochistan%2C%20Pakistan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.</strong></a></li>
<li>Apart from this, military cooperation is growing, with China accounting for 73% of the total arms imports of Pakistan between 2015-2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India &amp; Issues Related to Two-front War Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Threat to Regional Peace:</strong> A two-front war scenario that might lead to a full-blown war between three nuclear-armed states.</li>
<li><strong>Dilemmas For India:</strong> A two-front conflict presents the Indian military with two dilemmas &mdash; of resources and strategy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Resources:</strong> A major decision will be the quantum of resources to be allocated for the two-front attack scenario.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>For example, according to some estimates that about 60 combat squadrons are needed to deal with a serious two-front threat. This is double the number of squadrons currently with the Indian Air Force (IAF).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategy:</strong> If a majority of the assets of the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are sent towards the northern border, it will require the military to rethink its strategy for the western border.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Also, adopting a more offensive strategy against Pakistan could draw limited resources into a wider conflict.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Constraints:</strong> Capability building also requires a serious debate, particularly in view of the fact that the country&rsquo;s economic situation will not permit any significant increase in the Defence Budget for the foreseeable future.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Requirement of Security Doctrine:</strong> Developing a doctrine will require close interaction with the political leadership. Any doctrine that is prepared without a political aim and guidance will not stand the test when it is actually to be executed.</li>
<li><strong>Finding the Right Balance of Technologies:</strong> There is too much focus on major platforms such as aircraft, ships, and tanks, and not enough on future technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, cyber, electronic warfare, etc.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The right balance will have to be struck based on a detailed assessment of China and Pakistan&rsquo;s war-fighting strategies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Crucial Role of Diplomacy:</strong> Diplomacy has a crucial role to play in meeting the two-front challenge.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Improving Relations in South Asian Neighbourhood:</strong> To begin with, India would do well to improve relations with its neighbours so as not to be caught in an unfriendly neighbourhood given how China and Pakistan will attempt to contain and constrain India in the region.</li>
<li><strong>Improving Relations in Extended Neighborhood:</strong> The government&rsquo;s current engagement of the key powers in West Asia, including Iran, should be further strengthened in order to ensure energy security, increase maritime cooperation and enhance goodwill in the extended neighbourhood.</li>
<li><strong>Improving Relation With Russia:</strong> India must also ensure that its relationship with Russia is not sacrificed in favour of India-United States relations given that Russia could play a key role in defusing the severity of a regional gang up against India.</li>
<li><strong>Improving Condition in Kashmir:</strong> From a long-view perspective, a political outreach to Kashmir aimed at pacifying the aggrieved citizens there would go a long way towards that end.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>China, a rising and aggressive and a superpower next door is the bigger strategic threat for India and with Pakistan being a second-order accessory to <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/19-11-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>China's Contain India strategy&rsquo;.</strong></a> In this context, it is certain that the threat of a two-front war cannot be ignored and therefore we need to develop both the doctrine and the capability to deal with this contingency.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffefa;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>The threat of a two-front war cannot be ignored and therefore India needs to develop both the doctrine and the capability to deal with this contingency. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cGAkmKLEePQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/european-union-britain-eu-trade-brexit-7122501/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;New Britain&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on December 28<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7328,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Qatar',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, India&rsquo;s External Affairs Minister <strong>met the top leaders of Qatar</strong> and discussed <strong>strengthening the economic and security cooperation</strong> between the two countries.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The visit is <strong>part of India&rsquo;s ongoing outreach to West Asia,</strong> which the country sees as part of its extended neighbourhood.</li>
<li>Qatar is a member of the <a href="/pdf/1605663500-gulf-cooperation-council-and-india.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609234554_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609234554_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India and Qatar</strong> agreed to maintain <strong>regular consultations and coordination</strong> on all issues of mutual interest at multilateral fora.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Issues of mutual interest include energy, power, petrochemicals, investments, infrastructure, development, project exports and education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Discussed ways to strengthen the multifaceted bilateral relationship in areas such as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/need-for-a-sound-energy-policy-for-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>energy</strong></a>, <strong>trade, investment, <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">food processing</a>, healthcare, education, culture, defence </strong>and<strong> security.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bilateral trade was worth <strong>USD 10.95 billion in 2019-20.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India <strong>thanked</strong> Qatar for <strong>taking care</strong> of people from the<strong> Indian community</strong> during the <a href="/printpdf/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Qatar have maintained close <strong>high-level contacts</strong> during the pandemic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India appreciated <strong>Qatari Businessmen Association&rsquo;s</strong> commitment for business partnerships with India and briefed them about new opportunities flowing from <a href="/pdf/1589369378-atmanirbhar-bharat-and-economic-stimulus.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat.</strong></a></li>
<li>Qatar&rsquo;s leader <strong>appreciated the contribution of the Indian community</strong> in Qatar and recalled his visits to India.</li>
