LOOK EAST POLICY (1992)

LOOK EAST POLICY (1992)
LEP was launched in 1992 just after the end of the Cold War, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. After the start of liberalization, it was a strategic policy decision taken by the government with regard to its foreign policy. In the words of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh "it was also a strategic shift in India's vision of the world and India's place in the evolving global economy".
Reasons for Indias past neglect of Southeast Asia:

1. Indias colonial links

2. Indias ruling elite had an essentially Western orientation and thinking in the post-1947 period.

3. Economically, due to the fact that this region was less developed than India until the 1970s Southeast Asia was not an attractive trading and economic partner.

4. Indias own economic policies were insular and protectionist.

5. India has since realized that its perceptions about this region were flawed.

6. India and the Southeast Asian countries were on opposing sides of the Cold War divide.
Why India launched LEP?
After the Sino-Indian War of 1962, China and India have been strategic competitors in South East Asia. China has cultivated close commercial and military relations with India's neighbor and rival Pakistan and competed for influence in Nepal and Bangladesh. When Deng Xiaoping's came to power in China in 1979, China began reducing threats of expansionism and in turn cultivated extensive trade and economic relations with Asian nations. China became the closest partner and supporter of the military junta of Burma, which had been ostracized from the International community following the violent suppression of pro-democracy activities in 1988.
India's "Look East" policy was developed and enacted during the governments of prime ministers P.V. Narasimha Rao (19911996) and Atal Bihari Vajpayee (19982004). Along with economic liberalisation and moving away from Cold War-era policies and activities, India's strategy has focused on forging close economic and commercial ties, increasing strategic and security cooperation and the emphasis of historic cultural and ideological links. India sought to create and expand regional markets for trade, investments and industrial development. It also began strategic and military cooperation with nations concerned by the expansion of China's economic and strategic influence.
Fundamental objective of Look East Policy (LEP):

1. During the cold war era all the South East Asian countries started to follow Americas cold war politics and military organistation.

2. Hence all the South East Asian counties form a regional organistation known as Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) as China, Japan and Singapore raises its power individually.

3. As a result by 1990s China and America started to influence its development in the South East Asian countries. China involves in Burmese military, economic and political aspects.

4. As a result, South and South East Asian countries become globally central economic power.
Political objective of LEP:

5. As India wanted to play an active role in the emerging ASEAN politics as a great power to counter the China as a balance of power.

2. China factor is a major push factor for India to formulate LEP
Economic objective of LEP:
In the 1990s South East Asian region has been obtaining global economic reforms. Some of the market reforms that India started during that period are:

1. To increase economic growth rate

2. Liberalization of the economy polices in order to attract FDI more into the region

3. To sell more goods in other country

4. Active role in South East Asian region to cultivate or develop more economic relations in order to increase the Indias economic growth rate.
Have the objectives of LEP been achived?
Since the early nineties, there is a increase in the cooperation on all fronts between India and South East Asian region. When India became a nuclear power in 1998, major powers like United States, Japan and many other countries sat up and took note of this important development. ASEAN wanted closer ties with India to balance the influence of China. Singapore played a particularly important role in creating awareness of Indias strategic importance. Significant efforts are done to build good relations with the Southeast Asian countries, but the overall balance sheet during this period is satisfactory.
Why has India failed to utilize its diaspora in Southeast Asia when China has been very successful on this front?
Compared to the Indian diaspora, the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia is much larger, very prosperous and controls significant sections of the economy. It therefore carries considerable clout in Southeast Asia. Indian diaspora is different. Historically, the first Indian immigrants were from the lower strata of society, who were taken from British India to work mostly as plantation workers and agricultural laborers. Similarly, the Indian diaspora in Myanmar is also disadvantaged due to their historical collaboration with the British colonial rulers to rule over Burma. Therefore, India has benefited less than China has from their respective diasporas in Southeast Asia.
What is Chinas role in Southeast Asia and how is it affecting Indias Look East Policy?
China does not favour a strong Indian presence and influence in Southeast Asia. China is aware of the various cultural and spiritual ties that India shares with Southeast Asia, which could naturally attract the two regions to come closer. China knows that India is the only country that could possibly challenge its ascendancy and potential hegemony in Asia, and therefore it makes sense for China to try hard to keep India under pressure. Traditionally, China has been very dismissive of India, which it treats as a mere South Asian player. However, over the last decade or so, the Chinese have been puzzled and intrigued by the steady rate of Indias economic growth and its political stability. So they have no option but to take India more seriously.
Relationship with China:

