International Relations: February 2023 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

India, UAE & France Trilateral Cooperation Initiative

• India joined UAE, and France for a trilateral Cooperation Initiative in fields including energy, defence, and economy.

About

• The trilateral was first discussed on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2022.
  • The initiative will focus on
  • Nuclear and solar power
  • Climate change and biodiversity
  • Defence preparation 
  • Countering infectious diseases

Agenda of Trilateral Cooperation

• It will serve as a forum to promote the design and execution of cooperation projects in the fields of energy, with a focus on solar and nuclear energy.
• The initiative will also help in the fight against climate change and the protection of biodiversity, particularly in the Indian Ocean region.
• The three sides desired to cooperate in the field of circular economy under the aegis of India’s Mission LiFE.
• They agreed to expand their cooperation through initiatives such as the Mangrove Alliance for Climate led by the UAE and the Indo-Pacific Parks Partnership led by India and France.
• The countries have agreed to cooperate in defence preparation and in countering infectious diseases.
• It seeks to promote cooperation in multilateral organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance, Global Fund, and Unitaid. 
• They will cooperate to implement the One Health approach and support the development of local capacities in biomedical innovation and production within developing countries.

Global initiatives launched by India for Clean Energy

• Mission Life
  • It aims to mobilise at least one billion Indians and other global citizens to take individual and collective action for conserving the environment in the period 2022-28. It is piloted by NITI Aayog and implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA)
  • ISA's objective is to scale up solar energy and reduce the cost of solar power generation through the aggregation of demand for solar finance, technologies, innovation, research, and development, and capacity building.
• One sun, one world, one grid project (OSOWOG)
  • It is based on the vision of building and scaling inter-regional energy grids to share solar energy across the globe. It can be the solution to most of our global problems in the energy sector.
• India’s commitment at COP26 Glasgow summit
  • To take India’s non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
  • To bring down the carbon intensity of India by more than 45% by 2030.
  • India will achieve the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2070.
• Mission Innovation CleanTech Exchange
  • The network provides access to the expertise and market insights needed to support new technologies to access new markets globally.

Russia Suspends New START

• Recently, Russia suspended its participation in the New START treaty.
• It is the last remaining major military agreement with the United States.

New Start treaty

About

• The New START is officially known as the “Treaty between the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms”.
• START stands for  “Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty”. The term ‘strategic offensive arms’ applies to nuclear warheads deployed by Strategic Nuclear Delivery Vehicles (‘SNDVs’). SNDVs are Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (‘ICBMs’) with a range exceeding 5,500 kilometres
• It is the last remaining arms control treaty between the world's two main nuclear powers, US and Russia.
• It is one of the key controls on the superpower deployment of nuclear weapons.
• Signed by: Barack Obama in 2010 and was extended by Joe Biden till 2026.
• It took effect in February 2011.

Background

• This News START treaty is successor to the START-I, which was signed between the US and the erstwhile USSR in 1991, and came into force in 1994.
• START-I was replaced first by the Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (SORT, also known as the Treaty of Moscow), and then by the New START treaty.

Structure:

• It restricts both countries to a maximum of 1,550 deployed strategic nuclear warheads each and limits launchers and heavy bombers to 800.
• It also outlines mutual inspections and regular data exchanges on warheads and delivery mechanisms.
• It includes an agreement to notify each other about the status of some ballistic missiles.

Compliance:

• The treaty provides for 18 on-site inspections per year for US and Russian inspection teams.

What are the implications of a suspension?

• A suspension of the treaty may mean that it will be harder for the US to monitor compliance.
• Earlier, Russia has already suspended mutual inspections of nuclear weapons sites and participation in a bilateral consultative commission. 
• Suspension of reporting and data exchange on nuclear weapon movements and other related developments.

India-Kenya Ties 

Why in News?

India recently handed over 100 nautical charts to Kenya, the result of a collaborative survey between the navies of both countries of the coastal area near the Lamu Archipelago.