<li><strong>Recent Developments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both the countries have decided to set up a <strong>special task force</strong> to facilitate investments by the <strong>Qatar Investment Authority,</strong> part of India&rsquo;s ongoing outreach to key West Asian states to overcome the economic impact of the <strong>Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></li>
<li>The two sides have agreed on <strong>institutionalising measures</strong> to <strong>promote and protect the rights of workers,</strong> including settling labour issues and facilitating the movement of people between the two countries in a safe and secure manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>India-Qatar Relation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Economic Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Trade volume:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The last few years witnessed a palpable <strong>decline in the trade volume</strong> between the two countries due to the <strong>decline in the rates of gas and oil</strong> in the international market.</li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is considered to be the<strong> fourth largest export destination for the State of Qatar.</strong></li>
<li>Both India and Qatar also have a<strong> good relation in the banking sector.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exports:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Qatar&rsquo;s key exports to India</strong> include LNG, LPG, chemicals and petrochemicals, plastics, and aluminium articles.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s key exports to Qatar</strong> include cereals, copper articles, iron and steel articles, vegetables, plastic products, construction material, textiles &amp; garments, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in the Field of Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Qatar is the <strong>largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India.</strong></li>
<li>India <strong>imports around 70%</strong> of its needs for the <strong>natural gas from Qatar.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s defence cooperation with Qatar has so far been limited to training, participation in each other's conferences/events and visits by ships of Indian Navy and Coast Guard.</li>
<li><a href="/printpdf/bilateral-maritime-exercise-za-ir-al-bahr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Za&rsquo;ir-Al-Bahr</strong></a> (Roar of the Sea) is the <strong>naval exercise</strong> between Indian and Qatar Navy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cultural exchange:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There is a regular flow of Indian artists performing in Qatar at events organised by community organizations affiliated to the <strong>Indian Cultural Centre (ICC).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>ICC</strong> is an <strong>apex body of associations of the Indian community</strong> functioning under the aegis of Embassy of India, Doha, and private sponsors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Yoga:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India <strong>appreciated</strong> Qatar&rsquo;s support, as a co-sponsor, to its Resolution at the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations General Assembly</strong></a>, adopted unanimously with a record 177 co-sponsors, declaring <strong>21 June as the <a href="/pdf/1592823142-international-day-of-yoga.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Day of Yoga (IDY).</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Education:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There are <strong>14 Indian schools in Qatar,</strong> offering CBSE curricula to over 30,000 students, most of whom are the children of Indian nationals working in Qatar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Indian community is the<strong> largest expatriate group</strong> in Qatar which is estimated to be around<strong> 700 million people.</strong></li>
<li>They are making their <strong>contribution in different sectors.</strong> Indians are <strong>highly respected</strong> in Qatar for their <strong>sincerity, hard work, technical expertise and law-abiding nature.</strong></li>
<li>Indians are <strong>employed in almost every local establishment, governmental or private, in various capacities.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Remittances:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The remittances which the Indian expatriate community in Qatar send to India are <strong>estimated to be around 750 million dollar per annum.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Qatar</strong> wants to make investment in India in the domain of the infrastructure which includes roads, highways, <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/21-11-2019/print" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>economic corridors</strong></a>, airports, ports, tourism and hotels apart from the projects related to <strong>gas and fertilizers.</strong></li>
<li><strong>India</strong> is looking forward to the direct investment in the<strong> manufacturing and production of the liquefied natural gas</strong> and in <strong>chemical industries,</strong> especially the industry of <strong>fertilizers, urea, petrochemicals.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/jaishankar-meets-qatar-leaders-talks-economic-and-security-ties-7123926/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 15 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7290,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Europe In Indo-Pacific',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/delhi-now-sees-european-powers-as-natural-partners-in-constructing-a-durable-balance-of-power-in-indo-pacific-7114110/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;India&rsquo;s new Europolitik&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 22/12/2020. It talks about the need for strategic engagement between India and European countries in the Indo-pacific narrative.</p>
</div>
<p>The rise of China has been redrawing the balance of power in Asia. With the recent border clashes and China&rsquo;s aggressive posture in the Indian ocean, has created serious geostrategic challenges for India.</p>
<p>Therefore, in order to assertively counter China, strengthening international coalitions becomes an important priority for Indian foreign and security policies. In this context, the US becomes an even more important security partner for India.</p>
<p>However, to cope with the uncertain political trajectory of the US, India needs to strategically collaborate with European powers, especially in<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importancehttps://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-indo-pacific-strategic-importance" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indo-pacific theatre.</strong></a></p>
<h3>Recent Engagement With European Powers in Indo-Pacific</h3>
<p>Three recent developments underline India&rsquo;s changing strategic perceptions of Europe.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One is India&rsquo;s support for France&rsquo;s membership of the <a href="/printpdf/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).</strong> </a></li>
<li>Second, India&rsquo;s backing for a larger European role in the Indo-Pacific. India has welcomed the interest of Germany and Netherlands in building a new geopolitical architecture in the Indo-Pacific.</li>
