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

India-Lithuania Relations

Context

In New Delhi, the Minister of State for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways from India and the Vice Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania recently held discussions to strengthen the maritime bilateral ties between the two countries.

What are the Major Highlights of the Meeting?

• Resident Mission Inauguration in Vilnius: Commended as a significant step, the inauguration of India's Resident Mission in Vilnius underscores India's commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with Lithuania.
• Bilateral Trade Growth: India highlighted the positive trajectory of bilateral trade, noting a consistent increase to USD 472 million by the fiscal year 2022-23. This growth signifies a steady rise in economic collaboration between the two nations.
• Collaboration on Port Infrastructure and Klaipeda Port's Advantages: Discussions focused on exploring collaboration opportunities, utilizing India's expertise in port infrastructure development. The collaboration aims to capitalize on Lithuania's strategic location as a gateway to vital industrial areas in Eastern Europe. 
• Emphasis was placed on the unique advantages of Klaipeda port, particularly its year-round ice-free status, making it a crucial Baltic port for container transshipment and facilitating trade with advantageous land connections to key industrial zones in Eastern Europe.
• Diverse Investment Opportunities: India presented a spectrum of investment avenues to Lithuania across various sectors, including Port Modernization (PPP), Port Connectivity, Coastal Shipping, Maritime Technology, Sagarmala Project, and Decarbonization initiatives. These initiatives aim to foster comprehensive economic partnerships and sustainable growth between the two countries.

What are the Major Aspects of India-Lithuania Relations?

• Historical Ties
  • Linguistic Similarities: Lithuanian and Sanskrit languages share linguistic commonalities, suggesting ancient connections.
  • Pre-Christian Lithuania worshiped nature and revered a trinity of gods - Perkunas, Patrimpas, and Pikuolis.
  • Intellectual Exchange: Vydunas, a 19th-century philosopher, drew parallels between Lithuanian and Hindu spiritual culture, creating a philosophical system inspired by Vedanta.
  • Lithuanian travelers like Antanas Poska and Matas Salcius delved into Sanskrit and Indian culture in the 1930s and 1940s.
  • Sanskrit became part of Vilnius University's academic curriculum in the 1970s, fostering academic ties between India and Lithuania.
• Political Relations:
  • Recognition: India acknowledged Lithuania's independence from the USSR in 1991, establishing diplomatic relations in 1992.
  • Embassy and Consulates: Lithuania opened its Embassy in New Delhi in 2008 and maintains three Honorary Consuls in India.
  • An Honorary Consul of India has operated in Vilnius since 2014.
  • India-Lithuania Forum: Initiated in 2010, fostering multi-dimensional ties encompassing culture, education, business, and science.
• Trade Dynamics:
  • Major Indian imports From Lithuania: Edible vegetables, wood and articles of wood, textiles, electrical machinery and equipment, iron and steel, optical, photographic and measuring instruments.
  • Major Indian Exports to Lithuania: Nuclear boilers and reactors, pharmaceutical products, fish, organic chemicals, tobacco and manufactured tobacco, textile articles, iron and steel.
• Cultural Engagement
  • Yoga and Spiritual Interests: Lithuanians exhibit keen interest in Indian cultural traditions, particularly Yoga. Celebrations of International Yoga Day are widespread in Lithuania.
  • Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme(ITEC) Program: Over 400 Lithuanian nominees attended various courses under India's ITEC program, fostering mutual learning and cooperation.

Civil War in Myanmar

Context

Recently, due to the ongoing Civil War in Myanmar, 1,500 nationals of Myanmar took refuge in Mizoram’s Champhai district following an intense gunfight between the Myanmar Army, and pro-democracy militias in the country’s western Chin State abutting Mizoram.

What is Background of the Current Civil War in Myanmar?