* While India and China remain strategic rivals, India's "Look East" policy has included significant rapprochement with China.

* Since 1993, India began holding high-level talks with Chinese leaders and established confidence-building measures.

* In 2006, China and India opened the Nathu La pass for cross-border trade for the first time since the 1962 war.

* China's close relations with Pakistan, skepticism about India's annexation of Sikkim, and Chinese claim over Arunachal Pradesh have threatened the improvement in bilateral relations.

* The recent signing of Border Defense Cooperation Agreement would help India to boost ties with China and also it would help each other to country to solve the long standing border issues.

* The conflict between India and China over the South China Sea has been building for almost two years. In October 2011, India signed an agreement with Vietnam to expand and promote oil exploration in the South China Sea. Vietnam, meanwhile, relied upon the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to claim its sovereign rights over the two blocks.
What is the role of NER (North Eastern Region) in Indias LEP:

* Before the launch of LEP India never had a concrete strategy to create an economic hub in its North Eastern Region by exploring the trade and commerce prospects with its ASEAN neighbors.

* Initially, when India launched this policy, the thrust was not set toward the geographical proximity between its NER and Southeast Asia.

* Due to the lack of adequate physical connectivity between Indias Northeast and Southeast Asia is one of the most important factors that hindered the possibilities of developing the regional economic development in this region.

* Myanmar was admitted into ASEAN as full member in 1997, so the development of physical connectivity between NER and Southeast Asia is a prerequisite to utilize the opportunities provided by LEP.

* For the development of NER it is necessary to enhance connectivity infrastructural development like land routes, railways, air connectivity, waterways, energy infrastructure development both in field of hydroelectric and hydrocarbon and telecommunication linkages.

* The important ongoing and potential infrastructure projects in this regard are Moreh-Tamu-Kalewa Road, India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, Trans Asian Highway, India-Myanmar rail linkages, Kaladan Multimodal project, the Stilwell road, Myanmar-India-Bangladesh gas and/or oil pipeline, Tamanthi Hydroelectricity project and optical fiber network between Northeast India and Southeast Asia.
Indias defence ties with ASEAN:
India is steadily increasing the defence ties with South East Asian region through the following ways:

1. regional confidence-building and cooperation mechanisms like

1. the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF),

2. the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Rpbbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) and

3. the MILAN exercises that India holds every alternate year.

2. India is also bilaterally engaged with the ASEAN countries, as well as Japan and South Korea. Areas of cooperation include

4. joint or coordinated naval patrolling,

5. fighting piracy and other maritime security threats, and

6. military, air and naval exercises.

3. Maritime security has become an important priority for India in the light of the frequent terrorist attacks all over the India.
Why Bangladesh and Myanmar is important to India from LEP point of view:

Unfortunately both Bangladesh and Myanmar share the Indias border with the North Eastern Region of India. Since the time of independence India has shown its negelence towards the infrastructural development in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. But for the overall development of NER India has to maintain good relations with both the neighbors Bangladesh and Myanmar. So India should invest more money in Bangladesh and Myanmar. If India can give US$1.2 billion to Afghanistan, which isnt even one of our immediate neighbors, Myanmar and Bangladesh, which are much larger countries, should each get at least the same amount. There is a need to cooperate with both countries on water, energy, transport, drug trafficking, illegal migration and infrastructure and also Regional economic integration. In fact, the Northeast Region, Bangladesh and Myanmar form an integrated whole. Before 1947, the area was thriving but it has now fallen behind and is one of the most undeveloped parts of South Asia. There needs to be more Indian investment in projects in Bangladesh and Myanmar, but this investment should be in projects that are seen as bringing primarily local benefits.
Political relationship between India and ASEAN:

1. The Vision 2020 document makes it clear that the long-term economic development of the Northeast will be achieved through private sector investment.

