November 2020: International Relations | Additional Study Material for UPSC PDF Download

Pakistan’s Provincial Status to Gilgit-Baltistan

India has firmly rejected Pakistan's move to grant provisional provincial status to Gilgit - Baltistan.

• Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the disputed territories of India.

Key Points

➤ Gilgit-Baltistan

• It is a chunk of high-altitude ter­ritory located on the north west­ern corner of the Union Territory of Ladakh. 
• It is located strategically as It borders Pakistan, Afghanistan and China. 
• The region was a part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, but has been under Pakistan's control since 4th November, 1947, following the invasion of Kashmir by tribal militias and the Pakistan army. 
• Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra ruler of J&K, had signed the Instrument of Accession with India on 26th October 1947. 
• India moved to the United Nations Security Council to raise the issue of Pakistan's invasion on 1st January 1948. 
• The UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for Pakistan to withdraw from all of Jammu and Kashmir and then India had to reduce its forces to the minimum level following which a plebiscite would be held to ascertain people's wishes. 
• However, no withdrawal was ever carried out and it remains a point of contention between two countries. 
• The Gilgit-Baltistan region is at the centre of USD 65 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor Infrastructure development plan.

➤ Background

• Recently, Saudi Arabia, a key ally of Pakistan, had removed Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan from the Pakistan map on its new banknote after India asked it to take "urgent corrective steps" about the "gross misrepresentation". 
• On the first anniversary of the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status, the Pakistan government had released a new "political map" which included Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and parts of western Gujarat as part of its territory. 
• Describing it as "political absurdity" and a "ridiculous assertion", India said it "confirms the reality of Pakistan's obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross-border terrorism".

➤ India's Stand

• India claims that the entire Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh including Gilgit-Baltistan is an integral part of India by the virtue of legal, complete and irrevocable accession of Jammu and Kashmir to the union of India in 1947. 
• Pakistan's move to name Gilgit-Baltistan as its fifth province is meant to “camouflage its illegal occupation" of the area but it cannot “hide the grave human rights violations, exploitation and denial of freedom" to the people for over seven decades.

Gulf Cooperation Council and India

Recently, India had a virtual meeting with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a leading regional organisation comprising almost all Arab countries.

Key Points

➤ Indian Workers Want to Return to Arab Countries

• India has asked the GCC members to facilitate the return of Indians who want to resume work with the relaxing of Covid-19-related restrictions. This can happen through sustainable travel bubble arrangements. 
• More than eight million Indians live and work in West Asia, with a majority of them within the GCC region, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 
• 'Transport Bubbles' or 'Air Travel Arrangements' are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are reciprocal, meaning airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits.

➤ Cooperation

• Both sides affirmed their commitment to reform multilateral institutions to reflect the realities of the 21st century and work together to address contemporary challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, sustainable development and terrorism. 
• The GCC welcomed India's inclusion in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non­permanent member from January 2021. 
• India assured continuing the flow of food, medicines and essential items to the Gulf region. Supply chains from India to the Gulf were not disrupted despite the lockdowns during the pandemic.

➤ Gulf Cooperation Council

• An agreement established
• GCC concluded in 1981 among Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE to view their special relations, geographic proximity, similar political systems based on Islamic beliefs, joint destiny and common objectives. 
• The GCC structure consists of the Supreme Council (the highest authority), the Ministerial Council and the Secretariat General. The Secretariat is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 
• It is a political, economic, social, and regional organisation according to its charter.

India's Relations with the GCC

➤ Political

• The governments of the GCC members are India-friendly and Indian-friendly.
• The Prime Minister of India has received the 'Order of Zayed', the highest civilian order of the UAE and the 'King Hamad Order of the Renaissance', the third-highest civilian order of Bahrain. 
• In the recent past, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have not adopted hostile posture to India's domestic developments, such as removing Jammu & Kashmir's special status under Article 370.

➤ Economic

• The GCC states are among India's key suppliers of energy, and annual remittances from Indians in these countries are worth an estimated USD 4.8 billion. 
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are India's third and fourth-largest trading partners. The total bilateral trade of the GCC countries with India for 2018-19 stood at USD 121.34 billion. 
• UAE also features in the top 10 sources of FDI inflows into India.

➤ Security

• Both India and the GCC are members of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). 
• Apart from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and others in India's mega multilateral Milan Exercise, India also has bilateral exercises with most of them. 
• India and Oman hold annual bilateral exercises across all three armed forces' wings (Army Exercise 'Al Najah', Air Force Exercise 'Eastern Bridge', Naval Exercise 'Naseem al Bahr'). Further, Oman has provided the Indian Navy access to the Port of Duqm SEZ, which is one of Indian Ocean's largest deep-sea ports. 
• India has a bilateral naval (In-UAE BILAT) and an air force exercise (Desert Eagle-II) with the UAE.

