Jan-17IR Flashcards
Jan-17IR-Index
- India-UAE
- India-Portugal
- India-Kenya
- India-Ukraine
- India-USA
- Raisina Dialogue
- 14th Edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-2017
- USA-New President
- 2.8.1. Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Trade Deal
- 2.8.2. Bar on Refugees and Visitors
- 2.8.3. Global Gag Rule
- 2.8.4. Wall Along the Mexican Border
- USA-New President
- Global Investment Agreement
- Chagos Archipelago Dispute
2.1. INDIA-UAE
Why in news?
Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, crown Prince and deputy supreme commander of the armed forces of Abu Dhabi was the chief guest for the Republic Day.
UAE’s Importance for India
Energy security: UAE is a significant contributor to India’s energy security and was the fifth largest supplier of crude oil in 2015-16.
Important trading Partner: UAE is an important trading partner for India in the Gulf region with bilateral trade last year at $50 billion. It has $4 billion in investments in areas ranging from smart cities to real estate.
Security and welfare of Indian community:
Indians make up 30% of the population, 2.6 million — the single largest expatriate community in the UAE.
India receives around 52% of its remittances from its Gulf expatriates.
To counter radicalization: UAE is member of Gulf cooperation council - close cooperation is essential for maintaining stable relations in Gulf region and for counter radicalization.
To isolate Pakistan:
In 2015, during PM’s visit, UAE made a critical shift in its policy by backing India on terrorism from Pakistani soil.
The unspoken significance of the UAE visit is about “ending Pakistan’s primacy” in the UAE.
Significance
India and UAE are islands of stability and there is recognition that by working together, they can contribute a lot more to regional stability.
India is well positioned to emerge as a credible security and economic partner of the UAE and the larger Gulf region at a time when the West is looking inwards and China’s rise is getting hobbled by its aggressive rhetoric on territorial issues.
A significant aspect was the participation of a military contingent from UAE during the Republic Day parade. These troops embody the UAE and GCC’s new ‘Look East’ policy of engaging Asia as a counterbalance to the West.
Box–India and the UAE signed 14 agreements:
Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
MoU on cooperation in Defence Industry
MoU on Institutional Cooperation on Maritime Transport
MOU on technical development and cooperation in cyber space
MOU on Mutual Recognition of Certificates of Competency
MoU on Bilateral Cooperation in the Road Transport and Highways Sector
MOU on cooperation in prevention and combating of human trafficking
MoU for the cooperation in SMEs and innovation
MoU in agriculture and Allied sectors
MOU on mutual exemption of entry visa requirements
MoU between Prasar Bharati, India and Emirates News Agency (WAM)
MoU on trade remedial measures to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest
Agreement on Oil Storage And Management
MOU between National Productivity Council and Al Etihad Energy Services Co. LLC
–Fig–
2.2. INDIA-PORTUGAL
Why in news? Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Costa visited India on a State Visit in January. He attended the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas as the chief guest in Bengaluru.
Agreement: India and Portugal inked seven pacts to expand bilateral engagement in a wide range of areas:
Defence Agreement-
meeting security challenges, including in the maritime domain and defence industries.
Prime Minister invited Portuguese companies to ‘Make in India’ and set up joint ventures and commercial partnerships based on joint production and technology transfer.
Renewable energy: framework for promoting cooperation in wind, solar and hydro-electricity sectors. Start Ups: MoU on Start Ups and call for regular exchanges between Start-Up India and Start-Up Portugal.
ICT: MoU signed in the area of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications.
Marine research: MoU between Instituto Português do Mar eda Atmosfera and Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Agricultural trade: MoU on agricultural trade including market access for agricultural products.
visa-free travel: visa-free travel agreement for diplomatic passport holders of both countries.
Issue of Terrorism
Recognizing the importance of the Central role of UN in combating terrorism, the two leaders exhorted the international community to effectively implement the measures enumerated by the 1267 UN Sanctions Committee.
The joint statement said both sides called for strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism in a spirit of ‘zero tolerance’, underlining that States should not support any terror entity including ‘non-state actors’ on any grounds.
Importance of Portugal for India
Last year (2016), Portugal supported India’s membership of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
Portugal is member of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and it has supported India’s membership of the NSG.
Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Costa for the support extended by Portugal to India’s permanent membership to a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.
