Nov-16IR Flashcards
Nov-16IR-Index
2.1. India as a Soft Power
2.2. India-UK
2.3. India-Sri Lanka: Fishermen Issue
-2.3.1. Issue of Sovereignty of Kachchatheevu
2.4. China
-2.4.1. China’s OBOR Initiative
-2.4.2. RCEP Concerns WRT China
-2.4.3. Chinese Ship Opens New Trade Route via
Pakistani Port
2.5. Russia-China-Pak Triangle
2.6. India-Japan
-2.6.1. Indo-Japan Nuclear Deal
2.7. India-Thailand-Myanmar Friendship Motor Car Rally
2.8. India-Israel
2.9. Rohingya Issue
2.10. BBIN Initiative
2.11. 50 Years of UNCITRAL
2.12. Trans-Pacific Partnership
2.13. Russia Quits ICC
2.1. INDIA AS A SOFT POWER
About
India’s soft power is based upon its vast heritage going back thousands of years.
India is placed 34th in terms of Soft Power as per the second annual list of nations with the greatest magnitude of ‘soft power released by London-based PR outfit Portland Communications.
What is Soft Power?
The concept of soft power was developed by Joseph Nye of Harvard University and is the ability to attract and co-opt to shape preference of others instead of employing coercive measures or monetary influence.
Hard power encompasses military and economic means while soft power is about culture and values.
Soft power is a strategy used, in working to persuade by constructing and mobilizing networks, developing and communicating compelling narratives, establishing international norms, building coalitions, and drawing on the key resources that endear one country to another.
Soft power is important economically, politically and diplomatically, establishing the prestige of a nation.
Why Soft Power has enjoyed rapid growth and popularity?
Soft power strategies are an appropriate response to the changing nature of foreign policy, which is driven by power diffusion and the digital revolution.
Using soft power resources can be much more cost-effective than hard power tactics.
Collaboration has become the most effective approach to shaping major global outcomes. In contrast, unilateral action has become increasingly difficult, costly, and open to challenge. For example: The heavy economic cost borne by Russia following the annexation of Crimea.
India as a Soft Power
Indian philosophy has captivated Western minds since the 1960s.
The Indian cinema has long drawn huge audiences in significant parts of Asia, Africa, and beyond.
The impressive participation around the world on International Yoga Day
India has sophisticated systems of philosophy, psychology, medicine, science, social thought and spirituality, containing a wealth of wisdom and transformative ideas for this new era of information technology.
India has an elaborate and integrated artistic culture of music, dance, painting, poetry, sculpture and architecture, covering human creativity in all its diverse forms.
However there are few areas to be worked on
Cultural institutes: India needs to invest more in its equivalent cultural institute, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), or create a newer, more youth-oriented institute.
Germany has the Goethe Institute, China has its Confucius institutes, and France has the Alliance Francaise.
These are non-profit institutions with branches in all major cities throughout the world, as well as major universities, where they offer individuals the chance to learn foreign languages and attend cultural events such as movie showings and cooking classes.
Museums: India’s National Museum does not feature on lists of top museums throughout the world. There is a need for a world class museum in India. The museum should be a repository for South Asia’s treasures, but also seek artifacts from all over the world. The museum should cater to both an international and domestic audience.
Sports: India should invest more in sports.
As a large, topographically diverse country, it should encourage both domestic and international visitors.
For example, like Iran, India can develop a major skiing culture, attracting would-be skiers from neighboring, warmer third-world countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Tourism: India should do more to draw tourists to beautiful but relatively unvisited sites such as the Sun Temple in Orissa, the ruins of Hampi in Karnataka, or the Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh.
India should go beyond the image of just the Taj Mahal and Rajput forts.
Increase tourism and draw tourists to all the states.
Cinema:
India makes more movies a year than any other country. Yet, India has done little to convert this love of its movies into a desire for people to go to India or learn more about it (like the way Japan has used anime to promote itself throughout the world).
India needs better, more consistent marketing.
The way forward
Without soft power, hard power lacks its intellectual and cultural edge. While soft power provides the ideas and motivation, hard power gives the tools and weapons for the soft power to expand.
Indian soft power has enormous influence in the world – from religious and spiritual aspects to popular culture and its IT-related expertise, crucial in today’s increasingly digitized world.
2.2. INDIA-UK
Why in news?
UK’s PM Theresa May offered frequent registered
traveller scheme for Indians travelling to Britain for
business.