<li>Third, security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific is also emerging as an important theme in India-UK relations.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Significance of Indo-European Cooperation in Indo-Pacific</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Multi-Polar World Order:</strong> India is looking beyond the bipolar geopolitical competition between the US and China and works towards the establishment of a Multi-polar world.</li>
<li><strong>Welcoming Role of Extra-Regional Players:</strong> India is breaking out of its past approaches to the Indo-Pacific defined by such binaries as<strong> &ldquo;regional vs extra-regional&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Departure From Post-Colonial Mindset:</strong> India has also begun to shed the postcolonial mental block against regional security cooperation with post-imperial Europe.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The bipolar <a href="/printpdf/cold-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cold War</strong></a> dynamic (the East-West dimension) and the North-South framework (developing world versus the developed) prevented India from taking a more nuanced view of Europe&rsquo;s political agency after <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-war-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World War II.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Difficulty in Consolidation of Approaches:</strong> Despite the European Union(EU) being a major player in multilateral forums, there are many differences in uniting all aspects of foreign policy. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For example, after Brexit, the UK wants to follow an independent foreign policy (not getting influenced by other EU countries) and define a new international role for itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Left-Over Conflicts:</strong> France and Britain still have lingering disputes leftover from the era of decolonisation in parts of the Western Indian Ocean.</li>
<li><strong>Direct Confrontation With China:</strong> Quad alliance, coming together of democratic countries, their joint naval exercises is seen by China as its encirclement.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Similarly, the European Powers getting engaged in Indo-pacific may antagonise China.</li>
<li>Also, given the economic cooperation with China, it is unlikely that the EU would start expending energy on an Indo-Pacific strategy immediately.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geo-Economic Cooperation:</strong> India can pursue EU countries to engage in Indo-pacific narrative, geo-economically if not from security prism.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It can mobilise massive economic resources for sustainable development of regional infrastructure, wield political influence and leverage its significant soft power to shape the Indo-Pacific discourse.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Finalisation of Indo-EU BIT Treaty:</strong> India and the European Union have been negotiating a free trade deal, but it is pending since 2007. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, for closer convergence between India and the EU, both should engage in finalisation of the trade deal as soon as possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Collaborating With Important Players:</strong> French President Emmanuel Macron&rsquo;s visit to India in early 2018 unveiled an expansive framework for revitalising the strategic partnership.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s partnership with France now has a strong regional anchor in the Indo-Pacific narrative.</li>
<li>Also, France with its territories in the Western Indian Ocean and the South Pacific as well as a historic naval presence can be quick to see the challenges arising from China&rsquo;s maritime expansion.</li>
<li>Further, India should supplement its partnership with the US with a network of multilateral groups with other middle powers, such as the<strong> India-Australia-Japan forum</strong> and the <strong>trilateral dialogue with France and Australia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>If the intensification of security cooperation with the United States has become an important milestone in India&rsquo;s foreign policy in this decade, integrating Europe into India&rsquo;s new strategic calculus ought to be a major objective in the upcoming decade.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f5f9ff;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Regional security cooperation with the European countries has now become a strategic necessity. Comment</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/20nNW3qgZPE" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/nepal-in-turmoil-on-dissolution-of-parliament-by-kp-sharma-oli/article33387983.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Nepal in turmoil&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on December 18<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
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	(int) 16 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 7277,
		'category_id' => (int) 15,
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: India's Vision for Indo- Pacific',
		'description' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1HILrVR42RU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Russian Foreign Minister has described New Delhi as an "object" of the West's "persistent, aggressive, and devious" policy against China in the Indo-Pacific. The Russian Minister has also criticised QUAD.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In response to Russia, India has clarified that it has always pursued an independent foreign policy based on its national interest
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its relationship with each country is independent of its relationship with the third country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Prime Minister during<strong> Shangri La dialogue</strong> marked, &ldquo;India does not see Indo- Pacific as a strategy or a club of limited members or as a grouping that seeks to dominate others&rdquo;.</li>
<li>The QUAD, still in its fledgling phase, has the potential to emerge as one of strongest unions.</li>
<li>China for a very long time has been concerned about expanding its power and asserting its control and has started exercising its power and dominance.</li>
<li>The ASEAN countries are dependent mainly on China as most of them share borders with the country.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Shangri-La Dialogue:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Shangri-La Dialogue is <strong>Asia's premier defence summit.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an inter-governmental security forum held annually by an London-based independent think tank, the<strong> International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In this unique meeting, ministers debate the region&rsquo;s most pressing security challenges, engage in important bilateral talks and come up with fresh solutions together.</li>
<li>It was launched for the first time in <strong>2002</strong> at the Shangri-La Hotel in <strong>Singapore.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>India&rsquo;s Relations with Russia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-russia-strategic-economic-dialogue" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Russia</strong> </a>share a very close strategic relationship.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In terms of defence equipment, defence purchases and development of the defence platform, it is not just a buyer-seller relationship but India is also manufacturing these defence equipment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In the Nuclear energy sector, Russia is the only country with whom India has a civil-nuclear technology cooperation.</li>