2. ASEAN admitted India in 1993. Politically, today India is treated as a great and equal power in ASEAN in its associated group.
Example:

1. ARF (ASEAN Regional Form)

2. ASEAN+1
ARF (ASEAN Regional From):

3. Established in 1994

2. Key forum for security dialogue in Asia.

3. It draws together 27 countries [10 ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam), the 10 ASEAN dialogue partners (Australia, Canada, China, the EU, India, Japan, New Zealand, ROK, Russia and the United States), one ASEAN observer (PNG) as well as the DPRK, Mongolia, Pakistan, Timor-Leste, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka] which have a bearing on the security of the Asia Pacific region.

4. It is an intergovernmental forum to discuss all security issues.

5. India along with ARF organized joint naval exercise
ASEAN+1:

3. Annunal summit held by ASEAN

2. Every year ASEAN will invest in one country if it thinks that country is important to it in all aspects

3. China and Japan are also allowed in this summit.

4. India is allowed in this summit in 2001.
Indias relationship with East Asian Countries:
Singapore:

* Called as mother hen of Asia

* Described as hub of ASEAN economy

* INA (India National Army) headquarter was also based in Singapore. During postcolonial period large number of INA volunteers from India preferred to stay back in Thailand and Singapore.

* Singapore is economically forward because of economic reforms imitated by the former Prime Minister Lee Quttien.

* Port infrastructure is a key for foreign investment in Singapore.

* Political relationship:

* From 1992, till now Singapore is a supporter of Indias involvement in ASEAN in all the sectors like economic, cultural and even in military level also.

* Singapore is the first country to support India to join ARF.

* Singapore also supported India to join ASEAN+1 even though China and Indonesia are against India to join ASEAN+1.

* Economic relationship:
Indias trade with Singapore, which accounted for nearly $ 44 million in the past rose to $ 1.5billion in 1992 and is increasing at the rate of 10 per cent per year. India imports engineering goods, oil rigs, palm oil, organic chemicals, glass and telecommunication equipments and exports textiles, spices, fodders, inorganic chemicals, jute, fruits and vegetables.

* Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA):

* Concluded in June 2005

* The CECA with Singapore was the first such agreement to be signed by India with any country.

* It integrates agreements on trade in goods and services, investment protection, and economic cooperation in fields like education, intellectual property and science & technology.

* It also provides Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) that eliminates duplicative testing and certification of products in sectors where there are mandatory technical requirements.

* Reason for mutual support:

* Because of its size

* It is surrounded by China and Japan

* Geo strategic importance on India

* In real estate and IT Singapore and ASEAN countries are interested in investment and development of infrastructure in India.

* Singapore is the only country which India has given its naval base port

* Singapore is also given vizag port for its air facility
Japan:

* It is also called as pacific/ East Asian Country/ far-East country.

* Year 2007 is declared as year of India in Japan by Japanese government.

* Japan is the third largest economy in the world

* Japan attacked British India in 1942 and occupied North Eastern Region

* It is insecure country as it has no standing army (meaning: only civilian police to maintain law and order and there is no battalion force)

* Partnership is based on five pillars of cooperation viz., Political, Defence and Security Cooperation; Comprehensive Economic Partnership; Science & Technology Initiative; People-to-People exchanges and cooperation in Regional/Multilateral fora.

* Strategic partnership agreement:

* Signed in 2000

* Reason for signing the agreement:

1. The growing economic and military power of China

2. Regional instability due to the growth of international piracy

3. The North Korean threat (nuclear testing, ballistic missile launches, technology transfers to Pakistan with whom India has a tense relationship).