Mission Sagar-II

As part of Mission Sagar-II, the Government of India is assisting friendly foreign countries to overcome natural calamities and Covid-19 pandemic.

➤ Key Points

• It follows the first Mission Sagar undertaken earlier in 2020. 
• As part of Mission Sagar-II, Indian Naval Ship (INS) Airavat will deliver food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea. 
• The assistance is in line with India's role as the first responder in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). 
• The deployment is also in consonance with the Prime Minister's vision of the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). 
• Earlier, India had sent INS Kesari, carrying food items and medical assistance teams, to countries in the southern Indian Ocean to deal with pandemic as part of a Mission SAGAR. 

➤ Strategic Significance of the Island Countries

• Their location along key Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs). 
• These islands are vital and can facilitate a navy's continuous presence along the critical international shipping routes, allowing navies to patrol and secure SLOCs during peace times and an option to prevent and cut off an adversary's communications during times of conflict.

➤ Other Related Initiatives

• India, on the 65th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, emphasised that members of the Non- Aligned Movement (NAM) must work to reduce the socio-economic impact of the pandemic on the most vulnerable sections of society and promote South-South cooperation. 
• In the wake of the global pandemic, the International Solar Alliance (ISA) responded by setting up ISA CARES (like PM-CARES in India), an initiative dedicated to deploying solar energy in the healthcare sector. 
• With Covid-19 and trade tensions between China and the USA are threatening supply chains, Japan has mooted the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) as a trilateral approach to trade, with India and Australia key-partners. 
• The Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness for Innovation (CEPI), a global initiative, has named Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad as one of the six laboratories for assessing Covid-19 vaccine candidates that are under development. 
• India has contributed USD 10 million to SAARC Covid-19 Emergency Fund and for manufacturing essential drugs, Covid-19 protection and testing kits (Operation Sanjeevani for the Maldives), for countries in the SAARC region.

➤ Other Important Groupings Associated with IOR

• Indian Ocean Rim Association: It was established in 1997, to strengthen regional cooperation and sustainable development. 
• Indian Ocean Naval Symposium: It is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the region's littoral states by providing an open and inclusive forum for discussion of regionally relevant maritime issues. 
• Indian Ocean Commission: It is an inter-governmental organisation that coordinates maritime governance in the south-western Indian Ocean. India became an observer in March 2020. 
• Asia Africa Growth Corridor: Its idea emerged in the joint declaration issued by India and Japan in 2016, which was raised on four pillars of Development and Cooperation Projects, Quality Infrastructure and Institutional Connectivity, Enhancing Capacities and Skills and People-to-People partnership. Security and Growth for All in the Region 
• Launched in 2015, it is India's strategic vision for the IOR. 
• Through SAGAR, India seeks to deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours and build its maritime security capabilities. 
• Further, India seeks to safeguard its national interests and ensure IOR to become inclusive, collaborative, and respectful of international law.
• The key relevance of SAGAR emerges when seen in conjunction with India's other policies impacting the maritime domain like the Act East Policy, Project Sagarmala, Project Mausam, etc.

India’s Annual Resolution on Counter-Terror

Recently, India's annual resolution on counter-terrorism was adopted by consensus in the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

➤ Key Points

• India's resolution 'Measures to prevent terrorists from acquiring weapons of mass destruction' was co-sponsored by more than 75 countries and adopted by consensus without a vote. 
• India, a victim of state-sponsored cross-border terrorism, has been at the forefront in highlighting the serious threat to international peace and security emanating from acquisition of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by terrorist groups. 
• India's resolution predates the adoption of resolution 1540 by the Security Council. 
• In resolution 1540 of the year 2004, the Security Council decided that all States shall refrain from providing any form of support to non-State actors that attempt to develop, acquire, manufacture, possess, transport, transfer or use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their means of delivery, in particular for terrorist purposes. 
• It needs to be noted that the UN has not agreed on a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) yet. Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament. It is the only Main Committee of the General Assembly entitled to verbatim records coverage. 
• Modern weapons of mass destruction are either nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons—frequently referred to collectively as NBC weapons. 
• Efforts to control the spread of WMD are enshrined in international agreements such as the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty of 1968, the Biological Weapons Convention of 1972, and the Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993.
• In 1996, intending to provide a comprehensible legal framework to counter-terrorism, India proposed to the UNGA the adoption of the "Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism" (CCIT). 
• CCIT seeks a universal definition of terrorism, prosecution of terrorists under special laws, making cross-border terrorism an extraditable offence worldwide. 

➤ Weapon of Mass Destruction

• WMD refers to a weapon with the capacity to inflict death and destruction on such a massive scale and so indiscriminately that its very presence in the hands of a hostile power can be considered a grievous threat.