<li>Russia is the only country which has installed nuclear power plants in India, the first 3 units of these plants installed in <a href="/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-21st-july-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kudankulam town</strong></a> (Tamil Nadu) are already functioning.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Six more units are expected to come up in Andhra Pradesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Although both the countries share good relations, the interests of Russia lie with China.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indo-pacific-wing-in-mea" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Prime Minister in the Shangri-La dialogue</strong></a> held that Indo-Pacific Region is neither a strategy, nor a club of limited members directed against any country but a pure geographical construct.</li>
<li>It is to ensure a free, open and inclusive region in which countries both inside and outside (countries who have stakes in this region) the Indo-Pacific region would participate.</li>
<li>India has been trying to explain to Russia the basic cause that is to ensure that in the global commons of this region, there should be freedom of navigation, resolution of disputes through dialogue and an international law to regulate all the activities.</li>
</ul>
<h3>China as a Threat to the World</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Chinese Expansion Instinct:</strong> Chinese are always trying to perceive a shift in balance of power.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China has always adopted policies for its unilateral expansion of power like in the South China Sea, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/galwan-valley-clash" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Galwan Valley Clash</strong></a> or the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-hong-kong-national-security-law" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hong-Kong National Security Law.</strong></a></li>
<li>China has been flexing its muscles, with its<strong> nine dash line policy</strong> claiming 90% of the south china sea, exercising its control and domination, in terms of ships, overflights, east china sea and Taiwan straits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Weaponizing supply chains:</strong> China has also been weaponizing its supply chains.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>China has refused to supply PPE kits, the ventilators or any kind of assistance to countries that even suggested that the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/humidity-and-spread-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coronavirus</strong> </a>emerged in China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>ASEAN countries and China:</strong> Most of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ASEAN</strong></a> countries share borders with China and it is obvious for China to exercise control over them.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is where the Quad comes into play.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The policies of Quad have to be made effective, otherwise other smaller countries will not see it really in their interest to go along with it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nine-dash Line</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> &lsquo;nine-dash line&rsquo;</strong> stretches hundreds of kilometers south and east of its southerly Hainan Island, covering the strategic <strong>Paracel and Spratly island</strong> chains. China buttresses its claims by citing 2,000 years of history when the two island chains were regarded as its integral parts.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608635890_pasted%20image 0.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608635890_pasted image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="620" height="330" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Role of Quad</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/four%20corners:%20on%20the%20quad%E2%80%99s%20agenda" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>QUAD</strong></a> is the grouping of four democracies &ndash;India, Australia, the US, and Japan.</li>
<li>Currently, it is still in a fledgling phase and a clearer image of what it will evolve to is yet to obtain. But a few improvements within the group are taking place in recent times.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2017, when the QUAD came into position, the level of performance in terms of meetings and defining agenda was not up to the mark.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There has been an increased participation from all the four countries, they have declared several issues as their agenda of the meeting such as the pandemic, economic recovery, connectivity, infrastructure, cyber security, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Quad is believed to have the potential to go from a very loose structure organisation to a very cohesive structure organisation in a very short span of time.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Way Forward for QUAD</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Geographical limit:</strong> QUAD should define the limits of Indo-Pacific region.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>All four member countries have different notions of this geographical region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Common agenda:</strong> Make a common agenda.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>At this point of time, the Quad does not have an agenda so it should frame an agenda and completely stick to it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Military component + Economic component:</strong> There has to be a military component to act against the coercive activities of China.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Putting the military component and the economic component together will help QUAD emerge as a very strong alliance as without military muscle all other fields cannot be excelled.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Unified strategy at world level:</strong> Bringing in contact the countries like Germany, France and the UK will eventually bring ASEAN nations on board too.</li>
<li><strong>Hedging strategy:</strong> ASEAN needs to hedge itself with Quad against China.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unless these countries have someone else to hedge over with they will continue to go with whatever is available, i.e., China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s maritime space:</strong> India must have the<strong> Indian Ocean Region (IOR)</strong> as its priority. Currently, it doesn't have any navy that can assert itself to distant seas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in coordination with other navies like the US Navy, the Royal Navy (UK) and the French Navy, India can participate in the exercises out of the Indian Ocean Area.</li>
<li>Also India&rsquo;s navy&rsquo;s share in the defence budget has come down from 18% to 14%. If India wants to emerge as a global power, then it must invest in its navy and strengthen it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Help for small nations:</strong> Smaller countries in the IOR must be on India&rsquo;s top list and it must ensure that these nations are dependent on India only for their security.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India should be their preferred security partner.</li>