The UK is also planning to restrict immigration through “work and study routes” which will have an impact on Indians being hired by British firms.
About the traveller Scheme
Under the scheme, Indian nationals frequently visiting to the U.K. and contributing to growth in both countries will have a ‘significantly easier’ entry process including fewer forms to be filled, access to the EU-EEA passport controls, swifter passage through airports.
It will give a boost to trade and investment in both the
countries and strengthen ties between two nations.
About the Immigration Scheme
As per the proposal
Immigration system will be re-looked if it provides the
right incentives for businesses to invest in British workers.
From December 2016, landlords renting out property to people with no right to be in the UK will be committing a criminal offence and could go to prison.
Immigration checks will be a mandatory requirement for those wanting to get a licence to drive a taxi.
From 2017, banks will have to do regular checks to ensure they are not providing essential banking services to illegal migrants.
Prospective impacts of the Immigration Scheme
The tightened immigration will “ensure gaps in the UK’s labour market.
The crackdown will affect students from India planning to study in the UK; their numbers are already at an all-time low.
The move may make it difficult for British firms to hire from outside the EU, including countries like India.
Box–About EU-EEA
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 28 countries. It operates an internal (or single) market, which allows free movement of goods, capital, services and people between member states.
The EEA includes EU countries and also Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. It allows them to be part of the EU’s single market.
Switzerland is neither an EU nor EEA member but is part of the single market - this means Swiss nationals have the same rights to live and work in the UK as other EEA nationals.
Box–Current UK’s Immigration scheme
United Kingdom presents one of the toughest immigration regimes around the globe.
Broadly, the U.K. visa statutes for immigrants have been classified into tier system - Tier-1 and 2.
Tier 1 takes care of the highly esteemed emigrants who can really contribute to U.K.’s economy.
Eligibilities are assessed on basis of point based evaluation of migrant profiles.
It is mandatory to secure 95 marks in point assessment and 100 marks if migrant filing is under another qualified visa class.
Tier 2 includes trained workers under different classes.
2.3. INDIA-SRI LANKA: FISHERMEN ISSUE
Why in news?
India and Sri Lanka have agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on Fisheries (JWG) and a hotline between their Coast Guards to address the long-standing issue of fishermen from Tamil Nadu being arrested.
Background
The bone of contention between the two sides is the Palk bay, the 137 kilometers long and its breadth varies between 64 to 137 kilometers.
An International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) separates five Indian and three Sri Lankan districts.
Fishing is the economic mainstay of northern Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan fishermen have been demanding their Indian counterparts to stop bottom-trawling that have been damaging the marine ecosystem.
Since 2014, Sri Lanka Navy has seized more than 100 fishing trawlers; while they have released the Indian fishermen, they refuse to release the trawlers.
The inconclusive talks among the fishermen representatives
The Indian fishermen asked a three years phase out period. Under it, they should be allowed fishing for 83 days annually for next three years and then the fishermen will be withdrawn completely.
The demand was rejected by the Sri Lankan fishermen who sought “compensation for the losses incurred” owing to the fishing by Tamil Nadu fishermen in “their waters”.
Pak Bay and associated issues
The Palk Bay has been providing rich fishing grounds for both the countries. However, multiple issues have compounded in recent decades to bring tensions in the region. These include-
Look 2.3.1.ISSUE OF SOVEREIGNTY OF
KACHCHATHEEVU
2.3.1. ISSUE OF SOVEREIGNTY OF KACHCHATHEEVU
The maritime boundary agreements of 1974 and 1976 delimited international boundaries in the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal, respectively. But on the ground the people concerned, namely fishermen, were not consulted.
The island previously used to be under the Zamindari system of land tenure established by the British government. At the time of ceding, New Delhi did not consider Kachchatheevu to be part of India but rather a disputed territory.
The government of India deemed the boundary agreement necessary to promote bilateral relations with Sri Lanka. There was strong opposition in Tamil Nadu which was brushed aside.
The ongoing dispute has escalated tensions between those fishermen using traditional methods and those using mechanized methods, as well as increased the infringement of territorial boundaries.
According to the government of Tamil Nadu, the sufferings of Indian Tamil fishermen is a direct consequence of ceding Kachchatheevu to Sri Lanka and sacrificing the traditional fishing rights enjoyed by Indian fishermen.