• 2020 Elections and Military Coup:
  • In the November 2020 elections, Aung San Suu Kyi's party National League for Democracy (NLD) won the election. However, the military junta, known as the Tatmadaw, claimed electoral fraud without substantial evidence and rejected the election results.
  • In February, 2021, the military staged a coup, detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected leaders, declaring a state of emergency, and seizing control of the government.
• Protests and Resistance:
  • The coup triggered widespread protests across Myanmar, with citizens demanding the restoration of democracy and the release of detained leaders.
  • Civil servants, activists, and various groups joined the civil disobedience movement, staging strikes and demonstrations.
• Formation of Resistance Forces:
  • As the Tatmadaw intensified its crackdown on dissent, opposition groups, including Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and armed civilians, formed the People's Defence Forces (PDFs) to resist the military junta.
  • These groups aligned themselves with the National Unity Government (NUG), established by ousted lawmakers, aiming to challenge the military's authority.
• Current Scenario:
  • Fighting has also broken out elsewhere in the country, led by various local resistance forces — in the Rakhine State, Kayin State, Sagaing region bordering Manipur, and Chin State bordering Mizoram.

What does Ongoing Civil War in Myanmar Mean for India?

• Balanced Stance:
  • India has so far walked a fine line between expressing concern at the “interruption” of democracy in Myanmar, and engaging with the junta to protect its “vital interests”.
• Immediate Concern for India:
  • The influx of Myanmarese nationals in the border states of the Northeast.
  • This too at a time when the situation in Manipur remains volatile.
• Capturing of Two Important Towns by Rebels:
  • The anti-junta forces have captured two important towns close to the only two border crossing points between Myanmar and India. These are:
  • Rikhawdar, close to Zokhawthar in Mizoram, and
  • Khampat in Sagaing region, around 60 km from Moreh in Manipur.
  • The latter (Khampat in Sagaing region) is also part of the proposed India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project.

Second Anti-Piracy Patrol in the Gulf of Guinea

Context

The second anti-piracy patrol in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) in the Atlantic Ocean was recently conducted by the Indian Navy, with the Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sumedha playing a crucial role in the mission. The initial GoG anti-piracy patrol took place in September/October 2022 and was carried out by INS Tarkash.

What are the Key Highlights of the Second GoG Anti-Piracy Patrol?

• INS Sumedha operated in the GoG undertaking a 31-day anti-piracy patrol, which is on an extended-range operational deployment in the Atlantic Ocean along the West Coast of Africa.
• Sumedha’s deployment also ensured enhancing Navy to Navy connection with regional navies including Senegal, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Angola and Namibia.
• INS Sumedha's deployment aimed to boost regional partners' capabilities through joint training, emphasizing India's commitment to the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'-The World is One Family.
• The objective of the patrol was to deter and prevent piracy and armed robbery at sea, protect the Indian and international merchant vessels, and enhance maritime security and stability in the region.

What are the Key Facts About the Gulf of Guinea (GoG)?

• The GoG is an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean on the western African coast, extending westward from Cape Lopez in Gabon to Cape Palmas in Liberia.
  • A gulf is defined as a portion of the ocean that penetrates the land. They are formed as a result of plate tectonics and are often connected to the ocean by narrow water passages known as straits.
• It is found at the junction of the Prime Meridian and the Equator at 0°0’N and 0°0’E.
• Major rivers that drain into the Gulf of Guinea include the Volta and Niger rivers.
• The GoG is one of the world’s most dangerous gulfs because of the widespread piracy that has severely affected many countries in West Africa along with other international countries.
• The number of vessels attacked by pirates in the gulf is about 100 every year.
• The GoG region accounts for more than 35% of the world’s total petroleum reserves.
• Several minerals including diamonds, uranium, copper, etc., are found here.
• The principal economic activities of the Gulf of Guinea region are petroleum exploration, mining and gas flaring, port operations, and fishing.
• The 16 coastal countries that are situated along the Gulf of Guinea are Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gabon, Nigeria, Ghana, São Tomé and Principe, Togo and Sierra Leone.

• The Gulf of Guinea holds immense strategic importance for India's national interests, being a significant source of the country's energy requirements.
  • In recent years, Nigeria has been one of the main sources of crude for India lies in GoG, the country emerged as the fourth-largest supplier of crude oil and Liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India in 2020.
• The GoG is also a region of security concern for India, as it faces the challenges of piracy, armed robbery, terrorism, and transnational crime.
  • India has been a victim of piracy incidents in the GoG, as several Indian nationals have been held hostage by pirates in the past.