➤ United Nations General Assembly

• UNGA is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serving as the prominent deliberative, policy-making, and representative organ of the UN. o UN is an international organization founded in 1945. It is currently made up of 193 Member States. 
• The other five organs of the UN are : Security Council, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Trusteeship Council, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the UN Secretariat. First Committee of the UNGA 
• The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) deals with disarmament, global challenges, and threats to peace that affect the international community and seeks solutions to the international security regime's challenges. 
• The Committee works in close cooperation with the United Nations Disarmament Commission and the 
• India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non­proliferation Treaty of 1968. 
• India has enacted an act to prohibit unlawful activities about weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, which is known as The Weapons of Mass Destruction and Their Delivery Systems (Prohibition of Unlawful Activities) Act, 2005.

Armenia Azerbaijan Peace Deal

Recently, Russia has brokered a new peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Both counties have been in a military conflict over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh in the South Caucasus.

Key Points

➤ Nagorno-Karabakh Region

• The region extends across western Asia and Eastern Europe. o It has been part of Azerbaijan territory since the Soviet era and is being internationally recognised so, but most of the region is controlled by Armenian separatists who have declared it a republic called the "Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast". 
• While the Armenian government does not recognise Nagorno-Karabakh as independent, it supports the region politically and militarily.

➤ Conflict and Ceasefire

• When the Soviet Union began to collapse (with the end of the Cold War) in the late 1980s, Armenia's regional parliament voted for the region's transfer to Armenia but the Soviet authorities turned down the demand. 
• Clashes and the violence lasted till 1994, when Russia brokered a ceasefire, by which time ethnic Armenians had taken control of the region. 
• In 2016, the region saw a Four-Day War before Russia mediated peace. 
• The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, chaired by France, Russia and the USA, has also tried to get the two countries to reach a peace agreement for several years. 
• OSCE is the world's largest security-oriented intergovernmental organisation. Its mandate includes arms control, promotion of human rights, freedom of the press, and fair elections. 
• OSCE Minsk Group was created in 1992 by the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) to encourage a peaceful, negotiated resolution to the Conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia Nagorno-Karabakh. 
• In October 2020, both countries agreed to a Russia brokered ceasefire agreement. However, it also proved to be unsuccessful.

➤ Reason for the Conflict

• Decades-old Ethnic tensions have a crucial role in the dispute. While the Azeris claim that the disputed region was under their control in known history, Armenians maintain that Karabakh was a part of the Armenian kingdom. 
• Currently, the disputed region consists of a majority Armenian Christian population, even though it is internationally recognised as a part of Muslim- majority Azerbaijan.

➤ New Peace Deal

• Both sides will now maintain positions in the areas that they currently hold, which will mean a significant gain for Azerbaijan as it has reclaimed over 15-20% of its lost territory during the recent Conflict. 
• All military operations are suspended and Russian peacekeepers will be deployed for a period of five years, along the line of contact in Nagorno- Karabakh and along the Lachin corridor which links the Karabakh capital, Stepanakert, to Armenia. 
• Refugees and internally displaced persons will return to the region and the adjacent territories and the two sides will also exchange prisoners of wars and bodies. 
• A new corridor will be opened from Nakhchivan to Azerbaijan, which will be under Russian control. 
• Reactions: Armenian people are against the deal and have protested while Azerbaijan is pleased with the deal and considered it of "historic importance".

➤ Russia's Role

• Russia has always taken a balanced position on the matter and has traditionally good relations with both countries. It supplies arms to both countries. 
• Russia has a military base in Armenia and both are members of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organisation. 
• The treaty envisages Russia's military support if Armenia is attacked. However, it does not include Nagorno-Karabakh or the other Azerbaijani regions around it seized by Armenian forces. 
• At the same time, Russia also has strong ties to Azerbaijan, which is being openly backed by Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member.

20th SCO Summit

Recently, the 20th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of State was held virtually and was chaired by the President of Russia.

Key Points

➤ Highlights made by India

• Proposed to set up a Special Working Group on Innovation and Startups and a Sub Group on Traditional Medicine within SCO. 
• Urged SCO members to respect each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, indirectly referring to Chinese infrastructure projects in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and India-China standoff at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 
• Sought the SCO members' support in attaining a reformed multilateralism, in the context of the fallout of the pandemic and the economic downturn. 
• Highlighted the challenges posed by the smuggling of illegal weapons, drugs and money laundering.

➤ Significance of SCO Meet

• It brought President of China and Prime Minister of India together in the virtual format even as both countries are facing-off each other in Eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 
• This was the first SCO Summit held in a virtual format and the third meeting that India participated in after becoming a full member in 2017.