According to the then foreign minister, Swaran Singh, though the island was ceded to Sri Lanka, the Indian fishermen continued to enjoy their traditional rights of fishing in and around Kachchatheevu.
- CHINA
- 2.4.1. CHINA’S OBOR INITIATIVE
Why in news?
Latvia became the first country in the Baltic Sea area to sign a MoU to link up with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, during the visit by Premier Li Keqiang to the country
India’s concerns
OBOR project will have a connected mix of developed European countries along with bustling
East Asian nations. India is concerned because many roads of the “belt” are inching towards India. For instance-
Pakistan economic corridor-connecting Kashgar in Xinjiang with Karachi and Gwadar on the Arabian coast. It will run across the mighty Karakorams and through PoK.
China is also extending its Tibet railway line from Lhasa to the Indian frontiers in the south.
Besides economic integration, OBOR showcase Chinese military might to the larger world.
China, through OBOR, can use sensitive corridors for its military mobilization
Pros of India joining OBOR
The technical know-how the project will bring back could be used to develop or iron out issues facing technical bottlenecks.
The OBOR initiative could be icing on the cake for India’s flagship programs like Digital India. The “Information Silk Route” has the telecom connectivity between the countries through fiber, trunk line and under-sea cables.
This will expand the bandwidth capabilities for India significantly, without which offering e-Governance and delivering public services in an efficient manner will remain a pipe dream and a good marketing campaign.
India will have excellent connectivity of various transport modes, and a great facilitator to Make In India initiative if India joins such global infrastructure project.
Box–About OBOR
The initiative comprises of the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21 Century Maritime Silk Road.
The initiative was proposed by President Xi Jinping in 2013.
It aims to boost connectivity and trade across Asia, Africa and Europe. Three main goals of China are:
Economic diversification
political stability and the
development of a multipolar global order
2.4.2. RCEP CONCERNS WRT CHINA
Why in news?
RCEP raised concerns recently over giving greater market access to Chinese goods without gaining in return from Chinese economy.
What is the issue?
If China is given more market access it may dump items where it has excess capacity like steel, as well as highly subsidized items which may harm local industry of importing countries and distort trade.
Also, by agreeing to eliminate tariffs altogether, the move will mainly help China.
Earlier proposal by India
Earlier, India proposed a three-tier tariff reduction plan, depending on whether it has a free trade agreement with the member country or not.
Under the plan, it proposed 80% tariff cuts to the 10 Asean countries, 65% to South Korea and Japan and 42.5% tariff liberalization to China, Australia and New Zealand, with which it does not have free trade agreements.
However, under pressure from other members it agreed to provide similar tariff cuts to all RCEP member states with limited deviation at the Laos ministerial.
Current Situation
India is pitching for simultaneous negotiations for liberalisation of trade in goods and services in the proposed RCEP agreement.
India plans to raise its earlier offer of tariff elimination on 42.5% traded goods with China but well below what it would offer to other member countries.
It also plans to stagger the phase-out of tariffs over a longer period in the case of China, to allow Indian
industry more time to adjust.
2.4.3. CHINESE SHIP OPENS NEW TRADE ROUTE
VIA PAKISTANI PORT
China opened a new international trade route from the newly built Gwadar port connecting Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East by seeing off an export ship to Middle East and Africa.
Why is this important?
The Gwadar port is the showpiece of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, which Beijing sees as a crucial link that will help it in its drive to become a world power.
CPEC and Pakistan
CPEC investment is expected to exceed all FDI in Pakistan since 1970.
Over 7 lakh direct jobs likely to be created by CPEC in Pakistan.
It will enhance the cooperation between China and Pak.
Few Pak groups have expressed concern that Beijing could eventually use CPEC to boost its trade with India.
The Baloch angle
People in Balochistan, the Pakistani province in which Gwadar is located, are against the CPEC. They claim that the CPEC’s benefits will not flow to them. CPEC and India
India is unhappy with the CPEC as it passes through the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Baloch activists have been reaching out to India in a hope to bring focus to their plight internationally.
The China-Pak axis has already been creating waves and is concerning India.
Box–1-The Gwadar port
Gwadar is warm-water, deep-sea port.
Strategic location- it is located between South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia at the mouth of the Persian Gulf, just outside the Straits of Hormuz.