10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus

Context

Recently, the Defence Minister attended the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting – Plus (ADMM Plus) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Key Address by the Defence Minister at ADMM Plus

• Commitment to International Laws:
  • The Defense Minister affirmed India's dedication to upholding international laws, emphasizing the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight, and lawful commerce.
  • India commits to adhering to global regulations, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
• Terrorism as a Global Threat:
  • Recognizing terrorism as a severe menace to international peace and security, the Defense Minister urged collaborative efforts to effectively tackle this global challenge.
• Regional Security and Cooperation:
  • Emphasizing ASEAN's centrality, the Defense Minister advocated for regional security initiatives that are both consultative and development-oriented.
  • India declared its dedication to fostering practical, forward-looking, and result-oriented cooperation with ADMM Plus, with a particular focus on enhancing regional maritime security.

What is ADMM Plus?

It is a platform for ASEAN (The Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and its eight Dialogue Partners to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.

• Composition: 10 ASEAN nations and eight dialogue partners, including India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.
• India become the Dialogue partner since 1992.
• Objectives of the ADMM Plus:
  • To promote mutual trust and confidence between defence establishments through greater dialogue and transparency;
  • To enhance regional peace and stability through cooperation in defence and security, in view of the transnational security challenges the region faces.

India and Netherlands Relations

Context

In a recent development, representatives from India undertook a visit to the Netherlands, during which a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) was signed by both parties. The agreement aims to foster collaboration on Medical Product Regulation, with the shared goal of improving the quality of medical products and healthcare services in both nations.

• The Indian delegation participated in the second World Local Production Forum (WLPF) meeting in The Hague. 
• The WLPF is a platform initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the goal of increasing access to medicines and health technologies.

How Have Been India-Netherland Relations?

• Diplomatic Ties:
  • India and the Netherlands established diplomatic relations in 1947. The year 2022 marks 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. 
  • Today, the two countries are maintaining strong political, economic & commercial relations. 
  • High-level mutual exchanges have provided an impetus to the multifaceted partnership between the two countries.
• Bilateral Trade and Investment:
  • The Netherlands is the 4th largest trading partner with India in Europe (From April 2000-March 2023). It is also the 4th largest investor in India.
  • Bilateral trade reached an all-time high of USD 27.58 billion during 2022-23.
  • The cumulative FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) inflows from the Netherlands to India from April 2000-March 2023 amounted to USD 43.75 billion.
• Major Exported Items from India to Netherlands:
  • India exported 4,610 commodities to the Netherlands in FY22.
  • India’s exports to the Netherlands stood at USD 3.29 billion from April-May 2023-24.
  • Major exported items from India to the Netherlands include petroleum products, telecom instruments, aluminium & products of aluminium, electronic instruments, iron and Steel, etc. during April-May 2023-24.
• Recent Developments:
  • A Joint Statement to formally establish a bilateral Fast-Track Mechanism (FTM) between India and the Netherlands to facilitate investments by Dutch companies in India, was signed by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Embassy of Netherlands in September, 2022.
• Cooperation in Science & Technology: 
  • The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) collaborates with the various departments in the Indian Government.
  • For instance, there is an ongoing project titled “Local Treatment of Urban Sewage Streams for Healthy Reuse (LOTUS-HR)”.
  • The LOTUS-HR project is an India-Netherlands joint collaboration of universities and companies funded by the India`s Department of Biotechnology and the Dutch NWO-TTW.
• Collaboration in Water Management:
  • A platform called Dutch Indo Water Alliance Leadership Initiative (DIWALI) has been developed in which India and Netherlands could participate in designing solutions for water challenges.
• Collaboration in Agriculture: 
  • Agriculture is one of the core sectors identified by the Netherlands for enhancing bilateral cooperation with India.
  • The 5th Joint Agriculture Working Group (JAWG) meeting on Agriculture took place in New Delhi in 2018.
  • Under the JAWG, an Action Plan was signed which envisages cooperation in establishing Centers of Excellence (CoE) in horticulture, animal husbandry & dairy, fisheries and food processing.
  • This is also accompanied by skill development & capacity building in the fields of cold chain, supply chain management etc.
• Healthcare Cooperation:
  • An MoU for Cooperation in the Field of Healthcare and Public Health was signed in January 2014 to promote greater research collaboration in emerging health challenges associated with communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance.