• From India, the survey was conducted by the Indian Navy's National Hydrography Office.

What are the Key Points Related to Kenya?

• Kenya is located in East Africa. Its terrain rises from a low coastal plain on the Indian Ocean to mountains and plateaus at its centre.
• Kenya's location between the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria means that people from all over Africa and the Middle East have travelled and traded across it for centuries.
• This has created a diverse culture with many ethnic groups and languages.
• Scientists think Northern Kenya and Tanzania may have been the original birthplace of humans.
• The bones of one of the earliest human ancestors ever found were discovered in Kenya's Turkana Basin.
• Lake Turkana, the world's largest desert lake, is part of the Omo-Turkana basin, which stretches into four countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda.
• UN-Habitat maintains its headquarters at the United Nations Office at Nairobi, Kenya.

How are India’s Relations with Kenya?

• India and Kenya have historical linkages rooted in the well-documented trade in spices.
• In addition to being India’s maritime neighbour, it is also a significant stakeholder in determining the geopolitics of the Western Indian Ocean.
• India has a long-established connection with the African Union of which Kenya is an active member.
• The Kenyan government in 2017, recognized the Indian descent as the 44^th tribe in the country.
• Also, till date, a total of 14 Kenyan personnel has undergone courses at the National Institute of Hydrography, Goa under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scheme.

What is the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme?

• ITEC is the leading capacity building platform of the Ministry Of External Affairs, Government of India.
• Instituted in 1964, ITEC is one of the oldest institutionalised arrangements for international capacity building having trained more than 200,000 officials from 160+ countries in both the civilian and in the defence sector.
• EC offers nearly 10,000 fully-funded in-person training opportunities through nearly 400 courses offered at 100+ eminent institutes in India each year.

India-Germany Cooperation on Innovation

Context

• India and Germany agreed on a vision statement to enhance cooperation on innovation and technology during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Highlights

• The statement said the two countries share a long history of cooperation in science and technology, research and innovation, institutionalised under the framework of the Inter-Governmental Agreement on ‘Cooperation in Scientific Research and Technological Development’, signed in May 1974.
• The leaders discussed progress on Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP), which India and Germany had launched during Modi’s visit to Berlin for the 6th IGC.
• The GSDP is an umbrella partnership that provides political guidance and steer to robust ties in climate action and SDGs.
• Under this, Germany will also place €10 billion in new and additional commitments under their development cooperation portfolio in India.
• India and Germany also agreed to cooperate on Green Hydrogen.
• The Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force was constituted in September 2022 and an Action Plan is close to finalisation.
• On “Triangular Development Cooperation”, during the sixth IGC, India and Germany agreed to work on development projects in third countries. The four projects, announced in May 2022, are now in different stages of implementation:
• Cameroon: Potato Seed Production through Rooted Apical Cuttings (RAC) Technology.
• Malawi: Agri Business Incubator Models for Women in Agriculture & Food Systems
• Ghana: Developing Bamboo-Based Enterprises for Sustainable Livelihood and Income Generation in Ghana
• Peru: Development of a geospatial portal prototype for planning, monitoring, and evaluation of the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion of Peru (MIDIS) interventions and social programs.
• Germany has come on board the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
• The two sides continued discussion on the proposed deal for Germany to build jointly with India six conventional submarines for the Indian Navy. “
• The Modi-Scholz meeting resulted in two intergovernmental documents – India-Germany Vision to Enhance Cooperation in Innovation and Technology and a Letter of Intent between Department of Science and Technology of the Government of India and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems of Germany for Cooperation in Green Hydrogen and Clean Energy Technologies.