It will also be the site of a floating liquefied natural gas facility as part of the larger $2.5 billion Iran–Pakistan gas pipeline project
Box–2-About CPEC
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a 3,218-km route consisting of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect Gwadar port to Xinjiang in China. The CPEC is crucial for China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative that aims to connect China to Europe and Asia.
–FIG–
2.5. RUSSIA-CHINA-PAK TRIANGLE
Why in news?
Russia recently announced collaboration with Pak and China for a regional partnership project centred around Afghanistan.
The timing of the announcement is significant as it comes amid rising war tensions between India and Pakistan, and just ahead of the 14-nation ‘Heart of Asia’ donor conference for Afghanistan to be held in India.
Russia-Pak
Russia has been actively strengthening its military, economic and diplomatic ties with both China and Pakistan. Even though Pakistan is Russia’s Cold War rival, Moscow is understandably keen on forming an alliance with Islamabad and Beijing.
Pakistan recently approved Russia’s request to use the strategic Gwadar Port for its exports, signalling a new alignment in bilateral relations after decades’ of sour ties during the Cold War era.
China-Pak
China and Pakistan have been traditional allies for decades. China has always provided its military and diplomatic support to Pakistan against India.
China recently announced to deploy its naval ships along with the Pakistan Navy to safeguard the strategic Gwadar port and trade routes under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Gwadar port would enhance the military capabilities of both China and Pakistan, and make it possible for the Chinese Navy to easily access the Arabian Sea.
Prospectus of Russia-China-Pak superpower triangle
Forming such triangle would not only allow them to impose efficient measures to counter the spread of terrorism and radicalism in the region but also stand up to America’s growing influence in the region.
Given that Russia, China and Pakistan are all nuclear powers, their alliance also makes them an intimidating nuclear force to be reckoned with.
(Refer to September 2016 issue for Russia-Pakistan Axis, and October 2016 issue for China-Pak Axis and India)
2.6. INDIA-JAPAN
Why in news?
Prime Minister Modi recently visited Japan at the invitation of Prime Minister of Japan Abe. The two Prime Ministers held wide-ranging consultations.
Background
India and Japan, motivated primarily by shared concerns about China, have been developing a closer defence partnership defined by regular maritime exercises and high-level political consultations.
Amid growing competition between the United States and China in Asia, the often-overlooked relationship between two secondary powers – India and Japan – has quietly developed into a close security partnership over the past 16 years.
Outcomes of the visit–
Synergising the partnership-
Both countries undertook a comprehensive review of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership as outlined in the “India and Japan Vision 2025” and acknowledged the significant progress in bilateral relations over the past two years.
Enhanced space and cooperation on global challenges- such as climate change, countering terrorism and violent extremism, reform of the United Nations (UN) including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), as well as maintaining rules-based international order.
Building stronger partnership for stable and safe world-
Emphasis on rising importance of Indo-Pacific region- stressed the core values of democracy, peace, the rule of law, tolerance, and respect for the environment in realising pluralistic and inclusive growth of the region.
Consolidation of security and defence cooperation- welcomed two Defence Framework Agreements concerning the Transfer of Defence Equipment and Technology and concerning Security Measures for the Protection of Classified Military Information.
Deepening bilateral security and defence dialogues, through the “2+2” Dialogue, Defence Policy Dialogue, Military-to-Military Talks and Coast Guard-to-Coast Guard co-operation.
Partnership for prosperity-
A dedicated task force to be set up comprising representatives of both countries to develop a concrete roadmap for phased transfer of technology and “Make in India.”
Cooperation on the human resource development in the manufacturing sector in India through “Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme.”
The two Prime Ministers noted the growing collaboration between India and Japan in the modernisation and expansion of conventional railway system in India.
To build upon cooperation in the field of smart cities to develop smart islands by initiating consultations to identify technologies, infrastructure, development strategies and management processes facilitating development of smart islands in an efficient and effective manner.
Cooperation for a cleaner and greener future-
Recognised the importance of access to reliable, clean and affordable energy and welcomed the Japan-India Energy Partnership Initiative laid by the Japan-India 8th Energy Dialogue held in January 2016.
Commitment to work together in developing the rules for successful implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate change. Signed the Agreement for Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy which reflects a new level of mutual confidence and strategic partnership in the cause of clean energy, economic development and a peaceful and secure world.
