India needs federal foreign policy?
(Since most state share an international boundary, they need to be involved and external affairs that affect them)
* The people of any country have a right to advocate and push for particular foreign and security policy.
* But in India much diverse environment, since our linguistic, ethnic, religious , ideological division of every state and region.
* This diverse country must have a single foreign policy and its execution must be the responsibility of federal government.
Why India needs federal foreign policy?
* Since from last 2-3 decades, there was no one party government at the center level. Therefore union government has been taking the form coalition with regional or state parties, they have become vulnerable to party or sectional pressure which often takes the form of pure blackmail.
Some recent examples:
1. DMKs withdrawal from UPA government Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam wanted the UPA government to pilot a resolution in the United Nations demanding an international probe into alleged war crimes tantamount to genocide in Sri Lanka.
2. AIADMKs proposal- The Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa joining a fray, the demands escalated :
1. A boycott of the Commonwealth Heads of Government summit to be held later this year.
2. A ban on Sri Lankan players in IPL.
3. An assembly resolution asking the union government to get the UN to create a separate Eelam in Sri Lanka.
4. To retrieve the decision of Kachchatheevu Island, this was given to Sri Lanka with a special accord in 1974.
3. In 2008 left pulled out from UPA-I coalition it opposed the Indo-U.S civil nuclear deal because : a) its belief that nothing could come out of an agreement with imperialist
America.
b) As its attempt to clock the decision in the grab of attacking America for its anti- Muslim policies.
1. West Bengal CM and then UPA coalition partner, Mamata Banerjee, opposed the river water agreement with Bangladesh in September 2011, on the eve of Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs visit to Dhaka; the Union Government was forced to call off the signing of a pact that would have ratified a formula for sharing the waters of the Teesta with Bangladesh.
2. Narendra Modi suddenly jumped into the Sir creek on the eve of Gujarat election. In letter to PM, Mr. Modi said that not only should India hand over the Creek to Pakistan, it should stop any dialogue.
Consequences of above issues:
1. In Sri Lanka, the government of India has had to balance its policies to ensure that Colombo does not drift towards Beijing and Islamabad. There also is the question of pushing resolution on the territorial issue of other countries, having burnt our hands on the Kashmir issue.
2. As for the Teesta issue, there were expectations that in exchange for the river waters treaty, Bangladesh would sign an agreement giving India transit to its landlocked north-eastern state. Clearly, while West Bengal may have notionally given up something, there was advantage of the greater good that would accrue, not only for the north- eastern states but West Bengal as well.
3. In the case of nuclear deal, too, the net gainer was India. It was the US which had to abandon its sanction regime against us and agree to allow civil nuclear commerce to resume with India. Given the balance of power in the international system, it was a deal only the US could pilot not Franc, China, or Russia through all of them had to finally put their stamp on it through the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
4. In Gujarat, the boundary between India and Pakistan on Sir Creek remains disputed and, as a result, the maritime boundary between two countries has yet to be finalized. In this sense, India and Pakistan are both losers, not only because no one will invest in exploiting the natural resources from a disputed area, but also because they will lose out on the extended exclusive economic zone they can get under UN convention on the laws of seas.
Some small issues:
1. We have seen how the politics of Kerala has impinged on a foreign affairs issue relating to two Italian marines.
2. There is Jammu and Kashmir which still complains about the shrift it got on the matter of river water when Union government signed the Indus Water treaty with Pakistan.
3. As for waters, the chief ministers of Bihar and Assam too have important issues which impinge on our relation with Nepal and China.
Take example of U.S.:
Among the various governmental system, the US is one in which the interests of its federal constituents are taken into in the formation and exercise of foreign and security policies. This was part of the large and small State compromise that resulted in its constitution. This enables its upper chamber, the senate to be the lead house on foreign policy issue ratifying international agreement, approving appointment of envoy and so on.
Intersection:
Barring Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, all Indian states share borders with other countries, or with international waters of the sea. In that sense, they have intersect or issue that may intersect with the foreign and security policies of the country.
Conclusion:
If India wants to be a leader in the world, then it should lead the region first, increase cooperation in region and maintain peace and tranquility in border areas irrespective the state.
Sources:
1. Self-written notes from The Hindu.
2. URL of a special article : http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/india-needs-a-federal-foreign-policy/article4591675.ece
3. News analysis from The Hindu and Indian Express.
Declaration:
I hereby declare that the information given above is true to the best of my knowledge & belief and not copied from any Magazine or coaching class except newspapers.
: Dashrath Hembade
.
Name and Address:
Dashrath Laxman Hembade,
Showing posts with label Sri Lanka. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sri Lanka. Show all posts
Monday, January 13, 2014
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
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
India-Srilanka
India-Srilanka
Friday, January 25, 2013
12:38 PM
India Srilanka relation- Issue on Katchatheevu
Katchatheevu Island- Disputed island between India and Sri Lanka. Now the island is part of the Sri Lanka. Before 19
Timelines
Before 1974The both side had claimed sovereignty over this island. The island was part of the Tamil Nadu
1974 and 1976Under the this treaties , The island is part of the Sri Lank
After 1976India has not asserted its claim while Sri lanka has continuously maintained control of the Island.
2013Tamil Nadus political parties has asked the centre govt. for retake possession of island as part of India territory. Tamil Nadu has invoked claim after the fisherman of TN are harassed by Sri Lankan Fisherman.
Possibility for India to retake possesion of Island
Lets see posibility on two angel:
1. Domestic law point of view
2. Internation angel (Vienna Convention)
Domestic law point of view:
As per Indian constitution, The ceding of Indian Territory requires constitutional amendment by parliament. Thus, Alienation of any part of the territory of Tamil Nadu requires an amendment of the first schedule to constitution. Both sides have entered into treaties but India has not given effect to ceding of Indian territory to Sri Lanka thriugh constitutional amendment. We can ascertain that the cceding of India territory to Sri Lanka should be considered invalid.
The pettion has filed in Supreme court argued same position. Now The supreme court can order the govt. to retake possession Indian territory from Sri Lanka. But the rulling of SC will not have binding effect on Sri Lanka. Because of two reasons:
1. Sri Lanka is Sovereign State, is immune from from the jurisdiction of the Indian Court.
2. Any such order will amount to the judiciary dictating foreign policy and should be avoided.
International Angel:
Suppose, India govt. can draw the Sri Lanka to International court. The argument of India over island would be weak. Because of the following reasons:
1. Both the treaties state that they are subject to ratification. It would not be part of concern for not giving effect of treaties in India through constitutional amendment. It is matter of domestic law. Ratification of treaty by both sides means it is entered into force.
2. Vienna Convention on law of Ratification: State may not invoke domestic law to avoid treaty obligation
3. Qatar Vs Bahraine issue in International Court of Justice on maritime delimination and territory question clarified that non compliance with a ratification requirement in domestic law does not invalidate treaty
4. Cambodia Vs Thialand issue in ICJ on temple preah vihear suggested that India has not asserted its claim while Sri Lanka has continuously maintained control of the island. Such silence of the one the disputed parties in territorial dispute has been construed as a abandonment of its claim in favour of other parties.
India-Sri Lanka Relation on 13th amendment
The 13th constitutional amendment of Sri Lanka was key point India-Sri Lanka relation made in 1987. The Rajiv Gandhi of India and Jayawarden of Sri Lanka has made agreement under the 13th constitutional amendment. The 13th constitutional amendment attempted to resolve the Sri lankas Ethnic Conflict.
The 13th constitutional amendment was directly result of Ind0-Sri Lanka Accord. The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was international agreement between India and Sri Lanka under the International law. The Treaty Acknowledges that Sri Lanka is a multiethnic and multilingual plural society. Some provisions:
1. Meager of North and East provinces of Sri Lanka
2. Provide of provincial council with legislative power and executive council with executive power
3. Devolve power including on land and police
Under the agreement, The Sri Lanka is devolving power to provinces including north and east provinces dominated by Tamils. The Sri Lanka government is committed to implement provision in letter and spirit.