Portugal can act an entry point for Indian companies looking to do business in EU, Africa and Latin America.
Box–
On 30 December 2016, China had blocked India’s move to list Pakistan-based Masood Azhar as a global terrorist, at the 1267 Sanctions Committee of the UN Security Council. China was the only member on the 15-nation committee to have opposed India’s move.
2.3. INDIA-KENYA
Why in news?
Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya paid a State Visit to India.
Highlights of the visit
India announced a $100 million Line of Credit to Kenya for agricultural mechanization.
Mr. Kenyatta invited India to engage more intensely at COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa).
India invited Kenya to join the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
India offered its expertise in the area of LED smart street lighting and LED bulbs for domestic use.
Defence cooperation
In maritime surveillance, security, sharing of white shipping information and joint hydrographic surveys.
India has also invited Kenya to participate in exhibitions like Aero-India and DEFEXPO.
As members of the Indian Ocean Littoral States, both sides emphasised the importance of further consolidating the security and defence cooperation between the two countries.
UN Security Council Reform
Kenya staked claim for Africa at the proposed expanded UN Security Council, even as it supported India’s campaign for UN reform.
Trade and investment potential in Kenya and EAC
Bilateral trade, valued at $4.23 billion in 2014-15, has the potential for rapid growth if Indian companies are willing to be active in a competitive market.
Diverse sectors opportunities in Kenya, such as energy, pharma, textiles, agriculture and financial services
The Indian government and India Inc. need to devise a trade and industrial cooperation strategy to upgrade existing links with the East African Community (EAC).
Box–East African Community (EAC)
The East African Community (EAC), comprising Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, has emerged as one of the most successful of Africa’s Regional Economic Communities.
Having established a customs union, it is building a single market and wants to set up a monetary union.
EAC is market of 168 million consumers and have a combined GDP of $161 billion.
2.4. INDIA-UKRAINE
Why in news?
Mr. Stepan Kubiv, Deputy PM of Ukraine, paid visit to India. Ukraine commended India for not supporting Russia’s claims over the Crimean peninsula and wanted to partner modernization plans of Indian armed forces.
Background
Following the intervention in Crimea, Russia annexed the region in March 2014. However, India has maintained that the situation should be resolved peacefully.
India and Ukraine are also on track to revive high-level political dialogue. The last big visit from India was 12 years ago when President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam visited Kiev in 2005. Defence cooperation: Ukraine wants to complete the contract, signed in 2009, on modernisation and overhauling of An-32 fleet for the Indian Air Force.
Significance of visit-
The visit from Ukraine is significant as the last major visit from Ukraine was by President Viktor Yanukovych in 2012 in Delhi.
Deputy Prime Minister participated in the Republic day celebrations to mark the beginning of a new phase of India-Ukraine ties after a gap of several years caused by Ukraine’s war with Russia over Crimea.
2.5. INDIA-USA
Why in news?
India and the US have signed a MoU to collaborate in the fields
of developmental activities and aid in third world countries.
The MoU has been signed between the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and Development Partnership Administration (DPA) of the Ministry of External Affairs of India.
Details about MoU
India and US share a vision of reducing poverty globally through sustainable economic growth. Based on this shared vision, they intend to cooperate with the goal of advancing their mutual interests to strengthen regional integration and connectivity, particularly in the areas of energy, trade, and investment.
The two countries would collaborate on exchange of information and experience in sectors or issues pertaining to project development or implementation in partner countries.
India and US might also provide advisory or technical assistance to third countries regarding sector policy reform, project and sector management, project implementation, and economic growth promotion strategies in relevant sectors.
The MoU also facilitates officials of two countries to site visits to cross-border or other relevant projects, and capacity building of partner countries.
Box–Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC):
MCC is a US agency providing eligible countries with grants to fund country-led solutions for reducing poverty through sustainable economic growth.
Development Partnership Administration (DPA): DPA looks after implementation of India’s development cooperation programmes with partner countries.
2.6. RAISINA DIALOGUE
Why in news?
The second edition of the Raisina Dialogue tackled the theme of ‘The New Normal: Multilateralism with Multipolarity’.
The conference was attended by delegates from 65 countries.
Highlights of PM’s speech
“Neighbourhood first”: vision for a “peaceful and harmonious” South Asia, putting the “neighbourhood first”.
