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India & Neighbourhood
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India is a dependable partner in the Indian Ocean Region and is well-positioned to assume the role of a net security provider in the area. Discuss. (250 words)
Model Answer Dependable Partner in the Indian Ocean Region India's strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) positions it as a central player in ensuring regional stability. The IOR is crucial, encompassing a diverse array of countries and holding significant global resources, including 40Read more
Model Answer
Dependable Partner in the Indian Ocean Region
India’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) positions it as a central player in ensuring regional stability. The IOR is crucial, encompassing a diverse array of countries and holding significant global resources, including 40% of the world’s oil and gas reserves. India engages actively in multilateral organizations such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, aiming to foster peace and prosperity among littoral states .
India’s commitment to a rule-based order is evident in its adherence to international maritime laws, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) tribunal’s award regarding maritime boundaries with Bangladesh . Furthermore, India has consistently provided humanitarian assistance, demonstrating its reliability. Notable instances include water aid to the Maldives in 2014 and vaccine support to IOR countries during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 .
Role as a Net Security Provider
India’s potential to serve as a net security provider in the IOR is underscored by several initiatives:
Challenges and Conclusion
Despite these strengths, India faces challenges from an assertive China and non-state threats like piracy and drug trafficking. Addressing these issues and formulating a coherent IOR strategy will be vital for India to solidify its role as a net security provider in the region. By enhancing its capabilities and fostering cooperation, India can effectively contribute to peace and stability in the Indian Ocean.
See lessChina's increasing influence in India's neighborhood has necessitated a more proactive implementation of its neighborhood first policy. Discuss. (250 words)
Model Answer Introduction China's growing presence in India's neighboring countries has significantly impacted India's strategic interests, necessitating a more active approach in executing its Neighborhood First policy. Challenges to India's Interests Security and Sovereignty: The China-Pakistan EcRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
China’s growing presence in India’s neighboring countries has significantly impacted India’s strategic interests, necessitating a more active approach in executing its Neighborhood First policy.
Challenges to India’s Interests
India’s Response: Neighborhood First Policy
In response to these challenges, India has actively pursued its Neighborhood First policy, which aims to strengthen ties with its immediate neighbors through:
Conclusion
India’s Neighborhood First policy is crucial for countering China’s expansionism and reshaping its narrative in the region. Sustaining this proactive approach will be essential for India to reinforce its influence and ensure long-term stability in South Asia.
See lessHow have recent factors influenced the shift in Indo-Nepal relations? Discuss the changes and suggest measures India can implement to enhance its relationship with Nepal. (150 words)
Model Answer Recent Factors Influencing the Shift in Indo-Nepal Relations Indo-Nepal relations, historically characterized by deep-rooted cultural and economic ties, have recently experienced significant shifts due to several factors: Border Disputes: The ongoing territorial disputes, particularly oRead more
Model Answer
Recent Factors Influencing the Shift in Indo-Nepal Relations
Indo-Nepal relations, historically characterized by deep-rooted cultural and economic ties, have recently experienced significant shifts due to several factors:
Suggested Measures for India to Enhance Relations
To revitalize Indo-Nepal relations, India can implement several strategic measures:
By focusing on these areas, India can strengthen its relationship with Nepal, ensuring mutual benefits and regional stability.
See lessHow successful has India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy been in strengthening its relations with neighboring countries? (200 Words)
Model Answer Positive Outcomes of the Policy Infrastructure and Connectivity: One of the key achievements of the policy is the improvement in regional infrastructure. Notable projects include the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, which enhances energy trade, and cross-border railways with Nepal,Read more
Model Answer
Positive Outcomes of the Policy
Infrastructure and Connectivity: One of the key achievements of the policy is the improvement in regional infrastructure. Notable projects include the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, which enhances energy trade, and cross-border railways with Nepal, which facilitate smoother trade and mobility between the two nations.