* A very important step in strengthening bilateral relations was the introduction of the 2 +2 mechanism for strategic cooperation (involving the ministers of foreign affairs and defense), and regular meetings of senior staff of these ministries.

* The rapprochement of the two countries has also been aided to a large extent by a policy initiated by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, focused on the development of relations with the countries of East Asia (Look East Policy). This convergence acquired particular significance when India and Japan joined together with Brazil and Germany to form the G 4 a union of four countries wishing to obtain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

* Civil nuclear agreement

* India is interested in Japanese civil nuclear technology and plans to build 18 nuclear power plants by 2020, counting on Japanese companies to assist in this endeavour.

* At present, negotiations are actively proceeding to conclude an agreement between the two countries on cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy and joint action in the field of nuclear safety.

* Given the fact that India has not joined the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, has not stopped its nuclear testing program and possesses nuclear weapons, the prospects for further cooperation between the two countries in nuclear energy depend to a large extent on India soon signing and ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

* India has been insisting that its non-proliferation record is impeccable enough to warrant an agreement, but Japan wants India to honour its promise - to impose a ban on further nuclear tests - made in the run-up to the waiver the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) granted it for doing trade in atomic energy.

* For the energy-starved India, an agreement with Japan is important because Japanese companies have a virtual monopoly over the supply of reactor vessels, a critical component of civil nuclear plants.

* Economic relationship

* CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement)

* A type of Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

* Signed in February 2011 and entered into force in August 2012

* This agreement will allow for bilateral trade to reach $25 billion by 2014, up from $4 billion in 2002 and $15 billion in 2011.

Indonesia:

* India with its Look East policy decided to substantially enhance its presence in the region, while Indonesia took the lead in bringing India closer to the ASEAN. The changing strategic landscape of Asia during the post-Cold War era has broadened the canvas of Indias engagement with Indonesia.

* Indonesia is an important source of energy and raw materials for India. Bilateral trade is expected to breach the $20 billion benchmark by 2015.

* Indian investment is spread across a range of areas including banking, mining, oil and gas, iron and steel, aluminium, IT, textiles and telecommunications.

* In 2005 two countries signed the strategic partnership agreement and in 2006 a defence cooperation agreement was announced.
Vietnam:

* Bilateral ties between India and Vietnam have strengthened in recent years with a focus on regional security issues and trade.

* Bilateral trade has also grown since the liberalisation of the Indian and Vietnamese economies, with the trade volume exceeding US $2 billion in 2012, present around $2.7billion and it is targeted to reach $7 billion by 2015.

* Vietnam has sought Indian help in the modernization of its military hardware.

* Naval cooperation between Vietnam and India remains a focus, with Vietnam granting India access to the port of Nha Trang, situated close to the strategically significant naval base at Cam Ranh Bay.
Malaysia:

* Malaysia has supported an Indian presence in ASEAN, and in 2001 also accepted Indias position that the Kashmir issue should be resolved only through bilateral negotiations between India and Pakistan.

* Both the sides have decided to work together to secure the Malacca Straits, and Malaysia has requested Indian help in protecting the Straits from emerging non-traditional security threats in the region.

* Chinas claims over the Spratly Islands remain a source of anxiety for Malaysia.
BIMSTEC:

* Established in 1998

* BIMSTEC is a sub-regional economic grouping involving Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

* This is the first grouping of its kind in which two ASEAN partners have come together with three South Asian Countries for economic cooperation.

* Important areas of cooperation: communications, infrastructure, energy, trade and investment, tourism and fisheries

* Important projects under consideration: Asian Highway Link, Asian Railway Network and a Natural Gas Pipeline Grid. Constituted on the Bay of Bengal Rim,

* Aims at tapping the vast potential of resources, both natural and human in this sub region.

* The primary emphasis is on the exchange of views on sectors such as textiles and clothing, drugs and pharmaceuticals, gems and jewelleries, horticultural and floricultural products and information technology.