Relations over the years

• Bilateral relations between India and Germany are founded on common democratic principles and are marked by a high degree of trust and mutual respect.
• India was amongst the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with the Federal Republic of Germany after the Second World War.
• Relations grew significantly following the end of the Cold War and the reunification of Germany.
• In the last decade, both economic and political interaction between India and Germany has increased significantly.
• Today, Germany is amongst India’s most important partners both bilaterally and in the global context.
• India and Germany have a “Strategic Partnership” since 2001

High-level consultations

• Relationship has been further strengthened with the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) at the level of Head of Governments which allows for a comprehensive review of Cooperation and identification of new areas of engagement.
• India is amongst a select group of countries with which Germany has such a high-level Consultations.
• Regular visits take place from both sides, including at the highest level
• There is an Indo-German Parliamentary Friendship Group, in German Bundestag since 1971.
• Some States and Cities of India and Germany have entered into twinning arrangements. Karnataka and Bavaria have Sister State arrangement since 2007. Mumbai and Stuttgart are sister cities since 1968. In January 2015, Maharashtra and Baden-Wurttemberg signed an MoU to establish a Sister State relationship.

Institutional Cooperation Arrangements

• Several institutionalized arrangements exist between India and Germany to discuss bilateral and global issues of interest namely, Foreign Office Consultations, High Defence Committee, Indo-German Energy Forum, Indo-German Environment Forum, S&T Committee, and Joint Working Groups in various fields, including skill development, automotive, agriculture, coal, tourism, water and waste management.

Defence Cooperation

• India-Germany Defence Cooperation Agreement (2006) provides a framework for bilateral defence cooperation.
• To further enhance the Defence Industry and defence cooperation between Germany and India, an Arrangement on Implementation of the Agreement concerning Bilateral Defence Cooperation was signed in 2019

Economic & Commercial Relations

• Germany is India's largest trading partner in Europe.
• Bilateral trade grew from Euro 15.96 billion to Euro 20.41 bn in 2018.
• Germany is the 7th largest foreign direct investor in India since April 2000.
• A Fast-Track System for German companies has been operating in Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) since March 2016

Science & Technology

• Indo-German Science & Technology cooperation started with the signing of the Intergovernmental S&T Cooperation Agreement in 1971 and 1974.
• There are more than 150 joint S&T research projects and 70 direct partnerships between Universities of both countries.

Development Cooperation

• Germany has been an important development cooperation partner for several decades.
• Total bilateral Technical and Financial Cooperation since it began in 1958, amounts to approx. Euro 17 billion.
• Energy, sustainable economic development and environment & management of natural resources are priority areas.
• Financial assistance from Germany is mainly as soft loan, composite loans or grants routed through KfW, German Government’s Development Bank.

Indians in Germany

• There are about 1.7 lakh Indians and people of Indian origin in Germany.
• The Indian diaspora mainly comprises of professionals, technocrats, businessmen/traders and nurses.

Germany

• Germany is formally known as the Federal Republic of Germany.
• It is located in Central Europe.
• It is the 2nd most populous country in Europe after Russia.
• It is the most populous country in the European Union.
• Germany is located between the Baltic and North Sea in the north.
• Germany shares borders with;
  • The Alps in the South.
  • Denmark in the north.
  • Poland and the Czech Republic in the east.
  • Austria and Switzerland in the south.
  • France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands in the west.
• It is the 7th largest country in Europe.
• Most people follow Christianity.
• The official language is German.
• The capital is Berlin; it is also the largest city.
• Germany has the largest economy in Europe.
• It is the world's 4th-largest economy by nominal GDP and the 5th-largest by Purchasing power parities (PPPs).
• It is both the world's third-largest exporter and importer of goods.
• It is categorised as a developed country, it ranks very high on the Human Development Index.
• Areas of Rhine, Danube and Elbe are rich in natural resourcesincluding iron ore, coal, potash, timber, lignite, uranium, copper, natural gas, salt, nickel, etc.

Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan

Context 

India reiterated its call for an “inclusive and representative” government in Afghanistan, with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval declaring that the people of Afghanistan were among India’s “foremost priorities”.