Enhanced Diplomatic Relations: The policy has also seen tangible improvements in diplomatic ties. For example, the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor between India and Pakistan in 2019 allowed Sikh pilgrims to visit a sacred site in Pakistan, marking a rare moment of cooperation between the two nations. Similarly, the 2021 ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan indicated a positive step towards regional peace.
Humanitarian and Economic Support: India has actively supported its neighbours in times of crisis, such as providing assistance during the 2015 Nepal earthquake and 2017 Sri Lanka floods. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative saw it provide vaccines to several neighbouring countries. Furthermore, economic aid to Sri Lanka during its 2023 economic crisis, and increased financial assistance to Bhutan, demonstrates India’s commitment to fostering regional stability.
Security Cooperation: India’s collaboration with neighbouring countries in counter-terrorism efforts, intelligence sharing, and border management has contributed to enhanced regional security, notably through efforts with Bangladesh in tackling terrorism.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite these successes, the policy faces several challenges. Relations with some neighbours, such as the Maldives, have been strained, particularly due to political campaigns like the ‘India Out’ movement. Security issues, including cross-border terrorism and drug trafficking, remain persistent due to porous borders.
Additionally, China’s growing influence in South Asia, especially through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), poses a threat to India’s regional dominance.
In conclusion, while India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy has yielded significant successes in terms of infrastructure, diplomatic ties, and regional security, there are ongoing challenges that need to be addressed for it to fully achieve its potential.
See lessHow has India's "Neighbourhood First" policy impacted its diplomatic and economic relations with its neighboring countries in South Asia?
The ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy that started in India from 2014 has had a bipolar impact on its diplomatic and economic relations with the South Asian neighbors. Positive Impacts: -Increased Engagement: It brought more interaction of both nations on many matters and encouraged improvement of relatiRead more
The ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy that started in India from 2014 has had a bipolar impact on its diplomatic and economic relations with the South Asian neighbors.
Positive Impacts:
-Increased Engagement: It brought more interaction of both nations on many matters and encouraged improvement of relations and communication between nearby states.
-Development Cooperation: India has significantly ramped up its levels of development cooperation with neighbourhood countries through a Line of Credit (LOC) facility that supports infrastructure development and funds humanitarian interventions. This enhanced the economic relation as well as peoples’ friendly relations between adjacent countries.
Connectivity Projects: Attraction is enhanced by integration processes that enhance trade and people contact such as the Bangladesh Bhutan India Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicles Agreement and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.
Challenges and Limitations:
This of course throws huge challenges and competition on the geopolitically crucial front in that with China, a regional actor especially emerging powers now in South Asia. Beijing has brought development options of their BRI to neighbors in contrary to those that Delhi wants.
-Internal Issues: The other issues are the domestic political issues and another unresolved regional dispute such us the issue of kashmir with Pakistan and the teesta river sharing with bangladesh hampers bilateral relations.
-Varying Success: The degree of success of the policy is different for each state. Nevertheless, some countries such as Bhutan and Nepal have had good relations in recent past, but there issues regarding some other nations like Pakistan and Bangladesh exist.
-Concerns about Hegemony: Some of the neighboring countries have perceived India to be over-powering them and has tried to control them hence they are making negative remarks.
Overall Assessment:
A major feature on Foreign Policy has been the adoption of the “Neighbourhood First” policy which has seen India take positive steps towards a better working relation with its neighbors. But they are not very effective due to political rivalry the internal issues of countries individual bilateral relations and so on.
– A policy such needs to be context-specific and adaptable to the assorted exigencies and opportunities of each bilateral relationship.
See less– Trust and confidence among neighbour states are essential for the long-term success of the policy.
– Collaborative addressing of regional issues is inescapable as will be finding joint compelling solutions that can result in sustainable cooperation.