➤ India Role in SCO

• Connectivity: India's role in supporting infrastructure and connectivity development projects in the SCO region was highlighted. For example, the Chabahar port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). 
• Responsible Global Governance: Bringing changes in global governance will focus on India as a non-permanent member of the United Nation (UN) Security Council. 
• From 2021, India will take part in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member. 
• Strengthening Cultural Heritage: The National Museum of India will hold an exhibition on the SCO countries' Buddhist heritage. India will host a food festival reflecting the culinary traditions of the SCO region.

➤ Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

• It is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation, created in 2001 by the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People's Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Tajik, and the Republic of Uzbekistan. 
• It was preceded by the Shanghai Five mechanism. 
• Shanghai Five (Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan) emerged from a series of border demarcation and demilitarisation talks that the four former Soviet republics held China to ensure stability along the borders in 1996. 
• The SCO Charter was signed during the St. Petersburg SCO Heads of State meeting in June 2002, and entered into force in September 2003. 
• This is the fundamental statutory document that outlines the organisation's goals and principles and its structure and core activities. 
• Official languages: Russian and Chinese. 
• SCO has two permanent bodies: 
• SCO Secretariat in Beijing. 
• Executive Committee of the Regional Anti­ Terrorist Structure (RATS) in Tashkent.

➤ Chairmanship

• The yearly chairmanship is given to every member state on rotation. 
• The Republic of Tajikistan has assumed the chairmanship of SCO for 2021-22. 
• India and Pakistan became members in 2017.

Chabahar Project

Recently, Iran's Port and Maritime Organisation (PMO) has conveyed to India a request for locomotives and signalling equipment for the Chabahar-Zahedan railway line.

• Iran has been facing difficulty in procuring them directly due to the sanctions imposed by the USA. 
• Iran has also asked India to activate the USD 150 million credit line, which was offered to it by India during the Iranian President's visit in 2018.

➤ Chabahar Port

• It is located on the Gulf of Oman and is only 72 km away from the Gwadar port in Pakistan developed by China. 
• The port serves as the only oceanic port of Iran and con­sists of two separate ports named Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari.

➤ Key points

• In May 2016, India, Iran and Afghanistan signed the trilateral agreement which entailed the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among them using Chabahar port in Iran as one of the regional hubs for sea transportation. 
• Construction of a rail line from Chabahar port to Zahedan, along the border with Afghanistan as an alternate trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, was also a part of it. 
• The state-owned Indian Railways Construction Ltd. (IRCON) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Iranian Rail Ministry to provide all services, superstructure work and financing (around USD 1.6 billion). 

➤ Reasons for Excluding India

• Iran's Stand: In July 2020, Iran decided to proceed with the rail line construction on its own, citing delays from the Indian side in the beginning and funding the project. 
• India's Stand
  (i) IRCON completed the site inspection and feasibility report and waited for the Iranian side to appoint a nodal authority.
  (ii) Although the project has secured a special waiver from the USA, India is hesitant to deal with the construction company which has links with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and is under the sanctions. 
• The IRGC is a hard-line force that operates its own military infrastructure parallel to Iran's regular armed forces. In April 2020, it launched Iran's first military satellite Noor. 
• Fear of sanctions by the USA has also impacted Indian interest in the Farzad-B gas field project of Iran. 

➤ Significance of Chabahar Port for India

• Trade: It is considered a gateway to golden opportunities for trade by the three countries with other Central Asian countries in the wake of Pakistan denying transit access to India. 
• Security: China is aggressively pursuing its own Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) under the One Belt One Road (OBOR) project. The port can also act as a counter to Pakistan's Gwadar Port, which is being developed with Chinese investment. 
• Connectivity: In future, the Chabahar project and the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) will complement each other by optimising Indian connectivity with Russia and Eurasia. 

➤ Evolving Scenarios

• With the USA elections results, both India and Iran look for the possibile ease of sanctions allowing for increased engagements. 
• India is also keeping an eye on the negotiations on a 25-year strategic cooperation agreement between China and Iran (worth USD 400 billion) which could fund other parts of the Chabahar development, including a free trade zone along the Makran coast, and oil infrastructure projects, impinging on India's strategic ties with Iran.

➤ Farzad-B Gas Field

• It is located in Persian Gulf (Iran) and the contract for exploration of the field was signed in 2002 by Indian consortium comprising Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) Videsh, Indian Oil Corporation and Oil India. 
• The contract expired in 2009 after declaration of commerciality of the field, based on the gas discovery. Since then, the consortium has been trying to secure the contract for development of the field. 
• The major dispute between India and Iran was over setting up of two pipelines and over money to be quoted on the development plan. 
• Around 75% of the deal was finalised by May 2018, when the USA unilaterally withdrew from the nuclear deal and announced sanctions on Iran. 
• In January 2020, Iran clarified that it would develop the field on its own and would like to involve India appropriately at a later stage.

17th ASEAN-India Summit

Recently, India has participated in the 17th ASEAN-India Virtual Summit on the invitation of Vietnam, the current Chair of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

• The Summit focused on measures to recover from the economic turmoil triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and ways to further broad-base strategic ties.