* A BIMSTEC chamber of commerce and industry was established and decided that there would be annual meetings of BIMSTEC Economic and Trade ministers to follow up on the implementation of economic cooperation initiatives.

* A BIMSTEC Senior Economic Officials Committee (SEOC) was also established.

* The responsibilities for the various sectors identified for cooperation were delegated amongst the five countries, as follows:
Bangladesh - Trade and investment
India - Technology
Thailand - Transport and Communication
Myanmar - Energy
Sri Lanka - Tourism and Fisheries.

* Five sectors for future cooperation and they were the following:

1. Commodities such as rubber, tea, coffee, coconut and spices.

2. Automotive industries and parts thereof.

3. Processed food.

* The BIMSTEC meeting in Myanmar in December 2001 emphasised the desirability of strengthening linkages among the think tanks of the member countries. They also agreed to explore external financing of Mekong-Ganga Co-operation (MGC), a programme of action involving India and Indo-China states.

* MGC involves India with five ASEAN countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. It is endeavoured to build a road linking Thailand to India through Myanmar.

* MGC wants to go a long way in developing the infrastructure for transnational trade involving Indias northeast border, Myanmar, Mekong region and beyond. Located between India and China, Mekong region is very important for Indias security, peace and trading with East Asian countries.

* The first India-ASEAN Summit, which took place at Phnom Penh in November 2002, had focused attention on relations with the countries in the Mekong region. India extended $ 10 million credit to Cambodia and signed three agreements in the areas of trade, technical education and maintenance of the 1000-year-old Tam Pram Temple.

* India also accorded/ granted greater tariff concessions to Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia. It was considered as an important gesture towards the ASEAN.
by Sushant Kumar Sinha
List of references:

* http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/SR85-SEARPInterview-Sikri1.pdf

* http://carnegieendowment.org/2013/02/26/six-reasons-for-india-to-look-east/fktk

* http://pmindia.nic.in/press-details.php?nodeid=271

* en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look_East_policy

* http://www.dfat.gov.au/arf/

* http://journal-neo.org/2013/08/26/rus-strategicheskoe-partnerstvo-mezhdu-indiej-i-yaponiej/

* http://www.idsa.in/idsacomments/IndiaJapanStrategicPartnership_rnayan_110613

* http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/several-issues-hold-up-civil-nuclear-deal japan/article5122154.ece

* http://www.aii.unimelb.edu.au/sites/default/files/China%20Nadia.pdf

POLICY VS DIPLOMACY: Trysts with Indias Relation with SriLanka

The Human Right violations and War crimes that have happened in Sri Lanka cannot be denied and was very clear as cleanly depicted by channel 4. Although India has voted against SL on the resolution brought by America, position of India during the final stages of Eelam war is still a concern. Recently USA denied visa for Gujarat CM for his alleged involvement in 2002 Gujarat riots. Yet it is comparatively less than Genocides which killed more than 1lakh people in Eelam. Regardless of these allegations, India welcomed SriLankan President with Red Carpet during his visit to Thirupathi Temple. Here we should not ignore the fact that even the rebel group LTTE was blamed of Human Right violations at the beginning of civil war.

India's Foreign Policy

Jawaharlal Nehru was regarded as founding Father of India's National Policy. And Policy even now are still based some of the Foreign policy founded by Dr.Nehru. One of them which is Panch Sheel emphasizes,

1. Opposition to Racial Discrimination

2. Opposition to Military Invention

3. No Military Alliance

4. Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty

5. Mutual non-interference in domestic affairs.

Of course all of the policies have been adhered, in case of Sri Lanka there was a little deviation on some of the points above.

* Opposition to racial discrimination and looking for better relations with SriLanka.

* Military support provided during Eelam war which was agreed by present Minister of state for PMO in an interview and also evident from the training provided to Sri Lankan Army Personnel.