1998-The provincial council of north-eastern was constituted to give effect of 13th amendment
2000-The provincial council was dissolved
2006-The Supreme court of sri Lanka considered the process of meargin was flawless
2008- the council of east province was reconstituted but not north council. So the north province was deprived of their right of freedom and self-government
The Indian Government has dismayed by report suggesting that the Sri Lanka government is going to dilute provision of 13th amendment. The sri Lanka revealed agenda to restrict autonomous power of North east province by following ways:
1. Repeal constitutional provision granting people freedom to determine Administrative boundaries
2. Amend Constitution-So permit the central government to freely and arbitrarily legislate on provincial matters without the consent of people of particular province
3. Remove altogether provincial power over land and police
Why Do Sri Lanka Tamil and National Tamil Alliance oppose the dilution of 13th constitutional amendment?
1. Provide for mearger-so substantially provide bulwark against the domination of majority over Tamil minority
2. Provide some level of potential of self-government-it means Tamils could potentially have decision making power over Tamil Issues.
3. Guarantees to the minorities in Sri lanka that their Status as regional decision making will not be diluted through demographic manipulation
Why India opposes diluting 13th amendment?
1. Strong cultural, Social and linguistic bound between Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamils of South India. Indias long standing interest and concern for the well being and protection of the right of Sri Lankan Tamils
2. Dilution means Breach Sri Lankas international treaty obligation
3. Increase Tension in Sri Lanka-Hurt progress and development to boundary regions
Indias decisive response now to oppose any dilution of 13th amendment is both morally necessary and politically imperative. Indias principle stand on this issue will reinforce its international reputation as global power and the largest democratic in the world
Dipak Patel
Friday, January 25, 2013
12:38 PM
India Srilanka relation- Issue on Katchatheevu
Katchatheevu Island- Disputed island between India and Sri Lanka. Now the island is part of the Sri Lanka. Before 19
Timelines
Before 1974The both side had claimed sovereignty over this island. The island was part of the Tamil Nadu
1974 and 1976Under the this treaties , The island is part of the Sri Lank
After 1976India has not asserted its claim while Sri lanka has continuously maintained control of the Island.
2013Tamil Nadus political parties has asked the centre govt. for retake possession of island as part of India territory. Tamil Nadu has invoked claim after the fisherman of TN are harassed by Sri Lankan Fisherman.
Possibility for India to retake possesion of Island
Lets see posibility on two angel:
1. Domestic law point of view
2. Internation angel (Vienna Convention)
Domestic law point of view:
As per Indian constitution, The ceding of Indian Territory requires constitutional amendment by parliament. Thus, Alienation of any part of the territory of Tamil Nadu requires an amendment of the first schedule to constitution. Both sides have entered into treaties but India has not given effect to ceding of Indian territory to Sri Lanka thriugh constitutional amendment. We can ascertain that the cceding of India territory to Sri Lanka should be considered invalid.
The pettion has filed in Supreme court argued same position. Now The supreme court can order the govt. to retake possession Indian territory from Sri Lanka. But the rulling of SC will not have binding effect on Sri Lanka. Because of two reasons:
1. Sri Lanka is Sovereign State, is immune from from the jurisdiction of the Indian Court.
2. Any such order will amount to the judiciary dictating foreign policy and should be avoided.
International Angel:
Suppose, India govt. can draw the Sri Lanka to International court. The argument of India over island would be weak. Because of the following reasons:
1. Both the treaties state that they are subject to ratification. It would not be part of concern for not giving effect of treaties in India through constitutional amendment. It is matter of domestic law. Ratification of treaty by both sides means it is entered into force.
2. Vienna Convention on law of Ratification: State may not invoke domestic law to avoid treaty obligation
3. Qatar Vs Bahraine issue in International Court of Justice on maritime delimination and territory question clarified that non compliance with a ratification requirement in domestic law does not invalidate treaty
4. Cambodia Vs Thialand issue in ICJ on temple preah vihear suggested that India has not asserted its claim while Sri Lanka has continuously maintained control of the island. Such silence of the one the disputed parties in territorial dispute has been construed as a abandonment of its claim in favour of other parties.
India-Sri Lanka Relation on 13th amendment
The 13th constitutional amendment of Sri Lanka was key point India-Sri Lanka relation made in 1987. The Rajiv Gandhi of India and Jayawarden of Sri Lanka has made agreement under the 13th constitutional amendment. The 13th constitutional amendment attempted to resolve the Sri lankas Ethnic Conflict.
The 13th constitutional amendment was directly result of Ind0-Sri Lanka Accord. The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was international agreement between India and Sri Lanka under the International law. The Treaty Acknowledges that Sri Lanka is a multiethnic and multilingual plural society. Some provisions:
1. Meager of North and East provinces of Sri Lanka
2. Provide of provincial council with legislative power and executive council with executive power
3. Devolve power including on land and police
Under the agreement, The Sri Lanka is devolving power to provinces including north and east provinces dominated by Tamils. The Sri Lanka government is committed to implement provision in letter and spirit.
1998-The provincial council of north-eastern was constituted to give effect of 13th amendment
2000-The provincial council was dissolved
2006-The Supreme court of sri Lanka considered the process of meargin was flawless
2008- the council of east province was reconstituted but not north council. So the north province was deprived of their right of freedom and self-government
The Indian Government has dismayed by report suggesting that the Sri Lanka government is going to dilute provision of 13th amendment. The sri Lanka revealed agenda to restrict autonomous power of North east province by following ways:
1. Repeal constitutional provision granting people freedom to determine Administrative boundaries
2. Amend Constitution-So permit the central government to freely and arbitrarily legislate on provincial matters without the consent of people of particular province
3. Remove altogether provincial power over land and police
Why Do Sri Lanka Tamil and National Tamil Alliance oppose the dilution of 13th constitutional amendment?
1. Provide for mearger-so substantially provide bulwark against the domination of majority over Tamil minority
2. Provide some level of potential of self-government-it means Tamils could potentially have decision making power over Tamil Issues.
3. Guarantees to the minorities in Sri lanka that their Status as regional decision making will not be diluted through demographic manipulation
Why India opposes diluting 13th amendment?
1. Strong cultural, Social and linguistic bound between Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamils of South India. Indias long standing interest and concern for the well being and protection of the right of Sri Lankan Tamils
2. Dilution means Breach Sri Lankas international treaty obligation
3. Increase Tension in Sri Lanka-Hurt progress and development to boundary regions
Indias decisive response now to oppose any dilution of 13th amendment is both morally necessary and politically imperative. Indias principle stand on this issue will reinforce its international reputation as global power and the largest democratic in the world
Dipak Patel
The Sri Lankan Conundrum
A quick Rejoinder:
Sri Lanka has been inhabited by both Tamils and Sinhalese for more than two millennia now. Though native Sri Lankan Tamils are distinct in many ways from the Sinhalese, studies show that both are related ethnically.
Sri Lankan Tamils can be broadly divided into 2 categories 1.Native Sri Lankan Tamils who have lived for more than two millennia and 2.Plantation Tamils who were brought by the British to Sri Lanka from India to work in the tea plantations around the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Sri Lankan Tamils also show some genetic similarities to Indian Tamils.
Anatomy of a Crisis:
The current tension between Sri Lankan Tamils and the Sinhalese is relatively recent and its origins can be traced to the post-Independence period. Sri Lanka gained Independence from Britain in 1948 and ever since, tensions have exacerbated between the two ethnic communities. There is also a point of view that the tensions between them go much further back in time and that the two communities have never been at peace with each other.
Indo-Sri Lanka Accord & the 13th Amendment:
The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was a diplomatic agreement between India & Sri Lanka signed by Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi & Sri Lankan President JR Jayawardene in 1987 (hence it is also known as the Rajiv-Jayawardene Accord). It was Indias first attempt at demonstrating its military might overseas; post the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The broad objectives of the accord were
1. Protect the interests of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.
2. Repatriation of Indian citizens in Sri Lanka & Sri Lankan citizens in India to their respective countries.
3. Elections to the Provincial councils to be held with Indian observers.
4. Deployment of an Indian Peace-keeping Contingent to guarantee and enforce the cessation of hostilities between the Sri Lankan Army and Tamil militants.
The 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution (referred to simply as
The 13th Amendment) was a direct outcome of the Indo-Sri Lankan accord. According to this
1. The Northern & Eastern provinces were to be merged based on a referendum of the people living there.
2. Legislative powers to be granted to the Provinces via provincial councils & executive powers via a Board of Ministers & Chief Minister.
3. Power to be devolved to the provinces.
Why the IPKF was a failure
The Indian Peace-Keeping Force was deployed in Sri Lanka with an objective to guarantee and enforce the cessation of hostilities between the Sri Lankan Army & Tamil militants. This, unlike the case of Bangladesh, was a rather vague objective. In the case of Bangladesh, the then East Pakistan had descended into civil war. The West Pakistan Army was involved in major atrocities in East Pakistan leading to a major humanitarian crisis as a result of which almost 10 million East Pakistanis fled to India8.