Key Points

➤ ASEAN's Centrality concerning

• India's Act East Policy: Against the backdrop of aggressive moves by China, including the Ladakh standoff, India placed the ASEAN at the centre of India's Act East policy and held that a cohesive and responsive ASEAN is essential for security and growth for all in the region.
• India's Indo-Pacific Vision and Security And Growth for All in the Region Vision 
  (i) India underscored the importance of strengthening convergence between India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific, to ensure a free, open, inclusive and rules-based region.
  (ii) It also highlighted the importance of cooperation by ASEAN in for the Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) Vision.
• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
  (i) India would explore ways to increase trade despite its exit from the 15-nation RCEP agreement in 2019.
  (ii) The RCEP free trade agreement is expected to be signed on 15th November 2020 between China, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and the ASEAN Members.
  (iii) However, experts have warned that once the RCEP is adopted, trade between RCEP nations will assume primacy, affecting trade ties with other countries including India.
• South China Sea
  (i) Affirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, stability, safety and security in the South China Sea, and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight.
  (ii) Noted the importance of promoting a rules- based order in the region including through upholding adherence to international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• Regulating Covid-19 Pandemic
  (i) India welcomed ASEAN's initiatives to fight the pandemic and announced a contribution of USD 1 million to Covid-19 ASEAN Response Fund.
  (ii) It also underlined the importance of cooperation and regular exchanges in traditional medicines as a source of healthy and holistic living.
• Trade and Investment
  (i) India underlined the importance of diversification and resilience of supply chains for post-Covid-19 economic recovery.
  (ii) India called for an early review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA), pending for a long time.
• Connectivity
  (i) Underscoring the importance of greater physical and digital connectivity, India reiterated its offer of USD 1 billion Line of Credit to support ASEAN connectivity. 
• India's Significance Highlighted by ASEAN 
  (i) Towards promoting peace and stability in the region and India's support to ASEAN centrality.
  (ii) Welcomed the adoption of the new ASEAN-India Plan of Action for 2021-2025.
  (iii) Acknowledged India's capacity-building initiatives, including the PhD Fellowship Programme at IITs and Centres for Excellence in Software Development and Training.

➤ Association of Southeast Asian Nations

• It is a regional grouping that promotes economic, political, and security cooperation. 
• It was established on 8th August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. 
• Ten Members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. 
• Chairmanship: It rotates annually, based on the English names of Member States' alphabetical order. 
• ASEAN countries have a total population of 650 million people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 2.8 trillion. It is India's 4th largest trading partner with about USD 86.9 billion in trade. 
• The group has played a central role in Asian economic integration, signing six free-trade agreements with other regional economies and helping spearhead negotiations for what could be the world's largest free trade pact.

RCEP Comes into Existence

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) has recently come into existence on the sidelines of the 37th ASEAN Summit.

• It has laid down the path for restarting discussion that had failed to admit India earlier and said "new" developments would be considered if India re-applies.

Key Points

➤ Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

• It consists of 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members and South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. 
• It excludes the USA, which withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2017. 
• Negotiations over the RCEP deal began in 2012. India was also part of the negotiations but it pulled out in 2019 over concerns that lower tariffs could hurt local producers. 
• Members of the RCEP make up nearly a third of the world's population and account for 29% of global gross domestic product (GDP). World's Biggest Trade Deal RCEP: 15 countries, 2.2 billion people, a combined GDP of $26.2 trillion 
• The China-backed group will emerge as the largest free trade agreement (FTA) in the world surpassing both the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement and the European Union (EU).
• It is expected to eliminate a range of tariffs on imports within 20 years and include provisions on intellectual property, telecommunications, financial services, e-commerce and professional services. 
• Under RCEP, parts from any member nation would be treated equally, which might give companies in RCEP countries an incentive to look within the trade region for suppliers. 
• Businesses with global supply chains might face tariffs even within an FTA because their products contain components that are made elsewhere. 
• The deal could increase global national income by USD 186 billion annually by 2030 and add 0.2% to its member states' economy. 
• However, some analysts think the deal is likely to benefit China, Japan and South Korea more than other member states. 
• However, it could be some time before any country sees the benefits, because six Asean nations and three other nations have to ratify it before it takes effect. 
• Ratification will likely be tricky in national parliaments, owing to anti-trade and anti-China sentiments.

➤ Significance for China

• The beginning of RCEP is a major development that will help China and trade in the Asia-Pacific region in the post-Covid-19 scenario. 
• It will give China access to Japanese and South Korean markets in a big way, as the three countries have not yet agreed on their FTA. 
• While China already has several bilateral trade agreements, this is the first time it has signed up to a regional multilateral trade pact.