Details

• He was speaking at the ‘5th Regional Dialogue on Afghanistan’ being held in Moscow.
• Addressing the delegates, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Moscow was in contact with the Taliban rulers in Kabul, adding that large economic projects are under way in Afghanistan that could “stabilise the situation in the economy”.
• Doval highlighted India’s “historical and special relationship” with Afghanistan and said that the “well-being and humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan” would “continue to guide” India’s policy towards Kabul.
• He emphasised that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism and that the natural resources of Afghanistan should be utilised “first for the welfare of Afghanistan”.
• India has not recognised the Taliban administration in Kabul. However, a technical team stationed at the Indian embassy in the Afghan capital has been overseeing the humanitarian assistance that India has been providing over the past year.
• His remarks came days after India’s Union Budget presentation, which allocated ₹200 crore for the development and humanitarian needs of the Afghan people.
• The meeting was also attended by Mr. Doval’s counterparts from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The third round of the dialogue had been held in Delhi under the chairmanship of Mr. Doval in November 2021.

Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan

• After the withdrawal of US forces and the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, with India’s stake in the region, has taken the initiative to organise a conference of regional stakeholders and important powers on the country’s current situation and future outlook.
• India’s top security establishment, the National Security Council Secretariat, has taken the lead in organising the in-person meeting and invited Afghanistan’s neighbourssuch as Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and other key players including Russia, and China.
• The meeting was also attended by Mr. Doval’s counterparts from Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The third round of the dialogue had been held in Delhi under the chairmanship of Mr. Doval in November 2021.
• India hosted the 3^rdmeeting on security dialogue and adopted the Delhi Declaration.

Delhi Declaration:

• The eight participating nations adopted the Delhi Declaration as an outcome of the security dialogue.
• Emphasized strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while stressing the respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs.
• Expressed concern for the suffering of the people of Afghanistanemanating from the precarious security situation there and also condemned the terrorist attacks that took place in the region.
• Stressed that the territory of Afghanistan should not be used for harbouring, nurturing or financing any terrorist activity.
• Condemned all terrorist activities and reaffirmed their staunch commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing, the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and countering radicalization, to assure that Afghanistan would never become a haven for global terrorism.
• Called for cooperation to fight radicalization, extremism, separatism and drug trafficking in the region.
• Emphasized the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan that would be truly representative of all the different factions and sections of Afghan society.
• Stressed the important role played by the United Nations in the region and said that its continued presence there is warranted.
• Reiterated that the fundamental rights of women, children and minorities are maintained.
• Stressed the need to continue giving humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan in a non-discriminatory manner.
• Reiterated the importance of their dialogue and agreed to remain engaged with each other in the future.

Why relations with Afghanistan matters?

Geostrategic and geopolitical location

• Afghanistan has been a key player in Asian geopolitics owing to its geostrategic and geopolitical location.
• Being situated at the crossroads of the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, it has been a transit and transport hub since the ancient Silk route.
• It has borders with six other nations including Iran, Pakistan, China, Turkmenistan have made it a hot-bed for conflict and cooperation.

Regional organisation

• It is also perhaps the only SAARC nation whose people have much affection for India.
• After a break between 1996 and 2001, when India joined the world in shunning the previous Taliban regime, one way New Delhi re-established ties with the country was to pour in development assistance.

Historical background

• India and Afghanistan have a strong relationship based on historical and cultural links.The relationship has its foundations in the historical contacts and exchanges between the people.
• In recent past, India-Afghanistan relations have been further strengthened by the Strategic Partnership Agreement, which was signed between the two countries in October 2011.