However, in Sri Lanka, no such crisis existed when the IPKF was deployed. Moreover, its role was not clearly defined and was continuously changing. In a short span of time, the IPKFs role changed from peace-keeping to peace-enforcing (which meant suppression of the LTTE in collaboration with the Sri Lankan forces). The local Tamil population which initially viewed the presence of the IPKF favourably now turned hostile to it, with the people actively providing inputs to the LTTE. This resulted in a large number of casualties to the IPKF. Back home in India too, the IPKFs actions turned the people of Tamil Nadu against it. Finally, at the request of President Premadasa, the IPKF finally left Sri Lanka a failed mission that was never clearly defined that left more than 1200 Indian soldiers dead.
It is also pertinent to note that the Jain Commission, which was set up to inquire into Rajiv Gandhis assassination, observed that the LTTE had previously received arms training in India in the early 1980s.
Was Indian intervention justified?
Indias intervention in Sri Lankas fight with the LTTE has been an issue of much controversy. Indias actions, though well-intentioned, left much to be desired in the form of intervention that left a bitter aftertaste both within India and Sri Lanka. Indias intervention in Sri Lanka was chiefly formulated by its successful intervention in Bangladesh in 1971, however there were a few key differences that were overlooked.
* The IPKF was not a humanitarian intervention as it was the result of a Diplomatic agreement between two nations.
* The IPKF broke its peace-keeping mission when it got involved in major military operations against LTTE.
Ultimately, Indias intervention in Sri Lanka was a major failure resulting in not only the death of 1200 Indian soldiers, but also the assassination of a former Indian Prime Minister. Internationally too, India lost much support owing to its intervention.
Rajiv Gandhis death:
Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, was assassinated by the LTTE on May 21, 1991 when he was campaigning for the Congress party for the upcoming General Elections in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai. The Special Investigation Team appointed to probe the death concluded that the LTTE carried out the suicide bombing both to avenge Rajiv Gandhis deployment of the IPKF in 1987 as well as his election promise that he would re-deploy the IPKF to disarm the LTTE if he returned to power in the subsequent elections.
Premadasas death:
Barely 2 years after Rajiv Gandhis assassination, Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa was killed by an LTTE suicide bomber. He was instrumental in getting the IPKF to withdraw from Sri Lanka. A Sri Lankan Presidential Commission9 set up to inquire into the death of a senior Sri Lankan army officer, Lt Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa, also concluded that President Premadasa had himself supplied arms to the LTTE to fight the IPKF.
LTTE meets its fate:
President Mahinda Rajapakses brother & Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, Sarath Fonseka led the countrys armed forces in the battle against the LTTE, ultimately defeating them and killing Vellupillai Prabhakaran, LTTEs self-styled supremo in May 2009, thus bringing to an end more than two decades of one of the bloodiest insurgencies in the world.
Human Rights Violations & the UN Resolution:
According to the Report of the (United Nations) Secretary-General's Panel of Experts on Accountability10 in Sri Lanka, the armed forces committed serious war crimes in the last months of the war (in 2009), including the death of more than 40,000 civilians who died from shelling and bombings as well as cold blooded executions.
"The major human rights problems were attacks on and harassment of civil society activists, persons viewed as LTTE sympathisers, and journalists by persons allegedly tied to the government, creating an environment of fear and self-censorship, involuntary disappearances as well as lack of accountability," the US State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012 said6.
In March 2013, the United Nations passed a resolution in the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva criticizing the Sri Lankan human rights record and encouraged Sri Lanka to conduct an independent & credible investigation into alleged war crimes.
India was among the 25 countries that voted for this resolution which was sponsored by the USA. Notably, Pakistan, and China voted against the resolution in support of Sri Lanka.
The Scenario Today
Dilution of the 13th Amendment
The Sri Lankan government recently announced proposals to curb some of the powers granted to the Provinces in accordance with the 13th Amendment. This has met with widespread opposition both within Sri Lanka as well as internationally, specifically India.
Why SL Tamils/Tamil National Alliance (TNA) oppose the Dilution of the 13th Amendment:
1. It provides a bulwark against majority domination of minority Tamils.
2. It gives minorities, especially Tamils, some level of self-governance. Under this, Provinces (and not the Centre) have some authority on citizens' lives.
3. It provides some guarantees to minorities that their status as regional decision-makers wont be diluted through demographic manipulation of areas of historical habitation of Tamil-speaking people.
Why India opposes the dilution:
1. India feels it (the dilution) is unjust & undemocratic. Though India respects Sri Lanka's sovereignty, it is bound by historical ties to the island nation.
2. Dilution would mean going back on the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, an agreement between two sovereign nations. It would mean violation of International Treaty Obligations.
3. Increased minority discontent & tensions would have strong repercussions in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, which has much support for the Tamil cause.
Elections in the Northern Province
Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka were created in 1988 as a direct consequence of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, which also required the merger of the Eastern & Northern Provinces into one administrative unit. In September 1988, President Jayewardene issued proclamations enabling the Northern & Eastern Provinces to be one administrative unit, creating the North Eastern Province. Elections were held later in 1988 which were won by a secessionist party. Subsequently, the Chief Minister of the North Eastern Province, Annamalai Varadaraja Perumal, moved a motion in the North Eastern Provincial Council declaring an independent Eelam. President Premadasa reacted by dissolving the provincial council and imposing direct rule on the province.
The first elections to the Northern Province after 1988 were held on September 21, 2013. These were won by the Tamil National Alliance, an amalgamation of moderate Tamil parties and former LTTE sympathizers. C.V.Wigneswaran, former judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka will be the new Chief Minister of the Northern Province.
Conclusions
The Provincial Council Elections that were recently conducted in Sri Lanka are a major step forward in the integration of Tamils into mainstream Sri Lankan nationhood. Yet, this is just the first of many steps that the Sri Lankan Government must take to achieve this integration. The Sri Lankan Govt must also consider setting up a War Crimes Tribunal to bring to book the perpetrators of the atrocities committed on Tamils towards the conclusion of the war.
For Indias part, while it is important for us to actively monitor and aid in the resettlement of Tamils currently in camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), it is imperative that we respect Sri Lankas sovereignty.
India is currently involved in the construction of 50,000 houses in Sri Lanka as part of its aid in the post-war reconstruction11 of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Govt must foster the redevelopment of a people weary after almost three decades of war and actively involve them in administrative decisions.
Only such inclusive efforts will help build trust and lead to a long term solution to the problem of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
References:
1. Shekhar Guptas articles in Indian Express
2. Sri Lanka: The Untold Story - http://www.sangam.org/ANALYSIS/AsiaTimes.htm
3. TheHindu
* http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/looking-back-at-the-indosri-lanka-accord/article538650.ece
* http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/dangerous-games-with-devolution/article4847181.ece
* http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/why-india-needs-to-vote-for-un-resolution-on-sri-lanka/article4530401.ece
4. Wikipedia
5. Morality and Legitimacy of Indias Interventions in East Pakistan & Sri Lanka - Abhishek Singh
6. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sri-lanka-tainted-by-major-human-rights-problems-2012-us-report-india-today/1/266931.html
7. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/UN-publishes-report-on-war-crimes.-Colombo-protests-21391.html
8. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/south_asia/2002/india_pakistan/timeline/1971.stm
9. http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/ie/daily/19980418/10850534.html
10. http://www.un.org/News/dh/infocus/Sri_Lanka/POE_Report_Full.pdf
11. http://thecalibre.in/in-depth-current-affairs/indias-aid-to-sri-lanka-in-post-war-reconstruction/102012/?p=1884/
Authors Details:
Kaushik T.G.
Sri Lanka has been inhabited by both Tamils and Sinhalese for more than two millennia now. Though native Sri Lankan Tamils are distinct in many ways from the Sinhalese, studies show that both are related ethnically.
Sri Lankan Tamils can be broadly divided into 2 categories 1.Native Sri Lankan Tamils who have lived for more than two millennia and 2.Plantation Tamils who were brought by the British to Sri Lanka from India to work in the tea plantations around the 18th and 19th centuries.
The Sri Lankan Tamils also show some genetic similarities to Indian Tamils.