Dialogue with Pakistan:
India alone cannot walk the path of peace. It also has to be Pakistan’s journey to make.
Pakistan must walk away from terror if it wants to walk towards dialogue with India.
Challenges to globalization: growing “sentiment against trade and migration and rising parochial and protectionist attitudes” were putting globalisation’s gains at a risk.
China and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
It is not unnatural for two large (India and China) neighbouring powers to have some differences.
“unprecedented business and commercial opportunities” that he had discussed with President Xi. However, due to rising ambition and festering rivalries (in Asia) are generating visible stress points referring to the issue of “freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea.
PM also highlighted that connectivity could not “override sovereignty” in a reference to the $45 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that runs through parts of Kashmir.
Box–About Raisina Dialogue
It is envisioned as India’s flagship conference of geopolitics and geo-economics.
It was held jointly by Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), an independent think tank.
The first edition of the conference was held in March 2016 with the theme “Asian Connectivity”.
2.7. 14TH EDITION OF PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS-2017
Why in news?
The annual global convention for the Indian diaspora, 14th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2017 was held in Bengaluru from January 7 to 9 with a record participation since its inception. The theme of 2017 PBD was “Redefined Engagement with Indian Diaspora”.
Highlights of Event
The three-day event started with the Youth PBD, the theme of which was ‘Role of Diaspora Youth in the Transformation of India’.
The PM urged the diaspora community to switch from
their PIO cards to OCI cards.
The deadline for PIO card conversions to OCI has also
been extended to June 30, 2017, without any penalty.
Annual remittance from overseas Indians stood at over $69 billion with India receiving more expat cash than any other country in the world.
The President concluded the Convention with conferring of the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards.
Box–About Pravasi Bharatiya Divas-
It has traditionally been held on January 9 to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi as ‘Pravasi’ from South Africa over a century ago (1915).
Launched in 2003, it is an annual event to step up India’s engagement with its diaspora and NRIs and Persons of India origins, the govt. decided to make PBD a biennial event last year.
It is also considered to be an important platform to facilitate engagement between Central and state govts with the Overseas Indian Community.
Currently, there are 3.12 crore overseas Indians globally, of which 1.34 crore are Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and 1.7 crore NRIs.
2.8. USA-NEW PRESIDENT
Donald J. Trump took oath as the 45th President of the U.S.
He issued many executive orders that will have major global ramifications. Following are the list of his executive orders:
2.8.1. TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (TPP) TRADE
DEAL
2.8.2. BAR ON REFUGEES AND VISITORS
2.8.3. GLOBAL GAG RULE
2.8.4. WALL ALONG THE MEXICAN BORDER
2.8.1. TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP (TPP) TRADE DEAL
The US president has signed an executive order formally withdrawing the country from TPP trade deal. US would pursue bilateral arrangements with the TPP signatories to find terms more favourable to the US.
Impact
Withdrawal from TPP will be a significant step in the slide towards a more protectionist world.
In the Asia-Pacific, the US’s exit has triggered different responses — from calls to re-focus on the RCEP to revive the TPP with China as its new member.
China is hoping to galvanize two regional trade proposals — the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Free-Trade Agreement of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).
While this may not directly affect India, it could have
ramifications on trade pacts being negotiated by the country such as the RCEP.
Box–
The TPP accord was negotiated by former President Barack Obama’s administration but never approved by US Congress.
It had been the main economic pillar of the Obama administration’s “pivot” to the Asia-Pacific region to counter China.
Its signatories are Australia, Vietnam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Brunei. They together represent 40 percent of the world economy.
2.8.2. BAR ON REFUGEES AND VISITORS
President announced that his administration had banned, for 90 days via executive order, travellers from seven nations: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The move does not affect US allies like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia etc.
This is halting of immigrants from certain countries temporarily until more exhaustive procedures for extensive vetting are in place It also placed on hold indefinitely the U.S.’s asylum programme for refugees from Syria, and suspended entry of all refugees to the U.S. for 120 days.
The reason behind the move is to ensure that those approved for refugee admission do not pose a threat to the security and welfare of the United States
The number of people to be admitted under the refugee programme in 2017 has been cut to 50,000, less than half of the previously planned figure of 1,10,000.
Impact
This could damage America’s reputation as a melting pot of immigrants, a beacon for bright minds and a humane force against authoritarian excesses across the world.