Foundation of a Future-oriented Partnership-Both the countries signed the following MoUs-
MOU between JAXA and ISRO concerning Cooperation in the Field of Outer Space
MoU between Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Republic of India and The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) on Mutual Collaboration in Marine and Earth Science and Technology.
o Will advance of academic research in the field of Earth Sciences for the benefit of the peace and human welfare.
o Will enhance capability in the field of atmospheric and climate research, ocean technology observation and hazard mitigation in case of tsunami, earthquakes and other phenomenon.
o Will boost our “Blue Economy” with better research and exploration of marine resources.
o Will give much needed exposure to Indian scientists by sharing of mutual experiences.
MoU between National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited and Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport and Urban Development
MoU between Textiles Committee, Ministry of Textiles, GoI and Japan Textiles Products Quality and Technology Centre (QTEC) in the Field of Textiles
Investing in people for durable partnership by enhancing people to people contacts and in other areas of cooperation. Both countries signed following Memorandum of Cooperation(MoC)-
MOC between the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship of India, Government of India and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Government of Japan on the Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Program
MoC between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan in the Field of Agriculture and Food Related Industry
MOC in the Field of Cultural Exchange between the Ministry of Culture, Government of India and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Government of Japan
MoC on Cooperation in Sports between Ministry if Youth affairs & Sports Government of India and Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Government of Japan
2.6.1. INDO-JAPAN NUCLEAR DEAL
Significance
The Agreement is a crucial determining factor as the US-based reactor vendors, as well as other global nuclear reactor manufacturers have alliances with Japanese companies and source the most critical equipment in a reactor — the calandria or reactor vessel — from Japanese heavy forging major Japan Steel Works (JSW). Now, after agreement India has direct agreement for Cooperation in Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy with Japan.
The pact is a major achievement for India as it is Japan’s first civilian nuclear cooperation pact with a country that has not signed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The negotiations began in June 2010.
The agreement confirms India’s position in front of the world as a responsible nuclear nation which uses nuclear energy peacefully.
The pact is in line with Japan’s ambition to create a world without nuclear weapons.
The Indo-Japan nuclear pact is crucial for energy-starved India to access sensitive technologies to generate clean electricity.
It will boost India’s strategy to pursue a low-carbon growth model in decades to come. It was formally enunciated in the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution announced at COP-21 in Paris late last year and ratified by the government on October 2,2016.
The deal took many years because India was reluctant to limit its option to carry out more atomic weapons’ tests in case the need arose. And Japan was uncomfortable with India having a nuclear weapons programme outside the nuclear non-proliferation regime.
2.7. INDIA-THAILAND-MYANMAR FRIENDSHIP MOTOR CAR RALLY
Why in news?
India flagged off a Friendship Motor Car Rally from India Gate lawns in Delhi to Bangkok.
Significance of the rally
It will play an important role in developing the economic, transport and cultural relations between the three countries and will improve our relationship with our neighbouring countries.
It will give a boost to the PM Modi’s ‘ Act East Policy’.
It will highlight the potential benefits of connectivity and integration in the region.
About IMT trilateral Highway
The India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway is an ambitious project of 1990 miles (3200 km) that will connect India with the ASEAN region.
The highway will link Moreh in Manipur state (India), via Mandalay city (Myanmar) and to Mae Sot district (Thailand).
It is a part of India’s upgraded “Act East” policy, which seeks to strategically build India’s link with the Southeast Asian region.
Bangladesh has also been showing interest in joining the IMT highway through BIMSTEC.
2.8. INDIA-ISRAEL
Why in news?
Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin, was in India on a six-day visit to India.
Political sensitivity over India’s longstanding ties with Palestine had forced successive governments to keep the ties low-key.
Significance of the visit
Rivlin is the first Israeli head of state to visit India in nearly 20 years. The last Israeli president to visit India was Ezer Weizman, in January 1997. The visit comes after President Pranab Mukherjee’s Israel trip in 2015.
Rivlin’s visit marks 25 years of formal diplomatic ties with Israel set in motion by the PV Narasimha Rao government in 1992.
Importance of Israel for India
Israel has emerged as a key partner for India in the spheres of security and defence.
In agriculture, India has benefited from Israeli expertise and technologies in horticulture mechanization, protected cultivation, orchard and canopy management, nursery management, micro-irrigation and post-harvest management particularly in Haryana and Maharashtra. Israeli drip irrigation technologies and products are now widely used in India.
Political relations between both the countries are friendly and in recent years, ties have expanded to areas such as science and technology, education and homeland security.