Anatomy of a Crisis:
The current tension between Sri Lankan Tamils and the Sinhalese is relatively recent and its origins can be traced to the post-Independence period. Sri Lanka gained Independence from Britain in 1948 and ever since, tensions have exacerbated between the two ethnic communities. There is also a point of view that the tensions between them go much further back in time and that the two communities have never been at peace with each other.
Indo-Sri Lanka Accord & the 13th Amendment:
The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was a diplomatic agreement between India & Sri Lanka signed by Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi & Sri Lankan President JR Jayawardene in 1987 (hence it is also known as the Rajiv-Jayawardene Accord). It was Indias first attempt at demonstrating its military might overseas; post the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The broad objectives of the accord were
1. Protect the interests of the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka.
2. Repatriation of Indian citizens in Sri Lanka & Sri Lankan citizens in India to their respective countries.
3. Elections to the Provincial councils to be held with Indian observers.
4. Deployment of an Indian Peace-keeping Contingent to guarantee and enforce the cessation of hostilities between the Sri Lankan Army and Tamil militants.
The 13th Amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution (referred to simply as
The 13th Amendment) was a direct outcome of the Indo-Sri Lankan accord. According to this
1. The Northern & Eastern provinces were to be merged based on a referendum of the people living there.
2. Legislative powers to be granted to the Provinces via provincial councils & executive powers via a Board of Ministers & Chief Minister.
3. Power to be devolved to the provinces.
Why the IPKF was a failure
The Indian Peace-Keeping Force was deployed in Sri Lanka with an objective to guarantee and enforce the cessation of hostilities between the Sri Lankan Army & Tamil militants. This, unlike the case of Bangladesh, was a rather vague objective. In the case of Bangladesh, the then East Pakistan had descended into civil war. The West Pakistan Army was involved in major atrocities in East Pakistan leading to a major humanitarian crisis as a result of which almost 10 million East Pakistanis fled to India8.
However, in Sri Lanka, no such crisis existed when the IPKF was deployed. Moreover, its role was not clearly defined and was continuously changing. In a short span of time, the IPKFs role changed from peace-keeping to peace-enforcing (which meant suppression of the LTTE in collaboration with the Sri Lankan forces). The local Tamil population which initially viewed the presence of the IPKF favourably now turned hostile to it, with the people actively providing inputs to the LTTE. This resulted in a large number of casualties to the IPKF. Back home in India too, the IPKFs actions turned the people of Tamil Nadu against it. Finally, at the request of President Premadasa, the IPKF finally left Sri Lanka a failed mission that was never clearly defined that left more than 1200 Indian soldiers dead.
It is also pertinent to note that the Jain Commission, which was set up to inquire into Rajiv Gandhis assassination, observed that the LTTE had previously received arms training in India in the early 1980s.
Was Indian intervention justified?
Indias intervention in Sri Lankas fight with the LTTE has been an issue of much controversy. Indias actions, though well-intentioned, left much to be desired in the form of intervention that left a bitter aftertaste both within India and Sri Lanka. Indias intervention in Sri Lanka was chiefly formulated by its successful intervention in Bangladesh in 1971, however there were a few key differences that were overlooked.
* The IPKF was not a humanitarian intervention as it was the result of a Diplomatic agreement between two nations.
* The IPKF broke its peace-keeping mission when it got involved in major military operations against LTTE.
Ultimately, Indias intervention in Sri Lanka was a major failure resulting in not only the death of 1200 Indian soldiers, but also the assassination of a former Indian Prime Minister. Internationally too, India lost much support owing to its intervention.
Rajiv Gandhis death:
Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, was assassinated by the LTTE on May 21, 1991 when he was campaigning for the Congress party for the upcoming General Elections in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai. The Special Investigation Team appointed to probe the death concluded that the LTTE carried out the suicide bombing both to avenge Rajiv Gandhis deployment of the IPKF in 1987 as well as his election promise that he would re-deploy the IPKF to disarm the LTTE if he returned to power in the subsequent elections.
Premadasas death:
Barely 2 years after Rajiv Gandhis assassination, Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa was killed by an LTTE suicide bomber. He was instrumental in getting the IPKF to withdraw from Sri Lanka. A Sri Lankan Presidential Commission9 set up to inquire into the death of a senior Sri Lankan army officer, Lt Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa, also concluded that President Premadasa had himself supplied arms to the LTTE to fight the IPKF.
LTTE meets its fate:
President Mahinda Rajapakses brother & Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, Sarath Fonseka led the countrys armed forces in the battle against the LTTE, ultimately defeating them and killing Vellupillai Prabhakaran, LTTEs self-styled supremo in May 2009, thus bringing to an end more than two decades of one of the bloodiest insurgencies in the world.
Human Rights Violations & the UN Resolution:
According to the Report of the (United Nations) Secretary-General's Panel of Experts on Accountability10 in Sri Lanka, the armed forces committed serious war crimes in the last months of the war (in 2009), including the death of more than 40,000 civilians who died from shelling and bombings as well as cold blooded executions.
"The major human rights problems were attacks on and harassment of civil society activists, persons viewed as LTTE sympathisers, and journalists by persons allegedly tied to the government, creating an environment of fear and self-censorship, involuntary disappearances as well as lack of accountability," the US State Department's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012 said6.
In March 2013, the United Nations passed a resolution in the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva criticizing the Sri Lankan human rights record and encouraged Sri Lanka to conduct an independent & credible investigation into alleged war crimes.
India was among the 25 countries that voted for this resolution which was sponsored by the USA. Notably, Pakistan, and China voted against the resolution in support of Sri Lanka.
The Scenario Today
Dilution of the 13th Amendment
The Sri Lankan government recently announced proposals to curb some of the powers granted to the Provinces in accordance with the 13th Amendment. This has met with widespread opposition both within Sri Lanka as well as internationally, specifically India.
Why SL Tamils/Tamil National Alliance (TNA) oppose the Dilution of the 13th Amendment:
1. It provides a bulwark against majority domination of minority Tamils.
2. It gives minorities, especially Tamils, some level of self-governance. Under this, Provinces (and not the Centre) have some authority on citizens' lives.
3. It provides some guarantees to minorities that their status as regional decision-makers wont be diluted through demographic manipulation of areas of historical habitation of Tamil-speaking people.
Why India opposes the dilution:
1. India feels it (the dilution) is unjust & undemocratic. Though India respects Sri Lanka's sovereignty, it is bound by historical ties to the island nation.
2. Dilution would mean going back on the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, an agreement between two sovereign nations. It would mean violation of International Treaty Obligations.
3. Increased minority discontent & tensions would have strong repercussions in India, especially in Tamil Nadu, which has much support for the Tamil cause.
Elections in the Northern Province
Provincial Councils in Sri Lanka were created in 1988 as a direct consequence of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord, which also required the merger of the Eastern & Northern Provinces into one administrative unit. In September 1988, President Jayewardene issued proclamations enabling the Northern & Eastern Provinces to be one administrative unit, creating the North Eastern Province. Elections were held later in 1988 which were won by a secessionist party. Subsequently, the Chief Minister of the North Eastern Province, Annamalai Varadaraja Perumal, moved a motion in the North Eastern Provincial Council declaring an independent Eelam. President Premadasa reacted by dissolving the provincial council and imposing direct rule on the province.
The first elections to the Northern Province after 1988 were held on September 21, 2013. These were won by the Tamil National Alliance, an amalgamation of moderate Tamil parties and former LTTE sympathizers. C.V.Wigneswaran, former judge of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka will be the new Chief Minister of the Northern Province.
Conclusions
The Provincial Council Elections that were recently conducted in Sri Lanka are a major step forward in the integration of Tamils into mainstream Sri Lankan nationhood. Yet, this is just the first of many steps that the Sri Lankan Government must take to achieve this integration. The Sri Lankan Govt must also consider setting up a War Crimes Tribunal to bring to book the perpetrators of the atrocities committed on Tamils towards the conclusion of the war.
For Indias part, while it is important for us to actively monitor and aid in the resettlement of Tamils currently in camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), it is imperative that we respect Sri Lankas sovereignty.
India is currently involved in the construction of 50,000 houses in Sri Lanka as part of its aid in the post-war reconstruction11 of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Govt must foster the redevelopment of a people weary after almost three decades of war and actively involve them in administrative decisions.
Only such inclusive efforts will help build trust and lead to a long term solution to the problem of Tamils in Sri Lanka.