* Indian version of Monroe Doctrine: India had compulsion to intervene in domestic affairs of SriLanka as there was a potential threat of Western influence about to encroach taking the LTTE conflict as advantage. India made India-Lankan Accord to send Peace keeping Force to amicable settle the civil war with some GeoPolitical reasons.

With these situations keeping in mind, there is a doubt arises based on these events. Was Foreign policies compromised because of Geopolitical reasons?

India and SriLanka

India and SriLanka share centuries of culture and history that can be traced back to sangam literature. And so People of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lankan Tamils have ethnic connections that can be felt even today. Not only Tamil Nadu but also people in northern region have cultural link to SriLanka with Lord Ram defeating Raavan in Ramayana.

RajaRaja Chola, One of the greatest empires in southern India annexed Northern SriLanka(and Maldives) and his Son Rajendra chola who had very good Navy annexed entire SriLanka. This shows the strategic place Sri Lanka has got even during medieval period.

Nothing wonder in this modern era of advanced technology in missile, nuclear weapons and arms, the strategic importance of SriLanka has got, especially for India having China and Pakistan as neighbors. Keeping a strategic control in southern region is inevitable and essential for India.

Since people of Tamil Nadu have ethnic relationship with Sri Lanka there was overwhelming support to LTTE in Tamil Nadu. Also there was a secessionist movement against India in Tamil Nadu for Dravida Nadu (Dravida Nadu includes TamilNadu, Kerala, AP, parts of Karnataka, Orissa, Maharashtra and Ceylon). Though it was weakened by State Reorganization Act and subsided through 16th Constitutional Amendment Act, still this can be felt with the people of Tamil Nadu even now.

So the policy decision should be taken in such manner that it has to balance both strategic and domestic interests of India.

The Year, 1991

During the reign of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, India sympathized and supported Tamil Insurrection in Srilanka because of the support they got in Tamil Nadu. This has eventually helped LTTE to develop equal arms and ammunitions against the Govt. of SriLanka This political and geographical support for LTTE can be easily concluded with the arrest and realease of LTTE Leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran in Tamil Nadu in 1982.

The policy of India towards SriLanka abruptly changed after 1991. India sent Peacekeeping Force to SriLanka in 1987 with good intention and to maintain peace in war-trodden SriLanka by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

But this military strategy failed which made LTTE to confront Indian Army itself which eventually lead May, 1991 the hottest summer ever for India after the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi.

This made a volte face in Foreign policy against SriLanka, declaring LTTE as terrorist organization and less intervention towards internal ethnic conflicts in SriLanka. Also India had to develop good relation with Govt. of Sri Lanka afterwards. This has finally led to defeat of LTTE in 2009(having the blame of war crimes and Human Right violations).

Also, before commenting out the political situations and Human Right violations in our southern neighbor, we have to look at our self before pointing fingers at others. India has its own violation of Human Rights in NE and Kashmir as well as at Red Corridor Districts in India. Human Right violations have become the tradeoff for Law and Order in not only India but also in all parts of the world.

Diplomacy with SriLanka

Surely, there was a deviation from our Foreign policy towards Sri Lanka based on these events and India had to compromise this for better Diplomacy with Sri Lanka. Is this correct?

I have discussed this question to one of the IAS Coaching Institutes. The reason given was, Foreign policies are ideal and diplomatic relations are real. Sri Lanka is strategically very important to India. All the neighbors surrounding India are one or other way is having pro-Chinese attitude towards China.

Nepal which is a buffer state between India and China, recently requested China for launching a satellite as it reserved orbital would be expiring by 2015. Pakistan is already a friendly country to China. Bangladesh is based on the ruling party. In Bhutan where India has suzerainty is in a plan to open its doors for better relations with China. Myanmar and Sri Lanka is having huge investments from China and China is also developing ports in sittwe and hambantota in these countries respectively.

Maldives which was having pro-India attitude recently cancelled GMR project and China is also having a port in Marao. So it is important for India to develop good diplomatic relationship with these countries. Even though we have ideal foreign policies, diplomacy is real to have better International relations with the world.