Conclusion

• The relations between India and the Netherlands date back to the early 17th century. 
• This long-cherished historic bond is based on the shared values, rule of law, pluralism, and people-to-people connection between the two countries. 
• The continuous cooperation in the different areas has undeniably brought the Netherlands and India closer. 
• They are maintaining cooperation in trade and economy, energy transition, smart cities and urban mobility, science & technology cooperation, water management and agriculture sector, public health & health care and culture and also becoming stronger to solve the global challenges together.

6th Session of India-Ethiopia Joint Trade Committee

Context

The 6th Session of the India-Ethiopia Joint Trade Committee (JTC) has recently concluded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This meeting convened officials from both nations, aiming to bolster economic ties and collaboration.

What are the Key Highlights of the JTC meeting?

• India invited Ethiopia to collaborate on integrating the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) with Ethiopia's Ethswitch.
• Ethswitch is a payment platform infrastructure in Ethiopia.
• India urged Ethiopia to explore settling trade transactions in the local currency for enhanced bilateral trade and conservation of foreign exchange.
• Health and pharmaceuticals, automobiles, textiles, infrastructure projects, food, and agro-processing are identified as key sectors for mutual investments.
• Both sides also reviewed the progress of ongoing discussions for Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) in the field of Standardization and quality assurance and Customs procedure and agreed to conclude them expeditiously. 

How have been the India-Ethiopia Trade Relations?

• India is one of the largest sources of long-term concessional credit to Ethiopia, with over USD 1 billion for sectors such as rural electrification, sugar industry and railways
• Bilateral trade between India and Ethiopia reached USD 642.59 million in 2022-23.
• Ethiopia's economy grew by an estimated 6.4% in 2021-22.
• India is the second-largest exporter to Ethiopia.
• Indian companies rank among the top three foreign investors in Ethiopia with existing investments totalling USD 5 billion.
• India and Ethiopia have exchanged several high-level visits, including those of presidents, prime ministers and ministers.

The Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness

Context

Admiral Hari Kumar  termed the IPMDA initiative as a significant endeavour aimed at enhancing the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

What is the Indo ­Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative?

• The IPMDA initiative was announced by the Quad (India, Japan, Australia and the USA) countries in 2022.
• IPMDA is a technology and training initiative to enhance maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region and to bring increased transparency to its critical waterways.
• It harnesses innovative technology, such as commercial satellite radio frequency data collection, to provide partners across Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region and the Pacific with near real-time information on activities occurring in their maritime zones.
• The IPMADA initiative also involves regional information centers, helping to establish a common operating picture of the maritime domain across the Indo-Pacific region.
• Objective:
  • To track “dark shipping” and build a “faster, wider, and more accurate maritime picture of near-real-time activities in partners’ waters”.
  • Integration of three critical regions in the Indo-Pacific – the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean Region.
• Significance:
  • IPMDA initiative will offer an integrated and cost-effective maritime domain to partner countries.
  • It will enable countries to monitor illegal fishing even when the boats have turned off the transponders which are typically used to track vessels. 
  • Several countries in the Indo-Pacific region have complained about China’s vast fishing fleet, saying its vessels often violate their exclusive economic zones and cause environmental damage and economic losses.

India-Bhutan Relations

Context

• The King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck paid an official visit to India from 03 – 05 April, 2023.
• The visit of the King of Bhutan is in keeping with the long standing tradition of regular high-level exchanges between the two countries.

Bhutan-India Relation

• Diplomatic relations between Bhutan and India were established in January 1968.
• Relationship between both the countries are guided by the Indo-Bhutan Friendship treaty.
• Article 2 of the Treaty declares that India would not interfere in Bhutan’s administrative affairs and the latter would be guided by the former’s advice in its external relations.