References:
1. Shekhar Guptas articles in Indian Express
2. Sri Lanka: The Untold Story - http://www.sangam.org/ANALYSIS/AsiaTimes.htm
3. TheHindu
* http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/looking-back-at-the-indosri-lanka-accord/article538650.ece
* http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/dangerous-games-with-devolution/article4847181.ece
* http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/why-india-needs-to-vote-for-un-resolution-on-sri-lanka/article4530401.ece
4. Wikipedia
5. Morality and Legitimacy of Indias Interventions in East Pakistan & Sri Lanka - Abhishek Singh
6. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sri-lanka-tainted-by-major-human-rights-problems-2012-us-report-india-today/1/266931.html
7. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/UN-publishes-report-on-war-crimes.-Colombo-protests-21391.html
8. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/south_asia/2002/india_pakistan/timeline/1971.stm
9. http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/news/ie/daily/19980418/10850534.html
10. http://www.un.org/News/dh/infocus/Sri_Lanka/POE_Report_Full.pdf
11. http://thecalibre.in/in-depth-current-affairs/indias-aid-to-sri-lanka-in-post-war-reconstruction/102012/?p=1884/
Authors Details:
Kaushik T.G.
India and its neighbours- Sweet - Sour relationship
Indo-Pak Relation
Introduction
Indo-Pak relations have been strained by a number of historical and political issues,and are defined by the violent partition of British India in 1947,the Kashmir dispute and yhe numerous military conflicts fought between the two nations.
After the dissolution of the British Raj in 1947,two new sovereign nations were formed the Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan. Soon after their independence India and Pakistan established diplomatic relations but the violent partition and numerous territorial disputes disturbed their relation. Since their independence the two countries have fought major wars. There have been numerous attempts to improve the relationship like the Shimla Summit.the Agra Summit and the Lahore Summit. But the relations between the two soured particularly after Siachen conflict,Kashmir insurgency in 1989,1999 the Kargil war,2001 Indian Parliament attack,2007 Samjhauta Express bombings,2008 Mumbai attacks.
Pakistani troops have fired at Indian position in Mendhar sector on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir,in yet another violation of the bilateral ceasefire.There have been 90 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops since January 2013.
Bilateral Trade Relations
Bilateral trade dialogue with Pakistan was re-initiated with the 5th round of India-Pakistan Commerce Secretary level talks held at Islamabad in April 2011.This was followed by further rounds of talks held in November 2011 at Delhi and September 2012 at Islamabad.The first ever bilateral visit of Commerce Minister of India to Pakistan was undertaken in February 2012. Both sides have made considerable progress in improving bilateral trade ties.Pakistan has assured the International Monetary Fund that it was moving forward with eliminating the negatiove list on trade with India and granting the most favoured nation status to India as part of its overall trade policy. Pakistan has said that they are moving forward with eliminating the negative list on trade with India and extending India MFN status, and shifting to sensitive list under SAFTA(South Asia Free Trade Agreement) regime to facilitate increased regional trade.However Pakistan missed its own December 31 deadline for phasing out the negative list and giving India MFN status.The bilateral trade dialogue has opened possibilities for enhanced trade in Petroleum products and natural gas,trade in power and opening of commercial bank branches on reciprocal basis. The trade dialogue also provided an impetus to a more liberalized visa regime for the businee communities of both countries. The new visa agreement was signed in September 2012.
India has also reduced the SAFTA Sensitive List for Non Least Developed Countries from 878 to 614 by reduction of 264 tariff lines consisting of Textile lines-155, Agriculture-106 lines and Petroleum-3 lines.
Drawbacks
Islamabad lodging a strong protest with India over the detention of a Pakistani fisherman by the BSF near the disputed area of Sir Creek.According to Islamabad 79 Pakistani fisherman have been arrested in 2013 alone.
The thorny issue of Kashmir separates the two countries. Presently, differences over the question of demilitarization and self-governance in Kashmir persist. Cross border terrorism is another major problem. India has accused Pakistan of aiding and abetting cross border terrorism in India, especially in Kashmir.
The bilateral water disputes like the Wullar barrage-Tulbul project, Kishanganga project, Nimoo-Bazgo hydroelectric plant still pending. It bseems that Pakistan feels that if there would development of the region in terms of electricity and water management, then their designs would be deeply affected and therefore, they have tried to misinterpret the provisions of Indus water treaty to inhibit the growth and development of the region.
Pakistans ISI is reportedly setting up new bases in Nepal,Bangladesh etc. to carry ouy anti-India operations. There are reports that the ISI is trying to establish links with anti-India organizations like ULFA.
Pakistan is handling management control of a strategic but commercially troubled sea water Gwadar port to a Chinese company.The agreement to transfer the port to the state-owned China Overseas Port Holding Company was signed.Pakistan has remained an important part of the Chinese game plan. The growing interference of Pakistan in Nepal and Srilanka indicates that Pakistan has decided outrightly to undermine Indian presence in its neighbouring countries.
Indo-Srilanka Relation
Introduction
Sri Lanka and India, although separated only by a channel, have never gotten along well. It is like the UK and France being at war with each other, centuries ago. Both Colombo and New Delhi are really distant neighbours. Their mistrust is so deep that one attributes all types of motives to the other. Yet, all their enmity is not over territory or policies but on the discriminatory treatment meted out to Tamils living in Sri Lanka.
Over the years, Colombo has given New Delhi the impression that Sri Lanka is working out an arrangement whereby the Tamils would enjoy autonomy within the country. This hope got a fillip when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was eliminated lock, stock, and barrel in a war which lasted for decades, and ended four years ago. But President Mahinda Rajapaksa dashed all hopes, during the Independence Day address last month, when he ruled out any kind of political autonomy to the Tamils who are concentrated in the north-eastern province.
To New Delhi, President Rajapaksas statement has come as a rude shock but it still believes that he would ultimately fulfil his assurance of remaining fully committed to facilitating the Thirteenth Amendment and solving the ethnic issue. In the Thirteenth Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution of 1978, introduced in the aftermath of the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987, there is a provision to provide regional autonomy to the countrys tightly-held unitary system of governance. It is regarded as an acknowledgement of the political aspirations of the Tamils
India strongly believes that a meaningful devolution package,building upon the 13th amendment,would lead towards a lasting political settlement on many of these issues and create situations in which all citizens of Sri Lanka, irrespective of their ethnicity, can find justice, dignity, equality and self-respect.
Bilateral Trade Relations
Sri Lanka is Indias major trading partner in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) region. Total trade between both the countries has now crossed 5 billion US$. Deeper economic engagement with Sri Lanka (including free trade agreement) has helped India to more than double its exports within a two year span. Indiass trade with Sri Lanka has shown significant increase from USD 3465.39 million in 2007-08 to USD 5096.98 million in 2011-12 .Trade is skewed in favour of India exporting goods worth $4.3billion to Sri Lanka in 2011-12.From $78million in 2009, when SriLankan internal strife ended, Indian investment in Sri Lanka almost doubled to $147million in 2011. Tata, Bajaj, Godrej, Bharti and RPG have established their presence in Sri Lanka. Also India is a major contributor to Sri Lankas tourism industry.
The India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons signed in June 2010 paved the way for the transfer of the four prisoners to jails in their home country.
The Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement, has brought many benefits to both the nations, enabling two way benefits and investments in many sectors.A Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement have been signed.
The Indian Government has agreed to provide financial assistance to develop northern Jaffna peninsulas biggest harbour Kankasuntharai(KKS).
The Second NSA Meeting on Trilateral Cooperation on Maritime Security between India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka took place in Colombo on 8 July,2013. During this meeting the three sides discussed a wide range of topics like enhancing in Maritime Domain Awareness through provision of Long Range Identification and Tracking services,and Merchant Ship Information System software by India.
Drawbacks
In August 2013,India had summoned Sri Lankan High Commissioner and issued a demarche on the issue of 114 fisherman lodged in Lankan jails. It was pointed out that delay in release of the fisherman not only deprives them of their livelihood but also creates anxiety among their family members. Even news of harsh treatment on the fisherman has also been heard.
China has been investing heavily in Sri Lanka, with loans and expertise instrumental in building ports, highways, railways, and power plants in the Indian Ocean nation.Sri Lanka and China will finalise a FTA ahead of a Commonwealth summit in Colombo in November 2013.Recently China has agreed to Colonmbos request for USD 580 million loan for infrastructure development.