Relationship between India and China
India and China have established considerable economic dependence on one another; however, this dependence is unequal with a extremely large trade deficit in India’s favor. Below is the analysis of the same. Important Contributing Factors to the Imbalance in Trade: Asymmetric Trade: India is exportiRead more
India and China have established considerable economic dependence on one another; however, this dependence is unequal with a extremely large trade deficit in India’s favor. Below is the analysis of the same.
Important Contributing Factors to the Imbalance in Trade:
Asymmetric Trade: India is exporting only raw material, and agricultural products to China and importing a wide range of hs code products from China. This acts to provide a massive boost towards the realization of the deficits because the flow of trade is not evenly balanced.
-Strong Chinese Manufacturing Sector: India finds China’s manufacturing base strengthened by its government and large enough to offer inexpensive production of the goods hence attractive to India consumers.
-Limited Access for Indian Exports: There are other forms of hurdles, which includeNon-tariff barriers;Tough quality requirements;Restricted entry for some sectors of India into China.
-Dependence on Import from China: An increasing number of Industries from India rely on the import of all intermediate products and parts from China, which in turn means that India relies on its northern neighbour.
Measures to Reduce the Trade Deficit:
Trade Promotion
Promotion of Exports
Diversification: Promote diversification of export products towards higher value added products including pharmaceutical, IT services and Engineering goods to china.
\end{enumerate}-Market Access: Notably establish a better access to the Indian products in the market in China under bilateral understanding as well as Notes and dismantling of the non-tariff barriers.
-Quality Upgrade: Indian product would gain increased quality and effectiveness vis à vis the Chinese standards and consumer demand.
Increased Domestic Manufacturing:
“Make in India”: Reduce imports from China by additional home production with the help of measures like “Make in India”.
-Support Domestic Industries: Encourage and support the domestic industries needed to become competitive so as to cut their reliance on Chinese products.
Trade Policy Initiatives:
-Anti-dumping Duties: Impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese imports that are priced lower than the fair price to safeguard the domestic industries.
-Tariff and Non-Tariff Barriers: Apply calibrated trade restrictions that may help balance the trade interests with the protection of domestic industries.
-Regional Trade Agreements: Seek ways to enhance regional trade integration through agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to enhance market access for Indian goods in other Asian markets.
It is worth noting that:
The reduction of the trade deficit with China would require a multi-pronged approach and would take time to bear fruit.
-It is very essential to maintain a balanced approach that encourages economic cooperation while simultaneously redressing the issues of trade imbalances and national security.
The current geopolitical tensions between India and China add another dimension to the economic relationship.
By combining these measures, India can work towards reducing its trade deficit with China, increasing its economic competitiveness, and creating a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship.
See lessNational security
Ajit Doval has been the NSA of India since 2014 and has introduced new dynamics to the national security structure of the country and an aggressive approach that is workable in new threats. Here's how that impact looks: 1. Active Approach National Security Policy - Change to Offensive Defense: ThisRead more
Ajit Doval has been the NSA of India since 2014 and has introduced new dynamics to the national security structure of the country and an aggressive approach that is workable in new threats. Here’s how that impact looks:
1. Active Approach National Security Policy
– Change to Offensive Defense: This falls under the pro-active strategy where Doval, presents change in defence policies to an aggressive strategy seen in:
– Surgical Strikes (2016): The Uri terrorist attack forced India to establish that it could strike back across borders.
– Balakot Airstrikes (2019): Is represented a new approach of countering cross–border terrorism by conducting operations on the territory of Pakistan and targeting terror camps.
2. Revitalizing Hekmat va Dief Sadegiat
– Revamping the coordination of intelligence:
The former IB officer was able to bring efficiency to the functioning of intelligence sharing between agencies.
Organisation transformation in directions of enhancing and leveraging actionable intelligence in countering threats, more focused in J&K and Northeast regions.
– Anti-Terror Operations: All these operations are headed by Doval and have crippled terror funding networks and improved capacities to counter terrorism.