Bilateral merchandise strengthened between the two countries from 1992-2011. It has stagnated around $4.5 billion.
Major exports from India to Israel include precious stones and metals, chemical products, textiles and textile articles, plants and vegetable products, and mineral products. Major imports by India from Israel include precious stones and metals, chemicals (mainly potash) and mineral products, base metals and machinery and transport equipment.
2.9. ROHINGYA ISSUE
Why in news?
Bangladesh, which shares a 168-km border with Myanmar, has refused to accept more Rohingya refugees. The issue of migration happened due to a military crackdown in the Rakhine State of Myanmar.
Background
The latest surge in refugees was prompted by a long-building crisis: the discriminatory policies of the Myanmar government in Rakhine state, which have caused hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee since the late 1970s.
The plight has been compounded by the responses of Myanmar’s neighbours, which have been reluctant to take in refugees for fear of a migrant influx they feel incapable of handling.
Legal status of the Rohingya
The Myanmar government refuses to grant the Rohingya citizenship status, and as a result the vast majority of the group’s members have no legal documentation, effectively making them stateless.
Reasons of their fleeing from Myanmar
The longstanding persecution of Rohingya.
Rakhine state being Myanmar’s least developed state, with more than 78 percent of households living below the poverty threshold.
Widespread poverty, weak infrastructure, and a lack of employment opportunities exacerbate the cleavage between Buddhists and Muslim Rohingya. This tension is deepened by religious differences that have at times erupted into conflict.
Government policies, including restrictions on marriage, family planning, employment, education, religious choice, and freedom of movement have institutionalized systemic discrimination against the ethnic group.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand—all ASEAN members—are yetto ratify the UN Refugee Convention and its Protocol.
Regions of their migration: Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India etc.
Steps being taken to address Migration crisis
Aung San Suu Kyi, established a nine-person commission in August 2016, led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, to discuss options for resolving the ethnic strife in Rakhine state.
Advocacy groups like Human Rights Watch, the Arakan Project, and Fortify Rights, a Southeast Asia-based advocacy group, continue to appeal to major international players to exert pressure on Myanmar’s government.
The United States and other global powers have urged the central government in Myanmar to do more to protect ethnic minority groups from persecution.
India’s perspective
At a time when refugee crisis is spreading over Europe, we may also suffer similar crisis involving the Rohingyas.
India is not party to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol and does not have a national refugee protection framework
The Government of India’s approach to refugee issues results in different standards of protection and assistance among refugee groups.
Way Forward
An international response that consists primarily of assigning blame for this humanitarian tragedy is no longer tenable. It is time for the international community to organize a realistic, workable solution.
Box–About Rohingyas
The Rohingya are an ethnic Muslim minority group living primarily in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state; they practice a Sufi-inflected variation of Sunni Islam.
The Rohingya differ from Myanmar’s dominant Buddhist groups ethnically, linguistically, and religiously.
The Rohingya are largely identified as illegal Bengali immigrants, despite the fact that many Rohingya have resided in Myanmar for centuries.
–Fig–
2.10. BBIN INITIATIVE
Why in news?
The Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) motor vehicle agreement was rejected by the National Council (NC), the upper house of the Bhutanese Parliament, during the on- going winter session recently.
The agreement had earlier been approved by the National Assembly, the lower house of Parliament, though it had received a great deal of criticism by the opposition.
Reasons cited by Lawmakers of Bhutan
The BBIN MVA is not much of help to Bhutan in economic development as Bhutan’s trade is mostly with India and both nations already allow free movement of vehicles across their border.
Significance of BBIN for India
The MVA agreement between sub-groupings of four SAARC nations Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) would have paved the way for a seamless movement of people and goods across their borders for the benefit and integration of the region and its economic development.
The BBIN framework was seen as a conducive model of sub-regional co-operation in the area of Connectivity which involves transport as well as energy.
India’s plan to single out Pakistan by implementing the pact has suffered a jolt by this rejection.
India’s take on Bhutan’s decision
India has asked the Bhutanese government to reconsider the pact. However, the reconsideration can be done only after a year, as per the procedure there.
New Delhi is now exploring various options to operationalize the agreement. For the time being, it has been decided that the pact will be implemented only amongst those countries which have ratified it — India, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Box–India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh signed a landmark Motor Vehicles Agreement (MVA) for the Regulation of Passenger, Personnel and Cargo Vehicular Traffic among the four South Asian neighbours in 2015.