Sri Lanka was not keen on having a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India, as it feared granting more Indian access to its markets would destroy its countrys domestic industry.
The UNHRC a US sponsored resolution on human rights violation in Sri Lanka with 25 countries including India voting in favour of the document in the 47 nation strong body. In 2012 after India voted against Sri Lanka in UNHRC, the island nation increased duties on vehicle imports.
The growing closeness with China, Pakistanand Myanmar, India feels that Sri Lanka is drifting apart and there is a immediate need of a peace agreement which could rejoin India and Sri Lanka.
India-Bangladesh Relations
INTRODUCTION
India and Bangladesh have long shared a warm and friendly relation. Bangladesh shares a 4095 km international border with five Indian states of West Bengal,Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
However, since the partition of India in 1947, Bangladesh (formerly East Bengal and East Pakistan) became a part of Pakistan. Following the Liberation War of 1971, Bangladesh gained its independence and established relations with India. The political relationship between India and Bangladesh has passed through cycles of hiccups. However, both countries today recognise the importance of good relations, regional security and South Asian economic integration. Relations have improved significantly since Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's state visit to India in January 2010, which sought to revive Indo-Bangla relations in the emerging Asian economic order. The two countries are undertaking strategic partnerships in developing regional infrastructure, anti-terrorism, greater trade, mutual access to markets, environmental protection, hydroelectric power, energy, international co-operation and cultural relations.
Bilateral Relations
A MOU on establishment of Border-Haats at Baliamari-Kalaichari and Lawaghar-Balat at Meghalaya,India-Bangladesh border was signed on 236rd October,2010.The commodities at Border-Haat are allowed to exchange between both the countries in local currency/barter basis.
Both sides are working on several projects to improve trade infrastructure and connectivity. Border Management is developing 7 Integrated Check Posts on India-Bangladesh Borader viz; Petrapole, Agartala, Dawaki, Hili, Chandrabagha, Sutarkhandi and Kawarpuchiah.
Under SAFTA, India has given generous market access for Bangladesh Exports, at zero basic customs duty for all items except liquor and tobacco. Growth of exports from Bangladesh to India has also shown an increase from US$ 0.44bn in 2010-11 to US$ 0.58bn in 2011-12. As per latest trends of 2012-13 Bangladesh is poised as Indias largest trading partner in South Asia.
From October 2013, India would become an exporter of power in Bangladesh, NTPC and West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited will provide this. The state would sell 250MW of power to Bangladesh.
India will build a 15 km railway track linking Tripura capital Agartala with Bangladeshs southeastern city of Akhaurah, which is also an important railway junction to Chittagong port, resource-rich Sylhet and Dhaka.
Drawbacks
A major area of contention has been the construction and operation of the Farakka Barrage by India to increase water supply in the river Hoogly. Bangladesh insists that it does not receive a fair share of the Ganges waters during the drier seasons, and gets flooded during the monsoons when India releases excess waters.
There have also been disputes regarding the transfer of Teen Bigha Corridor to Bangladesh. Part of Bangladesh is surrounded by the Indian state of West Bengal. On 26 June 1992, India leased three bigha land to Bangladesh to connect this enclave with mainland Bangladesh. There was dispute regarding the indefinite nature of the lease. The dispute was resolved by an mutual agreement between India and Bangladesh in 2011
Terrorist activities carried out by outfits based in both countries, like Banga Sena and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. Recently India and Bangladesh had agreed jointly to fight terrorism.
Bangladesh has consistently denied India transit facility to the landlocked North Eastern Regions of India. Although India has a narrow land link to this North eastern region, which is famously known as the Siliguri Corridor or "India's Chicken Neck
Illegal Bangladeshi immigration into India.] The border is porous and migrants are able to cross illegally, though sometimes only in return for financial or other incentives to border security personnel. Bangladeshi officials have denied the existence of Bangladeshis living in India and those illegal migrants found are described as having been trafficked. This has considerable repercussions for those involved, as they are stigmatised for having been involved in prostitution, whether or not this has actually been the case. Cross border migrants are also at far higher risk of HIV/Aids infection
Continuous border killing of Indian and Bangladeshi people, aiding illegal immigrants, helping in armed dacoity, fake money transfer and illegal drug trades by both Indian and Bangladeshi people are the major problems between Bangladesh and India.
Both Bangladesh and India make claims over the same seawater at the Bay of Bengal
There was a minor glitch in their relation when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accidentally mentioned that 25% of Bangladeshis are anti-Indian, during an informal press meet
India-Nepal Relation
Introduction
As close neighbours, India and Nepal share a unique relationship of
friendship and cooperation characterized by open borders and deep-rooted
people-to-people contacts of kinship and culture. There has been a long tradition
of free movement of people across the borders. Nepal has an area of 147,181sq kms.. and a population of 29 million. It shares a border of over 1850 Kms to
the south with five Indian States - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and
Uttarakhand and in the north with the Tibet autonomous region of the People's
Republic of China.
India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 is the bedrock of the
special relations that exist between India and Nepal. Under the provisions of the
treaty, Nepalese citizen have enjoyed unparalleled advantages in India, availing
the facilities and opportunities at par with Indian citizens. The Treaty has enabled
Nepal to overcome the disadvantages of being a land-locked country. Overtime,
many regimes in Nepal have raised the issue of revision of the treaty. India has
maintained that it is willing to examine all bilateral arrangements with a view to
further strengthening our relations. Specific suggestions from the Nepalese side
have not been forthcoming.
Bilateral Relations
India continues to be Nepals largest trade partner, source of foreign
investment and tourist arrivals. Bilateral trade between India and Nepal has
received further impetus after the signing of the revised Trade Treaty in 2009
which has provisions that allow Nepal greater access to the Indian market.
According to the figures for the Nepalese fiscal year (ending July 2012), bilateral
trade with India stood at Rs.21812.8 crores which accounted for 65.1% of
Nepalese total external trade. India and Nepal have a treaty of transit, which
confers transit rights through each others territory through mutually agreed
routes and modalities. The Transit Treaty was renewed on 5 January 2013 for 7
years.
The two countries have concluded a Rail Services Agreement (RSA) and
a revised Air Services Agreement (ASA) to enhance bilateral connectivity. India
also remains Nepals largest source of foreign investment and Indian investments
in Nepal amount to Rs.2175.5 crores with 525 FDI projects. India accounts for
46% of the total foreign investments in Nepal. In October-November 2011 the
two countries have also concluded the Bilateral Investment Protection &
Promotion Agreement (BIPPA) and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
(DTAA) which provide legal framework for enhancing Indian investment into
Nepal and further integrating the two economies.
India had played a leading role in helping the Nepal Army (NA) in its
modernization through provision of equipment and training. More than 250
training slots are provided every year for training of NA personnel in various
Indian Army training institutions. The Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army is
given the honorary rank of a General in the Nepal Army and a reciprocal honour
is conferred on the Chief of the Nepal Army. India has always been proud to
have Nepalese as soldiers in her Forces and has made every effort to ensure
that they are looked after and cared for in their twilight years. As of now, we
have over 1.26 Lakh ex-servicemen residing in Nepal. In 2012-13 the payments
of pensions to the Indian ex-service men in Nepal amounted to 1387 crores. The
Government of India has made every effort to ensure that these ex-servicemen,
their families and dependents are looked after in the best possible manner. To
ensure this, the Government of India has established The Indian Ex-Servicemen
Welfare Organisation in Nepal (IEWON). Ex-servicemen Contributory Health
Scheme (ECHS) has been launched in Nepal during 2012 vide which free medical treatment to the Indian ex-servicemen of Nepal domicile.
India supports Nepals economic growth through improved access to the Indian market, encouraging Indian investments in Nepal and assisting in creating infrastructure. Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to cross US$ 4.5bn this year.Nepals imports from India amounted to US$3.62bn and exports to India is US$599.7bn. India assisting Nepal in building roads, four massive integrated check posts, railway lines.
Drawbacks
Indian police had enterd Nepaloi territory and raiding a house on the pretext of searching for criminals has enraged local political parties, government officials and people. Nepals radical Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, a breakaway faction of the United Communist Party of Nepal Maoist, had submitted a memorandum at the Indian embassy in Kathmandu protesting the Indian polices act.
Nepal and India have agreed to expedite work on power trade but were unable to reac a decision on the 5600MW Pancheshwar multipurpose dam project, proposed 15 years ago for sharing power and water on 50-50 basis.
