July 2022 and January 2023 Sessions
INDIA AND THE WORLD (MPSE-001)
Answer five questions in all, selecting at least two questions from each section. Answer each question in about 500 words. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION –I
India and Central Asia share a long history of cultural, economic, and political linkages that can be traced back to the ancient Silk Road trading routes. In modern times, India and the Central Asian countries have developed bilateral relations that cover various areas of cooperation such as economic, political, and security.
Historically, Central Asia was a major center of trade and culture along the ancient Silk Road. India was one of the primary trading partners of Central Asia, as it served as a gateway to Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Indian merchants traded spices, textiles, and other commodities with the Central Asian kingdoms, which in turn traded silk, horses, and precious stones.
In the post-Soviet era, India has sought to rekindle its historical ties with Central Asia. India’s ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy, launched in 2012, aims to deepen its engagement with the five Central Asian republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This policy has focused on enhancing economic, cultural, and security cooperation with the Central Asian nations.
Economic cooperation is a significant aspect of India’s engagement with Central Asia. India has been focusing on energy cooperation with Central Asia, given the region’s vast oil and gas reserves. In 2017, India joined the Ashgabat Agreement, which provides for the establishment of an international transport and transit corridor between Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This agreement has provided India with a new trade route to Central Asia and Europe, bypassing Pakistan and Afghanistan.
India has also been providing technical assistance and capacity building support to Central Asian countries in various sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and IT. India’s development assistance to the region includes the establishment of the India-Central Asia Development Group, which provides technical assistance to the five Central Asian republics in priority areas such as trade, investment, and infrastructure.
Security cooperation is another important aspect of India’s engagement with Central Asia. The two regions have shared concerns regarding terrorism, extremism, and drug trafficking. India has been working closely with the Central Asian nations to enhance regional security cooperation through various mechanisms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the CICA (Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia) process.
In conclusion, India and Central Asia share a long history of cultural, economic, and political linkages that have been renewed in modern times. Economic cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, has been a significant area of engagement between the two regions. India has also been providing technical assistance and capacity building support to the Central Asian nations, and security cooperation has been another important aspect of India’s engagement with the region. India’s ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy reflects its commitment to deepening its engagement with the region and strengthening its historical ties with Central Asia.
2. Trace the evolution of India’s relations with South-east Asia bringing out the main features of the relationship.
India’s relationship with Southeast Asia dates back to ancient times, when Indian traders established commercial and cultural links with the region. In modern times, India’s engagement with Southeast Asia has been shaped by various historical, geopolitical, and economic factors.
During the colonial era, India’s relationship with Southeast Asia was largely defined by British colonialism. British India was used as a launching pad for the colonization of Southeast Asia, and the region became an important source of raw materials and a market for British manufactured goods. India’s nationalist movement was inspired by the anti-colonial struggles of Southeast Asian nations such as Indonesia and Vietnam.
After India gained independence in 1947, it began to assert its own foreign policy priorities, which included building closer ties with Southeast Asia. India’s ‘Look East’ policy, launched in the early 1990s, aimed to deepen India’s engagement with Southeast Asia and promote regional economic integration.
India’s relationship with Southeast Asia is built on a foundation of shared cultural and historical ties. Indian culture has had a profound influence on Southeast Asian culture, particularly in the areas of language, religion, and art. Buddhism and Hinduism spread to Southeast Asia from India, and many Southeast Asian languages are derived from Indian languages such as Sanskrit and Pali.
Economic cooperation is a significant aspect of India’s engagement with Southeast Asia. India has sought to increase its trade and investment ties with the region, particularly with the ten ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. The India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2009, has helped to boost trade and investment flows between India and ASEAN.
India’s engagement with Southeast Asia has also been driven by strategic considerations. The region is seen as an important partner for India in countering China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region. India has been working with Southeast Asian countries to promote regional security and stability, particularly in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism.
India has also been providing technical assistance and capacity building support to Southeast Asian nations in various sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and IT. India’s development assistance to the region includes the establishment of the India-ASEAN Development Partnership Fund, which provides funding for projects in priority areas such as connectivity, trade, and infrastructure.
India’s relationship with Southeast Asia has evolved over time, reflecting changing geopolitical and economic realities. India’s ‘Act East’ policy, launched in 2014, represents a continuation of its efforts to deepen its engagement with Southeast Asia and promote regional economic integration. The policy aims to build on the gains made under the ‘Look East’ policy and expand India’s cooperation with the region in areas such as connectivity, trade, and security.
In conclusion, India’s relationship with Southeast Asia has been shaped by shared cultural and historical ties, as well as economic and strategic considerations. India has sought to increase its trade and investment ties with the region, promote regional security and stability, and provide technical assistance and capacity building support to Southeast Asian nations. India’s ‘Act East’ policy reflects its commitment to deepening its engagement with Southeast Asia and promoting regional economic integration.
3. Briefly describe international humanitarian laws and UN concerns for promotion and protection of human rights in India.
International humanitarian law (IHL) refers to the body of international law that regulates armed conflict and seeks to protect individuals who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities, including civilians, prisoners of war, and the wounded and sick. The primary sources of IHL include the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their two Additional Protocols of 1977.