For Example, "No to Nuclear" may be Foreign policy which is ideal but in real, one has to develop itself in nuclear technology for safety and security concerns.

Reader can relate this to the withdrawal of Kerosene subsidy from Bhutan and Importance of Election results in Maldives, Bangladesh and Myanmar to India.

Finally

* It may be true and agreeable with Ideal and Real concepts, but Policy is framed to follow and not to be presumed in our own way. With this debate, is it proper to say, United Nations and its policies were ideal and what USA is blamed on its activities and waging war for its interest using UN is real. Can that be concluded correct for protecting the national interest on the cost of others?

* Being Honest is ideal which everybody knows. Against this if we say the proverb A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first is real, Is this acceptable?

* Policies need to be adhered to and deviation also should be carried in parallel to it and not perpendicular.

* But sometimes this is inevitable to protect the interest of the nation.

* India's Diplomatic relation with Sri Lanka is one such kind.
By R.Muthukumaran

References

* The Hindu

* Wikipedia

POLICY MAKERS=G20 SUMMIT

POLICY MAKERS=G20 SUMMIT
G20 is the annual meet by the top 20 economically rich countries (having 80% total trade volume & 2/3 of population)at global platform to discuss about economic reforms and financially stability and sustainability which is based upon the higher investment ,trust & transparency and on regulation of market polices and practice.
Main motive is to strengthen the growth(growth in a sustainable way =debt free growth) and Development which is implemented through St Petersburg Action Plan= strategies to achieve strong, sustainable and balanced growth and boost economic activities, support the recovery and address near-term risks to the outlook.
MAJOR CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL ECONOMIC-

* Fiscal unsustainability.

* Unemployment and underemployment particular among the young people.

* Cross border tax evasion & erosion due to corruption.

* Inclusive growth=0

* Financial market fragmentation in Europe=impact on money outflow. (in case of developing countries it cause financial tightening ,volatile money outflow ,commodity price volatility)

* Monetary policy stability (as in recent cases due to federal reserve of USA ,monetary policy tighten suddenly causes Rupee depreciation in India).

* Incomplete rebalancing of global demand.

* Insufficient levels of private investment in many countries due to continuing market uncertainties, as well as internal rigidities.
G20 MEETINGS AND THEIR CONCLUSION-

2008- Washington DC(1st meeting)
* provide liquidity, strengthen the capital of financial institutions.
* short-term liquidity facility.
* Promoting Integrity in Financial Markets.
* Reinforcing International Cooperation & Financial Institutions.
* reducing systemic risks in credit derivatives markets.

2009-London
* restore confidence, growth, and jobs.
* repair the financial system to restore lending.
* strengthen financial regulation to rebuild trust.
* reform our international financial institutions to overcome crisis.

2009: Pittsburgh
* Framework for Strong, Sustainable, and Balanced Growth.
* Strengthening the International Financial Regulatory System.
* Reforming in Mission and Governance of the IMF.

2010: Toronto
* Financial Sector Reform.
* International Financial Institutions and Development.
* Fighting Protectionism and Promoting Trade and Investment.
* Capital and Liquidity.
* Financial Market Infrastructure and Scope of Regulation.

2010: Seoul
* Seoul Development Consensus for Shared Growth.
* Fossil Fuel Price Volatility.
* G20 Anti-Corruption Action Plan.
* Multi-Year Action Plan on Development Infrastructure.
* Private Investment and Job Creation assures for regional integration.

2011: Cannes
* Strengthening IMF surveillance.
* Implementing and deepening Financial sector reforms.
* Cannes Action Plan for Jobs and Growth.
* Strengthening the Medium-Term Foundations for Growth.

2012:Los Cabos, Mexico
* green infrastructure, energy and water efficiency.
* financing the fight against climate change.
* Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Plant.