<li>India should also ensure that they do not have to look beyond India with regard to meeting their traditional &amp; non-traditional needs.</li>
<li>India should not allow China to have an opportunity to come in between India and these small nations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>QUAD&rsquo;s military muscle:</strong> QUAD must have its military muscle to accomplish other areas but it should not be brought to front, it should be kept in the back burner.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Indian Ocean Region (IOR)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The IOR consists of the Indian Ocean and several countries and seas around the ocean including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Madagascar, Australia, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, Tanzania and Yemen.</li>
<li>The Indian Ocean region has 30 straits and channels in and adjoining the Indian Ocean. few of them are:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Bab-el-Mandeb</strong> (between South Yemen and Djibouti);</li>
<li><strong>Bass Strait</strong> (between Australian continent and Tasmania);</li>
<li><strong>Strait of Hormuz</strong> (between Iran and Oman);</li>
<li><strong>Lombok, Bali, Sunda and Makassar Straits</strong> (in the Indonesian archipelago)</li>
<li><strong>Singapore Strait</strong> (between Singapore and Riau island of Indonesia)</li>
<li><strong>Malacca Strait</strong> (between Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore)</li>
<li><strong>Mozambique channel</strong> (between Mozambique and Malagasy Republic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The anti-China sentiment exists at a global level but the world hasn't actually done anything concrete to take on China and that is the biggest problem.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Time has come for an overly aggressive China to be addressed holistically.The Quad has to be made more effective by militarising it and framing a common agenda.</li>
<li>Also bringing other like minded countries in the frame and expanding the network of quad and make it more stronger.</li>
</ul>
</li>
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		'article_id' => (int) 7264,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'International River Governance',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/water/china-s-brahmaputra-dam-trans-boundary-water-governance-in-south-asia-needs-a-rethink-74698" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;China&rsquo;s Brahmaputra dam: Trans-boundary water governance in South Asia needs a rethink&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Down to Earth on 18/12/2020. It talks about the issues related to Trans-Boundary river governance.</p>
</div>
<p>In recent times, there are many reports of China building dams on the Brahmaputra river, close to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-chinese-transgression" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Line of Actual Control</strong></a> in Tibet. The move could have a far-reaching impact on water security in India&rsquo;s North East.</p>
<p>The major rivers that drain South Asian states, the Indus, the Brahmaputra and many of the midstream tributaries of the Ganga originate in Tibet.</p>
<p>This transboundary nature of major rivers and China being an upper riparian state has a clear advantage in building dams and other infrastructure to reduce or divert water flow from river systems originating in Tibet.</p>
<p>As the whole of South Asia comes under &lsquo;high&rsquo; to &lsquo;extremely high&rsquo; water-stressed areas, the establishment of trans-boundary rivers cooperation is the need of the hour.</p>
<h3>Significance of Trans-Boundary River Cooperation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Linkage With Climate Change:</strong> Transboundary water cooperation offers opportunities to realize and capitalise on the wider benefits e.g. strengthen resilience to climate change and prevent and resolve conflicts over water resources. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, building dams in the Himalayan region will result in emerging risks like extreme events (floods, droughts), landslides, forest fires and many other ecological threats pose new governance challenges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linkage With SDG:</strong> Recognition of the importance of transboundary cooperation is a prerequisite for realising the water-related SDG targets and the broader <a href="/printpdf/in-depth-indias-sustainable-development-goals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals.</strong> </a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linkage With Regional Development:</strong> As international waters can be catalytic agents, transboundary water cooperation has often resulted in improved wider economic integration between riparian states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Transboundary water cooperation can, directly or indirectly, act as a catalyst to improve international trade, economic development, navigation, energy generation, wildlife conservation, and broader regional integration.</li>
<li>Transboundary water cooperation arrangements also facilitate investments by providing a stable and reliable legal and institutional environment for investors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Natural Advantage:</strong> Dams or water diversion projects in the upstream areas of rivers have a significant effect on downstream flows. Communities in the lower riparian areas have to accept what is being offered to them.</li>
<li><strong>Neglect of International Law:</strong> Even though there is an international convention regarding the trans-boundary river governance, there is a lack of a cooperative framework for managing river systems in South Asia.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, around 60% of transboundary river basins worldwide still lack any cooperative arrangement.</li>
<li>In addition, existing transboundary water treaties and institutions are often weak in terms of their mandate, design, resources, and enforcement mechanisms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Existing Legal Framework on Trans-boundary Rivers</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Convention on the Law of Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, 1997</li>
<li>Helsinki Convention on the protection and use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes, 1992</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Trust:</strong> The real issue for developing trans-boundary river governance, is not the scarcity of water resources, but the scarcity of &lsquo;social resources&rsquo; and abundance of &lsquo;power disparities&rsquo; between China and South Asian countries.</li>