➤ India's Stand

• While addressing the ASEAN Summit, India highlighted the necessity for peace and stability in the region but maintained silence regarding RCEP as it is not very welcoming of the China-backed grouping in the light of the ongoing military tension in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). 
• In the meantime, India held Malabar Exercise with Japan and the USA for the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) which was interpreted as an anti-China move. 
• However, these moves did not influence Japanese and Australian plans regarding RCEP. 
• India ended negotiation on RCEP over terms that were perceived to be against its interests. 
• One of India's major concerns was inadequate protection against surges in imports as its industry had fears that signing RCEP would allow cheaper products from China to flood the market in India.
• The extended power to China could lead to actions and incidents eroding trust in the maritime region disrespecting the territorial integrity and sovereignty. 
• For example, the ongoing tensions at LAC and Chinese activities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

➤ RCEP on India's Membership

• India, as an original negotiating participant of the RCEP, has the option of joining the agreement without having to wait 18 months as stipulated for new members in the terms of the pact. 
• RCEP signatory states plan to commence negotiations with India once it submits a request of its intention to join the pact "in writing", and it may participate in meetings as an observer prior to its accession.

China’s Railway Near Arunachal Border

China has begun work on a strategically significant railway line that will link Sichuan province with Nyingchi in Tibet, which lies close to Arunachal Pradesh border.

➤ Key Points

• This will be the second such route linking Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) with mainland China. 
• Earlier Qinghai-Tibet railway line connected Lhasa to the hinterland. 
• Implications on India: 
• Security Concerns: 
• The railway line will primarily improve the efficiency and convenience of military personnel and material transportation and logistical supplies in the border area. Rail to border town China's planned railway line will run from Lhasa in Tibet to Chengudu, the capital of Sichuan province, connecting both the places to Nyingchi, a city near the Arunachal Pradesh border 
• Work on the 1,011 km section from Yaan to Nyingchi, which was formally launched this week, will be finished in 2030 
• In situations of direct standoff near Arunachal Pradesh border, as was seen during Doklam or recent Ladakh standoff, China might be at an advantageous position. 
• Doklam Issue: Indian troops intervened to block the path of Chinese soldiers engaged in building road-works on the Doklam plateau of Bhutan's territory that Beijing laid claim.

➤ Ecological Concerns

• The fragile ecological environment along the project line, may have ecological concerns for India. 
• Recent Steps Taken by India
• India will spend 10% funds of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) only to improve the infrastructure along the China border. 
• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) constructed the Daporijo bridge over Subansiri river in Arunachal Pradesh in a record span of just 27 days. 
• It links roads leading upto the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. 
• Recently the defence minister virtually laid the foundation of a tunnel at Nechiphu in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. 
• It will shorten travel time for troops till the LAC through Tawang, which China claims to be its territory. 
• The BRO is already constructing an all-weather tunnel under the Se La pass in Arunachal Pradesh which connects Tawang to the rest of Arunachal and Guwahati. 
• The state government of Arunachal Pradesh has advocated selection of 10 census towns along the India-China border as pilot projects for infrastructure development in order to stop people living along its international borders, specifically with China, from migrating to faraway urban centres in the State. 
• Recently, the Defence Minister inaugurated the Sisseri River Bridge located at lower Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh connecting Dibang Valley and Siang. 
• In 2019, the Indian Air Force inaugurated resurfaced runway at India's easternmost Village-Vijaynagar (Changlang district) in Arunachal Pradesh. 
• In 2019, the Indian Army conducted exercise 'HimVijay' in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with its newly created Integrated Battle Groups (IBG). 
• Bogibeel bridge, which is India's longest road-rail bridge connecting Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated in 2018.
• It will facilitate quicker movement of troops and equipment to areas near the India-China border.

➤ Border Area Development Programme

• The BADP was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1986-87 as part of a comprehensive Border Management approach. 
• BADP was initiated in the western region's border areas during the Seventh Five Year Plan (1985-90), for ensuring balanced development of border areas through development of infrastructure and promotion of a sense of security among the border population. 
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme. Funds are provided to the states as a non-lapsable special central assistance for the execution of projects relating to infrastructure, livelihood, education, health, agriculture and allied sectors. 
• The States covered are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

➤ Sectors of India-China Border

• India and China share a boundary that stretches 3,488 km from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. 
• The border dispute still stands unresolved. 
• It is divided into three sectors: 
• Western Sector: It falls in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh and is 1597 km long. 
• It witnesses the highest transgressions between the two sides. 
• Middle Sector: It falls in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and is 545 km long. 
• It is the least disputed sector between the two countries. 
• Eastern Sector: It falls in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh's states and is 1346 km long. 
• China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of south Tibet which India firmly rejects.

12th BRICS Summit

While addressing the 12th BRICS summit held online, the prime minister of India touched upon issues like terrorism, Covid-19 pandemic and the need for reforms in global bodies.