3. Administratively restructuring of Jammu & Kashmir
– Abrogation of Article 370 (2019): In the strategic and security aspect of the decision he played a critical role, which meant that the actual execution was not accompanied by a lot of violence.
– Post-Absolution Stability: We were more interested in preserving the letters of the law as well as preventing infiltration and radicalization within the region.
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4. External Internal security environment and systematic strategic partnership
Border Dispute Management:
In Doklam standoff (2017) and Galwan valley incident (2020), Doval through his diplomatic and strategic approach resolved the situation with China.
Enhancing the hardness and effectiveness of fencing and allied systems at the LAC.
Global Partnership Building
Enhanced strategic cooperation with the US, Quad countries, and the Gulf partners in particular Counter-terrorism as well as Maritime security
It was influential in India’s engagement’s within the region including with concepts such as the Indo-Pacific Strategy.
5. Cyber and Technology Push
-Digital Security Framework: Cyber-security was recognized as a critical pillar of national security. Efforts were made to safeguard Indian critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
– Indigenization of Defence Technology: Recommended attaining self-reliance in defense production so that it does not become a import-dependent industry.
6. Countering Hybrid Warfare
-Hybrid Threats: The Doval-led approach is on issues of economic coercion, fake news campaigns, and cyber attacks of adversaries.
-South Asia Cyber Policy: Is focusing on countering fake news and propaganda against the Indian socio-political fabric through cyber technology.
7. Multidimensional Internal Security Approach
See lessInsurgency Management: This is very instrumental in the solution of insurgency in the Northeast, notably in the Naga peace process.
Urban Security: Also, the preparedness on urban terrorism has improved to become coordinated with central forces as well as state forces.
Conclusion
The strategic leadership by Ajit Doval has transformed the national security paradigm in India from a reactive approach to a proactive and multi-dimensional framework. Through his integration of traditional and emerging security challenges into a comprehensive strategy, Doval has strengthened India’s defenses and made it a resilient and assertive global power. His tenure epitomizes the blend of tactical acumen, strategic foresight, and robust execution in shaping India’s security architecture for contemporary challenges.
How effective has India's "Neighborhood First" policy been in practice?
The Indian foreign policy “Neighborhood First” policy indeed has had a mixed verdict in terms of success. Successes: Increased Engagement: The policy has fostered a diplomatic relations and dialogue with the neighboring countries. Development Cooperation: India has substantially enhanced aid to neigRead more
The Indian foreign policy “Neighborhood First” policy indeed has had a mixed verdict in terms of success.
Successes:
Increased Engagement: The policy has fostered a diplomatic relations and dialogue with the neighboring countries.
Development Cooperation: India has substantially enhanced aid to neighboring countries through existing initiatives like Line of Credit programme, which has enhanced goodwill and economic relation.
Connectivity Projects: Connectivity and regional integration projects include; BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.
Challenges:
Geopolitical Rivalry: Another challenge which has often come as a result of China’s rising as one of the most influential powers in the region has been the rise of the latter in South Asia.
-Internal Problems: Internal political problem of the nation and regional problems like the issue of Kashmir with Pakistan and issue of Teesta river with Bangladesh have been a bar for it.
-Varying Success: It has been an intervention that has been used with an unpredictable rate of effectiveness in different parts of the world. Although some of the countries it has maintained friendly relations with them, some of them are like Pakistan and Bangladesh.
General Conclusion:
The policy of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s administration in foreign policy called “Neighborhood First” have been rather helpful in the course of seen improvement in the relation of India with its neighbors. However, Piao and Zha claim that several factors hinder the realisation of this policy’s objectives and these include geopolitical rivalry, internal issues and the nature of relations between China and partner countries differ.
Key Takeaways
Besides the policy requires a more subtle and elastic approach when managing the peculiarities of bilateral relations and prospects.
The only way that such a policy will sustain itself in the long run is by enhancing confidence and trust among neighbors.