Bhutan – India Economic Cooperation

• The official currency of Bhutan is Ngultrum (Nu.), and it is officially fixed to the Indian Rupee.
• India holds the position of Bhutan's primary trading partner, serving as the main source of imports and the primary destination for exports.
• From the fiscal year 2014-15 to 2021-22, India and Bhutan have witnessed a nearly threefold increase in their trade, soaring from USD 484 million to USD 1422 million.
• This surge represents approximately 80% of Bhutan's overall trade, with the trade balance favoring India.
• India stands as the principal contributor to investments in Bhutan, accounting for 50% of the nation's total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Bhutan - India Development Cooperation

• For the 12th Five Year Plan of Bhutan, India is providing an assistance of Rs. 45 billion.
• Since the launching of First Five Year Plan of Bhutan in 1961, India has been extending financial support to Bhutan’s FYPs.

Bhutan - India Hydropower Cooperation

• Hydropower projects in Bhutan are an example of win-win cooperation, providing a reliable source of inexpensive and clean electricity to India, generating export revenue for Bhutan and cementing our economic integration.
• So far, Government of India has constructed three Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs) in Bhutan:
• 336 MW Chukha HEP, 60 MW Kurichhu HEP and 1020 MW Tala HEP.
• These three plants are operational and exporting surplus power to India.

What are the Challenges in India-Bhutan ties?

• Bhutan rejects BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement:
  • The Motor Vehicles Agreement that was signed in 2015 involving Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN).
  • Bhutan id yet to ratify the agreement and it attends the grouping as an observer.
• Bhutan complaining Indian interference:
  • India has been occasionally complained by Bhutan for meddling in its internal affairs.
• Balance of trade issue:
  • Growing and unsustainable trade imbalance is in favor of India.
• Power tariff issue
  • Bhutan wants to increase its export power tariff to India that is complained for being lesser than its cost of production.
• Increasing Chinese inroads in Bhutan
  • Bhutan has problems like high rates of unemployment and national debt. This can be a source for an economically strong China to exert its influence.

Visit of The King of Bhutan to India

• The King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks in New Delhi.

Key highlights of the bilateral meeting

• Close Coordination on Security Matters:
  • Both countries maintain a close coordination on all security matters, fostering a strong bilateral relationship.
• Discussion on India-Bhutan Border Situation:
  • Prime Minister Modi and the Bhutanese King engaged in discussions regarding the current situation along the India-Bhutan border.
• Boundary Talks with China:
  • The leaders delved into the progress of boundary talks between China and Bhutan, particularly in light of recent statements made by the Bhutanese Prime Minister regarding China's role in resolving the Doklam border dispute.
• Comprehensive Bilateral Ties:
  • The bilateral talks covered the entire spectrum of bilateral ties, addressing issues related to respective national interests.
• Support for Bhutan's Five Year Plan:
  • An agreement was reached for India to enhance its support to Bhutan's upcoming 13th Five Year Plan.
• Extension of Standby Credit Facility (SCF):
  • Responding to Bhutan's request, India decided to extend an additional standby credit facility (SCF) of up to USD 100 million, beyond the two existing facilities, to help meet Bhutan's foreign exchange requirements and currency stability.
• Long-Term Bilateral Arrangements:
  • Both nations plan to develop long-term bilateral arrangements for the secure supply of critical commodities to Bhutan, including petroleum, fertilizers, and coal.
• Integrated Check Post (ICP) and Rail Link:
  • Discussions included plans for the establishment of the first Integrated Check Post (ICP) along the India-Bhutan border, possibly near Jaigaon. Additionally, efforts will be made to expedite the Kokrajhar-Gelephu rail link project, which would be the first-ever rail link between India and Bhutan.
• Upward Revision of Hydro-Electric Project Tariff:
  • India agreed to an upward revision of the tariff for the Chhukha hydro-electric project, the oldest and strategically significant hydro-electric project in collaboration with Bhutan.