<li><strong>Long-term, Evolving Process:</strong> Given the dependence on these collective on water resources, coming to a consensus may take longer negotiations and even a small political tussle can derail development of cooperation framework.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Water Diplomacy:</strong> Trans-boundary river governance can be adopted by the exercise of water diplomacy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/pdf/1600513479-60-years-of-indus-water-treaty.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Water diplomacy</strong></a> is a process which operates under the authority of sovereign national governments, but which also unlocks cooperation among multiple stakeholders, including at the level of municipalities and states.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>River basin management:</strong> Rather than treating rivers from the lens of political borders, there is a need to adopt a river basin management approach. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This approach respects the integrity of the landscape and the catchments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Setting-up Institutional Framework:</strong> Agreements and institutional arrangements, such as river basin organizations, can offer an important means to manage transboundary waters in an equitable and sustainable way<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A trans-boundary river governance framework should, share water in river basins and aquifers, pursue legal frameworks for international cooperation, and establish joint institutions for transboundary water governance.</li>
<li>Apart from this, there is a need for the adoption of common standards for water data collection, sharing, and analysis on transboundary waters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Disasters and climate impacts do not stop at borders and already about two billion people are living in water-stressed areas. In this context, without transboundary water cooperation, inclusive sustainable development is severely curtailed, and risks to peace and security increased.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608552772_image0.PNG" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608552772_image0.PNG" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
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<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fafaff;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Without transboundary water cooperation, inclusive sustainable development is severely curtailed, and risks to peace and security increased. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
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		'article_id' => (int) 7259,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Coastal Radar Chain Network',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>India&rsquo;s efforts are in advanced stages to set up <strong>coastal radar stations in Maldives, Myanmar and Bangladesh.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The radar chain&mdash;which will<strong> link up with similar systems in India, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Seychelles&mdash;</strong>will provide<strong> a comprehensive live feed of ship movements in the Indian Ocean Region</strong> that can be used by friendly navies.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Coastal Radar Chain Network:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> aim</strong> is to create<strong> a network of information and maritime domain awareness</strong> in the<strong> strategic Indian Ocean Region.</strong></li>
<li>This will also help in <strong>expanding India&rsquo;s assistance for capacity building</strong> to Indian Ocean littoral states.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The assistance to these countries comes under India's programme called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAGAR - Security and Growth for All in the Region.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Under <strong>Phase-I</strong> of the coastal radar chain network, <strong>46 coastal radar stations</strong> have been set up across the country&rsquo;s coastline.</li>
<li>Under <strong>Phase-II</strong> of the project, which is currently underway, <strong>38 static radar stations and four mobile radar stations</strong> are being set up by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/recaap-isc-capacity-building-workshop" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coast Guard</strong> </a>and is in an advanced stage of completion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Indian Coast Guard is a<strong> multi-mission organization,</strong> conducting round-the-year real-life operations at sea. It operates under the <strong>Ministry of Defence.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>primary aim of surveillance radar design</strong> is to <strong>detect and track small fishing vessels</strong> for Coastal surveillance application. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the radar can also be directly used for <strong>VTS (Vessel Traffic management Services) application,</strong> harbor surveillance and navigational purposes.</li>
<li>It will also help in <strong>monitoring any illegal activities in the sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Ultimately, the data collected would feed into the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/information-fusion-centre-of-indian-navy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The IFC has been<strong> established at Gurugram</strong> and is <strong>collocated with the Information Management and Analysis Centre</strong> which is jointly administered by the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Indian Navy&rsquo;s Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC),</strong> set up after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is the<strong> nodal agency for maritime data fusion.</strong></li>
<li>It will soon become a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-maritime-domain-awareness-centre" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Maritime Domain Awareness (NDMA) centre.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>IFC-IOR has established itself as the<strong> hub of maritime security information in the IOR through white shipping information exchange agreements</strong> with 21 countries and 20 maritime security centres.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>White shipping information</strong> refers to exchange of relevant advance information on the identity and movement of commercial non-military merchant vehicles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Indian Ocean Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Indian Ocean Region, in view of its strategic location as also being home to a vast majority of the world's population, can be considered as the economic highway that drives global commerce.</li>
<li>With <strong>over 75% of the world&rsquo;s maritime trade</strong> and <strong>50% of daily global oil consumption</strong> passing through the region; IOR is vital to world trade and the economic prosperity of many nations.</li>
<li>At any given time, there are<strong> close to 12,000 ships</strong> in the Indian Ocean Region and <strong>300 fishing vessels</strong> that need to be always monitored.</li>
<li>The IOR is also <strong>a fragile environment,</strong> with <strong>threats such as</strong> maritime terrorism, piracy, human and contraband trafficking, illegal and unregulated fishing, arms running and poaching being prevalent.</li>