• Russia was the host and chair of BRICS this year.

Key Points

India's Stand at the Summit

➤ Terrorism

• Need to confront the countries that supported and sponsored terror and ensure that terrorists and those who support and sponsor terrorists should be held guilty and this problem is addressed collectively. 
• India acknowledged the Russian support to the BRICS Counter-Terrorism Strategy and reiterated its support to the strategy. 
• It is well aligned with the Brasilia Declaration which condemned terrorism in all forms and manifestation. 
• Earlier this year India's annual resolution on the issue of counter-terrorism was adopted by consensus in the First Committee of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which also strengthened the war against terrorism.

➤ United Nation Security Council (UNSC) Reforms

• India raised the credibility and effectiveness of the institutions necessary for global governance and urged for support from BRICS partners.

➤ Covid-19 pandemic

• India addressed the issue of cooperation among the BRICS countries on the production of vaccines for Covid-19. 
• Referring to the post Covid-19 economic hardships of the world, India highlighted the importance of BRICS in that scenario. 
• BRICS countries will play a significant role in the recovery of the post Covid-19 world as 42% of the world's population resides in the BRICS countries and the economies are the world's major engines. 
• India also highlighted the scope of increasing trade among the BRICS countries.

➤ Aatmanirbhar Bharat

• India introduced Aatmanirbhar Bharat(self- reliant India) to the BRICS. 
• India said that the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign is based on the subject that a self- reliant and resilient India can become a force multiplier for the post Covid-19 world order. 
• A self-reliant India would make solid contributions to the global value chains.

➤ China's Stand

• It has offered to cooperate with India and other BRICS nations in the development of vaccines against the coronavirus 
• China said it will open the BRICS partnership on a new industrial revolution innovation centre in the Chinese city of Xiamen. 
• China supported the BRICS counter-terrorism strategy that called upon on all countries to take steps to prevent the use of their territories for terrorist activities against other countries or their own citizens. 
• Also supported the declaration which talked about respect for territorial integrity of Syria, Libya, Iraq and in the context of the UnitedNations. 

➤ Russia's Stand

• Russia called for a joint effort by the BRICS countries on the development of the coronavirus vaccines. 
• It also highlighted the importance of establishing a Centre for Development and Research of BRICS vaccines. 

➤ Importance of BRICS Summit for India and China 

• It provides the Chinese and the Indian leadership an opportunity to exchange their thoughts on key priorities in the backdrop of the continued tension along their borders. 
• Both the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS have provided recent opportunities to exchange ideas between the two sides. Suggestions 
• BRICS, being one of the pillars of the emerging fairer polycentric world order, plays an important stabilising role in global affairs. 
• In the storming ocean of world politics, BRICS can contribute significantly in maintaining international stability and ensuring global economic growth and becoming a united center of the multipolar world.

Agreements Between India-Bahrain

Recently, India and Bahrain have agreed to strengthen their historic ties further, including in areas of defence and maritime security.

• Bahrain is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and signed the Abraham Accord with Israel and the UAE, which the USA mediated.

➤ Key Points

• The bilateral issues and regional and global matters of mutual of defence and maritime security, space technology, trade and investment, infrastructure, IT, FinTech, health, hydrocarbon and renewable energy. 
• Both sides affirmed to strengthen their Covid-19 related cooperation further. 
• Bahrain appreciated India's assistance during the pandemic through the supply of medi­cines, medical equipment, and medical professionals. 
• They expressed satisfaction on the operationalization of the Air Bubble arrangement between the two countries. 
• Air bubbles (travel corridors or travel bubbles) are systems established between two countries that perceive each other to be safe and allow carriers of both the countries to fly passengers either way without any restrictions. 
• India renewed invitation to Bahrain for visiting India for the 3rd India-Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting to be held in the upcoming months. 
• In 2019, India launched a USD 4.2 million redevelopment project of the Sri Krishna temple in the Bahraini capital, Manama. 
• The 200-year old temple stands as a testimony for the enduring India-Bahrain friendship. 
• India also conveyed condolences on the demise of late Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who significantly contributed to the strengthening of India-Bahrain relations and to the welfare of the Indian community in Bahrain.