Political relations

High Level Visits

• Prime Minister of India visited Herat in 2016 and inaugurated the Afghan-India Friendship Dam, earlier known as Salma Dam.
• Prime Minister along with a high level delegation inaugurated the newly built Afghan Parliament and gifted four Mi-25 Attack helicopters to the Afghan Air Force in 2016.
• President Ghani paid a working visit to India in 2018 and expressed satisfaction at the increase in bilateral trade that had crossed the US $ 1 billion
• India agreed to implement important new projects such as the
• Shahtoot Dam and drinking water project for Kabul that would also facilitate irrigation; water supply for Charikar City; road connectivity to Band-e-Amir in Bamyan Province that would promote tourism;
• low cost housing for returning Afghan refugees in Nangarhar Province to assist in their resettlement;
• a gypsum board manufacturing plant in Kabul to promote value added local industry development and import substitution;
• a polyclinic in Mazar-e-Sharifamong others.
• In addition, India also committed to take up additional 116 High Impact Community Development Projects in 34 provinces of Afghanistan.

Commercial Relations

• India has been a natural trading partner for Afghanistan and is the largest market in South Asiafor its products.
• The total bilateral trade between India and Afghanistan for CY 2019-20 was at US$ 5 billion.
• Difficulties in transit via Pakistan was a major hurdle in expanding the trade ties.
• In order to expand trade to India, the Afghan government in collaboration with Government of India launched a dedicated Air Freight Corridoron 19 June 2017.
• Operationalization of the Chabahar Port in December 2017, followed by commercial agreement to manage port operations in February 2018, clearly demonstrate the feasibility of Chabahar Port as a transit point for Afghanistan and eventually to Central Asia.

Afghanistan-India Culture Relations:

• There have been several exchanges of artistes and music troupes over the past few years.
• In addition to the above people to people exchanges, the two Governments came together to establish an India- Afghanistan Foundation (IAF)in 2007.
• IAF is a trust fund, which finances projects aimed at fostering India-Afghanistan relations through enhancement of economic, scientific, educational, technical as well as cultural cooperation.

Sports Cooperation:

• India and Afghanistan have robust relations in the field of sports.
• Since 2011, Afghanistan Under-14 & Under-17 Boys’ and Under-17 Girls’ football teams have been participating in the Subroto Cup International Tournament organised every year by the India Air Force.
• Cricket has been a major factor in promoting people-to-people ties between the two countries. Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has been alloted three cricket home grounds in India (Noida, Dehradun and Lucknow).
• India is also involved in construction cricket stadiums and grounds in various provinces of Afghanistan.

High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP):

• Since 2005, India and Afghanistan have partnered in the area of community development through the HICDP program.
• Under this scheme, US$ 120 mn has been committed till date to various small to medium scale projects in areas such as education, health, water management, government buildings, sport facilities, agriculture and irrigation, etc.
• Around 433 High Impact Community Development Projects have been completed with Indian financial support in all 34 provinces of Afghanistan so far and around 110 projects are ongoing in various provinces of Afghanistan.
• During FY 2019-20, 37 projects were completed in various provinces of Afghanistan under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) scheme of Government of India.

Human Resource Development and Capacity Building:

• Human resource development and capacity building initiatives constitute an important segment of India's assistance in Afghanistan.
• On an average, more than 3,500 Afghan nationals undergo training/education in India every year.
• More than 15,000 Afghan students pursue education in India on self-financing basis.
• India’s assistance in human resource development has helped to create a large pool of trained manpower that has been an asset to both the public and private sectors in Afghanistan.

Humanitarian Assistance:

• Major humanitarian assistance by India to Afghanistan in recent years include the following:
• To combat the global pandemic of COVID-19 and related issues of food security, India is commited to deliver 75,000 MT of Wheat to Afghanistan in 2020.
• In addition, India has also undertaken supply of 5 lakh tablets of Hydroxy-chloroquinine, 1 Lakh tablets of Paracetamol and 50,000 pairs of surgical gloves to Government of Afghanistan in 2020.
• To promote food security, particularly children during the times of drought, India has distributed 2000 tonnes of pulses to Afghanistan in 2018.
• A Medical Diagnostic Centre in Kabul was set up in 2015. The Centre provides latest diagnostic facilities to children of Afghanistan thereby generating goodwill for India.