<li>Further, there has been <strong>a steady rise in the deployment of Chinese research vessels in the Indian Ocean Region.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Increasing presence of China in the Indian Ocean Region has been a <strong>strategic concern for India. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Related Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The council of ministers of <strong>IORA (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Ocean Rim Association</a>)</strong> countries met virtually in December 2020. IORA is an<strong> inter-governmental organisation,</strong> established in 1997. <strong>India is a member country.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>four-nation <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/australia-to-be-included-in-malabar-exercise" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Malabar Exercise</a></strong> involving India, Australia, the USA and Japan was concluded and hosted in two phases by the Indian Navy in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea.</li>
<li>Earlier this year in March, <strong>India joined the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-as-an-observer-at-ioc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)</a> as Observer.</strong> The Commission is an important regional institution in Western/African Indian Ocean.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The environmental threat to the marine ecosystem due to climate change and unprincipled depredation of marine resources <strong>threatens the very sustenance of some of the small island states in the Indian Ocean. India&rsquo;s presence in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/elections-for-non-permanent-members-of-the-unsc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UN Security Council</a> as a non-permanent member for the next two years</strong> and the <strong>Presidency of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g-20-summit-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G20</a> in 2023</strong> will provide it with the opportunity to highlight the issues of these small island states at multilateral forums.</li>
<li><strong>Maritime Diplomacy and &lsquo;showing the flag&rsquo;</strong> forms an important part of regional capacity building. Bilateral and multilateral naval exercises, maritime information-sharing mechanisms, developing common standard operating protocols and showing the flag through the port visits are important foreign policy instruments.</li>
<li><strong>Export of military hardware</strong> also constitutes an important aspect of economic and military diplomacy and contributes to regional capacity building. Presently India is exporting military hardware to many of its smaller neighbours but the <strong>recent transfer of a Kilo-class submarine to Myanmar</strong> was a new high and sent a distinct message to the region of the importance India attaches to regional capacity building and maritime security.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-looks-at-integrating-more-countries-into-coastal-radar-network/article33379243.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 7248,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'India-Bangladesh Virtual Summit',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bangladesh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India and Bangladesh</strong></a> have held a <strong>virtual summit</strong> covering comprehensive discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Bangladesh also invited India for the celebration of <strong>50<sup>th</sup> anniversary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vijay-diwas-50-years-of-indo-pak-war-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bangladesh&rsquo;s</a></strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vijay-diwas-50-years-of-indo-pak-war-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <strong>Independence</strong></a> in <strong>1971</strong> and <strong>50 years of India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations,</strong> to be held in <strong>March 2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608361143_image%200.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1608361143_image 0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Signing of Bilateral Documents and Inauguration of Projects:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sealed <strong>seven agreements</strong> to expand cooperation in <strong>diverse areas</strong> viz. hydrocarbons, elephant conservation, sanitation, and agriculture, and <strong>restored a cross-border rail link</strong> which was in operation till 1965.</li>
<li>Inaugurated a <strong>digital exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi and Bangladesh&rsquo;s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rehman.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in Health Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Reiterating the highest priority India attaches to Bangladesh under India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-is-indias-neighbourhood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Neighbourhood First</strong> </a>policy, India assured that <strong>vaccines for Covid-19 would be made available to Bangladesh</strong> as and when produced in India.</li>
<li>India also<strong> offered collaboration in therapeutics and partnership in vaccine production.</strong></li>
<li>Bangladesh <strong>appreciated India&rsquo;s conducting capacity building courses</strong> for medical professionals in Bangla language.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Jointly unveiled a <strong>commemorative postal stamp issued by the Government of India on the occasion of birth centenary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sheikh-mujibur-rehman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</a></strong></li>
<li>India thanked Bangladesh for <strong>issuing a stamp in honour of</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mahatma-gandhi-jayanti" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahatma Gandhi</strong> </a>on the occasion of his <strong>150<sup>th</sup> birth anniversary</strong> celebrations.</li>
<li>Bangladesh requested India to consider <strong>Bangladesh&rsquo;s proposal to name</strong> the historic road from Mujib Nagar to Nodia on Bangladesh-India border as <em><strong>"Shadhinota Shorok&rdquo;</strong></em> commemorating the historic significance of the road during Bangladesh&rsquo;s Liberation War.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Border Management and Security Cooperation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Agreed to hold an early meeting of the <strong>Joint Boundary Conference</strong> to prepare a new set of strip maps with a view to finalizing the delineation of the boundaries.</li>
<li>It was agreed to carry out necessary work to convert the <strong>International Boundary along <em>Kuhsiyara</em> river</strong> into a fixed boundary.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Kuhsiyara river (known as <strong>Barak river in India</strong>) is <strong>one of the transboundary rivers</strong> between India-Bangladesh.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Bangladesh reiterated the request for 1.3 km<strong> Innocent Passage through river route along River Padma</strong> (main<strong> channel of Ganga in Bangladesh</strong>) near Rajshahi district (Bangladesh). India assured to consider the request.</li>
<li>Stressed on the full implementation of the ongoing <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bangladesh-general-elections" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coordinated Border Management Plan.</strong></a></li>
<li>Expressed satisfaction on<strong> efforts against smuggling of arms, narcotics and fake currency and to prevent trafficking,</strong> particularly of women and children.</li>
<li>Directed officials to expeditiously conclude the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the area of <strong>disaster management cooperation</strong> as both countries are prone to frequent natural disasters.</li>