India-Bahrain Relations

➤ Historical Ties

• Their history goes back to about 5,000 years ago, to the period of Dilmun Civilization in Bahrain to the era of Indus valley civilization in India. 
• Ancient Bahraini traders are believed to have carried out a flourishing trade of Bahraini pearls with Indian spices. 
• Bilateral Agreements/Memorandums of Understanding

➤ (MoUs)

• Extradition Treaty (January 2004) 
• MoU on cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technology (May 2012) 
• MoU on the establishment of a Joint High Commission (February 2014) 
• MOU on Water Resources Development and Management (February 2015) 
• Agreement on cooperation in combating international terrorism, transnational organized crime and trafficking in illicit drugs, narcotics and psychotropic substances and precursors chemicals (December 2015) 
• MoU for cooperation in the fields of Renewable Energy and Healthcare and Agreement on Exemption from Short Stay Visa for Holders of Diplomatic and Special/Official Passport (July 2018) 
• MoU on cooperation in the exploration and uses of Outer Space for Peaceful Purposes (March 2019)

➤ Trade and Economic Relations

• Total bilateral trade stands at USD 1282.96 million in 2018-19 and USD 753.60 million in 2019-20 (April-Dec). 
• Indian Exports to Bahrain: Mineral fuels and oils, inorganic chemicals, organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals of rare earth, cereals, nuts, fruits, articles of apparel and clothing accessories etc. 
• Indian Imports from Bahrain: Crude oils, mineral fuels and their bituminous substance, distillation, aluminium, fertilizers, ores/slags/ashes of alumin­ium, iron and copper, pulp, etc. 

➤ Indian investment in Bahrain

• India's total capital investment into Bahrain between January 2003 and March 2018 has been estimated at approximately USD 1.69 billion. 
• Financial services have the highest investment value (40% of total projects), followed by the real estate and hospitality sector.

➤ Indian Expatriate Community

• Approximately 3,50,000 Indians live in Bahrain currently, and around 70% are in unskilled labour. 
• In addition to the predominant blue-collar labour force, there is a sizable number of other professionals who play a vital role in Bahrain's socio-economic development. 
• In November 2015, Bahrain launched 'Little India in Bahrain' project to acknowledge and mark the contribution of the Indian community to the history and progress of Bahrain.

India-Vietnam Talks

Recently, Defence Ministers of India and Vietnam have discussed collaboration in defence industry capability building, training and cooperation in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations, etc.

➤ Key Points

• Defence Cooperation: Both countries reaffirmed the strong India-Vietnam Defence cooperation, a key pillar of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership(2016). 
• Underlining the vision of "Atmanirbhar Bharat" for enhancing self-re­liance, including defence indus­tries, India urged closer defence industry cooperation by concluding an institutionalised framework agreement in the near future. 
• Vietnam thanked India for the assistance by Indian Armed Forces in capacity building of Vietnamese Defence Forces, especially in Human Resource development. 
• India conveyed its willingness to enhance the scope and level of training for all three services of Vietnam Defence forces in Indian Defence Institutes. 
• It needs to be noted that the two countries have built ties on the procurement of weaponry and military hardware, capacity building, collaboration in the area of warship building and repair. 
• UN Peacekeeping: Discussed cooperation in UN peacekeeping operations, which help countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace.
• Cooperation in the field of Hydrography: This will enable sharing of Hydrographic data and assist in the production of navigational charts by both sides. 
• Hydrography is the science that measures and de­scribes the physical features of the navigable portion of the Earth's surface and adjoining coastal areas. 
• ADMM Plus Meeting: Vietnam invited India for ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus) being hosted by Vietnam in December 2020. The ADMM-Plus is a platform for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its eight Dialogue Partners Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the USA (collectively referred to as the "Plus Countries"), to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region. 
• Vietnam is a member of ASEAN.

➤ India-Vietnam Relations

• India and Vietnam have agreed to enhance their bilateral cooperation in line with India's Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and the ASEAN's Outlook on Indo-Pacific. 
• This came in the backdrop of China's aggression in the Indo-Pacific region including South China Sea region and its actions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with India.

➤ Cooperation at Multiple Fora

• At the UN Security Council, both India and Vietnam will serve concurrently as non-permanent members in 2021. 
• India and Vietnam closely cooperate in various regional forums such as East Asia Summit, Mekong Ganga Cooperation, Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM). 

➤ Economic Relations 

• India has on many occasions explained that it will continue to maintain its oil and gas exploration tie-ups with Vietnam in Vietnamese waters. 
• Vietnam is also the second-largest export destination for India after Singapore in the ASEAN region. 
• Bilateral trade for the period April-November 2019 reached USD 9.01 billion. 

➤ India's Assistance

• India has reaffirmed its development and capacity building assistance to Vietnam through initiatives such as Quick Impact Projects (QIP), Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and e-ITEC initiatives, PhD fellowships, as well as projects in water resource management in Vietnam's Mekong Delta region, SDGs, digital connectivity and heritage conservation. 

➤ Tourism and People-to-People Contacts

• The year 2019 was celebrated as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism. Both countries have facilitated a simplified visa regime to promote bilateral tourism. 
• The Embassy of India organized various events to celebrate Mahatma@150 in 2018-19. These include Jaipur artificial limb fitment camps organized in four provinces of Vietnam, benefitting 1000 people, under 'India for Humanity' initiative of the Government of India.