See lessRegional problems and challenges have to be solved with all members involved in search of adequate solution for the farther cooperation in the long term.
geopolitical dynamics
Geopolitical dynamics play a significant role in India's engagements with its neighbors: -Pakistan: The problem of Afghan opium production and the influence of warlords is the most prominent geopolitical issue. It generates conflict and impedes collaboration and becomes mostly a focal point of bilatRead more
Geopolitical dynamics play a significant role in India’s engagements with its neighbors:
-Pakistan: The problem of Afghan opium production and the influence of warlords is the most prominent geopolitical issue. It generates conflict and impedes collaboration and becomes mostly a focal point of bilateral relations. However, there is a new problem in the regional structure of relations: cooperation between Pakistan and China.
-Bangladesh: River water sharing specially Ganges, Brahmaputra are one of the most critical point of discussion between them. Another important factor is power transition which refers to the rise of China as the dominant economic and political power in the region affecting Bangladeshi foreign policy.
Nepal: The rising economic and political power of India alongside the rising strategic partnership between the US and India has made Nepal anxious about its political self-rule.
-Sri Lanka: Until recent years, India has had several interactions with Sri Lanka because of its apprehensions regarding the rising sphere of influence of China in Sri Lanka. India also desires stability of Sri Lanka that there should not be any public instability transferring security in its country.
-Bhutan: Relations between India and Bhutan are quite special and friendly, and the two countries are said to be having a special kind of relationship. Nevertheless, factors like China flexing it muscles in the region, and China’s territorial claims over some parts of Bhutan have emerged.
Key Geopolitical Factors:
-China rise: India’s relations with neighbours have dependant extensively on china’s advance economy and defense machinery. India cannot counterbalance China’s power try to do so but, simultaneously it seeks an opportunity to cooperate.
-India-US Strategic Partnership: India’s growing strategic partnership with the USA has implications for its neighbors. This means that while some might consider this partnership as being inimical to their welfare.
-Regional Power Dynamics: India’s own growth as the emerging power in the region its desire and effort to attain a status of more significant role in international system also affect the surrounding neighbours.
See lessHow do social media platforms impact the recognition and praise of individual athletes compared to teams?
Clearly social media has changed how we emotionally and physically express about athletes; self-promotion is likely to supersede group success. Here's a summary. Increased Recognition of the Athlete: Direct Interaction With Fans: Social media gives an easy way for athletes to engage with the fans byRead more
Clearly social media has changed how we emotionally and physically express about athletes; self-promotion is likely to supersede group success. Here’s a summary.
Increased Recognition of the Athlete:
Direct Interaction With Fans: Social media gives an easy way for athletes to engage with the fans by sharing personal experience of training regimes and scenes. They do this to generate a sharper bond and augment the patrons’ devotion while also boosting the individual brands.
-Highlight Reels: It is possible to celebrate personal achievements in Instagram and TikTok, as well as in other social networks – stunning goals, stunts, or fantastic personal results. Some of them circulate widely as ‘highlight reels’ and the player is popular…
-Endorsement Deals: Influence turns to be fancy partnerships hence adding to the individual athlete’s wallet and to celebrity too.
Possible Disadvantages for Teams:
It also lifts personal visibility maylead to overlooking the combined input of the entire team to achieve such success.
-Internal Competition: Facebook and other social networks in fact prompt competition within a group of athletes who fight for individual attention and additional Internet fame.
Pressure and Expectations: Since the continuous update of new posts it is often stressful on an athlete attention hence the stress is dealt on the mental aspect of an athlete .
Important Considerations
-Sport Specific Differences: Regarding this it used to differ depending on the specific sport. As we’ve seen in sports like tennis or golf, individual achievement has come very naturally. However, team games as basketball, soccer etc they can average between individual heroism and the group heroism.
-Team Building Techniques: In teams and organizations, social media helps show team morale, unity and the process of achievement.
See less