2014 G20 SUMMIT-HOSTED IN TROIKA & AUSTRALIA WILL CHAIR THE G20.


2013 St.Petersburg-IMPLEMENTATION & CONCLUSION .. in detail..


MAJOR IMPLEMENTATION DURING 8TH G20 SUMMIT 2013-
1.GROWTH THROUGH JOBS(in case of INDIA ,JOBS instead of quality jobs is worth ..:D)-
Major contribution of the B20 and the L20.(B20 is the business community for shares in investments and creating new jobs.)

* Improve business environment and stimulate the creation of more jobs.

* To make targeted reforms in product and labour market.

* Government initiatives and policies-(through financial investment & coordination) RECENTLY ministry of labour and employment & ministry of finance came upon to share a platform to make new reforms and create more and more sustainable jobs & growth.

* Improve job quality=working conditions, wage bargaining frameworks through national wage-setting systems, and access to social protection.

* Integrating the national policies => create quality growth through the higher production.

* G20 Task Force on Employment- ways to address labour market and employment challenges & source of information for the economic analyses.
2.FINANCING FOR INVESTMENT=GROWTH RATE INCREASE

* Long term investment=>sustainable growth=>job creation.

* Follow work plan prepared by G20 study group for well-founded, evidence-based policy initiatives.

* Government to promote policies(prudent risk-taking) => promote & encourage institutional investors to finance long term investment.

* Project preparation funds-transparency in the prioritization, planning, and funding of investment projects, especially in infrastructure.

* Public private partnership.

3.ENHANCING MULTILATERAL TRADE=

* Free trade and investment(i.e transparent through WTO)=restoring global growth & sustainable development.(until the end of 2016-being fully committed to further progress in removing barriers and impediments to global trade and investment & to roll back new protectionist measures.) SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES -

WTO Ministerial Conference (MC9) In Bali
* trade facilitation
* elements of agriculture and development issues

Doha Development Agenda negotiations In Doha
* new confidence in successful post-Bali Doha round negotiations.


* Regional trade agreements(RTAs)=advancing towards more transparency in multilateral trade.

* Transparency in Trade (TNT)= which will provide for open use of the trade policy data and analysis system to identify new trade opportunities and facilitate trade flows.
PARTNERS ARE=


* Global Value Chains (Gvcs)= GVCs for growth, industrial structure, development and job creation.


4.HANDLE TAX AVOIDANCE=Promote Transparency

* G20/OECD BEPS project- Reduce artificially shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions.

* Multilateral and bilateral exchange of information.

* The Development Working Group in conjunction with the Finance Track.
5. INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ARCHITECTURE-

* ratification of the 2010 IMF Quota and Governance Reform

* IMF-RFA cooperation(International Mutual Funds Regional Financing Arrangement)=>Financial Ministry and Central Banks to follow such norms.

* Public Debt Management-need for raising, managing, and retiring public debt, including on state guarantees.

* IMF-World Bank Debt Sustainability =Framework for Low-Income Countries=> promote sustainable financing and sustainable growth and development through appropriate channels.

* local currency bond markets (LCBMs).
6. Promoting Development=adopted at Seoul Multi-Year Action Plan on Development (MYAP) in 2010

* strong, sustainable, inclusive and resilient growth and narrowing the development gap.

1. Food Security=>1.Secure Nutrition Knowledge Platform.
2.Food Security through Social Safety Nets & Risk Management.

* Infrastructure-Assessment of Project Preparation Facilities (PPFs) for Infrastructure in Africa.

* Financial Inclusion-Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) to strengthen financial inclusion.

* Human Resource Development-Global Public-Private knowledge sharing platform on skills for employment.

* Inclusive Green Growth-G20 Dialogue Platform on Inclusive Green Investments for sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Saint Petersburg Accountability Report on G20 Development Commitments= progressive achievement

NAME-ANAM SINGLA

REFERENCE - G20 LEADERS DECLARATION 2013(case study)
EUCO press report
B20G20 PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH AND JOBS (case study)