Indian Diaspora in Afghanistan:

• Presently, there are estimated to be about 1710 Indians in the country.
• Most of the Indians in Afghanistan are engaged as professionals in Banks, IT firms, construction companies, hospitals, NGOs, telecom companies, security companies, universities, Govt. of India sponsored projects, Govt. of Afghanistan and UN Missions.

India-Afghan Relations after Taliban Takeover:

• India follows 'zero-tolerance policy' towards terrorism.
• India propagate an Afghan-led, Afghan-controlled and Afghan-owned Inclusive Peace Process.
• India seeks a bigger role of United Nations in the Afghan peace process.
• India criticizes the role of Pakistan in promoting terror groups and for installing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.

Challenges for India

Dealing with the Taliban regime:

• Regardless of whether or not India recognises the Taliban as the legitimate ruler in Afghanistan, the government will have to open channels of communication to engage the Taliban.
• India has three critical areas in dealing with the Taliban:
  • protecting its investments, which run into billions of rupees, in Afghanistan
  • preventing a future Taliban regime from being a pawn of Rawalpindi;
  • making sure that the Pakistan-backed anti-India terrorist groups do not get support from the Taliban.

Strategic choices with Afghanistan:

• How its strategic options in Afghanistan will change given the Taliban’s proximity to Pakistan’s establishment
• India’s influence with the new government is likely to be considerably curtailed, as Pakistan’s influence over the Taliban remains strong, and the government will have to reconsider whether to now engage Pakistan directly as well
• Concerns that anti-India terror groups could occupy space in Afghanistan to carry out terror attacks against India
• Other strategic issues involving future connectivity, which India had sought to do via Chabahar port in Iran, must also be considered in the longer term. Trade through Afghanistan under a Taliban regime would be routed through Karachi and Gwadar, and the Indian investment in the Chabahar port, meant to circumvent Pakistan, may become unviable.
• The Taliban’s control will also mean a bigger hand for the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies to influence outcomes for the country.
• For New Delhi, already countering hostilities at the LAC with China and the LoC with Pakistan, an unfriendly government in Kabul can only complicate its strategic options.
• The Indian-built projects, including the already built Zaranj-Delaram Highway and Salma Dam, are already under Taliban control, and a cloud hangs over those under construction, including check-dams, schools and urban projects.
• Threat of radicalisation: the threat of growing radicalisation and space for pan-Islamic terror groups in India’s neighbourhood.
• New Regional Geopolitical Developments: There can be new regional geopolitical alignments (such as China-Pakistan-Taliban) which may go against the interests of India.
• Impact on Afghanistan: there is the worry for India of the impact on Afghanistan itself, given the Taliban’s past record in power, of an erosion in women’s and minority rights, the overturning of a democratic system and the imposition of the Taliban’s brutal form of justice. A Taliban regime in Kabul will have fewer international partners, and receive far less financial assistance, the impact of which will be felt most keenly by Afghanistan’s most vulnerable.

Way Forward

• Broader Diplomatic Engagement: India should consider appointing a special envoy dedicated to Afghanistan. The envoy can ensure that Indian views are expressed at every meeting, and broaden engagement with the Taliban.
• Decoupling of Taliban-Pakistan: The Taliban is bound to seek a measure of autonomy from Pakistan. India will have to wait a while before the current issues between India and the Taliban can be overcome.
• Balancing the Opportunities in Afghanistan: Structuring the internal balance of power within Afghanistan has always been hard. However, for a patient, open-minded and active India, there will be no dearth of balancing opportunities in Afghanistan.
• Leverage Indian Infrastructural Developments: Indian USD 3 billion assistance to Afghanistan is in concrete projects that serve its population and have earned it their goodwill that will endure.
• Continued Training and Investments:
  • India should provide more military training to Afghan security forces and invest in longer-term capacity-building programs.
  • It should actively support and invest in the National Directorate of Security
  • Finally, given the continued levels of violence and the impact of the coronavirus on the Afghan economy, India should expand its development assistance.