The move also indicates refusal to share the responsibility to deal with the world’s worst refugee crisis.
The order will probably have wider fallout in the economic sphere.
Top executives of Silicon Valley have criticized this as they fear it will create barriers to bringing talent to US
This could serve as another excuse for increased terror recruits.
Preferential treatment for Christian refugees makes a bogeyman of Muslims, a retrograde action that will exacerbate anti-Americanism worldwide.
2.8.3. GLOBAL GAG RULE
President Donald Trump has reinstated and expanded Global Gag rule where even discussing abortion with its patients as an option for family planning is discouraged.
This will apply to roughly $9.5 billion dollars in global
health funding, as opposed to roughly $575 million in
family planning and reproductive health funding.
The funding may even obstruct global health
organizations from offering HIV prevention and
treatment services, maternal health care, and Zika
virus prevention.
The ripple effects and unintended consequences may have devastating effects on health of women and girls around the globe. Such impacts will be particularly strongly felt in countries in Africa.
Box–
About Global Gag rule The Mexico City policy, also called the global gag rule by some human rights organizations, is a US govt policy that blocks federal funding for NGO that provide abortion counselling, advocates to decriminalize abortion or expand abortion services. Bill Clinton repealed it when he took office. George W. Bush reinstated it when he took office. Then Barack Obama again repealed it.
2.8.4. WALL ALONG THE MEXICAN BORDER
US President has signed two executive orders for the construction of an wall along the Mexican border to stop illegal migrants and speeding the deportation of millions of undocumented immigrants.
US-Mexico border is 3,100-km-long and traverses different terrain from dusty desert to lush surroundings.
USA is seeking to impose a 20% tax on imports from countries which has a trade deficit with US like Mexico in order to finance the construction of a border wall. However, the proposal is currently only for Mexico.
Mexico is the second-largest exporter to US, after China. It imported roughly $300 billion of goods from Mexico during 2016, and ran a trade deficit of around $60 billion.
US has a range of obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and at the World Trade Organization. And Mexico is likely to challenge any new tax that penalizes its economy.
Any turbulence in the US—Mexican trade relationship could have implications for the entire world.
Mexican president cancelled his trip to Washington, following order to begin construction on the wall.
2.9. GLOBAL INVESTMENT AGREEMENT
Why in news?
India, along with Brazil, Argentina and some other nations, has rejected an informal attempt by the European Union (EU) and Canada to work towards a global investment agreement at the WTO.
The EU and Canada have inked an investment pact that has incorporated the contentious Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism.
What is Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism?
The ISDS mechanism has become contentious as it permits companies to drag governments to international arbitration without exhausting the local remedies.
It also allows companies to claim huge amounts as compensation citing losses they suffered due to reasons, including policy changes.
India’s Position
International arbitration tribunals can only be used when all local options have been exhausted for settling disputes between a corporate and a government.
It also held that such provisions (ISDS mechanism) could be a part of bilateral agreements but they can’t be allowed in a multilateral agreement.
2.10. CHAGOS ARCHIPELAGO DISPUTE
Why in news?
The British Foreign Secretary has sought Indian assistance in resolving current tensions between UK, US and Mauritius over the future of the US military base Diego Garcia, and the Indian Ocean Chagos Archipelago.
About the Chagos Islands
The Chagos Islands- referred to by the British as the British Indian Ocean Territory, but which is not recognised as such by Mauritius- is home to the US military base Diego Garcia.
In the 1960s and 1970s, inhabitants were removed from the islands.
Mauritius has repeatedly asserted that the Chagos Archipelago is part of its territory and that the UK claim is a violation of UN resolutions banning the dismemberment of colonial territories before independence.
In 2015, the Permanent Court of Arbitration unanimously held that the marine protected area (MPA) which UK declared around the Chagos Archipelago in April 2010 was created in violation of international law.
The British believe that ensuring the future of Diego Garcia would be in India’s security interest in the region too.
India’s Position-
India made it clear that it has a long-standing and principled position on this subject. India conveyed that it is for Britain and Mauritius to reach an amicable solution on this matter bilaterally.
The approach by the U.K. is seen by the Indian side as a positive move, signalling Britain’s eagerness to partner with India on security matters in the region.
–Fig–