<li>Bangladesh requested for early implementation of<strong> India&rsquo;s commitment to remove remaining restrictions on entry/exit from land ports in India</strong> for Bangladeshis travelling on valid documents in a phased manner.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade Partnership for Growth:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bangladesh has appreciated the <strong>Duty-Free and Quota Free access</strong> given to Bangladeshi exports to India under <strong>South Asian Free Trade Area</strong> (SAFTA) since 2011.</li>
<li>Emphasized on addressing issues of <strong>non-tariff barriers and trade facilitation</strong> including port restrictions, procedural bottlenecks and quarantine restrictions so that both countries can take full advantage of SAFTA flexibility.</li>
<li>Directed the officials to expeditiously conclude the ongoing joint study on the <strong>prospects of entering into a bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement</strong> (CEPA).</li>
<li>Welcomed the <strong>first meeting of the India-Bangladesh Textile Industry Forum</strong> and directed the officials to conclude the ongoing negotiations on various MoUs on increased linkages and collaboration in the textile sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connectivity for Prosperity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Jointly inaugurated the <strong>newly restored railway link between Haldibari</strong> (India) and <strong>Chilahati</strong> (Bangladesh) and noted that this rail link will further strengthen trade and people to people ties between the two sides.</li>
<li>Welcomed the signing of the second addendum to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protocol-on-inland-water-transit-and-trade#:~:text=As%20per%20the%20Protocol%20on,transit%20and%20inter%20country%20trade." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade</strong> </a>(PIWTT).</li>
<li>Agreed to an early operationalization of the<strong> Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) initiative Motor Vehicles Agreement</strong> through the expeditious signing of the Enabling MoU for Bangladesh, India and Nepal to commence the movement of goods and passengers, with provision for Bhutan to join at a later date.</li>
<li>Bangladesh expressed keen interest in the ongoing <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/india-myanmar-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India Myanmar Thailand trilateral highway project</strong> </a>and sought the support of India for enabling Bangladesh to connect with this project.</li>
<li>Satisfaction on commencement of a temporary <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Air Travel Bubble</strong> </a>to facilitate the urgent requirements of travellers on both sides.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation in Water Resources, Power and Energy:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bangladesh highlighted the need for <strong>early signing of an interim agreement for sharing of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/teesta-river#:~:text=Teesta%20river%20is%20a%20tributary,flowing%20through%20India%20and%20Bangladesh.&amp;text=The%20Teesta%20Barrage%20dam%20helps,issues%20between%20India%20and%20Bangladesh." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Teesta waters</a></strong>, as agreed upon by both the governments in 2011.</li>
<li>Underscored the need for early conclusion of <strong>Framework of Interim Agreement</strong> on sharing of waters of six joint rivers, namely, Manu, Muhuri, Khowai, Gumti, Dharla and Dudhkumar.</li>
<li>Recalled the positive contribution of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-bangladesh-joint-water-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Joint Rivers Commission</strong> </a>(JRC) and looked forward to the next round of Secretarial level JRC meeting at the earliest.</li>
<li>Agreed to expedite implementation of projects including <strong>India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, Maitree Super Thermal Power Project</strong> as well as other projects.</li>
<li>Welcomed the signing of the<strong> Framework of Understanding on Cooperation in the Hydrocarbon Sector</strong> which would further augment energy linkages by streamlining investments, technology transfer, joint studies, training and promoting <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/hydrocarbon-exploration-and-licensing-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>hydrocarbon</strong></a> connectivity.</li>
<li>Agreed to enhance cooperation in energy efficiency and clean energy, including in <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>biofuels.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Forcibly Displaced Persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar (Rohingya):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India appreciated the generosity of Bangladesh in <strong>sheltering and providing humanitarian assistance to</strong> the 1.1 million forcibly displaced<strong> persons from the Rakhine State of Myanmar,</strong> in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-report-on-myanmar-rohingya-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Rohingya Crisis.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Partners in the Region and the World:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India thanked Bangladesh for supporting India in its election to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Security Council.</strong></a></li>
<li>Both countries agreed to continue working together towards achieving early reforms of the UN Security Council, combating <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate change</a></strong>, attainment of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals</strong></a> (SDGs) and protection of the rights of migrants.</li>
<li>Highlighted that regional organisations such as the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/south-asian-association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation</strong></a> (SAARC) and <strong>the</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/drishti-specials-important-international-bimstec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation</strong> </a>(BIMSTEC) have an important role to play.</li>
<li>Bangladesh thanked India for convening the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/video-conference-of-saarc-leaders-on-covid-19#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20Emergency%20Fund%3A,a%20contribution%20to%20the%20fund." target="_blank" rel="noopener">SAARC leaders Video Conference</a> in March 2020</strong> and for creation of the <strong>SAARC Emergency Response Fund</strong> to counter effects of the global pandemic in the South Asian region.</li>
<li>Bangladesh will assume chairmanship of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Indian Ocean Rim Association</strong> </a>(IORA) in<strong> 2021</strong> and requested the support of India for working towards greater maritime safety and security.</li>
<li>Bangladesh appreciated the work of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/5th-annual-meeting-of-ndb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> New Development Bank</strong> </a>and thanked India for inviting Bangladesh to join the institution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1681428" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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