India-Mongolia Relations

Why in News?

Recently, the 11^th meeting of the India-Mongolia Joint Working Group was held in India.

• While acknowledging the growing ties between both the countries, they expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defense cooperation despite the limitations imposed by Covid-19 pandemic.

How have been the India-Mongolia Relations?

• Historical Relations:
  • India and Mongolia have interacted through Buddhism throughout history.
  • Mongolia regards India as its “third” neighbor along with US, Japan, and Germany and a “spiritual neighbour”.
• Diplomatic Relations:
  • India established diplomatic relations with Mongolia in 1955 and it was the first country outside the Soviet bloc to open diplomatic relations with Mongolia.
  • The Indian Resident Mission in Ulaanbaatar was opened in 1971.
  • This relationship was upgraded to “strategic partnership” in 2015 when the Indian Prime Minister visited Mongolia and declared it as an essential component of ‘Act East Policy’.
• International Cooperation:
  • Mongolia has publicly reiterated its support for India’s membership to the permanent seat of the expanded United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
  • India has played an important role in getting Mongolia membership to key international forums, including the United Nations (UN), despite strong opposition from China and Taiwan.
  • India also championed the inclusion of Mongolia in the Non-Aligned Movement.
  • In a reciprocal gesture, Mongolia co-sponsored a 1972 UN resolution with India and Bhutan for the recognition of the newly liberated Bangladesh.
• Economic Cooperation:
  • In 2022, an India-built oil refinery at the cost of more than USD 1 billion and with a capacity of 1.5 million metric tonnes was opened near Sainshand in southern Dornogovi province of Mongolia.
  • This refinery will take care of 75 % of Mongolia’s oil refining needs.
  • India - Mongolia bilateral trade was USD 35.3 million in 2020, down from USD 38.3 million in 2019.
• Cultural Cooperation:
  • The India-Mongolian Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, signed in 1961, has governed the Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP) between the two countries.
  • The Agreement envisages co-operation in the fields of education by way of scholarships, exchange of experts, participation in conferences, etc.
• Defence Cooperation:
  • Joint defence exercises code-named Nomadic Elephant.
  • India is also an active participant in an annual week-long joint training exercise called the Khaan Quest, hosted by Mongolia.
• Cooperation over Environmental Issues:
  • Part of the Bishkek Declaration (snow leopard).

What are the Key Facts Related to Mongolia?

• Mongolia is a landlocked country located in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west.
• It is the world's second-largest landlocked country and the most sparsely populated country in the world.
• The majority of the population still practices traditional nomadic herding, and Mongolia is home to a variety of ethnic groups, including Mongols, Kazakhs, and Tuvans.
• The country is known as the "Land of the Eternal Blue Sky" and as the "Land of the Horse".
• Mongolia's landscape is dominated by the Gobi Desert in the south and the towering Altai Mountains in the west.
• Despite its rapid modernization in recent years, Ulaanbaatar still retains a strong traditional Mongolian identity, with many historical temples, monasteries, and other cultural landmarks to explore.
• The country was once the center of the Mongol Empire, which was the largest contiguous empire in history, spanning from Europe to Asia.

Way Forward

• The way forward for India-Mongolia relations is to build on the existing foundation of historical and cultural ties, while also seeking to expand political, economic, and cultural cooperation.
• Mongolia’s strategic position at the cross junction of Central Asia, Northeast Asia, far East, China and Russia attract major powers towards it. India should consider Mongolia as a green zone of economic development that absorbs hi-tech features and production skills in a modernization process.
• With both countries facing common challenges in the region, there is tremendous potential for further strengthening the relationship in the coming years.