A little known group has staged black flag demonstrations in front of the Indian Embassy gate here, demanding return of territory Nepal had lost to India under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty.
It is alarming that many Nepalese believe that moving closer to China is in the best interest of the country. For more than a half century, India has been deeply influential in Nepalese affairs and remains Nepals biggest trading partner and economic benefactor, even as some Nepalese resent in Indias role in their affairs.
DEBALINA BISWAS
Sources
1. The Hindu
2. Civil services times
3. Ministry of External affairs
4. TOI
Introduction
Indo-Pak relations have been strained by a number of historical and political issues,and are defined by the violent partition of British India in 1947,the Kashmir dispute and yhe numerous military conflicts fought between the two nations.
After the dissolution of the British Raj in 1947,two new sovereign nations were formed the Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan. Soon after their independence India and Pakistan established diplomatic relations but the violent partition and numerous territorial disputes disturbed their relation. Since their independence the two countries have fought major wars. There have been numerous attempts to improve the relationship like the Shimla Summit.the Agra Summit and the Lahore Summit. But the relations between the two soured particularly after Siachen conflict,Kashmir insurgency in 1989,1999 the Kargil war,2001 Indian Parliament attack,2007 Samjhauta Express bombings,2008 Mumbai attacks.
Pakistani troops have fired at Indian position in Mendhar sector on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir,in yet another violation of the bilateral ceasefire.There have been 90 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops since January 2013.
Bilateral Trade Relations
Bilateral trade dialogue with Pakistan was re-initiated with the 5th round of India-Pakistan Commerce Secretary level talks held at Islamabad in April 2011.This was followed by further rounds of talks held in November 2011 at Delhi and September 2012 at Islamabad.The first ever bilateral visit of Commerce Minister of India to Pakistan was undertaken in February 2012. Both sides have made considerable progress in improving bilateral trade ties.Pakistan has assured the International Monetary Fund that it was moving forward with eliminating the negatiove list on trade with India and granting the most favoured nation status to India as part of its overall trade policy. Pakistan has said that they are moving forward with eliminating the negative list on trade with India and extending India MFN status, and shifting to sensitive list under SAFTA(South Asia Free Trade Agreement) regime to facilitate increased regional trade.However Pakistan missed its own December 31 deadline for phasing out the negative list and giving India MFN status.The bilateral trade dialogue has opened possibilities for enhanced trade in Petroleum products and natural gas,trade in power and opening of commercial bank branches on reciprocal basis. The trade dialogue also provided an impetus to a more liberalized visa regime for the businee communities of both countries. The new visa agreement was signed in September 2012.
India has also reduced the SAFTA Sensitive List for Non Least Developed Countries from 878 to 614 by reduction of 264 tariff lines consisting of Textile lines-155, Agriculture-106 lines and Petroleum-3 lines.
Drawbacks
Islamabad lodging a strong protest with India over the detention of a Pakistani fisherman by the BSF near the disputed area of Sir Creek.According to Islamabad 79 Pakistani fisherman have been arrested in 2013 alone.
The thorny issue of Kashmir separates the two countries. Presently, differences over the question of demilitarization and self-governance in Kashmir persist. Cross border terrorism is another major problem. India has accused Pakistan of aiding and abetting cross border terrorism in India, especially in Kashmir.
The bilateral water disputes like the Wullar barrage-Tulbul project, Kishanganga project, Nimoo-Bazgo hydroelectric plant still pending. It bseems that Pakistan feels that if there would development of the region in terms of electricity and water management, then their designs would be deeply affected and therefore, they have tried to misinterpret the provisions of Indus water treaty to inhibit the growth and development of the region.
Pakistans ISI is reportedly setting up new bases in Nepal,Bangladesh etc. to carry ouy anti-India operations. There are reports that the ISI is trying to establish links with anti-India organizations like ULFA.
Pakistan is handling management control of a strategic but commercially troubled sea water Gwadar port to a Chinese company.The agreement to transfer the port to the state-owned China Overseas Port Holding Company was signed.Pakistan has remained an important part of the Chinese game plan. The growing interference of Pakistan in Nepal and Srilanka indicates that Pakistan has decided outrightly to undermine Indian presence in its neighbouring countries.
Indo-Srilanka Relation
Introduction
Sri Lanka and India, although separated only by a channel, have never gotten along well. It is like the UK and France being at war with each other, centuries ago. Both Colombo and New Delhi are really distant neighbours. Their mistrust is so deep that one attributes all types of motives to the other. Yet, all their enmity is not over territory or policies but on the discriminatory treatment meted out to Tamils living in Sri Lanka.
Over the years, Colombo has given New Delhi the impression that Sri Lanka is working out an arrangement whereby the Tamils would enjoy autonomy within the country. This hope got a fillip when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was eliminated lock, stock, and barrel in a war which lasted for decades, and ended four years ago. But President Mahinda Rajapaksa dashed all hopes, during the Independence Day address last month, when he ruled out any kind of political autonomy to the Tamils who are concentrated in the north-eastern province.
To New Delhi, President Rajapaksas statement has come as a rude shock but it still believes that he would ultimately fulfil his assurance of remaining fully committed to facilitating the Thirteenth Amendment and solving the ethnic issue. In the Thirteenth Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution of 1978, introduced in the aftermath of the India-Sri Lanka Accord of 1987, there is a provision to provide regional autonomy to the countrys tightly-held unitary system of governance. It is regarded as an acknowledgement of the political aspirations of the Tamils
India strongly believes that a meaningful devolution package,building upon the 13th amendment,would lead towards a lasting political settlement on many of these issues and create situations in which all citizens of Sri Lanka, irrespective of their ethnicity, can find justice, dignity, equality and self-respect.
Bilateral Trade Relations
Sri Lanka is Indias major trading partner in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation(SAARC) region. Total trade between both the countries has now crossed 5 billion US$. Deeper economic engagement with Sri Lanka (including free trade agreement) has helped India to more than double its exports within a two year span. Indiass trade with Sri Lanka has shown significant increase from USD 3465.39 million in 2007-08 to USD 5096.98 million in 2011-12 .Trade is skewed in favour of India exporting goods worth $4.3billion to Sri Lanka in 2011-12.From $78million in 2009, when SriLankan internal strife ended, Indian investment in Sri Lanka almost doubled to $147million in 2011. Tata, Bajaj, Godrej, Bharti and RPG have established their presence in Sri Lanka. Also India is a major contributor to Sri Lankas tourism industry.
The India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Agreement on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons signed in June 2010 paved the way for the transfer of the four prisoners to jails in their home country.
The Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement, has brought many benefits to both the nations, enabling two way benefits and investments in many sectors.A Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and a Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement have been signed.
The Indian Government has agreed to provide financial assistance to develop northern Jaffna peninsulas biggest harbour Kankasuntharai(KKS).
The Second NSA Meeting on Trilateral Cooperation on Maritime Security between India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka took place in Colombo on 8 July,2013. During this meeting the three sides discussed a wide range of topics like enhancing in Maritime Domain Awareness through provision of Long Range Identification and Tracking services,and Merchant Ship Information System software by India.
Drawbacks
In August 2013,India had summoned Sri Lankan High Commissioner and issued a demarche on the issue of 114 fisherman lodged in Lankan jails. It was pointed out that delay in release of the fisherman not only deprives them of their livelihood but also creates anxiety among their family members. Even news of harsh treatment on the fisherman has also been heard.
China has been investing heavily in Sri Lanka, with loans and expertise instrumental in building ports, highways, railways, and power plants in the Indian Ocean nation.Sri Lanka and China will finalise a FTA ahead of a Commonwealth summit in Colombo in November 2013.Recently China has agreed to Colonmbos request for USD 580 million loan for infrastructure development.
Sri Lanka was not keen on having a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India, as it feared granting more Indian access to its markets would destroy its countrys domestic industry.
The UNHRC a US sponsored resolution on human rights violation in Sri Lanka with 25 countries including India voting in favour of the document in the 47 nation strong body. In 2012 after India voted against Sri Lanka in UNHRC, the island nation increased duties on vehicle imports.
The growing closeness with China, Pakistanand Myanmar, India feels that Sri Lanka is drifting apart and there is a immediate need of a peace agreement which could rejoin India and Sri Lanka.