In India, the promotion and protection of human rights are enshrined in the Constitution of India and various laws and policies. India is also a signatory to several international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
However, there have been concerns raised by the United Nations (UN) regarding the implementation of these laws and policies in India. Some of the main concerns include:
Extrajudicial Killings: There have been reports of extrajudicial killings by security forces in India, particularly in conflict-affected areas such as Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast region. The UN has called for investigations and accountability for these killings.
Use of Torture: There have been reports of torture and ill-treatment by security forces in India, particularly in conflict-affected areas. The UN has called for the prohibition of torture and the implementation of measures to prevent and punish such acts.
Violence Against Women: There have been concerns raised about the high incidence of violence against women in India, including sexual violence and domestic violence. The UN has called for measures to prevent and address violence against women, including through the implementation of effective legal frameworks.
Rights of Dalits and Indigenous Peoples: There have been concerns raised about discrimination against Dalits (formerly known as "untouchables") and indigenous peoples in India. The UN has called for measures to protect the rights of these groups, including through the implementation of affirmative action policies.
Freedom of Expression: There have been concerns raised about restrictions on the freedom of expression in India, including through the use of sedition laws and restrictions on media freedom. The UN has called for the protection of the right to freedom of expression and the repeal of laws that restrict this right.
In conclusion, while India has a strong legal framework for the protection and promotion of human rights, there are concerns raised by the UN regarding the implementation of these laws and policies. These concerns include extrajudicial killings, use of torture, violence against women, discrimination against Dalits and indigenous peoples, and restrictions on the freedom of expression. It is important for the Indian government to take measures to address these concerns and ensure the protection and promotion of human rights for all its citizens.
SECTION –II
Write a short note on each part in about 250 words.
6. a) Challenges of Nehruvian model of foreign policy
b) Role of interest groups in India’s foreign policy process
a) The Nehruvian model of foreign policy was based on the principles of non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, and promotion of global disarmament. However, there were several challenges that this model faced, including:
Cold War Dynamics: The Nehruvian model of non-alignment was designed to avoid alignment with either of the superpowers during the Cold War. However, this proved to be challenging as India faced pressure from both the United States and the Soviet Union to align with them.
Domestic Political Considerations: The Nehruvian model of foreign policy was closely linked to domestic politics in India. However, the domestic political climate was often unstable, and this made it difficult to maintain a consistent foreign policy.
Economic Constraints: The Nehruvian model of foreign policy was based on the principle of self-reliance, which meant that India was often isolated from the global economy. This had negative consequences for India's economic development and limited its ability to engage with the rest of the world.
Regional Challenges: The Nehruvian model of foreign policy faced challenges from regional powers, including China and Pakistan. The border dispute with China and the ongoing conflict with Pakistan have had a significant impact on India's foreign policy.
b) Interest groups play an important role in shaping India's foreign policy. These groups can be divided into two categories: domestic interest groups and diaspora interest groups.
Domestic interest groups include business groups, civil society organizations, and political parties. These groups often have a specific agenda and may lobby the government to adopt policies that are favorable to their interests. For example, business groups may lobby the government to negotiate trade agreements that benefit their industries.
Diaspora interest groups include Indian communities living abroad. These groups often have strong ties to their home country and may lobby the Indian government to adopt policies that are favorable to their interests. For example, Indian Americans have lobbied the Indian government to improve relations with the United States and to take steps to improve the rights of Indian Americans living in the US.
Interest groups can influence India's foreign policy in several ways. They may provide expertise and information to policymakers, lobby government officials, and influence public opinion. However, interest groups may also have competing interests, and this can lead to conflicts over foreign policy priorities. It is important for the Indian government to balance the interests of various groups and adopt policies that are in the best interest of the country as a whole.
7. a) Global implications of India and Pakistan nuclear tests 1998
b) Role of the Ministry of External Affairs in Indian foreign policy making.
a) The nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan in 1998 had significant global implications. These tests not only marked the nuclearization of South Asia but also escalated the arms race in the region. It led to international condemnation and imposition of economic sanctions by the United States and other countries.
The tests also raised concerns about the possibility of nuclear war in the region, which could have catastrophic consequences for not only India and Pakistan but also for the entire world. The international community recognized the need for disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, leading to renewed efforts to strengthen the existing international regimes for nuclear non-proliferation.
The tests also had an impact on the geopolitics of the region, with India and Pakistan becoming more assertive in their foreign policies. The tests further strained the already fragile relationship between the two countries, leading to increased tensions and periodic military confrontations. The international community played a crucial role in defusing the tensions between India and Pakistan, with various peace initiatives and confidence-building measures being undertaken.
b) The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) plays a critical role in shaping India's foreign policy. The MEA is responsible for formulating and implementing India's foreign policy, with the aim of safeguarding national interests and promoting economic development and regional and global stability.
The MEA operates through a network of diplomatic missions and consular offices across the world and engages in bilateral and multilateral negotiations and discussions to advance India's interests. The MEA also coordinates with other government agencies, such as the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Commerce, to ensure a coherent and comprehensive approach to foreign policy.
The MEA is also responsible for managing India's relations with international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the International Atomic Energy Agency. It plays a crucial role in promoting India's agenda on issues such as climate change, terrorism, and disarmament, among others.
In summary, the MEA is a key player in shaping India's foreign policy and advancing its national interests on the global stage. It operates through a network of diplomatic missions and consular offices and engages in bilateral and multilateral negotiations to promote India's agenda.