India-Bangladesh Relations
INTRODUCTION
India and Bangladesh have long shared a warm and friendly relation. Bangladesh shares a 4095 km international border with five Indian states of West Bengal,Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.
However, since the partition of India in 1947, Bangladesh (formerly East Bengal and East Pakistan) became a part of Pakistan. Following the Liberation War of 1971, Bangladesh gained its independence and established relations with India. The political relationship between India and Bangladesh has passed through cycles of hiccups. However, both countries today recognise the importance of good relations, regional security and South Asian economic integration. Relations have improved significantly since Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's state visit to India in January 2010, which sought to revive Indo-Bangla relations in the emerging Asian economic order. The two countries are undertaking strategic partnerships in developing regional infrastructure, anti-terrorism, greater trade, mutual access to markets, environmental protection, hydroelectric power, energy, international co-operation and cultural relations.
Bilateral Relations
A MOU on establishment of Border-Haats at Baliamari-Kalaichari and Lawaghar-Balat at Meghalaya,India-Bangladesh border was signed on 236rd October,2010.The commodities at Border-Haat are allowed to exchange between both the countries in local currency/barter basis.
Both sides are working on several projects to improve trade infrastructure and connectivity. Border Management is developing 7 Integrated Check Posts on India-Bangladesh Borader viz; Petrapole, Agartala, Dawaki, Hili, Chandrabagha, Sutarkhandi and Kawarpuchiah.
Under SAFTA, India has given generous market access for Bangladesh Exports, at zero basic customs duty for all items except liquor and tobacco. Growth of exports from Bangladesh to India has also shown an increase from US$ 0.44bn in 2010-11 to US$ 0.58bn in 2011-12. As per latest trends of 2012-13 Bangladesh is poised as Indias largest trading partner in South Asia.
From October 2013, India would become an exporter of power in Bangladesh, NTPC and West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited will provide this. The state would sell 250MW of power to Bangladesh.
India will build a 15 km railway track linking Tripura capital Agartala with Bangladeshs southeastern city of Akhaurah, which is also an important railway junction to Chittagong port, resource-rich Sylhet and Dhaka.
Drawbacks
A major area of contention has been the construction and operation of the Farakka Barrage by India to increase water supply in the river Hoogly. Bangladesh insists that it does not receive a fair share of the Ganges waters during the drier seasons, and gets flooded during the monsoons when India releases excess waters.
There have also been disputes regarding the transfer of Teen Bigha Corridor to Bangladesh. Part of Bangladesh is surrounded by the Indian state of West Bengal. On 26 June 1992, India leased three bigha land to Bangladesh to connect this enclave with mainland Bangladesh. There was dispute regarding the indefinite nature of the lease. The dispute was resolved by an mutual agreement between India and Bangladesh in 2011
Terrorist activities carried out by outfits based in both countries, like Banga Sena and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami. Recently India and Bangladesh had agreed jointly to fight terrorism.
Bangladesh has consistently denied India transit facility to the landlocked North Eastern Regions of India. Although India has a narrow land link to this North eastern region, which is famously known as the Siliguri Corridor or "India's Chicken Neck
Illegal Bangladeshi immigration into India.] The border is porous and migrants are able to cross illegally, though sometimes only in return for financial or other incentives to border security personnel. Bangladeshi officials have denied the existence of Bangladeshis living in India and those illegal migrants found are described as having been trafficked. This has considerable repercussions for those involved, as they are stigmatised for having been involved in prostitution, whether or not this has actually been the case. Cross border migrants are also at far higher risk of HIV/Aids infection
Continuous border killing of Indian and Bangladeshi people, aiding illegal immigrants, helping in armed dacoity, fake money transfer and illegal drug trades by both Indian and Bangladeshi people are the major problems between Bangladesh and India.
Both Bangladesh and India make claims over the same seawater at the Bay of Bengal
There was a minor glitch in their relation when Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accidentally mentioned that 25% of Bangladeshis are anti-Indian, during an informal press meet
India-Nepal Relation
Introduction
As close neighbours, India and Nepal share a unique relationship of
friendship and cooperation characterized by open borders and deep-rooted
people-to-people contacts of kinship and culture. There has been a long tradition
of free movement of people across the borders. Nepal has an area of 147,181sq kms.. and a population of 29 million. It shares a border of over 1850 Kms to
the south with five Indian States - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and
Uttarakhand and in the north with the Tibet autonomous region of the People's
Republic of China.
India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950 is the bedrock of the
special relations that exist between India and Nepal. Under the provisions of the
treaty, Nepalese citizen have enjoyed unparalleled advantages in India, availing
the facilities and opportunities at par with Indian citizens. The Treaty has enabled
Nepal to overcome the disadvantages of being a land-locked country. Overtime,
many regimes in Nepal have raised the issue of revision of the treaty. India has
maintained that it is willing to examine all bilateral arrangements with a view to
further strengthening our relations. Specific suggestions from the Nepalese side
have not been forthcoming.
Bilateral Relations
India continues to be Nepals largest trade partner, source of foreign
investment and tourist arrivals. Bilateral trade between India and Nepal has
received further impetus after the signing of the revised Trade Treaty in 2009
which has provisions that allow Nepal greater access to the Indian market.
According to the figures for the Nepalese fiscal year (ending July 2012), bilateral
trade with India stood at Rs.21812.8 crores which accounted for 65.1% of
Nepalese total external trade. India and Nepal have a treaty of transit, which
confers transit rights through each others territory through mutually agreed
routes and modalities. The Transit Treaty was renewed on 5 January 2013 for 7
years.
The two countries have concluded a Rail Services Agreement (RSA) and
a revised Air Services Agreement (ASA) to enhance bilateral connectivity. India
also remains Nepals largest source of foreign investment and Indian investments
in Nepal amount to Rs.2175.5 crores with 525 FDI projects. India accounts for
46% of the total foreign investments in Nepal. In October-November 2011 the
two countries have also concluded the Bilateral Investment Protection &
Promotion Agreement (BIPPA) and the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
(DTAA) which provide legal framework for enhancing Indian investment into
Nepal and further integrating the two economies.
India had played a leading role in helping the Nepal Army (NA) in its
modernization through provision of equipment and training. More than 250
training slots are provided every year for training of NA personnel in various
Indian Army training institutions. The Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army is
given the honorary rank of a General in the Nepal Army and a reciprocal honour
is conferred on the Chief of the Nepal Army. India has always been proud to
have Nepalese as soldiers in her Forces and has made every effort to ensure
that they are looked after and cared for in their twilight years. As of now, we
have over 1.26 Lakh ex-servicemen residing in Nepal. In 2012-13 the payments
of pensions to the Indian ex-service men in Nepal amounted to 1387 crores. The
Government of India has made every effort to ensure that these ex-servicemen,
their families and dependents are looked after in the best possible manner. To
ensure this, the Government of India has established The Indian Ex-Servicemen
Welfare Organisation in Nepal (IEWON). Ex-servicemen Contributory Health
Scheme (ECHS) has been launched in Nepal during 2012 vide which free medical treatment to the Indian ex-servicemen of Nepal domicile.
India supports Nepals economic growth through improved access to the Indian market, encouraging Indian investments in Nepal and assisting in creating infrastructure. Bilateral trade between the two countries is set to cross US$ 4.5bn this year.Nepals imports from India amounted to US$3.62bn and exports to India is US$599.7bn. India assisting Nepal in building roads, four massive integrated check posts, railway lines.
Drawbacks
Indian police had enterd Nepaloi territory and raiding a house on the pretext of searching for criminals has enraged local political parties, government officials and people. Nepals radical Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist, a breakaway faction of the United Communist Party of Nepal Maoist, had submitted a memorandum at the Indian embassy in Kathmandu protesting the Indian polices act.
Nepal and India have agreed to expedite work on power trade but were unable to reac a decision on the 5600MW Pancheshwar multipurpose dam project, proposed 15 years ago for sharing power and water on 50-50 basis.
A little known group has staged black flag demonstrations in front of the Indian Embassy gate here, demanding return of territory Nepal had lost to India under the 1816 Sugauli Treaty.
It is alarming that many Nepalese believe that moving closer to China is in the best interest of the country. For more than a half century, India has been deeply influential in Nepalese affairs and remains Nepals biggest trading partner and economic benefactor, even as some Nepalese resent in Indias role in their affairs.
DEBALINA BISWAS
Sources
1. The Hindu
2. Civil services times
3. Ministry of External affairs
4. TOI
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